I am having a hell of a time writing my current report. So, instead, my blog will get some attention in the hopes of shaking loose some words. That means … randoms (said a la Okieriete Onaodowan’s James Madison in Hamilton’s “The Reynolds Pamphlet”)!
- Since Cherry Blossom, my running hasn’t been steady at all (which is in keeping with my post-Cherry Blossom laziness). However, I have been making more of an effort these past couple of weeks and I hope I can get into a good groove. Part of the problem? Overtraining for the race — I definitely did too much, too fast, and my poor legs and feet paid the price for it (tight IT band and I’m pretty sure plantar fasciitis). I’ve been making a concerted effort to roll out and stretch each night, which has allowed me to run. As for my runs, I take it easy — no trying to go at my usual pace, but with enough of a challenge to do some conditioning. It’s not easy, but my Garmin Forerunner helps with that.
- The stretching out each night is part of a mindfulness exercise in which I add one good thing to my routine and take away one bad thing. The one bad thing I wanted to take away was checking my phone after 5:30pm, but it’s been a habit that’s been incredibly hard to break — my computer recently gave up the ghost and the phone is all I have. Ay.
- I attempted to read some Neil Gaiman recently and I have to say … just not feeling it. I’m not sure if it’s because reading is still low on my list of priorities or because I just couldn’t get into Neverwhere (fantasy has never been my favorite genre). I did order the newest Louise Erdrich, LaRose, because it sounds incredible. I’m going to try to jumpstart my reading with it once it arrives on Wednesday.
- Speaking of Hamilton, if you haven’t listened to the Broadway cast recording, you really should. It’s absolutely incredible. Reading the analysis of the lyrics on Genius has also been fantastic and enlightening. I’m almost tempted to get Chernow’s biography on Hamilton that inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda. But at 800+ pages, it’s a time investment I can’t make at the moment.
- If you are anywhere near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and have not tried the Blue Trail Shandy at the Lancaster Brewing Company, I command you to go there right now and have one for me. I was there a few weekends ago for a wedding and I miss it so.
- That plan to buy a house? Scratch it. Not happening. My husband and I are trying to find a slightly larger rental in our neighborhood (we saw one this weekend that we decided to pass on), but buying is not in the cards. Bottom line is that we’re not sure how long we want to be in DC. Not buying is fine by me, but I am quite anxious to find something new for us: I cried when I realized the apartment we saw this weekend didn’t fit our needs because I just can’t stand all the problems we’re having with the one we have. My husband, luckily, understands and wants to get us going as soon as it’s possible.
- Since 2013, we’ve been on the neighborhood pool’s waitlist. We’ve had August swim privileges since we signed up, but yesterday we got confirmation that we now have summer swim privileges. We’re not full members yet, but from here on out, we will be able to swim for the entire summer instead of having to slog through the DC heat until some watery relief in August. We immediately paid the fee and excitedly looked forward to weekends at the pool. Now, if only it would warm up a little in the area, that’d be great.
And now to try to write my report. Wish me luck!