My weekend – In case you missed it!

My sister was town this weekend for Race for Hope! Saturday was a luncheon for David Cook (of American Idol season fame)’s team. My sister volunteered at the lunch and I attended, but I helped volunteer too since one of my friends now works for the cancer society that puts on the race. 

The lunch had ~240 people attend and Dave made time to meet and greet everyone. When it was finally my turn I had him sign my bib (he signed my LA marathon one too). I told him I ran LA with him and he asked about my time, he was impressed. He talked about how he hit has wall at mile 17 and walked the last 9. We chatted a bit about running and somehow I wasn’t tongue tied. Dave didn’t rush anyone and he seemed genuinely interested in talking to everyone. We got an awesome picture together (see above). I also talked to his manager about the marathon since she ran too. 

A bit later they gave Dave a break from signing and my sister was able to go up to him (the signing was in a separate area from where the lunch was) and tell him she has been there to volunteer and that she liked his new song. He shook her hand and asked her name, so he could thank her by name. My sister who is not easily impressed seemed pretty taken aback by Dave’s humble awesomeness.

Soon after this happened the team gathered for a picture, they have all the people in the lunchroom gather first, I made a comment outloud to the 10 or so of us in the side room (including Dave) that getting these women to gather for a picture was like herding cats. Well that CRACKED Dave up. He was like “herding cats! I’ve never heard that, that’s perfect.” I ended up only one person away from Dave in the team pic and as the group went back to their tables Dave laughed and said herding cats agains to himself. HE THINKS IM FUNNY. 

Dave was super gracious and even though the event was from 11:30-2:30pm, he stayed until 5 to make sure everyone who wanted to meet him got too. 

I actually had to head out of the luncheon with my sister around 3pm because we rented bikes to go out on the Mount Vernon Trail. I haven’t been in public on a bike in a decade. It was TERRIFYING. I screamed or screeched for most of the first 5 miles. Thankfully the 5 miles back I was more confident. But damn for a path I know well from running it, you could REALLY feel the hills on the bike. I really did enjoy the ride and reeeeeaaallly want a real bike. My sister said they rentals were crummy and I would have a better experience on a real bike. 

Sunday was the Race for Hope. Despite not doing any speedwork since February I came in at 28:51 (official time). I was pleased, I had hoped for a sub 30, but my PR is 26:28. I actually saw and passed Dave on the course. I ran beside him for a few yards and told him to eat my dust with a laugh. Race for Hope is such a well organized race, it was my first race ever and will always have a special place in my heart. Our team (well Dave’s team) was the top fundraiser with $85,000 and growing. 

It was such a special weekend that is makes the horrid insanity at work these days much for bearable. I’m actually working from home today because I needed a mental health break. 

If you ever want to join me at the Race for Hope 5K in DC – next year’s will be May 4th. It’s such a great race, great course, great cause and I’ve met great people through it. 

15 Photos Of A Week Of Groceries From Different Countries Around The World

Whenever I go grocery shopping I always get just enough food to last for a couple days, mostly because I don’t know what I’m going to want to eat on Thursday if today is Sunday. But when I was growing up, my mother used to take us to the grocery once a week because that was the only time she could go. We stocked the car with bags and bags of treats and stuff, but mom always warned that if me and my sister ate all the fruit snacks or Pops or Pop Tarts or whatever, that was it until the next week.

Grocery shopping — what we buy and where we go — is a rich sociological activity that has a lot to say about our upbringing, our tastes and habits, and our social class. American photojournalist Peter Menzel recently launched a fascinating photo essay on what a week’s worth of groceries looks like around the world. The series is definitely eye-opening, not least because it shows the peculiar dietary habits of people in 20 countries around the world but because it shows how prevalent American food products are, how healthy people eat based on their country, and it really puts First World Privilege in check.

Guess which country is the most unhealthy of the bunch?

http://thoughtcatalog.com/2013/15-photos-of-a-week-of-groceries-from-different-countries-around-the-world/

The pictures are very telling!

This is happening! I bought it a few weeks ago and now that I have no future scheduled races – today is day 1 of Insanity!

I’ve had a number of friends have a lot of success and I’ve been curious. It had been on my mind a lot and a few weeks ago I turned on the tv and an infomercial for it was on – it was a sign.

Today’s weight: 187.6
Measurements: will do this afternoon

Race for Hope Weekend!

Sunday will be my 4th Race for Hope 5k. This race means so much to me on so many levels.

This year my sister will be in town to run it with me which should be special for us – especially since the last time we ran together was the Marine Corps Marathon. 

Tomorrow I’m going to a team lunch with David Cook. We’ll be a MUCH bigger group than for the Los Angeles Marathon, but I’m excited none the less. He’s a hero in my life and someone that I really admire…and if he decided to fall in love with me I wouldn’t be against that either. 

If you’d like to donate to ABC2 (Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure) who sponsors the Race For Hope I’d appreciate it!