I think I should start by saying that when I wrote about being wrong last week, it turns out I was actually RIGHT…aboutΒ oneΒ thing anyway. I’m not surprised, and you shouldn’t be either!

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As you may recall, I said I was wrong about not wanting to wear a different brand of running shoes. I’ve run in Brooks for over 13 years, and they have served me well. However, when I had the opportunity to run the Reach the Beach relay, as part of the New Balance blogger team, that meant running in New Balance shoes. Which I thought was great. I thought they were doing my feet a world of good. Until I took off my nail polish and saw THIS:

 

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My very first ever black toenail!!!!! I have never, ever, ever had a black toenail in all my years of running. So, is it a coincidence that I get the first one in 13 years after changing shoes? I think not. Dammit! *And sorry about the picture of my feet. I hope you’re not reading this while eating.

Now on to our regularly scheduled rundown:

RUNNING: Despite my now falling off toenail, I’ve kept up with my running as usual. I’m getting close to tapering for the half-marathon but this past week I had a great long run (11 miles at 7:34 pace) and a great track workout (4×1400 @ 6:20) with the boys!

Total mileage: 28

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CYCLING: I have to admit, I had a few opportunities to ride outside but I chose to run. It’s just too close to the half- marathon for me to not get in myΒ core running workouts (distance. speed, etc.), and that doesn’t leave a lot of room for riding. I’m hoping to get in some outdoor cycling next week and the week after, when I’m tapering more for the race. I still have my two spin classes though, so I’m at least getting inΒ someΒ ride time!

Total mileage: 48

CROSS-TRAINING: I think I should take up dancing! I mean, I bought my first pair of leg warmers (from Sweaty Betty) since 1989, so what else should I do with them?

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RACING:Β I’m so excited that my SIL and I are going to run the Stockade-a-thon 15K in New York again this year. We couldn’t do it last year, since my cousin was married in Boston, on that same weekend. You may recall the boys were in the wedding and Vaughn created a pee debacle in the church bathroom during the rehearsal!

FUEL: I had my first bite of an AMRAP bar, (I won a box from Flex of Lex!) and now I know why everyone is raving about them! I have the Honey Almond flavor, which is delicious, BUT I only ate half at a time since it’s a whopping 21 grams of fat and 320 calories. Unless I use it as a meal replacement, that’s a lot of fat and calories for one ‘snack.’ What’s in it? Not much, which is exactly how I like my barsΒ – –Β Almonds, Honey, Unsweetened Coconut, Egg-White Protein, Sesame Seeds, Cinnamon, Sea Salt. Try ’em, you’ll like ’em.

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THINGS I LOVE: Making my first appointment with my new gynecologist! After my last horrible appointment with the one I’ve had for years, I decided to end it, and quickly. I spoke with the office manager and she wasΒ not surprisedΒ about my complaints and thoroughly apologized. Do you think I should bring that blog post to my first appointment with the new doc? I like to have full disclosure.

THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Having 80 degree weather on September 28th! I know I’ll miss it come February, but it kind of put a damper on our pumpkin and mum pick-up this weekend. This was the first Fall we wereΒ wearing tank tops to pick out gourds! Where are we? California? Plus, I didn’t get out for my run until 9:30 and it was H.O.T!

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MUSIC:Β I fell in love with this mash-up the first time I heard it. Have you heard aboutΒ Cyndi Lauper and Sara Bareilles teaming up with True Colors and Brave? It’s freakin’ amazing and this video will make you cry, but it’s well worth it. You’ve been warned.

 

 

READING: I’ve read a lot of cool things on the inter webs lately, not the least of which was this postΒ by my good friend Erin Kreitz Shirey of Dig Deep Play Hard. She reminded me to LOOK UP and not dwell on what isn’t getting done, or what you should be doing, and instead to LOOK UP and enjoy the moment. Enjoy your family. Enjoy the little things. Thanks Erin! I’ve been looking up, and I love the view!

 

RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: I love my new ring tone:

 

How was your week? Did you have any firsts?

What’s your ring tone?

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