Today started out with freezing rain and sleet and I started out my day with day 9 of Jillian’s 30 day shred level 1. Are you getting tired of me saying that, yet? I’m getting tired of saying it, but not tired of doing the workout. I’ve heard people say they get bored of the shred workouts, but I actually really like knowing exactly what I’m going to be doing during the workout. I’m a strange breed of runner that prefers an out and back course to a loop, so that I know what to expect the second half of the race. I also will run the same route over and over without ever getting tired of it. Yet I despise the treadmill….

However, today was one of those days I actually wished I had a treadmill, because it was just so gross outside. Around mid-morning the temperature crept up to 35 degrees and the freezing rain switched to just plain old cold rain. You know that kind that chills you to the bone? It had taperd off to a drizzle by this evening after work, so I gave myself a pep talk (and by that I mean I told myself to suck it up buttercup, don’t be a wimp) and drove to the bike trail in town. I had 5 miles on the schedule and that’s what I was going to do.

I ended up making it a tempo run, so I did 1 mile warm-up, 3 miles at 9:18 pace, and then 1 mile cool down. Today 9:18 was my “fast” tempo pace. It felt like a hard effort and I felt like I was barely hanging on during some of the inclines, so I’ll take it. I really have no clue what my tempo pace should be at this point. I should probably consult Mr. McMillan about that at some point. I was glad I got out there and did this run as it ended up warming up to 38 degrees and was only misting during my run.

On the way home I swung by the library and picked up book #2 in the Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box. The first book was a real page turner (why does that sound so cliche?) so I’m looking forward to reading the second one.

Not actually about running, as far as I know.

Have you read any suspenseful books lately?

Do you still run outside when the weather is less than ideal?

Treadmill: love it or hate it??

Today started out with a 6 mile long run with my running buddy. We met up over at the Huckleberry Trail (where last week’s race was). It was really windy when we started out, and we were both freezing! But then we warmed up and the wind died down some as we got further out on the trail. It was a really enjoyable run and I felt good, which is a nice change from how things have been recently. The weather also really helped- it is absolutely gorgeous outside today. The temperature is in the high 40’s and there’s not a cloud in the sky.

Huckleberry Trail, but not from today’s run. There aren’t that many leaves on the trees right now.

Once I got home I did level 1 of Jillian 30 day shred, keeping to my 30 day commitment. Today was day 7 and I continue to get more comfortable with the workout. The squats and static lunges were tough today, since my legs were already a little tired. Oh and I still have not invested in some hand weights, so I continue to workout with my cans of apple pie filling.

Now I’m enjoying a hot mug of coffee before I get some laundry and cleaning done. Then later today it’s the Daytona 500! Go Harvick!! Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let’s go racing, boys!

And tonight it’s the Oscars (also known as the 85th Academy Awards… but they don’t want you to call it that because it makes it sound old). Such an exciting day of television, haha! I love movies and I’m excited to see who wins in each of the categories. Did anyone see this week’s episode of The Middle where they put up decorations and filled out ballots? Yea… I’m not that excited (to Barry’s relief).

Are you going to watch the race today? How about the Oscars?

Do you have a routine weekly cleaning regimen?
I dust the living room and sweep & swiffer the floors in the hall, living room, dining room, and kitchen each week. It’s a must since we have indoor dogs.

Yesterday was a rest day from running. I did complete day 5 of Jillian 30 day shred before work and it continues to get a little easier. I am able to do all of the moves without modification except the push ups. I did the first set up on my toes, but on the second set I only did 10 before switching to knee push-ups. I think I will be ready for level 2 when day 10 rolls around.

Nothing really exciting to report from yesterday. I worked, I came home and read the newspaper (which I love doing), and I fixed breakfast for dinner- biscuits, gravy, eggs, and sausage. I did finish reading a really good book: Open Season by C.J. Box. It has nothing to do with running or exercising, just a good read. The last half of the book got really suspenseful, and I stayed up 1.5 hours past my bedtime last night to finish it because I couldn’t put it down. Thanks for suggesting it, Dad!

Open Season is the first in a series of “Joe Pickett” novels, and after reading this first one I am hooked. I will definitely be reading the whole series.

Today started out with day 6 of Jillian 30 day shred (still level 1). I felt strong during the workout, but it was still challenging at the same time. I am waiting to do my long run until tomorrow after seeing that the weather forecast for today was for freezing rain and tomorrow’s was for a high of 50 and only 10% chance of rain. Plus my running buddy had something going on this morning, so it’s a win-win.

This afternoon I went grocery shopping, which I almost always love doing. I just get excited about having fresh produce in the fridge and the cabinets stocked (this is the part where Barry would call me a goober). The main point of today’s trip was use a bunch of coupons for things we normally buy that were going to expire. Our grocery store has one of those “valued customer” cards and they mail us coupons for items we’ve bought, based on the valued customer card. I don’t care that they use that card to track what we buy, if it means I get coupons for things we need anyway. I also picked up the ingredients for tonight’s dinner.

[not our actual dinner- mine didn’t look this pretty]

Does anyone else love kielbasa? This is the first time I’ve ever sliced it up and put it in mac & cheese. It was basically a grown-up version of mac & cheese with sliced hot dogs. I am also very excited about the 2 for $4 strawberries I scored at the grocery store today!

Last but not least, check out this evening’s sunset. It looked like the kind of sunsets you see at the beach.

What is your long run this weekend? Anyone racing?

Have you read any good books recently?

I started off my day yet again with Jillian’s 30 Day Shred level 1. I think I mentioned it, but I am planning on doing it for 30 days (going up a level every 10 days) to see where I get. Today was day 4 and I wasn’t feeling as sore. The push ups were a little easier today, too.

Then I went to work and ended up wearing out my legs a fair amount. I spent most of the day on my feet walking around in steel toe boots, which are pretty heavy. They’re at least heavier than the flats I normally wear. There was a lot of climbing stairs, ladders, and ducking under stuff while walking and my legs were feeling it when I got home.

I was planning on a 4 mile progressive run today and even though my legs were feeling worn out I still wanted to stick to the plan. I started out with a 10:26 first mile, then picked it up and ran 9:46, 9:31, and 8:56. It was a tough run, but I felt good and felt accomplished when I finished. It was definitely harder than most of the running I’ve been doing lately. The temperature today was 46 degrees with no wind so I ran in shorts and a t-shirt and didn’t freeze like yesterday.

After my run I swung by Little Caesar’s to pick up dinner, since I had a gift card. I love some $5.99 Little Caesar’s hot and ready pepperoni pizza!

I have a confession to make. When I eat my pizza I take the cheese off, and put the pepperoni back on. I don’t actually eat the cheese at all, and I just like my pizza better that way. I think it tastes less greasy. The strange thing is I like cheese and I like cheese bread, too. Also, if I am eating cold leftover pizza I don’t mind leaving the cheese on. Strange, I know. Want to know what’s even crazier? My best friend also eats her pizza this way. We didn’t meet until high school, but we both were doing that with our pizza before we ever met. Great minds think alike.

The Daytona 500 is this weekend and I’m already excited! I’m also looking forward to watching the Oscars on Sunday. Hurry up and get here, weekend!

Do you have a Little Caesar’s where you live? Ever had pizza from there?

Do you follow Nascar?? If so, who is your favorite driver?

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

I started this morning off again with Jillian’s 30 Day Shred level 1. She is kicking my butt! You’d think when you have enough endurance to run for over 2 hours you could handle 20 minutes of strength/cardio/abs. Well, I can handle it, but it is t-o-u-g-h (and it’s only level 1)!

Jillian’s workout made for some sore quad and calf muscles this evening during my 4 mile run. I ran at a slower pace than yesterday, and it was even windier! I somehow tricked myself into believing it wasn’t as cold or windy as it really was, and I headed out in a technical long sleeve shirt and a pair of shorts… big mistake. I froze, especially during the second half of my run, and had to stand by the woodstove in our basement to thaw out afterwards. Turns out it was 34 degrees outside, and that’s not including the windchill (gusts of 10+ mph today). Overnight last night we had gusts up to 60 mph… I’m glad the house didn’t blow away!

Speaking of last night, the apricot chicken turned out pretty good (it’s my Mom’s recipe) and we’re having it as leftovers for dinner tonight.

Delicious! Does anyone else love that Sparking Ice flavored water? I’m obsessed with the lemonade flavor. I also made these cheddar bay biscuits from Red Lobster. I found the recipe on pinterest and they taste like the real deal!

One last thing to share… check out what I came home to this evening:

That would be our puppy’s crate full of stuffing from her gator toy. Apparently she got bored in her crate while I was at work today so she did that. I guess it’s death to “Gator 3” (as in this is her 3rd one…. don’t ask why I keep buying them for her).

The good news is she’ll still carry it around with her like it’s her baby, even though he’s all unstuffed. No need to invest in “Gator 4” just yet….

How was the weather today where you are?

Do you have any pets?

Any restaurant recipes to share with me??