Getting Wedding Ready with P90X

As I write this, all the muscles in my body are crying.

I just finished day 3 of P90X and my body is feeling it.

I don't need to lose weight for my wedding, but I want some more toned arms to show off in my strapless dress. I've heard a lot of good things about P90X and it's results (I won't get through all 90 days before the wedding, but I'll get through enough). I figured it would be a good way to tone everything before I put on the dress and then embark on a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean.

(I also don't want to gain weight either, as my dress has already been altered!)

I thought this workout was going to be something I was going to hate, but I misjudged it. Yes, it is hard. It uses muscles that I don't normally use. The cardio made me drip sweat, even in my cold basement. After the first day I was barely able to lift my arms, and I have a feeling they will feel even worse tomorrow.

DVDs are convenient because they can literally be done at any time. I would never go running in my neighborhood at night, but it's 11 p.m. and I just finished my workout for the day.

P90X is different from other DVDs. Most of the time the instructor doesn't care about if you are able to keep up at home or not. Tony Horton is different. While there may be super ripped people on screen showing you the moves, he encourages you to focus on doing your personal best.

I don't know why, but I feel like this guy on my TV screen actually cares about whether I am able to do one more push up or bench press. It's really motivating and I like it.

I also like that the workout don't require any fancy equipment. As long as you have a yoga mat, a set of weights, and a chair, these workout are doable. 

I may not like them as much at the end of month 1, but I feel like P90X and I are going to be friend. And I'm going to look darn good in my wedding dress in May. 

21 Things I've Learned in 21 Years

Today is my 21st birthday! So in honor of this occasion, here's a list of 21 things I've learned in my years on this Earth.

1.Your passions will change. In high school I was the opposite of an athlete. I was in drama and chorus and I loved them. I swore to do them my whole life. Then I went to college and things weren't the same. Then, life presented me with a new passion. I appreciate and love my time I had with drama and chorus, but my life is in a different place now.

2.Always own a toaster.  Seriously. I didn't realize how often I needed a toaster until I moved out. Luckily there is one on my wedding registry, so worst case scenario I only live 2 more months without one.

3.College isn't everything. Having a degree, or pursing one, does not make you better than anyone else. I came into college thinking I was better than everyone at my high school who was going to community college or taking a year off. The main thing college has taught me is that 18 years old is too young to know what you want to do in life. I changed majors 3 times and if I wasn't graduating in a year, I would probably change it again. College is overrated.

4. If you're unhappy with something, change it. I had a job I was unhappy with. I tried to tell myself that I needed the money more than I needed to quit, but I finally reached a breaking point. I quit my job and found a new one. Your happiness is more important than any amount of money you are making. There's something better out there.

5. Straight A's aren't a definition of who you are. The first time I got a C in college, I cried. Then I realized I didn't care. C's get degrees. Don't let your GPA rule your life.

6.It's okay to break the rules. I'm not saying do this all the time. But skip class every now and then. Stay out late. Color outside the lines. I followed the rules my whole life but recently I've learned to go with the flow, it makes life so much more fun.

7. Hydrate with water, and banish the soda. As soon as I stopped drinking soda, I felt so much better. Now all I drink is water, tea, or juice, and soda actually makes me feel kind of sick! I still enjoy a small one as a treat, but carbonation is no longer my friend. Water is life.

8. Your mom is your best friend. No one else is every going to love you the way your mom does. I didn't understand things my mom did when I was younger, but now I appreciate my mom so much more. She's the bestest.

9.Try new things. For years I thought I hated jalapenos. Truth was, I had never tried them. I tried them and now I love them. You never know what you're going to like.

10. Be honest and tell people how you feel. So much of my high school and early college life would have been less dramatic if I and the people around me had just confronted each other. Don't expect the other person to know what is bothering you. If it causes confrontation, don't be afraid of it. Adults can handle confrontation.

11. Nothing good happens after 2 a.m. Thanks for that, Ted Mosby.

12. You're allowed to have more than one best friend.

13. Naps are wonderful. While sometimes you wake up feeling like you have been hit by a bus, the other times you wake up feeling like its a new day.

14. If you love someone, hold on to them. Make an effort to hang out with them. Talk to them. Don't let them go.

15. Owning your own things, while annoying, is rewarding. Zach and I bought a house in our early twenties, and we are way more proud of it than if we had rented something. Owning stuff is fun.

16. You can learn a lot from Disney movies. They're the greatest things to watch when you're feeling blue.

17. Cereal for dinner is pretty much the greatest thing ever.

18. Long distance relationships are worth it. 2 of my best friends moved away for a year. We kept in touch and I think we actually came out closer in the end. Make the distance work.

19. The internet is good, but the outdoors are better. As comfy as sitting on your couch watching Netflix is all day, the outdoors are way more interesting.

20. Having all day movie marathons sounds more fun than it is. Watching all 8 Harry Potter movies in one day may sound like fun, but in the end it just makes you really tired and it makes your butt hurt.

21. Life is fun. Like, really really fun. It may not seem very fun at times, but it is.

I Run Mountains... At Night

Last night I went on one of the coolest runs of my life.

13 members of my running class and our professor, Dr. Horton, ran a 10 mile run up and down Tobacco Row Mountain. That makes 5 miles up, and 5 miles down. When I say up, I mean up. We started at about 1,000 feet and ended at about 3,000 at the top.

Actual data from my Garmin

When we started, it was light. Around mile 2 the sun started to set, and it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I had ever seen. We could see the Peaks of Otter from our mountain, and the weather was perfectly clear and bright. The pictures I took just don't do it justice.

Dr. Horton wouldn't let us turn on our lights until we got to the top. I wasn't the biggest fan of this at first, because I really hate being in the woods in the dark. My eyes also don't have the best night vision and I kept tripping over loose rocks. My eyes adjusted in the end and I could kind of see.

At the top of the mountain was a radio tower, and the coolest view of the city I have ever witnessed. I wish I would have been able to capture it in a picture, but there was no way. All of the lights in the city were twinkling and sparkling, and it was beautiful.

On the way back down, we stopped at two different hang gliding ramps. Personally, I think you would have to be absolutely crazy to hang glide off this mountain, but the ramps were neat to stop at. At one, we all laid on our backs and looked at the stars.

Lynchburg is not that big of a city, but we produce a lot more light pollution at night than I realized. Looking up at the stars from the top of a mountain was hands down the coolest thing I have ever done while running. the sky looked like a night scene rendered in a movie. There were that many stars.I'm sure we still probably couldn't see all of them because there was still light pollution, but it was still amazing and something I'll remember for a long time.

At mile 7, we turned our lights off again. For some reason we could see the stars even better from where we were, and took a few moments to soak it all in. We even saw a shooting star! Definitely worth being in the dark for.

Cool kids wear headlamps

We ran the rest of the way down in the dark. Our group kind of spread out a little, and since my knees were still a little sore, I found myself towards the back and alone. Normally I would have freaked out a little, but the night was just so beautiful, I felt calm. After a while I lost myself in the outlines of the mountains and the pounding of my feet on the pavement.

It was during those dark, quiet moments that I realized just how much I love these mountains. I take it for granted that they are there, but when I leave them I miss them. I love the way they look first thing in the morning, and during sunset. I love the challenge and adventure they offer. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a part of me.

Too soon, I reached the bottom and joined the group. There, we pigged out on Oreos and potato chips. If you've never eaten junk food after a 10 mile run, I highly recommend it. It tastes so amazing that it will ruin all other junk food experiences for you. Post run junk food is magical.

Before this run, I was strictly a day runner. Now, I'm not so sure. Night running is a completely different experience, and I'm going to have to do it some more in the future.

Body Shaming: Don't Do It

This is a topic I have been debating about writing about for a few weeks. This weekend a conversation I overheard sparked the thought again, and I made my decision.

Body shaming. What is it? Simply put, it is the act of putting down women because of the way their body looks. This is done to both large and small body types. Women are told that they are too fat to ever get a man, or too skinny and not enough of a woman. Fat people are called ugly. Skinny girls are stereotyped as mean. People are judged on their body types.

I have always been skinny, and it affects the way people treat me just as much as it would if I was heavy. People say things like, "Oh you must starve yourself to stay in those size zeros." (Anyone who has ever seen me eat will tell you that's not true. I put some of the guys to shame at my job with how much food I eat on my lunch break). I have heard things like "You have the body of a boy, there's nothing womanly about you." Yeah, okay.

This weekend, while running the Shamrock 8K I overheard a conversation between 2 women. I'm going to refer to them as A and B.
A: So did you know that (some girl's name I don't remember) is running this?
B: No, her?
A: Yeah. I don't know how she runs with her body.
B: What do you mean?
A: She's such an exaggerated pear shape. Her thighs and butt are massive! And she doesn't run/walk either. She flat out runs. I think she thinks she's trying to be inspiring, but actually it's just gross. And it has to be bad on her knees.

I was shocked at what I was hearing. I didn't even know the woman they were talking about, but running any distance is inspiring, regardless of size. I had respect for this woman I had never even met. She probably gets  a lot of criticism from people like those women, but she obviously keeps on running.

You know what is beautiful to me? Strong, healthy, confident women. Women who are trying to get themselves in shape. Women who don't play into their stereotype.

Another instance happened at my college. We have a "Crushes" page where people can send in the names of people anonymously and sometimes it turns into a relationship advice type thing. A few weeks ago, someone submitted something that said (I'm foggy on exactly what, and I can't find the post, but this is as close as I remember), "Skinny girls step aside. No man wants a girl that's skin and bones. We are looking for a real woman with curves." I was shocked that they would even post something that rude, but what really shocked me is how many guys (and girls!) were commenting and agreeing with him!

Women already suffer from insecurities as it is. It doesn't help when everyone from our peers, to the beauty industry, to clothing companies, to the internet is telling us that no body shape is acceptable. If you're skinny you must be unhealthy and hate fat people. If you're fat you must be lazy and eat all the time.

I say we stop the shame. Ignore the haters and do what feels good for you. If you're unhappy with how you feel or look, change it. If you're happy, then don't listen to what other people say. The only thing that matters is that you are happy with yourself.

Join me in the effort to #stopbodyshaming and don't judge women by their body size or shape. If they are happy, let them be.

Zooma Photo a Day Week 2 Recap

Week 2 of the photo challenge has come and passed. This month sure is flying! Here's the master list again before I show off my pictures.

Shadow: I took this picture of my brother and I wearing Minnie Mouse and Stitch hats during our Christmas 2010 Disney World trip. I love how cool it looks!

Vegetable: Another throwback shot from last Fall. I snapped these gorgeous gourds at a cute local store. I love how much this picture looks like Fall.

Thankful: This day I was thankful for the absolutely beautiful weather that let me have a wonderful run. I set a PR for my fastest 1 mile run, and got to explore a new part of my new neighborhood.

Morning: Look at that sunshine! Another morning run shot. It was actually pretty hot this morning and made me wish for summer.

Hydrate: These are my 3 favorite water bottles. I pretty much have one of them on me at all times. This weekend I actually brought 2 of them to Shamrock. Gotta drink that water!

Favorite: This is my favorite sweatshirt. Not only because I drive a Volkswagen, but also because it is super comfy! I spent Thursday lounging around in it, reading and resting up for Shamrock.

Funny: I love puns. The worse they are, the harder I laugh.

And now to the most exciting photo of the week. The one that ZOOMA tagged me in just as I was about to fall asleep the night before the Shamrock 8K

I WON! When I got the notification, I yelled so loud my fiance told me to calm down. He doesn't understand just how awesome free shoes are. I haven't gotten my email back from ZOOMA yet (since this happened Friday night) but I'm looking forward to my Altra shoes. I've only ever bought Asics, so it will be cool to try out a new brand this time.

Plus, I saved myself over $100. That's a win, too. 

Shamrock Half: The Day I Channeled Forrest Gump and Set a PR

All dressed up and ready to run

At 6:15 in the morning on March 16, Virginia Beach was freezing. I was standing at the starting line of the Shamrock Half thinking to myself, "Why did I sign up for this? I don't want to be here. I hate the cold. This is never going to end," and so forth and so on.

At 7, the corrals started running. I was in 8, so I was standing there literally shivering for a good 15 minutes before we made it to the start gate. I was still having a pity party and freezing when they started the countdown.

"5...4...3...2...1!" I started running. And I didn't stop for the next 13.1 miles.

I always have to take walk breaks. Of course, that's in Lynchburg where you can't go more than half a mile without encountering some form of incline. I ran the first mile in a little over 10 minutes. I looked at my watch and thought, "There's no way I can keep this up for 12 more. I'm going to have to walk sometime."

Half and Dolphin Challenge medals

Mile 2 brought gloves for my freezing hands. Whoever tossed away a thick blue pair of mittens, thank you. I threw them back later so they'll make it to charity.

Mile 3 made me start to think, "Okay legs, you holding out down there? Cause the lungs are fine, this flat ground is nice and easy.

At mile 4 there was water and a party of cheering spectators. I couldn't stop with all of them watching.

Then I hit mile 5, still running, still at about an 11 minute pace. "I could do this. I don't know how, but I can do this."

(I will say I did walk the length of every water stop. Otherwise I would have gotten all the water down my shirt and none in my mouth.)

At mile 6, we went into some woods, but still on the road. There were signs with corny jokes on them that I thought were hilarious. What's purple and green and next to Ireland? Grape Britain! (Okay, that's not so funny now. It was much funnier after an hour of running.)

One excited face

At the GU stop, I grabbed one from the kid passing them out. I ate it. I kept running.

Mile 7 had a Saint Bernard with a sign that said "I like Runnners. You taste salty." He was my favorite spectator. I still kept running.

I lost feeling in my right hand at mile 8. It wouldn't move. I don't know if it was my arm band, or the cold, or both. I switched the arm band to my left arm and passed the next mile trying to get my fingers to move normally.

Mile 9 had Oreos, and I will forever swear that the Oreo the man gave me was magical. I love Oreos, but that one was the best Oreo I have ever had in my life.

Feeling like Michael Phelps

Mile 10 I was feeling beat. I remembered the magic Oreo, touched a sign that promised to give me super powers, and vowed to run the last 3.

Mile 11 was where it really got hard. I passed the 11 mile marker right as my watch hit 2 hours and knew I was going to PR if I kept it up. I stopped for a quick stretch to loosen up my quads. And I kept running.

Close up of the medals

Mile 12 was emotional. During training, I wanted a PR so badly, but I had very little luck training. In my mind, I wasn't getting faster, I was getting worse. Some runs had ended in tears. The tears that threatened to come this time were tears of pride. I could never have imagined running 12 straight miles a year ago. I didn't even dare to dream of getting a PR until last night after running the 8K. The emotions powered me through the last mile.

Mile 13 was a mile of cheers. People were lined up elbow to elbow cheering both for people they know and the ones they didn't. They were reading our bibs and every time someone chanted, "Come on Leah, you're almost there!" I got more and more excited. I saw the finish line and the statue of King Neptune. And I ran.

The last .1 brought celebration. My watch time was 2:23 (the official time was slightly longer. I'm believing my watch since I started it at the exact second I crossed the start). My first half was run in 2:43. I had PR'ed by 20 minutes.

I was handed my finisher medals and savored the moment. I don't know when I turned in to Forrest Gump, or how such a miserable morning turned in to such a great race, but it did.

Shamrock, I may never do you again, but thank you for the amazing experience.

Race Recap: Shamrock 8K

I look a little too excited.

Today was day 1 of the Dolphin Challenge, and I couldn't have asked for a better race!

I woke up at the crack of dawn to try to beat traffic. I didn't really work, because there seems to be traffic 24/7 here, but it helped a little bit.

I got to the starting line pretty early, and made it back to my starting corral, 10 (which was 2 blocks back). But first, I had to snap a selfie with the start gate.

The race didn't start for about 30 minutes  but it gave me plenty of time to people watch. People came in all kinds of green clothes: tutus, kilts, leggings, hats, and I even saw a few green beards!

The race was sold out at over 10,000 participants, and the corrals filled up quickly.  The race started at 7:45, but those of us in Corral 10 didn't even see the Start gate until closer to 8. When they let us go, we took off and the magic started.

It is completely flat around here. Completely flat. I ran the entire 5 miles and it was easy. I'm the kind of person who has to walk up hills and after a few miles. Not today! I have never felt so comfortable in a run, it was almost like I wasn't even trying. I worked up a sweat because it was warm (so warm I even took my jacket off) but it wasn't taxing. According to my results, I finished with a chip time of 55:35 with an 11:11 pace. I am so proud of myself! (My gun time was 1:13:26 but that doesn't even count because I didn't start until almost 20 minutes after the gun)

If I can keep that pace tomorrow, there's no doubt that I will beat my goal time!

Also, I placed pretty well. I came in around the middle of the whole race, and pretty far up among the women runners.

The finish line was a different experience from ones I have seen at past races. They gave you everything in the finish chute- medal, water bottle, snacks, and even had photographers taking pictures in front of backdrops. The area went on for what felt like forever before I could get out, but it was nice to have everything in one place.

Some final thoughts on the race-

Course: Overall, the course was pretty boring. We ran down one street full of buildings, then down the Boardwalk with a view of the ocean (which was less boring), then back down some more streets with buildings, finishing with a view of the beach. I did like how flat the course was!

Medals: These medals are absolutely gorgeous! They are big (about the size of my palm, which is larger than I was expecting for the 8K), shiny, and heavy. The top has a bottle opener, and the ribbon is printed with the date. Completely worth it!

Atmosphere: What the race lacks in exiting course, it makes up for in atmosphere. Everyone was so excited, from announcers to spectators to participants. The fact that it is St. Patrick's themed makes it even more fun because there are some crazy costumes!

Spectators: There were so many people lined up wearing green to cheer us on! Our bibs had our names printed on them and some of them even took the time to cheer on as many people by name as they could.

Overall, this race was great. Maybe I'm just feeling really good after my post-race nap, but I feel confident that tomorrow will be even better!

Official Finisher's Certificate