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Adventure, Dogs, Home, Media Consumed, Running

A week already?

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They say home is where the dog is, and at this home, the dog is at the end of the bed.

It’s been a week already? How does time pass so quickly when I am home? Then again, when I think about all the fun I have been having, it seems I’ve been fitting quite a lot.

On Saturday evening, we RedBox-ed The Five-Year Engagement. It was okay, there were laugh out loud moments, and scratch your head “is this really happening?” moments. Still, the movie makes a point that sometimes you have to commit, to go forward, because waiting for perfect will turn into just waiting. The time is now. Oh, and please no one ever serve me a beverage in a cup made from deer hooves, thanks.

On Sunday evening, we went to see Skyfall, the newest James Bond movie. It was excellent. The movie opens with something of a music video for the Adele song by the same name as the movie. You realize later the video foreshadows the action of the movie. I applaud the person who thought to put that together.

After Skyfall, we watched the American Music Awards. It was a lot of Justin Bieber for someone who is not a fan. Then again, he dedicated the first award to the haters, so thanks Biebs! I enjoyed performances from Carly Rae, Taylor Swift (did you see that onstage costume change?), P!nk, Pitbull, and No Doubt. However, the best performance may go to Psy who brought everyone to their feet with his performance of “Gangnam Style.”

On Monday evening, we were back at the movies, this time to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I was caught off guard by the depth of the movie. I even cried. It was sweet and strange. The complexities of being in high school, learning who you are, and of trying to understand the experiences of your life came down upon me. If you need an education in how difficult growing up can be, here is your movie.

I did a lot of shopping. We live not even five miles from a Tanger Outlet complex spread over three shopping areas, with additional shopping opportunities scattered between and in downtown Rehobeth. Add that this is tax free Delaware, and I give you Shopping Heaven. New sweaters, new dresses, new tights, new slippers, new belt, new top, and my first foray into the world of headbands, inspired in part by Blair Waldorf. That was shopping day one.

“Blair’s Headbands: Always fashionable… always inspiring.” As posted on Gossip Girl on Thanksgiving “10 Reasons We’re Thankful for Gossip Girl”

Then there was a trip to the Christiana Mall which offers the Apple store, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, Macy’s, and more. If only my closet was bigger… (and my wallet). At the Apple store, I made a big commitment to a new computer, a beautiful 15″ MacBook Pro with a super fast processor and a huge amount of memory. The keys have back lights, my internal speakers work, I have iCloud access, there are “launchpad” and “mission control” apps, and so much more I look forward to discovering.

Of course, Thanksgiving was spent with the family. A fraction of the group gathered at my Aunt Mary’s house in PA. Three of my cousins had opted to spend the holiday with the other half of their families, which means Christmas will be a full house. Still, it was the first time I had seen those present in months, and it was good to reconnect over a meal.

Friday came and was a beautiful day, too pretty to stay indoors, so despite my planned 5k on Saturday. I voted in favor of a family bike ride. We rode down the Breakwater Trail into Rehobeth and over the boardwalk there. Cruising on the boards, I looked out over the beach to the crashing waves and thought “how lucky I am to come home to the beach.” We paused for a slice of pizza and fries before pushing home to escape the dropping temperature.

Saturday morning I had to rise early (7 AM!) to defend my Age Group title at the Huffin’ and Puffin’ for Pumpkin Pie 5k. I persevered through gusting winds and chilly temperatures to earn my champion status once again. I was 23 of 478 and finished in 20:35, just four seconds slower than last year. Though while I was running, I thought my 2011 time was 20:36, oops! Mom came to cheer me on, then we went for a walk on the boardwalk. Again, looking out at the ocean I was reminded of how glad I am to come home to such a beautiful place and how hard it is to leave.

With my Victory Pie (age group winners receive a pie!)

The rest of Saturday went by too quickly, and now I am on my way home to Clemson. It was a great break and I can’t wait to be home again in less than four weeks!

Home at the Beach
Goals, Running

On Running

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This is the most recent picture I have of myself running. This was taken during the Southern Odyssey Relay which the Old Guns Young Ones WON!

When I consider the last eight years, 2004 to 2012, running is one of the few constants I maintained. During those years, I moved over 700 miles to go to school, I earned two degrees, I had several jobs, and I traveled extensively. Throughout running kept me grounded. It’s what I do when I am happy, upset, frustrated, confused, thoughtful; when I want to celebrate and when I want to escape; rarely is there a time I don’t want to go running.

Just the other day, it amused me to realize that I do not watch where I put every footfall (to be fair, I was not running trails). By rough estimate, I have run over 13,000 miles – enough miles for my brain to understand my stride and to know how to place my feet without being told. By contrast, when I was hiking to Tamassee Knob, I was often looking down, very conscious of the trail ahead, perhaps even more so than I would have been if running. I had to remind myself to look up and observe the beauty around me. By generous estimate, I have hiked about 300 miles. Perhaps if I hiked the AT or Pacific Crest Trail, I would have the same confidence in my hiking stride as I do my running stride.

Mid-fall is the season I love to run in most. Winter and spring running can be hit or miss when layering. Summer running can feel more like swimming in the humid southeast. Fall running takes a comfortable lead: with crisp mornings and warm afternoons; sunsets of yellow, orange, pink, and purple; and wisps of clouds brushed into the sky, there is so much to enjoy. In the fall, I wish I was running now and later and again. I cannot get enough.

There is so much more I have to say about running, but finding the right words is more challenging than a ten miler. I know running will continue to influence the person I become, so do not be surprised if we occasionally run laps around this topic.

Taking it back to High School with my Bff and Spudd Zebbie!
Dear, Running

Dear Ear Warmer

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Ear Warmer, You’re the One!

Dear Ear Warmer,

When it comes to cold weather running gear, you are my number one. I would save you before I would save my running tights because Ear Warmer, you make me brave.

When the wind is blowing and I think “maybe I’ll run tomorrow,” you remind me that the chill is no match for your tender warmth. You rest so lightly over my ears, yet manage to fend off the nipping cold. You do not complain when I wear you upside down nor when salt lines form upon you from my sweat. Further, if I was mistaken and in fact it is warm enough to go without you, you rest patiently on my wrist for the run to finish. Cold weather running would be simply unbearable without you.

For a time, I thought you had been left with my parents, or worse: lost, but you were tucked away with Hat and Scarf (neither of which are a match for your running prowess). On Tuesday, we were reunited for our first fall run of the year, and it was a wonderful thing.

So this post is for you, Ear Warmer, and I hope Tuesday was only the rekindling of our cherished friendship.

Carly