Overpack Much?

Thank God Blair was already at work and didn't see the packing nightmare that was me yesterday afternoon. I'm at the beach for a girls weekend to celebrate my friend Melody's 40 birthday. I am not exaggerating when I say I packed more for this three-day adventure than I will be bringing on our 11-day tour of Egypt. Don't offer me a car and unlimited packing space 'cause I'll use it.

My gear included:

• Backpack full of running gear - shoes, water bottle, Gu, various layers of clothing so I'm prepared for -8 to 90 degree weather
• Suitcase full of regular clothes. 6 outfits for 3 days because God forbid I'm left w/out options
• My pillow
• Bag full of toiletries - makeup, facial soap, hair brush, hair dryer, toothbrush, etc.
• Work bag - computer, friend's novel I need edit/critique, my novel I'm writing, client folders in case I need to update this weekend
• Fun bag - movies, books
• Food Bag - decaf coffee, peanut butter, chocolate rice cakes, sunflower seeds, wine... I hate to be caught w/out snacks
• Towels. Weren't sure if the house we were going to was stocked, so packed 3 of our fluffiest towels.

On the bright side, when I went to pick up Melody, she had even more stuff than me. I do so love traveling with another woman.

The beach home we're in is STUNNING. We're at Pawleys Island, SC. I've been watching the sun rise over the water, listening to the waves, and waiting for Bella the world's most beautiful tan greyhound to wake up so we can walk on the beach. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.

Dena

20 Degree Runs

Someday soon--next week, I think--I'm going to carry a camera on my early morning trail run. I want to share the beauty of what I see weekly with all of you. (The pictures here are of the trails I run, just not winter pics and not taken by me.) People call me crazy to head out in 19/20 degree weather for a run and when I first step out my front door, I agree with them. But the cold is all but forgotten after the first half mile. The blood starts pumping, the sun peeks over the horizon, and I can't imagine a better start to the day. 

Today I ran with Neal and Dave, long-time trail-running buddies. Although bundled up in our thick black tights, gloves, and stockinged caps pulled low on our heads, we more likely resembled bank-robbers. The morning was stunning in its simplicity. The trail was frost-frozen and leaves and dirt crunched under our feet. Bikes had been through earlier in the week and the trial ruts made by them had frozen into mini-hills on the path. The denser woods had snow clinging to the ground on either side of the path. A low vapor hung over the lake, muting the calls of the ducks and geese who rested there. The path we ran today had a number of wooden bridges which we had to walk due to their being coated in ice. Once the sun came up, the whole woods sparkled with melting frost. It made spotting roots and limbs in the path tricky, but was well worth it for the effect.

I come home happy from these runs. Life just seems to make more sense. Out on the path, all I need is light focus, deep breaths, and an appreciation for the moment. Everything else

falls away. It has to. Out on the trail, with my nose running and my breath creating a fog around my head, it doesn't matter what's in my in-box or that the laundry is piling up. I can't do anything about any of that out there, so I let it all go. 

That's a small price to pay for being a little chilly.

Happy Wednesday!

Pass the Weak, Hurdle the Dead

I've found my new running mantra. Or rather, my yoga instructor found it for me. She came to class today and said to me, "I found the perfect t-shirt for you this weekend. I saw it and thought, 'That's Dena.'" The slogan is, of course, PASS THE WEAK / HURDLE THE DEAD. I love it that my personality speaks strongly enough to her that she saw me in that shirt. Although, as Blair might point out, perhaps she didn't mean it as a compliment?

I did a quick search online for a technical tee that has not only the words, but the image of a runner on it. Haven't found it yet but I'll keep looking.

I must own this t-shirt. 

A Few Random Thoughts

I don't have enough for a full blog entry today so, like poor man's soup, I thought I'd toss a bit of everything in the pot and hope it comes out tasting good. Our ingredients:

• As of this morning, I'm signed up to run the 2009 Chicago Marathon on October 11--four days before our 15th wedding anniversary.
• A friend gave us tickets to the Greensboro Symphony, which we attended last night. Next door--and generating much more traffic--was a Monster Truck Rally. As we pulled up to the traffic cop, he took one look at us and said, "Symphony?" and pointed the way. (I could SO fit into a Monster Truck Rally if I wanted to.)
• Neighborhood Superbowl Party today. I will probably eat my weight in chocolate and fried foods.
• Speaking of food, the "You Bought It Now Eat It" week was a great success with the exception of the Red Lentil Load that was, in a word, nasty. Additionally, the dishes all seemed to have a high carb value - lots of pasta, potatoes, and rice. Maybe I could set aside an orange or something this month...
• Blair and I are both spending today working before the Superbowl. Just not enough hours in the week to get what needs to be done, done.
• Ran 11 miles yesterday which is the most I've managed since November's marathon. Good pace, felt great. 30 degrees and a windchill factor encourages one to pick up the pace. 
• Novel writing begins tomorrow. Need to find time today to get organized.

That's it. Stir well and serve.