Are you sick of hearing about my birthday yet? Too bad because I celebrated my birthday week every day last week and may continue the party all month long! I told you why this was a special year for me and, this past week proved to be just what I needed to begin my 42nd year on the planet right!
WEEK OF MARCH 20, 2017
RUNNING
Ever since I had to leave my Brooks Launch running shoes in Cuba I’ve had a bit of a shoe crisis. I obviously needed a pair to run in ASAP and, I certainly had a few pairs in my closet, the issue was I throw away all the inserts because I wear the Superfeet inserts and just move them from shoe to shoe. I actually did one run last week in shoes without any inserts. It wasn’t great, as you can imagine.
I also tried a pair of Nike’s that were suggested by doing the Runner’s World new shoe finder tool. I know. I’m now taking shoe suggestions from my computer. After typing in some general info about myself and my running, it spit out the Nike Free RN Distance as one of my matches. I have news for Nike – – they aren’t great for distance, as the name suggests, but I have worn them a few times for shorter runs and they are just ok. At least they’re cute and I can wear them to walk Star.

They look good propped up on my desk but not so great for actual running.
I think I wore a different pair of running shoes for every run last week but luckily I’m still on a bike heavy rotation right now. Obviously I need to get to Fleet Feet in Longmeadow ASAP!
Sunday – 20 minute run off the bike at easy pace | 2.53 miles | 7:56 pace
Wednesday – pacing ladder | 4 miles before strength workout | 7:08 average pace
Friday – LT run 3×8 min at 10K pace before swim | 7.83
Total = 14.36 miles
CYCLING
I completely shifted gears (HA!) with my viewing and cycling this past week. I couldn’t take anymore emotional dramas so I downloaded Edge of Seventeen with Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld. Yes, it’s embarrassing but the movie was actually pretty hilarious, especially the scenes with Harrelson and Steinfeld. It just reminded me that being in high school is worse than almost anything so I was extremely happy to be 42 and riding my bike in the basement.
Tuesday – FTP Intervals | 20 miles | 1 hour 20 minutes
Thursday – Tempo ride | 18 miles | 1 hour 15 minutes
Sunday – Endurance road | 30 miles | 2 hours before swim
Total = 68 miles
SWIMMING
About halfway though each swim last week I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it to the end of the workout. They have been HARD but I’ve pushed though. I may have skipped a cool down here or there since I just wanted to get out of the water.
Monday – Speed sets 100s, 3k | 3,062 yards
Friday – Aerobic intervals | 1,500 yards after run
Sunday – Muscular endurance | 2,400 yards after swim
Total = 6,962 yards
GEAR
So this kept popping up in my Instagram feed…
So obviously I had to order one.
I also saw pics of Lady Gaga and Rihanna wearing them which just proves queens really are born in March!
FUEL
So much deliciousness was had in honor of my birthday. I’m proud to say my refrigerator has only boxes and bags from leftovers and pie in it. This does not happen often so I’m just embracing it. #IHateCooking
My stepmom made a special trip to get my favorite cake for my birthday from a local Italian bakery. Unfortunately for my guests it’s filled with fruit and has a whipped topping. Regardless, the entire thing was gone by 1am. I won’t say who was shoving it into their drunk faces at my house. You know who you are.
My birthday dinner (on my actual birthday) was phenomenal! We decided to risk brining the boys to a sort of fancy restaurant and it paid off. They were so well behaved and even tried my scallops and green beans. Miles loved both and Vaughn hated both but, at least he tried it. #win
This was my fabulous prosciutto wrapped brie appetizer. Be still my saliva…
THINGS I LOVE
My younger cousin trying to get me on board with Kardashian emojis. Make it stop.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
My son’s insane dentist.
This was the conversation when Miles had a cavity filled recently. The entire ordeal was one of the worst experiences of my life and I’ve had a few whoppers. Miles was in agony and terrified and I was trying to make a joke and make light of the situation with him.
Me: Don’t worry Miles, no one likes going to the dentist but you have to do it buddy.
Dentist: *turns and looks incredulously at me* That’s simply not true!
Dude, what fucking universe are you living in where someone doesn’t hate you? Is this a horrible joke? Also, do you see I’m trying to calm a 7 year-old so could you just play along? It’s nothing personal but going to the dentist is right up there with bikini waxing – a necessary evil.
Anyone know a good pediatric dentist?
READING
If you don’t know who Mark Remy is and you love running and laughter, please do yourself a favor and check him out as soon as you finish reading this. He writes a weekly column called Dumb Runner and regularly writes for Runner’s World. I love his sense of humor which you get a huge dose of in this piece he wrote for The New Yorker:
Alexander and the V Bad, FML Day | by Mark Remy | The New Yorker
Here’s a snippet…
RANDOM AWESOMENESS OF THE WEEK
My SIL (Katie) and BIL (Brian) gifted me this for my birthday. It’s for my work area and can obviously hold my race bibs and medals. Also, those initials next to the stenciled owl in the corner are my mom’s initials. I cried. Now I just need to get my BIL over here to hang it since it weighs half my body weight.
[Tweet “Birthday week continues on The Rundown with #food, #reads and fabulous #gifts!”]
How was your week?
How much do you love going to the dentist?
OMG I so need that tank too! I swear all the best peeps were born in March. My week…meh. And it’s about to get even worse I’m afraid. I think I’ve told you the story about how I don’t mind the dentist one bit. I think it’s relaxing to have my teeth cleaned. I’ve even fallen asleep while having it done. I know, I’m strange.
Yes you do need the tank!!! And seriously, what is wrong with you? Who falls asleep at the dentist? That aside, I know you would rather be getting a pedicure or a massage and don’t truly want to go to the dentist you crazy woman!
IM SO SO SO LIKE ANGELA!!
I NAP when Im at the dentist.
And yeah—even the dentist things Im odd.
The child, however, is an entirely different story.
NURTURE didnt take over in this realm.
She’s a runner.
You are both freaks!…and I mean that in the nicest way possible
Love that she is a runner and has the appropriate behavior at the dentist – LOL!!!
I used to like going to the dentist because the they gave me all sorts of toys and also I liked the flouride thing. the part I didn’t like? Not being able to eat or drink after. Typical Suz. I remember my first scallop because it was the “food moment” that broadened my horizons. I VIVIDLY remember everything about it. And honestly, I don’t know if I’ve ever had a scallop measure up since then!
You are insane and I love it! I can only hope Miles has the same fondness for his first scallop
If you love going to the dentist you are crazy. I’m glad you’re having a good week after everything that has happened lately.
That medal holder is really cool and interesting.
Thank you Hollie!!! So true!
Amazing training this week Allie! I love the bib holder!! That is a super sweet and thoughtful gift. I’ve been meaning to see that Woody Harrelson movie–and you are so right–anything is better than high school 😉 Also, the t-shirt is pretty much sold every month with the same celebs–it’s a guerilla marketing tactic that is working on Social Media–there has been countless debates in my entrepreneurial groups about it! They even use Michelle Obama and Beyonce!!
I totally know that about the t-shirt but I got sucked in!! I love that you’re debating it in your groups. I would love to pick your brain about that!!
Kardashian emojis? When will it end? I want to be famous for doing nothing. OMFG.
Ok, then! Loved that essay by Mark Remy. Funny AF. He cracks me up.
You should enjoy your birthday as long as you want. XOXO
We see the world so similarly. Thank you for being absolutely right about everything
Happy Year Birthday Celebrate every day!!
Get a new dentist ASAP I had one who scared us for 20 years….then. A new dentist and and amazing experience.
Get another pair of Brook’s
Happy March Birthday to all of us
I am in the process of doing both! Thanks for the encouragement Janie
I can’t say that I get excited about going to the dentist, but I don’t mind it. We had a really great dentist when I was a kid and the whole entire office was Miami Dolphins themed. They also had an arcade and you got prizes at the end. It was the best. By contrast, AJ used to really hate the dentist and refused to go when we met because every time he went (like once every 3 years), he had cavities. I was like “You’re disgusting and you’re going” and sent him to my very lovely dentist. Wouldn’t you know he stopped getting cavities when he started going to the dentist regularly? Hmm.
That is hilarious about AJ. Men are insane. I don’t want that same thing to happen to poor Miles and I already got several recommendations for great dentists. It was like this guy had never treated a kid in his life! He was actually looking to me to help in some way and well, you know what happened when I did…
Poor kid! I stretch it out as long as possible between dentist visits!
Wooh, that is a lot of tough swimming. Amazing week!
Yeah, I’m just getting a new one before he gets a hold of Vaughn since he’s not a tolerant as Miles!
And yes, it was a hella ton of swimming but I made it!! Thanks for the recognition
I’m a January baby which is fine because I definitely feel a little crazier than a queen. I’m closer to say, a prison warden, with a pale blue uniform, super tight, thick black belt and heavy boots, but with hippie lacy flower print bra and undies underneath it all. Instead of a baton, I’ll around a ukulele inscripted with “I’ll make you do it” along the edges of it. This is fun.
I’d rather have a past-date fish dinner with Andrew’s ex wife than go to the dentist.
You should definitely design the January version of the shirt…um, outfit…with accessories. You are awesome.
And thank you for justifying my reaction to the crazy dentist.
Poor Miles! I hate going to the dentist – teeth are my weird thing and I can’t stand someone touching them. I literally have recurring nightmares where my teeth fall out and visiting the dentist pushes that over the edge. But this has also reminded me that I need to make an appointment for my regular cleaning.
That cake looks super good! I’d probably be the guest who drank too much and shoved the cake in my face. This is actually why I don’t have birthday cake anymore. And that scallop? YUM! So happy to see you got to celebrate with such delicious food!
Happy happy birthday month!!!! Yes queens are born in March.. and February lol. I want ‘that’ shirt 🙂
ok don’t get me started about the dentist.. it took me 38 years to finally find one that i don’t hate, and i was born with the worst dental issues. i thought i had an ok dentist that i went to for many, many years until just recently my new dentist pointed out all the errors. dangit!!! i can’t count how many root canals, bridges, implants… seriously i can trade my mouth in for a Range Rover. i should have smoked crack because then my teeth would have just fallen out anyway and at least i’d be high LOL, no difference. OK i’ll stop now.
oh wait, still on the subject i’m looking for a pediatric dentist for Lulu, she’s got her first tooth coming through.. oh my heart, please be still.
your cycling is awesome, FTP yay.
I HATE the dentist. I think that it stemmed from a bad experience with a pediatric dentist! Aside from that, I’m so glad that you have continued to celebrate your birthday. You should continue to celebrate and enjoy it. I really like the Edge of Seventeen and that Mark Remy piece was hilarious! I hope Miles has gotten over his experience at the dentist and that you find new running shoes soon!
I also had a very traumatic experience as a kid and, well, now Miles has one too. Ugh.
Thanks Christine!…I knew you would appreciate the Remy piece.