Friday Afternoon in Little Rock

Checked into hotel in downtown Little Rock, then  set off to find the Flying Saucer, a little joint recommended by a friend because "Robin would make a great waitress here." We had to check it out! Great beer list and the waitresses wore short plaid kilts with knee-high boots. Yep, I would blend right in. Had a most delicious Diamond Bear Pale Ale, a Little Rock local brewer actually. This would eventually become our joint during this trip. 


Next we headed out for me to see the Clinton Presidential Library. It's funny how each generation identifies with a particular president. For me, it was Bill Clinton. This afternoon, my husband "humored" me in taking a tour of the William Clinton Presidential Library. Greg and I both couldn't believe how much we enjoyed this. Regardless of political affiliation, it was so interesting reviewing historical events occurring between 1993-2000. We even laughed seeing Paul Begala and George Stephanopoulos on large flip cell phones with Cellular One stamped on the phone. Wow, a lot has changed technologically. We even joked that we still had the "bag" phones in 1993, so a flip phone was cutting edge. 

Dinner at Bosco's where Greg commented that this was our cheapest date - 3 beers, pizza and 2 salads with tax for $27! Loving the affordability of Little Rock!

Another thing we loved about Little Rock so far was the friendliness of this southern town. I would come back here in a heartbeat!

The Wonders of Dry Shoes and Dry Socks!

I had a 20-miler on this morning's agenda with a 10-miler scheduled for tomorrow. So it wasn't like I could just postpone my run hoping that tomorrow's forecast would be better. I dressed accordingly with my windbreaker (uhm, it wasn't waterproof I learned) and headed out the door. Here's the best part: I only wore the windbreaker to provide protection for my iPhone. I didn't care if I got wet, but I was going to treat my phone with care! Anyway, I hovered under a tree for cover and texted Meg to bring me dry socks and shoes. She showed up at mile 11 and I couldn't believe the difference! I was so cold and wet, but with dry shoes and socks I had enough energy to finish out the remaining 9 miles. And the bold cup of coffee at Erie Island was the perfect way to warm me up, plus it was wonderful sharing a cup of coffee with my not-so-little, almost 17-year-old pumpkin.

My New Obsession

While exploring at Appalachian Outfitters over the weekend, I came across my new obsession - a Haiku purse. I had never heard of this brand, but instantly fell in love with it's beautiful design and practical style. It's ideal for traveling - having two spaces for water bottles or, in my case nowadays, sippy cup. I purchased the Haiku To-Go bag in Bamboo Green "Branch" design. Love love love it. I've been wearing it for 3 days now and have zero complaints. It's lightweight, holds everything, feels incredibly stylish and, best of all, it's not another unimaginative Coach purse.

Hello Legs, It's Me, Robin

This morning was my scheduled 18-miler. I woke up at the same ridiculously early time of 6:30 am and out the door at 6:50. Although I am not an early morning runner, I do enjoy watching the sky go from dark to light. But this morning, I felt I was in slo-mo compliments of Thursday's P90X session. My glutes and quads were not at all interested in my ambitious morning agenda! Even during moments I could hear the P90x guy screaming Banana! Superman! Banana! And Superman! I know if I can stick with at least 2 sessions each week, my running will improve. Unfortunately, this also means walking John Wayne right before a gunfight. My one product endorsement would be for Theraballs. I have an orange one and Megan works MAGIC with it. Ten minutes of Theraball working out the knots and kinks and I am off and moving with less hobble.

A couple hours later, we hit up RIPE at the Botanical Garden and I scored myself a jar of habanero pickles from Fire. I've already eaten one and loved the all-over mouth burning sensation!

We even checked out Ingenuity Fest. Very interesting to say the least.

Good luck to Akron marathoners today. You had a beautiful day weather-wise!

Our Halloween Race in New Mexico - 200th Post!

Bridget and I have decided we will dress like the characters from her favorite book, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, for our Halloween race in Albuquerque next month. So this weekend, I'll be putting together my costume. She already has her ladybug costume, thank goodness. For mine, I've decided I will pick up a yellow running shirt and sew bold black stripes across it. I'll wear my tri shorts underneath and stitch together a yellow tutu of tulle fabric with a black ribbon stitched in. I'll need to pick up a headband with antennae to complete the look! Stay tuned for pics of the final product this weekend.

Also on our agenda is an introduction to orienteering this weekend for Greg and I. I'm physically fit to bike and trek, but paddling requires a level of coordination that will be interesting at best. Especially when one of us has to stand up in the canoe to punch our control card at a checkpoint! No matter, we will have fun, probably get wet (I better pack everything in ziploc baggies!), and have some great stories I'm sure. And it's just 2 quick weeks away!

Daytripping to the Zoo

Beauty of an Early Morning Long Run

At the beginning of my 15-mile long run I was greeted by this:


I had to stop just to capture the beauty. So often long runs are exhausting and, well, long. Seeing the sun rise kind of reminds me of how lucky I am to spend a little time enjoying allnthat mother nature has to share. This morning, I enjoyed seeing chipmunks zig-zagging in front of me, a raccoon that I swear was smiling at me, a gorgeous doe listening to me talk to her, and a crane in the middle of the river sitting on a rock just filling the units.

And all of this occurred before 9:30 am leaving me time to catch the last few minutes of Pablo Honey's dance class.