Sugar and Spice and Nothing Made of Salt

15 Apr 12

Everyone once in a while (seems more often at times) you end up with a week of complete and absolute upheaval, that was last week.  Health wise I am currently a guinea pig, I am off one med (that messes with lungs and liver), I get all sorts of lab work (I really wish they would learn I need those liquids too!), x-rays, EKGs and blah, blah, blah.  We shall see how all that turns out.

Training wise, this week went pretty well, sort of.  I got treadmill, spin, swimming and yoga in this week. I was supposed to run with the run group on Saturday, but Freddie had different plans! He decided to lay on my alarm so it didn’t go off.  But, Jose and I did some weight lifting in the way of yard work.

Today I experience something new…  I am used to the fact that if I eat something with a higher salt content my fingers turn into sausages.  Today, I was supposed to have lunch with my family (parents, sister and kiddos) but the place we were going is closed on Sundays! So my mom and dad decided to go home, but my kiddos were still hungry so we ended up at their favorite Chinese place.  Well, I know I have to be careful today I got a rude wakeup call to just how much attention I need to pay.  In less than an hour after eating I was feeling like crap, my legs were swelling and it was just no fun.  My legs are still swollen, but they are calming down some, I am hoping they will be all better tomorrow.  I return to my rheumy next week and this is something I will be bringing up with him. 

This week I planned on starting the Body for Life Challenge, but the protein drinks they require participates to use have to much sodium for me, so that is not going to happen.  I still want to do something similar, but it will be a slightly modified version.  I too before pictures and there is no way in hell I am posting them!

Tomorrow is Day 1, Week 1! Goal this week – 5 days of training!

~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"~

Flying dog!!!!!

2 April 2012

Spring break is now over and the kiddos are back in school!  Last week started off really well and then it went downhill! Wednesday Jose woke up in tears! No, it wasn’t because I tried to kill him the previous two days. He was crying because his ear hurt really bad.  The plan was the kiddos were going to head over to G&P’s (grandma/papa’s) to help out again, well, that got changed.  I was able to get an appointment for Jose in the morning, and Cuervo went to G&P’s. Jose had a nasty ear infection and sinus infection.  He decided he wanted a mommy day instead of heading to G&P’s.  Thursday we went over to help a friend with yard work.  In a matter of about 5 hours, we got done what would have taken her weeks!  I made sure Jose and I had plenty of sunscreen on, but I paid the price for spending that much time in the sun.  Friday I went to breakfast with former coworkers and then relaxed rest of the day, the boys and I watched Scooby Doo rest of the day!!!!!!

Saturday (Happy birthday to my dad!!!), I had planned on getting up and hitting the trail for my weekly long run. Yea, I felt like doggy doo! I rolled over and went back to sleep! I got up for my dad’s birthday lunch.  We did make a trip to the hardware store (my front yard doesn’t look really nice and I have big plans for it) to pick up a few things on the way home.  Sunday I wished I could just die!  After getting my boys to my dad for church (it was Palm Sunday they were going to church) I went back to sleep. 

So here we are, spring break is over and the crappy weather is blowing in.  I am feeling better today, so I figured I would take Freddie out for my 3 mile loop… Freddie is a 60 pound boxer, shortly after we got off our street poor Freddie got blown off the curb! I said crappy weather was BLOWING in! He got back up on the sidewalk, turned around and gave me the look of Mommy!!!!! He is fine, he didn’t get hurt (if he did, I wouldn’t have thought it was so funny). Unfortunately my back started going nuts again.  Freddie and I were on the dirt trail and I was bending over trying to stretch my back, we turned around and headed back to the sidewalk to head home and this nice lady stopped and asked if I was ok.  See there are nice people out there!

Tomorrow I think I have an appointment during spin class time, I am not sure, I need to check.  But I will hit the gym, might hit the pool!





~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"~

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!

The Best Laid Plans

Yesterday I had Mommy duties during my lunch break so I figured, not a big deal, the boys have their activities in the evening, I will get my training in then. Until I got a phone call letting me know Jose got hurt. I love my mom but she has no medical knowledge. She said Jose hurt his finger, my first question… what does it look like? She hands the phone to him so he can explain to me.

‘Which hand?’

“The one I write with”

‘So your left?’

“Yes”

‘Which finger?’

“My pointer.”

‘Which part?’

“All of it!”

‘Is it swollen?’

“Yes”

‘Is it straight?’

“No, I can’t bend it”

‘Let me speak to Grandma’… ‘Is his finger straight?’

“No, it looks like a hook”

‘Is it in alignment?’

“ummm, I don’t know”

‘What color is it?’

“Finger colored. Should I bring him to you?”

‘Yes please, if you don’t mind!’

10 minutes later I am down stair looking at his finger and speaking to the doctor’s office. Well, our doctor is out of the office until sometime next week. His finger was nicely swollen, the closer to the tip the more purple it got, it was bent but could be straightened (causing a lot of pain), for the most part it was in alignment. Was it broken? Dr. Mom says no. But the nurse said because of the color change I should bring him to Urgent Care to make sure there are no blood circulation issues. So, I went back upstairs, told my supervisor what was going on, grabbed my stuff and headed out. I thanked my mom for helping out (I don’t know what I would do without that woman!) and off to Urgent Care we went. Got in, there was one child out of control running back and forth (I think there was a mental disorder) but mom was doing nothing about it, she was just sitting there watching TV. Then a bigger baby (18 months[ish]) was raising holy hell and poor Jose was trying to read, ignore the pain and ignore the baby scream; he wasn’t having much luck. Cuervo made buddies with the child running back and forth and they sat at a table and played quietly (I love my kids!). Finally it was our turn to head back, Cuervo bet that Jose had fractured/broken his finger, I bet is was sprained/strained and Jose bet it was bruised. I kept saying we need to amputate and the nurse thought we were a really fun family! I have to say, we never take anything to seriously, if we did we would all die of heart attacks at an early age or being fighting with ulcers all the time, not worth it! Long story short, he managed to sprain his finger, we didn’t get out of there until after their activities were over (and I think at that point Jose just wanted to go home) so my miles did not happen!

To make life even more entertaining Freddie thought it was necessary to make the bathroom sink overflow and pretend like nothing happened at 1:00 this morning so I got up to deal with that and couldn’t get back to sleep for another 2 hours. I don’t think I am getting my miles in today either because my cough is hitting even harder, but I will drag my butt out of bed tomorrow and at least get something in, not sure how far, but I will be out there making an effort!

Saturday starts recovery week, I think this week was more of a recovery week, but whatever.

For those of you who will be running Boston this coming week… Good luck and I hope you win! J

Tuesday ranting and raving

Yesterday I was not feeling very well, I was tired and just not there. Before I went down to the gymlet I knew I would not really be running. I got on the elliptical machine and I was fighting a mile and a half into it (I got to 1.7 before getting off), so I decided I would try getting on the treadmill for my last 1.8 miles knowing I might not get my 3.5 in. I started off at a nice easy (slow) 3.5 pace. After a 10^th of a mile I upped it to 3.6 and I kept upping it every 10^th of a mile until I was done. At about 4.5 I was jog/walking, the last 10^th I was supposed to be at 5.3 but I decided to up it to 6.0 to finish it off. I felt pretty good. I was still tired, but I was a little more invigorated. I got back to my desk only to deal with another blood sugar crash! As soon as I hit the locker room I started eating my apple sauce to try to prevent it from happening again. After work I had to take Charlie to the vet (nothing major, he just needed to visit a tech) got home, my sister made dinner and I was pretty much in bed right then and there. I was out cold well before 10 pm. This morning my alarm went off and my fur boys let me sleep a little more but then they decided just because I wasn’t getting out of bed yet doesn’t mean I can just lay there and do nothing. For the next 20 minutes I got squished, licked and stepped on every which way! Charlie was getting ready to lay down next to me when all of a sudden Freddie was walking under him and taking his place! When Charlie finally got to lay down next to me Freddie sat on him!

Yesterday I was screwing around on the Trek website and designed my dream tri bike. Eventually I would like one, I know how expensive they are, but it is always fun going to the Project One area and coming up with MY bike! Speaking of bikes… My century is about two months away. Did I mention at the bike sale I got a new seat too? Sorry, I think today is a SQUIRREL day! I finally got her out for a ride on Sunday and felt great! This weekend I plan on doing two loops on the Air Force Academy’s main road (pretty flat). By the end of next month I will be hitting the road near the outlets (a lot more hills)

Today will probably be a two session day. I got a good upper body workout in during lunch. BRC is having a group fun after work that I will try to make. I feel really good right now and if I am still feeling good around 4 pm, then I will do it, if not, I won’t! If I am not up to running I might hit the pool!

I have been ragging on Skirts Sports more than I should over the past few months. I have to say, I do like their running skirts (I would LOVE them if they would just put drawstrings in). Now, Skirt Sports isn’t just running skirts. Nicole DeBoom, Skirt Sports founder, is a triathlete and I have to say this give her company an serious edge when it comes to some of their products. During the expo of my first half ironman a running store had a booth set up and low and behold a Skirt Sports bike skirt was in their sale bin, so I got it! I know ‘you shouldn’t try anything new on race day’ well, my toosh was about to put on 56 miles and any extra padding I could get would be greatly appreciated! LOVED IT! Yes, my toosh was still a little sore at the end, but what do you expect? I am excited to be picking out a new outfit now that I am getting back on the bike (hey, a girl can always use motivation!). So, in the near future I will be getting the Short Sleeve Jersey (hopefully it runs a little lose, I don’t like tight stuff up top) and the Cruiser Bike Girl (a little longer than Breezer Bike Girl, which, to me, is always nice).

Here is to a beautiful day in Colorado!

When Irish Eyes are Smilin’

Have you noticed how in a lot of cases St. Patrick’s Day is no longer a day, but more of a month? I am not saying there is anything wrong with that, I just think it is entertaining! After much research I have found out that I am, in fact, half Irish/half Scottish. Ok, to be really and truly accurate I am I am half Australian/half American (my ‘mum’ is an Aussie and my dad is an American). My sister and I have actually gotten very interested in where our ancestors came from on our dad’s side we were able to track back to exactly when that side came to the US from Ireland (it was the late 1800s). Our mom’s side, well, that took a little more work but first we did not come from criminals (I was a little disappointed in that one) but that side took a more roundabout way of getting here! What does this have to do with anything? Nothing, really besides the fact I find that type of stuff interesting!

Last night by the time I was leaving class I was going cross eyed so I went home to check on poor Freddie instead of going to the gym. Poor Freddie is fine, he is acting as if nothing had happened! Today I have another Monday workout. Since I didn’t get my miles in yesterday I will be getting my ride in during lunch (still on the stationary bike, to much sand on the roads still) and then I will head north for my run. Yes, I could leave work and run my miles around the office (or even on the treadmill) or I could hit the Santa Fe Trail and not just put in miles, but actually really and truly enjoy my run! That’s a hard decision, isn’t it!!!!

Tonight is also Weight Watchers night, yay! I am going for 2.4 pounds! Here is to a wonderful day!

Work to Live or Live to Work?

As I stated yesterday I had to work over the weekend and that got me to thinking. There are two categories of people in the world, those who work to live and those who live to work. Actually, there are three categories you also have the group who are to lazy to work and just mooch off of others. For the record stay at home moms do NOT fall into that third category by any stretch of the imagination (as far as I am concerned they have the hardest job around, there are no sick days, there are no lunch breaks, etc.).

I will be the first to admit, I fall 100% into Category 1, work to live race. J When I can help it I get my time in and get out. Don’t get me wrong, if there is something that needs to get done, I have no issue putting in extra hours, not a big deal, its life! I need my weekends (Sunday I was dragging something fierce and Monday was even worse). I like knowing Friday is just around the corner and when the weekend comes the fun starts. I like having my family at the top of my priorities (which is why I work!). I like providing for my kids and knowing if there is a movie coming out that they just have to see we can go see it. I try my damndest not to let work interfere with that.

I work with something who is Category 2 and to be brutally honest, it is actually quite sad. I have never seen anyone so miserable, not to mention cranky! A family at home, speaks degradingly to spouse, kid (who is a brat) who can do no wrong. The priorities are just so different. And so are the personalities!

Yesterday I am ecstatic to report I got both of my workouts in yesterday. I did a 12-miler (on the stationary bike) in during lunch and I decided to hop on the treadmill for three minutes as soon as I was done. My legs left pretty good on the treadmill which was nice, I plan on throwing in a mini brick from time to time during my week session just to get my legs used to having to do that turnover and then as my triathlons approach I will get some bricks in on the weekends. I did say I got both of my workouts in yesterday. After work I stopped by the bathroom, got changed into my running clothes and then drove up to the north gate of the Air Force Academy and did a nice 3-miler, actually by the time I got back to my car is was more than 3 miles, but it felt absolutely amazing being out there running!

Today I have another 3-miler on the books, but I might end up with a forced rest day. I had to drop Freddie off at the vet, he is fine, he is just have the operation today. Then I have class tonight, so I am not sure I will get my miles in (I am going to try to get them in after class, but I next expect that to happen, most of the time I am just to tired!).

On a side note, I have been shopping (hence the new running watch)…

Sweaty Bands

I think the first time I saw them was at the San Diego RnR Marathon and I thought they were cute, that was until I saw the price. My first thought was ARE THEY NUTS??? And I continued on my way. Then later on a good running buddy started talking about them, again, Is she insane spending that much money for a headband? (Sorry Lynne!) Saturday I did a smidge of emotional shopping before having to go into work and where else would I go, but my favorite running store? They had this really cute Sweaty Band and I decided what the hell, I will get it (not expecting much). Yesterday I did my bike ride and it didn’t move; treadmill, no moving. Put it on again to hit the trail (luckily it had dried out some) put my visor on over the top and guess what, didn’t move!!!!

Dear Sweaty Bands,

I am sorry I ever doubted you!

Running Skirts

I got home last night and there was a package in front of my door. YAY! My new skirts have arrived. As I got closer I realized two skirts would not need that big of a package. I looked at it and it was for my sister. L I was on the phone with my sister as she was driving home and she said she was stopping by the mailbox. There was a key in the box! She said I had a package, little did she know I was still in my running stuff, I flew out the door and hauled butt down to there, Jose handed me the package out the driver side window and I hauled butt back up the street! My two new running skirts had arrived. Now, I am not talking about SkirtSports running skirts. These are actually from RunningSkirts.com. Their Capri running skirts have drawstrings! (SkirtSports, you might want to make a note of this). I ran upstairs and tried on my new skirts! I got the green plaid athletic skirt (no drawstring) and it fit nicely, it will be perfect for the St. Patrick’s day 5K! I also got the Preppy Pink Capri Running Skirt (has drawstring), I like the purple one so much (I did my last marathon in it), I had get a pink on! Apparently the spring line should be coming out soon, I can’t wait!

Let me sleep!

Yesterday I had a chance to look back over some of my previous blogs and it got me thinking. My first blog was 20 Apr 10, almost coming up on a year! On 27 Apr 10, I blogged about the last 10 years and how trying it has been but on the same token how I have accomplished things I would never had dreamed possible! Less than a month later I was blogging about the tentative diagnosis of lupus!

Over the past almost year those of you who read this have piped in a time or two with some much need support or advice of kudos which are all much appreciated! The support I received when Carin passed away I can’t even start to express my gratitude.

I did not get my 30-minute shred in last night, by the time I got home Cuervo had decided to set his chair (he has a papsan chair) up in my room and go to sleep. I at least got a laugh out of it… I was in bed settled in and I hear little squeals coming from his direction, I sit up and see that Charlie had climbed into the chair with him! Luckily whenever I go into the bathroom Charlie follows, which meant he got off Cuervo (who didn’t even really wake up). Later in the night the elusive Diamond (the cat who shares the upstairs with me and was willing to put up with Carin but no other dog) got cornered by Charlie. That was some excitement! Everyone in the house woke up trying to pull Charlie away from her and I got the job of picking her up and getting her under my bed (one of her favorite places to hide) without getting scratched. Freddie sat in the middle of my room watching all the excitement but not moving. Diamond try to put Charlie in his place by giving him a nice scratch on his nose but it didn’t work! Diamond is usally pretty good about avoiding Charlie, but last night just didn’t pan out for her. She is fine. When Charlie went out this morning she came out of my closet (she went from under my bed to the closet sometime last night, she has food, water and a box in both locations) and stopped by for some love and then returned to under my bed. Diamond is a true cat, she will let you know when she wants attention and if any of her bowls are lower than she likes the entire house will hear about it!
Today I have a nice ride on the stationary bike again and hopefully a 30 minute workout tonight. I might stray away from the 30-day shred and do yoga (right knee is a little cranky today), not sure yet I will figure that out when I get home and I am putting in a disk

It is now Day 4 and I am off and running!

Last night was another one of those nights I was to tired to cook, my sister was still not feeling well, we decided we would go to Applebee’s (kid’s eat for 99 cents on Wednesdays), when we got there the parking lot was full! So we figured we had better go elsewhere. Up the street a smidge (in the same block) was a new place we have wanted to try HuHot. The smell of it when driving by YUM! We got there and found out it is an all you can eat Mongolian BBQ. Still smelled good! You get to pick out everything you want and then they cook it up for you while you wait, easy enough. When I got up to the grill I asked it would be possible for my food not to touch any meat, “vegetarian?” ‘yes’ (I wasn’t going to go into the whole fisheterian thing). The cleaned a spot for my food, put utensils around it to make sure nothing could touch it and announced when my food was going on and coming off. After speaking to our waitress (very nice lady) she said they have no problems working people and their dietary restrictions. I have every intention of going back again. I only went through once, but my older son got four plates!

This morning I did not want to get up! Freddie kept me up all night chewing of stuff and getting into stuff he shouldn’t be. When I actually cracked an eye opened I saw my jeans that are two sizes smaller than what I am in now hanging on my door. Grumbling I got up. This video is kicking my butt, well, actually it is kicking my calves and thighs (I was going down the stairs as I was leaving work yesterday, talk about sore!). First set of jumping jacks I had to stop before it was time because of a twinge in my knee, but rest of them I was able to do. I got interrupted midway through the workout because two puppies and one child all tried to go down the stairs at the same time. Puppies were fine, kid was not! After making sure everything was ok and giving him a reassuring hug I started the “butt kicks” section again and continued on. I finished up got cleaned up, Cuervo is fine, he and the stairs have just had a few to many issues this week (he feel down and hit his knee on Monday). I think part of it is because his mind is elsewhere. I know he will kill me if he found out I posted this but he and his girlfriend are planning to have their first kiss today (isn’t young love cute!). He has asked if we can get her a Valentine’s Day present when we go shopping this weekend (he is in 4^th grade and is already thinking about all that).

I am hoping to get a short run in today (Jose has an appointment, I have class, not much time, but I will try!), tomorrow is the pool with the kids (we all swim laps and then it is play time, good way to end the week). Saturday I am signed up for a spinning class and then I have WW weigh in. This morning I couldn’t help myself, I had to get on the scale, I needed to see if all this work is doing anything for my numbers. I was in my work clothes (my heaviest work pants) and my boots on I was down 2+ pounds since last Saturday’s weigh in! I have a feeling I will have no issue getting my rump out of bed tomorrow morning!

OH! And the countdown to CDA is under 500 days now! I know I am only guessing at the date at this time, but it is still exciting!

30-Day Challenge

9 Feb 11

ü 76 oz of water every day (3 bottles [24 oz] of water plus two cups at dinner)

ü TV off no later than 10:30 (fell asleep before TV went off, but kept getting woken up L)

ü Down size Startbucks

ü Logging intake (had to do an educated guess for dinner, but I did log everything!)

ü 30-day Shred – Every day

Day 3 (10% done!!!!)

When I got home last night I was COLD! Cuervo was curled up in his chair and Jose was on my bed and they were watching TV, my poor sister was in her room sick as can be. She came up to greet me and told me my boys had been really good all day. They watched TV and when they needed something they would come talk to her, otherwise they left her alone (they are amazing at doing that). Before I did anything else I got changed and hit play! The first round of jumping jacks I realized my calves for one heck of a workout on Monday! Freddie and Charlie tried to help me again. This time Freddie figured I need help staying up so he stood under my upper chest while I was trying to do push-ups. My sister came and rescued me! I was able to finish my workout (my knee played nice, thank goodness). Then it was dinner time. Quesadillas! I did have two, but I measured everything out. I only had a little bit of fat free cheese, and I did stack on the lettuce and cilantro, some no salt black beans and some other stuff. I thought I had made good choices, that is until I figured out the calories! According to Body Bugg and entering in everything I did eat yesterday I still came out without any issues. I was just shy of my goal calories in for the day. Monday it looks like I was way lower than I was supposed to be. I can now see where I am falling to short or going to far over. I figure 100 calories either way is manageable.

This morning I was back on schedule. I figured out how to get out of bed and Cuervo decided it was necessary to sleep in my room again (I think he just likes sleeping in his chair [it is one of those big round ones] and Charlie has no issues climbing up into the chair with him!). When I got out of bed Cuervo had packed up his chair and got it out of my way so I was able to get right into it. I hit play and again my calves started asking me what the heck I thought I was doing! This time during push-ups Freddie came over and started giving me kisses every time I came up. Then he decided it was play time with Charlie so they went outside. I have been doing the 30-day shred without weights, I am hoping to get to the store to pick up some dumbbells tonight. I don’t think I will need anything more than 3 – 5 pounds (for now). With my shoulder not back to 100% yet, this workout is great, it is not to strenuous on it but it does work out.

New bike pants (don’t worry, I did laundry Monday night) + running skirt (put on backwards [oops]) = perfect combo. My boss was in the gymlet today and I was so glad I had my skirt on. I am sure he wouldn’t have cared, but I would not have been able to get a good ride in trying to fix the back of my pants (they don’t go WAY down, but they are further down than I am happy with). After chatting with my boss for 5 minutes I got into my ride. Little hilly (nothing like what I am going to need for Elephant Rock – stayed between levels 5 – 9 with RPMS between 87 – 95).

30-Day Challenge

8 Feb 11

ü 76 oz of water every day

ü TV off no later than 10:30 (I have been falling asleep before my TV even think about shutting off!)

ü Down size Startbucks

ü Logging intake

ü 30-day Shred – Every day!

Day 1

Here we are Day 1 of my 30 days. This morning when my alarm went off I told myself I can go ahead and sleep some more and I will do my work out this afternoon.

Let me rewind a bit. I went to Weight Watchers on Saturday morning and found I out put on 5 pounds, no real surprise, but DAMN! That is ok, I am getting back on track, I am not drinking a gallon of orange juice a day and laying in bed and doing no real physical activity (hey, I was sick!).

So, like I said, here we are Day 1. First thing is first, I did get my butt out of bed and hit play! My boys were supposed to keep the fur kids out of the way, but that didn’t quiet go as planned. I found out that the proper way to do crunches is ever time you come up, you get a puppy kiss! Jumping jacks a puppy needs to sit in front of you and wiggle his butt and then when you start butts kicks (I was very careful) he grabs onto your workout bottoms and provides more resistance for you! Mind you this is after only one time through… it was a good workout, I was sweating! And the 30 minutes (well, 27 something) flew by! I am looking forward to hitting play again tomorrow.

I also made it to the gymlet during lunch! I got a new pair of bikes pants (capris) this weekend and I had to take them for a test ride! I went to the bike shop to drop Baby off (she needs a new chain, so far, they had just started on her when I got that call), I can’t honestly be expected to walk in the front door go all the way to the back drop off my bike and walk back out the front door without doing some shopping! Plus I found out that their big sale will be the second weekend of March so I started my wish list! J Anyway, new bike pants, when I tried them on at the store I didn’t realize they were low riders (add in the fact my rump is on the large side-plumber!)… note to self: wear skirt over the top! It was a good thing no one else was in the gymlet with me! I did 45 minutes interval (2 minutes at level 5/2@level 10) today and my tush didn’t start hurting until I had 11 minutes left. Except for trying to pull up the back of my pants the entire time I like the pants. The padding is good. Usually I am uncomfortable about 10 minutes, it took me 34 minutes to get there today.

I am very proud to report I got my tall iced, non-fat, decaf latte; trust me my Starbucks people were shocked! I packed my food for the day… two serving of egg beaters egg white, ½ a serving of non-fat cheese, Morningstar sausage patty for breakfast; Greek yogurt and strawberries for morning snack; hummus, cucumber, cilantro wrap and carrots for lunch; and then cheese and crackers for afternoon snack. I think we are having non-fried eggplant parmesan for dinner (a guy in the grocery store told me the recipe, hope it works out well!).

Water – one plus bottle down, a little less than two to go!

Om!

Yesterday I was feeling pretty good. I went down and did a nice 45 minute workout on the elliptical machine. My knee was feeling ok (had a few twinges here and there). After checking on how kiddo #1 was doing (gotta love parent portals) and finding out he was missing homework AGAIN! I decided he would NOT go to Taekwondo. I figured I would start P90 X and then when it was time to take Kiddo #2 to gymnastics WELLLLLL, that didn’t happen! First I got a phone call from Kiddo #1’s cross country coach and turns out his attitude isn’t the greatest one around! His motivation sucks most of the time and AHHHHH! We got home and Kiddo #1 was doing homework (he had permission to come disturb me if he had any questions) and Kiddo #2 was outside playing with the dogs. Next thing I know I hear a girl scream, I look out my window and Charlie (the 100 pound dane/lab) had broken out of the back yard. I threw a shirt on and went flying down the stairs and out the door, Charlie came back in without an issue. I asked the girls if they were alright and they said yes (I think he just scared them) and I apologized profusely! Needless to say, Charlie came inside and stayed inside (my sister is fixing the hole today). I go back upstairs and rewind a little (you don’t actually think I took the time to grab the remote and hit pause do you?) and I continued. Charlie decided it was his job to not only share my yoga mat with me but to chase my shadows while I was working! Freddie on the other hand figured downward dog meant I was supposed to have a dog under me giving me kisses while I was doing that. While trying to work around those two, I hear Kiddo #2 crying. I hit pause and call both boys up to me to ask them what is going on. Kiddo #1 “I just bopped him upside the head.” Kiddo #2 had still not come up so I called him again. When he finally made it upstairs he was hunched over holding his stomach. He said Kiddo #1 had punched him in the stomach. I sent Kiddo #1 away to finish his homework and Kiddo #2 helped himself to my book shelf and planted himself on my bed. Somehow I was able to finish the workout and it only took me about two hours! We had dinner and things seemed to have calmed down. That didn’t last long. I went back up stairs to get things ready for bed and I hear a scream from downstairs, Kiddo #2 comes up with his hand over his eye crying. Kiddo #2 claimed he accidently threw something at Kiddo #2. Kiddo #2 had a nice little cut going up to his eye. It was a raisin box that was thrown and Kiddo #2 was supposed to catch it. Kiddo #2 got to sleep in my bed last night. I was watching BBC’s Oliver Twist and since Kiddo #2 LOVES that movie he curled up on my bed, next thing I knew he was asleep. Charlie could care less who slept in my bed, Freddie on the other hand was very confused about the fact that one of his brothers was sleeping in his spot on mommy’s bed! Then this morning my car keys went missing so I have to drive my truck!

Ignoring all the distractions, I have to say YogaX kicked my rump last night! I love sun salutations, I went through those with no issues. Next were the runner’s poses WHOA! (that is when all hell was breaking lose and the breaks were much appreciated!) Talk about a workout! The balance poses were ok, I skipped the shoulder stand (my neck and shoulder would not have appreciated if I have done that). Then the stretching Kiddo #2 and I agreed that one leg is longer than the other! I could reach my toes on both sides, one was just easier than that other. What struck me as odd was my shoulder started complaining when both legs were straight and I was holding my feet, needless to I lessened the stretch until I stopped feeling it in my shoulder. I was ecstatic when we did the happy baby, I would have to say, that is my all time favorite pose!

Yesterday I ordered my running socks. Now, I have an issue paying $5 shipping for a $9 pair of socks. So I cheated, I still was due a pair of running socks for my first 5 pounds and I know I will need more when I lose another 5, so I ordered 4 pairs! They have been shipped and I can’t wait until I get them!


Tonight – P90X Legs and back and physical therapy! I am hoping to get my workout down BEFORE I go to PT! To add my own personal disclaimer. I am well aware of the warning that P90X has about knees, backs blah, blah, blah. If there is one thing I have learned this past year is to listen to my body. For the most part I feel as if I can do these workouts, yes, there are some exercise I chose to skip because of injuries to certain parts and again, do I expect to see the same results as others see? No! I am just using this to get into better shape and help me lose weight. Maybe my second round I will be able to do everything without issues.

Junk Food Junkie

No, I am not now, nor have I ever been a “Junk Food Junkie”. I will admit to enjoying junk food from time to time (some times more often than others), I got the way I am today because I love food.
I was packing my food for the day this morning, weighing/measuring out my food and I started thinking (I know, LOOK OUT!). I sat there and packed ¼ cup of cottage cheese, 20 g of blackberries, 20 g of raspberries, 39 g of strawberries and 127 g of Greek yogurt, I realized just how much food I was packing (all of that is for breakfast). Mind you, that breakfast has pretty low calories, not a whole bunch of fat, but is a great source of all sorts of healthy stuff, not to mention it tastes great. My lunch I have a salad, a little on the bland side, but I was too tired to see what all I could find, lots of fruits and veggies, I have some pudding (a nice little dessert to keep me away from binging). I was looking at all the food I pack and started thinking about what I have eaten in the past (and still do sometimes), all the processed food (yes, I know my pudding is pretty processed) I would consume in a day. I would eat oatmeal for breakfast, but it was the fruit and cream oatmeal, I would eat a frozen meal for lunch, I would eat about the same amount as I do now, but now it is fresh (or frozen) fruits and veggies, it is stuff that actually has significant nutritional value. Yes, I still have cookies from time to time, but you have to permit yourself to indulge every now and then.
I started P90X again last night. This time I am working with bands (I purchased 30 lb, 50 lb and 70lb)… WOW! I could seriously feel a difference! Right now I am doing about 90% of the pushups on my knees. I try to get 5 in off my knees before dropping down. The ab work, before I started I agreed to doing just 10 reps for now; next week we will go up to 15 and so on. “Coach” aka Freddie kept coming in and checking on me, he would get up on my bed and peek over while I was doing the abs, while I was doing the first part he was on my bed guarding my water bottle!
Today I have PT so no lunch time work out, but that is a good thing, I have plyometrics tonight. I will be doing a mix of low and high impact. Tomorrow is Weight Watchers, I have less than 0.2 pounds before I get my yoga mat. And 0.6 pounds before I get another pair of running socks (I get socks every time I lose weight, I get running socks for every 5 pounds I lose). I have been hitting the stairs at work (I work on the 5th floor) both coming and going, I have been parking in the WAY back of the parking lot. I wasn’t to horrible over the weekend, so I am hoping I will see another good number (a nice 2 would send me to the moon!)

Level field

The other day my older son had his first cross country meet. As I was walking up to the meet I noticed an insane looking ramp right at an eighth of a mile before the finish (according to http://www.mapmyrun.com/ it is only a 3% incline, but it looked a lot steeper). It was a nice hilly course. I was talking to (I am assuming) a coach of one of the other teams about the course. She showed me the map a I made a comment about that ramp, the way she responded was a very true statement but I never really thought about races that way. It is a leave field; all the kids have to go up the same ramp, everyone has to run in the same heat. Well, #1 I know at races everyone is running the same course, but I never really thought about it like that. #2 in that particular race, yes, all the kids ran in the same heat (temperature), but in a marathon (since I am a slow poke) the elites are not running in the same heat that I do. The gun went off to start the race (yes, I am still VERY jumpy when it comes to certain sounds and a gun is definitely one of those bad sounds, fireworks are another…) it felt really strange just standing there, the race started and I was not racing! After the start of the race (luckily the 6th graders went last) I cheered Kiddo on and then followed rest of the parents to another area to cheer on the kids. Kiddo struggled up the hill and I cheered him on, knowing his approximate pace I stuck around for rest of the kids (I think I was the only parent who did that) cheering them on no matter what school they attended. I was telling them stuff like the ‘hill was almost over’, ‘where there is an uphill there is a downhill’ – a young lady who was walking responded with ‘that is why you walk up the hill and run down it!” (I had to give her credit for that comment!!!!!) After all the kids had gone by I returned to that stupid ramp. Some kids decided to run up the stairs instead of dealing with the ramp. I told Tyler to try taking it on his toes. I finally saw him coming up the sidewalk, so I started cheering even louder! He started walking up the hill but then tried to run it. He got back up on the track (1/8 of a mile remaining) started walking again, but the final stretch he did run. He finished in 18 and some change (1.5 miles), I am so proud of him! He is really starting to enjoy it.
Tomorrow is a nice easy “long run”, ok, so there is a pain in the butt hill at the beginning (mile 2), but once I am over that, I am good to go! Now, I am not 100% sure how far I will go yet, I will let my body dictate that, since I am running the road it won’t be hard for me to call my sister and say, ok I am done. For better or worse there is MAJOR road construction going on along this route, but I am making sure I stop before that (the farthest I can go it 9.5 miles IF I make it that far, I can wait for my sister at Starbucks!!!!) Come to think of it, there is a Starbucks at miles 6.75 (ish) and 5.75 (ish) too! Mmmmm, a nice iced latte and some fresh fruit, Yum! Sunday I think a nice swim is in order – that will depend on how my neck/back is feeling (actually all my physical activity is completely dependent on my neck/shoulder). (Oh, and I didn't get my run in yesterday, I was just to tired. I did take Freddie for a walk so he could meet as many people as possible [and he got weighed in at 9 pounds!])
Oh! Yea, I went back to my doc for my follow up, he has decided it is time to pain and torture, I mean physical therapy. He was happy to hear I had started running again (especially since my neck and back started to relax during the run), he told me I can keep doing physical activity as long as I listen to my body and if says no, then don’t do it!
Here is to a great weekend!