Wildlife, gel packs & recovery drinks? Count me in.

So, I am off to my relay race tomorrow. I plan on sending out text message updates with important info like, what kind of free Powerade and gel packs they are serving, if my pig tails are a big hit, if I have runner's remorse - that kind of thing. If you check this before noon on Friday, leave a comment or text me if you are interested in being on the play by play text blast. It will be nothing short of exciting, I assure you. If you want to know more about this race go to http://www.ragnarrelay.com/wasatchback/index.php I'm runner #9 if you are so inclined to check out the course map.
Rumor has it that the wildlife in the more nature-esque part of our runs is very active at night. I have a run near Echo Reservoir around 2 a.m. let's hope I can avoid another encounter with those religious moose (see running into moose posting below).
I am a little nervous, mostly with details like:
- will I be able to see what flavor of gel pack I am consuming? I mean, if you have ever inadvertently sucked down a mocha flavored one, you know why these things weigh heavy on my mind. That's a mistake you don't want to repeat.
- will I make it to exchange point 6 in enough time to stop by Noodles & Company?
- Donuts, did anyone remember the donuts?
- Oh, and of course - making the team proud. I don't mind making an ass out of myself, but my innocent teammates are a different story.
Well, I need to be going now, the Hostess store is only open for like 5 more hours and let's face it, I have some big decisions to make. Do you think a moose is more likely to chase you down for Tiger Tails or Twinkies??
Om, Pigtails and Powerade,
Penny

Golf, sans pants, the new black

So, in order to spare all of you the clone-like entries that occur when Corbie and I participate in yet another mind blowing, laugh til you pee your pants, unison adventure we decided to collaborate and do one post on her blog. And by collaborate, I mean I was behind her yelling profanities, making up excuses, mis-using prepositional phrases and over comma-ing. Go here to see why GOLF, SANS PANTS is the latest sport taking ESPN by storm. (Patent pending, so don't get any ideas)

http://www.corbiecoy.blogspot.com/

Om and 5 irons,

Penny

3's

So, I am a little late on this. Weeks ago Corbie selected me as one of the lucky individuals to answer these thought provoking questions. Here you go party people....hold on tight.

3 joys:
- I know this is cliche, but seriously, my friends are the single biggest joy in my life. When you are fresh out of local family (and even if you aren't) your friends are important, all you've got really (well, aside from reality TV - I consider Jackie Warner a sister). And honestly, I have the best friends. I know most people think that about their friends, but people constantly agree with me on that statement. Admitting their friends aren't up to par when compared with mine!
- Freedom. Not just like - give me liberty or give me death kind of freedom, soul freedom! Where you just say, think and believe: Fuck it, I am going for joy!
- Reading
- And try not to throw up in your mouth here: I love my job. I know, sick right?

3 fears:
- Hmmmm, I think mine always come down to not being enough. Which is odd, because I am capable of attaining "more than enough" most of the time, but every now again, you come across your 2nd grade class picture and think, I am just not enough exactly as I am......

- I have a fear of making the wrong decision and regretting it. However, at this point, I go for making the best possible decision for the time being, what more can you do, really.

3 goals:
-Say what I want, when I want. NO, not just telling people off! It works in the opposite direction as well, telling people I love them, I need them, they are important to me......even if it makes me feel vulnerable
- Live authentically, from my heart, with love, laughter, gratitude and courage
- Write a memoir, book or a collection of fabricated stories (you get my point here) with Corbie. You know, something along the David Sedaris line....
3 current obsessions:
Well, see above - I am pretty much obsessed with chasing laughter, grounding, peace, love, courage, authenticity and seriously, writing a best seller with Corbie. Even if it's only a best-seller in her mom's eyes.

3 random surprising facts about me:
-I read the wedding announcements in the NY Times. Seriously funny shit in there. I had no idea people had three first names, two middle names and four last names. And they take themselves SO seriously. Really, if/when I get married I am so taking out one of those. I can see it now, Penny Frates....ummm let's see, first problem - I need more names, second problem? My blue collar upbringing (is there a collar below blue? That was for you YPC, hahahaha). I mean seriously, what are we going to say? No Dr.'s, Dentists or Attorney's in the family. Please wish her and her beloved a lifetime of happiness and poor math skills? Only in the Times.....
-If I brush my teeth with Cristin, I gag. So does she. We have literally thrown up in bathrooms all around the Valley in trying to keep up our fantastic oral hygiene habits.
-I went to Catholic school. And no, I don't have any of the plaid skirts in my possession. Perverts.

So, there you have it. A little insight to all the joy that is Penny!
Om and The NY Times,
Penny Lane Frates, III
(right, like there are three of us out there somewhere...)

Running into moose, quite literally

So, if you have read the good friends and food post you'll remember that I have a relay race coming up in a week. In an out of character move, I decided to actually run a few times before the race - crazy I know. I think we could actually call it training if I did it with any sort of regularity.....So, cut to me out running the big hill that will serve as my last leg in the relay. It's a nice morning, well nice if I weren't running uphill but that is beside the point. The weather is nice, everything is green, the birds are singing, I am repeating the "f" word over and over as my personal mantra to try and get up this hill, in short, things are going swimmingly. I come around a blind corner, especially made blind by the fact that my head is down (I can't bring myself to look up and see that I have more climbing to do), what do I see? Two moose. I was startled to say the least, slipped on the loose dirt and fell. Quite literally running into the moose. Not to worry, I managed to get an F bomb out while falling to, what seemed to me, a moose trampling death. As luck would have it, these two beasts must have been religious - my filthy sailor mouth was enough to scare the hell out of them and they took off. Not before I managed to snap off this picture on my phone. I had to include it here because people are always on my case for not taking more pictures. Well, here is why. I pretty much took a picture of the ground. If you look closely however, you'll see one of the moose on the run - trying in vain to escape my vulgarities. There are two very valuable lessons here:

1- training can be dangerous, it is much safer to sit on the couch and eat donuts and just visualize the race

2- I need to sign up for a photography class, stat

Okay, that is all for now. It's been awhile since the last blog so I am just baby stepping back into it.

Om and the Mangy Moose,

Penny