Turkey Trottin'

Tomorrow mornin'.

9:00am.

2nd Annual Ebensburg Turkey Trot 5k.

Runnin' it with my buddy, Kerri!

I have no goal, dreams, hopes for tomorrow's run; it's all about celebrating Thanksgiving by burning a few calories (that I'll put back into my system by noon)! Ok, well, that' not entirely true, I'd like to cross the finish line in under 30:00.

Stay tuned!

Some Things I've Learned While Running

I was out on a short run today and somehow I got philosophical, which isn't all that uncommon for me, but those deep thoughts usually happen on longer runs. Today's thoughts started shortly after I spit on myself; yes, you read that correctly, I spit on myself; which was actually quite disappointing because I really thought I've become quite the proficient spitter (should that be capitalized? Spitter - it's a title, after all). Maybe I was thinking deeply to keep me distracted from the hills I was running:

Anyway, I came up with the start (read this as, "I wanted to jot these things down before I forget them, but will probably add to this last as I have more thoughtful runs) of a list of things I learned/came to realize while running or because of running:

1a. Spitting is not just for boys!

1b. Proficiency in spitting comes from practice.

2. Running has increased my patience - how could it not? You need so much mental endurance to run for any longer than 2 minutes.

3. Although no run is ever easy for me, I never regret hauling my a$$ out there and giving it my all, even if it is only for 2 miles.

4. Running on a treadmill has its place and advantages, but being outside in the sun, seeing the beautiful scenery (even the ~500 pig I ran past. Literally, it was a real pig), and filling the lungs with cool air is not only healing, but totally inspiring.

5.     This one is only describable through a photo:

Source: Uploaded by user via Amy on Pinterest

     

What have you learned through or because of running?

NYC

Congrats to all the NYC Marathoners!

I think if I ever run a marathon, this will be the 1!

Big Apple, bigger dreams.

A Date

I was browsing through my blog control panel and saw that I had a 'draft' blog post - meaning I started a post but never finished it. The post was titled "A Date," just like this one. Then I realized that I meant to create this lovely little blog post after Jeremy and I had a special date.

It was September 18 and the weather was cool; sunny, but cool.

We loaded our bikes up and headed out to the Ghost Town Trail. Now here's the thing. We both bought bikes years ago but it's a shame how much little we use our bikes. We have been wanting to ride this trail for at least a decade. We were a little excited to actually get this chance.

We decided to ride about 7 miles out and back (that's big time mileage for 2 people who haven't been on bikes in quite some time).

Stopping along the way to learn about a long-lost town, Beula. Beula makes me think of the part in Ferris Bueller's Day Off when the teacher, Ben Stein, keeps saying, "Bueller, Bueller, Beula...."

Obviously, I didn't have the camera much.

The way out was a slow long grade downhill.....that meant the way back was a slow long grade UPhill. We stopped often to stretch our legs and take some photos.

Love this guy!

Great date.

Blog post - better late than never!

Fun Run

My run today was more of a rog or a jun or a ralk or a wun. I don't really know...(it was some form of walk, run, jog, take pictures).

I took my camera along and decided I would just have some fun - no time keeping, no intervals, etc. Just a nice fall run enjoying the scenery. I'm about 1-2 weeks late on the peak of the foliage, but I managed to catch quite a few pretty photos along the way.

Going up our lane (shortly after I took this photo, I heard someone something behind me. I turned around and there was Gertie (my dog) chasing behind me. I had to run her back and restart - no biggie!

This is the first of about 4 hills I manage to navigate each time I run this route.

Second hill - beautiful leaves :)

I love cresting this hill - only a few of the leaves are left @ this point, but you can get the idea of how it might look full of leaves.

When I run this route in the morning, the sun will greet me as I crest this hill - it's breathtaking!

This is the closest I'll ever get to being tall!

Beautiful Maple. A friendly pup came by to greet me @ this point.

These horses are always so nice and say, "Hello!" when I run past.

Prettiness!

The 'tall' me (with what looks like a swollen leg).

I love Oak trees.

Just me being silly. And yes, I do realize I look like I should be headed to the pool after this, but I swear this is a cold-weather sport hat.

Crossing over the creek that actually runs behind our lake.

And finally, this is what I get to come home to!

Happy Fall!

Bootie Buster? I'm IN!

It's been a while since I posted - nothing amazing to report :)

I haven't been totally motivated recently - it could be lack of direction - I'm just not sure where to put my efforts. I don't have any races on the horizon.

While reading a fellow blogger's post today, I stumbled upon this opportunity that might just give me the direction that I need to turn nothingness into awesomeness!

It's called the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2011 . The goal is to earn points by exercising and eating well over the holiday season (November 19 - January 6). What a great idea - this is perfect for me! Because you earn points by tracking your progress, I will be posting more often and what I've been up to (yet again, more motivation for me to get my butt into gear).

It's National Coffee Day!

National Coffee Day + my birthday- coincidence? I think not!

I'm sure by my mom deciding to birth me on this date 36 years ago, she knew I'd grow up to be a coffee lover! Thanks Mom!

Today is also Rosh Hashana and the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel.

So drink up, happy birthday to me, happy Jewish new year, and blessings!

It was a good day topped off with a pumpkin pie arctic swirl from The Meadows!