Sunday Summary: Anniversary Edition

Instead of a quote today, you all will have the privilege of knowing our wedding song and lyrics. Please note that we did not play the symphony la-de-da version at our wedding, we went with the original version. Today marks our 6th anniversary and each year has been no less than perfect. Perfect experiences, life lessons and of course our perfect children. People say marriage is hard, parenting is hard and it takes constant work. Well my Super Hubby makes it easy it rarely feels like work. I won't kid you and say we never hit a bump in the road, but as quickly as those bumps come, they go. Instead of those bumps tearing us apart, they bring us closer. My husband once wrote in a card to me that he wouldn't want to take this journey with anyone else and I completely agree. I am not sure I believe in "soulmates," but it is true we are perfectly matched.

So close no matter how far

Couldn't be much more from the heart

Forever trusting who we are

And nothing else matters  

Never opened myself this way

Life is ours, we live it our way

All these words I don't just say

And nothing else matters  

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new

Open mind for a different view

And nothing else matters  

Never cared for what they do

Never cared for what they know

But I know  

So close no matter how far

It couldn't be much more from the heart

Forever trusting who we are

And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they do

Never cared for what they know

But I know   

I never opened myself this way

Life is ours, we live it our way

All these words I don't just say

And nothing else matters  

Trust I seek and I find in you

Every day for us something new

Open mind for a different view

And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they say

Never cared for games they play

Never cared for what they do

Never cared for what they know

And I know  

So close no matter how far

Couldn't be much more from the heart

Forever trusting who we are 

No, nothing else matters 

Words and Music by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich Copyright © 1991 Creeping Death Music (ASCAP) International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved

Before Marriage

Wedding Day

Earlier this year.

Please note, I am currently skinnier now than in any of these pictures. Yes this is my anniversary post, but it's still my blog and I will proudly announce egocentric things like how skinny I am any time I want.

Thankful Three

1. A healthy marriage.
2. Getting everything I wanted out of marriage that I had hoped for before marriage... when I had the naive innocent mind of girl who wanted to get married live the dreamy life. Yup, I am living it.
3. For marrying my best friend. I know everyone says this, but just ask my husband, I gab about things that are far too girly for him and he sits there and pretends to care like a real best friend.

Saturday Sampler: Baller for Life...

Be strong in body, clean in mind, lofty in ideals.

-- James Naismith

So not sure if you knew this about me, but I was a basketball player. I loved it. I practiced for fun, and while I hated running, I was FAST for a post player. My college mile time was 6:31. My current mile times are in the 10 minute range. Wednesday I went to my physical therapy appointment and told my therapist that the workouts are boring me to death. I start telling him about my upcoming high school alumni game Friday (11-26-10) and he says well lets make it more fun. He then proceeded to integrate some old school basketball exercises to strengthen my abductors. Step slides are awesome! No seriously, they are fun for me and made me feel nostalgic. I took pride in my defensive abilities. I also got to play on one of these:

I could have done this for hours.

Friday was the Alumni game. Short sprints and bounding...yeah, um a little out of practice. My lungs were dying the first 5 minutes of play, but settled down soon after. The alumni lost by 2 points, but I think that is a good thing. Good morale boost for the varsity players. We easily took twice as many shots as they did, unfortunately my hubby said it was obvious for the alumni that our shots were the first thing to go. To make up for my lack of defense, I went ahead and put on some hair defense.

Feel free to take pity on me and send boni bands, sweaty bands, TMB endurance bands and the like.
I am newly inspired to incorporate what I used to love so much into my current running-triathlon efforts. One directional exercise (running forward) has not been good for me. I need more lateral movement and bounding to get my former lower body function back on track. I have a college alumni game next month that apparently I need to practice for.

Holiday Bootie Buster total for this past week. Sat-0, Sun-1, Mon-1, Tues-0, Wed-3, Thursday-3, Friday-1 Totaly for week ending 11-26 9pts! Yeah, definitely got to get more miles in there.  Unfortunately my left foot hurts today. I think using my husband's tennis shoes for basketball was a bad idea. How I went from basketball being my life (including a basketball tattoo) to not even owning a pair of basketball shoes is beyond me. Ideally, I wouldn't work and get to coach basketball for a living while only working out and running the rest of my non-parenting-wife-ing time. I am so close to "strong in body," I am constantly striving for "clean in mind" and darn it, I keep playing the lottery so I can live my "lofty ideals."

I know, tattoos are permanent. I did this when I was 18 years old. I know that I have strayed from basketball. The main separation came when I got a prestigious Federal Fellowship and it stuck when I started having kids. But this tattoo represents alot more to me than playing the game. Where I came from the future was pretty uncertain for teens who did not come from affluent homes. There was a coach who took me under his wing at the end of my 8th grade year. When dressing like this was cool (I am on the left and yes those are slipper socks, pretty hardcore, right?!).

Somehow I made my highschool team and sat the bench my whole freshman year. That summer I went to basketball camp at UCLA and it clicked. My sophamore year I was starting on the varsity team. Guess what? To play basketball you had to make grades. To play basketball you had to get along with others you might not normally interact with. To play basketball you had to know your role, the roles of others and constantly strive for cohesiveness. To play basketball you had to know there were teams you were going to crush and teams that were going to crush you. I learned to succeed with tact and fail with honor. I learned so many life skills because someone took the time to teach me. I probably don't need the physical reminder of a tattoo to know there is light in anyone's future as long as they find their vehicle, but I have one. Most times I don't remember it's there, other times I regret it because I don't want my kids to have tattoos and other times I am proud that have it because it makes me feel grounded. Through basketball I made friends, learned critical life skills, got an education and even traveled to Europe for a tournament. The sun represented the light, the ball my vehicle and the 4 sets of 4 points my basketball number, 44.

How did you learn your life skills?

 Thankful Three

1. For growing up, kind of...ok for recognizing learning opportunities
2. For basketball, it's always there when you need it and apparently is key in rehabilitating my lower body weakness
3. For people who care enough to see potential in others and foster it

Thought Thursday: A Thanksgiving Haiku

Herbs picked, cut and dried
Aromas wafting inside
Thankful for a meal

~Yours Truly

Today I got to run in our local Food Bank's Run Against Hunger 5K. This was also my Duder's first Run Against Hunger 1/4 mile run. The plan was to watch him run and then he would hang out with Super Hubby and the Bug while I proceeded to break 30 minutes in the 5k. Well the Bug is a bit under the weather and the temps were too low to take her out. Instead I ran the 1/4 mile with my Duder. He did amazingly not stopping at all and pumping those elbows like a champ. And he came with me on the 5K.

He was so proud of himself.

The Duder joined me in the jogging stroller for my 5K. I was only a tiny bit discouraged because I haven't run in 2 weeks so a fast 5K was a long shot anyway. We normally run with our Bob Double, but I took our basic Baby Trend single jogger and it held up fine.

I started with a slower paced friend and dismissed the idea that I could go any kind of "fast" with my jogging stroller. Wrong! Once my legs shook out in the first 1/2 mile, I felt like I could turn it up. The start was so SLOW. Amazingly SLOW. The walkers prevented any real movement for a full 1/4 mile and didn't quite get the stay to the right concept.

I picked up my pace and felt good until about mile 2 when I realized that 2 weeks off and really cold weather meant scratchiness on the throat and lungs. I didn't walk, but I could feel myself slowing down. The Duder was so patient, at age 3, a half hour in the jogging stroller isn't exactly cool. I think he had fun people watching though. He was thoroughly confused by people throwing cups on the ground. I had to explain it was ok just this one time and that people were going to come pick them up. We came in and the clock read 32:25, unfortunately the finish was so clogged I stood next to the clock for a full 20 seconds before I could actually cross the line. Not sure what the official time will be, but I am guessing close to 32 minutes with the start delay. Not bad for me at all, actually it was kind of great! I haven't run many 5Ks. I did one that wasn't chip timed back in 2005 and came in at 31+ minutes so I was hopeful for 30 minutes being a possibility had I 1. ran at all over the past two weeks and 2. wasn't pushing a jogging stroller. Of my 4 chip timed 5Ks, this looks like it is going to be a new PR. This was also my first event pushing a jogging stroller. Feeling pretty good right now, my Duder is my little good luck charm.

	Event Name & Course		State	Date					Final
		Alzheimer’S Aid Society Memorial Run 5K 2009	CA	7/25/09					36:57
		Run And Walk Against Hunger - Run -5K	CA	11/27/08					36:01
		Shamrock'N Half Marathon & 5K - Run-5K	CA	3/16/08					36:59
		180's Shamrock 5K Run	MD	3/13/05					33:40

Thankful Three: So many more, but I will continue to limit to three

1. For my healthy family
2. For a roof over our heads and food to eat
3. For employment

Tuesday Tidbit: It Looks Healthy

Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.

~Socrates

So apparently I am worthless. That's ok though, someday I might be worthy of Socrates' amazingly high standards, just not last night or today with my left overs. Here is a little glimpse at my dinner last night.

Health food people say we should eat colorful food and stay away from eating all white food. Well while I normally use brown rice for this recipe, last night was a white rice kind of night. While it looks colorful and can be cooked in a more healthy way, here is my not so healthy dinner recipe sauteed in lots of butter.

Funkadelic Rice 

(no measurements because it is all whatever you want it to look like, the funkier the better):

• sliced celery
• chopped onion
• chopped carrots (I like to use chopped sweet potato, but I had a mirapoix in the fridge to use)

Saute above in butter (or olive oil if you prefer)

• add chicken (pre-cooked or not) I used my George Foreman first and then tossed it into the skillet)

You can season your chicken with anything, I use 21 seasoning salute from Trader Joes and a dash of salt

• add cooked rice (it was a late night so I used frozen, microwavable jasmine rice from trader joes)
• add craisins (plain old raisins work too)
• ooh, forgot this time, but cashews in this is also pretty funky

Saute everything for a few minutes until flavors are on their way to funky town and serve.

Thankful Three

1. For a Husband that will return tonight
2. For a really short work week (off Thursday AND Friday)
3. For black finger nail polish

Monday Motivation: Effort

Success is dependent on effort.

~Sophocles

So last night I was determined to redeem some of my weekend zero Bootie Buster points streak. I knew I could put in 20 minutes before bed even if that meant doing it at 11:15 at night. Here's what it looked like:

3x 15 shoulder presses

3x 20 curls

3x 15 rows

3x 10 overhead tricep raises

250 sit ups

3x 10 push ups

3x 30 second bridges

I stretched my hip flexors and used my torture stick massage roller on both my IT Bands. I was sure I would be sore today as I haven't spent alot of time with weights in a while. So did I wake up sore? Nope, guess I better step up the effort. Why is it that I can judge myself so harshly? What's the saying, we are our own worst critic? Well I wish I was my own worst (in a good way) trainer. The fact of the matter is I don't push myself as hard as a bad ass with a whistle does. I love reading about bloggers like TMB or Christi who push themselves so hard and improve so noticeably. Their commitment is truly inspiring. So what did I earn? I earned a whopping 1 point for my 20 minute effort. It's amazing what you can squeeze into 20 minutes. I can't wait until the hubby is home from his trip just so I can score more points with running. right now between 2 kids (3 and 1) and rainy weather and sunset at 4:45 or something crazy and a full time day job, I just can't really get much done before 9:00 PM. So here I am about to score another point for my 20 minute effort. I am going to try and push the sit up count, do more push ups and maybe try 4 sets of things instead of 3 sets. I gauge my progress by pain so if I am not sore tomorrow, I'll up the reps. I may also work with my resistance bands, those things are crazy hard, probably harder than weights are...for me at least.

Thankful Three

1. For crazy customer's who are not afraid to show their happiness. I was literally almost knocked over when a customer enthusiastically hugged me when I delivered some good news.
2.  For my DVR, I am catching up on three weeks of the biggest loser...you'd think I would be more motivated to workout, but I am leisuring blogging instead of cranking out sit ups while I watch.
3. For Hazelnut. Hazelnut bread for PB and J and Hazelnut coffee creamer for my new coffee addiction.

Stupid Sunday

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.  Orison Swett Marden I am totally weak! Like in the slang, I am lame kind of way. My Super Hubby is on a 4 day fishing trip. Yesterday I slept in and miss my opportunity to run in the AM at the gym before he left. It rained all day. Today I slept in, it was raining and just me and the kids so no opportunity to run anyway. I dropped my son off at religious pre-school. It was not raining. I checked the forecast and sure enough it said it was going to rain, the clouds were looming so I did not run while he was in pre-school. IT. DID. NOT. RAIN. Seriously? WTF! So we had lunch, the kids went down for a nap and guess what. The weather forecast said it was raining and it was not and the clouds had moved away a bit. I was excited for the kids to wake up, we were going to hit the road, take advantage of a park and try to prevent cabin fever (for everyone). The Duder woke up, we were just waiting for the Bug. WAITING. WAITING. WAITING. WAITING! A lovely 4 hours later and sleeping beauty finally woke up. I looked outside and recalled that the sun was totally set by like 4:45 when I took the kids to the park the other night. It was 4:20, by the time I dressed everyone and got outside, I was not going to get to the end of the sidewalk before the sun was gone. Fast forward to 5:15, plenty of light. Seriously? I am such a slacker and am kicking myself for it now. I should have been in my running gear and had my son bundled so when the Bug woke up, we could bundle her and go. Opportunity LOST. Wish I had a treadmill. Really, did I just type that? I hate treadmills, but wow how convenient it would be to have one these next 4 days with the hubby gone. Holiday Bootie Buster Points total: ZERO. At least right now, I am so motivated to do some CORE work tonight and maybe drag my bike trainer from the attic. So glad there is HBBC I have no idea if I would be motivated otherwise. Would you have woken a sleeping baby for a run? Thankful Three For sleeping kids- so I could do some Fall Cleaning For Pizza-hey it was by request, I was all about cooking a wholesome meal For Coffee, it is my new found friend

Thoughtful Thursday: A well balanced breakfast

All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.

~John Gunther

Yesterday I stopped at our new Krispy Kreme. By new I mean, it opened in the exact same spot it had closed like 3-4 years ago. Maybe it'll stay open this time. I bought 1 donut to see if I dislike them as much as I remember. I don't. It was yummy. I wanted 1 more after, but these thighs could only handle one. They are a bit sweet, but it's not an everyday treat either so no risk of overload.

After I bought my 1 donut I went to jamba juice to get my oatmeal. Donuts aren't for breakfast ya know. While in line I got a smile from a few men. No not because I looked cute in my running capris, but because I was holding my 1 donut in a Krispy Kreme bag and these men were obviously Krispy Kreme big wigs in their fancy shirts with Krispy Kreme embroidered on them. Yes even Krispy Kreme big wigs prefer a good oatmeal or fruit smoothies for breakfast.

What do you eat for breakfast?

Thankful Three

1. For my son who slept in his bed all night without crawling into mine (I've lectured him all week about staying in bed like a big boy)
2. For Murphy's law as I woke up 3 times last night the 1 night my son stays in bed all night
3. For grocery stores that open at 5 am, I have been up all morning making stuffing for faux Thanksgiving at work

Monday Motivation: I am fit

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. 

 

~Plato

I have no brilliant words of wisdom tonight. No runners to interview. No virtual race to report about. Just the simple realization that: I am fit. 

Yesterday I ran (run-walked) a half marathon. I didn't do it for me, I was supporting a friend on her adventure. There were times I checked my watch (like every mile) and calculated when I could finish if I were running for me (which I wasn't). My point I guess is I did it, with only fitness to get me there. I had run my full marathon October 17th after 3 weeks off for the bursitis in my knee. I then did a 5K mud run on Halloween and a 50K bike ride on November 7th. Oh wait there was my 2 miles on Friday before this half marathon. But nothing in between any of those things. My point? No training plan. I planned to do a "casual" half marathon and I did. In May of this year I ran my first half marathon since 2006 and it was only my 3rd at that. I cried when I finished, I was so proud of myself. I did not cry after finishing my marathon in October (only my second, but my first since 2006). I did not cry after my half on Sunday. Why no tears? Before I had trained to accomplish what seem like really challenging goals. The full and the half I just recently completed, I expected myself to be able to finish and was (shall I say it?) CONFIDENT in myself and my fitness level.

 

I don't know exactly when this happed, but it did. Exercise, methodical or not has saved me. Literally: in the physical sense (I am skinnier now) and mentally (I have much higher self-esteem). Now it is my job to preserve my human being, mind and body. Thank you running, biking, swimming, yoga and anything else I can possibly squeeze into my schedule in whatever inconsistent doses. Some is better than none. Maybe my new year's resolutions will include consistency, who knows.

Thankful Three

1. For my family who supports me staying healthy through exercise.
2. For my physical therapist who is helping me with this knee bursitis junk.
3. For Triple Chocolate Chunk cookies courtesy of all the employees who had to fund raise for their kids.

Sunday Superhero: Interview with a first time half marathoner

 “When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.”

~unknown

Today my friend Vaneese, ahem, SUPERWOMAN, finished her first half marathon. 13.1 amazing miles! She was nice enough to let me join her on this epic adventure. Then we had a nice bite to eat afterward where I got to interview her. Here's our race recap and an interview. Please note that this woman is superwoman! She ran through amazing challenges including the loss of her granddaughter mid-training. She had been a runner in her teens, but even then her longest run was 5 miles and today she totally knocked out 13.1.

Pre-Race meal:

Vaneese had a nice pasta dinner. I had Panda express, kids were too wild last night not to grab fastfood.

Breakfast:

Vaneese had two slices of toast with butter. I had a slice of wheat bread with peanut butter.

Race fueling-hydration strategy:

Vaneese, jelly beans 1 packet for the duration. I had 2 Chocolate Powergels and a sleeve of Shot Blocks. Vaneese tried a shot block, but was unimpressed. We both drank at every aid station, Vaneese had gatorade and I had water.

Potty Breaks:

1 at mile 6 and 1 at mile 12

Race:

This was going to be a run walk event. We rode the inconsistent roller coaster. We started with a 12:20 mile followed by two 11 minute miles, then we slowed down alot from miles 4-7. We picked it back up from miles 8-10 and the last couple miles we did lots of run-walking. Our strategy for a full mile was running in the sun, walking in the shade! Vaneese was struggling with some hipflexor issues, but stretched out and toughed out the half marathon like a champion. I had some knee inflammation during mile 6, but is shook out quickly enough. I personally felt like I had tons of energy and was so happy I could project that positive energy into cheering Vaneese on during each mile. Other race strategies? Catching people. There was the girl that was signing with her iPOD, we dubbed her "American Idol". We ran near her at mile 4 and she was rocking out to Michael Jackson's "I wanna rock with you". Hilarious, on course entertainment and a good person to keep in our sights and PASS on the course. There was also the super energetic girl we met at mile 6. She would pull ahead of us, drop back and so forth leap frog style. We dubbed her the cheerleader. We finished to the cheers of our spouses, her grandson and my daughter. Couldn't be better than to get hugs from the ones you love even when we're obviously a little stinky.

Post Race Interview

Why did you decide to run?

Well, I think it was the Runner's World magazine you left at my house. I had read other get in shape magazines, but I really liked this one. I then went to the Fleet Feet (shoe store) and they were talking about a training group they were getting together for the half marathon so I signed up. I had been thinking about it for a while, I used to run all the time when I was 18.

What was the hardest part of training?

Joint pain. (side question, what? Not the daily runs or miles?) No, getting up to run is easy, I do get bored on the long runs though. I like 3-5 miles, don't you? (my response, NO. I am too slow for 3-5. 10K to half marathon are good distances for me.

 
What were you most nervous about this morning? 

Not finishing.

What were you most excited about this morning? 

Doing something for myself. Finishing something I started for once. I seem to start things and not follow through and that is not good. What does that say about me? It was about making the commitment.

How'd you feel on the course?

Tired. (side question, like what kind of tired, physically, mentally, no energy?) All three. I just didn't train right. I skipped runs when I went to Chicago, during the funeral and when it rained.

How'd you feel at the end?

I felt good and will definitely take a nap today.

Would you do this again?
 

Yes! When's the next race close by? I don't want to travel too far.
 

What do you get out of running? 

 It helps with mental wellness and self-esteem. I just feel more confident.

There you have it folks, from the perspective of a first time half marathoner. You only get one first time and Vaneese was so nice to let me tag along.

Thankful Three:

1. For my friend W who showed up at mile 5 for some high 5's, you rock!
2. For Vaneese who is really such an inspiration
3. For my fuzzy robe 

Saturday Sampler: 2 miles is kinda like 13.1, right?!

“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.”

~Mark Twain

Yesterday I talked to someone whose opinion I value. She gave me some honest feedback that made me feel like I can do some really great things. I have been putting a lot of positive energy out into the world lately. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes I really have to think about it. It is amazing that what you put out there is what you get back. 

Have you made someone feel like they can become great (or already are) or do you find yourself too often being small?

Yesterday I broke Runbbatical rules (for me) and ran on Friday (my run days are Tues and Thurs). I have dubbed it ok since I didn't run Tuesday or Thursday. I only ran 2 miles to shake the dust off these legs for Sunday's half marathon. That's enough training right? If one can run 2 miles they can run 13.1? Just say yes, OK! My friend is running her first half and I told her I would do the event with her. N is more of a run alone kinda girl so I planned to start at the line with her and maybe we'd see eachother on the course. The other day she firmed it up, we'll actually be running the course TOGETHER. I am excited! I can get into my grove and run with no music, no friends, but I know this course and it can get a bit dull so having company will sure make the time go by faster. I would guess that we finish tomorrow somewhere in the 2:45 range. I know, that is a long time on the road, but I think it is a realistic goal for our run walk approach. 13.1 is my one exception to the Runbbatical rule (for me) of nothing longer than 10 miles for a weekend long run.

Today I threw on the workout gear from last night, I didn't feel like my 2 miles last night got them gunky enough to toss in the laundry. I went out for a whopping 15 minute run because that is what I had time for before I needed to get the day started. Upon my return I jumped in the shower and got the following sarcastic comment from my husband: "Wow, a shower two days in a row, fancy mama!" Ok, I get it, showering is the highest thing on my priority list, but I know that. Super hubby thought he was being funny. I know I am not alone. 

Mamas who have missed a shower in their life time because they were too busy, would rather sleep the extra 20 minutes or wait for it...just down right forgot, UNITE! 

Who's with me? Anyone? Hello? Anyone?....Bueller? Bueller? Wait what? I didn't expect crickets, so I am not supposed to be proud of my lack of hygenic efforts (on occasion)?

Today is my Momma's birthday. My momma is 5'2 inches of awesome. She makes the best food, shops for me when I can muster up the strength to the sales at the mall, makes sure my kids get enough frijoles to stink up a mean diaper. My mom makes the best tortillas, amazing tamales and virtually never missed a basketball in highschool. We are such different people both is size and action, but we are so much the same too. I love her, she's amazing and I am so lucky to have her.

Abuela, my Momma and my Bug last weekend at the park.

Thankful Three

1. For my friend E, today's is her baby shower. She has done so much for me, I am really going to enjoy "showering" her with gifts today.
2. Obviously for my Momma, isn't she so pretty!
3. For 15 minutes of running this morning, oh any minutes or running are better than none. 

Friday Five: Fecal Matter Everywhere

The shit is hitting the fan.

Expression - A derivative of the original: "The excrement made physical contact with a hydro-electric powered oscillating air current distribution device". Used primarily to describe a set of circumstances where events became inflamed to a point that control was lost. ~Urban Dictionary

1. I am getting caught up on my shows and let me tell you that it is getting crazy on Sons of Anarchy, Gossip Girl, and Vampire Diaries.
2. I have a "casual half marathon on Sunday. I labeled it casual a couple weeks ago and thus subliminally convinced myself that it meant I don't have to train for it. Sunday will be tough.
3. Yesterday I had the day off like many people. I decided to take the kids to an out of town playdate. I heard my 1 year old awake in her crib, but because she was singing to herself I took time to load everything up before I got her out of bed. Big mistake. When I went in, she was happily singing her LA-LA-LA song with shit everywhere. It was an emergency bath situation. When I went back to strip the bed and wash I noticed there was shit on the wall. Seriously, the freaking wall!
4. Lately my energy levels have been low. While in line for a hot chocolate at Starbucks the gal ahead of me ordered a skinny vanilla latte. Sounded fun so I ordered one. Oops, I don't drink caffeine. Why don't I drink caffeine? Too much acid hurts my belly, too much caffeine gets me jittery. Hold the phone! I didn't get sick or jittery and it was amazing! So I have had a few of these since then. Well they caught up with me on Wednesday. Sorry about the TMI, but if the shit was going to hit the fan, it was going somewhere! Ugh, my belly flipped so much I actually got nauseous. Have I learned my lesson? I think that is a devil I am willing to dance with in the pale moon light of the 6am trip to work.
5. I don't have a fantastic number 5 so I will just say it has not been good core or running week and mission to flat belly is tanking this week.

Thankful Three 

1. For this book, The Last Chinese Chef, was fun, loved learning about Chinese cuisine love a personal story. Some parts were roll your eyes predictable, but good. 
2. For book club that meets at a Chinese restaurant.
3. For wine club, it was a Thanksgiving themed and I loved all the amazing food. Not Belly friendly by the way. Oh wait, the wine was good too.

Thoughtful Thursday: Death By Dulces

“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside”

~Mark Twain

Short post. I want a flat belly. I love to eat. I love to eat crappy junk food and candy. I hide behind the having candy at my desk for my staff thing and have started to get high on my own supply. I bought these thinking 1.) I don't like them very much. 2.) They are individually wrapped.

Yeah, the individual wrapping is not a deterrent. I have been eating these by the fist full for over a week.

Thankful Three

1. For Playdates
2. For Pizza
3. For kicking butt at wine club with Chianti

Tuesday Tidbit: Giro D' Vino

Get a bicycle.  You will not regret it if you live.  

~Mark Twain, "Taming the Bicycle"

I am such a slacker I know, so here is a short Ride Report from Sunday's Giro D'Vino. It was supposed to be a 50K, the website showed 50K and 60K and I assumed 60K was a typo. It was not. It was way longer than 50K. The bike computer showed a 37.3 mile ride. I will be honest, it was coming down so hard and my poor cousin who was on his first ride longer than 17 miles was totally done so we skipped like 2 miles of the ride by skipping the last winery. It was a "ride" not a race so I didn't feel bad cutting a corner at the end to finish it up. Plus I had already traveled the requisite 50K.

Ok so it poured rain, completely POURED rain almost the enter time. It was cold, but we were committed. The wine was great, the peanut butter sandwiches at the aid stations were amazing and we got to feel hardcore for a few hours.

Thankful Three

1. For my cousin, he was such a trooper on a rainy and heavy wind ride.
2.  For the sweet logo and comfy tee, had to pay extra, but it's so cute
3. For my husband's rain gear, so needed it.
   

Saturday Sampler: A little Bit of Everything

You have a lifetime to work, but children are only young once.  

~Polish Proverb

 I totally missed my Friday Five Post so you get a little of everything today:

• Meredith over at Therapeutic Runnings of a Mother has a Friday "I commit" thing going, you should totally check her our. She has 5 kids, looks fantastic and still has time to "commit" to a bazillion health efforts. She's kinda awesome like that. She asked how it was going for me, so this will also double as my update on Marcia's fantastic Runbbatical idea.
• Sunday 10/31 was the Merrell Down & Dirty Mud Run (5K)
• Monday was 45 minutes of Krav Maga
• Tuesday was an hour bike ride
• Wednesday was 45 minutes of Krav Maga
• Thursday-wow, I am fairly sure I can't remember Thursday
• Friday-nada
• Today? Well it's only mid day so I am still hopeful for a run when the kids wake up.
• To see my original Runbbatical Goals go HERE they will also double as my "I commit" posts through December. I definitely need to get my run's in.

• Amanda has a PR challenge HERE that is wrapping up this month. The person I am partnered with Laura has her marathon this weekend. She is going to complete rock wish her luck HERE.

• I went out last night. No really don't laugh, I actually went out. Had a nice dinner with friends, went to a bar to see Roger Cline and the Peacemakers (swear we were the youngest people there which pretty much means we're old). I was so excited because I don't go out that I couldn't decide what to wear. Before you think I put on a super fancy "little black dress." The number I am wearing is actually a GO LITE reversable, quick drying easy to pack dress that I bought myself this past summer for my birthday. I didn't get home until 2AM. I have no idea how I stayed awake. Actually I slept on the drive home from 1-2, but still even 1AM was kinda nuts. I need to nap soon while my kids are both down for a nap.

• I am so excited for my bike ride tomorrow. It is an easy 50K with lots of stops. Did I say lots of stops, because really it's alot. The start and finish are at the same winery. There are 5 wineries on the map for tasting plus two more considered "rest" stops. Apparently tasting wine isn't a rest. The down side is it is supposed to rain. Goodness, I hope mother nature goes easy on us.
• Today is my husband day off from normal family responsibilities. Kind of. Today he is helping his fishing buddy work on his new house in exchange for some fishing later. Hope he's having a great time. I took advantage of some quality kid time. We survived a trip to the bagel shop and went into my home town to hang out at a park. I really miss my home town. I sent a mass text to my extend family to tell them where and what time me and the kids would be hanging out and this is what happened below. My little ones are on the left.

 

Ok, you have heard enough from me. I have to run today, wear rain gear for my ride tomorrow. Run as schedule this week and get this flat belly party started. 

What are you up to?

  

Thankful Three

1. Home town family love
2. It's It ice cream while watching Vampire Diaries on the DVR
3. Awesome Bloggers with motivating activities to keep the winter fun