SMBHD - Mocks My "Special" Running Approach

He doesn't even read my blog, so he doesn't know about this.

My BH goes to the gym, like, all the time. So usually when I run, he's already there, and when I get back, he's still there. Point is - he doesn't usually see me getting ready for my run and never sees me actually run since I refuse to run with him.

Why do I refuse to run with him? Every time he gets back from running he tells me about who he "beasted" on the trail. I wonder if these people know they're racing. He swears they do and they're in on it, too. I'm not so sure. I can't say that I've ever known if someone was trying to race me. Probably because I don't run fast. But anyway, that's why I don't run with him. Everything is a competition with him, and he's a much faster runner than me, so running together would not be a good thing for our marriage!

On the other hand, he refuses to run with me, too. Philly has like 1,800 runs every year - 5ks, 10ks, walk/runs, marathons, etc. I've done the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure before (5k), and would like to do something similar again because it's for a good cause, and it's about my limit to be honest. He REFUSES to do anything under 10k because it's "not worth it". Lol. What a running snob!!

Ok back to the matter at hand. My troublemaker of a BH mocks my running.

Randomly last week he started telling me I run like a grandpa. Remember, he does not run with me, so I guess since I told him I don't run fast, he now thinks I run like I'm 80 years old (and male). I don't even know how this came up, but it did. And of course he kept saying it, because he's a troublemaker like that.

I went running on Sunday when he had already gone to the gym for the day and I put my sunglasses on as I was leaving the house. It was mid-day, super hot out, and SUPER bright out. Sunglasses were necessary. He told me I looked like I should be in the Matrix. Then kept saying, "Bye Keanu Reeves! Keanu, have a good run! HAHAHAHA!" Did I mention he loves laughing at his own jokes? But ok for real, I have two options here - I wear my sporty sunglasses, or I wear my normal sunglasses. My normal sunglasses are like Mondo huge and A - would look stupid while running B - would leave me with huge white spots surrounding my eyes from any color I get.

Anyway, I'm posting this today because we're going to be in England tomorrow! And hopefully his mom and aunt will yell at him for making fun of me while we're there. :)

-C
xxx

My "Special" Running Approach

via Google Image Search

I can't help but think when I run how much of a rookie I am. Yes, I am still a rookie (or at least I feel like one) even though I've been running since I was like 13. It's because I haven't kept running since I was 13. I think I just don't consider myself a "runner". I don't know if I'll ever be one of those people with an "I ♥ running" t shirt or stickers on my car. I don't ♥ it that much. Plus, I'd feel like a fraud because, like I said, I still feel like a rookie. Running's easy. You just move your feet. Which is probably why I do it. I don't have to go to a trainer and find out how to use my feet properly. I just move them and watch other people to make sure I move like they do. Easy enough. When I run I tend to think of my "special" approach to running and thought you'd really like to read about it. Ha.

I don't like to learn new exercises. I like to be able to just do it. Hence running is for me.

It took me a very long time (and several tries at this "consistent running thing") to figure out that I don't need to run fast.

I get "side stitches" if I run too fast, hence the need for running slower. Oddly enough, I only ever get them on my left side. I think my breathing has something to do with this as well.

I can't figure out how to breathe right. Yeah, for real. I think it's in through the nose, out through the mouth. When I concentrate on it too much I get really out of breath. If I don't concentrate on it I get side stitches. Lose-lose. Help?

I can't run uphill or downhill (slight grades only) or I get shin splints. I learned that the hard way many moons ago.

I FINALLY discovered the joys of running shorts. I guess I've always been under the impression that since I don't work out that much, why spend too much money on clothes to work out in? However, sometimes it pays off. Because apparently there have been running shorts out there all along that I never knew about and finally discovered and rock my world. I was in TJ Maxx (yeah, I still didn't pay a lot for them, but if I had known about these a long time ago before they hit TJ Maxx, I would've!), and picked up two pairs of running shorts to try on. The first were plain black. I went to put my feet through the holes and was like "WHOA WHOA whoa. Is this a men's bathing suit? What is up with the mesh underwear inside? Weird. NOPE." and didn't even try them on. The next pair had a green stripe on the side. So when I went to try them on, and found out they also had the mesh underwear inside… they got a chance (due to the green stripe). And I bought them. And I love them. No shorts riding up on me anymore! BONUS: there are tiny little pockets inside the shorts for a key or something, and the back one I use for my Ipod.

Until recently, and without my super awesome inside back pocketed shorts, I had no idea how to put my Ipod on without it getting in the way. I tried those arm strap thingers (I sweat too much under them and they annoy me). I don't like holding things when I run (plus, again, sweat too much and don't want my Ipod to get all sweaty!). And even now with the Shuffle (that clips on), I still didn't know of a good spot to clip it without my arms getting in the way. I would always find a way to knock it and get perilously close to it flying into the canal. Gross. I am NOT going in there. So thank god for those shorts because they now saved my Ipod as well.

I have a really hard time resisting the urge to mouth the words to some songs when I run. Sometimes I don't resist.

I have to chew gum when I run. This will probably make a trainer cringe, but I'm serious. I also get side stitches if I don't do this. My theory is that because I drink a ton of water on a daily basis, but refuse to carry a water bottle with me when I run because, as we've already discussed, I don't like running with things in my hands, that my body isn't used to going that long (and working that hard) without hydration. Gum keeps me hydrated by way of producing more saliva, I guess, but whatever, it works. It helps. And when I forget my gum? I get stitches and dry mouth and am miserable and don't run for as long. FACT: I also have to chew gum when I sing. I always used to chew gum in choral concerts and stuff and my instructor would always yell at me. But I didn't actually chew it, I just kept it in my mouth so my mouth wouldn't get dry.

I have to keep my hands open and (I guess) above my heart level when I run. I'm assuming it's my heart level - all I know is I have to keep them angled upwards and not fisted. If I keep them by my waist, or even when I'm walking if I keep them down by my sides, my fingers swell up like sausages. So when I'm doing the walking portion of my run (yes, I still have to do that a little), I have to keep my hands pumping or put them on my head. I can actually feel the swelling happening instantly if I don't.

Other people on the trail path probably look at me funny when I'm pumping my arms or putting them on my head while I'm walking. I wouldn't know because I avoid eye contact with them.

I don't want to know how far I actually run. I think it's because if I run 3 miles one day, and 1 mile the next, I'll feel like a failure. Versus if I run to the the fork in the path one day, and only to the red bridge the next, it doesn't feel like that. I only know that I run for about 45 minutes on an average day. Sooo... whatever that means. Yes, I suppose I do like to play mind games with myself.

I like to run outside so I can get some color. I usually wear very thin strapped tank tops to prevent major tan lines. I wish they would make tube tops that stay up while running.

My neighbors are probably going to notice soon that I only have one pair of running shorts. People sit on their front stoops in Manayunk, so I'm constantly running past the same people.

I'm sure this all gives you a fantastic picture of me running down the trail path along the dirty canal with a wedgie, accidentally ripping my Ipod out of my ears with my jazz hands, mouthing the words to "Last Night" by Katy Perry, while wearing a tube top.

I secretly hope that people don't notice my special-isms and think I look like an awesome runner. Or at least that they're not thinking I should be in the special olympics.

-C
xxx

So...

MY DRESS FITS!!

Like, really well, too.

That is all.

-C
xxx

Ship Me Up To Boston!

Something you might not know about me is how much I love Boston. I have this weird obsession with it. Would LOVE to live there. But, alas, it's too far from my mom, and other considerations. I don't know, maybe I'll convince her to move there someday... (we could go to lots of Red Sox games, Ma.)

Anyway, I already told you my husband planned a trip to Boston as my birthday present. Now I'm just going to tell you what we did. We were only there for, oh, a day and a half, but it was such a great trip!

We started off by getting up at 4am. OWWWWW. That's all I have to say about that. Got to the hotel, checked in, and got to the first stop - Harpoon Brewery! Yes, we were on a brewery tour at 10:30 in the morning. Don't judge. It was the best brewery tour I've ever been on! Ok, so it's only the 2nd, but still the best, and anywhere is going to be hard-pressed to beat it for a few reasons:

1. The first thing they do on the tour is fill up your glass for a tasting.
2. They let you taste beer directly out of the barrel - you'll never have fresher beer than that!
3. They're SUPER passionate about their beer, and it shows. They also give you some tidbits about their competitors, which was really interesting. Did you know that Sam Adams doesn't even brew beer in Boston?? But yet, they have a "brewery" tour... interesting. They actually brew it in Pennsylvania. Double interesting.
4. The "grain waste" that is created in the process is picked up by a local farmer to feed his cows. Talk about reduce, reuse, recycle!
5. They let you sample ALL 12 of their beers on tap, if you're quick! I think they give you a half hour to taste whatever you like. If you can taste 12 beers in that time, you can taste 12 beers in that time. I only got to 3, but that's because I didn't know there was a time limit (ok, again, don't judge, the tastings are like 1/4 of a pint glass).
6. And, FINALLY, Harpoon just finished brewing their very first PUMPKIN ALE. I LOOOOVE PUMPKIN ALE!! It's not even out in stores yet, and I got to taste it. I'm not joking, the aftertaste was like eating pumpkin pie. It was amaaaazing! Tim refused to try it because he "hates pumpkin ale". Probably like how he "hated pumpkin pie" before ever trying it and is now obsessed. Someday he'll try the ale... someday... and then I'll probably have to part with half the case of pumpkin beer I get every fall. Hm... maybe I shouldn't make him try it... good point.


Ok so clearly I just wanted to post about Boston so I could tell you all about the Harpoon tour.

We also...

Visited the Public Garden and Boston Common

Where I made Tim ride the swan boats with me.
He keeps telling me I owe him for that.

Notice how thrilled he is.

Got to go to Fenway!

... and see Big Papi!!

And they won! Thank god.

And, get this, we randomly got to meet up with some family of mine! Through the magic of facebook, I saw that they were at Fenway, and we got to meet up with them! I can't even remember the last time I saw them. It's been quite a long time, that's for sure! This is going to sound weird, but I can't figure out if they are cousins or aunt/uncle... um. My grandma's brother's son. So that makes him... either my uncle or my 2nd cousin (since it would be my father's 1st cousin)... well, either way, they're family, lol. Anyway, my cousin/uncle Mitch has a blog chronicling his MS over at EnjoyingTheRide.com if you're interested.

Found Mooo... (this one's for you Cass). Yes, it's a restaurant, and apparently those tubes are portable air conditioners. Weird.

And, AND I got to drink a Green Monstah IPA!
Why did they not have these at Fenway???

I'm pretty sure Tim's favorite part of the trip is that we found a Wagamama!

If you don't know, which you probably don't, Wagamama serves pan-Asian and Japanese food. There are, I swear, 50 of them in London alone, and the only 3 in the US are in Boston! We had sooo much clam chowder and other seafood this weekend that we were ready for something else and lo and behold, there's Wagamama in the Fanheuil Hall Marketplace.
He was thrilled! For real this time.

Boston, we miss you already. *tear*

-C
xxx

Dressing - You're Doing It Wrong

via Google Image Search

Apparently I've been dressing myself wrong for quite a while. I like colors, so I gravitate towards buying colored shirts a lot. Purple, teal, yellow, oh, right, and green (obviously). I tend to pair them with a neutral or black bottom. But recently I've been seeing people doing the color block thaaaang and I'm obsessed. I've been staring at my "closet" for a couple weeks now, trying to find a way to color block with what I've got.

What is color blocking, you ask? My definition (which I think is pretty accurate, but if not, I don't really care) is basically wearing a couple different non-patterned brightly colored clothing items (be it a shirt, skirt, shoes, purse), all together. Another helpful definition I found is: "...creating an outfit by putting areas or blocks of solid color next to each other. It can include monotone, bright colours, muted colors, contrasting and complimentary colors. Clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories can all feature color block designs or can make up different blocks of color to be put together for a color block outfit." (via this site) Sounds like a lot of color, and some people take it a bit too far, for sure, but sometimes it comes out super cute and successful, and those times make me want to color block.

Like this one, from one of my fave blogs everrr EatLiveRun:

Super bonus points for an awesome $2 thrift store find!

So basically I've decided I can't color block with what I've got because of a couple reasons:
A - My colored (non black, grey, or tan) skirts/pants are all patterned, except for one light yellow pencil skirt.
B - I can't quite think of any of my bright shirts that would go with said light yellow pencil skirt. If it were a real yellow or a mustard, yes, but it's not, so boo.
C - I have a ton of black, grey, and tan skirts/pants. Like, way too many.

I love color, but apparently I've just been doing it wrong! I need color on the bottom as well as the top. And need to stop buying so many patterned skirts. Duhhh.

I ordered a teal pencil skirt because I just couldn't wait to get to a thrift store/Marshall's this weekend. Fingers crossed!! Fingers also crossed for finding others at said thrift store/Marshall's this weekend, because I obviously need more than one option.

Hopefully I won't go too far, like this girl:

via Google Image Search

-C
xxx

Blogger SUCKS

I have a ton of blog posts started, but have been lacking the motivation to actually finish and post them recently. Why, you ask? Because Blogger (the service this blog is on), is annoying the crap out of me, that's why. People haven't been able to post comments on my blog since, um, MAY. I've notified them, others have notified them... to no avail. The only people who can comment are those who have blogger accounts (and I think it's only those who actually have a blogger account that they use - so other bloggers). So, it's pretty disheartening to keep posting and have no one able to comment, really. UGH BLOGGER, NOW I SEE WHY PEOPLE LEAVE FOR WORDPRESS!! Get your sh*t together.

via Google Image Search

grrr. anger.

-C
xxx

SMBHD - Misses England!

Obviously!

As is to be expected, there are certain food items he misses from home, that he has been unable to find since moving here... until now.

A while ago I purchased a LivingSocial deal for a place called The British Chip Shop, in Haddonfield, NJ (South Jersey). FYI - Chip shop = a place where fish & chips is sold. It's only like a half hour away, and near the Cherry Hill Mall, which I like to go to every now and then. I figured we'd certainly make it there at some point and I'd just take him to the chip shop as a side trip. The website's pretty meh and there aren't any pictures or anything, so I really didn't think it was going to be that great. Stephen Starr, famous restauranteur in Philadelphia, opened up a restaurant called Dandelion not too long ago, that Tim reaaaally wanted to try. Starr likes to open restaurants with various different types of cuisine - French, Japanese, Cuban, American Soul Food, etc... and now British. They were going to have roast dinners on Sundays and serve other various British food and drink staples. Well… neither of us heard anything good about this place, only bad, so Tim lost his desire to try it. So I didn't hold out too much hope for this little place in South Jersey… but it was a huge success! The place is nice and new, and right on the main strip in Haddonfield. It's such a cute area! We both decided within like 2 minutes of walking down the street that we could live there… except for the fact that it's a dry town. Yeah, no bars, no alcohol. What's up with that?? Anyhoo… I refused to tell Tim where we were going right up until we were on the main street and I pointed to the British flags. He was like, "A CHIP SHOP?!... I love you." with, I swear, sparkles in his eyes. We walk in, more sparkles. It was a really nice place actually. It looked like a traditional pub, with wooden tables and wooden paneling and things like that, but so that you wouldn't mistake it, there was English paraphernalia EVERYWHERE. Beatles posters, "Mind the Gap" signs, soccer football jerseys, a TRASH CAN WITH THE UK FLAG ON IT (where can I get one?!). They even do "take away" (complete with a sign that says so). He walked in and walked right up to the pastry display, marveling at all the pastries we don't usually have in America.

We sat down and more sparkles as he looked through the menu. There was HP brown sauce on the table. I'm pretty sure that was his favorite part. He constantly talks about how we don't have "brown sauce" here. Which, I'm not entirely sure what it is. Think consistency of ketchup, but smell of worchestershire sauce? I don't know, I haven't tasted it, only smelled it. The waiter came to the table and told us they didn't have Coke or Pepsi products, all they had were teas and soda imported from the UK (which is total garbage, because you can totally get a Pepsi or Coke from the UK, but whatever). We ordered a pot of tea (his favorite, PG tips, which he's been having his mom send to him), two fish and chips, and mushy peas. So this was the first time I tried mushy peas and I just don't get it?? I mean, they taste fine, but I just don't get it… why mush them when they taste perfectly good non mushed? The fish was DELISH. I am not a fish fan, but for some reason, I like it fried. And with half a bottle of ketchup. Tim has been telling me for weeks now that we're going to his favorite "chippy" (aka chip shop) when we go back to England (in just two weeks now!). When we had this fish, he said it was just as good as his favorite place! It was really, really good. So in conclusion, we found a great place to go when my BH needs his fix of British food, drink, and brown sauce. Oh, right, AND they do roast dinners on Sundays (very traditional English thing). Looks like we'll be back.

Tim with his face in the pastry display.

But wait, there's more! We walked outside and across the street, owned by the same people, is a place called The English Gardener Gift Shop. Now, in case you didn't know, I'm a bit of an anglophile. I like British things. British Husbands especially, but in general anything that has a UK flag on it or says "London" must be mine immediately if not sooner.

So we walk in the store and I'm in heaven. It's like a nice tourist shop in London... but in South Jersey. We continue to walk in and find that they not only have little souvenier things that you could fool someone with and tell them you went to England when you didn't at all, but they have UK food products. Brown sauce, staring him in the face. Cadbury bars, PG tips (tea bags), special sodas, mushy peas in a can (so wait, they even mush them for you??), and even refrigerated products like English meats and cheeses. WHOA. I thought for sure BH was going to go crazy and want to buy everything, but he didn't. He didn't buy anything, actually! He said since we're going to England so soon, he'll just get some things over there and bring them back. I tried to tell him to save the weight/space/possible leakage in his suitcase to just get it here, but he wouldn't have it. Said he wanted to get a much bigger "squeezy" bottle of HP brown sauce (which sounds gross to me). He also said we'll be making plenty of trips back, though, when he runs out of PG tips... and brown sauce. We may just have to live in Haddonfield yet.

-C
xxx