Good Days

Happy Tuesday!!!

I finally had enough. The thought of training for a half marathon with my uber-long hair was just too much. I was going crazy at work. Immediately after work, I met up with Jenna and I donated my hair to Locks of Love. And I love it!!! It's short, sleek and just so fun! [The hostess of the hair salon had asked if I was going to go through with it. Many of my coworkers asked why I wanted to get rid of my hair. One even told me not to, because it was too pretty. My hair was pretty, but it was driving me crazy! At least now someone who cannot grow their own hair has the chance of owning a wig made from my hair.] Trust me, I have no regrets!

I'm really tired, and Wednesdays are my 10 hour days. Boo... This is just a quick post because I need to get to sleep ASAP.

On a happier note: Today's Favorite? My Birthday Flowers!!!

Here We Go Again...

There are many things I should probably get off my chest now, but only one comes to mind...

I know, I know. I booked myself a "vacation." But the longer I thought about it, the worse it sounded. I mean honestly, I'm supposed to do nothing for an entire week? SO... I signed up for a half marathon!!! YAY!!! After all, nothing says rest and relaxation like a little bling! ;-) And when one part of your life lets you down, you have to make up for it somewhere.

So blog-world, come join me! There are 10 weeks between me and my next 13.1 mile adventure! I have to warn you, I still don't call myself a runner. I'm just a person who occasionally runs half marathons. NBD. I'm clumsy and injury prone and absolutely have issues breaking through the mental task of running. But over the next 10 weeks you'll get an idea of my training schedule, my goals and failures, and how even the non-athletes win big when we somehow dig deeper.

Here are my current running shoes: Brooks Glycerin 8. I've already completed a half marathon with these babies. I will retire them with the next half marathon. This morning I also ordered shoes (same exact shoe, same make, different color) because if I trained in these babies alone I'd use up their remaining mileage before the next race. Here's a tip: if you're a novice runner, or a runner on a budget, I bought another pair of Glycerin 8s even though the Glycerin 9s are out now. Typically you can save about $50 if you buy the previous years new release. Check out running warehouse type stores, or even the name brand website, for reduced merchandise. And if you've never had your gait analyzed, what are you waiting for! It helps you find the perfect shoe, providing more comfortable running for you and for your body!

Belated Birthday

“Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be.” –Marsha Petrie Sue

After such a crummy week, I got to spend the day getting a little TLC and girl time with my best friend. Her sweet boyfriend even put up with me in my semi-bummed state, and paid for all of our desserts. We went to Bravo! in Pittsburgh. I got chocolate lava cake with vanilla-bean gelati topped with chocolate sauce! Yum! It wasn't the perfect chocolate cake of my dream... but it was definitely a worthy runner-up!

Now I begin another crazy work week. Chinese leftovers for lunch today - yes!!! And going to the track to run off said leftovers after work - double yes!!! I'm scheduled all six days this week, and I've scheduled myself four runs. Just short, 3 mile stints. More to unwind after work, and mental health, than anything else. I will not be hitting any new PRs this week. I'm crazy enough to work a full day, including at least one more 10hr shift, and then go to the track. My runs this week are just about getting to the track and slow, enjoyable runs.

Also, *gasp* I'm going to be cutting out some computer time. What? Yes, it's true. The more time I need to spend on my computer at work (which is...well, quite a lot) the less I want to stare at this screen when I get home. But no worries, I will still make time for my blog. Aside from my running plans, I'm still feeling quite deflated. I'm hoping to perk up a bit with a lovely fall candle scent (orange and cinnamon), lots of movies and even some "reality" television. So bad, but so good. Definitely my guilty pleasure. And I have no qualms admitting that. While I realize these shows are #1 not reality and #2 just pathetic, I also realize that the people in my life who are most prone to criticizing these programs are also those who watch lewd humor that I don't find enjoyable. I do want to limit television for the record, but as I pointed out to my guy friend, for the time being these shows are comfort food in the form of television. So here's to watching bad "reality" television while knocking off another to do list or two. And finding a new home for George. (more on that later) Because otherwise I'm going to bust out the Christmas tree. And it's not even September just yet...

Lastly, my pastor announced he is leaving our church. He has been here for 18 years. It will be at best a challenging transition, and will definitely require a lot of change, soul searching, pruning, and growing.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..." -Hebrews 12:1

"The medicine of life is to have true faithful friends."

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.

"Pooh!" he whispered.

"Yes, Piglet?"

"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw.

"I just wanted to be sure of you."



This week was the pits. Just crummy all around. Luckily, my best friend came home to escape Hurricane Irene. She didn't actually know how bummed I had felt this week. An hour on the phone, two movies, birthday cake and Chinese takeout later... I'm feeling somewhat back to myself. And since last week was my birthday, we are going out tonight to celebrate. And get this amazing chocolate cake. I'll definitely write about that, OR I will write about how they convinced me to go to a different restaurant. If that happens, we'll see. At any rate, I am so happy for good friends who are there to help you through tough times.


"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." -Bernard Meltzer

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." -Albert Schweitzer

Faith Hope Love

Faith

Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.



Hope

Hope is putting Faith to work when doubting would be easier.



Love

Where there is Love, there are miracles.

he's never gonna love me, is he?

I don't think so

at least I tried, right?

"Any coward can fight a battle when he's sure of winning; but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he's sure of losing." -George Eliot

Sometimes it feels like I can't win. Not ever. Even in my dreams. Last night I had a dream where the thing I wanted most in the world was retreating. Just far enough to be out of reach.