Busy at work, busy at home, busy running, too busy to roam.

Again, I've fallen off the blog wagon.

I've been working on a new book. It's very different from my first, but I'm really excited about it. I hope that I do the concept justice.

Also, work has become super busy again, and Brendan and I have been training for the marathon which is in a few weeks...October 7. Our friend, Danny, from Boston...my old roommate whom I haven't seen in...God, forever...he's running it too, so I'm excited for that.

Last weekend we ran our 20 miler. That is a REALLY long run, I have to say. I wasn't nearly as sore afterward as I remember being last year, but I have a nasty raspberry about the size of a half-dollar under my arm where I didn't "lube up" with the body glide. It is VERY attractive. It started to peel yesterday, and what is great about that is I have a wedding this weekend and will be wearing a dress that will likely highlight the scab and have other guests shying away on the dance floor to steer clear of the leper. LOVELY.

As attractive as I'm making it sound, I have to say, I think everyone should run a marathon. I know people say they can't run, and they think they can't run...but it's really not true. It's 100% a mental thing. Once you start, and you increase your distance beyond 3 miles, you really can run forever. And, when the weather is nice, and you get in your rhythm, you really don't feel like you're running at all. But, no one who doesn't run regularly, ever discovers this. And, I'll tell you why. Because the first two miles...and sometimes three...always Suck. Always. It's the worst part of the run, whether you are running three or twenty-three. But, no one ever believes me.

Seriously, I challenge you to train to run a 10 miler, or a half-marathon. You would be shocked.

I think ANYONE can run. I do not have a runner's body. In fact, I am actually a terrible runner. I'm slow, I run all hunched over and my legs never look toned, or particularly graceful. My race photos always show a cute blonde girl right next to me who just put on makeup, and me, drippy, grimacing, hair sticking to my neck and cheeks. Oh, and even at my skinniest, I always have a wet double chin, and look like I have rolls where the elastic on my shorts cuts in. Rather than a gazelle, I tend to look like a limping chubby Sasquatch. That's okay, though...we've determined that Brendan looks like a Tyrannosaurus, so neither of us is going to end up on the cover of Runner's World.

What else? Oh, Brendan signed up for Ironman Wisconsin again. (For next year.) This year (the year he didn't do it) was 70 degrees, no humidity, sun shining...perfect. Last year was 52 degrees and rainy. Next year? I expect the 98 degree heat wave. The only thing that I'm excited about there is it means we'll be going up to Madison a fair amount. I heart Madison. It is such a great town.

And they have the best grilled cheese in the world at Barriques Market. In 98 degree weather, what else would you eat? Tell them I sent you.