Nothing like a Sunday run to breathe life into you!

In so many ways, it really feels like I'm starting the next chapter in my life... and it feels great! I spent the last 3 weeks traveling for work, but I have the whole month of May to myself. I FINALLY sold my condo that I've been trying to sell off and on since 2008. Closing is this month, and I then I go on a solo vacation to St. George, Utah at the end of the month. I can't wait to hike, do yoga, and relax. I need the time to myself so I can come back refreshed and ready to move on to bigger and better things! What those are... not sure yet, but whatever it is I'm sure it'll be great!

I went to cheer on someone at the St. Luke's Half Marathon in Allentown, PA today. It was so fun!! I've never been a spectator before. Of course, during the entire race when I wasn't cheering, all I could think was "what am I doing on the sidelines?" That question could really relate to any part of life, you know? Why wait to join in on the fun? DO IT NOW!

When I got home, I couldn't pass up the positive vibes I took in from the crowd today combined with the beautiful weather we have in PA today! I ran 5.26 miles in 44-ish minutes, which was an average of 8:30 per mile. I've done faster, but I'll take it! Especially because I haven't been running as consistently as I should. I've got the hat trick in October, and the time to start training is now!

Speaking of doing things now and not waiting, I went mountain biking for the first time this month... what have I been waiting for?? This picture is me at the top of a big hill (at over 8000 ft above sea level no less)!

Hello? Is there anybody out there?

Hello!!! I've been gone for ages. Lots of stuff in my life that kept me from just about everything but work and my family... everything is great though, and I am definitely at a crossroads. Trying to sell my house and figure out the next steps from here for me. It's both exciting and daunting! The good news is I have a fantastic job and a wonderful family, so I couldn't be in a better place.

Amidst all the craziness, I have actually done quite well with health and fitness. I've had ups and downs like anyone going through a stressful time in their life, but I'm happy to say I am on track and better than ever. I've just gotten back into running and I signed up for the Runners World Half Marathon in October. I actually plan to do the hat trick, which is a 5K, 10K, and half marathon all in one weekend! I have taken up yoga on a regular basis, and it has done wonders for me. So that's what I'm up to!

I decided it was time to kick it into high gear nutritionally though because it is time to make my goal of 140! I've made significant progress, and I only have 8 pounds to go. AMAZING! I brought back those before pictures... trip down memory lane. I can't wait to take the afters! I'm going to do my best to blog my way through to the end... it helps me be more accountable.

Hope you're having a happy and healthy week!

End of Week 2, Round 2 of Insanity

Soooo, today is the last workout of week 2. And as Shaun T says in the DVD, I'm scared. I have to do Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs! I remember the first time I did this last time. To say I was drenched is an understatement. I was actually away for Labor Day weekend visiting Washington DC. I had gotten a free room at the W, and I managed to fit in Insanity in the small space between my wall and my bed. Side note - fabulous hotel if you get the chance to go there.

Week 2 has gone well! I only had one food slip, which is amazing in my opinion. I went to a baby shower, so I had some snacks which included a brownie and mini-canolli. Well worth it I must say! I got in all my workouts and then some. I'm now 10 pounds away from my goal and I am confident that it will happen. Although I shouldn't be, I'm worried for month 2 of Insanity. The workouts get so long! I notice though that I'm much more fit than the first time around so the month 1 workouts are tough but not ridiculous like they used to be.

I'll let you know how the craziness goes today. I got new sneakers too... might have to take a photo and post it! They're HOTT. I got black cross trainers. For some reason I feel much tougher in black sneaks. I know, I'm weird.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Round 2 Insanity: Week 2, Day 1

Today was Cardio Power and Resistance, and it went very well! I've noticed that this round of insanity is easier for me. That doesn't mean it's easy... but it's EASIER than the last time. I think that's because of the cardio improvements I made over the year with my running. I've been pushing much more on my runs and it's showing in other areas. I can actually do those ridiculous tuck jump things landing *softly* on the ground. Thank God I live on the ground floor! My neighbors would not be happy with me!

I'm going to make myself some healthy tacos for dinner tonight. I have lean beef and some taco seasoning to make the filling. Avocados are great right now, so I got one of those, a lime, tomato, red onion, and cilantro so I can make guacamole. Add a little salsa and a whole wheat tortilla, and you're all set.

There are some other great seasonal items at the store right now: strawberries, blueberries (not yet from NJ, but still good!), asparagus... I'm loving it! Pretty soon there will be an abundance of tomatoes and cucumbers so I can make a nice tomato-cucumber salad. I like to take those two together, add some light balsamic vinaigrette, some fresh chopped basil, and maybe some red onion. Hooray for summer!

Also, checked in on my weight today, and I'm getting closer! I am two pounds away from the hitting the 140s. Holler!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend! Be healthy and safe! And say a little prayer of thanks to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us... today is about them. God bless!

The Year of Me

A year ago today, I moved from Pittsburgh, PA to central CT for a job. I had just graduated from business school, and I decided at that time I was embarking on a journey that I called "The Year of Me." May 2010 had been a trying month for me, although when compared to the troubles of others, I really should have felt like a brat. In any case, I decided I was going to spend a year focusing on me... doing things I wanted to do, figuring out more of who I am... and now said year is over, so I thought I'd reflect on where I've been!

In the past year, I ran my first sub-2 hour half marathon. Not bad for someone who's "not an athlete." I put that in quotes because I used to tell people I was not an athlete because I didn't really play sports much when I was a kid. I also ran a 5K in 24 minutes, which is my fastest time ever. I'm lucky to be tall as well because that puts my weight just at Athena status for races (not for long though). Because of that, my 24 minute 5K meant I came in 2nd place. Again, not bad for someone who's "not an athlete."

I signed up for personal training for a few months, and I loved it! Some keys accomplishments:

-Gaining enough strength in my biceps so that 20 lb weights are my norm
-Chest press with 30 lb dumbbells for 6 reps - that to me was insane!
-The beginnings of a six pack that will be seen once I hit my goal
-Believing in my ability to finally hit my goal weight/body fat

All in all, it's been a great year! There's something to be said about moving somewhere where nobody knows you. You learn a lot about yourself because you see how new people react to you. I have a reputation here for being very fit and very healthy. I get comments on my arms and the crazy food I eat (ie produce). People think I'm the type of person who can and will do a Tough Mudder. I never would have thought that about myself before.

I've decided I need a little more "me time" before I conclude said Year of Me. I turn 31 in 2 months, and I am determined to hit my goal by then. With my personal trainers, I decided that my goal weight is 141 pounds but more importantly my goal body fat is 16%. To reach this goal, I've decided it's time for another round of Insanity. I just finished week 1. I'll be back to track my progress as I finish off this round of Insanity and make my way to my goal.

Have a wonderful healthy day!

I'm a bad blogger!

Sorry it's been a while since I wrote... I'm still doing the personal training and loving it. I have a couple of weeks left before that runs out and I'll take a break. It's expensive, so I can't afford to do it all the time. It's been really helpful for me though... I've made some great progress! For example:

-I can now use 20 pound dumbbells when I do bicep curls.
-My running pace has improved by 20-25 seconds per mile on my mid-length runs
-I've learned so many new things!

My trainers want me to lose a little weight, and I will admit I haven't been doing well with that. It's really a couple percent body fat we're looking for. I've been traveling so much recently, so it's been hard to stick to a food plan. I really need to regroup and refocus. I don't do horribly but I don't do awesome either. I think if I could focus and shave off 300 calories a day, I could do it. I have one more business trip coming up. I think I'm going to do my best there, and then when I get back I'll really get to it.

Might need to blog to keep myself accountable! I hope everyone is doing well on their health journeys!

Weekly Highlights

This week was a great one for the most part. I ran 5.6 miles last Sunday and hadn't run that far in a little while so I took Monday off. We have a Shape Up Challenge starting at work soon, and my team is getting super excited. Some of the women on my team have started doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred during the day, so I joined in on the fun two times. I was a bit tired on Tuesday from working late, but I managed to squeak out 2.5 miles on the treadmill. That was a triumph given that all I wanted to do was collapse on my couch! Plus, my iPod had died so I did it with no motivation in SILENCE. Ugh.

The personal training workouts were great! We did some stuff I had never done before, which is always fun. On my upper body day, we spent a lot of time on clean and press. I had never done that, so it took FOREVER for me to get the technique right. I use a 45 pound bar when I did it, and I was shocked I could even lift that. For those who don't know what it is, you have the bar on the ground in front of you and you squat to pick it up. Then you basically squat again and flip it up and over so you can then do a shoulder press. Seems like a pretty advanced exercise for me, but from what I understand, it's a Crossfit favorite and people of all levels go there. I felt slightly Globo Gym-ish but it was cool once I finally got the technique right.

My other favorite move of the week (really a few moves) was on lower body day. He had me stand in the middle of the cable machine (the one you do tricep pushdowns on etc). He had one side strapped to my right ankle with 10 pounds on it and the other side strapped to my left ankle. From there, I did knee lifts across my body to work my hips and abs. He also had me do forward lunges from that position which was tough! He's still focusing a lot of work on my hips and stabilizer muscles since they're obviously weak compared to some other muscles in my legs. Should help the running a lot! I also balanced on one foot on an upside down Bosu ball. Definitely had a wobbly foot until my leg figured out what was going on. By my third set, I was doing a single leg squat (with no weight) instead of just balancing. Fun!

Food for the most part was great. I took Saturday off though. ;) Probably not a good idea, but I'm human! I was coming in around 1750 calories everyday and sticking to my higher protein breakfast. It's a habit now. It looks like I'm down 2 pounds, which is an accomplishment for me! I'm not sure I'll lose much since I'm at a healthy weight. I'm just looking for body fat reduction.

Must motivate to go on my long run! Too bad it still feels like winter where I live! Have a healthy week!