The Broad Running Broad

Guess who’s back, back again?

I didn’t plan on taking almost a month off from blogging. Typically when I do, something stressful or tragic has happened offline and I’ve got to step away from the Internet to process, un-muff myself and readjust the sails. Then I can pop back on here to talk about it. But this time around, there was no tragedy.

Frankly, I was being a bit of a lazy sack and loving it. That’s a self-care tip they don’t tell you – when life gets to be a lot, take the massive step back and turn into your most unimpressive self. Become one with the sofa. Only awaken to feed and snuggle the animals. And eat a lot more Pizza Hut than is probably necessary.

Last week was also the long-awaited staycation week. I started staycation with some pretty gnarly muscle aches and wound up taking the day before as a half day. A part of me felt guilty about taking an unplanned half day, since I was going to be out the following week and thought it would look tacky. But one of the top five rules every athlete knows is that you have to listen to your body, and when you cannot stay awake at your desk with coffee – and your backside from shoulders to calves feels like you lost a cage fight – it’s time to email the boss, apologize for the last minute-ness of the request and get to bed. I surprised myself and later on Mom when I discovered I’d slept the entirety of the afternoon.

This past week consisted of pool time, fast food (because I refuse to cook on my week off), a mall day that I haven’t had in forever and really enjoyed, and a road trip up north with Mom. She and I spent Wednesday through Saturday together, exploring Headland Beach State Park, downtown Cleveland and seeing the Barbie movie. There was a lot of deep talks and laughter, and I got to introduce her to two of my favorite restaurants – Bru Burger in Columbus and Lindey’s Lake House in the ‘Land.

I told you all there was a lot of eating going on. Anyways …

A long-awaited week off is over. I’m back to work and being far more productive than before. My mind is able to re-focus on future plans and lofty aspirations. And tomorrow is August 1st. Admittedly, July wasn’t a big fitness gains month. I knew it wouldn’t be towards the end, so I’m not bothered or sweating anything.

But tomorrow is a completely different story.

It’s August, the month of lazy summer days starting to transition back to routine and responsibilities. I have roughly six and ten weeks until the Air Force Half Marathon and the Columbus Marathon, respectively. I’m not worried about the half, but I definitely need to get back into the longer runs for the full. The last thing I want is a repeat of Indy 2021.

So Reader-Friends, August is the month of getting back to business. I had my July fun, and now I gotta start running, stop eating everything, and recalculate the end-of-year budget. I’m still going to the pool at lunch. What can I say – I’m a Midwesterner. After spending nine months out of the year being cold ‘n cranky, we earn those summer suntans and pool days.

Wherever you are in the world, I thank you for stopping by my corner of the internet. May the week ahead be kind to you.

Yours in writing and life,

Allison