It's been a hectic few weeks and there are still some things I need to finish before I can say I finally closed several of my projects (some extremely long-term).
But the greater part of work is done and the things I have left to do are those that will bring me a feeling of strength, inner peace and fulfillment.
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| Before the race |
What worries me about that is that the last two weeks, due to many obligations I had (from the beginning sentence) stopped me from attending the trainings regularly. Out trainer told me that I shouldn't worry, we did run 20km once already, just to take it slowly - I mean, I will not be racing anyone, I'm a complete beginner and for me the biggest success is actually finishing. But, still, I worry.
Well, you'll know soon enough how well I did as I plan letting everyone know about the enthusiasm I will feel after running for so long (here we're talking about more than 2 hours as I'm a really slow runner). :)
And I know there will be enthusiasm as that is exactly what I felt after running 20km for the first time and how I felt after finishing my first ever race of 12,4 km - the photos are from that day.
To get back to smelling great. :)
I attended an ISO education this whole week and as I was around new people in a relatively small room, I took more care than usual to what I was going to apply.
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| Just before the finish line |
As I was told by one of the attendees on the last day, I completely changed everyone's initial thoughts about me being very strict and serious and looking like I'm going to only work and not have any fun at it.
So, in cases like that, a mellow perfume that is so easily liked seems like a good strategy.
The other perfume of my strategy was Iris Nobile by Acqua di Parma. Similar in the effect as Cruel Gardenia, only iris based.
I'm still wondering how different people perceive me from how I think of myself.
And as the nights are getting colder and colder, I'm finally again wearing Shalimar to bed. :)
P.S. I firmly believe the camere used for taking some of these photos adds weight. ;)
I'm sooo impressed, Ines! I'll be thinking of you next weekend, and I know that you'll finish that half-marathon. As you said to me last we talked, if you can run 20K in training, part of it through a soaking rain, you can do anything.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tell you that in recent weeks I got out my mountain bike and started riding it over the same running route that I do (sometimes in place of my run), and the effect has been that my running times have gotten faster. (Yep, what the whole world has known about cross-training for many years now, I am finally accepting). ;)
Btw, you look fabulous in your running photo. And I can vouch that you are indeed tall and slim!
Suzanne, your comments always bring a smile to my face and make me feel so much better generally. :)
DeleteAs for cross-training, that really makes sense. That's one of the reasons I am very much looking forward to pilates starting again (our pilates trainer only just returned to Zagreb). And I started getting faster in my running only after they included speed-interval trainings into our regular schedule. Until then we only worked on getting further and further.
I admit I got a bit scared after we did a 15km session that was rather hard on me but it turned out that due to many different reasons, it was hard on everyone that day.
Still, I'm looking forward to this half-marathon as from what I've heard it's lots of fun. :)
You do smell great!
ReplyDeleteSending my congratulations on all your hard work preparing for the run, and good wishes for the day. I hope you have a great time! I'm so impressed that you are doing this. And I agree with Suzanne that you look gorgeous in your running photos. So poised.
Thank you Natalie! :)
DeleteI am both happily looking forward to the day and feeling a bit scared. But I'll do it any way I can.
You look great in your running photos, and I wish you all the best. And I'm sure you smell terrific!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol! It feels great seeing I have perfumista support in my running endeavors. :)
DeleteAs others say, you look great in your race photos. Best of luck in your half-marathon. It's been years since I ran one, but my recollection from when I did is that they are great fun - more fun than 10 km races, which for some reason seem really hard.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of wearing a fun, mellow perfume so as not to seem too serious. I might try it tomorrow when I have an early morning meeting.
Doc Elly, your comment made me feel much better about what is to come. :) The thing is, I was pretty much alone in my 12,4 race and it did seem difficult at some point, but I heard really great things about half-marathons, and especially this one. :) So I can't wait to see what it looks/feels like for real.
DeleteAs for perfumes, I believe I'll stick to this tactic when meeting new people as I obviously strike them more seriously than is ever my intention.
A half-marathon? I am seriously impressed.
ReplyDeleteWaaaay back in high school I ran long distance track, but dislocated my knee at a dance, and have never been able to run since. (Am actually off to the doctor's today to discuss x-rays about the knee, so we'll see how it goes.)
Isn't it amazing how perfume can have such a profound effect on our moods and those around us? I just love that aspect about it.
Dionne, I hope there is a way to fix your knee so you can have it back in full motion.
DeleteI honestly didn't believe it would be possible to go from no running to a half-marathon in 6 months, but here I am, proven wrong. :)
I agree, one of the greatest things about perfumes is the effect they can have.
The running is impressive! It takes a lot to get up and run at all, let alone a half-marathon. That's awesome. And you do look poised.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how you need a perfume to look less serious. Guess we're different people: I need a perfume to make me look MORE serious lol!
Happy running!
Joan, I used to think I needed to wear serious perfumes to be seen as more serious but it seems I was wrong. :)
DeleteNot that I mind, I enjoy white flowers much more. ;)
Honestly, even after all this time, I still sometimes need to make myself go. I'm just lazy by nature. :S
... and you look as strong, powerful, and full of energy as an Olympian goddess!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Olenska! :D
DeleteI'm sooo impressed! I don't think I could walk 20 km - leave alone run. Good luck to you - whatever your goal is for that event.
ReplyDeleteCruel Gardenia!!! Love-love-love it! You smelled great :)
Well, my only goal this time is to finish. :)
DeleteI'll worry about time at some far away point in the future possibly.
Glad I find another fan of Cruel Gardenia. :)