108

When this "little" streak started, I really had no idea where it would lead me.  Sure, I knew that what I was attempting was something new by trying to run everyday for 60 days, 100 days, what have you, but I had no idea where my miles and paces would go.  I really had thought that my legs would eventually begin to revolt and that there would be more bad or hard days than good.  Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

Last week I had dreams of maybe, just maybe hitting 100 miles, and although I kind-of had my goals and heart set on meeting that, I wasn't sold on the idea that it was even possible.  Each day I'm able to run, and continue the streak, is a gift, and no set number of miles was going to make or break it.  This week though, when I started the week, I had a little bit of excitement as I thought what I could really attempt this week.  During this whole streak, aside for a few days, my legs have felt strong and fresh.  And when Monday came, after back to back races and double days, they felt great and I set out for my first run of the day with my friend Jana.  Together we tackled 10 miles, negative splitting, leaving us both feeling awesome and fresh.  When I got home, my legs were not tired, so I jumped on the old hamsterwhizzle and pounded out another 6.  Whoo hoo, 16 miles for Monday!  100 might just be possible!

And so the week went on, I continued to split up my runs and get into the double digits each day, running easy for one, and a bit faster harder on the other.  I have found that double days really agree with my legs, they enjoy the break up of the speed and I feel like they are really thriving on it.  By Friday though, after a long week of double digit days and my day job, my head had a hard time wrapping around the idea of even running one mile.  For the first time during the streak...I didn't want to run!  I know, GASP!  By the time I got home from work, it was almost six, and I was looking at the mileage I would need for the next three days to hit 100 and I was instantly overwhelmed.  13.37 miles each day minimum was needed, and staring down that barrel made me sick to my stomach.  But I changed my clothes, laced up my shoes, turned the TV on and just started running on the treadmill.  The first 3 miles were horrible, and I did everything I could to keep running.  Finally by mile 5, my legs and head warmed up, and the running high kicked in.  It was short lived though, and by mile 7 I just wanted to be done!  I lasted just two more miles and called it a day a 9.  I haven't had a hard run mentally like that in a long time.  I keep telling myself through this running streak, and all of my running, that the second this isn't fun anymore, it's time to quit for a while.  I went to bed that night thinking the streak might just be over and there was no way I was going to hit 100.

Saturday I had a running date with my buddy Punky.  Nothing like a running date to get you out of bed at 5:30 on a Saturday morning to run in 30 degree weather.  I loathed the idea of running as I got ready and shoved peanut butter toast and coffee down my throat.  As I drove I thought of a million of excuses to call him and tell him I was bailing, but soon enough I arrived at the trail and we were off in some of the coldest weather I have ever ran in.  Yes, I know, I'm a California wimp - cut me some slack though, it hardly ever gets that cold here!  Soon enough the miles were passing and we were turning around at 6.  I felt so much better on the way back.  My legs woke up, the fog of my running blues lifted and I enjoyed the run again.  When we finished, I felt great!  I felt renewed.  I instantly started doing the math in my head of what I needed to hit 100 for the weekend - 22.  22 miles stood between me and 100 miles for the week - it sounded very doable.

When I got home that morning, I changed into some dry clothes and headed out for a few more.  I had no idea what my legs or head were capable of, but soon enough I was hitting mile 10 and feeling fantastic.  I knew I had to stop though, 22 miles in one day is enough for one person, especially when those last 10 were ran at an 7:21/mi pace!  Oh, and I had my little sister's b-day cake to bake ;)  My legs and mojo were back after 22 miles - and now all that stood between me and 100 was 10 little miles ;)

I slept like garbage Saturday night - just like after I run a marathon.  Again, I made a running date with Punky to ensure I would get up and get the miles done.  Both Punky and I are training for the 50K, so back to back long runs is not a bad thing.  Punky though, has a 50 miler in just a few weeks after the 50K, so persuading him to run was not hard at all ;)  When I woke up this morning, I was met again with dread and not wanting to run.  I was exhausted, and even one mile sounded like one mile too long.  Oh, and it was even colder this morning, 29!!  Sheesh!  I'm ready for spring!  Thankfully, misery loves company, and Punky was just as sluggish as me.  We took it easy, did some great hill work and soon enough we were back after 10 miles and I hit my 100!!!  Nothing like a little run to make you snap out of it and realize just how wonderful your life is.  I just hit 100 miles and I was beyond stoked!  Thanks again Punky for meeting the milestone with me, I couldn't have done it without you ;)

When I got home from running, I was exhausted!  I told my hubbs I was just going to lay down for a second, and well, that turned into a 45 minute nap!  Guess I was tired!  By the time I woke up, I felt great again.  I ate some lunch, hung out with the fam and that old familiar itch to run crept back in.  Yes, I know, I hit my goal of 100 miles for the week.  But my legs and head still had the urge to run!  A stark contrast to the 2 days prior.  So I jumped at the opportunity to run again.  I laced up and set out into a cool, brisk winter afternoon with no goals other than to enjoy the miles ;)

Right away, my legs wanted to move.  I couldn't hold back, and soon enough I was checking off miles that I had no idea were capable after 100+ miles for the week.  I was back in love with running and just enjoying the whole run.  As you can see from my splits - my legs and heart enjoyed the run! 7:49, 7:38, 7:21, 7:08, 7:12, 6:59, 6:46 and my 108th mile for the week was my fastest at 6:24!!  Where that came from, I have no clue, but that whole run I was on cloud 9!  I didn't feel like I was pushing too hard, just enjoying a little speed and the beautiful afternoon. 

When this week started, I had a goal in mind, but I had no idea how I would hit it.  I had no idea if it was even possible, but I put my head down and just ran.  I ran though some great feelings, with some great people, and through some hard mental struggles.  I had highs and lows - which I now know, comes with the territory when you hit triple digits with miles in one week.  I had no idea that this kind-of mileage or speed was even possible with a running streak, but I'm here to tell you, anything is possible when you're a stubborn red head ;) 

Today was day 52, I ran 18 miles, and 108 for the week.  I'm truly amazed at all of that.  I will admit though, I'm a bit scared.  What's next?  What to do for an encore?  At 100 days will I be satisfied?  If I hit 115 miles in a week, will I be satisfied?  I almost can't think about any of those possibilities at the moment, I can only do what I can with the day I have in front of me.  One more day of running in the streak is a gift, no matter how many miles I hit.  Each week I run with out injury is a gift.  Each day I can get up and put one foot in front of the other is a gift, I don't intend to waste any of it.  For now, I'm going to keep plugging away.  I'm going to keep with that mantra, "one run at a time," because truly, that is all that we can control.  I will be more than excited if I'm able to hit 100 again this week or the next, or the week after that.  But I will also be excited for each day that I'm able to run.

Thanks again for all the encouragement this week!  You guys are truly motivation for me!  Reading and seeing what all of you are accomplishing is very inspiring, and I often think of all of you each time I lace up.  Thanks again to Punky for keeping me sane this weekend and believing that I had it in me even when I didn't - that meant more to me than you'll ever know ;)

I'm off to catch up with all of you!  Trust me I'm reading, but my comments may be sparse as I have a few miles to run and I'm in the thick of tax season!  Cograts to Tonia for an awesome half marathon PR this weekend!  You rock chica!
Happy Running peeps!

I Never Claimed to be Sane

Oh man, I won't bore you all with one long blog post right now.  I'll just give you all some highlights in bullet form - sometimes I even bore myself ;)

• The week before, I had my highest mileage ever, 76, during the worst week ever for me.  When this last week started, I wanted to see what I could do when I felt good and had less stress - it's official, I broke 90 miles this week!  91 to be exact, but who's counting ;)  My legs felt awesome all week, and let's just say, this week, I don't expect that number to go down at all!
• Today is day 46 - I ran 16 miles - again, I never said I was sane ;)
• I ran two races this weekend - one Saturday in the worst conditions ever.  Punky and Tara came out to run, too!  Two of my fav running peeps! A half marathon in rain, wind, cold and gravel.  But...I came out on top.  Despite having 53 miles on my legs before the race, I ran a PR of 1:34!!  Yes, I know, I'm in shock, too!  That was a 7:11/mi pace for the race - and my last 3 miles were 7:09, 7:04 & 6:49!  I'm beyond excited about this - and more excited to see what I can do with rested legs, a better course and conditions.  Unfortunately though, it wasn't a certified race, so darn the luck, I have to go and get my NY qualifier somewhere else!
• After the race, I came home and pulled a crazy again - and ran another 6 miles on the hamsterwheel to loosen up my legs & get my long run done.  I'm really enjoying breaking up my long run.  If I run slow in the morning, I'll do some speed in the afternoon.  If I run fast in the morning, I'll do an easier pace in the afternoon - it seems to be working out well.
• Sunday was a trail 20K with my buddy Punky again.  It was cold, and I think I told him more than once that I was just going to stay in the warm car and sit this one out.  

Freezing my butt off before (hey, it was 36 out, that's cold for this California girl!)

• Since we had been pelted by rain here in the Bay for 5 days straight, it was a muddy scene out there.  But Punky and I took our time and enjoyed the beautiful scenery running around Lake Chabot.  We warmed up quickly, especially when we picked up the pace as we ran by a shooting range!  We were NOT expecting to hear gun shots on our beautiful early morning trail run.  I took it easy, probably slowing down Punky in the process, but ran the uphills and walked the downhills as to not tear my quads up or fall on my butt in the mud.  We finished with 10.75 miles and jumped right into the car to get warm!  We also may or may not have been beaten by a blind man ;)

One muddy hill!

• After getting home and getting warmed up, you guessed it, I jumped on the TM to finish off the day.  But...let me defend myself!  I was at 84 miles and I wanted to see if I could hit 90!  As soon as I started running I felt awesome.  My legs welcomed a little even pace on the hamsterwheel and I finished the day with 18 miles and 91 for the week!  Whoo hoo!  That really made me smile ;)

As you can see, I had one hell of a crazy week!  I think I'm going to be more than prepared for my 50K in March, but more than anything, I am excited to see where my paces are going to be when May comes around.  I'm going to continue to ride the running streak for as long as possible.  My legs are feeling fresh and awesome, and I couldn't be more pleased.

I'm off to catch up with all of you!  Congrats to everyone who raced this weekend, especially my buddy LB who had a huge 5K PR and to Denise who also had a huge 5 miler PR!  You guys rock!

Happy Running Peeps!

A Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Week

As you can tell by the title of this post, my week was less than stellar.  Although, I have to say that I thank God that everything has worked out for the best.  Things could have been worse, and for that I'm grateful.

The week started out great.  The job has been going really well, and so far this is the easiest tax season I have ever had.  Now, mind you, it's only the second week of February, and I'm sure I have just jinxed myself by saying that.  But usually by this time of the year, I am beginning to loose my hair AND my mind.  So far, things are going smoothly, a lot less stressful than ever before and for that, in this moment, I'm grateful.

My horrible, terrible, no good, very bad week though, came on with a vengeance Wednesday morning.  I have an hour commute to work.  I travel down a main highway that has bumper to bumper traffic all morning.  It has a reputation for being a dangerous freeway, mainly because people just drive way too fast and have little to no patience for their fellow mankind.  I always take my time though, going to work.  I leave early enough that if I were to hit a major traffic hiccup, I'm still on time.  And if I'm not on time, it's never the end of the world.  Wednesday I was just driving along, had my hands at 10 & 2, paying attention to traffic, when OUT OF NO WHERE a woman in a giant Toyota Sequoia SUV decided to get in front of me and hit her breaks.  I was doing about 30 miles an hour, had a car length between me and the person in front of me, and she just squeezed in for no reason.  I couldn't stop in time though, and I rear ended her.  It was awful.  My car was totaled right away.  I drive (drove) a Mercedes CLK 350 convertible, a smaller two -door sports car, and her bumper just ate me up.  Thankfully though, my car saved my life.  It did everything it was supposed to do, everything it was designed to do.  It helped me break faster, it crumpled in all the right spots, it rolled down the windows, it turned on the hazards, shut the power off the car and even dialed the police for me as I sat in a haze with my airbag deployed and trying to figure out what had just happened.  When I looked up a split second later, the freeway, that is usually jammed packed, was empty.  Even the SUV that hit me was gone.  About 2 minutes later, I see the SUV driving backwards for over a mile on the right hand shoulder.  She had driven off, probably didn't even know I hit her GIANT car and saw finally in her rear view mirror my crumpled, smoking car.  I was lucky.  My face never touched the air bag, the seat belt pulled me into my seat, I even heard it lock me down in the collision.  After I realized more exactly what happened, the tears just came.  My arms were burned from the air bag.  They were bruised, and so was my collar bone and neck from the seat belt - but I was alive!  I had survived a major crash, and my car did everything for me that I wasn't able to do.

It seemed to take forever for the ambulance, fire truck and police to show up.  I'm sure it was only a matter of minutes, though.  I was so grateful that my car had the S.O.S. system in it, like OnStar, only for Mercedes, because I was so shaken and hurt I could barely call my husband five minutes later and tell him what had happened.  Apparently I only said I was in an accident on the freeway and I was hurt.  He jumped in the car right away to meet me, but it took him a long time to get there because of all the traffic back up I had caused.  Shock set in and I started feeling pretty good.  But the fire chief on the scene told me he really wanted me to get on the back board and take me to the hospital.  Within minutes, I was laying on the side of the freeway, looking up at the blue sky, being braced down to a back board and loaded into an ambulance.  It all felt so surreal.  One second I was being a cautious driver, the next I had a totaled car and was in an ambulance.  Just as they were pulling away with me in the ambulance, my husband showed up and took care of everything I couldn't.  Thankfully, THANKFULLY I had the best group of emergency people show up and help me.  The fire chief even went though my purse and car and got all my id's and cards out for me, all while cracking jokes and attempting to make me smile.  I think at one point he told me my car was fine, that it would just need a little touch up paint! LOL!  By the time I arrived at the hospital, I was in some pain, but I was alive and had nothing broken.

The ER doctor said I really dodged a bullet and that it was thanks to my car and my safe driving that I walked away ok.  I had a few x-ray's done, but thankfully nothing had broken - only my confidence.  This all happened at 7:20 a.m. and by 9:30 I was home licking my wounds and asking, "what the hell just happened?"  I did nothing wrong on Wednesday.  I was driving safe.  No cell phone, no radio on, I hadn't even eaten my breakfast or drank my coffee yet - I was just driving.  She just pulled in front of me and slammed on her breaks for no reason - the only damage done to her car was a bent tow hitch.  My poor, pretty, SAFE car is gone, and I know it's only a car, IT SAVED MY LIFE, but I'm sad about it.  Now I have the wonderful task of having to buy another one - something I'm not looking forward to.  In an instant everything changed, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Later that afternoon, after I napped, iced and took some Advil, I went for a run.  YES, I know, probably not something anyone would recommend.  But it was the most glorious run ever.  I was alive, I was un-hurt for the most part, minus a few bruises and burns.  My legs worked still, the streak continued and I got to just let my mind rest while I ran.  Those are the types of runs I live for, the therapeutic ones where you think about nothing but one foot in front of the other.  I was angry, I was sad and I was so thankful that I had walked away alive.  I'm still dealing with some nerves while driving.  I'm a good driver, a confident, safe driver, but right now I'm more than nervous while I'm on the road, especially on the freeway.  I know that it will get better, that time will heal this, but in the mean time I'm more than cautious.

Thursday and Friday I worked half days, sitting at the computer more than 4 or 5 hours really hurt my neck.  So I took full advantage of the beautiful weather and the extra time to just run.  Funny enough, my neck and collar bone did not hurt while I ran.  Maybe it was just all the endorphins and happy thoughts that I was still able to run that masked anything, but today I feel great.  No pain, just my arms are still a bit sensitive to the touch where the burns and bruises are, and my collar bone a little sensitive to the touch, too.  My streak continues.  You know what one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind immediately after the accident was?  You guessed it, MY STREAK!  I would be damned if this careless, wreck-less driver was going to ruin it for me.  In those early moments though, when everything was hazy and I had no idea what was in store for me, a lot of the tears were for my fear that the streak was lost.  I know, it sounds crazy, but I could only think that my running would help me heal through it all...and it did.

I don't know still what is going on with the insurance, thankfully the hubbs is taking care of it.  I never saw my car after the accident.  But it didn't look good from the view I had.  I don't think I could see my pretty, now wrecked car, and not cry.  I still tear up and want to sob when I think of everything that happened and could have happened.  Lots of tears have been shed since Wednesday when I think about it all.  I know it was by no means a life or death thing, but it did reaffirm for me that life is pretty damn short and that we only get one shot at it. 

I finished off the week today with a great 20 miler.  I got up early and met my buddy Punky for a run.  It was cold when we started, but we finished 8 strong miles together, averaging 9:07.  I came home, ate, stretched and went out to finish my day with another strong 12.  If you've been following me on daily mile, you would know my left quad has been less than happy with me.  It gets knotted really easy after my runs, and stretching, ice and my new BFF Tiger Balm are working wonders.  Thankfully today it cooperated, and I finished the week with 76 miles - my biggest running week ever!  And to think, I crashed and totaled my car on Wednesday.  Guess my running really helped me get over it all.  Next week will be a cut back week for me, I'm really looking forward to it.  The streak continues at 38 days!

I know I babbled a bit here - it was actually quite therapeutic to get it all out of my head.  So, as you can see, between mourning the car crash and running a zillion miles, I had little to no time to catch up with all of you.  But it is my priority tomorrow night, as my valentine will be working.  Thank you all for the encouragement this week as I continue on this crazy streak.  I'm loving seeing what my body and my head can accomplish when I have a big goal in mind.
Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's day and you spend it with the people who matter most to you ;)
Happy Running Peeps!

30 Days

As I sit here today, I'm on day 31 of my streak.  As I mentioned in my last post, I had high hopes of making it to at least day 30, but now that it has come and gone I sit here thinking what's next?  Through out these 30 days I have learned a ton about myself.  I have learned that I'm stronger than I thought, that my legs are strong and resilient, but above all, I have learned that when you have a goal in mind, all that stands between you and the finish is the mental attitude that you can get there if you really want to.

Running every day has become such a part of my routine, it's hard to imagine one day in the future of not lacing up and heading out for a run.  My day doesn't feel complete until I've logged my miles and had a good sweat.  I think there is some real truth to the 21 day habit thinking - it has become a habit, it has become more apart of me now than even before I started the streak.
I'm amazed at what I have accomplished.  By the numbers, here is where I stand at the end of the 30 days:
day started: January 8th - Crystal Springs Trail Half Marathon - 14.57 miles
miles logged: 255.4
average pace/mi: 8:15
long runs done: 4 - topping yesterday's 30 streak with a fast 18
pounds lost: close to 9-11 (I'm amazed at this!)

When I look at the raw numbers, I'm pretty dang proud.  I had no idea where this little streak would send me, but I just finished day 31 with another 8, and capping out my week with 68 miles - my highest mileage in I can't even remember!  Amazingly, my legs feel great!  I was a bit tired today when I set out, but it was windy and very warm, about 76, but I just pushed through and averaged a 7:55/mi pace - a pace I would have been ecstatic about just a few short months ago.

More than anything, I have seen my legs get faster.  I would not have imagined that would have happened over the course of running for 30 days straight, I would have thought the exact opposite.  But with the combination  of loosing quite a bit of pounds, rolling out daily and taking an ice bath a few times a week, my legs are loving this and are finally turning over at a pace I have been only dreaming about.  I feel almost as proud as when I crossed the finish line at CIM in December, and that's saying a lot!

With today being day #31, I can only think what's next?  I have been being very smart about my running, I'm eating a ton better, icing, stretching, rolling out, and I do believe this is what has kept me going.  My legs feel fresh everyday, and I am going to continue to ride this wave for as long as possible.  Right now I'm shooting for 60 days, but in all honesty, I would love to hit 100.  There's just something about 100 that sounds so bad ass! I know though, in order to keep going, I need to be smart about it.  I need to continue to listen to my body, fuel it well, and treat it like that temple that it is.  As I got farther and farther into the streak, I really tried to focus on what the benefits would be to me.  In the grand scheme of it all, I'm hoping that it will reap dividends when I toe the line for my first 50K in March - knowing what tired legs feels likes will really help me mentally when it gets tough out there.  Oh wait, forgot to mention that didn't I?  Oops!  I kind-of agreed to run a 50K in March with Punky.  Our friend isn't going to be able to run it (boo!) and offered me her bib!  Yayyy!  But, at the time I agreed to it, I hadn't looked at the date!  Oops again!  It's the day before my Shamrockin' Half!  Oh well, if I don't know what tired legs feels like now, I will then!  My original plan was to try and qualify for NY at Shamrockin', but now it will be just a fun run with some of my favorite running peeps.  There will be plenty of other half's this year to get that NY qualifying time, so I'm not at all bummed about that.  Oh, and if you noticed on my little side bar of upcoming races for the year, I added the Eugene Marathon on May 1st.  I was very much in need of a training plan when I signed up, I needed something to shoot and train for.  I have heard so many awesome things about this race and the timing just seemed to be perfect - AFTER tax season was all I needed to read ;)

As you can see, I have a busy schedule ahead of me.  But for the first time in a long time, I am finally feeling like my running has purpose, and that is a big relief to me.  I love to run, I love everything about it, but I do so much better when there is a carrot hanging in front of me like a goal race.  I'm hoping for a BIG PR there, so watch out, I'm thinking I'm going to have some more big weeks to come before race day.  Thanks again for all the support, knowing I have all of you cheering me on means a ton ;)

Congrats to all my friends who ran and raced this weekend!  Especially my buddy L.B. who had a HUGE PR at Surf City this weekend!  And my girl Page who also had a HUGE PR there in the half - that's a NY qualifying time!  You both are rockstars in my book!  Very proud of you both!!! CONGRATS!!

I'm off to catch off with all of you, enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday!!
Happy Running peeps!

Hello?? Anybody Still Here??

I've been a bad, bad blogger.  I hang my head in shame for not coming around for a while.  But I have my reasons.  I needed a break.  Life has gotten really busy, lots on my plate and lots to think about.  I started my new job a couple of weeks ago and it's going pretty darn good, couldn't ask for more.  The hour long commute in each direction leaves something to be desired, but I'm back in a routine, earning actual money and I'm doing what I love and do best: taxes.  Yes, you read that correct, I love taxes ;)

January was a big month for me.  Running has been very important to me and very much apart of my life.  Since January 8th I have been on a bit of a running streak!  I'm at day 26 and still going strong.  I didn't mean to start a running streak, I think it just came out of necessity due to all that was going on in my life.  I realized it one day when I was logging my latest workout and saw I hadn't taken a rest day in 10 days!  Wowza!  I was sure I had had one in between, apparently though, that was not the case.  With that realization came a thought:  I think I can keep going!  I think I can reach 20 days!  Then 20 turned into 30, and now I'm just four short days away from 30 and I think I'm going to keep going!  Surprisingly, my legs feel awesome, still fresh and fast, which I didn't know was possible.  I did have one day where my hip hurt and waited to do my run until later in the day, but aside from that little blip, my legs are loving it!  And my head thanks me, too ;)  I logged over 244 miles for the month of January - not a bad way to start the new year.

I really didn't have any rules for the streak, just that I run a minimum of 5 miles a day, and that has not been a problem what so ever - I usually end up doing at least six and am still getting in some good long runs on the weekend.  I used to see other runner's doing streaks and think they were crazy, but I am eating my words now.  Running each day has become such a habit, I can't see it ending any time soon!

To keep up the running though, and my job, and all my other responsibilities, I have been made to eat some more words: I have become a morning runner.  I never thought it possible that me, the afternoon/evening runner would ever be able to get up early and enjoy a run.  Well, my friends, I'm here to tell you, anything is possible when you want it.  I get to work around 8 am, which means I leave my house around 7, factoring in getting ready before hand and getting a run in means I am up at 4:30 each morning and at the gym by 5am!  Yes, 5am!  I am often waiting for them to unlock the doors! Who have I become?!  I will say, the first week was a little rough.  The first couple of miles were dreadful, and I couldn't find my pace very easy.  But after some time it has gotten so much easier and I'm actually loving having my run done before 6:30am!  Who knew!?  I also noticed that by mid-morning I don't feel like I ran at all, and if I could, I would lace up and run again.  But I have been good and not been doubling up...yet.  I'm actually enjoying my evenings home, not having the running monkey on my back!

Along with all my running, I have also managed to get a couple of trail races in!  Don't think I would stop racing, did you?  January 8th I did the Crystal Spring Trail Half Marathon with Punky and then this past weekend I did the Coyote Hills Trail Half with Punky, JoLynn, Stacey and a ton of other bloggy peeps.  It wasn't the most scenic course, but it was definitely great to be out running the trails with some of my favorite running peeps!  I have a few other fun trail runs and a half marathon coming up this month and next.  My credit card has gotten quite the workout lately.  I have decided to continue to sign up for races and play the wait and see game.  I hated not having anything on the calendar, and as we all know, it is cheaper to sign up early than to wait.  And if you're wondering, no, no news in that other department.

Punky, Stacey, JoLynn and me

(thanks Ron for the photo)

As you can see I've been up to my eyeballs in running and balancing my new job.  I didn't realize how cushy I had it at my last one or how wonderful it was to not have a schedule each day.  Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true! I am actually really enjoying the job, I just wish it would fit better around my social life and of course, running ;)  My twitter, Facebook and blogging time has taken a serious hit!  But I'm working on fitting it all in, one piece at a time.

I often read your blogs on my phone in between all the craziness, so sorry if I don't comment, I still am keeping up with all of you!  Some of you are doing and planning some amazing things, I love watching it all unfold for so many of you.  Keep it up! 

I will do my best to get back here again in the very near future.  Every day is different in the tax world, and unfortunately it is only going to get busier though May.  So my apologies in advance if my posting and comments are sporatic.  Just know I'm thinking about all of you and sending lots of good thoughts your way!  Drop me an email any time, I love to hear from you and often times that is how I communicate even with the fam now!  I know, tragic, but it's tax season, I'm on a running streak and life has gotten very, very busy ;)

Thanks for checking in!
Happy Running peeps!!