summertime... come quick.

{cheezorg}

{ms_boomer}

{hugohum}

2+2=4

i have always loved math...

{newmath}

found via oh hello, friend

Half Marathon Report

So I realized I never posted about my 2nd half marathon... its not because it was meaningless and not because I didn't do well... I was just plain lazy about posting to my lovely blog. Therefore... I am posting this super late.

The good news: I set a new PR!
The bad news: I was sore for a week because of the ridiculous hills! My hamstrings were on fire!

I started the same way I started my first half... saying all along, I would pace myself, follow a pacer, speed up at the end if possible... and then, getting to the starting line and going as fast as a I can... until I get tired and slow down. I still set a PR with a time of

2:12:21 (10:07 pace)

Maybe next time, I will stick to my plan.. somehow I doubt it.. I just get so excited at the beginning and run my little heart out... This race was pretty awesome because it was a ladies race.. a few men did sign up, but it was mainly women. The course was out and back so you got to see everyone in the race some where along the course. My good friend also ran the race, she was running her first half marathon, and we both had a great time. We run at different paces but enjoyed the pre-race jitters and the post-race festivities together. The hills were pretty terrible and my hamstrings were on fire for quite some time after the race. The were really up and down rolling hills rather than slowly increasing ones.. so there was little "flat" ground on the whole course. I am glad I completed a second half marathon.. but I think I'll be waiting until next spring to do another one. I need a break on the long runs. But I have achieved one of my year goals... :)

pre-race! (where was my flash?)

It's raining in Austin...

It has been raining all day in Austin... here are a few rainy photos via flickr.

{!.keesssss.!}

{3whiteroses}

{3amfromkyoto}

{Maggie's World}

{Tapio Hurme}

{borealnz}

{byocom, not flickr..}

Don't forget your taxes!

I hope you didn't forget to file your taxes. Luckily, I am still in school... so I get a refund. But this is the last time... maybe I'll find a tax break someday?

Also, for my running readers... the Boston Marathon is Monday!!! I can't wait to watch the race. I just read a great article about Kara Goucher on Runner's World and I got all pumped up...

I like.

I like this photo/outfit. (by Brian Lopiccolo)

I like carrot cake pancakes. (Joy the Baker).

I like this photograph. (originally seen on ohhellofriend, source)

I like these shoes. (Seychelles via Solestruck)
I like this outfit. (academichic)
I like this photograph. (blissful images)I like this book. (Three Cups of Tea)

I just finished Three Cups of Tea last night and I loved it. You should go read it!

something sweet...

Last weekend, after my 10k, I was craving something sweet... homemade cinnamon rolls. It was a baking adventure, but I survived and the rolls were delicious. 

Unfortunately, I can't source the recipe because I can't find it online! The whole process took about an hour and it was worth it. I only wonder, can you freeze a cinnamon roll? I would love to pre-make these and pull one of my freezer at any given moment... Also, the rolls were topped with a cream cheese frosting... so good.

It was a perfect way to celebrate a good run. 

p.s. If I find the link, I will post it. 

new blogs...

This morning, I found few new blogs (yay!).

warning (to my running readers out there) : these are not fitness related

Academichic

Lately, I have been thinking about expanding my blog topics to include more things about my life since the name of this blog is.. this is me.... stay tuned.

April Goals

As a new month starts, I want to set some goals and what way to better commit than to post them on my blog. Then they are in writing and there is no going back. I have two races this month, a half marathon and a 10k. I will post those goals separately.

April Goals
1. Read 1 book
2. Stay on a loose budget
3. Attend spin class 6 times
4. Weight train 8 times
5. Find / apply to 5 appealing job reqs

Reasoning behind these choices..

• I wanted to read 12 books this year, I am about to finish book #2. I am behind on my yearly goal..
  
• I never really use a budget... but I have a few trips coming up and I am just trying to watch what I spend. I am also trying to upgrade my wardrobe because a lot of my clothes are too big.. so I am very budget consciences. Really, it boils down to not spending lots of money on eating out and drinks.
• I have been slacking on my spinning... I keep giving it up for running/swimming/yoga. I don't have time to go 2x/week so I will try for 6 times, about 1.5x/week. I need to stay on top of because I have a sprint triathlon this summer. I also bought the pass.. granted it was only $40 for a whole semester.. but still. I should use what I pay for.
  
• I was really good about weight training at first.. I would go before swimming.. then I decided I would rather be sleeping... the last 5 times I was supposed to be in the gym. ooops. So I hope this set goal will encourage me to get back in there.. have I mentioned I really don't enjoy weight lifting..
• I graduate in August and I need a job.

Half Marathon Goals
a) finish
b) finish around the same time as the Austin Half (2:14)

I haven't been training that much so my goals are set pretty low. Of course, I would like to PR... but I am doubtful. This course should be hillier and I have trained less the last time I ran a half.

Capitol 10 K Race Report

Guess what?

I have a new PR for the 10 k!!!!

My previous personal record was 1:01:06. So I was quite pleased with this race, even though I thought a PR would be tricky. First of all, this race is has a lot more hills than the course that corresponds to my best time. Also, there was about 18,000 people walking/running in this race. It was a gorgeous day, so no one seemed to stay home. Last year, it rained and it was a lot less crowded. Finally, I overslept and woke up at 8:30 when the timed run (my race time) started at 8:45. What the heck!!! Luckily, Bryan was there to save the day. He got me to the race and it started late. I was able to squeeze through the gate and start with the timed runners. whew. In the morning rush, I left my watch at home and forgot to glance at the starting time... so I spaztically ran the whole 10k. I tried to run fast because I felt I was running slow then I would slow down because my hamstrings got tight and then speed up.. it was not a consistent pace.. I guess if I want to PR, I should show up late and forget my watch. Anyways, it was a great day for a run and I am super pleased with my time.

New Layout!

I found this layout online at

http://www.bloggerblogtemplates.com/2009/03/magazeen-blogger-template.html

and edited it!

I hope you like!

update:: I think the comment links work now! Thanks Mica!

Zilker Park Kite Festival

Just a bit ago, I went to the Zilker Park Kite Festival. It was wonderful. The weather was great and perfect for kite flying. At the park, lots of people were flying kites. By the way, most of these photos are courtesy of Bryan. He is becoming quite the photographer! 

I also enjoyed heaven on earth (aka funnel cake). sooo good. I think I need to find a state fair or circus STAT so that I get another one.... yum.

We also stumbled upon a band that was just enjoying the afternoon. Have I mentioned how much I love this town?

The camera that Bryan is wearing did not take these photos. Who knew flying a kite could be so much fun?

I hope you enjoy these photos!!!

ps. I will recap spring break 09 soon! 

Completed Books 2008

:: the pact - jodi picoult
:: naked - david sedaris
:: love the one you're with - emily giffin
:: nineteen minutes - jodi picoult
:: my sister's keeper - jodi picoult
:: certain girls - jennifer weiner
:: the secret lives of bees - sue monk kidd
:: the history of love - nicole krauss
:: shear abandon - penny vincenzi
:: water for elephants - sara gruen
:: the memory keeper's daughter - kim edwards
:: what is the what - dave eggers
:: the friday night knitting club - kate jacobs
:: goodnight nobody - jennifer weiner

Brrr.

It's cold outside! Last weekend it was 80 and now its..

Brr. So I did not run this morning. I am still hoping to convince myself that it is a good idea and I should go run... we'll see how that goes. I doesn't say above, but its raining off and on, it is very gross out.

I would like to welcome some new readers. Bryan tipped off a few of my closest friends about the blog a while ago... I thought they would read it once and move on.. I found out that is not the case. I have been bookmarked, so Hello Ladies! In your honor, a photo.

Chelsea, Coatney, Kallie, Me, Taylor

Last weekend, we got together and celebrated Kallie's last night of freedom... her bachelorette party. I was a wonderful time. Lots of great food, drinks, chats, and more. It was awesome.

Then I was swamped with school and therefore, no blog posting. But I am back! I still have a paper due but I can take a little break... which reminds me, I am searching for a new template. I will have this super boring one until I get a new one.

Workouts
Friday: run 2.8 miles
Sunday: 45 spin + 45 yoga
Monday: weights + swim class
Tuesday: run 2.2 miles outside + 3.8 miles treadmill
Wednesday: swim class

Biggest Loser nonsense: I am so sad Mandi went home. She was my favorite! Also, I think that Ron can't loose the same amount of weight as everyone else and will continue to bring down the blue team... its sad but true. I just hope blue team can win next time... so sad. As you can tell, I am still really addicted to that show. My run on Tuesday was split into 2 so that I could watch some of the show while I ran. I had a lot of work to do and didn't want to waste 2 hours on the Biggest Loser, so I ran during it. Also, I Jillian's 30 day Shred from Netflix.. maybe I will do that today!

TGIF

Last night, I made this Smashed Chickpea Salad by Smitten Kitchen. I love the Smitten Kitchen blog because there are wonderful recipes and fabulous pictures (like the one below). I used pita bread to eat the salad and added a roasted red pepper to my "sandwich". I also neglected the tahini suggestion.

This recipe was

a) yummy
b) easy
c) cheap
d) mayo free

aka a winner in my book! Enjoy!

photo by: Smitten Kitchen.

Workout Summary:
Monday: weights + swim class
Tuesday: run/walk (treadmill) 3.4 miles + abs + push ups
Wednesday: swim class
Thursday: spinning 1 hr

Workout Details:

• I saw DARA TORRES, you may remember her from the Olympics, in the locker room after my swim class on Wednesday.... there is a swimming competition at my college (University of Texas at Austin) this weekend.
  
• Tuesday, I ran while watching part of the The Biggest Loser and I included sprints and added incline. It was good. I am starting to really like the treadmill for runs <>
• I can not believe The Biggest Loser is 2 hrs and NBC has the nerve to put "to be continued" at the end. I was furious... and I can't wait for Tuesday to roll around..
• I slept through weights on Wednesday morning.. oops.

Also, I am so excited for the weekend. TGIF.

BPA... say what?

I don't know about you.. but I do not support buying disposable water bottles. It is a waste of money and resources. If you don't agree, watch Flow. So I use a reusable water bottle... but there is a BPA Controversy... check out

The Health Nut

She is giving away a Nalgene BPA free water bottle and did research on the harm of BPA!

weekend, dont leave me!

I would like the weekend to stay. I do not want next week to start. I have a lot of working out, school work, and job hunting to do by Friday. Next weekend, my friend is having her bachelorette party so nothing productive will be happening.. 

Anyways, I want to finish posting my workouts for this week..

Thursday: rest

Friday: run/walk intervals (treadmill) 40 min + 10 min stair master

Saturday: 40 min yoga + pushups

Sunday: run 6 miles + core + pushups

I am terrible at pushups. I am trying to incorporate them.. and then when I get a little better, I might attempt the 100 push up challenge. Trust me, I am not there yet.

I am pleased with my efforts this week and hoping for greatness next week too. Also, I spent a lot of time outside today at a kite festival (pictures and post some day).. and my face is on fire. How did I forget sunscreen... sigh. fyi, my 6 miles today were to get to the festival. It was great to run to a destination. Bryan met me there and drove me home... I also ate part of a funnel cake. delicious. too bad it cancelled out the 6 miles... maybe I should have ran home too?

Chocolate to die for...

I realize this post is super late... better now then never?

This Valentine's Day, Bryan surprised me with the best present I have ever received on 2/14. He did so good, that I am not sure how he will top himself next year. He presented me with this..

This might seem like an ordinary box of chocolates... but it is not. This chocolate is to die for... as the saying goes.. 

The box included dark and milk chocolate truffles, a chocolate covered cherry, orange and lemon rind, white chocolate goodness... these are ridiculously amazing chocolates. I have been savoring each one..  

Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland and Coffee (of Austin)

Fitting Back In

On Monday, I came across a fitness blog that I had not seen before. There are tons of blogs out there and you never know if you will relate to the blog. I started reading blogs because they are inspiring. I love reading about someone else's journey. It is also really encouraging to see their success. Anyways, so this new (to me) blog was really inspirational... She weighed 136 in September and now weighs 114! Check it out, if you are interested.. there are great before / after photos.

http://fittingbackin.blogspot.com/

So then I started thinking about my weight loss and got really annoyed. Basically, I have been maintaining my weight for the past 3 months. Granted, this is great and all, but I would prefer to lose weight (who wouldn't?). I think I just need to kick up my workouts a notch and try to eat really healthy when I drink. At this time in my life, I am unwilling to sacrife all adult beverages.. so I just try to eat really good and workout on those days. Like most women, I want to lose some weight before swimsuit season!

My workouts so far this week:

Monday: weights / swim class (1550 yds)
Tuesday: 10 min stair master / 50 min spin class
Wednesday: weights / swimming (1200 yds) / 15 min core

So far so good...

Also, I updated my upcoming races (seen to your right). I love having goals so that I am working out for something. I have a reason. Then, I am less likely to bail and take a nap instead. I am excited to run in a 2nd half marathon and also 2 10Ks. I want to set a new PR in at least one of those 3 races.

Austin Botanical Gardens

Awhile ago, Bryan (the boyfriend) and I took his parents to the Austin Botanical Gardens. These pictures were taken mainly by him, but I suggested photos. There was an orchid festival going on which was crazy! I had no idea orchids were so expensive. Orchid growers were selling plants for $50 that hadn't even bloomed yet! Here are few of my favorite ones..

Then we walked around the gardens, but there was little in bloom. It was February... But this flower was wild! 

There was also this adorable owl... I love owls, fake ones only (screen printed on tshirts, little owl bank, paintings of owls... etc)

Also, a picture of Bryan and me.. I really like this one. :)