Everyone is a comedian…

runningshew is a great alarm clock and friend. She made me giggle at 4:30 in the morning…and then again around 7:30 with that gem of a photo. I know Maya isn’t a man in a dog suit, in fact, she looks like the sweetest, most gentle giant alive. But…
I think I’m having some anxiety dreams dealing with some things that I’m not addressing here. Suffice it to say that I’m involved in a couple of confusing situations and they appear to be manifesting in my dreams.
Last night I dreamed that my newlywed (about 6 months) friends had some young children they were either fostering or adopting. They told me that I had to babysit said children. I didn’t want to. In fact, I refused to go to the room the kids were in BY THEMSELVES! I wouldn’t look at them and ignored everyone who told me that I had to go watch these kids.
Then, Amy texted and I woke up…ending that dream.
I don’t know you guys…I think my subconscious is trying to tell me something about men and children. Or specifically…men WITH children.
Oy. My life.
In other news, the sun is FINALLY back today! It is supposed to be warmer and nice this weekend, just in time for my long run. There are only 3 weeks left of this Hanson’s Marathon Plan. I’m soooo ready for it to be over (the training, not getting to see my friends!) 6 days of running a week at this mileage is killing me.

Happy Friday Friends!!

Funk-y Town

The first photo shows my feelings about the fact that I snoozed my alarm so many times this morning that I couldn’t get up and run before work. Now I have 9.5 miles to do after work. Not a fan. Not a fan at all.
I never realized how much the weather affected my mood until I I realized that I haven’t seen the sun since Saturday. I’ve been a wee bit down and kind of ehhh because of that. I’m in a funk.
Despite the gray skies the world is exploding with color here in the Heartland. This pretty pink tree is on my morning commute. I like the bright yellow and pinks.
And I give you last night’s Easy run. I actually had a decent run. Negative splits (my last mile was 10:42! Whoops, not the 12:05 I was shooting for!)
After the marathon training is over, I’ve been contemplating what my next plan of attack is. And I want to branch out into more classes at my gym–including Spin and weight lifting classes! Although, Fun Fact: the guy I made out with a few New Year’s Eves ago is the instructor for the spin classes at my gym– File that under Reasons I DON’T want to take these classes! Oy! My Life.
In the past day I’ve been accused by TWO different men of not eating. Dudes. I eat. A lot. I promise.
I’ve gained some new followers lately. Hello friends! A quick intro: I’m Melissa. I’m 33. I used to be a TV News Producer, now I’m the Membership Director for an Educational Non-Profit. I’m training to run my 11th Half Marathon in May using the Hanson’s Half Marathon Method. I write about running, my life, and all the random things that happen to me along the way! Welcome aboard!

Lincoln Half Marathon training, long 10.

The winds are killing me. They need to stop. But I pushed through. Today is family Easter stuff so I’m excited to hang out with my nephews.

There’s a beautiful Magnolia tree blooming in my parent’s neighborhood. It smells amazing!

And, because it’s me. Something random always happens on my runs. Today, there was this woman sitting on her porch who started talking to me while I walked by, trying to open my fuel package. She told me how nice it was outside, then asked if I was “local”. (Umm, yes? Weird question) Asked if I was speedwalking…I told her I was running, but refueling. She then asked if I needed help opening it…even though I clearly had it. I told her no…and kept walking. She kept talking. Weird. So weird.

Happy Saturday and have a great Easter friends!

Wednesday Things

I am struggling this morning. Why is it that EVERY SINGLE TIME I run long I can’t sleep at night? You would think that it would have the opposite effect. But nope, not for me. The Struggle is REAL!
Rest days are the best days. I have a massage after work and I’m pumped. I believe we will focus on my legs this go-around.
Last night’s Strength workout was decent–it was warm, 77 degrees at 4pm, sunny without a cloud in the sky. I was hot. In other news, my shorts tan is coming along quite nicely.
So, yesterday was filled with a lot of adulting. I got both of my tax refunds on Monday and got paid on Tuesday…I have never seen my bank account look that healthy before!! With this influx of cash I paid off my Student Loans, made a sizable payment to my credit card (that should be paid off this summer!!) and transferred money into savings. I feel so fiscally responsible. 🙂
Last night was BIZ-EEE. I left work early to run, then ran home, changed quickly and went to see Insurgent with my friend. I then came home and promptly fell into bed. Living the dream.
I’m wearing a dress today. It is crazy windy. I discovered this was not the best possible choice when I walked out the door and my skirt nearly flew up! I live on a very busy street. Oy. I yelped, dropped my bag and grabbed my dress to hold it down. I caught it just before anyone saw anything, but still! The walk to the parking garage should be interesting this afternoon!

Happy Hump Day (really my Thursday!) Friends!

Running 40+ miles a week does interesting things to the body.

I’m retaining water because my body is like, “What is happening?! Why are we running so far so many days of the week?”
I’m seeing some sweet muscle definition in my quads.

Since it’s been so warm here and I’ve been running outside I’ve developed some sexy tan lines already. What? A shorts and sock tan ARE sexy! I also have a Garmin tan.

And that booty! BAM. 😉 I do not hate what’s happening there! 🙂
In other news, I am such an extroverted introvert that this Bachelorette Party weekend exhausted me. I felt like I was being held hostage and not allowed any “me” time. I hate feeling that way.
This week has gotten CRAZY busy: my 8-year-old nephew has his music program tonight so I’m going to that. My friend and I are going to the movies tomorrow (Insurgent, it’s $5 movies on Tuesdays here) and Wednesday I have a massage after work (I love Past Melissa for scheduling that!!) Thursday looks to be free (so far!), and I’m off for the first time EVER on Good Friday (I love this job!!)
Temperatures are supposed to be in the 70′s here for much of the week so there will be more chances to work on my runner’s tan as well. Spring makes me so happy!

Have a great one friends!

Come-To-Jesus Conversations

I am on board the Hanson’s Marathon Method Struggle Bus. It’s week 13 and I am fatigued. I am grouchy. And two-o-nine is getting the brunt of it. So we had some REAL TALK conversations about whether I could skip tonight’s Tempo 5 (answer: No. Don’t) and that I have essentially been grouchy for weeks now (true story). I don’t share that lovely piece of myself with all of you, just Brooke. Sorry friend! I’m dealing with it. I promise. #reasonswhyI’mSingle.

This is me, bucking up! It is amazing what a difference sunshine and blue skies makes to your psyche. I felt a billion times better this morning once I got some vitamin D.
I’ve over-booked myself tonight. I just managed to un-book one of those things, so I can get my run in. But, either way, I get grouchy when I don’t get enough Melissa time.

I saw this motorcycle in the parking lot of the dorm I work in this morning. It’s spring break here so it has been abandoned since last Friday. These signs appeared overnight. Made me giggle. Are they trying to tell them something about the dangers of riding a motorcycle??

We’ve got a playlist featuring 80′s hits going today. This gem came on. MADE MY DAY. It just makes you feel happy, ya know?
I’ve hit the point where I hate everything in my closet. I want a new wardrobe, stat.

Happy Friday Eve Friends! Thanks for listening!

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

It’s a rainy, cold day here in the Heartland. I’m in a bit of a melancholy mood.

I was up at 4:45am to do my Strength training (3X2 Miles with .50 recovery and 1m warm-up and cool-down) on the treadmill this morning. Consequently I’m starving and exhausted. The struggle (and runger!) is real.
I’m worried about the Lincoln Half Marathon. I’m worried that I will disappoint myself with my time. I’m worried I will disappoint two-o-nine because she’s pacing me and I don’t want to fail her. I’m worried I won’t get my PR because today’s run (and last night’s too) really sucked. I feel like I haven’t hit my paces very well once I’m outside. I’m slow. I’m still up 5 pounds from my comfortable racing weight and I know it is causing a problem. I’m just worried that running is starting to lose its luster for me too.
Do you ever just think that singers just get you some times? Carly Rae Jepsen’s “I really like you” has a line that says “Oh, did I say too much?
I’m so in my head, When we’re out of touch” you are speaking my language Carly! This is me, all the time.
It’s Spring Break on the UNL campus…our offices are so quiet right now without the students here. I kinda like it! The tree outside my office window is budding. Spring is here!
I’m going to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a bridal shower/bachelorette party this weekend. It’s about 3.5 hours there and my friends and I are leaving Saturday morning and coming home Sunday. I have to get my runs in before and after this trip. I’m not excited about THAT, but the parties should be fun!

Have a good one friends!

There’s a first time for everything

Lincoln Half Marathon Training W12, D5 & D6 Easy 5 And Long 12. I switched tomorrows long run for today because I have my besties bridal shower and there is no time for 12 miles.

My run today was a mess: I had a haircut that I thought was at noon but was at 11am. My hair lady called in the middle of the first part of my run asking where I was. My dad came to pick me up and took me to the salon. Oy, get it together Melissa!
Then, this afternoon, I went back out for the rest of the run and the most random thing happened…I was running down a neighborhood street and watching a man on one side of the street fertilizing his lawn in the wind. (It looked like an exercise in futility to me.)
Then, this dude (he looked to be in his 40′s) across the street said, “Well look at you! You’ve got some nice tits!”
WHAT?!?!?! Seriously? Gross. I made a face at him and ran A LOT faster to get away. I heard him say something about how I have a “Nice Can.” Ewww. I don’t dress inappropriately when I run. The above picture is me today, after the run.
My life. I just can’t even.

Happy Weekend friends!!!

Lincoln half marathon training W12, D4 tempo 5. 10:42 goal AND actual pace.

Nailed it!

As we all know, my life is really random. Today, the Oscar Mayer weiner-mobile drove by our offices, and subsequently was parked on campus in front of the student union. I don’t even know why or what they were doing.

I met my friend for lunch and on my way back, stopped by my former professor’s office. Her first words to me were, “that is some long, sexy hair!” And, “why are you dressed like a college student?” I clearly need to make more of an effort with my clothes. The hair is on point though!

As I was driving to meet stilldavidsgoals I got a phone call from a friend asking me to do a quick voiceover for him. 3 lines, it would take about 5 minutes. I agreed and met him after coffee with David. He asked me what my going rate was. I told him it was whatever he was willing to pay me. He said he’d budgeted $100, would that be ok?

Um, YES! For less than 5 minutes of work? I’m in. It was easy, he told me he loved my voice and delivery and that I should look into creating a demo reel and putting online…except then he’d have to pay me more! Such a random day for me…but I guess most of them are?!

Have a great one, friends!

Birthday miles.

Lincoln Half Marathon training W12, D1 easy 5.

Dude, it was HOT today.
Fun fact: This is the earliest in the year it has ever hit 90° here in Lincoln. I was searching for shade along my route. I had to wear a tank top, it was that warm.

My roomie gave me running socks and another friend gave me the running shirts, water bottle, and Cadbury eggs. I LOVE those! Yum.

I had a great birthday! Thank you for all the notes, messages, texts, and comments! You all are wonderful and made my day!!