5 on Friday: Runner Wants

Since half marathon training begins on Monday, I have a whole list of things I NEED.  Well, I guess I don't really need them per se, but I do WANT them. 

{ONE}

New running shoes.

I actually do need these.  For the first time ever, I am going to go get professionally fitted at a running store.  I have no idea what the pros will come up with for me, but in my dreams, these are the shoes I'm lusting after.

Asics GT 1000

Asics GT 2000

Asics Noosa Tri 9

Asics Noosa Tri 8

Asics GT 1170s got me through my very first half marathon, so I would like to try some of these other models out.  I've always been an Asics girl for running shoes, so I have a strong feeling of brand loyalty.  I'm scared the professionals will turn me away from my loves, but they do know whats best for me!

{TWO}

Target C9 sports bras.  To me, these are the most comfortable bras ever!  I have a fairly small chest, so I do not need a ton of support.  If you are more busty, these probably wouldn't be a good fit.  There are so many bright, sassy colors to pick from.  These are my 3 favorites. 

{THREE}

Gu

This is my third year as a runner, and I have yet to try Gu or any other energy aids.  Like any other person, I can get fatigued during my runs, so I think Gu would be beneficial to experiment with.

{FOUR}

Non-booty [compression] shorts

Reebok 7" compression shorts

During summer/warmer temperatures, I like to wear shorts and compression socks.  

Problem 1: my chub rub makes normal shorts ride up which leads to chaff-age.  

Solution 2: compression shorts.  

Problem 2: many compression shorts are only 3", and I'm tall so they are basically booty shorts on me.  Solution 2: I need 6" or longer shorts so said chub rub doesn't chaff.  

Problem 3: 6" or longer compression shorts, that are not black, are really fricken hard to find!!  

Solution 3:  Does any one have recommendations of where I can find longer non-black compression shorts?

{FIVE}

Neon Pro-Compression socks

I already have a quite a few pairs of Pro Compression socks, but these are their current sock of the month so they are 40% off.  I love the color combo, so obviously, I NEED them!

5 on Friday: Feeling Healthy Edition

I am dedicating this 5 of Friday post to the healthy changes I am feeling in my body.  Now that I am working out consistently, and have been eating quite well, I am starting to feel wonderful!  I was feeling bloated, tired, and sluggish, but I am slowly doing a 180 to an improved, and healthy me!!  Here are the top five health changes I have noticed so far in 2014.

{ONE}
I no longer feel like/think I need coffee in the morning.  The first thought that used to pop into my head when I opened my eyes in the morning was, "I need coffee!"  I would have my 2-3 cups in the morning.  Then in the afternoon, I would sometimes have 1-2 cups more!  My mind/body no longer feels dependent on coffee to get me through the day.  Instead, I am getting energy through exercise and eating the right foods.  I do still enjoy coffee in the morning, but I'm down to one cup.

{TWO}
I was having the most difficult time getting out of bed.  Seriously, I was hitting snooze for an hour or more most mornings... I could have been using the precious time to work out, but instead I wanted 5 more minutes, just 5 more minutes.  Those 5 minutes turned to 10 to 30 to an hour!  I am still guilty of hitting snooze, but I now only do it once or twice.

{THREE}
Tying in with both one and two, more energy!  I feel energize when I wake up, not tired.  When 2:30 hits, and everyone else at work is tired and sluggish, I'm peppy and feeling great.  I don't feel the need to guzzle coffee or take a nap.  I have enough natural energy to power me through the entire day.

{FOUR}
I don't feel as bloated and gross.  'Nuff said.

{FIVE}
Less cravings.  I used to crave salty stuff like Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream chips, or chocolate.  It was a struggle battling these cravings, and they unfortunately won most of the time.  I still crave chocolate after dinner, but I am now more aware of what I eat.  Instead of downing an entire candy bar, I'll have one square of a Lindt dark chocolate bar.  The salt craving is nearly nonexistent.

If I already feel this great after only 17 days, I am beyond excited about my healthy future!!

Happy weekend, everyone!

5 on Friday: Madison Edition

As I have already mentioned in two other posts, Wednesday was Nick's birthday.  I didn't buy him a present...gasp!  

Instead, I'm taking him out in downtown Madison this weekend.  I grew up in a small town close to Madison, and I went to college in Madison, but Nick is from Illinois.  Nick has never gotten to experience downtown Madison's nightlife.  We only live about 30 minutes away, but I got us a hotel for Saturday night, so we can both fully enjoy the night, and not worry about driving anywhere.  

In honor of our weekend, and a few things I LOVE in this awesome city, I am doing a 5 on Friday Madison Edition. 

{ONE}

 After dropping the dogs off at a friends, our first stop in Madison will be the Chazen Art Museum.  This is more for me than Nick, but I think he'll like it.  They recently opened a new contemporary wing (right side of the building) that I've only been in a for a few minutes so I can't wait to fully check it out.

{TWO}

My favorite place to eat in Madison!  The Brasserie V is an awesome European inspired restaurant near my work.  Not only is their food a-maze-balls, but they have over 250 beers selections from all over the world.  Nick loves beer, and has never been to BV so I'm pumped to take him to lunch there. 

{THREE}

Breweries galore!  A few microbreweries have popped up in Madison, and as I said above, Nick LOVES beer.  Not only does Nick love beer, but I love beer.  This weekend is mostly going to be about drinking a lot of good beer.  No shame. The above are 3 breweries we will be checking out.

{FOUR}

Madison Comedy Club on State.

Nick is a big fan of stand up comedy.  It's really a hit or miss for me, but I will admit, the few times we have gone to the CC, I've enjoyed it.  Going to a show was Nick's one request for this weekend, but since I'm such an amaaaazing girlfriend, I had already reserved our tickets before he asked :)

{FIVE}

 If you like martinis, this is the bar for you!  The Icon has the most amazing martinis, and after 10pm, they are on special for only $5!  These martinis are potent though...only one and you're going to be feeling it.  Besides the martinis, The Icon also has a great ambiance.  They play old black and white movies, and the decor is based around pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, John Wayne, etc.  

I could go on forever with this list, but these are the top 5 things we will be doing this weekend.  I am just super excited to show Nick all of my favorite old haunts, and for him to have a little taste of my life as a college student.  It will also just be nice to get out of the house for a night!!

Have a fantabulous weekend!

5 on Friday

{ONE}  Two day work week!  

I was off of work for the holidays from 12/24 through 1/1.  Yesterday was my first day back, and today is already Friday!  It has just felt like another normal week though, so I thought today was Tuesday.  Yippy for it actually being Friday already!

{TWO} Diet Bet

Not only is is Friday, but I officially start my Diet Bet today.  I have done one other Diet Bet before, and I did nothing during the entire four weeks.  Guess what, I lost that one.  This time, I'm going to work hard because I NEED to lose some weight.  The Diet Bet is just an extra motivator.  

{THREE}  Green Smooth Challenge

Via Rachel's blog, I heard about this 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge.  I am hoping this challenge will help me jump-start clean eating habits.  This challenge started on the first, but I haven't made it to the grocery store yet.  I will be starting the challenge tomorrow. 

{FOUR}  FREEZING

Can we talk for a second about how ridiculously cold it is here in Wisconsin!  

This is the forecast for the next 5 days...

Area schools are already talking about being closed on Monday because the high is -11... negative 11...for the HIGH!  The Green Bay Packers are currently facing a television black-out for their play-off game on Sunday because ticket sales are so low.  Can you blame the people for not wanting to sit outside in -1 - -22 temperatures to watch a football game?  I sure hope they win, but I will definitely not be participating in any tailgating.   

Even though it's super cold, I'm glad we're not getting the crazy amounts of snow that the east coast is!

{FIVE} Costco

For Christmas, Nick and I got a membership to Costco.  I CANNOT wait to start buying stuff in bulk!  Nick has never been to a Costco so I am pumped to see him get his mind blown!  Costco has everything.  I mean e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.  Did you know you can buy a motherfuckin' casket from Costco's website...whaaaat?!

A'ight, hooligans, have a fantastic weekend!

5 on Friday

{ONE} Nick and I have a rather large master bedroom, and I want to rearrange our furniture to make a space for a reading nook for myself.  I already have the setup planned in my head, now I just need to buy the furniture for my reading area.  Our bedroom is yellow and gray, and these are the items I NEED want.

{TWO}  There will be a total of 6 dogs at our house over the weekend.  Yes, six.  Four more than we already have ourselves.  A week ago, I told friends we would watch their two dogs because they are going out of town, forgetting I had already told my mom at the beginning of the month that we would watch her dogs this weekend...  Good thing Nick and I are dog lovers, and none of the dogs are over 25 pounds!

Sarah & Nathan's dogs: a pug mix and a bug (boston terrier/pug mix)

Chloe

Dozer

My mom's dogs: shih tzus.  One is 14(!), the other is 4.  They are both spoiled rotten, in case you couldn't glean that from the picture, but oh-so sweet!

Zolo & Toby

{THREE}  Epic's construction appreciation event.  Nick is an engineer for a company that builds Epic, the nation's largest medical software developer, in Verona.  Nick is extremely proud of JPC and the work they do for Epic, so I am excited for him that he gets to show it off to his family.  His parents, his brothers, and his SILs, are coming to our house for a cookout, then we're heading to Epic for the event and tours of all the crazy awesome buildings. 

No, no that is not Hogwarts.  It's Epic.

{FOUR}  This sweater.  I MUST have it!  It looks like Skittles!!!

{FIVE}  Stocking up the freezer!  Now that the cold weather is officially here in Wisconsin, Nick and I will be loading up the freezer with delicious cold weather meals.  Nick is making his phenomenal chili, and I will be making a few different soups such as sweet potato carrot,  hot and sour soup, and Thai Coconut Curry...just to name a few.  It's nice to have these soups and chili on hand for quick lunches, or dinner when we're feeling to lazy to cook.  

Happy weekend!

  

5 on Friday

<ONE> Weather permitting, Nick and I will be embarking on a 12ish mile hike this weekend.  We are hitting up the Ice Age Trail that I have written about before.  I figure it will be one of the last weekends to get a good hike in, if it doesn't rain, before the weather gets too cold.

<TWO> Bridesmaid dress shopping on Sunday for Heidi's wedding! Heidi and Allie have been friends since high school.  I joined the group our sophomore year of college when Allie and I were student workers together in the Bookstore.  Heidi and I were both in Allie's wedding in May 2012, and now Allie and I will be in Heidi's in October 2014.  Whenever Nick finally puts a ring on my finger, these lovely ladies will be two of my bridesmaids also.  I love these girls!

At a Madison Mallard's game for Heidi's B-Day.

Allie's wedding.
Yes, I am ginormously tall compared to all the other girls, even when they're standing straight :)

Our friend Katie's wedding.

Concert on the square 3 years ago.  It was a fat summer for all of us...

Celebrating my B-Day 2 years ago on Lake Mendota.

<THREE>  The delicious dinners I will be making the next four nights.  Tonight: Crock pot Beef & Broccoli.  Saturday:  Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken.  Sunday:  Crock pot Guinness Pork Chops.  Monday:  Creamy Tomato, Spinach, and Chicken Pasta.  Mmmmmmmm!!!

Three of these four recipes are from Budget Bytes.  If you haven't heard of this webite/blog yet, check it out!  You're missing out if you don't because she has some AWESOME recipes!!  Most of the meals I make on a regular basis are from Budget Bytes.


<FOUR>  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I randomly found this recipe on Pinterest, and made them for work a few weeks ago.  They are soooooo good!  If you like pumpkin, you'll love these!  They are super easy to make, and are only around 55 calories each...(at least that's what mine came out to, I made a batch of 36.  I did modify the recipe by using whole wheat flour, and 1/2 C honey instead of 1 C sugar).  I am making them again this week for a girls get-together at my future sister-in-law's.


<FIVE>  Like an old lady, I tried on some Dr. Scholl's flats.  I am on my feet a lot at work, and my cheap, non-cushioned, flats just are not doing it for me anymore.  I didn't actually buy any yet, but these are the ones I am lusting after... I never knew DS had such cute shoes!!!!

Have a great weekend, ya'll!

I'm baaaaack!

Hello lovelies.  Remember me?  I took a more than brief hiatus because I was not being inspiring.  The goal of this blog is to keep myself accountable, and inspires others.  Neither of those things was happening, so I decided to take a step back, and re-gather.  Now that my shit is a little bit back together, I am ready to continue sharing intimate details of my life with the blogging world ;)

While I was away, I actually ran a 5 mile race and a half marathon.  Besides those two runs, my fitness side has been basically non-existent.  I’ll write more about that this weekend…

To welcome myself back into the blogging world, I am linking up with the 5 on Friday ladies.  I will leave my “disappearance excuse” and “half marathon recap” posts for this weekend when I have more time.

{ONE}

My pal, Angela, decided months ago to go all beast-mode and sign up for Ironman.  Bitch is cray, but also AH-MAY-ZING!!  The Wisconsin Ironman event is this Sunday, and I cannot wait to see this chica in action and cheer her on.  No matter how she does, she is still my hero!  Just committing yourself to the training it takes to compete in Ironman is awesome. 

After Ang competed in a half Ironman last month.

  

{TWO}

Boot season!  I want these black beauties so badly!!

{THREE}

Leinenkugel’s Orange Shandy.  That’s right, Orange.  Not Summer Shandy.  Not Lemon Berry Shandy.  But, Orange Shandy.  It is delicious!  If you are at all a fan of the Summer or Lemon Berry, get ready to have your world rocked by Orange.

{FOUR}

Having dinner with one of my besties this weekend, in her new house!

My Elly

{FIVE}

Researching new running kicks.  The pictures below are the ones I am currently crushing on, but on appearance only.  I have not yet tried any of them on.  This time around, I am actually going to go to a running store to get fitted.  My right knee is often achy when I am putting in a lot of miles, so I am hoping a professional can suggest shoes that will help with that issue.  I am also hoping one of these babies makes the list of approved shoes! 

Happy Friday, everyone!