I rock at randomness

Too bad randomness doesn't have any usefulness that I know of; I could rock it (whatever "it" may be). 

• Note to self: even though you are attracted to a good deal, do not buy any more 99-cent Kindle books. It is super frustrating to have the main character’s name change from “Sidney” to “Sydney” repeatedly. 
• I recently started a boot camp, and I was so nervous before I started. Of course, as soon as I got there and started doing it, I fell in love. Although I do fear sneezes now … holy pain in the abs! 
• I also recently became addicted to grapefruit sparkling water (or pamplesmousse as La Croix calls it). I absolutely adore bubbles, and I usually drink it in the form of Diet Dr. Pepper. I realize drinking large quantities of Diet Dr. Pepper probably isn’t the best thing, so I’m so happy to find an acceptable substitute. Not that I’ll ever give up Diet Dr. Pepper for good. I’ll love you always and forever, Diet Dr. Pepper. 

I like your bubbles, La Croix. (source)

 

• Another thing I love: Kansas State University. I've loved it as long as I can remember because I’ve loved purple as long as I can remember. I also have a long-term love affair with Charlie Sheen. He doesn’t know it, but I have loved him for 18 years. So, imagine my happiness when I saw this on Anger Management.
  
  

In Kansas State purple, complete with the mascot name on the jersey.

• Although it’s a fairly new love affair, my heart is full for running. Yesterday was National Running Day, and it always makes me think about how running has improved my life. Thanks to running, I’m healthier, fueling my competitive drive, seeing new places and meeting wonderful new faces. Running peeps are some pretty awesome peeps, and I’m so happy to call many my friends.
  
  

 

• I’m heading to Savannah, Georgia, this weekend for the first time. What do I need to see and do?

Ever get suckered into buying a cheap Kindle book? If no, don’t. Do you like sparkling water? What’s your favorite flavor? Do you have a love affair with a drink, color, university, actor or running?

Taking a break from breaks

After a two-week break from work, I’d like to say I’m refreshed and renewed. But, it would be a lie.

Unfortunately, along with my two-week break from work, I took a two-week break from blogging, an almost two-week break from the computer, a two-week break from eating or drinking anything remotely healthy (OK, that's not entirely true, but I ate a lot of crap), and a one-week break from running. So, now I feel like crap. But, with the new year comes a new me (or so it seems like the thing to say).

Prior to being new and improved, here’s what happened:

I never really got in the Christmas spirit this year, and I don’t know why. I put up the Christmas tree late. I started listening to Christmas music late. I never watched Christmas Vacation or Elf. I didn’t send out Christmas cards. Any gift I sent was late, and I still haven’t sent some (oops). I’m even still waiting on one of my brother’s gifts to arrive so that I can send it late.

I did receive this awesome Elvis ornament from Rachael (Thanks!) via Jenny’s Christmas ornament exchange. It rocks! And it arrived on time (unlike the one I sent). Sorry, Rachael.

Christmas was nice, but I still wasn’t in the holiday spirit. I even slept the latest on Christmas morning. That never happens. Well, every other day it does, but not that day.

After the Christmas festivities (and after family left town), I still had a week of vacation. So, we decided to take a trip. A dreaded road trip. I hate road trips. I hate sitting in the car for much more than an hour. So, an 8-hour car ride is my idea of torture. But, driving meant that Chloe could come with us. I guess she’s worth it.

This is at the Hard Rock in Biloxi. Chloe likes Billy Idol, apparently.

Family photo on the beach. It was cold. Like 62 degrees!

After spending a few days in Biloxi, Mississippi, we headed to Destin, Florida, to spend the new year with friends. After celebrating last New Year’s Eve out with sparkley hats, noisemakers and champagne, I was ready to do it again. Unfortunately, our friends were not. They claim New Year’s Eve is amateur drunk night. They are probably right, but I was a bit disappointed. So, we hung out at their beach condo (not a bad deal, I guess), grilled steaks, drank lots of wine (and champagne at midnight), watched fireworks and rang in 2012.

After getting home (finally … I still hate road trips), I had a day to put away the Christmas decorations, do laundry, watch some pretty awesome bowl games (although the best is yet to come … Cotton Bowl on Jan. 6 – go Cats!), relax (and not get in the car once) and try to head off the looming doom of returning to work.

Even though there is some reluctance about returning to work (not that work is bad (most of the time), but if given the choice, I’d rather not work), I am ready to return to a schedule. A schedule that includes running on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. I’ve missed it.

Day 42 (Nov. 14)

Since I spent this past weekend in Kansas, I didn't do my long run on Sunday with the training group. Instead, I spent time with my family and recovered from tailgating and a four-OT Kansas State football game (yes, FOUR). K-State won, but man. My nerves were shot.


Woo-hoo! Victory after four OTs!



Losers! I'd post a picture of the winning team, but I sat by the visiting team's ramp.



My sweet purple shoes that I am certain contributed to a Wildcat victory.

So, after recovering from the madness, I decided to run tonight with my best running buddy, Caroline. Since I hated my 11-mile run, my main goal tonight for our 6-7-mile run (we did 6.5 miles) was to enjoy it. I was hoping it would go well since it is the last long (taper) run before the race. And, it did! I wouldn't say it was the best run ever, but it definitely wasn't the worst either. I mostly enjoyed it, and I felt good throughout.

The only real issue was my breathing. Not an I'm-exerting-myself-too-much-and-I-can't-breathe feeling, but more of a the-air-is-thick-or-the-neck-of-my-shirt-is-choking-me feeling. It was really humid, so that probably played into it. Also, it was low tide, and the smelliness of the bay could have played into it, too. I've got some leftover allergy issues from Kansas, so that may have been an issue as well. But, my fear is: it's nerves. Yeah, I know I said I was ready to rock this half marathon, and I am, but I've started panicking. Among my many, many fears:

• What if I can't breathe during the race?
• What if I sprain my ankle, leg, knee, toe, some other body part I'm not thinking of?
• What if I get sick before the race?
• What if it's too hot (I'm obsessively checking the forecast, and it looks kind of warm)?
• What if I'm not hydrated?
• What if I'm not fueled properly?
• What if I completely bomb the race after almost four months of training? (This is my biggest fear.)

So, now I'm freaking out as opposed to being excited. I'm so happy I joined my training group because I'd be nowhere near prepared if it wasn't for the group and my coaches, but ... it adds another level of pressure. I feel like people expect a lot out of me. "This girl's been training for months. She better not suck." Ack! I'm nervous. And worried. And anxious.

Day 41 (Nov. 10)

On the training plan for today: 5K time trial. Being a super-slow runner, I wasn't terribly excited about this. But, since I'm in Kansas visiting family, friends and a Kansas State football game, I could run it on my own and suffer any humiliation internally and non-publicly.

My dad took me to a trail that I tried out the last time I was here and found to be fairly non-hilly for a Kansas trail. Yeah, everyone seems to think Kansas is flat. They are wrong.

My dad decided to ride his bike from the 1970s with me as I ran. He let me get a head start, and I started off fast (for me). Things were quiet and cool, and I felt really good (I think my mega stretching after the painful Tuesday run did wonders). After awhile, I heard a rattling behind me that I knew had to be my dad's rickety 1970s bike. It was kind of nice having him behind me – not because of the noise, but because it was a push to keep going.

I turned around when my Garmin got to 1.5 miles. I got to a good turnaround point, and I figured I'd make up the extra 0.1 mile at the other end of the trail. I was still surprised at my speed (I just feel silly using this word), but I kept it up because I felt pretty good.

I never really mention my time (because its ridiculously slow), but I'm really happy about this. My 5K time trial result: 32:04. This beats my most recent best 5K time by almost 2:30! I realize an average 10:20 pace is not really something to brag about, but it's a huge improvement for me. And for this extremely slow girl, it's actually pretty fast.

Oh, and I found out why my dad's bike was so noisy: he couldn't get the kickstand to stay up, so he rode 3.1 miles with his kickstand dragging the ground.

A few good decisions

I’m not the best decision maker. In fact, I can count on one hand the good, major decisions I’ve made in my life (this doesn’t include daily decisions like choosing to drink a Diet Dr. Pepper or watching the Miami Dolphins to get a glimpse of Reggie Bush – these are obviously both excellent decisions, though). I’m talking major, life-changing decisions. I’m terrible at those, just terrible.

Here are my only good decisions on major issues in my life:

1.   Choosing a college. Kansas State rocked my world, and it prepared me for life. I loved every minute of school, and I appreciate the programs, professors and life at Kansas State.

2.   Getting a dog (both of them). Maggie came first, and she was the best thing in my life. Then, after her death, Chloe came along at just the right time. She rocks, and I’m happy every day I spend with her. (On a side note, a number of years ago I was asked to list five things I’d like to accomplish in the next five years. Number one on my list: Get a puppy. This wasn’t greeted with enthusiasm, as I was told this was a “serious” exercise. Well, I was serious. And, I’m happy I accomplished this goal every day of my life.)

     

3.   Changing jobs. My last job wore on me. Well, not the job itself, but the work environment: home. I know, I know. It sounds so great. No commute. You can start laundry or dinner. You don’t have to dress up. All of those are nice. But, the one thing I think people tend to forget: no human interaction (besides the UPS guy ... poor guy). After three years of working at home, I need coworkers. Real, live coworkers. Thankfully, with my current job, I have them. And, I enjoy my job (most days).

4.   Joining a training group for the Women’s Half Marathon. I’m happy every day I go to my running group. I’m amazed at what I’ve accomplished – things I never thought I could do. This program made me a runner for life, and I’ll be forever grateful.

Slacker: update-wise not running-wise

I’m a bit (well, maybe more than a bit) behind in my running updates. I went to Kansas over Labor Day weekend for football and family time, and I promised myself I’d update while I was there. I broke my promise to myself. You suck, self! But, the important thing is I ran. And, I ran really well (so at least I don’t suck in that regard). I have notes, memories and photos to document these runs, which I will eventually do. Until then, here’s a beautiful photo of my time in Kansas.

I graduated from Kansas State, and there is almost nothing better than going to football games there ... except when they play as crappy as they did last Saturday (OK, it was still fun and exciting, and the crowd chanting “K-S-U Wildcats” at the beginning of the game in such thunderous unison still gives me goose bumps, and I’d still rather be there than almost anywhere else). But, the Wildcats looked U-G-L-Y (not their uniforms because purple is always beautiful)! A 10-7 win over Eastern Kentucky is … a win. But, they’re going to need to step it up when they play Miami in a few weeks.