and the blogger disappears for 3 months

I just logged in here and saw that I last posted on July 4th after running the July 4th race. 

What has happened since then???????  I'm not sure I even remember!

I finished my semester at the end of July on a Monday.  The end of that week, Friday, Saturday, Sunday I had continuing ed classes for renewing my EMS license.  Sunday after the last class ended at 6pm I took off for the Upper Peninsula to visit my parents.  My sister from California and my sister who lives in Lansing were already there.  They were staying in a cabin at a resort near my parents' house.  I got to the Ferry dock at midnight.  (My parents live on an island serviced by a car ferry) The next ferry wasn't until 1 am so I had an hour to wait.  There was quite a party going on at a bar near the dock and there were people wandering in the streets so I did get to talk to some very drunk people!!  It was quite entertaining. 



My car in the ferry line at midnight. (I was first in line an hour early)

 


Just about to board the 1am Ferry to the island

I really had a great time with my sisters, my 2 nephews and my parents up on the island.  We were able to float around Lake Huron on a pontoon.  I went for a run, of course!!  We did lots of grilling and eating!  I got to spend time with my nephews who always have me laughing and always amaze me with their knowledge of dinosaurs, outer space, you name it!!  I made a run to a store to get a few things for dinner and as I drove into the place I saw the most amazing sight!  I was nearly 600 miles from Ann Arbor but...there it was....a lighted sign on the side of the building:  "ZINGERMAN'S bread sold here"  HUH????  Zingerman's bread on an island in the UP??  While I was there I continually checked to see if my grades were posted and when they finally were, I was one excited nerd!!!  All 4.0 once again!!  I was very relieved.  I rocked my 2 finals!!  My sisters just rolled their eyes! 

600 miles away from Ann Arbor



All too soon it was time to head back home.



In line to board the Ferry back to the lower peninsula





southbound on the Mackinac Bridge



I still had 5 weeks of freedom! 

I worked several shifts during the next 3 weeks.  I got my training on track for the half marathon I ran last week.  I got my mileage back up in the 30s per week.  I had been doing speedwork with a group from the gym since early spring.  I enjoyed time with my daughter who was home for the summer and enjoyed not having homework to do and just having time for myself. 

Eventually I had to go back to school.  I ran my half marathon, the Grand Rapids Half Marathon.  It wasn't my fastest but it also wasn't my slowest.  I ran a halloween themed 5k Saturday which was a lot of fun.  It was a night race.  I dressed like a jack-o-lantern and had spider knee socks!  It was a beautiful evening and I didn't even have to wear tights!  I wore my running skirt just to make it look even more silly! 

All dressed up for a night Halloween 5K

Well, that's about it.  I'm a tired nerd.  Tomorrow there is homework to do, a test to study for, 2 online quizzes to take and then it's running group night. 

Next up is the Wayne County Lightfest 8K, a fun night run through a lighted drive through light display.

Runner Nerd
back from non-blogging
still the world's oldest college student nerd and still a runner