Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Disco Inferno

Do I look groovy? So this was my costume to my friend D's birthday party on Sunday night. He turned the big Four Oh! D use to be one of my running buds. We don't run as much together these days due to different schedules but we have logged a ton of miles together.

I had no idea what people wore to the disco and this was my best interpretation. Can you believe I actually had this outfit in my closet? I was obviously someone else in my past life.


It was some party! My gosh they just out did themselves.


They even had a taco guy! I died!


Umm, D sure knows how to throw a party! They had bartenders! Two of them! I had a drink called the Peace Out. It was dangerously delicious!


Check out D's shoes. I told him it would help work his calves out so that he will run faster. He was just jazzed that he was taller for the night.


I spy a pimp!


And a disco ball! I have a funny photo of my date doing some disco moves under the disco ball but he forbid me from posting it.


It was such an awesome party! I took a really nice photo with D but he specifically told me that he did not want to end up on my blog so I cannot show the photo. Boo! No one wants to appear on my blog. Did I forget to bath or something?


Happy Birthday D!!

Memorial Day 2011



Memorial Day means BBQ, so we came here to pick up some stuff to grill up.


Carne Asada...yes please!



Teddy was enjoying running around my bf's parents' backyard.


Haha...yeah when I dine at their house, there is never any greens in sight. All brown food here.


I was bad and had some red velvet cake from Hoff's Hut but it was pretty gross. Don't get this there.


I also enjoyed a cup of  Mighty T Leaf Tropical Green Tea. It was delicious! Bf's mom informed me that I can find this tea at Bristol Farms for $10 a box. Yeah that's steep but it is really good tea.


Peace out!

Monday, May 30, 2011

2011 (13th Annual) Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon - Race Recap

Date: May 30, 2011
Location: Laguna Hills, CA
Start: 7:00 AM
Finish: 1:44:10 (personal course record 1:49:42)
Elevation: See last year's post












I did it! I finally accomplished my goal of running a sub 1:45 half marathon! It is a good day for me today. What's also great is that my honey finally learned how to take photos for me at the finish line so I have some to share today. It's the little things that thrill me. :)


I started the race with the 1:50 pace group and stayed with them for the first 3 miles. Then I saw someone that I thought was OUAL so I started chasing her. She was fast and was about a quarter mile ahead of me but I wanted to catch up and say hi! Since I had just ran this course last year, I remembered all the turns and ups and downs so instead of holding back, I just ran with all my might. At some point she was running so fast that I lost sight of her. I finally caught up with her at mile 10 only to realize that it wasn't her. D'oh! By this time, I was almost to the end so I just continue to push through. All those Back Bay training runs really helped me mentally conquer all the little ups and downs of this course. I should really also thank that OUAL look-alike for being my rabbit. I'm happy with how I did. I've been training very hard lately and am happy that it showed in my time. Six more days until marathon #13! At least I think it is 13.



Me being happy because I just realized that I had PRed the course.


Me hogging all the coconut water that I can carry. Such a good day this was! PR AND Coconut water.


Souplantation is my post race food of choice. They need to be at every post race area. So good! Nom!


I love when I have "7s" in my bib number because it is a lucky number for me.


Of course Teddy wanted to wear it. Gah!


Ahhhhh!


Neat medal. The two runners in the medal are cut-out, you can't see it in this photo.


Now you can.


Yum!


Now I'm packing and relaxing! More later on that party I went to last night! Happy Memorial's Day Everyone!

I Did It ! I PR'ed!

This is a short post as I still need to hop in the shower but today at the Laguna Hills Half Marathon, I surprised myself and surpass one of my fitness goals of running a 1:45 half marathon. Now I can cross that off my list. I wasn't even aiming for that goal, I was just looking for a course PR of 1:48 but 1:44:10 (official time!) is loads better! Yay! Plus I have some fun photos from last night's costume party. It was off the hook!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Laguna Hills Half Marathon Eve

So you are going to get to see what I do the day before a race. As long as you don't expect too much, everything will be okay. So I slept in again today. The shingles are finally starting to heal and for the first time in many days, it is not as painful or itchy. I may be able to get to sleep tonight without the aid of Benedryl. Yay!

When I finally woke up, I went for a nice 4 miles warm up run. Then I got cleaned up and made some breakfast.

His...


Mine! One egg over medium served on top of sauteed spinach. Yum!


Then I went to pickup my race packet.


Look how cute these volunteers are! They were so much smarter than a lot of adult volunteers I've encountered at registration tables. Thanks boys!


Picked up my goodie bag and shirt. Gag, the shirt is not cute! I'm going to say it is borderline fugly.


The course. Same as last year. I'm ready for it!


Unfortunately we came here. I say "unfortunately" because I think I signed up for The Fitness Dish's sugar detox challenge and I failed on the very first day. So I'm not even going to try since I am going on vacation this week. Blah!


Cold Stone...I always miss ice cream when I come here. It smells so good.


His!


Mine! Yes I eat a plain waffle cone and pretend there is ice cream in there. Don't feel bad for me, the waffle cone is the best part anyways. :)


We sat under this umbrella and enjoyed our snack.


Next to this fountain. Ah, it was a lovely afternoon.


I picked up a couple of things to wear to the Disco theme birthday party tonight. How do you like those disco ball-ish earrings? Cool, right?


All gone!


Here are the goodies from the Laguna Hills Half bag. Nothing to write home about. Why did they give out a toothbrush? It wasn't all bad, there is a free pazookie coupon in there!


Wrapped the gift for the birthday party...


...and now I have to go and get ready for the party! See you later!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Saturday Stuff

I slept in this morning. It was nice. I don't get to do that very often. I enjoyed it immensely! By the time I sat down to order breakfast at one of my favorite places, it was almost noon.


Still cheap these days so I went with the #1...


...except I subbed the heck out of that order. Fruit instead of potatoes. French toast instead of regular toast...


...and I got hot chocolate instead of coffee for someone I know.


I really love all the funny little signs hanging up inside the restaurant. The restaurant was really busy today because of the time of day we went plus the holiday weekend but it was worth the wait.


Look at this lovely cozy table in the corner. We didn't sit there but I wanted to show you what a table here looked like. If you like cozy, you will love this place.


While we were waiting for our table we walked around that area a bit. I finally remembered to bring my aviator sunglasses with me so I bought them here to have them adjusted so that I can finally wear it. I got them online and they would leave a mark on my left cheek every time I wore them because the nose bridge area was not adjusted to fit me.


It's all better now!


A little further down from the restaurant is a beach bike shop...


...so many pretty bikes.


This is the one I want. I wish I had more space at my place to store this beauty!


After breakfast, we headed to Petco. Teddy gave me a shopping list of items that he needed. Let's see...Yorkie food and chicken strip jerky. What more can a pup need? Maybe a pet bird...


..or this very colorful frog!


Oh the choices!


I really needed a snack at this point so we stopped at a Starbucks for these.


My honey wanted some of this...


Why do they have those SMALL and REGULAR size cups asked my honey? Why would anyone want anything but a LARGE. Hmmm.




Then it was time to start the hunt for our costumes for our friend's theme birthday party tomorrow night. And when I say "our" I really mean his...I think ahead and already have my costume. Okay, onward! Thrift store number one...



It's been many years since I've been in a thrift store. It was so neat. I'm sure you can find some nice treasures if you spent the time looking around but we were on the hunt for something in particular. So no time to dilly dally.





We were unsuccessful in the first thrift store, so it was on to thrift store number two.


This place was way bigger and everything was organized by color and gender. Made the search so much easier.


We found some stuff here for the party tomorrow night. Can't wait to show you tomorrow. It is so funny!


Then we went to Blockbuster to pick up a movie or two. I saw this magnet there and it is so in line with my humor.


Movie night!


By this time, I was pretty hungry and since we were already in Little Saigon...we went to Brodard's for an early dinner. This noodle soup is called Hu Tieu Nam Vang. It is a pork base soup and I love the silver/clear noodles.


Don't forget the greens and sprouts...


...or the condiments.


Can't end the meal without dessert...otherwise known as che! Yum!


I got a thick envelope in the mail today with a copy of the Monterey Herald newspaper. I wasn't sure why...


...then I realized that they listed the names of all the runners. There I am!


Now I am pooped and ready to just relax and watch a movie. I didn't get my 4 mile run in today so I may go for an easy run tomorrow morning. Then it is go time come Monday. Be back tomorrow to report on my packet pickup for the race and some remaining errands before I leave for vacation.