Spring 5K Challenge!

Pretty amazing stuff happening all through blogland. I have been reading and catching up with everyone's blogs that either leave me comments or that I follow and there is a lot of pounds being shed and miles ran!

I am always amazed at how wonderful this community is and how wonderful blogger friendship can be made just by posting something sweet in your post or in a comment!

I digress...

Anyway, I am linking up again with Katie for her Spring Training 5K challenge! I am so thankful that I found her blog. She has totally inspired me to run again through this linkup and cannot thank her enough for that extra push each week to show results, (Even though, some of the weeks are pretty disappointing.)

But not this week!

This week I broke my 5K record! 

Newest 5K PR 

Previous 5K PR

When I finished my 8 mile run, the running app told me that I had broken my PR and I was thoroughly impressed! Throughout that entire run, I just wanted to knock off 10 seconds. As you can see, I knocked off about 1 minute! I am hopeful that by June 1st I can run my 5k in 29 minutes. 

Today, my inner fat girl, Regina, didn't want to get out of bed. 

Sidenote: I came up with the name Regina from watching Once Upon a Time, on TV. She's the evil queen.)  

Once I convinced her to wake up and get out of bed, she continued to want to WALK the entire RUN this morning. I'm sorry, but WALKING is NOT RUNNING. So where you see the red, Regina won the battle. 

Have you exercised this week?

Madalyn

Recap of The Weekend!

Good Afternoon!

I hope your weekend went well... Below is a recap of the adventures that took place at our home this weekend. I have to brag already and say that I did complete a pretty incredible run this weekend! :)

For readers who follow along daily, this is where our raised garden bed is going... Along side of the garage. It's a work in progress..

George LOVES helping us with construction. I am pretty sure he paced through that trench all day Saturday trying to figure out what was going on. 

This is what the wall WILL look like when we get enough stone to make the wall. We were given half as many small stones as big, so it was difficult to construct and we had to stop. We need more little stones. 

Okay, so this was the most exciting part of my weekend. The 8 mile run. As you recall from last week, I ran 10 miles with my running buddy. This week, I wasn't feeling as adventurous. I ate pretty terribly and my body was feeling like trash, so I decided to work on the pace, more than the distance. So with walking involved (you can see the red stopping points) we ran 8 miles at a 10:30 second pace! Proud running moment here!

Just when I thought I was done moving that day, our neighbor asked if I would walk with her and her baby... 

Makes me want to have my own. 

But we went another 2 miles which made my 10 mile mark for the day.

This is the most recent addition to our flower arrangement on our front patio. The hibiscus plant. This is one of J's favorite flowers out there... Got to love the Caribbean!

Sunday we went to church with J's grandparents who are in their early 90's. It is utterly amazing to me how mobile they still are. We even went to brunch at one of our favorite restaurants close to church. For the first time ever, I gave up eggs and toast for a salad. I know, I was shocked too!

After, I had a couple of students over and another teacher to make Whooooopie pies!

Another busy weekend for the books!

How was your weekend??

Madalyn

The Life of George

Good Morning Lovelies!

What a day to refresh from the work week, if you live in Pennsylvania, that is. Here is a photo shoot, courtesy of J, of what HEALTHY George has been up to this week!

Updates of the garden we are building to come early next week. Yes, I said it, we are making a garden this year so I can fill my belly with healthy veggies all summer long!

What are you up to this weekend?

Madalyn

Non Scale Victories #???

Oh blogging world, it has been a busy week!

I have been a bit MIA for the sheer fact that I am human, and have not had time to write. Please forgive me!

This week has been full of NSV's. I have to tell you that losing weight is becoming easier and easier because of the healthy lifestyle choices that I have been changing day to day. They are small, but they add up quickly!

1. I went on my longest run since 2010. Although I would really like to break this record during the weekend, I know that my body isn't ready. It's likely though that R and I will run about 8-10 miles this weekend. Also, if you're feeling like 8-10 miles is something far off from what you could do, I just started the Couch to 5k training 8 weeks ago and I am already up to 10 miles without stopping! Don't feel discouraged! 

2. I have made healthy choices when eating out. J and I love to go out to dinner about twice a week. With that comes a lot of calories and temptations. I have learned to view the menu beforehand if we've never been to the establishment, and to order the lowest calorie food possible... For instance, instead of ordering fried chicken wings, I order the grilled chicken sandwich. Less fat and less calories. 

3. I have been continuously drinking at least 100oz of water per day. I have noticed a HUGE change in my appetite because of this! I am hungry less and have learned to say no to tempting foods because I'm not as hungry anymore. 

4. I have ran over 55 miles this month. Enough Said. 

What are your NSVS?

What are you doing this weekend?

Be sure to linkup with Katie and Lex!

Madalyn

Happy With Where I am Going

Good Morning World!

As I sit here and blog this morning with my cup of tea, I am reminded of how great God is and how beautiful he make our world! I am also reminded of the warmth that spring is SOON to bring and the comfort I feel in my heart (my throat and nose feel differently) when leaves become green again and flowers start to bloom!

I have really been feeling the love recently from my readers! Thank you so much for your support, comments, and emails that you've sent. Please continue to love on not only myself, but others as well. 

In the past couple of days, I have been reminded of the love that my friends here have been sending my way and the love my friends have to run with me each and every day! I can say that I am so excited to share my NSV's tomorrow. There are some exciting adjustments in my journey that I cannot wait to share about tomorrow. 

But for today, I am just so please with where I am going in life. I finally have the feeling of being settled. If you are new here, or haven't read some of my posts about the past year I will quickly fill you in....

In the past year I have successfully obtained my BA in Elementary Education with a grueling year-long student teaching internship that required tons of my time and almost all of my energy, I got engaged to the most incredible man on earth, planned and got married in November, accepted a teaching job somewhat close to where we live, moved in with my husband, and began applying for my masters degree. 

A whole lot of transitions and changes. But I am so thankful for my readers support, my family and my husbands support through it all. I always am so happy to open my computer and see whatever picture of J and I plastered on my home screen. 

Sorry for the photo dump. Just thought I would share some of the pictures I get to see each morning when I wake up and check my emails.

Anyway, I have to say that each morning that passes, I am even more happy because of the man that I am married to. The man that encourages me when I need it most, helps me when I am down, and continues to inspire me on a daily basis. (I love you! :) )

I am also happy because every time I look at this pictures, I already see what an improvement I have made with my body and my healthy lifestyle.

I can't wait to try on my wedding dress in November and see the changes I've made! I especially cannot wait for my husband to see all the changes I have made.

It's so funny how quickly life moves and how rapidly things change. I used to think that it was easier to just lay on the couch and vegetate or to eat whatever I wanted. But desperately, inside, I was so unhappy. I must say that even now, as I am making these changes, I can already feel my confidence growing, and I am finally happy with where I am going. No one can change that for me. I made those choices to get where I was, and I am fighting and making choices to come back from where I was.

Are you happy with where you're going?

Madalyn

My Longest Run Since 2010

Yep! You read it right! I wet on my longest run yesterday to date!

I got up yesterday thinking that I would run about 6 miles, one mile further from last Saturday.

With that goal in mind, R, my running busy and I drove to our running trail and started out on my longest run ever.

If you have trail ran before, you know that the distance you run in, you must also run back out. With that being said, we set off to run 3 miles down and back.

Well...

We started talking and I mentioned how great it would be to run 10 miles today. (Yeah right! As if I could do that! I knew she could, but me... Ha!) she thought that was doable.

I chuckled.

Yeah, right!

When we reached the 3 mile mark, R asked me if I wanted to turn around or continue running.

I wanted to keep going.

We got to 3.25 and she asked again.

I wanted to keep going.

We got to 3.5 and she asked again.

I wanted to keep going.

We got to 4 and she asked again.

I wanted to keep going. However, B reminded me that we had to make it back out and that we needed to stop and get some water.

At this point I was feeling great! Unstoppable! Invincible!

On our way back, I joked saying that we should just go the entire 13.1 and be done with it.

She laughed.

We kept running.

We made it ALL THE WAY BACK!

8 miles.

We hydrated and then I opened my mouth again...

"R, lets do 2 more!"

So we did.

Our total mileage was a little over 10.1 miles.

Ill say it again.

Our total mileage was TEN POINT ONE MILES.

For all of you who are just starting the C25K or are considering it, do it! This is my 8th week of training, and I hit a 15k over the weekend! Those of you who are in the middle of the training, keep going! It gets sooo much easier!

Thank you to all who have been so supportive toward my training an process. Without readers like you, I wouldn't be as motivated to do the things I am doing! Thank you for your encouraging words and your ideas and advice!

My God bless you all this nice (at least in PA) Sunday! Get out and move! George and I have a walking date today. He is finally feeling better! Thanks for you kind comments and emails for him too. He's finally eating again! :)

Madalyn

Non Scale Victories: April 18, 2013

This would have to be one of my favorite posts I post each week. Coming together and sharing our victories OFF the scale (even though mine were pretty sweet last week - just sayin') and reaching out and encouraging others makes my heart warm.

This week was exceptionally great because of the weather that is starting to form around my area.  Truth be told that I would LOVE for the 70's to stick around longer, but I am pleased that it is no longer freeeeezing outside.

This leads me to my first NSV: Counting Saturday, my milage ran this week is 21 miles and I still have 2 days to go! This Saturday, I am going to run with my running buddy 6-8 miles on a trail that follows creeks and farms. My muscles are already relaxing as I think about it.

My second NSV is that I have drank 100 ounces of water each day this week and feel great! I am eating less, and craving less. On Sunday I went to a all you can eat benefit lunch for the food bank in our county and had some issues Monday trying to get back on track, but I got there!

My third NSV is that I finally have the energy to continuously do yardwork. Last year it seemed difficult to get moving, and now, after scooping 3 yards of mulch all over my yard, (yes I realize we got a head start this year) I feel great!

I am sad and nervous today because Gerogie is sickkkk like a dog! Ugh, I feel terrible. I found him this morning, sleeping on our spare bedroom comforter. Look at how sad he looks:

What are your NSV's for the week?

I'd love to hear what they are!

Madalyn

Pinterest Wednesdays: April 17, 2013

Good Afternoon! I meant to post earlier but it just didn't work out that way. Anyway, I am linking up with the Vintage Apple today! Head on over there and visit some other blogs with amazingly CUTE pins!

Recipe

Link

I had to add this into the mix. :)

Also, I have been staring at these donuts all day! 

The kids had a fundraiser this past week selling donuts and coffee so today is delivery day. Lucky for my students, a parent purchased a round of dough for them, and I was included in the count too. 

But... 

I. Said. No. (Thankyou)

What a great feeling to have to say no to something that I have been smelling all day. Did I go to the office and grab a few pretzels to help make the trusty decision? Yes. And I am glad to have consumed pretzels instead of dough. I am so relieved. 

What have you been pinning recently??

You can follow me on Pinterest by clicking here!

Madalyn

Spring 5K Training #5

Good Morning! I am linking up again with Katie again. Head on over and check out other bloggers posts and leave some love!

I have been flying through these running workouts yesterday. I am not sure if it's because I am 10 pounds lighter from when I started, or just because I kick butt? Not sure, but I certainly feel great when I am running and clearly do not feel discouraged at all.

I am currently trying to convince my hubs to let me purchase one of these:

The Garmin GPS Watch. 

First of all, how cute? 

Secondly, I mean why not?

Since I have transferred most of my running outdoors to killer hills and trails, it would be nice for a satellite to track how many miles I run, and to track my pace? 

You may have similar questions to my husband:

What runner wouldn't want that you ask?

Well the runner that is on a budget. Clearly, we are on a budget as a newlywed couple and trying to save to have a rainy day fund. But this watch is just too great.

Any you may ask, why I can't use my iPhone?

I thought of an answer for that question too...

Using the phone GPS is sooooo 2012.

Hopefully, when I write about my 5k training in a week, I will have a photo of my new, beautiful watch upon my wrist showing you my pace and my milage. Until then, I am going to continue dreaming.

Anyway, I am off to run about 4 or 5 miles today and then off to a kettlebell class. I am ready to crush the virtual 5k in June!

How was your exercise last week?

Madalyn

Plants, Flowers, and Running!

Happy Monday!

I am linking up again with Sami from 

This weekend was FULL of things to check of the old to-do list and I am happy to report that the hubs and I got almost everything accomplished. But before I continue with that, I need to announce that I finally lost some poundage... 2.5 pounds to be exact! I have been waiting for a loss for the past 6 weeks, and it finally came a knocking. Back to the weekend...

On Friday night, Josh and I decided to stay in for the night, order sushi, and watch the movie Argo. If you haven't seen Argo yet, I highly recommend it. 

Saturday, my running buddy and I went for a 5 mile run on a rail trail near our neighborhood early in the morning. Yes, you read that right, 5 miles. And we ran under 10 minute miles the entire time. And to really make your mouth drop, we also attended a 45 minute kettlebell class right after all of that. Crazy right?

During the day, The hubs and I did our usual errand running and also stopped off at the garden store to pick out our plants for the summer.

Aren't they gorgeous?

The dog tried to help us out... but wanted to play the entire afternoon... I don't blame him. It was gorgeous outside.

We arranged them into our planters and baskets...

I have a thing for Gerber Daisys. I love them sooo much. It was difficult not to purchase the entire row of the greenhouse. But they are placed at the front door, where I can see them every morning as I leave for school and every evening when I return home!

I am still so happy, just looking at those pretty flowers!

Yesterday morning, I went for another run with my running friend and what we thought was going to just be a short 2 miler to get the dogs tired, turned into a 4 mile run, where I earned this badge:

Yay! another 3.12 record! 

Lots to be thankful and proud of in my neck of the woods this weekend. 

What did you do this weekend??

Madalyn