Running Liv's Life

Vacation is all about the food.  Before we even finish a meal we are discussing the next one.  This vacation  I even thought about snacks!!  Not when I would eat snacks, but what  I'd eat for a snack.  Vacation is also about splurging on food.  My sister took us to this AMAZING chocolate shop.  You know how there is just about every flavor of Jelly Belly?  Well, it's just like that, except chocolate. This was my splurge.  $6 for 4 teeny chocolates!  The only unusual flavor I tried was the chocolate with yellow on top.  That is sweet tea.  It was really good, and yes, it tasted like sweet tea!  (Actually, it was the only chocolate I tried.  Lyla had one, and Matt ate the other two.)  This is what I really wanted: But I just couldn't get myself to spend the money.  I bought a giant chocolate chip cookie instead that was about 2 inches thick. On a different day, Matt and I were able to go out for desser...

Friday morning was my final run in paradise, aka, Ft. Myers, FL.  It also just so happened to be my hottest, slowest, and most lethargic run of the week.  I got out the door a little late which is why I was so hot.  And my sweet little baby had me up at 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30, and then I was up at 7 for the day, which is why I could barely move my feet. Taking a picture while running is a lot trickier than I thought it would be.  And is it me, or does my hair look like it has that bump it accessory in the back?  Ugh! This is why I rarely run in sleeveless.  There is nothing to wipe the sweat out of your eyes with. This is me stretching.  It looks a lot like lazy standing, but my inner thigh muscle is actually being stretched to the max; no joke!  I had such a great running week.  Even my slowest was faster than I've run in quite a while back here in IL.  It is going to totally suck running again in this 40 degree windy crap :(

We're on vacation and let me tell you; running doesn't get much better than this!!  The community my sister lives in is gorgeous.  It is a huge gated community with a golf course, tennis courts, playground, club house, etc.  It is only Tuesday and I have already put in 14 miles.  Back home it takes me until Friday to get that many done.  Here was my glorious run this morning. Okay, there are gators galore in her community.  This huge monster was just baking in the sun right by one of the golf holes.  There were 3 men golfing about 20 feet away, and I was running on the sidewalk about 50 feet away!!  CRAZY!  All done with my 4 miler.  I bought a new running outfit so I would look cute for all the retirees I pass along my route every morning.  (90% of the community is retired.)  My running skirt is from Gap and the performance tee is from TJ Maxx.  Don't you love the color of Ang's house?  It would look awful in IL,...

It's that time of year.  Race season has begun!  I would like to run a race every month from April to December.  Right now I am in full training mode for a race I will be running at the end of April, the Illinois 10k .  It's fun knowing that all these miles I'm pounding out are actually important and not just so I can eat junk.  But, it also sucks because now I have to do speed work!!  This week I did 5x800 at a 7:00 pace with 2 minutes rest in between.  However, because I can't count, I did six!!  Here I am doing a photo shoot during one of my rest periods :)  I think this picture makes me look old.  And by old, I mean I look my age :(

I haven't skipped a run in quite some time.  But I needed to rest after my crazy day.  My day started VERY early; around 1 a.m.  Orlando woke up sick.  I didn't get back to sleep until about 3, then he woke again at 5.  I quickly decided to throw out my 5:30 a.m. workout.  He was fussy the entire morning.  I got him into the doctor for the afternoon.  Make the 30 minute trek to the Dr. while listening to Lyla whine.  Wait for 10 minutes in the waiting room while Lyla has the biggest meltdown EVER!!!!  Sadly watch Orlando scream the entire time the Dr. checks him out.  He's fine, thank goodness.  Back in the car.  Try to stay calm while Lyla has an even BIGGER meltdown because she can't have her paci.  Lyla pees her pants in her carseat as a result of her hysterical meltdown.  Thankfully, I always have extra undies for her.  Pull over and change her.  Finally home!!!  Yeah right.  Meltdown #3 o...

Yay!!!  My BIC Band  came in the mail a few days ago.  Since hearing about them a while ago on another blog I have been itching to get one.  After having a super crap morning last week I thought I would cheer myself up by finally ordering one.  I NEVER purchase anything without consulting my husband first, but my day was just so rotten that I broke out the VISA and spent $9 whopping dollars without telling him first!  (By the way, we always tell each other before we spend money just out of respect, and so we both know where our money is going.)  So apparently these things are suppose to be slip-free headbands.  I didn't know if that was truly possible so I only ordered one (even though there were about 3-4 I wanted).  So the lady selling these didn't lie because they, in fact,  do NOT slip.  Not even a teensy bit!  I love my BIC Band.  I went with a  Skinnie Minnie  and had to rock the sparkle as well!  Th...

Every person that works out needs motivation now and again.  My husband thinks it's amazing how dedicated I am to my workout routine, but a lot of the time it is REALLY hard for me to get my butt out the door.  Finding motivation is key on days that I am dreading my workout.  I workout early in the morning so at night while laying in bed I will search the internet for articles, blogs, or videos to help get me in the right mindset for my run.  A few years ago my favorite motivator was the " See Lance Ride " Nike commercial.   I would watch it 2-3 times before going to bed, and I swear, sometimes I wanted to lace up my shoes right then and there and go for a run.  For the past week I have received my motivation from a rather different source:  Elizabeth Hasselbeck.  Weird, I know.  I heard from my sister that they showed one of her workout routines on The View and it was crazy hard.  I had to check it out for myself so later that day I goo...

More Friday night baking!!  Tonight we made some killer pumpkin spice cupcakes. Awwwww, Matt can't keep his hands off me :)  Can you believe Lyla took this picture?  Pretty good! Cuddling on the couch and waiting for the timer to ding.  (Sorry about the poor quality photo.) Delish!!  I'm not sure why Lyla was so hesitant to taste it.  She ended up licking the frosting off and leaving the rest on her plate.  I'm totally loving our Friday baking.

In the winter I usually don't take my iPod out on my runs with me.  The stocking cap over the ear buds is just too uncomfortable.  I have to listen to the crunch of the snow (which can actually be quite soothing) and think about life.  I ponder deep thoughts such as these: 1.  Why did they stop showing "Tigger and Pooh" on Disney?  The Super Sleuths were so cute. 2.  Yes!!! Since I ran today I can totally enjoy an iced coffee from McDonalds :) 3.  Okay, if run 5 miles at an 8:40 pace my time would be..... 4.  I should probably use this time to pray.  Dear Jesus, 5.  What?  1 mile.  I've only run 1 mile. 6.  Okay, my time would be..... 7.  Run harder.  Run harder.  You have to wear a swimsuit in 3 weeks! 8.  Look at that dump.  How can people let their homes get to that state.  So sad. 9.  Okay, my time....screw it!  I hate math!!! 10. Hmmm, what should I make for dinner? ...