Military famlies are amazing....

So lately my running has still been sucking....or just not happening!  I keep trying to have run dates, but the running gods just aren't working with me!  There's a little in this post a bout my running issues...and a lot about a new found respect....

Last night me and O-No were meeting in Dallas for a 4 mile run at White Rock Lake.  O-No called me when I was about 2 miles away and said she was just a little ahead of me, but with a flat tire!  We attempted to change it ourselves....Yah that was funny....and ended up waiting on AAA.  Once AAA changed and put her donut on we made our way, in the opposite direction, to buy a new tire.  Well our boys are out of town, and we had no clue what we were doing....so needless to say with some serious time and frustration later we were done.  And it was dark...and we were hungry....SOOOO we had dinner and margaritas instead.  Oops!!

Tonight there was more drama, and our run date turned into dinner and a movie on my couch...then I got called into work.  DANG IT!  Another disasterous run date!

Oh well.... this post has another point besides my lack of running....or how my muscles are getting cut and bigger!!

This post is about my new found respect for MILITARY WIVES.... I have always had a respect for the men and women who fight for our country, and leave their families behind to protect us....and I've also always respected the famlies they had to leave, but I have an even greater understanding now.  Let me start this by saying I'm the lamest cry baby ever! 

My hubby went on a vacation with his guy friends....a "guys only" trip.  I feel like I'm a pretty cool, understanding wife, and when The Hubs asked if I cared if he went...all I could say was have fun!!  I'm seriously jealous and a little bitter about not getting to go, but understand at the same time. I cried when I said goodbye to him (a few hours before he left, because I had to go to work.) How super lame am I?  I'm an adult, and married, and cried when my husband was leaving....for less than a week!  I had a few days off and seriously was hating being away from him.  We've been together for over 9 years, and have not been apart for more than a weekend since probably freshman year of college, 4+ years ago, when we went to different schools.   Sometimes I feel like a seriously clingy wife, because I love to spend time with my husband.  But at the same time I feel like thats a good thing...Right?  I'm happily married to a man I LOVE spending time with.  He enjoys spending time with me too...at least he doesn't complain or try to do stuff without me often. 

So I want to tell all you military wife bloggy friends (5MilesPastEmpty...you amaze me!) how truly amazing, strong, and encouraging I think you are.  I hated being away from The Hubs for 6 days, I couldn't imagine 6months or more.  You are truly strong women and I envy your strength!  Just know that thinking about all you have to sacrifice is what has kept me sane all week!  Thank you for all you do, for moving away from your famlies,  for keeping your famlies put together, and supporting your military spouses so we can all live in FREEDOM! 

I guess this kinda doubles as my Happy 4th of July post too!  Thanks to all our military men and women, and their famlies for everything you do!!

Long time no blog!

So I clearly go through spurts of blogging/stalking but forgeting to update my own blog!

I was out of town for almost a week...My BEST FRIEND and my FAVORITE COUSIN married each other!!!  I was home for their wedding, stressful visit....but it was fun too!  Their wedding was GORGEOUS and so much fun!

Again my running is slacking off.  I'm not being completely lazy though...I am still working out with the Hubs and feeling really good about it!!  We go to the gym 4-5 times a week, and he pushes me to do my best with strength training!  I have been doing good even when I'm working a few days in a row!!  He motivates me a TON and I love that about him.  He's even been pushing me to get back into my running routine...such a FANTASTIC hubby!!

I ran once while I was in Oklahoma.  One whole mile....  But that's the past and I'm moving on in my running future!

I was home alone last night, well just me and Knox and his girlfriend Ella (we're dog sitting!!) and decided a run was much needed....especially after a bow making marathon (I'm going to start selling my bows for a little extra income...I'll send pictures if you're interested!!)

I decided to get  back into things nice and easy.  2 miles.  I left the house with no specific goal in mind, but it was 10:30pm and still 100 degrees outside (Thank You TEXAS SUMMER!) I havn't ran around the new neighborhood in the dark, so I decided to start the way I had been running during the day, up the highway access road into another part of the neighborhood.  I ran 5 minutes walked 1 minute for 2 miles.  I hadn't really hydrated a ton, and passed a man on the access road who said "be careful" and that kinda creeped me out so I decided to head home.  I was pleased with my pace, my breathing was a little out of whack, but I did it.  Now to start building up my distance again. 

I'm thinking about signing up for The Hottest Half in Dallas in August.  I feel like signing up for a race helps keep me motivated.  I trained for my last Half in 2 months, and that was starting from scratch.  What do you think?  Think 2 months is enough time to get myself back up in the heat?!

Also where do you find your motivation?  I'm totally un-motivated in the running department and need some help!!!

Now that's more like it...

So I decided to try something different to help with my running rut.  At work Thursday night I decided to SUPER hydrate myself (I'm talking 160oz of water in 12 hours, which = peeing every 30 minutes at work....) then decided to try running when I got HOME from work instead of when I woke up at 3 in the afternoon.  Let's just say this was a SUCCESS! 

I had a cup of coffee around 5-5:30 so I was good and awake when I got home.  I let the dog out and fed him then changed and grabbed my Garmin.  The Hubs and I worked out legs on Thursday afternoon so my legs were sore and tired, but felt surprisingly good.  I went out of our neighborhood but turned a different direction this time....and of course, within the first half a mile I had to run up a hill.  It wasn't a big hill but when you worked out legs the night before it sure feels like a HUGE hill!  So I ran a little over a mile, walked 0.15 miles, then ran another full mile.  I did 2.20 miles total, and made sure I ran a full 2.  The only reason I walked the 0.15 was it was up another hill and my legs just couldn't take it! 

I felt GOOD when I got home.  I was tired and my legs were sore but I finally got that ENDORPHIN HIGH I've been missing!! LOVE me some endorphins!  The Hubs got home just as I was filling up my water, it's always a funny conversation when I just get done running because I'm rocking my runners high and he thinks I'm a crackhead!  Oh well!! 

When we woke up we did chest and triceps at the gym.  Again I'm not a real big fan of his while he's making me look awesome in a bikini...but soon I will get over the hate and will be worshiping his workout technique and thanking him for giving me a ROCKIN' body!!

So our lifestyle change is still going good...I had 2 pieces of wheat toast with honey after my run, a protein smoothie on the way to the gym, then grilled chicken, white rice, and asparagus for dinner before work.  I did cheat and eat one of those baby carrott cake cupcakes from Starbucks (I think they're like under 300 calories or something?  Not terrible I guess...) and then had a craving for some salty chips.  I got a bag of black pepper and sea salt, but when I started eating them I realized I didn't need them, or really want them (mostly because there was 16g of fat for the whole bag, and they just weren't good enough to waste 16g of fat on!)  Kinda proud of myself for making the decision to stop eating them!! I can think of a million other  things I would rather waste the fat on....MEXICAN food or a hot dog at the Texas Rangers game on Monday in particular!!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!!

Its HOT!

Ahhh my runs are getting better (as far as not feeling like a total failure/wanting to quit before I start) however they are still short.  I did 2 miles yesterday, in the middle of the day, and it was 100 degrees outside!  Let's just say I ran in a sports bra, but probably am not in good enough shape to do that without a little embarassment yet.....but it was THAT hot!  I probably would have ran farther but I ran out of water.  My handheld is a bit small...I need a bigger one if I'm going to survive this Texas heat!

I have a new personal trainer....and I hate his guts while I'm training even though I love him with all my heart the other 23 hours of the day.  Yup The Hubs.  He's mean....but I will look A-MAZING in a bikini by the time he's done with me!  I decided I needed a little more of a push when it comes to my pumping iron routine.  I don't push myself enough or make myself do enough reps/weight.  So I enlisted the help of my husband, who looks amazing.  He's been working really hard on his "summer body" and it's been working!  His arms are huge! : )  He kicks my butt BIG TIME when we work out together.  Lets just say I almost cried by the time we were done with legs and abs today.  He's such a great encourager, helps me push myself, and tells me its ok when I can't finish my 10 reps (which just makes me push to finish them even harder!!)

I'm LOVING our quality husband/wife time at the gym!

Also we are doing pretty awesome at our life-style change!  We have been eating at home, eating really healthy, and are being more creative when it comes to healthy meals!  We had a pool day on Monday, and went to dinner with friends afterwards.  We went to a burger place called Twisted Root (Also A-Mazing!!) We both ordered Buffalo Burgers (a very lean, very yummy alternative to beaf!!) and we split a side of sweet potato chips (normally we would have each ordered one...baby steps here people!!)  We went to a Mexican Restaurant last night....my FAVE,....and I only had a few chips, their margaritas are made the skinny way, and ordered a SALAD...GASP! I ordered salad at a Mexican restaurant?  But it was totally worth it and super yummy!  So yummy I recreated it at home for lunch today!

So far our summer body/stregthen my muscles to make me a better runner plan is working!!

I am thinking about registering for a 15K in July....we'll see if my distance increases any time soon, and if I can handle running in this HEAT!!

Cha Cha Changes....

So me and The Hubs are working on a few changes.  Lets call them "Life Style Changes"

I had a mini melt down after trying on some shorts at Old Navy today...such a melt down that I turned down frozen yogurt when The Hubs asked if I wanted to stop for some.  I was feeling super fat for some reason...and this was after I worked out.  IDK where it came from?!

 My workout was good today...I did 5+ miles (20 minutes) on the bike at a level 10.  My legs were on FIRE when I was done!  Then I told The Hubs that I need some help with my workouts because I do the same things every time.  So he helped me beat my biceps to death.  Lets just say if I can lift my arms in the morning it will be a miracle!

So after my fat meltdown (I wish I meant this literally...) The Hubs and I spent some time looking up recipes for healthy meals.  We have ZERO junk food in our house.  We eat pretty good for the most part, especially when we eat at home.  But we're both really bad about eating whatever we want on our weekends.  So we've decided it's time to institute a bit of a lifestyle tweak.  We are finding more recipes for healthy stuff to mix things up a little bit.  I feel like instituting new flavors and veggies etc. will help keep us from getting bored with eating healthy.  We even went as far as to take before pictures. I am contemplating putting mine on here JUST to keep myself accountable and so eventually I can show the after pictures! 

What do you think about posting my pictures?

Anyone have any good healthy recipes to share?

Also I'm going to work super hard on keeping up with my blog a little more!  I have 8 followers now!  Woo Hoo!!!  Can anyone teach me how to get a picture at the top of my blog and how to link to other websites without putting the full web address but putting "Here" or another word for you to click on?

Feels like I'm starting over

UGH!  That is how I feel about my running right now....and I know it's my own fault. 

After my Half I took a week off from running...and aparently that week turned into me only running 1-2 times per week.  WTF?  How did that happen? Here's the good news...I didn't stop working out entirely..I've been hitting the gym much harder trying to strengthen up my legs to improve my running....only I forgot about the running part somehow.  I made out a pretty little training plan, started it (and by started I mean did 2 days of it...and only half the distance both days) and decided I sucked again so I stopped.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!? 

Last night on the way to the gym The Hubs asked me if I was going to run (around the neighborhood behind the gym) or lift.  I made a face like I wanted to lift.  He pushed me to running, he told me I should knock out my 3 mile route I have.  So I took off running.  My legs were a little tired at first but I felt good.  The route I have behind the gym is a U shaped street that I run in off of one street and end up on the same street at the end of the U.  It's about 0.5 miles.  I finished that, then turned the corner into the bigger chunk of the neighborhood.  It was HOT and I felt dehydrated all of a sudden.  I walked...a lot...and every time I started to run again I felt like I was about to vomit my Lucky Charms (I know I know excellent run fuel right?) Then my left calf cramped up...that was new, never felt that before....  Then I ran a little more, then walked...a lot .... again. 

When I made it back to the gym (A whole 2 miles in 35 minutes later) I sat down in the floor in front of The Hubs, bright red face, and FINALLY started to sweat.  I didn't feel like I was sweating enough while I ran and that totally freaked me out.  He asked how my run went and could tell immediately by the look on my face it didn't go well.  He told me that at least I got out there, which I guess is true.  Then we had a talk about how I've been lazy in the running department, but if I stick to it I'll get back to where I was when I ran my Half....and much quicker than I did the first time. 

It's so frustrating to go backwards in your training!  I'm needing some SERIOUS motivation to keep at this!

Ever feel like you completely lost all of your training and you suddenly suck at running?

It's just a number...

So every now and then a stupid number drives me crazy.  I don't look at this number very often, but when I do, generally it agitates me!

Its that pesky little number you see on the scale when you weigh yourself.....

I'm usually really good about not weighing myself at all because I know how it makes me feel.  I also know that it's more about how I look and feel and NOT about the number.

The hubs talks about his weight all the time...his goal weight, how he lost 5 pounds this week...but his number changes when he eats right and works out a lot.  Mine doesn't.  It stays the same, or even increased a pound or two....and this DRIVES ME NUTS! 

I know I'm not the only one out there who feels this way.  I eat right most of the time, I run (not as much since my half...but I'm working on that) and I've INCREASED the amount of time I spend at the gym.  I'm working really hard on stregth training right now to increase the strength in my legs to help with my running.  I feel good, and I'm relatively happy with the way I look (I have some areas that still need improvement but I'm working on it....my legs are looking better, but my stomache needs work.)

I try really hard not to focus on that number...and keep telling myself muscle weighs more than fat....but sometimes that's just not enough!

Ok I'm over it now....just needed to get that out!  Thanks blog world for listening to me whine!!