Last long run

This morning was the last really long run of my half marathon training.  For the next two weeks I will do somewhere between 7 and 10 miles for my long runs, but today was 12 miles.  Come to think of it, I haven't run 12 miles since May 14 - they day of my first half marathon.  


For some strange reason, the fact that I was able to complete 12 miles today is so foreign to me.  Even though I have completed one half marathon and have 2 more coming up (November 13 and February 24), I still have trouble calling myself a runner.  Every single time I hear about others running more than about 8 miles, I am completely in awe - guess I forget that I can run 8 miles too!


The run today was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.  Debbie and I set out around 7:15 this morning.  I was pretty dang cold, but we agreed it would be good for us to run earlier.  The OBX Half starts at 7 a.m., so we need to be prepared for the cold.  When laying out my clothes for the run, I decided to try a new garment in hopes that it will work well for the OBX Half.  This summer, while shopping at EJW in Morehead City, I came across a couple Under Armour Heat Gear hoodies on a sale rack.  Yes, I know they are technically meant to help people keep cool in the heat, it was perfect for today's run.  Normally, I am one to shed my layers before the first 3 miles are complete.  I was able to run the entire time in this very lightweight hoodie.  YAY!

After the run, I ran to the grocery store for a few things.  Thank goodness for the free slices of deli meat when you order and "Harry's cookies".  I was so hungry!  Once I got home and showered, I ended up eating a few snacks to hold me over until lunch - Nature Valley Oats 'N Dark Chocolate bar and 3 clementines.  It was the perfect snack, but when all was said and done - I was ready for lunch! 


The hubs and I decided to stick close to home today (i.e., stay in pajamas and watch football all day) since I will be working my organization's annual conference through Tuesday.  We both wanted something more interesting than turkey sandwiches for lunch and ended up deciding to have CharGrill.  I think my calorie burn was totally negated by my lunch choice, but who cares!  


Now to relax for the remainder of the day!  

So true

Each day, I receive a quote/"Daily Kick in the Butt" from Runners World via email.  This quote came on Monday morning:


The best part of a run? The birds chirping, the awesome air, and the fact that a lot of people are still sleeping. The worst? The first couple of steps. Just getting the creaks out.  -- Summer Sanders, Olympic gold medalist in swimming and TV commentator 


The more I have thought about this quote, the more I realize how true it really is...  A prime example was this past Saturday.  Debbie and I planned to run 11 miles at 7 a.m.  At first, I was looking forward to it...  Of course, by the time the alarm clock went off at 5:30 a.m., I was none too pleased.  When I arrived at Debbie's, I think her thoughts were similar.  We both agreed that running at 7 a.m. was probably best, considering that the half would probably start at 7 a.m. - a good test.


The run started off pretty dang good.  We have been running on a relatively new trail that runs right beside the Neuse River in north Raleigh.  On Saturday morning, it was just chilly enough for there to be a fog coming off the water.  We saw several deer near the beginning, etc.  It was awesome to just be surrounded by quiet and nature.  It definitely made a not so exciting/desirable run better :-)  


25 days till the OBX half!!!

Friend Makin' Monday - Stereotypes

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here  Kenlie's blog, so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.   Answer the questions and your link too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM:  Stereotyping

Have you ever been the victim of stereotyping?  If so, will you elaborate?  What do you wish people thought of you as they notice you for the first time?

Yes, I have been a victim of stereotyping.  When I was in middle school, high school, and through part of college, I was often stereotyped because of my weight.  I am guessing that people assumed that I just sat around doing nothing all day.  While I hate that it happened to me, it was a partial blessing.  Those moments where I was confronted with being stereotyped keep me moving forward toward a better me.  Those moments also make me more aware of when I start to group others within stereotypes.  I am sure that I am also stereotyped sometimes as a "fun sucker" too.  Sometimes, I am too serious for my own good and it makes me seem quite boring.  Unfortunately, that stereotype is pretty untrue...  While I may not be the type that is the life of the party, I do like to have a good time.  It just takes me a little longer to warm up to the idea :-)

Football Sunday

The hubs and I are hanging out at home today, as is our normal Sunday routine in the fall.  We usually have a nice brunch - waffles, eggs, and turkey sausage - then settle in for an afternoon and evening of football.  Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am not terribly interested in sports or competitive with anyone other than myself, but I have come to enjoy our "Football Sundays".

So, after our brunch, the hubs and I settle in to our respective spots to watch the games.  I get in our recliner with my legs covered up by a nice, soft blanket.  The laptop is normally in my lap, so that I can do work or piddle around on Facebook, Pinterest, etc.  After the first kickoff, I do my best to focus on what is on the computer screen versus what the hubs is yelling at on the TV screen.  It makes for an interesting day.  Occasionally, I look up at the game and ask a question (or six) about what is going on with the game.  No matter how many times Jason has explained what a "kick off return" is, I still ask.  The poor guy tries to explain things so much and I just don't pay enough attention.  I am more intrigued by other parts of the typical football game.


A few examples from this afternoon:

Rob Ryan:
See this guy?  A typical guy might see a Defensive Coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys that is a decent coach.  I, on the other hand, see a guy that looks like the Lion from The Wizard of Oz.  Does Jerry Jones, Cowboys owner, not see that this guy looks like a scrub on his sideline?  Does he not think that the guy could be a better coach if his hair wasn't floppin' all over the place. 

 Bill Belichick:
Jason sees "an arrogant as*hole" that is an very accomplished coach.  He's a bit of a jerk during press conferences, but otherwise he has earned his stripes.  What do I see?  I see a sloppy coach.  I see a guy that probably expects his players to "keep their nose clean" and maintain proper attire when in public, but here he is with a hoodie on with cut-off sleeves.  There's not necessarily anything terribly wrong with the shorter sleeves, but for goodness sakes ask Reebok to make you one with shorter sleeves instead of cutting them off like a third grader 15 minutes before the game.  






NFL on FOX:

See these guys?  I have to say that I honestly enjoy watching them.  No, I don't really pay attention to all their football-ese, but I do love the bantering back and forth.  When Jason turns the TV on each Sunday, I always make sure he is going to put on "the guys I like....you know, the one with the guy with the fun ties and Howie."  Jason continues to remind me that the "guy I like with the fun ties" is Mike Strahan that used to play for the Giants.  Of course, to me, he will always be the very dapper looking black guy with the awesome, colorful ties.  Even though Mike Strahan is my favorite, I still do love to hear Terry Bradshaw.  There's something about his kind smile.  Of course, smiles aren't really important in football, but he just looks like a nice 'ole guy.


Also, this Miller Lite commercial is my favorite right now.  For some reason, it just makes me laugh so hard that I nearly pee my pants!

Friend Makin' Monday - 8 Taboo Topics

It’s time for FMM!  If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here on Kenlie's blog and here so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.  

FMM: 8 Taboo Topics

1. How often do you read/watch the news?  Multiple times throughout the day.  I generally check the "goings on" on my phone in the morning and watch/read snipits throughout the day on various news sites.
2. What is your opinion on beauty pageants?  I don't love them, but at the same time I can see their value if they are indeed scholarship programs.  It is so strange, but I guess I don't have a strong opinion either way.
3. Would you date/marry someone who has different religious views than you? I would.  I don't know that the lives of people my age revolves around religious views as it did in days gone by.  I think that differences in people makes the world much more interesting. 
4. Do you follow politics?   Yes, but I am not one to discuss politics outside of my home.  I grew up in a home where my parents weren't terribly vocal about politics.  I married into a family that is very involved in the political scene of my state.  So, I am very interested, but I keep a lot of my opinions to myself until I know that I am in "safe" company (I don't do confrontation).
5. How often do you talk about sex in your daily life and/or on your blog?  Hmmm... So, this is still very taboo for me.  I don't care to really talk about how much I talk about a taboo topic - guess it is my southern upbringing :-)  …
6. Does it make you uncomfortable when someone asks you about your salary/income? Does it ever happen?  I think it is incredibly rude to talk about salary/income and for that matter money in general.  If someone asks me about my salary/income, I tend to gloss right over their inquiry and act like they never said anything.  Again, another thing that is probably part of my southern upbringing. 
7. Do you tag friends and family in pictures that you post on FB, or do you seek permission first?  I tag friends and family in some pictures, but not that often as I do not put a lot of pictures of others on Facebook, etc.
8. Can you be friends with people who have opposing views on ‘taboo’ topics? Again, I think differences of opinion make the world more interesting.  While another person and I may not agree, doesn't mean that the difference in opinion couldn't create an interesting conversation, etc.

OMG - 35 days??!!?? and 10 miles

The OBX Half Marathon is in 35 days!  I am so very excited about marking this race off my "bucket list", but at the same time I am getting a little nervous.  I am not sure why I am so nervous.  I have done one half before - this should be easy peasy.  I guess that no matter how long I run, I will always be nervous before races, especially those that are longer distances. 


Debbie and I did a 10.3 mile training run on a new greenway trail off Falls of Neuse Road.  The greenway provided a nice change of scenery and very few inclines/hills.  As always, Debbie and I talked almost the whole time.  It's awesome to be able to chit-chat with someone during those long runs.  Makes the distance much tolerable.  


The run today was great - less than 3 miles to half marathon distance.  The splits were great again!

"Know your Number"

My organization sponsors a wellness program for our health pools and for our internal staff.  Almost 2 years ago, we changed from a pretty not effective generic wellness evaluation tool to the "Know Your Number"/Biosignia evaluation tool.  I didn't realize until last week that this is the same tool that Dr. H uses on The Biggest Loser.


When the program was introduced in 2009, we were encouraged to do the assessment.  At that point, I wasn't in the same place I am now with my health and wellness.  I was eating what I wanted, giving a half-assed effort at the gym, etc.  


I participated in the assessment the first time in November 2010.  I was a little nervous about it then, but after my follow-up last week I feel awesome!

Summary:

• For the first time in my adult life, I am no longer "obese".  I have never been so happy to fall into the category of "overweight"!  I lost 21.4 pounds since the last assessment and it really hasn't been that hard!
• My glucose levels are totally normal and I have a less than 1% chance of developing diabetes within 5 years.
• My blood pressure and cholesterol levels are normal or optimal for my age
• I am 80% more healthy than other 31-year-old females related to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).  I have a 0.0053% chance of developing CHD in the next five years
• My risks for CHD, stroke, and diabetes can be further reduced by losing weight (duh!)

Friend Makin' Monday - Dream Vacation

It's Monday! If you’ve taken part in FMM you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add a link in the comments section here and at Kenlie's blog, All the Weigh, so we can all see your answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Ready for this week's topic?

Friend Makin' Monday:  Dream Vacation

If you were given two tickets that you (and someone you chose) could use to fly anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? 


I know it might sound cheesy, but I would fly to somewhere tropical with no cell phone service.  I love sitting by the beach, listening to the ocean waves with a fruity drink in my hand.  There is nothing better.  I would definitely try to find somewhere with no cell phone service (or ridiculously high international rates) so that I wouldn't be tempted to use my phone or other technology.  I am notorious for not enjoying vacation as much as I should because of technology interference.


Can I get my tickets tomorrow?? :-)

Feelin' like a new woman!

Well, the side effects of Friday's IV iron infusion were not nearly as bad as last time.  In fact, the only real side effect was a ravenous little bit of hunger.  I was feeling peppy enough on Friday evening to a nice dinner for the hubs.  We had teriyaki sauteed shrimp with Trader Joe's Quinoa Duo (if you haven't tried this, you must!).

Yesterday morning, I got up and did some piddling around the house.  I was feelin' great and needed to do some catch up chores around the house that I neglected over the last week or so of feeling like crap.  

A little after 10, Debbie picked me up for our planned 9-miler.  I have to be honest and say that I was scared shitless a little concerned about going out for 9-miles the day after my infusion.  The doctor assured me that it was ok, but I needed to be aware of my body's signals if necessary.  We finished our 9-miler with an awesome pace (look at those splits!).  I am sure that Debbie would like to go a little faster, but I definitely appreciate her running with me - we have fun conversations and she pushes me to go faster on the longer distances.

After our run, the hubs and I did some errand running around town.  We stopped by the new Fleet Feet store.  All I can say is WOW!  They have so much more space and you can actually move around - so awesome!  While we were there, I worked with Emily for a little bit and ended up purchasing a nice lime green pair of CEP compression socks.  I will probably review them after wearing them a few more times, but so far they are life-changing!

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent at Draft in downtown Raleigh.  Our friend owns the restaurant and we haven't been since he renovated it.  The restaurant menu is similar to one of his other restaurants, but as usual, it did not disappoint.  I had the lovely California Salad for dinner, several Mash House Porters, and then indulged in a Big Bad Butterscotch Brownie.  The brownie was to die for - I earned it after running 9-miles!