Catching up

Its been sometime since I've really taken the time to update everyone on my happenings. So to start (which I mentioned in my last blog), I've met someone incredible. Matt and I met on plentyoffish.com the day after Thanksgiving. I mentioned that I was a runner, and he in fact looked me up. He figured out that we had run together in the same 5k and I had beat him by 11 seconds. We ended up meeting a few days later at a local bar. We were both quiet and shy but tried hard to have a conversation. It was clear we were both scared and hesitant. Interestingly enough, we befriended someone at the bar, who was new to the area, and he bought our beers. We chatted very little the first week, except for a few texts. We had our second date on a Friday and we went to Margaritas. Concord had also shut down Main Street and was having a bit of a winter festival so we went to that as well. We grabbed a few beers after dinner and that was that. He drove me back home and I remember chatting in his car. I said "good night" and he simply touched my knee and said something. I don't remember what but I think it could have been "good night." The next night we went out on our third date, to the Appleseed. There was a band playing. Matt secretly invited his boss and his girlfriend to join us. Again we got free drinks (there was a pattern going there for a while). He coyly said to me: "I'll show you my house tomorrow if you show me your apartment tonight." He was so smooth about it, it was pretty funny. I knew though that I didn't want anything to happen; I didn't want any sort of relationship solely based on physical intimacy. So I led him up to the 3rd floor and showed him around. I remember pointing and saying "that's my bedroom" but I don't think I ever actually showed him. We were chatting, standing in the kitchen and he said "do I get a good night kiss?" If you can imagine, he was trying to be so smooth and cavalier. We kissed and almost couldn't stop. He remarked that I liked kissing and after a few kisses he said he didn't want to leave, but we both agreed he was going home. Since then we've been pretty much inseparable. We spend a lot of time doing activities together: running, skiing, grooming, grocery trips, home depot adventures and the sort. We really enjoy each other's company and usually spend a fair amount of time laughing together. In the past month, I've also moved and started a new job. On my advice, don't ever try to do them both at the same time, its disastrous. I was a stress ball for weeks and it really wasn't worth the insanity. Either way, I'm happy with both decisions. I've got a much bigger, nicer apartment. There's more space, its more organized (or will be eventually), and there's a potential of a pet now. Matt spends most nights at my place so having more room is also a bonus there. My new job is AMAZING! While I haven't been able to dive in fully yet, its real lawyer work. I have clients, I'll represent them in court, and the paychecks are livable. The partners and associates are great and its not a sham either! The commute is an hour in each direction, but I don't mind the drive and I enjoy the time (usually). Life is pretty good right now. I feel like I'm finally growing up and making some serious progress in life. Running will kick up again soon, I'm currently fighting a nasty cold. My plan is to run a 5k every month for the rest of the year. I already have a bunch lined up. Hopefully I can convince myself to eventually run something further, but we'll see how I progress with training.

The Next Sarah Palin?

I don't think so, but I have decided to embark on a political career. A few weeks ago, Big Pete mentioned to me that Town elections were quickly approaching. He told me that the seat for Town Moderator was open and suggested I run for it. This was Wednesday night, he told me I needed to sign up for candidacy by Friday. So I had little time to think over the decision.

On Thursday, I placed a few calls and asked advice from a few people, but by Thursday afternoon, I figured I should at least make the effort to try for it. So I am officially on the ballot as a candidate for Town Moderator.

Now you're probably wondering, "what is a town moderator?" Essentially, the Moderator runs the Town and special meetings. They keep meetings in order, tell people when it is their turn to talk, not talk or when a vote needs to be taken. Most of the rules for Town meeting are based off Robert's Rules of Order. Fortunately, during my time at Hillsborough County, I have provided a few legal opinions based upon these rules, so I know them quite well now.

When I signed up to run, I didn't ask if anyone else was running. It now turns out I do have opposition. I'm not scared or nervous about the opposition. The only thing I do happen to be scared about is actually taking on the role.

I think this will be a fantastic experience, no matter what happens. I've always been very opinionated and interested in town politics, so I figured it was about time I let the curiosity get to me and make a move. I have created a facebook page as a way to publicize my effort so we'll see if that pays off in the long run.

I've also been inspired by a friend to get back on running. I took the entire month of February off due to insane work hours and high stress. The running would have helped me de-stress but finding the time to run probably would have killed me. So as of today, March 1, 2011, the running begins again. I'd like to run a 5k every month for the rest of the year, aiming for a half marathon in September/October. Even though I've only gained a few pounds (not even 5) since I haven't been running, I am not at my healthiest. Its not just about the numbers its about how you feel.

I haven't been inspired just about running, but in life generally. One of the greatest friends that I have from college, Jenn, is also a blogger. Just yesterday she wrote an awesome blog about balancing life, running, dieting, etc. It really inspired me to make the time to get back into balance. Its really draining when I don't make enough time for myself; I get tired more often, I'm more irritable, and generally more anxious.

Also since my last post, I met someone. Interestingly enough my last post was about the Turkey Trot. I did pretty well during that race, not my fastest, but not my slowest. More importantly is the guy who finished 11 seconds behind me (its still a running joke between us- sorry for the play on words). I didn't know him at the time but four days later we went on our first date, after meeting online. I remember seeing him at the race right after I went through the finish line while they were taking my number, but given the weather and the hill during the race, I was more focused on catching my breath, than I was trying to find a date, at the time. We've been inseparable since. More to come on him when I have time, but I'm glad to report that I am happily in love!

Sunapee Turkey Trot!

Another fantastic race for me! I ran the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning with about 800 other people from the area. It was a good run with a challenging beginning.

The first third to half mile of the race was up a very steep incline. I kept my head down and just focused on keeping a good pace for myself. I passed a few people on the hill. I don't think a lot of people were prepared for the intensity of the hill. However, since I moved so well up the hill, a lot of people ended up passing me on the way down or throughout the rest of the race. I finished 99th out of 813 runners, with a time of 24:34. Not my personal best, but still good considering. I finished 6th for women in my age group too.

A lot of the Fentons ran/walked the route too. Pete and Kyle both completed their first 5ks with good times.

I've started tappering down on my running. I've taken 2 days out a week to do Zumba instead. It helps with the cold weather, and I find my muscles like the change. I'd really like to run a half marathon in the spring. I'm going to start looking for a half marathon and start a schedule of distances I'd like to accomplish each week. I am also hoping that with winter picking up the various sports will help strength my muscles for a longer run.

My First First

I am happy! And I'm proud to say that my happiness has been self derived. Life has been good. Work has been busy. And running has been great.

My latest race was about a week ago. It was another local fun run. It was a brisk Saturday morning, approximately 30 degrees when I left the house at 8 am. The race was taking place about 5 miles away. When I got there, no one else was around so I was afraid I had gone to the wrong place. After a few minutes, people started arriving, however, it wasn't very many people. Actually only 4 people ran the race. I guess that's what you get for small towns. I think more people would have run, except the route was right on the lake and the wind blowing off the lake made the temperature about 25 degrees. So I ran in full gear. Winter hat, running gloves, pants, three layers and a jacket. All running appropriately gear (wicking, etc.) but my face remained cold the whole time.

So the four of us took off. We stayed together for a few minutes and then two of us broke off ahead. I stayed behind the only other female running until we hit a hill. She slowed down. Since I've done quite a bit of hill running, I knew I could push ahead on the hill, and taper off coming down. I passed her, but I knew she wasn't far behind. I kept up my pace, but eventually I heard her behind me. Since I let someone pass me in the last race, it wasn't about to happen again. So I pushed harder than I ever have probably. I finished first out of all 4 people. My time was 13:37. After I finished, I tracked the distance of the run and it was 1.8 miles. It definitely wasn't the 5k I had signed up for but I was happy for the first.

The next run isn't until the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. I'm pretty stocked for the run, and I'm hoping in that time I'll have a faster pace for races. Right now, I am staying pretty steady at an 8:30 mile for most runs, short and long.

This weekend will be an exciting time. My Mom and Dad fly in Friday for my swearing in. The last time I saw them was Christmas and since then my Mom and I have both lost 40 pounds. She'll be staying with me for a few days while my Dad visits the rest of the family in Mass. We have a lot planned, so it'll be jam packed but definitely still fun. My swearing in is Tuesday. I'm actually getting sworn into the NH bar and the NH federal bar. Two different bars, but only one test. After that, they'll fly out Tuesday night. I'm pretty sure I'll be quite exhausted after all that but I'm excited just the same.

I'm also happy to say in what has seemed like chaos, I feel like I've finally figured out my social groove up here. Hanging out with new people and getting out more. Its been nice, and I'm hoping to keep it up.

Grantham Run for the Rec 5k!

I've happily and successfully completed my second 5k! The past few weeks, I've had some great runs. I've been doing longer distances and kept a pretty good pace. My longer runs usually have me running 9 minute miles, but that's fine with me as long as I can get through the distance. I've been averaging 15 to 20 miles a week, which seems to be a nice healthy balance. I've kept up with taking days off, because I've realized as much as I love running and hate taking a day off, my body needs the rest and I run better when I balance it out.

I woke up this morning a little after 6 am, already thinking about the race. I wasn't planning to get up until well after 7, but I usually wake up early when I know I have something exciting going on. I spent about an hour on the couch, watching re-runs of the OC and reading. It was a very relaxing morning. A little after 7, I made some coffee and had a bagel.

I wasn't feeling as pumped for the 5k as I was last time, partly due to the weather and partly due to a late night last night. I ended up being DD for a friend, which I didn't mind, except this morning on my way to the 5k, I saw that someone had hit my car. At this time, no one has come forward and I'm still steaming about it.

Anyways, I had breakfast and continued to relax. I left the house a little after 8 and made my way to Grantham. Its about a 25 minute drive into the country. On my way, I noticed that the mountain had its first white covering. We got some snow yesterday and it definitely stuck on the higher grounds.

I got to the race location around 9 and immediately saw Chris. We ran the last 5k together. And when I say together, I usually follow him and then towards the end he takes off. I did a lot more warming up today, since it was pretty cold. About 40 degrees out, but with the wind chill, definitely in the 30s. We also ran part of the course, because neither of us knew the route.

A little before 10, everyone lined up. I learned from the last race to get a good front spot, which I did again this time. At 10am, we took off. The first half-mile is all up hill, which is a hard start. But I pushed hard to the top, and I pushed hard. About half way up the hill, I figured out I was in 7th position behind 6 guys, so I was the first girl (I kept this as the motivation for the race). At the top, you turn off onto a wide, steep downhill dirt path. It was a rough run on the legs with the terrain. I was definitely afraid of either slipping on the wet gravel or twisting an ankle. The rest of the run until the half way point was a dirt road.

At the water stop, everyone turned around and ran the same route, except this time, you had to run up the rough dirt path. It was the worst. I've run hills, but this was hard and it was a long hill. I had a few moments that I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I pushed. I could hear women behind me and I was afraid they were going to pass me. I made it to the top, still pushing. The rest was a half-mile down hill on pavement. A little down the hill, SHE passed me! She congratulated me on the pace I kept but she perused right by. I was irritated that I let a woman pass me, but either way I was feeling good about my run. I kept close to her for the remainder of the run.

At the bottom of the hill, I heard someone else behind me, and I wasn't going to let it happen. I knew it was another woman and I was determined to keep my position. And I did. I flew to the finish line. I finished 9th overall, 2nd for women, and 1st for women in my age group. My time was 25:14, which was a minute slower than my last 5k but given the brutal hills, I am definitely happy with my performance.

Overall, I'm really happy that I've taken up running and stuck with it. There are days where I definitely don't want to do it, but I do. Its not just physically beneficial, its definitely beneficial to my sanity as well. Running gives me time to think about everything, and it keeps me focused on something other than the actual run.

Next up might be the Monster Dash on Halloween. Its another 5k but everyone runs in costumes. Its a debatable run, since I don't want to push myself too much. I have registered for the Sunapee Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day and I'm trying to recruit more family and Appleseed team members to do it too!

Everybody's Working for the Weekend

This week's been good. Been really busy at work, which is a nice change since it was so quiet this summer.

I started the process of applying for new jobs. I haven't led on to my boss that I am looking but with the summer work coming to an end, I have no choice. I've applied for two this week and will keep applying until I find something.

I've got a busy Columbus Day weekend planned with tons of work, and a few social plans here and there. I'm working two boats on Saturday and two boats on Sunday. Makes for long days, but the money's good and hey who couldn't use some extra cash. Secretly I'm planning on finally getting a new laptop and possibly an ipod touch after this weekend.

Running has been somewhat painful lately. I don't know if sometimes I've just pushed it too hard or what, but about once a month I have some ailment that causes pain when running. Right now its my left calf. Last month, I had the same problem with shin splints. I figure I'll take it easy for a few days maybe just do small runs every other day and pick back up next week.

I'm scheduled to run my second 5k next Saturday. Its another small fun run. My friend Chris is running this one again too, so I'm happy I'll have a running buddy, even if I'm just chasing his dust the whole run. I also signed up for the Sunapee Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. I'm hoping that more of Team Appleseed will sign up too.

Its about a month until my swearing in and my parents' trip to NH. I'm more excited to see them than I am for the swearing in. The last time I saw my mom we were both 30 plus pounds heavier, so I think it'll be great to see each other so thin.

My wise words of advice for the week: if you're not happy, you're the only one that change that. Go out and do something about it!

73 Miles!

Seriously, I've been tracking my running, including mileage, times, and my average running time for a mile. Over the course of September, I ran 73.13 miles! I wasn't expecting it to be that much, but I'm excited just the same.

I'd like to hit 80 for October but if I don't, I wouldn't be let down. I feel a whole lot healthier these days, and some days I can't believe what I looked like and felt like a year ago.

Besides running and spending time with friends, life has been pretty quiet lately. I've been meeting up with friends a lot more, which is nice, but I realized the toll of my social life when it took me over 3 hours to clean my apartment yesterday. This weekend its all about working, and getting my resume in order to begin the arduous process of job hunting.