A Week of Wonderful

I'm so happy it's Friday, but I have to say, it's been a great week. This week reminded me how much I love being outside and how much better life is when it's stays light later, and I actually get to play outside. (WARNING: all the pictures in this post are from my phone because I left my camera at my sister's last weekend and have not seen her to get it back).

It started last weekend with a ski trip with my sister. Our first ski trip was so much fun, so we booked another one almost right away. Little did we know it would be 60 degrees in the beginning on March and we'd be wishing for lighter clothes. It was still really fun, but the sloppy snow was a little tough. I held my own and only fell once before lunch, but after lunch it was really warm and the snow was slick, so when I fell, I slid WAY down, and at one point I even went off the trail. It was a little scary (read: terrifying) but I didn't actually run into anything, and I was wearing a helmet. Overall, I think I like the colder days better, but I loved being out in the sun!

After a wonderful day on the slopes, we had corned beef and cabbage that Johnny had made, and I was passed out by 11pm. I am a party girl like none other, so obviously I was at my finest on St. Patrick's Day.

On Sunday, after a day in the snow, we spent a day on the river, soaking up more sun...and I happily wore flip flops! We walked down to the Charles and hung out with our friends before walking back to Brookline for some outdoor drinking. It was quite possibly the best way to spend a Sunday.

I didn't get a long run in on Sunday due to skiing and then being sore from skiing, so on Monday night I set out for a run. I only did 3 miles, which does not make for a long run in my half marathon training, but it was one of those runs that makes me love running, and reminds me why I do it. It wasn't fast by any means (because I never am) but it felt so good, and I felt so happy. It being like 65 degrees out probably helped too.

I was going to go to strength class on Tuesday, but it was REALLY nice out again, and I couldn't stand the thought of being in a basement missing out on the sunshine, plus we had people coming over for dinner, so on Tuesday, I did nothing that even remotely resembled exercise, but it was the only rest day all week, and given my recent track record, I have one word for that: baller.

THEN! On Wednesday (I'm telling you, this week was awesome. You're just going to have to deal with the day by day play by play) I went for a run on the trails by work. I've done this all of one time before, almost exactly one year ago, and it proved itself to be just as difficult. Something about having to dodge roots and sticks that makes running a bit more challenging. It was a really nice change of pace from the city running, and although I only had time for two miles, I got to do them before the sun went down! Bonus.

Thursday I ended up getting home later than I'd wanted thanks to an annoying amount of traffic, so once laundry and dishes were done, it was dinner time and I didn't want to run. I did, however, get in a great walk with the husband. It was an so warm, I wanted to make our destination a fro-yo place, but wisely chose to walk in the direction that doesn't have any fro-yo. We did end up a Trader Joe's, but we mostly bought stuff for my mom (Vermont still has no TJs) and managed to get out only spending $30!

Since I didn't run last night, I wanted to get in a couple miles before my long run tomorrow. Because I'm such and on again off again runner, I know that I need a kind of not so great short run before any long runs, or my long runs are going to suck. I didn't want to miss out on that seriously important crappy run before tackling 5 miles tomorrow (yikes!) so I dragged myself out of bed just before 5am. I could only squeeze in 2 miles because it took me forever to get moving and I had to be back to get ready for work, but I felt it did the job. I'm not really used to being a morning runner, but since races are in the morning, I know I need to get more used to it. It was also really warm this morning, so I came home looking all kinds of gorgeous.

Seriously, I ran 2 miles, but it looks like I tried to do a marathon or something. Part of it really was the dying of heat thing, and the other is that I'm actually really sunburned. Because it's been so nice out, I've been spending my lunch hour outside. My coworkers and I take out our lunches out to the park across from the office and soak up some vitamin D. We've also been playing Frisbee, which is absolutely hilarious. We have some pros among us, but I'm sure not one of them.

Being the fool that I am, I have not been wearing sunscreen at lunch. Each day I've ended up a little more burned, and now I straight up just look like I spent a day frying at the beach. I have REALLY fair skin, and I most definitely know better (I wore it on Sunday at the river and was burn free!) but I didn't want to take the time before lunch and get all sunscreensticky. Lesson learned (for the 6 millionth time in my life). Lather it on, or stay in the shade. 

Now I'm up in Vermont hanging with my mom for the weekend. The plan is to get in 5 miles tomorrow morning, and see my brother tomorrow afternoon. Otherwise, there will be lots of nothing. And I love lots of nothing, especially when it comes with beautiful scenery!

And that concludes my really long post about my really wonderful week. Tune in next time!

You'd Think It Was Summer...

Although the BFF just posted that there's snow in Albuquerque, there's no such weather here in New England (how does that make sense?) We had some chilly fall temps this past week, but this weekend was GORGEOUS. It was in the 80s both yesterday and today and I spent the majority of the weekend outside. Today, I even got a sunburn. Oops!

Today I started with a half marathon. I mean, I ran four miles last weekend, so what's 13.1?? Just kidding. I didn't run at all today. I was a spectator at the B.A.A. Half Marathon. My sister, her friend, and a few other friends of mine were running, so the hubs and I went out to cheer them on.

This picture doesn't actually have anyone I know in it. They all ran by really quickly, and it was a HUGE race, so I didn't get any pictures. I saw our friend at the five mile mark, but I didn't see my sister, so I hopped on my bike and rode to the finish line. I stood at mile 13, and I saw my sister's friend, but I never saw my sister. I was totally bummed about it because I wanted to push her like she pushed me in my tri, but no such luck. I ran down to the finish line and luckily I found her there!

They kicked butt, even though it was HOT and HILLY (what a horrible combo). It was not my sister's first 1/2, but I'm still super proud of her for doing ANOTHER ONE. Crazy? It runs in the family.

Since I was out in Jamaica Plain anyway, I met up with a friend of mine who just moved out there for a walk. Her new place is right by the Arnold Arboretum, so we figure it'd be a nice place for a walk. Well, it's more than a nice place. It's a beautiful place that's great for walks. I didn't take my camera with me, but it's really a sight to see. It's hard to believe it's in the city!

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We ended up walking just about 5 miles through the hilly park, and it felt so good. I really don't love running, but long walks and challenging walks I love love love. You get to see so much without feeling like dying, so I think it's great.

I rode my bike home after our walk, but the seat broke some how, so I had to stop every few minutes to adjust it and it was VERY annoying...and pretty much the most uncomfortable thing ever. Regardless, I got A LOT of walking/biking in today and it was wonderful. Just how a weekend should be.

Some people in Boston have tomorrow off (cough::thehubs::cough), but I have to go to work. Good thing I like my job. Time to prep for the week...it should be a great one, I even have a blogger event! Exciting! :)

I am Full of Bad Ideas

In general, I like to think of myself as a pretty smart person. I did well in school, I like to read, I have traveled a fair bit, I know how to use computers, and I am socially capable. But, sometimes I don't think things through very well and do stupid things. Nothing drastic, I've never been arrested, unconscious, or even broken a bone (knock on wood), but like I don't always make the best decision.

As the BFF and I have mentioned more than once on the blog, we have a list called "Things Mari and Maddie Should Not have Done." We're often full of great ideas that turn out not so great. Today, I added to that list. Around 12:45pm I decided it was time for a run. It's sunny and gorgeous here in Boston,  but there was a breeze coming through the windows of the apartment where we're staying (thanks to my awesome uncles), so I ignored the fact that it is actually 82 degrees and humid out...even though the weather app on my phone told me that...I laced up and went out anyway.

Well I came back thirty minutes later looking like this:

doing my best Zoolander

 Even though I was out for 30 minutes, I only did 2.3 miles! Yikes. It was not a good run. I was WAY too hot and took several walk breaks. It was a pretty bad excuse for a work out...and had I gone earlier in the day it may have been better, but oh well. Not every work out is going to be perfect, right?

But since I did sweat profusely, I refueled with some chocolate milk and leftover pizza.

That's a lunch of champions right there! :)

Today we're bumming around and doing several load of laundry. My sister and I will probably go for a bike ride too, so all is not lost in workout today (Boston has a new bike-share program which has been a huge hit. Although I don't think the city should let people rent bikes without helmets, it's great to see so many people using it. Since my sister doesn't have a bike, she'll take advantage of it and ride with me).

And can I get a "heck yes" for the long weekend?? Oh heck yes!

Sponge-Maddie Square Jacket

Today I work up early. This was the clock when I went out the door.

Yup, that's early. Where was I going at such an hour? Well I was going for a run! Yes, that's right, the hubs and I hit the pavement at 5am. We both felt like we needed to squeeze in another run outdoors before our race on Saturday and this morning was the only chance we had...it's rain/snowing now, and it's supposed to rain/snow until tomorrow night, so it was 5am or never. It wasn't so bad, and with my 9 layers (or four) I was nice and toasty.

Since it has started to rain/snow here (yes, tomorrow is April 1st, but it's snowing in Boston), I had to get creative while coming home. I did my best Sponge-Bob impression.

And why did I look square when I came in the house tonight? Well, it's because I was protecting something from getting wet....a special box to mail!

This bad boy is headed over to the Philippines!! My awesome friend Lou is stationed there with the Peace Corps and next week is her birthday! Sorry girl, it's going to be a little later than we planned, but it's coming!

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday! My mom is coming into town for a birthday celebration! My sister and I were born two years and three days apart, so my lucky family only has to celebrate once! :D

The Post about Yesterday

SO! Now that I have successful brought my camera in from my car (I forgot again today after work and had to go back and get it when we went out for dinner), I can share with you the pictures from my awesome trail run yesterday.

Truth it, it was not THAT awesome. It was HARD. It was muddy and I slipped and sometimes there was snow. It was not flat, but not really hilly. Just lots of little ups and downs. I don't know how far I went, but I was out for about 30 minutes. I would guess that I was only actually running for about 20 of it...the other 10 spent navigating gigantic puddles/the over flowing river I was running next to. BUT it was awesome. I've never trail run before and I LOVED it.

Yeah, it was much harder than running on the road (I assume running on the mushy defrosting earth is much like running in the sand on the beach), it was so beautiful. It scared me a little bit to be so alone in the woods (this trail is in a state park, and I had my phone with me...I was not unsafe, but I didn't see any other hikers), but it was peaceful too. I'll definitely do it again...just maybe after the thaw is over. My sneakers (and now my car) are a hot mess of mud.

Today was gorgeous too, but as the weather predicted VERY windy. I hate windy. I hate sand blowing in my eyes and hair in my mouth/stuck on my face. New Mexico is always super windy in the spring and it was my least favorite time to be there. We did venture out (how can you stay in when it's 65 degrees!) and walked with our friends to Boston Common, had a delicious dinner (a veggie burger wrap! Perfect because I LOVE burgers of all kinds, but am really not a fun on buns), and walked back. The good company kept me from minding the wind.

Now I'm cuddled up on the couch. The window is open and the breeze is wonderful. The fresh air makes the apartment feel so fresh! I hate how stuffy it can get in the winter! I'm so very ready for bed after another long week at work...and the hubs is busy killing zombies on the x-box, so I know he won't miss me if I turn in early! :)