Running Away from Mi Vida but first an iced coffee in Gotham

I am have a shitty day. Just straight up shitty.

I want to be someone that wakes up feeling like I am winning at being a grown-up. Maybe this feeling doesn’t exist and everyone else just does a better job faking it than I do?

I don’t want to fight with my boyfriend because his Mom loves him but is basically crazy (as all moms are) and now his day is ruined. Seriously, I’m sorry your mom drives you up the wall but do you have to be a pretentious jerk face??? Should jerkface be one word or two? Sigh, it doesn’t matter.

The best thing about being a grown up is I can run away to one of my favorite cafes and order a strawberry blonde beer and macaroni and cheese. Seriously, not around the block or even hide out at a friends like when you were a kid. I can legit runaway to someplace I love. Until I’m more of a Batman type than a vengeful Joker and then I will return home and restore peace to Gotham.

Well apparently it’s really hard to save Gotham and our fight continued…it is now Monday and I’m hopeful that peace with reign again. Being in a relationship is by far one of the hardest things….especially when you and your parter are strong, opinionated people. I wish one of us was more easy going and by us, I mean him.

It’s Monday, so let’s debrief the following things that are on my mind.

1. Marathon….so underprepared.

2. Supplemental disability, I feel screwed by big university employer and now need to secure some supplemental coverage.

3. Turning my week around by focusing on gratitude, optimism, and general grown-up attitude.

4. Make some time to clean the casita.

5. How am I going to run this damn marathon????

6. Coffee….I need more coffee.

7. Please let today not kick me in the face.

Alright, I’m going to try and be productive at work today and also work on my marathon playlist for ultimate success. I’m also going to need a second coffee today. We’re having a mini heatwave in the East Bay and it’s never 72 at 9:00am so it’s going to need to be an iced coffee. Yes, I live in northern California with a temperate year round climate, so yes this means it will be oh so hot later on.

Also has anyone watched the Rhi Rhi video for “Bitch, better have my money?” If not, please do. While an interesting video concept, not what I expected. I do enjoy the jam though.

Let’s make Monday happen, kids.

besos,

lbg

You can’t handle the truth! Starring Me & Kevin Bacon

Dear Monday,
Why must you never go as planned? Seriously? Why are you so spiteful and wicked? Really, Monday…I mean I know it must suck to not be Friday since she’s the cool one but that’s absolutely no reason for you to be the eff you one. I guess that’s the way it goes though. Sigh, whatever.
We’re over Monday.
-lbg

Despite the set backs of that bastard Monday, I still managed to get in a five and a half mile run!!! Holla. It was a struggle but once I got past those first three miles, I really enjoyed myself.

Yesterday, I busted out the spiralizer and attacked some beets and carrots which I roasted. They came out amazing and looked so beautiful on top of some spinach. Yummers!!! Today there will be some running but it might be to Target. We have some guests coming for a BBQ this Saturday so I’m trying to get the casita as cleaned up as possible. Here’s hoping that Friday night isn’t fueled by coffee as we work until the wee hours cleaning our dirty little casita. If the trusty boyfriend can’t take me today then I’ll be hitting the lake to get in another solid 5 miles.

In other news, I’ve been selected for jury duty. EEK! My posting is already irregular so here’s hoping it won’t get any more wonky. Fingers crossed!! I can’t believe that the Livermore Half is in 24 days!!! I’m really excited and hoping to have a good race. I’m feel like my training is going well and can’t believe that after that it will be time to start my MARATHON training!!!! Seriously, beyond crazy. What am I doing???

I think I need to get a foam roller since everyone is always recommending you foam roll after you run. It sounds terrible but healthy for you. I have no idea since I’ve never done but I see some skillful runners doing it so can’t hurt to try. Why are foam rollers so damn expensive?? It’s foam like a pool noodle, right? Crazyness. I will have to check groupon for some deals. Foam rolling, interwebbies, thoughts?? I’m ready to hear any tips, tricks, or good deals you may have. Oh, maybe I will look at Target tonight!!!

Let’s get this humpty hump insanity over with peeps!!!! But on that note, due to jury duty I had to get my amazing colleagues to cover a million things and I sent this little movie music to inspire their booties to be my hero. Hope you enjoy it!!!

Besos,
lbg
PS Nobody says no to Kevin Bacon!!!

I was supposed to post this on Monday but life happens, yo

Have a holly, jolly Monday, and if that’s not possible drink more coffee!!! Alright, let’s bust out some Monday Updates on the lbg’s faves of Fitness & Food!!!

FITNESS UPDATES!

SUNDAY – 3.22 miles!
MONDAY – 3.29 miles
Two runs! What, what! I wish I would have hit three but I feel like this is an amicable start.

This week I will hit three workouts! I am also willing to blame the rain and having to run around with my familia all weekend which prevented the working outtage.

FOODIE UPDATES
Remember my butternut squash broccoli idea?

Well, it sure was tasty. I have secured a few photos for your viewing pleasure, Interwebbies.

Broccoli covered in blended butternut squash puree (includes some milk & gruyere)

 

 

I also met up with my crazy familia and yes, they confirmed they are crazy, to make tamales.

Sorry, I was a bad blogger and this is your only photo.

Tamales in the making!

In other foodie news, I have found my new seasonal beer jam.

Hellloooo White Christmas!

White ale with some cinammon, nutmeg, and orange peel….why yes, yes I say.

 

Of course work got BUSY!!! Also the President emailed us all to head home early since student protests might create some BART & freeway drama. I basically was forced to adios and go get my Christmas tree!!! Hooraz.

Besos,
lbg

The Weekend Ran Over Me…..

Holla Peeps!
This Monday will be spent at the Doctor’s and the Dentist’s and popping onto the computer to do some emailing. First, I needed to check in over at this corner of the Interwebbies and see how we all were doing.

TIME CHANGE!!

Trust, I know we gained an hour but I just want SLEEP ALL THE SLEEP. I went to bed earlier and woke up a little later and yeah, sleep. This may also have to do that I have been running around like a much younger woman since Thursday where me and the boy stayed out until 12:30ish. AGHHH SOOO LATE. We went to an AWESOME spoken word show. Yes, I am one of those nineties people that loves poetry, spoken word, and SAUL WILLIAMS you were AMAZING. Friday, I pulled my tired self together and me and one of my chicas headed to a Halloween party with some peeps from work. This party was hosted by a friend that is super PRO-ANIMAL. She’s a vegan and fosters animals, all that good stuff. Anyways, people were encouraged to bring their pets which seems cool until you see two dog fights during the night. DAMN! That’s just too much for me. I mean I guess this shizz happens all the time at the dog park but man, who knew so cray cray. Saturday, I headed into SF for a book signing and some Target shopping. Plus the Ferry Building so so lovely. Sunday, I hit up my great Auntie’s 100th birthday and got back into Oakland by 7:00pm. Homegirl is tired.

BOOK SIGNING!!!

I hit up the lovely Ferry Building this Saturday and it was one of those perfect SF fall days. There was that cool ocean breeze but blue skies and temperatures in the high 60s. Sigh, I always miss living in SF when I’m having a little adventure. I went to the Mediterranean Paleo Cook Book talk with Diane Sanfilipo (Balanced Bites blog & podcast), Caitlin Weeks (Grass Fed Girl blog) and Caitlin’s husband (The Chef). First off, Caitlin’s husband was hilarious and awesome. Just a random guy that loves cooking and wife’s a nutritionist so he ended up cooking/being paleo without even knowing it. Diane facilitated and she was just like her podcast but ya know…in person. It was pretty cool and the waiting to have your book signed took forever but it was beautiful so I didn’t mind. The book is BEYOND beautiful and even my boyfriend is stoked to cook some of the recipes. We haven’t tried any yet but if you love beautiful, informative cookbooks, you should seriously buy this one.

Alright, that was the weekend rundown and now it’s time to start the week. Have a good Monday, kiddies.
Besos,
lbg

Ranty, Ragey, & Pumpkin-y Monday

It’s a sunny Monday in October and thankfully I don’t have to be in the office until later this afternoon. I promise a race recap of the San Jose Rock-N-Roll Half is in the works. This was a wonderful race experience for me despite the unseasonably warm weather and my under training. My legs are pretty achy today and I pushed myself a little too hard to beat the heat. Don’t get it twisted, I am still SO HAPPY I signed up for this race and nostalgia washed over me as I ran through many familiar spaces. Shout out to the Tide House that was handing out free beer to the runners. Like I said a proper review will be forthcoming, Interwebbies.

I declared breakfast my last meal of not caring before I jump back on the get fit Fall bandwagon. I treated myself to a glorious non-fat pumpkin spice latte and headed over to a local bakery for a yummy pumpkin cranberry muffin. A good blogger would of taken a photo but I am a bad blogger. Sorry (as I wipe pumpkin crumbs off my face.)

The chemistry between me and the boy is off today. His back is hurting and I’m a little slow from the half. Not a great combination but I’m not sure how to get him to go to the Doctor to see what’s going on…we may just need a new mattress but our pocketbooks are pretty tight. However we need to figure it out if that’s what he needs. Sigh, boys why are they so dumb!

Not gonna lie I’m feeling a little rage filled and ranty this morning. Perhaps it’s that lovely tidal wave of emotion that arrives with my flood of hormones prior to my lady times. Damn being a lady! I suppose it’s for the best that I’m saving the world from my wrath by hiding out here for a while. The world can thank me later.

Despite my wrath filled rage, Oakland was beautiful and I enjoyed getting a little morning walk in and gorging myself on pumpkin flavored delights. It’s time to get back to business and recommit my morning work-outs. I may even get a Groupon for the gym that’s down the street from me and give that a spin. Also I ate lunch out everyday last week which is FAR FAR FAR from ideal when you work on a college campus filled with greasy college kid food. I need to get bring healthy back to my lunch escapades preferably by bringing my lunch but at this point healthy is all I’m asking of myself.

I honestly cannot believe it’s already October. This year has been a long and rough one…I’m hoping 2015 brings a lot more joy and much less stress for me. I would like to be more peaceful, calm, and balanced. Sometimes I feel like my life is just a damn teeter totter, all ups and downs. I know that no one has it all together but aren’t you supposed to feel like it’s mostly together in your thirties? I hit the BIG 3-4 this March and I’m dreading it. My dread is probably mostly based in the fact that I feel like my life is slightly directionless but I’m not sure what next or where to change things up. Thank god for running. That shizz is seriously keeping me sane. I may not know what the eff I’m doing but at least I can put my feet to the pavement and run 13.1 miles in a single shot.

I guess I’m saying October take it easy on me. We’re heading into the first holiday season without my dear little Grandma which I expect will be nothing short of a soft melancholy falling upon the entire familia. 2014 was characterized by me being completely burnt out by my job and refusing to work additional hours beyond 8-5. My Grandma began declining in January and passing away in June. During this time period, I spent many weekends in San Jose doing my best to care for my mother who was my Grandma’s primary care taker. We structured & ran a brand new orientation from May – late June where I fell even further behind in work. I mean I still traveled to NYC for the Brooklyn half and went to Mexico for an amazing vacay. I tried bar method for several months which was an amazing experience so like I said a lot of good. However it just felt like a hard and overwhelming year.

So October be gentle and help me not throw myself off a bridge.

Alright Interwebbies, enough of this sad bastardness. It’s time to shower, clean up, and hit up the Whole Foodie for my HEALTHY LUNCH! That’s right starting on the Fall Fit bandwagon.

Besos,
lbg

On Fridays we ride motorcycles, drink rose, and link up!!!

IT’S THE FRIDAY LINK UP, BEATCHES!!!

Time for us to have a glass of bubbly with the always so lovely Amanda of Meet me at the Barre and share all those favorites for the week.

1. Sparking Rose!

Happy Hour! $5.00 glasses last night with my boy. I was clearly a happy camper. What can I say, I look good in pink.

2. Grey’s…I’m back on the crack
This season has got a little heat. I don’t want to spoiler your asses so I’m just gonna say I’m watching and so far so good. I do think it’s time for Shonda to put a pin in Grey’s tie everything up and give us our god damn happy ending. Ya know, like outlining our dream house in candles or something 😉

3.Pharrell on The Voice
As a result, I am having all my office dance parties to his most recent album. And yes, yes I want to ride your motorcycle. Note: I still hate you Miley.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXXVMcyy_Ag

4. Batiste Dry Shampoo in dark brown!
This stuff keeps my dirty girl hair looking soooo good. I just ran out this morning was so super sad face. Target will be on my weekend list to pick up another bottle. I have to stay it does work best if you apply before bed. You will wake up with killer second/third..maybe even fourth day hair. Heart this!!!! LBG APPROVED.

Perhaps next week, I will have some race favorites after my Saturday Expo…..Hashtag NERD! Race expo!!! Woo Woo. Alright my loves, thanks for sharing in the Friday Favs!

Ok, now let’s get rough and real. Sigh…we’ve gotta link up with Aubrey for her Fitness Fridays and check ourselves because I am wrecking myself at present. No joke. Alright, Aubrey let’s bring the real.

I’m the last one……Where to start…where to start….Honestly, anywhere will do.

SUNDAY RACE DAY
I am seriously under trained for this half. I did hit 9 miles two weeks ago and last weekend I did 10 on the elliptical. I was prepared to be slow and make it happen and BAM HEAT WAVE! No running or working out happened this week. On top of that my race starts at 8:00am and the expected high is 93 degrees. YIKES! Say a little prayer to bebe Jesus for me.

Plus, I have been eating all the food and sleeping horribly. I’ve been up late reading and prepping to teach my class, I sleep in, and buy lunch from the crappy restaurants adjacent to campus. I didn’t step on the scale because that B-I would get all Gretchen on me.

Thank goodness for the maxi dress. I’ve just been hiding out in them all week. Plus I still feel sexy rexy in a maxi. WIN!

After this race, I am putting on my big girl pants and getting my shizz together. I simply cannot go on in this fashion. Mama needs to get her fit on, have a solid 7 hours of rest, and not stuff my face with college kid food.

Monday will be a brand new week and I will get it together. For now, let’s get through Friday and run home where I can be a happy little clam. Hope you all have kick ass weekends planned, interwebbies!!! Let me know what you got going on!

Besos,
lbg

Dude, I’m back! Don’t trip it’s Monday

MONDAY CATCH UP!!!
Bullet point style because it’s been days and days and days….ok well not that long but far too long.

Damn, where to begin!!! There’s way to much! Hmmm…..

* Brief Week Overview.
Last week we said adios to my bestie and co-worker. It was filled with way too many good bye lunches and happy hours. I worked out less due to some early morning meetings and had dinner at the bar. Eek! It was hella fun and sad…tear tear…I’m gonna miss that guy but he’s going on to amazing things. This bestie is proud of her homeboy.

* Friday Link Up – Catch Up!
Fridays, we sit with those cool girls Amanda & Aubrey and we chop it up about our faves and fitness. It’s some serious goodtimes.

Little did I know, that Friday at work would be mother effing cray and I was trying to leave early because ummm…margaritas. So I missed out on posting. SAD FACE! I did have a Friday Favorite list and it included things like drinking with buddies, pork chops, and coming home to flowers. You know good shizz. However that was all wiped away when I stepped on my frenemy’s (the scale) face and the number that smacked me across my face!

Did I expect a gain? Of course! One does not drink margaritas on three separate occasions during the week and not expect a gain. But seriously 2.5???? I was feeling all bloated that morning so I’m sure some of it is water (hopefully) but it still sucked!!! Damn you, good times with friends! Spoiler alert – I just misbehaved through the weekend so that wasn’t very productive. BLARGH!!!

 

 

* Summer Breeze 10k
I did however despite drowning my sorrows in cocktails by the firepit at Comal get up on Saturday and kick ass at a 10k. PS I love Comal, it’s seriously fancy Mexican and I adore it.

Anyways, back to the race. This was a great race and I would completely do it again! We ran along the San Francisco Bay Trail in San Leandro and the views were beautiful even if it was gray.

For the 10k they had 4 aid stations and two of them had tons of snacks! Not just gu but pretzels, potato chips, and fruit. The mile markers were small but efficient and visible. Overall it was a flat course which what’s not to love about that??!!! There are a few cute little bridges you run over and I enjoyed it immensely. Plus you got this beauty!

The cherry on top was that I finished 4th in my age group with my 57 minute 10k!!! Hooraz! I felt like a champion and preceded to celebrate with brunch.

* Dinner Parties/Grown Up Get Togethers
The Saturday celebration continued with an amazingly delish cookout with friends. I kinda killed the hummus and chips….I’ve got issues. I managed to eat healthy at dinner – grilled chicken, squash, zucchini, salad, small serving of rice…god damn you capresi salad (fail). One medium glass of red wine (not bad). I couldn’t pass up blueberry tart and espresso with patron chocolate liquor…Sigh, deliciousness. I give up…Saturday despite the 6.2 miles you won!

* Sunday, how the hell do we get back on track!
I spent Sunday buying healthy ish at Whole Foods, doing laundry, and tidying my kitchen. There were some sit ups and push ups but no real workout (fail again!). I did feel like a grown except for where the bf suckered me into brunch again!! Nooo!!! But there was no booze (winning!!). I vowed Monday would be the day I would pull it all together.

 

* Monday mishaps!
Now, here we are back to Monday. I woke up and stayed true to myself and hit the lake for a nice 3.4 miler. I brought oatmeal into the office so I could just say No to Breakfast Burritos. PS This is a critical campaign and I hope you all fully sign on. I added spinach to my Evol fire grilled steak bowl for added nutritional value which is amazing. Anyways, the work stuff has been slow and not the best day…maybe because I feel asleep on the train and almost missed my stop. Or the whole blow drying the hair thing making me late. Eh, Mondays right?

So that’s almost everything you missed, Interwebbies. I will try and be more on it this week. I swear. I don’t want you all to be like this:

Hope you’re having a manageable Monday, peeps. Really I do. Until next time which will be sooner, I promise!
Besos,
lbg

Don’t be sketchy or I will take you down but not until I get some coffee

It’s officially Monday and I am worthless…..

I have responded to the most critical emails and that’s about it…I’m waiting for this coffee to kick in.

Since I’m waiting for the coffee to kick in, I might as well kill this Luna Bar – Nutz Over Chocolate. Seriously, so delicious. I did have a small yam with avocado for breakfast before I left the casita but it’s almost 10 and I’m starving again. Monday Munchies, what can I do???

There was so much Birthday goodness this weekend and now it’s time to pull it together at least until Wednesday (actual Birthday). I brought a spinach salad with tomatoes, avo, carrots, and garbanzo beans topped with TJ’s turkey meatballs for lunch. Hooraz! Salads are back! Let’s talk about the weekly fitness.

WEEKLY GET FIT PLAN!
Monday – 6:45PM BAR CLASS
Tuesday – SHORT RUN
Wednesday – 5:30PM BAR METHOD CLASS
Thursday – 6:45PM BAR METHOD CLASS (BACK UP for Wednesday)
Friday – 8 MILE RUN!!! Eek!
Saturday – REST DAY!
Sunday – SHE IS BEAUTIFUL 10K!

Wednesday the boy is cooking a little birthday dinner for me at home. So I scheduled a Thursday night bar class in case I bail on Wednesday so technically one of those days is a rest day. Friday I have to get my half training run in but am also running a 10k on Sunday so I may be a slow poke but am super excited!!!! The race is in Santa Cruz and the weather is supposed to be perfect. My sister also ordered us hoodies!!! This is my birthday treat from her! Heart my sister.

Since the race is in Santa Cruz we’re just gonna head up Sunday morning and get there early to get our bibs and hoodies. However I got an email that kinda seemed like they were encouraging people to get their bibs/hoodies on Friday/Saturday so they don’t run out of your size???? WHAT??? Does this seem sketchy to anyone else? It’s not the free shirt w/ registration this is something we paid extra for and I pretty much expect my size to be there. I sent an email to clarify ie see what the f’ is going on because I really dislike the sketchiness.

Yep. I’m about to get angry Jillian on them.

WEIGHTLOSS

I feel like there will be a gain this week and maybe a loss next week. This is based on the all the damn (but wonderful) Birthday celebrating combined with keeping up my workouts.  We will see what the scale says. I will definitely jump on there maybe Wed/Thursday. Maybe Wednesday morning since I plan on pigging out  enjoying my Wednesday dinner. The Boy is cooking up some spaghetti with my fav ground turkey tomato sauce complemented by his famous garlic bread and a side of kale salad. See there’s still salad…of course wine too….DAMN, ok weigh in Wednesday it is.

 

Despite the sketchiness I am really EXCITED FOR THIS RACE!!! I have no idea what to wear???? EEkkk!!! Race outfits! I mean it’s gonna be 66ish so I will still rock my black trusty yoga/running leggings. Not sure which sports bra and shirt. I may need to buy something new. I have problems 🙂

Alright, it’s time to pull it together and get productive at the office. Hope your Monday is not kicking your ass, peeps!

What’s your workout schedule look like for the week?
Keep me posted!
besos,
lbg