Slacker alert: Not a Seattle recap.

One day when the world stops turning so fast, I will get around to letting the blogosphere know how Seattle was (how many times can I say amazing before I need to find another adjective?). Until then these are some pictures I didn't know existed until they showed up on facebook. Isn't that the best way to find out about them?

I was really excited to be there. Hence the skipping.

Getting my bib.

Just in case you were wondering: This is about as close as I got to that needle.

Stay tuned. It's worth it. I promise.

Seattle stole my heart.

I rocked it! Loved everything about this. More deets when I get back to the east coast :)

Technical Difficulties.

It is 60 degrees in Seattle. I think weather.com is broken. That has to be lies.

Very happy lies for me, but lies nonetheless. 

Anyway. Mission: Revive The Dark Knight (my ipod) has become a success. So I’m not freaking out about flying cross country without every single one of my songs. I have a very strong connection with my playlists. It would have been a disaster if I would have had to chose only a few to put on my nano.

I have settled on 2 outfits that I will bring, but non-running clothes are still up in the air. 

And that’s about all that’s semi-going right.

Rock-n-Roll- 

You have been put on notice. Thank Allah that I decided to be semi-responsible and map out plans for this trip. The hotel that we are staying at, the website says is 3 blocks from the finish line/ expo. When I google mapped it- it’s 13 fucking MILES away. Are you KIDDING me?! What the hell is wrong with you? You have just made my life unnecessarily difficult. So now, instead of researching touristy things I might want to do, I have to make a new plan. In 12 hours. Yes, I probably should have double checked earlier, but that’s supposed to be your job. Don’t you have a fact checker/editor? I’m sure I could loan you one of mine. You officially suck in my book. 

And you won’t let me see the fucking medal before I cross the finish line?! You showed off that golden pile of sideways poop like it was genius and I can’t see this one? Is it truly that ugly? That thing better be made of platinum, designed by Milton Glaser and able to cure cancer or I’m going to throw it at the closest person. Remember, your medals are heavy and I’m a pissed off.

This is not a good way to start a vacay. Just sayin.

Portugal 5 miler.

First race in awhile that I wasn't meeting anyone to run with. I did see friends along the course cheering, but it was just me and me. This race helped me realize that I may be physically strong enough for next weekend, but mentally I'm lacking. 

Anyone have any tips for regaining confidence? 

It was a very hot run and I'm almost happy that the forecast for Seattle is rain on Saturday. 

Ben and his peeps were also there. I wanted to go say hello! I kind of stalk you on the internets, but I thought that was too creepy. If you're not in the loop check him out here.

And can we please talk about the extremely rude NYRR volunteer? I love that this race had tech shirts in women's sizes. I don't know why I ever pretend my boobs can fit into women's sizes, but I did. I realized the error of my ways and was hoping to exchange it at the race. I didn't realize this was such a big deal until I asked and the lady freaked out on me. All I wanted was to exchange the shirt. I didn't want an extra shirt. I wanted a shirt that I could actually wear. And I'm southern. When we want something, we go out of our way to be extra nice (which might be the problem right there. New Yorkers don't know how to deal with that sometimes). She acted like I asked her to rob a liquor store. Really lady? I realize you are up at an ungodly hour on a Sunday volunteering your time, but next time? Stay home. No one wants your time if you are going to be so rude. It really upset me for a minute. 

So, I followed my last long run with an amazing brunch at Vinyl on the UWS. Yall. Their bathrooms are themed- Cher, Dolly Parton and Nelly. It was awesome sauce. Unfortunately, no pictures. I was trying to change into dry clothes as fast as possible. I think I'm becoming a professional at changing clothes in public restrooms. 

I will. I did.

Thank you, East Village.

JP Morgan Corp Challenge.

I know it's late. 

I'm trying to think of a better way to describe this than what I have already. So I give up.

For lack of a better word, the race was a bonefide shit show. I didn't know that many people could exist in one place. And the organizational skills were completely lacking. It was hot and I was running in a burlap sack pretending to be a cotton tshirt. That pretty much sums it up.

It was super cool to see a whole bunch of people wearing a shirt I designed though.

And I totally think my cowboy boots go with everything, including my running gear. Don't you? 

3 posts for 1.

So I have literally started like 5 posts, but finished none. Because I'm preoccupied. With my person, who I will be more than happy to tell the world about. . . . But not yet. Until then, here are the low downs:

Post 1 (Tuesday): I think I hurt my quads this weekend. I didn't stretch well after the mini. 

And I'm going to the J. Crew sample sale tonight instead of the gym. What? I need new rain boots.

I think I started slacking tapering too soon. I know there were a lot of factors affecting last week's race, but I didn't feel like I put my all into it. This weekend I have a 5 miler. A chance to redeem myself and regain my confidence for Seattle. Let's hope.

Post 2 (Wednesday): I'm on Day two of Operation: Teeth Whitening and yall? Holy Fug. It's painful. The last time I did this was in college. I remember my teeth being sensitive after, but nothing like this. Breathing is painful. It might also have something to do with the fact I left it on an extra 15 minutes but nonetheless: This. Shit. Hurts.

I already have a pretty bangin smile (what? You know it. I know it. Why not admit it? ;) and some kickass photoshop skills, I might just have to give this idea up. I know I like to pretend like I don’t like to chew but damn, son. When you can't, it really sucks. I'd really like to eat lunch soon before I pass out. I have white cheddar Cheez-its I'd like to devour!

I just yawned and the pain was unbarable.

Seriously, Crest?! 

Post 3 (Thursday): Post-it from yesterday

The End. 

I hate 5Ks with a passion.

But the fact that I designed the company's team shirt might make up for it ;)

The Mini 10K.

sidenote: I just poured a packet of salt into my mouth. As much as I love salt, I don't think I've ever done that before. It wasn't as bad as I thought and even so, it looks like I'm going to have to get used to that with running in the summer. 20 minutes later? I feel so much better.

So, it wasn't as bad as I expected, but 5am did come fast. It felt like after I rolled up into bed around 1:30, I just rolled right back out.

I didn't PR which I didn't realize I was hoping for until about mile 4, but at that moment I also realized I need to train a ton more if I want to get better and right now I'm content with the fact that I can actually finish. One day I will worry about getting faster. Until then, I need to suck it up and get over it.

My favorite adopted mom came in from Connecticut and ran with me. I was fully expecting her to run off and I would meet her at the end, but she stuck by my slow self. We were so busy talking about our upcoming race schedule, the miles flew by. I completely forgot about my exhausting week and how sleep deprived I actually was. The next thing I knew, I was a sweaty mess getting a carnation and medal (I will straight up admit, if it wasn't for that medal, I probably would've stayed in bed this morning).

sweaty mess.

The fact that this 10K starts at Columbus Circle outside of the park on Central Park West was pretty awesome. I would even venture to say it was as cool as running the NYC Half down 7th Ave. I also loved the crowd support. The guys from all the running clubs were out supporting their female teammates. It was super cute.

Corrals were right next to the 59th St. entrance to the park

Pretty cool to see on the streets of New York.

The post race festivities. I love this open field with the city is the back drop.

Due to my fabulous sleep deprived state, post-shower and pre-nap, this is the picture I decided to send people of my accomplishment:

As pointed out, it can double as an eye patch if I ever want to become a pirate.

Medal #3! 

Tomorrow is going to be interesting

How much sleep do you actually need to run? Because I'm still at work with no end in sight.
PS- love the Vaseline. Best. Swag. Ever.

I'm so cranky, I don't even want to be near me.

A few factors for this:
- it's 100 fuggin degrees today
- my account is driving me batty
- I strongly dislike my work dynamic
- my arms are still sore from Tuesday's experiment of gaining muscles. The only 2 things I have issues with on my body (my arms and my stomach), running does zip for.
- my teeth are sensitive from trying to whiten them (and I left the strips on for an extra 15 minutes. Oops)
- my apartment situation is less than ideal
But this made me nearly fall out my chair:

A co-designer and I like to entertain ourselves by throwing messages to each other via crumbled post its. Most of the time we are bitching about why we are allowing for little parts of our souls to be taken away by shitty design and this morning's beauty was no exception. 

For the record, outlined text makes my soul cry. I'm pretty sure an angel looses it's wings every time it's used. 

I told her I think it's the stuff award winners are made of. 

Nike's idea of a Better World

Nike,
I'm just going to straight up say, I am not a fan. I have no idea where this deep rooted dislike for you came from, but I don't really have the time or energy to care right now.
I'm just here to say kudos on your better world campaign (watch the video then scroll down, I promise you won't regret it) and I'm not even a fan of advertising (I know, the irony. . .).
Favorite parts? Shockingly, the copy.

 "Apathy, you just got posterized"- Your copywriter kind of rocks.

Thanks!
Abby

PS- Can someone please explain to me how you are getting away with making a profit off of recycled shoes?! Even recycled cans get 5 cents or something like that. Has no one else caught onto you yet?
Now can you please let me test drive your Frees? I promise I might change my mind.

WillyB and Me: Meant to be.

Saturday morning I did something I've never done before. I did my long run in Brooklyn from my front door across the Williamsburg Bridge and back. By myself.

2 reasons allowed for me to discover such an amazing experience. 1. Anna was out of town and 2. The L train was down, like the whole fuggin train line, even into Manhattan. For the record, that should be illegal. MTA, I really despise you with every ounce of my being when you pull shit like that. I have no idea how to get into Manhattan if the L isnt running. No lie. Last weekend it was a shuttle to the Lorimer stop and I know how homicidal I got with that, I didn't want to risk it.
But I digress. Clearly, the MTA pisses me off and this is supposed to be a happy post about the awesomeness that I discovered.

If I haven't mentioned before, I live in a pretty "cool" part of Brooklyn (depending on who you ask), but in the almost 2 years I've lived here, I haven't really ventured. It was nice navigating things that aren't really as far from me as I thought.

Hello, Peter Luger's, famous steakhouse.

I also discovered my new favorite place in New York City. Everyone, please meet the Williamsburg Bridge.

Longest. Steepest. Bridge Entrance. Ever. 

That should have deterred me right there, but the bridge is pink! for the love of Christmas!

The end of the steep entrance. What an amazing welcoming, if I do say so myself!

Willy B wanted me to share that with yall.

(Yes. We are on nickname-basis. He's my BFF whether he wants to be or not!)

What? You don't get total strangers to take your pic?

Going into Manhattan.

Coming back.

You could see the other two (Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge) from this one but after this, I wouldn't really be needing to visiting them ever again. A bridge's pedestrian path that is not overcrowded with tourists, above traffic and trains, extremely wide AND it's PINK?! No. question.

My roommate mentioned that she likes to walk home from work and I was toying with the idea, but after this run, I will definitely be putting it on my list of things to do! It's only 4 miles or so and now that I know where I'm going, it's going to be my favorite thing to do.

Score for discovering new fun things!
Anyone else have a discovery this weekend?

A purple beauty.

I forgot to mention, I ate concrete on the way back to New York last weekend.
Not once.
Twice.
The first time, I managed not to spill my diet coke, but the second time, it went flying. I would like to blame it on the fact I was rushing to grab food before I got on the train and my Toms are too big for my feet. Not the fact I'm uncoordinated at all. Anywooo, I would like to thank The Metro North for ruining my fabulous and relaxed mood putting me back into NYC mode.

You can stop reading now if bruises freak you out.
If you're a freak like me and think they are pretty, you can check out the damage below.

Ignore my pastiness. 

That's a few days later. Kind of amazing though. It's HUGE!
This better not effect my running.

Memorial Day weekend (a week late)

Did I mention last weekend I went to visit my favorite adoptive family in Connecticut?
That's where I took this:

remember?

Not only was it Memorial Day weekend, but it was also my oldest (as in I've known her since Kindergarden, not she's 97 "old") friend's birthday. We celebrated with a fabulous lobster lunch on the water (hence, picture). On the way back to the house, we drove through Mystic.

Yea, I didn't know it was a real place either. 

If you're really young, you won't get the reference. 

Afterwards, we went to Foxwoods casino and I got the mac and cheese from Panera Bread. It was kind of amazing. I'm kind of obsessed with that stuff.

On the way out trying to take it quickly before security got us.

It was a great weekend which totally reminded me why I try to get out of the city as often as possible. I've been having a lot of "Why the fuck do I live here again?" moments. New York City is a hassle and it crushes your spirit every chance it gets. Life is hard enough as it is, it doesn't have to be like that. Unfortunately I don't know where else I should be right now, so I'm staying put. (I know I have always said I am on Team East Coast- but I now I'm starting to rethink. Seattle? Portland? San Diego? San Fran? Anything but LA. We'll see.)

It really doesn't help that it's summer, when I become even more homicidal than usual, but whatever. I will be getting out of the city at least once a month and will try to get back to Connecticut as often as I can.

I am a winner!

Or at least Larabar thinks so.

Don't be jelly, but the Carrot Cake bars are amazing. I think they are my new favorite (only a little ahead of the Key Lime Pie and Coconut). The mini-bars are a perfect 100 calories, which will make an excellent mix-up on my long runs.

I don't know how they do it, but I have never tasted food bars that are more yummy.

Thank you again for having such an awesome contest and picking me as one of the winners.

I'm going to teach myself how to dougie. . .

. . . with this video (and I might even consider watching Glee. Yes. I'm the one person that doesn't watch it on the planet.)


. . . which also happens to be Fred's "I told you so" dance. 

Happy Friday! 

A smoke break convo.

(which, in my humble opinion, is where all the good convos come from. And before you say anything, no, I wasn't smoking. I was observing.)

Person 1: Hospitals really need to have a bar.

Person 2: Well, they do have churches. It's completely understandable, seeing as some people view drinking as a religion.

Person 1: Yea. They really need a place for people to get drunk and then they can recover.

Person 2: They do already. It's called the ER.

Sent from my iPhone

Extra. Extra.

Can we please talk about how amazing this stuff is? Extra, how in the world do you get the full flavor of a desert into a tiny stick of gum? I feel like I'm in the real life version of Willy Wonka and Johnny Depp is going to pop up and tell me "Good morning, starshine... the earth says hello!". I really love him.

But I digress.

Needless to say, I am a fan. 

The End. 

Sent from my iPhone