Running Plusses

Now that I am into the start of week four of my marathon training, I am rediscovering some things I had forgotten about this whole consistent running thing. I am going to focus on all the good things that come of all of this because I am trying to be really positive about this whole training experience this time around since as previously mentioned, my motivation is lacking. Since I haven't really had a routine that included long runs in a long time (minus one week in May when I was finally feeling great), its actually feeling pretty decent to get back into it. Yes, its cutting into my social life a bit, but I need to work out anyway, so having the training is a good excuse for now.

Since I have been back in action, there are a few things I have recently re-discovered during training that I realized I really do enjoy and missed in my life in a bit. 

1) Wearing new running shoes. I make no secret of my love for gym shoes. I love them. I have more pairs than I'd like to admit. And while I don't workout in most of them (they are more for everyday wear), its the running shoes I get the greatest pleasure out of putting on for the first time. Those first few steps you take in them are like walking on air. And the first run in them is usually pretty awesome. It's like you have new legs. New running shoes are so cushy and comfortable and you wish they could stay that way for every mile you run. Unfortch that is not the case and they will eventually wear down, but then you get to put on that new pair of shoes again and voila, you get that feeling again!

My Fave Inventions

So let's talk about those things in our lives that have improved our lives tenfold. Those things that now that we have them, wonder what the heck we did before they existed. Sure, we coped because we didn't realize that something out there was so great. And now that they are in our lives, we are definitely living life much, much better. Most of those things might be completely useless to someone else, but to you, they made such a positive difference. These are "inventions" that have entered my life in the past ten years or so that I now can't imagine not having. Some of these are obviously more important than others to me but nonetheless, they have improved my quality of life so, so much. So for me, five things that have entered my life now that I simply can't imagine not having are...

1) DVR. Need I say more? I cannot live without my DVR. I mean, I rarely watch any TV live anymore. Even if I have nothing to do during showtime, I will purposely do something for the first 10 minutes of a half hour show or twenty minutes of an hour show, so I can then watch it in full with zero commercials. I have it down to a science. I also now watch much more TV than I should because of this. It makes it so easy. I honestly don't know how I lived so long taping things on VHS tapes with everything I watched back then too. Although I love my DVR and its the best $10 I spend every month, I do wish I had one where I could DVR more than two things AND watch something else though. A girl can dream, can't she?

Having my health back!

Cheers to solid poop and no cramping! Wooooot!

You know what's awesome? Waking up every morning and feeling healthy again! I can happily say that for the last month, I have woken up without really a care in the world. I am not running to the bathroom the second I wake up. Or holding my stomach because I think I am getting stabbed. It's been great.

One of my main goals for the summer was to get healthy and have a "normal" summer without having to go somewhere and immediately wonder where the bathroom is and do I have enough wipes with me. TMI much?! But seriously, this has been a legitimate concern of mine for almost the entire last year minus a few weeks here and there.

I know I only have Ulcerative Colitis and not some life threatening awful, terrible disease in my case at the moment, but I do know that I will not take feeling healthy again for granted. This past year of waking up every single morning wondering how I will feel, and if my health will get in the way of my daily activities is hopefully something of the past. It's not fun to worry about this. And the worrying also can contribute to the stomach issues as well. Its a bad cycle to fall into and its one that I think (and hope) I am out of.

The Virgins are back!

Okay, so TLC's Virgin Diaries is back! Are you as excited as I am? The last time it was on, I was horrified and entertained all at the same time. And I kind of felt dirty afterwards. And then, as quick as it arrived, it was gone. TLC only aired one-episode even though it received a lot of press about that one episode (including a hilarious blog post by moi); mainly because of "The Kiss." Ugh. Ick. Hopefully though, this time around it's not a one-time deal. Such a tease TLC. Don't play me like that this time.

This week's episode features three virgins, one guy and two girls. The girls, 29 and 32 years old, were both cute and pretty normal seeming. One was saving herself for marriage (understandable) and the other was just looking for the right guy to do it with for her first time (she succeeded). There wasn't much to say about the girls because they did seem pretty normal and just happened to be virgins at an older age which isn't a huge deal, but the guy, on the other hand, was odd to say the least.

So this is Skippy...

Skippy, the 33-years-old male Mormon who still lives in his parent's basement was our weirdo this episode. Virgin or no virgin, this guy was bizarre. There are two things that Skippy wants us to know off the bat about himself: 1) He collects T-shirts with his name and 2) He collects his own belly button lint. In a jar. Did you just throw up in your mouth for a second reading that? Because when I watched it, I definitely did. GROSS!! (This isn't even a joke. I couldn't make that up if I tried.)

How Rude!

I recently read an article online about how forgetting someone's name can be "sublty disrespectful, and by subtly, we mean with a blatant disregard for giving a shit about other people’s feelings." This pretty much sums up the situation. And as someone who has been on both ends of this situation and some others, its pretty annoying. Whether or not the person is doing it intentionally or unintentionally, it can be super insulting. In the words of Stephanie Tanner "How rude!" But seriously, there are some things that people can do that perhaps have no intention of being rude, but really end up being so. Below are a few of these things...

1) "What's your name again?" The classic mentioned above and in the article I mentioned. This is something I rarely will ask someone even though I forget their name. I have too much pride to ask them again if I have already asked once. It shows them I totally didn't listen and/or care the first time they told me. When I first meet someone at a party or a bar and assume I will never speak to or see them again, I really make little effort to remember their name. Bad habit, I know. And the fact that I am usually heavily drinking compounds this problem. However, as the night progresses and we do begin to chat, I will feel embarrassed I don't remember their name so will have a friend find out or introduce themselves so I don't look like the asshole. It's even worse if you are speaking to this person and they are like "hey, do you even remember my name?" and you have no idea. Um yes, this has happened to me. And then I will take a guess or two and maybe be lucky, but usually come off looking like a dick.

Kyrptonite

"He's your kryptonite you know, right?" Yes, yes I know this already. And I hate myself for it. Why oh why does he do this to me? And does he really even know he is doing this to me? And why oh why do I let him get to me like this?

According to UrbanDictionary.com, Kryptonite can be defined as "Related to the Superman movies: Superman's weakness. The only thing that can hurt the man of steel. A man/woman that calls someone their Kryptonite means that they are their weakness. Someone or something they have to stay away from because they want it even though it's not good for them or will hurt them. Someone you want but can't have can be called your Kryptonite.
Ex)  "You like Jane?"
          "Yeah dude but I gotta stay away from her because she's got a boyfriend. She's my Kryptonite."

Half a Year Wiser?

Omigod you guys, yesterday was my 30-and-a-half birthday so thanks for all the well-wishes! Kidding. No one even acknowledged it. Sad face. But seriously, I can't believe that I have been thirty for six months now. I still cringe when I tell people how old I am. That is, if I actually tell them my real age. I usually like to joke around/lie and say that I am 26 when people ask me. NBD, right? I mean, I still don't feel like I am 30. I just re-read my "Dirty Thirty" birthday blog that I wrote six months ago and it was cool to see where my head was at then. One huge plus of writing this blog is going back to the archives and read stuff I wrote months ago and see what and how I was feeling. And you know what, I am still feeling some of that stuff that I was on my birthday. I for sure don't feel like I am old and thirty. (And I don't think I look like it either!!)

Memories...

I also went back and re-read a post I wrote in October about my fear of turning 30 and all the things that still would or would not be acceptable when I actually turned the ripe old age of 30. I just looked it over again and kind of laughed to myself because not much has changed. And I don't care. There isn't a certain way a 30-year-old should act and I am going to do me. And yesterday I did just that. And that means, lots of tears.

Mind over Matter

Last Monday was my first official day of marathon training. Dun, dun, dun. Blah. Eighteen weeks (well 17 now) until the ING New York City Marathon. Eighteen weeks until 26.2 miles. I don't know why I sign up for this stuff (yes I do, I really do love it), but I continue to do so. I should be excited, right?

The past few times I have signed up for a marathon, I was nothing short of psyched and motivated. This time around, I have a very "meh" feeling. I was originally registered for last year's marathon and a series of events (the continual extreme heat, a bad UC flare, and a broken foot) led to me deferring my entry. Yes, I did lose my $180 registration fee to save my spot in order to pay $220 for this year's (highway robbery!) but I assumed I'd be excited to start this adventure again. Who was I freaking kidding?

Girls...Just like us

The show Girls on HBO came out this year to much fanfare and criticism. It was being talked about everywhere on the web and on TV.  And even though I am pretty on par with my pop culture and TV watching, I can't afford premium cable so I don't get HBO. Therefore I didn't get a chance to watch the show when it first aired. Since I am currently in Chicago at my parent's house on summer vacay, I not only have all the time in world to do whatever I want, but they also have pretty much every channel available on their TV and On Demand. Pretty awesome. I decided that one of my many goals while at home was to watch the entire 10 episode first season of Girls and see what everyone has been talking about. Pretty lofty goal, I know. Be jealous.

As a young woman in New York, I assumed I'd easily relate to this show. And of course, I immediately did. The four girls in the show, Hannah, Marni, Shoshanna, and Jessa are certainly not the new Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda of HBO, but they certainly are relateable to young women like myself.

The Heat (and Sweat) is On

I was in New York last week and it was freaking hot. That was until I landed in Chicago on Sunday and realized that it's fucking hot here. Not just regular hot. It's Fucking hot. I mean, it's just plain oppressive heat. Totally brutal. Heat indices in the hundreds every day for the last five days and about a day or two more of this. In weather like this all you can do is stay inside in the AC or submerge yourself in a pool. There really is no other option. Even the beach isn't that fun on days this hot because the sand is en fuego.

I hate weather like this and I don't think I am alone in this. Being hot, sticky, and sweaty is just so uncomfortable. (And not that attractive I might add.) And for someone who sweats as much as I do, it sucks. I walk outside and immediately I can feel the film of perspiration begin to form all over. I am glad my body's cool down system is working well, but sometimes (pretty much always!) its not a good look. I sweat through dresses (well, basically any clothing), my hair is more out of control and frizzy than usual, and the chafing that soon follows is unwelcome and awful. Ugh. This heat is the worst. Thanks Global Warming.

The Midwest in Me

Mom, I know you LOVE this pic so I made it extra big for you!

I am currently in Chicago right now which means that I am with my family and oh-so-happy! This also means that I am back to my roots and in my element more than ever surrounded by those who know and love me the most. Although I live and love New York, I am a true Chicagoan (and Midwesterner) at heart.

In two more years and I will officially be a New Yorker. Everyone says once you live here for 10 years you are considered a New Yorker. Well I have eight under my belt and I already feel like one. A couple years ago, How I Met Your Mother did an episode on what makes someone a New Yorker. They decided decided that you're not a real New Yorker until you have:

• Seen Woody Allen
• Stolen a cab from someone who needs it more than you
• Cried on the Subway and not given a damn what anyone thinks
• Killed a cockroach with your bare hand

There are tons of lists on what makes a real New Yorker and what doesn't. Some are pretty spot on and some are not. I do know that I see celebs quite frequently (but I do still get excited. Sue me.), I have cried on the subway without caring, yelled into my phone at someone on the street not giving a shit who can hear me, know bouncers at bars where I don't get carded when everyone else I am with does, get my extra salad dressing at the restaurant next door without even having to ask anymore, know exactly where to stand on the subway platform as to where the exit or the transfer is, and the list goes on. I mean, I love New York and am proud to live here.