Blessed...

Before I write about 2008... I wanted to share the best part of 2007 for me.

It wasn't working.

It wasn't working out.

It was my friends. I have cemented friendships with amazing people this year and I have no idea where I would be without them. I started to name some, but I don't want to leave anyone out. However, without my friends...

-Who could I call at any time of the day, and even though he hasn't been able to move / go out / sit / etc, would talk to me for hours, cheer me up, keep me company, and be there for me when I really needed some truth in my life?
-Who would have met me at 5:30am in the mornings to push me, motivate me, or goof off with me? (Or who would I talk to while one of us is sobbing while driving down the highway or sleeping in a CVS parking lot?)
-Who would be giving me the same advice I gave her a year ago and being an endless source of support?
-Who would drop anything in a second to lend me her ear, a hug, or her living room on wheels?
-Who would have gotten me out to try so many of Houston's best margaritas, or listened to all the cheesy pick up lines, or shared text messages about blow up gorillas, or worried about me when I hadn't texted back in hour?
-Who would have met me at Panera after work on Fridays and really allowed herself to trust me and form a really great, true friendship?
-Who would have met me for breakfast before work to help me start my days off right?
-Who would blow off work and meet me anytime, be up for anything, and eventually kick my butt both running and biking?
-Who would have ridden to Dallas with me while we shared our similar plights, worries and aspirations?
-What other group could I expect 150+ emails a day from, where we all make fun of our "lovable" quirks, issues and breakdowns?
-Who would I have formed such a close friendship with that people have called us attached at the hip, and who is a main factor in my decisions about whether to do something or go somewhere, or sometimes better just hang out on the "safe couch"?

There are so many more... and I'm lucky that I could go on and on and on.

Life isn't easy. Sometimes it's really really hard. But thanks to my friends, I always land feet first.

Thank you.

Year 2007 Workout Totals (or... to Alaska!)

Looking at my logs... I'm a little sad that I feel a bit short at my numbers. Not that I actually had any goals, but I do like nice round numbers. Oh well... here it is!

2007 Total Run Miles: 794
2007 Total Bike Miles: 2485
2007 Total Swim Miles: 68
2007 Total Gym Visits: 138

Total Distance Covered by Running, Biking & Swimming in 2007: 3,346 Miles.

You know where that gets me? According to Mapquest... it gets me to Juno, Alaska! (3,344.72 miles)

Total Estimated Time Working Out in 2007: 446 hours. (About 7.5% of my waking hours!)

Not bad, huh? Compared to Glenda or Lulu, I look like a sloth. But to the average person - I think those are pretty impressive numbers. I'm most proud of 2 things - how much better I got on the bike this year (when I actually trained) and being dedicated to going to the gym about 3 times a week. I definitely feel much stronger and healthier this year. I'm also proud that I got this done all while traveling at least 2 days a week the majority of the year. Looking back, I'm not as slothful as I thought. ;)

Today's Horoscope

You must place sufficient attention on your inner processes now and this could require you to go somewhere quiet. Spending a peaceful evening at home might lead to significant revelations. If you can't find solace there, try a few hours at a public library. The location isn't important as long as you can be alone with your own thoughts.

Sorry I bailed, but this hits home tonight.

SIX MONTHS - GO ME!

Today I figured out that I have gone SIX MONTHS WITHOUT DESSERT!!

I meant to go a month... then two months... and then six. I thought I started this thing on July 25th, but Kerry helped me realize it was actually June 25th. So, I think it's time to indulge. (There just so happens to be homemade fudge in the pantry. Hmmm.)

What should I eat? I feel it should be something special, but I can't think of anything I actually really want!

Vacation Day!

Today was the first day in quite a while where I did whatever I wanted. It was so nice to be on vacation ... In 2008, I am going to have to remember how much fun vacation days are.Nothing better than a beautiful day, three friends, chips & salsa, a hippie sandwich and a strawberry colada (Damsky's favorite) at Shady Grove!

Dionn, Kerry & I playing in the Bear Patch. Happy Holidays!

Thank You

I am so lucky to have such amazing parents. Sure, it hasn't always been easy. I can be quite pigheaded at times! But no matter what, my parents have always been there for me. They are quite easily the most supportive people in the world, and I feel so lucky to be their daughter.

No matter what I do, they are always there - backing me up. Thanks to them, I am able to face my fears and (I know this sounds cheesy, but...) shoot for the stars.

I love you both. Thank you.

HELL YEAH!

I just got my tickets for They Might Be Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 5th @ Stubbs BBQ. I got 6 tickets... who's with me?

(There have been few things that I have truly been happy about lately. I'm glad to have this one on the horizon.)

Thanks, Houston!

I can't believe it... I am about to embark on my LAST TRIP TO HOUSTON IN 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's really crazy to think about how much time I've spent in that city this year. I would guess probably a month & a half total for the whole year.

There were definitely some really great times... but I'm glad this is the last trip scheduled for as far out as I can see. The girl I hired to take my place is rocking, and thus... no need for me.

What will I miss about Houston?
-The people at & idiosyncrasies of the Four (three) Points
-Cafe Adobe's amazing margaritas
-Cafe Red Onion
-Empire Cafe
-Running at Memorial Park
-The MFAH (Museum of Fine Arts Houston)
-Breakfast at the Buffalo Grille
-Bally's on Dunston
-Stopping at the Bakery in La Grange
-Talking to my friends (primarily Tim) throughout the whole ride
-Time to learn about Roman and/or Greek History

Alas, what can I say as I'm about to head out?

THANKS, HOUSTON!

*Sigh*

i wish i was here.

Humbled

I watched Wiley run White Rock this morning. He was amazing.

Watching him, and all the other runners today, was inspiring.

Getting all the text messages from our friends was humbling. I feel blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life. The support we all give each other is amazing.

....


Mike just got out of the shower - he's warmed up. In his word, "I'm disappointed, but I'm happy." I'm so proud of him.

Badass

Sometimes you find friends in the most unlikely people. Ask me a year ago if I'd be thinking nonstop about two of my best friends and their insane weekend endeavors - I can't say I would have thought you meant Lulu & Wiley. But you never know how friendships are going to work.

I am so proud of Lulu for ROCKING the Sunmart 50K this morning. The fact that it took until 5:00pm to hear from her today was horrible (stupid I-Phone) - but when I finally did, I was just as happy to hear her report as if I'd have done the race myself. It broke my heart that I wasn't there with her in person. Stomp, Lulu.

Tomorrow I will be there, in person, for Wiley as he runs White Rock. I've watched him operate like clockwork all weekend. He is ready. He is going to kick so much ass tomorrow.

I feel so lucky to have Lulu & Wiley in my life. I feel so lucky to be inspired by them both.

So this is what relaxed feels like....

I took a vacation day today. Aside from a little bit of work, I really did take the day off and it felt awesome. I got a run in before 9:00am, spent some quality time communing with nature, and then road-tripped to Dallas with Mike.

The trip went by in no time, thanks in part to a really funny three-way conversation with Kerry. The Dallas White Rock Expo was nothing special, though chasing around an inflatable walking spaceman was kinda fun. Being with my parents is great, and my family even managed a game of Scrabble, which I won. (Sorry, Mike! Quad + Id + triple word score!)

Anyway, it's really nice to be away from it all. I've needed this. I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend and to practicing how to relax. Tomorrow I will get to spend some quality time with friends I haven't seen in ages. I'll send all of my positive thoughts to Kerry as she runs the Sunmart 50K. And Sunday I'll give all the positive energy I can to Mike as he runs the Dallas Marathon.

Deep breath. Deep deep breath. It feels great.

Girlfriends

Thank god for girlfriends. And bartenders named Ross. But definitely, for girlfriends.

Two more in 2007

I just booked my last 2 trips to Houston for the year. They will officially earn me Starpoints Platinum Member status. (And, of course, I won't be going much after that so the Platinum status really means nothing!)

Anyway, December will definitely be busy... it starts with a trip to Dallas this weekend, followed by Houston the next, then Houston again, and then... vacation? Maybe?

I've gone to Houston at least 40 times this year. I have taken vacation days only 2 times this year. Maybe next year I need to look at that balance a bit more closely!

Decker

And yet another year passes and I get out of running Decker. The twelve miles on Decker (which I know so well from biking this course so much for Danskin training) have no appeal to me on foot.

However, it's always fun to go out and cheer. This year Wiley (aka Bike) and I took out our bikes and hit two spots along the course. He came equipped with 2 cowbells, which made cheering a lot easier. He did manage to get a "F@$# You" from one runner, and the finger from another. Well done, Mike! I like to put my past cheerleading skills to good use. Dionn would be proud of me!
Lulu & Justin rode by...
Here's the group post-run/pre Trudys.
And lastly, my buddies!! I LOVE THESE TWO!!!!!!

Hawaii Ironman

I watched the NBC compilation of the 2007 Hawaii Ironman this afternoon. Wow. I remember watching it online in real-time, but this time they had all of the amazing "regular people" stories all packaged into a neat Hallmark-type story.

I'll admit that I cried more than once watching people cross the finish line. I don't feel any rush to complete an Ironman in the next few years, but I know it won't be THAT long until I do one. I'm definitely not ready to put that much of myself into training right now...

However, I am definitely inspired.