Thursday March 29th - three miles and strength training

Nothing too noteworthy. I ran on the treadmill again because suddenly it feels like October outside. I'm ready to have the weather warm up again so I can go back to the park. It's one thing to run in the cold, it's another to run in the cold when it's windy and overcast. Blech.
The miles were fine. At about 2 1/2 I was ready to be done. I'm getting a little nervous because it's been a few weeks since I've run more than three but I'm sure it'll be fine. I've got a four mile run tomorrow. I've told myself if I need to take some walking breaks it'll be fine.
It was nice to do the machines a bit after. Since I've been more focused on running I've been neglecting the machines so it's nice to have strength training built into the schedule.

Tuesday March 27th - two miles or cross training

Not really impressive that on my second day I sort of justified my way out of this one. It's true, excuses are for people who need them, but I told myself I was letting myself off the hook last night with the justification that I ended up walking five and a half miles throughout the day, and I just needed a night to do a couple things. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and overcommitted right now. I have a dinner tonight which means I'm swapping tonight's run for tomorrow's rest day. That means tomorrow I get to run and do strength training, and get my apartment in shape for two of my high school best friends who arrive on Friday.

I am SO excited for this weekend with Megan and Gina. We always have the best time and have some great things planned. There's just something about spending time with close girlfriends you've known literally half your life.

After they leave Sunday, I have dinner that night with an out of town visitor. Then Monday comes and I've got scuba classes Monday and Wednesday, four hours each (and the reading that goes along with them) and my training as well. Then the following weekend is Easter and I'm going to my brother's in New Hampshire. Then the following week it's scuba and half training again.

I pretty much don't have a free night for....ever. I know I'm going to have to start getting up early for runs, and I actually did that one day last week. That will be my next hurdle because getting up early is not my friend.

Half

So. I signed up for a half marathon. I'm a little terrified but also excited. I've been running more regularly and yesterday started my official training. I decided to log my runs and was initially just going to keep them in a draft and then publish when I finished so I'd have them for my records (good idea Elise), but I decided I'll post each individually. Once I start writing I tend to ramble, so that could be a very long log at the end. This way it's cut up, and at least I'll be blogging more regularly. Sorry it'll be sort of boring. Oh yeah, I welcome all advice from runners. The most I've ever run was 5 miles and that was once.

Monday March 27^th – Three miles. Tonight’s run was good. Of course as usual when I run on the treadmill I hit about two miles and feel like I want to be done. Luckily, when I’m only going for three I can tell myself it’s just one more mile. I’ve done a lot of reading about running and training and my belief in positive self talk has only been further confirmed. I decided my mantra for the next twelve weeks is going to be, “I get to run!” It’s safe to say there isn’t a single time I walk to or from the gym, or to the park to run, that I don’t see someone who doesn’t have the physical ability to run. I feel guilty comparing myself and I’m sure they wouldn’t want that, but I can’t help but say a silent prayer of gratitude for the healthy body I have. I think if I focus on thinking and saying, “I get to run x miles” instead of “have to” it will help my attitude, desire, and even performance. I feel especially grateful when I get to run in Central Park. It’s hard for me to imagine a more beautiful, more inspiring place to run. I wish every runner could experience a run in the Park on a spring day when everything is blooming and everyone is outside enjoying it. There is an undeniable energy that just makes you grateful to be there.

Popcorn popping right before my eyes

Thursday morning my elevator doors opened and I walked into my lobby only to catch my breath by my street overflowing with blossoms. It literally happened overnight. I snapped this photo as I was hurrying out the door to work.

Then I came home and started walking up my street, only to be overwhelmed once again by the gorgeous street. I'd walked home through the Park and it had morphed overnight as well. I've seen some blossoms here and there, and the daffodils are all over, but there are some gorgeous bright yellow trees and even more flowers. I can't wait for the tulips to show up.

Then I hurried up Broadway to book club at Ashley's and had to take one more photo. I loved the look of this tree in front of the red building. I was in a rush and told myself I'd get a picture later, and then realized, I don't know when the next time I'll be walking up the street in daylight will be, and spring sadly comes and goes in the blink of an eye. Must appreciate it when you can!

Winter, spring, summer, and fall, I love New York in every season, but spring is my very favorite.

Tagged

Remember when blogging started getting really big and people were doing memes left and right? I always thought they were fun, but they've sort of fizzled. My cousin Tri tagged me in a meme about three weeks ago (oops!) and I'm finally getting around to it. It's a fun meme. You're supposed to answer the questions posed by the person who tags you, and then create eleven of your own questions and tag others. I don't know if anyone I tag will do it or not, but I specifically chose people I thought MAYBE might do it. If I didn't tag you, and you want to do it, you should. :)

1. What app do you love above all others?
I'm going to say Instagram, because I really do love adding filters to photos, and following others, however I think the app I use the most is weather.com.

2. Describe your dream profession.
Recently I got into a conversation with my dad, brother, and sister in law about what we would do if we knew we wouldn't fail and I honestly couldn't think of an answer. There just wasn't something I felt super passionate about. However, the way this question is worded lets me be a little more creative and make up a profession that probably doesn't even exist.
I would like to have a job that pays me to write, travel, and spend time with friends. One that doesn't include a boss hovering over me, and maybe got me access to some great Yankees seats. Does that sound like too much to ask for? :)

3. Appetizers or dessert?
Dessert. Hands down. 90% of the time I go to a restaurant and people want to order appetizers I could easily go without. It usually fills me up before the entree but everyone has room for a lil dessert. :)

4. If you could be BFF with any fictional character, who would you choose?
After my three hour brunch with my aunt and cousins I'm sure they know the answer to this; Lisbeth Salandar. I have equal parts feelings of girl crush and admiration for this chick. When I saw The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo I just kept thinking over and over, "She is so badass." In some ways she reminds me of a female Robin Hood. I don't want to go too into it and spoil anything, but I think everything questionable she does is justified. I developed real feelings in wanting the best for her.

5. I say BLUE. What immediately comes to mind?
The sky.

6. Favorite song to blast and sing in your car with the windows down?
I don't have a car and I love not having one, however, there are a few things I do miss about driving. Blasting music while singing along is one of those reasons. There's no way I can pick just one song, but I have really great memories of some serious car parties in college while listening to Britney Spears.

7. Fashion fad that makes you hang your head in shame?
I'm not sure if this means fad that I don't get, or one that I'm ashamed I partook in.....I'll go ahead and admit that I fell victim to using the glitter lotion in junior high. Ugh. I remember a few of us in class before lunch covering ourselves in it so we'd be all sparkly when we went outside.

8. What are your thoughts on 80s Hair Bands-specifically Monster Ballads? I wish I had a better answer for this, but I'm sort of indifferent. I actually didn't know what a monster ballad was before this question. Although lately I've been listening to Heart's "Alone." Recently discovered it and I love it! Does that count as a monster ballad?

9. What is a book you wanted to throw across the room? What is one you wanted to hug?
Hm.........I don't know if I ever have wanted to throw a book across the room, however, there's a book that really disappointed me at the end. I know I'm probably going to ruffle some feathers here but I was seriously disappointed by the ending of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Don't hate me! I will admit that the book was really built up for me, and about half way through I quit reading for a while. There were parts of the book I absolutely loved, which is why I guess I was disappointed in the ending. Now, to make myself sound even worse to readers, I actually love the way the movie wrapped up the ending. It was essentially the same, but with some minor tweaks, and I really preferred it.
A book I wanted to hug? I feel like this is cliche but The Help. Can't think of another book I've read in a long time that I loved as much.

10. Imagine you are an aerobics instructor-what song must be on your playlist?
Remember that song from Saved by the Bell when the girls made an aerobics video? "Put your mind to it, go for it, get down and break a sweat, rock and roll, you ain't seen nothin yet!" Definitely that one. :)

11. What's for dinner tonight?
Pff. Who knows. It's Tuesday which usually means a night out at my usual spot to catch up with a Courtnie. Not sure if I'll end up eating there or not. If I do, it'll be a caesar salad.

Bonus: What's your favorite go-to lipstick?
MAC Girl About Town. A punchy pink. :)

I tag:
Courtnie
Chloe
Kam
Chelse
Becky
Katie
KB
Kim
And Tri, because I want to know the answers to these questions. :)

And your questions:
1. What is your number one desired travel destination?
2. What would you do if you were granted a day without any responsibilities?
3. Aside from something responsible (paying off debt, down payment on a house, saving) what is something you'd buy if someone gave you $100,000?
4. What is a favorite memory from college?
5. What is a song that has a strong tie to a great memory?
6. How old were you when you had your first kiss?
7. What is your all time favorite tv show?
8. Who is your celebrity crush?
9. What is one of your favorite Sunday activities?
10. What is something or someone you think is extremely overrated?
11. Have you ever skinny dipped? (I have skinny dipped with a few of you on the tag list, ha!)