Hello all!

Today marks one month since my first marathon.  I am scheduled to run the 16 mile trail Crooms Fool's run on April 9th (26 days!), and I have not run farther than 3 miles since the marathon.  I also have not been running on trails.  I am a bit nervous about this, but school has kept me busy, and I am trying not to stress too much.  I have been maintaining at least 3 runs a week at least.  I intend to run at least a 6 mile run this week, a 10 mile the following, and hopefully at least a 13 the next week.  I wish I knew someone else who was running this race well.  I still need to make my travel plans.

Life has been fun and busy, and I am hoping that I will keep up with blogging more regularly now.  Here is a recap of the past two weeks:  Last Saturday I did a 3 mile run before meeting up with Chris, my Aunt, and my Uncle for breakfast.  Then Chris had to go back to his parent's house to work on homework, but I got to spend the day with my aunt and uncle.  We went to Venice beach and collected shells.  It was so nice.  I had not been to the beach in ages.  Later we hung out on this 102ft yacht that my aunt works on.  We met up with Chris and his family along with the captain of the yacht and his two super adorable little girls for dinner.  There we celebrated Uncle Bill's 50th Birthday!  (Which was on the 11th, the same day that Ken, of Barbie and Ken, turned 50!)  Those girls were my instant best friends.  After dinner, my aunt and I went to the marina bar to have a drink and do some dancing.  That is where the weekend got amusing.  We were offered several free drinks.  In fact, I even had a guy buy me a drink, ask me how committed I am to Chris, and offer to buy me a ring full of blue diamonds and to take me to Australia.  When I politely explained that I already found my knight-in-shining-armor, he told me that he would give me jewelry and trips and that if I did not have dinner with him before I got married that he would be absolutely crushed.  That is when he gave me his business card.  We had a good laugh about it after he left.  Now the night went from creepy amusing to fun after my aunt and I met this 76 year old man who offered to buy us drinks (we were drinking water, but for the record he was not hitting on us.... this guy was so sweet!).  He and my Aunt Nora had a great time on the dance floor while I was dancing with a Canadian gentleman.  He told me that he was married for 50 years and lost his wife 6 years ago.  He gave me the following marriage advice:    (1) Trust 100% or get out now, (2) Never go to bed angry, and (3) Take trips every year.  I think the man is brilliant.  All-in-all, the weekend was absolutely wonderful!  I had the best time with my family and Chris's family.  I really am so blessed!

Dolphins playing

Celebrating Uncle Bill's 50th Birthday!!! 

The singer came and sang to me 5 times.

That's the creepy guy with my awesome Aunt Nora

Aunt Nora and the super sweet guy who gave me marriage advice

The room I slept in on the boat

My bathroom on the boat

My first pineapple on my 6 year old plant!

This past week I did two good arm work-outs with 5 lb weights and ab work-outs.  I did not feel like running at the beginning of the week, so my runs happened Thursday (3 miles with Chris), Friday (3 miles on the dreadmill), and Saturday (3 miles with Chris).  This weekend we went to see the movie The Adjustment Bureau, which I really enjoyed!

Now I am off to do some relaxing before heading to bed.  I hate losing an hour of sleep, but I am happy that I will be able to run on my own (in the daylight) after work!  I hope that you all have a wonderful week.  Oh, and please keep Chris's family in your prayers.  His grandmother on his dad's side passed away.