Bitching and Moaning

Haven't written in awhile due to sheer embarrassment. Why am I embarrassed? Because it seems that I have counted my chickens before they hatched... or, however that saying goes. 2 weeks ago, i was rambling on about how my half marathon training seemed to be getting easier but, alas, I have completely jinxed myself.

The cramping/ side stitches are back with a doubled-over-illness-inducing, painful vengeance  and (a new development) I feel as heavy as an elephant with each step I take. So, as the title of this post would suggest, I'm completely frustrated.

I got into this knowing it isn't going to be easy. I didn't enter it with the mindset that I want to do it to lose weight, or to show off a 13.1 sticker on the bumper of my car, or to even impress any of the people at my company who are participating. I am doing this for myself. I'm the queen of self-doubt and I figured, what better way to quiet my bitchy little inner demons than by completing something that always seemed out of the question. I'm trying my best to do this the "right way." I'm sticking to my training schedule as much as possible and I'm trying to watch what I eat (admittedly, I've dropped a couple pounds. Win.) but, I'm in no way progressing and it's becoming increasingly difficult to rally my inner cheerleaders.

Now that I've made it abundantly clear that it's high-time to stop feeling sorry for myself, it's time for a new plan of attack:
1. Use vacation to Cape Cod next week to get back on track
2. Figure out how to demolish evil cramps forever
3. Finish every single run... even if I have to walk
4. Chill out

fdshfsjklaksivjusoj. OK. Wish me luck.

Case of the Mondays

Feeling slightly blah today. Had a perfect, lazy summer weekend that seemed to end way too fast. My friend Ashley helped to remind me that a positive attitude may help me through this day. Thus, I've decided to use my lunchbreak to share things that get me "jazzed" as this yogurt in front of me and the run that's on the horizon ain't doin the trick.

1. sharkweek- 'nuff said
2. DIY projects. just started the makeover on this sidetable for my new bedroom yesterday: It isn't quite completed yet but I thought I'd post the 'before' as a teaser:

3. mercury glass- stared at these puppies at West Elm for a solid 15 minutes the other day (may have to go back and purchase ASAP):

4. Martha Stewart brand glitter:  http://www.michaels.com/Martha-Stewart-Crafts%E2%84%A2-Fine-Glitter/pc0898,default,pd.html ; wanna glitter paint a cat?!?! because you can: http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/glitter-painting
5. this sweet picture I just discovered in my phone of  Charlie:

If Giuliana Rancic can do it...

Hokay. Don't want to jinx anything but this running thing is becoming ever so slowly (we're talking molasses slow) less akin to chinese water torture. I'm still not really where i should be stamina-wise and there are still some obnoxious cramping issues, but it seems like my body and mind are starting to make peace with this process and for that I'm VERY hesitantly grateful-ish. I think G. Rancic best expresses my feelings on half-marathoning in this emotional clip, circa season 2 of 'Giuliana and Bill': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHh_bj6kBkY . I mean, there are some blatant differences between G and I - namely, her "physical challenges" being the IVF treatments she is recovering from, and mine being the layer of fat around my thighs and mid-section that severely  hinders my aerodynamic abilities... but I think we all get my point. PLUS, I take it as a personal challenge to one day be as fabulous as G, and if I can't afford Intermix, then this damn marathon's gonna  have to do for the time being.

Now- on to the NYC trip. As usual, it was an absolutely fantastic time filled with out-of-this world theater, excessive food & drink, and an un-planned visit with 2 of my best friends from college, Katie and Tracy, who happened to be in town on the same weekend!

The main things I took from this trip are:

1. I need a camera because taking pics on my iphone ain't cuttin' it

2. I need to find my "Barefoot in Paris" cookbook because the french bistro fare at cafe Bari (see image of toasted baguette with avocado spread and fresh-squeezed lemonade below) reminded me of my days studying abroad in Paris

3. i need more glittery clothing 

4. I want to know when i became "that girl" who takes pictures of walls

5. if I don't find the recipe for the caramel and coconut cupcakes that we sampled from Magnolia Bakery, nothing in my life will ever be OK again. 

Enjoy-

3. 

Time for therapy?

irritated with myself (and very possibly a schizo) as I have told myself that I may no longer look at pretty things on the interwebs or regale you all with my tales from nyc until after my 4 mile run..... tragic

Small victories

This weekend is the long-awaited family trip to NYC. We're a big 'ol bunch of theater snobs, so we'll be catching Sutton Foster in 'Anything Goes'whilst down there. My inner theater geek is plotzing as I type this. Hands down, some of my favorite memories are of the regular trips we would take down to the city; we'd eat at unbelievable restaurants, and stand in line to get tickets for as many shows as possible... Needless to say, I have incredible parents.

For some reason, I decided to actually get up early and run before leaving on our trip. I only ran for a bit before 3 giant lightning bolts struck in perfect unison around the track I was on, BUT, I didn't have the faintest hint of a side-stitch soooo here's to small victories. I think running on an empty stomach helps, also my co-worker and future roommate Kelly suggested upping my potassium so I've been nomming bananas left and right (thanks KG). Now all I have to do is hope the cramps stay at bay. Oh, and casually tack 10 more miles onto my normal run and you've got yourself a half-marathoner.

Pics to come of the fun retail windows, dope food (playing the whole "I'd really like a Magnolia bakery cupcake to celebrate the big 2-4 on Monday" angle), and sparkly skirt that J-crew basically gave to me at their 40% off clearance sale yesterday.

oops

this damn s'mores milkshake from 5 Napkin Burger completely deterred me from my run last night. Not my fault.

running and stuff I'd rather be doing

Welp, I’ve officially started my 12 week training regimen for this blessed event and it's going …just alright. Fortunately, there’s this gorgeous reservoir  I’ve been running that helps distract me from the physical misery that is mile 2, but the main issue has been these deathly cramps that I get EVERY freakin’ time I try and run. I’m really not too incredibly vain  but it pains me to be merely slow-jogging amongst all of these other fit 20-somethings, and have to start walking every mile due to these damn “side-stitches,” as my Running for Women book refers to them. SO, there are apparently many reasons I’m getting these besides the blatant out-of-shape-edness that is myself. What I’ve narrowed it down to is 1. I run with my shoulders leading which oughta be a sight and a half to see and 2. I don’t really breathe normally and I need to practice “rhythmic breathing” (all whilst trying not to dissolve into a tantrum over the fact that I’m not naturally talented at running)…. So, basically, stay tuned, this adventure is bound to get straight-up emotional in the coming weeks.

Let’s move on to my most recent obsession: staying up until 2am on my iPad surfing interior design blogs and figuring out how to decorate and organize my new (MUCH closer to work weeeee) apartment. I’m turning 24 in a few days and since 24 is a stones’ throw away from 25, which is my marker for true adulthood, I figure it’s time that my living establishment reflects this. Thus, I aspire to stretch my interior design expertise beyond the occasional image of the Eiffel tower scotch taped to the wall. I’m still in the can’t-make-up-my-mind phase on everything, but here are my favorite sites so far (Warning: the rest of your work day will go to shambles once you click):

www.cupcakesandcashmere.com

www.apartmenttherapy.com

www.ikeahackers.net

www.etsy.com