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!

Fall Colors

Well, this are certainly not my best pictures, but I thought I would still share them. Holding a leash with one hand and a camera with the other doesn't work too well! I took Trooper into the Pisgah today for a short walk. Usually he can't wait to get in the water for a drink. Today he quickly stepped in, drank quickly, then stepped back out. Too cold for him! Along the walk, we also saw some ducks enjoying the water. This is the first time I have seen them on this walk, and we have gone often!

Sawyer and PaPa

A dear friend to many in Rural Hall and one of our neighbors died suddenly the beginning of October. Wes was a great man; always helping out others. Every morning, he would take a newspaper for two ladies to their front porches so they wouldn't have to walk to the end of the driveway to get it. Since his passing, my dad has taken up his "paper route". He now visits 3 houses around 7:00 each morning and continues on the goodness of Wes. One morning, Sawyer decided he wanted to join PaPa and help out! Here they are in their fleeces and pajamas on the paper route.

Trip Home

Last weekend, I took off Friday from school and headed to my parents house on Thursday. The Ohio Gribbles were coming down for a visit. I had to be there of course!!! We enjoyed spending time with family, playing , "helping" get the fire pit ready for Thanksgiving, and visiting some more! Caroline was such a great baby, as you can see in the video coming up next. Sawyer was lots of fun to play with; especially using his imagination to play doctor. He had a waiting room, a nurse, and lots of shots to give! Enjoy the pictures from proud aunt!

Team Dinner

Tuesday's track practice kicked my butt...but it was a great feeling when I finished! We had our normal 4 lap warm up, but without the drills this time. I didn't bother reminding anyone that we weren't butt kickin' or high kneeing it! Then, it was off for a 3 lap "sprint" with a one lap recovery. We did this 4 times. This means we did 5 miles total on the track. We all started at different times (when we arrived), so we would be finished to meet Jake and his mom for dinner! After practice, we had our second team dinner. Cutie pie Jake and his mom met us for dinner, so we were finally able to meet him! As one of our leaders was passing out goodies (our dri-fit practice shirts for recommitting and other goodies to those racing soon from the Fall team), Jake wanted to come sit on my lap for a better look. Isn't he a cutie pie?!!!!

I made it!

Wednesday night, Travis and I went down to Greenville to hear Yonder Mountain String Band play. I got in bed at 2:30 a.m. I did get to sleep on the way home a little, but I was still tired on Thursday. That night, I was trying to stay awake for Grey's Anatomy only to find out it was the debates. So, I sat down on the couch around 8:45 thinking I would try and watch some of the debates. I must have been asleep at 8:46! So, Friday came and went with teaching and hanging out with some girls after school.
This morning, my alarm went off 4 times before I finally got up! My body is tired from the week. I was not looking forward to this run at all! The last time I ran this loop, I ended up walking some. It was supposed to be a 5 mile run in August, but it was actually a 6 mile run! Anyway, back to the morning run today. We set off for a 9 mile run!!! Yes, I said 9! I'm happy to report, I jogged the whole thing and it took us 1 hour and 40 minuntes to complete. We averaged an 11 minute mile...I'm getting faster!!!

This Week

Well, due to the insane gas issue, I did not go to track practice on Tuesday. Instead, I did the practice on my own at our school's track. 7 times around our track equals one mile, so I was running around in a circle many more times! Travis found us gas Wednesday night and he went out twice to fill up both our cars. So, I went to the run this morning. I passed 8-10 gas stations on my way there that were all closed! However, on my way back from the run, the BP near our house had gas. So, I got in line and filled up. Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long. And, we only had to run 5 miles today! Which was great considering my body is trying to get a cold. I was asleep Wednesday night at 7:45 and slept until my alarm went off and I was asleep last night at 8:30! I think I'll be resting again today!

My First Race!

Saturday was busy! It started with my first race, then moved on to my cousin's wedding in Gastonia, and ended by staying with friends that live in Matthews, NC. I woke up Sat. morning NERVOUS! I was going to run my first race! The Autism Society race began at 9:00. Our coaches told us that if we got there early and did a one mile warm-up and ran the 3 miles, then we wouldn't have to make up the extra mileage we missed that day. (We were supposed to run 8 miles with the team. Yeah for races!) So, I meet Claire (a girl on my team) and we did our warm-up. I was thinking it was crazy to run before a race, but there were other avid runners doing the same. I went back to my car to tape on the part of my number bib that I had taken off. I didn't realize I was supposed to keep it on, but luckily I had brought tape just in case! I called my parents only to find out they were at the race looking for me! They had surprised me! They woke up at 4:45 to make it up here in time! They were my cheerleaders and picture takers! I was thinking I would probably run in the race in 35 minutes since I had been running a 12 minute mile. I finished in 30 min. 8 secs.!!! I was happy about the 30 part, but would have loved to have left off that 8 part! However, this is my best race time ever! Of course, it's also my first race time ever!
After the race, we went back to the house. I did a few things, got lunch, showered, and we took off for Gastonia. My cousin Russ was marrying Jessica. It was an interesting wedding. They are both deaf but have had surgeries and therefore hear a little. There was a large crowd of deaf people and several people in the wedding were deaf. They had 3 interpreters and they did dance to a song. I think they had been practicing some moves!!! After the wedding, I drove 40 more minutes to stay with my friends Heather and Rob and their two boys, Nathan and Jack. We had some catching up to do, some playing to do, and some shopping to do for a baby shower we are giving the beginning of November. Whew! I need to recover before the work week starts!

Proud Uncle

Last weekend (a week ago this yesterday), we went down to Georgia to see Travis' family. We helped celebrate Cameron's 2nd birthday and the birth of Zoe. Zion is now a proud big sister and Travis is a proud uncle again! We enjoyed a weekend of birthdays, babies, and football!

Easy Going

Track Practice wasn't so bad this week either! I'm going to attribute this to my ability to perform well in running situations!!! :)
The temperature dropped 20 degrees yesterday, so running in 66-68 degree weather was great! We did our 1 mile warm-up with drills on each lap. Our coaches were not there and our mentor is recovering from knee surgery; so he was there to cheer us on. So, he asked if someone could lead the group around the warm-up; calling out the drills. I was volunteered by the group and stepped up to my job! After the warm-up, we had to do 6 400's. Meaning, run one lap as hard as you can, then half lap recovery. So, we ran for 1.5 miles and walked for .75 miles. This seemed like nothing...when we were finished of course! Much better run than my attempts running down in GA this past weekend! I love the mountains and the mountain weather!!!

Hot Running!

SO, the "devils went down to GA". Wait, let me start again. Travis and I went down to GA for Cameron's 2nd b-day party and to see the newest Young, Zoe! She was born on Thursday, so Zion is a BIG sister! I will post pictures of them later on. I did get some cute ones!

So, Saturday morning before we headed to meet the new baby and then to Anna and Graeme's to watch football; I had to do my 5 mile run. I drove down to the river, parked my car, and took the paved trail back down that rode. As I was on my way there I was thinking, "Piece of cake! This road is flat!" I got ready, took off down the road, got about a mile (maybe) and started thinking "When is this going to end?!" The air is so much thicker down there; it was hard for me to get a good breath. It was like running at the beach except when you finished there was no ocean or pool to jump into! Sweat was dripping down my arms and off my fingertips! I didn't wear my sunglasses for some stupid reason, so sweat was stinging my left eye. I was thinking how good this was going to be for me though. I was going to lose 15 pounds easily with this run! I was starting to get in my groove around mile 2 when my IPod died! I spent the next .5 being upset about it, but then realizing I was almost to the turn around! It was at 2.5 that I turned around, walked to try and catch my breath then took off jogging again. That seemed like the longest job back. About mile 4, I was able to run through some sprinklers thanks to some swanky house that was watering their yard. That was another plus, the houses were big and beautiful to look at. Either way, I finally finished the run.
Sunday was to be my 3 mile recovery run. I decided to save gas and time and just run around the neighborhood. Well, there are hills in this place and it was thick air again. I did make it and am not certain I did 3 miles. I just jogged for 30 minutes. I'm looking forward to being back in the mountains to run...I'll consider that my recovery!!!

Track Tuesday

Our group was quite small last night. Maybe it was the dark clouds looming around or the thunder we kept hearing! I think we all finished just in time. Lucky for me, our coaches just ran this crazy relay that took them through the mountains of VA and into the mountains of NC, and then lots of people are running the Asheville half-marathon this weekend; so track practice was easier.
Our coaches led us around the track for our warm-up, but they never started the drills (high knees, butt kicks, etc.) and we certainly didn't remind them! Afterwards, we ran 4 800's; which is 2 laps around fast, one lap walk. Just like last week, I wanted to get it done; so I ran 2 laps hard and walked half a lap. It seemed much easier this week. Could have been the fact we only did 4 instead of 6 like last week. When I finished the 4 times, for a split second I thought about doing more because I was starting to get in a groove. THEN, I quickly came back to my senses! My mind and muscles must have been somewhere else when that thought crossed my mind!
Either way, another track practice down in the books!

Running

I think I need to catch up from track practice this past Tuesday. We were to run 2 laps hard, walk 1 lap. Repeat this 6 times for a total of 4 1/2 miles; not including the 1 mile warm-up. I did this the first 2 times, then realized this crazy fast running group was on their way to the track. They are usually arriving as we are finishing up (our cool down); however, since we are running farther they are on the track at the end of our running. So, since they are intimidating and probably lap me about 3 times; I decided to run 2 laps hard and walk half a lap. Therefore, I was the first one finished because the really fast runners of the group had to do more times around. I had to reassure everyone that I really did do the right laps! After practice, we had our first team dinner. We were hoping Jake was coming with his family; but no such luck. However, after the dinner one of the coaches handed out goodies for our fund raising. I have raised enough to receive a Team In Training (TNT) mousepad and a TNT hat. (You can see it in the picture which was taken after my run on Saturday.)

Saturday we ran 7 miles!!! Hills and all! Actually, we ran 7.23 miles. I found this out after I found out we really ran 6 miles last Saturday instead of the 5 we thought! No wonder it felt so long! I did do some walking on some of the hills and stopped at the water station. But, I finished 7 miles!!!

Maggie's Shower

This month, my friend Maggie will be having her second baby boy! So, a few of us had dinner together at La Paz in Asheville to celebrate; thanks to Crystal who got it all together. We "showered" her with a few gifts after dinner...mainly diapers to get her ready! Girls Night Out was lots of fun!

It's a great day!

So, as I got in my car after last week's 6 mile run; this song (It's A Great Day to be Alive) was playing on the radio. Country music is not my all time favorite, but I do enjoy a few songs from time to time. The words just really caught my attention and seemed to sum things up for me. I thought about Jake, the four year old we are running for and so many others that are in his situation. I'm running to hopefully make him and others feel like "it's a great day to be alive".

Good thing I was alone because I was singing at the top of my lungs!!! :)
The song should start playing when you get to my page. If you do not want to hear it or I post future videos to watch, simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and pause the music. (small pause button in top left corner.)

Recovery Run

This morning was our "recovery run" as they called it. The only thing I can figure out that makes it a recovery is that there was no hills. When I first heard the name, I was thinking great...2-3 miles today! Nope, it was a 5 mile run. But, no hills!

I guess this first week of school has really worn me out because the run was tough today. I guess you could say I was worn out because Monday and Wednesday of this week I was in bed before 9! The first full day with ALL 24 kids was on Wednesday. I turned out my light at 8:40 and don't remember moving until the alarm went off at 5:15! Either way, I finished the run today.

6 miles!

Awoke this morning at 5:15 (well, really not until about 5:30), heard "Rocky", got ready and met the group for our last clinic at 6:45. This was about agility drills which was practicing all our drills we do at track practice. I said, " So this means we get to take off one of the miles we have to run today right?!"No such luck! :)

So afterwards, we set off for our 6 mile run (jog). We ran in the Biltmore Forest area today. Fabulous houses, great old trees, and a very peaceful place to run. However, instead of steep hills, this run had very long, steady climbs; and lots of them! Of course, this made for a great return downhill run!

Another girl and I decided when we started out that we wanted to at least jog the whole thing; no stopping to walk today. And we did it! We jogged 6 miles and it took us 1 hour and 13 minutes. So, we're still looking at about 12 minute miles. But, this is a great time for me and hills right now! I'm so glad that Kiawah Island is flat!!! :)