Jan 27, 2012

I failed. My one resolution for this year was to make daily posts, and I didn't do it. I guess I haven't had much on my mind lately, that I felt were worthy of an intensive self-reflection, or I'm just too tired/lazy to spend the time to do it. Either case, major #fail!

In other news, Vancouver BC - I'll be seeing you real soon.

My first and last trip to Vancouver was before I started working at my current employer, in Spring 2009. I traveled solo. One full week. This time, I'm coming back, bringing my most treasured THINGS - my boyfriend, my best gal pals and travel buddies, and an old time friend from college. It'll be a heck of a good time, and I don't even need to be on it to know it. I'm so excited.

places traveled - ny/chi'cahgo - day by day recount

For recollections sake, a day by day recount of eateries, places visited, etc etc as deemed worthy of mention:

Oct 20
SMF-MDW-LGA
O'Brien Irish Pub (@134 W. 46th Street)

Oct 21
Grand Central Station
Lululemon (@1127 3rd Avenue)
Kun Jip (@9 W. 32nd St)
Madison Square Eats (@1 Madison Avenue)
Lululemon (@15 Union Square West)
Lansdowne Road (@599 10th Avenue)

Oct 22
Cafe Metro (@466 Lexington Ave)
The Washington Arch (@1 5th Avenue)
Lululemon Athletica SoHo (@481 Broadway)
Dragon Land Bakery (@125 Walker Street)
Brooklyn Bridge

Oct 23
Ground Zero (@Church St)
Occupy Wall Street (@Liberty Plaza)
O'Hara's Restaurant & Pub (@120 Cedar Steet)
Central Park
Apple Store Fifth Avenue (@767 5th Avenue)
The Plaza Hotel (@5th Avenue, Central Park South)
MARY POPPINS at the New Amsterdam Theatre

Oct 24
LGA-MDW
Couscous Restaurant (@1445 W. Taylor St Ste 1)
Dunkin Donuts (@300 E. Randolph St)
Millennium Park (@201 E. Randolph)
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (@805 S. State St)

Oct 25
Espression by Lavazza (@131 N. Clinton Street)
Argo Tea @ Tribune Tower (@435 N. Michigan Ave)
Sears Tower Skydeck (@233 S. Wacker)
#occupychicago (@Lasalle and Jackson)
Al's Beef (@169 W. Ontario St)
Bennigan's Chicago (@150 S. Michigan Ave)
Pioneer Court Plaza Marilyn Monroe Statue Michigan Ave (@400 N. Michigan Ave)
The Saloon Steakhouse (@200 E. Chestnut St)
Signature Lounge On Top Of The John Hancock Building (@875 N. Michigan Ave)

Oct 26
Bongo Room (@1152 S. Wabash Ave)
Starbucks Fullerton & Sheffield
Sheffield Garden District
Swirlz Cupcakes (@705 W. Belden Ave)
lululemon athletica Halsted (2104 N. Halsted Ave)
Kelly's Pub (@949 W. Webster Ave)
McGee's Tavern (@950 W. Webster Ave)
Crossfit Chicago (@1444 W. Willow)
United Center (@1901 W. Madison Street)
Tapas Bar (@42 E. Superior Street)
Portillo's (@100 W. Ontario Street)

Oct 27
Crossfit Chicago (@1444 W. Willow)
Cosi Simply Good Taste on Michigan Ave (@116 S. Michigan Avenue)
MDW-SFO

Summary
Coffee Stops: 8
Irish Pubs: 6
Lululemon: 5
Crossfit Gyms: 1
Airports: 3

Jan 11, 2012

I have not been running as consistently as I had hoped, or wanted, since my first, and last, half marathon in December; however, I have been consistently weight-training. I've also started supplementing my diet with various vitamin pills, and as of yesterday, started to change some of my daily staples.

I made protein pancakes, protein muffins, and tuna patties last night for the next couple of days. Veggies and yams are staples that I likely will not change anytime soon. For a week, I had ground turkey patties, and I had over-baked them. They still smelled delicious, but were dry to the taste.

I'm really liking the diet change, and making things that are plant-based good for me is super pluses for me. Slow changes, but maybe eventually I'll consider going vegetarian/vegan, again. #forksoverknives

Jan 3, 2012

I'm slightly exhausted, and it's only the first day back at work. Break was only a work week, and although it is a week more than most people get... I wish it were at least several days longer.

In other news, I did put in my request for various vacation days off in the next 5 months. My supervisor accepted, honestly, what else can she do? Tell me I cannot go?? I've changed my approach, instead of asking, I just inform. It's so much more effective. All of this "vacay" business just means I have to be extra careful with how I spend in the next couple of months, and in the years to come. There's just no way to make ends meet, if I'm not frugal, and mindful.

"My parents did it, so can I."

Repeat mantra. Daily. Keep written account of daily/weekly/monthly expenses, and I should be a-okay.

Here's to a good workout day, and another day in the books.

Until tomorrow, or next time!

Jan 2, 2012

No post on 2012 NY's goals...

Something to keep in my journal: Running Tips from Women's Health (tips I'm taking away from the full 101)

(1) Accept the Challenge
(2) Aim to run 8-15 miles per week (Yikes!)
(3) Think in Minutes, not Miles
(4) GOOD Running Shoes - 400-500 miles - BIG and WIDE running shoes.
(5) Talk test
(6) Eat, if you feel like it.
(7) RELAX! Listen to the body.
(8) Make time.
(9) Run AGAINST traffic.
(10) Warm-up THEN stretch. #coldmuscles
(11) WATER (My favorite!)
(12) Set mantras. Set goals.
(13) "Like cross-training, 'cross-eating' adds needed variety to your diet--and life. Expand your nutritional repertoire by trying one new food each week." --Liz Applegate, Ph.D. (My Nutrition professor, YES! - awesome instructor)
(14) Train hills. And lean with it.
(15) Enter races.
(16) Stay slightly out of comfort.
(17) Pace. Better to run slower, than to run fast.
(18) Find a reason. Find a purpose.
(19) Train. Alone. With Someone, Anyone.

Things to Try:
- Three half mile repeats, at 5K pace, end with a recovery jog.
- Fartlek training
- Finish runs slightly faster.