Runnin' fools

So when Mike and I decided to make running a part of our lives again we signed up for a bunch of races in order to force ourselves to stick with it.  (Actually, I signed us both up for a bunch of races and then told him about it later, but that's neither here nor there.)  Sadly, just getting healthy isn't motivation enough for me so I need things like upcoming races and ridiculous necklaces to keep me going.   I'll explain later.

As of a few weeks ago, we have started running on a fairly regular basis (2-4 times per week, which is huge for us) and one of our current favorite spots is a trail near the lake by our house.  We hike with our puppy on the actual dirt trail and we run on the paved section.  (I am way to clumsy to run on a trail through the woods; I would surely break my ankle or something along those lines.)  Anyway, here are some pics from our first run near that lake.

Hello, this is me!

Mike and Miss Daisy making their blog debut!  I'll add more where you can actually see their faces instead of their asses, but I love this one because the scenery is so pretty with the lake in the background.

View of the lake from the trail

Me and Daisy

Done for the day! 

(Don't worry, I made fun of Mike for the headband.  Who knows why he decided to whip that thing out of the back of the closet.)  And last, but not least....

The ridiculous necklace that I mentioned earlier.  Thought I'd get creative and take a pic of it next to my headphones.  Oh well, creative I am not.  Can't blame me for trying.

I got this necklace from a half marathon that I did last year.  They gave them out instead of medals because it was an all girls race.  The side that you can see in the picture says Annapolis 5/31/09 (also my one year wedding anniversary; and why I signed up for a race on that day is a story for another time).  The other side says Zooma (which was the name of the racing series).  My friend and I talked about how ugly the necklace was and how we'd NEVER wear it but, alas, that is how desperate I've become.  I started wearing this gem as yet another way to motivate me to run.  I put it on in January and almost never take it off.  I thought every time I looked at it it would remind me of running.  Sad, huh?  My motivation is so severely lacking that I'm willing to wear a necklace that I hate in order to keep me going.    Oh well, whatever works.  And to be honest, I've grown to like my little treasure. ☺