New Kicks!

We are about a week and a half out from  our first race, the Grape Day 5k. Our training has been going pretty good so far except for my feet. The first few times I ran I got blisters on my big toes, nothing really too painful just a little annoying. Dan encouraged me to try out running in all of my workout shoes so I began running in all of them, and hoped that this would help with the blister situation. Yeah.  No help. During one run my feet either swelled a whole lot, or the shoes just didn't fit right, and for the last half of the run my feet were tingly and numb. During another run, to mitigate the issue of tingly feet, I loosened the shoelaces, but that only resulted in my heels coming out of the shoes during the run. It was then suggested to tie up my shoelaces to one of the back holes, my heels were fine, but then my toes, oh my toes. I ended up with blisters between my big toe and then the next toe. I had some anti chafe cream so I rubbed that on my toes for the next run. Again, no help. This time I ended up with a huge blood blister on one toe and little blisters on the tops of all the other little toes. What a huge pain and a hard time to walk afterwards. That pair of shoes found its way to the Goodwill pile.

After all this drama with my feet and several recommendations to check out the Running Center to get fitted for correct running shoes, Dan and I checked it out today. I was totally not prepared for it, but it was definitely a worthwhile experience. I was rocking a skirt and dress shoes from work, but they worked with me anyways. They began by fitting me in the correct size shoes and then watching me run. The first issue was the size 9s I have been wearing were too small. No wonder I have been getting blisters on my toes. After getting the correct size they then had us run. Yes I ran through the store in my skirt from work. They were actually impressed with our mid-foot running. They then had us try on several pairs of shoes to see what fit and what didn't. After trying on several pairs Dan found a pair he liked and I opted to take two. Since I haven't done much running before this I wanted to try two different pairs to see which type of shoe would ultimately be the best fit for my feet. I was shocked to walk out with a pair of 9.5s and 10s...yes you read that right...size 10! The two pairs fit my wide foot and narrow heel and I am excited to see how they affect my runs! Hopefully no more blood blisters, or any blisters for that matter.

Birthday Celebration!

Dan and I really love to travel, even if it is just a local getaway. For my birthday this year he suggested that we take a little trip up to Temecula and stay at our favorite winery, South Coast Winery. Last year for our anniversary we found a groupon for a two night stay in their villas and have been in love with the place ever since. South Coast is probably the largest winery in Temecula, as well as the most commercial. For those reasons I didn't want to like it and didn't want to become a wine club member there, but they won us over with their awesome wines and ambiance. Since they are so big they have a wide selection of both reds and whites as well as my favorite, their sweet wines. We absolutely love their wine and it doesn't hurt that they are a little heavy handed with their tastings!

So we booked a trip to stay at South Coast, but this time we stayed in their new hotel. Since it was for a birthday getaway, Dan also suggested that we do something special like getting massages. We have become hooked on massages so I always enjoy the chance to get one. They have hot stone massages there so we decided to get one of those. While we both enjoyed the relaxing nature of the massage, it wasn't as deep and therapeutic as the ones we get at Massage Envy.  It was still fun to try something new. After the massages we enjoyed some chocolate covered strawberries and one of our favorite wines: Romanza!

Relaxing prior our Hot Stone Massages!

A nice glass of Romanza to top off the massage.

Our plate of strawberries. They were so tempting that I forgot to take a picture before eating them.

The view from our room.

More of the view from our room.

And more of the view from our room.

 The next day we spent at the wine club pick up party. Every three months when there is a new release of wines they have a party to celebrate the event. This one just happened to coincide with my birthday - yay me! I finally talked my Mom into joining us for some wine tasting, and she finally took us up on it, so my Mom and Bill joined us. We had an afternoon of showing them around the resort, tasting lots of wine, eating yummy hamburgers and enjoying the Caribbean music in the background. We almost convinced them to join the wine club too.  I think we will have them by next time! But, we did turn them onto some of our favorites and they have since purchased some of the South Coast Wine (they sell it at Sprouts...check it out!). We then capped the night off with dinner at the restaurant on site, Villa Rose. They never disappoint! We even got some cheesecake to celebrate my birthday!

In our room before Mom and Bill arrived.

Mom and Bill wine tasting.

Dan walking to dinner.

I have no idea what he is doing...but it is pretty funny!

At the Villa Rose Restaurant. 

And we are done...our weekend is over.

 All in all I had a great celebration with my wonderful husband. He did such a great job suggesting and planning it. I can't wait for out next getaway!