Life's a Metaphor, and I'm a Runner

Life's a metaphor and I'm a runner
It's a funny thing to think, to run.
But don't we all?
Some people step outside their haven
then creep back in
like the overcautious gestures of a yellow belly turtle
that doesn't want to cross the road
we don't want to sweat, hurt, or tire
Then why?
do others like to embrace the sunshine
or swallow the feeling of accomplishment...
Why do some like short, fast runs
say...down to the grocery, a quick fix
for a particular motive. Eating is a motive.
Maybe you make the run for milk, bread
booze. But only you can choose
your pace and your distance-
Don't get discouraged if someone is faster...
they may be going on a shorter trek
down the block and back-
or maybe down a steep slope.
Kiss the hills with all your might!
Rain,
we've all run through it!
Some seek shelter, some wade it out as it pelts their skin
but we all overcome it. Every one of us
Me? You'll see me
Splashing
through the puddles
mud and dirt caked on my shins. I'll be filthy
so filthy, covered in earth drawn
medals. Strong-
didn't let a little water stand between me
and the calling pavement. That reflection you see
on the glass of the local barber shop
downtown against the glittering brick walls
that housed history. That's me
because no one lived life on the inside
their feet up in the
air, caught up in the humming of the wired AC.
no, I think I'll run everyday- avoiding shelter
when it storms. Laughing at a reflection
that smiles while every bone inside cries out for rest.
They'll thank me- I hope.
At night, I'll lay my head down to sleep
sweet dreams of spinning joints in heavy sockets
and know the gears never stop turning.
Life's a metaphor
And me? I am
a runner

Best Wishes in Starspangled Tights

 A friend of my aunt wanted to surprise me for a fun night out in Beverly Hills during my trip to the west coast. And boy... was I surprised! Helloooo Richard Simmons!



Dancing to 1980's techno remixes of American songs (all on vinyl, I tell you!) I got a first hand look of Slimmons. If his outfit doesn't scream "Happy July 4th!" I don't know what will.

Have a great independence day, everyone! Until next week... stay classy you wonderful Americans, you! <3

Breakfast is Going Green

Have you ever considered the way the body digests food in order to make energy for us to live daily? It breaks down the nutrients from what we eat and then stores it in our muscles and tissue for energy to take on the activity of each day. But have you thought about the energy that's needed to break down that food to begin with? Leaving less energy for you to do fun things like run, play scategories, and gab with friends.

That's why I thought I'd try this detox smoothie created by Kimberly Snyder, a nutritionist with world wide perspective and clients lining the Hollywood hills (including Drew Berrymore and...*AHEM* Channing Tatem.) Hellloooo Magic Mike! 

The drink is comprised of leafy greens and fruits. Blended with no liquid but that from within the fruit and a cup and a half of ice water, this drink is mostly fiber, protein, and energizing complex carbs. The recipe makes 2-3 servings, depending on how much you need to feel full and satisfied. I made it this morning with enough leftover for tomorrow's sunrise yoga session at Lululemon.

I will admit, it does not have the sweetest taste ever, and you can really taste the *healthy*. But I was able to sip it down with no problem! Pair it with a cup of coffee, of course, and your morning will be supercharged with healthy goodness and special digestive powers!

Find the recipe for the Glowing Green Smoothie on Kimberly's website. You'll also find celebrity reviews and raves. Stay cool this weekend... and drink up!

Hey, It's Ok

Perhaps it's the pre-moving jitters hitting me, or the insanity that has settled in due to my lack of running (stupey back problem), but I have let up on my guard when it comes to some of my good/bad habits...It's been a while since I did one of these, but with some shame-ful indulgences happening all up in this piece, I think it's only appropriate to share...

Hey, It's OK!

If you think you deserve a panty-makeover because you haven't been able to exercise (helllooo Vickies 5 for $25). Perhaps these cute little under garments will snugg that tush into perfect form rather than the usual 30 miles you previously completed weekly...

If you wake up planning on eating a grapefruit with low-fat cottage cheese, a piece of whole wheat toast, and black coffee...but then after an invite to breakfast with your family, you wind up eating three banana pecan pancakes with butter and syrup... and cream and sugar in your coffee. It's Friday, time for a little reward for surviving the week, am I right?

If you have a mini panic attack at the thought of moving in exactly 2 weeks. Especially thinking about the hoards of clothes still needing to be packed, errands needing to be run, and friends to see!

If every day you wake up with intentions to paint your nails a pretty pink, but come sun-down, all you have is non-painted, stubs that were actually longer nails that morning...

 (cred)

If every spotify playlist contains that ONE song that just makes you want to dance, dance, dance, no matter what the overall "feel" of the other songs are... For me, it's Grouplove's "Tongue Tied"

Have a great weekend, one and all!

The Pain is Back

It's been a beautiful week here in the Mason Dixon state, but instead of running around to view all of the blooming flowers and green trees outlining the blue ridge, I have been sitting in my basement with a heating pad nursing my ailing spine.

When I was 8 years old and began the ever-going complaints of my back on the daily, my parents took me to see the doctor... only to have me diagnosed with Idiopathic scoliosis. When you're 8, the sound of something so terrifying as a long, unable-to-pronounce medical term can send you into the state of pure panic. Luckily, my mom sat me down later and told me it was only a minor curve, and would most likely not cause too much disruption in my daily life. Pain was expected to come in waves based on the intensity of activity, and could usually be healed with rest, heat, ice, and some easy stretches prescribed by my physical therapists.

Well, here I am. 14 years later and pure panic has dissolved into pure frustration. It's been over two years since I have taken this much time off of running, and the rest (although welcome the first four days or so) has allowed me to take slow walks through the sunshine and stretch like no ones business... I miss my sunrise 5 milers.

But with all injuries and ailments comes a period of restoration and healing. I just wish I was more patient... Oh well. Until this back pain shapes up and ships out, I will be enjoying the company of friends and family, eating LOTS of Guac for tomorrow's Cinco De Mayo celebrations, and working hard on the moving process (27 more days until the big move down south!!)

I have been obsessed with this song performed on Glee this week, and how fitting! Remember, it's hard to dance with the Devil on your back, so shake it out! Gonna be shakin' all weekend, hopefully he'll get lost by next week!

:) Happy Weekend, Wonderful Peoples!

Indoor Workouts

As I mentioned before, Spring has taken a vacay, and Winter has taken its place. Don't get my wrong, I love the Winter season, but not in April when I've already rearranged my closet and the bikini rack has already been utilized several times! Dear mother nature, I don't know who hit the rewind button, but I'm ready to get back to our normally scheduled program, pwease!

Because the temps have been a little less than chilly, I've been finding ways to exercise indoors. Thankfully, I was advised to checkout The Workout Trainer app from Skimble (iPhone) which has been my abs and arms savior these past few days. I mean, seriously, this thing can whip your tail!

I've found the "Abs and Stretch" workout that lasts only 12:30mins can be just what the doctor ordered for a thorough ab workout. If you listen to the trainers (For free, you get a creepy robotic chick. Work past that.) You can get a crucial ab workout in! I paired two workouts from the device with a brisk, thirty minute uphill walk on the treadmill (Breaking after 10 minute intervals to do abs and stretch workout)

Battling yet another back attack, looks like I will be laying off the very long runs, (Unfortunate, because This Chica and I will be competing in this baby come September!) but come any day without a windchill, I look forward to at least a light jog in the sunshine. Until then, technology can take the front seat as I drive through another workout. Skimble called Shotgun, No Blitz!

Experimental Exercise

Lately, I've been in a little running rut. Waking up every morning, lacing up the sneakers, and hitting the road for a run has always been a highlight to each and every day. But with so many blogs, advertisements, TV commercials, etc... encouraging different workouts for different mind sets, I couldn't help but feel a little adventurous.

This past week was somewhat of a speed dating course with different exercises. Monday, the warmer temps got the best of me, and I made my way up to Gambrill State Park for a 6 mile hike. Apart from the sunshine and light breeze, the hour and a half I got to spend in between trees was delightful 

(Plus, climbing those hills made my bootay feel blissfully sore in the morning!)

Tuesday, I tried some cycling, and Wednesday was a long, long 7 mile speed walk. Both were a welcome change from the running I was so keen to jumping into.

Today, I am heading to the local YMCA to try Zumba 

(Gotta get these dance moves out from in front of my mirror, you know). 

I'm sure it'll be one of these moments...

Who knows what tomorrow will bring? It's Spring time! Time to mix things up a bit!

Take a Hike

Just as I was just thinking about moving to Los Angeles where hiking is a way of life and trail mix is a meal within itself, I got an invite to join a friend on Sugarloaf mountain to hike the hills. To prep for an afternoon stroll through the woods, I made some garbage to help us fuel. No, not real garbage- a fancy way of saying, empty your cabinets to make trail mix.

 (Cheerios, peanuts, craisins, pretzels, sunflower seeds, and dried blueberries)

Come 1pm, we headed to the base and tackled a 5 mile hike. Good conversation, crisp winter air and abundant sunshine. What a good day to take a hike. 

The View at the Base

The Mighty Hiker

Some Kind of Alter?

Great day for a hike

Frankie and I finishing the day with a smile

Do you have 4 minutes?

I stumbled upon this little video on you-tube and I got tired (and a little sore) from just watching her sweat and do this four-minute workout. I mean, MY GOODNESS! Look at these abs! Something here is working for her...

I tried this workout this morning, since I only had 20 minutes before I had to get out and get my day going, and did it whoop my tail!

15 seconds "Blaster" push ups. 5 seconds rest. 15 seconds "Jumper", then 5 seconds rest. Do this repeatedly for 4 minutes. Your body will scream through the wonderful pain, "THANK YOU!"