Why going for a run is sometimes better than going to the bar

As someone who is relatively new to the sport of running and an All American pro at happy hour drinking, I thought I would share some of my thoughts with you that about why going for a run just might be better than going to the bar:

1. Almost everyone smiles at me as I pass them
2. The guys usually don't have beer bellies and are commonly found shirtless (and for you guys out there, the same goes for the ladies on the trail)
3. The runners high doesn't make me crave tacos stuffed with meat like substances
4. Burning calories rather than consuming calories
5. I can make it home on my own two feet - although I have thought about calling a cab or being carried home once or twice
6. Comfortable clothes and shoes
7. I have not even once dialed up a friend, coworker, ex boyfriend, or crush and professed anything to him/her while on a run
8. It feels better to say "Last night I ran (#) miles" rather than "Last night, I had (#) beers."
9. I get to choose the music I listen to without dropping 5 bucks in an automated machine filled with greatest hits albums and soundtracks
10. There is no embarrassing website called texts from my run last night

Living single

So my Chef is off to San Diego for six weeks leaving me alone to, wait for it, cook.  I have been lavished with five star food for the last several years and have lost the simple ability to boil water without burning it.  I am feeling all kinds of  things such as fear (fear that he won't come back, fear that I will eat take-out every night for six weeks) and excitement to have a little me time.  I have planned Italian classes, golf lessons, and lots and lots of yoga and meditation to keep me occupied.  Among other things I will be running in my first ever half marathon this Sunday!  In preparation for being the master of my own culinary destiny, I have been leafing through some of my favorite cook books and dog earring recipes that I plan on attempting: