Friday 5: Things I'm Lovin'

Poor blog has been neglected lately.  One day I hope to get back into a consistent place with writing (and reading!), but for now it looks like I'm just sticking to the Friday Five with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney!  Make sure to pop over and check out the link up!  Since my running has been in a sad place lately, I'm back to my usual Things I'm Lovin' post!  One day I might surprise y'all and mix it up!

1. Foster pups finding their families!  I picked up my latest foster pup on Sunday and he was adopted on Thursday!  Although I didn't have him long, I really loved having his adorable energy and sweet puppy snuggles for the week.  I must say though, it was a big change from our usual pace, and I think Maddux and I were both a little relieved when we could get back into our normal groove.  Congrats to Todd and his new family!

Todd really loved Maddux and all of Maddux's toys.
Guess how Maddux felt about that.

2. Volunteering with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.  Yes, you guys know this, and it totally goes with #1, but it is worth repeating.  They appreciate their volunteers so much, and I'm sure I get on their nerves with all my questions, but they never show it!  They work incredibly hard to find their pups the best home, and I highly recommend getting involved with them.  They have events in Virginia, Maryland, and DC, but there are a thousand ways to help out.  If you are an animal lover you will have a lot of fun.

Time flies when you get to hang out with cute pups like Todd!

3. Library E-Books.  (And let's be honest, the library in general.)  I really love my nook, and it's nice being able to check out books so easily.  While I love purchasing books, I try to only do it with books that I know I will want to share or read again.  I read a lot of mysteries, and they aren't quite as fun the second time.  My library also makes it easy to check out physical books.  You just go online, put your book on hold, and then you can run in and grab it off the holds shelf.  (I use the self check out, too, so I can be in and out of the library in less than 2 minutes.)

4. Luke Bryan's New Music!  I (and every other woman) love me some Luke Bryan and I have been really excited that new music is coming out!  My sister and I are going to see him this summer and his new album is coming at a perfect time.

We <3 summer concerts!

5.  Feeling ready to run again.  I have been taking a big ol' break since Shamrock, and while I've still been going to my run group and signed up for a couple of races, my heart just wasn't really in it.  You know you're ready to train again when you obsessively start searching for races.  I have three (!!!) half marathons I want to sign up for this fall, and am trying to decide if it's doable or if I may be a little crazy.  I'll share more after I send my credit card up in flames from registering!  They may have some big challenges thrown in, so I'm pretty excited about figuring out how to adjust my training plan!

Shamrock, I miss you! Can we relive that weekend?!

What are you loving lately? Happy weekend, friends!

Weekend Update

Happy Monday!  I'm linking up with Tara over at Running 'n' Reading.  I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Mine was pretty relaxed as far as running goes (Shamrock is THIS WEEKEND!), but I did have a pretty exciting weekend!  I got my sixth foster pup from Lucky Dog and she filled my weekend with lots of smiles.

Meet Sue.

Check out that happy tail!

Sue is an adorable shepherd mix.  She's about two years old and is an all star snuggler.  When I got to the transport site to pick her up she wasn't quite ready to be released.  We locked eyes for a second and her tail started going.  It was like she knew we were going to be best buds.

It was a rainy, gray day so the pups and I spent a lot of time inside.  Sue looked like the kind of girl who would appreciate some Gilmore Girls, so we got a few good episodes in.  I was really happy that Maddux and Sue got along so well together.  Honestly, Maddux is pretty indifferent towards all the fosters and I'm completely ok with that.  They spent most of the time sleeping on the couch in peaceful harmony.

On Sunday Sue and I headed to the adoption event to search for her forever family.  Unfortunately Sue pup hasn't found her family yet, but I don't think she'll have much trouble.  She is so cute, so sweet, and is going to make a terrific pet.  Since I'll be traveling for Shamrock this weekend I could only overnight foster her, but if she somehow doesn't find her family after I get back I'm reclaiming her as my foster!  I would love to spend some time working with her to help her get over a little of her shyness.  You can find out more about adopting Sue (or another Lucky Dog!) here.

Love those ears!

My wonderful friend Laura (she's also a big fan of J&A races!) came to volunteer with me and we grabbed a quick coffee together after the event so we could spend a little more time catching up.  I'm so thankful to have friends who support my love of Lucky Dog!  Most of the rest of the day was spent giving my own pup a little extra love.  He is so good at sharing his space, but I don't want him to forget he's my number one!  His March Bark Box came at the perfect time!

Tell me some good things about your weekend!  Have a fabulous week!

Weekend Recap

This weekend flew by!  I feel like every weekend lately has had something going on and while that's great and I look forward to all my plans, it makes time go by so fast.

Friday night I took it easy and did twenty minutes on the elliptical followed by a little over a mile on the treadmill.  I'm trying to ease into this whole working out routine again, and it's been tough!  On Saturday I vowed to run 3 miles.  I headed to the park and was surprised to see that a big (for my little park) festival was going on!  Luckily I got there at the beginning and found a parking spot easily.  I figured I would head up to the festival after I ran to check it out.  After two miles of running I thought I was going to die.  I walked for a while and then conquered the last mile.  It was such a gorgeous day that although it was frustrating that I had to take a walk break I didn't mind the being outside part of it.  I walked over to the festival after my run and on the way back to my car decided that I may as well run back.  I felt so good that I decided to go ahead and finish another mile.  4 for the day!  I think that's more than I had run in all of May eek.

Later Saturday evening I went to pick up my newest foster pup!  She was so, so sweet, but very shy.  Luckily she got adopted right off the bat at the event on Sunday to a great family.  She even got a corgi mix brother, score!

Since it was another beautiful day, Maddux and I headed to the park after the event and walked for over an hour.  He was so energetic, which was a nice change from our rather sluggish pace we've had lately.  I guess he was happy his foster sis found a home!

Happy Tuesday!

Celebrating my Anniversary

Last Wednesday was a very special day.  It marked the TWO YEAR anniversary of bringing my Maddux home!

This is us on the first day I had him and on our one month anniversary.

Not much has changed.

On Sunday Lucky Dog was having their adoption event at the same exact place where I got my pup.  I felt it was symbolic and that in order to keep good doggy karma I should go volunteer and help another pup find its home.  I got to hang out with this cutie for a few hours and we even sat next to the tree where I first met the love of my life.

My newest bud, Lucky!

The rest of the weekend was pretty much spent just reading, relaxing, and eating these delicious pancakes.  

I made it to the 'mill on Sunday, but man it was tough.  I ended up running 3.25 miles, but had to take a walk break after just half a mile!  I think it was probably majority mental, but I was proud of myself for sticking it out and finishing up even when all I wanted to do was curl up on my couch with my dog and my book.  

I've been feeling the effects of the pollen the past couple days, so while I'm aiming for some intervals tonight, I'm going to try to play it by ear to see what I'm up for.  I'm debating on signing up for a fall half and want to start building up a base so I can hit the ground running (ha ha funny I know) this summer.  

Hope everybody's week is off to a great start!

I Made a New Friend!

Today Maddux decided we should get up at 7am, an hour and a half earlier than I set my alarm.  After a quick walk and breakfast, he went promptly to the couch.  Guess he didn't want us to miss any more of the Olympics.

Lookin' good, USA

Today, no lies, is a rest day.  I kicked it off by volunteering with Maddux's mothership, which is where I met my new friend!

Meet Bama :-)

Bama is a sweet, sweet girl and I had so much fun hanging out with her today while she waited to find her forever home.  While she was really nervous around new people (there was A LOT going on, who could blame her?), we quickly became besties.  Even though I love getting to love on the adoptable dogs when I volunteer, I'm always thankful to be back with my pup when I get home.

Maddux, you are OBVIOUSLY my #1

Yesterday I took my speed work to the treadmill.  I was nervous to do it outside after my less than stellar outdoor runs this week, plus I knew that I would be able to push myself to meet my times if I was on the 'mill.  You know, run or fall off.  

My ~55 minute workout looked like this:

1.0 incline

.5 mi warm up at 6.3 

.5 mi 7.1 (3 minutes of walking between each interval)

.5 mi 7.1

.5 mi 7.2

.5mi 7.1-7.2 

.5 mi 7.2

.5 mi 7.2-7.6

.65 mi cool down 6.3

~4.15 miles of running total in 35:11

I was really happy with my effort.  It felt hard, but strong the entire time.  I'm actually surprised at how the intervals kept my interest.  I didn't get bored and it was fun pushing myself.  Hopefully this will come in handy on race day :-)

On a more random note, remember that time I made homemade granola?  Well, I found a recipe that I like more AND it was much easier to make.  

Browned, not burnt

Basically, you melt 2 tbsp of honey and 2 tbsp of peanut butter together, mix in 1 cup of oats, 1/4 tsp of vanilla, and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon, and bake at 325 degrees for 7-8 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.  No constant stirring required.  Thanks Julie at PB Fingers for making my life better!  Your recipe rocks.

I'll leave you with another picture of the love of my life since I talked about another dog probably more than he would like.  Hope you're having a happy weekend!