Finally

I got out there. Finally I sucked it up, laced up the kicks and ran. It's a beautiful morning here in Akron so I figured best to take advantage. Not to mention, if I want to train for my first 10K in June I need some base mileage to start out with.

My plan was simple, gear up, listen to some tunes and run for about 20 minutes. I know this doesn't sound like much, but I've never ran distances of more than 5 miles, so I wanted to take it nice and easy. I chose a route around the neighborhood that took me up and down a couple of small hills where I got to see some great architecture and soak up sun. I contemplated taking Dobson with me, but decided I needed this run to be just me and my tunes.

I love running with music, it keeps me motivated and I find if I sing along it helps me keep my breathing in check. It always amazes me how much a song can do for my spirits when running. So I have decided to share what is currently on my ipod shuffle with you!

Coldpay - Viva la Vida (note: I ALWAYS start every run with this song. Just gets me going!)

Duffy - Mercy

Katie Perry - Hot N Cold

Taylor Swift - Love Story

Steve Perry- Oh Sherrie

Kevin Rudolph - Let it Rock

Cake - The Distance

Weezer - Hash Pipe

Estelle - American Boy

Jimmy Luxury and The Tommy Rome Orchestra - Cha Cha Cha

Gwen Stefani - Now That You Got It

Pussy Cat Dolls - When I Grow Up

Metro Station - Shake It

The Go-Go's - Our Lips are Sealed

Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

Tegan and Sara - Walking With A Ghost

Gwen Stefani - Wind it Up

I normally just let the shuffle do its thing. I've been know to dance while running, I just about always get a chest pump in and it's not unheard of to see me running with my hands in the air just getting down. What can I say, I like to dance. :-D

Rosalie Recommends!

I have decided that I need a weekly installment for my blog. Every Wednesday to spruce up your mid-week hump day I will post a Rosalie Recommends! In this weekly blog I will include five items I find worthy of discussing.

The first item will relate to running or biking in some manner; don't expect these items to always be traditional, I'm going to take a lot of liberties here!

The second will have to do with food. I love food, I love to cook and I love to eat - I just want to share the wealth.

Item no. 3 will relate to shopping - perhaps a good cheap find or something I just realized I absolutely couldn't live without.

I like to read so the fourth item will be a book recommendation. There's only one problem with this - I have a tendency not to finish books. I'll get about 3/4 of the way through... then .... well.... I hope to recommend books I've read all the way through, but I make no promises.

And for the final item, it's anything goes!

So enough of the explanation, here's the blog!

Rosalie Recommends!

1. The Sports Authority Outlet

You can find some great deals on running apparel here. Shorts for $5, shirts for $10. I've never had any shipping or billing issues. The only caveat - shop fast. I've put things in my shopping cart that are gone by the time I check out!!

2. Mayonnaise

So yeah, I love mayo. If it were socially acceptable, I'd dip my french fries in it. I know it's not the healthiest, but since it's one of my favorite condiments, it had the be the first food I recommend. I've even been known to make my own. Need a recipe, click here. I like it on pizza too. Now before you all go running to hurl in buckets - I'm not the only one. If it's good enough for Bill Rodgers it's good enough for me!

3. Crown Bindery

I love to plan and be organized. I have always had a super hard time finding a planner/organizer the suites my needs ... but not anymore! These organizers are amazing. You can make them work just about any way you need them to. I highly recommend for all of you super organized freaks like me out there!

4. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This book might not be for everyone, it's in the metaphysical section at Borders, but it's one of my favorites. When I need to find focus I turn to this book. It's calming and inspiring - just makes me feel like life is going the way it is for a reason. It's short and a fast read, so give it a look see.

5. Taco Bell Bean Burritos

I love Taco Bell, I could eat it nearly every day and not get sick of it. (And no, I don't put mayo on my burritos.) The bean burrito really is a thing of beauty, so tasty and so good. Now before you go knocking fast food, just consider that the bean burrito really isn't that bad for you. At 370 calories, 10 grams of fat (3.5 saturated and 0 trans fat), 11 grams of fiber and 14 grams of protein, you just can't beat that with a stick! The only downer, 1,270 mg of sodium, so don't go overboard with the burrito goodness!

I hope you find my recommendations helpful, and at the least - interesting!

I Have a Plan

I bought a new pair of sunglasses yesterday, spring must be on its way!

I finally feel as though I am emerging from my dark hole of Byzantine hell and I'm getting the itch to be active again. Wooohooo! Dobson has gotten more walks in the last two days than he has in the last few weeks combined, and when I see the runners and bikers speeding past I have the urge to be out there like them. This is monumental as up until now my only urges have been for McDonald's, shopping and redecorating.

With this renewed spirit for outdoor activity I have devised a plan, kind of. I have desperately missed my bike, so I was thinking to get back into shape I would do nice short bricks on the towpath. I figure the first time back out, I'll take it super easy - 4 on the bike then run 2. This isn't based on any method or Runner's World article, it just seems like something I would enjoy and something that won't kick my ass. I don't want to feel discouraged the first time back in the saddle. Then I'll up the miles from there!

The ultimate goal: The Jim Klett Memorial 10K. It's not until June 19th, so I have plenty of time to get my ass into gear. I will devise a plan at some point and keep all posted on my progress!

It feels good to have a running goal again! (Let's just see how good I feel 20 minutes into my first long run :-P )

I'm Not Dead

I'm not dead. I'm just writing. The thesis goes to the advisor and readers tomorrow.

The Viper has bribed me with jewelry, haircuts and trips to etsy.com to get this thing done. What a wonderful boyfriend.

I don't know what running is, I don't know what exercise is. I only know things Byzantine, liturgical, "provincial" and to the general public, simply all things boring.

I'll be back. Soon - I hope. But not before some serious boozing.

Wish me luck because I know I'll need it.