Catching up Is Hard to Do
Okay, so I’m SO far behind on this blog that it’s not even funny. I’m correcting part of that transgression now, through a mega-update.
Please, people, contain your excitement.
I have divided things up into categories; I’ll put these in alphabetical order, though the first one would also be the most important.
Jess
Jess is short for Jessica, and … brace yourselves … she and I have been dating for a little over two months now. She lives in Chicago, so we’re a bit of a commuter couple, but it hasn’t really negatively impacted things. In fact, it’s forced us to communicate, which is a good skill for any couple to have. She’s a runner (in fact, running is one of the things that brought us together), so she totally gets it when I’m ridiculously sore (even if she thinks it’s crazy for me to even think about running a marathon). She works as an archivist; her current work involves databasing citizenship records from the early parts of the 20th century.
A photo of Jess and me in downtown Kalamazoo
MDOT
The work at MDOT is keeping me really, really busy. That’s good, because (in theory) it demonstrates that I am indispensable and, therefore, immune to any and all budget cuts.
*pause for effect, giggling, etc.*
I’ve been rather busy with updating Transportation Improvement Programs (complicated documents that list projects receiving federal funding) and working through my region’s response to MDOT’s annual Call for Projects. On the latter, I wrote narratives, proofread/edited other narratives, and coordinated the Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality program. On top of all that, I’ve been very involved with Safe Routes to School projects in Allegan and Douglas/Saugatuck. The former has received some national attention, because it focuses on a center-based program for students with disabilities. We’re happily ahead of the curve, and others are taking notice.
Running
It will surprise none of you that I’m happily continuing my running. I’m up to around 1,100 miles for the year now, and have remained fairly free of injury. I’ve had a couple of minor issues with my right leg (hip, calf), but nothing severe. I’ve only raced a couple of times since I last blogged, including a June half marathon in which I posted a personal-best time of 1:45:57. I’m coaching a team in the Summer Safari marathon and half marathon training program offered by Gazelle Sports; my summer Plaidiators are 27 members strong.
As I write this entry, I’m only about 50 days removed from the Road Runner Akron Marathon. So far, I’m right on pace with my training, and look forward to posting a good time on September 25.
That’s all the news that’s fit to print. Feel free to ask questions. Who knows — I might even answer them. 
