Things I Am Loving Right Now

It's been awhile since I've posted about things that I'm loving right now. But here's a new one!

• Playing House

Every podcast I follow had the two lead actresses/writers on their show prior to the newest season's premiere, and I realized that I needed to be watching this show. Luckily I have access to all of the previous seasons and episodes on demand, so I've been watching every spare second. It reminds me how important good friends are.

• Running in the Morning

I know. Hear me out. I hate running in the morning. But it has been hotter than hell here, roughly all summer long, so I've been forced to run early in the morning on most days. I'm still doing easy shorter runs in the heat of the day to keep working on heat acclimation, but long runs and speed work are starting in the 5's for sure.

• J Crew Daybreak Dress

One of my good friends from college sent me a text last week with a super cute dress that I needed. And she was correct, I needed it. And because it was J Crew Factory and all sale items were an additional 50% off, I also needed the rest of the dresses in that style. Three dresses later.... I think I'm set on my work wardrobe for a little bit.

• Watermelon

I can't tell you how many runs I've gotten through lately knowing that there's a ginormous bowl full of watermelon waiting for me at home in the fridge. It's basically like mega hydrating but more delicious. I'm going to ignore the fact that my stomach seems to be hating the watermelon consumption. Everything that tastes good, right stomach? Kewl.

Anything else you're loving right now that I should add to my list?!

My Christmas Slash Birthday List

Everyone who has a blog is doing a list of things that every runner needs. So that's been done. But no one is doing a list of things that *I* want, so here's my list to Santa slash Birthday fairies.

VS Pajamas. I got these in polka dot last year, and I basically live in them.  All day e'ery day. They're flannel! It's cold here! I'm sure Kyle would like to burn them so I have to wear something less dumpy.

Pug Sweater. Thanks to Jaseface and ASOS I now need this ridiculously overpriced sweater. I can totally see me in this, Kyle in his green and blue flannel and Ollie in her reindeer headband for our holiday pictures. WHY ARE YOU SO EXPENSIVE?!!? YOU'RE RUINING MY DREAMS!

A New Garmin. I almost pulled the trigger on this when my Garmin was on the fritz pre-Madison Marathon. This one is just so pretty! I'll likely wait until I start marathon training again this summer, since it seems to be fine on runs that are less than 3 hours.

The entire J. Crew catalog. Seriously. I just flipped through that and mentally tallied a gazillion dollars worth of stuff I want. Too bad I can only afford the J. Crew factory stuff, and only when THAT'S on sale.

Punchcard for Santosha Yoga. I used my birthday money on a ten punch card last year. I can't go when it's warm out so it lasted the year! I'm also on the hunt for a good hot yoga towel to use. I may have found a green one (obvs) on sale!

Boots. Kyle wants me to ice fish with him (has for the past few years) but says I need super warm boots. He must know that he won't be able to sit on my feet while we're on the ice. I would also like my feet to not freeze off while waiting ever so patiently for the pug to find the *perfect* pee and poo spot outside in 30 below. Can't wait for that. Something similar to these, but that Kyle has in stock at work so he can use his discount on them.

Kate Spade's entire Owl and library inspired collection. It's almost like they're designing with me specifically in mind.

**I'm not affiliated with any of these companies and don't get any money if you purchase these items, even if you do so by clicking the links.**

More Addictions: Online Shopping (And a HM before work)

In lieu of a weekly wishlist a few weeks back, I actually indulged in a little retail shopping.  Usually my little "shopping" trips to find things for my post can curb my urge to spend the dollah dollah bills ya'll. Bahahahah I can't believe I just typed that, I'm so cool.  Anyway, I got an email from J Crew about free shipping and off I went.  I was stoke because usually J Crew is free shipping* (*on purchases $150+).  Well I never have $150 just a-lyin' around for online shopping purposes, so that does me no good.

Anyways, I picked up a few gems for about $20/piece!  I found a great grey long sleeve with adorable buttons on the shoulders (can't find a pic anymore, sorry), and also had an aqua in my "shopping cart" before it was no longer in stock.  Wah!  Oh well, saved me $12.  Then I had the hardest time deciding on a color in the cutest tank I've seen in a long time.  I enlisted some help from my twitter pals, and then did what I knew I'd end up doing all along, I bought them all!

There's also a navy blue one they no longer have the photo for. loooooooove.

One of the shirts whilst displaying my newfound Bama pride. :)

I have serious issues with buying things I love in bulk.  Nike tempo shorts.... I probably have 15.  Target v-neck shirt, at least 8.  If I find something I love, I stick with it.  And I love these tanks.  EEEEE!  Online shopping urge cured... for now.

Friday brought on an evening of no plans, and somehow my shopping "itch" just hadn't been cured completely.  I hit up the mall with some cute items in mind. Priority #1 was to find a dress for an end-of-summer wedding.  Why oh why is it that when you have money you're willing to part with for cute clothes, you can't find anything!?!??!  I always get money for Christmas/birthday and it never fails that I'm so over winter clothes that the money sits in savings waiting to be spent on race entry fees.

However, I did manage to snag the dress I've been coveting FOREVER from the Gap.  It was originally $70 and was listed at $35.  I knew I would need to take up the straps to get it to fit properly and didn't think that was cheap enough for the extra work I was going to have to put in.  Until the sales woman told me it was half price.  $17?  Yes, I can sew a few stitches for that.  And then I found a super cute neon awesomeness skinny belt for $5.  I almost got a crazy cute yoga bag, but I couldn't justify it.  Sad face.

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I have been very hohum regarding running lately.  I seem to get in a funk after I have cutback weeks, and this last one was no different.  In case you missed it, I ran 7 of my 41 planned miles last week.  Yikes.  And I was not looking forward to running this week either.  Last night I asked Kyle if he'd be ok if I hung up my running shoes, and to my surprise he said no.  Whaaaaaa?  when I asked him to elaborate he said that I'm a much happier person when I'm running all the time.

Can I just say, 3 cheers to Kyle for learning proper phrasing in his responses?  What he meant was, "Please God NO!  You're a raging B without your daily running endorphines."  He's getting goooooooood, no?

Anyway, because of a crazy weekend with lots of plans and a Saturday shift at work (barf) I had to do my long run on Wednesday this week before work.  Luckily for me I don't work until 11am, and the temps were in the 70s.  YES!  I made myself get out there for my little half marathon before work, and whattaya know, I'm back in puffy heart love with running.

Is anyone else like this?  When I'm running 5-6 days a week I LOVE running.  Once I take a rest day, it's soooooooo hard for me to get out there the next day.  It's just obnoxious.

I did 13.1 miles in 2:05 something for a 9:35 pace.  Which is better than my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd half marathon times, in case you were keeping track at home.  ;)