Friday 5 Favorites

Hello Friends!  Happy, happy Friday!  I'm linking up with Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney today for the Friday Five!  Make sure to check out their blogs as well as the other amazing ladies and gents who are linking up.  I'm excited to see what favorites people are going to post.  Mine has to be quick today because Maddux and I are off on our next adventure soon!

1. Bark Box.  Yesterday was Maddux's favorite day of the month!  I was just about to head out the door for an oil change when we heard the mail man knock on the door.  Maddux raced to the door and I swear he had the biggest doggy smile when he saw it was for him!  I know that Bark Box seems expensive, BUT we have actually saved a lot of money.  I don't make nearly as many random stops at Petsmart anymore and I can guarantee you that I spent way more than $19 each trip.  This box is probably one of our favorites!  It was a beach theme and Maddux got a great haul of goodies.

"Give me my Bark Box, woman!"

This made me laugh.  Check out that bikini top haha!

2. Margarita scented candles.  During my last trip to Alabama, my mom and I wandered into Bath & Body Works.  They were having a sale on their big candles and I realized that while I have a ton of amazing fall and winter scented candles, I didn't have any for summer time.  When I saw the margarita one I knew it had to come home.

Please excuse the dust.

3. Hershey's Toffee and Almond Nuggets.  Usually I'm a dark chocolate girl all the way.  Give me the Lindt Sea Salt bar any day and I'm a happy girl.  Guys, these are an exception.  They are so good.  And they are little so it's like they don't even count as eating chocolate ;-)

Who ate all my nuggets?!

4. Cover Girl + Olay Tone and Rehab Foundation.  I love this stuff.  I don't wear it all the time, but my skin actually does look better after wearing it.  It's easy to put on, super easy to blend, and I hope they never retire it.  And no, we are not doing before and after pics of my face.

5. Amazing runs!  This should have been first!  My run yesterday was the best ever.  It was low 70s (it felt like late summer/early fall.  I was in running heaven!) and my paces were right where they used to be.  I had been really frustrated with the state of my running lately because to be honest, they have been slow and miserable.  I know the heat plays a huge factor in our paces, but it doesn't always make it easier to accept.  It was nice to have a great run again, especially when it was my long run for the week.  7 miles all checked off.  Because the weather was amazing this week, I did a random two mile run that was not on the plan.  It was nice to be running for the sake of loving running and not because it was part of a plan.  I hope this weather sticks around a while!

What are some of your favorites?  Does your dog get a Bark Box?    

Week 5 Recap and Sister Fun

This week was SO much fun!  I got to do some exploring at home and in Cleveland, Ohio!  While my training plan looks crazy from all the rearranging (I printed it out and stuck it on the fridge--think arrows everywhere) I'm proud to say that all of my runs are getting done!

Monday: 6 miles at the park.  This was supposed to happen in week 4, but I'm glad I waited.  This was not an easy run, but looking back at my last training cycle my last 6 mile run wasn't easy either!  It helped to look back and know that things started looking up last time.  Gives me hope that this go around will eventually get easier, too!

Wednesday: 5 miles on the 'mill.  The weather kind of sucked and I had a bazillion things I had to do, so no time for going away from home.

Thursday: 45 minute run on the new trail!  Maddux and I finally explored the park I drove by a few months ago.  We had a great walk and I'm so excited to have another place to regularly walk and run.

Friday: I made the drive over to Ohio and there was a circus going on in my sister's little town.  We didn't attend the circus, but we did have the chance to see the elephants get a bath!  It was a really neat experience.  After our walk to see the elephants, my sister and I headed to see Sara Bareilles!  It was a great time, but I was worn out at the end of the day!

Saturday: 3 mile run in Ohio!  Yep, another state checked off!  My sister took me to one of her favorite parks and walked her pup while I ran.  It was nice stretching my legs after sitting in the car so long the day before.  We headed to watch an Indians game in the afternoon and got to walk around Cleveland a little bit.  It's a really cool city and I can't wait to go back!

Sunday: My sister and I walked to get delicious donuts from a shop that's been around since the 1930s. After finally watching Frozen together, we headed to another great park near her house to get one last leg stretch in before my ride home.  The weekend went by way too fast!  It helped knowing that I will see her towards the end of the month!  We are meeting at our parents' house for more family fun!

Total Miles for the Week: 18.6

Total Training Plan Miles: 82.45

How was your week?  What do you and your sister (or brother, friend, whatever you have!) do together?

**Today I'm linking up with MCM Mama Runs, Run the Great Wide Somewhere, and My No-Guilt Life for Tuesdays on the Run!  Make sure to check out the adventures of these awesome runners!**

Week 4: Summer Training

As much as I love summer, sometimes I wonder if my training plan benefits from the flexibility.  I trained for Shamrock in the winter and didn't have nearly as much free time.  I knew I had to stay on top of my runs because most of the time the days they were scheduled were the only possible day to get them done.  Now, when I have nothing but time, I'm realizing that it's very easy to push a run back a day or so.

Wednesday: 5 miles on the treadmill.  I love AC.

Friday: 45 minute on the trail. This run was hard.  Usually when I hit the 45 minute point my training plan calls for I end up just going a couple more minutes until I make it 5 miles.  Not this time.  I couldn't wait to be done.

The pups ran around a lot on Friday, too!
We were all very sleepy at the end of the night!

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: Running Streak Mile.

Total Weekly Miles: 12.6

Total Training Plan Miles: 63.85

I took Saturday and Sunday completely off.  I was feeling a little achey and it was wonderful having a couple of days off.  I had a 6 miler on the calendar, but moved it to Monday (and checked it off yesterday!).

Cream says the best places to rest are the tiniest corners possible.

This week has been a fun one despite the less than stellar runs.  I had my sweet foster girl for the majority of the week, and I loved every crazy minute of having her.  Guys, she is the funniest dog I've ever met.  Before I took her to the adoption event she started her crazy run and hide the toys game.  I found 12 toys in my bed when I finally got her to calm down a little.  She really loved the huge zebra toy Maddux got for Christmas!

I got emotional as I said goodbye to her when she headed back to the boarding facility.  I know that she had to go back because of my travel schedule the next few weeks, but I hated saying goodbye knowing that she hadn't found a family yet.  Keep your fingers crossed for my girl!  She's shy when you first meet her, but it doesn't last long.  She is going to make a family very lucky!  To find out more about Cream visit Lucky Dog Animal Rescue's website.  Cream has asked me to tell her future family that she really loves toys and would like a huge basket like her foster brother Maddux!

How did your week in training go?  Have you ever fostered?  Does it ever get easier to say goodbye?!  I think any dog I have over 24 hours is going to make me cry when I say goodbye!

Friday 5: 4th of July Weekend

Happy 4th of July!  I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend!  I plan on enjoying this weekend to the fullest!  Make sure to check out how everyone on the Friday Five link up is celebrating by joining Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney!

1. Spending time with my pup.  Last weekend I had to go without him for DAYS because I traveled for the wedding and we have a couple other separations coming up.  I bought somebody some Frosty Paws as a peace offering.  Speaking of peace offering...

2. Maddux got a sister!  At least for the weekend.  Check out this sweet girl who is crashing with Maddux and me this weekend.  She is hilarious.  I don't think I've ever seen such a clumsy dog.  If you are looking for lots of smiles check out how to adopt Cream here.

She is obsessed with hiding in the blinds.  

3. Getting ready for my next adventure!  I get to see my sister so soon, but lots of laundry and cleaning have to be done first.  I HATE coming home to a messy house, and with two dogs it's been a little hard keeping things tidy.  Cream really loves pulling every toy (and Maddux has A LOT of toys) out of the basket and hiding them around the house.  I'm telling you, never a dull moment.

She kept running in and out of my room. I walk in to find this dog with a bed full of toys.

4. Checking off a 6 miler.  This weekend is supposed to be really nice!  I'm a little worried about my  IT band since it was giving me some issues on my 5 miler the other day, but hopefully it was just one of those off days.

5. Finishing the running streak!  It is officially over!  I am very excited to take a day completely off tomorrow.

Happy 4th!  How are you celebrating?

Week 3 Craziness

Week 3 seems like it was SO long ago.  I've been going and going and somehow have managed to get most of my plan done.  All I can say is thank goodness the Runner's World Run Streak is almost over.  My legs are really feeling it, BUT I've been a pro using the stick and my foam roller and it's gone by fast.

Tuesday and Wednesday: 4 miles on the treadmill followed by one mile outside.  Both of those runs felt really good.  The AC in the gym was much appreciated.

Friday: I had planned on running 6 miles at the park before heading out for my college roommate's wedding weekend, but only 4.25 happened.  I know I'll have to make adjustments based on how my body is feeling, but I couldn't help but feel a little discouraged.  I went through my training plan and knocked a mile off each of my long runs to help with the heat factor this summer.  Like I said, I'm ready for the streak to be over!  These legs of mine are tired!

Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday:  1 mile for the streak.

Total Mileage for the Week: 18.25ish.
Total Training Plan Mileage: 51.25

Over all it was a good week.  I managed to balance lots of travel and fun filled days with my plan and I have high hopes that I'll be able to continue to do so as the summer progresses.  As I've said before, I love running, but it's not always my number one priority.  This week being able to be there for my beautiful roommate as she tied the knot was the most important thing to me, so I'm glad that running was able to work itself around it.  The wedding was amazing and it was so much fun seeing some of my old friends (the bride and I went to both high school and college together!).

Who needs two straps on your dress when you have an awesome running line?

The day after the wedding my nice friend and I took a quick walk on the Noland Trail, my favorite place to run in college, before heading back home.  It was so nice to be back at my old stomping grounds for a few days!

How did your week in training go?  Been back to visit any of your old running spots recently?