Fog Running

I didn't want to get out of bed this morning. It was so warm under the covers and it was cold out of them. I forced myself up anyways. I got dressed (while I was half asleep) and headed out the door. As soon as I opened the door, I couldn't see that far in front of me. It was so foggy (this picture doesn't do it justice). I have all the gear the run in (California) cold weather (chilly, rainy, windy and foggy), but I didn't want to run outside. The fog just didn't seem fun this morning (and I've never ran in it). If it's foggy on Saturday morning, I will be running in it.

When I got to the gym, I went straight for the tm (my best friend). I ran a glorious 4 miles), then worked some weight magic on the good 'ol legs. Great times this morning! I had to run off the (couple) cookies I ate last night. They were so thin, that when I tried to get them off the cookie sheet, they buckled and now I call it cookie crumble. They still taste like cookies, though (that's the important thing).

Do you ever run in the heavy fog (I live in the 'burbs, so there are people out)?  I want to try it, just on the weekends, though (don't know why).

I'm Back in Action (with a House)!

Today was the first day that sweat had dripped from my tired body in about 2 weeks!! I'm so happy to be back. I went to the gym for a moderate 4 mile run. It felt great!!

So, to catch you up with my life, this is how I've been keeping myself busy since my last post (on the 16th, wow!!) and some big news: We're buying a house!! So, we're trying to come up with some money, so we've had a moving sale (aka garage sale) at my parents house. It was pretty darn cold outside that morning! We did so much better than I expected.

We went furniture shopping. This isn't our style, it was fun sitting in it. This store was way too gaudy for us!

I've been making lots of messes in the kitchen (I was making waffles here). It's been fun and filling my belly, though.

I've been hanging out at home with loved ones (here's my Scoutie).

So, we don't have to keys to the house, yet, but we should be moving some time around Christmas. This will be our first house. If you feel caring and would like to donate to the Shelly & Jason moving fund, let me know and I'll email you my Paypal account for donations (I'm kidding if you don't want to donate, but serious if you do). I've been trying to keep up with every ones posts and will soon.

I hope everyone had a great turkey day!! What did you do? We went to my parents and had dinner and visited with family.

Running with Mr. Smelly

So, while I was at the gym this morning (already over a mile into my run), a guy with buckets of cologne got on the tm next to me. I couldn't stand it. I only ran 3 miles today (I had 4 planned). It was so strong, I think it stained the inside of my nostrils. I've never understood this. Why do guys (I rarely smell girls with a ton of perfume on) wear a ton (or any) cologne to this gym. I understand that you may have work or other plans afterwards. But, you can always shower or at least wet nap the smelly parts and put it on aftewards. Why wear the smelly stuff before you workout? As I was leaving the cardio area, I walked by another guy that was super smelly, too. The thing is, it's not always older men or always younger guys. It's the entire age range.

Yesterday, I made mini apple pies. They would have tasted better if they didn't get stuck to the pan. They were still good, just crumbly (and not in the good crumbly way). I also made a pretty good bread (not pictured). It was pizza dough (un-cooked) with some whipped butter that was mixed with minced garlic spread on the rolled out (in a rectangle) dough. Then, sprinkle mozz cheese on top and roll it the short way up. Spread the remaining butter op top and bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes. We had company over that went like hot cakes!

Ok. Male readers (or female with some insight), please tell me why most of you wear too much cologne to the gym ?

I've Been Bad

I've been so busy lately, I haven't even been working out. I haven't been to the gym or even went for a run since Wednesday. Life is taking over and I'm enjoying it. This is what "off season" is for. I'm still getting time to spend getting "crazy" in the kitchen.  

I've been making some good food, just nothing too interesting to blog about. I'm getting up early all this week to workout in the gym. So, that means, more blogging. This morning, I did get my lazy butt out of bed and into the gym before the sun rise. Sometimes, I think that sun is so lazy. I shouldn't be getting up before the sun does, maybe I'm just crazy. Is it odd, that it's easier to go get my workout in before work than after?

I headed straight for the tm when I got in the gym. All I felt like doing was running. I didn't want to do anything else, but move my legs really fast. It was such a great run this morning. I'm so glad I did it. Now, I just have to be awake enough to fix dinner and entertain Jason's parents tonight.

Do you before before work after work workouts?

Sleepy with some Side Stitches

Ever since about 1 pm yesterday, I had side stitches. I was sitting down for most of the day, so it was really odd. I pushed through it (yep, still had them until way after 5, when I left for the gym) and got in 4 miles. I was determined to run the 4 miles, because my head was filled with way too many thoughts I was about to go crazy!! But, that was all I could handle. I wasn't concentrating or enjoying the run. So, that's when I was finished with my workout.

I came home and made dinner (black bean burgers). I love these things! So easy to make!

After dinner, I got all my workout gear ready for my early morning gym time. I ended up turning off the alarm and going back to sleep. I just woke up (which is too late to go to the gym). I guess my body needed to extra rest today.

Do you listen to your body every time it tells you something?

Mini Meatballs & Time Trials

This is what I've been eating for dinner the last 2 nights. I made these bad boys (mini meatball sandwiches) with ground turkey! They are so good. If you haven't made them yet, go make them tonight!

Just before I left work yesterday, I found that I didn't bring enough food with me. I wouldn't have been able to make it through my 2 hour, high intensity workout (plus, I didn't want to faint). So, the best things, was to come home and eat dinner.

I did get out there this morning. Right now, it's easier to get up early (at 4 am) and hit them gym, than it is the go after work. I know, it's weird. So, I went about my routine and got up at 4. I've decided to kick this laid back routine up a little. I'm starting to do bi-weekly mile time trials. This was my first one ever. I did start my morning off with my stairs (aka, my BFF). The, headed over to the time trials. I did ok, but not as good as I hoped. Just something I know that I need to work on. I ended my am workout with some leg weights. It has been a good morning.

I'm going to catch up on some tv while I drink my coffee and eat my cereal.

Have you done time trials? How were they for you?

A Hill Made of Apples

Yesterday morning started out with an easy 3 mile, dark run. This time I carried a flash light (not turned on until I needed it: the scary bridge). For some odd reason, I feel safer with it (instead of the mace). It was a great run, though.

After coming home and then heading back out to grocery shop, we got ready and drove up to Apple Hill. It's such a fun place to go. It was so cold (40)! I picked my apples out of a box (you can pick from trees, too, but I didn't want to). I bought my apples to make apple sauce, some apple juice (which they tried to tell me it's the same thing as cider) and the best apple pie.

They don't have parking lots here. You park in the orchards.

It was the perfect day to go. Halloween is over, so no one is searching for the perfect pumpkin. Thanksgiving is too far away to look for decor and Christmas is way to far to be searching for the perfect family tree. Don't get me wrong, it was very busy!

I'm off to go relax and try to catch up on shows and some reading. Hope everyone had a great time in NY!! I'll be watching to highlights very soon!

I heart Intervals

After work, last night, I headed over to the gym. I didn't really want to go, but I made myself. I'm so glad that I did! I really enjoyed getting my sweat on. I ran 4 miles as a warm up for my spin class. It was a good 4 miles. My Friends kept me entertained while I ran.

Spin class was great! I really missed that class. This (coming up) training cycle, I'm not going to stop going to spin class (like I did last cycle). It's a great cardio workout, and excellent cross training. My instructor old us that he's going to Vegas over turkey day weekend. Him & his wife are going to renew their vows, with am Elvis impersonator. How fun!

In this class, there were even more intervals than normal. He would change things up and make it fun (while listening the Elvis remixed songs). It was a fantastic class and I can't wait to go back next week!

When I got home, Jason was already prepping dinner. I hopped in the shower and when I got out, it was cooling. It seemed like such an easy dinner and it was so yummy.

It's called chicken with garlic, basil and parsley. Very filling.

What is your favorite class to take?

I Heart Black Beans

The other night, I made some soup. I'm really into soups right now. For me, it has to be dark and cold outside, preferably raining too. Well, when I eat dinner, lately, it's been dark outside. When it's dark, it's cold (not too much rain, yet). So, it's the perfect soup season!

I love black beans. I put them on as many things as possible. Well, I decided to combine these two things and make my first black bean soup. It turned out pretty good. It's definitely not healthy, but it tastes great (what wouldn't taste good with 10 slices of bacon in it?).

Yesterday, my gym was closed (after 4) for Halloween. I was pretty disappointed. I ended up taking a rest day (2 days in a row, wow). I woke up before my alarm this morning, eagerly got up (at 4 am) and headed out the door (of course, after I changed). I did 15 minutes on the stairs and lifted the legs.

Next week, I'm going to start to add in more running to my routine.

I've been feeling kind of blah lately, and I think it's because I haven't been running as much as I was (12 miles a week now vs. 25-30 during training). I'm not going to boost it up as much as I was during training, but it will be higher next week (maybe 15-20 miles). I am in "off season", so I can do what I want. It feels so weird and I feel like I don't know what to do with myself.

Do you feel this way when you're in "off season"?