Running...My Model

Tonight I am spending some time with the hydrothermal model I am building for some research I'm doing at Vandy. It is actually very interesting work, I just need time to spend on it. I am one who never really minds being busy, but this week took it to an extreme. I actually spent almost 70 hours at the office!!

The past few weeks have been fun. Two weeks ago, I ran Ellie's Run for Africa. It was a fantastic experience! I have also been spending a lot of time at Juro Stables learning how to ride with the most fantastic horse, Wendy. My instructor, Brandon, is very patient and I think a little amused by me. He also turns out to be a talented musician (click his name)!

I am trying to keep up my training schedule. I am going a little slower than I expected and have only completed three weeks on the schedule. It is not so much that I am not running regularly, rather, I am not running the pace and distance I would like. I am now up to a daily five mile minimum. That is pushing it a bit for me, especially in this heat. I may hold here for a couple of weeks before adding any more distance.

Ok, back to running...my model, that is.

A Change of Scenery...

...is something I definitely did not get today!!

One or two times a week I run at the track, this is my ABSOLUTE least favorite workout. I feel a little like a hamster on a wheel...or something equally as frustrating. I ran 4.5 miles this morning and the scenery never changed; it was a good workout, though.

I focus a lot on my time and how I feel when I run at the track because there really is not much else to do. I always try to pick some really good tunes, but this morning I had not put too much thought into it. That is why, at the beginning of mile 3, I was very pleasantly surprised when I heard the opening bars to Journey's Don't Stop Believing. The image of my very good friend, Matt, and I singing (or screaming) that very song at the top of our lungs at numerous Christmas parties immediately put a smile on my face.

I think it also increased my pace!!!

Immediately after that, Katy Perry made me wish I had woken up in Vegas...

Anyone up for a trip?

So, I am up way past my usual bedtime and I am sure I will struggle with getting up in the morning. I have a million more things to write...the possibility of a DC trip in the near future, more about my budding garden, and of course the horseback riding lesson I scheduled for this Saturday!

Setting the Stage for a Great Day

Today was my first serious run in a couple of weeks. It was not that difficult, an easy 3 miles; it gave me some time to think. I have spent the last month reacting to my surroundings and have spent very little time taking anything in. I am not complaining....I have had a fantastic month. I just think that sometimes you need to take some time to understand why you enjoy what you enjoy. This morning I thought a lot about why I enjoy my morning runs...

• There are two sweet faces waiting for me downstairs every morning...I'm sure it is mostly because they are hungry, but I like to think its because they think I'm fabulous.

• My neighborhood is so pleasant. When I walk out the front door at 5am, there is always someone else out walking their dog or jogging.


• I get to set the soundtrack of my day during my early morning runs. Many times the music I listen to while running determines my mood for the day...it energizes me or helps me relax or even puts me in the mood for having some fun.


• Upon returning home, I get to do one of my favorite tasks of the morning, tending to my plants. This year, I think I'm going to be a very successful gardener. I've already got 4 types of lettuce and spinach and I will soon have tomatoes and peppers.

• Most importantly, mornings are always better with a fresh pot of coffee.

I am so happy that I made the effort to run this morning. It was completely worth it!!! I am actually looking forward to waking up at 4:45 tomorrow morning to do it all again.

Back on Track

I have finally recovered from not feeling so well recently. I have had a lot going on and probably did not recover as quickly as I would have if I had not been so busy.

Here's a quick recap of my May Madness!

May 9 my sister, Hillary, graduated from Auburn with an Architecture degree. It was a really good time.

Three weekends ago I was in a wedding for one of my oldest friends, Laura.

It was a great time and she was a beautiful bride.

The following weekend, I was in Pigeon Forge with Jeanne and some of her buddies. My camera battery died and I didn't take my charger, so I don't have any pictures. We stayed in a beautiful cabin and had tons of fun!!

This weekend was one of the best I have spent in Nashville. Astyn and Kathrin were in town for a visit and we had a fabulous time. Saturday afternoon we went horseback riding.

My horse really liked to run. We ran everywhere, on the trails, in the open fields...everywhere. I really enjoyed it! At one point, our guide actually told me that I had to slow down! I think he was completely entertained by our group.

We also went to a couple of the honky tonks; we wanted to make it to more, but Tootsies was so much fun that we couldn't tear ourselves away. It was quite possibly the perfect Nashville night.

The last couple of weeks I have only done a few short runs because I didn't feel very well. Tomorrow morning it is back to the training schedule. I am already a little sore from the horseback riding and the insane amount of dancing we did Saturday night, so I can only imagine what tomorrow is going to feel like. I am looking forward to it, though. I have missed the way it feels to start the day with a long run.