Summer 2010
I’ve slacked so much these past few months on my blog I just decided to make a post that covers the majority of what has been going on lately. My running has slowly been getting better - not nearly where I was 2 years ago before the IT Band injury - but definitely getting there. I’ve managed to lose about 10 lbs., too, thanks in part to running again and in part to my 2 days a week with Larry my personal torturer. I haven’t been this small for a while and it’s GREAT! My clothes are all loose and I’m feeling awesome during my training. I just hope I can keep it up once winter comes. (I think I will).
Quick break to just say that Dr. TIM KEYES IS THE BEST!!! If it weren’t for going to him and getting ART (Active Release Technique) on my IT band who knows the shape I would be in right now. Probably the fattest I’ve ever been and incredibly out of shape. If you are having issues with your IT Band and you haven’t tried ART I highly recommend that you do! I took 8 months off of running and thanks to Tim I am confident in saying that I am BACK! 
Racing these past few months hasn’t been very consistent. I ended up doing the Pirate Tri (sprint) at Lake Metroparks. I realized that I just don’t want to spend the ridiculous amts. of $$ triathlons typically cost. I may do Portage Lakes, but unless a triathlon is less than $50 chances are I probably won’t be doing it. This past Thursday I did the Twilight Trail 8k sans my original ‘Two Trail Freaks’ team mate, Elizabeth. Instead I ran on a team with Bridget and we decided to call ourselves ‘2 Slow 4 Elizabeth’ since - in reality I really am too slow to be on a team with her!! Plus, that name is just hilarious. I was less than 2 minutes slower than the last time I did the race. I had a time of 38:42 this year. In 2008 I had a 37:01. I guess that’s not all that bad considering I took so long off of running and I felt pretty good during the race and had enough energy at the end to pass the two girls who were in front of me. I really can’t wait to be back into better shape and be faster and have endurance. It’s just going to take time, though…I’m just SO THANKFUL that I’m able to run again!!!
Today I ran the longest I’ve done in well over a year: 18 miles. And it was HOTTTTTTT!!! I ran with Bridget and Addy (Addy for the first 6 - she was in the Bob stroller while we pushed). Let me just state for the record that I was a sweaty disgusting MESS! I CANNOT believe how much sweat poured off of me today! We are talking dripping off and drenched clothes. I brought my insulated container filled with a gallon of ice water plus a water bottle filled with gatorade AND I DRANK ALL OF IT!!! Yes - the entire gallon container and my water bottle! And I was STILL thirsty afterwords! Bridget and me ran together for almost the entire time and then when we got to 14 I just decided I wanted to be done so I picked it up a little. I think my last 2 miles were the fastest of the entire 18, mainly due to the sheer fact that I just wanted to be done running and get out of my soaked, nasty clothes! I’m definitely excited to have completed 18, though. Because running is so mental this is a nice next step for me after so long without running. I’m confident now that I am a runner again! 
We are building a deck in the backyard. It is coming along nicely and I can’t wait to have it completed and ready for lounging! We’re planning on also getting a hot tub which I’ve pretty much wanted my whole life. I am so excited for this winter to come now! Running in the winter is just SOOOOO cold, and now after I’m done running I can look forward to sitting in a luxurious spa! I think it will really help me stick with my running over the winter. Oh, and PS: If you run with me over the winter you are also more than welcome to come back to my place afterwords and go in with me!
Photo from Will and Kate’s wedding. Brian had two dates because Sharon didn’t have a date and Todd was in Poland for work. Lucky guy!!!
Me, Brian, and Sharon at Will and Kate's Wedding
Some progress shots of the deck. Here is one of the earliest before we excavated half of the yard and drilled all of the post holes. BTW, if you have rocks in your yard good luck using a power auger. Doesn’t work very well and you have to do it the old fashioned way with a manual post hole digger.
2-person auger for drilling post holes
It was pretty neat when they delivered the stuff for the deck. This guy brought a lift to haul the stuff down the driveway! Awesome!
Getting materials delivered
It’s crazy how much we had to dig out! Todd took the sledgehammer to two of the concrete stairs leading off the back porch.
Progress shot of holes and excavation
Holes dug and posts in place with concrete drying
Posts in, working on the beams then the joists!
Shot showing joists nailed together
Nailing the joists together with those stupid plates was terrible! If we knew then what we know now we would have ordered different types of materials. It takes forever to nail all the nails into those plates and it’s so annoying! Me and Todd both got blisters from hammering so many freakin nails!
You’ll have to stay tuned for pictures of the finished deck…
29* year old Akron native. Recently completed my MBA with a concentration in Sustainability. Passionate about innovative renewable energy technology and endurance sports.