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Catching up a bit

I really haven't updated this since May? That can't be right. Well, to be fair, I moved out of my parents' house in May and do not have internet at my apartment.

Now, excuses aside, I have no intention of just dropping this blog. I'm far too chatty and introspective a person to give up a tool that allows me to talk about anything I'm thinking, regardless of whether anyone really cares. (Clearly I'm not aspiring to draw a huge audience with this particular blog. I tried that with another blog and then had the same problem of not updating it.)

Since my last post was about starting to train for the Twin Cities Marathon, I should probably begin by saying the training didn't go quite as planned (though still better than training for the Stillwater Marathon). I didn't run as often as I had hoped during my 2.5 week trip to Europe with my dance group. Then, as soon as I got home, I was out for two weeks with a severe cold and tonsilitis. All of this happened during what should have been the peak of my training.

Despite these hiccups, the marathon actually went pretty well. I came within 4 minutes of my original goal (I finished in just over 4 hours and 34 minutes), knocking almost 45 minutes off my time at Stillwater. The next goal is 4 hours... then I can start thinking about qualifying for Boston.

The two months following the marathon saw my biggest slump since I started running regularly. I ran once at the end of October. November was my first zero-mile month in years. I've finally gotten my rear in gear again with a new membership to the YMCA. I love running outdoors in the winter, but it's just too dark by the time I get home from work... especially for a 22-year-old woman who likes to run alone. Now that I've gotten my running back on track (pun not intended but appreciated), I've been in a much better mood overall. Never underestimate the mental wellness powers of fitness. Seriously.

I could go on to update other aspects of my life, but I only get so much time for lunch. I guess I'll just have to not go seven months between posts.

Marathon training is a go

After feeling less than prepared for my first marathon last year (the Stillwater Marathon - a truly wonderful event for my first 26.2-miler) but still making it through, I've been thinking a lot about how to go about preparing for the next one (the Twin Cities Marathon - pretty fitting for a year that saw me moving from Minneapolis to St. Paul).

I didn't use a specific training plan for Stillwater for a few (not great) reasons. Lame reason #1: I didn't think I could follow a rigid running schedule and figured it would be too discouraging to see how many runs I had missed. Pitiful reason #2: I couldn't find a plan I liked, so I decided not to use one at all. I was disuaded by the track work most marathon plans have. I know it's very useful in training, but I just want to run. Weak reason #3: I was constantly busy with classes, clubs, lacrosse practices, and trying to figure out what to do with my life (I was a senior in college). My schedule was so all-over-the-place that I didn't think a strict schedule would work for me.

Reason #3 probably should have had me post-poning a marathon altogether, but I'm quite stubborn when I get my mind set on something, and I had my mind set on running a marathon. I had run quite a bit the summer/fall leading into senior year, with my longest run being 15 miles (though heading out the door, I was planning on 8, maybe 10). After cheering on my roommate at the Walker North Country Marathon - I also ran (and won my age/sex group) the 10K and ran about 7 miles in the middle with her - I figured a marathon was something I could handle. I just didn't really anticipate to be quite so bombarded by life my last year in college.

Anyway, I was quite undertrained. I ran a lot, but rarely more than 5 miles at a time. Then, to make matters worse, I strained my calf a little more than a month before the marathon during a lacrosse game. It hurt bad enough to keep me from running for at least a week (at this point, I'm really not sure how long it was), and I decided to hold off on the marathon. I already knew the entrance fee was non-refundable, but I was a little surprised I didn't have the option of running the next year. I didn't want the money to be a waste, so I decided I'd run as much of the marathon as I could and at least get something out of it.

Of course, once I decided I would start the marathon, I knew that I was going to finish it. I did a little math and figured I could easily finish within the 6-hour limit; I would just have to walk more than I had originally anticipated.

Considering I didn't injure myself further and managed to finish the marathon (5:24:17), I like to think of the calf strain as a little blessing in disguise. Because I didn't feel prepared enough in terms of training, I really focused on other factors to make sure I felt my best come race day. I started going to bed early a full week and a half ahead of time, figuring just one good night's sleep wouldn't be suficient. I started focusing on hydration a couple weeks early - not going overboard, but making sure I was paying attention to it. I also focused more on nutrition, and not in terms of a large carb-filled dinner the night before. I did some research and increased carbs (though not insanely) the week before to start building energy stores. I have no idea if I interpreted all my research correctly, but I felt amazing the morning of my marathon.

If I hadn't been so concerned about not having trained enough, I'm not sure I would have focused on these other important factors quite so much. Now I'll always have sleep, hydration and nutrition in mind while also making sure I train properly.

So back to my current marathon training. I found an 18-week plan I really liked that doesn't involve looking for a nearby track and feeling awkward working through exercises I've never done before. This plan includes two easy runs, a tempo run, a pace run, a long run, a cross-training day, and a rest day each week. I swapped the Monday cross-training and Tuesday easy run since I have dance Tuesday anyway. Otherwise, the plan mostly fits my week well, and I really see myself sticking with it.

I'm only two days in, but I already feel a lot more focused with my training. I have a separate calendar with the schedule up by my door where I can see it, I've been telling a few people about it to help hold me accountable, I have a training log already in full swing (something I didn't have last year), and I have my own apartment, so I don't have to worry about my priorities (running) clashing with my parents' priorities for me (chores). Not only that, but my new apartment is just over a mile away from a lake, and there are plenty of park trails and quiet neighborhoods to explore. I didn't quite have that luxury while living in NE Minneapolis, and I got into a bit of a rut in Winona.

Most importantly, I have a goal. I suppose I had a goal last year: finish the marathon within the 6-hour time limit. It didn't feel like a very challenging goal though. I felt like I could easily finish within 6 hours, so I didn't really push myself. This time, my goal is to finish closer to 4:30. That's a LOT faster than my previous 5:24 finish, but it will certainly keep my rear in gear in terms of training. I'd rather aim too high and work my tail off than shoot too low and get complacent in the weeks leading up to the marathon.

Fingers crossed I don't go straining anything else this time!

Moving on up... or at least, moving on out

I think I'm going to submit an application for an apartment today!

I've been searching for a while now, especially since actually figuring out my budget, and I found one I LOVE. It's at the higher end of my budget, but when I compare it to the others I've looked at, it's totally worth it.

It's at least 100 sq. ft bigger than the others and has two walk-in closets (plus a coat closet). It has a nice kitchen with recently re-done cabinets and a dishwasher. The bathroom is super nice, the windows are new, I'd have a free parking space, and it's quiet and just secluded enough to be peaceful. It's within walking distance of the zoo/lake/trails (RUNNING!). There's an outdoor pool, indoor pool, hot tub, saunas, fitness room, basketball court, tennis court, and party room. It's clean. It's just really nice. Oh, and it's at a good halfway point between work and my parents/dance/Babcia/church.

I also got to ask a current resident what she thought of the place because she came to pick up a package while I was meeting with the manager. She loves it. She's been there 5 years and plans to stay until she's married. I'd say that's a good sign.

If I apply today, the $45 application fee is waived, and they knock $100 off my deposit. I wouldn't move in until May though.

That gives me a few more paychecks to save up. Plus, I'm getting a pretty nice tax return, which is awesome. I've gotten a lot better about monitoring my spending habits and thinking realistically about money. I don't need to buy a lot of souvenirs in Poland. I've been there before, and I've gotten things from family since. I have more jewelry than I can wear already. I really only need to worry about money for food and activities while there, and I'll probably at least get something in Budapest since I've never been. I can hold off on buying any personal costumes. I do still want to buy personal boots.

I could probably hold off on the Hungarian character shoes this spring. I did just buy my other character shoes, so they should still look nice for the show, and they should last me a while yet. I suppose that's something to think about.

I can cancel my gym membership... sad, yes, but I'd have a treadmill available, and I haven't gone to a spin class in a while (no time). I have my own yoga mat, so I could just get a book about yoga and do my own practice at home.

So anyway, yay for yet another step in the growing-up process. :)

Taxes started

So far, so good! I'm using TurboTax, and it's really easy to work with. I did have to ask my dad one question (and was a little surprised he couldn't claim me as a dependent considering I didn't start working full-time until September, he paid some of my tuition, and I have lived at home since graduation). Otherwise, though, I'm doing just fine on my own. I saved and stopped for the night because a) I think I have another form I need that didn't make it into my taxes envelope, and b) it's after 1 a.m. (oops! lost track of time). I also want to stop at the bank tomorrow and possibly set up an IRA, so I don't want to finish filing before I do that.

One thing's for sure: few things will make you feel as grown up as filing taxes on a Wednesday night. Few things I've encountered so far, at least. :)

Real World: Taxes

My next step in this whole "real world" transition: filing my own taxes.

This is the year I stop having my dad file them for me. This is the year I collect all the papers I need on my own and learn what they all actually mean.

This should be interesting. I'm not a big fan of numbers, and financial stuff has always gone way over my head. I'm actually not worried though. All I need to do is try to understand it. Knowledge is power, right? I've been looking for new things to learn now that college is over, so why not learn about taxes?

Anyway, I'll be keeping track of my progress here. So far I have learned that taxes are based on a calendar year, Jan. 1-Dec. 31. That's really nice. I always thought, since the deadline is in April, that it was some weird fiscal year that I'd have to try to remember. I think I can keep January-December organized.

This also means that I should start keeping track of 2011, as long as we're only 2 months in.

So, here goes!

Some things never change

Last year, I dealt with feeling overwhelmed by reminding myself that I wouldn't be so busy after graduation. People tried to tell me otherwise, but I couldn't imagine how it would be possible without my dozens of activities/meetings, the newspaper, and classes.

Oh, it's still possible.

Not that I'm complaining, exactly. I'm just acknowledging that I'm still always busy.

I work 9-5, which means I'm busy from the time I wake up until at least 5:30. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays I have just enough time to eat and change before dance. I usually get to watch an episode or two of How I Met Your Mother while I eat. After rehearsal, we sometimes go out for a bit, and then I get home and go to bed.

Sundays there's church at 11:30 and dance at 5. The time in between never seems to turn into particularly productive time. It's either family time or errand-running time. Sometimes it's lazy time. When I'm motivated, it's running time. I need to make it motivated running time a little more often...

That leaves three open days each week. Fridays and Saturdays should be crazy go-out-be-young-and-party days (let's face it, I'm 22). More often than not, though, I'm either tired from the week and need a chill night, or I have running to do since the middle of my week is all dance, or I have some sort of event or fundraiser to go to. Saturday afternoons are good for those too, when I'm not judging a speech meet or staying at the gym for a bit after yoga.

Mondays would be ideal yoga-and-me-time nights, but they're also the only nights available for spending time with people.

So the juggling game continues. I think I'm going to be very busy for a very long time....