Where are you....

Haven't blogged for awhile...
So where I have been???

The past few months have been spent in good faith. I have been back and running for a while now. The only race I have participated in recently is the Home Run for the Homeless in Akron on Thanksgiving morning. This years race brought about 15 close family and friends who also participated. It was a nice run and I always enjoy when the money we pay goes to charity. I wanted to write a long blog on giving thanks but alas the time has passed and my words are short.

The most interesting thing to happen to P and I lately is that we adopted two kittens. Actually, they adopted us . Many of you know that P works for the Summit County Metro Parks and about three weeks ago while he was doing some work at the Bike and Hike trail he came across two kittens that had been dumped and left to fend for themselves. Being that they were only around 6 weeks old; they were scared, dehydrated, starving...you get the picture. He (being the kind soul that he is) took them back to the office and then home to fix them up and find someone to adopt them. Unfortunately, no one we asked wanted kittens and as the weekend passed I became more and more attached to them (and they to us). After a few tears (when Paul mentioned the pound), he gave in and let us keep them, secretly I believe he became fairly attached too. Our family is now a rousing 7 (3 cats, 1 dog, 1 tarantula and P and I).

As for now I finally finished this semester (only one more to go) last week and I am just trying to catch up on all the things that have been put to the wayside (cleaning, organizing, etc). Of course one of my favorite things about Christmas break is being able to read any books of my choosing, I usually can get about three in by the end of the month. Right now I have picked up the Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. It is a "some-what" scientific view of our food industry...answering the question "what are we eating?" To find out, Pollan follows each of the food chains that sustain us—industrial food, organic or alternative food, and food we forage ourselves—from the source to a final meal, and in the process develops a definitive account of the American way of eating. I am excited to read and understand just another view point on what is going on in our food industry.

As for what we are doing for physical fitness: P and I are just starting to get back into the multi-sport bit. We have been rock climbing a lot recently and running, but now we will get back into the pool and stationary bike training as well. My favorite thing about winter and snow was an impromptu 4 mi hike last night in the fresh powder snow, we were the first to put our tracks along the trail and the only ones out actually enjoying this weather. Hiking in the snow with the silence and beauty is just what this girl needs after a few weeks of intense school.

P and I are off to Florida for Christmas to visit my sis and take care of her after foot surgery...hopefully I can take some time to write a bit more, but if not I wish all of you a blessed Holiday Season!

Things that make you go hmmm...

Well here I am, sitting at work, pretty much the middle of October now. As of the end of this week I have taken 4 weeks off of running. My knee feels really good, and next Tuesday will be my inaugural re-entry to running. I have been swimming 2-3 days a week at the Nat here at the University, but I have no one to challenge me and I am bored with being inside. It will be nice to be back outside...even if it is rainy and cold. Part of me is a bit scared to get back into the swing of things...my last long run was 18 miles and now, who knows where I am at. I am going to be back out though, because no matter how crappy I feel, I know that the beginning is always difficult...like 2 years ago when I began running.

Funny how it is for me now to really want to be running but my body needs rest, a few years ago running was such a struggle and I would have liked an excuse to quit at times...wow, I have changed. I haven't biked for awhile either, my knee was hurting with the movement of peddling, so my doctor said to lay off of that until this next week as well. Hopefully there will be one more nice day for a bike ride before I put her in retirement for the season.

On a good note, my climbing has taken a jump in the right direction because of my knee I have been putting in about 2-3 hours/week of climbing in. I feel strong, and hopefully that will keep up, even when I am running. I was hoping to build a base of running to about 20-30 miles a week. This winter I refuse to train for a marathon. Last year, when I was training for Cleveland, the runs in the blizzard were enough to make anyone quit; plus, who wants to run on ice covered trails...blech. That way if I want I can run the Cleveland half, which puts me in a good routine by the time summer comes around...yes I am already thinking about summer.

Next year I hope to compete in my first marathon...FOR REAL...and I am planning (hope this does not jinx it) the Akron Full. Why leave town when I can sleep in my own bed. Who cares about time anyway, I just want to get one in!!!!!