Breathe, stretch, let it go.

 When Im on a kick, I'm terrible at allowing rest days. Muscle pain gets ignored, no matter how intense, blisters get over looked -  it's a horrible habit really but I'm always so scared of sitting down and not getting back up. Plus, that half marathon clock is ticking so loud in my head and running is the only thing that quiets it.  When my body really needs a break and I'm too busy pretending to look the other way, it pulls the one trick that always grabs my attention and sends me right into a instant stand still - blinding stomach pain. I hate it and I'll never understand it. Ive changed my diet again and again, been more mindful of my breathing, took tums and pepto before a run, slowed my pace, try to stretch it out, chewed gum.. the list is endless. My ideas are all gone, but the pain is still there.  I enjoyed my 3 mile run regardless. Ive been wanting to see the (HUGE) local cemetery sine I moved here, so I chose that as my scenery. So beautiful.

I gave my body a break and walked the rest of the way home. (A plus from this run? One of the older guys thats lives on my block said that I had great form and was light and tight on my feet. Im not sure exactly what that last part means, but I'm not one to turn down a running compliment. Ever. It was very nice of him, especially because my form is something I'm secretly a little self conscious of.) Usually I would be disappointed in myself, but I feel nothing of the sort. (shhh.. the slave driver in my head might actually be sleeping...)

I should be doing more cross training (we did buy a stationary bike, after all - so other than my less then loving feelings for it, there is really no excuse), so maybe to compensate for some miles later I'll suck it up. I haven't been on it in two weeks... oy.

Now that I'm stuck at home, I should be responsible and finish up my resume. How come no one told me how hard it would be to write one of those things??? I despise it, mostly because I'm finding it impossible to make myself sound good on paper. They want energetic, so what should I do? Add exclamation points to the end of every single word? I would think not, but I'm running out of ideas. It wouldn't be stressing me so bad if I wasn't asked for this resume by a potential employer that I really want to work for. Its the kind of job where you get to teach little kids the important of fitness and hopefully not only fight childhood obesity, but also give them tools that they can use throughout their lives. Its exactly the kind of job I wanted. Im not cut out for office work - a desk may as well be my grave.

 So the rest of my day to do list:

• Cross train at least ten miles. 
• Dishes. blah.
• Actually be ready in time for dinner with the woman and her out of town parents.
• Start putting together my running playlist. I've been saying that I'll get to this for over a month.
• oh yeah. finish resume. 

any who...

I got this on Amazon so I wouldn't have to take my heavy (but amazing) iPod touch on long runs any more. I'm slightly neurotic and would spend most my run in fear of it crashing to the ground and then being stepped on. Im not much of a materialistic person, but my iPod touch may as well be my child. For 12 bucks, this one is replaceable - I can't help but think of it as the ( not at all ugly) stepchild. I just hope it works well enough. I guess only time will tell.

 My mom booked a flight today to ensure that she would make it to my half marathon! Im so excited (but scared of disappointing her.) She's always been a huge supporter of my running and has somehow been involved in every race even if she had to miss the actual event. She tells me that she thinks I'll be the next Michael Phelps, but on land. I love her for thinking so highly of me, but at the same time - I'd have better luck becoming the next female president. (If I asked her, she'd more than likely tell me that I could do that too..) I digress. The point is, Im excited! I don't think she knows how much it means for her to be here for this. I won't let her down.