Tag Archives: Holidays

Back on the Road! + 4th of July Weekend

7 Jul

This morning, I did my first run outside in 2.5 weeks! I think that is the longest outdoor break I have taken in at least a year. And it felt great to be back outside on the road.

As I said in my last post, I am currently treating some foot and hip pain. I ran 3 times on the treadmill last week, at 2 miles each time. I have been making sure to run at an easy pace and not push myself too hard. Seeing that I am not in training mode right now, pushing myself hard is just asking for further injury.

Just like my treadmill runs, I took today’s run very slow and conservative (in terms of my running pace). Instead of panicking when I saw a 10:21 mile pop up on my Garmin, I embraced it. It was so awesome to just run an easy pace and relax. A couple miles in, I could feel some foot and hip pain, but it was nothing significant. I hope to continue to do these types of runs over the next couple weeks before I have to pick it up for training mode.

I am trying to not get too discouraged about my current state, but I will admit that it can be hard to see friends running some awesome miles when I know that I shouldn’t be doing that right now. Even my husband has been making me jealous with this great runs lately! But I just have to remind myself that I am doing what is best for me and it will pay off soon when I am stronger than ever!

Moving on.

The 4th of July weekend was amazing! We were supposed to venture up to Iowa this weekend, however a last minute work project for Ramsey and a flood in the area canceled our plans. It was sad to miss out on the fun up there, but we decided it would be best to make the most out of our time at home.

I decorated.

I decorated.

Thursday evening we went to a winery and watched some amazing fireworks! And even better – we got to drink wine while watching them. Not much better than that!!

My patriotic outfit.

My patriotic outfit.

Wining at the winery.

Wining at the winery.

Friday we went to the pool, had some yummy drinks and food, then headed out to my favorite spot on the 4th – Lake Tapawingo. It was so fun as usual. It is crazy to think I have been going there my entire life!

Grapefruit margs.

Grapefruit margs.

Cousins!

Cousins!

Saturday and Sunday were spent cleaning, reading (Dark Places by Gillian Flynn), hanging out with friends, and spending time out in the city. I won’t bore you with every detail…however one thing that has been bothering me is the fact that for the THIRD time in just a few months I had a teacher no-show for my fitness class. To me, that is unacceptable. How would you handle that? Complain? Or get over it (until it inevitably happens again)?

Sporting KC game.

Sporting KC game.

SO hot but at least we had drumsticks.

SO hot but at least we had drumsticks.

He wants to be on the team.

He wants to be on the team.

How was your 4th?

Any tips for keeping myself in check while coming back from this injury?

Xo!
Ali

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Marvelous Mondays – February 13th

13 Feb

Happy Monday!!!

How are ya? How was your weekend? Mine was super busy, but pretty darn good! I love starting my Monday’s by coming off a great weekend. It really helps me to set the tone for the week, and I have a feeling it is going to be a great week.

Here’s why:

Snow

Kansas City finally got its first real snow of the season. You would think we were experiencing the apocolypse by the way our newscasters were covering this 2 inch storm.

Most people around here hate snow, but I happen to really love it. I think it is pretty, and so relaxing to look at. It is not very conducive to outdoor running, but I was prepared and ran a rockin’ 5 miles yesterday.

The Bachelor

Tonight on the Bachelor, The other girls help Ben to see what’s up with Courtney. And from the previews it looks like he is semi-perceptive to the conversations.

Dear Ben, "Butt cuts" are not stylish or flattering. Why would ABC allow this 'do?

But let’s get real. Ben is a guy and will continue to think like a guy. Which means Courtney will stay. I am saying it right now…this B is going to win the show.

Valentines Day

I love love. And I have always been a fan of Valentines Day. Even though I won’t be with my special someone on Valentines Day, I still get to reflect on our love! (awwwww, so freaking cheesy).

It would be really awesome if someone bought me some candy hearts, because I won't buy them for myself, but I really want some.

VACATION

The most exciting thing happening this week is a little vacation! I finally get to see Zack (It’s been since Christmas) this weekend, and we are taking a little road trip from his home in Texas to Santa Fe.

In Santa Fe we plan to ski. I think it sounds like a blast, and I am trying not to remind myself (or my boyfriend) that I have not skied since the 7th Grade.

This should be interesting…but I was a pretty stellar skier in the 7th grade. I went down a green slope fast. Surely skiing is like riding bike and I will pick up those pizza stops in no time.

Runsploration

In Santa Fe, I plan to take a little Runsploration. I haven’t been on one of these since my marathon in Dallas, and I pray I don’t get lost (that happened in Chicago once).

I also pray that I can convince my boyfriend to come with me…but I doubt this will happen because he is not a “distance runner”. Whatever. He just thinks I will beat him.

 

What are you excited about this week? Have any ski tips for me, or need my address to send me some candy hearts?

Have a great week, friends!!

Ali

 

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The 25 Questions of Christmas

20 Dec

Today while reading a fellow blogger’s blog, Enthusiasticrunner.com, I was inspired. Jocelyn posted “The 25 Questions of Christmas” and I decided I wanted to do it too.

Enjoy my responses to the questions I know you want answers to. Also, please share your responses to these questions in the comment section!

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?

My Grandpa Hat used to LOVE to feed us Eggnog…so I am going to go with that. I don’t think I have had it in years though.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa gifts are left under the tree, un-wrapped. I think it is weird when people have wrapped presents from Santa. Like the guy really has time to do that!

3. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

I love Thanksgiving dinner, so mashed potatoes, green bean and corn casserole, stuffing, turkey, etc. If I had to pick one of these items though, it would be mashed potatoes. Grandma Hat had the best recipe ever.

4. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Hard to say a favorite, so I will list a few!

I love to think about is when my brother Michael and I got a triple arcade from Santa. That was the most exciting gift I have ever received! And my brother never thought we would actually get it. I knew Santa would come through though.

I brought Molly (American Girl) to Christmas Eve Church service and almost lit her head on fire during the candlelight singing.

Decorating for Christmas with my Mom is a favorite memory. We would always listen to the Carpenters Christmas CD and sing along.

Holiday baking with my Grandma Hat, and watching my Grandpa Hat work so hard on his homemade chex mix.

Watching Christmas Vacation with my Dad. He laughs so hard during that movie!!

5. What is on your Christmas wish list?

For the past two years I have asked for a Nikon D3100 SLR. I have already been warned I will not be receiving this though….

I already received my AMAZING fur coat from Aunt Holly, check that off!

Other than the camera and coat, I asked for a Tiffany ring and new charm, Glee, a water bottle, scarfs, gloves…and that is it. My list is pretty darn exciting these days!

6. Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?

Last year Zack and I exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve. When we were little we used to always exchange gifts with Grandma and Grandpa Hat on Christmas Eve.

My family always exchanges gifts on Christmas morning. And ‘A Christmas Story’ is always playing in the background.

7. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Lights, ribbon, ornaments. I love “special” ornaments that have meaning. After my Grandma Hat passed away, I took all of her Hallmark collector ornaments. She had a TON of Barbie’s, which are all on my tree now. It is so pretty. I also have my childhood ornaments I would receive every year on my tree.

Look at those Barbie's

8. Snow? Love it or dread it?

LOVE it!!! Nothing is more relaxing to me than watching snow fall. I think it is so beautiful. Yeah, yeah it might cause problems on the road and with travel,  but if I don’t have anywhere to go I love every inch of it!

Baby Karly loves the snow too!

9. Real tree or fake tree?

I love real, but they aren’t very practical anymore. Too much work!

10. Do you remember your favorite gift?

The triple arcade that I spoke about earlier. My American Girl doll, Molly  and my dollhouse would also top the list.

This thing was badass

11. What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

Being with my family and reflecting on how thankful I am. Life is good.

12. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Pumpkin pie, Pumpkin roll, chocolate covered pretzels, fudge, cookies. I am a sugarholic. I love almost all sugar.

Robert and I hard at work on the Pumpkin Roll

13. What is your favorite tradition?

Opening presents with my family Christmas morning. PJ’s on and Christmas Story on TV. Through all the years this is the one tradition that has never changed. And I still wake up obnoxiously early every year on Christmas. I just get too excited to sleep!

I also love my Christmas ornament making with Caden. We have made an ornament together every year since he was a 3 month old. It is our little tradition.

Just a few months old...look at that hand!

2010 was a good one too!

I think sparkly flats should also be a holiday tradition

14. What tops your tree?

A bow at my parents and on my little tree. A star on Eileen and I’s big tree.

A bow tops my "girly" tree

15. Do you prefer giving or receiving?

I love to give gifts. I get so excited seeing a gift bring someone joy on Christmas. I think I am a pretty good gift giver. I put a lot of thought into it.

16. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Michael Buble, My Grown Up Christmas List. I cry when I hear that song…it is just so beautiful and the words are so meaningful!

17. Candy canes, yuck or yum?

I am not a fan.

18. Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

I wake up at the crack of dawn and watch A Christmas Story. Then everyone else gets up and we do stockings and start breakfast. Next up are gifts, then we get ready to head to my Mom’s side of the family for brunch (however this year we are doing a lunch!).

Clark side, 2010

19. Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

I hate malls, and get easily annoyed. I like shopping at the Plaza in KC. If I cannot find it there I will shop online.

20. Christmas letter or Christmas card?

Card. Unless you are funny or have an interesting life.

21. Favorite Christmas movie?

The Santa Clause and Miracle on 34th Street.

Am I the only person that thinks “It’s a Wonderful Life” is super depressing?

22. What do you leave for Santa?

When we were little we just left whatever we could find. I remember leaving pop tarts one year!

23. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

White on the trees, colored on the house.

24. Do you hang mistletoe?

No. I never understood it. Unless you are using it at a middle school party as a substitute for ‘Spin the Bottle’, what is the point? The other day at work someone suggested that we hang mistletoe in our cube…I was weirded out.

25. When do you hang your decorations up?

After Thanksgiving when I have time!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!!

xo,

Ali

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