Consumed…

I walked all gimpy today.  I popped the blister on the bottom of my right foot tonight.  The blister was from the brainiac idea I had yesterday of running over 3 1/2 miles, for the first time, on the treadmill with no socks or shoes.

No run today.

I told myself, when I first started blogging, that I needed to be consistent and write a post once a day.  I’ve done that for months.

I started to blog for the main purpose of logging my mileage and to keep myself accountable for continuing running.  I like running.  Running makes me feel good (usually after) overall.

With the help of my blog and from reading other blogs, I’ve accomplished a 1/2 marathon and a full marathon when I never ever thought I’d any more than a 5k.  Pat on the back for that, right?

I’m not done running by any means.

Why so serious?

I’m consumed with the well-being of my father.

I’m consumed with the well-being of my mother.

You haven’t heard the last of me but I am toning it way down because my mind is elsewhere.

Any runs I do, for a while at least, will be a bonus to everything else that’s going on right now.  Running was never my main focus.  My family always came first but it’s going to be pushed back to the far back burner for now.

Peace out.  Chow.  Talk with you soon, I hope.

Just Pathetic…

Yes, I can be pathetic.  I’ll admit it.  Nobody else better say it… Kidding.  I don’t care.

Everyone talks about the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.  Unfortunately, the December 2011 full marathon has been sold out.  And, for some reason, I’m not interested in the 1/2.  Since I’ll miss all the fun this year, I’m thinking I could aim for the December 2012 full marathon.  It’d be so cool to say I did it.  Plus, what’s not to love about Vegas?

So, what’d I mean about being pathetic?  Mick said he wouldn’t be interested in going to Vegas.  He said there’s too much going on for him (right now) to even think about something that far away anyways.  I asked if I could go if I could go with someone else besides him.  He hesitated and said that I too had too much going on right now so I need to focus on everything on my plate now vs making crazy future plans.  I love to plan things though because I love having things to look forward to.  He and I both know that I won’t stop until I get a yes.  “No” and “maybe” are just words of encouragement for future negotiations to me.  I tend to nag him until I hear the “okay” or “yes”.   I have annoying tendencies, right?

To tell you the truth, even if I got a “go ahead” on the Vegas thing, I don’t have any running friends or any friends that would want to come with me to support me while I ran.  I can only think of my daughter as being a possibility but that’d double the costs.  We’re not made of $ so taking The Who probably wouldn’t work.  She’d be onboard with the idea, of course, but that’s because she wouldn’t have to pay for it (struggling student).

I NEED A RUNNING BUDDY PEOPLE.  I’ll put a sign up sheet on my front door so feel free to stop by and add your name.  I’m annoying when I drink but I’m also annoying when I don’t drink.  Sounds like a good time, eh?

I’m still thinking of doing the Traverse City, MI marathon in May 2012.  That’s pretty much a definite.  I just need to make sure to sign up for it in December 2011 because I’m told it sells out fast.

My Dad’s still in the hospital so I had to stop at my parents’ house to let their dogs out.  I love glass.  I LOVE glass everything.  Nosing around their yard, I remembered that for Mother’s Day, I bought this glass globe for my momma.  Isn’t it pretty?

It’s so cool because it has a nice glow that lasts all night long.  It works using solar energy.  Maybe I should steal it and put in my yard?!  I’m an “indian giver” so that’s something I would do.  As an example of this horrible habit, I received a really cool cutting board in the shape of Michigan as a wedding gift.  At the time (19), I thought it was stupid and offered it to my sister.  She said she’d like to have it.  Well, hmmm, actually…. I should probably keep it then.

NO run today.  Tapering, remember.  Hal Higdon told me to.  Doesn’t everyone taper?  I hope Hal knows what he’s talking about?!

I wore my Nine West short boots, Francesca’s skirt and a shirt from The Limited.  I love the green color of my shirt.

Green’s my favoritist color. It used to be Purple but something happened between Purple and I.  I can’t really explain it.

Sunday, Marathon day, the weather is projected to be a high of 59 and a low of 39.  I’m sure that the temp will be closer to 39 at race time since the race starts at 8am.  Plus, there’s a 50% chance of rain.  I like it cool but not 39 degrees.  I can do this, I know I can but I like to doubt myself for some morbid, “Debbie Downer” reason….

NEW DISCOVERY…  Could spell trouble.  I stumbled upon (not http://www.stumbleupon.com) a new store called Ulta.  They carry any of your cosmetic, skincare, bath & body, fragrance, and hair needs. I swear it’s like 5 times bigger than any Sephora I’ve been in.   They carry a lot of what Sephora carries (except Sephora brand, of course) plus less expensive brands.  The place is amazing.  May not be new to anyone else but it was new to me.  I was about to run out of my Masterpiece Bed Head hairspray so I was happy to pick it up.

Three days a week, I need to spend an hour and a half in my car while my youngest has soccer practice.  It’s a good 20 minutes from home and I don’t want to waste gas so going home isn’t an option.  I sit there with my computer, book, etc. chillin’ until he’s done.  It’s actually relaxing.  Well, usually it is.  Today, like an asshole, I decided to wear skinny jeans.  I don’t think skinny jeans are comfortable at all so why would I wear them.  Hells if I know.  I should have put lounge pants on.  Just stupid.  I might as well of worn stilettos too….

Distracted…

Today started out like any other day but it got sad and depressing about 1:30pm.

Without getting into too much detail, my dad gave us a scare today.  I pretty much dropped everything, including my sons, to be by his side.  Don’t worry,  Mick aka Superman, took care of our boys.  By the time I left my dad, he seemed to be okay again (my mom and sista were with him so he wasn’t alone).

No run today which is probably no surprise to anyone.  Taper, Shelly, taper…  Besides, yesterday’s run sucked ass and I wasn’t in the mood for a repeat today.  As a replacement, I read SkinnyRunner’s blog.  That girl can run so I felt better after reading that she ran for both of us.

Being the marathon is 5 days away, I’m feeding off the few people I know who did the Chicago marathon.  My boss did it and she pretty much came in around the same time as Cely from Running Off The Reeses.  I was excited to see that Cely survived the marathon.  It was a no-brainer that she would but I couldn’t wait to read about her experience.  She can take a boring old marathon, and make you laugh out loud (ex.. slipping on a sponge like a banana peel?!  Who does that?….Cely).  For me, laughing out loud is not good when you’re at work.  It’s especially bad when you snort a few times.  She’s a riot and I love reading her blog.  She’s extremely sarcastic but very likeable at the same time.  Check her out at www.runningoffthereeses.com

As I write this, I was overcome by a smell so strong, it resembled what I could best describe as a gas leak.  Unfortunately, I have major experience with this smell.  This particular odor is the same stink that my family gets to enjoy each and every time our Golden came into contact with water….for a full frickin’ year after she’s been sprayed.  Sophee has been skunked twice so far.  She’s not the smartest.  I’m glad the skunk gave us a warning spray this time to warn me that he’s out there nosing around.  I know that it’s a requirement to leash the “ding-a-ling” before taking her out tonight.  No one, especially Mick, wants to bath Sophee with the mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid soap.  That mixture helps but it’s not a complete cure.

Be Nice To Me….

Be nice to me.  I gave blood.  As some of you probably know, the needle they use has a diameter the size of a regular size spaghetti noodle.  Whoa!  I think I’m going to wear this sticker everyday.  I need to take really good care of the sticker so it doesn’t get dog-eared or lose it’s stickiness to make it look believable.

Friday! Friday! FRIDAY!!

I couldn’t wait to go to work today.  Know why?  Yep, I wanted to enter myself in the drawing for the iPad2.  I hope I win.

At noon, I looked out the window for like birds, criminals and what-not and I saw a Red Cross Blood Mobile in our parking lot.  Hmmm.  I gave blood about 5 years ago and it didn’t go well.  I successfully donated but I got faint and they had to throw me on my back and put my legs in the air (I was wearing a dress at the time).  It was traumatic.  It messed me up and it took awhile for me to want to donate again.  I kept putting it off because I kept getting tattoos.  I thought I had to wait 12 months before donating after getting a tattoo but they must have change the rules because it’s okay now as long as you get your tattoo done in a sterile environment in a licensed facility.

I had time so I filled out all the paperwork and I answered all the questions (lived in Africa – NO, had sex with a man who had anal sex with another man – Umm, NO).  I was confident that this blood donation would go well because my body is tougher now and it could handle a little blood loss.

Look how happy I am.  Oh and look at the weirdee/creeper in the background.  I thought I was being slick doing a self  pic… NOT!

After you donate, they tell you how long it took.  My time was 6:21 minutes.  Not bad if I was running a mile.  It seemed to go so fast.  I don’t know how long it took to donate last time so I’m going to say that this was my personal best.  Should I try to beat my time next time?  Probably not.  Especially because I couldn’t feel my fingers and I couldn’t hear anything when she took the needle out.  Yes, I almost fainted again.  I hate feeling like a wussy-wuss, a helpless baby.  The girl next to me was having problems and the “bloodsuckers” were trying to help her.  I didn’t want to make too much of a stink but once I felt the heavy nausea rollin’ in, I had to say something.  They weren’t alarmed at all.  They put an ice pack behind my neck, put me on my back and threw my legs up in the air again  and cough.  Coughing gets the blood flowin’.

Pat on the back because I think I just saved like five lives.  Yeah, they’ll divvy that “super blood” up.

Glad I didn’t wear a skirt today.  I wore my newly purchased clearance yellow Banana Republic sweater.  I rarely pay full price for anything (except milk and meat).

My shoes are by Blowfish.

Poor Snookie.  She’s sad.  Her boyfriend didn’t like that she smooshed with Vinnie.  This picture of her isn’t flattering either.

She kind of looks like a cupie baby (maybe not).   Yes, I like reality TV.  I don’t drink coffee or smoke cigarettes so I get to have one bad habit, right?

LEGIT CONCERN — The blood donation FAQ online says that it takes 24 hours to replenish your missing blood supply but can take a few weeks to replenish your red blood cells.  I hope this doesn’t affect my marathon in 9 days.

PICKLE JUICE — I’m doing the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 16th and they’re advertising that at miles 15 and 19, they’ll have pickle juice for us.  I love pickles but not when I running.  I read that pickle juice is good during a strenuous workout because it helps replenish the salt content and electrolytes you’ve lost.  I’ll will be trying it.

RANDOM FACT — I really like the movie, From Paris With Love.  John Travolta was so hot in it.

No run today.  Bummed but I did a good thing today by donating.  This is the first time in months that I took two days off.  Hope I’m not too lazy to run tomorrow.

It’s so nice out.  The high today was 79 degrees.  Mick, the boys and I are going to the high school football game.  It’s Homecoming.

I Need An iPad2….

No run today.  I have to say that I needed to take it easy at least another day.  My marathon’s another 9 days and I know I don’t need to taper quite yet (only ran 3.5 yesterday) but my right ankle’s sore right below the ankle bone.  Usually it acts up only when I run in my Fivefingers but this soreness has been lingering for about a week.

Went to work in this cute little dress from The Loft.  I’m sure this will be the last day I can wear it this year as things will be getting cooler here in Michigan real soon.

This week, my work is recognizing that it’s Customer Service Week so we’ve been getting silly (ridonkulous is more like it) goodies all week.  Paper and pen one day, a necklace to hold our work ID’s, cupcakes, and a year-at-a-glance calendar on thick stock paper.  I could do without them (especially the cupcakes).  Sugar = BAD.  I don’t mean to sound ungrateful but they should have skipped them and saved $$$.  But today,  on the other hand, they spoiled us with a tacos and nacho bar.  It was awesomely deeelish!

I can’t wait to go to work tomorrow because rumor has it that they’re giving away 2 Ipad’s.  I need one.  I must have one.  We’ll see.  You can’t win if you don’t enter, right?

So mad at myself.  I should have taken a picture of the goon who put in my new garage door opener yesterday.  He made a big production of showing me that if something is under the garage door and the eyebeams don’t catch it that the door will feel the object/body and go back up.  With this, he stood under the door all bent over and showed me.  I think he thought I’d be blown away like I would at a Cirque du Soleil show.  It was hard for me to act like I was impressed because I thought all garage doors did that?!  Since I didn’t take a picture of him, I made Brucee take a picture of me reenacting it.  It’s a dark picture but I do look like a turd….Perfect.

Do you like my imitation Croc’s?  They’re orange and blue swirled.  I forgot I was wearing them for this picture op.  Oops.

While at The Roo Dog’s soccer game a nice hot air balloon passed over.  Oooooh.   Ahhhhh.  Pretty.

I’m hoping tomorrow night is fun.  It’s the high school homecoming football game.  The boys and I are going.  I’m hoping our friends go too.  Just good ole’ innocent, cheap fun.  Perfect.

Might have a cocktail afterwards.  Yessssss!

Supplements for Runners…

Do you follow The Pioneer Woman?  I try to.  I’m not consistent though.

I decided I want to be better about following Dree.  Recently, she gave away two Le Creuset 7 1/2 – Quart Round French Ovens.  I missed entering because I wasn’t on the ball.  DOMMIT!!  Normally I wouldn’t get too excited about any contests because I figured I wouldn’t win anyways.  BUT, I know it’s possible because my sister won a Cuisinart stand-up mixer from TPW a few years back by simply commenting on the blog’s post.

No run today.

This is pretty much what I did all day…

 

Actually,  I didn’t just sit around all day.  I took two naps but I didn’t want to include a picture of me while snoozing.

Even though today was very low-key, it was a good one.  I was able to visit with my dad (who just got home from the hospital), my sister, Marla (just home from her trip to Paris) and my daughter (visiting from college).

Here’s a picture of my sis (on the left) and her friend, Stacy…

Need your help.

Question…. Besides a multivitamin, are there any recommendations of other supplements that I should take to help support my running (faster healing/support of my joints and bones)?! 

 

 

 

 

A Day Of Dreary And Good Food. Huh?

Billabong pants, J Crew lime v neck and Steve Madden Mary Jane’s. 

Cold and awful in Michigan today.  Temperature was about 50 but it felt like 38 (per The Weather Channel). 

I didn’t have much time for a run today so I skipped it.  I hate skipping days even if my body needs a break for healing and such.  Part of me wanted to run a short run just so I could get a “taste” of the cold, wet, windy weather.  As I’ve said previously, I worry what kind of weather I’ll be dealt on marathon day.

Met up with some friends from work at PF Chang’s for dinner.  Good stuff.  Lots of laughs.  No booze since I can barely drive sober. 

After eating with Audrey, Jessica and Marie, went to Dick’s Sporting Goods to find more running gear.  I secured a Nike running jacket, Under Armour gloves, and Smartwool socks.  Woot! Woot!  I’d like a hat but shoot, I have lots of regular hats and scarfs already.

This weekend is going to be nuts.  I’ll be traveling up two hours for soccer games both Saturday and Sunday.  My poor father is still in the hospital so I want to find a way to go visit  him. 

Finished the night up watching Comedy Central’s Roast of Charlie Sheen (rerun).

Good Things And Bad Things…

Bad thing – I didn’t run today.

Good thing – My legs deserved a break.

*

Good thing – My poison ivy is pretty contained to under ten small spots.

Bad thing – I caught my son, Brucee, staring at my pus-leaking, poison ivy blisters in absolute disgust.

*

Good thing – The joy that our dog, Sophee, gets from riding in the car to run errands with me (she always gets left at home).

Bad thing – All the fur on the seats and the noseprints on the windows she leaves behind.

*

Bad thing – I forgot that the new season of “Sister Wives” started on September 25th.

Good thing – D V R caught it for me from my recording prior seasons.

*

Bad thing – The Secretary of State website wouldn’t let me renew my plates online.

Good thing – No wait when I walked in to the local SOS branch.

*

Bad thing – I didn’t write a “real” post today.

Good thing – You don’t have to read my babble about getting my boobs massaged, about the dumb woman who threw up on the Chicago bus (and who’s puke got on my purse which had been resting on the floor), or see the dorky outfit I threw on this morning.

**

Tomorrow.  It’s almost here.

Day Off In More Ways Than One…

I had today off from work.  I shouldn’t have taken if off because I didn’t have anything to do.  Too late now.  What’s done is done, right?

Before heading out to do errands, I decided to wear my half marathon tech shirt.   It’s by New Balance.  It’s a large and the sleeves are a little shorter than I’d like but.  I originally had a medium but the sleeves only came to 3 inches above wrist.  Looked like it was made for a young girl.  It smelled weird so I definitely washed it to get the stink off it first.

While out and about, I was asked about the race or someone told me they ran in it or someone knew someone who ran in it.  This happened all day long.  It was actually kind of fun to talk about and revisit that day (Sunday, Sept 18th).

Quiet night.  Took Brucee to practice. No football games, no getting drinks with friends.  That’s okay because, right now, I have the mindset to run that 20 miles tomorrow morning at 8am.  I really want to do it.  I want to see if I’m able to do it.

Ending things with a bowl of Rice Krispies in my hand.  I could survive on cereal alone.  I love it!  Snap Crackle! POP!!

What The Hell Wednesday…

I work from 4 to 8 tonight so I had the day to myself.  I’m taking the day off from running and using this earlier part of the day to work in the yard.  Our yard has been neglected…by me.  Mick works all day so, for the most part, the yard is my job.

ABC showed up at 9:30am to deliver my new range.  Remember, the old one was ruined July 28th by a lightning storm.  I kept my distance from the delivery Joes so I didn’t talk their ears off since I tend to nervously babble in uncomfortable situations.  After signing off that I promised not to stand on my new range (derrrr?!)  the guys set up my new range and were out the door (like appliance ninjas).   My new friends said a lady flipped her range over by standing on the open door.  She must have sued and won like the ding a ling who sued McDonald’s for burning him/herself on hot coffee.

Here’s  the old, broken range.  We built our small, modest home back in 1993 and this is the range I chose.  At the time, I thought it was the coolest thing.  The smooth top ranges were newer at that time.  Little did I know that I’d grow to hate white appliances.  I actually don’t really care for my kitchen.  I wasn’t too upset when the lightning ruined this sad oven/stove.  Trying to be patient because someday, some wonderful day in the future, I’ll be able to have a new kitchen. 

Here’s my new Whirlpool.  It has the convection option available.  We’ll have the best frozen pizzas, right?  I don’t want to use my new range because I’m afraid to get it dirty. 

Work.  Yep, I did it and I survived it.  And, I think I made a difference in everyone’s lives there. Not really.

I wore a New York & Company one piece.  I love wearing it.  It’s like wearing pajamas. 

 

I also wore a necklace my friend, Chris, made me.  She sells her goodies at Grassroots Beadery  Chris has a lot of belly dancer clothing as well.

 

Of course, you know I’m wearing my white wrap bracelet from Adrienne Morrow Jewelry.  I barely go out without it.  Check her bracelets out at http://adriennemorrowjewelry.bigcartel.com/  I love the way the silver balls catch the light and I love the detail in the wooden button.  Keep in mind that the wrap can also be a belt, necklace, arm band, or anklet but I love to wear it as a bracelet.

 

The only thing I dislike about working til 8pm is I don’t have much time with my sons.  

Hope that you watched or DVR’d The Middle and Modern Family.   I did.  Just not sure when I’ll watch them since I have a ton of crap already recorded.  

I’m hoping to run 9 miles tomorrow.  We’ll see….