Fitness Friday - 8/10

This week seriously flew by. Since I was off work on Monday, I was thrown off all week and couldn't remember which day it was! There were several really stressful days at work too, which led to a really bad headache that didn't let up. An extra unplanned rest day took place because of it but oh well. This week hasn't been the best in terms of working out but that's ok. I'm not technically training for anything anyway, so keeping a base is what's most important to me right now.

Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA 
• Contraband Days 5 Miler 
• 4 on the 4th
• Rock n Roll San Antonino Half 

Saturday - Walked 6 miles at the San Marcos outlet malls
Sunday - 2.5 mile hill run plus 7 miles of walking at Sea World
Monday - Orangetheory Endurance Day
Tuesday - Rest Day
Wednesday - Unplanned Rest Day
Thursday - Another Unplanned Rest Day
Friday - Orangetheory

 As mentioned in yesterday's post, we traveled to Texas to visit my brother and sister in law this past weekend. I wasn't sure how many times I would get to lace up my running shoes while there, but it just so happens that it worked out twice for me!

On Sunday morning, my brother asked if I wanted to go for a run with him and I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity! He literally lives in "hill country" and I was kind of worried about elevation and inclines.

Again, Orangetheory proved to be paying off because I didn't feel near as fatigued or worn out as I expected to feel!

We also saw all kinds of deer that morning. It was so neat to see them out and about as that's not something I'm used to seeing super often around here.

In total, we made it 2.5 miles in the run. I felt great afterwards and was ready to begin our day at Sea World. By the end of the day, I calculated that we walked 7 miles at the park (not including the morning run). Needless to say, our feet and legs were tired by the time it was all said and done!

After discovering that New Braunfels has an Orangetheory, I signed up for a Monday morning workout. This was my first time visiting a different OTF gym and it was really a cool experience! The coach was AMAZING and helped me out a lot with my form and suggestions on ways to tweak things. The class was also super small (only 7 people), so that was pretty cool too.

This workout was an endurance workout and after logging so many miles at Sea World the day before, my legs did NOT want to move on the treadmill. It really was a great workout, though and I left feeling refreshed!

The remainder of the week was a huge bust. Between stressful days at work, headaches that wouldn't let up, and rain, I didn't even manage to step outside for a walk. I'm making up for it this morning with my second Orangetheory workout for the week.

There's no major plans for the weekend here which I'm looking forward to. Our cruise is just around the corner, so I might pull out my suitcase and begin the packing process. Other than that, I plan on keeping it pretty low key and I'm 100% ok with that!

How was your week? Any weekend plans?

Spring Running Pros & Cons

Spring!

Fresh blooms, gorgeous weather, new growth, new life, pollen, wildlife, spring storms - there are so many things to love (and not love) about Spring!

When it comes to spring running, I'm all about it. I love the weather (most of the time), fresh blooms along the way, and the whole overall expectation of Spring - new life, new growth, transformation, etc.

Today's Tuesdays on the Run topic is all about sharing your favorites and least favorites of spring, so here we go!

(PRO) I have two top favorites of spring running, the first being fresh blooms! I just love plants and flowers and seeing everything fresh and new for spring.

Aren't these azalea's beautiful? You can find them all over the south in the spring!

(PRO) My second favorite thing about spring running is the weather! Most of the time, it's cool and refreshing with just a hint of warmth, reminding you that summer is on the way...

(CON) With the pro of weather also comes a con - spring weather. It can be beautiful and it can be horrible all at the same time. Having a tornado in your backyard isn't the best way to kick off spring, either. Along with crazy weather comes lots and lots of rain and unless you love running in lots and lots of rain, that leaves running up to the treadmill. Ugh.

(PRO) Wildlife - I just love seeing little babies running around outside, enjoying the fresh weather. Sadly, I missed the little baby chick in this picture but it was so cute!

(CON) Wildlife - I need I say more? I'll occasionally see these guys in my running route and I never get close enough to figure out their "type".

(PRO) With spring running comes more opportunities to run with my little guy because the weather is just that nice (most of the time)!

...and that's about all I can think of! Spring is definitely a favorite time of year for me and I love getting out and breathing in the fresh air and getting in a great run!  

Did I forget anything? What are your spring running likes/dislikes?

It's the Tuesdays On The Run Linkup with Erika, Marcia and Patty. 

Seen On My Run

For the month of August, Tuesdays On The Run topics are freebies so I decided to pull an old one for today and share several of my favorite images from my running journey throughout the years! These are all taken from my perspective and were seen somewhere along my run!

Perhaps one of my favorite routes to run in my hometown is along River Road. The gorgeous views at sunrise never fail and are incredibly stunning!

Ever "stop and smell the roses" while out for a run? I do! When a gorgeous flower catches my eye, I have to stop and admire it, especially if it's one I've never seen before!

What about wildlife? I couldn't find a picture of the gator my running buddy Heather and I spotted one morning, so this peaceful egret during sunrise will have to do!
Edited to add: Nope, I found the gator! I knew if I looked hard enough, he would turn up! 

Our downtown area has a really nice path for running and I don't utilize it enough! I definitely need to run here more often!

It's no running post of mine without a little runDisney thrown in there! This was taken in 2015 from Castaway Cay at the start of the Princess Castaway Challenge!

Another favorite running route of mine is down by the lake. I also love running here during early mornings as the sunrise is almost always breathtaking!

A field of these wildflowers signals that spring has arrived! A lovely site after a crazy winter!

Last but not least, remember Maddie and her horse friend I mentioned in yesterday's post? Well, here they are! Madalynn is always excited to see her buddy!

What's the your favorite/the best thing you've ever seen while out for a run?

Link up with Erika, Marcia, & Patty for the next Tuesdays On The Run!

One To Remember!

Saturday's long run was definitely one I'll remember forever!

Heather and I set out on our usual 6 mile run, this time the route took us along a river.

It's a beautiful route, one I love to run early in the morning because we are always greeted with a gorgeous sunrise!

This route is out and back and on our way back, Heather thought she saw a pair of alligator eyes peeping out of the water. We've seen alligators in the river before so that wasn't anything unusual to us. We stopped to get a better look and we soon realized it wasn't an alligator that we were seeing.

Floating on top of the water was what appeared to be a bunch of bubbles (maybe from a school of fish)? As we got even closer, Heather commented that the "bubbles" were slimy and looked like frog heads...definitely not fish! Neither of us had ever seen a bunch of frogs grouped together in the water like that....so we looked even closer.

That's when we realized what we were actually seeing - one of the "frog/bubbles" put it's head under water and it's body slithered to the top. It wasn't an alligator, bubbles, or frogs....it was SNAKES. A group of about 12 water moccasins hanging out, right there in the water, near the edge. (We later found out this is called a "den"...omg.)

I'm pretty sure my heart almost fell out of my chest as we both took off running as fast as possible. That was the fastest sprint I've been able to muster all summer!

Thankfully, all of the snakes stayed in the water where they belonged. However, I'm am 100% sure now that you will never ever ever get me into that lake...ever. Water here in Louisiana is incredibly murky, so you can't even seen a foot below the surface....which already creeps me out. This made it even worse!

I'll stick to the dry ground with my bird friend here and just enjoy the sunrise instead!

Ever had a scary wildlife experience while out for a run?

Fitness Friday–7/25

Happy Friday! What a crazy week this has been! We are currently undergoing upgrades to the equipment in our department at work, so our work hours have shifted a bit to accommodate down time. I can’t wait until we are up and running for good!

Despite the business, lots of fun things happened this week!

During Wednesday’s run, I saw a lot wildlife. They were all out to enjoy the beautiful weather!

I loved the family of turtles – aren’t they adorable? One turtle was scared and jumped in the water but the rest stayed put as I ran by!

The bunny rabbits (there were two) were incredibly brave. They didn’t dart away until I got super close. See the  mound of dirt next to the bunny? That’s a crawfish hole!

Another creature I spotted on Wednesday's run was a snake. I stopped to change a song on my iPhone and put my hair up when I saw something moving by my foot out of the corner of my eye.  I did a double take when I realized that it was a snake. (FREAKED me out.) He wanted to get away from me as fast as I wanted to get away from him. No picture, unfortunately!

Yesterday was Free Tea Day at McAlisters! I make it a point to stop every year on free tea day (and other multiple days throughout the year). Free Tea Day is even marked on my work calendar!

Last night, Jason and I went out for Sushi. We saw this “special” sign at the door and that sealed it for us! We aren’t super adventurous when it comes to sushi (Jason actually doesn’t like fish)…but we do like trying new things! We both enjoyed this roll with spicy tuna! :0)

Look what arrived in my mailbox yesterday!

106 days until Wine and Dine Half! Can’t wait!!

Currently training for:
Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon
Louisiana Half Marathon
Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Half Marathon
Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge

Saturday – 8 miles with running group
Sunday – Rest Day
Monday –  2.5 miles with Jason 
Tuesday –  Unexpected rest day (oh well,those happen)
Wednesday – 3 mile run
Thursday – Cross train – it’s been too long, I needed this!
Friday – Run after work, not sure of the distance

On Saturday, I’m planning a long run followed by a bridal shower (this time I’m just attending!) and ending with dinner with a friend. I love weekends! :)

Have a fabulous one!!

When dealing with wildlife while out for a run, have you ever come across something that scared you? Perhaps a wild animal or a snake? What did you do?