They're always after me lucky charms!

This really has nothing to do with anything, but here it comes anyway. I love cereal. I eat it a lot because it takes no time to prepare, and I can satisfy my hunger as well as my thirst all at once. Well, today I was running low on options, so I went to the store. Lucky for me, cereal was on sale! If I bought 6 boxes of General Mills cereal, I got $10 off. So I did, and I did. Also, all Roundy's (generic) brand was 50% off. What a deal! And then, because I bought so much cereal, I got a coupon for 2 free gallons of milk. Huzzah! So now I have 28 boxes at home, which I'm pretty sure is a new record for me.

Soldier Field 10 Mile

The annual 10 Mile Race starts outside of Soldier Field, runs through Chicago's beautiful Southside, then heads north along the lakefront path. Participants run through Soldier Field with a spectacular finish on the field. Friends and family can watch you cross the finish line on the gigantic Jumbotron from inside the stadium.

Ellen talked me into signing up for this race. That girl can be very persuasive! It's going to be the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. I can't wait! I just hope I can keep up with her. OK, I take that back. I just hope I can finish!
I ran 6 miles on the treadmill yesterday, which took 58 minutes. My feet and ankles were so swollen by the end - I was on my feet for 8 hours at the hospital, followed by 2.5 hours of softball practice.
I don't work at the hospital today, and I am so grateful for the extra hours of sleep! Yessssss.

Suddenly I See!

It was really foggy this morning when I headed out for my run, but the sun burned it all away, and by the end it was clear and sunny. It's 62 degrees out, and I am having difficulties picking the right running outfit in these warmer temps. When it was below freezing, I just layered as many clothes on as I could. But now, one long sleeved shirt nearly ruined my run. I guess I would rather be a little chilly than too warm. It's just so hard to know!
I have been running between 40 and 60 minutes every day, and it's getting easier. The problem is I've been running out of things to think about. After about 20 minutes, I'm bored. I'm contemplating the purchase of an ipod.
I work 7am-3:30pm all this week, softball practice is 4pm-6pm, and I'll try to run right after practice. It's so nice to be busy again!

A Mighty Wind

I ran around Lake Phalen twice this afternoon, for a total of 6.25 miles. I felt pretty good the whole time, despite the Taco John's sloshing around in my belly and a mighty westerly wind. The gusts were fierce, causing my eyes to well up with huge tears.
The Channel 5 News van was parked around the lake, so I'm pretty sure I'll be on TV tonight. Look for the girl wiping her nose with her sleeve or hiking up her wind pants - that'll be me.

A couple of runs...

Yesterday Meg and I ran around Lake Phalen- about 3 miles, I think. We had to leap through some melting snow drifts, but other than that it was pretty uneventful. It's always great running with someone.
Today it was a little cooler out, so after practice I ran on the treadmill at the high school. It was fun to see how far I was actually going, and how fast. I ran for 3 miles, and my pace was just under 13-minute miles. I felt like I was running really fast (faster than I usually do outside). I think I'll try to run on the treadmill once or twice a week just to keep an eye on my speed, miles, etc.
I was awfully tired today. I think I just need to get used to not having my naptime. Or maybe I should start drinking coffee.

Sorry, Grandma!

So I've been blatently bad-mouthing Grandma's Half Marathon for all her bizarre rules and regulations, and her time requirements, and her busing of those who are unable to maintain the pace to some random parking lot, and her hefty entrance fee, and her 6:30 am start time, and especially her crazy lottery system by which race participants are chosen. But then I found out today that someone else I know (Crystal, a fellow nurse) was also chosen. As it turns out, everyone I know who applied was accepted. So maybe I was a little harsh, Grandma. Sorry about that. But your start time is still crazy early.

SOFTBALL!!!!!!!!!!

Boy, oh boy! Softball is here and I'm so happy! It's so hard to define/describe the smell of my glove and the feeling of playing catch. It's just awesome. We only have the pitchers and catchers today and tomorrow, but from then on everybody's in.
Because I no longer work nights at the hospital, I am more of a floater coach this season. It looks like I will be mostly helping out the B-Squad (sophomore) team, much to the chagrin of the head B-Squad coach, Jerry Ball, who was my assistant coach last year. He insists I am still the head B-Squad coach, but he is wrong. I'm pretty sure he just doesn't want to deal with the parents.
I have found that the only time I can run is after practice. It's too dark at 5am, but it's still light out at 7pm! I ran around the high school twice. I'm doing about 15-minute miles, but I can only run about 2-3 miles.
My big problem now is.... when do I shower? I want to shower after my run at night because I hate to go to bed dirty. But wet hair at night means a really bad hair day in the morning. Plus, I like to shower in the morning to wake me up before work. So then do I shower twice? Woe is me!

March Madness

That will describe my life starting tomorrow when softball season kicks off. I will have to plan out when I'm going to find time to run. My only options seem to be before work in the morning, or after practice in the evening. I don't really like the sound of either one.
Today I ran for 35 minutes, and walked for 15. I just wanted to stay outside. I think it may have hit 50 degrees out there! The highlight was seeing a huge hawk. It was sitting on top of an electrical pole, and as I got close, it flew away. The wingspan was enormous! So cool. I love seeing wildlife.
There are still lots of puddles to avoid on my route. On a path behind the high school, there are tons of huge ones. Yesterday I got soaked. But today, I tiptoed my way through with speed and agility, and hardly got wet at all! I felt like Richard Gere in First Night making his way through the gauntlet.

Back in the saddle again!

I am hereby out of hibernation! It's been so long, and it's good to be back. I've been in a funk for about 2 months, which I blame it on the nasty weather. Today, however, is gorgeous!
I think it got to 48 degrees. Sven Sundgaard (KARE 11 weekend weatherman) just said today it is the warmest day since Dec. 14, 2006 (my birthday).

I applied to run a half marathon in Duluth, MN on June 16th. They have a crazy lottery system, and only take 4500 runners. I never thought I would get accepted, but I found out today that my check was cashed, meaning I am IN!!! A girl I play volleyball with was chosen as well. So now we have to worry about that 14-minute per mile pace. What have we gotten ourselves into?

My run today felt good. Nothing hurt, at least. I'm getting serious about these runs now that I have a goal. Here's proof: today, I wore a watch.