Today's 7-Miler

Another long run DONE!  I was REALLY dreading running 7-miles today...especially when I saw the forecast saying it was going to be a whopping 28 degrees while we were running.  BRR!  But it had to be done so I did it.  And it actually was enjoyable!  Jenny and I live approximately 3 miles apart so we started at my house and ran just past her house and then back to my house.  It was a nice change of scenery and I actually warmed up enough to just run in my long sleeved shirt (with tank underneath)!  I'm feeling a little sore right now but not as bad as I had expected.  Thinking a nice hot bath is in order!  

When I got home I decided to try some homemade chocolate milk as my post-run fuel.  Remember how I said I'd never be able to keep already-made chocolate milk in my fridge long enough for me to actually drink it?  Well, I decided to buy a container of Nesquik Chocolate Milk mix instead.  And I hid it.  Yep, you read it correctly.  I hid it in my lazy susan...and so far it's gone undetected by the hubby and kiddos.  Yay!  

Can you spot the Nesquik? I at least turned the container around so the Nesquik bunny was facing backwards so he wouldn't be easily spotted!  Aren't I evil?  Or maybe just very smart.

So I got out my Tupperware Shaker Bottle which I LOVE and filled it halfway with milk, then 2 Tbsp of chocolate mix, then a scoop of protein powder.  Shake, shake-a-roo and voila...a chocolatey protein shake!   I think I need to tweak the measurements of the powders, because it seems really sweet and the protein powder left an aftertaste. Next time, a little less of both, I think!

Not sure what the rest of our day holds...today is hubby's birthday and he's at an auction.  Maybe we will catch a movie later and just relax.  That's my kind of Saturday!  

A Late Wake-Up, Icky Weigh-In, & A Great Workout!

This morning got off to a cruddy start.  The past two mornings my alarm hasn't gone off.  Yesterday morning it was because I didn't set it (oops), and this morning was due to the fact that I had the actual time set wrong (had it set for PM instead of AM..oops again) so my alarm wouldn't have gone off until this evening.  THAT  wouldn't have been very beneficial at all!  Anyways, when I finally woke up the clock read 6:44...and my son (whom I normally wake up at 6) gets on the bus at 6:50-6:55.  I don't know how we did it, but he was able to shower and get ready AND make it to the bus in time.  I sure was glad because last night we had freezing rain and the roads were icy...and I did NOT want to have to drive him to school in those conditions.  

After that, I got the girls up, dressed, and on the bus and only then was I able to take a deep breath!

I am supposed to do a 3 mile training run today and the forecast showed rain all day.  Running in the rain is where I draw the line between courageous and wimpy.  I don't like soggy clothes, shoes, you name it.  So I needed to devise a plan of how to get my 3 miles in.  It involved my treadmill.  I HATE running on the treadmill.  Especially anything over 1 mile.  But I had some motivation from hubby (more on that below), so I was determined to get these 3 miles in if it killed me (and it could have).  

Since we are in the middle of a master bathroom installation project, our bedroom as double as a construction supply storage area.  This is what I saw when I entered my room....can you spot the treadmill?  

So the first step was to move everything around in order to actually have space to unfold the treadmill.  That was a workout in itself!!  Then I hopped on and got the party started.  As I starting my walking warm-up I came up with this workout that involved running 1/4 of a mile, then stopping to do a strength exercise:

0-.1 mile:  Walk @ 3.5 mph

.1-.25 mi: Run @ 5.0 mph

15 Bicep Curls (using 10 lb weight until exhaustion and finishing with 5 lb weight)

.25-.50 mi:  Run @ 4.5 mph

15 Hammer Curls with 5 lb weight

.50-.75 mi: Run @ 6.0 mph

15 Tricep Kick-backs & 20 Tricep Pulses

.75- 1.0 mi: Run @ 5.5 mph

15 Pushups on knees

1.0-1.25 mi: Run @ 5.0 mph

15 Over Tricep Presses with 1 10 lb weight 

1.25-1.50 mi:  Run @ 5.5

15 Chest Flys with 5 lb weights

1.50-1.75 mi:  Run @ 6.0

Stepped side to side and lifted alternating knees

1.75-2.0 mi: Walk at 3.8 mph

15 Standing Rows on each side with 10 lb weight

2.0-2.25 mi:  Run @ 5.5 mph

Stretched calves (they were really burning)

2.25-2.50 mi: Run @ 5.0 mph

15 Pushups on knees

2.50-2.75 mi:  Run @ 5.5 mph

15 Squats with Overhead Presses using 10 lb weights

2.75-3.0 mi: Run @ 5.0 mph

3.0-3.15 mi: Walk @ 3.5 mph

3.15-3.25 mi: Walk @ 3.0 mph

Stretch

Here is what my treadmill said when I was done:

I'm not sure the 530 calories burned was accurate (normally I figure @ 110 calories for every mile ran), but my actual time on the treadmill was 40:22 mins, so all in all it was probably an hour workout!  Woohoo!  And I feel awesome!  I got my 3 miles in, worked up a sweat, AND did some strength training to tone my flabby grandma arms!

Speaking of flabby grandma arms...I think I'm starting to notice some toning action going on since I've started doing strength stuff again!  It's always great to see results!

Now about my weigh in.  As much as I HATE to report this, the scale said 174 this morning!  I think I was 173 last week.  But I guess it could be that I'm gaining some muscle.  Or it could be that I ate too many helpings of the TWO Lemon Lushes that I made this weekend.  I'm sure hoping it's muscle. 

Hubby and I had a conversation awhile back about one of his friends promising his wife a trip to Florida if she lost weight.  Now before you get yourself in a tizzy and think this guy is a total jerk, his wife wants to lose weight and he thought this would give her added motivation.  So that got me thinking...why not set a reward for myself like that?  Hubby and I are always dreaming of taking a nice vacation somewhere tropical together, but we never book anything.  So it never happens.  So I asked him what he thought of using that as a reward for my reaching my goal weight.  He said sure!  He quickly realized that it's a win-win situation with  him...he gets a hot looking wife AND a vacation...with no work on his part.  He's a smart man. 

So I am going to get my butt in gear and shed some pounds and in the meantime we are going to decide on a place we'd like to go to.  As I felt like I was dying on the treadmill this morning and really wanting to give up, this reward helped to motivate me to keep going.  I hope the motivation continues!

Today's Run & Post-Run Fuel

Well, today I had to run 6 miles for this week's long run in our half marathon training.  I'm not going to lie...I was really dreading it.  I thought it was going to be really cold, but it actually was quite warm (a whopping 39 degrees).  I met up with two running buddies, Jenny & Shannon, who are also training for the Rite Aid Half-Marathon...and that makes long runs more bearable!  It's so nice to get some adult conversation in while also crossing another training run off my list!  It really is cheaper than therapy!  We completed our 6 miles in 1 hr 7 mins...and that included some faux water station breaks...which we walked "through".  Not too shabby!  I think the past two days of rest really helped me to feel ready to hit the trail running...literally!

Once I got home I took a shower and then my tummy started growling big-time, which reminded me that I needed to fuel my body after burning off 600 calories.  (Goodbye cereal from this morning!) I would love to have chocolate milk on hand for post-run fuel, however with three kids and a hubby who adore chocolate milk...I'm sure it wouldn't last long in this house!  So I opted for another great snack.  Not sure it's the proper proportions of carbs, protein, yada yada that you need following a run, but it tamed the hunger pangs and I'm sure the protein in the peanut butter was beneficial in some way.  (FYI-I'm so NOT a nutrition expert!)

Jen's Fave Snack

Put 1 Tbsp of peanut butter (I used my fave Jif Natural) in a bowl and nuk it for 30 secs.  Then slice up a banana on top of the peanut butter and add a drizzle of honey on top of the banana.  And that's it!  So simple and sooooo very delish!  And I think it's pretty healthy too!  This could seriously be eaten as dessert!

Sorry I didn't get a picture of my snack...I scarfed it down before I could take one!

Have a great Saturday! :)

BRRR!

I just got back from my 4 mile training run with Jenny and BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR it was COLD.  We had a light coating of snow last night and I think that just makes everything feel so much colder!  I've had a lot of people who think we're plum crazy because we run outside in cold temps and ask how we do it, so I thought I'd share with you what we wear on cold days like today.  (It was 29 degrees today).  

This was what I wore for my run today:

*A pair of tight fitting boot-cut running pants.  Mine are Tek Gear brand from Kohl's and you can find the exact pair HERE  I have a black and gray pair and they are my staple pant in cooler temps.  

* A long-sleeved performance shirt.  I bought mine from Walmart for less than $10 I think.  I have several colors and they are a great base layer.  These are actually still available at Walmart currently, so if you need one...go get one!!

* A long-sleeved performance zippered jacket. I bought mine at Old Navy last year and I LOVE it.  It's tighter fitting so it holds the heat in but also has moisture-wicking so keep the moisture away from my skin.  

*A Fleece headband to keep the wind/cold out of my ears.  Usually I get too hot for it and it ends up around my neck instead, but not today!

*My running shoes paired with a thicker pair of athletic socks.  

* A pair of knit gloves from Walmart...the cheap kind that are like $1.50 for 2 pair.

As I had the items above on and actually walked out the door to head on my run, I felt really cold yet so I grabbed a fleece zippered jacket and put it on too. Before the first mile was up, I was already feeling too hot and ended up tying the fleece jacket around my waist for the next 2 miles and put it back on the last mile because the wind was blowing right in our faces.  

My rule of thumb is to dress like it's 20 degrees warmer because once you get a mile or so into your run you will feel like it is that warm.  But you also have to take into consideration the elements...wind, rain, etc.  Today the wind got the best of us and made the run feel torturous!  But we did it and it feel great to cross that run off of my training!  Also keep in mind that dressing in layers are cooler days is the way to go.  It's way better to be able to peel off a layer of clothes than to wear one heavy layer and be stuck running in it and overheating the entire time!

When I got home I did the Tank Top Workout from Monday's post.  I'm determined to get these flabby arms into shape!  There's NOTHING sexy about a 33 yr old with grandma arms that wave in the breeze.  I am happy to report that I am sore from yesterday's workout!  It feels great to be working my body and that soreness helps me to know that I'm working areas that need it!

Not All Mondays Are Bad!

I was really thinking this week was going to be rough with the time change and my lack of sleep due to being sick last week but it's really gotten off to a great start!  

I started this morning by getting my son up for school.  Once he left to get on the bus, I had about 20 mins or so before I needed to get my girls up for school, so I picked up my Bible and headed to the living room for my devotion time.  I tidied the kitchen while the girls got ready for school and once they left for the day, I put on my running attire and headed out for a run.  I was so indecisive about the workout I would do this morning because the weather forecast showed nonstop rain all day.  At first I planned to go to the gym, but the gym is a 20 minute drive away and I just really hated to have it take up so much of my morning.  So I decided I would stay home and work out.  Then I looked outside and realized it wasn't raining after all, so I talked myself into a run instead!  

And I'm so glad I did!  It's a cloudy day, but the temp was perfect!  I started out in a pull-over with a tank underneath and about halfway through my mileage I shed the pullover and ran just in the tank.  Ahhh....the joys of SPRING!  It was just so refreshing to get out and move.  Although it was a leisurely run, I was a bit slower than normal, but that's ok.  I ran 3 mi in 35 mins and my pace was just under 12 min/mi.  Oh yeah...and the best part is that I burned 385 calories!  Woot! Woot!  

I've noticed lately that my arms are looking (and feeling) quite jiggly and I really want to get them into shape before summer gets here so I looked up an arm workout on pinterest (I love pinterest btw!) and found a really good one!  Here it is:

I really liked this one!  It was difficult enough to make me feel challenged and keep my heart rate up!  The only thing I didn't like is that it really made me realize how much strength I've lost in my arms over the winter.  Why oh why do I let the cold temps keep me from being active?  Grr.  Anyways, I guess the important thing is that I'm doing something about it NOW, right?  

Then I decided to do a 1 minute plank called a Dolphin Float.  Yeah...I was a bit overzealous.  I had to stop 3 times but something is better than nothing.  

I really want to start focusing on some strength training while I'm training.  So tomorrow I'm going to do some sort of cardio and lower body strength exercises.  It's time to whip this body into serious SHAPE!  I'm tired of not seeing results, so it's time to get serious!  Like the Wonder Pets say, "This is seerweeus!"  lol

BTW - I was so stoked that the scale said 171 yesterday morning!  And then I had pizza, and fruit with real whipped cream.  And then we all went for ice cream and I indulged in a not-so-small chocolate malt.  Yummo!  But unfortunately this morning the scale said 173.8.  Darn that pizza!  It gets me every time!  But today is a new day and I'm making better choices!  It's all about choices.  I just read a really good book about eating and weight loss...I will post about it soon!

In the meantime, Enjoy Your Monday!!

What I've Been Up To The Past Week or Two

There's been lots going on around here the past few weeks!  Here's a quick recap...

I didn't mention this in my last post, but I was sooooo sick last week!  It started with a scratchy throat and dry cough on Friday night and progressed from there. Each morning I would wake up feeling a bit better (not sure why, because I sure didn't sleep at night) and would do a few normal housekeeping things (like laundry, loading the dishwasher, etc) and by lunchtime/early afternoon, I was on the couch or in bed.  This chaos lasted until Thursday when I FINALLY started feeling a bit better!  I'm glad no one else in my family contracted the horrible illness because I wouldn't have wanted to see my babies going through it!

The week before I got sick, Jenny and I started training for my 3rd (and Jenny's 4th) half-marathon!  I love running half marathons in the spring because it's a great time to train for them.  After feeling like I was cooped up inside all winter, it feels soooo good to get out and run.  And because I've paid the entry fee and booked the hotel room, I'm too cheap to not follow through with it!  (It also provides a much-needed getaway with our hubbys, so that's always good motivation!)  We are both registered for the Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon on May 19th of this year.  We've never ran this one before and I'm excited for a change of scenery since my last 2 halfs were ran in Columbus.  The only thing I'm nervous about is what the temperature will be that day!  Last year I think it was in the 80's!  Although I think I'd rather run in 80 degree temps than rain the entire 13.1 miles!  

Anyhoo...we are now currently on Week 3 of our training.  We are following Hal Higdon's Novice 2 Training Plan and I really like it.  We are tweaking it a bit to fit our schedules and we're trying to decide if we really need to do 3 shorter runs mid-week.  Jenny seems to think we've only ever done 2 shorter runs, but I'm not sure.  I try to block training out of my head once it's over...sort of like a suppressed memory.   Here is what we've done so far:

Week 1:  3 mi, 3 mi, 5 mi

Week 2:  Because I was sick, I was only able to do the long run of 5 mi and skipped the short runs.

Week 3:  I did 3 mi this morning and will do at least a 4 miler and a 6 miler...and depending on the weather, maybe another 3 miler.

All in all training is going well.  I'll keep you posted!

Training, anyone?

Well, the running bug has once again bitten me...or should I say the racing bug?  I have officially signed up to run the Rite Aid Cleveland Half-Marathon this May!  I'm excited to run another half (did I ever tell you that halfs are my FAVORITE race?) but I hate training for them!  I wish I could just randomly run 13.1 miles without training for it.  And I probably could...but I'd prefer not to be injured in the process.  So at some point around the end of February I will start training for it officially!  A couple of years ago when I ran my first half-marathon with running BFF Jenny, we decided to run different half-marathons each year and collect finisher medals from each (you see, when you run a 5K you get a t-shirt...when you run a half you get a medal...sort of like the Olympics but with a lot less training and less press covereage.  And no torch.)  And boy to I feel like a champion to cross those finishlines!  If only they gave out massages!  So we have run 2 different half-marathons in Columbus and this will be our first race in Cleveland.  I loooove race weekends!  Our hubbies join us and we have a nice relaxing weekend (aside from running 13.1 miles, and chafing, and sore muscles, but that's another post) seeing the sites, going to dinner, and staying at a hotel.  And of course there's the pride I see in my hubby's eyes after I've finished the race...that in itself is priceless.  

So...wish us luck!  I will be sure to keep you updated on the thrills and woes of training!

Solo Run #1: A Success!

As part of my Weekly Chase (see previous post), I made the goal of running at least 2 solo runs this week.  I'm such a WIMP when it comes to running by myself.  I've even been known to have a complete emotional break-down.  Right in the middle of the road.  Like a lunatic.  Just because it felt too difficult to run.  HELL-O???  What is wrong with me?  Well, today I set out to run, just me, myself, and I.  After strapping on all of my technical gear...Garmin watch, Asics, running belt, mp3 player, etc, I headed out the driveway.  And here comes Bear and Piper...my two adorable, but very annoying while running, dogs.  So I told my son to yell for Piper (Bear isn't as annoying, but Piper is part coondog, so she goes crazy in the wild and I have had to save her tail from being hit by a car quite a few times while running) so back to the house she went.  As I am stretching at the end of the driveway, here she comes again.  By this time I'm frustrated.  When I get frustrated, I tend to just give up.  And pout.  But not this time!  I ended up putting her in the garage with hubby and Bear and I took off. 

And I was pleasantly surprised!  I think I actually like running solo!  I can just run and not have to worry about creating a talking/breathing combination that won't result in passing out!  And I can listen to music along the way with a beat that nearly matches my cadence (if you haven't checked it out yet, go to www.jogfm.com - it's awesome!) 

So my plan was to do 2 miles.  But I ended up doing 3.  Or at least I guess it was 3 miles.  My Garmin quit halfway through.  (Mental note: your Garmin will NOT last throughout a 3 mile run when the battery life is only at 16%)  But I know where the mile marker is and I did close to 1.5 miles before turning back.  And once I got to my driveway I decided to keep going which was probably another 1/2 mile...so I'm totally calling it 3 miles. 

I can't tell you how proud I was of myself!  And I was working hard too...I had the sweat going and had to catch my breath at the turn around point.  And I only stopped once.  Did you get that?  ONCE.  That is unheard of for me.  Oh yeah...and there were hills!  And I ran them ALL without stopping!  And I even sprinted on the last bit of the run!  What has gotten into me?  I hate sprinting!

So this running thing was a success in my book!  It no longer feels like a daunting task to get out and run by myself!  Go me!

I also realized today that I am WAAAAAY behind on updating my mileage goal.  I think the last I posted was before the half marathon in May!  I am going to try to go back through my Garmin records and tally up all the miles I've put in since then and get a current number posted.  I am sure you have been waiting patiently for it....lol

2012 Cap City Half Marathon

Well, we did it!  My running buddy and I (along with some other friends) ran the 2012 Cap City Half Marathon yesterday.  It was full of ups and downs, but overall I'm proud of our accomplishments!  We went into the race with the finish time of 2 hrs 15 mins in our heads.  Then we saw the weather forecast of a high of 81 degrees and partly cloudy, we started to wonder if that time was even possible.  As race time drew nearer, the forcasted temp decreased and I think the actual temp at starting time was around 65 degrees and overcast...perfect weather for running!  I guess it was a bit muggy according to other runners, but honestly I didn't even notice.  I felt awesome and was determined to reach my goal time.  Then around mile 4 or 5 Jenny told me it felt like her skin was crawling.  This is due to overheating as I read in an article that you can find HERE.  So we abandoned our plan to stop at every other water station and stopped at every one so she could get some electrolytes and/or water into her system.  And her pace also slowed down.  We had gotten a pretty good head start and was averaging a 9:22/mi pace (and to meet our goal time we knew we needed at least a 10:18 or faster average pace), so had some extra time to play with.  And honestly up until about mile 8 we were right on track with meeting our goal time.  But with each mile we both starting slowing down a bit more.  I was still feeling good so it was harder to not put a good gap of space between us with me running faster and her running slower than normal.  Every now and then I would look behind me to see if I could see her...eventually I didn't see her anymore.  So I started contemplating what to do.  Should I go ahead and run to the finish to try to meet my goal?  Should I stay behind and cross the finish line with her?  What if I ran ahead and she ended up collapsing or needing medical attention?  What would she want me to do?  I thought she would want me to go ahead without her, but what if she would be upset that I left her behind?  I tried to think of how I would feel had I been the one not feeling well.  In the end, I decided that we had trained for 12 weeks together in preparation for this race and we would finish TOGETHER.  The problem was when I stopped at the Mile 12 water station, I couldn't find her.  So I waited and started to panic at the thought of not being able to find her.  I decided that if I didn't see her, I would go ahead and run to the finish and stop just short of the finish line and wait for her so we could cross together.  Then out of nowhere there she was!  So we finished the last mile or so together and crossed the finish line at 2 hrs 20 mins and 49 secs.  Not too shabby considering the humidity and her not feeling well!  Last fall our time for the Nationwide Columbus Half Marathon was 2 hrs 24 mins and 29 secs...so we finished almost 4 mins faster.  A new PR.  We'll take it!  Below are some pics from the marathon...FYI - I'm NOT a photogenic runner, but Jenny is, so look a total goon in most (if not all) of the pics!  I will have to work on my runner face a bit!  lol 

 This was the night before the race after doing some carbo-loading with friends Dana, Shannon, me, and Jenny!

 This is a picture of part of our corral.  We were in Corral C..and I think there were 5 corrals altogether.  So just take this picture times about 10 and that will give you an idea of how many people were at this race!  (BTW - Dana, Jenny, and I are in this picture and we are waving, but's it's REALLY difficult to see us!)  Somehow our hubbies spotted us waving and took a pic!

 A closer up view of us as we were waking to the starting line.  We are the ones with the 3 pink visors on...I'm in the middle.

 Pre-Race pic of Dana, Jenny, and I!

 This pic was taken by our friend Hope.  She was planning to run this race, but a few weeks ago tore her calf muscle and couldn't run for 4-6 weeks.  That was such a bummer, but it was great to have Dana take her place in the race.  Dana ran the quarter marathon instead of the half because she's training for her first half in June!

 Another pic of us running.  I think I look a tad chubby in this picture..ugh.

 This was when we spotted Hope waiting to cheer us on!  We were stoked to have a fan!

After the race in Runner Recovery.  I was eating a bagel and Jenny's hubby decided to snap a picture!  Like I said, I'm not photogenic!   

 We met up with Shannon after the race for a pic.  Not sure what was going on with my hair, but hey, I had just ran 13.1 miles, right?

Enjoying a post-half-marathon-recovery lunch at Dave & Buster's with Dana and Jenny.  I look tired in this picture and rightfully so I guess.

So there's your offical Race Recap!  I hope I've inspired you!  Or maybe convinced you NOT to run ever...who knows.  lol  I actually had a great time on this run.  I just wish Jenny felt the same.  I actually thought this race felt way easier than my last half.  I guess that's a good sign, right?  If each one gets a bit easier, I will keep on running them!  For now, the plan is not to run another one until next year.  But you never know which one of your friends will get the idea to run another one and try to talk you into running it too, so only time will tell!

Pre-Race Chaos

I'm starting to freak out.  And stress...ALOT.  Ever have one of those days/weeks where you feel like you literally have a BAZILLION things to do, but you know it's just not all gonna get done?  Well, that's me and my life right now.  Tomorrow is Race Day.  I'm running the Cap City Half Marathon in Columbus tomorrow.  And even though I'll be running 13.1 tomorrow, today I'm running behind.  Needless to say, this post will be short so I can get to work! 

First there is the packing.  Hubby and I are staying at a hotel tonight so we don't have to make the long drive in the morning.  (That would TOTALLY stress me out)  So there is packing, not just for me and hubby, but for the kiddos too.  They will be staying with the grandparents while we're gone.  I tried like crazy all this week to get lots of laundry done, so that's a plus...hopefully I won't have to hunt around for clean clothes!  My other dilemma is what to pack for me for Race Day.  The original plan was to wear my running capris and a shirt I made with my name on the front and a saying on the back that read, "This would be fun if it weren't for all the running!"  When we (meaning my running buddy Jenny and I) ran our first Half-Marathon last fall, we were surprised to see everyone running with these sayings on the backs of their shirts.  At first it seemed sort of odd, but then it became some what of a life-support.  Those sayings kept us going!  We would be thinking about our aching muscles or blistering feet and then read a new funny saying on a shirt in front of us and laugh!  But Mother Nature has different plans for this race.  It's going to be quite warm!  The high tomorrow is 80 degrees!  Luckily we won't be running at the peak temp, but the forcast shows that it will be 67 when the race starts and 72 around the time we'll finish.  Trust me, that's WAY better than running in 80 degrees...however when you run, a rule of thumb is to dress as if it's 15 degrees warmer than the temp outside...which means tank tops and shorts are in order.  I have one pair of running shorts that I haven't run in but once this year (it's not a good idea to run in something for the first time during a race), and one tank top that is race-worthy.  And my shorts are pretty supportive at the waist, which in turn create a nice muffin top on me.  Pair that with the tighter fitting tank and it's not a glorious sight to behold!  So I'm packing like 5 different option of shirts/shorts/capris and will decide what on earth I'm wearing tomorrow morning I guess!

In addition to the clothes, there are numerous running paraphernalia that needs to be packed too....shoes, socks that won't give you blisters mid-race, my Garmin 405 (which I LOVE btw!), anti-chafing cream, chapstick, Pretzel M&Ms (my fuel of choice right now), my runner belt, ipod, numerous chargers, lots more!  I may need a suitcase just for my own things!!

Next up is the house.  It's a mess right now!  And we have small group at our house on Sun even, which means if the cleaning doesn't get done today, that is what I will be doing when I get home!  I wish someone would invent a self-cleaning house!  And self-cleaning kids and husbands too!  lol

I also have a slew of perennials to plant that I receive in a plant exchange early this week.  I started planting last night, but only got a few in the ground.  That is one of those things that may just have to wait until we get back!  AND my hubby picked up a truck-load of mulch for me yesterday...so there's that to do too!  (But that will most definitely wait until next week!)

Despite all the stress involved with this race, I'm looking for to it.  Well, maybe not the race, but everything else.  When we leave today we're heading straight to the Expo to pick up our shirts and our packets containing our bib (that's race lingo for the piece of paper with your participant number that you pin to the front of your shirt).  There are also vendors there, so we can do a bit of shopping too!  (Goodbye stress!)  Afterwards we are meeting up with some friends for dinner at Buca di Beppo for some old-fashioned carbo-loading.  After that we're heading back to the hotel to relax and unwind a bit before trying to get some sleep.  When we booked our hotel, we paid $20 more to get a romance basket filled with snacks, champagne, etc AND late check-out!  When you run a race and are all sweaty, the last thing you want to do is to go out for lunch and/or ride 1.5 hrs home in a car!  So we'll be coming back to the hotel to SHOWER!!!!  That, my friends, is money well spent!  lol

So there you have it...that is what is going on in my life one day prior to a big race!  Makes you want to start running too, huh?  lol  Wish me luck!  :)