13.1

When I decided I wanted to run another half marathon, I immediately went to my old training schedule and revamped it for this race.

 October 26 is 12 weeks away!

I'm not sure if anyone reads this blog for the training/race recaps, but I find it helpful for me to be able to look back and see improvement, so I don't get discouraged before race day! Weekly recaps will now be the norm around here!

I spent Monday-Wednesday this week in Boone, NC for work, and I got to enjoy my first training run through the mountains and Appalachian State's campus. I doubt I would've gotten out and explored the campus on foot if it hadn't been for the 3 mile run on my calendar!

13.1 - I'm coming for you...again!

New Beginnings

Sometimes a fellow blogger will write something and the entire time I'm reading the post, I'm nodding along. Does anyone else do this?

Apparently both Anna and Jess were reading my mind last week.

While I don't think I'm quite having a quarter-life crisis (don't worry, I already had one of those back in grad school), I am definitely feeling a little...lost.

via

Maybe it has something to do with turning 25 or being newly single?

Either way, I decided a while ago that I needed a goal. Something to work towards so I can feel that sense of accomplishment again. Even though I just got promoted (and got a raise !!!!), I still don't feel like I really earned it. Our accounting firm has a natural progression of staffing, so it's almost the norm to get promoted after a certain period of time (all the staff who started the day I did also got promoted).

My point in all this rambling is this: I've decided to register for half marathon #2. While my first half was pretty disappointing and training for one last fall didn't end so well, the sense of accomplishment I felt when crossing that finish line was pretty unreal. And I want to know what that feels like again. To have a goal and then reach it. So that's what I'm going to do!

And while that goal is in the near future, I've also been working on some not-so-distant goals. Several months ago, I stumbled upon The Day Zero Project, which encourages people to make a list of 101 things they'd like to do in 1001 days (roughly 2.75 years).

I've been perfecting my list for a while now and will be posting it soon! I meant to post it on my 25th birthday, seeing as 25 seemed like the perfect milestone to begin such a project! I'm looking forward to crossing things of this "bucket list" of sorts, and to chronicle the journey along the way!

Week 5 ~ Spinx Half 10.27.12

Week 5 is also known as "The Week I Decided Not To Run The Half Marathon."

Ugh. Part of me really hates to write this post, and the other half of me is pretty relieved. Here are my reasons mainly my way of convincing myself I'm not a quitter in list form.

1. I can't commit enough time to train properly.

I talked a little about training for my first half marathon here, and I learned a lot of lessons I certainly didn't want to repeat. Let me also reiterate that the first time around, I had no job, no boyfriend, and no huge social circle in Greenville yet. Fast forward a year, and I've got a lot more on my plate. I knew fitting in 15+ miles a week was going to be tough, I just didn't quite realize it would be this tough. I absolutely love my job, but there's a lot of responsibility/extracurricular activities that comes with it. As employees, we're expected to attend philanthropic events, events for clients, join Young Professionals' groups in our area, and be active in the community. What does that really mean? I don't really stop working at 5 pm. I might be at a recruiting event until 10 pm in Clemson, a baseball game sponsored by the firm, or a Young Professionals' Happy Hour. Quite frankly, I just haven't figured out how to do all of that and fit in a run 4 days a week.

Does it sound like I'm complaining? Probably. But I'm honestly not trying to. I enjoy these after-work activities. But knowing I have to run before work/after work/before the event/after the event/what about dinner? had me juggling way too much.

2. Traveling

Last training cycle, I used a beginner's plan which only slated a long run of 10 miles. The rest were manageable 6, 7, and 8 milers. However, when I look back on DailyMile, I didn't run any of those long runs. I took a vacation to San Diego mid-training, and didn't run for over a week. I got injured after the 10 miler and backed off significantly so I would still be able to run the race. Long story short, when those 13.1 miles were in front of me, I hadn't trained properly. I was not equipped to run 13 miles and that was why I missed my goal time by almost 20 minutes.

So I tried to remedy that solution for Half Marathon #2. I found a plan with high(er) mileage, with a 12 mile run sandwiched by two 10 mile runs, and several 8 mile runs. I knew this would help with endurance and allow me to get used to the time on my feet. This theory worked great, until I got bit by the travel bug.

via

If you overlap my long runs with my calendar, it looks a little like this:

• September 29 - Boston, MA + 10 miles
• October 6 - Cabo San Lucas + 12 miles
• October 13 - Cashiers, NC + 10 miles

Can someone explain to me how I expected to run all these miles in completely unfamiliar cities (and countries)?

So what was one solution? Oh, just move those long runs to the Monday when I get back from vacation. 12 miles after working 9 hours? No. Thank. You.

The other option? Skip them.

Then I'm right back where I started on race day, facing 13.1 miles with completely inadequate training.

3. Some things are more important

I mentioned this briefly in last week's training recap, but running isn't my life. It's a hobby. Things more important to me include my family, Ryan, my friends, cooking, and enjoying all of life's opportunities (see wanderlust, above). Am I going to miss out on a vacation, a dinner with friends, or a football game with the excuse, "Sorry guys, I can't, I've got to go run" ?? Hell no.

I also really like my sleep. I turn into a whiny, cranky witch when I sleep less than 7 hours (and I prefer 8 or more). Even though getting my run out of the way first thing in the morning was a great start to the day, I was really, really ticked off when my alarm went off before 6 am.

Running didn't seem fun anymore; it seemed like a chore instead. That, my friends, is not something I signed up for.

4. I need variety

I joined the Y back in January so I could take advantage of the group classes. I was excited about trying some strength training (Kettlebells), Yoga, and Cycling.

Welp. I haven't used my membership in over a month. All this running has consumed my free time and I'm wasting 29 precious dollars a month for a gym I haven't had time to frequent. With cutting back on running, I'll be able to get back to the gym and get some variety back into my routine.

5. I don't want to half-ass another half marathon

I know what a huge accomplishment it is to finish a half marathon, and I don't regret for one minute that I crossed that finish line in Pinehurst, which for a while, was extremely questionable.

But to me, it wasn't a success. I walked a lot. My whole body hurt. I started out too fast. I didn't know there would be hills (huge fail). Blah Blah Blah. I had a finish time in my head that I thought was attainable and I missed it by a lot. What can I say? I'm a perfectionist.

So when I signed up for #2, I wanted it to be successful. A PR would've been nice, too. But based on the reasons above, this one isn't quite shaping up to be too successful either.

Does that mean to say that I won't try anything if I think I'm going to fail? No, absolutely not. Half Marathon #1 was proof of that. I just don't want to continue doing something when I can't put in the effort to improve. Make sense?

.............................................................................................

Geez. That was enough complaining for one post. Now on to the good stuff:

Because I had already registered for the half and didn't want to entirely lose my money, I transferred my registration to the 5K, The Big Punkin'. People are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes! I've never even run a 5K since I got too drunk missed the St. Patty's Day one back in March.

Now I still have a goal to work towards (run 3.1 miles without stopping) and I won't feel completely bummed about dropping out of the Half Marathon.

Thanks for sticking around if you made it through that lengthy post. Whew.

Week 4 ~ Spinx Half 10.27.12

Last week was pretty much a training failure, but I'm honestly okay with it. I'll be back on track today!

After slowly upping my mileage week after week, I think my body needed a break. My shins were starting to ache on longer runs and I didn't have enough time to stretch and foam roll this week.

I missed my runs on both Friday and my long run on Sunday because we stayed in Atlanta until after dinner Sunday night.

Tuesday - 3 miles

Tuesday's "run" was actually cheating because I did 3 miles on the elliptical instead. I woke up early for this one and just don't think I was quite awake yet.

Wednesday - 4 miles

This run was amazing. We're back to hot, humid weather in the South, so this run was on the treadmill. I ONLY STOPPED TWICE! That's a huge improvement from my other runs, and it was also 4 minutes faster than my 4 miler from last week. 

In hindsight, sometimes you've just got to make do with your schedule, and I had a super busy week with after-work commitments everyday. Lack of sleep + 12 hours work days + trying to fit in a workout? Not. happening.

I also ate incredibly unhealthy all weekend (um, hello, tailgating is NOT conducive to fruit and vegetable intake) and am certainly feeling it today. 

Throughout training, you learn it's all about balance. I'm not the kind of girl who is going to miss out on a great weekend with friends because I've got to run 7 miles that day. That's just not me. Some people can make a huge commitment and sacrifice a lot to train for half marathons and marathons, and I commend them. But this is just a hobby for me and at the end of the day, my friends are more important than getting in that long run. I know I won't regret missing two of my training runs because I had a fantastic weekend! Totally worth it!

Week 3 ~ Spinx Half 10.27.12

This week of training was extremely humbling. Sometimes you just have to get your butt kicked to realize how hard running and training for a half marathon can be. You have really crappy, hard runs where you can hardly put one foot in front of the other, and then you have an awesome run that makes you remember why you lace up your shoes everyday. This week had all of those elements rolled into one. Recap, shall we?

Monday - Rest

Tuesday - 3 miles

I'm working in Clemson for the next 4 weeks, so my days are a little longer than usual. I leave for work about 7:45 am and don't get home until 6:15 pm. I must say that being back at my alma mater when classes are starting again has made me extremely nostalgic. Driving down the same roads I did as a student makes my heart swell with happiness every time. I'm just so extremely fortunate to have spent 5 of the best years of my life in such a gorgeous place.

Oh whoops, I was supposed to be talking about running...

Anyway, on my drive home, there were some threatening rain clouds, but seemed to be moving away from Greenville. I checked the weather map while I got dressed, and there didn't appear to be a storm in sight. So I set out for 3 easy miles. You know where this is going right? I ran the ENTIRE 3 miles in the pouring rain. It was liberating and fun and reminded me of running through sprinklers and the rain as a kid. I was absolutely soaked when I got back to apartment, but I pretty much loved it.

Wednesday - 3 miles, hills

One of the greatest things about working in Clemson? I can bring my running clothes with me and run my old route after work. One of the worst things about running my old route? It's really. freaking. hilly.

There's a 3 mile route around the "perimeter" of campus, and no matter which way you choose to run, you're going to face some killer hills. This entire first mile was straight uphill, and I immediately knew my planned 4 miler wasn't going to happen. I recovered slightly with the flat/downhill 2nd mile. But the sun was beating down on me and I was feeling pretty worn out. I shuffled along for the 3rd mile and crawled back in my car to make the drive home. This run left me pretty much exhausted.

Thursday - (Unplanned) rest

Work has been a little stressful this past week, so Ryan promised to cook me a steak dinner on Thursday. Any excuse not to run right? Honestly, Wednesday's run left my confidence a little shot, and I just wasn't feelin' it.

Friday - Rest

Oops. I was going to run the 4 miles originally scheduled for Wednesday when I got off work Friday. But Friday was a pretty crappy day, too (full disclosure: our office at work was broken into and so so many computers were stolen; luckily I had mine at home with me). When I finally got home from work, I just wanted to curl in a ball. My roommate's computer was stolen, so we sat by the pool and drank Skinnygirl margaritas and discussed at length how people could be so cruel. Thieves suck.

Saturday - 4 miles

When I woke up, it felt like fall weather outside. I knew before I even stepped outside that this was going to be a good run. (Side note: Does anyone else believe that running is almost completely mental??) (Second side note: I apparently have not mastered the pacing miracle that is "negative splits." Every mile slower than the one before it? Yeah, that's how I roll. <--- Don't be like me!)

I did so many things during this run that I've yet to accomplish so far in training. First, my beginning mile is always the exact same anytime I run outside. There's a huge hill immediately after mile 1, so  I always stop to catch my breath after I see "1.00" flash on my watch before I can tackle the hill. But Saturday? I powered right on through. Now granted, I stopped immediately after I got over the hill, but still, that was a huge step for me! 

The run just kept getting better. I wanted to make it a goal to stop as few times as I could, which I knew I could do if I slowed down my pace. The verdict? 3 stops!!! One between each mile and that was it! I just kept telling myself, "0.25 miles further and then you can stop and walk," but I powered through each time. 

Sometimes completing a run like this, where everything goes right, makes me want to cry with joy. The other thing that almost made me cry? This song came on my iPod when I had a quarter of a mile to go. Of course, there's a story behind this song, "Shine On" by Eric Bibb. One day during grad school when I was feeling especially overwhelmed with the CPA exam, Bobby texted me a link to this song. Now I listen to it anytime I need some motivation. Even when Bobby's dad was sick, and I ran every mile of my first half marathon for him, I had this song on repeat.

"Well, there's a will, there's always a way, keepin' your eyes on that mountain top, one step at a time. Don't ever, ever stop. Keep on when your mind says quit...Shine on."

Sunday - 5 miles, intervals

In hindsight? Back-to-back long runs probably weren't such a great idea. This run was rough. I actually didn't feel sore from Saturday's run, but I felt out of shape. It was about 15 degrees hotter Sunday than for my run on Saturday, and I definitely felt it. I ran a mile/walked .25 mile, and had planned to run 6 miles total. Because I felt really hot, I was refilling my water bottle a lot more than normal. Turns out, you can overhydrate during a run. All that water was sloshing around in my stomach every time I tried to run and I had several "oh crap, I'm going to throw up" moments. Ugh. I made it 5 miles running (1.25 miles walking) and knew I couldn't go any further. Sometimes you have to know when to quit, too. I'm so glad today is a rest day! I'm icing and foam rolling like a champ!

After feeling inspired by Anna's healthy link-up, I've decided to join in, too! Hopefully this weekly inspiration over at Don't Quote the Raven and All in My Twenties will keep me motivated!

For those of you who are new, I talked a little about my running journey here and chronicle my races/training here!

Week 2 ~ Spinx Half 10.27.12

Training is going well! Some mornings I really don't want to get out of bed, so I mentally check my calendar to see if I can fit in a run after work. If not, I drag my butt out of bed. As long as the run happens at some point during the day, I guess it doesn't matter when!

This upcoming week will be challenging as I have 3 after-work activities during the week, meaning I must run in the morning. I'll be looking at early bedtimes then!

Monday - Rest

Tuesday - 3 miles

Nice run after work. The last mile was obviously the hardest. I just wanted to be done and couldn't will my legs to move faster.

Wednesday - 3 miles, pace

My goal is 10 minute mile pace for the half, and I am running most of my runs faster than that pace. I need to remind myself to slow down. No wonder I'm winded during and after my runs! I set the pace on the treadmill and stuck with it. It felt better to take this run a little slower.

Thursday - Rest

I was supposed to run 3 miles on Thursday, but when my alarm went off, I just couldn't wake up. I had even gone to bed decently early the night before. I listened to my body and slept for another hour. I had dinner plans with Ryan, so I just decided to move my run to Friday morning. Compromise!

Friday - 3 miles, .20 mile walk between each mile

I love running at the gym in Ryan's apartment, because there's a tv! I watched the morning news while getting my 3 miles in. I forgot to take water with me and was parched the whole time! My mouth gets so dry from breathing that I need water, even for short runs! That certainly won't happen again!

Saturday - Rest

Lake.

Sunday - 5 miles

Oh, long runs. The weather was iffy all day Sunday. When I first woke up, it was raining, so I gave it some time to clear up. I charged my watch, got dressed, laced up my shoes, and when I walked out of my apartment, it was pouring again. Plan B. I went to Ryan's apartment to get on the treadmill (again, because of the tv). I wasn't about to spend an hour on a treadmill with nothing to keep me entertained!

This run kind of sucked. The first 3 miles flew by, and I only stopped to walk at 1.5 miles. When I started running again at mile 3, my hips started to hurt and then everything fell apart. I have notoriously bad hips, but I thought my new shoes (Brooks!) would help. This hip pain was on the outside though, so I probably just need to spend some quality time with my foam roller.

I actually cheated on this run and did the last mile on the elliptical. I know it's not the same as running, but I tried to keep the same pace and upped the resistance a bit. I was afraid if I kept going, my hips would really be hurting, so I decided to cut my losses and finish on the elliptical. Hopefully after some stretching and a day of rest, I'll feel better for Week 3!


Happy Running!

Week 1 ~ Spinx Half 10.27.12

Week 1 of training is in the books and went off without a hitch! I had to do several of my runs on the treadmill, which isn't ideal. The heat was just too much in Texas for a mid-day 4 miler and I woke up one morning to lace up my shoes to find it pouring. I am thankful that my apartment building has a small gym, so I can still get my run in without having to leave the building!

Monday - Rest

Tuesday - 3 miles, .15 mile walk between each mile

Because of my endurance level, walk breaks are a little necessary in the beginning for me. I just built walk breaks into this run to make it easier on me. I still ran the full 3 miles, but the treadmill helped me track my distance.

Wednesday - 3 miles

I took off for this run after work, not really expecting to be anything special since it was still pretty hot outside. But this turned out to be my best run of the week, and fast, too! 

Thursday - 3 miles, .15 mile walk between each mile

This run was pretty identical to Tuesday's run, except I had the company of "How I Met Your Mother" on Netflix.

Friday - Cross Train

I failed at Friday's cross training, unless you count wheeling and lifting my suitcase through the GSP and DFW airports as "weight lifting."

Saturday - Rest

Done and done. Saturday involved a Whataburger trip, a nap by the pool, and beers at the Rangers' ballpark.

Sunday - 4 miles, .20 mile walk between each mile

I procrastinated all day on this run. I hated to miss time with Ryan's family because I had to hop on the treadmill for almost an hour. But a window of opportunity opened up right before dinner, so I hit the fitness center across from Ryan's house. Around mile 3, I really started to regret all the rich and unhealthy food we had been eating all weekend. But hey, I was on vacation and it's all about balance right?!

At least this treadmill had a nice view!

Happy Running!

And We're Off...

Half marathon training starts today! Here's my 12 week training schedule for those of you who are curious!

My fitness level isn't exactly where I'd like it to be and the recent stomach issues are causing a bit of a problem, but I'm determined to make it through this training cycle injury-free and having fun! I plan on posting a weekly recap each Monday (mainly for my own benefit) about how the previous week's training went.

But since Mondays are rest days, I'm hydrating, eating foods I can easily digest, and heading to bed super early to catch up on the hours I've been missing lately! But I couldn't let the first day of training go by without commemorating it somehow...

I present to you: my favorite running products!

Running started out as a relative cheap hobby. Sure, running shoes can be a little pricey, but otherwise, you can just grab your iPod and head out the door. But after my first half marathon, I realized I needed a little more than just running shoes and some pump-up jams. All these products below get frequent use and I highly recommend all of them. If you have any questions, just ask!

Garmin Forerunner 210

I bought this watch for myself as a present when I passed the CPA exam last fall. It was definitely a splurge, but I so wish I had it when I trained for my first half. The information it provides can be extremely helpful when analyzing your runs (too fast? too slow? how far?) I wear this watch every time I run outside and haven't had any trouble with it. Some people claim it takes awhile to find a signal, but I usually just stand outside and stretch while I'm waiting, so that doesn't bother me. The only complaint I have is that the battery dies pretty quickly. I sometimes think I can go several days without charging, and then find the battery beeping at me within the first quarter mile. It even has a lap function, handy for interval runs.

Nike Two-in-One Tempo Short

I used to always run and workout in the classic Tempo short, every sorority girl's uniform. I have at least 8 pairs, if not more. And then I discovered these babies. It's everything you love about the classic tempo short, with compression shorts underneath (and an extra zipper pocket)! When running in this summer's humidity (i.e. lots of sweat), I noticed that my shorts were clinging to me like trash bags. I headed online to see what I could find, knowing that spandex compression shorts were not an option. These shorts are the best of both worlds! I don't feel like I'm on display in tight spandex, while still having the look of a tempo short. Since they're pricey, I only have one pair, but they've quickly become I favorite! I even wash them in between runs so I can wear them as much as possible.

Nathan QuickShot Plus Handheld Water Bottle

I just bought this water bottle a few weeks ago and am kicking myself for not buying it sooner. It's so handy (ha, yes, pun intended)! It holds just enough water for my shorter runs and I don't have to worry about finding a working water fountain in Cleveland Park. The little pouch is nice for holding extras, too!

Balega Running Socks

I'm obsessed with these socks. When I was at a local running store picking out shoes, the salesperson suggested these to me. I was skeptical, thinking they probably wouldn't make more of a difference than the cheap ankle socks I usually wore. Boy, was I wrong. The cushioned seam at the heel keeps blisters away and they keep your feet dry. I scoop up as many pairs as I can when they go on sale.

Apple iPod Nano

I've tried running with and without music, and I'm still undecided about which I prefer. Sometimes, quiet runs allow you to think and have time alone. Other times, I just want to blast some tunes and zone out. Either way, this little guy gets the job done.

Gaiam Restore Foam Roller

Foam rollers are great for muscle recovery. I know spending 5 minutes on my muscles after my long runs is going to make a big difference in soreness the next day. 

One thing you'll notice is missing is running shoes. I still haven't found a pair that I'm in love with. My last two pairs have been Asics, but I'm not sure they were the best for me. I have a neutral foot strike so there a lot of options out there. I had a weird foot injury and hip injury with the first half, and I'm not entirely convinced it wasn't because of my shoes. I'm heading out this week to hopefully find a pair I'll love! 

Are there any running products you swear by that I just have to try? I'd love to hear about them!

Happy running y'all! 

Weekend Update ~ Snapshots

Finally! A lazy weekend with no plans. I failed miserably at my home decoration project, but that's okay. I've got time to find a new desk; plus, South Carolina is hosting a tax-free weekend in August, so that'll be the perfect time for a big purchase.

This weekend was uneventful, but just what I needed. We played bar golf on Friday night, grilled out on Saturday with Trent and Holly (I tried two recipes I'll post this week), and Lauren, Sarah (our third roomie for a week), and I had brunch this morning, complete with mimosas.

The only thing missing from this weekend was running. It's just so hot. The last thing I want to do on a weekend is get up with the sun to beat the heat. I'm starting to think I'm the only one who's whimping out in this heat. I pass people out running at noon and I'm thinking, "Are they out of their minds??" I've got one week until half-marathon training officially starts, and my endurance isn't quite where I want it to be. But I'm not panicking yet. I'm in better shape now then when I started training last year, and I have 13 weeks to kick it into high gear! I'm just hoping some fall weather makes an appearance sooner rather than later!!

Time for snapshots!

Greenville has the best sunsets

Bar golf! I came in -12 and Ryan won!

This was early on in the night, obviously

John Daly's in mason jars

Sarah and I dancing our faces off to an awesome DJ

Hope everyone is enjoying the end of the weekend and the Olympics! Go USA!

Litchfield Beach

Long time no talk! I've been soaking up the rays in Litchfield for the past week and am sad to see my vacation end. My grandparents bought the house in Litchfield in the 70's, and after they both passed away, my mom and uncle inherited the house to keep it in the family. I've been going to Litchfield since I was born, and even though it's changed a lot over the years, it still feels like home to me when I cross over that bridge in Georgetown and roll the windows down to smell the ocean air.

via

That pretty much sums it up.

Let's rewind to the beginning.

Saturday

I hadn't really had a chance to pack but I knew I'd be waiting on my mom to pick me up on our way to the beach, so I took Saturday morning to run, shower, and pack. It was unbelievably hot on Saturday, even when I went out to run at 8:30. I had the great idea to use the interval function on my Garmin watch so I could take walk breaks and avoid overheating.

Intervals are awesome! I'd run 3/4 of a mile, then walk the remainder. I ended up running 2.25 miles in 22 minutes (~ 9:42 pace). I may or may not have run through a few sprinklers during this run. I'm not ashamed.

Mom came to pick me up around 11 am and we were on the road! The drive was rather uneventful and there was a ton of traffic. It took about 45 minutes longer than usual, but we're just glad the car didn't overheat!

Columbia. Famously Hot.

We made a few stops on our way into town. We went to The Fresh Market, the liquor store, and Bi-Lo (ya know, the essentials), and then picked up a few more of these:

These are the BEST candles. I can't get enough of them. They're made out of recycled wine bottles and are made to smell like your favorite wines. My mom purchased the Sangria one two summers ago and then their Christmas scent last year for me. I burn them all the time and was dying to get my hands on a few more of the scents again. I even bought two as gifts for Ryan's families when we go stay with them in Texas. I picked up the Pinot Grigio, the Riesling, and another Sangria. I'm in love.

Back at the house, we unloaded the car and were ready for dinner. We headed over to Austin's Cabana Bar at the Litchfield Inn for a casual dinner by the ocean. I had the fried oyster basket and a Corona, and scarfed down their homemade peach slaw. I managed to catch a glimpse of the sunset before it disappeared behind the palmetto trees:

Ryan was actually in Murrell's Inlet for the weekend playing golf, so I met him and his golf buddies at Drunken Jack's when they came off the course. I love a table full of guys while they tell stories about their escapades. Day 1 at the beach made me one happy girl.

Sunday

I attempted a beach run, but the humidity was unreal. I headed out around 10 am (first mistake) with a water bottle in hand, just in case. It's so hard to run in that kind of heat.  A mile and a half was all I could manage before I had to walk the rest of the way. Lesson learned: go slow and get outside early.

The rest of the day was spent on the sand, with Summer Beer in hand (mixture of lemonade, vodka, and beer). A huge storm rolled in around dinnertime, so Mom and I decided to make nachos at the house and stay inside. Perfect end to the day.

Monday

Beach. Shopping. Pretty sunset.

Tuesday

More of the same. Run, beach, seafood dinner. I could live off of sauteed shrimp and hushpuppies.

Wednesday

Fourth of July! We've been at the beach on this holiday for several years, and it's one of my favorites. The town has a parade right in front of the house, where the beachgoer's decorate their golfcarts and throw out candy. They had a flyover over the beach from NC to GA and then you can see fireworks down the coast all the way to Pawley's Island. Dad finally made it down to join us. Such a fun day.

Thursday

Mom and I decided to take a break from the beach. I kept breaking out in hives on my chest and arms earlier in the week, something that has never happened to me in the sun. I still have no idea what caused it because I wasn't sunburnt or anything. Anyway, better safe than sorry. We went shopping at the Hammock Shops, a Pawley's Island mainstay, and then had dinner at our favorite restaurant in Murrell's Inlet. They have phenomenal hushpuppies and the place is always packed. It's been open since 1948 and the food hasn't changed one bit! 

We took a walk on the beach after dinner and I plotted ways to move into my dream house. Sigh.

Friday

Run + beach + a delicious dinner at Nosh. Lauren and I had visited the new restaurant back in April, but my parents wanted to try it out. It may have been better the second time around. We tried out several menu items (crab dip, herbed cheese, calamari) and I had the Shrimp and Fried Polenta for dinner. I wanted to finish my whole plate but couldn't make any more room in my stomach. YUM!

Cajun Shrimp, one of my fave Lilly prints

Saturday

We decided to head home a day early to beat the traffic. Mom and I went out for a few hours in the morning, but were glad to get inside as there was no breeze on the beach! I was so sad to leave, knowing it'll probably be another year before I get a whole week at Litchfield again. At least we had another pretty sunset on the drive home.

Sunday

A completely lazy day. Ryan made pancakes. We watched Wimbledon, the Braves game, and the Greenbrier Classic. Excellent day in my book. And now my luggage waits to be unpacked...

Back to the real world! But at least it's my birthday week...only one more day of being 23!!