I am sort of in love with Jessica Biel.

That is all.

11 Things

Oh, hey Lauren! Thanks for tagging me and getting me to actually blog! You’re welcome. And yes, it’s the “11 Things ..” going around the internet. Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tagged.
5. Go to their blog and tell them they’ve been tagged.
6. No stuff in the tagging section like, “you’ve been tagged if you’re reading this.” You legitimately tag 11 (or so) people.

Here are my 11 random things about myself:
1. My running/gym socks have a small design and “Duo Dry” on them. I have them in pink, black, gray, and blue. They have to match each other, and, sometimes, my shirt. And no, no one sees them.

2. I eat at least one salad a day, most of the time at lunch.

Romaine, black beans, shredded carrot, broccoli, avocado, salsa, and nutritional yeast.

3. I can’t write with a pen if it’s cap isn’t on the end of the pen. It really bothers me. It’s too light – like a weight distribution thing …

4. On my couch (futon) right now: me, two fluffy down pillows, a blanket, a salad bowl, dinner plate, and two baby forks, a bucketful of nail polish, an empty seltzer bottle, my remote, and lab googles.

5. Speaking of lab googles, I got an 80 on my chem test! I felt good about it after it was over on Tuesday, but that usually means nothing. The class average was a 72 so I’m pretty pleased!

6. There is no color in my apartment, just beige, white, and black. It’s reallyyyyyy starting to bother me. Need to take a HomeGoods trip!

7. I really love living alone most of the time. Until I am bored. I’m really looking into adopting a dog.

8. I found out the difficult way that a blender does not stand in for a food processor in making hummus. The half blended chunky chickpea mash still in the blender in my refrigerator is proof.

9. Last week while roasting vegetables, I also roasted a few bulbs of garlic. I ate them whole. It was delicious.

10. Every Friday I now look forward to Bride-day and cracking open some wine, with side of going ot bed early. How old am I?

11. I’m currently re-watching 30 Rock on Netflix and it is just hilarious. I love Tina Fey but I love Alec Baldwin more. So, so much. Have you never watched? GET ON IT!

Onto Lauren’s questions:

1. What is your favorite breakfast meal? My favorite diner breakfast: spinach and feta omelet with hash browns, toast, and preferably, a mimosa.

2. What book do you have your nose in right now?

Oh yeah.

3. What part of your bod do you enjoy working out the most? LEGS ALL DAY ERRY DAY.

4. What staple item is always in your fridge? It’s a tie between Greek yogurt and carrots. When one is dangerously low, the supply must be replenished immediately.

5. Are you an Instagramer? Why do you love the app? I AM! Name: brynnegaulin. I love the app for a lot of reasons – it lets you see really cute pictures from all your favorite people, commenting and liking pictures is easier than commenting on a blog, and I love keeping up with people throughout the day.

6. What beauty product can you not live without? My straightener. I went home this past weekend and met my dad for dinner 20 minutes into my drive. I had to turn around and get it. Also, nail polish.

7. What’s your favorite part about blogging? Getting comments and making connections :0)

8. How do you stay fit-spired? Favorite quote? Lots of different ways! Pinterest, reading about other people’s workouts, etc. Whenever I’m trying to get through a tough run or workout, I always tell myself “Someday you will not be able to do this. Today is not that day.” It’s an amazing motivator!

9. What is your favorite pre/post-workout snack? I mostly workout right when I wake up, so coffee and half of a Luna/Lara/Mojo bar.

10. Who’s your celeb girl crush?

Rachel Bilson ( source )

Reese Witherspoon ( source )

11. Pinterest or Tumblr? Why? Pinterest. The question “why” is irrelevant.

My 11 Questions:

1. What is your favorite commercial and why?

2. If you could own your own buisness, what would you do?

3. What is your beverage of choice in the morning?

4. Tell me one quirk about you!

5. What is your all time favorite TV show?

6. What does your yoga mat look like (if you have one)?

7. What was your favorite grade to be in? Why?

8. What are you craving right now?

9. What is your ultimate comfort food?

10. What does your grandma make THE BEST of?

11. What are you wearing today?

This is against the rules BUT I’M A REBEL and I’m pretty sure everyone else in the world has been tagged, so if you haven’t, answer the questions and link back so everyone can read! Or if you’ve already done 11 things, answer my questions anyway. They’re different! Emily, get on it.

2011 Recap and 2012 goals

2011 – in a lot of ways, it was a big year.

January – I bought a car!

February – set a PDR of 9 miles and discovered Tasti-D-Lite as a refuel food.

March – ran 13.2 miles on the treadmill and got my Garmin!

April – ran my first half marathon with Emily in 1:57:55!

May – no blog posts for May, I’m guessing it wasn’t that exciting.

June – found out my “shin splints” are actually a stress fracture.

Also, Emily and I drank pineapple martinis at noon and baked a patriotic cake.

I also traveled to Butler University in Indianapolis for a sorority conference.

July – went to the city with one of my best friends and met Ethel the Lonely Penguin at the Central Park Zoo.

August – Again, no blog posts. I went to spin a lot.

September – I started running again!

October – discovered the glory of the Westport Farmer’s Market.

November – started a Tumblr.

December – found out I got back into UConn to get my Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences – the first step I’m taking to become a Registered Dietitian

2012 is looking good! Moving back up to UConn, starting a new program (apartment/loan approval pending). I have a few goals for the year so far:

• Run 2 half marathons
• Run 2 miles in 14 minutes
• Try cross fit
• Go to hot yoga (I have a Living Social deal I HAVE TO USE – no excuses)
• Get a 3.0 GPA in the spring
• Understand chemistry
• Run 500 miles

I really want(ed) to run a marathon this fall, but I’m not so sure how that’s going to go with school. We shall see!

I ran the first 6.56 of those 500 goals miles yesterday. Um, yeah, they kind of sucked and I walked most of the hills, but it got done in 56:25.

http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/138169482

Oh, yeah, and I turn 24 today. Or, 22 again. Yes, 22. Off to a birthday run!

Big Exciting News!

After applying in September, I found out on Thursday that I have been reaccepted to UConn into the Didactic Program of Dietetics, meaning I will be receiving my Bachelor’s of Science in Nutritional Sciences!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I’m going back to school to become a Registered Dietitian. I am thrilled, excited, terrified, nervous, confident, and scared all at the same time. When I found out, I went back and forth several times – I’m definitely going, I’m definitely not going – back and forth all day. My main concern was money (since I hadn’t heard back and it’s already December, I figured there was no way I was going to be able to save anything for the next semester). My second concern was getting into classes this late into enrollment, but with people dropping and permission numbers, I think it can work it.

To be honest, if I put it off any longer, I will regret it. If I can get into all of the classes I need, plus take summer and winter classes, I think I can finish in two years or less. It’s time to make moves. Now to find somewhere to live …

Untitled 2

Tumblr: Dine&Wine

Why not?

Sick Day

I took today off from work – I’ve had a cold all week and last night it invaded my chest. Not feeling so hot. I don’t think anyone wants to buy clothes that have been coughed all over. Of course, I know I can only blame myself. Tailgating at a windy Rentschler Field in East Hartford for UConn’s Homecoming football game against USF did me in. However, the short weekend away in the glamorous Celeron Square apartment of my little sister was worth it. The lack of vegetables that day probably didn’t help. I don’t think the relish on my hot dog counts.

Anyway, I took some Dayquil after sleeping in, had some hot tea with lemon and felt a lot better. After three days off so far this week, and only two days of exercise last week (longest since I started working out again two years ago?), I decided to try to run my cold out. It’s worked in the past. I was going to head to the gym, but a quick look at the weather told me it was 68 degrees out, so I drove down to the beach! It was a windy run so breathing wasn’t so simple but I’m glad I went!

I stopped by Lululemon to pick up some new crops – I’m addicted to the luxtreme material that my Run: Inspire crops are made off. They’re great for spin and running (duh) – it’s light, moisture-wicking, and keeps you all tucked in! I ended up buying a pair of Run for Your Life crops. On my way home, I saw that the Westport Farmer’s Market was running so I quickly turned to stop by. My friend and I have tried both the Fairfield and Greenfield Hill Farmer’s Markets and were incredibly disappointed in them. Seeing pictures and reading about other farmer’s markets in Colorado, North Carolina, and Utah set me up for some major Fairfield disappointment.

I was SO EXCITED when I saw numerous tents and heard music as I parked. It was amazing! Local and organic produce, coffee, pizzas, desserts, flowers, and tons of options. There were probably 35 booths? I did a few laps, had many samples, and came away with a ton of goodies!

Butternut squash – $2, Quart of huge apples (I think I got Fujis) – $3

Head of escarole, head of green leaf lettuce, head of romaine – $2.50 each. Garlic bulb – free!

All natural, organic, BEST EVER granola bars – 3 for $11, plus a sample.

3 heirloom tomatoes, giant sweet potato, 2 sweet peppers, 1 giant carrot – $8

Of course, I made a big, local, organic salad when I got home!

All three lettuces, carrot, tomato, pepper, plus feta, chickpeas, honey, and balsamic vinegar. Honey + feta + balsamic = delicious.

More on those delicious granola bars later …

Building Back Up

Every time I’ve gone for a run lately, I am still in awe that I have retained so much speed (for me). On Saturday, I ran 3 miles on the trail in a little over 25 minutes (WTF), walked a mile in about 15, and ran the other mile back in something like 8:30. Again, WTF?

Obviously spinning, weight lifting, and the occasional stair master session has been beneficial while my stress fracture has healed. My doctor told me that the area will feel sore for a little while after I start running again, and it does – as long as it is the soreness and not the sharp pain of “shin splints” I’m not worried.

Today I went for 4 miles without stopping. As before every run, I told myself to take it easy, go slow, and stop to walk if I need to. Except then when I’m actually running, I don’t want to stop. Well, I do, but I push through the negative voice in my head and keep going. Where was this motivation in high school??

Today’s run:

Negative splits all under 9 minutes a mile? I’ll take it.   

I know that the fact that I’ve retained so much fitness is amazing and I’m thankful. But it’s still hard to feel like I’m starting over with running. When I had to stop, I could run 6, 7, 8 miles at an 8:30 pace. The last run before I learned about my stress fracture, I busted out my last mile in 7:30. I know that will not happen for a while again. It’s frustrating, but I’ll survive and work hard to get faster. I know I can do it – I have before.

It’s amusing to me that during cross country in high school, I think that my slowest time was probably 28 or 29 something minutes. For girls, the CC race is 2.5 miles. I think my fastest time ever was 23 or 24 something minutes. Considering I really did not care at all and can remember the two times during practice I never stopped to walk over 3 years, I did well. While I’m building back up my distance and endurance, I really want to get faster at smaller distances. I’m going to sign up for at least one 5k this fall and I’m eying a Thanksgiving day 5-miler. I love distance running but I’m willing to do speedwork too.

Yay running! Who wants to sign up for some races??

Do What You Want

Within reason and common human decency, anyway.

Mondays are my weekday off from work (a lot of time in retail, as in my store, employees get one weekend day off and one weekday day off). I do pretty much the same thing every Monday. Grand plans of responsibility are schemed: cleaning my car, cleaning my room, getting my oil changed, laundry, reading to blind orphans, adopting baby animals, etc. Today is a great example of what actually happens.

7:30: Wake up! Let the dogs out, make coffee, and cuddle up in bed with my biggest UConn mug, Boy Meets World, and Pinterest.

8:30-8:45: Convince myself to workout. Since I’ve been running again (you know, two times in the last week .. which is more than basically the last 6 months combined), I know I need to build back up my pace and especially my endurance. It’s so nice out (yay fall is coming!) that I drove to the trail by my house, convincing myself the entire way to take it easy and not expect too much of myself coming back from an injury. Know I will do this anyway.

I ran four miles total! And now my quads don’t want to move the rest of the day. They are so tired, I think they have mono.

There are markers every half mile on the trail, and right when I hit each one, I stopped to walk until the next chorus in the song I was listening to came up .. maybe 20-30 seconds each time. As I turned around at mile 2, an older man stopped me and asked if I just ran two miles. I said yes and he asks “Why aren’t you doing more? You’re good!” THANK YOU KIND SIR! I told him I’m recovering from a stress fracture and he said “Good.” Obviously not as in, “Good you had a stress fracture,” but good as in good for me for coming back from an injury! It immediately reminded me of that time at the gym that someone (again, an older man) told me I look better than all the trainers. Neither time have I been creeped out, but proud and thankful for their compliments. Yay old men!

SOMEHOW I ended up finishing those four miles in 36:46. Even with walking breaks. WTF? Clearly my body remembers how to run sort of fast! It averages out to about a 9:09 minute mile – but I did run the second half (18:11) faster than the first half (18:36) so I somehow even managed negative splits. It’s hilarious that during high school cross country, I tried convincing everyone around me, and succeeded in convincing myself, that I was not built for running. I did not have a “runner’s body.”

What IS a “runner’s body” anyway, 16-year-old self? Pretty sure it’s a body that runs. Of course, I did get progressively faster over the season, but as soon as it was done, so was I until next August. So I never really progressed. I didn’t want to. I just wanted an excuse to eat an entire bag of Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks on the bus to the race and two cookies, two brownies, and a cupcake on the bus back. And no, I am not exaggerating.

WOW TANGENT. Anyway, the few slices of dried mango I ate on my way to the trail were long gone, so I headed straight home for a shower and breakfast.

11am: Decide to go to the library. Remember I need new headphones. And tofu. And gas.

11:20am: Arrive at Target for headphones. Leave with all of this:

• Raspberries (2 for $4!)
• Strawberries (cheaper than Stop & Shop)
• Green tea
• Grapefruit La Croix
• Headphones
• Two Synergy Kombuchas ($2.99!)
• Make up wipes

12:15pm: Go to the library. Leave with Jaycee Dugard’s book.

12:35pm: Go to Stop&Shop. They don’t have the tofu I like, but don’t worry, I spent $20 more bucks.

1:15pm: Arrive home. Enter lunch debate: “I should really eat that last black bean burger. I’ll have it on a wrap with avocado and some of those raspberries on the side. So, the whole pint. And some carrots and string beans. Wait, I don’t even want that black bean burger. But I should have it.” Proceed to cut avocado for black bean burger wrap, tell my mind to shut up and make what I really want.

A barbeque tuna wrap with a Laughing Cow wedge, red onion, and lettuce. Kale chips with salt and pepper on the side. Why didn’t I originally want to eat this for lunch even though it’s what I was craving? I had the exact same thing last night for dinner. But it’s delicious, so whatever mercury content. I do what I want.

2-4:30pm: Read A Stolen Life. Cover my mouth and eyes for several parts.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on my couch trying not to nap so that I can fall asleep tonight. I usually nap on my days off and then regret it later. Success! I just ate dinner (shrimp and veggie stir fry with brown rice) and I’m now drinking one of my Kombuchas, watching TV, and researching the next step in my life ;0)

Don’t Call It a Comeback

3 miles in 27:28.

Actually, you can go ahead and call it a comeback.

My 7 Links

Kaitlin over at 4 Love of Carrots tagged me in the 7 Links Meme going around the blogging world!

The Rules
1. Blogger is nominated to take part.
2. Nominated blogger publishes his or her 7 links (one for each category).
3. Blogger nominates up to 5 bloggers to take part next.
4. The cycle continues!

1. My Most Beautiful Post

Hmmm my writing is definitely not the post beautiful, but I am kind of in love with my pictures from the central park zoo. And of course, Ethel the Lonely Penguin is beautiful.

2. My Most Controversial Post

I don’t stir up much controversy (at all), but a controversial topic? My juice cleanse for a day!

3. Most Popular Post

Clearly, we are all Trader Joe’s Hoes.

4. Most Helpful

Need to cook a delicious summer lunch? Here you go!

5. Surprise Success

My first day of work’s outfit and food had a lot (for me) of comments. I guess I just look good.

6. Most Unappreciated Post

I have no idea. Why doesn’t everyone appreciate all of my self-indulgent posts? Rude. But really – help me think of some no sugar added alternatives over at my FreelyBe: Kick the Habit post!

7. Post of Which You’re Proudest   

My recap of the Fitness | More Magazines’ Women’s Half Marathon. My first half, sub-2 hours, on a stress fracture? I win at life. No self-induced pressure to do even more amazing on a fully healed a function leg next year or anything …

I’m tagging ..
1. My girlfriend Emily over at Making Life Fit.
2. Jenny at Peanut Butter and Jenny
3. Kristen, the Swanky Dietitian
4. Lee, my favorite Fit Foodie
5. Jocelyn, another Enthusiastic Runner

Have fun!!

I also want to thank Kristen, aka the Swanky Dietitian, for randomly picking me to win her Gnu Bar Giveaway!

I’ve had the Cinnamon Raisin before and loved it so I’m excited to try the Banana Walnut, Chocolate Brownie, Orange Cranberry, and Peanut Butter flavors. Thanks again, Kristen!