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

Sunday Lately, 14

I have a confession.  By this time (doing 11 weeks straight of Sunday Lately posts), I should be able to figure out the pattern of the prompt for the week.  Not true.  I still have to go to someone’s blog, scroll to last Sunday’s post, and copy the upcoming prompt.

Next time the “Forgetting” prompt rolls around, I’m writing “The prompt pattern each week.”  Because, I mean, it’s true.

What have you been up to lately? This is week 14 of Sunday Lately link up with Katy, Meghan, and Nicole!

Updating

My house.  Betcha thought I was going to say “this blog,” didn’tcha!?  Yeah, I haven’t forgotten about that. I just need a spare damn minute.

So, I’m still trying to move my things out of my father’s house, pack up some extraneous things for him, and clean out what I can.  The problem is, I don’t know the next step.  I know my plan, but not anyone else’s.  So I can do my own thing, but eventually I get sucked back in to what the rest if the family wants me to do.  I’m so bad at saying no, guys.

Reminding

Myself that it’s okay to say no.  I even wrote about why it’s good!  I’m also loving this list of things that Emily Cassel shared about her March life lessons (biggest takeaway: your brain is a muscle, it’s okay to give it a break!)

Needing

A spare damn minute!

Wearing

As I mentioned last Monday, I’m doing the #LipStockChallenge.  My friend, Marissa, gave me the idea to wear a different lipstick every day for a certain period of time.  I started doing this on Wednesday (it was no April Fool’s joke) and I’m going to try going until I run out if I can.

Join me if you’d like!  I’m tracking the hashtag on Instagram and Twitter!

Being

Relaxed after a night outside of Pittsburgh with Jonathan and his sister and brother-in-law.  We went to Columbus to eat a huge grilled cheese sandwich from Melt.  Oh, and to see a hockey game.

April Fool’s Day! #PghGBE

It’s April Fool’s Day and the return of #PghGBE (that stands for Pittsburgh Great Blog Exchange).  Last year, I wrote a post for the fearless leader, Alex from everybody loves you, and Michael from Downtown Pittsburgh Living wrote for me.

This year, I’m writing a post for Beth at The Fashionable Eye all about the great places to find accessories in Pittsburgh.  I mean, you know me, you know my obsession with accessories, did you expect anything less?

If you’re up for it, do a tour of all of the participates (a total of 40 Pittsburgh bloggers!) or just take it bit by bit (I know I am).

Huge thanks to Alex for having me again this year and organizing this blowout.  I hope there are even more next year!

Do you do the pranks on April Fool’s Day or do you get pranked?

Sunday Lately, 13

I sat down to write this and a few hours later, barely churned out anything.  Some weeks are like that; the writing just doesn’t come as easily.  And that’s okay.

What have you been doing lately? Link up and let me know!

Dwelling

I’ve been spending too much time on the Animal Friend’s website.  When I say too much time, I mean any time spent on there is too much.  I love dogs, grew up with a dog mostly always around, work with dogs in the office..  I will eventually adopt again, but I can’t right now and, ugh, it makes my little dog-loving heart hurt.

But I’m going to be a puppy aunt tomorrow!  I’m so excited to meet my best friend’s new dog.  I’m going to spoil him.

Helping

I feel like I’ve been helping for the past month and seeing so little in return.  Blah.  Next topic.

Forgetting

OMG too many things.  Do you ever have weeks like that?  I need to go back to making constant lists of stuff to do.

Switching

It’s time to switch clothes for the season.  I’m like Meghan: I’m not a pastel person.  I have some bright colors in my wardrobe, but I wouldn’t call any of them pastel.  I pretty much just wear summer dresses with tights or plain, dark shirt with some crazy bright necklace.

Relying

On the fact that I’ve run half marathons in the past to get me through running this one with really very little preparation.  I’m starting to get worried.

What have you been up to lately?

Time to be a “grown up”

At our Local Levo event on Monday, one of the articles that we read and discussed was the first time we felt like grown ups.  I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt like a grown up.  I’ve feel like Roger Murtaugh a hell of a lot, but not like a “grown up.”

#ImTooOldForThisShit

When was the first time you felt like a grown up?

But I’ve also felt like I’ve had a lot of moments were I was forced to be an adult before I ever was one.  My parents always talked to me like I was an adult.  None of this “Angelica, when I count to three, you better be sitting on your bum at this table” stuff.  #ThatDidntHappenAtMyHouse

Compound that with my parents splitting at an early age, and I had to do a lot of growing up really quickly.

I think the first time I really felt like a grown up is when my mom moved to Virginia.  I don’t care how old I get, I will always need my mom.  To have her move seven hours away was a big adjustment.

It happened really quickly, too.  In April she told me she and my step-dad were moving and on June 21st, they were out. #CouldntGetAwayFastEnough

So she moved pretty quickly and I had to adjust faster.  She trusted me to handle myself and level with me as a mature adult and not like her child.

Another grown up moment coming quickly after that one was when I had to take care of someone else.  Not a dog, or hamster, but a person (and a parent at that).

That’s definitely an eye-opening experience.  I had to make sure bills were paid, surgical gauze was stocked, the house didn’t look like hobos were squatting in it..  #ResponsibilityIsFun

You go from protected to protector and if you aren’t careful, you could get whiplash it changes so quickly.

Of course there are the standards of getting up and going to work when it’s snowing really hard/you’re sick/the day is too beautiful to be inside, keeping food in the fridge that requires that you have some cooking knowledge, and purchasing real furniture. #MyPapasanChairIsTotallyRealFurniture #NoReally

There’s also the time I went to Target on a Saturday night and walked out with clearance lounge pants and Joint Juice.  My fingers get really stiff when it’s very cold and the chondroitin helps with the pain. #OkayIReallyAmTooOldForThis

When did you first feel like a grown up?

I’m linking up with Life With Lolo and Genuinely Lauren for #HashtagHumpday!

#Hashtaghumpday @ Life with Lolo

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