january run+workout.

happy new year, everyone! I know that 2016 was the worst, unimaginable, horrific not the best, here's to hoping 2017 is better!

and because the #1 New Year's Resolution for most people is health/fitness based, that thought it was apropos to have 2017's first blog post be the january run+workout playlist!

as always, there's a little bit of everything. Here's the Spotify link.  

january run+workout:

enjoy! 

love, 
adrienne. 

RA and ABP.

my name is adrienne. and I have rheumatoid arthritis. 

over the last 8 months I've been struggling with constant pain in most of my joints. In hindsight, I've made the slow progression through levels of pain for the last 18 months, but the intensity peaked in August of 2015. The pain started in my pinkies in the fall/winter of 2014. At first I thought it was from constant txting (could be), and then I thought it was because of the constant cold (probably). The pain would come on early in the morning and late in the evening, so it wasn't enough to notice... in the beginning.

as the months progressed, and the weather warmed, my joint pain gradually increased. I was running around constantly with work, traveling with friends, and training for another half marathon. Again, I contributed the pinky pain to txting and being on the go. But then I started having pain in my toes. Somewhat naively, I thought I kept spraining my big toes in yoga (which I've totally done, multiple times). I thought my other toes ached from the 30-40mile training I was doing weekly. It didn't faze me for a while.

that was until the swelling set in. Towards the end of July and early part of August, my hands had ballooned. My finger pain had spread to all of my digitals, and the pain in my toes spread to my feet and ankles. But the swelling was the worst. My size 8.5 Asics were so tight that my circulation was being cut off. It too was painful to type on the key board. I couldn't wear any rings or watches. Opening jars and turning round door handles was almost impossible. Dicing and mincing veggies and herbs was out of the question. I broke 3 glasses in one week.

the pain, swelling, and inability to manage simple daily tasks wasn't what brought me into the doctor's office. It was my asthma. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 14; up until that point I had had 5 years of controlled asthma under my belt, with the latter 2 living without the need for a daily corticosteroidal inhaler. All of a sudden, though, I couldn't breath. I was waking myself up wheezing and coughing every night, and couldn't run a half mile without needing my rescue inhaler. So straight to the pulmonologist I went. After explaining my breathing issues, and the physical exam, my physician asked me if I had any other aches and pains that needed to be addressed. I told him about my joint pain and swelling, and he ordered some blood work. Thank goodness he did.

about 5 days later, my doctor calls. He said my rheumatoid factor was double what it should be... for a 50 year old. He sent off my labs to my GP, who referred me to a rheumatologist.

after seeing the rheumatologist, and doing more blood work and x-rays, I finally had a concrete diagnosis. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA for short). As soon as I was diagnosed, I was immediately started on RA protocol.

having a tangible, albeit unexpected, diagnosis to my months pain made me feel exponentially better. But I'd be lying to say I'm alright.

it sucks. It really sucks. Having RA at 25 years old, is almost soul crushing. I haven't been able to do so many of the things I love to do: run, bike, practice yoga, knit, ski, blog. These things that I love, my favorite things, make up so much of who I am. Not being able to do them has made me feel like I've lost so much of my identity. All because of this disease. I never know how I will feel, day to day. On my best days, I have deep but dampened pain in my fingers and toes. On my worst days, getting out of bed is too much.

seeing the glass half full is a constant struggle. RA is not a death sentence; it is not cancer, it is not paralyzing, it is not world-ending but... Being optimistic sometimes feels impossible. I'm my toughest critic and my biggest hater, so staying positive is a constant battle between my self, my reality, and acknowledging any silver lining.

the struggle has been real.

but there are so many things to be grateful and thankful for. 

first, my friends. They have let me whine, cry, scream, and yell my frustrations about my situation and diagnosis way past being blue in the face. They have called me from Florida, txted me from Chicago, wrote me from New Jersey, and visited me from down the street. They've made the time and effort to reach out and make sure I'm okay. I've said it before, but I have the best friends in the world. And for that, I'm thankful.

second, my coworkers. When you work in the medical field, your job is to take care of your patients. Never did I expect to be taken care of by my coworkers. Every day the techs, nurses, clinicians, and physicians check in on me to see how I'm doing. They always ask how I'm feeling, if I need help, and how they can help. If I can't lift a patient on my own, they're always there to help bear the weight. If I'm exhausted and feeling down, they're always there with a cup of tea and encouraging words. Having such a loving and caring work family makes all the difference when you're aching to the core. And for that, I'm grateful. 

third, and most importantly, my family. The amount of work my parents have put in to finding answers, accommodating, and encouraging me is insurmountable. They help in any and all ways they can; driving me to doctors appointments, making my bed in the morning, packing lunches, bringing me water to take my meds, giving me a little bit of extra love when I need it. Being a parent is the hardest job in the entire world, so the fact that they have gone over and beyond their basic duties is something I will forever be indebted to them for. And for that, I'm thankful.

the last year has been one of the hardest of my life. It has been full of pain, frustration, and questioning. It's bent my faith, and dulled my self-esteem.

but it hasn't broken me. I am far from broken.

my experience with rheumatoid arthritis has changed me. 

rheumatoid arthritis has made me patient.

rheumatoid arthritis has made me resilient.

rheumatoid arthritis has made me stronger than I ever could have been. 


and for that, I'm grateful. 


xoxo,

adrienne. 

september run+workout playlist.

my favorite running spot: along Lake Michigan! Bay Harbor, Petoskey, Michigan.

september is here, which means perfect running weather is too. I love September, almost as much as I love October. September is always about returning to the routine, comfort, and the crispness of fall. It's not too hot, and never too cold. Most importantly, it's low humidity which is my own personal hell when it comes to working out.

so, after a little summer-season hiatus, here's a new run+workout playlist!

as per usual, there's a little bit of everything and definitely a little bit of something for everyone.

september run+workout playlist

september run+workout playlist: 24 tracks, 1 hour and 9 minutes.

1. Radioactive, Imagine Dragons
2. Somewhere to Run, Krewella
3. Survivor, Destiny's Child
4. Talking Body, Tove Love
5. Stronger, Britney Spears
6. Shake it, Metro Station
7. Drag Me Down, One Direction
8. HeadBand (Coucheron Remix), B.o.B
9. Tonight is the Night, Outasight
10. Compass, Lady Antebellum
11. Somebody To You, The Vamps
12. Ugly Heart, G.R.L.
13. Transmission, Zedd
14. Wrecking Ball (Caked Up Remix), Miley Cyrus
15. Cool for the Summer, Demi Lovato
16. Vacation, Thomas Rhett
17. Levels, Nick Jonas
18. Love Myself, Hailee Steinfeld
19. Don't It, Billy Currington
20. Hood Go Crazy, Tech N9ne
21. Friday Night, Eric Paslay
22. So Good, B.o.B
23. Danza Kuduro, Don Omar & Lucenzo
24. I Like Tuh, Carnage

(oh, and here's the link to the playlist on 8tracks!)

run on and enjoy the early fall colors,

adrienne. 

10 tips for new runners.

my love for running is no secret. I love the way it makes me feel, and what it does for my heart and body. Rain, snow, or gale force winds won't stop me. I wish I could do it all the time but alas Usain Bolt I am not. 

being a runner, I remember what it's like to start out. Not knowing if I was running the proper way, worrying about running too slow, getting lapped by people 3 times my age.... It was rough and it can be intimidating, but hopefully these tips will help!

1. invest in a really good running shoe. This is probably the most important thing for runners of all levels. A good pair of trainers is what's going to prevent you from potential sprains, pulled muscles, and limit shinsplints. Asics are my favorite, but there are plenty of different brands out there. Go to a running store, and have them assess your gait and pronation. They'll be able to find you a shoe that fits your needs. Also, if you mention you're a first-time runner, a lot of stores will give you a discount. FTW. 
   
2. same thing goes for socks. I used to think my socks didn't make a difference, but once you switch to athletic, or even more specifically, running socks, you'll never go back.
3. heartburn is definitely a thing. Especially for us morning runners. All of the movement jostles all of our insides, and the acid producers go into overdrive. Get out ahead of the heart burn, and take an acid reducer before you head out on your run. If you have a history of chronic acid reflux like me, take a once daily OTC medication. 
4. runners' trots are too. This varies from person to person, but again all of that jostling of the digestive system tends to get things flowing whether you like it or not. 
5. hydration is a lifestyle. This is a constant and continuous thing. I usually drink about 80oz of water a day. Do I have to pee every 15 minutes? Yes. But for me, being properly hydrated is the difference between barely being able to break 3miles and running 5miles without stopping. 
   
6. always run with music. It'll pump you up, help you pace out, and limit your boredom. If you have a good playlist, you'll be unstoppable. 
7. but practice safety first. If you're running with music, run with one ear in and the other (closest to the road) out. If you'll be on the road, always run AGAINST traffic; it's easier to dodge a car that you can see coming than it is to dodge one you can't see. Always carry your phone and identifying information, including health info. Tell someone where you're running, and which route you'll be taking. Simple, yet important. 
   
8. get your run in in the morning. I know, who actually wants to get up an hour before they have to... besides me lol. Getting it out of the way before you do aaaaaanything else limits the potential to make excuses as the day progresses. For me, morning runs aren't typically my fastest ones. But if I do it in the morning, I'm more likely to actually get my miles in for the day. 

   

   one of the many perks of running outdoors. 

9. develop a mantra. It can be anything. Mine usually is "I am strong, I am capable, I will succeed." This will help you get through the tough hills and speed training. I repeat mine over and over until I develop a rhythm between the words, my breathing, and my gait. 
10. sign up for races and run with friends. Races = goals . Friends = motivators. And both make for a good time!

    

    next race on tap: 2015 Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon.

no matter what, you should feel amazing for getting out there and doing something that's good for your mind, body, and spirit. Stick with it, and I know you'll fall in love with it. 

run on, lovelies.

xo,

adrienne. 

let's be realistic: 7th and 8th week of change.

hi, long time no talk! I know it has been a minute since my last post, but it's been crazy busy around these parts!

to be honest, i didn't want to write over the last two weeks. I had been in such a negative, dark place that I was worried it wasn't ever going to brighten up. Negativity can be incredibly insidious; it spreads like an infection, and can be chronic like a disease.

and that's not something I wanted to share.

luckily, i'm on a come up. I got to take some time off, go on a vacation, and hang out with my absolute best friend in the entire world. Before jetting off, everyone kept telling me how much I 'need this'. I didn't realize it at the time, but everyone was right. 100%. Without doubt or question. I needed it.

i wanted to keep this post short and sweet. Because of the funk I was in, I needed not to focus on my physical gains but more on my mental ones. You have to want and strive to be not even good, but okay. Being okay is manageable. Being okay is doable. Being okay is, bare minimum, what we need. And sometimes, that's the hardest thing you'll do.

so instead of discussing what I ate, how far I ran, or what muscles/weight I've gained/lost... I'll just leave you with some pictures.

enjoy!

xo,

adrienne.

recipe sunday: strawberry chocolate cake batter smoothie.

a few weeks ago, when I was stuck in bed with the norovirus, I took to pinterest and started looking up recipes. Now, if you know me, I am a huuuuuuge smoothie fan. In any way, shape, or form. And I kept stumbling across the "cake batter" protein shake. I kept finding various cake batter flavored recipes for spreads, smoothies, and ice cream. The key ingredient? Almond extract.

yeah, i know. I was surprised too! I thought you were only capable of getting cake batter taste (yum) the good old fashion way: by baking a cake. Yep, my mind was blown. So I decided to make a version of my own:

strawberry chocolate cake batter smoothie.

here's what you need:

1/2 cup coconut milk (or any other milk)
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder (or whichever one you like; here's my favorite)
2 medium sized bananas
1/2 cup chopped strawberries
1 drop almond extract (a little goes a loooooooong way, so be careful!)
2 cups ice

here's what you do:

1. cut up bananas and strawberries.
2. place ingredients in blender in the above order. The order is important! The weight of ice, and then the fruit, pushes all of the ingredients down into the blades creating a  smoother smoothie.
3. blend away!

this recipe packs in about 26g of protein, making it the perfect breakfast/lunch/post workout smoothie. Depending on what type of milk and protein powder you use, it's vegan and gluten free too!

blend on, baby.

xo,

adrienne.

may run+workout playlist.

like i've said before, i get bored easily. Especially when it comes to my workout/run playlists.

and since we're on a way to warmer weather, I tried to keep it fun and light! There are some repeats from last month because, well, good music is good music. At least that's what I think!

Enjoy!

21 songs, 75 minutes.

may run+workout playlist.

• Geronimo, Sheppard
• Something New, Axwell ^ Ingrosso
• 1901, Phoenix
• Shut Up and Dance, WALK THE MOON
• Hey Mama, David Guetta
• Danza Kuduro, Don Omar 
• Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson
• Bitch Better Have My Money, Rihanna
• Sugar, Maroon 5
• I don't Fuck With You, Big Sean
• Bailando (Spanish Version), Enrique Iglesias
• Sun Daze, Florida Georgia LIne
• A Little Party Never Killed Nobody, Fergie, Q-Tip & GoodRock
• Style, Taylor Swift
• Best Love Song, T-Pain
• Irresistible, Fall Out Boy
• No Church in the Wild, Kanye West & JAY Z
• Beautiful Pain, Eminem
• Best Song Ever, One Direction
• This Is How We Roll, Florida Georgia Line
• 212, Azealia Banks

as per usual, here's a link to the playlist via 8tracks. 

run on, darlings.

xo,

adrienne. 

let's be realistic: 3rd & 4th week of change.

it's been a week (or two) of setbacks. I'm currently writing here, stuck in bed, and recovering from one of the nastiest bouts of the stomach flu I've ever had. It started this past Tuesday; I woke up early to go for a run, powered through about 5 miles, and got my day started. But I was exhausted by the time 9:30pm came around. I went to bed, slept solidly through the night (which never happens), and woke up at 5:45am on Wednesday in a fog. I wasn't hungry (which NEVER happens for this foodie). Before 10am even hit, I was in desperate need for a nap.

the 6:30am hint of a beautiful sunrise.

obligatory post-run pano of my deserted town.

i napped for about an hour, and got back to work. I thought it was probably my allergies kicking my derrière, which is typical this time of year. But by 2pm, a full on full-head headache kicked in. And so did a sore throat. It was horrible, but I have been in worse pain, so I kept on keeping on. I decided to go to Pobbleton Park and play some catch, and hope a little bit of fresh diamond air would make me feel better.

hahaha, the level of wrong I was about that is incalculable. BIG MISTAKE. HUGE.

as soon as we had walked over there and tossed the ball about, eh, 4 times, I started to see the twinkling spots that come right before I pass out. So I sat down, took some deep breaths, and then tossed up everything from that day. Needless to say, I've never felt as sexy as I did in that moment **rolls eyes to the other side of the room**.

hammock + tea + netflix is the best way to mend on sunny day. 

and that's how I've been for the last few days. I'm on the mend, but I feel so weak. It's going to take a while to get back to where I was, physically. Which sucks.

yogi tea = the best tea for any/all occasions.

on the bright side, though, my body has kind of reset itself. I don't know about you, but after I've been really sick, my body only craves good things. It must be an evolution thing, but I crave things with high nutrients that (probably) heal my body from the inside out. Is anyone else like this?

drought raw apple + thieves juice. Picked this up at VegFest, and it definitely made me feel better!

with this re-set, i feel better than I have in that last month. I'm definitely feeling the need to get back in the kitchen and whip up some delicious nutritious goodies. Perks of being sick and unable to get out of bed: endless recipe pinning and blog stalking. Can't wait to share what I've found!

anyway, here are the last two weeks in review:

left: end of week 2; center, top right, bottom right: end of week 4. Pardon the awesome Michigan socks. 

weight: down 3lbs, but it's just from being sick

food: mostly gatorade, tea, and saltines. Bleh.

phsyical activity: pre-sick, I killed in running and getting some gym workouts. post-sick, can barely move.

i'm definitely starting to get stir-crazy, so I can't wait to get back out and get back at it!

also, don't forget to wash your hands. It's still cold & flu season, people!

xo,

adrienne.

april run+workout playlist.

when it comes to running/working out, music can make or break you. At it's very least, a good playlist can make that last half mile tolerable; at it's very most, it will inspire you to crank out another 2 miles, easy peezy.

i try to change up my music every month. I get bored way too easily, and if I don't then I'm faaaaaar less likely to get up and get a workout in. My taste is pretty eclectic when it comes to music (my first concert was Bob Dylan, and my last one was the Griz). Luckily, that varied taste makes for a varied playlist which makes for a better run. 

there's a little bit of everything in this playlist, which makes for a bit of something for everyone. Enjoy!

19 songs; 1 hour, 7 minutes

april run+workout playlist.

• Hey Mama, David Guetta
• Shotgun, Yellow Claw
• Where Are Ü Now, Skrillex  & Diplo
• Trap Queen, Fetty Wap
• Bailando, Enrique Iglesias
• Truffle Butter, Nicki Minaj
• Break Free, Ariana Grande
• Jealous (feat. Tinashé), Nick Jonas
• Style, Taylor Swift
• Shut Up and Dance, WALK THE MOON
• Alone Together, Fall Out Boy
• Somebody to You, The Vamps
• Best Song Ever, One Direction
• I Bet My Life, Imagine Dragons
• Favorite Record, Fall Out Boy
• Don't It, Billy Currington
• Bartender, Lady Antebellum
• Looks Like Sex, Mike Posner
• The Man, Aloe Blacc

if you don't feel like downloading, here's a link to the playlist on my 8tracks account: april run. 

race on, bunnies.

xo,

adrienne.