And Their Off

Today was the big 20 mile run. I was super nervous going into it and super happy that it is over. I've calculated the amount of runs that I was supposed to do to train and if I don't miss anymore in the next three weeks, I will have done about 90% of the runs. It hasn't made me any faster, but I hope that I'm more prepared than last year.

Have you ever been to the dog or horse track? They have this rabbit that is attached to a pole that goes around the track for the animals to chase. I felt kind of like that rabbit today. I'm one of the slowest runners that I know, and I'm okay with that. Today though there were 2 groups of people running and I felt like their bunny. I would pass them while they stopped for a break and it was like they were thinking "okay, let's go catch that rabbit." I guess it was good for them, but a little unsettling for me that they could stop and drink and use the bathroom and I would keep running and then they would pass me until the next stop where I would keep going and they would take a several minute break only to catch me again. In the end, it doesn't matter because I finished what I set out to do. Maybe someday I'll be quick and they won't be able to catch me.


On a totally different subject, I think after a year of searching I've found a person to do my hair that I like and have confidence in. Hooray, that's almost as big an accomplishment as running 20 miles.

Trip to Chicago

I spent some time in Chicago last week for a math confernce. Can't say that the sessions were that great, but I did get to spend some time catching up with friends in the evenings. Here's a few pictures. I'd like to say that they are in some kind of order, but blogger is not being helpful.

Jenny and Greg came in and hung out in the city. Thanks so much for coming, I hope we are able to get together again soon.
If you look closely, you can see Buckingham Fountain. I took this picture with my phone while running on Lake Shore Drive.
Here's a few from our hotel room on the 33rd floor of the Hyatt. We had some housing issues so we spent one night in the Hilton. I was so impressed with our room because it had 2 bathrooms. I loved it!

The buidings reflecting off the bean in Millenium Park

There was a concert going at the music shelter
Me and Jenny at the bean
Cards on the Lawn at Millenium Park

I had a really nice weekend. I fully enjoyed the extra day given to me this weekend. Here's a run down of events.

Friday
- Went to football game
- Got free advice from the sports enhancement guy

Saturday
- Had a pretty good 16 mile run
- Finally got an oil change (only 2 thousand miles late)
- Worked out in the lawn
- Cleaned (I even dusted) the whole house
- Caught up with Laurie

Sunday
- Church
- BBQ with friends
- Nice Nap
- Concert in the Park
- Smore's and converstation around the fire pit

Monday
- Slept in for the first time in a long time
- Paid bills and ran errands
- Had a great time visiting with the Lee family. I just don't see them enough
- Got the lawm mower to start. Thanks to Greg
- Did a little school work (I'll be regretting the amount that I didn't do later in the week.)

Here's a few things I wish I could have done
- Read a good book
- Seen my mom, Kristin, and the Royalty family
- Went for a bike ride

Just waiting for the next long weekend. Columbus Day, I will be waiting.

I'm not your hon

I'm having trouble with my lawn mower. (anyone with skills here, feel free to volunteer to take a look.) I'm talking to my neighbor about getting a spark plug and he suggest I go to Auto Zone to get one. I'm against going to Auto Zone because I think they treat women poorly there, at least make you feel stupid. I decide to go to Lowe's because they are generally helpful. I go in and ask directions to the spark plugs and all is good. I'm proud of myself for the wise choice I've made going to Lowe's whan all of a sudden a Lowe's employee comes up and says "Are you finding what you need hon?" I found this extremely offensive and could have just as well gone to Auto Zone, but slightly out of charcter for me, I help my tongue, got my spark plug and came on home.