Take Time to Love Yourself

I just got done getting my first ever professional massage. I got a gift certificate for my birthday. I'm here to tell you that this will become a regular/semi regular thing for me. It was the greatest thing ever.

The whole hour, I had time to think and reflect. I got a chance to think about things and just be. I didn't have to worry about what was happening later or the stresses from my week and semester.

For me, this is the greatest way to take care of me. That is, after all, the most important thing. Take care of you. Do something that is only for you. Be selfish and love you. Loving yourself is the most important thing you can do.

Earth Day Half Marathon Relay 2013 Recap

Saturday was the big day.  I didn't sleep very well.  I was totally excited and ready to go! A picked me up on Saturday morning and we ate breakfast together.  We had a bagel thin with peanut butter and bananas and string cheese.  My favorite foods! Whoo! 

I checked the weather forecast, and was not thrilled.  It was going to be cold! It's hard to decide how to dress but I went with running tights, long socks, shorts, long sleeves, a tshirt, headband and gloves.  I have to say that I am thankful it was sunny! I ended up warm by the end.  

We're totally ready to go! See the thumbs up? I don't think A was as excited as I was.  He was pretty worried about the cold, but he did it! :) 

We had to take a picture by the snow bank.  We got about a foot the day before the race.  I even got a snow day from work! Thankfully, everything was pretty well cleared off on the route.  

My faithful cheering squad, they were there every step of the way.  

I was getting good at waving towards the end, and my (unplanned, but very much appreciated) running partner was a great pointer.  I hadn't planned to run with her, but I'm glad we did.  It made the hour and five minutes fly by! I didn't put my headphones in once! I have forgotten how nice it is to do long runs outside.  I'm really looking forward to being able to do that all the time now! 

A cruised along so well! I'm super proud of him and glad he was willing to do this with me.  Without his support, I don't think I would have signed up.

                                         

We finished! We made it! Hooray! As soon as I finished my 6.5 miles I thought to myself "Gee! I should be running the whole thing!"  That may be why on Sunday evening I signed up for the Graniteman Half Marathon in September.  If you are in the area and want to sign up, you totally should.  It's always fun to have running partners and to know someone you care about is in the pack running too! 

You always have to be proud of your socks! Bright green? Yes please! At least you know when I'm coming right? 

Thanks for your support and thoughts! I'm totally addicted to running in races now.  It's pretty great.  As A pointed out to me the other night, it's not the worst thing to be addicted to! 

Wishing you warm happy thoughts today! 

Eeeek! It's almost here!

The race is almost here! I'm completely pumped! So pumped that I haven't been sleeping well at night.  I'm getting enough sleep, but I keep having dreams about the race.  Some good and some not so good.  

I'm afraid I won't finish.  I'm afraid I'll cramp up.  I'm afraid I'll get hurt.  I know all of these are pretty unrealistic, considering that I've been training.  I can do it! I know I can! 

In preparation for the race, I've been trying extremely hard to eat well, eat fresh, and avoid junk food.  That's the hardest part, the avoiding junk food, or easy to prep food.  It's way easier to go to the gro gro (as I so fondly refer to the grocery store) and grab a frozen burrito, than make it myself.  So! I've been trying extra hard.  Nutrition is so important.   I need my body to have the right things!

Therefore I've been eating oh so yummy things that are easy to prep and easy to drag to school and work with me in my lunchbag.  Here are some of the things I've been eating: 

I went out to see a friend last night and ordered a shrimp remoulade salad.  Pretty awesome.  It wasn't even slathered in dressing!  

The ever delicious and no preparation required strawberries and carrots. 

My new favorite milk substitute.  Makes rice krispies and protein slurries delicious! 

Wrap: om nom nom.  Mustard, cheese, sprouts, cucumber, tomato,  bell pepper, lettuce.

All of these things have been making the week easier.  I went for a 3 mile run yesterday and finished in 28 minutes.  If I can maintain a 9:30 minute mile on Saturday, I'll be totally jazzed.  I'm really looking forward to it.  

Anyway.  Hope you're able to get out and move your body! Even if it's just dancing while doing the dishes or something.  And I hope you're able to enjoy some delicious food.  Just throw all the delicious things together! Bam! Awesome!

 Sending you warm, happy thoughts!