I'm not overthinking things. Finally.

MAN.  Is it already Thursday?!  Let's get this party started!

1.  THIS is how I'm going to react to the lemons life throws at me.  From now on, they are a welcomed mystery, full of chance and fun.

No, nothing major has happened; I've just decided to change my perspective about things for the better (I'm usually, what a friend so affectionately [it was 5:00am] referred to me as "Miss Mary Freaking Sunshine", or "Polly Positive"), but I want to say that a few kind of really big things have happened in my life since moving to Chicago.  I feel like some of those things kind of jilted me, and I'm really ready to see them as positive changes (they really are!) and to move on with a smile.  Now I just need this puppy in my life.

2.  I NEED TO TELL YOU about the North Face gear I received!  

New trail running shoes!  For real, though, I use these on the snow and ice.  I should probably just find a trail so I don't have to wait until December or January to enjoy them.:)

THIS solar recharging kit from Goal Zero!  I didn't even know that this was an option for recharging your phone or tablet!

Included in my pack was a pair of shorts, a wicking tee, and sports bra from the BETTER THAN NAKED line.  Those shorts = MY NEW FAVORITE SHORTS OF ALL TIME.  I absolutely LOVE how they fit on me, and I will definitely review them once I'm back to running and have had a go in them.  The shirt feels like AIR, and the sports bra is a perfect fit and has a POCKET in the middle of the layers in the front!  WHAT?!

I'm going to review all of these pretty soon, so stay tuned.;)

3.  Let's talk about food.  I feel like it's been too long since we've discussed subsistence.  This is my favorite breakfast, plus a banana.  I eat one egg, and three egg whites --- so much proteiiiiiiiin!  And of course?  Sunny-side up.

4.  I feel like I'm at in a point in my life where I'm finally learning from previous mistakes.  I almost left my water bottle on my bumper.  ALMOST.

5.  The Lakefront Trail in Chicago is probably my most happy place; I just wish they'd hurry up and finish their improvements of my happy place.:)

6.  21 miles yesterday on Lola.  The ride out was welcomed with headwind and a TON of tourists and people walking in the middle of the trail.  This is obvs something you have to deal with as a cyclist, a cycling enthusiast, a runner, a roller blader, etc.  Really, though, it's just yelling "ON YOUR LEFT" more often, and praying for more patience.  Additionally, I just think that front now on, I shouldn't go at 11:00am.:)<3

7.  I love how sometimes someone can take a message, mess up the words, and it makes the most sense ever.  Thanks, Karen!

8.  I'm okay that things like this are happening.

9.  IF YOU NEED A REAL GIGGLE TODAY ------> GO HERE!

10.  FINALLY.  I feel like I'm in a spot where so many things make sense.  Life is finally coming together, so much so that positive messages are constantly being re-read and are making a permanent spot in my brain.  Especially this one.;)

Have a fantastic Weekend Eve Eve, guys!
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Do you like eggs?!  How do you like them?


Tell me one positive thought you recently had!  (Big time sharing today, huh?)


Are you playing Pokemon Go?  During your training?  My hero.:)

10 MORE DAYS (I'm not even talking about a race)

There are fewer things that get me this excited, and it hardly makes sense.

I have stated several times that I am not the most stylish person on the planet.  Like, beyond not stylish.  The majority of the time, I'm in what most would consider pajamas (I still <3 being a Physical Education Teacher!), or workout clothes.  I don't get excited about holiday sales, and I avoid the mall like the plague.  So, basically...

Admittedly, I buy way more Autumn and Winter clothes, basically because I'm in love with the clothes more.  All of the hats and scarves, the comfy sweaters and leggings. <3  Boots and cute socks (really --- who wears cute, cozy socks in the Summer?!).  I can't get enough.

THAT'S WHEN THE SALE OF MY YEAR COMES INTO PLAY.  I don't even have to leave my house, man.

I have 10 more days to figure out what I'm going after online; it's going to be the highlight of my summer (lol I can't tell if that's sad, silly, or both).  So yeah, if you're like me, you'll enjoy the Nordstrom anniversary sale, for sure.  Go check out the catalog!  We still have time!

Anyway...;)

Mine and Sophs' day yesterday was pretty packed.  After spending the night in our fort, we got up (well, I was up for a while...Sophs slept well past the time when Harry left for work), got ready, and head out to grab some breaky.  Elly's Pancake House was on our minds, and for good reason.  See the second thing on the menu?

She got the crepe, and I got the waffle.  I managed to finish 3/4 of my waffle (I have reason to believe that this proves how much I love structure -- even Sophia pointed out that I finished exactly 75% of my waffle).  Added a cup of coffee, and this was an awesome Tuesday breakfast.

Soph got musical...and a bit banana-shorts...maybe from the sugar in the Nutella crepe?

I don't know why, but I'm okay with it. #9yearoldswag #winning @sophiamasterson07 ❤️❤️❤️😂😂😂🐥🐥🐥 @harrylee773

A video posted by Tiffany (@thechiathlete) on Jul 12, 2016 at 1:43pm PDT

We went over to my school, where I thought Sophs would find it interesting how the school looks like such a mess when it's summertime.  She wasn't really all that impressed.:)  I had some things to drop off and to clean up, and we ended up socializing for a bit with my AP and Principal.  Sophia actually inspired our school's new motto, and was really happy to learn that she had a part in it.  (We're making some big changes at our school this year!  I'm thrilled!)

Next stop:  Get our toesies taken care of.

She has only had a few pedicures, but she's mastered the zombie walk.

All done!  I told her that she'd have the prettiest toes in her Karate class that evening.  She giggled.

We got home and grabbed a quick, late lunch.  THIS STUFF is pretty awesome, and I found it at Costco in the produce *room?*.  It could very well feed a large family in one sitting; I ate probably two servings of it.

Soph opted for a jelly sammich.  Yeah, no pb.  No cashew butter.  Nope.  Just jelly.

When we got home, there was a huge box with my name on it sitting in our foyer.  We actually opened it up before we ate (that's how excited I get to get mail).  SURPRISE!  I'll show you everything that's inside tomorrow!:)

We took off and picked up Harry from work, and then dropped off Sophs.  It was a fun four-day visit with her!  Harry and I immediately ordered from one of our fave burger joints, BRGRBELLY, and picked it up on the way home.  The uglier the burger, the tastier it is, right?;)  This is Black Betty -- and she is SO delicious.

And Belly Fries!

And they always give you a cookie to enjoy at the end of your meal.

I'm good to hop on the bike today and chilllllllllllllll.  You have an awesome Wednesday!

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Do you like normal-people-clothes shopping?  Do you like going to the mall, or shopping online more?


What is your favorite kind of burger?
I love bleu cheese burgers!


RANDOM ----------- Fill in the blank:  I AM GRATEFUL FOR _____________________!
My answer = RUNNING.

It was the right thing to do, and my THEME SONGS*

Yesterday was mine and Harry's anniversary!  We're going to celebrate for real this Friday, but as for yesterday, Harry wore the shirt I got for him last year.  Thanks, Oiselle, for making things for Grooms.:)  He wore this same shirt last year doing a treadmill workout the morning of our wedding.

While Harry was out, Sophs and I got to work on a "No Boys Allowed" fort.  We pretty much dominated the front room.

After Harry got back from his run, I hit up the trails with Lola for a 60-minute (+ 5 minutes) ride.

It was about 91*F when I head out, and it was either going to a forest preserve or the Lakefront (no shade).  I opted for the shady ride, and did NOT leave the house without a bottle full of Nuun Active. I'll do anything to avoid the bonk on the bike.

I got a picture of this deer's booty for you while cycling.  I'm soooooooooo talented.

I immediately picked up Harry and Sophia to get our free Slurpees from 7-Eleven >>>>> CELEBRATION SLURPEES!  The Slurpees at our local 7-Eleven had workers on the Slurpee machine handing them out.  Forget getting any other size today, haha.  I got SUPER LUCKY -- the camp kids were heading over from the park after hitting the pool, and Sophia says there were ~130 of them walked in right after I got my Slurpee.  Man, oh man.

Ah.  That's how we celebrate.

Back to dominating the front room.  It was the right thing to do.

Harry has classes Monday (and Wednesday) evenings, so while he was off, Sophs and I treated ourselves to our favorite meatball subs with the best home fries you'll ever taste.  They don't photograph well, but they are delishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The rest of our evening = Watching "Friends".  Sophs absolutely loves it, and I don't ever mind watching it.  In fact, I could watch it forever and ever.
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Marcia, MCM Mama Runs, and My No-Guilt Life would like to know...

You know, I couldn't possibly choose just one.  I have several songs that I have Easter-egged throughout my playlist (I make sure to spread them out)

Most of the songs that make me go-go-go are mostly upbeat in tempo and in spirit.  Some of them have that competitive sound to them, and others are put on my playlist to make me really enjoy the moment, even provoke tears...;)  This is my half marathon playlist --- I have a few this year that I'll be rocking it to!

FYI:  "Let It Go" is an absolute MUST.  I hopped on that guilty pleasure train late, and I'm still on it, chooo choooooooo.

I just figured it'd be way more fun to make a list for you, rather than throw out one hour and forty-four minutes of melodic fury by the way of YouTube vids.;)  Some of those toward the end are the ones that will BRING.IT.HOME for me!  Do you put your best music toward the end of your playlists, too?

Thanks for the link-up, ladies!
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Are you injured right now?  With what?


Did you get your free Slurpee yesterday?  


Were/Are you a "Friends" fan?

Well that does it, we have SOPHS, and OUR FIRST ANNI!

Let's get the yucky news out of the way here.  I know, I'm such a Monday bummer!

No matter how much I've been doing this...

I have ended up here (not that I'm complaining THAT much).

I started getting some mad pain in my left heel about two weeks ago.  I knew that I was in big trouble when I was teaching my Yoga class on Saturday morning, after an easy five-miler.  I instructed my patrons to face right in Warrior 2, and the pain in my left heel took my breath away.  I've woken up for the past week and a half or so with sharp, hobbling pain in my heel, and I honestly thought I could stretch and roll any which way to take care of it.

That pose causing pain did it for me, though.  I literally said out loud "Well, that does it...".  The dreaded Plantar Fasciitis.

I made the decision to take off of running for a week or two, and honestly, I needed swimming and cycling in my life much more than it's minor presence.  Here's hoping that that's all the time that I need, but I ain't scared to take more time off if necessary.

My new schedule:
Sunday - Swimming - 60 minutes
Monday - Cycling/Spinning - 45-60 minutes; Yoga
Tuesday - Swimming - 60 minutes
Wednesday - Cycling/Spinning - 45-60 minutes; Conditioning at the Track
Thursday - REST
Friday - Swimming - 60 minutes; Yoga
Saturday - Teaching Group Exercise (this is, more or less, more Yoga and stretching in demonstration)

Now this may change, but I'm pretty sure that this will be the deal for the next while.
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Let's talk about something happy now...like food.  I scored big time at Costco the other day, and just know that this bag will get utterly attacked over the next few days that Sophs is with us.  She L-O-V-E-S this stuff.

And speaking of which, Sophs and I busted out the Skookie pans Saturday night for a dessert that speaks to our hearts and taste buds.

And enjoyed them in front of the best Vines ever --------> THE EH BEE FAMILY.

I hit up the pool Sunday morning to get extra wrinkly.  Chlorine therapy?

Afterward, we hit the streets to meet up with some family at Burger Fest!  

Two buses and three growling tummies later, we arrived, READ TO EAT.  The weather was absolutely awesome (80*F in July. We found fam and got to eating right away.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh tada!  Double-cheeseburgers and CHEESY TOTS <~~~~~ get them NOW.

Apparently, Sophia was not full -- she went back for deep-fried Oreos.

There was one burger spot that had a line that was SO LONG; it took about thirty minutes to get a burger from this place.  I liked how they branded the tops of their burgers!

One of Harry's relatives [are you ready for this?  Harry's uncle's sister-in-law -- I don't know what to do call her?!  Other than lovely:) had purchased one of these guys.  Harry and I couldn't resist.  A (virgin) Pina Colada on a warm summer day?  In a pineapple?  WITH AN UMBRELLA?  Yes.

 Fun was had by all.

We got home in the early afternoon and chilled.com.  Sophs seemed to be having a day (turns out -- yes), had a lovely dinner, and hit the sheets.  Yup -- pretty exciting, ha.:)
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DO YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS?!  

That's right --------!  It's mine and Harry's very first anniversary!  One year ago today, we got hitched in Puerto Rico.  It was a really great time.

We'll definitely be celebrating today with anyone else...with free Slurpees from 7-Eleven.  Celebrate with us!:)

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Have you ever had Plantar Fasciitis?  What did you do to heal that heel/footsie?

What are some fun fests going on in your town?

GO GET A SLURPEE!  It's on me.:)