Tag: Running

• BOOM!

  Posted at 8:01 AM by Brittany, on June 14, 2013

  I have kept to running anywhere from 3-5 miles the past month and the shorter distances have been great. A while back I mentioned I am no longer watching my Garmin like a hawk while I run, instead I will look at it when the run is complete. Every single run has been getting faster..and faster..and faster. I’m naturally a slower runner..think 10m/mile range, so you can understand my excitement when I ran my fastest run everrrr this week.

  

  BOOM 9:18 pace! This convinces me that in time I will be able to run my 3-5 milers within an 8:XX range. It’s the little things..finding excitement in something simple! I want to run another half marathon in the near future, but for now I am happy focusing on the shorter/quicker runs. These quicker runs have been consistent, so I hope this isn’t a fluke.

  The past week I have been living in the 90’s while doing a series of “8 minute ___” workouts. From arms, to buns, to legs, to abs. I’ve been doing them everyday and I am still sore. These YouTube videos from the 90’s are no joke. I find myself looking forward to them. I may have busted out my leotard from when I did ballet. I was 4 when I did ballet.

   

  8 Minute buns makes me want to die. I just love it.

  I’ve been obsessed with soy lattes since discovering them a few weeks ago. I just can’t get enough. I’ve also been obsessed with breakfast for dinner. Lots of cereal with LOTS of fruit. I do eat things other than cookies and cake, but they just aren’t worth sharing usually

  

  My cat peed on my laid out workout clothes for today, so I think I’ll call it a rest day. On that note I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Eat your greens and drink your water!

  Q: Favorite coffee beverage when at a coffee shop? NORMALLY just a basic drip, but these lattes are making my mouth foam..haha oh coffee humor..get it..foam..?

  

  | 92 Comments Tagged Coffee, Running, Vegan, Workout

• Make This Leap

  Posted at 6:58 AM by Brittany, on June 6, 2013

  Did you celebrate national running day? I sure did. I ran a whopping 3.5 miles smack in the middle of the heat wave we had yesterday. I set out for more miles, but I got SO HOT I turned into a salt laden slug. I’m embarrassed to admit my opinion of a heat wave was 77 degrees. Regardless of my distance, I ran and that was the point. Success.

  

  I also run to eat my body weight in cupcakes, but that sort of contradicts fitting into my pants. Speaking of fitting into my pants, in my last post I mentioned that my pants are getting a little snug!! I’ve decided to set a few daily goals in an attempt to fix that problem.

  

  I don’t normally make goals, but these are simple tasks that can be easily accomplished. The paper just helps remind me. I should have included washing my workout clothes on there too. I am happy to report that the past few months I have been washing my workout clothes after EACH use!! That is huge, I used to wear my running clothes at least three times before washing them. Don’t judge me because I KNOW I am not the only one. Nonetheless, I have become more hygienic, and more wasteful with water.

  My eats have been crazy boring lately. Boring, but good. Things like giant bowls of quinoa and veggies, tofu and veggies, more veggies. Basically non-photogenic meals. I’ve had no desire or motivation to get wild in the kitchen, I hope to change that soon. The most exciting thing I’ve eaten would be a tortilla with PB, honey, cinnamon, and banana.

  

  I couldn’t wait to take a decent photo, I ate it right away. This was exactly what I was craving, which is why I am so excited about it. I can’t remember the last time I figured out exactly what it was I wanted, and made the magic happen within 10 minutes. Actually that’s not true, I really wanted to swim in Africa so I filled up my bathtub and threw in some toy elephants and giraffes. Close enough. Not food related, but you get the idea.

  I’m starting to ramble so I will end with my current favorite jam. I am obsessed.

  Q: Do you have daily goals?? 

  

  | 68 Comments Tagged Music, Random, Running

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 6:56 AM by Brittany, on June 3, 2013

  1. In an attempt to fix my peanut butter addiction intake, I purchased a jar that was 1/5 the size of the jar I’ve been consuming. I wish I were kidding, and I am not proud of how quickly I go through that jar fit for a whale. I turn into a human whirl wind with my hands and mouth when it comes to peanut butter. It’s not a pretty sight.

  

  80oz -VS- 16oz

  2. My running is going great lately, and (knock on wood) nothing hurts! My knees have been doing great and I am convinced that I hurt my knee in February due to sitting down too much/minimal movement. The more I stand and move now the less pain. BAZINGA!

  3. I love taking outdoor pictures. Not much else I need to say about that.

  

  4. My pants have been feeling a little tight lately. I’m not talking about my jeans..I’m talking about my yoga pants. You know it’s bad when your stretchy pants are stretched to full capacity. No more trays of chocolate. 

  5. My mom is the best photographer. She really knows how to capture the essence of my beauty.

  

  Clearly that swing was a struggle to get onto. I happen to think I look like a wounded raptor on the left. The sound I would make sounds like this: “CAWWW CAWWWW”

  

  Money Shot

  6. Thanks to my pants getting snug, I am trying to cut back on sweets (and peanut butter.) Instead of going cold turkey anytime I get a craving, which is everyday, I eat an “energy” bar instead. Something like a Clif Mojo bar, or a Nature Valley Oats & Honey bar. Let’s be real, these are pretty high in sugar and are more like dessert anyway, but still less sugar than a cookie. It’s a win win in my book.

  7. Ever had a peanut butter and basil sandwich? I have. I licked the plate clean which tells you it was edible and not disgusting, but I think I’ll leave the basil to my pasta sauce.

  

  8. I think my cat needs a diaper. He is getting so old his BM’s are a little messy and he likes to scoot his butt on the carpet. It’s not fun to clean up his yellow brick road.

  9. Speaking of my cat, both of my cats were sick within a week of each other. I was awake all hours of the night concerned about the sneezing fit that was going on in my room. Hurricane Kittina was happening at 3A.M. for like a week. Poor babies.

  

  This is them with their new toy, Mr.Wiggles. The tan man is the messy pooper. I find the black mans body in a hilarious stance. The longer I stare, the funnier he looks.

  10. I know you have all been on the edge of your seats waiting for an update on my coin counter, and I am happy to report that I have made it to $5.33. Who’s laughing now!

  Also I would like to give my mom some credit. After 40 failed photo attempts, she did capture a good one. I call this picture, “two jungle cats hungry for spinach.”

  

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 62 Comments Tagged Cats, Chocolate, Confessions, Cookies, Nature, Running

• The Key to (MY) Successful Running

  Posted at 11:09 AM by Brittany, on May 29, 2013

  After Mothers Day, I took nine days off from running. Nine days. For my non running friends this may sounds like NO big deal, but to a runner this is a century. I just..didn’t feel like running. Mentally I was unable to get myself outside. Instead I went to spin class almost every single evening, and yoga almost every single morning. (Must stay active.)

  Finally by day 10, I decided it was time. I felt that urge that I hadn’t felt for nine days. Since then I have run a handful of times, and each time I have had my Garmin with me, but did not look at the pace until I was done. The numbers mess with my head too much.

  

  I’m not mad at that pace..in fact all my runs lately have been in the 9:30 range. Given I am not running far, but I am also not dying. These runs feel good! I credit that to the rain. I have been loving running in the rain. It feels so raw and cleansing.

  

  This was the first time my shoes matched my outfit. Unplanned.

  I have been trying to find myself as a runner the past couple weeks. Sounds kind of corny, but let me explain. I love running. I don’t always love it mid-run, but after I finish a run I am always on cloud nine. With that said, there were times I felt like I was running for other people, always comparing myself and wanting to get that shiny new PR. You can see how running for all the wrong reasons would cause you to fall out of love with it.

  All my runs are solo these days, which gives me a lot of time to think and reflect. While I loved having a running partner, I am embracing these solo runs and challenging myself to run on intuition. Running with other people motivates me to push my pace a little faster, but in the end that could tire me out. Running alone means I focus on myself…that’s it.

  

  I’ve stopped using Dailymile because I found that it stressed me out at times to run a certain pace. I found myself running to be able to share it online, or with friends-big mistake. In time I may use DailyM again, but for now my runs are for me, and occasionally will be shared on the blog (the super duper good runs of course.) I’ve also stepped away from training plans that make me feel like I have to run. I will run only when I want to. This doesn’t mean I won’t be training for a half marathon in the future, just not right now.

  This is not an overnight process, it will take time. I am going to stay calm even when I have a “bad” run. I have a goal to be “that” runner that runs for fun, for therapy, and for health. I run for health right now, and sometimes for therapy, but very rarely for fun. All in time. Moral of the story: Run for yourself, this goes for any kind of workout. Capish?

  ALRIGHT that was way too much seriousness for one post. I had some cake the other day and anytime someone came near me while I was crouching in the corner I felt like this.

  Amen.

  Q: Have you found your workouts lacking lately because your mental state wasn’t where it should be? “You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.” -J.M

  

  | 67 Comments Tagged Garmin, Joyce Meyer, Running

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 10:24 AM by Brittany, on May 15, 2013

  1. Life has been crazy lately. Almost like a blur. Initially I wanted to crawl into a hole like a hermit, but I’ve decided blogging helps me stay calm and collected. So blog I shall.

  2. Cookies make everything better…everything.

  
  3. Remember when I said I felt like I was a flying unicorn while dripping sweat in spin class a few weeks ago? Well the other day I noticed more sweat drops underneath my bike and instantly got excited. I then remembered that I never felt any drops fall from my face, and noticed a fan blowing directly onto the sweaty man next to me. The fan was blowing in my direction. Ohh gross. Please let the sweat on my skin be mine.

  4. While trying to coax my cat into the kitty carrier to go to the vet he was hesitant.

  

  “Please go into the jail like box.”

  My other cat decided the box was a playground and I couldn’t get him to come OUT of it.

  

  5. I never read The Great Gatsby in school, so when I saw the movie I had no idea what to expect. What a sad, tragic, and romantic story all wrapped into one. I couldn’t help but feel a bit down after watching it though. Also, WHY does Leo ALWAYS die!?

  6. I love my mom because she is ALWAYS there for me. No matter the situation. We may butt heads at times, but when I need her the most she is there whether it’s a shoulder to cry on, or answering my distress call after a failed attempt at a long run.

  

  I made it to 6miles and everything started to hurt. Including my mind. Mom to the rescue.

  7. I really realllyyy really want a bike. I am looking at hybrid bikes, but don’t know much about them. If you’re a biker pleaseee help!! Any tips or suggestions PLEASE!

  8. I got a haircut last week, and of course left the salon excited with the way it was styled. I cannot for the life of me style it the same way. I now regret this decision and want to shave my head. I must remember this next time I feel the need to chop my hair.

  

  Do not be fooled by this. When I try to curl it myself it looks like a 12 yr old did it.

  9. My black cat has been ALL OVER ME lately. I’ve decided I am going to invent a device where humans can pick up on emotions like animals can. I swear he knows when I am off and then turns into extremely annoying kitty. It’s appreciated though. Stay tuned for my invention, I think this is my calling.

  10. I need a vacation. Somewhere tropical would be nice. Someone please take me.

  

  Hawaii 2009

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 68 Comments Tagged Biking, Confessions, Random, Running, Spinning

• Who Needs a Car?

  Posted at 9:57 AM by Brittany, on May 3, 2013

  May 1st came and so did the spring weather. Spring season is the perfect time to be outside and move! I am not sorry to be breaking up with my treadmill for a while, and I have been enjoying many outdoor runs, and walks. Yesterday I ran to the farmers market to see about getting some fixings for dinner.

  

  The market just opened for the season a couple of weeks ago and the pickings are pretty slim right now. Plenty of apples though!

  

  Some of the Fuji apples were so big I mistook them for honeycrisps.

  

  Apples on steroids.

  With empty bags I proceeded to walk to the store to find what I needed for dinner. If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen a sneak peak at what was for dinner. This meal was so delicious and I cannot wait to make it again. Post/recipe to come!

  The rest of the weekend will be spent outdoors, baking, blogger meet ups, running, walking, BIKING (hopefully), and eating A LOT of food. Watermelons are back, time to get real with my spoon. No bowl necessary for watermelons. Happy weekend!

  Q: Is it farmers market season where you live?

  

  | 60 Comments Tagged Farmers Market, New food, Running, Spring, Vegan

• Sometimes

  Posted at 11:26 AM by Brittany, on April 29, 2013

  Sometimes I take pictures that make me feel really freaking awesome. I pretend I am a professional feline photographer for a feline magazine. I call this, “Dreaming of a better life.” In reality though, he is really spoiled and comes home within 20 mins of being let out.

  

  Sometimes I edit pictures that make me feel really freaking weird.

  

  This is what my cat would look like with a human face. Or so I assume. I couldn’t decide on which one to post so I posed three different versions. I think I like the goober, simply because it best describes my inner personality.

  Sometimes I fight my cravings for cupcakes and satisfy my sweet tooth with something easy and quick. It’s never the same, but the sugar rush is similar.

  

  Adult version of ants on a log. Minus the log. Sub chocolate for raisins  So really this is nothing like ants on a log..scratch that all together.

  Sometimes I surprise myself with a good run. 6 miles at a 9:31 pace is about a minute faster than my average pace. I’ll take it. Still undecided if I am going to run my third half marathon next month though..I take it day by day with my knees.

  Sometimes I get wild and give into my cravings for what I really want and build myself ONE cupcake. If I make more than one, I eat more than one. Problem solved-bake one.

  

  No recipe for this yet, it still needs some tweaking. It did satisfy my craving though..so job well done funfetti like cupcake. I made a sprinkle cupcake to celebrate the missed birthday of my blog. Oops..I forgot that last week was my two year blog birthday. I can’t believe it’s already been two years. I should have known with a first post like this I would be here for a while. The weirdness hasn’t changed, I can tell you that much.

  Sometimes my family makes me smile.. OK more like a lot of the time. My younger sister has started an art blog. If you like to draw and want to participate in her contests check her out over at: Order of the Pencil. YAY! I wish I could draw, but really my skills are as bad as a monkey trying to sing. My talents include twisting my arms to look like Frankenstein and making faces that would frighten small children. I’ve been blessed.

  Q: What’s your “sometimes” for the day?

  

  | 64 Comments Tagged Cats, Cupcake, Family, Peanut Butter, Random, Running, Vegan

• One of Three

  Posted at 9:45 AM by Brittany, on April 25, 2013

  Yesterday I went for a run. Nothing crazy, just a run. No record breaking distance or speed..JUST a RUN! Well it was hard. So hard in fact that I needed to drink my entire mini water bottle by the end of a measly three mile run.

  

  The difficulty of this run could have been for one of three reasons:

  1. It was hot out. And by hot I mean like 64, but the sun was BEATING on my skin! 
  2. Aunt Flo is here. That bitch always zaps my energy. 
  3. I was tied to a fishing pole and someone was reeling me in each step I took.

  The last one sounds about right.

  After I got home from my run, I noticed someone got a new bed.

  

  Where’s my new bed!? This kitty king palace was $30!! Seriously that is like $1000 in human money and I could get a nice bed for that price. This is actually a dog bed, but shh don’t tell them. My furry felines we given this bed for one of three reasons:

  1. They are princes of my house and get whatever they want.
  2. They get cat hair on the couches so in attempt to stop that, they now have their own couch.
  3. They brainwashed my mom and today she will be coming home with fresh salmon and string toys from Europe. 

  I’m going to say all of the above.

  Lastly, in the evening I went to a spin class. Before I went I had some of this.

  My spin class was so epic, I swore at any moment my bike was going to come off the stable indoor docking and I was going to be riding through mystical forests filled with shirtless centaurs that looked like Adam Levine. The class was SO good, that I was dripping sweat. There was one point where I saw the drops fall..plop, plop, plop..tic tac toe three in a row. It was like the Amazon Rainforest was leaking off my face.

  This sweat dripping, energy pounding class could have been for one of three reasons:

  1. The liquid green crack brought so much oxygen to my blood cells that I couldn’t use it fast enough.
  2. I chose a broken bike with easier gears than the rest, making me think I was at a level 17 when in reality it was the equivalent of a level 5.
  3. I am a beast. 

  

  Why yes, I did bend down to take a picture of one of my sweat droplets. You’re welcome.

  I’m going to say one and three are probably legit. This was the same day as that bum run, so something must have kicked in to give me some energy.

  While I know I get a ton of chlorophyll (not to be confused with chloroform) from the leafy greens I eat, I wanted to try to get even more. This plant based product is known to mimic hemoglobin and assist in bringing oxygen to your blood cells, carry carcinogenic properties OUT of your body, and boost energy naturally!! I’m going to continue to test it out on runs and spinning, and I hope it helps my energy levels! Ok well that’s enough for one day!

  Q(s):

  • Does anyone else judge a hard workout by the drops of sweat on the floor?
  • Anyone ever tried liquid chlorophyll?

  

  | 56 Comments Tagged Cats, Chlorophyll, Random, Running, Spinning

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 7:55 AM by Brittany, on April 20, 2013

  1. Remember the Grinch that tried to steal Christmas, only to be shocked when the people of Whoville came together stronger than ever? Even without their gifts? Yeah, that just happened in Boston. Runners unite, even without their medals.

  2. I have separation issues. Specifically with clothing, I recently gave away some too big race shirts, and old work shirts, and it was like giving away a piece of my soul.

  

  

  I did keep four TJ’s shirts…baby steps.

  3. My running has been below average lately. I blame this on the fact that my knee is killing me. The bizarre part is that it’s not the knee that was hurting me before my last half marathon. Whatever, they are trying to take me down..damn knees.

  4. On sunny days I like to spoil my children and let them outside. It’s like Christmas in April for these furry boys.

  

  He got so dirty I soon regretted my decision.

  

  5. That jungle cat in the above picture has a new name: Richard Parker. Simply because I was so blown away by the movie Life Of Pi that I now call my cat by this name. This movie rocked my world so hard I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days…

  6. I love nature…like a lot. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before.

  

  7. I’ve been obsessing over burritos lately. Better yet burritos with the entire kitchen mashed inside. Newest obsession: Beets inside the burrito.

  8. Last night I combined a store discount along with a coupon to get $2.00 off, making my total $1.99. Couponing at it’s finest.

  9 and 10. While I haven’t been running A LOT I have still been running, and I was given some gels to try out on one of my longer runs. I’ve tried GU Gels, Shot Bloks, Chia Surge, and now Huma gels, a chia energy gel. I love chia seeds so I happily accepted the gels in exchange for my honest review.

  

  This is a new company, and I am all for supporting small businesses. They have two flavors right now, strawberry and apple cinnamon. I have to admit that I am not a fan of fruity flavored gels like this, so the strawberry was not my jam. I did however LOVE the apple cinnamon gel. The flavor was amazing and I would eat it with my oatmeal or toast before a run, if not straight from the packet.

  

  The texture was smooth, perfect for those of you skeeved out by chia seeds and their gelatinous texture when wet. I was surprised when I couldn’t even tell the seeds were in the mix. I would definitely buy the apple cinnamon gel again for my longer runs. Delicious AND nutritious.

  

  

  Click photo to be taken to the website.

  You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy these gels, these are perfect for any cardio like activity. If you’re interested in trying these gels, and supporting a small new business you can use the discount code: BLISSFULBRITT  for 10% off until April 30th!

  Q: What’s your morning confession?

  

  | 48 Comments Tagged Boston, Confessions, Half Marathon, Review, Running, Vegan

• My List

  Posted at 10:18 AM by Brittany, on April 8, 2013

  One of my favorite bloggers, Shira, wrote a post a while ago about daily happiness. I decided to follow suit and make a list of my own simple things that bring me daily happiness. This list comes in handy for me on days that I feel down, bored, or just want to relax.  It’s such a versatile list of things that can be done almost anytime, anywhere.

  My list of happiness

  • A good run.

  

  • Pampering myself. 

  

  A Biore strip and a hot bath.

  • A long walk outside with nature. 

  

  • Reading a book, or watching a movie. 

  

  It’s amazing how excited I was to watch this movie..at the age of 24.

  • Making a good meal.

  

  • Baking something new.

  

  • Spending time with the ones I love.

  

  • Yoga.

  

  • Making a craft.

  

  • Doing something for someone else.

  

  This list could go on and on and on…but I will stop with the top ten. Making yourself happy doesn’t have to be hard. Next time you want a jolt of happy juice adrenaline, think about what you can do to pick yourself up, or make yourself (or someone else) smile.

  Q: What’s on your happy list?

  

  | 60 Comments Tagged Food, Happy, New food, Random, Running, Vegan

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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