With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams...

Twice this week I spent 60 minutes on the elliptical. 

The rest of the week I spent walking the streets of Venice, Croatia, Ephesus, and Athens.

I also kayaked and snorkeled in the Adriatic in Dubrovnik. 

So no running miles, but I got a good workout and enjoyed gelato every chance I got.

Totally not going to be ready for the Des News half.  I'll just walk the streets of SLC and pretend I'm back in Athens.  Hope they have baklava at the finish line :-)

Sunday - last day walking Venice.  Wish I would have worn my GPS to see where we actually walked.  Had lunch along a cute little canal near the old Jewish Ghetto.  Started journey back home in the pm.

Monday - traveled home.  Planes, trains, and automobiles.  Boats, kayaks, and gondolas.  Great vacation.

Tuesday - slept in.  Went for a 6 mile run.  Back to the bridge.  Found lots of raspberries but wasn't brave enough to try any.  Saw 2 little spotted fawns with their momma.  It was a tough run. 

Wednesday - short 3 mile run with MR before our small shipment of stuff arrived from our old house.  We ran to the middle school and back.  The hills are not getting easier.

Thursday - 4 mile run.  Went down a different trail - ended up being super steep downhill to a river, then a dead end.  I got to turn around and haul back up the hill.  Then I took another trail that ended up being really nice, but also just 1/2 a  mile long.  Finding new places to explore.

Friday - 5 miles.  Went a different direction through the neighborhood near our place.  Found an old cemetery, lots of town houses, a couple of schools, and a bridge that goes over the 32 and took me to a little shopping area with donuts, burgers, tacos, and gas.  It was hot, so I went into McBurger to refill my water bottle.  Went a lot further than 5 but had to take a couple of walk breaks.

Saturday - Went hiking with MR and mini-me in Catocin National Park.  Hiked 5+ miles.  Not sure why but I had so much trouble with this hike.  I've hiked a different route at this park before without any problems.  Today was a really off day for me.  My family was waiting for me and I was holding everyone up.  I think it's a lack of gelato.

Sunday - just rested. Feeling better but not sure why Saturday was so hard.

Monday - 4 mile run.  I'm slowly getting a little bit of speed back.  No where near my goal pace, but it's hot, I've been on vacation a lot, and there are this blasted hills everywhere I go!

Tuesday - left early for my cross country trip with mini me.  Taking her out west in preparation for her starting University this fall (and the fact that she doesn't have anywhere else to stay - our temporary lodging just has 1 bedroom.  She's been sleeping in the dining room).  It was a pretty good drive to see my son in NC.  We got to spend the night hanging out with him and his college roommates.  Found gelato at the grocery store, ate too much, watched tv, then went to the gym with the college kids at 9 at night.  Cause that's what the cool kids do.  Ran 3.25 miles on milly.  That was enough.

Wednesday - 11 hours in the car driving to Ca$hville (aka Hendersonville, TN).  Got to see a little leage baseball game, and stayed up all night talking about boys with my girlfriend.  Slumber parties ROCK!

Thursday - waking up at 5:30 am after an all night slumber party does not rock.  Got the oil changed in the car and headed out for another 11 hour day in the car.  Made it to Lawrence, KS.  Drove through 5 states today.  Really trying to just knock out as many miles as we can.  Mini me is doing a lot of driving - good practice.  Still have a couple more long days in the car.  Probably won't get any more miles in with my running shoes this week.  I guess I'll say it's my taper for the half.  But I can't even type it without laughing at how unprepared I am.  I wish I could just ride a horse during the race.  People would think the parade had started early.

Friday - 6.5 miles on milly at the hotel in NE.

Saturday - drive, drive, drive.  Finally arrived in UT.

Monday - 6.5 miles.  "West Side."  downhill was fast.  uphill was not. 

Tuesday - Lagoon

Wednesday - half is Thursday so I convinced myself it was better to relax and not exercise.

Thursday - 13.1 DesNews half marathon.  Ran with CatHi.  Walked with CatHi.  We went slow so we'd be sure to get our money's worth out of the run.  Beautiful sunrise at the starting line.  I can't seem to upload photos....FRB keeps locking up when I try.

Friday - Hiked Millcreek to one of the Dog Lakes.  Great hike, except for the dog that wanted to get in my face when I was trying to sit down and eat.  Where were the owners?  I should be able to sit down and eat without your dog's face in mine.  All the other 20+  dogs we saw were terrific.

Saturday - recovered from run/hike.  Quads are singing to me.  Took a short little hike up to a rock climbing place above Draper.  That was enough for me today.