Back to School + Weekly Wistlist: Apartment/Home Edition

I will be the first to admit that I am terrible at decorating my casa.  I'd like to think that I have good taste, but since I rarely entertain it seems silly to spend the $$ on my apartment.  I mean... hello.... running shoes are expensive!  Anyway, I've been compiling this list for awhile now, and it's pretty much my dream place.  Hopefully the links are all still good!

My current bedroom is green (shocker!) but I love the soft whimsicalness of this pale yellow.  I had a yellow room growing up, but this is so much more chic.
Buy it here.

Buy it here. Painfully out of my price range, but I love the retro look, and obviously the color tones. #greenandyellow

Buy it here. I'm obsessed with book shelves (yet another shocker).  I love that this one doubles as shelves for books/nicknacks/ktochkes/whatevs.

Buy it here. In my world, these curtains totally "go" with the yellow bedding.  So we'll leave it at that, I guess.  Ignoring the fact that the window I have in my bedroom is ginormous and wouldn't fit this at all.

I am a faithful "fan on to block out the noise of life, all night long" sort of gal.  Have been since college and living in the loud ass dorms.  Eventually my beloved wind machine will die, and I would like one of these pretty lovelies.

Buy it here.

Speaking of home decorating, I actually got a chance to hang up some items in my apartment that I've had leaning against the walls for 2 years now.  Meh... good enough for me!  Kyle brought me over a desk to use for my online classes (rolltide!) and decided to bust out the hammer and help me out.  I was able to set up my little desk area, for the most part.  I have a few book-nerd-esque prints that I need to frame and hang.

He also hung up my sweet bib board that I've had done forever.  Seriously it's been done so long I have enough bibs to make #2.  I love seeing all the race bling hanging below it.

And finally, my gorgeous back to school bag gift from Jenn.  I heart her.  And this gorg bag.

I start classes tonight!  Good bye sanity and free time for the next 24 months.  ROLLTIDE!

Nerdy library shirt and librarian cardi...check!

Transportation on Foot + Weekly Wishlist

Tuesday night I had a bit of a conundrum to attend to. After work I needed to run 6-7 miles and I wanted to hang out with Kyle, and also see his softball game.  I thought about running right after work but the heat was in the 90s, and then I wouldn't get to hang out with Kyle.  I thought about skipping the softball game to run during his game, but if they lost they wouldn't make it in to the tourney, and I wouldn't want to miss his final game of the season.

Lightbulb!

I could run to his game!

I ran near the fields this winter/spring on an 18 and 20 miler and realized that it would easily be a bikeable distance (if the g.d. bike trails ever got fixed) and was even a runnable distance.  Since they usually have 2 games an hour apart, I haven't felt the need to sit around in my sweat for 3+ hours.  However, they only had 1 game tonight.  A quick mapquest revealed I was correct, and it was 7.1 miles from my doorstep.  YAYZIES!

Kyle came over after work and I unloaded a bag of stuff for him to schlep to the field for me, including my keys, phone, and a change of clothes.  I set out for my run about 80 minutes before their game was to start, and it was a much cooler 80 degrees with a side breeze.  Heaven.  And I could BREATHE so I knew the humidity had dropped.

The route is extremely hilly so I just tried to focus on my form on both the uphill and downhills since Mankato will have its fair share of rollers.  I got to enjoy several sets of sprinklers along the way, and probably grinned for the entire run. IT'S SO NICE TO RUN WHEN IT'S NOT A SAUNA OUTSIDE, FYI.

During the last mile I did my 4x100 m. strides on a slight incline, but still managed a pretty okay pace 7:24, 7:11, 7:09, 7:42.

I ended up with 7.28 miles in 1:09:20 for a pace of 9:32.  And the boys won!

And I forgot to show this, but this was during the game last Monday when I thought the end of the world was on the horizon and the boys continued to play softball.  This was taken from the truck because I haz a scurred.

And now for some fun online shopping!

Buy it here.

(found via outblush)

I'm not a huge jewelery girl, so I like pieces that make a bit of a statement.  And I'm obsessed with this gem.

Buy it here.

Love this simple long sleeve top.  Actually even like it with the colored pants. That's almost fashion forward of me.  YIKES!

Buy it here.

This is a shirt that I need, along with Susan, Sam, and Sam (although it might look weird on a dude).

Buy it here.

I almost pulled the trigger on this adorable bag.  I contacted the website to request the dimensions of the bag, because I want to use it for a school bag, meaning it needs to fit my books+laptop.  They never got back to me.  Sad day.

Buy it here.

I need this. Not want, need.  If Kyle doesn't buy it for me, I'm getting it myself.  I'm obsessed with the infinity sign.  And I feel like a girl needs something from Tiffany's, right?

A (Wo)Man with a Fall Race Plan + Sometimes Weekly Wishlist

Thanks so much for all your excellent advice on the fall marathon debate.  I've decided to not run a fall marathon.  Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, I know.  I decided that if I did attempt to train for it, and suddenly became way too busy (definitely a possibility) it would be the least of my priorities.  I can't even bring myself to run a 10k or 5k half-assed, so I would be kicking myself if I had to line up for 26.2 miles feeling un-prepared or worse, dropping out entirely.

To calm my sadness over this decision, I went in to race planning OVERDRIVE this weekend.  Next on the agenda is a local 10k on July 4th.  I did the 5k last year, and it was a blast.  There are also local (free!) Monday night 3k and 5k races for the month of June.  Depending on the weather on June 20th and 27th, I may hop in for those as well.

After the 4th of July 10k, my 10 week training will start up for the Sioux Falls half marathon, my goal race for the fall.  This'll be my 7th consecutive year running this race, yayzies!  I hope to run at least one 5k in July and possibly pace the Minnesota Half Marathon in St. Paul in August.  I absolutely loved pacing the Mankato half last year, and really want to do it again.

If all goes as planned, I may have another shot at PR busting in October in Fargo for the Fargo FM half marathon.  Flat course..... chilly weather.... 13.1 miles..... Fargo redemption?  Yes please!

There's a small chance I could be pacing the Mankato half again in lieu of or in addition to the Minnesota half, depending on what happens.  Let me know if you'll be doing any of these races.  Don't you just love a full race schedule?!?!? :D

Buy it here.

omgenius.

omgorgeous

omiwantone.

omwhydidn'tithinkofthis?

I saw this on Aron's blog and need.to.have.it.  Seriously.  KK, half birthday gift?  K sweet.
Naturally after I drafted this blogpost, I saw Megan tweet that she had got a new hoodie in the mail.  And then saw another tweet from Jenn about the same hoodie.  Hoodie TWINSIES.
Sidenote:  Anyone at first glance think this chick looks like me?  Creeps me out whenever I scroll through this post quick.....

Buy it here.

Buy it here.

I'm always on the look out for a great green dress. 

Holy mother of cuteness.  I've had a mini Hello Kitty lovefest lately.  Still debating getting the HK sleep mask from a past post (my current sleep mask is in a dire state).

Buy it here.

I have this weird obsession with hot air balloons. This is so freaking beautiful.

Buy it here.

Marathon Recovery and Weekly Wishlist

So turns out that recovery is pretty g.d. boring.  Saturday post race I was legitimately concerned that I had done something major to my knee.  I was unable to straighten it or bend it completely without intense shooting pain.  Luckily by Sunday the pain had subsided to normal post-marathon aches.

As of Tuesday, my hip felt 100% but I still had a lot of pain and soreness around my hip flexor/hip area in my right leg along with some knee pain.  After some rolling, I decided to take princess leia out for a short little spin to get the blood flowing in my legs.  8.5 windy miles later (can't escape the wind EVER apparently) I was finally able to walk normally!  YAYZIES!  I had some initial pressure under my kneecaps for the first 1/2 mile, but after that the ride was great.  Of course Wednesday brought some random hip shooting pains while just sitting at work, so who knows what's going on.

All I know is that this girl needs her endorphins!

Before I bring you to this week's wishlist, please visit Kristin's blog!  She is running NYC Marathon (her first!) as a part of Team World Vision and is seeking out your help for donations.  Please check out her page and donate generously.  If you need further convincing, she's a huge Packers fan too, so clearly she's a great gal.  I mean... her dog is named Lambeau.... sigh... a girl after my own heart.  ;)  KILL IT KRISTIN!

Buy it now.

Interesting fun fact:  I was a NERDY with a capital -ERDY kid.  Amongst many other dorky things, I was obsessed with dinosaurs.  What's that?  You heard I had an extensive dinosaur eraser collection?  Well.  That may be correct.  Quiz me on some dino facts, let's see if I still got it.  Anywhosits, this necklace is probably the sweetest thing ever.  (too bad it's waaaaaaaay too expensive).

Buy it here.

I definitely don't consider myself a very girly-girl, but I love a pretty/flirty skirt.  This one is so adorable.

Buy it here.

My bfff wore a similar dress to a high school classmates wedding last summer, and clearly I'm still lusting after it.  She had a gorgo tan going, and the blue looked killer next to it.  Sheans!  I'm going to borrow this sometime this summer, k thx lovvvvve you. 

Buy it here.

The girl in green strikes again!  Love this shade of green, probably my favorite (whoa! that's saying a lot!) and love that it's cutesy but still laidback.

10k Race Photos + Weekly Wishlist: Kate Spade Sample Sale Edition

After pouring through the 400 race photos that were posted from the Breast Cancer 10k, I was beyond bummed to not see one bright yellow sleeve in the bunch.  Imagine my surprise this morning when I get an email from Megan with race day photos attached!  In my bundle of raceday nerves, I forgot that we had even taken a pre-race photo, and her hubby ended up snatching some photos of me at the start and the finish.  YAYZIES!

Megan and I are Fargo road trip buddies this weekend. I love that she rocks a giant cheshire cat style smile as well! :)

At the start. One of my new favorite running pics. Go Meg's Hubby!

And nearing the finish line. It was weird as the 10k ended up catching up to the tail end 5k-ers. Weaving on tired legs is no fun at all.

Weekly Wishlist:  Kate Spade Sample Sale Edition

Kate Spade is currently having their sample sale, and everything is up to 75% off (ends tomorrow, 5/19!).  Sadly, my pocketbook said "no no no" Amy Winehouse singing-style, not Amy Winehouse to booze and drugs style, but that didn't stop me from some lusting.

I'm a sucker for stripes. I think they used to have it in navy and white which was super cute too. Buy it here.

I never do the wristlet style; if a book doesn't fit in my purse, it's not for me.  But this is super cute, and yellow is my new neutral. Buy it here.

So I may have succombed to the designer handbag cult in moderation, but I've yet to leap over to the darkside with matching wallet.  It's just hard to plop down the money that is in excess to most of the bags I own (I really only have one Coach bag, and one Kate bag.  And sold a Kate bag I didn't love to pay for the Coach bag that I *do* love.)  But I like the idea of non-matching.  Like black or white handbag and crazy bright wallet.

Buy it here.

Buy it here.

The color of this is the most beautiful thing ever.  However, I think the bag might be a little too "structured" for my style.  Still super duper pretty though.
Buy it here.

More yellow perfection. Buy it here.

Jeri, sucker, stripes. You get it by now, I'm sure.  Love that the lining is GREEN.
Buy it here.

Ok, so everyone go shop to your little heart's content and then let me know what you got so I can be a ridiculous girly girl and EEEEEEEEEEEEEE along with you. :)

Exciting News + Weekly Wishlist

I received some news on Wednesday afternoon that allowed me to cross of one of the most important items from my 101 in 1001 list:  get accepted into master's program!!!!!!! 

Starting in the fall I will be a member of the University of Alabama's 2011 online cohort for my masters in library and information science.  The program is completely online except for a few days late in the summer that I have to head "down souf" for orientation.  I hope to come back to the Dak with a heavy southern accent.  Like Sookie's from True Blood (yes, I do need to get out more if that's my only frame of reference for the south.)  I also hope to not die of heat stroke, as I imagine the temps in mid-August are enough to kill me.

To say that I'm super de duper excited would be an understatement of my life.  No clue how I will be juggling my full time job, part time masters classes, running and some semblance of a social life, but on occasion I seem to think I'm super woman, so we'll see.  Any suggestions are welcome.  I'm guessing marathon training will probably be out of the question, but that's ok as I'd planned to focus on some b.a. fast HM races anyway.  And hopefully a nice little library job will open up in this town of mine.... you hear that Universe!!!  Get cracking!

[If you saw any of the tornado coverage, holy terrifying....... lots of prayers heading down south.]

Switching gears very abruptly: On to my weekly wishlist!

Buy it here.

I can't stand carrying a clutch, but this has gotta be the prettiest thing ever, right?  I've been watching too much Say Yes to the Dress so forgive me for my next comment.... it'd be kind of great as your something blue... no?  Ok, moving on....

Buy it here.

I've yet to get around to buying a laptop bag for my little MacBook. Primarily because it usually stays at home unless I'm traveling. However, this bag is so stinkin' cute I would consider it. (Clearly still obsessed with yellow...blame the lack of sunshine if you'd like....)

Sidenote: When I was talking to KK about my blog last night, I casually mentioned that when it came to Christmas/Birthday he could easily peruse my blog for gift ideas, and he questioned my intent for these weekly wishlist....

KK:  So do you expect people to see these on your blog and just buy them for you???

JL:  Uh.... what kind of blog do you think I'm running?!?!?

But to clarify, yes KK, if you see these items on my blog and buy them for me, I'll be completely ok with that. :)

Weekly Wishlist + Hellish Hills

Wednesday night I hit the gym (because it's become beyond cold/wet/miserable here....again) and also because it's easier to do hill repeats on the treadmill.  I had a 2 mile warm up then 7x400 at ~5k pace.  I started with the incline and thought I was going to die, so I only lasted for 2 repeats, then 2 on 3.5, then the final 3 on 3.  This was WAY HARDER than the last time I did hill repeats, but I recovered really quickly from each one.  Weird. 1:43, 1:50, 1:50, 1:49, 1:48, 1:47, 1:44.  And then the gym closed so I could only do a 1/2 mile cooldown instead of a mile.  Rude.

Weekly Wishlist :  Dress Edition

I've been obsessed with finding that "perfect" spring-y dress.  Don't ask me why, because I don't have any spring/summer formal events to attend.  Whatevs.

Buy it here.

I love the marigold color of this.  It's just asking to be worn once I have a nice golden brown sun tan (with garmin tan lines, natch.)

I would like this dress to wear to go to tea.  Because that's what everyone in sodak does.  Formal tea time.

Buy it here.

Buy it here.
I don't think I love this one as much as I originally did.  I think the coloring on it is great.  Maybe an outdoor wedding, a slight breeze would give it a really fun flowy feel.  Ok, I've talked myself back in to it.  Non-existent outdoor wedding dress...check!

Buy it here.

Soooooooo soooooooo sooooooo pretty.  Obsessed.  I tend to think this is the color of my eyeballs so I'm drawn to anything in this hue.  Case in point, currently wearing a scarf in the exact color.  It's a pashmina which makes me feel uber snobby, but my BFFF in Cambodia sent it to me.  Sooooooo pretty.

Oh yeah, the dress.  I need to have this.  Like now.  I'll even wear it for a race if that's what it'll take to justify the $$ in my brain.

Weekly Wist List + Runner's High

Weekly Wishlist for your (but not your wallet's) enjoyment!

Buy it here.

This would either look super fab with my skintone, or terrible.  Luckily it's too expensive for me to even try on, but I'm just beyond obsessed with yellows right now.

Buy it here.

If I could, I wear wear sweatpants 9/10 days.  The other day I would wear a long flowy hippie skirt.  Correction:  I would actually be ok wearing a long flowy hippie skirt the other 9 days as well.  Soooooooooo comfy.  And I love all the random stripes.

Buy it here.

I am bummed at how expensive this is.  It's...awesome...clearly.  I even have the perfect wall above my bookshelf that I think it would like to live on.  All hail Barney Stinson....

Buy it here.

I have this little nook area in my living room that I designation as the "future study corner" and am on the hunt to find the perfect desk for that area.  Clearly I need to decorate said corner as well.  No worries, I already have some sweet Nan Lawson prints that I bought myself for Birthmas... these will only compliment them!  (I do wish it was in a color other than pink, however....)

Buy it here.

I've been a bit dress obsessed lately.  I think it's the spring weather (bahahahah funny joke I just made, no?).  I always seem to scramble the weekend before I have a wedding to attend, so call it being proactive I guess.  Again the yellow.  It's a sickness.

_______________

Tuesday night I set out for a 7 mile run.  My legs were still a little sore/tired from my hilly long run, but they warmed up really fast.  I have been obsessively "rolling pinning" my IT bands, so I'm sure that's helping.  It was ~29 degrees when I took off, so I bundled up like normal.  Um...wrong-o bongo..... I was sweating my tushy off.  Apparently 29 degrees with little to no wind is a whole different ballgame then 29 with 15-30mph winds (which is the winter standard).  I was peeling off gloves, unzipping jackets, and sweating bullets.

At one point of the run, I was going through a residential area and a guy was outside blowing bubbles for his little 3-4 year old girl to pop.  It was quite possibly the cutest thing ever.  In terms of online shopping, I would like to "add you both to my cart."  Luckily within a few minutes I was reminded that I'm barely capable of taking care of myself, and that forever is a long time.  Phew.  Crisis (and potential future-husband/kidnapping) averted.

During the 7 miler I had 4x100m strides at (roughly) mile pace.  I'm really loving these strides because they give you something to look forward to during an otherwise monotomous run (6:48, 7:01, 6:39, 7:01).  When I got done I was rocking the most intense runner's high.  Oh hai runner's high!  Long time no see.  I was so jazzed I wanted to go for another run (don't worry I didn't).

I did 7 miles in 1:06 for a pace of 9:28.

I opted to take a rest day on Wednesday after calculating that I had run 4 consecutive days with 33 miles.  Which is more than I've ran in some weeks of this round of training.  No one needs an injury here!  (Then go figure I slept in this morning instead of tackling my tempo run........ come back runner's high!  Come back!)

Weekly Wishlist + Hard Hills

Wednesday night I had a tough hill work out and for some reason I was actually jazzed to do it.  Who am I?  Since we've reverted back to winter, yet again, I was off to the gym for my time of torture.  After a twitter convo with The Angry Runner yesterday, she had suggested I try to wear my Kinvaras sans socks, as that's how they were meant to be worn.  I thought it couldn't hurt (literally) more than the bloodbaths of late, and decided to give it a try.  I must say, I felt a little weird being barefoot at my gym while changing in to my running shoes... but oh well.

I had a 2 mile warm up followed by 6 x 400 m. intervals with the incline at 4.  Incline at 4 = butt burn.  Did anyone run the 400 m. dash or perhaps the 300 m. hurdles?  If so, you know the very meaning of butt burn.  UFF!  Luckily it wasn't nearly to that degree.  I started out at a 7:30 pace and felt like I was going to die, so the next one I did 7:35, followed by 7:40.  Then I went back down the ladder.  I keep forgetting that my body ALWAYS feels like it's going to die the first go around at a tough pace, and that I should ease in to it better.  I'm sure if I had started that first one at 7:40 the rest would've been ok at 7:35 or 7:30 pace.  Oh well.

I finished up (and spraying sweat all over the treadmill and those around me) with a one mile cool down jog.  I also got in some fabulous celebrity gossip from the trash US Weekly mags (the real reason I wanted to go to my gym, let's be honest).  Oh and in between the intervals I walked ~.05 and jogged .2. 

The verdict on the shoes?  After bragging that I haven't gotten blisters in ions, obviously I got a blister.  But it was just a little guy on my baby toe (site of initial bloodbath).  Luke had suggested that the toebox may be too small, but I think it might actually be too wide, which is why my foot was sliding around so much.  I love the shoes though, so in Tim Gunn's words, "I'll be making them work!" 

And on to my weekly wishlist:

Buy it here.
I heart tea.  I usually drink a piping mug of it every morning at work.  Tea cups and saucers are just the cutest thing, and so is this ring.  Knowing me, I'd probably drink a spot of tea out of it to show off.

Buy it here.
This is my new motto, likely taken from Barney Stinson, what uppppppppppppp?!?!? 

Stripes AND sparkles?!?!?!  Where do I sign??
Buy it here.

Buy it here.
I love this cardi.  The bow ties almost make it look like an old school kite's strings.  Future librarian has to stock her closet with cardis, right?

I've been looking for something to be my "jumping off point" to inspire design in my kitchen.... I may have just found it....

Buy it here.

Has anyone joined pinterest?  I'm kind of obsessed.  It's similar to a tumblr page (from what I can tell) but way way way way cooler and simpler format.  You "pin" different images and categorize them based on for the home, wedding, fashion, style, etc. and other people can see what you're pinning and sharing.  Let me know if you're on it so I can stalk you.  Also, if you're interested, send me your email and I can send you out an invite.  (I had to wait 2 weeks for my request to go through for approval to join the site..... elite club I guess.... :p)  Visit me here.