Doping?

Normally I haven’t really followed much in the Tour de France. I’m a runner, not a cyclist. Butt I have always at least seen when things are coming to a finale, and have been usually aware of the winner. This year I’m dating someone who is very involved in cycling. As he said it (for a way for me to get it), this is his “super bowl”…so I’ve been watching it, sometimes with him, sometimes just on my own, and paying attention, at least a bit, to what is going on in it.

This year has been insane. The scandals are rampant, you have an early favorite who tested positive for a blood transfusion and his entire team withdrew, then just yesterday, the man in yellow, the man who had a very good shot at winning it all, ended up pulled, not because he tested positively, but because of failing to be available for a random test prior to the race starting, and having lied about his whereabouts. And his entire team pulled out as well.

Having become closer to the sport, and knowing someone very close to the sport, I’ve been informing that yeah, most of them do…and that makes me very sad. Of course he also pointed out to me that anyone at the top of these endurance level sports (yes, running included) is probably doing it…and that makes it even worse. What happened to the joy of the sport? Of course you look at the dollars that can come to the winners, marathon purses. The money for just a stage win in the tour. The endorsements from sports companies. We’re talking big bucks and who do you blame for it? What would a lot of people do for the right amount of money? But it still is sad and ruins the integrity of the sport for the fans that love it. I do have to say that I like the fact that the teams are taking responsibility and not just “looking the other way” and it’s the whole team being punished for it. Maybe it will make it become a team effort to keep each other off the doping. The thing is, it really sets a precedence too. Can you imagine a playoff bound football or baseball team pulling out because they find a few of their players are “doping”?

Beyond ruining the integrity, setting a bad example for the up and comers, it’s also plain dangerous. Using steroids, other drugs that are out there to enhance things, blood transfusions (adding MORE blood into the system than we normally have, this one floored me) and anything else they do is dangerous. It can kill…and these athletes don’t seem to care. This is sad…is money really more important than your health and well being? And knowing that you won, because you are the best, not because you used the right combination of drugs to make yourself the best?

Twins Win!

I’m not a big fan of baseball, but my mom is, and she loves her Twins and through my work we have sets, so I was able to get 4 tickets and use them for the game on Saturday night. My dad hadn’t been to a Twins game since the old Met Stadium (for those not from MN that’s where the Mall of America, which most have heard of, now stands) so it’s been a long time. It also seemed to be about the time for L to meet my parents. He’s been in the picture a while, he’s becoming more and more important in my life and I thought, well, let’s make that step. It seemed to have gone well. Dad asked him when he was coming to my home town, so we’ll have to make a trip at some point. Not for a bit yet though, lots of family things over the next couple of weekends. Here are how good the seats were and a few neat shots I got.

I just found the Sepia setting on my camera...this turned out quite cool.

Home run for Tori.

Our side arm pitcher...quite interesting to watch!

With a tie of 2/2, and a count of 3/2 (only 1 out) Mauer hits an in field home run at the bottom of the 8th with 2 runners on.

And the Twins win!

Rest of the weekend wasn’t too bad. I ran 17 miles on Saturday morning and another 4 on Sunday I managed 40 miles for the week. I’d like to maintain that for the next few weeks (except maybe lighter next week if I run the half I’m considering) and just see where I get to. I maybe got a bit spoiled on that last long run, due to a miscommunication on Friday night (that was thankfully resolved well) L didn’t help me with the long run on Saturday and I missed having someone to look forward to seeing every few miles (not to mention someone with an icy bottle of water and some Powerade) and he told me he was actually bummed about it too as he had a lot of fun helping me on my run last time, so next one will hopefully be with aid! Sunday I had to drop L at the airport kind of early as he is out east for a bike race this week that the team he works for is participating in, he comes back on Monday and I should also be able to pick him up. Sunday I got to catch up with a friend though, and that was nice. We hadn’t see each other in about 2 ½ months I think and she’s been through some stuff and seems like things are coming around and she’s finding herself, which is awesome. I like to see my friends getting to happier places and figuring out their lives and things they need to help them get happy.

Looks like some steamy times coming up, but that’s fine…I can still run, even when it’s 90 degrees and 70% humidity (yes, these are the tropics!) I just might be getting up earlier this week and running before work…

Running Like it Should Be

Last night was a perfect night for a run. The humidity had broken, although maybe that’s not the right way to state it. It was raining, relieving the air of the heavy feel that too much moisture can cause. When I put on my running shoes and headed out the door, it was a light rain, steady, but not a downpour. The clouds were coming through and there was a little thunder (but no visible lightning other than one streak I saw walking out of the house, and yes, I know, if there is thunder there is definitely lightning) but just a light rain. And it wasn’t that dark and gray of an overcast, rainy day. There were areas around the metro that were clear, and/or the rain hadn’t come through yet, so there was sun around the edges, making it seem necessary for sunglasses, although I never actually wore them (the rain would’ve been a deterrent to that, although I wish I had worn a hat), they were on top of my head the whole run. I was going to run 4. But since it was cooler, and the rain was falling, and at one point (probably mile 4) it started to pour, so I was not getting any wetter, I decided to stay out till it stopped…6 miles later I was home, clothes were dripping, shoes were drenched, socks could be wrung out, but I felt good. Not a great run, but at least it was a fun one. As soon as I figured out it was raining, it made me want to get out in it. Now in the early spring and later fall, that’s not so much the reaction, but when it’s summer, it’s warm out, you have been sweating on runs and feeling gross, it’s nice to have a refreshing rain to run in. Especially when it’s not as dark and grey as it could be, and the sun is even slightly poking through…

I even made it to bed kind of early, expecting to wake up, as usual, around 5, and get out of bed to run...but with no alarm for that early, I didn't wake up, so will have to try to get one in tonight, maybe after dinner. L and I are going on a "date" tonight, dinner somewhere (I have to make the decision, I'm thinking one of the little places along the river) and then possibly going for a run...I have to say, I like having a boyfriend that runs. And actually suggests it on occasion himself or really likes the idea when it is mentioned.

Steamy 8 Miles

Ah, the hot and steamy tropics of MN…oh wait, we only think we live in the tropics, it gets quite cold here too. As we are reminded each October…

Last night I had a showing at my condo (yay, they even took a flier, this is only the 2nd time someone took one, but they didn’t take a disclosure sheet, so probably not that interested…sigh…) from 6-7. So I came home, took a short nap/rest time and then threw on running clothes and headed out into the steamy MN evening. It wasn’t so terrible. I opted to run around a nearby nature reserve with biking and walking trails around it. There is a water fountain and it’s mostly shaded, a 2 mile path, so I ran to it (a little over a mile) around it 2 times and then back, having added on at a few other places (I skipped my Garmin) I did approximately 8 miles. I was drenched when I got home. And the power was off. Yeah, that was fun. I NEEDED a shower sooooo badly…so showering in the dark. And it’s amazing how much we have learned behaviors. Walk into a room, turn on the light…even though you know the power is off! Ah well.

What’s funny is we had a power outage at work on Monday. It was off for about 3 hours…so I ended up going and doing a bit of shopping on Monday on an extended lunch. I needed new work clothes and it is summer clearance time, 2 skirts and 2 tops later, and only $45 out of my pocket, I didn’t think I did too badly…

It’s another steamy one tonight. I was going to shoot for a quick 4 as L and I were going to meet up, we haven’t gotten together since Sunday and he does claim he misses me, still not sure why on that, but he seems to, and I do enjoy spending time with him, and we didn’t get much quality time this weekend, so I was looking forward to seeing him as well, but he has something going on later now tonight, so I might just run a bit longer (in the steamy evening again) and then relax at home…have a nice salad and sandwich for dinner so I don’t have to cook and heat up the house….maybe I’ll go out for a beer later. I have people missing me as I haven’t been to my hang out in forever…

Lifetime Fitness Triathlon

This weekend I volunteered at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon. A very big event in the world of Tri’s, drawing the top of the sport athletes due to the $60K that goes to the men and women’s winner and due to it being part of a series, which the male winner of this race won on Saturday, netting him $120K total for winning Saturday and the series. It’s a huge event. They have Olympic distance for the pros and elite amateurs, along with anyone else that wants to attempt that distance (1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run) and there is an option of a sprint distance (.5 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 5K run). It drew around 3200 athletes, and 1000 volunteers. I volunteered to help out at the finish line, which was actually nice in many ways because I didn’t have to be there at 4:30 in the morning the way the body marking people did, we didn’t have to do anything at the beginning so that left for being able to go watch the start and the transition from swim to bike and again from bike to run. Our job was to collect the timing chips. Easy enough, they are velcroed onto the athletes ankle, just have to grab it and pull….pay attention to if anyone needed medical and just enjoy the day. I had good conversations with a number of people, found jealousy in looking at some of the women athletes there (and it made me regret the bagel and doughnuts I had eaten from the volunteers tent, along with some of the candy, but not enough to regret the beer I had when I was given an access pass to the hospitality tent) and just in general enjoyed being able to be part of an event. I have trouble volunteering at running races, because I always feel like I need to be there running it, so this is a good option, helping at races that aren’t something I intend on doing (although I guess I haven’t fully ruled it out, but tris are so expensive, you might need a wet suit, you need access to a pool to be able to swim, road bikes are so expensive…).

Anyway, I managed to even take some pictures…you can see it was early, with the sun rising over the crowd when I pulled up, and some had been there as early as 5 am. Pro start time was 7, the pro women 3 minutes behind, the elite amateurs were 10 minutes behind the women and then heats from there of the rest of the field. I didn’t get to see much of the swim, but I got a few snaps of athletes running up the beach, then getting to the bike area. Then again when they changed from the bike back to run…and finally of the winner. I would’ve taken more but unfortunately I hadn’t checked my camera battery before leaving home and it was dying…so this was all I managed.

I got a few runs in over the weekend…nothing fantastic, but nothing hurting either. My mileage was lower last week than I had thought I had been at, somehow I was adding wrong while I was doing some of the runs…I managed 33, I want to get back up to regularly in the 40s, but I just can’t seem to get motivated. And with things not feeling great…if it’s really a sacro problem I’m having, which is what L has been thinking, I think I need to work more on that without a chiro at least at first (partly due to my health insurance isn't so great anymore on the coverage of chiro, I have a deductible and not just co-pay, stupid health insurance), so I’m back to using my sacro wedgie to see if that helps me at all. I haven’t been using it at all lately and maybe between that, some good massages, and yoga maybe I can work it all out and start feeling better. I’m hoping to get 17 miles in this weekend…I want to go out on Friday night, Saturday night I’m going out as well, so I might be trying to force my butt out of bed really early on Friday (or running after work before going out) and see if I can get it in…maybe I can get up and run 7 and then work and then come home and run another 10 as an option too…we’ll see.

Friday the 13th

Oh, another busy week…and apparently I’m feeling exhausted. Last night I got home from work, went for a run, started out around 5:15, was done just before 6:30, I went 8 miles…I got home, I did a couple small things around the house, tried to get some GMAT studying in and was asleep by 8:30…umm…yeah…

My running has been lackluster lately. I’ve been very frustrated by it and I don’t know what to do about it. Justrun summed it up in her blog today pretty much exactly the way I feel. I have been able to get out and plod along, I sometimes wear a watch, but most times lately haven’t. Regardless, the run almost never feels ‘great’ and sometimes I think “why am I doing this” other than the obvious one of wanting to still lose a couple of pounds and not gain back where I’ve made the headway. The main thing is, I’m not doing it because I want to run some races and/or because I’m training for something. And I really don’t care and/or don’t feel like I want to train for anything either. I have been considering a fall marathon, it’s still been on my radar, but man, now I just don’t know. I don’t have the energy/motivation to run hard. And to get my goal time I have to run hard. Every run goes out about the same time frame…anywhere in the 8:45-9:15 (9:30 for my 15 miler on Saturday, but that was a longer run and it was hot and if I took into account full running time, it would be much slower than that as I had a few stop points for water and discussions on where I was running next). I hate this feeling of not even being out enjoying it. I don’t HAVE to run and I still just don’t seem to care and/or like what I’m doing and I hate that. It’s in part due to the glute/hamstring issue I’ve been dealing with, oh, probably close to a year now. It’s tight, it never feels 100%, runs never feel “great” (although that run in the rain last week was nice), and I just don’t know what to do about it. I feel, at least partly sometimes, like I’m not fueled enough. I know my eating has been bad and I haven’t been as diligent about eating a nice afternoon snack to get energy going. I also haven’t been eating the same time frame and same types of things I used to eat when at my last job. I’m still working on getting a new schedule going, but not having my eggs and toast everyday that I was used to, and then a later lunch, has caused problems that I know I need to remedy either by getting up and running in the morning, or eating something in the afternoon to fuel for that time. I just want to feel good about running again. I want to enjoy it and not do it cause I “have to”…I want back the feelings I had last spring when every run felt great, I enjoyed training, I was nailing the tempos, had great times on my intervals and the long runs were almost always great too (OK, a few were bad, but not many). I maintained that for almost 6 months and I ran my 3:42:54 that June…I just don’t know what is different now, what I had then that I’m lacking…I actually am less busy too. I don’t have a 2nd job now, I had more free time…


Just so it’s not such a downer post, I’m including some pics and a few fun things from the last two weeks. Lack Harriet bandshell, where I watched the guitar players with a friend and then had ice cream after. A sunset over Lake of the Isles (one of the chain of lakes that are a great place to run in the metro), downtown from Lake of the Isles and finally this license plate that I found hysterical for whatever reason and since I had my camera…

Tomorrow I'm up early as I'm helping out with the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon, a really big Tri that goes on not far from home. I'm volunteering at the finish line so that should be fun. It's even broadcast on NBC, so watch Saturday night, you might see me out there among the volunteers, although I have been informed we are not allowed anywhere near certain areas when the pros are finishing...and I'm not one holding the tape, darnit...it should be exciting though and I haven't volunteered for a while so helping L at the one a couple weeks ago and doing this one this week, I'm giving back. Even if it's not actually at a road race, but hey, tris aren't something I do, so I don't feel the "why am I not running this race since I'm here" thing that I sometimes feel at road races.

Happiness is...

A boyfriend nice enough to follow you out on a long run and carry the water and powerade so you don’t have to wear the fuel belt you hate…

and hands it to you at regular intervals cause he knows you should drink it even if you aren’t wanting it at that time…

and bikes on ahead so you have something to watch and look forward to further on the run…

and tells you how good you are doing, and how proud he is of the fact that you finished the 15 miles in the heat and humidity (even though it got even hotter later but you didn’t get going quite as early as you would’ve liked to) even though you know it wasn’t a great run…

oh, and made your breakfast for you prior to the run and forced a recovery drink on you after…

Ah yes…he might be right, I might be a little spoiled…

A rainy run…

It’s been so long since I had the joy of running in the rain and on Tuesday night, 2 ½ miles into the planned 5-6 miler I was going to do, it started to sprinkle a bit, then it turned into a gushing downpour and it was fantastic! I was soaked in about 5 minutes but it felt so good and I didn’t care. I turned the run into 7 just because it felt so good and was so much fun…I probably would’ve gone even further but the rain was kind of stopping and I did have things I needed to do. But man, why can’t there be more runs like that. The thunder that happened a bit later didn’t phase me (seriously, I have rubber soles on my shoes, not much to worry about right?), and it just feels so good when you are being refreshed by a summer shower as you are slogging through a warmer day (it wasn’t terribly warm that day, but warm enough and it’s getting hotter this weekend!).

After the run I went to my “friends”…OK, I suppose I can officially say it’s more. Massage guy we’ll call him, has pretty much become my boyfriend. We’ve been seeing each other 2 months now, I guess it was time to finally maybe use that label? Anyway, went to his place and he, I and his two neighbors went and saw Transformers. Yes, I grew up in the 80s, and I LOVED the Transformers. The movie had incredible special effects and I really did like it for the most part, although it really did feel more like a “builder” point for two years down the road when Transformers 2 comes out. Two of the guys that I was with (the neighbors) were total geeks on it. We dissected it later, and even they liked most of it, although didn’t like a few of the teases that were in, one was that they didn’t remain true to the forms that were used in the original cartoons, but Optimus was the same, even the same voice. Anyway, after the movie, we had a few beers and then went to bed. I stayed downtown with L and the next day we went for lunch (although I had wanted breakfast, and I could’ve had it where we did end up, I chose a taco salad instead) at a marketplace that is geared toward ethnic foods. Mostly Asian and Mexican. It was good. More authentic Mexican than typical “Tex-Mex”. After food we were going to go to the 4th Celebration across the river, but ended up watching some movies (at least bits of movies) and taking a bike ride over to get some beer…then we went up on the roof of the building to watch fireworks, but since this is a shorter building we weren’t quite able to see them as well as we might have otherwise, but that’s OK. A late night slice of pizza so I’d be able to feel OK for work the next day and an almost fight with a couple of drunk idiots that didn’t know how to keep their mouths shut (and only shot them off when they were “safe” meaning the security at the bar, or a cop outside, gotta love people that come out, start shooting off their mouths and acting stupid and then go running to the cops when a move is made on them) but oh well. All in all a nice 4th of July…

4th of July

Well a few minutes to kill before I head out for the day. I’ve got some thoughts I was going to post about, but not sure I have the time to get into them right now so I guess I’ll just share a few basics for catch up purposes. The weekend was good, but quite busy. Friday night I went to the band shell for the music. It was good and quite enjoyable to sit outside on the lawn and just listen and chat. We got Sebastien Joe’s ice cream after for a snack and then I went to my “friend’s” and crashed, although I was unable to sleep, feel really bad for him on that since he had to be up early and work the next day, I just had to hang out. I spent Saturday morning at a Triathlon though, sprint tri, and it was quite enjoyable. My friend and a person who contract’s through is studio were doing the massages for those at the end of the race and I spent the morning signing people up and keeping things moving. It was nice to chat with athletes and watch the race. I even figured I could’ve probably handled doing that one pretty easily. (no, no thoughts on doing a tri!) After we were done, my “friend” and I went for lunch and then a long nap at his place. Ended up watching a movie and then I headed home to clean up and head out to watch a band play with some co-workers. It was an enjoyable night and I made a pinky swear with someone for studying for and taking the GMAT this summer…we’ll see if that holds up! Sunday I cooked ribs…I slow cooked them…they were so good…my “friend” was over to eat them as well and we ended up renting the British version of The Office and watching some of that before crashing early.

For this week, I’m heading to my “friend’s” place tonight to maybe see a movie and go out for drinks, tomorrow evening we plan to watch the fireworks from his place, we are going up on the roof of the building to watch them, it’s a 4th story of a building in downtown Minneapolis and should give us a nice view of the ones over the river so that should be a nice evening. Other than that, just hanging out and who knows what tomorrow. Everyone have a fun and safe 4th of July and I’ll hopefully get some pictures from the 4th and also from the tri last weekend up later this week.

The Week in Recap

I have been meaning to and trying to update this all week, but didn’t have the pictures wanted to include them in the first post…so hence, a wait, but they might be worth it!

Last Friday I was down at the 3rd (well 4th if you could the time trial that had happened that morning) stage of the Nature Valley race series. Big bike race around the mid-Western region of Minnesota. It started with a speed trial in downtown St. Paul last Wednesday, a road race in Canon Falls on Thursday, time trial and then speed race in downtown Minneapolis on Friday night, another road race on Saturday in Mankato and finishing with I think another speed race on Sunday in Stillwater. I saw the race on Wednesday night and then went with a couple of friends to the race on Friday night. It was quite cool seeing the bikes going through (top speeds of 39 mph) on the roads of downtown Minneapolis. The team my friend works with were there and I managed to get this cool picture, totally on a fluke, of one of the members of his team (I just put my camera out and snapped a picture, had no idea who or what it might take a picture of). The other picture is getting into some of the last few laps of the race and while the bikers were more toward the far side of the lane for most of it, this last part they spread out and we could’ve almost touched some of them! After the race we headed (myself and my two friends) to our local hangout and had a few drinks. Then it was home as we were all kind of exhausted after long days.

Saturday I got up and actually went for a long run. In fact the run was 13.25 miles in length…longest I’ve done in quite some time and it felt good. I averaged a 9:21 pace which wasn’t bad considering it was a bit warmer out by the end of it (I didn’t get running till 11). My parents were in town and I met up with them for a drink at my uncle’s legion for a street dance and fireworks later that evening and then called it an early night.

My plan on Sunday was the Pride parade and then a work happy hour/meet and greet of the international sales team and then the end of the race series party my friend was having, which was convenient since all events were in downtown Minneapolis. Unfortunately last minute had back outs of people going to the parade so I didn’t make it to that, instead I had a run, did some cleaning and just relaxed for part of the afternoon at Lake Calhoun before going home, getting cleaned up and heading to Brit’s for the party. It was nice to get to meet some of the people there, and we ended up doing some Lawn Bowling and then I said I was going to the party and others wanted to join me, so we walked over and had some beer. It was a nice night, but I was again quite exhausted so ended up home in bed by 1.

This week so far my running is way off. I had 42 miles last week but this week I’m only at 15 and it’s Friday. I’m planning between 6 and 8 tonight, but don’t know when or if I’ll get a run in the rest of the weekend as it’s kind of packed. I’m meeting a friend at my place after she’s done with work and going to Lake Harriet band shell for music tonight, then it’s another friends birthday so I’ll probably meet her for a drink, my “friend” is meeting us maybe at the band shell and then I’ll be crashing at his place tonight as he sponsor’s a triathlon every year and goes down and does massage at it and asked me if I wanted to come along. I’ll be there helping get people signed up for massage etc…this will go to early afternoon I’m sure, then maybe a nap by Calhoun and/or stopping to see some friends since we are up close to their place for the tri…tomorrow night the people still in town for the meeting are planning an outing to see a band play and I said I’d be joining them, so most likely I’ll be heading out for that and maybe staying at my sister’s place if I opt to have a few drinks…we’ll see how tired I am though! Sunday I think I need to relax! I might grill up some ribs and hopefully will find time for a run then, since tomorrow I might not get one. It was kind of nice this week though, on Wednesday I was downtown to see a band play and met up with my “friend” there and then he and I went for a run. I haven’t run with someone in so long and it was kind of fun doing that again. And I have never really run with someone that I’m actually dating…so that was even more fun actually. We’ll see how things continue to play out.

Still no buyer’s for my condo. There is a good and bad to that. On the good, I have more money to throw at bills and things for right now (but maybe I should be saving up for more toward a downpayment), and there are plenty of things on the market I like and would consider buying, so hopefully it stays that way, mine sells (I’d love it if I could have a sale to close maybe October, move end of October/early November, but you can’t ever guarantee something like that). I know it will eventually sell, and I’m sure I’ll find something I deem perfect for me at the time, but the unknown is kind of a pain. I’d almost take it off the market and just stay where I am, but I just have so many “wants” that I need more space for (like my exercise room, I’ve determined I’m buying some bowflex changeable weights ones I have space to have that kind of stuff)!

Thursday Run

It’s been a while since I’ve just written about a run. Sure I’ve made mention of what I’ve been doing in passing with other updates, but there really haven’t been any stand out runs. Everything all kind of blends together. I have run a number of them without watch (mostly wearing HRM though just trying to get a feel for numbers before I work out the mins and maxs). I’ve even had a few runs without anything but my MP3 and they have ranged from bad to OK or average but something yesterday hit me. Maybe it was the early afternoon chocolate chocolate chip muffin, or the Pizza Hut Express breadsticks so I’d have the energy to run without having to wait till I made dinner, had it eaten and then rested it off…Anyway, last night I could’ve gone further, I only ran 7 (had planned 5 or 6) and wish I had done at least 8. The first mile stat I’m not sure of, but I know it was slow due to stopping to say hi to a neighbor and pet her dog, but then I was off and most of the miles fell right around 8:35 pace, and HR stayed around what it has been most runs. I’ve been averaging maybe seeing a high of 167-175 (but that’s usually coming up the last hills), and most of the run has tended toward being in the mid-150s, which none of this means much yet since I only know my min and not my max HR yet. But I’m guessing this is going to come close to the average range that most runs should be in (65-75% effort I think). It was so nice to have finally achieved a good run though. Final run time had me at an average of 8:38, which it's been a while since I've effortlessly hit those paces. Maybe it was the slightly cooler weather last night that helped too. The run on Wednesday was only 4 miles and that one I almost bagged because it just didn’t feel good, legs felt dead (and I had only done 7.25 the night before) so I just don’t know. I’m still not sure about a fall marathon either, but it’s that time to start building mileage up, looking at a training schedule and getting something going soon if I’m going to even consider doing one…I’m still kind of playing it out to see what happens and if I can get into Twin Cities yet.

Wednesday night I went and checked out a bike race. First time I had ever been to one, at least in that capacity. It’s a pro race series going on in the area right now. Mostly within the metro with a couple of trips about an hour away. It was fun and Jelly Belly was there handing out sport beans, as was Nature Valley (which makes sense since it’s the Nature Valley Grand Prix) handing out granola bars. The race was a sprint in downtown St. Paul. Just a short circuit for an hour. There is another leg of it tonight in Minneapolis and me and a couple of friends are going to go watch and have a few beers to celebrate Friday. Should be a nice evening. That is if the rain holds off!! Tomorrow my parents are in town so I'll probably see them and I might be crashing a wedding, we'll see if I feel up to it or not. Sunday is the Pride Festival parade and I always enjoy checking out the festivities in the park during Pride so I'm hoping to make it down there too. I have yet to actually get to see the parade!

Stone Arch Art Festival

Every Father’s day weekend the city of Minneapolis has an art fair that I enjoy checking out when I can. I used to live a mere 2 blocks from the activities and I so miss that time and that area…but oh well. At least I can make visits over to the area. The Stone Arch Bridge is a pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi, just down from the locks and dam and new dam set up that is being used as a power source as well. There is a new park area that you can walk out and basically be in the middle of the Mississippi as well and it’s kind of neat to see the rushing water, the downtown views and the bridges. Anyway, a “friend” of mine (namely the guy I’ve been seeing as of late) lives walking distance to the area and suggested going on Saturday afternoon. I drove to his place and we made a quick run to the Farmer’s market first so I could

get some fruits and veggies. Then we went over to the art fair and checked out some great stuff from local and even not so local artists. I didn’t even up buying anything at this time, but saw a lot of things I would’ve loved. Next year, when I’ve sold my house and am in something new I

swear I’m getting something!! We wandered, ate some bad for you food (OK, actually I didn’t really eat there, but my friend did) we stopped to sit and talk, wandered some more, saw some baby ducks, ended up sitting by the river for a while chatting, then back to the art fair and actually sat down at one of the restaurants for

dinner and a beer, which turned into 3 and then decided to get some beer and go sit on the roof at his place…well, we didn’t quite make it to the roof as his neighbors were watching Apocolypto and we got sucked into it, and ended up watching the part we missed (continuing into the part we had already seen) shortly after we finished the first run. More beer and movie finally gets over and I was feeling hungry. Luckily we are in downtown and there is a late night pizza place just a couple of blocks away so we went and got a couple of slices and then went back and crashed.

I got home on Sunday, called my dad then tried touching base with a couple of friends that I had already made plans with for the art fair and one of them decided it would be fun so she came and we went back and wandered some more. My “friend” called to see where we were and ended up meeting up with us for a bit later. As we wandered, looking at the old cars that go on display down there as well, we ran across my uncle’s car and later ended up sitting by it, having a beer…saw my uncle finally a bit later and, as usual, he had won first for his car (he has a mint condition 55 Thunderbird). Chatted with him for a bit and then ended up going home where I just vegged the rest of the night.

Bad weekend in that I didn’t do any running. I only had 28 miles in last week…oh well. I got up and did 6 miles this morning. It was a bit muggy but not too terrible. I so need to get back into a better and regular plan and eating habit. My weight is getting away from me again! Ah well.

Just an Update

Nothing too terribly exciting to update or state. My weekend was actually pretty quiet. I went to the local hangout on Friday (it’s summer, might be time to try something new, my roommate and I are in a rut, it’s what we do on Friday night, without even discussing what we are going to do), was there a bit later than planned, came home, watched TV a bit and crashed. Woke up too early on Saturday, got up, went for a 4 mile relaxed run then spent the afternoon at Lake Calhoun because it was nice…OK, upper 80s might not feel nice to some people, but the humidity is still really low all things considered so it was nice, even a breeze and a weird rain (no clouds, all sun but rain was coming down, go figure). I stopped and bought a few more plants to put in my pots on my balcony (might have to get a few taken and posted) and that was the excitement of my Saturday. I talked to a friend on the phone, hung out on my balcony and read a book and went to bed kind of early. Oh, and I had done a second run in the evening of 5 miles…so a total of 9 for Saturday.

Sunday was more relaxing really. I got up early and talked to my parents, then went for a run, then went to lunch. After lunch I went and bought a rose bush to have on my balcony and with any luck can transplant to the ground if my house ever sells! It looks quite pretty, it’s called a double delight, red and white and yellowish looks…the most fragrant one I found too. I love the way it smells. So now everyday, provided something is blooming, I can “stop and smell the roses”…right outside my door. After buying roses, I made a stop at Calhoun again for more sun. I think I’m finally a decent color…granted my skin is very pale to begin with and only in Hawaii do I get dark, and I know it’s bad for me, but I so love the sun…and what better way to spend a nice Sunday than laying by a lake, people watching and reading?

Work is still going along. I’m still working and learning and trying to get up to speed as quickly as I can. My new work group is great. I like all of the people I’m working with so far, all of them have been here for at least 15 years I think too…Soon I’ll be in my permanent cube too, over by the rest of the group. That will be nice.

I’m starting to study for the GMAT too. Math is where I know I’m going to need the most help, so it’s the areas I should start with…and I should get a couple of practice tests and things going soon so I’m all set to take it, hopefully the beginning of August since application deadline for Spring 2008 is October 1. If I don’t get it in by then, I will have to wait till Fall 2008 for entrance, although if I got accepted, I might be able to start in the summer…we’ll see. My boss is well aware that grad school is on my mind and as soon as I’m ready, he is ready to work with me on the getting enrolled etc and it might even go on my work goals etc for my review for next year, which would be kind of cool (although scary, how much will it hurt me if I don’t get in?). There really is only one school I’m even considering. There is one other I might consider, but Carlson School of Management, where my undergrad is from, is the only ranked school in the area. We’ll see what happens though.

New Job, Great Benefits

A quick update and hopefully a longer one over the weekend…maybe some pictures too. Although I don’t know of what!

My first week is almost over and I survived. I came in Monday and had orientation, a few videos, etc. Then I was shown my cube (temporarily in the executive area by the executive kitchen, convenient!) where I have a nice 20” flat screen monitor, the 17” at home now seems so tiny…I’ve spent the week doing training modules that are required by the company, and talking with my boss as time permits, working through documentation of required things, learning about other things that are and are not allowed and actually doing a couple of reviews of actual terms and conditions (what will be the bulk of my job). I also found out about the parent companies tuition reimbursement deals…umm…can you say fantastic? At my old job, I know there was an option, but it was very tough to get. It had to be in the budget, it had to have specifications met on how it related to your job and just was overall a pain to try to deal with. While I wanted to consider getting my MBA, it wasn’t affordable and seemed a huge hassle. I’ve also had tuition reimbursement before, usually tuition covered, you pay it first, they reimburse you if you get at least a C, you cover fees and books…not here. 100% of tuition is paid by the company to the school, you don’t have to worry about it. You can purchase textbooks via an intercompany website through B&N or another source and have the company pay for them up front too. The company covers the cost of taking the GMAT or any other test (I wonder if they would pay for a GMAT class…I’m guessing probably yes, but I think I will try studying on my own first) as well. That thing isn’t cheap to pay. They also pay application fees to the schools…again those can be not so cheap…when you are taking classes, you are allowed up to 3 hours each week for study time that is paid…and finally, when you finish a degree program, master’s, doctorate or anything, the company rewards you with stock and/or stock options….and it DOES NOT have to be related to your actual job. If I wanted to get an advanced degree in underwater basket weaving, they would pay for it. Unbelievable. Needless to say, last night was spent in part at B&N buying GMAT prep books which I will be putting to use over the summer, hopefully taking the GMAT in the next two months (as soon as I feel confident I’ve refreshed my math skills sufficiently to hit a high 600-low 700 score) and applying to an MBA program to start either Spring or Summer 2008.

In other news. Hmm…running has been OK. I think I’m run down or something. I started trying a heart rate monitor and I don’t know what is going on. The friend that got it to me is going to help me look at the data I’m collecting and have been collecting for the last week and see what we need to do and what I should be focusing on, then getting low and high settings going. I need to get another low reading as I know you should take an average over a few days and I haven’t managed to do that at all. Maybe I’ll take a nap after work and see if I can get a low then…and tomorrow morning, and Sunday as well. Then it’s just getting the high. I haven’t decided on any new races. Grandma’s is out. Twin Cities is most likely going to be my focus. I know it’s full at this point, but in July I know another way in and I’m going to most likely use that in and attempt a BQ off it. We’ll see what happens. That all depends on my friend that may potentially also “coach” me, as much as I am coachable that is…he knows I would be difficult, but mainly its because he wants me to cut back on mileage and my best run so far has been with higher mileage…so that leaves me wondering!! Anyway, we shall see.

Nothing really planned for the weekend. Maybe a trip to the local place tonight, tomorrow is supposed to be nice so happy place visit and maybe to dinner with a friend out on a lake area bar/restaurant if she’s game for it. But we’ll see. Some GMAT prep/studying of course and cleaning and organizing around home, cleaning up the car, the garage and maybe getting some more plants out, but that’s about it. I’m actually even getting to get out a bit early today as my boss likes to leave early on Friday as well and encourages in early and out early!! Yay!!

Nerves...

Well, maybe not nerves, but something...I suppose I should be feeling something, but I'm not sure what. It's the day before my first day of my new job. Kind of a scary thing, like going to school for the first time again...

I have had a few days off from work over the past couple of days. It's been kind of nice.

Tuesday
My last day at the old job was sad, but I made my goodbyes, then met up with a friend for lunch. Later went out to my hangout and chatted with some friends and then went home to bed, as my dad was in town and I wanted to meet him for breakfast the next day.

Wednesday
I took my dad to breakfast to a place we hadn't been forever, not since I was a child and we used to go visiting my aunt and uncle that lived near the place. Then I got home, did some errands and a few things then met up with a friend and had a few drinks at his place, got some dinner then went to see GB Leighton at their regular gig, which was fun. My friend lives only a few blocks so we walked there and back and had a few beers along the way home too.

Thursday
Woke up with a slight hangover, but went to breakfast, hit the farmer's market (miss the farmer's market on Thursday's downtown, only thing I miss about working downtown) and then I headed home and got my oil changed. Later, the friend came over and we grilled out and went to Cold Stone...OK, so this friend is a guy I've been kind of dating lately...maybe I'll have to give some more info on him...

Friday
My friend was heading out of town for the week but he had a heart rate monitor that he was going to loan me to try out as I've never trained with one and we've discussed training a bit...again more on that later, anyway, I went and got it from him. Got home and my roommate and I went out to dinner with a friend of hers and then another friend called, she was in town, and we went out and met her for a drink, which ended up being a late night.

Saturday
Relaxed after Friday night and then just decided to stay in after running a few errands. It was a nice laid back night.

Sunday
Went to Grand old day with my roommate, another friend and a friend of hers. It was nice, relaxed. Ate a bunch of fat bad for you food, watched some bands and had a nice afternoon even though the weather was bad. I thought about going for a run this evening but am just kind of relaxing. I did run this morning, which I guess helps...I should go figure out what I'm wearing on my first day at the new job...and get something rounded up for lunch tomorrow...

One More Day

Well, today really most likely is my last "work" day. I'm here till about 1:30/2, home for a quick nap, then maybe a quick run, then down to my sister's to meet her for the drive to my home town. My cousin graduates from high school tonight and tomorrow is her grad party and I haven't been home since Christmas, so it's probably about time I get home. My grandma's miss me.

Anyway, this week has been crazy and still no time to update the blog. I really need to get back on this! Monday I worked at B&N, Tuesday I was off and vegged and tried to get stuff done at home and then Wednesday was my last night at B&N and at 7:40 that night the power went out and didn't come back on till about 8:50, by that time it wasn't worth trying to reopen as it takes too long to get things back online, so we cleaned a bit and then were sent home around 9:40...nice. Instead of going home and to bed though, a co-worker and I went to have a beer and got sucked into a trivia game (that we kicked butt first round on, but sucked the next 3!). It was midnight before I got home which was bad because Thursday night the same co-worker and I were planning to see Pirates 3, at World's End at the 9:00 showing which we knew would end up being later. He doesn't work till late today, but I had to work early so it's a rough day so far, but oh well. The movie was quite good. I definitely enjoyed it. Lots of funny scenes and who can not want to stare at Mr. Depp for 2 1/2 hours (OK, maybe some guys don't, but come on ladies, even in dreads and messed up teeth he looks good!), as kind of a joke, my friend even brought me a belated birthday present, a Jack Sparrow pillow case (mainly cause I had talked about dressing up for the movie, glad I didn't, no one in our theater was dressed up), so now Johnny is always in my bed...nice huh? After the movie, which got out around midnight, my friend and I were chatting, I was giving him advice on a woman he is into, but the big problem no matter what though is he is moving to Florida next Friday, so why he wants to get involved I don't know, but hey, to each their own right? She supposedly wants to come visit, but he's not sure if it's as more then friends or just a friend thing...I gave him my best thoughts, not knowing her, and we did leave with hopes that we'll meet up one more time before he heads out next Friday, but if not, hopefully I'll get out to visit him.

It's kind of funny as while he's a friend, at one point I felt something more for him, and there was a brief time where, if not for mixed signals and hurt and anger and all kinds of weird stuff, we might have been more, we did go out a couple of times, but I just think the timing was never right and we both figured out it wasn't going to happen and have just managed to be good friends. It's weird how things like that can happen. I can't exactly call him an ex, but of people I have been out with and/or had feelings for in that way, I think he's the only one that's still a friend. And that I can hang out with and actually joke about our past and not think anything of it. It's going to be sad to see him leave town and not be able to hang out on occasion after work. But life changes, we move on, and I'm no longer part of B&N and after Wednesday he won't be either...well, he will be, he's transferring stores for a time at least, but you know...all the changes, cycles and what not that we go through in life. The people that come and go, the ones that stay, the ones that are remembered fondly, and not so fondly...they all make us who we are though right? All this waxing nostalgic as I'm preparing to make my next big jump, and watching my cousin make her next big jump...it's just so weird.

Life Changes

I should've done an update, or at least some insights last Thursday, but oh well. I celebrated another year of life last week. Hence, being away from updating for a bit as I was off enjoying the nice weather we had. Love being off work. And now the countdown is continuing. My official last day is set for May 29th. I have my exit interview at 11 am that day and most likely will say goodbyes to people and leave sometime around lunch that day then. It will be a sad and happy day. I'm happy to get away from some of the duties I have, but I'll be sad to be leaving the people I have worked with. I'll get more to that in a later blog.



On Wednesday I had wanted to go see a band that I like play, but unfortunately no one really was game to go, so instead I stayed in, chatted online to a few people, talked to a friend on the phone that was a little bummed he couldn't be with me on Thursday, he had said if he wasn't out of the country (trip to Ireland, although work related, he was still in Ireland so hey...) he would've taken me out and made it special in some way, but alas, he was gone but that was OK. Instead I went out for a beer, and rang in midnight, had one and then went home. On the way I found I had a voicemail from my friend, he wasn't quite in Irleand yet, so he called to wish me a happy birthday. I got home and had a slice of the cake that my boss had bought for me on Wednesday for us to all share at work, put a candle on it and made a wish for the next year of my life. Then I got off the phone with my friend and went to read a bit before going to bed when a couple of txts came in as well wishing me a happy day. I had a couple more txts when I woke up and then of course the roses. I did a few things then went for a nice 10 miler on Thursday, came home, grabbed stuff and went to my "happy place" at Lake Calhoun. My roommate joined me and we relaxed in the sun. Then I went and did a bit of shopping and found these shoes I just had to have...then I met my roommate for dinner at my favorite restaurant where I had good food and wine then we went for a drink at our hang out where another friend joined us. Just low key and nothing big.



Friday I relaxed more, had lunch with my parents and aunt and uncle, I relaxed more of the afternoon with a nap, then a group of us got together to go out. We went to some outdoor places, then found our local hangout closed due to a power outage, so we went to another place, then to watch a band play. It was a late night but fun, although I had a few weird things go on and remember, C, the bad for me guy...well, he's now totally out of the picture due to a conversation he had with my sister (found out from her one evening he had actually tried to take her home with him...and he knows she's my sister...the guy is a loser, yes, I know, I realize and it's done as he's also a child...really long story!) and then with me where I pointed out she was right to a degree and he just became and ass...but whatever. Moving on...Saturday dawned nice weather again, ended up down at Calhoun again then a nap after Dariy Queen with my roommate...Kit Kat Blizzard rocks!! Met up with a friend after a while on Saturday and went to a bar where we know the bartender and he got me feeling good with a few drinks he concocted...yummy though! I was much more tipsy on Saturday than I intended and realized I think I kind of miss the friend in Ireland so sent him a txt saying that...

Sunday I just vegged. I should've cleaned, but I really didn't...didn't do much of anything. Oh well...I work tonight, but tomorrow I will be cleaning!! I really need to!

Tattoo

A tattoo...I've only talked about getting one for about 10 years or so. In 2000 I almost got it. I watched a friend get one, I had my design with, I talked to a guy about it, only problem, I was going to Cancun in 4 days...not a good time to get a tattoo. Then I never went back. Over the time since then, the design slightly changed, so I'm glad now that I didn't do it then because, OK, yes, I'm a girl, but I didn't want a "girly" tattoo. I have wanted a dolphin, mainly because dolphins have been my favorite animal pretty much all my life. A part of me wanted to go into marine biology to work with dolphins. In 2000 I swam with them in Cancun. In 2000 I also swam with them in Hawaii. In Cancun I paid money, in Hawaii I swam offshore into a sheltered cove and had the experience of swimming with a wild spinner dolphin pod of about 30, with 2 or 3, 3 month olds with them...it was very cool. I also wanted something a bit more...I'm a Taurus and I found the Chinese symbol for Taurus is a circle with horns...so I decided a dolphin jumping through that was what I wanted. I also have an artistic side, so I wanted my design, done on my body...of course the artist was going to have the final say in coloring and all that, but I had the basic drawn up of what I wanted. Then I really got the push for it this year...I don't know why exactly but with a lot of the things that have been going on, I just wanted it, and I wanted it under the sign of Taurus, preferably on or before my birthday...but I didn't have an artist...I ended up talking to one guy and wasn't sure about him, but then I found a fantastic artist, that bless his heart, what tough guy tattoo artist wants to do yet another dolphin, but while he teased me about it, he did a very good job. My big thing was not wanting something "cartoony" which I have seen on some people. I wanted realistic looking and nice...Tony did a fantastic job...especially after I hemmed and hawed about it when I realized it was going to be bigger than I wanted...but I went with it...

The tattoo transferred onto my skin.



The Taurus symbol filled in. Originally I was thinking black for that, but he went with blues and coloring it the way it is to go for an "ocean" feel which I like much better than I would've had we gone just black.

The final result.

Immediately after it was done.

So the experience was interesting. It wasn't too bad, a few spots hurt worse than others, but for the most part it was bearable. I love the way it looks and now it only feels, as most people told me it would, like a sunburn. I didn't have any problems sleeping, and while I started thinking maybe it should've been just a little bit higher, I'm actually glad it's not because it's not being rubbed by waistbands of pants like it otherwise might have been. I had one friend come with me for it then I went to see another friend after and I told my sister and one other friend I was getting it today. Other than that, no one has seen it or knows that I have one other than my friends in blogland...and it's in an area that no one has to see it if I don't want them to, which I really like.

Change is Good?

Change is what keeps us moving forward. Change is what brings us to a new level in anything and everything we do. If we stay where we are, if we don't explore new opportunities, if we don't try new things, change will not happen and we will become stagnant. Be that in fitness, a career or anything in life. You have to push the boundaries or you won't find out what you can truly become right?

Well, I gave my notice, all went well with that, which I knew it would. My boss is great. I'm really going to miss him and I told him that. He told the other two attorney's I work with and I told my co-workers and my official last day is June 1, although I technically most likely will be done on May 25th, I'm taking vacation just to push out my benefits and such since I won't have the new ones start for 30 days from my hire date, which really isn't a big deal anyway since I have all my doctors appointments and such lined up to be done before I leave here anyway. We went to lunch for someone's birthday after I had told everyone. We sat, and we talked and we had a nice lunch and I thought "wow, I'm going to miss all this." There were discussions of the move (we are supposed to move floors in the building), upcoming events, etc, and I felt a little sad knowing I'm not going to be part of them. It was nice at lunch, it was comfortable, and when I came to that word, I realized, you know, this is why it's good I'm moving. Comfort is a nice thing. Comfort is something we need sometimes, but if you want to test yourself, you need to get out of your comfort level. It's been a long time since I've left a job that I really honestly like and enjoy and have not been really hard core looking for something else cause I hated it. I am not miserable here like some jobs in the past. I don't dread getting up and going to work (yes, I don't like getting up cause I'm tired, but that is the only reason I don't want to get up), sure some tasks are better than others, but for the most part, I have only a few complaints about things here. I love the location, I love my breakfast of eggbeaters and toast every morning, I love the people I work with, I love that one of my best friends in the world works only 3 floors above me and I can stop and say hi whenever I want (not that I do that often, but it's nice to know she's there)...but with all that comfort, it has really shown me that yes, it is time to move on. I'm not just in a job, I'm working on a career and it's time to push the boundaries. It's time for a change and that change is coming. I had an email from my soon to be boss in response to my email that I was accepting the offer. He asked if the salary was something to make me happy as he had really pushed for it...that makes me quite excited cause if he worked hard to get me something to get me there, that means if I work hard, I would imagine he'll work hard to get me raises to keep me there...he did say that the company rewards star employees...so I need to focus and become a "start employee"...this is my career after all!

So to commemorate the change, today I finally get my tattoo. I mentioned it yesterday. It's something I've wanted for a really long time. Considering I've had the design for about 2-3 years now (my art on my body) I don't know what prompted me to finally push to get it, but I found the artist, and I had a goal of having it before my birthday. The design is of a dolphin, because they are my favorite animal, I have swam with them twice, once when in Cancun and I paid for it, beautiful experience, but then in Hawaii I was able to swim from shore and just snorkel in and amongst a wild dolphin pod...it was a fantastic experience. I also am incorporating the Chinese symbol for Taurus into the design as it's my horoscope sign and I do feel it really does describe me. The artist I'm having do it specializes in wildlife art and also is an oil painter, a friend recommended him so today at 5 I will be meeting with Tony at Serious Ink and finally getting the work. My poor parents, I'm the last of their children not to have one...a friend is coming with me and I have my camera with, so I plan to post pictures tomorrow. Wish me luck. I'm a bit nervous!

Another Official Thing

I would like to inform you that I will be resigning from my position as Legal Specialist for ____________, effective May 28, 2007.

_________ has been a great place to work and I want to thank you for the opportunities for the professional and personal development that has been provided during the last two and a half years. I have enjoyed working for __________ and appreciate the support provided during my time with the company.

If I can be of any help during this transition, please let me know.
Sincerely,

Danielle

I gave a similar notice to Barnes & Noble last night. Yes, officially on May 24, 2007, I will no longer be employed by Barnes & Noble. Am I happy, yes, for the most part. A few things I might miss (like the being able to read hard cover books for free, the 50% off in the cafe and discounts on books) but for the most part, I'm so happy to be leaving as I hate giving up my free time when it's nice out. The discussion with my boss here is going to be hard, but I just officially accepted the position and faxed over my letter. There is the little detail of my going for the drug test, but that has no concerns for me. I'm scared but excited to be moving ahead in my career. This move I know is going to be a good one, and it's not just because of the money. It's a smaller company, more opportunity and less tied to structure that some places have. I know I have to treat it like they would treat me if the situation was reversed. I mean if there was a situation where it was better for them to not have me, there wouldn't be second thoughts about terminating me. We all have to look out for ourselves as much as possible and do what is going to be the most benefit to us and trying not to hurt others along the way right?

This is going to be a really big week though. Last night I quit B&N, today I quit my "real" job, tomorrow I'm getting a tattoo and later this week I'm turning old...wow...I don't know how I can handle all the change! (I always thought I was good with change, but maybe it's only with certain levels of change)

Results are in...

And it is good!

So, officially I'm giving notice at B&N during my shift on Sunday. I'm hoping the next schedule isn't up before then as I want to tell them I will just work out the schedule that is up and that will be it. I haven't asked for it off yet, but I need Friday and Saturday of Memorial weekend off for a cousin's graduation party anway. My thought is if you can't have schedules up with more advance notice, then too bad...I guess that would be kind of burning bridges, but some of the treatment I have been given there, I just don't feel like it's worth it anyway. I might go see if I can find a job at one of the running stores a few hours a month though, just for fun.

Anyway, I spent all Wednesday night feeling anxious, waiting for Thursday and the call. I went and saw a movie with my roommate and then had a bite to eat, then tried to go home and sleep...it wasn't happening. I was at work till about noon, but I had a mattress being delivered and I had to go home to meet them and decided to take the afternoon off as well. I went down to Calhoun and tried to relax, but just had that anxious feeling all day. Around 3 my recruiter called and asked if I had heard anything yet and I told her my freak out, but she assured me an offer was coming. Then I went and bought some flowers to plant in my planters, stopped and bought a bottle of wine for my mom for mother's day and then finally on my way home I had the call...and when she told me the offer they were making me, I had to repeat it myself and have her repeat so I knew I was hearing right. There is an overnight package coming today or tomorrow for me to look over benefits and everything and I asked to have till Monday, but I honestly don't need that. I'm trying to negotiate a little more vacation time, but beyond that, even if they say no, I wouldn't turn it down. The offer is just too good. For one, I would actually be in a position with more clout/power. I won't be requested to bring files to people, to deal with all kinds of things that are tedious and something I wouldn't even need the college education for. There is a chance for some travel to other offices to give some training to people on things. And there are offices in cool places (Shanghai, UK). The company is smaller, but owned by a larger company trying to grow them. My hours are going to be going back to what I liked (the early leave time of 4 or so) and the commute is no further than where I currently am, although can be worse if weather conditions are bad cause not as many backroads (but I can learn the few that are there). There aren't as many things around for running errands and one of my best friends doesn't work there, and I do really like my current boss and hate leaving him, but still...the offer...and the options...too good to pass up. When I had my thought of what they would offer, and that would be enough to quit B&N easily, that was good. I thought a little above that would be nice, then I thought, wow, this figure would be awesome (this was Wednesday before trying to sleep) and then they came back above the last figure...can't really pass that up can I? Not when all other things are coming back higher too.

OK, now the big tricky part. Quitting B&N will not be a big deal to me. But quitting my real job, that's going to be hard. I'm giving notice on Monday, as soon as I sign and fax the acceptance offer...but how do I do that...I feel bad about it. I know, I know, I shouldn't...but I do...

The Smells of Spring

I’m lucky in that I don’t have allergies this time of year (unless some are developing which would really tick me off) as I just love this time of year…it’s great to be out walking, running, windows down, sitting, whatever, because it smells to beautiful. The lilac bushes are blooming, all the flowering trees are in full bloom and things just smell like spring. Just last night I went on a gorgeous run (well the run itself was kind of ugly as I was just exhausted feeling and my body didn’t want to move that well, but it was gorgeous weatherwise). It was low 70s, sunny, no wind and everywhere I ran I could smell something nice. The beautiful flowering trees in some of the neighborhoods, or the fresh cut grass as I walked past and saw one of the first lawns in the process of being mowed. It’s that time of year…and I love it. Have I ever mentioned what my favorite season is?? Spring has everything else beat. It’s a time of rebirth. The buds growing into leaves, flowers peeking out (I have to get a picture of a yard with all kinds of tulips in it that just looks beautiful), the sun coming out and warming things. More people out waking, running, biking, just enjoying. People are friendlier this time of year too. Sure as we get into the heat of summer, people don’t like that and get cranky, but in spring, when it’s not so terribly hot, everyone is happy, commenting about the nice weather, they are out, so you can actually see that you don’t live in a lonely world of just cars, you actually see others people, you can communicate with them if you choose to, and they might even communicate back. Everything that is good to me, comes in spring and it’s not just because I was born in this season. It’s just that time of year. When you first start to shed the winter clothes, when you get to start sleeping with the windows open, when the first thunderstorms start sweeping through (we even had power go out for a bit last night, that was fun, particularly at bedtime!). You just can’t beat spring in my mind. I am always so much happier, hopeful and ready to take on the world…probably some of the reasons for some of the decisions I’ve been making lately.

Wow, OK, and just on a side note...something I've been going to blog about...but have been holding in, has apparently just happened. I won't know full details till tomorrow, but I have interviewed for and sounds like I am going to be receiving a job offer tomorrow. Well, I know I will be getting the offer. The recruiter I am working with just gave me the news that the company plans to call me direct, most likely tomorrow morning, with an offer that they are in the process of putting together now. The pay range that was told to them that I am looking for, is going to be a nice jump from what I'm currently at, the benefits look similar, although vacation time I might want to see if they can't do something with (I'm about to be at 3 weeks and they only have 2 for the first 5 years...), the industry isn't as exciting, and there are pluses and minuses...things I'd miss, and things I'll be glad to get rid of...wow...blogworld is the first to know this. So far only my roommate and two other friends know that I was even interviewing. I suppose I'll need to call mom and dad quick tonight and give them a heads up.

My ABC's

OK, I haven't had time to do any updates for the weekend (nor on a lot of things for that matter) but here is a bit about me...

A- Attached or Single? Single – and love it!
B- Best Friend: Probably Leesa…her and I just get each other, but I have a few others that are close
C- Cake or Pie: Cake, particularly chocolate with white frosting from Byerly’s, or Cold Stone Ice Cream cake
D- Drink of Choice: Pineapple daiquiris (the ones I make!), raspberry stoli and 7 up
E- Essential Item: Running shoes? OK, it has come to the point where I feel freaked out without my cell phone
F- Favorite Color: Emerald Green
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? I think I like the neon worms the best
H- Hometown: Heron Lake, MN
I- Indulgence: Cold Stone after a nice long run…
J- January or February: February, if I have to pick one, it's short and closer to spring
K- Kids: None and don’t really plan to have any
L- Life is incomplete without: Chocolate? Probably my friends and family and the ability to run
M- Marriage Date: No plans for it…no way…tied down…one person…yikes!
N- Number of Siblings: Oldest of 3, younger sister and brother
O- Oranges or Apples? Oranges, unless it’s Courtland Apples
P- Phobias/Fears: Anything creepy crawly, snakes if they surprise me
Q- Favorite Quote: “Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be” and “There are those of us who are always about to live. We are waiting until things change, until there is more time, until we are less tired, until we get a promotion, until we settle down / until, until, until. It always seems as if there is some major event that must occur in our lives before we begin living.” George Sheehan
R- Reasons to smile: Warm spring days, a good run, the smell of spring in the air, friends, family, vacation, beaches, the ocean…
S- Season: Spring, end of story, there is no other season as far as I’m concerned….flowers, warm days (but not too warm), light rainy days great running weather…and only more warm to come
T- Tag Three: Anyone who wants to
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I’m kind of an open book…I had to get 7 stiches on Mother's day after my cousin hit me in the head with a croquet mallet (OK, yes I realize I'm leaving things open there!) and the stiches were removed on my birthday, a week later....
V-Vegetarian or Not: No way, no how…I’m a good midwestern meat and potatoes girl
W- Worst Habit: Worrying too much about what others think
X – X-rays or Ultrasounds? Depends on what it’s for!
Y- Your Favorite Foods: Pizza, Vescio’s baked rigatoni, ice cream, cake
Z- Zodiac: Taurus

Official Results

I should've waited!

Overall Place: 262/1390
Age Group: 9/130
Female: 40/693
Official Time: 6:19

TC 1 Mile

Why did I ever think a 1 mile race would be fun?? I apparently forgot in the 15 years (wow, has it really been that long?) since I graduated from high school about that pain that is the 1 mile that I used to run (well, OK 1600) at least twice a week during high school.

Anyway, this is the kick off race for the registration for Twin Cities Marathon. If you go down that evening, you are guaranteed entry into the marathon (registration officially opened today) and you can run a 1 mile race. There were different divisions, mass run, then age groups 50-59, 40-49, 30-39 and 29 and under and then a Championship women's (where I think you had to run at least a 5:20) and a Championship men's (where I think you had to run at least a 4:30). The weather was a bit windy, but not too bad and upper 60s/low 70s and by the time we ran it wasn't bad. Kind of like a track night in fact.

My roommate and I went down to get race packet and then just hung out for a while before I had to warm up. I was doing the age group (so glad I did that as it was much less crowded) which was supposed to start around 7:25, so at 6:45 I couldn't wait anymore and did a 10 minute run to warm up and did some stretching. After the mass start went, I decided it was time to head up to the start chute and my roommate came with and headed down to the finish where she was going to watch. I did a few strides at the start chute area to keep warm and found my hamstring and IT band are still aching a bit when I try to stride out and run fast, this has been a problem for a while and I need it worked out before I do any real speed work. Originally when I had planned to run this race, I had high hopes of heavy training and getting a fast time, well, no speed work, tight leg and let's see, yeah, I ran 45 miles last week and was at 27 before the warm up and run last night (now I'm at 30 with warm up, race and a bit of cool down), including a 6 mile run during lunch yesterday (OK, so I forgot to taper). Anyway, wasn't sure what I could do, but I thought for sure a sub 7:00 mile would be doable and maybe even getting to a 6:30 or so, I ran the first mile of my 5K in a 6:38 back in March, so figured a 1 mile I should at least be able to do that. McMillian's predicted a 6:21 so figured I'd see.

Start happened a bit late, and at the first quarter I'm assuming they were calling off splits and I think I was around 1:30, and I remembered, oh yeah, this race hurts worse than that darn 5K! I remembered the feeling of the mile though, even though I wasn't running 4 laps around a track, but I remembered it, the focus and feeling of nothing being around me but what was right in front of me, the saying in my head "why did I think this would be fun, why am I running this?", over and over, all remeberances of track. Half point was a 3:10. Then it was just straight shot down Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis to the finish. I was running in a pack with one girl around me and a bunch of guys...I saw Brit's Pub which I knew was about 2 blocks from the finish, a block later was The Local, the bar I had figured was the point to really bear down, the girl in front of me I had kind of tried to catch but didn't feel I had it in me, but right at The Local I was able to see the finish line just over a block ahead too and I remembered my kick and how much fun it is to really fly...so I pushed everything I had and passed her and a few others and hit the mats in about 6:19/6:20. No official results yet but right after crossing, I saw IE and first thing I said was "this was not fun, why did I think this would be fun?" I got my chip removed, got out of the chute, grabbed a water and we headed to the car so she could get her coat and then went for a beer at both The Local and Brit's (not a good idea on an empty stomach, they hit FAST!).

Typically, in track, the first meet or two I would have in the 6:10-6:20 range and improve my time over the season...so...I might have a faster in me. Consider my PR was a 5:40 probably when I was 15, 18 years later (oh my, am I really THAT old??) I was only 40 seconds of my PR without any speedwork...hmm...

Another Quick Update - 1 Mile?

OK, so tonight is the Twin Cities Marathon kick off signup. I'm registered for the 1 mile and was supposed to work, but alas, I had a migrane/nausea or something, but somehow I managed to overcome it and am feeling better...but since I'm off the schedule...

Anyway, I haen't run a 1 mile race since high school...OK, maybe even junior high since everything was 1600 for the most part. I haven't trained for it, other than running lots and lots of miles. NO speedwork all year so far as my hamstring/IT band area yelps at me when I try to run harder, so I have no idea what to expect, but it's a nice day, my roommate is coming with and we'll go for a drink/food or something after at one of the outdoor areas in downtown...all is good. Will try to get a better update and more about the race and maybe some pictures tomorrow.