Rants, Recipes, and Running

I have been very absent from this blog lately! Where do I even begin... Here's what I've been up to! Training : I have a race on my horizon, at last! I've decided to do the Tempe AZ Lifetime Olympic Triathlon in September. I have 4 other friends that are doing it as well, so it will be a good excuse for a "girls weekend". I'm not following a specific training plan. I still like to try lifting weights at least 2 times/week. I've found from triathlons in the past (for me), it is most important to make running a priority. In a triathlon, you're running when you're the most tired. For those of you not aware, an Olympic tri is a 0.9 mile swim, 25 mile bike, and a 6.2 mile run! I've been terrible about swimming this time around. I'm so scared of getting an ear infection, and I seem to have a hard time getting my butt in that pool! Dreaming : About our upcoming Hawaii vacation! We have been planning this for about 1 year, so I am so ...

The high of my week was Saturday night's party we attended. My husband's work had a "farewell" party for 3 guys that are leaving. It was a great time! The low of my week was... getting a parking ticket Friday night on my way home running errands. I was on the phone, not paying attention, thought that the meters stopped at 5 pm, but it turns out they stopped at 6 pm. I parked my car at 5:40p, was back in my car at 6:05p. $65 ticket.... My favorite outfit was  I don't have a picture, but the dress I wore to the party last night. I bought it on a whim this week. Tuesday night we had dinner plans to meet a friend for his son's birthday. In my last hour @ work, I spilled coffee on my white shirt. So had to find something quick. I found the cutest brown and white A-line sundress.   For my workouts, I completed: Monday - Lifted weights - did a tough shoulder workout! And ran 4 miles Tuesday - Ran 7.5 miles with my girlfriends Wednesday - Lifted arm...

Most of my career, I have not had an office. During my time as a floor nurse, I ran around from room to room, and did my charting standing up in hallways. As a case manager, I walked around the entire hospital with a giant binder going from room to room. We had a "case management office" - but I avoided it at all costs. I would see all my patients, and find a computer in a quiet corner to do all my documentation. #heaven This is my job where I've ever had a designated desk, in a designated office, that I am required to spend a large amount of time at during my day. I have learned about myself, that I would like to work in a fish bowl of silence. I have developed a great deal of pet peeves. These pet peeves are of behaviors that I witness, that one would think are common sense. However, as Ryan always tells me, " Common sense is not that common ." My environment is unique. And I have 2 words to describe it: per·son·al·i·ty dis·or·der   noun: ...

Reading : "The Luckiest Girl Alive" - it is a similar thriller type like Gone Girl. It's a really sad, maddening, interesting book! Good, easy summer read! Thinking : About where I want to be in 5 years. Geographically and career-wise. Ryan and I are sort of stumped on this one. The other night we were out shopping, and talking about this conundrum. And I took Ryan into the toy aisle, and we looked for a "Magic 8 Ball" to get some answers. Unfortunately, Magic 8 Ball's are not common toys these days ;) Frustrated : I can't say I have any major frustrations right now. Life is pretty good ;) Feeling : Energized. I feel like things are going really well with my new job right now. I'm really enjoying my training (running/biking training, that is). It's fun to be excited to wake up every morning! Anticipating : This long weekend. I don't care what we do. I've just happy to have 3 days to ourselves! Eating: Major dietary change I...

My blogging has been a little MIA lately. The way I've been setting up my life lately, it leaves very little time for blogging. **I refuse to make statements like "I'm too busy to ______". That's not the truth. I just have been choosing to fill every hour of the day with other things ;) #stopsayingyourtoobusy #biggestpetpeeve Ryan and I have not seen much of each other, either. I sound like a broken record, repeating this statement over and over again. But it's the truth. For the past month, we have been planning a camping trip with 2 other couples up to Mount Lemmon, and it couldn't have come at a better time! To me, there is nothing more therapeutic than driving 1 hour up the mountain to cool weather, disconnecting from world, and spending 100% of your time in the great outdoors! When we pulled out of our driveway Friday morning, the temperature was 105 degrees (at 11:00 am). When we reached our campsite, it was 74 degrees F. Amazing ! Here...

No matter how busy life gets, I whole-heartedly believe that every relationship needs "date night". And "date night" should be a routine. "Date night" doesn't have to be a fancy night out over a plate of surf-and-turf. It doesn't have to be a night out at the movies. "Date night" is about breaking the routine, and spending time together as a couple. I think a routine "date night" is especially important once you start to have children. Not saying it's easy by any means...but every relationship needs 1:1 time away from the day-to-day stressors! Here are my favorite "date nights": 1. Happy Hour, Gelato, and a walk . One of my favorites is going to North, an Italian restaurant in the foothills of Tucson with a gorgeous patio. They have half-priced wine for HH. We share a few appetizers (marghertia pizza...caprese salad...) And then we go for a walk, and finish off the evening with a small gelato. Lots of vari...

The high of my week was a tie between 2 evenings. Wednesday - having Happy Hour with my friend Kristy on Wednesday night and catching up. Thursday - having a date night with Ryan after not seeing him all week. Life is pretty crazy right now, so we went to our favorite sports bar, had nachos and beer, and caught up on life. Simple but exactly what I needed. The low of my week was... work was rough this week! We had 2 people out on vacation, so having to do their work in addition to mine made for some long days! My favorite outfit was  This one! It was fun, springy, and comfortable. It's a battle to look "summer-y", but still able to bear the rigid 67 degree temps of my office....   For my workouts, I completed: Monday - I power walked Miles for 2 miles, and did a 20 minute crossfit work out: 5 pull-ups, 20 push-ups, 25 weighted squats. No stopping! Tuesday - Track workout - 16 x 400's, getting faster every grouping of 4. Butt kicker!! Wednesday - ...