Juliana Moves

Happy Hump Day! How’s the week treating you? Today I decided to do my easy run during lunch and it felt amazing to get out of the office. It’s another beautiful day (aka long sleeve and shorts running weather), my route was new and fascinating, and I felt like I was on a vacation run-exploring a new city! All in all: 10 out of 10 experience. 

This weekend should be a blast too. I am volunteering at a 50k up in Maryland and then we’re headed to the mountains for a Big Mountain Day. The weather should continue to be stellar, too. I’m loving October!

Here’s what I’m…

…Reading: I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger. Somehow I went from number 60-something on the hold list at the library to number 1, so getting this book so soon was truly a surprise! I’m still only about 60 pages in, but so far it is really fascinating. It’s sort of dystopian, but so far the signs have been quietly tossed into the narrative so you’re not even sure if it’s meant to be or not. 

…Eating: Chili! How can we not make chili when the weather is this good? Patrick made a pumpkin turkey chili this week and it is delicious. The pumpkin just adds a nice creaminess (and fall vibe) to the dish and I love it.

…Wearing: Turtlenecks. Again, with the weather as nice as it is, I have to take my opportunities to wear sweaters before the cold isn’t fun anymore. I love that a nice sweater makes me feel dressed up with extremely little effort. Not to mention how cozy they are – at home or in the office!

…Watching: Sally McRae’s ultramarathon documentaries on YouTube. I’ve mentioned before that I love Sally’s Choose Strong podcast, but I never took the time to watch her movies on YouTube. Wow, talk about inspiring. I watched a few of her 200 mile race documentaries and it is incredible. She is an absolute force and you can’t help but want to go for a run after seeing those feats of endurance.

…Trying: To fuel better on my weekday long runs. I have two long workouts during the week and was struggling to get calories in during them. I have trouble eating when I am running at an effort, so gels were a challenge, and I was out of my Gu Roctane drink mix too. These workouts are long enough (10-12 miles) to definitely need a decent chunk of calories. On a few occasions I could feel myself tiring out due to lack of sugar. 

…Thinking About: How cozy my bed is. Is there anything better than wearing warm pajamas and being horizontal in a comfortable bed on a cold morning? Not really! The promise of coffee is what’s getting us up as these mornings get darker and darker!

…Excited For: Our trip to West Virginia next week. All signs are pointing to a true fall experience in WV: changing colors, cooler temperatures, and plenty of warm foods on the menu. I am also really looking forward to hiking, continuing to explore this particular area of WV, and generally hanging out! 

Here’s what I’m hoping for you for the rest of this week: energy for movement that makes you feel good, solid sleep, exciting weekend plans, and plenty of water to keep you hydrated.

Love,

JN