Hello Summer(ish) weather

Nothing screams hello beautiful season (aka my birthday season) like waking up at 5 am and it being light out and running outside in the afternoon and breaking a swear in just a sports bra and shorts (yes..i like being (almost) naked while running...i don't like being confined in my clothes!!

I woke up this AM for a wonderful spin class with the most amazing music.  I really enjoy the spin instructor however there is this women that i always tend to sit behind and it drives me baananas and I have to get it off my chest or I might explode (ok I won't but still).  First of all, she is way to too to be "naturally" tan as we live in CP and god knows there is not sun like FL sun yet to be that tan.  Secondly, when the instructor says to pick up the pace i swear she just spins so face i get dizzy and want to get off my bike and give her a snickers bar so she can go on with the rest of her day....she's that insane it's like unbelieveable...words can not describe.  Third of all, ok i have no third of all...maybe she is a nice lady but I just can't get past the tan and crazy spinning of the wheel.  Rant over back to nice Amy.

After spin, I quickly showered dressed and headed to work.  Worked a full day (which in my case meant some fantastic outside time with my "boys" and then feeding some fish in the pond) went to one student's house where I was able to do what I love doing and hear his use his language appropriately (HUGE!)  After the work day was over, I drove into town which was followed by me attempting to find the most perfect place to park and stake out my run.  I ran and then took a pit stop (TMI Sorry) and then ventured out in the beautiful sun to run some more then stopped in the park to do some push ups and abs and then headed back to the car to call it a day (run wise).  I ran 4 miles total and was sweating like a mess.

That my friends is a beautiful thing.  I am now off to read my current issue of New York Magazine.  I just read Newsweek and learned a ton of info on Bin Laden and the Navy Seasl (I'm apolitical...Shout out to my GMIL for the newsweek subscription)

Time to go read in the sun

NYC half marathon love AKA 1:41:59

Almost one week ago, I ran the  for the second year in a row.  It was amazing last year and I couldn't wait to come back again this year.  Race day I was ready after training pretty hard since the Disney Half marathon in January.  Woke up around 6:30 a.m. and jogged over to the starting line.  It was pretty crazy that it wasn't even light out and there were sooo many runners at the park.  We were all here for one reason (to get to battery park...DUH!).  Michelle and i said our goodbyes once we got to the park and we headed to our corrals.  I made one last pit stop to the porta potty and then ate my espresso luv gu as I entered the corral.  As the gun went off all I could think about was how much colder it was than last year.  The gun went off after what felt like 7 million years in the corral (it was less than 15...i exaggerate).  and we were off.  I felt pretty slow starting out with so many people but then got into a groove.  The loop around the park was beautiful and all  I could think was this is hard...I can do it!! I can do it!! My music led me around the loop and then finally out onto 57th street.  The rush that I feel after leaving the park is unbelieveable.  I took 2 clif shot blocks at mile 4 and mile 6 and then again at around 8 or 9 can't remember.  All i remember was seeing the Disney Store along the route and thinking I need to go there ASAP.  Heading out onto the West Side Highway was tough and i walked through a few water/gatorade stations.  I just kept chugging along.  Once we got closer to the finish (around 11) I was like 2 more miles Woohoo!! I crossed the finish line at 1:45 on the clock (I forgot my watch at the apartment and wasn't going back).  I figured it was about 2 minutes off and was happy with that time considering how hard it felt!! I later found out that I was 3 minutes off of the clock with a net time of 1:41:59.  I was so beyond happy with my time and completely surprised considering how hard it felt...but I guess that's what it takes to run hard!! All in all I had ana amazing race and for a few days after I felt beat up but I'm on the mend and getting ready for the next race.  My friends and I are running Run for the Wild in the Bronx Zoo on April 30th.  So excited.  This week has been a recuperate week for me.

I woke up Monday Am for and made it through the day hobbling.  Tuesday I ran 2 miles at the gym after work. Wednesday I went to  in the AM again Thursday I ran 3 miles outside in the frigid cold (really weather ...get the spring memo or what?)  Friday I woke up and went to Spin at 5:30.  Pearl Jam was played and I was a happy lady.  This morning I slept in a bit and went to .  Before pump I ran a mile on the treadmill and then hopped back on after pump for 1.2 miles.  I wish it was warmer out so i can pound some mileage outside.  We shall see.  It is supposed to be almost 40 tomorrow(aka heatwave here !) so I am hoping to get out there and make friends with the fresh air!!

Tonight is dinner with friends and I am in charge of making a salad.  Off to the store...

Hello Monday!

Another Monday done (almost...not until the bachelor is over!)

So what's been happening...let's see!
After Snow day last Monday...I went to body pump and got my 6 mile speed workout run in (Only one more until the NYC 1/2 marathon!)

Tuesday I had CPR after working all day and was really craving the infamous Shamrock Shake...so i stopped on my way home and got one before heading home.  I overslept on tuesday and only got to run 3 miles in the am(needed 6 for the day)...therefore after the Shamrock shake I hopped back to the gym and got in a few more miles( with a deficit of 1.25 miles due to the unhappy stomach due to said infamous shamrock shake).

Wednesday, Body pump in the AM and then ran the last 1.25 afterward to get the 6 i wanted to get in on tuesday!

Thurday, I went to 5:30 a.m. spin and i'm not kidding but it was AMAZING.  Music was great and it was a great start to the day!

Friday A.M. I got 5 in on the treadmill o'fun.  I went to happy hour after work then headed to Date night with my wonderful husband.  We headed to a bar/restaurant where we had gift cards then headed to my favorite store Book heaven a.k.a Barnes and Noble.  I sat, read People Magazine and then headed to Friendlys for a beautiful Reese's Piece's Sundae to share with said wonderful man.  It was delicious and such a great way to end the work week.

Saturday,
I slept in (Ok so in my terms that means 7:45 a.m.) then ran some errands (i.e.- Eyebrow wax! :-) ) then caught up with some friends on the phone for awhile and finally got my butt out the door for a run! I had 7 on tap for the run but the route I wanted to run was 7.52 so i got 7.52 on the books.  After running, I finished a shamrock shake(damn you shamrock shakes...is it St. Patrick's day yet??) then took a nap for a hot minute before heading out the door to babysit for the evening!

Sunday was spend the day with the husband day! It was a complete workout free day and we had a great day.  Grocery shopping and preparing some Pork ( Pork...the other white meat = love! <3 <3) It was an amazing recipe from Can you stay for dinner = amazing recipes=yum!   It was great and loved just putting it in the crockpot and then getting things done around town.  We went and visited a new baby and then headed home for the rest of the day! I made cupcakes and cookies (brought them to the baby and baby mama).  I was starving when we got back to the house after baby visiting, I was starving and an amazing chocolate cheese quesadilla was presented to me from the husband.  I WAS going to share with him but it was just so good!

This morning, I made it out of bed only 10 minutes late to Body pump.  Went elipiticalling for 15 minutes and then got the day started.  Husband worked tonight so I was a bachelorette (while watching the bachelor..ha!) and made myself a tortilla bowl using leftover pork, black beans, salsa, cheese and plain non-fat yogurt and topped with Frank's.  It was delicious...
Which brings me to where I am today...watching the bachelor and waiting for him to pick the final lady...til next time...

Snowy Stratton Sunday

Well vacation flew by! I had an amazing vacation filled with lots of working out, relaxing, and spending time doing what i love (baking, family, running).  We got pounded with snow over the weekend.  We got over a foot of snow on Friday and that only meant one thing for me.... 

Skiing Sunday!!!  

The husband had to work on Sunday so I headed up to Stratton Amazingness with some friends and got out there!! They got hit with over 8 inches of snow Sunday morning and it was powdery goodness.  The following picture was taken while going down one of my favorite trails, Lower wanderer.  It goes under this amazing bridge and past amazing condos.  I especially love this one bench made out of skis.  Need to remember to take a picture next time.  

We stopped at Bob's Diner on the way to the mountain and I feasted on french toast with corn flake crusted on it.  So good and helped me make my way through the powder.  I definitely got air several times.

Back to work today.  I slipped while trying to make my way into my building due to the ice however i did not fall and safely made it into my classroom.  Work was busy and my boys kept me on my toes (as usual).  After work I headed to spinning and then body pump.  I was completely drained after pump and headed home to a solitary meal of Chik'n patty (boca style) and spinach.  I also ate an apple with pb and some PB whoppers.  Now i will watch who Brad picks( it's taking a lot to keep my mouth shut on who he picks)