Dessert in the Desert

I decided it was necessary to come out of my virtual hibernation to share holiday greetings with yall! Happy day of familial indulgence and uncontrollable gluttony! Wait, that’s not right. Let’s try again: Happy Thanksgiving! – the short version sounds a little more friendly. I’m a lucky lady, I’m having my second Thanksgiving this weekend. Yeah, that’s right. Now don’t go freaking out, the next photos I put up won’t be a slideshow of me progressively losing my abs. Apologies to my NYC friends currently in town, I was there last weekend for family fun. Today I find myself in Arizona sharing in the festive spirit with my girlfriend Karolina’s family and friends.

How are all your holiday workout routines holding up? It can certainly be difficult to get in your mile repeats, strength training, hydrating, stretching, foam rolling, icing…oof I’m already out of breath. But be strong!!! Over the next couple of weeks you will set yourself apart with your dedication to disciplined training. I am proud of you! Thankfully, I’ve accomplished my calorie burning activities just in time to pack a couple back on in a delectable way. I used to think running in NYC was a feat of epic proportions (crazy drivers, cat calling and the like) but then I came to Phoenix. First of all, there are coyotes and rattlesnakes – both things I’ve been informed I shouldn’t worry about. Right.

On a more exciting note – I saw a cactus yesterday for the first time! Blew my mind. So cool. Then on my run in the desert today I found out that if I were to step on a particularly kinda cute small pink cactus, it’s mother cactus would realize and shoot its needles at me.

WHAT?!

Kind of afraid for my life out here. Just kidding, but im partially not. I’m actually having a blast, its only my second time on the west side of the country (my first being Oregon for USA Champs in June). Since I flew in from Boston I’m delighted at the warm sunshiny weather as well. I’ll see if I can snap some pictures to post tomorrow – the scenery is explosively beautiful to run past. As for right now, the mashed potatoes are calling.