Simply Gorgeous

What a gorgeous sunset today. Gorgeous!

The last few days:

Friday I watched Sandra Valls in action. She is hilarious! I was still laughing about it days later. She performed several shows over the weekend in the city. I hope many more of you catch her on stage, she's awesome.

Saturday I wore a glittery top that was probably too glittery for the baptism celebration I was attending that evening, but in my defense - it WAS a Saturday night, I'm trying here.

Sunday I went on a short LONG run. I ran five miles. That's it. I know, I know, very inspiring. I will try to get-in some real and inspiring running this week. And I have just the motivation I need: two upcoming 5k's. One is a fundraiser for the charter school near my house, and the other is the Wondergirl 5k happening on the Southside. Girls rock!

In the meantime, enjoy the sunsets (and sunrises.)

blah, blah, blah

Blagh, sums up the last few days, weeks, etc. My running has been very inconsistent, especially the past three weeks. I think I was feeling a bit of a burn-out after the big race last month. In the past year since I stared running races I've done eight 5k's, two 8k's, one 10-miler and 1 half-marathon. I think I needed a bit of a break. But enough of that, break's over; I have a long run planned for Sunday. This week I've been out for one run and hopefully I'll get one in tomorrow; easing back into it. And hopefully one or two turkey trots before Winter.

This was the second week of my class at Northwestern. Having class on Monday nights makes the week fly by. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. But on the bright side, in 8 weeks I'll be done with the Certificate program; yaaay for me!

Hey, you know who I saw this week? Well, let me tell you. Pepe! I hadn't seen him since the Summer last year. Things are going very well for him. He's traveling/touring lots and back in the studio for some recording time. That's what happens when you're actually living your passion. Yeah, I gotta remember that.

What's YOUR passion?

good times

Let me tell you about last Friday. I went for a run after work (it had been a week.) I was going to run my new route to the planetarium and back. That was the plan. But you know plans have a way of not working out. I was feeling really good, fresh legs and all. But about 1.5 mile into the run my IT band started acting up again, uggh! Crap! What the hell? I tried running through the discomfort, that didn't work. I tried walking it off, that made the pain worse. I turned around and headed back. Total running/walking distance was about 3 miles. I didn't even look at time. What a bust. I was bummed. But then my spirits were lifted.

I stopped by Q's Hispanic Heritage Month closing ceremonies. There was food and cake and Angel Melendez's 911 Mambo Orchestra was performing, yaaay! I luuuuv them, they rock! There was a small dance floor set-up in the room. You know I had to dance at least one song. I was wearing my running shoes, which are not optimal for cutting up the rug. But that's ok, it didn't stop me from enjoying the music. I learned a very important lesson here: always, always carry dancing shoes ;) I danced the last song of the night, I took off my shoes and danced in my socks. Hellooooooo.

No long-run over the weekend. I indulged in extra zzz's.

Oh yeah, I went for a run today after work. It was so very windy this evening. But it was great running weather, probably in the 60's or 70's, I have no idea. My legs felt fresh. I ran the path to the planetarium again, and you know what, I felt great. So much so that when I reached the planetarium entrance I ran up the stairs, ά la Rocky. I'm such a dork. It was a great run! Things are looking up.

today's stats: 4.3 mi.; 44 min.

I'm baaaack!

OK, I went for a run and all is gooooood! Although it had been about 5 days since my last run it felt like it had been much longer. All week long I kept fixating on how my right knee was feeling. I'm happy to report that my IT band is an issue no more. Whew, thank goodness. My run went really well. And let me tell you, it was exactly what I needed. I was in a bit of a foul mood late in the afternoon. Getting out there for a run and fresh air was the cure. But boy, it was very humid out there. Who would've thunk it? 80˚ plus in October?

I started at an easy pace and didn't push anything too much, but I was trying to be consistent. I didn't have a plan on how many miles to do, I thought I would do about 3 miles. I was feeling really good so I decided to run to the planetarium and then loop back to work. It turned out to be almost 4.5 miles total, and I felt great!

The marathon is happening Sunday and hopefully I'll be on the sidelines cheering on the runners. Good luck to everyone running it.

today's stats: 4.4 mi.; 44 min.

Cugat! and Tango

Tonight I enjoyed Luna Negra Dance Theater's "antojito." The dance company performed a sampling of new work which they will perform later this month. They performed excerpts from two new pieces, it was awesome! The performance took place at the Joffrey Studios and also included a Q & A session with four of the dancers and the company's artistic director. Very cool, indeed. It was so amazing to be in an intimate setting with the dancers so up-close. Definitely a highlight.

I ran into Jose, who I hadn't seen in months, after the performance. He's an apprentice with Luna Negra this season and things are going well for him. It was wonderful to see him, he's performing very soon and I hope to see him do that.

I will try for a run tomorrow. I haven't been out since Sunday's race. The weather has been amazing, but I've been resting my right leg. I've been icing and resting for the past four days, I hope my IT band isn't an issue again. We will see how it goes.

eres mío

I always turn to you.
If I'm feeling peaceful, melancholy, joyful, ecstatic, sad, mad, unmotivated, happy, excited, anything, everything, I turn to you.
You're always there.
I ask you for so much.
You ask for nothing.
You're always there.

Going to the dogs

I ran the PAWS Run for their Lives 8k Sunday. The race kicked my tail! Lots of doggies and their owners were out for the 4k walk too ('Tini, let's do it next year.) It was a beautiful day, but I was feeling a little under the weather. I had sinus congestion and body aches, but otherwise feeling pretty good and ready to run.

The first two miles were just fine and dandy. In fact, a fellow runner thanked me for being a good pacer for her, your welcome, I wasn't even trying. Like I said, all was fine and dandy and good until about 2.5 miles, and then, huh?, what's that feeling? I felt a little bit of a pull on the outside of my right knee. I wasn't in any pain, but I was aware of the sensation. I felt fine to continue to run, except going downhill. Owww, okay right knee, you've got my attention. And what was it with the course? Is it me, or did we run loops? No? Just me? Oh.

The runner I was pacing left me in her dust after mile 3, good for her. I just wanted to finish, and please, no more downhills. I kept plugging along, enjoying the path and the sound of my feet carrying me through to the end. The more I do this the more I find comfort in quiet footsteps and heavy breathing. Only two more miles left, "I can do this, twenty more minutes, I can do this." I finished strong and had a good time time doing it. Afterwards I enjoyed a much deserved hot dog and other goodies. Results will be posted tomorrow, I can't wait, I have no idea how I did.

By the way, good news; crossing your fingers does work. I received a phone call today from Luna Negra; I got tickets and I am on the guest list for their performance Thursday, yaaaay!

Okay, one very last thing: I did PR on Saturday's 5k. My time - 25:00!!!

Sunday's stats: 8k; 49:29 unofficial