5K -ill-a-thon

Nick and I ran in our first 5K last weekend. This had been a goal of mine since this summer, when I started doing my from "Couch to 5K" training schedule. I had never been a big outdoor runner; I really enjoyed running on a treadmill in the gym being able to watch tv, listen to music, and not think about anything. But with no treadmill of my own and a busy schedule, I wasn't getting any work out time in and adding a few pounds on.

So I decided to take it easy, start from scratch, and learn to enjoy running outdoors. At first the transition from treadmill to cement was tough, my toe-striker running style wasn't very comfortable in longer runs. I adapted my style, kept running, and wah-la! 5K.

My stellar husband finished right around 21-22 minutes, with a great ~7min/mile pace. I, however, finished in a slow and steady 32-33 minutes. The entire race I fought my fierce internal competitor, let people pass me at their faster paces, and reminded myself that this was for ME. My goal wasn't to have an amazing time; my goal was to finish the race and to have run the whole time.

And I did it. I did it. On the last home stretch, I held back tears that symbolized: I DID IT!!! All those training sessions (although there probably should have been more of them) when I pictured running the 5K paid off.

And even though I wasn't the fastest or the first place of my age group and I got passed by several people, I'm still really proud of myself for completing a life goal.

Next race? Maybe a 5K in December...we'll see....

first firsts

Today I'm wrapping up my first business trip. The last 3 1/2 days I've been in Atlanta helping Georgia tech with some circuits work. It hasn't been the most successful trip, but its been an adventure. Its so different traveling all by yourself.

I ordered delivery food for dinner 3 nights in a row and I feel so gross. The food was pretty tasty, but I just have that feeling like my stomach is always sickeningly full. I'm ready for some normal (even though I'm not looking forward to cooking it) food.

Nick and I have looked over the rest of this month and next month, and we have a fairly large event every week until the new year. I mean seriously? It seems like this semester has been nothing but go go go. Where are the Christmas breaks of elementary school? When you are basically dieing to go back to school?

Better pack up! I'm soo ready to be home!

where does the time go?

This week was another crazy week. I had a midterm on Friday, conference paper due today, and volunteered to make a birthday cake for a costume party on Halloween. Almost every day this week flew by. Usually that's a good thing, but man, I needed every second. Every hour off the clock reminded me of how MUCH i needed/should of/could of gotten done.

Thankfully, Friday night offered a little bit of fun and break from the grind. Nick and I decided to be Night and Day for our costumes and whipped them up friday after work and while mine was drying I was finishing decorating this:


For those of you who are totally out of touch this gaming obsession, its a Guitar Hero guitar cake. Not perfect, but I always try to remember that's its just going to get eaten so enjoy it while it lasts.

We did make it out to the Buffalo River to see the leaves. The colors weren't terribly impressive, but it was refreshing to be in the wilderness. And those 15 or so roasted marshmallows didn't treat me too badly either. yummm.

Here's to hoping that the next couple of weeks will be less stressful than this one. I'm looking forward to a breather!