It's only been this year that I've learned to love running. I like to do 5k's, and I did a 10k this summer. I go running with Mar (my sister) at least three times a week; she's my running/racing buddy.
Last week, I randomly found a 5k that was being held up in Midway - good practice! So I talked Mar into signing up with me. We're used to the big races that include hundreds (sometimes thousands) of runners; but when we got to Midway, we found that we were two of twenty - yes, you read that right, TWENTY - people that had pre-registered for this race. It seemed like it was close to about 80 people that actually raced; the 60 that hadn't signed up consisted of the Midway High soccer teams and cross-country teams. Yeah... we felt like we were crashing the town festival. But hey - it was our workout for the day.
Before the race started, we overheard someone talking about the course - and how the first mile or so was a pretty steep uphill hiking trail - up a MOUNTAIN?? What had we gotten into? - until it leveld out for a while, and then went through a pretty steep downhill area on the other side of the mountain. (That was paved road, thank the dear sweet...)
Talk about an adventure! The guy wasn't kidding when he said 'steep' - I about passed out! I almost twisted my ankle on rocks about 7 times (no lie, I counted), and when we finally crossed the finish line, some guy handed us a little card telling us where we placed - I was 64th.
Hey, at least I wasn't last. We beat some guy with arthritis, as well as some other aged racers and fun-walkers.
On the up side, the trail was absolutely beautiful - it was like jogging through Rivendell in the fall! Gorgeous colored leaves were scattered all over the trail we ran on; the trees created kaleidoscopic archways over us; and the hillsides were dotted with the most intense colors I've seen in years.
I love fall!

Bindy Bob and Bobo... What am I going to do with you?? I recently moved home for a temporary period of time so I can save some money and buy my own place. It's an adjustment - though it's fun to hang out with the family all the time. (Well, for now, anyway.) :) Since Muti and Vati went to Las Vegas yesterday, the doggies are a little insecure without her; so last night, Bo camped oustide my bedroom door (even though it was open), and at some point during the night, Indy (or Bindy Bob, as he's affectionately known) curled up on my bed with me. No, let me rephrase: he SPRAWLED OUT on my bed. I woke up around 2:00 a.m. at the very edge of my bed, with a dog plastered to my side. I think he woke me up because he was dreaming, and his back legs were kicking at my pillow... I'm lucky I didn't get a foot in the face. Yep - that means that his back end was almost in my face. I don't know what he ate yesterday, but WHOAH. As soon as he felt me wiggling around, he woke up, realized how hot he was, and slithered onto the floor.
I was almost scared to sleep where he was laying.

Welcome to my world! If you don't like it, leave. :) My brother Mike has been trying to get me to start a blog forever... so here I am! I will post as often as I can - with photos, even! Suggestions on topics are welcome for now...