May 25, 2012

7 Days of Sex

I don't know what possessed me this morning, but I barely opened my eyes, saw that it was 6:15, and thought, "Oh good! I have time to get my run done BEFORE the kids to go school!" It's not like I had anything else going on today that I had to get it done early. And technically, I think I'm still allowed to call it a rest day, considering I ran a marathon on Sunday ;)

I hopped out of bed and threw on some running clothes. Jerry got home from work at 6:30, so I headed out right away. My plan was to run 3 miles easy. As soon as I stepped out the door, I was struck with the humidity. The air felt very thick. I almost turned around and went back inside, but I figured that I'd already dressed for it, and I might as well just do it.

I felt like I was running at my "normal" easy pace (prior to training for the marathon, my "easy pace" was about a 9:10/mi). After a mile, I looked at my Garmin and it said I was doing a 10:13/mi pace. That kind of bummed me out. I wasn't trying to go fast, but I wanted to see where my normal comfortable pace is now. Second mile was 10:23. I picked up my pace with a quarter mile to go, because I just wanted to be home. Third mile was 9:36. I was still .13 miles from home, so I kept running fast--my pace at that last clip was 7:41!

It made me curious what my one mile time would be. I've never all-out sprinted for a mile to see what my time is. I'm guessing maybe 7:45? That just seems crazy fast though. Maybe more like 8:00. I think I will run it on June 1st and then again on August 31st, and see if I improve. If my knee can handle it, I'd like to do speed work this summer. I'm hoping to hit my sub-26:00 5K goal this fall, so I can just push it out of my mind and never visit the 5K distance again.

I was soaked in sweat after that short little run--that's how humid it was. It was literally dripping off of my face. But it was nice to be done so early! I took a shower and got the kids ready for school, then ate breakfast in peace and quiet.

I took my tight, sheer yellow shirt to the post office to send back to Under Armour. I just didn't feel comfortable in it with the fabric being so sheer. I also had to mail in a jury duty response form. I'm nervous that they're going to pick me! I'd be a terrible juror. I got the form in the mail a few days ago, and it said I MUST fill it out and return it within 10 days--but it didn't even include a prepaid envelope! I never have stamps, because I don't mail anything anymore.

I have another toenail that isn't looking too good. The nail on the second toe on my left foot looks like it's raised up in a weird way. A lot of people have mentioned blisters underneath nails, and I'm wondering if that's what this is.



Jerry and I have been watching this show called "7 Days of Sex" on Lifetime. It features couples that are in a bit of a relationship rut, and they have to have sex for 7 days in a row (maybe that's where my brilliant 30-day idea came from??). The couples end up doing little date nights and stepping out of their comfort zones--and the sex part is really just a tiny percentage of the whole plan. It's been a pretty interesting show, and it made Jerry and I want to start doing "real" date nights.

Lately, whenever we have time to spend alone together, we end up watching our shows on TV or watching a movie. I think it would be fun to feel like we are dating again! So we're going to start working on that--taking turns planning things for us to do together that don't involve TV. We used to have such a fun relationship (and we still do, in some ways); we actually got comments from people all the time about how great our relationship is. But it seems we've fallen into a rut--so we should have fun getting out of it ;)

29 comments:

  1. I think planning date night for each other is a great idea. I think my bf and I need to start that too. Have fun ;)

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  2. Running a fast mile sounds great, but take it easy! You just ran a marathon, and your body needs time to recover. You should expect to run a bit slower than normal for another week or two still. Your body is recovering from major stress, and pushing the pace may lead to injury. Respect your body by allowing it to recover.

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    1. You are absolutely right! I probably should have stuck with my plan of taking a whole week off. But I definitely shouldn't have high expectations so soon after the marathon!

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  3. I now live in fear of starting to really become a runner now that I know it involves losing toenails!!
    Some of the happiest couples I know have "date nights" at least once a month. I've always wanted to get in the habit of it, but we never have a sitter available :(

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  4. Lol - I think you may get a lot of hits based on your title today - lol.

    Tomorrow I am running a 5k and I'm so nervous! It's supposed to be hot and humid and the race is at 5pm! My average is 38 minutes so I am envious of your quick pace!!

    BTW, how was the weigh-in this morning?

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    1. Ugh, it was bad enough that I didn't write about it today... I'm hoping that my fluid levels are still adjusting? I've done good this week!

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  5. We use to have a date night twice a month - every other weekend when my mom took the boys for the weekend. It was really nice but we out of nowhere, date night got put on the back burner. I'd really like to start doing it more often, too.

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  6. I'd love to hear what easy dates you and your hubby are doing. I have a special needs five year old at home, so it's hard for us to get out of the house. But we really need to do something to reconnect!

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  7. do your in-laws read your blog?! my MIL reads my blog so i never post anything remotely racy - lol. you crack me up.

    i have a question. i have been trying to do couch to 5k, and my knee hurts when i run. i really hate running.

    should i stick with it and hope that i will start to enjoy it? or do you think if i don't enjoy it now, i really won't ever.

    i go to the gym about 3 days/week and do the elliptical, and also eat a really healthy diet. I have lost 54 pounds since January by eating about 1600 calories/day.

    What do you think???

    Thanks- Erika :-)

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    1. I actually have no idea who reads my blog anymore! But I decided that I'm not going to censor myself based on who I think is reading.

      If your knee is hurting when you run, you may have an injury that needs rest and recovery. But about hating it... I absolutely despised running for a long time! I don't know when I began to change my mind. Right now, I love running--but only when I'm not out there doing it ;) I did get hooked on it, and maybe that will happen to you.

      Congrats on the weight loss--54 pounds since January is AMAZING!

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    2. thanks, Katie! you really inspire me! i am glad to hear you despised running for so long (as weird as that sounds - lol). I think i am kind of a wimp about anything remotely uncomfortable and elliptical is easy for me, so that's my go-to exercise.

      thanks for the congrats on my weight-loss. i just hit normal BMI this week (started as obese, then was happy to get to overweight)- i am not done - and i know bmi isn't everything, but it felt really good. :-)

      thanks again!

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  8. Man, I wish 9:10 was my "easy" pace! My easy pace is like 10-10:30!!

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    1. That's the problem--9:10 is no longer my easy pace! I was struggling with a 10:00 pace today. I'm hoping it's just because my legs are tired from the marathon, but I haven't been running for speed since before marathon training.

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  9. I have to say you are very fortunate to have your parents right there and able to watch your boys for you, so you definitely should take advantage of date nights!! My husband and I want to do this so badly but we live too far away from either of our families and we aren't really in the financial position to get a babysitter more than once or twice a year. So go out with your man (and then come home wink wink) and enjoy it!!

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  10. Didn't you promise Jerry 30 days of sex if he found your food journal? From the title of this post, I thought maybe you were 7 days into your deal!

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  11. We love that show! I think mostly because it helps you realize, holy crap, we're doing pretty good in comparison to some of these people in whatever aspect. HA!

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  12. I haven't heard of that show but I love the concept! My husband and I make a habit of going "out" once a week because we NEVER "Dated". We lived together from the start. It's so weird! Anyway, because we never dated, I feel cheated so Marc and I pretend were just dating once a week. So those dates can be like on Thursday we went for a long walk by the lake, or a couple weeks ago when we saw Little Shop of Horrors at a theater house. I know married people still date like this, but I don't let Marc see me get ready and he has to drive up to the house to get me LOL!

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    1. Ok, now you have to do a post or direct me to the post that discusses how you and Marc got together!

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  13. The Mrs. and I watched one episode of that show. It was pretty interesting and a great reminder of how important it is to care for your relationship- in between the sheets and beyond...
    A couple of weeks ago I got it in my head to sprint a mile. I've done it 2 more times, my best is 7:27 and my comfortable 5-7 miles pace is about 10 m/m. I bet yours would be far better than 7:45. Its fun to see if I can beat my best time.
    Have fun on your dates :)
    Josh

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  14. AnonymousMay 26, 2012

    LOVE the title of this post! It's a real attention grabber! I am already having serious issues that I am going to miss some good RFC posts since we are on vacation. :) Will have some fun catching up to do! Have a great day!

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  15. I didn't think you'd tell us details about the challenge! I kinda like it that way! It would be very awkward to meet you and Jerry in FL after hearing any intimate details! I hope I haven't "shared" too much, now that I think of it!

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  16. I love getting out early for my runs! Even if it's just an hour or two early I feel like i have soooo much extra time :D

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  17. My mother reads my blog every day, so I have to be careful what I post! She found it on accident one day.

    John and I have to periodically get ourselves out of a rut as well. We have a great relationship, but sometimes you do just need to go back to the fun stuff and try different things.

    I really hope you don't lose your toenails! Do take it easy on your feet. Do you have a bike? :D

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  18. In regard to your toe nail that looks like it's growing weird...I had the same thing happen after Marine Corps Marathon 2005. While I didn't get any blisters or anything as a result of the marathon, one of my toe nails started growing UP...like perpendicular to my toe. It was so bizarre. It took two years for it to repair itself back to normal.

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  19. Captain RikMay 26, 2012

    It's normal for you to feel heavy and slow right now. Even a week later, your body is still in repair mode, whether or not you feel sore. My marathon coach recommends two full weeks off of running after a marathon. It's INCREDIBLY hard to stay away from your shoes, but it really is good for you. (That's just off running, not off exercising!)

    When you start doing speedwork, I definitely recommend a mile test at the beginning to see what your start point is. Mile time trials are part of my marathon training program every fourth week. Go all out for a mile, and call it a day. Then do four weeks of training that includes speedwork and do the test again. (I dread it, but I feel awesome after I'm done.)

    It's amazing how much difference it makes. I've taken two full minutes off my best mile since I started keeping track two years ago.

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  20. What a great photo of you both, Katie. Making a commitment to dating again is a great idea. I have read more positive things on incorporating that into a marriage than I can count. Plus, it gives you a reason to step outside your comfort zone and maybe do some things that you normally wouldn't do together. Good luck :)

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  21. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    Katie, sometimes your nail starts growing underneath the old one. You may have damaged that nail a while back. They grown a sort of soft shell over the bed and it grows harder (if memory serves). That may explain the abnormal nail lifting.

    I think date night is a splendid idea. My hubs and I are together pretty much 24/7 so you can imagine the ruts. SSDD. But we try to shake things up. Card night. Night out by the fire pit. Breakfast together on the deck. Actual talking. We also started laying snuggly on the couch now that I do not take up the entire cushion while laying sideways! Much better than our normal "you get the loungy part of the couch and I get the long part on the other side of the couch." It HAS to be far harder to find moments alone with the kiddos afoot.

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  22. My hubby and I have tried "ABC" dating, have you heard of it? You pick an activity for your monthly date based on the letter of the alpahbet you are on...It's been awhile since we've done it but we're thinking of starting again...this is what I'm thiking...

    A = red apple diner
    B = bike ride
    C = carriage ride
    ..... W= whale watching !! :)

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  23. I am a huge pinterest fan and came across something fun that might help with planning date nights. http://www.lifeinthegreenhouse.com/2012/02/date-night-in-jar.html

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