Hike

Went on a vineyard hike yesterday. It was a good time. It was up into the woods - yes the first 25 minutes or so were uphill. A bit of a workout. My heart rate got up some. The crowd was a bit more daunting to me than the hill itself. Too many people close together limited the forward vision... Making navigating a clear path hard at times.
Then there was some flat terrain.
And ultimately worked our way down the hill, out of the woods and through the vineyard.
We learned a good deal about the land and why it was chosen for the vineyard as well as the other planning that went into making it what it is.
Lunch that followed consisted of soup and bread and brownies.
Yes, my body could have had a bit more than that. But hey I did learn a new idea for soup... Brussels sprouts aren't a bad veggie in soup.
The wine was good. We stuck with the red. We didnt do a full tasting. The items on the list did not appeal to us.
And that should have been the extent of our day. But somehow we continued on to a place - make that two - closer to home. Not a wise decision. I so didnt need to stay out more. To eat more. To drink more. I continue to find myself in this situation and I just don't want to. Similar to last week... This is another one of those areas and people where I am trying to reduce exposure and I believe the other term is relevance. It goes against my wallet, waistline, health, sleep time demands. I am dragging today and that is not good.
Thoughts on how to keep on track going forward...
As an aside... We did meet a girl and either her boyfriend or roommate and they live just down the street from me.
That was a cool thing.
Which reminds me... There is an open house at a friends this coming weekend... Again need some boundaries and limits... Especially as there were people invited that I am just not friendly with. Should be interesting to see what the turn out is.

Stupid links

I am not one to open links on FB.  I don't have the time. I waste enough time on there anyways.  Well this week I have found myself ignoring that theory. ..

The first was a pug Halloween costume blog. OMG HYSTERICAL.  Yes, the Wrecking Ball pug made the news. But thw bubble wrap pug and some others were just as good.

Tonight I opened an auto correct link.

BOTH resulted in teara streaming down my face and an inability to catch my breath.

This week I was reminded of the innocent release of blushing and laughter.  A good week.

Thank you

Take a deep breath

Take a step back
And you realise who is relevant
Who are your good friends
It was a nice evening out

Home

Thank goodness. That was a quick trip. Or at least it felt that way. It was the last scheduled travel for me for this year. However while I was away did receive a request to go to Mississippi.

This trip was interesting. It is a location I rarely go to. As a matter of fact this is only the second time I have visited. It is a smaller location so we generally send the vendor. They couldn't make it but I could... So I went.

Going to Fayetteville is about a 3 hour drive. For some reason it doesn't seem as far. I think because when you get to the end you are on I95 and those last 40 minutes feel like you are really going somewhere. I have often contemplated making it a day trip location.

Accommodations are what you would expect when getting off of I95. I hadn't thought about it prior to a coworker making the observation. There are lots of hotels of all sorts there. There are lots of fast food restaurants there. It is a pass through location not a destination. I was late in making reservations... Ok sounds like FSU would have beat me no matter when I attempted to make the reservation. So I stayed at the Hampton Inn instead of the suggested Double Tree. No big deal - they both generate points.

HAH not so fast... Wasn't really paying attention. This Hampton has outside doors. You don't see those very often. I generally avoid those when I travel by myself. Not really sure why. Just something I do. Even better... Took a room on the second floor. A safety thing. NO ELEVATOR! Here I am 8pm or later on Wednesday lugging my suitcase, computer bag and food bag (I knew the state of fast food and came prepared) up the stairs. And they were mis measured - the top two stairs made me feel like I had extra long feet... And with heels - oh teetering danger...

But it gets better...

The room is fine. King size bed. TV. Fridge. Wifi. Awkward bathroom... One of those rooms that is just a toilet and shower. The type that feels cramped when you try to walk all the way in to close the door behind you. Perhaps you know the type. Again no big deal. I am in the room by myself. Curtains are drawn so no one walking by can see in. Just leave the door open when using the shower and toilet. HAH nothing like rushing to use the bathroom, sitting down on the toilet, and looking up and staring at your pants dropped self sitting on the toilet. Yep AWKWARD. And no real space to close the door to change the view. Had to laugh.

Oh but wait...

Went downstairs day one... Got coffee. Got some milk for my Shakeology. Finished getting ready for my day. Compute bag set - check. Food bag set - check. Hand bag - check. Now to lug downstairs to the car. THE DOOR TO THE ROOM WON'T LOCK! Slam. Nothing. Slam. Nothing. Jiggle the handle. Nothing. I NEeD TO Be IN mY CAr. Run downstairs ask for help. Thank goodness I am close to the lobby. No such luck. It appears the battery that works the key cards was dead. Hence no locking. And in a whirlwind decision... I throw EVeRYThINg I have unpacked back into my luggage and food bag to throw in the car because I cannot wait for this to be resolved. Craziness.

Thank goodness I had given myself enough time to get settled at the client. So glad I am not a down to the wire person.

Over the course of the day they fixed my door and I moved back in. Oh FUN!

There will be a reduction to my bill. Need to keep on that.

Home now - as I mentioned - off to grab some sushi

Exercise

Can watching a 22 minute video of others cycling burn calories?  I feel like it should.  I am pretty my heart races some on those downhills and my legs and sense of balance empathised on some up hills.

If only that were the case.

Cold temps this weekend.  Maybe I will throw the bike up on the trainer.

You meet all types

My goal was to have a shake for dinnee and an apple.  I got a chill in these temps so walked over to the hotel restaurant for a glass of red wine and a snack.  That was OK.
Met some man in a cowboy hat from OK that is a farier. I had no idea what that was.  You know I am not a horsey girl and not too sure about the horsey girls.  He was a cowboy of all sorts.   It was an interesting conversation and then got awkward.  He offered to buy me a drink and it is just unsettling.
Came home or at least back at the hotel.

Inspired to write

Reading other peoples blogs has inspired me to sit here and write.  Sadly I don't have much to talk about.
The birthday celebration continues and the workouts are farther and the farther in the distance.  Not a good combination.

This week there was a lunch out.  The fajita chicken taco on a home made tortilka was a great concept.  The refriend beans, chips, salsa and cake. Not So Much!

Yesterday and today have been better.  Of course I have been at a client in Fayetteville and options are limited. I am focusing on moderation.  It seems to be working.

Of course limited options helps. Tomorrow will be protein shakes driving and wait for it.. a workout!

Then I have about 5 weeks at home.  Need to hit that hard.  Thought I would up to this point but have been truly surprised by the outpouring of entertaining.

Maybe I will have some good physical challenges to write about in the 5 weeks.  But lets be reasonable other life will probably jump in there.

Celebrations

The birthday celebrations are undermining my objectives.  I am not complaining that people want to spend time with me and do things.  I appreciate that.  And when the things revolve around eating and drinking I empathise with that as well.  But man oh man is body screaming enough.

Thursday was half price bottle of winr night at a local restaurant.  And with that we got BBQ chicken flat bread and quac and chips.  Not bad but not enough.   So I ended up eating the other stuffed squash when I got home.  Just not smart decisions.

Last night was girls night out.  We went to this place that doea pizza. Nit my favourite pizza place but good none tge less. Beer and pizza seem to be the combo.  And then there was that spinach artichoke dip to start. 

But we continued.  Walked to another bar.  And it is a good crowded loud raring to go bar.  Had a cider there.

And more.. one of our friends likes to have people over for the occassional drink.  So we stopped there on tge way home.

Today I so want to swim bike run it all out od my system.  Not sure my body will appreciate it.  But I need to do something.  Some other friends are cooking me dinner.

Tomorrow my mom wants to do something. I am thinking breakfast.  Havent done that in a while.

Ugh and next weekend I am going on this vineyard hike wine tasting luncheon.

Exhausted!

T25 Total Body Circuit

So back in week one. Glad to be here. Remember why I love this challenge.
I feel there is some improvements in some areas.
Better at push ups. Better at burpees.
All that plank position gets to me. Form gets off, how do I know... When all the blood rushes to my head I know I butt is up in the air and not table like...

Tomorrow aiming for a run, swim and ab intervals..
Oh and some Vampire Diaries.

London

I rode my bike from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. I took the tube to the Tower.
I did the same run course as a walking tour. The Serpentine restaurant made a lovely lunch.
I really loved London.

Sweatshirt

Yep, there is a chill in the air.  Put on a sweatshirt for my run this morning.  Passed others not as bundled as me.  I am a wuss.

Beta didn't go very far

I did a couple of hybrids weeks of Beta and then it fell apart. Mental and time issues got me off course.

So today I am starting up with a different hybrid.
Run AM on M/W/F
Alpha PM on M/W/F - with a double Friday

Alpha AM on T/R
Swim PM in T/R

Weekends will include bike rides and longer runs.

This will get me 5 weeks out.
At that time I have a doctors appointment, a haircut, and a friend from MA is visiting.

Goal is 10 pounds.  Not sure that will come together as planned but it is only 5 weeks to keep the FOCUS

So have the blahs

Not sure what that is about.  Change in season maybe?  Cooler temps reminding me of what I was doing last year at this time.  Cooler tempa reminding me I feel like I missed out on Summer.  The calendar confirming I am traveling some more. 
Just don't know.
Haven't worked out since before DC. I  sure that has something to do with it.

Working on shifting that mental map.  Ugh

Big yellow pot

Yup, that means chili.  First to soak the beans.  Won't be enjoying this until tomorrow.

And more

Thus will be cooked cabbage.  Yes under the carrots and the apple is some green cabbage.  Not one of favourites but it definitely on the menu for healthy and filling. 

Quinoa chili next.

Back in the kitchen

Up first today in the test kitchen...  roasted brussel sprouts beets and vidalia...

Note to self - remember when you have eaten beets to avoid awkward doctor visits.

Stereophonics

Yes, this would be the whole reason I decided to come to DC.  Hope its fun.  I am sure it will be awesome.

Hello from Washington DC

Will post pictures or at least commentary later

Morning Run Done

Haven't run in a few weekends. Been trying to do T25 first thing in the mornings.  This week I need am extra calorie push before the DC trip.  So decided to run in the morning.  Tgen double up on the T25 in the evening.

Getting it done.

Beginning of BETA

So we have completed week 1 of the BETA series.  Some of the moves are easier than Alpha.  Some are not.  It is markedly different than the first series of videos.  It is a nice change.
I feel different muscles too. 
So we shall see how the next 5 weeks go.
Of course I am traveling these 5 weeks so it will be a different outcome.  Sadly not as successful.
But going to keep pushing on.