Moments of Musing

Running Against Myself

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#TBT/ Transformation Thursday to last year’s Rugged Maniac and me a few days ago. 

In honor of National Running Day yesterday, I decided to run a 5K. Ya know, because I have a couple coming up in July and want to make good time. Both my partners–my brother and Tim–are males and run faster than I do but I want to keep up. I’m actually really proud of my brother because there was a time he’d trail behind me. How the tables have turned. As for T, he’s always been physically active and before his ACL surgery he ran or worked out almost every morning in the military. I haven’t run with T since a time in Summer 2011, though, when I realized his pace was one I couldn’t match then, and still wouldn’t now. 

So I woke from my nap yesterday–I know, I know… I’m 25, not 5. Anyway, I got dressed and headed to my gym. I hopped on the treadmill and I ran. I texted about one of the runs during it and that made me more excited to be running. I increased speed from 4 while walking for the first minute to 5.5, to eventually 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and 7.5. I’d never run more than a minute at speed 7.0 or 7.5 but there I was running a few minutes at the top speed. 

I felt on top of the world. When I got to 3.11 miles (5K), I was proud to see my time of 29.19 minutes. And that’s when I decided I’d run just a little more. I ran 3.5 miles in 32.36 minutes. Those were my best times in as long as I can remember, if not EVER! These times might not seem great to others but I was proud of them. I competed with my own personal times to push me.  If I’m worrying about others’ performance, it usually hinders my own. So most often I am my biggest competitor–it drives me to be the best ME I can be.

On a completely different note, here’s a #TBT from 2 years ago on the day T deployed. Crazy (in a good way, duh) that I’m actually going to be his wife in 5 months. 


Post-Virus Chocolate Binge

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Last Wednesday, I bought Chic-Fil-A for the first time in years. And I pass by it every day to and from the L (the subway, for those of you not familiar with Chicago), so I think not buying it all this time has been a pretty big accomplishment. Well, I won’t be buying it ever again. I came home excited to gorge on nuggets, fries and a cookie sundae — sort of a celebration because it was my first meal in 16-17 hours. (I didn’t starve myself– I love food too much. I actually had to fast for a blood test.) 

After eating the Chic-Fil-A, I got what I think/am pretty sure was food poisoning. For 5 days. I used to kid that I wouldn’t mind getting a virus because it’s keep my diet in check but boy, was it annoying! I’m pretty certain it was the Chic-Fil-A since I hadn’t eaten anything in a while. 

So, naturally, when I discovered I could go back to my normal diet yesterday, I had a healthy lunch and dinner and so e fruit. But of course, I also decided to binge on chocolate. Two Skinny Cow mint ice cream sandwiches; a few pieces of Trader Joe’s nutty dark chocolate bites; and 5 Trader Joe’s mini chocolate chip cookies. 

So yesterday, I lost and chocolate won. As is the case more days than not, honestly. And that’s why Tim thinks if our little ones adopt my obsession (I obviously hope not) this will be them:

Still Here!

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As I was laying in bed last night listening to country love songs (I’m such a romantic, this I know) I realized I haven’t posted in the longest time I’ve gone without posting since Summer 2012. I don’t feel guilty about it, though, because it’s honestly being freeing not having to plan what I want to express. It’s nice to come here when I have something of significance, or at least substance to put on this here lovely blog of mine. Plus, life has kept me pretty busy these last few weeks. Since I’ve been MiA lately a few exciting things have happened:

1.  I have my abs (mostly) back. I won’t post my photo here but my lifting + 30-minute 500 calorie cardio workouts probably have something to do with it. I’ve not eaten the best the past week — a much needed Trader Joe’s trip is needed this weekend!

2. My cousin (who’s more like my sister)/ MOH was in town MDW and we had the greatest time. We were out and about everyday. We’ve missed each other a lot since I’ve moved so it was a much-needed us weekend! She also planned on buying me Loubies for the wedding (because she and her mom are crazy!!! and so giving) but I successfully stalled our shopping trip and I think I’ve convinced her to save the money because she’s spending more than enough on the wedding shower. Love that girl and her mom so much!

3. Tim’s EOS date might be really, really soon. Talk about SURREAL. If you’d have told me 3 1/2 years the time would go this quickly I’d probably tell you to STFU… in the nicest way possible 😉

4. The warmer weather seems like it is finally here to stay!!! Chicago in the spring is like a different city. Everyone was right. Oh, and living a block from the beach — I love it already. Sunday was spent at the beach and, aside from sunburn on skin I apparently missed with my sunblock, it was blissful. 

5. For those of you who don’t know me personally (even though you probably know more about me than the average person I meet …) you wouldn’t know I nap a lot. Like almost every evening after work. Well, the past few days I have not and it has felt like a huge accomplishment. I swear I’m an adult, really!

6. Wedding planning is still underway. Our photo booth is in the process of being booked. And more decor is in the process of being decided on and bought. Invites will be ordered shortly after T moves here.  Favors are still up in the air but we have time to decide!

Bad Allergies. Good Weather.

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I could pretend things are always dandy in my life and head but I’d be doing just that–pretending.

 
Because the truth is some days suck. Some days, like today, my allergies are bad when the weather gets nice, which just feels unfair. As a matter of fact, sometimes life seems unfair. 

Some days are harder than others. Some nights it’s harder to fall asleep. Some days, particularly Sundays, I miss Tim more than usual. Some days I cave and eat my emotions, but really that means I have a cheat snack–or 4. Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on crucial family time for a career that is more than fulfilling but that can’t hug me or love me because that’s not what careers (/inanimate things) do. 

The thing about life, though, is that no matter how you’re feeling… It goes on. The seconds, minutes, hours, days, years–they pass whether you like them or not. So I allow myself to feel the cruddy moments but then I choose to quickly bounce back. I choose to enjoy as much of life as I can. I choose to relish in these moments. In my city living. In the nice weather. In my independent life. In my awesome career. In my amazing relationship with my fiancé. And in my loving relationships with family. 

Because guess what? Those days and nights and moments that downright suck… I’m sure they’d suck 100% more if I chose to dawn on them. 

http://faith0verfears.tumblr.com/post/83869690093/buthavenotlove-trying-to-remember-this-amidst 
 

Getting *More* Done

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Last night was spent in a nightclub (first time in forever for me) and a country bar–quite the nightlife spectrum, I know. So I’m happy to relax, while still being productive, today. It’s not 1pm yet and breakfast (almond flour pancakes) has been made and eaten, and my laundry is almost done. I’ve also gone on a little cupcake run to More. 

City living has turned me into a foodie!
 
I decided to make this Sunday  even more productive by participating in The Sunday Social, my first time since sometime last year!
1. Who do you call when you need to vent?
Timmy; my parents; brother; or some of my best friends (Trish, Luana, Fara).

2. Where do you go when you need alone time? 

When I’m living with Timmy and we get into a spat that isn’t resolved within a couple minutes, I go into a separate room and watch TV or read, or I go for a run.

3. What is your favorite alone time activity?
Lately, it’s been wedding planning. Working out. Cooking. Sadly, I don’t do as much reading anymore 🙁

4. What is something we should all stop and read right now?
I really enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars, which is coming out in theaters soon I think. You’ll definitely want to grab some tissues, though–it’s quite the tearjerker!

5. Who do you wish would read your blog that doesn’t already? Family? Celeb?  

Hmm T and my family and closest friends already do .. so I’d have to say a celeb or company that will pay me lots of money to blog 😉