I promised that I would take you all along for the ride in my quest to train for the NYC Marathon.  So here is my official update:

THE GOOD: For the past three weeks we (Katie AKA “Fab Running Partner”) have been slowly ramping back up our mileage.  We’re doing a combination of flat long runs and hilly runs.  At this point our pace is pretty yucky but we are feeling strong.  Last weekend was five miles of hills.  AND I MEAN HILLS.  Surprisingly, our pace was the same as our long flat runs which means WE CAN DO BETTER.  This weekend we are due for a seven miler.  Ideally we would like to be able to hammer out 10 mile runs at a 9:30-10:00 minute mile pace before we begin our “official” training program at the end of June.  I think we are on track.

THE BAD: I am still having a hard time getting up to do those darn weight sessions.  I know that it is crucial to my strength as a runner, not to mention to my overall health and hopes to loose all that darn weight I gained over the Winter. Blech!

ON ANOTHER NOTE: Yesterday I bought these… Yep, AviMotion Toning Shoes. I’ll let you know what I think of them.  They pink (of course) and super cute.  My girlfriend swears by them but since I just started I am not sure yet.  I paid a lot for them so I am hoping I don’t regret it.  I am following @AviMotion which is great in case I need some answers.

Don’t forget! I am running for charity so if you would like to make a donation to support “Run For Something Better” you can do so here! (I just got some fun “thank yous” in the mail that I will be sending everybody that donates!)

I guess it is only appropriate that I formally introduce myself. Depending upon the stage of life you might have met me in, you would know me as either Gigi, Jennie, Jen or Jennifer. I really don’t care what people call me. I’ll answer to all of them. Well, except Gigi. That is reserved for my two brothers who only use the nickname if they want something really badly.

So, if you read my about page then you probably already know too much. (BTW – How weird is it to have an “about page?”) And having read that page, you probably already think I am a little quirky. Actually, I can’t argue with you there. I am a bit of a hodgepodge of interests and talents.

I’m gonna be honest with you here, I’ve reached a very interesting stage in my life. I’m no longer a timid 20-something girl who is unsure of herself. I’ve been though that age. I made a lot of mistakes, but I guess it got me to where I am now, so I can’t complain.

I’m liking my 30s a whole lot more. With each day I live, I seem to discover more about myself. I think I have finally emerged. I no longer feel the need to fit in and conform to what others might expect of me. I’m simply ready to act like… well, me.

So why the title “Hip As I Wanna Be?” Well, there are a lot of reasons for that. Perhaps I will delve more into that later but essentially, as a younger person, I never gave myself permission to BE what I truly wanted to BE.

I think a lot of women do that. We stifle our true selves for various reasons. What will other people think? My boyfriend? Husband? Boss? Co-workers?

Seriously girls, who cares? No more smothering your fun, fantastic selves. Let’s get out there and LIVE!