House of Cards

I sort of admitted defeat when it comes to GoG 10-miler.  I still not an amazing gym session in on Saturday, Sunday I decided to sleep in.  Sunday evening my lower back decided I was ignoring it to much and it wanted some attention too!  I took the smart route, took half a pain pill and went to bed.  Monday morning I thought I was going to die!  I ended up grabbing my medicine box (yes, I have enough meds that they warrant a box) pulled out my muscle relaxers, took one, and went back to sleep.  Jose was wonderful and made sure the fur kids did not attack me to much and kept sending them outside.  Once Cuervo woke up he made sure I was getting whatever I need.  My sister came upstairs and started laughing at me because I was my normal off in la-la land mode. 

Later in the day my sister brought my mail up to me (she forgot to bring it in last week), I received something in the mail I have kind of been expecting.  And it got to me to thinking.  We all have choices in life.  We be a victim, we can be a survivor or we can say screw it and live life it its fullest. 

I can think of one particular individual who goes with choice A and all ways has.  We are all dealt cards in our life and sometimes they are ok, sometimes they are wonderful and sometimes they downright suck! I will agree this particular individual was not dealt the greatest cards, but they aren’t horrible.  Sadly, it is easier to be a victim. 

I am not going to say I was dealt a crappy hand (even though I do feel like it sometimes), but as with most people I didn’t get the greatest hand.  Luckily I have never been a poker player so it doesn’t matter to me if I get an Ace or a 2.  I am more of a go fish player or I build stuff with my cards.  The cards I have been dealt plus the support system I have, I can build an amazing card house!  I have endured trials and tribulations most of my life and have come to the conclusion it is what you take from the situation.  When I was 18 I was in a very abusive relationship, I was away from my family, but I sure found out who my friends were.  I also gain perspective on people in relationships like that (and worse), I always thought the abused wanted it because if they didn’t they would leave, it isn’t that easy!  Years later I was in another bad relationship not only did I find out how strong I was but how strong my support system was (and still is).  From that day I knew I would be fine.  I can trip, I can fall, I can do a face plant and I will always have people there to pick me up, dust me off and get me going again.

The strength my sister has is something I would hope everyone would strive for.  She has been responsible for my parents’ house since she graduated high school, the rest of us have enjoyed moving around and she stayed put.  Next thing she knew her kid sister and boys were moving in, then the discovery of her nephews being “special needs”, then the discovery of her sister have multiple debilitating diseases, and it goes on and on.  What does she do? ‘Ok, we will deal, we always have and we always will!’ The paperwork that I received yesterday she sat next to me and pointed out the positive side of it (I am sure I would have seen it had I not have been in la-la land) but she was there and we both got a good laugh out of it.  There have been times out of nowhere I went storming down to her area screaming how unfair things are and she just sits there and looks at me until I am done, asks if I am better and then agrees and tells me good night! When life throws my sister a curve ball she sets up a dunk tank so she can play in the water every time the balls hit the target!

The questions is what do you choose? Are you a victim? Are you a survivor? Or are you going to say screw it and live life to it’s fullest?

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

To Race or Not To Race, That is the Question!

In a hair over two weeks I have a 10-miler on the books, but I am not sure.  It is a very hilly course, and my knee is still not happy. I can run on the treadmill with no issues.  The question is do I take the risk? I would lose $25, but that isn’t really a big deal.  I have a 10K scheduled for the following weekend that is part of a series (I really want to do the whole series).  I see my new rheumy next Friday and I am sure telling him my knee is hurting but I am running a hilly race won't be the best way to win him over. 

This race was a ‘sure, why not!’ so I wouldn’t be completely heart broken by not doing it, I can cheer on everyone!  I think I will need to talk to the coach tomorrow and see what she says

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Tri season!

The only reason I got in to this long distance running insanity is because I wanted to do a triathlon. 

Once upon a time, there was this fluffy lifeguard who was in a bad personal situation (don’t worry, she was a strong swimmer).  While sitting next the pool horribly early one morning making sure no one drowned (that would have ruined her whole day) she met someone, Mark.  This gentlemen was in his 40s/50s (maybe) he was a very nice (good looking) gentlemen. Over time they started talking.  This lifeguard found out he was an Ironman, well, to her credit, she did know about triathlons.  At the time our heroin (aka, fluffy lifeguard) didn’t realize, like people, triathlons come in all sizes!  One of her later in the day regulars was training for a sprint distance triathlon and the life guard thought, hey, I can do that! And she started to train, before long the “fluffy” lifeguard was not so fluffy anymore! Sadly, before the lifeguard was able to do her triathlon she had reentered the military and got deployed to Iraq, got hurt and thought she would never be able to do a triathlon.  Luckily our heroine was stubborn and after two years of feeling sorry for herself (and becoming fluffy again) she decided enough was enough and started training.  While signing up for her first triathlon she actually start to tear up, yes, she is a big wuss! About a week later a friend came up and said she just signed up to run the Denver Marathon, and the lifeguard (who is no longer a life guard) told this friend she was insane! Do you know have far a marathon is? That is a lot of miles! A few weeks later the lifeguard signed up too!  (yea, my friend backed out of Denver all together! I managed the half)And the rest they, is history!

Last year, sadly, I didn’t do a single triathlon, I know, what is wrong with me? This year I get 4 possible 5! To make it even better, they are a nice verity of distances! Two (maybe three) are sprint distances; one of the them is Tri for the Cure (LOVE that race).  Then I have an Olympic distance and to close the season I will be doing my second half Ironman.  I am excited because I won’t be using swimming and biking as just cross training, I actually get to train in those disciplines again! I know I have a lot of work to do on the bike (oh, the century ride has been bumped down to a 34-miler, but I will get to that in a moment). I am not sure why, but every time I have been on my bike within minutes of getting off I have a MAJOR blood sugar crash (p.s. cheese helps recovery). This is the major reason I will not be attempting a full century the week after next! That is ok, a 34-miler will help me find where I am having issues. 

There are a few issues I know I have to work through…

#1 – blood sugar crashes – they get very scary!

#2 – listen to my body.

#3 – hydration while running (still having issues with that)

#4 – enjoy!

 I can't wait!!!!!!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Sticks and Stones

Yesterday, my sister and I were running errands in my truck and these two guys in a Mini felt it necessary to show their stupidity.  We drove by them thinking nothing of it, next thing I knew they pulled up a long side us (passenger side) and shouted “damn, how did you get that big?”  My sister looked at me and said ‘what?’ I am not sure if she heard what they said and was choosing to ignore it or if she truly didn’t hear what they said.  I am hoping she truly didn’t hear what they said.   A few miles down the road I saw them coming up in my review mirror, again on my passenger side. I have to admit I really wanted to swerve if for no other reason than to scare them.  But I didn’t and again, they felt the need to show their stupidity, this time yelling something along the line of ‘how much weight can that truck carry?”  We all know that I am not a little thing; my sister is bigger than I am and has had a weight issue the majority of her life.  It is not important why, and I will be the first to admit that I enable her more than I should.  It breaks my heart when she is not permitted to ride a ride at an amusement park because of her size or she has to get a seatbelt extender on the airplane. I do not understand why people find it necessary to make comments like those. 

How did you get so big, really?  Is that all you can come up with?  That took a lot of brain power didn’t it?  With the journey I have been going through I have learned that there are reasons why people get so big, it might be they have an eating disorder or they are on medication what causes weight gain.  Does it really matter why someone is as big as they are? 

How much weight can that truck carry? Really, how about we look at how much damage can that truck cause this car if we really distract you? 

Yes, it bugs me.  I know the name of my blog is Don’t Let the Fat Chick Beat You, I know I joke about “being fluffy” but it is still a very sensitive subject for me my ideal size is a 8/10, that is where I am happiest.  But that is not where I am right now  I am at a 16/18, my sister is at a 26/28. I would love to see me back in my 8/10 and she her in a 16/18, but it takes a lot.  It takes an entire life overhaul, which is something I am working on, but I keeping having slipups (I am to tired or I hurt to much, excuses, they are nothing more than excuses). 

Sticks and stones, right?

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

1 Year

On 20 May 2010 I found out that my primary doc suspected I have lupus.  I was reading over my initial blog Lupus and it is interesting to remember what I was going through then vs. what is going on now.  It has been a very emotional ride, I won’t lie.  There are times I get so made I storm down to my sister’s area and start screaming at her, there are other times I just lie in bed and cry.  Most importantly during races I hold my head up knowing that the fact I am even out there shows just how strong I have become. 



~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Junk in the Trunk!

I freely admit I am still a child at heart.  When someone I know goes on a trip (no matter what the reason) I love getting presents when they get back!  Last Saturday morning my closest running buddy made my entire year!

I have made it more than obvious that I am on the fluffier side; I working on downsizing, but I will never be teeny tiny.  Last Saturday I was grumbling a little because I really wanted to still be in bed, but it was long run day and I had miles to put in.  I haven’t been able to see my friend Lynne very often because she has been training for a marathon and my next marathon isn’t until October.  Not only had she run her marathon, she was back in town, YAY! She stopped by at the beginning of the run to visit with people and show off her really cool medal (yes, the Flying Pig Marathon is on my list of races to run!).  She also handed me a bag with a green shirt in it.  I pull the shirt out and the front has ‘Southern Belle’ written on it.  I flip it over and almost fall over laughing about what the back says… “There is nothing pretty about skin & bones. You need some junk in your trunk. ™” I decided since Fridays are causal day I would wear it to work today.  I can’t wait to see if I get any comments about it. 

Oh! Knee is still being weird, grinding a little more than usual, but the pain has decreased since yesterday morning.  I was able to get some treadmill time in yesterday (taking it VERY easy) I was going 5 minute increments between weight sets and not really pushing it (not to mention I had my brace on).

It is Friday, it is my year one anniversary of facing lupus, but I will get to that later!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

I will listen, I will listen, I will listen

Saturday morning was a nice recovery run of 8 miles, I didn’t realize I was running with my two little buddies!  At mile 2 I was hearing ‘it’s not a big deal if you turn around at 2.5, there is nothing wrong with a 5 mile recovery run.’ I knew the port-a-potty was coming in up about a half mile and I was going to have to stop.  Luckily when I got to there the other little voice was saying ‘1.5 more miles is nothing! Not to mention it is a beautiful run!’ I am happy to say the ‘other’ little voice won out! By the time I got back to the start I was happy, I had been super slow, but it felt good!

Sunday I had planned on getting some more miles in, BUT I decided it would do me a world of good if I slept in!  Monday was an off day too (to much homework and to tired after class).  Tuesday a nice run in the gymlet. Wednesday I hit 24 and got some more miles in. 

This morning while I was returning to my car after dropping off Cuervo my right foot slipped (it has been raining all night) and my knee twisted (I am kind of used to it doing that), I was supposed to do 4 miles, but I think I am going to sit today out and get the miles in tomorrow!  I will see how I am feeling at lunch and decide at that time.  I might go down during lunch anyway and get a nice weights/abs workout in.  I have a nice race schedule this year, I will not hurt myself to the point I have to sit out most of the year and hurt myself and then push myself to mess up next year. I WILL become an Ironman next year!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

 Last week after getting back from Fort Collins I had a certified letter postcard on my door.  I put it in my car and forgot about it until yesterday.  I figured I would swing by the post office on my way home from work, I stopped in had a good joke with the mail person and she gave me my letter, it was from my rheumy’s office.  Ok, must be a bill.  I got to my car opened it up to read…

Excuse me? No reason why, nothing just not going to treat you anymore.  I went home and took some pain pills (my shoulder is hurting something fierce). While laying on my bed (allegedly calling everyone mommy) I googled her and found…

VITALS Comments

Apr 7, 2011

THis is one of the worst doctors I have ever seen. She never looked up from her computer, typed the entire time I was in the room, and gave me an extremely poor and depressing outlook for my diagnosis. When I went to another rheumatologist I could not believe how positive and uplifting he was. He gave me hope that I could manage my disease. I would NEVER refer anyone to this doctor or this practice.

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Feb 20, 2011

EXCELLENT STATE-OF-THE-ART CARE; WONDERFUL PERSON

I could not have asked for better rheumatoid arthritis care than I have received from Megan McNeil. She is very intelligent and follows state-of-the-art protocols. In addition, her manner is courteous and warm. I would not change doctors-- I have the best care in the world with Dr. MacNeil.

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Nov 23, 2010

VERY BAD EXPERIENCE

I saw Dr MacNeil and it was a bad experience. The Dr had already made up her mind before listening to my story. She typed continuously in her computer and didn't look at me during that time. She didn't show any emotion or caring toward me and my problem. She snapped at me and my husband when she diagnosed me as having Fibromyalgia and told us "It's a real disease" - which we knew. She never smiled the entire time. I let her know that I'd not be coming back to see her and provided constructive critism, but what I received was a certified letter stating that she would not longer see me and that I needed to find a new doctor to provide me care. It was a strange letter, but I guess we were in agreement that this relationship wasn't going to work.

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Jun 7, 2009

AMAZED

The other reviewers seem to have seen a very different Dr, than my experience has been! My experiences were a Dr. that didn't even look up from her laptop while talking to me. Was so eager to take an exact time frame, that even when called out of the exam room by another Dr. came back with only a couple minutes left for me & didn't change, in spite of being out of the room much of my appointments. Did not take the symptoms & side effects seriously on meds that were not working after almost a year. Treated me like I was overly dramatic, had zero bedside manner, and gave me the feeling she didn't think I was worth the effort. As a result I felt I was getting worse, finally after being treated with NO compassion & NOT being listened to, or changed on my regime once again, I left for another Dr. & practice that has validated my concerns, gotten me on an agressive treatment & I am now doing better than the year plus I was seeing her.

Read more: http://www.vitals.com/doctor/profile/1437107869/reviews/1437107869#ixzz1M9L4rcs3

Good news is, this morning I called one of the docs on her list (who just so happens to be in the same building as my normal doc) and I have an appointment with him in less than a month.  The office staff is a whole lot nicer and I think this will be a good move.  I am not sure about Dr. MacNeil though!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

How?

Yesterday I was going so backwards it wasn’t even funny.  I forgot my Starbucks cup (hey, I say 10 cents plus it has a boxer on it), I forgot my work badge AND I forgot my iPod!  I should have just gone home and called it a day! I could have gone down to the gymlet during lunch to get my workout in, but with no iPod (or headphones) I just couldn’t bring myself to doing it.  I worked through lunch and after work headed off to class.  After class I went straight to 24 Hour Fitness (I had changed before leaving work!).  I got on the treadmill did a 5 minute warm up and then got down to business. As I was warming up I posted on Facebook the fact I was doing a 5 mile treadmill run with no music.  I was running 6 minutes and walking one (I am still working on getting my endurance up).  Below is the conversation that was going on (I posted one reply during a walking break and the rest was when I was sitting in my car before leaving the parking lot). 

Sammie

‎5 mile treadmill run with no ipod :(

Sandra  How do you do it....Ugh.

Sammie I am at 24 where there is a lot of noise! The gymlet at work is to quiet!

Sandra  No how do you do all that exercise. I really so wanna buy my butt just doesn't get up. lol

Melissa  Good job...I HAVE to have my music to make my legs move.

Sammie  Total distance before cool down 5.4 miles. Sandra - find a local 5k about 2 - 3 months from now and start nice and slow (walk to the end of the block and back if need be). There are C25K (couch to 5k) programs that will take you nice and slow. Once you get moving you will find more stuff to do and you will start moving more and more!

Tammy Where are these C25K programs? I wanna try one! As u know I have never been able to learn how to run, but have always wanted too! :)

Sammie I think colorado running comapny is about to start one up (?) send me you email address and I will get you some info tomorrow

I got to thinking, why do I run/race, yes, I want to lose weight and look hot, whatever but it isn’t the main reason.  I started racing because I was told I couldn’t.  Then I found out that I have lupus and RA. Studies have shown that physical activity helps keep the symptoms at bay.  If I stop I will have admitted defeat and I just can’t afford to do that.  This is MY body, I am the boss, not the other way around.  I will listen to suggestions from my body, but it cannot dictate to me how I am going to live my life.

Today is World Lupus Day if you can find it in your heart to donate please do so, if you want to support me in my Walk for Lupus Now (click on Sponsor a walker and enter Sammie under the first name, My team is the “Lupie Butterflies”).

I hope everyone has a wonderful day (Oh, and I remembered my badge, cup and iPod today!)

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Take 5 in the Garden

The last time I ran this race was back in 2007 and I only ran it as a 5K, this time I did the 5-miler.  The morning was beautiful! The temperature was amazing, I mean really, you couldn’t ask for better weather!  I got to the start about an hour before the race (I like being nice and early).  The parking lot was a good distance from the start (which was very understandable); busses were provided if you didn’t want to hoof the distance (less than 2 miles).  As we pulled up I noticed there were only 10 port-a-potties.  With more than a half hour before the race the port-a-potty line was already out to the road (not a good sign).  The race finally started.  Luckily they started putting a start line down so your time didn’t start until you crossed.  I have said time and time again, I suck at hills (which is part of the reason my goal was so slow), nearly the first mile was uphill so I walked the majority of it.  The temperature was raising and the sun was beating down.  Finally we got to go downhill, the 5K-ers split off and the 5-milers kept going downhill and then some uphill, I was getting thirsty. It a race, they have water stops, I didn’t bring my own water (STUPID mistake!).  I get to the first water stop and they were tearing it down, no water was left! I was not the last person there was still at least a dozen plus behind me.  I trudged back up the hill, saw Coach Judy, posed for a picture made it to the second water stop and waited in line for a few drops of water, it was enough to keep me going.  Continued up the hill and to the next turn around point and then towards the finish line.  The last downhill before the finish line was finally right in front of me and there was a gal who was a good distance ahead of me I decided I would beat her! I started picking up more and more speed, I beat her! Thank God my sister was at the finish line, all I could get out was ‘no water on course’ she handed me her water bottle and I started drinking!  I would have to say the only saving grace to the race is the scenery. 

“Over 1000 runners will choose to run a 5Mile or a 5K course through a "picture-perfect" park, running amongst towering red sandtone formations on a paved, hilly course. Garden of the Gods Park, the crown jewel of Colorado Springs' Park System, plays host to this race on a beautiful May morning! In appreciation for using the park, we hope you will consider making a donation to the Garden of the Gods Foundation to keep this "jewel" a truly sparking gem!”

The lack of port-a-potties and water seriously dropped it on my list.  There is no excuse for running out of water and even their site boasts of the number of runners and they only have 10 potties?  Not good!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Whirlwind Weekend

One of these weekends I will actually sit around and do nothing!  This weekend was definitely NOT one of those weekends!  It all really started on Friday night!

Friday I picked my kiddos up at school and brought them over to Grandma’s.  Ran downtown for packet pick-up came zooming home picked up my sister ran a few errands and came home.  Watched a movie with the puppies, to off to sleep.  Saturday morning started at 6:00 am YUCK!  My sister was complaining the whole time because she was heading out the door at 6:30 on a Saturday morning in work clothes! She is used to me making her get up early on Saturdays but work clothes???  I was a good sister I got her breakfast at Starbucks!  We got down to Garden of the Gods with plenty of time to spare.  We parked, took the bus to the start area and waited.  Finally the race started and off I went. (Race report to follow).  1:09:24 later I crossed the finish line, FYI that is faster than my 14:00 pace goal! We got back to the bus to return to the parking lot and I was stressing looking at the time every three seconds.  We finally made it to the parking lot, I RAN to my car (I need to pull some stuff out of my trunk) by the time my sister got to my car I was climbing in the front seat.  We went flying to the interstate and flew even faster down that.  We arrived at the North gate of the Air Force Academy with 5 minutes before the service is supposed to start, tell them where we are going and were told we need to use the South Gate, are you serious?? My boys were receiving their First Holy Communion and the service starts in less than 5 minutes and you want to me to go flying back down the interstate? Luckily the nice gate guard stopped traffic so I could pull a serious U-turn. Back up on the interstate going at least 80 (Bugs can fly!) get to the south gate, told them where I was going, told them where I was going and finally got to get on base.  I put my car on cruise control to ensure I don’t get pulled over for speeding.  We finally made it to the church, I dropped my sister off near the front while I went to park.  I still had my race attire on! I got right outside the front door, pulled on my dress pants over my running skirt (good thing I wear baggy stuff!) put my jacket on over my cute purple running shirt and walked VERY quickly into the church, believe it or not, the priest had just made it to the front!  My boys were looking very handsome, one was saving seat for me in his row while my other was sitting next to Grandma. (In my defense, I was signed up for this race months before we knew when this event was going to happen, plus this race is part of a series AND if the times were different I would have skipped the race or done it as just a 5K, but I had faith I would make it!)  I went up with my older son to get his First Communion and my dad went with my younger son.  It was a very nice event.  Afterwards there was a reception for the kids. I felt very blessed because not only did my boys get stuck with have me and my dad there, they also had my sister and my mom, my best friend from high school, and two more close friends of the family.  We all sat around for a while talking and just having a really good time!

We realized we were the last ones there so we decided it was time to head out.  The second I got out of the church my pants came off! Hey, my skirt was bunching up under the pants and it was very uncomfortable! Everyone went their own direction.  I had to go home and take a nap, the day had already been way to eventful and I was downright popped!

Sunday I had planned on sleeping in and then going for a bike ride prior to heading over to my mom’s house.  Yea, that didn’t happen.  I woke up feeling even worse than before, I still vote it is allergies (I know it is not sinuses), Jose was wonderful, he dealt with the puppies from about 6:30 on.  We started making hard boiled eggs and had an issue with that, but I won’t get into that.  The Cuervo decided to put on a presentation for me (threw a downright temper tantrum [there is very much a difference between a melt down and a tantrum, this was a tantrum]) for mother’s day we got my sister a Nerf Super Soaker.  After loading up all water guns we have in the house and shooting all four boys everyone was back to human and my sister and I was happy.  Poor Freddie wasn’t to impressed with getting shot, he actually hid behind me and then jumped into my arms so I could protect him (mind you he is about 60 pounds).  We finally made it to my mom’s and celebrated mother’s day and Freddie was a very well behave young man, Charlie stayed home on this trip.  We made it home after 6:00 and all I wanted to do was go to bed! Sadly it was so hot I couldn’t get to sleep until late. We have finished another weekend and it is time to start another work week!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

“I’m Still a Guy” ~ Brad Paisley

If I don’t get this said I am going to probably open my mouth at the wrong time and just blurt it out anyway! First, no, I am not a guy! I am 100% woman! Ok, I am a tomboy, but still!  I work around a group of males who are more prissy than most of the women I know.  They sit around talking about drinking tea, going on hot air balloons with champion and similar such stuff.  I am sorry, I like true manly men! I do not want a man who will come to my nail place with me and sit in the chair next to me getting his nails done, I do not want a man who critiques tea and which honey is better to use with which tea, or complains that he had to wear this coat even though it doesn’t match with the shoes he has on!  I want a guy who has as much fun as I do getting dirty living life!  Ok, and who is willing to suffer while I get my nails done! J What is the male population coming to? Please someone tell me that this is a VERY small minority of the male world and not the majority!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Race #6 Weekend!

Yes, yes, yes, I had a half marathon last weekend and I have another race this weekend. To make it even more interesting not only do I have another race this weekend two hours after the start I have to be at the church so my boys can receive their First Communion! I signed up for this race in February, I didn’t find out about communion until last month.  If I thought the race would interfere with this event I would forgo the race.  Luckily my parents will bring my boys to the church and I will probably be screeching into the parking lot seconds before it starts!

Garden of the Gods tomorrow!  Lots of hills! My legs are fine from last weekend, my goal is to keep it under a 14:00 pace (I know that is slow, but I am really bad at hills so I plan on taking it easy).  Not sure about the attire yet, but I still have plenty of time to figure that out.  As soon as I finish the race, my sister and I will be off to the car and to the church.  Lots of pictures will be taken of course!

Sunday – Mother’s Day! Now, I might be a mom but Mother’s Day does not apply to me.  It is about my mom.  My family is very matriarchal!  Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful to my mother, I have no idea what I would do without her.  We are having a picnic at her house and all the boys will be coming over! Hey, the puppies want to see their Grandma too, you know!

To all the mom’s out there (yes, if you have fur kids you are a mom!!!!), I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Time is flying!

I am really confused where this year is going. I don’t know why but the past few years have seemed to fly by. It is neither a good thing nor a bad thing, it is just odd!  May came in with a running start, literally! I only have two races this month and I am already half way done!  I will be done with all my races for the month this weekend.

June, July and August will be busy months, but all in a good way.  June I have a century (might have to down grade to a metric century, but we will see how I am doing later in the month), and then two running races (10-miler and 10K).  July I have a 10K set in stone, with a probable 4-miler and a possible sprint tri. August will be the really fun (and busy) month! I have four races covering two weekends!  I get to start the month off with a 10-miler on a Saturday followed by a sprint triathlon on Sunday (my sister couldn’t help but laugh when I acted like it was perfect normal to have a set up like that [not intentional!]) then at the end of the month I have a triathlon weekend! J  Saturday is an Olympic tri and Sunday is a sprint tri (yes, the race actually has a “Crazy Back-to-Back [individual entry for those racing both Olympic and Sprint races]”). September I only have two races… A half marathon Labor Day weekend and a Half Ironman the following weekend. No, I am not taking the half marathon to seriously; I will enjoy the long run (kind of like what I did this past weekend).  October is a 10K and a full marathon.  Busy, busy, busy.  November I recover, wait! I have a race on ThanksgivingJ.  Only a few of these “races” are actually races, most of them I am using as training runs.

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Colorado Half Marathon (VERY LONG REPORT!!!!!)

So my race training run was a complete success! I went in with a plan and a goal, I stuck with my plan and met my goal! 

Saturday morning we got all packed and loaded everyone in the car (yes, this included the puppies). I drive a bug! The suitcases and my running bag all went in the trunk (surprising spacious) the boys and the computers went into the back seat (I had homework I had to finish so the computers had to come) the puppies were told to go in the back seat too (Charlie can fit between my boys and Freddie sits wherever).  My sister got in the from seat and put her crap bag down by her feet.  Had had two stops before dropping the boys off at the doggy hotel, Walgreen, Cuervo needed more meds and the bank (we were running so late that had we dropped the boys off first the bank probably would have been closed and my sister doesn’t use an ATM card).  Freddie loves riding up front and if my sister is there he is even happier (he props himself on her chest). He is also a huge fan of the “roof window”.  Charlie had no problem sitting in back while we were at Walgreens then he felt it was necessary to come upfront for rest of the trip.   My poor sister was being squished the entire time (we also had to stop and get gas).  Luckily from the gas station to the bank is a fairly straight shot but it was very entertaining.  My bug is a standard and Charlie was sitting on the stick for part of the time.  When I told him if he doesn’t move I might change gears using one of this body parts he climbed even further onto my sister! The bank was interesting (my sister’s wallet was in her crap bag at her feet!).  We had a two second drive to the doggy hotel when we finished at the bank.  Finally the boys were unloaded! They were excited to be there (as always) we didn’t even get any good bye kisses.  Finally it was time to hit the road!

We made it to Fort Collins with no issues, got to the host hotel, again with no issues, parked and went in.  The expo is improving each and every time.  I got my bag to put all my stuff in, grabbed some of the goodies (the goodie bags were not pre-packed), picked up my bib and then got my shirt.  I made sure I stopped by the Country Financial table to say thank you! And we joked about not doing the marathon, the whole week and a half notice thing…  Of course I had to stop by the official merchandise area, picked up body glide (couldn’t remember if I had packed it so we figured better safe than sorry [I had packed it]), gloves, a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt, compression socks (first pair, man do I love them), another pair of toe socks, and I want to say something else, but I don’t remember! Checked out the other booths (very small, but in a good way).  Found a booth with a shirt that said “Pain is only a state of mind” so I had to get it.  After that we headed out.  Found the hotel with minimal issues (I couldn’t remember the name of it for a while).  Then headed to dinner, but first had to find the parking area for the morning.  Found it, off to Olive Garden.  I ordered the eggplant parm.  The nice waiter brought me extra pasta (hey, there wasn’t very much pasta!!!). After that we stopped by King Soopers (Kroger) to get my breakfast and other misc stuff.  Then back to the hotel.  I laid out my stuff and realized I forgot my knee band.  My wonderful sister delaired we would zoom up the street and pick up new ones.  She knew if I did not have them I would need them.  And last weekend my knee buckled a few times.  So we flew to Sports Authority and picked up new knee bands (Shannon you are a very wise woman!!!!).  Got back, took a bath watched TV and went to sleep (had a wakeup call, my sister’s phone set and the alarm clock set).

3:45 came EARLY! I hit snooze! J Next BEEP! BEEP! I got up.  I got dressed heated up the water for the oatmeal, said goodbye to everyone and headed out the door with my sister making sure I had everything. I get half way to the parking garage and realize I did not put on my RoadID, crap.  Get even closer and I don’t have my gum, fine, I will just go to a gas station and get more,  I finally fine one that is opened and pull in to park and realize I don’t have my purse. The only thing I have with me in my driver’s license.  DAMN! I remember that I usually keep gum in my car, somewhere!  So I go to the parking garage, I am still about 10 minutes early for the half marathon busses. I get comfy on the bench and wait.  The busses finally start to load and up we go.  I try to get a little more sleep, but the gal next to me keeps messing with her iPod and the light from it keeps waking me up.  We get up to the waiting area, first thing is first, POTTY!  I start eating my bagel and meet this local gal, Becky, who is running her first half and we stand around and chat.  Start time is getting closer so I get back in line for the potty.  I find a comfy area to start stretching and find Becky again and we continue chatting, the emotions are flying with this poor gal.  She can’t believe she is really doing this and we all know how it is!  I let her know it is an amazing course, there is really only one hill we have 5 hours to complete it in and so on and so forth (not downplaying the magnitude of what she is about to do but putting her nerves at ease a little).  We get to the start and all of a sudden people are running! WHAT? No BEEEEEEP!? No nothing! I step off to the side because all my electronics weren’t ready! I am finally ready to go and off I go.  I had planned the first two hours I was going to run two songs and walk one.  The third hour walk one, run one and anything after three hours I will listen to the same two songs over and over and over and over until I do finish (my goal was 3 hours!).  Mile one, was wonderful, my lower back was a little sore at first but then came around.  Mile two… Hey, there’s Ted’s! Woo-hoo!  Ok, there is that damn hill, hmm, according to the music I will be running part of it.  Up the hill, no issue! Thank you Judy! You are a wonderful woman I will never grumble around training runs in Garden of the Gods again! Hey! I am halfway done.  Oh! Look more marathoners are passing me.  Yay! There is the first female! WOW! I am at the bridge already, and I am running across it!  5K left, alright! Hey, I might just make my 3 hour goal!  Everything is still feeling fine, ok, I have still having issues with hydration.  One mile left! Yay! I am around the corner and there is the finish line! I will run, ooo, not feeling so well, I will walk until the stop sign.  HERE I COME! I AM DONE WITH TIME TO SPARE!!!!! Faster, so close to the finish line, even faster. Come on Sammie, you can sprint the last little bit… I’M DONE!!!!!

I start coughing and gagging, uh-oh! No, no, no.  There are no trash cans, there are people everywhere, can’t do this. NO! coughing more, no, no, no.  I managed to leave the finish area with dignity intact, but still no trash can, oh look! A cute dog.  Went over squatted down and said hi (with permission of course).  Feeling better, ok, I am fine now.  Grab by bag from the bag drop, found my sister and my kids got hugs from my kids (they are very kind little guys). Finally found my car and re went back to the hotel.  My left foot was hurting in a weird way, left hip flexor was sore, second toe on right foot will probably fall off. Other than that I feel good. I took a nice LONG shower (that hotel had some amazing water pressure!) check out time was noon we turned our keys in at 11:57 (ish) and hit the road.  We made great time coming home.  Picked up the boys (there were happy to see us), my sister and Cuervo cheated, they went to the store next door while Jose and I brought the boys home.  Grabbed the truck, picked up my sister and Cuervo and did our weekly grocery shopping.  Finally we made it home and I crashed!  I am sure I was asleep before 9!  I slept well having my boys on either side of me (yes, I share my bed with my fur kids). 

The weather was perfect, cool, but not cold.  Mostly cloudy (I had 100 spf on, but I still reacted to the sun that was out), all in all I am very proud of the run! Good training run!

I have to say, none of this would have been possible if it weren't for my sister.  Shannon, you are the most amazing person!