I am so bad at this blog thing. I don't know how things get so busy, even when I am on holiday for two weeks doing seemingly very little, but they do! And then I collapse in bed in a heap and the last thing I can bring myself to do is blog or journal. I promised I would do it today!

So, I meant to write last Saturday to indicate that it is now the 6-month countdown until the big Eindhoven race, the one I am gunning for. Yikes, it makes me nervous just to think about it - a lot has to come together in six months!! I running friend from here sent through links to two blogs of young women out to qualify, both of whom did and recounted the big race, and it made me nervous just to think about getting shoes on, waiting in the start area, putting bags on the truck, etc. At the end of the day, I just need to work as hard as I can in the build up to it, and if it comes together on the day, that would be fantastic. But there is still a fairly real possibility that it won't, and I have to be okay with that too, knowing that I did the best I could and worked hard.

At the same time, I got invigorated to think about doing it - how fab would that be???

It was a big marathon weekend with London and Boston falling on the same one - lots of Serpies were in London, and I am sad to have missed it, after 5 straight years of being involved. My little buddy CR did Boston and did great - ran a 2.58, which is great since she has long been after a sub-3. Good for her!

And it was a race weekend for me too - big Race for the Cure 5k!! To be fair, I was nervous after the last race, and after having some serious calf issues that made me take a couple days off beforehand; it has just been getting SUPER tight and I couldn't tell if it was bone of muscle pain. KP has helped me out a bit massaging it, and I have tried ot be better about icing and stretching. Turned out to be okay on the day...

I won the women's race, which was an ego boost at least - I ran a 17.59 which I realise isn't amazing, but I was the only woman out in front, so it was hard not to chase someone (I don't know why I can't motivate myself to run down the guys!) and I was very pleased to run that with the other issues that have been going on. Plus there were 9,000 people out (only a few hundred running for times) so it felt good to be out in front. Plus it was a gorgeous day (if brisk, as it keeps insisting on being!) so that helped. All in all, I was pleased with it and it at least makes me feel a bit better about the running.

I swear it was that working out in the gym that did it to me - I don't really think that did me any favours, and I feel SO much better being out on the road every day now!

Anyway, all else is going pretty well - our trip to NC ended up great - it was great to see JM and the family, and uncles and aunts too - it was a lot of fun, and relaxing. Had some nice sun time, which rendered me lobster-esque for the end, but a nice golden now. Plus we ate lots of good food and watched some fun basketball. I ran most of the days and runs I was supposed to, but did get a tad sick of the wind - was always running into it in one direction or another!

Dad is doing really well at the moment - he put on nearly 20 lbs in two weeks!! He has been getting around pretty well and not napping as much. He is determined to get himself to the gym tomorrow, as he wants to work on strengthening his legs. Hey, no probs, I will take him if he is up for it!! he had a scan taken last week, and we find out the results this week, plus he had a cardiology appointment today, which went well - that doc seemed pleased with the state of things. Will see what news comes out of Thursday. But he keeps defying them, even if they do come with bad news, so who knows what to think??

I am doing all right, and am back into my little routine in the Spokane branch of the office. I am enjoying my time here, and really love seeing my friends. I can see this being a reality for me, in the not so distant future, maybe. Not sure what will happen, but it gives me peace of mind to know that it would feel okay to be back. LJ jut moved back with her family, so another one of my nearest and dearest added to the list of Spokanites. It makes it more appealling, and will make it harder to leave, for sure.

I still miss my flat and my routine though, and no doubt when I get back I will fall right back into it and wonder how I stayed away so long. It is hard to be torn between to places, not knowing which I fit best in. We will see, these things all happen for a reason.

Okay, i am too tired. Need to put up some pics....