Alright, that’s another double-digit race down. And it was probably the first time I’ve ever run headphone free. Surprisingly, it felt good. I didn’t really like hearing my own heavy breathing (or anyone else’s) but it was fine once I tuned it out. 

I was feeling much better after this one - I managed to NOT immediately down a bottle of water and slice of pizza after finishing the race. As a matter of fact, they made the food and drink nearly impossible to find after crossing the finish line. By the time I made it to the food, they only had bananas left (yuck). I grabbed a bottle of water and found the nearest street vendor selling something other than hot dogs. 

So what’s next in my racing future? Nothing, yet. I probably should start mapping out some 5k’s, but I want to take it easy for a sec. Obvi.

And - for serious - I’ll try to think of other things to write in this tumblr of mine. 

Another judgement day is right around the corner. That ridiculous 10-miler I’m running on Sunday. 

Am I looking forward to it? Not so much. Once again, I’m just ready for this to be over. No more long distances (double digits) for me for a while - I need to get a few 5K’s under my belt. 

I only write in here when things are really gonna happen. So here it goes.

I’m going to Europe this year. 

At first, I was considering planning a trip to Costa Rica - but that plan was quickly derailed when my pal landed an internship in Paris for 6 months, beginning in June leaving in September. So now, I have to visit him at some point during that 6 month time frame. Thank GOD I have a few months to save for that plane ticket… 

I’ve been dying to return to Europe since I left Valencia, Spain nearly 7 years ago. I lived with a lovely family in Valencia for 4 months while being fairly careless and brushing up on my Spanish. Those were good times.

Going back to Spain for a visit would make me a really, very happy woman. Throw in some good (and good company, of course), and I’d be pretty damn close to heaven. 

I. CANNOT. WAIT. 

I wish I could describe how much Whitney Houston’s music has influenced my entire being. Especially my early childhood. Two examples:

• When I was in kindergarten, I sang “Greatest Love of All” in front of my entire school. It was such a great feeling.
• Between kindergarten and 2nd grade, I would listen to Whitney’s music in my grandma’s classroom - every morning. I knew all of her songs forwards and backwards. 

My heart goes out to Whitney’s family and friends - and definitely her fans. She will surely be missed by all for YEARS to come.

Her music played a huge part in making me the person I am today, and I’m thankful for everything she’s done for the music industry in her lifetime.

I’m having a fairly serious mental breakdown over where I want to live “when I grow up”. I’ve only been in DC for 7 months, and I’ve already decided I can’t stay here. Obviously, I just started a new job (and moved from NYC), so I can’t just up and leave - nor can I afford to - for at least a year. Or two. If I can stay in DC until I’m 30, I think that’s a decent goal. I’ll save my pennies, and when I’m ready to go, I’ll buy myself my very own car. 

That’s the plan and I’m sticking to it.

Obviously, the most ideal plan - especially if I still like my job after 2 years - would be to apply to work remotely. Then get approved. Then move - and still have a job.

The big question is: WHERE DO I GO?

RIght now, all signs point to Atlanta. But I feel extremely uneasy about that idea. Unfortunately, it’s the only city I’m somewhat familiar with that’s in my “places I could live” category. 

Okay - I’m gonna put this thought on hold until I’m actually ready to make a move on this. Now is not the time.

I’ll bring this up again in January 2013. 

Get excited. I signed up for another race. 

Apparently, I have a thing against shorter distances.  

On April 1, 2012, I will be running 10 miles, alongside my buddies Beth and Rob, in the Cherry Blossom 10-mile Run! Luckily, we were chosen in the lottery (not everyone who signs up gets to participate), so THANKFULLY I now have something new to train for. 

I’ve been such a lazy bum since the last race. Barely going to the gym, eating horrible foods (not all the time, but more than I should)… For this race, I plan to get my ass into gear, not only with the running, but with my eating habits as well. I’ve already cleaned out my kitchen of all junk food (I didn’t have much - just FYI) and I’ve generally planned my meals for the week. I have high hopes. 

Wish me luck!

What do I write about now that my race has come and gone? 

No clue.

Seriously, that was a super long race… specifically, miles 8-13. Even that last .1 of a mile was forever. Somehow Jess and I managed to finish in under 3 hours, which was my quasi-goal. My real goal was just to finish the race. Done and done.

Thank you very much.

At the time I was having a hard time comprehending exactly what I was doing… and I couldn’t figure out for the life of me how much time or distance had passed. My brain was just a big mush of nothing-ness. I came back to life, post-race, with a tall gingerbread latte. Life was good/better then.

My legs are still taking their time to recover and I’ll probably end up taking a week off running to get myself/body together. I think I’ll take the winter months to do some cross training and take some fun classes at the gym. I gotta continue on my weight loss train.

Anyway, it’s done. And I lived to tell the tale. Woo.

I will be a half-marathoner. 

is that even a thing?