Taking a day off and a great dinner!

Today I was supposed to do my speedwork, as I mentioned yesterday...but I just really felt like I needed a break! I've been running every single day lately, and even though I do "easy" runs I think that sometimes the best way to recover can be NO running. I thought about taking my bicycle out to the towpath this afternoon since I got off work early, but the weather was threatening and I decided to just REALLY take a day off. So, speedplay tomorrow!

Last night we went to dinner to celebrate my sister's birthday. We went to a great Thai food restaurant called Peppermint Cafe. Everything was SO good.

Yummmmmmmm

I really wish this was my car :( I love Subarus!

After dinner I tried an "ice cream" flavored Oreo. It was VERY weird and I'm still not sure if I liked it?

Amazing Weekend!

This Fourth of July weekend turned out to be super amazing awesome (which is why I neglected to blog for 2 days). I'm going to have to make up for my spotty blogging this weekend with about 309483 photos! I posted about Fourth of July, and the next day was pretty anti-climactic because all I really did was go to work. I didn't get a chance to post because I went boating with Alex and his parents that evening after work, and we went to see the Tall Ships on Lake Erie. The Tall Ships plus the sunrise combined made one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen in my life and it was one of my biggest regrets ever that I was lame and didn't bring my camera!

The next day was Saturday, which was my sister's birthday! I woke up and decorated the cake my mom made for her...

and wrapped her present...

and then I headed out for an amazing morning of waterskiing! I did get a picture of the beauty this time...

Then we hurried home so we could get going to the Taylor Swift Red concert in Pittsburgh! I checked out my festive nails in the car...

and ate some healthy M&Ms to pass the time....

We took selfies...

...and a few non-selfies!

...and met some friends...

...and admired the river where I've come five years in a row for the Head of the Ohio!

All in all, it was a great weekend! I did run on Friday and today but nothing special, just a normal 3-4 mile easy run each day. Tomorrow will be a speed workout! Last week was my first try at one and this week I'll make it a little more challenging. Also hoping to do a long run this week! I'll have to fight the weather, there's a heat wave coming in!

Happy Fourth of July!

YAY it's the Fourth of July!

I started my day after sleeping in a tiny bit and then hurrying out for a run before it got too hot! I did the same 5-mile course that I ran the other day but this time instead of doing an easy run, I ran at tempo pace. I was inspired by Brooks today...

I warmed up for the first 0.5 miles and then hit my tempo pace. It was HARD! I felt like I had more in the tank but couldn't push it anymore...and at the end (when I was dripping in sweat) I realized that it's probably due to the outrageous heat and humidity today. I used the final mile as a cool-down which I think really helped. I felt great after I cooled down and drank some chocolate milk. 

Beautiful lily in our backyard!

I spent the day having some down time and then going to TARGET (fave place) with my mom. I got some special surprises for my sister's birthday and a couple things for when I go back to school (now I can say I go back "next month"...whaaat!?).  I also got some M&Ms and at the red, white & blue ones.

Also got these new multi-vites...hopefully they help me row harder and run faster!

Annnndddd: Alex is home!!!!! Ultimate Fourth of July surprise! 

(Except it wasn't really a surprise this time!)