First up, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY INCREDIBLE OLDER BROTHER!!! I am so lucky to have him and wish I could be with him on his Bday…. why did you guys move away from me?

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Last night Billy and I were too busy running around town searching for an iphone case (I refuse to take my new iphone out of the box until I have a heavy duty case to put it in. I wouldn’t be surpised if I somehow manage to drop and break the dang thing in the process of removing it from the box and putting it in the case).  I went to bed way too late to get up for a workout this morning.

My body thanked me for the extra rest and recovery and I thanked it back by feeding it a donut that I received for being on time to faculty meeting this morning.

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Maybe I am the only one or maybe you all feel the same way but after I finish a race that I have been looking forward to for months I get the post-race blues.

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Typical questions that I ask myself after a race include:

What am I going to do with myself when I don’t have a piece of paper telling me my EXACT workout?

Sleeping in…..what does that mean?

Let my body recover…..NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

What am I supposed to think about as I am driving around town other than my goal race pace or crossing the finish line of ____________ race?

Who am I?

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I am wondering what YOU do when the RACE that you have been preparing for is over.

Do you:

A.)  Sign up for another race the next time you have access to a computer and internet.

B.)  Thank your lucky stars that you can take time off and focus in on something new.

C.) Not Applicable (my races are all signed up for the next 3 years of my life, I am always training for something new).

Do you experience post-race blues?  (PS Here is a great article from Runners World on How to Beat the Post-Race Blues).

-Luckily I don’t think I will be too sad after New York because I am doing the Las Vegas half-marathon one month later….it is after Vegas that I am worried about;)

Does your current job, or jobs in the past, give food as a reward?  Do they ever provide lunch/dinner for you?

-Yep.  Who doesn’t need a little chocolate frosting and coconut in their life at 9 a.m.  They always provide dinner for us if we ever have to stay late (ie parent/teacher conference).  They also bring cake for peoples birthday.  My sister-in-laws job provides a free INCREDIBLE lunch (with at least 3 healthy choices) for their employees every day.

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79 comments

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Aww HAPPY BDAY to your brother!! :)

Haha I actually have a LOT of races in the coming months, so I’m more worried about recovering between them! :P But normally, yup I run to my computer to sign up for another one! :D

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THANKS, I will make sure to tell him:) You better recover in between those races speedy girl!

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I sign up for another race! I feel really strange when I don’t have an upcoming race. Granted, there was a span of time when I had 6 months between finishing one race and running my next scheduled race, but I always have a race on the calendar. I think that’s kept me from the post-race blues – I can celebrate the race, and then move on to planning for the next one.

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(And Happy Birthday to your brother!)

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Thanks Laura! I like your method of celebrating the race and then always having something planned out for the future!

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I usually feel excited to be done for a little bit, but after my half a week ago I was wanting more, so I decided to do the Halloween half…maybe I’ll see you there! I think I’m going to be sad that there aren’t any races all winter! My work always has some snacks and drinks available which is nice, especially when they have healthy options.

P.s. it took me awhile to figure out that wasn’t you in the first pic. I was thinking, wow, you look different! It’s a super cute picture though, happy b-day to your brother!:)

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Ha…that is funny!! My SIL and I kind of do look alike in that top picture:)
WE BETTER MEET UP AT THE HALLOWEEN HALF…I am counting on it!

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That would be awesome! I’ll look out for you when you win the costume contest! :)

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The first race I ever did was a bit too intense for me, and I didn’t run for MONTHS after. But yesterday I was trolling online looking for a new race. Too bad the races in Utah are so limited in December!

We have a cafeteria where sometimes at meetings there will be goodies from. Or my boss can give out “tokens” as a thank you to be used in the cafeteria.

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We should put together a December Utah race:) Tokens…that is awesome!

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Yes please!! I am terrified of racing a 5K and then a few months later doing a half… I need baby steps!! Let’s do a 10K race, even if it’s just really a running meet up :)

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I want a UT December race! :)

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This needs to happen. :)

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I usually sign up for another race :) I like to have something to look forward to in the future. Looking forward to seeing you in NYC!

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I KNOW!! I SERIOUSLY CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU!

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I refer to post race as getting “the shakes” And signing up for a race makes me feel better. I’m already signed up for a relay for August 2012. But why are races so darned expensive?!?!?!?

inCase iphone http://goincase.com/ I just got the new iphone as well and was scared for two days before I got the case. You’re smart for waiting…I’ve read plenty of your blogs. We live with hardly any shopping and found this case at Best Buy. It has a gripper on the sides which I am a fan of. Those new phones are slipper!

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THE SHAKES…you are hilarious and so right at the same time. AHHH, thank you for the cover recommendation. I need ALL the help I can get! I need the grippers!

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GOOD QUESTIONS!
A. I am ALWAYS signed up for a race… my calendar is never empty. I think they offer support groups for people like me.

B. No.

I cry when my race is over because I have to slow down and rest. I typically tier my races: short ones – longer ones.

You look like you are 6 feet tall in this picture – how tall are you, really? Sorry if that is too personal….

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Not too personal at all!! I am a little under 5’9″ and I am the shortest out of all my siblings ha! We really need to join some sort of support group ha!

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Just ran a 1/2 on Sunday and was really sick and hated it. So I am already planning out a short training plan for the next 1/2 I have planned in December!

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Usually after a marathon I’ll say I’m not going to run another one. It’s too painful….wahhhhh. Then, the next day (or sometimes in the car on the way home from said marathon) I’ll already be thinking about what’s next. ;)
My current job provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, AND candy!
I just started working from home! ;) I try to be a good boss and keep myself motivated. ha!

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Aw, happy birthday! I miss all my siblings birthdays since we moved to Utah!

I couldn’t run St. George, so instead I signed up for the Utah Valley marathon at the expo :). Then I came home and signed up for the Halloween Half! I do much better when I have a race on the calender- I like it that way. I’ve been signed up for the Goofy Challenge since March and I’m sure I will experience some post-race blues after it’s over!

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I have a bad habit of signing up for races. Lets see I have a 15 k in dec, a half in march and as soon as I can I am signing up for Marine Corp Marathon 2012… I have a feeling there will be a few summer races in there too. I have found that if I don’t have somethign to train for, it is WAY too easy for me to go a week plus without running.

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I have been a “lurker” on your blog for over a year now. I saw the picture of the Washington City half marathon and had to comment. I ran that race too and even saw you running (I was not even half way and you were on the home stretch.) :) Your blog gives me a smile and a chuckle everyday. Keep up the good work!

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BTW – I ran the St. George marathon and I am feeling the post race blues right now. I have another marathon on my radar for march…..now I have to look for the shorter races to keep me happy until then.

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AMY!!! I wish we could have hung out before or after that race! are you going to do it this year? CONGRATS ON ST. GEORGE…that is awesome!! What one are you thinking of doing in March? Thank you so much for your sweet words and I think we need sign up for the same race!

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My husband is on the city council here in Washington City. He said if he was going to pay for races that I had to support the city. :) I will be running it for at least the next two years….. My husband says he has Swedish fish for you if we ever meet up. :) I’m thinking about the Sand Hollow marathon in March. It’s a really small race – 75-125 runners. I heard it was hilly but FUN.

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I am totally feeling this same way! I ran Columbus Half on Sunday and then jumped in my Honda Civic and drove back to Wisconsin an hour after finishing so my body is crying for two rest days. I am already signed up for an indoor tri next month, but after that?! It is cold and way too snowy here in Wisconsin, I don’t know what to do!

The school I work in always has treats-AWESOME

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Up until now I have always done option A, I like a goal and a plan. Now I have decided to give the body a break, not sure if this is for 6 months or 12 months we will see!
We have treat days every Tuesday at our staff meetings, then BDays someone bring in cake and I also attend a lot of luncheons and receptions for my job so there is no shortage of eating opportunities!

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What kind of donut was that? It looks like an oreo cookie donut!!!

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i think its important to stop and refelct on that race, training ,etc. Give your body a break and refocus. Such a good pattern!

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Girl, you are SO right…you’d think you and your hubby are professionals or something;)

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Ahhhhh! I need a case for my new iphone – I didn’t have one before so my phone is naked! You are making me feel guilty I haven’t gotten one yet. I will do it ASAP. Thanks for the public service announcement:)

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Public service announcement….YOU MADE ME LAUGH SO HARD. Yes, go get your case and let me know which one you get.

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I go through phases! When I first finish a race that I have been training a long time for, I feel relieved. I always feel so glad that I don’t HAVE to workout those long hours, etc. That feeling only lasts like 2 week though, and then I start trolling the internet to find a new adventure :)

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Ahhh it’s terribly ironic that you brought this up. You see, after my first half, I was too ecstatic not to sign up for another race. Well, I was also excited to up my mileage and go a wee bit crazy. Ummm, yes. I really should’ve given my body more of a break, now that I think of it. Grrr. Why is it so hard to take a rest period? That’s right. Running is ADDICTING.

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I always sign up immediately for something “bigger” otherwise I think I would get depressed. I signed up for a full ironman soon after finishing my first half ironman. Unfortunately I think I will run out of bigger things to do and will have to repeat, hope it works the same!

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Post race blues stink!! I always get a little depressed after a race, for sure. Thankfully, I look ahead in the year, at all the races that will be happening in my area. That way, I can sign up for one pretty quickly if I get major post race blues! :)

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I train for a “pretend” race, and then race against myself if there’s no races coming up! Otherwise, yeah, I sign up for another one :)

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I usually sign up for another one; or just look up the dates even if I am not going to sign up right away. I think this time I am going to go big and do a full marathon next summer/spring for my next race (although I may do a 1/2 somewhere in the training).

I am not going to lie, I am really intimidated by the idea of a full marathon, but I have been running consistently for about 2-3 years and done a few 1/2s so I should be ready to step it up, but the idea of 26.2 miles is daunting!

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I’m self employed so I never get food as part of my work….bahah lucky :)

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this sounds like post-partum depression lol!!!!!!! I totally feel a little lost after a race, but I also totally sign up for another one right away to keep the blues at bay
:-P. I also sign up for races when I’m injured (far enough in advance that I hope to be healthy by then) to stave off the injury blues!

SO JEALOUS you got a donut. I’m going to be a dietician when I grow up (or…whenever…dunno if I’ll ever grow up), so I doubt I’ll ever get something like a donut at the office hahaha.

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I used to immediately go into freak-out mode about what was next till I had someone refer to me as a drug addict looking for her next fix. It was said in jest, but it hit close enough to home that I did do some major reflection……….

5 years later, I probably love running more than I ever have, but I really let each race be its own special moment in time, and I always know when the nudge is there to do the next one and that’s when I act.

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I get super excited in the 10 minutes following a race for the food I am about to take a bath in, and then I am online signing up for my next race even though I just told myself that I “should really take a break from running so I can pursue other hobbies/sleep.”

I work mostly from home….so yes, I do get food as a reward :)

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I like training for races, but I am not obsessed or needing them–but that is okay for me!

I sure do love when my employer gives us some sweet stuff-like food, gifts, coupons, etc.!!

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I usually tell myself I’m going to chill for a bit, but then I generally end up signing up for my next race like four days later. I’m doing the Vegas Full! First full ever and super excited. Would love to meet up! I fully intend on chilling at the hotel pool the day after.

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Haha… when I read “Who am I?” I think of Zoolander… I hope that’s what you were thinking too.

I was pretty nicely scheduled for 2011. April & May half marathons. August 5k. 2 half marathons in September and another half in Philly next month. Then maybe I’ll do a turkey trot on Thanksgiving when we go visit my parents. No race plans yet for 2012. Not sure what my goal will be next! When not training for something I still like to have a schedule so I know what to do with myself.

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I totally was….great minds think alike! DANG…you’ve had an awesome running year, WAY TO GO!

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yesssss! I love it!

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I’m usually signed up for something and know what’s next. I’ve had 5 races on my fall calendar for awhile now so I’m good through March. Hmm…now I need to find some more races now that you mention it. :-)

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hahha I love the questions you ask yourself after a race!! “Who am I!?” I definitely have the post-race blues right now and feel a little lost (I ran my first marathon a week ago). I signed up for a half marathon in March, which I felt like was perfect because while I have it to look forward to in the future, I also have time to rest (or force myself to rest) before I have to start training again.

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AHHH CONGRATS ON YOUR FIRST MARATHON!!! You are amazing! Rest Rest Rest!! You are going to rock your 1/2 in March!

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I know what you mean, after all the training and the race is over, you do feel kind of lost, I usually take a week or so and then just right back into a regular workout routine. But the whole time I am planning my next race lol

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I’m having the post race blues right now…and currently looking for my next race :)

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For an IPhone case go to amazon. I got a speck case for $9, normally $35 at apple store. My husband and I swear by that brand, hard but still has a rubber casing lining it. It arrived in 3 days too.

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You need to look at these cases. Many of my coworkers have purchased them and love them. They are made by life proof. They are made for military specifications, waterproof, Etc.
http://iphonegadgetreview.blogspot.com/2011/08/lifeproof-iphone-4-cases-are-waterproof.html

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Ask my after my first marathon is over….

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I haven’t even run my full marathon yet and I thought I would take a break from training for a while. Then I heard of a half marathon in February and guess what? I’m already setting goals for that race. It truly is addicting.

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We celebrate everything at my work with food! Birthdays, holidays, being busy (and trying nto de-stress). We do everything from Panera Bread to potlucks to pizza and subs. Tomorrow we are celebrating Boss’s Day! :)

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Kind of on a similar note to this…I’d love you to write about recovery! I would be interested in hearing more about how you came to be ok with rest days as well as how you fuel when not running. I have a hard time with this and I’m guessing a few other runners might too!

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C.) Not Applicable (my races are all signed up for the next 3 years of my life, I am always training for something new).

And I think it is seriously messing with my head! I need to slow down. I haven’t recovered mentally from Pittsburgh in May and I feel like I have been struggling ever since them. I am worried about how I will feel/what I will do after the Goofy in January.

Thanks for the article. I am definitely checking that out asap!!

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The post race blues kind of feel like the morning after Christmas blues to me sometimes. I usually sign up for another race. Since my current job is a stay-at-home mom the only food it provides is the food I make or buy. :)

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In my one whole year of running I have always had something new to train for, some sort of distance. Even in between races I end up signing up for more and it gets out of hand. I just finished my 4th half marathon and have decided until the end of the year I am not committing to anything. Between now and then I just want to get into great running shape (meaning working ALL of my muscles, not just my running muscles) and then evaluating what I want to train for. I personally don’t think running a marathon is necessarily more of an accomplishment than running a lightening speed 5k. So after the new year I might decide to train for another full, maybe some halves, or maybe work on my speed for shorter races. After all, I run to feel free, not entrapped by a training plan.

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Happppyyy birthday to your bro! I was just thinking about this yesterday- once I reach my running goal of 10 miles, then what? Why not focus on a new goal like strength gains: that way you’re still mentally stimulated yet not facing the risk of burnout from running!

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After a short race, I immediately sign up for another one. After a marathon, I use a marathon recovery plan for a few weeks. By then I have usually signed up for my next race. I work from home right now, so no food from work, but plenty of snacking goes on while I am “at” work!

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I have those feelings too! I usually sign up for another race (Half Marathons only for this girl) in a few months time because I know that way I’m giving my body a chance to properly recover before embarking on another training plan!
I have a 10-mile race at the end of October and then I’ve got my next HM in March. That’s 2 months of resting and cross-training that I’m super excited for! :)

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Oh my gosh! I SO have the post-race blues! I’ve been wondering what’s been up with me lately =( I’ve been thinking of signing up for a 1/2 marathon in Feb but I keep talking myself out of it!

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Ohhh, I HATE post-race blues. Had a marathon on Sunday and signed up for another one yesterday. (Ran Baystate in 3:46:01, but I want to qualify in the 18-34 yr old group (with new time constraints) before I turn 35 next year…so I’ll be running Hyannis in 18 weeks. HA!)

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HOLY COW….GREAT JOB ON YOUR MARATHON!! YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!!!

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Girl, YOU are incredible!! I just try to be like you! :)

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As soon as I cross teh finish line, I start planning my next race and what to train for (ie: Shamrock half in March 2012).

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OMG Janae! I am going through the post-race blues hardcore! I just finished my first marathon on Sunday and there was a chance I wasn’t going to be running at all, but I did and I finished and I am really happy with the finish (3:49:15), but now I feel like it hasn’t happened yet, like I should still be training for it!!

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I totally agree on the iPhone case. I can break something in 5 minutes flat. A case is a requirement. I am worse than my 2 yr old with stuff. I am wondering what YOU do when the RACE that you have been preparing for is over.

RE: Post-Race Blues – I am never not signed up for my next race! I have my next 5 yrs scheduled for races, but no idea what I’ll eat for dinner today. :)

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I completely get the post race blues! And then I research every single race possible and day dream about the possibilities! So much happiness :)

I used to work at a frozen yogurt shop!! As much free fro yo as I wanted all day long! Its ok to be jealous ;)

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I get post race blues pretty much the next day (even with all the soreness going on!) I usually run Ragnars twice a year and those keep me training in between half marathons but the fall is my bluest time. A) because its getting cold and B) I have to run inside. Luckily my next race is in AZ so it will be not snowing and not too cold to run. But after that its ???? until I sign up for another race. I try to cross train more in between races to help with my pace, but sometimes a cup of soup and a blanket sound better (not all the time, but sometimes haha). I wish my work gave me goodies! When people quit, if they like you they get Leger’s Sandwiches, if they don’t like you, you get Little Cesaer’s Pizza! haha

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Come do the Arizona Rock and Roll Half! It’s January 15th, and gives you something to do :)

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OOOOOHHH That would be so much fun….could I stay with you?

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Absolutely! There’s a Yogurtland 10 minutes away, perfect pre-race fuel, and the race is only 15 minutes right by ASU.

E-mail me.. let’s talk :) [email protected]

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I love to travel as well as race, so when I don’t have another race planned that just means more time and money for me to travel. Then when I can’t be off visiting foreign lands, I plan another race to give me something to look forward to. I think its a good balance. However, I do get the post-treat blues. For example, when I finish the last rice crispy treat I have stashed in my drawer at work, I get a little anxiety wondering how I am going to make it through the rest of the work day knowing there are no treats around.

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