My First ZOOMA Training Run [And A No Chocolate Streak]

Happy June, y'all!

First and foremost, why don't you join me in the June #ZOOMAPHOTOADAY challenge?

And check out the goods!

Here's mine for today (Day 1:  Sun)

Me and some of the Ambassadors from ZOOMA Chicago met up yesterday at Universal Sole for a training run.  Since I've taken off most of the week from running because of some wonky knee pain, I was kind of excited to get going on the Lakefront Trail!

Becky (@ Olives 'n Wine) and I took off in front of the group.  We immediately started conversing about the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and what our plans were for it.  I will be running it for the third time, and this will be Becky's first time running it!

Thanks for the pic, Becky!

I never get tired of the view, or the diversity of amazing views, in this city.  This place is just the most fantastic in my book.

TEAMWORK (while I take pictures...)!

We finished up back at the store and realized that it was about 80 degrees out.  YIKES.  I knew it was warm, but the wind kept the temperature tolerable.  There were plenty of refreshments afterward.  <3

It was so great meeting some of the ladies!  We're an awesome group of Ambassadors, that's for sure!  :)

We picked up Sophia a little bit later, then dropped her right off at her Grandma's.  Sophs is always so excited to see her.  Harry and I hung out at home, not really sure what to do with ourselves, until Sophs was dropped off later in the evening.

Bath time and some snuggle and TV time, then she was off to bed.

I got another short run done this morning.  My knee didn't hurt; it felt fine, but it felt like it was...aware...of it being there?  I don't know how to explain this.  I think I'm being paranoid.  I listened to some calming music to ensure an easy pace.

Once I got back to the house and had some coffee, did some blogging and just some fiddle-fartin' around, we all got ready to go to the Josi's Frozen Yogurt grand opening!  They were handing out free FROYO to the first 20 customers, and we had a good shot of us being eligible for that when we live right around the corner for it!  11:00am...BREAKFAST DESSERT!

Harry and I have decided that, for the interest in our waistlines in going into marathon training, to swear off chocolate.  I mean wow.  :O  I can't have it until October?!  I think I can do it.  Jot it down on your calenders, folks...June 1st - October 12th (the day of the marathon...I can give in then!) = NO CHOCOLATE FOR ME.  Sooooooo, we got our froyo, sans the *good stuff*.

Some kite-flying happened after the immense amount of sugar Sophia put into her face.

And then some climbing!

We just dropped off the booger, got some errands done, and now are relaxing until we meet up with some friends to watch the Blackhawks (GAME SEVEN!).  Have a beautiful evening, friends!

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Do you have a favorite FROYO flavor?  What about toppings?

-Turns out, fruit and nuts aren't that bad.  :P

Have you gone out and flown a kite recently?

Have you ever sworn off certain foods for the sake of your training or health?  How'd it go?

Challenges [And a Delicious Disaster]

Since I had to take off several days last week, I've lost some (cushioned) time to take care of my FitFluential March Miles.  I have a week to get 29 miles done.  I don't foresee that being an issue, since there aren't mounds of snow and ice on the ground any longer (because I am seriously that much of a wimp to get on the treadmill).  <3  To be honest, I haven't been running nearly what I should be for months.  I blame it on moving and settling into a completely new city, situation, and working around my job.  Excuses, I know, but I'm stoked to get back to a more productive training cycle.

I have stayed on track with my 3030 Joyce Meyer challenge!  Having my quiet time with God is very important to me, and I had lost the urge and patience for it.  I feel like I am becoming more dedicated to the time, and know that I can go to practice this time with any thought or curiosity in mind.

Of course, I've been on rack with my #ZoomaPhotoADay.  You can check out my Twitter for the pictures!

And once again, thanks to the eyeball surgery, I wasn't able to stick with the #SweatHappyWithYoga challenge.  Whyfor?  I haven't been able to bend forward or over for the past week.  :(  Luckily for me, there's another challenge next month!

You know I'll be in on that one.  ;)

Last night, Harry and I got a hankerin' for ice cream after watching "COSMOS", and while watching "Modern Family".  *le headtilt*  I don't know what.  At any rate, I might need to read the microwave directions for hot fudge next time.  *le headtilt in other direction*

It was still delicious.

No shame, really.

OH OH OH So, I will be announcing my very first GIVEAWAY later today!  STICK AROUND!  :)

Oh Heavens [And March Challenge Updates]

Y'all.  Seriously.  I went to bed last night knowing that there'd be snow on the ground this morning, but this was ridiculous.  They said that we were expecting four to eight inches of snow, after we've seen temps in the 40s and 50s the past few days.  In other words, the sidewalks were clear, there were puddles of melted snow and slush, and my spirits were sky high.  Psh.

I woke up this morning to this:

 WHAT.

I acted quickly.  These past few months of my first winter in Chicago have been a crash course in snow and ice maintenance and safety, to say the least.  I knew what I needed to do this morning, and that was get my booty to the gym out near where I work and get on the treadmill.  First thing's first:  Get all of the fresh white stuff off my Jeep.  Pronto.

It took about fifteen minutes. I also knew that I'd need this for a good portion of the 45-minute commute.

The highways weren't really all that bad, but the roads were.  I got to the gym and quickly hopped on the tready for an easy threesie (#FFMarchMiles!).  It was flippin' hot in the gym, compared to the sweet 20s that it was outside.  Blurgh.  I sometimes feel like it's "artificial" sweat or something when I'm indoors.  Isn't that strange?

The drive to work included the 4WD.  FOR SURE.  Cars were sliding all over the road, slamming on their brakes, and just driving irrationally.  *le sigh*  At least it's pretty!

It's so pretty.  ^_^

Work, work, work, and I was STARVING after my last P.E. class.  Luckily, one of the paraprofessionals at my school stocked the "staff pantry" with some goodies.  Thanks, Barry!

Yeah, my hands are really, really, really dry.  Add the cold weather to the fact that I wash my hands every fifteen seconds, and you've got some cracked skin.  :(

After a doctor's appointment and some grocery shopping, my guy made us some dinner that I basically inhaled was super filling...spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread!  We're about to sit down to watch something on the tube, but I wanted to post a couple of pictures from challenges from today real quick.

From #ZoomaPhotoADay, day 12 is "Hydrate".  I drink about 192 oz. of water every single day, and yeah, I pee a lot.  I've been carrying around a nerdy water bottle since 2007 (right around the time I quit smoking cigarettes).  I get teased a lot, but I gotta take it, since I really do ask for it.  I take it into restaurants, I ask airline stewards to refill it, and carry it with me every which place I go.  Derp.

For the #SweatHappyWithYoga Challenge, I rocked a tree pose this evening.  Harry was nice enough to take the picture for me, then use his fancy iPhone5s free photo software to mess with it a bit.  Behold.

Yeah, that's what I wear to work.  Hah.  Y'all have a beautiful evening!  I'll be hitting up the B-I-B-L-E (that's the book for me!) here in a bit before I go to bed for my 3030 Challenge.  Answer some questions if you're bored.  :D

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Do you need a snack in the afternoon?  SHARE!


Do you have any races or events coming up?  What about travel plans?


Do you have plans for Pi (3.14) day?