The Chase

My sister sent me this text this morning. I really couldn't agree more, and had to share.

She's biased as September is her birthday month... but I love the descriptor.

Onwards. I went to bed at 8:30 PM last night and it was beautiful. What was even more beautiful was getting up at 5:30 AM on a Monday without any hesitation or sadness. 8.5 hours of sleep night was exactly what I needed, and so I hopped out of bed cranked out the short little workout below:

5 rounds

-25 situps

-12 pushups

-15 jump squats

Short, sweet, and a little bit sweaty. Good way to start off a Monday.

So was this:

Commutes to work are way better when God decides to show off.

Something peculiar happened today. I got home from work and had to crank out a quick 9 miles before an event I had later this evening. So I shoved some raspberries and two semi-healthy cookies down my throat (what?) and called it fuel. Shot out the door with no pace in mind.

So I make my way along the harbor, right, my typical week day route. The brick isn't exactly forgiving on my feet, but I enjoy the people watching and the boat watching and the hustle and bustle of the city. My Garmin and I have had a love/hate relationship lately, but this particular evening I was watching it like a hawk, trying to sit in the 7:30's.

How do I say this without sounding like an A-hole? ... In my normal, healthy body, I'm not used to getting passed by other girls. I mean it happens obviously, I'm not the fastest grape on the vine. And when it does:

following my 17 this past Saturday..

So I'm uber competitive, sue me. 

Anyways long story short, mile 7 is coming in hot and I'm feeling decent. Holding in the mid-sevens, entering into the Fells Point neighborhood. I glance back as I'm crossing a street and literally did a double-take. Another girl is on my heels.

Like on my heels, hard. 

My instant reaction to run faster. I mean obviously, if she felt the need to keep a mere arms-length distance between us, she wanted me to know that she was there right? So my inner-athlete flared up and told me I better not even allow the concept of being passed by another girl cross my mind.

If I had to guess, it looked like a chase scene. For a solid mile or so, she was right on my butt all the way through Fells as we wove in and out of pedestrians. People were probably wondering if I had mugged her, or who was pissed at who over boy problems.

I'm not exaggerating; she never let more than 10 feet between us. And we were definitely moving compared to some of the other runners who were out for a leisurely post-work run. See mile 7 for proof:

She dropped off just outside of Canton to take a different route, hence why mile 8 and 9 slowed a bit. All-in-all, I got home feeling great, semi-thrilled that another fellow-female gave me a short run for my money. Fast runner girl in the pink: I like you, let's be friends.

You love the seflies.

And now ya'll think I'm a little unstable, but hey at least I'm being honest. Quite thrilling for a Monday run.

Bedtime for me. Keith Urban has a new album out tomorrow, so I'm forecasting this Tuesday to be well above the norm.

Keep it real, cheers - 

K

Rainy Monday

Man, nothing makes it harder to get up than a rainy Monday morning. When I first woke up and was laying there, listening to the rain,  I ran through every valid excuse I had as to why I shouldn't work today.

Then I gave myself the whole 'suck it up' speech and crawled hopped outta bed.

Yesterday I had a long conversation with Andrew about doing things I'm not comfortable with. I purposefully avoid any obvious situation or event that may cause me any amount of discomfort, because  I HATE feeling uncomfortable or awkward. In contrast, Andrew does a lot better with new situations/experiences, and usually is more open to trying things out.

I want to get better at this. I made a small stride yesterday by forcing myself in the pool for a 'long' (for me) swim.

how i feel before every single swim.

I never actually want to get in the pool. The idea of swimming always sounds nice, but then I imagine a pool full of professional swimmers, judging my awkward stroke and attempt at flip turns. I consistently have to give myself pep talks up in the locker room before heading down to the pool.

All-in-all, I spent a solid hour in the pool, and think I'm starting to get that flip turn thing down! Success!

I took the plunge on Saturday and decided to do something a bit different with my hair. It's basically been long, brown and untouched for almost 10 years now, so I decided to try out the ombre style:

I am actually really happy with it, it's fun, and the lighter shades make me READY for summer.

Summer, hello, are you near?!?

I've also been meaning to share my favorite means of seeking out summer during winter on here for awhile, thanks for reminding me! Although I no longer tan (I did a lot in college, bad I know) I've found this actually works really well:

It's subtle, never leaves me orange, and isn't streaky if you apply it well. I grabbed mine at good ole' Walmart for about $8.

While in the category of cosmetics, I have one more cheat to share:

I have never been able to whiten my teeth because of this:

When one of your front teeth are fake and won't 'naturally' whiten along with the west of your pearly yellows whites, there ain't too much you can do about your teeth color. Turns out, the cap on my right front tooth chipped in the back, and the Dentist says I'm ready for a permanent crown.

So, these next two weeks I will be whitening so that when I go in for my appointment, the new crown will be matched up to the shade of my at that time blindingly white teeth.

The bad news? Until that appointment at the end of February, my real teeth will continue to get whiter, yet my currently fake cap will stay dark. And I will look like a pirate.

just like that.

If I suddenly start putting emo-like non-smiling pictures up on here, you now know why. This is my disclaimer.

Enough rambling about stupid physical appearances that don't matter.I have a dance class to tear up the dance floor at!

Any big plans this week? What's your favorite way to 'cheat' when it comes to physical appearances? I've heard Spanx are literally black magic? True?

Cheers!