May Recap/Stats

Miles Planned/Ran: I had hoped to make my triumphant return to running in the last few weeks of May but alas my leg had other plans, so for the second straight month I have a big, fat zero for mileage ran. (That puts the tally at 72 days since my last run. *Sigh*)

Rest Days Planned/Taken: How ever many needed / 17

Highest NTC App Badge Acquired: 360 Min - The "Bench Marker" (More like bench warmer...)

Xtraining Workouts Planned/Ran: As many as possible / 14 (6 less than last month thanks to the "No Xtraining for One Week" ban that was enacted after I got put in Das Boot.)

Most hardcore Workout: Spectating the Cleveland Marathon

Current Reads: (Reading) Room by Emma Donoghue, Spike's comments while reading this book intrigued me enough that I picked it up as soon as he was done with it yesterday afternoon... and I am almost finished reading it. I can't put it down, I am so caught up in the story, it's like a train wreck that you can't seem to look away from. "In many ways, Jack is a typical 5-year-old. He likes to read books, watch TV, and play games with his Ma. But Jack is different in a big way--he has lived his entire life in a single room, sharing the tiny space with only his mother and an unnerving nighttime visitor known as Old Nick. For Jack, Room is the only world he knows, but for Ma, it is a prison in which she has tried to craft a normal life for her son. When their insular world suddenly expands beyond the confines of their four walls, the consequences are piercing and extraordinary." (Still Reading) Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman, Sun Runner has already given me the rest of the series and I can't wait to read the entire saga! (Note: It was slow at first, but I promise it picks up!!!)

Finished: Beautiful Boy by David Sheff, a heartbreaking look at a father's journey through his son's addiction. I picked this up over the weekend and didn't put it down until I finished it. The story is one I am all to familiar with and advise anyone that has ever had a loved one fight addiction, whether alcohol or drugs, pick this one up.

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Words with Friends. I play it with people I'm sitting next to for goodness sakes!!!

Current Obsessions: See above.

Current Drink: Calcium Magnesium Citrate & I'm back on my coconut water with a splash of Pineapple kick.

Current Song: "A little bit Stronger" - Sara Evans

"Woke up late today and I still feel the sting of the pain

But I brushed my teeth anyway
I got dressed through the mess and put a smile on my face
I got a little bit stronger"

Current Wish-List: To walk around like a normal person again.

Current Need: For my stress fracture to heal.

Current Triumph: Unfortunately there were no triumphs to celebrate in May, only setbacks.

Current Bane of my Existence: Need I bother answering this one?

Current Goal: (Repeated from March & April) To stay positive and focused on active recovery/xtraining so I can hit the ground running sooner rather than later. (It seems later is winning this one but I will not give up hope to be walking and possibly running by month end!!!)

Current Indulgence: Grapefruits!

Current Blessings: The continued love, encouragement, and support from my family, friends, and Spike through this injury.

Current Excitement: Returning to the pool tonight now that the "No Xtraining" ban has been lifted. I never thought I could be so excited to aqua slog or swim!!!

How'd your May shape up?!?!

Running is what you make of it, make it an Adventure!™

One Year Cohabitation Recap

365 days ago I went from being a Michigan transplant in Florida to being a Florida transplant in Michigan. How on earth did a year slip by already?!?!

The last time I did a cohabitation recap it was just three short months after I had moved and was still in the adjusting period. With an entire year behind me I thought I'd recap what it's been like to relocate up North and endure not only my first winter but life in general after having been an 11 year Florida resident.

I will start by telling you that I still very much miss all of these things about my old life, especially the amazing people highlighted at the end. There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss every single one of them or the times we shared but, as Beaker Luv reminded me the other day, for all that I had my friends and awesome weather in Florida I was still very much lonely for Spike. You can't always have your cake and eat it too it seems and my life is a perfect example of that. *le sigh*

Now on to the topic at hand: Michigan vs Florida... I gotta be honest, I moved as far from Michigan as I could back in the day and vowed never to return. A lot of good that did me huh? Stupid Michigan boy making fall in love with him! *Shakes fist in Spike's general direction* Moving back was a huge adjustment, granted it was totally worth it and I don't regret the decision one bit, but I'd still trade the weather any day. While the summer actually rivaled Orlando at times and the Fall was absolutely breathtaking, the novelty of my first winter wore off quickly and there was still MONTHS before it was even close to ending. I was so thankful my work allowed me to run during the work day so I could soak up the very little bit of daylight granted to us because it was very hard getting used to the relentless darkness of a Michigan winter.

I can definitely handle me some Michigan summer sun,
especially at a Buffett concert with my love!

Fall = My Favorite season in Michigan

First snowfall of Winter, pretty much the only time I loved it.

Thankfully the temps eventually started to raise above freezing and one day, practically overnight it seemed, the grass was a vibrate green and the trees were starting to bud. I had long forgotten what a Spring looked like and marveled at the beauty of the turn of another season... which lasted all of like 5 days before we started this flip-flopping of relentless rain and wind and/or heat and humidity to rival a summer day. Michigan weather is so ridiculous, I much prefer the predictable (and mostly sunny if not way too hot) weather of Florida.

Moving on, life with Spike is... er... interesting. I kid, I kid, life with Spike is great! We have way too much fun together and he has definitely done his best to make things easier for me during this first year of transition. He taught me the in's and out's of winter running, reassured me countless times over that the winter would in fact end, and has been my partner in adventure since I arrived. Our lives are an endless whirlwind of activity and there's no one I'd rather share it with. We've spent hours upon hours in the car together on various road trips, have ran relays in both relentless heat and icy snow, cross country traveled at least 3x, spent many an hour curled up next to each other reading books, cheered each other on during countless races, and then there's the never ending battle of the covers war that rages on even still today. Life is good for all that the weather sucks. :)

Love is... having someone that will run through the rain with you to get cupcakes.

3 Things Thursday

1. Spectating is a sport too... In case you missed it, Spike and I both coincidentally ended up doing guest posts about spectating this week. Spike's is obviously the more funnier of the two and can be found over on Sarah's blog HERE. (You seriously MUST go read, you've heard of his hijinks's but you'll get a whole new appreciation for them when you read this post.) Mine can be found over at Katie's HERE and is the more serious of the two, as I took the more informative angle. Enjoy!
   
   
   Spike & Red, Spectators Extraordinaire's!!!
   
   
   
2. And the winner is... based on a Random.org drawing the winner of the copy of the book "Running on Empty" by Marshall Ulrich from my giveaway is: Comment #29: Jacin of Lovely Little Details. Thanks to all who entered and for all the great book suggestions!!! Jacin please email me your mailing address at redheadrunning (@) gmail.
   
   
   
3. One week down, three to go... Well I survived the first week with Das Boot and the one week no xtraining ban, including traveling to Denver and back. I'm not going to lie, it pretty much put my spirits lower than they've been during this whole injury business. Thankfully the last few days things are slowly getting easier to deal with and once the pool is back open after the holiday weekend and I can return to xtraining my brains out again I think I'll be able to find a little more peace with the situation.
   
   
   I'm not a big drinker but air travel with this thing required a beer.
   
   
   

   For the first time in over a month Spike & I have zero plans for the weekend and I am looking forward to a lot of R&R! How are y'all going to celebrate this long holiday weekend?!?!?
   

Tuesday Trial: Running on Empty Book Review & Giveaway

Running on Empty by Marshall Ulrich

"117 marathons, 52 days, 32 pairs of shoes, 57 years old: A fascinating glimpse inside the mind of an ultramarathon runner and the inspirational saga of his phenomenal journey running across America."

In mid-March I was contacted to review "Running on Empty" by Marshall Ulrich (he of removed toenails fame), and of course I jumped at the chance, especially after I read the summary of this epic adventure. Upon receipt I was immediately hooked in by the very personal story of Marshall's young life on the farm and how running became his therapy to dealing with the emotional trauma of losing his first wife to cancer. I really connected to this way of thinking as that was how I first got in to running, by trying to get over a rough patch in life.

As I continued to read along I was impressed with how brutally honest and real he was about how his training and competing affected his relationships with his family and friends. He didn't try to glamorize his life one bit, ultra competing is not for the faint of heart or weak of will. As the book really starts getting in to the trials and tribulations of the journey across America you can't help but be sucked in to it all and you'll end up like I did... staying up til well past your bed time to see how it all turns out!

So do I have you sold yet on wanting to read it? Well good news, the publisher's are letting me giveaway a copy to you!!! U.S. and Canadian Residents Only. (Their rules, not mine.)

To enter you must leave a comment and tell me if you've read it, why you want to read it, or if you've read another really great/inspirational book lately that I should check out. That's it. Easy peasy. The post will be open for entries until midnight EST Wednesday, May 25th with the winner to be announced during "3 Things Thursday." (May 26th)

FYI: You can find out more Marshall and his journey on his website, Facebook page, or Twitter!

Disclaimer: Per FTC Guidelines: I was provided this book at no cost to me for my personal review and the review is entirely of my own opinion. The publisher will provide an additional copy at no cost to me or the winner’s of said giveaway.

3 Things Thursday

1. Suck it Leg... In case you were wondering, I disabled the comments on my last post. While I wholly appreciate all your support and encouragement let's be honest here, what more can be said that hasn't already been said in previous discussions about my injury? It sucks and I'm just going to have to dig a little deeper. End of story.
   
   Well not entirely the end, my doctor called me yesterday and said that he had been thinking more about my leg and on further review of my x-rays wants to fit me for a walking boot. He wants to make sure that my next round of x-rays show significant improvement and the only way he can ensure this is by taking a more conservative approach. At this point I am in no position not to try absolutely anything that might help, so boot it is. I go in later today to pick it up, and just in time for my trip tomorrow to:



2. Colorado... For my sister's graduation. Yup the older mini-me graduated high school yesterday and is ready to be released in to the wide world as an adult. I'm so very proud of her and can't wait to celebrate with the fam this weekend. (Not to mention a mini getaway will be a welcome distraction considering the suckfest my week has been.) Now the real question is do I bedazzle the boot before I get there or wait and make it a family affair?
   
   
   
   How is she old enough to graduate high school?!?!?
   (Gotta love the photo bomb going on behind us)
   


3. Giveaway... Remember a few months ago when I had that Sony Walkman Giveaway? Well chances are you probably didn't win so guess what?!?! Lindsay over at Chasing the Kenyans is hosting her very own Sony Walkman Giveaway!!! She's also offering up referral bonus's for those of us that have already hosted so make sure you tell her Red sent you when you enter and we both get a chance to win!!!

Have a great weekend one and all! Rock those races and long runs, enjoy the great outdoors, and remember that even a bad run is still better than no run at all. Live it up for me as I'm only running vicariously through you!!!

Patience, My @ss

Last week when I spoke of patience I thought I had already been put to the test. It had been six miserably long weeks since I had been diagnosed with my stress fracture and eight weeks since it had happened. I really felt like it couldn't get any worse and that I had moved on enough to feel confident that everything was going to be OK. Over the weekend I masochistically spectated THE race I was supposed to have run, the one I had trained my heart out for before I got injured, and actually had a blast doing so. Who am I if not the queen of making the most of my situation?

This morning at my follow up appointment with my sports doc he marveled over this information and thanked me for being the best athlete he’s ever had as a patient because I have actually been listening to my body, backing off when needed, exercising patience, xtraining as promised, and following all the rules... but… But… BUT…

My x-rays showed no signs of progress.

No healing.

I cannot even begin to explain the weight those words had or how I felt when they were spoken. I thought I had cried all the tears I could cry over this injury but it seems I had a helluva reserve. The worst part of this is there is no answer for why I’m not healing, sometimes these things just take time. I go back for another follow-up in four weeks and we’ll go from there. In the meantime I am to continue doing what I have been doing; xtraining, playing it safe with the crutches when it hurts, taking calcium & vitamin D, etc… oh and all the races I had planned for the fall are shelved.

2011 = The Year of the DNS

I am currently looking in to amputation.

Kidding!!!

Sorta.

Good thing B.o.B gave me those swimming lessons this past weekend eh?

I am honestly at a loss. I know this is not the end of the world, I know I will run again, I know this is just another setback to overcome... but I’m tired, I’m disheartened, I’m broken, and at the moment I feel like I have already exhausted my reserves of inner strength, motivation, and determination.

2011 Cleveland Marathon Spectating Recap

Otherwise known as the race that wasn't.

I'm not sure when exactly it was I decided to run the Cleveland Marathon but I can tell you that 17 weeks ago, I was primed and ready to go the distance and earn a BQ. The first nine weeks of that training cycle were spent kicking butt and taking names. My confidence soared with the completion of each week and paces that once seemed out of reach became comfortable. I specifically recall spending plenty of those training runs envisioning how race day would play out, writing my race recap in my head and struggling with how I'd name the post, "Best. Day. Ever." or "Happiest Girl in the World." I knew I had this in the bag, and if anyone had deserved it, it was me. After failing to complete my last training cycle and having to drop down to the half marathon distance for Grand Rapids due to leg gremlins, this was supposed to be my redemption race.

But it seems redemption just wasn't in the cards for me and y'all know what happened next.

The last eight weeks since have been an emotional roller coaster of pain, frustration, determination, excessive amounts of xtraining, and spectating every single race I had lined up for this training cycle. It might seem a bit masochistic to you, but spectating all the races I was supposed to run has been my retaliation against being injured. Although I was hesitant at first to still go to Cleveland, in a way going helped me prove to myself that I can rise above this miserable situation and not let it keep me down. So Saturday morning Spike, B.o.B., Jen B. (Direct from running her farthest run/race to date the Fifth Third River Bank 25k!!!), and I headed down to Cleveland...

Cleveland Bound.

Our trip to the Buckeye State was your typical talk each other's brains out, eat junk food, and make up new verses to classic songs. "So this is Christmas" will never be the same after we turned it into "So this is Cleveland" oh and there was the side trip to the jerky outlet for B.o.B... In her own words, "I'll take foods you shouldn't pre-fuel for a race with for 500 Alex!" LOL! After some four odd hours contained in the Spikemobile we arrived at the expo in Euclid, OH otherwise known as Sketchville, USA. I sincerely hope the race didn't have to pay to host the expo there because it left a lot to be desired and surely scared off all the out of town racers. The expo itself was pretty decent but we arrived so late that a lot of the vendors were either gone or starting the break down process. When B.o.B. picked up her packet they had run out of race bags and shirt sizes so she was handed her bib and a shirt a size too large. FAIL. (Tip for anyone racing next year: Arrive to the expo in a timely manner.) After the expo we headed to our hotel in Downtown Cleveland...

We collectively decided that "I am Legend" could have been filmed here.

After checking in to our hotel, which was awesome by the way, we headed right back out to grab a bite to eat at D'vine Wine Bar. I'm linking to it because if you ever go to Cleveland you need to go there! I'm far from a foodie but the food was amazing. I wanted to make out with my dinner and the dessert Spike, Jen B., and I shared was to die for. We pretended it was terrible though for B.o.B's sake, even as we fought over who would lick the plate.

Amazing dinner with equally amazing dinner dates.

After dinner we sent B.o.B back to the hotel to hit the hay and the three of us spectators headed back out for an adult beverage, or three. Let me tell you, Cleveland offers some great people watching and spirits. We hit a few places before ending the night on a decadent note at Chocolate Bar where we consumed sweet potato fries with fondue and washed them down with the most delicious martini's I have EVER had. It was then we decided Cleveland is really an awesome city, but best viewed after a few cocktails.

So De-lish!!!

We called it a night at a fairly reasonable hour and 5 am soon followed so we got around quickly to head over to the Renaissance Hotel to meet up with the rest of the Cleveland Runner/Bloggers: Jodi, Jenn, Dave, Joanna, Nicole, and Erika. There was a lot of nervous energy and excitement charging the room as everyone hugged and encouraged each other pre-race. All too soon it was time for the runners to head to the start and us spectators to prepare to take spectating to a whole new level...

A truly awesome group of runnerds.

And now the fun begins... As we were walking over to the pre-race meetup I had realized I had forgotten my camera's battery plugged in to the wall in our hotel. Spectating FAIL #1. We had to walk back to the hotel, grab the battery, and change in to our spectating outfits. B.o.B had no clue what we had up our sleeves but when I said I wanted to take spectating to a whole new level, I meant it and I was going to make sure no one missed us as they ran by!!! After we had changed and got ourselves weather appropriate (or so we thought, more on that later) we headed out to the first meet up point we had discussed with the runners, at a turn just before Mile 7 on 38th St., WEST 38th St. but when I mapped the intersection in my phone it took us to EAST 38th St., the exact opposite direction of where we actually needed to be. We unknowingly walked extremely far out of our way, through some seriously sketch neighborhoods, and ended up spectating the 10kers instead. Spectating FAIL #2. Once I figured out my mistake it was already too late to catch anyone at the real Mile 7 since I can only walk so fast, so we proceeded to the next location just before Mile 12. I was so upset with myself and kept apologizing profusely to Spike and Jen. As we headed back in the right direction we cheered on all the 10kers and they were all very appreciative because it's just not every day you get spectated by crazies like us:

Wigs + crazy socks + obnoxious guy with bullhorn = No chance you're missing us! (Unless we miss you that is...)

Once in place outside of Mile 12 the real spectating began, Jen and I rang our cowbells and cheered like it was our job and Spike took his spectating randomness to epic levels with the bullhorn. I'm quite certain everyone who ran past us got quite a laugh. "You see those socks? She had to kill Rainbow Bright for them!" "If you run faster LeBron James will loose tonight!" "Like a disloyal dog those pace groups will leave you!" "You guys are much better looking than the 10kers!" Heck he even got the lead guy to crack up by yelling "Most people run from the cops you seem to be chasing after them!" It's always a blast spectating with him.

"Ladies, if there is a dude in front of you PASS HIM!!!"

It wasn't long after we were in place that we saw our buddy Bill cruise by and then soon enough we saw B.o.B in all her unicorn tears glory arm pumping her way towards us!!!

GO Boo GOOO!!!

After B.o.B went by the misting rain started to get a little worse and we realized we weren't dressed as weather appropriate as we had thought. Spectating FAIL #3. While it was an absolutely perfect day to be racing; completely overcast, high 50's, misting rain, it most certainly was not for spectating. It was actually quite miserable and knowing my little Florida girl would be freezing post-race I sent Spike with her jacket to go find her while we waited for the rest of our runners to go by. First we saw Joanna then the rest followed, Nicole, Erika, Jenn, Sun Runner, and finally Jodi and Dave. It was definitely a mixed bag of emotions as each passed but I'm happy to report every one of them finished. Although I didn't see them I know that BMO & mojamala2 saw us, but I'm super bummed I didn't get to see The Enthusiast or join spectating forces with Viper.

After the last of our runners went by Jen and I headed back to the hotel to meet up with Spike and B.o.B. to warm up! We were soaked to the bone, our fingers were numb, and my leg was in pretty bad shape after having traversed far more than I had intended for the day. It was quickly decided it was not in our best interest to head back out for more cheering as we had originally intended. Spectating FAIL #4. I felt terrible skipping out on cheering at the Finish, especially after screwing up and getting us lost earlier, but my biggest concern was not aggravating my leg any worse than what it already was and so ended our spectating of the 2011 Cleveland Marathon.

I know everyone is still in the process of putting together their race recaps so I'll link every one's posts to their names once they are up. You can check out all the pics from the day and B.o.B's visit HERE. Congrats again to all those that raced yesterday and I hope you are all recovering well and proud of yourselves for the feats you accomplished!

Before I call this a post I have to give an extra special shout out to Marlene for her BQ and to Katie for her Half IM debut!!! Well done ladies! You are both such an inspiration to me!!!

3 Things Thursday

1. Tomorrow, Tomorrow... B.o.B gets here TOMORROW! I cannot wait!!! I've missed my Boo so much and am looking forward to stuffing our faces, going shopping, meeting bloggers, annoying Spike and cheering her on in Cleveland on...
   
   
   
   
   
2. Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY... Is the Cleveland Marathon! You know the one I was supposed to be running but am not because of the stress fracture. *Sigh* It's ok though, I am looking forward to being the blogosphere spectator once again and pulling out all the stops! If you're running in any of the races be sure to hit up Jodi for meetup details as she so graciously stepped up to bat and took over the event for me.
   
   
   
3. Good Luck!!!... To all my Cleveland runners, can't wait to meet you all this weekend! And an extra special shout out to two of my fav canucks Marlene & Q chasing the BQ dream, Lindsay heading to Green Bay, Katie & Emily tackling the 70.3, and the rest of you racing this weekend. Remember: Believe in yourself and all things are possible!!!
   
   If you're hitting up the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon make sure you swing by the Arctic Ease booth at the expo and tell Carol that Red sent you!!! (She needs a new elusive pic... LOL!)
   
   

Patience Young Grasshopper

They say "Patience is a Virtue", but it's not one I easily possess.

If you asked anyone that knows me well they’ll tell you that I can be a rather impatient person at times quite a bit. I get impatient with coworkers, family, friends, computers, the hospitality industry, traffic, etc… It’s a constant work in progress. (Bad personality traits run deep the older you are/get.) Spike has been a tremendous help with this though and does a great job leading by example… I mean think about how patient you’d have to be, to be a runner living with another runner who’s injured. That man has been a saint over the past two months; dealing with my emotional break downs, going above and beyond when I was still on crutches, being supportive of my xtraining endeavors, etc…

Seriously, best. boyfriend. ever.

In case you were wondering (you were weren't you?) it’s been six weeks since I was diagnosed with this stress fracture, eight weeks since my last meaningful run and coincidentally when I actually fractured it. You’re probably thinking, “Wow it’s already been that long?” but I'm thinking, “It’s. Been. So. Effing. Long!!!” (These being common thoughts of the injured and non-injured.)

But I've been patient, more patient than I have ever been before in my entire life because well, I don’t really have a choice. If I want to heal I have to be patient. I've been xtraining my brains out aqua slogging, cycling, elliptical-ing, logging massive amounts of NTC workouts, strength training, you name it. I haven’t even really been missing running too much (GASP!) because just regaining my independence by walking has been more than enough.

But that patience is wearing thin, especially this week as I have been experiencing bouts of pain that feels way too reminiscent of when I was first injured. Needless to say I am freaking out a little bit. I'm already two weeks behind schedule according to the plan and this pain is definitely putting a wrench in my plans to attempt running anytime soon. Thankfully I have an appointment with the sports doc who first saw me about this but that isn't until next week.

So guess whose back to rocking a crutch just to be safe? Ugh.

So back to that whole, patience is a virtue that I don’t easily possess thing, well right now its being put to the test. As you can see I am playing it safe, will continue to xtrain as I’m able, and I'll do my best to stay focused and positive but I have to tell you… if I were a weaker person I might have given up on ever running again about six weeks ago.

"Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardships with fortitude, even when the desires of our heart are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring, it's enduring it well." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Have you ever been injured and had your patience put to the test? How did you cope? Are you a patient person by nature? How do you keep your patience in check?

Do you get naked?

I hadn't planned on posting again this week but I need your guys' input on a very serious debate Spike and I have going on right now.

Do you get naked in the communal shower?

I ask this because at the aquatic center where I spend at least 3-4 hours of my life aqua slogging every week they only have communal showers in the locker rooms. Spike thinks I'm weird because I do not get naked when I rinse off in said communal showers after my slogging. (I leave my suit on.) I think he is weird. What say you?

I've talked about my aversion to naked people before, my old gym in Lansing being the capital of naked here in the mid-Michigan area with their only redeeming quality being, at least they had shower stalls where I could get naked in peace without being visually accosted by all the other naked people in range. It's not that I'm insecure with my body or anything, it's just that if I wanted all that nakedness in my life I'd join a nudist colony. Or become an extra on a porn set. You see, I'm just not "in" to letting it all hang out like that and would rather avoid those that are. (Ok there was that one time at Fantasy Fest in my early 20's but that was a long time ago...) Am I really so weird for feeling this way? Should I be frolicking around the locker rooms sporting only the freckles the angels* graced me with?

*My grandma always told me that my freckles were angel kisses. Gotta love the lies you're told as a child. It's skin cancer just waiting to happen grandma!!!

3 Things Thursday

1. You know you're a runner when... while biking your old run routes you can't stop thinking about what it'll be like to run them again... especially now that they're not covered in snow! (Which will hopefully be sooner rather than later! Come on stress fracture, heal! HEAL!!!)
   
   
2. Happy Birthday!!!... to my girl Kimmy and my beloved little mini-me sister May!!! Can't wait to see both of you very soon! So excited to have a trip to Florida and Colorado planned for this summer to see all my friends and family!
   
   
   Do you see the family resemblance?!?
   
   
   
3. Adventures in Aqua Slogging... Tuesday night Spike joined me for an aqua slogging session at the pool and I'm pleased to announce I'm finally better and faster at something than he is! (Mind you it took us almost 30 minutes to realize he had put on a child's flotation belt and that's the reason why he was sinking so much... but I'm still better/faster at it and that's all that really matters.) I really wish I had, had a camera to record his hijinks, because he makes everything far more entertaining then it should be, and the 45 minutes we were there flew by! He's already agreed to join me again but I fear it's only to get better and show me up...
   
   Have you ever convinced your significant other to try something random like aqua slogging? Did they go along with it for your sake or did they give it a half hearted attempt and immediately write it off?
   
   

Have a great Cinco de Mayo weekend peeps! May your long runs be enjoyable, may your races be epic, and may you soak up as much beautiful sunshine as the forecast allows! Catch y'all on the flipside!