Fall Couples Conference 2009 Recap

Hi friends, I am BACK! Such a wonderful weekend, I don’t even know where to start!!! Friday night, I geared up for my Fall Couple’s check in at work, my lovely registration uniform.

I had some late people that checked in so I missed dinner, but I did enjoy a delicious dessert. This was the cutest little thing, the bowl was actually half of the orange’s peel. 

 

I couldn’t work at a more beautiful place!

After our couples meeting in the evening, we all decided to head over to the club house where they serve nothing, but JUNK FOOD!!! We have the best shakes in town.

As well as chili cheese fries, and mozzarella sticks.

We enjoyed our “late night college food” right next to the warm fire.

 

I actually just had a few bites of everything so I didn’t feel too bad. The next morning I woke up early all by myself and read a little. When Hubby finally woke up we headed over to breakfast. I had a little bit of everything: Honey Wheat Pancakes, an Egg, Potatoes, and Pineapple with Granola.

Like breakfast wasn’t big enough after our morning meeting we had another delicious meal…on to lunch!

I ate my salad (ditched the sandwich) and a bowl of veggie chili and the most delicious piece of cornbread.  

After we stuffed our faces we headed over to play on the Challenge Course. 

While we waited for it to open we took some fun photos! 

My favorite, this one is a FRAMER! 

Skinny Bride and Me! 

The Group! 

Go Skinny Bride GO! 

I was a little afraid at times, but I loved the thrill!

We also played a dice game called 10,000 and I won!!!! 

Everyone was trying to sabotage me winning, but they FAILED!

Jon even busted out the BIG GUNS!
 

We went to the craft cabin to play some more! 

We were all so into our projects.

Liz and Matt joined us later.

 
I made a picture frame as a memento.

Hubby is making me a plate :) 

After all of our playing we went to dinner. I started off with a wonderful Spinach Salad with the most amazing Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette. 

For dinner I had a special plate made for me, I asked them to load up on veggies,pasta, and tofu. I knew I would need it for my Half Marathon. 

I also enjoyed some Vanilla Yogurt and Warm Raspberries. This was the first Yogurt I have had in 30 days!!!!

After dessert we hung out a little and then I had to call it a night. This runner needed her beauty sleep. I laid out all my gear and got into bed around 11:30pm, a lot later then I had hoped for.

The next morning my alarm went off at 5:30AM!! I was super tired but ready to rock it….

Half Marathon and the rest of the Fall Couples Retreat Recap in the morning…gotta get a couple things done before the week begins!

Night Friends!

Half Marathon In the Morning!

Good evening friends!

Just a short post to let you all know that we are having a blast at our couples retreat, and I can’t wait to share about it with you all!!!

Also I will be running my half marathon in the morning, so excited!!

Thanks for all the well wishes and suggestions about my sciatic pinched nerve!

YOU ALL ARE AMAZING!!!

Doctors Diagnosis

Hello friends, thanks for all the well wishes for my race this weekend!! I forgot to mention to you all about my doctor’s visit yesterday. I went and got my knee checked out and it looks like it is all stemming from my left hip. Basically I have a pinched nerve that is shooting down from my spine, ( sciatic nerve).

Some info from WebMD

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of sciatica include pain that begins in your back or buttocks and moves down your leg and may move into your foot. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg may also occur.

• Sitting, standing for a long time, and movements that cause the spine to flex (such as knee-to-chest exercises) may make symptoms worse.
• Walking, lying down, and movements that extend the spine (such as shoulder lifts) may relieve symptoms.

How is it treated?

In many cases, sciatica will improve and go away with time. Initial treatment usually focuses on medicines and exercises to relieve pain. You can help relieve pain by:

• Avoiding sitting (YA RIGHT).
• Alternating lying down with short walks. Increase your walking distance as you are able to without pain. (That’s why it doesn't hurt when I run).
• Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
• Using a heating pad on a low or medium setting, or a warm shower, for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. There is not strong evidence that either heat or ice will help, but you can try them to see if they help you.

The Doctor gave me some major inflammation pills to help and told me after my race on Sunday to take it as easy as I can (he really doesn't want me to run), but the inflammation should go down! The JOY of being a RUNNER!

On to lunch! This is the last batch of the Butternut Squash Soup, still delish!

Because I had some extra time this morning, I made a stuffed Portobello Mushroom. I cooked up a little couscous and added tomato, peppers, garlic, EVOO, and some mushroom. This would have been perfect with Goat Cheese on it but I forgot it!

My last persimmon this time I ate it with the skin, much easier! 

I also enjoyed some blue corn chips for dipping!

 

Everything was just what I needed.

Question: Have any of you had any sciatic nerve problems????

Couples Retreat

HAPPY FRIDAY:) !!

Sorry for no blogging last night. I took the Cross Country and Volleyball Team out for pizza, and yes I had one small piece and loved every bite of it!!

This morning I decided not to go for a run at 5am with my running buddies, because I didn’t have to be to work until 10am. Instead, I woke up without the alarm and decided to just run naked... well without my Garmin :). I just wanted to run and not with any time or distance in mind. I also decided to pick up Bosco at the end and take him for a jog with me. I think I did about 3 miles and ran for about 30 minutes. It felt great just to run freely!!!

After 10 minutes he was pretty warn out! I came home and made a beautiful bowl of Pumpkin Oats, with a spoonful of AB and Pumpkin Butter.

I love this bowl! It was a Christmas gift from Hubby last year :)

All Mixed UP!

After breakfast, I packed my bags for the get-away weekend. Hubby and I are going to a Couples Retreat.

I am actually registering for the conference this afternoon, but once everyone is checked in we get to enjoy the conference along with everyone else. I am excited because we have friends joining us, including Skinny Bride! I love getting away for the weekend, I know it will be a re-energizing time together :).

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Not sure when I will blog next, but I do have a half marathon on Sunday so stay tuned…

HAVE A FUN FRIDAY!

Skinny Bride’s Pics

TGIAF!!! (Thank God it’s Almost Friday!)

So glad I went to be early last night, because I woke up 100% refreshed, first time this week. I managed to get to the gym at 5:15 am and cranked out a speedy workout!

DREDMILL:

5 minute warm up
5X100’s Fast (6.8 min mile pace) in between 5 100's Slow (8.5 min mile pace)
2X200’s Fast (7.2 min mile pace) in between 2 200’s slow (8.8 min mile pace)
5-10 minute cool down
Total=5miles

Weights: (Got some of this from the wonderful TINA! )

• Lat-pull downs (machine): 50 lbs, 12 reps, 3 sets
• Single arm rows (dumbbells): 20 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
• Military press (dumbbells): 12 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
• Lateral raises (dumbbells): 8 lbs, 15 reps 3 sets
• Bicep Curls (dumbbells): 8 lbs, 15 reps 3 sets

Abs:

• 1 minute Bicycles
• 1 minute plank
• 1 minute touch touches
• Basic Crunches
• Double crunch
• 10 walking pushups

After I quickly showered, I had breakfast waiting for me in the fridge. Last night I whipped up a pumpkin Breakfast Cookie: Oats+Soy Milk+Pumpkin+Natural Whey Protein Powder+Almond Butter+Honey. I made it into a cookie and stuck it in the fridge!

This morning I topped with an egg for a little more protein, tasted wonderful!!

 

Gotta run! I have an early doctor’s appointment. I leave you with some beautiful pics from Skinny Bride’s wedding!!!

 

 

What a beautiful day!!!

Chipotle Barbecued Tofu

Tonight I didn’t make it to the gym because I had to work late :(. I plan on hitting it up tomorrow for sure! I did manage to try out a new recipe! I absolutely love The Fat Free Vegan Kitchen, she has some of the most creative and easy recipes!

I printed out her Chipotle Barbecued Tofu looked easy enough so I decided to give it a try.

I first worked on the tofu, pressing out all the extra water! 

Then on to the sauce! 

mmmm…I licked some of the spoon, it tasted fabulous! 

I spread it all over the tofu cubes, I made a lot so I can have leftovers! 

Holy YUM! 

With my favorite sides, Kale chips! Baked at 425 degrees for 7 minutes! 

With some lovely sweet potatoes! 

I loved the sweet glaze that baked on top.

I added some coconut to a couple to see what it would taste like.

They all tasted amazing! I couldn’t really taste the coconut, but the Chipotle Sauce was so flavorful my tongue was having a big party!

Perfect Sweet Potato Fries; 425 degrees for 18 minutes, drizzled with EVOO and Rosemary! 

 

Kale Chips!

 

The perfect restaurant!

 

I grilled Two Turkey Burgers for Hubby, he loved them of course :) 

 

 

Time to cuddle with the Hubby and call it an early night! NEED SLEEP!!!

Sleepy Sleepy

Happy Hump DAY!

I wish I could say that with more enthusiasm. Last night I woke up at 2am and could not fall asleep again until nearly 4:30am!!!! Needless to say I didn’t wake up for my 5am run. I am not sure why I had such CRAPY sleep. I am glad that today is pretty chill, I might have to take a couple walks at work to keep me up!!!

I did manage to make a wonderful breakfast! I have leftovers from Sunday’s Pumpkin Banana Pancakes.

 

I topped them with 1/2 banana and a little Homemade Pumpkin Butter They tasted just as good as the day I baked them!

I plan on hitting the gym after work for a track workout on the DREDMILL! I want to get to the gym so I can lift some weights too, I miss lifting :)

Here is what I plan on tackling at the gym

DREDMILL:

5 minute warm up
5X100’s Fast (6 min mile pace) in between 5 100's Slow
2X200’s Fast (6.5 min mile pace) in between 2 200’s slow
5-10 minute cool down

Total=5miles

Weights: (Got this from the wonderful TINA! )

• Lat-pull downs (machine): 55 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
• Single arm rows (dumbbells): 20 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
• Close grip rows (machine): 20 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
• Military press (dumbbells): 12 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
• Lateral raises (dumbbells): 8 lbs, 15 reps 3 sets
• Bicep Curls (dumbbells): 8 lbs, 15 reps 3 sets

Cardio + Abs:

• 1 minute Bicycles
• 1 minute plank
• 1 minute touch touches
• Basic Crunches
• Double crunch

Alright folks off to tackle the HUMP!