Welcome weekend!

I'm glad it's the weekend. A few days rest then back to work again. There are no races planned this weekend but I signed up for a last minute 5k for next weekend. (Am I addicted to this running thing?) The mayor in Nashville has challenged the city of Nashville to walk/run a 5k with him. It's a free event and takes place in downtown Nashville. I'm looking forward to the challenge! I think it's great Mayor Dean is taking steps to make Nashville a healthier place to live. The south has a reputation of obesity and this is a great way to change that. Here's more information about the challenge:
Mayor's 5k Challenge

Nashville Centennial Park

Here is a map of the course: http://maps.nashville.gov/Mayors5K_Challenge/

But this weekend I will rest and enjoy time with my family. Tonight we are playing Rock Band in our living room and having a blast! I hope to spend some time with my one week old grand-daughter too!

Phoenix

Hotter Than Hades Virtual Half - Ready, Set, GO!

July 15 begins the Hotter than Hades Virtual Half Marathon. I was anxious to get to the gym to get some miles in. I printed off my race bib from their website, but I didn't wear it at the gym.

My race bib!

I had the best running interval workout in weeks! I was so proud of myself. For the last few weeks, I have had terrible foot/ankle pain when running. I started off wearing an ankle brace, but removed it after the first interval. It's very uncomfortable on the bottom of my foot. Usually when doing the intervals, I am fine for the first few but then I get tired or the pain starts. This didn't happen today. I guess this is why runners run. Everyone has bad days but you keep running for the good days. I ran 2.5 miles in 40 minutes and cooled down on the stationary bike for about 20 minutes. It was a great workout! Now, I'm able to log 2.5 miles for the virtual half.

After cooling down, I came home to spend time with my family. I had a glass or two of Merlot and we played Rock Band, one of our favorite family activities. Here is my rocker daughter....

Rocking out!

We are fortunate that we don't really have any plans for the weekend. I welcome that after two weekends of constant activities. Of course, we will do more than be lazy....workouts, family time, back to school shopping, and church will be included. But it's so nice to know we are not on a schedule.

I hope you have a great weekend!

My Birthday

It was a long, exhausting week at work. But I made it! My birthday was on Thursday and I had to work so celebrating was postponed until Friday.

I did get some lovely flowers delivered to my office from my mom and my aunt. And my coworkers bought my lunch from Camino Real, our favorite mexican place. To top off my day, my daughter brought me a decadent cupcake from GiGi's and sang/danced for me! I don't even want to know how many calories that cupcake had.

Birthday flowers!!

I took Friday off work and my husband took me to lunch where I used my birthday coupon I received by email. Nice! I had a few friends over for drinks, snacks and to play Rock Band. We had a good time.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing day to recover from all the alcohol I had last night. I didn't think I drank that much. But my friend made jello shots that tasted like there was double the amount of liquor that should have been in them. They were good but now I'm suffering from a headache. Must have coffee. Lots.

Later today I am scheduled for my monthly massage at Massage Envy. I am looking forward to feeling relaxed and revitalized!

I feel as if I have lost my motivation to exercise. Ugh. I hate it when that happens. I am determined to find a way to get back on track. I have so many options in my home to choose from: Exercise dvd's, treadmill, stationary bike, Zumba and other fitness games on PS3. I don't know what my problem is.

At least I have stuck to the eating healthy plan for the most part. A few splurges now and then, but I have made an effort to pack healthy lunches every day and drink plenty of water.

I know I can do it. I just need to figure out why I lose interest in exercise.
What do you do when you lose motivation? I'd love to hear your comments!

Vacation time

Well, I decided to take some time off work before Christmas. I have vacation time but usually feel like I can't take it because of my hectic work schedule. I'm giving in....I need a break and what better time of the year to take off and spend with my family, than Christmas? I'm looking forward to it. When I get off work Thursday, Dec 16th, I will be off work until Dec 27th. What will I do? I plan on spending some quality time with my teenage daughters. That will probably include eating out and shopping and who knows...maybe a mani or pedi. My high school age daughter, will be out of school also so we can have lots of fun together!

I also want to spend some quality time with my supportive husband, John. Our work schedules do not allow us to spend alot of time together except on the weekends. I look forward to playing Rock Band on our PS3! That's one of our favorite things to do. I haven't broken the news to him yet about my vacation, but hopefully he wont mind. ;)

I will also make some time for working out and setting my goals for 2011. I would also like to do some decorating and organizing to my exercise room. And getting to finish my Christmas shopping early will be great! I usually take vacation days when we are traveling, but it sounds very delightful to take off work and just stay at home.

This is a much needed break for me. Vacation....here I come!

Tonight, I am looking forward to  The Biggest Loser finale show! This has been a great season of the show. I love watching the final episode and seeing the transformations of all the contestants. In my eyes, all of them are winners! They have all accomplished so much. The marathan episode always makes me wonder....can I do it too? Did you vote for Ada or Elizabeth to be the 3rd final contestant? Good luck to all the contestants! I also wonder who will show up from past seasons?