The Dogs are Barking

3 hours, 19 miles, and a shower later, I'm done. The conditions started out with a steady, misty rain. I did not mind the rain because I ceaselessly checked the hour by hour weather forecast last night and again this morning and knew it was supposed to stop. Sure enough, it slowed down just as I was startled by three deer about four feet from the sidewalk I had been stomping on. I always see deer and have been getting used to it but this time was nerve-racking and probably comical to the garbage truck that passed me, but the antlered friends weren't the only ones with the deer in headlights look. My run-in (get it?) with the deer happened within the first two miles of my journey. I knew it was going to be just that kind of morning so I continued on and the rain stopped and picked up again in full force. I think it's a nice change of pace (get it?) when it starts to rain. The intensity builds up and the cool, freshness of the rain is positively exhilarating. Those final miles were quite tough, which is to be expected but as I was nearing my last five minutes, I ran by a college student's garage sale. There were three girls that were sitting with a tired look on their faces as if they had never seen what nine a.m. looked like and one of the girls said to me "You can do it, keep on truckin". Well I did just that! A few words of encouragement helped my aching body make it that last bit. Now I must mention that I am supremely jealous of people whose second toe is shorter than their big toe. I like to call them, "Normal People". I, however, have been...blessed...with a longer toe neighboring my big toe which hurts more than anything after these long runs. My feet are pummelling on the pavement and heading downhill is certainly not as easy on the body as you may think. Topping off my battered and blistered toes, I was ready to shower and stubbed my unfortunately long second toe on the step in my bathroom. Yes, I do have a step in my bathroom. So that was a fantastic way to cap off my morning. As for the rest of the weekend? Free for relaxation and I cannot wait! Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Best,

Anne

Bloody Brilliant!

The British population has and still is overflowing with bloody brilliant talent! William Shakespeare, Sir Paul McCartney, Julie Andrews (or is it Dame Julie Andrews...either way, she brought us a spoonful of sugar), J.K. Rowling (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint need a shout out as well), and the list goes on and on. Yesterday I found out about another Brit, worth mentioning for setting goals and not stopping until they are completed. This blog entry should probably be dedicated to my Mom, (Hi!) because she has been sharing her life with a not-so-friendly disease: My dad. Just kidding, Dad...but she has been battling the ups and downs of Parkinson's Disease and I wanted to share this journey of James Bowthorpe with her and the rest of my avid readers:)

James (I hope it's okay we are on a first name basis) has an incredibly interesting website that is worth a look http://www.globecycle.org/. Basically, James is raising money to research Parkinson's Disease. Sure, that's a great idea but the way he is attempting to raise 1.8 million pounds (1 British pound = 1.6554 U.S. Dollars) is admirable. He is doing the unthinkable. James is riding his bicycle around the world 120-150 miles a day for 150 days to reach 18,000 miles, and ultimately breaks the record for longest distance biked. This will beat the record by nearly 4 weeks! You can track him online http://whereintheworldisjames.com/ and see that he is currently in the U.S. I know there are millions of people raising millions of dollars for all sorts of organizations that fight diseases, cancer, equality, and so many more but I am so happy to hear about more raising money to research Parkinson's disease. I could write pages on how well my mom does at being stronger than the disease itself. I wouldn't be surprised if she got on her bike and met James for his ride up to New York. So there it is. Another Brit that shows his talent in a different category with his perseverance and drive. Now I think I can manage running 19 miles. Thank you James. Love you Mom!

Best,

Anne

Have you seen them?

I have searched high and low. I opened the cabinets and checked the drawers. The freezer and the refrigerator were of no help. I had no luck under the bed or in the closest. I checked outside and I checked inside. I looked at websites and I read the articles. I ran and I walked in hopes of finding them. I listened to many tunes and I closed my eyes for moments of pure silence. I talked to friends and I conversed with family. They are still nowhere to be found. I wonder, have you seen them? Have you seen the creative juices I am rummaging for?

I was unable to think of something to write about today and I am going to blame the fact that I have lost my creative energy (temporarily, I assure you!) Believe it or not, the return of Brett Favre did not stir any emotion over here because I simply could care less. I'm actually ashamed I even mentioned him in this post seeing as his name has probably been tossed around (no pun intended) an infinite amount today. Enough about that. I will dish out (pun intended) another name that is on my mind right now. Tyler Florence. Of all the men that have their own shows on the Food Network, his is truly the best. His calm, soothing voice makes it impossible not to be completely hooked during each show. I don't even care if he is making something I wouldn't eat (okay, that might happen a lot. Sorry...but he loves cooking meat!) because his entire presentation stands out. He doesn't have to yell "BAM" (Emeril) or say "That's MONEY" (Guy) but if he does say something is "phenomenal", I believe it. You know, I think if I wasn't so squirmish around raw meat or fish, I'd become a chef in an instant! I'd also cook with creative juices...if I ever find them...

Best,

Anne

Lingering thoughts

Missoula, Montana:
This weekend I made a surprise visit to the beautiful town of Missoula, Montana. One of the beautiful things about living alone without anything holding you back is the fact that executive decisions are made on a daily basis and they are quickly planned out. Should I wash the dishes tonight or tomorrow? (You won't want to in the morning...just get it over with.) Do I need to run in the morning or the afternoon? (How 'bout I run tomorrow and change my whole schedule because I don't feel like it today!) Should I sit home or go see two movies in a row at the movie theater? (Julie and Julia followed by 500 Days of Summer is truly the best recipe.) Should I drive nine hours to Montana to surprise my friend Teresa on her birthday? (You bet!)

Needless to say, executive decisions get the job done and eliminate procrastination (unless I make executive decisions to procrastinate which is completely valid). I know I am not the manager or head of a company and have the last say in something more important than waiting a day or not to wash the dishes, but the decision is necessary no matter what the case entails. On that note, I think the executive decision regarding the annihilation of Saturday mail should be against it. http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/16/greene.saturday.mail/index.html Although the days I get mail are few and far between, I am saddened on Sunday afternoon when there is no need to check the mail box. If Saturday brought about the same sadness as Sunday with the lack of mail, I wouldn't know what to do. Sending something on Thursday that would most likely get to someone on Monday is simply disheartening. I'm still coping with not receiving mail on holidays. We'll have to wait and see...but until then, we have six days of mail on the way.

Best,

Anne

Mid August? Already?

I have a lot of time to talk to myself as I complete my runs for training program. I automatically allow myself to think positively and negatively about each run. For example: Three weeks ago I ran seventeen miles. During that run I thought, hey, what's one more mile tacked on for next week? As I ran my eighteen miles I found it to be a brutal extra mile that was added on. Thanks Hal Higdon for that one. (http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm) Anyway, today I ran a "short" thirteen miler. Throughout my run I grew angry with myself for the fact that I now consider thirteen miles to be "short" and that next week's nineteen miles looms in the distance. As happy as I was to finish my run today, the negative attitude went off in my head. The run itself was fine, but I have to double that run at some point? Brutally brutal.

Thinking of making this recipe some day soon. Sounds right up my antioxidant alley. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/black-bean-salad

Best,

Anne

Hello!

Today starts the beginning of my blogging journey. A little background may be what you are itching for so here it is: I recently moved to Bellingham, WA from Crystal Lake, IL. I am going to school out here but besides that, I needed a change in my life. Don't get me wrong, the midwest provides plenty of opportunity but not the opportunity I seek. I am not going to graduate and move to Chicago like half of the midwestern population. Truly happy for those who do, but you will not see me following them. I do not know where my life will take me but I am already eager to find this out. Bellingham is flooded with sincere and let's just say it, eclectic people. Watching people ride their mountain bikes up and down the hills with such ease still amazes me. I highly doubt they are in their lowest gear. That is admirable. Vegetarian and Vegan foods are extremely prevalent and make it that more appealing to make the switcheroo to vegetarian. I am almost to the peak but the occasional piece of chicken or turkey is weighing me down. Besides the people and the food, I will never get over the views. The Bellingham Bay glistens as I round the corner each time I walk toward my apartment. As I train for my first marathon, I discover new trails, parks, lakes and houses during my runs. I find it fascinating how much there is to see in this town but also how much there is still unknown to me. I plan to enlighten you on my findings.

Best,

Anne