Baby got a brand new pair of shoes!

I had to cave and get a new pair of shoes before Christmas. I really wanted to hold out because that's all I asked for this year for Christmas so I'm pretty sure that's what I'm getting. But the knee pain was just getting annoying! I was doing everything for IT band pain; stretching, yoga, icing, strengthening. Even though the pain would go away for days on end, as soon as I put on my old shoes and even attempted a run, my knee just wasn't having it. Active.com had a pretty good schwaggle deal for trisports.com the other day so I splurged and bought the Mizuno Wave Rider 14. Unfortunately, this shoe has terrible reviews! But I remember trying this shoe on back in May when I was getting fitted for new shoes, post ankle breaking and pre return to running. I remember thinking they were a little small and although I liked the fit, my aisics won me over. Unfortunately, another pair of those aisics are just too expensive right now. I got risky and took a chance with these mizunos. So far, I've gotten up to 5 miles and not had any knee pain. Granted, I haven't really done any speed work and that is what seems to aggravate my IT band the most, so we shall see. I'm hoping to get in 6 miles on Friday morning back in my home town of Wilmington, NC. I normally wear a size 8 but went to an 8.5 because this shoe runs very small. I have a very narrow foot, so these shoes seem to fit really well for me so far. Again, if things go south with these shoes, I am hoping Santa may have something else in store so I have a safety net. For now, the knee pain has subsided and I think I got lucky with this choice!

New Shoes!

I've really just been running this week, haven't gotten much of any other activities in but you know, I've been a little lazy about getting out and about. 

Total weekly mileage: 11 (still hanging in there!)

Yoga sessions: 2

Happy Holidays!

Blogger Gift Exchange

Happy Holidays!!!

So far, Santa has been very good to me. I happened to get a few friendly gifts in the mail over the past few days. Run With Jill sponsored a blogger gift exchange this year and I got my secret Santa blogger gift in the mail yesterday. It's quite possible it arrived earlier but I forgot to check my mail for a few days.... I was so excited, I forgot to take pictures of the super cute wrapping before I tore into the presents. Sometimes, I am like a little kid and I simply can't wait. I did, however, capture some pics of the aftermath. See below. 

Please excuse my dying poinsettia...

Yay, honey bee stingers, stationary, post its, lara bars, cliff bars, Gu and a fruit bar!

So, my secret Santa is pretty awesome. Everything was so neatly wrapped in cute holiday colors, I wish I had slowed down for 2 seconds to snap a picture (impulsiveness at its finest). There are so many reasons why this was the perfect secret Santa gift. #1) I love stationary, especially the cute "Let it snow" note cards. #2) I have been in dire need of a note pad for my refrigerator. #3) I can not wait to use the post it notes. #4) Lara bars (especially Apple Pie) and cliff bars are my absolute favorites and only runners give other runners these things (like the Gu). And last but not least #5) I have been dying to try the honey bee stingers energy snack, I have heard so much about them! To Kyria, thank you so much for the best secret Santa gift ever! Your gift was so thoughtful and very much appreciated, it really got me into the holiday spirit. 

My secret Santa inspired me to finish up my gift and finally get it in the mail. I was trying really hard not to be a slacker about this, because I am notorious for waiting until the last minute for everything. I finally got my gift packaged and put in the mail. I hope my blogger likes her gift as much as I liked mine! Thanks to Jill for sponsoring such a fun event! 

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays so far. I know Santa is starting to tug on my heart strings a little bit. It may be time to rustle up a copy of Love Actually and make some hot chocolate because Christmas is almost here! 

A look back and a glimpse forward

Wow. Done with my first semester of pharmacy school. It may not seem like much to many of you but from where I was to where I am now in just a few months, I feel like I have finally realigned my life on the right track. I've spent so many years trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, so many years of self reflection over what would be the "right" career for me and what would make me happy in the long run. I can't say I really knew that pharmacy school was it for me right away, I don't think anyone really knows these things. If you're like me, you just hope that you know how to recognize what feels right and what feels wrong and to go for it, no matter what. So, I did just that. I quit my full time job, I moved into my own place (for the first time ever, no roommates), I set a strict budget for myself and some pretty large goals and started pharmacy school at the ripe young age of 28. Self reflection never stops and learning from yourself never does either, but from where I stand right now I can look back and breath a big sigh of relief. I did it. I made the right choice. It feels right and more importantly, I feel right and I can't say I've felt like this in quite a while. On a side note, I still don't like chemistry...I thought that might change, but it hasn't. :-)

Throughout finals, I managed to maintain a pretty steady work out plan. I ordered some running new shoes from an awesome schwaggle deal that I got from active.com. I haven't gotten them in yet, but when I do I plan on a nice run outside to break them in (and a review, of course)! I went for a run on the treadmill this past Friday and ran 3 miles with very mild pain and faster than I've been able to run recently. I went to spin on Saturday and 2 yoga sessions (1 on Sunday and 1 today after my last final!). I have to say, yoga has really been helping my knee. I haven't realized how tight my hamstrings have been from running. Not only that, but I've really been able to calm my mind during finals with some deep breathing. I love efficiency.

In the midst of all the madness. I managed to get my little tree put up. 

Goals on tap for this week?

EVERYTHING I haven't been able to do for the past month! Working out (hopefully with my new shoes), baking, Christmas shopping, errands, CLEANING, hanging out with friends, and anything else I feel like. Hopefully you'll be hearing more from me this week. I have some exciting announcements coming up soon!

Weekly miles: 8 (I finally broke 7!)
Cardio: 1 spin class
stretching: 1 yoga class - counting the one from today for next week!

Finals!

Just wanted to get in a quick update. I'm in the midst of finals so not a lot of time to dwindle here. 4 finals to go and I wish I was more motivated to study. Isn't that how it always go? I would like to blame it on the fact that I'm older and just don't stress the way I did in undergrad but I don't think that's quite it...I digress.

So, work outs. I got in 3 miles on the elliptical on Thursday which felt great! And then I realized that I had like zero resistance and hardly broke a sweat...oh well, probably needed for a good recovery work out. Friday, I went for a 3 mile run on the treadmill before hitting happy hour with some friends. I had to stop two times and walk because of knee pain, I really think it's these shoes! Saturday, I made it to a spin class at the gym and despite scratching the driver's side of my car on a concrete pole (don't ask), it was great! Also, Sunday I made it to "gentle yoga" so I can check that off of my goals for last week. I haven't gone to a good long yoga session in a while so it was nice to get grounded. My muscles were definitely alive and awake on Monday! 

This week, I managed to make it to my running group on Tuesday evening with my awesome reflective running vest on. The 5 miles went well but I didn't push it on the tempo run at all, the knee pain is definitely alive and well, but I recovered fast. I only had some mild pain yesterday and none today, so far that I can tell. I am trying to get new shoes and an IT strap asap. I have also been eyeing up those lulu lemon heads bands. They look super cute and come in fun colors!

My reflective running vest! 

Ok, back to studying. I have another final in an hour! eek!

You will likely hear from me next week when finals are over. 

Goals this week: keep working out to relieve stress! 

Miles accomplished: 6 (will I ever get past this number?)

Cardio: 1 spin class

Stretch: 1 yoga class