It's beginning to look a lot like...

26.2 miles.  Were you aware that 26.2 miles is a REALLY LONG WAY?!?

Joe says we take training day by day, run by run, mile by mile.  We put in the hard work, and relish in race day.  As one runner put it, "the training is the labor, and the race is the baby."  (hopefully the race involves less puke and poop than said baby....)

Sunday I had 16 miles.  I felt great.  No one stole my water.  No raccoons were fighting.  No wild animal attacked me.  It was nice. 

Then mile 13 - BAM, bug in my eye.

What's running with out a few speed bumps to keep you on your toes.

28 days and counting.

It's My Anthem.

Look, I know I am going to lose a couple of you right away - sure.  But I have a new anthem.  I play it when I need a lift, when I am feeling down, when I am feeling up, basically it's my get your booty in gear song.

I love it.  I know it's not the most current thing out there.  I know that some of you can't see past the fact that it is rap.  But apologize for it - I will not.  I CAME TO WIN!!

I've learned that in every task you undertake you'll find haters.  People who believe that to be happy for you means to not feel good about themselves; and to give you credit means to take the spotlight from them.  I don't have time for this. 

We do not get this life twice.  I plan to soar.

In Store Meltdown.

This is probably going to be an "andrea" thing, but I suspect a few of you may also participate in "in-store meltdowns."

http://www.auntsallys.com/products/pralines/creamy/214.html

I was walking through Cost Plus World Market, when my eagle eyes spotted something that I have NEVER seen in this part of the country.  AUNT SALLY'S PRALINES!!!!

I dropped my purse, ran over, knelt down, and may said something like, "oh my gawd, you have traveled so far.... you must be so tired, let me take you home." Then I jumped up, "squealed", turned around and came nose to wrapper with BANANAS FOSTER PRALINES - OH.MY.GOD!!!!

I practically skipped to the front of the store, all the while guarding my treasure: my preciouses. 

If you have lived your life without one, then there is quite a gaping whole in your heart.  You need to eat one of these tasty things.  NEED TO.

"Prah-leen, Pray-leen" Here's to them all!!

Best Running Playlist Ever.

Well kids, I think I have finally done it.  I have created a 30 minute running playlist that is genius.

I've been testing it out for the last three months, and yup - it's badass.  Oh, I see... you want me to share with you??  Oh, alright. 

1.  Enter Sandman - Metalica.  (work with me here)
2.  The Distance - Cake
3. Written in the Stars - Tinie Tempah
4.  I'm So Excited - The Pointer Sisters (think BPM - not Grammy award winning)
5.  Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol
6.  We Found Love - Rihanna (just when your kinda getting tired... the rev up portion of this song helps).
7.  Otis - Jay-Z and Kanye
8.  Untouched - The Veronicas

I love this set, LOVE IT TO PIECES!!!  Some other add ins can be:  Jesus Walks - Kanye, Hand that Feeds - NIN, Midnight City - M83, Till I Collapse - Eminem, and Bonkers - Dizzee Rascall.

Anyone else out there create awesomeness??  Let me know.  I need to know.  Tell me your secrets!!!

Here's to finding the right BPM (beats per minute).

Pieces of My Heart.

I feel like I need to write this post about once a year to remind myself of all the good things in the world, and of all the things I truly am thankful for.  This post usually comes after a particular trying time, huge ass pity party, or a 10 pound weight gain, but always, it comes, when it needs to be written.  Here is a list of 100 things I love:

1.  Shiloh, of course.
2.  My Family, of course. (this includes you in-laws and out-laws)
3.  My Peeps
4.  Hank and Pearl (and Dee).
5.  My bestest gals (each and every one of you).
6.  Book Club.  Best. Club. Ever.
7.  Awkward Silences
8.  Texting About Nothing
10.  The Beefer
11.  Fro-Yo
12.  The Long Run
13.  Road Trips
14.  Swedish Fish
15.  Coffee.  Black.
16.  Salsa
17.  Frosting
18.  LOL Cats
19.  Literature
20.  Handwritten Notes
21.  Planning
22.  Cookie Butter
23.  The Finish Line
24.  People Watching
25.  SYTYCD
26.  Slap Stick Humor
27.  WSU - Go Cougs.
28.  Sprinkles
29.  Salted Caramel
30.  Wild Ginger
31.  Interesting Places
32.  Home
33.  Pop Culture
34.  Toe Socks
35.  LuluLemon
36.  Trader Joe's
37.  New Orleans
38.  Australian Candy. 
39.  Football
40.  Free T-Shirts
41.  The Ocean
42.  Who Done Its.
43.  John Hughes
44.  Dolce Vita Wine
45.  Checking In
46.  Shenanigans
47.  Erin Smith Art
48.  Pinterest
49.  Breakfast Burritos
50.  Late Night Phone Call
51.  Clever Hip Hop
52.  Unexpected Kindness
53.  Tom Petty
54.  The New Girl
55.  Musicals
56.  Being Remembered
57.  Wishes on Falling Stars
58.  Pralines
59.  The Smell of Rain
60.  Shoes: Fancy or Otherwise
61.  Inside Jokes
62.  Baking
63.  Being Included
64.  Mile 23
65.  Barbecue Sauce
66.  Pineapple Curry
67.  Getting Fancy
68.  Karaoke
69.  Parades
70.  My Car
71.  Playlists
72.  My Grandparents Laughter
73.  Summer Olympics
74.  Writing
75.  The Great Gatsby
76.  Being Right
77.  Chico's Pizza
78.  The Smell of Books
79.  Smart People
80.  Cake
81.  In N Out Burger
82.  My Pillow Pets
83.  The Tower of Terror
84.  Scary Movies
85.  Tiffany's
86.  Sparkles
87.  Letting Go
88.  Losing Track of Time
89.  Old Photos
90.  Blimpies
91.  A Clean House
92.  Knitting
93.  Cold Cereal
94.  Biscoff Cookies
95.  Upgrades
96.  Smiles from Strangers
97.  Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
98.  Silence
99.  Bubble Baths
100.  Sunshine

There you have it.  All things bright and beautiful, and awkward and weird, and strange and hypnotic.

Here's to your list of 100.

Did I miss the memo??

Hang on one second... am I being punked??

Do you mean to tell me that jean shorts are a thing again??  I am hoping that I have just witnessed a number of terribly misguided kids walking around campus, but I have a sinking feeling they are back.

Which is ridiculous!!  You know that right?  Jorts are not comfy, and they never look right.  They are either too long, or waaaay to short, and always look like maybe you should be mowing the lawn.

Are tube tops and visors coming back too??  Cause that would reaaaaaaly complete that package.   Wait.... is this how our parents felt when bell bottoms came back??  Or, maybe, that was just an Andrea thing...

Anyhow - please let's not wear these out and about.  There are so many other options that are both cute and comfy.  As my grandmother would say, "go change - that shit is tacky."

Here's to class and, well, more class.

The Raccoon Gangsters.

They are so real.  I witnessed my first offing today.  (attempted offing)

As I was running through Colfax (out by the golf course) I heard screaming, as in a lady screaming for her life screaming.  I turned down Kanye, and looked around.  I didn't notice running by anyone.... (being murdered)

And as my eyes wandered upwards I noticed the raccoon gangsters.  Yup, two little thugs were throwing another raccoon down a cliff *throwing*, and the tossed raccoon was bouncing off of trees and rocks and shrubs - screaming.  I can't even imagine what he was saying... okay, so in my head he was saying, "really Larry, I didn't know Susie was your sister or I nevah woulda laid hands on her." 

Once, the gangsters saw me - I had to find a new gear.  I didn't want to be around when all of them hit the bottom.  They didn't need another target - that's for sure.

As I ran off the screaming continued, followed by some very interesting noises, which I can only imagine as them saying, "lady, you didn't see nothin' got it!!!  NOTHIN'"

Let's just fugettaboutit... cheers.