What I Ate Wednesday Birthday Edition

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Dina

Today is my 30th birthday. I feel happy but kind of sad at the same time. (Mostly sad that I have to work and this is the busiest time of the year. Not sure I ever want to work another job where the fiscal year-end is the same week as my birthday.)

Regular readers will know about my 30 Before 30 list. I will be writing an update about that later in the week.

Now onto the food.

Breakfast.

Plus black coffee.

Lunch was a salad beast.

Spinach

Tuna

Grape Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Chick Peas

Feta Cheese

Olive Oil

Also a peach, not pictured.

Snacks were string cheese times two and two bananas.

Dinner was leftover salad. Pretty much the same as lunch, minus the tuna.

Pasta recipe from this months Runner’s World. It was OK but the meatballs were really good.

Smart Taste Pasta

Turkey Meatballs (with more feta)

Feta Cheese

Do you do anything special for your Birthday?

Is 30 the new 25?

Like A Virgin

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Dina

On Saturday, tons of Central Florida peeps got their Yoga on at Rasa- Lila Fest. I sadly was not able to attend because of a previous commitment. Yoga is something I have tried a few times watching online videos and DVD’s but have really wanted to attend a class. Looking at all the great pictures from Saturday and the tightness of my legs from Long Run Saturday, I found a studio that offers classes on Sundays.

Yoga Pointe offers a community class for $5. I explained when I arrived that I was a newbie and she said I would be fine. I sat right up front, to make sure I could watch her closely. The class was small so there was time for individual attention for those who needed it (this girl). Getting to attend a class was much better than using DVD’s because I actually felt like I understood what was going on. It was a great and relaxing way to ease out of the weekend.

I think this community class will be my permanent date on Sundays because my body has lost all the soreness from Saturdays seven miles.

This also knocks another one off my 30 Before 30 list.

13. Take an exercise class no matter how silly I think I might look. (Plus I didn’t even look silly.)

After I got home, I wanted to do a little cardio and popped in a new (to me) DVD.

(Source)

Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism is no joke. I was dripping in sweat and breathing heavy throughout the entire DVD. This one will definitely be in regular rotation on non-running days.

Did you do anything new this week-end?

Please check out these posts about Rasa-Lila Fest, they might inspire you to go to a yoga class too.

Om Shanti Om from Peas In A Blog

We Are One from Katy Widrick

Peace, Love, and Yoga from Meals and Miles

Rasa-Lila Yoga Festival from Running Peanut

Bloggers Invade El Bodegon

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Dina

Wednesday night, I went out on a work night (trust me, this is a shocking occurrence.) I was lucky to get to break bread with a lovely group of Central Florida Bloggers.

We ate at a local Spanish restaurant called El Bodegon. The restaurant would be great for a date night, very cozy and romantic. I had a salad and chicken that was cooked in garlic and lemon.

I really liked the salad but the chicken was just OK. I did love the many olive’s on both dishes, can rarely go wrong with those.

(The pictures below are courtesy of Michelle and her camera that takes very nice pictures.)

(An actual picture of me, please be amazed.)

(Photo below courtesy of Claudia.)

I had a lot of fun and was also able to check off something from my 30 Before 30 List.

12. Do one thing that makes me uncomfortable (like introducing myself to people) and get comfortable with it.

I am not shy exactly but meeting new people and putting myself “out there” can make me anxious but it is something I want to do more of. Plus the more you do anything, the easier it gets.

Please take a moment to check out the women above and their blogs.

Kristina from Love and Zest

Claudia from Sanford 365

Roz from Roz Pearcy

Michelle from Crazy*Running*Legs

Jackie from MomJovie

Carolina from Peas In A Blog (She also sent me the invite. Thanks!)

Katherina from Zephyr Runs

Andrea from Run, Eat, Date, Sleep

Have you ever attended a blogger meet-up?

Do you ever get anxious meeting new people?

August In Review

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Dina

August could not have ended on a more perfect run. It rained all day yesterday and I was able to get out right after the storms passed. The humidity was moderate (for Florida) and the weather had cooled off significantly. My legs felt great and for the first time in a long time, I felt like my training was actually paying off. I felt strong and powerful. It just goes to show, that just when you are starting to freak out (like over an upcoming 15K), one good run can put you right back on track.

Source: etsy.com via Dina on Pinterest

August was my first month of Half Marathon training. I have been under my goal mileage every week but I feel mostly on track. The training specifics can be found on my Workouts page.

My monthly mileage was my highest month ever.

My most commented on post in August, and one that I had so much fun writing, is the 30 Before 30 list. I am turning 30 at the end of September, feeling kind of depressed about it and want the experience to be a positive one. I have a few updates coming up, so stay tuned.

My favorite restaurant experience in August was finally eating at The Ravenous Pig. It was just amazing and I cannot wait to go again.

I ran The Celebration of Running 5K this month. It was fun but really hot.

(Source)

As you can see above, I also learned how awesome I look after crossing the finish line.

How was your August? Did you reach your goals?

Half Marathon Training Week Four in Review

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Dina

Sunday: Rest

Monday: Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones DVD 40 minutes

Tuesday: Elliptical 30 minutes

Wednesday: Ran 2.79 miles in 42 minutes

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Ran 3.33 miles in 50 minutes

Saturday: Ran 4.27 miles in 1:04

Goal Miles: 14

Total Miles: 10.39

Thoughts: I cannot get myself to workout on the first day of my period (hence the rest day on Thursday of last week.) Not sure if it is hormonal or mental but I just always take that day off every month. I am really starting to like No More Trouble Zones. It is a challenge but in a good way. The different types of ab work is particularly effective in this workout and I am feeling and seeing some results from it.

Plan for Week Five

Sunday: First attempt at a Tempo run. 2.8 miles in 39 minutes. I had a difficult time keeping a 11 minute per mile pace for the two ten minute sessions. This is my first attempt at a Tempo run and I can only hope that further attempts will be more successful.

Monday: Rest

Mileage Goal: 17

Strength Training: No More Trouble Zones and Nike Training Club two times. Planks for my goal of a one minute plank which is number 10 on my 30 Before 30 list.

I am loving the app Picplz which lets people who use an Android (or iPhone) phones share pictures and use different filters on them. It is similar to instagram but those of us not using iPhones can use it. I love the community aspect and how easy it makes sharing your photos. Plus it’s free.

Two of the pictures I took from my run on Saturday.

And of course the star of this blog

How did your workouts go?

Found any cool new apps you would like to share?

30 Before 30: Number 25

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Dina

Number 25 on my 30 Before 30 list is Get prints of my wedding photos and put them in the house. I got married on May 16th 2009, I love my wedding photos but I have not done anything with them. After the wedding and honeymoon, I guess life just started again and I never got around to it. That ends here.

I put together a few of my favorites and would love some input as to which ones to get. I’m thinking one canvas and a few smaller prints that will be framed. Here are the contenders.

Are you as big of a procrastinator as I am?

If you are looking for a photographer in the New England area, we used Erik Maziarz who is amazing.

30 Before 30

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Dina

On September 28, 2011, I am turning thirty. I am dreading it. (Of course, I know thirty isn’t “old” and life certainly does not end there. Please do not take this list to mean that I feel that way.) This milestone is both exciting and ominous. I want to enter my thirties knowing that I accomplished as much as possible in my twenties. Thirty can be my fresh start. I will chronicle how (if) I accomplish each item and hopefully turning thirty will be happier than scary.

(Source)

1. Join a running group and actually go.

2. Find a veggie burger recipe that J and I both like.

3. Get my office decorated and organized.

4. Run a 15K.

5. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, food bank, or homeless shelter.

6. Learn how to sew.

7. Finish a knitting project.

8. Make a soufflé.

9. Paint the house.

10. Hold a plank for one minute.

11. First double digit training run.

12. Do one thing that makes me uncomfortable (like introducing myself to people) and get comfortable with it.

13. Take an exercise class no matter how silly I think I might look.

14. Read Pride and Prejudice.

15. Make macarons.

16. Surprise J.

17. Learn how to use WordPress.

18. Learn basic photography.

19. Revitalize my wardrobe.

20. Write a five year plan.

21. Spend more time with my family.

22. Reach out to an old friend.

23. Write a recipe.

24. Go dancing.

25. Get prints of my wedding photos and put them up in the house.

26. One day of complete positivity.

27. Bake a baguette that rivals ones I ate in France.

28. Get an article published.

29. Play music again.

30. Look back with happiness.

What would you put on your list?

Dina Runs

Tag Archives: 30 Before 30

What I Ate Wednesday Birthday Edition

Like A Virgin

Bloggers Invade El Bodegon

August In Review

Half Marathon Training Week Four in Review

30 Before 30: Number 25

30 Before 30