Drinking & Blogging From Fire Island

Warning: My day has consisted of this…

This is not a bad day.

On a Monday? Sure. Work can wait.

Me and a puppy! So many puppies!

So many bottles. Not very many people. Oops. Awesome.

Yes, that’s right. I’m sorry, Mom. I have been drinking. Only a little amount though. Lauren made me do it.

And now I will attempt to blog. Quickly. There’s still some more champagne to be had. Life is a celebration.

I was planning to write a full race report documenting yesterday’s Battle of Brooklyn 10-miler, but now I’m not so sure that’s necessary.

Here I am before the race. Not very enthused. But smiling, because why not?

The usual things happened: I wasn’t too psyched about the race beforehand, I started out too fast, I got giddy thinking I could maintain the 7:45 pace on my watch, I hit the first hill, I got tired, I continued uphill and got increasingly frustrated, my pace got slower, I got pissed off, I flooded my brain with self-doubt, and then, 10 miles later, the race was over and I felt less than enthused.

I know I need to get over these mental battles, and soon, because I need to be all “Woo hoo, game on” on Marathon Day.

But for now, I’m letting Coach Cane guide me.

His message to me today: Upon reviewing your race, I’m far less distraught than you are. Yes — we need to break your stubborn habit of starting out too fast, but your time was in line with what I expected, and you’re responding to the increased workload well. We need to get you to stop self-destructing, but I also need you to recognize that you’re doing just fine.

Thank God I have him. He’s a nice man. He runs races in costumes.

That is my fearless leader.

Almost immediately after the race, I showered and hopped on a fancy little van headed for Fire Island.

An hour and 15 minutes later, I arrived at the ferry, and then I found an 11-week-old Rottweiler puppy named Ziggy.

Yes, I wore my sailor dress yesterday. Ziggy liked it.

We immediately became best friends.

Ziggy and I took the ferry to Saltaire, where my Handsome (Boy!)Friend and I are spending two glorious days with my friend Lauren.

Last night Handsome Friend cooked a bangin’ dinner for Lauren’s entire family: penne a la vodka with sausage. It was fantastic. I think her family approves of him. Muy bueno.

Then we drank some drinks and I fell asleep around 11. I’m such a little champion.

Only not. I was the first person to say, “I’m tired, I need to go home.”

Strong work, Ali. Really, way to show off.

Today I slept in! Until 9ish! It was clearly needed.

Also, are you ready for this big news?

I took a total rest day today.

Isn’t that crazy? Who am I?

Jumping photos are always relevant. Everywhere.

I’m not stressed about work (mostly because I’m not thinking about it) and I didn’t feel compelled to run or cross train or do much of anything today beyond putting on my bathing suit, parking my butt on the beach and doing absolutely nothing.

Plus a little bike riding around the island. Low impact.

See? Bike riding is not intense cardio. Not the way I was doing it at least.

If lifting a cup filled with champagne to my mouth many times counts as strength training, then I have done a lot of strength training today.

In fact, I’m going to go do some more of it.

And maybe play with more puppies.

I don’t know.

I don’t know if I’ll have enough time.

This is a decent sunset. I guess.

After a few crazy weeks, I have definitely needed this time away.

Happy Monday, friends!

*Most photos taken by Handsome (Boy)Friend. I think he wants to start getting some credit for things.