The Half.

Well, we did it! Our Half took place on Sunday morning and went off without a hitch. Steph and I finished in 2:10:52, and we both felt great! Kevin finished in a little less than 2 hours. The course was a lot hillier than I remember it, but that, in my opinion, is what kept it fun and interesting. Lots of rocks and roots, twists and turns, and ups and downs. One had to keep their eye on the course, or else risk twisting an ankle! Constant vigilance!

I’m thinking that the Detroit Half (which I’ll be taking on in October) may be quite “boring” in comparison! Of course, that one will undoubtedly have a lot more people, which brings new excitement of it’s own. As expected, we weren’t able to get any pictures because my parents ended up taking Sophie to church with them rather than camping out in the morning chill to see us take off and finish, but I’ve got pictures in my mind. Memories.

To recover from the run, I walked on Monday morning, rested Tuesday, and then resumed normal running with Becky on Wednesday afternoon. I don’t have anything to train for for awhile now-it’s going to be nice to have the freedom to run whatever I’d like now that the weather is nicer. I think I’ll still make it a point to run a long run on the weekends, as I treasure those runs without the stroller and I do like to really push myself at least once per week.

Day Off.

I love Fridays-the relaxed atmosphere of having no schedule, just a loose agenda.

Sophie and I were up at our normal time this morning to take Kevin to work. We’ll be picking him up in a little bit, and then heading straight to Mom and Dad’s for “Pasta Fest”. The reason for Pasta Fest (if you really need a reason)? Carbo-loading for our big race, of course! Up until yesterday, we thought our Half was on Saturday. Then we found out that it’s actually on Sunday. Oh well, Pasta Fest is still on for tonight. We have Bible Study with our friends out in Brighton tonight, so we were planning on going there anyway.

I’m feeling really ready for my race. Which (obviously) is a good thing. The only thing that worries me is the fact that I have had very little hill training this time around. My 11-mile long run went well last weekend, so I’m feeling comfortable with the distance. Steph and I plan to stay together for the whole race too, so that should definitely help. It’s always good to have a partner to push and encourage you-and that’s just what Steph does for me.

This afternoon, Sophie and I went outdoors. I brought out her little push walker and she walked up and down the sidewalk with it. I meant to take our camera out with us to get some pictures, but I guess we were just so excited to get outside that I plumb forgot. Oh well, we’ll just have to do it again

Not much else to add right now. I’ll may or may not have any pictures of us from the Half, depending on if my parents are able to come or not. The weather does not look too promising for Sunday morning, so they may just stay at the house with Sophie. Either way, I’ll write about it. Well, better sign off as I need to get us ready to go pick up Kev from work and get this busy night started.

Have a great weekend!

Reading in 2010: The Road

I’m not sure how to describe this one. I love when authors give you short “snapshot” paragraphs that describe action or thought. This book was chock full of that. The narrative was diced into tiny sections too-making this the perfect pickup-putdown book. The dialogue was sparse and poignant. The landscape was bare and burned.

If you aren’t familiar with the story, here’s a brief synopsis: A father and son are wandering across a burned and desolate country in the future. There are very few people left, just bands of thieves and not too many “good guys”. Every aspect of civilization is gone, burned, and looted. The father and son are journeying to the coast, because they believe it is warmer there and there is a “good guy” community there which they can join. This book is their tale of scavenging and wandering, and wondering what it is that makes life worth living.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It was slow at times, and at points very graphic and disturbing. Nevertheless, I’m glad I read it. I enjoyed the author’s style and the overall story. The movie is out, but I’m not sure if I’d like to see it. There are a few scenes that would really disturb me to see on film. Overall, it was a good read!

mismash, hodgepodge, conglomeration

Not much to do here. Might as well write. Right?

I can’t decide if I’m actually hungry, or if I’m just bored and want to eat. Know what I mean? I eat when I’m bored. I love food. Almost all food. There are very few things that I don’t like. I don’t like pickles or cantaloupe or sushi. But I’ve only tried sushi once. I’d be willing to give it another try.

This morning I watched a clip on youtube of the last 8ish minutes of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. I can’t get it out of my mind. It’s horrible-horrifying. If you haven’t read that book, or any books on the Holocaust, I suggest that you do so. Yes, the details are disturbing and they haunt you. But I believe that it is so important to know, to remember. Don’t those millions of people deserve to be remembered? Even if it is through a fiction story. Same goes for Sarah’s Key, which I blogged about here.

Onto something happy. This morning Sophie walked, holding onto my fingers, all the way down the hall to her room and back out to the living room. She’s on her way! She doesn’t yet stand unassisted, so I know that walking isn’t imminent, but every little thing she does makes me so excited and proud. I love her

I have now started The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It’s slow, but interesting and good. I like the writing and the story is growing on me. I found it in my coworker’s office one day and when I asked her if I could borrow it she said that it didn’t belong to her. She said I could just take it. But I’ll return it because I need another book like I need a hole in my head.

LOST is on tonight I’ve been digging this LOST blog. I think it gives a good account of what happened (plus some amusing commentary) plus the author’s overall rating of the episode. I’m a huge dork.

Steph and I ran 9 miles on Sunday and we’re planning on doing 11 this weekend. Our race is in less than 2 weeks! Yikes! Sophie and I went for a walk yesterday morning to give my legs a little rest, and then this morning was so cold and miserable that I wasn’t about to take her out. I plan to run a few miles when I get home from work today, and happily the sun is just now peeking through the clouds.

Reading in 2010: Sarah’s Key

This book was really good. Historical fiction, detailing the Vel d’Hiv round up of Jewish families in Paris in July 1942. How appropriate since Sunday was Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The book flips back and forth between Sarah, a 10-year old Jewish girl in 1942, and Julia, an American journalist living in present-day Paris. Eventually, Julia uncovers a link between her in-laws and Sarah’s family, which has been a source of hidden shame and guilt for years.

Definitely recommend this book to the historical fiction lovers out there.

Reading in 2010: The Blind Side

I’ve been flying through books lately. Admittedly, they’ve all been easy reads. And to admit a little more….sometimes I skim pages or even whole chapters!

That’s exactly how I got through this book so fast. There was a whole bunch of stuff in the beginning which I would summarize like this: blah blah blah fooootttbaalllll blah some guy got hurt blah blah left tackle becomes a high paid position blah blah blah.

Thus, I “read” about 150 pages in one day. Haha! I enjoyed the story of Michael Oher and the Touhys, but looking back I ended up skipping a lot of the book because it was boring and too football-y.

So, my advice to you is this: rent the movie! Kev and I rented it this weekend and thought it was pretty good. Not as amazing as everyone gushed about it, but still, pretty good.

Sense of Humor

Sophie has been hilarious lately. Her sense of humor is shining through! For instance, did you know that the funniest thing in the world is to put something, anything, on your head? What a knee-slapper! She’s been playing peek-a-boo with her blankets whenever she gets the chance too. I heard her doing in in her carseat while we were driving the other day. She kept yelling “BOOOOO!” At the stop light I looked in my rearview and could see her in her mirror that she was playing peek-a-boo with herself. So funny!

Words just can’t describe how much I love this sweet child. She is so full of life, she is so funny, and I know that I’ll just enjoy her more and more as time goes on. Especially once she starts talking-now that will be a hoot!

Reading in 2010: Maus II

I began reading this book immediately after I finished Maus I-I couldn’t wait! This installment did not disappoint. Chronicling Vladek’s trials in Auschwitz, cattle cars, death march, and liberation, this story was fast paced and gripping.

I showed it to my book club ladies, and after they got over the initial shock of the cover, they agreed that it looked very interesting. They also informed me that graphic novels are the “new, cool thing”. Didn’t know that!