Weekly Reads: Goodbye Stranger

When I saw that Rebecca Stead was coming out with a new book, I was ecstatic. And then I was even more excited when I got an e-ARC of the book to read and review/promote to library customers. Her Newbery award winning book, When You Reach Me , is one of my all time favorite books.

Goodbye Stranger did not disappoint. It dealt with a lot of middle school issues like peer pressure, relationships, friendships, but did so in a truly honest manner. And the unnamed perspective that is woven into the story really draws the reader in because you have to know who this girl is and what happened ASAP.

My rating: 4 stars.

Summary from goodreads:

Bridge is an accident survivor who's wondering why she's still alive. Emily has new curves and an almost-boyfriend who wants a certain kind of picture. Tabitha sees through everybody's games--or so she tells the world. The three girls are best friends with one rule: No fighting. Can it get them through seventh grade? 
This year everything is different for Sherm Russo as he gets to know Bridge Barsamian. What does it mean to fall for a girl--as a friend? 
On Valentine's Day, an unnamed high school girl struggles with a betrayal. How long can she hide in plain sight?

Sioux Falls Half Marathon Training Week 4

Tuesday morning I went to a crazy early power vinyasa class and then assisted another one immediately after.

Wednesday night I went to a special essential oils restorative class. Magic. Pure magic.

Thursday I went to my last (or so I joke, kind of) 5:30am yoga class, as it was my last one for YTT requirements. It's a great class so let's be honest, I'll be back. But not for a couple of weeks.

At lunch I assisted my last class! And then at 5:30pm I went to a power class at another studio which filled my final requirement for classes to take!! And it also allowed me to go way over my goal of water consumed in a day. What a sweaty mess.

Sunday I bought Kyle his early birthday/wedding/Xmas present and we went for a short ride. So fun. But so damn windy.

And then I finished off the week with another restorative class. Ahh.

June + July in Review

June in Review

Total Miles: 23.1 up from 17.2 last month. Down from from 61.5 last June.

Total Time:  2:45:57 up from 33 minutes last month. Ha. Last May I ran 9:57:55.

Total Runs: 5 runs, for an average of 3.44 miles per run. 

Highest weekly mileage: 11.3 miles

Favorite run: My run with Kyle on National Running Day!

Most hardcore run: 7 mile long run.

Favorite race: 
Harrisburg 5k

Bike Miles: None.

Yoga: 12 hours. Almost half as much time as I spent on my mat last month. :/ BUT I got a lot of teacher training observations out of the way, so it was worth it. I think.

Barre: 4 hours.

Favorite Jam: My iPod keeps dying so I've gotten used to listening to my haggard breathing on runs. I do have some amazing yoga playlists if you ever join me for a class!

 _______________

July in Review

Total Miles: 18.7 down from 23.1 last month. Down from 119.6 last July.

Total Time:  3:06:26 up from 2:45:57 last month.

Total Runs: 6

Highest weekly mileage: 7.9 miles :/

Favorite run: Group run at the yoga studio. First tempo run in a long time.

Most hardcore run: Same as above.

Favorite race: 
None.

Bike Miles: 26.8!

Yoga: 14 hours.

Yoga Classes Taught: 2!

Barre: 6 classes.

Weekly Reads: Don't Stay Up Late

Don't Stay Up Late is the second book in R.L. Stine's relaunched Fear Street series. I used to be obsessed with these books as a kid. I've never been a huge horror fan because I jump at every single thing, but I love these books. I will say they're not nearly as terrifying as they were as a 10-12 year old, and I was able to figure this on out pretty quickly, but it was still a fun scary read.

My rating: 3 stars

Summary from goodreads:

Ever since a car accident killed her father and put Lisa and her mother into the hospital, Lisa can't think straight. She's plagued by nightmares and hallucinations that force her to relive the accident over and over again in vivid detail. When Lisa finds out that a neighbor is looking for a babysitter for her young son, she takes the job immediately, eager to keep busy and shake these disturbing images from her head.
But what promised to be an easy gig turns terrifying when Lisa begins to question exactly who — or what — she is babysitting.

Sioux Falls Half Marathon Training Week 3

Monday morning I assisted a yoga class, so I didn't get a workout in.

Tuesday I was up super early to take a power vinyasa class and then assist an express class after. It was one of the funnest flows I've done in awhile!

Wednesday night was group run at 605 Running Co. I actually had company on the run which was awesome. And after we continued our sweat by doing a nice and tough flow!

Thursday morning was another early morning class with a new to me instructor. So hard. So much sweat.

Saturday I had planned to run a 5k but a 45 minute drive and a 10am start time in the heat weeee having had me thinking otherwise.

Sunday I met Emily at barre for a class. I rarely sweat in barre (which I love) but I worked up a bit sweat in Katie's class!

Since I was already sweaty I thought I might as well take my bike out for a spin! I biked a leisurely paced 14 miles with a friend and then tried to haul some booty for 11 of the remaining 13. I was averaging 16 mph which is flyyyyying for me. Barre and yoga must be helping strengthen my legs up because this is my first ride this year. Oops.

And I ended the weekend with the magical unicorn hour of restorative yoga. Ahhhh....

Engagement Pictures

Yesterday marked two months from Kyle and my I Do day, so I thought I'd share some of our engagement pictures with you all!

I have to say, it was sooooo difficult for Kyle to be on a dock at a river and NOT be fishing. He was a good sport though. I wouldn't recommend taking engagement pics in 95+ degrees. I thought I was going to die and Ollie girl couldn't even come along for some famil pics because of the heat.

Fourth of July Weekend

I had to work on the 5th of July so as soon as I was off work on Thursday, Kyle and I loaded up our provisions and pug and headed up to the camper. 

Provisions = mix your own 6 pack. Obvs.

Ollie was thrilled to be going on an adventure.

And then she wanted to take a turn at driving. She has a hard time looking where she's supposed to go while driving so her dad is trying to give her pointers.

As soon as we arrived we packed up and were out in the boat. The sky was still all crazy because of the fires in Canada.

My view in the boat. <3

Ollie making sure her dad is catching something (spoiler: we didn't)

And then when the sun went down we got to fish with light up bobbers. How did I not know that's a thing?!? So fun. Except when your eyes suck like mine it's hard to even tell when you have a bite.

Look! There's my tiny little glowy bobber!

On the way home from fishing, I started to feel miserable. I had a monster headache and I couldn't breathe. I realized later that I was having some major allergy issues from all the smoke. Thanks Canada!

I was able to rally a bit in the morning after some heavy decongestant dosage. But the fish weren't interested.

Ollie was thrilled to be the co-pilot on the boat.

Patriotic hair ribbon FTW.

And then I made her a little tent to hang out in to keep her out of the sun.

And then around lunch time I thought I was going to die, so Ollie and I were dropped off to down some more allergy meds and nap. I think we slept for three hours, and got caught up on some reading.

And then I attempted to rally. It was the Fourth of July, after all.

We got hung out and met a lot of new folks that camp on the campsite and had a blast.