Poppies…

Poppies will but them to sleep. Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

Last night was a good night all around.  I went to see New Moon with the girls and it was great!! I actually can give this movie my endorsement.  The graphics were great and the acting was much better than the first one.  The second book is actually my least favorite so I was happy that I was happy with the movie.  Very pleasant to watch.  Plus there were some shirtless boys (although ewwww not Robert Pattinson).  Very pleasant indeed.  My one problem was the amount of 13 year old girls that were there.  And they squealed at every sexually charged moment.  Which there were a lot of.  Annoying to be sure (the girls not the sexual tension haha).

When I got back to campus I really didn’t feel like going out.  I think that finally the 3-4 hour nights for the past 3 weeks have caught up to me and I just felt exhausted.  Granted I’ve felt like that before and still had trouble sleeping.  So I helped my body out by caving to Ambien.  But I slept for 9.5 hours.  A solid sleep too, no tossing and turning, no waking up during the night.  It was glorious.  Kind of.  Sure I definitely needed the sleep but when I woke up I felt like I could go back to bed for ANOTHER 9.5 hours.  Sort of funny if you think about it because the nights I was sleeping 4 hours I was chipper and alert the next morning/day and last night I more than doubled my shut eye and I was all groggy and sleeeeeeeeeepy.

Didn’t seem to affect my run though — although has it yet? Nope.  Saturday = long run so I had planned for my 11.5 mile route.  However, seeing how GORGEOUS it was (and still is) outside made me rethink that and I set out on my 12.6 mile route.  It was great because I hadn’t run this route since September so it was like a rediscovery.

With 55* temps, no wind and partly cloudy skies I was totally able to take in my surroundings and I actually let go of my must-run-fast-or-else mentality.  Not completely (I will always have moments of “Oh snap, I need to hit my pace!) but the large majority of the run was worry free.  Not that I need to worry — even when I think I’m going slow I’m not, a la AMarathoner.

It’s funny how at the end of a run your body just doesn’t want to stop even though it can be screaming at you in the mid-miles!  Definitely how I felt today regardless of my being able to enjoy the run.  There were moments where (and this is when my mentality of going fast popped back up) I felt so creepy-crawly that I thought for sure I was walking.  I even debated cutting the run short and finding a way to high tail it back to my room.

I’m really glad I didn’t though because, after sticking with my route, I wanted to run an extra 1.3 miles and brought it up to a round 14.  Even after hitting 14 (and although I don’t have a garmin I’m pretty sure it was almost a damn even 14) I still wanted to go for more.  Prolly a good thing that I didn’t because as I sit here I can feel my leg muscles slightly spasm-ing in the “Holy Exhaustion Batman” kind of way. Not unpleasant at all though because it tells me I was a bamf today

Speaking of bamf-ness I’m going to see Inglorious Basterds tonight which is being played on the campus theater (not an actual theater but that’s the best way to describe it) I’m really pumped to see it! I’ve heard mixed things about it but everyone that I’ve talked to says that regardless of what they think, it’s a movie I’d like.  After that the Programming Council is sponsoring a Vegas night on campus so I’ll hit that up.  Who know if it’ll be cool or not but there’s free beer.  Clearly I am so there

But first though there are a couple of busy work assignments that I need/want to finish up that I should get crackin’ on.

Yay for Saturday nights! Have a good one y’all!

Mother Nature: Please Make Up Your Mind

First off: Thanks for all the suggestions re: foam roller.  I was actually at Target a little while ago and they only had one brand/model and it was much more expensive than I wanted to pay.  So I think I may have to break down and order it online. And to answer Matt: I’m not quite sure about the cause of the pain.  It feels tendon/ligamenty.  I’ve neither had tendon/ligament nor muscle problems though that felt like this but my gut tells me it’s not muscle.  But it feels deep in my glute so I’m not sure what’s there that could be in pain!

Despite having an exam this morning I still went out last night.  In contrast to last week I had SO. MUCH. FUN. I think it was because practically everyone in my class was there as, once we get back from break, not many ppl are going to be partying hardcore as the semester winds down.  It was also what I needed as a release because I’ve just been feeling bogged down lately with things.  Nothing serious but the anticipation of lots of work and stuff on my to-do list.

I think I danced for about 3 hours straight.  The music was pumping and the atmosphere was great.  I figured that, since I’m not sleeping anyway, why bother cutting the night short to try? Haha, but I need to remember that I’m getting old (heh) and as my fellow friend who is 23 told me last night “we’re like 86.  way too old for this shit anymore” hahaha!

Therefore I was a bit worried that my run this morning would suffer.  Normally I take a rest day on Fridays (or have been recently due to Thursday partying) but the POTM challenge is rapidly coming to a close and I wanted to get the max miles in as I can.  EatMoveLove asked me yesterday how often I take a rest day and the answer is that it depends.  I listen to my body and while most ppl spew the “one rest day a week” advice I like to take one every 10 days or so.  Again it depends on how my body feels, what my workouts have been like etc.

The weathermen continue to lie to me.  I woke up this morning fully expecting to have rain but alas there was none! Sure it was a lovely surprise but I also knew that we were supposed to get a heavy downpour and, while the ground was wet, I knew that with my luck I’d be caught in it so I wore my lightweight waterproof “shell” as it was 55* out.  Mother Nature: WTF?! It’s November.  I’d like some appropriate weather please.

So I was a bit sweaty with, essentially, a jacket on.  But I was so thankful when the downpour (yes torrential pouring) took place about 2 miles from the end of my route.  Not that the jacket helped much but I like to think it did.  My shirt underneath stayed dry but the shell kind of molded to the contours of my body which felt awkward.

But the previous 7 miles (yes today was a total of 9.1) felt not awkward.  Always a plus.  Granted this run wasn’t the strongest I’ve ever run but I definitely was not disappointed with how it went.  It started off all creaky and rusty but once I warmed up I felt great and solid.  It did take me about 4 miles to warm up.  Not sure what that’s all about, but hey I still got 5 miles after that of goodness.  If you take the rainy miles into account it’s only 3 “good” miles but I was left with a good aftertaste of the run so no major complaints here.

Well maybe one.  But it isn’t about the run.  It’s about the fact that it POURED for those last miles and continued to do so for my walkings to classes.  But now? Sunny skies all around! I guess the silver lining is that the weather was nice this morning but still: couldn’t it have rained *after* I ran? Gosh Mother Nature is sooooo not accommodating.

The rest of my day has been filled with tackling that to-do list that’s causing my mild anxiety. And then I’m seeing New Moon tonight.  Please don’t judge.  Or judge away but just don’t tell me if your view of the Twilight craze is not so positive.  I’m looking forward to it (for real) not just because I want to see it but because it’s going to make a chill night and get me off campus for a few hours.  Muy bueno

Hope everyone has a great Friday night!!

Frostbite….

Yup another cold morning here in the good ole NorthEast.  I actually don’t have frostbite but damn it tell that to my fingers, whose nails still sting from this morning.

As suggested by Aron I actually checked the temperature before I hit the streets.  Maybe not the best idea, sure I can plan to wear appropriate clothing but it’s scary to actually know that it’s 31* outside.  I kind of like the whole ignorance factor my method has.  I never know what exactly what will hit me when I step out the door.  And even knowing the weather, it just made me sub in a sweatshirt instead of a longsleeve.  Still kept the shorts as my legs don’t get cold easily. And my hands still froze. Boo!

Despite the temp (or maybe because of it) I still ran really well.  My hip/butt didn’t hurt at all during the run.  Now? Yeah sure it still is sore/hurt/pain.  Weird right? I was a little worried about going to jazz class but the movement definitely was good for it.  So I’m still not too sure what that’s about.  Any ideas what could be wrong? Should I be worried? Rebecca suggested a foam roller, do I need to order that online? I loathe ordering things online so if it’s something I’d find in a regular store I’m so game to try it out.  Then of course, I’m going to have to ask you guys for advice on how to use it haha.

But back to the run.  Since I knew exactly how cold it was outside I spent a good 5 minutes standing in front of the door to my building building up the “courage” to go outside and actually run outside.  Clearly I did (I am pretty bamf remember?) and of course I’m really happy I did.  I wasn’t quite sure how far my hip would take me  but I stupidly made the decision to do a 9.3 loop.  Well maybe not stupidly because it all worked out, but it could have been a disaster. And I definitely think the mapping tool I used to do this route was short because this route is strikingly similar to another route I have just with an add-on and I SWEAR the add-on is more than .1 miles.

The air was crisp (and cold like I’ve mentioned a billion times) and (aside from my hands freezing) felt really good. I love the cold surrounding my warm body.  It’s the same feeling, well to me at least, of wrapping yourself in a quilt on a cold day.  So amazing.

The actual running was different than yesterday.  Yesterday felt strong and machine like.  Well today wasn’t weak or anything but it felt relaxed and not as intense.  Which made it a little slower than “usual”. Prolly a good thing because too much intensity with no backing off isn’t a good thing.  It’s also a good thing because it means that I’m going with how my body feels and with no immediate race there’s no need to force myself to do anything.  So I’m being lackadaisical with any sort of pushing.  If I want to I will.  But part of me is really liking just going for the time being.  Even after my marathon I tried to stick to a schedule or sorts so this is the first time since January that I’m just going with the flow.

Although speaking of going with the flow I’m going to buck the trend and finish up some work I have lingering over my head so that I can go out tonight.  I actually have a Spanish exam tmrw and really should spend time learning vocabulario but, as my friend in the class — who side note could be my brother in the way that we bicker haha — me dijo (told me): “Drinking? Spanish? I think I know what wins out here.  Plus Hot-Spanish-TA will be at the bar.  You’ll be fine if you just blabber in espanol all night” So true my friend.  And that is the game plan.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday night, even if it doesn’t yet kick off the weekend for you!

Effortless and Cold

Oh man, I prolly should start checking the temperature before I leave my room in the mornings to run.  Apparently I cannot trust what the predicted overnight low is.  I woke up this morning thinking that I would be running in mid-30s, which is totally appropriate to wear shorts and a similar top to what I wore yesterday.  Yes, well, no.

When I got back to my room and after trying to warm up I hopped online and it was 28* out! This was about 1.5 hours or so after I left and after the sun had been up for a while!! I’m thinking that it was closer to 24-25* during my run.  No wonder I thought my fingers were frostbitten by the end and I actually couldn’t move any fingers/whole hand for 20 minutes.  Luckily my dorm is a swipe-ID-to-get-in otherwise it would not have been pretty.  I can remember being stuck outside last year because I needed a key. And to go in the completely opposite swinging direction I took the hottest effing shower of my life after.  My skin was a combination of pink/red and I’m surprised I didn’t burn myself haha.

But despite being severley underdressed for a severely cold day my run was pretty rockin’.  Hmmm I think I used that word to describe yesterday’s run too…a run in which I ran a lot.  Same trend different day.  I pounded out 9 WICKED AMAZING miles.  Maybe I was trying to speed up so I could get out of the cold faster? Maybe I was reminded by Lacey about the Pile on the Miles challenge (POTM) I’m doing? Maybe I just love to run and don’t want to cut back?

Likely it’s all three (and prolly many more too) but I got in 9 miles. Unlike the past few runs (and yesterday included) I felt like winter was approaching.  And despite how much I HATE (yes I am using a very strong word here haha) winter, I actually really like running in it (granted I like running in anything I suppose — just got to be in the right mood) so it got me excited.

My legs felt strong and powerful for almost the whole 9 miles.  Isn’t that just a great feeling?! On runs like that I feel like my legs are hollowed out steel and/or machinery: incredibly strong and unbreakable yet light as a feather.  Although now, I must confess, I am dealing with a slight pain in my butt.  It’s right around the hip area and feels pretty “deep” in there so I’m not sure what that’s about.  It’s more of an annoyance than anything and isn’t debilitating or sharp painful.  Likely the result of already having put in 27 miles this week over 2 days.  But it didn’t affect the run as it was pretty effortless too.

My HR also kind of indicated that my run was “effortless”.  Normally when I finish a run my HR is around 160, maybe 180+ if I’ve been doing a hard workout.  But this morning? 120!  Don’t know if that was a factor of the cold or my effort but I’m leaning towards the former as my pace was spot on again.  My breathing today also indicated an easy effort as I felt like I was breathing slow and steady and normal the whole time.

Not normal? My sleeping — although I guess my habit of 4 hours a night is getting to be my new normal.  The funny (well not funny haha but interesting) thing is that I can get 3-4 hours and feel 100% awake because of when I wake up in my sleep cycle but I can also get 3-4 (or even more) but feel completely drained because of the same reason. I think I’m going to try my doctor’s suggestion for reseting my cycle by staying up all night this weekend and see what happens. I’ve tried melatonin before a la EarlyRunner’s suggestion but it doesn’t work.  The only thing that has worked in the past is Ambien but I really try to avoid the heavy hitters if I can help it.  That may be the case if by next week I’m still not sleeping.

Also not normal? My French class getting canceled today.  But I’m totally okay with it.  I mean I was a little pissed because I wanted to get my paper out of my hands but I slid it under her door so I feel like it’s done.  That might be the only thing that is done and complete in my life so I’m going to go check off some things on both my school work and life to-do lists.

Happy Wednesday! And doubly so for me because I’ve stopped thinking of Friday as a real school day

Let the cutback week begin…

Hmmmm yeah, so about that cut back I was talking about? Guess I’m not really running like it so far this week haha.

I really just couldn’t help myself this morning.  The weather was clear, I was up early enough to see the real sunrise during the run and things just felt right.  So I ended up with 10.3 miles.  Don’t judge

I also was able to get a semi-restorative sleep last night which made me not angry to get up when my alarm went off. I still didn’t get much sleep but I think I woke up at the right point in the sleep cycle that it didn’t feel so bad.  I actually talked to my doctor yesterday about the sleep and she said that the best thing would be for me to stay up the entire night, entire next day then try to go to bed because it will restore my circadian rhythm.  I think I might try it over the weekend when I’m already staying up late.  Granted the catch is that I can’t let myself oversleep the next day.  Most likely not going to be a problem with me, but the point is to get on a good *cycle* not just get one night of lots of sleep.

In any case like I said, the weather was clear but cold, I think it was 31* when I left my room.  I was a bit worried I was going to underdress  and end up wayyy freezing because I was trying out a new running top I got for my birthday (from my awesome roomie — well she was the last roomie I had before I got my singles).

It’s a Nike DryFit top so it really isn’t designed (in my opinion) for the New England cold but it was actually not too bad for this morning though I guess it’s more of a base layer.  I definitely felt the cold but I liked the material against my skin which buffered it from being bitter cold and going numb. Again, even in shorts and this top the only thing that got cold was my hands.  I really need to find reliable gloves.  I had told her I was going to wear the top Sunday or Monday (like right after I got it) but it was just too warm those days for it.  Funny how this morning was almost too cold.  Oh New England in November.

So I think that part of the reason I ran so long this morning was because I felt so bamf and hot in it haha.  Another plus was that, because Tuesdays are crazy mornings, I don’t shower before heading to Spanish class with Hot-Spanish-TA so I got to wear it there and look good.

The run itself was pretty non-descript.  I mean, I knew going into the first mile that I was feeling good so I kept doing all the “additionals” first so that I wouldn’t mentally cop out of the full 10.3 I was itching to do.  I should have just done one of my longer routes but I love my typical Tuesday 6.3 loop so I had to do some creative loops to get those extra 4 miles.  The only problem was that doing stuff that’s 1-1.5 miles a couple times gets boring so once I hit those 4 “additional” stuff I was jacked to start the “real route”

The “real route” was going around the reservoir by my school and, even though the sun was already up by the time I started this, it was still beautiful.  Maybe that’s why I keep it as my Tuesday staple.  The fatigue / heaviness that I had been complaining about the past few days was gone, maybe another reason I went double digits.  My guess is that the Sunday fatigue was due to my longer-than-usual long run on Saturday and the Monday fatigue was Monday morning fatigue comme d’habitude (like usual, my brain is all muddled lately with all the languages I “speak”).

Definitely a plus and my pace was rockin’ for a 0600, 10.3 mile run.  Well maybe not rockin’ but compared to the past two days calculating the overall pace was amazing.  Maybe that’s what Monday runs are good for: a booster for a normal paced Tuesday run

Now sitting on a good run that lifted my spirits I have to try and get some work done.  The only thing pulling me through is the “Mesa de Espanol” later tonight.  Basically it’s going to be like the time two weeks ago where everyone there sits around and chats in Spanish (including Hot-Spanish-TA).  Only it might just be better this time because I’m dragging a friend with me so I’m not the only non-fluent-Spanish speaker there haha.

Enjoy your Tuesdays!!

Case of the Mondays?

Ugh to Monday mornings.  I don’t actually *not* like Mondays (they’re really not so bad) but my Monday runs? Well let’s just say that I’ve come to accept that they will be slow, heavy and difficult.  But, like most things in life, if you try to embrace annoying stuff your attitude will shift.  I’m hoping this will be the case with Monday running although it’s hard to embrace getting up at 0600 (compared to “sleeping in” the days before) to run early (rather than mid-morning which is ideal for me) on little sleep (Sunday nights are sooooo hard to get to bed at a decent hour!)

Last night I tossed and turned forever, not taking my first shut-eye until 0000 (midnight) and then promptly waking up at 0243, 0307, 0457, 0534 and finally my alarm at 0600 (well technically 0559 haha).  I have no idea why last night was so restless.  I think the temperature of my room was a bit warm but I wasn’t fully awake enough to get up and open my window so I didn’t.

Needless to say my eyes were, and still are, stinging a bit from not sleeping.  I felt more awake after doing some corework to kill time before the sun came up (ugh winter is a-comin’) but I knew that, like other Mondays, a speedy run was not in the cards.  I tried to let go of the desire to push-push-push but it’s hard to do so!

My quads felt a bit shot and heavy and I prolly should have called it quits after the first 5 miles of a loop that I had planned.  But I am nothing if not stubborn so I stuck out the 3 mile loop that I wanted to do for a total of 8 miles.  I’m kind of glad that I did the second loop simply because my quads loosened up and I was feeling stronger.  I stood up straighter and my stride felt smoother.  Granted my legs still felt drained at the end but those 3 miles did boost my mood that I *am* capable of running.  The first 5 miles definitely tested why I wanted to be out there.

The weather was pretty darn perfect too.  Mid-40s and cloudy, although there was so much fog! It practically hurt to breathe.  I don’t mind the fact that fog running is creepy but all that moisture in the air? Trust me, our lungs do not want to breathe water.  We live in land, not good ole H2O for a reason haha.

Given all the “bad” conditions (fog and my lungs, heavy legs) the run is a success in my book because it made me feel good when I was done.  My heart rate was a bit higher than I would have liked for an easy run though and for that reason I’ve begun debating whether to start using my HR in my training thoughts.  I already take my HR immediately after a run and then 2 minutes after but I’ve started wondering whether it would be useful to monitor this during runs, when I wake up etc.  It might be a good way to feel better about pacing or decreasing/increasing mileage if I have actual hard data rather than “my legs feel heavy”.  Hmmm something to ponder this week.

And thanks for the “pep” talks re: my friends and my birthday.  I’m not feeling as upset as I was over the weekend.  Running will do that for you. Plus I’ve been having really vivid dreams.  Sure, when I remember my dreams it means that they were scary / disturbing but there were definitely moments where my mind was at ease and I woke up smiling. Wonderful dreams make up for bad days. Always

Since today feels like spring I’m going to go now and enjoy the rest of my day.  GO DO THE SAME! haha

Weekly Recap: November 9 – 15 2009

Miles: 55.3

Time: 8 hours 32 minutes 38 seconds

Lifting: Zero

Core: 5x

XT/Rest: Once rest day

Another high week although down slightly from last week.  A bit on the slow side too.  By the end of Sunday’s run I was totally feeling all the miles that I had just put in so it may be time to cut back this week slightly and give my muscles a chance to recuperate.  The weekend pushed ‘em over the edge with the birthday stuff. I know that the following week (Thanksgiving break) I’ll be running with a friend and we like to “go big or go home” haha so I need to, like, taper for it this week.

Birthday Round 3

Kind of. I’m actually not going to talk about it because I am very upset with my friends.  My birthday was kind of a bust with no one wanting to go out with me.  Very disappointing.

That disappointment, however, did pave the way for a good run today I guess.  I’ll always maintain that happy runs are the best to keep going and not feel bogged down while angry runs are intense but they lose momentum pretty fast.  That was the case today.

I started out really strong.  The weather was 60*, overcast, slight breeze.  Perfect conditions.  I headed out feeling emotionally heavy and I was determined to shake that feeling via the run, so I pounded it for the first half or so.  I really don’t even remember anything about the first 50% because I was just so intent in leaving behind the ickyness that I was feeling from yesterday.

The second half I lost a bit of stream, more so in the case that my pace slowed.  Definitely a good thing: after 23k (14.4 miles) yesterday my body didn’t need another beating! It was also a good thing because it meant that I had been successful in getting the angry pumping stuff out of my system.  This half of the run felt better mentally but it also let my realize how hard I have been pushing lately.  My legs felt heavy over the last few miles and my chest kind of burned in that exhausted way (I wish I could describe it better than that!) and I was pleasantly tired at the end.

It may also have to do with running lots of miles (again) this week, although the feeling wasn’t one associated with logging miles. It was the feeling that I left everything I had out there.  I haven’t totaled up my week but it’s likely going to be high again. That coupled with my longest long run for quite a while definitely explains the lead legs. And as a quick aside: I ran 8.6 miles today to bring my weekend total to 23 miles haha!

And in a much better mood than I started with.  A definitely plus as I faced a MOUNTAIN of work that I had put off all weekend.  Definitely still not all done as my Spanish drama (called  Fisica o Quimica for whoever asked last week) beckoned and who am I to deny its call?

But right now the call of my homework is getting louder.  So I guess it’s time to not ignore the French paper, French poem, independent study slides and reading for multiple other classes.  Guess I’m lucky that I’ve stopped sleeping?! Haha.

Awesome job to Jess who beasted the San Antonio marathon today.  I’ll let her tell everyone how she did but I just wanted to say that she’s amazing and I want to run as fast as her!!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday nights and hope the week gets kicked off to a nice start tmrw

Birthday Round 2

Last night was fun but in a totally different way than Thursday. I went to a bball game on campus and then hung out with my closest friends (at least the ones who decided to stay on campus – LAME).  We also went to the “pub” on campus and talked a bunch about random stuff.  It was a great recovery (although there was slight alcohol usage) from Thursday night and rest to gear up for tonight.  Still have absolutely no plans yet.  A little bummed about that but hey, I guess it’ll all work out? And no Evan there shall be no pictures posted here.  In fact, whatever happens I will not allow cameras to be in attendance

A chill night last night was really nice because I wanted to do my 23k this morning.  The only bummer was the weather: Hurricane Ida is here and starting runs in the rain isn’t very fun (for me at least) and that’s what I was going to have to do.  The time I wanted to go was, however, the only time that there was a less than 60% chance of rain.  So I took the chance. And the upside was that it was actually pretty warm out: about 52* when I left my room.

The run itself was really good. As much as I complain about running in the rain it makes me feel like a bamf.  Especially when you take into account that I didn’t see a single other runner/biker/walker out there the whole 14.4 miles (yes I realize that it’s 23.175k but it’s a great route to run and I didn’t want to find a new route).  My thoughts were all over the place.  From my birthday to Hot-Spanish-TA to what the hell am I going to do tonight to I can’t wait to watch more Spanish drama!

I knew the run was going to be tough not just from the weather but it’s been awhile since I ran a run over 12 miles.  And indeed my legs were tired, but more so at the beginning.  My legs also waned a bit around mile 10 but I finished the last 2 miles really strong.  I felt, like in some weird way, that it mirrored my life.  Mile 10 corresponds to 16k and ages 16-19 were a tough time period.  And the last 2-3 miles corresponds to 3-4 km and I’ve felt so great the past 3-4 years.  So that was kind of weird but very nice as I chose 23k to commemorate my 23 years of life.

And the rain was actually nice at some points and felt good as the temp was warmer than usual.  I liked that there were periods of no rain, light rain, rain and heavy rain.  Felt good and made it kind of interval like: I was never “bored” with one type of rain haha!

The rest of my day has consisted of laundry (my friend  “why would you do laundry on your birthday?” me “so that i don’t go out naked tonight”), a little bit of homework (blah!) and being bombarded with facebook notifications of ppl (most of whom I don’t really / have never hung out with, and no I’m not talking about the ppl who read this blog or blogs I read or interact with on RW.  Rather the ppl who graduated last year or I only know as acquaintances at college or high school.  Awkward.)  My favorite, though, has been from my sister who posted the Blink182 song “What’s my age again” and highlighted the lyric “Cause no one likes you when youre 23″ Touche there my dear! Haha

And of course I’ve been watching my Spanish drama. Might just be the best birthday present I could give to myself haha! Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. Stay dry in youre in New England and have a great Saturday night y’all

Birthday Round 1

Tequila shots were prolly a bad idea. In fact, it’s 1500 right now and I can still feel the burn in my esophagus.

But part one of the birthday celebrations went well.  It was a little lackluster but I think it’s because I had really really high expectations and of course nothing can ever compare to the “perfect” night.

My friends and I pre-gamed before going out dancing at the local (read: sketchy) bar.  I definitely had a blast dancing away!  However all the drinking definitely left me feeling a little out of it as I hadn’t drunk enough to be drunk but I definitely wasn’t sober.  I think that the fact that I A) wasn’t well hydrated (oops) and B) hadn’t eaten a lot prior to drinking (double oops) left me feeling in a lightheaded state. But I still had lots of fun

So that coupled with the fact that I could feel my legs being slow and fatigued while dancing led me to *gasp* take a rest day.  Definitely LONG overdue.  But my stupid body wouldn’t let me enjoy the extra two hours of sleep that I wanted to take advantage of.  Boo! But it did feel really nice to be able to lay in bed with my quilt wrapped around me and listen to the wind that I was NOT out in haha.

All this lack of sleep + running lots + partying lots finally caught up to me today and I was soooo out of it (I even skipped one of my classes *gasp*. The only reason I didn’t skip more was because I had to physically turn things in. Boo!)  I’m definitely not hungover (record secure!) but I’m out of it enough that my Spanish prof totally called me out on it in class today as I wasn’t able to participate with the usual enthusiasm that I give.  And of course my friend next to me goes (in Spanish) “Too much tequila last night” haha.  But with this prof it wasn’t really all that awkward.  But still slightly embarrassing to be called out.

And I was no out of it that I *almost* didn’t respond when Hot Spanish TA said hi to me in the hallway as I was waiting for one of my classes.  Nothing special but still, it was a little boost this morning

So not much running today (well none actually) but I’m gearing up for my 23k run tmrw. The weather forecast looks horrendous as Hurricane Ida will be blessing us with her presence but I think I can do it.  What better present to myself that a long run in a Nor’Easter? I’m so bamf that I’ll rock it hahaha.

Off to go privately tutor a kid in statistics.  He contacted me earlier this week and despite my school having a really good — and FREE — tutoring program (of which I am a part of in both stats and physics) he wants to pay me. So between yesterday, today and Sunday I’m tutoring him for 4 hours total and he already wrote me a $100 check for my time.  Holllllleeeerrrrrrr.  So I better go earn that cash!

And then: Birthday Round 2 haha