Today's Run = Complete Embarassment

No Really. 

I don't know why i even tried.

Can someone please explain to me how i managed to get sunburnt in the middle of November?

I completely blame Al Gore and his global warming. 

Also the wind was blowing pretty hard and that always adds a few degrees of difficulty anyways.

I cut today's workout short to three miles because I beautifully ran 5 miles at the gym the other day and then rolled my ankle walking across the parking lot to my car. (?!) I thought it was alright, but started giving me a little trouble, so due to that and the melanoma kicking in, I decided to just call it quits. But I've decided to start working on some PR's and hopefully if i get my Garmin Forerunner 405 for Christmas:

I can actually put it to good use. So I got online and found myself a generic 8-week 5k running schedule and am going to start working on my times as well as my distance. Sounds redundantly challenging.

Along with that I will be studying like a mad scientist for the next two weeks, because fall break started friday and finals begin (for me) the day we go back. I bought 600 index cards yesterday! So while I go copy the entire dictionary onto 3x5 cards, I'll leave you with a quote:

*Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.* 

-Oprah Winfrey

self degradation

Ok so yesterday while i was running on the treadmill at work i had an epiphany. My ipod died on my way to work and since I'd rather run barefoot down a gravel road than watch The View i just turned the tv off and  let my mind wander. THATS RIGHT. I was thinking while I was running. Someone probably should have taken a picture because I'm sure it will never happen again. Anyways, so while on the treadmill with no alternate sound blaring in my hears i realized just how LOUD I was. And then i started thinking...

While I'm listening to Beyonce, Brittney, and Shakira

I feel like this:

But in reality, I probably actually look..

like this:

and so I've come up with

Gym Rule #23:

no matter how motivated or sexy you feel, please consider your appearance, if not for your own dignity, at least out of politeness for others.

and under no circumstances is it okay to breathe like actual swine that have acquired the flu.

pooches, parties, and showers. oh my!

Yay! I'm finally back from my blogging sabbatical and have much to report! Last weekend we went to Little Rock for the long awaited bachelorette party and had an amazing time! Thanks so much to all the girls that went and celebrated this exciting time with Madaline!

That night we saw Dane Cook at the Verizon Arena in Little Rock, and then went out to a couple of places on River Market.

Madaline primping in her vail and sash:

We got a suite at our hotel which actually turned out really nice, considering we had so many girls there before we went out.

The next day we went to Novah Natural Therapy Clinic which was absolutely fantastic. I got my first facial and the lady did miracles. I woke up that morning with FIVE pimples (i assume this is due to a night out and then falling asleep on my H1N1 infested bar hand) and she got rid of all of them. Not to mention, I fell asleep three times in the hour and fifteen minutes i was there. The other girls got massages and I do believe they were pretty impressed as well.

Dani and I, spa bound!

(it is unclear to me why my head appears so large in this picture)

On Sunday we went to our hometown for a Holiday Gift Wedding Shower for Mad. The lady that did the cake was very creative, considering the theme was hard to contain with one design. I thought it turned out pretty cute:

Mad and I at the shower:

She got alot of really cute gifts including a prelit chrismas tree! I am so excited for her!

On Tuesday night Apollo ran (and by ran i mean attempted to sniff the tail of the lady dog two feet in front of him while paralyzing his esophagus for an extended period of time and breathing like an asthmatic pug) his very first race. He wore an elf had that had little ears on it. I KNOW. I'm becoming one of THOSE dog owners.. you dont have to tell me. I promise not to put anymore clothes on him at least until his birthday.... If i can resist. I didn't break any records for myself in this race, it actually felt more like a warm up for me, but I think he really had a good time. Except for the elf hat:

I also got my hair cut, but I refuse to post any pictures until I wash it. So you've still got a good three days of anticipation. Just kidding! ... not really tho..

OH! And yesterday I went and got our new doggie! Duke traveled long and far across the swampy marshlands of northeast arkansas to finally arrive at his forever home. Despite him marking EVERYTHING

in the back yard, I think things are going pretty good. Aside from Apollo's sexual orientation. Don't get me wrong, I had my expectations when I got a dog that required more hair products than me, and I will love and support him no matter what he decides to mount, but at this point Duke probably thinks he's been sent to a doggie casting for GLEE!

But I decided I'm going to let them battle that one out on their own.

I'll post new pics soon, as for now I'm off to work.

Todays workout:

-3 m treadmill

-2 m ellitical 

-medicine ball core workout

-6:30 bootcamp

Bachelorette Weekend!

We're going to Little Rock this weekend for my roomie's bachelorette weekend. Tonight we're seeing Dane Cook:

Yumm...

I find him moderately funny, but I don't suppose that matters because when I look at him i'm so in awe I tend to lose all other senses anyways. Then tomorrow is SPA DAY!! So excited! I will post pics when we get back! Happy Friday the 13th!

tonight's epic fail

3m treadmill run: good

 5m run in nature: great

 20 min full out sprint to catch runaway dog and carry his 54 lbs over 1/4m home: priceless

forgetting to close the gate and letting him out to pee so that i can do it all over again: 

i'm a complete idiot!

however, heres a short clip of my house on a typical night. and the reason I don't buy breakable things anymore:

Click Here!

oh my dog!

Today Apollo and I went to pick out our new addition! Since my roomie (stalk her here) is getting married in one month and one day and taking her sweet boxer with her when she moves, I decided we needed another mess maker in the house. Here is the dog we decided on:

His name is Duke and he is a 2 year old greyhound. His original racing name was "Big Bad Monday" but he retired early due to a broken tarsal (foot bone). I wanted to adopt a retired greyhound for many reasons:

1. I wanted another dog to run with since Apollo always poops out on me after only a mile or so of me dragging him down the street

2. I (am completely obsessed with) love the body shape of a sight hound. When a creature so naturally skinny is sitting next to me as I devour a bag of cheetos, I cant help but be motivated to put down the bag and slowly back away.

3. I've done my good deed for the year. Seriously, don't ask for any more favors, im finished.

4. I enjoy spending $40+ dollars a month on food I would never even consider eating eating.

5. I never actually wanted to sleep in my own bed anyways. The couch works fine for me.

6. I enjoy waking up to whines and beady eyes at 5 in the morning so someone can "go potty outside".

(just for the record, I got up 3 different times while typing this, to let Apollo in as he so eloquently requested by scratching on my window and whining in a fashion similar to a hyena, so that he could change his mind each time i opened the door and stare at me like he didnt know why in God's green earth I would get up in the middle of a post... Oh the joys of being owned by your pet.)

So anyways I will return to the dog track for the last time next Wednesday (7 days and counting..)

to bring home my new 71 lb. bundle of love and vet bills and could not be more excited! In the mean time I have some very important decisions to make.

Red?

Black??

New couch cover?

New dog kennel?

Guess I'll just take it one squeaky toy at a time...

People often say motivation doesn't last, well neither does bathing. Thats why its recommended daily.

I'm beginning yet ANOTHER blog, in an attempt to motivate myself and actually become the "Gym Junkie" that I claim to be. I usually try to come up with at least 3 different ways of working out a week, so why not record it? Then in 2 months from now, instead of forcing myself back on the treadmill i can look back and say, hey that was fun lets do it again. 

Along with working out, I also love to cook and find new recipes. (Now you understand my obsession with the workouts, eh?) So to go along with my calorie expenditure, I will also be sharing the reason I allow my dog to drag me around the neighborhood and wrap me around every mailbox on our block.

He only looks cute, don't be deceived.

 But be warned, my recipes are usually the "low fat, low salt, low flavor" version and I tend to throw in random things in a fashion my roommate once referred to as "hybrid" cooking. So get excited, because I will be sharing with you the good, the burnt and the healthy. 

My "healthy" attempt at Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing and cinnamon twist: