Month: July 2012

DC Scavenger Hunt 

Some of the locations required us to take pictures doing something (we took some creative license):

  • YMCA at Franklin Square
  • See/speak/hear no evil at St Patricks Church (oldest parish in DC)
  • “Human Pyramid” at The Decatur House 
  • Hug a tree at the EPA 
  • Feet off the ground at the Spy Museum 
  • Imaginary tug of war at Constitution Hall 

Team #RommateChronicles had a lot of fun!

An Open Letter to Running…

Dear Running,

I love you, you know I do, but this last year and a half has left me feeling unfulfilled. I spent Sept-March in constant half-marathon followed by marathon training. But where did it leave me, with 2 medals and no obvious physical changes. Yes, I had longer endurance and sometimes better speed – but really it was just a tolerance I built up. If you put your hand in a bucket of ice for a few minutes the ice doesn’t get warmer you just adapt to tolerate it better. 

I don’t want to just ADAPT my body to be a long-distance runner. I want to TRANSFORM myself into an all around athlete. I want to be strong and have muscle tone. 

I have 3 months of marathon training before I take a break from distance. I may continue to work on speed and see how much I can take off my 5K time, but when it comes to how many hours a week I spend exercising the ratio needs to change. 

I don’t regret registering for the Marine Corps Marathon, but I know all those miles I need to log to be ready aren’t enough for me anymore. It’s not you, it’s me.  I want to weight train and cross train. 

I have a new mistress, I went to a group personal training class lead by Trainer Dan yesterday and it was great. It was 7 stations for 7 minutes each in partners. As a new person to the class Trainer Dan was very attentive to me and making sure I had good form, but once I got it he didn’t need to babysit me.

The group classes are ½ the price of a personal training session and I’m THISCLOSE to officially signing up. Trainer Dan said I could come tomorrow also to do a different station variety. I really liked working in pairs and also seeing where some of my strengths or where others are better. The lady I was paired with was in good shape, but wasn’t as strong so I felt badass using 18lb kettle bells while she used 12lb, but then she’d kick my ass in a different activity like lunges. It brought out a good competitive side in me.

I hope we can still be friends (with benefits)

Love,

Jenn

Weekend in Review

This was a weekend of FUN, FITNESS, FOOD, and FELLAS!

Friday: After work I had pizza and beer with my cute college friend. Sadly a couple-friend of his joined us instead of dozens of hot runner friends like him. Regardless it was really fun to talk college, running, life, as well as innocently flirt.

Saturday: Woke up at 6:45am for a 11 10 mile training run, my first double digit run since the LA Marathon. Thankfully it was 68 out and overcast which felt great. I finally went on the awesome Mount Vernon trail and really enjoyed my run. Great splits and I found my stride (Bonus my heel spur wasn’t acting up). I was supposed to do 11, but I was crunched for time. Pretty much changed from one set of running clothes to a new set (sans shower) to head into DC with my HUNGOVER roommate for a Scavenger Hunt/Challenge/Race. We covered over 6 miles during the race itself (my legs were not happy with me towards the end). We had strangers take pics of us doing things at various points, so sing to people, and my poor roommate took one for the team and let me spray vinegar into her mouth from several feet away so she could spit it in a cup as part of the challenge. Considering she already puked once that morning, I don’t know how she didn’t right then and there. Took a post run/race shower/nap. Went on a second date with a guy I saw last week for dinner and drinks. We did get yummy Thai food and find a cool hidden speakeasy bar, but I wasn’t feeling him – he came across as boring and clumsy (he spilled on himself twice). I ended up obviously dodging a goodnight kiss which he called me out on via text later – oops! 

Sunday: I was supposed to have brunch with my friend Beth, but she cancelled due to being hungover from a Bachelorette party. I have been messaging with a guy on OKC for a few weeks while he’s been out of the country for work and he got back Friday and mentioned he didn’t have plans Sunday. So I randomly messaged him to see if he was still free and we made plans for a mid-day brunch. I had a GREAT time. First of all he’s 6’3 (I am such a height snob, but I’m the first to admit it so that makes it okay). He’s really outgoing and talkative and INTERESTING. He was telling me about all kinds of things I didn’t know about  – from technology to stocks to Walk Disney. He also dropped a bunch of casual compliments or casual touches. After brunch we went for coffee and he introduced me to the clover coffee at Starbucks – I LOVE COFFEE, how did I not know about this. He was such a flirty smart ass, but then also extremely chivalrous. He opened doors, pulled out my seat and at the end of the date HE TOOK MY HAND AND KISSED IT. I blushed like a schoolgirl a bunch during the date, but I thought I was going to melt right there. It was so unexpected, but really cute. And for those of you keeping count – this was 1000x better than when a former flame awkwardly kissed my arm at a football game a few years ago. He followed up with texting me last night to make plans to hang out later this week. We’re going to an indoor driving range with a bar that is pretty popular in the area and I’ve been wanting to go. 

PS – All the fellas had J names to make things extra confusing:  Friday-Josh, Saturday-Jack, Sunday-Josh

Cute Runner Boys

Tonight I’m hanging out with my friend Josh who I went to college with. He used to live in DC and then moved back right about when I did. Since we’re both super busy and important people we haven’t been able to hang out until tonight. 

Josh is a former cross country star and just demolished his first full marathon (Boston no less) in 3:47 – I’m looking forward to seeing him and hope he has some cute runner friends for me 😛