Damn you, Jen Lancaster

As much as I adore lists (making them, crossing stuff off them, etc.) I'm not a fan of 'the bucket list'. I mean, it's great to have some life goals, I suppose, but will your life be worth less if you don't ever win an apple pie eating contest, or get around to skiing in the Alps? I certainly don't think so. I understand why people have them, but I personally feel like it creates a lot of pressure and unrealistic expectations and I have enough of that as it is, without adding a bucket list to the mix.

However, I've been listening to 'I Regret Nothing' by my all time favorite author, Jen Lancaster and I feel inspired to create my own. Before I get into that, I feel the need to share that I generally loathe audiobooks, but I love listening to her - I've read and re-read all her books multiple times, and listening to her really just brings everything full-circle. Her memoirs are my go-to for tough times and she's the only author who has ever made me laugh. Anyway, her latest memoir is all about her bucket list and the stories that surround the creation and completion of the list (it's worth noting that she's my list-twin and will even add things to her list specifically to cross them off. Seriously I love her.) What I love the most is that it's not some 'Eat, Pray, Love' kind of bucket list. While that kind of list has its place, it's not how I want to live my life. But doing a bucket list Jen Lancaster-style? That I can do.

I'm not really sure exactly how I'll go about this, or what I'll include in my bucket list. I'm thinking that in the interest of my time, sanity and bank account, a modest list going through 2016 is probably plenty. I'm not looking to change the world or learn anything significant about myself...more than anything, I think I'm still feeling a bit antsy since I quit my part time job and deferred my Chicago Marathon entry to 2016. I feel like I need some direction and something to occupy my time.

I realize that a bucket list is supposed to be made up of all the things you want to accomplish before you die...so maybe what I'm doing isn't a bucket list as much as it is a glorified, long-term to-do list (hey, a list is a list, man.) I figure if nothing else, this will be a chance to finish some lingering projects and keep me accountable during 2016 marathon training. It's also a way for me to avoid having my ass glued to my couch watching Real Housewives reruns 24/7. Oh, and maybe I'll even blog a bit more (gotta keep the five people who actually read this entertained.) Hopefully I can follow through with this (unlike my 'things I'm thankful for' list last November...what can I say? Life started mildly sucking and I wasn't feeling uber-thankful at the time.)

I want the goals/things on my list to be realistic and attainable. Sure, things on a bucket list should be those things that really push you  out of your comfort zone and/or are once in a lifetime experiences...but this is my short-term bucket list and I know the only way I'll follow through with it is to make goals that require work on my part to acheive, but don't have me doing crazy and/or annoying shit like "grocery shop with only coupons for one month" or "finish a Whole 30" or "don't spend any money in November." Those kinds of things don't appeal to me at. all.

I'll have to figure out how to create a separate blog-header so I don't have to put the whole list in every blog entry I post (I know it's not complicated, I'm just lazy. Also, given my blogging history, it will probably only affect two posts, max.) I only have a few things right now, but hopefully I'll think of a few more things along the way.

2016 Bucket List

• Repaint bedroom furniture
• Finish NYC quilt I started in 2008 (gulp. really? that long ago?)
• Finally hang art/pictures in my bedroom
• Get an emergency kit together (because, you know, my wine collection will only get me so far during the zombie Apocalypse...or major earthquake...whichever comes first)
• Adopt a pet
• Complete a massive overhaul of my dressers and closet and work on not owning so much crap, and organizing the crap I have
• Speaking of crap, organizing the few boxes I have in the garage that I haphazardly packed when I moved.
• Try at least one new wine tasting room (this should not be too difficult)
• Commit to strength training three times a week for at least a month (and hopefully stay consistent after that.)
• Save at least $5,000 in my emergency fund in one year (I already have a 2-month fund, but need more than that to feel comfortable...this is a stretch with my current salary and current expenses...so we shall see.)
• Finish the Chicago Marathon!!!!

So, as of today, I only have 11 items on the list - that's less than one thing per month (hooray for laziness!) Nothing on the list is too 'out there' but everything requires some level of commitment on my part. Heck, even just finishing a few of these would make me happy.

I'm not sure I've ever made a real 'bucket list' before and tend to stick to things I can accomplish in a day...so this should be interesting. The real challenge will be to actually blog about this stuff.

My ego hurts

I've been running consistently for the last six years of my life. Most runs happen without incident (other than me whining in my head about the fact that I'm 'OMGexercising instead of watching TV', but I digress) and I generally return from a run at peace with my life and in a great (for me) mood. Running is seriously the best therapy ever (aside from beer/wine/any form of liquor.)

Any runner will tell you that not every run is a good run. In fact, based on my completely unscientific data, I'd say that at least half of all runs are either 'meh' or bad. 10% (again, based on my totally unscientific data) are downright awful. Perhaps you get approached by someone sketchy, nearly get run over by a cyclist (on the mother effing sidewalk when there are four bike lanes on the street you're running on) or maybe you've managed to injure yourself. Whatever the reason, these runs are almost enough to make you question why you're running in the first place.

Today I had a run in the 10% category.

I was hesitant to even run today because my quads were sore (actually, not just sore - they were on fucking fire) from my other workouts this week (including a 10 minute online Barre3 workout that I assumed would be easy and relaxing and 'stretchy.' I cannot tell you how off my assumption was.) However, in the interest of not wasting my lunch hour going down the GOMI rabbit hole and/or getting my 'basic bitch' on with a PSL from Starbucks, I decided to do one last run so that I could take Friday and Saturday off.

The run started off fine - a little slow, but I was in good spirits overall. After the first half-mile I found my groove and was cruising along, despite the heat (and nearly getting run over by the aforementioned fucking cyclist that refuses to use the bike lane, engineered especially for that purpose.) I started to struggle a little as I approached the half-way mark/turnaround point, but I wanted to tough it out (especially since the half-way point is at an intersection that can take forever to get across...it makes for a nice resting point.)

Just as I started to push through and pick up the pace a bit, I tripped over what I assume was an uneven sidewalk. I felt the front of my foot hit something...then somehow I went flying with both feet off the ground (all I could think of before I hit the ground was 'fuck, this is going to hurt'.) I landed on my left side, mostly on my elbow, but with both palms on the sidewalk. My left buttock (seriously, is there not a better term for this?) and thigh also took a lot of the impact. It's worth noting the giant thud/body slap noise I made when I landed.

I sat on the ground for a few seconds, feeling generally defeated (it hasn't exactly been the best week ever) and I started crying. Not because I was hurt (though, I didn't feel great,) but because it was just one more thing to add to my list of 'first world problems' I'm experiencing right now. I got up as quickly as I could and surveyed the damage. My elbow and both palms were bleeding (thankfully, not profusely) and from what I could tell, my capris didn't rip (though, I was wearing cute underwear...unlike the last time it happened.) Honestly, at that point my ego was probably more bruised than anything...because falling on a busy street, in front of a bus stop with people isn't exactly my idea of a good time.

I actually managed to jog most of the way back to the office (it's worth noting that my playlist was on shuffle mode and 'Bad Blood' came on...It's like the universe knew that's what I needed at that moment) I finally got back to the office, whined to some coworkers and cleaned myself up as best I could before I changed out of my workout gear...which is now covered in dirt and dust (I decided to skip the cute sweater and boots I was wearing earlier and opted for a sweatshirt and TOMS...also? thank goodness I keep extras of this stuff in my office.)

Trying to clean the wounds was more painful at that point than the wounds themselves.  I bandaged my elbow as best one can with such a 'bendy' part of the body (I also think I may have some gravel/asphalt embedded in my palm...but it hurts to deal with. I'm also super-duper thankful for the ER nurse who came barreling at me with a tetanus booster the last time I was in the ER, for a much worse fall that involved slamming my head and blacking out for a few seconds.) Now that I'm a few hours out, I'm feeling rather uncomfortable. My elbow and palms are stinging (yet, I'm still typing) and I'm sore all over. My back is sore, my left leg is sore, my wrists are sore, etc.

I know I'll totally recover in a few days and will likely be itching to run before the weekend is over. It's not my first fall during a run (heck, the last two times landed me in urgent care/ER) and, unfortunately, I'm sure it won't be my last.

In the meantime, I plan on going easy for a few days, save for doing a pre-natal Barre3 workout (I'm not with child, but I figure I could benefit from the modified moves until I get my strength and balance up...because that workout is among the more difficult ones I've done.) I'm also super thankful that I put the Chicago Marathon on hold until 2016 and I'm not training for my usual October half. It feels weird to skip out on stuff this year, but it's so nice to not have the pressure (more on this later...maybe. I suck at blogging regularly.)

So, how's your Thursday going?

**my mouse is being a total a-hole, so most of my sidebar/parenthesis are just in regular font. Maybe I'll fix it at a later date...or not.