Friday Favorites

Another week bites the dust! Am I the only one who is astonished that it is already March?! Holy crapoly... this year is FLYING by! Anywho, enough about the past, let's focus on the present - and everything that I am loving these days!

QALO Stackables

If you follow me on social media, I'm sure you've seen my hand before (whether it be in my #CarleesTreasures shots or selfies-a-plenty). And you've probably noticed that I love stacking my classic QALO wedding bands (I am not ashamed to admit that I have nine of them in different colors). Well, earlier this week they actually released a stackable line! There are five colors and four new styles (as opposed to the standard rings I stack). Can you say AWESOMESAUCE?!

Sun Bum Beach Formula - Hair Lightener

Please tell me I'm not the only one who used to use "Sun-In" when I was younger. Well, Sun Bum released a better version of that old school hair lightener, Sun Bum Beach Formula - Hair Lightener, and I am digging it. My hair normally lightens on its own during the summer, but why not help it out a little (especially since it's only March ;)). Sun Bum's Beach Formula Hair Lightener is specifically formulated to brighten and tone your locks by amplifying the natural highlighting effects of the sun. Infused with Costa Rican pineapples and Hawaiian Lehua honey, their special UV-activated blend creates natural subtle tones and beautiful highlights without the brassiness hair lighteners can cause.

Being Used in Race Material

A friend on Twitter mentioned that a picture of the hubby and I had been used in an email blast for a local race, the Cinco de Mayo Trail Run. Sure enough, I checked my inbox and there we were, staring right back at me! It's a little surprising, but fun at the same time. PS If you're in the San Diego area and want to run a trail race with us, we'll be there again this year (tackling the treacherous 10K... okay, maybe it isn't "treacherous", but it's a pretty tough course).

Rock 'N' Blog

It's an honor to report that I was accepted into the Rock 'N' Blog crew for a second year in a row. WHOOO HOOOO! Not only does that mean I get a few perks myself (like entry to some of the Rock 'N' Roll races), but I get to spread the love to you too! If you use code "RNB15" you can save $15 on most Half and Full Marathons offered by the Rock 'N' Roll series! As of right now I am planning on running the Carlsbad 5000, the San Diego Half, the Los Angeles Half and the Las Vegas 5K and Half (but could be talked into more ;)). I hope to see you out on the course(s)!

What are you loving lately?

Healthy Habits ((Updated))

Okay, so it's been a little over a week since I posted about the Healthy Habits I was aimed at tackling over the Lent season. Well, it's been a little over a week and I have to be honest, I am stopping two of the five...

Apple Cider Vinegar

I had heard so many awesome things about this stuff. Folks have said it helps with an array of ailments ranging from headaches to digestion and just about everything in between.

Source

Although the smell still makes me want to gag, I was finally able to start getting it down the trap when I added 8 ounces of water, 1 tablespoon of agave nectar and the juice of a fourth of a lemon to the 2 tablespoons of ACV. I know I probably needed to give it longer than 10 days, but I decided to stop. My mouth was getting a little weird (sort of like when you eat too many pickles and the inside of your cheek starts to get prune-y) and since I didn't have any noticeable benefits I thought I'd stop. {{PS I am not 100% that the mouth "weirdness" was from the ACV, but since that was one of the only things that I knew I had changed I figured I'd rather be safe than sorry and cut it out.}}

Three Positives

I knew that this habit was going to be the hardest, I guess I just didn't realize HOW hard. But I didn't stop because it was hard... or at least that is what I'm telling myself. So, in case you didn't read the post with my healthy habits, one of them was about keeping a journal and writing down three positive things about myself every day (in hopes of increasing my self-esteem and helping me to see just how amazing I really am ;)).

Well, when I realized that I was having to Google "positive attributes" by the second day of the month I knew I was going to be in trouble. In fact, instead of helping me love myself more it was reinforcing how much I disliked myself (and how I couldn't even think of six positives). Now I am not saying that I'm giving up on working on my self-esteem, but I've ruled out the journal as the way to tackle that goal.

Source

Let's be honest, I did NOT want to share this post with the world (and by world I mean my parents who religiously read my blog and the four other of you who check in occasionally ;)). Who enjoys telling folks that they failed/ dropped the ball/ came up short? I know I don't... but hopefully by now you know I gotta #KeepItReal and appreciate the fact that I am going to shoot straight with you no matter what. And you know what?! I am still rocking the Squat/ Push-Up Challenge, flossing daily and haven't had sweets for over a week - so I guess I am batting over .500!

So here's to finding what works and what doesn't, taking the positives and leaving the negatives, and moving on with life with our heads held high because we are doing the best to be our best!

Did you give up anything or add any healthy habits for Lent?

Removing The Pressure

Let me start by saying Happy International Women's Day! 

Source

It is a complete honor to have so many strong, fierce, courageous women in my life. Thank you to all of you who build me up, dare me to be my best, come alongside of me to tackle life as part of my tribe and love me despite my flaws. My life has been enriched, challenged and spurred on by each and every one of you - and I am forever grateful!

Source

With that said, I wanted to speak to the women (maybe this'll speak to men too, but I think it's directed more towards lady hearts). Hopefully you can follow along, but a word of warning - this post may jump all over the place. I feel like I've had a few things running through my brain that I need to get out (and maybe one or two of you might need to hear it).

In our small group, we are going through the book "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. All of the couples have found great nuggets of wisdom (whether it is learning about ourselves or our spouses) and are finding it overall beneficial. Towards the end of group we split into guys and girls (the thought is we are more likely to bear our soul to our ladies than in front of the entire group). Last night we started talking about what we thought of the study thus far.

Source

I went first and mentioned that although this book has been eye opening and has given Ryan and I a few tips and tricks on how to love each other better, it has also added a lot of extra pressure. It's like, now that I know how he "hears" love, I need to should be doing my best to "speak" it in that way. Don't get me wrong, I love the hubby with all my heart and WANT TO show him love, but for some reason this brings with it the feel of responsibility and pressure.

It got me thinking about other areas of our lives that we put undo pressure on ourselves (maybe this is just me or women in general, but a few of the wives felt this way when I mentioned it so I thought it at least important to mention).

I feel as though women put so much pressure on themselves to be perfect... and social media does NOT help this. It's like the standards of what a "good" woman or wife should look like are so much higher than they were a few years ago. We see pictures of moms with all of their happy kids getting along and we get down on ourselves because our families are far from "perfect". We read a post about how a friend juggles a full time career, family and triathlon training all while having her make-up perfect and we wonder why it is difficult for us to get the laundry done. We take a minute (or twenty) to open Facebook or Pinterest and walk away feeling defeated, as if we aren't doing enough.

Source

Call it Satan whispering lies into our ears, consumerism and marketing ploys telling us that we need the next best thing to make us happy, or popular culture driving in the idea of what "success" or the American dream should be, but whatever it is WE DON'T NEED TO LISTEN! Believe me, I am not saying that it is going to be easy or that it isn't going to take work, but we can be proud of ourselves (while still working towards other goals), we can celebrate our accomplishments (even if they aren't the same as someone else's), and we can love ourselves (flaws and all).

Source

Let's lift off the burdens that are burying us, strip off the pressures that we are adding on our shoulders and let go of the loads that are weighing us down. I think we will find that once we can release some of the weight that we will be able to breath easier. And with a calmer and happier self we can go out and tackle the world (not because we need to be perfect but because the world deserves us to be the our best versions of ourselves)!

Source

What pressures do you put on yourself?

Workout Recap - Week 9

Sunday, February 26th – Rest Day, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, February 27th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, February 28th –  4 mile run (first solo, last three with the hubby), Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, March 1st – 6 mile progression run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, March 2nd – Strength Training (abs, back, legs and arms), 4 mile progression run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Friday, March 3rd –  12 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Saturday, March 4th – 3 mile run with the hubby, Stretched & Foam Rolled

I'm in this weird spot. This was technically my first week back after the Mesa-PHX Marathon, but then again I have the Los Angeles Marathon in two weeks so I guess I'm tapering for that. I guess I'll just take the 29 miles for the week as a win and move on.

How were your workouts this past week?

{Not My} Friday Favorites

I thought I'd switch up my Friday Favorites post this week and share some things that I am NOT digging... I did this once, and was actually a little nervous that I would get a lot of backlash because some of the things I didn't enjoy were pretty popular things (i.e. coffee, beer, pumpkin flavored items, etc, but it was a growing experience for us all ;) I learned that some of you didn't love the things too (and the ones of you who did didn't love me any less because of it or at least you didn't tell me to my face). So, I threw on my big girl pants and put out my gripes for the world to read...

Getting into a vehicle and everyone gets on their phone... 

Quality time is one of my top love languages, so it is no surprise that when I get into a vehicle and everyone jumps on their "magic boxes" it irks me to no end. If I am ever riding with you I will do my darnedest to keep my phone away and engage with you completely (because I know how much I hate it). I've actually had quite a few people mention how "good of a passenger" I am, but I think it's only because it is so much of a contrast to the norm. (I actually try to only get on my phone when I am not with others so that I can focus on them, even if that means not checking social media for a couple days when I'm on a trip or ignoring notices for a few hours while hanging out with friends.) PUT DOWN YOUR DEVICE AND ENGAGE!

Source

Packing...

Although packing normally signifies going on some fun, awesome trip, the packing part is a drag. And the funny thing is, I used to love it. I would pack like a week or two before leaving and now it seems as though it is the final thing I get around to do (like within the last hour or so before we head out the door). I don't know when the switch occurred or why it happened, but lately packing has NOT been my jam! But, don't you worry your pretty little head, I always get it done and will never turn down an opportunity to procrastinate throwing my goodies in a bag for an adventure.

Source

Adulting...

The hubby and I have had to do some "adulting" lately - like deciding whether or not we want to renovate our condo, having to file our taxes, making decisions about health insurance/ job situations/ etc. And, just in case you weren't aware, being an adult can be stressful... and not very fun (although, let's be real, they are #FirstWorldProblems)! Anyone wanna run away with us and leave all of these real world dilemmas behind?! Who knew our parents actually knew what they were talking about when they told us we shouldn't try and grow up too fast...

Source

What are you NOT loving lately?

Forgiveness

Forgive me, but I am going to stray off of the normal running/ training posts and dive into something a little more serious... And isn't it fitting that I asked for forgiveness to do this, since that's what this post is going to be all about?!

Source

Without getting too much into the back story (because that isn't what is important), I want to start by saying that something happened a few years back that rubbed me very wrong. Again, the specifics no longer matter.

Well, I got mad. I got angry. I got bitter. And I did NOT want to let it go. You see, I wanted that person to "pay" for what they did. I wanted them to feel the pain that they had inflicted on me and my family and I thought the best way to do that was to "show them" by making a point and holding on to the hurt.

Now, don't get me wrong, I know that Jesus teaches you need to forgive those who have wronged you (I mean, if He can forgive me for the multitude of sins I have committed {and will continue to commit}, then it is not only obvious that I should do the same for others, but I am commanded to do such), but I'd try and justify why my situation was different.

This pattern went on for a good two years (what can I say, I'm pretty good at holding grudges). I would say about a year ago I finally felt God pulling at my heart strings, telling me that I needed to let the situation go. (PS That is NOT to say He wasn't trying to get my attention earlier, but recently is when I started feeling half way open to the idea.) I flat out threw hissy-fits, pounding my fists on the ground yelling to God that "He doesn't know how much this person hurt us and doesn't deserve my love or respect" (okay, maybe it wasn't literal tantrums, but you get the point). And He would continually (lovingly of course) nudge and remind me that I wasn't called to forgive because someone deserves it.

Source

I know some of you have started rolling your eyes and are two seconds away from closing this post because I "got all religious", but let me urge you to keep reading. Because, no matter your faith, I believe forgiveness is something we all must learn to offer. You see, I thought I was "showing that person", but in fact the only person I was hurting was myself (and those around me because I would get into a nasty mood when the person was brought up). I love the quote below because it so precisely describes the situation of not forgiving.

Source

Anger, bitterness, resentment, it's not hurting the other person. You are giving them head space rent-free and YOU are the only one paying for it! I gave this situation THREE YEARS of my life. Three years that I will never get back! And all the while that person went on living their life (probably oblivious to the fact that I was stewing on it for so long)!

Now I am NOT saying forgiveness means that you are ignoring, forgetting or approving of their actions, that everything is instantly healed or that you need to welcome that person back into your life, but we need to move toward forgiveness. And not for them, FOR YOU! They may not deserve it, shoot, they may not even ask for it, but you deserve peace.

But hear me out, it will NOT be easy (or at least it never seems to be that way in my life). I would say it took me a good year of working on it to actually notice that I had let the situation go. It took a lot of work (praying for them, praying for God to soft my heart, praying for the situation), but I can't tell you how awesome it felt to realize a couple of weeks ago that the weight I had been dragging along with me for so long had finally been lifted off my shoulders.

Is there someone you need to forgive? 

Lent :: Healthy Habits

The hubby and I are not Catholic and do not actually participate in Lent, but I thought that it would be the perfect time to add in some healthy habits. Doing something with the intent of only having to follow through for 40 days makes the activity a little more doable in my mind. Also, since Lent starts today and it is the first day of the month I thought it was pretty perfect timing. So let's jump in and see what I'm going to commit to for at least the next 40 days.

Flossing

We all know we are "supposed" to floss daily, but who actually does it? I used to be pretty good about it (flossing maybe four or five times a week), but lately I only bust out the floss when I've got something stuck between my teeth (corn-on-the-cob anyone?!). This will be the kick in the butt I need to get back on the bandwagon!

Source

Apple Cider Vinegar

I've been hearing a ton about the benefits of apple cider vinegar lately. When I mentioned it to the hubby he was all about giving it a go. We actually started taking it two days ago, but I want to stick with it for at least 45 days to see if I am reaping any of the benefits. (PS In case you don't follow my Instagram stories, let's just say shooting it straight is a little rough, but I've found that diluting it in a cup of water and adding some fresh squeezed lemon and agave nectar helps it go down a lot easier.) (PPS {or is it PSS?} I plan on sharing post about my experience with it once I've given it the old college try.)

Source

Squats & Push-Up Challenge

I originally saw this challenge on Stephanie's Instagram (@runtrimom) and wanted to jump on - the only issue was it was a couple days before the Mesa-PHX Marathon and I didn't want to overtax my legs before the race. The challenge is 30 days, so for the final 10 days of Lent I will just continue increasing the number of push-ups and squats by a few.

Source

Give Up Sweets (i.e. cookies, candy, ice cream)

I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but I do love some gummy treats every now and then. I don't think this will be crazy hard, but then again, maybe it will be eye opening on how often I nibble on a cookie or piece of candy here or there.

Source

Three Positives

This one might be the hardest, but I also think it might be the most important. If you've been around these parts for an extended period of time you have probably picked up on the fact that self-esteem is something that I struggle with (shoot, hating myself is one of the only things I have perfected in my life, but then again, I've also had 32 years to get it down to a science). Sometimes you just have to fake it till you make it. I can't continue preaching that others should spread love if I can't even offer it to (or accept it) myself. So, the goal for the next 40 days is to pick three things a day that I love about myself and write them down. Maybe I'll share them with the world, maybe I'll keep them to myself, who knows. But all I know is I am going to start putting in the work so I can get on the path of accepting me for me.

Source

I don't know if any of these habits will last long term (or if I will even see a benefit), but I am committing for the next 40 days to tackle these healthy habits and see what comes of them.

What healthy habits would you like to add to your routine?