run. roam. recycle.

Only my 3 was 13.. but who's counting? And it was actually a really easy week, since this was cut-back week. Next weeks LR will be back up to 18 miles. I really need to make a conscious effort this week to keep mileage down though, so I'll have to plan accordingly. Last week was 67, and I try to keep it at or around 55. Anything more than that, and I'm in my danger zone when it comes to injuries. I had a stress fracture back in November and had to take the whole month off - it drove me effing crazy! No need for that again. But to be honest with myself.. that funny feeling is starting to set back in right around my fibula by my ankle (where I had my sfx last time).. so as a precaution: (warning runners - avert your eyes)

Ugh that's never a sight you wanna see. ANYWAYS - its been a fun/busy weekend! We made the weekly costco trip and came back with the usuals: lots of fresh produce, and a bulk pack of Kashi Roll bars! My mom got salmon steaks and some other things too. I'm not sure if the produce sold at costco is genetically modified.. but it sure looks good, and you can't beat the price! Hahha Emma - this picture is just for you!
In the back is a big container of super big juicy plums (like 15 of them!), then a bag of 6 mixed color peppers, and a HUGE container of cherry (actually.. "splendido") tomatoes. Hahah I go through that tomato container in like 2 days though! So with this cornucopia of goodies, and the amazing weather we had yesterday - time to bust out the grill!!
We actually shovel a path out to the grill in the winter.. but today was a good grill day. Anyway, here's me (hot off a GORGEOUS 7 mile tempo with my dad biking along - 60 degrees!), scrubbing off anything that was burnt on last time =/ I only did the peppers because I was attempting to simultaneously write a paper.. so I didn't have tons time to spend prepping stuff. The picture makes the peppers look super greasy, but oh my goodness they were so good I don't care! At first I just ate the yellow pepper.. and then I realized - Who the heck am I saving the other one for!? Perfect accompaniment to a very good dinner!

The last thing to post (before this becomes a freaking novel!) is that yesterday I sent in my housing and tuition deposits, and did the little roommate matching and housing preferences for Northeastern. IT IS SOO OFFICIAL! Honestly.. I just can't stop thinking about it! There's a welcome weekend on the 12th but I wont be able to go since I flew out there in January=<

Well so long for now! I have to meet with my group for an arch project. Which means driving ALLL the way over to campus. In the rain. Yuck. I'm all about field trips.. but not in the rain.

So whaddya know.. it's been a complete turn around from my bummer of a day yesterday! It felt good right from the start.. despite only having 6.5 hours of sleep I felt unreasonably rested - so go I did! T/TH are almost always a gym day in the morning, because it gets me awake and energized for my loooong day of classes (9:45 - 3:45). In my first class, I got my big field report back - a sweet grade.. but sweeter still, an "outstanding work!"


Hah this is everything I have to lug around on T/TH. The mail tube is full of trace for drafting in my Arch. Studio, and yes - thats a T-square sticking out of my bag!

My friend made plans to bike with me for my run today.. and I knew I wouldn't have time to eat lunch first when I got home like usual. SO.. I stopped in the student union for a tide-over to fuel me through the run.

Hahha how's that for pre-run fuel? At first I thought I was gonna regret it around oh.. mile 3.. but it was actually fine! I ran like 30 minutes after downing this bad boy. It was the new Honey Frappuccino.. it was stellar.
BUT NOT AS STELLAR AS THIS LIL GUY! There was a basket of clearance stuff from Easter.. and I have this terrible obsession with to-go coffee mugs. Trust me - I did NOT need another one. But CLEARANCE! And look at that little bunny down on the bottom! There was no price sticker on it.. so the lady gave it to me for FIVE BUCKS!! Annnnnd she gave me my drink for FREE!

This is my friend Sarah and I down at the lake. It was 55 degrees today!! Ahhh it just made me so anxious for summer to come! I love this girl more than life - she's still in high school but we've been friends since I was like 6. She's a trooper too - she's always willing to bike with me. I might be solo for my LR coming up in two weeks.. so she offered to tag along for 18 miles! Like I said.. TROOPER. Today was a 6 (n some change) tempo run. I could have gone for forever with that sun shining!

As I said.. I'm back with pictures!!


This was the snow we were left with after yesterday's storm. It was coating EVERYTHING! This was taken this morning.. and right now at 5:30 it's at least half gone! Gotta love Minnesota..


No specific reason to include this photo.. except that I just loved all the colorful fruits down the line! I also had to get a snapshot of the wayyyy overpriced Naked and other brand juices.. $4 a bottle?? I don't think so!


This is only part of what I picked up.. but MAN! I spent $70 bucks at Lunds! I rarely shop there. My grocery store go-to's are: my local Co-Op, Trader Joes, and CostCo.


My famous (yes.. famous) pumpkin shake! Someone asked for the recipe.. so here's how I make it:
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 container vanilla soy yogurt
1/2 cup soy milk
1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder (*I forgot this when I first posted!)
pumpkin pie spice
a little splenda
3 ice cubes
and I'm pretty much in LOVE with my magic bullet. So in love in fact that we have TWO! That guy's not kidding.. it really is the ultimate party machine! I
My pumpkin shake, basking in all it's glory in Arch Studio. Gotta love my freebie Quality Housing 2 Offer bottle!

I'm off to running club in a little bit.. I believe there's only 5 miles on the schedule for tonight. Aah I'm just ready for it to be summer! I want to school to be done.. I wanna go back to work.. I want a TAN and WARM WEATHER. So hey summer.. hurry the heck up already!

I write to you from Auditorium 1 in the Bell Museum.. home of my lecture for Arch 1701. Today was a fabulous day.. and I expect it to only get fabulouser. (And I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I skipped my 9:45 class.. got 9 hours of sleep.. and had a sunny, early day of adventures!)

So this morning my chirping bird alarm went off at 6:00. I was ready to get up, and go to the gym.. but something told me todays lecture in Geog. of the Twin Cities wasn't going to be CRUCIAL for me to attend. So, alarm set to 8:00, and I get 9.5 hours of sleep! And YAY - it's SUNNY!!

I hit the gym for an hour and a half, and then high-tailed it down to Lunds because I wanted a freaking pumpkin shake. (I was gonna post about it last night.. but I get down to the fridge to find we were out of soy yogurt!) I did one of those in-n-out showers, made some FOOD to-go, and hit the road to make it to my 2nd class (arch studio).. only to hit major TRAFFIC!

I took lots of pictures today (grocery trip, pumpkin shake, angry traffic, ME!, the sunny/pretty snow) but I can't upload em' now.. because I'm in lecture! So make sure you come back!!