I can’t believe two years have gone by since my friends from Kentucky visited and hung out by the pool.  It was a fantastic day and a wonderful relief not to think about gas drilling for a few hours! I miss them.

The boys are as cute as ever – and it’s good to know that Rachel and I are still cute too! I’m already waiting for the next visit.

But doing it anyway. What can I say? Jeanne and Nod are awesome! So awesome, in fact, I want to adopt them and force them to live with me forever and ever.

It would have been nice if we had a little bit of sunshine and the weather was warmer, but it didn’t interfere too much with our weekend plans: shop, shop, shop, eat, drink, shop, hot tub, eat, drink, drink, drink, sleep, shop. Repeat x 3.

Throw in an icy half-marathon, a makeover, teaching Ms. Not Born to Run how to wear a bra Texan Style, an obligatory Starbucks rescue or ten, and you’ll have our weekend. Full and Fun!

We totally look like twins:

In preparations for the upcoming visit of the infamous Ms. Not Born to Run and Nod, I decided I better actually run and have some fun. And who else better to practice those skills with than my funner, runner and wine sipper friend/Martini Twin, Michelle! Saturday, we ran 13 miles in the rain – and in the rain, I created my new # 2 motto: If you gonna run, run fun!*  It’s hard to argue with that kind of brilliance. (Well, unless you’re at mile 17 of a marathon and your quads are on fire, but I totally plan to change that this year.)

We petted zebras and kissed horses and finished in 2 hours and 17 minutes (we won’t mention anything about the auto pause feature on our Gamins during our petting zoo break) and beat our virtual partner by 2 minutes!

We finished soaking wet and with smiles on our faces.

I’m ready for you now, Jeanne! And so is Rowdy.

*# 1 motto: Fun lasts longer than fast.

Hello Internet People, I promised more blog and so I must provide; even if it is boring, I am a woman of my word. (How’s that for fancy? Two commas and a semicolon. Although I have no clue if they are correct.)

This past weekend my friends Marta and Milka came to town for a visit, which is always fun – but it’s especially fun when Marta inspires you to get off your ass and run – and so we ran a whole 7 miles – in the really, really, really cold weather. But not as really, really cold as it has been. I have a half marathon in less than two weeks and I’m only up to seven miles. (Don’t tell Jeanne!)

On that first 7 mile run in I count how many days, I was also able to try out my new kicks, a pair of Nike Free’s I ordered off eBay. They felt very strange on the first run – but I bet I need more than one run to get a final verdict – so, I guess I should get to it and start moving.  But so far, way better than the Newtons.

Onto swimming. It is improving – with emphasis on the ING. I’m still the slowest in the C (read: last and slowest) group, but my form is getting better – or so the instructor says. I can now successfully swim 10 lengths of the pool without stopping or drowning. It’s the small miracles we are thankful for, IPs. The small ones.

Today, I must get a run in. I must. I missed swim yesterday because of my sinus infection, but I’m feeling a little better today and the temperature is in the 50s, so I need to get out before the rain sets in for a steady 3-day downpour.

Not much else going on, but this is more than 140 characters, so I think I’m meeting the quota.

2009: I refer to it as the year micro-blogging took over the world. I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook and Twitter, I love the instant gratification and yet it’s the fast food of blogging. And in 2009, I ate the fast food and didn’t give very good blog. I also had a love-hate and an I’m-sick-of-being-injured affair with running – I only ran 297.77 miles for the entire year. I can’t remember a year when I ran so few – I only raced one half-marathon and only a handful of 5ks.

2009 wasn’t totally bad, let’s recap the Runner Susany goodness:

• I meet my friend, Michelle, and we’ve been inseparable ever since – and so was born the Martini Twins. She came into my life at the perfect time, and I’m grateful for her friendship and the fun she brings into my life.
• I learned how to ride my bike. I learned how to ride my bike on the ROLLERS. I learned how to ride my bike on the rollers and in the closet. I still impress myself with this feat. Who doesn’t miss the roller videos or the paper plates?
• I participated in my first bike rally and triathlon and I discovered the transition to the dark side isn’t as dark as I thought it would be – well, except for the swimming part – it still continues to be a dark abyss.
• The Chef and I had the most fabulous and romantic vacation in Napa where the Chef and I also got to meet and ride with two of my favorite people, Pamela and Juls. I look forward to seeing them again this year.
• I was also fortunate enough to have my SECOND meet up with the Toasts. How many of you can say that? Just consider me special.
• Sister Runner Amy, my brother and I surprised my mother with the Birthday party of the year. It’s not easy to surprise her, she’s wise to all we do. Mothers are like that.
• I got to dress up as a German Beer Girl for a day.
• Somewhere in 2009 my baby turned into a gorgeous teenager. She continually amazes me, I’m so proud to be her mother – and yet, terrified to have a gorgeous teenage daughter. Where’s my big stick?
• I had a last minute meet up with my high school friend, Rachel, and her family before Christmas, it was a wonderful surprise to see them.
• Celebrated the new year a little early with my Chef in New Orleans! Anything goes there, Internet People. Anything.
• I was still in my 30s. I turn 40 in 2010 and if I recall, when I was Kenza’s age I thought turning forty meant that dropping dead at any moment was an appropriate thing to do. Is it too late for me to change my mind? But wow, 40.

So far, 2010 is predicting to be my best year for running yet. Next weekend my friend, Marta, and I are going to run the Jiggle Butt 5k with my friends Cindy and Deana and at the end of this month my blog buddy, Jeanne of Not Born To Run fame, is coming to Dallas and we’ll run our first half-marathon of the year together. I’m so excited to meet her!  So January 2010 already beats 2009. Go me!

And since we are speaking of Ms. Not Born to Run (who really can and does run), you’ll never believe this – guess who called me a few weeks ago? Called me on the phone – the. real. live. phone.

Play with me for a moment.

“Ring, ring – hello.”

“Hi Susan, my name is cchrzzz mczzzdozzzl from buzzzss to runz” (Static)

“Huh, I’m sorry did you say not born to run, is this Jeanne? are you calling about your trip? I think our connection is bad” (Jeanne sounds awfully manly?)

“Let me call yozzzzz baczzz from my offfizzz.”

“Ring, ring – hello.”

“Hi Susan, This is Chris McDougall, You might have heard of my book Born to Run. I’m looking for someone to design a web site for me.”

“Uhhhh, holy crap, YES I KNOW YOUR BOOK. You are the most famous runner dude in the entire world and I’m talking to you on my cell phone!!!!! I will make you the best web site EVER!”

Okay, so maybe that last part didn’t really happen like that, but you get the idea: Mr. Born to Run, Christopher McDougall, called me on the phone and SRA and I are making him a web site. The world’s greatest web site, too.

I know what you’re thinking “Wow, Runner Susan, you’re famous if Chris McDougall is reading your blog!” I wish, but sadly no, he was a referral from another really cool site we did, and if I were Fisher Susan, I’d be all excited too. But we can all pretend I’m famous by association – because I’m making Christopher McDougall a spanktacular new web site. Did I mention that already? ChrisMcDougall.com – it’s still a work in progress, but what do you think? Now go and buy his book.

His book is changing the way I think about running, and working with him on his site is a huge inspiration.  And don’t for a second think RS hasn’t taken full advantage of the situation by probing Mr. Born to Run with every question possible about running – and he’s been super nice to answer them all. I have every intention to make 2010 my best year for running yet! And you know what? I’m born to run. How about that? Living proof:

Running more isn’t my only goal in 2010:

• I’d like to complete a 1/2 Ironman
• PR in a marathon or two
• PR in a half marathon
• Run 1000 miles over the year
• Swim like I am not going to die the moment I touch water
• Be happy with my body weight
• Have more fun
• Be a more forgiving person
• Meet new friends
• Be the best wife I can be
• Be the best friend I can be
• Be the best mother I can be
• Cook food that tastes like food
• Blog like I mean it,
• and if I could own a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, my life would be complete (just don’t tell Christopher).

There you have it, Internet People – it’s been one crazy year and I look forward to another with you in 2010. Here are a few pictures from 2009, which you’ve probably already seen, but here for your viewing entertainment in case you have 3 minutes and 46 seconds to waste.

2009 from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

We had a blast. Chef Nicole took over my kitchen and taught me some awesome things! The wine was fabulous, the food was fabulous and the company spectacular.

Also know as the last minute 5k Runner Susan almost puked during miles 1 – 3. I reckon I was channeling sweet little Cherry Berry this morning – although I’d never swallow an entire rawhide treat without chewing – I’m a professional chewer, I know better.

Unofficial result: 31:51, not a PR – but I’ll take it since I haven’t done much in the ways of running about a month.

It was fabulous to spend time with my 5k buddies Cindy and Deana! We always have a great time at our races – and this race was no exception, especially since it came with post-race breakfast wine!

I know, I have a lot of catching up to do – and yeah, you can be jealous – I had the honor of meeting up with the world famous Toasts for a few hours today! What fun, wish they could have stayed longer.

I’m not a good traveler. I don’t enjoy flying, I don’t like being away from my home and I don’t like not having everything where it’s supposed to be. I know, I’m a freak. Although, this manic tendency seems to comply pretty well for both the Chef and I since the Chef doesn’t like to be away from his bike and therefore doesn’t like to be away from home without it. And I REFUSE to ever air travel with his stupid bike again (re: Canada disaster many years ago) because it is NOT worth the ginormous hassle – especially as he freaks out when he sees it coming out of the belly of the plane only to watch a bunch of golf clubs plop on top of it’s container.

This vacation was surprisingly different. Everything fell right into place, from renting “Michael approved” bikes online to our hotel reservations all the way to extending the vacation. I fell in love with Napa. I adore Napa Valley. I didn’t want to leave. Everything about it is wonderful. So wonderful in fact, that I am still talking about moving there someday. It has everything I love: perfect weather, the best food, and lots of delicious wine. It gets better when you add that it is cycling and running friendly – and with green, lush, beautiful landscapes full of roses and roses and roses and vines. It’s just lovely.

And a lovely pork sausage I am, as I practically had to sausage stuff myself into my jeans on the way home. Makes for a fun plane ride. Oiy, and I still feel like a sausage. So, let the running begin. I need a plan so I don’t skimp out on myself – I’ve been a bit lazy lately. Wait, I do have a plan, I just need to put it in action. I did exercise in Napa – I rode an hour or more everyday, but with the exception of my ride with Pamela and Juls, my rides were mostly scenic. I couldn’t help it; there were so many beautiful things to see.

Many more Napa Adventures to come in the ways of fancy toilets, meeting friends, restaurant reviews and wine by the barrel. But for now I must work on my pork sausage reduction plan, so here are a few pictures from our trip until then:

Internet people, if I ever met good people in my life – it’s 21st Century Mom’s Pamela and Keeping Pace’s Jules. I’d link them, but I’ve been tasting wine all day and it’s beyond my current neurological capabilities. I can tell you this though, they are the kindest, nicest and most genuine and beautiful ladies I’ve met in so, so long.

I heart them so much they make me want to move to this beautiful area of California. These women are beyond amazing. Hands down, the best part of our Napa Valley trip so far was meeting them! I miss them and it’s only been a day since they were here. (Sorry about my constant hill climbing and descending whining, I’m not always like that – only 80% of the time). My next goal is to get them to Dallas!

Our Team Martini slogan: Fun lasts longer than fast.

Today I ran the Faith Run 5k with my friends at a neighboring city and I didn’t explode or catch on fire. Maybe because I didn’t wear my “Heathen” shirt. I’m nice like that.

It was hot, humid, humid, humid and a lot of fun. I even got to see an old co-worker, Bill, who I hadn’t seen in ages. How fun is that. I tuckered out after finishing mile 1 in 7:51. Official 5k time: 28:06. I’ll take it, but I know I can go faster.

L-R: Cindy, Leigh Ann, Deana, RS, and Bill

Why yes. Yes I would. Thank you very much. Would you like some too?

This weekend I went to Oklahoma City to visit my friend, Michelle, and the only thing that got in the way of our wine drinking was a half marathon.  You know, that half marathon I trained for by exclusively doing yard work. We had so much fun. And so much wine.

After I arrived we headed out to watch Michelle’s Mom perform at the Oklahoma City Arts Festival with her tap dancing squad. And I was quite surprised how much fun it was and how good they were. Those seniors are tap dancing fools – It was a blast! Michelle’s Mom is the one in the boa. She is adorable with that boa.

We walked around the festival a bit and headed over to a lovely restaurant where we had lunch (a fantastic Gorgonzola burger & fries, shhhhh) and a little bit of wine.

After lunch we headed to the Expo to get our packets where the line to get in was 50 feet long. No kidding, almost out the door and the convention center. Yeah. Ummm, not waiting. So, Michelle and I snuck in the back doors only to be sent away because the fire marshal was monitoring the people level in convention center.  So guess what? Instead of waiting in line for an hour, we headed back to the restaurant for more wine. And by the time it was ready to head back over to the Expo, we were taking pictures all over the place, including in the restroom.

If you are ever stressed out about heading into a crowded Expo, I highly recommend a few glasses of wine first. We walked right in, grabbed our stuff and were out of there in less than fifteen minutes.  Perfect! Because we had some more wine drinking to do.

We went back to Michelle’s and hung out on her lovely patio with her husband, Phillip, and drank some wine, ate a fabulous home made race-fuel pizza, and played out with her dog, Daisy. Daisy is the cutest thing ever! And it’s a good thing Daisy and Cherry-Berry can’t make babies because their combined happiness would cause rainbows and fairies to pop out of the sky and the Earth’s entire population would turn into a bunch of panting leprechauns. I’m not making this up; it’s just the way it is.  So we’ll just let them be lesbian lovers until it’s time to adopt.

Of course, by 11PM the pictures started to look a little like this:

And it seemed like a really smart idea to stock out fuel belts like this:

Of course, the next morning at 4AM it looked like we pinned our race bibs on inside out and upside down. Thank goodness Phillip was kind enough to straighten things out.

OK Half Marathon from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

He was also kind enough to make us his super-secret hydrating potion for the drive over. Needless to say, that was a good thing. In fact, the potion was so good, over 24 hours later and I’m STILL peeing. I’d give you the recipe, but being that it’s super-secret and all, Phillip would have to kill you.

We met Michelle’s friend, Gwyn, and were dropped off at the race. Since the race started about ten minutes after we arrived we hopped into the first corral we spotted. It wasn’t until a few minutes later that we realized we were in the very first “elite” corral. We didn’t say anything and no one pulled us out, because obviously, we looked like all the other really fast Kenyans.

We started strong, we ran well and had a great time. Along the way Gwyn taught us about running the tangent. How is it that I’ve been running for a bazillion years and I’ve never heard about running the tangent?  I’m not sure how much of a difference it made, but it made sense and kept our minds focused on our next move and not on the person directly in front of us.  We finished in 2:18. Which I’m really happy with considering I didn’t really train at all. Except for all that digging and planting.

Of course, after the race we were graciously greeted with a fabulous chilled chardonnay. I can’t think of a better way to end a race.

And it wasn’t long before the pictures started to look like this:

Sometimes I think it’s better to be fun than fast because if they were all fast, I don’t think I’d run very many. I can’t wait for the next one, although I’d be okay if it was not 79 degrees with 90% humidity! More pictures in flickr.

I had the pleasure of spending a few days with AJ from Little Miss Runner Pants. She’s moving from Kansas all the way to Austin with her little dog, Toto, and spent the night at the Knollie Witch Project on her way through Dallas. (Actually, her dog’s name is Asher, but Toto makes for a good title.)

Our two days were pretty action packed. We managed to visit with a few of her middle school buddies for drinks and dinner, attend leg torture class, meet up with our fellow blogger Andra Sue, (pictured below, who is every bit the charming, beautiful and enviably fashionable triathlete as you would imagine), teach Asher how to swim while drinking margaritas and ended the visit with a nice family dinner.

I’m going to leave out the part where my Aussies beat up Asher because he’s likely traumatized by the event. I’m also going to leave out the part where the pool mechanics thought I was AJ’s mother. Seriously, that part is staying out.

I really enjoyed my visit AJ. She is a gorgeous and lovely carefree spirit and if you ever get the chance to spend any time with her, you won’t be disappointed!

Click here for the marathon photos.

Click here for non-marathon photos.

Getting through the finish corrals was awful. David found me and told me his finish time. I was proud of him. I called Amy and she told me that Marta finished in 4:12. Keep in mind Marta ran Marine Corp last weekend in 4:16. She is an amazing runner.

It took so long to get our bags and get to the meet up area. I was so tired. I wanted food and I wanted to go home.

Tomorrow I’ll post the after, after marathon stuff and upload all the pictures. I have some great photos and videos.

I want to thank Amy and Linda for running around and being there to support us. It really meant more than you know.

Blown glass sculpture by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Taken at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.