Looking Forward...

Sometimes you don't realize how much you need a re-charge until after you return from said re-charge.  I was out of the office for 13 days...and unlike this past summer...the work interruptions were not as bothersome.  I have been easing back into my regular routine, but in all honesty, my time away revealed that I need a new routine.  I'm trying to hold on to my 'vacation bliss' so that it lasts until the next one.  There is a definite theme building for 2014 already...travel.  The next trip will be in April...to Ireland.  It is a lifelong dream finally coming true.  2013 was all about getting miles...working toward 13.1 and then toward 26.2.  In 2014, my plan is continue to get miles but in different places!!  I don't think I will do any half or full marathons...but I have registered for an Indoor Triathlon on March 23.  My training starts on Sunday (eight weeks - swim, bike, run).  I'm excited to shake things up a bit.  I miss my weekly training blog updates. I miss my training plans too.  I miss my Nike+ Sportband pictures.  It will be good to have something new to work towards and write about.  I know the training will help me to set a new routine...it is just the kick start I need.  Ready, Set, Go!!!

2013 Rewind (December): Philly...

It was the perfect December weekend...soccer watching, morning run by the water, snow, shopping, and more soccer watching.  As I have written before, following my first favorite soccer team, takes me to new and interesting places.  The Terps made it again to the semi-finals of the NCAA championship, which this year was held at PPL Park in Chester, PA.  I have been there several times to see the Philly Union, but had never ventured into the city.  I had a few things on my list...watching the Terps win, a morning run by the water, walking to Starbucks for coffee, and running up the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art.  I'm good with lists. We are very lucky soccer fans actually, most of time we end up at the right place at the right time.  What we didn't realize was that we booked the same hotel that was hosting the College Cup...so imagine our surprise when we walked in the lobby to check-in and the entire Maryland Team and Coaching Staff were there.  No big deal.  Coach Sasho chatting with Taylor Twellman.  As a soccer fan, it was pretty much amazing and awkward.  We are the random fans of Maryland who make no sense...and someday I will figure out how to explain how following this sport and this team changed everything for my family and I.

The Terps beat University of Virginia on Friday night...and we were elated.  We were in the stands with several PA youth soccer coaches and I was distilling all my knowledge about which players played with which MLS academy teams.  It is scary how many factoids I am starting to retain.  They were also cheering on several terps who are from PA.  We were on to the next round...which was further than last year...we would play Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon. That Friday night at the hotel bar, Coach Sasho and a few of his crew ended up sitting at a table next to us.  It was crazy...I offered him our extra chair. I had the pleasure of working out in the gym with the Notre Dame Coach Bobby Clark on Sunday AM.  Both Clark and Sasho have ties to Sir Alex Ferguson.  I was in awe.  Clark was calm and focused walking on the treadmill...I think I had a feeling then.  Our terps lost later that afternoon...but I was so proud.  Of their character, of their growth during the season, of everything.  There is a reason why they are my first favorite.

My pictorial list of fun in Philly...

PPL Park has the prettiest views...it never disappoints...so much stadium envy.

Club Level watching Notre Dame vs. New Mexico

A Club Level Selfie...times three....

 

The line up...had to watch the Terps outside...can't mess with tradition...

On our walk to Starbucks...a sign that we picked the right location for our first international trip!!

A perfect morning run...so peaceful with snow flurries...

In the city of brotherly love...a sister who DOOPs while in Philly and one who is always Black and Red.

Snow and Xmas Decorations...does it get any better?

 

Perfect time of year....

Shopping in the Snow...I was in heaven...

Watching Manchester United at the Hotel Bar...and yes...I chatted with Taylor Twellman when he passed by!!

Beautiful Morning...

I even found a Moose!!

When in Philly...

That's me in Red...a perfect moment...to celebrate how amazing 2013 was!!

Mommy (aka the Bear) and Me....

Almost Go Time...

 

The Line Up...

Maryland...My Maryland...

2013 Rewind (August): Chelsea and the Beach

I had not ever taken a true summer vacation before...usually I go to camp and that is my summer vacation. Given my training schedule, I made the tough decision to not to go to Camp Fantastic this year.  Instead, I booked a family vacation in Virginia Beach.  Given the Chicago excursion, I ended up taking 12 days off of work and it was fantastic.  As it turned out, I readjusted our vacation plans twice due to soccer...extended vacation to go to Chicago and then left a day later for the beach so that my Mom could see one of her favorite  teams (Chelsea) play.  The joy on her face seeing all of her favorite players walk right in front of her and play...there are no words for how incredible it was.

It was fun to be at RFK for once and not be stressed at all.  It was also weird to be there in normal summer clothes...no DC United gear at all.  I can't even remember how many miles had done earlier that day...maybe 14...like many Saturdays this past summer...I was limping but happy.  My sister and I surprised my Mom with a scarf...while she was watching the match.  Our seats were spectacular...we were right up in front not too far away from where Chelsea took the field.  We are very lucky in all of our soccer pursuits.

Here are some pictorial flashbacks from the Chelsea game on August 10...

It was a takeover...

Another beautiful night at RFK...

Crazy to be so close...

Mom's Favorite...

Michael Bradley

 

Juan Mata!!

And then the next morning we left for the beach...it was an easy trip...made even easier by a little rest stop in Williamsburg to visit with one of my favorite families...The Baillies!! My Mom and Sister had never met my friends Nate and Karen or their sweet Joelene.  We had a fantastic afternoon...lots of quality time with Joelene and swapping Joel stories.  It is always nice when your friends become instant friends with your family.  I'm so lucky!!

The beach was fun...but I have to be honest...I ended up working on my laptop way too much. I was a bit bitter about it...so I had to keep reminding myself that at least I was at the beach.  There were moments when the whole thing felt like a disaster, especially since both my Mom and Sister were sick with cough/colds.  But, staring for hours at the water always does me good.  Running on the board walk and on the beach was good for my soul too.  Even with the work interruptions...I felt rested and yet not lazy because I was still able to keep up with my marathon training.  I (of course) negated this with too much good food and drink...but that it is what vacations are all about.

The other highlight was being able to see my childhood friend, Bianca, who is a newscaster on the local news. I have never had a chance to see her do her thing on air (well other than on Cougar TV in High School)...and it was great.  With busy schedules...it was hard to find time to get together...but as luck would have it...we found each other for a quick visit.  I had checked in at the Starbucks near our hotel and she was at the gas station right across the street.  We were classy...she was all pretty for the shots they were doing and I was in my running clothes.  It was fantastic.

The Beach Life...I would do it again...

We are really bad at packing...I am the worst... :)

Rainbow...

Mornings with Coffee and the Sunrise....

A surprise from Bianca's Mom...TuTu...so sweet...

King Neptune...

Could stare for hours...so calming...

Yep...still staring...still calm...

Vacation Me...even though I wasn't at camp...it was with me...in the form of bracelets....

Mommy and Me after our walk/run together on the boardwalk....

Sissy and Me....

Evidently...Vacation Me gets Henna Tattoos too...A firefly...in honor of Chass...another Camp reminder...

More Water...and Walking along the beach...

Keeping up with Training and Starbucks Consumption....

Even found an Irish Pub to watch soccer....and they had Magners on Tap!!

2013 Rewind (August): 26 Hours in Chicago...

Being a DC United fan in 2013 was tough...but not for me.  Win, Lose, or Draw...I couldn't not support the Black and Red.  There are good years.  There are bad years.  My seasons so far have been 50/50...I'm only two years in...but I'm not going to stop the love after one tough season.  Besides, there was the US Lamar Hunt Open Cup...and we won it!!  We won the ship!!  So, there was that.  I'd like to think that my fandom helped DC United along the way.  I attended every game in person (wearing the exact same outfit and earrings and shoes)...except the final that took place on October 1 in Salt Lake City.  And yes...I had on the same lucky outfit, earrings, and shoes for that game too...it is only crazy if it doesn't work!!  If the time of year had been different, I probably would have hopped on a plane to go. 

I did decide to get on a plane with my Mom and Sister in August...to head to Chicago for the Open Cup Semi-Finals.  I needed to keep the winning momentum going and so I extended my summer vacation by an extra two days.  Why not hop on a plane to help DC United get a victory against the Chicago Fire?  I had always wanted to go to Chicago and when I knew I could escape the office with no worries...I knew I had to go.  It was a jammed packed 26 hours or so...we arrived in Chicago at 9:30am and moved full speed ahead.  We had plenty of time to sight see and shop before the game that evening.  This is what being a soccer fan has done for me...I get on planes and buses to chant and cheer.  It is the best thing ever.  I have traveled more over the past three years to watch soccer games...then I probably have in all the years combined before hand.  I love it!! 

Here is a quick pictorial trip down my Chicago memory lane...

With my Purple Petals Vera Bradley and Venti Americano...I can do anything!!

I love writing on the plane...and staring at the clouds...

There was a butterfly waiting for me...

Cool Art Pieces in Millennium Park...I loved the Lurie Garden.

The Bean...

Us...reflected in the Bean...

Dizzy....

The Three Amigos...

So pretty...

Reflections...

A tree, riverwalk...perfection...

Huge down pour...no umbrellas...every adventures needs a thorough rain soaking!!

Chicago did not disappoint...it had been on my list years...I need to go back.

There was much to swoon over at Nike Town...instead of the above...I got my Marathon Race Day outfit instead. :)

 

Arriving at Toyota Park...our first DC United Away Game!!

Vamos United!!!

Fantastic View...

So awesome...

You can see my Mom, my sister is hiding behind the red/white flag...I'm at the top right...headless!!

I had my first scarf exchange...

Back on the plane...coffee, clouds, pen, paper...perfection.