Apparently, everything. Age is such a gigantic factor in my life right now. I want to be younger so I can run faster and also know wtf these kids I’m in graduate school with are talking about. My kids want to be 18 so they can live alone and watch “Stranger Things” on a loop. My dad (who is 69) declared that “85” is now the official age for being old, and Lenny Kravitz is 55 and looks and sings like someone who is the age my kids want to be. Make it stop.
Not you Lenny. Don’t you dare stop!
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2019
RUNNING
My favorite mantra is “train where you are.” Not where you once were or where you want to be but where you are right now. It’s a very tough pill to swallow, but it generally works. I’m very grateful for where I am in my running life now but sometimes I get bogged down in what I used to do. Knowing those days are behind me is kind of tough, but it doesn’t stop me from trying!
My half marathon is a mere 4 weeks away and I’m going to do my damnedest to get close to 1:30. My PR is 1:28 and that happened way back in 2014 before I was even 40! I think they shoot horses with a history like that.
Monday: easy run | 6 miles | 8:30 avg pace
Tuesday: speed | 10 x 800 | 3:10 avg for the 800s | 8.29 total miles
Friday: long run | 12.01 miles | 1:45:13 | 8:40 avg pace
Sunday: hills | 5 x (20 sec, 40 sec) 5th one done backwards < – – yes, backwards | 6.42 miles total
Total = 33.01 miles
At least I’m not as old as some of the people walking around the indoor track. I think most of them have hearing aids because every time I zip by them, I scare the crap out of them. Every.time. #walkingdead
CYCLING
Since I’m hyper focused on running I found some creative ways to get my cycling fix. Basically whenever I have a swim or strength workout, I bike to the gym and back. Although this is going to get tricky if I start using the Springfield College pool before my Thursday class, since it’s about 30 miles one way…
Wednesday: 16.5 miles before strength training | 1:01:00
Thursday: 16.9 miles before swimming | 1:34:00
Total = 33.4 miles
SWIMMING + STRENGTH
So my trainer turned 34 last week. I seriously had no clue he was 10 years younger than me. I either think everyone is 12 or my age. Anyone else have this problem?
Later that same week, when I asked the student at the front desk of the Springfield College health center if they had a hand out with a class and pool schedule, she stifled a laugh and said “they’re all online.” I think she wanted to add “do you have access to the internet ma’am?” #shootme
Swimming: 2,000 yards
Strength: 1 hour
THINGS I LOVE
Lenny Kravitz. It cannot be overstated what a rockstar this man is. His entire being just screams it. He exudes coolness. I’m sure he doesn’t have the issues I do with edibles, and laughs at being 55 as if the mere passage of time could ever tarnish his exuberance or talent.
My husband and I saw him 15 years ago and he was just as good last week or, dare I say, better? Oh I dare. And I say that because he continues to have a message of love and hope and coming together. If you’ve never heard the song “Here to Love,” turn off the news and listen.
I can’t wait to go to his show when he’s 70!
THINGS I HATE
Since we’re talking about age, I really hate when people say “age is just a number,” or some other nausea-inducing cliche. I did however, love when my Garmin gave me this little tidbit…
You are a sweet talker fenix! It makes me forget about the times when you told me my workouts were “unproductive.” #shortmemory
TELEVISION
Mindhunter is back on Netflix with another haunting season of studying serial killers. This season took a bit of a different turn and had them hunting two different killers, one of which they have yet to find. Obviously the show is super disturbing since it’s about serial killers, and this one may be especially so, since it’s focused on the Atlanta child murders.
However, I still find the development of the FBI Behavioral Science Unit supremely fascinating and also what happens with Agent Tench’s adopted son. They also do an incredible job of bringing up taboo 70s topics of homosexuality, rampant sexism and mental health.
READING
I feel a massive responsibility to tell you that the book I mentioned last time, “The Need” by Helen Phillips, was possibly the worst book I have ever read in my life. I actually wrote “Full disclosure: I haven’t read the entire book so it’s possible it’s a tremendous letdown but I don’t really think that’s possible.” Guess what? Not only was it possible, it happened. Worst.Read.Ever.
It truly did start out compelling and lead the reader down a thrilling path of “what’s happening?” but then, when you find out what happened it’s not only absurd, it’s downright stupid. And it only gets worse from there. Way worse.
According to some reviews on Goodreads, this book should be in the genre of “speculative fiction,” which must be the category for “this shit is off the radar ridiculous.”
RANDOM PHOTO OF THE WEEK
My boys are obsessed with Halloween. By August 26th we had been to the Spirit Halloween store twice. In August. And, if you don’t know what that store is, just be happy.
As mentioned in the opening, they are also obsessed with the show “Stranger Things” and so this happened…
Hope you have a great week, no matter your age!
How do you feel about your age?
Read any terrible books lately?
Last concert you went to?
After you posted about Lenny last week, a clip of him on The Tonight Show appeared in my FB feed (always watching me!). I had seen it before but I watched it again. He’s just so damn cool, calm and amazingly beautiful. Ah, Lenny.
It’s still kinda scary when that happens, right? Big brother is always watching! And Lenny is the coolest. Always will be.
I hate to point out the obvious but if you are old, I am ancient. I am a year older than Lenny. I’ve gone through menopause and he hasn’t. And therein lies the difference….
Hell yes, that is the difference – not to mention the pregnancies, kids, etc, etc. But you are my hero. You know I want to be you when I grow up 🙂
I am kind of focused on age now bc I am turning 50 in November ack! Have lots of mixed feelings about it. I like your mantra “train where you are” similar to my run the mile you’re in. I may have to borrow that one. Thanks for linking up
Wait…what??? YOU are turning 50? Wow. I had no idea! You look like you’re about 35 so…
And yes – that mantra works very well for me and stops me from going down the hole of “I used to…”
Absolutely on 12 or my age (39). The number of times I say “he’s our age-ish” and am woefully off is hysterical
I need your kids’ Halloween prep. I’m forever scrambling the week of.
Good to know I am not alone on that one!! And I would be happy to loan my kids out to decorate for you. They would have everything complete by Sept 1st!!
Have I told you before how much I love your sense of humor? Thanks for ALWAYS making me smile 😉 Anyways, “train where you are” is brilliant! And, Lenny? He ain’t too shabby, either…
You have but PLEASE keep telling me!! That is the best compliment. And I hope you can use that mantra. If you can really focus on it, it’s super helpful! Thanks Kim.
Lenny is the coolest of cool. I saw him oh 22 years ago? And it looks like he’s got this age thing in perspective.
Thank you for pointing out that Fenix sweetness. Mine routinely tells me the 20 yr old thing in the to 5% for MY age and gender…and yet in my mind I’m throwing down horseshit runs because they aren’t what they were 10 years ago. Maybe I need to shut up and listen to the Fenix.
I seriously don’t care if its a lie, I will take it! Lie to me fenix!! LOL 🙂
I’m convinced that Lenny Kravitz just doesn’t age – he looks amazing!
I love the “train where you are” mantra – it’s so true!
He truly doesn’t and his VOICE doesn’t age either, which is the really amazing thing.
Hope you can use that mantra to push you to the Chicago start line!!
That costume is great! I love Stranger Things. Wow, Lenny looks awesome!
I have to admit, I love it too – Stranger Things and the costume 🙂 Thanks Lisa!
Well, I was okay about my age (34–great time for marathoning right?) until I wound up pregnant again. Husband getting snipped. Reading future posts now to see how the race went!
HAHAHA – yep, that will do it! Hope you’re doing well friend 🙂