And so it goes...

Can I really wrap up months upon months of living into one blog post? The answer is yes, but would you read it all? I'm not that naive ;).

Biggest thing: I live in a house with my sister, her boyfriend, and their dog. I am happy here. It's a lot of fiscal responsibility, but I'm 26, so responsibility should be a "thing." I love the independence, and the freedom. I feel like a grown up! Plus, the running area is MUCH more manageable. It's in the city, so the hills aren't rolling and gargantuan. I love the running route where I grew up, but I'm pretty sure it's a big reason I got injured last year.

Marathon training came and went--no big injuries this year, thank God! I most CERTAINLY PRed. Considering the disaster that was the Pittsburgh Marathon 2012, I figured I could only get better. I was injured like an MFer last year, and I just made it under the 6-hour mark. Oh, it was excruciating...the injury and the embarrassment. haha. I finished a marathon, though, so whatever.

This year, I finished in 4:20 or so--over 90 minutes better! I was still not at my best (1. I walked over three miles to the start. I need a car. 2. overtraining, you and I need to break up. 3. aaaand I really need to incorporate foods/gels into my training...MAJOR cramps at mile 16--was good up until then!), but I was pretty damn proud. Had I not overtrained, I may have been nearer to my goal of 4:00. Til next year, Pittsburgh Marathon. I most certainly had a preferred experience this year.

The biggest thing missing? My mother's smiling face at mile 20. I passed the spot where I saw her last year, and I smiled. I think I might have cried. Can't be too sure. The whole race was kind of a blur. I do remember being more determined at that point.

I cried when I finished. I cried because I finished. I cried for many things. Three years ago, no way in hell my body could have done this. I cried all alone, sitting on a patch of grass. For 20 minutes. Then, I struggled to get up and couldn't stop smiling. I smiled the rest of the day. I met my sister and Cody halfway through the walk home, and we walked together the rest of the way. I smelled like a dirty diaper, but I felt like a million bucks.

We went to Burgatory after, had something to nibble on (I had a drink too, whatever), talked to a bunch of my coworkers (I like to refer to them as "friends"--seriously love working there!), then headed up to our friend's house for margaritas, a bonfire, and Mexican fooood. So satisfying, Man. haha. It was a great night, just hanging out with friends, shooting the shit. I don't have enough of that in my life, and that needs to change.

It's been a month since that day. I've been running here and there, but not nearly with the intensity I had during training (which is obviously the right decision). I've also been taking a summer writing course, as a prerequisite for...

THE COORDINATED MASTERS IN CLINICAL DIETETICS AND NUTRITION PROGRAM. I GOT ACCEPTED. I AM IN.

My goal has been achieved. Fuck yeah, Man. I worked my ass off this past school year--classes (4.0, beeches), two jobs, aaaaaaand marathon training on top of that? I'm giving myself a pat on the back right now, don't judge.

This summer, I'm setting new goals. I know that diets should not exist--just eat healthy, exercise, and things will fall into place. However, my appetite is still in marathon mode. Noooooooot okay. haha. I've tweaked my diet for the "off season," and I'm still finalizing it, but it will definitely be filled with more nutritiously wholesome foods and less of the processed stuff. I didn't eat as well as I had liked during training--that probably affected my performance as well. In order to get that 4:00, ya gotta work at it during the offseason as well! Plus, I just feel better and more confident when my body is well-oiled :).

So, some short term goals for this next week, to then build upon for the rest of the summer:

1. NO ADDED SUGAR. Just fruit.
2. NO PROCESSED FOODS. Whole grain, hos.
3. NO FRIED FOODS. They just make me feel like poop the day after.
4. LOTS of water. This shouldn't be a short-term goal ever. Especially with the way I sweat. haha
5. FIVE WORKOUT DAYS. Most of my training, I worked out 7 days. Not a good idea. I'm thinking 3 running days and 2 low-impact cardio days (it could be tweaked). More strength training on non-running days. I focused more on strength training and core strength this training cycle, and it definitely showed!
6. SLEEP 7.5 TO 8 HOURS, JERK. This is my biggest problem, and probably lends itself most to my terrible eating habits. Blegh.

Soooooooo, I'm going to try this out for a week, and I'll see how that goes. I will try my hardest to document everything, but my life is a whirlwind, sooooooo yeah.

Gotta have my fun this summer, because next semester will be intense--full courseload, probably going to work as much as possible for money, aaaaaaand tackling marathon training again? Jesus Lord. haha.

I dunno if anyone still reads this, but I hope you all are having a time of it :).

I'm going to get back into this...

I feel like I was more regimented, or put together, for a less malicious term, when I blogged, sooooo...I'm going to come back to this. SO MUCH has happened since I last updated! I am a bit tired, so I will have to update you later :). My life is in a good place right now, though...very happy :).


Hope you all are well!

Super Slacker.

I haven't posted in a miiiiiiiiiiinute, but my life has been so busy, that I've hardly even been near a computer! I started school this week, and with school in the AM/early PM and work until 10 PM with menial tasks to do when I get home, I just am too unmotivated to blog! haha. I dunno if anyone even reads this, but it's good for me, and that's all that matters.

Survey time! Stolen from Paige at My Trainer Paige

BREAKFAST

1. Favorite cereal as a child?

DOG FOOD! Okay, it was Cracklin' Oat Bran, but my mom always called it "dog food," so it stuck. Imagine the looks we kids received when we told people we had dog food for breakfast.

2. Coffee or Tea? With milk or without?

I don't really drink either, but I drink tea more than coffee.

3. The one food you eat most often at breakfast?

Protein powder! It used to be Shakeology everyday, but I become broke as a joke, so I had to switch to Vega, which is a  little more affordable...plus, it's easier for me to digest pre-run!

Lunch Questions!

1. Sandwiches are generally considered a “lunch food.” If you had to choose between a grilled cheese and a peanut butter and jelly, which would you pick?

Easyyyyyy. PB&J.

2. You can only put four ingredients in your salad (not including greens); what do you throw in the mix? Additionally, which greens and dressing do you pick?

Some sort of tofu, carrots, tomatoes, aaaaand...eggplant? Random, I know. haha. I usually use kale and olive oil is probably my favorite dressing.

3. One food you can’t live without at lunch?

tofurkey!

Dinner Questions!

1. It’s the end of the day. You’re tired, hungry, and your fridge is empty. If a fast food (from a chain) is your only option, where do you go and what do you order?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm..maybe Subway? I know the bread isn't the healthiest, but they have a lot of veggies. Either that or Chipotle.

2. TV/computer on or off while you’re eating?

Do not utilize the TV much anymore. I use the computer way too much when I have time.

3. The one food you eat most often at dinner?

Saladssssss. Lately, it's been protein bars, because I haven't had time to sit down and eat a meal :(.

Dessert Questions!

Choose between these two American desserts: cheesecake or apple pie?

Cheesecakeeeeee.

Choose between these two foreign desserts: tiramisu (Italy) or flan (Spain)?

Tiramisu--don't think I've ever had flan.

Ice cream: cone or cup?

Ummmmm, I haven't had an ice cream cone in so long. Usually, cup.

I will update you on  my life at some point. Just know that I'm busy, but happy :). I hope you all are too!

Fly on, Little Wing.

Well, it has been quite some time since I've posted, and it is with a very heavy heart that I explain why.

I never talked about it on this blog, because I try not to put private matters on here, but my beautiful mother was taken from us on August 10, 2012 at 9:05 PM. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on November 4, and it was so progressive, that her body could not fight it. We were all there, including my sister (and my best friend) who flew up from Savannah. She had been in the hospital for the last several weeks, and the final week was a terrible regression in her health. It was so difficult to watch. I hate to say I'm glad that she passed on, but she was in unbearable pain, and now she's in a better place. I was so lucky to have such a wonderful human being as a mother for almost 26 years. I couldn't have had anyone better. Ever.

How many 9-year-olds can say that they raised three children for their mother who had to work full-time to support them all when her husband was killed in a car crash? My mother was amazing. Three younger brothers she raised as a third-grader. She never really had a childhood. So selfless. She then grew up to be a cardiac nurse, so she was constantly taking care of others more than herself. Same with my grandmother--she was a nurse all of her life, and still takes care of people--at the ripe age of 89! I want to make them both proud of me, because they're both my role models.

The positive I can take out of it is that it definitely pushed me to get my butt in gear. I scheduled an appointment with my advisor at Pitt, and am now re-enrolled to get a degree in Nutrition! I could not be more excited about it. I'm also saving my money and getting my act together to move out with my sister and get an apartment, as well as putting bills in my name and what-have-you. It's going to definitely be a struggle, but it's going to make me a stronger person, I know it. My mother instilled a lot of courage and determination in me, and I need to put it to good use.

She also made me realize how short life can be. Don't spend your life focused on the negative and be as good of a person as you can. I'm going to try to volunteer as much as possible and just try to be a generally kindhearted person. So many people over the past week have told me what a giving and genuine person my mother was--I knew it, and I want that family tradition to continue. My grandmother is also an amazing woman. I have been blessed with so many extraordinary people in my life to lead me in the right direction.

Friends have also been a blessing. Dunno where I'd be without them. They've been there for me through this entire struggle, and pick me up when I'm feeling down. I owe them more than I can give, but I will give them all that I can < 333. My sister is my very best friend and we've been each other's crutch.

Although I had my mother for only a short time, I consider myself luckier than so many others who never even met their mothers or have mothers that neglect or disregard them. She raised me on good morals and values, and I'm going to put those into practice everyday. I will never be as good of a woman as she was, but I'm going to damn well try. Love you, Mama Jo.

"XXOO."

Yesterday would have been Elliott Smith's 43rd birthday :(.

Still one of my favorite musicians to this day. Love you < 333.

Some interesting links, before I start this post:

http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/most-nutritious-whole-foods?cm_mmc=ETNTNL-_-998408-_-08062012-_-WholeFoods-dek

http://fitbie.msn.com/tips/10-fitness-boosting-secrets-america-s-greatest-athletes/ Gonna keep some of these exercises in mind ;).

Meant to update yesterday, but I was hardly even home!

Work on Sunday actually went pretty quickly. Eats included a Chobani around noon, a tofurkey sandwich around 3, and an orange around 4:30.

It was storming BADLY around 5 or so, and I was a little upset, because I wanted to go running after work. Magically, it stopped around 6:30, so I could go running!

I'm glad that happened, because the run went pretty well! I ran to the gym (about 3.3 miles), did a couple circuits of strength training, then ran home (about 5.9 miles). I felt pretty strong the whole time! The night was gorgeous too--so red :).

When I got home, I devoured a chocolate milk and a lot of water! A little while later, I made a kale salad with tomatoes, carrots, green peppers, mushrooms, a steamable wild rice/brown rice/veggie combo with a black bean burger. It was definitely satisfying. I didn't get a picture, because I'm lazy and forgetful.

Yesterday, I woke up around 8:30, because I went to bed rather late on Sunday. I had my usual pre-run breakfast, only instead of a Clif Bar, I had a Picky Bar:

I ran 7.3 miles, and they were pretty good miles :). The weather was GORGEOUS. When I got home from my run, I did about 15 minutes of core strength and refueled with coconut water and a GNC shake.

I walked a BUNCH yesterday (around 7ish miles?). 4 or so of those miles, I was carrying a heavy-ass bag of groceries. Thank God I have muscles. haha. I had a chiro appt at 3, then had to do some errands. Right before my chiro appointment, I had a tofurkey sandwich. 

A little while later, I stopped at Loafer's to grab a blackberry/blueberry muffin. Sooooooooooooo good sdlkfjdlkjfdf.

Thank God it was gorgeous yesterday, considering all the walking I did. On the flipside, I got some sunburn, to say the least. haha. It'll turn into a tan, it's fine! I got some essentials at the grocery store, before heading home: veggies, tofurkey, Ezekiel bread, Clif bars, and mouthwash (definitely essential).

When I got home, I was pretty hungry. I had a banana and one of those Sabra hummus/pretzel packs, It had been yeeeears since I had one of those. So good!

A little while later, I made another kale salad--pretty much the same as the night before, but  I put dressing on this one--Bolthouse Farms Ginger dressing. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good, and very little fat/few calories!

I also drank a ton of water yesterday, but I definitely needed it!!!

This morning, I had some Kashi Whole Grain Puffs with almond milk and a serving of walnuts and chia seeds, along with my chocolate Shakeology. Another satisfying breakfast :).

I work from 9-5 today, then I'm running to the gym for some strength training!

Enjoy your Tuesday, the most uneventful day of the week. haha.

I'm on my level.

Maaaaan. Last night was super fun. Before we get to that, though...let's recap the day:

The run was ooookay. It was hot/humid, so my muscles were being ragey--aaaand the GI tract, because of the mindless eating I did the previous night. haha. I did 8.25 miles, though, and was sufficiently sweaty/tired afterward.

I also did 15ish minutes of core strengthening afterward. Proof:

Multitasking. haha

I refueled in the usual way (coconut water + GNC Shake + a looot of water!), showered, and stretched/foam-rolled.

For lunch (around 3:30), I ate a tofurkey sandwich with some mango. It hit the spot!

We left around 5:15 for the concert, stopped to grab some snacks at GetGo, then were on our way to the Wiz Khalifa/Mac Miller concert! On the drive there, I ate a pinapple Chobani and a KIND bar (pomegranate + blueberry + pistachio)--pretty good (around 6)! I didn't take a picture, because I was lazy. haha.

We got to the concert, and Mac Miller was going to go on soon. Mac was GREAT. He was so excited--this was his first huge show in his hometown. Can't even imagine how he felt. So happy for him :). 

Almost everyone in the audience had a lighter (for obvious reasons, if you know what Mac and Wiz advocate. haha).

Wiz was awesome too! I have a big crush on him, but he's engaged to the beautiful Amber Rose. Oh well. haha.

I danced my BOOTY off. I was a gross mess. So fun. I fueled in the right way too  (banana + Blueberry Clif Bar--carbs and protein, baby). It ended around 11, and we got out of there...well, kind of. We were stuck in the parking lot for almost an hour, aaaaand then there was a huge accident on 22, so we took a long-ass detour. We stopped at Sheetz, because we had to peeeee. haha. I bought a Lara Uberbar, because I was curious how they tasted! Soooo good. I also ate an apple in the car, while we were waiting in the parking lot.

I didn't get home until 2:30--we were driving for over 3 hours! If the accident was due to drunk drivers, I'm severely disappointed :(. No excuse for that. None.

I was suuuper tired, but had the energy in me to floss and brush my teeth and wash my face. Currently patting myself on the back right now.

I woke up today at 8 AM, am currently eating breakfast (Blueberry Kashi waffles with Buffalo Dirt ChiaKind nut butter and Shakeology with chia seeds), and I'm getting ready for work.

My stomach felt TERRIBLE when I woke up, but this settled it.

Today, I work 11-7, then if the weather cooperates/my body is up to it, I'm going to run to the gym, do some lifting, then run home. 

So, if myfitnesspal is correct, I definitely wasn't eating enough during the day, and that's why I was always hungry near the end of the night. I ate a sufficient amount yesterday, and I was fine when I got home. Lesson learned. haha.

Well, time to get ready for work! Enjoy your Sunday, everyone :).

Taking Back Sunday!

Have been listening to them a lot lately. Brings me back to being 15, 16 again. Love it.

As a prologue, read this: http://www.rodale.com/gross-food. Highly interesting, especially for someone who wants to study nutrition (AKA me. haha). A lot of that information is super-scary! I hate to be one of those people who "preach," (those crazy PETA people scare me), and while I am a vegetarian and I try to be an avid practicer of holistic eating, I'm not one of those people that believe "YOU SHOULD LIVE HOW I LIVE, BECAUSE IT'S THE BEST/ONLY WAY TO LIVE." Do what you wanna do, ya know? Yup.

So, I haven't blogged in two days! Crazy, right? Let's see here...

So, on Thursday, I ran before work, and it actually went pretty well! I wore compression pants to bed, and I think that helped with muscle fatigue. I ran 7.3 miles, and I finished pretty strong! I did about 15 minutes of core strengthening afterward, and that went well also. I need to find different exercises, because I think my body is getting used to these exercises. I refueled with coconut water + GNC shake. Before I left for work, I ate a tofurkey sandwich.

Work was actually pretty okay. I worked from 3-10. No break, obviously, so I bought a Clif Builder's bar for "dinner." How exciting, right? haha. It actually wasn't too bad! I bought the Chocolate Mint flavor:

I think somewhere in there, I also had a Jackie Warner bar, and I also had a Chobani.

When I got home from work, I was still hungry, so I ate a spoonful of Chia Kind Peanut Butter, and I think I had a Picky Bar? Don't remember exactly. I felt better, though. haha.

Yesterday, I woke up around 7 (Shakeology + chia seeds and a Clif Bar for breakfast), and headed to the gym around 9. I did 4 miles on the resistance cardio machines (while watching USA Women's Soccer kick some serious Kiwi booty!) and then did 15ish minutes of total-body strength training. My arms were a little pooped, but my legs are beasts! 

I refueled as usual (coconut water and GNC Shake), walked to my chiropractor appointment, then headed to work. I stopped at Rite Aid on the way there to get my multivitamins (They were BOGO! I'm stocked with multis for 6 months. Super pumped. haha.).

I also stopped at GNC to pick up my Lean Shakes (was running low), then Giant Eagle, because I needed a couple coconut waters and protein bars. I tried a Perfectly Simple Peanut Butter protein bar, because I had a coupon for it. I mean, it tasted pretty much how I thought it would--not bad, but not impressive. haha. I also bought a Clif Builder's bar in Peanut Butter, in case I got overwhelmingly hungry at work later. I ate a tofurkey sandwich before I started work.

I worked from 2-10. I took a break around 4 and treated a coworker to lunch, because he had bought a previous lunch. We went to La Cappella, and I got the four cheese panini with zucchini fries, and we share an appetizer of mozzarella sticks. Ugh, remind me never to do that again. All that made my stomach BLEGH for the rest of the night. haha. Super yummy, though.

Throughout the course of the night, I ate a Jackie Warner bar, a Clif Builder's bar, and a passion fruit Chobani. Clearly, I was hungry.

When I got home, I ate far too much (throw in a Picky Bar, some granola, a couple pretzels and a couple spoons of ChiaKind. haha), and my sleep suffered from it. I felt SICK. I need to either eat more during the day or just eat more fiber. Grossss.

Welll, I just finished my Shakeology + chia and Clif Bar, and I plan on running 7-8ish miles on the different route I ran last Saturday night. It's a nice route :). Then, some core strength!

I think I'm going to start logging my meals again, only because I want to make sure I'm getting enough of all of the essentials, and not too much of the essentials also (I KNOW I ate way too much fat yesterday, and that's why I slept like poop). Fitday is a pretty decent site, if you wanted a rec!

Alright, time to get ready for my run! I'm going to see Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller tonight! Hopefully seeing a lot of friends tonight too :). Tomorrow, I work (surprise!), and I'm planning on running to the gym afterward for some strength training, then running home. We'll see how that goes.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/double-amputee-pistorius-makes-history-102429631--oly.html?fb_action_ids=922259108239&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_ref=type%3Aread%2Cuser%3Ap6X8vdsMhYHzH1poaiPmLRtvSkc&fb_source=timeline_news&action_object_map=%7B%22922259108239%22%3A10151014722109858%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22922259108239%22%3A%22news.reads%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%22922259108239%22%3A%22type%3Aread%2Cuser%3Ap6X8vdsMhYHzH1poaiPmLRtvSkc%22%7D&code=AQDAh8tsFsbL5457fawSUgtC_2wqDGvbWgmzeBmljwXTRO1fxFypDUR10YxWnl1v6RNo4Pt8zwumuLVVFQfkY_O8uXPA9Fd0A65x2IMVqMkI96-ruyuHr8FX_WL5lfqO9unKDEZPJuMHqHuXRijliDg_Ur9w3JpL5k4J_pyn5e4FNg58rMRjuWCiR5kTdLvWFaw#_=_ READ THAT. I'm super happy for him :). Kids need role models like him nowadays! Of course, I'm rooting for the USA, but how can you not cheer for this guy? :)

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!