Thursday Thoughts

I don’t know what’s come over me, but I’ve been on some sort of huge runner’s high all week. For a girl who is coming off a weekend of skipped runs due to sickness, on top of weeks of feeling less than enthused about marathon training in general, that’s saying something. Would it be too much to ask to just ride this high all the way to Boston? (Don’t answer that…)

So on this Thursday night, when I’m simultaneously high on running and yet wiped out from a long week, my brain is a mess of random thoughts. Which, for your reading pleasure, I’ve choosen to spill out below.

Forgive the rambles. More coherent blogging will return soon.

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For all the lofty goals that I made at the beginning of 2012, I left out something very important. The one thing that I really should be focusing on this year – trying to stress less. I think I can safely say that the first month of 2012 was one of my most stressed out months of all time – all self-induced, of course.

This seems to be some sort of pattern when training for the Boston Marathon. In 2009 I trained for my first Boston while finishing up my master’s program, writing my thesis, working part-time, and trying to figure out where I was going to live and what the heck I was going to do with my life. This time, instead of the master’s program, I’ve got a wedding to plan, part-time consulting work to complete…oh and I’m still trying to figure out where I’m going to live and what the heck I’m doing with my life. So much has changed in 3 years, huh?

As a blogger, I believe you should only post the most attrative photos of yourself online

The good news is that I think I’ve turned a bit of a corner in the stress-management arena. Surprisingly enough, running in the morning has helped with that.

But the bad news? Things are just about to get busier. So talk to me in a couple of weeks and I’ll let you know how I’m doing.

I’m sort of obsessed with running to this song. In case you don’t want to click, it’s the official FIFA World Cup song…from 2010. Yep, 2 years behind the game. But still just as awesome. Next time you have to do a tempo run or mile repeats, put on this tune. You’ll be running faster before you realize it.

Also, one of my sisters is big into the dubstep/trance world, and she’s been slowly brainwashing me convincing me that I need to listen to some of her music when I’m running. And while some of the stuff sounds like cats being slowly murdered (yes, Sarah, it does sound that awful), I have to admit that there are songs that are growing on me.

They have really great buildups…or bass drops…or whatever. Clearly I know what I’m talking about. All I know is that the beat is perfect for running.

Like this Avicii song (you know Flo Rida’s remix – “Good Feeling?” Well this is even better).

Just do me a favor and don’t tell my sister, okay? Because then I’d have to admit that she was right…

I just discovered Scramble With Friends and am completely addicted. The only problem is that I’m awful. Don’t believe me?

And the list of losses goes on and on and on…

Words With Friends I can do. But Scramble? I’ve lost every single game I’ve ever played…with the exception of a game with a random opponent that EC started – I just played the very last round and somehow managed not to lose the whole thing right there. I see that clock and I panic. Only two minutes to think of words – that’s so much pressure!!

But I’m determined to stick with it. I’ll get better…one of these days. In the meantime, if you want an easy win, feel free to challenge BuckelUp to a game.

I love this little creature more than most other things on this earth, but I think it’s time I start charging him rent. This week I’ve spent more on him between food and vet bills than I have on myself all year. He’s lucky I’m a sucker for that cute little face.

While 2012 is a year of lots of exciting changes, it’s also going to be a year of sacrifices. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this, but that wedding I was maybe going to start planning soon? Well, it’s now scheduled for June. Which is a measly 4 months away. …which means all the money that I used to so carelessly spend on racing has now been earmarked for the “wedding fund.”

So far, I’ve already had to give up on my dreams of a west coast marathon with two of my favorite people and my two favorite spring/summer relays (RTB and GMR). I know that probably sounds like a silly thing to be sad about, but when your friends live around the country and reunions revolve around running events, it’s hard to miss out. Plus, I love that adrenaline fix.

I know, I know. You don’t need to hear about my whiny #whitegirlproblems. Luckily, I have wise friends who remind me that races happen every year, but you only get married once. So a few months of minimal racing will all be {more than} worth it in the end.

Anyway, I may or may not have been having just the tiniest of pity parties for myself until this morning when I somehow talked Emily into a budget-friendly race that just so happens to be in my favorite state. I’m very thankful for spontaneous running friends.

I am also really thankful that getting married means getting to go on a Honeymoon. Don’t get me wrong – I am so excited to marry EC. But I also can’t wait to get away. I haven’t gone a a real vacation in many years. And after a stressful spring, I will have 2 full weeks to relax on a beach.

Just as long as I can get through these next few months…

And now I need to get to bed. Part of being a morning runner means I need to start being a responsible adult and actually go to sleep at a decent hour. Easier said than done, but I’m working on it.

But before we part ways, I really think you should read this post from Shelby at Eat, Drink, and Run. Best thing I’ve read in a long time.