I apologize in advance for the mind dump that this post will be. If you’d like to read something coherent, pop on over to Eat Pray Run DC where I’m sharing 5 things I’ve learned in 20 years of marriage. (And if you like that, you should check out how marriage is like fitness…)
[Tweet “Sometimes the best way to solve problems is to think out loud. #minddump #problemresolution”]
So, in no particular order, here’s what’s swirling around in my head:
- I finally feel like my running is coming back to me. I’ve still got a long way to go to be ready for the Marine Corps Marathon next fall, but baby steps…
- I was working on an article last night and researched a race I’d like to run – the Boilermaker 15K. I’ve wanted to run this race for years as it is sponsored by Saranac Brewing. Saranac was my gateway beer – my introduction to the wonders that are craft beers. But, it sells out super quick and they are instituting a new registration where charity and previous runners get in first. I’m kind of considering running it as a charity runner to guarantee I get it. But running as a charity runner is my ace in the hole for MCM, so I don’t know that I want to have to raise funds for 2 races next year.
- My eating, on the other hand, has been awful lately. It’s not that I’m not eating the right things. I am. I’ve been eating the rainbow. The problem is nighttime snacking. I’ve been pulling out all my tips and tricks and I’m still struggling. I know a big piece of it is stress, so I need to stop the emotional eating!
- As I mentioned in my post on Courtney’s blog, we are coming up on 20 years of marriage! We are also just over 5 years away from some huge milestones: Jones will head to college and Beer Geek will be eligible for retirement. (As you might guess, someone going to college and someone retiring are not a match made in heaven…) I feel like I really need to start working on a Five Year Plan. (Is the process of creating a plan something you all would like to hear about?) I mean, we are saving for both college and retirement, but I feel like I need to figure out what *I’m* going to do with my life. Yes, I’m 44 and I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
- Today I’m running with my MRTT ladies (it’s been way too long) and then I am in pursuit of the last of the holiday beers I need. So far, I have more than 15 beers, but I’m still missing two favorites: Full Sail Wassail and Delirium Noel. Then my holiday haul will be complete.
- Speaking of Christmas, I have zero gifts for anyone so far this year. I can’t figure out what Jones wants (teens are HARD to buy for) and Shoo wants a soccer goal (yeah, that’s gonna fit in our yard). Beer Geek wants a specific bike mountable camera, so I just need him to tell me which version. Me? I need a new computer. Not what I was planning to buy right now (Mac’s are expensive!) but I’ve spent way too much time lately looking at the swirling ball of colors. (And while I was writing this, my computer crashed. Thank Goodness for WP autosave.)
How about you? What are you thinking about? What do you want for Christmas?
I’m linking up with Running with Spoons for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
Have you tried brushing your teeth at night to help prevent you from nighttime snacking? that trick always works for me 🙂
for hanukkah I want a nap 🙂
CARLA recently posted…What are we giving ourselves this year?
HEY I am 44 too!!!!! Been married for 12 years and counting. Not sure WHAT I want for Christmas. Ask my husband he will say I need regular normal CLOTHES! What is that Garmin Virb Elite Action thingy? Random I know. 🙂
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…Exercises You Can Do In Bed Every Morning
Many of my client struggle with night eating because they are not eating enough during the day, staying up later than they’re used to, or are already over tired – so when stress arises, their capacity to deal is diminished. I love sharing Nancy Clark’s “second lunch” recommendation for my athletes.
Half-Crazed Runner recently posted…Top Five Plantar Fasciitis Remedies
Oh, it’s totally stress combined with not nearly enough sleep these days. You’ve totally hit that nail on the head. I’ll have to check out the second lunch info…
I’m glad things are going better with the running and there’s plenty of time to get prepared for MCM next year! I agree that teens are hard to shop for. My nephew just turned 14 and all of sudden he doesn’t want anything. We’re getting him a subscription to this xbox game he wants. Is there some sort of subscription thing Jones might like where the monthly fee might be too much for him? I’m also having difficulty with some snacking issues. This time of year there are always delicious, horrible for you, goodies at work. I bought some decadent tasting chocolate chai teabags that I’ve been trying to reach for first when a snack craving hits. It doesn’t always work but it helps.
Chaitali recently posted…Armpocket give away 2!
Hmm, do they taste chocolatey? I’ve been searching for some flavored decaf coffee and not had a lot of luck lately.
It’s the Tazo brand chocolate chai and I was surprised at how chocolatey it tasted. It’s not decaf though. I don’t know if they have a decaf version. I’ve also tried their cocoa mint mate and it’s pretty good too. It has caffeine but it’s minimal (1 out of 5 on their rating scale).
Chaitali recently posted…Armpocket give away 2!
Is it teen boys who are hard to shop for? I always had a list, and it’d be ready months in advance. I’m about halfway through my Christmas shopping, and will get stuff this weekend and next weekend.
Lesley recently posted…Christmas By Allie
My kid just doesn’t need or want much, plus birthday was in October, so he got stuff then. (The younger kid has a wish list a mile long…)
I’m a huge fan of the Boilermaker! I’ve run both the 15K and 5K. The 15K is great! The Saranac at the end is a good motivator. Especially if it’s hot on race day.
Don’t worry about the eating! At least you got some good highlights throughout the week, like your running returning. 🙂
Linda @ The Fitty recently posted…Night of Tears, and Applying for Juilliard
oh gosh, I’m in the same boat as you in terms of getting back on the running wagon. I loved your guest post on Courtney’s blog. As for me? I have NO idea what I want for Christmas. I tend to buy whatever I want and need throughout the year so I just want to be home with family and enjoy some downtime.
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…“I Mustache You” – Thinking Out Loud v4
We are in the same boat – 4.5 years and both boys will be headed to college. Chris will retire in the next 4-7 years unless something major changes.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen either of the 2 beers you are still in search of – I will have to check out my favorite liquor store!!
Kim recently posted…Scared (maybe scarred) into Changing my Ways
Isn’t that scary??? I’m not old enough to have a kid heading to college in a few years OR a husband retiring. I’m pretty sure I’m still 24!!!
I’m a horrible night snacker. Like you, I eat well, get lots of everything I need. There’s something about the after dinner hour that turns me into an eating machine. And not in a good way…
steph recently posted…Minimalist Gifts for this Non-Minimalist Season
Yes! I wander the kitchen eating anything I can find some nights. I just have to get away from the kitchen LOL.
I loved reading your “mind dump!” I totally need a new computer as well, but I’m not so sure Santa will be able to deliver it this year. Maybe I can talk the Easter Bunny into bringing it in a few months! Ha ha.
Melanie @ Happy Being Healthy recently posted…A Wonderful Thanksgiving, a Challenging 5K and a Fun Family Adventure
Sadly, mine is not optional. I work from home and all of my income from that job and the blog require me to actually be able to, you know, work on my computer. So, I just have to figure out if I can get by with a Mac Air or if I have to get a new Pro. Ugh.
Ohhh the nighttime snacking — definitely guilty of that one as well! In fact, I woke up this morning still feeling a little sick from the snacking I did last night 😆 I find the thing that helps me cut down on it most is making sure I eat enough early in the day. As long as I get enough calories in me before dinner and don’t go into the evening hungry, then I’m okay.
I wish it was just a hunger issue. I’m just a straight up stress eater and I’ve been stressed lately. Need to work on it…
I am thinking about all the things that are about to change around here. We’re buying a house, and a business, and a car, and remodeling the house…I can’t even keep track of it all.
I need a new computer, too. It’s faster to look things up on my phone than on my computer. :\
Becky @ Ok, so here’s the plan recently posted…Target Triumph and Wrapping Presents
Umm, yeah, that’s a perfect description of my computer right now.
Glad to hear running is coming back to you – could you send it my way! LOL I’m still not there yet.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Mindful Monday
It’ll come! It always does!
I feel like my head has been a swirling mess lately too! I have barely thought about Christmas shopping and I have no good ideas. And nighttime eating, oy. Don’t get me started. I’ve been eating so poorly. But I’m happy to hear that your running is coming back to you!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Enduropacks Review {and Giveaway!}
It’s nice to know I’m not alone in the craziness in my head and the snacking, but sorry to hear you are going through it to.
Love the thinking out loud style posts. I have SO much on my mind lately. What I REALLY want for Christmas is to have my family together for the holidays. 🙂
rachel recently posted…Family Hike to Black Hole of Calcutta Falls #OurLand
Yes, that would be an awesome holiday!
It’s a tricky one when your kids go off to college – or in my case stay home and go to university. All of a sudden your life goes from school runs and getting them to all their activities to being a little obsolete. I’m still trying to sort out what I really want to do with myself but I can’t say that I don’t enjoy having the extra time to myself and not being so manic.
Char recently posted…Getting Perspective