Cruising + 5k Complete

Hope everyone's enjoying the long weekend!  It's been a good while between posts but I had a great reason - was CRUISING in Mexico!

The cruise to Mexico was amazing.  We took the Carnival Elation.  Granted, Carnival hasn't been having the *best* luck lately at sailing the seas - but I've gotta say it was a great time.

The first stop on the trip was Progresso.  Seen below, the water was beautiful but the city itself was pretty run-down.  The port at Progresso has not been open too long.  Hopefully, the city's economy will improve as the tourism industry grows.

Cozumel was amazing!  We took a great excursion to go snorkeling and to a private beach.  We also had a great time enjoying the port area. Here's a picture of Cozumel from the ship's deck, where we gave a lookout for stragglers!

 

In both cities, the souvenir shopping was great!! It was fun to think about the people back home and I was wishing I had more room in my luggage...

 

All in all, it was a great time with these peeps... Can't wait for the next one.

Thanks to my M&D for taking care of things while I was away.  It was a wonderful vaca!

In other big news - I finished workout #24 (gulp) today and completed my 5K training. 

Yesterday, I tried doing some outdoor running.  There's an amazing trail that I've found which is closeby - you don't notice the heat (as much) in the shade of the trees.

 

While running, I see lots of squirrels, birds, and even a bunny rabbit.  However, my favorite site, is when I see other runners.  We share a mutual understanding!  My favorite part of the trail, is when it passes by this beautiful lake.

 

After last night's run, I returned again this morning and completed running a 5K at 33:26.  This was faster than I expected (had assumed I would finish in 35 minutes) but not as good as my PR which is 28:39 (set in 2010).  I am watching what I eat so I can increase my speed.  I'm also planning on continuing to run every other day - because as they say, "practice makes perfect".

 

Funny/ridiculous story.  I finished the 5K around 11:45.  I ran 2 miles out, turned around, and ran a mile (+.1) back.  Figured from there, I'd jog for a few minutes and then walk to the car.

 

So I started walking.... And walking... And walking...

 

Finally, GPS showed me that I was about 25 minutes in the wrong direction.  Well, after walking for 50 minutes in 95 degree heat (following the 3+ mile run) - 2 sweet older ladies asked me if I wanted a ride back!  I thanked them, said I was OK, and laughed... Lol. I must have looked like such an athlete for them to stop and offer me the car ride.  ;-)

 

Hope everyone is having a great week - thanks for reading & thanks for the comments! Post your blog links so I can follow you too. :-)

Second Chances

This is a quick post tonight - but I hope it finds everyone doing well!  I want to write about second chances.  I've been thinking about that a lot this week.  On Tuesday night I went to the gym, hopped on the treadmill, and approximately 1.5 minutes into my run said "forget it, I'll be back later".  And you know what - 2.5 hours later - I was back and rocked through the workout no problem.

Second chances!  The last week or so has found me doing some shopping and enjoying Charleston.  Looking forward to time with the big guy tonight.  Hope that everyone is doing well - and remember - give yourselves some second chances :-)

Ooh la la pictures courtesy of the Gap :)

Madeleine

 

Farmer's Market Saturday & Paleo Nuggets

Hope everyone's doing well - it's been a busy week and I'm continuing to enjoy the 5K training. Today I visited Charleston's Farmer's Market.  While the view was lovely, the Market itself was...

 



Dissapointing?  When I arrived I was kind of bummed that there weren't more, I don't know, farmers? In fact, I'd estimate that 70% of the stands were either hot food (i.e. burgers, gyros, etc.) to eat on the spot or items to buy.  Granted, most of the items for purchase were hand made or crafted - but it still wasn't the farmer-like environment I had anticipated. 

I did find a great stand where I picked-up some broccoli, sweet potatoes, and blueberries.  I thought it was very sweet that they added in a jalapeno.  What I loved most about the stand I visited was that they accepted cash and WIC.

My favorite non-food find, were these paintings.  The one with the three sisters was definitely the winner, but I love this Charleston one too.  I haven't seen paintings like this, where the artist intentionally "paints outside the lines" onto the matting and frame.  I love that.

 

 

This morning I also visited one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie.  Look closely and you'll see some chairs - one of my sister's name's all over them. A little spray paint and I could take care of the other one.  Granted, they probably cost.. $$$$  But so cute.

Winner winner chicken dinner of this week -- literally -- has been my BFF Caitlin's paleo chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries.  Pictures below, I am in heaven.  SO GOOD!!! Visit her blog for the recipe - I prepared both exactly as she suggested in the recipe and they came out amazing.  Enjoy!

Tomorrow morning I'm going for a beach run with my friend from high school!! Oh so excited to see her and catch up. Hope that you all are doing wonderful!  Have a great weekend.

XO Madeleine


 

Great Weekend + Up Band!

First - thanks for everyone's kind words on Facebook about my bad run- I really appreciated it and it helped me get back on my feet! Not gonna lie - Thursday, Friday of last week was rough. My Mom came by on Saturday with some words of encouragement in the driveway - and let me just say - it made all the difference (thanks Mom!).

 

After Wednesday's run sparked some allergies, I had been treating it with a mix of Allegra and Benadryl.  But on Saturday, I just took a non-drowsy Claritin before I ran.  Since then, I haven't needed any allergy medication.

Saturday's run was great.  It was identical to Wednesday's intervals and I completed ALL running segments at a 10 minute mile/6 MPH pace (woohoo!).  It was one of those runs where I felt like a bunch of industrial cogs all in motion - everything was perfect - I love runs like that.

I went for another run on Sunday and this time I walked 5, ran 2, walked 2, ran 3, walked 3, ran 3, walked 3, ran 2, walked 2 and cooled down with a 5 minute walk.  I kept a 10 minute mile pace for my runs (yay!) - but I will say that it didn't feel as "easy" as Saturday's. 

BEST SURPRISE OF THE WEEKEND!!  My parents got me an Up Band - I absolutely love it.  I can tell you first hand, this is the coolest thing ever and it has really upped my game.

Here are some pics highlighting my favorite features - I really love how easy it is to set-up, the sleep monitor, and the summary screen. 

I definitely pushed myself today to get to 100% with the steps.  At first I wasn't sure about the food part- but the more I use it the more I like it.  Much less restrictive than Weight Watchers.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  What apps do you use to stay fit?

Best love! Madeleine

P.S. Sending out some birthday love :-) xoxo

Tonight's Bad Run

I guess if all my posts were positive, I'd have no credibility.  Tonight I went to the gym and had a terrible run.  For the last several weeks, I've been working my way back up to running a 5K. 

Part of the reason tonight was bad, I took most of last week off.

Another reason, I'm carrying more weight than I'd like (working on that one).

But today was brutal.  The workout itself should have been simple, which made it all the more frustrating.  Walk 5 minutes, run 1.5 min, walk 2.5 min, run 2.5 min, walk 2.5 min, run 2.5 min, walk 2.5 min, run 1.5 min, walk 1.5 min, walk 5 minutes. 

I got through the workout but was majorly dissapointed in the 2nd to last running segment when I dropped from a 10 minute mile (6 MPH) to an 11 minute mile to a 12 minute mile.  I have been really trying to maintain a 10 minute running pace through this training. Per usual, I ran at 1% incline but switched to no incline for the cool down walk.

Here's a forced smile at the end of the work out... Pardon my sweatiness. :) (OK I just smiled!)

 

To add insult to no injuries (just injured ego) - apparently I still pushed myself too hard because when I got back I couldn't stop sneezing.  It's this - which happens whenever I overdo it. Can't believe "overdoing it" was 8 minutes of start/stop running.  Nowhere to go but up I hope!

So many people I know and love have overcome so much more than a bad running night- I definitely find strength in their accomplishments and know I can do better.

Anyhow, there's my grumpy post for the evening.  I'm anxious to get back to my PR-best (pictured below).  Looking for this picture tonight, I found a lot of old recipe posts from my old running blog.  I think it's time to make some nutritional changes if I want to get back into shape!

Your tired friend,
Madeleine

 

finding balance

Balance means something different to everyone.  This weekend- I found balance in completing all of the "I've gotta get this done" items on my list.

The weekend started with my usual Saturday errands.  I'm all about rituals.  I love getting up early on Saturdays, grabbing some Starbucks, hitting Target, and then going to the grocery store.  This weekend was no exception. :-)

 

Best find of the day was this adorable table.  Of course, I did not buy it since I have no room for it. But someday when I have a bigger yard, this mushroom trio will need to make an appearance.  So cute...  Looks like it came right out of a Smurfs cartoon.

 

When I finished my errands, it was time to get to work!! This weekend I focused on finishing several "long-term" projects including some quilts.  I was really happy with how all of the projects came out and can't wait for everyone to receive them.

Here is what they looked like all packaged up!  I had been holding on to this ribbon and I just loved how they added some fun to the packaging.  I hope everyone likes them!

The big guy, Camden, was such a great helper...

I called this post finding balance - because just like a bear stuffing his face before a long winter, I really packed a lot into this weekend.  With travel and some upcoming vacation plans- my larger "work on at home" activities needed to be completed.  I'm excited to take on some smaller projects next weekend.  More on that soon.

Finally, I finished the weekend with a trip to the gym.  Let's just say the treadmill punished me. 

 

Tonight my flight was delayed due to weather.  Hopefully I'll manage to get a good night's sleep.  Usually I sleep like a rock, but not on travel days.  Sleep before an early morning flight : Madeleine :: Kryptonite : Super Man.  Anyone else out there have this problem?

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week.  Thanks for reading!

Mike Polk Jr. - Great Comedy

There’s something about Cleveland that brings out the accent in me.  Suddenly, I’m talking fast and waving my hands.  Yelling about “the Decision" and 271. 

And then there’s this one.  Mike Polk Jr.

 Image Source: https://evbdn.eventbrite.com/s3-s3/eventlogos/18977229/mikepolk.jpg

His videos are hilarious.  I’m especially a fan of him as Greg on the “Man in the Box series”.  And this is another classic:

This weekend, Mike performs at the Just for Laughs Comedy Show in Montreal.   If you’re in Canada – check him out.  If you’re in Cleveland – check him out. 

This guy’s the real deal folks – I think he’s going to be our generation’s Seinfeld....

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Speaking of things I enjoy, special thanks to Kelle Hampton at Enjoying the Small Things for her post this week on Instagram about these adorable Maileg cigar boxes.

So fun when houses have hidden little treasures - maybe someday if I clear some space!  Gotta believe that Camden would enjoy a mouse in the house.

 

It was a busy but fulfilling week – hope everyone is having a great *almost* Friday!

Madeleine