::whispers:: It's Not All About Running

Yes, it is true. It is not all about running.

I am saying this because on one of my many thinking sprees I realized that I blog about running the majority of the time. However, based on my tagline:

"A journey to patience while eating, running, styling, indulging in the fancies and navigating the not so fancies of life."

I should be sharing a few other things that are just as exciting and paramount in the grand scheme of my life's musings. I absolutely love to go out to eat! However, it's more about the ambiance and the overall experience than the actual consumption of food. I do a good amount of restaurant cruising. It's not always apropeaux for me to snap great pictures, though. My favorite thing to experience is plating! It just makes everything feel better when there was some art and thought to how my food was placed on my plate, the colors and the textures! I LIVE!

Now, my main, long time love and what I used to tell people was my sport of choice is "styling": the art of creating looks/getting dressed. I almost do not even have words for my love of style. It awakens every passionate molecule in my body. (I have a knack for being dramatic in speech :P but I am so sincere right now). It is to the point that watching the Rachel Zoe show makes me legitimately a little sick. Rachel Zoe is living my real life.

Love her!

Speaking of getting dressed! I am attending for the second year in a row, one of DC's top galas of the year, The 5th Annual Ball on the Mall. I was talking to one of my friends about it and I said "I am very excited...any opportunity to get dressed is filled with excitement for me... the rest is icing on the cake".  Last year, I got pictured in a couple blogs and I recently noticed that I am in the gallery of photos from last year (twice, hehe). Hopefully, I get "blogged" again this year! My dress arrived yesterday and I tried the look on and I am rather pleased. I am actually about to head out to search for a couple finishing touches aka go check out the new Nordstrom Rack down the block!

from the "Ball on the Mall" gallery

From my own gallery, lol

On that note, I am still working to grow my blog and this is one of the things I have noticed so far that I will work to change. So look out for more restaurant "Reviews" and more style (I would picture my outfits more but I loathe bathroom mirror selfies so I do not take them often! If anyone wants to be my photog, I am here for that, hehe)!

A brick to go!

Last week was awesome! I finished the week with 20 miles and I lost 2 pounds! Whenever, I mention weight loss or maintaining my weight, I get the ol' side-eye and I totally get it. But here is my logic, which could totally be flawed, but hear me out:

If I maintain my weight and pay close attention when I gain 3-5 pounds, then I won't have to want to off myself go through the sometimes trying process of burning off 30 pounds or 8249323 pounds. So, yes gaining pounds makes me very nervous because 5 turns into 15 and that turns into sadness.

I actually gained 7 pounds more than I would like to weigh. I prefer staying under 140 pounds. I am currently at 142. Hopefully, by the end of this week (20 more miles) and a few more ACV tonics I will be under 140 in no time!

Please notice, I ran 20 miles last week! Which means my ankle is better! YAY! I still wear my brace and will do so at least through this week!

I also got new running shoes. I originally bought the New Balance Minimus Trail shoes that are super cool and awesome! However, after my 7 miles run on Saturday, I realized that perhaps I wanted more cushion for my double digit runs. So, yesterday, I traded them in (thank God for the 14 days trial period that Pacers gives) and got the Brooks Pure Flow 2s. I will take them out for 6.5 miles in about 30 minutes. So far, they feel like I am running on marshmallows. I really like the minimalist feel but these are light and I do need more cushion for the (mile) pushin'.

Hopefully, they are good to me. My first real running shoe was by Brooks and I was not disappointed.

Stay tuned...

::pushes cup of Joe to the side::

I finally made it out to the Whole Foods to snag the ingredients for my new morning tonic (no gin): ACV tonic!

I read about it a few weeks ago, but once again, I have trouble heading to the ole grocery store. A friend of mine recently discovered the tonic, also, and was telling me about it and I was like "ugh! thank you, I need to get to the store asap! I've been meaning to for weeks!"

TADAAAAAAAAA!

Why am I drinking this? Read about the amazing benefits here and you will probably run out to the grocery store, also! Weight loss, lowers blood pressure, jump starts your digestive system in the AM, cuts fat! 

I got back to the office and immediately concocted the tonic. I held off on the honey to see how I felt about the taste of just the apple cider vinegar and the lemon juice. It wasn't bad at all for me. But if you prefer a little sweetness, I am sure the honey will help a little. 

I am excited about adding this to my daily life. I always make it a point to have a glass of water before anything in the morning so these ingredients are icing on the cake! 

Let me know how you like this or if you are already drinking it, are you seeing any differences?

I'll probably just have my cup of joe a little later in the morning now ;) 

Run for Boston & Weekly Running Schedule

***moment of silence and prayers for Boston***

As a warm-blooded human being, my heart broke for Boston on Monday. As a runner, my heart broke some more. Yesterday, I ran for runners everywhere. Some friends, asked if I would be deterred from my upcoming races out of fear of something tragic happening. Answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT! I feel like that is the complete opposite of the spirit of running. I look forward to crossing the finish line at both of my upcoming races! I will cross with those, lost and hurt, at the Boston Marathon on my heart!

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I have recently become obsessed with lounging in my running clothes. I also, use it as motivation, on some days, to do something towards my fitness. I can't remember if I have shared this before but I really really really do not like going to the gym. I thank God for the boot camp I attend 2x/week because I enjoy it and I get my much needed strength training in! However, I need to do a little more.

This past Sunday, I was lounging around in my running clothes, after returning from an amazing morning at Union Market DC. Etienne starts talking about some post he saw somewhere on social media that was commenting on someone who had gained a lot of weight since high school or something. We, immediately, went into how we would loathe ourselves if that became our reality! People saying things like "awww she/he used to look so good/be so slim", etc.

And at that very moment I stood up and headed to the gym to do some leg work! I only had 30 minutes before I needed to head off to the rest of my day and I figured that was the perfect use of my time and energy: 5 sets of 15 on the leg curl machine and the leg extension machine.

I am extremely proud of myself for taking those 25 minutes to do something towards my fitness. The gym was not THAT bad! On Friday, I will figure out an upper body routine. Pray for me though, because I do not believe anything unfun should be done on Fridays.

My weekly routine is shaping up like this, so far, and for now:

Sundays:
Legs and/or arms (depends on time)

Mondays & Thursdays: 
boot camp (90 minutes); I run to bootcamp, which is about 2 miles from my home

Tuesdays/Wednesdays:
 short run (5-6 miles)

Fridays:
PARTY! (I kid;  I just realized, I don't like to do too much on Fridays social or otherwise because I need to be up at 6am/7am for my long runs and in good condition. So scratch the upper body routine this Friday!)

Saturdays: 
long runs (my favorites!!!! 8 miles & up)

This works out perfectly because my goal on a regular basis is to run 18 miles/week. Of course, as I ease into my full marathon training, that number will go up so I can get to TWENTY SIX POINT TWO!!!!


Have you layed out a plan for your fitness yet? It is so much less overwhelming when you map it out per week. I promise!

Never a Dull Moment

...which is my excuse for why I have slacked on posting...

Ideally, I would like to post at least 2x/week. I have to work at that some weeks because I am an emotional writer. If I am not bursting with an idea then I won't write until I do. In the spirit of the premise of my blog, I am forcing myself to just sit down and start tapping out something in times where I do not have anything in particular to share.

Honestly, sometimes, so many different things are going on that I get overwhelmed with what and how I want to share. My friends often say "you always have something going on" and I never really realized that until lately. I have been blessed with the gift of friendship which allows me a pretty fun filled social calendar. It's truly expensive a blessing. I love celebrating or randomly hanging out.

The last month in particular has been non-stop fun! I mentioned my weekend in Tampa, then this past weekend I had a great time with my Hokie Loves celebrating life and love: bridal shower, birthday, baby shower.

Such a good time! The weather was gorgeous! I got to wear my super cute Anthropologie onesie that I had been saving just for Lauren's bridal shower.



I was totally engaged in the shower and was having a great time, but I did keep one eye on the clock because Louisville was scheduled to play at 6:09pm. I didn't need to see the tip off but I needed to be able to watch the majority of the game. My last sentence should tell you that my mission to embrace basketball via the NCAA championship was a true success. Basically, I want march madness every month!!!! Alicia sent me a t-shirt and I am forever in her graces for it! <3

GO CARDS!!! NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPS!

I proudly strolled into The Park on championship night prepared to celebrate the win!!!

I considered how I would feel if Louisville lost and I would still be proud; once a fan, always a proud fan is how I see it.

It was super nice to go out that night without a coat, just me and my v-neck!

The weather has been incredible over the past few days! You know what that means!!! I want to run!!!!!!!! I went out for a test run (1.5 miles) yesterday to see how my ankle was feeling. I felt fine! I did take care to wear my brace while I was running. My ankle was a little tender this morning so I took some ibuprofen and I feel ok. I think I will wait a couple more weeks to really go in because guess what!?!?!?!

I just signed up for the 2013 Divas Half Marathon in September!!! I am really excited about this race (I am excited about all of them though)! There is a pretty sparkly medal, boas and tiaras along the route to give you some extra UMPH, and a pool party and wine tasting across the finish line! TURN UP!!!!!!

This race comes at perfect time during my training for my full marathon in November! sooooooo I just want to heal and be strong so I can run like the win blows!!!!

Testing Patience 1.. 2... 3... Testing

My patience is definitely being tested right now. I want to run. I want to workout.

I recently read that baby elephants throw themselves in mud when they are upset, a tantrum of sorts. I totally sympathize with all the baby elephants in the world right now because that is exactly what I want to do during this healing process.

I am walking A LOT better. As recent as last Thursday, I was still basically dragging my left foot with me. I was really worried about this because I was preparing to spend an amazing weekend in Tampa and definitely did not want to be stifled by my injury. Although, laying on the beach doesn't put any pressure on my ankles. I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up on Friday to less of a dramatic limp. SCORE!

I am still wearing my brace, though. I am definitely not at 100%, maybe at like 60%. I grew weak and baby elephant like when I would see all the runners along Tampa Bay. Ugh! I tried to channel thoughts of hope and excitement for when I do finally return to the road.

I spoke with my doctor yesterday and she said hopefully another 2-3 weeks for full recovery. So, I made up in my mind that I will be back on the road by mid May. I will definitely want new running shoes as a welcome back present!