She Forgave Me.

HEY!  How are you on this Tuesday?!

I'm pretty solid today, seriously.  I've got a run to go out on here in a minute, but I wanted to check in with you first.

I hopped on Lola yesterday morning.  FACT:  I haven't even put her on the trainer yet.  That's either a testimony to how long it's been since I've ridden her, or ...well...nope, that's it.  I'm lucky, though -- she forgave me.:)  I've been severely lazy when it comes to getting on either one of my bikes, and sometimes it's a better workout than the spin bike (and more convenient when you don't want to drive across town to the gym).

 Plus, I got to watch "House, M.D." on Netflix.

Before doing that, I had to switch over the skewer to be able to throw her on the trainer.  Believe it or not, this was after I had washed my hands twice.  Cycling = you gotta be willing to get dirty.

Speaking of lazy, I didn't feel like moving around any furniture in my living room, so Lola went in the first spot that I figured she'd fit.  (That's our front door.)  I couldn't find my front tire base, so I threw down one of my CSCS textbooks.

Random:  I should probably take that certification test soon.

If you have ever spent two seconds on the trainer, you know it can get boring.  Quickly.  Case in point:  I figured out that my hydration bottle will fit between my aerobars.

I know ------------>  Blogging gold right here.

I don't know how I made it past ten minutes, but an hour came faster than I thought it would.  Yaaaaaaay, House!

Harry had taken off to hop on a nearby treadmill, then came home with lunch.  I added my own avocado to my bowl from Chipotle.  Their guac messes with my tummy, for some reason.

A little while later, Harry treated me to a cup of his Blueberry Pie tea.  I have had a recent hankerin' for afternoon tea.  I think there's something so soothing and comfy-cozy about a cup of tea.

We got some "Sense 8" watching done, and then the Grammy's.  Oh, LL.<3



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Look at what I got yesterday!

I'm ready to rock out some new kicks, so I'll leave you here.:)

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Did you watch the Grammy's last night?  

Follow-up:  FAVE PART?

Have you neglected a piece of exercise or training equipment as of late?

------GO HUG IT, NOW.

Do you enjoy tea?  What kind is your favorite?

#MIMM ------> That Feeling When...& #Joy

You know what I'm talkin' 'bout.  New shoes.

I've been a Mizuno and Zoot (triathlon) girl for the longest.  Wave Riders and TTs are all that I've worn for quite some time -- about five years, almost as long as I've been running.  I gave the Brooks Ghost 7s a shot, and while they are ridiculously comfy WHILE running, they were not the right shoe for me.  My leggies and Achilles began to ache after running in them, so I switched back to my regular rotation.

The other day, I got a wild hair and ordered the Brooks PureFlow 4s.  They're GORG.  And no matter if the shoes are new with anticipation, new with familiarity, or just something bright and shiny, you know a certain feeling.  It's giddy, it's anxious, it's excited, and happy.  To the max sometimes.

NEW.  KICKS.

Also, I spy a running shirt that I wish had been available my entire running life.  It's not brand new to Brooks; it's been around all summer.  But for Heaven's sake, I had to look down several times to make sure it was still on.  So cool...so comfy.

My run today = aces.  Albeit HOT.

Side note: I have no idea what I'm doing with my face.  I think I may have successfully made this face   ----->  :S

3 X 1-minute planks after about ten minutes of good stretching.  

One last terrifically marvelous thing before I get serious (for only a second, promise!).  In case you didn't know, Lolo Jones is my favorite human.  She seriously makes my life.  My *brain hug* is her Instagram.

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I'm really, really ready to get back into training.  I was complaining whining explaining last week about how much I long for my life to be back to normal after a hectic schedule.  Believe it or not, I'm ready to get back to teaching.  I miss my P.E. gym.  I miss my work husband.  I miss my faculty and staff, and my administration.  Most of all, I MISS MY STUDENTS.  I've been Pinterest'ing (FOLLOW ME HERE!) like a mad woman with a ton of ideas for my new school year and my curriculum.  I'm itching to get back into the swing of a regular work day, and I still have four weeks to go.  *le sigh*  I have to be patient and enjoy the break...life has its challenges.    

Running has taught me to be grateful for the joy and the pain, for being able to move, for being able to smile into the wind or sunshine, into the snow or rain, and for a feeling that I can't even describe...just happy.  It has taught and continues to teach me to be patient; the things I want will not come overnight.  --It gets me through the challenges, perhaps by presenting smaller, more intense challenges, and I am thankful for the hurdles.

Also, you thought of this, didn't you?:)  If you didn't, then you should have.

Something that makes me smile ----- the joy that we all have.:)

EnJOY the rest of your Monday, friend!<3  Thanks to the gorgeous Katie for encouraging more marvelous in our Monday!

I've Been Thinking.

You know.  Because Thursday.:)

As always, thanks, Amanda!

1.  It warmed up!  But I don't expect it to stay over 20*F for very long.

2.  Proof that I needed to get out and train to feel better.  I had a sinus infection (a pretty mean one!), and didn't work out for nearly two weeks.  I'm not the type of person that gets freaked out by this by any means, but I missed running.  I missed the release that I get from exercise-induced sweat.  At least in this instance, the Lord wants me to...do Yoga?:)

3.  And #RUNHAPPY I shall!

4.  Harry's birthday was last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.  I feel bad for anyone whose birthday is that close to a major holiday, since your day might very well go on the back burner just a tad.  My parents and I took him out to eat for some chicken-fried steak, something I haven't been able to successfully find in the Chi!  Mmmmmmmmmmm...Salt Grass's Shiner Bock bread, chicken-fried steak, and garlic mashed potatoes.  Happy on a plate.

5.  Another shirt I believe belongs on me.  #Waffles

6.  Oh yeah!  It's about THAT TIME!  I have made homemade peppermint bark, and I believe Harry would like for me to make some (very) soon.  Until then, these will do.  These will do very well.

7.  Lolo Jones is my most favorite human.  Ever.  Of all time.

8.  Are you doing Elf on the Shelf?  Do you find it as creepy as I do?  Here's something that'll address and confirm the creepiness.

9.  In related thoughts (more on the Christmas side -- not so much on the creepy side), we get to put up the tree this weekend with Sophia!  We had a very basic setup last year, as it was our very first Christmas together, and we didn't have a ton of cash to spend on decorations.

We made our own stockings.:)  We have new ones this year, but I definitely saved these.

10.  My favorite Christmas song.  Or at least one of them.  I'm a pretty big fan of Christmas, so I might very well post my faves every Thursday.

Y'all have a fantastic Thursday!  Try not to think out TOO loud (like me).

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QUICK:  FAVORITE (Christmastime) candy or sweet?

Have you already put up your tree?  

QUICK #2:  FAVORITE ATHLETE?  (ANY sport.)