Texans, Sun/Sand, and Cheese

Whew - this is by far the latest post I've ever done. Almost one full year late. And three at a time! Oh boy. My kids need to choose a new word to describe me (currently, the words are "fast" and "clean." (Clean is still true.)

I'm so behind (on the blog - I'm actually doing quite well staying on top of my 50 in 50 count) that I need to bust through these three as best I can. They are unrelated and it might not be my best post, but here goes.

It'll be like a triathlon of blogging.

Let me first take you back to December 2015. Donald Trump proves he's unfit to be president by calling for a ban on Muslims entering the US (please vote!) Star Wars the Force Awakens comes to theaters. And I travel to Houston, TX for a mini reunion with some of my favorite people.

Love these women! (kids, spouses, and dogs not pictured but also loved)

Running like a diva means running late

Sometimes I struggle with whether or not to keep up with this blog, for several reasons:

1. Google won't let me change the email address associated with it to another gmail address so it takes forever for me to get to it
2. I feel pulled in many directions in my new domestic life and am no longer good at getting these written quickly
3. I'm not sold that the blog itself is all that interesting

Those things may be true, but what keeps me going, albeit slowly, is this:

1. I want to keep up the kiva donations.

This is the part of the race where I'm starting to feel some pain. And maybe like in a race, I just need to shift my stride. Put less stress on certain areas, run a bit looser, remind myself of the goal.

So I'll stick with it.

And this time, I thought dressing like a deranged fairy princess might add a bit more fun to the mix.

A tiara can never hurt, right?

Happy Fall, Y'all

I am not one of those people who goes ga-ga over the fall but I do love a lot about the season and have plenty to be thankful for as I think about this time of year winding down.

First, as today is my birthday (!), I am thankful to those who gave me the gift of life and all those who, like them, have done a wonderful job contributing to making it a great one so far.

I am also thankful for my running buddies who come up with cool ideas like running field trips and super not-lame catch phrases like "America's Fast-time."

On Saturday, our field trip coordinator, Kevin, pulled a bunch of us together for our second official trail fun run - this time in Saltsburg. Most of the group decided to go for 13 miles, but Kevin and Arthur, as hard core as they are, pulled out 18. We had three bikers so water was not a problem - even less so as the run was out and back with a fountain at the turn-around point by the dam. The trail was beautiful and despite a few challenging hills, not too difficult. Though a bit late in the season, we lucked out with temps in the 50s and were still able to enjoy the pretty leaves.

Afterwards, we went to the Olde Salt Restaurant for lunch, where I was given more butter and syrup for my French Toast than 10 sugar-hungry little kids could have handled. We also took a cheesy Brady Bunch-esque picture on the stairs. Nice.

Gotta love this season...and though we may be close to the next one, you won't be hearing me say "Deck the Halls Y'all" until after Thanksgiving.

Discovery Zone

Do you guys remember that place? I never actually went...or maybe went once to pick up my sister and just glimpsed the inside or something, but it really did seem like the place for birthday parties for a while, didn't it?

My mind comes up with weird blog titles.

Anyway, my discovery zone was at the New River Gorge in Minden, West Virgina for the ACE New River Gorge-ous Trail Run & Walk where I discovered, in a short period of time, that I am not a trail runner.

(though I was still able to do this at the end of the race...guess I was glad it was over!)

Thought process prior to the run: I like running. I like hiking. I'll like trail running!

Thought process during the run:
Mile 1: Okay, I'm not prepared for this.
Mile 2: Thank God I wore my trail runners. (Stability was a big concern.)
Mile 3: I think I'll just do the 8 mile loop. Is that giving up?
Mile 4: We are definitely stopping for pizza on the way home.
Mile 5: I am only going to walk up the hills, but I'm going to walk up every one of them.
Mile 6: I'm doing the 8 mile loop. This is ridiculous.
Mile 7: Okay, I guess I'm doing the whole thing. At least I'll run fast when running so this thing will be over quickly enough....maybe I can finish in 2:15?
Mile 8: At least I'll keep moving forward. I'll finish in 2:30. Just keep that girl in the blue shirt in sight.
Mile 9: Where is everybody? Oh yeah, they all passed me a long time ago.
Mile 10: Water stop and 3 miles left. This is not so bad. If I get back in 2:30, we'll have plenty of time for burritos before we go get pizza.
Mile 11: I *#$! hate these rocks (Okay, I swore a lot on this mile...but if you swear in the woods and there is no one around to hear it, does it make an offensive sound?)
Mile 12: I can't believe I went the wrong way. I'll have to go back down that hill to look for the arrows. (minutes later): I can't believe that wasn't the wrong way. I'll have to go back UP that *&#$! hill. (offended birds and squirrels cover their ears)
Mile 13: Praise the Lord. Time for burritos and pizza.