13.1... Where's my sticker?

On January 29, 2012, I completed my first half marathon with my future hubby-poo. I completed the half marathon in 2 hours and 22 minutes which is 8 minutes faster than my goal! I'm proud to say that I only stopped once to use the restroom (BTW the toilets were disgusting!).

I created a ballin' (yes ballin') playlist on Spotify for the half marathon. I had songs from Deadmau5 to Paul Simon to Mad Caddies. It's a weird mix but it kept me dancing while I ran. Here is a link to my Spotify Half Marathon playlist if you're interested: Half Marathon.

Italobrothers - "Stamp on the ground"

It is so motivating to have the 6000 runners all around you moving towards the same goal. I also loved seeing the people on the side cheering us on! My favorite sign was "Worst Parade Ever". There was also a sign that said "You're not slow... You're just enjoying the course."

Isn't she the cutest? I don't think she would have made it 13.1 miles.

Now I have to get back into the swing of things. I have 6 more weeks to lose about 16 pounds. Is that possible? I'm not sure but I'll try to reach it!

T-Minus 5 days...

The 3M Half Marathon is almost here! The longest I have ever run is 5 miles and that was a few months ago. Sometimes I catch myself talking to myself (in my head of course). I have a little chant in my head "Just keep running, Just keep running..." or "Don't stop running! You need to burn off those french fries that you ate yesterday." It works... try it. My arms and legs muscles currently hurt because of the different exercises I did last week and on Monday. I hope I will feel better by Sunday. Running with sore muscles is not enjoyable.

I have been filled with all kinds of different emotions this past week. I have been feeling physically and emotionally exhausted. Waking up early for morning workouts, working out 6 days a week (2 of which I work out twice), and planning my wedding is a lot. I don't play well when I'm tired and grumpy. Craig and I went to the grocery store yesterday and I wanted to grab the Velveeta mac and cheese, pretzels, diet coke, and pizza. I was feeling very defeated and wanted to leave. I wish eating healthy was easier and not such a chore.

On that note... I have lost almost 13 pounds so far. You would think that would be motivation enough to keep going strong and not to cheat. I need a routine that is realistic to maintain the weight once I lose it. Working out 6 days a week is just not that realistic for me. Especially the days that I have to work out twice. I'm suppose to work out today but I doubt it will happen. I'm going to go meet with a possible officiant for my wedding. I'm not a fan of exercising past 7. That's my time to relax and not think about anything and enjoy my 10 million TV shows that I watch.

My closing statement for today is... BLAH. Enjoy. Peace.

Love It... Hate It

Love It

Rock Star: 0 Calories, 0 Carbs! It also comes with a straw!

 

Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know

Kimbra - Settle Down

Losing weight! 10lbs and counting! I have been craving sweets more often now. I did cheat today with peanut M&M's. I don't know why I ate them. I will need to work extra hard tomorrow morning.

Foam Roller - I have bad shin splints and it was recommended that I roll my shins over a foam roller. I didn't believe it but after I did it and went for a run, they felt sooooo much better!

Hate It

Cottage Cheese... Yuck! I stuff it down because it's full of protein but I can't eat that much of it.

Burpees and Pushups... Terrible exercises... 

Meeting 20 million vendors for my wedding. I'm ready to pick the first person I meet now.

Shin Splints

Hate It But Love It

5:30 AM Workout - I hate waking up so early but it's nice to get the workout over with for the day.

New Year, New Try

It has been approximately 8 months... 8 months... 8 months... since my last post. Terrible... huh? I will admit that I'm awful at keeping up with something like this but I really would like to try again. It will be nice to document my year ahead as it will be a busy one! A lot has changed in the last 8 months.

1. I was promoted to Professional Services Manager. I now manager projects instead of implement them.
2. I was engaged on November 10, 2011! We will be getting married on November 10, 2012!
3. I started a nutrition/fitness program through Revelation Fitness on December 19, 2011. I'm 4 weeks in and I have lost 8 lbs. At the end of the program I will be in a reveal photo shoot and Craig and I will take our engagement photos with InkedFingers! I have a few goals to complete by mid-March.
1. Lose 30 lbs (15% body fat)
2. Complete the 3M half marathon on January 29, 2012
3. Fit into a size 4 wedding dress

I will be documenting my journey through the fitness program and the wedding planning. So stay tuned!

The Glistening City

Last weekend I went to a Bachelorette Party in Cancun, Mexico. The bride-to-be is a good friend of mine from high school. I had a blast and got a little too sunburned. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort called Gran Caribe Real Resort and Spa. I would have to rate this resort 3 out of 5 stars because the food and drinks were not very good. I really liked the room, pool, beach, and service.

Here is the pretty beach! The water was sooo blue. I tried to stay under the cabanas as much as possible. My goal this trip was to not get sunburned! I did better than normal but I'm still pretty sunburned.

 

On Friday night we went out on the town! We paid $67 to go to 3 bars and have our own dedicated waiter. The waiter would find us in the crowd and bring us drinks. It was pretty awesome.

The girls ready to go out!

Following true Bachelorette fashion, Steph had to wear the traditional sash and crown accessorized with a penis wand. The wand was pretty hilarious and got a lot of action that night.

The Bachelorette Accessories

 The first bar we went to was called Congo. We got to dance on the stage which was nice because the bar was packed! Then we walked to Senor Frogs where they had a few different competitions that Steph dominated in. After that we went to CoCo Bongo. This bar was completely different than anything I have ever experienced. It was HUGE inside and they have several skits for entertainment.

Congo

CoCo Bongo - Madonna impersonator

Later in the night I was convinced to dance on that stage. Not my typical self but I still had fun! 

 

 

 

 

The next day we went snorkeling to the second largest coral reef. It wasn't the brightest idea to drink the night before getting on a boat and going snorkeling. A few of us were not feeling the greatest but we all had a good time. I saw several pretty fish, a lobster, a huge black fish, and a sting ray. Snorkeling is fun but it is definitely a workout. Don't we all look pretty sexy in our snorkeling gear?

Getting ready to jump in!

The rest of the time we spent relaxing at the beach or pool. We had absolutely perfect weather. When we were leaving it started to rain so we were coming back at just the right time.

A few things I learned:

1. Must tip well to get good service which means bring lots of ones. It looks like you are going to a strip club but it is helpful!
2. Never eat at the 24 hour food bar because it is pretty gross
3. Make sure to get on the correct city bus or else you'll get on a bus going the wrong direction and have nasty homeless men sticking their tongues at you (reminds me of my Italy trip several years ago).

Hotel California

I'm in the Agoura Hills area of California for the next 24 hours. While I was driving to my hotel during rush hour I had a few thoughts about California.

1. California would be a nice place to live but there are too many reasons not to move there.
1. TRAFFIC!@#%@#... The traffic is worst than Houston, TX. There are 6 lanes but I don't think I got over 20 mph. That's just redic (like my short form for "ridiculous"?)...
2. It freaks me out every time a motorcyclist goes zooming by me at 70+ mph. I don't understand why it is legal for motorcyclist to drive between cars. 
3. California has terrible roads. There are pot holes EVERYWHERE. I know California is broke but pot holes are dangerous.
4. It is way to expensive to live in California. I know you make more at your job but it's still crazy.

1. How would you like one of the most highly-traveled highway interchanges to be named in your honor? It's an area that gives people frustration and anger everyday due to terrible traffic. Personally I would like a location that brings people joy and happiness to be named in my honor.

Brindle's 4th Birthday

The Birthday Girl

This past weekend was Brindle 4th birthday. We adopted her little over 3 years ago but it still feels like yesterday that we picked her up at the Williamson County Animal Shelter. I'm glad my mom and I decided to drive around to all the animal shelters instead of shopping! I had 2 dogs before Brindle: Patches and Buff. My mom always planned a birthday bash for each birthday with the cake and party hats but Brindle has not been so lucky to experience a doggy birthday party like that.

 Patches' birthday with Kaddy, Mom, Grammie, and I

This year my mom decided to go all out for Brindle's birthday. Brindle had 3 of her best dog friends. They enjoyed frosty paws (ice cream for dogs) and the humans enjoyed a cookie cake. All the dogs had a blast!

Brindle and Clover devouring the frosty paws

Caesar, Brindle, Gidget, and Clover in their party hats!

 

 Awww aren't they so cute!?