tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54750081498294440942024-03-13T14:39:37.859-07:005-4-3-2-1Five half-marathons, four 5k races, three sprint triathlons, two 10k races, and one full marathon. All in one year, and all in memory of someone who never knew she was strong.Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-54559013486179433922011-03-11T08:46:00.000-08:002011-03-11T08:46:32.769-08:00That Damn Dam Run<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a fat bitch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn’t really think I was, but according to one of the finer citizens of Aurora, Colorado, who just happened to be driving by the race course as I was bringing up the rear of the DAM Run half marathon this past Sunday, my current size was moving enough to cause him to lean out the window of a green Toyota pickup truck, look straight at me, and yell just that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Fat bitch!!!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sad part is that he won. I am a grown-up, and I know better than to let insecure bastards like that get the best of me. I was teased all through school on and off because of my weight, which fluctuated from scrawny to chubby through my many growth spurts, and many times because of my height itself. And I always knew that those people were reaching for something out of their grasps. They were trying to find their places in the world by stepping on others to get there. My mom always told me that they were the ones who we should feel bad for because they were so lost. And I believed her for the most part. Sure, comments about my height and weight still hurt me as a kid, but it made me stronger and more secure in who I am. I can now be appreciative of my intellect and my quick wit, and my abilities to succeed at work and in my marriage and in my awesome friendships. I am happy to be the saver of dogs and the meticulous cleaner of my house, and the owner of a big, but strong, booty and a stomach with muscles that show, and to be the girl who makes everyone laugh at work. I know and love and appreciate these things about myself, but that kid kicked me while I was down on Sunday, and he won a little bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started out the race a little rocky. My knees were achy, and my plantar fasciitis had been bugging me all week. I was kinda feeling off, but was still thinking PR, after all, every half marathon has been a chance for me to knock several minutes off my previous time. I was thinking it could easily happen again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first seven miles went ok, considering I had started not feeling so sturdy. I had forgotten my watch, but at the water stop right before the turnaround, the guy said to Mike and I, “Nice, steady pace, guys”, and I felt like he was right. It was a fast group. We were in last at this point, which has never happened to me in any race, but this race was definitely full of elite runners with no talker-walkers. I saw Ironman gear everywhere. After mile seven, my left leg began its usual demise. First the butt muscle, then the hamstring, then the foot. I was hobbling by mile eight and feeling totally discouraged. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At mile eight point five is when my new friend was offended enough at the sight of me to become compelled to announce it to everyone. Literally insult to injury. I burst into tears instantly and doubled over on the trail. Mike who was still shuffling along with me at this point, flashed a double bird in the general direction of the moving truck with his gloved hands. I was completely choked up and never got my breath back. I wanted to sit down and quit the charade. But I couldn’t. I eventually sent Mike ahead of me to warn our friends waiting at the finish line to go get beers with us that I was injured and walking and would be a while; I also just needed to be alone with my thoughts and my apparently giant ass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I plugged in my iPod, loud, skipped around til I found an artist who was yell-y and angry enough for me, and huffed and stomped and huffed and stomped. And then HP joined me. He was the sweeper, (aka the reaper) and he dismounted his bike and asked me if I wanted company. I didn’t really have a choice because he was stuck bringing in the DFL either way and that was me. It was either walk and talk with him or let him follow me silently at an awkward distance, keeping my awkward pace. We walked and chatted. My breathing was completely ragged, so he tried to get me to slow down my stomping up the road. I explained that I just needed to push until the end and get it over with, and he was down with it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truck full of volunteers came by and asked me if I wanted a ride. I thought I was being swept, but the driver said I was still ahead of the cut-off time and could finish. So I finished. Me and HP, the nice guy who refs high school hockey and has two kids and who is really friendly to people after watching them self-destruct and get humiliated by a bully. Then Amy, a friend of my friend who was waiting for me and whom I’d never met, came walking down the Dam Road to meet HP and I. She is a pregnant Ironman who wanted to add an extra mile to her workout that day, so she asked if she could walk with us, too. So we three, plus Walter, Amy’s yellow lab, walked and talked. They were both so nice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I forced myself to limp-jog the last 500 yards in. And then it was over. They could finally take down the banners and timing mats (3:15 if anyone is counting at home). They could pick up the trash and reopen the Dam Road to cars. The DFL had crossed the line, with legs and feelings hurting badly and pride barely intact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DFL is better than DNF. I know that. What I also know is that my right knee has been swollen for five days, and I have major pain and constant bruising over my whole left foot. My hamstring, piriformis and Achilles’ on the left side will not loosen up no matter how much I stretch or get massaged. My lungs are better, but are still full of sludge. And I have lost and gained the same four pounds about 11 times in the past six months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And while I know in my heart that I am not a fat bitch, I feel really lost right now. I feel like I need to regroup. I feel that I probably jumped back on the marathon train way too fast. And I feel like I don’t know what to do. What I honestly <em>want</em> to do is go back to the days before it was about running and when it was just about getting healthy, and when I loved working out because it felt good instead of painful, and when I could kick anyone’s butt on the elliptical, in the pool or on the spinner, most importantly my own. I was strong and never injured and losing weight steadily and healthily. Running was just something I pushed through to get to the finish line of a sprint tri; it didn’t consume my every thought and worry and concern. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t know where I lost track. But I lost it. I have learned to love running so much, but I feel like it doesn’t love me back right now. And after Sunday, I could really use a little love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">More soon. </span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-65117689708158743512011-02-16T09:54:00.000-08:002011-02-16T13:19:57.331-08:00Born to Run and Other Random Babbling<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am probably the last one out in fitness blog-land to read Born to Run by Christopher MacDougall. I finished it this week, and all I can say is wow. First of all, it was very well-written, and the story and research and science were all super interesting. Like many others who have read it, I was instantly tempted to run out and try my hand (feet) by barefoot running all over the neighborhood. I haven't yet, but the author's plight really spoke to me. He is tall and a bigger guy, not built like most of the sinewy, ropy runners you usually see at marathon distance and above. I obviously relate to that. He was also struggling with Plantar Fasciitis over and over again, in addition to other recurring injuries. After getting back into running this week following Bronchitis From Hell month, my heel has been nagging at me a bit. It isn't as bad as it was, but it is there, and I feel it regularly after running, and it makes me nervous. I would give anything to run without the fear that every mile could be be the one that stops me in my tracks again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I would love to try barefoot running, and look forward to incorporating short bouts of it into my training each week, I think that six weeks into a marathon training plan is the wrong time to completely change things up, especially after I have been held back by bronchitis am already behind. What I will try to work on is my stride. I learned a lot from the book and from watching additional videos of Scott Jurek talking about form, and I realized how much can be accomplished, simply by changing your gait and stride and form. Tonight I run five miles, and I have a ten-mile race on Saturday, and both runs should give me good chances to work on a mid-foot strike, smaller strides and keeping my body aligned above my legs. So many new mechanics to learn, but I really want to improve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I gained almost a pound at weigh-in this week. I knew that was going to happen and was really surprised that it wasn't more. Official number was 212.8. Annoying, but that is what I earned. I ate poorly and, between being sick and feeling a bit sorry for myself, did not move enough. What <em>does</em> feel good is that, for the first time in over a year, I really feel back in control of my nutrition. Part of that inspiration came from Born to Run, too, but part of it was just finding my old mojo. I worked SO hard to lose 40 pounds a couple years ago and was so dedicated to counting each calorie and working out five days a week. Then I plateaued and quit seeing results and decided to focus more on running and being an athlete than on the actual weight loss part of it. The problem is, and this is not the first time I have babbled on about this, that it's really hard to be good at running or cycling or swimming when you are still carrying 25 extra pounds around with you. <strong>You don't lose weight by exercising. You lose weight by following the proper nutrition plan.</strong> I am well aware of this mantra, but I have been eating too much and splurging because I frequently felt that I owed myself certain treats after running long distances. Very suddenly, and I'm not entirely sure where this came from, I feel that old control again. I feel like I am the boss of what I eat and not the other way around, when just last week I felt completely owned by a breakfast burrito. I have been reaching, scratching, begging, struggling for that feeling and just found it again. Now, I am going to make sure that it sticks around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use CalorieKing.com to track my nutrition and exercise and maintain a 1600-calorie daily intake. Calorie King encourages you to eat back your exercise calories, but sometimes, like say, after running ten miles and earning an extra 1000 calories or so, that just seems like too much. I try to keep it in the mid-range and eat back about half of my exercise calories. when I religiously record my calories, I lose weight. Every. Damn. Time. So why, you might ask, have I gotten away from this practice? *shrug*blink blink*blank stare* I'm back to it now, though, and looking forward to seeing results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think working out with a trainer once a week is a little too expensive, however, I do see the value of learning new workouts and tricks and in being accountable to someone. I have made three appointments with my personal trainer. One is tomorrow where I will weigh in before working out. I then do not meet with him until the last week in March. At that point, I will weigh in with him again. That will be the week before my annual Girls' Ski Trip, and my goal this year is to drop enough that I don't feel too embarrassed to get into the hot tub with all of my muscular, athletic girlfriends. I have been organizing this trip for 15 of my closest friends for six years, and I have never once shed down to my bathing suit and hopped in with everyone. I always just listen to everyone out there laughing and sharing cocktails in the steam and wish that I didn't feel so bad about myself, even in front of girls! Girls who care about me as a person and not what I look like. This year is the last official year of the trip, and so help me, I want in the tub! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My third scheduled appointment with the trainer is for the last week in July. At that point, I want to be at my goal-weight or size. We are headed to our year-late honeymoon in Thailand in early August, and then, after a week in bathing suits and sundresses, meeting a friend to travel to Cambodia and Nepal. I want to be lithe and slim, as much to look good in the summer clothes as to be able to stay on the move, backpack on back, for two straight weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I really babbled today! Hopefully you just scanned this for anything important and didn't read it all word for word, wasting several hours of your life that you will never get back. I feel better, though, and that is what is what I'm after. So: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor Reader of my Blog- 0</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Carry on. </span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-10271202728777112592011-02-10T09:31:00.000-08:002011-02-10T09:31:43.777-08:00Take a Deep Breath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As much as I’m trying to be positive and keep moving forward, I have to admit, I am in a bit of a rut lately. After getting my first marathon cancelled due to injury, I followed the prescribed medical protocol and then registered for another race and began training again and feeling great. And then I got hit with a month-long (so far!) bout with bronchitis and some other little virus on top of it. I should have known I’d be sick for at least as long as all the people at my work who have had it. People around here have been suffering for eight and ten weeks; one lady has had it since the week after Thanksgiving! Here I am on week six, and although I have been able to do a few two- and three-mile runs, I have been weak and sick and short of breath, and am now officially behind in training and feeling somewhat discouraged. Actually, really discouraged. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Normally, my blog would be my first stop when I’m discouraged, but I am kinda sick of hearing myself bitch, and so I haven't been writing much. I’m not a victim or a martyr, but there is part of me that is thinking, “What the hell?!?! Can’t I get a damn break?!” I feel like every other post is about me having to put off training to heal from something! And I hate feeling like that. With me, what always comes along with the feelings of helplessness and being discouraged is a nice bout of emotional eating. I have been eating like crap lately; I skipped my healthy work breakfast this morning and instead had the second breakfast burrito of the week. They have been bringing in breakfast for our team frequently because we are working long hours troubleshooting our new website, and then the launch was delayed and the excutives are trying to show their support, so they keep bringing in crappy food to apparently ease the stress (it means more stress for me!). So this morning, I headed to the kitchen to make my whole wheat English muffin, and opened the fridge and see a row of ten breakfast burritos left over from yesterday. So I grabbed one and warmed it up and ate it for breakfast, feeling guilty with every single bite. This is so not ok! I have been eating poorly and not moving enough, and my pants feel tight and I feel bad about myself. And I just want to run! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My doctor told me this is the worst year of bronchitis she has seen in her 15 years as a physician. As a consolation prize for being a victim of the Great Bronchitis Epidemic of Oh-eleven, she gave me a rescue inhaler, more antibiotics and some nighttime cough syrup (which seems to do nothing but give me a hangover the next day) and told me to wait a couple more weeks before running anything more than a couple of miles. But guess what? I should be running five miles today and ten this Saturday and I have a ten-mile race next Saturday that I feel horribly unprepared for. And I feel like a giant FAILURE. And I feel fat and ugly and lazy. I am sick of obstacles! I want something to run smoothly. Namely, me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I suppose that is my rant for today. I don’t want to be a downer, but am just suffering in the throes of frustration. I WILL do this marathon no matter what. I don’t care if I have to go straight to the hospital afterwards; this is happening. However, I am asking the gods of running to grant me a little favor. Let this get a tiny bit easier, ok? I can handle obstacles, and I will keep trying to overcome them, but just give me a month or two where everything is peachy and I can get back on track? Ok? Ok. I won’t let you down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attempting five slow miles this evening with rescue inhaler in hand. Then dinner with a friend, where I will order wisely and drink water instead of wine. I can do this.</span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-47849584953239051442011-02-02T18:57:00.000-08:002011-02-02T19:46:12.238-08:00Crazy Feminist Rant. Or Is It?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2ZHJmL6weahRhwOh3Ooq5uNjUbEnvMIxPz2XMx5yw3kWp2TISCS4ufUT1YQd21tZWUltl5d3IlmTzQg9I6NTmQG_MZLFzqYf6JnL7pKWbfLJGazn9MNQjOjbtJhwRabcnqITT-8zc8B2/s1600/women+weight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2ZHJmL6weahRhwOh3Ooq5uNjUbEnvMIxPz2XMx5yw3kWp2TISCS4ufUT1YQd21tZWUltl5d3IlmTzQg9I6NTmQG_MZLFzqYf6JnL7pKWbfLJGazn9MNQjOjbtJhwRabcnqITT-8zc8B2/s400/women+weight.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />
My best friend and I have been talking a lot lately about weight loss, and our love-hate relationship with it. Both of us have lost a lot of weight over the past few years, and she is even all the way down to her original goal weight and looks amazing. While I still have a ways to go, I have had times over the past year where I have felt really good about the way I look. We both feel so much better, and we like the outward attention that comes from looking and feeling better. However, there is another side to the coin. So many people attach weight to self-worth and a person's value to society. Like the whole value. We are both funny, successful, smart women. We can both bring down the house with a quick-witted joke; we have both done a million selfless things for others in our lives, we both make great money at great jobs where we climb ladders and impress people with our minds and our performance at work and our abilities to juggle a million things at once. But there is still this inkling that the real respect from others has come only after we have slimmed down. What is that? And why is it so important? And why does it bother us so much? Why am I allowed to hold my weight as such an important part of who I am, struggling with it, obsessing over it, dedicating time and money and effort and lost sleep to it, but as soon as someone else even mentions it, I am on the defensive? <br />
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Are women with perfect bodies and teeth and makeup who work at tanning salons or as NFL cheerleaders more valuable than those who work their tails off and compete with the big boys while raising kids and taking out the trash and always managing to know where their husbands' wallets and shoes are? I already know the answer to this. I swear I do. I think.<br />
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I try really hard to not attach my goals to numbers and sizes and looks, and I try to make my goals about feeling healthy and being able to run further and faster. However, tonight I met with a personal trainer for a freebie introductory session from my gym, and, when asked, I threw out my goal numbers and dates without even thinking about it. I ALWAYS know my goal weight and size, and I always worry about being over 200, and I always freak when it goes up by 2 or 3 in a week, and I always throw a little party in my head when it goes down by that much. I mean, that's why I'm here, right? I need the support and accountability that comes with being a fitness blogger. And I love the compliments and support I get from everyone out in cyberspace. But why do I get so pissed when someone I care about attaches a little too much value to what I've lost, especially when that person has maybe never acknowledged the fact that I am a success in every other area of my life? Am I a big baby? Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? Am I freaking certifiable?!<br />
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I'm kind of just venting and babbling, but I'm curious how people feel about this. That is all.Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-86636180163064141722011-02-01T17:07:00.000-08:002011-02-02T19:50:13.354-08:00Weigh In and Coming Out of the CRAZINESS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NrLhVVgJaMpJ9ucrw75nHK8w6u8EXh1WVBNCtgaCnkaZS3xQWggcTLKcufrD7rB9Ht8cXXRyBJ3MeWfiKcBciIFfPJXhovV_CmA-kAHRQ6Gl88n55k37mbePB91b8HM9wBT1IAavkQMn/s1600/DSC00566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NrLhVVgJaMpJ9ucrw75nHK8w6u8EXh1WVBNCtgaCnkaZS3xQWggcTLKcufrD7rB9Ht8cXXRyBJ3MeWfiKcBciIFfPJXhovV_CmA-kAHRQ6Gl88n55k37mbePB91b8HM9wBT1IAavkQMn/s320/DSC00566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Work, as I mentioned last week, has been insane, but is finally calming down. I have been SO sick. Everyone at my work has been sick for weeks with bronchitis, most people for 6 and 8 weeks! I am assuming that is what I've had, too. My symptoms have been the same as everyone else's, but I was reluctant to go the doctor because the last time I went, she said I was running too much and was run-down. And she's a runner! I get so frustrated with that, because when I was heavy, she would tell me that I needed to lose weight, and now that I have, she frequently tells me that I am run down and need to take it easy, which to me translates into gaining weight. So, I didn't go to the doctor. But I have been taking it easy. I ran just under 4 miles this week in two different sessions and felt pretty decent after both times. I have a 30-minute personal training session tomorrow (it came free when I switched gyms) and will try to do a 3-miler on Thursday. I am supposed to do 8 miles on Saturday, but am going to do a 10k instead, and bump up to 8 for next week. <br />
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I don't know what the right answer is. Some people run through their sicknesses and always do fine, some insist on resting the whole time. I am doing a mix of both, I guess. I am just so frustrated with how many times I have been sick this year! I never used to get sick, and now, I consider myself healthier than I have ever been, and I have been really sick several times! What gives already? Anyway, chin up, soldier. Keep calm and carry on.<br />
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I weighed in this morning. Down .6. That seems to be my usual number. Feels like it should be more, but I have learned to be happy about any loss. So yay, 211.9. But if I want those jeans anytime in the near future, I better pick it up, right? I took the picture of the scale, but had to step off first, that's why there are no toes. I got a new, fancy camera for Christmas, and when I hold it on the scale, it bumps my weight up by half a pound (can't have that!), and my husband took our point-and-shoot to Europe. So, anyway, there it is. Still heading down! <br />
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Anyway, life is back to normal unless you count this ridiculous cold weather. It was minus twelve today. The high was supposed to be negative 1, but I don't think it ever got up that high. I just took the recycling out and was instantly frozen. Yikes. Thank goodness for indoor tracks. More this week!!Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-65080444461994378832011-01-19T17:23:00.000-08:002011-01-19T17:23:00.299-08:00Lightning Fast Post, Then Back to Work!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCTrGOm2bS7CMVL_RLWero9Xh77xLx4cqFRHGKjxvg7pgN0K9UiFLSy45kxAqjSuG7EoOCOf-v7Z0MkxBtbGEpik8njikX_2df0-35rtrni8BzSYFd3KHHKqGZCGtPrWsCX-pWIakenFa/s1600/hudson-jeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCTrGOm2bS7CMVL_RLWero9Xh77xLx4cqFRHGKjxvg7pgN0K9UiFLSy45kxAqjSuG7EoOCOf-v7Z0MkxBtbGEpik8njikX_2df0-35rtrni8BzSYFd3KHHKqGZCGtPrWsCX-pWIakenFa/s1600/hudson-jeans.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have ten more days of total and utter craziness at work. Then I can get back to normal, and most importantly back to keeping up with everyone's blogs, including my own. I did add the Daily Mile widget to the blog today and am excited to start using it to track my training to 26.2! As you can see, I haven't used that site in awhile. The last thing I posted is from almost a year ago. I like that site, not sure why I ever quit using it. Never fear! I'm back. However, skipping today's 4-mile run due to painful, dry, hacking, annoying cough. Will do a make-up tomorrow in addition to the scheduled weights and cross-training. <br />
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I wonder if Calorie King has a widget.<br />
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Made a new promise to myself. In addition to the rewards that come along with it naturally, I wanted to add some incentive to getting below 200 pounds. It is only 12.6 pounds away, but it seems so far and I have been STRUGGLING with my nutrition plan. (why is it so hard for me?!?!) So, I have decided that the day that scale reaches 199, I am ordering myself a pair of Hudson Jeans. Ironically, Hudson Jeans cost right around $199. What?! It's a sign. It's the circle of life. At least that is what I'm telling my husband. Let the self-bribery begin!Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-54910176611949966172011-01-17T16:00:00.000-08:002011-01-17T16:25:55.335-08:00Stylish Blogger, That's Me!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO0yY60c3l7UOpvChOv9WbK7prK41SEaHerJIfynx9vOr7-Y7NZWq0wgOFxeQRUHBzLpNFoj2TvMBwyCRqPJoRulMmnTVrZUhSogiICbG7JKDlxmJkZTaO30C8nUfLRBbuVKbvrm_tuxH/s1600/stylish-blogger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO0yY60c3l7UOpvChOv9WbK7prK41SEaHerJIfynx9vOr7-Y7NZWq0wgOFxeQRUHBzLpNFoj2TvMBwyCRqPJoRulMmnTVrZUhSogiICbG7JKDlxmJkZTaO30C8nUfLRBbuVKbvrm_tuxH/s320/stylish-blogger.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moi???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, Julie at <a href="http://youjusthavetotri.blogspot.com/">You Just Have to Tri</a> awarded me with the Stylish Blogger award, and I am so excited! I think the rules say that the Stylish Blogger must share seven items about herself and then pass it on to a couple other bloggers that she deems worthy! I wish I could pass it right back to Julie, because I love reading her blog so much, but it just doesn't work that way, however, you should check out her blog. She does tons of races and trains really hard and is basically one of the nicest people I have "met" in blogland. For her SB award, she shared seven outfits from her past, and they were great. The 80's get people all the time. I don't have a bunch of old photos uploaded, so I will try to share seven interesting things about myself.<br />
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1. My husband is an engineer-math-genius-type and I am a writer. We ALWAYS come at things from completely different perspectives. Because of that, we are constantly debating on everything from how to organize the tupperware drawer to how we will raise children. It can be frustrating sometimes, but it is actually really refreshing to live with someone who complements me so well. We are constantly helping each other out with stuff and work together from a really great happy medium most of the time. It only took us six years to figure it out!<br />
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2. I get the hiccups almost every day. I get them when I take too big of a bite of something, or when I laugh (I try to do the latter every day, and the former a little less) My sister even gave a toast at my wedding saying that because of my propensity to get the hiccups when I laugh, she wished us a "lifetime of hiccups" It was very sweet.<br />
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3. Most people think I am an extrovert, but I am actually really shy. I talk so much when I'm nervous that I feel like I come off as a bit obnoxious and annoying. And then I get so embarrassed for being obnoxious and annoying that I get more nervous and start babbling even more. I seriously wonder how I have any friends sometimes. Given the choice, I would pick staying in with a book over going out almost every chance I get. <br />
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4. Speaking of friends, my best friend, Katy is one of the most important people in my life. She is amazing, and also, she gets me in spite of number 3.<br />
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5. We have two dogs, Blue and Bex. Blue is named after his one blue eye and is my baby, and Bex is more-recently adopted and her name is short for Bechler, which is the name of the wilderness area where Mike and I backpacked in Yellowstone. When she does something bad, I yell "Bechler Wilderness Area Volle-Schaarschmidt!" She just bats her eyelashes and continues being adorable.<br />
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6. I used to smoke. After three years without, I can't even stand to be around it. I also wake up every single day so happy that I feel this good. I had forgotten for so long that it was possible to breathe in and out and feel like a million bucks. I also never thought I would be able run a mile because of it. Who's got the last laugh now? I wish I could travel around to high schools and walk up to groups of kids outside smoking and explain to them that quitting will be so hard later, and they will probably gain weight when they do it. And that most grownups whom they might want to date or marry later in life think it's disgusting. And that, one day, even though it sounds stupid now, they might want to run as far as they can make themselves run, just to see, and that smoking will hinder this. These are the things I want to say to those kids, who would surely look at me and think, what a crazy old lady. <br />
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7. I have been working as a writer and editor for almost ten years, but started blogging only after I lost my mom. It was a way to dump some stories that I didn't want to forget on paper and a way to share without really putting it out there. I ended up making a lot of friends with other writers and bloggers and also discovered the weight-loss and racing communities that exist. It has been a great way to share this journey I am on and such a big part in healing. Also, just because I am an editor by day, don't judge my blog for grammar and commas. I seem to go crazy when I'm blogging and decided a while ago to try to let it be. I do enough correcting at work. :)<br />
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That's it. That is my Stylish Blogger Seven. Now I would like to pass on the award to some of my faves:<br />
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Kristina at <a href="http://ditchthetiara.blogspot.com/">Ditch the Tiara</a>, who is my friend and an amazing inspiration. (48 marathons and 4 Ironmans and counting!)<br />
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Christi at <a href="http://pedestrianrunner.blogspot.com/">Pedestrian Runner </a>who is a great support and who is a pro at keeping to her workouts. She makes me want to try harder!<br />
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And to Maggie at <a href="http://3dayteamladybug.blogspot.com/">Team Ladybug</a>. Team Ladybug consists of Maggie and her aunt, a breast cancer survivor and their journey to the next breast cancer 3-Day. Maggie a great writer and a really cool friend!<br />
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I highly suggest visiting all of these super stylish blogs! Thanks, Julie!Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-45680759170410824462011-01-17T15:16:00.000-08:002011-01-17T15:16:24.151-08:00Race Review! Frosty's Frozen Five Mile<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUzjFfrFb7B0iO15atewgjM53o1RHMt1O75eeI9QI3KUjoCIU06eHYhCU_YIy6i14kkRNfsHvSl1-xhI2Oehne_VTLScI-6I-JEjHCq0ODGOi7XuWOjoPMNeZ396hInt4G0u_hc3S7WCq/s1600/eventpictures_6023345_thumbsize_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUzjFfrFb7B0iO15atewgjM53o1RHMt1O75eeI9QI3KUjoCIU06eHYhCU_YIy6i14kkRNfsHvSl1-xhI2Oehne_VTLScI-6I-JEjHCq0ODGOi7XuWOjoPMNeZ396hInt4G0u_hc3S7WCq/s400/eventpictures_6023345_thumbsize_original.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I look so serious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>LOVED this course! I have done a couple other races from the Winter Distance Series in previous years when it was at Chatfield, and the change to Hudson Gardens was perfect. In addition, the weather was great at about 45 degrees and sunny, and all of the snow and ice had melted from the course.<br />
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There were over 500 finishers for the five-mile race and around 300 for the 10-mile. <br />
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The morning started a little slow for me. I woke up feeling a little under the weather, like a bad cold might be setting in (which, of course, it has today). But I made my coffee, put on my running clothes, ate my peanut butter English muffin and hit the road. As I was driving down there, I started panicking, thinking maybe I was wrong about the 9:15 start time I had in my head. I peeked at my Blackberry (at a red light!) and realized I <em>was</em> wrong. It started at 9. I started hurrying, and then started giving into the negativity. I wasn't feeling that well, I was now running late, and it was cold outside, plus, I had promised a friend that I would come to his Body Step teaching debut later that day, so I knew I had another workout yet to come. Etc, etc, etc. I seriously almost had myself talked out of going. By the time I got there and was directed where to park, I was feeling kind of lame and ready to go back home. The parking guy said, "Just drive past that loop, flip a u-turn, and then come back and park right here next to me" I seriously almost kept driving. As in, no u-turn, no parking right next to him, I just wanted to go back home and nurse my cold. But I did make the u-turn, and I did park, and I did run the race. And I loved every minute of it! <br />
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I walked about half to three-quarters of a mile out of the 5. I was feeling kind of breathy, probably from being stuffed up and having a seriously sore throat. I finished in 1:06. Not a good time for me, but with walking some and not feeling so hot, I'll take it. <br />
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The good things:<br />
The weather, the course, and running PAIN FREE, thanks to the awesome girl who works at Runner's Roost in Lone Tree. She sat with me for almost 45 minutes letting me try on every kind of insert they have until I found the right ones. And those inserts rock! Also, the Winter Distance Series is super organized, but not huge. They really have a good thing going with these races.<br />
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The bad things:<br />
Really, I can't think of anything that was bad, except for my initial bad attitude and my sore throat. <br />
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Can't wait to do The Snowman Stampede 10 miler in February! Next year, I want to do all three races.<br />
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And by the way, after doing this race, the Body Step class kicked my butt later. But still, so glad I went to both. Isn't it funny how when you are dreading working out, you always feel bad and regret throwing in the towel and skipping, but you NEVER end up regretting forcing yourself to do it? I almost skipped this race, but by the time I was standing at the starting line waiting for the gun, I was in it and so glad I was there. I love running!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9g2QI_CeyGWGnUpd2M1odGT-xeqrWXBGKsy5I0QFQ5ugpTwaTCQs6ILXffDXQrV8GdZRWV7DwS3n7yeGG2fLT7UfkoGSfsPNtYyLnX6dmT4kYKgNkAgv1I4JsFs1lzdYOJ6Y4A-bjnZr/s1600/Frostys_5%252610_logo_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9g2QI_CeyGWGnUpd2M1odGT-xeqrWXBGKsy5I0QFQ5ugpTwaTCQs6ILXffDXQrV8GdZRWV7DwS3n7yeGG2fLT7UfkoGSfsPNtYyLnX6dmT4kYKgNkAgv1I4JsFs1lzdYOJ6Y4A-bjnZr/s400/Frostys_5%252610_logo_small.png" width="361" /></a>Because I am doing Run for the Bling of It, I am supposed to show my race bling. There wasn't a medal for this race, but we got a cool long-sleeved t-shirt with this logo:<br />
I wore it with pride to Body Step and sweated all over it.Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-23686978962343860512011-01-17T07:42:00.000-08:002011-01-17T07:42:15.086-08:00Crazy Week!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZAal5OmaQdoWJu1gZP1-4kxgttpAvABz8mLjS9UBCcfuUz_UYg4dhI6_iX66pbNorMPjlRMPii2wRA56wQaq5Uop3dhhmgCuHoXGE7QQ7L-50zk3OMvxtdaEHv8Zj0b399S-RTrK-WQe/s1600/sock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZAal5OmaQdoWJu1gZP1-4kxgttpAvABz8mLjS9UBCcfuUz_UYg4dhI6_iX66pbNorMPjlRMPii2wRA56wQaq5Uop3dhhmgCuHoXGE7QQ7L-50zk3OMvxtdaEHv8Zj0b399S-RTrK-WQe/s400/sock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this is the first of three posts. First, an update, followed by a race review, followed by my acceptance speech for Stylish Blogger Award from Julie at <a href="http://youjusthavetotri.blogspot.com/">You Just Have to Tri</a> (thank ya, thankyaverymuch). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been slacking on blogging this week, but not on anything else, so that is good. I am in the middle of the busiest time I have ever experienced at work. The website I am editing launches on January 29, so my whole team has been working late during the week and a lot of weekend hours, too. I don't mind it; I love my job and am excited for the site to launch. It does make keeping up on everything a little more difficult, though. We are also in the middle of remodeling our basement, a project that grew some legs and has taken three weeks more than we anticitpated. It is looking great, and we are almost done, but living in a construction zone stresses me out. We aren't total clean-freaks or anything (having two big hairy dogs kind of prevents that) however, I have a hard time thinking straight when my house is a mess. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somehow, though, I managed to get all my workouts in this week, plus an extra one. In the past, I easily would have let the craziness take over and just skipped working out . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got new running shoe inserts at Runner's Roost, along with a world famous Strassburg Sock. Both are saving me from pain, which is AWESOME!! While the pain management is good, the wearing of the actual Strassburg sock is not. The first time I put it on as I was getting ready for bed went something like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: *sitting on edge of bed in pajamas, mumbling to self, attaching apparatus to leg*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike: *walking into the room, then smirking* Oh, that is super sexy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: *defensive* I know it isn't pretty, but it is going to make me feel better!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike: This is the same person who can't sleep in socks and has to have both feet sticking out from under the covers so that they can *Nixon air quotes* "breathe." I give it until 2 in the morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We both spent parts of the next 20 minutes lying in the dark, alternately laughing at the ridiculous sock. The thing looks like it might be standard issue when you check into a nursing home. So hideous. Needless to say, somewhere around 11, the velcro around my calf started driving me crazy, and i squirmed out of it. Mike won that round, but I have since started wearing it while I am sitting at my computer working or just hanging out. I am getting more and more used to it and will eventually be able to sleep an entire night with it on. It actually makes my foot feel really good, but the velcro and tight sock around my calf is so annoying. I will get there, though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weigh in was Saturday. 212.5 down just over a pound. It is good to be down, but I really miss the days of losing a pound or two a week. This is going to be slow-going, so I just have to keep at my nutrition plan and keep chipping away. I will get below 200 before marathon this time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think that is all the updating needed! Race review and Stylish Blogger write-up coming later today!</span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-3877239087418967862011-01-11T08:59:00.000-08:002011-01-11T08:59:08.068-08:00Back on the Wagon and Praying to the Foot Gods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdd5gi61-y0EqVgh7AQ6sOrw5Y_-oSRaWgdQ-zE8z8cIMOQ-cwOQsu12JNxTV1ueXRgP3OCJnO8Bf45zh9Day6NAcKwAbm7E_EaL0YnjgyVAyxWXJEDTqpKALCC8H0Ghx0N5QWfy0ReE-/s1600/feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdd5gi61-y0EqVgh7AQ6sOrw5Y_-oSRaWgdQ-zE8z8cIMOQ-cwOQsu12JNxTV1ueXRgP3OCJnO8Bf45zh9Day6NAcKwAbm7E_EaL0YnjgyVAyxWXJEDTqpKALCC8H0Ghx0N5QWfy0ReE-/s320/feet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are in! Mike and I registered under the charity section for the Colorado Marathon, and we’re in. Race is May 1, which is 16 weeks away, which means marathon training starts this week!! As in, yesterday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, with that being the case, I ran for the first time in three weeks yesterday. We did three miles on the indoor track at the Athletic Club because it was two degrees outside last night; yes, count them, two. I actually did one mile on the track, one mile on the elliptical, and one mile on the track while Mike did all three on the track. I am trying to be cautious, and my foot felt a tiny bit tweaky after the first mile. I iced it when I got home, and it felt *ok* this morning. I feel a little nervous but am easing into it and making sure to be acutely aware of how it feels at all times. I am going to take a look at new shoes this week. Even though my Pearl Izumis have been my saving grace for the past few years, my body, running style, and feet have changed, so I am going to go get fitted again and see if they have any advice for fighting Plantar Fasciitis. I am also going to start icing after every single run (I will, I swear, even thought I hate it) and I am going to start sleeping in one of those apparatus’ that keep your foot in the right position all night to ease the fasciia. Any other PF remedies you know of? I will try ‘em. I am all about prevention this time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I selected a training plan that has three rest days per week. I will use one of those days to lift upper body, but am going to fully stay off of my feet for all three days. It seems like a lot of rest days, but I am not trying to be aggressive. I am trying to finish this race. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am also back on track to lose this last 15-20 pounds. I was slacking for awhile and I need to be serious about that part of it, too. There is a reason you don’t see too many people my size finishing marathons, and it is that it is too hard on bodies to pound 200 pounds around on little feet. It’s just the way it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a pretty rude awakening last night. Guess what they have when you run indoors? Mirrors, lots of them. I made the mistake of wearing one of my favorite workout shirts, that I actually, until last night, thought looked good on me. Yeah, not so much. Running in front of mirrors is my new scare tactic to get my weight down. No matter how much I pulled and stretched my shirt or hiked my running pants up to cover my stomach, I still kept catching glimpses in the mirror of everything jiggling around and straining against the spandex and tech material. Sometimes it is good to get a new kick in the pants like that, and that is the affect it had, for sure. I also felt a little sad about it though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have come far and am happy about that. But I have far to go. In so many ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rest day today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 miles tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My new breakfast of champions as suggested by my best friend:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One light English Muffin (I get double-fiber because fiber is my friend) 100 calories</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One ounce light cream cheese: 70 calories</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One Morningstar vegetarian sausage patty: 80 calories</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I toast my muffin and let the cream cheese get all melty, then add a little hot sauce. Yum! And keeps me full til lunch! </span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-75440527775349771172011-01-03T17:32:00.000-08:002011-01-03T18:08:09.750-08:00And All is Right with the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9g2QI_CeyGWGnUpd2M1odGT-xeqrWXBGKsy5I0QFQ5ugpTwaTCQs6ILXffDXQrV8GdZRWV7DwS3n7yeGG2fLT7UfkoGSfsPNtYyLnX6dmT4kYKgNkAgv1I4JsFs1lzdYOJ6Y4A-bjnZr/s1600/Frostys_5%252610_logo_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9g2QI_CeyGWGnUpd2M1odGT-xeqrWXBGKsy5I0QFQ5ugpTwaTCQs6ILXffDXQrV8GdZRWV7DwS3n7yeGG2fLT7UfkoGSfsPNtYyLnX6dmT4kYKgNkAgv1I4JsFs1lzdYOJ6Y4A-bjnZr/s320/Frostys_5%252610_logo_small.png" width="289" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBij7rpzDfrnrZai4qIHS9LmWAR1FqP7EDBuxhSFHPKozmjso5TCQftujN_9msIaWo6h-y4QlSvAge5urJVx20X8p7swJ331rUT0cxEqYc5Txqev8bwiwe7z-tvzIUIUVxvQnhoAtnZ2N/s1600/Snowman_Stampede_logo_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBij7rpzDfrnrZai4qIHS9LmWAR1FqP7EDBuxhSFHPKozmjso5TCQftujN_9msIaWo6h-y4QlSvAge5urJVx20X8p7swJ331rUT0cxEqYc5Txqev8bwiwe7z-tvzIUIUVxvQnhoAtnZ2N/s320/Snowman_Stampede_logo_small.png" width="282" /></a></div><br />
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Just registered for the Denver Winter Distance Series, well the last two races of the series, anyway. Got the Frosty's Frozen Five miler in January and the Snowman Stampede 10 miler in February. Both coincide with finishing out my mandatory rest time and then starting slowly with a new marathon training program. Should work out just fine. I found a loophole in the closed registration for the Colorado Marathon. If you pay a $250 charity registration fee, then you can run it and all of your money goes to non-profit race sponsors. Seriously pondering this option. It's steep, but is also a tiny amount compared to what I was going to spend to go to FL. I'm going to sleep on it.<br />
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Either way, nothing beats the feeling of having races on the calendar. One more week!!<br />
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Also, check this out: I'm participating in the Run for the Bling of It Challenge for 2011. It's a very cool way to unite the running blogger community and celebrate everyone's wins by showing off race bling. Don't have to ask me twice; I love me some race bling!! Here is the link:<br />
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<a href="http://runfortheblingofit.blogspot.com/2010/12/challenge.html">Run for the Bling of It</a>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-46676746956795122532011-01-01T13:58:00.000-08:002011-01-02T09:49:01.184-08:00Brand New Year! No Regrets, No Excuses, No Whining!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFY-IKZs-ivCBQE2imc6zus6WErrEDsd887aLdGgs-BahWzg7QO8IE9HvFLERLHA107nDlWhoVxQ875f8j4yytncjslqAAYRP3xMKF8rWXXdQABcL19EInnL276KiMMuupj9NLAOTLImOg/s1600/IMG_2753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFY-IKZs-ivCBQE2imc6zus6WErrEDsd887aLdGgs-BahWzg7QO8IE9HvFLERLHA107nDlWhoVxQ875f8j4yytncjslqAAYRP3xMKF8rWXXdQABcL19EInnL276KiMMuupj9NLAOTLImOg/s320/IMG_2753.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Happy New Year to everyone out there in blogland! After a week and half of trying to force myself into a positive outlook, I think I have finally achieved it, just in time for the new year. I have 1.5 more weeks without running, but I am excited to get back to it (slowly and carefully) and in the meantime am excited to start working out at my brand new gym. It costs more than twice what I was paying at 24Hour Fitness, but I think it just might be the best investment ever, so I don't care about the money. I am excited to swim where there are 12 lanes, (including year-round outdoor swimming!) run on a track or a nice treadmill, start taking yoga and get back into spinning where you don't have to fight for a spot in class. I am also really excited to find and train for a marathon in 2011. It was a huge setback to have that taken away from me for next week, but I am over it and moving forward. Maybe I missed the 1 from 5-4-3-2-1 in the one-year period, but that is no reason to give up, and I won't.<br />
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What I've Accomplished:<br />
In one year I went from being able to run 2 miles without stopping to being able to run 11 miles without stopping.<br />
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I completed 14 races in one year, plus a 25 mile bike race/ride through Colorado wine country.<br />
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I mountain biked for the first time and completed an awesome, difficult Grand Canyon hike.<br />
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I got to run through some awesome scenery on an amazing course and see the Hoover Dam for the first time. <br />
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I earned all those medals pictured, plus a bunch of other cool schwag along the way. (the 26.2 medal is for doing 2 Rock and Roll Half Marathons in a year, just a disclaimer)<br />
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Oh, and oh yeah, I married the love of my life, rescued another dog who I adore and is now a huge part of our family, and got a job that I love where I am challenged and paid well and respected. <br />
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There is no way I am going to let an injury take all of that away!<br />
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What's to Come<br />
<br />
I want to quickly re-visit my goals for 2011 just so that I am re-upping on my commitment to all of them. Here they are from a post a couple months ago:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">Complete a full marathon: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Update: Now looking for one in the Spring (Colorado Marathon is already full. SAD!)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">To weigh less than 190 pounds. I am keeping this one fairly general, simply because of my changing muscle mass. I know this is a good number for me, and I know I have weighed less than this, but I have never been as strong as I am now (and getting stronger everyday) 190 is a good base number for a 6'1" woman, and that is what I choose to have as a goal for weight. For now. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Update: I have SUCKED at dropping pounds this year. I am stronger, but I weight the same and wear the same size. This WILL change, and it all has to do with food.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">To fit into size 12 pants. This is more important to me than the above number. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Update: Still in the dreaded 16 jeans. It's only two sizes. I can do this.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">To finish my book proposal by my 35th birthday (in August) I get so busy writing and editing at work that I forget to spend time writing and editing the stuff that means the most to me. I need to make time for this.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">To be able to do 20 man push ups in a row. I can do zero right now. Or maybe half. But I am starting at zero.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">To do an Olympic distance triathlon. I still love the sprint distance, but it is time to move onward and upwards towards bigger tris. I will put one on the schedule for this summer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">Update: Looking at Cherry Creek Streak Olympic. Loved that sprint last year.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">To be able to bike up Lookout Mountain. (I want to participate in Beer Bike Bench this year; oh yeah, it's on)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">To (finally) hit a 10 minute pace for an entire half marathon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">To go visit my dad and stepmom at least monthly. They are only an hour away, but I never get down there to see them because I am always so busy. I miss them. And they won't be around forever. I need to get down there more often.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">All of these goals will be made easier by accomplishing the weight-loss goal. That is the cold, hard truth. I regularly fall into the trap of burning so many calories that I am constantly hungry, but then eating so much that I end up overcompensating. I sadly will be starting this year at a weight very similar to the original start number (I will weigh in tomorrow and then continue to do so on the 1st and 15th each month)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">To end my New Year post, I want to include a few pictures.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcxD7clmh2LI5CoCECzyhtLbKESiWYp6oHXJYgZ875-bU5PUIzsfkXhNMiSHUTjtRD7Y9HhZZ0z_M0fzOh-8mEmP2-y73IykS0BJOCyPDxPl5RjXvWK5TO9bvUasyhZ4YS0_0V658IUb5/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcxD7clmh2LI5CoCECzyhtLbKESiWYp6oHXJYgZ875-bU5PUIzsfkXhNMiSHUTjtRD7Y9HhZZ0z_M0fzOh-8mEmP2-y73IykS0BJOCyPDxPl5RjXvWK5TO9bvUasyhZ4YS0_0V658IUb5/s320/IMG_0491.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Trot, 2007, where I weighed 235 and walked all of it with my dad while Mike ran.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrdXpgLpxlWcAXEgXF8efgzY0OLm6nu49CRpiPeohkS643TcrukMeAdjNZjCsXnDYUUAikWD5dDdqfwJzlblbXvCuladmmoSF5j3nAVBEYL4dICG2_t4mgr7J__7voV0hR-Dtw6ab-T-4/s1600/IMG_2665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrdXpgLpxlWcAXEgXF8efgzY0OLm6nu49CRpiPeohkS643TcrukMeAdjNZjCsXnDYUUAikWD5dDdqfwJzlblbXvCuladmmoSF5j3nAVBEYL4dICG2_t4mgr7J__7voV0hR-Dtw6ab-T-4/s320/IMG_2665.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's Turkey Trot, where I ran all 4 miles without stopping.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDTkbR-1m7iYFzzwh6jUTAnfAHpj22W7twfJJ_k5IiMsTJQb632BmUPIX7UXSS-LHKIJ46OelF5-gQCOqi5vpEZ9_CPqj_Cl2oUqoT1hEjQKcn2HkIBC387phKxFHgnVzDyl8oRXc2LnY/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDTkbR-1m7iYFzzwh6jUTAnfAHpj22W7twfJJ_k5IiMsTJQb632BmUPIX7UXSS-LHKIJ46OelF5-gQCOqi5vpEZ9_CPqj_Cl2oUqoT1hEjQKcn2HkIBC387phKxFHgnVzDyl8oRXc2LnY/s320/IMG_1058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2008 Tri for the Cure, with my friend Amy. I finished in 2:15 and still weighed around 230<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98BJlWVtNP3A-cXI1q2NcL34VihSF7lcldxVMPjwheLFI7XetNmdn8T9dOiQuj5ExmC2wGUVahIFLDY4qsz0bmaOzLuS1BfPCVD4WWG3PANCivpr1n37B524aAVS919bCn2o3Pz_wlr7r/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98BJlWVtNP3A-cXI1q2NcL34VihSF7lcldxVMPjwheLFI7XetNmdn8T9dOiQuj5ExmC2wGUVahIFLDY4qsz0bmaOzLuS1BfPCVD4WWG3PANCivpr1n37B524aAVS919bCn2o3Pz_wlr7r/s320/IMG_2197.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Creek Streak sprint tri. Finished in 1:59 and weighed 211.<br />
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Can't wait to add to this album in 2011! See you all out there! Happy New Year!</td></tr>
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</span></div></div>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-57219681389541844262010-12-22T14:13:00.000-08:002010-12-22T14:15:58.195-08:00My Left Foot<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is just a mini update until I can wrap my head around what right now seems like total BS.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pain in my foot was getting so horrible that I could barely walk, so I went to the podiatrist yesterday thinking he could give me one of those strappy things that you sleep in to get rid of plantar fasciitis. What he did was perform an ultrasound on my heels where he found that the plantar fasciitis on the left was really bad, and that since I had been favoring that side for so long with my pririformis and hamstring issues, too, the poor form caused me to sprain and strain all of the ligaments in my ankle. I got a giant shot in the heel, but it wasn't enough. Three weeks rest,with lots of ice and elevation. No marathon. No way to complete my goal in a year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am still really upset, but after an evening of anger and tears, I am trying to find some positives and arm myself with a plan. We are now looking at the Colorado Marathon on May 1. That would give me the three weeks off I need and still allow ample training time. I am also going to switch from 24Hour Fitness to Cherry Creek Athletic Club, where they have an indoor track and tons of swimming lanes. I need to get away from the treadmill for my weekday runs, and want to start swimming again as my crosstraining. My body always feels strongest when I am in the water a couple times a week. I am going use this next three weeks to really come up with a solid meal plan and kick start my weightloss again and do a lot of weight training. I'm sure a main cause of this injury is being a still-overweight person who runs 20-30 miles a week, and I intend to correct that, too. When I can, I will start training again, and I will finish a marathon. But for today, I am still a little angry. So I am going to try to let it go and enjoy today and dinner with friends tonight, and Christmas with family this week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before all that, though, I am going to have a beer. I'll be back tomorrow with new goals and plans and whatever else I can try to renew to make myself feel better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you all for being such great cyber friends. The support is so amazing. And needed. You guys all rock. I didn't come this far to give up, and you guys make me see that it is all still possible. </span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-80921235859146687032010-12-16T12:25:00.000-08:002010-12-16T12:32:20.834-08:00The Marathon That Stole Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2wWlsotdWeobybn2ZY9XGaaFbUXfrmJMoUIRIjM5IzHDRkajPLM4Qr_HTGxJ7e8oHhT5_2H1aSugkXVMxzEquZATRM2J2cmdzVXg3yReNDPhyRIOmbH1FIv_LUHuHqGOahFg5Vi7QyOz/s1600/pause.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2wWlsotdWeobybn2ZY9XGaaFbUXfrmJMoUIRIjM5IzHDRkajPLM4Qr_HTGxJ7e8oHhT5_2H1aSugkXVMxzEquZATRM2J2cmdzVXg3yReNDPhyRIOmbH1FIv_LUHuHqGOahFg5Vi7QyOz/s1600/pause.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My weigh in was up two pounds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a sudden and super-painful onset of Plantar Fasciitis at mile 11 of our 18 mile run on Sunday. I couldn't finish because of the pain. I was feeling and running so well, and had to stop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Missed two runs this week because of the same issues. ( foot is feeling a bit better today, so that is good)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a ten miler on Saturday that I'm still planning on, but feeling tentative about. (Do I do the 18 miler instead, if I can, even knowing that 20 is next week? Or do I stick to the schedule and write the 18 miler off? Anyone?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I am tentative about a ten-miler, you can imagine my feelings about the looming 26.2. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feeling blah and Scroogey and pissed at myself for eating way too much during the holiday ridiculousness. I need to be leaner for this race. Dragging 200 pounds of me that far is going to suck. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am working crazy hours this week as I get closer to a huge January deadline at work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The holidays have me in a funk this year for some reason. It makes me miss my mom and her crazy Christmas schemes and traditions. And that laugh of hers. Dammit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please put me on pause for a couple more days to get ahold of myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be back and will be strong. I am just having an off week. </span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-20042977749682145242010-12-10T14:02:00.000-08:002010-12-10T14:02:15.416-08:00Run a Mile in Mine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_TjssIDJe891Jp5YofkYHnmJvcuKUnsyonsS5q-TDOjiANMmbIUCm-XOBWGWzoS6T0Vkmp7KMCsRHUdde9j7x51ZctSSuBaPo2dlvu83iYVU28S9-7g49FR9oFZ0xrQWjpWJ6z-ODjv-/s1600/high_heels_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_TjssIDJe891Jp5YofkYHnmJvcuKUnsyonsS5q-TDOjiANMmbIUCm-XOBWGWzoS6T0Vkmp7KMCsRHUdde9j7x51ZctSSuBaPo2dlvu83iYVU28S9-7g49FR9oFZ0xrQWjpWJ6z-ODjv-/s320/high_heels_00.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve had to make a very important decision in the past few weeks. I have eliminated something very near and dear to my heart from my everyday life, and I just haven’t been the same since then. I may never be the same. I’m still having trouble talking about it, but here goes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodbye, sassy heels and sleek pumps. I bid you adieu until after January. For the next month, plus all the necessary post-marathon healing days, I will only be wearing sensible shoes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally had to use some common sense when it came to the way my knees were feeling. And my toes, for that matter. My poor feet and knees take a beating during my runs every week, and I was extending that beating by putting on my 3-inch black patent Calvin Kleins or 3.5-inch brown suede Donna Karans or various other beautiful and special shoes everyday with no regard for how much additional damage I was doing. The realization came when I was walking into my office and happened to glance at myself in the shiny window pane as I was going by. I realized I was hobbling into work each day in my fabulous, stylish shoes. Kinda takes away some of the fab and style when I look ridiculous limping around in them, wouldn’t you say?.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There really is no need for me to wear heels to work. I’m not trying to find a husband at the office, a’la Mad Men. (because we all know men are mysteriously drawn by the lure of high heels) I already have a husband, and while he <strike>appreciates</strike> tolerates my love for shoes, he typically prefers for me to ditch the heels in favor of something that gives him back his height advantage. In addition, I don’t work in some trendy New York style office. I write and edit a large company’s website. I am the only writer on a team of techies and coders. I could probably wear a muumuu and a paper bag on my head, and no one would notice. In addition, our CEO is frequently seen wearing Bill Cosby sweaters and fleece vests. So I think I’m good going a little more casual. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strangely, the saddest thing about the whole situation isn’t giving up my favorite shoes. It’s that it is making me feel kind of old. Like there is some magical youthfulness attached to wearing high heels. Who knows? For some reason, even though I'm being as stylishly sensible as I know how trotting around in Danskos everyday, I sometimes feel like I’m wearing these:</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am leaving my days as a fashion icon behind and embracing my new runner identity. It's the only sensible thing to do. </span></div>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-40357627374894714802010-12-09T09:08:00.000-08:002010-12-09T10:13:47.150-08:00The Day I Beat Adam Goucher<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*sorry about the formatting issues. I can't get the spacing to work right today!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to high school with Adam Goucher. Back then, he was an all-star on the Doherty High School cross country team, although, more recently you might know him from the Olympics or Runner’s World Magazine. Or from the fact the he and his wife, Kara, make up <em>the</em> power couple of the running world. Recently, Ben from <a href="http://bendoeslife.com/">Bendoeslife.com</a> has started doing some work with them and has posted a couple times about Adam and Kara. Every time I see them, I think about a day during my junior year of high school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The coolest teacher at Doherty was (and still is from what I understand) Mr. Steve Gigliotti. My friends and I used to call him “Steve” behind his back, pretending that we were on a grown-up first name basis with him and that he returned even an ounce of our misguided high-school affections. Mr. G. taught Anatomy and Physiology, and he made it fun and interesting and piqued everyone’s interest in the human body. He wore Levi’s and Nikes and cracked jokes with us as if we were his friends instead of a bunch of kids. By the end of the year, I was pretty sure I was going to head to medical school at some point. (until, of course, I realized that I am horrible at math and was meant to work with words instead of blood and guts. A win-win epiphany for everyone involved.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. G. had us participate in many experiments, testing our bodies and seeing the effects on our physiology. For most of us, it was our first understanding about what caffeine, sugar, lack of sleep, and other bad habits most teenagers maintain as a part of their daily routines could be doing to us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This day in particular, he was doing a lung function test. He divided us up by height which, to my chagrin, put me in a group with several lanky boys who also clocked in around 6 feet tall. We were to blow as hard as we could into a tube, and Mr. Gigliotti would measure our efforts with some sort of new-fangled medical device and we would all be in awe of the force of our breath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We each took our turns blowing into the machine, and Adam Goucher and I handily out-breathed everyone in the class. What I wasn’t counting on, though, and apparently neither was he, was that my lung function was reading higher on the chart than Adam’s. I thought it was kind of funny, little old me having higher lung function that a state champion runner, but he didn’t. Already fiercely competitive at 17 years old, he asked that we be re-measured. I beat him again. Then he asked that our heights be re-measured asking, “Are you sure she isn’t taller than me?” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That ticked me right off, as any extra attention to my height always did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. Gigliotti measured our heights again in front of everyone and revealed that we were both exactly six feet tall. Even-Steven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While it was really no big deal to me either way, and I actually hadn’t even considered it a contest, just a demonstration of the differences in various human bodies, Adam wanted to win. But he had lost, and he wasn’t used to it and didn’t want to settle for it. Plus, he’d lost to a girl. A semi-unathletic girl. While he was the standout on the cross country team, I was decidedly unrecognizable as a 5th lane on the swim team and the girl who occasionally got caught smoking on campus with my more rowdy friends. Later that year, I would drop off the team altogether in favor of being a full-time rebel. Not exactly superior lung function material. And certainly not someone who should be beating Adam Goucher. As Adam was asking to give it a third try, I was wondering, what’s the big deal? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have spent the last four years trying to lose weight and become a runner, and it has occurred to me that I never really had a competitive streak before. I am the middle child, and very often settled for being average while one sister was the straight-A student body president and the other did some serious rebelling, more than enough from both sides to keep me out of the spotlight. I never felt a drive to win or improve or push for a new level until recently. I just wanted to blend in. My “what’s the big deal?” attitude earned me less physically in my first 30 years than I’ve achieved in the past four years spent trying to eliminate it from my life. It’s ok to make a big deal. Even as world’s slowest runner, it is ok to make a big deal out of trying and wanting to improve and one day maybe win something that involves my athletic ability instead of what I put on paper (an age group, an Athena group, a swimming race…something!) I’m beyond simply wanting to finish. I want to compete!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has occurred to me that people like Adam Goucher might be born with that competitive ferocity, or at least develop it very early in life. And that drive, that will to win as much as possible even when it isn’t a real competition, is a force behind the success he and others like him have achieved. I have a girlfriend with a similar outlook. I think she has been a driven competitor her entire life, from kiddie track days to being a college soccer star, and it most certainly serves her well in her corporate job today. She has achieved a lot because of her will to win (although goof off during Girls’ Poker Night at your own risk). The people who aren’t born with it have to go find it if they want it. I want it. It might seem strange to want a completely new trait to your personality, but I really do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as I attack my last weeks of marathon training, I am going to try to channel my inner-Adam Goucher. Although we didn’t really know each other in school, I have that one memory of his drive to win, the drive that propelled him into the record books and the Olympics and Runner’s World Magazine. While I would love to be able to go back to high school and learn that lesson in real time, get my drive and spirit and will to win at age 17 instead of 34, I’m going to have to settle for the little-by-little approach I’ve been working on and try to borrow just a little bit of that Goucher spirit until I can come fully into my own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just in case, to Adam Goucher: My whole family has giant lungs. We’ve all had doctors mention it after chest x-rays or surgeries. It’s completely genetic. So don’t worry; it’s not you, it’s me.</span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-3439008832118349252010-12-07T11:25:00.000-08:002010-12-07T11:25:18.400-08:00Some Talk Before The Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLTZAz3UFUEDLF8f_mNgy3-P8pPbRocHPXDEqeGBI-nkDV6gIrSQj6_tnLcnSmwENIGC6jQLmiOiF3pZsThmGlCjn-IeYqTL_mYyn4QoBVQR88KIIvaUxmtybX5p3C080nJH7exCWYxLa/s1600/snails.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLTZAz3UFUEDLF8f_mNgy3-P8pPbRocHPXDEqeGBI-nkDV6gIrSQj6_tnLcnSmwENIGC6jQLmiOiF3pZsThmGlCjn-IeYqTL_mYyn4QoBVQR88KIIvaUxmtybX5p3C080nJH7exCWYxLa/s400/snails.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been working on and promising a post, which is coming I swear! However, I have been kind of stewing over some stuff since the half marathon on Saturday and need to vent. (I have also been crazy busy at work, but who isn't?) First a quick race review:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This race was a small (300-400 runners) race in Pueblo, Colorado on an awesome course. It was part paved bike trails and part cross-country-ish, although the terrain never got too rough. It was cool to run along the Arkansas River, and I would love to run that course again anytime! The race was fairly well-organized and the people were super nice. A large portion of the runners were total elites and very impressive. There were several members of the Air Force Academy cross country team running (recognizable by their matching track suits that said just that) With so many elite runners on an out and back course, it was both inspiring, and maybe a little disheartening to see them on their way back while we were still so far from the turnaround. The turnaround was at mile 8 (we did a couple miles around the park before heading out), we saw the first runners headed back before we had even reached mile 5. I commented later that it would be so nice to be able to run it that fast, because by the time you’re done, you still have your whole Saturday left in front of you. You know, to run errands and get to the gym and stuff. Those runners were amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike ran with me the whole time, and he plans to do that for the marathon, too. He said it is about me right now, and if he decides afterwards that he wants to attempt a marathon for time, then he will. He is such a good guy. Truth be told, he could run circles around me and easily could have finished in two hours. We crossed the finish line at 2:58. (That IS a PR for me, but not quite what I was after) I was on pace to get the 2:30 I wanted until mile 8. I think I actually bonked at the turnaround. I didn’t eat my normal gels or chews at mile 6. Not sure why, I guess I was just feeling really good and didn’t want to mess with it. Dumb. I also didn’t bring enough water. I purposely left extra fuel belt bottles in the car because I knew there would be lots of water stops. The water stop at mile 10 was out when we got there, having given all of their water to the faster people. I was desperate for water, and them being out kind of sent me over a weird edge. I staggered down the trail, determined only to get water and not caring about my finish time any longer. I get weird at the end of these races sometimes. Once I got more water, I was okay, but the stiffness had settled in by then, and I was a mess. If not for Mike pushing me, I may have resigned to just walking and been swept by the very strict three-hour course marshals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the race my hamstring was killing me, but after some QT with the Ironman version of ben-gay (had a sample of it from my Denver Rock n Roll goodie bag) I felt fine. Then next morning, my knees were slightly tired, and I had a mildly stiff left foot, but felt GREAT otherwise. This is a new feeling; normally I feel sore and broken for a couple days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, the reason I have been kind of hermitting since this race is that it made me worry so much about the full marathon, which is 32 days from today. I have had some really great training runs, but I feel like when I get in a race situation, I get stupid sometimes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started thinking about what would happen if I DNF’d in Florida. After a year of buildup to that race, after so many improvements, after spending a ton of money for the trip, after telling myself I would do it, after promising to honor my mom’s memory, after everything! What if?! I have been feeling pretty queasy about it since Saturday, actually. And I am sick of being negative right now, when I need to be positive the most. So here is why I WILL finish in Orlando:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We still have our 18 and 20 mile runs left for training, and we have been training pretty well. While I’m nervous about those distances, I am excited to check them off the list, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been training at mile-high altitude for a marathon at sea level. This has to help some, right? And what about adrenaline? That counts for something, too, surely. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My injuries that have had me struggling so much until recently will be lessened following my last two acupuncture treatments. I am feeling stronger and healthier injury-wise every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Between now and then, I am cutting out all alcohol and carbonation. For some reason, both seem to affect my breathing at different times and I need to give myself every extra chance. Not getting to enjoy a few holiday cocktails with friends might suck, but I need to take a month off. So, that is that. Plus, I will surely run harder for a beer after 30 days without. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mike. Mike is a huge motivation, more than I have even realized. And while there have been a few times I could have cheerfully punched him in the mouth because what I have been struggling for years to achieve comes so easily to him, having him there is going to make a huge difference (and I’m sure he might want to punch me on occasion, too, although we both remain decidedly non-violent towards each other and manage to leave it on the course. That is true love right there. ) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am trying to calm my nerves and be smart and get through this last month making the right decisions and training well and preparing myself mentally. After that, there is nothing I can do. I will do this. I will run (and struggle and lumber and stagger and push, push, push) for 26.2 miles. No more negativity.</span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-45446322050604665882010-12-03T18:41:00.000-08:002010-12-03T18:43:55.489-08:00Half Marathon Wishes and PR Dreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYTDKXxfcWSQBJJmAkyW33DueG-ycW9BEIeXMxw1upPE-Ia4vKEDzUIwgKDvrwgbco7x58eDx72fGtnHApBn8glWNMI2emqhegs1VT80vNwF9vneG5J56l4KThZkfmJIkoiC5iYBzDepE/s1600/rchalf.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYTDKXxfcWSQBJJmAkyW33DueG-ycW9BEIeXMxw1upPE-Ia4vKEDzUIwgKDvrwgbco7x58eDx72fGtnHApBn8glWNMI2emqhegs1VT80vNwF9vneG5J56l4KThZkfmJIkoiC5iYBzDepE/s400/rchalf.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I have a post coming this weekend about clothing and shoes and the secret dressing habits that I employ to make myself look .00002 pounds lighter. That will come, but tonight I am just feeling kind of excited and nervous about the race tomorrow. Mike gets to run his first half marathon, I am going for a PR that I think will actually happen this time, and it will be one of those small races that seem so personal and where you get to meet lots of fun people. (but also where there are mostly hardcore runners and it is entirely possible for me to finish last...which would suck) We will also get to have a post-race lunch with one of Mike's college buddies who lives down there. Apparently we will be eating something called the Slopper, a green chili-smothered burger that you can only get in Pueblo. Bring it on! I love earning a burger and a beer. (I only allow burgers on race days, so you can bet I get the most mileage I can out of it) It's going to be a great day. But we have to get up at 4:30AM, so I am going to keep it short and sweet tonight and get some good sleep after I pre-set the coffee machine and make our PBJ's for pre-race. Excited to share this with Mike tomorrow. I think he is going to be hooked just like I am. :) Goodnight, world! And good luck to everyone hitting the strip in Vegas this weekend! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir70WMJFLKVObriF4xUark262AyY0NatNZLrv_ppfsY50eJVNgp4PWeDXPeF6BubwaGmfjgY0oYX7HZJdCJ_k8EGOyMtqtCtpCBRvl5scnM5atTyTK2Z4UzQ0fWakZxCsX8eIW6SI5Ay-u/s1600/31107ARCHED15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir70WMJFLKVObriF4xUark262AyY0NatNZLrv_ppfsY50eJVNgp4PWeDXPeF6BubwaGmfjgY0oYX7HZJdCJ_k8EGOyMtqtCtpCBRvl5scnM5atTyTK2Z4UzQ0fWakZxCsX8eIW6SI5Ay-u/s320/31107ARCHED15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, so I just googled this picture of the Slopper. Maybe we'll split one. But maybe not. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-18642418986041010372010-12-03T09:37:00.000-08:002010-12-03T18:46:28.816-08:00It's Official!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5AgscaxlvMG12AbjAeeF5_1ffVtt1Qv9WFg2agNBeXGj_y8CZxOl4RxjWWeIFMgGayoaRaXwcs3ucDoBlWE9-uYGdh0ljPadB5y6CK74TUSqHW5j7SqxPimoT2fWUX6yimZd_7FPdQBM/s1600/Waldorf-Astoria-Orlando-Lobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5AgscaxlvMG12AbjAeeF5_1ffVtt1Qv9WFg2agNBeXGj_y8CZxOl4RxjWWeIFMgGayoaRaXwcs3ucDoBlWE9-uYGdh0ljPadB5y6CK74TUSqHW5j7SqxPimoT2fWUX6yimZd_7FPdQBM/s320/Waldorf-Astoria-Orlando-Lobby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just booked our flight and hotel for the marathon! Got a smoking deal on the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. Fannnncceeee! The European soaking tub in the room will surely come in handy after the race. Wow! It is getting SO real suddenly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A real post is coming this evening, but I just got excited/nervous/happy/scared that I thought I should share. YAY!! 37 days! Someone get me a paper bag to breathe into.</span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-21623120588501028672010-12-01T19:18:00.000-08:002010-12-01T19:39:49.498-08:00WeighDay! WeighDay!I weighed in today and the number was not what I expected, mostly because I have been feeling so much smaller lately, oh, and my clothes have been fitting so much better. No dawdling, here it is (and please ignore my crumbling, fug toenails):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_qZMRm3zAJG-02rSvtklogcRgLYWrAD6QOs24OWWGIefZwufqiTwrOtzQKFXaGk4jU7tZ3y4qgWpZ4ExTL_aJt0jST2g6QrMPOf77TnKFUcC_jmc6CQ0W7pd7haYcokD2F07y2v9Tpf3/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_qZMRm3zAJG-02rSvtklogcRgLYWrAD6QOs24OWWGIefZwufqiTwrOtzQKFXaGk4jU7tZ3y4qgWpZ4ExTL_aJt0jST2g6QrMPOf77TnKFUcC_jmc6CQ0W7pd7haYcokD2F07y2v9Tpf3/s320/IMG_2668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yeah, it was only down a half a pound. I could make excuses about retaining water or whatever, but honestly? I ate more than usual in the past two weeks. I also didn't miss one run and have amped my miles up quite a bit. With the exception of a Thanksgiving free-for-all and a couple extra glasses of wine that I probably didn't need, I really ate mostly healthy stuff, and ate only when I was hungry. To me, even though I am hungry a lot more than I used to be, that's a win. Because, I FEEL really good and thinner and healthier and "runner-er" and all of that. That is technically what I'm after. Once the scale gets below the 200 mark, I am kind of over it. I still want to use it as a tool and a guide, but as long as I can get under two bills, I am not going to stress. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After I weighed in this morning, then got ready for work, I took another picture. this one:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5U512DKhGzQOuzRDQgLxt1DXHydXNWc-JYrQjuvO6e4cJ529oqiQtBsg2_i_1rQTf3zlC6XDX_qHIboOoh2Zg_VSLiq2RE2rVJJOPlzi6LpGXcLoBqyebiSZ-3p0rzVs4HH21tzKwhF1/s1600/IMG_2672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5U512DKhGzQOuzRDQgLxt1DXHydXNWc-JYrQjuvO6e4cJ529oqiQtBsg2_i_1rQTf3zlC6XDX_qHIboOoh2Zg_VSLiq2RE2rVJJOPlzi6LpGXcLoBqyebiSZ-3p0rzVs4HH21tzKwhF1/s320/IMG_2672.JPG" width="240" /></a>I think I look like I am starting to get closer to my goal here, and that, whether it is a half a pound difference or 100 pounds difference, is worth it. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow, my theories on black turtlenecks and other clothing items favored by larger ladies the world over. </div>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-4422126935050734622010-11-30T18:19:00.000-08:002010-11-30T18:22:31.482-08:00Decide What to Be and Go Be It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2DJD_MBoAM-8jFxa0B6ilCBhczw0GiR6gGKWlB8WmmPaWSmjIuz5M7uaSHf3Uk8AQY-HghY6_bSSRIQr6fJ6h5au9Oc4PHWoJbRk6D6bWW8Q3lRUDb6g4_gSZ_v4UqT6LvsEMqE4qez0/s1600/avett-bros-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2DJD_MBoAM-8jFxa0B6ilCBhczw0GiR6gGKWlB8WmmPaWSmjIuz5M7uaSHf3Uk8AQY-HghY6_bSSRIQr6fJ6h5au9Oc4PHWoJbRk6D6bWW8Q3lRUDb6g4_gSZ_v4UqT6LvsEMqE4qez0/s320/avett-bros-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Wise words from the Avett Brothers. I decided a while ago to be a healthy person and a runner. And who woulda thunk it, but I am actually doing it. While I have my lapses both in resolve and in numbers, what I keep thinking about is this past Thanksgiving weekend when I ran many, many miles. <br />
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On Sunday, I ran almost 7 miles without walking. And then, (before the muscle breakdown at mile 11) I was only really walking 30 seconds at a time before picking back up and running a couple miles. The day finished with 13.1. I guess I have to keep repeating it because it seems so surreal. I have never run that far without stopping. Not even as a kid. Or a skinny college-age person. <br />
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Today, the uber-professional grey slacks I bought in July (when I went from freelance to full-time consultant and was trying to look like a grownup) were falling off of me at the office. I am going to run them through the dryer to see if it helps. (Sadly, this did not mean that the awesome Banana jeans from the <a href="http://54321-2010.blogspot.com/2010/10/sisterhood-of-basket-of-pants.html">basket of pants</a> pull up all the way yet, but still.)<br />
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I feel almost ready to break my Skirt Sports running skirt back out for a race. I wore one that was a little too big for the Denver Rock and Roll half, and I had the feeling all day that people were looking at me funny, like, "What is a big girl like that doing wearing a little running skirt?" (yes, the demons get me sometimes and I talk myself into thinking that other people are judging me and my giant legs, when, of course, they probably couldn't give a crap about me) I have two other Skirt Sports skirts that fit, but that I have deemed too short to wear until I lose 20 pounds. I carry all of my weight in my thighs, and at over 6 feet tall need a few extra inches to cover the hail damage. I have an Athleta skirt that I love because it is a "Tall" size, however, unlike the properly engineered Skirt Sports skirts, the Athleta undershorts are chafing machines. Seriously, that skirt has literally made my inner thighs bleed. Shorts are out of the question for thighs like mine, and I am sick of capris. I am going to race in a Skirt Sports skirt. SOON! Maybe even January soon. I'll post pictures and get opinions. I'll let you guys tell me whether I am a fool for even considering leaving the house in a running skirt, or whether I look like a supermodel who really should quit this whole diet and running charade before I get too skinny.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8M2W-t6QMBtMzWiJjwlf8NmiOl7_AsiKo1y1JlL8ffnCW9WyzRELaa2UUdKlvsFhVxTphv9iLN1qbjwoC2Koe78TFmgDaNpdGfGDHm4Y2N6dlvQBC5hu9_ElxhUFz8NlbJBF-UqFNgYZ/s1600/skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8M2W-t6QMBtMzWiJjwlf8NmiOl7_AsiKo1y1JlL8ffnCW9WyzRELaa2UUdKlvsFhVxTphv9iLN1qbjwoC2Koe78TFmgDaNpdGfGDHm4Y2N6dlvQBC5hu9_ElxhUFz8NlbJBF-UqFNgYZ/s320/skirt.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br />
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Weigh-in tomorrow! Woop!Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-92144399709155834002010-11-29T19:28:00.000-08:002010-11-29T19:29:17.247-08:00Acumazing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm58HlJcQFNA-ujH5QG9ZtIx-31_Jx-_Q8fSpgj5ygMZiFAHJvhyGgSlxkp6HtcwXRoK5SG8QctOJBv-hXvWrGbgpDKg9P4xxLD-Y_yK96E-bL2s035IF29oOnQ-KuuVUpzYTJVsp4Y-9g/s1600/acupuncture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm58HlJcQFNA-ujH5QG9ZtIx-31_Jx-_Q8fSpgj5ygMZiFAHJvhyGgSlxkp6HtcwXRoK5SG8QctOJBv-hXvWrGbgpDKg9P4xxLD-Y_yK96E-bL2s035IF29oOnQ-KuuVUpzYTJVsp4Y-9g/s400/acupuncture.jpg" width="353" /></a></div><br />
Went to acupuncture for the first time today. 35 minutes and 125 dollars later, I walked out of there without pain for the first time in over a year. I literally limped in and could have scampered out like a happy little bunny. Knowing the results, I would have paid several times that. Two more sessions at half that price, and I will supposedly be cured. I feel like I am almost there. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! And also, crazy. Some of the weirdest feelings I have ever had, especially when she hooked up the electric pulse-y thing that made my butt fat jiggle around. I felt it moving and started laughing, half embarrassed, half shocked at what those tiny needles could do. I kinda wish she would have videotaped it. I might just be willing to subject myself to some embarrassing cellulite over-exposure in the name of YouTube entertainment. Anonymously, obv. <br />
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Anyway, I am super excited to embark on this week of running, topped off with Saturday's half marathon. Lookin' for a PR in race 14 out of 15 and a fun day with my awesome husband.<br />
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Weigh in is in 2 days. The post-Thanksgiving weigh in is a danger zone, but I think I'll cover the spread. :)Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-41338287800836020152010-11-28T18:43:00.000-08:002010-11-28T18:43:48.617-08:00Zzzzzzzzz. I'm Beat!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHGiXJ1c5-4nixya4HPUtmc_8WeYE6VXTKW7Zq_6dRzm7JFjAfOnR6RiEIQbXi2IXvZ35qYAoWCIG2ybWVca-ilGRg7McYw2N3zRKgOyVSC-oCIp9C_4HKIoDTb8R-lLaUczff-JmCxRs/s1600/Denver-Skyline-City-Park-2531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHGiXJ1c5-4nixya4HPUtmc_8WeYE6VXTKW7Zq_6dRzm7JFjAfOnR6RiEIQbXi2IXvZ35qYAoWCIG2ybWVca-ilGRg7McYw2N3zRKgOyVSC-oCIp9C_4HKIoDTb8R-lLaUczff-JmCxRs/s400/Denver-Skyline-City-Park-2531.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So tired tonight after doing our long run this morning, but here is a quick weekend update before I get back to some more regular posting this week. We did 13.1 miles in 2:55 this morning. Mike picked the route, and we ended up hitting almost every big park in the downtown area. It was so cool to run to places would normally only get to in our car or on bikes. It would have been more miles, except for that my same-old-tired-of-hearing/talking-about-it injury kicked in hard at mile 11. We walked the last two miles; Mike insisted, being the voice of reason and not wanting me to make it worse before next week's Rock Canyon Half Marathon in Pueblo. That Mike is a smart guy. I go for my first accupunture appointment tomorrow and really, really, really hope it helps. Did I say really? Really. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In total, we ran over 19 miles between Thursday and this morning. I am impressed with that! I do feel nervous about the longer training runs that are around the corner.While I feel like I get better every week, I am still struggling with pain and fatigue (ankles, knees, feet) during longer distances and worry about the next long runs, which include 15, 17, 20, and of course, 26.2 miles. On an up note, the four miles of the Turkey Trot were some of the best I've ever run. So, while you might find me worrying a bit, you won't find me complaining. I am a runner now, and that makes me happy. A tired, happy runner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope everyone had a great holiday! We ran and then cooked and ate with some awesome friends. Can't wait for what's next!! Ok. Off to check out everybody's turkey weekend updates and then headed to sleep. </span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-27148299359242286382010-11-24T11:24:00.000-08:002010-11-24T11:24:15.821-08:00Pre-Thanksgiving Fun<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a fun video to watch from the wedding I was in a couple weeks ago. It is long, but worth it. Kacie's great idea, some help from her choreographer friend, and lots of practice led to one of the most fun wedding events I have ever seen and or been a part of. Plus, I don't think I looked like Barney at all, so bonus!! Just so you don't get confused, they introduce me by my married name, which I have not changed to. :) Enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!! Enjoy your trots and your turkeys, and especially your family and your friends and your health. That is what we're all working for, right? </span><br />
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<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rD4VIdvsKXU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rD4VIdvsKXU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475008149829444094.post-31729185677535113602010-11-23T16:12:00.000-08:002010-11-23T20:58:32.743-08:00In Case of Emergency, Open Desk Drawer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUmSGxHUcohc16o1o7gv0VQkESy7_X0oi2HQwzGmGDe2us6M91ChYZOtvDEJE5wiLzMQMV5D45IpVyPujmj1y5v9K5cNdP0GAtQoL5ETtO1h1XfhF-7_MeedTlikRYp3puQcWrPeiPRjt/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUmSGxHUcohc16o1o7gv0VQkESy7_X0oi2HQwzGmGDe2us6M91ChYZOtvDEJE5wiLzMQMV5D45IpVyPujmj1y5v9K5cNdP0GAtQoL5ETtO1h1XfhF-7_MeedTlikRYp3puQcWrPeiPRjt/s640/IMG_2664.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
This is my kit of stuff that gets me through my weekdays. <br />
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My trusty Nathan stainless steel water bottle that I fill at least four times a day at my company's awesome ice and water dispenser. I know it's weird to get excited about ice and water, but this machine dispenses ice cold water and that soft little ice that is so good for crunching. Keeps me happily hydrated all the live-long day.<br />
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My gum. This is only about 20% of the gum that is in my drawer. I have several different sugar-free flavors that (usually) can stop a sugar craving in its tracks.<br />
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Crystal Light. For when I need a break from the water.<br />
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Green tea, which I make on cold afternoons or to replace a second cup of coffee. I put a Splenda in it. I hate Splenda in coffee but love it in tea. Not sure why.<br />
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My tennis ball. I slip this bad boy on my chair under my broken left butt cheek, and it keeps my jacked-up piriformis from killing me all day. (Accupuncture on Monday. Super excited)<br />
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My sign. I have kept this sign on my desk since my dad gave it to me after he retired, and it is the truest thing about life I have ever seen written down. It keeps me from being a whiner (uh, most of the time) Life isn't supposed to be easy. Not at work, not in relationships, not in sports or weight loss, or being a Denver Broncos fan. When it is hard and you still want it? That's when you know something is worth it. <br />
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What things get you through the work day?Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02889603882259256735noreply@blogger.com4