Just Plodding Along

Moving is hard. Missing friends, my running tribe, my running routes. I just need time to meet people, create a new tribe, explore the area. Health issues are hard. Two months of stress and worry to find out I am mostly okay....still waiting for the final word on September 10th. But in the mean time I can run and that is the important part and except for a funny beating heart the rest of me is pretty dang healthy. Getting back in shape is hard. I have not been making it any easier due to the fact that my favorite running route starts with a two mile uphill climb followed by a few miles of ankle twisting, big rocked trails and then back home with a quad crushing downhill. Oh and lifting weights on a regular basis has made simple life tasks extra difficult (I swear I would put the plates away if I could just raise my arms). Things have seemed hard lately. Even knowing why sometimes doesn't make it easier. The last few weeks have been a bit extra frustrating in the running dep...

D and I have been busy exploring the area while waiting for our stuff to arrive. Two things: 1) We are back in the land of 7 Elevens! 2) So much good Mexican food!!! We went here for brunch on Sunday. Amazing! Now hopefully our stuff will be delivered today (everyone cross your fingers) but sitting around staring at the blank walls got me thinking of what I would have done differently this PCS (Permanent Change of Station for those not fluent in acronym speak. Lets be honest I know like four Army acronyms. PCS just happens to be one). It has been awhile since the Army has moved us so I got a little rusty. Hopefully these tips will help anyone else on the move. 1) Change your Tricare coverage right before you go (if you have a new address before you leave) or right after you arrive when you lock down the new address. Now this normally I guess wouldn't be a big deal but for me has been a huge pain in the butt since I need to get into see a doctor asap. And I was all well...

Yeah we have internet again!!!!! Unfortunately our stuff has not arrived yet so we are living the minimalist life. We couldn't take anymore time in the hotel so even though we are stuff-less we have moved into our house. Air mattresses are so ....comfy.... Let me out of this hotel. I believe I was promised a yard! My three most favorite things about the house we rented:  1- Awesome backyard. Little tropical paradise!  2- Huge walk-in closet!!!!! YES DREAMS COME TRUE!  3-Sweet kitchen with stainless steel, granite, and tile. It is like I picked everything myself! 3 least favorite things: 1- still haven't been able to make a doctor appointment because I didn't exist in the system...blah blah Army blah blah. Hoping tomorrow I exist.  2- I am starting to miss running. I want to explore the area on foot but can't yet. Annoying!  3-I miss my friends in Georgia so much!!!!! Hey y'all come on down to Texas...well maybe wait unti...

I interrupt the non-stop chatter about running to bring you fun tidbits about always moving. And by fun tidbits I mean things that for some reason bug the crap out of me about moving all the time even though you would think by now (5+ moves in the last 8 years, this blog alone has been brought to you from the great states of Arizona, Illinois and Georgia ) I would be over it. Well I am not. Condiments . It is a vicious cycle with the condiments. We are either new at a place wondering where the ketchup is only to realize we don't have ketchup because we had to dispose of all the condiments at the last house OR trying to give away our ketchup to a neighbor or friend because everyone knows what your neighbor or friend wants is a half used bottle of ketchup. Now this doesn't seem like a big deal but if you think about all the salad dressing, bbq sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustards, olives, pickles, etc you have in the doors of your fridge it becomes a lot of stuff you are eit...

Exciting news! I am working towards getting certified as a personal trainer! I am very excited to start this new adventure. I have been considering what to do job wise since the husband and I are going to be pretty mobile the next few years and I would like something that has flexible hours since D's schedule can be kinda crazy. Plus I love fitness......okay I really love running, but I like other fitness stuff too. The idea of helping people achieve their goals is really exciting!  Other exciting news.....and not so exciting news.... in the next few weeks we will be moving to Texas. A week ago I thought we would be here longer than I originally thought now we are leaving earlier. Such is life in the Army I guess. I am excited for the new adventure. We are moving to the El Paso area so hello excellent Mexican food, mountains and drier air and hopefully more exciting running adventures. But I am also very, very sad to have to say goodbye to such awesome people. ...

We made it! Two days of driving (hours through heavy traffic resulting in white knuckle, please God don't take anyone out with this giant truck driving) and multiple hours unpacking and arranging I feel like I am home. Thanks for helping me mom! Why Atlanta traffic, why I love our new place. It is in the heart of uptown Columbus right on the river. Part of the reason we moved into the place did is so we can go to cool places like this, the Iron Bank Coffee Company, for breakfast when we have no food.  Eat all the things Downtown- perfect for running and art viewing Thus far I have unpacked, organized, cleaned, and located groceries where I saw this- That does not sound good at all- thoughts on Green Boiled Peanuts- a thumbs up or down? Fun with shopping. I have also done probably the most important thing- I have hung the medals. Now the world feels right.  Another important thing I have done is go for a run! I ran for 35 minutes on the riverwa...

On the road again. Said goodbye to And hello to Driving this truck like a boss. 500 something miles and a few dozen bathroom stops later we are back in Manchester Tennessee. Max is less than amused with this car ride but being good.  Can't wait to get to Georgia tomorrow. And should probably expand my diet beyond these

Tomorrow is pack the big yellow Penske truck day. Excited and tired all at the same time. This week has been tough- working, packing and saying goodbye to all the awesome people I have gotten to know here in Illinois. I am excited for the next adventure but also sad to go. The majority of this week has been me eating out and working out very little. Cross training this week has been in the form of lifting heavy things and walking Max. Max is very concerned we pack the bone he got as a gift from the neighbor. Don't worry I am on it. One o the best things that happened this week was my going away party which was at That is right- Jump America where we played dodgeball on trampolines and jumped into foam pits. Jumping in is way easier than crawling out- just a warning there. Best time ever! And a super good workout/ warm up for moving. Lucky for me my Mom appeared at the Milwaukee airport to help me move. That = Winning!  Off to pack yet another box. 

The best thing about this past weekend (besides seeing D who I have not seen in three months) was to have him show me around base and tell me what he has been up to. This is also the location where he went to Airborne school some moons ago. Jump towers- no longer in use due to high rate of injury I believe. Now they just push you out of a plane. Kidding- sort of. Just jump out of this perfectly good airplane- no biggie  Fort Benning is a huge base with a ton of history and lots of neat historical buildings and landmarks. I am excited to check it out further in the future. More pics from our awesome loft we rented: Front entrance Hallway with original ladders used in the mill Kitchen and living area Bedroom Hallway to our front door Rafters on the river right outside our building Only five days of cross training, and three days of moving and I will be in my new home. Oh and five days of working. Don't forget about that.

I just wanted to let you all know that I woke up at the hotel this morning and worked out for an hour using the elliptical and treadmill (just walking). I really just wanted to stay in bed and watch HGTV but I didn't and now I think I deserve special recognition. Let me take a bow over here.   This coming week will be my last week of cross training and then it is back to running hopefully. Have a feeling it is going to be a bit rough with cross training. One more white knuckle calf massage of "it hurts so good" and some new custom orthotics and hopefully good to go! My first run back will be in Georgia- so crazy. Random side note: the Atlanta airport has some awesome artwork in the walkway between terminals. If you have a million hours before or between your flight or feel like burning some calories check it out.

Success! New home has been obtained! It is a loft at an old mill right on the river. A few blocks and we will be in the middle  of downtown Columbus. Look what I saw while wandering- mid day run group! The loft area has a nice green space and a dog park for Max. Super excited for our new adventure. Less excited that we are living on the second floor with no elevator. Not a problem most days- but moving day will prove to be a great butt workout ;).

Hello from Manchester Tennessee! Home of   Or at least home of a Waffle House. I am currently staying in the tiniest room I have ever seen  So heads up- when you book at a Microtel it is micro. I am super slow apparently. Didn't pick up on that. But it works great except for the fact that part of the reason I booked the room was for the fitness center which is currently Out of Order and locked down. I am just taking that as a sign from the gods that I should chill and watch HGTV all night. At least I walked to dinner at Subway- not waffle house, and lifted weights before I hit the road. It is a hard life I lead. Nailing the cross training lately. This is like day three of no cardio beyond walking. Need to get back at it, can feel those marathons breathing down my neck.  Excited for tomorrow! Fingers crossed I find an awesome new place to call home!!