Tuesday Training

Last week was a slow-ish week for training.  I didn't get to do 3 midweek runs like I wanted to, but that's life!

Usually I do two 4 mile runs and a 3 mile run during the week.  It gets tough though when I have work & have to drive up to class.   I've been trying to figure out what my "marathon pace" is.  Obviously it's tough to guess since I've never run one before.  However, my main goal for this race is to finish and be happy with my run.  That being said, I think I'm going to try and be conservative with my pace and stay around a 10:00 mile.  That should have me finishing under 5 hours which would be great!  I guess if I had a time goal, it would be to finish under 5.
On Saturday I ran my 7 miles at a 10:30/mile pace and felt just fine...although that was only 7 miles, not 26 ;)
This weekend is an easy 5 miler and then I'll start bumping up the miles soon! Hokie Half is less than 50 days away!
Let me know if you have any marathon pacing tips!

WILW :: Printable Wisdom

If y'all aren't on the Etsy train yet, which I assume you are, you better get to gettin'!
I was browsing some items yesterday and ran across the most adorable shop: Printable Wisdom
Check out the blog here!   I am just in love with these digital printables! There's everything from monograms to scriptures to fun quotes, all in fun fonts and colors. Everything is customizable & very wallet friendly :) It's seriously hard to narrow it down to a few favorites!
Here are just a couple of the ones I like:

I can't get enough! This weekend I plan on sitting in my room & picking a couple of these prints that would go well with the color to buy and frame!  You can find some printing tips on the PW blog!
Which print is your favorite? What Etsy shops are you loving right now?

Tuesday Training

How awesome is this Nike ad?

  I have about 17 weeks until the marathon! eeeeeek!   So far my training has gone really well, although I really haven't dug into the "scary" stuff yet.  By scary stuff, I mean training runs over 13 miles.  I've never run more than 13.1 miles at one time, so it's a little nerve wracking -- but COMPLETELY exciting! So far, my longest training run has been 8 miles. Last weekend I did 6 and this upcoming weekend I will run 7.  During the week I typically do 4 mile runs, unless I'm pressed for time then I'll run 3.
My first really long run (over 13 mi) will be at the end of September when I'll run 16 miles. Two weeks later I'll do 18, the week after that is 14, the week after that is the big 20 and then it starts to taper (12 after that and 8 for the last long run) before the big race!
It's very intimidating to think how far I'll be running - and for how long - but at the same time, I can't wait to say that I did it!
Training in the summer has definitely proven to be a challenge. It's been hot, humid, buggy & sometimes rainy. I'll take the rain any day but I'm not always so lucky.  Last Saturday for my 6 miler I got up and got it done before I had to leave for class at 8:00.  It felt great to be out before the sun had really risen & before the streets got crowded with cars. I think I'm going to start taking that approach no matter if I have class or not :)

Anyone else training this summer?

Friday Five

  1. Hallelujah! It's...

It's been a LONG week & I am so happy to see ya, Friday! 2. Doubling Up

Higher Ed Center where I have class

Tomorrow I'll begin my second graduate course. It's held on 3 Saturdays from 9:00-3:30...not exactly what I want to be spending my weekend doing, but it's only 3 times so I guess it's not that bad??? This one is Inquiry in Mathematics - hopefully I don't have to do a lot of math because I am pretty much terrible at anything over geometry or basic algebra... :)
3. Lilly @ TJ

I was so excited to find some cute Lilly stuff at TJMaxx last week! Our TJ rarely has Lilly, although I've found some stationary-ish things in the past.  In addition to this, they had organizing bins & a tray and plates in another print! It was hard not to snatch it all up! I wish our TJ had clothing. 4. Running + Yoga

I know yoga and pilates are different, I just thought this was funny!

I need to incorporate some yoga stretches into my routine because my hips have been hurting & I read that "yoga for runners" really helps! Anyone have any tips? 5. Bubblecake

ABSOLUTELY PUMPED to announce Bubblecake is coming to the NRV! There are already 2 locations in Roanoke (that I visit as frequently as possible) and they recently announced that they are opening one in Christiansburg. So excited for this! My favorite cupcake is the Tiffany:

Shown on the right - in Tiffany blue frosting w/ pearls!

Happy Friday!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!
Here's what I'm loving...
I'm loving my job. Yes, at times I want to rip my hair out, but at the end of the day I love all those lil nuggets & am so thankful to spend my days with them!

One of our field trips to Mill Mountain Zoo

I'm loving my manicure I got last night at the Ladies Only Cash Mob! Downtown Blacksburg holds cash mobs every couple of weeks & they typically choose one restaurant and one store to "mob"...everyone meets at one spot and they discover where they'll be shopping/eating that evening! They're really fun and a great way to discover a new restaurant or store that you perhaps haven't tried yet. Last night, it was bundled into one location - Polished by Claire V. - and we got mini manicures or pedicures. Gobble Cakes was there with deliiiiciousss mini cupcakes and Beliveau Winery had glasses of wine to sell. Simply scrumptious!

I'm loving July! July has been full of fun adventures, including the 4th, a walking field trip for Free Slurpee Day :) , Friday nights spent on the lawn for the summer local music series and lots more!

Red, white & blue drinks!

'Merican pride, thanks to Rowdy Gentleman & Sweet Tea Monograms!

4th shirt!

"We love slurpees!"

Music on the lawn

I'm loving all of the fun races I've been finding and adding to my list. I love hopping in the car for the weekend and a race gives me an excuse to get out of town & see somewhere new (or sometimes just somewhere outside Blacksburg :))

In Lynchburg - via

In South Carolina - via

For next year:

In Roanoke - via

 

I'm loving the Valencia Orange Refresher from Starbucks! Perfect for these hot, hot days!

I'm loving this quote:

I'm loving this recipe: Veggie-Stack Pita Pockets via Food Network I made it in some pita pockets with store bought hummus, cucumber, peppers, and carrots. SO delicious!

What are you loving this week?   Have a great day!

Monday Mantra

Last week was long, stressful & rainy. My weekend flew by and I am NOT ready for another Monday! However, I have to press on & tackle the week. Hopefully this week won't hold any flooding or crazyyy children - both of which were stressing me out last week!   This week I am going to focus on celebrating life's sweet moments, no matter how small, and learning from the bitter ones.  Patience is key.  Patience & a smile :)
What is your mantra for the week? Hope y'all had a great weekend!

Social Monograms

Hey y'all!
About a week or so ago I was browsing Groupon & LivingSocial like I doooo to keep up with the hot dealios and one immediately caught my eye -- 50% off a monogrammed clutch!
I've been seeing these "luxe clutches" all over from Marley Lilly and other places, but never actually placed an order.  My roommate got one last year as a gift & I thought it was just too adorable and I knew if I ever found a good deal I should jump on it!
Well, jump on it I did, and just a few days later this beauty was in the mailbox:

for reference I got the brown clutch with ivory thread

I'm so glad I discovered Social Monograms! They have the sweetest items & I am so happy with my clutch! Y'all be sure to check them out on Facebook - they have WEEKLY Facebook sales!!

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| How do you like my new & improved look? | I decided to get a fresh change on the blog to inspire me to blog more. So far it's working ;)     Today I'm off to run 8 miles & then relax a bit! This week was CRAY! Have a great weekend!

Catching My Breath

Whew! Where is my summer going!? I feel like I've put my blog on the back burner recently because life is busy, busy, busy. It's hard to balance work, school, running, time with family and Steven, and then still enjoy my 'summer life' at the same time. It's a battle for sure, but I'm going to try and incorporate some more blog posts. I'm really going to try. I miss staying connected & finding new blogs & exploring new ideas and posts.
To play a quick catch up, here's what's up in my life!
| work | Has been a blast! We have such an awesome group of kids this summer. Typically we have around 40 a day but that can change due to field trips, weather, etc. The weeks are flying by and I have loved every minute of it.
| school | I'm halfway through my first class, which is a Language Arts class, and am going to start a Math class on the 20th! So far, grad school is wayyyy different than my undergrad classes, but in a good way. A very crazy, and sometimes overwhelming way, but it will be good for me. Driving to Roanoke has been OK...it seems every Wednesday something goes wrong (accidents, detours, bad weather, flooding, etc.) and it's become a joke now! Can't catch a break.
| running | Training for the marathon is in full swing. Last weekend I did 7 miles and felt pretty good. Although the heat has been getting to me so I need to be better about hydrating. I got some new shoes recently, that I love, and am trying out a new handheld water bottle on long runs. So far, so good. Now I'm in the market for headphones that don't fall out from getting sweaty! :/
| family & steven | My older brother is DONEZO with the U.S. Navy in August & has decided to move to Austin, Texas - coincidentally where Steven was born & raised until he moved here in the 8th grade. It will be a huge change, but we're all very excited for him. I'm excited to visit! I am just loving having Steven home for the summer.  He's working in a lab at Tech during the week & playing baseball with a team in Roanoke on the weekends. It's a win-win situation. Love.
| random | I've officially moved back home. My new roommates are pretty cool :) My mom & I decided to switch rooms since her room was a little bigger & I have more pieces of furniture. That has been quite the chore, but it's basically done! Although we had to rent a storage unit, I love having the extra space in my room. I don't think I'm going to miss apartment life.  Yes, it feels weird coming home after living on my own for 4 years, but at the same time it will save me money & time. Hopefully the next time I move will be to wherever I find a JOB!


Happy Friday!