New Camera

I went with the silver Canon PowerShot 10.0 Megapixel Digital ELPH Camera
(Model: SD790 IS).



I also got an 8-gig memory card, a 2-year warranty, and a cheap camera case. I figured it was worth the $35 to get a two-year warranty when I've already dropped (and broken) two cameras. The camera was on sale for $170 at Best Buy. The reviews are awesome, so I am definitely looking forward to taking some cool pictures. I'll try to practice tonight at the concert so I'll be a pro before Mexico.

Need Rest... Sweet, Sweet Rest

Yesterday was another pretty big workout day. I ran 5K around my neighborhood during my lunch break. I averaged a 9:11 pace and descended each mile down to 8:56... not too shabby considering the muggy weather and the wind. Between work and coaching I went to 24 Hour Fitness and did cardio... 45 minutes on the Stair Climber, 30 minutes on the Elliptical, and 20 minutes on the Stationary Bike. So it was another 2+ hour workout day. I tweaked something in the back of my knee (that little thing that connects your hamstring to your calf). It must have happened during Tuesday's spin class, because it felt the most aggrevated when I was riding the stationary bike yesterday.

Today might be a rest day. I can't decide between making a field trip to Best Buy during my lunch break and buying a camera or working out for 50 minutes at the federal gym. Tonight we're going to the Fleetwood Mac concert. First I need to make a trip home after work to feed Gus and clean his crate. It's tough being a mommy!

This swine flu thing is getting old. Fort Worth ISD closed their schools until at least May 11. It just seems like overkill... so my kids can't go to school, but they can go to swim practice? It just doesn't make much sense. Those same kids are just going to spend their days with friends hanging out in public places. Really I am secretly jealous of Amy who gets a vacation now :)

Some Workout Notes

Monday - Afternoon Workout at 24 Hour Fitness
Row Machine - 15 minutes
Weights - 51 minutes
Elliptical Machine - 30 minutes

Tuesday - Lunch Workout at Club Fed
Spin Class - 39 minutes
Short Treadmill Run - 1.25 miles, 12 minutes

Tuesday - Afternoon Workout at Club Fed
Weights - 50 minutes
Elliptical Machine - 25 minutes

I had a good start to the week. I am still fluctuating between 151-153, and I can't seem to break 150! That will be a monumental achievement since I will lose my Athena status.

Fun Weekend

Friday night was Heidi's birthday. We went to Tokyo Cafe on Camp Bowie, and it was greatness. We had never eaten there before, and I was amazed at how inexpensive the sushi was. Cliff and I had miso soup, quail eggs, octopus, eel, Philadelphia rolls, and California rolls. We enjoyed talking to some of Heidi's friends and trying quail eggs for the first time!

Cliff and I eating our quail egg:


Jeanne, Heidi (The Birthday Girl), and I:


After dinner, Heidi, Jeanne, Cliff, and I headed to the White Elephant bar in the Stockyards. Usually I'm not a "Stockyards person," but it was a fun change of pace. Jeanne's friend plays the steel guitar in a band that was performing there. We had a few drinks and then called it a night.

On Saturday Kristin and Beth hosted a "swim chicks" wedding shower for me at Kristin's house. It was great to see some of my old friends and catch up with everyone. Everyone looked so cute (hooray for dry hair and make-up!).

Beth, Me, Kristin


On Saturday night Cliff and I went to Jamie and Dana's house for one last Euless night before they move to their new house. Cliff and I stopped at Liq-o-Rama, and the V2/Everglow lady sucked me right in again. I ended up buying sweet tea vodka and Everglow (and some Crystal Light powder at Albertson's). I think that is my new favorite drink. It is dangerous. We went over to Jamie and Dana's and they grilled and had some awesome food (mmm deer sausage). We were pretty tired, so we ended up going home when everyone went out to a bar in Grapevine.

Today has been a nice day to veg. We've watched some episodes of The Unit, I took Gus for a walk, and I'm working on our California invitations. I switched my telework schedule around next week, so I'm working from home tomorrow, which makes Sunday feel a little nicer!

Workouts... On Friday I did a short 1.73-mile run around our neighborhood, 60 minutes on the elliptical, and 15 minutes on the stationary bike. Saturday was a much-needed "off" day (mostly because it was filled with eating, drinking, and being merry). On Sunday I lifted for 41 minutes (biceps, triceps, and abs) and then did 30 minutes on the elliptical. It was definitely a phat weekend, so I am back on the Operation Wedding Dress wagon after a day and a half of being carefree.

Boot Camp!

I felt like crud this morning. I fell asleep pretty early last night since I was so tired from the night before. I got a GusGus doggie wake-up alarm at 4:22 this morning. My throat was sore (post-nasal drip) and there was quite a bit of congestion in my chest. I decided to suck it up and try boot camp. Since I was up early, I did a short 2.37 mile run (6 loops around the park) beforehand. Then I managed to stick it out through the whole boot camp (1 hour). I like boot camp once I'm there doing it, it's just hard to get myself to go (especially with the drive... working from home spoils me).

I have a lunch date at Pei Wei today with Kit and Amy, so no lunch workout for me. I'm leaving work early for a doctor's appointment, and then I have a massage (hiphiphooooray!) at 7:00 tonight. I am looking forward to the weekend... Heidi's birthday dinner on Friday night, swim chicks wedding shower on Saturday, and Euless night out on Saturday night. Should be fun!

*Cough*

I forced myself to go to the gym for an hour yesterday even though I felt pretty bad. I did 30 minutes on the stair climber and 30 minutes (3.15 miles @ 6.2 mph pace) on the treadmill.

I have to give props to Cliff for tackling the yard work for over 2 hours yesterday after he got home from work. I did my wifey duties in the kitchen and made chicken soft tacos for dinner and also made our lunches. By the time we were ready to eat, it was 7:00... late by our dinner standards! We watched The Biggest Loser and an episode of The Unit (one of our Netflix series). We got a horrible night's sleep. It was hot (blasted 95 degrees today - what the heck?) and I was congested and coughing. Somehow I got up at 4:25 this morning to go to the gym even though I probably got about 4 hours of sleep.

I had a good upper body & ab workout with an hour of weights. Then I did 30 minutes on the upright stationary bike. Today at lunch I did 25 minutes on the stairmaster and 25 minutes on the elliptical.

I'm going to head over to Luke's, Banana Republic, and White House/Black Market over on University in between work and coaching. I need a smaller fuel belt, some running socks, and a dress to wear at our California brunch/reception. And really it's just an excuse to shop :)

Uggghhh...

I totally feel like I am coming down with a cold. I'm congested, and my throat is a little sore. I'm hoping that I just need to catch up on sleep.

Monday Workouts:
40 minutes on the Elliptical

Swim Workout (46 minutes, 2500 yards):
1,000 freestyle swim
5 x 100's flutter kick w/ fins @ 1:45
16 x 25's (8 no-breather freestyle @ :45, 8 butterfly breathing every 2 strokes @ :40)
500 freestyle pull, breathing every 7 strokes on every 4th length
Easy 100

Muscle Flex class (30 minutes)

20 minutes on the Stairmaster

Bulldog Play Date Pictures

Charlie, who looks like Gus's dad!


Butters, who I absolutely adore.




Gus and Magnolia, his potential gilfriend


Bulldog love!


Sasha was a little mad about the destruction of her toys.

Saturday Du - Semi-Long Run and Doggie Play Date

Shawna and I ran 10 miles this morning along the Trinity (ahhhh... nice and flat!). We didn't really notice the tailwind on the way out, but then we caught a headwind on the way back. I was going to try to make the whole 10 miles without a gel, but I was hurting at about 6.5, so that plan didn't last.

10 miles, 1:36:57 (9:41 pace, 152 avg HR)
Mile 1 - 9:31, 139 HR
Mile 2 - 9:22, 148 HR
Mile 3 - 9:40, 153 HR
Mile 4 - 9:28, 152 HR
Mile 5 - 9:38, 157 HR
Mile 6 - 9:28, 155 HR
Mile 7 - 9:48, 157 HR
Mile 8 - 10:05, 153 HR
Mile 9 - 9:59, 154 HR
Mile 10 - 9:54, 156 HR

I will try to post some doggie play date pictures in a day or two. I need to shower, pack, and head to Oklahoma. I have a date with the wilderness.

Chillaxin.

I was super lazy today. I worked from home, so I sat around in my pajamas from 6-2:30 while I was on the computer. I didn't start feeling productive until 3ish, when I took Gus for a walk, coached, stopped at Pet Smart (needed a harness for Gus for doggie play date tomorrow), and then worked out at 24 Hour. Normally I'm not an evening workout person, so 7:00 was late for me. I did 43 minutes of weights and then cranked out 20 hard minutes on the stationary bike (I was sweating Phillipee/Sione style). I went about 250 calories over today since I managed to do a lot of boredom eating.

Tomorrow is going to be really busy. I'm running 10 miles with Shawna, and we're going to the bulldog play date at 10 am. Then I'm driving to Ardmore. I am trying to figure out if I'm going to go home in between or just go straight from the park to Oklahoma. It's hard living in the middle of nowhere.

I was trying another 2 weeks of no drinking, but I had a glass of wine and about 5 ounces of sake last night with our sushi dinner. At least I exercised some moderation :) If we're going camping on Saturday, I'm thinking I might need to buy some special sauce to get me through it.

Boo-friggin-yeah.

151.5 this morning... shedding the poundage. I'm dangerously close to falling out of the Athena category. Heck yeah!

Last night I had my kids do the 8 x 50's freestyle test set where they try to make all 8 on a low-rest interval (45, 50, 55, 1:00, 1:05, 1:10). My brain was fried by the end, and I stopped a few kids (thinking they missed the interval when they didn't). Seriously, how did my coaches manage the craziness?! I am really good with numbers too. Maybe I just need like 20 years of practice?

I slept in (if 5:30 constitutes sleeping in) this morning and carpooled with Cliff. I managed a 5.5-mile dreadmill run @ 10-minute mile pace. I have been running faster than that, and I'm not sure why I hurt so much. Maybe I need a little recovery. I wore a dress to work, so obviously I'm out of sorts.

Finally!

During the two weeks between the couples shower and bachelorette party, I was SUPER good. I followed my calories and macronutrient ratios, I worked out a bunch, and I didn't drink (yikes!). Well I stayed at 153.5... booooo! Now I'm on another "be good for 2 weeks" kick (with the same aforementioned guidelines) and after just 3 days I hit 152.5. So hopefully this is the start of some poundage shedding :) I'm only 7.5 pounds away from the wedding goal of 145.

Yesterday was really busy. I spoke to the accounting society at Texas Wesleyan University about government accounting, ran some errands, and worked out for an hour at 24 Hour Fitness. I did 11 minutes of weights (I know that sounds like nothing, but I did an hour of weights the day before), 20 minutes on the Stair Climber, and 30 minutes on the Elliptical. I made Cliff and I some chicken soft tacos for dinner and we watched an episode of The Unit (our new Netflix series) and then Biggest Loser.

This morning I got up early and did a 4.55-mile run in our neighborhood. I went into the office today since my friend Anh is having a baby shower. At lunch I did 25 minutes on the Stairmaster and 25 minutes of weights. I am determined to have Michelle Obama arms for my wedding dress.

Some Bachelorette Pictures

Stacy, Me, Stephanie, Heidi, and Sandra at the hotel pre-party festivities


Jeanne, Shawna, and I at Cantina Laredo


Me, Shawna, and Stacy taking our first shot of the night (Patron... thank you, Shawna!)


Jamie, Melissa, Sandra, Heidi, Stacy, Me, and Leslie chillin' at the table.


Leslie, Melissa, Me, Space Rockers, and Jamie (the band was so much fun!)


And then there are the dance pix...










Who knows.


I love this pic cuz my legs look great! haha

Back on the Wagon

I've somehow managed to skip over the bachelorette party, but I am planning to post some pictures and maybe an entertaining story (like how to throw up sprinkles!) or two within the next day or two.

I worked a half day on Friday and checked out the new 24 Hour Fitness in Lake Worth (Grand Opening). I did 30 minutes on the adjustable stride elliptical machine (my first time to ever use that type of cardio equipment... kind of like moonwalking!), 30 minutes of weights, and 30 minutes on the upright stationary bike. My new favorite exercise is the Ab Solo where you grab a medicine ball, lay back and do a tricep extension, throw the ball at the target as you do a sit-up, and then pick up the other ball and repeat. It is like throwing a medicine ball with an imaginary partner. I also love the Hoist weight machines. The seat moves with you, and it's a lot more fluid and seems to get your core involved. Also, I just love new, shiny, virgin weights and cardio machines.

After my workout I got my hair and nails done. The rest is the bachelorette story which will be told at a later date (I'll try to build the suspense a bit.). Let's just say Friday night (more like Saturday morning since it was 2 am) involved A LOT of snacking, and it was downhill from there. We went to Cici's for lunch on Saturday, and then we followed that up with Pulido's for dinner (where I ate my weight in chips and salsa). I was up 3.5 pounds after Friday and Saturday night - ICK. So I was ready to get back on the wagon yesterday, and I did. I lifted weights for 30 minutes and did 45 minutes on the elliptical machine. I ate under 2,000 calories, which was below my 2,275 target.

Today was a great Monday Guilt Workout day :) I got up early and went to 24 Hour Fitness. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical, 30 minutes of weights, and 30 minutes on the stationary bike. For my lunch workout, I went to the federal gym and did the ab class (15 minutes) and muscle flex class (30 minutes). I'm going to be super sore after 90 minutes of weights these past two days. That is a lot for me (shhhh, don't tell my cardiologist).

It's going to be a long day. I caoch from 5-6, and then we have a coach's meeting which is supposed to be an hour long (ugghhh). I get cranky if I have to wait that long to eat dinner!

Boot Camp Dodger

Somehow I managed to bail on boot camp twice today. I missed Shawna boot camp in the morning, and then I missed Kim boot camp (federal gym) at lunch.

This morning I got up early and did a 3.36-mile run around the Golf Club/Lake Country loop which was a super good hill workout. I need to download my Garmin data to see the elevation. That was my third run in a row this week. I think I am going to try to incorporate a tempo run and a hill run on a more consistent basis. My running is FINALLY starting to not suck. Even though I have lost 12 pounds, I've had so much variety in my workout regimen that nothing is really improving.

My lunchtime workout was mostly weights... 53 minutes. I've gotta tone the pipes for the wedding dress :)

Bachelorette party is TOMORROWWWWW!!!

Wednesday Workouts

I got in over 2 hours of workouts during the day... so not too shabby.

Morning Break (18 minutes, 10 seconds):
25 bicep curls, 30 chick push-ups, 30 sit-ups, 25 tricep extensions, 50 crunches
25 bicep curls, 30 chick push-ups, 30 sit-ups, 25 tricep extensions, 50 crunches
25 bicep curls, 2 x 15 chick push-ups, 30 sit-ups, 25 tricep curls, 50 crunches
25 bicep curls, 2 x 15 chick push-ups, 30 sit-ups, 25 tricep curls, 50 crunches

Lunch Break Neighborhood Run (3.10 miles, 28:13)
9:06, 9:05, 9:05 miles (How's that for consistency?)

Afternoon Gym Workout:
30-minutes on the Stationary Bike (I'm on an "upright stationary bike" kick, and I love flipping between Ellen and Dr. Phil.)
Swim Workout (2,700 yards; 48 minutes, 48 seconds)...
Warm-up (300 freestyle swim, 300 freestyle pull, 300 flutter kick with fins)
8 x 50's breaststroke (odds - kick/swim, evens - swim/kick) @ 1:00
8 x 50's freestyle pull, breathing every 7 strokes @ :55
8 x 50's fly, fly/back, back, back/breast, breast, breast/free, free, free/fly @ :50
8 x 50's freestyle w/ finger paddles, breathing every 5 strokes @ :50
Easy 200 Warm-Down

I was originally planning on going to girl's night at Jeanne's, but I am a little stressed with all of the stuff I need to get done around the house. Off to write thank-you notes and do some cleaning!

... and one day closer to Friday!!!

Domestic Nizz

I took our new crockpot for a test spin today! I did the original pot roast recipe (roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery). It came out fantastic, and I think I scored fiance points.

Today was a pseudo-recovery day. During my morning break, I did a set of arms and abs:
15 bicep curls, 25 chick push-ups, 15 tricep curls, 50 crunches
25 bicep curls, 25 chick push-ups, 25 tricep curls, 50 crunches
15 bicep curls, 25 chick push-ups, 15 tricep curls, 50 crunches
25 bicep curls, 25 chick push-ups, 25 tricep curls, 50 crunches

During my lunch break I did a 3.62-mile run in the neighborhood. Considering I gave it a pretty easy effort, I was happy with 9:35, 9:20, 9:08 (descending) miles.

At 3:30 I had a Cynthia massage. My back and neck were SOOOO messed up. It was just what I needed.

Our travel agent just called and our Mexico trips went down a TON! That was totally unexpected.

Monday Workouts

It's been awhile since I've gotten up early to go to 24 Hour Fitness (except for last week's swim). I set the alarm for 4:30 and that allowed for an hour and 25 minute workout. I could have pushed it a little longer, but I thought traffic on I-35 would be worse. I did an hour on the stationary bike (I've been on a little kick with that lately... the upright one makes me feel like I'm actually doing something to benefit my cycling component of the triathlon), 15 minutes of rowing (thank you, Biggest Loser), and 10 minutes of abs. During my lunch workout today I did 45 minutes of weights (arms).

I went to the Post Office today to check the postage on the wedding invitations, and I am good to go with standard postage. So I am going to stamp and seal tonight and send them off tomorrow! One more thing to check off the list!

Swim-a-licious.

I met Heidi, Matt, and Sara at 24 Hour Fitness for a swim workout. We did the same workout as Wednesday. KILLA.

Workout (Short Course Meters):
400 warm-up, 300 kick, 300 pull, 400 drill/swim by 25's, 100 breaststroke kick
8 x 50's at 400 pace @ 1:00 (38 average)
200 easy kick, 200 easy pull
10 x 100's at Half Ironman (mile) pace @ rest :30 (1:20's on first 5, 1:19's on second 5)
100 easy
1000 kick with fins
100 easy
Total Yardage: 4,500 meters (1:31:32)

I had a FANTASTIC effort on the 50's and 100's. I thought I was going to puke at the end of the 100's. It felt like I was getting slower and the piano was dropping on my back, but I actually got a second faster on the second half of the set. Go me!

After the swim workout I stopped at Old Navy (practically next door). I felt a little bad about declining Heidi's church invitation. I bought so many things at Old Navy. It was ridiculous.

Old Navy, Old Navy, Old Navy Performance Fleece!

3 pairs of short shorts (khaki, light blue, black)
2 denim mini skirts (size 8, b!tches!... just like high school... HOLLLLAAA)
Khaki skirt
Bikini #205 for Mexico (white with hot pink tropical flowers and bright orange string)
Cute flip flops
Flat sandals (silver strap)
Beach bag and cute little coin purse
Sandals for Cliff
2 pairs of swim trunks for Cliff

I was quite excited that my mini skirts were size 8 and my shorts were size 10. I was wearing size 12. I've always had a big waist for some reason, and I wore an 8 in high school. So I am doing back flips right now while I type. I'm quite the multi-tasker.

I grabbed a sandwich at Potbelly and headed to Super Walmart to do our grocery shopping. SUCH A BEAT-DOWN. We're going to try out our new crockpot this week, so I bought a roast and veggies. I think I'm going to do salads tonight. Cliff needs some detoxing after a weekend in Ardmore.

Spontaneous Long Run

I have been trying to diversify my training to sort of "shock" my body into losing weight. So I have been doing a variety of things and not much running. We did a 12-miler two weeks ago, I think I did one short run last week, and then I did a 12-miler today. Dan ran the first 4 miles with Shawna and I, and then Shawna and I continued on together for about 2 more miles before she dropped me.

Course: Trinity (4 miles), Colonial/Overton Park/Foster Park out-and-back course (8.33 miles)
Time: 1:59:13 (9:40/mile pace)
Distance: 12.33 miles
Average HR: 156
Mile 1 - 9:47, 135 HR
Mile 2 - 9:58, 154 HR
Mile 3 - 9:35, 151 HR
Mile 4 - 9:40, 149 HR
Mile 5 - 9:20, 159 HR
Mile 6 - 9:22, 162 HR
Mile 7 - 9:49, 163 HR
Mile 8 - 9:59, 161 HR
Mile 9 - 9:33, 158 HR
Mile 10 - 9:33, 159 HR
Mile 11 - 9:46, 160 HR
Mile 12 - 9:45, 162 HR
Last 0.33 - 9:09 pace, 165 HR

After the run I headed over to 24 Hour Fitness and did a 2600-meter recovery swim (500 freestyle swim, 500 kick with fins, 500 pull, 500 kick with fins, 500 with finger paddes, easy 100). Then I met Shawna and Amy at Pei Wei for lunch before we went shopping at the Hulen Mall. I found two really cute dresses. I am quite excited. I got a zebra-print strapless dress at Express, and I think I'm going to wear that at the bachelorette party with some snazzy red shoes (if I can find some). I got another strapless dress at The Limited which had colored stripes. It looked very Mexico-esque. Oh, and I must brag about the size SMALL dress I tried on at Express (and somehow it fit). That might have been the highlight of my weekend :)

I have had a stellar OWD week. I've been spot-on with my calories and macro nutrient percentages and workouts, and I am sticking to my 2 weeks of sobriety (until the bachelorette party). Yesterday I did 40 minutes on the stationary bike and 35 minutes of weights (arms and abs). On Thursday I did 40 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes on the stationary bike.

Cliff went to Oklahoma this weekend, so GusGus and I are fending for ourselves. I finished addressing the Texas reception invitations last night, and I feel like I still have so much stuff left to do. I need to pick up our wedding rings at Zales and do the grocery shopping. I'm meeting Heidi for a swim tomorrow morning, so I also want to look for shoes at DSW and some shorts or skirts at Old Navy. Is it dorky to wear jean shorts these days? Shawna told me NO JEAN SHORTS. I don't really have any other kind though... just one pair of khaki shorts that have some stains on them. I guess I'll mostly be wearing dresses in Mexico though, but I would like some shorts.

A Dip in the Pool

Yesterday was my first swim workout following the zone meet. I have been so conflicted with what I want to do about swimming. A part of me wants to get after it, train hard, and maybe go to Nationals (especially Puerto Rico next year) and sign up for some open water swims. The other part of me wants zero swimming commitment. Then there's the masters swimming dilemma. Do I continue to swim on my own at 24 Hour Fitness, or do I go back to early morning practices with the team? After my 1650/400 IM double on Friday night, and 5-event and 2-relay jam-packed day on Saturday, apparently the impression that I left on my team was that I flaked out on Sunday (when I had originally told our coach repeatedly that I did not plan on going since we had the wedding shower on Saturday night and house guests). Lesson learned... I need to stop waivering on decision-making and not say "maybe" when I feel guilty. So I am a little bitter about this at the moment, and I don't want to base my decision on emotion. That being said, I emailed my 24 Hour Fitness friends on Tuesday, and Heidi and Sara were up for a Wednesday morning workout.

Workout (Short Course Meters):
500 kick with fins
400 freestyle swim, 100 breaststroke kick, 100 IM drill, 100 skull/swim, 100 breaststroke kick
8 x 50's freestyle, 400 pace @ 1:00
250 freestyle kick, 250 freestyle pull (easy)
10 x 100's, half IM pace @ rest :30
300 easy freestyle
Total: 3,500 meters, 1:21:16

I averaged 38's on the 50's at 400 pace. I'm glad Heidi brought her workout, because I wouldn't have made myself go fast otherwise. So it was a good push to get up and go at the beginning of workout. I decided to go the 10 x 100's IM instead of freestyle since I was in the mood for some variety. That worked out really well because I pushed myself hard trying to stay with Heidi, who was slightly out in front. My times were 1:37 down to 1:32, with about a 1:34-1:35 average. Awesome workout... definitely red-faced at the end :) I had my swimmers do 6-8 100 IM's with relatively low rest last night since I enjoyed the set, and I made their faces red too (pay it forward).