Despite the race's chaos (only 2 mile markers, tons of parking traffic), I ran a pretty solid half and finished in 1:44:04 (thought it was 1:43; beating last year's time by 4 mins). I am pretty excited about this time considering I stopped to pee and waited for 5 mins at the 8th mile marker for the Manfriend (who was supposed to meet and run the last 5 miles). But yeah, that didn't work out so well (he arrived 10 mins after I left and waited for another 30. Whoops.) Last year was super organized, I'm not sure what happened this year. But I'd still run it again. I thought the course was pretty great (I heard the next 13.1 of the full were pretty dull). There was one big hill in Dupont Circle but other than that smooth sailing, sun on my face, and surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms. I also ran into Anne somewhere around mile 4. Quick gab sesh and we we were on our ways!
* * *
Post race, the Manfriend and I grabbed lunch at J.Paul's in Georgetown (M Street). They have the best crab cakes.
We split the shrimp cocktail
Crab cakes, and a salad
Slurp
Chomp
* * *
Then it was time to meet up with some crazy foodies! And LOTS of em :) 
(Love this candid of Holly, haha)
(Love this candid of Holly, haha) Thanks to Emily for organizing such a fun event! We met Northside Social, a really neat coffee house and wine bar in Arlington, VA. The downstairs area is a cute coffee shop flanked by private rooms and cute nooks, while the upstairs wine room reminds me of tasting in Sanoma: Large wooden bar, white walls, and lovely artwork. I rolled with a glass of champagne (what? I needed to celebrate my half marathon, haha)and chatted up a storm then made my way back to DC, ordered organic Chinese delivery (yes, I said organic Chinese. Booya.) then hit the hay after an exciting yet exhausting day.
* * *
This morning the sun was shining and I wanted to stretch out my poor sore legs. A leisurely walk was in order before a killer Bikram yoga class.
(I think Michael enjoyed)
Legs feel bueno. Bikram does it everytime <3
* * *
Something to ponder:
Seth and I always say to each other "What are you thinking about right now"? And the other has to respond with what's going on in their mind at that exact moment. I'm not sure why/when we started this but it's usually when we catch each other in a stare or at very random moments (like during a run, yoga, while eating, etc.). During bunch he asked me "What are you usually thinking about when you're not focused on an exact task?"
This got me thinking. As much as I try to be in the present, I'm often planning tomorrow including what I'm going to cook, which workout I'll do, etc. This is something that I struggle with and constantly repeat to myself "Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow."
One thing about food/health bloggers I've noticed is the amount of time they (myself included) spend thinking about food, running, lifting, yoga, etc. Yes, you may be physically healthy but if you're constantly consumed by these thoughts and not thinking about real life, you may not be putting your mental health first.
Try making a mental note each time you think about exercise, food, etc. It may be a wake-up call. Healthy living should not be life -consuming.
Looks like a great weekend!! I LOVE Northside Social .. they have really good breakfast sandwiches. So sad I missed the met up! I will have to join next time.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the race!
Looks like such a fun race! I want to do it next year!
ReplyDeleteI am always focusing on the present, but its not easy
That sounds like such a fun day! And I love that bloggers invaded DC!! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you kicked so much butt with a break included. Amazing!! It was nice seeing you again, too!
ReplyDeleteI was talking with a friend and blogger yesterday about how blogging enables our obsessions. Even if they are healthy, it can definitely get out of control! Its hard to find the right balance.
Sounds like so much fun! I definitely agree that it's easy to get so consumed with healthy living that it then becomes healthy living obsessing! I'm still trying to find my balance :)
ReplyDeleteI love Holly's face! I wonder what she was trying to tell me! Congrats on yo halffff!
ReplyDeleteLove the candid Holly pic! I want to meet her one day! She is so awesome and sweet! Im glad the race went well! Congrats again! Love ya girl!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE what you said last!! Definitely a "quote" to remember!
ReplyDeleteYou rocked the half-marathon, girl!!
I love what you mentioned in the last part of this. Sometimes I wonder how consumed bloggers are by thoughts of health, food, exercise, etc... It's so important to recognize what is REAL and what is IMPORTANT and of substantial value in our lives-- actually, to put it simply, I often wonder if blogging alters our perception of our true selves, and who we are as a person.
ReplyDeleteamazing amazing race time, girl. you killed it!!
Great run Lauren! WOOT WOOT!
ReplyDeleteI am sad I missed the blogger get together but I got stuck at work - oh well, there's always next time. I really hear you on the healthy-living should not be all-consuming thing - being present is so important.
ReplyDeleteHey, congrats on the run.
ReplyDeleteI use my blog space to get all these thoughts out onto a blank canvas so I can sort through them. I don't blog about everything that happens to me, just what's relevant to the purpose of my blog. I don't write down big client problems at work because they aren't relevant, but a new recipe I'm dying to try is. Therefore it looks as though I'm a bit obsessed because the reader doesn't have the full picture.
When I see bloggers posting everything about their lives, the balance usually comes through. I wouldn't worry too much unless you post 8 times a day all about what your next workout and meal will be!
Great job on that half!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your dog's little sweatshirt. Too cute!
congrats on a great race! i'm sorry i missed the blogger meet up on saturday afternoon, i was having trouble, erm, walking. :) but it looks like it was fun!
ReplyDeletehealthy living should not consume our thoughts! that = obsession. and i'm there. THANK YOU FOR THAT!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the awesome race!! I've been so jealous reading everyone's recaps. Sounds like it was an amazing time!!
ReplyDeleteI've thought about the whole health obsession thing a lot too. I don't think about it nearly as much as I used to, but it still does consume a lot of my time. I constantly remind myself that it should be a passion, not an obsession- and while the two might overlap a bit, being "healthy" is by no means the most important thing in life. It should enrich my life, not detract from living it!!
@Britannie No problem :) I am not perfect and definitely need to remind myself healthy living should be fun and not life consuming
ReplyDelete@Gabriela Amen, sistah!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you for the way you ended this blog. As someone who struggles with an eating disorder, I found this to be very true: "Yes, you may be physically healthy but if you're constantly consumed by these thoughts and not thinking about real life, you may not be putting your mental health first."
ReplyDeleteAs much as I try not to, I often compare myself to bloggers. This was a nice reminder that everyone's health and body is different-- all things in moderation.
"Healthy living should not be life consuming." <---LOVE LOVE LOVE that! When I first started blogging, I fell into that trap, and fell hard. Since then, I've found a much better balance. But there are always "those days"--the days when I *obsess* over what to cook, what to write and how to exercise. Thanks so much for this reminder!
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