This might sound mad but...

I want to run another marathon next year. Yes you heard me correctly another marathon. As much as I bitched about training for it...I actually miss it. For the last 2 months I've woken up everyday...not hurting. It's  weird. Yes I know it should be weird to wake up everyday hurting but I can't explain it. I've been hitting the gym but it's not the same. Call me a masochist I guess, but I love that feeling of every muscle in your body and every force in the universe telling you to quit at mile 16 of 18 and powering through. Running is more of a mental game than a physical one for me and I just can't get the same thing out of the gym. I sound like someone on crack. Hello my name is Marisa and I'm an addict.

My only hesitation is, as I'm sure you haven't forgotten, I'm getting married next year. I want to run the Minneapolis marathon which is June 2nd so in all reality it shouldn't be a problem. What I'm afraid of is injury. I can't afford to be injured. I won't have time for it. Also it is a very big time commitment and I don't want to half ass my training, but I also don't want half ass my wedding either. I need to make a decision and fast because I will need to start training beginning of February if I do decide to do it. 

My other option is to do 2 half marathons instead of a full. The Minneapolis Half in June and then the Twin Cities Half in October. Honestly I don't know what to do. I really really want to do the full in June but I'm thinking it might be selfish to devote so much time to training again and leave Drew to deal with the wedding for 5 months all on his own. 

Thoughts? Anyone else run a marathon before their wedding? 

Speaking of weddings....MY DRESS IS HERE!!!! I go pick it up next Thursday :)

Cheers!

Marisa

Marathon Recap

Well it came and went. I didn't die, and more importantly I finished. I've been talking about running a marathon for YEARS and now I finally have. To be honest it still hasn't sunk in. I kind of feel like I just went out for a long run on Sunday, NBD, nothing to see here. However, my body is a constant reminder that indeed it was no ordinary long run on Sunday but a marathon. Here's how it went down.

(Be advised this is LONG)

Saturday:

Got up rather lazily and putzed around the house for a while, then went into cleaning mode as Jeni was arriving that afternoon. Once she got here we hit up Mall of America for lunch and some shopping. I bought my first pair of sweat pants in about 5 years. This may have been a bad choice.

That night Drew made us all dinner and I angrily pounded on my laptop cursing Spotify, iTunes and all other MP3 technology for being so complicated that NO ONE (me) can understand it. Finally got the little shuffle programmed and charged, watched some tv, took my hippie magic sleeping pills (valerian root) and was asleep by 10pm.

Sunday:

Up on my own at 5:10am ready to rock and even ahead of my alarm. I slept like a rock for a solid 7 hours and I was sooooo grateful I did. First things first, grabbed my water bottle and a Clif Bar. I hopped in the shower which probably seems odd but it helped wake me up even more and get moving. Regretfully I did not have a checklist written out and as a result I forgot one major thing that morning: body glide. I will never ever ever go to sleep without writting out a morning checklist again.

Besides that little slip up, I was fueled, caffinated and bundled up ready to head to The Dome at 7am. Starting temperature: 28 degrees. So you might say it was a bit chilly. I refused to run in anything but my shorts though. It was all I had trained in and the idea of switching up my gear even the week of gave me panic attacks. I opted for a very light weight, moisture wicking long sleeve shirt though so you know that basically kept me toasty warm.

So! After handing off my sweats and saying my goodbyes I headed to my corral with my adrenaline pumping, which did actually keep me quite warm.

Now, I don't know about the rest of you but I get super emotional when I run races. If I don't cry at least once on the course something is wrong. I wasted no time then at the starting line as I was starting with the soldier in his fatigues, boots and all, full pack carrying the flag. I might be sniffling right now too.

Finally it was our corral's turn to go and we were off. I honestly felt great, maybe because the enormity of what I was embarking on hadn't quite hit me yet. Either way I made it out of the city with ease and continued on my merry way enjoying all of the clever signs people had. My favorite being around mile 10 or 11. It said "Don't stop. People are watching".

At mile 9.5 I had to go to the bathroom and sadly so did a lot of other people. I lost a lot of time there but my alternative was peeing my pants so I opted for the lost time. During this time the soldier had caught up to me so we conmenced with tears on the marathon course part 2. I managed to sqeak out a "good job, sir." as I passed then scurried off so no one could hear my sniffling....again.

HALF WAY POINT!!!

(me about to raise the roof at the halfway point)

Before I knew it I was at the half way point and was feeling fantastic. I couldn't believe it. Drew, Jeni and his parents were there to cheer me on and at that point I was like wow. I'm actually going to finish this thing. If you had asked me 2 weeks ago if I was going to finish the marathon, I would have said no. I felt in no way prepared for it. But here I was, half way done and not defeated!

Things got a little boring after that, but I was then on my own turf where I had run 5 million times over the summer and knew the course really well. Also at mile 16 there were bananas. They were glorious. Then at mile 18.5 a little girl was handing out homemade chocolate chip cookies. That little girl was my savior.

At mile 19.5 my little cheering crowd was there again and I couldn't believe I was about to hit the 20 mile mark. I had run 20 miles and was still going.

When I hit mile 22 though, the marathon bitch slapped me into last Tuesday. I physically felt the toll the previous 22 miles took on my body and good lord was I hurting. My IT band especially and my feet because of my idiocy. (No body glide) Not gonna lie the last 4.2 miles were tough. Incredibely tough, basically the hardest thing I've ever demanded of myself. I'd already gone 22 miles and needed to go another 4.2 and my body was all hellllll nahhhh.

But I did. I kept going. I don't even know how. I did have to walk almost a mile while I choked down an energy gel. I knew I needed it but man was it hard to force down. When I hit mile 24.5, Eye of the Tiger was on repeat and there was no looking back.

The beautiful thing about the Twin Cities course is that the last half mile is downhill. And you get this amazing view of the capital and the finish line. When I came over that hill to see that, commence tears on the marathon course part 3.

I think I ran faster? Maybe I didn't but it felt like I was running my heart out to get across the finish line. Stomping on those chip timing mats felt so amazing, like I"M HERE I FINISHED!!!! I was a wreck at that point trying to navigate my way through the finish tunnel through my tears, when a volunteer saw me, put his arm around me and said "congratulations, this is an amazing accomplishment." I lost my shit then. Just found a little grassy area sat down to stretch and eat my banana between sobs.

While I am super proud that I finished, I know I could have done better. I slacked a lot in the last month of training which I know hurt me. It's hard to know what to expect if you've never run a marathon before, even if you read all the information that is out there the distance is just not something you can comprehend until you do it. Now that I have done one, I undestand the distance, I understand what it demands and I respect it. I know I said I wouldn't do another marathon again, but I will. I know I will. Despite the pain and the exhaustion and the mental beat down it was absolutely amazing. I want to try again and I want to do better.

It's Almost Here....

I can't believe I just went on my second to last training run. It's so crazy, I feel like I've been training forevveerrrr. However, I am really excited for the marathon. I don't care about a goal time, or a goal pace or anything like that. I've never been a fast runner and most likely never will be. I'm okay with that. I like running  because, well....I just do. I find it relaxing, I get a lot of thinking done and it's great exercise. I'm competitive by nature, Type A and all that, but running was my non competitive thing. Something I just did for me. I lost that this summer training for the marathon. I know so many other people training for marathons and other races and I started to feel like if I wasn't as fast as them, then somehow I was less of a runner. That my race wouldn't be as important because I ran it slower. Like oh you didn't run a 4 hour marathon....thats not a real marathon then.

Which I know is ridic.

Finally this week (better late than never) I realized that, if my running for fun without caring about getting faster or setting a PR or going further would get me kicked out of the cool "serious" runner's club, well that is just fine with me. I'll party it up at the kids table. Because you know how many people don't run marathons? A lot more than do. I'm in the group that does. So that in and of itself is pretty damn awesome. And that is why I am so pumped to run on Sunday. 

With that I will leave you with an engagement pic taken yesterday by Drew's brother.

I call it, inspired by 007.

Marathon Cheers,

Marisa

Update: Marathon and Wedding

First the wedding deets: Montana wedding out. Duluth, MN wedding in. Thats all I really have at the moment on the wedding. We're heading up there on the 29th to scope out some venues and do some cupcake tasting (yum!) so I will have more fun things to report then.

Marathon update:

It's hard ya'll. It is so hard. Not impossible and I don't want to discourage anyone thinking about running one. However it really is just not for me. I'm a social person, always have been always will be. I like happy hours, weekend get aways, during the week get aways, weekend partying, weekend being lazy from time to time. So when you have to run so much during the week, and you are still exploring the new city you moved to, still figuring out how to make two lives mesh together in one condo, and still wanting to find time to just chill or party with friends....I just can't. No marathon training does not last forever, and maybe some people will think I'm lazy or weak willed for not wanting to give up 6 months of my life to train, but whatever. Obviously I can and I have, but trust I will probably not do it again any time soon. With all that being said, I will still be very proud to cross the finish line on October 7th.

So what we're taking away from this post is

1.) Duluth wedding

2.) running 13.1 miles or less is the best (for me)

3.) I'm sorry that I'm not sorry that I like to party

Cheers,

Marisa

Marathon Training: Burnout

Well here we are folks. Week 13 of 18 of marathon training. And I am burned out. Forcing myself to do my training runs during the week is the hardest, most painful thing I have to do these days. A combination of a lot of traveling and work stress has just drained me. I can't seem to get back on track. My feet hurt, I have 5 zillion blisters, I'm always hungry and always tired. I won't lie to you times are tough right now. Oddly enough though, I still look forward to my long runs on the weeknds. Like quick 5 mile run on a Tuesday? Are you effing kidding me? 5 miles?? On a Tuesday???? WHYYYYYYYYYY????? But 16 mile run on a Sunday? Oh, well that sounds quite lovely actually. Don't mind if I do. Perhaps it's because I don't work on Saturdays and I also don't work on Sundays. So it's nice to get outside and go for a run. But these training runs during the week.....shoot me now. I also just bought my second pair of Brooks. As much as I hated to drop another $110 after only 3.5 months, I also remebered it was also close to 300 miles later and time to start rotating in new shoes. Especially with the marathon getting close. 37 days close to be exact. I hope I get out of this slump soon, because I can't afford to slack right now. No injuries this year please. Any other runners have experience with marathon burn out? I'll take any and all advice.

Cheers,

Marisa

p.s. Thank you for the congratulations and well wishes. We are excited :)

9 Mile Run Day!

So when I last left you, I was suffering from some shin splints DREADING my long run day this weekend. I ended up not running Thursday, Friday AND Saturday opting to strength train Thursday and Friday and kept on icing. Also? I invested in perhaps the greatest invention ever. Seriously

(Yes I got the pink one)

OMG!!!!! It's so....it's incredible. It's amazing. My legs have never felt better. I have no idea why I waited so long to buy one. I combined this amazing yoga sequence for runners from Fitsugar with using the roller and have never felt better. So needless to say my 9 mile run went awesome today! 9.02 miles in 1:26:40. If you're curious and feel like stalking me you can check out my Nike+ page! 

Alright last thing that I think helped me out keeping me pumped today was my new/rearranged playlist. So here it is in case you're looking for some new tunes to keep you going:

Naughty Girl- Beyonce

Starships- Nicki Minaj

Yeah!- Usher ft. Lil John & Ludacris

Stronger- Kanye West

Dirt Off Your Shoulder- Jay-Z

Lose Yourself- Eminem

Glad You Came- The Wanted

Dynamite- Taio Cruz

When I Grow Up- Pussycat Dolls

Give Me Everything- Pitbull ft. Neyo

Shake That- Eminem ft. Nate Dogg

Sexy And I Know It- LMFAO

Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme)- Bill Conti

Sorry For Party Rocking- LMFAO

River Deep, Mountain High- Celine Dion

Rocketeer- Far East Movement ft. Ryan Tedder

Hello- Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette

Party Rock Anthem- LMFAO

I definitely need something that I can either 1.) Picture myself dancing to, or 2.) Something that makes me picture myself as a total badass (see Eminem, Rocky Theme)

Can't believe I'm in my 8th week of training! Only 5 weeks left until race day!!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

My worst enemy is back....

That's right I'm talking about shin splints. They are back, ruining my life as usual. I was supposed to run 5 miles tonight but by 3 miles I was hurting and by 4 I had to call it quits. Sooooo frustrating but better to take care of it before anything worse happens. (re: stress fracture) So I'm sitting here with my ice pack hoping that I can get this taken care of asap. 9 mile long run this weekend and I reallllly can't afford to miss it . I've been working so hard, I really would hate to see all my training go out the window. Anyone have advice for shin splints? I've been icing and ibuprofen-ing. Tomorrow is 3 mile run day, should I go through with it or skip and strength train instead? Those wiser and more experienced in marathon training I desperately need your advice! I'll update you all tomorrow on my "condition". Until then I leave you with this.

Cheers!

Marisa

Oh hey this blog is still here....

Okay no excuses this time. I really just didn't feel like blogging. I had no motivation, nothing to write about. I was just completely uninspired and rather than bore you with the mundane activities that consume my life ( I had oatmeal for breakfast!) I just decided to stop all together.

But that ends now because I once again have purpose.

I have joined the Under Armor's What's Beautiful Challenge. Real simple, I declared my goal and have 9 weeks to see it through. Under Armor has a series of challenges that need to be completed in those 9 weeks and I plan on document them here as well as on my page along with all the other things that happen with training. I really hope to make it to the finally three and be the new face of Under Armor, but am looking forward to this journey no matter what the outcome. So check it out! Sign up yourself! It's already been so much fun and inspiring seeing other women making a commitment to fitness and bettering themselves all around.

You can find my page here

Under Armor's What's Beautiful Challenge

Cheers!

Marisa

An Update

Hello all. It's been a very long time since we last blogged. I'm alive and well. Better than well in fact! As I'm sure you can imagine moving and getting settled in a new city, as well as moving in with your boyfriend and both of you getting settled takes some time. I really just needed to focus all my efforts on that and finding a job. When I last wrote I said that I was up for a job and would be finding out one way or the other about it by the end of that week. Never heard from them at all. I even emailed their HR/recruiters to inquire if the position had been filled, and never heard back from them. So perhaps I dodged a bullet on that one. I did however find a job shortly after that and I'm happy to report that I am loving it. It's a much bigger company than I am used to and I have way more responsibilities, but I welcome the challenge and the opportunity to learn and grow. 

Drew and I are doing well, and so far we've encountered no major conflicts. While I like the apartment we live in now, it is only a one bedroom and we both would like to have more space. So we are currently on the hunt for a house. It is proving more daunting that I expected. But we are on a month to month lease so we don't have any real pressure to find something quick. I want it to be something I love rather than just a place I wouldn't mind living in. 

So, that's been the happenings around here. Drew and I are are playing on a kickball team with some of my work co-workers this spring that I'm excited about. Also I've signed up for the Dam to Dam this year and hope to have better results and a non fractured foot this year. I've also signed up for the Twin Cities Marathon and am sooooo excited to tackle this challenge. It will be tough but I cannot wait for the feeling of achievement you get when you finish a distance race. 2012 is sure shaping up to be amazing!

I can't wait to catch up with everyone . I hope your 2012's are just as amazing!

Cheers!

Marisa

25 Days of Birthmas Day 2: Stuff I Want

Okay so normally I'm not one to ask for a lot of presents because, I feel bad asking for them. I would much rather people donate to the ARL (Animal Rescue League), participate in Toys for Tots or make donations to the local food bank. However, since I need to fill up 25 Days of Birthday stuff, I suppose I can share with you some crap that I wouldn't mind having.

(Kindle Fire)

Yes I want the Kindle Fire. Don't try to sell me on your iPad. Drew has one. It's neat, but this does everything I need it to and only costs $199. Please donate the extra money it would have cost to buy an iPad to one of the above mentioned charities.

(North Face Denali Jacket)

Mine is sadly about to bite the dust. I have worn the shit out of this coat and I love it to death. Also I can wear a child's size XL. They're cheaper.

(New Balance 1520 Gore-Tex Trail Shoes)

I hope to run up a mountain in August so these would be very much appreciated. 

And last but not least

(The North Face Terra 35 Pack)

I also would like to start doing multi-day hikes. So this is necessary. 

What? You were expecting sparkly pretty pageant girl things? Sorry. I'm quite diverse as you now know. Also, I love The North Face. Don't hate. 

Stay tuned for more Birthmas fun!!!!!!!

Cheers!

Marisa

Sentimental Holiday Stuff & Things

I am not sentimental, romantic or overly emotional. It's just not in my makeup. So here I am, listening to Celine Dion (No joke) to help me get in the mood to write about some sentimental emotional stuff.

So it was Thanksgiving last week, if you hadn't noticed. I'm sure everyones pants did. Anyways, I'm always a thankful person. Whenever I catch myself being sad about not having the latest gadget, or not being able to buy a new handbag when I want I remind myself of those who have so much less than I do. I remind myself to be thankful that I can afford food everyday, health care whenever I need it, and that I have a wonderful apartment to go home to every single night. I hope that I will never get on the bandwagon of "I need more money so I can have better things than everyone else". Truly all that I ever want and need are the three things I've already mentioned...and just 1 more.

This year, I was thankful for a new addition in my life. I think you know who it is. He's kind of hard to miss at 6'4". I've written a lot about how stressful trying to relocate is, but I think I make it hard on myself. I have this mentality that I have to do this by myself because I've always had to do things by myself. I don't have the luxury of a supportive family as most do. I know that I could call, but I also know the answer would be the same as always "oh thats too bad, best of luck." And then there is Drew. He actually wants to help me. Has offered more than once to help me out, to which I always reply no I can do this on my own. It's like a built in automatic response. Here is someone who is offering to help me out without me even asking, because he wants nothing more than for us to be together and is willing to do whatever he can to make it happen. And then there is me, being an idiot making my life harder because I don't want to feel like a failure or lesser person for not handling things on my own. Sometimes, I suck. And so, I am thankful for Drew. Not only for loving me unconditionally despite my stubborn tendencies but also for wanting to be there for me because he loves me. Now I'm crying. Fuck you Titanic theme.

Let's change tunes.

Here is my only Holiday shopping score.

(CamelBak Annadel Running Hydration Pack)

Kind of excited. Adds about 3.5lbs of weight but it really doesn't feel that bad. It's sits higher up on your back so you barely notice it.

Hope everyone has a great week! It's so tough coming back from a holiday...

Cheers!

Marisa

I Swear I'll Never Give In, I Refuse

Holy hell. This week is never ending. And what's worse? I am in a rut. A workout rut. I worked out today for the first time since Saturday and it was a pretty pathetic attempt. Half assed at best. I don't know what my problem is, but I just cannot get back in the swing of things coming back from this past weekend. Normally it takes me a day or two to get caught up on laundry, cleaning ect...but come Tuesday this week I still wasn't ready to face the gym. I have a bunch of things going on in my head that are driving me mad, and usually working out helps with that. However now, my immediate response to stress is to sit on the couch and knit. Which I mean it could be worse, it could be to sit on the couch and stuff my face. Still, I have worked too hard to just say oh well it's winter, and the days are shorter and it's cold out. More importantly it is just not me. I go to the gym, I run. It's who I am. So tomorrow morning, we're hitting the gym...hard. I don't care how many excuses my brain comes up with to go back to bed, my ass will be at that gym at 5am. I don't care if I cry about it the entire way there. Because I refuse to walk out my door staring at this and feeling guilty anymore.

I refuse to give into my excuses again. 

Anyways! On a happier prettier note, Jessica over at The Embellished Life is having a fabulous giveaway! One lucky reader will get a product line from Paul Labrecque ! Go scope out her blog and enter to win, your hair will thank you ;)

Cheers!

Marisa

title lyrics: Foo Fighters-Best of You

Do you have somewhere else to be? A hideous skirt convention?

I watched The Devil Wears Prada and The Young Victoria yesterday. I'm pretending to be Emily Blunt today. So this weekend was Race for the Cure and it was once again, so much fun. I love seeing the Des Moines capitol building turn into a sea of pink :) It wasn't my best 5k (30 minutes) but I always end up getting choked up a few times throughout the race and I have to slow it down to prevent myself from hyperventalating. This year it was due to many a big burly men running in pink for their moms, sisters, or wives, and also little boys running for their mothers. I may be tearing up about it as I write this. If you've never done Race for the Cure I highly recommend you do. It's such an amazing experience.

I have a short work week as I'm heading home Thursday and heading to a wedding (yay!) As such, I've been working out like crazy and living off a cube of cheese if I feel as though I'm about to pass out (jk just more Emily for you!) This is more for the going home part, less for the wedding. I've discovered it's best to just be my skinniest self and avoid side eye and looks of contempt while at home. I cannot wait for Sunday, as I plan on consuming 5000 calories....for breakfast.

In true me style, I hate all the dresses that I own and am panicking about what to wear. Am I alone in this? I had planned on wearing this emerald green dress I have, but put it on yesterday and almost vommed on my cat. I have another dress that I can wear as back up but I don't looovve it. And I wore blue to the last wedding. I'm going to end up being that girl who wears blue. What do you guys do in situations like this? I'm taking all suggestions.

Cheers!

Marisa

This post is brought to you by boobs

This Saturday is the Des Moines Race for the Cure and I couldn't be more excited! Amber will be there from A Little Pink in the Cornfields and I'm so excited to meet her! This will by my 3rd Race and I always look forward to congregating at the Capitol building with everyone in their pink. It's such an amazing energy; I'm always inspired by the survivors there. Breast cancer does not run in my family, but as we've all learned from Giuliana Rancic, that does not mean we're in the clear. I've decided that come 35, mammograms baby! I don't care if my doctor thinks it's not necessary I happen to like my somewhat below averaged sized boobs and I'd like to keep them. If we have the technology and the means to detect early and save lives then why not? So, start feeling yourself up, get to know your boobs, and get your mammograms!

Speaking of boobs. So, my 30 day challenge is done, and I rocked it. I am now addicted to lifting and strength training and if I do say so myself, I'm pretty buff these days. I've noticed though....my boobs seem bigger. And by bigger I mean I KIND OF HAVE CLEAVAGE. If I wear the right shirt and keep my arms at my side just right. But seriously, they seem bigger. Anyone else every encounter this? Does lifting weights give you bigger boobs? Or is it like the muscles around your boobs giving the illusion that your boobs are bigger? How many times did I say boobs in the last 3 sentences? I'm not complaining or anything. If working out gives me a rockin' bod and bigger boobs I'm all for it. You're welcome Drew.  Let me know if there is any scientific research on this phenomenon. 

Cheers for boobs!

Marisa

30 Day Challenge

Here is a topic that I rarely ever talk about or discuss: diet and exercise. I'm not a subscriber to any sort of plan or method, and not because I don't believe that they work. (Although if I'm going to be completely honest I do think some of it is brainwashing) Luckily, I've been blessed with two things that have aided in not ever having to go on a diet : good genetics and athleticism. I've been an athlete since I was 6. I played softball until I was 12 then switched to soccer, started basketball, volleyball, dropped volleyball and basketball and took up tennis and kept soccer in HS and in college kept playing tennis and took up running. I also grew up with a health nut of a mom and did not experience Taco Bell until junior high. So while I have never been on Atkins or South Beach or Weight Watchers, I understand that some people need the structure, guidance and knowledge of others to help them get in shape and learn better nutrition. So where am I going with all this?

As you all know I've been traveling a lot, and with traveling comes more meals out and less exercise. I do my best to keep it healthy when I'm on the road but sometimes you just don't have a whole lot of options. So after many weekends on the go I've been feeling a little out of sorts and out of shape with my traveling diet and lack of exercise. Enter my very own 30 Day Challenge. I came up with a workout schedule for 30 days that includes a combination of running, strength training, cross training and rest days. So far I'm right on track and it hasn't been too terrible, although at the start of my 4 mile run yesterday I thought I was doomed. In true runners fashion though the endorphins kicked in eventually and my runners high carried me through. Also I'm hoping this challenge will get me to the gym more often. Since, you know, I pay for a membership and all but rarely ever go there.

So join me in a 30 Day Challenge and really test yourself. I promise you can do it, and it doesn't even have to involve running if you're not a runner! Substitute it for cycling, dance, power walking whatever suits you as long as you're moving. I've decided to start doing twitter updates to hold myself accountable so I'm less likely to fall off the wagon.

Parting questions: Have any of you tried and program or method before? What ones worked and what ones didn't? Also does anyone have any tips for eating healthy while traveling? I'll take them :)

Cheers!

Marisa

Not My Self Tonight...

Or really any night since my stress fracture incident. It really has disrupted my routine, I mean my nightly routine consisted of come home from work, eat a Clif Bar, and go for a run. That was my life and now.....I can't even go fora walk and I gotta be  honest, it really really sucks. I hate being so poor poor me, but I never expected this whole non-running thing to have such a profound effect on me but it really has. One more week thats what I keep telling myself. 

Anyway, enough of my self pity party. It's WIMBLEDON TIME!!!!!!!!!!! And both my Andys are starting off strong. :)

(Andy Roddick....USA!! via)

Annnnddd...

(Great Britain's #1 Andy Murray!!!!!! via)

Don't get me wrong, I love tennis.Not just ridiculously hot shirtless guys. I played all through HS and some college and even have some trophies and medals to show for it. It's the one sport I totally understand and enjoy watching and following. So please help cheer on my Andys! And don't ask me what I'm going to do if they end up playing each other in the finals. I can't think about it.

Also since I can't be running as much as I want....or really at all, I've discovered these things on the television....they're called tv shows! One particular in fact: Criminal Minds. Now I really like this show in general because I enjoy any show that features deranged individuals and hot guys that catch them. Really who doesn't? But one particular actor has stolen my heart.

 

(Matthew Gray Gubler...via)

Is he not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? I. die. There are no words. He is just the hottest thing I've ever discovered on television. I now live for Criminal Minds marathons on the weekends. If you've never seen this show, start watching it. RIGHT NOW! And then tell me Matthew is not absolutely beautiful. Consider it a challenge. 

Alright you have your assignment my lovelies. Go forth and drool over Matthew Gray Gubler just like me ;)

Cheers!

Marisa

A Series Of Crappy Events

Okay that might be a bit dramatic. But hi, I have a blog. Sometimes I post shit and sometimes I hide under blankets when sad things happen and I ignore the interwebs. This was one of those instances. Saturday June 4 ( I can't even say last week because I've been MIA that long) was the Dam to Dam, and guess what? I did it! Yes I actually ran the entire 12.4 miles which is the longest I've ever run in my entire life. I was pretty proud of myself, until Monday rolled around and I was hobbling around like a peg legged pirate because my foot felt broken. As it turns out...it kind of is.

Yes my friends that is my right foot...in a boot. Because I have a stress fracture in my foot. How did this happen you ask? Less a series of crappy events and more like a series of stupid choices on my part. Here is how you wind up with a stress fracture. Please take notes.

1.) You wait until the last second to buy new running shoes even knowing you can't run the race in them because you will kill yourself. So you wear your old super worn out running shoes. Which isnt...really...any better.

2.) You don't train properly. Like oh I have this distance race coming up. Haven't really ran in over 2 weeks and the longest I've ever run was 8.5 miles...2 months ago. I should be fine. Wrong. You will not be fine. Because you are old. And dumb.

3.) During said race you get a super mega blister but instead of taking advantage of the plethora of ambulances and EMT's around you just keep going and run on the outside of your foot to avoid said blister. For 5.4 miles.

And that friends is how you wind up in a world of hurt and a stupid boot on your foot for weeks. WEEKS!!! The soonest I will be able to run again is mid July and even then only a mile or two. It sucks big time, and I've been having a pity party ever since. When I see people running I take it as a personal attack and want to hit them with my car. In the end though, I know I could've prevented this and I just have to suck it up. However since I can't do fun things like run and play sports, I guess that gives me more time to blog. Trying to stay positive here.

So in conclusion, don't be dumb like me. Be safe and make smart choices. Also get crutches. I don't have any and I'm pretty sure if I did, I'd get more sympathy and free shit.

Broken Cheers,

Marisa

Where Did My Weekend Go?

That's what I'd like to know. Seriously I had a 3 day weekend and I'm pretty sure I didn't accomplish anything. Other than a long run on Saturday in which I wore pants and it was the worst idea ever as it was humid as heck out. Anyways more about my Colorado trip. So when I first got to Denver we ventured out into the mountains...by car though. It was absolutely crazy. It was sunny and warm in Broomfield, then we drove through rain, and then snow. Yeah thats right I said snow. Also I saw signs that said icy roads. And plenty of these.

Yeah apparently people lose their brakes all the time because the grades are so steep and the roads so curvy that they burn them up going downhill. 

So after the fun of envisioning every semi around us losing control and running us over, we stopped in Dillon where I got out of the car to a temperature of about 35 degrees. Was not prepared for it. Had amazing views though.

After that we drove and drove some more back through the stupid snow, runaway trucks and icy roads back to the land of warm and non snow and stopped outside of Boulder at Boulder Falls where I saw my first real life waterfall. Apparently I don't get out much. F you Zoli. 

I thoroughly enjoyed driving through the mountains everyday. The views never get old. Anyways we ate dinner in Boulder at  a microbrewery where I learned my fate for that night as the delish microbrews and their high alcohol content combined with the altitude would  kick my ass. And they did. However I loved having so many awesome brews on tap. I kinda miss that. Here are some pics for that night.

(My wonderful hosts for the weekend)

  (Yay mini high school reunion...too bad I barely remember asking someone to take this pic)

To go along with the theme of not remembering anything apparently when we got home I got into the biggest argument with Zoli about the move and book Into The Wild. Because I kept demanding to know why there was a grown man on the cover when it's about a little kid. Obviously he had no idea what I was talking about but I kept insisting Into The Wild is about a kid and the giant puppet friends that he has. Finally it clicked...except that I was talking about Where The Wild Things Are. Not Into The Wild. Then I guess I fell asleep/passed out. Still, I woke up like a champion and went hiking in the morning. 

Post hiking Sunday, we decided to stay in as we were both tired and I was being a whiny baby about my sore shoulders from my stupid back pack and watched Leprechaun 5: In The Hood. Don't act like you're not jealous. I discovered that night if you mix vodka with Gatorade you can't taste the vodka. Zoli discovered that while drinking a whole bottle of Jameson is an admiral ambition, it will destroy you in the end. 

This is a little of my amazing last dinner in Colorado. Fish and chips at this place called Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub in Idaho Springs. Oh it was the most glorious thing I've ever had the pleasure of eating. And yes I ate the whole thing...and paid for it. It was well worth it though :)

All in all Colorado rocks and I can't wait to go back. It has inspired to me to take up mountain biking....we'll see how that goes. I haven't ridden a bike in....well I'm pretty sure it's been over a decade. First investment should be a helmet. Haha.

Have a good week everyone! Dam to Dam is this Saturday!

Cheers!


Marisa

WTF?!?!?!

So I'm sorry guys. I totally had a post for yesterday but due to bloggers ridiculous shenannigans, I couldn't post it. And now it's totally irrelevant, because it was about me going to play volleyball. Which I did and let's just say, I'm out of practice ;)

(Okay so it wasn't thaaattt bad)

In other news I leave for Colorado one week from tomorrow! I'm so excited...and not prepared. I've been working on a packing list but I got through my wardrobe and was overwhelemed because it didn't include the wardrobe I'd need for my hike. I'm doomed. Please bear with me as I will most likely be a complete basket case the next couple of weeks. Colorado, maybe a law school graduation back home, Dam to Dam June 4th.....Ughhhhhh I need a beer now after just typing it all. Hope everyone has a great weekend! I look forward to catching up with everyone. I tried yesterday but well....we all know how that went.

Cheers!

Marisa

So Little To Do, So Much Time

Strike that. Reverse it. First off wow! Hello to all the new readers...or old readers who've said hello recently. So nice to meet you! I love your comments, they make me smile :) 

So I'm starting to feel the pressure of my upcoming travels and race. Mostly the race. In June I will be running the Dam to Dam.

 

I'm excited and nervous. It's the farthest race I've ever done, and I know that there is no way to predict how your body will preform on the day of a race no matter how hard you've trained. Still, after working sooooo hard it's difficult to not be disappointed if things don't go as well as expected. I suppose I will just keep training hard and hope for the best!

Although I will admit the training comes at a great time as sigh....we're approaching swimsuit season again. I got a new one even though I wear a swimsuit about 3 times a summer. I don't tan (Skin cancer/wrinkles...no thanks) and well, I hate hot and don't like sweating. That said, I do loooove the retro swimsuits that are insanely popular right now. 

(Shan Spring/Summer 2011 via )

(Kenneth Cole Swimdress via google )

(Betsey Johnson via google)

What swimsuit trends are you loving this year?  

Cheers!

Marisa