Yay for Fridays!!

Today was kind of slow at work, so the day dragged along. Fridays are always my rest days. I love it. It's kind of weird coming home straight from work (being home about 5pm). I get to spend some time with my hubby and hang out for a bit. That's a pretty rare thing (our hours clash).

After a few hours, I started to get hungry. Yay for yummy left overs!! The sauce wasn't as creamy as yesterday, but it was still delicious. I think we have one more day.

I caught up on a few shows and cleaned up around the house. Can you say snack time? I made some yummy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies with Walnuts. So yum! Yay for great cookies!!

Well, hubby is on his way home, so I better get some little things done around here before he gets home, so we can relax. Time to do dishes and change out the laundry. Enjoy your weekend my loyal readers!!

Unexpected 6 Miles & a New PR

Everything went well today, as usual. Before I left work to go to the gym, I was actually able to eat a full bar. It was Clif Bar Kidz (blueberry flavor). When I opened the package, the smell of blueberries snuck up my nose. It was so good and I would buy so many more of these.


I was planning of running my usual 5 1/2 miles today, but my legs were feeling so good, I ran a total of 6 miles. I finished the 6 miles in 1:04. If you remember from Sunday, I ran my 5 1/2 miles in 1:02. What a great job I did. I wasn't even trying too hard. My goal was to push myself, but I didn't realize how hard I was pushing. I feel great (as I'm still wearing my compression socks).

Here I am on my way home enjoying the cool breeze on my sweating, disgusting, red face.


When I got home, I immediately hopped in the shower. I needed to get the salt off as soon as possible, it was staring to clump. When I got out, I started dinner. Tonight, I made Chicken Milanese with Fennel Sauce (I left out the tomatoes). The only difference was that I added some little fennel greens on top of the finished product. I paired it with brown rice.

Here's the chicken being cooked after it was pounded and battered.

Fennel, garlic and seasonings being cooked.

Final product. It was so good. I loved the smell of the fennel and garlic being cooked together. I was amazing. This went really well with the brown rice. I can't wait for left overs tomorrow.

My stomach has been hurting all night (even before I ate dinner). I don't know what's wrong, so I need to get some rest. Off to watch tv on the couch with my kittens (such cuddle bugs).

How long have you been running? What made you want to start?

I've been running for a total of about 7 years. I had put on some weight and wanted to take it off. I couldn't afford a gym or any workout things, so I just started to run. I didn't cost anything, and I could do it anywhere. I started racing, to make it more fun (I love a competition). I wanted to keep beating my last time and haven't stopped yet. With how much I've been eating, I don't think I ever could stop running. I'm an empty pit right now and I love being able to eat whatever I want (in moderation).

My Legs On Fire

This morning, I was running late, so I grabbed some oatmeal and ate it once I got to work. Work wasn't as busy as it has been. But, it was nice to be able to catch up and not be drowning. I ate my standard banana and apple for my snacks and my usual 1/2 sandwich lunch.

I had 1/3 of a bar before I headed to the gym. I, once again, had to force myself to go to the gym. My stomach was feeling pretty weird. I forced myself to run as far as my tummy could take. I was almost able to finish what I needed to do. I ran 3.76 miles (usually it's 4.25 miles). Only 1/2 mile off and my stomach was hurting even more.

Before I forced myself to go to spin class, I freshened up and headed in. The class went by pretty quick and my stomach stopped hurting. It was a great class!

When I got home, I showered and ate cereal for dinner. I have this chicken dinner planned for tomorrow and it's going to take some time (which I wasn't in the mood for tonight). I slipped on my compression socks and enjoys my cereal while watching Killers. It's a cute movie, but don't worry if you miss it. It's a little too chick flick for me.

I'm off to do dishes while I finish the movie, yes, it's that good. Don't forget, only one more "fan" until you guys get an awesome giveaway!

Busy, busy Tuesday

Today was a busy day. Work went well and kept me busy all day. I left to go to the gym afterwards. I had to force myself to go. I was not in the mood to go anywhere, but home. I was just feeling like a home body today. But, I had things I needed to do before I could go home.

At the gym, I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes on my arms. Usually, I spend another 30 minutes on my abs. But, ever since this weekend, my back has been hurting. I had my hubby take a look and he said I have 5 little red dots where it hurts. It seems to be getting better, I just didn't want to bring on the pain. I wasn't in the mood.

I left the gym a half hour early and went grocery shopping. It was so busy there. Again, something else I wasn't in the mood for. Oh well, it needed to be done. I was in and out in 45 minutes (I think that may be a new record for me).

When I got home and put things away and showered, I heated up dinner that I made yesterday. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. It was Pantry Pasta. It was super easy to make. Which is always a good thing.

Here's the sauce simmering for 45 minutes while I did other things in the kitchen. Good thing I had a lot of energy last night (because I sure don't tonight).

I tossed the sauce with whole wheat pasta. It was ok to eat. I'm just glad I made it ahead of time!

Last night, I did sneak a brownie. They are so good. It tasted like the boxed brownies (which I love the flavor). But, this was home made and I know exactly what is in them. I love that! If you like brownies, these are a must make!! I knew I could count on the Brown Eyed Baker!

Just Another Monday

My day didn't get interesting until I left work. I headed to the gym and go straight on the treadmill for my usual 4.25 miles. The run felt good, and Judge Judy was very entertaining today. The miles just flew by.

My spin instructor was out today, so we had a sub. I had her before, but she's not the same as our normal instructor. Oh well. I worked up a good sweat, but not as much as a normal Monday.

Yoga was another good hour long stretch. I felt very relaxed and energized afterwards. When I got home, I fixed a quesadilla for dinner. I added some chopped / cooked turkey sausage and mushrooms. It was very tasty!


The final product!

I was still hungry, though. So, I toasted up a whole wheat piece of bread and topped is with some butter and home made preserves. That hit the spot. I guess I needed a little sweetness.

I was still feeling energized, so I made some brownies. I wanted to make them yesterday, but I ran out of time. I got this recipe from the Brown Eyed Bakers blog. I've tried several things from this site and have loved them all! I haven't tried these yet, they just came out of the oven. I know I'll have to sneak one before bed. I have a weakness for brownies (especially when I add chocolate chips to the batter)!

Yet again, I still haven't had time to shower before blogging. Oh well, it's not like you guys can smell me through your computers. Thank you so much for your advice on the socks and running at night! It really does help!

I will follow the pack and describe my day (it may not be interesting, sorry):

6:50am: hit snooze on alarm

7:15: get up and wrangle kittens for their meds

7:25: get ready for work (eat, makeup. get dressed, and gather misc. items to take to work)

8:15-4:45pm: work

4:45pm: leave for the gym

5:00: start work out (see individual days for exact workout)

8:00pm: leave gym to go home

8:20: arrive at home and say hi to the animals (play with them and love on them)

8:35: fix dinner (I try to always have it pre-made for Mondays) and watch a show

9:25: shower

9:45: get cleaned up (dressed, etc)
10:00pm: get gym bag ready for next day, fix lunch for next day

10:30:blog (and catch up on today's blogs)

11:30: relax on couch watching shows until hubby gets home

12:15am: hubby arrives home and we talk

12:45: wash dishes (while hubby showers), feed animals

1:00am: watch shows (aka catch up on dvr)

2:00am: fall asleep on couch

4:00am: hubby wakes me up and we go to bed

6:50am: start day all over again

This is my average Monday schedule. Tonight was a little different because I had more energy to make the brownies. That's why I'm not showered and I'm just now blogging at 10:50pm. Well, It's time to shower and get this stink off of me. Don't forget to vote on my poll.

Great 5 1/2 Miles Run!

I was so excited this morning for my long run. I woke up just a few seconds before my alarm went off. I set it for 6:50 this morning. I had 1/2 Power Bar and some water before heading out the door. I finished getting ready and drove to a local park (about 5 minutes away). I was freezing and wasn't sure if I should wear something on top of my tank top. I do get hot so easily and sweat badly! I decided to go without.

I kept my run at a slow pace (11:30) and wanted to keep it that way. I have a tendency to go out fast and end up walking. I need to train myself not to do that. I was proud of my pace! I ran into so many people walking their dogs and only a handful of runners. It was the opposite of what I was expecting. My last 5 1/2 miler, I ran it in 59:49. Today, I ran it in 1:02. Only a few minutes slower than my last pace. I can't wait to run this again (and outside). I love this park.


It was awesome having my run finished, showered and cleaned the kitchen and ate breakfast all before 9am. I felt like I got so much done before I normally do.

For breakfast, I fixed whole wheat pancakes and topped it with some home made preserves and light syrup. I paired this with 2 cups of coffee. So yummy!!



I was starving all day. I ate a banana about 12pm and had an opened face PB&J sandwich with some chips about 2pm. I ate left over pizza for dinner about 6:30 and splurged with an ice cream cone (mint chocolate chip ice cream) for dessert. One of my favorite ice creams!

I've been drinking some apple juice this evening to quench my thirst, since I'm tired of water. I usually drink about 3 pints of water on Mondays, so I need a slight change today.

Don't forget to vote on my poll on my sidebar. And, only 2 people are needed become "fans" on my facebook until you guys get an awesome giveaway!

Question: When it gets dark and you can only run outside at night (dark), do you opt to hit the treadmill or brave the streets? I don't have anyone local to run with and I'm not sure what to do when the time changes.

Fun Saturday!

I set my alarm for 8am this morning. When I woke up I started the coffee and ate my usual cereal. Off I went to take my car in for normal maintenance. I wanted to get there nice and early, so I could get it back nice and early. When I got done, I came back and relaxed.

I was getting a little hungry, so I had a piece of toast with PB on top. It hit the spot. I think that is my favorite snack right now. A few hours later, we were off to our friends birthday party. We had some yummy food. I enjoyed a hot dog with mustard, fruit and veggies. Yum!!

Dessert was chocolate cake. Now, who could ever turn down chocolate cake? Super Yum!!

When we got home, I watched some shows (trying to stay up with my DVR since premier week has started). A few hours later, I started getting hungry again. I fixed myself an open faced PB&J whole wheat sandwich (with some chips). I swallowed that down with some ice cold water.

Everything is going well with the kittens. Everyone is now friends! No more growling or hissing (only on the first day).

Only 2 more "fans" needed on facebook until you guys get an awesome giveaway! I've posted a new poll. Take a look and vote. I may be looking for some new running shoes and want to know what's popular.

One question: I have a pair of compression socks that are in need of a good washing? Do you wash yours by hand or in the washing machine? Do you put them in the dryer or hang dry (like most running gear)?