Liz on Why I run

finishing the 2011 National 1/2 Marathon

Hey Scrap and Run readers, It's Liz from Reston Style (and the unknown blog 366 to 30) and besides being a blogger, I'm a runner.

I ran track for one season in high school, but really only pole vaulted. I started running on and off back in 2000, during my freshman year of college when I was training with the swim team and lacrosse team. Even though I ran, I didn't think of myself as a runner. Being a runner is a mentality. Something changes when you start to think of yourself as a runner, and that happened to me in August of 2008.



my bestie, Erin and I pose after our first 10k in 2008 (the date is wrong on the picture)

My best friend, Erin, and I started working out in a gym at the beginning of 2008 so that she could get ready for her wedding in April. After the wedding we decided to try to take our workouts outside, and even though Erin always hated running, it was her idea to go for a run. We started just trying to make it through 20 minutes at a slow pace. It was misery! Erin even proclaimed that she would rather walk five miles than run one, yet we continued to do it two to three times a week through June. Then we signed up for a 5k in July. We were on our way, but I didn't think of myself as a runner yet.

The switch happened when Erin and I started following Jeff Galloway's 5k/10k training plan. I had signed up for the Army 10 Miler (not being a runner, I did it the year before wearing my mom's number) and needed a plan to follow. It was in the middle of going through the 5k training plan for the first time, on an 8 mile long run when Erin recanted her statement saying that she would rather run five miles than walk one. Over the course of completing the training plan my one mile time dropped from 7:59 to 7:01 and Erin's dropped from 9:20 to 8:15, and we ran an 11 mile long run in a hurricane that we officially called ourselves runners.

I have now run 5 half marathons (3 of them, sub 2 hours), 4 ten milers, and numerous 5 and 10k's and am training for my first marathon. I cover between 25 and 30 miles a week at this point, but will be increasing that as my marathon training schedule goes on. I cross train with walking, swimming, biking, and indoor rock climbing. I run using Jeff Galloway's run/walk program, and I attribute that to my success as a runner.



Manda, me, Josh, and Jenny celebrate after the 2011 National 1/2 Marathon

So why do I run?

• Potato chips - seriously, they are delicious and I love them. When I run, I can eat them and not feel guilty.
• it started so that I would have something in common with my mom, who became a runner in 2001 and was living in Germany when I started running
• to have something fun to do with my friends. I have always trained with a running buddy. Erin, until she moved to Belgium, then I was running occasionally with Manda, then just with Jenny; last summer her husband, Josh, joined us; this spring our friend Reid has started coming; and this week my friend Michelle will be joining us for the first time!
• I run because I love how it feels to be a runner. It does great things for my mood, my body, my mind, my soul, and my self esteem. 
• it lets me compete with myself (though sometimes I try to compete with the boys!) and see success through hard work and dedication

I always say that running is to your late 20's/early 30's as binge drinking is to college.

• it's the cool thing to do
• you can do it alone, but people might think you are crazy or have a problem
• you plan your life around it
• its fun one on one
• its fun with a lot of friends
• you get really giddy and silly when you do it
• it leads to deep conversations
• you can't beat the high
• you plan when to hydrate
• but the best part is that you don't get hungover from it!

Think you might want to start running? It's easy - go get Jeff Galloway's 5k/10k training plan book, go to a running store and have a shoe evaluation, make a friend do it with you, and hit the road! If you ever have any running questions, feel free to email me! And thank you Colleen, for letting me share why I'm a runner!



Outer Banks 1/2 Marathon, November 2010


me and my roommate ran the Flying Pirate 1/2 Marathon in March of 2011


Thanks Liz for writing this. If you like this, then refer to why others run. Why do you run? Want to write a similar feature here, just let me know.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

09:44:41 AM - This guy is so good at presenting that it makes me nervous and he'll be a tough act to follow.
04:29:09 PM - I lied today. The answer was no. but I said yes because I didn't want to scare off the new guy. plus new guy wasn't in my group anyway.
07:43:23 PM - Sadness. My trip to CO is cancelled.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

6.1 - Telecommuting

I was working from home because it was telecommuting day. I definitely felt sick. I was getting dizzy. A few times I had to stop working to lie on the floor just to start feeling better.  Around 2:00PM I did nap on the floor. It was a short 10 minute nap but it was still a nap. I did get a lot of pictures of Poly.  I rested my head down on my desk in front of the keyboard a few times too.  After dinner, I napped on the couch with Poly for a few hours. It was not an eventful day. 

A Day's Worth of Twitter

12:14:59 AM - I need to book my flight. What site is the best?
07:09:47 AM - Poly always knows when I'm about to get up. She comes over and lies on me purring up a storm.Now I pet her instead of getting ready for work
01:49:05 PM - @stinachristina Colorado.
01:50:13 PM - @stinachristina fun. Driving out. A friend lives out there and is in town now. Then have to fly home.
01:55:50 PM - @stinachristina I'll be going to Leadville and some surrounding things
10:35:07 PM - @BodyMedia how new? Ice had one for a few months.
10:39:06 PM - Nice post RT @missylizzylucy: running and life - There are a lot of things swimming through my head. http://tumblr.com/xuq338239s
10:40:05 PM - @angelineevans it bothers me too

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

6.6 - NA-YGN, Ikea, Carinos

Dress: Old Navy
Cardigan: NY&Co.
Shoes: Connie from Famous Footwear
Necklace: Lia Sophia
Earrings: Target
Belt: Kohls

Similar to a recent outfit.I just swapped out the cardigan.  I was going to do different jewelry but figured why mess with something I liked and also I didn't have a lot of time to think.  I am a lot more comfortable belting over things with a dress than I am with skirts or pants.  But a year ago I wasn't even comfortable belting a dress.  It is a work in progress.

This dress is getting more use recently than it did the first 10 years I owned it.  I also like having something with a higher neckline. Nowadays it seems so hard for me to find something that fits and isn't too revealing.

Poly was sleeping with me in the morning.

At work we had one of our NA-YGN meetings. I finally got up the nerve to take a few pictures to show what some meetings are like. We usually don't have the round tables.  These pictures don't show how there was a row of chairs around the walls of the room that were all in use. We had about 80 people there.  Chad came up to present. I see him rarely. Well the last time I saw him I was wearing the similar outfit I noted above. Sigh. I should start paying attention to who I will see so they get to see a variety of my outfits.

We provided food at the meeting but the cafeteria was late in delivering. They were late by 45 minutes. Then I noticed about 3/4 of the way through the line that they were out of napkins.  I am proud of myself for getting up and walking all the way to the cafeteria to get more napkins. I could have just sat there. Then when I finally returned, nobody was in line anymore. I knew there were lots of people without napkins. I walked around and passed out stacks to the tables that were in line near the end. I felt like I was sort of disrupting the presentation, but that it was worth it for napkins. The pizza was extremely greasy.  I did my good deed for the day.  I learned while I went to get napkins they also ran out of plates or almost ran out.  The cafeteria didn't do anything right I guess.

After work we headed to Ikea to buy a corner bookshelf and the connection pieces. We also found a nice reading chair.

After Ikea, we went to Carino's.  It was half off family platters so we decided to get one. I settled with regular spaghetti even though I like angel hair better.  We had a lot leftover too.  I got Italian Chili but only ate one bowl.  I didn't feel full. I didn't have pants pushing on my gut though. Then when I tried to get up to leave boy did I feel full. Then on the way home, every bump made me want to throw up.  So I guess dresses have pros and cons. I can eat to my hearts content but then I eat far too much.   Then on our way home we stopped for frozen yogurt. I barely got any but I shouldn't have gotten any at all. Oh boy was I full.

Three hours later, we had the new shelf assembled and didn't even have them lined up properly. It was extremely hard to get everything at the right angle and in the right place. I wish they had dimensions for how far away the larger bookshelves should be from the corner. Then it would have been so much easier.  I didn't bring my work laptop home knowing I'd be a little busy but then I didn't realize I wouldn't even have time for TV and that we wouldn't even get the bookshelves totally up.

Working out - Some history

Two years ago and some change I joined the gym at work. I thought that I would go a few times a week for a month or two and then would lose motivation and would either quit the gym or at least discontinue going. I don't have a specific post about it, but back in April 2009, I talked about it a little. The first day I went to the gym was March 30. I got access to go earlier in the week but my first official membership was April 1 start.

Two years later, I'm still constantly working out. I may not be going to the gym as often but I am keeping up with working out at home or outside in addition to going to the gym.

There are probably many reasons I have stuck with exercising and maintaining a more healthy lifestyle but one of those reasons has been the trainers at the gym.

I didn't realize how much until recently.

Over the years I have gotten to know 4 trainers pretty well. I am pretty sad to say that only 1 of them is left. I am trying to get to know 2 newer ones but I don't deal well with change and just miss those that I used to talk to.

I have talked to a few of them about training plans and being able to handle them with my knee post-surgery.  I have talked to them about shin problems I have had, about what additional knee exercises I could do, what workout routines I could do, and many more things.  I feel like I more than just got advice from them that I became friends with them.  I feel like I have accomplished so much over the past two years and that I just have even more that I want to accomplish. Three years ago, I did not have any workout goals. I basically just wanted to be able to walk without pain. I am so glad to say that my goals are very different this time around.

I have started to like yoga which I think is amazing. There is no way that I would be doing yoga if it weren't for the trainers.

Kelly has only been gone 1.5 months and I already lost a lot of motivating. Bri just left this week.  I really need to get more motivated on my own and less depressed that they left. I really miss talking to the trainers before or after a workout. I miss working out with them.

Kelly was great with motivating me to run my first 10k.  I had run a 5k and she said if I could run 3 miles, then I could run 6.  I would talk to her about my runs early on and ask her how she trained. It helped to be able to talk to someone who recently ran races and had to train. I also talked to her about her GoWear fit and then got one on my own.

Joining the gym at work has also provided a lot of friendships.  I realized recently that all of my "new" friends are people that workout. Also most of the conversations I have with people are about exercising.  Perhaps I have no other life, but I tend to believe that exercising is a good thing and working out with others is great.

Lindsey encouraged me to attend group fitness classes. I used to talk to her constantly when I was working out after work.  It took a little convincing and then I went to Body Pump. After a few months I went to a spinning class.  Then I did Body Combat and Chiseled Core.  I tried Cardio Fusion and then eventually yoga. I was even doing classes 4 days a week unless I was training for a race  and cut it back to three days.

Every time I think about how the awesome trainers are gone, I get sad. I was motivated to workout on my own but now I'm demotivated based on how the old company was not chosen for the new contract at work even though they were the low bid. The new company is not nice and welcoming.  I'm basically afraid to talk to the trainers now, even the ones I know.  I felt like when I talked to the trainers, they actually cared about me. I'm not so sure that is the case with everyone. I really do hope to continue to maintain friendships with everyone. (I hope they don't think I'm that weird person that talks to them too much and that they actually want to maintain contact with me.)  They were amazing instructors. I always thought I could push myself on my own but they pushed me even more.

I was trying to get Dave to join the gym for awhile. He was willing to consider it once he was done with grad school. He was done in May but now I don't even feel like trying to get him to join. I also feel like quitting myself. I have some equipment at home but I feel like I won't use it at home because I like the other human interaction.

Sorry this post was longer than normal and jumped all over the place.   In summary:

1. The trainers at the gym really helped me continue to workout over the past 2 years
2. The friendships I made at the gym are amazing
3. I need to get motivated again to workout more even though 3 trainers are no longer around.

I probably could have said more. I had more to say when I started this but lost my train of thought along the way.

How are you motivated?  Do you develop a friendship with trainers at the gym? 

A Day's Worth of Twitter

10:27:06 AM - I just went through my retired Stamps list for SU! and 19 sets retiring and 9 I never used.
12:06:32 PM - I've been productive doing things on my to-do list but I've added more than I crossed off :(
02:24:07 PM - All this productivity has made me exhausted.
07:50:22 PM - I went to nap. i set my timer for 40 minutes. decided to sleep longer. Reset timer for 25 min or so I thought. nope woke up 2 hours later

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

6.7

Skirt: Athleta (2010)
Shirt: Loft Outlet (2009)
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Gifted

I'd like you to note how white my legs look. There was no flash. That's just my legs.

This is how I decided what to wear with the skirt. If only I had Rose Red for the  necklace.

Well I found a 2nd outfit to wear incorporating this skirt.  Some day it won't be so hard. The difficult part is the fabric material, not the color. It is just too casual. That's what I get for buying it from a place called "Athleta" I guess.

We spent some time again getting these bookshelves lined up. That corner one is very difficult. Then it is hard to get a screw driver to be able to link them at the top.

Pre-dinner was Frosted Flakes.  I needed something in a hurry since after work I did Body Combat (and about killed myself from working so hard) and then I got home, showered, and worked on those bookshelves. I needed some food in me fast.

For some reason Poly thought she smelled tuna so she had to jump up to see if I was eating it.

I was going to eat real food after Frosted Flakes but decided to eat chip and dip instead.

Poly cuddled up with my pants. I swore she thought there was cat nip in them.

We got a lot of the books on the bookshelves and the chair ready to go. It is a nice reading chair.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

12:02:20 AM - @whoatemyblog what other exercises do you do besides run (run/walk)?
08:58:57 AM - @BodyMedia yea I was asking when the next planned one is.
02:52:15 PM - A post about my latest run http://bit.ly/ieMZUm
11:52:35 PM - Oh boy. 2 days of driving coming up and just learned the cigarette lighters don't work in the car. How will I keep my cell charged?!

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

Run 6/15/11 - 3.04 Miles

I wanted to run before work, but thought I wouldn't have time since I was going to Callie's after work.  But then I started to regret it so I decided to go out at lunch. It was warmer. It was sunnier. I still had a good run. I kept it short since I was doing it during lunch. 

It was pretty hot even though the weather app on my phone only said it was in the 70s. I think the sun at noon makes it feel so much worse. 

I set some goals as you can see by the goal column above. I'm not sure why I picked those times but I did. I know the 2nd mile is the worst due to the hill so I made a slower goal but probably too slow.  Then I had to push it to meet my mile 3 goal.   When you run, do you give yourself mini goals? 

Now that I'm running more, I need to get my training plans going for my upcoming races. I'm proud of my much faster time during this run, especially since I felt like it was so hot with the sun pounding on me.  My 5k reach goal is 24:30 but my definite goal is 25:00. My best 5k time so far has been 25:59 and that was May 22, 2010. I really want to hit 25 but am already getting discouraged that it won't happen. If I had a friend to run with who was faster than me, then I'd improve my time. I just need to find someone who is willing to run with me. Sigh.  Any takers?

My knee did not hurt at all during this run. During my 6/3 run it did.  I iced my knee after the run since different doctors have told me how that is good.  I think I need to go to North Park and get a 5 mile run in. These 3ish mile runs are good but they leave me wanting more and wanting to increase my cardiovascular strength. 

Note how I did some doubling back near the end to run at least 3 miles. But also the couldesac doesn't show that I ran to the end even though I did.

1:55 is my fastest split yet doing the loop around my house. I have had faster on a track or other flat courses.
During that stretch was the stretch that I saw the kids at the bus stop the last time I ran and the stretch where a kid yelled "Run. Run. Run." the time before and it was always my fastest stretch so this time I didn't want it to be slower than those times so I consciously tried to push myself. And look it paid off.

Friend Friday: Recipes

This week Katy wanted us to share our favorite seasonal recipes... the ones we love to make and love to eat this time of year.  Well I almost didn't write one since nothing is in the love to make category. So I changed it to what can I make without my recipe book that I like to make.  So just for some perspective when I make frozen corn, I get out my recipe card so I know when to add the sugar, water, butter, or whatever.

So that left one thing. Also that one thing I love to eat so I guess it works.  I never made it to take anywhere because people live too far away.

Roasted Potatoes
Oven: 450 degrees.

Wash red potatoes or peel regular potatoes (or wash either kind or peel either kind but how I said is how I do it)
Dry potatoes.
Cut into cubes... maximum 1 inch.

Drizzle Oil in pan and move it all around.

Put potatoes in pan 1 layer thick. If thicker use 2 pans (I often use 2 pans. I love potatoes.)

Add a touch more oil.
Add salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and whatever other spices you find. Sometimes when I make 2 pans I make one a little hotter for my husband and pretty much everyone else.

Stir. Stirring with my hands spreads all the spices better but is messier.
Put in oven.
Stir every 10-15 minutes for a total cooking time of 45-60 minutes.

Sometimes I add more spices when I'm stirring it. It just depends on my mood and what it looks like.

Then eat.

I am pretty sure you should eat other stuff too but that is not required.

With all the times I take pictures of my food, I can't believe I can't find a picture of the potatoes.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

07:39:24 AM - My alarms didn't work right. And man am I tired.
08:38:10 AM - I made coffee today. Second tine since I worked here http://lockerz.com/s/111187266
08:55:11 AM - @mikecherepko I had a lot of trouble picking a kind. I have ~20 and never had a single one. I didn't know what was good. Breakfast Blend
12:18:35 PM - @joannssidewalk I loved Nancy Drew.
04:02:26 PM - I stayed up late last night. I was tired this morning. I have to work until 6. Should I try to run after work or make today a rest day?
05:28:18 PM - I forgot I worked an extra hour yesterday. I could be home by now.
06:10:29 PM - Ugh rain.
06:11:23 PM - @mikecherepko I drank about 4 oz of mine before it got cold and I was too lazy to go heat it.
06:12:12 PM - @missylizzylucy oh man maybe I shouldn't wait until next week to post it. it is good
06:13:04 PM - @wrkngmomscloset but I rested Saturday and Sunday.
06:24:27 PM - @LaurelHeather why did you cancel it?
06:26:26 PM - @LaurelHeather I sell stampin' up products.
06:27:39 PM - @mikecherepko sounds gross. But id have to walk as far to get ice, milk, sugar as the microwave
07:17:07 PM - @missylizzylucy me too. Which of your twitter accounts do you talk about running on?
08:47:44 PM - @missylizzylucy I often joke I need more blogs and to split mine. Also I say my cat needs a blog http://lockerz.com/s/111355104
08:54:57 PM - @RestonStyle @missylizzylucy She already has a twitter @_Poly_Kitty I also thought she should have a daily picture site like mine
11:51:20 PM - I was tired all day until close to bedtime. I'm definitely up too late.
11:52:03 PM - @LaurelHeather oh I didn't know you were moving for money. I thought location.
11:56:14 PM - @FashionMomma22 so this job better than the last?
11:57:08 PM - @BodyMedia I forgot:( and am behind on reading. Any other holidays for gifts coming up?

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

6.3

Dress: NY&Co (2009 or was it 2008)
Cardigan: Express (2009)
Shoes: The Shoe Dept. (2005)
Necklace: Sears (2010)

The gold buckle always throws me off and I'm afraid to wear all my silver things.  I really like how the cut of this dress fits. I have tried on many at NY&Co. since and a lot before and could never get one to work out right.

Poly was too cute sleeping with me so I hit snooze just to spend some more time with her. Eventually I had to get up to run though.

I ran in the morning. I ran 3.29 miles and already posted about it. I did not post the post-run picture though. This is me on my way upstairs to upload my data.
Shirt: Half Marathon, Capri Pants: Target, Tank (not visible): Target.

After work we went to dinner then to Yum for ice cream. Their outside dining has tables too close to the edge. I pulled my chair way back. I took the above picture with my arm extended in front of me. I don't know how people sit so close to the edge.

After food it was time to go to Giant Eagle. That's when my cold hit and I was sick all weekend.

6.2

Necklace: Walmart
Cami: Costco (perhaps it was Sam's Club)
Shirt: Loft
Pants: VS
Sandals: Target

Dress and shoes: Target, Necklace: Walmart

 I came home from work and wanted out of my work pants but it was early so I thought it was too early to change directly into my pajamas. Well before even leaving the bedroom I fell asleep for a nap. I guess it should have been a good time for pajamas. I napped for about three hours.  I went for a walk with Dave after that.  Then that stupid nap messed up my sleep schedule and I could not fall asleep. At 1:30 I started reading and replying to work emails. After a few I realized they'd have a time stamp and wondered if anyone would notice (they did). 

Twitter 6/14

08:15:19 AM - I can't get over how cute the June 1 picture is. I think Poly needs a daily picture site. http://bit.ly/lQcMP4
01:41:07 PM - @wrkngmomscloset I'm confused. What exactly is this?
03:30:37 PM - @LaurelHeather so funny my friend said the same exact thing. - Note I was pretty sick July 4. I could have used another pic but it was awful
03:31:19 PM - @LaurelHeather You confuse me.
03:33:36 PM - @LaurelHeather I may piece things togehter but I don't disclose what I come up with for fear it is wrong.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

5.31

Skirt: Sears - 2008
Shirt: Loft - 2008
Shoes: The Shoe Dept. - 2005
Necklace: Filene's Basement - 2011

This is one of the skirts I tried on the day before.  It was too big for awhile there but now it is back to fitting.  I like to wear long shirts with this skirt because there is ruching at the butt. I'm not sure why they do it. It does make room for a bit butt but it also makes the butt seem bigger.  Longer shirts can cover it and then it's all good. The shirt I wore here was only covering part of it.

This makes me want to curl my hair everyday. I was going to. I started a trend. But then it didn't happen

Poly cuddles with me so I don't wake up. Then I get up (getting out of the wrong side of the bed) and she gives me such a look (bottom right picture). I blame hitting snooze on her cuteness.I claim I can't disrupt her. Really I'm just tired though.

Poly runs down the stairs when I come back in from taking my daily picture.  She does it often. She knows I'm about to leave after I do that. 

The air conditioner was broken in my building for work. It was pretty warm. I was lucky that I didn't wear pantyhose and that I had on short sleeves and a skirt. My area didn't have a lot of people so it wasn't that bad.  Other areas were 86 degrees. When I walked around to go anywhere people looked a little bit like death. Their faces were all flushed and you could see sweat dripping.  It wasn't a pretty site.

For lunch, Dave and I were going to go out with Jason. Then I invited Jen.  We went to the hot dog shop. It's good stuff. We went there twice within a week. After I paid, Jen learned that we save 10% there with our work IDs. I wish I would have known that.   I could barely handle the cold A/C in that place just because I was so used to the hot at work.   Jen ate slower than me. Jason commented on that. He said he never knew anyone to eat as slow as me. Jen's awesome like that. We eat at the same pace and we don't pressure each other. I think the only reason I was done first is that I was sharing fries with Dave so he ate more than half and then we were done. 

Poly loves it when Dave is going down the steps and has his head right level with the floor. Sometimes she isn't even over by that part of the hallway and she sees him going down and she runs over. She doesn't like it so much with me but sometimes she still does.

(I'm so behind in posting that I have no idea what else I did this Tuesday.)

5.30 - Memorial Day

Shoes: Walmart (I think) in 2003
Dress: Target in 2010

I threw this on after trying on old clothes.  It was the start of my realization that dresses are as comfy as yoga pants but look a little more polished.

Poly was getting in my way of trying on clothes. I'd put them on my bed and she'd go over and sit on them.  I never did end up trying on that skirt. She sure got a lot of cat hair on it. I went to go post about trying on clothes and Dave fell asleep while he was reading and Poly napped too. Then she was ready to move onto new clothes I was trying on when I went back over.   I still have a lot more clothes to go through.  I also would like to mix and match some outfits because I probably have things that go together and don't realize and in the morning I'm too tired to think and just go with what I know.

I watched TV with Dave and Poly.  We didn't leave the house even though it was a holiday. We didn't have a picnic. We didn't go to a picnic. We didn't do much of anything.

I kind of wish I had a picnic or something. I kind of wish the patio was done so I'd have a table outside. I guess you can't have everything and at least I have a super cute cat.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

12:22:11 AM - Should probably put this book down and go to bed
12:38:04 AM - @mikecherepko I watched half. Need to watch the rest tomorrow. It is past my bedtime.
12:38:40 AM - @LaurelHeather say what?
06:42:40 AM - So itchy
07:28:19 AM - I shouldn't have hit snooze for 50 minutes this morning. Now I will be getting to work so late. Still need to shower.
10:13:56 AM - During my run this morning (3.77 mi) I ran past 5 school buses and 3 different bus stops worth of kids waiting to be picked up.
12:57:23 PM - @TracyMorganLove I like it. It's a quick read.
04:13:46 PM - @wrkngmomscloset good job
09:41:11 PM - These mosquito bites are so itchy.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

Run then walk (6.13.11)

I ran before work. Then at lunch I walked with Dave and his coworker. 

The 2nd mile is always the worst with the gradual up hill.  My knee did not hurt. Originally I was going to do 3.25 then I thought 3.5. Then I miscalculated what I would end up running so then when I was at 3.6 I decided to double back a few times right near my house to get it to 3.75. 

The walk at lunch was the loop at work. A little over 1.75 miles in 40 minutes. The satellite didn't work right away so I didn't get the full walk on the Garmin.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

01:11:15 AM - I'm still out. I'm too old for this.
10:31:27 AM - I got invited to my first yard party at the Bradley's last night. Timmy has been to many.
02:04:23 PM - At the game and ready to fall asleep. http://lockerz.com/s/110114725
02:48:34 PM - The pitcher had a batting average of 0.00. And I was making fun of him. Then he got a double hitting it off the wall. Wow.
02:57:25 PM - @FashionMomma22 growing up my dog loved it. She went in there to sleep on her own. She liked it.
03:24:39 PM - Not a home run but someone set off the home run fireworks. Also a meeting. I might have to google this later. Overbay I think.
07:18:55 PM - I just napped for over 3 hours
08:34:56 PM - @wrkngmomscloset me too. Sometimes it takes me a week to put mine away.
08:40:22 PM - @wrkngmomscloset ok well sometimes it takes 2 weeks
08:46:53 PM - These mosquito bites are super itchy. I need to stop scratching. I'm going to tear up my legs.
11:17:49 PM - Reading in the reading chair. RUN! That @TracyMorganLove recommended. http://lockerz.com/s/110251453
11:20:33 PM - @mikecherepko I often want visitors so I can clean (will clean when they arrive)

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

I've made a decision

I've made a decision...but I'm bad at decisions so I may change my mind.

I am not doing Kendi's 30 for 30 challenge this time around. Many people are. I have already participated in three. I learned a lot during those three but feel like I waste most of my closet.  The no shopping part is not why I'm doing it. The not using 90% of my closet is why (or mostly why). Then the seasons change and I miss out on a few of my almost favorite pieces.

I really enjoy the hits my blog gets by completing in the challenge but I do not feel that should be the motivating reason to participate.

Instead I'm going to challenge myself in a different way.  I have entirely too many clothes in my closet that I have not worn in a long time. Each week I will pick out 7 things I haven't worn in awhile or that I rarely wore but need to wear more and fit it in during the week. I was debating doing 5 since I don't always get dressed out of my pajamas but realized I need to start getting dressed on telecommuting days. A friend suggested 10 but that would involve me picking things that I could wear together and I don't know if that would happen.

I think I'll come up with a name for this but I haven't thought of one yet... some way to use alliteration and the number 7...

Also we'll see how long it takes me to get a weekly weight average 132 lbs or less. I hit a high of 135 the other day. I've been above 132 for a few weeks and that's it so we'll see where it goes.  (For comparison, 1 year ago I was averaging 125 lbs.)

A Day's Worth of Twitter

09:16:44 AM - Yearly vet visit. 145 bucks. http://lockerz.com/s/109696399
09:57:45 AM - @LaurelHeather fabric is expensive. Each time I bought fabric, dresses and skirts would have been cheaper.
09:59:42 AM - @LaurelHeather cats need shots 'n 'at
10:09:09 AM - @LaurelHeather rabies. And leukemia were 2 she got. Forget the third. Doc told us she's not fat so you can quit calling her that
10:12:54 AM - @mikecherepko who besides Clarence's mother-in-law?
01:37:44 PM - Timmy is driving and he's going to give me a heart attack or 30. I should have driven and I hate driving.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

07:31:45 AM - I forgot to post yesterday. I forgot to make cookies yesterday. I'm forgetful.
07:38:06 AM - @kendieveryday If anyone made a list for you, share it with me. I'd like someone to do that for me too.
07:39:47 AM - @mikecherepko Well you probably have more social friends than I do. It was tough to get 5 total people to go once.
08:34:27 AM - colleen.akwire.net is down. I think Jesse got rid of the server. Sadness
11:13:21 AM - My 2 second updo is featured: http://bit.ly/ldnbAQ Thanks @angelineevans
04:23:23 PM - I wear dresses everyday now because I discovered they feel as comfortable as pajamas but look nicer
05:12:07 PM - Thanks are you doing anything with all the twitpics? RT @BodyMediaFIT: Congrats 2 @SmilinColleen for winning the #BodyBurn Challenge!
09:23:46 PM - funny: http://www.dontevenreply.com/index.php And you will waste a lot of time reading it so don't click. 8 tons of rocks! haha
09:57:19 PM - @LaurelHeather You must have been excessively tired

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

New Necklaces (5/27/11)

I went to Kohl's to spend my Kohl's Cash and I could not find anything I wanted. I tried things on. Nothing worked. After about an hour I ended up with 2 necklaces.

1. Originally 18. on sale for 11.70
2. Originally 20. On sale for 12.99

Total 24.69
minus $20 Kohl's Cash + tax
= $4.97 for both

I realized after I got home I had a 15% off coupon. So then I was mad. I could have saved even more.

Talk about a deal!

Poly did not want me to photograph the necklaces.

Friend Friday: Summer Trends

This week Katy wants us to write our five favorite Summer trends. Now I thought I was up on the trends after my research for the spring trends but I guess summer doesn't have the same trends as spring... or maybe it does. I have to do some more research.

I looked at a few sites here, here, and here and am surprised at what they say is a trend.

Well I found a site that said Color Blocking is in for the Summer too. I knew some trends would be the same. Some websites even list Spring and Summer trends together together.

1. Color Blocking
2. Graphic Prints
3. Sundresses
4. Bold Necklaces
5. Tangerine

One style I can't get behind is the romper.

Too bad a style isn't to wear my 10 year old clothes that are in my closet.  I did see a few different outfits that reminded me of my park ranger outfit so perhaps I'm in style with my old clothes. 

A Day's Worth of Twitter

11:54:51 AM - I fail at pinterest. I tried to pink something 4 times so far and think it'll work and it's not there.
01:07:49 PM - @LaurelHeather why?
09:21:28 PM - Happy hour was fun. Too bad it only happens once a year. I need to organize them more.

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.

A Day's Worth of Twitter

08:25:48 AM - @briecs why would you wear a men's top?
08:27:51 AM - @wrkngmomscloset just imagine if it was a company email. and then 30 people reply alled yelling at the first person for emailing everyone
08:28:25 AM - @TheNewChrissy oh boy!
08:31:07 AM - @BL11Hannah now that you are back to normal life from the ranch, how long do you work out each day?
08:45:29 AM - BTW I'm dressed link a park ranger today. http://colleen.akwire.net/_clothes/
09:08:12 AM - @lisafilipek Thanks. I went with it since nobody commented on how to style this w/o it looking washed out/park ranger http://bit.ly/izpfbG
09:08:31 AM - @lisafilipek I'm still taking suggestions on how else to style the shirt...
09:37:36 AM - @FatGirlvsWorld Someone else told me regular glue worked. I haven't tried it. Went through 5 bands so far. lots of safety pins=temporary fix
09:46:34 AM - @FatGirlvsWorld I usually use 3-4 safety pins as the temporary fix until I get a new one. A bobby pin doesn't seem like it'd hold
09:47:38 AM - @FatGirlvsWorld Since I run races I always have safety pins in my wallet. Probably have 8 in there now.
01:01:43 PM - I ate lunch and now my pants are too tight.
01:02:09 PM - @iamoddd When do you arrive?
01:07:11 PM - @angelineevans breakfast I just eat a cereal bar so I'm OK but lunch is another story. I'm slouching almost lying down in my chair. temp fix

You can find me as @smilincolleen on Twitter.