Husband

*Image & card by BSandRS

My husband turned 30 this weekend and we had a blast.  Friday night we went out to a fancy dinner with friends.  Saturday we slept in and then packed for a night in Austin.  This morning we woke early because he was racing in the Austin 1/2 marathon.  Saturday night we had dinner with a friend in town and got to walk from our hotel all over town.  I miss that part of living in a city.  Our morning walk to the capitol was brisk and beautiful.  What a blast.  It was a beautiful morning and a great race.  I couldn't be happier for Trevor, he finished with a smile on his face, a PR and a finish photo with the bulldog.  All in all, it was a lovely weekend.  How was your weekend?

Pollen

*Image & book by Roger Hargreaves

When it is 65 degrees outside on a January morning, I guess pollen and allergens are bound to begin floating around in the air.  After my inaugural 5K on New Year's day I spent the day sneezing.  I went for a nice walk with the bull this morning and here I am, clutching a tissue while my nose reacts to the outdoors.  I love that it was nice enough to enjoy a cup of tea on the patio with a friend this morning.  I hate that being outside seems to doom me to a day of sneezing misery.  I've tried several brands of allergy meds, but it might be time to see someone.  I know that acupuncture is a good idea, but I don't know anyone in town to point me in the right direction for this remedy.  I use my netti pot to no avail.  Any tips on fighting a day of the sneezes?

Greetings

*Image by me, map via The Graphics Fairy

Nothing like a little REM to ring in the New Year, especially for all of those people who really think the apocalypse will visit us on December 21st, the apparent end of the Mayan calendar.  I'm going to eat a delicious dinner surrounded by friends and then ring in the stroke of twelve with a champagne cocktail.  I can't believe I have to be back to work so soon, I also cannot believe that another year has passed.  This makes it seem like it really hasn't been that long since my move across the country, and even closer to my move back home.  As I prepare for that I'm going to try two things this year: to run more often, and to attempt to eat fish (which I really don't care for at all, but which is good for me).  These are not resolutions, just goals.  I want to improve, I want to try to make small changes.  How will your piece of the world change this year?

Race

*Image by me

Sunday was a long, but full day at my house.  We woke up before dawn to head downtown for the San Antonio Rock n' Roll Marathon.  My husband raced, I took pictures and cheered.  I am so proud of him.  A year ago we ran together while I was training and he had trouble keeping pace with me.  Now his pace is 6-7 minute miles.  He blows me out of the water.  I didn't compete this year, but I feel like I still have bragging rights.  What has made you feel proud lately?

Finisher

*Image by Trevor Jorgensen

I did it! I finished. I even came in close to my original goal time at 2:21:19. My estimated time running is closer to 2:15 though because I had to stand in line for a potty break (thank goodness they had those!) Today I am sore but proud, wearing my race shirt to school to hobble around with a grin on my face. Thank you for the encouragement, there were so many of you on the course with me.

Race Day

*Image by Y.X.L

Today is the day. My first ever 1/2 marathon. I'm excited and I know that I am ready. While you read this I am probably nervously chatting with the other people in my corral (apparently tens of thousands of people run this race). While I am out there on the road I wanted to let several people know that they inspired me and that I will be thinking of them:

Laura got me thinking that I could even do such a distance and inspired me to run further.

Josh and Julie wake up at the crack of dawn to make it to two spinning classes in a row, on weekends even. They will be present in my early morning endorphin surge.

Ryan would have already completed his race if it wasn't for that stupid foot injury, I'll run this for you too.

Sondra completed her first triathlon this summer after an amazing transformation, I'll think of her anytime I'm headed uphill and will keep running.

John was my first ever running buddy and is always uplifting and good for a laugh, when my ipod streams out amusing songs that make me smile it's him.

Mary is a fighter and always pushes through her toughest battles and will remind me to fight.

Lea Anne is a sounding board and the voice of perseverance I'll hear her pushing me toward the end, knowing that I can make it.

Karen has gone 60 miles, more than once, she'd kick my butt if I couldn't make a measly 13.1.

Colleen is my cheerleader she is consistently encouraging me in my efforts and reminding me to have fun, I'll see her in the crowd along the course.

Sandra might actually be out there cheering - a real live fan! I couldn't ask for more.

My Mom has been to almost every race I've competed in over the course of my 30 years. She'll be getting my mile by mile updates and I want to continue to make her proud.

Trevor will be waiting to cheer me through the finish, and has helped me get there over the past five months of training.

Thirteen inspiring people, one for each mile. I can't wait to finish.

Trained

*Image by Unprompted

Five months of early Saturday mornings. Mornings that started out sweltering and are now pleasant and chilly. This is the first Saturday I can recall sleeping in since before summer started. It was good to lounge and feel rested, too bad all of my good sleep still ended before 7 o'clock, just in time for what would have been my morning run. Race day is tomorrow. Can you believe it?

Fast

*Image by Y.X.L

Today was the last official group run before next Sunday's race and it felt good and fast. Maybe the group was running more slowly than normal, but I think I was running faster. I never thought I would be the type of person to utter, "only 5 miles" but that phrase actually came out of my mouth today. I can't believe how much stronger I feel now in comparison with my first 10k group run this summer. Next weekend is going to be great. What have you done to give you a feeling of accomplishment lately?

Nine

*Image by George Schmiester

Today my running group was supposed to log 8 miles. I knew for sure I could do 6 without wanting to fall over. I hadn't really run all that much this week and have been trying to kick my butt into gear again after my Seattle trip. The weather here is finally nice for running in , still warm but not unbearable anymore. I surprised myself today when I ran the entire course (I did stop for water and street lights when I had to). The best part was, that upon my finish I learned that I didn't log 8 miles, I did a whole 9. No wonder my afternoon nap felt so good. Can you believe it?