Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! To be honest, I've never been a fan of the holiday. Growing up, anything in a costume scared me..and they still do! Don't ever let a clown or mascot get near me because I'm a bit terrified of them..

I was all set for trick or treaters tonight and not even one showed up on my doorstep! I couldn't believe it! Good thing I've been snacking on the candy all week...now I have to finish up the bag!

Sex and the City 2

I always love when new movies come on out DVD..but I am especially excited that Sex and the City 2 comes out tomorrow! I've been dying to see it again ever since I saw it in the theatre this past summer. I can't wait to snuggle on my couch and watch it tomorrow night.

Just keep swimming...

So this past weekend, I decided to run 2 races..yes not 1, but 2 in the same weekend! Since I started running about a month ago, I've really jumped onto this bandwagon. I mainly did the races to push myself out of my comfort zone.

I did the 5k Race to the Holland on Saturday morning with B..it benefited the youth orchestra here. On Sunday, I did the 8k race at the zoo by myself and boy what a doozy that was!

By signing up for my second 5k, it really forced me to continue to run when I go to the gym. Otherwise, I would definitely not be running everyday since it hurts sometimes and I get sore still. The 8k I did to really push myself out of the box. I can get stuck in a workout rut just like everyone else where I do the same ole' routine; running those 5 miles really forced me to try something new.

I ran the 5k in 34 minutes...not the best time in the world since I know I can do it in about 25 minutes. But, I'm still not used to running outside, especially when it's a frigid morning.

For the 8k, I really didn't know what to expect. Once I found out it was a very hilly course, I thought I was doomed. To be honest, my only expectation was to finish and I was hoping to finish around 1 hour and 5 minutes (my asthma still can get the best of me and I have to walk for a lil bit to catch my breath.) To my surprise, I finished in 51 minutes. I couldn't believe it and couldn't be more proud of exceeding my expectations considering I've never run 5 miles before.

So, it's official, I will do a half marathon now. I started to doubt myself and running when I was on mile 4 on Sunday. I was in pain from all the running and was so tired that I didn't think I could ever run a half marathon. But seeing a fabulous finish time got me even more motivated to train for one.

I'm still deciding on which one to do...I am really leaning towards the Disney Princess half marathon in March..

and off we go!!

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!

Well...we will add another addition to our NAM fam next year. Two weddings and now two babies!!

I am over the moon excited to let y'all know I'm going to be an auntie in the spring! My sister and her hubby are expecting. My family can not be anymore excited..with my mom and I being so anxious to meet the little one.

She finds out next month what the gender is of the baby and the suspense is killing me. Every time I go shopping I want to buy this lil snuggle bear things but everything is either pink or blue. There's no in between colors these days.

So I'll be waiting patiently until next month..

Walk this way?

So as I posted about two weeks ago, the bf and I did our first 5k together. I took it a bit more seriously running each day unlike the bf, who thought he would be a pro runner with no practice (gotta love him..)

I am surprised with the fact that I have actually kept up with my running each day at the gym. It doesn't matter how sore or tired I am, I force myself to get onto the treadmill...or outside since the weather has been gorgeous! As much as I dislike it the first mile or so I'm running, in the end I feel absolutely great.

Running my first 5k got me motivated to do my second one...so the bf and I signed up to do the Run to the Holland benefiting the youth orchestra this weekend. It's the first year for it and you had your choice of a 1 mile, 3 mile or 10 mile...needless to say we stuck with the 3 mile.

BUT! Recently I started running a 4 mile loop around my neighborhood. Most people might not think that 4 miles is that much, but for the non-runner that I still am, it was quite the accomplishment. A few days ago while browsing online, I came across an 8k at the zoo on Sunday and with a little bit of coaxing from one of my besties who is quite the avid runner, I signed up to do it...

that means two races this weekend! EEEK!!

I like that I'm running races because it really allows me to push myself which I might not normally do. Now I will admit, I am kicking myself for signing up to do both as I know that Monday I will be extremely sore...but I like that I'm taking myself out of my comfort zone and trying something new.

I'm not trying to get done in record time. I have goals for each race that I hope to accomplish..

So stay tuned over the weekend to see how it all turns out!

Nothing Bundt Cakes

We all know that I have a MAJOR sweet tooth...

Today I was at the Big O Show all day for work..luckily, samples of food got me through the long day! One booth was for Nothing Bundt Cakes, a new bakery coming to One Pacific Place. Just my luck too, right down the street from my house!

It was amazing cake with some even more incredible frosting. Check out their website, they have some adorable seasonal colors for the cakes. I am such a huge fan of cute bakeries like these..they always put a smile on my face. And it's nice to have fresh bakery items around the house. Now is only we could get a Sprinkles cupcakes here!

Date Night

Date night is one of my favorite things to do with my bf...we've both become so busy that it's quite the rarity but we make time for it.

One of our best dates (and easiest to decide on) is dinner and a movie. We recently started going to ingredient down at Midtown Crossing. The bf got one of those groupon type deals from a radio station so we got a $50 for $25.

They have tons of choices at ingredient, and best of all, everything is fresh and organic. Both times we've gone, we go the "date night" special on saturday night which is salad, pizza, desert and drinks. The pizza has TONS of different delicious and healthy toppings to choose from. It's gluten free pizza as well...which to be honest I was not sure how that would be, but you can't even tell the difference. I highly recommend this place..casual and delicious!

As for a movie, we much rather watch a movie at home then go out. Unless I'm DYING to see a new movie in the theatre, I can wait till it comes on my Netflix. Plus, I love snuggling with my pup!

This weekend we watched Letters to Juliet. I'm a typical chick flick kinda girl and this movie was adorable..even the bf liked it!

It takes awhile for the story to get going, but it's a cute love story that girls (and guys alike) will love!

Race for the Cure...

So..I've always hated running.....seriously disliked it with a passion. Any time I would try to run, within a half mile I'd give up because of the pain I'd get in my ankles and knees (years of dancing and ice skating have taken a toll on my body.)

Until recently, when I decided I wanted to run in the Race for the Cure. About a month ago, I forced myself into running. I started out just doing a mile here or there at the gym, eventually working my way up to three miles on a loop around my neighborhood.

It has definitely not been easy trying to get into running. Many times I wanted to stop or give up because the pain would get worse the farther I'd go and the more sore I'd be the next day..and I really hated that.

Through some pain, I've conquered my hate relationship with running and I actually like it now. This morning, my bf and I ran the 5k here and we ran the majority of the way. Our official end time was 37:50..however we had a slow start due to walker's being in our way. It took us a good 2-3 minutes to make it to the start line to run. I'd say for our first 5k that's pretty good.

Our goal was to run as much as we could and we ran almost 2 miles without stopping...he stopped for his shin splints, me for my asthma. I thought we'd continue to walk the rest of the way, but the competitive side of me got into the race and I wanted to beat every one else around me..

I was proud of our finish time and that we crossed the finish line together. We beat our goal and ran farther than we both thought we could...and now my competitive spirit has got the best of me and I'm searching for my next run! I'm hoping to do a half marathon or a 10k sometime, somewhere soon so stay tuned!!