Bike Crawl #2

This past Saturday, our friend Jon organized our second bike tour/beer run. The weather did not hold out for us this time, but it didn't matter. I think I had as much, if not more, fun this time.

Our tour started at J&M's house. We had to delay our start by 30-45 minutes due to a downpour, but we were soon on our way. We rode our bike a few miles over to the NC Museum of Art which has a beautiful trail (though hilly!) that connects it to the Meredith College campus. We have been lucky to run there on several occasions. The trail has a variety of art works along it and leads to a pedestrian bridge that goes over a major highway. From there, we headed toward the NC State Campus and our first stop, East Village Grill & Bar.

East Village is a popular hangout for the NC State crowd. Their deck is usually packed on the evenings, but we had it to ourselves in the afternoon. It was a great place to relax for a few minutes with a beer before heading to the next stop. Unfortunately, it started to rain just a bit as we were sitting at East Village. We quickly rode over to our second stop, the Village Draft House, with a quick stop at The Raleigh Little Theater for coverage from the rain.

When we reached Village Draft House, the rain began again in earnest. Luckily, we were able to be seated in a covered area outside where we could sip a beer while watching the rain pour on our bicycles. We were determined (and hungry), so we powered on the the next stop, The Flying Saucer.

We had an easy ride downtown to our old friend, The Sauce. Once there, we ate big hot pretzels and enjoyed a beer on the covered deck. We were not done eating, though. Out next stop was Krispy Kreme.

We were a little giddy at this point, with beer in our tummies and rain on our backs. The donuts were fresh and sweet - a great stop on a Saturday afternoon. The sugar gave us the energy we needed to head to Big Boss Brewery.

Big Boss is my favorite of our local breweries. One of my personal favorite beers, Bad Penny, is brewed there. There brew pub is a neat little watering hole with tons of memorabilia and great people. We even met some new friends at the table next to us. The do not serve food, but they are just a few blocks away from our final stop, Carolina Ale House.

We were planning to be at Carolina Ale House around 3pm, but with the rain we were closer to 6pm. It worked out well as we had quite an appetite for dinner when we arrived. We had stashed two cars in the parking lot so we could load up and return to the beginning after dinner. It had been a long day, but one of the best days we had in a long time. Bike Crawl #3 has got its work cut out to beat this day!

Check out pictures from our adventure on Jon's photo site.

20 Years? Seems like yesterday...

I am so glad that I went to California for my 20th high school reunion weekend. Not only did I have a great weekend with my friends who I don't get to see enough, I actually had a blast at the reunion!!

I was nervous for nothing. People were so nice at the reunion. Folks remembered me from elementary school (we even got a picture of a group of us who all graduated from Montevideo, our elementary school). Facebook even helped. We felt like we all knew one another via our posts, so it wasn't hard to start up a conversation. The venue was wonderful, too. I have added more friends to my Facebook list, and just thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the reunion. I am already thinking about making this trip a yearly venture to CA, and I would certainly consider going to the 25th reunion.

All my fears and concerns were for nothing.

On top of a fabulous reunion, I got to see three of my best friends. I stayed with Melissa who I met in elementary school and have stayed in touch with over all these years. She still lives in the area, so she made an excellent tour guide for my return trip. We went to all three of our schools, drove around town to see how things have changed, and went to see my old house, now totally different with no trees and a second story addition. I also got to spend a glorious Sunday in Laguna Beach at the Sawdust Art Festival with Melissa and sisters Devi and Dorene. Devi and Dorene lived with their parents just three houses down from mine. Our families were extremely close, and went out to dinner every Friday night for many years. It had been years since I saw all three ladies, and we had a wonderful day together. I made me realize how lucky I am to have life long friends. I truly cherish my friendship with each of these ladies. I know it will not be years before we see each other again.

Here is a picture of Melissa and me at the reunion.

Where did the time go?

Tomorrow I leave to go to my 20th high school reunion. Now, I actually did not graduate from the high school in CA (I did graduate from a high school in SC), but I did spend second grade to tenth grade there. I count CA as the place I grew up. I know these folks better than I know the people I actually did graduate with in SC. So, I am heading out there and staying with one of my dearest friends who I have not seen in about 6 years.

I am excited, but also nervous. Will people remember me? Will I remember them? Will they think it is strange that I am there even though technically I did not graduate from CA? With the advent of Facebook, I have gotten in touch with so many more people. Most are so excited for the reunion. I hope the trip will be as much fun as I imagine it will be. I guess I will have to let you know when I get back.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Hughes

I was just listening to Billy Idol's cover of "Don't You Forget About Me." It takes me back to my teen years. The Breakfast Club was the first R rated movie I ever saw in the theater. We walked up to the box office to buy the tickets, but they would not sell them to us as we were clearly not 17 years old. The person who drove us to the theater (I can't remember if it was my parent or my friend's parent) stepped up to get us the tickets. In we went to our first adult movie.

To this day, The Breakfast Club is still a favorite. It makes me laugh, it makes my cry, and it makes me remember that people may look different, but we are mostly all the same on the inside. We all feel pain, sadness, happiness, and fear. It is finding that similarity in your fellow man that makes it easier to go through life.

Like Michael Jackson, John Hughes was a huge influence on me as I was growing up. It is hard to believe that both are gone. They will always remain in my heart and mind, as I am sure they will in millions of people, old and young, throughout the world.

It's Tri Time Again - Triathlon #4

Yesterday, I participated in the UNC Wellness Super Sprint Triathlon. I had some good advantages coming in to this tri. UNC Wellness is my home gym, so I am very familiar with the pool and surrounding area. It is also just a few minutes from my house, so no 4:15 am wake up call (we got to sleep in until 5:45)! I also have my brand new bike. It turned out that all of those things did work in my favor.

I was very excited for the pool swim. I really lucked out with a 2 minute break right in front of me. There were no people in the lanes in front of me when I started. I got extra lucky that the person behind me was missing, so there was a 20 second gap between me and the next swimmer. I spoke to the guy before we got started. He said he was new to the sport and that this was his first tri. I thought that would also benefit me, but it didn't. He did catch me in about the 4th lap. I let him go around, but then he slowed (I think he went out too fast - rookie mistake). I wound up literally on his heels for the rest of the swim. It did help with my breathing and energy, but I may have been able to go a bit faster. Still, I finished the 250 meter swim in a new personal record - 6:23.

T1 is usually a breeze for me. This time, it was a little bit different. I had to get on my bike shoes, then run with the cleats on my feet to the mount line. I was right at what I thought I would do - 2:22.

The new bike and the clipless pedals made all the difference in the world. You start the bike on a flat section for less than 1/4 mile, then turn right and straight up a big hill. I was a bit tired getting up the hill, but once I scaled it, I started to fly. I really felt strong on the bike. I was going so fast, I passed the guy who had passed me on the hill. I actually got past more people than those who passed me. I was very excited about that. I even got to pass the guy who held me up in the pool. By the end of the 14K (about 9 miles) ride, I was feeling tired. I did have to slow a bit at times to catch my breath and straighten my back, but I will get better the more I ride. I was very proud of my bike time - 37:28 - which ranked 97 out of the 193 female competitors. It was clearly my best stage of the day.

T2 used to be easy for me. I would not have to change shoes. This time, I did have to change from bike shoes to running shoes. The great time also took its toll on my legs. I was more wobbly than usual coming off the bike. I had to walk out of transition. It was a bit longer than T1 at 2:32.

I headed out to run the neighborhood of Meadowmont. It is a lovely place, but has a lot of hills. We had a pretty quick ascent that was soon followed by a nice downhill. All of the folks around me were very glad for the downhill, but we soon remembered we would have to see this same road from the other direction. The volunteers on the course were wonderful. They were so supportive and kind (one lady took my empty water cup without my having to ask). I was able to run quite a bit, but did stop to run when I felt the need. I felt very strong at the finish (the downhill helped), and finished the run in 37:43. The 5K was a new PR for me. I was shocked to get a PR in the third leg of a tri, but very happy. My overall time was 1:26:25, well under my goal of 1:30.

I did try something different for this race. My friend, Judy, told me that she had her best times at triathlons when she ran the day before the race. So, on Saturday, I met my running group for our regular run. I did the 9.82 miles with the group, and still felt great for the tri. Guess I will have to run on 10/10 before my final triathlon of the season!

Feels like the end of summer

Things have started getting busy again.

Summer is not my favorite season. Actually, it is my least favorite season. The only good thing about summer is that most of my activities are on hiatus. The Junior League ends in May, and traditionally begins in September. Hockey season ends in June to start again in October. My book club has a final meeting around Memorial Day, then picks back up at the end of September. It is only August 7, and I can already feel things closing in on me.

We had our first committee meeting for the Junior League this past Wednesday. It was a nice meeting - a chance to meet everyone in the group and organize for the coming year. I will be on the same committee this year. Our function is to plan single day volunteer activities in the community. I contacted one local agency already, and the one day they have available for us is the same day I have to run 26 miles according to my training schedule. Guess I will have to pass off the activity because I don't think I could work a three hour shift after 26 miles.

I also did something stupid. I actually took on more responsibility with the League. I am going to be a membership advisor for our committee. We have our first meeting next Wednesday. They promise it will be easy and that we will only have 4 meetings a year. Of course, those meetings fall on a Wednesday night like all of the other JLDOC meetings. Wednesday night is my yoga night.

I have quit hockey, and I am seriously considering quitting my book club. I had hoped I had time to make a decision, but it feels like time is running out even though the weather outside is still very warm.

My achin' back!

My back has been sore for three days now. It is my lower back, and I am not completely sure what is causing it.

Hubby and I went for a bike ride on Sunday. It was a hot day, but I really wanted to try out my new bike. I was nervous about working with the clipless pedals (shoes that clip right in to the bike pedals), but I soon got the hang of it. I actually have a bigger problem getting my feet in the pedals than out. I am pleased to report that never fell over on my bike (at least not yet). I rode around the parking lot for a bit, then we headed out to the road for a short ride. Soon, we were back at the car, and it just didn't seem like we had gone far enough. So, out we went again.

We rode along the American Tobacco Trail until it ended. We ran into fellow biker who told us he had been harassed by two teens further down the trail. He said that they had tried to knock him off his bike. We rode with him for a while until he got a call from the police stating that the perps had been found and returned home (one boy was receiving a beating from his mama in the front yard). I was starting the get very tired at this point, and it was well after lunch. My back was aching and my hands hurt from holding the handles. I was afraid I would not be able to make it back to the truck.

Luckily, we ran into friends on the trail, and I perked up a bit. We did make it back to the truck after about an hour and a half of riding (courtesy of my new bike computer that track time actually moving on the bike).

I know one needs good core strength for bike riding (which I don't have). I also know that the position of the bike is different than what I am used to being in, but should my back still hurt because of the ride?

New Toy #2

After the Triangle Triathlon, I really wanted a road bike. While I love my sport hybrid, it is just not the bike you want to use for racing. So, last weekend, I got a new bike.

We went to several stores and I rode several bikes. This one, however, just felt right. This bike literally makes me smile when I ride it. Well, you can't just buy a bike nowadays. With a road bike, you need bike shoes to clip into the clipless pedals. You need cages to hold your water bottles and a computer to monitor how fast you are riding. There is also the necessary biking wardrobe - gel bike shorts to make the seat more comfortable and bike jerseys that are tight at the bottom to keep from causing wind drag. It cost a pretty penny, but I think it will be so worth it.

This weekend is the hard part. I will be practicing the clipless pedals for the first time outside of a trainer (a device that keeps you steady an upright). I am afraid that I will fall over. Most people do forget that their feet are attached to the bicycle for their first ride. I know I will get used to it and it will become second nature. Then, I can do what I really want to do - ride my beautiful new bike for miles and miles.

New Toy #1

About two weeks ago, my wonderful hubby surprised me. He purchased a gift for me that was from my wonderful girls, Misty and Lily. He said they wanted to get me something nice to remember their first anniversary with us (yes, it has been one year since we adopted Misty and Lily from the SPCA). Inside the box, much to my surprise, was an ITouch.

At first, I was not sure what to think. The ITouch has the same features as the IPhone, yet it is not a phone. It is also not a camera. It does, however, have access to the Internet as long as there is a Wifi signal. So, you can access your e-mails while in a Hot spot, but not where there is no network present. I wasn't really sure how I would use it, but I have grown to love it.

It does have a calendar and all of my contact information in it. I can also load on photos of my loved ones, and well as all of my MP3 music files. It has 16GB of memory, so when I am travelling next month, I can but a movie on the unit and watch it whenever I want. It is small and incredibly compact, but has all of these features. Plus, you have the App Store at Apple where you can download games, podcasts, websites, and much more for free or for a nominal charge.

I have also found it the past two weeks that there are more and more places with WiFi. I have been able to get online at my car dealership and at various restaurants. It is also great to have at home if you need to check your e-mail quickly, but don't want to boot up the computer.

I have to say hubby and the girls did a wonderful job with this gift. I love my ITouch.

Third Tri is a Charm

This past Sunday, I participated in my third and most challenging triathlon. It was the Triangle Triathlon, a race Bill participated in last year. The location of the race had moved this year from a murky brown lake filled with possible toxins to a lake that is used to cool the nuclear power plant. Most people said it was a wonderful change. I am just happy to be alive and not glowing.

Our day began at 4:15am (yes, we were wondering if there were ever any evening triathlons we could do), and we were on our way to the race site by 4:45 am. We arrived in plenty of time which was a definite advantage due to the lack of parking at the park. We were able to set up our gear (and fix it as we both had racked our bikes incorrectly) and get body marked with ease. There was also a little bit of time for meditation, which I really needed before the race.

I had signed up for this race on a spur of the moment whim. After the process was complete, I began to freak out about what I had done. This race was far longer than anything I had done, and the swim section was in a lake, not a pool. There was also a time limit of 2 hours and 30 minutes that really scared me. I have never been removed from a race because of a time limit, and I certainly did not want it to happen in this race.

As we got ready to head down to the beach, we found some friends of friends who had also signed up for the race. It was so nice to have someone to talk to as we waited for the wave start to begin. The husband of our friends, M, started first. Soon, Bill was off in the water. As the waves continued every four minutes, it was soon time for A and I to head to the lake. It was so nice to have her there and in the same wave. I didn't have time to think about how nervous I was or worry about anything. We were knee deep in water, watching the group before us head to the first buoy before I knew it. Then, the horn sounded and it was our turn.

Since the other tris I have done have been pool swims, it was a whole different thing to do an open water swim. First, your whole age group starts at once. Second, the water is dark and murky. Third, you have to watch where you are going so you don't miss a marker and get off course. There are arms and legs all over the place. It is hard to tell where you are until you are right at someone's legs. The swim was also 750 meters, 500 more meters than my longest race. I have to say, though, that I was proud of my swim. Sure, it was slow going, but I never stopped or had to grab a rescue boat. I felt comfortable in the water. I think if I practice the spotting, I could do quite well. I did get run over by some of the men who started behind me, but I still was not the last in my group to reach the shore. I finished the swim in 22:56.

I was on the shore and started the long run to the transition area. My transition time was very high, 4:33, but there was a long run from the lake up to the transition area, then to the end to enter. I hate being barefoot, but I managed to run up the grass without an incident. I was off on my bike.

Biking is not my strongest discipline. I ride a sport hybrid bike. It is a nice bike for cruising, but not really meant for racing. If I had a road bike, I am sure my time would improve just from the change of gear. After this race, I am very interested in getting a road bike and working on my cycling. I must have been passed by 100 cyclists on the course. The course itself was not too bad. There was one dramatic hill (I am not the best hill climber), but the rest was relatively flat. I gave up 7 spaces during the bike ride, and it was tough watching all those folks pass me by. Still, I kept moving, and finished the 17.5 mile course in 1:16:40.

My second transition was much better as I didn't have to change shoes. It would have been great if I could have gotten my bike racked properly, but it still only took 2:01. I was off on the run, seeing my friend A heading toward the finish on my way out.

The run was different. It was a 5K course (3.1 miles), but most of the running was on a trail. I had never done a trail run before, so it was a different feel being on a dirt path than asphalt. It was also starting to get hot. The beginning of the run was in a shaded area, but it soon gave way to high grass and no covering. I kept moving forward as best I could, stopping to dump water on my head and drink as I could. I did have to walk (really must start doing brick workouts!), but I kept moving. I really was beginning to think it was the longest 5K of my life when I finally got to the turn around point. I was tired and really staring to question why I do these races. I headed back to the fork, and a race volunteer told me I was near the asphalt. As soon as I hit road, I felt much better. I was in the parking lot, and could hear the finish. I ran as best I could up to the finish line, and knew I wasn't the last to cross. I finished the run in 40:46, not stellar, but not too far off my PR of 38:00.

My goal was to complete this race in the 2 hour, 30 minute limit. I finished in 2:26:54. Not bad for my longest triathlon. I know I can do better. Not that it is over, I am looking forward to my next event (a shorter tri in August), and even considering an Olympic distance event for next year.

Check out the local paper's story about the event. Take a look at the photo gallery as well. Photo #28 shows my husband running toward his bike during T1. He is the blond in the black suit on the left.

My Latest Obsession

I have a tendency to become obsessed. I became obsessed with Gossip Girl (but have since stopped watching it) and the Twilight Book series (I finished that obsession, and now have the movies to obsess over). Now, my latest obsession is the HBO series True Blood.

I had heard about the series in passing or in an entertainment magazine, so I decided to put the show on my queue at Netflix. Well, now I am hooked. We watched all of the episodes in Season 1 just as the second season began on HBO. Of course, we do not get HBO at our house. It has been tough for me because I have already heard from friends that this season is really good. I have seen things in People magazine about the stars on the show, and it just makes me want to see the new shows even more.

The show is based on the novels by Charlaine Harris about a telepathic waitress named Sookie Stackhouse who lives in the town of Bon Temps, LA. Her boyfriend, Bill, is a vampire. The town is full of other colorful characters as well, some with unique abilities. I have always loved any story with magic or paranormal things in it. The fact that it is also a love story with a twist is just a huge bonus. I also love the chemistry of the two stars of the show, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer. When I found out that the two are also a couple in real life, I just went over the top of obsession mode.

I have been pricing out cable TV to see if I could somehow make it work to get HBO. Of course, my dear friend, Melissa, said that we could have a True Blood marathon when I go visit her next month so I can catch all of the new shows. I just don't know how long I can wait.

I guess I can always read the books. I have also added a few other TV series to our queue. Will Big Love, Mad Men, Rescue Me, or Entourage take the edge off the obsession? I don't know. I do know that if you haven't seen True Blood yet, check it out. It may be your obsession, too.

Laundry room Re-do

This weekend, Bill and I renovated the laundry room. Bill took down the wood cabinet and repainted the room. We then picked out wire shelving from Lowe's and installed it in place of the cabinets. We also installed shelves on the side of the room and hooks to hold our grocery bags.

I was a little nervous about this project. I was unsure how the wire shelves would look since there would not be any doors to hide things. I love how it looks now. It seems much cleaner, organized, and brighter. It is a happier place to do laundry.

Vacation in A-ville

After the triathlon last Sunday, Bill and I headed west to Asheville, NC. I had always wanted to stay at the Grove Park Inn, and we had seen a special in our local paper. We got a package deal for 2 nights stay which included various discounts throughout the resort. So, away we went.

We arrived around 5pm Sunday evening. We were supposed to have a double bed room with a property view, but my wonderful husband asked if there were any King rooms available. We were quickly upgraded to a king room in the newest wing of the resort, the Sammons Wing. We were on the 8th floor, so we had a spectacular view of the mountains and downtown. I immediately feel in love with the Craftsman style of our room and its wonderful amenities. We headed to the bar in the lobby (or Great Hall as it is called) for a few beers. We took our over priced brews out to one of the terraces to enjoy the stunning view. Soon, it was time for dinner, but we didn't have far to go. We were eating at the resort that night at The Sunset Terrace. We had a tasty dinner and got to enjoy the view some more before heading back to the room to call it a night. Remember, we had been up at 4:30am for the tri.

We woke Monday morning and enjoyed breakfast at the Blue Ridge room. After breakfast, I headed to the spa for what turned out to be the best spa experience I have ever had. The spa at the GPI is pretty amazing. It was built in the center of the grounds, partially under the ground. I received a tour of the spa which includes several different pools with different therapeutic uses. The main pool area is built to look like you are swimming in an underground cavern with rocks covering all the walls. I didn't have much time before my appointment, so I decided to try the contrast pool. You sit in a 103 degree hot tub for about 10 minutes, then immediately plunge into a 64 degree pool about 3 feet in diameter. It is supposed to improve circulation. It certainly got me moving quickly. After the plunge, I sat in the inhalation room with a cool peppermint towel on my face. Soon, it was time to head back to the fireside lounge for my massage. My therapist let me pick the scent of my massage lotion as well as the music we listened to during the massage. There were small extra touches along the way such as scented paper on the head rest and an eye bag for my face. It was a wonderful experience. Later in the day, Bill and I went back to the spa to enjoy the pools. We listened to the under water music in the lap pool, sat under the therapeutic waterfalls in the hot tub, and sat outside in the whirlpool while staring out at the mountains. Talk about peaceful!! We were able to go right to dinner after the spa since the water has no chlorine in it - it is all enriched with minerals to make your skin and hair silky smooth.

Before we hit the spa, we did take a tour of the historic park of the inn. The original building will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013. We rode the main elevator that is built in to the side of the fireplace, and viewed the palm court lounge area. We also looked at the photos of the building of the inn - a remarkable feat that was done with one steam shovel and took only 1 year.

While in Asheville, we checked out some local beer houses, and found a great place called The Thirsty Monk. The Monk has 2 sections - an upstairs featuring brews from USA, and a downstairs featuring brews from Europe. We each enjoyed two tasty Belgiums in the downstairs bar and had dinner as well. I would recommend the Monk, and hope I get a chance to return. We headed back to the inn, and slept wonderfully with the open windows letting in the mountain air.

Sadly, Tuesday was our last day of vacation. We did start with a bang. We ate breakfast in downtown at Tupelo Honey, which we agreed was the best breakfast either of us ever had. With a quick stop in neighboring Black Mountain, our vacation was over. It sure was a great one, though. I hope we will have a chance to go back and stay at The Grove Park Inn again. I bet is is beautiful at Christmastime...

A Second Tri

This past Sunday, I participated in my second triathlon. It has been about 8 months since my first triathlon, so I was a bit anxious about this one. While I have been working out, I didn't really "train" specifically for this race. I swam, took spin class, and ran as individual pursuits, but never did a "brick" workout (putting together two of the disciplines - usually a bike ride followed by a run).

The morning started at a very early 4:30 am. This tri was located in the town of Wake Forest, about 45 minutes from home. We had only been to the venue the day before the event. The swim club were the pool was located was very nice. It was big enough so that racers did not have to use the same lanes for going down the pool and back again. That was a tremendous advantage when you needed to pass another swimmer or to be passed. It didn't slow down your particular race too much. As with my first tri, I felt very comfortable in the water. Even though I was passed several time during the 250m swim, I felt very strong. I finished by swim in 6:30, which was faster by about a minute from my first tri.

I was off on the bike pretty quickly. The beginning of the bike race felt like it was mostly downhill. I was a bit nervous as I saw the racers before me coming back on the same route. I wondered if I would still have the strength at the end of the race. Luckily, I felt that my legs and my riding just got stronger as I continued the 12 mile bike ride. Those hills I feared didn't seem too bad on the way back to the transition area.

I saw Bill in transition. He had started the race almost 40 minutes before I started my race, so he was finished well before I reached T2. He gave my words of encouragement as my weary legs took me out to the 5K run.

The run was tough. Not only did I have wobbly legs, the route was a very hilly one and the heat of the day was setting in. I also started feeling a bit of an upset stomach and my left foot was tingling due to a too tight race chip. Still, I felt like I finished strong and was only about 3 minutes off my PR for a 5K.

All in all, it was a great race. I really do like the challenge of the three sports together. I was aiming for a 1:50 finish, and I came in at 1:44:24.2. I was quite pleased. I also had a good time wtaching my friends, J&M, in their first triathlon. We all finished the race with smiles on our faces.

Next tri is in 2 weeks - featuring a longer lake swim and a longer bike ride. Hope I do as well.

The King is Dead

I was as shocked as everyone else to learn of Michael Jackson's passing this past Thursday. I actually found out via Facebook with all of the status updates referencing his passing. While he had gone a bit off the deep end in the last few years, there is no doubt that he was an influence on me as a child and as a teenager.

My first real dance recital was to a Micheal Jackson song. I was taking a jazz dance class and we performed to "Don't stop til You get Enough."

I remember going to my friend Carrie's house with all of the other girls in the neighborhood so we could watch the world premiere of the Thriller video on MTV. It was all we talked about for days.

I remember watching MJ on the Motown special. I tried to moonwalk in the living room for weeks after that performance. I never did get it down.

My first concert ever was The Jackson's Victory Tour at Dodger's Stadium in L.A.

And, yes, I had a Micheal Jackson poster in my bedroom.

There can be no doubt of Michael's influence on pop culture and music. I am saddened that a life was lost so early, and hope he will be remembered for his amazing presence and not his crazy later in life behavior.

Community Giving

I decided at the beginning of this year that I wanted to focus on community giving. Well, I have been trying to do just that, but it has been tougher than expected.

I organized a team to walk in the local Race for the Cure. I really thought we would have a good turn out. When I first made mention of the idea, people said they would be happy to join the team. I thought for sure people could take a few minutes out of their weekends to walk 3.1 mi for a worthy cause. Well, I was disappointed.


We had 8 people sign up for the team. Out of those 8 people, four actually showed for the event. With more than 40 people at the office, I ready hoped the turn out would be greater. I know that the economy is tight, and perhaps that is why people could not sign up. I know it is also summer, so that could have been a factor with people vacationing. It is just discouraging when you set up these things and four is the best turn out you get. My colleague, Beth, was a brave soul who walked with hubby and I in the heat. Another colleague ran the competitive race earlier in the morning (as did hubby), but we never saw him in the mass of people who were there. I did not run the 5K, but did a 5 mile run on my own before walking.

I was thinking of having a Habitat for Humanity work day in the fall. I am now going to rethink that idea. I would not want to be the only one to show up.


I am not giving up yet - I will be working on the Extra Hands committee again this year for the Junior League. Our committee puts together one day events for a variety of charities that need help. We get a better turn out - membership requires that ladies do at least on of these events a year!

My pup and the turtle

My girls found a turtle in our backyard. They had never seem anything like it. After barking at it for quite some time, they became fascinated by it. No worries, no animals were harmed in this adventure. The turtle was safely released in the front yard.

Piles of magazines

I have so many magazines piled on the side of my bed. It is absolutely ridiculous. I love magazines, but I can never seem to get to them. I am usually distracted by a good book, so the pile grows. I wish I could have a full day just to sit and read my magazines. It would feel so good just to get caught up. Here is what I think is in the pile:

7 months of House Beautiful (I just canceled this subscription which I hate)
5 months of Runner's World (Started the February issue last night)
4 months of Harper's Bazaar (I love the fashion)
1 month of InStyle
1 week of People (plus the new issue which arrived today)
1 issue of People Style Watch
and a number of random magazines like Endurance, Triathlete, the University of Georgia Alumni news, etc.

I really do like all of these magazines, I am just afraid for where this pile may be headed. How many mags can I stack in one pile?

Talking to a Nutritionist

Part of the welcome package at my new gym includes a 30 minute meeting with a nutritionist. I have never been to one before, so I gladly took advantage of the opportunity.

It was a really great session. We talked about my normal daily diet and my exercise levels, then talked about ways to change my diet to make it more nutritionally sound. I got some great pointers. She told me to add milk to my morning routine. For some weird reason, I eat my cereal dry. She pointed out that adding milk, a protein, would help me feel fuller through the morning. Since I was not getting enough dairy in my diet, it was the perfect fit.

Another great tip is to add protein to the afternoon snack. I usually eat fruit or veggies in the afternoon, but am still hungry by the time I leave work. She pointed out that I should have peanut butter, hummus, cheese, or some nuts (except macadamias) with my snack to feel more full.

We also went over portion control and being sure to have veggies and/or salads with dinner.

It was a really great session. I felt like I learned lots of good tips. I am so glad that our gym is really a wellness center and that we get these extra benefits to help us feel the best we can. I have my last session, the health evaluation, coming up soon.

A Great Ride

Last Saturday, hubby and I joined our good friends J & M for a bike ride. We had been planning to do a ride together for a long time, and last Saturday was finally the day. This was not just a meandering ride, though. J planned a great adventure for all of us.

We started out a J & M's house. From there, we headed downtown by taking advantage of the wonderful Greenway system around town. We were just on a main road for a little bit of time, then we were in neighborhoods and trails. It was a gorgeous day for a ride. The boys lead the way, with us girls following behind. It probably worked well as we could each have our little conversations as we rode. We saw gorgeous homes along the way to the downtown area. We rode about 11 miles before reaching our first destination, MoJoe's. We stopped for a quick beer (see picture) before heading on.

J designed a route with many possible stops. He took us past local landmarks (such as the home that was featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) as well as historic sites (the Historic Oakwood neighborhood, the Jewish cemetery, the Confederate cemetery, Governor's mansion, etc.) We made another beer stop at 101 Lounge downtown before grabbing a quick snack at The Roast Grill. The Roast Grill was recently featured on the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food show. Host Adam Richman at 17 hot dogs to create a new record, but it was quickly broken by a local man who currently holds the record. We each ate 1 hot dog and moved on to the next stop.

We rode over to Boylan Bridge Brew Pub for a beautiful view of the downtown landscape. We enjoyed a locally brewed beer there, then moved on to the final section of the ride. From there, we headed over to Cameron Village. We ended our journey there with a proper lunch at Piccola Italian Restaurant. When it was all said and done, we rode 19+ miles and had a great afternoon.

Check out J's blog for more pictures and his take on the afternoon. It was a fantastic time and I hope we do it again soon

A Season Ends

Last night, my good friend H and I went to the last game of the Carolina Hurricanes season. We had hoped it would not be the final game, but it was.

The Canes were swept, losing 4 games to none, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Canes had pulled off some miraculous play in the post season, beating both New Jersey and Boston (both higher seeded teams) in seven games. I suppose there are only so many miracle to go around. The Canes never seemed to get it together in this round. The Penguins certainly found their stride and simply outplayed the Canes four games in a row. I wish them luck in The Stanley Cup Finals and really do hope they bring the win back to the Eastern Conference.

The thing I love the most about our team and our fans is that despite the fact that the game signified the end of the season, the fans gave the players a standing ovation for the final 1:30 minutes of the season. We were cheering equally as loud as we had in the beginning of the game. I think it is really nice to send the boys off to the summer vacation knowing we love them and we appreciate the ride, even if they didn't nab the Cup. I hope it gave them some solace in the face of defeat.

Liking the new gym

I am really enjoying our new gym.

This evening I went for a fitness consultation. It was an opportunity for me to ask questions about any of the fitness equipment available at the gym. We started off slow and I wondered if I had made a mistake with the appointment. I thought perhaps I would not get much out of it. I mentioned that I was particularly interested in working my core and my upper body. Once he heard this news, we were up and running.

He took me all over the gym floor to point out different pieces of equipment and different exercise I could do to reach my goals. We used rubber balls, mats, free weight, machines, medicine balls, and the floor. I love that I have new ideas and new exercises to try. I have always felt that I never know what to do in the gym, but I have no fears now. I have a good foundation of moves now, and it was all complementary.

I am looking forward to my nutrition evaluation next week. I also plan to take advantage of the free clinics held periodically. There are clinics to highlight upper body, lower body, abs, stretching, and many others. I really think this gym will work for me. I am feeling motivated already.

My Heart is Intact

Yes, the Cardiac Canes struck again!! My team did win Game 7 last night (as they have won every game 7). They won it in spectacular fashion - in overtime. Scott Walker was the hero - the same man who nearly got suspended for throwing a big punch in game 5. I know the Boston fans must have been doubly upset. Me - I am happy as can be.

My Canes continue to play on. Beginning on Monday, they will start the Eastern Conference Championship round against Pittsburgh. Who knows what the Cardiac Canes will do next? I just hope they continue to win and to thrill the fans. I hope I get to be there to see at least one game.

Four teams remain - the Pittsburgh Penguins, The Detroit Red Wings, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Carolina Hurricanes. One will capture the Cup. It could be my team.

Canes: Don't Break my Heart

Well, the Carolina Hurricanes had done the unbelievable. They were leading the top team in the Eastern Conference 3 games to 1 in the second round of the playoffs. It was totally unexpected. Boston had swept Montreal in the first round, and had beaten Carolina all 4 times they met in the regular season. Now, the underdog had the upper hand.

That was last Friday. Now, the Canes have lost 2 games in a row. The series is now tied and Game 7 is tonight. I was at game 6. I paid my money, wore my lucky earrings, sat of the left side of my best hockey buddy, Heather, and they lost. There was a chance to put away the series at home, and they lost. It just looked to me like they had no fire, no urgency to win. Despite the 30+ shots on goal to Boston's 19, the Canes just looked tired. Tonight, they go back to Boston and now each team is desperate for the win. One team will play Pittsburgh for the Eastern Conference Championship, and the other team will start summer vacation.

On Tuesday, my gut was 100% certain that the Canes would win at home. Now, my gut is 100% certain that the Canes will lose in Boston. The Carolina Hurricanes have never lost a Game 7 in franchise history. I am told that the Bruins have never won a Game 7.

My gut is usually wrong. Let's hope the streak continues tonight.

Iron Chef Grill Off

We were invited to a unique party this weekend - an Iron Chef Grill Off.

Our friends, C&T, have hosted this party in the past and it has become a successful annual event. It was the first year we have been invited. C even asked me if I would be a judge. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I said I would be willing to give it a try.

We showed up Saturday evening to their place. They have a magnificent home with a kick butt backyard. They have a screened in porch that leads out to a small deck. That small deck has stairs down to a large deck with a full bar, detached from the house but loaded up with outdoor speakers, a TV, lights, and, of course, all the liquor you can imagine . Further steps lead out to a nice yard. By the time we arrived, the chefs were working hard.

There were 4 chefs creating unique dishes using one key ingredient - strip steak. They could do whatever they wanted as log as it was grilled. There were four grills going, and sous chefs helping out as needed. The dished would be judged on presentation, creativity, taste, and dessert. I really thought there would be just one dish and a dessert, but I was oh so wrong.

The first chef handed us full menus for our meal. We were offered wine, then given a deviled egg appetizer. It was followed by sweet and spicy shrimp with stuffed mushrooms and grilled pineapple. There was a salad with a strawberry vinaigrette. The main course was kebabs (using the steak) with green beans ans potatoes. All of this followed a dessert of ice cream with caramel and bananas. It was tough to just eat one bite and pass it along to the non-judges, but there was still more food to come!

The second chef, thankfully, had less food. He made his strip steak inside phyllo dough and covered it with a mushroom sauce. There were sides as well, and a dessert of grilled peaches with ice cream. I really liked the phyllo dough, but it was not a hit with all of the judges.

The third chef prepared the whole meal by himself. He presented a tropical mixed grill featuring steak, shrimp, sausage, corn, grilled sweet potatoes and a fruit salsa. It was all really good. His dessert was peaches with a heavy cream and a blueberry reduction.

The final chef presented us with a limoncello cocktail before giving us a steak sandwich with crusty bread and a Gorgonzola cheese spread. It was accompanied with a pasta salad and dessert of a sweet biscuit covered with ice cream and peaches.

Everything was delicious. I was so glad that I tried a bite of everything, but I think there was more than enough food for everyone.

After careful deliberation, we came down to a tie between chef #3 and chef#4. In the end, the tropical grill won out, and chef 3 became a two time winner. I had a wonderful time, and mot even getting the finger from chef #1 dampened my evening.

I sure hope we are invited again next year, even though C told us that we could not be judged two years in a row.

Must Tri Harder

I did a silly thing. I signed up for a big triathlon in July. A long one. One longer than I have ever done, but then again, I have only done one.

My husband signed up for this tri a few months ago. He had done it last year, and was excited that they were moving it to a new venue this year. I know he will do well in it. I started to think that if I was going to go with him to watch the event, I might as well sign up for myself. So, I did. I did not think it through too clearly.

The reason I am really nervous about this one event is the distances. It starts with a 750 meter swim. I have done a 250 meter swim in the past. That swim was in a pool. This event will be in open water. The bike is 17.5 miles. I have gone 12 miles in a race. I rode a little over 12 miles last weekend, and it took me over an hour. The run is a 5K (3.1 miles). The kicker is that it must all be completed in 2 1/2 hours.

I am really worried about the time restrictions on this race. I think I will be really, really close. I'm not entirely sure I can finish in the time limit. That makes me extra nervous. I have never failed to finish a race, and I do not want to start now. I would be mortified if I was pulled off the course with a DNF.

Well, I guess I know what I will be doing for the next 2 months - training my butt off!

Cardiac Canes are at it Again

Back in the '02 Stanley Cup run, the Caroline Hurricanes earned the nickname "Cardiac Canes" because of their many games that went to overtime and the many comebacks they earned. I think they are bringing it back for the 2008-09 season.

Last night, the Canes beat the Boston Bruins in overtime to take the series lead 2-1. It was a great overtime. It was very hard fought, and I thought for sure the Bruins were going to score at one point. However, our Canes took the victory with a great follow through from Jossi Jokinen (the hero of Game 4 in the New Jersey series). Jokinen is quickly establishing himself as the go-to guy for the playoff series. I am starting to really like the guy.

Game 4 is tomorrow night. I am trying to see if I can score some last minute tickets for 2 (let me know if you happen to know anything about tickets). I would love to be able to go to one game in each round. I can really see the possibility of another round.

LET'S GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My new ride

I have had my new Honda Element for 2 days now. I really, really, like it. It is fun to drive, but it is super comfortable. I love that it is so sporty, yet the interior feels very plush.

I have a full navigation system (I don't even know how to use is yet, but it's cool!), a removable cooler between the front seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel with controls for the radio on it, a back up camera (it doesn't work so well in the rain - trust me), and the rear seats flip up out of the way for full doggie access. I like that the doors open 90 degrees with the rear door opening toward the back of the car. I like the clam shell rear door. It opens with a short tailgate that the pups can easily jump on to get in the truck. And, I absolutely adore the color!!! It is so vibrant, so warm, and so me!! I have even personalized it already. Bill gave me two chrome features for the truck - a Georgia Bulldawg mascot and a silhouette of a dog. I also bought myself a sticker that says Peace, Love, and Running.

I just want to so for a ride now!!

New Truck

We are picking up the new truck tonight. Watch for updates!

Canes Win Series and Make History

So, I know this is a little dated, but the Carolina Hurricanes beat New Jersey Tuesday night to win the first round of Th Stanley Cup Playoffs. They accomplished this goal in historic fashion. They came from behind to win, and scored two goals with less than two minutes remaining in the game, the latest a team has ever come from behind to win a Game 7. The winning goal came with 31.7 seconds left in the game.

I don't know this information from watching the actual game. I was too chicken to watch. I went to Game 3 of the series (the Canes lost in OT), and it just tore up my tummy. I know, I'm weak. So, I didn't watch games 6 or 7 of this series - two must win games. It worked out. It seems that if I expect them to lose, they win. Usually, they do win in spectacular fashion. They won the Eastern Conference Championship in 2006 after I turned off the TV convinced the whole thing was over. Maybe I need to stop watching any deciding games...

I did watch the highlights of the game yesterday on the Internet. I was shaking by the end of the highlight show, I knew what was going to happen, but the spectacular saves and the amazing goals still got to me. Imagine if I had been watching the thing live!!

Good Things from the CSA

A few months ago, our neighbors asked us if we wanted to participate in a CSA with them. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. We pay a local farmer who in turn gives us the produce they grow. Our program runs from April 14 to September 29. Each Tuesday, we receive fresh from the farm produce. It is a little pricey, but the fresh fruits and veggies are worth it. I think if we bought the produce at the grocery store for the same period of time, we would probably come out ahead working with the CSA.

We have received two weeks of produce so far. We have enjoyed asparagus, spinach, a variety of difference lettuces, radishes, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, spring onions, strawberries, and radishes. Everything has been wonderful. My neighbors are picking up the goodies this week. I can't wait to get home tonight to see what we get!!

What a Day!!

I have had busy days before today, but this one was pretty packed.

I got up at about 6:40 on this fine Saturday morning. Bill was already gone as he was participating in a triathlon across town. I was up to run a 5K for the Brain Center at a local hospital. I ran this race last year as well. A friend of mine at work is good friends with a brain tumor survivor, so I was able to join her team for the second year in a row. It is such a pleasure to be able to support someone that means so much to a friend. It was a good race, but it was hilly. I wasn't expecting all of the hills, and I hadn't been on a run for over a week. It was also much hotter than I thought it would be (we are supposed to reach 90 degrees, and it is only April!) Still, I finished close to a PR and had a good time. But, there was little time to rest as I needed to continue the day.

This afternoon was our Junior League's Home Roam home tour. We were able to tour 5 different homes in the area to check out their decor. Each home also had food in it donated by a local restaurant. The first home I went to is about the be listed on the market, so their was a fact sheet in the kitchen. The house will go for an asking price of $2.75 Million. It was unbelievable!! There was a pool in the backyard, a home theater, a pool hall, and the teenager's room had it's own study, full bathroom, and walk in closet. It was absolutely gorgeous. That house alone was worth the price of the tour. Still, I made my way through them all in about 2 hours.

I had a little down time at home with my hubby and pups before I was off to volunteer at the APS of Durham's annual gala event. I was the group leader for this event. We were charged with registering the guests and setting up their credit cards for the silent and live auctions. We were slammed busy for an hour and a half, then had a little bit of downtime. It is such a pleasure to work with a great organization like the APS. I really love working with people who care about animals. They were all so wonderful, and I have to give extra credit to the Junior League ladies who were there. Several of them also worked the Home Roam, so they had long days, too. All were professional and just great to work with. We helped out for about 3 1/2 hours when it was finally time to call it a night.

Now, I am home and will probably turn in soon. Between the home tour and the gala, I did get some wonderful news. My order for the Honda Element was completed. The car has been assigned to be and I should be getting it soon. I am so excited that I will have a brand new vehicle. The Mustang was turned over to its new owner yesterday, so I am in a rental car for now. I will be glad to have my own car. I hope it arrives soon!!

Sold!

We posted an ad in the paper and online. We listed it on Craig's List. And, now it's gone. My car sold yesterday.

Bill met with the buyers on Sunday to look at the car. They liked what they saw, but were going to look at one other car before making a decision. The decided to take my car yesterday. We didn't get full price, but we did get a really good price. My car will be gone on Friday.

So, now I need a new car. We are trying to order a new Honda, and are waiting to hear if the sale will go through. Until then, it looks like it will be rental car time for me.

I am a little sad that my Mustang will be gone. It is a good car, and I do enjoy driving it. I know it is not practical, and I know an SUV will be so much better for my family. I am excited about getting a new car, but I will be sad on Friday. Guess I will have to gun it one last time on the way to the drop off point.

A Busy Spring Weekend

This weekend is the first of two packed weekends.

Yesterday was so lovely, we just had to be outside. So, we decided to go for a bike ride to go get some lunch. It was a short ride, but so nice to be outside. I wished we had more time to ride, but I needed to get home to go to yoga workshop.

I participated in a 2 hour yoga workshop specifically geared for runners. It was a great time - much more informal than an actual class. We learned 5 different routines, and were able to practice as well as get any help we needed. It was a great add on to my normal weekly classes.

Last night, we went to a performance of modern dance pieces. A friend of ours choreographed a piece with dance and a photo presentation that she and her husband did. I don't know much about modern dance, but I did like her piece. I will admit that I did not get or like the first piece of the show, but luckily the remainder of the 4 total dances were good.

Today, I am at home with the pups. Hubby went to Virginia International Raceway for races with a friend, and I am home for most of the day. I will be attending the Carolina Hurricanes playoff game tonight with my friend who scored us some tickets. I am hopeful that the Canes will do well tonight after their great victory in New Jersey Friday night. There is nothing like playoff hockey, so it should be a fun night. GO CANES!!

It will be a busy week leading to another busy weekend, but I shall leave that for my next post.

Big Fat Check

We finally got our taxes done on Sunday. There is nothing like procrastination!! I wish we hadn't waited until almost the last minute. The man owes us money. Yes, we will be getting big fat checks from Federal and State. I can't wait to to get our money back. Now, we just need to decide how to spend it...

Big Auto Changes

We put my car, a 2005 Ford Mustang, on sale this weekend. As much as I like the car, it is time for me to get something bigger. I need a vehicle that I can use to carry my two furry girls, and you just can't do that in a 2 door Mustang.



I think the car is well priced. I hope it will sell quickly. My next vehicle will be a Honda, but we have not picked a specific model. It will be an Element, a CR-V, or a Pilot. Input, anyone?

Canes Win Again!

My very last season ticket hockey games was a blowout. The Carolina Hurricanes beat the NY Islanders 9-0. Yep, that's not a typo. I have never seen the Canes score that many goals. The best I can remember is an 8-2 win in the playoffs back in 2002. It was a sad game, though. The Isle were so utterly defeated. They just could not get going, then it got to the point where they just didn't seem to even want to get anything going. The Canes out shot them 57-12.

It was the 12th straight home win for the Canes. I believe it was the 7th win overall. Cam Ward became the winningest goalie in the Canes regular season history with 39 wins. Overall, it was a great way to end my season. The Canes will be going to the playoffs.

I am now thinking about ending my career as a fan. I think it is time to retire from season ticket holding. As much as I like hockey, I am no longer as interested as I once was. It costs a lot of money and it takes time. I think I will enjoy the Canes from newspapers and TV, at least for the time being.

Quote of the Day 4/6/09

"You were made to soar, to crash
to earth, then to rise and soar again.” - Alfred Wainwright

My First Duathlon

This morning, Bill and I participated in the Carrboro Classic Duathlon. What is a duathlon, you ask? It is a race that follows the sequence run, bike, run. we chose to do the super sprint race, so our course was a 2.4 mile run, a 12 mile bike, and a 1.2 mile run. It was a brand new experience for me, but a second duathlon for Bill.


It was a gorgeous day for a race. It was a bit cold this morning, but the sun was shining bright. I ran the first part of the race in a light wind breaker, but quickly warmed. The route was pleasant, with a slight downhill at the beginning and mostly flat for the rest of the course. I decided to go ahead and run the 2/1 intervals for this part of the race, so I would not tire myself. It worked quite well, and I finished running an average pace of 12.01 min/mile.

I was through transition quickly on on my bike. The road race took place on the rolling roads (that's a nice way to say hilly!) of Carrboro. We were away from the highway and on nice country roads. We passed many a cow pasture, horse fields, and even a chicken coop right by the roadside. Combine the bucolic scenery with the gorgeous day, and it was a nice ride. Of course, I was alone for a good part of the road race. At about mile 8, I began to realize that I could easily be hit by a car and carried away to never be seen again. While I knew that was highly unlikely, I also feared blowing a tire and being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, that did not happen, and I safely returned to the transition area after 55 minutes, 17.75 seconds.

I was at the hardest part of the race - the transition from bike to run. I hopped off the bike onto very wobbly legs. I ran as fast as I could to put up my bike, running into Bill (not literally) who had already finished the race (he was very happy with his run, but feels he needs to improve on the bike). I just decided to keep moving. It worked. My legs were killing me, but I just kept going and stopped for only one walk break. I finished the 2nd run in 16:53.

I felt great at the finish. It turned out to be a great race and so much fun. The food afterward was out of this world, too. I really, really enjoyed my first du, and both Bill and I are already planning to sign up for next year's race.

Busy week!

I had a rather busy week this week. There were two rather interesting events that I would like to share.

On Tuesday, we had our book club meeting. The interesting thing about this meeting was that we had the author of our book present at the meeting. That was something that has never happened before. The author, Dr. Paul Austin, is a doctor in a local ER. He wrote a book called Something for the Pain about life inside the ER and its affects on life outside the ER. It was an easy read and a pretty good one. It was equally interesting to hear from the author himself. He even read a section of the book for us. It must be so difficult to be an ER doctor. You are the first person a patient sees, but your function is to diagnose and more them through to the next doctor or to home. So many cases have unknown endings. There is also the long hours of shift work. It truly takes a toll on the family when Dad sometimes works overnight and must sleep when you are awake and active. We were very luck to have this experience for our club.

The second big event was Kids in the Kitchen with the Junior League on Thursday night. Once each year, we do a program to educate local kids about making good, healthy choices in the kitchen. This year, we were able to do an evening program at a local elementary school. I was there to volunteer, and I am so glad I did. The kids and their parents arrived at the school at 6:00pm for a two hour program. The kids and parents were given box dinners from Jason's Deli an ate while they heard a presentation from a nutritionist. They then had an interactive session with a PE teacher who talked about the importance of exercise. There was also a drawing for healthy prizes such as basketballs and soccer balls. After the program, the groups rotate through three different rooms. The first room had a local chef from a 4 star restaurant preparing a healthy treat for the kids (a bread and veggie salad - trust me, it was delicious!) The second room was the Herb Garden. Each kids got to plant seeds and take with them a plant that would be either basil or tomatoes. The final room were healthy treat stations where kids made edible jewelry (stringing carrot chips and snap peas on wire), a healthy trail mix, and fruit soda (fruit juice plus a bit of seltzer water). Each child even got a goody bag as they left filled with a T-shirt, a healthy snack, cookbooks, and other goodies. It was a wonderful event and so much fun to help. I was pretty darn proud of our League and my committee for such a great event.

This week will be busy, too - racing tomorrow, hockey, and a committee meeting. Guess I will have another good post soon!!

I just signed up for my first marathon

Oh my goodness!! I just signed up for my first marathon. It will be the Philadelphia Marathon on November 22, 2009. I am excited, nervous, and feeling a little insane right now.

I have been thinking that I should try to run one marathon in my lifetime. I really like the half marathon distance. It is a challenging distance, but it is not too difficult to complete and recover. I am very tired when I complete one, but it is a good tired. I often wonder after I finish 13.1 miles if I could go that distance again. I guess I will find out.

I think this race will be a good fit. I was born just outside of Philly, so it is a town that I love. The run will take up past trendy shopping areas, historic buildings, and the river. It should be a nice route. It is also very late in the season, so it will give me the most time to train. I am sure with the Galloway program, I will be ready for the run. I will have actually already ran 26 miles in training before I get to Philly, so I will know what I am getting ready to do.

Oh my, oh my. I can't believe I am really going to do it!

Canes Tie a Team Record

Last night, I attended my second to last hockey game. It was a grudge match between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Ottawa Senators. After two periods, there was no score. I know I was a bit nervous, and maybe others were, too. There was a lot at stake - not only a playoff spot, but also a record. I should not have worried. Ottawa did come out and score the first goal of the game, but the Canes soon answered. The score remained tied for a few minutes until Anton Babchuck let go one of his great booming shots. With some good defense and great saves by Cam Ward, the Carolina Hurricanes won. They remained in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. They also tied a franchise record - nine straight wins at home.

It seems that as soon as I decided to quit my season tickets, the Canes started to pick up their game. Attending hockey games has actually become fun again. Still, I have decided to retire. I just hope I go out on a good note with a strong season finish by my team. I would not mind a new record for games won at home, either.

My Race Report - Shamrock Half Marathon, 3/22/09

Bill and I were unable to leave for Virginia Beach until Saturday before the race. No worries, though. Since Virginia Beach is only about 4 hours away, we made it to the expo with hours to spare. We picked up our race numbers and received a shoe bag (which also doubled as the checked gear bag) and a short-sleeved tech shirt in Shamrock green. After the expo, we checked in at The Cavalier Hotel, the perfect pick for this race. We were literally across the street from the starting line. We had a fantastic pre-race dinner at Aldo’s (look it up if you are in VA Beach) and called it an early night.

We were up before sunrise to prepare for the race. Luckily, we walked out of our hotel, across the street, and into our corrals. The temperature was chilly, but not too cold. A long –sleeved shirt and tights under my running shorts were just the right weight. At 7am, we were on our way.

The course headed north on Pacific Avenue. There were several people on the race route as it was a nice residential area. There was even a booth where people were handing out beer on the route, just in case you couldn’t wait until the finisher’s festival. After about 3 miles, we made the turn onto Shore Drive.

The route turned from residential to a quiet tree lined street. There were a few speaker stands along the way, and the only live band played around mile 5. I felt great as I ran along this flat course. I had high hopes of a PR. When I checked my watch at the 5-mile mark, I knew that it was a definite possibility.

At about mile 6, we headed into Fort Story. There were signs posted along the route with funny quips and interesting bits of trivia. I can tell you that the old lighthouse is 90 feet tall. I learned that at about the time we ran the road between the old and new lighthouses.

I was still on course for a PR by mile 10. I was running better than ever and I felt wonderful. The flat course was really helping me out. We looped back to Pacific Ave for the final stretch. I still felt great at mile 12 as I headed into town. We made the big left turn onto the boardwalk where the crowds cheered as we finished the race. I had made my PR. I shaved 8 minutes from my previous best. Bill also made his PR.

I got my medal, a nice bottle of water, and a Mylar cape. As I made my way through the gauntlet after the finish line, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a hat embroidered with the logo of the race and the phrase 13.1 Finisher. I also received a reusable green lunch bag filled with beer tickets and food. Those tickets did not last long. They were quickly exchanged for Yuenglings (title sponsors of the race). We also enjoyed a fine Irish Stew while local bands entertained us. It was the best post race party I have ever attended.

In summary, perfect weather, a flat fast course, great swag, cold beer, and hot Irish stew makes for the best half marathon I have run. We are already planning a return trip for next year.

Why can't I wake up?

Ever since Monday, I have had problems waking up in the morning. I know it is because of daylight savings time. It is so dark in the morning that your mind feels like you should not be getting up. I know others have been having this same problem; Bill hasn't been getting out of bed as quickly and my colleagues have been commenting on the same problem.

It is difficult because we do things in the morning. Our dogs have been getting shorter walks. I had to cut one on my runs this week down because I left the house so late. For the other run, I went as far as I wanted, but I was very late for work. I am ready for the days to get longer. I like waking up to a little bit of daylight. Getting up and going out for a run in the dark is tough.

Thank goodness for the weekends. It should be light when I wake up tomorrow!

Where have you guys been?

The Carolina Hurricanes play tonight, and I will be in the stands to see them with my friend Heather. I am very hopeful that we might see a won tonight against the NY Rangers considering the events of the past few games.

Carolina seems to be on fire. They have outscored opponents in the past three games 20-6. It is like it has finally sunk in that their post season is hanging in the balance. A day ago, this recent surge put them in a 3 way tie for 6th place. As most things go, this placement did not last long, and they are back to #9 - watching the playoffs from the outside.

The tide has really seemed to turn in the past few games. The Canes have been playing quicker, smarter hockey. If only they had been playing like this since October...

So, how long will the Canes on fire last? At least through tonight, I would hope.

Only in NC

On Monday, less that a week ago, we had 2 inches of snow. It was quite unusual for there to be snow here in March, but here it was. I frankly enjoyed it very much because it gave me an extra hour and a half before I had to go to work. Tuesday was bitterly cold. I ran my normal morning run. I had to dodge icy patches all over the sidewalks, and some water from my water bottle even froze while I was running.

Yesterday, it was about 75 degrees here. I went for a morning run with friends wearing just shorts and was too warm in my long sleeved shirt. I even got a little bit sunburned on my face. Today, Bill and I took out our bikes for a nice long ride downtown where we ate outside very comfortably. I almost feel like I should turn the air conditioner on.

Only in NC can you go from one extreme to the other in less than one week. What a great place to live.

My Obsessive Nature

I have a tendency to become obsessive over fictional characters. I have no idea why this happens to me, but it does happen with an alarming frequency.

My latest obsession is the Twilight book series. I had heard so much hype about the series. I knew several people at the office were reading it and several of my Facebook friends were making comments about it. I also found out my sister-in-law was reading the series.

The four book series chronicles the lives of the citizens of Forks, WA. It is basically a story about great love that transcends the human world to a world of magic and mystery. I fell hard for the first book, Twilight, and the two lovers Bella and Edward. I read this book in the car on our way to Florida for the Disney Half Marathon. The book was wonderful, unique, and amazing. I finished it between the trip down and the trip back.

Last night, I was reading the final saga, Breaking Dawn. I have become so obsessed with the story, I stayed up past midnight reading. I still have about half the story remaining (each book weighs in between about 620 pages to 754 pages). I could not sleep after reading the big bombshell. I finally fell asleep for about 2 hours, then continued to toss and turn for the rest of the night, still thinking about the story. I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I have been thinking about it all week, trying to guess what will happen next and how the series will end. I feel a little crazed as all I want to do is read. I am trying to decide if I am a loser or if the book is just that well written.

I am so glad to have a wonderful friend in the office who had been able to talk to me about the books, as well as a great friend on Facebook. They have helped keep me partially sane during this process. I will be glad to finish the series, but I think I will miss the characters. I don't think I will miss the obsession. I will be very glad to let it go and move onto the next book that I can read like a normal human being.

Of course, the DVD version of the movie comes out in about 2 weeks...

20 Years Later

This summer marks my 20 year reunion from high school. It is so hard to believe that it has been 20 years already, yet not hard to believe at all. It is such a strange feeling. I feel so distanced from those days. I even have a hard time coming up with memories.

Through networking sites like Facebook, I have already reached out to many old friends from high school. It has been great getting back in touch with folks, seeing what they look like now, and hearing how their lives have turned out. At the same time, it is so strange to be hearing from these people again. What do I have in common with any of them? Nothing , really, except the fact that we all lived in the same place at one point in time. It makes me wonder if I should even go to the reunions. Will it be fun or will it be uncomfortable?

Luckily, I have until at least August to think about it. The funny thing is that hubby's 20th college reunion will be in November. I am looking forward to that more that I am my own. I know his friends will be fun, and I know I will have a good time.

Coach Bubba 20K

This past Saturday, I competed in a first for me - a 20K race (that's about 12.4 miles, if you were wondering.) I did this race last year, but I participated in the 4 mile version. I remember looking at the folks waiting for the start of the 20k and wondering if they were all crazy for running that far. Now I know the truth. Distance runners are crazy.

The course started in Downtown and wound through a neighborhood called Forest Hills. Yes, hills was accurate for the first 5.5 miles of this course. The ups and downs were exhausting, but soon I was past the pretty houses and on the American Tobacco Trail. The trail has a slight rise in one direction, but otherwise is a pretty flat, nicely paved trail. We finished the last section of this race on the trail - going out, then turning around to finish back downtown.

I finished right when I thought I would. I knew I could run a 10K in 1 hour, 20 minutes. I actually finished this race in 2 hours, 40 minutes. Yes, I was near the end, but I did finish.

Usually, I would be upset to have finished so far in the back. I know there were no more than 10 people behind me. In past races, I would have been feeling sorry for myself and wondering why I run so darn slow. I didn't feel that way on Saturday. I actually liked where I was. I ran quite a bit of the course by myself. It was nice just to be out and enjoying the day. It was like a really long training run - peaceful and steady. I felt less pressured than I had in past races. People would pass me on the out and back course and say things like"Good job - keep going!" I would just respond "Thanks - you, too!"

Maybe I am coming to terms with my slowness. Maybe just being there is half the battle. Or maybe I need bigger races so I will never be the back of the pack.

2 more people??

This past weekend. hubby asked me if he could add Alyssa Milano and Jessica Beil to his list. I said sure.

Melanie suggested Hugh Jackman. I think she is right - he is definitely list material. Especially after this weekend's award show...

I think I may have to add Daniel Craig, too.

5 People

There was an episode of Friends long ago where the gang was listing out the 5 celebrities each would be allowed to sleep with and not get into trouble with their significant others. I thought this episode was a good one then, but I think it is particularly funny now.

I know at least 4 of my hubby's five people. In no particular order, my husband's list includes:
1. Eva Mendes
2. Kate Beckinsale
3. Claudia Shiffer
4. Danica Patrick

He says I am number five, but I don't think I can qualify for this list. I think his list is pretty good.

So far, I have one on my list. I can't think of anyone else right now:
1. Jason Statham

Really, with Jason on the list, I don't need much more.

So, I am taking suggestions. What male celebrity should make my list?

I am addicted

On Sunday, our home computer died. It was an ugly death - a crash of massive proportions. Luckily, the unit is under warranty, so the replacement parts are on the way to us. Sadly, it is not fast enough for me.

I am so addicted to the Internet. Every morning between about 7 and 8 am, I check my e-mail and Facebook accounts. I also check out random other sites. If I can't get that access, I feel like I am totally disconnected in the world. I need my fix (and usually several times a day).

Yesterday was my day off. I would have had several hours to sit happily in front of the computer checking in with friends, playing games, and answering e-mails. I had to go to the library instead to use the public computer. I could not handle one day away! It is a sickness.

I just hope that our computer gets fixed soon. It needs to be fixed so I can get my fix.

Be My Valentine?

Today is Valentine's Day - a wonderful made up holiday when you tell your loved ones that you love them. This year, I asked my husband that we not exchange gifts or cards, but just spend time with one another.

Of course, my sweet hubby ignored me and got me a very cute card with some wonderful sentiments written inside. He also got me a gift (but said it was from the dogs) of a very creative collage of pictures of my pups. I got him nothing.

I makes me wonder if holidays like Valentine's Day are really just for women. It is an opportunity for our guys to come out and say "Hey - I love you" without having to feel weird about it. They can become extra mushy and it is a good thing. We women even give them extra points for doing this on February 14 versus February 15.

I have been under the weather lately, but I hope to feel better this evening. I want to stick to our original plan to spend time together by having a nice meal out. Of course, we did have a date night just Wednesday night, but it feels like something we should do tonight. After all, aren't those the rules for this made up holiday?

Pet Peeve #1

I have lots of pet peeves. We all do. There are little things that get under our skin and irritate us. I have a new little one that just irritates the heck out of me.

I am a runner. I have been running for almost 2 years now. I have done 3 half marathons. I cannot stand it when people tell me "Wow, that's so cool that you ran a half marathon. I could never do that!" Ugh - I just want to strangle someone who says that phrase to me.

I could never do that. Well, of course you can do it!! Do you think that I started out as a half marathoner? NO. When I started, I could barely run a half mile, let alone a half marathon. It takes time, perseverance, practice, and effort. These things are not just necessary for training for a long distance run; they applicable for anything you want to do in life.

We can't all be Olympic runners, but that doesn't mean we can't be runners.

I will need to remember my own advice that next time I am in yoga class and think to myself "I will never be able to do that pose..."

A Different Kind of a Race

This morning I participated in The Krispy Kreme Challenge. For those of you who may not know, Krispy Kreme is a donut maker naive to North Carolina. This race was dreamt up by a few NC State College student a few years back. The first year, there were about 11 participants. This year, there were over 5000 participants.

The Challenge is to run 2 miles from the NC State campus to the Krispy Kreme store. Once there, you eat 12 donuts as fast as possible. Then, you run the 2 miles back to where you started. This entire event must be completed in one hour to satisfy the challenge.

I participated as a casual runner. This means that you can eat (or not eat) as many donuts as you please. When I reached the KK store, it was so crowded with people that I just grabbed one donut and tried to find water. I never found the water, so I decided to head back.

It was a very hilly course, but I made it back in one hour and 7 minutes. In terms of running, it was one of my fastest 4 miles ever. I felt good even after eating a donut.

There were many people in costume - everything from people dressed as donuts to superheros to pirates to 2 guys in Speedos. There was even two guys who pushed their friends along the course in a shopping cart (he had broken his foot about a week ago). Even ESPN was there to cover the race - check your local listings for airing information.

It was a fun event and I am glad I did it. I think it is one of those things that it is good to say you did it once, but don't have to do it again. I have no desire to do the full challenge - the caloric content alone is enough to make me say no. At least I burned off the single donut I ate today. None of the challengers can say that.

Fair Weather Fan?

I am beginning to wonder if I am a fair weather fan. I have not been very interested in the Canes season this year. For the first time, I bought a season ticket package for just myself. I don't mind going to the games by myself. I take a magazine for the intermissions, and that is really the part of the game when I would miss others. I am starting to find that intermissions are my favorite part of the game.

I am starting to get bored with the hockey. It seems like the same thing over and over again. During the last game I attended, I didn't even stand when the Canes scored. I used to go crazy when I heard that horn. I also didn't stay for the whole game. I left with minutes remaining in the third period while the game was tied. The Canes did win the game -I heard it on the way home. I didn't even miss missing the end. I was just glad to be on my way home.

It sounds to me like the nine year run of being a season ticket holder is coming to an end.

What's Your Name? Part 2

I feel remiss to have forgotten two other people I see while running in our neighborhood.

1. There is a man who wears a parka and corduroy pants (in almost any weather) and carries a 1x4 piece of wood. He never looks up and never says hello. We just call him the crazy wood guy.

2. There is a walker who always has a huge smile for me. She always says that I look like I have lost so much weight and compliments me on how great I look. I call her my favorite person in the neighborhood!