Blissfulbritt | Page 54

- Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Run
  
  Posted at 3:57 AM by Brittany, on October 9, 2013
  How’s that for a title? This just about sums up the run I had on Saturday. It was my scheduled long run for the week, and I had high hopes going into this run because I took it easy on my runs all week leading up to Saturday. Things were fine the first mile or two, and then it just went downhill from there. Actually it went uphill..lots of uphill.
  
  Always..
  
  I was supposed to run 11 miles. Ok cool. Nothing I couldn’t handle after annihilating my 10miler a couple weeks prior. Well, my body had a different plan for the day. My run went a little something like this..
  - Mile 1- Felt pretty good, Katy Perry’s song Roar made me feel like a boss.
  - Mile 2-Feeling good still.
  - Mile 2.5- HOLY CRAMP WHERE DID YOU COME FROM..OWWW
  - Mile 3.48- Shit I am DEAD..how am I going to complete 11 miles today.
  - Mile 3.5-STOPPED TO BREATHE
  - Mile 5-STOPPED TO BREATHE
  - Mile 6.5- STOPPED TO BREATHE
  - Mile 7- STOPPED…FOR GOOD.
  Around mile 3 I was already dead. Struggling, needing to stop, guzzling my water, and chewing my Shot Bloks like I hadn’t eaten in 5 days. I was suddenly very fatigued.
  
  ALL THE CAKE!
  
  I had to stop at least 3 times to breath and then I noticed a blister forming on the arch of my left foot. Awesome. After feeling like I couldn’t go on anymore, I called it at 7 miles. Ugh. Mentally this sucked. Come to find out it’s almost “that time” which not only explained the fatigue, but also explained why I wanted to cry for stopping.
  
  Every time…
  
  I was able to end my run on my favorite road and admire the farm land while I waited for my mom to come and pick me up. Mom to the rescue once again (number 6.)
  
  I came home, got cleaned up, went for a walk, and ended my day with a drive through the mountains. I was bummed for not completing the scheduled 11 miles, but I let it go and accepted the 7 that I did accomplish..even if it was a struggle. Time to up my food intake!
  
  View from my drive. I love where I live!
  
  The very next day I checked my training schedule to find that I am a week behind..OMG WHAT!? That meant I needed to attempt this run again..so I did. I ate an entire loaf of bread and a giant potato the night before, and I ran/walk/hobbled 10.8 miles in just under 2 hours. Slowest run I’ve had in months..but I did it. My entire being is just “off” right now mentally/physically/and emotionally, but this too shall pass! Bring it on half marathon #3!
  
  Q: What do you do when something doesn’t go according to plan?
  | 58 Comments Tagged Carbohydrate, Half Marathon, Running
- Sharing is Caring
  
  Posted at 7:43 AM by Brittany, on October 7, 2013
  When I try to explain my blog friendships to my real life friends I feel a bit awkward. It’s hard to explain and I can tell some of my “real life” friends think I am crazy, and that it’s weird to develop such close bonds with people that I have never physically met. The funny thing about it is that I feel closer with some of my blog friends than I do with my real life friends..go figure. One blog friend I did happen to meet was Megan, and I adore her.
  
  Oh look…goodies in the mail from Megan!
  
  Ohh but there is more.
  
  I absolutely LOVE maple leaves. They are the epitome of fall, and sometimes I even think about getting a maple leaf tattoo. Such a gorgeous leaf. MAPLE LEAF COOKIES HERE I COME! I couldn’t get over how cute the little owls were.
  
  Plus a pumpkin delicious candle for my romantic solo dinners.
  
  I love sharing goodies with my real life friends, but I SO wish I could share them with my blog babes!! I’m sure I could mail some of the baked goods I create, but I never know if they will hold up during transport. I made a delicious treat that is worthy of sharing with all my blog friends, if only we could have a huge blogger party in my living room! A combination of three delicious elements all in one created this delicious masterpiece. I saw a photo of this on Pinterest, and I just HAD to recreate it myself.
  
  Chocolate Dipped Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites
  
  For the cookie dough:
  - 3/4 cup brown sugar
  - 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
  - 1/4 tsp. vanilla
  - 1/4 cup almond milk
  - 1 cup flour
  - Pinch salt
  - 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  Mix everything together in a medium sized bowl. I added the dry ingredients together first, and then the wet, but you can add it all in any order. You may need to add a bit more milk also.
  
  Once the dough is complete spoon small scoops onto your pretzels and then smoosh another pretzel on top. Then dip into melted chocolate and place onto wax paper. Place finished sandwiches into the fridge for 20 minutes.
  
  A few notes:
  - The chocolate chips in the dough got in the way at times when trying to sandwich two pretzels together. You don’t need the chips because you are dipping these into chocolate. Next time I will leave the chocolate chips out.
  - The pretzels will get soggy from the moisture in the cookie dough, so these are best eaten within a few hours of being made. Good treat for a (blogger) party. If making for a small group, half the cookie dough recipe (or use your own dough recipe) because my cookie dough made over 20 pretzel bites.
  - These were do delicious I died and was reborn 7 times while eating them. SO GOOD.
  Chocolate, cookie dough, AND pretzels..that’s what I call a triple threat. The salt from the pretzels added the perfect balance to all the sweet! Go make these, they are easy!
  
  Q: Are you a fan of the salt/sweet combo? YES YES YES!
  | 73 Comments Tagged Bloggers, Chocolate, Recipe
- The Opening Shift
  
  Posted at 9:12 AM by Brittany, on October 3, 2013
  
  Once upon a time I worked at 4 am, every single day. I loved it. I miss it, and even talk about it at times to an annoying extent. “Ohh man I love getting up early, I used to work at 4 am every day so this is nothing.” This is usually when I get the, “I don’t give two hoots” glare. OK so at the time I would complain, but looking back my days were ideal.
  
  I finally got the opportunity to open at Starbucks and I loved it. I won’t get these shifts everyday, but once a week is a start! My internal clock decided to be a biatch and actually woke me up before my alarm. Instead of trying to sleep for 10 more minutes, I got up. I grabbed my head phones and spent some time with my coffee and NPR. I’m old.
  
  Please notice the time…I was already up for an hour.
  
  This article was SO interesting. Obviously the title is what caught my eye, but I was engrossed the entire time. AHH I miss working early mornings! I miss my old job…A LOT. I had a 5 miler scheduled after work and it was SO UNBELIEVABLY ROUGH! I was so tired, my body hurt, and I was hungry. I did find 10 cents though! CHA-CHING!
  
  I love getting paid to run.
  
  Not all runs are easy, and this has been a tough week in the running department. Hopefully next week I’ll be back to mentally running with wolverines. I’m also craving sugar like a pregnant woman craves pickles and peanut butter…together. I’ve cut down my sugar intake, and when I order a latte at work I make sure to only get an 8oz. ALL THE FOAM!
  
  Fun fact: I like to dip my food (bready goods-think PB&J or muffin/breakfast rolls) in my latte foam. SOOO legit. This ensures that no foam gets left behind. Mmmm foammmm.
  
  Lastly I’d like to publicly say hello to October. This is hands down my favorite month of the year and so far it has been going swimmingly. The rain has been lovely, the crisp air has been magical, and I’m ready to get crafty with some pumpkins!
  
  Q: Are you a morning bird, or a night owl? I slept in until 7:30 this morning after yesterdays long day. It was amazing.
  
  | 59 Comments Tagged Garmin, Latte, Morning, Running, Starbucks, Trader Joes
- Fun Times
  
  Posted at 8:31 AM by Brittany, on September 30, 2013
  
  On Saturday when I got to work we had no power. When all the cleaning was done, and there was nothing else that we could possibly do (the store was not open, we just had to wait it out) my fabulous coworkers and I had a powwow..in the dark…with coffee.
  
  Can you guess which hand is mine!?
  
  The store was closed for four hours…I was there for two of those hours. Ever tried going to the bathroom in a pitch black room? iPhone flashlight to the rescue. It was a fun time.
  
  After this crazy day, I went for a run. It was pouring, and the wind was so strong it blew down trees with trunks the size of semi trucks. Slight exaggeration maybe, but still. I ran 5 miles and was 5 pounds heavier when I got home thanks to all the rain. It was a fun time.
  
  TRUTH!
  
  I’ve been shopping so much lately, and by so much I mean 1/3 the amount of a normal shopper. For me this is huge. Yesterday I bought a new dress and I am so jazzed. I’ve always been the “roll outta bed and go” kinda girl, but putting a bit more effort into my outfits has given me a huge confidence boost. It’s been a fun time.
  
  It’s fall and the weather has been dark and grey, I love it. I have consumed more coffee and tea in the last week than I have all month. I’ve been spending a lot of time outside even when it’s nasty, I love where I live. Last night I walked in the rain. It was a fun time.
  
  I’ve been spending a lot of time with people lately. I tend to gravitate towards being alone, and have forced myself out of this bubble. Life is so much sweeter with good company.
  
  Q: What’s been fun in your world lately?
  
  | 65 Comments Tagged Coffee, Fall, Random, Running, Starbucks
- Early Morning Confessions
  
  Posted at 5:38 AM by Brittany, on September 27, 2013
  
  1. BOOM fall has hit, and the temperatures are dropping. This means GLOVES on my runs! My mom is such a fabulous photographer, she has a sharp eye for blurry photos. I’m also clearly dressed to impress, this will be the outfit I meet my soul mate in. HA!
  
  2. I downloaded Spotify and I haven’t turned it off since. OH MY GOSH. So much love.
  
  3. Starbucks released its new coffee. I am obsessed. It is SO good. It’s creamy and smooth, with a nice tangy bite. I just love cofffffeeeeee.
  
  4. I am afraid of Netflix. My friend added me to her family account, and I was so overwhelmed by all the shows I ended up just watching 2 hours of Portlandia.
  
  5. I LOVE MY BLOG FRIENDS! Holy cow. I am falling in love with fall all over again thanks to my beloved Lily. After telling her I had some tricky emotions attached to the season, she sure knew how to make sure I got just as excited this year as I have in the past
  
  GOSH my friends are SWELL!
  
  6. I am officially no longer the “newbie” at work. Whoop whoop! Although I only really felt new for the first month, I caught on pretty quick and ended up fitting right in.
  
  7. I never buy myself things..like…ever. I hate spending money (unless it’s on food or running gear) and I decided I deserved some new things. I bought a new jacket, a new shirt, new earrings, and A NEW BAG THAT I AM SO OBSESSED WITH!
  
  This appears as if the bag on the left is a tiny version of the bag on the right, but this is in fact the same bag and two pictures pasted together haha. Also, this is FAUX LEATHER! YAHOO!
  
  8. I thought about shutting down my blog a couple months ago. I’m glad I didn’t.
  
  9. I have to soak my feet in the bathtub when it gets cold because I easily loose blood flow. Sometimes I have company when I do this.
  
  I can’t stop laughing at the picture on the right.
  
  10. There is a customer that comes into my work a lot, and he is beautiful. Thank you God for creating such a masterpiece for me to drool at while I pull espresso shots.
  
  Q: CONFESS TO ME!
  
  | 68 Comments Tagged Bloggers, Coffee, Confessions, Fall, Running
- Dear Insanity
  
  Posted at 9:23 AM by Brittany, on September 25, 2013
  
  Dear Insanity,
  
  We need to go on a break. It’s not that I don’t love you, really I do. Nothing makes me sweat like you, or grunt like you, or want to cry like you, but I just can’t give you all of my attention right now. Yes..there is something else in my life that is more important. With a half marathon just around the corner, the two a day workouts are starting to take a toll on my legs and I can’t keep waking up sore and dreading our time together.
  
  We had a great first month with each other and I promise I will come back to spend the second month with you, but right now running gets all my attention. It’s not fair to either of you for me to give 90% of me when you both deserve 100%. I do want to thank you for helping my endurance though, without you my longer runs would be tough(er).
  
  I will continue to spend time with you on my cross training days, on days when I have shorter runs and feel like King Kong, and even on some of my “rest” days, but we will not be together on a daily basis. I am not as hardcore as I thought I was in the beginning of this, “train for a half marathon and do Insanity at the same time” adventure, and I have accepted that it’s time to tone it down. Mentally I want you, but physically I need a break.
  
  Until I see you again, stay insane.
  
  Brittany
  
  Q: Have you ever tried to bite off more than you could chew with workouts?
  
  I found my self “half-assing” my Insanity workouts and decided that it was time to neck it back. I was also feeling fatigued in my quads (from all those damn squats!) on my runs which was not going to work for me. I need my legs strong and refreshed for longer runs. The sporadic Insanity workouts have been working much better than the strict every day routine. Like I said, I will come back to the every day craziness once my race is over!
  
  | 41 Comments Tagged Half Marathon, Insanity, Running
- Shanked
  
  Posted at 8:59 AM by Brittany, on September 23, 2013
  
  Saturday night I went to the movies and saw Prisoners. I was thankful I emptied my bladder before the movie started, because I surely would have peed myself out of fear. Zombies and aliens don’t do it for me, but realistic events!? You can find me huddled in the corner with my thumb in my mouth for about three days after movies like this.
  
  The movie was great, and definitely had my mind racing after it ended. My mind continued to race when I went on a hike the next day. It was pouring rain outside, just like in all horror movies, but I didn’t let that deter me. I had my mind set on a hike, so off I went.
  
  Attempting to show the soaked parking lot. Please ignore my under eye bags the size of China, I’ve been tired lately!
  
  I was either a bad ass, or a crazy for going hiking in the middle of a down pour. I would like to pretend it was the former in this case. Throughout the hike I ran through every scary movie theme about stupid people going into the woods in the middle of a storm.
  
  Every crack, crumble, thud, or thunk had me spinning around in fear. I did not want to be lunch for a bear, and I also didn’t want to be thrown into a man made pit hole for the rest of my life. Ok I clearly watch too many horror films, but the paranoia has kept me safe!
  
  I’d like to think I look pretty scary, but let’s be real…so I try to come prepared.
  
  BOOM. Get shanked.
  
  I carried that knife up my sleeve the entire way (there was a cover on the knife, just in case I fell.) The knife is small, but it’s better than nothing. You can’t tell from this photo, but I assure you this is not a basic butter knife..it would do some damage to a small bear, frog, or salamander.
  
  Kidding about the last two. I couldn’t believe how close this guy let me get to him. I felt like a true Washingtonian getting soaked and welcoming the first day of fall with a nature hike! As you can tell, I made it home safe and sound without any attacks. Great success.
  
  Q: Do you get freaked out for dayyyyss after watching scary movies? I’m fine now, but when it’s dark out, or I am alone my mind races!
  
  | 56 Comments Tagged Fall, Hike, Movie, Nature, Rain, Shank, Washington
- Card Store
  
  Posted at 7:15 AM by Brittany, on September 20, 2013
  
  Remember back in the 90’s when pen pals were the “cool thing” to have? I remember having a pen pal that lived in Mexico (I think) and it was so much fun receiving her letters. I fortunately found myself a friend that loves to write letters/cards and sends recipe cutouts she finds in newspapers, or even sends small gifts because she is awesome.
  
  Lily and I have become modern day pen pals and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I already love to receive snail mail, and her letters always brighten my day. When I was contacted to do a review of a personalized card from Card Store, I knew JUST who to make a card for.
  
  This website allows you to 100% personalize your cards, but fear not for those of you that are not the most creative at times (like me.) Most of the cards already have a template set up that you can change the names/wording to make it your own. This card I chose already had the arrows, I just changed the names and locations! I thought it was PERFECT! I also was able to choose what I wanted to write inside.
  
  After reading this out loud it doesn’t sound like proper English, I guess I won’t quit my day job to become a card maker haha. Owell, I still love how it turned out! The card was promptly shipped to me, and I was very happy with the speedy delivery.
  
  I must admit I am notorious for throwing away cards that people give to me, UNLESS they are special. Special to me is anything personalized (like this one), anything with cats, and ALWAYS homemade cards. The everyday hallmark card usually finds it’s way into my trash, sorry..I don’t have room for all of them!
  
  I did receive this card for free in exchange for my review, but this would have cost me no more than if I were to buy a card in person. I don’t think there is any competition here. I would definitely order another card from this website! Click here to browse their selection!
  
  Q: Do you keep all the cards you are given?
  
  | 48 Comments Tagged Cards, Pen Pals, Review
- Early Morning Confessions
  
  Posted at 8:40 AM by Brittany, on September 16, 2013
  
  1. I love pumpkin things, this is not new. What is new is a type of chip that you need to go buy yourself right now. If you live near Costco, buy these. If you don’t live near Costco, drive to one and then buy these. They are unnnnrrreaaalll!
  
  2. My friend gave me some apples from her garden, and when I bit into one I found a larva wiggling in the core. I had the heebie jeebies all morning, it was awful, and I wanted to cry.
  
  3. I busted my cat looking at inappropriate things online.
  
  Naughty kitty!
  
  4. Starbucks has a new medium roast coffee that will be released to the public on October 1st. It is SO good. It’s Ethiopian and makes me feel warm inside.
  
  5. I made small talk with a stranger about PB while I was getting myself a fresh ground tub. We agreed it was the best PB in all the land, and this is what he wrote on my sticker.
  
  Truth.
  
  6. I’m really enjoying my job. Like..really really.
  
  7. I had an extremely successful 9 mile run on Saturday. I promptly refueled with chocolate chips, and became so distracted by them I locked myself out of my house.
  
  Meh, at least I was locked out with my chocolate.
  
  8. Last night I went for an unscheduled run, just to get caught in the middle of a thunder storm. The moment I started running the thunder/lightening/rain stopped. BOOO!
  
  9. My cats got a new toy.
  
  He’s on top of the world, and my face is super creepy.
  
  10. I have been a slacker with my coin counter, and haven’t found much change lately. I am up to $7.65 though, which is $7.65 more than I had when I started. FREE MONEY!
  
  Q: What’s your confession?
  
  | 67 Comments Tagged Confessions, Random, Running
- What Goes Up…
  
  Posted at 6:39 AM by Brittany, on September 12, 2013
  
  …must come down. That’s what I kept telling myself yesterday morning while I was ~~dying~~ running like a gazelle up a hill for over half my run. I recently bought myself a brand spankin’ new pair of running shoes and I was so jazzed to take them out for a run!
  
  This was the first time I was able to somewhat choose what my shoes looked like. Don’t get me wrong, I will run in shoes that look like your grandmas curtains as long as they are good for my legs, but this time I decided to try something flashy.
  
  My knees were starting to bother me on my runs which let me know it was time for a new pair of shoes. For some reason I get a slight twinge of sadness when it’s time to retire a pair of running shoes. Those shoes are with me for miles upon miles, and shoving them in the closet just doesn’t seem fair. Sadly the style of shoe I had been running in for over a year is no longer manufactured. After a quick e-mail to Asics, I decided on the Gel-Cumulus 15.
  
  Of all the color schemes I had to choose from, this one was my favorite. I was a bit nervous because I ordered these online without trying them on first. Thankfully after taking them out for a run I love them! Despite the HILLY run, I felt like I was running on clouds.
  
  Obligatory post run Garmin/shoe photo.
  
  And just like that, I wrote an entire post about shoes. I guess I was excited! Long story short, I bought new kicks and they rock my world. I think my favorite thing about these shoes is that they deceive you from the front. Just like a mullet.
  
  Business in the front, party in the back.
  
  Q: Do you ever buy your workout gear online before trying it out??
  
  | 60 Comments Tagged Asics, New Digs, Running
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- Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com
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