Hey everyone! Hope you’re having a lovely morning <3
Today, I can almost walk like a normal person, and I accredit that to this:
Notice the slightly green color???
A SEAWEED bath!
I used this pack of Repechage seaweed bath that my friend Ashley (whose birthday is today! Happy Birthday, friend!) gave me when I was complaining that I felt like death last week.
As you guys know, I’m a huge fan of Repechage (from my skincare post), and seaweed acts as an anti-inflammatory due to the high magnesium levels and iodine- the benefits are absorbed directly through the skin. Read more benefits of seaweed baths here. I figured it would be a good way to ease my aching leggies, despite the fact that I despise baths (soaking in your own filth = not my cup of tea).
Viesa was frightened when she heard the bath water running… she hates baths, too 
It was actually –dare I say it- very pleasant and relaxing. I chilled with a Runner’s World mag (to remind me that I DO want to run again, haha) and got out feeling pretty bueno.
I went up into the yoga room and did the Lunar Meditation from the Shiva Rea DVD, some ab work and stretching.
‘Twas lovely, and today I am not walking like a peg-legged pirate. All is right in the world 
I came back downstairs, watching 500 days of summer (it was very cute, but the music was the best part), then called it a night.
This morning, I was stoked for oats.
They look SPIKY, huh?
I used the standard mix of:
1/3 C oat bran
goji berries, maca, cacao nibs, chia seeds, cinnamon
1/2 scoop vanilla Sun Warrior
1/2 banana
almond milk
cacao nibs
1 T almond butter
And it was pretty face rocking
I’m off to the bank, Wizzle for groceries, then getting ready for work. I may attempt an easy elliptical sesh today… we shall see.
See ya this afternoon with the giveaway winner (you still have a couple of hours to enter!) <3
xoxo,
G$
Something to think: “Make it yours, and own it.” Many of you asked me about the pilot’s pep talk he gave me before the half marathon. Since I know many of you have races and events coming up, I thought I’d share the almond-shell version with ya’ll. We were sitting at Seasons 52, waiting for our friends to arrive, and I was telling him about how nervous I was. He said, “You know what, it’s going to suck. It’s going to be terrible, hard, and you’ll be hating it. But the thing is, you can let the ‘suck’ beat you and take you down… or you can make it yours, and own it. If something’s going to be painful and terrible, you might as well make it worthwhile. It’s a temporary thing and before you know it, it will be over.” So while I was running (sans iPod!! GAH!), I kept thinking about the fact that it was going to be over eventually and I might as well make it worthwhile, no matter how difficult it was. Before I knew it, we were in the car driving home
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Peg legged pirate!! AWESOME! I dislike baths as well…I get too bored. I’m also not a person that can lay out at the pool…boring. I like the “activeness” of a shower. Hee hee!!!
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing
Hubby’s give the best advice, don’t they?? My hubby always tells me ‘whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.’ LOVE that quote (I think it’s by Henry Ford) and it is so true about everything. Attitude determines so much.
I’m loving your bowl of oats this morning. My dog freaks everytime she hears bath water running too, I have to calm her down and tell her its not for her. lol
Viesa is so cute
And that is really good to know about the seaweed soak! I’m glad you’re feeling more like yourself.
I’m glad youre feeling better and walking normal again!
I have a question….i don’t want to be mean or sound rude about but i’m honestly curious why you choose to run races if they cause so much anxiety and stress for you? whats the point? why not just run for fun? Youre not the only one i was wondering this about many bloggers run marathons and half marathons and do nothing but complain about it….maybe it’s because i’ve never ran a race so i don’t know the feeling…but i’m honestly just wondering what the big deal is if you don’t enjoy it?
usually races don’t cause anxiety or stress… half marathons do! i could run a 5k, 10k, 15k tomorrow and not think twice about it.
a half marathon is not fun. it’s a very long distance and take a lot out of you. the distance, for me, is daunting, and that’s what stressed me out. i do it because i feel like a champion when it’s over
Your last line – “I do it because I feel like a champion when it’s over” – speaks volumes. I think this is what motivates a lot of people to exercise in general – how they feel after it’s over, both physically and mentally. The feeling of accomplishment is ten times greater when the task was truly difficult and challenging; if it were a walk in the park, everyone would be doing it and it wouldn’t be such an amazing achievement!
Congratulations, by the way!
I am a competitive runner- I ran high school cross country and track (state qualifier) and am currently running college division 1 cross country and track.
Do I get nervous before a race? Yes – I often cry myself to sleep, knowing how much pain I’ll be in the next morning!
But I loooove the competition. I love sprinting towards the finish line when every muscle is burrrrning. I love the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. And I love love love “complaining” about it – “That was so hard! What a challenge! Holy crap, everything hurts!”
All those things are true, but the challenge is what makes it amazing.
Of course there are times when I think, “What would life be like if I were just running for fun, and not training for a race basically every weekend?” But over the summer, my only time off from actual competing, I always sign up for more races!
Loving to race is much more than enjoying a run. The competition combined with camaraderie is what’s so amazing – and then seeing your hard work pay off. Even before I was winning races I loved it, but now that I am, it makes all that hard work worth it.
Think of it as a goal to work towards. It’s easier to workout harder and make it a priority when you have an end goal.
Aw that’s a great pep talk! I’ll remember that when I convince myself to do a half. I put that dvd on my netflix so I can’t wait till it arrives in the mail! Have a good one!
I love it – “Own the suck!”.
Oh, I hate baths, too! But perhaps a seaweed soak would be worth it for some achy-legs.
And what a sweet pep talk! Thanks for sharing. I have a marathon coming up in June, and I’m going to need all the mental motivation I can get!! Gulp.
Nothing like finishing a race, though. It’s such a high!!
Nice pep talk pilot. nice.
That pep talk is awesome and so true. I could apply that to a few of my everyday workouts. Thanks for sharing it
Ooooh, I LOVE trying new bath products! This one sounds awesome! I totally get what the pilot was saying in his pep talk…and hey, whatever works, right?
love the pep talk… pilot is such a wise man!
yes, he’s a keeper
that’s really cool about the seaweed bath. and AWESOME pep talk. i’m using those words today for my speed workout!
Hmmmmm, seaweed bath, I think I need one!
In response to Jenna’s question, I run races because it sets a goal, and when I have a goal it helps me stick to a workout plan. Also, running a marathon has always been a goal of mine. And finally, it’s my competative nature, it feels great reaching new personal bests, whether it be distance, time, whatever! Races really just make running more fun!
Soaking in your own filth is not my idea of fun, either…plus it makes me realize how dirty my tub usually is!
That was a pretty awesome pep talk. Lucky lady. I could definitely use a seaweed bath right about now. But I find that my bath is too short to really relax. I like to stretch my legs out—I’d like a Shaq-size tub!
Awww I love what your hubby told you! thank you for sharing that. I know it was for the half but it really relates to what i’m going through right now, my injury. It’s SO frustrating and some days I just want to throw in the towel and give up trying… but things like that, knowing that this will be over one day, keeps me going
i LOOOOVE baths – thinking about soaking in your own FILTH is a little gross, but I don’t care
yay for husbands who always know just what to say
the pilot is so great
I love that he knew exactly what to say to get you motivated!!
I’m really excited that I got enough of the guest room cleaned/set up so I can start doing exercise DVDs up there now!! YAY! not to mention that we can now have overnight visitors
I don’t like taking baths either! I am glad your leggies are feeling better, and the pilot -as always- so motivating
i never knew seaweed was anti inflammatory but good to know for the next race!
I’m a total bath girl!
I’d rather soak in the tub than stand in a shower any day! Guess I’m gross, haha!
Gina, thank you for sharing that great pep talk from the pilot. I will try to remember his words when I am training and then running my marathon. I’ve done 5 half-marathons and decided to try my hand (or legs, I should say) at the full (and so far I must admit I’m NOT loving it…) I know I’ll feel great following through with it, but I know it’s gonna suck! So I’ll keep his words, and yours, in mind as I tackle my 16-mile training run this weekend.
I must find that seaweed stuff! I’ve used a tub tea before that worked great but I can’t find anymore so I’ll have to try your suggestion after the next run!
Have a great day!
I should get my mom a seaweed bath! She has arthritis in her big toe and she’s giving herself tendonitis in her other foot b/c of how she walks to compensate for the sore toe- I’ve been having her take epsom salt baths, but maybe seaweed will help more!
I hate baths too, for the record- I have really sensitive skin which rules out most stuff that smells nice- and I keep thinking how dirty the dogs are when I wash them in the tub. Yes, I clean the tub afterward, but I’m also afraid I’ll be allergic to whatever cleaning product that might remain in there. I used to really like baths, but my skin has gotten a lot more sensitive as I’ve gotten older and it’s just not worth it anymore!
BATHS are awesome!! SO relaxing!! I’ve been taking super hot ones with bubbles to soothe my aching muscles from 8K training!!
I don’t usually have the patience for baths, but that really does sound refreshing!!
Great pep talk! My hubby probably woulda said something like, “you signed up for this race, now suck it up.” HA!
My kids love baths and I’m always telling them that they don’t get clean sitting in dirty water. Gross. Mind you, the amount of time my almost 11yr old daughter spends in the shower probably makes a bath more economical!
Yay! Glad the seaweed bath helped your achin’ legs! I’m not a big fan of baths either, but this month’s Runner’s World is an awesome volume.
I really need to pick up some oat bran. I always just use regular rolled oat or steel cut oats.
LOVE the hubby’s advice
that is a GREAT pep talk! i might re-post it with your link because i like it so much…way to go pilot! i’m glad your legs are feeling a lot better, too, i can’t imagine how sore you must have been!
Awesome pep talk.
I’m a very strong believer in what decide how to let the world impact us. We decide how to own and how to respond to life. Either we do it with an attitude that won’t let anything take you down OR we focus on the challenge, the hardships, the fears, what ifs. It’s all about what frame of mind you put yourself in.
This is why I truly believe that in my life: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
awesome pep talk
i’ll have to remember it!! neat product, i’ll have to remember that the next time i’m in need!
no i-pizzle?!?!?! I must have missed the part of the post where you talked about it biting the dust…sad times!!! I am so dependent on my pizzle, that I would be hurting if it died. You get extra points in my book for finishing strong with no tunes!
Great advice from the pilot! When I’m working out with my friend and we are doing something hard and hating life…she always reminds me: at least we have legs to hurt. At least we have the ability to walk, etc. It always puts things into perspective you know.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who gets grossed out by baths! I’m not a fan of hot tubs for the same reason, despite all the chlorine! Love the pilot’s pep talk- I think guys are better at not worrying so much!
thanks for your website- i love it!
i have a question off this topic- can you do a pullup?
i can do lots of pushups so i confidently tried a pullup the other day when i was @ a gym & got a shock. i couldn’t even budge an inch up.
now i feel motivated to get one of those doorway pullup bars – what do you do?
i can do exactly one pull-up.
those suckers are not easy
thank the pilot for the advice
that’s exactly what i tell myself about my workouts! it works like a charm
Thanks for the pep-talk, Pilot! And thank you for the one you gave me yesterday, Gina… I seriously needed them both!
you’re very welcome! xoxo
I love 500 Summers!
Ironically, my dog doesn’t mind showers. I’ve been taking him in the shower with me (once a week or so) since he was a puppy. Holding him as I washed him was more soothing than him being in the bath all by himself. He keeps my robe warm on the floor when I shower solo, so he must not be too afraid of me pulling him in for a wash.
hahah bella loves showers with me. vies hates all types of water activity
Have you tried Silk brand almond milk? YUM!
Aw, what a good husband. Does he not want his name in your blog or do you just call him that here for fun? Kinda like Mr. Big on Sex and the City?
no i haven’t! it sounds wonderful though
i call him that on the blog for fun.. i’ve divulged his real name once in the blog world- just like sex and the city
Face rocking indeed! I’ve never been a big oats girl but all these posts for Everything-but-the-kitchen-sink oats are making me crave it out of the blue!
I’ve never thought to do a seaweed bath! I’ll have to try that next time I’m super sore.
Do you think it would have the same anti-inflammatory effects if I just pulsed some dried seaweed I have in the food processor and added it to a warm bath, or is that some kind of special seaweed bath concoction you had?
i’m sure it would have the same effect
it might just be stinkier though
So true…you have to embrace “the suck”.
I need to get me some of that seaweed soak. I was picturing you actually taking a bath with seaweed salad all around. ha ha!
hahah no, but i wouldn’t put it past me
I thought 500 days of summer was so cute…especially at the end when he meets “Autumn”!!! Life definitely does go on
haha i thought that was cute too
I like the pep talk a lot!
As long as the bath made you feel better it was worth it
wow, thats a good pep talk. men are so wise!! I mean really, they cut the bull and get to the point.
I am glad the bath helped! Gosh what a great pep talk-he is right
So glad to hear you are feeling better! I’ll have to remember the sea-weed soak after my marathon on the 21st!
Wow! I’m glad the seaweed thing worked…I might have to try that now, haha. I loved 500 Days of Summer! I thought it was a very different movie than your normal chick-flick. And the music was AMAZING!
That cracks me up that you hate baths because it feels like soaking in one’s own filth. I have the same hang-up- when I crave a bath for the steaming soaking benefits, I always have to shower first to make sure I’m 100% clean!
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