No longer a virgin

That's right! I'm no longer a 5K virgin. Yesterday, I ran/walked my first 5K I probably walked more than ran but I didn't have to crawl (although it was considered)! There were a few moments where I thought the golf cart following the crowd was going to have to push me along - but I made it which doesn't say a lot for the 20 or so folks behind me who quit or cheated by turning around at an unmanned point in the race! And now I see the addiction but for the record, this addiction is legal. I'm already signing up for the next local 5K being held two weeks from now.

When my school's PTO decided to host our first 5K, I knew I had to participate because it just wouldn't look good if I didn't (besides, I couldn't let my assistant principal show me up). While working at the registration table, I signed up a 74 year old man who was so excited to be running his 827th race. I made him repeat the number because I thought my ears deceived me. EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVEN! Holy running shoes! He told me he started running when he was 35 and became addicted.

I hope that I become addicted, too. The dude looked like he was in his fifties and he totally smoked my ass on this run by leaving me in a cloud of dust (which could have been from the dirt road - but he still beat me. Bad.). And because I want to live forever to a ripe old age, I'm going to forge on and take my health more seriously which really means run more so I can eat more desserts.

Running is something I love and I really need to get in training mode. Since I broke my knee when I was ten (seriously, I ripped that knee cap to the back side of my knee - gross), I have to be careful. Sometimes my knee creaks and moans and complains which is my sign to slow it down. Other times, I favor the other leg causing her to flare up a nasty attitude. Regardless, there is something about my feet pounding the pavement, the sun in my face, the sweat running down my back that calms me. Running is the activity I crave when I've tried to do yoga because Braja hasn't taught me the proper form and I have a difficult time calming myself down by being still.

After my big run, I looked in the mirror and I swear my ass looked a little smaller but that may have had something to do with the ass chewing I got on Friday morning. Apparently, the folks in Emerald City (the School Board Office) didn't like when I emailed them that I was sick of them saying 'we should always ask what is in the best interest of the students' when they clearly don't always answer that question. That should be all the incentive I need. Well, and I plan to beat that 74 year old dude one day.


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Have you heard of Jan? She is one funny, talented, neat lady who COOKS and SHARES HER RECIPES! She bestowed an award on me and I'm trying to do my duty to pass it on. There are many, many blogs out there worthy of this award.

A Sushi Grade Blog is a cut above other blogs that are canned and turned into salad or casseroles. A Sushi Grade Blog is fresh, lively and of superior quality. It is rare, has character and is of good taste.

Oh, and it’s packed full of heart healthy Omega 3 oils which is a LOT better than taking those nasty fish oil supplements that make you burp up a fishy smell all day.

And since it seems there must be rules for awards, here they are:
1. Grab this nifty little graphic and display it proudly on your site
2. Choose 5 blogs of superior quality and list them, along with why the are A Sushi Grade Blog
3. Link to them, announcing their award
4. Leave them a comment letting them know they've been given an award
5. Link back to the blog that awarded you

So (drum roll, please), here are my choices

* Michel from Facts are Strictly Optional - Michel makes me laugh every day! And she volunteered to hide me in Sudan, if I ever needed but I'm not sure I want to hide where they have no sidewalks because that will totally mess up my shoes.

* Jane from Gaston Studios - Jane is funny, cool, and my new adoptive mother! Seriously, doesn't everyone want a mother who gets suspicious packages of *oregano*? Besides, she makes fantastic jewelry, too!

* Kulio from Ottava Battuta - Kulio is a *real* writer. She can say so much with so few words a gift that was not handed down to me. Plus, she has that dry sense of humor that I LOVE! And ottava battuta means something to musicians because I googled the term and that shit is over my head.

* Erin from Only a Movie - Erin is a teacher of students with special needs. Only her students have more special needs than most students who have special needs. And she is a single mother who honestly describes her feelings about the events in her world. If I could convince her, I'd totally talk her into moving to Podunk, Georgia so she could teach at my school.

* Em at Life, Liberty and the Pursuit... - Em is one of those ultra sarcastic people that I LOVE! She has a knack for seeing the zany in the mundane. Plus, she likes boxed wine.

So there! I even followed the rules for once. Have a great Sunday, y'all!