SIGN ME UP!

"Thank you for registering for the 2010 500 Festival Races (OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, Finish Line 500 Festival 5K, and the 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy) Entry."

I signed up for the Indy mini marathon: May 8th 2010! in 169 days!

"Congratulations on completing your registration for the fifth annual SunTrust National Marathon, Half Marathon, and Half Marathon Relays in Washington, D.C., the only marathon held entirely within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. The race provides the thrilling opportunity to run past all of the historic monuments, museums and corridors of the city while being the fastest flat-looped marathon in the country and a Boston Marathon qualifying race."

I signed up for a marathon: March 20th 2010!! in 120 days!!

Whoo hoo! The training has begun!

5K/10K Race

No pictures to post today, because we were so busy at the event! Today Craig walked/ran his first 5K!!! WHOOO HOOO! I have always wanted Craig to participate in the races that I do and we finally had the chance today. The YMCA had a 5K/10K race to raise money for their scholarships, so a great cause. We started at 8 and had a great time walking the hills in Bloomington. We ran a lot of the down-hills. I think Craig finally realizes how many hills are in Bloomington to run. As soon as we were at the bottom of the hill, we were soon going up the next. Craig didn't think it was as fun as he was expecting. He told me I talked too much! I thought he was a little hard to handle, but then I thought back to last summer and all the training that we did together for the marathon. Craig really put up with a lot from me. I was wasn't the nicest person to be around when was I hurting, especially during the last mile or two of the long runs. CONGRATULATIONS CRAIG!

We made it to the finish in time for me to go to the bathroom, rip off my long shirt and pants, and take off for the 10K at 9:00. I felt pretty strong on the up-hills. The guy that finished behind me came up to me after the race and thanked me for helping him on the last hill. (The main reason that I passed him was because he was spitting so much - GROSS!) We have been working on hills on Tuesday nights and I think I have finally seen some improvement in my ability on the hills. I don't know if my time was very good, but I felt like I had a good/smart race. I kept a consistent pace with a kick at the end.

So I am thinking and have been thinking since I started the endurance class (Labor Day) ....what is my goal?!? I keep going back and forth if I just want to work on improving my half marathon time or work on another marathon. Pros for doing a marathon: 1) I have a great base for a race in the spring. 2) I have the support of a great running group right now. 3) I have the time. 4) I have no buns in the oven. (Ha ha!) 5) I have a coach who is passionate about running who would be a great resource for achieving my goals. So hmm.... Cons: Time devoted to running, which would be through the busy holidays, snow, and cold! I don't like being cold!

I will submit a request for time off from work for a marathon in March! SO we will see! I have LOVED running this fall. It has been a great experience to run with a group and draw off the experience of my coach and others. My main goal has been the same: to have fun and improve!

Halloween Weekend

Friday night: The concert was really good. Yay for Sara Watkins.

I had a great date! Craig is glistening from the rain! Sarah and Eric were able to make it to the concert after fighting Indy and B-town traffic on a Friday night. We all enjoyed the evening!

Saturday turned into a beautiful day. We enjoyed some coffee and some of the shops around the square.

Then we enjoyed the beautiful Oliver Winery!

We had a great weekend with Sarah and Eric visiting. I had a really good run Saturday morning. Sunday morning we visited a new church that was recommended. We both liked the church and are willing to try it again, but still want to look some more. I liked the extra hour of sleep on Sunday, but at tonight's running class at 6, it was dark! and cold! Actually it was really neat to run as the moon was coming up and really full. Anyway, it was a great weekend!

Day at the spa

One of the "perks" of my job is that we get to pick a place to enjoy a staff outing. This year it was decided to go back to French Lick Spa! We were allowed to pick from a long list of treatments. We looked forward to the spa day for several months! (I have been looking forward to it since I first heard about it at my interview in April!)

Spa at French Lick

Most of the gals picked facials and massages. After we checked in, we were shown to a changing room to change into our robes and slippers.

This was the women's waiting room before we were called back to our appointments. Stephanie and Chelsea looked relaxed before the fun even started. I picked a 60 minute Swedish massage. I don't know what was Swedish about, but it was wonderful. I was covered in oil from head to toe. Afterwards, there were showers available with soap, shampoo, and towels provided.

Beautiful place!

I also got to enjoy a manicure and paraffin pedicure!

With appointments in the morning and afternoon, almost all of us made it for lunch together.

Fall!

First fire in the gas fireplace

Fall decor on the mantel


Our front door

Punkin Head

Bring on the trick-or-treaters!

Hoosier Hysteria

Friday night we attended Hoosier Hysteria at Assembly Hall!

To begin the evening, there an IU volleyball game against Iowa. We saw the last match and IU won!

The cheerleaders did a lot to get everyone excited to get the basketball season started...

with fireworks and everything!

The womens basketball team came out and we watched them practice. The women were followed by the mens team. There was a 3 point shoot-out and dunk contest. Then the men scrimmaged against each other. It became obvious to me how long it has been since I watched basketball...I was calling a "turnover" an "interception." Subway's Jarod Fogle even made an appearance! It was a fun evening!

Chicago Getaway

Craig and I were able to take a quick trip to Chicago at the beginning of the week. Monday was a beautiful chilly day. We didn't make too many plans for our time, we just went with the flow. I don't know how many miles we walked, but by Tuesday I was sore! I ran 6 miles on Saturday without getting sore, but I can't walk Chicago for 8 hours?!

Signs are up for the Chicago Marathon for this Sunday! How exciting! I'm really kicking myself for not training this year. The weather over the summer has been perfect and this Sunday should be cool. I just didn't have the motivation!


We took a 40 second elevator ride up 96 floors to the observatory. It was a beautiful view!

We couldn't pass up some hot chocolate at the Hershey's store!


Millennium Park


The Bean

Monday was a fun day! Of course it wouldn't be a complete trip to Chicago without some deep dish pizza!

We knew Tuesday was going to be rainy, so we planned indoor activities.


We had a great time at the Art Institute of Chicago before we got on the road to come back home!