oh, the marathon

Warning: This is the longest post ever. It's about running. Only. 

Well, it's been 7 months since I ran the marathon back in June.  In some ways it seems like yesterday, in other ways it feels like it was an eternity ago.  I really don't know why I've put off posting about it forever.  I have been thinking about running quite a bit lately (aren't I always though?).  Since I am pregnant now, my running has (obviously) changed.

The first trimester I was so tired I would have to take walking breaks every mile. In the second trimester I feel the need to take potty breaks every mile (but I never really have to go?).  I finally solved this problem by doing push ups between each mile to get rid of that feeling since going to the bathroom actually did little to help.  Yesterday I finally had a great day of running for more than 5 minutes (actually 40 minutes!) without feeling like I had to run straight to the bathroom. 

So far, I am not really 'showing,'  just lookin' a little pudgy so I haven't had to deal with any unsolicited advice from strangers that my baby will fall out due to my running or something crazy like that, but in case you are worried about me (or any other pregnant runners) just check out the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology's website for their recommendations on exercise.  Which if you are too lazy to read is: to do it (exercise)! For 30 minutes every day (at least)! AND that if you ran before pregnancy you can generally continue to run throughout pregnancy (as long as your pregnancy isn't high risk) So there ya go, but really if you aren't a doctor you really shouldn't give out medical advice anyway, but that's just my feeling.  So you should talk to your doctor about what's right for you and I will continue to do the same ;)

So back to the marathon; I have been thinking about running and how I am really going to miss out on all of the races this year! Which to me, is sad.  Especially because I was planning on winning some... No that's a joke, I am as slow as molasses.  I was going to say especially because I remember the first thing I thought when I finished the marathon was, I can't wait to do that again!  So I can do it better! Okay, maybe it was 2 hours, 1 nap, and a trip to Arby's later.  Needless to say, I knew I wouldn't be doing it again for a while (if I was lucky) since this was a planned pregnancy.  Knowing we were planning to make room for baby in our life didn't stop me from wanting to run a marathon again though.

So since I won't be running a marathon this year, I wanted to write down what I learned from my training and the race day so I can do better next time.  If I don't write it down, I'll just make the same mistakes again.

Training

1.  Slow down on long runs, no really.

           While training for the marathon I kind of fell in love with speed work and I realized that my regular pace that I run at is kinda too easy for me, I could go harder and faster and I loved it.  It felt great.  I thought, "Why would I run my long runs so slow if I want to run my race fast? Shouldn't I get used to running fast?"  To me, this sounded like great logic.  All the books and websites say, run slow on long runs.  I poo poo-d that real quick and moved on with my own way since I was exploring my pace and what was fast or slow for me.  This is what basically killed my race and killed my time.  The longest run on my training schedule was 20 miles.  I had every intention of doing all my long runs outside.  Then I got shin splints.  And at that point all the long runs after about 13 miles got put on the treadmill.  I know right?  So I'm on the treadmill, obsessed with my newly discovered ease at running faster and pushing myself.  A real comfortable pace for me (maybe too comfortable) is 6.0 MPH, so the books say stay there or slow it down beyond that, but I was pushing it up to 7.0 MPH.  In fact, I ran my whole 20 miler at 7.0 MPH on the treadmill (at the gym, watching UP! twice, kill me now).  I did this partly because of my new need for speed and partly because a friend asked me to meet her for lunch and I felt like I couldn't turn her down so I was cramming the run in as fast as I could so I could go to lunch with her.  So the 20 miler took me about 3 hours.

Here's where the problem is:  My longest run was 20 miles and it took me 3 hours.  Even if my race day went fabulous and I ran the first 20 miles in 3 hours I'd still have about another hour of running to do beyond that point (4 hours of straight up running).  There is a BIG difference between 4 hours of running and 3 hours of running, at least to me.  If I had run slower, my 20 miler would have taken me longer and better prepared me for the TIME running versus the MILES run.  Next time, as much as it kills me and bores me, I will run slower at least on the very long runs.  A longer (time) run would've better prepared me mentally and physically.

2. Plan your day around your run, don't plan your run around your day.

       This goes back to my messed up 20 miler.  It's okay to ditch out on an outing with friends or family once or twice to fit in your training.  I can see how this can annoy your friends/family if you are constantly in training for a marathon, but you're probably not, I'm not.  So if you occasionally have to say, "No, it's not going to work for me today, I have my training."  They should forgive you and be supportive.

I did my long runs on Saturday.  Saturday was the day I did grocery shopping and chores.  This made for rough going and exhaustion.  Get other people to help out more, or rearrange your schedule to make sure you get what you need to done, hopefully on another day.

3. Don't miss any runs, but don't freak out if for some reason you do.

     I didn't have any issues with this, but I probably would have freaked if I missed a training run.  If I wrote it in my planner it was going to happen.

Race Day

1. Don't wear new gear.
       Everyone says that.  I wore new pants, it wasn't a tragedy or anything, but the waist band wasn't tight enough and I felt like my pants were falling down the whole time.  No bueno.

2. Do talk to others/meet new people.
       A marathon has such a great environment.  Head phones are great and music can really help you make it through rough points (Hello, cue a few glistening tears during Kelly Clarkson's 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." LMAO!) but it's also great to talk to others and find out where they are from, how they trained, is this their first race.  Everyone is so nice and encouraging.

3. Do wear your wedding ring.  Awkward....
        I never wear my wedding ring when I work out.  When I weight lift it literally hurts my hand, when I do cardio, I am paranoid it is going to fly off my hand and I won't notice and will never find it again.  So running the marathon I just thought it was safer to leave it at home.  As I already mentioned people are really nice and talkative at the marathon.  I think it's rude not to chat when people try to chat you up so I talked to a lot of people.  If it naturally came up that I was married I mentioned that, but I didn't want to say, "Hey, just FYI, I am married!" every time a man said anything to me, because that felt arrogant as if I assumed they were talking to me because they thought I was attractive.  Well, needless to say, I got myself a little stalker during the race. I don't even know how long he ran with me, probably at least 6 miles.  Off and on; he kept finding me again. and again. and again. The whole I'm married thing, never came up naturally.  Then it became clear it needed to.  Oh dear. It was pretty funny, sad, and awkward all in one.

4. Maybe you are like Deena Kastor or something, but if you are just a regular joe like me, nothing can really prepare you to run the marathon except to do it.
     I felt like I heard comments like this a lot. And it drove me crazy.  I also heard that 20 miles is the first HALF and the last 6 miles are brutal.  I didn't believe this going into it and I don't think it has to be true, but it was for me.  As I mentioned, I really messed up my training by running too fast and the last 5 miles were truly brutal.

 

Me at mile 21; feeling great before I "hit the wall" pretty sure a more accurate expression is

"a truck hits you!"

5. Don't start too... slow?
    Everyone will give you the advice, don't start out too fast.  I took that advice way too seriously. Which made no sense to do given the way I trained.  I started too slow.  I could have come out running under a 10:00/mile pace for the first chunk at least, but I tried to go slow to 'save my energy' but for me going slow used up more energy because it took more time, which I already mentioned, I wasn't prepared to run the time, even though I was prepared to run the distance. 

I had a goal to finish the marathon in 4:30 (about a 10:30 mile pace) VERY doable for me since a 10:00 mile is basically my very easy sweet spot.

Then I had a 'secret/dream' goal to finish in  4:00 (about 9:15 mile pace) not too crazy for me since I've done half marathons in under 2:00, but I knew it would be tough.

At the 21 mile mark I was all set to finish in my 4:30 goal.  That means I only had 5.2 miles left to go.  Somehow I didn't finish until 4:53:50.  Let's just NOT do the math there to see how slow I went.  I honestly wondered how I could ever finish at certain points.  But I did.

 The marathon was a great, wonderful, amazing experience.  Sometimes I felt like I would be defeated by it, but I wasn't.  And I honestly think anyone can run a marathon, anyone that's crazy enough to want to that is.

I can't wait to do it again, probably in the summer of 2014 if all is well.  I wasn't even sore the next day! That is one MAJOR sign for me that I could do it about a million times better.  For now, I'll be in training for labor and running for fun.

it can't always be a PR

Today I ran the Hobbler Half Marathon.  I ran it last year and had a great race; one thing I have always loved about Run13 events is the Magleby's Fresh French Toast at the end of the race, but somewhere along the road I became one of those runners who gets sick from eating too soon after running.  I used to be ready to chow down the second I crossed the finish line, but not anymore.  It's actually pretty tragic since I was so looking forward to it. Plus, post script:  I am a foodie, so, you know, frown.


Last year my time was 1:52:53.
I had a VERY ambitious goal to run this race in 1:45 or at least 1:49:59.


Needless to say, after about 3.5 miles with the 1:45 pacer I was keeping up, but it was rough going, I knew that a 1:45 half not going to happen for me today (but it will happen someday)! I just wasn't ready yet.

I thought going into this race it would be easy for me since I just ran the full marathon 4-5 weeks ago (which I know, I know I need to post about it, and I will, I even have some very funny stories to share).  Teaser: Some stories include the importance of wearing your wedding ring to a race ;)


Unfortunately, it seems like the marathon held me back more than anything since I feel like my training already "peaked" and I am in more of a recovery mode right now? Just go with it.   And just to be really annoying and make up more excuses,  we have been so busy that the gym got skipped a good 5 times in the past 2 weeks, (which we NEVER do) including one day that was supposed to be a long run.  Needless to say, it wasn't my best race, but I am satisfied with it because I came to a pretty obvious and yet profound conclusion today...

Every race can't be a PR.

Sounds pretty obvious, but whatever.  I think in my mind I expect to get better every time, not just better, but a lot better.  If every race was a PR, we would all be a bunch of super human athletes and someone would have beaten the 2 hour marathon mark by now.  Am I right?

 (Watch out, 2012 Olympics it's gonna happen.  I've got a feeling. I can't wait. ) 


Just like many things in life what is the sweet without the bitter?  If you have to work really hard to get a certain time, you are going to appreciate it more than if it comes easily.  That's why we crazy running people do it, because it's hard, because we want to accomplish something difficult, because we want to fight for it with blood, sweat, and tears.


Subject change coming... now. 

The funniest part of this race was how none of my family/friends came to see me at the end.  I promise, I am not complaining at all. I run for me, not to get attention or recognition from others and I signed up for this race a little over a week ago,  so that's pretty short notice.  So here's the funny part: At the finish line: Everyone is hugging and talking to their families and what not and I am just kind of like this weird little orphan since most people don't go to a race alone.  Even if their family doesn't come people usually have a running partner or something.  I definitely saw people I know there and chatted a bit, but still I'm just kind of a loner.  Not that funny yet, but here it is...


An old ex-boyfriend of mine saw me from a few yards away and waved.  First, I didn't even recognize him, but then I did, and then I thought,  "I should probably go say hi to be polite, but it's kind of awkward that I'm just this weird little orphan here?"  I can't even remember if I waved back or if I just gave him a weird look.  I was tired/out of it!  Mostly I just didn't want to talk to this guy and his cute wife because I didn't want them to feel bad for me that I was alone, because I didn't feel bad about being alone.


The other funny part is that right before I saw him I was about to walk over to this wet grassy hill (next to where they were sitting) and flop down on the grass like a dead body, but then I saw him and unfortunately that wasn't an option anymore.  Something about pride?


Since I was an orphan there I took some photos of myself afterwards, myspace style in the bathroom.  Whatever, it's for posterity. Or something. 

PS: If you're into race times, the clock read 1:58:something, official time unknown as of yet. 


P.P.S: If you read this entire long post, you probably deserve an award for being such an awesome friend who listens to my ramblings.
  

twas the night before

twas the night before my marathon and all through the house, not a creature could sleep since we have to wake up at something crazy like 3 in the flappin' morning to get me to the starting line.

eating some carbs

Looking at my race packet:

 

Doubting if I will really 'enjoy' the pain I have signed up for...

Put in any last minute suggestions for my playlist which I am compiling right now! Go!

DIY & couch time

"Something you made" 

Well, I didn't really "make" this,

 but I painted the frame, 

got rid of the backing,

 and put the "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON" vinyl on it.

Personally,  I love it. 

Picture is not that great; I think you can even kinda see my reflection in the glass. Ha!

"a favourite place"

Since I ran my first and only 20 miler today, my favorite place right now is the couch.
Especially with my tired feet elevated.
They feel like they are made of lead, but I lived through it.

having a bad day?

For me Monday was a bad day

I called Lee to vent.

Later this happened.

Don't be jealous.

PS: He knows I mean running shoes. 

"if you want to do it, all you have to do is do it."

You may or may not have heard, but I am going to run a marathon.
That is 26.2 miles.

Sometimes I when I think about it I get really excited.
Sometimes I get sick thinking about it.

But mostly, I know I can do it.  
Because of people like this:

I posted this on facebook a couple of months ago after reading about this guy in Runner's World magazine.  Even though I've seen it several times, I still find it completely inspiring.  

Especially that last line.

sweet september & gourds

Oh, friends!
Here it is; the first week of September, time for me to put out autumn decor.

Don't you love my ceramic pumpkins?

I have a collection.

I especially liked it when my sis-in-law came over for dinner last October and called them gourds!
Isn't that delicious?

What fun would decorating your house be without a holiday movie?

Unfortunately, I don't have any Halloween movies.
I don't really like scary movies anyway so I settled on Miracle on 34th Street,
which is much more about Christmas 

BUT it has a scene of Thanksgiving dinner so...
into the xbox it went.

You know what else it is time for?

I think it's time to redo my blog.  I noticed that all the cool kids, ya know people with things like actual followers and the like, have much cleaner white backgrounds, none of this gaudy pink stuff.

Hmmm... what to do?  Someday soon we are ready for a change. 

For now, I'd rather put out my lovely wreath of leaves and pumpkins.

Yesterday I ran 10 miles

out of doors

without an ipod

and without sunscreen (bad choice)

I even have a capri pants tan/sunburn line

for some reason I ran really slow...

maybe it was the nerdy belt I bought to carry a water bottle in?

Well I am going to watch my Christmas movie, smell my pumpkin spice candles and finish cleaning out the closet that holds holiday decor.

What do you love about fall?

I love... changing leaves, the beginning of the holiday season, trick-or-treaters, candy corn (but I will buy a giant bag and only eat one, because after that it is just too much), Thanksgiving dinner, wearing jackets/sweaters, boots, socks, new seasons of TV shows (the office and the biggest loser coming soon!) pumpkins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and oh... everything!

Lee would say: football. 

I am going to try to be a nice wife and not complain about football watching and even try to watch some,  ya know, "Go Cougars!" and all that, but who knows how long that will last.

Tell me, are there any fabulous movies you watch during the fall? What are they?

Running like Elvis

Yesterday I ran the Hobbler Half Marathon and I totally won!
Um, not really, if you believed me then, wow, you are kind of gullible.

I should have probably gotten some kind of award for pulling an, "Elvis" face for this picture my dad took.


What's that you say, you can't see the elvis face? Okay, here it is closer up.


I can't wait 'til the professional race photos get posted online so I can make you guys look at more. Race photos are awesome because people generally look like death in them. At least I looked like Elvis instead of death. Trust me guys, I felt like death! Sometimes I wonder what would be worse giving birth or running a full on marathon? Someone tell me. I think I want to do whichever is worse first, so that the other will seem like a cake walk. Sound logic right?

Totally.

Special for you, I made this really awesome photo strip, sort of like a comic strip. It basically tells a story; no words necessary.

Okay, maybe some words are necessary: this is just me, passing two grown men at the finish line.
It's cool.
They never saw me coming.
BAM!
Just kidding, if this was last year, this picture would be of me starting to sprint to the end and running out of gas and having to jog really slow. True story. Super embarrassing. This time I made sure to save some energy to look awesome at the end.

I finished in 1:52:58 for anyone who cares about that stuff.
My goal was to finish in under 2 hours, but I also had a secret goal to finish in under 1:50, but last time I was 2:15 so I am stoked.

I could tell you guys a bunch of fun stories about the race, but it's weird how I don't think anyone cares! So I will spare you the details. More to come soon about adventures where Lee and I actually got off our couch and went somewhere!

starting the morning off right

if you wake up at 6:30 AM
eat cereal
watch TV
and eat cafe rio leftovers at 9:30 in the morning
there is just no telling what the day will bring

i do know that yesterday, my first day of vacation, I called Lee at work 3 x from boredom
i guess i need some friends

In case you are worried about the state of my religious affairs and the fact that I am not fasting (because my religion asks its members to fast once a month); I decided not to fast since my half marathon is on Saturday. Last time I fasted it was the day after I ran ten miles and oddly enough, not giving your body nutrients when it is trying to heal itself doesn't work out so great; that is the same week I hurt my IT band... coincidence? I do not know.

is it summer?

How do you know when it is summer?

I know it is summer when...

I wear my hair up, which I hate doing.

and when...

It is still light outside at 8:53 PM
Everyone else is out of school and yet I am not.
Otter pops taste really good.
Other people are tan, I am not.
During a 5 PM run I: stand in someone's sprinklers, almost die of dehydration, and get really excited about the water fountain in the public library.

that time I almost died OR that time I watched too many episodes of unsolved mysteries as a child?

the time I nearly died...

OR

the time my imagination ran wild...

you decide...

PS: look at that photo again and smile about Biff's paw being in it.
Did you do that?
Alright, I guess I can tell you the story now.

but FIRST push play on this video and listen to the music so you will be sufficiently ready to be creeped out.

Our story begins with me deciding to go running at the high school track by myself. I have done this quite a few times now and have never worried for my own safety.

I ran a mile as two gals ran up and down the bleachers.
I ran another mile barefooted on the grass and the two girls leave.
I went to put my shoes back on for the next 2-3 miles on the track and into our story enters a shady figure.

An older (50-60 years old) gentleman walks toward the track wearing jeans and and buttoned up long sleeved denim shirt. From a distance he looked like he could have been a custodian, so at first his presence seemed a little odd, but not too out of the ordinary.

As he approaches the track the weirdness begins and he unbuttons his long sleeved shirt to reveal his bare chest.

The man then begins to walk laps around the track holding his shirt in his hand.

At this moment I am thinking: a little strange, but whatever. He wants some exercise, he wants some sun.

As I (jogging) pass him, I notice he has something in his hand, but can't see what.
On my second and third lap since he arrived I can see that it looks like he is tossing the thing around in his hands, switching hands and doing bicep curls.

On my fourth lap I see that thing in his hand is a rock with about a five inch diameter.
With each lap I jog he seems creepier, until I have imagined him as a Ted Bundy like attacker and when I realize he is holding a giant rock I imagine he will soon be using it to bash me on the head.

This is where I book it to the car, decide it is time to go, and leave my workout early driving all the way to the gym to finish.

So here is where you decide. I cannot trust myself because I truly did watch too many episodes of unsolved mysteries as a child.

Did I almost die?

Or is it time for me to be diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic?

Now that my friends is an unsolved mystery...

For no reason at all please enjoy a picture of Biff's blue tongue,
because your dog's tongue is not blue.

me + sepia = less pale

I know that all of my 6 blog followers woke up this morning thinking, "I hope Tiffany takes another picture of herself sitting on the couch, using a crummy laptop camera, wearing the grey hoodie she never takes off."

Well guess what guys? Your dreams just came true. I made these photos really special too by wearing no make up and using the sepia option so your eyes won't be blinded by my vampire like skin.

Lately I have been actually getting some time in the sun running outdoors and being an awesome referee/umpire during a sweet 5th grade kickball tournament, but I can't stay out in the sun too long or someone will notice that my skin is sparkling... Lee is really worried about me no longer being albino and told me to wear sunscreen. I think he is really paranoid about me getting cancer and stuff, it's okay because I force him to eat fruits and veggies and do cardio once a week. We have each other's back like that so we can live to be 100.

Anyway...

Did you guys know I got totally hooked up this year in the form of amazon.com gift cards? Between my parents, Lee's bros and sisters, and my students I got $100 towards awesome stuff.

One thing I bought was a 2 year subscription to runner's world. I am pretty excited about it.
Thanks family (and students) (not that any of them read this)
You guys really know what I love.

Which is picking out my own gifts! HAHA totally kidding, and yet, not.

PS: I got this awesome grey hoodie with birthday monies from Lee's grandma.

His family totally loves me. (and I love them back)

You know this hoodie is awesome cuz when I wore it Friday to Walgreens the guy there hit on me (kinda) by complimenting how awesome it is while I was getting some lady pills.

I am only a little embarassed abut how many times I just said awesome in this post.
I should really work on expanding my vocabulary.


In other news, Happy Father's Day!

I am so lucky to have a cool poppa who is a great listener and always tries to help me fix things like my computer or car even if he doesn't really know how.

My father-in-law is also really awesome sauce. He is fun to tease about dorky things that happen for example this one time he got bugged at a restaurant that was giving everyone free bread except us and he said to the waiter, "Are we gonna get some bread or what?" I think he would be embarrassed if he knew I wrote that, but I'm pretty sure he's never heard of my blog, so it's all good.


Have a great Father's Day and don't be too sad if your father has left this Earth. I'm sure he's looking down on you with love. Or at least that's what I believe about it.


PS (again) I am really excited that I am running a 10K Saturday with my sis-in-law because I am usually a loser who only runs alone. It is going to be off the hook. I hope to finish in under an hour and take some photos for once since I won't be some weird loner there.

shoes, thighs and a crisis

here in the house of terrible t we are the in the midst of a

potential

crisis

Long story short: about a week and a half ago I began having a dull pain/minor discomfort in my left thigh during running and only during running. I know, it was seriously a crisis.

Pain began the day of the race: me VS lee
PS: I do not believe the race caused it, but rather what I did the Fri & Sat prior to.
I rested for like 2 days,
then tried to run and still felt it.
I ran the next day and still felt it.
I cried to Lee over my own pathetic-ness and put ice on it.
Clarification: Not crying from physical pain, crying from dissappointment.
The next two days I rested.
{Saturday & Sunday}

About half way through Saturday I came to the realization that I had run somewhere in the vicinity of 800 miles on these:

Crisis potentially averted.

I have bought new shoes, but I bought them in a rush and they were cheap.
I will buy real shoes Saturday or next week.
Testing my cheapies out to see if it is really me hurting or my shoes hurting me.

Yesterday was so so.
Today will be a yoga day.

Wish me luck tomorrow.
I will be really disappointed if I have to miss out on the half marathon I have been training for!

In the meantime I am giving these guys a hug goodbye, and surprisingly they did not stink, even that close to my face.

PS: I am aware you are supposed to replace your shoes every 400 or so miles, but I pretty much just run on them until I fool myself into thinking I am injured. This happened to me last time too.

I need to be better at this stuff.

harry potter, loser

Did I mention the master was reading Harry Potter just cause he loves me so dern much? Well he is, and he is reading it right this minute.

You better believe Lee has no idea I took these pictures with my laptop. Sneaky, sneaky.

I need a new book to read...
or something

Did you know I have been wearing a gray jacket in my last 3 posts? Don't worry, today it is a different gray jacket.


I bet you are waiting to see if I tell you who won the race, right?


well....

I did not win!
Aren't I supposed to be the runner?

Lee: 1 Mile: 7 Minutes 44 Seconds
Terrible T: 1 Mile: 7 Minutes 55 Seconds



There will be a rematch

Aren't you guys glad that I am now too lazy to get out my camera and instead use the low quality one in the laptop?

Kinda grainy, but makes for some awesome poses.

Is there anyone in your life who mercilessly beats you at everything?

It's cool Lee, I am learning to accept defeat.

fuel

In the world of terrible t salads are pretty much good for everything:
good as a side, good as an entire meal, good at cafe rio, good on tuesday, good on wednesday, you get it; they are always good.

But you know what salad is not that good for? Fueling my body to run 10 miles.

Today I reached a new low in the tired department after my run. I have been known to lay on the bed while I brush my teeth and call it the greatest invention I ever had; but never before today have I sat down on the bathroom floor to blow dry my hair because I just was too worn out and hungry to stand.



I downloaded a kindle book about running so I can pretend I know stuff about it. Pretty sure I need to skip right to the nutrition chapter and learn to give my body some protein.

PS: You can't see it, but I put some almonds in that salad so there is a little...

gummy bears & a challenge

Not sure if you guys got the memo on Saturday, but this girl loves gummy bears these days. I hope you enjoy my awesomely stupid editing skills assisted by photobooth.

You should be jealous of this handful of gummies; cuz it's no lie that I ate em' all and I enjoyed every second of it.

Also, what do gummy bears have to do with anything? They don't have anything to do with anything. I just feel like I can't post without a picture. That's what you clicked on my blog for right; because you love to look at my gorgeous face and smokin' bod? Errr...? Yeah. Nevermind.

Today at the gym while pumping some mad iron with Lee a challenge was issued. Tuesday is my day to bench press with the master; it is a tradition {on Tuesdays} We basically never miss it unless there is some kind of natural disaster.

Tangent: Let's not lie, nothing short of wild horses or parent conferences keeps me from going to the gym, b/c frankly I do not know how you people live without the endorphins. It is truly a drug.

Back to the story: Between lifting weights and feeling a little bad about missing the Biggest Loser, but knowing I will always be able to watch it on hulu, witty banter often occurs (witty banter: see making fun of other people in an effort to entertain Lee or make him laugh which never works aka my greatest sin). Wittiness provided by me, which the master does not think is funny at all. Our senses of humor are often tuned to different frequencies, but we try. So.. witty banter.. la la la:

"Don't look now, but that girl needs a 'tan'nervention; seriously looks painful."
"That guy in the grey shirt has the biggest tacos I've ever seen!"
Then it happens and I say, "Too bad there is no one here for me to compete with today."

Tangent: Insert explanation on how I compete with everyone all the time: on the treadmill, during yoga (which by nature is supposed to be calming, peaceful, and accepting of all ---I try not to do this but, sometimes it happens ...forgive me.) and lastly, against high school boys or old men who bench press the same weight as me! Muhahaha

So again I had said, "Too bad there is no one here for me to compete with today." {meaning teenage boys or old men}
Then I say, "We {meaning Lee and I} should have a one mile treadmill race!"

The date is set, Monday, May 30, 2011. {They even gave me work off for this event; thank me for your day off Monday and don't listen to any rigmarole about Memorial Day}

Not sure if I can blog about the results, too ashamed if I lose and too much love for Lee if I win. There it is blog world, the challenge, you may or may not hear the results.

Wish me luck, or wish him luck, I guess you can be on his side...

schmaturday agenda

• wear the master's hoodie to walmart and notice how very, very gross it is when girls rat their hair. check.
  
• take awesome photo of my huge chompers. check.
  
• put groceries away, clean out pantry, eat gummy bears and jam to bieber. check.
• realize you must've been stocking for the apocalypse {which is supposedly today} when you bought 4 boxes of instant oatmeal. check.
  
• clean the bathroom? maybe
• give biff a bath? maybe
• run 9 miles? definitely
  
• make spaghetti for dinner? definitely
• walk Biff? most likely
• read Anne of Green Gables and fall asleep 5 times? yeah baby
• talk Lee into some date-like excursion? time will only tell
  

Gratitude Attitude

When I got home from the gym and I was taking a wonderfully hot shower I was just thinking about how I am the luckiest girl in the world. No really, I know other people definitely have it better than I do, but it's all in the attitude right? Of course, I feel that way after about 90% of my runs, gotta love that runner's high. I just wanted to write down a few things I am grateful for today. I could probably go on forever, but I won't bore you.

Things that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside:

1. Running: Seriously, one of the greatest things that has happened to me is discovering that I love it. When I run I feel, like that is what God made me for.

2. Lee: I feel like that is agiven, but since this is my first post related to gratitude I definitely have to mention him. I really don't know why he picked me out of all the girls in the world to marry, but I sure am glad he did.

3. Biff has stopped trying vomit out his insides! (and I won't mention anything else because it is already TMI, but you know dogs get sick too.) So glad that whatever weird thing he ate is no longer in his system! So gross and sad. Why can't dogs just have logic?

4. Valentine's Day is Monday! AND for once I am not going crazy with unrealistic expectations. The key to a good Valentine's Day is to learn to do for others and to give the day permission to not be some cheesy (perfect) scene from a movie or a book because let's be real, that hardly ever happens and it is okay.

5.Weekends are wonderful.

6. The weather has been great lately (I'll take the 50's in February)!

7. I have a great job with the best coworkers. I love how we go out to lunch together every Friday. My team members at my school all have great attitudes and I have learned a lot from them.

8. My cute niece taking a nap on my lap yesterday while we watched Finding Nemo was so sweet. She is adorable.

We'll stop there because 8 is my favorite number. I won't say lucky number because I don't really believe in luck. You make your own luck. Have a great day and Valentine's Day; remember to count your blessings.

"As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world." Terri Guillemets

What are you grateful for?