Gettin' By

Five on Friday | The Resolution Edition

We're already a week into the new year and it's quite likely that many resolutions have already gone the way of the dinosaurs (and by that, I mean blown away by a giant meteor that burned up the earth - wouldn't that be a viable excuse for skipping Zumba class??) but I thought I'd go ahead and showcase five things that are helping me keep moving and shaking in 2016. Though the shaking thing may just be because I decided to give up wine during the week. #withdrawals, anyone?

 

01//  Asics Gel Noosa Tri 10 ($59.83)   I've run in Asics Gel Nimbus for many years now, but when they debuted a glow-in-the-dark Gel Noosa several years ago, I fell in love with the funky color schemes and non-traditional graphics. Yes, I'm a sucker for bright color combos and graffiti graphics. I got the pair above for Christmas and they happen to be available for a deep discount. They are definitely a lighter-weight running shoe without as much cushioning as the Nimbus or Kayano, but I love them for shorter runs and they never fail to be conversation starters (i.e., an excuse to take a water break!)

 

02//  S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($35.00) The only way I can drink my eight glasses of water each day is if it's COLD and this water bottle definitely keeps it that way. Plus, it comes in a fabulous colors like Tiffany Blue and - bonus! - it actually fits in the car cupholder. Just add your ice and water in the morning and you're good to go. And (not that I would know from personal experience or anything) it also does a great job of keeping vodka tonics and Moscow Mules icy cold as well. 

 

03//  Lululemon &go Everywhere Tank ($58.00)  I'm not snobby about my athletic wear - most of my gym gear is from the Target clearance rack - but this tank is truly worth the cash. It's a super soft, breathable fabric that doesn't cling or chafe and I love the flattering cut of the front and deeper armholes for easy movement. But most notably, it's cut nice and long through the torso, so it doesn't reveal muffin top when I'm doing squat jumps or downward dog (or reaching into the very top kitchen cabinet to find the hidden Twinkies). 

 

04// LaraBar Coconut Cream Pie ($21.59/16 bars)   My daily glass of sauvignon blanc helps curb my sugar cravings, so when it's off the menu, any candy in my vicinity is in danger. Even the grisly remains of the kids' Halloween stash (which conisists of rock-hard Tootsie Rolls, Big Hunks and Bit-o-Honeys) looks appetizing to me. To try and keep the sugar coma at bay, I've been stocking up on LaraBars and the Coconut Cream Pie is definitely a favorite, with Cherry Pie and Cashew Cookie coming in a close second. And psst....this copycat recipe is hella easy and really good! Ok, not as good as candy corn. But you already knew that.

 

05//  Zensah Running Headbands ($14.99)  Nothing ruins a workout faster than annoying stray hairs blowing in your eyes or tickling your face. I've actually quit in the middle of a run and threatened to shave my head ala Britney Spears (luckily there was no umbrella nearby or passing cars would've been at risk) so a good hairband is a must for me. I've tried lots of elastic versions, and these are by far my favorite brand. They aren't constricting, but the velvet lining keeps them in place and the wider width is perfect for keeping flyaway hair at bay. Plus, they come in lots of fun colors and textures. Kind of like my language on a bad hair day.

 

Hope your resolutions are going well and your goals for 2016 are being tackled!

 

Crate Paper | Sock Hop

I am currently really loving the newest Crate Paper collection, Notes & Things, and the fact that it mixes pretty seamlessly with the vintage ephemera that I often get in the JBS Mercantile Kits. The collection has a softer, aged color palette blends well with the old advertising and marketing pieces that populate my stash.

Recently, I pulled out an old parchment advertisment and vintage ticket booklet that I've been wanting to use on a page, and opted to pair it with some of the goodies from Notes & Things. Because the ad was somewhat fragile I photographed it, reduced the size, and printed it on a piece of cardstock. Here's how I worked it into the design:

S U P P L I E S :

InLinkz.com

Using my distressed stripe technique from Monday's video, I cut the ad into strips and created a striped background, adding in some of the Notes & Things papers and vintage tickets. It was an ideal background for these photos of Riely dressed up for a 1950s-themed spirit day at school.

All the machine stitching helps add to the vintage feel, as well as referencing the journaling, which talks about sewing a poodle skirt for this occasion. The die-cut tags from the collection provided frames for my photos, and topped with natural jute twine, they also have that vintage vibe. The striped background has plenty of color, pattern, and texture, so I kept my embellishments to a minimum, using layered butterflies, cork and chipboard accents.

 

In other happenings, I've been attempting to make exercise a habit again, without the long hiatuses between work-outs, and am on Day 4 of consecutive sweat-it-out sessions. Not really that impressive, but given my propensity to take week long "breaks" lately, I'll take it. Along with a few Advil and some ice. Blergh.

Much more remarkable than the exercise streak is the fact that I gave a cat a bath yesterday. I know. It was fast and furious, and I have more than a few battle wounds as a result, but we have a much fluffier, softer, and less stinky version of a kitten now. Fair warning that upcoming posts may contain an overabundance of cute photos.  

Oh, an I also put up a new post over on Wardrobe Wednesday. Which has nothing to with exercise or stinky cats. Because that's what you come here for, right? 

Have a great day, my friends!

 

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. (and ouch.)

I woke up this morning to the balmy temperature of 2˚F, which kind of spoiled my plan to log a few miles on the old marathon training plan. Truth be told, the weather is only part of the story. I woke up so sore from yesterday's Shed & Shred workout that I could barely stumble to the sofa and request an ibuprofen IV drip from my husband before he left for work. So running was not really in the cards. But I'll gladly use the weather as my scapegoat rather than just admit I'm a big weenie.

So rather than face the arctic temps outside my door, I'm sharing a nice wintery layout with you instead. Blogging may do nothing to further my marathon efforts, but it doesn't require any major strain on my leg muscles, I get to have a nice warm mug of coffee next to me, and I don't even have to wear to a bra. When you spell out like that, it makes it easy to see why blogging trumps running every time, huh?

S U P P L I E S :

InLinkz.com

 

This wintery page goes perfectly with our frigid temps today. And helps me remember that even though the winter can get long and dreary, Colorado truly has my heart. I used a bunch of different Thickers, stamps and labels to create the title/journaling that quotes my favorite holiday tune, Colorado Christmas. I can't hear that song without getting all teary and I knew the lyrics would be the perfect words to accompany this photo. 

 

The page base is printed snowflake vellum from the Elle's Studio Noel paper pack that I layered over a piece of aqua cardstock. I adhered it behind the photo so the adhesive wouldn't show and used brads to secure it in other places. I love the soft, ethereal feel it lends the page!

 

Behind the photo, I layered several Project Life cards (these are from the Kraft Edition Core Kit) as well as some die cuts as a photo matte. I used foam adhesive between each of the layers to pop the photo up and add a lot of dimension to this area of the design.

 

 

Today I'm working on a new Inspired video for the Two Peas Garden and trying my hand at a watercolor technique. It's surprisingly simple and I'm loving the result. And even better, it's totally easy on the leg muscles.  I hope you'll join me next Thursday when it goes live!

Have a great Tuesday - and stay warm!

Run. Swim. Pedal. And stop using Comic Sans.

The weekend kicked off bright and early with a trip to the mountains for the Slacker Half Marathon in Georgetown. It's been nearly two years since I've done a race, and I've quite blissfully avoided the 4 am wake-up calls and nervous race-day jitters that races always bring. But my A-Team running buddies (Alison, Amber & Allison) finally convinced me to sign up for this mostly downhill race, so on Saturday morning I found myself amongst all other crazy runner people at the starting line.

I went through my usual hoping and praying that a natural disaster might roll in and prevent the race from happening, but when the starter gun inevitably went off, I had no choice but to point my shoes toward the finish line and GO!

It ended up being a beautiful day on a scenic course, and all four of us finished the race with personal best times. And though I thought a PR would mean I could retire from racing (why not go out on a high note?!) there's a nagging little voice in my head telling me I need to do it again. Just a little bit faster. Stupid addictive sport.

And while I was running down a mountain, this boy was making waves in the pool. He swam his way to a first-place finish in the 25m butterfly, 25m breast stroke, and 50m freestyle, as well as swimming butterfly on the medley relay. It's so cool to see all those hours and hard work in the pool pay off. He's already got Ryan Lochte beat in the IQ department (then again, so does our dog) but in a few more years, he might just be kicking his butt in the pool, too.

Saturday night, I had a date with this cute guy to celebrate a friend's birthday. We pedaled our way around downtown on a contraption that looks like a picnic table mated with a bike, stopping every few blocks at local dives to refuel. We had pit stops at a whiskey bar, infused vodka bar, and a daiquiri place before stopping for dinner. Which made it very easy to forget how much my quads hurt.

Today I'm hobbling around like a little old lady, popping Advil at regular intervals, and wondering what hack of a graphic artist designed this race sticker:

Never mind that it's not correctly centered, the kerning is horrendous, and the font size is all wrong. It's the use of Comic Sans that's really killing me. And if there hadn't been free beer at the finish line, I just might have asked for a refund.

 

P.S.  I forgot to say THANK YOU for commenting on the Speak Now post - I'm loving reading your responses and it's so helpful to know what type of content you are enjoying. The post is still open if you haven't voiced an opinion (and there's a giveaway as well!). And don't miss the Gardener's Digest giveaway below, too. Happy Monday!!

 

Components of a perfect summer weekend.

A long run that didn't totally suck.

A cute guy manning the grill.

Dinner on the patio.

Geckos as hair accessories.

Good causes.

Lazy time at the pool.

Sunny skies and drool-worthy automobiles.

German sportcars.

German dogs.

And of course, German beer.

Hope your weekend was fabulous as well!

Five {Random} Things

1.  I have spent my life spelling out my first name, Elisabeth (it's an S, not a Z) and the last 13 years spelling out Dickinson (it's two Is, no Es). Which is why I've given Riely the same gift (curse?) and christened her with a uniquely-spelled family name rather than the more common Riley.  If nothing else, she'll be forever diligent on the correct spelling of other people's names.

2. It is possible I might have an obsession with what I call June Cleaver dresses, as evidenced by my recent ModCloth wish list containing all these cute frocks:

            

 

3.  I had gone all summer running no farther than 6 miles and being perfectly content. Then I went on 10-miler this weekend with some friends and realized that I did indeed miss that post-long-run-euphoria that often lasts the remainder of the day and gives you an excellent excuse for consuming large plates of nachos.  Damn this addictive sport. (Today, I'm shopping for new running shoes.)

4.  My kiddos are not the only ones going to back to school this fall.  I'm going to be teaching at Ella Publishing's Boot Camp (Sept. 19-24)  and the Spawn of True Scrap (October 20-22).  I'll be the nervous one, sending up silent wishes that you don't pelt me with spitballs and put tacks on my chair. I'll be bribing you with giveaways in the near future. :)

5.  In case you need some convincing to get the September JBS Mercantile kit, take a look at these yummies:

The exclusive stamp this month (the oval frame) is fabulous and so is the acrylic mask. Plus, you'll get an exclusive edition of The Gazette newsletter, filled with inspiration and ideas for using your kit.  Kits will go on sale September 1, or you can sign up for a membership subscription to guarantee fabulous scrap goodies in your mailbox every month!

Happy Tuesday!

Ripped in 30: A Review.

It's been a week since I finished the 30-day torture known as Ripped in 30 by infamous trainer Jillian Michaels. And while I'll offer an extended review below, for those that want the Cliff Notes version, I can sum up the DVD in just a few two-word phrases:  It sucked and it works.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know from my various posts on running that I am truly a weenie-girl at heart.  My inner athlete is about as tough as Pee Wee Herman. I whine at most types of physical exertion, complain when exercise makes my muscles sore, and have been known to burst into tears during particuIarly difficult runs - yes, I'm THAT tough! So it should come as no surprise that Jillian kicked my ass. And I complained (loudly). And yelled obscenities at the tv. And scared small animals and children with my extreme lack of coordination.  But just like with running, I stuck it out. Maybe because I saw results. Or maybe because Jillian made me want to be tougher.  Or maybe, I just decided to kick that damn wussie-girl attitude to the curb for 30 days (cue Eye of the Tiger here).

What I Did.  With swimsuit season on the horizon, I was looking for a workout to give me the tone and definition that running hadn't - most notably in the ab and arm area - and this DVD definitely delivered. Because I didn't want to lose my running conditioning, for five days a week, I continued to run 3-5 miles each day, and did the Ripped Workout post-run.  One day a week, I just did Ripped, and one day a week, I just ran, doing a longer run (8-13 miles) on that day. So, yes, I was working out seven days a week. Which is probably not recommended, nor is it realistic that I'll continue at that intensity. But I had a bikini body in my sights, and I was one focused girl.

What I Got. At the end of 30 days, I had lost 8 pounds. I also dropped 1" from my waist, 1" from my hips, 1/2" from each thigh, and gained a 1/4" on each bicep. But what was more impressive was the fact that even after just two weeks, I didn't need the scale or measuring tape to tell me it was working - I could see and feel the results happening to my body. Well, hello ab muscles!

What I Liked.  Obviously, the results were the biggest payoff with this workout regimen, but there were other positives:

• The compact 25-minute time frame. It didn't take a lot of effort to fit that into my schedule and when you're used to runs that can last several hours, 25 minutes seems pretty do-able.

 

• The included meal plan. This 30-day plan includes simple, easy-to-prepare meals, with most of the ingredients available at a regular grocery store. Prior to Ripped, I was eating less food, yet more calories (can you say carb-addict?). On Jillian's plan, I incorporated more protein into my meals and actually ate a real breakfast - not just my usual cappuccino. I was never hungry or felt deprived, though the first week I would have traded my arm for a Cadbury Creme Egg (which would have made the push-ups even more difficult.) On the weekends, I skipped one of the 200-calorie snacks and had an evening glass of wine instead. After all, I couldn't reasonably be expected to give up both sugar AND wine, right?!

 

• The variety of exercises.  None of the moves in the four weeks of workouts are repeated, and I offer up my undying thanks to Jillian for not making me do reptile push-ups more than once. Having a new workout each week keeps things fresh. She also combines exercises that work several muscle groups at once (lunges with arm raises, squats with bicep curls) so the workouts are efficient and effective.

 

• The simplicity of the equipment.  I only needed one set of weights (I used 3-pound handweights) for all four workouts. I'd also recommend keeping a towel handy, because you will sweat like a racehorse (or is it pee like a racehorse? sweat like a pig? sweat like a sweathog going to the races?)

 

• The price.  As much as I'd like to spend hundreds of dollars on a personal trainer who will yell at me and make me work as hard as Jillian, I'm not willing to cut into my wine budget for that expenditure. A girl's gotta have her priorities.  For $9.49, I can have almost the same experience, and still enjoy my favorite sauvignon blanc.

 

What I Hated.  Um, besides the slightly sadistic reptile push ups and pendulum lunges??  Well, I knew going in that Jillian wouldn't make it easy. But beyond some of the killer moves that made me feel uncoordinated and clumsy, here's what I didn't like:

• The high-impact nature of some of the cardio moves. I don't have knee or ankle issues, but by the end of week 2, I was feeling some pain in those joints from all the bouncing and jumping. She does offer some lower-impact modifiers, which I opted to do, but I would caution anyone with pre-existing joint problems to be careful.

 

• The boring background music.  Granted, you pretty much only hear Jillian barking orders at you, which is simultaneously intimidating and inspiring, but when she's quiet enough to allow the music to be heard, it resembles what can only be described as Fitness Muzak - annoyingly bland and decidedly vanilla. Once you learn the moves, I'd suggest piping in your own soundtrack while you do the workout.

So if you're looking for a good way to tone up, slim down, and need a totally valid excuse for screaming expletives at a fitness icon, I'd highly recommend Ripped in 30.  While the month-long experiment has not completely crushed my inner Pee Wee, it has given him some killer biceps:

If you have specific questions about the DVD that I didn't answer here, feel free to ask in the comments and I'll do my best to answer based on my experience.  And enjoy your Tuesday, my friends!

 

 

Marathon Monday.

These days I'm looking for the inspiration to get back into a regular running routine.  Motivation to lace up the shoes and head out the door.  And it's not always easy to pull that from within. Truth be told, my inner-weenie tends to have a louder voice than my inner-athlete, so I have to rely on other forms of persuasion to get my workouts accomplished.

So today I thought I'd share some of my favorite running quotes, in the form of a mini album that originally appeared in Simple Scrapbooks' Mini Albums in an Evening.  A quick flip through some of these words usually reminds me of the strength I gain from this sport and encourages me to get out there and, quite simply, just do it!

{click on photo to enlarge}

So what's your favorite way to get motivated? Do you have a go-to source that never fails to get your butt moving? I'd love to hear your ways of getting (and staying) active!

Happy Monday!

Marathon Monday.

In honor of today's running of the Boston Marathon, I thought I'd revisit Marathon Monday today.  My friend Alison will be amongst those running masses today and I'm hoping she has a great race with the wind at her back.  Go Alison, go!

Yesterday I ran the Horsetooth Half Marathon in Ft. Collins with a group of running friends from our old neighborhood.  It's a fun race that ends at New Belgium Brewery, with live bands and um, FREE beer, which almost makes the 9% grade monster hills worth it.  According to my Garmin, I finished the race about 30 seconds faster than last year, with a time of 1:55:13.  That's a new half record for me, and while it's always nice to see your times improve, I've decided that number is not really important.  And here's why.

Over the last month, my training had stalled.  Actually, it would be more accurate to just say I STALLED.  After three months of weekly speedwork, tempo runs, and longs runs (all designed to help me run my goal race-pace) my desire to run starting waning.  And then, it just crashed.  I began to dread every workout. It wasn't just getting out the door that was hard - it was the entire workout - before, during, and after. Thinking about workouts made me aggitated and irritable. Doing the workouts made me even more bitchy because the joy I used to find in a good run just seemed to be missing. I found myself skipping runs, making excuses, being "too busy" to fit it in.  Every day I faced with the question: Do I really want to be a runner? And every day, I struggled to answer.

(Quite honestly, I almost had myself convinced that Overweight Couch Potato With No Athletic Aspirations could look good as the title on my business cards. In the appropriate font, naturally.)

So what had changed?  I had completed two marathon training schedules the previous year, and while there were ups and downs, the slumps were never bad enough to make me contemplate giving up the sport entirely.  Yes, I had increased the training intensity in an effort to improve my times, but isn't that what any competitive athlete does? Isn't the desire to improve and excel the driving force behind any sport? Shouldn't I, as an upstanding member of the running community want to run faster, faster, faster?!

And after much soul-searching and chocolate comsumption I found my answer.  And that answer, for this runner girl, is a resounding NO.

I realized that my recent running goals were all focused on finish times.  I publicly stated that I wanted to run a half marathon in under 1:50 and a full marathon in under 3:50.  And I implemented a plan to make that happen.  My runs were no longer a "mental check-out." No cranking up the ipod and tuning out the world and just hitting the pavement. These workouts had a purpose - to make me faster and stronger.  They required constant clock-checking and an equally constant racing mind (was I on pace? did I need to speed up? slow up? stride out?)  And just like that, the main reason that I run - to get out of my head - was gone. And it's those mental health runs that keep me coming back to this sport.  Those glorious miles where you're just sorting it all out in your head to the rhythm of your pounding feet.  The runs where you finish and everything just seems better, clearer, and more defined. And you're ready for whatever life is gonna throw at you.

So what's my plan now?  To rediscover the joy. For the time being, I've thrown out the running schedule with all its complex intervals, times, and paces.  I've decided to make the act of running more important than the finish time.  And I'm getting back to the basics: me, my shoes, and the road. Because somewhere out there is the reason I run.  I've just gotta chase it down.

Happy Running!

 

Marathon Monday: Let's Talk About Discipline.

The most common reaction people have to my running is: Running takes such discipline - how do you make yourself run all those miles?  And sometimes when I hear my name mentioned in the same sentence as the word discipline, a ripple of insecurity runs through me. Yes, I have logged some miles in the past 12 years, but I've never quite shaken the feeling that I'm just a poser - a closet couch potato masquarading as a runner.  There are times when I feel like I'm just a few skipped workouts or unhealthy meals away from losing all credibility as a runner...times when that inner couch potato's voice is yelling louder than the inner athlete, convincing me that time with the television and some chocolate would be SO much more fun than a 10-mile run.

Last week was one of those times.

Monday morning rolled around and a 7-mile run was on the agenda.  After I got the kids to school, I came home to grab a quick bite and noticed the carrot muffins in the pantry. Gotta eat something before I go run, right? So I gobbled it down, changed into my running clothes, and did a quick check of emails.  By the time I started lacing up my shoes, I realized: That carrot muffin was awfully sweet and heavy. Not the best option for a pre-run meal. Ugh - who am I kidding? That was not a muffin at all...it was a big slab of sugary, fatty carrot cake disquised as breakfast.  The schmear of cream cheese frosting should have tipped me off. How can I expect my body to perform if I feed it this crap? I cannot possibly run with this in my system.  Maybe I should wait and run after it's digested.  Or just skip running today. I am a bit sore, after all.  I could use a day off. To rest. And recooperate. And repair. And eat another muffin!

Sigh.

Tuesday I woke up so infuriated with myself for skipping a run that I imposed a punishment run: 10 miles for you! I don't care what your schedule says! You must run to make up for your lazy ways!  And no muffins for breakfast, either - just get out there and run! So I headed out the door before I could come up with an excuse. The wind was howling, I'd forgotten my gloves, and my stomach was growling. The first mile sucked. Hard. So did the second. Ouch. Usually by the third mile, things are warm and improving.  But not today.  At 3.5 miles, I caved, holding back tears, and realizing this whole run was going to suck. And I was too much of a weenie to finish it.  So I headed home. And ate a muffin.

Wednesday I was ready to get back in the saddle. And then a flurry of frantic client emails and phone calls distracted me, I got busy, and my run got postponed until later.  And later came and went, I was still busy, and the run never happened.  Oh for the love of pete.  What kind of runner am I, anyway?

Then it hit me -  I am a human runner. The kind that makes mistakes and can't always be perfectly motivated.  The kind of runner that sometimes screws up, rebels against the schedule, and throws in the towel for the day.  It doesn't make mean I'm a poser, it simply means I'm human.  And you know what?  Running doesn't care how many days I take off - it's the most loyal of loves.  It will always be there, waiting days, weeks, even years for you for to return. But running is also fickle - the longer you neglect her, the bigger bitch she'll be when you do come crawling back.

I'm proud to say I did turn the week around and eventually got my speedwork and a long run completed. Of course, neither were very stellar because the days off made it hard to get back into the routine.  But I felt better just getting them done. And that's my reality: There are days when it feels good to skip the workout and be lazy, but it will always feel better to complete the run.  It's always going to be a struggle to get past the roadblocks life puts in the way: I don't have time...I didn't eat the right breakfast...the weather sucks...I'm just too tired...but it's getting past those excuses that makes the final result all the more rewarding.

It's called discipline, folks.  And if you can pull it off on a regular basis, you totally deserve a muffin.

Happy Running!

Monday:  Cross-train (weights)
Tuesday: Speed (10 x 400s)
Wednesday: 10 miles (slow & easy)
Thursday: Cross-train (Yoga)
Friday: Progressive Hills (6 miles)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: Long Run (20 miles)