I was going to dress up for a very special dinner date this weekend, so I bought a dress from Amazon... and yeah, I would never be seen around town wearing something like this. This is a Vegas only dress.

It's literally the most painful thing in the world, to shop for dresses. I loathe shopping in general, but this is a special circle of hell. It's too sexy, it's too baggy, I'm too short, my shoulders are too wide... I feel like goldilocks but there is never anything just right for me.

Anyway, these days I'm running 8 miles 5-6 times a week and strength training 3-4 times a week. My goal these days is just to be consistent and have fun - not push towards a goal or race. I've got too much else on my mind for that right now.

Hope everyone is doing well.

I use post-its on my monitors to remind myself of the things that I need to work on. This one has been there for about six months now. At this point, I don't think it's ever coming off. Haha

Beads and beads of sweat as I stretch after doing strength training.

Just... eww? HAHA!!

Been having issues with side stitches, not sure what that is about. I'd get to mile 3-5 and then it would start. I tried running through them (2 more miles) and it never stopped. The only thing that stops the cramping is walking.

I've been focusing on form and so far I'm back to 8 miles with no issues. Here's hoping they are gone for good!

I'm still running, anywhere from 6 miles to 15 miles most days.

But to be honest, I've been a mess. I generally have a great deal of stress in my life most days, it goes with the territory of my profession and having kids... but this particular point in my life has proven especially difficult.

A few weeks ago I dropped my oldest son off at college. Even before he left, my heart felt ripped in two. My world is off its axis. It's no surprise that I've fallen into a functioning depression. I'm not super productive like usual, but passably so. It's been so long since I've been in a depression but I haven't forgotten how it works. I know that no amount of talking it through will help. It's not the time to pick up a new hobby. My body and mind physically reject all of that anyway. It's just a time thing. And I need to keep pushing through my day-to-day stuff and try to stay busy.

So I have been running, although some days I have to forcibly push myself out the front door, only to have some kind of anxiety attack while running, to the point where I have to give up and come home because I can't breathe. I still get out the next day and try it all over again.

Some have suggested I have some gummies or see the doctor for medication. No thanks. I am certain I can get this anxiety under control without supplements. And if I can't, I'm not so stubborn that I won't seek help. I just want to give my body and mind time to sort this out. I have faith in myself.

I went to the library the other day for a pick-me-up. It always amazes me how empty the libraries are. I mean, you can check out books for free. There is so much knowledge and creativity there, so many ideas... is that not intoxicating to you? Anyway, the picture shows part of my latest haul (yeah, only part haha).

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Still training. Can't remember where I left off here, but I ran 11 miles yesterday and another 8 miles today. Not far enough in that I feel completely committed yet, but I'm getting there.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Hello! Decided to come back to tumblr and hold myself accountable in my training!

Last week did 8 miles, 6 miles, 8 miles, 6 miles, rest, 6 miles, 12 miles... Also been doing some strength training.

This week did 8 miles, then another 6 miles today. Today was interval training, so I had to work for it, not sure you can tell...

Anyway, it's good to be back and I can't wait to catch up on how everyone is doing!

Holiday Party Time!

How has everyone been? It’s been a while, eh? I rarely take pictures of myself these days, but when I had to get dressed up for a holiday party, I made an exception. It’s a rare sighting - like bigfoot kind of rare.

Still running. Doing a lot of strength training these days. 

I know I say this every time, but I want to be more present on here. I do check in on everyone occasionally and it’s so nice to see you on here and what you’ve been up to. 

So hopefully I’ll be seeing a lot more of you guys on here! 

But if I’m full of shit and don’t see you on here before the holidays, happy holidays! 

Just kidding. I’m coming back before then.

Probably.

Hello! How has everyone been? I’m back in serious training mode again. I’m interested to learn what everyone’s fitness goals are. Catch up with you guys soon!

I’m not gonna say that was fun. I know I’m not as fast as most of you. But there was a point, somewhere in the 25th mile, that I got teary-eyed. BECAUSE I REALIZED I AM FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! J/K. Not really.

Went for a hike the other day. This place is fascinating - there are paths you can take along the water’s edge and paths you can take in the woods. But if you go in the woods, beware. Every so often, you are forced to make choices as to which path to go on. And when the night descends, it gets incredibly spooky. Especially if you don’t use a map for guidance. What fun.

What Would You Do?

The other day I was in the middle of running a 20 miler, when I came across two paths - one straight and the other curvy. They were both made of cement and they were side-by-side. How strange, right? 

So with little time to think about it, I made my choice. My question to you is, without thinking too much about it, which would you choose? The straight path or the curvy one?

Week 15/18

Lost 5 pounds in the last month or so. Not much, but I eat yummy (aka “bad”) food, so I don’t have high expectations.

I’ve been sticking to the running schedule - I haven’t missed any runs and only one run was 3 miles shorter than it should have been. I’ve done some big runs - 16, 17, 19, 17, and 20 milers. I feel almost ready for the marathon. One last 20 miler this weekend before I start tapering. 

It’s time to start thinking about what to do after the marathon. I think I’m going to push forward with the 50 miler training. It’s now or never!

P.S. Loki decided to photobomb me. 

52/125

Playing big time catch up here. 

Days 34-52: 7M, 14M, 1M, 3M, 7M, 3M, 1M, 8M, 10M, 1M, 4M, 8M, 4M, 1M, 8M, 16M, 1M, 4M, 4+M. I’ve also been doing workouts from the 80 Day Obsession series. 

Kind of a bummer, today I was out running - supposed to be an 8 miler - and after the 4th mile, I twisted my ankle. It did not feel right, so I stopped. If it holds up throughout the rest of the day, I may try to finish it up this evening. 

So I’ve definitely stuck to my running schedule and I’m super satisfied with my strength training workouts. Now I’ve got to get my diet in order. UGH. Eating healthy is the worst chore for me. But it’s time to sort it out. 

33/125

Hello! I’ve been sticking to the marathon training plan, see below for each day’s workouts. Hope everyone is staying healthy!

Day 19 - 29 mileage: 6M, 8M, 1M, 4M, 3M, 6M, 2M, 1M, 6M, 13M, 1M. Also did some strength training throughout (but didn’t track it).

Day 30: 3 mile run//80 Day Obsession - Total Body Core

Day 31: 7 mile run//80 Day Obsession - Booty

Day 32: 3 mile run//80 Day Obsession - AAA

Day 33: 1 mile run//80 Day Obsession - Cardio Core

18/125

Long ago, I got a trial size sample of this perfume and I just really took to it. I find it intriguing that we are all drawn to different scents. What is your favorite perfume/cologne?

Day 17: 6 mile run//80 Day Obsession - Booty

Day 18: 1 mile run//80 Day Obsession - Cardio Core

16/125

Meet Loki (first picture, dark nose). He purred when I kissed him.

Meet Thor (second picture, pink nose). He tried to kick my ass but wasn’t successful. 

Day 11: 5 mile run//21 Day Extreme

Day 12: 1 mile run

Day 13: 11 mile run

Day 14: 1 mile run

Day 15: 5 mile run//21 Day Extreme

Day 16: 3 mile run//80 Day Obsession