So let's call him "Far Away Guy." He lives in Phoenixville and works in West Chester. Those places are pretty far away. But I like him, so I think it's okay.
We first met a few weeks ago, I'm not sure when. (It was back in the first warm phase... I was wearing a skirt/tank top.) We met at the German beer place on South St and had a drink and talked for a couple hours. A week and a half later or so he came back into the city for Sunday brunch. We went to Farmicia and it was delicious. We hung out in my house later and played with my cats. I think he might be allergic to them, to be honest, but he said that he wasn't. After he left, I texted him about me being awkward or something and he responded with "no, you're perfect." (Awww.) Then he came into the city last night for the third time! We went to the Standard Tap in No Libs ... I had an amazing burger, we each had a couple beers. Conversation is easy with him. We have similar tastes. I don't really know what's different about him in comparison to the other dozen guys I met off of match.com (my profile on there is officially deleted, btw), but we seem to click. I was looking for something in the others and was getting pretty fed up with it all, but this guy is nice and so we will see. It's funny how that happens. On Sunday afternoon, I'm going out to Phoenixville (via bus) to go to a beer festival/goat race at the Sly Fox Brewery. I'm excited.
In other news:
1. I still dislike eHarmony. Frankly, it is too much work. I can't keep up with it - and am not really talking to anyone from there. I still have a subscription for almost 2 months though, so eh.
2. Broad St is Sunday. I averaged a 10:40 mile last year, but I actually ran five 10 min miles and five 12 min miles (approximately). I'm hoping to average a 10:30 pace this year and actually keep something around that pace for all 10 miles. The improvement in time might be slight, but improvement in performance would be pretty significant.
3. I've officially started strength training again and am going back to yoga starting Friday. I love to run, but JUST running is not doing a whole lot of anything to my body (but I'm sure that my heart is awesome). I even went to spinning yesterday. I think I might start doing that once a week too.
4. I think there are something like 36 more days of school and 6 Mondays left. We are going on a field trip next week to the Camden Aquarium, and I am pretty excited. I don't think that many (if any) of our kids have been there before! And thanks to a target field trip grant, it's only costing them $2!!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Why I Run
I was reading a magazine in the park on Sunday, and there were some articles written by different women entitled "Why I Run." Each of them had different reasons for running, but all of them agreed that running made them a better person. While reading these, I was inspired to write my own piece called, "Why I Run," and I am "publishing" it here.
I believe in the runner's high, and I believe that those who are passionate about running are the ones who experience it to the fullest degree possible. To me, the runner's high is a sensational reaction to a great run! It's an exhilarating feeling of satisfaction and achievement. It's like being on top of the world, and truthfully... there's nothing else quite like it!
- Sasha Azevedo
Some people run for exercise, to lose weight and be healthy, but they hate every single step. Some people run to escape: from themselves, from their families, from crappy circumstances. Some people run because they love feeling the wind on their face and the burn in their legs after the first 4 or 5 miles.
When I try to think about why I run, I have a hard time coming up with a solid answer. I started running for exercise. It started as a casual thing. I exercised (and still do) primarily to prevent heart disease. My father died of heart disease, which means it runs in my family, and it is the number one killer for women. It is also completely preventable. I may not be able to prevent cancer, but I decided early on that I most certainly would not die of heart disease.
So I exercised, went to the gym, ran 2 or 3 or 4 miles outside, but I needed some motivation - a goal that I could work towards. When a friend started talking about running a race, I let myself get roped into running a 1/2 marathon. I figured that was the farthest distance I would ever want to run, and all I wanted to do was to finish it. I did all of my training by myself, and I did finish it, in 27 degree weather, in a respectable 2 hours 27 minutes. In my first race, I had a respectable pace of about 11:19 per mile. I was proud of myself, but I also was really sick and tired of running. So, I stopped running for a few months, starting up again to run the Broad St Run last May. Everyone told me how much fun it was to run it, so I signed up. This time, I ran some of my runs with my sister, and I didn't hate it all quite so much. I enjoyed the feeling running gave me, the sense of accomplishment I had when I was done running. I liked running races and having a goal to work for. I liked running, but I still did not love it.
I ran casually on the treadmill and outside during the winter, not really enjoying it because treadmills are miserable and so is freezing cold weather. Then, in January, I joined a running MeetUp group. I started running more than ever- about 20 miles a week. I loved running with others, found myself running farther and faster, and loved getting up (even on the weekends!) to go for the runs. I love running. Something clicked in the past few months, and now I honestly love running. So much so that I am probably going to train for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. A marathon! I never thought that I would run a marathon, that I would want to run one.
But as it turns out, I love the way I feel, how it makes me look, how much healthier my heart and cholesterol is (!), the high that I can get when I get that extra burst of energy in the middle of the run, when I feel as if I could run to China and back, and I love the calm and clarity I get when I'm done. I feel accomplished, and I love that you can always push to run farther or faster - it is (almost) impossible to reach a point where you can't keep improving. I don't run to escape myself or my life. I am very satisfied with both. I run to gain clarity, to be healthy, to push myself. It's becoming one of my passions. Running makes me a better person: physically, emotionally, and mentally.
That's why I run.
I believe in the runner's high, and I believe that those who are passionate about running are the ones who experience it to the fullest degree possible. To me, the runner's high is a sensational reaction to a great run! It's an exhilarating feeling of satisfaction and achievement. It's like being on top of the world, and truthfully... there's nothing else quite like it! - Sasha Azevedo
Some people run for exercise, to lose weight and be healthy, but they hate every single step. Some people run to escape: from themselves, from their families, from crappy circumstances. Some people run because they love feeling the wind on their face and the burn in their legs after the first 4 or 5 miles.
When I try to think about why I run, I have a hard time coming up with a solid answer. I started running for exercise. It started as a casual thing. I exercised (and still do) primarily to prevent heart disease. My father died of heart disease, which means it runs in my family, and it is the number one killer for women. It is also completely preventable. I may not be able to prevent cancer, but I decided early on that I most certainly would not die of heart disease.
So I exercised, went to the gym, ran 2 or 3 or 4 miles outside, but I needed some motivation - a goal that I could work towards. When a friend started talking about running a race, I let myself get roped into running a 1/2 marathon. I figured that was the farthest distance I would ever want to run, and all I wanted to do was to finish it. I did all of my training by myself, and I did finish it, in 27 degree weather, in a respectable 2 hours 27 minutes. In my first race, I had a respectable pace of about 11:19 per mile. I was proud of myself, but I also was really sick and tired of running. So, I stopped running for a few months, starting up again to run the Broad St Run last May. Everyone told me how much fun it was to run it, so I signed up. This time, I ran some of my runs with my sister, and I didn't hate it all quite so much. I enjoyed the feeling running gave me, the sense of accomplishment I had when I was done running. I liked running races and having a goal to work for. I liked running, but I still did not love it.
I ran casually on the treadmill and outside during the winter, not really enjoying it because treadmills are miserable and so is freezing cold weather. Then, in January, I joined a running MeetUp group. I started running more than ever- about 20 miles a week. I loved running with others, found myself running farther and faster, and loved getting up (even on the weekends!) to go for the runs. I love running. Something clicked in the past few months, and now I honestly love running. So much so that I am probably going to train for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. A marathon! I never thought that I would run a marathon, that I would want to run one.
But as it turns out, I love the way I feel, how it makes me look, how much healthier my heart and cholesterol is (!), the high that I can get when I get that extra burst of energy in the middle of the run, when I feel as if I could run to China and back, and I love the calm and clarity I get when I'm done. I feel accomplished, and I love that you can always push to run farther or faster - it is (almost) impossible to reach a point where you can't keep improving. I don't run to escape myself or my life. I am very satisfied with both. I run to gain clarity, to be healthy, to push myself. It's becoming one of my passions. Running makes me a better person: physically, emotionally, and mentally.
That's why I run.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Spring
I just absolutely love spring. I love everything about it: sitting in the park, running in the warm weather, having to start wearing sunscreen, new flowers, green grass, buds on trees, leaves on trees, warm breezes. I just love it. For example, yesterday, I went to a bar crawl that benefited a bunch of charities. It was called the Bunny Hop. It was nice out, so people were spilling onto the sidewalks out of the bars. I went with a girl I met through my running group and a friend of hers. We had a really nice time, had 4 or 5 beers and dinner. I went home by 10:30 (started at 5:30!), but it was so nice out. Got to wear bunny ears. This is one of the reasons I love spring.
Partly due to the warm weather and partly due to the running group I joined (http://www.meetup.com/Run-like-a-Philly-Girl/), I have been running a lot lately! This week, I have already run 17 miles, and I am also running on Sunday. Last week, I ran 18 miles. The week before that, I ran 20 miles. I am getting faster, running farther, recovering from longer runs far more quickly. And I am thinking about training for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. Actually, as long as I have girls from my running group willing to train with me, I'm 90% sure that I'll do it. Broad St first week in May, ODDyssey half marathon the last week in May, and the full in November. Looks like this is going to be the year, folks.
Despite the recent rain, my self esteem issues, and overall gloomy disposition, the weather (and the fact that I had off work for the past few days really helped my mood. Part of my issue, according to my roommate, is that I am "serial dating." This is what match.com does to you. You meet all of these nice guys, but none of them are quite right for you. Nothing is really wrong with them, and nothing is certainly wrong with you, but since none of them are "the one", if you even believe in that sort of thing, it gets to you. After awhile, you meet so many guys, that they all sort of blend together and you get tired of meeting guy after guy. I guess I don't really know what I'm looking for - but I'm pretty sure that I'll know when I find it. I'm not looking for my husband, but I want to spend time getting to know and dating someone who I have all of those different types of chemistry with. I get that you don't always know that on the first date, but I think that by the second or third date, you do. Does anyone disagree?
Regardless of all that, the sun came out and I decided to press on. So, I met a guy for lunch on Thursday. We ate at a table outside at Moriarty's. Nice guy. Beautiful day. Volunteered for two years in Micronesia with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. He taught high school there. He hates running but likes to bike. I hate biking but like to run. (Sounds like a match made in heaven, right?) He is graduating soon with an MS in Counseling, but he doesn't really have any idea what he wants to do when he graduates. I appreciate the fact that he is keeping his options open, but 27 is a little too old to just be hanging out waiting for life to happen. It certainly is not a deal breaker, and I liked him enough to go out with him again. Actually, I liked him more than most of the guys that I have met so far. It's a little intriguing - the fact that is totally calm and comfortable with the fact that in a month in a half, he has no idea what he will be doing. We each had two beers, and when I left and was trying to go look at an apartment - I found myself seriously tipsy.
I am moving (on June 1st)! I submitted my rental application and go Tuesday to give him my first month's rent!! I found a studio apartment on Spruce St between 15th and 16th for $775, which includes heat. I really like it! I looked at some other places in the past few days, mostly because I had off which made it really easy to schedule appointments. I like this one the most, and it's a good deal that will be snatched up quickly, so I took it! It's in my price range, which is great and in a fabulous location. It's pretty big, and they are redoing the kitchen and bathroom, which is awesome. There is a closet with built in shelves, hard wood floors.... I'm happy! It's actually the building that my sister's ex-gf just moved into. I double and triple checked with her that it wasn't weird that I was moving there, and she is totally cool with it. It makes it easy on my sister - that way she will be able to visit me and her kitties (who are living with the ex-gf) at the same time!! I'm excited to move into my own place right in Center City. I don't have that much stuff to begin with, so it's not a big deal that it's a smaller space. I'll post some pictures when I take them.
Tomorrow, Jess and I are going to Cape May on an adventure! I have never been there before, and I am pretty excited. On the agenda is stopping to buy a camera on the way! :)
Partly due to the warm weather and partly due to the running group I joined (http://www.meetup.com/Run-like-a-Philly-Girl/), I have been running a lot lately! This week, I have already run 17 miles, and I am also running on Sunday. Last week, I ran 18 miles. The week before that, I ran 20 miles. I am getting faster, running farther, recovering from longer runs far more quickly. And I am thinking about training for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. Actually, as long as I have girls from my running group willing to train with me, I'm 90% sure that I'll do it. Broad St first week in May, ODDyssey half marathon the last week in May, and the full in November. Looks like this is going to be the year, folks.
Despite the recent rain, my self esteem issues, and overall gloomy disposition, the weather (and the fact that I had off work for the past few days really helped my mood. Part of my issue, according to my roommate, is that I am "serial dating." This is what match.com does to you. You meet all of these nice guys, but none of them are quite right for you. Nothing is really wrong with them, and nothing is certainly wrong with you, but since none of them are "the one", if you even believe in that sort of thing, it gets to you. After awhile, you meet so many guys, that they all sort of blend together and you get tired of meeting guy after guy. I guess I don't really know what I'm looking for - but I'm pretty sure that I'll know when I find it. I'm not looking for my husband, but I want to spend time getting to know and dating someone who I have all of those different types of chemistry with. I get that you don't always know that on the first date, but I think that by the second or third date, you do. Does anyone disagree?
Regardless of all that, the sun came out and I decided to press on. So, I met a guy for lunch on Thursday. We ate at a table outside at Moriarty's. Nice guy. Beautiful day. Volunteered for two years in Micronesia with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. He taught high school there. He hates running but likes to bike. I hate biking but like to run. (Sounds like a match made in heaven, right?) He is graduating soon with an MS in Counseling, but he doesn't really have any idea what he wants to do when he graduates. I appreciate the fact that he is keeping his options open, but 27 is a little too old to just be hanging out waiting for life to happen. It certainly is not a deal breaker, and I liked him enough to go out with him again. Actually, I liked him more than most of the guys that I have met so far. It's a little intriguing - the fact that is totally calm and comfortable with the fact that in a month in a half, he has no idea what he will be doing. We each had two beers, and when I left and was trying to go look at an apartment - I found myself seriously tipsy.
I am moving (on June 1st)! I submitted my rental application and go Tuesday to give him my first month's rent!! I found a studio apartment on Spruce St between 15th and 16th for $775, which includes heat. I really like it! I looked at some other places in the past few days, mostly because I had off which made it really easy to schedule appointments. I like this one the most, and it's a good deal that will be snatched up quickly, so I took it! It's in my price range, which is great and in a fabulous location. It's pretty big, and they are redoing the kitchen and bathroom, which is awesome. There is a closet with built in shelves, hard wood floors.... I'm happy! It's actually the building that my sister's ex-gf just moved into. I double and triple checked with her that it wasn't weird that I was moving there, and she is totally cool with it. It makes it easy on my sister - that way she will be able to visit me and her kitties (who are living with the ex-gf) at the same time!! I'm excited to move into my own place right in Center City. I don't have that much stuff to begin with, so it's not a big deal that it's a smaller space. I'll post some pictures when I take them.
Tomorrow, Jess and I are going to Cape May on an adventure! I have never been there before, and I am pretty excited. On the agenda is stopping to buy a camera on the way! :)
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