You either do or you don't...

...there is no in between with half marathon training. I want to be fully prepared in what I am about to do on March 11th, so there is no way in Hell I am skipping any runs that are on my schedule. As y'all know, I am weeks deep into Jamie Eason's LiveFit 12 week program, and there are so many days I either want to pick one or the other: the run or the weights. Both are hard in their own ways. Lifting is hard because well, those weights get heavy, duh! Running, I hit the mental block of not stopping, keep running, your feet may be on fire from how hot your body is right now, but that is okay. Not gonna kill you, only make you stronger, right? "Unless you puke, faint or die, keep going", "Sweat is fat crying". Not gonna lie to ya, I tell myself all of these when that mental road block pops up. It seems to pop up about mile 3.75/4. That's right, that is NOT a typo. The max on my schedule I've run thus far is 5 miles. Tomorrow, is another 5 miler and lifting via Jamie's plan. Oh and Thursday? I get to run 6 (SIX!!!!!) miles. Last time I checked, that was .1 miles shy of a 10K. Because I'm sick in the head and just wanna say I did it, I will run that extra .1 miles to make it an even 10K. Last time I ran a 10K on a treadmill? OOOOOOOOO somewhere between "check out my banging body with zero stretch marks on my tummy since I don't have a baby" and "training for my first 10K" about 1 year ago. (*Side note: could have gotten it much worse, I only have 8.25 squiggly lines on the tummy and yes I will flaunt them in the bikini this Summer...with my 6 pack, BOO YA!*)

So far, I'm pretty proud of my determination. I haven't missed a day on my training schedule with either LiveFit or half marathon training. And let me tell you another thing that doesn't help the mental block when I'm running - the heat! My gym is small, its near my house (aka, the country *insert banjo here*), it's cheap and affordable, has all the right equipment I need, and the thermostat is constantly set to 71 degrees. YES! SEVENTY ONE DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. Add the other sweaty bodies running,stepping,gliding it up in the cardio room, and you've got one very sweaty floor to clean up (Yuck! I'll stick with wiping mandarin oranges off my sons butt, thanks very much). Not only is it obviously hot in there, but I'm a sweater anyways. Luckily there is 1 giant floor fan that I seem to get lucky with every time and I grab it and plug it in near the treadmill I plan to slave away on. I should ask them to turn the thermostat down, but 71 is such a random number, I know they do it for money saving purposes. When my schedule gets to me having to run 8 and up miles, I'm going to have to take it outside - mama can't die of heat stroke in January. Oh and I've tried to turn it down to a more respectable gym temperature, but they've got that shizz locked. Smart people, no? Im sure that's part of their joy when they come to work - "lets see who drops of heat stroke first".

On that note..I'm off to run & lift :)

A Parents Biggest Fear

Seriously. Last night, Troy woke up from his afternoon nap, GASPING for air. He couldn't stop crying, sounded super "froggy" and was drooling uncontrollably and he couldn't open his eyes fully. Oh and he was sweaty and very hot to the touch. So Nick and I strapped him in the carseat, and away to the ER we went. After tests, an epinephrin breathing treatment, a chest x-ray and a fever reducer, my little dude has croup. Seriously, I LOVE this time of year. Ask anyone, Fall and Winter? MY seasons. Christmas? Fuh-get about it. Absolutely love Christmas. In fact, I will be decorating this week, but thats a different post for a different day. But the sickness that the cold weather brings, I hate! I never really minded getting sick until having a baby or being pregnant. I mean, I don't like getting sick, but I wasn't canceling dinner dates just cause someones kid had the flu & I didn't want to come in contact. I do look at this as building his immune system. I always have had that train of thought, that it's beneficial to a certain degree for kids to be exposed to germs. Wanna chew on mommies running sneakers? Go for it kid! Suck on that binki that was just on the floor of Walmart? why not! * Not that my kid does this........* BUT when Troy can't breathe properly? Not cool. You sorta need to breathe to survive. I was praying to God my hardest I've ever prayed in that backseat while my other half was going Nascar on the highway. All I could think was "what am I going to do if he stops breathing?" Telling you girls - SCARY.

Troy is doing a lot better, thanks for asking. Today we followed up with his normal pediatrician and he confirmed it's croup and his lungs sound perfect. His throat is a little raw, but that's to be expected with all the nasty barking coughs. Today he's been sleeping, coughing, eating solids here and there but mostly bottles, and sleeping some more. Don't know what croup is? You can read all about it here. From what the ER doctor said, he was the 3rd kid that came in that DAY, that had croup. When I came home and hopped on Facebook to update the world what I was just living the past 3.5 hours of my life, I saw that 2 other moms Im friends posted that their kids have croup (none were around Troy the past week). So weird I tell you.

The smiley boy POST hospital visit. Before the hospital, I could not get a smile out of this child which is weird.

So what does a woman/mom do to relieve all this stress from a sick child? A (or maybe it was 2) Corona and lime, of course! And run.

Stress does a body good

Running back into it

Image from here

Well I did it - I signed up for my 1st race since the little bambino made his way into the world.

Tell me my child couldn't be a baby model and I'd call you a liar

So it's a 5K. Not too harsh, I just ran a 5K yesterday on my long lost boyfriend, Tread Mill so come Thanksgiving, I'll be golden...and skinnier. Seriously girls, I am OVA' not having that pre baby body back. Sure my body is just "so amazing" and brought another person in this world, but I want my cake and I want to eat it too - aka have the baby and the body. So while everyone is stuffing their bellies full of delicious holiday foods, Im going to stuff mine with portion control - YAAAAAAY (insert sarcasm here). I just polished off that last pumpkin cookie this morning (coffee and a pumpkin cookie first thing in the morning - try it!) so no more sugary temptations here. Unless you count the Merlot on my counter, but I WILL NOT be giving up my adult beverages. I'm a mom, remember? Raven knows what I'm talking about....

Fantastic Friday

So let's discuss all things that are FABULOUS about my Friday thus far. After all, this blog is about moi. Here we go:

1. Troy has slept through the night the past TWO nights! He has NEVER slept through the night more than a handful of times and never in a row like this. Could be the shot he got on Tuesday or maybe he's now with the program that mommy is less of a biotch when she gets a full 7-8 hours STRAIGHT.

Oh and a side note - while on Pinterest to find a "mom" picture to go with my post, Mr. Statham popped up (not literally of course). Not sure why he did, but I'll take it. ANOTHER fabulous thing about today

2. I get to go grocery shopping! Keeping it real with you guys, I love grocery shopping. Now that Troy is a bit older and easier in the stores, I love it. I love having bags of fresh food to bring him. And right now we have like ZIP. We are most definitely at the end of the week since we're scrapping the bottom of the fridge for crumbs.

3. The weather - its cool down here in my neck of California - AKA the country. Yeah, Im sure you all are sorta shocked to know California isn't just one big beach with hot blondes rollerblading down it (do people rollerblade anymore?)


4. Its fantastic that I've accomplished my goals of running this week. I set a 10 mile/week minimum and I have ran exactly 10. And it was harder than I thought it'd be, psssh. Im signing up for the Turkey Trot this year (5K) and then who knows where I'll go! ....The bar for a hydrating margarita?


5. My hair - since I've gotten this sexy mommy bob of a cut, I seriously wake up with great hair. Its not greasy or have crazy creases from where Ive slept. It actually looks best after I've slept on it and its my "2nd day of no washing" hair. Just saying. Nick gets grossed out by me not washing it, but he just doesn't understand that its okay not to wash it. At least Im not pulling a Julia Roberts and skipping that shampoo/conditioner for weeks on end! You read that right, the pretty woman goes weekS without washing her hair.

6. Oh and it's Friday - 'nuff said. The weekend is upon us and with it getting ready to be freezing (68 to this California girl is cold), Im celebrating by putting out the Fall Decor and watching Football all day Sunday - BOO YA!

Oh My Gosh, is that Jen Aniston?!

Would have posted this picture yesterday, but our internet was down pretty much all day - the perks of living out in the sticks, eh?

Here is the picture I showed my hair girl for the cut


I'd say it's pretty accurate. My hair feels UH-MAZING by the way. So soft at the ends. And I love that I can still throw it up in a pony tail. I am loving the color too. Its a little more blonder than I normally go cause she added a lot more highlights. I can't wait to play around with it and try curling it. Whenever the little man actually gives me time to be by myself (myself? what's that?!), I'll try adding some cute curls to it.

Today it's back to the workout/run grind. Since Nick's mom and her fiancé have been in town, I haven't worked out. So, before they leave to go back to Denver today, their coming over and watching T while I go out on a run. I have decided that I am going to sign up for the local Turkey Trot here in town this year. It's only a 5K and running 5ks now, aren't as easy as they once were. So I figure if I sign up for one that is a couple months away, that'll be more than plenty of time to prepare and it will force me to get back into more running - which I love (but sometimes hate) to do.

Oh and yes, I did just type that Thanksgiving is only a couple months away. ACTUALLY, since it's almost the end of September, we really only have about a month and a half until Turkey day. Makes me hungry just thinking about it. I'll sign myself up to run a 3.1 distance if that means I can eat an extra slice of pie. Shoot, who am I kidding? I'll eat it even if I don't run.

Running like I stole something...

...or I am training for a marathon....or I just want to fit back into my sexy Express jeans that look fabulous on my ba-donk-uh-donk? Or all of the above :) So you all know how I will be training for my 1st ever MARATHON that will take place at the end of this year (Octoberish), so I'm doing some calculating on when I can start training. At the absolute latest, I can start training the week of March 7th (have to wait the 6 weeks for intense workouts for a smooth vaginal delivery). That means, I have about 7-7.5 months to train. To my runner followers: does that sound like enough time to train for my 1st marathon? I'm not looking to break records or to even get this UH-MAZING time (it'd be nice though), just be able to complete it without dying. I am wanting to do other workouts, such as lift weights, cross train, kick my butt in XBike class again. So, I have googled a butt ton of beginner marathon training schedules that would fit what I am looking for, but nothing too aggressive in a short amount of time. So....here it is - my 20 week program

On the cross training days I plan on either doing a 30 minute XBike class or weights. I am sure there are going to be days that I will opt for resting rather than the Cross training, which is to be expected - I'm gonna have a wittle baby after all! Who will be accompanying me on most of these runs in his brand new jogging stroller (thanks to his Gma and Pa-gee <--- pa-g is what my niecey poo came up with when she was a baby and was trying to say grandpa, so why change it?)
{this is the exact color and all. I LUUUURVE it!!}
Soooooo excited {and scared!} about March. I am looking forward to some crazy training. I've only ran 10K's and 5K's. Any suggestions from you seasoned runners? Can I also just thrown in, that I cannot wait to proudly display that "26.2" decal on my car? Just so I can brag to all the other cars I zoom past.

Your running a what?!

Happy Monday daaawlings! It's just another manic Monday I suppose. My weekend was perfect (coulda been longer), but it was fabulous all the same. Saturday was filled with a quick 30 minute sesh at the gym * I totally slacked off in this department, but I just wasn't 'feeling it'. Plus I had a bajillion other things to do that day, so I left Elli (the elliptical to my newbie followers) after 30. On my 'to do' list that day was to find a lamp for the T man's nursery, so off to my legal addiction I went -- TARGET! I don't know anyone who doesn't love Target and if you don't, I may not wanna know you. After browsing the women's clearance racks (AMAZING DEALS BTW), and picking up a couple new polo's for my Tech saavy hubbs, I focused on the matter at hand, and headed toward the lamps. After a few picture emails back and forth between daddy warbucks, I got this little number in my cart

You can't really tell in the pic, but we got a hazelnut colored one and Nick set it up this weekend, it looks perfect! Sadly, after looking at Troy's nursery, I don't think we're gonna have room for a nice glider chair like I wanted. Maybe next baby, hmmmmm? After Target I met up with my mamacita for some more retail therapy and Home Goods. More like 'I'll take one of everything' Goods. As most of you can tell by now, I LOVE seasonal decor, and they are already had their Christmas stuff out!! Holy cow, I was in Heaven! But after reasoning with myself (and reminding myself Nick would kill me), I decided to just come back during Christmas time and do my shopping then. Smart, right?
Sunday was filled with football (HALLELUJAH BRONCOS WON!) and a decision. A totally bonkers decision at that, but non the less, I will be running a marathon this time next year! EEEEEEEEK!!!

My aunt initiated it, and so since my sister and cousin have also been bitten by the running bug, they will be taking on this endeavor as well. So ladies (and maybe if there are gents reading this), that means, I'll start running again beginning of March time frame and I'm going to have to build my running endurance back up after about a 8 month hiatus, and theeeeeeen start building on the miles. I know I can do this whether I have to walk some parts or not, but it makes me nervous! I guess all that baby weight will be coming off though haha! I think training with Troy in a jogging stroller will be mounds of help too, because pushing him up and down hills will build up my stamina majorly. I pray to the holy running god, I have a smooth recovery from delivery and can train properly ASAP! Any advice from you ladies who have ran a marathon? When I did my 10K (6.2 miles) earlier this year, I swore off long distance running in events for good, and here I am actually committing to a marathon?! Advice from all you ladies would be much appreciated :)

Oh Running...how I miss thee

Holy moly, where did all the clouds come from?! We went from mid to upper 90's to mid 70's in a matter of a day! Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOVE the fall and the fact that it's coming SOON just gets me excited. They even said 20% chance of rain today, YES!!! Cold weather means so many things to me, but this year it brings on a whole new meaning: My little man will be arriving! *Note: I get crazy anxious butterflies when I think about it*
So in Santa Barbara, my sister and I went for a little nice joggy poo. Well more like a jog for 3 minutes and walk for 8, then jog for 3 minutes, and walk for 8 sorta deal. My sister has become such the runner, it makes me shed a tear of how proud I am. I fell in luuuurve with running about 2 years ago, and now she has found it just as therapeutic as I do. She's doing 5K's left and right and is just living a healthy runners lifestyle (SNAPS FOR MO JO!). While we were jogging these (HILLY!!!) streets, I thought to myself, "God I miss this". I miss running since becoming pregnant. My doctor said that it's totally fine and dandy to keep up my running, but ya see, I stopped running around week 14 of my pregnancy and have been strictly a elliptical girl at the gym (with strength training too of course). I look at those runners on their treadmills, working up a sweat, that look of "just 1 more mile, just 1 more mile" in their faces, and wish it were me. They look all smug and cocky getting off their treadmills, almost like rubbing it in my face! Don't get it twisted, I feel so blessed to have been given a baby of my own and a healthy son at that, it's just I miss running!! I stopped running at week 14, because I just felt uncomfortable doing it. Like my belly was weighing me down in a way, since it's all this extra weight in my mid section. I'm going back to my beloved boyfriend Tread after work today, and even if I jog for 10 minutes outta my 30 minutes, I'll be happy. I will be so happy once little T gets here and I can strap him into the jogging stroller and hit the trails. I am already eyeing a couple 10K's and 5K's I will be signing up for come January to kick my butt into gear after he arrives.
Being a runner is great, it's just addicting. I will say, it is the cheapest addiction I could have...until I REALLY start registering (and PAYING) for all my races next year, mua haha!
Since we're on the topic of working out: do any other of you fitness mama's get the whole "Oh you should be careful" or "Maybe you shouldn't workout so much" from random people? I get the craziest looks when I start hitting the weights at the gym. I am an addict people. I was before pregnancy, and thanks to my OB and my previous fitness regimen, I can continue on being an addict.
Have a beautiful day sweet cakes!

Proactiv and other Tuesday ramblings

Happy BEAUTIFUL Tuesday morning to you guys!! It's another gorgeous morning here in Sacramento.

So a few posts back, I mentioned that I have been using a Murad face wash to combat this acne that decided to grace my face (6 months POST going off BC mind you, so it really threw me for a loop). It really has done wonders. It's cleared up the major breakouts, but I still am getting new undergrounder zit, boo!! It's horrible! When I was on my birth control, my face was super clear and I felt like I could go w/out concealer and I NEVER wore foundation. So the stuff that's happening now, is just not okay.

I had a few friends who used Proactiv in high school and had great results (as well as Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, Julianne Hough). My only concern was that when I got pregnant, would it be okay to use still? After much research (what would I do without google?!), it's totally safe to use and in fact, I read a couple reviews from women who used it during their pregnancy breakouts, and it worked wonderfully. So I ordered it! I am SO excited to try this bad boy product out. I want to kick this last bit of acne to the curb and have really good skin for the summer time. Who wants to wear a butt ton of concealer during the hot summer days and nights? Not me!

Onto other things: Nick signed all his paperwork for his new job :)!! We are truly so blessed, and God really does answer prayers. He starts tomorrow, woo hooo!!!

Yesterday as promised, I stuck to my workout schedule for Monday (snaps for Karli!) Nick and I went on our run/ride since it was just so nice outside. However, I was not the smartest of girls, and I totally didn't hydrate enough before the run. So when I should have looked like this:


I looked like this:


Get the picture? I stopped I think 2-3 times during our run, since one of dehydration's side effects are nausea, BUT who do I see running by us with ease? A young woman in nothing but her perfect sports bra and her perfect matching shorts, pushing her perfect jogging stroller. Oh and there was a baby in the stroller. Oh and the woman...HAD A 6 PACK! So I dug down deep into my motivational running quotes bank in my brain, and pushed through the nausea and sweat and thirst (do not attempt at home :) ). I made it though! Nick was so proud and even started the shower for me cause he loves me like that...or thinks I stink, lol. So I ran about 3.5 miles yesterday and today it's back to the office (aka, the gym) for upper body and another 3 miles on Tread.

What have YOU done today to make you feel proud?

Dun Dun DUUUUUN!!

It's my day for the 5 miler!! EEEEK!! I have never ever before ran 5 miles at once, so this shall be interesting. I am assuming I will be covered in sweat by the time I step off that treadmill. I wish I could run outside since last weekend was the BEST taste of Spring a girl could ask for, but it is raining. It was the California weather that I looooove in the beginning of the week as well, but alas, I was reminded that it's February pretty quick when the rain clouds came.

I am getting ready with my coffee with sugar free vanilla creamer while I lay here in bed typing and trying to catch up on The Bad Girls Club. Why is it that I am addicted to non educational, mindless shows filled with not so classy people? Hmmm....? Oh and btw, I got a couple of emails from you lovely concerned people whom I love (aka my faithful readers), and the doctor appointment yesterday was just for a physical that every woman should get every year- promise no baby stuff or anything else like that.

Today is a busy one folks and I plan on making it a great one! My goal for today: EAT AS CLEAN as possible! Why this is hard for me to do on the weekends- I have no clue, but I am sticking to my guns (which hurt from yesterday's heavy bench presses), this weekend. Actually, that is the goal this WHOLE weekend- I know more than one of you can relate to me when I say, that when the weekend comes it seems like I just let go of my good eating habits from the week. All week I eat SUPER clean and control my cravings, but when the weekend comes, I get more lax. Now I'm not saying, don't indulge in the hamburger you've been craving (and then get right back on the good eating train), but I seem to just lose that motivation on the weekend. Sorta like "Well, I've been good alllll week, why not treat myself?" Well that's all fine and dandy, but treating myself, can hurt all my progress I killed myself for during the week. So- that's my challenge. I will be sure to fill you all in on Monday. I have a family BBQ to go to on Sunday, so it should be a challenge to stick to a clean eating clan on that one, but I'll do my best.

Off to OWN those 5 miles baby!! Have a splendid weekend cupcakes! (MMMmmm cupcakes!)

Such a fat day

Do you ever have one of those days that you just wake up and feel like a blimp? That would be me today. So what did I do? I ran, not jogged, RAN, 3.5 miles! Yesterday was a leg day, so my legs felt like led this morning, but I ran! I was sweatin-straight up on fire! Those 3.5 miles felt like 3.5 million! That's what I get for not working out 3 day weekend. My body has gotten so used to working out 5-6 days a week, that any less than that and it starts to get a little too comfy (at least that's what I see when I look in the mirror).

Oh and I have to bring something up- as you all know, I have a tad bit of a girl crush on Jillian Michaels, and she is being blasted right now for her weight loss pills. Now, I am on the fence with this and I haven't had the chance yet to pick up the phone and call Jilly-bean to ask what the deal is, BUT I am kinda baffled that she even has these pills out. She has preached how there aren't any easy fixes and she sure as heck doesn't believe in pills, so it's sorta like a "huh?!" moment for me. Allegedly, these pills are giving people heart issues and such, but I have to say...WELL NO DUH! Did these people think they could just sit on their butts with their bucket o popcorn and just take a pill and POW- your the next girl to appear on Sports Illustrated and your dating Andy Roddick? The bottle WARNS you of the crazy side effects. Not only that, BUT don't every other weight loss pill out there, say rapid heart rate, nausea, dizziness can occur? That's what I thought- don't put MY girl on blast when YOU knew the side effects and it's not rocket science that weight loss quick fixes, aren't the answer and are a waste of money. Why JM would even put pills on the market, I have no clue, but we'll save that conversation for another day.



Do you guys have a song that pushes you thru that last couple of miles or couple of minutes? Let's hear it! I wanna know, THE song that kicks you in the arse when you need it, to keep yourself going. Do you picture something in your head, such as Jillian Michaels yelling in your face? My song today? Lifesong by Casting Crowns- nothing like a little spiritual inspiration to keep you running for the love of the big JC.

Conquered!

Well all you gorgeous people- I woke up this morning (despite me hitting the snooze about oh 10 times), and I loaded my system with 2 cups of coffee and 1 english muffin with some almond butter and honey. I was a woman on a mission and that mission was tackling 4.5 miles on Tread.

First off- it was PACKED! I don't know why it bugs me because I should be happy that hundreds of people in my city want to become healthy. All shapes and sizes and gender and color....but was I? NO! I really hate and dread it when the gym is so packed, I was already thinking to myself "good luck finding a treadmill, Karli". But guess what? I found one! So I flipped on the tv (my gym has tv's on every treadmill and elliptical, pretty shnazy eh?) and The Client was on. YES! I used to watch this movie almost every week and it was there I fell in love with Brad Renfro (yes, I was devastated when he died!).


To be honest it kept me occupied till about mile 2, then my mind was wandering which is never good cause that's when I get bored and wanna quit, so I knew it was time for some Lady Gaga tunes. Let me just throw in there, that I was lucky to find myself the ONLY friggin treadmill without an A/C or fan on it. I was cookin! Just fuels my fire baby- I don't feel like I've accomplished anything unless I am dripping.

30 minutes later and BAM! 4.5 miles conquered baby! This was HUGE for me- the most I have EVER ran at once WAS (because it's not the case anymore) 4 miles! It's a good Saturday!

She works hard for the money

Did you enjoy that little snap shot of me running in the local ghetto? Those darn pap's....can't a girl get a run in w/out being followed? I have come to a conclusion..I am working out tomorrow! Since I have had this cold from H-E-Double Hockey Sticks, I have not worked out at all & it's gone on long enough! I have been so bummed cause this was NOT how I wanted to start my new year. Eating hasn't been too shabby, but I did have pizza two days in a row. If it helps, it was veggie pizza :) I am so excited for the gym tomorrow. I'm feeling a nice sweaty run and some weights. I'm pretty sure it'll be a lower body weight day. I apologize I am sick. I am one of those sick people who is obsessed with working out and when I can't, I become crazier than JLO's outfit on NYE



I promised to keep you all updated on my 10K race I am going to sign up for and I'm actually going a little crazy over here (what's new right?). I am eyeing a 10K at the local zoo here (thought if I'm gonna run 6.2 miles, I better have great things to look at) and a 5K that's sponsored by Nike and is supposed to have great swag, and then a 3.5 miler in Apple Hill which is AMAZING scenery. I mean running along side vineyards and apple and pumpkin farms. My favorite place by far. Please enjoy the actual photos of where I will be running and please feel free to be jealous

Twenty ten, what what?!

Hola and welcome to the year of 2010! WHEW- we made it! To be honest it doesn't feel to bad typing 2010. Way easier than 2009 in my opinion. I do apologize for the no blog
last night, but this cold has been kicking my tired hiney. After the wonderful Mexican food and movie (**It's Complicated was a REALLY cute movie, btw. A must see with your mom or sister or grandma or girlfriend. A total chick flick and N was a champ throughout the whole thing**), I was exhausted. My eyes were watering like you wouldn't believe and I could barely keep my eyes open enough to watch the Guido's and guidettes from Jersey Shore host NYE, let alone blog and not sound loopy.

So lets talk goals for twenty ten, shall we? 2009 was most def a great year. A year of change and a year of firsts for me. Changes- moved back to California and left NC for good, the negative people in my family/life were removed, and quit a job in NC that I loved going to (thank you Christine!). 2009 was definitely my most healthy year (so far), and it was the year that I decided to surround myself in all things healthy, weight loss, getting certified as a PT, running, counting calories, etc. In February 2009, I ran my 1st ever 5K in 34:37! Not too shabby for a girl who used the asthma excuse in high school when my PE teacher wanted us to run the weekly mile. It was then that I discovered my love for crossing that finish line (note how I didn't mention how I loved the rest of the 3.1 miles...just crossing the finish line). So I signed up for another 5k, and then another. So I finished my last 5K of 2010 beating my PR and I couldn't be happier. Yes sir, the running bug has hit me for good.

1. In terms of fitness, my goals for 2010 will be to run a 10K. Yikes- even typing that makes my stomach queasy, but it's something I know I can do and its a pretty attainable goal. I'm thinking spring is a good time for it since the weather is beautiful here, so be expecting updates on THAT!

2. My second goal is to keep my strong realtionship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. I was baptised in May of 2009 and I will say moving to NC had a lot to do with it. I found a church that I fell in love with and the Pastor had a way of teaching that I felt like I walked away every Sunday with something new and something that pertained to my life. Even though I may not go to church EVERY Sunday (want to work on that), I know my relationship with God is amazingly strong. I want my kids to know Christ like I do and love him with all their heart. He really is an awesome God

Pastor Rodney on the left


My friend Tonya and I with our Baptism certificates


3. My next goal for 2010 should come as no surprise to my long time blog readers.....

N and I are starting a family this year! Another crazy thing to type! I am so so excited for this journey, but since this is an honest blog, I have the normal worries. Like what IF my ovaries are shot (yes at the ripe age of 23), or what if my Uterus just sucks?! I've never had any problems whatsoever with my "stuff", but still, it's the little "over thinking things" stuff that gets me. To be completely honest, I don't think N and I will have a problem whatsoever in this department. We are going to start trying in February I believe. That's when my insurance for my job will start and Houston will have been cleared for lift off!



Here's to Twenty Ten ladies and gents!

Big news, big changes

Today's work out consisted of 3.4 miles on my boyfriend, Tread and boy was it good to see him! I haven't seen him on a regular basis in a few months since I've been working and by the time I get home, I don't have time. BUT I have time now! Wanna know whyyy? I am now unemployed! EEEEK. Long story short, the company I worked for has to sell the company cause they weren't doing too well. Truthfully (since this is MY blog and after all its more of a diary, so why not keep it real witcha), My first intital reaction was to cry. However, after that first 2 seconds of shock wore off, I started to realize that out of all the people who work there, I am the most fortunate. I only had 8 people in my office, including myself, and I am the only who who isn't a single mother, isn't expecting a baby, isn't the main source of income for their family, and isn't responsible for paying a mortgage/rent. Its easy to look at the bad sad of things when things like this happen. Sure N and I won't be able to move into our apartment YET (but we will, don't you worry. That same complex too), but really I need to buck up and know that things could always be worse. On top of that, this blogger believes that EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON! Good or bad, there is always a reason and being the Christian that I am, I am trusting God has a plan for me people! Can I get an Amen?!?!?!

This up side of this is that I finally get to sleep in and thank God for that, because my body has been battling something like nothing before for the past 2 weeks. My bodies defense system is Chuck Norris and this bug is an enemy about to be broken down!




Oh and another amazing benefit for being unemployed? I get to run till my legs fall off when I feel inclined to run and workout. Today, I hit the rubber belt for a sweet and easy 3.4 miles! Yes people, I can wake up and take my sweet ass time and lounge until that running bug hits me and I can either choose between a session with Tread OR I can take my motivated butt to the gym! AH HA! Love the word: CHOOSE- You can bet your bottom dollar I'll be milking my unemployment until I find work. That's another thing- back to the craigslist, careerbuilder, monster, snagajob ads 24/7. Back to starting a new job and getting familiar with people again, BLAH! It'll be okay, things could always be worse right?

Trottin my way to Thursday

Let's get Thursday here all ready. Its Thanksgiving and we all have the day off!! I have so much to be thankful for this year and yes I am going to name a few so get over it, this is my blog after all LoL! I am so thankful for my husband and how God has blessed me with such an understanding and loving man. I am thankful for being with my family and friends again and how God provided jobs for both N and I and quick at that. Yes ladies and gents God is good.

I am so ready for Thursday to get here. I didn't run this weekend and I didn't run today after work, BUT rest assured, that I WILL be getting my hott butt up at 5 AM tomorrow morning so that I can get 3 miles in before work and then I will be running after work and probably shredding it up with Ms. Jill too. So no worries :D Then Wednesday, I'll probably only do an easy 1 mile run so I don't burn myself out. If I run up to the day of a race, I am NOT wanting to run. I gotta baby myself. In fact a little bit of this looks great right now


And on that note, its time for beddy by and Twilight (the book) - total peer pressure

Lets talk working out/nutrition, shall we?

Oh man this weekend has been great so far!! I am so glad I got a job so I can appreciate the weekends for what they really are. When we lived in NC, I used Saturday for my cardio blast days. I would do 1 hour on the treadmill or split it up with treadmill 30 minutes and elliptical 30 minutes, or something so my body was drenched by the time I left. Since I've been in California, I have ran at least 3 miles every day (Sunday's off to let my body rest) and have thrown in either 30 day shred or Bootcamp in every now and then. I have enjoyed the freedom to get my sleep in, eat my obligatory Peanut Butter on wheat toast, then hop on Tread and watch Baby Story on TLC to distract myself from the length of my runs. After running I get such a high. I have to thank NC in some sort of way for making me realize how much I really do love running. That was where I first started my 5K love and actually saw the benefits of running. As much as I bitch and moan about, I really do enjoy it. Half way into it, I am in my zone and yelling at myself in my mind telling myself I can do 1 more minute at this speed, or just make it 1 more mile then I will just do incline the rest of the way. I always feel such a sense of accomplishment. If I don't do anything else that I day, I know I at least worked my body in such a way, that it will benefit me (And my heart) in the long run. Not to mention, but running is really good for those gams ;)

People seem to think that when you work out you can eat whatever you want. NOT TRUE. I don't know who let this evil rumor out onto the streets, but its not so. Ya see my friend, 80% of what you eat, is going to effect what your body does. I don't like it as much as you do, but just because you met with your personal training for a kick ass session, does not mean you can go to Coldstone for a Gotta have it size Mint chocolate chip w/a brownie and fudge mixed into it(ps, that sounds amazing!) and expect for it not to effect you. I try to eat as clean as possible. A basic easy way to define clean? Something that hasn't been processed or even easier, if its man made, don't eat it. I don't always stick to this, but for the most part I do and it works. Tosca Reno is the official spokeswoman for Clean Eating. In fact, she has a whole cookbook dedicated to it and the recipes she creates, are not super complicated and she uses ingredients you can find at your local Trader Joes, Whole Foods, or even some Safeways and Vons. Once you start incorporating more clean foods into your eating and pairing it with your workouts, I guarantee that you will start to see a difference.

If you have ANY questions regarding eating clean, I would most def recommend going to Tosa Reno's website for more information. You can also leave me a comment or email me and I will be happy to help you in any way :)

Have a Happy Labor Day!!

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Well hello Monday morning

Its here again! MONDAY!!! N woke up and went to work!! Yay for N!! Even though the drive is a little bit of a commute, I know he enjoys working now. I on the other hand am continuing my job search as a I lay here in bed. I woke up when N did, and can't go back to sleep, which is odd since I had some wine last night and that usually always makes me pass out after 1 glass ( I know, I am a light weight).

So yesterday my boyfriend whom I keep in the back room, was calling my name so loud! "KARLI!! YOU BETTER GET IN HERE AND RUN!!" I kept that door shut. I tried to tell him, "Tred Mill, I have ran 3 miles from Tuesday to Saturday faithfully, but he wasn't satisfied. He wanted more than that and when I told him that Saturday I had actually ran outside, well then I could tell he was jealous. So today I HAVE to visit him, and I am sure he is going to take out all of his aggression on me every second of those 3 miles!

So how was your weekend beautifuls? Mine was pretty uneventful. We rented I love you, man and it had some funny parts, but I would rate it a 6 outta 10. It didn't have me rolling on the floor. On Saturday I went for a run in the country (much better than watching tv while your run)for about 35 minutes(it was SOOOO HOT!!), then I came back and washed my car since it was a mess, then layed out by the pool. It was most def a hot one and a made for working on your tan. Sunday was church and laying out again :) Man it's gonna be a harsh wake up call when I work (But the paycheck/security) will make up for it all :D

Have a GREAT Monday lovelies!