Star date 05012010 7:23am (if you just started following the blog you can click on "older posts" at the bottom to catch up from the beginning)
Jennifer here…
How do you prepare for a run like that? Some eat lots of carbs the night before, get their gear together the night before, and mentally tell themselves over and over that you can do it! Others, like myself, do all those things and then also worry about things like “what happens if I have to pee along the way? Where will I go?” My running partner, Monica, did some research and learned some disturbing techniques of peeing while standing. You know, when you nonchalantly swipe your shorts to the side and tinkle without landing it in your shoes. Pee soaked socks could cause blisters. BLECH! I CANNOT BELIEVE woman actually attempt to perfect this technique!
So, the morning of the 18 mile run came too soon, but I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to run! I drove 45 minutes to the joint team meeting location – NOT our usual running spot. We joined up with the other group for this particular run. I was focused, motivated, and in my head. WOOHOOOOO!
We had a little team meeting and reviewed the route… WELLLLLL… it was like 35 turns in the Dilworth area, which is SO not familiar to me. Plus, I am completely directionally challenged and get a little panicky when I get lost! My running partner went to the wrong address so she was late, LOL! So, she missed the route review. Thankfully, we had sheets of paper with all 35 turns to carry with us.
The group started and I asked one of the couches about potty stops since I had yet to have time to perfect my standing tinkle moves and I wasn’t familiar with the area.
Off we go… Head south down South Blvd. Turn left on McDonald… We trudged along down S. Blvd. The LLS person said that we would run long distances between turns, so we weren’t looking for McDonald right away. BIG MISTAKE. I stopped and pulled out my GPS and realized that we went 1.2 miles TOOOOO FAR!!!!!!!!! We completely missed the turn. ACK!
Considering this is how the run started it didn’t get much better as we went along. I separated from Monica once we were on the right path and I got lost 2 more times and was concerned that I was lost at least 5 other times. I had to stop and start to figure out my location. UGH! I was so so so angry and frustrated. And I was worried about potty breaks??? If I started with the group I wouldn't have LOST them!
17 miles in… one of the couches finally found me. This was not a good time emotionally for me to be found. My head was NOT in the right place to have a good “go team” conversation. He chatted me up a bit then offered to give me a ride back. By his calculation, I got my miles in since I got lost in the beginning. It took all I had to hold back my tears. I was just nasty and curt too. Then, he asked me how fast I normally run… WELL…. This sentence was MORE THAN I could handle. I broke down in tears. Next thing I know, I am cursing this man out. This man who I barely know. This man who volunteers his time to be a coach. YUP… cursed him out. I said the “f” word like 8 times! Shit came out like another 15 times. I pointed to the list of directions and went off “This list is bullshit. This doesn’t work for me. I can’t concentrate on what I need to concentrate on when I don’t know where the hell I am going.” YEAH… I just lost my shit on this poor guy. He was such a trooper too. He just listened. I cried more and he just listened.
I calmed down, stopped bitching @ the coach, and finished my run only to find out that Monica was also lost. She was SO lost I had to drive around to find her!!!
After all was said and done and I was in my car in the cool air conditioning as well as full of Gatorade, I had the opportunity to chat with the coach again and APOLOGIZE!!!! APOLOGIZE and apologize again! I was MORTIFIED at my behavior!!!!
So, lesson learned, TRY to know your route BEFORE you start!!!!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
More Uh-OH
Star Date 4172010 0630hundred...
Ummmmm... Jennifer here.... the NON-TRAINING marathon trainer......
So.... TOOO much work.... No time.... Ummmmm.... Supposed to run 10 miles today and should have run another 8 this week..... YEAH..... this is a problem.....
YIKES!!!
Ummmmm... Jennifer here.... the NON-TRAINING marathon trainer......
So.... TOOO much work.... No time.... Ummmmm.... Supposed to run 10 miles today and should have run another 8 this week..... YEAH..... this is a problem.....
YIKES!!!
Uh-Oh
Star Date 4-10-2010 o6hundred...
Hi ya'll.
Jennifer here.
Uh-Oh...
Easter was last week... Char/Meck kids has Spring Break this week....
There has been NO time to run.... This is a problem. I am supposed to run 13 miles today and should have run 8 miels during the week... D-Day is less than 2 months away.... YIKES
Hi ya'll.
Jennifer here.
Uh-Oh...
Easter was last week... Char/Meck kids has Spring Break this week....
There has been NO time to run.... This is a problem. I am supposed to run 13 miles today and should have run 8 miels during the week... D-Day is less than 2 months away.... YIKES
It’s all in the FACE
Jennifer here…
Star Date: April 3rd, 2010
Runners and non-runners alike have said time and time again that running is all in your head. It’s true. It’s definitely a MIND GAME especially when you DON’T HAVE MUSIC to listen to!!!! I AM a firm believer that it’s all in the runner’s head. I think it is BEST displayed on the runner’s FACE as they run past you.
What goes on in MY HEAD while I am running OTHER than wondering what’s going on in the other’s runner’s heads???? Well… now that’s an interesting question. Here is a snippet:
· Just get past 2 miles….
Ok… .5 miles done… just need to make 2 miles & the ENDORPHINS will kick in!!!
Ok…. 1.25 miles done…. Where are the ENDORPHINS????? Where are the *(%^**%^^ ENDORPHINS
· Wow, that guy doing the fake drum thing while he is running is kinda funny.
· Ok… 2 miles…. UMMMM HELLLLLLLOOOOO ENDORPHINS….. its friggin TIME…..
· WOW… that chic has AMAZING LEGS…. I am jealous…..
· Is anyone looking @ MY LEGS…. GOD I HOPE NOT…
· Ooooooo the look on that dude with the man boobs face is really NOT good… do I remember my first aid skills???
· WOW, that group of ridiculous runners who speed past me together… I will NEVER run that fast….
· WHY oh WHY are my legs SO short…. I have to take 3 steps to normal peoples’ 1…. ACK!!!!!
· 3 miles…… WOOOHOOOOOOO GO TEAM… ENDORPHINS ARE HEEEEERRREEEE YAYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYYAYAY
· HMMMMM…. That chic is running with her head cocked to the side…. That has to HURT.
· What’s my head doing? Am I cock-eyed?
· That chic has a smushed up PUG FACE going on…. That’s NOT a good look. If she is here to hook up, she needs to change the face.
· What’s my face doing??? Do I look like that???? I hope I don’t look like that…. I’d like to hook up…. I HOPE I DON’T have THAT FACE!!!
· Breathe…. Keep the breathing steady. Do I sound like a horse???? I remember high school gym class and the stupid boy telling me that…. He was also MY SIZE sooooooo I may have sounded like a horse BUT he was friggin SHORT. HA!
· 5 miles….. oooo knee pain…. Keep going. It’s ok. It will stop…. WOOOHOOOOO for ENDORPHINS
· That guy needs to find his endorphins. He does not look happy.
· Is it possible to look pretty while running????? Do I look pretty???
· OH LOOK…. The friggin FAST RUNNERS have LAPPED me…. GREAT… but that one chic really does have nice legs.
· 8 miles… hmmmm…. My sweaty nasty ponytail keeps smacking my back…. I think I smell.
· I am still in front of the WALKERS – SWWEEEETTTTTT
· There’s another head cocked person running. HOW CAN THAT FEEL RIGHT??????
· Oooo, that girl is running with her arms up like she is doing the CHICKEN DANCE…. YEAH…. Her back is going to hurt….
· Oooo, I think I just made awful faces. Did anyone see???
Like I said, that was just a snippet, but that gives you an idea. I will say that all of my observations are of NON TNT RUNNERS!!!! I do NOT judge my team mates!!! I am just glad we are all here together.
GO TEAM
Star Date: April 3rd, 2010
Runners and non-runners alike have said time and time again that running is all in your head. It’s true. It’s definitely a MIND GAME especially when you DON’T HAVE MUSIC to listen to!!!! I AM a firm believer that it’s all in the runner’s head. I think it is BEST displayed on the runner’s FACE as they run past you.
What goes on in MY HEAD while I am running OTHER than wondering what’s going on in the other’s runner’s heads???? Well… now that’s an interesting question. Here is a snippet:
· Just get past 2 miles….
Ok… .5 miles done… just need to make 2 miles & the ENDORPHINS will kick in!!!
Ok…. 1.25 miles done…. Where are the ENDORPHINS????? Where are the *(%^**%^^ ENDORPHINS
· Wow, that guy doing the fake drum thing while he is running is kinda funny.
· Ok… 2 miles…. UMMMM HELLLLLLLOOOOO ENDORPHINS….. its friggin TIME…..
· WOW… that chic has AMAZING LEGS…. I am jealous…..
· Is anyone looking @ MY LEGS…. GOD I HOPE NOT…
· Ooooooo the look on that dude with the man boobs face is really NOT good… do I remember my first aid skills???
· WOW, that group of ridiculous runners who speed past me together… I will NEVER run that fast….
· WHY oh WHY are my legs SO short…. I have to take 3 steps to normal peoples’ 1…. ACK!!!!!
· 3 miles…… WOOOHOOOOOOO GO TEAM… ENDORPHINS ARE HEEEEERRREEEE YAYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYYAYAY
· HMMMMM…. That chic is running with her head cocked to the side…. That has to HURT.
· What’s my head doing? Am I cock-eyed?
· That chic has a smushed up PUG FACE going on…. That’s NOT a good look. If she is here to hook up, she needs to change the face.
· What’s my face doing??? Do I look like that???? I hope I don’t look like that…. I’d like to hook up…. I HOPE I DON’T have THAT FACE!!!
· Breathe…. Keep the breathing steady. Do I sound like a horse???? I remember high school gym class and the stupid boy telling me that…. He was also MY SIZE sooooooo I may have sounded like a horse BUT he was friggin SHORT. HA!
· 5 miles….. oooo knee pain…. Keep going. It’s ok. It will stop…. WOOOHOOOOO for ENDORPHINS
· That guy needs to find his endorphins. He does not look happy.
· Is it possible to look pretty while running????? Do I look pretty???
· OH LOOK…. The friggin FAST RUNNERS have LAPPED me…. GREAT… but that one chic really does have nice legs.
· 8 miles… hmmmm…. My sweaty nasty ponytail keeps smacking my back…. I think I smell.
· I am still in front of the WALKERS – SWWEEEETTTTTT
· There’s another head cocked person running. HOW CAN THAT FEEL RIGHT??????
· Oooo, that girl is running with her arms up like she is doing the CHICKEN DANCE…. YEAH…. Her back is going to hurt….
· Oooo, I think I just made awful faces. Did anyone see???
Like I said, that was just a snippet, but that gives you an idea. I will say that all of my observations are of NON TNT RUNNERS!!!! I do NOT judge my team mates!!! I am just glad we are all here together.
GO TEAM
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Rockin With the Oldies
Monica aka couch warrior here...
I've spent the last few weeks doing a little traveling up and down the east coast (I'm actually waiting for USAir to send me a little certificate voting me as their most frequent/dependent traveler). I would love to say that it has all been for fun, but when you’re an only child with elderly parents, you end up being the wearer of many different hats. In my case I am all things related to moving, cleaning, care taking, decorating/ handy many and laborious (note I did not go to college to become a trained electrical engineer or an interior decorator so I am not sure why they find it so incredulous that I am not able to pick out, install and wire their new fans and lighting system).
So while on my journey's I have had the privilege and insight to train with some of the other team in training groups along the east coast (because there is nooooo way that I would be doing a 9 or 10 mile run on my own). These experiences have exposed me to the differential demographic compositions of the TNT teams and have offered me new insight into my own ridiculousness, while also allowing me to help build the self esteem of many other runners AND walkers in my wake.
The most recent expose into my running conundrums was conducted in Naples, Florida. Home of vast white sandy beaches, beautiful palm trees and an armada of Lincoln town cars, Buicks and boat sized Cadillac’s.
My first running experience down there was on a Thursday evening. The community my parents have a house in is very large with superb lighting and continuous walkways (excellent for all things seated and motorized). I headed out for my run at 8pm, confident that I would be relatively alone (since most house lights in the area go dim around that time). It was a nice easy 3 mile jaunt and the scenery was amazing. My legs felt like lead weights being dragged along behind me, but their discomfort was outweighed by the majestic swaying of the palm trees in the cool breeze of the night air, and the glistening of the moons reflection off the vast array of manmade pond-lakes. I thought to myself; "If this is what Saturday's run is like, I'm set!!"
Of course this is my life sooooo what I envisioned and what the reality was were not exactly on par with one another. Saturday morning I pulled up to the Crabby Shack's parking lot in Old Naples, excited to meet my host running mates. At first glance I was convinced that I had read my e-mail from the team coach wrong, and that I had invaded a group of assisted living patrons out on their weekly field trip (albeit awkwardly dressed in spandex and in a few cases some obscenely shorty short running shorts).
I hesitated for a few minutes after parking my car.......I mean really, who wants to be responsible for recessitating a group of eager elderly do gooder's as their pacemakers conk out while running?!?!?!?
But on the positive side I'm sure to be the front runner with this group sooooo...I grabbed my handy dandy water/fanny pack and set out to meet the group. There were 33 people in total, 21 walkers and 12 runners. The age group of the participants started with me as the youngest at 28 and then jumped 32 years to Ron a zesty 60 years old "Iron Man" participant....ummm....errrrr....woops......maybe I miss calculated this group! There were several other gentlemen in their 60's, all former executives and former competitive runners and three other women (one of them use to be a miss universe weight lifter!!) who would be running with me (ummmmmm FANTASTIC!!!). The walking group was comprised of many spunky 70 year olds (who are more active now than I think I have ever been) and a super tenacious 82 year old man who after double hip replacement was trying to "get back in to shape" by participating in the walk with his daughter (one of the woman I was to run with) who is a leukemia survivor.
After introductions and some good stretching we headed out on our run. The route was designed to travel around the water’s edge, through the marina/condo area of old Naples, through what I like to call "Newport Row" a residential area on the water jam packed with mansions that would make even the Vanderbilt's jealous, to the beginning of the state park beaches and then up the coast. It was definitely the most beautiful route I've ever run but because of the location and the area we were in, pretty congested. There were loads of morning walkers (including actual METAL walkers and motorized scooters) crowding the sidewalks so for most of the run we were confined to single file on the roads.
I started out at a nice easy pace, testing the waters to see how the group would perform. I was mid pack running behind Hank, a chatty 68 year old recent transplant from Boston, (one of my favorite cities so we had loads to chat about). I opted to confine my cursing to my head, seeing that I was in the midst of mixed company and did not want to be recognized in anyone’s evening prayer's (Bless that poor profane child for her continuous blasphemy, she knows not what she does....), but found that at the end of the second mile I was getting to winded to continue small talk while trying to veer away from oncoming swerving vespa's.
As we turned out of the mayhem of downtown Old Naples onto "Newport row", I began to feel my inner competitive drive spark as several of the taller, leaner and grayer runner's passed by me with a smile and a wave. I smiled back, while internally my head was screaming HELLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOOO!!!
By now I was travelling at the back of the runner's pack with a few of the speed walkers creeping up on me from behind. The fear of being taken over by the walkers forced my legs into overdrive and I started sprinting. By the time I passed the first mansion on Newport Row, my heartbeat was ringing in my ear drums! I was pushing myself so much that the sweat was actually dripping from my forehead into my eyes......EWWWWWW!
As I rounded the next corner I realized that I had made some headway on the group in front of me and I could no longer see the walking group behind me, so I started to slow down. PHEWWWW!!! I stopped for a moment to wrestle my handy water bottle out of the holder in my fanny pack when all of a sudden I heard a giant HISSSSSSSSSSSSSING sound. HUH??? OHHHHHHHHHHHH #$%&!!!! In an instant just as my mind put together what the noise was I was soaked! The mcmansion I was running past had an automatic sprinkler system that I had perfectly positioned myself in front of!!!! It was a little more hydration than I was looking for....hehe.
So water logged and tired I returned to running and pumped up the volume on some old school Warren G and began singing to REGULATOR at the top of my lungs. LOVE YA NEIGHBORS, THANKS FOR THE SHOWER!!!
By mile 7 my wet shorts were beginning to chafe causing a stream of excuses to spin through my head.......
1) Who comes to Florida to only get a change in color from chaffing, not sun????
2) Palm trees mean relaxing days of laying on beaches with pretty umbrella drinks not built-up cocktails of lactic acid and joint pain!!
3) Aren't there gators here???? Wouldn't that make the worst headline ever....Chubby Runner Mauled By Hungry Gatore!!!!
These thoughts engulfed my consciousness for the remainder of the run, like a skipping CD. But the thoughts were so consuming that I didn't realize I had completed my last few miles until I saw the bridge in front of me that would lead me back to the Crabby Shack. The minute I entered the parking lot I collapsed on the hood of my car. DONE!!!!
In the end, because of a certain sprinkler incidence that caused me to lose sight of the runners ahead of me, I ran 9.5 miles of a 9 mile run. YIPPEEE!!! I managed to keep just ahead of the walkers, with the kind 82 year old man with the hip replacements coming in slightly behind me. I met some lovely new people and learned not to judge a book by its cover (unless you want to be eating that cover's dust as it peels out in front of you!!), and to lookout for all things water related when running!! Not bad for a Saturday morning, Can't wait to see what my next run brings ;)
I've spent the last few weeks doing a little traveling up and down the east coast (I'm actually waiting for USAir to send me a little certificate voting me as their most frequent/dependent traveler). I would love to say that it has all been for fun, but when you’re an only child with elderly parents, you end up being the wearer of many different hats. In my case I am all things related to moving, cleaning, care taking, decorating/ handy many and laborious (note I did not go to college to become a trained electrical engineer or an interior decorator so I am not sure why they find it so incredulous that I am not able to pick out, install and wire their new fans and lighting system).
So while on my journey's I have had the privilege and insight to train with some of the other team in training groups along the east coast (because there is nooooo way that I would be doing a 9 or 10 mile run on my own). These experiences have exposed me to the differential demographic compositions of the TNT teams and have offered me new insight into my own ridiculousness, while also allowing me to help build the self esteem of many other runners AND walkers in my wake.
The most recent expose into my running conundrums was conducted in Naples, Florida. Home of vast white sandy beaches, beautiful palm trees and an armada of Lincoln town cars, Buicks and boat sized Cadillac’s.
My first running experience down there was on a Thursday evening. The community my parents have a house in is very large with superb lighting and continuous walkways (excellent for all things seated and motorized). I headed out for my run at 8pm, confident that I would be relatively alone (since most house lights in the area go dim around that time). It was a nice easy 3 mile jaunt and the scenery was amazing. My legs felt like lead weights being dragged along behind me, but their discomfort was outweighed by the majestic swaying of the palm trees in the cool breeze of the night air, and the glistening of the moons reflection off the vast array of manmade pond-lakes. I thought to myself; "If this is what Saturday's run is like, I'm set!!"
Of course this is my life sooooo what I envisioned and what the reality was were not exactly on par with one another. Saturday morning I pulled up to the Crabby Shack's parking lot in Old Naples, excited to meet my host running mates. At first glance I was convinced that I had read my e-mail from the team coach wrong, and that I had invaded a group of assisted living patrons out on their weekly field trip (albeit awkwardly dressed in spandex and in a few cases some obscenely shorty short running shorts).
I hesitated for a few minutes after parking my car.......I mean really, who wants to be responsible for recessitating a group of eager elderly do gooder's as their pacemakers conk out while running?!?!?!?
But on the positive side I'm sure to be the front runner with this group sooooo...I grabbed my handy dandy water/fanny pack and set out to meet the group. There were 33 people in total, 21 walkers and 12 runners. The age group of the participants started with me as the youngest at 28 and then jumped 32 years to Ron a zesty 60 years old "Iron Man" participant....ummm....errrrr....woops......maybe I miss calculated this group! There were several other gentlemen in their 60's, all former executives and former competitive runners and three other women (one of them use to be a miss universe weight lifter!!) who would be running with me (ummmmmm FANTASTIC!!!). The walking group was comprised of many spunky 70 year olds (who are more active now than I think I have ever been) and a super tenacious 82 year old man who after double hip replacement was trying to "get back in to shape" by participating in the walk with his daughter (one of the woman I was to run with) who is a leukemia survivor.
After introductions and some good stretching we headed out on our run. The route was designed to travel around the water’s edge, through the marina/condo area of old Naples, through what I like to call "Newport Row" a residential area on the water jam packed with mansions that would make even the Vanderbilt's jealous, to the beginning of the state park beaches and then up the coast. It was definitely the most beautiful route I've ever run but because of the location and the area we were in, pretty congested. There were loads of morning walkers (including actual METAL walkers and motorized scooters) crowding the sidewalks so for most of the run we were confined to single file on the roads.
I started out at a nice easy pace, testing the waters to see how the group would perform. I was mid pack running behind Hank, a chatty 68 year old recent transplant from Boston, (one of my favorite cities so we had loads to chat about). I opted to confine my cursing to my head, seeing that I was in the midst of mixed company and did not want to be recognized in anyone’s evening prayer's (Bless that poor profane child for her continuous blasphemy, she knows not what she does....), but found that at the end of the second mile I was getting to winded to continue small talk while trying to veer away from oncoming swerving vespa's.
As we turned out of the mayhem of downtown Old Naples onto "Newport row", I began to feel my inner competitive drive spark as several of the taller, leaner and grayer runner's passed by me with a smile and a wave. I smiled back, while internally my head was screaming HELLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOOO!!!
By now I was travelling at the back of the runner's pack with a few of the speed walkers creeping up on me from behind. The fear of being taken over by the walkers forced my legs into overdrive and I started sprinting. By the time I passed the first mansion on Newport Row, my heartbeat was ringing in my ear drums! I was pushing myself so much that the sweat was actually dripping from my forehead into my eyes......EWWWWWW!
As I rounded the next corner I realized that I had made some headway on the group in front of me and I could no longer see the walking group behind me, so I started to slow down. PHEWWWW!!! I stopped for a moment to wrestle my handy water bottle out of the holder in my fanny pack when all of a sudden I heard a giant HISSSSSSSSSSSSSING sound. HUH??? OHHHHHHHHHHHH #$%&!!!! In an instant just as my mind put together what the noise was I was soaked! The mcmansion I was running past had an automatic sprinkler system that I had perfectly positioned myself in front of!!!! It was a little more hydration than I was looking for....hehe.
So water logged and tired I returned to running and pumped up the volume on some old school Warren G and began singing to REGULATOR at the top of my lungs. LOVE YA NEIGHBORS, THANKS FOR THE SHOWER!!!
By mile 7 my wet shorts were beginning to chafe causing a stream of excuses to spin through my head.......
1) Who comes to Florida to only get a change in color from chaffing, not sun????
2) Palm trees mean relaxing days of laying on beaches with pretty umbrella drinks not built-up cocktails of lactic acid and joint pain!!
3) Aren't there gators here???? Wouldn't that make the worst headline ever....Chubby Runner Mauled By Hungry Gatore!!!!
These thoughts engulfed my consciousness for the remainder of the run, like a skipping CD. But the thoughts were so consuming that I didn't realize I had completed my last few miles until I saw the bridge in front of me that would lead me back to the Crabby Shack. The minute I entered the parking lot I collapsed on the hood of my car. DONE!!!!
In the end, because of a certain sprinkler incidence that caused me to lose sight of the runners ahead of me, I ran 9.5 miles of a 9 mile run. YIPPEEE!!! I managed to keep just ahead of the walkers, with the kind 82 year old man with the hip replacements coming in slightly behind me. I met some lovely new people and learned not to judge a book by its cover (unless you want to be eating that cover's dust as it peels out in front of you!!), and to lookout for all things water related when running!! Not bad for a Saturday morning, Can't wait to see what my next run brings ;)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Is it wrong???
Jennifer here
Star date 03022010 19:07:00
During my training, I have A LOT time ALONE in my head. This time alone can be dangerous! The following list is a mere sampling of what has been dilly dallying around in my brain during my last few runs.
Is it wrong?
1. To think about donuts 5 miles into an 8+ mile run?
2. To curse like a drunken sailor while running?
3. To be annoyed with the powers that be for being give such short legs? I mean it takes me twice as many steps to cover the same distance as my 6 foot like 5 inch coach?
4. Having said # 3, is it wrong to think that I am actually running twice the distance? So, will I really run 52.4 miles and not 26.2????
5. To have a rum and coke after and evening 3 to 4 mile run?
6. To pick my undies out of my butt while running in public and NOT give a rat’s ass who sees me?
7. To only own ONE $50 sports bra that I am forced to wash every day because I am too cheap to buy another one?
8. To talk on my cell phone while running?
9. To be jealous of my female team mates who’s thighs don’t rub in the middle?
10.To be annoyed that after a MONTH of running I STILL have cottage cheese thighs!!! ACK!!!!
11. To come up with reasons why you need to quit @ THAT moment in the middle of a run such as:
a. You just realized you have a concrete phobia.
b. The hole that your dog ate in your sock has now migrated and your baby toe is being rubbed raw.
c. You forgot to wash your favorite sports bra & the one you have on isn’t giving you the support you need?
d. You just remembered that you are supposed to be part of a sleep study and you MUST go back to bed NOW.
e. It seemed like a good idea when you decided to check running a marathon off your bucket list & signed up… now…. Where is my CREDIT CARD??? I will pay the difference to my $ goal. I want to STOP!
f. Your doctor was right, your knees AREN’T happy about your running.
g. You proclaim you have to POOP! You don’t have to poop, but NO ONE will question it because they will be SO MORTIFIED that you said it OUT LOUD!!!! TMI!!!
IS IT WRONG??????
Star date 03022010 19:07:00
During my training, I have A LOT time ALONE in my head. This time alone can be dangerous! The following list is a mere sampling of what has been dilly dallying around in my brain during my last few runs.
Is it wrong?
1. To think about donuts 5 miles into an 8+ mile run?
2. To curse like a drunken sailor while running?
3. To be annoyed with the powers that be for being give such short legs? I mean it takes me twice as many steps to cover the same distance as my 6 foot like 5 inch coach?
4. Having said # 3, is it wrong to think that I am actually running twice the distance? So, will I really run 52.4 miles and not 26.2????
5. To have a rum and coke after and evening 3 to 4 mile run?
6. To pick my undies out of my butt while running in public and NOT give a rat’s ass who sees me?
7. To only own ONE $50 sports bra that I am forced to wash every day because I am too cheap to buy another one?
8. To talk on my cell phone while running?
9. To be jealous of my female team mates who’s thighs don’t rub in the middle?
10.To be annoyed that after a MONTH of running I STILL have cottage cheese thighs!!! ACK!!!!
11. To come up with reasons why you need to quit @ THAT moment in the middle of a run such as:
a. You just realized you have a concrete phobia.
b. The hole that your dog ate in your sock has now migrated and your baby toe is being rubbed raw.
c. You forgot to wash your favorite sports bra & the one you have on isn’t giving you the support you need?
d. You just remembered that you are supposed to be part of a sleep study and you MUST go back to bed NOW.
e. It seemed like a good idea when you decided to check running a marathon off your bucket list & signed up… now…. Where is my CREDIT CARD??? I will pay the difference to my $ goal. I want to STOP!
f. Your doctor was right, your knees AREN’T happy about your running.
g. You proclaim you have to POOP! You don’t have to poop, but NO ONE will question it because they will be SO MORTIFIED that you said it OUT LOUD!!!! TMI!!!
IS IT WRONG??????
Monday, March 1, 2010
Feel the Rhythm, Feel the Rhyme
The night before our first distance run I had an endless stream of Nike "Just Do It" commercials flowing through my subconscious. They were visions of women athletes, pounding the pavement, sand or hiking trail, effortlessly jogging at extraordinary speeds, in perfect form, through the desserts of Arizona, the mountains of Oregon, the sidewalks of Manhattan, or the beaches of Florida. "That's how I want to look out there," is the mantra that kept playing over and over in my head.
Of course reality is a world away from my subconscious and the actual visual affects of me running are like a comical skit from the Cohen brothers. I'm not sleek like a gazelle; I'm more of a water buffalo. You are almost guaranteed to hear an insane amount of cursing for the first mile or so, until my breathing begins to interfere with my cursing. I'm profoundly klutzy so at any moment you might be able to catch a glimpse of me tripping over an imaginary rock or flying sideways off the curb (this happens VERY OFTEN). Thank goodness TNT provided some handy dandy toe tags that contain our identification and emergency contact information. Just in case I end up tripping and knock myself unconscious. But…oh wait….the pen wasn’t working right when I was filling out my toe tag so instead of my information there’s just smeared ink. GREAT!!!!
And then there's the singing......I'm not talking about good singing either......envision the scene from Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts is singing Prince in the bathtub with the walkman on.....that’s me, but it gets worse.....I'm usually signing along to rap, and we are not talking about Black Eyed Peas Rap; I'm talking about GANGSTA rap….underground Little Wayne.....early Eminem and Jay Z (before they became pop artists).....Nappy Roots.....Rick Ross…..DMX….T.I
I'm talking about the kind of rap that usually doesn't make it to the airways because of its inappropriateness. And most of the time I'm singing at a ridiculously loud level because I have the music blaring in my ear buds and can't hear myself. But I know it happens from the shock and horrified faces of people as I pass by......oops sorry neighbors!!
The thing is this is the type of music that can keep me moving through 8 miles or more. It's the music world's version of cursing.....just sometimes the bad word's are bleeped out. But it helps me to escape from my head so that all I'm doing is moving to the beats....nothing more...nothing less, and it works. However many passersby I scare, it still works.
And for this first 8 mile run it was really what got me through the majority of the run, but there were some glitches that I was not prepared for:
Mile 1 - goes pretty much as I described above, I'm stumbling around trying to get into my groove (also Jennifer and I had lost the team so there was a little rambling around asking people on bikes if they saw 20 or so runners pass by them....woops!!).
Mile 2 - Jennifer has moved on ahead and decides to start tossing out my tissues and what not from her pockets onto the sidewalk for me to grab, while simultaneously using disturbing hand gestures to notify me that there is a GIANT HILL ahead (not that I didn't see it coming since she was on top of it as I was running up from the base, silly little Mini!).
Mile 2.5 - Reach top of said ridiculous hill and go to turn onto Elm when THE DIXIE CHICKS pops onto my iPod!!! WHAT I roar as I come to a halt!!! There is nothing pavement pounding about the Dixie Chicks for me!!! Thus it takes me half a mile or so to fumble around tearing off gloves, searching through three layers of clothing, to find where I had clipped that devilish little iPod. Then a few minutes are spent perusing through the playlist to see how this insane mishap could have happened...identify appropriate mind numbing T.I. song...then return to my version of running.
Mile 3 - Didn't someone mention something about a water station being somewhere here? I was late for the initial meeting so I hadn't quite gotten all the details so........guess that means no water for me. BLASTED!!! I knew I should have kept that ridiculous looking water belt/enormous fanny pack on!!!
Mile 4 - Have seen everyone pass by me, a little disheartening since I have not lived up to my mental images of the Nike runners and am dawdling along at the back of the pack....but then I realize....HAHA....I am "JUST DOING IT!!!!" So be damned little running models, I will not feel disheartened any longer....I am the MARATHON PRINCESS!!!!
Mile 5-7 I am empowered by said revelation and am cruising at my own pace, happy to be running at this ungodly hour of a Saturday morning (I think that's what they call the runners high kicking in!!).
SCREEEEECH!! All of a sudden my iPod dies completely and it’s as if my mind and body are slapped into the reality that we have just ran 7 miles and then EVERYTHING HURTS!!! So I'm no longer running but I convince my legs to keep peddling forward .......if for nothing else then the fact that I have to get back to the car!!!
And that’s when I see coach Jim running across the road. UH-OH!!! I’m so slow they sent out the rescue team!!!
“How are you?” he says.
“I’m GREAT!!” I exclaim….a little to eagerly.
“Do you want me to call ahead to have someone pick us up?” he asks.
FANTASTIC!!! I am now forever going to be known as THAT girl. You know, the one who always had a doctor’s note in gym class when it came time to run the timed mile. HELLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOO!!!
“I’m good,” I respond. “I’m not really trying to break any time records here…….I’m just trying to get it done…hehe.”
And so we progress along for the next mile chatting away. Coach Jim provides lots of useful information about his first marathon and training in general. Great conversation for the most park until he mentions ultra marathoners!!
EWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! I think I just threw up in my mouth a little!! The sheer thought of having to train for a 50, 100 or 150 mile marathon starts to make my knees quiver……
But, all in all, not a bad first distance run. I managed to complete the 8 mile trek having run 6.5 miles of it….the most I’ve ever run in my life….so I’m pleased!! I did not break or sprain anything and I managed to contain myself from vomiting in anyone’s front lawn!! I have learned some valuable lessons about properly preparing my equipment BEFORE beginning a run, and am now privy to the super secret hidden water jug location!!!
Can’t wait for my next distance run!!!! Oh wait its only 5 miles…………..YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Of course reality is a world away from my subconscious and the actual visual affects of me running are like a comical skit from the Cohen brothers. I'm not sleek like a gazelle; I'm more of a water buffalo. You are almost guaranteed to hear an insane amount of cursing for the first mile or so, until my breathing begins to interfere with my cursing. I'm profoundly klutzy so at any moment you might be able to catch a glimpse of me tripping over an imaginary rock or flying sideways off the curb (this happens VERY OFTEN). Thank goodness TNT provided some handy dandy toe tags that contain our identification and emergency contact information. Just in case I end up tripping and knock myself unconscious. But…oh wait….the pen wasn’t working right when I was filling out my toe tag so instead of my information there’s just smeared ink. GREAT!!!!
And then there's the singing......I'm not talking about good singing either......envision the scene from Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts is singing Prince in the bathtub with the walkman on.....that’s me, but it gets worse.....I'm usually signing along to rap, and we are not talking about Black Eyed Peas Rap; I'm talking about GANGSTA rap….underground Little Wayne.....early Eminem and Jay Z (before they became pop artists).....Nappy Roots.....Rick Ross…..DMX….T.I
I'm talking about the kind of rap that usually doesn't make it to the airways because of its inappropriateness. And most of the time I'm singing at a ridiculously loud level because I have the music blaring in my ear buds and can't hear myself. But I know it happens from the shock and horrified faces of people as I pass by......oops sorry neighbors!!
The thing is this is the type of music that can keep me moving through 8 miles or more. It's the music world's version of cursing.....just sometimes the bad word's are bleeped out. But it helps me to escape from my head so that all I'm doing is moving to the beats....nothing more...nothing less, and it works. However many passersby I scare, it still works.
And for this first 8 mile run it was really what got me through the majority of the run, but there were some glitches that I was not prepared for:
Mile 1 - goes pretty much as I described above, I'm stumbling around trying to get into my groove (also Jennifer and I had lost the team so there was a little rambling around asking people on bikes if they saw 20 or so runners pass by them....woops!!).
Mile 2 - Jennifer has moved on ahead and decides to start tossing out my tissues and what not from her pockets onto the sidewalk for me to grab, while simultaneously using disturbing hand gestures to notify me that there is a GIANT HILL ahead (not that I didn't see it coming since she was on top of it as I was running up from the base, silly little Mini!).
Mile 2.5 - Reach top of said ridiculous hill and go to turn onto Elm when THE DIXIE CHICKS pops onto my iPod!!! WHAT I roar as I come to a halt!!! There is nothing pavement pounding about the Dixie Chicks for me!!! Thus it takes me half a mile or so to fumble around tearing off gloves, searching through three layers of clothing, to find where I had clipped that devilish little iPod. Then a few minutes are spent perusing through the playlist to see how this insane mishap could have happened...identify appropriate mind numbing T.I. song...then return to my version of running.
Mile 3 - Didn't someone mention something about a water station being somewhere here? I was late for the initial meeting so I hadn't quite gotten all the details so........guess that means no water for me. BLASTED!!! I knew I should have kept that ridiculous looking water belt/enormous fanny pack on!!!
Mile 4 - Have seen everyone pass by me, a little disheartening since I have not lived up to my mental images of the Nike runners and am dawdling along at the back of the pack....but then I realize....HAHA....I am "JUST DOING IT!!!!" So be damned little running models, I will not feel disheartened any longer....I am the MARATHON PRINCESS!!!!
Mile 5-7 I am empowered by said revelation and am cruising at my own pace, happy to be running at this ungodly hour of a Saturday morning (I think that's what they call the runners high kicking in!!).
SCREEEEECH!! All of a sudden my iPod dies completely and it’s as if my mind and body are slapped into the reality that we have just ran 7 miles and then EVERYTHING HURTS!!! So I'm no longer running but I convince my legs to keep peddling forward .......if for nothing else then the fact that I have to get back to the car!!!
And that’s when I see coach Jim running across the road. UH-OH!!! I’m so slow they sent out the rescue team!!!
“How are you?” he says.
“I’m GREAT!!” I exclaim….a little to eagerly.
“Do you want me to call ahead to have someone pick us up?” he asks.
FANTASTIC!!! I am now forever going to be known as THAT girl. You know, the one who always had a doctor’s note in gym class when it came time to run the timed mile. HELLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOO!!!
“I’m good,” I respond. “I’m not really trying to break any time records here…….I’m just trying to get it done…hehe.”
And so we progress along for the next mile chatting away. Coach Jim provides lots of useful information about his first marathon and training in general. Great conversation for the most park until he mentions ultra marathoners!!
EWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! I think I just threw up in my mouth a little!! The sheer thought of having to train for a 50, 100 or 150 mile marathon starts to make my knees quiver……
But, all in all, not a bad first distance run. I managed to complete the 8 mile trek having run 6.5 miles of it….the most I’ve ever run in my life….so I’m pleased!! I did not break or sprain anything and I managed to contain myself from vomiting in anyone’s front lawn!! I have learned some valuable lessons about properly preparing my equipment BEFORE beginning a run, and am now privy to the super secret hidden water jug location!!!
Can’t wait for my next distance run!!!! Oh wait its only 5 miles…………..YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Star date 2202010 – 04hundred…
Jennifer here!
Star date 2202010 – 04hundred…
The alarm clocked sounded @ 4:00 a.m. It pierced the night with its awful tone. I rolled over & tried to fall back to sleep. Then, a cell phone alarm went off @ 4:05a.m. Then, a 2nd cell phone alarm cried out @ 4:10a.m. It was time to get up and get ready for the 8 mile run team run.
So, you ask, why am I getting up @ 4:00a.m. for a 7:00a.m. run? Well, that’s a great question! I have 6 dogs, 6 cats and 2 chickens. My dogs barely moved when the alarms went off. My dachshunds buried themselves further under the covers. Elvis, my very handsome 95 lb black lab, looked @ me like “why are you getting up @ the crack of the middle of the night mom????” I wanted to snuggle them. I wanted to stay in bed, but I had to get up. I had several client pooches that I had to take out for potty breaks before the run. So, 4:00a.m. was necessary.
About 7 minutes in, I was cursing @ Monica like a drunken sailor.
About 8 minutes in, we started up the first hill.
About 9 minutes in, I was cursing Monica MORE.
About 10 minutes in, the endorphins kicked in. I was euphoric – and running down the hill I just ran up.
About 3 miles in, the urges hit me. DONUTS…. I couldn’t think of anything else but DONUTS.
· The chocolate cake ones with GLAZE
· Regular glazed
· Blueberry jelly filled… SO YUMMMMMY
· Oh GOD, APPLE FRITTERS
· More chocolate cake glazed.
· Make it stop.
About 6 miles in, I come upon Coach Jim. I am guessing he’s about 6’5” or so – which will be relevant in a moment. Wow, what a great guy. He was waiting for me. He was waiting to make sure I was ok. He was waiting for me. OH SHIT… He was WAITING FOR ME. CRAP… How long has he been there? It’s cold. He’s just standing there. He’s probably freezing. He’s probably cursing me and my damn short little itty bitty legs. Damn legs move faster. DAMN!!! CRAP!!!!…
“Oh, hey Jim! What, are you waiting for me??? Oh, that’s great. Thanks!!!!” I said while still cursing @ myself in my head. RUN MINI RUN!!!
So, there Coach Jim and I were, jogging together. WOOHOOO YAY! I mentioned his height a moment ago. As a reminder, I am 4’11 & ¼” tall a.k.a. 2 & ¼” above booster seat size while he is like 6’5”… so, like, his butt is @ my chest. I may be exaggerating slightly. Never the less, his running stride and my running stride are… ummmm…. Wellll……… not EXACTLY EVEN!
After a couple of minutes, I finally said, “So I wouldn’t be offended if you just walk fast while I jog.” He laughed and said he was fine. Wow, what a guy!!! He is suffering like hell at our painfully slow pace, but look @ him, he’s still running. DAMN MY SHORT LEGS!
After another couple of minutes, we parted ways so that I could continue on my journey and meet up with Beth, the assistant captain, Jim’s wife, my former co-worker… and oh yeah, TALL, PERFECT running SHAPE & I don’t even think her thighs rub in the MIDDLE! CURSES!!!
“Oh HEY Beth!”
YAY, I’m running…
We’re running…
SLOWLY….
“ You can walk fast if you want to do this together. It won’t offend me.”
Oh, ok, you want to suffer @ my pace too, ok
DAMN SHORT LEGS!!!!
All in all, the first long run I was able to participate went well.
I ran 7 & ¾ of the 8 miles.
I only cursed in my head & not out loud.
I did it in a decent amount of time – not great – not horrible.
I could still walk…
So, YAY – GO TEAM!
I was able to walk on Sunday too. I was a little sore, but not too bad. My left knee was a bit sore, but not as bad as it has gotten in the past. Woohooooo!! ! I really CAN DO THIS!
Star date 2202010 – 04hundred…
The alarm clocked sounded @ 4:00 a.m. It pierced the night with its awful tone. I rolled over & tried to fall back to sleep. Then, a cell phone alarm went off @ 4:05a.m. Then, a 2nd cell phone alarm cried out @ 4:10a.m. It was time to get up and get ready for the 8 mile run team run.
So, you ask, why am I getting up @ 4:00a.m. for a 7:00a.m. run? Well, that’s a great question! I have 6 dogs, 6 cats and 2 chickens. My dogs barely moved when the alarms went off. My dachshunds buried themselves further under the covers. Elvis, my very handsome 95 lb black lab, looked @ me like “why are you getting up @ the crack of the middle of the night mom????” I wanted to snuggle them. I wanted to stay in bed, but I had to get up. I had several client pooches that I had to take out for potty breaks before the run. So, 4:00a.m. was necessary.
Can you see all 6 dogs in this picture?
Such pretty chickens!!!
About 7 minutes in, I was cursing @ Monica like a drunken sailor.
About 8 minutes in, we started up the first hill.
About 9 minutes in, I was cursing Monica MORE.
About 10 minutes in, the endorphins kicked in. I was euphoric – and running down the hill I just ran up.
About 3 miles in, the urges hit me. DONUTS…. I couldn’t think of anything else but DONUTS.
· The chocolate cake ones with GLAZE
· Regular glazed
· Blueberry jelly filled… SO YUMMMMMY
· Oh GOD, APPLE FRITTERS
· More chocolate cake glazed.
· Make it stop.
About 6 miles in, I come upon Coach Jim. I am guessing he’s about 6’5” or so – which will be relevant in a moment. Wow, what a great guy. He was waiting for me. He was waiting to make sure I was ok. He was waiting for me. OH SHIT… He was WAITING FOR ME. CRAP… How long has he been there? It’s cold. He’s just standing there. He’s probably freezing. He’s probably cursing me and my damn short little itty bitty legs. Damn legs move faster. DAMN!!! CRAP!!!!…
“Oh, hey Jim! What, are you waiting for me??? Oh, that’s great. Thanks!!!!” I said while still cursing @ myself in my head. RUN MINI RUN!!!
So, there Coach Jim and I were, jogging together. WOOHOOO YAY! I mentioned his height a moment ago. As a reminder, I am 4’11 & ¼” tall a.k.a. 2 & ¼” above booster seat size while he is like 6’5”… so, like, his butt is @ my chest. I may be exaggerating slightly. Never the less, his running stride and my running stride are… ummmm…. Wellll……… not EXACTLY EVEN!
After a couple of minutes, I finally said, “So I wouldn’t be offended if you just walk fast while I jog.” He laughed and said he was fine. Wow, what a guy!!! He is suffering like hell at our painfully slow pace, but look @ him, he’s still running. DAMN MY SHORT LEGS!
After another couple of minutes, we parted ways so that I could continue on my journey and meet up with Beth, the assistant captain, Jim’s wife, my former co-worker… and oh yeah, TALL, PERFECT running SHAPE & I don’t even think her thighs rub in the MIDDLE! CURSES!!!
“Oh HEY Beth!”
YAY, I’m running…
We’re running…
SLOWLY….
“ You can walk fast if you want to do this together. It won’t offend me.”
Oh, ok, you want to suffer @ my pace too, ok
DAMN SHORT LEGS!!!!
All in all, the first long run I was able to participate went well.
I ran 7 & ¾ of the 8 miles.
I only cursed in my head & not out loud.
I did it in a decent amount of time – not great – not horrible.
I could still walk…
So, YAY – GO TEAM!
I was able to walk on Sunday too. I was a little sore, but not too bad. My left knee was a bit sore, but not as bad as it has gotten in the past. Woohooooo!! ! I really CAN DO THIS!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Sports Bra
Jennifer here...
If the men who follow our blog think of Pam Anderson running down the beach in her red Bay Watch bathing suit when I talk about women and running, this is NOT the look, or feel, that the REAL RUNNING woman is going for.
I know, I may be letting a lot of men down right now, and for that I am sorry…. Wait.. no I’m not. Pam Anderson isn’t a realistic woman.
Anyway, I digress….
The sports bra truly is the miracle of modern woman!
Now, not just any sports bra mind you. The search for the PERFECT sports bra has been a lifelong quest for peace and serenity while being active. Did you know that the sports bra was first created in the 70’s? The sports bra is 33 years old this year.
I’ve owned something like 30 or 40 sports bras in my life. I have suffered through each one.
What’s wrong with some sports bra:
· Underwire that jabs when you move.
· The UNI-BOOB…. The uniboob is what a woman experiences when the sports bra doesn’t divide the boobies. Ultimately, they are squished together in the middle making you look like you have 1 large boob in the middle of your chest.
· Simply NO support – these sports bras are made of some cheap cottony spandex material that simply stretches out as soon as you put them on.
· The attempt @ a size smaller to get that extra support – which doesn’t give the support you were looking for and then you are forced to become a contortionist and turn your body into a pretzel to remove it.
· The one size fits all… We are all NOT one size. I am 4’11 & ¼” tall… that’s 2& ¼” taller than BOOSTER SEAT SIZE…. Do you think that my shoulders are as far from my boobs as a chic who is 5’9” tall???? I don’t think so! If they were, I would look rather RIDICULOUS. So, then they add in the adjustable straps which helps some…. EXCLUDING the fact that they don’t always allow for enough adjustment with someone with the shorter distance from boob to shoulder… ACK!
· The zipper… while good intentions were meant when some sports bra makers added the zipper… they forgot to include supportive material and adjustable straps… so, when a woman with a D cup places this uncomfortable contraption on her body and begins her workout, the zipper simply folds under and stabs or rubs into the sternum…. UGH….
Now, having listing a SMALL sampling of what I have experienced in my search for the perfect sports bra, let’s talk about the BEST sports bra EVER! EVER!!!!
I mentioned my trip to Try Sports in my last post. Well, the Powers that Be, God, Allah, The Goddess of Comfy Boobies, Aliens, and anyone else you can think of, led me to the sports bra section of the store…. I think I even heard HARPS in the background. This is where I found the most amazing sports bra. OMG!!! The material feels wonderful. The straps adjust with soft VELCRO. There are 3 clasps in the back. It separates the boobs into their own little compartments. Most of all, it supports. There is NO reenactment of Pam Anderson running down the beach in her red Bay Watch bathing suit. It’s a MIRACLE!!! What I haven’t mentioned is that it cost $50… Yes, I threw up in my mouth a little when I saw the price tag, but my sales girl Lauren assured me that it was worth it. Lauren was RIGHT!
So, ladies, if you need sports bra assistance, go see Lauren @ Try Sports in the Blakeney shopping center! Tell her I sent ya! Every person who goes there as my referral gives me $10 in bonus cash. If I can get 5,,,, then I can buy ANOTHER SPORTS BRA!!!!
If the men who follow our blog think of Pam Anderson running down the beach in her red Bay Watch bathing suit when I talk about women and running, this is NOT the look, or feel, that the REAL RUNNING woman is going for.
I know, I may be letting a lot of men down right now, and for that I am sorry…. Wait.. no I’m not. Pam Anderson isn’t a realistic woman.
Anyway, I digress….
The sports bra truly is the miracle of modern woman!
Now, not just any sports bra mind you. The search for the PERFECT sports bra has been a lifelong quest for peace and serenity while being active. Did you know that the sports bra was first created in the 70’s? The sports bra is 33 years old this year.
I’ve owned something like 30 or 40 sports bras in my life. I have suffered through each one.
What’s wrong with some sports bra:
· Underwire that jabs when you move.
· The UNI-BOOB…. The uniboob is what a woman experiences when the sports bra doesn’t divide the boobies. Ultimately, they are squished together in the middle making you look like you have 1 large boob in the middle of your chest.
· Simply NO support – these sports bras are made of some cheap cottony spandex material that simply stretches out as soon as you put them on.
· The attempt @ a size smaller to get that extra support – which doesn’t give the support you were looking for and then you are forced to become a contortionist and turn your body into a pretzel to remove it.
· The one size fits all… We are all NOT one size. I am 4’11 & ¼” tall… that’s 2& ¼” taller than BOOSTER SEAT SIZE…. Do you think that my shoulders are as far from my boobs as a chic who is 5’9” tall???? I don’t think so! If they were, I would look rather RIDICULOUS. So, then they add in the adjustable straps which helps some…. EXCLUDING the fact that they don’t always allow for enough adjustment with someone with the shorter distance from boob to shoulder… ACK!
· The zipper… while good intentions were meant when some sports bra makers added the zipper… they forgot to include supportive material and adjustable straps… so, when a woman with a D cup places this uncomfortable contraption on her body and begins her workout, the zipper simply folds under and stabs or rubs into the sternum…. UGH….
Now, having listing a SMALL sampling of what I have experienced in my search for the perfect sports bra, let’s talk about the BEST sports bra EVER! EVER!!!!
I mentioned my trip to Try Sports in my last post. Well, the Powers that Be, God, Allah, The Goddess of Comfy Boobies, Aliens, and anyone else you can think of, led me to the sports bra section of the store…. I think I even heard HARPS in the background. This is where I found the most amazing sports bra. OMG!!! The material feels wonderful. The straps adjust with soft VELCRO. There are 3 clasps in the back. It separates the boobs into their own little compartments. Most of all, it supports. There is NO reenactment of Pam Anderson running down the beach in her red Bay Watch bathing suit. It’s a MIRACLE!!! What I haven’t mentioned is that it cost $50… Yes, I threw up in my mouth a little when I saw the price tag, but my sales girl Lauren assured me that it was worth it. Lauren was RIGHT!
So, ladies, if you need sports bra assistance, go see Lauren @ Try Sports in the Blakeney shopping center! Tell her I sent ya! Every person who goes there as my referral gives me $10 in bonus cash. If I can get 5,,,, then I can buy ANOTHER SPORTS BRA!!!!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Late As Usual
Sooo here's the thing.....I am perpetually late! Some people think that this is because I'm narcissistic, but that's not the reason. In my head, I believe that I can get 20 things done in the next 12 hours or so. Of course things NEVER happen the way I plan, soooooo I'm always late. I am also a magnet for the ridiculous. If there's some quirky thing that's going to happen, it ALWAYS happens to me!
So, when our marathon training was to begin, I was late!
We signed up for Team In Training at the kickoff party on January 26, 2010. At that time we were given a February training schedule that laid out our mileage and workout schedule for the next month. Yippee!!
Then do to some crazy only-my-life circumstances, I needed to return to the north and was unable to begin training on February 1st.
Now you might be thinking to yourself, "just because she was in the northeast doesn't mean that you can't workout". And you would be right, under normal circumstances. But since this is my life and the way things always happen....those first two weeks of February happen to bring to the northeast the largest recorded snowfall in the history of that national weather service (which has been operating for the last 88 years)!!!!
That's right ladies and gentlemen, we were not hit with just one snowstorm, there were 3 major record breaking snowstorms!! It was so bad that the New York City School system actually closed (for the first time in its history!!!).
For those of you who are thinking about alternative indoor options.....just shhhhhs!!
When I was finally able to dig my snow covered car out of the snow, giving the batteries a little much needed boost, I began my trek back to Charlotte. So I had lost two weeks of training time and decided that I could easily make this up over the next week all I needed to do was a little push!!
Once back in Charlotte I begin my training catch up with some much needed Billy Blanks Amped-Up Tae Bo!!! I love Billy!!!! He's able to motivate me and makes me want to vomit all in the same 55 minute session!!
Then the next day I stretch out my muscles and go for a little three mile spin around the neighborhood. Not sooooo bad, muscles are a little sore the day after but tolerable. So I decide that after I get my new sneakers from Try Sports, I'm going to really reeve up my workouts (this goes back to the stuffing two much into one time slot thingy)!
So, after the incredibly helpful salesperson at Try Sports helps me find the perfect running shoes and sells me on the most AMAZING stick massage thingy in the world, I'm ready to really pound out some miles!!!
Now, I have decided that since I am going to be spending so much time outside working on my running, I might as well kill two birds with one stone (so they say) and try to get my anxiety ridden, spasmodic, extra large/cuddly rescued cocker, named Teddy Bear, trained properly. And of course the best way to do this is to wear him out so thoroughly that he has no choice but to submit to me, right?
So in line with the philosophies of Cesar Milan and the vast array of dog trainers out there like him, I decide that Teddy Bear and I will start our new training session off with a 6 mile walk/run. Yup, that's right, 6 miles.
Our first three miles started off with Teddy Bear tearing across the street, zigzagging over every inch of concrete, making sure that not a blade of grass was spared his spray!! "Ok.....this is ridiculous," I thought to myself. So I harnessed my inner Cesar, remembering all the little tricks that our trainer had taught us, and I began to TAKE CONTROL!!
The next two miles were a blur of corrections and commands as the two of us battled it out for status as the Alpha. Everything seemed to be going alright (except for the newly formed blisters on my fingers from holding the leash so tight), when all of a sudden we came across a flock of......DUCKS!!!
Now even the most seasoned, well trained dog, would do a double take at the sight of twenty birds waddling only 10ft away from them. But for Teddy Bear, there was no second guessing. To him, those ducks were a gift from nature, there for the taking, and take he must!!!! So off he went flying through the grassy park, with me and my throbbing shoulder in tow!!
Our sprint finally ended as Teddy Bear launched himself into the pond, doggy paddling after the taunting ducks. Luckily I was able to coax him out of the water.....but this was just as a pair of sweet elderly women decided to stop and admire the scenery.....right next to us. And we all know what happens when a sopping wet dog emerges from the water........oops!!
Needless to say both Teddy Bear and I were in need of a hot shower and a long nap by the end of our adventure!!
Next up, our first 8 mile run with the team!!
Teddy Bear, Duck Hunter Extraordinaire………don't let his doe eyes fool you!!!
So, when our marathon training was to begin, I was late!
We signed up for Team In Training at the kickoff party on January 26, 2010. At that time we were given a February training schedule that laid out our mileage and workout schedule for the next month. Yippee!!
Then do to some crazy only-my-life circumstances, I needed to return to the north and was unable to begin training on February 1st.
Now you might be thinking to yourself, "just because she was in the northeast doesn't mean that you can't workout". And you would be right, under normal circumstances. But since this is my life and the way things always happen....those first two weeks of February happen to bring to the northeast the largest recorded snowfall in the history of that national weather service (which has been operating for the last 88 years)!!!!
That's right ladies and gentlemen, we were not hit with just one snowstorm, there were 3 major record breaking snowstorms!! It was so bad that the New York City School system actually closed (for the first time in its history!!!).
For those of you who are thinking about alternative indoor options.....just shhhhhs!!
When I was finally able to dig my snow covered car out of the snow, giving the batteries a little much needed boost, I began my trek back to Charlotte. So I had lost two weeks of training time and decided that I could easily make this up over the next week all I needed to do was a little push!!
Once back in Charlotte I begin my training catch up with some much needed Billy Blanks Amped-Up Tae Bo!!! I love Billy!!!! He's able to motivate me and makes me want to vomit all in the same 55 minute session!!
Then the next day I stretch out my muscles and go for a little three mile spin around the neighborhood. Not sooooo bad, muscles are a little sore the day after but tolerable. So I decide that after I get my new sneakers from Try Sports, I'm going to really reeve up my workouts (this goes back to the stuffing two much into one time slot thingy)!
So, after the incredibly helpful salesperson at Try Sports helps me find the perfect running shoes and sells me on the most AMAZING stick massage thingy in the world, I'm ready to really pound out some miles!!!
Now, I have decided that since I am going to be spending so much time outside working on my running, I might as well kill two birds with one stone (so they say) and try to get my anxiety ridden, spasmodic, extra large/cuddly rescued cocker, named Teddy Bear, trained properly. And of course the best way to do this is to wear him out so thoroughly that he has no choice but to submit to me, right?
So in line with the philosophies of Cesar Milan and the vast array of dog trainers out there like him, I decide that Teddy Bear and I will start our new training session off with a 6 mile walk/run. Yup, that's right, 6 miles.
Our first three miles started off with Teddy Bear tearing across the street, zigzagging over every inch of concrete, making sure that not a blade of grass was spared his spray!! "Ok.....this is ridiculous," I thought to myself. So I harnessed my inner Cesar, remembering all the little tricks that our trainer had taught us, and I began to TAKE CONTROL!!
The next two miles were a blur of corrections and commands as the two of us battled it out for status as the Alpha. Everything seemed to be going alright (except for the newly formed blisters on my fingers from holding the leash so tight), when all of a sudden we came across a flock of......DUCKS!!!
Now even the most seasoned, well trained dog, would do a double take at the sight of twenty birds waddling only 10ft away from them. But for Teddy Bear, there was no second guessing. To him, those ducks were a gift from nature, there for the taking, and take he must!!!! So off he went flying through the grassy park, with me and my throbbing shoulder in tow!!
Our sprint finally ended as Teddy Bear launched himself into the pond, doggy paddling after the taunting ducks. Luckily I was able to coax him out of the water.....but this was just as a pair of sweet elderly women decided to stop and admire the scenery.....right next to us. And we all know what happens when a sopping wet dog emerges from the water........oops!!
Needless to say both Teddy Bear and I were in need of a hot shower and a long nap by the end of our adventure!!
Next up, our first 8 mile run with the team!!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Ridiculously Small Feet
Jennifer here:
So… Monica somehow convinced me to take on this challenge with her. She MUST have asked me when I just woke up from a daily nap.
Here is a little about me. I am a true TV junky. Sci-fi being my FAVORITE. I am actually to blame for introducing Monica to MANY MANY TV shows. In addition to being sucked into the TV daily, I also take a nap every day. As a small business owner, I feel that I deserve a nap EVERY DAY. I work LOTS and LOTS of hours and my nap is my savior.
Anyway, after Monica asked me, in my sleepy stooper, to participate, I realized that my kids’ size 3 sneakers just weren’t going to cut it! Thankfully, TNT has a ton of resources including discounts at local businesses. One of which is “Try Sports”, a gear store for running and biking (and probably other things too).
Well, off to Try Sports I went.
My Try Sports experience was horrible, amazing, terrifying, fabulous & awful – all before I looked at the prices. But, before we get to that, let me tell you about the experience. They had me run on a treadmill in order to analyze how I run. There I was, on the treadmill, jogging, losing my balance, and kinda feeling like an ass, BUT, it was all for a good cause. After about 2 minutes, it was time to review the video on the computer. It was at this point that I realized just how damn fat my calves were and wow was my butt huge on that little computer screen.
Needless to say, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. However, the Try Sports Associate was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, funny, and supportive. I tried on like 8 pair of shoes. AND, while I have ridiculously small feet, I am wearing a women’s size 6 for running. (which would be a kids’ size 4 – 1 size larger so my feet can spread). I ended up with a pair of running shoes for $140, plus orthotics for $60. I was nearly about to vomit at that point. I have NEVER spent that much on a shoe in my life. Monica arrived for her fitting about that time. She felt so badly because I was GREEN, that she gave me her $10 coupon. Now that’s a friend! One who is willing to give up a coupon is a friend for LIFE.
I wore my shoes that night as well as for my dog walks the next day to break them in. I wore them for the big run (8 miles) on Saturday 2-20. My feet feel AMAZING! They haven’t felt this good in … well.....EVER!!!
So, my ridiculously small feet have grown up and are wearing expensive, but comfy, running shoes. San Diego, here I come!!!
So… Monica somehow convinced me to take on this challenge with her. She MUST have asked me when I just woke up from a daily nap.
Here is a little about me. I am a true TV junky. Sci-fi being my FAVORITE. I am actually to blame for introducing Monica to MANY MANY TV shows. In addition to being sucked into the TV daily, I also take a nap every day. As a small business owner, I feel that I deserve a nap EVERY DAY. I work LOTS and LOTS of hours and my nap is my savior.
Anyway, after Monica asked me, in my sleepy stooper, to participate, I realized that my kids’ size 3 sneakers just weren’t going to cut it! Thankfully, TNT has a ton of resources including discounts at local businesses. One of which is “Try Sports”, a gear store for running and biking (and probably other things too).
Well, off to Try Sports I went.
My Try Sports experience was horrible, amazing, terrifying, fabulous & awful – all before I looked at the prices. But, before we get to that, let me tell you about the experience. They had me run on a treadmill in order to analyze how I run. There I was, on the treadmill, jogging, losing my balance, and kinda feeling like an ass, BUT, it was all for a good cause. After about 2 minutes, it was time to review the video on the computer. It was at this point that I realized just how damn fat my calves were and wow was my butt huge on that little computer screen.
Needless to say, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. However, the Try Sports Associate was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, funny, and supportive. I tried on like 8 pair of shoes. AND, while I have ridiculously small feet, I am wearing a women’s size 6 for running. (which would be a kids’ size 4 – 1 size larger so my feet can spread). I ended up with a pair of running shoes for $140, plus orthotics for $60. I was nearly about to vomit at that point. I have NEVER spent that much on a shoe in my life. Monica arrived for her fitting about that time. She felt so badly because I was GREEN, that she gave me her $10 coupon. Now that’s a friend! One who is willing to give up a coupon is a friend for LIFE.
I wore my shoes that night as well as for my dog walks the next day to break them in. I wore them for the big run (8 miles) on Saturday 2-20. My feet feel AMAZING! They haven’t felt this good in … well.....EVER!!!
So, my ridiculously small feet have grown up and are wearing expensive, but comfy, running shoes. San Diego, here I come!!!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Couch Be Damned!!
I am Monica, the couch warrior!! I have spent a long time perfecting my laziness, its not a skill that came easily to me, but it is one that I have slowly overtime mastered!
There was a point once upon a time, when I was an athletic, in shape, hottie. But with my progression into adulthood I have reoriented my focus from outdoor adventurer to master of all formulas from excel to pharmacology (not particularly heart pounding).
So at the ripe old age of 28, I have fallen into the hands of gluttony and spanx! After months of contemplation and deliberation on how to return to the status of hottie, I have decided that I must activate my go go gadget sneakers and return to the realm of the athletic.
In order to keep myself motivated and committed to my cause, I have enlisted the help/support of my roommate Jennifer, aka "mini me" or just "mini". Together we have signed up for Team in Training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, to run the San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Marathon on June 6, 2010. That's right it less then 3 1/2 months we will be hitting the streets of San Diego to run (or crawl depending if my legs can make it through training) 26.2 miles!! We figured why not get in shape AND raise money for a good cause.
So here we are, at the beginning of an incredibly scary journey!! With my knack for being a super klutz and Minni's love of napping, this is sure to be an interesting and comical endeavor!!
There was a point once upon a time, when I was an athletic, in shape, hottie. But with my progression into adulthood I have reoriented my focus from outdoor adventurer to master of all formulas from excel to pharmacology (not particularly heart pounding).
So at the ripe old age of 28, I have fallen into the hands of gluttony and spanx! After months of contemplation and deliberation on how to return to the status of hottie, I have decided that I must activate my go go gadget sneakers and return to the realm of the athletic.
In order to keep myself motivated and committed to my cause, I have enlisted the help/support of my roommate Jennifer, aka "mini me" or just "mini". Together we have signed up for Team in Training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, to run the San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Marathon on June 6, 2010. That's right it less then 3 1/2 months we will be hitting the streets of San Diego to run (or crawl depending if my legs can make it through training) 26.2 miles!! We figured why not get in shape AND raise money for a good cause.
So here we are, at the beginning of an incredibly scary journey!! With my knack for being a super klutz and Minni's love of napping, this is sure to be an interesting and comical endeavor!!
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