I'm Alive! And I did more traveling...

Hey there! How has August been going for you? I, once again, after a week and a half of actually working and doing normal life things, went away again for ten days! I just can't sit still in the summer:)

I went on an impromptu trip to NYC the first weekend of August to visit my friend Jessica, who is getting married later this month, because I had to miss her Bachelorette due to being in Alaska!

I took the train from Richmond-> NYC, which is about 6 hours and includes a pit stop in Union Station (D.C.) where we have enough time to get off and walk around. I love D.C.!

Right when I got to NYC, I saw that Gotham was filming by my friend's apartment! No celeb sightings, but it was very cool to see the set and this cool car. She lives right by Wall Street.

Amongst other things, we went and visited the new World Trade Center building and memorial. It was very moving and a completely different site from when I first visited in April 2002.

We had an awesome dinner for restaurant week at Park Ave Summer and saw this nice sunset with our drinks afterwards:)

On Saturday, after a great morning run along lower Manhattan (I haven't been to the financial area in a while, so it was fun to stay down there and explore-> she just moved there), we explored Brooklyn for the first time! We walked around and went to a great pizza place.

I got home from NYC on a Sunday night and headed to Duck (Outer Banks) the next morning! It was my dad's birthday! He celebrated like a boss.

The weather all week was perfect- low humidity and sunny. Such a nice treat for August! AND I got in all my training runs, including a 16-miler!

My friend and her kiddos came to visit for a few days:) We loved on baby Everett!

Friends for over 10 years!

We also did puzzles! Took us 3 days with 5 people contributing...

These sunsets over the sound NEVER get old...

 SERIOUSLY. I can't even.

I am coming to grips with the fact that my big summer travels are over, but I am trying to be optimistic about some fun weekend getaways and school getting underway. Classes at VCU start this week and teachers come back to work soon, so things will be back in full swing, which I am excited about. To me summer is all about traveling, so working has been hard, but once fall rolls around, I tend to enjoy normal life stuff a little more. I am looking forward to cooler weather on the horizon, too, and not having to do long training runs on my own:) Doing a 12, 14 and 16 miler without a training team was not as fun!

What have you been up to?! 

#travelingwalshes

The months of summer travel are upon us!

As is obvious, I LOVE to travel, and I made sure that if I went to a 12-month position at work, travel would still be a very doable endeavor without the usual 10 weeks off that most high school counselors get. Thankfully, my planning and good attendance at work during the school year make this possible!

I may be blogging much less this summer, because big travel dates are approaching! 

First up next week is a trip to my favorite beach town of Duck (Outer Banks) for the long 4th of July weekend (I get Thursday the 2nd off work). I negotiated a price cut (perks of booking last minute) so we got a good deal for this place:

It is further south from the center of town than we normally stay but is still in our favorite area. My mom and I are pumped! 

Then July 15th, my mom and I are heading to Vancouver! We stay in the city for 3 days, then we are going to visit a friend of mine in Bellingham, Washington on our way to Seattle, where we board the Ruby Princess for our cruise to ALASKA!

We are meeting some college friends of mine and their families for this 7-night cruise. Our itinerary is here if you are interested. We are so pumped- one of my favorite bloggers just went on this exact cruise and shared amazing pictures and stories- and we are loving looking at the excursions! After the cruise we will spend another night in Seattle before flying out on a red eye to VA. The whole trip is 12 days- should be so much fun!

After a short break (I guess I will need to work a little bit), we are headed back to Duck for a full week this time and are staying at our favorite house right in town (we have stayed here 3 times):

We will be at this house over both my parents' birthdays in August, so that is a fun way to celebrate!

The traveling isn't officially done then, but it slows down, as I have a friend's wedding in August in Charlottesville, so of course I will stay the night so I can relive my college ways :) Though I know I cannot party like it's 2005 anymore...

That will end it for the summer, but some fun fall trips are on their way, too. 

Obviously, I am excited! I will post pictures and fun happenings from the trips, but I think my posting amounts will definitely decrease:)

What are fun trips you are taking this summer? Places you recommend in Vancouver, Alaska or Seattle?

Happiness is a Beach

We are in the midst of summer! Isn't it great?!

I am all about summertime (besides the heat and humidity) because it means one thing to me: TRAVELING!

This is my first summer having to work full-time at my "real" job (aka not the pool) and so far it hasn't been too bad because I haven't yet worked a full week:). The end of July is gonna suck realllll bad when I am done with travel plans. Working Monday-Thursday for ten hours a day does get long, but I do love the three-day weekends. Can we just work one day less on a regular basis forever?

Over the 4th of July week, I booked a cute house in Duck (Outer Banks) because my parents were invited to stay with friends, and they aren't allowed to go there without me. So I invited friends and family to come join! It was great, and despite that tiny little hurricane Arthur that came through in the early morning hours of July 4th, the weather was GREAT. I am all about seven beach days in a row!

Our cute house, Stargazer

Me and the sis-in-law!

I want to point out my great post-run look, including the awesome sunglasses tan line on my nose.

I read three books, including this one!

“I will never, ever regret the things I've done. Because most days, all you have are places in your memory that you can go to.” 

Can nature be any more beautiful?

Maybe it can....DUCK DONUTS!

This was just hours before the hurricane hit...you would never know it was coming!

Morning after Arthur on the sound- a little flooding!

P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N.

It was a great, relaxing week! The Walsh trip to Greece is just a few days away:)

Another wedding, running, and the pool!

I am two weddings away from the end of my 2013 wedding season! This past weekend was the wedding of a high school friend, Nate, and his wife, Nikki!

They got married at a plantation between Richmond and Williamsburg in New Kent. It was an unseasonable cool August evening, so the outdoor setting was great! Also, for those of you who don't believe online dating works, this is my second match.com wedding of the summer:)

Nate!

Groomsmen

Bridesmaids

Nikki

Married!

The reception!

Bff!


Also, I have had a lot of people ask me if I am going to run the Richmond half marathon this November. My answer is simple: I don't know. I am still quite happy with my running time from the Shamrock Half and do not do well on long training runs in summer heat and humidity, so I have not run longer than 5 miles at once since May or so. If I am feeling really good in October I will probably register late, but I will just have to see. It might be nice to run it spontaneously and not worry about training. A run/walk half marathon could be fun in the fall temperatures:) This summer I have mainly focused on my total monthly mileage (which is often from more, shorter runs during the week) rather than long runs. I am excited for cooler temps and longer weekend runs! My 5:40 AM runs now that work is back in session are still awfully hot and uncomfortable, but I do appreciate that the sun is (almost) up! Unlike in the winter...

And for those who also care, I only have 7 shifts left at the pool:) I work tomorrow through Monday (Labor Day) and then we are open the next two weekends in September, but I only work on those Sundays. I am so ready to be done but have appreciated the extra money!
Have a great end of August!

Running in the Heat

Running in the heat SUCKS.

I'm sorry. That came out wrong.

RUNNING IN THE HEAT REALLY SUCKS.

I feel much better.

I wake up around 7 every morning to get my run in. So much for really sleeping in this summer, though sadly this does feel like sleeping in after my 5:30 AM alarm during the year. I don't mind getting up early to run, but what I do mind is that even though I do, it is still miserable outside. I feel like running is torturous. My mile times have stayed pretty steady, but every step feels 10x harder than it does in cooler weather. I usually go 3.5 to 4 miles with occasional longer runs, but I have also been a fan of running a little and walking a little to keep my distance up without causing myself heat stroke.

I would take a picture of myself when I get back from one of these runs to show you the amount of sweating going on (and how I look like a tortured POW), but I don't have a smart phone (holding steady!) so it would involve getting my camera out and uploading a gross picture of myself, which is too much work. Maybe one day I will remember.

For those who can handle running in the heat- bless you. For those like me that feel like they are slowly dying every day, keep these tips in mind (courtesy of some of my favorite blogs):

1. Switch gears and adapt your workouts- it takes about two weeks for your body to adjust to the cool and run based on your effort level rather than your typical pace. Adjust slowly. Just like you increase your weekly mileage slowly allow your body to adjust to the weather slowly.
2. Shell out the bucks for some summer running clothes.  Or just buy one outfit and rewash it all of the time but having the right gear for running in different conditions is so important. Think loose fitting, wicking fabric, light colored and light weight. Awesome article HERE with tons of different recommendations for hot weather running gear.
3. Run E.A.R.L.Y!!! Obviously it is cooler in the morning and evening so get out the door even though you would rather be laying in your comfy bed…when you get home and notice it is getting hotter you will be so glad you went when you did (although in some areas the humidity may be higher the earlier you go). If you are training for a race that is going to be hot then maybe do a few of your runs early but also some of them when it is hot to help your body adjust.  
4. S.U.N.S.C.R.E.E.N. Besides just protecting you from skin cancer ‘sunscreen can decrease your skin and body temperatures, so you’ll stay cooler during exercise.’ (source)
5. Drink, drink, drink. Hydration MUST happen all of the time, all day long…not just when you are working out. During your workout drink water and even try pouring some of it on you! If your workout is less than 45 minutes you should be fine with just water but anything longer than that you may want to grab a sports drink when it is really hot out to help keep your electrolyte levels up and to give some fuel to your muscles. Awesome article about WHEN and WHAT to drink during the summer for your running!
6. Plan your routes according to drinking fountains (or bring your own water bottle).  
7. The treadmill will be your best friend even when you don’t like her back. Sometimes it really is too hot to safely run outside so use that treadmill. There is a post HERE with tips on how to fight boredom on the treadmill. You may really want to try out your speed work on the treadmill when it is hot out.
8. Try to run by water. It is usually cooler near rivers, lakes and the ocean so try to run along those places….added bonus: the scenery.
9. LISTEN to your body! If you start feeling dizzy or light-headed then stop and find shade and water. You can finish your workout another day when the conditions are safer for you!
10. Remember. Running is hard and running in the heat is even harder but that is what makes us runners so cool…..we are hardcore:)

This can be adapted to any outdoor exercise in the heat! And just keep reminding yourself (as I often do)...fall will be here before we know it!

The End

The student's last day was last Thursday (technically Friday if they needed to make-up an exam) and my last day is tomorrow. I get blessed with an extra 4 day week to clean up course requests and scheduling for next year. I also get the pleasure of calling parents about summer school if students failed classes.

I feel as excited as this kid.

I have been mentally checked out of this school year for about a month now, but especially in the last few weeks. It is hard to believe that I am finishing my 3rd year as a school counselor, but yet sometimes it feels longer! I guess that is how it is with most things.

Next year is promising to be full of changes, many within my school as a whole, but also within my department and potentially with me. I have some opportunities that I should know about soon. It makes the end of this year, while frustrating, also bittersweet and full of the unknown. I feel I will reflect better once I am further away from the year ending, so get ready for that post:). For now, I bid adieu to the 2012-2013 school year. It has been a year of challenges, fun, successes, failures and growth, as is every year in education!

Happy Summer!!!!!

Recent Thoughts

Thoughts from the first few days of June:

1. Many rich people do not feel the need to throw away trash or put away their things as much as non-rich people. My neighborhood pool growing up had less trash on the pool deck than the country club I am managing.
2. The heat sucks to run in. I want my cold, dark days and Under Armour back.
3. When it stays light later, no matter how tired I am, I cannot go to bed until it is dark. However, I still wake up when the sun rises. So less sleep is happening. I am counting the days until June 21st.
4. Tan lines from a lifeguarding bathing suit are just as annoying as they were in high school.
5. Speaking of lifeguard suits, I look 16-years-old in mine, which doesn't make my managing credibility look good. Puberty- where did you go?
6. I still want to be friends with teenagers or college kids I work with. Remember this? I have issues.
7. I am now the teacher that students want to write in their yearbook. It honestly makes me feel special and that I am making a difference with these kids. I now know how my teachers felt when I asked them to write in mine!
8. When I think about birthdays and all the fun things you can do on them, all I want to do is go out to eat and get a ridiculously unhealthy delicious dessert. Hey, I'm easy to please!
9. I am having a sense of reading deja vu, as in, I know I have read the book I am currently reading before, but I still have no idea what is going to happen. So every time I get to a new part, it is like I have experienced it before but still a surprise! (And I am in a crazy reading mood. Like, 600 page book-a-week mood).
10. I am really excited for reunions at UVA this weekend and seeing so many of my college friends! It will be so nice to be back in good ol' Cville reliving my college days. I already am planning on needing copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake late! Should be a good time:)

Oh, and it's National Running Day! So whether you normally run or are looking for a way to get fit and enjoy the outdoors, go for a run today! I did mine before work as the sun was coming up and there were lots of runners out:).

The Perfect Summer Day

Summer can be wonderful. But it can also be long. Some days are quick, busy and feel like less like summer and more like work, some are slow, boring and monotonous, and other days are relaxing and just perfect. Today was one of those days.

I woke up refreshed (9 hours, thank you). Went to the gym. Came home to clean up and watched some old Saved by the Bell reruns. Went to the bank. Arrived at the pool. Relaxed in a low-humidy day. Chatted with neighbors who showed up. Read a good book. Showered and celebrated my dad's birthday. Went out to eat (Cheeburger Cheeburger). Visited a friend on the way home. Watched some DVDs. Read and journaled.

A perfect summer day as summer is winding down in my opinion:)

 

Stuff I did on vacation

Drank summer drinks...

 Painted my toes (crackle!)...

Hit 60,000 miles on my car...

Read and read and read and read and read (15 books)...

Drank more summer drinks...

Had crazy hair....

Saw horses on the beach...

Went parasailing...

Made (and ate) some good food all while becoming a vegetarian...

Hung with family...

And friends...

...and celebrated....

Saw beautiful sunsets...

Completed 2 puzzles (not by choice!)...

Hung on the beach for a total of 13 days...

...in heaven:)