How can it be...

That a person could train for and then run a half marathon and feel out of shape? I'm not sure how this happens, but my gut (har har) says it has something to do with carbs. Specifically, too many of them in the name of "this is what they tell me to do, consume carbs so I don't hit the wall."

Whatever it is, I am SO proud that I made it to the finish line for a second time this year after 13.1 long miles. And it is no question in a large part due to the encouragement of a good friend who ran along with me (thanks Neen!).

But I think the training for these types of races is just not the most sustainable course for me. I get exhausted from the long runs and can't seem to find much time mid-week for the short runs. And, I just really want to run for fun, as well as work on developing my 5k speed. And I desperately miss yoga.

I think I just need more balance in my workouts - something that isn't too far on one extreme or another, and something I can stick with that will encourage better eating habits. Because this is frustrating, to feel flabby and out of sorts despite having run more miles than I ever imagined I'd be able.

30 - updated

A little over a year ago I made a list of thirty things I thought I should try to accomplish prior to turning 30. I had 6 months to take care of it. I wasn't 100% successful (to be honest, I'm not sure I even could have received an "A") but I absolutely enjoyed the process of coming up with the list, working to scratch things off, and talking about it with friends, old and new. In particular, I think my list could have been more "checked off" had a certain person not entered my life but I am NOT complaining. I'll take booked weekends and significantly less "alone" time to be with this guy any day of the week.

So anyway, here's an update on where things stand.

1. Run a 5K race - done! 10/15/11 in 36 mins
2. Run 10K (6+ miles) - done! 3/3/12, and then kept going! Ran a half marathon in April, with a second on the books for October 21.
3. Have my place professionally cleaned
4. Pay off my credit cards (all 4 - but I'll settle for 3 by then) 3 down, 1 to go as of 4/6/12 (thank you student loan surplus). Looks like this will be DONE 12/28/12, if not prior. I've never been more excited for payday than I am now, seeing the balance decline. Woo!
5. Climb Compton Water Tower - done! 10/1/11
6. Take the knife skills class at Kitchen Conservatory - done 1/11/12!
7. Fly somewhere I've never been - 3/25/11 to Seattle for work conference
8. Get another massage at the Chase Spa - planning on doing this post-half marathon in late October
9. Paint the bathroom - done 2/20/12
10. Paint the hallway
11. Clean up the basement storage - in progress. Slow but steady, and avoiding spiders!
12. Use the BBQ grill (burn a bunch of sage on it first!) - done! Success on 10/2/11
13. Finish reading Death and Life of Great American Cities - still working. Goodreads says I'm 57% there.
14. Finish reading The Art of Happiness - even closer, at 91%.
15. Have a bike and ride it around - done this once...a little intimidated but I need to just do it!
16. Wear makeup. Like eyeliner, and maybe lipstick. Regularly. - done, er, rather, habit formed! 12/1/11
17. Get a less than safe haircut - done on 11/11/11 w/ a big drastic chop!
18. Buy a case of wine, all at once
19. Get good at baking sourdough bread
20. Make at least 1/2 my Christmas gifts - didn't happen, but I'm ok with it and not going to dwell on a less than 100% score for this list.
21. Buy a pair of jeans from somewhere swankier than The Gap
22. Go sledding on Art Hill - Winter 2011/12 was a total bust in terms of snow. Bummer! Rumor has it this could be a snowy winter, so maybe I'll get my chance yet!
23. Eat dinner at 1 of the awesome places I never get to go to anymore - done 2/5/12 with a fab dinner at Niche
24. Eat something I've never eaten before - ate beef cheeks and stinging nettles at 2 nice restaurants in March. It was a good eating month!
25. Knit something other than a glorified potholder
26. Watch a roller derby bout - done 2/4/12
27. Buy myself a piece of pretty jewelry - done 4/12, got a cute little ring from Etsy
28. Hang out at the Hilton's new 360 bar. Went with friends on 4/5/12
29. Try contacts. Again. For the 4th time. - not so sure of this...the last eye doc I went to wasn't so convinced contacts were for me...a strong blinker - ha!
30. Take a last minute trip (i.e. sans months of planning) Headed to Everett WA w/ the BF's family for a wedding. As it was their thing, I didn't have much say into planning aside from making the hotel reservation. It was a few crazy days of travel and just going with the flow. I did pretty darn well. Not the spontaneous weekend trip I imagined when I wrote this list, but I think it captured the spirit given present circumstances just fine.

So things are chugging along. I'll probably have more crossed off in the next couple months. Hopefully by year-end this will be mostly wrapped up. Then perhaps time for a new one? I do love a good list.