Team Mathias Walk-A-Thon

On Sunday, a walk-a-thon was held to raise continued awareness of childhood cancer and above-all support Mathias in his personal fight. The pictures speak for themselves. This community is fighting for Team Mathias. It was a moving event--SO many people showed up, from infants to teenagers, adults to grandparents; we walked for Mathias. 

The neighbor streets and driveways were littered with Team Mathias emblems.

There were motivational signs standing along with half-mile loop.

People set up water stations in their front yards to quench the thirsty of sweaty walkers.

Mailboxes were strung with gold balloons.

There was a quilt signed by all the walkers for Team Mathias.

The neighbor club house was filled with festivity--a DJ, food, games, a silent auction, and decorations galore.

Ike Hilliard even joined in on the fun!

And the late September heat stopped no one, hundreds of people walked lap after lap with smiles on their faces.

To make this day possible, dozens volunteered. I'm grateful for today. We love Team Mathias.

Time To Taper

I'm honestly surprised how long it's taken me to tackle the marathon. When I knew nothing about how exhausting adulthood would be, at the ripe old age of 16, I promised myself I would complete the marathon by 26. I thought running 26.2 miles at 26 would be cool. Yes, cool. This was the sound reasoning behind electing this age as the latest possible year of my life to complete the marathon. Well, that didn't happen. I'll be 27 when I cross the finish line in Chicago, Illinois, if I cross the finish line in Chicago. I did, however, enter the lottery for the Chicago Marathon way back when I was 26. And a large chunk of my training happened during the final months of 26.

Alas, I've learned much through this process; it's been a time-consuming ride.

In March, I began supporting a new project. And with that came stress. And with that came a renewed interest in running. I set off without a plan. With a couple weeks of running under my belt, I signed up for a half marathon as a goal to work towards. I searched my archive of Runner's World magazines and settled on Ryan Hall's training plan. The Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon came and went in May. I was pleased with my performance and excited about the possibility of qualifying for the Boston Marathon in October. I spent first half of June reducing my mileage and prepping myself to begin a 16-week training plan during the third week of the month. I was ready to tackle the new couple months with gusto.

Then, you'll remember, I was sidelined with a nagging case of bursitis. I succumbed to physical therapy. I antagonized about how slowly my body was healing. I started to lose motivation. I started to worry my goal--to qualify for the iconic Boston Marathon--would slip away. I condensed my 16-week training plan to a 12-week, significantly more intense plan. The new plan required quality miles each  time I laced up with essentially no "junk" miles. And I altered my goal, to a more "normal" first marathon goal--finish. Just finish. Focus on finishing. Your time does not matter.

As far as the running goes, I have loved marathon training. I enjoy both the mental and physical aspect of running long miles. I've learned to break down 20-mile runs into manageable five-mile segments and mastered running long (and short) with (and without) music. I continue to work on warding off boredom. These runs can be so, so boring. I have had to create things to look forward to, whether eating or napping. If I think about how accomplished I'll feel when it's all over, I'm usually motivated to continue. Further, it's been a great excuse to spend time outdoors before gluing myself to a computer screen all day. And on the weekends, a great activity to begin the day. Plus, running has covered the 'hobby void' I've been attempted to fill for some time. 

If the running is not time consuming enough, there is significantly more time--and SO much thought--required to "prepare" for the marathon. While I have a plan, I must adapt the plan to the my reality. What day works best for a mid-week long run? As the sunrises later, when will I train? I have plans that will provide less sleep Monday night, can I squeeze in a track workout on Thursday instead? I'm out of town Thursday through Sunday, and therefore will not have access to my weights, when can I fit in strength training for the week?

Then there is eating, an awful lot of eating. I'm hungry ALL the time, not that I'm complaining. I need carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. But not too many carbohydrates or too much fiber. I've read (and read and read) how common weight gain is during marathon training, especially the first. While this hasn't been the case for me, I've been extremely cognizant of this. And have come to understand how easy bulking up could be, despite the remarkable number of calories burned. That being said, I don't allow myself to eat whenever I'm hungry--which again, is ALL the time, but I do eat significantly more than before. One more time: I'm not complaining. Seconds? Yes, please. The difference is most obvious when dining out; I no longer have leftovers. And at home, I opt for a cup of frozen pineapple as a pre-dinner snack. There are often times I'll go for seconds too. Like in the case of last night, when I consumed two multi-pound burritos and still needed dessert. On the days I'm so hungry I can't stand it, I have a mid-morning snack as well, often some sort of nut.

The food I eat is even more nutritious than before. I plan out breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day of the week--Sunday to Saturday. Before, I selected a few recipes for the week, allowing spontaneity and leftovers to fill the remaining gaps. Lest I sound too mighty, I eat way more "junk" calories than ever before; a bag of peanut butter M&Ms has nothing on me. Although I attempt to consume as many good calories as possible, I've had no problem eating a pound of Goldfish or Pop-Tarts for dinner the night before a run.

One might reckon that the toughest aspect of marathon-ing is, well, the tough elements of training: long runs, long tempo runs, and lifetime highs in terms of weekly mileage. But while I've found the running to be a formidable challenge, it hasn't been the most difficult piece of race day preparation. Sleep has. I try my very best to go to bed at 9:00 pm on the nights without an activity on the agenda, which leaves me about an hour to relax after dinner and dishes. On these nights, I often can't keep my eyes open until the sun goes down. (It's gotten easier as Fall has approached, wink.) Because of this, I've cleared the work week agenda quite a bit. I notice the largest discrepancies in my mood, run quality, and work productivity when I do not get a mandatory eight hours of sleep--a dangerous combination.

If you're not new here, you know sleep has not come as easily these past four years as it once did. So there have been sleepless nights, followed by rough days. And these days at points turned into week-long spans. And, this, for me, has had the largest impact on my training and me. Though I'm running this marathon for fun, I don't believe in living without giving my best. So it's been a balance of squeezing in a run over an event or friend or foregoing a run (or run(s)) for an important friend--on her wedding weekend. There have been times when it's possible to do both (e.g., Charleston)--on a little less sleep.

Aside from the pain in my left knee and mild pain in the arch of my right foot, which I'm icing daily, I feel at peace with my training (and, admittedly, a bit like a rock star). The bursitis flares up from time to time, though it's a million times better than it was in June and July. And the left hip pain I experienced as a side effect hasn't bothered me in a couple weeks, hooray. I definitely did not have the mental prowess to cover these miles before. Previously, at many points previously, in my running career, six miles seemed far (and tough). This distance now is easy; six miles is a day, like tomorrow, to look forward to.

NFL Pick 'Em: Week 4

I'm participating in an NFL Pick 'Em league this year, and it's the demise of me. Of course, I paid so I will continue to play through the season's end because I recently discussed my issues with quitting.

The largest contribution to my inability to win are my irrational reasons for picking all sorts of teams. I'm apparently sensitive though; it nearly kills me to pick against "my" team(s), when in reality my only team is the Kansas City Chiefs. Here I encounter problem numbero uno: As might be expected, I can't pick anyone in the AFC-West, the Chiefs' division. I'm looking at the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders. Except, Peyton [Manning], I kind of like him, minus the fact he reigns in Denver.

Then, I move forward, I have Clemson Tigers playing for the Buffalo Bills (and ZERO affiliation with the Bills beyond this), (un)naturally, I feel inclined to pick them. Thankfully, C.J. Spiller and Sammy Watkins came through for me in Week 1 and 2. This "strategy" was unsuccessful in Week 3.

I semi-lived in Atlanta, Georgia during the Michael Vick days, so I feel inclined to pull for him (and, more recently, his New York Jets). And I question my own integrity in even rooting for Vick because he fought dogs(!!!). I went to an ACC school during the Matt Ryan era at Boston College... and also, again, semi-lived in Atlanta, which apparently qualifies me as a part time Falcons fan. For a far less criminal reason, I should also dislike Ryan because he crushed all my hopes and dreams one unseasonably cold November night during my junior year at Clemson University. But I don't because I guess I find him relate-able.

I could go on and on and on.

Pops' whole family resides in Michigan. It's also where both my parents were born and raised. So Detroit Lions, I'm pulling for you. But Boyfriend is a diehard Green Bay Packers fan, and I also babysat for a diehard Packers' fan in college. Are all Packers' fans so nutty? This was a challenge in Week 3 when the two played each other; I ultimately opted for the Lions... for the win.

The Dallas Cowboys are disgusting. I'm unsure of all the reasons why, I just know Pops has said so all my life. On the disgusting front, there is also Ben Roethlisberger (i.e., the Pittsburgh Steelers).

I live in Washington Redskins territory. There hasn't been a second in my tenure here that I've claimed or followed the Redskins. I live on the Capital Beltway side though; I'm Redskins over Baltimore Ravens each and every day.

My former boss was a Cincinnati Bengals fan, so there's that. 

You see? Endless.

The aforementioned is one side of the issue, the other: I'm in a league with 36 people, vastly reducing my odds. In Week 3, four people, including myself, went 13-3. The verdict came down to some bizarre concoction of not one but two tiebreakers, and I somehow ended up in the bottom half of the four (i.e., not the winner). I'm entirely too competitive for this point in my life, which has resulted in Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3 temper tantrums; Week 3 being the utmost painful.

So while I'll endure the final challenges--14 in total, I'm counting the $20 down as a loss.

How are you going gold?

Over the past two years my interest in childhood cancer has grown tremendously. As a result, I’ve been reading more first person accounts of the childhood cancer. I came across this article this morning from The Huffington Post and I would encourage you to read the full article here.

"I never thought I'd hear those words, 'Your daughter has cancer' ... and then one day I did," says Melissa Bradley, whose 4-year-old daughter, Belle, is currently in treatment.

The devastating reality is that a parent hears that news every three minutes.

And while childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in kids under 15, research remains underfunded -- currently, less than 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget is allocated to research it.

As I have mentioned here and here, Latte Woman's 13-year old son has osteosarcoma (bone cancer). And while I have seen so much good pour out of the community on behalf of Mathias, I live each day with a pit in my stomach. I can't say it enough: This isn't fair. Mathias is a child; a kind and brave and wonderful and smart child. He will forever be a my super star. Sadly, though, he isn't the only childhood cancer warrior. There are so many.

This month is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Our once yearly, month-long reminder to stand up to this disease. We have a  responsibility to continue to fight for our children. I'm doing a small part to learn as much as I can about childhood cancer and spread awareness at each opportunity.

Join the fight. We're all going gold, together.

Another Baltimore Weekend

I am the worst storyteller. As I was drafting this weekend's recap, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I was unsure what it was I was writing about. This is my storytelling life--losing my point in the midst of embedding each tale with tangent after tangent.

I'm trying this again, with fewer tangents.

The majority of my weekend occurred in Baltimore, Maryland with my dear friend, K.A.B. Having visited Baltimore recently enough, the agenda wasn't overly ambitious. Though, I was happy to be back. After this trip, I'm pulled more towards Baltimore. And I have narrowed the reason slightly. I mentioned Baltimore reminded me of Detroit, Michigan previously, and while that's still holds true, it's the slower paced lifestyle I'm attracted to. The atmosphere is a conglomerate of both a 'harbor town' and a Midwestern one. A win, win. Further, and perhaps more importantly, all Washington, D.C. lacks in culture, Baltimore makes up for over-and-over again. Even in D.C.'s various neighborhoods, the populations are homogenous. This city, D.C., will always hold a special place in my heart, but the more I leave, the more my lust for this city wanes.  

Onwards.

Friday, I got off work a little early after attending an all-day Intro to Big Data Workshop. I usually dread conferences because, this early in my career, they still tend to fly over my head. And this one did not disappoint in that category, however, the first half was fabulous; I absorbed as much as I could as I was flooded with good information. I walked away with a much clearer understanding and increased interest in Big Data, a nice change of pace from the day-to-day office grind. I raced home, though I took the long route because hello fall weather. Please, pretty please, stay forever. And then some. After an hour with the television, I dressed for K.D.S.'s Light the Night Walk fundraiser at a bar conveniently located in my front yard, yet a bar I've never before ventured in to. 

I essentially showed my face, since I was sound asleep before 9:00 pm (in order to be awake at 5:00 am). Long run Saturdays, I will not miss you. After a 22-mile run, I stretched and rolled and iced. But mostly celebrated surviving. After which I showered and proceeded with my half-finished day.

It could be I'm so fond of Baltimore because I'm also fond of eating. We started with a late lunch at Shoo Fly Diner, where a chicken fried biscuit did not satiate my runger (i.e., running hunger). From there, we picked up K.A.B. and headed directly to the Cross Street Market for The Pretzel Twist's pretzels and Berger Cookies. Then, we watched the Boston Red Sox lose to the Baltimore Orioles in a not at all close game. We had time to taxi to Fells Point for loaded hot dogs at Stuggy's while the Clemson Tigers/Florida State University game paused for halftime. When the game concluded, in the most unfavorable way, I wondered why I'd forced myself to stay up and engage. 

On Sunday, we continued eating at City Cafe, where I devoured a juicy burger. And before the burger, this heavenly cinnamon roll appeared right before my eyes. I clearly had to eat that as well. I thought my cinnamon rolls were the best ever. This might have been better. There was also some incredible iced coffee served. And I'm a sucker for a good iced coffee, obviously. Who knew this paired so well with the burger?

Be forewarned, this is a vaguely relate-able tangent: On the burger front, who is aware that milkshakes are now featured on select Five Guys' menus, including the one near my office? Boyfriend and I have been pining for this for years. If only all our wishes were granted. The verdict is still out as to whether the quality is up to that of their burger. I will let you know, for sure. Though I'm running all the miles and burning all the calories, at this point I've mentioned my fried chicken biscuits, pretzels, cookies, Crab Mac Dog, and burger. I also had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at some point in between all the other eating. Needless to say, I need a few vegetables before my next Five Guys outing. Lame.

We headed home shortly after brunch, arriving in D.C. in exactly half the time it took us to get to Baltimore the day before. I was quite appreciative all the dreaded highways were so cooperative on this sunny Sunday afternoon. I evaded all the chores and watched football, while taking care of a few menial computer tasks, the remainder of the day.

This weekend was both long and short. Long in that lots happened at a relatively relaxed pace throughout the weekend. Short in that the agenda was back-to-back, so that when 5:00 pm on on Sunday came, I could hardly believe it was time to prepare for another work week. The weekend was sadly over, and seemingly, quick.

It's a new day. Though this new day is a Monday, an ever dreaded Monday.

A Dismal September

This weekend I took Boyfriend to Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, to see his Boston Red Sox. I splurged on tickets because very pricey tickets on the third-base line were more attractive than pricey nosebleed seats. And for these other reasons: 1) Boyfriend had yet to experience Camden Yards, one of my favorite stadiums. 2) For the first time in six years, I did not make it to a new stadium this season. (In 2015, I'll be hitting up Yankee Stadium and PNC Park. The dates have been saved.) 3) We've seen eleven Washington Nationals games, including the home opener to their division rivals, my beloved Atlanta Braves, for less than the cost of two tickets to the Red Sox at Orioles game. If we speak in averages, we're doing all right. 4) Then when you consider all I'm saving by not having cable. Last, 5) YOLO.

This was a meaningless baseball game--the Red Sox being among the worst teams in baseball, after having won the World Series in 2013, and the Orioles having clinched their spot in the 2014 Postseason earlier this week--was worth every penny. Even if I was more focused on the ever more important issue--the 8:00 pm start time of the Clemson Tigers/Florida State University match-up. If only my planning wasn't so poor. I was that girl--on my phone--at the baseball game, vomit. I was also busy chatting with K.A.B. for a majority of the game. So I can't tell you much about who did what. Early in the game though, when my attention was primed, David Ortiz, of the Red Sox, was booed walking to the plate. And just one or two pitches later, he launched an in-your-face home run out of the park. There were tons of hits to follow, including three more home runs. The American League can chill out with the hitting, like whoa.

The Red Sox lost and Boyfriend did not even care. He did NOT care. Appalling. You know what? Yesterday, the Atlanta Braves were officially eliminated from the National League wild-card race with their eighth loss in nine games. I could cry. My love runs deep.

Let's talk facts, dismal facts:

• The Braves were swept by the New York Mets this weekend, leaving them a half-game ahead of the third-place Mets. 
• The Braves are an astonishing 15 games behind the Nationals, whom clinched the NL East title conveniently at Turner Field last week. (The Braves were a half-game behind the Nationals in late July.) Enjoy watching Washington in the Postseason, Atlanta.  
• The Braves are three games under .500, a year after winning 96 games and the NL East title.

With a 4-14 record in September, the month winning counts most, the Braves powered down. So much for Choptober... This has been a depressing, hopeless, no fun ride. Wah.

It can and does get worse. Enter, the Clemson Tigers. Had I been asked me if the Tigers had a shot at beating the Seminoles, I might have laughed. But then class act Jameis Winston opened his mouth, resulting in a first-half (and later entire game) suspension, and I felt rather confident about the way things might shape-up on Saturday. I should have known. The Tigers pulled a Clemson, going down in overtime to the backup quarterback. To a quarterback who never thought he'd see the field because he backs up Winston, the current God of the college football. In overtime, the Tigers did not even manage a field goal. So, in September, that concludes this season for C-L-E-M-S-O-N. As a friendly reminder, the Tigers we're soundly defeated by the Georgia Bulldogs to open the season, winning out was essential.

At least the Kansas City Chiefs picked up their first win (and did so without Jamaal Charles). Let a girl hope.

Fall TV Line-Up

To the dismay of several, the only show on television I'm entirely loyal to is Dance Moms. I do not miss an episode, even when I'm four episodes behind, as is the current case. Abby Lee Miller infuriates me, but I adore Chloe so much I'm unable to remove myself from the dysfunction that is Dance Moms. I have also been watching this show from the start. And most everything I start, I finish. Because I don't quit, even what's unhealthy. To the best of my ability, I try to watch Dance Moms when Boyfriend is not around. We share one TV, and while he's more than willing to watch and discuss, I can tell he's only being nice; Dance Moms is not his favorite show.

When I got home from work on Friday, I had an hour to myself before Boyfriend walked in the door. I threw in a load of laundry--hello, productivity--and immediately selected Dance Moms from the On Demand menu. As mentioned, Dance Moms has deteriorated in quality. While I used to watch solely for the dancing--hello, eight-year-old talent--I watch now as a way to remove myself from reality; this show clears my head like nothing else. I'm still mesmerized by the dancing, however, not as enthralled by the inevitable amount of drama to arrive at each performance.

It's partially true that I don't otherwise have time for TV. It's more true that I simply don't prioritize TV. I've opted out of--mind-boggling expensive--cable, in lieu of adventure. The downside being obvious: There is no ESPN--airing full-time, nor do I get to start my day with MSNBC's My Morning Joe.

That being said, I enjoy keeping up with Teen Mom and The Biggest Loser. I'm not upset when I miss an episode, though I do a fair job following these shows. The laundry has to be folded at some point, and there's no better time for that, than while either of these shows are streaming. Of note, without my beloved Jillian Michaels, The Biggest Loser--two episodes in--is not holding my interest nearly as well. We'll see if I persevere.

On a happy note, in the fall television department, Heidi Klum is back on Project Runway, lending itself to all kinds of wonderful things. While I haven't actually watched... yet, I will. I'm overcoming a battle with sentimentality. I enjoy Project Runway most when viewed with my mom. And... well... it's never that we watch TV together these days. So I'm about nine episodes behind, but whatever. If you have time to fill, sit yourself down for some Project Runway, then head over to my place--the apartment could use a major scrubbing. You can also fill me in [on Project Runway]!

Boyfriend and I are also watching House of Cards. We're nearing the end of the first season. This show is significantly heavier than everything else on my line-up and is usually reserved for 'bulk weekend watching' on the off chance we're in town and not busy. It's worth your time. Though, I'm partial to it being set here in Washington, D.C.

And, last, I stay current by watching Nightly News with Brian Williams every night of the week at 7:00 pm ET. Furthermore, I "catch" Boyfriend catching The Soup for everything pop culture at least once a month.

There you have it. What, may I ask, are you watching?    

Charelston: Day 4, The Finale

There are four weeks until the marathon, until then, bear with me as running prefaces nearly all of my days. Today, I was out to explore the harbor. I ran a big loop around downtown Charleston, spending most of my time along the water for a total of seven miles. The run lasted longer than I anticipated and my friends were getting antsy. Boyfriend packed while I stretched and showered, and like that, we were out the door.

We were waiting in line when Butcher & Bee opened. Boyfriend and I each ordered a sandwich and an appetizer, all of which was divine. This was probably, next to Jeni's, the best place we visited the whole trip. From there, we traversed to City Lights for coffee. Though reading several positive reviews, I was disappointed in City Lights. There wasn't anything extraordinary about this place, except, if you're local, they give away compost. I was upset with myself for foregoing Stumptown Coffee, my absolute favorite coffee ever, brewed at Butcher & Bee. And for someone who is not a risk taker, the shame. Oh well. Boyfriend opted for Stumptown, so I actually had a little of his and a lot of my own City Lights brew.

Perhaps it can be said that I over schedule everything, including vacation, so I often joke that I do build in time for spontaneity--both on the job, in life, and while traveling. Next up, a perfect example: Tom's Toys. Here we played with Kapla blocks and awed at the museum-style exhibit of Kapla construction. We finally pulled ourselves away from the blocks following more than an hour of play. It was tough, but schedule. I took the crew for a history lesson at The Battery, which ended up involving little learning and lots of photography. Farewells were bid to the group, and the ever lucky A.J.S. was left with Boyfriend and I for two remaining stops on our Tour de Charleston. First up, a three-mile walk to Magnolia Cemetery. The weather had calmed slightly, so the walk wasn't totally miserable. Plus, we saw a lot of Charleston's finer parts on route. Culture, folks. I could have spent all day in the cemetery. That might be weird, I don't know. There's just so much wonder in a cemetery.

Afterwards, we needed refreshing drinks and Edmund's Oast, a highly touted, recently opened establishment was conveniently placed at the cemetery exit. Planning, folks. If only we didn't have a 7:45 pm flight to catch and another trip to Jeni's prior to that, Boyfriend would have been stayed here forever; he was in heaven. I was enjoying myself as I sampled the Iqhilika African Coffee Mead. We picked up Dell'z Deli for the flight home, though we ended up being too exhausted to think about food. It all worked out in the end, our fridge was empty, and Tuesday lunches were already prepared.

This trip was successful in every way.

Charleston: Day 3, A Bad Beach Day

Then, there was Sunday. Just the two of us--Boyfriend and me--at the beach amidst a lot of wind. But prior to, a 12-mile run over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and around the Shem Creek for old time sake. I fell in love with the Shem Creek and I wasn't ready to part with Charleston without spending some (more) time (running) along side it. I hope I made it very clear how neat the wedding venue was last night.

USS Yorktown

After a hotel breakfast, we headed back to Folly Beach. And on this not so glorious Sunday, Folly Beach was exactly the Folly Beach I remember it being--brutal wind carrying loads of sand across the beach, a ruthless undertow, and seagulls galore. So in less words, a 'hard work' beach day. I managed to finish my book, though completely doused in sand. I rinsed in the ocean, where I quickly learned I also wouldn't be lounging. Boyfriend and I opted for a long walk on the beach, since swimming and tanning were out. At this point, we were hot and sandy--coated by sand regardless of our position. We opted to make the most of the waves, walking to the pier and floating our way back to where we'd staked out for the day. This was fun for two runs until Boyfriend lost his expensive sunglasses and my appetite started talking. We certainly made the most of our final beach day before trying to find transportation back to the hotel, which turned out to also require a large effort.

My stomach was screaming for food by the time we were showered and ready to do some evening exploring. We stopped at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams for pure decadence; dessert before dinner, yes, please. I have been hearing about this place for sometime and, turns out, a shop opened in Charleston two months prior to our visit. To which I say, perfect timing. We went there not once but twice during our short stay. I cannot recommend this place enough. There locations are limited, but if you're in their territory, do yourself a flavor and stop on in. I'll be visiting Jeni's on my upcoming trip to Chicago, for sure. And I've sent my Atlanta-based brother to his local Jeni's for goodness already.

From there, we headed to the Bay Street Biergarten for drinks and socializing with the friends we’d “neglected” all day. The windy beach brought wonderful temperatures to the downtown area, so--my stomach still screaming for food--my friends closed their tab and we rode in a golf cart to Henry's Bar and Restaurant for a rooftop dinner. I don't recommend Bay Street Biergarten or Henry's, however, what these places lacked, the company made up for it.

The night continued at Henry’s, until I--sooner than most--finally called it quits. With another successful day of travel under my belt, I refused to set the alarm on our final day of vacation.