Public Service Announcement

(ahem) Just an FYI, this blog is super quiet because I am two months out from my wedding, so all I do these days is sew pink pieces of fabric together and throw glitter in the air. My personal blog will get more lively after March. Until then, get your Penny Pantomime fix on WeddingBee (where I'm Ms Snapdragon - Look Out!)

If you aren't into weddings, hold tight, I'll be back after I'm all hitched! For tulle and glitter, click HERE.

Lots o' smooches,

Penny

33

Today's my birthday, and I'm 33 years old. I would say it's time for a really big cupcake, but I have a fairly spendy wedding dress that I have to fit into.  To make it even more serious, said wedding dress is hanging outside my closet, so I have zero wiggle room in the physique department. Ms Thang says I gotta stay a solid size 6 or else Ze Dress will be a bit hilarious in a totally not funny way that will make me barf. Size 4 if I want to shake my booty on the dance floor....

...which I do.  I am nothing if not a booty shaker.

Anyway, so this is 33. Bossyboots surprised me with flowers, which is always very fun! We're going out for birthday dinner after the marathon because if we went out right now, I'd be carb-loading a bagel with egg whites.

Yesterday, not one but two people called to wish me a happy birthday... (NOT my birthday, for the record.) One of them was my dad - who also jumped the gun last year. I think he's really a little too wrapped up in being first. It's all those triathlons he competes in - makes him overly competitive. This is what happens when you are one of 22 kids... getting the birthdays right is really just gambling. Also, how to spell certain people's middle names, but let's not go there TODAY. ;) 

In the year to come...

I want to:

• Get hitched (I realize that this is not character development - I have no excuse for putting an event on this list. I am explaining so you know that I'm not an idiot, just a plebian.)
• Be more compassionate
• Become a better writer
• Become a better painter
• Become more open
• Only be cranky when it's the funny thing to do
• Eat more cheese, French sheep cheese specifically.

I do NOT want to:

• Run any more frickin' marathons. . . . . (extra frickin periods to show that I'm extra frickin serious)
• See above, highlight, emboss, tattoo it on my face.

Hello, 33! Let's have a party.

I'm Still Here

Hi, everyone! I wanted to pop in because I haven't written a post here in... a really long time.  I'm still alive, everything's great. Between my normal life, wedding planning, and marathon training, I just can't get a word in edgewise around here!  I also think this site o' mine is due for a major overhaul.  I've been percolating on a new format - it won't be showing up anytime soon, but I have PLANS. Plans, people!

I do have a small bit of exciting news.  I recently purchased a new camera setup that involves this:

A 5D Mkii. The title scares even me!  I've been thinking about upgrading to a full frame for a solid year. It was really scary, but I took my time to think it through, saved up my dollars, and did it. There may or may not have been barfing, but I did it.  Photography is a hobby for me. A really fun hobby that challenges me, and a way for me to remember all of my favorite memories. I love it.

The 5D is really too much camera for me right now; I have no idea where anything is on it... starting by reading the manual!  I'll grow into it though... verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry slowly! I considered waiting for the Mkiii, but since this is just a hobby for me, I decided that the Mkii sounded amazing to me.

That right there is one of my top reasons for learning how to shoot - to remember my favorite people over the course of my lifetime. Also, it's really good rationalization. :)

So now you all know I'm alive and kickin'. I've been reading and enjoying all of your blog posts - I will be back with a few of my own soon!

Sometimes I Come Home...

... and there's a lovely surprise waiting for me.

Coming Out of a Running Slump

I don't think it's been any secret that training for my second marathon has been tough... SO tough.  This year, I've been plagued by injuries, even though I know I haven't been overtraining.  My friend Wrigley-T has been having an even worse time of it than me in the running injuries department.  We commiserate often about it....

Every week, it seems like I have a new "issue" in the running department.  One problem will go away, only to be replaced with a new one.  This month has been super weirdo - out of nowhere my speed has tanked.  I am usually pretty solid running a 9:30-10 minute mile, then taking walk breaks every 8-10 minutes (every 5 on my long runs.)  I generally bang out 5.5 miles per hour, no problem at all.

For some reason, over the past few weeks, I really struggle going any faster than 12 minute miles.  My short 5-milers were killing me!  I can't explain it.  I decided not to obsess about it, but just keep with my training.

Since I got my wakeup call in the injury department, I've started incorporating regular weight training (which I should have been doing since the beginning!!)  I also bought new running shoes (I was due, plus a new shoe often helps when you have Achilles strain like me,) and I've started foam rolling like a beast.  If you're new to the idea, this is what a sports foam roller looks like:

Pretty boring, huh?  :)  However, it's been helping me a ton.  My left hamstring has been locking up at times and just generally getting really sore mid-run, and I've had zero issues in this department now that I've started foam rolling regularly.

Anyway, all this to say... I *cautiously* think I have my running legs back!  I ran a 16-miler last weekend with none of my regular issues. Then I ran a 12-miler this weekend in 2hr 16min, and I felt fan-freakin-tastic.  Well, maybe not quite that exciting, but I was a supersweaty smiley person.  I haven't had any of the scary tendon strain tweaks that marked my July and early August... Is it because I'm weight training, the new shoes, foam rolling???  Who knows, but I'm glad for it.

Although this weekend I have an 18-miler, so.... let's see if I'm as happy as this praying mantis come Saturday.