The very last full week of my summer is officially over. The boys will get on a bus for Kindergarten this week and our lives will never be the same. Part of me wants to scream “FREEDOM” Braveheart-style, and the other part wants to ugly cry in the bathroom because my babies are no longer babies. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Today, I’m talking about last week and what a week it was!
WEEK OF AUGUST 18, 2014
RUNNING: It’s official – I’m ready for my big 20K, the first ‘real’ race of the season on Labor Day! I did 11 miles alone on Monday at 7:25 average pace. It was one of those runs when everything is right – the weather, my attitude, my fueling – and I smiled though the whole thing. I capped off the week with another long run of 16 miles with my training buddy (she did 20!) and my legs felt great.
Total running milage: 32

All my racing bibs from New Haven – going back to 2008BK or before kids! What was that like? Oddly enough, 2008 was not my fastest finish.
CYCLING: It’s official – I’m having making less and less time for cycling and the weather is not getting any warmer. I need to take advantage of being outside because, before I know it, I’ll be in the basement on the trainer again. Ugh. All my bike milage this past week was in spin class.
Total biking mileage: 52
CROSS-TRAINING: It’s official – I’m in love with swimming again. I made it into the pool twice this week and loved it. It may have something to do with how beat up my legs were after all my running milage and making my HIIT Workout video. I have to get myself in gear because I’m scheduled to do an open water swim with CRS (Coach Rocket Scientist) this week. *silent prayer*
RACING: It’s official – the girls are all getting together again to race New Haven! I’ve done this race 7 times now (see bibs above) and always with good friends. This year, all the original ladies are making it back to New Haven, I’m going to be able to meet some of my Oiselle teammates, and I cannot wait to sit in the park post-race, and eat an entire loaf of bread and drink a beer. Did I mention that 8 is my lucky number?

Chrissie, me and Anne at last year’s race. This year our friend Denise will make us whole again! You complete us Denise 🙂
FUEL: It’s official – I’m addicted to VEGA bars. I just ordered two more boxes of the peanut butter/chocolate recovery bars (I may have a problem with these!) and I also got two RunnerBoxes. Why? Because my credit card was stolen last week. (*see ‘things I don’t love as much’) and this was the only upside. I’m eager to dig into both boxes and find some new goodies.
THINGS I LOVE: It’s official – the boys are riding bikes! Yes, they’re 5 1/2 but this is the first time they have showed any interest in riding a bike. This also presented an opportunity for me to raise my old Cannondale mountain bike from the dead, so I can ride the trails with them. Life is good.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: It’s official – I hate people. Well, the criminals anyway. While in Maine, I received a call from my bank’s fraud protection agency. I figured it was because I spent an obscene amount of money at the L.L. Bean Flagship store in Freeport. However, it turns out some a-hole was spending a lot more of my money on Pet Supplies, Office Supplies and a hotel in Rhode Island. Nice. I don’t think I have to tell you what a colossal pain in the ass it is to not have an ATM/credit card for a week, and to slowly find out just how many of your automatic payments are tied to it. Hazah for me.

We’re smiling because we have no idea someone is at PetCo in the midwest right now using my credit card to buy hundreds of dollars in pet supplies. Really?
MUSIC: It’s official – I’ve played Sia’s Chandelier a record number of times. I may literally start swinging from the chandelier. The video is pretty amazing too. This little girl, who dances like she’s 25, is literally flipping and leaping all over the house, which is exactly what you feel like doing when this comes on. 1,2,3…
TV: It’s official – I love Ray Dononvan. I’ve finally caught up with season two, and it’s everything I was hoping for, but with a little too much Abby. She has the kind of face that’s just asking to be punched.

This is the face. Thanks to my “friend” for posting this on my FB page and the hilarity that ensued.
READING: It’s official – I’m late to the party but I’m finally reading This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper, and it’s as good as everyone says. The detail in which the author goes into, the moment when Judd finds his wife in bed with his boss, is some of the best writing these eyes have ever had the pleasure of reading. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the book. I didn’t spoil anything that’s not revealed in the first few chapters. If you read nothing else, read that chapter.
RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Avoiding everyone is my cardio – tweeted by @mellimelle and no, I haven’t a clue who she is.
[Tweet “The Weekly Rundown! It’s official – #Racing, #Fueling, #Watching & #Reading! What’s offical for YOU?”]
What’s official in your life these days?
Ever had your credit card stolen?
It’s official. I’m ready for fall.
It’s official. I’m training for a fall half.
It’s official. I love love Piyo!
Vega Recovery Bars are my favorite! Have you tried the chocolate mint? It’s more like treat than a good for you bar.
Ooooo chocolate mint? You evil temptress!! I’ll have to try that. I’ve also seen some of your Piyo addiction. I may have to give it a try…
Great rundown. Sucks that your credit card was stolen. I had my wallet stolen in the late 80’s so that was before you can just get on a computer and charge away.
It’s so, so, so annoying and the hits just keep on coming! At least in the 80’s you didn’t pay bills online as well!!
Screaming FREEDOM and the ugly cry all together…that will be me! It’s official – I’m not ready to go back to work today.
Ugh, I know! I feel for you one that one. Boooooo!!!!
Almost all good stuff! That totally sucks on the credit card.
Sending the kids off to school is bittersweet. All I can say is that time picks up like a freight train once they are in school and it’s really sad how fast it goes. But..you do get some freedom, right? And that’s a good thing.
Excited for your upcoming races where I know you’ll crush it!
Everyone says that about school which is just another reason for me to be so sad about it. Ugh!! But yes, there is that whole freedom thing 🙂
Thanks Amanda! So excited for the 20K!
I still can’t believe this is the last week of summer here and that Emma start kindergarten right after Labor Day next week. I am seriously in shock and as ready as I on paper mentally I am still a bit unprepared. And yes, I loved Jonathan Trooper’s, This Is Where I leave you and actually just talked to Tamara about this. So, glad to know we all had similar thoughts about this book and yes totally agreed about the part of the book, where Judd actually finds his wife cheating on him – absolutely classic! 🙂
We have so much of the same stuff going on! So glad to know I’m not the only who isn’t mentally prepared for the big K!
Hehe I always love the positivity in your posts, yet at the same time you are so real. You admit that things are not wonderful alllll the time, and you too struggle with motivation. I am sure that helps a lot of people!
Its official: I am excited for chicago 🙂
Thanks Tina! That’s the best compliment as I always try to keep it real here!!
I’m excited for you to run Chicago!!! I hope we’ll be able to track you… 🙂
LOVED This Is Where I Leave You, and I cannot wait for the movie!! Having your debit card stolen is honestly just THE WORST. Seriously. I am wondering if I get Abby a super cool Angry Birds bike helmet if maybe she will give it a shot, because right now she shows no interest. Absolutely no judgement from me if you do the Braveheart FREEDOM yell and then the ugly cry all at the same time! Hope school goes well this week!! :)-Ashley
hahaha – that might do it! I have to say that I’m really glad I didn’t force the bike issue. Now they WANT to ride and they were instantly good at it…with training wheels 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE ME SOME TROPPER TOO.
and not today 🙂
it’s the first day of school here
sad face.
Awesome! and not awesome 🙁
This entire post is official!! Dude yes, I think the bank and I might be besties because my card gets stolen at least 3-4 times per year. It is so incredibly annoying to redo all the payments but the most annoying part for me is memorizing a new card every time. 🙂
I can’t deal as I am currently sitting in a pool of feelings because my first born is in school as we speak.
Its been a while since I have heard you mention CRS! Good luck on your open swim with her!
I love Chandelier.
That pic of the boys on their bikes made my entire day. They couldn’t be any cuter, for reals.
I KNOW! I think you and I are the only two people who memorize their bank cards b/c when I tell people that, they think I’m insane! SO annoying! And OMG I saw the picture of your son on his first day today and he was styling’!!! I hope he had the best.day.ever!
It’s official? I thought you were announcing that you are newly-freshly pregnant, but noooo. Good thing I actually read your post before commenting.
If that were the case, this would be my last post, because I would need to be committed to a psychiatric facility.
Malone is starting Kindergarten next week. I’m officially ready for summer to be over and for fall to begin. We’ve done this summer really well, but I am ready for the routine that a school year brings!
That totally sucks about your debit card!
Good luck with Malone!! I’m interested to see what this new schedule is going to bring for us too! I’m thinking it will take a lot of adjusting…
Oh no, sorry to hear about the credit card. Been there done that except it wasn’t a credit card. I had someone get my social securtiy number and open multiple credit cards in my name, spent $20,000 but yet paid all of the bills on time. I’m STILL dealing with the ramifications from 8 years ago. We almost didn’t get my VA loan for our house because of it. I had to provide police reports and documentation and it was a nightmare. I hope it gets cleared up easily for you!!
OMG! That is way, way worse! Thank you for making me feel better. 🙂
My husband somehow manages to have his credit stolen every time he travels. It’s so weird. Maybe he just makes that up so I’ll pay for things? It is such a pain though!
I would love to swim more! I should make it a priority. My mom swims every morning at the beach near her house and I’m so jealous!
I cannot believe how common it is now. I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised, but I kind of am. What gives? Can’t we figure something out that’s more secure? I mean, we ARE talking about our money. Jeesh!
Being pregnant is the perfect time to swim! I relied on that so much for the 37 weeks with the twins. The pool was one place I didn’t feel like a ton of bricks 🙂
Listening to Chandelier as I write this!
So much to say! Maybe you saw my FB posts but I just finished “This Is Where I Leave You” last night. oh my god. SO GOOD. And that opening scene was.. wow.
And it gets only better. You are so lucky that you still get to read it as new!
Also, your boys are awesome and I want that Beatles shirt for Des.
Also. I’m so with you. Last week of summer. Sob. Play George Michael’s “Freedom.” Sob some more.
I haven’t read it yet (your blog post) but of course I’m going to.
I will absolutely save that shirt for Des 🙂
And YES to George Michael. *insert kleenex*
Overall, a good week!!!
Totally sucks about your debit card – I had my identity stolen earlier this year and it has taken months and hours of my time to get everything straightened out (still have a couple of issues).
You can do it when you send your boys to school – the first couple of days might be rough but you will adjust:)
I remember when that happened Kim and that is much, much worse!!
I know the boys will be fine at school, and after the first day, I will be too. It’s just one of those moments when you start to think about the five years that led up to this one. How can it be? I’m getting OLD!!! hahaha 🙂
Kindergarten!! Stay strong, mama!! So sorry about your CC, that sucks. Never had one stolen, but someone skimmed our checking account once. We never, ever use an ATM that isn’t in a bank ever since, because it was a giant pain in the ass to get the money back. And I totally felt violated. Love that you has such a killer training run – it’s the best when it all comes together like that. Also – we watch Ray Donovan too!! We clearly have the same TV taste. I spent that whole episode saying, “WHY is that cop even remotely interested in getting involved with Abby?? And HOW do you forget your son’s birthday??” Did you watch the Leftovers this week? I thought it was the best episode yet.
This just makes me want to move to NYC so we can watch TV together! Just watched The Leftovers last night and I’ve been thinking about it ALL DAY! I got goosebumps at the end b/c I couldn’t figure out what made Lori so cray cray…now I know! I agree that it was the best one yet! As for RD – I can only hope the cop interested in Abby is also interested in locking her in his basement 🙂
1. Its official i cant get enough of the chandelier song either!! and that girl in the video is crazy cool. i hope to be as cool as she is someday. 2. i am officially boo’ing the credit card theft!!! people are so obnoxious. 3. your boys on their bikes is officially the most awesome photo ive seen today. those kids are rocking being 5 1/2.
I hope to be as cool as she is too, which is a very lofty goal. I think there’s only hope for my kids! Thanks for saying that 🙂
1. My lucky number is 8 also!
2. I love, love, love Ray Donovan. I have a little crush on him – I tend to fall for the bad boys on television.
3. The bed/cake scene made me laugh out loud! I can’t wait to see the movie – I’m hopeful it will be good because the cast is awesome.
4. Thinking of you as the boys get ready for the big K.
This is way too cool! We are kindred spirits! And yes, I cannot wait to see the movie as well and the cake scene in particular 🙂
Loved this blog post and how it is all random and wonderful and perfect in one! It makes me smile-It’s official, I love it! ox
Thanks so much Erin!! Yes, it’s how I get all my random-ness out in one post 🙂
Jonathan Tropper is awesome – I haven’t read that one, but I did read One Last Thing Before I Go, which was gut wrenching, funny and hard-to-put-down.
I’m so sorry about the credit card thing, because I experienced that same problem early this year, and was totally oblivious for a couple of weeks until I received my statement, and some a*hole was doing online purchases to their heart’s content until they hit my credit limit (thank god for a credit limit). It was a pain to sort shit out, and get another card. Gah. Glad you got yours sorted!
I just noted that title. You’re not the first to say that his other books are equally amazing. I can’t wait!
Yes, the cc thing was a huge pain. Even getting my new card was a nightmare. Hopefully it’s over and yes to credit limits!!