Round-up!
January 8th, 2010 § 9 Comments
Back in my writer days, every once and awhile I’d have to do a “round-up” story on a series of events pertaining to one topic or event. They could be a pain in the ass, but they could also mean less groundwork as I (or someone else) had already been reporting on it. Today, I am taking that route and giving you a few pictures to round-up my past few days. On Wednesday, I took my first snow run.
If anything can be said for this, it’s that I enjoyed the bundling and feeling like a general hardass, but my lungs were seriously FROZEN rock hard solid by the time I finished, and it wasn’t even a full two miles. The Stadium Loop and I reunited and embraced one another’s company as old friends do. That is, until I ran past half a dozen restaurants doing what I can only imagine to be schlepping out last night’s leftover dinners and making way for new, fresh produce. Why is this a bad thing you ask? The smell. Goodness if I got a whiff of one more random smell (garlic! onions! meat! sewage!) I thought homegirl was going to keel over and proceed to dry heave. Nice visual, I know.
Post-run and post-hack my lungs out 2010, roomie and I ventured out to do some shopping at the outlets. Like any woman, I love a good deal and my oh my, did I get me some. I think I heard Chase screaming from the freezer: “I want to score major deals and make you happy wahhhhh!!” Sorry dude, all cash up in hurrrr.
“Hi my name is Caitlin and I love neutrals.”
My loot from left – sweater from Gap, three Artist T-shirts from J. Crew (I love these shirts, like I would marry them and make sweet cotton love to them) fancy button-up from J. Crew, black thermal from Aerie, planner pages from Kate Spade, cutest little Carrie Bradshaw tank from Gap (which was a whopping $3.69) This whole shopping spree cost what two of the shirts would have retailed at. Man I love a good deal.
Yesterday, I had lunch with two fabulous ex-coworkers at the Cafe at the Lofts. I met them at the job I returned to Pittsburgh for and they are the only good thing to come out of the six months I spent there. True, great friends whom I am so glad to have stayed in touch with. We just crack each other up – an hour is not enough time. Plus, who doesn’t love some office gossip, especially when you aren’t working there anymore!
They are readers and finally made their appearance on the blog!
I wish I could say that I stayed up and watched my favorite college team (if only by force) play last night, but I was nowhere near a TV when it was on. I still rocked out, though.
Alright kids, off to the grindstone I go. Happy Friday!!
Under Pressure
November 10th, 2009 § 3 Comments
Hi All! So sorry posting has been light – many things have been going on that are blog-worthy, but that other part of my life (aka work) is all-consuming right now. Short post for now – some things I have done since I last wrote:
-Visited Up N Running a premier running store about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh. This was my second trip, funny story as to why, but I got a new pair of kicks with just enough time to break em in before the race!
-Enjoyed awesomely awesome weather. Stadium Loop – YES.
-Enjoyed two Starbucks Peppermint Mochas. ‘Tis the season!
-Found out said Peppermint Mochas are available year round. Whhaaatttt??
-Twittered about discovery.
-Ran around two grocery stores on opposite ends of Pittsburgh to find my cheaper version of PM aka Liquid Crack. Proceeded to buy four bottles. No joke.
And finally -
I smiled, probably a few times. 
Be back soon, I promise!!
The Stadium Loop and Green Monsters
October 28th, 2009 § 12 Comments
So, for those of you who don’t live in or have never been to Pittsburgh, I wanted to give you a little imagery to give you an idea of what the Stadium Loop really looks like (plus, the nice Fall days are dwindling!)
Before I took off on my run, I fueled up the best way I know how:
Then I set off for my loop. It’s close to 2.5 miles round trip. I’ll let the pictures do the talking..
Seriously, GORGEOUS!
(This is also known as the Promised Land..home to six Super Bowl Trophies)
FYI Hines Ward (#86) is my favorite player. When I watch games, he is known as “my boy” or “my baby” I just go NUTS for him. I love his smile and don’t care if I am a “typical girl” for loving him – when it’s game time, he’s it.
Random fact: geese, ducks, squirrels, chipmunks and any other outdoor animal that scurries or can flap their wings FREAKS ME OUT. I tried to get closer to these geese and once they started honking I sprinted back. I am always paranoid they are going to attack. (A product of too much YouTube?)
As much as I love my runs, it’s always nice to come HOME!
And when I do, many times I make one of these bad boys.
A Green Monster!! (And two vitamins – the chewy kind, yes I am five years old.) These have been pretty big in the food/fitness blog world and they pretty much rock! There are many variations on the recipe, but mine consists of blending together:
1 cup ice
1 1/4 cup vanilla soymilk (I eyeball it now, so it might be a little more or less)
1 cup spinach
1 banana
1 T. peanut butter
few shakes of cinnamon
I usually put 2 scoops of protein powder in, too, but I have been out for a few weeks. So, as you can see, this is packed full of really good stuff – lots of protein and nutrients. It’s perfect post-workout when your body needs lots of replenishment. But, I usually drink one every morning. It’s made a great difference in other ways too – better (clearer, glowing) skin, and nail and hair growth! Yes, it’s green, but you cannot taste the spinach! It’s kind of like a vanilla milkshake with a hint of banana and peanut butter. Don’t knock it til you try it! And if you do, I want to hear all about it!!
<3
Pittsburgh conditions and loving your body
October 15th, 2009 § 3 Comments
Rain Shower
Feels Like
35°F
So yes, we turn the Point State Park fountain pink for awareness. Pretty cool, huh?
Old City, New Run
October 11th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Hello All! I’ve had a pair of really great weekends that have totally jump started my mood. As I mentioned in my last post, I was back in Philly last weekend. As many of you know, I lived in the City of Brotherly Love for about a year and a half after I graduated from college. I moved there to take my first job as a writer.
I learned so much doing that job and I grew and gained so many great experiences and insight and just an overall sense of self. I also sacrificed a lot and wore my body to the core working as much as I did. Why I am here and not there anymore is irrelevant – what matters is the place this City has in my heart.
I’ve returned twice since I moved away almost exactly a year ago. Each time was spent predominantly outside the City in the King of Prussia area where I lived. My most recent return was spent entirely in Philly and just as I predicted, I was flooded with nostalgia and I was so happy to be back.
Despite a late arrival and bed time Friday, I was up around 8:00 a.m. Saturday practically bouncing out of bed with excitement. The trip was pretty much a spur of the moment decision for me but once I knew I was going, I told myself no matter what, I would go running through the City one, if not both, mornings. I geared up and ran about 20 blocks from our hotel on Front Street to City Hall. The streets were packed with tourists – but of course I didn’t mind. I was so pumped to be running a new “course” just taking in all the sights and sounds I once took for granted.
I was pretty happy to start my day off right. The rest of the afternoon we wandered around South Street before returning to the hotel to go to the Pink concert, which was the whole point of the trip!
There is much debate about where to get the “best” Philly cheesesteak – in my opinion it’s Jim’s on Fourth and South. No matter what, if it’s your first time, you have to get the cheese wiz! It’s just not authentic otherwise.
I wish I could say I ran Sunday morning as well, but I had a little too much fun at the concert
This week I’ll continue training for the Thanksgiving Race! I am going to run outside for as long as my lungs and my body can tolerate it – another stadium loop tomorrow!
