Free Shit & Oh Shit

Did Lance Armstrong make those rubber bracelets popular?  I feel like everyone and their mum gives those out for events and such. I somehow managed to get three of these within one week. One from my G-Loves order, one from Chivago RnR race, and one from my Bodybuilding.com order that finally arrived.

I also got a free packet of protein pancake mix and preworkout powder. I mean when would I ever wear these bracelets? 

So yesterday, I did something un-fucking-believable. I fell asleep after eating dinner and missed my entire leg day!  I woke up right on time to eat my 9 PM meal, but I was just shocked and upset with myself. I don't need to be missing workouts like that!  So, today I ran faster than normal and did some hill sprints. It doesn't make up for missing the leg day workout, but it at least got my legs moving. 

Ummm...I'm in love with my G-loves!!  They are definitely different. I can actually feel the weights in my hands unlike my old pair of gloves that had a lot of padding. 

Oh, and someone broke the assisted pull-up/tricep dip machine which makes me super mad. I've seen a lot of my gains in my arms from ending some of my workouts with a tricep burnout. I'm not strong enough to do pull-ups with my own body weight. The thought of doing them that way makes me have flashbacks to P.E. class back in the day--the only pull-up I could do was the first one because it included the jump from the ground!  LOL. 

Today, I paid for my classes at Parkland this Fall. Now, I just need to buy my books. It's all too real...going back to school!  I need to go school supply shopping. 

I think tomorrow I'm going to Ulta/Sephora with a lady from work to look at makeup for my show. 

OMG!  How could I not start my blog off with not telling you guys that I booked my  bikini wax today. I'm not going to lie...I'm actually really scared of this. The appointment is for this Saturday. Eeek!!

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Half Crazy

 

CHICAGO was a lot of fun this weekend. I continued my race day morning tradition of getting up early, getting dressed, and walking to the closest coffee shop. I got a small house coffee and tried to give myself the "poop talk."  You don't want to start a race needing to go to the bathroom...it's not fun at all. Of course, I couldn't go. 

We drove near the race and parked. After walking for a bit, my friend needed to go to the bathroom. So, we used a Dunkin' Donuts as our victim. :)

I believe I finished at 2:35. I ran the entire way, except for mile 12.5.  There's a pretty good sized incline that I would definitely call a hill. I was on pace to set a personal record...At the 12 mile mark, I was at 2:08. I planned on running up that hill with all my force, but I got hit with shooting shin splint-like pain from my ankle bone to my knees on both legs. I actually started feeling dizzy like I was going to collapse. I've never felt this kind of pain running before.  So, I decided to walk. I walked for about 10 minutes until the Finish Line was in sight, and slowly made my way across it.

I'm not disappointed at all. It was a hot day and considering I got the time I did, I was happy with it. I didn't stop at every water station...I felt like I made good choices about when to hydrate. 

At this race, you get a free beer at the end. From Week 1, I told myself that this would be the only beer I consume during my training. In the past, my friends and I usually drink beer and eat a cheeseburger after running. This time, the beer just didn't sound appealing. So, I cheated with something else. *GASP* 

At the finish line, they were giving out small samples of smoothies from Jamba Juice. I took one because the only thing I could eat was a warm banana. It was so delicious that I told myself that I want a smoothie as my cheat.  After getting back to my friend's apartment and eating my 12 PM meal, I googled the closest Jamba Juice.  It was a 20 minute walk. I didn't know what the neighborhood was like, so I opted for Starbucks since I knew where that was and the walk felt safe. 

I purchased a Grande Strawberry Smoothie and enjoyed every minute of it! I know, I know. I could have done much worse, but trust me. I beat myself up the entire drive home over drinking the smoothie--the whole 2.5 hour drive. I looked up the nutrition and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. Regardless, I gave myself a pep talk and told myself to bear down this week and work harder in the gym. PUNISHMENT. 

P.S.  I have to figure out why my pictures are so blurry on Blogger...Hmm.

P.P.S.  This is my 100th post! 

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Legs for Days

LEG DAY was exhausting tonight. I thought about changing up the routine, but I'll save that for after the competition. I had a rough day at work, so I put all my effort into my workout. When I went down to the locker room, I immediately hit the sauna and laid down in there. It was much needed.

I planned on making my food for tomorrow tonight, but I don't have any energy for anything. My 9 PM snack consisted of a banana and half a serving of frozen strawberries. I've really been craving fruit lately. One thing I haven't been eating much of is eggs. I usually eat egg whites, and they are super easy to make. I think I've been lazy with wanting to cook in the morning. I like my oatmeal and coffee. 

I don't remember if I posted about my review on the Ezekiel bread or not, but it's DELICIOUS!!  I really like the taste. It's not thick like the brown rice loaf that I've tried in the past. What's weird is that on the Ezekiel website, it shows a grilled cheese sandwich with the cinnamon raisin bread. I wonder how that would taste. 

Time for bed!  I've got a busy morning tomorrow before I leave for Chicago. 

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Cramps Like A Motha...

WHY does it feel like my uterus is trying to murder me from the inside out?! Ughhhh. 

Today, I made three purchases:  G-loves, Bikini Bite, and Muscle Juice. I got pretty good deals too. 

Here are the G-loves that I bought. OMG. I love them already. 

I found a 20% off coupon code online and it worked!  

I bought Bikini Bite because it's required that you glue your suit to your body. The suits are so small that they don't want it to ride up anywhere or have any mishaps such as Janet Jackson circa Superbowl scandal. I bought the Muscle Juice because Jenelle told me it's really good stuff and it will give me a dewy glow on top of my spray tan. 

I ordered both products from bodybuilding.com who happened to have 10% off if you voted in a supplement survey. I don't take any supplements other than occasional BCAAs or protein powder. So, I felt a little guilty voting for products I have no clue about, but whatever. It's America, dude. I do what I want!  Both bottles were under $6, so I was happy with that. 

After the gym, I stopped by my mum's house for a quick visit. The first thing she said to me was "Man!  Your boobs are so small!" Hearing that is like the nicest compliment I could ever receive. She said she was impressed with my body!  [insert ego growth here]

Then, I drove to Walmart. For some reason, County Market was out of my greek yogurt. I found that my favorite brand is coming out with a couple new favors!  I bought the Banana Cream one...

It was sooooo good!  Especially when I cut up a real banana and dropped it in with the yogurt. I mean, it was so good that I think I'm going to go buy more tomorrow. I also bought a Toasted Coconut Vanilla and Key Lime (which I've had before and may have blogged about). 

I don't think I've ever obsessed over yogurt this much in my life, but it's hard to find yogurt that doesn't include fruit in the container. Not only does the fruit contain sugar itself, companies add more sugar/high fructose corn syrup to help preserve it. AND, I just really like this brand. I don't like Choke-bani...har har. 

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Hotness.

JESUS!  It's been super hot outside this week. I don't think it is supposed to ease up until after the weekend. I'm running a half marathon in Chicago this weekend, so I'm a little worried about the heat & running.

Last year, I overheated, drank too much water, and walked from Mile 8 to Mile 13.  I cried when I finished because I was so disappointed in myself. I wasn't prepared for the heat. My friend Carlee bought me a Frog Towel (I think that's what they are called) which keeps you cool. I'm going to bring it and see how it goes. I think we used it at this RnR race last year. 

Tonight, my plans with my grandpa fell through because he had to go open the bar up since the manager took the night off. But, I drove to Mahomet to run at Lake of the Woods anyway. I did a quick 4.5 mile run. It was hot, but the water looked beautiful with the sun setting. If it weren't so hot, I would have stopped to take a picture. 

After my sweaty 97 degree run, I drove through the country to get to County Market.  I swear, there is nothing better than a country cruise. Anyways, a figure competitor that I follow on Facebook talks very highly of Ezekiel 4:9  bread--especially the cinnamon raisin kind. I decided to get some. It's known for its "live grains." I found it in the freezer of the organic section. 

It lists the ingredients as:  

Organic Sprouted Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Raisins, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Lentils, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Fresh Yeast, Organic Wheat Gluten, Sea Salt, Organic Cinnamon. 

What I like most about it is that I know what each ingredient is. That rarely happens!  It was too late to try it tonight. I don't like eating a bunch of carbs after I workout. 

Tomorrow is Shoulders/Back day. I have to say, since I changed up my shoulder routine, It's starting to become one of my favorite days. I still love my Monday routine above all though. I love seeing the pump I get in my arms. When I'm resting in between sets, I stare at myself in the mirror. It's a really bad habit I've picked up. 

In other news, I am loving my new department!  I really like my office mates and my new boss, Kim, is just great!  This weekend I'm going to try to finish up my wall art that I am going to hang in my new office. I'm sure it's going to have to wait because I know I'm going to be exhausted after the half. 

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Hole-y Cow

WOMP. WOMP. 

I somehow put a hole in my lifting gloves. I would like to think that is a good sign?  Those things were getting smelly and gross. They lasted me a good six months so I was happy with them. 

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? 

I get to buy my first pair of G-loves!!!!  I am so excited and have no idea what color I want. 

I also have to give a shout out to my friend Moira at work. She offered to help me with my stage make-up!  I need to pull together some examples of what I want and send them her way!  

Things are coming together left and right!  

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The Nose Knows...

Tonight, I had two softball games which ended in BOTH teams forfeiting, so I didn't even get to play!  I'll take the two W's though!  :)

This weekend, I tried something new that I've seen on Pinterest:  egg in an avocado. 

This was good, but I didn't use any spices which made it very bland. I also didn't dig the hole out enough either so a lot of the egg white didn't make it on. Clint ate the other half. It was definitely filling. 

I had some family time today which was good. Everyone is on board with going to my show, so I'm super excited about it!  I went for a run after visiting my grandpa. I had to stop and take a picture because it was a beautiful day. I caught a lot of sun. I need to be careful because I don't want to have any issues with peeling when I have my spray tan done. 

I start my new job tomorrow!  Well, I'm still working part time in my old office, but I get to move into my new office in a new department tomorrow afternoon. I'm incredibly excited about this!  I think I'm going to be much happier about this change!  :)

I just forced Clint to bake cookies for the sole fact that I want to smell warm cookies throughout the whole house. It smells amazing...

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