11 miles

Today, I did the longest run I've ever done...11 miles in 2 hours. I'd been looking forward to this run for a long time. I ran the IronGirl route twice, then ran another lap around the park. The run was supposed to be a 10 miler, but I knew the route was longer and I wanted to stary on my feet for 2 hours. I've been using a run/walk ratio of 4/1 and not only is this easier on my body, it doesn't slow me down at all. When I compare my long runs this year to similar runs last year, I find that I'm running just as fast, if not faster. The temperature was cooler, around the mid-60s and it feels like fall weather is starting to come on. I'm training with fingers crossed...and I'll see how it goes!

Off To College, All Too Soon

Photos courtesy of Western State College of Colorado

My son left for college at Western State College of Colorado on August 12. With the high cost of gas, it was prohibitive in time and expense to drive out there, so he took just one duffel bag of clothes, a guitar, and a carryon and flew out to spend a few days with his grandparents in Denver. Afterwards, my son and his cousin drove up to Gunnison where he has a house that his parents bought him which he shares with roommates. Then my son moved into the dorms and started college life.

My son spent the entire summer loafing and complaining that he couldn't get a job because he'd have to ride his bike to work and he'd "get all sweaty." But when he got to Gunnison, he borrowed his cousin's bike to explore the town, and then went to the used sporting goods store and bought his own bike for $25, which he rides everywhere. After sitting on the couch all summer, he started hiking and fishing and seems to enjoy the outdoors and the Colorado mountains.

The first few days after he left went by quickly. All to soon, my husband decided to clean and re-arrange my son's room. After all, the dog kept sniffing for crumbs and food wrappers under the bed. Then, hubby hung up his diploma and other certificates of accomplishment. The room is cleaner than it;s ever been in years...and the door stays closed. My younger son is thrilled that the bathroom is clean and he is the only child in the house.

Not a day goes by when I don't miss him or think about him ... or not-so-surreptitiously check his campus e-mail. I text him ... and wait for his calls. During the first week or two in college, he said "I love you" more than he'd said in the past four years. But as his college life picks up pace, the calls are a bit less frequent. Yesterday, he said he was thrilled to get an A on his first English paper. After not studying during his entire senior year in high school, his study habits are shocking. Of course, he wants us to send money.

I can't believe my son went off to college already!