Taking a Time Out

So, as most of you know my left third metatarsal is fractured.  It has been officially a week since the cast went on, and I am dealing...just dealing.  It gets frustrating at times because I can't really do anything on my own, and I have to ask for help for nearly everything.  I tried pushing my tea cup across the floor from the kitchen to the den...yep, didn't work.  Matt has tried to help out as much as he can, but he can't be with me all the time.  And if this cast is going to be on for 6 weeks, I need to learn to deal by myself.   I do like the fact that giving myself a bath is a 45 minute ab workout; my abs are like steel now!  :-)  It isn't the end of the world, though, and we will get through this.  I say "we" because my poor Matt has to deal with my mood swings from wanting to run.  Soon enough...soon enough.  Isn't my cast adorable?  LOL!

It has been a humbling experience, to say the least.  On an encouraging note, Matt has decided to run my first marathon with me.  We are still looking for a good one...I will keep everyone posted.

In 24 days I will be with my family and friends back in Michigan.  I am very excited.  We have a lot of fun things planned (Henry Ford Museum, Frankenmuth, shopping).  I have been working around the clock on one of Sarah's presents.  I really hope I can get it done before I leave.  I don't want to work on it on the plane.  We shall see!

By the time I get on the plane, I will no longer be a student.  I will have graduated - in 22 days!  I just can't believe it.  Life will be so different...

Matt and I bought a juicer the other day...wow, has that been an adventure, haha.  I am learning how to put different fruits and veggies together to make us some great combinations of micro-nutrients.  We are both feeling great lately (except my bum leg) and enjoying our new joy of cooking and preparing new things and supporting our local growers.  I got my email today of what we are getting on Sunday...can't wait!

Isn't that the truth!

Yep...I Need This:

New PR and First Half with My Husband...and First Injury

So the last few weeks have been great with one small set-back.

Mom and Dad just left from being with us for almost 2 weeks.  It was so nice to have them here.  Fortunately, with my not-so-tight school schedule, I was able to spend a significant portion of their stay with them.  We didn't do a lot of sight-seeing; mostly hung out around the house, but we did go to Mesa's Flea Market (a must do when Mom is here) and ate at Rustler's Roost the one evening.  Our vacation split into their stay here, so we only got one weekend with them.  We made the most of it, and had a really good time.



On November 4th, I ran the Women's Half Marathon here in Phoenix.  It was a small race (approximately 2K from what I was told) and the course was decent; not a lot of hills.  It was a good race.  I would recommend it.  

I ended up PR'ing, cutting 5 minutes from my best time.  It felt really good to see all my hard work with my training paying off.  Matt was there for me, cheering for me at mile 12.  It always means a lot to me when he is there showing his support.



On November 11th, Matt and I ran the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half in Florida.  Way back when, when I planned to run this race, Matt was not running it with me.  I thought it was somewhat foolish because he had been running, long distances at that, and I thought it would be a good venue if he wanted to try one for the first time.  After I explained to him that people celebrating with the runners would have to pay an additional fee to get into Epcot after the race, and the entrance fee was included with your race registration, he was in (of course!).

Before the race on Saturday night, Matt and I had a mini vacation...as most of you know, Disney is my FAVORITE place on earth.  We spent time at Downtown Disney and the resort on Thursday and then Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Friday.  I was able to get us tickets to Mickey's Christmas Party on Friday night.  For those of you that love Christmas and love Disney, this is a MUST DO.  It is an exclusive event; you must buy a separate ticket from the ticket you use during the day, so the park is not crowded and you get on the rides quickly.  You get all the cookies and hot cocoa you can fit in your tummy (which it was cold, so the cocoa was needed).  The entire park is decorated for Christmas and they blow snow down Mainstreet.  They put on a beautiful light and fireworks display (my photo to the left).  And to top it off, you get a special Christmas parade.  

It was truly magical.  I cried...of course.  I always do!!

We ended up staying at the Disney Caribbean Beach Resort.  It was a nice resort, but there are a few things I learned this time that I didn't know from past experiences.  The biggest one is to stay closer to the parks.  We used to drive, so this wasn't a big deal.  Although you can get around by bus, it is sometimes a pain.  While we were there, we scoped out a few of the resorts that were right there next to Epcot and MK.  When we go next time, which we have decided to go in two years (YAY!), we will stay at The Swan or the Yacht Club if we want to be near Epcot; the Polynesian if we want to be closer to MK.  The reason is the small boat at Epcot and the monorail system is just so much easier than the buses.  Plus, you can always take the buses if needed, but the boat and the monorail is much easier and faster.  

Pre-Race :-)

The race on Saturday night was good.  I didn't like how they staged us - at ESPN's World Wide of Sports, in the fields - for almost two hours, but we made the best of it.  Hind sight being 20/20, we should have brought blankets and clothes that we could have just ripped off right before the race to keep us warm...because it was COLD!

Matt wasn't fond of the race route, but it was exactly what I expected from a Disney route - lots of turns and small areas for too many people.  If your goal is to PR at these races, you must bake in at least 5 minutes.  Matt missed his personal goal of 2 hours by 3 minutes.  I told him that it was his first race, so it was automatically a PR for him.  He is already planning his next race.  I am geeked!!  As many of you know, once school is done I plan on running a half in every state...looks like I have a running partner now!  :-)

I have ran 2 half marathons and got 3 medals in the past two weeks...and my body is now telling me it is not happy.  Wednesday during my 5-miler, something tore or fractured in my left foot.  I have been waiting to see a doc because I honestly thought it was just torn, and there is really nothing a doc can do for me except tell me to stay off of it (which I am already doing - on crutches right now) and hand me a huge bill.  I pushed myself a little too hard, and now my body is telling me it needs to rest.  So I will unhappily conform.  It does feel much better today than it did when it happened, so I am hopeful that if I baby it, it will work itself out.  I am praying.  I only have 9 weeks before my full marathon now .  I am not giving up..nope; never!

As many of you know, Matt and I have decided to change our diets.  We have moved to a completely organic food regimen and are not eating any processed food.  With the extra physical activities that we are doing, and the desire to put the best food in our bodies, both of us have agreed to only support our local growers that are cognizant of food quality and the purest of ingredients in their products.  We have started to buy from only grass-fed cow/pig/chicken farmers, and we are now signed up for Chow Locally at our local farmer's market.  I have also started to prepare all of our food now (even my dressings and mayonnaise) .  I was definitely out of my element at first, but I am really enjoying what I am learning and I am continually getting better at it.  

I have been making a lot of Paleo meals again which I had gotten away from when I started training, but honestly can say my body is happier without the "carb loading."  (Plus, I truly believe all that hype is MENTAL now).  Our dinners consist of spaghetti squash, stuffed jalapenos, eggplant, fresh salads with grass-fed steak or chicken, organic cheeses and milks, sauteed kale and swiss chard, and lots of other ingredients that I would have never thought of using before.  At this point, Besides my foot problem, which has nothing to do with my food intake, I feel awesome, and Matt feels the same way.  He is even making his own tonic water now! We really think seeing current conditions and how many of our friends are getting sick...really sick with debilitating diseases...we have made a very wise decision.  I highly recommend considering this for everyone.  If you love your body and love your family, you really need to think about what you are putting into it.  With the defeat of Prop 37 in California, I have absolutely no confidence that the food industry cares about us or our longevity.  I am not going to depend on them to put food on my table (in fact, we have boycotted most of them).  We are educated...we can read labels, talk to growers, and make good choices.  And I believe in us as a society to take care of one another as well.  HELP YOUR LOCAL GROWERS!!!  Everyone always makes such a big deal about buying American, well this is as grass roots as it comes!  ;-)

On another AMAZING note, I am almost done with school!!!  Only one more month now.  I am awaiting my confirmation for graduation (which is just a formality), my class ring has been bought, and I am now starting to plan the graduation party.  I am super duper excited for this journey to be complete and for everyone to be there with me to celebrate.  The whole family is planning a trip to AZ in the spring.  I can't wait!

Well, I must be going.  Love you all | Livvie

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Julie as Effie Trinket and me as Olivia the Pig :-)

I hope everyone had a really wonderful Halloween.  I spent my last Halloween as a student in class, but he did let us go early so it wasn't completely terrible.  We had a WONDERFUL Halloween party at work as well, so it made it bearable that I wasn't going to be able to celebrate at home with my neighbors.  Mom and Dad are here, so they were able to pass out candy to the kids with Matt, so he wasn't completely alone.  Matt and I finished out the night in the hot tub and chatting about the goings-on of the day.  I am excited for next year when I can partake in the festivities!  :-)  

This weekend is the first of two last half marathons I am going to do before my full in January.  I have taken it pretty easy this week, but not intentionally.  With Mom and Dad coming in on Tuesday, I was not very disciplined to get out the door, and then Halloween put me a little behind as well.  However, I know that I am going to have those weeks, as long as they are not a habit.

I found this the other day.  It speaks to me...

You can do ANYTHING you put your heart and mind into.  

My Cupcake Run & New Chili Recipe

So, tonight I ran my first Cupcake Classic Run.  I have done one other virtual run in the past; this one was by far the most fun.  I ended up running a total of 6.08 miles.  The weather is still a little warm (86 degrees), but I waited until the sun went down and enjoyed the sunset as I came around the back side of Desert Foothills.  We had a beautiful fall sky tonight.  I love running here.  We are so spoiled.  I don't miss the 40 degrees and rain in Michigan.  

I saw my first rattlesnake ever in the foothills tonight; it was a little scary.  He/she was crossing the sidewalk where I was finishing up my loop.  I stopped to let it cross.  I could definitely see the tail, so I know what it was.  There was a woman that I was passing after I saw it, and I stopped her to tell her to be careful.  She started laughing and said, "Time to turn around.  I didn't want to walk tonight anyway!"  It was just too nice of a night...I would have just been careful; I wouldn't have let it stop me.  :-)

Me right after my run

 Isn't my shirt cute?  :-)

I have to be honest though...I haven't had sweets like that in a long time and I didn't really enjoy it all that much.  I did get as healthy of a chocolate cupcake as I could get (didn't have time to make myself), with all natural ingredients, but it was just so super sweet.  Next time I will pick something more natural like carrot cake or banana...or I will be done with school and have the time to bake!  I had Mom's yellow cake and chocolate frosting last weekend and even that wasn't as sweet as this cupcake was.  I bought a four-pack.  I know Matt won't eat one, so it looks as though my friends at work will be getting them (LOL).

Click here for more information on the Cupcake Classic

I finally made Kristy's bean-less chili tonight.  Well, it isn't Kristy's recipe (it is an Everyday Paleo recipe), but I got it from her.  Oh, it is so delicious!!  I figured out how to use my food processor tonight as well, so it was much easier to prepare than if I would have had to cut up all those carrots, onions and celery.  Yep, you heard right...celery.  And Matt at it!!!  I have been really proud of him lately.  With our changes in diet to organic and grass fed, he has really been more open and positive about trying new things.  It has been good all around for both of us.  I look forward to continuing to broaden my experience in the kitchen, and trying new things.  :-)

Well, it is getting really late, and I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow.  I hope everyone that is reading this is well and feeling loved.  More to come soon...

All for Me...

Almost Done with September

Last week went really REALLY well!  I ran 13.1! (Well, actually 13.27, but who is counting? LOL)  I made it to my 24 miles total for the week.  It felt amazing to accomplish that.  I ran, showered and was drinking my tea before Matt even got out of bed!  Yep, I am a rockstar!  No, just kidding.  The last two miles of my distance on Sunday was really rough.  I miscalculated and at the very end had to come up with another mile...when my brain was already telling me my run was over.  It was a major hurdle to overcome.  I said a little prayer to God and pushed my way through it.  Then I cried.

The dogs had their follow-up appointment with Dr. Scott on Saturday.  Both are A-OK.  Lily got her stitches out and Baxter's jaw is healing nicely.  She still wants me to be extra careful with Baxter because the bone could still be exposed at this point.  We will baby him until he feels ready to be tough again.  But I will say Dr. Scott was right.  Baxter is a totally different dog now.  He plays with Lily and they wear each other out.  You can definitely tell the sore in his mouth was keeping him under the weather.  

This week has started out a little slow.  I am somewhat tired (I am sure from my 13 on Sunday), but I am trying to get through it...because this is only the start!  I ran my goal today which was 5.  Thursday will be 6 and then Sunday will be 11.  I just need to keep at it.  I CANNOT get to my goal if I don't work hard this time.  I am keeping this commitment to myself...because I deserve it.

Registered for Another Half

Right before Disney...

I will be working for this one:

Look at that bling!!  LOL, I have wanted this one for a while.  I am pretty excited.  Plus, a friend of mine, Bina, will be running in it too!  Should be a really great race, and a good warm up for Disney with Matt.  As I have been saying today, if I have to run 13+ miles each weekend, I should get something better than aches out of it!  :-)

You'll Always Have...

Had to share...made me laugh because it is so true

(and made me think of a few) :-)

Happy Friday everyone!!!!

Blessed...

Today I am feeling unbelievably blessed.  I am not sure where the feelings are resonating from...it could be that I am enjoying the reduction, almost elimination, of stress in my life or it could be that I am feeling just so fortunate to have the people that I have in my life...not sure, but I am basking in the warmth of this feeling.  In my stress management class right now we are supposed to document "what's good" throughout our day, and TODAY is what's good!  

Tonight I ran 5 in 50.  I was there in the moment, feeling the pull of my muscles, the air in my lungs and the sweat fall down my face.  It was ALL there tonight; it was amazing.  Tonight's run reminded me of why I do this and why I get so much enjoyment out of it.  I AM a runner.  This is what I was made to do.  This weekend is an easy 1 hour run; which equates to 6 miles...but next week will be the challenge - 13 miles on Saturday.  I can do it; I know I can.  I have done it 5 times before this! (they've just been a little more grand than what I have in mind.  :-)  )  I will map out my run during the week and get myself psyched up for it.  I have an idea of what I would like to do.  Of course, it has to be outdoors.  I couldn't bear the thought of being on a treadmill that long!  I am looking forward to this first milestone.

The puppies are doing so well.  Baxter seems like a new dog, which the vet said would probably happen, and Lily is mending nicely.  I will need to take both of them in to see Dr. Scott next week, and I am expecting a good report.  They are such great animals.  I am just so thankful that there was nothing terminal going on with Lily and her lumps.  Many prayers were answered throughout this week.  Thank God I don't have to be planning when I will lose her.  She is my little diva.  I want to keep her around for a while.

School is going great.  I really enjoy my two professors, especially Finance (Gallinger).  He is very knowledgeable and has taught us a lot in the small amount of time that we have been there.  So I am just chugging along right now; first paper due in a month.  I have already started my research.  Only 3 more months...just can't even express my excitement.

So, all is good right now!  :-)
   

Thoughts for the day...

Just keep going...don't give up!

My Schnauzers - A Look Back

Spending a lot of time being thankful for my two little ones today.  I am very happy that they are home recovering.  Looking back on all the amazing memories...

 Baxter as a newborn

The day we brought him home

Nanny Kak drove the 8 hours with me to get him :-)

Meeting Daddy for the first time

He was so small!

His first hair cut

He loved to play in the back yard

He was such a BEAUTIFUL little boy...still is

Celebrating my 30th birthday with me

He used to love to cuddle

After our move to AZ together :-)

Then we added #2...

She was just as tiny as Bax

The day we brought her home

We knew from day 1 she would be a handful!

She would steal Baxter's bones AS SOON as she was strong enough

But they were the best of friends right from the beginning!

And they love the other kids in the house too :-)

Her first hair cut

She is growing up so quickly

I love my dogs more than anything.  If you have ever contemplated having an animal, but decided not to, reconsider.  They bring the absolute most joy to your life.  I love my two babies more than words can adequately describe...

They are my life.

Marathon Training Has Begun!

There is only one word that really explains how I feel right now...EXCITED!  I am there; training for my marathon has begun.  In less than 19 weeks I will be running my first marathon - 26.2 miles!  I am a little nervous, but everyday I remind myself that I am one day closer to the biggest goal/challenge I will have achieved in my life.  A bucket list item that will be checked off.  I am so looking forward to this journey.

There are SO MANY things that have happened since I last wrote.  Summer was hell, there is no other way to put it.  I pushed myself to the limit yet another summer.  High risk/high reward right?  Well, that is what I kept telling myself and it almost killed me.  However, I was able to check off another 4 classes so now I am able to graduate in December.  Gosh, it seems so weird to even write it.  I am graduating THIS year!  And the most wonderful thing about it all is that I only have 2 classes this semester, and absolutely no exams...and one of the classes is stress management!  How cool is that?!?!  In three months I will be done, hopefully stress free (LOL), with my undergraduate degree....Master's Degree, you ask?  Probably, but my husband wants to enjoy some free time with his wife before she takes that on. :-)

With putting school first, my fitness went south...way south.  Last night was emotionally painful for me.  I ran the slowest I have in a long time.  But that won't stop me.  Every training session makes me stronger and faster.  I will never give up.  I will keep on keeping on.  Matt's training has now begun for the Disney Wine & Dine, so he is a great encouragement.  Plus, I am now on a special eating regimen, so the extra pounds that I put on during the summer should shed quite quickly and will provide me additional power to get me through my longer runs on the weekend.  I am only running a total of 17 miles per week right now (4/5/8), which is less weekly mileage than what I was doing before I stopped, so I am hoping that will assist me in getting back up to where I was.

Two weeks ago my awesome brother got married to the most amazing woman.  We couldn't be happier for the both of them.  It was the first time EVER my family (of course without Mom) were together as a family.  It was an emotional reunion.  I love my family so much.  We ARE family.

Daddy and his girls :-)

As soon as I have a pic of the entire family, I will share.  And now that life has slowed waaaayyyyyy down it should be much easier to keep this updated.

Love you all!

Happy Father's Day!

Me and My Daddy Christmas 2011

I am so very blessed to be surrounded by amazing men that show how much they truly love their families each and every day.  My own father who has had to be placed within the battles of his own family for reasons of religion...choosing his children always, no matter what the cost.  I love you and I will never forget the sacrifices you make.

To all the wonderful fathers...Happy Father's Day!

The Power Of Good-bye

Many of you know the internal battle I face (sometimes every day) over the loss of my mother because of religion.  I am taking a New Testament class right now that has really opened my eyes to understanding why my mother truly is the way she is, and how she will probably never change.  I understand now.  I am not angry, and I forgive her...and I am learning to say goodbye.

Some things we will never be able to change, and that is okay.  You just have to find the power deep within to realize THAT, and learn to let go...

How I Feel Today

It's going to be a great weekend!

Trust

It's Official - Matt's Taking on His First Half Marathon!

Now, everyone knows that I am not the fastest thing in the world.  I have never really cared much about that.  I just LOVE to run; the farther, the better.  And during a half, I love the experience my body goes through from mile 1 to mile 13.  It is such a great high!


Matt had started to run with me at the end of last year.  At first it was just the smaller races, but he has taken on larger races lately.  I have FINALLY persuaded him to run a half.  I officially registered him today.  The cute dialogue went like this (I cut and paste from email):


Me:  Quick question...do you want me to register you for Wine & Dine?


Him:  yes please.  going to race against the wife ;-)


Matt and I do have activities that we enjoy by ourselves, but I am very fortunate that we enjoy so many of the same things.  I am so happy that he is doing this with me.  And what better place than my favorite place on earth!  We have decided we will make it a mini vacation as well.  I am so excited!!

Throwing Out the Scale!

Okay, I know this is a slight exaggeration, but how I have somewhat felt for the past few months...actually since January.  My weight has either increased or stayed the same, and unfortunately has dictated how I was going to feel for the day or days proceeding the reading.  Well today I revolt!


This morning, after become aggravated and not understanding how I could have gained 7 pounds in the past 6 months...and my clothes fit just fine...put on a dress to test a theory.  Now this is not just any dress; This is THE dress.  You know ladies which one I am talking about.  The one dress that sits in the back of your closet that you take out every once in a while to see if it still fits.  Yeah, THAT one!  My dress, was one I had bought for Melissa's Brownie banquet when she was in kindergarten (she is now in 4th).  I had gotten down to 123 pounds...a weight that EVERYONE calls "my unhealthy look"...and thought that I deserved this short, tight, straight silk dress from Banana Republic because I deserved it.  Looking back, I didn't deserve something that I cheated to obtain.  And I cheated.  Anyone can starve themselves.  It takes true discipline and strength to get your butt to the gym every other day and run 6.2 miles.  In retrospect, I had become a quitter.  I wanted the easy way out.  Not this girl...not any longer.


The result?  I look better in it NOW than I did when I was 123 pounds!  My hips have reduced, my arms and shoulders are more toned, my legs are much more muscular than they have ever been, and the dress just looks fantastic!!!  I sat on the end of my bed today and cried.


Now, ladies (and men), I know that they talk about this on t.v. and the radio and on the internet, but it just didn't sink in for me.  I really couldn't comprehend how my body could gain THAT much weight and still be getting thinner.  And when you look at your body every day, it is hard to see the changes.  It was a personal experience that I had to have.  I am glad that I did.  It taught me a very valuable lesson.


The other thing I learned from this...never let a piece of technology tell me how to feel.  Lately, I have felt great; in the best shape of my life.  It was only when I hopped on that stupid scale that I was feeling like an ultimate failure. My husband calls me the gadget geek...well, that is one gadget I don't need ever again...


and I just keep telling myself:

I know many of you are hard-at-work for that strong, beautiful body.  Sometimes we get discouraged...if the scale is a contributing factor for you, do what I did, throw the damn thing out!!