Greetings, all! What have I been up to the past week? Well, I've decided that if I live at school, I can probably finish everything the state is asking of me to do this year as a teacher. Probably. I've been buried in reading, grading, college recommendation letters, editing, newspaper layouting, and, to top it all off, today I was handed 82 lovely Extended Definition essays to read. I've honestly been going in earlier and staying later then ever before. So, alas, work is keeping me busy. 

Additionally, my left knee has been angry at me. I was able to get in super short runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (HELLO beautiful weather), but my IT band was screaming at the end of the Sunday run. Although the weather is perfect, I decided not to run on Monday and went for a long walk at Notre Dame yesterday with Krissi. Hence, where the title of this blog post comes from. 

I've long been contemplating when and where my third half marathon will be. While I absolutely adored the Princess Half Marathon last year, I'm not sure I'll be able to do it again this year. The race is in February, which would mean time off of work and a trip to Florida. I'm very much hoping to head to Germany for spring break this year to see Lynny. And in May, I'll be traveling to the Outer Banks to see Teresa and Dave tie the knot. So, three flights and three major expenses in three short months seems a bit out of the question for my bank account right now. 

I'm pretty sure I want to run another half, mostly because I think I've been continually getting faster the last few months and want to see what I could do in a long race. But, I haven't even looked in to other races yet. It's on the to-do list. 

I was thinking about this yesterday when I realized a run was out of the question and a walk was more up my alley. Luckily, Krissi was free, so we met at the bookstore to take a stroll. I love my walks with Krissi. When we lived together, we went for walks constantly. They were therapy for us -- walking, talking, complaining, laughing, and a lot of dreaming. Yesterday's walk was no different. 

And, on our return to the cars, as we walked under a beautiful tree...
...a bird pooped directly on my head. It wasn't a lot. But it was enough.

I have to note that this is the THIRD time this has happened to me now. Years ago, a seagull got me when I was at the beach. In February, on the exact day I ran my half marathon, a bird got me at Epcot. And yesterday marks my third such run in with bird feces. Ick. And ick some more. 

I'm told it's good luck to get pooped on. I think some poor sap made that up to try to save face after being the target of a bird full of business. 

I handed Krissi a leaf and asked her if she could take care of it. She did me one better -- when the leaf wasn't working, she used her own bare hand to scoop the poop. That's friendship, people. 

So, after the third time of being a bird target, I'm left wondering, when will the third half take place? I don't know yet... but I'm hoping that good luck will abound. 

A funny thing happened on the way to the gym

Yesterday after work, I was feeling seriously ambitious. I'd been able to knock a lot of work-related things off my to-do list during the day, and could afford to take a little more time for myself last night. I had to teach Jazzercise at 5:30. So, I had almost two hours to kill. 

That morning, feeling ambitious about my day. I'd packed running clothes. When I walked out of the house, it was overcast, cold, and rainy. Perfect day to snuggle with the covers... not the perfect day to take off for a run. At some point, I convinced myself that I would run inside on the dreadmill. 

One of the things I dislike about my classroom is that it doesn't have windows. I know that seems trivial, but there is something incredibly odd about literally not having a clue what is happening outside of the cement walls of my room. In the department office where I eat lunch, there is one window... it looks directly onto the roof of the school. The view is not so awesome, but at least I can see what the weather is doing. 

Low and behold, when I walked out of work yesterday, it was absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining, there was a good breeze, and it was mid-60s. A run outside would have been MORE than feasible. 

And yet, I CHOSE to go to the gym and hop on the dreadmill. I CHOSE to go on the machine that takes me nowhere. 

I think, maybe, I just wanted to be in a place yesterday where, for a little while, I didn't have to think. Running outside, while wonderful, forces me to think. Which way do I want to go? Am I running fast enough? What IS that in the road ahead of me? Are there cars swinging too close? How many miles am I going to do? Did I just get a rock stuck in my shoe?

Yesterday, for whatever reason, the dreadmill offered me a blissful brain break, something I'd been craving. I turned on the machine, started at the TV, listened to my iPod, and got totally lost in the run. Before I  knew it, four miles had passed, and it hadn't even been a struggle. It was a weird reprieve from the insanity of the week thus far... one that I desperately wanted. 

Kilometers for Cam

Yesterday morning started early for us. Dan and I were signed up to run the Kilometers for Cam 5K in St. Joe, Michigan. The run raised money for a 6-year-old boy, Cameron, who has Progeria. Want to know more about Cam and Progeria? Go here. The race was an important one for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, it's a fantastic cause and a great way to raise funds for a disease that only affects 90 children worldwide. Secondly, the race was sponsored by Whirlpool, so we went to support Dan's work too. Third, it's where Dan grew up, so it was neat to do a race up there. 

But my favorite reason for running the race (besides the really awesome Johnson & Johnson swag bag!) was because I finally got to meet my friend Sherry! Sherry and I have talked at length on my blog and on Facebook about running. She's signed up to do the Goofy Challenge in Disney in a few months, and we've talked at length about running Disney. We've been able to chat with each other in times of running sickness and running health and have been able to support each other through the ups and downs. She was the one who told me about Kilometers for Cam, so it made it extra special that we met at this event! Here we are in the worst picture ever! 

I am ghostly pale and awkward in the sun, looking at Dan. Sherry looks normal, but is looking at her husband, Don. :)

So, maybe not the best picture ever, but it's still photographic proof that we've now met! 

The weather was perfect (I will run in 50 degrees ANY DAY over the summer temps) and the course was nice (Starting at the carousel, up the bluff, through downtown St. Joe, then back down the bluff, along Lake Michigan, down the pier, and back to the carousel.). I even PRed by a few seconds, despite not having run much in the past week or so. All in all... it makes me really excited for cooler running temperatures and to figure out what race (and length!) is next. Stay tuned! 

Marathoners and Ironwomen: Some serious inspiration

In the event that I haven't mentioned this before, I have some of the kindest, coolest, funniest, most wonderful people in my life. I mean it. They're giving, loving, and strong. And today, I'm focusing on four of them. 

The marathoners:
As a junior in college, I lived with Teresa and Meredith. Meredith was the only runner of the three of us at that time, but since then, we've all been bitten by the running bug. I ran my first half marathon with (well, in the same race, anyway) Mere and my second half marathon with (well, in the same race, anyway) T. I've been lucky enough to share my enthusiasm for running with both of them. And now, both are training for their first ever full marathons. I was talking to Teresa via email the other day, and she mentioned how her 18-mile run hadn't gone as well as she'd have hoped. But then she said something so profound, it really made me think. Her fiancee (who is also running the marathon) said, "There was a time when you couldn't run a mile. Now you can run 18!" And it's true! That is something to be so proud of! So when she runs the Chicago Marathon in just a few weeks, I'll meet her at mile 20 and cheer her on until mile 26 when she takes the rest of the journey herself. I am so, so proud of both of them! 

The Ironwomen: 
I have previously written about my aversion to completing a sprint triathlon. Essentially, I am afraid I will be knocked out during the swim by a swift kick to the head and will never get the chance to complete the rest of the race. Also, it's hard! But two of my other favorite people, Krissi and Christa both have the honor of calling themselves Iron(wo)men. The thought of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and THEN running a full marathon is quite literally more than my brain can comprehend. Working out for 11 or 12 or 17 hours is an INSANE feat, and one these two accomplished with ease... or, maybe not ease, but they made it look easy! 

To say I'm proud of my friends would be an extreme understatement. I am more than just proud of them and they are more than just my friends: They are my inspiration to work a little harder and to do a little better. 

Seasonal treats

It is (almost) officially my second favorite season of the year, and I, for one, am getting incredibly excited about fall. I love how the air feels a little crisper on fall mornings. I love going for a run or walk in the evening and not feeling like I could sweat to death. I love how the school supplies are purchased and the students are back in the swing of school. I love seeing  gourds for sale in stores, pumpkins on porches, and, of course, the seasonal treats. 

It's been awhile since I wrote a food blog, but I am a sucker for a good seasonal treat. In the fall, almost anything with the words apple or pumpkin get my heart pumping a little faster. (This is ironic in that I HATE pumpkin pie, but like other pumpkin flavored foods.) 

This year, I've discovered a new fall favorite and an old favorite that I think will make the season even better. The new white chocolate Candy Corn M&Ms have become a permanent fixture in my eating rotation the past few days, which is probably going to do little for my waistline and behind. And my old favorite, the Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino is back too! I'm a sucker for anything sweet and salty in the same bite (or sip, in this case). I plan to consume no less than a dozen of these things over the course of the season. 

Try them. Weigh in. And enjoy the season! 

Gray (Grey)

Contrary to the title, this blog has nothing to do with the smutty book series or anatomy of any kind. If you've lost interest, you don't need to read any further.

No, friends, this blog is about hair. Ever since I was 18-years-old, I've had gray hair. This is not an exaggeration. In fact, in college, Teresa and I used to yank each others' grays out... especially when we couldn't see them. 

Recently, I've noticed an increase in gray hair. I have many thoughts on this, but mostly I think the following: 

1. I needed to dye my hair. So, I put in some coppery burgundy highlights. (Still didn't hide all the gray.) (See below.)
2. I'm getting older. Like, almost 30 older. Me and my gray hairs are old. 
3. I must be stressed. This thought always leads me to think about all the things I'm involved in including but not limited to:
   Teaching
   The newspaper
   Jazzercise
   Writing for The Courier at Saint Mary's
   Mentor Committee Member
   Public Relations Committee Member
   Tattered Pages Book Club
   FYI/STAND Club
   Delta Kappa Gamma
   Volunteering at Ronald McDonald Family Room
   Other things I'm forgetting
When I see it all listed, it's shocking I'm not ENTIRELY gray.

So, gray hair it is. I may be getting older, but I can still run like a youngin'! 

New hair (bangs included!). Note the hideous yellow bathroom lighting. 

Minnesota runnin'

Has it really been over a week since I've written? Shameful. Here's what I've been up to. 

Last Thursday, Dan and I, along with his sister Jackie, took off for Two Harbors, Minnesota. It was a long drive after a long day of work, and we rolled in about 2 a.m. local time. After a brief night's sleep, we woke up and got to spend lots of time with Dan's immediate family, as well as his Uncle Reid. We had an absolute blast playing games, going for walks, sight seeing, visiting the train museum (after a train ride, of course), and, naturally, going to see the Two Harbors (and Canada!). It was especially awesome for me because I got to learn a lot about the steel industry, something I'd like to know more about since my dad has worked in since I was born. Dan's grandfather was a train engineer on giant steam engines, so learning about the history of trains was equally entertaining for me.

Uncle Dan and Coley getting some cuddle time in.

Dan, trying to reach both harbors :)

Some of my favorite moments from the trip, though, came from runs that we took. There is something immensely awesome about running through a totally green and natural landscape. We saw deer MULTIPLE times while running... and a few horses (I was convinced they were bears since we were far away, but Dan got closer to inspect (not bears)). The road that Dan's Uncle Reid's house sits on was washed out by the flooding earlier this year and has yet to be repaired. This, though, makes for EXCELLENT running. The road, which is currently closed, is almost two miles long, which meant wide open space to run. We weren't in a hurry. We just enjoyed our time. And ran. And relaxed. And enjoyed some more. 

Good, good weekend. 

Dan, Ron, Preston, and Reid, checking out the sights.

Me and Dan doing a little impromptu dancing in the Shop One parking lot.