Mile 250

After forcing my dad to the gym two days in a row, he was a trooper, today I ran outside around the town I grew up in.  I had been telling him it was too cold (below freezing) to run outside, and that I didn't have the proper gear to run in.  So today I ran in the new nike windproof hoodie he bought me for outdoor winter running.  I'm not sure if he was being thoughtful getting me something I wanted, or if he was tired of the meathead gym.  Something about running around a place with so many memories made me think about how far I've come from the last time I ran this route.  I remember running with my friend who was prepping for the marines (not the marine I dated).  Talking about how I was going to quit my job, about how I wanted to go back to school and move away for the first time.  I could barely get through the whole run without feeling like I was dying.  He was talking about rifles and survival skills and I was talking about student loans and Boston seafood.

I remember this stupid hill that I couldn't get up, and today I realized it's right at the beginning of my fourth mile.  I ran through it in the snow like it was no big deal.  I completely forgot about it.  Hopefully this stupid hill is kind of like my annoyance with being single around the holidays, and next year I won't mind or I won't be single anymore.  My marine friend who I was running with just bought a house, and is getting married in Ireland in a few months.

After I got back from my run, I realized that I beat my original goal today.  I ran 250 miles in less than one year.  Bring on the next 65.

253 Miles Down 62 Miles to Go

Holiday Morning Runs

Well today's run was a strange one.  There's nothing like going back to the suburbs to realize that you didn't grow up follow the suburban triangle and end up living in the suburbs.  We have a 5K that is around the town I grew up in, and I ran it with my best friend from high school and her family.  (My sister was working, and I couldn't convince anyone else in my family that an 8:00 am run the day of Thanksgiving was better than sleeping in.)

My race today was sandwiched with awkward situations.  So I got to the race, went to pick up my race shirt, and my exboyfriend from high school's mom is handing them out.  I thought she might not notice me, so I spelled my name really quickly ... She looked up from her computer slowly and said "Oh I know you!" Excellent.  "Are you running this morning with anyone or did you come alone?"  Who asks that ... I just took my small bib and went back to the group I was with.  I forgot how different the suburbs were, I've been spoiled living downtown big cities for the past six year.

After the race, as I'm running to my car with a handful of baby cinnamon rolls, a coffee, and frozen water bottle, I run into the marine's sister.  (It's funny how people run a 5K, then they grab so many snacks at the end it's like they've never eaten before.  We burned maybe 300 calories, which is one bagel.  Anyways there I was with my handful of baby cinnamon rolls...)  I was so excited to see her I didn't see his whole family arrive behind her.  His mom hugged me, "How's Boston?!?!" "Have you been to DC to visit my son?!?!"  Eeeekkkk..... I guess he didn't tell her.

Sometimes it's a bit of a bummer to be single on the holidays, but the pluses are pretty sweet too.  I bought myself some great Christmas presents.  I think maybe I'll go on a trip somewhere ... Do something crazy.

232 Miles Down 83 Miles To Go

The Suburbian Triangle

I ran four consecutive eight minute miles.  I have never been so excited.  Except the problem now is that I'm barely running!  It only took me a little over half an hour ... when this use to take me a full hour (10 min walk warm up, three 10 min miles, and 10 minute cool down).  Now all I need to do is push past the four mile run.  

All I could think about today is moving to Boston!  This past weekend I went out and picked an apartment, did a history tour, got some fancy italian food, famous cannoli's, and even saw a game at the big green monster (Fenway).  I fricking love this city.  I've always loved Chicago, but it's never really been mine.  I feel like up until this point the past five years have all been typical.  I've come "home" to where my family is, I've got a job in consulting, I've moved downtown.  I've done all the things my good friend refers to as the "suburbian triangle life".  You grow up in the suburbs, go away to college, come home and move downtown, meet someone, marry and move back to the suburbs.  I know so many people doing this.  There is nothing wrong with this path, but I am just now starting to realize it isn't mine.  I don't know anyone in Boston, I don't have any family members who have gone back full time to get an MBA, and it'll be mine.

Seeing so closely the next step has put quite a bit in perspective.  I'm starting to feel like the timer has been turned upside down, the race is on!  Just like my mile pace, my life is moving quick.

I've also scheduled mental health day ... and I'm going to run, do yoga, shop, and read a book.  I can not wait to have some time to myself to unwind.

81 Miles Down 169 Miles To Go