Why we were so excited to move, what plan I’m following right now and it has my heart now and forever.

We got the key yesterday for our new place and we started moving a few things over.  

Now that I am out of my last place I can talk a little bit more about why we are so excited to move—> WE WERE LIVING ON THE FOURTH FLOOR.  No elevator.  It sounds like not that big of a deal but carrying a three year old (her legs magically always get tired right before we get to the stairs), groceries, bags, anything up those stairs multiple times a day was very tiring.  There were a few other fun facts about this move being really good for us—>  It was too small for the two of us, I lived pretty much next door to an ex which made life awkward often, we didn’t have very much space and it was just time for a big change.  While we loved where we were at for the time and have a lot of good memories… I don’t ever want to climb those stairs again in a blizzard while carrying my whole life up the stairs each day.  Plus our new apartment feels a lot more homey and bright with some more space which just feels right for the both of us.  

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Brooke ran around from room to room for a solid hour. 

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Utah had quite a lot of wind yesterday.  PS it may look like I dyed my hair to have an ombre style but really my hair has just grown out a lot since the last time I colored it…. ehhh like two years ago.

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I put Brooke to bed at my parents’ house last night because I will be doing my run bright and early today.  The movers will be at my house first thing (ummm 4 flights of stairs + Janae + carrying furniture = not a good outcome).  

I jumped into using the Hansons Half-Marathon plan just for fun for my next 1/2 marathon because I have read this book a bunch and have always wanted to see how my body would do with their plan.  Just testing it out.  I’ll keep you updated.  

6 x 1 mile this morning… this should be interesting.  I used to worry about hard workouts but the light finally turned on in my brain—>  who cares if I don’t do the workout perfectly or it is really hard or whatever else I’m worried about.  It’s just running.  It’s supposed to be hard and I like pushing myself.  It’s not supposed to be something I worry about.  

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I met with the girls for a late sushi date at Happy Sumo where I used to work while I went to BYU.  I ate that tuna tataki almost every day that I worked there and it still tastes amazing to me. 

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Sushi has my heart now and forever.

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And then we picked up some cookies on the way home to share while we sat in the car and talked for another hour.  I really don’t know what I would do without my girls.

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PS as if peeps weren’t awful enough normally… they now have added fruit flavors to their selection.

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The Boston Marathon is just a little over a month away and you can check out my post about my tips for this marathon!  It was my dream race for many many years and being able to experience it last year (wind, rain and all;) was surreal.

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Time for some mile repeats, unpacking and not hiking up 4 flights of stairs (**yes, I realize I do the stair climber at the gym at times but that is totally different;)

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What is your dream race?  

Following a training plan right now?  Which one?

Best and worst part about where you live?!?

Have any nicknames?  

-Nae.  

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68 comments

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I did Hansons Marathon Method for my first attempt at a BQ and it got me a 1 hour and 9 minute PR and is taking me to Boston for the first time in April, so needless to say I really like Hansons! I hope you enjoy it!!

I am sooo excited for Boston! I can’t wait to read your post.

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WOW. I’ve got the book and I’ve dabbled, but now I’m sold.

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I qualified for Boston these past two years so hopefully I’ll bite the financial bullet and sign up soon! I think London is another one of my dream races and then some ultras and stage races.

I couldn’t imagine walking up all those stairs with Brooke and groceries! Yep, it was time you got out! The best thing about where I live is that is .5 miles away from like a never ending Greenline that I’m pretty sure I could run a marathon one way on. The worst part is that I’m not living in my favorite city right now.

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After my next race (less than two weeks!) I’m taking a bit of time off. Between building a house, working full time and training, its a bit much. After we move, training is on again! My dream race is either the Paris or London Marathon. I love Boston too, so I’d love to go back there.

We live with my parents, so best is that I have built in company all the time, my mom cooks most days and it is pretty inexpensive. Cons are that my husband and I live with my parents and don’t have our own space! ha!

Four floors is alot if you have to carry ANYTHING! I’m all about doing the stairs, but that is alot in one day!

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Happy day for a move! I’ve done Hal higdon (intermediate not advanced) and enjoyed it. It’s always nice with someone else yelling you what to run!

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I’m so happy for you and Brooke and your new place! Sounds like it will be a lot better for both of you. I’m about to move too and I’m pretty excited to be moving out of apartment life forever and into my first home! Best part of where I live (now) is the fact that it’s close to 2 huge parks with lots of trails. Worst part is there is always so much traffic so it takes a while to get anywhere!

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YAY for your move!! So happy you’re in a new, better place for y’all now. :) I really like where I live right now, though my running options are slimmer than they used to be. It gets kind of boring sometimes.

My two nicknames most people call me are NatMer and Nattles. I am a huge fan of nicknames.

P.S. Those Peeps look disgusting (even more so than the originals). WHY??!!

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I also haven’t colored my hair for a while and am getting to the ombre effect now too. So much better than the awful roots I have had for ages!

Not currently following a training plan but going to try Hal higdon’s novice 2 plan for my first marathon in the fall.

We live in some bedroom apartment. I really like the location but wish it was a little bigger and that we had a yard.

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People call me Sal.
My dream race would probably be Boston because I won’t ever qualify.
Best part about where I live is that I’m so close to Manhattan. Worst part is that it’s not close enough lol. But my townhouse itself is the right size. Just too many houses in my development. And I don’t have w fended in yard for the dog so we spend a lot of time at my boyfriends house because he does.

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Congrats on getting the keys to your new place! I know what you mean about the stairs! At the last place I lived I was on the 3rd floor. I had an elevator, but the stairwell was on the side of the hallway that my apartment was on so I would always take the stairs. It was self inflicted torture/an extra strength training session when carrying ALL the groceries up so I wouldn’t have to make a second trip! I live on the first floor now and it’s changed my life for the better, haha.

Go kick butt on those mile repeats!

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NYC marathon was my dream race and even though it didn’t go as planned it was still amazing getting to finally experience it! Running Boston for the second time this year but not officially following a training plan and hoping to enjoy the race with zero expectations.

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I am so excited for you guys!!! Good luck with the move!!

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It sounds like moving was the right choice for you! I’ve never lived as high as the fourth floor and can’t imagine hauling groceries up those stairs, much less a toddler. The best part of wher I live is the on-site amenities including a nice gym. The worst part is I have to drive to run outside and it takes a while to get anywhere. Hopefully I move to a better location in the next couple years!

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I just signed my lease for my new apartment… August can’t come soon enough! I have some very loud neighbors and when I move I can have a kitty :)

I guess Katie is already a nickname (for Kathryn) but my closest friends/family make it even shorter and go with “Kate.”

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Congratulations on your new place! I think it’s always exciting getting the new key… not really the moving part :) haha. My dream race is probably just somewhere abroad! Not even a huge race, but just to be able to explore another country by racing.

The best part of my apartment is how close it is to downtown, my work, gym, and i’s easy to get places. Worst part= no dogs allowed :(

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Congrats on the new apartment!! It sounds perfect for you. Best thing about where I live… We own the house so it’s nice to call it “ours” :) And worst thing… We own it so we are responsible for all of the repairs LOL!

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Yay for new living space!! I love my house except that I rent. I can’t wait for the day I can buy. Being a single mom of three makes it a little harder to save for that down payment! haha!
As for one dream race, I don’t have that. But I want to travel each year and run at least a half in all the states eventually. Not rushing for it but someday it will happen!

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So this is weird, but I actually don’t like the candy coating on the bottom of some peeps — i like the flavors, but then the candy/chocolate? coating is a total turn off for me. Wish they sold some of these flavors without it!

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My dram races are Boston and the Athens Marathon! I’m in between races right now and I’m thinking of trying Hanson’s again to have a set plan to get my mileage a little higher.
Good thing about home: my mom’s here! Bad thing about home: My social life is not here…

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I hear you on the Athens!

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Congrats on the new place! Hope you get settled in quickly!

Best place about where I live – Location (close to the lake, close to all my friends, close to downtown and close to the lake)!
Worst part abut where I live – Wish I was a taaadddd closer to a train line so I could get to and from work easier!

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We are not big fans of PEEPs but since we were going out with some “peeps” aka friends on Saturday I bought the yellow ones dipped in chocolate and the vanilla ones with confetti (at the bottom of your picture). We were ALL pleasantly surprised as to how GOOD they tasted. If you never liked Peeps before they are worth another try.

;-)

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I loved your article about the Boston Marathon (first marathon!)! I’m currently training for it and have home court advantage (you bet I’ve been practicing Heartbreak Hill!), but I enjoy your tips. Any recommendation on how much mileage you should put on your shoes prior to running a marathon? I’m concerned about putting on too many…

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My dream race would be to actually one day do a full ironman (note: have not even done a triathlon yet, but dream big right). I would be more than happy to do the Ironman Wisconsin in Madison, WI.

Currently following Hal Higdons Novice 2 program for the half marathon- I am digging it so far.

Best place about Wausau, WI – lots of outdoor activity, not too small, but not too big.
Worst Thing about Wausau, WI – no Indian food.

Nicknames – bean, sami bean, samiblaine, and I let my goddaughter and her brothers call me Sami (I prefer sam or Samantha). Oh and my cousin calls me Sami the Seal (I do not know why.)

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Yay for new apartments! It is always so exciting to move to a new place. Love seeing your new training plans. I might have to give this on a try. I am in need of a change!

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My nick names are pretty simple. Mostly just Jen. The best thing about our house is that it’s ours. We don’t own it, but before we lived here we lived with my parents and my sisters family. We had 4 babies (all under 4 months) in that house. It was a zoo! So we are very grateful for our own place. But the worst part is that it’s a town house so we share walls still. Lucky for us, we mostly love our neighbors and it’s pretty well insulated so we can’t hear everything.

Peeps. I never understood why people liked them and I don’t think I ever will.

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I know a lot of people have had a lot of success with Hansons. I bet you PR! I’m excited to see how it goes for you. I actually have mile repeats tomorrow which I’m not looking forward too but that’s how it goes.

Outside of college, I’ve never lived in apartment that involved lugging groceries as well as a bringing a child upstairs. I can only imagine how taxing that could become, good luck with your move!

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I would say we did our dream race at Badwater in 2013, but we are always seeking out the next challenge. We are looking into a 48 hour run this summer. We did the 24 hour version last summer and really liked it.

I am traveling for work so I had to run on the treadmill this morning. I had half mile repeats and did the same thing as you. I dreaded it all last night and even dreamed about it. When will we learn? Running is fun and not something to worry about! Thanks for the reminder.

Good luck with the move. It sounds like you will get workout #2 with all the up and down stairs, but at least this will be the last time!

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Good luck with the move! Hansons plan sounds interesting…I want to buy/borrow a few running books and learn more about this. I was wondering if you re-signed with your coach – have you decided just to take a bit of a break from that? It seems in a way that it would make running less of a ‘job’ and with your experience and motivation, self-coaching with a plan is great :)

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THANKS Jenni! I haven’t re-signed with my coach and you nailed it… taking a break right now because I’m just not as serious about running/training right now. Once I am again I will be right back with him but I’m guessing that will be more in 2017! I think I just got a little burned out with so much structure. Thanks so much and I hope you are having a wonderful day!

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Los Gatos, CA.. walkable town with a great running trail. The trail is definitely the highlight.
But it’s too expensive and there’s so much traffic. I cannot wait to leave this area!

Congrats on your new place! I love the floors and wall color!

I don’t know my dream race yet. Savannah is currently my dream race, but it will also be my first half. Maybe I’ll have a new dream after it.

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I LOVE LOS GATOS so very much but you are right… it is so expensive there. The running trail is amazing! That is where I stayed right before having Brooke:) I hope you love the next place that you live!

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Aw!!!! We could have hung out!!! :(

I’m hoping to find a new place to live that feels more like a small town and is a bit more rural, less Silicon Valley.

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Congrats on the new place! Sometimes a little bit of fresh start can make a BIG difference. :)

We currently live in Abu Dhabi in a high rise apartment, but only on the 17th floor. The best parts are the amazing views and our pool(s) area – we even have a lazy river! It’s awesome since it is pool weather nearly year round. The worst part is waiting for elevators… and our windows don’t open and no balcony (no fresh air). It’s still an amazing place to live!

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ABU DHABI… on the 17th floor. Oh I bet those views are beyond amazing! And multiple pools (Brooke would go crazy over the lazy river too:) So cool!! Oh I bet the elevator takes forever and a day!

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Glad you guys are so excited to move! And smart choice with hiring movers ;-). Our house is in centrally located subdivision with lots of running routes so no complaints here! I’d love to run a big city marathon for the experience and a race in wine country!

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So happy you are excited about your move – I wouldn’t want to walk that many stairs with Brooke either! And oh, living by an ex is beyond awkward- glad you are making the move! I despise peeps

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My nickname is Latte. I had no idea when I created my blog that I was creating a new moniker.

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I would say the best thing about where we live now is the amount of space we have for what we pay. We also have a huge basement which I love! The worst thing is that we have to climb up a flight of stairs to get inside and it is in a pretty bad part of town :( It is hard to have older family members visit due to the stairs and I’m not too picky about the location because I know it is temporary.

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Not sure about a dream race, but I’ve heard of a HM that ends at midnight & you stagger your start times to end as closest to midnight as possible. I think that would be so fun!

I made up my own training plan, & I’m struggling to follow it. But for my fall HM I’m excited to try the ‘Run Less, Run Faster’ plan.

Best part about where I live? It’s cheap & let’s me use $$$ for other fun things.
Worst part? My neighbors leave their dog outside in terrible conditions & he barks & whines. & our front door opens very oddly which makes it hard to fit large things through.

I get called J-Mod a lot. First initial, & first part of last name. Nothing exciting.

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What is that magical frosting on that cookie? I feel like that needs to be in my life and I haven’t had sushi in forever!

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Congrats on the move officially!! My dream race is the NYC marathon or Boston. Hoping to eventually run both :)

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So excited for you and your new place!! Living next door to an ex?! Noooo thanks!

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My dream race is the Big Sur marathon! I just need to convince my husband that he wants to spend our vacation time on a race. :)
Congrats on your move! Climbing stairs in the worst My husband and I moved all of our stuff into a 3rd floor apartment in San Diego a few years ago. NEVER AGAIN.
I just have to say, in that picture of you with the sushi you and Brooke look so much alike! Hope your run goes well!

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Moving is always exciting and eventful! Glad you don’t have to take the stairs! ?

I’m not training for anything at the moment. Though I would like to start getting faster. My pace is a snails pace. ?

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What is your dream race? My dream race would be Athens- I read how the roads are marble and glistening – how beautiful would that be? The other is the Jerusalem marathon because seriously?? It’s Israel!

Following a training plan right now? Which one? I have a running coach and like a little robot, I do what he gives me. Not sure what the plan is, but it has shaved 52 seconds off my mile time since Jan 12th. Today’s workout is a tempo run (30 min) or X-train for 60 min. I am doing the X-Train as my hip is being a fool (bursa inflammation!)

Best and worst part about where you live?!? Best – its Vancouver and I have a trail 3 min from my back door. Worst – it’s Vancouver and rains A LOT!

Have any nicknames? Shally-Bally-Boogie-Girl

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My husband and I used to live on the 4th floor of an apartment in SLC and there was an elevator but it was at the opposite end of the building… I do not miss climbing those stairs one bit!! My husband calls me franny (my last name is francy) and has for years.

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Love the Hanson method! Only got about halfway through it before I got pregnant but was seeing great results from it.

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Those are great Boston tips! I’m so glad you shared them! I love the Hanson’s Method, I know so many runners who have had great success with it. Best of luck with the move and happy running!

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Congrats on getting in to the new place!! That is so exciting. Also exhausting, but definitely worth it! 4 flights of stairs would get old pretty fast. Funny how kids need to be carried at just the right time :)
I’m hoping to qualify for Boston again and get to experience it when it’s not raining! I’m really not a cold rain person. Looking forward to hear about your experience with the Hanson’s plan!

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Good luck moving, Janae! My husband and I moved into my dream house about 10 months ago. We wanted to get settled and be in the right neighborhood before starting our family (I was 5 months pregnant when we moved). I absolutely LOVE our new place, however when we moved in, they literally broke ground and started building on the lot next door. This would be fine at any other time, but the noise from all the building is crazy. Definitely does not mesh well when you are trying to get a baby to nap. :) Plus, I work from home so there are moments when I wish I could hit the mute button! Haha. Otherwise, we are incredibly happy in our new home!

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I Need some turf toe advice. I somehow hurt my toe just like yours (although I can’t figure out where or how). I’m 5 weeks out from Boston and definitely feeling it. I’m not on my a game anyway because of a hamstring injury as well. But I’m trying to get to Boston in one piece and be able to enjoy the experience. It’s my 3rd time to Boston and I have no plans to try to pr or anything. But I would like to run a respectable race and enjoy it. But with my toe and hamstring, I’m super nervous. I’ve been going to physical therapy for 3-4 weeks for my hamstring and I feel like it’s not getting worse (not getting better, but that’s to be expected since I’m not giving it a break. I dont know how to do that when I have friends to run with and kids to get ready for the Boston 5k). The pt worked on my toe yesterday and of course I couldn’t miss my speed workout today. Needless to say the toe wAs worse than it has been after yesterday and I did cut my speed short.

What’s the best things I can do to maintain my fitness, not get injured any worse and still make it to Boston feeling ok?

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Keith and Kevin Hanson are really great! They really care about the local running community and not just their elites! If you are ever in Michigan, I will take you to a Hanson’s group run! :-)

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Gotta do NYC and Big Sur, but mostly Big Sur.

I’m using the lamest training plan from About.com, but guess what? It worked last year. This year if I actually follow it better I might do better too. But I’m not planning on a marathon this year. Like our hostess I’m sticking to the half (several times, fingers crossed).

Best part? Nice big house. Worst part? Not enough young kids (= to my kids) near by and the neighbors are a little standoffish.

Clark the Shark = only nickname I’m not ashamed to admit.

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Congratulations on your new place! Hiring movers is definitely the way to go!

I’d love to do all the marathon majors. I’ve got NYC, Boston and Chicago done. I’m just missing Tokyo, London And Berlin. Looks like need to get out of the country!

Have a great moving day!

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What is your dream race? One involving a taco truck at the end.

Following a training plan right now? Which one? Umm, I was…and then life/school/work happened. So now it’s more like ‘get a workout/run in when you can.’

Best and worst part about where you live? Southern Oregon is beauuuutiful, but I’m getting a little burnt out no rain right now! Boo.

Have any nicknames? Aerie (my BF’s nickname for me), Bug (my family’s), and Lady (my boyfriend).

Also you’re eyebrows look amazing!

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I need to proof before I hit submit. I meant “I’m getting a little burnt out ON the rain right now!” and “YOUR eyebrows look amazing!” Yeesh. Embarrassing.

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My hubby and I live on the 3rd floor of our apartment and we have a two year old and I am 31 weeks pregnant so I can totally relate and feel your pain! We are moving within the next month and I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am and how I am never living on the 3rd floor again haha! I really need to try those Swig cookies! Every time I see them my mouth water so I don’t know what my problem is ha! I am not following a training plan right now, just running because I love it and it feels great during this pregnancy. :)

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Eastern Washington has long Spring and Fall (<—Yeah!) seasons and "normally" more mild temps compared to your area. It has very ideal Summer morning temps for running 45 – 55. The rolling hills are fun as well! The worst parts are that it gets very windy at times and the freezing rain/fog create black ice everywhere. Also, I live on a hill. So my warm up is running about a mile downhill at a decent of about 350 feet and my cool down can be challenging.

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Although you are way faster than me, I used Hanson’s to train for my first full marathon and really enjoyed it. It was tough but I think it worked well.

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congrats on the new place. very interested to read about your hanson experience!

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Congrats on getting the keys!! I love where we live (we own our house). I have a few nick names Shelly (short for Michele) and Meshe.

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Enjoy your new place!

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Every time you post a picture of those cookies I can’t help but want them!!! Hope you enjoy your new place!

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There’s something about your smile in that first picture with Brooke. You’ve got some happiness in there, I can see it. Like the real stuff. Not like oh, I’ll smile for the camera smile. A SMILE smile. From your toes.

Or maybe I’m wrong, but I hope I’m not.

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I picked up Hanson’s book recently, too late to use for my half this Sunday, but I plan on using it for the half I’m doing in the fall. I can’t wait to hear about your experience with it.

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Congrats on the move! I once lived in an apartment on the fourth floor with no elevator and it was so tough. I became a pro at carrying a million things on my arms so I wouldn’t have to make multiple trips. Hope you are enjoying your new place!

I love what you said about hard workouts. I, too, find myself dreading them sometimes, especially when I know the weather is going to be extremely hot or humid. But you are right. All we can/have to do is the best we can do. It has to stay fun. xo

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I just switched over to Run Less Run Faster for training for the Chicago Spring Marathon and Ragnar Trail Richmond Ultra. I like it so far, and enjoy that all of my runs are focused quality runs.

Yay for no longer having to climb four flights of stairs every time you come and go!

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