Route Fatigue?

I have a new observation/riddle about my running.  I typically run the same route almost daily.  As I mentioned in my last post, I found that I improved much faster this time than when I started in the beginning.  Still, I'm no pro runner, and I get tired fast.  I'd only run my longer loop once since my reunion with running and it didn't go well.

Today, I decided to run a long loop again.  Not sure why.  I think it was half because I always think it's funny to run when I'm wearing makeup and the other half because I was listening to MCR.  Thanks emo teen music for that extra umph.  Still, I was expecting it to be a struggle.

What surprised me is that I didn't get tired at the same distance markers I do during my short run.  In fact, the run when great and I probably could have sped it up a bit.  Which leads me to my riddle.

I think it's possible that I've somehow trained myself about when I'm supposed to get tired during my run.  The lazy part of me doesn't want me to go further or faster, so it's tricking me into thinking I'm barely completing my short run.  (That lazy part of me is pretty small, but possibly pretty smart, too)  The only other possibility I've come up with is that it has to do with elevation changes in the run, the problem with that theory is that overall, the long run has more elevation change than the short run, although obviously in a different pattern. 

So the running update is that I'm still running and somehow psyching myself out about what I can do. 

My new morning BFF

As I mentioned, I recently began drinking coffee. 

So it only makes sense that I would need to purchase a coffee machine:

I named him "Kip"

Ready for Monday Morning

K- cup=Best.Coffee.Machine.Ever.

Highly recommended.

A watched tomato (apparently) never ripens.

Come on buddy!  Turn red already!

 Otherwise,  the pruning shears are coming back!  You know I'll do it!

What's for dinner? Guest Chef

I have a few fantastic friends.  This week I had a rough week and Jen made the LA to OC trek to cook me lunch.  She arrived with all ingredients ready to go.  

Jen did a fantastic job of describing our delicious meal here so I won't subject you to a less informative description.  I'll just add my "OMG it was delicious!" Commentary.

I haven't been eating nearly enough vegetables (I probably haven't been eating enough in general, but veggies are certainly a huge missing element)  so this meal was perfect.  I'll post one picture, but go check out Jen's blog for the REAL ones! :)

Very yummy food

And I'm kinda proud of myself, because I think I'm at least partially responsible for this:

Thank you so much, Jen.  You are fantastic. 

New Toy!

I'm officially an off hours Mac.

Don't worry, I'm still a professional PC, but I have to admit this is pretty much the most fun electronic device I've seen in a long time.

My only concern was my calendar (no way I'm becoming an @me, I'm solidly an @gmail).  Gavin solved that with an awesome app called CalenGoo.  The video quality is fantastic and I'm a huge fan of Netflix and Youtube.  I don't have any friends so I haven't used FaceTime, but maybe soon.  And you can play some words with friends with me (AmyPE) but I'm not very fast or very good. :)

Oh, and books!  Yay Kindle app! 

<3 my iPad 2.

Sunday Morning Hike

This morning Alyssa invited me for a hike...

There is no better way to spend a Sunday morning, I'm almost sure of it.

Sorry about the time and date... I took my old camera which is now my work camera. 

The Hike overall was decent.  A bit hot and the top was steep, but a ton of fun. If you want more info on the actual trail, this is an excellent and accurate report.

Gnomes!!!

Gavin and I had a craft night!

The victims subjects were gnomes! 

Introducing Lampin and Thibodeaux!

Thibodeaux by Gavin

Lampin by Amy

 Another craft well done!

You might notice that that the gnomes are located in my balcony garden.  Sadly, the flowers didn't make it, but the gnomes are a nice addition to my new favorite room of the house.