Hindsight

Right now, I'm struggling to see the forest through the trees...

I have several posts I've written in the last couple of days, but to be honest - none of them will likely see the light of day. They belong in my non-existant journal that I am going to start writing.

Suffice it to say, I'm waiting for the day when I can look back on these last few weeks and months and say, "Man, it was rough, but I am glad it led me to this place. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Right now, hindsight is only leaving me with a question: "What the hell happened?"

The Longest Distance I've Ever Run...

This is the longest distance I've ever run... This is the longest distance I've ever run... This is the longest distance I've ever run...

That was my mantra after I passed the 10-mile mark during the half marathon on Sunday. Thankfully, that mantra lasted me all the way to the finish - and I can now officially say that 13.1 miles is the longest distance I've ever run!!

The official chip time was 2:21:47 (my start line to finish line time) and the gun time was 2:24:15 (the extra time was what it took to get to the start line). You can see me finish in the video here - I cross the finish line about 22 seconds into the video (the clock over the finish line says 2:34:14). I didn't cheer... I was tired. What can I say. :) I'll post more pictures shortly - apparently my camera has gone temporarily MIA.

I'm also hoping to have a House Hunt '08 update for you soon... No news yet, but I haven't given up hope!

Mmmm...

Today was the dessert competition at work - which I must say is quite possibly the best idea EVER! Reasons, you ask?

1. Really? Dozens of people bringing dessert for prizes? Brilliant.
2. Have I mentioned that dessert is my favorite meal of the day? If only a body could live on chocolate alone.
3. Like I really need a better excuse to try and show people up with my culinary prowess.
   

Needless to say, my submission was a Raspberry Sorbet in Dark Chocolate Cups.


The final results? My prowess rocks. 1st Place and People's Choice! Bring on next year's competition... :-D

Houston Half Marathon

I'll be honest... I don't know whether to be excited or scared. I think I'm ready, but I suppose I'll never know until I try.

For those of you in Houston, I'd love to see you out on the race course this Sunday! The course starts at the George R. Brown Convention Center and circles around Houston. You can find a map of the course here and a list of all of the road closures downtown here. If you do come out looking for me, I'll be running around a 10:30 mile (they call out paces at all of the mile markers so you'll know if I've passed yet) and wearing lime green shorts, a white shirt, and a blue and white hat. Any cheerleaders are appreciated and it's actually a lot of fun to watch! The race start is at 7:00 a.m., but given the slow race starts and length of the race I know you can roll out of bed to see me - even if it's right at the end! I'm hoping to finish by around 10:00 in the morning and the finish line is right by the convention center which means you'll be home in plenty of time for the playoff games. :)

For those of you not in Houston, your support is still appreciated! You can sign up here for Athlete Alerts which will e-mail or text message you as I pass particular markers along the route. It's pretty accurate and will give you a little bit of an idea as to my progress... I don't think there are very many markers (last year it was every 6 miles I believe) but it will at least let you know when I reached half way and when I finished.

I think that's most of the information... If you'd like any other information about the marathon, the website is http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/. Wish me luck!

Hooray!

After not-so-great news after not-so-great news, I finally had a break in the clouds: I found my free airline ticket voucher I thought I'd lost in July! Yippee!!! Colorado... here I come!