I finally have internet access! Jeremy and I had been in the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee in a chalet with his family since last week, so there was no internet, and I have lots to catch up on now that we’re in the real world again. We stayed with our good friends in Atlanta last night and will head to Athens later today to celebrate New Year’s Eve with more dear friends. It is SO nice to be back in the south, the only other place I’ve called home. The weather’s been fairly chilly, which is actually a nice change from Southern California (I do have to admit that I already miss Santa Barbara though… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live too far away from it again in my life). I’m STILL having sleeping issues; it seems like I’m bordering on insomnia lately, which is really not cool. I’ve got to figure it out.
I’ve managed to keep up with my running while here, which I’m really proud of. It’s hard to fit in runs when you’re traveling (especially with a bunch of other people), but I’ve found that if I tell everyone what my plans are, it helps me stick to it, and it helps everyone know how to plan around it. I ran 9.36 miles when we were in Tennessee on Saturday morning, and it felt SO good. I feel like I dressed appropriately for the weather, I bought a dinky hand-held water bottle at Walmart the day before so I used that for the first time, and I ate a GU for the first time (I’ve always just had Clif Shot Blocks), and it was much better than I was expecting. It helped that it was the Salted Caramel flavor, and basically tasted like icing. My legs felt so good even by the end of the run, and my whole body felt great, even in the much colder temperature than I’m used to, and the higher altitude. I ended up doing a five-mile walk through the woods with Jeremy’s family later in the day as well. I brought my travel Trigger Point foam roller and used it later in the day, and wore compression socks for the next two days, and felt great.
Oh and I have been using my brand new Garmin 220 (!!!, thanks Jeremy!) and my new Nike jacket my in-laws got me. Now I can actually see what pace I’m running at WHILE I’m running! Who would’ve thunk.
Photo dump time:
My new Madewell Transport Tote… Jeremy is the best.
Saying goodbye to Santa Barbara until 2014.
Last beach walk of the year.
LAX was super festive on Christmas Eve.
Running in Columbus, Georgia.
My first run with my new Garmin!!
Being tourists in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Running in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Waiting in line for breakfast.
More running in Pigeon Forge.
Seen on my run.
Me and my new gadgets.
Handmade whipped butter… aka the reason my pants won’t fit at the end of this vacation.
Wearing compression socks on the wrong feet at the chalet.
Rat cheese anyone?
Vacation has been real fun so far, and next up, a review of 2013.
Lily Runs the World 
Totally jealous of your Madewell tote! I have had my eye on one for a little while now. Love it!
The leather is sooo luxurious. I’m in love!
SOOO I’m wondering…did you run by DollyWorld when you were in Pigeon Forge? We stopped by there when we helped my mother in law move back to RI from GA, and I wanted to go SOOO badly…unfortunately, did not have enough time.
Also, I subscribe to your blog but never got an email saying your latest post was up! Guess I’m going to have to check in more frequently!
I wanted to go to Dollywood so badly! I didn’t run by it, but I was really close. One day I’ll make it there. I’m new to WordPress so I’m not sure if there’s a setting I should change to make it so that emails go out… thanks so much for checking in though!!