Friday & a 9 mile run!

Happy Friday!
It's 12:15 here and I got up this morning, ran 9 miles and now I've been finishing up a bunch of stuff around the house. I work tomorrow all day so I knew I had to get my long run in early. Yay! It feels amazing and I am glad I reached another goal in my weekly running. It was a really good run, minus the giant blister on the side of my arch. I pushed through it anyways because I really needed this training run. Only 3 weeks until my next half marathon, and I can't wait! I am super excited to see how I do on a flat course, with lower elevation than where I live. I had originally wanted to post up the lentil sloppy joe recipe today, but we ate dinner out last night for my grandmas birthday so I didn't have time to cook also. I am definitely making them tonight though, so that will be Monday's post. Just wanted to update on my training run today, so I can post about something new Monday. Well, that's all I got. I am off to run errands and relax this evening! Happy Friday, have a great weekend!

9 miles baby!

My new fuzzy bathrobe, an early xmas gift and a cute new clip! Got 2 other new purchases, I will take pictures this weekend!

The ugly truth

Happy Thursday!

Yesterday was my last day as an undergraduate student. Finally. Yay! I now have a bachelors in creative writing with a minor in history, health education, and journalism. Now for the hard part- finding a job. It feels pretty crazy to say I don't have homework anymore. What am I going to do with all this time?! Given the intense studying I have been enjoying, I haven't thought up a great post so I decided I will show you all the biggest reason I started running. My weight. As embarrassing as it might be to admit. 

This is me July 2011

This is me looking/feeling pretty hot, about 18 percent body fat and some serious muscle. 130 lbs. Yeah, then my husband got out of the army and moved home and this happened:

180 lbs of not hotness. See the chicken thigh arms. NOT sexy and NOT newlywed status. I could make excuses and try to explain why I let it happen but it doesn't really matter. It happened. Also, I got my blood taken and the results were less than ideal. I had been reading a bunch of blogs and heard of all of these normal women running when they previously hadn't. I didn't have a gym membership yet and was finally like ok I am getting of my ass and becoming a runner. I just kind of went from being lazy to running 3 miles, when I commit to something I go all out. I signed up for a half marathon to keep myself running. I cried, sweat and bitched my way through the first 2 months of running but I just kept meeting my goals no matter how long it took- 3 miles took an hour the first time. Now, I'm down to a 9:30 for my fastest mile and on longer runs I average an 11:30. I got some good news this weekend, I am down 19 lbs which I was NOT expecting because I normally like to add in some weight training to but I needed to pass my classes so it kinda took priority and I had only been running and eating somewhat healthy/counting calories. You can check my Instagram for more current photos of me @taberturner or read a previous post. No time=no makeup or clothes that aren't yoga pants so I'l take a good one tomorrow and show. When I lost weight to get where I was in the first photo, I worked hard but I wasn't finding a lifestyle or an activity I enjoy. I can't say that I enjoy running every day but I can say that it has made me a better person physically, mentally and emotionally. If I can enjoy running, YOU can too! I'm just a normal girl with stress and a very busy life like everyone else.
So there's my mortifying truth, but it won't be the truth here soon. Tomorrow is a post on a new recipe courtesy of my sister-in-law lentil sloppy joes. They are yummy! She is vegan so most of her recipes are super clean and healthy, I love going over to her house for dinner.
That's all I got. Have a great Thursday!!

The Liebster award

Hey People!
So Lindsey at Nancy Clue nominated me for the Liebster award. She is hilarious- like Chelsea Handler status for reals. Plus she is super sweet and gorgeous! Love her blog! So I will be answering her questions now!

In order to accept the award there are a few rules you must follow...

The Rules:

1. You must thank the person who nominated you for the award.
2. You must write eleven facts/things/tidbits about yourself.
3. You must answer eleven questions that were given to you from your nominator.
4. You must nominate eleven other bloggers who have 200 or less followers and tag them in your acceptance post.
5. You must create eleven new questions for your nominees to answer in their acceptance post.
6. You must notify your eleven nominees on their blog, so they can accept their award and pay it forward.
7. You must not nominate the person who nominated you.
8. After all of this is done, you may add the Liebster Award Button to your blog. 

Eleven Facts About Me:

1. I just graduated from college with a bachelors in writing and a minor in history, health education, and journalism.

2. I did ballet for years, and truly miss it. I was in the Nutcracker once and after I lose these lbs I want to get back into it!

3. I LOVE trashy gossip magazines- I have a subscription to US weekly, People, and Cosmo. Its my weekly treat.

4. I am the pickiest eater on the planet. 

5. My favorite date night is going out to dinner- the hubs and I are kind of foodies.

6. I am super sentimental, I save lots of things and always plan out heirlooms for the kids I don't have. 

7. I have a long haired chihuahua named Fenix. He rules the house. I adopted him from the Humane Society.

8. I have 1 older brother, who is a chef for a big company. He is insanely talented and creative and could totally win top chef or one of those shows.

9. I am a nanny, that's what I did while going to school. Hopefully I can find something more stable but I love it so much I still will babysit in the evenings. 

10. I watch wayyy too many sitcoms. I own all the friends DVDs and could watch them 24/7. 

11. I have a hot pink kitchenaid that I got for my bridal shower from my mom. It's my favorite kitchen item.

Nancy's Eleven questions for me:

1. What was your first concert? N'Sync- my brother bought me tickets and took me when they were at the fair. 
2. If you were on Death Row, what would be your last meal before you were executed? Mac and Cheese and Fries for sure. 
3. If you could invite three people (living or dead) to dinner, who would you choose? I would have to go with my grandpa (I called him papo), who passed away this past June because who wouldn't want to spend one more day with a loved one. My Grandma Joy who passed away when I was young, because I didn't get the opportunity to know her very much. Third would be one of the people I really admire from the blogging world, there are many but they're on my list of people I want to meet. 
4. What was your most favorite day ever? I'd have to say my wedding day, mainly because everyone I love was there and it changed my life. There were many special moments that day.
5. What is one thing you'd like to do before you die? Run a full marathon
6. What was your first car? My first and only car is a white honda civic.
7. What is your ultimate dream vacation destination? The poseidon in Fiji. When I win the lottery.
8. What is your most embarrassing moment? I'm sure there are many but one doesn't really stick out.
9. Who is your celebrity free pass? Justin Timberlake
10. What is your biggest pet peeve? Thats a tough one. Probably being flakey because I hate it when people cancel plans. 
11. How old were you when you lost your virginity? (You didn't think you were getting off that easy, did you?) umm....

My Eleven Nominees:
1. Kassie at Southern girl gets fit
2. Kayla at A Moms 15 minute time out
3. Karla at forever newlywed
4. Ashley at it is what you make it
5. Jen at energetic Jen
6. Brandi at brooklyn state of mind
7. Lulu mom
8. Rose and Lou
9. Marcy at the mustache diaries

These are all I have that are under 200 followers, but I love all of these blogs! All on my everyday reading list.

My eleven questions for my nominees:
1. Who do you most want to meet and why?
2. What is your favorite clothing item you own?
3. What made you start blogging?
4. What bloggers would you most want to meet?
5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
6. What are two items on your bucket list before you die?
7. What is your favorite thing to do?
8. Who was your first celebrity crush?
9. What is your favorite holiday?
10. Favorite movie or TV show?
11. Best day/event of your life?

7 mile training run

Hey everyone!
So this weekend was my 7 mile training run in preparation for my half next month. I had been kind of excited about it because it would be the farthest I had ran since my last half in November. I've improved so much since then, and I love feeling that happen. I am not a big morning eater, so I forced down some whole wheat toast and water and then headed out. Mile 1-2 were alright, warming up getting the feel of things and I ran a 10 minute mile for both of those but then I started to feel weak. Luckily, I was wearing my new running belt and had my running fuel with me. I bought a few different kinds so I can choose one I like to use for races. I tried the powerbar today and it was pretty good, quick and filling. I drank all my water and then was able to finish my run pretty good I didn't get tired or too grumpy.
The rest of the day was super packed and I am so glad I got my run in early this weekend. We went shopping for Christmas, then got some food and watched a movie at the husbands parents house. After that we went out for drinks with my brother and sister in law, some of our best friends. It was their 5 year anniversary. I love them and their little family so much we are so lucky to have them in our life! Needless to say I slept in until 11 am Sunday morning and had a lazy day. Studied a bit and caught up on tv. I live for the weekends!
Happy Monday!
How was everyone's weekend?

The Hubs and I out for drinks 

Yeah,  7 miles!

Out christmas shopping 

This & That Linkup

Happy Thursday! Today I am going to do my first linkup, mainly because I have been swamped this week and don't have time to do an original post. I found the linkup through Recently Roached & Katie. If you want to join the linkup click on their links and grab the button to share some this & that from your week! 


This: Sons of Anarchy. Am I the only one out here watching Sons of Anarchy?! How insane was the finale this week?! I totally almost cried and am now depressed that I can't see a new season for like an entire year. That show is so insane, I love me some TV drama. The husband and I started watching it this summer and blew through 4 seasons just in time for the 5th to start this fall. We are obsessed. For reals, this was totally the highlight of the week so far (thank you last week of undergrad homework shit).

That: Studying, endlessly. I have had like no free time at all this week unless you count after 11 pm watching an hour of tv before going to bed. I am trying not to get too excited that I am basically done with my bachelors degree until after I kick my 2 tests in the ass next week. But I am super stoked and I cannot wait to be able to have a full time job. Finally. Maybe I will feel more proud/accomplished once I actually get my diploma in the mail but for now I am stressing about my grades to the point of severe anxiety. Looking forward to major champagne this weekend, holla!

That's all I got in my world this week. Dying for Monday so I can get this over with! I'm off to go nap run and make another study guide before work.

Outfit of the Day!

Heading to a meeting

Vacation

Hey everyone!
I am SO excited right now, because last night we officially bought our flight to L.A. for January 10th. We are planning to go to seaworld, disneyland, and a few other super fun things with some of our closest friends. I can't wait. I will get to celebrate for finishing school finally. Luckily it is still a month away which gives me lots of time to keep working out. I ran 4 miles yesterday, and I had fully intended on running 4 more today but my arches are KILLING me. Like I can't even walk normal. Damn flat feet. How can my arches hurt when I don't even have any?? Since I didn't run today I did an hour of stretching and then broke out my ballet shoes to keep warming up and strengthening my feet. When I lose more weight I really want to get back into ballet. I use a New York City Ballet workout/stretching DVD when I want something more relaxing. I'm giving my feet another day to rest but then I am kicking up the training this week, I will do a 4 mile and 3 mile run Thursday and Friday and then finish the week with 7 miles on Sunday. I am hoping to fit in some strength training one day too. I can't wait to kick up the workouts next week since I no longer have school or homework! I have another motivating race to keep me on track! I registered for the 13.1 series half marathon in L.A. for January 13th. It starts at 7 am which means I will need to leave by 6 am. Oh well, I think I can sacrifice one early morning to run through Venice Beach. I am super excited but really nervous because there is no limit so 50,000 people could show up and there is a time limit by which you need to finish in. My goal is to finish in 2 hours 30 min. If it's crowded though that might not happen. I live in a pretty small place, so even the really busy races the crowds thin out pretty quick. I am off to go finish my last bits of homework. Happy Tuesday!

Anyone run some busy races and have advice? How do you handle foot pain? How is your Tuesday?

Blog facelift & other news

Hey all,
Some exiting news for the blog- I am getting a "blog facelift" by Hubby Jack blog designs! I am super stoked, he sent me the new headers this evening and they are all awesome! I could hardly choose so I had my instagram followers help me decide. My Facebook and instagram will be linked to here once I get his update. I am a computer idiot so I was relieved when I found someone I could hire to do it, plus his designs are amazing.

I also signed up for an ornament swap with Simple little joys & Life of Meg I love both of their blogs and am looking forward to another opportunity to meet some more people in the blogging community.

Running update:
So this week I had a TON of homework, like a ridiculous amount. I still have way more than I have time for but it is my last week of college unless I want another degree someday. YAY! Bad news, that meant I slacked a little in my workouts this week. It was a bummer, I only ran 3 times instead of my training program which is 4 and I didnt lift at all. I figured that turning in these assignments is more important so it had to happen. I am also planning on going back to 2 hours a day working out next week when I don't have class. That being said, my 3 runs did go well. The first 2 were just 3 miles and the final one was 5 miles. In 2 weeks I went from running 4 miles in an hour to 5 miles in an hour. I love the gratification running gives, there is no way you cant improve. Today my arch was killing me and my shin splints are lingering a little but much better than they have been, and technically it was closer to 6 miles but I had to walk the last mile back to my house since my foot was dying and I had hit my goal. This week on my running schedule I plan to do a 3 miler tomorrow, 4 miles Tuesday, and 3 on Thursday followed my 7 on Saturday. I am stepping up in the training because there is a chance I may do another half in January.

We got some other good news this week that we should be able to go visit our good friends Chris and Rachel in L.A. early January. My dad is helping us out with flying miles and getting our plane tickets. If we do end up going, I plan to do a half marathon in Venice Beach while we are there.

My run today

Me this weekend, on my way to work.

Date Night with The Hubs

My new awesome owl sweater. I am obsessed with owls!

My new blue Mama Laughlin top and purple Juicy peacoat.