12 degrees

That's right! It was 12 degrees when I met the team today; or what little there was of the team. There were 4 runners including our coach this morning. Hum, I wonder why?!!! I decided I had missed enough practices recently because of the cold weather, and it couldn't be an excuse anymore. (running around in a circle at 6:00 p.m. in 19 degree weather didn't sound fun!)
So, I set out this morning at 6:45 dressed in everything warm I could find! Looking back now that I'm warm again, it was an adventure. However, when I first set out this morning I thought it was just plain dumb! Either way, if you look at the picture it looks as if I have a bad case of dandruff on the right side of my hair. Take a closer look and you will see that my hair had ice in it...my hair had frozen from the sweat!!! I just happened to have my camera with me and took a picture before jumping in the car to warm up! I couldn't believe it! I think if I had run anymore, my eyelashes might have frozen shut. I guess when I was wiping them during the run and I thought they felt frozen, it really was ice I was wiping away!!!

12 miles...

almost! Practice was supposed to start at 7:30 Saturday morning. I knew there was a chance it would be raining. So, I got up and didn't even look at outside until I was ready to get in the car. And, oh boy was it raining! It would come in waves of heavy rain followed by light rain followed by sprinkles..repeating itself in no particular order! I just went straight to the car and drove to meet the team. I knew that if I didn't go, I would have a hard time running 12 miles by myself.
There was actually about 12 of us crazy enough to show up! It was finally decided after the hard rain was not letting up that we would meet back at 12:00 to go running. So, at 11:00, I headed back to Asheville to meet the team. Crazy huh?! Who drives 35 minutes twice in 1 day to go running?!!!
So, we started off and I ended up running with different girls (because not everyone could come back) who run much faster than me. It actually wasn't that bad! However, around mile 9 I started getting sharp pains in my left knee every time my foot hit the pavement. I kept on going, not sure if it's one of those stop before you hurt worse or push on through it. It continued to the point that at mile 10 I had to stop and try to stretch it and walk some. When we got to the meeting place where the 20 milers were going to turn around, one of the coaches said I was done for the day and to go home. No more running. Never thought I would say this, but I was a little disappointed that I couldn't finish the 12 miles planned! Wait what? Who was that talking just now?!!!
Either way, I finished a long run and it was my last big run before the race. From now, we start to taper off. So, next week we only run 8 miles, then 5 miles the following week. It's the countdown now!!!!

Charleston

Friday morning, I decided to go with Travis and Trooper down to Charleston. After coming home after work and quickly packing; we headed out. We got into town around 9:00. We stopped by some friends first before going to Andy's house (Travis' cousin). I was up after midnight with the guys staying up until 2:00ish!
Saturday morning was supposed to be a 10 mile run. I was going to run across the Cooper River, but at the last minute changed my mind. Why not run on the beach if you've come to the beach huh?! So, running on Isle of Palms is what I did! I only ran for 1 hour and 9 minutes; running around 6-7 miles (I think). Pretty good considering I ran out of water, my energy boosts didn't really work, and I forgot my I-Pod. (I don't recommend Sport Beans by Jelly Belly. I never felt the boost of energy like I have with other "sport snacks") After my run, I went back to grab the guys. It was too pretty to sit inside all day! We took Trooper to the beach for a walk, then headed for some good seafood. The afternoon and evening was spent watching football (Go Tarheels!) and grilling out.
Sunday morning, Travis and I went to Sullivan's Island with Trooper. We grabbed Mahi-Mahi tacos at Poe's Tavern, then headed for our last walk on the beach. We ended the day hanging out with George and watching more football before heading back home.
**Not sure what I'm trying to say in the picture, but it's the only one I took!**

Jill's Shower

After a crazy Halloween at school, I drove to Raleigh for the weekend. I got there late Friday night and stayed until mid afternoon on Sunday. I spent the weekend with the Lewis' and the Bryant's. We enjoyed the warm weather Saturday afternoon. I was glad I packed a short sleeve shirt at the last minute!
On Sunday, I went over to Jill's house to help give her baby shower! Holly is due the end of December, so we had to help get things ready for her arrival!!! Lisa, Heather, Elizabeth, and I took over Jill's house to get things ready. Of course Jill was there, so we put her to work too! This was also the first time I had seen Jill's new house and the first time in awhile we had all been together (maybe even over a year for some of us!). People started arriving as early as 1:30 and everyone left around 4:30ish. I think it took Jill about an hour and a half to open all her gifts!!!! She is certainly set! She'll have to change Holly every hour to get her in all the cute clothes! We had a great time together and I'm glad I could be a part of this special event! Now, we all just wait!