WiW... Back on Track

So this is the damage from vacation. It's not pretty. 6 pounds up,  I knew there would be some gain but I was hoping for less. But it is, what it is and I can only go forward from here. 

And even though I'm back from vacation I haven't really been home.  Yesterday was our staff development day and they put us up at the beautiful Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach. 

And even though I just wanted to sit on the balcony with this beautiful view and a glass of wine telling myself "just one more day" I grabbed my kicks and headed to the beach path for a run. 

Then I had that glass of wine with these awesome girls. 

And since we weren't fully ready to be back Carrie and I decided to pretend we were still on island time.

I am still a little messed up with my time so I was up at the crack of dawn.  I chanced it and text Barb to see if she was wake...she was so I told her to get moving and meet me in lobby for a morning run.  We did a quick 5k then spent the rest of the day at our staff development.  

I am so glad that I made myself get up and get back on track instead of falling into old habits.  Yes I gained (a bit much) over vacation and I'm not happy but I don't regret it and I'm back full force ready to get working again.

This may not be the Caribbean but really how awesome is Southern California in November. 

Linking up with Fitness Blondie, and WiW.

Runner Friends... Long Beach ReCap

Turns out it was a great weekend for a run. Definitely not as hot as I expected and thank god the cloud cover stuck around a while.  So let's recap shall we.

There was a butt load of traffic getting into LB (what's new) and parking was a bitch even though we had pre-paid which actually was a bit of a disadvantage since I saw at least 2 other lots that were cheaper and not nearly as much traffic to park at.  Anyway Since Barb was running the half it was getting close to her start time we decided to jump out let Carrie park and I would walk her to the start line and see her off.



After Barb was off and running,  Carrie and I found each other and passed the time by taking pictures of course.  The 5k didn't start until 8:30 so we had about 40 minutes to kill.  I love this race it is so well organized and everything runs right on time.

I matched the sign!

The course was a pretty easy loop around Shoreline Village, but Carrie made the decision for us that since we were only doing the 5k that we had to run the whole thing.  Wait... What??  I don't think I have ever run a whole 5k.  When I run it's more run a mile walk a bit run a mile walk a bit.  Even when I have done my previous Half Mary's I've always done the run/walk combo.  

I was a little nervous.  I had made a new 5k playlist and it was 41 miutes long so that was my goal to finish before the playlist ran that would be a 13:13 minute mile.

  

Yup blew that outta the water!!

I totally crushed my time and have a new PR of 34:21. 

I have to thank Carrie  (and my playlist..there were some freaking good songs on there) I just kept up with her and moved my ass.

When we were done we found a spot to wait for Barb, about 1/2  a mile before the finish.  When we found her she asked us to come run with her and push her through it was getting tough.  So we ran with her until the fencing then veered off and let her take it home.

The running crew. Back where it all started.

When we were done we went to celebrate Rob's (Barbs hubby who also ran the 5k along with some other friends) birthday with some margaritas and Mexican food, 

I am so glad that even though I totally slacked I was still able to run this race with my friends and their friends.  I promise no more slacking, from now on I will sign up and do it cause I would hate to miss this.

and really isn't this medal just gorgeous.  

Linking up with Healthy Diva Eats , and Join The Gossip.

WiW…5ks vs. Half Marathons

I'm So I'm a little up this week (.8 pounds) I fully blame TOM he came to visit with a vengeance this week and I will admit to some chocolate and peanut butter shenanigans.  

And the fact that I didn't get in my full hike. It's still majorly hot here so our hiking trails were closed due to high fire danger.  

We didn't completely bale though and did a 4 mile run/walk on the paved trail. It was nice just not quite as challenging.

  

 So this Sunday is the Long Beach Full and Half Marathon. I totally lagged and never signed up for it not to mention train.  I've kinda lost the running bug, not fully but just for halfs it just takes so much time to train and it seems my commute for work is getting longer and longer every year (what used to take me an hour is almost up to two on the way home) there are just so many people on the roads it's starting to wear.  Its all I can do to get in 2-3 miles or hit the gym I'm just to tired when I get home after a 12 hour day every day!  

But my friend Carrie and Barb aren't the slackers that I have been and signed up for the 5k and the 1/2. I thought about the 5k but never signed up *insert Lazy Song* they have been talking and prepping and I have to admit I'm kinda jealous not so much the running part but the social part.  It's so much fun being a part of races there is such a community and team atmosphere.

Then yesterday Barb asked if I still wanted to run the 5k with Carrie (Barb is doing the half cause she's awesome like that)…Turns out one of her friends who signed up can't do it and they offered me the bib.  So looks like I get to run after all YAY!!

Linking up with Fitness Blondie, and of course the WiW girls.

OC Half Marathon ReCap

I made it and I actually feel pretty good, just really tired more from the lack of sleep than the half itself. It was an EARLY race time 6:15am and OC is a point to point, so we had to park at the finish line and be bussed to the start at 4:30AM.. Now you know when I say I'm tired I  really mean I am typing this with one eye closed and half my brain in lala land. 

So let's recap Friday real quick.  Mom, TaTa and I met up with Carrie at the expo to pick up our bib's and pick up some shot blocks (I found a new flavor I like Orange).  We walked around a bit but it was a pretty small Expo so we left and met up with Barb at the Cheesecake Factory.

This is how we carb load.

I was actually good, I ordered the steak medallions of their Skinnylicious  menu, so good and under 550 kcals (which naturally left room for dessert...we split two slices of cheesecake between the 5 of us so not to much damage done). We went home and relaxed after that and TaTa and Barb already started looking for another race to do.

 #runnerslife haha.

We tried to go to bed early but for some reason I could not get to sleep until after 10:30pm.

And  our 3:30am wake up call came pretty damn quick (thank god for adrenaline, right?) We rolled out of bed got dressed and headed out with out breakfast of PB toast and bananas.

I just love my girl. Look at her lovin' on her mommy!!

We got there pretty painlessly with minimal  traffic and hopped on a shuttle.  It was so well run and they had giant school busses so there were no long waits at all.   When we got to the start line we did the pre req's of the port-potty (here's a little secret *use the ones in the middle there are hardly any lines...everyone else just goes to the outside ones they see first and don't venture inward total time saver trust me). 

We lined up in our corral just as the sun was rising took a few a lot of pictures while we waited for the start.  

I am really bummed I waited this long to run the OC Half.  I chickened out last year because I had heard it was "hilly"   yes it was a bit but almost 80% of it was actually downhill, and it was so beautiful.  It went through a ton of residential neighborhoods with gigantic I could only dream of living in houses, and the people were so friendly some of them passed out water, or gummies, and a few were spraying their hoses (it was a hot race with a ton of sun towards the end).

half way done mile 6.55

the 11 mile stretch..with a small hill not cool.

Obviously TaTa  took off like a shot (she finished in 2:19) Carrie and Barb were not far behind (they both finished in 2:35ish...)  Me well this was by far my slowest half  (Mom and I finished in 3:33) could I have done better, yes for sure. I walked almost all of it to stay with mom.  She did try several times to get me to just go but I really wanted to be there with her.  I was the one who had faith in her that she could do this, and it was because of me that she signed up, so I was going to stick with her no matter what.  Around mile 8 she was having a real hard time her feet were really starting to hurt and she was worried she wasn't going to finish.  No worries we just slowed down and took it mile by mile I talked to her, joked with her, told her stories to try and keep her busy.  Next thing you know we are at mile 12.  So it was no stopping and we crossed the finish line together!! 

I am so extremely proud of everyone, but especially my mom and TaTa it was their first half and they only did it because of me and I am so grateful. I have the best family and friends ever!!

but guess what I don't think it will be their last :) 

And our celebratory meal of fish tacos and beer at Wahoo's yumm

 

And of course I'm linking up with Katie at Healthy Diva Eats cause she is fabulous! 

No More Tissues..

TGIF...

I am finally feeling better...and I have no tissue shoved up my nose thank - the - lawd!

All that resting seemed to have worked...I think I'm ready for the Half I just hope it doesn't bite me in the ass and I fall apart at mile 8 and just lay down and die. I think I may do a short run tonight after work. Or at least the elliptical.

With all the resting I finally had time to check out the cool (and free) products that Influenster sent me to review.  * If you don't know what Influenster is it's check it out here. Basically it's a site that you can go and review products you have tried and give your opinion, they also have these Vox Boxes and if selected they send you free products to review and in return you give them you honest feed back and spread  the word to your friends and on social media. 

So here is the Viva Vox Box they sent me...

The first thing I did was open up the Cetaphil Cleansing Cloths and to take off my make-up (a test for sure) and I really liked them, they got off all my make-up AND mascara (the true test) and it didn't burn the shit out of my eyes like most of these things tend to do.  I have been using them all week and no break outs so I will definitely use these again and not bad for $5.99 (retail price). 

and since my make-up was off,  DQ and I decided to have a "spa" day and use the Montagne Jeunesse  Creamy Coconut Hydrating  mask. Right off the bat it smelled really good, so good DQ thought it was frosting! After putting it on we sat around and made silly faces

After that we washed it off.  It was ok, nothing spectacular (but then I do use higher end masks and lotions normally) but for a quick mommy daughter facial these aren't bad, and they do smell good so for $2.49 maybe..  But my 39 year old skin needs a bit more so I'll stick with my usual stuff I need to keep those wrinkles held off a while longer :)

Finally we finished up the spa day with a little pedicure. 

 I was sent Pure Ice polish in After Hours.  This color is fabulous it's not quite pink and has a bit of coral so it's perfect for spring.   I LOVE this nail polish (which is saying a lot as I normally use Essie or OPI) It is sold only at Walmart and runs under $2.00 HELLO DEAL.  It is a little on the thin side so you need two maybe three coats depending, but it was so easy to apply and not clumpy or streaky at all.  I will be going and picking up a few more colors ASAP.  

I don't want to overwhelm ya so that's all for now. 

If you are interested in Influesnter drop me an email and I'll send you an invite.

**I received these products complimentary from Influenster for review purposes.**

 The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

Da' Bomb

So I am participating in Camo & Lipstick and  Brew Mama's Swag Swap14.

It's this fun little thing that gets you to interact with other bloggers get to know them and get some fun swag in the process.  Candra and Alicia  gave two options for us, a diva or fitness swap I went ahead and let them pick since I'm easy and like surprises (just ask the hubs haha).  So I was paired up with Tabitha from A Hundred Tiny Wishes for a Diva Swap. We actually  have a lot in common from our love of make up to both being owners of tortoises.  It's been really fun getting to know her and finding fun swag to send her.

Like at this fun place  

I love this store, it smells like heaven, and these bath bombs are well...the bomb 

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So not to much is planned this weekend just a birthday party for one of DQ's friends so I may try to get in at least 5 miles before the OC Half next weekend.  Not gonna lie I'm getting a little nervous for this race.  I'm used to running 3-4 days a week and averaging at least 15+ miles per week.  This week I've run 0 yep 0 miles, I'm just so worried that I will be sore if I run too much or get half way through and not be able to finish it if I don't run enough.  

Ugh What have I gotten myself into?

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The one thing I'm looking forward to this weekend is diving into this awesome "Viva Vox Box"  it's a box of free goodies I got from Influenster to review.  

This program is so cool and totally free go check it out.  If you would like an invite to join just shoot me and email or comment below (just make sure you are NOT a *noreply-blogger*) and I'll send you one.

Have a great weekend!!  

Bread, Cheese, and Vodka oh my....

I'm not gonna lie,this weekend filled with less than stellar choices...

  Drink wise, food wise... pretty much all the way around.
Actually it really wasn't all weekend, just Saturday but when I do it, I do it big so I packed all I could into that one day. 

I started off Saturday with a 7 mile run, I wasn't planning on doing that much but when Bruno Mars comes on you just have to go with it.  I swear people probably thought I was crazy running and dancing I may have even started singing at some point. Good times, but on the fly I changed it up a bit and did an out and back route but dummy me didn't bring any water or shot blocks and I normally don't eat to much before I go  so by mile 5 I was getting sluggish.  Lesson learned be prepared or at least know where a water fountain is :)

After my run I caught up on Grey's and had coffee before heading out for girls day.

That's when things got bad... it all started at Yard House with this

and got progressively worse.  I am so not a big drinker but every once in awhile...
after shopping we headed back home for more drinks and I'm pretty sure I ate a loaf of bread and a block of cheese,we also may have killed a bottle of blueberry vodka....no lie.
 Then we hit up the Casino and there may have been some nachos involved and more vodka.

Not the best choices "diet" wise.  But the great thing is I woke up with only a little regret and maybe a minor hang over damn cheese  and was right back on the wagon.  I'm a little bummed because now I probably won't hit my goal (169) for Vegas but I'm ok with that.  It was only one day and I didn't let it turn into more than that. The old me would have said eff it I'm going to Vegas might as well make this whole week a free for all.  So I consider it a win, and a damn good time :)

How were your weekend choices?

Weigh In Wednesday... Run Baby Run

Oh Wednesday not sure if I  love or hate you let's see.....
 

Yay I'm down 2.2 lbs!! This week required lots of saying no or just having a tiny taste to my favorite foods damn teachers lounge lol.  But that means I only have to lose less than 2 lbs next week to hit my goal of being under 170 for Vegas next weekend!! Whoop Whoop

 

Well now that that's done I wanted to tell ya'll about my epic run on Sunday

I figured since I'm really committing to this Half Marathon I better get my ass moving and at least try and train as much as possible though the doctor has not given my the all clear quite yet Shhh don't tell and I haven't done a half or trained since the Long Beach Half.

I headed out early on Sunday morning. I was actually kicking myself a bit because I had thought about going on Saturday when it was all cool and overcast (my favorite type of weather to run), but didn't,  and on sunday it was quite a bit warmer and full sun.  Oh well next time I'll just move my ass and go lesson learned.

So out I went. I really had now plans except to do more that 5 miles I ended up doing 6.09.

 Longest run post surgery (only 9 weeks),  and to make it even more awesome I managed to keep a steady 14.05/mi.  

The best thing about this run was I had no real expectation going into it.  I really just wanted to stay below a 16/mi so that I could feel comfortable doing the Half and HELLO nailed it!

For one hot sec I was bummed because before surgery I had finally gotten to a 11/mi pace and that took me what felt like fooorrevverrr! But then I really thought about it,.. I was "running" 9 weeks post op.I'm doing another Half 13 weeks after having a freaking TUMOR removed...

I fucking rock!

and what did I do to celebrated this epic-ness.  Why an Iced Coffee of course.

Weigh In Wednesday - I Got a Secret

Morning friends ...   I have a secret....

But first lets do this weigh-in.

 I'm little bummed I fricken stayed the same!! 173.8
I have worked so hard this week to stay on track with my food like super on track and I walked... a lot.  The only thing I think they may have derailed me is TOM stated yesterday, but geez man can't a girl get a break.

Soon to my secret... this is  something I've been thinking about for a while and I was pretty sure  i was going to do it,  then on Sunday I finally made the decision, and this was the confirmation ....my long "walk".

hell ya a 14 min pace it's far from where I was but I will get there again
just gonna take some time.

I'm going to do another Half Marathon.... In a MONTH!!

Can I do it, probably... Should I do it, ehh. ... Am I crazy,  YES.

I was so sad that I wasn't able to do the Surf City Half because of my surgery, and that totally messed up the beach city challenge medal I was after (you have to do the 3 races consecutively). And being into instant gratification i don't want to wait another whole year!! 

So I decided to just do it.  I know I won't be able to run any most of it but I wanted to see where my "walking" pace was because you need to keep at least a 16 minute mile before I committed. Also to help keep me from hurting myself and running more than I should I asked my mom to do it with me.  

She is NOT a runner at all but that woman can walk, and walk fast also she has started her own fitness journey a few months ago and already has lost 28 pounds.... I am so PROUD of her!!   When I asked, she was totally on board and TaTa decided she would join us, but she will run with my girls Barb and Care.  I am so excited to do this with ALL my girls, but it will be especially awesome to do this with my mom....

 When I first started running my mom was always behind me 110% even when I didn't believe I would ever run a mile much less a Half Marathon or 2 and when people thought I was crazy to even try.  She always believed in me!

Me and Mom

Race for the Rescues

This weekend me and the girls ran the Race for the Rescues 10k, for our friend Nell's So. Cal Bulldog Rescue.  It was a pretty small race ( probably one of the smallest I've done). But it was very well organized and put together.   

It was held at the Irvine Great Park which was on part of the old El Toro military base.  Though it was well done the course was pretty boring (we ran on the old Tarmac) and it was a gradual incline and decline... Not too bad but enough for my quads to hate me for it.  

This was actually my very first 10k.  I have done several 5ks and two half marathons, but I guess I just kinda skipped over the 10ks lol. I actually REALLY like this distance.  It was long enough to make me work for it, but not so long that I was cursing myself :)  

I will admit it wasn't my best run (Tom came for a surprise visit that morning, if you know what I mean) so I was off and crabby but I put on my big girl panties  (literally lol) and ran.  I finished in 1:13, so now I Offaly have a 10k PR and something to beat!