Thinking Out Loud #79

Hey hey! Happy Thinking Out Loud Thursday. I caught you up on one day of my life yesterday, but now it’s time to link up with Amanda and catch you up on all the other things happening in my life and mind.

1.) Recall how I was going to feel more caught up after the weekend? Well, if you read yesterday’s post, you’ll know that that was not the case. The short version is that I started my econ homework on Thursday and messaged a friend when I got stuck after one problem. We proceeded to spend 6 hours Saturday and 3 hours Sunday and 4 hours Monday trying to figure out the remaining 75% of the assignment. And then I fixed the stuff that was still wrong in the middle of Monday night. So, I did not feel caught up. Maybe after this weekend?

2.) The funny thing is, we certainly weren’t the only ones. It felt like half of the people on the first floor of the library were in our class, confused and scrambling. 

3.) Two good things came out of the homework, though. First, I don’t feel stupid in comparison to the rest of the econ students because most of us were struggling big time. Second, I got over my fear of using Stata because no one else I worked with knew how to use it either.

It kind of involves overcoming the mental barrier of starting with nothing that you might experience if you open Photoshop or InDesign. And then it also involves knowing the right commands to use and what the results mean. Perhaps I should have learned when I took econometrics in the spring, but my friend did the Stata work for that class, while I did the written work. Divide and conquer.

4.) We started next week’s assignment for Intro to International Econ last night. So far, it’s going better. Hopefully, that continues.

5.) I haven’t talked much about training for the half since my ankle injury. Well, it’s still happening, but I’m not following any normal rules, which is why I’ve been hesitant to share. I’ve been feeling really good and trying to be smart, though. I run twice a week, either run or run/walk once in between, and add two or three elliptical-and-lifting workouts on alternate days. Would I recommend anyone build up mileage as fast as I have been? No. But given the amount I’m running, I’m just trying to be as smart as I can and hoping that all good things continue.

6.) Speaking of running, I actually ran outside yesterday.

Why don’t I usually? Well, I usually run first thing in the morning and it’s dark and I don’t feel particularly safe running in the dark here, even though I take all necessary precautions. Also, it’s often cold, I’m a baby, and I would rather watch Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce on the treadmill.  

But yesterday was different and lovely. I woke up sleepy and felt like lazing around in bed and getting some work done in the morning. Plus, the weather app told me it was going to be sunny after my creative writing class. So, I planned to run 4 miles in the afternoon, but I hadn’t even gotten to the lake yet when my phone said I had run 2. I tacked on another 3/4 mile so I could get on the lakeshore path for a bit. I stopped and took a break to take pictures, even though the weather app lied and it wasn’t sunny and stunning yet.

Right as I headed back into town, the sun came out. Such is life. Then, my phone died (from 48% to 0% battery in one second) and based on my semi-careful training “plan”, I decided I probably shouldn’t run 5.5 miles since I’m planning on a longer run this weekend. I remembered I had an errand to run for my house at the bank on campus. So, I ran to the bank, which I think put me just over 4 miles and then walked back to the dorm.

7.) There’s a whole post’s worth of stuff on this topic, but I’ve only very recently started valuing sleep and rest enough and I can’t tell you how much better I feel when I get enough of it. Try it!

8.) I mentioned my inability to find plantains at grocery stores a few weeks ago. I found one this week! And now I need to cook it up. But I have one, so that’s the first step. Kinda thinking these sound amazing. 

9.) I will forever love the housekeeping staff and the front desk ladies in our building. They are some of the nicest people, morning, noon, and night. And they’re totally under-appreciated. That is all.

10.) And now I want to leave you with some of my favorite recipes + reads from the week.

• Um. Yum. –> Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Energy Balls
• Does it get any easier? –> Everyday Slow Cooker Chicken
• I love cauliflower! –> Amazing Recipes with Cauliflower
• Agree. –> 10 Things Not Enough Kids Know Before Going to College
• When your exercise enthusiasm lags… –> How to Get Out of a Fitness Lull

Life lately: rest, running, and really hard homework. #fituniversity #FitFluential Share on X

Your turn:

Do you prefer working out indoors or outside?

Anything else I should know?