I want the sunshine. And to listen to Miley Cyrus again.

Sometimes I like to listen to Miley Cyrus when I run.

But only when I run outside.

The gym has taken Miley from me.

The fact that I actually enjoy a Miley song is unexpected. I had never actually paid attention to her music until I saw a YouTube video of a group of guys lip syncing to "Party in the USA." If you ever want to spend 3 minutes and 33 seconds smiling, just search YouTube for "Party in the FIP." It's an instant classic. Since I saw the video - whenever I run, I'm always noddin' my head like, yeeeaaahhhhh and movin' my hips like, yeeeaaahhhhhh.

This little tidbit is something Ally will totally judge me for. She pretty much loathes most pop music. As I do I. Usually. I miss spring time, sunshine, and the ability to run outside. The gym, though it is lovely, is nothing compared to a nice long run in the sun with Rodeo (and Miley). I guess I didn't realize how much I missed the chance to get outside, lace up my shoes, and run until I read a recent post on Meandering Bohemian, titled Why I Run! I completely agree with his sentiments about running. After reading his post, I wanted to take a half day off work, just for the chance to plug in my cheesy music and hit the pavement. And then I glanced outside, saw the gray that has encapsulated the Pacific Northwest, saw the trees bending in the wind as the rain pelted down, and I was reminded why I bought my gym membership.

Damn rain and the perpetual gray. I know this is the most beautiful place in the world. But I am done with the rain. I want to get outside and run. I want to leave the days issues and worries behind me on the pavement. I want to feel like the only sound in the world is the rhythmic beat of my feet hitting the ground. I want to run, then stretch out in the grass, and run back.

The gym, in all its shiny weights and fancy cardio machine glory, is lacking sunshine and light. Now, I'm not giving up on my weekday morning visits to cardio land, but I am realizing that I need to fit some outside workouts in on the weekend. Working out can be a social thing (which gyms are ideal for), but it can also be some solitary time for reflection. I get too distracted by everyone else in the gym, all the shiny machines, and the 50 TV's all playing at once to actually THINK about anything during my workout. A weekend run with Rodeo down by the lake would give me that ME time, time to reflect on the week behind me as well as the week ahead of me. Time to reconnect with Rodeo and give him some one on one time. Time to embrace my love of Miley (because, let's face it, its not super cool to rock out like that on the Stair Climber).

New goal: Attend my own form of church every Sunday. Weather permitting, I will get out, pound the pavement and pay homage to the rarely seen sun god.

Do you guys have any other ideas for fun exercise that will get a girl outside?

Do tell!

10 Reasons I Heart My Morning Workout

So this week kicked off my joining a different gym. I was going to a gym near my house; I would wake up drive 1o minutes to work out for an hour, drive 10 minutes home, shower/eat breakfast/get ready, leave for work and sit for an 75 minutes in the glorious traffic (more like parking lot) that the greater Seattle area is known for. Oh, and I only live like 12 miles from work.

Needless to say, I would always arrive 15 - 20 minutes late for work, AND in a raging good mood. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiigggggggggghhhhtttt. It totally starts my day off on the wrong foot. And it looks bad, since I always roll into the office late. If you recall, being more punctual for things was one of my resolutions for 2010. And my boss brought it up in my review. I knew I had to find a solution, like, yesterday.

Ally was pushing me to get out of my comfort zone - to shake things up a bit, and I think my mom so sick of hearing me bitch about traffic, that she was getting close to changing her number. So, I decided to join a gym near(er) my work. At first, I was extremely hesitant; contrary to what everyone thinks, I DON'T enjoy living out of my car like a homeless I hate packing a bag every night for the next day, I always seem to forget something crucial (so instead I leave it all in the car and my car begins to resemble an RV....). Also, I'm not crazy fond of getting ready with a bunch of other women. I like my me time in the morning. But I did it. And....

I LOVE MY NEW GYM.

Like, I could possibly live there if they'd let me. And my new routine, pretty much kicks booty.

Here's why...

1. I can sleep in until 5:15, and still be at the gym by 5:45. No traffic that early in the morning! Added bonus - WAY better gas mileage = less $$ spent on gas.

2. I get to enjoy the sunrise over the mountain on my drive.

3. There are only like 25 people at the gym that early - I can use any machine.

4. They offer Spinning at 5:30 two morning a week. BEST. WORKOUT. EVER. Try it today.

5. When you shower and get ready at the gym, you don't dawdle. Its all business. Saves mucho time-o.

6. The other gals showering and getting ready at the gym are usually all toned and super fit -- it makes you never want to eat again and to work out every minute of every day to look like the girl who has the locker next to you. No one looks that good walking around the locker room in a their underwear. Its inspiring.

7. Seriously fantastic customer service at this gym. Every staff member I have interacted with has asked my name, and called me by name the next day. From a manager's point of view (and a self proclained customer service snob), this is awesome, AND unusual.

8. As long as I am walking out the door by 7:40, I can be at my desk at 7:55. This makes me very happy, my boss likes it too.

9. I have developed an obsession with Spicy V8. Its quite possibly the most wonderful concoction out there. I get to drink it as breakfast on my way from the gym to work. Heaven in a glass.

10. By the time I get to work, I already feel so jazzed up for the day, I am ready for anything.


Pretty much, this week has rocked. So thank you to the Kirkland Golds Gym. My mornings have improved by leaps and bounds thanks to you!