A week of fabulousness

The past week was full of complete awesomeness.

It started off with the Bruno Mars concert. He was A-MAZ-ING. (Yes, it deserves all caps, and yes, it deserves hyphenation.) I can’t remember having as much fun at a concert before. We drank, danced, sang and screamed through the entire show. He is so worth seeing in concert, and I’ll go again the next time he’s back in town (I may have looked at his remaining tour dates and thought about the feasibility of following him the rest of the way, ahem.) 

We were excited (OK, I was super-duper excited)
about Bruno (and sangria). 

My favorite fedora-wearing guy: Bruno. (Both photos are courtesy
of Caroline because I was too excited and all of my photos
are blurry.)

After this glorious event, I hopped on a plane to Kansas (with my voice returning somewhat) and attended another glorious event, a Kansas State football game. Well, it really wasn't that glorious because they lost and it was over 100 degrees that day, but it was still good to have my favorite purple school playing football again and hanging with some of my favorite purple peeps.

Spending the long, holiday weekend in Kansas allowed for time with friends and family, sand volleyball … and no running. Oops. I wish I was a morning person who could knock it out before everyone woke up, but I’m just not. I keep trying to be, and I keep failing.

But, in other running news, I did sign up for a 5K this month. It is appropriately titled the "HOT Run.” At this point, every 5K I run I have the goal to do it in under 30 minutes (fastest official time: 30:09). I really don’t have a lot of running confidence at all right now (especially with the ridiculous heat and humidity), but I’ll give it a shot.

I almost cried when I read this news: the 2014 St. Pete Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon is cancelled. This is one of my favorite events. I was registered for the third year in a row, and it makes me incredibly sad that this fun race is not coming to our area. So I have some work to do to rearrange my race schedule and find another half marathon that is just as fun.

How was your Labor Day weekend? What is your favorite concert? Ever have a race you were excited about cancelled? 

Many things Monday

1. After last Sunday’s run, I was so optimistic about running. I thought I had things figured out. I thought wrong. Back to struggling in the heat. Sigh. Is it fall yet?

The run wasn't pretty, but the view was.

2. I tried out a new handheld water bottle during the run (that I found on the cheap at Marshall's for $7), and it was actually pretty great. Unfortunately, I filled it with a sports drink I don’t usually use, and my stomach revolted after the run. I’m not blaming the bottle, though.

3. But, I have found a fun new way to hydrate after a run: coconut water. Why? It supports natural hydration and contains essential electrolytes.

(Disclaimer: I received these products via Fit Approach as a Sweat Pink Ambassador. I was provided these products at no cost for review purposes only. All opinions are my own.) 

And, my favorite brand by a long shot: Zola. I especially love the version with pulp. Getting little pieces of coconut in each drink is bunches of fun. I’m a coconut nut (well, you could probably just take off the “coconut” part), so I like anything coconut. But, I understand some people’s assessment that it tastes similar to feet. I can see where that comes from, but I totally did not get that with this brand. Yum. I also tried their Acai juice, which I did not love as much, but it had tough competition with the coconut water. I've never tried Acai juice, so I don’t have anything to compare it to. It was a thicker juice, and it's probably not something I'd drink again (especially if coconut water is around).

All the products and a sweet pair of shades

My favorite

4. I’m debating between a 5K, a 10K and volunteering for a race on Sept. 19. Since I’m disappointed in my running at this point, I tempted to not race. But, part of me thinks I need to race to push myself. I don’t know. Something’s happening that day, but I’m just not sure what.

5. So, lots has/is happening this week: the VMAs (yes, this is something worth mentioning), Bruno Mars concert (EEEEEEK!) and a trip to Kansas for the first football game of the season (K-S-U Wildcats).

6. Why are the VMAs worth mentioning? *NSYNC, duh. I can’t explain to you the level of excitement I had leading up to this. Well, I could, but it would be embarrassing. A reunion has been a dream of mine for some time. For a few minutes last night, it happened. And, it was glorious. 

7. And, Bruno Mars’ performance was incredible as usual. I just adore this guy. I really, truly do.

8. I went from loving Katy Perry when she first came out ("I Kissed a Girl"), then not liking her ("Firework") and now loving her again. I love "Roar," and the fact that she performed in a boxing ring just sealed the deal for me. You rock again, Katy Perry. 

9. Other than those three performances, the VMAs were extremely not glorious. Yikes. Miley Cyrus scared me and made me feel dirty. Like, I can’t look at her anymore. It’s weird.

10. I remember buying Bruno Mars tickets in February. I had no idea how I could wait until the end of August for the concert. Well, I made it. The concert is Wednesday. And, I’m glad I did. Because one of the girls I’m going with has a hookup for a limo. We are riding in style to see my favorite little guy. 

11. I’ll probably still be on my Bruno high when I hop on a plane for Kansas State’s home opener. The game is on a Friday night. Not terribly excited about that since I arrive on Friday morning in Kansas City; as long as the flight is on time, it will be OK. But, my brother won’t be there because of work. I can’t remember the last Kansas State game I went to without him. Maybe I haven’t?

One of these people will be missing

12. I looked for a race in Kansas because my sister-in-law and her sister have been running, and I thought it would be fun for us all to do a 5K together. Unfortunately, I didn't find one. So running will happen, but without a race. And, I’m OK with that at this point.

What are you looking forward to this week? Do you drink coconut water? Did you watch the VMAs? Are you an *NSYNC fan? What are your weekend plans (yes, I'm already looking toward the weekend)?

The wrong food encourages randomness

Yesterday, some food item I ate made me sick. I'm not sure how to narrow it down and determine what it is so I never eat it again.

It could have been the Mexican food we ordered out for lunch. Or the chicken, black beans and rice sample I tried at the grocery store after work. Or the hummus and tomatoes I had for dinner. Or those five fun-size pieces of candy I ate (it was Halloween, you know). Ahem,  pretend you didn't read that.

I'm betting on the grocery store sample. No way it was candy. No way.

Whatever it was made me miserable last night into today. Thankfully, I'm feeling better. That is the only good thing about food poisoning: it's over quick.

While my body (and mind) recovers, I'll leave you with some bits of randomness.

• I'm the featured blogger at Fitblogger today! Check it out ... if only for the sole reason of seeing a picture of me with my hair down.  
• In a week, I'll be preparing to head to Texas to see my Alma mater (and No. 2 team in the nation), Kansas State, take on the TCU Horned Frogs. I haven't been to an away game since college (a LONG time ago). It should be interesting since both schools' colors are purple.

Victorious in enemy territory (I didn't wet my pants; it poured
the entire game).

• Then, on Dec. 1, my boyfriend and I will be in Kansas to see Kansas State take on Texas. Hopefully, they'll still be undefeated and in that No. 2 (or 1?) spot. It should be a fun game, if only for the fact that my brother despises the University of Texas and our seats are by the Texas ramp. Texas players and coaches walk by us each time they head on or off the field ... and my brother isn't afraid to taunt them. I'll do the horns down symbol, but that's about it. I despise other teams much more (hello, University of Kansas and University of Oklahoma).

Source

• I love holidays. I love traditions. So, I can't believe I let one drop. Well, yes I can. I got so burnt on carving pumpkins last year with this disastrous, difficult pattern that I didn't even bother this year. Kinda sad, but I can still feel the irritation so I figured it best to not have sharp carving tools in hand.

• After seeing all the costume photos (from friends and celebrities), I now have all of these ideas for costumes for next year. Unfortunately, I won't remember any of them and will start wondering what I'm going to be for Halloween next September. Oh, well. That's part of the fun, I guess.

How was your Halloween? Did you avoid the candy (unlike me)? Did you carve a pumpkin? What are your traditions? What was your favorite costume you saw this year? Do you like college football? Do you go to games (home or away)?