I woke up at 5am to have breakfast and to get myself ready to go for the event. I’m definitely not a great morning person, but I can get myself moving at such an early hour if need be. Once I was dressed and ready to go, I headed out the door. It was 6:30am at that time (I need time to really wake up, thus the setting the alarm that early) and I knew that I could get to the Florida Hospital parking garage by 7am.

Once I arrived at the parking garage and parked, I quickly gathered my iPod and bib and went down to the race check-in and starting area. There were lots of people everywhere. Track Shack’s races always seem to be well participated in which is great. I secured my bib onto my shirt and got in line for the restroom. This is the only really bad thing about the races. The facilities that are available are port-a-potties. Not my idea of a fun experience in the slightest. I know from speaking to others at the events that I am definitely not alone in that line of thinking.

Spotting the race walkers table, I went over and spoke with the guy manning the table about competing as a race walker. The only rule that got me for this race is that you cannot have headphones on. This would have meant that I couldn’t utilize my iPod during the 5k. I’m used to always walking with music, so I told him that I’d have to practice sans the music and see about competing maybe at the next 5k.

A voice announced that the race was set to begin in about three minutes, so I immediately headed over to the starting line. I found the “Walkers” sign and got behind it with others who were going to be walking the event. From what I could see, there were quite a number of participants who were going to walk at least part of the race. In previous races, I would start before the walkers, but enough behind a lot of the runners that I wouldn’t get run over or in their way. I tended to do the run-walk-run thing, so the just walking the entire three miles is still a challenge for me even after the I-Drive 5k back in May.

The race started like a bottle rocket shooting off. Everyone got moving. I knew being a bit back in the pack would have me starting about a minute or so difference from the official clock, so I kept that in mind as I got going. I always get a rush of adrenaline during each race, and this time was no different in that regard. I had a smile on my face as I went over the starting line.

By the time I hit the first water stop, I was feeling pretty good. It was hot and humid out, but I was okay. I even opted to pass the water by this time and wait for the next one. Hitting the first mile marker, the clock time was 17:29. This brought a smile to my face. I was making great time!

With a PodRunner mix on my iPod and pride in my step, I kept moving as fast as I could walk. The terrain varied a lot throughout the course. We went over road, brick and gravel. Quite a difference from the conditions I normally encountered during my walks. I’m used to roads and sidewalks, but not brick roads. The varying terrain is a nice up to the challenge of the race.

The water stop for mile two was where I took up the offer of water from the volunteers. The heat and humidity was brutal by this time and even just a bit of hydration was a help. I hit mile marker two about 32 minutes and change into the official time clock. I knew that I was doing well and that if I kept that pace, I could easily finish the race in my goal time of 50 minutes. Keep going! I told myself, you can do it!

Hitting the mile marker sign for mile three about 16 minutes later, I pushed myself harder. You’re almost there! Sweat was dripping down my back, arms and legs, but I kept moving. That beautiful Finish line was in my sights! I crossed the line with a big smile on my face and raised both of my arms in the air. I had done it! Official clock time was 50:36. My D-Chip time was 49:01. Not only had I met my goal of 50 minutes, but I had exceeded it. Finishing a race is a feeling like no other. No matter whether you are a runner or a walker. Already, I can’t wait to get back out there for my next 5k.

The staff at the surgery center have been very awesome during these three weeks. They have been very sweet and doing their best to keep me at ease. They really made the experience a lot easier for me. That is appreciated when you have to go through something so stressful and painful as a herniated disk injury. I just hope the results of the shots is great and that it lasts for a good long time.

I see this as an oversight on the organization’s part. Asheville is quite a veggie-friendly city. The Paris of the South understands it’s vegan and vegetarian residents and visitors. You can go into almost any eatery in the town and get a veggie friendly meal. The people of Asheville actually know the meaning of a vegan, unlike folks in Central Florida.

Also, most of the food served in Asheville’s restaurants is local, coming right from farms and growers practically down the street. The mountain town prides itself on organic local fare. Just look at the window to any downtown cafe or shop, “Love Asheville. Put your money where your heart is. Buy Local.” Asheville truly is a top veggie city in my book.

This morning, I got myself up an hour earlier than usual and got myself going for a walk. In all honesty, I really do miss running. The morning workout time symbolizes the time I spent running. So, having to knock things down to a walk or cycling does at times feel discouraging. However, I know that as long as I am working out in some way, I am accomplishing what in the end I want to do. Of course, seeing other runners do their thing does give me a feeling deep down that I miss it a great deal. I don’t know if that will ever completely go away.

I did feel as though I got in a decent workout this morning walking for the most part. Since I went out about 8:30am, it was pretty darn humid. Florida is way too hot for my taste anymore. Granted, I’m sure it’s hot elsewhere in the country, but this state just never seems to really cool down enough in my opinion. I’m very much over temps in the 90s that feel like you’re in the desert. I burned about 170 calories by the end of the walk, so I was pleased with that.

Tomorrow will be another morning walk. I am going to get my bike finally going again by the weekend so I can begin biking in the morning as of next week to mix things up. If I can’t run, I shall bike! I have gotten great results on the stationary bike at the gym, so we shall see how I do biking on the road.

An Orlando judge ruled today that the city’s use of automated red light cameras to catch red light runners is a violation of state law. The state of Florida alone can make the determination on the usage of red light cameras per Orlando Circuit Judge Lauten. This means that thousands of drivers may be able to claim a refund if they were issued a ticket because of a red light camera.

Personally, I’m not against the use of red light cameras to catch those drivers that speed through red lights. It is not only a violation of the law, but it is dangerous. Many people have been injured or have died from crashes due to red light runners. It seems to me that this issue will end up going before the state very soon. I’m sure the Orlando city officials will be bringing it to Tallahassee for a higher ruling. This could cause the cameras to go up not just in Orlando, but in any city that requests them in the state if passed.

What are your thoughts on red light cameras? What do you think about the Circuit Judge’s ruling on the matter?

Check-in time! Week 2 went well! I wrote my morning pages seven out of seven days. I’m not writing them first thing in the morning as Cameron recommends, but I do get them done by mid-day or early evening. Just as I experienced the first go around, I believe doing the pages is helping my writing and life.

My Artist Date was a success as I posted yesterday. Any time alone with my camera makes a good time in my book. I do need to vary things up a bit in the future though, do some other creative outings. I’ll have to come up with a list for myself of possible Artist Dates that I’d enjoy.

I did a number of the weekly tasks Julia Cameron lists to do. They did aid me in my journey for the week I believe as well. I only wish I had more time to get all of them done. Sadly, there are only so many hours in the day. Never enough time to get all the things I’d like to get accomplished done.

For this week’s Artist Date, I headed over to Maitland. My first stop was the Audubon’s Bird of Prey Center. I got to visit the different Raptors the Center currently has on the grounds. It was a neat experience. I was able to take pictures of some of the birds. Next stop was the Maitland Art Center. I didn’t spend much time there, as the sky opened after a short time and the rain came pouring down. The Art Center has very neat grounds, which was what I explored with my camera in hand. I look forward to returning to the Art Center to check it out further another weekend.

I ended my Artist Date with a late lunch at Ethos Vegan Kitchen in Orlando. It was my first experience at Ethos and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. I ordered a calzone with pepperoni and sausage. It was delicious. I cannot wait to go back in the near future.

Two of my favorite podcasts to download and listen to on a daily basis are KFI AM 640’s Bill Handel show and the Tim Conway Jr. show. I have found both shows to be very entertaining and just simply fun to listen to during my work day. I’ve even subjected family and friends to endure portions of show bits that I’ve found most laugh out loud funny.

What’s weird about that? Well, KFI is out of Los Angeles. The news and events these guys speak of tends to have little to do with things that would matter to someone living in Florida. Yet, I can’t stop tuning in (Tim Conway Jr.’s What the Heck Did Jesse Jackson Say? is worth listening no matter where you live). If only the Sunshine State had radio personalities as interesting and engaging, then maybe I’d download and listen to something local. Sadly, I doubt that will ever happen. I mean, it *is* Florida. Personally, I don’t tend to expect much from my current home state. Like Agent Mulder said on an episode of The X-Files, “all the nuts roll down to Florida.”

So, what does green make you think of? Simply environmental causes and concerns? Your favorite tee shirt hanging neatly in your closest at home?

Personally, my thoughts on the subject/term are endless. Being a vegan and a lover of the environment, those two things do come to my mind right off the bat. Green equals vegetables. Got to eat your leafy and not so leafy greens! Also, I think of being a good environmentalist. Recycling when I can and doing my part for the Earth.

I will more than likely be doing more blog posts on the monthly topic, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on “green.”

Arriving at the surgery center, I checked in and asked if there was anything that they could give me for my nerves. Unfortunately, there weren’t really any options, so I decided to just buck up and simply do my best to relax and get it over with. After waiting a bit in the waiting area, I was called back. The shot itself was just as I remember it, not fun in the slightest. Thankfully, it seemed to be over before I knew it which brought me much joy.

Leaving, something happened that surprised me. One minute I was talking to my mom, telling her that I was glad the shot was over with and the next minute, a heatwave and a feeling of being lightheaded overcame me and I felt as though I was going to pass out. I had never experienced anything that intense before. I sat down in a nearby chair and my mom informed the front desk of what was going on. A nurse quickly came out and put some horrid smelling salt under my nose (I guess it was actually ammonia?). That definitely pulled me out of it some, but I still was not feeling well. Another nurse came out with a soda and warm washcloth and told me to drink a few sips of soda and put my head down with the cloth on my head. Five minutes later, I was almost back to feeling good again. After sitting for a couple more minutes, mom and I headed out of the surgery center.

Of course, I’m not looking forward to my third, and final shot next week, but I am looking forward to it being all done with and to feeling a lot better soon.