a little more than nothing...

I really wish I had more to talk about but as of late I've done a whole lot of nothing besides the occasional run, thinking about how I should go for a run, and working. Very exciting stuff I know!

Over the weekend I bailed on my planned long run for no good reason - again... At least I managed 4 miles on Saturday afternoon with the hubbie. I will continue to live by something is better than nothing mantra! Sunday was a wonderful, lazy, lay around the house watching CSI and Criminal Minds kind of day. How I love my min-marathon crime shows :)

Before my flight I headed out for 7 chilly miles. After the unseasonably warm temps I wasn't really prepared for this morning. On the out and back course I was comfortable in my running capri's and thin long-sleeve awesomely pink top on the way out. On the way back north I had some wicked headwind and I was wishing for my gloves. So were my white knuckles. I know it's still warmer than the November normal but I miss the 60's!

I'm traveling the south this week through Wednesday. Once I return home I don't have to hit the road again until the 30th! I know it's only a week and a half of no work travel but that's huge in my world. And once I return to work after Thanksgiving I only have 3 more trips (5 different towns) over 2 weeks then I'm done until after the New Year! Yea!!!

Success!

Clambake success! Running at home, not so much... 1 out 2 is not too bad

We arrived home late Thursday night so we could run errands and help around the house Friday. After a Friday lunch that include some tasty margaritas (don't judge it was our vacation day) then ran errands. I don't think I sat down until dinner!

Saturday I woke up to my dad yelling at me to get up and get ready for breakfast on the Square; I felt like I was back in high school ;) Afterwards, the massive cleaning and setting up took place. Thanks to help from the entire family this year it came together quickly and there was time to relax before the party-goers arrived.

The boys made sure every single beer made its way into this cooler

all the clams ready to make their way to the steamer

the outside tables under the tent

Snacks Table! homemade caramel corn = YUM

I spent most of my time outside in the cold. It wasn't too bad with the fire and outside heater going. Plus, the tent helped block a lot of the wind. By the end of the night the last of the group (mostly family) had circled the fire pit to hang out, talk, and of course drink. Because that's what my family does best - eat and drink!

sister love

me and dad

The Sunday began the hungover clean-up which finished up with more food.

Now it's time to get back on a "normal" schedule of eating, running, and catching up on blogs ;) Well as normal as it can be since I will be traveling every week for the remainder of the year with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas/NY.

Margarita on the rocks no salt please

I'm leaving today for good old Medina, OH. My sister is graciously hosting a bridal shower in my honor - a Mexican Margarita Fiesta! Oh my family and friends know me so well. Provide a regular margarita on the rocks no salt with some chips and guacamole and she is one happy girl ;) It should be fun. Two of my bridesmaids are even flying in tomorrow to help celebrate with me. Yay!

In saying all that I haven't had much time for running or any kind of exercise yesterday and today. I was in the car driving to and from Wisconsin for over 7 hours yesterday and just so exhausted after getting home late that I hit snooze instead of going for a run today. Now it's in the 80's and ridiculously humid. Hopefully I can get 1 or 2 good runs in this weekend. I'll aim for 1 and 2 will be a bonus :) Alright - off to finish packing up the car! Happy weekend.

4 Unexpected Rest Days

Today was my first day back to running. I haven't run since the 10 miler on Saturday. Sad I know but I could not find/make the time. Crazy job has got me stressed and not allowing me much "me" time. Today's run, nothing spectacular - 4.5 miles and not very fast. It was a struggle to maintain a 9 minute mile pace today. Just one of those days. But the weekend is coming (yay!) and Jacob is going out of town. This all means, no eating poorly, and a lot of time on my hands to 1) work out and 2) get my freaking wedding invitations made. Seriously there is like 86 days or something until my wedding, less than 12 weeks, less than 3 months. That is just nuts, plain nuts. Again I will ask - Where does my time go? So yeah, this weekend I will be up to eyeballs in assembling my lovely invitations and attempting to use my best penmanship to hand address all the envelopes. This should be interesting...Good thing I will have some time to run I'm going to need some breaks.

Everything but what I should be doing

I know I haven't been around much but seriously I thought January was supposed to be a stress-free, relax in your home, workout when you want kind of month. Yeah, not so much. My hopes of having a wedding before the end of this year are quickly dwindling. Who knew so many weddings occurred in Chicago in all the awesome venues?!? And who knew these crazy brides actually booked them earlier than 9 months before the wedding. every...single...place I have called is booked April - October with the exception of - count them - 5 venues. Awesome. But I am looking at them tomorrow and Friday. Anyways with my focus on finding a ceremony/reception venue I have had little time to do anything else, you know like the essentials work and run. I got some strength training done yesterday and boy I am freaking sore. Probably a good indication I need to focus on that more :) Also b/c of this wedding not sure New Orleans 1/2 mary is in the picture anymore :( I'll keep looking for amazing deals. Maybe I can swing a bachelorette party and run all in one weekend. Seriously, I'm kidding. Work is crazy right now. I have to leave on Sunday for a 5 day trip all over the southeast. But after that I have only 1 more trip until I am re-assinged to a new study. Everybody say a little prayer for me that I am finally assigned as a LEAD CRA on my new study and therefore my travel will be significantly slowed. here's hoping.
Alright off to contact yet another venue. I am seriously buying an old warehouse space in the city after this is all done to sell to brides and corporations. There is serious money to be made in this crazy business....

Some Exciting News

Not much has been happening on the running front. It's been about a week now. Thank you head cold, too many hours to count in a car, and trying to plan a "small" New Years party. I am feeling a bit guilty about the lack of runniness happening. Yes, I know that's not a word but I like to make up words when the one's I have don't quite work :) Anyways, today it's going to happen. I am starting the New Year off right before the actual new year :)

Even though the running hasn't been working to my favor my personal life in 2007 is ending in a bang...
after nearly 5 1/2 years of dating, 1 1/2 years of living together
Jacob proposed late Saturday night!!!

I'M ENGAGED!!!

and funny enough one of the things I said (after I said yes of course) was "I won't be able to run the Chicago Marathon unless we take the honeymoon after the race". And folks that's what makes me a runner.