Healing - inside and out!

My life has been a tornado of events since my last post. I fell and injured myself at the same time as my marriage fell apart. I am not sure what was more painful, just kidding. So now I am a single 38 year old nutcase, but at least I can now run, bike and swim again. I think my injury was God's way of making me slow down and take care of my kids and myself. Now I am can rebuild my life one day at a time. Wish me luck, I hope to post a little more now that school is winding down.

I am a pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird.A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone.You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are.You get along well with: The Ring FingerStay away from: The Thumb

I took a test I learned from Trisaratops, but I can't figure out how to link you there. Sorry. Wait I'll try again www.trisaratopsadventure.blogspot.com
Ok go there and she knows how to link you to the finger test. Bye from the pinky!!

I am a pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird.A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone.You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are.You get along well with: The Ring FingerStay away from: The Thumb

I took a test I learned from Trisaratops, but I can't figure out how to link you there. Sorry. Wait I'll try again www.trisaratopsadventure.blogspot.com
Ok go there and she knows how to link you to the finger test. Bye from the pinky!!

Crazy and I am taking a break

Hi my running friends,
I need to take a blogging break. My family needs me and I can't be distracted right now. Be back to report on races from time to time and I will miss reading all about everyone's adventures.

Bye for now but not forever.

ps I only have 25 more days without chocolate. God help me.

I can't stand the rain.....

"I can't stand the rain...I know a song with that in the title. Yesterday we picked up three inches of rain that settled on top of roads and snowy yards. It seeped into basements and underneath the hood of my car. Therefore, my Friday night consisted of a pissed off husband whom had to vacuum out about three hundred gallons out of one of our rental properties. Then he had to deal with my whining about my car needing its sparked plugs replaced before the water in the engine froze (oh well too late, he never got home to fix it).

I was already bummed out about not running very much this week and now I wouldn't be joining my running group for our Sat. morning run. I rolled out of bed around 7am, hoping some of the black ice would have melted.

I was wrong.

I slipped and slid the entire five miles this morning, by the time I got back to my last hill by my house, I was so pissed off. I have a full day of basketball games and a birthday party tonight, so I won't be able to enjoy the warm temps projected for today. Sometimes you just can't get it right.

But I have NOT eaten chocolate in TEN whole days. I even had to bake a chocolate cake last night and not lick the bowl, that was temptation, let me tell ya!

Another Snow Day

Last week we had an awesome week off and this morning we awoke to yet another snow day! WOOHOO! The snow was amazing. My little son said when he woke up it looked like the Chronicles Of Narnia, the movie.

Taking the day off today, maybe I'll practice a little yoga and lift some weights, but my legs are heavy from the rockin' race on Saturday. By the way, I came in 155th out of 210 runners. Right smack in the middle!

Colchester Half Marathon

Today I walked my sweet doggie at 7am and the temp was 18 and the wind was whipping. I went back in and crawled into bed with my husband and said, "oh my fu@*ing goodness, what the he!! am I thinking running a fu#&ing half marathon today." I watched the weather just hoping the meterologist would say that by 10am the winds would calm and it would be a balmy 40'.

NO. SUCH. LUCK.

Well I got to the race and my stepdad convinced me we could do this and we went out for a mile warm up. I instantly felt better about the whole idea. I warmed rather quickly. I had a great race. Every mile came so quickly it was great. At mile 6, a huge deer darted out of the woods and scared the heck out of me, but it was cool too. Then at mile 11, we have to finish going up a long, long did I mention long hill. The last two miles were in the wind too. They really really really sucked. But I got it done and finished six minutes faster than last year. Let me stress this is no candy-pants half marathon, it is very HILLY and with the wind today, it was killer. But now that it is over, I feel GREAT!

A weird thing that happened was after the race, I bought a large decaf and bagel to refuel and warm up. I continued to rehydrate myself and I just now peed. I went four hours drinking mucho water and only now just peed. Wow. I pee often, so this is weirding me out.

Sorry no race pics, my camera battery was not available.

Winter Fun

Every Lenten season I start anew!! I ban sugary treats and chocolate decadence from my belly for only the Lenten season mind you! But it is the cleansing my body really needs. I always feel like crap around this time of year, I feel bad about my skin, my butt, my overall mood is usually kinda sucky. This winter hasn't been horrible so my winter blues have only been aquamarine not midnight blue! Yesterday was my first day without inhaling, I mean ingesting, at least my daily pound of chocolate and I could tell I really needed to do this, because I had a strange calmness about it. Like, girl, you know what you have to do, just do it.

Not Enough ;)

For those interested, I did not do enough of my hopeful activities on my weekend away. My husband was sick throwing up all night the night before we left, so he was a little weak and couldn' t keep up .... on the hike!

Happy and Thankful

I had a great weekend away with my husband. We had lots of fun and relaxation. Today I did a mini-tri. I rode stationery bike for seven miles, ran three miles and swam for twenty minutes. It was fun, can't wait till race season begins.

Happy Valentine's Day

Today we are finally having a winter storm. It is not the cool kind of storm though, where the trees and yard look pretty and white and you can build snow forts and have snowball fights or make snow angels or snow people. No it is a snow that hurts called sleet and freezing rain. That did not stop my wild boys from sledding down our driveway that is a sheet of ice!

Been running some, swimming some, today I plan on using my bike with the trainer in the garage. Got the Colchester half marathon in a week, can't wait! Going away with my sexy husband for our anniversary this weekend! He asked what I wanted to do this weekend when we went away, I told him two things: hiking and f#$king! He is one lucky man!

Thank you

A big thanks to the helpful hints for more effecient breathing while swimming. I'll let you know how they worked. Today Sadie, my new running partner doggie, went on the rail trail for 6 miles and then she relunctantly waited in the car while I ran another four. I am trying to get ready for a half marathon in three weeks. The picture on the left was me at the finish last year. I was TIRED! I plan to run between ten and twelve each weekend before the race. I am happy with today's run because it is ten degrees and I couldn't find my face mask. My cheeks were FROZEN! I also was full of energy the whole run which felt really great.

I have to get on the bike soon. It is lonely out there on the trainer in the yucky garage!

Swimming Issues

I know this is a "running" blog family, but I hope some of the triathletes will read my blog and help me resolve my swimming issues.

#1 I have a hard time breathing, I have the mechanics down for the front crawl, but by the end of lap one, my lungs are burning. Then I switch to breast stroke for a length and do another two front crawl laps. All my other body parts are able to do the front crawl without incidence, but I am not breathing effectively. I breathe on alternating sides every three strokes. Help me, please!

#2 I have chapped skin from the chlorine, some embarrassing areas too! Any ideas to protect my delicate skin?

I know I have a third one, but I can not think of it right now!!

Bye!

Cute Kid Story #2

Our dramatic play center is currently a doctor's office. One little four year old today was the doctor while I was the patient. Imagine a very cute little kid that we affectionately have nicknamed Phillip Johnny Bob at our house. My kids often delight in hearing Phillip Johnny Bob stories and this one is to be added to the list.

PJB, "I have to look in your ear." Uses plastic doctor light scope thingy.
PJB, " I see your brain", pause for effect "It's a pea-brain"
We both start cracking up. PJB obviously has an older brother, a normal four year old is not that sophisticated in their play!

Ran 12 miles yesterday, some trails incorporated. I thought I was only doing 10, so I was way happy when I got home and mapped my run. I wonder if I bought a garmin if it would steal some of the excitement from wondering how long I am running sometimes.

Cold here, taking tomorrow off! Yah, I love sleeping in!

Cute kid story

I have a little sweetie pie that is pretty quiet in my class that always sits right next to me during circle time. He is on the small side. His head is just below shoulder height and he looks over at my chest yesterday and says with all certainty and matter of fact, "My mom has some of those." Wasn't sure what to say!

Fun and VERY COLD Week!

Well here she is, my new weekday running partner after a three mile trail run. She is the best dog. She runs ahead about 20 feet and then turns back wondering if I am still with her. If I am "doggin'" it, she will run back and get me, if I am keeping up with her, she'll continue on ahead. She had a bit of a stressed out weekend, but all in all she is still a very well behaved doggy.

Not much going on lately. My sweet swimming and running buddy, Deb, has had a minor surgery, so I miss her and hope she gets back out there soon. We have had some very cold temperatures, yesterday we ran and it was 16', today it was 9'. The funny thing though was yesterday felt colder due to the wind. I hate windy conditions, hate them.

We ran at the Edwin Way Teale Sanctuary yesterday. It is my assignment from my naturalist son, Tommy, that I must read his book entitled A Walk Through The Year. I'll let you know what I think.

Naughty husband, bananas, albino squirrels and A NEW DOG!!

On Sat. night my husband stayed out too late at a setback card tournament and kept me up late deep into Sun. am, 12:30am to be exact. So he got into big trouble and I also woke up late for my Sunday run. I was sorta disoriented the next morning and forgot to eat my before run banana. I'll tell ya, I felt it. I just did not have as much umph! Lesson learned - eat your banana!

While on my run, I saw an albino squirrel. It was orange, I am not kidding. I ran home all excited and told my kids about my new scientific discovery and my oldest son said when he was in Washington, DC, he saw a variety of squirrel colors. In CT, we have the regular old grey squirrel and that's it. Orange, no kidding.

Well, back to the bad husband. He played cards against this guy, John, who has been looking to place his brother's dog with me. I love dogs, well dogs that don't chase me and try to eat me while I am running that is. This guys brother is getting divorce and neither one can take the dog with them, so they need to find a home for her. I was working on my husband letting me take this dog in and then he shot himself in the leg with a nail gun and I felt like I better not bring up the dog thing again for a while.

Whatever John said to my naughty husband convinced him to give the dog a try. I LOVE HER!!!!! She is soooooo cute. I will post a photo asap. My oldest son is in trouble and can't use the computer and he is the one who transfers all my pictures to the computer from my camera for me, I am too busy. I guess I'll have to give him a break so he can do that for me! Anyway, my new old dog's name is Sadie and she is a yellow lab and is eight years old. I took her for a three mile run on MOnday in the woods and she almost had a stroke, so I'll have to scale back a little. I am so happy, I love her. The End.

Lazy week

I love blogging because I could go back and research when I was last sick. I was sick in the beginning of November for two weeks. On Thursday, during a high school freshman orientation (YIKES, I am that old to have a son going into high school!!!!), I felt a sore throat coming on so I pumped myself with tea and vitamin C. Got worse on Friday. Got my period on Sat. Needless to say, I am bummed. I hope to take a hike or walk today since it is 50' and it is going to be like 5' this week coming up. I got to get out there while I can, but my house is a disgusting mess and I have three basketball games to watch today.

I guess it is a hazard of caring for thirty 3 and 4 year olds all day long that I would get sick every two months. Luckily it is just a little cold and period cramps. I'll be better soon!

Brian Aselton Road Race

It was a beautiful day to run a short race commemorating a young police officer that was killed in the line of duty. It was 50' at race time and there was a record number of runners this year due to the warm weather. I started off strong with a 7:24 first mile split, then the second mile I was at 15:25 and I fininshed the race at 24:10. There were three hills at the end that kicked my butt. I think I have to insert some hill workouts for myself, they could only help.

I am on a new healthy eating kick ( except I just finished a small cup of chocolate almond chip ice cream, oops!). I went to my doctor on Friday and my cholesterol is up to 245!!!!!!!!! Instead of coffee with cream and sugar, I am drinking green tea, honey and skim milk. I am changing my eating habits one baby step at a time. I can't give up the chocolate goodies right yet. Better yet I have to find some not so fat chocolate treat that will satisfy my cravings.

Have a good week!

Disgusting!

Yesterday as I was leaving school, my husband calls me and tells me to meet him at the emergency room. Yikes!

Then he says, "I just shot myself."

I shriek, "What?"

Well I guess he still had his sick sense of humor during the pain, because then he explains that it was with a nail gun while on top of a roof!! Luckily he did not fall off the roof, his brother helped him step down one ladder rung at a time.

We waited in the emergency room for four hours before the er doc tells us he can't remove it because it is a roofing nail which has prongs coming out of the side. They call a surgeon in. He shows up an hour later. He was one of the running club guys that I ran with on New YEar's Day, we did not recognize each other at first due to not wearing lots of hats and tight clothing, I guess.

Two hours later, I was brought to my recovering husband in the maternity ward, the hospital was PACKED! They only had room in the maternity ward for him. We left at 11pm hobbling home in pain and embarrassed.

Today was filled with lots of persaset and ginger ale. Oh wait, don't let me forget the best part of today, we had to "pack" the wound since it is a "dirty" wound and can not be stitched. Let me tell you folks, it is disgusting. It is an open wound the size of a quarter that we can't allow to get infected. Oh great.

I am going running tomorrow am, I don't care, I need to run off the stress or else I might do something really stupid like take up smoking!