Run for the Ribbon!

Tomorrow I will start week 8 (of 12) of my Half Marathon training. Last week I ran 19 miles finishing strong with a 7 mile run on Saturday. Thank God the rain held off until Sunday - 7 miles on a treadmill would not have been fun! You'll be glad to know the knee pain that concerned me at the beginning of my training is no longer a problem. I had self diagnosed myself with an IT Band issue. Through a complicated network of acquaintences I was put in touch with someone who had experienced the exact same problem that I was having. Per her advice I started 'rolling out' my knee on a foam roller before every run and I am happy to say that I have had NO pain since.

As part of my training I will be participating in the 2009 Run for the Ribbon 10K & AIDS Walk on Sunday, May 17th. The AIDS Walk serves as a fundraiser for the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP). MAP is a great organization - you can learn more about MAP and contribute to my fundraising efforts by clicking on the link above or on the sidebar.

Staycation

My 10 day staycation is almost over - in reality it is over but I'm holding on to the last few minutes - not wanting to let them go until I absolutely must. I've enjoyed the last few days immensely. I have to say I think I will be GREAT at retirement. We didn't do anything big or even that exciting. To be honest, I don't even feel particularly refreshed. But it was nice to stay up until 2:00 in the morning watching CSI and sleep until 11:30 that day - because that's what we felt like doing. It was nice to be able to make running a priority each day. It was nice to have plenty of time to take care of the house, run errands, finish a book and visit with my nephews. It was nice to not feel rushed.

And so tomorrow reality sets back in. I will inevitably wake up late, rush through my morning routine, barely make it to work on time, tackle only the smallest of tasks on my overwhelming 'To Do' list, and be thankful if I make it through half of the emails and phone calls waiting for me at work by the end of the day. I will catch my breath on the ride home only to begin the seemingly endless tasks of the evening - most of which accomplish nothing more than preparing me for the following day. On the one hand I find this an extremely depressing proposition. I look at the words I just typed and I wonder if it's really worth it - and in my next breath I know that it is. Because I know there will be a day when I will wake early and walk leisurely through my morning routine. When I will arrive at work early - fully prepared for the day before me. When I will complete everything on my 'To Do' list for the day and will arrive home and find there is plenty of time to take care of everything I need to before taking time to unwind, reflect on this day and prepare for the next.

I am confident this day will come - the day when I achieve the balance I am ever in search of. And I will enjoy the journey that gets me there because while I know it will come - I don't know when and I will not spend my life wishing for something better when I know that what I already have is more fulfilling and rewarding than most people even dare to hope for.

Scrap Camp!

I'm off to scrap camp! 4 days devoted to girlfriends, scrapbooking and renewal. I will be riding up with two very dear friends and can't wait for the uninterrupted time to catch up on all that has happened since we last met. I have gone to scrap camp 2 - 3 times a year for the last several years and I still look forward to each visit with the same anticipation and excitement that I had for my first trip. In fact, I start looking forward to the next visit on the ride home from the last. I don't think I can properly explain it to anyone but it is truly a place that I love to be - physically and mentally. I am so thankful that this time has finally arrived.