Running Happier and Cute Christmas Cards

As much as my watch not working is a pain in the butt, it has given me a chance to worry less about my pace, and focus on enjoying myself. The cooler fall weather (and not having a race to train for) has really helped me like running again. I didn't realize how much marathon training was burning me out on running until it was over.

Lately I have either been running with Buddy, or listening to an audiobook while I run. Buddy can only do about 3 miles, so he has to stay home whenever I'm going longer than that. Apparently he was very upset that I went running without him today. Tom told me that he cried at the door for about 20 minutes after I left. I guess he's been enjoying our runs!

I chased him around the yard for a bit after I got home, so I think he forgave me. Plus he got some couch time with Tom this afternoon.

I have the cutest Christmas cards (already) this year! My friend/college roommate Kate makes some of the cutest artwork ever, and when I saw these - I had to have them. How cute is that goat?

I also got gift tags with the same adorable prints.

Kate has everything from cards and notebooks to coloring books and buttons. Check out her Etsy Shop: HERE!

My watch is getting ready to go on a trip to the repair shop. It's either going to get fixed or replaced.

Hopefully it comes home soon!

Curiosity and My Marathon Shoes

I'm linking up with Jill for Fitness Friday this week - go check out some of the other great bloggers that take part!

Can we take a minute to think about the fact that Steamtown is only 15 days away?

I'm in a weird place about the whole thing because, when I actually stop to think about the fact that I will be running 26 miles and 385 yards in 15 days, I start to get a little freaked out. The thing is, I don't really think about it as often as I think most first-time marathoners do. There are a lot of things going on right now between work and the house, so I actually find that there are entire days where I don't think about the challenge I have ahead of me.

There are more runners out and about in our neighborhood these days. This summer I hardly saw any other runners while I was out, trudging through the humidity. Where have they been? Have they been holed up at a gym on a treadmill? Are they just fair weather runners? Are they training for anything?

I'm very curious about these people.

Most of them are not super friendly. For the most part they give me a weird look when I give them a little wave and say hi as we pass. Don't they know that's what runners do? Apparently these fair weather runners are also anti-social.

I'm so excited that the weather is finally turning! I had more than enough of the heat and humidity this year.

The cooler temps and the lower humidity has really made a difference in my last few runs. My cruising speed is faster than it has been, which gives me hope that I won't end up taking half the day to get to the finish line at Steamtown.

I decided that my Saucony Zealots are going to be my marathon shoes. I decided this right after a really fun run in the rain a couple of weeks ago. They were completely soaked when I took them off and I left them in the kitchen. They haven't moved since.

I miss running in them, but I don't want to add any more miles to them before the marathon. I have plenty of other shoes I can wear, but isn't it always the case? I want what I can't have. 

Day 2 of #RunWithKara

We were up bright and early to go check out a house this morning.

I took a couple of pictures of the outside, but my phone apparently decided that I didn't need those anymore, because I can't find them anywhere. I was too distracted by the maze-like layout, low ceilings and slanted floors to take pictures of the inside.

Not a contender. Which is a bummer, because the location was good and the outside looked really cute.

After that disappointing house, we went back for another look at one of the houses that we've checked out a couple of times.

Tom did some exploring in the yard and discovered grape vines absolutely everywhere. Apparently, the owners used to make wine in the garage.

We really like that house (obviously, since we keep going back to look at it). It needs some work, and a kitchen, but it's a definite possibility.

I got another run in toward my marathon challenge. It was later in the day than I usually do a run outside, but since treadmill miles don't count, I headed for the trails.

It was chilly out and I actually started out with an extra layer on, but by the time I hit mile 3 I had to lose it. I can't even remember the last time I tied a sweatshirt around my waist. Fortunately, it was lightweight so it didn't bug me too much.

I'm up to 13.1 miles - halfway through the challenge and halfway through the miles!

Tom has been cooking up a storm lately, which is awesome.

Last night we had chicken, butternut squash (with bacon crumbled in), and roasted cabbage. We ate an obscene amount of squash and I ate it too quickly to take a picture.

The other night it was shrimp scampi with spaghetti squash and kale.

And this chocolate mug cake made with almond flour - which we covered in cookie butter. That's healthy, right?

Tonight is sweet potatoes, cod, and asparagus.

Excuse me while I go eat some more. :)

I can't feel my face

The other day on a whim I signed up for Kara Goucher's Marathon Challenge on Strava. The idea is to run 26.2 miles between today (10/30) and Sunday (11/2) in honor of the NYC marathon this weekend.

Since I have no training plan right now, I figured I shouldn't turn down a chance for some extra motivation.

Then I was really disappointed to learn that treadmill miles don't count.

Then I was happy that the challenge made me go outside, because it was a beautiful day, and we probably don't have too many more of those in the near future.

I roamed the Rockefeller Preserve for 6.5 miles and tried not to die on the rocks that were hidden by leaves. A lot of my favorite trails are side trails that aren't maintained as well as the carriage trails (because the Rockefellers still have horse-drawn carriages that they try to run us peasants over with), so they were a little tricky. The leaves covered rocks and sticks and made things a bit slippery. They also made it feel like I was doing high-knees.

I tried to stick to the main trails after a while, high knees are exhausting.

Then I was off to deal with the dentist and get my floss-damaged tooth fixed. Fortunately, it was small enough that they just had to do a filling and not a crown. As an added bonus, the rest of my x-rays looked good. They did force me to make an appointment to go back for a cleaning though. I hear that's good for you.

This is what happened when I tried to smile when I got back to my car.

I still can't feel my face.