And the Grand Total for 2010 is.......

That's right baby....1111 miles!
I rang it in in style at a super fun run in Chatham...the costumes were awesome! My amazing hubby who is my biggest fan got me a lottery ticket with the numbers 1111...how cute!

Three Things Thursday

This being my last Three Things Thursday of 2010 I am going to finish my things that blessed me this year. I started this a while back with running 1000 miles, staying injury free, and my running buddy Jill. Here are three more!

1. Feeling the love! This year was a challenge for my family but I can honestly say it has caused me to fall in love with my hubby all over again! I love him and the family man he is!! I am blessed to have him and our amazing family!!

2. School check!! This May I graduated with my CAGS degree and became certified to be a principal. This was a major challenge since it took me 2 1/2 years to complete and I had a new baby!! It was a blessing to walk across that stage with those I love there to support me! I was also blessed to make many friends along the way! Now I have so much extra time and this is such a blessing to hang with Em and know I have nothing hanging over my head!

3. Almost at fighting weight! This year I was blessed with an amazing trainer who kicked my bootie up one side of the room to the other. The blessing? I'm 11lbs lighter than before I had Emma!!! I know I still have a little way to go but I was so proud to reach that mark...if only the holidays weren't here!!

I hope you are enjoying your last few days of 2010....can you believe how fast it went?

How has 2010 blessed you? Sometimes it is seeing the sun through the clouds!

Wordless Wednesday....almost

First let me apologize for the grouchy disposition from yesterday....in all honesty I had a great day dancing, racing, and playing with Em. Well this Wordless Wednesday is Fancy Nancy's 2010 in Review!!!...with a few non-running pics too like my girl...the family...oh and my action research paper that took 2 years to write and my graduation!!!! They are not in perfect order so I apologize...if it's any comfort my type-A personality hates that they are out of order too!

TIck Me Off Tuesday!

Ok so I wouldn't say I'm ticked off...just a bit annoyed but annoyed doesn't start with the same letter as Tuesday so ticked off I am! There have been a few things between last night and today that have gotten my goat and I wanted to vent a bit...sorry!

1. Last night I walked into the gym...after a few too many days...and it is now a Work Out World. Ok so not too big a deal since I really only am using it for the treadmill and weights. The classes aren't convenient for people who work. Well the thing that irritated me was that I had to sign up for a contract with this new gym...initiation fee and all!!! I said to the woman at the counter..."So I have to pay an initiation fee to join a gym I am already a member at?" Her response was, "Well you are getting a great deal...unlimited tanning and free friends!" Well whoopee do...anyone want to go to WOW with me and get some skin cancer! Jokes aside I am a little pasty lately but who isn't in December! I have been to gyms before that have changed names and the current members were just switched over. It just rubbed me the wrong way to have to repay the initiation fee.

Am I being too sensitive? Has this happened to you? Be honest!

2. Today Em and I made the big trek over the bridge, which she says is her bridge...add that to the list of everything else in the house! Gotta love 2 year-olds! Like I was saying we headed over the bridge to our favorite store...Target. Imagine me saying that in my best French accent! Well it was great but don't you just hate when the check-out people act like they would rather walk across hot coals than wait on you? I told her to promptly have a GREAT day as she ran away from the register as soon as she gave me my receipt. I worked in retail for a while and I know people can suck but can't you fake it?!

3. My father-in-law volunteered to play with the girl so I could go to the gym today, since a run outside would mean competing with 50mph freezing winds, and wouldn't you know sass-a-frass is taking her sweet time falling asleep. On our ride back to our house she told me she couldn't look for boats while we went over the bridge because she was too tired, but get her in her nice cozy bed and its party time! I am hoping Bumpa is still up for a playdate cause just reading over this post it's obvious that Momma needs to sweat a little!!

Sunday...Snow...Sleepy

Well today is my last day off...I took the week off from running this week mostly because I was sick and couldn't breathe but it turned out to be a good thing. Now I am ripping to go for tomorrow. Hopefully this predicted blizzard won't keep me from pounding some pavement...or rubber on the treadmill!! I'm off to watch the Pats while our little nugget sleeps after a wild weekend of fun and family. I am leaving you with my favorite family pick this year! Gotta love the self-timer!

Merry Christmas Memories!

This is more of a combo of my "Moment" post for the week and my "Three Things Thursday" one day late. I was slumping...I mean jaunting through the mall last night and didn't get it in! So here are the past three years as a family of 3! You'll notice the exhausted/panicked looks on our faces in the first one since we had just gotten home from the hospital the day before with Emma...first time parents+Christmas=WTF are we doing!!! I wish you all joy this Christmas and holiday season! May you be surrounded by the ones you love!

Run for the BLING of it!!!: Challenge

Run for the BLING of it!!!: Challenge: "We all need a little motivation from time to time with our running right?! I use races as a motivator for me to get out and do my training..."

Acrostic Time

Sinus pressure and foggy head
I'm going to strangle someone if I can't run soon
Can't stop coughing
Kicking myself for waiting until today to finish Christmas shopping

Sunday I woke up with a cold and today I think it may be turning into bronchitis! Ever since I lived in Spain (I got a bad cold and never went to the doctor...which ps they have some kick butt cough medicine there) whenever I get a cold it goes right to my chest. The only problem is that I am a terrible and stubborn sick person. I waited forever to go Christmas shopping and now I'm Mrs. Sicky Pants and want to just curl up in bed! Add to that that I haven't run yet this week and you have a very cranky sad Momma! I am hoping to sneak in a few stores between work and picking up the girl as well as some ondemand exercise tonight. I keep saying to myself that I need to take care of myself so 2011 can start with a bang. I have big plans for this next year!! Now if you will excuse me I have to go blow my nose!!!

Elmo love and the Making of a Monster

This weekend our little lovie turned 2! As much as I am itching to gush about how I can't believe how fast time has gone and how amazing she is, I am going to save that for another post complete with pics from her party. This post is for the party favors and cupcakes I made. Running had to take a back seat this weekend to baking. It was a hard choice but waking up on Saturday feeling like I got hit with the flu across the face made it easier! Today I was going to wake up and go run early but the raging snowstorm had another idea. I am hoping that tomorrow and on I will be able to reset and run.

Ok so I am getting off track...well if you have any holiday parties coming up that involve a cookie swap, you HAVE to try these cookies! They are Paula Deen Monster Cookies and while they may not be so great on the hips, they are oh so tasty on the lips! Click here for the recipe! Well they were perfect for an Elmo party...I mean Cookie Monster...Monster Cookies...well here they are in pics!

I'm sure there are healthier ingredients you could use but then it wouldn't be Paula Deen!

All mixed up andready to go...did I mention you use an entire jar of peanut butter?

They are seriously as big as my hand...each person got one




I also made my own cupcake stand out of boxes and polka-dots! It came out so cute!!! Oh and yes I made Elmo cupcakes...they were so fun!!

This party was so fun to plan! It is such a blessing to have the time to really get my craft on!

Friday Flipout

I can be so predictable sometimes....just ask my hubby! This morning I should have seen coming but for whatever reason it caught me by surprise. I overslept which meant I didn't have time for my early morning run (I have exactly 55 minutes to run at the gym and be home to shower before work...no wiggle room really) which put me in a crabby mood. That snowballed due to the fact that I have gone into full fledged Martha Stewart mode making things for Emma's party on Sunday (which by the way is forecast for snow...of course). I am just pressed for time with only a few days left and all I really want to do is relax...enjoy the tree with my family...and run until I'm no longer stressed and tense. My hubby said sometimes he can almost see my tension...like thorns on a flower! I know it will all get done and I can't wait to post pics after...we're talking Elmo party extravaganza...but right now I'm a little stressed and coffeed out! Actually, though, just venting has felt good!

On a merrier note, we went to Edaville USA yesterday to take Em to see the lights, ride the train, and see the big man. She loved the train and kept saying Choo choo! The big man Santa....not so much! Once I get home I will post pics...very funny!

I hope you are having a great Friday!! Anything fun on tap this weekend?

What's Your Motivation?

Getting out of bed this morning was a toughie! The alarm went off at 4:25am...early enough so I can stay in bed until 4:30. I am doing a double workout today (am and pm) because I was a tired mommy on Monday and didn't go for my run. The hardest move is lifting the covers and putting my feet on the ground. After that I'm ok...not necessarily excited about the prospect of facing the treadmill but ok.

I was talking with a colleague this morning as I weighed in for our school's Biggest Loser Challenge (I am only down 3lbs...I need to restart the motivation after January). She was talking about getting motivated to get up early to workout or even to workout at all. It was that challenge that was her kick in the butt. It made me think about what motivates me. I tend to need a carrot dangling in front of my face...1000 mile challenge...weekly weigh-in. The twisted part is that right when I get to the carrot I pull it further away. I reached the 1000 miles and decided to try for 1100....got to my first goal weight and decided to try for 5 more lbs. Crazy!

A healthier motivation for me is the people around me. I want to be healthy for my family. I want to be a good example for my daughter. All of the above! I addition to all of that, my good friend Jill is the kick in the butt I need! She is always ready for a challenge and has the plan to go with it! I tend to have to watch what I say to her because then its on! I love her for that!!

So what is motivating you? What gets you out of that cozy bed?

This Moment...

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Happy Weekend to you! Here is my moment...putting up the tree

You Know It's Friday When...

You know it's Friday when...

you arrive in your parking space at school on two wheels cause you tried to squeeze in one more mile at the gym and left 10 minutes late (no pic...that wouldn't have been very safe!)


you are sad to see the end of the coffee in your travel mug and wish it would magically refill itself

you look down to see black socks in your pair of heels instead of knee highs because it was all that was clean...at least they're black!

your hair needed extra intervention...hair tie and a headband (again probably because I tried to get in an extra mile this morning)


your lunch went from yummy, roasted veggies all week to pb&j and carrot sticks (no pic...it isn't much to show!)


you can't wait for the clock to reach 2pm so you can hightail it home to see your lovies!!! (I get out early on Fridays...yay!)

Three Things Thursday

On my way to work this morning, before my daily call to Mom...yes I call my Mom every morning and love it!...I began to think about what my three things would be about today. Should it be three things I wish I had....or three things that confused me this morning...three things I wish I had done the night before so I wasn't running late...three things that annoy me about cold weather...

Then it hit me...the next few weeks are the last ones of 2010 and though it has been a tough year at times it has been a year of strength and goals. So for the next few weeks I am going to focus on three things each week that I am thankful to have done/accomplished/been blessed by.

1. Goals, goals, and more goals! This year it is safe to say that I have met just about all my running goals and I am so thankful for this!!! 1000 miles, 5k PR, 1/2 marathon PR DONE!!!

2. No injuries please! This year I am so thankful that I stayed injury free. I am not someone who is prone to injury, but as the years tick by and I get further and further from my 20s I know that each year without injury is a good one!

3. Running buddy love! Many years ago when I ran Boston I trained with a very good friend of mine. Let's just say things didn't go so well and I lost a very dear friend. Well this year I was blessed with an amazing running buddy that was not only a kick ass runner but an amazing woman and friend!

What did 2010 bring you?

Strong Starts

Well Monday always seems to come too fast! As a teacher though I have already started counting how many wake-ups until break...18 to be exact! It is even harder when the weekend leaves you wanting more! We finished up our weekend with getting a tree (We were going to see Santa come in on a fishing boat...very exciting for me...but the little lady woke up with a yucky stuffy nose so no go!). I love Christmas and everything about it but my hubby REALLY loves it! It is always so fun to see him around this time!


Yesterday my longish run was great even though my legs are still mad at me for doing so many walking lunges at the gym the other day! Going along straight was fine but the downhills was where they were screaming...note to self: Do walking lunges earlier in the week! Today I woke up early...an ungodly hour for some...and headed to the gym to get in 5 miles. I think this is where my running funk is coming from. Sometimes the treadmill is really the "dreadmill". Got the miles in though and started off the week on the right foot even though I wanted to be snuggly in bed! Working this week on 3 early morning runs and 2 weight days. I am thinking of doing legs on the running days though. That way they won't be too sore for runs.

How do you do strength training for your legs without it impacting your runs?

I am still working on some goals for the coming year...can't believe it's December!

Oooh on a side note I am very proud of my money savingness yesterday. Since we have moved down here the groceries have been more expensive...just an added perk I guess. Well I have been trying my hardest to get under $100 for the week and I got it yesterday...in addition to saving $36 I also got a coupon for a free shutterfly album. SCORE!!!

Hope you all have a great Monday!!! How are you going to start your week strong?

I (heart) Running

I think it's safe to say that lately I haven't really been feeling the love for running. I have been doing it but grumbling all the way to my blog posts. This morning I headed out, bundled up in my winter gear, for a quick "long" run (about 7 miles). About 3 miles in I got that growing feeling in my heart like the Grinch...I LOVE TO RUN!!! I love the way it makes me feel...I love the way my worries just melt away as each mile ticks by...I love taking in the scene around me...I LOVE TO RUN! I was so excited to feel this because I was worried I was hitting a wall with running. Even though I wouldn't say my motivation is back to normal, I am glad to say I don't dread it!

Oooh and a side note I think I found a race for the hubs and I...a partner race for Valentine's Day! We'll see!!

I hope today you are feeling the love...no matter where it is coming from!!

An Apology To Free Weights

Dear Weights,
Please accept my deepest apology for ignoring you so badly for the last 2 months and know that it wasn't just my jiggly parts that has brought me back to you! Yesterday we had a moment...and if you will take me I will come back to you! You make me feel strong, powerful, and able to wear tank tops. We had come so far this summer....I'm sorry I ignored you in order to get more miles in. My only request is that you would show me some grace and not completely leave me a whiny mess of soreness tomorrow!

Your friend,
Fancy Nancy

hee hee....put in a great weight workout last night...boy doesn't it make you feel great?!

Three Things Thursday

I was trying to think of a general theme for today's three things but I am feeling quite random today so that is what you get!

1. Speaking of random, sometimes I see the weirdest things on my way to work but today's was the weirdest! I am out and on the highway by 6:30 so there isn't much action usually but today was a hoot! I drive by a nature reservation and I usually see a bunch of pick-up trucks there. Today I found out what those were...there were about 7 guys in their camo and orange vest surrounding the edge of the preserve holding their rifles and looking into the woods. I had two thoughts...one-"Don't you have to go INTO the woods to get Bambi?"....two-If I was still back where we used to live this would have prompted me to call the police and have a lock down!. Today it just caused me to giggle!

2. Part of the reason I think my motivation is low is because I am working hard exercise wise and the scale laughs at me each morning! Part of this I know has been my eating...a little too heavy on the sugar...I am looking for new ways to get more veggies in my diet while still sticking to a budget. Any ideas...why is it so much more expensive to eat healthy? Shouldn't it be less?

3. My hubs has expressed interest in running a 5k which means I have gone into all out detective mode to find one for him! I can't even tell you how excited I am that he even wants to run!!! Of course I need to temper my excitement too...just because he said he would like to do one doesn't mean I have to talk about it every day!!! Can you tell I'm excited??!!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Has anyone seen my motivation??? Anyone....Bueller....