The Runner Who Doesn't Run

So truth be told I actually created this post back in June! Three months later and I am still a runner who doesn't run. But that is all about to change, I feel the fire and excitement coming back. In case you don't know, I ran my first full marathon in May. Then I got completely burned out and tired with training and running. I became a machine who ran because a piece of paper told me to do it, not because I actually wanted to. I guess part of me liked being out there or I would have given up before I even crossed the start line, but you get the point. Summer vacation and the heat started to kick in and then the stress and busyness of wedding planning kicked into high gear and I just had a million reasons to not run. Plus I just didn't really want to. I ran the Boilermaker with my Dad in July and ran every now and then on the treadmill at the gym, but nothing more then a 5k and that was it. I did spend the summer in the AC of the gym and got really into strength training and taking multiple spin classes each week.

I didn't win the challenge but those darn stickers did
keep me pretty motivated!

I also maybe got into the Fro-Yo craze that seems to have taken over the Rochester area recently. I guess it is better for you than Coldstone though. Hopefully.

Strawberries, graham crackers and
cheesecake & strawberry fro-yo.

Now that the wedding is done, the school year has begun, routines have reappeared and the weather has cooled drastically I am ready to get out the running gear. My first step? I signed up for a 5k in 6 days!! Yea, maybe this was a bit drastic, but drastic times call for drastic measures. Plus the race is for an amazing cause. I love the fall/winter race calendar and am looking forward to some more 3-peat races in the upcoming months. I am also missing my running girls terribly and am hoping we can reconnect soon.

So for now I'll leave you will some gratuitous wedding photos, but come back soon for more running chit chat!!

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The Week I Became A Gym Rat

Last week was my first full week off for summer vacation. Two years ago I spent most of my summer in the gym and loved the results by summers end. I would do cardio, strength training and swimming in some sort of combination. My real goal was to bring down the average age of the ladies in the gym. Plus no one will complement you more on your outfit, shoes or progress, like little old grandmas lifting the 3 pound weights.

Go get em' grandma! Not my actual grandma.

Going into this summer, with the big W-day at the end of it, I knew if I didn't start off strong I would go down a slippery, lazy slope. Last summer my focus was on running and racing, but with feeling burnt out still, going to the gym has given me some motivation rejuvenation. Last week I wound up getting 5 work outs in. 4 trips to the gym and one run. 3 spin classes and lots of core, arm and leg strength training.

Daily Mile Report Card

The RAC always offers a Summer Sizzle competition. I've never paid much attention to it or signed up for it because it is geared towards their fitness classes. But in the fall I started spinning and did it consistently throughout the school year, so I thought it might be fun to sign up for the challenge and do something new. I believe the way it works is that if you do 30 classes in 60 days you get a free t-shirt. The t-shirt is nice and all, but the best part are the stickers and the tracking chart. Pause and rewind to elementary school and there is nothing you wont do to get your name on the chart with a long line of stickers trailing it.

Wooohooo!! 

So I caved to my own peer pressure and signed up. Monday was the first day of the contest and even though I went and did cardio and strength training, I didn't take a class. I guess I didn't know how cut throat this contest was, but when I saw the name beneath mine and saw that they had already collected 3 stickers, my competitive side kicked in! Oh those powerful, glittery, little circles of my affection. So yesterday I was determined to get my first sticker and checked out the class schedule. I found a late morning 45-minute spin class, which would be perfect to get in before I spent the day with my Mom. The class was good. It is always interesting to see how the different instructors vary their class, music and style. At the end I proudly collected my sticker and affixed it to the chart next to my name. One down, 29 to go! Happy Fourth of July everyone!! 

Coming Soon: Firecracker 5 Mile Race Report

Picture Perfect Weekend

Tapering = less time talking about running! So, how was your weekend? What's new in your life? We never really talk about you, it's normally all about me. In upstate NY we were greeted with lovely weather the past few days and Rob and I had a relaxing, but busy weekend.

Friday after coaching Girls on The Run I met Rob near Eastview Mall and we went to P.F. Changs for dinner. Yummy! We got there early enough so there was no wait and we used a gift card we got for Easter. Free and fun date night, I'll take it!

Saturday Rob and I both had good intentions of working out in the AM, but we both enjoyed sleeping in and having a lazy morning way more. We ordered breakfast from a local restaurant and watched some t.v. we had recorded. I added a couple more items to our wedding registry via the internet and then we drove to a salon to pay a deposit towards the wedding. On the way home we hit up a local bike store, I feel like I have been to all of them in the last month or so. When Spring hits Rob gets bike store fever.

Their chandelier made out of bike reflectors
and gears, pretty cool.

When we got home Rob went on a pretty long bike ride and I think I continued to have a lazy afternoon. That night we had plans to attend the Lollypop Farm Gala at the convention center. The theme was "purrr imagination" and people were encouraged to come dressed with Willy Wonka inspiration.

Our Golden Ticket.

We got there pretty early, we didn't realize there was going to be a long cocktail hour first. But being the first to the food and having no line at an open bar was a nice perk.

How about this for some drink service!

Two chocolate fountains. 

I have no idea why one was missing :)

We had a good time at the gala. It was ultimately free, five bucks for parking and five bucks for tipping the bartenders. Not too shabby for an interesting evening out. Sunday we woke up and headed to Cicero to celebrate my moms birthday with a brunch and lots more desserts. Aside from a spider dropping into my glass of milk it was a pretty great day. Even though these are from other occasions the pics were hanging out on my phone and I decided to throw them in here...

Ainsley Kate rockin' her shades.

Dad enjoying German fair at Reinblicks.
Doesn't he look like a giant with a tiny mug, hehe. 

Finally, Rob and I ended our Sunday with some grocery shopping and we worked on designing our wedding invite. Here is the mock up, hopefully it isn't anatomically correct...