The Broad Running Broad

The other night Mom texted me asking if May will be 10 years since I’ve graduated from college. It will, and the timing of that text is a bit ironic. Ever since I last wrote, I feel like I’m back in that late-semester sprint.

DayJob has been busy, but great and I’m still having more fun at work than is probably normal.

I got my textbook to start studying for some professional certifications. My goal is take the exam in July or August, and admittedly, studying has been pretty slow. Mostly because my brain is more oriented towards running and Carmel than it is learning the foundations of underwriting.

Carmel is this upcoming Saturday. Based off my running so far and average pace – as well as the fact the Carmel course looks to be hillier than what I normally run on – I’ve decided I’m going to treat this as a “done is good” run and not worry too much about the “race” part. Meaning I’m figuring I’ll likely be running a slower mile than usual, so I’m not beating myself up about finish times.

I’m also feeling a bit nervous about the drive to Carmel. Over this past winter my stupid ABS and two traction lights have kept flicking on. Since it only happened on colder days and not the unseasonably warm ones, I figured it was the cold messing with my car. I’ve been to two different mechanics and had multiple fixes on the car – including getting a new battery put in, which car forums said is a common culprit for my problems – and got new tires put on. That stupid ABS light wouldn’t turn off until Saturday. I told Mom I was tired of going to mechanics and spending money, so unless something goes wrong in Carmel, I’m not messing with it anymore.

The other thing that makes me nervous about driving to Carmel is the roundabouts. There’s a few around my neck of the woods, and in neighborhoods or country roads I feel fine going around them. It’s the major intersection roundabouts that stress me out, and reportedly Carmel has 125 of them throughout the city.

But on the plus side, one of my best friends and I are making plans to catch dinner after the race. So even if the ride and the race sucks, I get to see her and have a great Saturday evening.

Now that we’re up to date, let’s talk about yesterday morning.

I had a discount code from previously volunteering and used it to register for the Choo Choo 9 miler, which I ran yesterday as a shake out for Carmel.

Yesterday morning was 32 and frigid when I left my place. The Weather Channel said it was going to be in the 40s during the run, which takes place on the Scioto Greenways trail. I dressed for the 40s and expected shade, wearing cropped leggings and a long sleeve.

I figured out pretty quickly that I would have been smarter to wear a T-shirt instead of my long-sleeve. There was more sunshine than shade. Granted it was a beautiful morning, but it got hot out there.

I also forgot how much elevation change there was along that particular trail. But then again, Carmel has some hills, so the race as a shake out run might not have been a bad idea at all.

My calves currently do not agree with me though. At least I have an unopened bag of Epsom salt under the sink, so I’m pretty sure I will survive.

My final time for the Choo Choo 9 miler – 1:49:52. Slower than I was anticipating but not surprising or disappointing. If anything, the pace my watch put me at – 11:47 – determined that my planned pace for Carmel is the best option for how training has gone.

So Reader-Friends, this is where life has been for me. Going well, just busy and occasionally stressful. I hope you all have a great week ahead. And to my knights ‘n dames in the US – if you’re in the path of the eclipse, make sure you wear some protective eyewear before you go outside. My neck of the woods has been going bonkers since January, to the point I just want today to be over with. Thank God I’m working from home.

Yours in running and life,

Allison