License plates

As a child, I would love to look at the walls of my Grandmother's garage. On the walls were license plates. The license plates were really old. There were some from the 1920s, all the way to current times. It always fascinated me looking at plates that were that old.

I forgot about my love of license plates until the first time my husband and I ate dinner at Famous Dave's. Above the bar is a wall decorated with license plates from the United States. I just about died when I saw it. I found myself just staring at the wall. So many colors and plates from states I've never seen before. Every time we go back to eat at Famous Dave's, I have to look at the license plate wall.

I was on eBay recently. I looked up license plates. I found many that were for sale. I was thinking I could buy them and start my own license plate wall. Then I found an auction that made my jaw drop. A seller listed a lot of all 50 United States license plates. I so want this. The price of the auction is $160. Not bad for 50 plates. I keep hinting to my husband that I want it. I have taken him to the site several times. I have told him what I want to do with it. He knows I love license plates.

If I don't receive any plates for Christmas, I will buy them myself. I have so many ideas and have plenty of space to hang them. We have several blank walls down in our basement. They have been bare for too long. It is time to decorate them.

Books read in 2011

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
127 Hours, Aron Ralston
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
Predator, Patricia Cornwell
Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell
Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, Ryan Powell & Eric Grossman
Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run, Marshall Ulrich
I'm Here to Win, Chris McCormack
Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell
The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness, Pam Reed
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls, L.J. Smith
William and Kate: The Love Story, Christopher Andersen
Reading Jackie: Her Autobiography in Books, William Kuhn
My Story, Sarah Ferguson
The Diana Chronicles, Tina Brown
Diana and Jackie: Maidens, Mothers, Myths, Jay Mulvaney
Sarah: The Life of a Duchess, Ingrid Seward
Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows, Lady Campbell Colin
Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
The Death Valley 300, Richard Benyo
Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, Sarah Ferguson
Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer Pharr Davis
My Story So Far, Paula Radcliffe
Once a Runner, John L. Parker, Jr.
Again to Carthage: A Novel, John L. Parker, Jr.
Running Hot, Lisa Tamati
Confessions of a Backup Dancer, Anonymous
Killing Britney, Sean Olin
Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, Gabrielle Zevin
Death Du Jour, Kathy Reichs
The Last Days, Scott Westerfeld
Bones to Ashes, Kathy Reichs
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
Up Next: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling

Hail to the Victors

It has been a long seven years, or 2926 days, since the Michigan Wolverines football team defeated Ohio State Buckeyes. The Wolverines finally took down the Buckeyes Saturday at The Big House, 40-34.

It was a back and forth game between Michigan and Ohio State. OSU scored first, then UM. With Ohio State driving with 39 seconds left, Michigan's cornerback Courtney Avery got an interception. With that, Michigan won the game.

Ohio State will be ready to play next year. The game will be in Columbus and they should have a great head coach. It would be great to see Michigan win down at the Horseshoe. Michigan needs to start their own streak of consecutive Buckeye losses in "The Game".

Photo Credit: mgoblue.com

Books read in 2011

Fourteen years after the first book was published, I'm finally going to read the series. One of my sister's let me borrow the Harry Potter series yesterday. When the books first came out, I had no interest in ever reading them. I loved reading biographies and non-fiction. Over the years, my reading tastes have changed. I still love reading biographies and non-fiction, but I have expended to reading fiction and young adult. I thought it was time to give the books a whirl.

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
127 Hours, Aron Ralston
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
Predator, Patricia Cornwell
Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell
Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, Ryan Powell & Eric Grossman
Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run, Marshall Ulrich
I'm Here to Win, Chris McCormack
Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell
The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness, Pam Reed
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls, L.J. Smith
William and Kate: The Love Story, Christopher Andersen
Reading Jackie: Her Autobiography in Books, William Kuhn
My Story, Sarah Ferguson
The Diana Chronicles, Tina Brown
Diana and Jackie: Maidens, Mothers, Myths, Jay Mulvaney
Sarah: The Life of a Duchess, Ingrid Seward
Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows, Lady Campbell Colin
Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
The Death Valley 300, Richard Benyo
Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, Sarah Ferguson
Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer Pharr Davis
My Story So Far, Paula Radcliffe
Once a Runner, John L. Parker, Jr.
Again to Carthage: A Novel, John L. Parker, Jr.
Running Hot, Lisa Tamati
Confessions of a Backup Dancer, Anonymous
Killing Britney, Sean Olin
Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, Gabrielle Zevin
Death Du Jour, Kathy Reichs
The Last Days, Scott Westerfeld

Currently Reading: Bones to Ashes, Kathy Reichs
Up Next: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling

Thanksgiving Day run

If there was a local run near my home today, I probably would have run it. The closest Turkey Trot to me was north in Ann Arbor or south in Toledo, Ohio. I don't like to travel out of the county for just a 5K, so I ran at home. And it was much longer then a 5K.

I ran 22 miles on my treadmill this morning. I run long distance mostly everyday. But I like to run long distances on holidays so I don't feel so bad when I eat so much food. I try not to go overboard, but there are so many choices. You just have to sample everything.

I will be enjoying Thanksgiving with my family this afternoon. We will have some wonderful food, laughs and be watching the Lions/Packers football game. I think that is a great way to spend the day.

Short week

This week has been a pleasure so far.

I say it is a pleasure because I only had to work two days this week. I only worked on Monday and Tuesday. My department worked a double shift Tuesday. With us working a double, that allowed most of us to have Wednesday completely off. Some of my co-workers will have to work a few hours Wednesday, but nothing too major. Everyone in the building has Thanksgiving off. Normally I would be back at work Friday. But not this year. I have plenty of vacation time left, so I took the day off. I hope to sleep in that morning, but I know that won't happen. I will be up early running, not shopping.

What really makes this week pretty cool is, that I don't go back to work until Monday. I have five days off and I only had to use one vacation day. This time off will be a nice break. The busy fall sports season worn me down. It will give me time to relax before starting the winter sports season next week.

On Wisconsin!

The Wisconsin Badgers men's cross country team won the NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championship Monday in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Badgers beat two-team defeating National Champions Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Badgers totaled 97 points, while the Cowboys were second with 139 points. The Badgers last national championship was in 2005.

Mohammed Ahmed finished first for the Badgers in fifth place with a time of 29:06. Elliot Krause was the second Badger placing 17th (29:41), Ryan Collins (23rd-29:52), Reed Connor (36th-30:08) and Maverick Darling (46th-30:20).

Wisconsin has had a fabulous year. They first won the Big Ten Championship, The Great Lake Regional Championship and now the National Championship. They will lose Elliot Krause and Ryan Collins to graduation next year. But Ahmed and Darling will be returning. I hope they can lead their teammates to another fantastic year.

Photo: Members of the Wisconsin cross country team, from left, Michael Brice, Ryan Collins, Elliot Krause, Reed Connor, Mohammed Ahmed, Maverick Darling and Andrew Shields react after Wisconsin won the men's NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship Monday in Terre Haute, Indiana. (Associated Press/Darron Cummings)

Who has the runs?

I was featured on the Who Has The Runs: People who have the runs blog last week. I answered questions about running. Other runners are also featured on Scott's blog.

903

Duke's men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski earned his 903rd coaching win Tuesday against Michigan State. Duke defeated Michigan State 74-69 at Madison Square Garden. With that win, Krzyzewski passed Bob Knight as the all-time winningest coach in Division I basketball history.

Coach K will go for win 904 tonight at 6 p.m. when Duke Blue Devils square off against Davidson Wildcats at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Top photo: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski holds the game ball and is surrounded by players after his 903rd career victory, a 74-69 Duke win over Michigan State in an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday in New York. (Associated Press/Chuck Liddy)

Bottom photo: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski talks with Bob Knight after Duke defeated Michigan State 74-69 in an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday. Krzyzewski earned his 903rd win, passing Knight for the most Division I victories. (Associated Press/Kathy Willens)

Books read in 2011

I really enjoyed the book, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin. It's a story of a high school girl who falls down a flight of stairs and hits her head. After hitting her head, she realizes she can't remember anything from the last four years. Her friends and boyfriend tell her what she liked or how she acted, but she finds herself not liking what she did before hitting her head. In the end, she realizes what is best for her.

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
127 Hours, Aron Ralston
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
Predator, Patricia Cornwell
Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell
Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, Ryan Powell & Eric Grossman
Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run, Marshall Ulrich
I'm Here to Win, Chris McCormack
Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell
The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness, Pam Reed
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls, L.J. Smith
William and Kate: The Love Story, Christopher Andersen
Reading Jackie: Her Autobiography in Books, William Kuhn
My Story, Sarah Ferguson
The Diana Chronicles, Tina Brown
Diana and Jackie: Maidens, Mothers, Myths, Jay Mulvaney
Sarah: The Life of a Duchess, Ingrid Seward
Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows, Lady Campbell Colin
Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
The Death Valley 300, Richard Benyo
Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, Sarah Ferguson
Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer Pharr Davis
My Story So Far, Paula Radcliffe
Once a Runner, John L. Parker, Jr.
Again to Carthage: A Novel, John L. Parker, Jr.
Running Hot, Lisa Tamati
Confessions of a Backup Dancer, Anonymous
Killing Britney, Sean Olin
Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, Gabrielle Zevin

Currently Reading: Death Du Jour, Kathy Reichs
Up Next: The Last Days, Scott Westerfeld

Fall Into Fitness 5K

I ran my final race of the year Saturday. It has been a long racing schedule for me. It spanned 10 months and included 24 races. The most I have ever done in one year.

The weather was nice, but cool. It was right around 40 degrees. When the race started, I was behind a group of young boys who were running as fast as they could. After a half mile, they got tired and that is when I got around them. Once past the young boys, I was running alone.

The first mile was great. I was holding a great pace and passing people. I ran the first mile in 7:58. For the entire first mile my hands were numb. I pulled my long sleeves over my hands and warmed them up. I should have thought of that at the beginning of the race.

The course led us down into a park during the second mile. I was behind a group of people. I started passing them. I passed all of the runners that I followed into the park. I think it was a total of seven people. Once I was by the others, I was running by myself again. I passed the second mile in 16:26. I was excited. One, my best two mile time in high school was 16:20 and I was on PR pace. I thought if I could keep this pace, I could run a sub-25 minute 5K.

I kept my pace up. I thought I was holding on, but I wasn't. I was slowing down and I didn't know I was. I didn't want to lose any time by looking at my watch, so I kept going. I used a huge downhill to pick up some speed. I even surged a couple of times, but it didn't help. A block away from the finish line, I heard footsteps behind me for the first time. Someone was coming up fast on my right. When the runner passed me, I couldn't go with her. I tried. But I was already going at my top speed. I finished in 25:32:56. I missed running a PR by 32 seconds.

Even though I missed a PR, I was pleased with my effort. I was happy with my pace for the first two miles. If only I could hold onto that pace, I would have the perfect 5K. I plan to work on my speed over the winter. I will continue running intervals, hills and tempo runs. I want to run tempo runs on their own. Now I mix them into my long runs. I plan on running a shorter tempo run on its own. That will help me improve my speed and turnover. With all of the hard work, I know I will reach my goal of a sub-25 minute 5K.

J. Edgar

My husband and I saw J. Edgar over the weekend. We both enjoyed the movie. As did Roger Ebert.

There are scenes in the movie where J. Edgar Hoover (Leonard DiCaprio) shows affection towards Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer). So many people in the theater were laughing. The two guys sitting next to me couldn't contain their laughter. I felt like we were watching the movie with fourth graders. They really couldn't stop laughing during the scene where Hoover put on one of his mother's dresses.

I thought DiCaprio had Hoover's mannerism's down so well. I sometimes forgot I was watching DiCaprio play J. Edgar Hoover. Clint Eastwood did a wonderful job with the movie. But I happen to love all of his movies that he directed. We sat in our seats during the credits, Eastwood actually did some of the music for the movie. He is so multi-talented.

Great Lakes Cross Country Regional

The NCAA Great Lakes Cross Country Regional Championship was hosted by the University of Toledo Saturday.

All year I planned on driving the 35 minutes to Toledo to watch this regional. My plans changed about a month ago when I found out a local 5K was going to take place on the same day. I decided to stay in town and run my last race of the year. I'm a bit sad that I didn't go. I missed two great races.

The University of Michigan women's cross country team won the 2011 Great Lakes Regional championship with a total of 45 points. Finishing in second place with 77 points was Michigan State. The Wolverines were lead by the individual champion Danielle Tauro (20:27.9), Rebecca Addison (2nd place-20:34.8), Jillian Smith (5th place-20:39.8), Taylor Pogue (8th place-20:44.3) and Brook Handler (29th place-21:22.9).

The Wisconsin Badgers men's cross country team won their 10th straight regional championship. The Badgers won the team title with 50 points. Indiana Hoosiers were second behind the Badgers with 70 points and Michigan was third overall with 104 points.

All five of the Badger runners: Ryan Collins, Mohammed Ahmed, Reed Connor, Elliot Krause and Maverick Darling all crossed the finish line in unison in 30:28. They placed 8th, a three-way tie for 9th and 12th.

With the regional championship win for Michigan women's cross country and Wisconsin men's cross country teams they both earned an automatic birth into the NCAA National Cross Country Championship in Terre Haute, Indiana on November 21.

J. Edgar

This weekend my husband and I will be seeing the movie, J. Edgar. The last movie we saw together was Drive and thought it wasn't the greatest. Usually my husband and I don't watch the same types of movies. To see one together in the theater is huge for us.

We both like Clint Eastwood movies and history, so we are really looking forward to seeing this Saturday.

Lenawee County Photographers

Lenawee County Photographers

Lenawee County is notable for its wealth of resident photographers. Many teach at local intuitions, others work at professional studios and retailers, some photograph for local periodicals and newspapers. When not doing their regular jobs, all of the photographers included in this exhibition pursue their own fine art photography. Using a variety of photographic techniques and styles, these artists express their personal concerns and reactions to the world around them. This exhibition present these Lenawee photographers and their art.

-Deborah Danielson
Professor of Photography & Klemm Gallery Director

The photographs above are three of my photographs that are included in the exhibition.
Below is a statement about my photographs.

Instead of photographing an entire building marked with graffiti, I concentrate on the interesting aspects and small details, such as the colors, shapes, designs and style of letters of the graffiti. My style of photography focuses on the details that people may not see at first glance.
Although graffiti is deemed illegal, debate is ongoing as to whether graffiti is ugly or if it is art. I view graffiti as beautiful and would like to present it in a different way that viewers may not have seen before.

The exhibition runs from November 8 - December 14, 2011
Siena Heights University, Studio Angelico, Klemm Gallery
1247 East Siena Heights Drive
Adrian, MI 49221

Gallery hours:
Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 4 p.m.

Books read in 2011

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
127 Hours, Aron Ralston
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
Predator, Patricia Cornwell
Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell
Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, Ryan Powell & Eric Grossman
Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run, Marshall Ulrich
I'm Here to Win, Chris McCormack
Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell
The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness, Pam Reed
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls, L.J. Smith
William and Kate: The Love Story, Christopher Andersen
Reading Jackie: Her Autobiography in Books, William Kuhn
My Story, Sarah Ferguson
The Diana Chronicles, Tina Brown
Diana and Jackie: Maidens, Mothers, Myths, Jay Mulvaney
Sarah: The Life of a Duchess, Ingrid Seward
Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows, Lady Campbell Colin
Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
The Death Valley 300, Richard Benyo
Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, Sarah Ferguson
Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer Pharr Davis
My Story So Far, Paula Radcliffe
Once a Runner, John L. Parker, Jr.
Again to Carthage: A Novel, John L. Parker, Jr.
Running Hot, Lisa Tamati
Confessions of a Backup Dancer, Anonymous
Killing Britney, Sean Olin
Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs

Currently Reading: Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, Gabrielle Zevin
Up Next: Death Du Jour, Kathy Reichs

ING New York City Marathon

I was up really early Sunday morning. I couldn't sleep because of the time change. Since I couldn't sleep, I decided to start my morning run around 3 :15 am. My run finished sometime after 6:20 am. That gave me plenty of time to shower, eat and do some homework before sitting down to watch the ING New York City Marathon.

The start of the women's race was crazy. Mary Keitany of Kenya, took off. Keitany had a lead of over two minutes for most of the race. She was caught by Ethiopian Firehiwot Dado and Buzunesh Deba. Dado was the women's winner in 2:23:15. Deba was second; 2:23:18 and Keitany was third in 2:23:38. It was the closest women's finish in seven years.

On the men's side, winner Geoffrey Mutai stayed with the pack until the 20th mile when he accelerated away from the others. Mutai won the marathon in 2:05:06 and set a new course record. The second and third place finishers, Emmanuel Matai (2:06:28) and Tsegaye Kebede (2:07:14) also broke the old course record. Meb Keflezighi of the US, the 2009 ING New York City Marathon winner, finished sixth with a PR of 2:09:13.

My favorite ultrarunner, Devon Crosby-Helms, ran in the ING New York City Marathon Sunday. Crosby-Helms finished with a new PR of 2:42:44. She was the 21st woman overall and the 5th American woman overall.

Top photo: The men's leaders in the ING New York City Marathon cross the Pulaski Bridge running toward the borough of Queens November 6, 2011. The winner, Geoffrey Mutai, of Kenya, is on the right. (Associated Press/Kathy Kmonicek)

Bottom photo: Eventual women's winner Firehiwoto Dado, of Ethiopia, runs behind Caroline Kilel, of Kenya, in the chas pack as they run through the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn in the ING New York City Marathon November 6, 2011. Kilel finished in sixth place. (Assoiated Press/Gregory Payan)

Gallery show

A new exhibit "Lenawee County Photographers" will be on display from November 8 - December 14, 2011 in Klemm Gallery, Studio Angelco, on the Siena Heights University campus in Adrian, Michigan.

The photo exhibition will feature three of my photographs along with photos from Lad Strayer, Robert Gordon, Brad Taphouse, Linda Narvarro, David Schamberger and Vicki Schmucker.

Regular gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Klemm Gallery is located at 1247 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221.

ING New York City Marathon

The ING New York City Marathon is Sunday. Sunday is also the day we fall back. So instead of enjoying an extra hour of sleep, I know I will be up and running. I plan on running early so I can be sitting at my computer at 9 a.m. watching the marathon.

This year universalsports.com will be streaming the marathon for free! I think that is awesome. When they stream the Boston Marathon, it isn't free. So I very thankful for the free live feed because my cable provider doesn't carry the Universal Sports Channel. I'm looking forward to watching the elite men and women runners. It is amazing how fast they can run a marathon. The men can finish running a marathon in two hours. At two hours, I just finished a half marathon about five minutes ago.

A couple of years ago, I really wanted to run in the ING New York City Marathon at some point in my life. I'm not so sure now. After entering the world of ultramarathons, I love running in a small group. I'm not a fan of huge crowds. I don't know if I could handle standing in a corral with 40,000 people. The largest race I have ever run is the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon. This year between the marathon and half marathon 20,000 people ran. Coming from a small town of 22,000 people that is a lot of people crowded together.

Maybe someday I will try to enter the lottery. Just to see if I can get in. If not, I will always have a front row seat watching one of the greatest marathons in the world from home.

Photo of Devon Crosby-Helms. Crosby-Helms is an ultrarunner who will be running in the ING New York City Marathon Sunday. She is one of my favorite women ultra runners.

Wisconsin cross country

The Big Ten cross country championships took place Sunday at the University of Illinois in Urbana. The replay of the cross country championships will be November 11 on the Big Ten Network.

The Wisconsin's men's team won their 13-consecutive Big Ten title. The Badgers were nearly perfect Sunday with a score of 17 to win the team title. A perfect score in cross country is 15 points.

Wisconsin's Mohammed Ahmed won the 8K race in 23:18. The Badgers finishing behind Ahmed were Maverick Darling (2nd-23:26), Elliot Krause (3rd-23:27), Reed Connor (5th-23:36) and Ryan Collins (6th-23:36). Minnesota's Hassan Mead broke up the sweep by Wisconsin by coming in 4th in 23:29.

Finishing behind Wisconsin in the team battle was Indiana with 60 points and tied for third was Michigan and Minnesota with 104 points.

The Badgers race next at the NCAA Great Lakes regional on November 12 in Toledo, Ohio.

Wisconsin's Mohammed Ahmed (204), Minnesota's Hassan Mead (159) and Wisconsin's Redd Connor (209) lead the field during the Big Ten's men's cross country championship in Urbana, IL Sunday. Ahmed won the race and Wisconsin won the team title. (Associated Press/Darrell Hoemann)

Major decisions

I decided over the weekend what my major races for 2012 will be. There are so many great races that it was difficult to make a decision.

-Umstead 50 Mile - Raleigh, NC - March 31, 2012
-Glass City Marathon - Toledo, OH - April 22, 2012
-NorthCoast 24-Hour Endurance Run - Cleveland, OH - September 22-23, 2012 (USATF National Championship)
-Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile - Boalsburg, PA - October 21, 2012 (Was the USATF National Championship in 2011. I'm hoping it is for 2012 as well.)

There could be one or two 50Ks added to my schedule, but I'm still undecided about those. They are close in date to races already on my list. I will wait until they get closer to make a final decision.

I decided to wait until 2013 to officially run a 100 Mile race. My goal for the NorthCoast 24 Hour is to run over 100 miles. That race is on a flat surface. I thought it was a great place to go for 100 miles without worrying about hills or twisting my ankle on a trail. In 2013, I'll try my luck on a course that isn't so flat.

Books read in 2011

I finished reading all of the running books I bought about a month ago. I went to the library last week and found some books. Most of the books I found were in the teen section. Yes, I'm 32 and I read teen books. I did come home with a couple of Kathy Reichs mystery books, so I didn't get all teen books. I love reading books about running, but it is nice to read something that is silly.

The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
127 Hours, Aron Ralston
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
Predator, Patricia Cornwell
Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell
Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, Ryan Powell & Eric Grossman
Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run, Marshall Ulrich
I'm Here to Win, Chris McCormack
Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell
The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness, Pam Reed
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls, L.J. Smith
William and Kate: The Love Story, Christopher Andersen
Reading Jackie: Her Autobiography in Books, William Kuhn
My Story, Sarah Ferguson
The Diana Chronicles, Tina Brown
Diana and Jackie: Maidens, Mothers, Myths, Jay Mulvaney
Sarah: The Life of a Duchess, Ingrid Seward
Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows, Lady Campbell Colin
Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
The Death Valley 300, Richard Benyo
Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, Sarah Ferguson
Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer Pharr Davis
My Story So Far, Paula Radcliffe
Once a Runner, John L. Parker, Jr.
Again to Carthage: A Novel, John L. Parker, Jr.
Running Hot, Lisa Tamati
Confessions of a Backup Dancer, Anonymous

Currently Reading: Killing Britney, Sean Olin
Up Next: Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs