Last month when I wrote the title I Am Really Excited About Everything in the Month of July, I was actually saying that exact phrase to people before I decided to make it my post title. And while I don’t exactly feel the same way about August (August = end of summer, NOOOOOOOO), I do think that listing what I am excited about will help me maintain a positive attitude before and throughout the month. And since writing this post, I have been a lot more excited about this month! I think this will be a monthly feature. I added a category for it and everything.

{} A week off

Sadly, the luxurious week between jobs is over. Even though it wasn’t exactly a relaxing week — I spent most of the time running around like a crazy person doing a zillion things, including, actually, running around like a crazy person. Because what sane person chooses to run 14 miles, really?

Thanks for the photo, Ashley.

I did have one especially fun, vacation-y day with my boyfriend at Splish Splash Water Park.  I grew up going there every year, but he had never before experienced such an extensive collection of water slides. The day was perfect. After my long run around the Central Park Reservoir —

— I got to drive (I love and miss driving) out to Riverhead, Long Island — with a stop at our favorite bakery Teaspoon Bake Shop along the way. There, we went on many fun slides and ate Churros.

I love not working.

{} My Apartment (And Backyard Party)

I spent quite a bit of time organizing, cleaning and pretty much finding a place for all the crap that was all over my apartment overwhelming me, giving me anxiety and piling higher and higher each day. I mentioned some of my ideas last month, and now the project is complete (aside from still having a few small things to find places for). Thanks to Katherine who read my post and happened to be selling the exact makeup table I posted, I got to buy hers for so much less than I was about to spend. Sometimes blogging is even more amazing than we realize.

I am really happy with my “new” apartment and I am happy I got the bulk of the work done in time for my second annual backyard party next weekend.

It is guaranteed to be a fun time, if we can go by this photo of me and Missy at last year’s extravaganza:

{} My new job 

After a way-too-fast week off, it is time to re-enter the working world. I started my new job yesterday. On Sunday night, I took to Twitter with my excitement.

I am not typically an outfit-sharer, but I took a picture this morning to send to Andy to prove that I can, in fact, look decent if I spend hours trying really, really hard. But since the photo exists, I might as well show you all how I looked for my first day of work:

{} More Running

Marathon training started off rough. Really rough. Every run was hard. My legs felt heavy. The air was thick with humidity. I was pushing so hard and barely getting an 11:00/mile pace.

But then my last short run of three miles before the Queens Half Marathon was surprisingly great. My pace was faster and it just felt easier. I didn’t know what to expect for the race, since long runs have been scaring me this time around but the Queens Half ended up being the best run of my life. I was able to maintain a sub-10:00 pace almost effortlessly. And since then, training has been amazing!

Three days after the race I set off on my scheduled six mile run. I used to be totally derailed after a half marathon for at least a week because of soreness and knee pain, but I felt so good on that next run. And for my very first run longer than half marathon distance, my first 14-miler last weekend . . . I also did great!

I was nervous about this distance, but luckily I had Ellen to keep me company which not only helped the time go by but she pushed my pace much farther than I would have on my own. We ran into Jess and Ashley too, which also boosted my spirits. I finished that run in 2:20 — faster than one of my half marathons!

So I’ve been feeling pretty great about marathon training. And now my weekly mileages will be increasing, so I will be running a lot more.

More running also means opportunities to take photos like this:

Or this:

Or this:

Perhaps I should focus more on running and less on picture taking.

{} Summer Streets

I loved running on Summer Streets last year and I am excited to do it again this weekend! Just like last year, I will run another eight-miler down the middle of Park Avenue.

{} Top-Secret Thing I Said Would Happen in July But Hasn’t Happened Yet

Last month I mentioned I would share the reason I got profesionally made up and looked like this at Refine Method:

Obviously that didn’t happen. I think/hope I can share why this month!

{} Unlimited Month of Yoga

A new yoga studio opened near me a few months ago, and at $12 a class and rooftop classes, I was so excited to try. But I’ve been busy and I also have yoga at exhale so I didn’t get a chance to make it. Then Living Social had a deal for YoYoga! for an unlimited month for $20.

Going just twice would get me my money’s worth! And there is no better time for yoga than during marathon training. I also wanted to redeem this while it is still nice outside for the rooftop classes.

I went for the first time right after my 14 mile run, to an indoor class. I loved the studio and I loved the class. I definitely won’t be able to get the most out of my month (I already don’t think I can get there this week) but if I go just two or three more times I will be happy. I wish they had earlier morning classes, but they do have a good weekend schedule and some evening classes. I absolutely must get to an outdoor class!

[Photo: YoYoga! NYC]

{} Dave Matthews Band Caravan

I will be spending an entire day on Governor’s Island for the Dave Matthews Band Caravan. Outside. In the summer. Surrounded by water. For a whole day. With Andy. DMB and other good music. I. Cannot. Wait.

{} A Baseball Game

Still waiting on confirmation on this, but there is a chance I will attend a baseball game with Missy and Andy this month. I love any outdoor summer activities. I am excited.

The last time I went to a game was in 2009. The last time I took a photograph at a game was with Missy in 2008:

{} Joining a Gym for Marathon Training

The expensive fancy gym next door to my apartment sent me a card offering a three-day guest pass and zero initiation if I join by August 25. I was actually planning on joining in September anyway, for two months, so I can do my early morning “medium” runs (up to 8 miles) in the safety of the gym when it becomes dark outside early — which, based on this morning, already started. I have no intention of remaining a member (I prefer Refine and Core Fusion classes), but I am looking forward to having the treadmill available, and I am excited for the gorgeous roof deck and the option to take yoga or spin classes if I so choose.

And lastly, a quick correction:

I wrote and published last week’s recap without having any time to read it over. While I don’t care too much about my careless errors (like leaving the word “link” in to remind myself to link to something, or calling this my first half marathon when it was really my fourth) I do care about one huge oversight. Thanks to an anonymous commenter, I was made aware of my error:

Oops. In my rush to get this post up before rushing out the door for the best day ever at Splish Splash, I completely missed mentioning that Andy, the cute boy who cheered me on and took pictures of me at the Queens Half Marathon woke up very, very early on a Saturday morning and took three subways to get to the park. So, in response to the comment: Yes, yes and yes.

Please tell me what you are excited about this month — or write your own post and share the link!

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