Mondays and Earning Your Sweat

Today I ventured out to the local college's wellness center. I've been slacking on my half training lately (I'm too tired to go in the morning and I'm sure as hell not running in 110 degrees) and decided that today's the day I'm going to get it together.

The gym here is pretty legit (minus the fact that they don't let you wear tank tops?!??? WTF?) and with my box turtle pace lately, I decided that a little dreadmill running will probably do me some good right now. It's basically the only way I can manually control my pace. So here's what I worked with:

• 2 miles at normal pace (which is totally 12 minutes per mile, ugh!)
• 1 mile speed work (I would walk for two minutes, and then crank up the speed for 1 minute, and then start over)
• Jump squats with 10 lb weight (10)
• Jump lunges with 10 lb weight (10)
• High-low planks (30 seconds)
• Plank (30 seconds)
• Crunches (as many as I could do without puking)
• Jump squats with 10 lb weight (10)
• Jump lunges with 10 lb weight (10)
• Stretch and get the FREAK out!

And afterwards, I rewarded myself with some chocolate almond milk, a little beef jerky, and a golden delicious apple.

I feel great today - which definitely says something because I've been in a S-L-U-M-P lately. But it's a new day and I'm ready to kick some ass!

HAPPY MONDAY. Get yo' sweat on.

see Sam run Saturday: The Life of Sam Told Through a Series of iPhone Pictures

Greetings, readers. I write to you today from the depths of a dark and squashy couch, wrapped in a blanket, wearing a Dead Head shirt and a pair of winter pj pants (that just so happen to match and that makes my OCD heart a little happy) with awesome hangover hair.

Positives: Last  night I burned some major calories twerkin' it (I can't even pull off typing that.)
Negatives: I drank way too much on an empty stomach and now I am in my final hours before death surely carries me away.

PS: I'm completely over dramatic when I feel icky.

Since Healthy Little Me has come back to our little blogging world, she feels the need to remind me to post if I haven't done so before lunch time (oh God, let's not mention food.) 

So what AM I going to post about today? Life. In all it's crazy glory, via iPhone pictures.

**WARNING: YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET AN OVERLOAD OF PICTURES OF RANDOM THINGS THAT MAKE UP MY LIFE**

Have you ever just browsed through your photos on your phone? (assuming you have a camera on your phone and aren't living in a nursing home).  They tell a story. Your story.

The story of where you live...

...and of where you "work" (I mean, really, who can call this 'work'?)...

...the stories of the repercussions of said work (don't forget sunscreen)...

...stories of temptations...

...stories of nights you'll never forget...

...and the ones you wish you could...

...stories of where you came from...

...and how very little has changed...

...and how very much it has...

To quote one of the best movies of all time, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, "life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

And let's not forget the fitness portion while we're at it. I've logged over 60 miles in bike time since mid July and I've ran twice - I'll get better on the running, I promise.

Healthy Little Me 101

Happy Friday, ya'll. Thought I'd share an idea I stole from another blog today. Presenting - Healthy Little Me 101

21 Facts about HLM

1. I am currently starting to panic with this whole facts thing - am I interesting enough to come up with 21 facts to dazzle you with?

2. I make fun of hipsters but I like to dress like them.

3. I am super socially awkward when I'm hungover.

4. The Price is Right might be (read: definitely is) my favorite show.

5. I want to participate in a flash mob really badly.

6. I am madly in love with coffee. And I drink it black, like cowboys do.

7. I wear fake push up bras all the time. But I'm pretty sure I'm only fooling myself.

8. I fly a lot. And I love making friends on airplanes. Yes - I'm the annoying girl who wants to talk to you on your flight.

9. I really love giving advice - even when you don't want it.

10. Aside from doggy paddling like an idiot, I don't know how to swim. And all of my friends do - which embarrasses me. I need to take lessons but I'm afraid I'll look stupid.

11. I can't chew gum without swallowing it. And the seven year thing is total bullshit - because I would be dead right now from inner-gum clogging if that were true.

12. I have no idea what my blood type is. But I have memorized my social security number, driver's license number, and checking account number.

13. If it were up to me, I would never shave my armpits or legs. But the boyfriend kind of ruins that - something about fur being a turn off? I digress...

14. I have the most diverse family, ever. My brother is a diver in Bulgaria, my sister is a theatre actress in Chicago, the other sister does nothing in Tennessee, and my parents are financial people in Charlotte.

15. I seriously care more about animals than people.

16. I can fix just about anything with a roll of duct tape.

17. I work in a male-dominated industry. It is unusual to be on a job site where there is more than one woman at a time (me).

18. I own one million pairs of sunglasses. And they are all huge. 

19. I am getting more emotional in my old age. I legit cry over the dumbest, sappiest commercials. You know that lip-synching proposal video that was on youtube? The one with the Bruno Mars song? Yeah, I cry just thinking about it.

20. I don't think you can have enough friends. But that being said, I'm kind of snobby when it comes to those in my circle.

21. Remember how I said Price is Right is my favorite show? Yeah, so is Jeopardy. I'm an old woman when it comes to TV.

3 Legitimate Fears

1. Drowning

2. Failure

3. Cockroaches (southerners call them "waterbugs" or "Palmetto bugs" ugh!)

Describe My Relationship with My Significant Other

It's about as perfect as a relationship can be considering the fact that we've been dating for almost five years and I've been gone 75% of the past year for work. He is my best friend and partner. I honestly couldn't have taken the crazy ass leap in career choice that I did if it wasn't for his support. I am totally in love and I'm probably going to marry this one.

He went RUNNING with me last time I was home just because he wanted to spend as much time with me as possible. Anyone who knows the boyfriend knows that this might be the sweetest shit they've ever heard based on the fact that the boy HATES to run.

What would I Tell My 16 Year Old Self

1. Don't cry over breaking up with Ben. He's not that cool.

2. Always look in the rearview mirror before you back out of the driveway or you might (read: definitely will) back into your father's brand new company car.

3. Pay more attention in Algebra II or you'll regret it in college. 

4. Don't use box-Feria to color your hair. Just don't.

5. Give Meagan Clifton her Hollister skirt back.

Things That Make Me Happy

Being home, my boyfriend, my animals, my friends, running, alcohol, Hoda and Kathie Lee, nail polish, new clothes, shoes, business class on planes, and afternoon naps.

July, Schmuly.

Let's be real. Every post I've had in the past few months has started with some drawn out apology/excuse for my extended absence. And I'm kind of tired of it. Life is cray, ya'll. Shit happens. But I finally dug up the courage to return to my roots of Healthy Little Me and get back on my blogin' grind.

The truth is - this past month has taken a lot out of me. I've been handed a nasty deal of cards with regards to work lately and it's drained me more mentally than physically. And I couldn't find anything to post about. This blog is called Here Comes Healthy Little Me, not Here Comes Anxious, Stressed, Frustrated, Bitter Little Me. But I had a come-to-Jesus moment with myself a few days ago and have decided that I'm going to take these lemons and make the most delicious lemonade I've ever tasted with it. And I'm not going to let a little stress get me down or stand in my way of posting.

Anyway, life is going on - happy or not. 

I got sent back to Wyoming for a week. I seriously love that place in the summertime. We were waiting on work to start for the first few days in Casper so I took advantage of the free time and found a cool running trail that follows the Platte River. There are some decent white water rapids at this point in the river and it was fun watching the rafters/kayakers/boogie boarders (yes you heard that last one right) while I ran. 

Speaking of running, this whole I'm registered for a half-marathon thing is really effing with my head. I feel like I've been self-sabotaging myself ever since I committed and running feels like such a chore lately. I think the problem is that I've been only cranking out short distances (2 or 3 miles). The first couple of miles is always the hardest - and I'm not giving myself the distance to really break out and get beyond that mental point. But, I'm determined to turn this thing around. I've got three months before the race and I'm doing it, happy or not. I bought a daily-planner at Wal-Mart the other day and planned out my daily mileage goals for training. It's time to GET WITH IT and I'm ready to bring my A-game. 

Have you ever seen someone give a cat a bath? It's the weirdest most hilarious thing ever. That's really all I've got on that topic. Except for the fact that I probably have the cutest boyfriend in the world. 

Having friends is so important and special in life. And having friends that own boats is even more kickass. Last week when I was home, I got to venture out for a day of boating, drinking, and wading in the intercoastal waterway. Annnnd it was great.

Why yes, my dog does have her own lifejacket. She LOVES to swim and likes to follow everyone to the deep part far out and I don't really trust her physical agility sometimes (I mean she is somewhere between eight and ten years old) so here's my overbearing mother-type solution. Not to mention, look how stylish she is compared to the other dog. 

see Sam run is living in my house right now and it's magical. Although it's short-lived (I'm only home one week out of the month lately and she's only living with me until the end of August), we are having a blast. Friday night we went out for Thai food and then rocked cutoff tank tops while bar hopping. And flexing. She is soooo a part of my wolfpack (Hangover reference) except for the fact that she gets mad when I say YOLO. Oh well, #YOLO. 

Speaking of flexing - we (me, Sam, and boyfriend) decided to venture out on a little bike ride Sunday afternoon. We biked from our house downtown to the beach and back. Only 26 miles - no biggie! And once we got to the beach, we ate and slammed down two pitchers of PBR (sooo classy) before heading back to our house. Drunk exercise is still exercise, right?

Happy Thursday. I'll try to quit being such a shady blogger. 

#YOLO

see Sam run: Blog on Blog Action (The Oatmeal)

I know I never double post, but I thought you should read this hilarious comic by one of my all time favorite blogger/funny man/comic writers, The Oatmeal...

The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances


Enjoy!

see Sam run Saturday: Zombies, Jobs, and Delts, oh my!

I am a nerd. 

I have no shame.

That being said, I want to introduce you all to the Zombies, Run! app (I am in no way paid by this product, I just love zombies.) This app makes me grin like an idiot while I'm running, which I'm sure is entertaining for onlookers. Once you download it, you'll see that your base camp is called "Abel Township" and this is your new home. Your helicopter has been hit with a missile - which is uber mysterious, because who has missiles in a zombie apocalypse?! - and you've landed in Abel and have now become known as "Runner Five". Certain leaders from the the township will talk to you via headset (you can't reply, obviously) and you're tasked with missions in order to earn your keep. Each run is its own mission and you collect helpful items along the way and learn more about the outbreak, the neighbors, the people in town, and your mysterious arrival. All of this plays through your earbuds along with your favorite running tunes. After each song, there's a new transmission and info from Abel. As if that's not fun enough, there's this gem called "Zombie Chase".

HELL YES.

When you enable Zombie Chase mode, you're adding in interval training to your run. At some point in your mission the person you're communicating with from Abel will notify you that there is a zombie horde hot on your tail! You can hear the grunts and moans and a beeping in your earbuds. As the horde gets closer, they get louder and the beeping gets faster. You must increase your speed by 20% for one  minute in order to escape unharmed. It's challenging and oh so much fun!

As you progress through the missions you earn points and can help build up Abel, which is nice and all but I'm in for the story and the zombie chases. Try it out!

 

 In other news, I have moved out of my house and into a bedroom at Casa de Healthy Little Me. It's different having roommates again, but I enjoy being downtown and able to walk and ride my bike places. Speaking of which, I rode 15 miles the other day! I haven't done that in a few years and it felt wonderful. One of the best feelings in the world, to me, is coasting down a hill or bridge while standing up on a bike with the wind in your face. I plan to do many more miles while I'm here.

The summer job is going well. If you don't remember, I work as an instructor/counselor for an educational marine science camp here in town. It's the best summer job EVER! I get to boogie board, kayak, fish, and fossil collect all week long! And my tan is coming along nicely... except for the horrible Keens tan lines on my feet.

Also, kayaking and loading and unloading equipment have not been bad for my arms. Check out the baby delts popping out and saying "what's up?"

Since this job only lasts the summer, I have been applying for jobs like a mad woman and even applied for a few paid internships. I have had two interviews for two of those internships and landed the first! This fall I will be an earth science educator out at Congaree National Park. I am super excited!

The other internship is my dream job. It's a curatorial position at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah! I interviewed with them Tuesday and I think it went well. Everyone cross your fingers so that I can post see Sam run Saturdays amongst dinosaur fossils! 

Make the most of your Saturday, readers. Go do something active and fun!

-see Sam run

Sun's Out, Run's Out.

So, I've been getting more used to Oklahoma. And I learned a little local secret about running - go in the morning! I have to send out some reports for work everyday at around 5 am and the sun comes up around 6 so I've been heading out for some really beautiful sunrise runs and have been able to beat the heat (thankfully!). And even though I'm not too much of a morning person, I'm kind of loving this new routine. 

For starters, over the past year with all of my traveling I've learned an important lesson: there's no better way to discover a new place than to run around it. And in the early morning at dawn, I feel like I have the whole place to myself. It's just me and the pavement and the adorable little town of Alva. 

I guess there are a lot of country roads out here and a lot of the people I work with like to run on them. But ya'll - there are TARANTULAS and SCORPIONS and RATTLESNAKES and God knows what else out here in this area and so I've decided to keep to the pavement and have stuck around the town square instead. 

You should be jealous of this sunrise!

Adorable little boutiques around downtown Alva.

77 degree weather? Yes, please and thank you!

Running in the morning is such a different energy and atmosphere than any other time of day. And I've found myself craving a different type of music on these runs. Instead of my usual mix of bumping club music (Flo Rida, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj, Wiz Khalifa, etc.), I want to listen to something a little more chill (enter: Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Minus the Bear, John Mayer, Band of Horses, T Swift). 

So far, half marathon training is going well - but I'm still nervous and scared just thinking about the daunting task of trotting 13.1 motherfreaking miles. Whatevs, I'll do it.

But today I'm heading back to good ol' North Carolina for a week. I'm ready for some sea-level runs, toes in the sand, and maybe a few fireworks to celebrate good old 'Merica. see Sam run is moving in (temporarily) this month so I need to do some house cleaning and make way for her, as well!

Happy Tuesday, everybody! What's your favorite thing about morning runs?