monday after the marathon

Thanks to a good friend of mine, I’ve become a marathon spectator, having gone to several to see her compete. I actually love watching marathons, it sounds completely loony to be like I like watching people run while I stand around.  However, it’s truly inspiring to watch so many people who’ve been training for months (maybe years) push past you and complete 26.2 miles. My personal favorite thing to do is yell strangers names and encourage them to keep going (thank you to everyone who puts their names on their shirts – this allows me to feel like we are friends for the 20 seconds I shout, Go, Bob, Go!), the smiles on people’s faces is priceless when they know you are cheering them on to the end. Congratulations to all the runners this past weekend!

beneath the winter snow

Last weekend I ran a race in Central Park, after a light snow fall. It was beautiful outside, despite the fact I was frozen like a little running popsicle.  I am really itchy for a good winter storm that makes it so you have to stay in and cuddle on the couch reading and drinking hot tea. I want to hear the crunch of my boots on the sidewalk, see the snow in my hair when I walk back inside. Does anyone else miss real winters?

“I want muscles like a man…

But not hands like a man” – direct quote from one of the most intense girls in my boot camp classes (this girl can do one handed pull ups – I am lucky I can lift my coffee with one hand). She’s right though – there’s nothing feminine about hands rough will callouses and rips from lifting kettle bells and weights. However, there is something to be said for looking like Lara Croft with well-defined and toned arms – hence the need for me to finally suck it up and buy lifting gloves.  Nothing says I work out like owning a pair of these babies and well keeping them in your purse on a regular basis (one of these days I’ll have to do the “what’s in my purse” posts). 

(photo from pinterest, buy gloves here)

good morning sunshine

It is by far one of the coldest weeks of the winter so far, I know it’s actually more normal to be having 20 degree weather in January, but the 50 degrees has been so nice. Under the guise of new years resolutions, and my major project at work finalizing last week, I can finally hit up workouts with some regularity. I started this week off with a bright and early start of going to the gym in the mornings as I tend to get bogged a bit and when you work a little late, that ruins all hope and dreams for a good post work workout. It makes sense to me if I just get the gym done in the morning the rest of the day or evening are mine for any activities of my choosing (early to bed for the next day seems to be where my little mind is thinking right now, but hopefully I get into routine enough to feel like dinners and other events might happen). 

(photo by Jesper Madsen)

31 candles on her birthday cake

And yikes… how did I get to another birthday so quickly I ask you? I am actually quite excited to celebrate my birthday this year, I just have a feeling that this year is going to be full of fun an all sorts of surprises.  Since my birthday actually falls over a weekend, I am going to celebrate starting with a happy hour after work at my favorite place for margaritas. I cannot get too crazy because in the morning I am running a 10k in Central Park (I am nervous about the cold, the distance, and well the hangover too if I am being completely honest).  Saturday night is going to be the insane night out though, heading to see Professional Bull Riding with my friends. I am ridiculously excited for my cowboy themed outing – it best not disappoint.  Hope you also have a fun weekend lined up – hopefully I have lots of fun stories to report back on.

i won't give up

I have come to the conclusion that attempting to run my first half marathon is going to have to wait. I am definitely not conditioned enough to go out there and risk injury, or annoy what will be a fairly competitive field by walking a large chunk of the race. Though it doesn’t bother me to be a “back of the pack” runner, I certainly want to be respectful to those who trained appropriately. I am disappointed that I haven’t been able to commit to the training as much as I would have liked to. I could sit here and list all the excuses, but it was one of those things that as other things got in the way, the training got pushed back on my priority list. I need to focus on the fact though that I still want to do this, it’s just going to take me a bit longer to get there then I initially planned. I also need to make getting in my runs a priority- regardless of what else life is handing out. For those doing the run this weekend, best of luck – I wish I was out there with you.

(photo from joamarelo.tumblr.com)

running with the devil

What a fantastic weekend - I finally got to go to The Smith for dinner and drinks (I had planned to go a few weeks ago, and upon walking in my drink companion complained it was too noisy, and I vowed to come back with people who appreciate a good scene). The deviled eggs were an excellent choice, along with amazing cocktails, and just great food all around. Good food and good company, and just a fun night out. I also got to go and have salted caramel ice cream across the street - which was fabulous. Despite all the good food- I also was on a fitness kick - with a trip to hot yoga (oh boy- I kind of thought I was going to pass out the whole time) and got a really nice run in while it was raining. I am looking forward to more weekends like this in the upcoming weeks - relaxing and productive all at once.