Gym rat

Today, I spent 7 hours in the gym coaching/watching basketball.  I've always been a gym rat, but even I'm spent. You'll have to check back in tomorrow for something better cause this is all I've got.

BUT...I do have good news.  My missing glove is found.  It fell out of my truck at the local grocery store and they "saved" it for me by pinning it to the bulletin board and letting me know it was there.  You know you live in a small town when they can narrow the glove in the parking lot down to me. 

I planned today to be my rest day because I knew it was going to be crazy, crazy.  Only two more days until Christmas break!!  Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

In Search of a Mantra

Today my husband had to take our son to the Dr...by  himself.  Our oldest child is 8 years old and this is the first time he's ever done such a thing.  I'll give him props.  He only called me 3 times from Safeway so I could point him in the right direction.  After trying to explain that tylenol IS acetamenophin, he said he'd just get the real shit.  Uh, ok. 

He also called back when leaving town to bitch about the fact that "this little trip to town" cost him nearly $200.  Obviously he NEVER buys groceries, and if he does his list pry looks more like this:

He was quite put out that I gave him a list to complete after going to the Dr.  We live in BFE.  It's against some law to go to the big city without getting the necessities.  He should just be thankful I didn't tell anyone else he was going or they'd have sent a list too.  That's how we roll here in the sticks.  

Anyways, the real reason for my post today...I need a running mantra.  Something to repeat to myself when I want to lay down in the middle of the road and cry.  Some I'm considering:

• Don't be such a girl.
• Do you want ppl to see you suck?
• Run, b*t*ch.
• Get your ass to moving.
• Focus, damnit!
• If I stop, I'll kick my own ass.
• If I stop, I'll let Heather kick my ass.
• If you finish, you can buy new boots..or jeans..or shoes..
• F*** you, hill or leg or lungs or whatever I'm annoyed with.
• I run to look good naked.

Although I'm fond of several of those, like a true problem solver, I turned to Google for more help.  According to Runner's World, a good mantra is  "one that's short, positive, instructive, and full of action words" and one that "diverts your mind from thoughts that reinforce the pain to thoughts that help you transcend it."  I've discovered that I often count my steps while running and figured that was "weird".  However, Google assures me that counting is actually a great distraction and that some runners even have a counting pattern.  I'll let you know when I find my pattern.  Maybe Google can help me with that too.

In all seriousness, I've discovered that the most difficult part of running for me is the mental aspect.  It's my brain telling the rest of me to stop or that I can't go any farther.   "Repeating choice words whenever you need to focus helps direct your mind away from negative thoughts and toward a positive experience." 

I'll admit that much of my "self-talk" may seem unorthodox, but it works for me.  My inner me is always cursing my outer me.  When I'm angry, I swear, so many of my "choice" words can't be repeated here and usually start with 'f'.   However, I am seeking a "nicer" mantra...one that I could actually write on my hand (like Neon Blonde Runner does) that won't get disdainful looks from others.  Some possibilities:

• DO. NOT. STOP
• You are a rock star.
• JUST. RUN
• NO EXCUSES
• Smooth. Steady. Strong
• Run through it.

 What do you all think?  Please help me get more than 2 responses here, people.  Do you have a running/fitness mantra to get you through??

Covering my tracks

So, did any of you read "Ode to the Running Shoe" over at Runaway Ranchwife?  I'm so glad I don't have HER problem! 

 

Today=Operation get rid of some shoes BEFORE the two new pairs I have coming arrive and BEFORE hubby realizes how many pairs of athletic shoes I actually have.   Although, he really can't say much.  On our black Friday Christmas shopping disaster, I came home with a gun safe to keep our kids from shooting us, each other, anyone.  I had no idea we had enough guns to equip a small militia.  Seriously, we have entirely too many hobbies.  

Also on the agenda for today - Get in a long run because tonight some of my family intend to spread some Christmas cheer at the local pub, and it's no secret I don't have a lot of will power.  I will drink too much and eat too much, and if I have to run tomorrow I may die or at least look like this:

On another note...I lose things, frequently.  Things I currently can't find:

• My favorite pizza cutter.  Really, who loses that?

• One of the kids' walkie talkies.  I'd normally blame this on them but I remember carrying it in from truck.

• One of my black leather gloves.  Driving me crazy cause I love those gloves.  Guessing it fell out of my truck or is buried somewhere inside.

• One of the Christmas presents I bought and "hid" from my kids.  Hmmmm???

Have a great weekend all!

Does it really matter?

Obviously, my husband and I have very different beliefs when it comes to wrapping presents.  

Mine: (with minimal wine)

 

  

  Apparently, he got the multiple memos of "If you don't like it do it your fricken self" so after coming home from an exciting evening of working on snowmobiles,  he sat down and helped me.  He seriously actually counts and follows the grid lines on the inside of the paper when cutting.  Then, he creases, and re-creases before folding and uses perfectly proportioned pieces of tape.  I don't know why I'm so surprised.  This is the same man that turned our daughter's school Valentine box into a week long project requiring a welder and table saw.  Really.

His: (with multiple Budweisers, I'm sure)

  I swear he thinks he's personally saving our kids and family members from the trauma of my shitty wrapping skills.  I'm perfectly capable of wrapping presents neatly.  But, why?  Does anyone out there reeeaally examine the wrapping paper before going after the goods inside? 

Workout plan for tonight: 

 Run another 3 on the treadmill or run 2 and do Jillian's power sculpt or 6 week abs.  

Questions:

  Are you a freaky anal present wrapper or do you just throw it all together and cover what's inside? 

Has anyone accidently erased an entire post because I just did that.  Farewell, Woot Woot:(

Will it ever end??

This week.  Will it ever end??

Monday-typical work day only to get home to log into my grad class to find out the project that I THOUGHT was due the end of the week was due that night.  Skipped working out and finished by 10:30.

Tuesday-spent over 3 hours in a bus on icy roads to go to a JH basketball game. 

On the bright side, we won; however, by the time I got home it was late, I was crabby, and the kids needed my every minute. I was then a total loser and laid in bed watching the Biggest Loser finale. 

Wednesday (today) - I was super pumped because I took a day off from work for somewhat of a "mental" health day....only to receive a call from preschool that my son was sick.  Grandma to the rescue as I was 100 miles away.  Came home to face the dreadmill as I couldn't run outside.  This is my view from the beast:

To pass the time, I decided to name them and came up with Larry, Moe, and Curly.  They are so polite to look slightly away from my misery.  All except for Moe, anyways.  See how his right eye is watching me watching him.  Creepy.  I think Larry and Curly secretly hate Moe for having such a big rack??

I made my 3 miles but was on the brink of insanity.  I think I'll use this to cover Moe's eye next time:

Question:  How do you overcome the dreadmill? 

Me Me Me Monday

I've decide today (Monday) should be all about me. I know what my sisters are thinking right now and shut it!

Today I will list some random things about ME so all of you out there in blogger world can get to know me up close and personal.  Disclaimer:  The directions say to go with your first response.

I am....a cowgirl at heart and AWESOME:))  Had to throw in the awesome!
I want.....to have abs again.  Damn kids.
I hate.....the word hate.  Really, I'm always correcting my kids/students.
I wonder....how my husband can sit in "his" chair all day watching hunting.
I am not....a great housekeeper.  I'm more of a hurry and clean because someone is coming over type.
I dance......my ass off:))  Not real sure where that came from.  I dance around the house when I'm cleaning.  Have to do something to stay motivated.
I wish.....that Houdini (our pygmy goat) didn't think he was a border collie dog and would stay off the deck and out of the yard so he didn't have to stay penned.  Poor fella:(
I search....for my keys and my beloved (iPhone) daily....especially the keys.
I cry...about things pertaining to kids.  They don't even have to be my own.  I get choked up watching weddings, graduations, last sports games,...I'll be a mess when my own kids graduate..or maybe I'll be ready to kick em out by then.
I hear...weird noises like tapping pencils, ticking clocks, etc and I go a lil nutso.  Seriously, ask one of my students how I feel about a tapping pencil.  Grrrrrr....

And, that's enough about me (for today).  On another note, I ran 3.2 miles last night in the dark so I could experience the awesome moon that didn't come out until AFTER  my run was over.  I was a hot mess running all over our cow trail dirt road going back to my house.  Got a lil hairy there at the end of my run but I forged on.

Newsflash:  My sister started her own blog so you should check it out here.   Warning-she curses..more than I.  Just saying. 

My biggest news for this Monday is (drumroll, please) today I registered for the Lincoln half marathon to be run in May.  I have exactly 20 weeks to go from running 3.2 miles to running 13.1.  No worries.....right?

Jingle Bells

I know I'm such a loser lately.  I haven't even given an official race report from my first 5k.  I've been too obsessed with reading all the blogs about the Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon that had over 40000 runners!!  Some good reports, some bad but all equally fascinating. I stole this picture from a blogger runner.  I'm afraid claustrophobia may kick in for me and I'd have to go all kinds of Spongebob Squarepants crazy on some poor soul.  Interesting factoid I learned....some runners actually "go" in their drawers rather than find a bathroom.  I'm not talking number one here, people.  I realize this topic may be somewhat taboo but I was amazed...and a little freaked out by this knowledge.  Guess I still have a LOT to learn about running.


Anyways, on to my first 5k.  My goal was to finish without walking and I did it!!  I didn't break any speed records but my legs kept moving.  Following is the dialogue I was having with myself throughout: (Disclaimer: please pardon my language.  I felt honesty was the best policy here.)



Me:  Okay, we're off.  Feeling good.  Tara and Katie aren't THAT fast.
Other Me:  Who are you kidding?  You're eating their dust...er, snow.

Me:  Fine.  I can hang with Heather.  I know I can match her pace.  No worries.
Other Me:  Uh, hello, there goes Heather. 

Me:  OMG,  WTF was I thinking.  I HATE running.
Other Me:  NO, you don't.  Mind over matter.  You are an ATHLETE damnit.  Really, you can't run 3.1 frickin miles?  Don't be such a girl.  Earn those abs woman!

Me:  Yes, almost halfway!  Maybe I can sneak in walking around that cone at the end.
Other Me:  I hate all these mother f'rs passing me on their way BACK before I've even reached the turnaround.  Beotches, all of em.

Me:  That is horrible.  I do not.  You go peeps.  Run like the wind!
Other me:  Liar.

Me:  Alright, Heather is in my sights ahead and I can see Sammy right beside me.  I got this.
Other me:  Right.  You can't let Sammy pass you.  Suck it up.  Seriously, there she goes...she's passing you...along with some random Grandmother.  You suck.

Me:  Okay, I could walk now and no one would ever know.  It would be our lil secret.  Shhhh.....
Other me:  Like hell.  I'm telling them all and they will laugh and call you names.  Get your ass to moving.

Tara, Katie

Me:  Right.  Finish line is in sight.  What?  We aren't finishing where we started?  Why do we have to run clear to the parking lot.  We started out here, damnit.  This is just cruel.
Other me:  You darn sure can't stop now.  You know Tara and Katie are lurking somewhere nearby in their cute tutus gushing over you trotting into the finish line after all your peeps have already had coffee and donuts.  Man, I hate them right now.

Me: Might as well finish this.  I'd feel like a real ass walking the last 100 yards.   OMG, there are Tara and Katie.  I LOVE them girls AND their tutus...staying out here to cheer me on in the frickin snow.  
Other me: You're a complete rockstar....a slow one but hey, it takes all kinds;)  When's the next one??  We've got some work to do!

In all seriousness, these girls really do ROCK.  It was a great day, snow and all!!

Tara, Heather, Me, Sammy, Katie