fruit kabobs make for one tired gal

Sometimes I think I like to punish myself. Haha. 4 hours of chopping + 1.5 hours of skewering = 3 platters of fruit kabobs, 2 trays of fruit and lots of happy little tummies :)

I left my house at 6:30 this morning and didn't get home until 9:30. It is almost 10 and an hour and a half passed my bedtime. The most exhausting days always seem to also be the most rewarding though.

All I can say is TGIF.

Beginner's Mistake

Starting last week, I began running at the local running store on Wednesday nights. Last week went really well. I fell in step with a girl my age and we ran together the whole time. The fastest 6 miles I've ran to date (that I have timed)

Well this week my new friend wasn't there so I had to find someone else...or at least keep someone in sight so I didn't get lost. I ended up (sort of) running with an older lady,  older man and towards the end a guy a little older than me. They all knew each other, I didn't know any of them. At the very end (last .25 miles ish?) the older lady and younger guy sprinted ahead to catch up with her dad. It was me and the older guy kind of at the end and I decided to sprint the end. When we got back, everyone was standing around drinking water and eating bananas. I walked up to get a water bottle and he said something to the effect of, "thanks for staying with me and keeping me motivated at the end there." Joking? Idk. Either way, I do not take jokes like that well. At all. So now it will be hanging over my head until I can apologize next week. Ugh. Way to make a good first impression, Michelle, way to go. I hesitate to admit this already, but I feel pretty socially awkward in most situations.

On a much better note, I improved my pace by 14 seconds!!! Last week my pace was 8:34. I'm so excited to see more improvements as I get into better shape. 

Alright well I need to get up and finish prepping fruit for tomorrows snack. Fruit kabobs. 120 of them. Yay :)

Any tips on group running etiquette would be much appreciated :)

Cabin Fever

Do you see that white stuff on the ground? SNOW! Yes, I know it is only mid March but this has been the absolute longest winter ever. It is windy, cold, and above all, gloomy.

And no, that should not detour me from running in anyway. I have the time, cold running gear and a gym membership if the weather is too unbearable. Oh and did I mention countless workout DVDs I can do in the comforts of my own so I don't even have to step a foot outside? 

There is one problem. I'm stubborn. I want to run. I really really want to run. Outside, with the sun shining, the grass green and the sky blue. I have taken the liberty of self diagnosing myself with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). And with it being the very end of winter, having endured almost 4 months of this awful weather, I just cannot muster up the motivation to get out there.

 All I feel like doing is curling up on the couch with a blanket,  good book, cup of coffee and my fur children beside me. I tried doing three different workout DVDs today. Three!! I was bored to tears.

My compromise is weight lifting while watching Dawson's Creek (don't judge). Some exercise is better than none right? Plus I need to work on stretching (I'm bound and determined to do the splits) and holding my handstands and headstands. (I really regret not sticking with gymnastics. I quit because my teacher had a funny accent. How lame of a child was I?)


How do you stay motivated on these horribly gloomy days??

First Post

My about page talks about why I'm starting this blog but I felt like I should start with some type of introduction post, in a little more detail, on what you will find here (which will probably a lot of random things) so here it goes...

• I am a Registered dietitian. I just started teaching nutrition classes as part of a wellness program for overweight children and their families. I'm both excited and nervous that I have the chance to change lives and I don't want to screw it up! I also work as a clinical dietitian at a hospital. My patients remind me everyday how lucky I am to be healthy. To have legs able to run, lungs able to breathe, and a heart that beats strong enough to carry me miles and miles.
• I'm a runner. Or like to think I am.  So far I've completed 2 5k's and a marathon. I hope to add A LOT more bullets to my "races" page this summer. I recently joined a local running club and look forward to meet others with a similar passion.
• I love food and cooking. Anything, anytime, anywhere. I especially love decorating cakes which is slightly ironic given my career choice. 
• I got married this past August to my high school sweet heart Giacomo. He is amazing and one of the smartest people I know (he is in medical school and a second lieutenant in the army reserve.) We have high hopes of spending many weekends camping this summer.
• We have two kittens, Lily and Marshall. I am an animal lover and a completely obsessed cat lady at heart.

 There will be nutrition tab as well filled with healthy living tips and tricks. There is nothing I like better than talking about food and nutrition so I welcome any questions regarding such things :)
Thanks for stopping by and happy running!
 Michelle

My journey to 26.2 (number two)