Eleven

Happy Sunday, everyone! Do you want to know one of the best feelings in the world? Being in Austin with not a single bit of homework to do, nor any real obligations. This doesn't happen often, in fact, I am not sure of the last time that it actually did happen. I have spent a majority of the day just lounging around, and that is perfectly fine with me, because tomorrow will be quite the day.

Everything's all ready for the CapTexTri tomorrow!

In an effort to bring back Survey Sunday, here are my answers to eleven random questions. Enjoy!

1. What is your dream vacation spot?

I have fallen in love with traveling, so my dream vacation spot probably changes every other day. Right now I'm dreaming of a family vacation to Ireland, Scotland, and England.

In terms of "spots," I used to think I was more of a beach person, but I have recently fallen in love with the Colorado mountains in the summertime. Cool(er) temperatures and unlimited hiking trails? Sign me up!

Hiking 37 miles with a 30 pound backpack - the best worst week of my life!

2. Did you pass your driver’s test on the first try?

I didn't have to take a driver's test, but I passed my permit test on the first try, if that means anything. 

3. What was you most memorable birthday celebration?

Oh gosh, I had some great birthday parties growing up. My most memorable is probably my 13th birthday party - Legally Teen - with four of my best friends. We had a dance party at a neighborhood pool club, and yes, my mom did in fact let me out of the house wearing pink on pink on pink.

4. Do you keep in touch with any teachers from grade school /high school?

Absolutely. I keep in touch with many of my elementary and high school teachers. Shout out to social media for making it really easy to do so. Many of my teachers made a huge impact on my life, and contributed to my wanting to become a teacher. Who knows, I might even be co-workers with some of them one day!

5. If you could only do one form of exercise from now until forever, what would it be?

This might just be the hardest question I've ever been asked. Okay, not really, but it is a tough one, mainly because I love discovering new forms of exercise. And as much as I love running, I am not sure I could run every single day for the rest of my life, so, we'll go with swimming. It's relaxing, a total-body workout, and I even manage to get myself a nice tan (and some pretty sweet tan lines).

6. What is your favorite dessert?

If any of you are surprised by my answer to this question, you are probably new here. And if you are new here, welcome to fitness & fro-yo. Please enjoy!

7. What was your favorite drinking game in college?

The "get-64 fl oz-a-day" game. Ever heard of it? ;)

8. If you could have any career, what would you choose?

I would love to open a really cute bakery full of sweet treats that are both healthy and delicious. Healthy eating doesn't mean you have to give up everything you love. Besides, a day without chocolate is a day wasted, right?

9. What is your perfect Friday night?

It depends. Sometimes I'm perfectly content curled up with a blanket and a good book, sometimes it's a nice dinner with friends, and other times I'm up for any kind of adventure, preferably something outdoorsy.

10. What is your favorite movie?

This survey is full of tough questions. I have many favorite movies, but here are my three all-time favorites:

• Remember the Titans
• The Parent Trap
• She's the Man

11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Texas Forever. 

Houston Rodeo

Texas sunsets. Nothing better.

Springs Back Triathlon

The triathlon that wasn't. There was a whole slew of things that prevented me from doing this race - it just wasn't meant to be. On Wednesday evening, I received an email from the director of the event saying the temperature of the water after the final temperature check was 49.5 degrees, making the swim a no-go. To compensate for the loss of the swim, one mile was going to be added to the run. I was bummed, because the swimming is my favorite part, but I'd rather not suffer from hypothermia.

The race was scheduled to begin at 7:00am, and since the race site was a good 30 minute drive from where I live, I set my alarm for 5:30am. So with the time change, it felt like 4:30am. I got up and got dressed quickly before preparing my breakfast. I popped two pieces of wheat bread in the toaster, covered them with peanut butter, banana slices, and cinnamon. This is easily one of my favorite breakfasts, and it is my go-to race breakfast, so I knew it wouldn't disappoint me.

After a quick breakfast, I left my house a couple minutes before 6:00am, arriving at Cross Creek Ranch at just about 6:30am. I got my timing chip, got marked up, set my bike up in the transition station, and filled up my water bottle when the director of the event made an announcement that, because it was raining and the roads were starting to get slick, they were going to wait 30 minutes before deciding whether or not the bike portion would happen. So, it was possible that I would have been left running just a 5K. I had already spent about 30 minutes standing around in the rain, and I was not about to spend 30 minutes more, so I made the decision to nix the race altogether and head back to my part of town. I'm happy with that decision because the wind and rain started picking up shortly after I left, and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees, so I'm not sure how enjoyable a race it would have been. There's always another opportunity to complete a triathlon! In fact, I just registered for this one! Sign up and do it with me!

(Source)

Since my original plans were thwarted, and I was already wearing my super cute bike shorts, I decided to hit the MAC for a tough interval spin class. It was a great workout, so I felt even better about my decision to skip out on the tri. After spin class, I headed upstairs to complete a quick all-over, no-weights-needed workout that I found on Pinterest. I changed it up a bit, but here is what my workout looked like in the end.

It was a good one - burpees never fail to leave me huffing and puffing! And before I sign off, I have to wish a happy 21st birthday to one of my very dedicated readers - Katie Smith! We are in the same small group in Austin, and she has to be one of the funniest people I know! I hope this shout out makes you smile!

Springs Back Triathlon

I don't have class on Fridays, yet I woke up at 6:43am this morning. I ate one of my banana-oatmeal-almond butter bars and drove over to Mt. Bonnell for round two of my Mt. Bonnell stair workout. The weather was great, but my legs were seriously lacking in strength and energy this morning. That is probably due to the fact that I went to a Body Pump class last night - my first in a while. I wasn't sore upon waking up, but as soon as I started climbing the stairs, I felt it.

So while I planned to follow my stair workout with a short three-mile run around Town Lake, I headed home to work on some homework instead, with the plan to get in a run or a swim later before my Young Life all-area retreat. I'm waiting for the sun to come out so I can work on my tan at the same time. I don't hate the fact that I can work on my tan in January.

Springs Back Triathlon

Yesterday, while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw a picture with the captian "triathlon training starts now." She attends UT with me, so I thought there might be a triathlon coming up in Austin. Even better, it's over Spring Break in Fulshear, which is right outside of Houston. I haven't attempted a triathlon since my run-in with the half-ironman in October of 2010. I love the idea of a triathlon, I was just not quite ready for that distance. So, I signed up for the sprint portion, because I don't know if I will be ready enough for the Olympic distance by March 10th, but I am excited for a new fitness challenge. Springs Back Triathlon, here I come!

Before 70.3

After - I'm not sure how authentic that smile was!

Hence, the need for a swim. I realized I haven't step foot in a pool since early December, so my swimming skills are going to be a little rusty. My plan is to try to swim laps at least twice, possibly three times a week. I absolutely love swimming, and doing it on a consistent basis is such good exercise. Swimming and cycling will have to be worked into my exercise routine, and I am excited to get started.

Now I am off to do some baking for our retreat this weekend, as per the request of my teammates. Happy Friday!

P.S. If you want to sign up for the Pretty Muddy Run in Dallas - which you should - be sure to sign up by JANUARY 31st and use this discount code: girltime (all one word). This is the cheapest it will ever be, so be sure to take advantage of it!