I'm An Addict

My name is Jenna, and I am an ADDICT.

Here are a few things that I just can't live without lately. I don't know what it is...

Apples with peanut butter. Mmmm, my favorite snack. I have never really been a big fan of apples - too sweet, too sticky and they taste gross with water. But when I was a 1st Year at Girls' Camp back in the day, I remember one of the leaders offering me an apple with some peanut butter while we were hiking and it was fabulous. Now, all these years later, I remember how good it tasted back then and in our house we are eating about 5lbs of apples per week. Always with peanut butter.

I am sooo late to get into this trend, but thanks to one week of illness and Lifetime Television, I got sucked into watching Grey's Anatomy every day at 3pm and I just can't stop. It's dramatic, unrealistic and a bit ridiculous the way everyone plays musical boyfriends/girlfriends, but I love it. It's fun to have a show that I can watch mindlessly while I fold laundry and iron. I'm just starting Season 4 and I miss Preston Burke and Addison Montgomery, but the drama continues and I'm addicted. It's so silly, really.
Edamame. Simple. Substantial.
Between the apples and edamame each day, I no longer eat lunch. I just snack on these healthy foods and they keep me going through a long day. I picked up a box of Edamame at Costco and they've lasted me a few weeks. Jack and Henry love them, too. Bonus.

And probably my most shocking addiction of all is RUNNING. I never thought I'd be able to say that in all my life. I have always loathed it. My body never seemed built to run long distances. But a couple of months ago I got a bee in my bonnet to run, I have no idea why. In Oak City in August, my trusty friend and I ran/walked a 5K for fun (she even ran in Keens since I gave her no warning and she didn't bring her running shoes!). I was amazed that I could do even that, and I wanted more. Everyone I knew that ran told me that I could, too, if I just pushed through the first few runs and let myself get to the point of enjoying it. I didn't believe a point like that existed. But I persisted. I found a friend to run with on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

We have been running for 4 weeks now. The first few times were horrendous for me - I was sure I would collapse after the first mile and I counted down the steps until we were done. Then all of a sudden something changed and I found myself not only enduring, but enjoying our runs! Two weeks ago I ran 12 miles in a week, including a 5K where my goal was to not walk and shave time off of my usual 3-mile time. Success! Last week we ran 15 miles in 3 days, one day running 6.5 miles up the canyon and back. It is impossible to run around our town without going up and down several hills, since we live on a mountain bench, so that is a bonus workout as well. I have no desire to run a marathon for now, but I would like to do a half in January. I have to admit that I've been inspired by Natalie, Nicole and Leslie, my running companion and former marathon runner. If I do anything worth reporting, I will surely share. For now I am still giddy from surviving and enjoying a 6.5 mile run!

This picture is one of the views during our many runs.