Vacation, the Flu and Exercise

As I shared the other day, I started my Christmas vacation very enthusiastic about the prospect of running throughout it. After all, I was headed to sunny Florida! Why wouldn't I want to run in warm weather on the beach?!

Then, the flu decided it needed to take out my family over the holidays. First, my mom got sick. That meant missing virtually all of our family Christmas festivities. However, her fever broke before we headed down to Florida, so she still came along. Next, my sister got sick. She, unfortunately, was at the peak of flu horribleness when we left, so she stayed home. I woke up the morning we got to Florida with those beginning twinges of a sore throat and cough. Through some fanatical tea drinking and 12-hour nights of sleep, though, I was able to get through things with a bit more comfort than my mother or sister!

Sister (left)

Shirt: C9 [similar]

Pants: C9 [similar]

Shoes: Nike [similar]

Me (right)

Long Sleeve Half Zip: Nike [similar]

T-shirt: Gap Fit [exact]

Pants: Yogasmoga [exact]

Shoes: Newton Running [exact]

So, we did manage to get in one run before the flu struck. Christmas Eve Eve (two days before Christmas) was unseasonably warm in Indianapolis, so we took advantage of that and went for a run while listening to some One Direction (we're both fans and pretty unashamed about that). A few days later, though, my sister was down for the count and had to opt out of our family trip to Florida. My bout with the flu, though, fortunately held off until I was safely ensconced in 75-degree weather.

Sports bra: Lululemon [similar]

Shorts: Lululemon [similar]

Shoes: Newton Running [exact]

Sunglasses: Oakley [exact]

It was KILLING me not to go running in the amazing weather we have been having here in Florida! I've always been told that you shouldn't run if you have both body symptoms and head symptoms (e.g., muscle aches and pains combined with sinus congestion), so I waited until the body symptoms subsided to get my run on. I probably wasn't quite at the point where I should've been running yet, but I took it super easy (walk-running) and relaxed for quite awhile afterwards. Also, I'm not typically the running-with-no-shirt-on type, but I figured it was warm and everyone else on the beach was in bikinis, so why not?

2013 in Review: Part 1

2013 is almost over! It's been a busy year for me, mainly with work preparations for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, but there have also been a lot of fun adventures with friends and family! I've got quite a lot to review, so I'll do it in a few parts.

January

The year started off (as it usually does for me...although for in 2014!) in Florida, but I quickly headed from sand to snow and returned to Park City.

 I started skiing pretty regularly in January, so I gave in and bought my first pair of ski boots!

And that purchase was promptly followed by the purchase of my own skis!

Off the snow, I decided to run my first half marathon and opted not to train for it. While not the smartest decision I've ever made, I did, in fact, complete it.

In-N-Out is a must-have post-race. 

Julia and I went to Las Vegas after my half marathon for a bit of sun and fun.

I had my first Sundance Film Festival experience! Julia and I managed to get premiere tickets to A.C.O.D. (starring Adam Scott, Amy Poehler, Jessica Alba, Catherine O'Hara...and even more) despite being on the waiting list and sat in the front row.  

I was just a few feet away from these lovely actors. 

The month wrapped up with the Visa Freestyle International at Deer Valley...a truly wonderful event!

February

I worked at the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix, where I got to watch some amazing athletes do incredible things in the halfpipe, including Shaun White.

And then I got the flu.

 I decided that bangs were a good idea.

 I continued to ski as often as I could.

I explored Park City.

I worked at a skicross/snowboardcross event at the Canyons. 

March

I started volunteering a Furburbia, a wonderful animal shelter in Park City. They take animals from kill shelters and keep them at Furburbia as long as it takes to get them adopted!

 I skied my first black diamond at Deer Valley!

Nigella Lawson tweeted at me.

Yep, more skiing.

 Julia and I got crafty and made a bunch of homemade pizza. My personal favorite combination was ricotta cheese, peppers, garlic and bacon!

I went home for Easter at the end of March and, of course, normal hijinks ensued.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I kicked off my 2013 in Florida with my family...including my soon-to-be sister-in-law!

That's right, everyone...my brother proposed and his girlfriend Aly said yes!! I'm super excited to welcome her into our family (although she's pretty much been a part of it for awhile now)! 

Congrats to Jordan and Aly!! 

Holidays and Getaways

Long time, no talk!

Well, I'm back.  Life has been keeping me pretty busy! Since I last wrote, I've been back to Indiana, Colorado Springs, back to Indiana, down to Florida and back to Indiana again!  Of  course, now I'm back home in sunny San Diego, where I could not ask for more amazing weather.  It would be nice to be in Indy to see all the Super Bowl festivities, though!

Thanksgiving 2011 - Indianapolis

I was reunited with my baby Lolers! It took a few days, but she went right back to following me around and being my little cuddler!  It was tough to say bye to her again.

I also got to see my whole extended family for the first time in quite awhile (the last time I'd been home was 4th of July).  My grandma has been having some serious health problems since then, so I was most excited to see her!  We all went out to dinner before I left at McCormick and Schmick's downtown so that she could get out and see the lights around downtown.  It was a lovely quick trip home!

Weekend Trip - Colorado Springs

I made a random trip back to Colorado to visit with Margaux.  We had a fun-filled weekend of Christmas celebrations, charity events and cooking!  It was great to see her and to exchange gifts and just hang out.  As usual, the weekend ended much too soon!

Christmas/New Year's 2011/2012 - Indiana/Florida/Indiana

I flew to Indiana on Christmas Eve, had a whirlwind Christmas Day filled with family, then loaded up the car and headed south with my brother, sister and their respective significant others, Mike and Aly (my parents drove separately).  Our car ride was filled with letter games, AWOLNATION, me not sleeping (and thus keeping Jordan awake since he was driving) and old school music.  

When we got to Florida, it was a true vacation.  We slept in, stayed out late and spent the days on the beach. It was total relaxation!  I have no complaints...quality time with family and got to know Mike and Aly better!

Two weekends ago, I had my first visitor here in San Diego.  My dad came out for the Carlsbad Half Marathon and I got to show him around!  It was so much fun!  We went to the USS Midway (since there was a rare rainy day one of the days he was here), experienced the best of San Diego cuisine (including In 'N Out Burger, which Dad just HAD to have!) and explored.  We got a taste of theater at the Old Globe in Balboa Park and enjoyed the beautiful oceanside run in Carlsbad.  It was sad to say bye to him!  I wish I could bring all my family out here!!

That's the update for now...I'll try to be better about updating in the future!