Showing posts with label get active. Show all posts
Showing posts with label get active. Show all posts

Monday, January 10, 2011

Going green...

This week at the grocery store I decided to pick up a package of baby spinach in addition to the normal package of mixed greens. I picked them up to use in my protein shakes and to increase my intake of green goodness.

Tonight after work I made a quick green shake before I hit the gym. I used 2 cups water, 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 a banana, and 3 big handfuls of spinach. All of it went into the Vita-mix, and out came the lovely green drink below. Be sure to note that radiant light beams are coming from the cup- it is not a coincidence- it is that good!



I know you're thinking- 'It looks a bit like swamp water.' I promise it tastes great! And it kept me well fueled during my upper body workout, and my 30 minutes of intervals!

All the doors that I had to close,
Everything I knew but I didn't know,
Thank God for all I missed,
Cause it led me here to this...

-This, Darius Rucker

Monday, January 3, 2011

Workin' my plans...

With a New Year comes a chance to refocus on goals. I've spent the last week or so thinking about what my current goals are and created a little list. I broke the list into four different areas that make up "Canoe of Life".

Personal:
-Sticking to our budget, and being able to say at the end of 2011 that I am debt free.



-Learning to use our new toy- Canon T2i! I've been using it for a month now, and I've seen some improvement in the blog photos, but I'd like to learn more about the manual modes.

-Planning, saving, and taking our real honeymoon in Germany!


Professional:
-Working hard at my current position and making new connections whenever possible.

-Looking for new opportunities that can improve my chances to get the position I'm hoping to get in the next two or three years.

Fitness/Health:
-Fine tuning my current eating and activity levels to continue working toward my goals.

-Competing in at least one race greater than 5K, and possibly the Iron Girl Triathlon if I can figure out an affordable place to get pool time.

-Working to hold plank for 2 minutes!

-Supporting those around me that want to include more fitness and health in their daily lives.

Blogging:
-Starting each post with the lyrics of a song. Since I'm always listening to some kind of music in the car, at work, while in the kitchen, while at the gym, and even when the alarm goes off each morning. (Let me know if you like it!)

-Trying one new recipe a week, taken from the shelf of cookbooks.

-Posting at least three times a week whenever possible.

And there you have it, my ever evolving plans. What do you think?

"Life’s not the breaths you take, But the moments that take your breath away..."
-George Strait, The Breath You Take

Sunday, April 4, 2010

I'm back from a whirlwind...

So you might have noticed I've been missing from my blog for a little over a week now...my longest time away! So sorry to all of you who check for new posts each day. I've been real busy between weekends plans and daily activities related to the training class (meaning working in the evenings too!). So here goes my attempt to catch you up:

Last Saturday I rented a car and took a roadtrip South of Dallas to Killeen, TX see a great college friend that I really needed to catch up with. I didn't have a lot of time for side trips but I did find my way to a Harely Davidson shop to pick up a souvenir for my dad. I typically don't bring back souvenirs, but I know he'll use it so I made an exception. Anyways back to the purpose of the trip, seeing Celia and finally meeting her husband and baby. Her baby is an awesome little guy so very happy- loved flirting and laughing. I hope someday my baby is that good! After a great but too short visit I had to get back into the city to return my rental vehicle.

After returning from Killeen I was suppose to complete a planned 10 mile long run for the week, but I have to admit that it just didn't happen. After the long drive I was not mentally or physically into completing 10 miles. Plus I noticed that it was extremely windy in downtown Dallas and fighting the wind would have made it that much more difficult. So for those of you that believe I'm so perfect about meeting my training plans to a "T", here's proof that adapting your plan to how you feel it just as important as following a plan.

Monday to Friday of last week I completed my running and lifting exercises as planned to stay on track, and because I gave my self a break on the long run. As for training it was very busy- all day class and then planning/reviewing at night. Needless to say there wasn't much time left at the end of the day to blog.

Then since Saturday was our day off, we ventured out of Dallas to see some sights and do some shopping.

First up was enjoying some nice weather while looking at sculptures in Frisco, TX. Here's a few pictures for you to enjoy:






After touring the sculptures, we head to IKEA!!!! My boss had never been to Ikea, it so fun to explore Ikea with someone who has been never seen all the neat stuff they sell. We spent lots of time walking around, and she picked up lots of little things to help her get organized. I picked up a surprise for Matt.

By this point we were all gettting hungry, so I suggested we stop a Whole Foods for lunch and so I could pick up a few groceries for this last week. I picked up some Seedduction bread, fruit & nut mix, Ezekiel cereal, and almond milk. For lunch I got a chicken sandwich and loaded with lettuce, tomato, and avocado. So good and half filled me up.



After lunch we explored the Texas State Fairgrounds, which is home to the big event held in September each year. However in the off season there are museum exhibits and this weekend it was the finish line for a bike race.





Lastly, today's big adventure was a 10 mile long run. I completed the run by starting at the hotel, running to Katy Trail, running the entire trail then I turned around and ran back to the hotel. Before the run I had a Power Bar, at mile 5 I had some Gel Chews, at mile 8.5 I had more Gel Chews.



It took me 2 hours and 9 minutes to complete and here are my splits:

splits:
mi pace climb (ft)
1 11:01 -25
2 11:49 40
3 12:05 9
4 12:31 46
5 15:55 29
6 12:30 -30
7 12:47 -52
8 13:34 -16
9 12:48 6
10 14:00 23

The 15 minutes at mile 5 was because I forgot to hit pause on the tracker so it counted my break into the time. Oops!

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter and made it through all the updates from me!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

I must confess...

It's the end of day three here in Dallas, and I must confess I haven't gotten in any of my strength training yet. And I miss it!!!

Unfortunately at the end of the day, we are still kind of working through dinner. It is a little more casual talk, but at the same time there are some important topics I should be around for- so I haven't made it to the gym at night. I guess it is good that I'm getting up for my runs before work!

Tomorrow's plan is to get my strength training in at 5:00am, since I only run four days a week. So here's the modified plan as it appears to be working itself out:

Sunday: Long Runs w/ strength training (completed in the morning or afternoon)
Monday: 3 mile run (5am on the treadmill)
Tuesday: Strength Training (5am in hotel gym)
Wednesday: 5 mile run (5am on the treadmill)
Thursday: Strength Training (5am in the hotel)
Friday: 3 mile run (5am on the treadmill)
Saturday: Rest & Relaxation

How does that sound? I figure I might as well get up at the same time everyday so my body's clock doesn't get confused. On weekends I don't plan to get up at 5am, but I'm guessing my body will wake me up by 6 or so. I'll have to let you know how it works for me.

Have a great night!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Thursday Night....

Tuesday and Thursday nights are typically rest days from the normal gym activities, which gives us both a break and a chance to get stuff done. Tonight I had a couple errands to run.

First up was picking up the race number for Saturday's Shamrock Run, which is an 8k through the 1st Ward of downtown Buffalo- the original Irish area of Buffalo. If I had signed up sooner I would have gotten a free jacket with registration, but instead a got a nice little knit cap. Everyone loves free stuff, and a warm head isn't bad either!

If you are in Buffalo be looking for #4718 to be crossing the finish line!

Next up was a trip to Fleet Feet to see if they had a spibelt, but they didn't so I got something just like it. I tried it out "jogging" and jumping around the kitchen- Matt is now calling it the world's smallest fanny pack! Oh well, if it holds my phone and my key I'll take it. Oh, and they were having a 50% off sale on all the long sleeve gear, so I picked up a green/grey running top.


Then we were hungry, so I decided to take Matt to Amy's Place. It's a little place over by the university that offers an array of food from vegetarian, vegan, and other typical diner like options. I only took a picture of my meal, which was a Lentil-Berry Sandwich (Vegetarian). It actually is more like a wrap, and resembles a giant burrito. It was huge, so I have lunch for tomorrow now too.


Have a great night!!!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Live Actively...

Most week nights Matt and I stay close to home because by the time we get home from work/gym and make dinner it's late. Usually there is just enough time to relax for a little bi then it's off to bed for the night. So during the weekend, the goal is to get out and do something active.

I'm not talking about hitting the gym, we do that three to four times a week. Plus right now it is too busy there. So we are going to be hitting the slopes as part of being active. Tomorrow is the second time we will get to ski this season, and another chance to break in our new gear.

Personally I'm still mastering my ski techniques, but I try and I manage to get down the hill successfully. When in doubt I go into the beginner 'pie' mode where you put your tips together, and push the backs out to slow down.

So wish us luck as we take part of the day to get out and enjoy the warm up here. It will be almost 40 degrees...yeah!!!