The Retired Athlete

If there was a “Worst Blogger Ever” Award, I would be in the running right now. Things are nuts with training, work, my birthday, family, etc. However most of them are “good busy” things, I just do not have enough hours in the day to do everything! I really need to sit down and schedule time to blog, but it seems that this is the first thing that gets neglected when I’m overscheduled. I’m trying really hard, I swear!

The past week has been filled with running, working, and my fabulous birthday weekend. I even took a much needed day off from work on Friday. My boyfriend (Matt) came in from New York Thursday evening and we went for a run together on Friday morning. It was so nice to have a running partner for once, even though I think I talk too much when I run (sorry). We did 4 miles and luckily we were finishing up just as it started to get really hot out. I used my awesome new birthday present from Matt for the run, a Nike+ GPS watch!

I love it even more because it is neon. Just in case I didn’t already have enough neon in my life. I have used the watch for 4 runs now and it is perfect. It also came with the Nike+ shoe pod so it can measure my distance on a treadmill, which will be perfect for my interval sprints I do once every two weeks. It is so much better than strapping my iPhone to my arm. However, I have lost my sense of security from having my phone with me, especially on a long run.

I also got a gorgeous new ring from my favorite, Tiffany’s.

It is really different and was an awesome pick. It even looks great with my cut up knuckles from punching a concrete lamp post while running over the Mass Ave bridge on Monday.

ouchies

Friday afternoon/night Matt and I went to my parents’ house for a mini cookout and hang out time. We ate on my parents’ deck and it was exactly what I wanted to do. My mother bought an awesome selection of birthday desserts, I specifically requested cupcakes.

Perfection

My little brother is such a good helper!

My parents’ gave me an amazing Marc Jacobs bag and they had 10 classes added to my Back Bay Yoga account. I am especially pumped about the yoga classes because Back Bay Yoga is my favorite studio in Boston and sometimes it gets a little too pricey for me to afford. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Saturday morning I woke up 24 years old. Woof. To be honest, I didn’t feel any different from the day before. I figured a race was the best way to start my 24th year of life so Matt and I ran the Seagull Stride 5K in Brighton. I wasn’t expecting to PR, but I did (21:43)and I got second place! I was the leading female for literally 3 miles of the race and then was passed on the last .1 miles. I cannot complain about an unexpected PR though! It was an awesome confidence booster, especially since my pace has been off lately. As a top finisher I got a nifty Seagull Stride pint glass and I thought the t-shirts were awesome too. Simple, maroon, cotton t-shirt with a funny looking seagull. I love it.

cheesin

Saturday night was spent at a local bar on the waterfront in Boston with my awesome friends. The night was perfect and it was fun to see a lot of people. I seriously could not have asked for a better birthday!

All smiles (plus some red eye action)!

This rest of this week consists of more running, work, and my longest training run ever at some point this weekend. I have run a half marathon before but I never did over 8 miles during training. 9 miles awaits me. Is it sick that I am excited?

Also, keep an eye out for my very first giveaway on Friday! It’s one of my favorite running accessories. Stay tuned