My 40 for 40 | Peaches Prattlings

{August 17, 2014} Traveling with animals

It’s interesting.

Today, I packed up the car with some stuff, a cat box, food and two cats. How much do you think they liked that?

I picked up my car and cats to drive to Ann Arbor and then next week I will drive to my next project. Let’s just say they weren’t the happiest creatures; dogs, at least most of them, like going for rides in the car. Not so with cats.

After we wrangled each cat into a carrier, loaded the car and took off. The crying started. Who are we kidding, it started as soon as they were in their crates! After I was on the main highway and knew I was in for a long stretch, I let them out of their carriers and let them roam around, that seemed to help a little.

Peanut thought she needed to be at my feet or on my lap, the lap was fine and after a while she disappeared under one of the seats and didn’t come out until I got to the hotel. Jymy got on my shoulder like she did when she was a kitten and acted like a neck pillow for a while and eventually she sacked out on the passenger seat and slept there the entire trip.

I had no troubles when I got to rest stops or gas stations, they strayed right where they slept and never tried to get out and of course tried to stay in the car when we got to the hotel, go figure.

I’m in a pet friendly Hilton, which is great and I’m looking forward to having them with me on my next project, they’re calming…most of the time.

So…I drove about 9.5, maybe 10 hours today and have about 9 or 10 tomorrow with two cats, hopefully the crying won’t last too long…who wants to trade places with me?

{August 17, 2014} Warrior Dash…Go!

Today, I participated in the Warrior Dash at Copper Mountain, CO and had a blast!

I participated in the Warrior Dash two years ago in Georgia, actually, my first obstacle/mud run. Then, as I’m thinking about it, I’ve participated in 11 obstacle/mud runs over the last two years! WOW! One of the tag lines for The Warrior Dash is “The hardest, most fun you’ll ever have” and it was!

Admittedly, I skipped 4 of the 11 obstacles and I’m ok with that, I’m the only one who has to live with it! The obstacles that I skipped involved steep drops on the other side and I don’t trust what happens with my ankles in those cases. The first one I was already waiting 15 minutes to do because there was a bottle neck and it would have been another 15/20 minutes before I had the opportunity to go. But…it was awesome the way everyone was helping each other, especially on that first obstacle, either push or pull over the top and then the cheering was fantastic!

The last obstacle I skipped was the last one, which i would have enjoyed a lot. It was a cargo net climb and then a slide down into a pool. There wasn’t enough water at one point, so they had to shut down while they pumped water in so it would be safe. It was already a 30 minute delay and it would be another 30 minutes, maybe more, no thanks! Although, it did make the end of the run a little anti-climactic!

I will say, there wasn’t enough mud or barbed wire, like the first one I did, but…it was Colorado and there was SNOW! Before the mud pit, there was about .20 running through snow! What? Too cool!

All in all, it was a fun run, lots of people encouraging each other and just having fun and getting down and dirty, what more could you want!

After the run, it was time for a KILLER veggie burger and yes, you can say that, but only after I finally donated my sneakers, they had seen at least 6 of the mud runs for the last two years and it was time. I guess I’ll be calling RG to hook me up with a new pair of sneaks so i can turn my current ones into mud ones!

Hmmm…what’s next?

https://www.warriordash.com/location/2014-warrior-dash-colorado/

{August 11, 2014} I beat my time!

Tonight, I participated in the UA Pipefitters 5k and I bet my time!

The UA Plumbers and Pipefitters have descended upon Ann Arbor over the weekend and tonight, at 6:50pm there was a 5k and of course i had to participate!

The run was sponsored by the Semper Fi Fund, which is a nonprofit, and its program America’s Fund, are set up to provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for wounded, critically-ill and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. What an amazing organization! Please read everything about it and what they do and stand for. http://semperfifund.org/

I put on my new running skirt with the sugar skulls and matching armbands and headed out with KLS downtown Ann Arbor in the pouring rain and got ready to run a 5k. The rain got lighter as the minutes passed and just after we started, it stopped! The Marines wouldn’t stand for rain during their run, right DCM?

I started the run off strong, but the humidity kind of got to me. I ran the first 1.3 miles, then walked about .2 miles, finding out that I had one of my best times for a mile 11 minutes! Then I started running again and when I finally crossed the finish line…40:49, I beat my time from last week by almost one minute! What? Awesome! It can only get better from here! I am stoked! I finished and beat my time! Who rocks? ME!

http://www.uapprun5k.com/

{August 2, 2014} I ran 3.1 miles!!! My day…

OMG! Minus 30 seconds for stopping for color application and a water break, I ran the entire 3.1 [5k] miles!!!

Today started way too early! I fell asleep between 12 and 1 and at 3:45 woke up with a start and didn’t go back to sleep! What? I couldn’t fall back asleep, so I stayed awake and left by 6:30 and got downtown in no time, found a place to park and headed to the start. Today was The Color Run, http://thecolorrun.com/, I did it year in Atlanta with SDL, Miss A, CKM and CTS, so much fun and color! “the happiest 5k on earth!”

I went running with MH a few weeks ago and he gave me pointers about running, telling me there are 5 speeds and 1 is as slow as you can go without it being a walk, but can keep momentum for longer distance, especially when you’re first starting. So, I employed his advice and stayed at a 1 when we started and I ran the entire 5k, as I mentioned above, minus 30 seconds! I couldn’t believe it! I actually ran the entire way! It is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, as I’ve told you before and today I did it! It gives me so much home for other runs and the half marathons I’ve signed up for!

Now, I’m not getting ahead of myself, I am going to keep working on it, every day do as much as I can and maybe that is 3 miles and then work my way up to more. Look out world, here i come!

“Hey JJ, you just ran 3.1 miles start to finish, what are you going to do next?” “I’m going to the movies!” I went home, showered and then took myself to see Guardians of the Galaxy, review coming tomorrow [let me just say AWESOME!].

I bought the tickets early and then headed over to the mall, Old Navy had jeans on sale for $19, you can’t beat that and what beats that? Finding 3 pairs of jeans on the sale rack for about $4!!! I spent $13 for 3 pairs of jeans! What? I also went to Verizon to talk about the crappy battery on my phone, so they gave me a new one, wahoo! Then a little more window shopping and headed home to apply heat and ice to my back.

Why am I applying heat and ice to my back you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. The other day, my sciatica, which hit me about 2 years ago when I was in Boston and let me tell you, that was some flight back to Atlanta. I had therapy for about a week, applied Bio-freeze and eventually it went away. Well, my back has started to ache over the last week or two and when I got back to Ann Arbor from Boston, hmmm do I sense a theme here? It hit me hard. I’ve been taking Alieve and transitioning from heat to ice for the last week. It’s been on and off since I got back to Denver and today, I did the run, no problem, but when I was showering I moved the wrong way and wrenched my back, hence the ice and heat.

Aside from the ouch with my back, an AMAZING DAY! I ran 3.1 miles, a great deal on jeans and saw an awesome movie! What could be better! How was your day?

{July 8, 2014} Peachtree and Expo photos…as promised

As promised, I wanted to share some photos from the Peachtree Expo and the Peachtree Road Race. I hope you enjoy.

Some cool and comfortable socks!

My new running dress! CKM got a very cute one in her colors!

New skirt, shorts and sleeves. Do you love the sugar skulls? I do!!!

Two new shirts, one a nod to my fabulous sister!

Our volunteer packet! Groovin’ t-shirt, home depot apron, Waffle House discount key tag [not pictured], Start Line credentials, 2014 pin, 5th year volunteer pin, [see it? it’s orange!] and our hat for volunteering 5 years! go us!

Our Peachtree Road Race 10k t-shirts and race bib! Do ya love it?!

To my friends who sell Thirty One…could you just diah!

Both knees wrapped up and ready for the race!

The start of the race as the sun comes up!

Here is the raising of the flag, spectacular!

The Wheelchair 10k Division

Thanks to the spectators who cheer us on and make us laugh!

Thank you to all the volunteers who work tirelessly along the route!

I can see the finish!

Thank you to all the police officers who keep us safe and in line [this is after the end of the run when the crews were opening the streets back up

{July 5, 2014} A marathon of a journey…for real!

Ok folks, get ready, this is going to be a douzy! We’re packing two days into one post! I owe ya!

Picture it..July 4th 4am! What? Yup, that’s when my day started…along with a bunch of other people in Atlanta, getting ready to participate or volunteer, or both, for the 45th running of the Peachtree Road Race.

I got up, hoping not to wake SDL or Miss A and I was successful. I got up, dressed and out of the house by 4:24 and I was on the road by 4:26. I made it to Phipps Plaza to park by 5am, they were closing the road by 5:30. I met up with CKM and checked in for my post. It was our 5th year volunteering for the Peachtree Road Race and this year, we got a special pin! We get a pin every year we volunteer and every five years you get a special commemorative pin and we earned it!

Then we went to our post at the start, we were going to be corralling the seeded runners, getting them ready to line up to go forward and run their hearts out. First there was the Original 110. This group consisted of some of the original 110 runners from the first Peachtree Road Race in 1970 and there were also some of their grandkids, it was really cool. http://www.peachtreeroadrace.org/press-center/history

Next came the wheelchair racers and they were fantastic. It’s a lot of fun to watch them take off, it’s like a giant windstorm came through. They have several rows of the racers, the last row are the runners who push the wheelchair participants, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and so proud! The men’s and women’s winners were both American! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peachtree_Road_Race#Wheelchair_race_divisions

Then came the Women’s 10k World Championship followed a few minutes later by the Men’s 10k World Championship. Both the men’s and women’s winners were American in this race group as well! http://www.peachtreeroadrace.org/articles/view/landry-hastings-win-on-picture-perfect-peachtree-day

Before The Original 110 group, a duo sang America the Beautiful and before the Championship races, they sang The National Anthem. It’s amazing to see the flag flying, all the participants looking up at the amazing flag with their hands on their hearts, some, like me with our hats in our hands covering our hearts and to feel such pride as I listen and sing and know that it has so much meaning to me and to this country and I will be honest, there is no other song that makes me tear up when i hear it as The National Anthem.

Then Group A followed a few minutes later by Group B and at that point CKM came running across the road to return her placard, I had already returned mine, since I was on that side of the street and as soon as Group C went, we jumped in at the very end, crossed the start and we were off!

We had a lot of fun, walking, talking, hi-fiving kids and adults alike, seeing great costumes and signs and enjoying the beautiful 67 degree morning! Yes folks, I said 67 degrees in Atlanta in JULY!!! That was unheard of, but it was perfect! I actually had long sleeves on for a while!

It took us officially 1:49:33. Out of 28693 women participating, I came in 25589. I’m pretty proud! There were 28478 men, 29694 women and 57171 total finishers. Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

I really enjoy the tradition that CKM and I have had for the past 6 years and I look forward to volunteering and participating in the Peachtree Road Race as long as we win the lottery and get numbers!

There was another cool thing that happened. Meb Keflezighi, who won the Boston Marathon this year and was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1983 was doing the Chase Keflezighi, fundraising for Kilometer Kids, a kids running club, hoping to raise $75,000 by starting LAST at the Peachtree Road Race and had a goal of passing 22,500 participants!!! You know he did it! http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/keflezighi-runs-down-pack-at-ajc-peachtree/ngZBG/

After we crossed the finish line, we made our way with thousands of other participants to get our coveted finishers t-shirts. I know I always say that I do these races for the t-shirt and this is one a lot of people will say they do for the shirts. This is one of the few races that you only get your shirt after you finish the race. It really is a coveted shirt and people wear it proudly like a badge of honor!

After the run, we got our shirts, some fruit and popsicles and ice cream and started to walk to get something to eat. I want you to keep in mind just how much we walked. We just finished a 10k, that’s 6.2 miles. Then we walked about 2.5 miles to get to the Flying Biscuit Cafe for some breakfast to include some creamy dreamy grits! Oh My! So worth the 45 minute wait, with everyone else! http://www.flyingbiscuit.com/

After brunch, we started walking towards the MARTA [train] station and decided we didn’t want to get on the train with everyone else so we were going to walk down to the next station on Peachtree Street. Neither one of us remembered that there isn’t a MARTA stop on Peachtree until we were almost back at the start so…we walked the 6.2 miles back to our cars! What? In total we walked about 16 miles! That is crazy! CKM realized she had walked a half marathon, unofficially is what she said while she was laughing through the pain! [Please send good vibes to her for the seven blisters she got on her feet!] Yes you did! And it was great practice for me for the half I’m doing in February. Although…I might be doing one in Las Vegas in November, I’ll keep you posted! I need to get her a 13.1 t-shirt!

Tired yet? Just hold on!

After we got back to our cars, I headed out to Suwanee to see my friend LK and her family. I met them at the pool and we had a great time! As soon as I changed into my bathing suit, I jumped in the pool and stayed there until we got out to go home two hours later! It was great, we talked, I played with the kids and got some extra sun.

At the house, we made pizzas for dinner, the kids had friends over, there was a lot of laughter, shouting and fun. After dinner, we showered and dressed, I carved a watermelon basket, I’m getting better at them! And then went up the hill to the top of the cul-de-sac for some snacks and fireworks! I talked to a couple who’s son lives in…wait for it…Broomfield! What are the odds! and some other very nice neighbors they have. One of the older neighborhood kids were letting off fireworks, some of them were really good and some just noisy.

About 10pm, I walked the youngest, K back to the house, we put on jammies and cuddled under the blankets and a little while later everyone else came home and found us dozing on the love seat. After she sent the kids to bed LK I sat, folded laundry and talked, it was really nice. I know I’ve told you about LK, we grew up together and being in that house is like being at home and I love it.

Like the last time I was there, I had an allergic reaction to something so I took a Benedryl and got a little sleepy, let’s just say. I wrote to you and then passed out, waking today about 11:40am, it was awesome! I had woken up about 6am and then 8am and I decided that was not going to be the final word and fell back asleep, I got a text that woke me telling me there were pancakes on the counter! Thank you! It was so awesome to catch up on some sleep and I will be able to go another few months on 3-4 hours a nite! SO NICE!

I got up, showered and dressed, had some pancakes and then everyone came home from wherever they were. At 2:30, they were all heading to the pool, so I kissed and hugged everyone, got in the car and headed to TS’ house.

I told you this would be a long one!

At TS’ house, I found SF and her friend C, they were going to a movie nearby and wanted to see TS’ new furniture. It was nice to catch up with them and after they left, TS and I got down to business, catching up in person!

I have to tell you, she was the first person to tell me that reading my blog was like sitting across from me at the table, she always knows what’s going on in my life and sometimes feels like she’s hearing things for the second time when I tell her a story!

We talked about going to a movie and then time got away from us and we talked until it was time to cook dinner and we cooked together, it was great! Eggplant with pesto, sauce and mozzarella [well, the cheese was for TS], asparagus and multi-colored baby carrots and some cold salads she had picked up, a feast!

After dinner, we kept talking, finally her cat, Molly came downstairs to say hello, we cuddled and TS and I kept talking. All of a sudden, we realized it was 12am and we needed to get some sleep, we’re going to tour the Oakland Cemetery tomorrow, which I’m very excited to do since I have never done it!

Tomorrow or Monday, I will post photos from this weekend! Right now, I wish you all a great night and get some sleep, unless you already fell asleep from this long post!

{July 3, 2014} Atlanta Day 1…What a day! First class, Beetle, good food, good friends, expo, walking!

Are you ready? I’ve had a long day, you might need a nap!

The day started way too early, as it always does when I fly out early and today was no different. I opened my eyes at 6:10am, unsure why my eyes were open at 6:10am, when I had just fallen asleep a few hours earlier. Then I remembered that I was flying to Atlanta at 8:30am so it was time to get up.

First thing I did was call Ryan at the front desk and say “Ryan, I have a 6:30am wake up call…I’m awake”. I had already packed last night, so I showered, dressed and walked out the door to get into my new black Beetle, I miss my Annie! Headed to the airport, waited for the shuttle for what seemed an eternity, finally got to the airport and checked in for my first class seat! I got the email yesterday that my request for upgrade was granted. I didn’t have to pay, I am automatically on the upgrade list. Go me!

I got to Atlanta got my bag, which I saw later one of the sipper pulls is broke, pook, and headed out to Avis to get my car. I looked at the reservation which I had made for today through Monday and for some reason it only showed today to tomorrow. Huh? I talked to the woman at the counter and she said it’s all good, I’m not just Avis Preferred, I’m Avis First, that seems to hold some weight. The very nice woman at the counter said I can give you an upgrade for no extra charge, but it’s a Beetle! Go figure! I’ll take it!

I headed downtown to meet CKM for lunch. The place we originally picked out was closed so we found something better, a cool NY deli where they yelled and it made me feel at home! A fantastic egg salad sandwich and a potato knish..yum! http://www.reubensdeliatlanta.com/about-us

Next, it was over to the Georgia World Congress Center to pick up our race packets for the Peachtree Road Race tomorrow. Then we followed tradition, ours, and walked around the expo looking at the different vendors and picked up a few things. I’ll show you pictures soon, I’m so beat! Bottom line, we had fun, tried stuff on, bought so some stuff and laughed a lot

After we were done with the expo I took CKM back to her car and headed to meet SDL and Miss A for dinner. I felt really bad that I wasn’t able to meet them at the pool earlier, I love watching Miss A swim!

We met at Smokerise Pizza where I got baked eggplant and pasta, it was tasty. We caught up while we ate and SDL fed Miss A and then, i held out my hand to Miss A, she took it and began walking like a champ! She even let go of my hand, walked a few steps and then pushed my hand away and stood on her own for at least ten seconds! I almost burst out crying!

Anyone who knows Miss A knows what a big deal this is! So…I walked around with her for about thirty minutes and her mom, SDL, said “you know you can’t leave now, right!” I’ll take it! What a joy, so much laughter!

After dinner, we headed back to SDL’s house, had a bath, read a book and then it was time for night night and here I am telling you about my day. Ok, enough? Nap time?

Yes, definitely nap time, I have to get up at FOUR AM to meet CKM at Phipps Plaza so we can participate in our fifth year volunteering for the Peachtree Roadrace, we get a special pin for our five years! And then we are going to participate in the Peachtree Roadrace.

Now it’s time for lights out! Good night!

{June 19, 2014} Hello CKM! Welcome to A2!!!

I have a visitor for the week and it’s CKM!

About a month ago, I asked CKM what she was doing for her birthday and then I said, come see me in Michigan and she said yes! Well, yesterday was her birthday and she went out and got pampered with a massage, mani and pedi…and why shouldn’t she? She deserves it!

Today, she packed up her bags and got on a flight from Atlanta to Detroit to see me. The only bad part about this week is that I have to work every day she is here except Sunday, so Sunday will be a fabulous brunch and whatever she wants to do. There are a lot of great things happening around Ann Arbor this month, let alone this month.

She got in while I was at work, dropped her bags at the hotel, where everyone has been looking forward to meeting her because, of course, I have been talking about her coming to visit for a while, and headed out to walk downtown, do a little retail therapy and get a feel for this great town. She also went to Zingerman’s, think she was hungry when I picked her up? Not a chance!

When I was done with work, I picked her up, went back to the hotel, changed clothes and we headed out to Chelsea in search of entertainment and dessert. CKM is great about researching areas to visit and what to do, so of course, she knew that there would be live music in Chelsea on Thursday night. We got there, parked and walked in the direction of the music, which was everywhere!

There were lone musicians performing on one street, trios on another, the Celtic House Orchestra, which was made up of tie-dyed wearing teenagers playing different instruments, most predominant was the fiddle and got our toes tapping and our hands clapping.

We went in a few shops, found some treats for ourselves and others, went to Zou Zous where CKM got some yummy ice cream and I got some veggie soup, it was very tasty! While we sat outside we ate, laughed, caught up on each other, listened to some music, checked out the dogs and just took in the sights and sounds.

About 9, we had seen a lot and things were shutting down and it was time for us to head back to the hotel with a quick stop at Bob’s Big Boy for a photo op.

Here we are back at the hotel, just relaxing and enjoying each other’s company and in about five minutes, I’m going to pass out as I need to get up in a few hours. Have a great night!

I can’t wait to find out what adventure awaits us tomorrow!

{June 10, 2014} I signed up for what?

The Star Wars Rebel Challenge!

This is an inaugural race for Disneyland and I’m in on it! Every so often Disney, either land or world launch new races. I have participated in two so far, the Everest Challenge, which was a 5k scavenger hunt that was at night and went through Animal Kingdom. It was fun, we started in the parking lot and headed into the park and a few times they had signs that said “Quiet, the animals are sleeping”.

The next race was the Disney Enchanted 10k, this was part of an inaugural race series as well, there was a 10k and half marathon that made up the Glass Slipper challenge. This one started way too early in the morning, what was i thinking? I know I told you about that one.

Well, there was a Marvel Super Hero run that i saw and didn’t sign up for this year, but when this Star Wars Rebel Challenge came up, I so had to get in on it! I had decided that I wanted to do another half marathon at some point and get in on a Disney one at that and how could I turn down this opportunity!

I am going to be running the 10k on Saturday, way too early and the Half Marathon on Sunday, way to early, but I’m going to do it! And…then I will find another half marathon because…if you do two half marathons in one year, one at Disneyworld and one at Disneyland, you get a coast to coast medal! The more bling the better!

I am also going to start training because what I really want to do is run the entire thing! I am going to do my best and I know I will finish, but what I really want to do is run the entire thing! That’s been a goal of mine for a while, to run a full 5k, so i am going to start small and get that accomplished and move on to the next and bigger and better.

I will be telling you more and more about it as I make my journey! Thanks for always being my support

http://www.rundisney.com/star-wars-half-marathon/

{May 10, 2014} Ready…Set…Go!

You might need a nap after you hear about my day!

My day started at 6:15am (yes. 6:15am on a Saturday morning), I had a class to teach to no one. Even when a class is scheduled and no one is registered, you still need to be there at least one hour.

I used my time wisely, I updated class questions, did my expenses and time, answered some emails, definitely used my time wisely.

After I left, I went downtown Ann Arbor and took myself out for breakfast at Cafe Zola, it was yummy! I was all of a sudden hungry for lunch and eggs at the same time…egg salad sandwich on delicious challah it was! With some delicious blood orange tea, I was quite happy.

Next was back to the hotel, drop off the car for KS so she could run some errands. I changed out of my work clothes and headed across the way to the mall, it was time for a haircut.

While I waited for my turn, I walked around a little, I walked about two stores down to Payless, looking for summer shoes and ended up with a pair of faux suede brown boots, on sale even, score!

Time for a haircut. I went in with a picture that a friend had sent me and sat down and then she started to cut . She said it was going to be shorter, no worries, but then she’s cutting, cutting, cutting, finally, I gave up and just let her cut. I’ve had this cut before and it’s fine, I’m just annoyed I didn’t get what I wanted.

As I mentioned, I’ve had this cut before and in a day or two it will be back to normal, gotta add some gel and have fun with it. And…hello mom! I know I’ve told you I look like her, well..every time I get a short haircut, I look more like her. And that would be why it’s all good.

I headed back to the hotel, changed into some shorts and headed out again, nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. Oh my it felt so good! The massage chair, the foot rub, the hand massage, it was all wonderful and now my
the paws and claws look great! Lavender with a flower on the toes and deep burgundy for the fingers.

Walk, skip, dance to my music, back towards the hotel and then give KS a ride downtown to her class. I went back to the hotel, relaxed for a few minutes, got changed and headed out for the Bootlegger 5k. This was a race through the woods, following a trail that a bootlegger may have followed.

We had to get headlamps and it seemed silly at first, because it was light out, but boy were we all glad we had them! I did a little running, but more walking as the sun went down and the trail got a little more difficult to see, even with the headlamps.

At one point, we passed a pond and mother nature’s band, mainly frogs, serenaded us as we went past, it was terrific. At the end of the trail, there was moonshine! Three types: strawberry lemonade, cherry coke and apple pie. I tried the apple pie it was actually pretty good, I didn’t taste any alcohol.

For those of you who are friends with me on Facebook, go to my page, there’s a video of me drinking some moonshine, proof! It doesn’t happen very often, but there you have it!

About

After the run, back to the hotel, hot shower and write to you.

Now…the blinds and blackout curtain are drawn, it’s time for lights out! Good night!

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