Beachmania Half Marathon

This post is for an outdated event, but I wanted to get it on my blog. Back on Sunday, 4 March 2012 I ran my 4th half marathon: the Charlie Alewine Beachmania Half Marathon along Huntington Beach in California.

My training paid off as I dropped my time to run 13.1 miles from 2:10'22" to 1:56'56" (14' improvement). 

The event was SUPER low-key; only some 30 participants. Charlie keeps things intimate. There were no mile markers, no fancy start or finish lines, no chips - just a good, ole, plain race. It was an out-n-back along Huntington Beach. It was a great race!

It was an especially fun event because I got to do the race with my mom! = )

jumping after the race

with Charlie Alewine at the refreshment station after the race

Getting Back to the TSRS

Okay! 2012 has made it's entrance, and the next Track Shack Running Series 2011-2012 event is just 2 weekends away! At last check, I'm sitting in 6th place. My goal is to finish in the Top 10 by the end of the series; in fact, it's one of my 2012 New Year's Resolutions.

Wish me luck at the Seasons 52 5.2K!

Previous TSRS 2011-2012 race blogs:

4/7 - missed due to back injury = (

3/7 - UCF U Can Finish 5 Miler

2/7 - Autumn Rock 'N Run 5K

1/7 - Celebration of Running 5K

PSU Spring 2011

I am registering for my Spring 2011 classes at Penn State this week. I am signing up for these two:

IST 552 - Data and Knowledge Management
This course introduces the computational foundations, methodologies, and tools in data, information, and knowledge management so that the students can organize information storage more efficiently, process information more effectively, and manage and reuse knowledge for better situational awareness and decision making. Emphasis is placed on data models, knowledge representation, information retrieval and searching techniques, data mining, geospatial applications, and multimedia tools. Relevant organizational issues are discussed throughout the course.
 
IST 411 - Distributed-Object Computing

This course presents the fundamental concepts of distributed-object computing, with applications to client/server computing, which is an important platform for real-world computing systems. The course focuses on tools and techniques used in the design, development, and deployment of client/server systems, including traditional architectures and distributed-object technologies. Issues of managing client/server systems, and the relationships between organizational processes and information system architectures, are also considered. (Prerequisite: IST 311 - waived for me as an ISLDP!)

WLTC Markets w/Heidi

This afternoon Heidi and I went on a nice, long walk. We left the apartment complex, crossed the bridge and went to the Waterford Lakes Town Center (WLTC). She loved every minute of it and was very well-behaved; several strangers who pet Heidi commented so! As I write this she is conked out on the kitchen floor. I may even be able to steal a nice little spring nap, myself, if she keeps snoozing.

Once at Waterford we went to PetSmart. I like to go there with her on a weekly basis, in addition to puppy classes on Tuesday, which I missed last week, so we were due for a stop at the pet shop. Heidi weighed in at 27 pounds today. Throughout the afternoon I gave her water that I had in my back pack, but it was nice that PetSmart had a water fountain and dog bowls available for use. I picked up a hot pink tennis ball to throw around with Heidi. I almost grabbed a frisbee, too, but she's probably just too young for that. She's still perfecting her coordination in using the stairs, hehe. Someday we'll do the frisbee thing. Anyway, I also picked up some new treats, which she is very keen on, and a smoked beef rib that I bet she'll love.

With these goodies for Heidi we left PetSmart and headed to the WLTC Saturday Markets. I had been only once before but I had unfortunate timing because as I arrived folks were packing up tents. This time Heidi was my good luck charm and we had plenty of time to browse. These markets aren't nearly as big as the downtown ones, but they have just as much charm and character. I brought $5 with me to spend. I bought some beef jerky, some honey sticks (those reminded me of the Indiana State Fair as a girl), and an apple streusel from Classic European Pastries. The folks at the Classic European Pastries were actually from Europe and were very kind. We made friends - they loved Heidi - and they even took a photo for us!

I'm definitely making another afternoon trip back to the WLTC markets with Heidi. Everyone loved her, said she was so cute, so fuzzy, and people even helped work on her commands and rewarding with treats, and just loved on her. What can I say? I'm a proud puppy momma! Plus there were some pound cakes, whole wheat pastas and jams that I want to purchase in the very near future! Yum!

For the walk I used Heidi's strap leash (versus the retractable leash), and she got used to it about half way through the day's adventure. I need to use it more often. For whatever reason, walking her on the strap leash made me really excited to walk her around campsites when I go camping back in Indiana come this May!

On the walk back I could tell Heidi was getting tired as she was slowing and not drawn away from my side or distracted as much. Once back in the apartment complex we pass Jeff's apartment and he stepped outside to say hello. Turns out he had a little present for Miss Heidi! He gave her a really cool Purdue dog collar! It's way too big for her now, but we're sure she'll grow into it. Jeff also gave me a black and gold Purdue shirt. It was very kind of him!

As soon as we walked in the apartment Heidi passed out. I've just written this, and I think I'll take that nap or perhaps read. Maybe do a little of both!

Enjoy your Saturday,

Amanda

Poor Yoga Mat

Last night while I was in the shower I was keeping Heidi in the kitchen. I have it barred off on one side of the island with a gate. On the other side I am improvising with her large dog travel crate, wedged in place with a rolled-up yoga mat that happens to be my mom's. Well, Mom, I'm sorry about this, but the mat is all chewed up on the edges. You can thank Heidi when you see her in a few weeks. = P

There were bits of blue all over the kitchen floor. Plus she had drug in some mulch for some added variety.

I suppose it could have been worse. She was havin chewing g a ball chewing and hopping on the yoga mat. Plus the mat still serves the purpose I set for it as a wedge to keep the crate in place so Heidi cannot escape the kitchen. I'm sure there will be more chewing catastrophes to come. She is a puppy, after all.

Anyway, I have an errand this morning, and then I'm going to take Heidi on an afternoon walk over to the Waterford Lakes Town Center farmers' market. We're going to swing into PetSmart, too, for some puppy treats.

Woofs,

Amanda

Christmas Letter 2009

Merry Christmas!

2009 was an adventurous year for me! Looking back I can see how much I’ve grown and how wonderful the last twelve months have been:

In January, as a sort of graduation gift to myself, I bought a 2009 Honda Fit Sport. When I moved to Orlando, Florida that little car did me well. Even better than the fuel efficiency was the company I had during the trip. My family helped move me into my lovely apartment, which has become home for me and my cat, Ashes; being so far from Indiana isn’t quite so bad with that fur ball around to keep me company.

I moved to Orlando for my new job with Lockheed Martin. I am a systems engineer on the Test Team for the Assured Identity program. Our job is to upgrade the current Lockheed Martin employee badge system to smart cards. My job is to find and report defects in the new system as it’s being developed. Until recently I was on the Test Team full-time. Just last week I began a transition to take on a second role part-time. For this new role I gather and analyze metrics and represent the business area. I’m being challenged, and I really enjoy my job!

Indeed, the weather and nearby beaches are nice, but Orlando has given me so much more for which I am thankful! I’ve made several friends and found a fantastic church. I played on a Lockheed Martin sand volleyball team, and I am catcher for a Lockheed Martin softball team. Also, I joined a gym, a camera club, two running clubs and I even founded a book club!

I love to read and wanted to meet other readers around town, but no existing book clubs I found were working out, so I just started my own: The East Orlando Twenty-Something Book Club. Through the book club I’ve met other bookworms, and we have heaps of fun! We’re a pretty social bunch: trips to Busch Gardens, the beach, book sales, movie nights, bowling, and, of course, the actual book discussions. We read one book a month, but, in addition to that, I usually read another one or two books. The next book on my list is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Here’s the latest on the family: Mom always keeps busy whether she’s gardening, quilting or running. She’s been running up such a storm that, believe it or not, she currently holds the Bennett Family Half-Marathon Record Time! Dad is continually studying his hobbies: photography and weaponry. His Navy background gives him a leg-up on the competition at the shooting range. Chucky has buzzed his hair and is aiming to become a Navy SEAL! With his wrestling history he will go far in that endeavor! Speaking of wrestling, Sam just signed with Northern Illinois University for a wrestling scholarship! I can’t wait to see him wrestle under the lights at State!

I sure do miss my family and friends who are far away, but, lucky for me, I’ve had many visits with them! Here are a few of the year’s highlights: Mom’s visit during Spring Break, running the Indianapolis 500 Mini Half-Marathon with Mom and Dad, Kristin & Aric’s wedding in Iowa and their visit for the Fourth of July, Mom’s summer visit, hanging out with my fellow Boilermakers and my Aunt Joan in nearby Melbourne, Sam’s fall visit, turning 23, Lana & Geof’s wedding, enjoying the Colts’ season with friends, Purdue’s Homecoming and reunion with college friends, all sorts of Halloween fun, and a surprise visit home for Thanksgiving!

That brings us to Christmastime! “And so I’m offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two, although it’s been said many times, many ways, a very Merry Christmas to you!”

Amanda Bennett