What's Up, World?

Hello out there! I'm alive :D

I figured I'd enjoy my summer, and now that it's "back to business," I've decided to get back to blogging. I flirted with the idea of starting a second blog this summer (cartoons of my yoga conversations with Allen Ginsberg), and still might, but this one's my baby and needs some TLC.

So, did you enjoy your summer? Guess what I started doing!

I'VE BEEN RUNNING! Check out some photos from races I participated in over the summer:

{at home after the Ballet 5k in June}

{my very first race ever! River Run 2-mile}

{getting ready to cross the finish line--yay tomato face!}

{Run for the Red 5k--106 degrees and running into the sun.

this is before I lost all will to live, haha!}

{cheesin' it for the camera before the Run for the Red 5k started}

{yay Glow Run 5k! most fun race ever. this is my team. 

the hubs made that face all night photo-bombing.}

Coming up in October is my very first half marathon (yipes!!!!!). I was going to run the Prairie Fire 5k but splurged on the Half Marathon (you know, if there are going to be people walking that distance, I can try running it!). 

Here are some things I've learned since I started running regularly this past March:

-Blisters come back with a vengeance. I ended up getting fitted for shoes after the Ballet 5k race. Right after the race, I couldn't walk without grimacing due to a blister on my right foot. LOVE my Brooks Ghost 5's.

-No matter what I do to prepare to run in the morning before work, I absolutely CANNOT wake up to go running. It's not just mental; sometimes I go to bed early enough but am still SOOOO tired when it's time to wake up. Blarg.

-I really need a Garmin or some other GPS run tracker. Having to Google Map runs beforehand really takes the fun and spontaneity out of it.

-Running books and magazines are totes addictive. And websites! Plus, I just "discovered" running blogs (*insert angelic singing*). 

-A good sports bra is as difficult to come by as water in the desert. For reals. 

-My 5-year old mp3 player likes to overheat during hot runs, and it takes a little while to come back to life. Might be time to upgrade soon.

-I still don't understand some running lingo--fartleks, tempo runs, running at your 5k pace, etc. But I'm certainly looking into understanding them! Sometimes you just want to go running, though.

-I really, REALLY like running and totally get why runners love it so much.

Jes

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it..."--George Eliot

You want to know what made me happy today?

The weather. I swear, once it hit Sept 1st here, it immediately felt like fall. We went to a pool party last Sunday, probably the last of the summer, and it was warm enough. But otherwise it's been pretty mild and autumnal around here.

Autumn is my second-best season of the year, behind my birth-season, spring. I can't wait for cornmazes; trying new pie recipes; cooking with winter squash; haunted houses; apple cider; going to work while it's still dark outside (until the time changes); and leaves falling in our yard, though it's not really fun to clean them up.

Still, I will really miss summer. It's been one heck of a year so far! Before we know it, 2011 will be here and 2010 will feel so...2005.

I will miss the bright, green leaves; the enveloping warmth of a summer day outside; floating on the lake with a drink; wearing sunglasses...all the time; and having a reason to shave my legs at least twice a week (oh yeah, I rock the "natural long johns" most winters. Shudder if you must, it's comfy. I get lazy in that regard).

Now it's time to see how long we can hold out before turning on the heat this year! Gas is 'spensive.

In the soontime: Sweet Cornbread Cake, recipe courtesy of VegWeb.com **squeeeeee!**
Jes