tourist

Free Friday
Today is going to be a rest day for me. My body is begging for it, and I realized last night that my last rest day was last Thursday. I usually don't like to go more than 6 days without my rest day. So today it is.

I guess I shouldn't have bragged about our nice weather, we have rain and much much cooler temps in the forecast now. Darn it. I was hoping that race day (Sunday) wouldn't be too terribly cool, but it's now looking like it'll be around 33 degrees at the start of the race. That of course means having to fuss with gloves and such.

Wearing the race bibs makes layering much more difficult too. I have to have a bib on front and back so no real way of shedding a layer that I can think of. I guess at least I won't have sweat pouring into my eyes though....trying to find a positive....

Today I did pick up my race packet from the marathon expo. I can't explain just how nervous I am or why I am so nervous. At this point, I am wishing the race was tomorrow so I could get on with it. I have a feeling (or hope) that once the race gets going, I'll settle in and enjoy it more. I really do want to enjoy this experience.

Fun Facts Friday - Working Out and Running
Dawn @ Florida Coastal Cooking passed along a blogger award the other day (thanks girl!!!) so I decided that would be perfect for Fun Facts Friday.

The rules:

• Link to the person who awarded you
• List 7 random facts about yourself
• Pass the award on to 7 other bloggers

I know it's supposed to be random, and supposed to just be factoids, but since I'm focused on my half marathon on Sunday and all the training and such, I thought I would do random facts and thoughts regarding workouts and racing. 

1. It's kind of fun being the only female in the weight area of the gym - makes me feel like a bit of a bad ass. 
2. Even though I don't just love to work legs, I can't wait to hit them hard again starting next week. I feel like they've lost all definition since the IT band injury and race training.  
3. I think I may actually miss the half marathon training as crazy as that might sound. There was something satisfying about conquering some of those crazy intervals.
4. While I trained with bloks/chomps running outdoors, I felt too silly to use them when running on the treadmill at the gym so I just took water and Gatorade. 
5. I have 2 drawers dedicated to workout clothes (one winter - long pants/tops - and one -  shorts/tanks).
6. I prefer short bra tops because I get really hot and sweaty, though I feel a bit awkward wearing them at the gym because no one else does.
7. I firmly believe the only good treadmill run is one with intervals.
   

So, now to pass this along...

1. Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
2. Kalli @ Fit & Forty Something
3. Alison @ Physically Philosophical
4. Madeline @ Greens and Jeans
5. Bela @ It's Life, Max it Out
6. Melissa @ Melissa Dishes 
7. Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian

But as usual, I hope you will all play along and list a few random facts!

Early Morning Weights
I guess I just have so much on my mind that sleep is just not happening this week. I tossed and turned most of the night, finally getting out of bed just after 5am.

I decided to go ahead and get in my chest and shoulder workout. I had thought I would do triceps as well, but my left elbow has been bothering me. When I do chest and triceps at the same time, it makes it worse, so I'm resting the tris.

I went with supersets of 3x8 (big surprise) unless noted:

Pushups - 24
Shoulder press (warmup) - 10 reps

SS#1
Flat bench chest flye
Chest press

SS#2
DB shoulder press
Lateral raises

SS#3
Incline bench chest flye
Incline bench chest press

SS#4
DB upright rows
Rear delt flye

Staggered press - 12 reps
Front raise - 12 reps

I did abs from Cathe's High Reps (I seriously love that ab workout) and called it a morning.

Fun Facts Friday - The Little Things
Since I've been struggling with not letting this whole car situation bring me down, I thought I'd share some of the little things that keep me afloat. Sometimes it really and truly is that little thing, the small gestures, the unexpected nuances that can make (or break) your day. When we learn to pay attention to those little things and add them up, I think they can help us keep our chins up.

• A great blog post at just the right time like today's post "The Wooden Bowl" by Kristina at Spabettie.
• An email from a friend with just the right words.
• A hug. Sometimes it seems like a hug can fix everything.
• A blog comment like the one I received from Quisha @ Socially Green. Sometimes you guys can seriously make my day.
• Sunshine.
• A key chain. You don't realize what they can mean until yours is gone.
• A hot shower.
• A really good cry.
• A really good haircut.
• Freshly painted fingernails (and toes of course).
• A smile from a stranger.
• A random compliment when at just the right time.
• Warm, fuzzy house shoes after a long run.
• Someone cooking for you.
• An inspirational quote (thanks Lindsay).

Definitely not an all-inclusive list of course. What are some little things that have happened or that you've noticed that maybe made your day - or at least made you smile?

Just For Fun Cardio 
Last night was a super restless night of sleep for me. I ended up waking up for the last time at 5:11 am. I was really going to make today a second rest day for the week (gasp), something totally unheard of for me. But since I was up, I decided to do something short and fun just to get the blood flowing.

I didn't want anything leg intensive (trying to save my legs for tomorrow's long run), so I went with Cathe's MMA Kickboxing - just doing the first two combos only. It took just about 20 minutes, then I stretched for a bit before getting ready for work. It was a nice way to start the day. No pressure to get in a certain amount of cardio or any particular weights. Just for fun.

Freaking Out and Fun Friday 
So, today was the day to sign up for the Cathe Road Trip. I was so excited about the prospect of meeting up with Jessica and Jolene again AND meeting Madeline for the first time. At the same time, there was a great deal weighing on me with this trip. I have a work trip schedule mid-July in Chicago. I would get back to work and then turn around and leave again. Also, money. With the car situation, things are going to be tighter than expected. 

But, I just kept going back to hanging out with my friends. The thought of missing out on the trip. I had decided (sort of) to just do it and figure it out later. Seriously, you have to have the link open and ready to go at the very second they open up the registration. So I was already freaking out a bit about whether or not I'd be fast enough again.


In the end...I closed the link. I didn't sign up. Am I sad? Yes. I was really and truly looking forward to the whole Cathe Road Trip experience again as well as visiting Philly again (especially meeting Madeline). But, I think it's for the best. Jessica and Jolene opted out too. Why? Because we're going to plan a trip together in August instead. 

So all is not lost. I am really excited about the new plans to be honest. We'll actually get to have some down time together and really and truly catch up. Sometimes things work out the way they're meant to be right? I like to think so. I know for a fact it will be one fun-filled weekend! I kind of feel sorry for the boys who have to witness it.


Back to present fun...it is Pizza Friday. We've also got plans to meet up with some friends for a very short happy hour. Can't be out partying; gotta be fresh for tomorrow's run. But it fun to hang out with friends for a bit just to be out of the house.


Fun Facts Friday

More fun? Ok, Fun Facts Friday. This week, being out of the kitchen and all, I've had more time again. I love blogging, but man does it suck up some major time, especially when coupled with things like training for a race, working full time, cooking each night, trying to find time to stretch out those tired muscle, hitting the gym for weights...what about personal time?

So this week, sitting and watching someone else cook (yes, sitting down like a normal person), I have been thinking a lot about blogging and balance. It's Friday, and I don't want to do a super serious post about the perils of blogging, about losing balance, or losing touch with reality. I think that's another post. So for today, I thought I'd go with a list of tips for family (especially spousal units) and friends of bloggers. Just some things to keep in mind:

• Be patient.
• Learn to love the camera.
• Cold food is still tasty - or just stick in the microwave for a second.
• Always be prepared to have your picture show up on a post - so smile and look pretty please.
• Be patient - needs to be repeated.
• If you don't want something to be discussed, you best speak up.
• It may not seem rational, but having multiple sets of dishes, table linens, etc. is truly vital.
• Just nod your head and smile when we talk about our blog friends and it makes no sense at all (eventually you'll put names to blog names).

Ok, not an extensive list at all (losing creativity) - so fill in the blanks!

Back to the Grind
Well, it was back to the office today. We did have another two-hour delay though. The streets are mostly clear as long as they were in the sun yesterday. Where they weren't, however, they are solid ice. It's supposed to be close to 40 today though, and sunny, so it should be cleared up thankfully.

We're heading into a really nice warmup for this weekend. Definitely looking forward to warmer weather, lots of sunshine, and getting to take my running outside.

Fun Facts Friday - Pros/Cons of Working From Home
Since I don't get to work from home often, it's a real novelty for me (kind of like the snow we had). Two days of working from home gave me some insight though on the reality of it. There are so many pros, but also some cons. So for Fun Facts Friday, I thought I'd share what I have learned from working from home this week.

Pros:

• I can work in my yoga pants, warm house shoes, and fleece warmy.
• Don't have to do hair or makeup. 
• I can get tons of things accomplished in the kitchen at the same time I'm working.
• I can work from my kitchen table, giving me a view outside (I have no window at my office).
• I actually feel a little more productive, maybe it's because I can get things done around the house too with mini-breaks.
• I can make a more impressive lunch for myself.
• I can watch TV for a change.
• It feels like less of a daily grind. 
• Not having to smell bacon being heated up in the microwave.

Cons:

• I don't have a good set up so if I'm on the couch, I start to get achy, and if I sit too long at the table, I get achy from slouching.
• I get off schedule with eating.
• It's easy to eat a lot more because I have far more options than just my stash of snacks at work.
• Maddie chews her feet and after a few hours you want to do her bodily harm.
• I don't have true remote access, so there are files and test links I can't access.
• My netbook is TONS slower than my fancy Mac at the office.

I have to say that for me, it's still mostly positive. However, there is something to be said for getting up, getting ready, being on a schedule and leaving the house. I think the ideal situation for me would be working from home 2-3 days a week.

Do you work from home? What are your pros/cons?