Friendsgiving begins the 7 Day Countdown...

So, last weekend and most of this week I was pretty terrified, but I have to say that thankfully, my fears are starting to turn more into excitement. I spent my last Friday night in to prepare for my last long run this past Saturday morning. I got a little bit later of a start than I had intended, but got out the door around 9am. The weather was a little chilly at first but was soo beautiful by then end. I honestly enjoyed the whole run. So much so that I actually added 2 miles onto it because I didn't have anything else planned. Plus, I have been having a hard time doing my shorter runs during the week so I wanted to make up for it! It felt great!

Today was our Third Annual Friendsgiving. Naturally, it was a success because you can't go wrong with the incredible people in attendance. Most of us have been friends for going on 5 years now with a significant other and a few other friends picked up along the way. Everyone chips in with a side dish and we basically hang around the table telling stories, saying what we are thankful for, and picking on each other. Everyone's food was great, and my turkey turned out okay, even though it's "timer/temp" popped up before I got back at 3:30. I was also worried that we wouldn't have enough, but there was plenty of leftovers.

After dinner, we played "Things that are Totally Awesome," where you mention something small that really makes you happy such as finding money in your coat from last season or having a pet monkey. We also played "Things that are Totally NOT Awesome" like stepping in gum. It is so much fun for me to sit around and watch us interact and the random topics that come up. We drew names for our Secret Santa, with will be at Brad and Nikki's on the 18th of December. What to get, What to get?!?

Since it's getting closer to my race, I really want to take time to thank everyone who has kept up with me these last several (9 to be exact) months. I have really appreciate all your thoughts, prayers, encouragement along the way. I am slow but surely packing (AKA throwing what I may need on my spare bed.) I just borrowed a running belt (not a fanny pack) from Betsy for me to carry a few things. I have decided to take my phone with me because that is my source of tuneage, but also because I'm hoping to snap a few shots of the city. Not when I'm in the zone at the beginning because it's best to go as long as possible without stopping, but once I'm at the "wall" laughing because I'm in so much pain I want to punch a baby elephant, I might as well walk and enjoy my surroundings!



ALSO, a special thanks to Sarah, who mailed me a gift certificate for a 90 minute massage for my ThanksBirthGivingDay and to giving me something to look farward to at the finish line. It is currently taped on the inside of my apartment door so I can see it every time I'm up!

Thank you, thank you, thank you and I love you all. Especially my mom, who is safely back in the states!

Two Weeks Notice...

Holy Crap...
I cannot believe it's almost here! It feels like just yesterday I spent Thanksgiving with the Ferries, threw a high school reunion at my parents house, and snuck into club level at Arrowhead for the MU-KU game.
With the weather getting colder and the day light disappearing by the time I'm home from work, to say that I'm lacking motivation would be an understatement. I'll be headed back to Kansas City a week from tomorrow and there is still so much I need to do. Hopefully in a little bit, I'll run to the mall and get a waterproof running jacket and ear warmer. I still need to get a cheap MP3 player that is somewhat water resistant to keep me company for 5 hours while roaming the streets of Seattle...

Ahh... I ran yesterday and couldn't make it the whole way, and the hot shower afterward threw me into a downward spiral because I got sick and slept from 6pm to 7am. Not sure what caused the flash but I'm still not 100%. I'm trying to eat better and get more sleep this week so hopefully it won't happen again. I've been running on the treadmill the past few weeks because that is really my only option. Having a TV makes it much more bearable, but it's still pretty boring. I'm constantly sore and constantly tired. And I never thought I'd say this, but I'm looking forward to December! That complaining being said, I'm really excited for Seattle, and the race, and the next challenge I sign myself up for.

I'll have to tell about my weekend when I have more time. As for now, I'm looking forward to the Delta Spirit show tomorrow at Mojo's with Melissa!

No Shave November is Finally Here!

This means I have less than a month until my big race. Let's just say, at this point, I'm more scared and ready for it to be over than excited but I'm still chugging along. The last several weekends I have been running a 15 mile course, that I still enjoy. I start and end with roads and hills, but I have grown very fond of Columbia's trails.

Two Saturdays ago was Missouri's Homecoming, which was a bigger deal than usual because ESPN decided to make it the location of their GameDay! We played OU, who was #1 in the BCS polls and I believe Mizzou was #11, but we were still undefeated, so they knew it was going to be a good match. Since Joe, Bess, and her parents always come into town for Homecoming, I decided to take off work on Friday. It was my first paid vacation so I made the most of it by sleeping in until 9, running my 15 miles which takes right around 3 hours. After that, I renewed my plates at the DMV (I'm not sure why everyone complains about it. I've never had any trouble.) and went to AGAVE with Zach. Considering we didn't eat lunch until about 3:30, it was empty, but the fish tacos were incredible as always!

Joe, Bess, Kelly, and Kevin got in about 8:45 and we went out to eat at Stadium Grill before heading downtown to the piano bar. Of course there was a good crowd there and I did run into a few girls I knew from college, but I don't see the thrill in paying $50 to the piano guys to play your fight song over the other teams... save your money for something that is going to last more than 1.5 minutes! However, one of my favorite parts about going out the Friday before game day is that the Mizzou Marching Band goes around to all the bars and plays a few songs for the crowd. I've always wanted to just follow them about one time, but never have!

There was a pretty good storm Friday night, which we got to sleep right through. Mizzou had its fair share of crazy fans (several of my friends) line up at 3 to get up close to the GameDay tent, but we didn't get down to the Quad til about 9:30 and still got the experience! The parade was pushed back to noon, which gave up plenty of time to get over there before it started, grab seats, etc. We cheered for the trumpets, 'boo'ed the Republicans, and drank some beer. It was a great time! After the parade, we wondered over to my friend's tailgate, over to Bess's friend's tailgate, and back to the car. Even though it looked like it most of the day, we never got rained on. We ended up watching the game with all my friends at The Deuce. The game was AWESOME! After our win against Oklahoma, my friends went downtown to get sections of the goal post. Even though I came home with my family after the game and avoided the mayhem that was Harpos downtown, I still have my slice of the post sitting on my end table! Thanks friends :)

This past Saturday was Halloween. We got to dress up for work on Friday and we decided to do an 80s theme because our department was doing a skit, reenacting Robert Palmer's Addicted to Love. The skit won 1st place so we get a catered lunch sometime in the near future!
I pride myself on cute, non-slutty costumes, and I think this year was a hit! As a semi-last minute costume, my California Raisin came together. And I got to stick with my 80s theme I had going on Friday with crimped hair and pink earrings! I decided to DD Saturday night because I'm trying to cut WAY back this month with my run coming up. With the usual, Happy Birthday sung to Matti Mo at midnight, it was a great evening! Sunday, I slept til 12:30! Then got Addison's for lunch and grabbed pumpkin beer at Flat Branch before heading to the Blue Note to see Rocky Horror with Melissa and Kyler. I hadn't seen it before and didn't really know much about it other than what I saw on Glee the Tuesday before :)




My runs are really starting to hurt. It seems like each time I've run my 15 miles, I strain something else and end up walking the last few miles home. This past week, I went into the trainer at Columbia College to have him look at my achilles. Basically he said I need to constantly be stretching, heating, icing it throughout the week, especially before/after my runs. This past Saturday, I got a lot further in the 15, but it hurt pretty bad. And now it's my left ankle instead of the original pain in my right. I'm switching back to my old shoes for awhile longer, though I did go to the gym last night and ran 5 on the treadmill while watching Star Wars. My calf got pretty sore, but other than that, I could go forever. I guess that's a good sign...

Oh... I also want to make a shout out to my friend Jose! When you black out as Mario and say things like "John wants to get a tattoo on his asshole!" in your Mexican accent, you can't help being the favorite!