Opening Night

I just got home from the show. After a looooong week of rehearsals, we finally opened to an audience tonight and it was fantastic! I'm beyond exhausted, but so happy to have the show up and running finally.
I am also still recovering from my 11 mile Run of Awesome (it's been a bit slower of a recovery because I've been dancing every night on top of the long run).

Here are some more photos of this kid to entertain you:

 It's called the "Convent Miranda" look.... hahahaha

Taking center stage

This nun likes to invent other nuns... for example, Sister Pocahontas

I do have a serious moment here and there....

 Amen!

Getting ready to dance

We're just too adorable!

So there ya go folks.... yours truly at her best haha

A Nun Walks Into the Gym....

Today was a LOOOOOOOOONG day!

It started at 5:15 this morning when I woke up (WAY before the sun, I'd like to add) and headed to meet my friend Tina at the gym. We both hopped on the Arc trainer for 25 minutes for some rocking cardio. I decided that today would be a great day to up the intensity level on the machine and it most definitely kicked my bum. I don't know if most of you know what an Arc trainer is, so let me explain:
The Arc Trainer, in my humble opinion, is an awesome cross-training machine. It combines low impact movements with high caloric bun and helps with endurance. Also, depending upon how you lower or raise the incline of the machine, depends on how intense your hamstrings, glutes and quads are going to work (lowered incline=more work, higher incline=less work which seems odd but is very true for this machine).

Anyway, since I lowered my incline and raised my intensity today, my body was not very happy with me. Tina and I barely made the 25minutes before we decided to hit the weight machines. We always focus on our abs during our strength training (After all, a strong core is super important for running, right?) but I also try to focus on my back, shoulders and arms. We spent about 30 minutes or so going through our weight routine before we decided that we wanted to end with another 10minutes of cardio. So, we hopped on the treadmill and she walked at an incline while I jogged for 8 minutes and sprinted for 2. It was a good workout, but the sprint at the end had me completely drenched in sweat (seriously, I had little rivers running down my arms- it was gross).  See for yourself

Okay, so maybe I don't look that sweaty, but trust me, it wasn't pretty.

Despite my swampy self, it was an awesome work out. She and I even discussed setting up a more organized routine throughout the week for our weight work. Instead of doing 30 minutes of random machines, we are going to do a separate body part each day. So, for example, Monday would abs, Wednesday arms, etc etc. We think that we have a good base right now but that isolating will help so much more.

I was planning on doing an 11 mile run tomorrow morning, but I realized I have to work at 11am. And standing on my feet for 5 hours after doing that long of a run is not my idea of fun. So, I've decided to push my run to Tuesday (the one day next week when I don't have to work). Granted, I will be in rehearsals for my show (which opens next Friday!!!) but I will have plenty more recovery time between Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening. 

Also, I figured I would give everyone a little chuckle and show y'all my costume for the show. It's called Nunsense, and it's a musical (about nuns... go figure). It's hysterical and I'm so honored to be working with such an amazing cast. I can't believe it's almost time to open the show! It's crazy! And believe me, it's going to be hot dancing around in these costumes:

I am the second from the left (holding the maracas).

Are you laughing? I know I am. Me as a nun?! Priceless!

This is what has been keeping me uber busy the past few weeks- trying to memorize lines and lyrics, practice blocking and dance routines, and learn harmonies and solo numbers. See? I wasn't lying before when I said I had been consumed by rehearsals haha I now have photos to prove it! 

One last note: please don't forget to DONATE to my fundraiser for the National Stroke Association HERE! Remember,  every $1 you donate gets you an entry into my awesome give away!!

And I'm Back!

Aren't you excited?! 

I am!

I missed you all SO much! Let's never be apart like that again, okay?

I am finally home from dog sitting. I miss Ella (the dog) but I know she's excited that her dad is back home. I was able to go to the gym twice this week since I've been home. That's right- TWICE! Homegirl doesn't play. I went last night (after a very relaxing and much needed surprise pedicure- my toes are NEON PINK!!) and I did the 30minute cross training routine. Then, I went today and did a short 1.2 mile run, just to get myself back into the swing of things. My body still feels tired from being on the go for so long, but I'm glad to be getting myself back on track.

I am concerned because I start rehearsals for a new show on Monday and that is going to take up my evenings for the next 6 weeks. I don't want to fall off track again because it's almost half marathon time!! So, I've devised a plan to keep myself in line. Now, for anyone who knows me (or possibly has read some of my earlier blogs), you will know I am NOT a morning person. Not even close. Considering most of the time I don't have to be at work till 11am or later, I can usually sleep in pretty late. Well, over the summer I have been weening myself into getting up earlier and earlier. I don't like that feeling of knowing that I slept so late I wasted my day away. It makes me feel like I've accomplished nothing- no matter what I might get done the rest of the day. So, I slowly started setting my alarm for earlier times. At first, I would get up at 10, then 9:45, then 9:30. Now, I can usually get myself up by 8:45 or 9 am. For me, that's a huge deal! My intent is to start getting myself up at 7:30 or 8 (depending upon what time I have to be at work, etc) so I can go to the gym or hit the pavement first thing in the morning. I have high hopes that I can do this!! I feel better having a plan of sorts in place for the upcoming chaos.

Also, on a side note, I went to Borders for their Going Out of Business Sale. I was armed with a $25 gift card and managed to snag 2 fitness books, a pleasure read and a book for my niece. I am very excited about the fitness books. One is all about Core strengthening and different core exercises, the other is a running book called "Run For Life". It seemed interesting. I also still have Kara Goucher's book to get through as well (plus 4 additional pleasure reads- oy). I am going to start Kara's book within the next week. And I'm going to do the core book everyday until the half marathon. My plan is to read the book within the next few days and then do 5-8 of the moves every morning. Good plan, yes? It's my own version of the 30 day Ab Challenge.... only, I've got more than 30 days. HA. Eventually I will get to my pleasure reads (I read pretty fast actually).

Ok... enough of my rambling. Have a good night everyone!!