To double or not to double. That is the question.

Happy (?) Monday blog land! How was your weekend? Sunny? Windy? Chilly? Don't ask why I'm so obsessed about the weather esp since I live in CA where the weather is either "sunny" or "chilly" only, but I think it's just a remnant of weather anxiety from living in Tokyo for 17+ years. lol.

I had a tremendously fabulous weekend: I could get used to this tapering business! I felt like I had so much time on my hands to do what normal people do.... like go shopping all day, go to a cafe, go out for lunch.... things I've been missing out on since like.... April 2009!

Saturday was a big shopping day....at Target, Wal-Mart, and Nordstrom Rack. . What what! Yup. That's where this fashionista gets all her goodies. The only problem is.... all these stores are 45-60 minutes away from where I live. Sad I know. Even sadder are these facts:

Besides running shoes/clothes, the last time

• I bought a pair of jeans = 4+ years ago. And I live in Southern CA mind you.
• I bought accessories/jewelry = also 4+ years ago
• I bought shoes = November 2008
• I bought non-work clothes = 6+ months ago

um yeah. Pretty depressing. One of my new years resolutions for 2010 was actually to go shopping more often. I think I have the opposite problem from many young women... I need more clothes! I decided that every two months, I need to get at least one new piece of "grown up" clothing, in order to feel more ladylike and feminine :) So I got two shirts at Nordstrom Rack for $15(!) each, and a pair of shoes at Target for $19.99! And I got so much food at Wal-Mart, all for 60 bucks. It was unreal. Santa Barbara is so DARNED EFFING expensive. Most of the food at Wal-Mart was at least 30%-50% cheaper than at my local supermarkets. Def made the hour drive worthwhile (remember, I'm a broke-ass mofo). Stocked up on canned beans, sardines, spices, brown rice, and oatmeal. :) Yay.

Sunday was a quick and dirty 8 miler. Only 8 measly miles. I felt so.... incomplete. I mean...... breakfast was so boring cause I wasn't able to stuff my face silly. I didn't even get to carbo load on Sat night. Boo! 8 miles just felt so.... minuscule... like my weekend wouldn't be fulfilling unless I had one long, hard, painful workout. I was hell bent on making it a double workout day, to make up for the fact it was "only" 8 miles. As I wondered aloud whether I should go biking or swimming (or both) after the run, James had to remind me that we are in Taper Week; there is NO need to go all out so close to race day, I needed rest, and I didn't want to risk any sort of injury/pain. I was still not convinced.

It's only 8 miles.... it's sunny out.... it's the weekend.... I want to ride my bike..... Oh, the age old question; to double or not to double. That is the question.

I knew that if I got on the bike or in the pool after a short 8 miler, I would be too endorphined up, and would PUSH myself in the pool or on the bike. Don't ask. Maybe I like pain or something. I ruminated on the thought for a few miles, but finally decided to do the responsible thing and NOT DOUBLE. I know. Heartbreaking. Being an adult sucks. :) And you know what I did instead? You're not going to believe this: I went to the library. Yup. I am such a mature adult. I worked on a long-term project I am working on (not blog/athletics related) and gave myself a pat on the back. Shocking I know. :) I think that in the end, it was the smartest choice, because this morning, I woke up with fresh legs! Haven't felt that in a while!

It's going to be a tad bit difficult to tame my workout desires as taper week progresses. But I have to keep my eyes on the big picture (Marathon PR) and not the short term instant gratification (killer swim sesh or whatever). Oh the things you learn during training.

Well I'm off to brainstorm fulfilling yet "easy" workouts for the rest of the week. If you have any suggestions, throw them my way! Now have an awesome day and a spectacular week!