Saturday, May 30, 2009

Giving Myself Credit

Today I was out working in the garden with MissyMiss when a woman who lives a few blocks over walked by. She introduced herself and we started chatting. I noticed she was wearing a RoadRunner shirt, so I asked her if she was a runner. She answered that she was a walker and then asked me if I was a runner (I had just finished a 10-mile run a couple of hours earlier and was still wearing my running outfit).

Can you guess what my response to "Are you a runner?" was? I said "I try to be."

What!?!?!?! Why did I say that? I had just finished an AWESOME 10 mile run. Why do I still struggle with saying that I am a runner. After she left I was kicking myself for doing that, again. Why didn't I say "Yep, I am a runner.". Ugh! I really don't know why I don't give myself the credit I should. Anyone else have this problem???

On an unrelated note, I really enjoyed reading about everyone's hobbies. I was surprised by how many of the chickies both run and sew. :)

On another unrelated note, I watched Paul Blart: Mall Cop last night....it was kinda stupid, a bit predictable, but totally LMAO. If you are in need of a good laugh, but don't want to think too much..watch it. :)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Hobbies

When I was first married and before kids, I had no real hobbies. I cringe when I think about it. I worked and watched a lot of t.v. I did enjoy shopping and worked out at the gym sometimes, but that was pretty much it. I had so much time and didn't do too much with it. Hubby used to always say "You need a hobby".

Now...I have 2 young kids and more hobbies than I have time for. Right now, running is my main "hobby". I don't really consider it a hobby, but can't think of a better word. I am passionate about running. I schedule my days around my runs. My 2 year old sees me grab my shoes and says "Mama go for a run". I love it and can't imagine not running.

As far as my hobbies, I also love to bake. I dream of one day opening up my own coffee shop/bakery. I love to bake and love to talk to people...it would be perfect. I have already dreamed up the decor in my head....and it would be kid-friendly.

I also love to sew and quilt. The more serious I get about my running, the less time I have for it....but I sit down at my sewing machine as often as I can. Right now I am working on an apron...I also collect aprons. :)

The good thing about my hobbies is that I can get my kids involved. Bubby loves to ride in the jogger and go for a run with me. Tonight MissyMiss rode her bike alongside and made the whole 3 miles...a first for her! Both kids also love to help bake. Also, I just ordered some fabric and am going to help MissyMissy make her doll a quilt. I am so lucky that my kids are so interested in the things that I love to do.

So...what are all of your hobbies???

Saturday, May 23, 2009

What's in a name?

First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who left comments on my last post...reading your comments just make my day! It is good to know that I am not alone in my waving. :)

On my garage sale post, Winnston had noticed my table clothes. This is our 4th year doing the garage sale and I have learned some tricks to increase profits. I think that the tableclothes just class it up a bit...nothing says classy quite like plastic tablecloths zip-tied to the legs of the table. We made more this year than ever before. :)

Today I did 9.5 miles in 80-degree heat. I am not a fan of running in the heat. Last weekend it was in the 50s for my long run...I much prefer it that way. I used my hydration belt for the first time and LOVED it.

As I was running I kept thinking about what today's post would be about. It seemed to change with each mile of the run. Today's run was TOUGH for me...mentally. I just kept telling myself that it didn't matter how long it took or how many walk breaks I took (I usually don't take any)...I just needed to log the miles. That thinking got me through. It was not a pretty run...but I did it.

Here are some of the different blog titles that I thought of today...in chronological order as far as at what point in my run I thought of them....

1. I totally heart running.
2. I heart my hydration belt.
3. Baby, it's hot outside!
4. Red Gatorade rules!
5. Guys with nice abs rock!
6. Cocky attitudes cancel out nice abs
7. Jillian Michaels kicked my a$$ 2 days ago and it still hurts
8. Running sucks
9. Tight hydration belts may induce vomitting (No...I didn't...but I came close. Once I loosened my belt it was all good)
10. Running sucks
11. "Pain in temporary. It may a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."- Lance Armstrong

I think I'll stick with the last one. I wouldn't risk an injury, but I knew that if I stopped early because I was tired that I would regret it all weekend
.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

To wave or not to wave?

So....this has been bothering me lately. I run on a paved path that can get crowded at times. I actually enjoy running when there are other people around, more so than in the winter when I was out there with only a few other brave souls. I wave and/or say hello to most people I pass coming the other direction, if they look up at me.

But...there are so many other runners/walkers who pass by and just stare straight ahead as if I wasn't even there. I watch them and it seems like they have to put so much effort into ignoring me. They can't just throw me a wave, or even just a nod of the head??

One day I got so annoyed with the non-wavers that I decided to say hi to everyone I saw, even if they tried to ignore me. The normal wavers waved back. About half of the non-wavers waved and smiled. The other half looked at me as if I was standing there completely naked, jumping up and down.

I can't imagine not waving and saying hello. There is a father/son that I see often. The son is in his 40/50s and the Dad appears to be in his 70s/80s. They are so very friendly. Always a hi, good morning, have a good weekend, etc. It is just nice to acknowledge each other.

So...how about all of you out there....are you a waver or a non-waver?? For the non-runners, how about when you walk around the neighborhood and see someone outside their house...do you wave or ignore? For the non wavers, do you find people like me annoying?? Do you want to give me a shove, steal my water and run away??

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Where I have been...

I have been BUSY!! This weekend is our neighborhood's garage sale and is is huge!! The year that we moved in our neighbors had warned us and I smiled and thought to myself "Yeah right, how big could it be?"



Well...it is BIG! There are officers directing traffic, vendors set up selling funnel cake and lemonade and streets become one-way to help with the traffic flow.

I have been busy cleaning out, setting up, organizing and pricing. I will be happy when it is over because:
1. My house will be less cluttered
2. I will be done with the cleaning out, setting up, organizing and pricing
3. We will have more money in our pockets :)

Here is a pic of my garage right now:




MissyMiss loves to help with the garage sale. She sets up her own table to sell toys she is done with and uses her money to buy something new. She even has her own little fanny pack to wear and hold all her money in.

Now I am just hoping for good weather!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Make a Wish Race Report

I had my first 5K of the year this past Saturday and it was awesome! I was starting to forget that wonderful feeling I get when I race and am so happy that I signed up for the race.

It was a charity run to benefit the local make-a-wish chapter. I got to the race about 30 minutes before the start time, grabbed my bag/number, dropped the bag back off at my car and then headed to the line at the women's bathroom, which was way too long! The men's room (of course) had no wait at all! I finally made it to the stall and then headed over to the starting line.

It was a run/walk, so there was an interesting mix of people. As everyone headed to the start, I tried to get a spot in front of the walkers, but not too far in front. There were a few opening remarks before the race and one of the speakers was a mom whose son had leukemia and was granted a wish. Of course being the sensitive girl that I am, I got all choked up.

Finally the race started and I hit start on my Garmin and turned on my iPod with the volume low. My best time last year was 28:20 and I was just hoping to beat it. My goal was to stay around 9:00 miles. The first mile was just fine...I was cruising along and felt good. Then I hit the hills...yikes! I run hills at least once a week in my neighborhood, but I run them much slower. I was thrilled that I was able to stay around a 9:30 pace on the uphills.

By mile 2 I was really feeling it and starting to wonder "Why do I sign up for these things?" But...at this point I was passing all of the people who had gone out way too fast, including most of a boys high school lacrosse team....suckers. :) This helped to keep me going.

As I hit the 2.8 mile mark I could start to see the crowd at the finish. I was right around a 9:00 pace. I felt like I had nothing left in me at all and just wanted to make it to that finish line. I turned a corner and heard the cheering and somehow I reached deeper and was able to pick up the pace. For the last bit, my Garmin read 8:20 pace.

I crossed the finish line at 28:04. I was thrilled to beat my best time, but of course feeling like if I only I could have ran a little faster and broken 28 minutes. :( (But...I did start a little ways back from the starting line and also stopped for a few seconds to check on a girl behind me who fell during the race. The small races here are not chipped, so I will just have to run faster to earn a sub-28 official time.)

But...there is always next time. My next 5K is next month and the course is completely flat...yee haw!

Thank you to everyone who left me such nice wishes for the race on my last post...I love reading all of the comments...they truly make my day.

I almost forgot to add...when I got on the scale the morning of the race I saw that I have reached my first weight loss goal...13 pounds lost...go me!

Friday, May 8, 2009

My 8

Heather over at Junk Miles tagged me...so here goes:

8 things to which I'm looking forward
1. My first 5K of the season tomorrow
2. Shopping on Mother's Day
3. My daughter's school dance tonight
4. Our big garage sale this weekend
5. My first half marathon this fall
6. My son's 3rd b-day this summer
7. The summer with my kiddos
8. Meeting my brother's new wife and stepkids this summer

8 things I did yesterday
1. Rode my bike
2. Doctor appointment
3. Shopping at TJ Maxx
4. Starbucks
5. Went to see my daughter's art displayed in the district art exhibit
6. tucked my kids into bed
7. Sat with Bubby and watched the diggers dig up our old driveway
8. Watched King of Queens

8 things I would like to do
1. Run a half marathon
2. Run a marathon
3. Open a bakery/coffee shop
4. Buy a hummer
5. Drive across the country
6. Do all handmade gifts for Christmas one year
7. Visit my sister in Canada
8. go for a manicure/pedicure

8 shows I watch
1. American Idol
2. Chopped
3. Throwdown ( Bobby Flay is my "tv boyfriend"...he just doesn't know it yet)
4. Millionaire Matchmaker (this show is awful...but I still watch it)
5. King of Queens
6. 90210 (reruns of the original one)
7. Jon and Kate
8. Iron Chef

8 people I tag
1. J. Leigh Designz
2. Life Student
3. Pam
4. Wendy
5. Mabry's Gamma
6. Stan
7. Spirit in Me
8. Joy Run

Tomorrow is my first 5K of the year and I am really looking forward to it. I have missed racing. I will let y'all know how it goes. :)

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Hydration belt

I finally went out and bought a hydration belt. This is the one I got. I did 8 miles today, but didn't try it out for 2 reasons:
1. It was only in the 50s (absolutely perfect weather for running)
2. I am not quite sure how to wear it.

When my husband came home and saw it, our conversation went somewhat like this:

Me: Hey, I got my hydration belt today (holding it up)
Hubby: (laughing) Do you plan on wearing that?
Me: Well duh, yeah. I am not sure exactly how to wear it...I don't want to look like a dork.
(At this point, I know what is coming...)
Hubby: I don't really think it matters, you will look a dork any way you wear it.

He is just too funny. (Not!) He is actually a biker and wears a Camelback, so I don't know why he finds my belt so darn funny.

So...how do I wear this thing? I know it has to be around my waist. :) Does the fanny pack part go around back? That is how I am thinking it should be worn...am I right?

Hope everyone is having an awesome weekend. Friday night we took the kiddies to our local minor league baseball game and they LOVED it. It was Bubby's first time...pics to come. :)