I've got a fever...

and it's called spring fever.


SYMPTOMS:
-completely grouchy that it's still cold
-wearing shorts and flip flops around the house
-looking at bikinis i could never pull off online
-dusting off all the sunglasses
-cleaned out closet to get rid of clothes that have holes (and to make room for new clothes)
-intense need to purge the apartment of anything unnecessary
-sudden awareness of how gross my feet and skin have become.


Yeah, it's full-fledged spring fever.  I just want to run around in the sun wearing only a light sweater, and no giant coat!


I can assure you though, it is definitely not spring yet.
Saturday morning i went on a lovely 15 mile stroll with my CARA group.  It went much better this week (for me anyway)  Now that i broke through that mental block, 15-16 miles doesn't seem so bad.  Although i guarantee you i will drop dead at even the thought of 18.  I just know it.  It was a chilly one Saturday morning, but mostly on account of the wind!  When the wind was blowing in your face, i felt like 10 degrees, so i brought a scarf.  However when the wind wasn't in your face, it was actually sunny and pleasant, so i overheated quickly and would have to start stripping.  I ended up taking the scarf off and wearing it as a gypsy belt for the second half of my run.  Because i am stylish.

Its so weird to see myself after 15 miles both standing AND smiling, especially after last week.  I actually thought about doing a couple more miles on my own, but this week we had two people in our tiny pace group have to quit the program because of stress fractures.  One girl even tried to run saturday and had to quit in tears. 


I am now living in constant fear of an injury, because if i had to quit now, i would be devastated.  Its a super important reminder not to push too hard, and not to over do it on mileage.  Seriously, take care of yourself first.  (i am saying this mostly because i need to hear it.)


I did actually experience my first injury of the season this week.  I was on the couch cuddling with the pup, when i had a very sudden sneeze, and i pulled a muscle in my back.  I seriously hurt my back sneezing.  Why do people even talk to me??  The silver lining of this is that it forced me to take a break, lay down, and catch up on sleep and relaxation.  I ended up watching the "Spirit of the Marathon" movie that Maggie recommended, and really like it!  It was kinda crazy to watch Deena Kastor- she is SO freaking fast.  Its hard to watch someone run so efficiently when you know that you yourself are on the bottom half of mediocre.

I also convinced Matt to take me out on a super fancy date Sunday night.  We have been in a bit of a puppy rut, and haven't been going out at all.  I am also in somewhat of a drifit rut, and have been dressing like a downright slob.  We got all fancied up and went to Sola in Lakeview.  It was DELICIOUS.  We go oysters AND scallops, so i am basically a spoiled brat.  The martini even helped me forget about my back hurting!  It was just nice to dress up, and eat a meal with out a puppy crying about the fact that she isn't sharing the meal!