Hi Technologie.

I forgot to mention I acquired a new running mate. Happy smoke free for over a month to me! (which I nearly forgot about btw.) Please meet Sharmin the Garmin.

I have gone running twice with her and it's amazing. The second time, I forgot all the information I learned in the owner's manual so that will be my bedtime story tonight.

Summer

If you were this awesome more often, I wouldn't hate you so much.

No self-control.

This can was full this morning.
That's so very sad.
Why is this can in my life, you ask?
I decided (i.e. was peer pressured into) to register for The Nike San Fran Half Marathon. Now that doesn't mean I'm going to actually do it. I need a few things in the universe to line up first (which I will be more than happy to share with you at a later date). But it does mean I need to go run tomorrow.

The inevitable break-up.

It's that time in a relationship when you both know it's over, you're just too scared to end it. I haven't fully committed to the break up yet because I know she has a few more miles in her, but it's inevitable. We've been through so much together, it really sucks that it has to end. The things that initially drew me in, are now the things that are pulling me away. As I grow as a person, I am slowly realizing what I want and need out of a relationship. Sadly, what I thought those wants and needs were have changed. 

When I brought someone else home the other night, I think she figured it out. 

Now I'm not saying this new relationship is perfect or exactly what I want, but when I put her on, it was an instant love at first fitting. 

I took her out for a quick date (30 minutes on the treadmill) and I already noticed a huge difference. She's not clingy at all and she has less cushion which makes it almost natural to have a midfoot strike. I still have to work at remembering to correct my form, but with these shoes, it's going to be so much easier. I think my right leg is longer than my left (completely random information you neeeeed to know) because it's harder for me to get that foot to fall the way I want. It's going to take a lot of work. Even in resting position, I sit on my heels (which I'd like to think is more of a personality trait projecting itself). But I'm working on it.

And I think Gilda is perfect for helping me accomplish this. 

No, she is not the badass black and lavender Mizunos I thought I wanted. But that's the thing with running shoes, you know if you're a match as soon as you slip your foot in. The badass looking ones were everything I wanted on the outside, but were all wrong on the inside. As soon as I put Gilda on, the salesguy knew we had found a match. 

Now if only I could apply this technique to actual dating. 

Most bipolar day of my life

(disclaimer: I am in no way making fun of a very serious disease. Just trying not to have a mental breakdown myself.) 

I just got some pretty shitty news followed by some amazing news.

I don't know whether to cry or smile.

So, I googled.

5 songs you should never sing to your bi-polar girlfriend

Enjoy.

I'd still want to spend my last day on earth running.

I forgot which blog I found the quote, but it's something like my runner friends and I talk about running when we are not running and talk about everything else when we are running. Which is a perfect example of what went down this weekend.

Saturday was the epitome of perfect weather for running. It was hot but the breeze cooled you off and it was sunny (I have a sunburn to prove it!). Anna and I did 7 perfect miles down the west side highway, up and down all the piers. It was gorgeous. I wish I would've enjoyed it more, but seeing as we hadn't run together in weeks, there was a lot to be said on our run. Thank you, Ms. Banana for listening to me talk the entire time. I should probably start paying her for her psychotherapy.

So as we were discussing how much of a catch we are, we ran into this "sign" which totally proves it.

Now we just need a few people to wake up and realize this then we can concentrate on the view of the Hudson River ;-)

At brunch, I planted the seed that Anna should probably run a full marathon. She wasn't too happy with that and responded "if I still had a blog, I would blog about this!" so I'm doing it for her- knowing that everyone reading would fully agree with me! But I am super jelly (<- you like that? I just heard this term from my ultra hip 21 yr old co-worker and I highjacked it) of all my TNT friends, who will be running the San Fran marathon. A Tiffany's necklace instead of a medal handed to you by a fireman in a tuxedo?! HELLO? Where do I sign up? But alas, I cannot go through the stress of fundraising again this year. Maybe next?

Afterwards, we spent the night taking Britney Spears' advice and danced [and drank] until the world ends, but it never did, did it? We were celebrating everyone who ran the Vancouver marathon on a rooftop bar with the Empire State Building as a backdrop.

As the night went on, the ESB disappeared due to the fog and I admit, I got a little spooked. If I can't admit I'm silly to the blogosphere, who can I admit it to?

Hope everyone spent this weekend doing what they love just in case ;-)

UAE Healthy Kidney 10K

This 10K totally made up for the crappy 4miler. 

Much to my dismay, I think this is turning into my favorite distance to run. It's not too short that you hate running the entire time (a 5K) but it's not long enough for you to start hating it again (a half). It's the Goldilock's of races- just right. I'm not giving up on my love for a half to grow, I'm just saying. 

After only running once in 2 weeks and spending one of those weeks consuming alcohol almost every night- I STILL PR'D! What?! You heard me. It was 9 seconds, but a PR is a PR. Thank you, Pink shirt girl. If your speeding up then looking back every 5 seconds to see where I was wasn't so obvious, I wouldn't have conserved my energy to blow past you 400 meters from the finish. Just a tip for next time? If you're going to make it soooooo obvious you're trying to beat a fellow racer, make sure you can ;-)

I felt really good pretty much the entire race. I believe it was cooler due to overcast skies. It was a larger race being that it wasn't Mother's Day. It was also nice to have someone to talk to before and after the race (I convinced a friend to join me). I was trying really hard to run my own race but when I get caught in a leap frog with another run/walker, it annoys me. I need to work on not paying attention. But overall, it was just a better experience reminding me exactly why I continue to get out of bed at ungodly hours on the weekend and sweat for fun. 

YaY! for Strong Kidneys!

I did not win the trip to UAE but this guy set a new world record. A 10K in 27 minutes? He was half done and I hadn't even crossed the start line. I also find it very amusing that everyone's hand is on their watches at the start line. That's serious business. Don't mess with the Garmin. 

But in other news? I went to the gym and I lost 5 pounds! finally. The scale hasn't moved in months, but my clothes were getting bigger. Being the girl that I am, I wanted to see results via numbers on the scale. So maybe not working out and drinking should be incorporated in my training? If that's the case, I don't know why I bother at all. Just kidding.

The Updated Walkman

I don't know if yall remember me mentioning my Sony Walkman during my first day of being a non-smoker? I mentioned a lot that day. So, I won't hold it against you, but seriously. Keep up. I won these from Carla @ I run, You run (Hi! Hope life in Manila is going well)

Anyway, it's taken me this long to let yall know how I like them, because I don't like running with both earbuds in. Especially if I'm running with someone and/ or in a race. And the cool thing about these headphones are that they are wireless, held up by your ears. So that leaves treadmill running and we all know I haven't been doing much of that (Every time I go to the gym it gets more and more ghetto. seriously).

So, let's start with the fact that they are not Mac-user friendly. That should be an automatic Strike, but seeing as I'm quite computer savy when it comes to getting things to work (i.e. Google), I figured it out. It was more of a process that plugging it in and opening iTunes, but if you are patient, good things will come.

Sunday was the first day in about 2 weeks since I had been to the gym, so I thought this was a perfect time to test them out. Everything was great for the first 10 minutes. Then I started to sweat and that's when they started to move. I spent the same amount of time annoyingly using energy to put them back in. I was a sad panda. But I also didn't have in the smallest earbuds, which is what I usually use (I have small ears, which works well because clearly I don't spend a lot of time listening. clearly). I hoped this was the problem and decided to give it another try.

When I switched the earbuds, life was better. They stayed in place, but I think since I am so used to continuously trying to put my headphones back in, I have developed a subconscious to keep pushing them back in. But as time went on, I forgot they were there and enjoyed my run.

I also loved that I could easily switch the song and volume whenever I wanted. It's harder to do this with my iphone when it's on my arm. These will definitely be the newest resident in my gym bag (along with the Gu that's like 4 months old and I keep forgetting is in there, but hey! I don't think that stuff expires). 

Would I have spent money on these? Probably not. Only because I really love my ipod and the simplicity of it. Being wireless isn't a big deal for me, staying in my ear is a must and I'm still on the look out for those.

Am I fan? Yes- or at least until I want to change my workout playlist and have to figure out how to do it all over again. 

Thanks again, Carla!

How I figured out my perfect day.

It felt really good to get back into a normal weekend. Normal being, long run on Saturday, recovery run on Sunday. I missed that. What I miss even more?  Plain ol' long runs. Running just to run. I think having a race every weekend for the past month was way stressful. I'm excited for next weekend to just run for fun.

Besides that, I saw Forks Over Knives this weekend.

If you haven't heard of it, watch the trailer. Then go see it. I will admit, I still think going vegetarian is a foreign concept to this southern girl (honestly, never met one until I moved to NYC) and most vegans are pretentious asses (no offense. Please understand I live in hipsterville and I'm sure being a hipster is the pretentious ass part, but they are one in the same to me) but after watching this film, a plant based diet just makes sense. Not that I'm giving up bacon or cheese any time soon. I just gave up smoking. Let me morn over that loss before we get crazy.

Another thing that makes sense? Humans were born to run. You should read this book.

It's extremely well written and I was very sad when it ended. Want to know the science behind this statement? Read Chapter 28. Want to read about an amazing adventure a journalist turned runner and bunch of ultra runners went on in Copper Cannon? Read the whole thing. 

And with all that, I figured out my perfect day. It starts with a morning run of at least 6 miles, followed by brunch, then to the movies and finally a shower then a nap ending with a good book on the couch. Amazing. 

Do you have a perfect day? How long did it take you to figure yours out? 

I heart the PL :)

I don't know why I forgot how much I love the library but I just rediscovered it. There is one by my office, too. It's not the big one with the lions, but it will do.

Perfect. Present. For a runner.

Thanks, Anna Banana!

YaY! Kidneys.

It's an inside joke

And sometimes I write letters to myself.

Dear Self,

Before you say anything, I know. Life got in the way. Completely understandable. You're a woman. It's a law that once a month, you're allowed to crawl up on the couch, stuff your face with takeout and watch bad television. And it's not every day someone you haven't seen in a year comes in town. It's not everyday a co-worker has a going away happy hour. Strength training after frozen margaritas isn't easy. 

But then again, neither is running a 10K that you haven't prepared for. 

When you are the last person to cross the finish line, don't blame me. 

Sincerely,

Your conscience. 

Sent from my iPhone

In case you were on the fence about my sanity

Today, I successfully booked my hotel and flight to Seattle. I am flying clear across the country to run 13.1 miles for shits and giggles (and a medal). It's a month and a half away, I really hope I don't get lazy because that's a damn good possibility. 

Japan Day run? Nothing to report except I suck. I added an entire minute onto my pace. Aren't people supposed to be faster for shorter races? I'm blaming it on the heat, not the fact I took an entire week off from doing anything remotely active. 

And can we talk about the heat One. More. Time? I hate sweating. Always have and always will. It's deeeesgusting! Yes, I know, it's a friggin Modern Day Miracle that I'm running for fun, but let's look past that. I'm ok while I'm actually running. There are so many other things to be concerned about while running (like the fact my heart is stabbing my chest! How did my heart get a knife?!? Hahahaha). It's after. When I stop and realize I am sweating through 2 sportsbras and an undershirt. What?! My coach says that Southern girls don't sweat, they glisten, but this southern girl? She sweats and it's ga-ross. How am I ever going to find my life mate if I look like a crazy sweaty freak? 

Off track. Moving back.

When did I ever think this belt actually fit me?

Yes, that is a bathroom picture. What? All the cool kids are doing it.

Still not the right track?

Oh, the things I'm learning about Seattle. Like, they have an underground. It's like the Disney tunnels but for real! Anyone been and have suggestions on what to see? Anything redonkulous I need to see? Like a gas station in the shape of a fish? The world's largest spoon? That stuff makes me happy and drives whoever I'm with nuts because I like to take pictures like this:

I'm a serious cactus!

In conclusion, I think I have lost my mind due to the exorbitant amount of money this flight is costing me, thus this random look at a moment inside my brain, but isn't that the entire purpose of a blog? 

Not my choice word, MTA.

They're usually only 4 letters when I think of you :) kisses!

Happy Mother's Day!

Coincidence these cards are supposed to be from a child?
I think not.

First Saturday in a long time.

 This feels weird.

Yet, I'm doing nothing to change it. 

It's been way too long. 

From one designer to another.

Dear Rock-n-Roll Marathon Design crew,

Can we chit-chat for a second? Let me just say, I love your entire brand identity. Kudos to you for taking a sport that didn't really have much recognition, spinning it on it's side and making it look as badass as it actually is. Not gonna lie, I kind of only ever want to run your races because of that (and the amazingly organized and fun environment your races have. Granted I have only run one so far, but I have plans to do 4 more- I need that Rockstar medal in my life. I've done tons of research via the internets and my opinion seems to be the consensus). 

With that being said, can we please talk about the medal situation? Clearly, I run for the bling of it and the majority of the time, yours are quite amazing. I had the CMM medal picture hanging on my wall for months before the race for motivation before I actually ran it. It's gorgeous. Very clever use of the guitar pick as the focus instead of the actual guitar, which is generally overused but appropriate for your events. I love all the subtle design elements that you have to pay attention to find. From one designer to another, kudos to you.

The Mardi Gras marathon medal? Omg. I'll foreverkick myself in the ass for not just going to run it. It was a perfect excuse to see the family and get a kick ass medal. Total win win. I was trained, but I was scared. Now I'm sadly without that gorgeous medal, but I digress. 

I can go on and on about your medals- Vegas as the playing card? VA Beach as the sand dollar? Clearly my idea of a well designed medal is one large element as the focus with small details you have to look at a second longer to get. Others will disagree. My best friend prefers medals that are visually busy with an obnoxious amount of images representing the city in which the race is run.

A prime example is your Rhode Island medal. I will give you this one because it is the inaugural race and I'm ok with that.

What I'm not ok with?

Seriously? I get what you were trying to do and I love the idea but the execution? Do I really have to tell you what this looks like? 

Oh well. I guess you can't win them all. 

-A

PS- If in the future you need some pointers or a concept, just let me know. I'm always willing.

Natural anti-depressant.

Post race blues.

Even with 4 big races and countless others to look forward to, I think I'm experiencing the depression everyone keeps talking about that happens after a race. That and I'm positive I haven't caught up on my sleep, which I'm sure doesn't help my crankiness. 

Speaking of sleep, I think I'm going to have to take this patch off before I go to bed. The dreams weren't bothersome in the beginning but now they're getting really vivid and annoying. 

I also realized I have a race this weekend, which kind of picked up my spirits. It's a perfect distance (4 miles) not to hurt myself. 

Anyone else get sad after a big race?

The Voice.

I'm fully intrigued.
And a fan of Blake Shelton. I might just have to rethink this country music.
Adam Levine exemplifies the bonafide douchebag I've heard he is.
Ceelo just wants to get laid.
And Christina needs a bigger dress. Where the hell did those boobs come from?
It's just this big trainwreck I can't get off the couch to stop watching.
What's wrong with me?

Sent from my iPhone

Country Music Half Marathon

Have I mentioned I love love loved this Rock-n-Roll race?
I've decided I'm a fan of bigger races. I don't feel like I'm doing it alone. I'm also officially a running partner fan. I hope Anna Banana enjoyed her half because I don't think I'm going to allow her to stop running. For my own sanity.

The rookie mistake I rocked this time? The tank top I grabbed to bring with me was new and cotton. In my defense, what the hell is Everlast doing making things out of cotton? So, I wore a looser shirt and my sportsbra. Not ideal, but I dealt.

I wasn't really happy with my time, but given the heat and the hills- je-sus. those hills- I'm just relieved I finished.

Shall we start the story via pictures? I thought so.

Good morning! Us and the faux Parthaneon. 

Can you see the start line? 

Yea, neither could I. It took an hour to cross it. They started in waves  and blew a horn every time one went out. I was in Corral 30, so that's how many times I heard it over the sound system throughout. But there was fun commentary so I wasn't that annoyed.

 Oh, hello start line! 

Seeing as it took so long to get across the start line, I had to take a port-a-potty break and I lost 5 minutes waiting in that line. Besides that, I got stuck behind the full-blown walkers. I had to bob and weave to get back to at least close to the people in my corral. I didn't realize how nice it was to be around people going my same pace, until I had to get through those going slower than me. I will know better for next time.

Music Row

Confession? I had no idea that's what this was until Fred told me, 

I just liked the signs :-)

Also, if you didn't know, The Rock-n-Roll Series of marathons have live bands at every mile and a half. It was a really good break in the monotony, but we were in Nashville. Even though they have different genres of music throughout, the majority was country (duh). I laughed to myself about how much my mom and sister would've loved it, while I was cursing that I couldn't hear the techno from my ipod. 

I finally got to see this guy in person! 

He was hiding around a corner, so it was a nice surprise. I was struggling after mile 9 and he definitely helped me push through.

Remember when I thought I would cry throughout the entire NYC Half out of joy, but never did? Yea, this is where I broke down in Nashville. I quickly pulled myself together, though. I didn't want to loose more electrolytes than necessary :-) 

I don't know if it was the heat, the hills that mentally broke me many times, or actually being there and doing it, but I was an emotional mess. It was an experience to say the least.

I would also like to add, that saying about how it's hard to be depressed while running is true. It's also true that it's hard to cry and run at the same time, too. So, you have to decide which one is more important at that particular moment and roll with it. Fun times. 

What I looked like as I waited for Fred to finish his full. The biggest cons of this race: 1. Who decides to have the family meet up place on concrete in the sun? If I wasn't dying of heat stroke from the race, this surely would've done it. 2. Making the bag check even further away than the family meet up. Personally, I want my flip flops, my chocolate milk and my Biofreeze more than seeing anything or anyone after a race. 3. Where the hell was the chocolate milk?! 

and PS- for future reference, never sit on the ground after a race and expect to get back up, especially after your knees have been taped to ice. 

Finally!

I bought this skirt specifically to wear to the bar that night, but Fred wouldn't let me. Isn't it amazing?! A snakeskin running skirt, seriously?! That's ok. I still rocked the cowboy boots.

And the medal in Chick-fil-a.

Because I'm classy like that!

The next morning, two extremely attract guys got on the shuttle to the airport with me and I actually had something to talk to them about. I don't think I've ever had anything to say to extremely attractive athletic looking men before. Kinda crazy. 

In the airport, even though it was yet again an ungodly hour, everyone was talking to each other about the race. If you didn't know, the day after the race uniform is always the shirt of the race and that's how you know who you're allowed to geek out with. It was nice to know I wasn't the only crazy person who travels for races- there is an entire community! 

And yes, I will keep this medal in my purse for a week. I have to keep constantly reminding myself I did it. again.

The End.

(sorry it was so long!)

Homework.

Didn't I graduate 8 months ago?

Presents!!!

It's the little things that make me happy.
Clearly.

CMM: Pre-Race

(because I haven't uploaded the pictures of the actual race to my computer yet)

I was up at the whooping time of 3am, to catch my 6am flight. I was at the airport before security even opened, which was insane to me, but it was Laguardia. Even though my love for JetBlue will never die, LGA is a lot closer to my apartment and easier to get to (it literally took 10 minutes in the cab. I know it was early, but that was uber fast). 

I got the most amazing Bacon, Egg and Cheese Stramoli and sat down to watch the Royal Wedding. What other choice did I have? I was up and it was on every TV in the airport. 5 minutes before Kate was supposed to get out the car- They made me board my plane. I was quite annoyed. I wasn't even into it, but after an hour of build up, I wanted to see the dress, dammit. I quickly got over my anger and passed out. Like the entire world wasn't going to be buzzing about it all day (I made Fred go to dinner early so we could get back to see the 20/20 special. So, I fell on the bandwagon. Sue me).

My flight landed early, so Fred and I were able to meet in the terminal and go get the rental together.

First order of business? Find a Panera Bread. We decided to save Chick-fil-a greasiness for after the race.

We were on our way, but got distracted by a Logan's. What can I say? Chain food is my weakness and Nashville did not disappoint. 

I got really excited when we finally got to the expo, and it helped I had someone there with me (I went to the NYC Half's on my lunch break because it was 2 blocks from my work. There were like 4 vendors and a sad disappointment). Fred was not as excited, seeing as it wasn't his first time at the rodeo, but it was fun being excited for both of us.

I bought a pin and a magnet of my medal, giving me lots of motivation to get the actual one the next day. I love that RnR is making these now. I also signed up for my next 3 races (Rhode Island, VA Beach and Savannah) so now all I need to do is complete them and I get my Rockstar medal. My checking account is not pleased, but whatever. It could've been a lot worse. 

We spent a fair amount of time walking up and down the aisles, but I knew I needed rest, so we went back to the hotel.

Carb loading for dinner. We did in fact make it to Panera. I know, nothing new on race day (which will come back to haunt me later- not due to this. More on that later) but carbs are carbs. This race clearly taught me I don't have a sensitive stomach. 

We stopped at Target (another must-do for me whenever I go out of town) for breakfast food and enough Gatorade and water to internally drown a horse, then it was off to bed for me. Only after 20/20, of course. 

Any excuse to pull out the cowboy boots.

Yes this is in my possession.
More later after I've slept for a week. This morning was my only morning to sleep in and by that I mean 6am.
Hope everyone's weekend was as glittertastic as mine!