A look ahead...or back

Whoa, it's been over a month since my last post. Does that mean I've given up being domestic? No way, not that easily.

I've got quite a few things to share. But first, I'll tell you about my new to do list system.

So, I love all things to do lists. I don't know if it's because I love the satisfaction of being able to cross things off and feel accomplished or if I get overwhelmed with too many things unless I spell it out or if I just really enjoy making to do lists. Either way, I LOVE them.

But there gets to be a point when you spend so much time making to do lists that you don't actually get anything done. Which is rather counterproductive. So I've simplified my life by creating 2 types of lists. The long to do list and the short list. The long list is a bunch of things I want to/need to do. Whether it is an arts and crafts project from pinterest or a blog or hemming pants or planning meals or grocery shopping or cooking or running or laundry or emptying the dishwasher (yep, that made the list...) I just put them all on one long list. I'm not interested in checking things off that list just yet, it is just to help me remember things that I want to do.

But every morning (sometimes the night before, sometimes not until my metro ride to work) I create a daily to do list. 3 things. That's it. Just 3 things I want to complete (usually after work, sometimes at lunch) that day. I start with things that need to get done or that are already in my calendar (Running, dinner with friends, Bible Study) and then add smaller projects (baking cookies for work, one craft project, hemming pants).

So far (This system has been in place for about 4 days) it's worked great. Don't believe me? Here's a list of what I did this week.

Monday

1. Dinner with Taylor (I brought leftover Curried Chicken and Brown Rice)
2. Bible Study
3. Pick Laura up from the Airport

Tuesday

1. Run 2-4 miles (Part of the new training program I just started for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler. I went 3.5)
2. Intern Bible Study
3. Empty dishwasher (I usually don't have to add things like this, but it had been 3 days!)
4. Add songs to iPhone and iPod nano (so I can finally use it on my runs)
5. I  also tried a BUNCH of new hairstyles and found some I really like...

Wednesday

1. Run 3-5 miles - Intervals (I went 4.5 and nearly DIED)
2. Grocery Shopping (which then led to a complete overhall and reorganization of everything in my cupboard when I discovered MULTIPLES of different things, like 3 bottles of BBQ sauce...who needs 3 bottles?!? Not me. And never again with  my new system I'll explain in a later post.)
3. Make Nutella No Bake Cookies (oh my goodness, if you haven't tried these, then you NEED TO)
4. Cut up fruit and veggies for snacks (Strawberries, Pineapple, Celery)

Thursday

1. Run 2-4 miles (3.5 and it was easier than day 1. But I'm glad tomorrow is a rest day)
2. Cook dinner (Pan Girlled Ginger-Honey Pork Tenderloin and Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan - which makes my subscription to Cooking Light SO worth it)
3.  Bake Chai Tea Gingerbread Bars (Ok, so this wasn't on my list, but I ended up doing it anyways)
4. Hem Pants (well, I got one of 2 pairs hemmed)
5. Cut up Jicama (I LOVE IT)
6. Paint nails (this wasn't on my daily list, but I was in such a productive move I decided to do it anyways)

Friday

1. Dinner with Friends
2. Arcadia (my favorite play!)
3. Update Blogs

So, as evidenced by this past week, I have CLEARLY been productive (including sewing, cooking, baking, and planning). And I have felt more energized at work. It might just be better planning meals and snacks, working out, and sleeping. But I also think its not having the stress of thinking about everything I have to do, because there are only 3 things. And that is TOTALLY manageable.

So for now I leave you with a few images of what you have to look forward to in the posts ahead...

From Walker to Runner

So earlier this year I ran the Anthem Great Pumpkin 5k in Reston, VA put on by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance (where I interned back in college). It was the first real race I've ever run (Because those 2ks I ran back in middle school definitely don't count. 1.2 miles and it KILLED me). So the fact that I was paying money to run 3.1 miles is something I never would have pictured myself doing.

Anyways, I ran it in 34 minutes and 10 seconds which is exactly 11 minute miles. And considering I had only been running for a couple of months, I was pretty happy with it.

So when I discovered the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k I was excited. I wanted to run another 5k to see if I could beat my time. Only the 5k was sold out, so I decided to register for the 15k. 9.3 miles. What was I thinking.

Honestly, I just don't really have a lot of time to train, I did a couple long runs (about 7 miles) a couple of weekends in early November, but wasn't sure I would be able to run the entire thing.

Well, as of this weekend, I can now say that I ran an ENTIRE 15k in 1:43:15 which is an 11:05 minute mile.

I can't even believe it myself sometimes. That might my legs were so sore. Walking down stairs was an experience in itself.

But I really enjoyed the race- really. Aside from the shenanigans that took place before and after the race (an hour late start, waiting an hour and a half for a shuttle to my car) the race was great.

There was Chocolate Fondue

And Ghiradehlli Hot Chocolate.

Post Race Sweat and Sweet.

 Overall it was a pretty great day.

And I'm looking forward to my next race. I'm signing up for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler lottery so cross your fingers! Otherwise I might try the National Rock and Roll Half Marathon in March...