Firsts

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Today is a Sunday in all aspects of the word. It’s the final day of Thanksgiving “vacation,” it’s rainy and gloomy, and currently there is football on tv and bagels on the table. However, something special has ALREADY happened today.

BF finished his first half marathon this morning!!

He started at the Seattle Center in the dark and rainy morning, and he finished 1 hour and 56 minutes later!! Official finish was 1:56:40, WITH a negative split, and he averaged 8:54 miles. I am so incredibly proud of him, and he has definitely worked hard to get so far. He only started running a few months ago, and to run a half marathon, especially with such a fantastic time, is so impressive!

super star boyfriend!

I love seeing people finish their first significant races, and something tells me this will not be the end of BF’s racing career.

Standing at the end of any race is inspiring for a runner, and personally seeing everyone cross the finish line and receive their medals is the best kind of motivation to keep up training and sign up for another race! Right now, I’m trying to decide on my spring marathon, and at this point it is either going to be Vernonia Marathon on April 15 or the Eugene Marathon on April 29. I’m really keen on Eugene, however another race may conflict with its timing. Stay tuned. I will be signed up by Christmas for one either way, and I am pretty excited to start some serious training again.

Otherwise, BF and I are planning on running the 12ks of Christmas race on December 17th, and I’m planning on a half on January 8th after my holiday trip to Colorado.

Racing is fun. Check out some tips on racing here!

Anyway, to give a brief running/life update since I last wrote (too long ago!), these past few days have been filled with food, family, and relaxation. (I really wanted to find and appropriate “f” adjective there for alliteration’s sake. Oh well.)

My mom and her partner Kate came to our house for Thanksgiving, along with my sister and her boyfriend Grayson. I started the day with a fast 12 miler, and by the time I was done it was time to start cooking! It was our first time hosting Thanksgiving, which included our first experience making a turkey! I was a bit worried, especially when this was how the process started…

We alternated between being horrified by the turkey and finding it hilarious.

In the end, all the food turned out great, and pretty much everything was hot when we served it! Thanks Trader Joe’s for your hard-to-mess-up Thanksgiving dishes and to the internet for ensuring the success of our turkey endeavors. There were also three bottles of wine and two pies, neither of which exist anymore. I love Thanksgiving.

Not too much else to report, as the weekend was pretty much filled with leftovers, lounging, and staying dry. I’ll be making a trek outside at some point today for my Sunday long run, and I’m sure BF will relish basking in his post-race glory.

How was your first big race? What are your best tips for beginners?

10 Miles to Soaking Wet Happiness

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It is raining in Seattle.

I realize this sounds very obvious. Like, “Duh Robyn it’s November in the Pacific North West.” Which is true…but it is really raining in Seattle. Like hard, big drops of cold reminders that we ought to be staying inside.

I awoke to the sad sound of rain pattering outside, announcing that my Tuesday run would be hindered. It was raining hard enough that I decided to bank on it clearing by the afternoon and rolled over for some extra zzzs.

Alas, the pouring continued all day, and I was in a bipolar mental battle with myself of what to do:

“Yo, practice what you preach, get your butt out there.”

“The treadmill isn’t SO bad.”

“You’ll be so much happier if you go outside.”

“I really really really don’t want to get wet.”

“Where is your grit?!?!”

So I was all, “Wahhh poor me. I’m grumpy, I have to workout inside, I’m going to miss my run.” (Note: I fully recognize these are not real problems)

Then, I was alerted via email to an update of Dean Karnazes’s blog on Runner’s World. Upon seeing his name pop up on my screen, I was reminded of all the reasons he has inspired me as a runner, and all the mental toughness he exerts in all his fanatical(crazy) running endeavors. Then, instantaneously, a switch flipped, and I decided, “Screw you rain, I’m going to run!”

It was a little hair-brained and rash, but I didn’t want the weather to affect my ability to get my daily fix of running euphoria. Why should something as trivial as rain get in the way of my me-time? Also…um, hello I live in Seattle, get OVER IT.

Off I went in the dark and stormy afternoon, clad in a running rain coat and baseball cap.

Note: If you ever run in the rain, wearing a hat with a brim is VITAL to staying dry. It will keep the rain off your face and your spirits alive.

As soon as I took off, my mood went from somber and “bleh”(a term I frequently use) to energized and happy. I felt adventurous, determined, and impervious to the disheartening nature of rain.

Around mile 5, any attempts to avoid total sock-soakage was proven impossible as I plunged into the deep puddles along my path. It became funny, actually, as if the weather gods were laughing at my meager attempts to stay dry.

During the second half of my run, the sky was completely dark and I could tell by the street lights just how hard the rain was coming down. Oh, and that is was angled directly toward me. Head wind and rain…mother nature was just  mocking me now. My rain coat had now proven entirely ineffective as my arms, undershirt, and sports bra were soaked…but it didn’t matter. I finished the run off with a smile on my face, literally, and praying that my drowned iPod still had some function left to it. (Still not sure about this…keep your fingers crossed!)

I jumped into the salvation of my car with pruney fingers and toes, freezing and soaked to the bone—but elated with a stellar runner’s high. I don’t always get a runner’s high anymore…in fact I would say it’s becoming rare, however the introduction of elemental challenges and a test of my willpower gave me a great big running jolt right where I needed it.

The sopping aftermath. Running is also very sexy, did you know that?

In hindsight, going for a run in the pouring rain is really not such a spectacle, but at the time I really felt like I was rising above adversity in order to get what I wanted. And sure, it was a small feat, but it felt great.

Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! I’ll be making my first feast (gulp!) turkey included! Also, BF is running his first half marathon on Sunday, so you can expect full updates on the results!!

Is anyone doing a turkey-trot tomorrow? What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish to dig into? Hope everyone has a great holiday, and enjoy the allowed gluttony…I sure will!

Sunday Funday

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I feel like yesterday’s post was a bit heavy in a Yoda of Running kind of way, so I thought I’d start today with some thoughts on a very important weekly event:

Sunday Funday.

Now, the term “Sunday Funday” was brought to my attention by BF, who would describe this holy day of the week (pun intended) as something like this:

Sweatpants, couch, football, eating, beer, football, beer, nap, football, repeat.

Snuggies are important for Sunday Funday. BF approves.

Maybe you’ve heard of it?

He and his friends have practiced a mean Sunday Funday through the past few years during football season, and while I can’t entirely understand it—I am big on once-a-week sanctioned events. I realized that I actually do have my own version of a Sunday Funday—but instead of the boy-version, mine involves running. Long running.

While most of my weekly runs would qualify as “longer,” it is specifically Sunday where I like to test my endurance with a steady high mileage run. I suppose I really started this when I was marathon training, as that’s how my program was set. However, I’ve sort of continued this routine post marathon—and I’ve found that there are innumerable benefits to taking a long run on a Sunday. Below, I’ve listed a top ten list of why it’s the best day of the week to strap on your shoes and hit the pavement:

1) Starting the week off right.

I feel like I tend to forget that Sunday is actually the first day of the week, technically. If I treat Sunday like a jumping off point instead of a slog-around fest where I avoid the inevitable reality of Monday, then I’m much less prone to resenting Monday. If I can jump into the work week feeling like I’ve already accomplished something big, then I’m all the more ready to take on whatever’s next.

2) Evaporating weekend indulgences.

I am a master of eating great throughout the week and then once the weekend hits, all bets are off. I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing—reward systems can go a long way—however when my system that is used to fruits and veggies is filled with beer and cheese, I can go a little out of whack. I also have Ulcertive Colitis, which really tends to hate these sudden dietary switches. Sunday is a great day to sweat out the treats of the weekend and clear both your conscience and arteries of that extra brownie, or four.

Yes, that was me Saturday night. I have no shame—worth it.

3) Time.

There is really never another day of the week where you have the amount of leisurely time available to test yourself and see what your legs are made of. I’m personally used to scheduling my workouts between set time frames, and sometimes it’s very freeing to know that I have as much time as necessary to do one simple thing.

4) Saturday carbo load.

As if you needed an excuse.

5) Be with the people!

Tons of people, whether they’re training for a race or not, run/walk/meander around on Sundays, and it’s nice to feel like you’re out enjoying the day with them. If ever I want some entertainment on my runs, people watching and dog watching are among my favorite activities.

6) Be with the runners!

Kind of similar as before, but by seeing other runners out there, you are sure to be encouraged and inspired to be part of such a cool group of people. And I’m not being cocky or exclusive or anything like that, but the fact of the matter is that runners love other runners. Runners love to talk about running, give advice, listen to others, and generally they have a great energy and enthusiasm about them. Perhaps this is why non runners scoff at runners sometimes, but I know that there is really nothing quite like the classic runner-to-runner head nod exchange to keep my spirits high.

7) Be outside!

It’s so easy to stay couch-logged on the weekends; we’re overworked, tired, and just want to relax a lot of the time. But sometimes getting outside is just what we need to clear our heads of all work and stress related burdens. Running offers an opportunity to be outside and get exercise—both integral to regaining our sanity.

8) Good sleep before the week.

If you’ve garnered some extra energy over the weekend, sometimes Sunday night you’re prone to go to bed later, sleep restlessly, and then our Mondays are groggy and slow, which no one likes. If you can burn off some energy on Sunday, you are so much more likely to settle into a restful sleep that night and start the week off right!

9) Enough time for stretching, hydrating, and relaxing.

I cannot tell you how many times I promise myself to stretch more after my runs, or roll out on my foam roller, or do any of the standard post-run necessities. Problem is, once I’ve squeezed in all the minutes I can into my run and get back home, I need to shower and get to work asap…leaving no time for these easy but important things. With the flexible time on Sunday (for the most part), you not only get to take your time on a run, but you can also take ample time afterward to properly stretch all your big running muscles, take an ice bath (if necessary), and prepare a good recovery meal.

10) Football

In honor of BF, I will include football watching as the final reason for a Sunday long run. Once you’ve logged some solid, quality miles—you truly have earned the right to sit on your butt cheering for your favorite team.

There you have it! If you find yourself restless and antsy at the end of your weekend, I really recommend trying out switching your long run to Sundays. While I was in school, Sunday was by far my least favorite day of the week, but now that I am free of homework and able to orchestrate my Sundays more loosely, it might just be one of my new favorites 🙂

16 miles down, and ready for the week with a delicious bowl of chili. Makeup was very unnecessary today, clearly.

When do you do your long runs? Do you change it up every week, depending on other circumstances? What is your idea of a Sunday Funday?

Running for Fun

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I think it was Dean Karnazes who said in one of his books, “Running isn’t fun. It’s too hard to be fun.” He explains that it feels good, it’s refreshing, and the end result is worth the work; however, even for the most devoted runners, “fun” is never really associated with our sport.

As I was on my weekly long run yesterday, I began thinking about this notion of having fun while running. Sure, I often get “cravings” to be out running, and I always feel accomplished and content after I’ve finished a run.

But what about having fun while running?

As I brought this to the front of my mind, I decided that since I spend 2+ hours out of my Sunday running, maybe I should try to focus on the actual time itself instead of the before and after. I find that with running, we can get so consumed with all the things we do before (fueling, hydrating, getting enough sleep, proper attire, etc.) and after (re-fueling, stretching, relaxing) that sometimes the actual act of running itself gets lost. I believe wholly in preparing and debriefing a run properly, however I’m realizing that these specifics lose their significance if we don’t take time during our run to be present.

Kara Goucher, professional runner and all-around bad ass chick, has a fantastic quote that really resonates with me:

“Do the work. Do the analysis. But feel your run. Feel your race. Feel the joy that is running.”

I love this. Running, particularly competitive running, needs to be about numbers and analysis and scrutiny. However, in order for these specifics to be worthwhile and satisfying, we must recognize the momentary joys of running. Sometimes it’s as simple as listening to our own breath and dropping all other thoughts from our heads. I know personally I am prone to concentrating on tons of other things while on runs. My thoughts normally go something like this:

This pace feels fast…I wonder if I should slow down? I’ll see how long I can keep it up. But wait, I don’t want to get injured. Well, let’s see how I continue to feel. A fast run will warrant a good breakfast too. Hmm what should I have? And what should we make for dinner? I should probably go grocery shopping today. What all should go on the list…? Ah list! I have to finish yesterday’s to-do list. If I don’t send that check today it’s going to be late. Why’s that so hard for me to remember? I should be better about staying on top of things. There’s definitely parts of me that are Type A, but I don’t really want to totally be Type A. What do I normally say in interviews again about personality type?

Does this sound familiar?

Honestly, there’s nothing wrong necessarily with these types of mind distractions. Sometimes it’s helpful to concentrate on other thoughts, however I am starting to see this random back-and-forth way of thinking as a waste of a run. It sounds a bit cheesy and perhaps elitist, but I’ve realized that running provides a great opportunity for both mental clarity and serenity. Rarely do we get an opportunity away from our cars, tvs, computers, and smartphones where our only source of stimulation is our brains (and sometimes an iPod). We spend all day sorting through the busy thoughts that constantly fill up our brain space, so why should we let that clutter enter our running time?

I’m starting to think that if I’m able to push aside the heaviness of the daily grind while I’m running and focus on the present moment, the act and simplicity of running itself, then running just may become fun. I think it’s easy for us to simply say that running is our “me” time and our stress-reliever, however unless we consciously make an effort to relish, savor, and bask in our time spent running, we will not be able to fully appreciate the glories a run can hold.

Some Thoughts on Cross Training

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Hi! How’re you? If the answer isn’t,”Hey! I’m awesome!” just remember…it’s Friday, there will soon be pie and green bean casserole in your belly, and Christmas music is socially acceptable in less than a week.

Don't even mess. This is Christmas music GOLD.

Can you tell where my brain is right now?

This morning was one of my favorite weekly workouts, Spin ‘n’ Swim. Really creative name I gave it there, huh? The combination is pretty self explanatory: It starts with a spin class with my favorite instructor Jeoff and then finishes with a steady pool workout. I like this combo for a few reasons, but mainly because it combines two different types of cardio and it offers some active relief from the pounding my muscles endure during running. Also, swimming is magical. In all aspects of the word. I didn’t always feel this way though…

I’m currently in my third running life. Running has lives similar to the way cats have lives, by the way. No, not really, but I do believe that our perspective, habits, and overall mentality about running can really change depending on where we are in our lives. With this said, I’ve currently be re-born into running three times, and I have to say I’m loving this third time around. I enjoy my runs more, I became a MARATHONER, and I feel like my relationship with running is at its best. Honeymoon style, nothing but love.

"Never mind the fact that I can no longer walk, I'm a marathoner!" Sorry PDX Marathon, obviously this is not my photo.

Part of the reason I feel so centered as a runner at this point in time is due, in large part, to cross training. I have been very conscious about keeping other activities interspersed in my running routine, and as a result, I don’t get burned out, I haven’t gotten injured(knock on your table please for me), and I’m much more balanced in terms of my physical fitness mentality. I used to be the kind of runner who stuck her nose up to any other kind of “exercise.” Seriously, I was a running brat who thought that the elliptical was for rehab patients and any workout less than a hard 9 miler wasn’t even worth it. Who was I?! A crazed running addict is what, and although I would still say I have the same affinity for a hard running workout, I drove myself into the ground with that mentality. Literally… I got hurt and was excommunicated from the running world for three months.

Lesson learned, something had to change.

I realize I’m rambling a bit, but I do have a point.

Cross training is not only beneficial, fun, and different, but it is necessary for maintaining a healthy and enjoyable running career. I credit the cross training I did alongside my marathon training for my finish time almost more so than my weekly long runs. Yes, I said it. Spinning helps develop speed, and it strengthens the muscles around your running muscles which ultimately improves runs. Spinning is also a great way to strengthen your cardio and get really sweaty (especially if you work with Jeoff) without the heavy impact of running. I could go on and on about spin—for anyone who loves to challenge themselves, listen to loud pump up tunes, and work out with a group, spin is awesome. I’m a lone wolf when it comes to exercise, and even I get a jolt of enthusiasm when I’m on a stationary bike with a bunch of other people. Jeoff also sings along to Lady Gaga and changes lyrics to encourage us even more: “YOU’RE on the edge of GLORY” C’mon, who doesn’t love that??

I’ll save some commentary on swimming for another time, however I want to highly encourage all runners to treat running like any other relationship. Without some TLC (cross training, yoga, and off-time) running can turn on you and your relationship becomes mundane, draining, and ultimately abusive. It sounds cheeky, however I speak from very personal experience when I say that running should not be taken for granted, and one of the keys to a lifelong relationship with this sport is to treat it and your body with respect.

That got serious there, isn’t it supposed to be Friday?

Clearly, this is a topic I care a lot about.

Another long post…what am I a new blogger or something? More pictures to come soon, I promise!

Now I’d love to know…what’s your favorite way to cross train??

Mother Nature and Mental Battles

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You know that Winnie the Pooh movie about the blustery day, where the characters are flying all over the place and such?

Am I really embarrassing myself right now? Probably.

Yea, that would be the perfect example of the weather in Seattle today.

There is a storm rolling in that has promised snow in the mountains and (possibly!) down in the main Seattle area. I love snow, and although I’m slightly horrified to try driving down the huge hill by my house with any amount of ice present, I appreciate the seasonality of falling snow.

Anyway, for now the day has just been filled with a bitter, blustery(there really isn’t a better word, thanks A.A. Milne) wind and ominous clouds overhead. This lead to some interesting elements during this morning’s run, and it got me thinking about all the weather variables involved in this sport—namely, in the winter.

So there I was at 6 am: laying in my warm bed, silencing my snooze alarm (for the second time), and listening to the whistling wind outside. Now, wind happens to be my LEAST favorite weather condition. It makes the cold colder, and the rain and snow much more unpleasant. Needless to say, running in the wind is not favorable for me .

Luckily, I was conscious enough to remember I really wanted to do a long run this morning, and I knew it would be much less likely to happen in the afternoon. So, clad in gloves, leggings, and a long sleeve tech shirt—away I went in the dark, cold, and blowing wind.

[An aside to lululemon: mark my words if I had a closet full of your fantastic RUN apparel, getting dressed for runs would be the best part of my day.]

Surprisingly, the only unpleasant part of my run was the strong headwind I faced during the first few miles. My running route follows the edge of a peninsula called Alki beach, and while 99% of the time I bask in how beautiful my training grounds are, this morning I felt quite the opposite. Ocean + wind+ cold= BRRRRRRR. The waves were surf-able(word?), and for anyone living in the area, you know that waves this big are rare. During this blast of headwind, I kept one optimistic thought in mind….tailwind on the way back, please oh please.

My wish was granted, and during the second half of the run, I did begin to recognize how beautiful the radical weather had made the surrounding area. The water looked magical, the sky was a gorgeous sunrise pink, yellow, and blue, and the clouds were smeared across the sky from the higher winds. Yes, even in compromised conditions, running can bring out the beauty in anything. I removed my headphones for the second half and enjoyed the sounds of the blowing trees, my steady breath, and my footsteps.

It’s always comforting for me to recognize how running can bring out an alternative perspective on a seemingly negative situation.

12 miles on the dot, and after some easy lifting/ab work at my gym, I was pretty pumped to jump in my warm shower and get my feet into some wool socks. Yes, I’m wearing two pairs right now—I have circulation issues.

Anyway, winter is indeed upon us—and for runners, this means a whole new strategy for our sport. I’m a little pitiful when it comes to proper weather-appropriate gear. Exhibit A: My gloves are the $2 Target kind that make your hands start to sweat within minutes of any physical exertion.

There are so many fancy cold weather remedies out there, and I get a bit overwhelmed with what I actually need. However, I am a big believer that less is typically more when it comes to running. Yes, in the winter you might be convinced after stepping outside that you need to be wearing sweatpants and a fleece, however in my experience you begin to warm up very quickly once you get going. Rarely have I regretted not wearing enough at the end of a run, and normally when I have layered, I end up removing something pretty quickly.

Running warms your core pretty quickly, and so while your ears and hands might stay cold for a bit, it’s a safe bet that although running shorts may seem unthinkable when you check the 6 am temperature, you’ll probably be happier by the end of those miles. A good rule of thumb: gloves, a hat, and warm socks will get you through any cold scenario. Seriously, you could probably be naked otherwise.

Awkward, kinda.

The hardest part of winter running, however, isn’t normally the actual running. Sure, sometimes there’s ice, snow, and the temperature isn’t ideal, however I’ve found that the mental part of running during these months is much more tolling than the actual act.

Personally, the darkness is the hardest part. Getting out of bed at 6 am when it’s bright and sunny outside is no problem for me during the summer; I pop right up with the enthusiasm of an annoying cartoon fairy, ready to sprinkle my day with sweat and happiness. Then, when daylight savings time hits and the thermometer drops, 6 am starts to feel a lottt earlier. I have to mentally pry myself out of bed in the winter for my usual morning workouts, and until I actual get them started a big part of me wants to scurry back to my pjs and a bowl of oatmeal.

I do appreciate the strengthening of my mental grit, because I feel like my dedication is truly tested when the conditions are less than favorable. I guess what I’m trying to say is that…at the end of the day, I’m thankful to have my commitment tested, because it helps me appreciate the rewards that much more.

I’d love to hear any mental tricks or helpful preparation for taking on winter running!! With a spring marathon in the works, my cold weather training is going to be interesting…

Long post, but I didn’t have time yesterday, so there’s excessive running thoughts stored in my head 🙂

Now, let’s see if I can talk BF into something warm and yummy for dinner….

Cheers!

rb

R&R&R

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So, yesterday was my rest day, and true to my inner desire to veg out for 24 hours straight (wait, don’t we all have that?), I put laziness at the top of my list for the majority of the day.

I ate, I lounged, I watched a movie without multitasking (note…a very hard endeavor for me), I ate some more, and I went to bed early. Now, although it may seem that I’m pretty pro at being a slug, having a day like this is typically very hard and bothersome to me—and it’s very hard for me to consciously take rest days.

I know this is similar to many runners, as we are psychologically wired to go! go! go!. We are at our happiest when we’ve sweat through some good miles, so the thought of going through a day without our usual dose of endorphins seems daunting. I know it seems a bit obsessive and unnecessary (and yes, often times it is), but it’s hard to come across a feeling better than right after finishing a long run. Personally, I am happier, more patient, more productive, and generally just nicer to be around when I’ve logged a morning run…seriously, ask any member of my family or my boyfriend, they will quickly agree.

I don’t necessarily love this about myself, and I’m trying to get better about reaping both the physical and mental perks of taking some R&R time. Obviously, as runners, our bodies take a lot of beating—therefore resting our muscles is essential. Anyone who tells you otherwise is fooling themselves and will end up injured before too long—trust me, I used to be that person. Rest from running can come in the form of crossing training, however it is important to take a day to let our bodies rest completely from activity. During this time, our muscles heal, strengthen, and become all the more apt to taking on the miles we use them for.

The other side of rest—the mental side—is a little bit trickier to wrap your brain around (at least if you’re me!), however once you get a grasp on it—it can be an even bigger rest incentive than the physical reasons. For instance: planning out a day to sleep in, lie on the couch, bake cookies, watch a favorite show, etc. offers a great break from the exercise routine we’re so dedicated to. A mental time-out is sometimes exactly what we need to revitalize our psyches, refocus our goals, and just give our overworked minds a BREAK!

I’ve realized that when I take a day off, it’s not because I’m lazy, I’m weaker than other runners, or I’m somehow falling away from the entire running community by taking 24 hours for zero activity. Of course it’s not! And I have, admittedly, thought these things. However, by treating my rest days as an essential part of my training—I’ve begun to recognize not only their necessity but also their impressive benefits for both my body and mind.

And for those of you still trying to decipher my cryptic title in this post: The first R&R should be obvious, but the last “R” stands for running…which I did this morning in the brisk 35 degree weather. I finished 10 shore-front miles with 8:30 splits, pink legs, and a re-energized mindset— I reckon mostly due to the sweat-free day beforehand.

This is where I get to run. Yes, I'm bragging.

How do you feel about rest days? Do you invite them? Despise them? When do you know rest for you is needed?

Weekend Recap

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For better or for worse, I’ve never really been one of those people who dislike Mondays. For better, because the end of the weekend doesn’t necessarily bring me down, and worse—because my enthusiasm for a new week can be annoying for all the normal people out there.

Either way, it’s Monday, and I’m ready for it!

Today is a rest day, my first in a while, and I’m actually pumped about it. Normally on rest days I get a little restless and bored, but this one feels needed and I plan on taking full advantage of my scheduled laziness.

This past weekend was fabulous and filled to the brim with Seattle themed activities.

To begin…

Friday night, BF took me to a wonderful three-in-one date in downtown. For those of you who don’t know…three-in-one means drinks at once place, dinner at another, AND dessert at another. It’s a lot—hence why it rarely happens and hence why it was an exciting occasion. We weren’t celebrating anything particular, which I think took some of the normal big-date pressure off and made the night highly enjoyable.

Drinks were at an old bar, the Brooklyn, which included oyster shooters (yum?) Dinner was at a fancy shmancy place in Pikes Place Market where the menu is always changing according to the local grub they have available in the market. Needless to say—it was awesome and wayy more than our $10-thai-food palettes ever experience (Hooray giftcards! Thanks BF’s sister!) Dessert was at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory where we each decided on two things to complete our fabulous night as lushes.

Look at us! We're classy!

Saturday morning included a double spin session which I  typically do once a week. It’s exactly as it sounds…two spin classes in a row…and it’s a fantastic sweat session which tests endurance as well as speed. The classes are normally different, and so all different spinning muscles get a great workout. By the end, my shirt and body are covered in sweat, but it’s a great refreshing feel.

Tip: If you are attending two spin sessions in a row, drink more water during the first class than you normally would and take a little walk around in between classes—it helps get you ready for the second class.

The rest of Saturday was relaxing—filled with Starbucks, reading, tons of grocery shopping, and finished with a trip down to my alma mater to see a dance performance with some friends.

New Runner's World and coffee..nothing better. Oh wait, and Christmas cups..double win.

Sunday morning traditionally consists of a long run (for both BF and myself) and then we rendezvous for bagels afterward. It’s a great routine, and helps make the long early morning miles much more worth it. Anyways, yesterday I wanted to do two things: Run for two hours and take on the biggest hill in our West Seattle neighborhood. I’m normally someone who has their route very mapped out and planned two days before a run, however on Sunday I was a little at a loss of exactly what to do—so I decided to just start my watch and see where my feet took me.

By the end, I managed to accomplish both my goals (with an additional 9 minutes) and had knocked out 15 miles—the furthest since my marathon! I had finally defeated the hill that has scared me ever since we moved here, and it actually wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

Side Note: I’m the BIGGEST baby about hills.

The rest of the day was relaxing, with more Starbucks, crossword puzzles, a Target trip, football, and a mega huge chocolate cookie from my favorite bakery. It was a good day, and yes—my boyfriend and I are prone to acting like an 80 year old couple. Whatever.

Anyways, now it’s Monday…my calves are still a bit knotty from yesterday, and I’m looking forward to a great week.

 

How was your weekend? Any crazy/fun/exciting/delicious/lazy/etc adventures to recap? Tell!

First post!

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Well, I finally cracked.

After weeks of obsessively reading blogs of people who love all the same things I do (namely, running, talking about running, writing about running, and foodie-tendencies) I decided that the only way to satiate my interest in runner blogs was to start one of my own. For now, it’s just a place for me, myself, and I to dish about the random day-to-day thoughts in my head. Sometimes they are coherent, and every once in a while there is something worthwhile, but for the most part my daily routine revolves around the same things:

Running, exercise, good food, staying positive, reading, and laughing.

I am currently 2 years (yikes!) out of undergrad and living in Seattle, WA with my boyfriend, who for right now we’ll refer to as BF. I was an English major in school, and I currently work as Managing Editor for a wedding cake magazine. I got pretty lucky with my job, and I’ve learned a lot from it.

I’ll flesh out the details of my love affair with running/physical fitness in later posts, but for now I’ll just briefly describe my lifestyle as a runner and fitness enthusiast as these are, after all, the primary topics of this blog.

I love running more than most other things on this earth, and I believe wholly in both the physical benefits (of which there are many) and also the mental glory that comes with running. My psyche and overall outlook on life have been nurtured and strengthened through my running endeavors, and I love encouraging others to experience this same relationship.

It’s cheesy, I know. But I can’t help it.

When I’m not hitting the pavement around my beautiful Seattle neighborhood, I’m a gym rat who loves spinning, yoga, lifting, and swimming. I jump at every opportunity to challenge myself, and I love talking with others about the amazing human body and what we’re all capable of.

In conjunction with my fit lifestyle, I love to read, write, watch movies, spend too much money at Target, be  with my friends, and EAT. I love food, namely all types of cookies and nut butter, and I will frequently make anecdotes that are either relevant or not about why food is fantastic.

So here’s to divulging my enthusiasm (yes, craziness) and exuberance for living the best life possible on the almighty world wide web.

What’s up internet? I’m here!