I didn't disappear, I'm here and I smell great

(at least I believe I do). ;)

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.

Before the race

Most if it will become apparent if I'm successful at it, after the next weekend when for the first time in my life I plan to run the half-marathon in Zagreb.
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.


Just before the finish line

I can say that Cruel Gardenia always works for me as a great choice when around people in a work setting. It has a mellowness to it that makes anyone who comes close to you consider you less serious than you might appear.
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. ;)

The unexpected joys of running

As some of you might know, I decided to join a running school this year and it's been 5 weeks now that I'm going. Albeit not completely regularly but as an Aquarian with so many self-inflicted obligations, the only way I can live with them if I skip them sometimes.

Therefore, it is obvious I am not 100% regular, but I do make it to 2 out of 3 weekly trainings.

I can see the smiles as you read running schoold. :) This is the second year Adidas is organizing this in Zagreb (this time in other Croatian cities as well) in order to promote running as a healthy choice for city people. After initial testing, we were separated into 3 groups and are following a program made for each group. The program is difficult enough that if you skip more than once, you will feel it the next time you're there (so I try and keep to schedule, but honestly life does interfere).

Anyway, today's training was a bit eye-opening in the manner that I enjoyed the running for the first time. Up to now, it's been a constant battle with my body over the fact that my lungs seemed to have a problem with oxygen. :) And then, my stiff shoulders protested and tended to constrict even more so I was leading a battle between my mind and my body.
My shoulders are finally easing down (and my pilates instructor can't believe that running is helping me after all the effort she put into that) and my breathing is getting a rhythm my body can follow and now to the joys.

Well, there are the obvious joys of meeting new people, doing something good for your body, feeling your levels of fitness actually rising (I find it incredible how fast you can the signs of improvement, little, but they're there), enjoying the fresh air (as we are running alongside the river running across Zagreb), releasing stress...

The unexpected joy happened today - someone in front of me was it seems wearing a tuberose perfume - which wafted in front of my nose for the duration of our running stretch. A good tuberose perfume I should add. :)

The other unexpected joy was meeting a friend from my university rowing days running in the opposite direction.

And the third unexpected joy is realizing you can actually do it (I'll see if I'll get into enough shape to run the half-marathon they are certain they can shape us up for) - and coming home realizing you keep smiling for no reason, but out of sheer joy. :)

Before you all go thinking it's all fun and joy, I should add there are some unexpected problems as well.

Like, realizing your feet aren't used to running so they ache during and after (it passes quickly). The same goes for your legs - it's not your muscles which get overworked but some strange aches appear in tendons and parts I don't know how to name.
Not to mention the fact that 3 times a week gets your body exhausted and you don't have time to recuperate completely (hence me skipping some - and that helps me a lot).

But the basic line is, it's a great body-mind exercise and if you listen to your body - it becomes joyful and fun fast. :)



P.S. Of course I'm using it as a way to lose a bit weight as well (as the pics of me from the school demonstrate I'm in dire need of that, even though they are a bit exaggerated, I hope) so it came as a great coincidence that I was pointed to this site yesterday in order to finally be able to count what I eat and its exact contents.  So Slim Kicker, I hope it works as a diet tool for me.