Happy Halloween

Just a quick note because life (Facebook Scrabble) has sucked me away from blogging recently.

Happy Halloween. I will be posting photos of me and the girls in our costumes.

Strange Universe

Have you ever wondered if there is something to coincidence? I don't know if I am saying that right? Like, if for example you reconnected with someone in your life after many years and they had an affiliation with a group that you were not previously aware of and then within a week you find one of your friends has a similar connection to said group and had for a long time but it only now has come up. Makes me wonder.

Then today as I am talking to my best friend she told me about a similar experience only this experience included choices she was making in her life and how one particular choice kept making itself more obvious as a good choice.

I don't expect this post to make sense, because the concept is confusing, especially when I can't seem to put the thoughts into words.

But that's where I am right now. And maybe I had one shot too many in my latte this afternoon.

Music makes the world go around

Today my daughter was cleaning her room. Well, avoiding it in every possible manner, but making some sort of vague attempt. Anyway she kept asking if she could get some new music to listen to on her iTunes while cleaning (she has several iTunes gift cards). I told her I would help her get some music if she picked up all the garbage and dirty clothes in the next ten minutes. (Please note, this is what I had been asking her to do for the last two hours.) Ten minutes later she comes out with the tasks complete. So we go in to download some tunes.

Here are the songs she picked:

Disturbia - Rhianna
Shake It - Metro Station
All-American Girl - Carrie Underwood
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
The Metal - Tenacious D
American Pie - Don McLean

At her age, I was equally eclectic in my taste of music. I remember being 11 years old playing Franks Zappa's 200 Motels Soundtrack (my mom left her record collection behind) and then switching over to Madonna's Like A Virgin album (my grandparents let me pick what the Columbia Mafia Record Club sent each month). But after I tired of those I always went to my standby which was my grandfather's Johnny Cash Live From Folsom album or his Kenny Rogers The Gambler album.

It warms my heart to see her doing the same. And also, to know that she can bond with my grandfather over some good ol' boy songs like The Gambler as she is getting older. To me, music makes memories. I have always connected a time/person/place to a song or a genre of music. I hope that Riley grows up doing the same.

When I think of hanging out with my mom when I was little I will surely need to play some Fleetwood Mac in the next hour. Road trips will always make me hum On the Road Again or Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd. High school is a clusterf*&k of music, like The Carpenters, Dead Kennedys, Violent Femmes, Pennywise, The Cure, Motley Crue. The list goes on, and it gets scary. If I am thinking about the Palladium/House of Usher days I immediately think of music from bands like Lords of Acid or KLF. And when I think of my best friend there are many songs that come to mind but there are two that stand out. Off Carol King's Tapestry album the song You've got a Friend and of course INXS Never Tear Us Apart.

I hope that one day when Riley is passing a Home Depot she will be thrust back in time to when she used to beg to hear Marilyn Manson's Beautiful People. Why, you ask? Well if you ask her, it was "The HOME DEPOT song".

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on...

I feel like I am floating in space today. I am coming down with some sort of cold that has put my head in a fog. That hasn't stopped me from going to a really cool kids birthday party at a pumpkin patch, eat super spicy hot Indian food with my friend, and sit on the computer for several hours doing some cyber stalking. Oh, did I mention the food? Yes, well, today was supposed to be a fresh start. And while I was really good in the morning and at the party (I ate an APPLE in lieu of birthday cupcake) I gorged on the tastiest saag paneer and chana masala you can find in this area. I couldn't stop. I was like someone out of the hunter/gatherer days stocking up on food because I won't come across it again for weeks. Really, it's not something we have often, but it's not like we only have it once a year. I would say we have it once every three weeks. So did I need to eat the saag paneer until I was scrapping the bottom of the take out container? No. I could have put it aside after I had my fill and saved the rest for another time. Curses!!! After that, I figured I had ruined my diet day and threw in my towel. I ate two pb&j sandwiches a mini milky way bar and some croutons. Yes. I snacked on plain ol' croutons.

BUT, tomorrow is another day. And as of right now I am going to finish drinking my cranberry water and will have a hot glass of lemon water before bed. :) I should wake up early from needing to pee so I will be able to start fresh!!

Other things that I encountered today:
1. This is the first Saturday in months that I have not needed to join my Team in Training group for training, and it was weird. I felt like I had missed out on something ALL day.

2. Whilst at the park with Zoe a man in a fancy silver convertible car pulled up and hopped out of the car and tossed a big black garbage bag in the trash can. (Note this is a small neighborhood park off the beaten path) I watched him drive away and then decided to peek in the bag. There was an entire outfit and tennis shoes and a plastic container that looked like it held grapes at some point. I didn't dig in the bag just untwisted the top and looked in briefly. It was SUPER STINKY. Zoe pointed out it "smells like poop in there mom". Because I refuse to admit that I am 100% suspicious of everyone because I watch way too many True Crime TV shows I had to walk away from the garbage bag and assume this man is just too cheap to pay for his own trash service.

3. Bees are stupid and are loud and slow and annoying when trapped in your house.

4. I have the best friends in the whole wide world. (There was more written here, but because it involved mocking someone who may actually read it, I have removed it so as not to be shot down by lightening)

I DID IT!!!!! Part Three (The final chapter)

Well, it's almost been a week since my marathon and I am still grinning about my success. I have a friend who is so inspired by my experience that she has signed up for Team in Training in southern California and has even inspired a friend of her own to join her for the ride! Also, my friend Maureen is planning on participating in the same event with me in southern California when I am down there! YAY.

But let's get down to it, how do I feel today? Not mentally, but physically? To be honest, my muscles were only sore on Monday and were a little tight on Tuesday. My foot with the mega monster blister healed but then formed a different blister on the heel of my foot from me walking on that part instead of the ball of my foot. By Wednesday my feet were fine too. Today, which is Friday, my shoulders are sore (not sure from what) and I am coming down with a cold. It's like my body has finally just given up and succumbed to whatever illnesses that were lingering in my house from my germ riddled children because it can now. So here I sit, typing and unable to breathe out my left nostril sucking on a Vick's sore throat lozenge.

Now that I have some time off before spring season training begins I am going to put some focus on diet and weight bearing exercise. And maybe some sort of yoga or stretching. I would like to lose at least 15 lbs by January (I am giving myself some leeway to enjoy holiday treats). Starting tomorrow I will try to give you all some sort of update on how I am doing. In the past it hasn't gone so well, but maybe, just maybe sharing with the world will help a little more.

A little side note here: I have an addiction to Facebook. I need to admit it, but admitting you have a problem is the first step. I am addicted to stalking people and playing the games, like scrabble and text twirl. AND I LOVE THE FLAIR. Seriously, I need help.

With that, I say goodnight. I need to check my Facebook before logging into my World of Warcraft account and then I will lay back and read some of my daughters book Twighlight. I am a freakin' nerdy teenager right about now.

I DID IT!!!!! Part Two

The story continues...

October 19th, 2008

After a long night of tossing and turning in hopes of getting some sleep and not miss my alarm clock the alarm finally went off at 3:45am and I was up and in the bathroom getting ready for the day ahead. There was a quick bite of Power Bar, banana, and yogurt to eat before slicking myself down with Bodyglide and BioFreeze. I suited up in my best spandex and donned my purple Team in Training singlet which had my name written on the front and a small message on my back shoulder to my grandma. Bleary eyed and excited I headed down to the lobby to meet Coach Kathleen and Coach Renie.

I grabbed a banana and small water from the lobby and off we went. We walked to the start line and my coaches pumped me up some more. They are great for words of encouragement. We got there early and walked around helping a fellow teammate get her race packet (she forgot the day before) and then found the porta potties (which I used several times because A. Nerves and B. who wants to break for a potty break early in the race?) and the bag check. We then headed to the start line for a photo op.

Coach Kathleen, me, and Coach Renie at the Start

Me, so excited to be there

Since I was the only early start from our chapter the coaches left me to head back to the hotel to rally the troops for their 5:30 am lobby meeting. There I stood waiting for my husband Paul to arrive. He showed up just as planned at 5am and shortly after, to my surprise, Jennifer Moodenbaugh arrived. As Jen ran up to me and Paul you could see she was already tearing up. I asked her if she was emotional because she thought she was going to miss it and she nodded yes and then cried a little telling me how proud of me she was. We all laughed a bit and then took the opportunity to take more pictures.

Me and Paul (yes, I might have red eyes from a couple tears)

Jennifer and me before my marathon!

So excited!!!

Just before our 5:30 am start (who were ALL Team in Training participants) the crowd did a few Go Team's and a group sang the National Anthem, and then we counted down to our go. "Five, four, three, two, one!!!!" Off I went, 26.2 miles lie ahead of me and to my left is my husband with the video camera documenting the start of my journey. Jen ran along side too, telling me how proud she was and then they were gone, and all I had ahead with me was my thoughts and thousands of people in the same boat.

Look, marathons are cake walk!

It was dark and the streets were vacant, minus a few people sleeping in doorways and the few onlookers cheering us on. In front of me was a lady with the name Marian written on her back. Marian, spelled with an 'A' just like my grandma. I made a mental note to keep track of Marian. As we walked up to The Embarcadero I could tell I was going to be at the back of the Full Walker pack. I was in awe over some walkers pace! There was some serious speed walking going on. But I reminded myself of what Coach Jessica told me about pacing myself and not burning out too early. "Your not going to win, Regina," she had told me, "you're here to have fun." So, that's what I did. I forgot about the people whizzing by me and I had fun. I talked to a man who frantically walked along side me asking "what is this? Did it start already? I am not where I told my wife I would be, she said 7 am start." I reassured him that we were the early start group and that his wife would be along later on. It was sweet to see how concerned he was.

In the darkness I didn't really look for familiar faces. I knew that Paul would be up near the marina Safeway and that at some point around mile 8 I should keep an eye out for family, but around mile 2 I was honored to see Mentor Nancy and Mentor Susan on the side cheering with their TNT signs. When I saw them and they saw me Mentor Nancy flipped her sign around and showed me a "Go C Jane" sign she had made! See Jane had been a nick name I earned from wearing my See Jane Run singlet to Saturday trainings. I rushed to them and hugged them and thanked them for being there for me. I am getting choked up thinking about it. Because really, I was the ONLY early start for our team. They had many other participants out there with a 7am start and they made an effort to come to a spot where they could cheer me on. Thank you ladies!!!! It meant the world to me.

As I came down out of Fort Mason I could see Paul there to cheer me on. And just up ahead was Jen. Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciated all of the spectators and the cheering sections, but to have these people who were there just for me made it so much more special. The morning was beautiful, and my very fast paced walk through San Francisco brought me to Chrissy Field at mile six. The sun was rising and suddenly I am joined by two very excited coaches. Coach Kathleen and Coach Renie came running up behind me saying "it took us a lot to get to you, you are further along the course then we expected." What exhilarating news that was! They had found me to help get me up the very steep hills ahead of me. Their timing couldn't have been any better, even though I was still riding on the high of embarking on this journey my mind was starting to play tricks on me. So with them there to remind me what I was there for and to tell me I was looking good, it helped push me further. They informed me that Coach Jessica would meet me at mile 8 to get me through the rest of the icky parts of the course and then turned back to help others up the hills.

Around mile 7, still feeling good

Towards the middle of mile 7 Paul and Jen were there for further encouragement and a sock change. I was already feeling a hot spot form on the bottom of my foot and needed to change out some damp socks (sweaty feet, very sweaty feet I have) to prevent further blisters. As Jen begins to dig for her pocket knife so I can cut some moleskin a coach from another Team in Training chapter stops and offers her scissors and tape. (I am telling you people, TEAM IN TRAINING ROCKS) All bandaged up and a sip of Jen's coffee I am off again, and just as I am distancing myself from Jen and Paul who do I see but Coach Jessica smiling and making her way to me with open arms. We chat our way through the upscale neighborhood of San Francisco chatting about anything and everything. Jessica has become a true friend. We have spent so much time together (especially at one of our last Saturday trainings when we might have gotten just a little lost in Rohnert Park because we might have been too busy talking and not paying attention to directional arrows) and gotten to know one another that I feel we have become friends for life. So it was totally acceptable for me to screech to her "look it's my people!!!" when I saw the gentlemen wearing Proud Republican t-shirts cheering us on from the sidelines. (I came out as a Republican in San Francisco!)

So this is where things start to get a little fuzzy for me. I know Jessica stopped to go back and get others over the hills, and at some point around mile 11 Paul and Jen were there and I didn't want my nuts anymore and I was wet from condensation on my water bottle so I passed that off to them too, but I wasn't happy. Suddenly, my smiles were fading and my focused look was taking over. Nearing mile 12 I saw the turn off for the 1/2 marathon participants, and I was pissed. And then even though there were tons of people cheering for us and other TNT participants were happily telling each other "You look good, Go Team" I just wanted to kick people in the shins.

Mile 15 Paul and Jen were there again. I wanted nothing to do with them and when they asked me "how is it going" or "how are you" (I honestly can't remember) I said something along the lines of "I am done". No sooner had the words left my mouth then another Team in Training Participant turned around and said "No you're not, come on. You're coming with me" and took me under his wing for the next mile. He talked to me and got me to run with him for almost the entire next mile. He was from San Francisco but was originally from some eastern european country. Seriously, this guy was heaven sent. He had no idea who I was, and was a participant. Not a coach, not a mentor, but a participant and he stopped to help pick me up when I was down. That's TEAM WORK!!! Thank you random Team in Training Guy from San Francisco!!!!!

After I told him I couldn't run any longer he was off and I was feeling much better. Then out of nowhere I see my friend Marian! (OK, we weren't friends, but remember I had made a mental note about her earlier). I sped up to catch up with her and saw she had the same look on my face from Mile 15. I offered her some Shot Blocks (or whatever they are called) and she eagerly took them. I mentioned I had seen her earlier and that we were keeping pace with each other. She smiled but was quiet, so I just moved along and refocused my energy. All along the Great Highway I kept a look out for someone. ANYONE!!! But alas, none of my cheering section appeared. I felt slightly discouraged, but didnt' let it get to me because I had a new found energy, and a new hot spot on the bottom of my foot. SHIT!!!! That's all I could think. Just get to the next first aid booth. Just get to the next first aid booth. Ow, ow, ow...

That's when I spotted Lake Merced. I felt overwhelmed, but 100% determined. You could tell just how far there was to get around the lake and I wasn't pleased, but I just wanted first aid so I pressed on. As I made my way to the red first aid tent Jen and Paul appeared. Jen was cheering "how do you feel, you are setting a personal best here". In response I begged for nuts and water as they walked along side me. (Side note: Jen has a tendency to cheer me on when I really just want her to stop. For example, she was there trying her best to encourage me while I was in labor with Zoe. I believe she is the only person I yelled at that day and it was something like "SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She means well, I just get cranky when I am in pain and other people are peppy and not in pain).

My hands were swollen at the first aid tent

The first aid guy stuck a moleskin circle thing on my already forming blister and I switched out my socks again. The lady next to me had ice on her knees and was on the verge of losing it. She was upset about her time and when I tried to encourage her (she was in a Team in Training singlet afterall) she shot back at me that it wasn't OK! Waahhh. Just let me tie my shoe and move on! The miles are starting to bring out the worst in people. And just when I thought people were going to stop being nice we saw a sign. "The Chocolate Mile". People started to reawaken at the thought of chocolate. A lady behind me cheered with her friends and stopped for a photo op with the sign. I just forged ahead eager to reach the people with the snacks. The small, yet tasty chocolate with nuts was just the pick me up the people around me needed. Again there were chants of "Go Team" and "You look great" around me. Then we saw the Mile 23 marker and it was "just a 5K away!!!". Then I saw my mother-in-law Tina with Paul and Jen on the side of the road.

About to hug Tina with Jen looking on

She looked so proud of me and I ran up to hug her and the rest of my cheering section. She got a little teared up and so did I. I suddenly knew I could do it. I was going to finish. Paul patted me on the back and told me I could beat my goal and believing him, I moved on down the road with a little spring in my step. A very little spring in my step, let's be honest.

I just kept going. The last few miles seemed like forever away, and then there was Coach Jessica. A smile on her face and words of encouragment to keep me going. I kept telling her "I just want this to be over" and she kept telling me "Your going to do it, your going to finsih! There are still people behind you. You are doing great!!! You are beating our expectations of you." She asked about my family and I explained I hadn't seen my kids yet and I just hoped they would at least be at the finish line. Less then five minutes passed when Jessica shouts "Regina, look!!!" There on the side just after mile 24 was Riley, Maureen, Zoe, and Aidan. Coach Jessica motioned for Riley to come down and when I saw Riley running to me I started crying. I was so happy for her to see me doing something I had worked so hard to do. I was excited for Maureen to see me moving towards the finish line and not pissing and moaning about it (She's been my rock on my 1/2 marathons and has had to sometimes almost drag me to the finish line). I was doing this on my own, and I was doing great! Just a little further ahead was another happy face. Mentor Joel was there telling me "You look great! You're doing so good!". Again, tears welled up in my eyes. He had been there for me too. Many a training when I was out on my own and he had either ridden his bike along side with words of encouragement or there was the time he drove Mentor Megan (oh, I think that was her name!) out to walk the remainder of the walk with me, even though I said I didnt' want the company (really I did, I was just being bitchy).

On we pressed, Jessica and I, and the closer we got to the finish line, the further it looked. I know at some point here Jen appeared to my right on the other side of the fence, trying her best to keep up with us and cheering for me to keep going.

Just as we neared mile 26 Coach Renie and Coach Kathleen appeared. Seeing them caused even more tears to well in my eyes. They both looked like proud parents they beamed so much for me. As soon as I saw them I picked up my pace to a run. Sadly, I lost Coach Jessica and even looked back at one point for her but she motioned for me to keep going. My coaches told me how great I looked and how good I was doing. Then they as we got a certain distance from the finish mat they patted me on the back and said "This is your moment". (OK, TEARS ARE FORMING IN MY EYES AS I TYPED THAT) and they stopped and I kept going. Well, I stopped running because suddenly the blister on my left foot prevented me from running any further and I weeble - wobble walked the last few feet to the mat.

I FINISHED! I was done! I COMPLETED A F*&KING marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's me as I close in on the finish line!

After crossing the finish line there was a line of firemen in suits holding silver platters with Tiffany Boxes. Honestly, I could have cared less. I grabbed my box, grabbed my finishers shirt, and moved (very slowly) forward looking for my husband. When I saw him I instantly broke down into tears and hugged him. "You did it honey! You finished a marathon. You did it!" There was such pride in his voice and tears (YES PAUL TEARS!!!!) in his eyes. I sobbed some more. My mother-in-law Tina was there with flowers for me and a big hug. She had tears of joy for me too. Then the rest of my crew showed up and all I wanted was the med tent. I hurt. I hurt bad.

Jen figured out where the tent was and hooked me up with a wheel chair ride to the tent. There I was greeted with people who could only help a little. After looking at my blister they determined there was nothing they could do, and then when the Physical Therapist asked about my pain in my hip he gave a few exercises to work it out. A couple of tylenol and a signed waiver form and I was out of there. Sadly, I couldnt' move fast. I still had to make it to the Team In Traning tent to sign out. Upon arriving there I found they had their own med tent (and a PB&J sandwhich on sliced sourdough) who was far happier to help me.

The blister on my left foot was ridiculous. The first aid guy even laughed and said "That's the biggest blister I have seen today". Yay me. A couple quick stabs with a needle and a band aid and some ice for my knee and hip and I was off. Only, I wasn't moving all that quick. It was suddenly undeniable that I couldn't walk. If I was going to get a ride to my hotel I needed to make it to the car. I wasn't going to make it to the car if I couldn't walk. Jen sprung into action again and somehow managed to get me a wheelchair ride all the way to the restaurant Maureen, Tina, and the kids were eating at on the far corner of Lincoln and the Great Hwy. I was rolled right inside the restaurant! Thanks First Aid Tent Guy!!!!! That's service!

I rocked the wheel chair

So, that's my story. We did have a victory party later. I would write about it, but really, my victory party was at the Thai Diner on Lincoln and the Great Hwy.

Me and Coach Jessica at the Victory Party

Thank you. Thank you to everyone along the way. Everyone who was there to support me and to help me see that I could do it. I have never been so proud of myself in my life!

Freakin' Blister

(OK, there will be a brief Pt. 3 as a kind of follow up on my thoughts)

I DID IT!!!!!! (Part 1)

I FINISHED A MARATHON!!! I FREAKIN' DID IT!!!! 26.2 miles, and you know what, I would do it again. Granted it wasn't easy, and I might have been a little discouraged and cranky at times, but I did it. It is now two days later and I am feeling MUCH better then I did yesterday. I am still tired, but that is probably because I didn't really sleep much the two nights before the marathon because of my nerves. Last night I tossed and turned a bit because I couldn't figure out how to sleep comfortably with the stinkin' blisters on my feet. Today, I am just relaxing and trying to pull myself together again. Tomorrow I should be back to my regular form.

So how did I do? I DID GREAT!!! I had hoped to finish in 7:22 but finished in 7:29, that's not a big difference really. I did stop several times for blister prevention/care and stopped for bathroom breaks now and then. But really, I know you all just want to know the details and see the pictures. So, without further ado, here is my crazy marathon weekend.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH

Today is check in and Pasta Party time. I drove to the city and had my father-in-law take me to my hotel, which was the Omni on California St. in the Financial District.

My hotel room at the Omni in San Francisco

I opted to park my car with the in-laws as opposed to spending the $48+tax on the hotel parking (per night!). I check in, and then head straight over to the Nike Expotique for my Race Packet pick up. Because I am with the Team in Training group we have a shuttle that takes us from the hotel to the expo at Union Square. The expo is JAM PACKED with people when I arrive.

INSANE. I want to enjoy myself after picking up my bib and race packets, but I really can't. The lines for everything are out of this world. For example, they had a place to get your iPod etched (what the hell is that called???) but the wait was like 20 minutes. I opted to wait my 30 minutes in the line for the massage (which lasted 15 min). Then I head for the shortest line in the building. The Oxygen Bar. If you ever have a chance, try it. Strange but refreshing.

Oxygen in multiple flavors

I rocked the bar like no other

I didn't have patience with the crazy Nike Town store so I went straight to the Macy's building and headed to the food court where I was disappointed to find that Pete's Coffee had been replaced with a Tom's Cookie. WTF? Their coffee is SO NOT Pete's Coffee good. As I was heading out the escalator with coffee and cookie (you didn't think I was so put off by the replacement of Pete's that I would not take the chance to sample the cookies, did you?) in hand when I heard "Oh my God, is that Gina? Gina!!!" Lo and behold behind me in the escalator is my good friend and neighbor Colleen who was here on her own for the half marathon. I love when things like that happen. After words I headed back to the hotel for the Pasta Party.

As I stood down stairs with our group waiting for the shuttle I had no idea what was in store for me at the Pasta Party. I expected some good eats and some rah-rah go get 'em speeches, but not what we actually encountered. When we arrived there were hundreds of people filing into the Moscone Center. Once inside the building all you could hear was cheering. Cheering for us. The participants, the friends, and family. Words cannot describe what this was like. Lining the path for us to the escalators, down the sides of the escalators and at the bottom of the escalators to the doors of the dinner hall, the mentors, coaches, and captains cheered for us. It was overwhelming. I tried in vain to fight back the tears. I don't know what it was. Excitement, pride, joy? As I reached the bottom of the escalator I saw my coaches and mentors at the very bottom, and they were so excited to see me!!! So of course I let a few tears fall with a big smile! Hugs all around and then into the chow hall. These pictures do not do it justice!

Serious madness

As I came down the escalator

And looking up the escalator

Coach Jessica, Mentor Joel, and Mentor Martha

Mentor Nancy who I adored

Dinner was good. The entertainment was good and the honoree who spoke (I believe her name was Anne) was moving. Everyone rallied in excitement over the next days event.

With Mentor Nancy!


Our coaches and team pow-wow

The Redwood Empire team had a little pow-wow after and called one of our honorees Hank, who was supposed to be participating in the 1/2 marathon with us, but couldn't' because he was still in the hospital after 39 days of receiving many units of blood. But we knew he was with us anyway, and I was sure to think of Hank as I prepared for the marathon the next day, knowing how much it meant to him that we were there and knowing how much he truly had wanted to be there. After dinner I walked back to the hotel with my mentor Angela and her husband. We took a few detours looking for a Walgreen's however we were in the Financial District and apparently everything closes at 5pm there. :( But it was good to chat with Angela and she gave me even more "you can do it" boosts before sending me to bed.

As I lay down that night I had set my cell alarm and the radio alarm, and put out everything i needed for the morning. Coach Renie and Coach Kathleen had made it clear they would meet me in the lobby at 4:15am to walk me to the starting line. Hmmm, the night before I went to bed at 4:15am! I did toss and turn, and continually check the alarm in through the night. I was afraid I would oversleep. But I didn't. I was up at 3:45am and was about to set out on a life changing experience!

To be continued...

New Template

Here is the latest template in my quest to find one that reflects me. This is called "Snapshot".

Why yes that is my blood pressure!

I am 100% stressed out. I feel out of control and overwhelmed. It's work. I know it is. I need to correct this situation before I get sick. Like, really sick, with no health insurance.

So, in an effort to take my mind off of some shit I am listening to music. I put my iTunes on party shuffle and here's what has come up for the next 10 songs (I am bored, humor me):

Sucker Train Blues - Velvet Revolver (funny, I feel like sucker)
Hey Jude - The Beatles (no witty commentary here)
A Well Respected Man - The Kinks (I get no respect in my current situation)
Kinky Sex (makes the world go round) - Dead Kennedys (hmmm, perhaps I should look into that)
Summertime Rolls - Jane's Addiction (This song is all about taking in the happiness around you. I love the line "With some fine wine, it brought peace to my mind, in the summertime, and it rolled..."
Wasted - Carrie Underwood (I can't help it, this girl rocks, and really, why this song? It fits with how I am feeling)
Evil Thing - Danzig (that reminds me to look into the Danzig show in the beginning of November)
Fall to Pieces - Velvet Revolver (Sometimes party shuffle pisses me off playing the same bands so close together, but fuck, this song rocks my world. I love this song!!!! And it makes me sad Scott Weiland just can't get his shit together.)
One for the Road - The Skels (My new favorite Irish punk/folk band)
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Johnny Cash (From American IV album which is amazing)

Is that my blood pressure?

Holy crap. My marathon is in 5 freakin' days. I am in panic mode, but I am so busy with other shit that I cannot appreciate the panic I am in.

I have been super busy with other events, like Pinktober at Hard Rock Cafe where Keep A Breast was the honored charity. Then there was Battle of the Bartenders where I was nice enough to be the head judge and coordinated the scoring and some judges (that's a story for another time) and then Friday is supposed to be Karaoke for the Cure. I can't be part of that???!!!?!?? Good god. I leave the next day for my marathon. I need to see who can fill my role for me while I am out. I never should have made myself avaialble. So see, this is why I am totally not focused on the fact that just 5 days from now, I will have completed my first full marathon.

What's in a template?

I have no idea which template to choose. I will keep testing them out until I am satisfied I have found the one that matches me. There are just a few to choose from, and to be honest, none of them really suit me, but since I have no idea how to format my own, I will make due.

So for now, we have the Stretch Light Denim. Tomorrow could be something completely different.

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

It's the little things in life that are changing. The things that once felt so important, but now are so trivial I question why I ever cared. Take for instance my latest purchase.

The Nike Womens Air Pegasus + 2008. Behold their beauty. Or, as I would have thought a year ago, their lack thereof. Today, for one of the first times in my life, I wore athletic shoes in public, with jeans and not as my #1 exercise accessory. I found them to be comfortable. They were bright and flashy, but they were comfortable. I was wearing them in public since I had put off buying a new pair for a couple weeks due to our current financial state. While we are still in said financial state the shoes were a necessity as my old ones were wearing down on tread and my marathon is two weeks away (12 days to be exact). But because I had waited so long to purchase the shoes I needed to break them in before putting 26.2 miles on them. To be honest, I think I might have to purchase another pair of athletic shoes for my every day travels. Every day shoes will be much cuter then the shoes made for running and not for looking cute.

The other purchase I have made is a pair of spandex pants. I have been fighting the idea of spandex since April, but after two long distance training sessions and some very painful chaffed areas I have given in. The first pair I tried on were like putting on black tights. You could see the pattern of my underwear through them. I suppose if my ass were not so big that the material stretched so far they became see through, it wouldn't be a problem, sadly, my ass is that big. So instead I bought a pair that had a thicker material to them, and a handy little pouch where my travel size Body Glide will fit nicely. These are the pants I will be wearing this Sunday October 19th:

Behold the Moving Comfort Women's Endurance Capri. The word endurance means the pants will help my inner thighs endure 7 hours of rubbing against each other without causing horribly chafed patches of skin. There lies the beauty of Spandex.

Revisiting

Whoops. It's been a few months since I have been here. Time to revisit why I started a blog in the first place. I wanted a place to share what I have been going through while training for my first marathon and I also wanted to have a place to focus on changing my diet lifestyle. Is that a phrase?

I have returned to blogging because I have seen how helpful it has been for my friend Jenn. Visit her here at The Whole Jenny. She's actually a wonderful writer and witty to boot! Her sister Jaimee also has a blog about her current pregnant condition. (Don't have that link onhand). For now, I am going to put away my Special K cereal and the empty Starbucks Venti cup. Tomorrow is a new day. Sadly, today was supposed to be a new day too.