My first week “back on the track” didn’t go quite as planned. I have been hovering on the edge of a cold and have had very little energy. I did get out and run, but only like 15 miles. Doh! Next week, right?

Sunday: 4 miles
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 3.5 miles
Thursday:Rest
Friday: 4 miles/ some speed work but I was too tired to do much
Saturday: Rest  

There were some other exercises in there too, but I hope my body successfully fights whatever it is fighting so I can increase my mileage next week.

But in more exciting news, I did two very drastic things this week.

1) I chopped off all of my hair!!

2) I bought red lipstick!

I’m like a whole new woman!

So that’s all from me! Here are some other things that caught my attention this week that you may be interested in:

Articles:

The Art of Manliness: Atticus Finch
Do you love the poor or hate the rich?

YouTube:

23 and 1/2 hours to change your life
Make Me a Pie! (and the outtakes!)

Pin of the Week:

(Original Source)

And finally, I had another photo shoot and updated my photography blog! Check it out! I’m always looking for feedback!

What’s the craziest thing you have ever done to your hair??

The writers of the song “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing” from White Christmas either loved public humiliation or they were significantly better dancers than I am.

Just a thought.

Another thought?

The creation of the personal cell phone have put me, and I assume many others, in an awkward situation. How many phone numbers do you know from memory? Seriously?

I know six that are still in service. SIX.

1) My parent’s home
2) My mom’s cell
3) My dad’s cell
4) My husband’s cell
5) My grandparent’s home
6) My old boyfriend’s parent’s home  

Now, you might think that’s pretty good, but let me explain further. If for some reason, I’m stranded somewhere without my cellphone, I would first call my husband who would be the most likely to answer and to help. However if he weren’t to answer…

My parents are not the best at answering their phones. Either the batteries are dead, misplaced, or just not in place that they can get without getting off the couch. It’s just probably not going to happen.

My grandparents are almost deaf. I could call and they probably wouldn’t hear the phone. Or if by some miracle they answered, it would be quite a struggle to get them to understand what is going on and how I need them to help.

Which leaves my ex-boyfriend’s parents home phone number. I can just imagine it now:

“Lori!! Heyyyyyyy.. it’s Abby. Abby, uh, Cruse. Yeaaaaaa it’s been awhile, huh?? Ummmm, I’m currently stranded and need a favor….”

I think I need to start spending my free time memorizing some numbers in my contacts just in case I’m ever stuck in that situation because that would be really awkward. Or I could just resign myself to hitchhiking. I’ve got a killer hitchhiker’s thumb already.

How many phone numbers do you have memorized? How many ex-boyfriend’s numbers do you have memorized? Be honest!

It seems as though I’m going to be in charge of cookies this Christmas with my in-laws, which is great because I love cookies and I can’t eat gluten.

Enter Martha Stewart stage right.

Enter Pamela’s baking and pancake mix stage left.

Cue delicious gluten free cookies.

I make these cookies each Christmas and everyone loves them and I really wanted a successful GF version. My doctor highly recommends Pamela’s products and said that you can use the baking mix in place of regular flour. So I cut the recipe in half (it makes a ton and I didn’t want 3 dozen lousy cookies on my hands), and simply subbed the flour. When I was rolling them, I used an all-purpose GF flour From Bob’s Red Mill that I don’t like (I wasn’t wasting Pamela’s on that).

And they are AMAZING. Similar in texture and taste. And Dave totally approves, which is always a difficult task (he’s so picky!).

There you have it! The first cookie in what will hopefully be a large repertoire of gluten-free recipes. Ok, I know it’s not my recipe, but that won’t keep me from enjoying them!

What are your favorite Christmas cookies?

I like gingerbread and peanut butter blossoms (next on my list…)!

November was not my healthiest month. I wasn’t sneaking multiple Big Macs or only exercising by walking from the couch to the refrigerator…No, I just wasn’t my healthy self.

There was my back problem and the problems that led to the Celiac’s diagnosis. And because of those things, I just haven’t been as active as I usually am.

Since this is all behind me now, I am promising myself that it’s time to get back on track. Er, get back on the track. My mileage has diminished and I’ve lost whatever speed I thought I had. Let’s fix that this week. So I’m going to add mileage each week and dedicate one evening to some kind of speed workout (I’m counting on you to bust my butt, Ashley!). Here are my goals to get back on track:

• Add about 2-4 miles to my overall mileage each week
• One speed workout a week
• One long(ish) run a week <–I’m leaving this one open to interpretation
• One total rest a day a week
• Good, gluten-free running fuel!

I’ll keep you guys posted! Is there anyone else who needs help getting back on track?

Getting back on track is never easy, but thankfully Champion has made it a little bit easier to keep up with my running. They sent me some Sports Bras in exchange for my honest opinion here on my blog.

The three sports bras all had different levels of support designed for different levels of activity. The thing is that I don’t need a ton of support to begin with, so I used them all for running and HIIT.

Champion Double Dry Seamless Reversible Sports Bra

This racer-back bra has a low level of support in my opinion but the website claims “bounce control” and I agree. But it might not be the bra I choose to wear at the track in the middle of summer by itself. Although it was more of a knit material, I still felt fully supported. This is the sports bra I would throw on when I was just working around the house or lounging around. Oh, and it’s reversible… so like two bras in one!

Champion Double Dry Compression Vented Sports Bra

This bra is designed for “high motion” sports. Its fabric is not as flexible and while I wouldn’t call it “uncomfortable,” it is not a sports bra that I could “hang out in” (if you know what I mean…). But while I’m running, there’s no bounce and I can’t tell I have it on, which is always the sign of a good bra. It has a mesh racer-back with a keyhole to keep me cool–which is excellent for sweaty people like me.

Champion Double Dry Absolute Workout Sports Bra

This bra is my absolute favorite of the three! It is so comfortable and roomy but still gives me all the support I need for the activities that I do. It’s one of those bras that I would wear to the track in the middle of the summer by itself, ya know? It’s pretty, too! Although Dave said it looks like a swimming suit. Which it kind of does, but that’s not a bad thing. Oh and like the others it’s a racer-back bra.

So would I recommend these bras to other runners and active ladies? Definitely! Each one offers something different, so it’s important to find the one that fits best with you lifestyle. And like I said earlier, I don’t need a lot of support, so I suggest that you look into other reviews if your girls are a bit bigger and are considering Champion sports bras. I’m really happy with all of them and so thankful to Champion for sending them to me! Thanks, guys!

Have you guys tried Champion Sports Bras? 
Who is getting back on the track with me?

P.S. Today I had the pleasure to take Christmas pictures of two very adorable children. Head over to my photography blog to check out a handful of pictures from the shoot! It will warm your heart!