Five for Friday ~ 10/21/11

1. You got me Pumpkin Cheesecake Ben & Jerry's aka the best ice cream in the world.

2. You asked me out on a date to cheer me up after a bad day.

3. You made me pumpkin pancakes.

4. You let me lounge around when I should have been working out.  (but you're not going to let it happen often)

5. You felt bad for not having time to make a fancy dinner on your day off.

6/2011

Day 18: Your Shoes

I have a lot of shoes.  This isn't even all of them.  There are 3 boxes of winter shoes in the attic that need to come down now that it's finally getting cooler and my boots are piled in that closet to the right.  

When I was heavier I collected shoes & purses because they always fit.  I didn't ever have to worry that my favorite flip flops or high heels would be a little snug because I ate too much junk that week.  While I still love a good pair of boots (which I no longer have to buy wide calf) and can't say no to a sale; I've gotten much better about buying shoes on a whim.  You can even ask Joe, there aren't nearly as many shoe boxes in our trash anymore.

Day 17: Technology

I think it's so funny that people say running is an inexpensive sport because there isn't any equipment needed.  Not only do I run in $100+ sneakers but I have all kinds of gadgets that I bring with me on pretty much every run.  

Anytime I run I have my Garmin Forerunner 405x.  I was really resistant to getting a watch because of the expense but when the app on my phone started acting up I knew it was time to invest in one.  I love that it tells me exactly how far I've run and how many calories I've burned based on my heart rate.  Not to mention all the other stuff it can do that I haven't used yet, I plan to take advantage of the interval training soon to boost my speed.  I almost always have my phone with me as well.  Mostly because my watch has died on me before and I can always boot up RunKeeper on my phone.  I also feel safer knowing I can call someone if something happens to me (not that I ever run by myself, but still).  Lastly, I've just started running with my little pink iPod shuffle.  I loaded it with 80ish upbeat songs that make me want to move.  Once I get used regulating my breathing while listening to music I'll be golden.  

Obviously the setting on my camera are still screwy from the low exposure and silhouette shots, I'll have to reset it.

AC Marathon ~ 10K

I participated in my first 10K race on Sunday October 16th!  It was part of the Atlantic City Marathon event, they offered a 5K, 10K, half marathon & full marathon.  My company is a sponsor so I knew I'd be taking part a long time ago.  Over the summer, Kat & I decided that we'd do the 10K because it would be more of a challenge then the 5K (Angela did the half marathon, you can read about her experience here) and we convinced Shana to join us about 3 days before the race.  Now you'd think that with all that advance notice I would have trained.  Not so much.  I think I did a total of 4 runs in the weeks leading up to the race and none of them were more then 3 miles.  I was a little worried about my time but I knew I'd be able to do it, I've run a 10 mile race before so I know I can physically do 6.  

The morning of race day Kat picked me up at 7:30am and we headed over to the city.  We tried my boss' trick of eating a Snickers bar for an extra sugar boost and I played on Facebook while Kat drove.  I noticed my friend Yani (Joe & I met at her wedding 9 years ago) was running and mentioned that it would be nice to run into her.  We had plenty of time before the race started so we made a pit stop at the bathroom in the Wild Wild West casino and who should come walking out of a stall but Yani!  It was awesome to see her and catch up while we waited for the run to start. 

Kat, Shana & I set a goal of finishing in under 1 hour 15 minutes, that would put us right around a 12 minute mile pace.  Perfect for our zero training Shana started off quickly as usual and left Kat & I in her dust.  We stayed together for the first 2 miles before Kat pulled ahead of me.  I don't know why I run slower then everyone else, I think I'm just lazy.  I know I can run faster and I always speed up at the end without a problem but it's like I'm worried about burning out early or something.  I really need to start adding some interval training into my routine so I can speed up, I'd love to do the turkey trot in under 30 minutes.  

Back to the 10K.  It wasn't terrible but I did walk through a couple of the water stations.  I ran with my iPod shuffle and the music was a great tool, I even found myself occasionally singing along but it also distracted me from my breathing and I ended up more winded then usual.  I'm going to have to practice with that as well.  I finished the race in 1:05:36 which is great because I beat my goal and was staying around 10:30 miles.  My garmin was a little off on the distance though and didn't finish until I was past the line and into the refreshment area (in case you're wondering why I crossed out that time, I added my official time instead).

Kat came in at 59:15 and Shana was just after her at 59:46.  I'm so proud of them for finishing in under an hour, they obviously didn't need to be worrying about pacing at 12 minute miles!

It was super windy on the way back to the car.  Luckily our matching shirts had hoods!  We put them up and Bill made a comment about us looking like "ganstas," we laughed and asked him to take a picture.  Yeah, that would be me trying to figure out what a gang sign is, I think I actually did "hang loose"...I'm obviously extremely street saavy.  

I also asked Shana to take a picture of me with my medal for Joe & Facebook.  I was pretty excited to get a medal, I didn't know they'd be giving them out.  That's 3 total now, I'm going to need that fancy rack from etsy!  (hint hint xmas present)

On the way to the car we decided to make a pit stop at the beach to let the dogs run off their extra energy. We spent a little time stretching out on the boardwalk steps while the boys took the dogs down to the water.  It was super windy and the sand was blowing everywhere so I huddled up on the dune playing with my phone until they were done.  It was good to move around instead of just sitting a tensing up like I would have normally done.

Kat dropped me off at home just after 11 and I took a long hot shower.  It was pretty funny because I felt like I'd already finished my entire day and it wasn't even lunch time.  Unfortunately I was feeling pretty crappy so I spent the rest of the afternoon watching tv and dozing in bed due to the effects of a nyquil.  I was really worried I was getting sick but thankfully felt much better by the time Joe got home from work.  We ordered in chinese and hung out on the couch.  All in all a great day and I ended with a renewed motivation to work out and eat right.  Too bad I was so sore Monday and Tuesday that working out wasn't an option!

Day 16: Long Exposure

Just as I wasn't really sure how to produce a silhouette with my camera I was really in the dark when it came to long exposure.  Joe explained it to me then showed me what settings to change to get the best results.  I knew I needed a moving target and figured who better then Jack!  He normally blurs half the shots I take of him without any special settings anyway!

  

 I think this one is my favorite.  That blueish grey smokey looking thing is actually Jack!

 We kept asking him to run back and forth across the living room, it was hilarious.

Day 15: Silhouette

Sorry for the radio silence guys!  I have a bunch of posts ready to go for today and they all have various reasons for sitting on the back burner so long.  I have big plans for getting things back in order for November!

I really have no clue how to do anything fancy with my camera.  It's just a little point and shoot for taking pictures of family, friends and food in my day to day life.  I really wasn't sure about some of the prompts that are coming up now so I asked Joe to help me last night.  While he was watching the Flyers game I tried to set something up with candles and flowers but that didn't work so well.  Finally at intermission he drug me out to the back deck and we stood him in front of the porch light to create a fun shape.  I also really enjoy the reflection in the sliding glass door.

Outfits of the Week ~ 10/10-14

I have been eating so terribly lately.  Well, scratch that, my meals have been totally fine, I've just been snacking like no ones business.  Luckily I still haven't gained any weight but I'm sure that will catch up with me soon.  I've also started noticing that I eat a ton of sugar/carbs.  With Jack's diabetes (pronounced di-a-beet-us) Joe and I have been trying to think of things he can eat without needing more insulin so we can give him as few shots as possible when he's on our watch.  I realized that I am eating WAY too much sugar/carb and my vegetable intake is almost nonexistent lately.  Oh boy, lots of things I need to get back on top of...

My week was fine, nothing terribly exciting.  I'm still on the fence about my hair.  I can't seem to get it as flat as the stylist did which is annoying and I think I'm going to have her cut my bangs back in because this side swept thing is driving me crazy.  

I don't have much planned for this weekend.  I was planning on going to the gym for a short run and group power tonight but I changed my mind because I really don't want to be sore of the 10K on Sunday.  Instead I have a date with my DVR (which is 80% full).  Tomorrow, I'm getting a manicure in the morning and then I'm taking Jack to Anna's first birthday party.  Once that's all finished Kat, Shana & I are going to the AC Marathon expo to pick up our packets for the 10K and perhaps get some matching shirts for the race at the outlets.  I'm hoping to take it easy that night so I'll be super rested and ready for Sunday.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about this race, I haven't done a long run since the 5 mile race at the end of August.  I know that I can physically do it and we've decided that as long as we finish in under 1:15 we'll be happy but it still makes me a little nervous.  Shana and Kat are both faster runners then I am and even though they say we've all got the same goal and pace in mind that doesn't mean I won't end up running the majority by myself if they take off.  Oh well, wish me luck!

Monday ~ one piece sweater/cami  and necklace from New York & Company, skinny charcoal pants from The Limited and black peep toe heels from Macy's.

Tuesday ~ the necklace was a gift from Shana's wedding, mustard cardigan from The Limited, brown cami from New York & Company, brown plaid pants from Ann Taylor Loft and brown peep toe wedges from Jessica Simpson.

Wednesday ~ white ruffled shirt and gray vest from New York & Company, black pants from The Limited and black peep toe heels from Macy's.

Thursday ~ necklace from Premier, pink cardigan and tan cami from New York & Company, brown pants from The Limited and nude peep toe heels from Macy's.

Friday ~ striped cardigan from The Limited, fuchsia cami from New York & Company, black skinny pants and ballet flats from The Gap.