Thoughts Before Today's Run:

• Ugh, I hate all my running routes. I need to move just so I have new places to run.


• Seriously, I've run all the trails around me a million times.


• I need to text Megan and set up a running date.


• Ughhh I hate all the music on my iPod. Need some new music suggestions stat.


• Ughh I hate running after work, but it's so nice out. I should really take advantage of the gorgeous weather.


• Ohh look I found a cute running outfit in my closet that's clean. Winning!


• Just put on your shoes and go.

Thoughts During Today's Run:

• Why do I have goosebumps? I mean I know it's not a million percent humidity, but this is weird.


• Oh I'm warming up and the goosebumps are gone now.


• Awe there's so many cute kids out riding their bikes. I remember doing that on nice summer days when I was little.


• OMG it's soooooo much easier to run when there's no humidity.


• I feeling like I'm flying.


• SHIT GARMIN DIED! I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M ACTUALLY GOING! NOOOOOOO!


• Well I feel like I'm running really fast, so I'm just going to go with it.


• This hill is a bitch. God why did I pick the route with a mile-long climb at the end?


• Oh yes, almost home. I am awesome!

Thoughts After Today's Running:

• Wheee! Running is great. I love it.


• I should sign up for more races! Maybe a marathon...


• Sike I have grad. school starting soon, I don't have time for 20-mile long runs, especially during football season.


• But...marathoning...it's fun...and I miss it.


• I love how strong running makes my thighs.


• I really want to run Philly again. That's such a great race. Maybe I should pencil it in...


• That course holds my marathon PR...


• But let's be realistic, maybe just the half.


• OK brain, stop thinking about running, it's time to go do stats homework and watch the Phillies.

Hi friends, remember me? It's OK if you don't, I know it's been a pretty long time since I've blogged.


Me with my BF Testudo

The reasoning is two-fold: 1. I just haven't had much to say and 2. I was really burnt out on the whole blogging thing and just needed a break.

My summer has been pretty busy, but in a few weeks my fall is going to be even crazier as I try to balance the start of grad school with the start of my semester teaching at Maryland, regular work and half marathon training. Plus attempting to have some semblance of a social life.

So I really just needed to step away this summer and enjoy life, while not writing every single thing down.

But here's a quick recap of what's I've been up to the last month.

1. Softball, softball and more softball. My Senate league team finished the regular season undefeated and clinched the division title for the 7th straight year. Playoffs are this weekend. My other two teams are doing OK too. Playoffs for those are pretty much the remaining weekends in August.



2. Car shopping. After a pretty terrifying car accident on the 4th of July, I was in need of a new set of wheels. (Luckily I was fine; my car, however, wasn't).


This is my new ride.

3. Half marathon training. Even though I haven't been writing about it, it's still been happening. The summer humidity is killing me.

4. Beach vacationing. I just got home from the most wonderful vacation with my family. A week away at the beach was just what I needed to relax and recharge. I'm sad that I'm home already. In all honesty, I could use another week of zero responsibilities and deadlines.



5. Reading, so much reading. I have been devouring books in the last few weeks, including the six I read at the beach. I think because I know that my chances to read for fun are about to completely disappear. Instead I will be reading things like my finance textbook and my students' papers.

So that's about the gist of what's been going on with me. I'm actually going to try to get back into a semi-regular blogging pattern. I'm not sure what exactly that will look like. Sometimes it might be weekly, sometimes it might be a bit more than that, but I'm going to try not to let a whole month go by without a post.

Every year I tell myself I'm not going to sign up for an early fall half marathon because training through the DC heat and humidity in July and August is just brutal.

And then just about every year, I find myself throwing down money for a half marathon in September.

This year is no different.

All hopped up on post-race endorphins after Shamrock back in March, Emily and I threw down the entry fee for the Navy-Air Force half marathon in early September.


Diana, Aila, me and Emily after Shamrock

At the time, training seemed like it was such a long way off.

Fast forward a few months and all of a sudden we're about to head into July and training's kicking off.

And of course...the DC humidity is here to stay.

I have a feeling, it's going to be a long hot summer of training.