Redemption?

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Melissa

According to the Daily Mile, I ran over 1100 miles in 2012. That includes marathon training, which I’m sure made up for the 6 weeks I was off for the demon back injury and the last 6 weeks of the year, when I didn’t run because I was completely burnt out and jaded and pouting.

Now that I’ve finally gotten back to a place where I’m enjoying it and feeling healthy, I figure I should ~~ruin it~~ work toward something and run a race. Yes, I realize this may be a bit premature given that I’ve been back to running for exactly 8 days, but there’s no time like the present, so why not?

If you’ve been reading this blog forever (which probably only applies to my mom and Paula), you may remember that I did this race 2 years ago. It was a shit show. Given that, I’m not entirely sure why I thought running this as my first race back was a good idea, but it’s happening. Redemption? Sure. Let’s go with that.

Honestly, though, I’d really like for this race to go well. I need a come back race to help me find my confidence again.

The race is a month away, which is plenty of time to train. Roo helped me out yesterday. She’s still kind of an asshole at running (which is entirely my fault), but we were able to maintain a 9 minute pace, and I managed to stay upright the entire time, so I’d call it a win.

I also knocked out half a half marathon on Saturday while everyone else in D.C. was busy getting drunk.

Incidentally, this run nearly killed me. My endurance is definitely not where it once was. Oy.

In other news, I spent my Saturday night watching old Bon Jovi videos on YouTube.

Ugh. He’s just so hard to look at.

My 16 year old self was swooning. I also ate the spiciest chana masala I’ve ever made and spent a fair amount of time pinning books I liked when I was a kid. And laughed at this. A lot.

A Case of the Mondays

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Melissa

Guys–I’m depressed.

I know you’re all, “Oh poor you, you just went on a beautiful Caribbean vacation, and now you’re boo-hooing because you’re back in the real world.”

Well, kinda.

But I came back to freezing rain and frigid temps in DC, which isn’t helping. But the thing I think I’m most bummed about? Running.

Yep, running. That thing I haven’t done in 2 months because I was impossibly burnt out. I figured I’d get back to it when the urge struck, and yesterday when I woke up there it was.

I bundled myself up like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Runner, leashed up the pup, and set out for an easy (EASY!) 2 miles. Not far, not fast, just something to get the old legs moving. Lo and behold, a half mile in, my hamstring/hip/back issue, which hasn’t bothered me in at least 2 months, started to get uncomfortable. I figured I was just using different muscles than I’ve been using lately and that it would ease up. Ha. Silly me. Nope.

Totes doing this if I ever have a baby, btw.

I made it through the rest of the run, successfully avoiding Roo’s attempts to knock me on my face. In her defense, she was just hunting squirrels, but she needs to get herself under control. Or something. But I didn’t feel good. No runner’s high, just pain. Does this mean the whole marathon training thing (that didn’t even lead to me running a marathon) ruined my running abilities forever?

So that was disappointing. Other things bumming me out:

My haircut. Yes, still. I am a long hair girl and have vowed never to chop my hair off. Kind of a bummer when someone takes that choice away from you. So now I have a very short layer on top that does not fall right at all. On someone with thicker hair, it’d be fine, but on me, it looks like I accidentally chopped my own hair off. Ponytail city. Boo.
That face!!
Not being home with Roo. I know–stupid. But I missed my dog while I was gone, and all I want to do is snuggle her and take her for walks and play ball with her. She’s just so sweet!
Mean people. Some people at work are sending me not nice emails. This seems unnecessary. That’s why this is my wallpaper at work:
My birthday. Even though it’s over, and it was a lot better this year than it’s been in a long time, something about it just makes me feel bad. For some reason, it’s lingering this year.

I’ll quit complaining now. I know I don’t have it terribly bad, and I am just feeling sorry for myself, but sometimes, you just need a day to feel blue. I’m going to attempt a quick Daily Hiit workout when I get home and maybe a new vegan recipe for dinner.

Here’s hoping your Monday is better than mine!