by the numbers

16 days until I go back to work
106 days until my next marathon
6.5 miles run today
100 miles run this month
180 dollars spent at the vet this month
10 days for the dealership to get the part and fix the recall on my car
588 miles run this year
1007.5 (half of 2015) miles pledged to run with my running partner
27 books read this year (goal of 40)
6 books read this month
2 cups of coffee I've had today
239 number of cups my sister probably needs after Jane's first night in her big girl room

what i love wednesday

The Mast General Store in Winston-Salem has officially opened.

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I'm not really loving this but it seems really silly to NOT use it when they give you cash back on items you'd purchase anyway. So have you started using Ibotta yet? It's a lot like Cartwheel and I've already quickly made $5 back on purchases in the last week.

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I read a tip somewhere that you could use hair conditioner to shave your legs and it's so simple and works so well. Try it!

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Project Repat T-shirt Quilts

I'm really thinking about getting one of these made with all of my race shirts. I have entirely too many technical tees and this is a good way to make them useful and still keep them. Right now there's an excellent promo going on for May.

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I won a copy of Christy Nockels new album from Jennifer at The Simple Pen and I am loving the upbeat "Freedom Song." It makes me very happy. Take a listen if you have the chance.

dealing with depression and anxiety [part 1]

A whole week goes by. I don't run. I feel bored, stressed, little energy, no motivation.

I don't sleep well. My back starts to hurt.

My diet, which had been going so well starts to crumble. My dedication fades. I stop caring about eating right.

I stop playing with the kids. I have little patience for their stories which seem to take an eternity to finish.

While I still cook dinner and switch the laundry over it's like everything moves in slow motion now.

I quit posting my thankful pictures. I just don't care.

I start feeling a pull to eat something horrible for me. I order a burger and hot chips at a restaurant. The 2000 calorie meal only makes me feel terrible. I sit on the couch later, sad and frustrated. Mostly just mad at myself. Plus, I'm miserable with a stomachache and gerd and don't sleep well because of it.

Then the stress and tension from no sleep causes a pulled neck muscle. The stiff neck makes me uncomfortable all day... not wanting to run or move or anything.... vicious cycle.

I go to running practice because I said I would but I don't want to. I'm only there because I said I would be there. That's reason alone to commit to group exercise.

But now, since I've messed up the beginning of the week in every other way, it's easy to find excuses to miss the rest of my runs.

I'm about as depressed as I've been since Julianna was five months old.

I long for the routine of a training schedule. I need the structure of a list and checking off a training run each day on a calendar. I long for a consistent diet and adequate quality sleep.

I need the exhaustion that comes after a hard workout. I need the physical fatigue that comes from a two hour run, not the fatigue of little sleep, pulled muscles, and couch-sitting.

I need to get back to eating nutritious meals and not feeding my emotions. At the very least I need to not eat doughnuts for breakfast.

I know what has to be done. It's could be any of several different things that I know will work. I just don't know how to start the climb.

To be continued...

by the numbers

1. 38 days of school left
2. 6 teacher work days left
3. 55 days of summer vacation
4. 42.3 miles run in April
5. 312.2 miles run in 2015 (a bit behind schedule for 100/month)
6. 6 days in a row without running last week
7. 2 days until we get to hear Ben Folds
8. 13 books read in 2015 (a bit behind schedule for 1/week)
9. 2 weeks until my next race
10. 9:54 am the time that my chicken salad sandwich was eaten from my lunchbox this morning
11. 1 week until my next giveaway
12. 25 minutes it took me to read JK Rowling's most recent book
13. 25 pounds I'd like to lose (probably related to number 10)
14. 7 episodes watched of Parenthood so far
15. 2 movies we're going to see in the next week (one at RiverRun Film Festival and one pre-screening of War Room)
16. 2:22:02 my best half marathon time which also happens to be Shalane Flanagan's best Boston Marathon time (HA!)
17. $360 the amount of money it costs to register early for the Goofy Challenge at the Walt Disney World Marathon
18. 38 gifts I've bought for my husband's 38th birthday
19. 4 weekends available in our condo at the beach during the next month
20. 1,210,033 people in Costco yesterday

what I wore + a question I need help with

Here are a few of my outfits over the last couple of weeks. I go through spurts where I actually care what I wear and other times when I really don't give a flip. I'm inspired by all of the cute "What I Wore Wednesday" posts I see all over the internet and I decided to document sporadically what I've been wearing. It's actually been making me a little more intentional about choosing better outfits... but admittedly not much. :) And this post makes me pretty uncomfortable so if you leave a comment please be kind.

You can tell khaki pants are my standard go-to for work and I love the color blue. I'm going to work on wearing more dresses and skirts now that the weather is warming up.

Finally, here's what I'm wearing today. My question for you is, would you wear white pants before Memorial Day or is that even a thing anymore? Please help a girl out.

10 ways you know Spring is coming

ONE: You notice you're wearing your hair up every single day. Even though you still have on a scarf. And possibly a light sweater.
TWO: The daffodils are poking up, looking around confused. 
THREE: Your runs no longer require a jacket, gloves, and a hat. And they don't give you frostbite.

FOUR: Chick-fil-A has tulips on every table. You might get jealous a bit.

FIVE: People start planning their summer vacations. And count the days until they get to eat at Margaritaville again.

SIX: You use your free time to order tank tops and bathing suits. Then you try to stop thinking about those Girl Scout cookies.

SEVEN: You drink more water naturally. Because you're hot. In both ways. 

EIGHT: Basketball is still on your mind.

NINE: The farmer's markets start popping back up.

TEN: You get to work and the sun is already up. You're going to miss taking all of those sunrise pictures, but it sure will be nice to not have to get up before the birds.

What signs have you seen that Spring is on it's way?
What are you most excited about this Spring?
Leave me some comment love.

links i love

Winstagr.am
This site compiles all the photos on Instagram that are tagged with the hashtag wsnc. So cool! Locals should definitely check out the gorgeous photos taken in our City of the Arts.

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Eagerly awaiting this completed development.

source

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It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Fleet Feet Sports. I started my first training program there in January 2012 and it has changed my life. I have continued training with Fleet Feet for three years and I've made more successful changes as a result of my affiliation with this store than anything else. Plus, the friendships I've made and the confidence I've gained from becoming a runner are pretty amazing. I never would have thought I could do the things I've done with Fleet Feet.

If you're curious about running a 5K or some other distance, I want to encourage you to check out the training programs offered by Fleet Feet. Now through February 13th you can use this coupon to take $20 off any winter training program. The support and accountability that group fitness provides cannot be matched.

by the numbers

January 2015 (so far) by the numbers

• 71.3 miles run (7% of 2015 goal complete)
• 1 race completed (no PR, but a nice 3 hours by myself)
• 3 books read (Overrated, Landline, and Andrew's Brain... fabulous, pretty good, and just OK)
• 89 days of school left (WAY too many)
• 1 movie watched (American Sniper... loved it)
• 1 third grade project completed (multiplication board game... why didn't you guys tell me that HAG projects were no joke?!)
• 1 preschool spirit week completed (including homemade superhero and NC State costumes)
• 12174892 consignment sale items to tag before tomorrow

What's a number that has meaning for you this month? What are you looking forward to and how many days until it gets here?

around the www

fotor
I'm loving this site lately. It's another web-based photo editor that you can make collages and slideshows with but mostly I'm just loving it for adding text and effects to random snapshots I take.

Here's one of our condominium at the beach. Nice, huh?

click here for rental info

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Anthem Richmond Marathon
I love that this race was named one of the 15 Best Fall Marathons in the US. After my experience with RnR Raleigh, I'm glad to be doing a race that's in it's 37th year (not to mention one that's flat and in the Fall). I'm getting so excited about spending a weekend away and getting to hang out with my family and friends in Richmond after a phenomenal race.

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We are still really enjoying our produce box from TerraSol Farms. Fifteen dollars every other week for a huge box full of fresh greens, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs, onions, radishes, etc.

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Winston-Salem got a mention in Deep South Magazine for "8 of the South's Best Foodie Cities."  I love my town and it makes me extremely happy to see it get the recognition it deserves for being such an awesome place.

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This made me laugh out loud... great fitness inspired Halloween costumes from Fitnessista.

I also saw a good one on Facebook that was a picture of a couple dressed like Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. They grabbed a bunch of neighborhood kids to pose for the pictures with them. So funny.

Will you be dressing up this year?

cell phone contracts

When I turned 16 my parents gave me a car and a contract to go along with it. The contract had to be signed before I could drive it and I had to agree to do things like drive responsibly, always wear my seat belt, never drive after drinking alcohol, take my sister necessary places, help pick up my grandparents laundry once a week, etc. I think it was pretty effective in stressing the importance of the car being a privilege and not a right and also encouraging safety.

My daughter is only eight but she already wants a cell phone. Julianna is actually doing a project for school where she has to tell how she would spend a million dollars and one of the things she wrote that she would buy was a cell phone. Actually, Josh wants one too and he's only four.  I've been mulling over the idea of responsible cell phone usage and not that I'll be getting either of my children one any time soon, but it has been good to give it some thought.

I know that one of the best ways to teach children is by modeling. I have pretty good kids. I try to model good behavior all the time but everyone knows how difficult that can be. It's easier not to text and drive now that I have the new car, but I don't think that ANY kid will listen when you tell them not to text and drive if they see you doing it yourself.

Some things I've been thinking about regarding cell phones that I believe would be good in a contract for your kids when they first get a cell phone are listed below. I'd love to hear your thoughts so that I can be prepared for the day when my kids do get their own phones. Leave some input in the comments if you have anything to add.

source

• Having a cell phone is a privilege, not a right. Using it with the expectation that it is yours to use as you please is a mistake and your parents are under no obligation to let you use it however and whenever you please.
• The use of a cell phone requires responsibility. I acknowledge that it is a serious matter. If my phone gets lost, damaged, wet, or ruined in any other way I will take responsibility for my actions and replace the phone at my own expense.
• Safety first! Operating a vehicle while using a cell phone injures and kills more than 419,000 people per year. I recognize that if I were to use my phone while driving I could injure or kill myself or others. I agree to do the safe thing and not use the phone until I've reached my destination.
• I acknowledge that a cell phone gives me access to beau coups of information. What I do with that information is up to me. I will search the web for only information that I would willingly share with my parents.
• Communicating with people is a life skill that I should know how to do well. I will use my manners when communicating via text, phone conversation, instant messaging, social media sites, etc just as if I was talking with them face-to-face. I will not say anything to anyone via text message or social media outlet that I would not say to them or to their grandmother's face.
• In addition to the communication guidelines mentioned above, I will not use my cell phone to be rude. When I am face-to-face with another human being I will give them the respect that they deserve and I will put down my phone. I will not carry my phone to class. I will not use my phone in public meetings such as during church and other groups where my attention is desired elsewhere.
• I will not give out information that should be kept private. This includes my own personal information and other people's information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers as well as pictures that are private in nature.
• I recognize that the information and pictures that I post are public and subject to almost immeasurable repercussions. The lasting impact of cyberspace is very powerful and I will take care to only post pictures and information that I don't mind being around forever.
• I agree to give my parents access to my phone periodically and any time upon their request. Until I prove that I am responsible enough to use a phone in a careful, respectful, and conscientious manner my cell phone usage will be monitored.

What other thoughts would you add?

What do you think is the earliest age that is appropriate to give a child a cell phone?

Do your kids have a cell phone? If so, what limits or guidelines have you placed on it's usage?

happy friday! my current thoughts on distance running

There are 42 days until my marathon. I'm honestly at the point where I'm really tired of running. I had an awesome race last weekend at the Salem Lake 30k Trail Run and I still have 4 pretty big long runs left if you count race day. I'm just feeling burnt out though. With 6 weeks left, I know I can do it.

This weekend we're going to the mountains for a day. It should be fun but a huge climate adjustment because the high temps here this week have all been in the low 80s and the high temp in the mountains this weekend is 48 degrees.  We're leaving after my 20 mile run on Saturday so I hope my legs don't die and fall off from riding in the car after that.

So I've been extremely stressed lately and skipping my short runs and that's lead to more stress, pitiful sleep, and lots of emotional eating. I completed the DietBet last month and lost 10.5 pounds but I feel the loss of control setting back in and I'm trying to get back on track.  I've finally figured out that I CAN lose weight while training for a marathon but I just have to really be careful with my calorie intake on either side of my Saturday runs. Anyway, here's to getting back on a better track tomorrow!

What are you up to this weekend? 

Any runner's out there struggle with fueling long runs and maintaining a balance with your weight?

things i love

I Like the Way You Work It T-shirt

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The Summit Church Lip Sync Battle
This is my pastor, y'all!



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My Ivory Kate Wire Wrap Headbands
I look like Rosie the Riveter when I wear them but I still adore them. Great way to jazz up an outfit.

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The little bow tie I got for Josh from Little Mr.
It buttons on his shirt and doesn't go around his neck and it's so stinkin' cute. He was excited about wearing it for school picture day and he just beams when you tell him he's handsome.

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My niece dancing
I don't know if the video is short enough to load but if it is then please ignore my horrible singing




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Salted Caramel Gu
I've finally gotten my stomach to adjust to taking gels and Gu on long runs and my favorite flavor by far has become the Salted Caramel Gu Energy Gel. I like it so much that I bought a case on Amazon. It's like dessert and running at the same time. My favorites! Yum!

What are you loving today? Let me know in the comments.

up to

Wishing

• We haven't been anywhere since July 4th so a nice beach trip would be wonderful right about now. This is my favorite time of the year to go to the beach but our condo is rented up until the end of September. I hope we can squeeze in a trip in October.
• Today is an early release day in our schools. We've not had this before in our county and the last county that I worked in had them but teachers got out later than a typical school day because they were crammed full of meetings. I am crossing my fingers that is not the case today.
• We've been in the market for a new car for a couple of months now and we think we have finally made a deal on one that's coming to a local dealership September 24th. Since our other cars are all having a few hiccups September 24th can't get here soon enough.
• Julianna is still trying to adjust to a new school and make new friends and she's scheming to start a loom bracelet business. She made up a contract to pass out among her classmates in case there was anyone who wanted to help her. It really made me smile, but I'm hopeful that her 3rd grade business plan doesn't cause any problems or huge disappointments.

Running

• I realized today that there are only 5 more LONG long runs before my marathon. We have a few 14 mile recovery days left on the schedule but only 5 runs are 18+ miles. Yikes!
• I've had some good speedwork days lately, but my long runs have been horrible. This fact has made me really nervous for those last five long runs. Gotta step up my training!

Eating

• I've lost 7 pounds since I started back to work four weeks ago. I'm almost certainly going to win my current DietBet and that feels so good.
• I'm probably going to keep up the sensible eating but not focus so much on moving the scale for the rest of the marathon training.
• I made sweet potatoe chips in the dehydrator the other night. They were supposed to be salt and vinegar but they really turned out more like regular potato chips. Still delicious!

Reading

• I've recently finished Pure by Julianna Baggot, 10 Things for Teen Girls by Kate Conner (giveaway closes tomorrow! go enter to get a copy!), and now I'm working on two Ted Dekker books. He is one of my all time favorite authors and I've got a great giveaway coming up for one of those as well so stay tuned.
• Julianna's class has been reading City of Ember and I've got it in my queue. Has anyone read this book? I'm anxious to read along with her.

Watching

• I've been closing out the summer with mindless TV aka Big Brother.
• I'm super pumped about The Maze Runner coming out in theaters next week. Anyone want to babysit so I can go see it?
• We're finally about to finish House of Cards which we've been watching slowly. We lost interest for a while in the middle but picked it back up again when we had nothing better to watch and in my opinion it's gotten back to being as entertaining as it was in the beginning.
• I feel like I ask this all the time, but I really need some show recommendations. We loved Breaking Bad, Orange Is The New Black was decent, we're sad that HIMYM's final season hasn't come out on Netflix yet, and when we watch the last episode of House of Cards we'll need something else to start watching. Take it away, folks! What do you watch on TV?