Gardening in High Heels

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What no one tells you about running

Running sucks. #SeriouslyThough

I could probably stop there.  I started to write this in my head in the middle of a run on Tuesday and that’s how I was feeling.

#BlogPostsAlwaysComeToMeWhenIDontHavePaper

What no one tells you about running. #training #marathon #running

In case you missed all my bitching about hospitals and moving, it’s been a little tricky to find time to train for the marathon (that’s just the Pittsburgh Marathon Half, I’m not going crazy here).  I’m getting off my ass and doing it, though. #Finally

Now, I’m not a physical therapist, nurse, pro athlete, coach, or licensed to give advice, so don’t take this as be-all end-all medical knowledge.  It’s just what I know.  And this will be my 5th total half marathon, so I kinda know what I’m talking about in terms of myself and my body.

What I know about running is that it’s hard.  No one tells you how hard it is to get up and get moving.  An object a rest, #amirite?  There are some days when I just feel like I had the best workout ever and there are some days when it’s struggle city and I just want to turn around and go home. #ButSeriously #CanIJustGoHomeNow

Despite the suckiness and the burning shins and the sore lungs, ya just do it.

I think the biggest thing that no one tells you about running is that it really makes you listen to your body.  When it isn’t feeling it, honor what it’s saying.  Hit your mile goal for the day, but be gentle on yourself. #DoWhatYouCanWithWhatYouHave

I used to get so upset if I couldn’t stand running more than three miles when I was trying to train.  Now I just go with it.  On Sunday, I ran for an hour and I hit six miles.  It felt great.  Tuesday during my lunch break, I only did three. #YeahIKnowONLYThree #sarcasm

Instead of beating myself up about only running three miles, I made a deal with myself.  I ran to the next stop sign and I said I could walk if I wanted to.  I didn’t feel like I needed it, so I ran to the next stop sign.  And repeat.

Running is also a very mentally challenging sport.  Running 13.3 miles is a physical challenge for sure, but you have to believe you can do it.  The phrase “mind over matter” is so incredibly true.  I can’t emphasize it enough.  You have to be really assured that you can do it, even if you’re doubting it.  #DontLetYourselfSmellYourOwnFear

And you’re with yourself for 13.3 miles.  That’s a little longer than two hours.  If you’re telling yourself, “OMG I’M GOING TO DIE,” chances are, you aren’t doing very well.  Don’t listen to those crazy voices in your head! #LifeAdvice

When I started running, I wish I would have known that it was okay to have off days (#AsLongAsYouGetOutsideYoureAhead) and that it’s really hard to do when your mind isn’t working with your body.

Another thing no one tells you about running is that you’ll probably lose a toe nail or two and you really need to have a bee-line to a restroom when you’re done.   But more on that later.

Are you a runner? What’s something no one told you that you wish you knew?

#Hashtaghumpday @ Life with Lolo

Five things that need to stop in reality shows

I’m not a huge TV watcher.  When I come home from work, I’m either working on freelance, developing things for this blog, feeling guilty for not more frequently guest posting for PghCBN, or trying to give my eyes a break from screens.

Long story short, when I do actually watch TV, it’s usually some dumb zone-out reality show.  I know, they are total trash, but I really just want to not think about my job and responsibilities and get absorbed in someone else’s life for 45 minutes.

I fully buy in to competition reality shows.  I love seeing deserving people win $10,000 for putting together an edible meal made with pickled chicken parts, gummy worms, and some weird looking squash.  And then Vanderpump Rules because omg the drama.  And the clothes.  And the drama.

Five cliches that need to stop happening in reality shows

But I still love to make fun of this trash that advertisers support knowing that we’ll overlook some of these cliches.

Why are you crying?

If I were on a competition show, my nerves would be shot, too.  When I’m maxed out, I tend to break down and have myself a good cry.  But I prefer to do that alone.  Sometimes Jonathan sees it.

I don’t want someone who is judging me to see me cry, though.  If I can’t keep it together while I’m baking cupcakes or something, why would Gordon Ramsay trust me with his restaurant?  Maybe going on a competition reality show isn’t the most mentally sound decision someone should make this week.

We can tell he’s only dating you because you’re on TV, why can’t you?

So you’re sitting around, bummed that you can’t get a date.  You’re pretty, intelligent, and miraculously into sports.

“I know!” you exclaim.  “I’ll go on a reality show to find quality men and the prize will be a lifetime together with me!”

Oh sweetie, oh honey, no.  What is wrong with you that you need to go on a reality show to find the love of your life?  Haven’t you seen the tabloids?!  The last 10 of you already tried that and the guy either cheated or they got divorced.

Maybe that was a little harsh, but really.

Yes, we all are here to win.

The cliches of, “I’m here to win!” and, “I know I rocked that round” are just obnoxious filler.  Of course you’re here to win!  No one says, “I’m here to lose.  I’m just happy I made it here.”

You’re running around the world to win a million dollars.  Of course you’re not putting yourself through that without the end goal of winning a million dollars!

Plus, the people who say, “I made the best dish in that round” are clearly jinxing themselves.

We know you got that job because you’re on TV.

I’m sure you’re a great writer and you’re qualified to write a makeup series simply because your bathroom looks like a new Sephora location.  But I know just as well as everyone else that the only reason why that blog will pay you to write is so you’ll talk about it on your cable TV show and drive traffic to their site.

Clever PR move.  Kudos!

The really drunk girl.

I understand you need to drink to cope, but why oh why are you letting yourself get this horrifically, embarrassingly drunk?  You are on national TV!

Not only are you glorifying black-out-drunk drinking, you’re making yourself look really stupid.  I’m sure your new blog contact is so thrilled that you’re representing them.

What reality show cliches would you add to this list?

Five things that make winter suck less

Winter sucks.  I’m sorry to those who are on speaking terms with winter, but in my mind, it’s like winter is wearing pink and it isn’t even Wednesday.  Colds, shoveling, ice, freezing temps.  There’s nothing good about it.

Except these five things.

How to make winter suck less

Here are five things that make winter suck less for me and hopefully for you, too.

A good, warm beverage

I am all about a good cup of coffee.  In the wintertime, it’s even more important.  There is nothing more satisfying than wrapping chilly fingers around a steaming mug of deliciousness.

Tea is my thing right now.  I have a wicked cold that’s kicking my ass and tea is the only thing that warms, soothes, and doesn’t put my nerves on over-drive.

Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane TeaCandy Cane Lane tea from Celestial Seasonings tastes fantastic (the peppermint covers the blah green tea taste) and is decaf.  I love the Gingerbread Spice, too.  The flavors are outstanding.

Snacks

Dude, you best believe I hibernate in the winter.  I just ate ice cream and now I’m debating something crunchy.  Usually I go for chocolatey/sweet snacks, but you can’t beat guac and chips or good homemade hummus (why yes, yes I did make that delicious hummus pictured below).

Homemade hummusI’m also digging these Fruit Vines from my Influenster #FrostyVoxBox.

Fruit VinesI’m not a huge fan of made-mostly-of-gummy-sugar-stuff treats, but I love the sweet strawberry flavor and the chewiness.  Very satisfying.

A full Netflix queue or a stack of books

There are days when I just don’t want to do a damn thing.  Living with a parent requires me to look like I’m a contributing member of society, but when I lived alone, there were weekends when I didn’t eat anything with nutritional value and ripped through seasons of SATC in a day.

I can quote each episode and I still cry when Aidan leaves for the last time.  Since I discovering the miracle of Netflix, though, we’re no longer exclusive.

Books are also a necessity.  Anything that you get emotionally invested in or are hilariously entertaining.  Yes Please was done in a weekend.  Bonus points if you’ve already spilled food on the pages.

A low-commitment and high-guilt-removing workout

I have to start training for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon soon, but when I don’t want to drive out to the gym just to use the treadmill, I gotta have backup.  I feel better telling myself, “Well I didn’t run today, but I did do __ instead.”

Plus, you may want to add a little physical activity to get endorphins flowing and combat the winter blues.  Or something.

I’ve been getting into kettlebells lately.  It’s a low-impact strength workout that gets the heart rate up.  I also love 10 minute workouts from FitSugar because we can all suck it up for at least 10 minutes.  And Yoga With Adriene is a new obsession.  Since my doctor said yoga is an acceptable workout, I feel totally justified by subbing this in.*

*I’m not a doctor, so don’t take this as end-all-be-all health advice.  I just told you to pig out, remember?

A project

When you finally have drank, eaten, read, watched, and worked everything out and can’t stand it anymore, something to focus your energy is necessary.  I’ll clean, knit, write, organize, anything to get my mind off winter.

30 Days of ListsHomemade bound book for 30 Days of ListsBonus: you can binge-watch and scrapbook at the same time.

I love doing #30Lists.  It gives you something to do every day that’s easy to manage.  Plus, I got to make my own mini-notebook for it out of Project Life cards.

Or you can try a new hobby.  Book binding or photography, anyone?

When all else fails, have a stock of beer on hand!

What do you do to make winter suck less?

Disclaimer: I received the tea and Fruit Vines from Influenster for testing and review.  These are my authentic opinions and everything listed is what I actually recommend to make winter less awful.

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