Three Things Thursday

So it's been quiet around here lately. I keep writing drafts of posts and then never posting them because when I re-read them they seem stupid. So since I still have any new or interesting ideas for posts, here's just a quick update on what is happening in my life.

1) I start my final semester of nursing school in 2 weeks. I can't believe I am this close to the end. When I started last May 15 months seemed so long and I didn't know if I'd make it through. I can't believe everything I've learned in a year. I actually sound like I know what I am talking about sometimes these days.

I can't wait until I don't have to wear all blue scrubs- no more looking like a giant blueberry!

2) I signed up for some summer races. Yeah! I haven't raced since last September, so this is the longest stretch I've ever gone without racing since I started running. I don't regret the break- I needed some unstructured running time and was busy with school- but I am looking forward to my summer races. 

3) After my friend Liz's wedding I was bummed because it reminded me how much I miss having running buddies. I realized though that although I don't have running buddies, I have made a great group of gym friends in the past year. They really push me to work harder in classes and make going to the gym a lot more fun. When they cancelled our Sunday morning class, we just decided to hold our own and take turns leading the class.

Whats new in your world?

Running Buddies

Last weekend I went to Newport, RI for the wedding of one of my best friends from college. Although the wedding itself was a blast, for me the highlight of the weekend was getting to run with my friends.

It didn't hurt that we were running along the amazing cliff walk

I've been in a bit of a running funk this year. I think  it's because I run by myself in the very early morning. Not so fun.

Running with my college friends totally reminded me why I became a runner in the first place. When I started college, I could only run for about 20 minutes, and I just did it for the exercise. But within just a couple weeks I was running for an hour or more because it was so fun! I'd get talking with these girls and the miles just flew by.

This weekend was the same. I had worried about running with them because I'm not in the shape I was in college. But it was so fun. So fun. For the first time in awhile running felt easy. I didn't notice the time at all. I finished feeling elated.

the fields of spring flowers added to my elation

Too bad they all live too far away to run with on a regular basis. This did convince me though that I need to stop being so lazy and anti-social and find some local running friends.

Portland Maine area runners, where are you?

I Should Know Better

After almost 15 years of running, I should know better than to keep running in worn out shoes just to save a few bucks (and because I am anal and like to start new pairs on the first of the month).

I loved these Hokas, but they barely lasted 300 miles. So I kept running in them even though they had no soles left. 

KIERSTEN DAWN- You only get one body, don't abuse it. You have 3 pairs of new shoes sitting in your closet- start wearing one now!!

After suffering various aches and pains for a few weeks, I finally bit the bullet and pulled out a new pair of shoes. Like magic, all those aches and pains were gone.

How many times has this happened to me? Why do I still do this to myself!