Running For Beer

After our awesome workout yesterday, we were ready to explore some local flavor in this awesome Georgia area. What better way than to stumble upon and yes... we had no idea this was happening... a German town Oktoberfest tucked away in Helen. As we entered this one lane town, there was a massive traffic jam and no way to turn around. My first thought was that this really sucks and I'm starving! Then upon further reflection in a stand still traffic, I thought.... hmmm.... this could be a really good sign. Apparently, something was popular in this place.
As we finally turned the corner, I heard it, saw it and smelled it.... fried food, beer, loud music and a LOT of people looking somewhat tipsy. and then a sign: "Welcome to Helen, Georgia- OktoberFest".

 

















So we joined in the party!! After a few drinks, we decided we had to have the green German-like hats. And we went on a mission. We found the hats in this obscure jewelry shop and they were a HUGE success! Everyone wanted to know where we got our hats and then something AMAZING happened...

Nick adopted this weird German accent...

And he started to look kind of German...

And then we just decided to dance...

We knew it was a party when the guy in front of us waiting for more beer began vomiting in line. No one seemed to notice... ugh.
When all was said and done- this is what I learned from last night:
1. Don't be afraid to try new things in new towns.
2. Running for beer is always worth the effort.
3. A party isn't a party until someone barfs while in the beer line.
4. A German accent makes it all worthwhile. Cheers!!

   

 

The Running "Tour"

The route we ran in Blairsville, Ga. Fall 2012

The runs we’ve had up here in the mountains have reminded me of something I tend to forget. Why do runners run? Many start off in order to lose weight, or to get in better shape, but if you ask a truly seasoned runner why they continue to run, I guarantee you will not get a “lose weight” response.

While in the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina this weekend, I remembered why I run. I remembered that the run is not about speed or how far you can go without walking. These things are trivial to a true runner. Running for me is about meditation and reflection. It’s about taking time to “smell the roses” of life.  As Nick and I say, before we head out for a grueling 18 miler- “It’s not about the time. Let’s just take a "tour”. Yes “A Tour”. That is how I like to think of our long runs. It’s about experiencing your surroundings while you run. It’s about taking in that amazing sunrise and seeing the leaves change color. It’s about watching deer run next to you in the forest or that small rabbit wriggle its nose as you fly by.  If you need to stop in order to appreciate it, then stop.  Once you get to this point of your running life, then you know you’ve become a true seasoned runner. Life has enough time constraints and demands us to constantly multi task. Take your runs as your time out. Leave the iPod and Garmin at home. Take a Tour.

We stopped quite a few timeson this 5ish mile run.

Before we started our run this morning, we were determined to tackle this insane 1/4 mile straight up hill. We tried yesterday, but failed. Today, we tried again and as you may be able to tell from these pictures, WE MADE IT! It can now be checked off our bucket list. And we of course celebrated with a 5 mile run afterwards and some beer!
 

Bittersweet Running

I remembered this morning... I remembered the reason why I sweat through all those miserably hot Florida summer months of humidity, thunderstorms and mosquitos. Why I wake at 4am to ensure I can get through it without dropping dead from heat exhaustion and the sun burning a hole through me. I run.

I run through the hard times because without those, you can't possibly fathom the sheer excitement of running through the exhilarating times. I run.
 
Without being in great running shape, this feeling of meditation would go unnoticed because you dwell on the fact that your lungs are burning and your legs are tired etc. etc. etc... I encourage all new runners not to give up during those hard times. The times when you have absolutely no desire to go outdoors. If you can make it through, the payoff in the fall and winter seasons will be that much sweeter! Run.

This morning... we woke up in the North Georgia mountains. Blairsville to be exact. The weather was a cool and crisp 41 degrees with 15mph winds. The leaves were falling on my nose. Yellow, auburn, brown, golden and fiery red. We ran.

Up the winding mountain roads, over top rickety bridges with running creeks, past cow patures and maple tree lined streets. I felt as though I could go forever... I attribute this feeling 100% to all of those dreaded Florida summer runs. Keep running.

If you're new to running, I encourage you to keep going when those days are tough. Without those, you will never know the true joy running can deliver.

Run.

Blairsville, Ga  Fall 2012

 

Falling for Fake Fall: 

It never ceases to amaze me the excitement of Fall. It starts around Back to School as we begin getting our kids ready for their new school year. This year, I felt part of "the club" since Jordan was starting Kindergarten (apparently, preschool does not count as a real school in mommy world). Even though it was still 95 degrees and swarming with humidity, we got him ready and sent off as the first official day of "Fall" began... at least in my mind...

As September comes around, we rejoice at the Labor weekend! What does Labor Day celebrate? Well, besides the day of celebration for all working men and women, it also signifies the beginning of Fall Fashion!! It's the reason we ALL need a pair of distressed riding boots and must have denim according to piperlime.com! 



Okay! Back to my personal Fall story:
With the hot and miserable weather aside, I have been avidly checking the weather report each morning and hoping for some insane cold front to swipe through Tampa bringing some temps in the 50's and 60's.... okay.... I would even be happy for something in the 70's and 80's. Nick and I have diligently been preparing for our first Marathon (November 3rd) and have even considered driving all the way to north Georgia for a single night to complete our required weekly long run in some decent temperatures. How crazy is that??? Do you see my desperation here!!? Although, we did not drive north for our run this weekend, we did run into the late night (10pm- is late night for us) last night with the intention of completing 20 miles and falling short to only running 16. I'm blaming it on this FAKE Fall weather, NOT a lack of training on our behalf. Right???!  

So... the weather may not be cooperating with my Fall planning, but that didn't stop us from being the first house in the neighborhood to decorate for Halloween last weekend. Yes, this means I decorated my house on September 15th. The neighbors drove by a little slower in front of our house of course. Probably wondering what the heck was wrong with us... and thinking "This is what's wrong with society!! This is why stores are already selling Christmas decor!" Yes, my fellow neighbors, it is.

As we began our decorations, I really started to get in the Fall mood (even if it was a fake fall) and I was sure our neighbors would follow, but to my dismay, we are still the only house in the neighborhood with decorations. Again.... Fake Fall in Florida. While other states are enjoying Pumpkin Festivals and even snow, we Floridians are imprisoned from experiencing Fall fun all because of weather? It's a shame! Do not let this stop you. Embrace the 95 temperature and bring out your Fall decor. Even consider hanging your Christmas lights! Well... give that another month. October is much more acceptable. By the time our weather turns cool, it's January and Spring Fashions are beginning.
  

Speaking of Spring Fashions.... Wait! No! Back to Fall. I'm all about Fall right now, even though Spring is MY Favorite season, except right now it is Fall. Well.... sometimes I get confused. Anyways... Back to FALL! 

So, thinking about the lack of enthusiasm for Fall, last week I realized that this weekend was the actual "First Day of Fall"! Imagine my excitement! So I planned for a BIG EXCITING First Day of Fall Celebration at work. We found the team cute little Halloween t-shirts at Target and Marsha and I went to Ikea and waited 2 hours for fresh ooey-gooey cinnamon buns to serve to all employees. When they told us it would take 2 HOURS we baulked... and then... we SHOPPED! And we ATE cinnamon buns!! And we shopped the Christmas aisle! Until the sales clerk YELLED at us, because the Christmas aisle wasn't ready to be shopped yet. Fake Christmas! Such a tease!

Friday, September 21st: I was so excited to go to work and celebrate the Fall with our buns and shirts! The entire team was excited! We were totally decked out in the Fall spirit, but it stopped there. Employees didn't seem to grasp our inspiration. But that's okay... nothing we couldn't solve with a visit to the Tea Room for lunch. Pumpkin soup and apricot scones with cinnamon tea seemed to do the trick!

 And WOW! The Tea Room was READY For Fall. Finally! Someone was on board with me here! 

My next Falling for Fall:  Halloween costumes for the boys and a November trip to Savannah for some Marathon running and another special surprise! Details to Come!! I think this will be a GREAT FALL YEAR!
Oh! And wait!! 
Check out my new Christmas decorations!!! Ikea Stars for $9.99! I'm ready now for my Fake Christmas!