The Hamster Wheel

What is it about human nature that makes us ok with the status quo? I have been trying desperately to better myself without making any real effort. I mean, I am "looking" for full time positions, "studying" for the GRE's, and "training" for a marathon but not really spending a sincere amount of time on any of these. In fact, all I really seem to be doing is talking about it. The bottom line is that I am happy with the way things are: part time at the shoe store, part time at the ad agency, and full time mooch. I started watching How I Met Your Mother because of the way they portrayed unemployment; Marshall stopped wearing pants and played video games all day while Robyn made beer floats. When asked how her job search was going, she would remark tartly with, "Didn't you hear? I'm the lead anchor on CNN." Unfortunately, both these characters went on to gainful employment and the show stopped being relatable (that's not true -I still think it's legend-wait for it-dary). I just don't see why I can't have the motivation like the cavemen did when it came to the invention of fire. You think someone said, "Hey, Grog, stop playing with those sparks from the sticks and rocks. Our pelts are just fine." No chance. We need the fire like we need the wheel but do we need the full time employment? Maybe one day but today, I am happy running my mile and wearing my new Shuze shoes.

That A Girl!

Yesterday I really, really did not want to go for a jog. The night before I did it Sally Fields style and got white wine drunk. Apparently I am a little out of practice and jibber jabbered the entire night. I couldn't hold my liquor - but it was holding me. Clearly, when I woke up the next morning, I wasn't in tip top shape. BUT I did attempt to jog - I slapped on my sneakers, wiped the sleep out of my eyes, and headed for the door. As soon as I stepped out into the not so fresh air (this humidity is GROSS), I decided not to jog but rather go for a very, very long walk. And I did. It felt nice, I still worked up a sweat, and I didn't leave my tennis shoes feeling neglected.

Change Of Plans

I am unsure whether or not I posted that I have moved my marathon from October 2009 to October 2010 (as I am too lazy to check). Well, I have. I am being a little honest with myself and know that the months I took off to help the boyfriend severely set me back AND that I wasn't doing that well to begin with. I am taking the extra time, running a few more races, and will be extra prepared for the October '10 race. Plus, this gives me more time to save some dough (Mom, if you're reading this, I would be more than happy to start a savings account for the trip in your name.... with your money. LOVE YOU!). The races that I will be running this year include a 5K at the end of the month (in a ZOO! Monkeys throwing poop at you is a great motivator), another half, and maybe the Goofy Run in Florida. That one we still have to think about since the hotels are super expensive outside of Disney World (hey Moooooooommmm). Besides that, I really have to find out where to go surfing on the East Coast... And how expensive that is. I don't want to pass up the opportunity to be good at something. Plus, when I get to the shore after surfing, I'll run from the sharks that think I'm a seal and indirectly be training for my marathon. Win win.

The Heat Is On

Oh my, it's warm. So warm, in fact, that the cat gets snippy when I move in front of the fan. In hopes of beating the heat, I jogged with a water bottle. It's squishing annoyed me and rather than drinking it, I decided to wear it. Ahhhhh water. Nature's fruit juice (wait, isn't fruit juice nature's fruit juice?). Upon returning from my heat sweltering jog, I decided to do a little weight bearing exercise and discovered that I will never be cool again. No sense in putting on makeup since I was sweating through my shower. To be honest, I kind of like it... That's right empty calories, leave me, leave me through my pores. Goodbye water retention, we were once very close. I will not miss you.

Luster for the Lag

What is it about travelling that completely poops you out? I travelled the entire day this past Wednesday and feel like I am not quite awake today. The hours to Costa Rica weren't that different, just three, but the travel time it took for us to get home... Ouch. We were far out on the Costa Rican coast, took an hour and a half to reach Liberia airport, rode a plane for the three hours, fought in customs for two hours, road another plane for three more hours, fought with the luggage attedent and paking gaurd, drove home, and went to bed at three in the morning. Thursday came around and I felt like I ran into a cement truck. Friday came and it was more of a brick wall. Saturday and Sunday, however, it's maybe being hit by a small SUV or large sedan. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to wake up when the alarm goes off, rather than snoozing for an hour, and jog. After all, how lame is it that I ran more on vacation than at home? Stupid jet lag... Do you have to rub it in that I am four years to thirty??

Do You Love Me, Do You Surfer Girl?

Turns out I am a natural at surfing. While we were in Costa Rica, we took advantage of the location and enrolled in lessons. I was certain I would be anything but good at the sport especially since my family and I went to Hawaii and took boggie boarding lessons. I spent most of my time eating salt water, getting beat up, and listening to the instructor yell, "Don't turn your back on the ocean! Don't turn your back on the ocean!." I didn't exactly take up wind surfing, skiing, or even water skiing no matter how many times I've attempted those. Shit, I am still trying to be good at running. Yet, somehow, someway, I managed to surf fairly well. I road in standing every time I attempted to get on the board AND I managed to get up without the instructors help. I did so well, the instructor showed me a couple of extra tricks and techniques. Since finding a sport I'm good at has been a challenge, I am going to stick with it and take a couple more lessons. Yay athletic ability!

Hola Mis Amigos!

We've been in Costa Rica for two and I have been jogging for two days. The boyfriend's new mommy is a physical fitness guru and the first day we were her, she and her husband roped me into going jogging. She's such an amazing trainer - whenever she heard my breathing becoming labored, we would walk. When she saw that I was ready to go again, we were running. I've only been running one to three miles a day BUT in this heat, it's more than what I was doing at home. Being with someone so positive makes the runs fun and enjoyable, even if they are embarrassing at times.