Oh, it's on

My brother Jaime likes to say that whenever something dramatic happens. I find it funny.

ANYWAY. Sunday I did a 4.5 mile run outside to punish myself in the cold. I would've gone to the gym, but I had too much backed up housework (Not an excuse....laundry is STILL so backed up...Brian had the flu and was bed ridden for a full week, therefore my laundry person and extra help person was MIA! I missed his help - he's the bestest).

Took the day off yesterday - my lovely friend Alyssa is moving SIX BLOCKS FROM ME! We went apartment hunting and she got a GREAT space - and then Lambeau's puppy training school (He graduates next week!)

Today I went to the gym and did 3 miles in 27+ minutes....I think it was 27:34 or something. That's pretty darn good for me, TRUST ME. Gym was WAY crowded so I did abs at home. All in all a productive week so far.

Off to watch Biggest Loser cheering for my friend Drea on the black team!!!

I'm taking the big step

Alright here I am. I've been absent. You all probably assume why. I haven't been running. I'm a running loser. I think I was burnt out. I think I was too busy and overhwelmed. I know I love my husband and my puppy more than running. However, I need to be healthy. So, we start afresh. I hate New Years Resolutions, they're so trivial and easy to break. However, on our 1 year anniversary (In which we went to a Green Bay Packers game at Pittsburgh...which we lost in the last 4 seconds...) I was 5-6lbs heavier than a year before. No. me. gusta. Also in the motivation category: we leave for a week long vacation in the Bahamas February 15. Yea. Bikini in the dead of winter. No. me. gusta.

So, the buck stops here my friend. No more Christmas cookies, no more edy's apple pie ice cream. No more gingerbread lattes. Self, we are getting down and dirty. Lambeau Loo can be by himself for longer now, and Brian has informed me that if I don't go to the gym within the next 3 days he's cancelling my membership - not in a malicious way, in a "We're not paying for what you're not using way." I get it. So, duh duh duh dunnnnn: Here are my goals for 2010.

1. Back to wedding weight - which I maintained for 9+ months with limited effort. (This is the weight I maintained....my real wedding weight was WAY lower due to my stress level SOMEHOW causing me to shed pounds in massive doses the last two weeks.)

2. Running at least 3 times a week. Training will require more, but I am sticking to this as a mini goal for in between races when I get lazy.

3. Working out on college night. I usually use my college class as an excuse not to hit up the gym; my ONLY and LAST CLASS OF GRAD SCHOOL this semester only goes till 7:20, and I can therefore still go to the gym just fine. (My past classes got out much later, and my sleep is vital on these days!)

4. Run 3 half marathons. Thus far I have several in mind. I'm interested in the new NYC Half Marathon, 13.1 New York, More Women's Half Marathon, and the Hartford Half Marathon. Only thing is, NYC has a lot of them all at once. So from the first three, I would be aiming for 3 half marathons within about a month. Hmmmm. Could be done; don't know if Brian will let me! ;-) (I'm more fragile to him than to myself!)

5. Ok. I have an an with an ING person who can get me into the NYC Marathon. Dream. Come. True. I'm still not sure if I'm marathon material. So this is more of a hope, rather than a goal. IF I can successfully train and do a 20 mile run, then I may allow myself into a marathon...again pending Brian being on board. (He's seen my struggle and strain in half marathon training and wants me to be healthy rather than hurt myself in FULL marathon training. He's right about this; I need to be serious about training instead of training just for fun!)

6. HAVE FUN. This past year was definitely fun, but that pesky thing I refer to as grad work as really bogged me down. LAME. I want to enjoy my time in NYC, really take advantage of all the fantastic things we can do here!

7. Save money. By far the HARDEST thing to do here! But we're doing it. We will buy a house someday, and we want to be prepared.

THERE! Goals for the year. It's out there. I must go running. I'm going to get out my winterized running pants, my running gloves, a sweatshirt....where is that pesky ear warmer I got for my birthday!? (It has a ponytail hole! YIPPEE!)

I'll let you know how it goes.

Getting back in the game...

My puppy love is getting so big! I can't feel his ribs anymore, and then suddenly one morning I realized, he feels HEAVIER! Aw my baby is growing up. Shoot. I'm officially one of those lunatic people who talks to her dog like a baby.

Ok, confession time. I ran last Sunday with Laurie , and it was great. Felt good, 3 miles, decent speed, I was back. Monday came and I had tons of work to do. Tuesday was parent teacher conference so I was at school pretty much from 7:30am-7:30pm. Wednesday I spent the whole day writing a paper I thought was due that night, but was, in fact, due THIS upcoming Wednesday night. I went to the gym after class because I spent all day writing said (10page) paper, and only got 2 miles in the treadmill before I had to call it quits. TOO HOT in the gym! Made me nauseous. Blech. Thursday NO running, work then class till 9:10. Friday was yoga club, which for me isn't a work out because half the time I walk around check kids (Yoga club will be explained below). Saturday I waited tables, which is a huge workout, but not the kind I needed or wanted. And today, well, I was focused on home things; making a casserole, cleaning the kitchen, did a little Christmas shopping while watching Green Bay kick COWBOYS BUTTS!, and now it's my bedtime. Sigh. So confession: MY goal last week was 18 miles. I did 5. FAILURE. This week I have a new plan:

15 miles. PLUS, I am not allowed to get a gingerbread latte if I don't run in the morning. I'm starting smaller and working my way up.

This means getting up at 5am to go to the gym. EW. It grosses me out. I only get a 'special' starbucks drinks when I have to go to school at night, because I change trains in Times Square, where there is a starbucks RIGHT outside the subway station...convenient...tempting...I fall for the 200 calorie grande skim no whip gingerbread latte every time. So, new resolve: No "healthy-ish" gingerbread lattes for me if I do not exercise in the morning. I am determined. I am purposeful. I am SO not looking forward to this...but maybe I am in a sick sort of way.

Product review: Trader Joe's Gingerbread Coffee = AMAZING. Seriously. This stuff is goooooood. This is why I don't get a gingerbread latte everyday, because this is a superb substitute without the milk, fat, sugar etc, and it needs to be in your pantry NOW! I heard the winter blend from Trader Joe's is also exceptional, so I will get it and product review it asap.

Please kick me in the butt...I'm so used to not working out that I'm in a rut...and I have a 4.78mile turkey day race next week with Brian! Eek! My tall guy is going to show me up big time!

My schedule...

My puppy Lambeau..pronounced Lam-bow...the 13th love...I have 3 nieces and 8 nephews... 12 grandkids in my family.... 13th love?! Well, Kate is having her SECOND kid *(Who I think is a boy...but I haven't seen her! I've been right 90% of the time...) Lambeau is MY baby. He knows me as mommy. He knows I'm STRICT and LOVING. He's the best puppy ever, almost FULLY potty trained and a LOVING boy...all he needs is a strong guiding CRATE TRAINED hand which he is getting!

This is me turning 25 on 10/24/09 at 11:30pm:My hubby Brian (affectionately known as Bri) planned a PERFECT bday weekend! Saturday night: Birthday dinner with friends...4 different couples who didn't know each other but LOVED each other. AKA amazing. Brunch on Sunday was my college friends...and then Green Bay lost...WEEK RUINER.

Ok this deleted because of my stupid Vaio. I LOVE MY VAIO. Maybe it's blogger and facebook, but seriosly, when I click something BAM on the previous pg with no abilite to go back! Here's why I've been MIA...

So, happy bday 11/4 to the previously mentioned Kate! She's awesome and expecting...I love my sissy and get sad when she doesn't text me (I'm blessed with 3 AMAZING Sisters: Melissa, also known as Meliss, Jennifer also Known as Jen, and Katelyn, also known as Kate...Kate is my clostest in age...but we all have the middle name ANN!)

Anyway, here's my schedule, in case you were wondering schedule:

Mon: Work 8:10 - 3:07; really, arrival is at 7:35am (Homework in the evening) make a GREAT dinner

Tue: Same as Monday (Homework in the evening) Make a dinner with leftovers

Wed: 8:10-3:07 work, 4:50-7:20 college, homework done in breaks, on the subway, etc (hopefully Bri has leftovers

Thu: 8:10-3:07 work, 4:50-7:20 the HARDEST class, thesis class 7:30-9:10...I haven't weighed myself.

Every other day: I'm going up stairs, eating healthily, I'm doing as much activity, and I'm about to go back to the gym, maybe even Sunday. Go back to the gym, why do you ask? I pulled a muscle during EARLY October due to Bronchitis in my upper rib cage/chest, therefore disabling me working-out wise in every which way. The pain can't be described: laughing, pain. Turning, pain. walking, pain.

Now I'm back.

I have some inspirational stories for later. But how are you?!

alright seriously I'm so busy

AGH SOOOOOOO Here are the causes of my recent departure from blogging YET AGAIN:

- I got sick. Well, I was sick for half of September, and my little cold turned into bronchitis. Pretty sure I have accute bronchitis because I get it every time I get a cold. I finally got an prescription right after we moved, and then the next week I got a 48 hour bug; fever, dizziness, nauseous, the whole shabang. So yea, I'm finally feeling healthyish. Oh yes, and I coughed so hard I pulled a muscle right around the top of my rib cage, which has moved from being a STABBING PAIN every time I moved to an intense pinch. Running/gym has not happened in a while...since my half marathon...this needs to strange. Body, get yourself together and be HEALED!

- Work has been nuts. My commute is about 10-15 minutes longer, and has made me OCD with leaving early and ensuring I have a good 20-30 minutes to get my act together before classes begin. This means less sleep, more train time...and boy do I have stories!

- College classes are NUTS. I have one paper due this week, one huge one next week, and another the week after...they just keep coming! And with readings! This is getting a bit overhwelming, but I have to keep reminding myself that after this semester (Which can't end soon enough, I will only be taking one class next semester and I will be DONE!

- I am doing a Friday Club at my school. This means I stay for an extra 2 hours Friday afternoons and teach YOGA! I'm actually excited for this, first of all for the pay (It's like double time), but also because I get to help kids learn healthy lifestyle habits, which my kids NEED!

- Trying to be a wife. Shoutout to my Brian, he is seriously the best husband in the world. From waking up and making me bagels for breakfast, letting me turn on the light to find my clothes while he's sleeping, taking out the garbage, washing dishes, getting my prescriptions, unpacking, paying bills, dealing with the CRAZY cable people, and loving me despite being under the weather WAY longer than one should be, he is seriously the best husband in the world. I read the letter he wrote to me on our wedding day last night and I cried. He is more than I could have asked or imagined for.

Alright, enough of the gushing and soft stuff! HOW'S THE RUNNING?!?!? I'm so lost without it, and can't wait to be back in the game! Brian is joining me for the Thanksgiving day race.

Oh yes, and I turn 25 on the 25th, this Sunday. GOLDEN BIRTHDAY HERE I COME!

LET'S GO YANKEES!

moved in, yes. unpacked, no.

I hate moving. Let me say it again: I HATE MOVING. Seriously. I lived in the same house all of my life. my husband moved 13 times (military kid) and subsequently, because of my sickness, took over the packing. Well, we're moved! The unpacking has started, and will continue/end/wish it will end tomorrow. Bri is going to work at 9, I have till about 5 to unpack and organize (we have church at 6). The picture above is my next door neighbor. And no, this isn't any ordinary grocery store, it's an INTERNATIONAL grocery store, with all sorts of cool things. And when I say next door, I mean 15 feet from my front door. Ladies, this could be good/dangerous.

In other news, We're still trying to adopt a puppy (facebook friends know this), an English Bulldog to be precise. I'll keep you updated. And I'm joining the new gym tomorrow. Completely UNSORE from the half marathon = amazing. AND I waited on a major player in the Guinness franchise at the restaurant today...very good tipper. Serving Saturday coming tomorrow.

Half Marathon recap: lessons in humility

First of all...I DID IT! I survived and I made it across the finish line! We're in full move transition, moving day is October 1, so stay tuned for pictures!!!

Race report:

The course: AMAZING. It was 55 and SUNNY when we got to the start and that is my PERFECT weather for running! Half was on winding roads in the country in East Hampton, some was on a dirt road in a beautiful trail, and the other half lined a beach.

My race: UGH, if there ever a lesson in humility, this was it! As of Friday night before the race, I was NOT running. I was exhausted, sick, coughing and blowing my nose. I went to bed at 8:30 after a WONDERFUL meal cooked for us by Alyssa's wonderful mommy. I told Laurie that if I still felt the same way in the morning, this would not be happening. I woke up the next day rejuvinated and alive! I felt better than I had in a week. Sleep is a miracle worker. Why was this race such a lesson in humility? Well, I was slow. REALLY slow. But Brian had made me promise to come back in one peace, so I had to keep that promise. I started with Laurie but quickly lost her because, well, she's fast! (Her time was 145:49...CRAZY runner!). I missed the Mile 1 marker, and right before I saw the mile 2 marker I thought "I can not do this." But when I saw the mile 2 marker, the countdown began. If I could get to mile 9, I could finish. 7 more miles. My first three miles were 10 minute miles, including stopping at every water station and drinking/walking for 30 seconds. By the time I hit 5 miles, my time was about 1:01, still decent with all my water slugging!!! After mile 6-7, I started to fall into a SLOW rhythm, but it's where I needed to be. I made a few friends along the way; one liked my shirt and we discussed the red dress run. Another was named Carrie, who I met with her friends around mile 6, and then again around mile 10. She and I chatted for a mile or so; she had flown in from Hong Kong the night before to do this! Around 11, I met Wendy. I'm honestly considering doing a "missed connection" on Craigslist for Wendy! She lives 8 blocks from my new apartment, super funny, and I gave her one of my cough drops! She had been sick too, I didn't feel so alone. I lost her in the middle of mile 12 though; I felt nauseous and almost threw up! My lesson in humility took place as I was passed by every. single. person. I usually can do a bit of passing, but seriously, I got passed by everyone. EVERYONE. I was so sad, but I prayed the whole time for Laurie, my husband, my family, anything that came to mind to distract me. I kept repeating these verses:

-I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- I submit my body to the plans of God (I think that's a verse...)
- I have the mind of Christ.
- No weapon formed against me will prosper.
- I am beautifully and wonderfully made.

And then, in mile 13, this was my mantra: YOU ARE INVINCIBLE. And the famous "Remember the Titans" line, "Fourth quarter...fourth quarter....fourth quarter...." Yes people, I needed extra oomph to finish this race!

Mile 13-13.1: I rounded the corner to the sound of cow bells, cheers, and race commentators on loud speakers. I saw people everywhere cheering me on. I saw the clock click onto 2:28. NO WAY I was having a 2-3-0 in my finish time! So I sprinted. I mean SPRINTED. 2:29:44! At the end I ran passed my new friend Marie, whose husband Steven was running in his first half! To add to the lesson in humility: I started dry heaving at the end of the race. Badly. Thankfully there was nothing in my tummy to throw up, but a few people stopped to see if I was ok...embarrassing...yes I got over it.

I got some post race goodies and split like a banana! We returned to NYC around 4ish after regrouping at my friend Alyssa's AMAZING Hamptons home. Pictures of the kitchen will be shown.

Final thoughts: This race was HARD. I was passed over. and over. and over. I had trained, but this flu/cold/sinus infection almost got the best of me. I am a runner. I ran a half marathon. I am a runner. My legs are sore. I am a runner. I will do this race again. I am a runner.

AND THE YANKEES CLINCHED THE DIVISION! WAHOO!