Penn State White Out

I swore I wasn’t going to do this – I wasn’t going to weigh in on the Sandusky/Penn State University controversy, but I can’t help myself.  I haven’t blogged in forever (as evident by the date of my last blog post), but the ever-evolving tale of Jerry Sandusky’s transgressions has jolted me out of my blog retirement.

When I first caught wind of the story, I was running on the treadmill at my apartment’s gym, headphones on, the West Side Story soundtrack blasting, not really paying attention to the flat screen at the gym, and the ESPN headline came across the screen:  “Scandal at Penn State.”  Of course my first thought was that Joe Paterno had finally been caught in a recruiting scandal, thus sullying his name and tarnishing his tradition at Penn State.  Though that would have been a blow for college football, I wish that had been the case.

Over the next few days, I dug deeper into the sordid story of Jerry Sandusky’s many counts of molestation against young boys.  I knew if I wrote a post on the PSU scandal, I wanted to have my facts straight.  I started with a series of basic questions.

When?

The alleged incident (I say alleged because of the American “innocent until proven guilty” phrase, though the evidence against Sandusky is damning) occurred in 2002 in the showers of the football locker room at Penn State.  Mike McQueary (a graduate assistant at Penn State at the time) witnessed Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing a boy around the age of ten and reported the incident to his coach.  But this was not an isolated incident. 

Reports state that close to 20 boys have come forward and admitted sexual abuse at the hands of Sandusky (the original report was 8).  Sandusky molested young boys over the span of roughly 15 years through the guise of his charity The Second Mile.  How many boys suffered at the hands of Jerry Sandusky because no one said anything?

How?

How could this happen?  How did Sandusky not get caught?  How did he have access to these young boys?

To answer the first question, this happened because Sandusky was an opportunistic monster in a position of power.  The orchestrator of the famous Penn State defense, of “Linebacker U,” Coach Sandusky could do virtually no wrong in Happy Valley.  The football program at Penn State operated like one at a major university but was even more tight-knit – it acted as a family.  Oftentimes, family members are the last to know a loved one has a “problem”, whether that is an addiction or something even darker.  It’s hard to notice those kinds of things when one is so close to the subject.

Sandusky didn’t get caught because he was smart.  He was sneaky.  He preyed on underprivileged young boys that would be unreliable in court.  He assaulted boys that came from broken homes or single parent households.  He was discreet in his perverse dalliances.  He didn’t get caught because he was a coach at the biggest show in town – who would believe a poor, hysterical child over a well-respected coach at a sterling NCAA institution?

Jerry Sandusky was intimately involved with The Second Mile, a nonprofit organization serving the youth of Pennsylvania.  He was able to bring children from the organization on the campus of Penn State University, take them on road trips with him and have access to them after school.  Though Tim Curley reported that Sandusky had been seen in the shower of the Penn State locker room with a Second Mile child in 2002, he was allowed to continue working with the children until 2008, when he informed the organization that he was under investigation for child molestation.  Even if there was no merit to the initial account, how could the Second Mile allow Sandusky to continue on as a mentor?

Why?

In asking this question, I don’t want to know why Jerry Sandusky molested all those young boys.  I don’t want to step into the mind of a pedophile – I don’t want to know his reasoning or urges; that is one place I sure as hell don’t want to go.  I want to know why no one at Penn State, no one in the town of State College said anything.

Sure, it’s easy to point our fingers at Joe Paterno, former athletic director, Tim Curley, former senior vice president, Gary Schultz, and former PSU president, Graham Spanier, because they’re notable figures, but why didn’t a teacher step in when Sandusky was pulling these boys out of class to molest them?  Why didn’t a parent start asking questions?  Why didn’t anyone notify the authorities?  And if the police were called multiple times, as some accounts say, then why were they unable to do anything to stop a child predator?

I understand that it is incredibly hard to prove cases of abuse, especially when the victims are young, unreliable witnesses.  I get it.  Who would want to put a terrified, abused child on the witness stand to stare at his rapist and recall the trauma he was put through?  No one.   However, I am sure if the police conducted a thorough investigation - if they dug deep enough, Sandusky would have been off the streets a long time ago and behind bars.

Anyone that knows me will attest to the fact that I am an avid sports fan.  I love all sports, but college football has a special place in my heart.  However, I cannot get past the fact that a coach, a team, a university and a town all ignored seemingly obvious signs of child molestation.  Was this because he was a coach at Penn State?  Possibly.  Did knowing individuals not want to get involved?  Probably.  Could many children have been spared from a ruthless child predator?  Definitely.

Instead of stepping up and speaking out, Penn State University did the unthinkable.  They chose to fade into the background and blend in.  They ordered a “white out.”

Back in the saddle...and time to get serious.

Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted.  No excuses here. 

The Missoula Marathon is over, completed and Montana can now be checked off the list on my quest to run all 50 states.  Now, I’m getting back into the swing of training with the Marine Corps Marathon officially 95 days out.  One might say that there’s no rest for the weary, but I’m actually looking forward to it. 

What can I say?  Marathoners are masochists.

After running two marathons and trying out different training plans, I think I’m ready to get serious about this (THIS being marathoning).  There’s a difference in training when you’re half in and all in…I’m ready to be “all in”.  And it doesn’t mean just running – that’s the easy part.

I’ve started evaluating my daily caloric intake, eating six small meals a day to maintain a steady metabolism throughout the day and hydrating like it’s no one’s business.  I’m even making an attempt to get more sleep!  Truth is, the additional things (nutrition, hydration and rest) are the hardest parts of training for me. 

I love hot dogs, wings and pizza.  I adore craft beer.  I’m a huge fan of late nights dancing and early morning runs.  But none of these things are overwhelmingly helpful when it comes to marathon training.  They’re actually some of the things that derail runners far more athletically gifted and talented than me.  When it comes to running and shaving minutes off my times, I need all the help I can get.

Over the next three months, I’m going to fully dedicate myself to an all around training and wellness program.  I’m going to focus on my nutrition, try suggestions I find in Runner’s World and on other running blogs and start getting to bed earlier.  It won’t be fun and it sure as hell won’t be easy, but hopefully, I will see the fruits of my sacrifices and hard work when I turn out an awesome time on October 30^th (and an even better one at the Kiawah Marathon in December).

It’s back to business and time for me to get serious.

Happy running!

Random Musings

Two weeks until my race...actually, two weeks until I am recovering from race day.  That means I'll wake up feeling like I got hit by a Mack Truck in a hotel room in Montana.  If I'm not ready by now, I'm not going to be, but you know what? 

I'm ready.

This morning, Cameron and I woke up at 4:41 AM before the alarm went off (that never happens).  Since Cam sleeps diagonally across the bed with her head on the pillow beside me, I already had one foot on the floor when I woke up.  As I trudged over to my phone to check the time, I figured I might as well hit the gym early and get in my 5 miles I should have run yesterday.  Instead of running yesterday, I was busy helping my new roommate move in, putting together a new grill/patio furniture and running errands. 

I couldn't think of a better way to start my day than a good run.

I threw on a pot of coffee before heading out the door, as Cam rolled her eyes at me and groaned sleepily (I swear, she acts more and more like a human every day).

As I was running, I started thinking about this year...I was thinking about how I never thought the marathon would get here and the whirlwind my Winter/Spring/Early Summer has been.  You know when you're little and you always say you're a half year older than you really are (or round up to the next year)?  It seems like time passes so slowly when you're a little kid, but it's exactly the opposite.  I feel like I blinked in January and now, it's almost July.

Tomorrow, Cam turns a year old!  I can't believe it - told you how quickly time passes.

Anyway...those are just my random thoughts today.

Happy running!

The Kindness of Strangers

I haven't felt particularly inspired lately, but yesterday, something happened to me that completely changed my day.

As most (if not all) of you know, I'm from the South, and if there's one thing we pride ourselves on, it's our hospitality, kindness and overall goodwill.  That's not something I see very often here in Washington.  D.C. is in a sort of "no man's land" geographically - I wouldn't call it the North by any means, but there's not much Southern about the city either.  An old friend of mine once wisely said:  "Washington has the charm of the North and the efficiency of the South." 

C'mon, you guys are smart...it shouldn't take you very long to figure that out.  Aha!  I see the lightbulb going off now.

Yesterday, I left work late as usual, and as I was walking out, it began to drizzle.  I didn't carry an umbrella in to work yesterday but a little rain never hurt this girl!  I wasn't going to melt, so I walked on, actually enjoying the fine mist on my skin.  The further I got away from my job (and any sort of shelter), the harder it began to rain.  Now, my work isn't very far from Metro, but in a complete deluge, a few blocks seems like 3 miles.  By the time I reached 7th Street, I was soaked to the bone and a rather unhappy camper.  I stood on the corner waiting for the "WALK" signal with my head down and droplets of rain running down my nose.

"You look like you could use a friend," a voice said from behind me.  About that time, not one but TWO umbrellas covered my head.  I was in the middle of an umbrella sandwich, flanked by a lady with a hot pink umbrella on one side and a polka dot umbrella on the other.

"Yeah, I could use a friend with an umbrella," I said, smiling.  And on we marched to Metro, a multi-colored canopy above my head. 

I might not have gotten those ladies' names, but I will never forget how their small gesture changed my whole attitude.  Thank God for the kindness of strangers.

Happy running!

Swimming Laps

I've been woefully negligent in updating my blog.  Truth is, I can't blame my server this time or travel...I really don't have a good excuse.  Call it the doldrums of training or the heat of summer (supposed to hit the century mark today), but I've been a total slacker.  Oh well.

Let me see if I can catch you up to speed.

After my travels to Korea (I still owe you guys one last post), I hit a little speedbump with my training.  Either I couldn't get out of bed or if I did, I didn't sleep well enough to get a good run.  Then, Memorial Day Weekend came along, and yes, I ran...but it was hot and I certainly didn't push myself hard enough.  If I were in a pool, I wouldn't be drowning, but I wouldn't be swimming laps either - let's say I was "treading water" with my running.  With roughly a month to go until the Missoula Marathon (admit it, you guys thought I'd never get there), treading water just wasn't going to cut it.  I needed to get back on track.  And fast.

That's what this past week has been for me.  I've worked hard to rededicate myself to my training schedule and reestablish my wounded work ethic, in addition to putting in the necessary miles.  Sometimes it's more than the miles - it's the attitude with which you run that's important.

Sunday marked the first 20 mile run in my training, and thank God, it was a (slightly) cooler, overcast day.  I set out from my apartment for the Mount Vernon Trail thinking I might run a loop or wuss out before I reached Mt. Vernon, but no, I made it all the way!  After a few weeks of slackerdom, I had no idea that I would actually reach my destination.  Now, I'm not saying that I ran it fast (slow would be the understatement of the year), but actually finishing was quite an accomplishment.  In all honesty, I still had some "gas in the tank" at the end of my run, which is a very good sign!

I have one more 20 miler before race day, and I can use that run to work on my speed and pacing.  I need to figure out when I should use my energy gels, where I should conserve energy and when I should go all out. 

Running this race "blind" (without having seen/run the course before) will have its fair share of advantages and disadvantages.  The disadvantages are easy to name.  I won't know what to expect; I won't have landmarks; I'll be traveling across the country to the race; I'll be running at altitude...the list goes on and on.  But a major advantage is that the course will be new to me, and I will be exploring the whole time.  Anyone that knows me is well aware that I'm infinitely curious, and that may be a big plus since I've never run this course before.

This weekend, I'm running the Lawyers Have Heart 10K in D.C. Saturday morning, then running 13 miles on Sunday.  I am really looking forward to my runs this weekend.  You know you're wired differently when 13 miles seems like a Sunday stroll to you.  I guess that's just being in the marathon mindset.

Over the next few weeks, I will begin developing a packing list and do my final shopping for race day.  My plane ticket has been purchased, hotel reservation made, days taken off work, etc., so it looks like I'm actually going (you know it's not real until you are standing in the airport wondering what you've gotten yourself into)!  I still haven't found the perfect shirt for the marathon, I need to buy energy gels, new socks, possibly a lightweight pullover...you know how it is.  If given the opportunity, I would buy three possible outfits for the race, but I'm going to try to use some self control.

I'm rambling now...but you can see that I have a lot to do before I'm sneakers on the ground in Montana.  It should be an interesting few weeks - stay tuned.

Happy running!

Americana (somehow makes me think of Tropicana)



Cam rules the Shirlington Dog Park.

 Okay, so there's been a bug with my blog for like the past week.  That is not an excuse - I'm serious.  I haven't been able to post.  I know that I have one more Korea installment to post, but I thougth I'd interject a quick Memorial Day post just because I have cute pictures.

It was so hard to come into work today.  After such an amazing weekend when my alarm went off at 5:00 AM, I rolled my eyes and Cameron groaned.  She has become such a good snuggler (other than the fact that she takes up the entire bed), and I actually let her sleep in the bed this whole weekend.  I don't quite know how I'm going to break it to her that she can't sleep with me every night.  I'd be more inclined to let her cuddle if she didn't find it necessary to stretch completely out and take up the whole bed.  When she sleeps in the bed, I wake up with one leg hanging off the bed about to tumble out of my slumber.



We are SO starting a band.

On to the weekend...if I could sum the weekend up in one word, it would be perfect:  grilling out, pool time, running, hanging with Cameron, eating outside, playing guitar, baseball games.  I swear, it doesn't get any better than that.  Why am I at work again today?  In hindsight, I probably should have worn more sunscreen, but at least, now I can say that I have my first good "burn" of the season.
It's funny what a difference a year makes.

On Memorial Day Weekend last year, I went to my first "branding" in Idaho.  If you're in doubt, yes, I'm talking about an actual branding where the cattle are branded with the ranch's identifying mark.  No, I'm not talking about some ritualistic branding where a bunch of drunk guys brand one another (though, I think that happens occasionally as well).  I must admit that I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, but I loved the people, the horses, the food, the ranch - really just the West, in general. 
 

Cocktails outside with Cameron.

This year, I spent the weekend celebrating a different slice of Americana.  Friday night, I grilled out.  Saturday, I fried by the pool all day and grabbed cocktails al fresco with Cameron.  Sunday, I went to the Nationals game (it seriously seems like they're trying to lose sometimes) and caught some indie rock at the Iota Club.  And Monday, it was back to the pool and grilling out.  No, I wasn't a part of Rolling Thunder, and I didn't even get into downtown DC (didn't want to deal with the traffic).  But for me, this Memorial Day was about celebrating the things that I love and those that have died in the service of this country.

During a Moment of Silence to remember the fallen at the baseball game on Sunday, I looked around me and realized once again how proud I am to be an American and how lucky we are to have brave men and women overseas fighting for all that we love.

Happy running!

Up All Night...

Day Four

The absolute worst part of international travel (besides the security screenings and long, cramped flights) is jetlag.


The bed I barely slept in...so sad.

 It is now 2:49 AM, and I have been up since midnight.  I laid there staring at the ceiling for awhile and answering work e-mails (it's around 1:00 PM in Washington) before I made up my mind to call the front desk and see what time the fitness center opened.  If I wasn't going to sleep, I might as well put my time to good use and run.

When I called the front desk, I was extra careful to enunciate and ask when the FITNESS CENTER opened (I don't know if it's my Southernness or just being an American, but Koreans don't always understand me), but to my surprise, the concierge quickly replied "24 Hours".  Sweet!  Quickly, I pulled on my running shorts and tennies and headed down to the fitness center.  I don't know why I was in such a rush because when I arrived down there (six floors down and all the way across the complex, mind you), the doors were locked and lights off.



Pink, pre-dawn light casting a romantic glow.

Puzzled, I looked around for someone, anyone to ask about the gym, but of course, no one was around.  Great.  I jogged up to the front desk (the only jogging I was going to do at this hour apparently) and a very nice lady was pleased to tell me that the BUSINESS CENTER was open 24 hours.  Well, that wasn't going to do me much good.  Agitated, I stomped back to my room, and I here sit at the desk waiting for the sun to come up so I can run...hurry up Sun!

Okay, so it is now 5:32 AM, and I'm sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking Jungmun Beach waiting for the sun to peek out from behind the mountains.  Everywhere is aglow with the faint, pink pre-dawn light - without a doubt, this is my favorite time of day.  It's those moments somewhere between night and dawn, dream and reality, when it seems as if anything could happen...yuck, now I sound like a romantic.  Forgive me!



The sunrise I was waiting for...since midnight!!!

 You might wonder how I found this perch, and that, my friends, is a very good question.  After my fruitless trip down to the FITNESS CENTER, I still couldn't find anything to do.  Korean television was getting on my nerves, I didn't feel like listening to "Defying Gravity" anymore on my iPod and it was hot in my room.  Around 4:00 AM, I found a small, lit trail meandering through the woods.  Hmmm...  I saw it from my hotel balcony and knew I had to check it out.  I'm a woman, so of course, I'm naturally curious.  Talk about some hills...whew.



Creepy statues all over Jeju Island.



After about thirty minutes of running, I stumbled upon this spot, high above Jungmun Beach.  At that time, the silver moon was shining down on the sea below, and I knew it would be a beautiful place to watch the sunrise.  I didn't have my camera with me (who would at 4:00 AM?), but I knew I'd be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to snap some photos at sunrise.  I was a good distance from The Shilla when I thought this, so I started really hoofing it back to the hotel to grab a quick shower and my camera before I missed daybreak.



My actual work:  IFNEC Steering Group Meeting

I know there's a long, stressful day of work ahead of me (first day of the actual conference), but for this second, I feel completely at peace.  It is an amazing feeling, and one I don't get too often amidst the hustle and bustle of DC.  It's funny that I have to go to the other side of the world to hear myself think.  Let's hope I can carry this feeling through the day and not get too stressed out. 

 

On that note, I need to snap some pictures and find coffee.  My boss likes to act like the meeting can't start without my smiling face.

Happy running!

A Long Way from Home...

Since I did not take my laptop with me to Korea (extra weight and space concerns), I am posting these after my return.  I carried my handy dandy composition book with me and journaled every day so you guys wouldn't miss a thing.  I am going to break my entries down into days, so the length will be more manageable.

Day One/Two

It was the night before Korea and all through the house...no, I'm just kidding.  I wanted an excuse to say that and include some cute pictures I took of Cameron the night before I left.  She was so much help packing (a.k.a. she tried to get in my suitcase)!

 

Cameron giving me some sweet, doggy kisses!

 I'm actually somewhere over the Pacific right now in an aisle seat (thank God), writing on one of those little tray tables on the back of the seat in front of me.  I'm set to arrive in Seoul, South Korea sometime this afternoon, but right now, my body isn't quite sure if it's day or night.  The tiny screen in front of me indicates that it is 9:18 AM Korean Standard Time (May 16th) and 8:18 PM Eastern Standard Time (May 15th) - nothing like a 14 hour flight and a 13 hour time difference to really screw up one's internal body clock.
I have been trying to sleep rather unsuccessfully for the past six hours or so, but I can't seem to get comfortable in my seat and baby is screaming over the sounds of my headphones.  Pleasant.

On that note, I have listened to my entire Korea playlist already.  I didn't think I would go through it this quickly.  I mentioned earlier in the week that I would list the songs that received the honor of making my playlist, but I'm really just going to list a few of them (in sports, I would call these my "can't miss prospects"):  Paper Tongues- Love Like You, Black Kids- I'm Not Going to Teach My Boyfriend How to Dance With You, Foster the People- Pumped up Kicks, Rogue Wave- Lake Michigan, Lykke Li- I'm Good, I'm Gone, Ra Ra Riot, Can You Tell, Mike Snow- Animal, Cold War Kids- Louder than Ever, Civil Twilight, Letters from the Sky,  Ellie Goulding- Lights, Breathe Electric- Stay with Me, Show Me the Skyline- Clocks & Calendars, All Night Dynamite- All I'm Thinking Of and We Should Whisper!- Memories and Meltdowns.
 

More from the LJ and Cameron Photo Shoot!

 Hopefully, those suggestions will spark your interest and send you off to iTunes as soon as possible.  You know me - I have excellent taste!

I don't know the two guys seated in my row on the plane, but they both seem nice enough.  One is a rising Junior at Rutgers on his way to visit his grandmother in Seoul (he's sleeping and can't read over my shoulder as I'm scribbling in my comp book) and the other is a student at Swarthmore heading home for the summer.  Not only did he finish exams last night and hop on a plane this morning (impressive), but he has not gotten up once to use the restroom.  I'm not sure if I should be impressed or concerned.  My muscles are super stiff, and with the convenience of the aisle seat, I've been getting up periodically to stretch my legs and try to break up the trip.

It also gives me the chance to be nosy and check out everyone on the flight...at least I'm honest!

Well, we are beginning to experience some turbulence, so I better go...it makes me kind of queasy to write while the plane is being jostled around.  Hopefully the Dramamine I took a little while ago will kick in soon.  I'd really love to get some sleep on this flight.

Pray for a safe and uneventful landing in Seoul and a short connector flight to Jeju Island!

Day Three

I had the most amazing run this morning!


Carriage horse on the way the way to the beach.


I woke up early (around 5:30) and opened up my balcony doors to see the most beautiful, pale sunrise peeping over the surrounding mountains.  It was dark when I got in the night before, so I didn't notice all the hills on Jeju Island.  After stretching, lacing up my sneaks and shoving my room key and camera into the pockets of my jacket, I headed to the main lobby to ask about local running trails. 

Though the concierge looked at me like I had two heads when I asked about trails, he was extremely helpful in pointing out local roads and routing me on a long, challenging route through the hill country and down to the beach.  Also, he gave me a map, which turned out to be a lifesaver throughout the week.

The mist just began to lift as I stepped outside and began pounding the pavement, damp, cool, sea air filling my lungs.  Sometimes, I forget how much I miss being close to the shore.  I seriously need to move closer to a beach!  Running around DC, I forget what clean air smells and tastes like.



Cool bridge that I saw every day running.

 The route the concierge suggested to me led me into the highlands of the island and along a gorgeous trail that looked over a valley.  An ornate bridge connected the two mountains that created the valley, and I stopped to snap a quick picture.  It also gave me an excuse to rest my burning thighs and catch my breath.  This served as an aching reminder (no pun intended) that I HAVE to run more hills in my training!  The Missoula Marathon is going to kick my butt if I don't!

After climbing for what seemed like ages, I turned a corner, and the road began to descend rather sharply toward the water.  I was thankful for the downhill slope, but I had to work to keep a steady pace and not sprint down the hills.  I couldn't see the water from the road yet, but I could smell the briny, salt air stinging my nostrils.  As I grew closer to the beach, I began to see more and more palm trees, and my pace quickened with excitement.  I haven't been to a beach (in warm weather) in nearly two years...as a Carolina girl, that's hard to believe.



Sinking into the sand of Jungmun Beach.

 I was surprised when I reached the beach and my feet sank almost immediately into the sand.  Even after taking off my shoes, running on the soft, crushed shell beach was nearly impossible.  I would equate it to running through quicksand.  The only way I was able to run without sinking was to run through the icy water (of course that's what I did).  Kicking up sand and surf, I was running and smiling - nothing makes me happier than running on the beach.  The few Koreans on the beach gave me weird looks as I passed by...they must have thought I was really strange.  Oh well.

When I returned to the hotel, I was soaked with sweat, sand and salt water.  I know I looked like a hot mess, so I hopped in the shower (awesome Aveda products Shilla Jeju!), and now, I'm relaxing on my balcony in a cozy terry robe waiting for room service.  Not too bad for 7:15 AM...I could get used to this!

Well, I have to get going - this is a business trip, so I should probably get some work done (and that's room service at my door).

Happy running!

Wrong Side of the Bed.

Since I'm leaving on Sunday and I've never left Cameron for this long (I've never left her for more than a night or two), I'm going to feature one of my favorite Cameron photos every day until I leave.  A lot of these are from when she was just a little pup, but you can see a little bit of the growing up process and why I love this little monster so much!
 


2 1/2 months old, and I can read her mind already:  "Stick!  Stick!  Stick!"

 This morning I woke up grouchy.

I would usually describe myself as a pretty positive, upbeat person, but I just haven't been able to shake away my grumpiness today.  Mom used to call it "waking up on the wrong side of the bed" (for years, I believed that if I rolled out of bed on a different side, then I was going to have a bad day).  I don't know if it's the stress of work, packing for a trip, nerves over flying, missing Cameron (already), or a combination of all of those things, but I am a grade A grumpy butt today.  To be honest, I think it started last night.

Just before I left work (at 7:00 PM, mind you), I gave myself a papercut under my fingernail.  If you've done this, then you know how much it really hurts, and it's right on my left ring finger where I type...glad I'll be working on a lot of bilat papers today - lots of typing!  Yay.  I hurried home to take Cameron for a run, and when we reached the Air Force Memorial (where we usually stop to watch the sunset), a guard wouldn't let us walk up there.  No one has ever stopped me from bringing Cam  underneath the Memorial.  I was mad and considered pitching a small temper-tantrum, but I held back (you guys should be proud) and ran along my way.

Last night, I also brought the gift home for the Koreans and tried to fit it in my carry-on.  Yep, it fits, but it leaves virtually no room for any entertainment for me.  If I am cooped up on a flight and in airports for that long, I better have a few books and my iPod, or I will not be a happy camper.  Luckily, my roommate came to the rescue and offered to lend me her Nook for the trip.  Trish, you're a lifesaver!

Now, I am a staunch believer in print media:  books, newspapers, magazines, etc., but for traveling, I totally think an e-reader is the way to go.  It doesn't take up any space, and you can store hundreds (if not thousands) of books on the device.  Last night, I downloaded a few books (in addition to Pride and Prejudice, which was free):  Bossypants by Tina Fey, Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy (yes, I'm well-aware I've read it like a hundred times) and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.  I still want to download Run!:  26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss.  I'm not typically a fan of running books, but this one actually looks good.  I'll be sure to share a thumbs up or down.  None the less, those books should keep me busy for a little while!

Tonight, I have more packing and cleaning to do.  Fun.  Fun.  But, I am also making my playlist for the trip, and I'll let you guys know which artists will be providing my listening pleasure for those long flights.  The weather looks nice for Korea, so hopefully, I will get to experience a lot of it running.  And yes, I'll be sure to post photos.

Happy running!

Short and Sweet.

I'll issue a quick disclaimer here...my posts may be getting shorter and shorter as I get closer to my departure date for Jeju Island, South Korea.  To be honest, I thought about not posting today at all, but I'd rather say a few words than just let a day go by without writing.  I actually feel guilty if I don't blog...I know that will win me some major cool points.

Right now, I'm chowing down on a yummy Asian chicken salad at my desk.  I had to run across the Mall for something earlier and decided to venture into the Old Post Office Building to grab lunch before hurrying back to the office - very good decision on my part.  Not only is my salad delicious (and totally what I was craving), but the weather is way too pretty to be stuck inside all day.  My office mate and I talk about this all the time but our office is right in the middle of the Smithsonians and downtown DC, and we never take advantage of it.  I go weeks on end without leaving my desk for lunch or walking around outside the building in my spare time.

If I didn't have to shower at my office building in the middle of the day, I'd totally run on the Mall at lunch, but I can't exactly walk around smelly and sweaty the rest of the day.  My co-workers probably wouldn't appreciate it.

Well, I really have to get back to it.  Meeting prep is taking up all of my time, and since this is my first big international meeting, I want everything to run as smoothly as possible.  Tomorrow, I will do a quick Glee-cap, give you a running update and let you know where I am in getting ready to travel.

Happy running!

Busy, Busy, Busy.

I'm sorry that I haven't blogged in a few days - unacceptable.  Seriously, I've been too busy to sit down at the computer for a few minutes and write.  Let me bring you up-to-date on everything that has happened since Thursday.  At work, we would call this a "quick and dirty" (I think I just like saying that).

Now, where to begin?

As you all know, Thursday was Cinco de Mayo, so that was a blast.  The whole gang went out to the Salsa Room, then the Irish pub down the street (because that seemed like a good idea at the time), and needless to say, we had a little too much fun.  Unfortunately, I had to work Friday (nope, I didn't get my day off like I was supposed to), so I was dragging a little bit all day.  After work, I played with Cam a little bit before we went to see Thor (totally recommend going to see it if you're a comic book geek - two thumbs up).  I rode on the back of Dan's bike to the movies, and I've concluded that I totally need to get a motorcycle.  Don't worry Mom...not any time soon.

Saturday morning, I awakened way before the sun was up to throw some clothes in a bag, put on makeup and feed Cameron before hitting the road for Southwest Virginia.  My grandparents live near Roanoke, and I traveled down there to see my mom and grandma for Mother's Day.  I hadn't seen my grandparents since Christmas and my parents since February, so it was really good to spend a little time with family.  I listened to Glee on repeat for the majority of the drive, and the four and half hours there and back seemed to take no time at all.  It's an easy trip that I know I should take more often, but with work and running and taking care of Cam, it seems like I don't have time for anything else.  Regardless, seeing my family reminded me how much I've missed them.

After the drive back, I barely had time to set my bag down before I was laced up and out the door for my seventeen miler.  It rained most of my way home, and I was afraid that the rain would follow me to DC.  The weather forecasters had predicted rain mid-afternoon, and the last thing I wanted to do was skimp on another one of my long runs because of bad weather. 

I've concluded that there is something about running 17 miles that just isn't fun.  It's not - seriously.  I don't know if it's the aching in my hips or the grinding of my shoulder (a nagging reminder of an old injury), but my body just doesn't want to keep running past mile 16.  It also might have something to do with the fact that I chose to conclude my run by hoofing it up one of the largest hills in Arlington.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Today, I am moving around like a grandma.  Seriously, I am really sore and stiff today - I thought that I stretched enough after my run, but no, I'm pretty tight this morning.  This week I will have to try to fit in runs while I'm packing for Korea, cleaning before Trish's family gets here for her graduation and trying to keep Cam out of trouble.  She seems to get into more mischief when she knows I'm going out of town for a while.

Wish me luck coming out of this week unscathed.

Happy running!

Cinco de Mayo!!!

I want to pat myself on the back this morning.  Seriously.  Not only did I get my run in this morning (yay!), but I lived through an entire month devoid of  my AWS and didn't completely lose my mind.  It will be heavenly tomorrow morning to wake up when I want and relax - sleeping past 5:00 AM...what a crazy concept.

Happy Cinco de Mayo, my dear friends!  Today is my favorite holiday other than Christmas, no lie.  I cannot wait to kick back this afternoon with the crew and enjoy a few cervesas while listening to the merry sound of a mariachi band.  I think I might even tote my camera along, so you guys can enjoy the fun too!

Here's a quick history lesson on this special day.  Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, which happens to be September 16th, it is a holiday observed to commemorate the Mexican army's victory at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  Though the victory at Puebla cannot be viewed as a major strategic win in the war against the French, it was a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and the resistance movement.  At the risk of sounding cliched, it was a David (Mexico) conquering Goliath (France) moment.  I'll drink to that!

The weather is great, I have tomorrow off (both work and running) AND Thor comes out tomorrow.  I'm super psyched!  Hope everyone has a great day, and if you're enjoying the holiday with a few cold ones, please don't forget to be responsible and use a designated driver/call a cab.

Happy running!

Dear Lord Tubbington

Today was one of those days that I really contemplated just rolling over in bed and going back to sleep.

After such a beautiful day yesterday, it's absolutely lousy outside today.  I'm going to blame this one on the Caps dropping to 0-3 against the Lightning...all of D.C. is crying!  It must have started raining at some point during the night, and now, it's a cold, wet mess outside.  I can handle the rain (I might whine a little bit), but the Mercury hasn't climbed over 50  yet.  Needless to say, I'm a little cold in my cute little springtime skirt!  Where are my 70+ degree temperatures?  It's May for goodness sakes!

Obviously, there will be no running outside this evening, which is kind of a bummer.  At the risk of sounding like a prima donna, even if the rain stops, there is no way I'm running in those puddles with my new shoes.  Gotta protect my kicks!  As you already know, I really do hate running inside - it's unnatural, but it does give me a good excuse to download all the Glee tunes from the past two episodes (I know, I'm such a bad Gleek for not downloading immediately after the episodes) and jam out on the treadmill.  Phils vs. Nats on the big screen and Glee pounding through my headphones...sounds like a pretty sexy workout.  If there's no one in the gym, you might even catch me belting out some Fleetwood Mac covers.

This is a perfect segway into my Glee-cap from last night.

I'd be remiss without mentioning this first, so who else LOVED Quinn's dress in the "Don't Stop" number?  Shirtdresses are totally adorable, and I'm scouring the internet right now to find out who made the one she was wearing - I want it.  Other fashion notes before I get to the meat of the episode (which I enjoyed, btw)...I loved the not so subtle homage paid to seventies fashion.  From Rachel's peasant top to Santanas overall/romperall get up, I was totally feeling a 70s comeback.  Maybe I'll trade in my skinny jeans for bell-bottoms (just kidding).

Now, for the good stuff.  Though I didn't like this episode as much as last week's (still singing "Unpretty/I Feel Pretty" in my head), Glee is making a strong push for the end of the season.  As usual, I enjoyed the music, but this episode did an excellent job tackling issues facing Americans right now, such as unemployment, without making it feel forced like an after school special.  Sam has been lurking in the shadows with his awful shaggy hair for the past few weeks, and I enjoyed having him featured front and center for once.  His little brother and sister are so cute, and I loved seeing the Glee club reach out to him (Finn, in particular).  Also, here's my weekly Santana gush...a. Love her voice and so glad to see her singing a solo; and b.  Her character gets more and more interesting every week - I'm glad she stood Brittany up on "Fondue for Two".

As for Brittany S. Pierce's little internet rumors show, "Fondue for Two", I found it a little strange, but I think she's hilarious.  I want to see more of her relationship with Lord Tubbington - hysterical.  I am so glad that we finally met the cat that's been reading her diary.

I cannot wait until next week's Prom episode - and no, I really don't care about all the drama with spoilers.  I think that the Prom King/Queen aspect might be the least interesting part of the episode.  After watching the trailer (I watched it like four times), I can't wait to see the reason behind Quinn's slap.  There was some serious venom in her face as she struck Rachel.  Wow.

Well, I must get my day started.  Here's a youtube video I just saw on my friend's Facebook, and I just had to post!

Furman Flash Mob

Happy running!

Tuesday Edition

It just feels like it's going to be one of those weeks...

After getting caught in the rain during my sixteen mile run this weekend (wearing an all white outfit, mind you) and Cameron wetting her cage in her sleep last night (yep, just like a little kid peeing the bed), I knew it was going to be a rough week.  Today, I have a conference call with my dear friends in South Korea scheduled for 8:00...that's 8:00 PM, not 8:00 AM.  Needless to say, I'm less than thrilled to be at the office until 9:30 tonight when I should be at home snuggled up with Cam and watching Glee. 

Thank God for DVR!

If there's one bright spot in the week, it's the fact that I am FINALLY getting a Friday off work, and I really need it.  I haven't had time to take my suits to the cleaners, wash my car, clean the apartment and do a lot of other things that I typically do on my AWS days.  Also, it wouldn't hurt for me to go to the grocery store - one can only live on Chinese leftovers, Greek yogurt and salads for so long.  And I found last night's dinner of yogurt and a salad less than satisfying.

I've hit a point in my training where I feel like I have a good rhythm going.  The miles are coming a lot more easily (thanks in part to the new shoes and getting in better running shape), and it actually feels like the road is coming up to meet me when my feet hit the pavement.  I'm feeling the toll of my weekend runs, but I'm also beginning to recall the sense of accomplishment I felt when I was training for Baltimore.  Who doesn't feel like a grade A badass after running 15, 16, 17 (and so on) miles?

Maybe I'm just silly, but I am looking forward to my marathon in Montana more and more every day. 

Today is super busy, so I apologize for the short post.  I'll be back tomorrow with a longer post and possibly a quick Glee recap.

Happy running!

Scary Cliffs.

 As I'm writing this, Cameron is destroying a frisbee in the floor right in front of me.

This is the post I was working on yesterday when I was being a good girl and staying in because I have to run sixteen miles today...no, I still haven't done it.  I will post after I run and let you know how it goes.  I had every intention of being good - I really did.  I was relaxing and playing the guitar with the Texas/Oklahoma softball game on in the background when I received a text from Dan.  It seemed innocent enough:  "hey...wanna grab a drink with my parents?"  I love parents, so of course, I said yes.  What happened next was a night of silliness and dancing...and I didn't roll in until 2:00 AM this morning.  Thanks Dan.
  
Yesterday, I'd planned on going kayaking on the Potomac, but Thompson's Boat House wasn't allowing 

A heart to heart with my best friend.

people on the water (something about bad water quality).  Instead, I went hiking at Great Falls National Park.  If you haven't been there and live Northern Virginia, shame on you!  I'm just kidding around, but the park is absolutely gorgeous and the trail network can't be beat.

 Cameron and I usually tromp around Teddy Roosevelt Island or hit the trails out at Scott's Run along the Potomac, but in the mood for an adventure, we ventured down Georgetown Pike to Great Falls.  Now, Cameron LOVES hiking, but she has gotten in the funny habit of carrying a toy around in her mouth throughout the hike.  Typically, it's her bumper from South Carolina, but yesterday, her toy of choice happened to be a small tire. 

From the moment we get out of the car, Cameron snatches the tire out of my hand and begins toting it around in her mouth.  She doesn't sit the toy down for anything except treats and water, but yesterday, she dropped her toy in a very bad spot and I learned two things about myself:  1.  I am very afraid of heights and 2.  I would do anything for my dog. 



Really scary cliffs...no lie.

 Great Falls isn't just known for its trails and picnic area - it is also a big hangout for local rock climbers.  Seemingly sheer cliffs jut out into the Potomac providing great overlooks and areas for climbers to test their skills.  I stepped close to the edge of the cliff to snap a picture of the Potomac, and Cameron (tire in her mouth) decided to take a closer look as well. 

At the sight of the water below, Cam's ears perked up, and she dropped her tire over the edge.  As soon as it fell, she started whimpering and I went into Mom mode.  I noticed that the tire was caught on a ledge about five feet below me and out of my reach, so I lowered myself over the edge and slid down the rock face for her toy.  Luckily, I made it, but looking down at the rapids below made my head spin - I've never been so glad to be on solid ground again. 

That's one tired puppy.


Still, seeing her tail wag wildly and watching her smile with the tire in her mouth totally made my dangerous and dumb tire rescue worthwhile.  I really love that silly puppy.

Well, it looks like the rain has let up some, and I have a long run ahead of me.  Wish me luck.

Happy running!

Something Borrowed, Someone Booed.

Friday:  no run...you know the routine at this point.

Let me preface this post with the fact that I did not watch the royal wedding this morning.  Instead, I was engaged in a stand-off with Cameron who refused to eat her breakfast, then proceeded to pee in the floor when I fed Rocky his breakfast.  So, that's what I was doing this morning instead of "oohing" and "aahing" over silly British hats and Kate Middleton's dress.  I'm sure she doesn't spend her mornings cleaning up dog pee and running into work late.  Oh, to live a life of luxury.

Now, I'll talk about something I did watch...the NFL Draft.  What epitomizes the excess and pageantry that has become professional sports better than the Draft?  Nothing.  And the Draft has nothing to do with any of the things I love about sports:  competition, excellence and heart.  It's essentially a lot of really big guys walking around in suits shaking hands and hugging people - hell, I could find that at any high school class reunion.  That being said, I did watch the entire first round (and there's a strong likelihood that I'll watch it again tonight). 

I've watched a lot of Drafts in my time.  My dad and I are avid sports fans (although we don't have a strong allegiance to any team) so the Draft was always just sort of "on" at the house, and I've heard boos before at picks, owners, etc.  But I have never heard as many boos as I did last night when Roger Goodell first stepped to the mike.  Seriously, I was taken aback.  The boo-birds were doing some major chirping!  As the picks started to come off the board, the boos diminished to a certain extent, but even as the players grinned. cried and paraded across the stage, there were still more jeers than usual.

By early April, pretty much every draft prognosticator had Cam Newton going to the Carolina Panthers at number one, and some people think this is a smart choice.  Sure, Newton will fill seats, he'll more than likely be better at running the offense than Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen, who looks like a middle school quarterback out there on the field (just trying to find the right butt to line up under), and he's a charismatic kid, but I am not convinced that he won't be a Vince Young, or worse yet, a Jamarcus Russell.  I only say this because he's an athletic run first-pass second quarterback with questionable intangibles and a suspect past.  Who knows?  I might end up eating my words...actually I hope I do, I want to see Cam be successful (if only because he and my dog share the same name).

The rest of the top five played out as I had predicted, and we weren't treated to our first surprise until Tennessee picked Jake Locker in the number 8 slot.  Locker seems like a good kid and last year at this time, he was hailed as the early favorite to be the number one pick, but after a lackluster senior season at Washington riddled with inaccuracy, he began to slide down draft boards.  If I were the Titans, I think I would've picked a lock to replace Vince Young, not a guy that makes me furrow my brow.  The only other real head scratcher picked int he first round (in my mind) was Christian Ponder.  He's a good QB, but with Andy Dalton, Ryan Mallett and a few other good passers out there, I wouldn't have taken him until day two.

And I think it was a huge mistake not to take Andy Dalton, the fiery ginger from TCU, in the first round.  He's got Drew Brees written all over him, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him hoisting the Lombardi trophy in a few years.

Oh well.  I guess there's a reason why I'm not an NFL coach or team owner, so enough criticism for today (I still think I could do a better job than most of them).  I've got a 16 miler this weekend, so wish me luck.

Happy running!

I Did It!

Yep, I finally did it!  I broke down and bought new shoes.

As pictured above, I ended up staying faithful to Nike and went with their Air Pegasus 28 Breathe.  If I could marry these shoes, I totally would.  I'm in love!!!  Nike calls the color Copa, but I call it Tiffany's blue (it is the same color as their little blue bag).  One of the main reasons I'm so jazzed about these shoes is as an underpronator/supinator (only approx. 10% of runners are diagnosed as underpronators), I am always limited as far as style and color choice when it comes to buying running shoes.  Finally, I have kicks as cool as me (I'm kidding).

When I walked in Pacers yesterday evening after work and saw these blue beauties staring at me from high on the shelf, I just knew I had to have them.  Love at first sight.  Apparently, the store had just put them on the shelf about two hours before I walked in, so without a doubt, it was meant to be.  I was the first person to buy them from Pacers.

I took them for a short jog after I got home, and I immediately wanted to trash my old Nikes.  Not only were those shoes religious (read:  hole-y), but they no longer had the necessary padding to protect my feet when pounding the pavement.  I can't wait to take them out for some long runs this weekend and see the difference.  Yes, I feel like a new runner.

Happy running!

Gaga for Glee

Why talk about running when I can gush about my favorite show this morning?!?

Oh Glee, how I love thee!  You are totally forgiven for last week's lackluster episode and reminded me why I fell in love with the show in the first place.  I actually enjoyed this episode so much that I drank wine and watched it at my friend's place, then turned around and rewatched it at home on DVR before falling asleep on the couch!  Yes, it was that good (I'm also that big of a Gleek).

Where do I begin? 

First of all, I loved Santana's storyline.  Now, I have been a faithful Santana fan from day one (I knew there was more to her character than pom poms and a bad attitude), but I've loved her character arc this season and Glee has done an excellent job developing her into more than a static character.  I'm so glad that the writers haven't rushed she and Brittany together after the tearful "Landslide" performance earlier in the season (did I mention that Santana's voice rocks?) and have taken the time to give their friendship/relationship a backstory, as well as providing Santana with some excellent material.  "The only straight I am is straight up bitch."  Bravo!  Brilliant Glee!

Second, I am so glad to see Kurt back at McKinley!  Though I love the Warblers and will miss looking at Darren Criss (he is dreamy), I was getting tired of the directors finding excuses to film over at Dalton Academy.  A Katy Perry cover here and there, I get, but the foam party/Neon Trees cover more than stretched an already threadbare storyline.  Plus, Chris Colfer is an excellent actor, and I've missed him playing a major role in the more recent episodes.

And third, Glee really hit it out of the park with the songs last night.  The reason why I felt such a strong connection to Glee in the first place was the music, and in the midst of all the complicated storylines in season two, I feel like the quality of the songs might have suffered (not that it has stopped me from downloading the vast majority of them on iTunes).  From the Warbler's version of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" (which I have always loved) to Kurt's unbelievable "As If We Never Said Goodbye" (once again, SO glad Kurt is back with New Directions), I was blown away by the songs.

Also, I must admit that I had a Glee first for me last night.  Never before have I teared up during a performance, but Rachel and Quinn's mash-up of TLC's "Unpretty" and "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story had me all choked up.  An unlikely pairing, Rachel and Quinn's voices sounded beautiful together and evoked such emotion out of the songs.  They captured the insecurities of being a teenage girl perfectly...who hasn't wanted to be someone else or change the way she looks (boys, the same goes for you).  And the way it was filmed gave me chills.  Words do not do this performance justice.  If you haven't seen their performance, you should seriously look it up on Youtube.

Okay, enough about Glee.  If you're not a fan and you wasted a few minutes reading this today, I apologize.  I'll be back to blogging about running tomorrow.  Promise!

Happy running!

The Rocky and Cameron Show

Last week, I agreed to watch my friend's dog, Rocky, while he was out of town on business.  Now, before you give me a "tsk, tsk" because one dog is more than enough in an apartment, you need to realize that Dan has described Rocky as a rug.  Rocky is a sweet (somewhat lethargic), eight year old chocolate lab.  I jumped at the opportunity to dogsit him because it would give Cam the chance to hang out with a "normal" dog. 

If you haven't noticed, Cameron is anything but normal.  She is about fifty pounds of puppy craziness...even after a long run, she still has the energy to play at the dog park for almost two hours.  I have a lot of energy, and sometimes, I struggle keeping up with her.  Hence, why I thought Rocky would be a positive influence.

I picked Rocky up from Dan's apartment after trivia last night, and he acted like we were going on a field trip.  Rocky's weapon-like tail waved excitedly as he plodded out to the car for the short ride to my apartment (his tail is the fastest thing about him).  The whole car ride, he looked completely comfortable and satisfied to be coming home with me.

When we walked in the door at my place, Cameron's ears perked up, and she began to paw at the gate to her crate.  I could see Cam's thought process, "New friend!  New friend!  Let me sniff him!"  The second I unlocked her crate and let her out, she was all over Rocky, sniffing him, giving him kisses and pawing at his head.  I wasn't entirely sure how tolerant Rocky would be of Cam's behavior, but he just stood there and let her crawl all over him.  He's a saint, I swear.  Not even one growl at Cameron.

During dinner, Rocky made himself comfortable at my feet, and Cameron plopped down on top of him.  She began gnawing on his ears and licking his head, and he couldn't have been less concerned.  Like an older sibling, Rocky ignored Cam and sighed, putting his head on his paws.  I swear he rolled his eyes.  The highlight of the evening was when Cameron tried to tease Rocky with her bone, wagging it in his face and hitting him with it. 

The dynamic between the two of them was hysterical, and I can't wait to see the two pups interact today when I get home.  I'm planning to take them to the dog park for episode two of  "The Rocky and Cameron Show."  As long as they behave during Glee tonight, I'm happy.

Happy running!

Hot.

15 miles yesterday...yuck.  My calves are sore, my hip hurts and I'm a wee bit sunburnt.  Why did I agree to do this again?

Yesterday morning dawned beautiful and HOT.  By the time I was on the way to the country club for Easter Brunch with my family, my car thermometer already read 83 degrees, and the temperature just continued to rise.  Now, I know I should have run before brunch - that would have been the smart thing, but I was just so warm and snuggly in bed that I didn't want to get up at 7:00 AM to run. 

Since I waited until after brunch to run, I had to watch closely what I ate and avoid some of my favorite things:  eggs benedict, Texas brunch (some sexy potato, cheese, sour cream combination) and bacon.  Instead of those delicious selections, I consumed salad, veggies and chicken...it's not fun to be good sometimes.  However, I knew the combination of heat and running for an extended period of time just wouldn't work with my normal club brunch fare.

Driving down 66 back to my apartment, I glanced at my thermometer again - 87 degrees...our hottest day in D.C. so far this spring.  Seriously?  The day that I have to do my longest run so far it's blazing hot and humid outside.  Not cool ( no pun intended there, seriously).

As I laced up my tennies and started my run, I continued to regret signing up to do the marathon, but it felt amazing to be outside with the sun on my face and shoulders.  As the weather continues to get better, it will be harder to keep me inside - I love the sunshine and summer time - I wouldn't mind getting a tan either!  As my eye makeup began to run in my eyes (no, it wasn't smart to leave it on for my run), I kept repeating in my head, "Running is fun.  Bathing suit season.  Hot abs.  Nice tan."

Don't judge.  Sometimes I need a little encouragement, and yep, I'm a little vain.  All women are - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I drank water throughout the run, but I need to hit Pacers Running Store before the end of the week and grab some Gu gels or Shot Blocks for my 16 miler next weekend.  I was fine for the majority of the run, but at the end, I really hit a wall and the training isn't going to get any easier from here on out.  It didn't occur to  me until last night when I was on the phone with my dad, but I am going to be in a state of constant training from here until Halloween. 

Since I registered for both the Missoula Marathon and the Marine Corps (Oct. 30th), I will be pounding the pavement hard for the next six months.  I am going to have to make a concentrated effort to keep myself healthy and avoid injury over that time.  It's a daunting task, but I better be ready.

Sorry to leave you on a sort of sour note, but I need to get my work week started.

Happy running!

Peanut Butter and B Cups

Sleepy Friday...today seems like one of those days that I could just hunker down in my bed and sleep until 10:00 AM.  I swear I wouldn't budge, even if I heard Cameron milling around the apartment looking for something to chew and destroy.  I don't know if it's the gray weather or the fact that I coughed throughout the night (my voice finally sounds almost normal though), but I am exhausted!

As you already know, Fridays are my day off.  Thank you Hal Higdon for rest days!  I'm still a little sore from my eight miles earlier in the week, and I need to do some stretching and hydrating before I do my 15 mile long run this weekend.  I emphasize the long part of that sentence because once you get past half marathon distance, any run seems long.  But it's not just the length that makes it difficult.

I can run a half marathon carrying very little with me (keys and identification) and without making pit stops, but once I get past that distance, there are significantly more variables.  For example:

1.  I definitely have to wear my Power Belt to carry water with me, which makes me look like a total dork.
2.  I start running out of gas and need energy (Gu gels are great - really any Gu products, Sport Beans or jelly beans, gummy bears - I even met a girl that ran with a peanut butter sandwich in her bra)...I never said runners weren't strange.
3.  Pain...I usually pop an aspirin at mile 9.  I medicate at miles 9 and 18 for 26.2 miles.
4.  Weather.  I actually have to check the forecast - I've been caught by more than a few storms hours into a run.
5.  Potty breaks.

If you're not a distance runner, then I'm sure you never thought so much planning went into running.  Seriously, there's a science to it.  And the variables I mentioned above are a short list - layering clothes comes into play, traffic patterns (Georgetown on a Saturday after 10:30 AM is never a good idea), spring festivals (I've encountered bike races and farmer's markets), even yard sales and church barbeques can through monkey wrenches into running routes.

Oh well, I've gabbed enough.  I'm looking forward to a low-key Friday night with Lost Dog take-out and maybe a bubble bath.

Happy running!

Running Partner

Sorry I didn't post yesterday...I've been too busy running!  Well, that's a partial falsehood, but I have been logging some serious miles in my tennies.  I am finally caught up with my running, and I feel great!

Tuesday was a four miler and yesterday was eight miles, and both times, I had the best running partner in the world with me, Cameron.  She's just now turning 10 months old, so I figured it was about time to get her out pounding the pavement with me.  Man, can she fly!!!  Seriously, she loves running more than me and for some reason, enjoys dragging me behind her as she sprints down hills.  Trying to keep up with her is a serious workout.

When I was looking at dogs over a year ago, one of my main reasons for getting a lab was to have a loyal running partner.  I'm not always a huge fan of running with humans because they like to talk (I'm often lost in thought when I run), so running with a four legged friend is perfect for me.

The best part about running with Cam is that sometimes, mid-stride, she'll glance back at me grinning ear to ear with her tongue hanging out.  I can tell she is having a blast hoofing it around D.C. and Arlington.  Also, I get to pick up on her puppy attention deficit disorder by watching her ears perk up at birds, buses, beer bottles and babies.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that I'm tempted to cross the street to the other sidewalk when I see a stroller because I know Cameron's nose is going straight to the baby's toes.  She loves giving babies kisses (and some parents don't find her as amusing as I do).

Last night, we ran down past the Air Force Memorial, and I thought it was a good place for us to stop and take a look at the city.  There was no guard to scowl at Cameron and no tourists for her to terrorize, so the brown dog and I trotted up to the memorial and sat down under the massive structure.  I asked Cameron to sit beside me, and I put my arm around her and pointed out all the sights in Washington from Georgetown and the Waterfront to the Washington Monument to the Jefferson Memorial and Arlington Cemetery to our immediate left.

Not that Cameron really understood or appreciated me showing her the entire city from our vantage point, but she gave me a loving look when I finished pointing out the landmarks and licked me from my chin to my eyebrows.  Best running partner ever.

Happy running!

Random Thoughts.

Two things to be excited about today:  1.  My trivia team came in fourth last night and 2.  Glee is back after a totally unnecessary month-long hiatus.

Neither of these things may seem like a big deal, but my team came in fourth on a really off night.  And we play in an ultra competitive league (aka we don't go there just to get drunk) - I think we were all pretty psyched to make the top five. 

I felt really comfortable with the first category "Sports Movie Characters" because well, I like movies and LOVE sports.  I could quote Love and Basketball or The Natural in my sleep...piece of cake, right?  Wrong.

Roughly mid-way through the first round, Chad (our team savant) and I were exchanging puzzled glances across the table.  Who was that drunk guy from Hoosiers?  (Yes, his name was Shooter...we were right - checked Wiki this morning).  Roy McAvoy?  Never heard of him!  (Turns out he was the main character in The Fan).  Danny Noonan - who?  We were left scratching our heads at the end of the round, and I felt a little disheartened at my lack of sports movie knowledge - that category should have been right in my wheel house.  John Joyce would be ashamed!

I'd like to say that we made a valiant comeback and performed exceptionally in the next three rounds, but I think this week no team was firing on all cylinders.  Regardless, I'll take that fourth place with pride and chalk it up as a W in my book.  Plus, we do have an awesome team name:  Treat 'em Like Dirt, They Stick Like Mud.  That counts for something, right?

The other thing that totally has me fired up is GLEE!!!  I can finally stop reading spoilers and combing the internet for leaked song lists (yes, I am that big of a fanatic and a huge dork).  Hey, I never claimed to be cool. 

For the next month and a half, my Tuesdays will be happy and song-filled, and I won't have to watch Glee DVDs to get my weekly fix of show tunes.  In honor of the return of our favorite misfits from New Directions (say it out loud really slow...cracks me up every time), I'm throwing a little shin-dig tonight for a few other Glee fanatics.  I can barely sit still in my desk chair, I'm so excited.

I'm going to make an exception and run with my iPod this afternoon with Glee blasting through my headphones.  Yes, it's happening.

Happy running (and Glee watching - Fox @ 8 PM)!

Dog Tired - I now know the meaning.

It's been a little while...actually, it's been a very long while since I've posted or run.  I apologize.  Today is my first day back!

After being sick for two weeks, I'm starting to feel like myself again.  I knew that I'd turned the corner when I was sitting in the McDonald's drive thru at 3:30 AM Sunday morning singing a duet to Glee's cover of "Defying Gravity" (since I'd offered to be the designated driver for Saturday night's club adventure).  It was the latest I'd been awake in a long time, and I didn't feel completely awful.  Hell, I was willing to take my hungry passengers to McDonald's instead of dropping them off at home without their greasy fix.

To let you know how I've felt the past two weeks, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster.  I went from bad to better to worse to death and back to bad.  Now, I'm hovering somewhere around 90% - I will take that any day!  Yesterday was my first day with any real exercise (unless you count a little two-steppin' Saturday night), and I wasn't winded and barely coughed.

The weather finally broke yesterday, and it was a beautiful day for hiking.  We went out to Scott's Run Park along the Potomac, and Cameron was more than excited to run along the trails kicking up leaves, playing with sticks, sniffing out a deer carcass (gross, Cam) and even doing some swimming! 

My little brown buddy brought her favorite toy, a bumper given to her by my dad, and I kept throwing it out into the water for her to retrieve.  First, her tail would go crazy at the sight of the toy, and I would make her sit patiently and wait for me to throw it.  At the second the bumper left my hand, she would go splashing out into the Potomac after her toy to bring it back and drop at my feet. When Cam was finally tired, she collapsed in the shallow water along the bank, a bathing beauty.

Cameron was so tired that she fell asleep in the car on the way home, and when I opened the back hatch to let her out at home, she rolled right out of the car.  Luckily, I caught her before she hit the pavement, but she wasn't phased at all, still blinking sleepily at me as I held her in the parking lot (at close to 50 lbs., she's a little heavy to haul around in my arms now).

This morning, I planned on getting a workout in before coming into the office but my alarm didn't go off, so I'll squeeze in a quick run before trivia tonight.  Wish me luck on my first day back!

Happy running!

Guilty Conscience

Don't get all 'riled up...I feel guilty about not running (nothing really juicy).  I also feel a little guilty about not blogging this morning, and it's been nagging at me all day.

On the health side, I'm feeling a little better today - I HOPE I'm on the back side of my illness and will be hoofing it around town again tomorrow.  I have a cough and I'm wheezing some when I breathe, but I didn't wake up with a pounding headache today or puffy cheeks.  Yes, I'm painting an attractive picture of myself (I realize that).  I'm eager to start running again, but I don't want to be overzealous and relapse.  It seems like forever since I've run, and I know it doesn't take long to lose momentum while training. 

More than anything, today I'm a little down.  I haven't run, work is stressful, the weather is lousy and I'm still not healthy...essentially, I hate not operating at one hundred percent, and it's been awhile since I've felt that way.  If I had to pick a color to sum up my feelings today, it would be gray.

That's why I put off blogging this morning.  Even Peter King's "Tuesday Morning Quarterback" didn't come online till well after 12:00 PM.  Trust me, I know.  I check SI.com religiously every Monday and Tuesday morning for his column.

My uncle and I are supposed to go to the Nats/Phillies game tonight, but who knows if the weather will hold off?  I know watching some baseball (regardless of the weather) and spending a little time with him will cheer me up.  I just feel like I need a little pick-me-up to get me out of this "gray" mood.

Here's hoping that there's a break in the weather and in the pollen levels in Washington.

Happy running!