My First Race

Wow.

If you would have asked me a couple years ago if I would ever consider myself a runner, I would have laughed at you, came up with some bullshit about being worried about my knee and tried to change the subject. Well, that was a couple years ago.

As per my last post, I have begun running. I like it. It's tough, and sometimes I am gasping for breath, really wondering how I am going to move one foot in front of the other yet one more time, but it's totally worth it.

I like the challenge, I like how there are so many ways to measure improvement, that you can always tell whether today was better or worse than the day before. I love how it is outdoors, and bad weather doesn't necessarily mean being stuck inside.

Today I ran my first 5k race. It was a humbling experience to see how fast most of the group ran - I was in the last batch of finishers, that's for sure. It was amazing to see the guy in front, sprinting his way to the finish line, and to see the women pushing their baby strollers.

Despite the struggle, I loved every minute of it! I did manage to learn a thing or two:

1. Always charge the Ipod the day before;
2. Wake up a few hours before and eat oatmeal;
3. Post-run hotdogs are a good idea;
4. Have a variety of clothes to deal with weather changes;
5. Meet people; and
6. run with someone else if possible.

I am sure there will be lots of lessons in the future!

The running bride

Went to the Billiards club last night for Bryan's birthday. It was a pleasant experience being there, seeing old friends and having a good time. We were approached by a kid asking us to dance who was born in 1991. It made me feel old.

Wedding planning is going well. Everyone has been asking me how things are progressing, so I figured I would post about it. That way, this time next year, I will be able to look back at these days and laugh... or cry.

Invitations are finished, now just a matter of sending them out. I am aiming to hand deliver most invitations, however I expect that some will have to be mailed to those I rarely get a chance to see. I am struggling with not letting people bring dates. I want to make it clear that we simply don't have the room to have people invite dates whom I have never met. Any suggestions on what to write in the invitation would be more than welcome!

Mom has this epic slide show made. I am looking forward to seeing it! We're looking at 20 minutes of T.J. and Jodi goodness!

We're going shopping for rings today. Should be fun. I am not going for anything spectacular. I really like my engagement ring, but would like something in a wedding band that I could wear while traveling and not be perpetually worried about getting mugged.

Speaking of traveling... Kinda... Running is going well. I love running. Really odd considering that only a few months ago I hated and feared the thought of running more than a couple blocks. Angela has joined me at the Running Room. We are training for our first 5km, though I think I will be running a 5 Km with Cindy on Saturday.

All of my running is geared towards a 1/2 marathon (approximately 21 km run) in Las Vegas in December. I know that it is a really big goal, and there are some people who have warned me of how high I have set my sights, but you know, I have never set my sights on something and not done it. So I will take this dedication and apply it to running, and complete my half marathon.

And who knows? Maybe we'll do a marathon next year!

Articling is winding to a close. I am planning my bar call, and how life will feel like when the other students show up and I actually have words of wisdom for others in the firm. Should be great!

It's April and I don't have exams! Talk about a wonderful feeling. I can walk through the city, smell the hot dogs at the stands, look up at the clearest blue sky imaginable, and not want to be anywhere but here. Edmonton is beautiful in the spring... a little dirty from the remnants of winter, but once the first rain comes, there is no prettier place on the planet.

Today, we golf!