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. :)

I FINISHED!

I finished the half marathon!!! whoo hooo! I was really pleased with the whole experience and I beat my goal time!!! Here is a picture before the race with my brother and mom. They decided to come down from Dallas to watch me run and the boyfriend was also there to watch me. I was awesome to have fans!
and after the race....

I just loved it. Should I sign up for one in April???

So a little recap of the 13.1 miles:

• mile 1: very crowded and I was getting slightly emotional. I kept thinking about how I would feel when I finished, and that I would probably cry. I saw a group of 3 runners with the following shirts, "Cancer Survivor," "Running with My Dad who Survived Cancer," and "Running with a Cancer Survivor." Very moving. I also saw a woman with a tag saying "I run for everyone who hated gym class!"
• I decided I would stalk the 4:30 marathon pacer (10:18) and then try to run faster at the end... but after 3 miles of stalking, I decided that I could run faster...
• running faster lasted until about mile 9 and then BOOM marathon pacer guy is about to pass me... this is why you PACE yourself.
• So miles 1-7 were all good, nothing too exciting. 3 girl friends from school running were in the full and just a little behind me. I got to see their boyfriends (on bikes) a few times so that was nice. I also saw the girls before the race which was great.
  
• miles 8-9 were kinda slow for no real reason.. well I was tired. This is when the pace guy caught up to me.
  
• the course split at mile 10 and then I picked back up my pace.
  
• there were 2 HUGE hills, one at mile 11 and mile 12. I ran up the hills and then at the peak, I literally felt like I was in a dead stop I was so tired.. but then the downhill was there and I just kept running..
• the finish was AWESOME! my really good friend and my roommate (also sisters) volunteered to hand out medals. So when I finished, they gave me my medal!
  
• Also, I am really happy with my time!

Finish Time: 2:13:57 (10:13 pace)

photo tuesday?

I just came across this! I loved it. Enjoy!

exhausted.

All day long, I have been exhausted. I drank coffee, a chai tea, and a coke zero but I was not revived. I decided to take a rest day and bail on my 3 mile run. Hmm... I also ran 11 miles on Saturday!!! Go me! It was my longest run to date and honestly, it went pretty good. 

total time: 1:53:49 (avg pace - 10:20!!!)

woo hoo! I was very pleased with the time. I will not bore you with my split times. They didn't have a trend, if that matters. I wasn't too sore either. I feel more prepared for my half marathon (2/15). It is so soon! I am starting to get really excited. :)

I also finished a book! I read Loving Frank by Nancy Horan and really enjoyed it. I checked it out from the Austin Public Library. Yay free books! This photo was borrowed from Amazon..

The book tells the story of an affair involving Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick. It is a true story and occurs in the early 1900's. Divorce wasn't exactly common back then.. There is a lot of women's rights, women's roles, the purpose of love, and architecture stories / info intertwined with the affair. It is also the authors debut novel. I liked it. 

Sunday, I rested. Monday, I lifted weights, went to swimming class, and went to a 1:15 not hot yoga class.. maybe that's why I am exhausted?

check out this giveaway!

Chic Runner is giving away this awesome book. Check it out!