Home for the Holidays!

After a trip that normally takes two hours took almost four, I made it home. The St. Louis area is pretty much covered in ice and is super slick. I just heard on the TV that Interstate 70 has been shut down (where, I don't know) for a crash, so thank goodness I left when I did.

Here's what I'm excited about for week and coming weekend:

• One "A" and one "B" in my graduate classes this semester! Not entirely surprised about the B, but pleasantly surprised about the A!
• Going to see some old friends at Fast Eddie's
• Christmas Eve at my Aunt and Uncle's and bagnacalda
• Christmas lights, luminaries, and Midnight Mass
• After-Christmas shopping
• Seeing the college gang for the baby shower on Sunday
  
• Family, friends and FOOD!
  

No Edgar

No Edgar
Originally uploaded by mitch.surprenant

Wow!
A. That's a really old sticker

B. It's paid for by my former "seasonal" employers, classic.

C. It was found in the MLK Jr. University Union at EIU where Jim Edgar is pretty much still regarded as a God

Hilarious.

Negative Ads?

In this time of campaign ads, both positive and negative, it has me thinking about actual product advertising. Just in the last week, I've noticed two product ads that are seemingly positive, but in reality are essentially bashing their competitors, albeit a bit more subtly than black and white photos, newspaper headlines, quotes, and using that creepy dude's voice. However, isn't there a twinge of negativity? You decide...

Apple Ad

There's also a Claritin ad (that I can't find on YouTube) that keeps talking about Zyrtec and how it "may cause drowsiness." From what I recall the announcer even says "there's one thing Zyrtec won't tell you." Sounds an awful lot like political commercials to me.

Thoughts?

Minutes just ticking away...

For the last few weeks it's felt as though the minutes and days are just ticking away without much recollection or productivity. Some are better than others, but overall, it's sort of felt like a daze.

I haven't worked out much mostly for lack of motivation - no 5K looming on my calendar anymore probably doesn't help - and lack of time. It seems free moments outside of work or class are spent procrastinating on homework or actually doing it.

Classes are going well I guess. Research methods is what it is...a bunch of stats and math I don't remember from 6 years ago and need to reteach myself. This weekend I'm working on a paper assignment this weekend for my Subnational Gov. class. Basically, we're suppose to synthesize about 12 journal articles into about 6 factors necessary to understand modern politics. It's weird though because I feel like 6 years ago I could have sat down in an evening or two and cranked out a paper with no problem, but now it feels as overwhelming as the idea of writing a thesis. I'm probably just over-thinking it.

I think today might be a good day to pick up running again...stress relief!

Results

Race results are posted here today.

My results:
85th of 153 women with a time of 33:42 and a 10:51 pace
8th in my age group (25-29)
190th of 275 overall

Not too shabby.

RACE DAY!!!

Ah, it's all over. It was definitely...an experience. :) I did get a sweet long-sleeved t-shirt though:


Let's begin with the weekend as a whole. I went out with some grad students from my program Friday night, stayed out too late, had awkward flashbacks of my undergrad career, and woke up about 7 hours later. I made my way to Decatur Saturday afternoon to meet up with my friend Tracy (and running partner for today) before going to Bloomington to watch the EIU Panthers play the ISU Redbirds in football.

EIU WINS!!!











Sack that guy!!!

After jumping around all night, screaming, yelling and clapping I thought for sure I'd ruined myself for my first ever 5K run the next morning. But, we got to bed "early" (10:30ish) and got up at 6:30am to get ready and get to the race so Tracy could get registered. Plenty of time. We walked to and from the car a couple of times, I did some stretching and before I knew it, we were off!

The course starts at Nelson Park in Decatur and stretches along Lake Decatur. To start, you head up a gradual hill (past my old apartment), zig-zags around a few streets at the top of Lake Shore Dr. and then back down Lake Shore to the starting line. It was a beautiful morning and definitely not hot, in fact, a bit cool at 8am, but pretty humid. As I was running, it was hard to get my breath, but I tried to keep my gasps for air as regular as possible. After a while I felt like I sounded like I was on a freakin' respirator.

I only walked a few steps during the entire race when we came upon our water stop. I'm coordinated, but not THAT coordinated. It felt good to drink something since my mouth was getting dry from gasping for air most of the time and it felt good to slow down, even if it was only for a minute or so.

During the last half mile, I really felt like I couldn't go on, but somehow I did. Fortunately, Tracy and a friend of hers were just a few steps ahead and my friend Adam H. from college had caught up to me. Although I barely spoke during the race, it was nice to at least have people by your side, keeping you honest and motivated. When we finished, Adam was right next to me, but for fun, I found a few ounces of energy and kicked it up through the chute. Since I'm not a "serious" runner I wasn't wearing a watch and I really didn't pay attention to the clock except for the minutes...33. So, I'll have to wait until the results are posted on the website to find out my exact time.

We grabbed some water, hit the bathroom, and then started up the hill to the pavilion where food and Powerade were waiting. The Powerade and a banana hit the spot before I felt like I wanted to eat a sandwich. We didn't stick around long enough for the awards, but received our medals and took off.

Overall, it was a good experience. I would do it again, but not soon! When I do, I will be a lot more serious about running outside and sticking to a training program more religiously. Until then...I rewarded myself with a Frisco Melt from Steak 'n Shake on my way home from Decatur and I will be taking a nap shortly.

Thanks for reading and thanks to my partners today!!!

T-minus 2 days

The race is on Sunday and I'm starting...wait, continuing, to be excited/nervous. I really haven't run since last Friday, but I've been at the rec center every day since on the bike. I've "ridden" every night anywhere between 35-60 minutes. I plan on running tomorrow or Saturday morning so I took it easy tonight and only did 30 minutes and did some work on the "guns." I think I'm back to my high school "buff arms" that I had after doing numerous push-ups in marching band.

But, that's neither here nor there...although I haven't followed the plans I had to a T, I do feel like I will successfully complete this race on Sunday. I probably won't come in first, and I guarantee that if I'm last I will trip the person in front of me just before the finish line. Just kidding...sort of. But I will sprint past them and most likely collapse at the end to avoid being last if I have to.

So I probably won't blog much between now and then, but I'll have a whole recap after Sunday!!! Wish me luck!!!

Next project: Staying the workout course before next weekend's high school reunion.