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!

Thinking Out Loud - in ONE sentence!

I'm on a kick lately of celebrating small things.  With that spirit in mind, I'd like to wish you HAPPY FRIDAY EVE!

1.  I feel like typing in BOLD and COLOR today!

2.  I like leaving fun messages for people in the snow.  

3.  Sophia is going to make one awesome Triathlete some day.

4.  I have amazing friends who will ship me their books to borrow;

You can find Christine's book review HERE.

5.  Today's *Brain Hug* --

6.  Sophs made me this wallpaper for my iPhone; it's her thing lately.

7.  I have no idea what's going on in this photo.

8.  My new water bottle reminds me of Dory from "Finding Nemo".

 

9.  I have gone slightly bonkers over finding a new foundation and self tanner on the Sephora website.

10.  I'll go over one sentence for this one.  Anything that involves food should receive more attention.

During my afternoon snack:  The box of Thin Mints was left on the table from the massacre feeding binge nom'ing the other night.

I turned the box around.  I swear, it was judging me.

Thanks to our lovely link-up host, Amanda @ Running With Spoons!

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Let's celebrate Friday Eve!  What food should we order?!

Tell me -- Do you have one favorite color, or several?  What is/are it/they?

Last TV show you watched?

My Successful Shoe Switcheroo

What I've been up to as of late!

A LOT of lollygagging.

Some planking.

 Some nom'ing.

Some "off season" training.

Lots of working.

Some snow running.

Some coaching.

More nom'ing.

Some Jock Jam'ing.
(One of the basketball coaches suggested that we throw on some jams during practice, bwahahahaha!)

Some "Just Dance"ing.

And a lot of resting.

I've taken some time away from blogging so I can get some stuff in order.  We do it from time to time, and mine have been more frequent than desired, but I'm here.:)
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I have been running in Mizuno Wave Riders from series 11-17.  At some point, you become slightly paranoid about introducing another shoe to your foot, and it completely wrecking your gait and form, thereby possibly causing you time on the bench and probably eating the cash you spent on the new digs.

(I'm not the only paranoid one, right?)

After thinking and researching A LOT (thanks to paranoia), I decided that it was time to find a new laced friend for my feetsies.  As I was considering other makes (LE GASP!) and models, I came across Brooks's *SWITCHEROO* page, which I'm sure they made just for me!  (Really.)  You put in your current running shoe, and they shoe you some options within the Brooks brand.

I ended up rooting for the Brooks Ghost 7s.  While I have never been the biggest fan of personal reviews from people (every foot is different), I've read some really fantastic opinions about these kicks.  I got my usual bigfoot size (9.5), and for the first time ever, my shoes feel like an extension of my foot.  This is a characteristic that most running shoe buffs will tell you you should feel when you try on a pair.

After a (very) icy/snowy run.  I didn't even realize they were this packed until I took them off.

I do feel like my gait has changed, but to something more efficient.  It's been enough of a change to where I need to stretch a bit more, but nothing major.  I don't even know that I can attribute a bit of soreness to the shoes, since I've been running on different surfaces lately (tready, snow and ice, etc.).  ALAS, so far, I'm VERY pleased with the Switcheroo.

Also, they're very pretty.

As usual, I am rotating these with my ZOOTs.  Always ZOOTs!
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Have you been pretty lucky with your choice of running shoes?  Would you EVER change them?

Name one thing you did yesterday (MLK Day)!
-Unrelated, but I spoke with a wedding coordinator!  Getting the wedding ball rolling, woot!

QUICK:  What's for dinner this evening?
It's Taco Tuesday here!