Giving Back to the Community

Good Morning Monday!  It's a new work week and we had a great (and rather relaxing) weekend!  I hope all of you had fabulous weekends as well!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Tom and I helped with a community service project on Saturday.  We were up bright and early (I was up earlier than Tom as I was able to fit in a 5 mile run while he was sleeping) and ready to get to work!  We met up with the rest of the Panera team at 830 AM to then meet up with ServeCobb and ServeATL at the Vinings Home Depot to learn more about the ServeCobb organization and what our project was going to be.  After a brief introduction, we found out our location and what we were going to be doing- cleaning up a stretch of road in Austell, GA that fell victim to the flooding in September 2009.  Upon learning our assignment and talking with the site leader, we set off to our location to get started!

ServeCobb Organization

More than 250+ volunteers throughout the city of Atlanta and Cobb County to help this past weekend

After making the 15-20 minute drive, we spoke with another volunteer organization at our site, got our gloves and another volunteer tshirt, and set to work.  Yes, it was hot.  Yes, there were bugs.   Yes, there was debris EVERYWHERE.  But.  We worked together as a team and with strangers to clean up this location that had been completely demolished by the floods of 2009.  When we started at the beginning of the road, a lot of the debris had already been gathered by the other volunteer organization and brought to larger piles so the guys with the Caterpillars could then scoop up the pile and deposit it in the dumpsters on site.

One of the houses we were cleaning up.  Yes, that was once a house.

Tom and his GM after throwing a large chunk of house into the dumpster

After moving further down, we saw the 2 houses whose foundations had pretty much wiped away by the flood waters.  It was devastating to find a child's lunchbox or stuffed animals and toys soiled from the flood.  I could only get the clear shot of the house above as the other was set a little farther back and blocked from view.  As we were cleaning up, Tom's GM asked me to take a few pictures of everyone so I wandered off to do so and upon returning to Tom, he yelled (politely but yelling was necessary for the distance between us) for me to grab his backpack, that we had to go.  I was confused but did as he asked and when I caught up with him, he told me that one of the volunteers spotted what looked like a small meth lab and directed the two cops that were volunteering with us to the area.  They quickly confirmed what the volunteer saw and directed all of us out of the area as the rest of the area needed to be searched by a HAZMAT team before work could resume.  We were waiting for about half an hour before the site coordinator told us our group could leave as we had finished cleaning the rest of the surrounding area.  Our main focus from that point forward was to clean the area right around the houses, but once the small meth lab was found, we were unable to provide any additional help.  We felt badly for having to leave, but didn't want to interfere with the police work so we did as we were told and left the area.

The Panera team- I took off the green shirt after I realized no one else put theirs on over the blue.  Oops

Getting ready to work!

Overall, it was great to give back to the community albeit briefly in my opinion.  But we're hoping to get more volunteer projects in the future.  I hate that our community service project was cut short, but there wasn't anything we could do about it.  I'm looking into more volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved around the community so if anyone has any advice or organizations in need, I'd appreciate any feedback!!  

The rest of our weekend was pretty low key: laying poolside with Fifty Shades, running, grocery shopping/errand running, catching up on a few shows, the likes.  It was nice to not have anything planned outside of our community service event.  I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!  

Happy Reading!  Have a great week!

All my love, 

Britt!

Weekend Preview

Once again... HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Just wanted to say hello and express my excitement for the weekend that lies ahead!

1. Mom flies in tonight for her annual Girls' Trip to St Simons Island.  Tom and I are scooping her from the airport tonight to deliver her to one of her nursing school friends in the morning. 
2. Tomorrow, after a morning run, Tom and I are doing a most-of-the-day community service project with Panera.  We have no clue what we'll be doing but no matter what it is, it will be fantastic to give back to the community!
3. After Panera Community Service Project, we have intentions of hitting the driving range.  But we may be too pooped to do so!  We'll see how the rest of our Saturday pans out!
4. Sunday Funday!  Tom will be at work so this chick will be catching up on shows in the morning, maybe going for a run (depending on how I feel from Saturday's project), and going to the pool as early as possible to get some color on my pasty white skin!

I'm hoping to get some good pictures of our community service project to post so I will keep you updated!  I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend!  

Side note.  This one is for the ladies.  If you have somehow not heard of the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy, do yourself a favor and find a copy (of each book obviously)!  Yes, all of the gossip is true- it is very sexual, very intense in parts, and a definite page turner!!!  You will enjoy yourself.  I promise.

As always, Happy Reading, Happy Friday, Happy Weekend!!

xoxoxo,

Britt!

My Real Age...

First off, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!

So about a year ago, I was introduced to this thing called the "Real Age Test" that asks a series of questions concerning your current health, your family health history, your personal health history, your diet and exercise habits, etc. in order to determine how old your body thinks it is.  After entering page after page of information, it does whatever calculations are necessary then spits out your "real age" and things you can do to improve that real age, maintain your youth, etc.

When I initially took this test last year, I was pretty healthy, was eating really well, exercising 3-5 times a week, not regularly subjecting myself to any vices, etc.  At that time, the Real Age test produced the results that my body thought it was around age 20 (my actual age was 26).  I don't remember the exact result but it was in that ball park.

I revisited the Real Age test a few days ago and was very pleasantly surprised with my new results!  I'm in MUCH better shape than I was a year ago to start off!  I run a lot more and run much farther distances.  I still eat very healthy (although I still enjoy my sweet tooth but in MUCH smaller amounts).  I'm currently in the best shape of my life so it was very pleasing when I got my results.  After retaking my Real Age test, my new results indicated that although I am 27.3 years old, my body thinks I am 17.3 years old!  I have the health status of a teenager 10 years my junior.

This test is yet another reason why I am absolutely elated about how far I've come over the past few years and how badly I always want to remain in shape for the rest of my life!  Of course I can't predict the future, but I have no intention of ever reverting back to my former chubby self.  My only regret about starting my health and fitness journey is that I didn't start it sooner.  Had I known way back when how great I could feel by working out and running, I would've started a very long time ago.  But.  That wasn't God's plan for me until I got a little bit older.  And I appreciate it going from where I was to where I am now.  As previously mentioned, I'm in the best shape I've ever been in and I plan to maintain this.  Thank you to everyone who has always supported me and offered me their words of encouragement!  I hope that I can do the same for others.

My intention for this post was to be short and sweet so I hope you all have a VERY wonderful weekend!  My weekend should be a good one- relax with the hubs tonight, strength training class and a run tomorrow morning, maybe hiking with Tom tomorrow afternoon, Atlanta's Annual Dogwood Festival on Sunday!  Y'all have fun and stay safe!

With love,

Britt!

Easter Glory

I know it's been over a week since Easter, but this Easter was more special than past Easters so I wanted to share my joy with y'all.  The Easter season has always been a special one in my household, long before I got married.  It was tradition for the family to wake up to Easter baskets, attend church together (usually a later service but the sunrise service on occasion requested our attendance), have Easter brunch together, and enjoy each others' company. As an adult, Easter has become so much more than that.  It has more recently become a season of reflection for me.  I'm not trying to get all religious on you, just expressing what the Easter season means to me now as I've gotten older.  I reflect on all of the blessings God has given us and thank Him profusely for all the blessings in our future.  Without Him, I would be lost.  He keeps me grounded and provides guidance even if I don't understand why things are happening the way they are.  Easter makes that feeling so much more profound for me and I relish in God's blessings every day.  Tom and I attended the Good Friday service at my parents' church (my old church, where I was confirmed) in California where I discovered some scripture that hit home for me, Hebrews 10:21-35:

And having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not foresaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.

This bit of scripture is a reminder to always look to God for guidance despite not knowing what my future holds.  It encourages me to keep a full heart especially in times of want or need, to not give up on the Lord, and to continue to love others as I wish to be loved.  I'm sure I've read this scripture in the past, but it didn't mean as much to me as it did a week and a half ago.  It is one of the best pieces of scripture I've read to date.

Easter 2012 has probably been my favorite Easter of the previous 26.  Tom and I were fortunate enough to be able to visit my parents and grandmother in California for Easter weekend!  While the weekend was busy, it was so full of love and happiness, fun and entertainment.  As always, it was fantastic to spend so much time with my parents and grandma!  Other than a slight fiasco at LAX (L.A.'s international airport), travelling was a piece of cake!  The trip was WAY too short though!

We flew in late Thursday after a full work day.  We were up at 430 AM EST- Tom to work and me to the gym for a morning run.  We worked all day.  I got off work a little early to take Max to the PetSmart Pet Hotel to be boarded for the weekend (this made me very sad as it was his first boarding experience and I didn't want him to think I was leaving him indefinitely) then Tom and I ate a quick dinner (thank you, Panera) then were en route to Peachy Parking to park our car and catch our shuttle to the airport!  Airports are always a great source of entertainment to me- I LOVE to people watch and the mix at any airport is always great to look at!!  Upon getting settled, Tom and I were cruising at 30,000+ ft and on our way to California!  Upon landing in LA at approximately 930 PM PDT (1230 AM EST), we found my parents and set off for their small farming community, Visalia.  We got to my parents' house around 2 AM PDT (5 AM EST) and crashed.  We'd been up for 24+ hours and needed sleep. Thanks to our lovely time zone change, Tom and I were awake before 730 AM PDT each day we were there and were not able to adjust to the time change, regardless of what time we fell asleep.

The days to follow were busy, busy, busy for me, not as much for Tom.  Friday morning, we went to brunch at my absolute FAVE place to go- Valhalla's, a quaint Dutch restaurant that serves my favorite breakfast item ever- aebleskivers.  If you have not tried them, you need to!!  After brunch, mom and I ran errands (Tom did not wish to join) then we all went to the Good Friday service, followed by dinner at my parents' country club.  Saturday, Tom and I went for a run.  Tom made me VERY proud as he did a 4+ mi run (I ran a little bit ahead throughout our run and reached my 5 mi minimum).  My mom somehow managed to schedule a hair appointment with me with the one and ONLY person I trust to do ANYTHING with my hair without hesitation and on this trip, I got balayage highlights (similar to ombre highlighting)- see Easter pics below.  We did a little bit of running around, then had a nice family dinner.  Sunday, we went to the Easter church service, had brunch at a family friends' house, then off we were to LA to catch our red eye flight back to Atlanta...

This started our somewhat dramatic return to Atlanta.  After my parents dropped us off at the airport, Tom and I checked in (no baggage thank goodness as we got everything in carry-on's).  We got through security and were about to settle into a booth to grab a quick bite to eat when Tom threw his boarding pass on the table.  I then realized that Delta had switched our seats and moved us to opposite sides of the plan, me in 36B, Tom in 41F.  To say we were upset is an understatement- I was VERY upset as I selected our "companion" seats at booking.  Without hesitation, we go straight to the gate agent who proceeded to tell us there was nothing they could do until 30 minutes before departure which is AFTER the boarding process begins.  He elected to tell us that they can't change seats of the passengers who have not yet checked in to which I reminded him that they changed OUR seats prior to check-in and without notification nor did the ticketing agent question our seat assignments prior to printing our boarding passes.  He looked at me with a face of confusion and could not offer anything other than, "Come back 30 minutes prior to departure."  I was fuming by this point.  I did not want to sit next to a stranger.  On a red eye flight.  Trying to get a few hours of sleep before the workday that lay ahead.  After eating dinner and waiting then waiting some more (we arrived to LAX around 830 PM and our flight wasn't due to leave until 1145 PM), the gate agent let us know they were able to switch our seats so that we could now fly home together- thank you for FIXING the problem you created in the first place!  Neither agent was very pleasant and the lady rolled her eyes at me at one point (I made Delta aware of this in my post-flight survey).  Neither Tom nor myself felt like we had been treated very well prior to boarding our flight.  At that point though, we brushed it off, boarded the plane, got situated in our seats and did our pre-flight routine- I powered up my newly-purchased Kindle Fire (which I am in LOVE with) to read until the cabin door was closed, Tom fired up his iPod to listen to music. Mr. Pilot then proceeded to tell us our flight was going to be leaving late- awesome.  We pushed back from the gate about half hour behind schedule.  Once airborne, Tom and I attempted to sleep, waking up every half hour or so, but somehow managed to get a few hours sleep.  Upon landing, we got to our car where Ms. Exit-Gate-Attendant let us know that the special under which I'd booked our parking reservations was no longer valid (it was for FREE parking and now we had to pay) so we settled up with them and left in a hurry to pick up Max before going to work (I was already late and let my boss know so in lieu of leaving work on a lunch break, I didn't take a lunch and I picked up Max prior to work).  Upon arriving at PetSmart, they brought little Maxwell to me and he was THE happiest camper on the planet- he jumped straight up for me to pick him up and was the most excited I'd ever seen him.  After our hasty hello, it was time to pay, only to find out our debit cards weren't working and I didn't have the checkbook.  Let's just add to the Morning of Drama!  Tom and I went to the bank, got cash from the teller, went BACK to PetSmart, got Max home, changed clothes for work, I took Tom to work, finally got to work at 10 AM, 2 hours after my expected arrival.  All in all, the night and morning were a tad stressful, but we got home safely and got our crazy pup and that's all I could really ask for despite being a walking zombie suffering from major sleep deprivation and moodiness.  Needless to say, we went to bed at a decent hour that night.

Despite our hectic return to Atlanta, we had a fabulous weekend in Visalia with the parents and grandma and I am itching to go back as soon as we can!  I miss my parents more each time we go our separate ways.  They really are the best parents I could have ever asked for.  They gave me a great foundation of moral character and instilled a sense of pride in myself.  They raised my brother and me very well and continue to be loving and supporting in any way possible.  They are absolutely wonderful and I could not imagine life without them!

Hubs and me

Three generations of women- so special!

Tom and me with Grammie

Mis padres and me

I hope y'all had as wonderful of an Easter as Tom and I did!  Again, this trip was way too short and I look forward to our next Western adventure- hopefully it will be longer than a long weekend!

xoxoxo

Britt!

Race Funzies!

As you know from yesterday's post, I've run quite a few races in 2012 and I'm currently registered for more races!  I just wanted to give a brief update on the other races I ran in March, the SFX Fitness Challenge 5K and Color Run Atlanta.

The SFX Fitness Challenge 5K is hands down without a doubt the most difficult 5K I have ever run!  On top of the 3.1 mile jog (at which I did well), there were 11 fitness stations, 5 dispersed throughout the course and 6 at the end of the run, right before the finish line.  The stations were as follows:

• 50 burpees
• 150 squats
• 100 push ups
• 150 v-ups
• bear crawl up a hill with walking lunges down the hill
• 25 kettlebell swings
• 20 box jumps
• 50 rope slams
• 25 medicine ball slams
• 30 lb sand bag toss and carry
• scale an 8 ft wall (with help if needed and I needed it)

To say this race was hard is an understatement.  It wasn't the running that made the challenge difficult.  It was everything else!  I was sore for DAYS after this race, but I must say that it was physically one of the most rewarding.  Even though it was difficult, it was one of the best workouts I've ever had!  I placed 4th in my heat, 1st female of my heat to finish, and 5th female overall.  I have to say though that I was most nervous about the "wall" at the very end.  I knew I couldn't pull myself over it as upper-body strength has never been a forte of mine, but using the lovely 2x4 triangle holding said wall in place, I was able to get over it without too much trouble!  After completing the race, I was very proud of myself!  It wasn't an easy feat to finish, but I finished and met some fun people in the process!!

Now for the Happiest 5K on the Planet- The Color Run!!!!!!  When this race was announced months upon months ago, I wanted SO badly to register for it but didn't know if we'd be here for it (the move).  Once I figured out we'd be here through the end of March, Color Run Atlanta was already sold out.  I was so incredibly bummed that I wouldn't be able to partake in such a fun race!  A few weeks passed and I was scouting Craigslist for anyone looking to sell their number at a decent price.  Never found one.  

The day I got the information about the half marathon bib I purchased, I randomly went onto Color Run's website.  I saw they added another Atlanta race for Easter weekend.  I was considering registering for it so I followed the registration to get a little bit more info on it.  Upon doing so, it gave me the option to continue through the registration process for the original date: March 31.  I couldn't believe it!  I whipped out that debit card and signed up with a quickness!  When I got my confirmation and subsequent email, I called The Color Run Customer Service line just to make sure I registered for it and the lady told me it was my lucky day because I was successfully registered!  When I went back to the website out of curiosity, the 3/31/2012 Color Run link was no longer active and right next it, it said in big, bold letters "SOLD OUT".  I somehow managed to register for a sold out event.  I assume someone was refunded their money for whatever reason and I just so happened to look at the website at the right time and got an entry into the race!  I was the happiest kid on the planet that day because I also got my bib for the Georgia Half Marathon at a great price!  For the next few weeks, I was scouting out Craigslist for anyone selling their numbers because I wanted Tom to run it with me.  After talking to my brother, he was going out of town for his man's weekend so Tom was able to get his entry and Tom and I got to run the race together!

So the actual race was an absolute blast!  At ever kilometer, there was a color station.  We started with yellow where all the runners came out looking like we'd been through a pollen storm.  (Oh wait!  We have.  Highest pollen count in history occurred a few weeks ago.)  The following color stations were green, pink, and purple.  After crossing the finish line, we then went to the "Color Festival".  Every entrant was given a packet of this powdered paint/color to save for the Color Festival.  Every 15 minutes, the DJ would do a count down and at 0, everyone would throw the contents of their color packets into the air and everyone came out a paint-splattered mess.  We.Were.Covered!  But we were dancing and laughing and having a great time!  I met up with my sister in law and some of our friends afterwards, hung out for a little bit, then drove home very carefully and on top of blankets so as not to mess up the car's interior!

Before Color Run- Tom was impatient and ready for the race to start- Sorry for his scowl

After the Color Run as paint-splattered messes!

Group shot!

The Color Festival

As you can see, everyone had a blast!  It was the MOST fun 5K I've ever done and I cannot WAIT to participate in next year's Color Run!!!!  Afterwards, Tom and I went to eat lunch at his Panera and we actually scared some of the patrons and employees.  The employees didn't recognize us and the patrons did triple head turns to look at us, trying to figure out why exactly we were covered in paint.  Overall, it was a great experience and even more so because Tom and I got to do it together.  I paced with him and we kept each other motivated to finish.  I look forward to even more Color Fun next year!!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT Easter weekend!  We are off to California to spend it with my parents and grandmother and I could not be more excited right now!  So be safe, have fun, and remember why the Easter season is so special!

All my love,

Britt!

You Know You're a Runner When....

Happy Hump Day friends!!!

So I've seen discussion boards titled "You Know You're a Runner When..." and people will comment on things they do that makes them consider themselves runners.  Well I can't say I've quite had an epiphany about me being a runner as I've considered myself a runner for quite some time now, but this week especially I've found myself coming up with my own little additions to the title.

So here are my Top 10 running quirks that have recently occurred that immediately trigger my mind to say, "You know you're a runner when..."

1. I schedule a lot of things around when and where I can run.  For instance, Tom and I are going to California this weekend to visit my parents and grandma (can't WAIT).  My mom asked me last week if I had any specific plans for the weekend.  I told her my weekend consisted of 3 mandatory things: run on *flat* (YAY) ground, eat at restaurants we don't have in Atlanta (In-N-Out Burger is among that list as well as some other local and delicious establishments), and visit with my parents, grandma, and friends out there.  I have mapped out a long run for Tom and me to show him my old high school.  I've already checked out different routes and also invited a friend (and fellow runner) to join me! 
2. I spend more on my running shoes than 99% of the shoes in my closet.  I LOVE my running shoes!  I always try to pick a new pair that is brightly colored and noticeable.  My current shoes are a bright royal blue with light blue trim and a coral Nike swoosh.  
3. I get uber-excited about races.  I didn't run as many races as I would have liked to have run last year, but this year is different!  As mentioned in a previous post, I want to run one race per month while the weather is warm and pretty!  (I don't do well with cold weather running.)  Here's what I've run so far and what I will be running the rest of the year.  Obviously a few months are missing so I will fill those in as I go.
• 3/18/2012- Publix Georgia Half Marathon- Finished in 2:02:19
• 3/24/2012- SFX 5K Fitness Challenge- hardest 5K I've ever done (explanations to come)
• 3/31/2012- Atlanta Color Run- MOST FUN 5K I've ever done (pictures to follow)
• 4/14/2012- Roswell Kiwanis Spring K Classic 10K
• 4/28/2012- Jonquil City Jog to support one of Smyrna's local high schools- still not sure if I'm running this one
• 5/12/2012- Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 5K
• 7/4/2012- PEACHTREE ROAD RACE!!!!- The biggest 10K in America
• 10/13/2012- Spartan Beast Race (I got a free entry- I may not even do it as it is a race in South Carolina and I would want hubs to join me; if he doesn't want to do it, I will forfeit my entry)
4. My laundry days are filled with more gym clothes than work or casual clothes.  My running and gym gear almost doubles my casual/work wear.  
5. Every Sunday, I look at the week ahead of me and figure out what days are best for me to run, whether it's better to run in the mornings or evenings, if I'm going to be able to fit in my standard 5 days or if I know that's going to be difficult.  I plan evening events around running.
6. I look forward to the many daily emails from Active.com and Runner's World with little tidbits of helpful running information, updates on events, new running trends and training tips, etc.  (Because of my Active Advantage membership, I get special emails with free race entries- I've now claimed 2 and my membership has been paid for!)
7. I actually get envious when I see runners EVEN IF I've already run that day!  I get antsy and it makes me want to run with them!  
8. I have to remind myself every week that at least 1-2 days of rest is absolutely necessary.
9. On planned trips (such as this weekend's Easter venture to California), I look for races in the local area or I plan my schedule around what days I will be able to run.  It would be a lie to say I didn't look for races in the Fresno area for this weekend.  Even though I had no intentions of doing a race (considering I've participated in events the past 3 weekends), I still went to Active.com to see if there were any events planned for the area...  On free weekends, I look for events I may want to run.  I look for races in other parts of the state (or in other states in general) to see if there is any interest.  I'm on active.com or the Run Georgia calendar (best comprehensive running website for Georgia) looking at events at LEAST once a week now
10. I truly get upset when I can't run or go to the gym.  For example, I was sick all of last week and even though it was HELL, I made myself stay home and rest for 4 days.  I couldn't tell you the last time I spent 4 days out of my running gear, probably the last time I was sick!  It pains me to not be able to run.  I also get bothered on my days off from the gym.  I know I have to let my body rest and recover so those recovery days are absolutely necessary; doesn't mean I have to like it though!

So those are just a few of my running quirks.  My mentality has completely changed about running and working out and living a healthy lifestyle in general.  I never thought I would be able to give you a list of runners' habits that also fit me, but it makes me proud.  A lot of people say I'm crazy for running 20-30 miles a week, but it makes me happy.  Running has become my catharsis and an outlet for stress relief.  I love the way I look now.  I love the way it makes me feel.  I love being connected to nothing but my music and thoughts for 30 minutes to an hour while I'm running.  I take a sense of pride in what I've accomplished and I look forward to continuing my lifestyle and being healthy in the future!  I hope we can instill in our kids the value of living a healthy lifestyle and how it would be SO much easier to start learning those tricks and tips at a young age.  I've wished on many occasions that I would've learned about a healthy and active life but working out, running, and going to the gym didn't interest me when I was younger.  I didn't care about what I was eating; I just wanted it to taste good.  Now that I've learned these things, I hope to carry them over to teach our future babes and I always want to be considered a resource for anyone interested in running and living healthy!

Expect another post soon with updates on the SFX Fitness Challenge and Color Run!  Happy reading, happy Hump Day, Happy early Easter!!

xoxoxo, 

Britt!