I used my last vacation day of the year very wisely. Last Thursday night, I wrote out a rather ambitious to-do list for Friday. After knocking out a 13-miler (it was on my list!), I felt energetic and powered through everything on my list. Endorphins + crossing things off a list = amazing!
After a productive day, I was ready to relax at Girls’ Christmas (explained here). Amanda hosted this year and was truly the hostess with the mostess! The spread of food was unreal and perfect for carbo-loading: penne vodka, lasagna, meatballs, garlic bread. All topped off with a few Miller Lites. We chatted until nearly 2:30, way too late for this grandma, and then I collapsed into bed with a belly full of carbs. Life is good.
On Sunday, I got up and braved the cold for a run. Nine easy miles later I felt refreshed, energized, and really to tackle the mall. King of Prussia is the “it” mall right outside Philly. Venturing there in December can be stressful and suck the Christmas cheer right out of ya, but surprisingly it was OK. I’m kinda like a maniac in the mall. I don’t browse; I swiftly loop around for anything that catches my eye before speed walking to the next store. It’s a workout.
Do you feel more productive after you run? This explains why I feel so lazy on rest days. I need my AM run to jump-start my day.
Are you a fast mall walker or more of a browser? Slow mall walkers kill me!
You stayed up until almost 3am and then got up and ran 9 miles? You my friend, are ready for ultra training. 🙂
Ha! The 9-miler was on Sunday, not Saturday. I skipped over Saturday’s activities: sleeping and laying on the couch like a sloth!!!
Oh I’m so jealous! I was supposed to take a vaca day on Friday but didn’t. I totally feel more productive after runs. If I don’t do anything in the morning it throws my whole day off sometimes!
I hate slow walkers, especially on the streets here. Drives me bananas
Sounds like a great weekend 🙂 I used to always do one big Christmas shopping day at KOP when I lived there…and I’m just like you, when I’m shopping, I have an agenda and don’t waste any time!
I definitely feel more energized after I run which is why I love to run in the morning. I am usually up at 5am to get in a run and/or a workout before work. I can really feel the difference when I decide to sleep in and not work out. Its amazing!
I don’t think I’d enjoy running after Miller Lites until 2:30 a.m.! Wow! Maybe I’m just old….
I’m not a fan of a crowded mall, but I’m more like you, a surgical strike shopper. Browsing is boring and actually tires me out more than any exercise. I tend to shop online!
I recovered on Saturday so I could run on Sunday! I could never muster 9 miles after being up (and drinking) until 2:30!!!! Maybe when I was 22, but not now!
I have to agree on the running first thing in the morning. I’m one of those people that if I wait too long, it’s not going to even happen. I absolutely hate when that happens. BTW, I love how you ran 13-miles Friday and then 9-miles the next day. Girl, you are AMAZING! Seriously, AMAZING.
As for the malls and shopping, I’m so not a girl. I hate shopping. Unless it’s online shopping. I’m a fast mall walker. I try to go to the mall when NOBODY is at the mall. I can’t stand crowds. I can’t stand lines… I don’t care if it’s a good deal — I’ll pay full for something if I really, really want it.
My mom is a huge shopper. Good deals and can go to the mall 7-days a week. HA. I obviously don’t get that from her.
So funny, you are the 3rd person to comment on this….the party was Friday night and the 9-miler was on Sunday…I had Saturday to recover 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only person that read that wrong. Still, 9-miles on Sunday after a 13-miler on Friday — I still think you’re amazing.
I ran 15 miles before my holiday party this Saturday. It made me feel really productive. Also running +wine=happy me.
I think I used to like shopping more than I do now. Now I usually just feel impatient and tell myself I will buy it online.
I always feel more productive after a run. Even my studying is better after a run!
I do so much of my shopping online now, it’s insane! Plus, being in NYC, I guess I never really go to “malls.” When I go to a store, I like to peruse, try on a bunch, and then buy just things I love, love, love. If I’m undecided, I wait and if it still bugs me after a few days, I got back and get it.
I think way too much about nails and shopping.
We are like the same person. I make to do lists almost every day, with things like “unload dishwasher” and “make lunch” – that level of detail. I LOVE when I have a random Sunday where I can work out later in the afternoon, and wake up whenever I want and drink coffee….except then sometimes that takes me until like 1pm. Without the run, I’m totally useless. And the girl’s Christmas needs to be implemented for my group of friends next year.
I think it does. I wake up around 8 on the weekends and get my run in first thing. That way I am up and awake for the rest of the day rather than sleeping it away. But I do hit a wall around 1 or 2 if it was a particularly long/strenuous run.
I try so hard to not be a psycho in the mail and get stabby towards slow mall walkers, but unfortunately the lunatic in me generally comes out.