Chicago anxiety and regrets?

Update to original post:  I realized, after I originally posted this what has been bothering me so much... (A) I was worried I might offend someone by being honest (WTF?!?!?).  And (B) In Chicago, I had a conversation with someone (I am not giving specifics so as to have them remain anonymous) about someone else feeling "intimidated by the 'superstars' that were at the event" and deciding to either leave or not participate...and it's been eating at me because I always want to be inclusive but for the first time in a long time, I tried to be kind of selfish (i.e. for ME) this past weekend... and I am probably very presumptuous to even think I'm part of that group they were referring too, but I can't help but feel some guilt and sadness as I think about that comment, so maybe that puts the rest of this post in perspective.  As for (A) - this is my blog.  Screw it - I have to be honest first and foremost,  because that is who I am.  And (B)?  Read on...
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OK... bear with me.  Because remember, I write this blog for ME.  I'm not in a popularity contest, and I'm so sorry to hear that others have been bashing our trip (haven't seen those particular posts, but have seen others mention it.)  I blog to keep myself honest.  To be a correct representation of this journey so when I look back, or Lucia looks back, it is as close-to-honest-as-possible.  So, before you read any further, please know that I had a great time in Chicago.  BUT... I have mixed feelings...regrets...other-feelings-that-can't-be-named... and reading Steph's post tonight made me realize that I need to be honest about them.  So, here goes...
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First and foremost, I had a really good time in Chicago.  Please know that.  I loved meeting everyone.  BUT, it was hard.  I am so in awe of folks who went WAY out of their comfort zone and fought their social anxiety issues to even book their tickets, let alone come to Chicago.  I respect and understand how hard it was for you, and what I'm about to blog about probably doesn't compare.  But it's been eating at me... so, as I promised to always be honest, I need to be.
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I've had a hard time explaining how Chicago was to those closest to me.  I've gotten reactions like "it doesn't seem like you had a great time" or "are you sure you had fun?"... Because, you see, it is very, very hard for me to explain what those 44 hours (yes, not even 2 full days) were like.  When I arrived, I was in complete overwhelm.  I was so excited to get there - and then I did - and EVERYONE knew who I was.  This is the girl who, while able to "make friends" is a LEARNED EXTROVERT.  I am not really the social person that a lot of people think I am.  Yes people, I am NOT an extrovert by nature.  surprise!  I know once my voice was back on Saturday, that may be surprising to you - because that was the "fake" Sarah talking... The Sarah who has learned to act certain ways.  So to walk in and hear shouts of "SARAH!" was completely overwhelming.  I honestly wanted to turn around and go drink.  A lot.  Hide in the corner with a bottle of something.  Go read a book.  I don't know... anything other than be in that room.  But, I turned on my professional side and started socializing, and completely lost my (professional) ability to remember who was who.  So the whole weekend, I was thinking "Wait is this "X" from "X Blog"?  or was that "Y" from "Y" blog?  Shit!  Why can't I remember who is who?"  Stress.  STRESS!  And it was stressful for me that I only got to have very cursory, casual conversations with so many of you.  I wanted time to talk to everyone.  But honestly?  I was also there on a mission.  I had my list of a few folks I've followed from the very beginning who I JUST HAD TO TALK TOO... I HAD to get to know on a personal level.  And I feel very guilty about that, but on the other hand so happy that I got to connect with about 6 more of you on a much higher level than I had connected before.  At the same time, I struggle with this "angel/demon" issue that I know what I need personally, and I paid money for this, and I (for once) have to take care of me, blah, blah, blah... so if I either didn't spend enough time with you or didn't get to talk to you as much as I would have wished, I'm sorry.  There.  I have to let this go.  Because honestly?  While the weekend ROCKED, I have been feeling this amazing range of emotions about it, from on one end "I AM ON THE COMMITTEE TO PLAN IT NEXT YEAR!"  To on the other end, nope... that was it for me - I just can't do it... I'm going to do smaller visits from now on".  So hard.  But also so comforting to know that others of you are having similar feelings.  And yes, I too have some regrets about Saturday night.  It was fun, but I paid for it (wait - Jimmy and his crew paid for ALL of it) on Sunday flying home....  And most of all?  I regret not saying goodbye.  I just couldn't.  I hope you understand.  I just couldn't deal with my own emotions on Sunday morning, so I left quietly.  For those few of you I was able to say goodbye too, I'm thankful.  For those of you who I didn't, I'm sorry.  And continuing on being honest?  Coming home to my hubby and lu was the BEST thing ever.  I loved talking to my friends in Richmond who know me best... and my parents... and my hubby... and I love that he said "I think you just need to find a smaller group and go visit them - I don't care where it is...you aren't a big-crowd person"...  Just hearing that from him meant the world.  And getting the hugs from friends meant the world.  Maybe I'm not a big-town-girl... I don't know - home was so much more comforting than it has ever been...
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I hope you know that I had a great time.  It may not sound it above, and it was mentally exhausting for me - such an amazing range of emotions.  But I did have a great time.  I continue to be in awe of those of you who planned this - KUDOS!  Great job ladies!  And I wish I got to spend more time with so many of you.  But I also realized that within 50 amazing women, I'm not going to connect with everyone and I can't beat myself up for that.  I feel so blessed to have met (and follow) all of you and to share a similar journey, and I look forward to building stronger relationships with many of you.  And depending on when, where, etc... BOOBS 2.0 is next year, I'll play it by ear.  I'm not committing right now.  I AM committing to get up to NYC sometime between now and Summer 2011, and do Dos Caminos with my girls, Catherine & Jen in the city... and to visit Cindylew & Barbara next time I go home... and Jacquie/Steph next time I am in St. Augustine area... and I hope that BOOBS 2.0 will be in a place where I'll want to go and that it will work for my schedule, but I know if I can't, that I still have so many of you who are cheering me on in blogland.  Thanks for that - it means a ton.  And I hope that I don't hurt any feelings by this, but, if I do, sorry - I'm just being true to my original goal of blogging.  In full honesty, I love you all.  But I'm going to keep on being honest.  If I learned nothing else from this weekend, it is that (a) it is a good thing to be selfish and do something for YOU and (b) this group of women, overcoming so many hurdles (weight, fears, anxiety, etc...) is amazing.  You're all inspiring.

The Epic weekend of BOOBS...

The Entire BOOBS Group at Dinner...

Warning:  Long Post!!!
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What a great time!  I am still a bit tired out from the trip, but it was really so much fun.  I have to admit - getting there Friday night was a bit overwhelming to walk into the room and hear "SARAH!!!" And to look around and see my computer coming to life, not knowing who to say hi to first... JUST WILD!  I have so many fun little memories, like...

• The first person I see getting out of the shuttle was Rani - and I think possibly the best hug all night... and then "Damn, Sarah - I dropped my ciggie.... do you see it?!?!?"  And we looked all over the sidewalk for her cigarette, only to find it smoldering inside my bag! (LOL - nothing burned) - And I know that should I ever stop by Dubai, I have a couch to crash on!!!
• Meeting Stephanie, my roomie, after months of emailing each other to make sure that my needing the TV on to fall asleep, her need for a dark room, etc... wouldn't bug the crap out of each other!  Roommate success.
• Walking into the lounge and after starting to say hi to people, and seeing Catherine.  I have to say, when she and I locked eyes (sounds cheesy, huh?) I teared up and started crying a bit.  To have FINALLY met her after 18 months of blogging was just surreal... And then, a few minutes later, I got to meet Amy... (you were everything too!) I hope my fellow bloggers get this - but these two were the first women I began following (with Angie and Cara a close 3rd and 4th).  So to FINALLY meet them in person was worth the entire trip for me.  
• Meeting other women who kept telling me that I was one of the first that they followed... Amazing.
• Going out for dinner Friday night with Stephanie, Linda and Robin - and having a blast just getting to know them each a bit better... and laughing at the absolute incompetence of the wait-staff... so yes, I "borrowed"  a wine glass from there to make up for all their mistakes because it was the perfect size for my cold-medicine, which I realized I promptly forgot. 
• Saturday morning, walking down to the lobby to see 13 other women there at 7:15, ready for our 5K... and to complete it with them - what an honor!  Especially as it was the first 5K for a number of them.  Just amazing
• Celebrating every one of the 14 of us FINISHING the 5K (plus the 1.2 miles there and back).
• Seeing "The Bean" after the 5K (see the pictures below) and getting pix of us laying down (and it was HARD to get back up after that walk/run!)
• An amazing architecture tour - which honestly I wasn't sure about - I signed up to be with everyone, and realized that it was by far, one of the best ways to see Chicago
• Spending an hour or so with Catherine and Steph being recipients of more of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Clothes... and to watch Bonnie and Steph try things on that "probably won't fit" and they do - PRICELESS!!!
• Dinner... what can I say about dinner???  Just so great to meet so many women and all get dressed up...  and the best part for me personally, was getting to reveal the total amount of weight lost after "tallying" it up - 3435 pounds.  Absolutely amazing.
• Going to the bar afterwards and getting flirted with by Jimmy & a couple of other 40+ year old guys... (and they flirted with every other BOOB there) .  WHAT?!?!?  OK - that was FUN!  I think that is the first time in for EVER? that I've gotten free drinks from a guy flirting with me.  
• The Huevos Rancheros from Eleaven - YUM!  I am going to remake these at home.  Seriously.  How many of us got these for breakfast over the weekend?!?!?

Sunday sucked honestly because I felt like the weekend just started without me even getting to really know more than four or five people WELL, and also because the flight home was really bumpy.  I'm sorry I didn't say an "official" goodbye to folks but I couldn't.  Honestly, I was so overwhelmed at the end with this range of emotions about the entire weekend, that I thought leaving quietly would be better.  And I know I'm going to see many of you again and will definitely keep in touch via the blog-world. I am so grateful to everyone and so happy to know many more of you better than just on a computer screen.  I can't wait to see CindyLew & Barbara next time I head up to NJ, among others, and I can't wait to continue living your adventures with you, and am looking forward to seeing where next year brings us!  I'll upload a lot more of my pix to the shared site, but here are some for now.  As cheesy as it sounds, thanks for the memories!!!

 BOOBS 5K Team 

At the Finish!  We did it!

Steph & Jacquie

Girls at the Bean...

Catherine, Rani & Me

Amy & Me

Catherine & Me

Rani & Me

Stephanie & Me

Draz & Me 

Deb & Me 

Jen, Catherine & Me

7 hours and counting I'll be Chicago bound...

Whooo hoooo!!!  I have 5 1/2 hours at work to get thru, then wait at the airport... of course now I am wondering why I didn't book an earlier flight, but it is what it is!!!  Can't wait to meet everyone in a few hours!  Just need to find some Sudafed pre-flight and I'll be all set.  I think a stop at the drugstore on the way to the airport is in order!

Although sick, I found a dress for Chicago!

In slightly better news, I got a dress for Chicago...  this one - I love it!  I ran by Target to get some Mucinex, travel shampoo, etc... for the trip and stopped into Sears and this was on 70% off clearance.  Score!  Very flirty and cute, and will look great with my jacket and black flip-flops for walking / heels for dancing!

I'm cooking up chicken soup, have my cup of OJ, and then hope to get another 20 minute nap before taking Lucia to the doc this afternoon.  Thanks for all the well wishes.

Sick and Tired

Not OF anything (well that isn't exactly true).  

I'm Sick.  And I'm Tired.  

Why now?  Seriously?  Now is NOT the time for a chest/head cold.  I have a fun-filled weekend in Chicago staring me in the face and I get sick NOW?!?!?  Ugh.  I am not someone who calls in sick unless I am really not feeling good - even though I love the idea of playing hooky, my inner self has a work-ethic that is too strong to lie.  The guilt starts kicking in when I even think about it.  This morning?  I called in without any guilt at all, so I must not be feeling good.  I am staying home today, and going back to bed now... hopefully between that, a nap this afternoon, and early bedtime plus plenty of OJ, tea, etc.... I will feel better tomorrow.  I am taking Lucia in to the Allergist this afternoon for her stick testing, and am going to beg him to hook me up with a Zpac to have with me in case this turns the corner into a sinus infection or something...

Wedding Dress Memories & Major NSV's (plus a 6 year old's dream...)

My Dad and Me, almost 10 years ago (size 24)

Lucia... trying on the dress & headpiece (Dennis had to hold the dress in the back)

Lu; A little Bridal Attitude!

So, for whatever reason today, Lucia and I were looking at our wedding pictures...  For those of you with 6 year olds, you know what that is like!  Lots of "ooohs and aaahs" and questions.  And usually we watch the Chris Brown Wedding Entrance first (two or three times) and after lots of giggles (and tears on my part because it is such a great celebration of love) we then look at the pictures.  So, we followed normal procedure.  And then, she said "Mommy, do you still have your wedding dress?"  And I said "Yes, it is upstairs in the guest room"...  One thing led to another and we decided to go up and see just how much extra space there was in it.  Needless to say, it was A MAJOR NSV!!!!  Or maybe more appropriately, an SV!  Because you see, when I bought the dress, it was a size 32.  I was thrilled at that point that it was too big (they had to use clothes-pins to show me what it would look like after being fitted) and I had it down-sized to a 24 for the wedding, which was form-fitting.  And now?  Well, you be the judge...

Then and Now.  

I'm happy to show the cleavage!  What little there is left (I am NOT thrilled that this particular part shrunk)... And to see the grin on Lu's face when I let her try the dress on.... priceless...  especially when she said "Mommy, I want to wear this when I get married - and will Grandma make me a headpiece too?!?!?"  (My mom, painstakingly with love, made my headpiece and veil).  Awesome.

Remember... there was NO ROOM for pulling 10 years ago!!!

A slightly less risque view...

Holy shit.  This puts it in perspective for me!

EASILY 10 inches of fabric I was holding together to make it semi-snug...

Holding it tight from the back...

A painful 5K, but a 5k none-the-less!

Ouch... note to self and others... do NOT over-drink the night before you "run" a race.  It hurts. In more ways than one.  But, I finished - and even though I walked 70% of it, I had a better time than that first race about a year ago.  And best of all, I love that all of us were able to do it together as a family... hopefully we can instill this in Lucia early on so she doesn't end up with the weight problems I had.  And the best part of the day (for me) was that Lucia finished... she finished last, but it was 6 and over, so she was one of the youngest kids running - and she got the loudest cheers at the end!!!

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Fogler Family - all done racing!

Lucia & Katie goofing off pre-race

Ali & Tommy in the 5 and under race

Ali & Katie in the 6 and over race

Lu & Dennis in the 6 and over race

Lucia, finishing strong (and last)!!!

It's nice to know...

(My random band-thought of the day)...That a McDonald's Cheeseburger (the kid's-meal size), folded in half with one of the buns gone is still more than enough for me for lunch!  And four fries was three too many.  No PB'ing, just a few hiccups and that slightly-uncomfortable feeling.  I think I'm right in the right place with restriction.  There are certainly times that I can eat more, but for the most part I'm between 1/2 and 1 cup right now.  Too much tighter, and I get major acid reflux issues.  Too much looser, well we know what happens then.  So I am glad to have found out today that I could eat a cheeseburger as described above, but that it was enough.  In fact, 2/3 of it would have been a perfect amount!
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And on the clothing front, I just hit the "fancy" consignment store in Richmond, which is where all the uber-rich folks donate.  And I got some nice things!  A 2 piece Talbots set (the two patterned pieces are too much together, but separated they will be GREAT), a pair of Dana Buchman pants, a tank for under a sweater and a really nice black skirt.  Whoo Hooo!  It's been a while since I've been "shopping" so it was nice.  And as I have lost weight, I am definitely becoming more of a clothes snob for work... I love that I'm able to replace all my stuff with nicer brand labels - especially when I get them 2nd hand!  (And I felt like I brushed royalty a bit, because I saw an Elie Tahari jacket and immediately thought of Catherine in NYC!  Before knowing Catherine, I wouldn't have had a CLUE what or who Elie Tahari was!  Too bad it was a size small.)

We're adding to the family...

Nope, not that way... Meet Alexander.  

Alexander the Beta Fish.  

A close up of Alexander, who is really a beautiful fish...
why is it that the males are so much prettier than the female betas?!?!?

The proud "mama", holding Alexander very gingerly...

As I mentioned in Saturday's post, Lucia earned/saved enough money to buy herself a fish and all the accoutrements (minus the aquarium which we bought for her for being so focused and saving / earning her money)... She named him Alexander.  I think it is a nice, strong name for a fish!  (Who knows where THAT name came from)...  He is very shy and hides behind the filter... hopefully he'll warm up to us and his new home - especially the pink and purple gravel which she very carefully chose for him and the seashells she took from her treasures to make his home more comfortable!!!  He'll be getting brothers/sisters in a week or so... more to come!

The new "digs"... you can see him kind of in the top left corner near the fake fern...

09-11; 6-year-old Capitalism & Who knew something so cool existed?!?!?

#1 Here is THE primary reason I haven't lost as much weight as I could...but...on the other hand, I have a great friend who knows me WELL!  ~*~*~ As mentioned in the last post, I had Girl Scouts cabin camping basics training today (which was so darn cool!  I got to build a fire all by myself and re-learn how to tie various knots, among other things - yes, I'm a dork), and when I picked up my co-leader Virginia this morning, she had my mess kit ready to go that she had picked up for me (see the bottom picture).  What awaited me in it?!?!?  

A freaking awesome collapsible camping wine glass!  

Who knew such a thing existed?!?!?  Clearly not me, or I would have gone camping before.  Just for that very reason to use this glass.  This has got to be a necessity for all girl scout leaders, right?!?!?  All of the sudden, camping has become MUCH more interesting for me!  

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Check out the coolness below...

In it's cool all-in-one-travel-container

The two pieces side-by-side

With the stem screwed into the "glass" portion

Cozily in it's resting place with the mess kit!!!

On a completely separate note, I have to tell you how darn proud I am of Lucia.  She desperately wants a pet, and we agreed about a week ago that she could get a fish (including all of the "dressing") if she earned half of the money.  We figured by the time we bought the tank, fish, gravel, food, "toys", etc... she would need to save $25.  We'd give her the other $25.  Well, I THOUGHT that it would take her at least a month to earn that much.  Nope... as of tonight, she has the money.  SERIOUSLY?!?!?  Barely 10 Days?!?!?  She cleaned out her wallet, her room and gathered up her meager allowance... ended up with about $6.  Then Grandma who was one her way south to FL, chipped in $5 toward it.  Today, she had a lemonade stand.  Mind you, the temp never got above 80 degrees, but in the course of an hour, she managed to make $10.50... When you add in her $3 allowance that she gets tomorrow, she has somehow busted-butt and managed to make $24.36.  Since we told her we'd match the money, we'll be adding to the Fogler family tomorrow in the form of fish.  Wow.  I just love my junior capitalist!

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And finally, always remember... 09.11... bittersweet day, as it was as beautiful today during training as it was 9 years ago.  Always remember.  I'm glad Lucia has no memory of it.

The NSV I never thought about having...

I'm not sure how it works for others who are banded, but every now and then, something little will hit me that makes me realize just how much my band has done for me. And I'm not talking about the weight here... I'm talking about the growth in my head... my self-confidence... in my willingness to take risks and look like a fool. ~*~ I think I've mentioned on here that Lucia is in Girl Scouts. She is a Daisy scout to be exact, and last year I helped my friend Virginia form our troop. I was the Asst. Leader for her troop. Well, this year I decided that yes, I AM capable of being a Co-Leader. The difference in the two roles is mainly in the responsibility and training that you have to take... And what training am I taking tomorrow? Well, this girl who considers certain levels of hotels to be camping is signed up for the "Cabin Camping Essentials" training with our Girl Scout Council tomorrow. From 9-4 at Camp Pamunkey Ridge. And then in a few months, we're taking the girls camping. In October. For two nights. In a tent (mind you, it is a platform tent - I'm only willing to go so far right now).  My family members reading this can now stop laughing and pick themselves up off the floor.
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A certain part of me is screaming inside "what the hell are you thinking?!?!?!"... but a bigger part of me is screaming "Horray! You can do it! You never would have done it 80 pounds ago but you can totally do this! And it might even be fun!!! And Lucia is going to think you are so cool!!!!"... It's really a fun thing to be thinking about... I actually found myself EXCITED to be planning this camping trip this morning! Looking for campfire recipes and activities we can do with the girls... Trying to figure out who I can borrow an extra sleeping bag from... And while I'm not nearly as "hard core" as some of my other co-leaders who will be on the trip are, I'm still doing it. I'm going to show my daughter that yes, you CAN have fun camping and girls (and moms who were once really scared to do things because of their weight) can do anything they want too! What a great, and unexpected outcome of losing weight.  Rock on.

The requisite "first-day-of-school" picture

My big first grader!!! 

When on earth did this happen?!?!?

Time sure does fly...

Lucia was VERY excited about this outfit... can't wait to hear all about her first day at school!

My new year, my new goals

Well, time to be honest.  203 pounds this morning... then after going for a walk/run with Lucia and a few cups of coffee, 200.8 which is probably the true number.  And I've updated my trackers accordingly...  I have kind of slacked off these last few months about weighing "officially" on a weekly basis, and updating my side bar tracker and top tracker.  No more... I decided this morning that instead of Friday being my "official" day, Monday will be going forward starting today.  So... as of this morning, I am starting from 200.8.  Nothing that can't be fixed... but I think that Monday morning weigh-ins will certainly help me be a bit more accountable over the weekend.
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Now that it is officially a new year (school year) in my book, I am resetting a few goals.  I'm not going crazy - I want to set myself up for success and remind myself of what they are, so here I go:

• Finish out my 37 miles of official runs before I turn 38 at the end of November (or within a few weeks of that date).  I have slightly less than 21 miles to go in the next 3 months...  yikes.  But, I have the races lined up to accomplish that (see the side bar).
• Get to 30% of my total weight lost, which is 84 pounds lost.  The weight to get to that goal is 193.5.  I'd like to see this number by Columbus Day Weekend.  Very doable I think!  I have a dress to fit into for a wedding... remember this dress in this post last November?  Well, it is looking better already and come hell or tight spanx, I'm wearing it to my friend's wedding!  I'd like to be able to do it without the Spanx... It'll look good at 193.5...  Plus, she is a foodie and is promising TONS of tasty treats - and given how fitting it is, I won't be able to over do it!
• Get to 185 pounds by my 38th birthday, which is at the end of November.  Can't think of a better gift to myself.

That's all for now - lots of other little things I want to accomplish, but this is enough of a start!

Closing out the summer in Margaritaville...

The entire motley crew...  Den, Me, Candace, Chris, Jen & Tim

Ahhh...  what a great time!  Perfect weather, fantastic friends, wonderful food and drink... can't beat it!  Great way to end the summer...  Especially because I heard my favorite JB song (One Particular Harbour)...

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Today was spent completely chilling out - very lazy - I like those days.  I'm excited for tomorrow/Tuesday, because I kind of feel like Tuesday is my New Year's Day - time to get back into those routines that I've been ignoring for a while!

Waiting for the concert to start...

Jen and Me...  A long-lost-BF-from-Maine that I met here in VA... kindred spirits!

Candace and Jen - two of my BF's in VA!!!  So thankful to have them

County-Fair-Holy-Mother-of-Delicious-Goodness...

The requisite pony ride... but I did NOT know I would have to lead the horse... stubborn little pony!
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Can I just say thank GOD for my band???  We went to the Chesterfield County Fair tonight, and on the way out, we had a Fried Oreo.  OH. MY. GOSH.  I mean, it was "take-a-moment-for-yourself" good... and thankfully, the sweet boy running the stand let us buy just one.  They were selling them 6 for $5, but I knew I WOULD eat all of them if left to my own devices, and since Dennis didn't want one, I decided to try to see if he'd bargain.  And I was fully prepared to walk away if he said no.  But, he looked at how damn cute Lucia is and said yes.  So, we plunked down our $1, and walked away with a piece of heaven which we each got two bites of.  YUM!  And the best part of it?  I SHARED ONE.  Didn't even have one to myself.  Didn't need it, didn't want it... pre-band that wouldn't have happened
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Lucia at the Henricus Exhibit

And how could you say no to that face???  We got our school haircuts today, and she decided to chop it off... I'm glad - she was looking to old for me (i.e. like a "tween" and not my sweet 6 year old baby)... I love this cut.

Tomorrow is another challenge from a food perspective - we'll be tailgating all day at the Jimmy Buffett concert... but I am going to practice self-restraint and positive head-talk and see how well I am able to do!

Lu & Dennis on the slides

Jenny on the Blog!!!

JENNY ROCKS!!! Thank you so much for my new header... you are such a generous person to do this for me! (BTW - how many of you remember J-Lo's Jenny on the Block song?!?!?)

Um... I'd better start running I guess!

Wow. September 1st. When the heck did that happen? As much as I enjoy the adventures of summer, I must say that I am thrilled that Fall is officially (in my book) here. Note the new fall background... a few leaves make me happy! Now... the fact that it is September also makes me realize that 23 days from now, I'll be running a 5k. Yeah. Good thing I promised to finish it with everyone, 'cause I may not be running much! I did get my shirt, a size L, which is huge. I think that is a good thing, unless they are unisex sizes... Sigh... time to get back into the fall routine starting next Tuesday (of course I could start "practicing" earlier I guess). School, running, and all that other stuff. And I think that is a good thing since I am looking forward to it!