Football Wife Life - November Run Down

Today I thought I would do a (not-so) quick life update. From fitness, food, football and fashion - here's a peak into what my life looks like lately! 

football

Wow - football season FLEW by this year!! I can't believe we just wrapped up our last game of the year. This was our first year at a new school/town and it has been so fun to experience a new football program. We started gameday stadium workouts, participated in a Homecoming 5K, got to walk to the stadium for games, and enjoyed a really cool in-stadium restaurant during the games! Phil was home for more dinners this year (and breakfasts too!) so I totally soaked that in. We were SO LUCKY with game day weather and I only had to wear a coat to 1 GAME! Amazing. I think I even got sunburned during our last home game! We wrapped up the season with a 7-4 record, and this week, we had Phil's running backs and tight ends over to our house for an end-of-season dinner. I haven't had a lot of opportunities to get to know his players this year, so it was fun to spend some time with them. One of them is gluten intolerant, and I have loved the opportunity to send GF extras from our house to his throughout the season, and have GF options at our year-end dinner. I was "that-wife" who made whole wheat spaghetti with lean ground meat for the sauce AND salad. Don't worry, I redeemed myself with some deadly brownies. I felt like such a "mama-bear" watching the boys laughing and relaxing in our living room. I am so glad that Phil has had such a great group of guys to work with this year. 

slow down season

While football season slides straight into recruiting, I'm excited to have my hubby home a little more often, and to enjoy all of the holiday fun together. We LOVE the holidays, and are really pumped to decorate and celebrate our first holiday season in our new home! I've already posted about my goal to celebrate "slow-down season" this year - to enjoy every minute and not fill the holidays with going and doing and buying. Are you taking on the challenge? So far it's been going pretty well. I find my biggest challenge is to not always multi-task. I keep finding myself doing a thousand things at once, and really not being present in any of them. 

fitness

This year has been a challenging running year for me. I didn't commit to any races this spring because of our move. I had to back out of a half marathon in favor of the 10K distance this summer due to annoying tendonitis. I've been consistent with my running but it hasn't felt good in a really long time. My body still hasn't really healed yet. So, while I was planning to be half marathon ready for something by the end of the year, I've decided to listen to my body. Maybe there is a reason I haven't found an exciting race to sign up for yet. As hard as it is for me to do, this month I've realized that it's time to rest and refocus a little bit. To back off of running feels like I'm missing a part of me! But, I know I am doing what my body needs to feel good and stay strong, and what it needs for me to have a successful 2014 running season. So my goals for the last 5 weeks of 2013? Run a little. Yoga a lot. Be consistent with my rehab. Build strength. Eat Healthy. But jeez...I miss running already. 

fashion

Fashion is a word to be taken lightly - this is more like "what I've been wearing". It's getting cold here in the valley (especially in the evening and early mornings) so I have resorted to lots of sweat pant wearing at home. My poor husband.  When I do get dressed, I'm loving these riding boots I bought last year for work. They make any outfit look cute! 

 A few weeks ago, I found a steal-of-a-deal on this cozy jacket. I've been wanting one for a while but couldn't justify $100 for the big brand name ones, so when Walmart's Danskin line came out with this one for $13.96 I couldn't resist! I kind of want to go back for another color. It's super warm AND cute! Perfect for all day anywhere or a cold day run.

 Speaking of running - I know I just talked about backing off the running, but that doesn't mean I have backed off on purchasing running clothes (obsessed). I've been wanting some warmer tights for cold weather running and finally found some great ones at Kohls (.com of course - I live so far from any stores!!!). These FILA fleece lined running tights were on sale for $28.00. Perfect for chilly runs so I don't have to pile on the layers! Y'all know I hate being cold, but cold weather running can be FUN if you have the right gear! I think these might even make an appearance at cold weather football games someday! 

food

What have we been eating? I've been indulging in lots of fall flavors, baking with pumpkin, and cooking with lots of squash. I'm loving roasted butternut squash, sweet potatoes, basically anything warm and orange. I've been baking Quinoa Breakfast Bars (via TheLeanGreenBean) every week for healthy snacks that taste like special coffee shop treats. I've still been trying to keep up making smoothies because it's a great way to pack in a lot of nutrition to start the day. I've also been trying to use the crockpot at least once a week for a hot and ready meal when we get home from work. Lots of chicken chili!

basketball

I have to admit, one of the BEST things about the end of football season (besides getting my husband back) is the beginning of college basketball! It's not a huge secret that I LOVE college basketball (not more than football...but very close). My hubby isn't a big basketball follower, but I think I impress him when I have all of the latest updates via SportsCenter. We've all gotta have our thing, right? 

Source

Well - that's my little football wife life lately - what have YOU been up to? 

Any favorite fall recipes? 

What do you wear when it starts getting colder? 

What's better? Football or Basketball?