1. I google mapped the closest Whole Foods to my office and it told me 9.9 miles. That’s not that bad, right? It took about 15 minutes to get there and it was a super nice one, so yay for that, although boo for my wallet.
2. Remember how I said that this half-marathon training plan was going to be different because I was going to keep up with strength training? Umm, yeah. Out the window it went. I just don’t know how to run 4 days a week and fit it in more than one, maybe twice if I’m lucky. I was doing double time at the gym with strength and cardio when I didn’t have a job, but obviously I don’t have quite the same amount of free time now. Not that I’m complaining.
3. I’m an evening (or sometimes lunch) exerciser. At least during the work week, I am. I cannot get my butt out of bed early to save my life. So that means that when I have a 5-mile run to do, I don’t get home until 7:45ish and the last thing I want to is cook. So, I had the usual: refried beans (they’re hiding under there) with various veggies and salad. I honestly think I could eat this every night.
The salad almost always includes frozen peppers (the pepper and onion blend from Kroger or the Pepper Blend from TJ’s), refried beans, salsa and lettuce but tonight’s also had olives, avocado and goat cheese.
4. My left eye has been twitching for a week or so. It’s so annoying. I don’t feel particularly stressed out, so I don’t think it’s that. I’ve been trying to limit my caffeine to one or two cups of coffee in the morning. It’s not helping. It’s twitching as I type.
5. Jason and I are thinking of going to Vegas this Summer. We were originally going to go to San Francisco, or I wanted to go there, rather, but we’ve just spent a lot of money in the past week fixing our cars, so we decided to go somewhere cheaper instead. Last time we stayed at the MGM Grand.
While I liked the hotel, I sort of want to stay somewhere new. Any suggestions? I don’t want to stay in a dump, but I can’t afford to stay in the Wynn.
I’ve stayed at the Venetian and the Aria. The Venetian is fantastic, probably my favorite. We got a great deal on orbitz, too and it was cheaper than like the Holiday Inn just off the strip for us for 2 nights.
The Aria is ok. The hotel is nice, the casino feels like every cheesy movie version of a vegas casino.
I’d like to stay at the Bellagio next time I go.
I’d love to stay there. I always thought it was really expensive! (The Venitian, I mean, but I’d love to stay at the Bellagio too.)
Just booking a room on the hotel website was outlandish. I want to say our room at the Venetian was around 350 on their website and we booked for like 120 a night through orbitz.
I stayed at hardrock for a work trip and it was FABULOUS! Just a thought- could you condense your running schedule into three days to fit in another strength day? I know there are some plans out there with only three days of running
I can’t run in the mornings either, especially since exercise doesn’t energize me like it does for some people, it just leaves me sluggish for the rest of the day.
I’m lucky that I don’t have to be in the office early – I get to workout in the morning without having to get up at 6am to do it. That being said, I’m read for the summer when it’s still warm enough for a night run. And I’m ready to be ABLE to run. Ugh.
Ohh Vegas is fun! We may go there in April for a quick trip – Scott’s parents go ALL the time so they can get us a free room, score! We’ve stayed at Caesars before and I wasn’t impressed by it – and at Treasure Island which I actually really liked and the price, if I recall correctly, was pretty reasonable.
We are actually considering Treasure Island, although I hate how they call it T.I. now!
Ahhh, I hate eye twitches. I always get those when I’m super tired.
I’ve never been to Vegas, so I’ll be excited to read about your trip!
Thanks for sharing your struggle with weight lifting AND training for a half. I’m starting my training now, and I’m already finding it hard to fit it in during the off days. I’m just tired and sore and don’t feel like doing it – but I know it’s good for me.
I actually really liked the Flamingo when I stayed there a few years ago! The Venetian is very nice too as is Casear’s Palace. I forget what prices were but I think they were all around the same?? fun!! (my left eye twitches sometimes too, wtf?)
I typically focus on 2-3 strength sessions a week, since I’m more of an endurance athlete. Honestly, it’s usually 2 and that works out well for me. The way I find to “fit it all in” is to do it first thing in the morning at home – cut out any travel time. That’s the reason we got the TRX, because it was too easy to skip without it.
I love the looks of that salad! Beans and greens are my go-to meal these days as well. I like that it sort of rhymes hehe. And I HATE it when part of me starts twitching. It seems like it will never stop! I hope yours goes away soon!
The closest Whole Foods to me is in Gaithersburg… so that gives you an idea. WF is just too hip for Frederick!
I prefer to work out in the morning- but that means getting up at 4:30 am. I only do that on days that I am paid to. I LOVE my two months off during summer though- I get to work out whenever I want… ahhhh, summer…
You guys should go to Colorado. In May. For Blend.
I’ve been to Vegas twice- stayed at Luxor once and the Aladdin the other time (which I LOVED, but I think it’s a Planet Hollywood now). My mom and stepdad stayed at the Venetian two years ago and loved it. If I was going back (and I’m dying to)- I’d stay at Caesers!
I really loved the Venetian when we were there in December. We’re going again in a month because my brother is getting married and staying at Tropicana. They just finished renovating it and I booked it for $70/night through Hotwire! (According to Better Bidding It was either going to be MGM, Tropicana, or Mandalay Bay so we took a chance!). I’ll let you know how it turns out!
I seriously HATE weight lifting/strength training. I just want to run – and spin!
I’ve heard that Tropicana is nice now.
Hey strength training once or twice a week is better than none for sure!!
Hands down my favorite salad mix! I would say don’t worry about the weights as much while your training. Do what you can, but after your training is done then you can focus on weights. Oh and my eye used to twitch like crazy because of allergies. Maybe an allergy med would help. It used to be so frustrating!
I used to be a super early morning runner but with my early work hours, I have to be a late afternoon/evening exerciser.
And I love that bell pepper and onion blend from TJ’s! It tastes great!
The venetian hotel is really good too, but $$$$…so maybe a bust.
You’ve gotten me into doing the refried bean thing too! So versatile and easy to crack open a can when I’m on my own for dinner.
I’ve only beem to Vegas once, and it was for a friends wedding. We stayed in a suite at Mandalay Bay and it was gorgeous, but we split the cost between like a dozen other people. It was still expensive for 2 nights.
My cooking has totally gone out the window too! Who am I?
Yay Vegas! I’ve stayed at both Paris and Mandalay Bay. Both super nice, but the Paris location was way better. We went cheaper this coming time and are staying at Bally’s. I’m hoping it’s decent.
We looked into Mandalay Bay. It just seems so far, even farther than MGM.
When are you going?