Am I crazy or what?

This pretty little kitty will be a new and welcomed addition to the family on June 25th.

What's that you say? Am I really trying yet again to introduce a new putty tat to the household? Yes, as crazy as it seems, I will be doing just that.

You see, my aunt's kitten had kittens. They adopted the kitty not knowing she was pregnant and low and behold, 4 more kittens!!! How can I not offer to take one in?

The logic? Well, the hope is if it's a little girl (and she is) and she's young (which she is) than perhaps they will be more nurturing and loving than rejecting. And the biggest point I'm counting on? She won't be mental like Squeakers!!! Don't get me wrong, I do love, adore and miss my sweet Squeakers, but lets be real, he had...excuse me...has his issues. Even in his new home. Thank you to Karen for taking him in and finding his antics amusing!!!

I've tried to talk to Jasper and Syda about it but the refuse to talk about it. If nothing less, perhaps they will just learn to tolerate her, but I'm hoping they will learn to love her.

Oh, and my other reasoning!! All three of my kitties, Jasper, Syda and Squeakers were all from Animal Rescue and older and or Feral. It'll be very different experience to have a healthy, happy, undamaged kitten in the household.

Can't wait!!!

Red Bull gives you wings!!!!

Err, scratch that....Surgeon's give you wings!!!

Wow, where to begin to explain this statement!?

I guess I'll start where I left off; Turkey Day. My sweetheart's family came into town and it made for a wonderful Holiday. I can't imagine anything better than good company and good food, except making it through with relatively little damage to the scale.
I'd like to say the same was true for Christmas but unfortunately, not possible. On December 18th, my sweetheart and I ran our first race together, the Celtic 5 miler. It started out a wonderful morning, got there on time, warmed up, started the race, was keeping good time and about half way through I felt some familar pain. I recall telling my running partner (my man), "I think I have a problem. I think I have a pinched nerve". At the time, the pain wasn't too bad, came and went. We even managed to keep up the same pace, a little more than a 10 minute mile. I was thrilled that we finished our first race together and in an awesome time of 54 minutes and some change. As the adrenaline wore off, we walked around to check out the various costumes and kilts and get some food. It didn't take long for the little bit of pain to turn into crippling pain. Within 20 minutes I was leaning on my man and hobbling back to the car. Spent the next few days trying to convince myself that after a few days at the chiropractor, all would be well. By the end of the first week, I decided the chiropractor wasn't helping at all and was on the phone reaching out to my doctor, requesting stronger medication and an MRI. Unfortunately, our Christmas vacation in NC was canceled. I was taking high doses of hydrocodone every 4 hours just to function and even that was just getting by. Instead we stayed home, played Mario Brothers and Donkey Kong and experienced and had Chinese food for Christmas Eve and Indian food for Christmas. There was no cooking in my condition.

The MRI informed me that I had a "sizable" herniated disc in my S1/L5. In addition, a fragment had separated from the disc and was pushing my nerve to the right and impinging my nerve routes down the left leg which is why I was unable to sit. I found relief only when lying on my belly. At work, they installed a keyboard try so that I could stand all day long, in order to get my work done. After two cortisone shots in January that gave me relief for only a couple of days, we pushed on and scheduled the surgery for February 7th. It couldn't come fast enough. The Docters at Mercy hospital are amazing as is the hospital itself. I cannot say enough good things about them all and am happy to recommend them to anyone suffering with back issues. They all did their best to fit me into their schedules, even when they had no room, because they understood the pain I was in and were truely eager to help.

The surgery has come and gone and I am still in the midst of recovery but doing wonderfully. I may not be running, but I am walging. Walging = walking with jogging intervals. Currently, I am up to 4 miles, alternating between walking and jogging every 5 minutes, several times a week. I up the jogging and decrease the walking a little bit each week. In just a few more weeks time I get to start taking Zumba classes again and maybe even start up my P90X and ab work again. I'll be taking my first post surgery Spin class tomorrow evening and am super excited about it. Hope to zip lining this summer too (a belated birthday present from my sweetheart!). Not sure I'll be training for that half-marathon just yet, but it's not that far out of my sights. Currently up about 15lbs from my previously reached goal weight, but I'm working on that too. Slowly but surely!

More updates to come!

Turkey Day vs. Me

The Holidays are upon us and so is the yearly battle with not gaining the dreaded "holiday weight".

Last year on Thanksgiving morning, I was up at 6 am for a 7am spin class. For dinner, it was just my sister and I and we made a vegetable with some fast and fancy green beans, a sweet potato bake, and addicting roasted cauliflower. The best part, I ate it all guilt free.

This year, my sweethearts family joined us for Thanksgiving. The plan was to get up every day at 6 am to keep to my usual schedule and routine. That was to include my weekly runs, P90X DVDs and the stair master. More importantly, the plan was to enjoy my Turkey dinner, but in moderation.

I would love to say that I did all of the above, but the truth is...I didn't even come close. I can blame the not exercising on the company. Which is true, but only in part. If I really wanted too, I could have made time and excused myself to get it done. But I just didn't feel like it. In fact, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, my boyfriend had to force me out of bed to work out. I was grateful later but downright whinny at the time. As for food....I indulged in waaaay to much mash potatoes, macaroni and cheese and the best....cheesecake, pumpkin pie and even some awesome mimosas.

The result of my Happy Thanksgiving on my body? I have yet to brave the scale. I decided I'll get back on track today and weigh in on Sunday. I didn't quite make it up for my 6 am workout as planned but I did get it in when I got home tonight. However, due to the many splurges on this Monday, I really don't think the workout made a dent in the extra calories I consumed and didn't need today. That's the hardest part of cheating on a holiday like Thanksgiving. I've gotten so use to taking in larger quantities of calories than I'm use too and suddenly I am cutting back and I feeling starved!

To make matters even worse? The lack of exercise flared up the Fibromyalgia. By Friday, everything was aching at some point or another and the meds just weren't cutting through the pain and the exhaustion was setting in. Oddly enough, this made me NOT want to exercise even more!

I guess the lesson learned this fine Holiday is that you can't win them all. Now it's time to get back on track. No body is perfect.

Thanksgiving is now over and Christmas is just around the corner. I will be spending it in NC with my sweethearts family. Lets hope I make out better this time. If not with the food, at least with the exercising!

Officially in training for Tough Mudder

Tough Mudder is possibly the toughest event on the planet. The 7-12 mile course is designed by the British Arms Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie Forget finish times. Simply completing a Tough Mudder is a badge of honor and it's a badge I want. www.toughmudder.com Footage can also be found on youtube.

I will be competing in a Tough Mudder obstacle course on April 9th at 11 am in Allentown, PA. I am sooo freak'n excited. Even better, my sweetheart will be competing with me. Feel free to come watch. Spectator tickets are $15, but I promise you, it will be an amazing event! Especially if I make to the end and get to run through a wall of fire!

However, the kink in this plan is that after the concussion/neck injury in late June, I've only done cardio and no strength training. Any muscle/strength I might have had is long gone. How can I possibly make it through a Tough Mudder obstacle course when at the moment, I have absolutely no upper body strength whatsoever?!?!?

Thus, training began. On Monday November ,I began my P90X workouts. I've even made it up at 6am for a full week! When I started P90X some time ago I was picking at random which of the 12 DVDs I wanted to do. This time, I am flowing the guide book. Tonight, I take my measurements and before picture and hopefully by April, I'll look something like Dreya above. Maybe not quite that good, but I'm hopeful. *smile* Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?!

I have a little less than 5 months to train. I even went out and bought my Iron Man "Gym" which hangs over my door to allow me to do my modified pull ups and chin ups and also is useful in my push ups. Yes, I can do modified push ups and pull ups in just two weeks! Woohoo!

I'm on my way to strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie!

Tough Mudder, here I come!!

Half-Athelete

I started my training a few weeks late because I was training for my Lancaster 50K bike ride. I modified the training program to fit the time I had to train. Oh, and I waited until two weeks before the race to read the Galloway book which was full of all sorts of useful training information I could have used when training for the Baltimore 10 Miler. But I did it, I ran a half-marathon. I ran 13.1 miles for the first time ever!

Not only did I run it and love it, but I ran it in 02:03:36. The best part, I had a 9:26 pace! I was hoping for a 10 minute pace! Woohoo!

Next year, the full marathon! Or, at least that's the plan. The only hitch with that? The fibromyalgia. I noticed after my 12 mile run in NC, I slept through the car ride home from NC to MD. I then slept for another couple of hours after getting home and I slept through the evening just fine as well. After the half-marathon, the same exhaustion hit and I went to bed by 9:30 pm on more than one evening last week. Is it the shear act of running 13 miles or is it the fibromyalgia? Is it a combination of both? If I'm this exhausted after 13 miles, what's going to happen when I'm trying to run 20 miles?

Next up, I have the 5 mile Celtic Solstice on December 18th. Last year, they ran this race in a blizzard. After that, I'll be looking forward to the Tough Mudder competition in April. Time to focus on not just cardio but strength training. If I'm going to make it through a 12 mile obstacle course, I need to start working on my upper body strength.

Tough Mudder, here I come!

I'm still being referred to as an athlete. Still feeling rather blah about that word. Feeling more like a half-athlete really. Maybe after Tough Mudder and hopefully completing the full marathon, I'll be ready to call myself an athlete.

I survived the NC fire ants!

That there is what I looked like when I realized I had stepped in a fire ant hole and my feet and shoes were covered in them. I wasn't even standing there for two minutes, trying to take a photo. As I walked back to the car I'm wondering why on earth are my feet itching and burning all of a sudden. Looking down, it was only seconds before my shoes went flying and I'm frantically trying rub the little buggers off of me. Did I mention the concern to see the veins on my feet swell as the pain continued to get worse.

Where would we be without the Internet and smart phones? After a brief search on my lovely IPhone, we paid a visit to Walgreen's where I promptly purchased Witch Hazel and 100% pure aloe gel, sat down in their parking lot and doused my feet. Thank goodness the relief was almost immediate. While I had to apply every few hours to keep the pain away and my feet were a slimy green mess for the rest of the day, I am lucky enough to report that we worked quickly enough and I did not have any "pustules" on my feet from the little bugger bites, as the Internet suggested I might get.

Why was I in North Carolina being attacked by fire ants, you ask? The main reason was to attend wedding. Therefore, I needed my feet to look beautiful and sexy in the only pair of sexy black heels that I own. But, just as important, it was my last long run to complete for my training before the Big Half Marathon taking place this Saturday. I had to run 12 miles and needed my feet not to be swollen, burning and itchy.

I did manage to run 12 miles, for the first time ever! Even better, I had the pleasure of doing it on the Al Buehler Trail in Duke Forest. It was a beautiful site. So much so that I did not even use my ipod to listen to music. Just enjoyed the natural sounds around me. How rare is that.

However, this leads me to wonder why is that I have to go all the way to North Carolina to trail run?

As for the Firbromyalgia, the running is taking it's toll. Between the run and the drive to and from NC, the exhaustion set in and I slept through most of the car ride home, after I got home and even through the night. Feeling better and managed to run my 5 miles on Tuesday. The week before a race it's important to reduce the mileage and rest up. Thursday I run 4 and then...

The next time I post, it'll be after running my first half-marathon (13.1 miles) on October 16th as part of the Baltimore Running Festival. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm hoping for a 10 minute pace but I've heard there are plenty of hills on the course and they just may slow me down.

Wish me success folks!

Running - be it on the road or hitting the trails

I have just realized that it has been over a month since I last posted; shortly after I completed my first 50k in Lancaster on my mountain bike.

Currently, I am training for the Baltimore Running Festival, where I will be running my first half marathon. For this reason, I will be running 10 miles this weekend. It will be the 2nd time ever having done so and the 1st time since I ran the Baltimore 10 Miler in June. I ran 9 miles yesterday morning and having skipped my 5 mile run on Thursday, it was not easy, to say the least. I have 3 more long runs, including this weekend, to slowly increase my mileage from 10, 11, and then 12. I’ll run 13 for the first time the day of the race. Less than a month to go!

To help aid me in my training, I decided to once again try those energy packets you squeeze down while running. My first experience with the energy pack was a different brand and I didn’t think I as going to be able to keep it down. It was like warm strawberry/banana yogurt. This time I tried an apple cinnamon gel flavor by “Boom” and damn, was that good. Imagine running along and opening up a packet of apple pie filling and squeezing it into your mouth. All that was missing was the crust! Not sure it gave me the energy it promised, but who cares when you’ve got squeezy apple pie on the run! Next up this weekend will be the “Gu” brand. Lets up it’s just as good as “Boom”!

Before the big race, I have the Race for the Cure 5k, the first weekend in October. Nothing like a good 5k to get the adrenaline going. Can’t wait to run with the Team – Go Anytime Fitness in White Marsh!

Once I complete the half-marathon and my official training is over, I’ve decided I might look into some trail running. For the locals, no, the NCR trail does not count. While visiting a friend in NC back in July, I got to experience trailing running for the first time in the beautiful Umstead Park. I probably ran about 4 miles but due to the uneven path, rocks, tree roots and all sorts of other natural obstacles I had to avoid, it felt like 6 miles. I would prefer to forget that I failed to avoid those natural obstacles a couple of times, but given my clumsy history, I expected nothing less and I believe my friends would be disappointed if I hadn't fallen at least once, haha.

In addition to the try trail running, I need to decide where I’ll be completing my full marathon in 2011. If I am going to make it 26 miles, I would prefer it to be flat. Baltimore, I have learned, is not flat. What's better than going on vacation to run 26 miles! Nada! Therefore, I will be scheduling next years vacation around running my first marathon. Right now, Little Rock Arkansas is on the table. Disney’s marathon sounds awesome but I won't be ready by January 2011, and I work the first few Saturdays in January anyway, so that one is out.

Anyone have any suggestions?

An athlete?

We did it! Katie and I completed our first ever Covered Bridge Metric Century bike ride in Lancaster, PA. The ride included three possible distances for us to choose from; 25k (17 miles), 50K (31 miles) or a 100K (62 miles). It took us 5 hours to complete it and it rained for probably the last 10 miles, I mean, really rained, but we finished the 50K; 32 miles (the route ended up being 32 miles, instead of 31)… This was quite an accomplishment for both of us, as the most either one of us has over done before was 20 miles.

We were greeted at the finish line by Katie’s mom and two little girls that joined us for the weekend. Also joining us were two other lady riders, who completed the 100k; that’s 62 miles. Should I mention that they completed it in less time than it took us to complete the 50K? Nah….haha. I have to admit I find that a bit embarrassing, but at the same time, I’m still amazed that I did it at all!

I’d like to say that I lost a couple of pounds riding a bike for 5 hours, but not so. I was so hungry FROM riding a bike for 5 hours that I think I consumed enough food to make up for every calorie burned during the ride. The sugar cookies, pretzel sticks and turkey hill ice cream they provided after the ride were damn good and well earned!

The volunteers working the water/snack stops were friendly and helpful. The riders were supportive and friendly. If they found you resting along the side of the rode, they’d ask if you were OK as they whizzed by. I assume if you were to say no, they’d send some help but not sure I believe they would have actually stopped. There was the sac wagon that cruised by every once in a while making sure that we were all safe and feeling well.

It was pretty clear from the beginning that I didn’t really fit in with these riders. First off, I wasn’t wearing the right clothes. I had on my ¾ length exercise pants that are really yoga pants apparently and a yoga tank top, belonging to another exercise outfit of mine. Apparently I find yoga gear to be very comfortable to wear when running. All the other riders had their spandex shorts and spandex shirts with cute little pockets on the back to hold stuff. I’ve decided while I can do without the spandex, I need one of these shirts!

Not only were my clothes all wrong, but apparently my bike was too. I believe it was at the first rest stop when a rider noticed that I was sporting a mountain bike and I was then told that I was “ambitious”. I am pretty certain it was a nice way of saying “stupid”. Most riders had what I am told is called a “road bike”. It’s a much thinner, lighter bike; the frame is smaller and the tires are probably half as thick as mine. However, considering the rainy weather, I’d like to think I had the advantage of having the safer tires. *smile*

I am trying to convince Katie that next year, we will be ready to ride the 100k – 62 miles. Guess I will be adding that on to my goals for 2011, right along side my goal to run a full marathon.
Next up, is the half-marathon scheduled for October 16th, 2010. I began my 12 week training for it this past Tuesday. Unfortunately, I wasn’t thinking clearly and miscalculated just how much time I had to train. This means that it will actually be only 9 weeks instead of 12. Considering all the runs I missed and the multiple injuries I endured, including the concussion, while training for the 10 miler in June, I can’t say that I’m all that concerned. I say lets get it on!

There are also a few smaller races before then. There is the Race for the Cure (5k) on October 3rd I’ll be participating in. I also received a notification in the mail about a “Run to Remember – 5k” on 09/11/2010 to begin at 8:46 am. Having been living in NY and working at Morgan Stanley when the Twin Towers went down, I found myself registering for this run as well.

During a conversation this week I mentioned that because I had plans after work, I had to be up at 6 am to run my 4 miles on Tuesday. It was then said that I didn’t “have” to but that I “chose” to. I replied with, “No, if I want to run a half marathon, I HAVE to run. If I want to stay healthy and keep the weight off, I HAVE to run”. This isn’t a choice. It’s something I HAVE to do to, to maintain my health, both mentally and physically.

So, here I am; having run a 10 mile race, going to run a half marathon in less then 9 weeks, having biked 32 miles along with having run various 5k’s, even a 10k and doing some hiking. Who’d have ever thought it? Certainly, not me.

Within the last week I’ve had three separate people call me an athlete. This word seems foreign to me and all I think is, really? You think I’m an athlete? Nah….

I suppose in the back of my head I secretly want to complete a triathlon – maybe then I’d consider myself an athlete. In fact, I’d be a tri-athlete, haha. But that thought also terrifies me at the same time and I think might just be a goal for 2012.

Right now, I am just someone who is trying to be healthy and fit. Does that make me an athlete? Nah….but it’s nice to think about. *smile*

California Tortilla - Good but Bad!

Back from my weekend trip to NC and pretty much healed from my recent knee injuries. All that’s left is a bit of scratch, definitely some bright pink scaring and some lingering pain in my right hand which the Good Dr. said is probably a strained tendon from the repeated falls. I chose to call them battle scars. *smile*

Despite skipping my Tuesday evening run this week, I have actually been pretty good about sticking to my exercising. My eating habits however, have seen better days. Lot’s of candy, maybe even a mint chocolate chip and pistachio ice cream waffle cone and well….two trips to California Tortilla in two days. Not such a good thing...my stomach and my weight seconds that notion.

I have not been on a scale in several days, but the last I checked, I was at 138. That was pre California Tortilla, of course. I’ve decided I’m going to wait until Monday to weigh in again. Give myself several days of eating right, a run and even a 32 mile bike ride. I hope to be back to 135 sooner rather than later.

Besides the fact that my numbers are creeping above 140, which is not an option for me, I have a wedding that my boyfriend has invited me too, in just over a week’s time. I need to make sure I fit into the dress I plan to wear at the wedding! It’s good incentive to pass on the candy bar, or the late night snacks. He and I even did some P90X last night before our dip in the pool. It was my first time doing P90X since the concussion/neck injury from the pool show in June and his first time seeing P90X. Felt great afterwards and I am hoping to get back to my 6 am workouts again.

Might be back to running without my running buddy. Unfortunately, changes in our lives often screw up our schedules and interfere with our day to day stuff. Hopefully we’ll be able to work out a new routine to keep us both running.

I was yet again at the Doctors office this past Monday and with all of the recent bodily injuries, the staph and so forth, I commented to him that I feel as if I’m at the doctors office more now that I’m “healthy”, than I ever was when I was 209 lbs. This thought has been bothering me for sometime, but does no longer. The Good Doctor pointed out to me that one doesn’t get staph or various injuries from sitting on the sofa watching TV, unless perhaps he stubs his toe on the way to the bathroom to pee. I like the way he thinks! LOL *smile*

Thankfully, the Fibromyalgia has been my friend lately and has been treating me well.

This weekend – The Covered Bridge Metric Century in which Katie and I will be completing a 50K (31 miles) on our bicycles in Lancaster, PA. This past Sunday, I rode 20 miles for the first time EVER, and it was great. The Monday after, my legs were definitely feeling it and I was wobbling a bit but still loved it. I can’t wait for this weekends challenge. Keep an eye out for pictures folks!

Long road ahead...

I finally have some reprieve from the constant pain of the Fibromyalgia. I am no longer laying in bed near tears because my body hurts all over and there is nothing I can do. I am finally getting some much needed rest that allows me to function and get my arse to work and on the treadmill or outside to run. My knees were just about healed from my recent falls. The first while hiking with K&K and the second when falling on concrete while simply walking to my car. The first was mostly bumps and bruises and the second involved a bit of blood and a handy gentlemen nearby that as kind enough to patch me up. However, during a weekend trip to Raleigh, NC to see long time friend of mine, I took a couple of stumbles while doing some trail running. Loved the train, loved the run, didn't love the fall so much, lol. Unfortunately, this time I didn't have my handy gentlemen to patch me up and I had to do it all on my own. My right knee is now covered in a bandage the size of a tennis ball. Oh well, such is life of a runner, I suppose. Or at least, a clumsy one like myself.

While I've continued to run since my 10 mile race I have certainly cut back on the mileage. No more 8-10 mile runs. In fact, not even any 6 mile runs. It seems my body has limited itself to 4 miles per run for the moment. However, it seems to be working as certain womanly functions have returned and the pain from not having it, has subsided. This is good news as it means no return trip to the doctor for an ultrasound to look for cysts. Woohoo! I've heard its "normal" for women athletes to get to a point where certain functions cease to continue. However, I wouldn't have considered myself an athlete. At least I'll know what to expect this time when I begin training for my half marathon in October.

Yes folks, I did officially sign up for the Baltimore Runners Half-Marathon in October 2010. It appears I am right on track as far as my goals go. This year, half-marathon; next year, full on Marathon. That'll be 26.2 miles. Damn, the thought of it just exhausts me but excites the hell out of me at the same time.

Anyway, back on track….

I am currently training for a 31 mile bike ride through Lancaster, PA , to take place on August 15^th. The bike riding has been a nice change from my usual Sunday run but will be coming to an end. The half-marathon is in mid-October and I need at least 12 weeks to train. Come the 1^st of September, I'll be back on a training schedule running 3 days a week working my way back up to running 13.1 miles. I completed the 10 mile race in June and can't wait to do 13. In fact I think I'll start a tradition and the first time I will run 13 miles will be the day of the race. It worked out so well for the 10 mile race, why not try it again.

And so folks, I have a long road ahead of biking riding and running. Can't think of anything better.

Discombobulated

It's been a week now and still, I am hurting all over. Not only am I hurting all over but I apparently have a lack of coordination this morning.

By noon, I had walked into the "tower" on my desk, bumped my elbow into the wall, spilled hot tea in my lap and tripped over my own shoes, at least twice. During lunch, I spilled tea on the book that I was reading. What the heck?! I feel completely and totally discombobulated. My brain and my body just aren't conversing the way that I'd like.

I'm not sure that I'm tired as I went to sleep last night at 10 pm and slept wonderfully until 7 am this morning. Though, I did nod off during lunch today while reading a book that I am really enjoying, so perhaps that is an issue. I don't believe I have over exercised - I ran 4 miles last Tuesday, skipped my Thursday run and rested until Saturday, when I enjoyed a strenuous 4 mile hike (if that) and a had fantastic 16 mile bike ride on Sunday. Obviously, I am not lacking of exercise either. So why is the Fibromyalgia still acting up!?!?!?!?

Today I rest. Tomorrow, I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be up to a 4-6 mile run. Same on Thursday. Saturday will be spin, come hell or high water and another long bike ride on Sunday. I am still skipping my strength training to give myself proper rest days and as of today, doubling up on my meds. I will not let this slow me down, even if the pain is taking it's toll. Unfortunately, what worries me the most is the extreme exhaustion which is bound to set in soon, if I can't get this under control.

If ever there were a time I were to pick up faith and pray, now would be the time, haha.

To run or not to run?

This is one of those rare days, when no amount of medication can stop the pain.

When I woke up yesterday I noticed I was feeling a little achy but nothing too horrible. I have a mystery bruise on my right knee that is extremely tender, as is the skin around it. I have a long bruise on my left thigh that is also inflamed and painful. At least I know where that one came from (biking accident with the mentee on Sunday). Bruises, injuries, these can cause some flair ups, but are not usually too much of an issue.

Given the bit of pain I was feeling tired so I went to bed at 10:30 pm last night, thinking I'd be rested and get up at 6 am this morning to do my CardioX routine. Boy was I wrong.

I don't think it was the pain that kept me up initially, but the constant chatter in my brain. Of course, the storm that hit pretty hard last night around 11:30 pm, didn't help either. By midnight, I was on my laptop uploading photos for a girlfriend, something I was suppose to have done a week or so ago. By 3 am I was on the laptop again, googling scenes from "Reality Bites", don't ask why. By 5:30 am I realized that hey, I am actually up and could get out of bed to exercise at 6 am but by this point, due to the lack of sleep, it seemed as though every muscle and joint in my body was just down right pissed off and was not going to exercise, even if I did ask nicely.

When my alarm went off at 7 am, I got out of bed, slowly got dressed and made my way to work. I am moving like an 80 year old woman this morning and am wishing I could cover my entire body in bio freeze or soak in a hot tub or at the very least, need to pick up some Epsom salt for a hot bath this evening.

Thankfully, I don't have these days too often but wish I had the key to figure out what triggers them. The lack of sleep doesn't help. Stress doesn't help. Too much or not enough exercise doesn't help. Which brings me to the dilemma of the day. It's Tuesday, my day to run. Do I feel like I could physically run 6 miles right now? Hell no! But, will running help exhaust me enough to get a decent night sleep? Maybe. Or will I wake up tomorrow morning in worse shape than I am now?

It's days like these that I understand why there are people out there who say the pain is debilitating. But, I find strength in knowing that for me, this usually passes in a day or so. I hope that is something I will always be able to count on.

Thank you for giving me my wings...

My first race was the Baltimore Women's Classic 5k and it took place on June 28,2009. I had just started my interval training earlier that year and had only started "running" a short time before this race. There were two other runners with me that day. One, my good friend Wendy and the other, her good friend Chuck. Thanks to Wendy, we had become Team Bug. I was the lady bug, Wendy the butterfly and Chuck, the dragon fly. We were an awesome team.

I started running in part, because of Wendy. She and another friend of ours would meet up in the wee hours of the morning before the week day started, but the two of them would go about their 3 mile run and I would do my 2 mile walk. My hope was to eventually be able to join them. By the time I got good enough to join them, they weren't running in the mornings anymore, if at all.

So here we are, the day of the race, the three of us happily dressed as bugs, ready to get our flight on and I had conflicting feelings about this race and up until the moment the race started, I wasn't sure what my plan was. Wendy had asked me to run the race with her and Chuck and because of that, I felt I should keep pace with her. However, by then my pace had picked up a bit and running with her meant not running at my best. I have never been a competative person. I always hated sports and how you'd be put down if you weren't as fast as the other kids or didn't do as well and so, it wasn't in my nature to want to "beat" anyone. However, if I was going to run a race, I wanted to have the best possible time I could manage. As the race started, the adreneline kicked in and it was that moment that I decided I was going to run this race for me. I finished in 32 minutes and 02 seconds with a 10:47 min per mile average pace. That was the fastest I'd ever run a 5k. I felt great crossing that finish line and knew it was the first of many races to come.

So here we are, a year later and although I've run a 10k and even a 10 miler since, I was back to once again run the Baltimore Women's Classk 5k on June 27, 2010. My goal this time was to set a PR, a personal record. My goal was to beat my time from my first race. This time it was just me running the race and because I had no help, I didn't wear my wings. Instead, I wore a lady bug t-shirt that I'd worn for my 10 mile race. It wasn't the same without Team Bug and the official costume but the race day fun and excitment from all the other runners had me all a buzz. I started out with the the 10 min pace group, knowing I'd at least hit my 10 min mile goal but was hoping for better and I got it. As soon as the gun went off, I took off, giving it every once of energy I had. Not only did I beat my time, but I blew it out of the water - 27 minutes and 57 seconds. I had a 9 minute pace, my best ever. I look forward to trying to beat my time again next year.

As for the butterfly in my first race, I had just enough energy to run my way through the incoming crowd and search her out. I may not have ran the race with her, but I was delighted to join her as she crossed the finish line.

Thank you, Wendy, for giving my wings.

Mission Accomplished!

Somewhere along the way in this weight loss journey of mine I began running. In the beginning it was more of a walk/jog really with a 20 minute mile and eventually, after much interval training, I began running a 15 minute mile.

Soon enough it was suggested that I run my first race, the Baltimore Women's Classic 5k, on June 28, 2009. I ran 3.1 miles in 32 minutes and 02 seconds with a 10:47 average pace per mile.

My next race was the Catonsville Fall into Fitness 10K on September 26, 2009. I ran 6.2 miles in 1 hour and 58 seconds with a 9:50 average pace per mile.

My next milestone, was the Baltimore 10 Miler on June 19, 2010. The most I'd ever run was 8 miles, once, last summer. My typical mileage back then was 6 miles. After the winter set in, I started focusing more on spin and zumba classes to keep me entertained indoors and my average became 4 miles, on a treadmill. I started training for this race in March 2010, with the help of the Nike+ "Coach". My goal, was to complete the training for a half marathon, figuring if I can run 13 miles, the Baltimore 10 Miler would be a piece of cake.

Unfortunately, there were a couple of bumps along the way that threw a wrench in my training. A back injury, a family emergency that involved a trip to California and in the last 3 weeks before the big race, a concussion from a silly pool accident. Needless to say, at this point I was more than 3 weeks behind in my training and the most I'd ever ran was 8 miles, twice! To say that I was concerned about whether or not I could even complete the race at this point was a huge understatement. Even though I joked about it, there was a small part of me that actually feared I may pass out halfway through.

Well, yesterday was the big day and not only did I complete the race, but I totally aced it!!! I completed 10 miles in 1 hour, 39 minutes and 22 seconds with a 9:47 average pace per mile. I ran the whole damn thing, didn't even need to slow down and the hills weren't nearly as bad as I anticipated. It felt amazing and can't wait to run a half-marathon next!

Thank you very much for the support from my friends and family. Couldn't have made it through without you!

The struggle continues...

I'd like to say that it's been a few weeks since my spectacular pool show and that I'm fully recovered, but tis not so.

The first run after my concussion was actually pretty damn good. Got through 6 miles no problem and was feeling great. Not even a headache. The 2nd run after my concussion, not so much. Was suppose to complete 8 miles, my last chance to complete 8 miles prior to the big run mind you, and I struggled to complete just 6 miles. In fact, if it weren't for my running partner, CCJ, I'd have gone home after 4 miles. I've had two additional runs since then, one really tough and one that felt pretty good. Seems I'm alternating between "I'm screwed" and "Hey, maybe I'll make it through after all".

In addition to the struggles with running, I'm still having neck pain, the occasional nausea, had some unexplained weight loss (since regained), an odd bug bite that resulted in a hard lump in my left thigh for 3 days (can bug bites cause vomiting and nausea?) and in general, just not feeling myself. Chalk it up to lingering symptoms of the concussion, maybe nerves, bad timing. Well, the reason doesn't really matter. The important part is that I've been stress eating since Sunday night (hence the regaining of the unexplained weight loss) and wonder if I'm self sabotaging myself at this point, as I count down the final days leading up to my big 10 mile race.

As if all of the above wasn't enough, the Fibromyalgia has been pretty pissed off the last couple of days too. It's been content to linger in my thighs and left ankle. I'm guess this is due to the lack of exercise. The chiropractor told me to postpone my boxing session next week, due to the continued neck pain (and I will) but do hope to get back to somewhat of a normal routine as of Monday, at 6 am. Not hope...I will. As Jillian Michael's said...saying you will try is giving yourself an excuse to fail. I will not try to get up at 6 am on Monday, but simply will get up at 6 am on Monday.

The race is this Saturday and I have to admit, my feelings on that are pretty mixed right now. I'm doubting whether or not I'll be able to run all 10 miles. If I have to walk any portion of it, that will be failure as far as I'm concerned. Walking isn't RUNNING a 10 mile race. I'm looking forward to getting it over with, looking forward to running for the sake of running again, and not because I'm training.

Even though I know I have support from my friends and family, I admit I am disappointed I won't have a familiar face to cheer me on from the other side of the finish line. Seems it might be almost anti-climatic to complete such a feat (a feat for me at least) and not have a friend there to share a celebratory hug with, give a high five to or even, I admit, maybe even share a tear with and take some pre and post run pictures with.

But, despite all of the recent events, I will run the race. I am undettered!

Stay tuned for the results next week!

Note to self....

Do not swim into the wall of the pool.

OK, so by now I guess it's getting out. I did something stupid and am embarrassed to even tell people.

I swam face first into the side of a pool.

No, I didn't dive into the pool. I was swimming across the short end of the pool with my scuba mask on and I guess it distorted my perception, as I simply didn't see the wall and swam full force, into it. If it weren't for my scuba mask, I'd probably have a broken nose and my forehead would be split open.

To say that I felt the impact of my head pressing into my spine would be an understatement. The pain was immediate and although I couldn't really move my head up and down too much, I could move it left to right. I hoped that the pain would go away and continued to swim a bit off and on, trying to ignore the pain. I wasn't really concerned about a concussion, because I didn't hit my head, but my face. My concern was the possibility of compressing a nerve or herniating a disc.

It didn't take long for the headache to set in and it continued on through to Tuesday. At that point, I called the chiropractor to tell them what happened and he suggested I come in for an x-ray. By the time I got there, I was nauseous and thought I was going to be sick. Wednesday came around and I was told that my x-rays were clean with no fractures, but driving, elevators and stairs made me sick and my headache had not dissipated.

By now, it's been 48 hours and for the 2nd time that day, my good friend Tracy recommended that I should call my regular MD because the nausea wasn't normal. Thankfully, I happen to be dating a resident neurosurgeon andafter talking to him, I decided to go to the ER. I was told this was something I should have done on Monday. Well, I swam into the wall of the pool. Obviously, I wasn't thinking all that clearly!

Tracy agreed to be my chauffeur for the evening and drove me to St. Joseph's Hospital in Towson. This would be my 3rd visit in three years. Although this was my longest wait in their ER ever, I have to admit, it still wasn't all that bad. We arrived around 9 pm and left around midnight. As usual, the staff were very nice and helpful. After an exam and a CT scan, it was determined that I had a concussion and was sent home with prescriptions for the pain and nausea and suggested a couple of days of rest.

Sadly, it actually took more time to get the pain prescription filled than it did to get through the ER. After last nights vicodine wore off, the headache returned and I was up at 6 am this morning. Worked out well I suppose as I had to wait for Comcast to come fix my DVR box. They arrived bright and early at 7:30 am and was out the door 20 minutes later. By 8 am, I was at Walgreens dropping off my prescriptions in hopes of relief. By 8:35 am, I found out there was a problem with my pain prescription and no such relief would be had for the next 8 hours as I repeatedly called the pharmacy to see if they'd reached someone at the hospital to give them the required DEA#. By 3 pm I gave up on the pharmacy getting what they needed and called my physician to call in the prescription. Relief finally came around 5 pm. Score again for the Good Dr!

So here I sit, updating my blog and hoping within a few days, I'll be back to running. This is yet another set back with the training for my 10 mile race, which is only a couple of weeks away. Let's hope I make it.

Wanna box?

After a long day of working out, I sat down to watch Biggest Loser. During this episode they had them boxing. Something about watching them box and really work off the frustration they were feeling, inspired me. Since then, I've been on a mission to box.

I promptly grabbed my laptop, sat on the sofa and googled boxing lessons in MD. Who knew boxing lessons can be so expensive. I didn't even find any private lessons! They were all boxing "gyms" so to speak and with some very high monthly membership fees at that!

After realizing that wasn't really option for me, after all, I already belong to a gym, I remembered just that...Hey! I already belong to a gym and that gym, has a punching bag! Lets not forget that I also already have a personal trainer! Go me! So, not long there after, I had a little chat with the most awesome personal trainer in the world and asked him to teach me to box.

Tonight, instead of our usual personal training session, I got a boxing lesson and loved every minute of it. Nothing like being able to hit that punching bag with every ounce of strength and frustration you have.

Lesson 1 - Don't hit the personal trainer in the face. - Thankfully, I didn't. Go me!

Lesson 2 - You always have a stupid side...mine is my left.

Lesson 3 - OMG, boxing is painful...my knuckles were bright red, my hands hurt so badly after that they were shaking and I could hardly write out my check to pay for the session. Apparently that is normal since I don't spend my day punching people. Lets hope it gets easier!

Lesson 4 - When kicking the punching bag, don't kick with your toe. Kick with the top of your shoe, the laces. Kicking with the toe is extremely painful.

Lesson 5 - Boxing when the Fibromyalgia is acting up, not the best idea. But I did it anyway. =o)

Beets? Yes...Beets!

I've noticed in the last few months that beets seem to be popping up every where on restaurant menus. Beets? Really? Even cheesecake factory has a new "small plate" - Beets with Goat Cheese. Mention goat cheese and usually, I'm all over it. But add some beets in there and well, I wasn't brave enough to try it.

I don't recall ever actually trying beets as a child and yet, at the mere mention of them, my first thought was always, ewe. Until recently that is. I spent a wonderful afternoon visiting my girlfriend, Jen and her wonderful fiance, Arlo. Somehow, beets came up and Arlo was very excited about these pickled beets that had been given to him as a gift...."want to try he asks". Sure, why not, I'll usually try anything at least once. As he goes off to find the jar and bring me back a fork, Jen informs me that she thinks beets taste like dirt. Just what you want to hear before taking a bite of a pickled beet! Haha. Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed the beet, I even had a second and possibly a third! It had a great, earthy yet somehow, sweet taste to them. He then began to tell me that he roasts them with a little olive oil and just how wonderful they taste. I admit, I promptly went to the grocery store and bought a couple of beets. Why not, at this point, I was curious. I'd always read they were very healthy for you and I"m always looking for new healthy, exciting ways to cook.

After getting home from the grocery store, the beets promptly went into the fridge, after a momentary hesitation, are they suppose to go in the fridge? Who knows. But into the crisper drawer they went for the evening and were promptly forgotten. Several days later I came upon them by accident and decided to throw them in the oven and give them a try. Unfortunately, I didn't google just HOW to roast beets before attempting to do so and being impatient, I didn't let them cook long enough. Out they came and although the little bit that I had was very good, I hadn't let them cook enough.

As Sunday is my shopping day, I picked up some beets while I was there and this time, googled "how to cook beets in the oven" and gave it another go. Round two, fabulous! This time they were cooked all the way through, the skin peeled right off and they tasted wonderful. Also, not only did I cook the beets, but the beet greens! I mixed them in with some marinara sauce and it was just Delicious!

I suggest you check out this site and give the beets a try!
www.whatscookingamerica.net/Vegetables/BeetGreens.htm

Will also throw in here that I have also become a lima bean convert after recently trying a fabulous lima bean, asparagus, pistachio nut salad at a party. The fresh/frozen lima beans definitely don't compare to those in a can, which is all I remember trying as a kid!

Week in Review

Why is it so hard to get up early on a Monday morning? Had the alarm set and was certain this would be the week I made it all 5 days. Nope...back to bed I went until 7 am. Decided since I worked out for 8 days straight, I deserved a "rest day". Didn't make it up Tuesday am either, but I did make it up Wednesday. Go me! Also did abs this week on Wednesday and Friday, the only two days I made it up at 6 am. =o)

Met up with CCJ Tuesday night for a great 6 mile run and did an awesome 8 mile run Thursday evening, all on my lonesome! Thank goodness I made it to 8 miles! Of course, this was after I shared the fabulous peanut butter ripple cheesecake with a friend at lunch. I needed the run after that!

Thank goodness I worked out Friday morning because I enjoyed some mediocre steak quesadillas and wings for dinner at Happy Hour! Hopefully I worked some of that off doing spin Saturday morning CCJ too!

Less than 30 days until the Baltimore 10 Miler! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.

A Marathon?

I started running two years ago. I ran my first race, the Baltimore Women's Classic-5K, in Jun 2009. I ran my second race, the Catonsville Fall into Fitness-10K, in October 2009. Currently, I am training for my first 10 mile race, to take place in June 2010.

I've been asked several times if I'm going to run a half marathon next or even a marathon. Originally, my doubts about running anything longer than a 10 mile race had to do with, shall we say, ways of relieving myself. If I'm racing, I want the best possible time I can get. That doesn't include a 20 min stop at the port-a-potty.

Right now, the prospect of running a 10 mile race is daunting. Two weeks ago, as I struggled to run 7 miles, I wondered if I wanted to run longer races. I wasn't sure I wanted to run the 10 mile race. Running was much more fun to me when I was running shorter distances for fun and exercise, not because I HAVE to, in order to make it through this race. I could work on my speed when running 4 miles. When trying to run 10 miles, I have to focus on completing the miles, not how fast I'm running them.

Over the weekend, I was reading a runner magazine passed along to me by a friend. In it, was an article stating it's actually healthier for your body to run the shorter distances than it is to run the marathons. I found myself very happy to read this article, thinking it gives me a good reason to keep running the shorter races and not focus on what I picture to be my next goal. Yet, sitting in traffic today, I found myself behind a vehicle that had one of those 26.2 stickers on it. I sat there staring at that sticker and thinking that I wanted one. I want to be able to say I ran a marathon. If only once, I want to be able to say I did it.

Does that mean I'm going to do it? I don't know yet. But I suppose it is a possibility. For now, it's the 10 mile race. I suppose a half marathon is only 3 miles longer...no reason really not to do it. In theory, if I can run 10 miles, I can run 13, right?