Holiday Fun!

Well as you can see from my last post, I have been enjoying the holidays! I had a few whiskey/cokes and 2 micheladas at Lee Harvey's in Dallas before that last post. The bar has fire pits outside and you can buy s'more materials. We didn't buy any that night but we have before. It is an awesome dive bar. We had a great time, hence the post. I was a little hungover the next day but I quickly got over it. 

I have been quite busy with elf duties and enjoying the holidays so I haven't been blogging. I had a great Christmas. I got some clothes, some dishes, bike lights and a new running watch.

I have been slacking on my HBBC points. So far this week,

Thursday: stretching 30min = 1 pt

Friday: stretching 30 min + 4.5 miles = 5.5 pts

pathetic, I know. Also, I need to catch up on my blog reading. I am super behind! I hope you had a great holiday too!

this is an sos

melinda is drunk. happy holidays. 

HBBC week #2

HBBC Week # 2

Monday: Spinning 1 hr + 30 min stretching = 5 pts

Tuesday: 30 min elliptical + 30 min stretching = 3 pts

Wednesday: 30 min stretching = 1 pt

Thursday: 3 miles = 3 pts

Friday: walk/run 3 miles (3 pts) + resistance bands 15 min (1 pt) + 30 min stretching (1 pt) = 5 pts

Saturday: 1.5 miles (1.5 pts) + 15 min abs (.5 pts) + 30 min stretching (1 pt) = 3 pts

Sunday: walk/run 2.5 miles (2.5 pts)

:: total = 22.5

On Sunday, I went walking with my Mom at a one mile loop trail. I was just going to walk with her but after one mile she said, "You are not even tired. Run." So I ran one mile and then walked a half mile with her again. I was really glad she encouraged me to run. I had encouraged her to come to the trail with me and get a workout in during the holidays. She likes to go walking but sometimes losses motivation. Too bad she doesn't read blogs. :) I  ran the mile in 8:40 which I thought was great. I normally run slower but since I was just running one, I picked up the pace. I really hope I run that half I am signed up for. 

It is really late but I can't sleep. I had a head ache but it seems to be going away. Also, I ate chick-fil-a tonight at the mall. I love it but I haven't had it in a really long time. I guess I haven't been eating any fast food lately. My tummy keeps making all of these weird noises. I think it's mad at me. As my boyfriend says, "There is a monster inside." 

In other news, I still have several elf duties. I made the 2nd batch of chex mix tonight but I had to sub in garlic salt for garlic powder. And maybe used too much. The chex mix is too salty and terrible. I guess I could only make it perfect for so many years... I need to re-do the batch. I also have tons of presents to wrap for my family. I need to make fudge. Oh and a lemon pie. I still have 2 gifts to buy. Maybe instead of blogging I should get to work!

elf errands

I am heading out the door to run a bunch of elf errands. But I wanted to post about my workout yesterday so I can keep track of my HBBC points...

Friday 5 pts - 

:: walk/run 3 miles (3 pts)

:: resistance bands 15 min (1 pt)

:: 30 min stretching (1 pt) 

Also, I saw Doubt last night. It was very thought provoking. The movie was good but I am not sure if it is "one of the best movies of the year" as some people are claiming... 

Have great Saturday! 

home!

I made it home to my parent's house and it's nice to be home. On Tuesday, I watched the season finale of The Biggest Loser. I love that show. I have only watched the last few episodes but I am addicted. Everyone looked so awesome! Michelle lost 110 pounds! That's insane. I wish I could see the past 5 seasons.. So I missed my workout on Tuesday afternoon but then I watched the finale and I was so inspired I hurried to the gym! I was only able to crank out 30 minutes on the elliptical before the gym closed. Since finals are over, the gym has different hours. I was really glad I did. 

I went to the physical therapist on Monday and Wednesday. I am feeling better about the whole thing and they said I could do running and walking intervals. Oh and I went to a spinning class on Friday. Tonight I tried running and walking intervals. It was nice. I used my parents treadmill which was nice. Also, I just found out they have On Demand! I am super excited. I think I'll try a yoga video (On Demand).

My mom turned 60 tonight so my brother and I made a delicious dinner consisting of:

:: pork tenderloin with balsamic gravy

:: roasted potatoes with rosemary

:: glazed carrots

:: brussels sprouts with bacon

:: butternut squash soup (not homemade..)

Yummy! I also baked a cake with 60 candles. Awesome, but almost a fire hazard.

HBBC Update:

Monday: Spinning 1 hr + 30 min stretching = 5 pts

Tuesday: 30 min elliptical + 30 min stretching = 3 pts

Wednesday: 30 min stretching = 1 pt

Thursday: 3 miles = 3 pts

Holiday Explosion

OH my. I apologize for the lack of posting. But have no fear, this past weekend was a Holiday Explosion. First, let's recap the week... I went to physical therapy and had some tissue immobilization done on the ankle/foot. I really like the new Doc. He'd like to see me running asap. So he wins in my book. So my running spirits are back up! Thanks for all of the great comments on my last post! Now onto the weekend of fun!!!

The Nutcracker
The boyfriend and I went to see the Nutcracker. It was awesome! I love watching ballets. The dancers are soo impressive. We bought really cheap college tickets but it was still wonderful. I was so happy we went. Then directly after that...

Holiday Beer Potluck Party
We hosted a Holiday Beer Potluck Party. I only had a morning after photo...

it was a lot of beer! Everyone brought great beer and it was a wonderful party. My brother and three of our friends came down from Dallas as a surprise! It was awesome! We had so much fun. I was super happy they came and was really surprised.

Tacky Christmas Sweater Party
Saturday night was a Tacky Christmas Sweater Party and I believe the next picture explains it all. Please note, the boys sweaters were homemade... I love the photo of the boyfriend wearing a snowman and eating a snowman... love it!

Trail of Lights
Sunday, we ventured out to the opening of Trail of Lights held at Zilker Park. It's a 1.25 mile long display of lights. It was way too crowded. We should not have gone opening night.

Whew. Okay onto..

Bootie Buster Challenge Week #1
Monday: run 4 miles = 4 points
Thursday: stretching 15 min + resistance bands (arms) 15 min = 1.5 points
Friday: walk 1 mile = 1 point
Sunday: walk 3.5 miles + resistance bands (arms) 15 min + abs 15 min = 5 points

Total: 11.5 points

Not as many points as I would like, but I am still happy.

new header!

I made a new header tonight! yay! It was my first attempt and I like it... but I don't love it.. I might make another one soon. I hope you enjoy!

Don't worry, a long post is on its way... I am sorry for the lack of posting!

what's up, doc?

Today, I went to the foot/ankle specialist. But before I get into all of that, I ran last night at town lake trail. 4 miles (41:47) and everything felt okay. The boyfriend and I made Vegetable Lover's Chicken Soup
and was delicious, healthy and inexpensive. Only 291 calories per serving! I highly recommend it.

Onto the Doc, he thinks I have a different issue than the pernonal tendinitis and that he wouldn't sugar coat it, I have a lot of issues in my left foot/ankle. When I was 15, I broke my left ankle and I have hardware in my leg and ankle. So, I have issues. The Doc gave me a steroid shot in my foot and I can't work out for 7 days. Boo. So I am thinking about dropping out of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge. Sigh. Also, the Doc prescribed physical therapy. I go on Thursday. He said that I have chronic inflammation and that I need to take care of the issue now or it won't go away. My case is very unique. So don't worry, this probaly won't happen to you. He said that maybe I shouldn't be running that often or for that far because I need to think about the long term effects and how I want to be active when I am 40. In conclusion, I am kind of depressed about the whole thing. I was talking to Mom about it and telling her how I'm concerned since I am already signed up for the half marathon on Feb. 15th and I would rather not quit. She said, "Oh Melinda.. you shouldn't be so competitive.." I thought this was midly amusing because I am quite competitive and she knows that. I kind of regret that I didn't see this Doc earlier but I thought the pain would go away. Oh well. I guess I will just have to see how things go. The Doc had a lot of advice and hopefully, this issue will get resolved and maybe I can still run the half marathon.

Also, lately I have been watching The Biggest Loser. I just love it. It is so inspirational and I am so proud of all of the contestants. I also wish that Bob or Jillian would train me! Anyways, if you don't watch it, you should check it out. Especially if you are trying to lose weight.

weekly total

Yesterday, I went to town lake and ran 3.5 miles (35:04) and walked 0.17 ish so that I could get a whole number for my miles last week...

Weekly Total: 14 miles

I felt okay with the run yesterday. My foot didn't bother me too much. I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but I've made an appointment with an ankle and foot podiatrist who specializes in sports medicine. I am going tomorrow and hopefully he can shed some light on this issue.

outrageous...

Before I tell you what is SO outrageous.. let me tell you about my recent workouts.

Wednesday - 1 mile (on treadmill) + 45 min of "the toughest spin class of the semester" (where I almost puked.)

Thursday - 3 mile run/walk at town lake... left foot issues... not a good "run"

Friday - walk 3 min / run 30 min / walk 3 min = 3.33 miles on treadmill... decent run.

I went running on the treadmill today so that I could get a workout in since I was going to happy hour. I do love a happy hour. It was the last day of classes so me and a bunch of people from my department went to drink. Fun times.

On to the outrageous-ness...

Dean Karnazes

The man is out of control. and quite impressive. and somehow annoying too. Here are some of his accomplishments (provided by Wikipedia):

• 350 miles in 80 hours and 44 minutes without stopping (2005)
• North Face Endurance 50: fifty marathons in fifty U.S. states in fifty consecutive days
• inaugural South Pole Marathon in running shoes
• 148 miles in 24 hours on a treadmill (2004)
• single-handedly completed the 199 mile Providian Saturn Relay six times

I started reading about him and its just outrageous. Did you see.. fifty marathons in fifty U.S. states in fifty consecutive days or 24 hours on a treadmill... I guess the next time I complain about running 3 miles on a treadmill.. I will just think of him. Speaking of.. here is his incredibly fit body from his Runner's World cover..

I do like a challenge..

MicaPie tipped me off about the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge hosted by Run to Finish and I do like a challenge... so I joined in on the fun. One time I had a competition with a friend to see who could workout more.. and let me tell you.. it didn't go so well. I was running and she was using the elliptical machine. We were competing to see who worked out the most via minutes. I am glad to see the HBBC has a point scale. :)

3 miles...

Last night, I went to the track at my school and ran 3 miles (30:17). It was somewhat boring because the loop is only 0.25 miles. I had too much work to do so I couldn't get to town lake before sunset. I didn't want to run around my place because I've got a new plan. I needed a plan to deal with my tendon issues, ankle issues and really just my left leg because its 11 weeks -2 days until my half marathon. This is not how I wanted to train whatsoever. But I have to make the best of the situation and be grateful I have a left leg. So the new plan..

• run only on trails/treadmills aka no concrete
  
• wear an ankle brace
• icy/hot the ankle and foot after running

I didn't run with the ankle brace yesterday but thats because I need to buy one. Also, I LOVE icy/hot. It smells and feels great. :) I think this will help with the left leg issues until the tendon regains some strength and my running can get back to normal. Tracks and trails provide a little cushion. The 3 miles felt good to run and I felt little pain. So things are looking up! I know the half is still far away, but I'm getting excited and I feel unprepared. I just wish I could have been running the past few weeks. But like I said, I've got to make the best of my situation. A pulled tendon is a lot better than a broken leg.

December Goals

On a blog I found awhile ago, the writer would post monthly goals. I would site them but I can't find their blog again!Anyways, I thought it was a good idea. (EDITED!!! it was Girl on Top, silly me.) So since its December 1st, I've got a goal. I am starting off with only one goal.

December Goal: Maintain my weight.

You might say, "Man thats easy." But since its the holiday season and I will be eating/drinking everything in site... I think it will take some work. Basically, I just cant skip out on workouts. Also, I am going to try to eat healthy foods when I am not celebrating the holidays.

In blog news... you might notice I am capitalizing words.. jump back and watch out! This blog is improving.

I will post later about my Thanksgiving break.. and the horrible traffic.

Congrats to everyone who ran in a Turkey Trot!