Joy Filled Fridays: She loved life, and it loved her right back.

A quick recap of a few things that brought a smile to my face this week.

1. The best entertainment, three plastic boxes, rice, dried beans, and macaroni noodles. She loves sorting and moving her mixtures from container to container. 2. Facetime with Mr. R! We miss him! 3&4. My students, back from break and excited to do a lab. We are studying the integumentary and nervous systems this week. 5. On my second week of the mile a day challenge. The goal is to just run or walk one miles or more each day. Today makes day 11! 
6. Cannoli ice cream. So so so good. 

7. Pip working on her fine motor skills. While she was busy sorting I was able to enter grades. Hooray for multi-tasking! 8. Dinner that I did not have to make or pay for. Thankful for sweet students who give Panera gift cards for Christmas. 9&10. She is obsessed with wearing my shoes. 11.My grandparents brought dinner on Wednesday night and watched Pip while I ran. They are amazing. 12. Strawberries dipped in sour cream and brown sugar, I know the combination sounds weird, but it's so good. Pip and I ate this for our snack every afternoon this week. 13. Couch to 5k, week 3! My legs are sore, but I am feeling strong. 
Hope you had a fantastic work week friends. Three cheers for the weekend!

The Weekend Lens

Friday: a trip to the park, Piper's new friend Mr. Duck, a ride of the carousel, we made a rice box for indoor play when it's too cold for our beloved sandbox, two mile run, a fun delivery from amazon, and DATE NIGHT! Saturday: grocery shopping, chores, laundry, cooking for the week, I caught Pip reading, chicken caesar pitas for dinner, a short run, bathtub painting  

Sunday: an early morning wake-up call,  lesson planning, modern family on DVD, noshing lunch and dinner, old school DVD workout, Pip loving on baby Emma, laundry, laundry, laundry, her new fashion statement.

Hello January!

If we are being honest, I need to tell you that I am terrible at keeping New Years Resolutions. The idea of sticking to something for a WHOLE year is daunting and overwhelming. I try to follow through and then a few months in I give up. In 2010 Mr. R. and I made a resolution not to make New Years Resolutions. Instead we opted to make monthly goals that would help us grow as a couple, save money, plan for the future. We decided to bring back the monthly goals in 2013. So with out further adieu, January 2013 goals.

• Cut out coffee creamer. It's incredibly delicious but also full of empty calories. 
• Complete the mile a day challenge. The goal is run daily, the run needs to be at least a mile.
• Turn off the computer at 9:00 PM

These goals are totally doable and not scary. I am actually 3 days into January and haven't missed the coffee creamer at all. Running is always good for me, I am less stressed I feel awesome about myself and while my legs are sore I am loving it so far. And I am back to reading! The computer ban is in full effect and my nightly reading is up 100%. 

So far so good with this resolution stuff. 

And as usual, I'll keep you posted.

Joy Filled Fridays

A quick recap of a few things that brought a smile to my face this week. 

#1-2: Pip's 1st gyro. We had them for dinner on New Year's Eve and I figured she would take a bit or two, she ate over half of mine! The girl has good taste.

3. Cake Batter Smoothies. All the taste of cake without the guilt.

4-5. New Year Kisses and photo props

6. Unbridled joy, flying high on the swings.

7-8. Piper's 1st Abstract. She calls this one Sophie.

9. Our first time taking her on the carousel. I think we loved it as much as she did. 

#1-3: Bathtub painting with Pip. Shaving cream and food coloring resulted in a mess free evening of finger painting. She loved it.
4. We made it to Barnes and Noble story time. The book Press Here was a HUGE hit and we will soon be adding it to our library.
5. Pimento grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We ate them for lunch three days in a row.
6. We caught NPR's broadcast of the Capitol Steps.
7. Dunkin coffee makes me a better person.
8. Back to running, four run in four days! #mileadaychallenge
9. Organized my closet and paired down my clothes. It makes getting dressed SO much easier. 

Thankful 30: Day 4

Thankful for Jillian Michaels. She makes me feel exhausted, strong, and empowered. She makes me sweat, cry, curse under my breath. She kicks my butt every time I press play on the DVD player. She is making me proud of my body. She is making me a better example for my daughter. 

I took a running hiatus.

For the past two weeks I couldn't bring myself to run. Outside was too hot or too cold and the treadmill was mocking me and my growing belly with slower and slower times.

Mr. R. demanded we get back at it this weekend. My running shoes felt so nice to slip on. My energy returned. My legs moved more slowly, but still with balance. And the baby in my belly kicked contently.

I think I am officially a runner.

For the past few years, I kept telling myself that runners have to be fast. Runners are people who do marathons. Runners are people who never take a walk break. Runners are people who eat 5Ks for lunch. Runners are people with 6 pack abs and buns of steel.

But I have a new definition now. Runners are people who feel at home on the road or the treadmill. Runners like the challenge of a workout with only a watch to beat. Runners are people who push themselves further. And I am one of those people.

I AM A RUNNER!

I wish I actually had some running pictures to go with this post, but instead you get pictures of our dinner.

I made PW's BBQ chicken pizza

and broiled pears.

Simple ingredients, short prep time, but stellar dinner.

Happy Monday!

So far so good...

I am two days in (this week) with my students and they are champs. They didn't complain during Cornell note taking and my classes all have almost a 100% homework average. I think I need to bribe them with really awesome labs more often. Or maybe its this year's new schedule. Whatever it is, I am grateful because so far, so good.

I am sticking to my Hal Higdon training schedule (thanks Kristin!) and today I needed to run 3 miles and do some ab work. I am back to running intervals of 2:1 or 4:2 and so far so good. No shin splints, no plantar fascitis, no blisters.

Tonight's dinner was stellar. I pink puffy heart Indian food, not me Indian (I mean Native American), but food from the country of India. And I discovered that the crockpot lady has an awesome selection of Indian recipes. This morning I mixed all of these spices and some Greek yogurt to make Tandoori chicken. I poured the mixture over 4 chicken breasts and 8 hours later, came home to this!We are eating our chicken over basmati rice and with a side of babagnoush and naan. Let's be honest I could eat nothing but babagnoush for the rest of my natural and eternal lives and be totally happy!

My running to do list...

My to-do list keeps growing and I am also finishing up my 21 days of running so this post serves two purposes.

So far today I...

• cleaned out and scrubbed down the fridge
• steamed the carpets
• washed laundry (three loads)
• washed dishes (two loads)
• walked the pups (two times)
• ran 4 miles
• cooked (two meals)
• scrubbed one bathroom
• paid 4 bills

I am exhausted, my head is swimming with last minute details, and I didn't sleep AT ALL last night! I made my packing list a few days ago, but I still need to put the clothes in the suitcase... And lastly, I need to get my eyebrows waxed and type up our itinerary and make copies of our passports and travel documents. Two more days!

WORST RUN EVER!

So I think I have a shin splint on my left leg. I have been running on a sore hamstring which has messed up my form thus causing severe pain in my calf to shin region... I ran two miles before giving up and calling it a day.

After some major stretching, ice, and advil I am feeling better, but not great. Looks like I might be finishing out the 21 day streak on the elliptical machine. Boo!

7/26: My day in numbers

4: Only four days of marine science are left! As much as I have loved my days of biking, beaching, and swimming I am ready for my summer to begin. A few weeks sans middle schoolers sounds like heaven right now!

3: This is me post three miles.

2: Two new pairs of Nike's were purchased today. I am loving the new arch support line. The coolest part is that my last pair logged over 400 miles. They served me well!

1: New issue of the economist. Mr. R gets them every Monday (this was his b-day present this year). And once the magazine is opened he has no attention span for anything else. Who knew the global economy was so fascinating?

Hilary Runs!

F to the I to the T!

Yes, I am back on the FIT train with a plan to run consecutively for 21 days. I am stealing the idea from Jess. She started running by making it a daily habit for 21 days straight. (Apparently 20 days of doing anything is habit forming.) There are only 2 rules to my 21 day habit.

Rule #1: Run everyday for 21 days.

Rule #2: My minimum mileage MUST be at least 1 mile. My maximum mileage is 5.

You will run 4 miles and you will like it!

Sometimes I need to give my body a little tough love.

You see, my brain really wants me to be an athlete. To get into shape and feel good in my clothes and be confident in my body. My body on the other hand wants to sit on the couch, read Real Simple, and eat cupcakes. (I listened to my body two years ago and gained 30 pounds. Not cool!)

Working out, especially running is not easy for me. Its hard, sometimes painful, and almost always tiring. This means I need to give myself a bit of tough love to get out there and actually accomplish what I set out to do.

So today, I ran my 4 miles. I came home covered in sweat. And I am smiling. Because my brain and my body knew I could do it all along :)

Week 2: Training Plan

Last week I posted about my quest to become an athlete. I realize that in order for me to be successful and follow through, I need to plan my workouts and post them so that you all (lovely blog-readers) can hold me accountable.

Monday: 3 mile run

Tuesday: 700 meter swim (see swim workout below if you want to join me in this workout)

Wednesday: 2 mile run with arms (push-up and dips are the death of me)

Thursday: 700 swim

Friday: Spin class

Saturday: 700 swim

Sunday: Run 3.5

Swim Set:

4 - 100 meter swims (this is four laps with no stopping)

4- 50 meter swims (kicking only, use a kickboard)

4- 25 meter sprints

6/8

So for dinner tonight we had:

Steak Fajitas

Hi, my name is Hilary and I like cheese.

And I LOVE baked plantains!

I will gladly eat this for the REST OF MY LIFE!

I also ran 2.5 miles tonight (10.5 minutes, 11 minutes, and a very slow last half). So far I am pretty killer at my training program. Let's all say a prayer that I survive spin tomorrow!

Lofty Goals:

One of the things I miss most about being on a team is scheduled workouts and training partners. There is something incredibly motivating about having a person to workout with and of course a coach yelling from the pool deck will always get my butt in gear.

I always mention that I am a planner and schedule maker. So I thought I would share my practice schedule for the week.

Sunday: strength training (24 minutes of abs, arms, and legs) I found my copy of 8 minute abs and core workouts.

Monday: Jillian Michaels Shred

Tuesday: 2.5 mile run

Wednesday: spin class

Thursday: 2 mile run & arms (using exercises from Buff Brides)

Friday: OFF!

Saturday: spin class

My new favorite song!

Kick drum heart

Avett Brothers

There will be many future miles run to this song.

5/24: My New Favorite Dress

My favorite part of any weight loss is finding that some old clothes now fit. This dress hadn't seen the light of day in 18 months and I was able to wear it to work today! Size 12 thank you very much!

Here's to another month of running, lifting, and losing!

Taco Tuesday and a 3 mile run

Tonight was a gym night, Mr. R had to take a late work phone call, I was all about procrastination, and the treadmill seemed more favorable than the current humidity. (Although in a month I will laugh at only 30% humidity because it will soon be summer in Florida and my hair will be the size of Texas.)

For dinner we had steak fajitas. I made a Costco run on Saturday and picked up fresh salmon and marinated flank steak. Mr. R grilled up the flank steak while I made Pioneer Woman's pico de gallo and guacamole. (Her stuff beats Cantina Laredo's and I could eat it everyday for the rest of my LIFE!) To bump up my veggie/filling foods intake I served the fajitas with black beans and Spanish rice.

Mr. R and I are back on track for the monthly menu and a new Rachael Ray came in the mail so be looking for lots of new recipes coming shortly.

Happy Tuesday :)

5/17: A very rainy Monday

I woke up this morning to rain, drove to school in the rain, taught most of the day in the rain (well really inside in my classroom), but the rain made it super dark and tiring.... by the time I left school the sun was out and I was ready for a run. I RAN 4 miles! Here that, 4 miles on a MONDAY! And I was fast! One 10 minute mile, one sub 10 minute mile, and two 12 minute miles. I feel like a rockstar. And now this rockstar is going to cook some dinner. Salmon, couscous, and peas anyone?

Anyone up for a challenge?

My monthly goal is to log 31 workouts in the 31 days on May.

A coworker of mine went to her doctor and she was informed that 60 minutes of exercise a day should be the minimum goal we women strive for. I know I don't always hit that goal. In fact many days I am counting the stroll I take with my lazy puppies as a workout.

If anyone wants to play along keep a tally of your weekly workouts and post them either to your blog or facebook status each Sunday.

At the end of May I will have a prize drawing giveaway for anyone who logged over 20 workouts. The winner will receive a itunes gift card and my favorite water bottle of all time.

Good Luck!