I Know, I Know...I've Been Missing Again

This whole "week between posts" thing isn't purposeful, but unfortunately, blogging is at the bottom of the totem pole as far as concerns right now.

I've been having a pretty down couple of weeks. Not just because I've been easing back into running and having to take it slow is a little depressing...But that's part of it.

Report cards are in, and the clean slate of a fresh quarter feels freeing. I'm hoping that "free" feeling sets in soon, because right now I feel as stressed as ever. And unfortunately, that's rolling over into my fitness life.

Have I mentioned lately that I've realized that I kind of hate "working out"? If I'm going to be active, I prefer a whole-body activity that's fun and helps me forget I'm staying fit. That's why I love running...it doesn't feel like exercise! It's also why I'm quickly becoming a SUP addict.

An evening paddle on the backwaters.

This past week, my Ragnar team met to discuss team names, payment plans (holy expensive race, Batman!), singlet designs, and more! I'm so excited to get to know all the women on the team better. I work with two of my teammates, but the others are virtual strangers (or "friends waiting to be made").

SO EXCITED!

Saturday Matt had a SUP race and won first place in his division! Is it wrong that I'm a little jealous that he's been paddling for a short year and is already winning races, and I've been running for 4 years and have only placed once? (Third, I may add.)

The starting line.

Matt's in the center, hauling tuchus!

Of course, SUP is a relatively new sport and the races are smaller, but still. He's definitely found his niche.

I'm so proud!

I went for a nice 4-miler last night. My legs felt like lead after paddling 5 miles Sunday, but it feels good to be building up my mileage. I have a 10k this weekend that I loved last year, and I'm hoping that I'm in good enough shape that I enjoy it this year (although I'm not looking to PR...Not after having to take time for recovery.)

My foot was completely pain-free during the run! Now that I'm refocusing on a shorter distance race to end the season, I feel a lot happier and less stressed about meeting any goals. I'm just letting my foot heal, enjoying myself, and running because I want to.

This will be my first half marathon run alone, so it will be a milestone no matter what. I'm really looking forward to relying on myself for the entire race.

Also, like I said, I've been having a rough few days. I came home today to Matt waiting to greet me, holding these:

And they're my favorite, to boot.

Day. Made.

What interesting fitness activities do your friends or SO participate in?
Are you excited that The Walking Dead is back? I AM!
What cheers you up when you've been down?
Besides running and blogging, what have you been up to this week?

ABK

And Then I Ran!

I have to admit that over the last two weeks, I've been anxious, stressed, short-tempered, and easily irritated.

I realized today the reason why. It's report card time.

I'm always in an awful mood leading up to the report cards, but I hadn't even realized they were looming! It's like my body went into stress-mode without my brain even knowing why.

Anyway, I made a decision this weekend to make a change to that, and what better way to improve my mood than through exercise? First, I went paddling on my new board twice.

Sunday we paddled through the backwaters and enjoyed the scenic mangroves.

 Sunday we saw a mama and baby dolphin just 10 feet from us. At the time I was in the water cooling off and eating a snack, and I immediately leapt onto my board. I wish we'd had time to get pictures, but they disappeared into the mangroves.

Just after seeing the dolphins swim by...I was seeking refuge on the board.

After 3 miles of paddling, running errands, and having dinner, I got in a nice 2.5 mile run. It felt great to get back out there. It was way more humid than I expected, but with such a short distance I was happy to find that my cardio hadn't deteriorated too much, and my pace was right where it usually is.

My legs felt great and fresh. It was just what I needed.

Super sweaty and super happy!

With my focus now readjusted to the 10k in two weeks, I feel like "running less" (as per my podiatrist) is going to be doable without guilt or stress.

I had a dream last night that I tried to call a friend and accidentally called my grandparents, which seemed to me like a sign. I gave them a call tonight and enjoyed hearing all about how my love of reading has come to me through the lines of my mom's family. We are a family of readers, for sure.

Tonight calls for loads of yummy snacks and a grading marathon. I'm definitely looking forward to the end of the quarter and a clean slate.

Peaches, strawberries, and whipped cream...the perfect after-work snack.

What are your favorite things about fall?
Are you planning anything fun for Halloween?
Are you watching the Division Series in baseball right now? The Rays are making my heart hurt, for real.

ABK

Books, Boards, and Big Decisions

At my school, we have a daily break of 15 minutes during which everyone pauses to read from a book of their choice. Students are expected to read 50 books by the end of the year (give or take, depending on length and complexity) and teachers are expected to read 30.

As I've taken time off from running, I've been spending more time with my books. I don't mind that; I'm a voracious reader. I was reading a lot of non-fiction earlier this school year, but now I've gone back to my roots.

My all-time favorite has always been Stephen King, and I've been indulging my obsession quite a bit this month.

I had to reread this one, because the sequel came out and it's been too long!

It's been awhile since SK has written real horror, and this was just what the doctor ordered!

Hey, fall is meant to be spooky, right?

I'm in the middle of this one. Slow at first, but once it picks up, it's awesome.

I've also begun reading Joe Hill's novels. (Hill is King's son, and his books are gory and gruesome and creepy and fun.)

Well-written and eerie. I highly recommend this one, and "Horns".

This week, Matt installed a sound system for a paddleboarding store. As part of his payment, he traded for a paddleboard and paddle for me! I'm psyched. We went to the beach today and I got to use my very own board for the first time ever.

His 'n hers at the beach. (Mine is the BOGA!)

Knowing this is my board helped me feel a lot more comfortable on it. I even dealt with some pretty big swells and didn't fall off. It felt great to get some exercise and spend time outside.

I'm at the beach in October. Jealous?

As far as running goes, I've come to a final decision. I'm going to run a 10k on October 19 and a 15k on the 26th. These are both races I've done before and love. I'm planning to drop to the half from the full for the November race.

I'm disappointed, but I also need to face reality. I'm not ready for the full; I've had too many setbacks. I'd rather run the half and enjoy it than struggle through a full I'm not ready for, possibly injuring myself and definitely doing some mental damage, too.

In January, I set my resolutions. My original goal this year was to run an "extra-long" long run to see how it felt, and then decide on if a full was in my future. I've accomplished that much.

My 2013 NY Resolutions.

This will also allow me to be fully recovered and ready for Ragnar in February.

Running is a life-long commitment. I don't want risk being able to run for a long, long time. In the long run (haha), this is one season that got a little off-track, but there will be many seasons to come.

How do you enjoy spending your downtime?
Are you a big reader? Recommend something to me!

ABK