Growing up and having fun!

Well, the weekend is over - boy was it a GOOD one! I ran the Moon Pie 10 miler in Bell Buckle on Saturday and it was a complete blast. Saw so many good friends...and remembered how fortunate and blessed I am to have so much. The race was HOT but I faired well. Coach Keith said hold 9:30's but I was able to hold 8:30's except for 4 mile hill. I finished 1:27:23 - only less than a minute off last year's time. The fact that I had a coach from November 04 to June 05 and felt like crap last year amazes me. This year, I walked away stronger than I've been in years. Guess Coach deserves a raise??

Father's Day was not the same this year, as I have put the relationship in my Father's hands. We had a disagreement about my Grandpa, "Gpa," dying a few weeks ago. Gpa was an alcoholic and Dad put him in a home. Gpa went cold turkey on the drinking, ended up in a coma and died they day he labeled DNR. I was not told until the day he died...actually 1 hr from when he died. I never got to say goodbye. I will forgive my Father for this, yet I am very hurt. Gpa and I had a special bond. We always forgave our faults and have full life together. So, I have not heard from my Father since before Memorial weekend...and I probably won't...ever. Very unfortunate.

On a happier! More lively note! I am soon to be a homeowner!! I found a 1930's Bungalow in East Nashville today. I went to the open house and there was one of my best customers from my store. OMG!! So, I asked them, no matter what happens today...let's still always be buddies. We chatted for a while and then I checked out the place room by room. It is for sure the home I've been searching for (after looking at 30 some houses!)...hot tub, deck, big shaded yard, 2 blocks from the Family Wash (my favorite local pub), in the heart of "transition" as I like to call it. East Nashville seems to be where us young at heart singles live in "transition"...until we decide to really grow up and be serious. NEVER...I refuse! ha ha I cannot wait...to have my own cool little place again.

Scares the crap out of me though, knowing if something falls apart, I'm learning to fix it...ugh.

Liam - check ...got the house, plan the trip! Bring friends...(but not too many...I only have 2 spare bedrooms!) Cannot WAIT!

Thoughts on the weekend

Well, I'm heading out for 8 miles this morning. So many miles! Just 2 days ago I completed a 10 mile fartlek run and Saturday I have a 10 mile race (with 4 more miles added to that.) You'd think with all these miles, I'd be rail thin. Unfortunately, I've been given my license to eat...and the pounds have been adding up. On Tuesday, I made a decision to count calories. So, after much research, I figured out I would eat 1300 calories a day plus whatever I burned with exercise. And...TA DA...I'm down 2 pounds since Tuesday. We'll see how long this lasts!

I'm trying to decide if I really have a bad case of allergies of if my immunities are down from the mega miles. I don't feel bad - just have this irritating runny nose!! Errr!! Saturday, is the official Bell Buckle Moon Pie 10 Miler in Bell Buckle, TN. This will be my 6th race. Last year I set a new PR of 1:26. This year, ??? who knows...lately I'm all over the board. Dee Anna is tanning her behind in Florida right now...so I have to find someone new to challenge me. Should be a fun time though!

Got a new do yesterday! I went to a new "salon" instead of my usual $5.00 haircut. It's nothing huge, but a nice even cut with a few more blonde highlights. But, no more ponytail...that got the chop! I have what I call "cat hair." Fine, thin and willing to clump at any time.

Well, I have a lot to say today...but the coffee and the road is calling me.!!!

The never ending attempt at Boston

In early 2006, Dee Anna and I decided to start running together again. We figured since our PR's are so close why not? We started training for CMM full - and I backed out. Excuse after excuse, I ran only the 1/2 on CMM day. Shortly after CMM, we made a new pact - to train for Boston.

So, we hired UT star Keith Kimmons to coach us. The coaching and base training started in May with a "tune up" race at Strawberry Stride 5k. Keeping Dee Anna in sight, I finished 24:54, 5th place. I guess the race crew felt sorry for me, they even took my picture and presented me with a coffee mug and pint of strawberries. Later, I was deleted from the race results. Best laugh I've had yet! Well, it's somewhere to start...I guess.

Next up, another "tune up" race in May at Cotton Row 10k. Keith gave Dee Anna and I separate goals. We're good friends and so competitive. We ditched each other at the porta potties. This being my 4th Cotton Row, I expected it to be a decent one. I finished 54:22, just 2 seconds slower than my first ever Cotton Row in 2003 and over 1.5 minutes slower than last year. Boy, do I have a lot of work to do!

So, now the pressure is on. June is when the work starts. Last week I logged 40 miles with one 10 mile "tempo" run at what was supposed to be 8:30 miles. I could hold that 8:30 pace just ONE mile. Back to the drawing board, Coach Keith. And a 13 mile run on spent legs this past Sunday. Nobody ever said a Boston Qualifier was going to be easy!