Crawling across the Friday Finishline

HERE COMES THE WEEKEND!

I’m desperately ready for the weekend and Friday at the office has already killed me and it’s barely 2:00pm. How does that happen??? I can only describe it as craptastic because as usual I have so much work that’s waiting to get done. I really need to read the four hour work week. There’s no way I’m using my time as efficiently as possible and I need to figure this ish out!!!

In exciting health news, I jumped onto my ultimate frenemy, the scale, this morning to be greeted with a nice little number that was 3lbs less than last week. Down, beatches!!!

This made me do a little happy dance inside. Just gotta keep up the working out and eating all the healthy lunches. Easier said than done, my friends. For example, the Cookie Man showed up at my office. He’s got a student affairs wifey and his delicious business involves making cookies for events, etc. Of course, he comes by quarterly with six types of cookies for us to try. Yes! I said SIX!!! I can’t lie I ate four delicious cookies. My most favorite was this Lemon Lime Basil cookie! Amaze-balls! Did I mention the deliciousness that was the Brown Sugar cookie or perhaps the crazy Rootbeer & White Chocolate Chip cookie. Oh yah, and the snozz berries taste like snozz berries!!!

Thank goodness, I ran the 5 miles home yesterday. WINNING.

My heart is aching with the sad realization I need to come in on Sunday. Sigh, I guess I will try and wake up at a decent hour and come in and attack all the emails and papers. followed by a 2 mile loop around the campus track and 5 miles straight home for my 7 mile long run. We’ll see how this ambitious plan goes but anonymously announcing it to the interwebs somehow makes me feel better.

That’s all I got for now, Interwebbies. Enjoy your weekend and get out there and have some fun.
Besos,
lbg

Day dreaming across the blog universe

I found my April race, Interwebbies & it was a steal! Bonus points! Yesterday, I registered for the Across the Bay 12k & 415k for $39.00. Woo Woo! I will be running the 12k which is a little over 7 miles. They had a flash sale yesterday and this little brown girl was all about it. The race starts in charming Sausalito and we get to run across the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco! I’m really looking forward too it. Hooraz!

I needed to modify my workout schedule due to some programming for my job but I’m committed to completing all my runs. Tomorrow, I’ll run home from work again (5 miles) and on Saturday I have a 7 miler to tackle – eek.  Otherwise the biggest to-do is to fix my running playlist on my hella old iphone. My damn iphone has been cray to the zee with my musica. …I think my poor 4S doesn’t do so well with some of the upgrades. Seriously though, I need my jams for my long runs.

 

Because you can always use a Dirty Dancing gif for anything.

I’m on the prowl for some budget digs in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii for my homegirl’s wedding this May. I started doing some budget hotel googling but I still think that AIRBNB is the best for my teeny tiny budget. Trust, I am definitely down with doing some research first along with a healthy amount of day dreaming. Thankfully, I have another good friend that will be flying solo for this wedding so we decided to book together. I’m not sure how she feels about AIRBNB so I’m trying to get together a nice list of options for us to discuss.What are your thoughts on AIRBNB/VRBO vs hotel stays? Thoughts?

As I pursued Trip Adviser, Hawaiian Air, and several other sites it suddenly became real that I will be in Hawaii in a few months. Sure, planning for a destination wedding is stressful and expensive (even as a guest) but it’s also pretty awesome. It’s easy to lose yourself in the stress and worry and not catch your breath on how epic and blessed your life can be. I’m a HUGE culprit of this, just jumping straight into stress and worry instead of being full of gratitude and excitement. I need to work on this but changing your mindset isn’t that easy BUT I’m still going to try!!! Just gotta bring it back to my 2015 word INSPIRATION!!! Focusing on gratitude and blessings, seeing the joy and letting worry take a backseat. I’m going to HAWAII!! I’m going to sign up and run a half marathon while I’m there!!! I’m going to see a beautiful beaches, sunsets, and maybe a sunrise or two. How amazing is that?

 Besos,

lbg

The LATE MONDAY Post – just pretend you were to busy for it ;)

My bad – work got cray and cray and I never posted this. Here we go!

The weekend was full of shenanigans per usual; you never get enough done, time runs out, and you feel the Sunday night blues. This weekend was further complicated by a fight by me and the boyfriend. It ruined my mojo and I’m stuck here completely unready for Monday. IT SUCKS.

 

In some seriously NON-SUCKY news, my sister GOT ENGAGED!!! Crazy exciting! I cannot wait to hear all the details and celebrate with her in person. Sigh, LURVE! Cannot be happier for her and her boy. So add another crazy wedding date to 2015!

Basically my weekend consisted of the following positives and negatives:

• Running – I hit a 6 mile run on Saturday (booyah) and a nice 5 mile walk with my homegirl today. Definitely positivo. God, that sounded nerdy. Whatevs, I’m going with it.

• Saturday night – I got about 3 hours of sleep. Damn, insomnia – negative.

• Saturday, I cooked some la bomba lemon & ginger tangine chicken & cauliflower couscous! Love my Mediterranean Paleo Cook book!

• Three loads of laundry completed but didn’t manage the towels…sad face.

• My kitchen is a mess since I ran out of dishwasher pods….negative.

• I have yet to make my lunch or breakfast….I guess there’s still time but I am slacking uncontrollaby.

 

I fully intend for this week to be more productive. Increase productivity!!! Increase my grown-up-ness!!!

LIVERMORE HALF TRAINING PLAN FOR THIS WEEK!

Monday – run home from work (fingers crossed) – 5 miles

Wednesday – run home from work – 5 miles

Thursday – cross train in some sort of unplanned way. Probably a pinned workout. Suggestions?

Saturday – 7 mile run!

Sunday – cross train again.

 

Besos,
lbg

Friday Funk Makes Us Wild….well in old lady ways

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

Seriously, thank you little baby Jesus! I am ready for the weekend!

Let’s talk about the fitness update, yo! I’m coming along and actually adhering to a suedo running training plan. Next week, I’m hoping to actually hit all my planned runs. Last night, I was sidelined with a migraine. BLARGH! Just one of those lovely almost my “ladytime” side effects. When I hopped on the scale this morning that crazy effer told me I gained 3 lbs!! WHAT!! Now in all honesty, I drank and ate a little too much during the three day weekend but I’m willing to bet the other 2lbs are just ladytime bloat. Yep, sexy I know.

This weekend is another no plans weekend aside from my 6 mile training run. Holla! However since we didn’t have water for two days, I still need to do a million pounds of laundry. Laundry is so depressing. I think it’s my least favorite chore. Granted this has a great deal to do with the fact I live in a complex with three washers and three dryers and am subject to the washing gods. There’s nothing worse than preparing all your laundry, getting all your quarters, and detergent and heading down to the parking garage and every single machine is in use. ARGHHH!!!! Having your own washer and dryer is a glorious luxury, people. I mean don’t get it twisted I love my penthouse apartment with our deck and partial lake view…but I would love a washer and dryer. Sigh, hashtag old lady dreams.

I still am on the lookout for an April race that fits my schedule. I have an 8k, 10k, and the half all lined up for March! Woo Hoo! I’m pretty sure I will sign up for the Hibiscus Half (May) after pay day. There’s the Bay Breeze 10k in February and the race is about 3 miles from the BART station. I could BART there and run the 3 miles plus the actual 10k and hit my 9 miler goal for that weekend. Possibilities right?

This morning when I left for work it was in the forties and I just cannot take it. I am ready for this cold weather to be over! I apologize to all you people with real cold weather but hey I live in California, I did not sign up for weather below 50. At least it’s sunny this afternoon although by the time I leave the building it will be seeping into darkness. God damn. Can’t win with all this daylight saving and winter nonsense.

It’s Friday, let’s have a little fun with things I enjoyed this week!!!

1. This hilarious SNL skit! Artisanal Mayonaise!

2. Seeing my bling for the San Jose 408k

3.‘Transparent’: Amazon to Stream Entire Season Free for 24 Hours

To all those who aren’t subscribed to Amazon Prime, clear out some hours on Saturday — Transparent will be available free for 24 hours only. I WILL BE BINGE WATCHING!!!

4. I finished Wild which I throughly enjoyed. There were times where I was like “NOOOOO!!! Bad decision making!” but it was very heartfelt and honest. It was a breeze to finish and I found myself endeared to this young woman that was quite a hot mess. Recommend it! Especially for a weekend or vacation read.

5. This little homie has Uptown Funk down!!! Seriously I heart this little man!

Alright let’s get on out of here and have a great weekend, Interwebbies!

besos,

lbg

Just a check in!

5 miles home! I was pretty stoked that it went so well. I’m not gonna lie running home from the office was unchartered territory for me. One of my co-workers is a runner and she highly recommended this. She’s legit with marathons under her belt and what have you so I decided to give it a whirl. I’m glad that there’s a little more light post 5pm than in earlier months but I may still consider getting a runner’s light for this route. I know, old lady nerd alert but hey safety first!!!

Another little feature I LOVE about my new running app (Strava) is that I can see this super cool little map and all my mile breakdowns if I logon online. DOPENESS!

 

 

There should be more to this post but the day is just getting away from me. Let’s hope we all manage to make our after work workouts happen!
Besos,
lbg

 

The Hibiscus Half is on my Wedding Registry and other humpty hump tales

As I mentioned before 2015 is shaping up to be a year of weddings including two destination weddings. Turns out one of those weddings is getting pushed back to 2016 (woo hoo!!). This will make my Hawaii wedding a little bit easier since the postponed wedding was originally in the same week.  This would also permit me to possibly run the Hibiscus Half Marathon. The race is on the Sunday of my departure but the start is at 5:30am and my flight isn’t until 1:30pm. I think I could swing it. Anyone ran a race and hopped on a flight right after? Thoughts?

I still haven’t found an April race yet that fits my schedule so I need to be on the lookout for that as well. It seems like 2015 is going to fly by once I get all these weddings and races scheduled. Speaking of races, this is my goal for training for the week:

Sunday – 5.1 miles (done – woo hoo!)

Wednesday – 5 miles

Thursday – 3 miles

Saturday – 6 miles – eek!

Today, I will be running home from work. My co-worker is encouraging me to try this since she does it 2 or 3 days a week. I will have to leave my laptop and clothes locked up at the office and just run home with my keys, phone, and cards. Fingers crossed this little experiment is a success. I will keep you all posted for sure.

Yesterday was the first day of school and it kicked my ass. I am surrounded with student requests and the email is all backed up – eek!!! I need to carve out some serious time to tackle this avalanche without a bagel. I couldn’t resist this morning and had one of those carby delicious treats. The three day weekend really did me in with regards to food. There may have been a little too much fun combined with a water main breaking on my street. The water break resulted in all of the streets water being shut down and me spending Monday at brunch, in a bar, and by the time I was home we ordered take out. Sigh, misbehaving. Not having water was the worst! No cooking prep was achieved and clearly no laundry. I can never manage to tackle all the grown up chores. At least it wasn’t totally my fault this time.

 

It’s been forever since I’ve written on a humpty hump Wednesday but even without Kathy (RIP – Vodka & Soda bloggy blog) we can get our confess on. Let’s just remember how to do this properly. Kathy, would always have some eye candy so BAM for your viewing pleasure.

I can never get tired of Brad circa Legends of The Fall.

1. I confess that the first week of school is so crazy pants that I have to actively attempt NOT to have a glass of wine every day upon arriving. True Story.

2. I confess that I am hella scared to run home and hope that it’s not too crazy, I’m not too cold, my phone doesn’t die, and god knows what else.

3. I confess that I effing LOVE my new running app – Strava. It’s my jam!

4. I confess that I am seriously enjoying Downton Abbey’s return. JESUS EDITH! Did you really almost burn the place down!!!!

5. I confess that I am ready to go home and it’s only lunch time….god damn.

Besos! I’m out!

lbg

Studies show Night Cheese Improves Running

I busted out my new running shoes and did 4.1 miles – BOOYAH! They felt fabulous so I guess I did need some running kicks after all. It was sunny and in the 60’s and a beautiful day for a run. Tomorrow I’m aiming for another 5 miles (eek) and another 3 miles on Sunday. Training for the Livermore Half is officially on, like Donkey Kong!

Also it felt good to run since I gorged myself on salami, cheese, bread, and wine last night. I really can’t imagine a more perfect and romantic meal. We had a truffle cheese made with goat’s milk that was AMAZING! We also had a raw hard sheep’s cheese that I could just eat err’ day! Why is cheese so DAMN good??? It’s truly a gift from the gods. Oh and of course a cab franc because that’s my jam.

I’m avoiding stretching by blogging but seriously I need to stretch it out and get my sweaty booty in the shower. The boy’s not home so there’s no one to judge me while I ate lunch, lounged around, and thus avoiding stretching and showering. It’s gonna be one of those LONG beautifying showers since it’s date night and it’d be nice if I ya know washed my hair and shaved my legs.

I actually looked at my half marathon training plan since my running has been sporadic and I need to you know actually prepare for this event. If I do 5 miles this weekend and work up to 6 miles for next weekend I will be back on track.  I’m writing that here to keep my slacker ass accountable. All the students will return on Tuesday to complain about their schedules, explain how they failed courses, and debate why Molecular Cellular Biology is not a good fit for you. Hashtag Your Major Needs to Love You Back. Hashtag Chemistry and Math are the foundation of Science Majors. Hashtag English Loves You Back. Anyways, they will be the perfect excuse to not work out but I will not let those bebes stop me!

Ok, I’m going to do the following stretching and hit the showers. I may even listen to a little Bruno Mars.

Have a lovely weekend, kiddies!
Besos,
lbg

 

 

Weekends were made for old lady fun!

IIT’S FRIDAY!!!! WOO WOO!!! AND WE HAVE A THREE DAY WEEKEND!

LURVE.

How could I resist Carlton?? I know Christmas is long gone but I enjoyed this image. It conveys my GLORIOUS three day weekend joy, especially since my last post was such a Debbie Downer. I thought I needed to bring in some more positive energy to our little corner of the Interwebs.

In other news, my clean eating is going really well! I lost 3lbs this week! HOORAZ! I’m basically back to my pre-Thanksgiving weight. There’s still more to go but what else is new. My running has been less than stellar but I signed up for the Livermore Half and am now bound to actually being ready to run 13.1 by March 28th. Hopefully I will make the most of these three days and get some fitness in…fingers crossed.

II haven’t been to my neighborhood Farmer’s Market in ages so I’m stoked that I get to go tomorrow and buy tons of veggies, fruits, and all that good stuff. I hope my Olive Oil people are there. They make this bomb dot com Kalamata cold pressed olive oil that is AMAZING on salads, kale, in tuna salad, basically you name it and it makes it more delicious. We use a ton of olive oil in our place and usually have about three different kinds at any moment but this ish is my fav. The boy also bought me some avocado oil so if anyone has any suggestions/recipes for that holla, please!

 

There will be reading, sleeping late, running, and lots of cooking & sadly cleaning too this weekend. You have to just put on your big girl panties on and make it happen. Sigh, doesn’t everything but the cleaning sound wonderful? Hashtag life in your thirties.  I may even go to the movies to see Selma or Wild, something nominated for an Oscar.

II’m off to download some jams for a new running mix and I leave you with this jam.

Besos,

lbg

There’s no Italy, India, Bali just some book therapy and new running shoes

I had a mini meltdown yesterday. Just a mini one, not one of those full sized meltdowns where you quit your job, or cut off all your hair, or make an insane purchase that is non refundable. There were thirty-three year old tears of how did I get here and is this what I’m supposed to be doing and how are the next thirty-three gonna look??? In hindsight, that is a ways away and of course it’s overwhelming. Pretty much every weekend from Thanksgiving until January third, me and the boy had plans, family obligations, holidays, etc. I think I just need a mental health day.

Probably one of those eat, pray, love moments or some kinda of fancy yoga retreat but we all know that’s not in the budget plus all my vacation days are promised to the four potentially five weddings I have this year. Yes, that’s where all my $$$ is going…I swear.

My sister’s texting me I need to talk to my Mom about tying up some legal issues, I have my performance evaluation coming up at work, I’m trying to get all the crap out my diet, and adjust my schedule so I can actually cook & work out. So yes, it feels like a lot is going on but A LOT IS ALWAYS GOING ON. I need to get some zen. How are some people wired to take everything in stride? I mean I’m pretty laid back but the kindergartner sized laundry pile bums me out a bit. Plus I think I need to realize that until I get my own washer and dryer, laundry is a weekend activity for me. KNOW THY SELF. WORD.

So in true Bridget Jones fashion and getting with my 2015 word – INSPIRED – I hopped onto Amazon and ordered a few books. One on working, another that was outdoorsy inspirational, and a good ole fiction book. I love books and there’s nothing better than hot coffee and an entire weekend snuggled up with a read.

I should be writing more about the mini meltdown but maybe I’m not there yet. Letting all my emotions out has never been one of my strengths. I’m the smile now, cry later type….and I’m preferably crying over a movie (but not) alone. Seriously way easier for me to be ok to cry over Stephen Hawking (Theory of Everything) than my own damn problems. What a hot mess I am!

This weekend though I am making NO PLANS! Just time for me to do laundry, read, and get in some much needed mileage. I did break down and pick up a new pair of running shoes. I think my shoes are not what they were…granted I got them in March 2014 and have done three halfs in them, so yaz probably time. Thankfully, I had a gift card so those bad boys were free!!!

It’s getting late and I need to function like a non-melting down adult and get some rest for tomorrow. It’s ok to get kicked in the face, we just have to get back right? Even when it’s our own selves mentally kicking us. Sigh, I’m a crazy pants but it happens from time to time.

Besos,
lbg

Little Miss Sunday

WEEK IN REVIEW!!!

STUFF THAT HAPPENED

• I lost a pound and a half!!! Woo Woo!! Less drinking & eating healthy kinda works. Who knew?
• I brought my lunch to work everyday this week!!! Holla!
• I got in two full runs and one attempted run. More on that later!
• I prepped meals, so crazy.
• Moved into my own office, hooraz

STUFF THAT CAN BE IMPROVED UPON

• Not hurting my foot during a run. Yep, that happened. I’m still gonna try and squeeze out a night run so fingers crossed it’s all better… FINGERS CROSSED.
• Water drinking was hit and miss. Clearly more water was consumed than during my holiday break which was filled with booze and ice…ice counts as water right?
• Sleep! I am still all over the place with the sleep schedule as I’ve returned to work. I need to really be hitting the sheets at 10ish and getting in my rest. This happened like one or twice this week….and the second time was only due to sheer exhaustion. However I have been waking up on time!

STUFF THAT I STILL NEED TO DO/INCORPORATE

• I think I may need to bring back MFP for a little bit of tracking. Next week I may loosely bring this back but give myself 3 weeks or so to reign in my eating before I really commit.
• Pull the trigger on the Livermore Half. I need to commit to a race and get my training going for reals but for some reason I’m having cold feet.

THINGS I STILL LOATHE

• Baby showers….they last way TOOOOO LONG! Seriously can’t you please upon my gift upon arrival so I don’t feel like I have to stay for 5 hours. Also why games? We’re in our thirties and at no other parties do we have to play games, why, why at baby showers??? Anyone else think that the game where you guess how large the mother’s tummy is, is kinda mean? Just me?
• Returning to work. I am still trying to remember how to do my job. BLARGH.
  

 

That was THE WEEK IN REVIEW, kiddies. I am now enjoying Tina Fey & Amy Poehler hosting the Golden Globes and look forward to all the MEMES!!! I still have hopes to attempt a run but damn, my couch is cozy. We will see… I already went to the Whole Foodie and bought breakfast & lunch prep so that’s on my evening to-do. I love being distracted by all the glamour and making a list of all the movies I need to see.

Let’s make this week a winner, peeps!
Besos,
lbg