Jingle Bell 5K and CELEBRATION!

Jingle Bell 5K!
Last Saturday J and I participated in the Jingle Bell 5K for the 3rd year in a row. Sistah Steph was supposed to join us, but weather promitted her from getting to Fargo Friday night (booh).

Two years ago, it was freezing. Last year, it was freezing. And this year, it was still freezing but not as cold as the past couple of years! We were going to do cute holiday outfits, but never had the time to do it, so our outfits weren't anything too special - besides our faux fur knee length holiday socks.


This was my best Jingle Bell 5K out of the three and I felt really good when I finished. The start wasn't too pretty, as the street was covered in slushy-sand-filled-snow. But, once we were on the path it was better - but crowded.


Let's compare the results:
2008: 39:16 (4 degrees with 10-15 mgh winds)
2009: 38:39 (5 degrees with 12 mph winds)
2010: 38:05 (11 degrees with a slight breeze)

Overall, it was pretty fun and I hope to do it again next year. It's become quite the tradition!

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3oth Birthday Party!

Saturday afternoon, my sister, brother-in-law, and another couple made it to town in time for my birthday celebration! The six of us shared some laughes and drinks over a few card games before heading off to meet the rest of the gang for dinner.

We had dinner reservations for Kobe's Japanese Cuisine. If you have never been to one, it is definitely a must. The food is wonderful and the entertainment is awesome! We all had our share of saki and moonshine - squirted directly into our mouths by our wonderful chef - the caucasian sensation!

After dinner a handful of us celebrated with saki bombs and I got to enjoy some fried ice cream!

From there we ventured over to a friends house to enjoy some drinks, conversation and play games. They had the XBOX Connect and that was supper fun!

My sister, friend, and BF did a great job putting together the evening's events. I am truly blessed and spoiled to be surrounded by such wonderful people! This has been the best 30th birthday, EVAH!!!

Birthday Ideas

As many of you already know, I will be turning the big 3-0 this year! December 9th to be exact, so mark it on your calendars!

I am not usually one who likes to make a big deal of my own birthday - usually dinner or drinks out with friends is enough for me. But, this year is different. I mean, it's my 30th birthday for cryin-out-loud and believe it or not, I am excited as one can be for turning a year older!

So, with that... there lies a bit of a challenge.

I really want to do something fun and out of the ordinary for my birthday. My sister, friend, and BF are willing to help plan something, it's just deciding what to do. Some of the ideas put out there consist of:

• A weekend trip to Las Vegas - for those that could make it, but tickets seem kind of pricy right now.


• A weekend get-away in a cabin somewhere in MN.


• Rent a party bus here in town and bar hop - not really my thing though


• Birthday theme party at my house - but what?!

Did you do anything out of the ordinary for your 30th birthday? If so, what? Do you have any wonderful ideas to share?!?! I know some of you out there are very creative and I am looking for all the help I can get!!!

Spoiled!

I was spoiled on my birthday by all my wonderful friends, family, co-workers, students, as well as my blogger/FB friends! I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such a great group of friends and family!

On top of a handful of giftcards to Target and Scheels (local sporting good store), my sisters and brother-in-law got me tickets to Lorie Line in Bismarck on the 23rd! I have seen her twice before, and can't wait to see her at the Belle! They also got me the New Moon soundtrack and I absolutely love it! My parents got me a cookie press, for making spritz cookies, to keep me busy until my real gift comes... the anticipation is killing me!

My students, loaded me with hugs, smiles, and happy birthday wishes. A couple students who are of different ethnicity sang me a song in their native language, danced around, and tugged on my ears. Supposedly tugging on the ears are well wishes and helps you grow! Too funny.

Asside from being spoiled, I did a two-fer yesterday. I guess some would say I had something up my butt, but I guess I just felt really good and extra motivated on my 29th birthday! I pumped out 14 miles on the bike in the morning and 4.75 miles on the treadmill after work! You read that right... 4.75 miles... running. And it felt great!

I am so excited to be running again, pain free. I still think I have it in me to get 45 miles in this month to meet my goal... only 31 more miles to go in 21 days. I know it's definitely do-able, I am just going to play it day by day and see what the legs can handle!

It's just a number

I can't believe I am 29. I had to stop and think a second when I punched in my age on the bike this morning. It's just a number to me. Life is great and I can't complain. I had an idea to post 30 things I want to accomplish before I turn 30, but I will just save it and post it as part of my goals and such for 2010!

Isn't today a National Holiday?

It's been a busy past couple of days, but I just wanted to post quickly my results of the B-Fit-B-Day Challenge and say thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes today, yesterday and the past few days! My Birthday party was awesome, I received some very unecessary gifts from friends and co-workers, and another wonderful dinner with friends this evening! I have the best friends and family evah!

My goal for the challenge was to go GOLD; completing the following within 24 hours of my 28th Birthday, and that is just what I did:

• 8 mile run (1:42:12, 12:46/mile average) - I complete this last night. I didn't think I would get through it, but I did. After the 5K on icy grounds Saturday morning, combined with a tight left calf from bouncing on my left foot while rockin' out on the guitar in Rock Band Saturday night, and not stretching enough after the past few weeks' runs, I was not in the best condition for this run, but I did it, with the help of a lot of walking. The first 4 miles went smooth as a baby's butt, probably averaging almost 11 minute miles, but it went downhill from there. My right knee started to get stiff and bother me, so I did a lot of walking and was able to finish.
• 2000M Swim (44:00, 2:12/100M average) - This I completed at the butt crack of dawn this morning, while most of you were still sleeping. This was the easiest of my 3 disciplines to do, as this is the distance that I usually do in the pool. However, the last 8 laps I really cranked it out and it felt great!
• 31.06 mile Bike (1:18:00, 23.89mph average) - This was supposed to be 28 miles. I did this workout today after school. I wanted to do it all on the spin bike but knew I probably wouldn't get 28 miles in spin class, so I jumped on an upright bike prior to spin to get in some miles first (9.36) and then added the results of spin class (21.7). It felt great.

Despite some previous negative comments about turning 28, I am okay with it! I am probably the healthiest and happiest I have ever been and I am thankful for that!

Tomorrow I am taking a rest day. I will be waiting for the arrival of my new dining room table and taking the time to check in on you guys, as well as piecing together my reflections of 2008 and my goals and aspirations for 2009! It's going to be an exciting year, I just know it!

Monday's Workout:
Run - 8 miles, 1:42:12, 12:46/mile average
Tuesday's Workout:
Swim - 2000M, 44:00, 2:12/100M average
Bike - 31.06 miles, 1:18:00, 23.89mph average

Today's Song: Green Day - Holiday (in sidebar)

Wonderful weekend!

Saturday morning I participated in the Jingle Bell 5K with a friend. It was 4 degrees that morning with 10-15 mph winds leaving the temps below zero. brrrr.. The goal was to just participate and enjoy it. The route was out and back and going out and into the wind was horrible, but the way back it felt like it was 20 degrees warmer, no lie. Even though I caked my face in vaseline, my cheeks this morning show some signs of wind burn. It was fun though, and I was proud of her pushing herself and running most of it! We finished in 39:16 approximately.

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I spent most of the afternoon trying to warm up and cleaning the house some for the evening festivities. A couple friends had planned a birthday party for me and I was excited to see all that showed up! The night consisted of a lot of food, games, and drinking, obviously. We were able to borrow Rock Band II from a kind man. When asked what he wanted in return, all he said was... "nothing...it is the season for giving, right?". Too kind.

It was so much fun! I think I played guitar for almost 2 hours with my shades on! I am thankful for all my wonderful friends that showed up and celebrated with me!
I hope everyone had a spectacular weekend. Tomorrow the kids don't have school because we have a staff development day. After work, I will head to the gym for an 8 miler to kick of the B-Fit-B-Day Challenge. Wish me luck!

27 Things

In an effort to write a post about my birthday, I have chosen to borrow an idea from POM. The following is a list of 27 cool things about being 27. Yes, this girl has turned 27. So, here goes...

1. A friend of mine told me that I am officially in my late 20's. I don't know if I am necessarily okay with that, but it is definitely a fact.
2. I enjoy being single and living by myself.
   
3. After ending a 4 year relationship... I don't have to listen to friends and extended family continuously ask me when I am going to get married...
4. Now I have to listen to co-workers and even people I don't know suggest people they can set me up with...
   
5. I think I finally realized I don't need to get inebriated to have fun...all the time... I think.
   
6. On a friday night, I would much rather curl up with a glass of wine and a good book, or watch a game.
7. I know what it's like to have a good nights sleep and would much rather prefer crawling into to bed at 9 than staying up until the butt crack of dawn (or after 11pm) partying.
   
8. I am settled into my career and comfortable with my job, where I am living, and what I have made of myself.
9. I have realized I am lucky to have found my passion in life... and enjoy going to work each and every day.
10. I am thinking about purchasing my own home. Thinking being the operative word.
    
11. I have goals; short-term and long-term.
12. I have done my best to accomplish my goals and have done pretty well so far.
13. I am responsible and pay off all credit cards each month.
14. I have a savings account that has usually only touched to pay off my student loan in huge chunks.
15. I am able to say no when someone wants to buy me a shot.. and I stick to my gun.
16. I know what kind of food is good for me and do my best to eat well.
    
17. I have also learned what kind of crap is bad for me and have cut that out of my diet... soda in particular.
18. When it comes to working out, I stick with it ... even if friends try to keep me out late.
19. I know my priorities.
20. It doesn't bother me when others tease me about my "obsessive" or "crazy" workout routine (involving my mini-tri and early morning workouts).
21. I am up earlier on the weekends... afraid to waste the day away in bed.
22. I have more self confidence.
23. I am still learning from my mistakes.
    
24. I make all my decisions.
25. I look for positive in every situation.
26. I am appreciative of those in my life. Both friends and family.
27. I know that life is short and I try to live it to the fullest each and every day.