Party like it's your birthday!

My birthday was on Thursday, the 19th. I'm a firm believer in having your special day off, so I took the day off work to spend my whole day doing whatever I wanted. I had only a few things planned but having the day to myself sounded delightful! Here's what I did:

-slept in (for a Thursday, anyway)

-went to the spa for a little waxing

-worked out at the gym

-went grocery shopping (not typically something one might do on their birthday but I actually enjoy it and lucky me...I ran into my good friend, Katherine which is always fun!)

-met my mom & brother for lunch @ Red Butte

-went with my mom for pedicures

-cleaned my house

-had my family over for cake, ice cream & presents

-went with Cardy for pizza (my fave!)

I had such a great day!

Training update

So it's week 4 of my training and I thought I would post an update. Here's what I've discovered so far:

-Running is still a challenge. At this point in the training, I'm still doing a walk/jog combination to increase my stamina
-Everyone on a treadmill at the gym appears to be running at great speeds with complete ease. Everyone except me that is. I'm still a beet red, sweaty mess.
-I do like the feeling I get once I'm done. My profuse sweating makes me feel like I've done a body good.
-I'm a little disappointed in how long it takes me to complete a mile. I'm slow but I don't wear out as quick if I keep a slower pace. Fast = tired. I had a chat with my self and this is not a race, it's a competition to complete my goal, slow is okay with me as long as I finish.
-Taking breaks while training your body to run longer distances is a no-no. This weekend I skied and did the elliptical for cardio. Tuesday was like stepping back in time a week.
-Talking and running...not easy. My cute friend, Alex is also my gym buddy. We keep each other motivated and we love to chit-chat the whole time. This is difficult for me while running.
-My goal this week is to work on my breathing and focus on finding a rhythm that works for me.

Winter Fun!

This winter I was lucky enough to get a season ski pass to Park City. My Dad, my Uncle Steve and some friends (Bruce & Brett) all have season passes as well. It's been a fun time and I've really enjoyed spending time with my Dad. He's a great guy and a pretty awesome skier and I always have a fun time hanging out with him! This bunch is keeps me laughing, never a dull moment with these guys.

I've skied since I was a kid but I usually only make it up to the mountains a couple times a winter so I've really enjoyed having this pass. I'm working on my skills and skiing with an all guy group has forced me to increase my speed. I'm hoping we get more snow so I can have a couple more months of winter fun!

Carbonation - Not for me anymore.

Yep, I gave up carbonation. No more fizzy sodas, throat burning sensations, or icy cold brews (not that I drink that much beer, ask my husband!). Actually, I came up with the idea of giving up carbonation after talking with my nieces and discussing what they were giving up for Lent. They each gave up their favorite food: Chile gave up bacon & Sage gave up hot cocoa (both staples in their diets). As of last week, I hadn't decided what I was going to forgo...in fact, I hadn't given it much thought at all. I even contemplated not giving up anything. As my week went on and the more I thought about it, the guiltier I got. I figure if my nieces can give up their most favorite food for 40 days, I certainly can come up with something. CARBONATION.

I wouldn't say I'm a total soda addict but I do drink my fair share during the week (especially if we go out to eat). It's probably one of a few things in my diet I can stand to cut back and who knows, it might make a difference in my 5K training (no bloated belly for me). Therefore, I'm cutting all carbonated drinks out of my diet for the next 38 days (I started a few days after Ash Wednesday, what can you do?).

So far, so good. We'll see what the rest of the month brings.

COUCH TO 5K

I AM NOT A RUNNER. With that said, I am trying to be a runner. It's something that has never come naturally or easy to me. In fact, if you see me running you might think I'm going to need mouth to mouth resuscitation any minute. I struggle with my breathing, my stamina and endurance are pathetic, and I'm worn out easily. Not to mention, my face turns beet red and I sweat like a mad woman.

So why am I trying to become a runner, you ask? Because it drives me crazy that it's so difficult for me. It's something I've yet to defeat. I ask myself daily, how is that I can do most physical activity for long periods of time, yet I cannot run a mile? Why is it so hard for me? Last year I tried to run a 5K, which I entered and finished but I was not able to run the entire race. I had to stop and walk during the course. This did not satisfy my original goal. The funny thing is I "trained" for the 5k (training for a 5k sounds pathetic, I know). Several weeks into my training, I said to my husband, "I don't think I'm progressing. This isn't getting any easier."

Well needless to say, here I am...training again. I'm using the Couch to 5K program I found online. I used it last year, but this year I'm totally dedicated. I'm going to finish the SL5K if it kills me (and running the entire way). It has made me feel a little better to read of others running struggles on their blogs but this is a personal thing. This is a mental challenge I need to overcome before I can lay it to rest.

Valentine's Day weekend

This year for Valentine's Day, Cardy and I spent the whole day together. We slept in, made pancakes, did a few projects around the house, took a nap, grabbed a bite to eat at one of our favorite restaurants (Mi La Cai), and watched movies. It was great. I loved having the day to spend with him without having any specific place to be or anything to do. I made him promise we would be low key this year. No spending money on silly gifts, no fighting the crowds for dinner at a fancy restaurant...just us, in our house, together. There is no one I would rather spend my time with than my husband. He is truly the funniest person I have ever met and he keeps me smiling constantly.

Friday night we went out with friends to A Bar Named Sue. My cute friend, Alisa, is moving to Colorado Springs for a new job so we had a little going away party for her. Alisa is one of the funnest people I have met while working at Pottery Barn, I'm definitely going to miss her.

Happy Birthday, Mama

5 Reasons I have the BEST Mom:

1. She always puts everyone else's needs before her own

2. I can talk to her about anything and everything. Sometimes we talk 2 or 3 times a day and we never run out of things to talk about

3. She is always there for me and always seems to know what to say when I need her

4. She is my favorite shopping partner. We always have fun together

5. She works hard at everything she does whether it's school, her job, her house, or her garden. I am proud of everything she does

She is a great mom, a special friend, a confidant, and a mentor

Happy Birthday, Mom!