Currently… Early Fall Edition

Some scenes from the start of fall!
Some scenes from the start of fall!

Currently… stealing this idea from Marcia and other bloggers. A post on “things of the moment” for me (#5).

Some fall travels to Seattle (1 & 2) and San Francisco!
Some fall travels to Seattle (1 & 2) and San Francisco!

State of things: It’s all good! I am really enjoying my new job (started 8/11). My schedule is flexible and I have been able to keep up the blogging and jogging (I mean running). I feel energized and am meeting lots of cool new colleagues and clients. After a bit of burn out and heatstroke in the beginning of August, even my running is perking up. I took a few trips for work already and have several planned for October including a retreat in Half Moon Bay. Tough life! The husband and I also went to Seattle to visit friends and to claim my Passports with Purpose prize – 2 nights at the Four Seasons Seattle. It. Was. Awesome.

currently books fall

Books: In addition to some $1.99 mystery guilty pleasures from Bookperk, I read 4 books. They were: Claire DeWitt and the Bohemian Highway by Sara Gran; The Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash; Still Life with Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen; Short Century by David Gerrard. Claire De Witt was the second in a series and I liked the first one better. Claire spirals out of control in this one and I was a bit “over it” after a while. I wanted to smack her and tell her to get herself together. It was worth the time though. The husband is reading it now (his verdict: “kind of a mess.”). I am not sure where I picked up the Dark Road to Mercy, but I enjoyed it. It was a crime story mixed with several other compelling story lines and was a quick read. Not particularly upbeat. I love Anna Quindlen’s fiction, and non-fiction, and Still Life with Breadcrumbs did not disappoint. It was very nuanced and the ending was not necessarily as I had guessed. Finally, I read Short Century for my book club. Wow. That was some dark and twisted stuff. It was a fictional story of a divisive neo-Conservative journalist/author during the Iraq war and a personal bombshell that rocks his world. The premise was that he wrote a confession manuscript on the day before he died. Very dark, book club ladies. Definitely interesting and it got me thinking of some of the differences if it had been written today or set before the internet. Not light reading. Have you read anything I should check out lately?

Movies: I have not seen any movies since Boyhood – not even on TV or a plane. Have you seen anything good lately?

TV: Other than my Today Show treadmill obsession, I am not much for watching TV. We are now on Season 6 (first half) of the Sopranos. I am still the husband’s New Jersey accent interpreter.  The violence is still a bit much for me, but I have gotten pretty into it. After we are done with the Sopranos, the husband wants to watch Twin Peaks. My pick is Homeland or Scandal. Any votes from out there on what we should see next? (We have already seen Breaking Bad, The Wire and House of Cards.)

Website: Not a website, but I am still loving my daily news emails from theSkimm. I totally get the tone and humor and come out more informed. A win-win.

Prizewinning #Poparazzi pics with Lauren Fleshman in Oiselle's contest
Prizewinning #Poparazzi pics with Lauren Fleshman in Oiselle’s contest

Run: I won’t lie, I was pretty tired from my progressive run and ultra antics in July followed immediately by a 10K and 5K. I started August off right as a Zooma Chicago Women’s Half Marathon run ambassador. It was a beautiful morning for a run. My legs were pretty tired, but I did well and was the first Masters (over 40) female and won a sweeeeeet coffee mug! (Happy dance!) I ran 3 half marathons in three consecutive weekends in August and the first weekend in September. It was very warm/humid for both in August and my times were the slowest I have run in a few years. I still had fun and especially enjoyed meeting Lauren Fleshman at the event the day before the Mag Mile Women’s Half Marathon. The third half at the Chicago Half Marathon was MUCH better – weather and time. I ran with friends almost the entire time. My friend, Dan, helped me finish strong and I squeaked in just under the 1:40 wire at 1:39.59. I’ll take it. I also ran on the 2nd place Women’s team for the Park Ridge Charity Classic 5K. It was my best 5K time since 2005, too! Great fast course and lots of fun.

Non-Run Workouts: I have been keeping up the “Smart Workouts” on The J & J 7 Minute Workout and weekly pilates and yoga. I did wrench my back a bit. I have a few more new workouts that I want to try… how about you? ClassPass launched here in Chicago and I was invited to the previews, but I was out of town, so Stacy, Kristin and Meryl checked it out for me. ClassPass lets you take unlimited classes at boutique studios for $99 a month (3 classes per studio). I am going to check it out in December and will let you know what I think.

So much good stuff!!
So much good stuff!!

Food/Drink: My cupboard runneth over again with great new products from cool companies. I have so many new things to try and lots of giveaways coming so STAY TUNED. I am testing new drinks from MeStrength, Sant and I have some newly formulated GU Brew arriving this week.  Other things on deck: All of the flavors of Jessica’s All Natural/GF Granola, new bars from InBarFlyJoy and Garden of Life, jerky trail mix from Kooie and ALOT more. Oh, and an awesome sampler of products from RacePak. Definitely come check it out! I guarantee this will be GOOD. I also did a 21 day clean eating “reset” challenge with Laura and did not eat a single piece of candy for 3 weeks. This is a big deal for me! I will try to keep the sugar in moderation and eat a majority of whole foods. Have you tried anything new lately??

Nyrr article
For the record… I never said “whole enchilada” to this reporter or anyone!

Excitement: I am gearing up for my 15th New York City Marathon and after that I will have guaranteed entry for life! NYRR even wrote a story on me!

Pet Peeve: Now that I am flying for work again, I imagine I will have many. Definitely this week, it was the two men who took my arm rests when I was stuck in the middle seat on the way to Dallas. Just because I am small, doesn’t mean I don’t want space people!

Wish(es): I hope that I will continue to enjoy my job and be able to balance everything!

What is keeping you busy these days? Please share in the comments!

PS. Don’t forget to enter my giveaways.