It's About Time

RUN REPORT: So, last week went really well. Didn't miss a run, logged 19 miles which is decent for me at this point. I ran all week on the treadmill (speed 6.0, elevation 3.0) and my weekend runs were outside on the golf course road. I have to admit that I am sick of this weather. The 3 miler on Saturday wouldn't have been bad at 34 degrees, but there were 15-25 mph winds. My Sunday 5 miler at 21 degrees was aweful, not a terrible run, just cold and damp and miserable. At least the sun was out! This week is a slight step up in mileage. I have a three miler today. The weekend will be busy so I am trying to reconfigure this week. We'll see!

Better Late Than Never

Last weekend I was in PA for Easter visiting my parents. I met up with a few of my high school friends that I literally had not seen in five, maybe ten years. We had an amazing time.

Our senior year of high school was one of the best years of my entire pre-college career. We had an amazing group of friends that we hung out with every weekend, going out to eat, going to movies, parties, bowling, playing pool, truth or dare, you name it. There were, maybe, ten or twelve of us. It was great. Our personalities were so diverse that we were never bored. We did butt heads often, though. By the time we were ready for college, a lot of us were getting on each other’s nerves. Over the next few years, most of us had lost touch. I decided that it was crazy for us not to keep in touch when, at one time, we were all so close.

Things change after ten years... it had been that long since I saw some of the friends that were present at this little reunion on Saturday night. One of the girls married one of the guys from our group and now has a baby, plus one on the way. Another is married as well, with two beautiful children. I, myself, am recently married and then we have two boys from the group still single, waiting for that perfect person to come along.

It was like nothing changed, except the addition of a baby at the table! We joked around and laughed, reminisced and talked about our lives. It was the perfect evening.

RUN REPORT: Yeah. Didn't run once in PA. SO MAD! Friday- it was freezing. Saturday- it snowed five inches. By Sunday I was just lazy and gave up. I did run yesterday and will run four tomorrow.

Three Runs in Pennsylvania

RUN REPORT: I had two decent runs this week so far, one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday, both on the treadmill. I have a three miler today which I wanted to do this AM, but between the wind and the 36 feels like 21, I decided to wait until things warm up. I may try Kish Park this afternoon, but sadly, I have gotten used to the protection of the treadmill. No bad weather, no cars, no dogs... I have no access to the Y or the gym here, so outdoors we will go! I forgot my running hat and my windbreaker (not too smart) so I'll have to wear another, more itchy hat and suck it up. The problem with being home and fitting in runs is that we are busy most of the day and then my motivation for running is gone, really just want to hang out with my mom, drinking tea and watching a movie. NOT THIS TIME! I'm going to run all weekend. I vow to run all weekend.

Through Rain, Snow, Sleet and Hail...

RUN REPORT: So this week was nothing to be proud of although I did get a three miler in on Friday that went well and today I did a fiver. Today's run was not so hot. I had a bowl of Grapenuts as a snack around lunch time as well as some stir fry (I was hungry, OK?) and it really didn't sit well, even though I waited three hours to run. I should know better. I felt heavy the entire run and my stomach was kinda tight. I'm sure not getting much running in the last two weeks didn't help that either. I should have probably cut this one short but I was determined. I'm glad I did it, but man, it was not easy. I did run a 9:07 mile, which isn't bad, for me. Also, through the course of the run I managed to get rained on, sleeted on and the sun showed it's face for a few minutes too. It just keeps getting better!

Conched Out

We spent most of our time at Atlantis but did take the ferry to downtown Nassau one morning. I'm not a big fan of being pushed to buy things (especially junk) but we did find a few souvenirs at the straw market.

The man in the boat, pictured above was extremely fascinating to me. He was docked right along the walkway in front of the straw market, presenting his wears to anyone who would look. It would be acceptable to assume that he went out, fished the beautiful conch and starfish out of the deep blue sea, cleaned them up and brought them to sell. He had a large group standing around him and he must have done well because, let's face it, there really isn't a plethora of quality items at the straw market to buy. A cynic would say that he bought them in bulk, put them in his boat and sold them for a much higher price. If that is the case he really did create a beautiful illusion. We didn't buy anything from this man, but we did admire what he had to offer.

RUN REPORT: There's not much to tell because work has overtaken my life this week and I have yet to run. Hopefully today will work out for me.

Thoughts on Marriage: Inspired by Le Tigre in France

Le Mari and I were married in August. We lived together through the engagement only (HUGE ADJUSTMENT) and after the wedding, our relationship has changed little- which is good. I sometimes feel that we get along better now than we did when we were dating. We are both very stubborn and "challenge" each other on a regular basis...

It's assumed that marriage is the next step to the perfect life but in reality, it's not easy. We have been together five years now and he still surprises me. I was good at being single and I found that even though we have been together five years, it is still hard for me to give up aspects of my independence and moving out of my apartment in the City to a house in the suburbs is still difficult. There is a lot of compromise involved. I encourage youngsters (yes, I said youngsters) to do everything they want before they get married because when you do, life really changes. Before, work was my life and I did basically what I wanted when I wanted to do it. Now I focus on Le Mari as much as I can, every decision I make revolves around how it will effect him. I cook, clean (as much as I can without killing myself!) and adjust to life with a "roommate" again. Laundry doubles, dishes double. There is plenty of time for marriage and children, with them come much responsibility. Take your time. If they love you, they will wait for you to do what you need to do whether it be advancement in your career, travel, etc. I waited and have no regrets or feel that there was something I wished I had done or experienced. I can love Le Mari without the resentment that I see forming in so many middle aged women who were married with children so young. When you are ready, laundy will be a pleasure. Well... let's not go that far!

RUN REPORT: I ran one day in the Bahamas. The weather was beautiful and the run was nice. It was only three(fairly slow)miles and then I got a bit lazy because, let's face it, I WAS on vacation. Otherwise, I got plenty of excercise walking on the beach every day and swimming in endless pools. Wonderful vacation, highly recommended. Stay in the Quality Suites, they are half the price of Atlantis and you have use of all the facilities. Well worth the trip and a great place for kids and adults alike.

Bahama Mamma

Well, hopefully the short amount of running did me some good because I am off to the Bahamas tomorrow and I don't plan to wear much more than a bathing suit the entire time. God, I can't wait to see the sun again and wear skimpy clothes! I LOVE skimpy clothes! All these sweaters are just NOT working for me anymore! The above picture is of me and my mother the first time I was ever in the Bahamas. I was 16.

Le Mari is staying home. He has recently been promoted at work and doesn't want to make waves. I really am going to miss him. He loves the ocean and marine life. Atlantis would be the perfect vacation for him. It is really hard for me to leave him behind, but let's face it, I need a vacation and it's not my fault he's missing out! I know, so insensitive! I'll be hanging out with my parents who I am very close to. So, my friends, in honor of a much needed "spring break", I will leave you with this: Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahamas, come on pretty mamma, Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we go to Jamaica...

RUN REPORT: so, I ran my first five miler yesterday for the first time in months and I can say without hesitation that it was the best five miler I have run in years. I felt great. The temp started out remotely warm (38) but it cooled off quickly since I went at 5PM. I did it in 9:04/mi, which is pretty good considering how out of shape I am. This week I ran 15.5 miles total. Nice. I saw a few deer yesterday, which was cool. I really cannot feel much better. I feel complete.

I plan to run during vacation. We'll see if that actually happens! Ahh... the road to life is paved with good intentions...