I hate this heat.

I am really no fan of summer, honestly yes. I am not a fan. I prefer the fall or even winter so it is killing me to be out doing anything in this heat.. ugh. I have contemplated running with ice packs in my bra and shorts.. but I think they will just wind up soaking wet and uncomfortable because it is just so HOT!!!

I am also watching what I eat, calories, portion and the actual food I am eating. Because obviously you could eat a certain amount of calories in a day but if it is all junk well really, that is not of any help.
Anywho, I was long time obsessed with and addicted to iced tea. My whole life really.. I would actually get into a panic if I was out.. I had been known to run out in the middle of the night to buy it! I am so pathetic. Anyways, oddly enough all I have been drinking is water or some flavored water here or there on occasion and ok a smoothie here and there too. My point is that I am not missing the tea, like at all! But I have been craving ice cream like a lunatic and I am not even that big of a fan of ice cream. I have yet to indulge.

Also excited that one of my upcoming planned 5ks is the Scranton Color Run! I am excited, it is not competitive in nature at all but is going to be a blast and I will be doing it with some of my friends. I have not yet registered yet because I also contacted them to inquire about also raising funds for my non profit. :)

I fully intend on sharing my meals and photos too, I actually rather enjoyed my dinner tonight which was a salad of greens, tomatoes, red peppers, cucumber, onion and a Gardein Chick'n Scallopini chopped up. Was pretty fast and tasted great, I am always in a rush so I am appreciative of fast at home meals.

Welp, I am heading out shortly for my 2nd day of  C25K Week 3 Day 2. I won't be running tomorrow night because I will be at work, also a rather physically demanding activity I greatly enjoy! I work at a luxury boarding kennel called Puppy Paradise and get to work with some wonderful dogs and help to keep them happy and pampered while their owners are away!

the bugs the bugs the bugs!!

I don't think I mentioned in my first post that one of the difficulties I have is bug bites!! I am not getting enough rest because I am up all night scratching. See, I like to run at night.. and well I guess the mosquitos love my sweet blood or my sweat or both?
UGH!
I actually went out and bought a spray and gel to help with the itch but nothing has helped. And I do spray with repellent of varying kinds each night.. gah!

Well here I go now, C25K week 3 day 2. woooo and it is hotter than the pits of hell!

Here it is!

Here it is!! my first blog post in my first running blog. So a little about me, I am 33 yrs old and a single mom who has once before attempted to ready myself for some serious running and taking part in organized running events. Unfortunately for me I was not in the right mindset and I also pretty severely injured my knee a short time after beginning. I have no problem admitting that while I was excited my mind not being where it should be and the knee injury resulted in a downward spiral of depression and lack of any kind of care for myself.
I have however battled those demons of mine and am now back in action with my mind exactly where it needs to be.
So I have started back at it, have been going "slow" at it using the C25K app, have appropriate running sneakers (I love them!) and have been running all but 1 day per week. I use the C25K app as my basis but double or triple up the days to make up for the time so that I am able to run daily with a 1 day break.
I am feeling great, I do not feel fatigued and am letting my body be my guide.
I don't do everything "by the book" so my blog will absolutely not be a "by the book" place to read up. This is how my journey is going as an individual.

I plan for this blog to journal the ups, the downs, the small and big accomplishments, my snazzy (vegan & vegetarian) meals, my strengths and my weakness/difficulties.
I hope that with this blog that I help myself but that I can in turn help others a little bit or a lot a bit!

I guess the first thing, why running? Well I have tried a lot of other various forms of exercise and ways to be a healthier me but none give me the same feeling and drive that running does. I have tried at home exercises, hot yoga, regular yoga, and Zumba to name a few. While I have made myself endure these lovely activities including through vomiting in hot yoga I have not had an actual love for any of them or well much of a like. Don't get me wrong, I would do Zumba again but mainly for the sweat and laughs.. it could never be a regular for me. I do also add in some strength training, walks and hikes to go along with my running but nothing has yet to compare to my love of running-and I am just getting started!

I guess the first thing I can discuss is my weaknesses and my strengths.

Areas of weakness/difficulty:

I have very large breasts, this is most probably my biggest hurdle.

I am very busy and I mean very busy! I am a single mom of 2, I work and I also run a moderately sized non profit organization.

I have some issues with feeling embarrassed, mainly due to my first mentioned issue-the old boobies.

I adore sleep!! Love, love, love it!

Areas of strength:

I am a no excuse person, I feel it is of utmost importance to honor commitments you make to yourself and/or others.

I have 2 children that cheer me on daily and are deserving of the happiest and healthiest mom I can be.

I LOVE running, no matter the length, I literally love the feeling I get from accomplishing any feet related to running. I think about it all of the time and how I can do things to help improve myself to be a better runner.

I have recently begun to find an inner peace within myself that encourages me daily to always do my best and be a better me.

I am managing my diet with a lot of healthy vegan/vegetarian options, monitoring my calorie intake and portion sizes at the same time I am not completely obsessing over food either which in itself can cause stress.


I plan to discuss each of these areas in a lot more depth in their own posts throughout this journey of mine. My disclaimer is that I am by no means perfect, by no means "by the book", may do some silly things, but I am enjoying myself and my journey to being a better me!!

I would love to be your blogger friend, if you want to share your blog with me please leave a comment!! :)