it's the first day of spring and it's hot, hot, hot...

Happy first day of Spring!   I hope you had great weather wherever you are.  We had a near perfect day.  It reached 82 in Michigan.  It's been so warm this month that it's hitting record March temps here.  I can only hope it doesn't reach 100 over the summer though...

Anyway, because it was so warm and I got off work late, I opted to do my run later when it cooled a bit.   Instead, Ryan and I ran some errands.  I had one very important task to attend to - get the Muppet movie!

mission accomplished!

If you didnt' see it while it was in theaters, rent it or buy it.  It's such a feel good movie and the soundtrack is also awesome.  I have two songs - Man or Muppet and Life's a happy song on my running playlist.  Yep, I'm a nerd.

We also took Gizmo for a walk, but he isn't quite adjusted to the heat yet and he was panting like crazy by the time we got home.  

this is one hot puppy.  Don't you love how he "poses" for the camera?  Clearly he's my dog ;)

Ryan got to run during his lunch break at work, though he got a little dehydrated and had to walk a bit, but he still tackled 4.2 hilly miles with some buds.  I told him I was jealous he got his run done so early.   

i waited until about 7:30 and went to head out.  I looked for my spi belt, so I could take my phone with me.   I couldn't find it anywhere and now I'm worried I lost it somewhere in Plymouth after the race.  If this is the case, I'm going to be really bummed.  I look like a dork wearing it, but it's so useful for carrying my phone with me on every run and fuel for longer runs.   I really hope I find it soon.   

Anyway, I opted to go without and told Ryan to come look for me if I wasn't back within 40 minutes.  I had 4 miles on the schedule and though I planned to go faster than 10 minute miles, I said that just as a cushion time in case I had to walk or something.   

I wrongly assumed I'd be okay without my knuckle lights in that period of time.  I was good the first two miles, but it was pretty dark by 2.25 miles and I slowed considerably as I tried to pay closer attention to my surroundings.  I know the loop I do well enough that I knew I was close enough, but as I got home, I was only at 3.83, so I had to do a few back and forths from one end of my street to the other.  I ended up doing 4.02 in 36:04.  Nothing too spectacular, but a good way to kick off spring.

I have to say, I'm so much better about running when it's dark now that I have knucklelights (when I take them).  I stick to the neighborhood for the most part, but it's definitely not something I hate anymore.  That's a huge plus as it warms up.  Running later will be ideal on hot days.

As I ran, I realized I was wearing a pretty important shirt: my hood to coast tee.  For those of you who have been for a while, you know I ran it with Nuun last year.   For those of who you don't, you can read the recap here:  Nuun, you may have changed my life.  And here: hood to coast part 2.   And here is when I found out I was doing the race: I'm doing hood to coast.   

and here I am today in all my sweaty post-run glory with a photobomb by gizzy (yes, I match so well)

So why was I thinking about it?  Because Nuun announced yesterday that it's that time again.  They're looking for female bloggers to form THREE teams this year.  You can find more info here: Nuun HTC 2012.   

You need to know, this one was the best experiences of my life.  It changed me in so many ways.   I think back on it and still get teary-eyed about it.  Seriously.   It was tough, but it was also amazing.   I can't even put into words how much I loved it and how grateful I am for getting the opportunity to be a part of it.   All of the bloggers from last year are encouraged to apply again this year, though only a limited amount from that pool will be picked.   Thing is, I'm not even considering applying.   Don't get me wrong, it's amazing, wonderful, life-affirming, etc.   But, the thing is, it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me.   It holds a special place in my heart and if I applied again and got it, I could hate it this time around.  It could lose some magic for me.  I don't want to lose that special place in my heart.  I don't want it to lose value.   Sure, it could be EVEN better this time, but that's a huge risk I'm not willing to take.   Plus, I don't think it's fair for me to be one more applicant in the pool when there are so many other female bloggers I know who deserve a chance to do it.

Please, please, please, if any of you female bloggers even considered it last year, please apply this year. I want to live vicariously through you and have you love it as much I did.   I know that there are so many amazing ladies out there who have what it takes - mentally and physically to do this.  This is your chance to prove you're truly hardcore, to find out what you're made of, to be a part of something amazing.   

Plus, look how happy I am here (and I was in serious pain):

and you can't put a price on happiness like that.

So, start spring off on the right foot and go chase a dream.   It's right there waiting for you.   

Let's talk:

-Anyone else run out to get the Muppet Movie today?  

-Do you have any 'kid' songs on your running playlist too?

-How'd your day shape up?  Was it a hot one for you also?

-Anyone considering applying for HTC?  Any questions for me about it?

Megan