Every so often I become obsessed with certain things. Its a constant rotation of phases that I go through, and when I get into a new routine of obsession I go full speed ahead.
Case in point – I don’t eat out much unless it’s at the Whole Foods hot bar because I usually feel like I was hit by an airborne sword fish after I’m done. That being said, I tried a Vietnamese restaurant by my work on Monday and it was so good I did everything in my power to go back on Tuesday.
Ob-sessed.
To work up an appetite for the above bowl of tongue explosions I went for a hike. I went to the same mountain I hiked last time, because it’s quick yet steep. Not steep like this, but steep enough to show me how out of shape I am.
Similar views as usual, but with a nice cloud cover. I love the way the mountains only slightly peek through under the fluff. I am planning to consistently do this hike because I want to watch my time improve.
It’s been a while since I’ve set a physical goal and this seems like a good one. I may breathe like a labored baboon right now, but full speed ahead I go!
When I’m at my peak with hiking obsessions I usually drive 2+ hours one way to get to a hike. Go big or go home. This hike is just under an hour away, making it more manageable for a last minute adventure.
Spontaneity is my middle name when it comes to decisions. When I plan in advance I usually want to cancel, so sometimes being impulsive pays off. Like when I decided to finally finish school…again.
I literally had a thought enter my mind one day in December, and by the next day I was registered. No time to think about it – full speed ahead.
I regret nothing.
If I could study how to make money by eating and hiking I would. It’s a good thing I don’t buy a lot of stuff because all my money goes towards gas and food.
I think I’ll just keep running in mall parking lots because it’s almost a guarantee I’ll find a penny or three. Whatever it takes to fund my spontaneous adventures.
After work today I’ll be going on a NEW to me hike, and I will neither confirm nor deny my plans to get Vietnamese foods post climb. Aye aye, full speed ahead.
Q: Are you a fan of Vietnamese cuisine?
Blissfulbritt 
54 thoughts on “Full Speed Ahead”
allisonfiorini
Love Vietnamese food, YUM! That dish looked excellent. I wish I could make a living off of running and eating. If you figure out how to do it with hiking, please let me know!
Brittany
Haha seriously though, life would be so simple if money fell from the sky. 😝
allisonfiorini
PREACH
Andrea Weidel
I’m a fan of all Asian food – country of origin doesn’t matter! I don’t know if it’s a common spice or something, but it’s all good and I could eat it multiple times a week if it didn’t cost money. 😉
Brittany
Exactly, I want it every day!
usabaker
We have a regular Vietnamese place we have been going to since it opened 10 years ago. The owners are like family friends now even our kids are the same age. It was a happy coincidence about the time I quit eating meat they started serving veterinarian dishes 🙂
I really love the views from your hikes, now that i’m (slowly) converting to trail running I would love to find a place like that to run,
Brittany
I have been hiking up, and running down these trails and it’s so much fun. I don’t do nearly enough trail running.
Deena
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had Vietnamese cuisine. But I gotta say, I’m completely envious of your hiking view!!
Brittany
Oh yes, a lovely view indeed!!
Angie
I LOVE pho. Other Vietnamese dishes? I definitely like, but they’re not my favorite.
Hikes in the PNW seems to be the best when you have to drive out for it. Oh, I miss those days. 😉
Brittany
I’ve not had their pho, the soup stuff doesn’t entice me, but the rice and veggies YES!
Debra
Wonderful blog as always 😊 Not much of a fan of Vietnamese food
Brittany
I didn’t know I was until now!
Rach @ This Italian Family
I hope you do go get the Vietnamese food again! It looks delicious! I’m with you on getting on kicks like that. I say enjoy it!
As always, the views there are just amazing! You have me wanting to hike!
Brittany
I’m totally going after my hike! 😍🙈
Lindsay Edwards
La la la LOVE Vietnamese foods. We don’t have enough good places here that serve it.
Brittany
I just can’t stop…and so vegan friendly. 😱
Jade
That food looks so good! And that hike looks beautiful. I haven’t gone on a hike in a few weeks. I need to get back out there.
Brittany
The flavors, it’s like a whole new world!
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
I love the little Vietnamese place by my apartment! I don’t even really know what it is that makes it Vietnamese, specifically, but whatever it is it’s delicious. I have to do more research on the different Asian cuisines! I’m never disappointed 🙂 beautiful photos, as always.
Brittany
I only know this is specifically Vietnamese because the menu said so. 😂
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Gorgeous hiking views as per usual! I get into hiking obsessed modes too! I’m bummed that I can’t really hike right now since I’m trying to recover from a foot injury. Earlier this week I took my dog to this lake nearby where we usually hike up the mountain, but instead we just went around the lake, and I so badly wanting to do that uphill climb and get my heart rate pumping!
Brittany
At least you’re still getting out there and moving! 👏🏻👏🏻
batelm2014
Wow you are so lucky to hike in such a gorgeous area I am truly jealous. I get what you mean about not feeling your best after eating out. I just ate at a Vietnamese place the other day, the food is so great. http://www.runningtomilan.wordpress.com
Brittany
Those spring rolls get me every time. I’m dreaming about them.
Ellie
I’m the same way with plans and decisions. I don’t like making plans for things, but do others on impulse more frequently. Like getting my nose pierced, buying something expensive or deciding to go visit someone I haven’t in forever. I sort of just do it. That’s another reason I don’t wait till New Years to change, I just do it. (Or I try to hahaha)
Brittany
OHHH man, yes the New Years waste of time. The time is NOW.
Heather Patton at Afternoon Glow
I haven’t had a lot of Vietnamese food, to be honest – but everything I’ve had so far I really liked! I’m a bit impulsive about weekend hiking – usually because as you know, the weather here doesn’t make planning ahead that easy!
Brittany
So true!
Josie @ Literature Mistress
I’m not sure I ever had Vietnamese food actually! I know I can’t have Chinese food most of the time – makes me feel awful. But I like Thai & I love sushi. Your picture looks like Vietnamese food could be a bit like Thai? In that case I would probably like it.^^
Brittany
Oh man Chinese food is not an option for me. No no no. What I love about Thai and Vietnamese foods is they use fresh, real vegetables and mix them with basics like rice. Then the hearty sauces round it all out! I think you’d enjoy the Vietnamese food, pho is very popular, but I don’t care for the saltiness of that.
Josie @ Literature Mistress
Oh I love salty food! Apparently that’s a German thing. I’ll definitely try pho if I ever have the chance!
An Unrefined Vegan
Jealous of those mountain climbs! “Hiking” + “Oklahoma” is pretty much an oxymoron, but then again, I’m damn lucky to have 160 acres to call my own in which to walk. And yes, I do love Vietnamese food :-)!
Brittany
I day dream about your 160 acres. 😍
P
That bowl looks SOOO good! When my cousin first moved to Cali, we used to go to this french-vietnamese restaurant that was close to where she lived. They had this amazing curry bowl that I always ended up getting and mixing with veggies and rice 😀
Brittany
Yes! My first experience here was a tofu curry mix that I had with rice. It’s what sold me!
Josh dV
Lovely pictures. Go get you some Vietnamese food! It is awesome.
Brittany
Three times in one week. 👊🏻
Josh dV
I had total faith in you. I knew you wouldn’t let me down.
Jane
Gorgeous hiking views, Brittany! I’d really love to walk on those mountains with you. Have a beautiful week. 🙂
Brittany
You’d be a fantastic hiking partner my friend!
Kristen@saltandpepperthearth.com
I am envious of the hiking spots! So beautiful! The most money I have ever found on a run was a five dollar bill. It was raining and I just barely spotted it. You would have thought I won the lottery, I was so stoked!! $5 is big winnings! Enjoy the new eatery! 🙂
Brittany
WHAAAAAT!!? $5 is like finding pure gold, I’d have cried. 👏🏻
Kayse
Such amazing hiking spots. I neeeeed to come visit you. I totally get your decision making process, when I most recently started school again, it was in the same decision making fashion.
Brittany
Sometimes that’s the only way to get it done, just gotta bite the bullet!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I can totally relate! I have an obsessive personality, so when I find something that I like, especially food, I tend to over eat on it until I get sick of it.
Brittany
I’m trying so hard to not do that. So, so hard.
dave379
On my ride home from work I always pass a Vietnamese restaurant across from a hospital. I was actually thinking of writing about it, and some other places of interest I’ll pass, because it just changed hands and… Right now it has a temporary sign that says,
“Friendly Pho
Under New Management”
Brittany
You must first try it, and then write it!
Allie Zottola
Love, love, love the hiking pictures! I haven’t had Vietnamese food, but I would love to try it one day! Now I am off to research Vietnamese restaurants in Pittsburgh…
Brittany
I went three times that week.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I am the exact opposite when it comes to planning (I can’t or simply won’t do things last minute without a whole lot of duress), but I applaud you for your spontaneity. You rock it.
P.S. I love the pictures in this post.
Brittany
Thanks boo thang, it’s why we balance well!
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