It’s been so long since I have written that I am not sure where to start. So quick update. I moved to Chapel Hill in August to take a one-year teaching position at Elon University. Norm is still in Phoenix because we are not sure what will happen at the end of the school year. I have let my boss know that I would be happy to stay at Elon but I have also applied for about 10 jobs around the country, including one in Phoenix. So if anyone is a position to put in a good word at Estrella Community College, I would love to come to back to teaching for Maricopa Community Colleges.
It has been a bit busy. I am teaching a class I have not taught before. I have been trying to plan for the class, work on my dissertation, furnish an empty house and run. It has been a lot to manage, but with only me and Ava here it has been manageable. My youngest joined us in October after I was settled in a permanent house.
Running was a bit rocky at the start. I had the time but trying to learn new routes was a bit tricky. We were living in Airbnb’s until we could find a permanent house. Running in Chapel Hill was great, but we moved to Durham for a bit and the running there was not as great. There is some great running in Durham, but the area we were in wasn’t the best. Once we were settled back in Chapel Hill, I was able to focus on my running more. The running in Chapel Hill is amazing. I always feel so safe. There are always so many other runners out on the streets. There are some trails in town. They are beautiful to run on, but I get more climbing on the roads. It is really hilly here.
I have had about 3 months of just running. No plan, just leaving the house and running, I got a lot of long runs in because I was just enjoying checking things out and sometimes because I got lost. Everything has been a depletion run because I never have a plan for how long I will be out. I hadn’t really made any speed work plans but sometimes I just feel like running fast and so I do. So here I am at the end of November and I feel really fit. With one slight problem. I haven’t been going to yoga and my calves are tight causing heal pain in my left foot. I knew I just needed to go to yoga, but I haven’t found a place I like, and I hate trying new yoga places. I miss the Madison so much. For me, I go to yoga to get a workout and have fun. I am not a fan of places that take themselves so seriously. So many places here have so many rules. And I like class with current, fun music. I am not looking to chant. But I had to find a yoga place. I had endured the pain, but it got to the point where I could barely walk after sitting for too long. I stretch one day and go to yoga the next day and I am already 75% better.
The foot pain won’t be a problem, which is good because I signed up for a few races. I signed up for Umstead 100. I figured I live here, and I can train on the course. But then I started thinking about last year and how hard I trained to try to get a golden ticket to Western States. I signed up for Bandera 100K. My mom and I are going to meet up in Houston and drive to Borne, Texas. When I told my mom I was going to Texas for a race I think I forgot to tell her it was a 100K race because she seemed a little surprised when I said I would around 9 hours to finish. I also signed up for Black Canyon 100K. I know the course and after some failure there, I know what I need to do. Two chances is better than one and I get to come home for a few days. But what is better than two chances? Three chances. So I got up this morning and put my name in the lottery for Lake Sonoma 50 mile and fingers crossed I will get my name drawn.
With Bandera 6 weeks away, I need to get serious about training. Not the running part, it would be a little late to get serious about that. I need to clean up my diet a bit. Less wine for sure. I also need to stay serious about the yoga. Not just because of my tight calves, but because it is also where I keep my head straight. I went to yoga this morning and my foot is feeling great.
I ended the week with 70 miles and 7600 feet of climbing.
It has been a bit busy. I am teaching a class I have not taught before. I have been trying to plan for the class, work on my dissertation, furnish an empty house and run. It has been a lot to manage, but with only me and Ava here it has been manageable. My youngest joined us in October after I was settled in a permanent house.
Running was a bit rocky at the start. I had the time but trying to learn new routes was a bit tricky. We were living in Airbnb’s until we could find a permanent house. Running in Chapel Hill was great, but we moved to Durham for a bit and the running there was not as great. There is some great running in Durham, but the area we were in wasn’t the best. Once we were settled back in Chapel Hill, I was able to focus on my running more. The running in Chapel Hill is amazing. I always feel so safe. There are always so many other runners out on the streets. There are some trails in town. They are beautiful to run on, but I get more climbing on the roads. It is really hilly here.
I have had about 3 months of just running. No plan, just leaving the house and running, I got a lot of long runs in because I was just enjoying checking things out and sometimes because I got lost. Everything has been a depletion run because I never have a plan for how long I will be out. I hadn’t really made any speed work plans but sometimes I just feel like running fast and so I do. So here I am at the end of November and I feel really fit. With one slight problem. I haven’t been going to yoga and my calves are tight causing heal pain in my left foot. I knew I just needed to go to yoga, but I haven’t found a place I like, and I hate trying new yoga places. I miss the Madison so much. For me, I go to yoga to get a workout and have fun. I am not a fan of places that take themselves so seriously. So many places here have so many rules. And I like class with current, fun music. I am not looking to chant. But I had to find a yoga place. I had endured the pain, but it got to the point where I could barely walk after sitting for too long. I stretch one day and go to yoga the next day and I am already 75% better.
The foot pain won’t be a problem, which is good because I signed up for a few races. I signed up for Umstead 100. I figured I live here, and I can train on the course. But then I started thinking about last year and how hard I trained to try to get a golden ticket to Western States. I signed up for Bandera 100K. My mom and I are going to meet up in Houston and drive to Borne, Texas. When I told my mom I was going to Texas for a race I think I forgot to tell her it was a 100K race because she seemed a little surprised when I said I would around 9 hours to finish. I also signed up for Black Canyon 100K. I know the course and after some failure there, I know what I need to do. Two chances is better than one and I get to come home for a few days. But what is better than two chances? Three chances. So I got up this morning and put my name in the lottery for Lake Sonoma 50 mile and fingers crossed I will get my name drawn.
With Bandera 6 weeks away, I need to get serious about training. Not the running part, it would be a little late to get serious about that. I need to clean up my diet a bit. Less wine for sure. I also need to stay serious about the yoga. Not just because of my tight calves, but because it is also where I keep my head straight. I went to yoga this morning and my foot is feeling great.
I ended the week with 70 miles and 7600 feet of climbing.
Pasta loves having a backyard and spends a lot of time out here.
Fall on campus is beautiful!
This wasn't as bad as I thought but I definitely need to add to my running wardrobe.
Note to self - you need to build in 5 minutes for defrosting to the morning routine.
One of my favorite places, The Carolina Forest. It's a few miles from my house and reminds me of the PMP. Not in looks, but in that you feel in the middle of no where while being right in the city.
