Where's Waldo...

Last Saturday I ran the Fleet Feet 10 miler. It was the perfect race. The race course started in downtown Chicago headed south for about 5 miles then turned back towards the city for the last leg of the race. The finish line was the 50 yard line in Solider Field (where the Chicago Bears play). It was awesome to run into the stadium and appear on the jumbo tron.  I couldn't have asked for better weather. The sun was shining without a cloud in the sky. The temperature was in the 50's with a nice gentle breeze. We were running next to the beautiful Lake Michigan. This race almost had me convinced to stay in Chicago just so I could do it again.

The race was well organized with a lot of support minus the photographers. Unfortunately when Mike and I left for the race at the BC of dawn we were so out of it that we totally forgot our camera. By the time we were both thinking clearly and realized we didn't have the camera it was too late to go back to get it. I thought it would be no big deal because I knew there would be photographers at the race. Well it turns out there was 7500 people who ran this race. Which means I didn't so much show up in any of the pictures except for a few body parts here and there. Bummer.

So make this a game...see if you can find me in the following pictures. I'm wearing a blue short sleeve t-shirt and black shorts. Good luck!

HINT: Ok find the light pole and go straight down and slightly to the left! There I am.
Get ready they get harder as we go.

HINT: OK see the guy who has his arm raised? White shirt, grey shorts. Look in the armpit of the raised arm. Yep that's me.

HINT: See the elbow in the forefront of the picture? Look right under the elbow. You got it, that's my leg.

So that's it. Normally I wouldn't care that I don't have pictures of me running, I would actually prefer not to. But because this is my last race in Chicago and by far one of the coolest, most memorable races I've done, I was hoping to have a picture of me running across the 50 yard line. Oh well. 

Things that must go...

I enjoy running races, but there are a couple of things that always drive me nuts when running a race. I ran a race this morning and had a wonderful time but I have to share a couple of things I could do without.

1. Pajama pants. Please don't run in pajama pants. You are not doing anybody, especially yourself, a favor. And really you look ridiculous in those red and green plaid pants. I'm not saying you have to go out and buy expensive running clothes, even sweat pants from target would be better than pajama pants.

2. Tell me if I'm wrong or if you disagree (but do so politely), I don't like it when people wear the t-shirt they get from running the race on race day. I know a lot of runners do it, but to me you have to complete the race before you can wear the shirt proudly!

I know these are silly things and maybe I'm being a bit too picky but these things must go!

I'm a little behind...DONE AND DONE

Mike is officially done with medical school, tests, classes, DONE! (He's been done for 2 weeks!) It still doesn't seem real. Maybe it will hit me once he graduates. For now Mike is enjoying his time off before real life hits come mid June. I could go on and on about how wonderful he is and all that he has accomplished but I will spare you the details. I just wanted to give Mike a shout out and tell him how proud I am of him! 9 years in the making...totally worth it!

A couple of weekends ago to celebrate Mike being done, we went to see Les Miserables. It was amazing. Such a powerful, moving story. We had a wonderful time seeing the show. Now I just need to read the book! Side note: Love that Mike will go to a musical with me and enjoy it. Thanks Carol for giving your child an appreciation for music.
Last weekend we went to Utah to find a place to live. The weekend went by so quickly we didn't get to see any friends. But it's nice to know we will be there in about a month with plenty of time to hang out with friends! It was bittersweet being in Utah. We are excited about moving back but at the same time sad to leave Chicago! One last month before Chicago will no longer be home. Weird.

Real Quick..Things that must go

THINGS THAT MUST GO....
Mike and I have been in Utah for less than 24 hours and we have already seen someone wear white gym socks with tevas and a guy wearing long levi shorts.Ok the 1990's were almost ten years ago. That look really MUST GO!

FYI RUNNERS

Whether you've been running forever, just getting into running or wanting to get into running you have got to get the Garmin Forerunner 205. It keeps track of your mileage, pace, and calories. You can also download all of your runs on the computer. I know this is cheesy and I don't consider myself a hardcore runner at all, but the forerunner has totally changed my running. I've had mine for almost a year and I have loved it! The best part is they are on sale at REI for a fabulous price. My mom who was against getting one forever, finally bought one last night after seeing the great price! Go get one! You'll be so happy you did!

Things that must go...

This week Things that must go goes to Mylie Cyrus and her dad Billy Ray.

Is she Hannah Montana? Mylie? I don't even think Mylie is her real name, it's something like Destiny Hope. The girl doesn't even know who she is. Plus I find her relationship with her dad slightly creepy. I'm so over hearing about her. Quite frankly I would never want my little girls looking up to her as a role model. And it doesn't help that she is 15 and a millionaire! She is just another Brittany Spears waiting to happen.

A golden shoe and an idiot

First...the art teacher at my school is so thoughtful. To celebrate the race last week, she made me this golden shoe flower pot. She sculpted it, and painted it. I was impressed, and it meant so much to me that she would take the time to make it for me. Pretty cool huh?


Second, I'm such an idiot. I was looking at the race results from the race Mike and I ran last Saturday. I had found my time and was looking for Mike's name in the male section of the 5k. Ok, let me back track for a second....

After the race on Saturday we decided to stay for the awards ceremony and enjoy eating some treats. For the 5k females first place winner in the age group 20-29 we heard the announcer say Michelle Walker. It threw us for a loop at first hearing the same last name as Mike and I. We never saw this Michelle Walker receive her medal, and at the time we thought nothing of it.

OK back to looking at the results so I'm looking and looking for Mike's name and all of the sudden I saw Michael Walker in first place WOMEN'S 5k age group 20-29! I was the one who registered us for the race and the genius I am signed him up as a FEMALE. The worst part of it all..had I registered Mike as a MALE, like he is, he would have won first place in his age group for the 5k!!!! I feel so bad. He totally missed out on receiving a medal because of me. Moral of the story: pay attention to detail!