Mental Health Day

I called in sick to work today. I never do that and I’m also very rarely sick. Work has been stressful lately I top of moving and training which were/are exhausting. I needed to sleep in. I needed to not get up before the sun to run my 9 miles. I needed to accomplish some errands. And I really need to finish unpacking. I hate not being settled. I haven’t had a “free day” in weeeeeeks. Seriously I don’t know the last time I was traveling, packing, running, working etc. I wish I got more done today, but I’m happy to check off the things I was able to check off today.

My new sports bra is on fleek!

Actually I don’t know what that means, but it’s orange and pretty and from moving comfort and was on sale!

Check out my race medals photobombing me!

However don’t check out how white my stomach is compared to the rest of me!

Look at that!

I’m less nervous about my “peak” training week coming up of 40 miles (20 miler week) since I moved my long run from last weekend to this past Monday (Labor day), got in all my weekday runs, and did this past week’s long run yesterday.

Some people DRIVE less than 45 miles in a week!

Running weather

Today was perfect! I didn’t have to wake up early for the weather. 9:30am start. T’s new place is less than a mile from my beloved Mt Vernon Trail. I ran towards Mt Vernon and the closer I got to Mt Vernon the more beautiful it was. I shaved 14 min off my last “half marathon” with a time of 2:45:47! Finished the 16 in 3:25:15 aka a 12:50min/mile pace! 49/71

The tipping point

This morning as I was putting body glide on before my 8 miler I thought to myself: “My body is starting to look pretty good” as opposed to “I don’t look as fat.” As someone who has lost and gained the same 15lbs a few times over in the last 4 years it’s an important tipping point when I can validate my body. It’s been hard work, but I’m glad to be here!

Good Influence

T went on a 4 mile run with me yesterday. Generally he sticks to 3mi although his first race was the 5K we did in May.

As we wrapped up our run I asked him when the last time he ran more than 3 miles was and he said probably in the Marine Corps 10 years ago!

So today I get an email from Pacers (local running store) about the US National 12K in November right in Alexandria. I send T an email forwarding it and asking if he thinks he would be up for training for it. He replies 15 minutes later by forwarding me his registration confirmation.

I hate that he’s faster than me, but I love that he’s getting into running!

I must admit, sometimes when I’m running without music and hear some say that I have to keep myself from moving left, but when other people do it, it drives me nuts! That and the people who don’t understand the rules of trails/paths and they are walking like 3 across.

Monies

I got my new running shoes yesterday and dropped $135 without blinking!

Meanwhile on Monday I bought my first TV ever (others were gifts or my roommates) and it PAINED ME to fork over the $235 for it.

I only wanted to pay $200, but I essentially got it for $100 less thanks to a Labor Day sale, a 10% off discount code and T’s $5 Best Buy rewards. For the record it’s a Toshiba 40′ LED Flatscreen 1080p (whatever that means, T insisted I not get a 720p).

My new toys! Can’t wait to take them for a spin later. I also can’t believe I liked a non-Brooks running shoe so much! (at Pacers Running Stores)

Lose yourself in the moment…

I ran an Eminem this morning AKA 8 mile(s).

It was a great run:

weather was nice (maybe a touch humid)
my pace was great (averaged 12:35 min/mi)
I felt confident
thanks to my 5:50am (ewwwww) wake up call I finished with enough time to shower, get ready, make breakfast, and get to work on time!

Bonus: I’m headed to the beach after work today!