it's gonna be MAY!

Why does THIS not get old? This picture just doesn’t get old.

But seriously. It’s gonna be MAY!

That means the start of the best time of the year. The warm, green, lots of sunshine and happiness months are upon us!

Almost summertime and the livin’ is easy.

So, let’s make it a bit more difficult, shall we?

I’ve accepted a challenge (uh…from myself) this May. A bike to work challenge. I plan to commute to work via bicycle every. single. day.

I don’t want no cars. A car is a vehicle that can’t get no love from me.

I competed in this challenge through the Zoo last September. I enjoyed the benefits i.e. saving on gas, additional exercise and an all around do-good feeling. So, come October, I thought to myself, ‘Hey, if I can do this for one month, why not five?’. Cause that’s the same, right?

And so I challenge myself, starting tomorrow, to bike to work every day from May through September.

But, you may say, Carolyn, you only live one mile from work and you don’t even have to pedal on the way there since it’s all downhill! Is that really much of a challenge?!?

True, my friends, true. HOWEVER. I DO have to pedal a tremendous amount uphill on the way home, which is easy peasy in May but a whole new ballgame in July when it’s about 200 degrees outside and I’ve been working all day.

But, you’re right, my commute truly is not much of a challenge. The majority of it is spent riding through the Park. It is, however, much easier to drive. Think about it. I own a racing bike with a tiny seat designed for a man’s pelvis. Even on the best of biker short clad days, it ain’t no bark-a-lounger. But in khaki shorts? Ouch.

I have to carry all of my work belongings with me on the bike–lunch, backpack, cardboard boxes for enrichment yada, yada. Granted, I am a bit of a pack rat when it comes to bringing things to work, but, hey, it can never hurt to be prepared. I have never regretted bringing that poncho!

So, yes, my commute is an easy one, but it is also true that biking is the more difficult option. Humans (and really most animals) are inherently lazy. Why would we want to take the harder route? Of course, at 7:30 am day after day after day, it is so much easier to recline on padded leather seats listening to morning talk radio than it is to attempt to cross Skinker with a wedgie.

Plus, I look like a dork. Plain and simple. Khaki uniform, helmet, headphones (yes, I am a dangerous, terrible example of a cyclist), backpack, lunchbox–seriously, I could challenge Urkel in nerdiness each and every day.

I’m not saying this will be easy. But that’s what makes it a bike to work challenge.

The rules? The rules are there ain’t no rules.

No really, there actually are some rules, or rather, exceptions.

1. I don’t have to bike to work if it’s storming. Raining a bit, yes, bike. Lightening? Thunder? Tornadic winds? I can drive.

2. I don’t have to bike if I’ve attended a *cough* event involving multiple beverage choices the evening before i.e. like a wedding or something

3. I think those are really the only exceptions. I’m sure I’ll try to make excuses–BUT DON’T LET ME!

I will be logging my miles through Trailnet each day, in the grand hope of acquiring some Critter Cash from the Zoo.

So, here we go MAY! And for a little biking inspiration, a throw back to my rap debut of 2009! (Clean version, of course).

As if I need any more reasons to be excited about May, I have these THREE events to look forward to:

1. One of my very favorite people in the world will finally return from her (three year long) soujourn in Austria! My cousin, Katie, is moving back to the good old USA, newly minted Austrian husband/immigrant in tow! Am I super excited to FINALLY be able to call her on the phone? Why, yes, yes I am.

image

2. One of my bestest friends in the whole world is going to have a BABY in May! Casey and I have been buddies since preschool and I am counting down the days until I get to meet her SON!

image

and

3. John and I are going to HAWAII!! We are visiting more wonderful friends, Alex and Tim, and hoping to get some relaxation in as well! Can’t wait to see the real life scenes on Alex’s beautiful coasters!

That is A LOT to look forward to! MAY it all go swimmingly…(ok, ok, that was bad.)

Back to the Races!

Last Sunday I ran a race. Since Sundays are my Thursdays, this is a rare occurrence for me, and an exciting one at that.

I ran the GO! St. Louis Half Marathon. I began training for the race back in January, with plans to run the full 26.2. These plans were quickly dashed by my own stupidity. Ready to jump back into long distance running I started out with a 16 mile run, that went well except for a slight twinge in my knee. Well, the next week’s 12 miler created more than just a twinge–I’d developed a case of “runner’s knee” that did not end up healing in time for the race.

I’m smart enough not to try to run the full with a bad knee, but dumb enough to still run the half. So, last Sunday 13.1 it was!

I forgot how much I love racing. The tension at the starting line; the crowds of giddy runners and enthusiastic supporters; my carefully planned playlist–all bring an addicting sort of energy.

John ran the full marathon and we actually stuck together (not at all normal for us!) for the first six miles of the race before approaching “Holy Hill.” My goal was to run as fast as possible up this hill because it included a timed race within a race. This plan was thwarted by a lovely, little side stitch that took me three miles to work out.

By mile 10 I was pretty done with running. My knee was sore and as a result my stride had changed hurting my left IT band and right ankle in turn. Since I took so much time off of running this winter to try to heal my knee before the race, my legs certainly had not logged enough miles. My quads were shot. In those last three miles I said to myself “Faster!” and those tired quads answered with a resounding, “NO!”

Around mile 12 I seriously thought to myself, “I am not going to do this again for a very long time.”

But then I saw the finish line. I’d like to say that I discovered this untapped energy and surged toward it at a sprint. No, no. I coaxed myself into simply putting one foot in front of the other until I crossed that paint. After all, you know what they say–“It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop.”

A short rest, banana and chocolate milk later, the pain of the race disappeared into the festive atmosphere and I reminded myself why I love to race so much. It felt good to push through the pain and complete the run. I loved being a part of the St. Louis running community’s biggest day. Needless to say, post-run Carolyn trumps mile 12 Carolyn. I will most likely being doing this again in not such a very long time.

The best part of running the half instead of the full (besides not running thirteen MORE miles!)? Getting to see the marathoners finish! I’ve never seen the leaders come in and it truly was inspiring to watch the winning men and women finish their race!

It was also really fun to get to cheer John across the finish line…did I mention that he is MUCH faster than me? I have NEVER seen him finish a race!

In the end I ran a 1:39 and John ran a 3:09. We were both happy and proud of our times, glad to have pushed through our own individuals challenges and get to the finish.

Upon returning home, I made the comment that running a half is so much better than a full because I was not nearly as sore post-run.

Then I took a nap. Two hours later…YIKES.

COULD. NOT. MOVE.

I have never been more sore after a full than I was after last Sunday’s race. Again, it probably would have been smart to run more BEFORE the big day. Work on Monday was its on unique form of torture.

But I love running. I love being a runner and I LOVE race day.

So, was it worth it?

Always.

WHOA. What a weekEND!

I think I’m still recovering.

Busy. Busy. Busy. This weekend was one for the books (literally)!

Friday night my family made the trek to Columbia, Missouri for my little sister, Nancy’s engagement!

Nancy’s boyfriend, Pat, surprised her with an outdoor dance floor and their “song,” “Dancing in the Moonlight” playing, just before he proposed. Once inside of the house, she was surprised again with an engagement party thrown by both families!

It was definitely a memorable night.

Two days and one under the weather bushdog later, and Sunday night brought more chaos and festivities!

Sunday was the official party release of both “Lily” AND the brand, new book “Happy Birthday, St. Louis!”

It was very exciting to celebrate with friends and family. We were lucky to have “Happy Birthday’s” illustrator, Ed Koehler, present to sign books as well.

I want to thank everyone who came out to mark this occasion and check out the new books. I hope that everyone had fun and enjoyed ending their weekend the best way possible…with lots and lots of cake!

Above are a few snapshots of the fun!