Moving to Knoxville

6am came quick on Sunday! I made a Starbucks run for us in my new Volunteer Traditions hat (Tennessee, best state flag ever).

We used Little Guys Movers and they were amazing!! So quick and super friendly! 2 1/2 hours later, we’re home! We were busy unpacking all day/night. You don’t realize how much crap you have until you move! 

First sunset. If you look closely, you can see the Smoky Mountains. Pictures don’t do the view justice!Dinner was at Brixx since we didn’t really have groceries. I asked Austin if we shared a pizza, then could we get a smores dessert pizza..he said yes?! 

I have no regrets. After moving and unpacking all day, this was so delicious!  Monday was spent exploring our area and remembering Memorial Day. A lot of men in our family have served in the military, and I only have respect for those who have and are serving! Thank you soldiers! 

Today was solo, Austin had to leave for a trip 😦

I enjoyed sitting on our porch with a cup of coffee and my to do list.  

There is a park about 10 minutes from us , Rudy was especially excited! 

The greenway extends 5 miles but there are several miles of trails also! I’m excited to explore them very soon!        I decided to hit the treadmill instead. Our fitness area is so awesome compared to our last! I’ve never used the row machine before. I set it for 2000m..yeah, crazy idea after a 7 mile run!     I always rehydrate with Nuun!! Yssterday I bought popsicle molds. For super easy healthy popsicles, freeze a bottle of Suja! Yumminess and watching my favorite movie since don’t have tv yet.   Tomorrow I’ll venture out on my own to run errands. I spotted a Juice Bar yesterday when we were driving around. I might have to make a pit stop 😉 

Recap: The Color Run

Saturday’s are better when you start it with the happiest 5k in the world!    

Here is our before picture   Then some after pictures     

  

Wee, we’re so happy!!      Post run, Austin and I endulged at The Perch 🙂   I wanted to pray so we could eat!   
Overall we had a lot of fun BUT it wasn’t the best Color Run we’ve done.
It was a mile before we came to the first color station. Then there were two stations back to back. You ran a little more without color then hit two stations back to back. I think they should have spaced out the stations every 1/2 mile..that’s just me. 

If you have kids, the race is a must! The after party was the best part 🙂 

The Day Before

We started the morning slow. I got to sleep in until 7am, haha yeah that’s sleeping in for me!

Got ready for our breakfast date at The Perch. I can’t remember the last time we went somewhere for a breakfast date?! 

I got an egg white omelette with veggies. Austin got some type of crepe (I wasn’t paying attention when he ordered) and we shared a banana Nutella crepe 🙂 

Checked my e-mail on the way to the race expo and had this in my inbox!   And a weather update on the Facebook page, yay!  Once we got into the expo, my heart was racing (pun intended lol). I was overwhelmed with joy and nerves! 

  
Countdown!!!

  

I left a short but sweet note for the kids of St. Jude 🙂 there wasn’t a whole lot of room left on the wall! I loved reading the positive messages for the kids!!A lady handed this doll to one of the St. Jude reps and said, “I made this for the kids.” I about cried! 

Signing up as a St. Jude hero has been SO rewarding! If you have the opportunity, do it! I’m supporting the kids by fundraising but they are supporting me as well. I’ve received constant thank you e-mails and hand written cards encouraging me throughout my training.

You can’t go to an expo and not buy some merchandise.

Brooks tee with all things Nashville, LOVE!  Since it will be raining, I purchased a race day hat..LOVE this too 🙂   Bright and fun Sparkly Soul headbands. I got the hot pink and green headbands!    Tomorrow will be a challenge. I’ve trained my body and my mind the last 16 weeks for this race! 

Thank you to everyone who have followed me during the training of my second marathon! 

My race day attire is ready and so am I! (Not pictured my throwaway long sleeve and a rain jacket) 

  

Easter Weekend Wrap Up

Happy Monday morning! I’m sad the weekend is over BUT we are one day closer to the weekend again! 🙂 

 

Saturday I missed my training run with the Fleet Feet training group due to being sick. I haven’t been getting enough sleep and this is what I get.

10 hours of sleep later, I ran 13.5 miles on the greenway. Later that evening, 6.5 miles to finish up the last 20 miler before race day! 

On our Saturday afternoon walk we spotted an Easter bunny! Can you see him? He was out early getting ready to deliver all of those baskets.

Easter morning presents!..for Rudy, haha   We attended the early Easter service. We love everything about our church and we are definitely going to miss it when we move!

     

  

Photo op! Austin and myself, isn’t he so handsome 🙂  

My mom and Seastar   Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Austin hates playin me in checkers, he doesn’t like losing. 

Post breakfast was nap time and running errands. 

Aaaand we booked our flights for the honeymoon, Cabo here we come!!  Easter Sunday ended with a bunny cake from Julia’s!

Here’s some Monday motivation/advice. Run more, punch less! I hope you all have a wonderful week!  

Weekend Wrap Up: Running & Wedding

 Good morning to you all! 

This past weekend was CRAZY busy for me! 

Up and at em’ for an early Saturday 20 miler with my Fleet Feet training group. 

Before:

  After:

  

I stopped at Daily Juice Brentwood for a post run smoothie, so good! 🙂 and I grabbed some juices to go.

    

Saturday was also our little fur baby’s birthday, he turned 3! Where has the time gone?! We went for a 3 mile walk down the greenway and played fetch in the river.

   

The rest of my Saturday was dedicated to addressing and assembling our wedding invitations. I did not finish and the project rolled over into Sunday and part of Monday. Here’s a sneak peek though 😉 

  

Sunday was my bridal shower. My Maid of Honor, my sister, definitely surprised me with how hard she worked on this big day. It means the world to me that her, my mom, and my cousin made the shower so special! The theme was “Pretty in Pink,” so clearly everything was pink!

   

    

(There were mini sandwiches and pasta salad placed on the table after this picture!)

      

Kappa Delta! 

  

My aunts!

  

My other mother and bff Jill from high school/sorority sister! 

My future mommy-in-law!   

  

Kisses from Holly and my future Aunt in law, is there such a thing lol

  

My cousin, he showed up for the after party!!

  

My sister! Prom pose 🙂

  

My Madre and sister! 

  

My cousin Jolene, the host who opened her house for us to have the shower!

Thank you to everyone and for those who could not attend, I know that you were there in spirit! Only 67 days until the wedding! 

Weekend Wrap Up



Good morning and happy Monday! I don’t know about you but, I had an awesome weekend.

Friday night: Austin was leaving for a trip so we grabbed dinner before he left. 



Pei Wei Pad Thai bowl, yummy! This was the small portion. I ended up taking half of it home. We went to Julia’s after to get some cookies. No pictures, we demolished the cookies. 

Runner’s World came in the mail! 



I’ve read the book, Born to Run. I’m pretty excited they’re making a movie based on the book. 



Saturday morning: I met up with some beautiful friends for my own half marathon (my race got canceled due to ice). 



After a great morning run, I packed my bags and headed to Manchester to see my family. 

The weather was gorgeous, perfect for a hike.





Location: Short Springs Falls, Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Sunday Funday: The Oak Barrell Half hosted a 7.5 mile preview run and a big group of us couldn’t resist!



Photo credit to JenChoosesJoy

Just a warning to those running the race, Whiskey Hill is NO joke!

The remainder of Sunday was dedicated to a nap time, walking Rudy, and running errands.

After back to back days of running, today is rest day.



Truth ^^^ haha. Have a wonderful day 🙂

Thankful Thursday: Snow Day

Edit

We got hit again with snow and ice in middle Tennessee! 

After sleeping in this morning, I went to our “gym” and got in a solid workout. I say gym in quotations because our apartment complex has a very small fitness room. 

It feels like it should be Christmas so, I wore my ugly Christmas sweater shirt 🙂





My legs felt fresh after a rest day yesterday. I originally planned an easy 3 miles and weights because of a race on Saturday. 

I felt the run so I did a 5 mile progression run. I finished my workout with planks, crunches, and free weights.

Later this afternoon, I received this e-mail.



My 1/2 marathon has been canceled for this Saturday 😦 

I would’ve ran longer this morning if I would’ve known. I am bummed..I was hoping to PR at this half but, we can’t control the weather. Hoping our training group run isn’t canceled either (fingers crossed).

Instead of focusing on the downer news, I am thankful for this snow/ice day. Austin was at home and we got to spend a full day together, in our pajamas! 



Marathon Training: Last Day of February

20.22 miles with my Fleet Feet training group to end the month of February!! 

I packed Gu for the run and prepped a bottle of Grape Nuun for post run. 



I made breakfast for the both of us this morning. I couldn’t resist stopping at Donut Country last night for some fresh delicious donuts! 

I got the bigger donut because I was running 20 miles 🙂



Yeah, I didn’t look this happy at mile 16. I wanted to walk, BAD! During my first marathon training, I did walk. I would always feel mentally defeated because I knew I had it in me physically.

Today was tough. I’m grateful for our fearless pace leader, Jen! I ran the whole 20.22 miles AND finished with a PR for time.



I had texts waiting on me when I got back to my car. I told Austin I needed food, stretching, and a nap! I was so tired I wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. He responds with the plane smels like doodoo. I literally laughed out loud when I read that. 

Well on that note, I doubled my miles ran in February! I’m starting to feel stronger and my shin splints are pretty much gone now. 



I wish you all an awesome month of March!! Spring is only 3 weeks away!! 



Playing Catch Up

I’ve been a little MIA so let’s catch up on what’s going on 🙂

We’ll start with today’s run.

18 mentally and physically tough miles. I haven’t logged this long of a run since before my marathon in October. Despite not feeling it, I PR’ed these 18 miles! I’m trusting this round of marathon training more and more, why?..

My first marathon, training was completed solo dolo. I did not run with a training group. I did not cross train. I did not have accountability from anyone.

Running through the Fleet Feet Nashville marathon training program, I’m pushing myself to the potential I know I have and I’ve made some awesome new friends!!

If you have not trained with a group, go sign up asap. You will NOT regret it!

Not every run is going to feel like you’re running through a field of daisies.

^^I’m pretty sure this is how I looked the whole time.

In the end, you won’t regret those miles. They may not be your best, but they will make you stronger!

I missed Thankful Thursday, oops! All of this bad weather has my days mixed up and my brain fried from cabin fever. The run today and the sweet people I ran with, I am VERY VERY thankful for! 🙂

Especially Jen’s husband, Jason!

Nothing like hot Starbucks waiting for you at the end of a run, ahhh coffee. It makes me oh so happy.

[Earlier this week..]

Lots of ice on Monday and Tuesday. I did a previous post on the boredom I faced from sickness and bad weather.

Tuesday was Mardi Gras. I’ve been contemplating what I wanted to give up for Lent. I decided to give up meat, except fish.

I’ve tried to be Vegetarian before but it didn’t work out. I didn’t have the knowledge or will power to commit.

This time around, I’m doing more research and feel more confident to start weening off of meat. I want to keep fish in my diet for now. In case I have those, “I need meat” moments.

Wednesday (Lent) was day 1 and so far so good, starting strong 😉

Thursday morning started with an 8 mile run on the treadmill.

All of this cold winter weather has definitely made me appreciate the warmth of spring and summer.

As of Friday, we are down to double digits until our wedding day!!

Today marks 98 days, where has the time gone?!

Yesterday, we stuffed our faces with a lunch date to Chuy’s. I had my hopes set on pigging out after a long run but, our group training run got canceled. I stuffed my face any way and used it as carb loading. I got the salad and mini bean and cheese burrito. Don’t be fooled. Their “mini” burrito is not mini. Lots of chips and salsa too, they have the best salsa.

Aaaand we circle back around to the 18 mile run this morning!

I know this was a long rambling post but, we needed to catch up. I wish you a wonderful week friends! Let’s end with a smile on your pretty faces 🙂

Only 13 Miles

13.5 perfect miles this morning. Last week was 15, mentally 2 less miles made this run easier!

I picked up my awesome training shirt and a few samples of Huma. I have not tried this brand yet. I’ll probably have one before my weekday runs and see how my body reacts to them.

Post run I had my heart set on a smoothie. I heard from a little birdie that Daily Juice Brentwood was the place to go!

I got the El Trapicado, perfection! It has banana, lime juice, pineapple, avocado, pink Himalayan salt, mango, and spinach. You can’t even taste anything but yum!

I Also grabbed a couple juices to drink later on.

Here’s some food for thought. I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!!