It sure is lonesome in mine

Lately, my life feels like a country song.

"What's going on in your world? It sure is lonesome in mine." I always liked that George Strait song until I started living it.

OK, so it's not really that bad. But, working by yourself is not all that fun. And, not having having a running group is not all that fun either. Or any friends at all (besides my boyfriend and dog, of course).

So, I get really excited when I go the gym and actually see people.

... or maybe not.

But, I only have a few more days in Florence, SC, before heading home to Florida ... I think I can make it, I think I can make it.

Actually, the gym (empty as it is in the evening) and hiking are two things I will really miss. And, spending evenings with my boyfriend (mornings not so much ...) going to the gym and hiking.

At least it's been a healthy trip. Well, aside from last weekend's visit to my boyfriend's parents in Greenville, SC. His mom is an incredible chef, and I feel like we mostly ate while we were there. And, no running to be seen. I'm blaming it on the fact that his parents don't use their air conditioner ... IN JULY ... IN THE SOUTH ... so the idea of sweating more was really unappealing.

Aside from the 8-hour drive (and losing an incredible gym, hiking spot and time with my boyfriend), I can't wait to be home on Saturday and go running with my group on Sunday. Ahh!

What's going on in your world? Anything exciting? Anything involving people?

10 Things Thursday

1. I still adore the treadmill. I ran a fabulous 5K on it last night and watched the Rays vs. Red Sox game (Yay, Rays!).

2. Because of my new-found love of the treadmill (and the gym in general), I really want to join one. But, I wonder if it’s worth it. I run with my running group the majority of the time, so I probably wouldn’t use the glorious treadmills that often. I do like having other cardio options and not feeling like heat stroke is eminent, though.

3. I haven’t worn anything besides gym clothes in four days. I also haven’t worn any makeup or done anything to my hair besides piling it up on top of my head. This is what happens when you work remotely by yourself and only go to the gym, take your dog for a walk or go to Target (sorry, people of Target). You’ll be happy to know that I do make the effort to brush my teeth and put on deodorant.

My office look for the last four days.

4. There are many things I miss about working in an office (people, supplies, phone headset), but one of the things I miss the most is a decent chair and desk. This recliner and end table setup I have going on is not doing my back, neck or shoulders any favors. Ouch.

5. Dogs sleep A LOT. I become aware of this when I’m at home all day. Lazy girl does nothing all day. I can barely get her to open her eyes. I will not feel bad when I have to leave for work again (well, feel bad about leaving Chloe …).

You're interrupting my 18-hour nap.

6. My boyfriend stocked up on all my favorites while I’m here visiting.

What more does a girl need?

7.  Are you looking for the best damn race? Well, I suggest you check out the Best Damn Race. It's Feb. 1, 2014, in Safety Harbor, Florida. I ran this race earlier this year, and I had so much damn fun. If you want to join in on the fun (and you should), you can use the code BDRBLOG to save $5 when registering (it's good for July and August).

8. I have some Amazon gift cards saved up, and I realized the best way to spend these is on running shoes! Duh, right? So, I started looking at the Brooks Adrenaline GTS (my love), and I found these beauties ... just not in my size. Now I'm stalking Amazon waiting for my big-foot size to be in stock.

Source

9.  I continually confirm this, but I keep doing it: I hate long car rides. Any drive that takes more than two hours needs to be flown in a jet. So, I'm really looking forward to the 8-hour drive back to Florida. GAH.

10. I adore Twitter and Instagram. If you want to follow me there, I'm behold_turtle.

Do you belong to a gym? What's your favorite piece of equipment? What two favorite items would you want someone to have around if you were visiting? Do you like road trips?

A summer love affair

I have a summer romance. And, it's pretty intense. Well, as intense as things can get between a girl and a treadmill.

Yes, this previous hater of the treadmill, is now having a hot love affair with it.

I'm pretty certain I previously hated it because of my craptastic condo gym. 

I tend to look like I'm near heat stroke and rather irritated in that craptastic place ... maybe those two go together. 

Unfortunately, I didn't escape the heat in the craptastic gym; I walked right into it. As an added bonus, my treadmill would stop mid-run occasionally.

But, running outside in Florida in the summer made me think my love affair with running was over. I debated taking a break from it. I wondered if I'd ever love it again. 

Then, while on vacation, I found a treadmill that didn't stop mid-run in an adequately cooled gym, and I ran my farthest distance ever on a treadmill: 4.5 miles. And, I loved it. And, I realized it wasn't running that I had lost my love for, it was running in the summer.

Currently, I'm visiting South Carolina, and I have access to an incredible gym with beautiful treadmills. And, I'm having a hard time not running endlessly every day. I can't stay away. 

I love you, treadmill (at least until the fall). 

Do you love the treadmill or hate it? How do you cope with summer running? What is your longest distance on the treadmill?

A month in bullet form

Since I disappeared from the blogging world for a month, I'll catch you up on my life in bullet form (it's better that way, trust me):

• I spent a weekend in Savannah. I went on a ghost tour (appropriate since it’s the most haunted city in the US), and for the first time on a ghost tour, I actually got a little scared. I still don't believe in ghosts (I’m waiting for them to prove it to me), but I still like hunting them. I blame those cheesy boys from "Ghost Adventures."

• I spent a long weekend in Biloxi. The area is so pretty, and everyone is so nice. And, I did something amazing: I ran my longest distance ever on a treadmill. The hotel gym had adequate air conditioning, a fan on the treadmill, a TV on the treadmill, and a great view of the pool and gulf (a nice change from my craptastic condo gym).

• My dad visited over the Fourth of July, and we went to five baseball games in five days. We also saw the Rays win five games, including a sweep of the Chicago White Sox. If that wasn’t sweet enough, I also got a batting practice ball and photos with Raymond and DJ Kitty.

• I participated in a two-week boot camp that I adored. I’d still be doing it if it was still happening.
• I did another spin class, and I really, really liked it this time. I think my bike was adjusted just right this time. That, in combination with a fabulous teacher (my sweet and talented friend, Danielle, from running group), made it pretty awesome.
• I tried a hot yoga class for the first time, and I sweat a ridiculous amount. And I wanted to laugh almost the entire time. How in the heck are you supposed to grab your arm if you can’t get a grip due to profuse sweating? I mean, this is a really humorous situation. Apparently, laughing is frowned upon in these establishments, though. But, I went back a second time. And, I’m going to a class tonight. Mainly because I have a Living Social deal for a month of unlimited classes. Well, and I kind of like it. And, I get to see this girl, which makes it awesome.
• After the group fitness adventures, I decided that it’s definitely for me. I love the camaraderie, motivation and encouragement from working out in a group setting. It just makes it more fun.
• I fell in love with this song. Please do not judge my musical taste on this (although you’ve probably lost any hope in me having decent musical taste since I like Justin Bieber). The good news is I know it’s terrible. The bad news is I sing along and car dance the crap out of it. (Note: It could be offensive to some.)

 

• I’ve officially entered into the “eat-all-watermelon” season. Peaches are my favorite fruit, but I crave watermelon, and I want to eat it every day while it's in season. 

Have you been to Savannah? Biloxi? What is your farthest distance on a treadmill? Do you adore mascots as much as me? Tried a boot camp, spin or yoga class? Do you have the urge to giggle at yoga?

Running, I thought I didn't love you

I kind of disappeared for a bit.
 
And, it was partly due to falling out of love with running.

No worries: the love has returned … well, not exactly.

But, I did determine the cause of the no-love feeling: surface of the sun temperatures and 99.9% humidity. Running is really not too much fun at all in those conditions. I get even slower (how is this even possible?), and I feel like any progress I’d made during the past season is completely gone.
 

The evil sun disguising itself as a pretty sunset.

I debated taking a break from running group for the summer. But, then I heard some wise advice from a wise coach: what you’re doing now – even if it’s slower or even if you’re walking – will make you stronger for half marathon training (it begins in August).

So, I’m sticking it out. I’m slow, I’m walking more, but I’m running. And, I’m not letting myself get disappointed with my slower times (most of the time …).

The good news is I’m getting excited for half marathon season (and the costume it entails). Previously, I wondered if I’d ever care about a race again, so this is progress. 

I even started thinking a little bit (not really that much but more than ever before, which wasn’t much) about a marathon. That thought went out the window after Sunday’s craptastic 4-mile run. It was the type of craptastic run that you begin to question why you even run in the first place. If I can’t even run 4 miles comfortably, why bother? Why do I even call myself a runner? Why am I so slow? Why did I ever even minutely think about running a marathon? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

So maybe my hot weather attitude could still use a little more work. But, I’m still running, and that’s what matters.

How do you handle running in the heat? Am I being a big baby?