My apologies for the lack of updates.  I've been home for just over a week and have been spending most of the time playing "catch-up" with work and my messy apartment.
  Being back at my old stomping grounds was wonderful and eye-opening at the same time.  I love my school - always will - but being there reminded me that no matter how long you have been gone, no matter how much you have grown and changed, people will continue to keep their ideas of who you are.  I am not the person I was yesterday let alone a year ago so it was an interesting experience.
  But on to the good stuff - I was sadly only able to run campus once but it was as amazing and relaxing as I remember.  We ran a little shorter than I used to - I used to start next to my old hall - Madison and run the hill down and then the 2 miles around campus and back up the hill.  We ran about .25miles from where I usually start, down a small hill, around the football field and parking lot, stretched (for Cat, not me which made me proud) and then finished around Walker hall.  We got in right around 2 miles.  I could have done a little more but didn't want to exhaust myself when I knew we had a big night planned.
  Being able to get that far without stopping, running out of breath, wanting to die was such an amazingly inspiring feeling!  Made me realize just how far I'd come when I first started running on campus back in 2007.  I could barely make it from one street light to the next before wanting to cry and stop.  My goal for my next visit (probably a year from now) will be to do the entire loop of campus which is about 3 miles give or take.  That would be the true test of endurance for me - especially with all the hills.
  Since I've been back I've been kicking up my training a notch.  I've been making sure I do at least 2.5 miles or more each run - even if I have to break it up and want to stop - I push through.  I've already done two 3 milers since I've been back.  I've also realized that when I run with certain people and the conversation flows it helps me set my pace better and I get lost in the conversation so when we hit our mark I feel like I can go even further which makes me happy.
  I've also set the goal of making at least 10 miles each week.  I know there will be weeks I can't (like the week I got back) but I plan to get as close to it as possible.  At this point I run around 2.5 on Mondays, 3 on Wednesdays (between my class and Jess's class) and usually at least once or twice on the weekends.
  Last weekend was too beautiful to pass up so I went to the river and ran by myself just to find some peace and quiet and think some things out from my weekend.  It was wonderful to be outside and running in the fresh air.  I made a little over 1.5 before walking a half mile then ran .5, walked a little, ran .5 and then finished shortly after.  I kept a good pace and tried running from a different starting point so I wasn't able to set myself up with times/places I should be.
  It's nice to be home and I'm hoping to take advantage of this fall weather more on the weekends - running by the river is by far one of my favorite ways to de-stress after a tough week. : )

New Runs

  One of my favorite things in the world, but also one of the most nerve-wracking things at the same time, is running with someone new.  I always wonder - will they run faster than me?  Can I keep up?  What if they want to go longer than I can do?  What if they need to stop all the time?  What if I need to stop a lot?  Do they like to talk or do they prefer music? - these are only a small smattering of the thoughts that run through my mind "pre-run."
  I am always open to running with new people.  I see it as a chance to improve my running - whether it's pushing myself harder to keep up with someone (like my co-worker, Ryan) or slowing myself down and learning to keep a slower, steady pace so I can work on the length of the run not the time (like with Jessica).
  In all honesty, I will almost always choose running with someone over running alone.  The only time I prefer to run alone is if I am having a bad/rough day.  Then I just want to pound my frustrations out into the concrete and lose myself in the music.  Otherwise, I'd much prefer conversation and having someone to push me to the next level.
  Last night I ran with one of my new students this year.  I was nervous because she's been running forever and had gotten herself up to around 45 miles a week (I'm nowhere near that!).  She was great though - we had wonderful conversation right off the bat and I kept pretty good pace with her for how fast she is.  We ended up doing a 2 mile campus look in well under 20 minutes.  I even felt refreshed after run!  It was a very nice feeling.
  Tonight I'm running the track with my former resident Eryn.  I always enjoy running with Eryn - we have great conversation and she is one of those people I can just run forever with.  Chances are pretty high that if I hit over 2 miles, I was running with her. 
  The other big thing going on that I'm looking forward to is leaving in a few days to go home for a week! I haven't been home since January and can't wait to see my friends, former students and ex-co-workers.  It's going to be a great time! : )

The insanity continues...

  My life has just been insane lately.
  I was proud of myself last week - I finally hit 10 miles for the week (or just over to be honest) and couldn't wait to do it again.... but that didn't happen this week and probably won't this week we're going into either.  Once again, life has exploded.
  Not for lack of trying to exercise though - I've set up and had to postpone 2 running dates with one of my students, which always makes me feel terrible.  I had to cancel today because I'm still in massive amounts of pain from this weekend.  Our outdoors group went on a camping trip and a 12 mile kayaking adventure.  I was exhausted and ready to stop after 6 miles, but we pushed through and did all 12.  Today, I am feeling it!  Between the sunburned knees (seriously?!) and the dull throb across my shoulders... has not been pleasant.  And also has been a constant reminder that I need to work on my upper body again!
  The trip itself was wonderful and as always, a pleasure getting to know new students.  I believe we took about 15 with us and they all seemed to have a blast, which made it worthwhile.
  Last week I kicked butt with my running.  Class was especially hard - I showed up early and got 2 miles in before Jessica arrived.  Then Eddie doubled everything she had to do for me.  I ended up running an additional 1.5 miles along with the killer cardio we did (mtn climber, squats against the wall, medicine ball toss, crunches - ask Jessica about that special one! ha ha).  Needless to say, after class ended I was exhausted!  I hit Zumba up on Thursday against my boss's wishes (she felt I needed a day off) but in the end it was a good thing.  Helped stretch my muscles again and calmed down some of the pain from the day before.
  Then I took Friday off and kayaked on Saturday.  Zumba is a nice cardio kick for me twice a week and I'm sad I'm only going to one class this week but happy because I'm going home for a week!!
  I haven't been home since January so it's going to be nice to see my friends, my told students and old co-workers.  I decided the one time I'll be able to get back to NC would be Homecoming - and what better time to go back?  I'll be staying with friends the entire time and hopefully will be able to catch up with some very missed people.
  I'm planning on packing two sets of running clothes but I'm not sure at this point if I'll be wearing them or not.  I've talked to 3 different friends about running together but we'll see whose schedules coordinate and go from there.  I do plan on running at least one or two nights - I want to test myself and see if I can run my old course, how far I can get and if I can still get tat amazing "runner's high" from the hills.  I miss that intense happy rush so much!
  Before I go I'm planning on a run tomorrow night with a student, Zumba on Tuesday and class on Wed so I'll have a decent start to the week before I go.  And the goal is to not eat too unhealthy while I'm there (or drink too many beers either! I miss NC beer... not gonna lie!).  I also have to make sure I'm well rested while I'm there as well - I can't afford to get sick upon my return - I'll be returning to our Homecoming Week followed by Choice Week/Boobie Bash and then Halloween.  I love October but it always flies by!
  I can't promise I'll be able to update while I'm gone - my internet will be at the mercy of the on-campus library, but I'll definitely be updating via Twitter (RDinMotion) so if you need a fix that badly, check it out and friend me there.
  I will try to update again before I leave.  Maybe I'll even be able to talk about the Wii yoga I keep planning on trying each morning but never seem to be able to get up to do!
  Anyway, hope your week went well and I hope this week is even better!!