The Adventure Begins.

I'm sitting here on my bed multitasking: writing this, eating a chocolate Quaker rice cake, drinking a [small] margarita, and packing for this weekend's marathon. This will be my 7th marathon in my quest to eventually do one in every state, and the 6th I've done in the past ten months.

Okay, today isn't really margarita day - I didn't even know that existed until I found this picture; apprently it's February 22nd. But today is margarita day for me.

The thing is, today was my last full day as a teacher. It's just two 1/2 days of final exams and then I return to the life that I put aside.

I had my first child at 19. Then in 1991 (with #3 on the way) I looked over a small pool of careers I knew I'd enjoy and be good at, and chose the one that seemed the most responsible given my three children. I don't hate kids, or schools. It's just that I've spent the last 25 years taking care of children - mine and other people's, and now I'm ready to do something else.

So yesterday, I had my final annual review as a teacher, where I was pronounced "awesome" and my evaluator hugged me and said that if I changed my mind about leaving, to let her know. I feel good about leaving teaching after nearly 9 years without burning any bridges.

At the same time, change is scary, for me. I'm verrrrry nervous. I know the ins and outs of my school and most of the people in there. I'll be going to a newish place with newish people and newish policies, both written, unwritten, spoken and unspoken, where I don't have a reputation as a veteran anything. Yikes!

But anyway, the marathon. The weather forecast for Ogden: Mid 50s (F) at race start, and highs in the lower 80s by the afternoon.

Here's the course profile:
Without a lot of uphill climbing, I won't heat up as much as I usually do. I'll wear a long-sleeve meshy-wicking shirt to wear at race start, over which I'll wear over my meshy wicking Marathon Maniacs singlet. If I get warm, I'll take off the shirt underneath. As this is a well-supported course, I'll not be carring much other than a waist pack with my inhaler in it. My trusty New Balance 768s and my moving comfot Fitness Shorts complete the ensem.

But of course, it goes without saying that I'll have the insanely sexy toe socks in attendance.

My goal: beat my Mississippi and Las Vegas times (about 5:45) We'll see. My next post will be after the marathon, so cross your fingers for me, and will the clouds to cover the Utah sun.

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