Titles Are Overrated

Betting Kind

One year, when I was in elementary school, my dad decided to have me and my brother try to pick the winning NFL teams each week. I don’t know why, I don’t know how we did, but he had this notebook he would keep track of our picks in.

My dad also used to take me to the horse racing track frequently where I could bet all day. And on a few sick days I remember him taking me to the special store that sold the racing forum and I would lie on the couch watching the ghetto horse racing channel.

Which brings me to my love of tennis. Which I’m sure will be elaborated on much, much more, but for now revolves around picking winners.

This year I’ve been participating in a fantasy tennis league (yep, they exist). I have to say that I think I’m doing pretty well. As of yesterday (they haven’t updated for today) I’m in 101st place out of almost 1000 people.

For the Grand Slams I also participate in the Racket Bracket challenge on the Tennis Channel’s website.

I’m probably jinxing myself, but I think I’m rocking it so far. For the men I’m in the top 4%.

And for the women I’m in the top 3%.

I am a really competitive person by nature and a total tennis geek so I couldn’t be more excited.

And, if you’re wondering, I have Nadal winning the men’s and Sharapova (I almost had a heart attack during her match today) winning the women’s.

Fingers crossed.

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Laurel Parade

I graduated college four years ago. I don’t really believe it, but the numbers don’t lie.

I don’t want to talk about it.

But I do want to talk about the Laurel Parade. Today, Mount Holyoke, my alma mater, held the Laurel Parade. What is that you ask? Wikipedia so eloquently describes it as the following:

The Laurel Parade takes place the day before commencement. Graduating seniors wear white and carry laurel garlands, in a parade to Mary Lyon’s grave. They are escorted by approximately 3,000 alumnae, also in white, who thereby welcome them into the Alumnae Association. Once at Mary Lyon’s grave, the garland is wound around the cast-iron fence, and the Mimi Farina song “Bread and Roses” is sung by all in attendance. White is a tribute to those who fought for women’s suffrage.

Picture time! There aren’t really any pictures from my Laurel Parade that I like. First, I was fat. Second, I apparently had a crap camera. So here’s one:

And here’s me and Becca two years later at our two year reunion:

Much better.

Me and Natalie:

Don’t my eyes look really blue in these pictures? I had an eye infection, maybe it was a good thing?

Seniors walking to Mary Lyon’s grave:

One of the (many great) signs help by alumnae.

I love the older alumnae, especially the yellow classes since that’s my class color.

Really, really old alumnae.

Next year is my five-year reunion. Unbelievable.

I’ll leave you with Bread and Roses.

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A Race For the Hardcore

A year ago I ran my first race at a distance longer than a 5K.

I ran 10 miles. In 1:38:25. Not too bad.

I stopped running over the summer when it started bothering my knees. I started up again in the fall, but eventually my knees became a problem again. Recently I’ve been trying to run short distances on the treadmill and while my knees have been stiff, they haven’t been like they were.

It’s weird to think that I went out and ran 10 miles pretty easily only a year ago. The longest distance I had run up until that point was 8 miles, but I busted out 10 in a time that I am extremely proud of.

Even though I am not running regularly right now and even though I’ve gained about 8lbs since last year, I overall feel much more fit. When I was training to run the 10-mile race (and a half-marathon) I pretty much only ran and did cross training (elliptical) once or twice a week. For the last few months I’ve incorporated different types of cross training into my workout routine and I’ve added in strength training.

My hope is that the cross training and strength training will eventually help me to run again. But if that doesn’t happen I’m happy to have found other workouts that I enjoy.

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