Back from training. I always go into training classes a bit wary. I've done really great classes and really awful classes, and thanks to those awful ones, I tend to dread going. Thankfully, this class was great! I really wanted to get some blog entries written over the week, but there just wasn't time with class, travel, homework (I thought I was done with that!) and life.
The one thing I don't like about training classes is how much money I end up spending. I always end up buying my lunch, and I do my best to balance cost and nutritional value. Inevitably, one day I end up eating out with a group of people, and going where the masses want to go. It's a good way to meet others and totally worthwhile, but after three days of added transit costs and meals out, I'm starting to feel like I'm spending too much money.
Add to that the fact that starting tonight, a group of my friends from college are coming into town to run the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Race this weekend, which will also end up resulting in a number of meals (and drinks) out. But I guess that's what dining out budgets are for. It's fun to go out with a group of people I haven't seen in a while and get to have a nice, leisurely meal. Thankfully, for the most part, my friends are happy at less expensive places and don't feel the need to go out for a fancy-schmancy meal. We do well at a pub where we can get a little loud and have a good meal.
And once they leave, it's back to normal life. Hopefully my budget won't be too out of whack by the time it's done. I'm lucky to have the flexibility to not have to worry if I do go over budget, but I just don't like to because it screws up my goals!