First Outdoor Run of the Season!

50 degrees...sunny...morning spent drinking coffee while reading the paper...not much in the way of schoolwork....ALL SIGNS were pointing to going for an outdoor run this afternoon. It took a little while to work up the motivation to actually get out there but I'm so glad I did. I had one of the most enjoyable runs in recent memory. I spent the winter in an on-again-off-again cycle of treadmill running. I was motivated around January 1st (who wasn't?), then stopped going to the gym for about two weeks, then went to the gym daily, then went about twice a week...and so on. March is motivating me, though, and I've even lost some weight to show for it.

I'm always nervous when I transfer from winter to spring running. Will my times be slower outside? Will I overestimate my ability and get stuck 10 miles away from home? Will the hills kill me? It only took about 1/2 mile today to realize that the new treadmills at the gym REALLY do make it difficult to run. The gym got all new treadmills a few months ago - right at the same time I started running again. I assumed I was just out of shape, but it hasn't gotten any easier. It's probably a good thing, though. I'd rather have slower treadmill times than slower outdoor times.

So I completed a 7-mile run (after planning on a 6-mile run) for the first time in months. I felt great the WHOLE time. I wasn't super fast but I don't care much since I'm not officially training for anything right now. I finished strong (thanks to Britney Spears and Bruce Springsteen) and excited until I started to take off my new sneakers and saw...

I could tell that I had a blister but it didn't bother me too much during the run. The amount of blood on my sock and sneaker DID bother me though. Gross.

I Passed on Cake

I have been looking for time, motivation, reason, etc...to blog and I think I found it tonight. I made "consistent blogging" part of my extensive New Year's Resolution (and in true New Year's Resolution fashion, I have yet to make an ounce of progress). I think I found my inspiration tonight, though. It sounds simple but it was all I needed...I was offered a big slice of delicious cake and I said..."no thanks." I love cake. I don't eat cake all that often, so I never say "no thanks." Although I am technically trying to lose weight, my true focus is on lifestyle change. I have always found it difficult to pass up treats that I don't have all that often (appetizers, desserts, etc...) but if I truly am going to live healthier, I need to start somewhere. And so it begins...

Not only do I love eating cake, I love the current cake decorating fad as well. I bought the book "Hello Cupcake" and can't wait to make (but not eat??? yikes!) some of the cupcakes. A cute idea for summer below...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2418976997_00c10c092e.jpg

Random Thing I Love

Documentaries about Evangelical Christians...They fascinate me - I just can't get enough! Some of the better ones I've seen...

Random Thing I Love

Exam Week at school. During this week, we get three days where we get to leave the building and have more than twenty minutes for lunch. We start planning our lunch schedule weeks in advance. Today's trip will be to this gem in Attleboro - Tex Barry's Coney Island Hot Dogs! As much as I try to change my diet to eat healthier, I don't think I will ever give up on hot dogs - gross, I know : )

Random Thing I Love

The way my husband knows every single fact about every single Celtics player (ever), coach (ever), game (ever), etc..."Thing I love" may be a stretch but I do find it fascinating and it make me more interested in the playoffs than I normally would be (especially since it feels like a funeral around here when they lose).

Random Thing I Love

Brown's Ice Cream in York Beach, Maine!
Whether taking a nice, hilly bike ride up during the day or driving up at night (and then immediately driving over to the Nubble), you can't beat Brown's. Love the Cookie Dough, Birthday Cake, and GrapeNut (always reminds me of when I used to go with Gramma)!
P.S. Second random thing I love - jackets with American flags embroidered on the back!

New Feature - Random Things I Love

In an effort to focus on the good things in life, I'm going (to attempt) to post one "random thing I love" each day.
First up?
Chalkboard walls in kitchens! On my "Must Have in Next House" list.