Run, Eat, Date, Sleep

When all you’ve ever known about Central Florida is downtown Orlando, Disney World, and neon lights on I-Drive and 192, it’s hard to believe that this exists just a few miles away…

Rolling hills and orange groves in the distance. Yes, hills do exist in Florida!

On Sunday, my friend Bethany invited me to join her friends for a hilly, long run at Lake Louisa State Park.

These pictures don’t do these hills justice at all. But I busted my butt and kept up with 2/1 intervals despite wanting to walk up those hills. I felt so proud!

The four of us didn’t run together, but it was a good feeling knowing that they were out there with me, whether I could see them or not. I’m a solo runner and have often strayed away from running groups because I don’t like talking while running, but I’ve learned that I can still benefit from being a part of a group and still run solo. It’s the start and finish, laughs, and after-run beverages and guilt-free food that make a running group worth it.

I finished 6 miles in 1:16, a 12:40 pace.

Week #3 of NYC Half Marathon Training complete!

One of the reasons why I moved to Orlando was the chance to do my training runs around Disney World. When I wrote on Friday that I was getting ready to go run 4 miles on the treadmill, I thought to myself “Why are you going to run in place for an hour when the weather is beautiful and you live in Disney World?!”

I’ve been here for almost 7 months already, and Saturday was the first day I ran on Disney grounds. My 4-mile run took me from the Boardwalk Inn,

to the entrance of the Hollywood Studios,

by the Swan and Dolphin

around the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts,

and back to the Boardwalk Inn.

I had to do the loop a few times to get all 4 miles in, but I never got bored with people-watching and enjoying the scenery. When my legs got tired, I tried to remember my reward for completing the run= my favorite veggie wrap from the “food court” at the Beach Club.

It was as yummy as I imagined it would be! It’s stuffed with eggplant, squash, zucchini, lettuce, and some other veggies I can’t remember now.

Tell me about your favorite place to run!

RECAP:

I didn’t track a thing. I have no excuses, except I got lazy. Time to refocus!!!

ACTIVITY:

Saturday- ran/walked 5 miles

Tuesday- speed work for 3 miles

THINGS TO WORK ON:

• Drink more water!!!
• Track, track, track!

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:

• I switched my weigh-in day to Friday because I heard the leader was much more high-energy than the Thursday leader. What I heard was absolutely right! She’s so bubbly and so motivating, and I feel like I can relate to her because she’s a  marathoner. And because she’s so active, I think the members mimic her behavior. The entire meeting seemed to revolve around activity, and they all shared such wonderful advice and tips. It seemed like the Thursday meeting members were much older, and they all acted like “woe is me” and “listen to me and all of my excuses”. Friday was MUCH better!
• My goal of running the NYC Half with no walk breaks seems to be unrealistic at the moment. I had such a terrible 5-miler, and I just can’t see myself running 13.1 nonstop.
• Goal for next week= hit 5 pounds total!

RESULTS:

Gained 0.2. I was expecting to gain so much more because I didn’t track anything I ate, so I’ll take this minimal gain.

PHOTO FROM THE WEEK:

OTHER PHOTOS FROM THE WEEK:

(yes, I took a picture of myself in the Disney Casting Center bathroom. More on that later!)

(borrowed from Paula)

(borrowed from Michelle)

I’m heading to the gym for a 4-miler on ‘mill. What are your weekend plans?

Another successful week in the books!

RECAP:

ACTIVITY:

Ran a total of 10 miles and not one single walk break!

Earned 28 Activity Points and didn’t use any.

FOOD:

Used all of my 49 weekly allowance points.

NON-SCALE VICTORIES:

Like I said above, I ran 10 miles total this week without walking. I was able to complete a 4-mile run without walking. This is HUGE for me, the girl who used the Galloway (run/walk) method for so long.

RESULTS:

Lost 2 pounds this week for a total of 4.4 pounds lost.

THINGS TO WORK ON THIS WEEK:

• Drink more water
• Increase mileage to 5 miles with no walk breaks.
• Eat less frozen meals and more meals from scratch.

PHOTO FROM THE WEEK:

Yes, despite my harsh criticism of Weight Watchers last year, I’m back on Weight Watchers, and I am loving it! The people in the meeting are extremely supportive and very encouraging, and the leader isn’t crazy.

Last week’s recap:

ACTIVITY:

6 miles ran

1 yoga class

21 Activity Points earned. Zero used.

FOOD:

Used 26 of the 49 Weekly Points Allowance

NON-SCALE VICTORY:

I am now able to run 3 miles without stopping to take walk breaks! I fully intend on running the NYC Half Marathon without any walk breaks.

WEIGHT LOST: 2.4 pounds

THINGS TO WORK ON THIS WEEK:

• Drink more water
• Do not eat a big dinner the night before weigh-in
• Increase mileage to 4 miles without walk breaks

PHOTO FROM THIS WEEK:

Miscellaneous pictures of me a few months ago at the same weight…

Here’s to another successful week!

If you’re in the Orlando area…

Be there or be square.

Despite knowing that I’d be awfully sad to see anyone running the WDW Marathon and that I had to drop out due to injuries, I joined the lululemon cheer squad on marathon day to support my friends running the race. I was feeling sick yesterday morning, so I showed up about two and half hours late, but I got to see all of my friends who were running. We were set up at Mile 24.5, a perfect place to be as runners need that last push to finish strong.

Some scenes from yesterday’s race…

Healthy Ashley! Running a marathon 3 months post-pelvic fracture= such an accomplishment!

83 days until I can register for the 2013 WDW Marathon!

Speaking of running, if you’re in the Orlando area and looking for a run club, lululemon is starting a run club. If you’re interested, email me at runeatdatesleep@gmail.com for the details.

I personally think the best part of the new year is the brand new, fresh, clean slate we each receive. The second best part is to look back at the past year and see if I accomplished the goals I set out for myself last January 1st.

1. Complete the WDW Marathon- CHECK!

2. Read more- CHECK! I treated myself with a Kindle and read a few classics, the first book of the Hunger Games, and a few silly romance novels. My brother has now loaned me his collection of Harry Potter books.

3. Drink more water- semi-check. I need to work harder on this.

4. Run 1000 miles in 2011- Not a check. 279 miles were run in 2011 instead. I’m not making any excuses for this.

5. Buy my first home- Not a check. But it was a “blessing”, if you will. I wouldn’t have ended up in Orlando had I purchased a home in Delaware.

6. Get back in to my size 10 pants- Not quite. I don’t think I lost (or gained) any weight overall in 2011. I’m not making excuses for this either.

7. Continue to strive for a balance between work and home. – For the most part, CHECK! I’m learning to separate my work life from my home life. I made this goal because I used to work in an actual office and stay there until 10pm sometimes. I now work at home and try to “leave work” by 6pm to enjoy my evenings. I don’t really check emails after I decide to leave my home office for the day. I do need to make more time for cleaning the house on a more consistent basis.

I was hoping to have my goals for 2012 completed before writing this post, but to no avail.

I rather enjoyed my New Year’s Day this year, despite it actually not feeling like a new year whatsoever. I spent the morning with Molly and then headed to the Mall at Millenia because I picked up a shift at the lululemon store (I work at a different store). But before I started my shift, I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Panera. I have an addiction to that place.

It was so awesome spending the afternoon/early evening with the ladies at lululemon! It’s a brand new store, and they offer free classes on Sunday mornings. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming events!

Since I’d be passing Whole Foods on the way home, I decided to indulge in their hot food bar and load up on their macaroni and cheese. Slightly obsessed! And they carry my favorite tea, Honest Tea Moroccan Mint Green Tea.

Molly spent her day laying on my luggage. I think she’s secretly letting me know she fits in the bag so I don’t leave her behind next time I fly home.

How did you spend your New Year’s Day?

2011 started off with the realization of a 6-year long dream of completing the WDW Marathon.

I might not have completed it in the time I should have, but hey, I completed it, and that’s all that matters (to me, anyways).

In February, I was ready to settle down semi-permanently in Delaware and put an offer on a beautiful home. After two failed attempts to purchase my first home, I took it as a sign that maybe I didn’t belong in Delaware. After an enlightening conversation with my parents, I made the decision to move to Celebration, Florida, a town I had been wanting to live in since I was 19.

On July 2, the moving truck, my Jeep, myself, and my parents made the 1000-mile trek to Florida.

I spent the majority of July feeling homesick, but things quickly turned around when I purchased a Disney World annual pass and joined a running group.

In September, I began marathon training and was offered a part-time job at lululemon.

Joining the lululemon family has drastically changed my life. The day I joined the team, I gained 20 new best friends. They all honestly and genuinely care about me, and we all enjoy helping each other achieve our goals. It’s unlike any job I’ve ever had, and I can’t imagine my life without lululemon.

In October, I completed my fourth half-marathon, Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon.

In November, I turned 30 and celebrated with Alison by hitting all 4 Disney World parks in one day.

I also adopted the sweetest beagle there ever was! If you’re my Facebook friend, I’m sure you’re tired of me posting her pictures, but here’s a few more!

All professional pictures were done by Paw Prints Charming.

Molly’s has filled a piece of my heart I didn’t know was missing. She makes my house a home. She loves me unconditionally and gives me little nose nudges when we both need the affection.

This year has been absolutely life-changing. I completed a full marathon and my fourth half-marathon. I’m living in one of the most beautiful towns in the country. I continue to work with my amazing family for our mortgage company, and I’m lucky enough to work at home and be with Molly all day long. lululemon has helped me develop myself professionally and personally and has inspired me to go after the goals I set for myself, no matter how challenging or impossible they may seem. And Molly provides me with so much joy and love. I have friends and family who love me and always support me in every decision I make. While I used to think that a husband and children would complete me, I think my life is pretty darn perfect the way it is. The rest is icing on the cake.

I simply cannot wait to see what 2012 brings!