Track is back

Happy Hump Day folks! I'm totally amped because I'm hitting the track tonight. I haven't been on an actual track in a while and even though I know it's going to hurt, I'm completely looking forward to the ass kicking.

Before I moved I was running my 800's on a parkway with quarter mile markers and it was lovely. However, since I moved it's a tad bit too far to travel before or after work. If I did suck it up and travel it would mean leaving the Lloydster by himself for far too long at home. I know he'd be fine because he would just pee on my new furniture but I'd rather not have him "christen" it just yet.

The past couple of weeks I had a Turkey Trot to use as speed work and I attempted some 800's on Bayshore using my Garmin but it wasn't the same as the good old track.

So today I will embark upon the local college track and join a different running group for these lung busting sessions. It's sort of like a first date. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Will I be the slowest? Will I vomit? Will Derek Jeter show up?

I want to make a good impression and not be a turtle but at the same time I love a running group that pushes me. Hell, if it weren't for the BRA speed demons I wouldn't be the runner I am today.

Wish me luck and speed. Or at least someone to hold my hair back.

Turkey Trot 5K Race Report

With about 16,000 runners spread across a competitive 5K and 10K, plus a 5K fun run and 1 mile fun run, the Turkey Trot I ran this year was no joke. It's a competitive field and I am shocked at how many come out to this race every year. Of course I absolutely LOVE the running community and am so happy to see so many folks out at every event. It's a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.

Strawberry E picked me up dark and early to head to the race. We met up with Coach EK and the Lazy Runner (AKA Running 4 An Adventure) after the 5K. I was hoping to break the 22 minute mark on this 5K and Strawberry E was shooting for a speedy 10K.

I lined up at the start with a ton of other trotters and stood behind some 13-year-old boys who were certain to blow my doors off. Strawberry E's race didn't start for another hour and forty-five minutes so she stayed to spectate while I was racing.

After a 15 minute wait and the national anthem, we were off.

I held very steady the first mile because I typically go out too fast during the 5K. I felt great this mile and was happy to see 7:02 on the Garmin when it beeped. I tried to drop it a bit during the second mile and saw a familiar face in front of me. I used him as a barometer since I can guesstimate his 5K times. I don't even know if he saw me but I passed him and decided to try to stay in front of him cause I know how fast he is.

At some point I hit the two mile mark and didn't look at my Garmin. D'oh! I knew I slowed a bit but otherwise felt pretty good. That was until the 2.38 mark when we hit the hill.

I was reminded before this race by Coach EK that there is a non-too-friendly hill at about the 2.3 mile mark. And as Katie would say, it was rude.

I tried to charge up the hill and did pass a few people but I was totally sucking wind at this point. I attempted to slow my heart rate with some deep breaths and kept asking myself how badly I wanted this 21 minute 5K. Even though I wanted it and didn't feel awful, I couldn't get my legs to cooperate. Oh well. That's the 5K for you.

As I ran toward the finish which ended on a high school track (love this!) I heard Strawberry E yell for me and I gave what little I had left. I was handed my race card to fill out and it said 74, which meant I was the 74th woman. I stopped my Garmin at 22:21 and 3.16 miles. According to that, I had a one second PR. Yahoo! I'll take it.

Since this race wasn't chipped timed I was surprised to see the official stats that said I was the 72nd person to finish and my time is listed as 22:25. Hmpfh. I'm going with 22:21 dammit! Heh. In any event it was good enough to land me a top finisher mug and a big smile that lasted all day.

Strawberry E, The Lazy Runner, and Coach EK all also got "mugged" and we had a blast chatting it up with other runners and friends we ran into after the race.

I know I've got that 21 minute 5K in me. I just need a flatter course on a cool day and it's mine. I don't even care if it's 21:59. I'm coming for it!

I hope you all had very Happy Thanksgivings! Back to the grind tomorrow, but one day closer to the weekend again. Enjoy your Sundays and those left overs.

Thankful Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know it's Wednesday. But to be fair, most of us will be enjoying family time and not reading blogs, thus I'm posting this early. I do what I want!

I've done so many Thankful Thursday posts that sometimes I forget all the things I've already said that I'm thankful for. The good news here is that I have a lot to be thankful for. As a sort of look back on things I've been thankful for I compiled a (yay!) list for today's Thanksgiving edition. I'm not going to link back to all of them cause that would take me for-ev-er but I will point out the ones that are especially meaningful or that make me laugh.

Before I begin my list I'd just like to point out that while my cup does indeed runneth (no pun intended) over, not everyone is as fortunate. I sometimes get bogged down in trivial daily affairs and those small dramas that seem to take up too much space in my mind when ultimately, I have it pretty good. I've got food, clothing, shelter, my health, and lots and lots of love. So as I reflect on these things I'm thankful for, I'll also be saying a prayer for those who may be struggling right now. I'm also volunteering again this holiday season on Christmas Eve at one of my favorite local charities. If you can give this season, even if it's just your time, please do. It's one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself and for others.

On this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for:

1. The first ever Thankful Thursday post. It featured this hilarious "Walk-A-Matic."

2. Delicious ambrosia. It's one of my most favorite holiday dishes. (You know, it's the fruit-marshmallow-coconut thing.)

3. Chivalry. I posted about being thankful for Coach EK and Coach Tom who shielded me from some egg throwing ne'er do wells. I'm happy to report that these two are still chivalrous and all around great guys.

4. Antoine Dodson. Now here's a dude who turned lemons into a lot of money and a super funny song.

5. My amazing family. I wouldn't be here without a couple of them (Ok, ew) and I wouldn't be there person I am without the lot of them (Hi Mom, Dad, Jackie, Erika, and Michael! Love you guys!)

6. My awesomely epic, funny-as-hell friends. You all know who you are.

7. The wisdom of rappers. Ok, so I lol'd while re-reading this post about how rappers could lay down some inspirational shit. Enjoy!

8. Lady Gaga, The Golden Girls, Shake and Bake (From Talladega Nights), The Walking Dead, and books. In no particular order.

9. Lessons my father taught me. I miss him everyday and am so thankful for the time I had with him.

10. Theme parties, spray tans, Easter candy, and Tom Petty. Also in no particular order (NPO).

11. The TMI edition of Thankful Thursday. Classic.

12. Morning runs with P-Funk and Hollster. Aw hell, any runs with P-Funk and Hollster.

13. The earth.

14. Travelling.

15. Strawberry E and her awesome strawberries!

16. Speed work, Cuban sandwiches, the Keys, and an occasional trail run. NPO.

17. New blog buddies. You all know who you are.

18. Say Anything, Lloyd, summer, and turkey bacon.

19. This yogurt. Mmmm...

20. That's what she said!

21. Funny fart noises.

22. Speedy Jess, Chappelle's Show, LOLCats, and LOTR.

23. MUSIC!!!

24. Red & Spike. And love.

25. Ragnar Relay = Best. Times. Ever.

26. Hallo-freakin'-ween! Woot woot!

27. Dunkin' Donuts

28. MCM, Big Bird, hot dogs, and freedom!

29. All the running "fun" stuff that we suffer through and secretly love from this post.

30. Milkshakes. La-la-la-la-la....warm it up...

31. All of these 31 years and the ones to come.

Happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?

Goodbye to Gu

"Guess it's better to say goodbye to you." -Patti Smyth

However, in my version it's become, "Goodbye to Gu."

If you look at my header photo you'll see my beloved Gu in the mix of all things this discombobulated runner loves. And I'm sad to admit that I can no longer stomach it. I've completed five marathons with Gu and I've always been a big fan but lately I've not been feeling it.

My 18 miler on Saturday was the final straw between me and Gu. I had eaten three of them and on my fourth one I almost puked trying to suck it down. All of the sudden it seems too thick to swallow and I'm barely getting a whole packet down. I know I need the nutrition so I have decided to switch brands.

I have no idea what changed and I would definitely still recommend it to anyone cause as I said above, I have used Gu gels for quite some time but I guess my tastes have changed. I've had Coach EK recommend Hammer as it's much thinner and Red recommended PowerBar. I'm going to try Hammer first since I know this bad ass also uses them.

Feel free to chime in on this if any of you have experienced the need for a thinner gel after a while. I'm hoping the change will help me get them down easier and not make me pants my poop. You all know how I have a sensitive tummy with these things. This is one the reasons I'm so sad to say farewell to Gu.

On the plus side I did finish my 18 miler and had a little help from aforementioned BA. We stayed right on my target pace and I only started feeling a real burn the last two miles and by that point I knew I was good.

I'm looking forward to the Turkey Trot this week and the BIGGEST Thankful Thursday of them all - THANKSGIVING!

Happy Monday all and congrats to everyone who raced this weekend. There were lots of races and I am looking forward to some recaps.

As a final note, goodbye Gu. You've served me well. Tear.

Thankful Thursday

So I clearly haven't posted in a hot minute.



But you know I've been busy unpacking, decorating and not getting murdered by the cable guy. However, that doesn't mean that I don't have a butt load of things to be thankful for. And you know what that means don't you? A LIST! (I sometimes pretend the word "list" is the word of the day like on Pee Wee's Playhouse and then I scream real loud! Huh-heh!)

Today I'm thankful for:

1. My family. HOLY CRAP my family has come through on this move fo' real. My step mom packed my entire kitchen and helped me move it, my mom bought me an entire living room, my BIL is coming over to put together said living room, and Big Sis is shortly giving me a niece or nephew. What? She's got the hardest job of all. Kidding, she's helping me hang pictures. She may not know it yet....

2. My friends. HOLY CRAP THE SEQUEL my friends have really helped me through this funk and I couldn't ask for a better group of people to be surrounded by. P-Funk and Red have gone above and beyond the call of friendship and I'm so so so thankful for them. I just can't say it enough.

3. Volunteering. I know that volunteering to help others is supposed to be about, well, helping others, but quite frankly we all know that it makes us feel so darn good. I'm volunteering this week through work and am really looking forward to it.

4. Nailing the pace run. I mentioned before that the pace run was giving me some grief (AKA kicking my ass) but I've been hitting my paces and increasing the distance week by week. I'm hoping to keep this streak alive but I'm thankful I've had a good first few weeks.

5. New restaurants and shops. In my new 'hood there are countless non-chain restaurants and tons of cute little shops and boutiques. I can't wait to try them all out.

6. Turkey Trots! Now that I've typed "turkey trots" it sounds kind of gross. That poor turkey should have laid off the Fiber One bars. Anywho, I love a turkey trot 5K and am looking forward to mine next week.

7. IKEA. I got a lot of furniture from IKEA for the new pad. It's affordable and the clean aesthetic I like. I got a red couch! And of course, Billy bookcase.

8. Sleep. I love it. Nuff said.

9. Florence + The Machine's new record "Shake It Out." I LOVE the lyrics and Flo's voice is so ethereal and gorgeous. And it's hard to dance with the devil on your back so shake him off...

10. Platform heels with fish in them. Just because.

What are you thankful for today?

Funny Moving Stuff OR Why I Won't Be Murdered By The Cable Guy

As you all know I recently moved and in my typical discombobulated fashion I've had some silly little incidents happen that I thought I would share with you all. The last one is that I didn't get murdered so I can actually tell you all about them. Hooray!

First silly thing that I did was after my friends and I had unpacked my furniture from the U-haul I had to take the emptry truck back. And of course, I didn't have an expressway pass on me so I had no choice but to take the slow route back through local roads.

And since all my dumb luck tends to pile up at once, the one road I wanted to take is closed and I had to take an alternative route that I'm only sort of familiar with. I know it'll get me where I want to go but I can't quite picture what's on that street.

The back story here is that I've moved a little closer to a ritzier side of town. A side of town where they all wear Polo's, khaki's, and belong to yacht clubs. Mind you, I'm closer to it, I don't actually live in it.

Anyway, I turn this big, honkin' U-haul down the road I have driven before in my car, but don't really realize how much bigger this stupid rental truck is than my car. And of course, as I turn I remember it's a two lane road right smack through the middle of a hoity little shopping district. And of course this is the Sunday with what can only be described as the world's preppiest farmer's market. It's a quaint little town center with shops like Anthropologie and Williams-Sonoma.

Yup. Families in their Polo's out walking their extremely well groomed dogs and children all turn to see who the moron is driving this monstrosity down their farmer's market. I imagine some of them started thinking, "A U-haul? Who doesn't have movers? There goes the neighborhood."

Second silly thing. This doesn't involve the possible murder. We'll get to that soon.

I really like my new apartment as it features all things a big girl needs: washer/dryer, dishwasher, indoor plumbing, etc. I finally have all the amenities by myself that I couldn't afford at age 24 living in a one-room, wall unit A/C, shit hole. Thus, I'm super stoked at the end of my work day on Monday to be driving home and thinking about what I'll whip up for dinner in my new big girl apartment.

Rice and beans, or maybe some soup. Mmm mmm! My dinner will be so yummy!

I walk in and change into my post work chillaxin' clothes (AKA some form of old ass running tee and soffee cheer shorts I've had since '99). I make my way to the kitchen, mouth watering for din-din. I pull out the food items and low and behold! I have no microwave.

Fail. (I will be getting one this weekend, not to worry.)

And thirdly, this is really just about being paranoid safe.

On the Friday of my move I had scheduled the cable guy to come set up my internet and cable box. This cable guy was a no call, no show, so I had to reschedule for Saturday. Side note: Are all cable companies like this everywhere?

Saturday arrives and cable guy shows up a little early and begins to set up cable and such. As he is installing it he starts making small talk. And asking questions. Questions like, "So when do you move your furniture in?" and "Oh so then you aren't staying here tonight?" and "I see your friend on facebook has a bike." (That would be KC since I was updating her facebook status during her Ironman.)

Now I'm sure that a man would just think, "Whatever. Dude is bored so he's talking to me." I am not a dude. I am thinking, "Oh dear God! This man is going to come back and steal all of my shit! Or he's going to come back steal all of my shit and murder me! Or he's going to just murder me and say man this chick has a lot of dumb shit!"

He leaves and I lock the hell out of everything and block the doors with random shoes and boxes and stuff I've yet to hang or unpack. And tell Lloyd he must stop being mildly deaf for the rest of the evening.

The next two days nothing happens and I relax and realize that I am just a paranoid freak. Hahaha. Silly paranoid girl. Nothing to see here. Until...last night.

I'm on my way to my new run when I get a call from CABLE GUY!

He says, "Hi. Is this the woman at blank-blank-blank address that I installed cable box for on Saturday?"

Gulp. "Yes."

"Oh ok, well I forgot to take a sticker with the serial number off the cable box and I need it. Can you give me that number?"

Stammering. "Uh, uhm. Well, I'm not home right now and won't be for a bit." (Inner monologue - SHIT YOU MORON! WAY TO TELL HIM YOU AREN'T HOME! AND THEN HE'LL KNOW WHEN YOU ARE!

"Ok, well you can just call me or text it when you do get home." (Perceived sinister sneer through phone.)

In the next 20 minutes it takes me to get to my run location I rehearse how my death will go and how no one will know the cable guy murdered me because I didn't tell anyone about this entire situation. I can't call my sister cause I don't want her to panic if in fact it's nothing and I'm being my typical paranoid self. Too much crime TV, I admit it.

I get to my run and explain this situation to a male friend. He decides that he'll just call the cable guy for me. Well, that's a relief. Stupid cable guy will think I live with a big, scary dude with many weapons. Of course he can tell all of that by my friend's voice. Duh.

I get home and text all of the information to my friend who then calls and texts cable guy. Get this - no response. Cable guy does not respond and this leads me to believe cable guy is on to me and will most certainly be arriving in the dead of night to kill me and take my stuff. Or just kill me and pet Lloyd. (Lloyd never gets murdered in my paranoid imaginations cause he's just way too cute and friendly.)

I again go into super lock machine mode and barricade the doors with random boxes and objects that will be loud if someone enters. Lloyd and I have a talk where I beg him to stop sleeping so damn deeply and be a dog who actually hears it when murderers enter our dwelling.

Upon waking I get a text that murderous cable guy got the information and said thank you. I also got a customer service call from the cable company checking in to make sure everything was good with my service and why yes they did see he needed the number and it was noted on my account.

Heh. Don't I feel sheepish? But hooray! Am not getting murdered after all.

The moral of all of this is...moving sucks.

Have a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday

Last week while wasting many hours innocently perusing Pinterest I came across the hilarious image below:


I wanted to find it to show you all today but I was having some trouble so I did what most of us usually do to find images on the web. I searched the hell out of a key word in google images. This keyword was milkshake.

All I can say is that "milkshake" came back with some of the funniest stuff I've ever seen. I was literally LOL-ing at my desk. Er, I mean at my home computer. I don't surf the net at work...Anyway, it was like a veritable treasure trove of hysterical milkshake related images. It seriously made my day.

This brings me to what I'm thankful for today. I'm thankful for stupidly funny shit on the internet. Of course the internet is a black hole that can suck out your brain if you stare at it for too long, but man does it provide some laughs. I needed a few good chuckles and I figure everyone else could always use some too.

And here's what I found. Be warned, you may be thirsty or end up in someone's yard after these. Enjoy.




So, what are you thankful for today?

Keep it moving

Since I'm all relocated and such I'm enjoying my new digs. I have run three times on the lovely Bayshore and got to see a dolphin this morning. He must have showed up on porpoise! Waka waka!

Terrible jokes aside, I've been going through the motions lately and have not really been feeling my typical obnoxious sunny self. Of course, most of these issues are my own doing and lord knows I'm my own worst critic but the one thing that has kept me from downing five two bottles of wine nightly is my run.

I obviously can't run with a hangover every day and let's be honest here, booze really doesn't make anyone feel better. Have you ever seen a hungover B.o.B.? Yeah, it's not really the most attractive look. However, I will say that "Hangover B.o.B." can come up with some zingers! Yes, I'm a bit down but it's nothing to truly worry about so long as I keep it moving. If I stop running then we can all be concerned. Heh.

Ahem. I digress. I recently posted the sticker that reads, "running is cheaper than therapy" to my facebook page and I completely understand how this phrase got so popular. I always feel so great after my runs, both physically and mentally, that I wish I could bottle it up and use it all day long. You know like an Eau de Endorphin. This would really help when I hit those low moments where I just need a little spritz of that post run glow. Try to top that scent celebrity perfume hawkers!

I know I'm just in a weird place right now and I need to keep it moving. Thank God for running and the free therapy it provides. If I didn't run I'd probably end up some crazy bag lady who collects old shoelaces to put in her hair. Hmmm, that may actually be a good look....kidding.

How do you stay peppy when you are feeling blue? Does the run help or should I just get those wine bottles ready for us to share?

The Move and a tough 16

Did anyone notice a weekend cause I'm pretty sure I completely missed mine. I took Friday off of work to pack and then proceeded to move all of my stuff on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks so much to my buddies that came out to help. For the most part everything went smoothly except for the fact that Lloyd decided to eat some carpet at my old apartment. There goes that deposit....

How does one person accumulate so much stuff? I had a SUV load (Thanks Hollster!) of odds and ends that went straight to the Salvation Army. I seriously need to stop accepting gifts from my adoring fans. And by adoring fans, I mean my grandma.

I'm getting acclimated to my new location and am looking forward to my run this evening. Plus I've got an early AM run scheduled tomorrow along that lovely waterfront sidewalk I'm all jazzed up about.

My 16 miler on Saturday was one of the toughest runs I've completed lately and I attribute that to... EARMUFFS DUDES... cramps. So yeah, I had cramps and on top of that I was just flat out tired from moving stupid boxes up and down the damn stairs on Friday. However, I will say that even with that run feeling like poo I managed to hang on to an 8:41 pace overall. I'll take it. I'll look back at this run during the Miami Marathon and think "You got this! You ran through cramps and an achy back! Suck it up buttercup!"

I can't end this post without a HUGE shout out to KC! She, of course, KILLED it at Ironman Florida. She was up and at 'em on Sunday when I surely would have been passed out and unconscious after all that. Heh. I'll let her tell it so stay tuned for her recap.

Congrats to those who did IMFL and those who ran the NYC Marathon. And of course any other races out there!

Happy Monday. Who wants to help me unpack?

Thankful Thursday

I'm dedicating this Thankful Thursday to one person. And that person has a BIG race coming up this weekend.

I'm so thankful I met her because she's an athlete I can look up to and aspire to get to her level. I mean this girl can ride, swim and run like nobody's business. She's a triathlete who IMHO is pretty damn good at all three practices. Plus, she thinks I'm funny.

With that said - best of luck this weekend KC! You have worked your arse off and you are going to do great. The hay is in the barn.

Blog friends - go tell her good luck and feel free to stalk her on Saturday at the Florida Ironman. I am so bummed I won't be there because of my move.

KC - What are you thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday

"Worked to Death"


Pop Up Video Madonna and Vampire Slayer

Madonna met some guy named Bernie. Apparently they are planning to run away together. According to her, he's a "very good listener."

Halloween Hangover

Oh my gawd, I've got a Halloween hangover. Not in the I-drank-too-much sense, but in the I-wore-two-costumes-and-loved-every-minute-of-it sense. I'll post those photos tomorrow so stay tuned....

I'm so sad Halloween is over. I'm so depressed that I now have to wait another 364 days for it to arrive again. I think most people feel this way after Christmas. Not me. I am all about some Halloween. Even though I didn't go to Universal's Halloween Horror Nights this year, I did get to attend a Halloween party, dress up at work, and participate in a Halloween run. (I ran with a guy dressed as a banana yesterday. True story.)

In other news, my impending move happens this week. I'll get my keys on Friday and slowly move stuff until Sunday. I've called in some friends to help with the furniture and I think I did most of the necessary address changes for my bills and such. And of course the first two addresses that got updated were Women's Running Magazine and Runner's World. Priorities.

There's a bittersweetness to moving because even though I'm only going to be about 20-30 minutes away from my running group, the BRA, I'll definitely have to find some others to run with during the week. Part of my attempt at this happened yesterday with the banana guy's group. I'll still drive to join the BRA on those long runs, cause lord knows I love running with them. Plus the fun group breakfasts afterward are always a treat. And to make the deal even sweeter a friend who has been helping me with the pace run said she'd alternate weeks with me on driving to my new side of town.

In marathon training news, I'm still at it. I'm shocked after every pace run and happily hit the 5 mile mark today a bit under pace. I was tired that last mile but I'll take it.

I hope you all had great weekends. Happy belated Halloween. Sniff, sniff.