The weekend was a whirlwind. It flew by at record pace but it was full of good things and fun times.
(Whoa. Yes, that’s a lot of me up close and personal for the first photo of the post!) I trained four clients, taught a yoga class, went into the Charlotte Observer office for a couple of hours and worked on Metro stuff and my blog on Friday. I took a little break from all that for some pampering. First, I took a rest day. Second, I went into Carolina Facial Plastics to see Dede for a facial/peel. This is a pic from post peel. No makeup except for mascara (and it seems the Latisse has finally kicked in!)
We are eight months into my treatment plan right now and I think this is the best my skin has looked in over 10 years. We are meeting all of my goals in regards to my skincare…protection, prevention and no hormonal birth control! YES! I’ll do another post soon with a breakdown on all the products I’m using. It’s a simple, manageable routine.
The pampering continued with a manicure after I finally finished my last client of the week at 6:30 p.m. I don’t usually choose pink nail polish colors but I’ve been all about it lately. Just makes you feel girly! 🙂
I decided to stay in on Friday night since I had my race and CrossFit event on Saturday. I ordered an Italian sausage, mushroom and artichoke pizza from Luisa’s Brick Oven and then topped it with a little bit of goat cheese at home. I ate half of this pizza while watching a movie on the couch.
I rented the movie Palo Alto with James Franco. Movie was weird and artsy but James Franco is enjoyable to look at so it was a win.
The race started at 7:30 a.m. so I had an early wakeup call on Saturday. I got up at 6 a.m., showered (always helps warm me up pre-race), ate a banana with almond butter and hit the road. Parking and logistics were easy. After the race I stopped by Starbucks for a venti iced coffee to put some pep in my step before the Metro Throwdown.
I loved our Throwdown workout! I was scheduled for the 10:45 a.m. heat and was excited to give it a try. I was also really nervous because it is slightly terrifying to workout and give it your all with a bunch of people watching you! I did the workout as prescribed and finished 198 reps. Notable achievements include 30 handstand push ups in the first minute and I strung together 15 kipping pull ups in a row during the max effort 2 minutes of pull ups. That’s a personal best for me.
I was more than ready for a post-5K and post-WOD beer!
We had someone grilling burgers and chicken sandwiches so I had a chicken sandwich with peppers, onions, sauerkraut and cheese.
It felt SO GOOD to go home, shower and get dressed up after spending the day a sweaty mess. I went out for dinner with a group of friends on Saturday night. No food pics to share but it was a great evening and I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in weeks.
I Ubered home around 11:30 (I am OBSESSED with Uber!) and spent some time cuddling with this one before bed.
Sunday was a little more low-key. I taught yoga, went to the grocery store, worked on a video and story for Run Charlotte Run about using a lacrosse ball for hip and glute mobility and then attended an event. I was invited to cover a dinner with a local high school cross country team where Matt Elliott was the speaker. Matt is a local kindergarten teacher and runner whose mile PR is 3:54. He is about to embark on a journey to train for the 2016 Olympic team. More on that in another post!
Wrapped up the weekend walking my girl and catching up with my family.
What’s your favorite way to pamper yourself? Facial? Mani/pedi? Massage?
Jen your skin is amazing! I can’t wait to hear what you have been doing, I’m in serious need of a skin routine re-haul! Also, can I just say HOLY HANDSTAND PUSHUPS!! lol
As for pampering, I think the closest thing I get to pampering on the weekend is an iced coffee and a long walk with the dogs lol!
i think your iced coffee and long walk sounds absolutely perfect! 🙂
I spy a Storypeople print in the background of one of your photos! I love Storypeople. I have several prints and one of the books 🙂
aren’t they great!? love them.
Wow, your skin is glowing!!! I’m looking forward to your post on your skin routine!
Friday is my day off from work, and I usually spend it running around like a crazy person trying to squeeze all my errands in before daycare pickup….but this Friday, I treated myself to a pedicure and it.was.heavenly!!!! Everyone needs a little pampering now and then 🙂
thanks christina!
so glad you treated yourself to a pedicure on friday! we all need it every now and then.
Your skin is GORGEOUS! (as are you!)
and that boy is CUTE! 😉
thanks heather!
and haha…he is cute and had a great personality to match! too bad he’s taken. 😉
Love those pink nails, and your skin looks great! Latisse is simply amazing!
your skin looks gorgeous — can’t wait to hear your tips!
thanks kristin!
Woah—he’s a hottie!
🙂
Did you eat before the CrossFit throwdown? I always have a hard time eating after I really push it in a race, but just a banana all morning would not be enough for me.
yep, i had a luna chocolate peanut butter protein bar with my iced coffee. i also ate another banana after the race.
I’m so obsessed with uber too…it is the BEST! I treated myself to a mani/pedi this weekend before my vacation. I definitely would love to get a nice facial sometime soon. I find those to be the ultimate pampering treat. 🙂
Your skin looks beautiful! I’m really excited about your skincare post – I feel like I have similar issues to what you’ve faced in the past and I’m looking forward to some tips!
i LOVE Matt Elliott. The video interview he did after the olympic trials when he broke down in tears gives me goosebumps every time i see it!
i haven’t seen that! i will have to check it out!
Nothing better than a pedicure and a massage. I of course love a great manicure too (always pink!) but I find a pedicure so much more relaxing than when I just get my nails done. And, I hate waiting for them to dry but keeping them short and pretty is a must!
girl…i hear you. i am SO BAD at letting my nails dry and almost always smudge them. i love the gel manicures because you’re good to go straight from the salon and they last 10-14 days.
I LOVE massages! Relaxing AND productive since I always have tight muscles!
xo!
Definitey a massage or facial! I love pampering. I’m anxious to hear about your skin routine especially the no hormonal BC part. I have had a rough 6 months with my skin from a BC I was taking. When I finally realized that was my problem I have switched and things are getting better but my skin took a real beating during this time! Trying to figure out the best plan going forward so these breakouts of mine go away! I’m 30 and I have more things to worry about like wrinkles:) Ha!
hey brooke – i’m excited to share with you guys. i tried to stop taking hormonal birth control a few years ago and had a TERRIBLE flair with my skin. worst acne of my life. i’m so hoping that this new skincare routine prevents that this time. our skincare needs are definitely changing as we enter our 30s!
Definitely a massage for me!
Hi Jen,
I have a question. I see that you ate a banana with almond butter before the race. Is this what you usually eat prior to a run? I am training for the half marathon as well and I’m having trouble picking what and when to eat before I run!
Thanks!
hey carolyn – i eat various things but i’ve always had the most luck with toast/english muffin with peanut butter or almond butter and a banana before long runs. before shorter runs i might ditch the toast and just have the banana and nut butter or a bar. you just have to play around with it and find what works best for you.
Your skin looks great! It looks like you had such a great weekend. I am UBER-obsessed as well and use it every opportunity I get. My favorite way to pamper myself is definitely a mani/pedi. I’m totally the person who brings a book or magazine and reads while in the chair. It’s just so relaxing!
i love reading mags while i’m getting a pedicure…especially when the salon has wine! 🙂
UBER is just so awesome for nights out when there’s drinks involved. and so easy!
Sounds like a perfect weekend. I definitely need to get a skincare plan in place, I’ve been putting it off.
Girl, you are gorgeous and your skin is INCREDIBLE! Amazing job on the run and those HSPUs, too! It recently took me about 6 min to do 30 strict HSPUs in a WOD…but I did them! (I bet my arms aren’t out wide enough to decrease the distance…)
nicki – thanks so much for the really kind words! and YES, take your arms wider. helps a lot. i am strong at handstands and shoulder strength due to all the yoga i do and how much i handstand in general. it takes a while to develop it all. stick with it!
I’ve never had a massage, but love manis/pedis!
Can you post a video of the handstand push ups please? 30 in one minute is insane! Amazing work.
whatcha want to see? form? tutorial? reps?
Form and tutorial please!!
got it!
Your skin looks so awesome!!!!!! Gorgeous 🙂
Where is your little statue in your house from? I want a little sacred spot in my place, and don’t know where to look for one. Thanks!
hey liz! thanks!
i actually think it’s from home goods. they have tons of stuff like this.