Well readers. Today is October 2nd. There are 3 months left in this year. One quarter. Like 12 weeks. Now that we have the facts out of the way, let me play my broken record for you one more time.
I started this boot camp thing this morning. I have done boot camps before, I have done HIIT workouts. I have done this literally a hundred times before (underestimating the number of times I have done workouts like this to 1.5 years as I started in April 2009 and have been off and on since then.... 78 weeks x 2.5x per week average = 180). Yet somehow, what I did this morning was horrifying and unexpected. We were inside a gym and there were no readily available bushes to puke behind, nor random buckets available. Very unsettling to not have an escape route planned. But, I pushed through, and I held my own with these other two girls who were there. BTW - I wonder where the rest of the class was???
Here was the workout (recording for my own posterity, don't bother reading - it's quite boring.)
Warm Up
HIIT #1 (High Intensity Interval Training)
20 seconds frog squats or some other ridiculous sounding term that looked easy but after 100 of them not so much
10 seconds rest
20 seconds high-knee jumps
10 seconds rest
REPEAT 8 times = 8 minutes
Walk around between each HIIT, get some water, towel off some of the sweat. OMG do I sweat.
HIIT #2
20 seconds medicine ball overhead
10 seconds rest
20 seconds medicine ball pull up move - i do not know how to describe this
10 seconds rest
REPEAT 8 times = 8 more minutes. WTFF turns out i have NO upper body strength
HIIT #3
20 seconds lay down jump up stand up (suckville)
10 seconds rest
20 seconds spidermans (which I ended up just planking. F that)
10 seconds rest
REPEAT 8 times = 8 more minutes
HIIT #4
20 seconds lunges
10 seconds rest
20 seconds other leg lunges
10 seconds rest
20 seconds lay on your back and flutter kick
10 seconds rest
20 seconds hold plank
10 seconds rest
REPEAT only 4 times = still 8 more minutes
That's 24 minutes, yo. I about died. This definitely makes running mindlessly for 45 minutes sound EASY PEASY. So there's my upside.
Oh!! I have also joined a running team, training for the Charleston Half Marathon (Jan 19th, 2013). We are running together on Saturday mornings, and we are pledging to raise $500 pp for Pattison's Academy. So now I, like, have a running coach, and someone else to answer to if I don't do my planned long runs on the weekends!!! Outside accountability is a wonderful thing.
There are only 3 months left in this year, and I want to make the most of them. I don't want to do the same stupid freaking New Years Resolutions as always. I am getting a head start on those. Maybe I can be in a better place come Dec 31. For once!!!!!
What could derail me? Trips......1 to California in October, 1 to Disney in November. I need to come up with a plan for those, so I don't lose too much progress.
Mondays - 30 minute hill workouts on a treadmill
Tuesdays - boot camp
Wednesdays - leisurely 3-4 mile run outdoors
Thursdays - boot camp
Fridays - OFF
Saturdays - long runs with training team
Sundays - OFF
Anyway. There you have the current facts (date, time, weather, etc.) and also my silly opinions (what I plan to do). Written goals are better than ones that are just thought inside my head. As my blog has totally proven so far. LOL.
What are YOU doing between now and January 1st!!!???
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
For the Quote Board
On the Shem Creek fishing pier, Ansley to a girl who had just caught a couple of fish: “Are you going to make those into fish sticks?”
Riding in the car to school, a bug crawled across the back of the front passenger seat and stopped where she could see him. Ansley to me: “Mommy get him!!! He’s waving his antlers at me!!!!”
Monday, June 11, 2012
I Got Nuttin'
Don't know where to begin. It's been so long since my last post, and a lot (yet, not much) has happened. How about the top 15 things since May 9th? (these are NOT in order of anything)
June 11, 2012. Shocking that we are almost halfway thru this year, but I feel like I am finally moving in the right direction with some of my personal crapola!!
Ugh. Will talk to you sooner than later let's hope. Cuz this is just riveting.
Peace!
- Ansley started gymnastics class, and she's good at it.
- Ansley went to her first dentist appointment, and she was good at that, too.
- Have learned again, for like the 900th time, that most things are not as bad as you think they're gonna be.
- I got a bike. With a baby seat on it. And Jimmy got a bike too.
- Went to NYC and loved it, missed it.
- Started CouchTo5K again, for the like 6th time, after about 6 weeks off from running after that calf injury. Mooooooo.
- Have pretty much stuck with no carbs, with the exception of the NYC weekend and Memorial Day Weekend.
- Have lost 11 lbs, current project is losing 10 more lbs.
- Have started back up with Barre class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
- Went to a wedding. A really fun wedding. It's been many years since we've been to a good fun wedding!
- Had a nice memorial day weekend, including the wedding.
- Turned 38. Yikes. Did not have any cake. Worked like a dog on my birthday.
- Have been to the beach like a good 80% of the weekends that have been beach weather.
- RAGNAR Relay Chicago happened just this past weekend, and I wasn't in it, after all. Fine by me, given # 6.
- Have only had 1 bottle of wine at home since April 25. And that was last night. And I am paying dearly for it today.
June 11, 2012. Shocking that we are almost halfway thru this year, but I feel like I am finally moving in the right direction with some of my personal crapola!!
Ugh. Will talk to you sooner than later let's hope. Cuz this is just riveting.
Peace!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Movin on Up
Well, last Friday I moved up at work. I'm on the top of the building looking down on creation. I can hear the rain on the roof. It's so quiet up here. Even the AC doesn't hum in this part of the building. My new desk is sparkly and clean. I got rid of a lot of junk. I feel cleansed! New start, new perspective. I had been in that last desk since 2006, so it was definitely time for a change.
This move nicely aligned with some personal things I've been working on... and that is that I am now on my 10th day with no carbs or alcohol. Well, I did have a tiny portion of a vodka and water on Saturday. It was so disgusting that I could not even finish it. Anyway, the results thus far of this cleansing are:
Oh. And, every day since April 30th, I have arrived at work before, at, or 2 minutes past 8:00 a.m.
That's all - adieu. TTYL!
PS - received a box of cupcakes yesterday, and there are still the full dozen in the box. No sabotage!!
This move nicely aligned with some personal things I've been working on... and that is that I am now on my 10th day with no carbs or alcohol. Well, I did have a tiny portion of a vodka and water on Saturday. It was so disgusting that I could not even finish it. Anyway, the results thus far of this cleansing are:
- increased energy
- elevated mood
- springing out of bed in the morning
- lack of hunger
- cessation of emotional bingeing binging (how do you spell that) and pantry raiding
- the third digit on the scale has gone DOWN from a 8 to a 9. (do you know what I mean - one more lb. until it's a 10-lb. decline) I realize some of that is just the natural fluctuation of my weight but whatever, I am counting it cuz it keeps me on track!
- pants fitting better
Oh. And, every day since April 30th, I have arrived at work before, at, or 2 minutes past 8:00 a.m.
That's all - adieu. TTYL!
PS - received a box of cupcakes yesterday, and there are still the full dozen in the box. No sabotage!!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Weepy
So we had a Volunteer Fair at work today. Like 30 non-profits from around the area came and set up booths in the atrium for meet and greet with employees/prospective volunteers/donors, etc. They have this little passport thing; you get a stamp at each booth then there's a chance to win prizes. Encourages participation, see? I don't normally really have time or desire to do these things, much less time or desire to become a volunteer. But, I was feeling lucky today, and really just wanted a prize, so I went. I went to every single booth and got my passport stamped. (On my 2nd to last booth, I read the instructions and saw that you only had to get 5 stamps in your passport in order to be up for prizes. But I digress.) I spoke to each table for at least 3 minutes. Except the "Be A Mentor" table; I straight up told them I have no desire to be a mentor; it will be a wonder if I can manage to raise my own child to 18. But anyway, I was shocked at how much I teared up. I started crying at like 10 of the booths. Camp Happy Days (camp for kids with cancer). MUSC Childrens Hospital. HALOS - saving abused and neglected children. I even cried about the Fields to Families one (harvesting local crops and taking them to soup kitchens and shelters) because, for that one, I envisioned Ansley being a little strawberry picker volunteer. Anyway, it was just a big cry fest and I don't know what that was all about.
So, I am going to pick one, and try to fit some volunteering in at some point. Need to get Ansley on board with that too.
I also found a good one for JW - - I think he would make a superb Junior Achievement instructor!!!
Nighty Night!
So, I am going to pick one, and try to fit some volunteering in at some point. Need to get Ansley on board with that too.
I also found a good one for JW - - I think he would make a superb Junior Achievement instructor!!!
Nighty Night!
Monday, April 23, 2012
DNF Update
There were 73 finishers in the 10k. Even smaller than I estimated. And, I would have probably come in 2nd place in my age group.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda.
But here is my joyous start; #173. I was sporting my new running skirt!
Coulda, shoulda, woulda.
But here is my joyous start; #173. I was sporting my new running skirt!
DNF
Got up at 5:30am so that I could drive 35 miles to Seabrook Island for a 10K Saturday morning. Arrived with 45 minutes to spare, and 45 minutes to be consumed by no-see-ums. I am covered in bites!
Felt great to start this race. Hadn't run in like a week, due to this thing on the bottom of my foot that I will not elaborate on. It was like 65° and humid, but not a problem. I had ample time in an air conditioned restroom. I stretched and warmed up a bit. I felt great and was totally ready to go when the gun went off.
First mile was fabulous!! I was doing about a 9:30 mile I think, and I found 2 girls to pace with. Just after the first mile marker, I started to feel a vague tightness in my right calf, from my ankle up to the top of my calf. MOO. Strange, but not something that made me slow down or anything. Just around the 2 mile marker, though, I distinctly felt something pop or snap. Within my calf muscle. Pulled over immediately to try to stretch it, but it was not like anything I'd ever felt before so I was worried. .3 mile later was the water station, which I kind of walked to, and told them I would need a ride back to the start. I dropped out. I quit.
It was embarrasing. It was very disappointing. I cried and I felt like a loser. So ridiculous, now looking back on it. Stupid thing to cry about really. But I know that continuing would have been a BIG mistake. Just sucks because I was feeling SO GREAT up until this moment, and I know I would have had a good time, and possibly even come in under an hour. And I wanted to see the rest of the course!!! SHIT! That sums it up nicely. Shit.
So, I spent the rest of the weekend pea-bagging and heat-padding, alternately. UGH. It did point out to me that there may/will come a time when I can no longer run. And to stay focused on the positives - I am SO glad this happened in a tiny race (I mean there could not have been more than 150 people at this race) and at a shorter race (I would have been so upset if this had been one of my halfs).
OK that's all on that.
Enjoyed the rest of the rain-drenched weekend. Enjoyed some wine. Some Twilight. Some Paranormal Activity 3. Some sushi. A gymnastics birthday party with Ansley, which will lead to her Summer Gymnastics Class :)
And that's it!! Laters!
Felt great to start this race. Hadn't run in like a week, due to this thing on the bottom of my foot that I will not elaborate on. It was like 65° and humid, but not a problem. I had ample time in an air conditioned restroom. I stretched and warmed up a bit. I felt great and was totally ready to go when the gun went off.
First mile was fabulous!! I was doing about a 9:30 mile I think, and I found 2 girls to pace with. Just after the first mile marker, I started to feel a vague tightness in my right calf, from my ankle up to the top of my calf. MOO. Strange, but not something that made me slow down or anything. Just around the 2 mile marker, though, I distinctly felt something pop or snap. Within my calf muscle. Pulled over immediately to try to stretch it, but it was not like anything I'd ever felt before so I was worried. .3 mile later was the water station, which I kind of walked to, and told them I would need a ride back to the start. I dropped out. I quit.
It was embarrasing. It was very disappointing. I cried and I felt like a loser. So ridiculous, now looking back on it. Stupid thing to cry about really. But I know that continuing would have been a BIG mistake. Just sucks because I was feeling SO GREAT up until this moment, and I know I would have had a good time, and possibly even come in under an hour. And I wanted to see the rest of the course!!! SHIT! That sums it up nicely. Shit.
So, I spent the rest of the weekend pea-bagging and heat-padding, alternately. UGH. It did point out to me that there may/will come a time when I can no longer run. And to stay focused on the positives - I am SO glad this happened in a tiny race (I mean there could not have been more than 150 people at this race) and at a shorter race (I would have been so upset if this had been one of my halfs).
OK that's all on that.
Enjoyed the rest of the rain-drenched weekend. Enjoyed some wine. Some Twilight. Some Paranormal Activity 3. Some sushi. A gymnastics birthday party with Ansley, which will lead to her Summer Gymnastics Class :)
And that's it!! Laters!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Hoppy Times
Super fun Easter weekend, 2012. Friday, school was closed, so Ansley and I had a free day off! Despite it having been in the 80's and sunny for weeks prior, Friday was (as I like to claim) 30° and snowing. Well, truly it was 55° and raining.
We started the day off at the Casa de Waffles.
Then a cozy afternoon of napping in mommy's bed, followed by dyeing Easter eggs.
Saturday, all 3 of us went to the Aquarium in the morning, followed by another luxurious nap in mommy & daddy's bed, and then cupcake making.
Sunday, we went to 7:30 a.m. mass. Ansley was very well-behaved. And this is her Easter look.
And, one final nap in mommy and daddy's bed, then off to the beach!
Pictures speak thousands of words, so that's all I got. This was really just an exercise in blogging w/ photos. Clearly, lots more to be learned about how to properly place photos!
We started the day off at the Casa de Waffles.
Then a cozy afternoon of napping in mommy's bed, followed by dyeing Easter eggs.
Saturday, all 3 of us went to the Aquarium in the morning, followed by another luxurious nap in mommy & daddy's bed, and then cupcake making.
Sunday, we went to 7:30 a.m. mass. Ansley was very well-behaved. And this is her Easter look.
And, one final nap in mommy and daddy's bed, then off to the beach!
Pictures speak thousands of words, so that's all I got. This was really just an exercise in blogging w/ photos. Clearly, lots more to be learned about how to properly place photos!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
oops I did it again
Worst. Bridge Run. Ever.
As usual, I have myexcuses things I attribute my poor performance to.
- needed to pee, had to stop to pee during the race
- too hot
- playlist sucked
- hungry / famished
But, also, this time there were legitimate problems with the race.
1 - delayed 1 hour. not only were we delayed 1 hour, but we were told every 5-10 minutes that we would be starting in 2 minutes, or starting in 30 seconds, or starting in 5 minutes, for real this time. serious mental destruction.
My view for the first hour of the race:
2 - it really was hot and humid, and since we started the race about the same time I had been expecting to finish the race, it was full on sunshine.
So, I really struggled on the bridge. Walked a lot. Disappointing. My chip time will say 1:07:58, but since I took out the time it took me to stop to pee, I am going with my official time of: 1:06:20. 6 minutes and 21 seconds worse than what I was hoping for.
But, on that note, race season is officially OVER!! Very pleased with adding (2) 10Ks, (1) 15K, and (3) Half Marathons this year. I think it's good progress, and more than I've done in a good long while. Looking forward to some good races in the Fall, and moderate training over the summer time. Keep it moving.
Surely I can talk about something other than races and my obession with weight.
Spring is in the air. First beach day was this past Sunday, though we went in streetclothes like Mexicans at Coney Island.
First TRUE beach day is hopefully this coming Friday, Good Friday. School is closed, so we will lube up early and beat the traffic. I love that I can lounge while she runs and plays now. Good age. She's still afraid of the actual ocean, but we can just set up near a gully and she's content for hours. Not that us pasty white folks can stay for hours.
Signing off now. The more often that I write on this blog, the more chances it has of becoming interesting at some point. Stay with me, folks. PEACE.
As usual, I have my
- needed to pee, had to stop to pee during the race
- too hot
- playlist sucked
- hungry / famished
But, also, this time there were legitimate problems with the race.
1 - delayed 1 hour. not only were we delayed 1 hour, but we were told every 5-10 minutes that we would be starting in 2 minutes, or starting in 30 seconds, or starting in 5 minutes, for real this time. serious mental destruction.
My view for the first hour of the race:
2 - it really was hot and humid, and since we started the race about the same time I had been expecting to finish the race, it was full on sunshine.
So, I really struggled on the bridge. Walked a lot. Disappointing. My chip time will say 1:07:58, but since I took out the time it took me to stop to pee, I am going with my official time of: 1:06:20. 6 minutes and 21 seconds worse than what I was hoping for.
But, on that note, race season is officially OVER!! Very pleased with adding (2) 10Ks, (1) 15K, and (3) Half Marathons this year. I think it's good progress, and more than I've done in a good long while. Looking forward to some good races in the Fall, and moderate training over the summer time. Keep it moving.
Surely I can talk about something other than races and my obession with weight.
Spring is in the air. First beach day was this past Sunday, though we went in streetclothes like Mexicans at Coney Island.
First TRUE beach day is hopefully this coming Friday, Good Friday. School is closed, so we will lube up early and beat the traffic. I love that I can lounge while she runs and plays now. Good age. She's still afraid of the actual ocean, but we can just set up near a gully and she's content for hours. Not that us pasty white folks can stay for hours.
Signing off now. The more often that I write on this blog, the more chances it has of becoming interesting at some point. Stay with me, folks. PEACE.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Regret? I don't think so.
Well. I technically still have 2 days in which to lose 5% of my starting body weight, run 11 more times (to make 30 times), and somehow give back the 9 bottles of wine that I went over my goal of 10. Pathetic!!
Y'all. I apologize?!!???
I have NEVER been good with long term goal setting or following through. So maybe it's time for me to set smaller goals. Daily goals. Maybe it's time for me to stop setting goals altogether? Maybe just work on being more grateful for what I have and what I can do, rather than concentrating on the stuff that I am not great at or drawing more attention to my weaknesses.
This post will be all over the place. Sorry.
Earlier this month, I completed my 3rd half marathon in as many months. This one (inaugural Columbia half) was by far the hardest, yet of the 3, it was my best time. 2:27:40. I am pleased with all of this. It's good for me, and I am lucky that I can get out there and see it through to the finish line. There's one thing I don't quit.
Also, this blog is silly and pointless unless I do it more often, and that, in itself, will probably help me stay more aligned with my goals.
LA LA LA.
Anyway, I am back. I know you all have missed me. I will update you next week, after this weekend's BRIDGE RUN 10K. My 8th go at that one, and I am aiming for right at 1 hour. We shall see.
Y'all. I apologize?!!???
I have NEVER been good with long term goal setting or following through. So maybe it's time for me to set smaller goals. Daily goals. Maybe it's time for me to stop setting goals altogether? Maybe just work on being more grateful for what I have and what I can do, rather than concentrating on the stuff that I am not great at or drawing more attention to my weaknesses.
This post will be all over the place. Sorry.
Earlier this month, I completed my 3rd half marathon in as many months. This one (inaugural Columbia half) was by far the hardest, yet of the 3, it was my best time. 2:27:40. I am pleased with all of this. It's good for me, and I am lucky that I can get out there and see it through to the finish line. There's one thing I don't quit.
Also, this blog is silly and pointless unless I do it more often, and that, in itself, will probably help me stay more aligned with my goals.
LA LA LA.
Anyway, I am back. I know you all have missed me. I will update you next week, after this weekend's BRIDGE RUN 10K. My 8th go at that one, and I am aiming for right at 1 hour. We shall see.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Back 9
Well. It really is like 95% mental, I am telling you. Just did the Charlie Post Classic 15K, a lovely seaside race with only like 400 participants. I think I finished #336. (But, in reviewing the race results, I noticed that I beat one of my coworkers - a male coworker at that - by 10 heads.) What I did not realize is that a 15K is NOT 9 miles. It is 9.3 miles. I did not learn about that additional .3 mile until the 9th mile was complete, which was a total buzzkill. I seem to have little excuses or little things to blame my performance on. Last time it was digestive issues. This time it was that extra .3 mile, plus seriously weak legs, and the fact that there were only 2 water stations in 9 miles. I was expecting more! But why am I even making excuses? Of my recent longer distance runs, this pace was, like, my best. I am improving, so why am I still making excuses!? Ridiculous! 15K in 1:38:57, for a pace of 10:37 per mile. I will take it.
What else? Barre class resumed Monday. I am glad to be in there getting a workout for the rest of me. Diet is still poor. One thing at a time. But, the exercise plan remains:
Mondays - Barre
Tuesdays - Run
Wednesdays - Barre
Thursdays - Barre
Fridays - Run
Saturday or Sunday - Run
**which leaves 1 day per week of rest**
Regarding my March 31st goal, I have lost 0% of my bodyweight to date. :) Better get crackin'.
Peace out, readers.
What else? Barre class resumed Monday. I am glad to be in there getting a workout for the rest of me. Diet is still poor. One thing at a time. But, the exercise plan remains:
Mondays - Barre
Tuesdays - Run
Wednesdays - Barre
Thursdays - Barre
Fridays - Run
Saturday or Sunday - Run
**which leaves 1 day per week of rest**
Regarding my March 31st goal, I have lost 0% of my bodyweight to date. :) Better get crackin'.
Peace out, readers.
Monday, January 23, 2012
I wish I was as thin as I was when I thought I was fat
Stole that title caption from some picture that was circulating on Facebook, and I wanted to talk about that on today's post. Because, I could easily still be saying that come Memorial Day Weekend, if I don't get it in gear. Once again, I am going to put some deadlines on my fitness goals, because that has worked so well for me in the past. The difference is, this time, they are being documented in cyberspace for the whole world to see my shortcomings. Or, in this case, my achievements!
Q1-2012 Goals (deadline is March 31st)
And when March 31 comes, I will set new goals for Q2. And so on and so forth.
This weekend was very un-memorable. I think I need some gingko-biloba or whatever.
Q1-2012 Goals (deadline is March 31st)
- Lose 5% of my current body weight. See, this is totally vague so I don't have to embarrass myself in front of ALL of my readers by telling you my actual number, yet it is also totally measurable! And I will not lie in my progress reports.
- Run 30 times between January 23 - March 31. Nike+ will keep track of this for me.
- Drink no more than 10 bottles of wine between same dates. Funny - some of you are going to think this is a challenge in that I am going to limit myself to a mere 10 bottles of wine. HOW will that be possible??? And others of you might be thinking that this is not even a sacrifice or a challenge at all. Perspective, people. Oh, and the count begins with the bottle I opened last night. So I am already at 1/2 a bottle. $hit.
And when March 31 comes, I will set new goals for Q2. And so on and so forth.
This weekend was very un-memorable. I think I need some gingko-biloba or whatever.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
2 down, 1 to go
Hi strangers. Sorry I have been MIA. I am sure both of you have really missed reading my updates.
This past weekend was the Charleston 1/2 Marathon. It was wretched! Bitter cold at the start, and overall very loosely organized. The first 2 miles were through downtown Charleston, which was beautiful and an inspiring setting to run in. Then the last 11 miles were through the absolute worst part of town. In fact, I am pretty sure that North Charleston ranks somewhere in the Top 10 Deadliest Cities in America. It's a wonder no one was murdered during the race. We ran past strip clubs, dilapidated homes, vacant warehouses with bums and their grocery carts lingering on the loading docks. At at least one water station, I had to pour myself a cup of Gatorade because the volunteers weren't doing it (or couldn't keep up, or weren't properly trained). The last 1/2 mile was nice - through N Charleston's brand new (well relatively new) Riverfront Park and I can't wait to find out what kinds of things they do there in the spring/summer months. It's really nice and I had no idea it was there. Anyway, I finished in 2:37:17, which beats 6 weeks ago by only 6 minutes. But this course was significantly, if only mentally and emotionally, harder than Kiawah was. Oh, and I was not feeling to well in the digestive realm, which also slowed me down considerably! EXCUSES!!!
By Sunday afternoon, I had no soreness, no real signs that anything had occured just 1 day prior. Suzanne was my race buddy again, and afterwards we shared a beer, and then went for lunch at Fleet Landing. Good times had by all.
I just want to say, on an unrelated note, how happy I am and how blessed I feel. Every night I tuck my daughter into bed, and she asks me for more.... more water, more stories, more back-scratching, more everything. Sometimes I catch myself, because I just want to get back downstairs to my wine and magazines or whatever other ridiculousness I have planned for the evening. But I do catch myself. The day is going to come when she wants nothing to do with me. She doesn't really even let me carry her up to bed anymore - so it is already starting. So I stay with her, and read one more story, sing one more song, scratch whatever body part she wants me to. It is a painful, heartwrenching love. I know she is only on loan to me, and I savor every second I have with her, because everything can change in an instant. Not to be so morbid, but I think about death and illness and tragic stuff all the time. I don't know if it's something I've taken on since motherhood began, or since Jimmy's father died almost 4 years ago, or if it's just because we are now at the age where everyone's parents are getting sick/old/problems. It seems like it's everywhere! Anyway, my point is really just to keep reminding myself that it is not always going to be this good (even when some things are NOT that good to begin with), it could always be/get worse. And we won't know that until after the fact.
Oh. And as I went through a little bout of road rage last night, I called a driver an asshole. And then my sweet innocent little girl promptly repeated back to me "you're an asshole." OK so note to self, I really have to start watching my mouth!!!
So, next on my race calendar is the Charlie Post Classic which is a 9-miler on Sullivan's Island on January 28th. I am looking forward to that one!
Off to update my history now. Stay tuned. And thanks! :)
This past weekend was the Charleston 1/2 Marathon. It was wretched! Bitter cold at the start, and overall very loosely organized. The first 2 miles were through downtown Charleston, which was beautiful and an inspiring setting to run in. Then the last 11 miles were through the absolute worst part of town. In fact, I am pretty sure that North Charleston ranks somewhere in the Top 10 Deadliest Cities in America. It's a wonder no one was murdered during the race. We ran past strip clubs, dilapidated homes, vacant warehouses with bums and their grocery carts lingering on the loading docks. At at least one water station, I had to pour myself a cup of Gatorade because the volunteers weren't doing it (or couldn't keep up, or weren't properly trained). The last 1/2 mile was nice - through N Charleston's brand new (well relatively new) Riverfront Park and I can't wait to find out what kinds of things they do there in the spring/summer months. It's really nice and I had no idea it was there. Anyway, I finished in 2:37:17, which beats 6 weeks ago by only 6 minutes. But this course was significantly, if only mentally and emotionally, harder than Kiawah was. Oh, and I was not feeling to well in the digestive realm, which also slowed me down considerably! EXCUSES!!!
By Sunday afternoon, I had no soreness, no real signs that anything had occured just 1 day prior. Suzanne was my race buddy again, and afterwards we shared a beer, and then went for lunch at Fleet Landing. Good times had by all.
I just want to say, on an unrelated note, how happy I am and how blessed I feel. Every night I tuck my daughter into bed, and she asks me for more.... more water, more stories, more back-scratching, more everything. Sometimes I catch myself, because I just want to get back downstairs to my wine and magazines or whatever other ridiculousness I have planned for the evening. But I do catch myself. The day is going to come when she wants nothing to do with me. She doesn't really even let me carry her up to bed anymore - so it is already starting. So I stay with her, and read one more story, sing one more song, scratch whatever body part she wants me to. It is a painful, heartwrenching love. I know she is only on loan to me, and I savor every second I have with her, because everything can change in an instant. Not to be so morbid, but I think about death and illness and tragic stuff all the time. I don't know if it's something I've taken on since motherhood began, or since Jimmy's father died almost 4 years ago, or if it's just because we are now at the age where everyone's parents are getting sick/old/problems. It seems like it's everywhere! Anyway, my point is really just to keep reminding myself that it is not always going to be this good (even when some things are NOT that good to begin with), it could always be/get worse. And we won't know that until after the fact.
Oh. And as I went through a little bout of road rage last night, I called a driver an asshole. And then my sweet innocent little girl promptly repeated back to me "you're an asshole." OK so note to self, I really have to start watching my mouth!!!
So, next on my race calendar is the Charlie Post Classic which is a 9-miler on Sullivan's Island on January 28th. I am looking forward to that one!
Off to update my history now. Stay tuned. And thanks! :)
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