Monday mashup

I know Monday isn't everyone's favorite day (or anyone's favorite day?), but I don't mind it. Except when I have to wake up at 5:40 a.m. to take someone to the airport. Morning is not my favorite thing. As you can imagine, this has left my brain in a state of disarray. So, randomness it is.

• I recently bought a foam roller. I'm told that it will be one of my best friends. This hasn't happened yet, but I just got it. It's going to be a big part of my life since it is a required part of my Peak Wellness plan.

Unsure of my feelings at this time

• I also recently bought a new pair of running shoes. They are pink. And pretty. And my feet love them because they are Brooks.

• I don't watch much TV. Well, let me rephrase that. I don't watch much TV besides sports or "Two and a Half Men" reruns. And, ahem, "Jersey Shore." (I know, I know ...). Aside from "Jersey Shore," there is no show that I watch on a regular basis (and anxiously await the next week's episode). Last season, I loved "American Horror Story." It was my show. I watched it. I loved it. I anxiously awaited each episode. The new season starts on Wednesday. But, with almost all new characters ... in a new location. I am somewhat concerned that I won't like it anymore. I liked those characters, darn it. I liked the location, darn it. Sigh. 
• I recently made the declaration that I would like anything Bruno Mars sang. Stupid me for making such a proclamation. I don't like this song. It's monotonous and boring.

• Here's a little sneak peak into tomorrow's "This week in running" post: the long run and I are back in love. Hugs and kisses!

Do you have a foam roller? Is it your best friend? What's your favorite brand of shoes or do you switch it up? Do you watch "American Horror Story"? Anyone else watch "Jersey Shore"? Do you like the new Bruno Mars song? Are you currently in or out of love with long runs?

Because I wanted to run

Ever have one of those days that you just have to run? Not because it's on your schedule or you need to train for a race, but just because you want to run?

That was my Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday is a normal running day for me, but I needed it. Work was frustrating. I got more and more irritated the longer the day went on. Handy that I run in the evenings. I ran hard, and the frustration and irritation just melted away (along with me — man, it's hot again). 

The mood-lifting quality of running is such a huge benefit. Stressed? Irritated? Mad? Run. You'll be less stressed, irritated and mad. Why everyone doesn't run is beyond me. 

Wednesday is not a running day for me, but I had to run. I wasn't as mad or irritated, but I remembered how good I felt the day before, and I wanted to feel that way again. Problem: as I was getting ready to head outside, the lightning and rain started. Crap. I am seriously frightened of lightning. I tried to wait it out, but it wasn't stopping. When I say I'm frightened of lightning, I mean I'm terrified. As in, I won't step foot outside. As in, I wasn't walking the 75 or so steps to the craptastic condo gym to run on the treadmill.

So, I improvised and hit the stairs. The stairs aren't the most glamorous (or the same as running), but they do the job. Afterward, I was happy and sweaty. Goal achieved.

Thursday is my running group day. Unfortunately, that pesky thing known as work got in the way of my plans. Argh. So, my options: run around the neighborhood or hit the craptastic gym. My choice: craptastic gym. I know, I know. I continually complain about the gym and the treadmill. But, for some reason, I just had the urge to run and watch TV. What better way to catch up on "Jersey Shore"? 

The show and gym are equally craptastic, but I keep going back for more. And, guess what? This time, I actually kind of loved the craptastic gym. It was still hot (no fan and little air conditioning are extremely uncool, but thrifty, which I guess is the goal), but I loved being completely distracted by those Jersey kids' antics. Before I knew it, 45 minutes were up, and I had  multi-tasked my way through a run (and sweat through everything I had on and felt dizzy). 

You have some issues still, craptastic gym, but I love you a little more now.

Things I realized today

Since I'm home alone during the week (my boyfriend works out of town), I have a lot of time to think (for some reason, I still can't get my dog to talk to me). As you probably guessed, me thinking is a frightening thing. In my thoughts today:

• I love running outside, but I need an out-and-back path. If I miss my training group (like I did both nights this week due to pesky work), I run around my neighborhood (usually – see below for the exception). The problem: my neighborhood has a 2.5-mile loop. I hate getting back to the beginning and having to run past it. It's too easy to call it quits early. Even if I don't, I'm still bitter about running past the start and having to come back. Silly, I know, but I'm silly.
  
• I still hate the treadmill. After working late and missing my training group today, I felt like the treadmill was the safest option to run. This is because I forgot about the face-of-the-sun temperature of the craptastic condo gym. Running in this temperature with no fan is not safe. Even though I didn't like it, the run is done. And, in another three months, I'll forget how much I really hate the craptastic gym and treadmill and do it again.

• The only show I watch religiously each week is "Jersey Shore." This is sad and pathetic, and I'm embarrassed. But, at 10 p.m. EST, I was by my TV to watch.

Day 29 (Oct. 13)

I highly dislike Thursdays. We even started the I Hate Thursday Club at work. Seriously, it’s that bad. Maybe that’s why I like running on Thursday. It helps get rid of all that awful workday stress.

This Thursday, we had a 50-minute run with a 10-minute warm up, 25-minute hard interval, followed by a 15-minute cool down. The hard interval was tough, but manageable. I maintained about a one-minute faster pace than normal during the hard interval.

My reward (besides running) for making it through Thursday: sushi + “Jersey Shore,” which equals happiness to me. As much as I dread Thursday workdays, I love Thursday nights (as long as work doesn’t spill into the evening). After running, I make a stop at the grocery store to grab sushi (yes, it’s actually really good), take a walk with my dog, and then I head to the Shore. This show fascinates me. I laugh at every episode – even though I probably shouldn’t.

Thanks to running, sushi and “Jersey Shore,” Thursdays became more bearable.

Sunday is a treat

After my long runs on Sunday, I feel like a deserve a treat. I mean, I woke up early. I ran _ (anywhere from 4-11) miles. I think I earned this treat. So, I treat myself. This treat is nothing major, usually just watching some guilty pleasure on TV with a glass of wine, which suits me just fine.

A few weeks ago, “Jersey Shore” aired on a special night: Sunday. Fist pump! Yes, I am a regular viewer of this show. I tried to hide/deny/not talk about this for quite some time, but I’m out in the open now. I like this show, and I’m not afraid to admit it (anymore). GTL, baby!

This week, my treat: Cowboys vs. Jets game. I love the Dallas Cowboys, and I love Sunday night football. A fabulous combination (especially with a glass of wine) … or so I thought until I watched the game. Ugh.

This is a picure from last year. I was not smiling last night.

After the game, Tony Romo, quarterback of the Cowboys, said, “I’ve got to get better. That’s the bottom line.” Yes, Tony, you do. Please. DO. IT. A fumble on the one yard line, an interception and a bobbled snap all in the fourth quarter is totally unacceptable (you dumping Jessica Simpson on her birthday is also totally unacceptable, but that’s a different rant).

Maybe next week's treat will be less frustrating.