Run Woodstock 2012

I started my official training regimen last week for my very first FULL marathon!  In case you're interested, the race is the Running Fit Run Woodstock which takes place the first weekend of September in Pinckney, MI.  If you're in the area you should stop by!  There are a variety of distances for the more and less practiced runner.  It looks like a blast and I absolutely cannot wait!

So far training has been light, as I technically bumped down my mileage to prevent injuries.  I'm still vegan and going strong (except for the occasional cookie, but who's counting?)  My body feels stronger and I keep reducing my mile time.  I'll keep you all updated!

Ps.  I GRADUATED :D

done.

I'm DONE!!  I cannot even begin to describe to you how absolutely fantastic it feels to be finished with my undergraduate education forever!  Finals were rough, but I made it through and managed my highest semester GPA yet ... well, still waiting on one grade, but things are looking good :)

Updates on going vegan:  I feel fantastic!  Sometimes I do feel a little annoying when telling people I'm vegan now, because they feel the need to make special accommodations (please don't!  I can work my way around meat/cheese dishes!), but other than that I've found my dietary transition to be going smoothly.  My running times have improved already, and I feel more energetic and strong during my runs as well.  I've also re-discovered my love of cooking, which I hope can continue now that I'm no longer in school and have significantly more free time.  Next on my recipe-tackle list is vegan mac n' cheese, which if you know me, you know is one of my all-time favorite foods.  Wish me luck!

Please, if you have any good vegan recipes or tips, pass them along!  I appreciate you in advance!

vegan.

So my dear friend Alina and I have decided to go vegan.  I experimented with the notion for the week following spring break as more of a detox, and found that I felt a lot more energetic and healthy.  I also discovered that by eliminating animal products from my diet, my running improved, and in JUST ONE WEEK!  I was only set on eating vegan for the week following spring break, so I transitioned back to eating omnivorously again afterwards.

I've been feeling weak and sluggish again lately and didn't really make a connection with my diet, I just thought I might be stressed with finals coming up and term papers due.  Today is officially day 2 of my vegan-again lifestyle (strictly dietary -- can't say I could ever give up leather) and I'm already feeling great!  I've always known I am slightly lactose-intolerant, but was never terribly bothered as long as I avoided drinking milk straight or eating it with cereal.  Perhaps the dairy I was eating hidden in foods, such as cheeses put in sauces, skim milk in my coffee, or the cream hidden in my all-time favorite tomato basil bisque, is the secret culprit?  I suppose I shall see.  I'll continue posting my progress, as long as what I'm eating and how I'm running.  Any other vegans out there?

Day 2:

Breakfast -- coffee (black)
Lunch -- Naked brand Green Machine juice, roasted red pepper hummus with pita bread
Dinner -- (Seva's restaurant) Tempeh burger with daiya and basil-cashew pesto and sweet potato fries.
Dessert -- unsweetened applesauce

Run -- 9.2 miles in 84 minutes

my FINAL finals

I cannot believe that in 6 short days I will have taken my last EVER final exam and completed the requirements of my degree for graduation.  My oh my, time sure flies, doesn't it?

Happy Spring!

Happy spring everyone!

The weather here in Michigan has been fantastic, with today and tomorrow topping out at 80 degrees!  I have a huge and scary term paper due tomorrow and fully plan on spending the rest of the day outside after I turn it in.  If this is truly global warming, I feel sorry for a soon-to-be sinking Florida, but the weather here in Michigan keeps getting better (this is sarcasm, not to offend anyone.  I love Florida and would hate to see it go!)

I celebrated the beginning of warmth this weekend with St. Pattys Day!  Lots of time with friends and good ol' green beer made the day remarkable!  

What did you guys do for the Irish holiday?  What are your plans for this warm weather?

Spring Break!

This week was a whirlwind of fun, craziness, and (memory) haziness!  Essentially, it was everything a spring break should be.  A few of my roommates and I drove the 16 hours down to Panama City Beach, Florida and spent eight days there.  The few days were foggy, windy, and cold, but considering 60 degrees was still warmer than the 20 we came from, no one really complained.  By day three, the sun came out and temperatures neared 80 for the rest of the trip.  The girls and I spent the majority of day three laying out on the beach and ended the day with horrible sunburns.  Lucky for me, my sunburn has yet to peel and I'm feeling refreshed, tan, and fabulous :)

Do any of you have awesome plans for spring break?  I can't wait to hear stories!!

i'm baaack!

I suppose I'm an awful blogger leaving you all out of the loop and all, but to tell the truth, I've been feeling out-of-sorts..as far as blogging is concerned.  I rounded out finals with a bang and managed my best semester yet!  Whew, what a relief!!  Winter break was fan.tas.tic. and I got LOTS of sleep.  On the downside, however, I managed to gain 10 pounds with the lack of stress hormones coursing through my body..and the never-ending trays of Christmas cookies.. ohhh boy.  Anyways, I recently started planning my senior year spring break (!!!) and am going to whip my butt back in shape in preparation!  Panama City Beach, here I come :)

Where are you all headed for Spring Break?