Honeymoon: MNF Packers Game

At around 4pm, I couldn't wait any longer, so we got a cab from our hotel to the stadium. One of Kyle's old co-workers is a huge Packers fan and was already tailgating, so we met up with them. I was so excited to bust out one of my purchases to cover my beer.

 

And a necessary selfie to show off my new hat (with rain in the forecast it was a necessary purchase (or so i tell myself).

For a non-Packers fan, he sure looks like he's having a good time. AND he's even wearing green!

 

Packers colors are green, gold, hunter orange, and on occasion: rain gear. Glad we snagged ponchos for a buck before we head over. It rained on and off throughout tailgating, but clearly I didn't care. At one point I uttered, "I'm....just....so.....happy!" to Kyle and almost exploded on the spot.

 

I wasn't quite to their level of busting out dance moves, but good for them.

 

And when it was finally time to make our way in, the skies just opened up. 

 

Like a little kid on Christmas morning over here.

 

Go Pack Go!

 

Surely not the best photo of the newlyweds, but it's the only one we got in the stadium, so it'll have to do.

 

Best. Honeymoon. Ever.

Honeymoon: Green Bay

I woke up the Sunday after our wedding with the typical (or so I've heard) post-wedding blues. Until I realized that I was going to see the Packers play at Lambeau Field for Monday Night Football the VERY NEXT DAY.

We got a really late start to Green Bay on Sunday. I had planned for us to be on the road by 10am. Six hours later......

 

We didn't get to our hotel until 12:30pm and we were exhausted. Luckily I got to watch the Blood Moon eclipse the entire drive to Green Bay. 

Monday we woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed. Kyle hightailed it off to some bait shop while I got ready for our day. He wanted to have the infamous cheese curd burger that I had the last time I was in Green Bay, so I obliged. For a 7pm football game, there was already $20 parking at the restaurant we went to. 

I ordered a beer, even though it late morning, I still got a beer, and the server asked why Kyle wasn't having a big kid soda. When in Green Bay, man.....

 

 

 

 

A whole page of Wisconsin brewed beers? ahhh.....

Buffalo and bleu cheese cheese curds. Good god.

 

I made Kyle take a picture with this giant beer can because it's his favorite kind of beer (yuck).

Next we went to the cheap-ish Packers/Wisconsin store near the stadium. Last time I was here I discovered this place AFTER i spent way too much at the Packers Pro Shop. I almost had Kyle convinced to buy this Badgers zip up. #babysteps

Next up: Titletown Brewery!

 

The restaurant was full, so we went over to the tasting room which was stellar. Why don't I have my own brewery? I enjoyed a delicious flight, and even found a light beer for Kyle to enjoy. The actual bar was broken beer bottles in resin over the top. So cool.

The events manager took us up to the recently opened upper bar so we could see the view from up there. They recently started doing weddings there, and the mayor's daughter used it for her wedding reception. #jealz

From there we went tailgaiting, but the game will be a separate post (this should not be shocking). Tuesday morning, we went back to Lambeau to say goodbye to my buddies before we were on our way to Door County.

  

I tried to justify a life sized wall hanging of Aaron Rodgers, but couldn't quite do it. I did manage to come under budget with my Packers Pro Shop purchases though, so I'm pretty proud of myself.

One last pic before we left the atrium.

Bye bud!

 

Until next time Vince!

Houston Trip Part 2

After a rough morning,  it seemed appropriate to sit on the patio to enjoy a beer barefoot.

 

Look world, we're friends! <3 So fun to spend a couple of days with you!

En route to finding a sports bar to watch the Packers playoff game.

When I still had all the hope in the world and Super Bowl visions were dancing in my head.

Inching our way into OT? Yes please!

Trying to imitate one of my fave emojis, accurately, leading into OT.

Friends help friends feel better after toss losses.

Four Eyes + Broken Heart

If you follow football at all, you know that my heart has a major sad.  Green Bay lost last night, and... I'm still tore up about it.  And likely will be until August when pre-season rolls around.  On the bright side, I will have an extra 3 1/2 hours of my life per week to study with.  Nope that doesn't help.

Moving on.

Because I was in a state of mourning today (and last night, and likely the rest of the week, month, again until August) I did some retail therapy to soothe my wounds.  I've been saying I'm going to get a new pair of eyeglasses for the last 3 years or so.  I don't have vision insurance at work, so I've been saving my pennies (dollars in my Health Savings Account), but every time I get a nice little stash of money saved up in there I have some sort of medical bill that eats it up.  Annoying.  Finally after checking my balance last week, coupled with a Groupon I bought that was $50 for $200 worth of lens+frames I could do it!

My current specs are from 2002 (the last pair my mother was willing to buy me when I was in high school, which is understandable) and they are more than a little beat up.  The last couple of months I haven't been able to wear them at all because my eyes are so messed up.  I thought I had an eye infection of sorts, but turns out my blind eyes are just blinder (or to be fair, my blind eye...ol' lefty... is even blinder).  You know those people that brag about being legally blind?  Well that's what my vision was BEFORE this eye change.  I'm so awesome.

Anywhosits, armed with 17 different forms of payment and coupon options I hit the store today.  Naturally this was after spending the entire morning scouring their online eyeglass selection and sending the links of the ones I liked to Kimi for her review.  Speaking of, have you met Kimi?  Because if you haven't, she's my twin.  I'd planned to get glasses similar to hers because she looks gorg in them, and obviously then I would too.  All plans were set in to motion until I arrived in the store and was met head on by their new Kate Spade section.

My bank account started to cry.

Trying on glasses is my favorite thing.  They're so fun.  And cute!  And now that I'm beyond the anxiety ridden four eyes complex of my youth I actually like them.  Before I knew it I had 12 different glasses that I liked and had to begin the narrowing process.  For a few seconds, I considered taking part in their buy one get one promo... in ADDITION to my groupon'd pair.  And then I quickly remembered that I'm not made of money.

When I asked for a quote on my lenses I almost died of a heart attack.  Remember me mentioning that I'm blind?  Well I have to get reduced lenses so they fit in frames, which isn't cheap.  Like... at all.  But then I reminded myself

And it was all good.  One hour later and my new glasses were ready to go.  Pretty happy I decided against a Kate Spade birthday bag.  I much prefer the four eyes instead.

And in running news, I knocked out week 1 of marathon training.  Only 17 more to go.  I had the worst long run of my life on Saturday.  Apparently eating a mountain worth of goat cheese the night before *cough when you're lactose intolerant cough* is a bad idea, who knew?  It wasn't pretty to say the least.

Slacker + Speed

That pretty much sums me up to a T for the past week.  I feel like every post I've written lately has been "oh my, it's been a week since I've posted, blah blah blah!"  Well what do you know...it's been a week since I've posted.  Blah blah blah.

I wish I could say my absence was HIMYM-related, but sadly, I cannot.  I've only watched two episodes this week  But even better, it was Mr. Nimbus related.  Ha.  I really dig calling him that.

But to back up.  Last Thursday I had an intense speed work session on tap.  A mile warm up, 6x800 and 2x400, with a 1/2 mile cool down.  I had my time ranges for the speed work sticky noted to the treadmill and off I went.  Have I mentioned how much I like to run fast?  Oh... I have?  Sorry.  Just thought I'd throw it out there.  :)  The run was... Legen....wait for it!  ......dary. (In Barney's words).

I ended up with 5.15 miles in 39:04 for a pace of 7:36.  Bam!  After each 800 interval I walked for .15 miles (roughly 3 minutes) and .1 after the 400's.  Uff da.  I kicked my own @$$!

Warm up	1 Mi	9:38	9:38	9:38
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:29	13:07	6:58
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:33	16:40	7:06
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:33	20:13	7:06
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:32	23:45	7:04
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:32	27:17	7:04
Interval	0.5 Mi	3:33	30:50	7:06
Interval	0.25 Mi	1:33	32:23	6:12
Interval	0.4 Mi	2:13	34:36	5:33
Cool down	0.5 Mi	4:28	39:04	8:56

I had every intention of getting in a 10 mile long run over the weekend, as the weather was going to be bad, so I wasn't going to get to see the boy [insert pouty face here].  Superhero to the rescue decided he'd come get me and bring me back home with him since he drives a big bad truck that fears no ice/snow/wind storms.  He's hands down my favorite road trip partner and we jammed out/sang at the top of our lungs/drum soloed it up for the drive.  You gotta love when your face hurts from smiling so much.  Too mushy?  So sorry.  :)

Saturday morning I had plans to hit the school gym's treadmill for my run, but sleeping in then napping sounded so much better.  Maybe Sunday will work.  Naaaaaaaw.  Doesn't sound like much fun Sunday either.  SLACKER.

Sunday night was spent watching the much anticipated Vikings v. Saints NFC Championship game.  Now if you've been following along at ALL at home, I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE Packers fan.  Huge.  I'm also a very BIG Brett Favre fan.  Packers fan first, Favre fan second.  N is a HUGE HUGE HUGE Vikings fan (not cool). I think we've had text message wars during every vikes v. pack match up for the past 9 years or so.*  Anyway, I decided I could cheer for Brett during the game since my boys were out.  I didn't want the Vikings to win, mind you, but I wouldn't mind if Brett got another shot at a Superbowl.  The photo to the left is one of the images that was sent to me at work on Friday.  Yes.  He wore this to work.  Most of his co-workers were also sporting the purple and gold gear (he works in MN).  Ok, so you all know the result of the game, so I'll move on from there.  [I hate purple and gold SO much, but he kinda makes it look good.  A-hole.]

What's that?  You want to see how cute *I* look in *MY* Favre jersey?  Well I can't deny my readers THAT, can I?!?!?  Nope.  This photo was snapped at a Packers v. Lions game fall of 2006 moments after Brett ran about 5 feet away from me. You will never see me look happier.  Guaranteed.


Monday I was snowed in and unable to get back home, so guess who didn't run again?  Answer:  Me.  Tuesday same deal.  I think I need to get the boy running with me otherwise we're never going to be able to spend 5 consecutive days together. :p

Wednesday I was finally back to my homeland and was going to kick my fresh-as-a-daisy legs into gear.  I planned to do a 7 mile tempo run.  1 mile warm up and 6 miles at 8:28 pace.  The last 2 miles were a s-t-r-u-g-g-l-e, I don't think I had eaten enough, my legs felt fine keeping with the pace I just felt pooped.

I did the 7 miles in 59:46 for a pace of 8:33.  My tempo pace was 8:22.  Hmmm....maybe I should sign up for a 10k!  One of my resolutions is to try a new race distance......it's a possibility!  [And then I immediately remember how much I *hate* 6 mile runs, and I'm brought back to earth.]

1. 9:33 (warm up)
2. 8:22
3. 8:25
4. 8:27
5. 8:22
6. 8:22
7. 8:11 

Tonight I did a boring 4 easy miles.  My legs were tiiiiiiiiight.  They only seemed to loosen up the last mile when I bumped up the speed a smidge out of boredom.  I did the 4 miles in 38:16 for a pace of 9:34.
1. 9:34
2. 9:40
3. 9:40
4. 9:11 

OHMYGOD.  I forgot to mention.  The highlight of my weekend (only slightly kidding here) was the most amazing salmon I have *EVER* eaten in my life.  Holy wow.  I seriously have dreams about it.  And it was coupled with the most amazing and luxurious sweet potato with brown sugar dancing on top of it.  In the word of you foodies out there:  foodgasm.  Gah.

I'm really going to try not to be such a Sucky McSuckerson on updating my bloggy.  I will be doing some hardcore convincing that the boy gets wifi at his (hopefully) new home so I can be a little more connected when I'm out in La-La-Land. :D

Ok, now I'm going to go make out with some HIMYM episodes.  I've missssssed you loverface(s)!

*There was serious controversy at two of his work events once word got out that I was an (ahem) Packers fan.  "How does that even work?!?!!?" We just avoid each other on Sundays, and occasional Mondays.  No biggie. ;)

Easy Run + Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day

This morning I had 6 easy miles to complete. After tossing and turning all night long, I was ready to get out of bed when Taylor's alarm went off at 4:45am. Of course than I dawdled, even though my goal was to complete the run before the sun came up. Grr. I was finally out the door. The temp said it was 53 degrees but 90% humidity, so I figured I would be a-ok in a tank and shorts. WRONG. Holy brrr....I was freezing!!!

Normally I stop at the one mile point of my easy runs to stretch out my muscles, they were so frozen that I didn't even bother until the 3 mile turn around point. Of course after stretching for a couple of minutes, what sweat I did have worked up had frozen even more. It was at the turn around point that I realized I could see my breath. Oy, I'm an idiot. Need to remember to start packing some shirts with SLEEVES for the (apparently) frigid mornings we will soon be embarking on. The one cool thing about starting off in the dark, was that I couldn't see my Garmin at all, so I truly ran by feel. And even more exciting is that my "easy" run by feel is pretty stinkin' close to my "easy" pace that I'm supposed to be doing. Umm...exactly on if you look at my time from today.

I did 6 miles in 57:57 for a pace of 9:40. Yup. The exact pace my training program says I'm supposed to be completing easy runs at. Craziness. My splits were not so even, but I blame that on the frozen state that my legs were in for the first 3 miles, and the frozen state my arms were in for the whole thing. Man oh man did I ever wish I had some of those sweet arm warmer sleeve things that some of you folks are sporting. Christmas present? Hint hint Tay. :) (pink or blue por favor) :D

1. 9:52
2. 9:58
3. 9:51:
4. 9:34
5. 9:28
6. 9:12



In other news, I'm pretty bummed that my boyfriend Brett is going to be sporting purple and gold this year. I could handle him as a Jet, not so much as a Vike. I am looking for a crew to come with me to the Monday Night game in Minnesota, so all is not lost.

And in OTHER crappy news, I won't be attending the Blink 182 concert in Minneapolis tonight. WAAAAAAH!!! If you were a follower from the beginning (which is none of you :p no one cared until I started writing about running) you'd know that I LOVE BLINK 182, and almost peed myself when they announced they were getting back together. For a few hours today, I actually thought I was going to make an impromptu trip, but that has been shot down now also. What a bummer of a day!!!

To make myself happy, I was going to challenge myself with a 5 miler this evening on top of my 6 miles from this morning. Plus it would rotate the schedule a bit leaving me with a rest day before my long 12 miler on Saturday morning. BUT NO. We have to go to dinner at an ungodly hour post-work, and will inevitably end up sitting around not eating for 2 hours, thus ruining my plans for a post-dinner run too. Anyone else want to jump on my pity party because it's about to take off full steam!!!

Ok, what I truly need is to go home and do some yoga. Today is Day 5.

Bitchfest 09 is now over. Please feel free to go about your day. :) But not before you go to X-Country2's page to check out her sweet giveaway.