running... running... as fast as we can

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of you life a champion.'" - Ali

I've been trying for so long to make running a part of my life.

This past summer I ran the hood to coast with my old office.

If you're not familiar with what the hood to coast is, you should follow this link to watch this video:

Worlds Biggest Relay

I ran legs 12 - 24 - 36

36, just so happens to be the very last leg and everyone is waiting for you at the finish line.

To put it in very simple terms, it's EPIC.

I didn't train at all for that race and my body paid the price. I lost three toe nails, blisters covered my feet and my knee killed me for days after.

From this life lesson I decided that I would commit more of my life to running and actually train to do races.

Today, I sit... able to run about 2 miles comfortably at an easy going pace.

In a little over a week I have to run a 5K in Long Beach... "The Turkey Trot"

The run benefits the nonprofit Community Action Team which helps produce quality events within the community that benefit children, animals, and the environment.

If you're in the area and would like to join the fun the link to the run is found:

Here

Joe and I were going to run the 10K but due to his respiratory issues he's been dealing with, we've done absolutely NO training together.

If he was running on all cylinders though, he'd go Marine on me and leave me in the dust. Which he still might do.

In a little over 3 weeks, I'm supposed to run The Holiday Half marathon in Portland, Oregon. 13.1 miles!

It's not unattainable, I'm totally capable but my training needs to start here and now.

The run befits The Freshwater Trust which works to improve freshwater health throughout Oregon, forwarding cooperative, action-oriented solutions to protect and restore our freshwater ecosystems. 

If you're in the area and would like information on that race if can be found:

Here

So, with that all being said. I'm on my way to becoming a runner. I'm trying and that's all that really matters. If it takes me forever to run the half marathon, at least I ran it. If I don't qualify for the Boston Marathon ever in my life, at least I tried. Life's too short to just sit back at let it pass you by. Time to seize the day.

She's Crafty

Now and again, I'll get a wild hair... or better yet, wild hairs.

To create, do, become and inspire.

My latest idea has been to sell some of my calligraphy work on Etsy.

So, I've created an Etsy account found here:

My Etsy

Although I haven't posted anything there yet, I'll get things up really soon.

Things in Arizona have been really touch and go mostly, touchy so Joe and I have decided to move to Laguna Niguel in California.

I'm really excited to be near this:

Because there sure as hell isn't any of that around here!

I can't think of too much to write about right now. My brain is all over that place.

My next post will be about my favorite meal to cook... and then maybe talk about a few things on my "things to blog about" list.

Stay Tuned.

to life.. to life!

Go me! For staying on top of bloggin! I usually slip after a couple days...
Here's my wrap up of yesterday and the start of today:

End of Day 1:


At lunch my coworker took me out to Violetta. I got a hamburger without the bun and some white truffle fries. After that, my stomach bloated up a little bit but I'm not quite sure where to pin-point that from. Possibly something in the fry sauce. After work I had an apple sauce, cheese stick, split pea soup and some corn/flax chips. Later on in the evening I went out to get a milkshake with my friend and without even thinking about it, I popped half of a mozzarella stick into my mouth. Out of habit? I'm not sure but it completely slipped my mind.

Day 2:

Woke up extremely groggy and tired again. I did stay up pretty late editing photos though. Overall I got 7 hours of sleep, which isn't too bad. Thus far I've had one cheese, nut, fruit platter from Starbucks, two teas (yurba mate and passion tea) and a lime yogurt. Soon after eating the yogurt, my stomach swelled up but eventually it passed. I'm trying to force myself to consume more water. I'm not sure what the issue is with water but I never feel like drinking it.
I'm also needing some inspiration so I will be posting some photos of things that make me happy!

On your mark... get set... gluten free!

SO today is my start mark for official gluten free and transitioning into a vegan lifestyle again.


Instead of my fiber one cereal I had a bumble bar w/almonds, a banana and tea with rice milk.

I woke up this morning extremely tired and hit snooze probably 5 times which means I stayed in bed 45 minutes longer than I should have. I rolled out of bed and immediately thought "STARBUCKS!" but then realized that I need to phase out the milk.
(I think I forgot to mention that I have a food allergy to Soy, so that's another element to this whole lifestyle change that will be difficult. Especially when it comes to vegan eating. I've been doing pretty well with not eating soy for months now though.)
I'm pretty sure that this morning’s exhaustion was from my 'last supper' dinner. My family ordered cheese pizzas so I went all out and two slices of the greasy, cheesy, gluten filled goodness. Halfway through my second slice though I started to get bloated and felt a little sick. Warning signs people, warning signs.

So, I stepped away and left it at that.

I'm going to keep really good track of how my body feels with each thing I put into it.

Right now, I feel bloated. Probably from the pizza still but I'm hoping it passes by the afternoon so I can see how lunch will hit me.

I got a tika masala w/brown rice meal from Trader Joes so I’m excited to eat that. It does have cheese in it, but I planned on eating around it anyways.

So to wrap it up, Day 1 has been going well. I haven't really had too many carb cravings but I do need to get some more water in my system to flush out the toxins that are lingering

Getting back on track.

I've got a lot of change in my life happening. I'm moving to AZ this Friday! So excited!

I'll have to start using this more often to keep my family updated on the great things that are happening each day diet wise and then an 'overview' of the week!

I felt so much better and in control of everything I put into my body when I was vegan so hopefully within the next couple weeks I'll be completely gluten free and vegan.
I'm excited yet nervous about getting back into this lifestyle.
Saturday night, Sunday, and this morning have been pretty rough. I get confused as to what I should eat and I feel like I've completely lost touch with what I once had with my vegan diet.
I haven't been vegan for about 5 months now and it shows. My skin looks blotchy, I've gained quite a bit of weight and I'm super drained all the time.
A couple weeks ago I noticed that I was getting blister-like blemishes on my skin. Mostly on my chin/neck/back areas. Saturday I ran into a naturopathic doctor I used to work for. She said that my gluten allergies must be kicking into high gear trying to expel the 'toxins' at a rapid rate. I'm putting too much in to process at one time.
So Saturday night I ordered a jambalaya dish from McMeniemans and ate tortilla chips with artichoke dip. Once I started drinking though, I completely fell off the wagon and bread and a slice of pizza. Oy Vey.
Sunday morning I had a fruit salad and some hash browns. I was starving though, so on the way back into Portland we stopped at the waffle window and I got a PB&J waffle. so good yet so bad.
Sunday night I went out with my good friend heather and got a chicken Caesar salad w/o croutons and a mojito. The waitress dropped off a plate of bread. I ended up 2.5 pieces. Heather ended up ordering a grilled artichoke which we dipped in a remolade sauce. It was delicious.
This morning. I had fiber1 cereal and then some honey coated almonds/cranberries. For lunch my work ordered yummy burritos which i took the filling out of.
I'm not sure if the gluten will affect me since the rice/beans/vegetables were wrapped up in the flour tortilla at first, but since I haven't 100% commit to this lifestyle change yet I doubt it makes a huge difference.