Happy Blogiversary/Breaking up is hard to do

It seems somewhat ironic that this post is my 400th entry to this blog--a milestone I never dreamed I'd hit when I impulsively started writing it 6 years ago (holy sh*t! Have I really been blogging for that long??). Yes, SIX YEARS. My first post (I was, and sounded like, such a newbie!) was on May 5, 2007. Today's post feels somewhat conflicted: partly an anniversary post* with a nod to the future, but largely a tribute to a relationship I'm sadly leaving behind: my park.

STL is a wonderfully kept secret. We've loved living here. This city has great food, festivals, family activities, theater, and, among other things, parks. The first time we ever saw our house, we sat on the front porch for a bit while our Realtor contacted the listing agent for showing instructions (sort of, but that's another story). I remember sitting with my husband, gazing down the tree-lined street, just barely able to see the edge of the park two and a half blocks down. Even before we really knew this place, the park made us fall in love with our neighborhood. Living here only added to that. I've run hundreds, probably thousands of miles in that park, at all times of day and all months of the year. And I've loved it. Running there has been my sanity during stressful times, my quiet time away from kids, my peace.

The other day I decided to go for a walk through the park after eating lunch nearby. I didn't mean for it to turn into a farewell, but that's what it quickly became. As I walked, I found myself reminiscing about different places in the park. My place attachment, and the severance of it, was emotional.

I breathed in the lush landscape of the park.

I stopped and remembered using the bench at the far end of this picture as the turn-around point for my early walks after having my younger son, when even that was a physical strain, but one I couldn't get enough of. 

I took a moment remembering the happy pictures we had taken here of my baby's first birthday. 

I took in all the varied pavilions, remembered the time I came across a loose chicken, the times I saw Clydesdales walking there, thought of getting lost in my thoughts and sometimes prayers as I ran mile after mile, sometimes before dawn, sometimes in snow, sometimes in unbearable heat. As I walked, I walked back through all my memories of this place. 

It was hell. I've lived in a lot of places and run in a lot of settings, including Le Parc Monceau in Paris! But this, this has been my favorite running park. What awaits me in SLC? Will I love something there just as much? Only time will tell. The adventure begins in about five weeks; I hope you'll join me. 

* watch for a 400th post/moving giveaway, coming soon!

Running + Images I LOVE

Maybe it's because I'm obsessed right now with online house hunting and looking at decorating blogs and sites. I don't know. But I'm way into seeing everything through pictures. And so I declare this Monday: I love running pics Monday!

First up, though a bit belated, part of the amazing stand that the running community took against violence. All proceeds donated to the One Fund Boston + great, functional headband = total win.

Yes, I'm aware that I'm wearing it backwards. And that I'm sweaty. 

Not my best thought through self picture. 

As you all know, we are planning a big (!) move west this summer. About a week ago I decided on a color scheme for our new (yet un-identified) living room. Stop-light green with accents of darker green, grays, and a coordinating cream. I've been fantasizing about our new space and how stylish and welcoming it will feel. Then on Saturday, I was headed into the first small hill of my long run and realized where, without a doubt, I'd gotten this idea. I love that I'll think of the park here from 1500 miles away.

And, uh...this one is just stupid. On my part. It's not even the right set of letters. D'oh!

Happy running pictures! Anyone else take pictures like this?

The April Run-Down (a little late)

(run down, get it? I'm mixing in horrible running puns now. You know you like it.)
# Runs: 15

# Miles: 65.6

Fav Run of the Month: Easily the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon, in Springfield, IL. Read the recap here.

Current excitement: We sold our house!

Current anxiety: We sold our house! 

We are finally closing on our IL house on Wednesday and we sold our house here. These things both sound great, but if you've been reading for a while you know that selling houses is not my favorite thing in the world. Until it's all said and done on Wednesday, and until the inspections on our current place on Tuesday, I'm going to be a ball of nerves. 

Current PITA: This blasted baby fat is being oh so very stubborn. I've ratcheted up my efforts on this front but have seen zero progress. I've actually gained a few pounds. WTH.

Current blessing: On the running front, I can see my speed continuing to improve post-race. This was not anticipated, as my mileage dropped a lot. I guess I'm still just in a state of flux. I'll take it!! 

Otherwise, things for our upcoming move are going smoothly so far, knock on wood! When we moved here I was an absolute train wreck from stress. While leaving STL is incredibly bittersweet for us, the actual logistics of it aren't keeping me up at night.

Looking forward:.I hate to say it, but my April running was pretty un-spectacular. It was 3-4 mile runs during the week and one 6 miler in an effort to return to longer runs. This was partly to be expected after my race. But....I miss training! While I don't have my next race picked out yet, I am going to start mixing speed work and tempo runs back in, to keep things fresh. Should be fun! 

That was my April. I'm about to dive into reading all about yours if you posted a recap!