Friday! Huzzah!

Although this was a short week for me (I didn’t work on Monday), this has seemed like a longgg 4 days. If you’re familiar with starting a new job, you know that the first couple of weeks involve a lot of familiarization and information overload—which is exactly what I’ve been going through. It’s a little overwhelming, but in the best kind of way. Learning new things is one of my favorite things in the world—and that is essentially what I’m doing every minute of my day right now.

And for those of you who’ve asked…I’ll spill some more details. I’m working as a proposal writer in the marketing department at a big investment firm downtown, which in a nutshell means that not only am I learning a new job…I’m learning a whole new language and industry. Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life…so for now getting as much experience as possible, in as many fields as possible, is just my cup of tea.

Anyway, let’s talk about running, cool?

As you may have already figured out, I am currently training for the Chicago Marathon. It’s a little over 11 weeks away, and I’m taking a new approach to my training. I’ll go into this in more detail anther time, but my primary goal in this training cycle is to not take it all so seriously. I want this race to be about the cause I’m running for (GOTR!) and about enjoying one of the biggest marathons in the world, in one of the best cities in the world.

With that said, I am also keen on doing some new things this time around, including the types of running I normally avoided before, such as speed work and tempo runs. The whole speed work thing has yet to happen…next week is set for some track time…however I have been trying out the tempo thing, and I’m digging it.

This morning, I was able to finish a 7 mile run with 4 miles around 7:30. And it was tough, but it felt great. Funny thing…when you finish 4 back-to-back miles at a 7:30 pace, all of a sudden an 8:10 pace feels like no problem. Amazing! That must be the reason for doing tempo runs! Revolutionary!

Okay, okay…I may be a tad exuberant over workouts that are totally standard in the running world, but remember…I’m in learning mode. Oh, and another great thing about this run? Not even a glimmer of knee pain. I was wearing my strap thing that’s been helping with my IT band issues, but afterward I didn’t even have a bit of stiffness.

In some other running news, BF and I are doing a 5k tomorrow!! I am psyched…I haven’t done a race since that fateful day in May, and it will be great to just pin a bib on and  be at a start line. I would like to say I have a goal in mind, because I do have dream time for a 5k, but for now I’m just gonna stick with finishing. I’ll try hard, but just like the theme for this marathon season…I don’t want to take it too seriously.

Now for the real reason for Friday posting, here are some current favorites of mine!

Ferries

In the world of public transportation, there is nothing quite as fun as a ferry. Except I suppose the Hogwarts Express, but that’s for another conversation. Seattle has ferry rides aplenty, especially if you live over in West Seattle…wait, I live there! Needless to say, when I get to ride a boat from my home to downtown, it adds a whole new level of excitement to the trip.

And NOW that I’m commuting downtown, I can take the ferry everyday, twice a day, if I want. Splendid. Bring on the seal spotting!

Milk and Jorts

You fitness and health people out there will get a kick out of this blog by my friend Kyle. In pretty much the opposite direction of all healthy living blogs you’ve ever read, Kyle is on a 30 day mission to gain a ton of weight and muscle. His techniques? Well, a heavy lifting routine and—get this—drinking A GALLON OF MILK A DAY.

Boy be crazzzy, but he’s been successful so far and he’s getting near the end! Check it out for some humorous writing and milk-filled entertainment.

Pomegranate Passion Honey Stingers 

In the world of fueling gummies, these babies are reigning supreme for me. They’re easy on the stomach, they’re organic, and they’re delicious. Highly recommended if you’re in the market for a new mid-run fuel source.

The Bachelor(ette)

God damnit. I said it. I’m out of the closet, I’m making my addiction to this show known.

WHY YOU GUYS?! I quit watching this awful show years ago. Seriously, I was done—I wasn’t interested anymore in the petty, shallow, and fake nature of this kind of reality tv.

And for God knows what reason…during the last season, I decided to watch an episode On Demand when I was bored one day. And then another one. And then I started to like some people on it. And then I hated some people. Then all of a sudden I was taping the finale, ignoring all possible spoilers, and having long conversations with people about how all the drama unfolded.

Same thing this season, and the only thing I hate worse than the fact that I watch this show is the fact that I look forward to watching it.

But it is what it is, and we all have our guilty pleasures. And heck…watching the Bachelor(ette) makes things like Taylor Swift and Hunger Games seem uber grown-up and mature.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Okay, truth be told, I’m only a chapter into this book. But I’m already convinced that I’ll love every minute of reading it. The author talks about how his writing and running weave together and how writing about running is one of the ways he’s learned to love the sport even more. That ideology is pretty much the reason I started my blog to a T, and I am fairly convinced that quoting and gushing galore will soon ensue.

See you all on Monday…and by “see” I mean I’ll be writing a post and hopefully you will read it and even maybe comment and that is the internet version of “seeing” one another.

Have a great Friday everyone!

What are your favorite things right now?

Do you like tempo runs?

Do you watch The Bachelor? Are you ashamed like me, or do you wave your reality tv flag high?

Jef or Arie?