Day 229

 Happy Halloween!

Day 228

They finally came! I ran these races a little while back and the medals were to be mailed. These were the first race events that I participated in and didn't have a medal waiting for me at the finish line or in the case of virtual races, at home. The delayed receipt of my bling was a little bit of a hollow victory, however pushing myself to run new distances was satisfying in it's own right. I've happily put these three newbies on my medal rack and can't wait to earn the next one. In four days I run my first 15K! Eek!

Day 227

 Throwback Thursday to the time I visited Ireland, with a stop in Dublin. 
Next to Hawaii, Ireland has been one of my all time favorite places to visit.

Slainte!

Day 226

 (Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Cheers!
Sometimes a good beer does solve all your problems.
If only for the time it takes you to drink it! 

Day 225

You know what is just the best thing ever? Ok, one of the best things ever? Receiving a random phone call from a friend who is not known to call you and although you miss the call, the voice message left behind is amazing. 

I met Linda on a, now annual, group scuba diving trip 3 years ago and spent a week with her. We don't dive, but we run, walk, shop and talk a lot while our significant others do their diving stuff. So far, we've met up on three such trips which means I've spent all of 21 days getting to know her over the past 3.5 years. Despite the short amount of interactions, we just click. She is a mother figure, mother Earth type of soul, inspirational, yet real and vulnerable woman not afraid to share her experience and strength so that I may learn and do well. She listens. She hears. She in a word is simply, amazing. She's a soul mate. Yes, I believe soul mates come in all forms, both friends and lovers and that you can indeed have more than one. She challenges me. She changes me. Best of all, I know she loves me - and that's an awesome thing to know and truly feel in these hard days. 

If you're anything like me, or a victim of being accustomed to the digital age, you may have lost your desire or even nerve to make or accept phone calls these days. We get stuck in the comfort of texting versus talking. Most of us are out of practice of having real, live conversations and text instead of call. Let me tell you though it's no substitute for a warm, live voice. I challenge you, as well as myself,  to pick up the phone like we used to and dial instead of text. You never know who needs to hear your voice, if even just in a voice mail. What are you waiting for? 

Day 224

The Kid went back to school today, in person, as part of a hybrid solution. It's been 224+ days since she procrastinated leaving the comfort of her bedroom to rush downstairs, scarf down a bowl of cereal (leaving parts of it to dry and stick to the sink) and run out the door. Despite her continued odd relationship with time and timing, she was quite excited to go back. While most of her enthusiasm surely comes from being a teen allowed to finally get out of the house and an opportunity to perhaps make friends, my enthusiasm blooms with the thought of her getting some "hands on" education. I hope both our enthusiasms last and that this one week at school followed by one week at home works out for all involved. I fear this program is at risk due to rising COVID numbers, but will bask in it's glory for now! If you're a teacher reading this - thanks for all you're doing and enduring. 
 

Day 223

 I ran 7 miles today.

That's 3.5 more than I ever thought I'd run continuously.

I can't say that it felt good physically past mile 4.5, but mentally it felt awesome to complete.

I have one more long run next weekend and then will complete my first 15K in 11 days. 

Yikes!