Long weekends = long posts

Here I am!  I'm supposed to be studying and writing an essay but my brain is just not willing to focus yet.  Of course the more I put it off, the more anxious I get and the more anxious I get, the harder it is to sit down and work.  Before I dive into the rest of this post, let me remind you that you still have a few days to enter my awesome giveway!  It really is free money, $25 for whatever your heart desires!  Just comment on the giveaway post with how you'd spend the money and name something you'd like to see me blog about.  For those already entered, feel free to mention it on your own blog!  I'll get more entries (yay me) and for your kindness I'll let you have an additional entry. Just comment on the giveaway post when you mention the giveaway on your blog and POOF you're entered twice :)

While I try to figure out my next move today, here is a short recap of my weekend.  Friday nights are generally quiet.  After too much time apart, Jen and I met up for dinner and dessert at one of our favorite spots in Shirlington.  Dinner was delicious and the company was even better.  We had tons to catch up on and we're hoping to see each other again the following Friday.  A new fro-yo place opened up near the restaurant so a certain amount of recon was required.  We are hands-on kind of girls, so we dove right in.  I had cake batter yogurt with strawberries, chocolate chips, and oreos. Jen was slightly less heavy-handed with her portions (healthy weirdo) and had plain yogurt with assorted fruit.  Smile, Jen!

My worries about Saturday's long run were either correct or a self-fulfilling prophecy.  After not running for a week thanks to this cold (which is still hanging on) I was not able to complete the ten miles. I got to six and I was done.  Luckily it was right near the water station for our group and one of the volunteers graciously drove me back to our meet up spot after the run.  A few lessons learned from that experience include:

- you might not feel 100% but give 100% of what you have. I'd like to think I did that.
- when someone tells you that you are either really pale, or really flushed, listen to them. and stop running.
- be gentle with yourself. yes it is a setback but a minor one.  the more rest had, the sooner you'll be back to your normal routine. pushing it now is a recipe for disaster.

That last point is a hard one for me.  I wanted to run today as a break from all the school work I am trying to tackle but I still feel like crap. I have 12 miles planned for my long run later this week and I want to complete it.  I know how crucial this base building period is and I'm not confident in what I've accomplished thus far.  I feel like the only way I'll get through the 12 is if I am able to log a few shorter runs during the week to maintain fitness and remind my body of its job.  But with work, school, and the band, I don't know how I'll fit it in.  Help?!

After my run Saturday, Joe and I packed a bag and drove to Annapolis for a 24 hr getaway.  We both needed the time to clear our heads and relax, and the perfect first step was getting a massage.  We checked into the hotel, hung out in the room for an hour, and then headed to the spa.   A short walk from the hotel, it was super convenient.  Small but tranquil, we both had a very positive experience.  Next up was a quick change of clothes and then dinner.  The hotel was within walking distance of everything we wanted to do that weekend, so we got to stretch our happy muscles.  I can't recommend Joss Sushi enough, we really enjoyed our meal.  Small and cozy, the service was friendly and fast. It took me all of about 5 minutes to devour 16 pieces of avocado, asparagus, and shitake rolls and several steamed veggie dumplings. Washed down with an ice cold Sapporo, of course.  Ignore my hair, please and thank you.

Dessert was supposed to be at Annapolis' best cupcake joint but for some reason they closed at 5 pm.  On a Saturday.  On the busiest street in town.  WTF?  We settled for ice cream at another "best of" place, Joe with a modest serving of peanut butter oreo and me with the slightly unladylike serving of coffee oreo.  And yes, there were no survivors.  Fat and happy, much?

We rounded out the night with a trip to Crush Winehouse.  Joe tasted several different reds while I dove right into the Rieslings and made myself at home.  The atmosphere was cool, as was the decor.  Business was steady but not crazy and it never got loud.  They also serve food but since we were stuffed from dinner, we did not partake.  I saw most everything coming out of the kitchen from my seat at the bar and it did look delicious.  Our bartender for the night was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, letting us sample any number of wines before settling on a full glass.  Despite it being only 10 pm or so, I have to confess that we called it a night and hit the hay.  All that food and wine really did us in.

Sunday was just as enjoyable.  We came on the right weekend as Annapolis does a First Sunday Art Festival during the nicer months of the year.  The street we stayed on was the main location for the festival with tents and booths galore.  We checked out of the hotel and headed in that direction in search of brunch and souvenirs.  Brunch was an easy find once we saw the sign for $2.50 mimosas at Stan and Joe's.  Plates were completely cleaned, glasses emptied.  We wandered through all the booths before going back to Main Street and going into almost every shop in search of knickknacks and other goodies.  As luck would have it we happened to pass by the cupcake place again, this time open for business.  Again, no survivors.

A few presents, some sparklers, and a bouquet of flowers in hand, we decided to call it a day and headed to the car.  As much as we were enjoying ourselves, I had to get home to my schoolwork.  I did get about 3 hours of studying/note taking/reading in last night.  Today has yet to be as productive.  On other hand, lingering chores around the house are getting done.  Can you tell how badly I don't want to study? I'm actually cleaning.  Since this post has gone on forever and you probably stopped reading after the words GIVEAWAY no longer appeared, I'll wrap it up.  Time for a snack and some studying, SOB.  Fingers crossed that this cold finally gets the hell out of town, that I can run tomorrow, and that I nail this essay and test. 

Tell me all about your weekend and your 4th of July plans in the comments. I'll be cleaning and studying, with a brief sparkler break.  Lindy, I want to hear about that 5k today.  Did anyone else find a fun 4th race???