to-do list: week of april 5, 2010

1) Get prepped for some California sun. Los Angeles, here I come! I’m taking a four-day weekend to visit some of my favorite people in the world, who all conveniently live in the sunniest, most laid-back state imaginable. I’ll bring back photos and stories, but until then all I’ve got is anticipation for what awaits: will there be a family-reunion barbecue? Will we catch a flick at this weekend’s film noir festival? Will I tour USC with my brother? Will we cap everything off with drinks on the beach?

Thursday night can’t come fast enough.

2) Get serious about training…fast. Six months until my hilly half-marathon is more than enough time to train adequately. Knowing this, I’ve been running oh-so-leisurely, and simply characterized my laid-back schedule as “building base mileage.” But since my dad convinced me to do the Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10-Miler in late July (yay for father-daughter races!), I’ve realized that I am woefully unprepared for such an imminent long run. Sure, the crushed limestone path will be easy on my legs, but gasping for breath would mitigate that benefit. I’m studying this Runner’s World article for its insights, tips, and warnings, and programming its training plan into my calendar. (I’ve also signed up for the Army Ten-Miler in late October, for which I have far more time to prepare.)

Honestly, I can’t say I have any other plans this week. Looking forward to a much-needed vacation is occupying a lot of my time! When I haven’t been daydreaming about the sun, though, I must admit I’ve been devouring new issues of my favorite magazines. When you’re lazily drifting through a week, what’s your favorite thing to do?