Catchup

So it has been a while since I last blogged. The sinus infection really got me down. I am still dealing with the last of it, almost two weeks after it started. I feel good, but sometimes I just have a little too much post nasal drip. I hope that will disappear quickly.

We've been downsizing our house using craigslist. So far we've had good success selling some items. Others, not so much. I am starting to get a little worried about what we are going to do with all the unsold furniture. I feel like we should have put more in storage. We will just have to wait and see. We have a month.

Saturday is the big ball at NPS. I will pick up my dress tomorrow from having it altered. I can't wait to see how it looks. Mina and I had pedis today. The place was decent I suppose (I'm not a nail salon connoisseur). Unfortunately Mina's didn't dry well enough and got smudged. We went back to tell them and they are supposed to fix it for her tomorrow. I'm happy with mine.

Today was my second day at work. I had a great time. I am getting a little more comfortable at the register. Robin gave me a lesson on the feet today, teaching me about the construction of running shoes, the differences in the support each gives, and how the insoles they sell work. Then she fitted me for a pair of shoes. One of the perks of the job, if you will, is that they give you a pair of running shoes. It sounds great, but they are supposed to be used as work shoes. They are not my new running shoes, though I can (and should) run in them periodically.

In the fitting process I found that I do need a good stability shoe, as I have moderate pronation. It is more pronounced in one foot. The Saucony shoes I tried didn't fit me right. I felt the arch support about an inch back from where it should have hit my arch. The New Balance ones were OK, but nothing to rav about. Next I tried the Brooks Adrenaline, and I liked those. Then I tried the Asics Gel Kayanos (same shoe I run in now, but the next edition) and they felt good. Between the Brooks and the Asics, I couldn't tell the difference. Well, there were subtle differences, but I think either would work well for me. So I went with the Brooks. Funny thing. When I got home, Bill noticed the shoes. He noticed them because they look just like the Brooks Adrenaline he runs in! Good thing we are not the same size!

I figure when it comes time to replace my current running shoes, I can either go with a pair of Brooks or the Asics. I'll have the opportunity to do a few runs in the "work shoes" and if I like them, I will get a pair exclusively for running. Otherwise, I'll get the Asics. It is a win-win for me. It is a win-win-win if you factor in the employee discount. Robin recommends trying the shoes out in the shop so that I can provide better information to customers. It is true, but of limited usefulness, as what feels good on my feet may not work for someone else. But it does not hurt to have the information.

Robin also gave me a shirt I had my eye on since the first day I went in there. It says "Running is Renewable". I have to wear either my Fleet Feet Monterey shirt or a running-related shirt to work. I only have one employee shirt, so this will become park of my work wardrobe. Cool!

I work tomorrow and Friday (whew! Three days in a row!) and I'm looking forward to it. Robin and Walt are such nice people and I am enjoying being in that environment. I'm glad I asked if they were hiring!

I'm back!

I ran today, for the first time since the Big Sur Half. It felt really good to get back out there. I ran with Mina. She wanted to do 30 minutes, so I thought a long loop and a short loop would be around 3 miles or 30 minutes. I knew when we hit 30 minutes and we weren't home. I thought we'd just keep going. I surprised her by telling her we ran over 35 minutes! She can so handle it.

It was a good run. We did 3.17 miles in 35:47 for an average pace of 11:17. Splits: 11:07, 11:22, 11:25, 1:52 (=11:03 pace).

Home sweet home

We bought our new home today!

We won't be moving into it for another month or so, and we didn't bring it back to Monterey with us today, but now we own it. It is ours! We have almost all the pieces of the puzzle together for living our dream!

It is pretty big, at least compared to our previous coach. We had the fifth wheel hitch installed today. It looks like hooking up will be a breeze compared to what it used to be. I look forward to seeing how it feels when towing.

I'm pretty excited about moving into the new coach. I know there are a few logistics to work out, and plenty of stuff we still need to get (and plenty of stuff we need to get rid of). The next few weeks will be quite busy with that.

We left the coach in Gilroy so that we could have a washer and dryer installed. Yes, it's a luxury, but I think it is important. There is a coin-op laundry at the RV park. The downside is that 1) every one uses it and 2) we need quarters. I think each load is $2, so to wash and dry it takes $4 per load. There are only four machines, so it is not as convenient as it once sounded. There are laundromats throughout the city, but it takes time to go and bring all the laundry to one of them, so it isn't as convenient either. I don't expect to be able to wash everything in the coach, but it will be nice to do some of it three feet away from where the clothes will be kept. Especially with dog towels and when muddy paws eagerly greet you when you're wearing your good pants. So it's a luxury, but it will more than pay for itself in convenience and ease.

We should be able to pick it up next weekend and put it in a temporary storage location. We'll start filling it up with our things and move in right after Monica, Dave, and Elinor leave us a few days after Christmas. We'll start the new year in the new coach!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I haven't blogged much lately, but it isn't because I don't have anything to say. So much has been going on, I haven't been able to keep up!

Mina and I both had dresses ready to go for the NPS Grand Winter Ball, but we went up to Gilroy and the BCBG outlet. We both found knockout dresses! I had a hard decision between two of them, but I think I picked the right one. If only I hadn't put on a few of those pounds I lost lately. I'm going to have to be careful at Thanksgiving dinner! In any case, this is a dress I would not have been able to wear for the past many years. Now, with my new fitness lifestyle I can, and I will!

While I was in the dressing room I received a call unhiring me from the job at the knitting shop. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. Her explanation is that she doesn't think she has the money to hire me. If that is a true statement I completely understand. If she is using that as an excuse because she is mad that I couldn't start last week, then I don't want to work there anyway. When I was hired I explained that I was going to Portland and could start on either the 15th or 22nd. When we had the move scheduled for the 17th I called and said I was going to have to push back to the 22nd. She was not happy with that (I don't blame her, per se). I wish she would have given me the chance to prove what a good employee I would be. She said she'd keep me in mind for when she was able to hire again. If she can't understand that personal emergencies arise, I don't want to work there. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt and believe that she is telling me the truth.

Speaking of jobs, I started my job at the running store yesterday. I had such a great time! I think I am really going to enjoy it. I felt a little uncomfortable because I am not proficient and knowledgeable on the items that are sold or on the register. However, I know that will come quickly and that they don't expect me to know (unless I had previously worked in the industry). I believe I will look forward to working there every day. Time flew by and I didn't realize it was after 5.

I want to take a moment and state all of the things for which I am grateful. I should do this more than just on Thanksgiving, but today is a good day for that.

I am grateful that Bill is home safe and sound. He is my rock and my support, as well as my best friend. I would rather do anything with him than with anyone else. I can't imagine life without him and I treasure every moment we spend together.

I am grateful for my family. Even with all their quirks, I love them dearly and I know they love me. They have helped shape who I am and have been there for me when I needed them.

I am grateful for my pets. They give me unconditional love. They are there for me when I am down and they have helped me cope through the darkest days of deployments. They do not judge me for anything. They just sit with me and wag or purr.

I am grateful for my health. Without that, life would be so much more difficult. I am happy that I have found fitness I enjoy and have made many friends through it. I feel better about myself and I'm happy to know that this is helping me live a longer, more productive and enjoyable life.

I am grateful for my friends. I would be lost without them. They help me when I need help, they offer advice and companionship. I am lucky to have a lot of people I consider friends. I know that time and distance won't diminish the value of these friendships.

I am grateful for the life I am blessed to live. It may not be easy sometimes, and I have had my fair share of rough patches, but overall I would not trade it with anyone else's life.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

My spirit was broken

The Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay

This did not go well for me. I have a sinus and upper respiratory infection and I felt like crap. I probably shouldn't have run. The first half went pretty well, but then I went downhill from there. I had to stop and walk a few times to catch my breath, since I couldn't breathe all that well. I also felt like I drank a gallon of post nasal drip, which made me nauseous. I wanted to throw up multiple times.

Thankfully Bill was there encouraging me every step of the way. I wish the run had been like it was in my dreams -- we're cruising along, having a great time, enjoying the scenery and each other's company. I will have to make it up to him next year.

This was not a PR for me, as I had hoped, but I still posted a respectable time. My Garmin registered 13.33 miles (although the official distance will probably be 13.1) in 2:21:31 for an average pace of 10:37.

Splits: 9:50, 9:38, 10:15, 10:34, 10:01, 9:58, 10:44, 11:20, 10:51, 11:31, 10:48, 11:38, 11:08, 3:15 (=9:58 pace).

The finisher medal is really neat. It is a ceramic or plaster medal, not a metal medal. Very nice.

The scenery on the run couldn't be beat.

There was some fun moments on the course. Running through the tunnel was pretty neat. There was a bagpiper at the end of the tunnel. There were bands throughout and plenty of people cheering us on. I wish I could have enjoyed it a little more.

About three minutes after we finished the rain started. Luckily it was light and didn't last long. I'm glad we were done by then. That would have really crushed me!

So, lesson learned. If you feel like crap, it is best not to run. Or at least not to have high expectations and push yourself.

----------  UPDATE ------------

Official results from the web site:

Bill and I finished hand in hand together with a time of 2:21:27, average pace of 10:48.

He placed 214th in his age group, 1573rd of the males, and 3491st overall.
I placed 321st in my age group, 1918th of the females, and 3490th overall.

I guess my shoe went over the line first.