Lessons Learned Today

After 3 agonizing miles at 0630 this morning in some humid 75 degree heat I realized I recently have learned a few lessons.

 

Lesson #1- I have grossly undertrained for the race this weekend. Seeing that I'm a lazy slob I'm not sure why I thought intermittent running would get me ready for a 4 mile race. Also not really varying the speed or incline on the treadmill will severely limit your ability to run outside. Who knew? Ok so I knew that but I was hoping for some magical event to happen that would make me run fast and look good all at the same time. Still waiting on that...

 

Lesson #2- I hate the heat. The treadmill provides me with the ability for comfort. I have my fan, Sydney Bristow, and a cold bottle of water at my disposal through out my run. A back country road provides me no comfort. And this whole getting hot at the crack of dawn thing is getting old fast. I like cold weather running for outside. Until I move to Alaska to run I'm going to continue to complain about the heat and humidity.

 

Lesson #3- Country folk are more considerate drivers. This was the most pleasant lesson today. As I have been in Minier all week (AKA middle of nowhere) I have been able to utilize the back roads for my torture sessions. Every time a car/truck/tractor/semi has been headed my way it has not only slowed down considerably but it has also driven on the other side of the road and the driver waved to me. Now they might have been just making sure I was not on the verge of death as it may have appeared, or as I like to think it, they are just nice people. That and if they hit me, it's more than likely they will actually know me and have to tell my parents they smeared me across the road.

 

Lesson #4- I better start cross training. This is just fact. I will never get better or be in better shape if I don't do that. The question is what to do for a cross train?

 

In other news, little girl #2 decided that it would be a good idea to take a poo in the wagon outside in the driveway for us to find later. My conversation with her went like this:

 

Me: Did you poop in the wagon?

LG2: Yes I did.

Me: Why did you do that?

LG2: I was trying to be funny.

Touché little girl, touché.

 

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Moving

I don't know how people keep up with blogs and manage to have a life. I can't seem to hack it and I'm pretty darn organized. Of course maybe it has to do with the many life changes that I am going through. Not "The Change" but some pretty drastic changes none the less.

 

He sleeps like this every night, on my side of the bed, quite rude.

 

This last year has been rough for me and my family so it was decided to move. And I'm not talking about move to the other side of town, I mean move to another state and uproot your life in the process. The house here in Terre Haute is on the market and I have quit my job at the hospital (which was tough, having been there almost 10 years). I am still working a part time gig at another facility in Terre Haute that is more flexible in scheduling. In the mean time the job hunt is on. The husband has an interview today and I have an interview on Monday. I have had some other phone interviews as well but this one on Monday is the one I really want!!!! Here's to hoping...

This made me laugh so hard, and I don't know why.

Needless to say, I'm a bundle of nerves. Not only do we need a house, jobs, and to get out of this house, I need to get little girl # 1 into 1st grade by the fall in Minier, Il. (That's where we are moving) Unless you are from there you don't know where it's is, so don't ask. I also need to enroll little girl #2 in preschool and set up some type of Childcare (which is all dependent on jobs). And let's not even talk about packing the house...

She really doesn't care about moving, pampered snot.

It's hard to type this with her using my arm as a pillow.

All in the meanwhile I'm still running. Today I did 3.5 miles, and it was my first run outside since like 1986. Ok I might be exaggerating a little, but I seriously haven't ran outside in this calendar year. And it was pretty good, considering I can't pace myself for crap. Temperature was around 65 degrees and it was overcast at 0700 in the morning. PERFECT!!!! Except for that sudden urge to poo myself at 3.5 miles. I could have run at least another half a mile if my gut wasn't ready to explode. Ah, the things they don't tell you when you get into running.

 

View from the run. Probably could have dropped one there and no one would notice.

 

Maybe I could just go back to my job as a fashion model, that used to work pretty well.

 

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Buns of Steel

Day 4 of the challenge, and I'm not dead though I did think about eating butter once...

 

 

I'm up to 40 of each of the squats and push-ups. And I am completely amazed and flabbergasted that I don't have pop eye biceps or buns of steel yet!!! I should have purchased a warranty or something.

I remember my mom having these.

Today I ran 2.7 miles. Not quite sure what happened to keep me from getting to 3 but I'm not going to keep stressing about all my failures and short comings. At least I moved my a$$ for 30 minutes instead of eating ice cream (which by the way I'd rather do). But those habits will not help me explain to the doctor on Monday why I'm fat.

I have a plan in my head to run in the morning before work again tomorrow. And just like last time it probably won't happen, but it's wishful thinking.

 

 

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Lets do some squat thrusts

Life happens and then you move on, at least that's what I keep telling myself. Keep moving Jess, keep moving. My runs have been few and far between lately, but like any bathing suit fearing woman I too see the rapid approach of swim suit season and plan to make a rapid dash for that finish line, sliding across head first if need be.

 

 

In this new gusto of enthusiasm I have decided to challenge my self with some simple workout goals. After doing a little Internet investigation I found some different push-up and squats challenges. I figure that these things can't hurt, and if anything I may gain a little strength in the end. But of course I can't do anything by the instructions and have decided to make up my own rules for the challenge. Day one= do as may of each of these as I can. Then on each consecutive day thereafter do at least the same amount if not more than the day before. I made my self a chart just to satisfy my OCD and seeing as I am only 2 days in I'm feeling pretty good about my progress. I bet by day 10 I will just want to give up and eat butter or something.

Just remember this picture next time you at someone else's house with cats...

 

Runs are still happening on this plan of mine, I'm just not sure how far they will go or if I will do long runs. We shall see. I think I need a squats buddy to kick my in the pants and keep me motivated. Please feel free to be that person, but only if you will do the push ups and squats with me. K? Thanks!!!

Kinda like this?

 

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Boston

My thoughts and prayers are with Boston today. No one can understand the horror of the situation except those in it and I pray for comfort, peace, and recovery to those affected by this tragedy.

 

My run today isn't important, trivial at best. But I will continue to run and remember. I also think I will go give blood tomorrow. If you think you want to help please remember you can even in the smallest ways. Like giving to the Salvation Army or the Red Cross. Or even your local blood bank. Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.

 

 

 

 

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Faceplant

The whole "Winter Treadmill Extravaganza" is getting really old. But since I'm a wimp when it comes to running out side I have no idea when that will be able to happen again. (I'm so delicate and the wind or rain may wash me away forever and the wind could make my nose run...) Whinning I know... But I stamped out 4 miles today at a 1% incline. If you could have seen my extreme coolness while running in place you would have been completely impressed. At least up until the point when I caught my foot on the edge of the belt and tripped and planted my face in the display.

It looked sort of like this...

 

My sister and I also decided to sign up for a 4 mile race this June in Peoria, IL. The last time we did this race we did the 10 mile leg and almost died so we are opting for the shorter version of that run. It will be my first race in over a year. I am excited and slightly nauseated over the whole ordeal. But I guess that I need a race to train for if nothing else to keep me motivated.

 

In other news, my oldest baby had her first horseback riding lesson today. She received a few lessons as a gift from the grandparents and has done nothing but talk about it since Christmas. She's so cute.

 

Tomorrows goal, 5 miles with a 1% incline. I'll let you know when I fall in a heap on the garage floor.

 

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Shake that Booty

Now don't be alarmed, but I switched it up a little bit today. Because I'm such an example of studliness and awesomeness I bumped the treadmill incline to 1%, for 3 miles. Stop drooling and close your mouth, cause I know how amazed you are. I'm even surprised by how much it didn't suck! So what if they were the slowest miles ever, I ran them instead of sitting of the couch. I was slightly disappointed that I could see no evidence of my butt looking better post run. You'd think that when a girl worked that hard she could get a little reward. My dream is to one day have this @$$ from running.

 

If only...

 

Oh well, at least it didn't get bigger. After the run the girls convinced me that would be a good idea to play with the easy bake oven. And after a first failed attempt we arrived at a "wonderfully delicious" dessert of cake balls.

Cute, no?

They thought it was the most amazing food ever. I choked one down to be polite and am praying that I don't develop food poisoning. So if you never hear from me again, blame the balls.

And this girl...

 

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5 miles of Sydney Bristow

I'm back in uncharted territory. 5 miles today baby!!! And the last mile I ran in 10:18. I managed to take about 15 sec off each mile from start to finish. Surprisingly I was not a huffing and puffing mess. My foot still feels pretty good but I'm just waiting for th bottom to fall out on that. I'm a perpetual pessimist. It's pretty much doom and gloom at my house on a daily basis. So if you are looking for a good time, come on over to the Haute. Anyhoo, it felt really good. Not, eating a Dairy Queen ice cream cake good but maybe a warm pop tart on a cold morning good. Either way, I'm satisfied.

If you do stop by, I'll be the girl looking homeless.

 

I have also fallen in love with Jennifer Garner. She kicks a$$. Lately, Ive been watching an entire episode of Alias during my runs and she gives me the will to keep going. If Sydney Bristow can run and fight in 5 inch heels whilst dangling from a grappling hook, surely I can run for a few measly minutes on a flat treadmill. It's just so much easier to push through the miles with some incentive (get Jennifer Garner's abs).

Sorry Jen, I'll focus more.

 

I've got five seasons to get through so that should last me the next few months if I only watch it while running. And it gives me the desire to run to see what that dirty SD6 is up too. I know it's like years old and possibly dated as far as fashion is concerned, but I don't care, it's love. I just may become a spy. Or I might eat a few Reese's peanut utter cups and go to bed. I'll see which one is most appealing in about 30 minutes.

 

And its the big cup for the win, sorry abs...

 

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Hell Hole

I think I'm working too much. This week I have 58 hours scheduled. It might be a little too much for me. I have been trying to figure out how to work less but in the mean time I picked up a second job and didn't cut back at the other job. WTH was I thinking? Now I just feel like this when I run...

 

 

Must find a way out of hell hole.

 

By the way my oldest child turned 7 today. I now feel like an aged piece of cheese that is molding and crusty. That is all...

 

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New Goals

It seems as if I'm on a 4 mile kick. If I don't run at least 4 miles at a time I feel like a personal failure and should probably than spend the rest of the day in bed. Last night I had planned on a 6 mile run. But I spent the whole time sucking wind and stopped at 4.5. It was all I could do to get to that point. I guess I was in for a bad run considering all the last few have been pretty great. But the beauty of a bad run is that the next run should be better. Right? I'm right, right? Please tell me I'm right, because I don't really want to suck wind again today.

I really am dirty right now...

 

My goal for 2013 is to actually run a consistent 9 min mile. But since I'm starting around the 10:45 point I've got along way to go and it seems logical to set some small goals to meet on my way up to the ultimate goal. So I have decided my smaller goal is to work on some endurance. I want to be able to run for 60 min. I figure that once I get there I can work I speeding things up to fit more miles into that 60 min time frame. I don't really have more than an hour most days to run anyway so I feel that this is a do-able goal.

 

 

On a lighter note I complete my own taxes last night and do not owe money !!!! Super excited about this tid bit and we are getting a little back. Not as much as last year but enough to make me feel like ol Uncle Sam wants to be on my good side.

I know, most people do too.

 

Today, I paint. It is time to finish my oldest new room and get her separated from her sister so that at least one of them is getting some sleep and not playing together all night. I should have taken some before pictures but all you are gonna get is the after. Mainly because I'm lazy and don't really care about impressing anyone with my mad decorating skills.

 

 

I'm off to get high on some paint fumes.

 

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Vampire Love

It seems like I've been waiting later and later in the day to run. I used to not like to do this because I would find any reason to procrastinate a run but now I almost like it better. I at least have slept a little better the last few nights. Last night was a nice 4 mile run at just under an 11 mile pace. I bumped up the speed the last half to try and give my legs a little challenge. (And it was) but over all I felt really good and I got to catch up on Vampire Diaries while I ran. Don't make fun, you all have a guilty pleasure you watch on TV. I'm just brave enough to admit it.

Oh Stephan, you must know of my love for you (and Damon...)

Let's not fight over me boys.

 

Making meatloaf for dinner tonight if anybody wants to stop by. There will also be mashed taters and corn. It's all entirely healthy and fat free (wink, wink). Elliott even helped make it.

She totally loved this

 

In case you were wondering, tomorrow is my birthday and yes I'd love a gift. Monetary is fine but I also accept gift cards and jewelry. And let's not cheap out this year friends, I know you can all do better to show your love for me. I'm not freaking out this year like last year since I'm already 30, whats 31? Nothing I tell you!!! Anyway the security guards at the cession didn't believe I should have been in the 30 and over line. They kept pulling me out of line and asking for ID and everyone had a look of surprise on their face when they calculated my age. I must look twelve or something. I guess that should work in my favor when I'm 60.

 

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French Lick, A Place, Not A Dirty Game...

Made it home from French Lick in one piece and with wallet intact. We didn't win any money but had a good time people watching and sightseeing. In fact casinos are really depressing. We kept looking at all those people who appeared to have been gambling over many years and it kind of broke my heart.

 

We did see some really amazing places though. Our hotel was absolutely beautiful and kind of reminded me of Titanic.

 

Our lobby

 

 

 

 

Our room was the best. I'm thinking of taking up residence there.

 

 

Look, a water closet!!!

 

Then we trotted on over the the sister hotel in West Baden. OMG!!! I have never seen a cooler hotel. It was huge and full of history. If you have time, look it up, it's been completely renovated and has so many stories behind it that I can't go into them all.

 

The lobby

Lobby dome

It had previously been the largest free standing dome until the astro dome was built.

 

It got up to 65 degrees on Thursday, just another day in Indiana. Because the next day it was 30 degrees. But you better believe I took advantage of the good weather. I ran the morning of going to Fench Lick, around 3 miles and it was OK. I might have been more preoccupied with thinking about packing instead of focused on my run. I benched myself for Thursday, though I should have ran in the incredible weather but that would have meant cutting into my sleep time. And we just can't have that. I did run yesterday when I got home. 3.5 miles at an 11:05 pace. My best pace yet since getting back in the saddle. And it felt soooooo good. One of those runs that you don't even realize how far you've gone until you look at the time and say WTH! I needed a run like that, not one where I was focused on time or performance, just an enjoyable run to make me want to come back for more.

 

 

In fact, I'm actually looking forward to running today. I may change that tune latter but for now I plan to love it. In other news, my youngest child told me this morning that she loves me more than ice cream. BA BAM!!!!

Until next time I leave you with the creepy picture of our trip. Our hallway.

 

 

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