January Run Stats

As you may remember, one of my 2012 "goals" (read here for a refresher) was to run more days than I didn't. So far, so good!  I have 21 runs, 2 walks, 2 downhill ski sessions, and a pilates class. I ran for a total of 103 miles in January. Who knows, I'm sure I've run more miles than that in a month before. I 'm just super excited about it. Which leads me to my next question... Um, how much do I eat? I have not lost a pound but have burned almost 11,000. That is 3 whole pounds. Hmm.... I'm sure I have less body fat. Right.

Next, I wanted to blog more, I'm doing awesome! This post is #17. 2012 looks like it's going to be a pretty... pretty good year!

The Day I Beat my Dad

So if you've read any of my other blogs, you know I'm trying to be a baby momma. It's been a year and among other things I suck at, apparently getting knocked up is one of them so I'm trying to change things up a bit. Throwing them out there to see what sticks. One of those things is cutting back on running. I still run often, just not as much. I probably (key word here) won't run a marathon this year and I'm not signed up for any half marathons either. I thought it'd be fun to get out and race 5 and 10k's. I haven't really raced anything short since college and given I'm cutting down on milage, was up for the challenge! To keep me motivated (and because my husband is amazing and patient) I signed up for the Explore Minnesota Challenge which is a series of races put on my Anderson Race Management around Minnesota. You get pins for the different areas you run in and at the end, a medal. I love Swag. LOVE SWAG. The first race of the year was the Securian Winter Run  I was debating a half but signed up for a 10k and oh so glad I did!

 Here's where things get interesting. My very fastest 10k prior to this was 50:12. Little known fact, my dad's pr is 49:59. I'd been chasing that time each 10k I ran and had never succeeded in dipping below 50. Since one of my 2012 goals is to run more days than not, I'm doing pretty well on my fitness running about 30 miles a week and averaging about 5 miles a run. When I signed up for this, I wasn't planning on really racing it but more to get a feel for a 10k race again. Then I started looking at times. Based on a recent dreadmill WO of 6.02 mi in 47 and a combo of my other run averages, I thought, meh, maybe I can be in the top half, then I looked a little closer, I thought hmm... Maybe top 25. I was getting pretty pumped.

Race day rolled around and of course, I didn't want to get out of bed, it was 14 degrees out but sunny. Grabbed a banana and a yogurt and headed out the door. 

As usual, I lined up too far back and spent a considerable amount of time passing walkers. It all felt too easy. We took off and it was easy, all of a sudden we were at mile three and it was easy. The miles kept ticking off and I felt fine. Not even fine, awesome, I was cheering on other runners and high five'ing fans. Since it was out and back, I was trying to count the girls who were in front of me. After the turnaround I just kept picking them off, it was an awesome feeling. As I turned the corner to the finish line I saw 49:09 on the clock and kicked it home. I've never been so excited in my life. I spent the whole of yesterday cheesing out, not only because I beat dad but...

47th out of 357 runners, 17th woman out of 210 and a 10k PR of 48:53. The most exciting thing? I beat my mentor, by a full minute. It was just an amazing feeling. I actually waffled about calling my dad. He was training for a marathon about 20 years ago and got planter fasciitis so bad he all but quit running. I've run 4 so I'll always have that over him so I wanted to let him keep his victory. However, as I thought about it, don't your parents always want you to be better than they were/are? Obviously I'm not a parent yet but I imagine I'll only want my kids to be the best at whatever they do. I called my dad and I told him because I wanted to make him proud. He, and my mom, got me here and this is their PR as much as it is mine. It was awesome, mom actually got to come watch me race again. They are the best parents a runner could ask for. 

Congrats to my parents for an awesome race and cheers to my future lil babes at being better than me.

Heh, 69. 

My pre-race ritual

Me and Dad at my first 5k. I puked.

Start of the race. PS, I LOVE INSTAGRAM.

Just can't do it anymore

I work in consumer relations for an international company and I just, I cannot do it one more day. I think six years in this position is pretty awesome. Isn't the average career seven years? And that's in a normal job. Would you like to know what I do all day, every day? I listen to people complain. Yes, people call or write in to cry about their incorrect order or how long they had to wait in the drive-thru. I'm sure some of these people are very compentent but some seem like a bunch of hillbillys trying to get something for free and I just can't do it anymore. I cannot empathize with one more person about being fired for "no reason" or as the franchisee likes to put it, stealing. No more feigning interest in the drama that is the employees apparent lack of ability to distinguish between Hannah Montana and Dora the Explorer. I especially don't have the patience to listen to one more mother complain to us that we made their child fat. You drove them there. You purchased the food. You allowed them to eat it, why is it our fault again? Oh yeah, we make a delicious product.

Anyway, I don't know what I'm going to do. In a dream world I'd become a professional runner. Getting paid (I've heard not much) to do what I love. In the real world, I think I'm going to go and get my coaching certificate. I'd love to have the ability to help people do what I love, so much.

All of this said, for as long as I'm at work, I'll be good at what I do because that is who I am.

Best Races for Women

Every race is the best race for all women but these races might just be a little bit more fun!

Here are the 5 best races for women: 

Women's races offer a decidedly different vibe than their coed cousins: more camaraderie, a sole sister atmosphere that welcomes all runners and walkers and lots more running skirts. Here are five of the top women's races and series in the country. Sign up, then train like Sage.

Disney Tinker Bell and Princess half marathons

Sage picked a winner. Let your inner child run free through the Magic Kingdom at these festival race weekends. Tinker Bell is in Disneyland, while Princess is in Disney World, but both allow thousands of runners to mix and mingle with Disney characters on courses that wind through each park. Racers put almost as much effort into costumes -- Snow White, Belle or Minnie, anyone? -- as training. Bonus: Your kids will be especially psyched to cheer you on.

I’m DYING to do this one, a friend just did the Goofy challenge where you do a half on Saturday and full on Sunday. LOVE DISNEY!

Nike Women's Marathon

Yeah, it's tough to snag an entry, but if you can, this race is so worth it. (Psst: Go through Team in Training.) This 26.2-mile race, and its half-marathon companion, traverses San Francisco with sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean to take your mind off the killer hills in the first 10 miles of the race. Tuxedo-clad firefighters bestow each finisher with a Tiffany & Co. pendant.

I’ve run SF Marathon and it is TOUGH but besides Twin Cities Marathon, my favorite marathon. So awesome, along the embarcadero, across golden gate bridge, through golden gate park. Awesome. Plus firefighters in a tux? Yes please!

ZOOMA women's race series

Started by a woman runner, this five-race series knows how to please the ladies, especially with its boutique-like, post-race party complete with wine (always a good post-race choice) and fun vendors. Each race is set in a venue where you'll want to escape for a girlfriends' get-away, like Cape Cod and the Texas Hill Country outside Austin. Most of the courses are hilly, but that gives you all the more reason to celebrate with your running buddies once you kill the hills.

This looks fun and will send it to my girlfriends!

Women Run the Cities

This race's take-charge name alone makes it a winner. We also love the 10-mile distance, eliminating that final 5K of a half-marathon when the wheels too often fall off our proverbial bus. There's also a 5K option and a 1-mile girls' race. The loop course mostly hugs the banks of the mighty Mississippi as it moves from Minneapolis over to St. Paul and back again.

Been there, it’s fabulous!

St. Luke's Celebration

Celebrate -- and run, walk or do a combo -- through all 3.1 miles of this Boise, Idaho, race, the largest women's 5K in the country. Founded by Anne Audain, the winningest road racer in history, this race weekend also encompasses a massive female-centric expo.

I’d love to go to Idaho but not for a 5k… Maybe if there was a half?!

Another reason I LOVE @mapmyrun and #running

I've been dying for this capability for this app. I tested it out on a 3 tonight but wowza would this come in handy when I'm plotting an 18 during training. Or when I become a professional runner. Hey, A girl can dream! ( I just accidentally typed gril instead of girl and now I'm craving steak) The new function of the Map My Run app allows you to plot a route out on your laptop, then send it to your phone so you can follow your route, on your phone! AMAZING! I'm so excited I couldn't wait for a long run and had to test it tonight. 


PS, so far so good on 2012 resolve to run more days than not. I'm 18-6! 


PPS, I love to run


PPSS, No, I don't work for Map My Run, I just really love anything that makes running better!

#1. Start mapping your run on your computer.

#2. Start mapping your run

#3. Save it and hit the cute little cell phone button to send it to yourself.

#4. Send it! 

#5 Here is my email in my inbox!

#6. Open your email on your phone and click the link

Here I am following it on my run!

My new spectacles!

My new glasses. Ok, two if the frames I bought online for $60 a pair but I LOVE them! The last pair were slightly more expensive but are probably my favorite pair of glasses EVER!

First pic, Prol every day glasses.

2nd pic, my new hipster faves!
3rd pic, my oldies but goodies
4th pic, my new clear frames. Great for work and racquetball! Lol

I'm a #runner and I'm a better athlete than you

At first I was going to write this as a satire but then some truth started to seep in and it wasn’t as funny.

1. We're friendly. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for a runner and I feel like it's vice versa. Case in point... I took a family trip to Montana several years ago and while staying in Bozeman, wanted to run in Helena for Governor’s cup. Wrote to the local Bozeman running group to see if I could hitch a ride with someone. Boom, done. David Nix, wherever you are these days. Thank you so much for the ride to one of the most beautiful races I've ever run. A stranger picked me up and let me ride with him an hour and a half to a race. You think Ndamukonh Suh would ever do that for a competitor?

2. We’re tough. I’m not talking about lifting weights tough (though, I know some runners who are stronger than you think). I’m talking about getting outside when it’s cold, or when it’s dark, or when it’s cold, dark, and rainy. We get our butts up early, stay up late and the majority of us are at the mercy of the weather. Wanna know why? It’s a blessing to be out there every single day. I love it. Basketball players? Can’t hold a candle to us. Baseball players? Get bilateral leg weakness and pulled muscles from the cold.

3. We’re focused/good time management. The truth? Everyone can run a marathon. I say that ALL the time and people don’t believe me. Welp, ya should. Want to know why only 1% of the population does it? It’s hard. A lot of people don’t have the dedication to train for 4 months to get out and run 26.2 miles. I realize some people don’t have time. But then I say, what about the people who don’t have the time and still make it work? I’m just saying, we figure it out.  

4. We’re more aware. I feel like I am anyway. I’m always aware of people on the road, whether they’re walking their dog or running. I can always tell when it is a fellow runner/walker driving by when I’m running, they move as far over as possible.

5. There are, very rarely, fouls in our game. We don’t need to. We don’t need to come over your back or slash you because we’re just going to kick your ass on the next hill instead.

The list goes on and on but, my run today got me thinking when I got sprayed but a car driving too close and saw a HOCKEY sticker on the back.

Thoughts?

Where's Ashton, am I being Punk'd?

Why is it that every time I'm in the bathroom I feel like Ashton is going to pop out of a stall with a camera crew and tell me I've been Punk'd.

The hands free everything, never work. I feel like Vanna White waving my arms around the restroom. God forbid someone walks in on me doing the Macarena trying to get the faucet to turn on.

Something even more annoying is when you get the soap dispenser to finally work then you have to play Russian roulette with the sinks to see which one will work for you.

Anyway, if you meet me in person, reach in for the hug. Who knows if I was able to wash my hands?

Krentist, the dentist...

I went to the dentist yesterday morning for a cavity. I have so many cavities I actually asked the dentist whether or not I was safe to go through airport security. He said I could have a metal mouth and be fine. I grew up drinking well water so the iron wasn’t very good for my teeth, that coupled with, what Krentist tells me are normal, bacteria in my mouth, leads me to have a cavity every time I go to the dentist. My sister the ex smoker/wino has no cavities. Life is not fair. Anyway, I’m pretty fanatical about mouth care, I brush, floss; rinse all the time but it clearly doesn’t work. My new theory is that I’m done drinking soda and eating candy, which probably isn’t a bad thing since diabetes and heart disease run in my family. If you don’t already know, I think the dentist is a lot like the chiropractor, I’m not sure if I buy into what they’re peddling. Plus they keep trying to get me to get adult braces. I already had braces, btw, but the orthodontist did not put a permanent retainer in which, due to my short roots, should have been a no brainer. NBD, when I had braces they were super cheap, like $3000. Wait a second, that’s actually very expensive…  So, now I have crooked teeth on the bottom and buck teeth on the top (photos below).

To round this all out, I added some new pics of the niece and nephew because they love me, crooked teeth and all.



Here's me smiling after the dentist.
Hubby didn't think it was funny when I told him
this is what I would look like if I had a stroke.




New level of pain, cold run after dentist.



Crazy buck tooth.

How I usually smile.

My friends call me a coffee ninja so this
 is just funny.

Advertising worked, bought some within an hour of seeing commercial. Can't wait to try them!

Lil Cayden getting so big!

This face just cracks me up!

She's smiling at Auntie, in case you can't tell.

Addendum: Fresh Express ROCKS

OK, I know in THIS blog, I wasn't super excited about Fresh Express BUT, they took care of me. I received a letter with some coups (that I donated) for some free fresh (express) lettuce.

My intent was never to obtain free things because I don't need them but I really do appreciate the time they took to reach out to a customer. That being said, I'll stick with a company who sticks with their customers.

Fabulous customer service!

Home, home on the range....

I can't help it, I love being home. I certainly love traveling but nothing feels as good as being home. I'm sitting in the hotel right now waiting to drive to the airport. It's that awkward time when there isn't anything open in town but you have just enough time before your flight to get bored. So here we are.

This was actually a work trip so I'm exhausted from my vacation. You know when you have to be on? Plus we had employees with us so even we weren't on, we were entertaining. Granted we were entertaining at the San Diego Zoo and whale watching, we still had to entertain. I think I'm also super anxious because we moved last weekend (if you're a robber, here is our new address) so we were literally in the new house 3 days before we left for Cali. Below are professional pictures from Edina Realty. While structurally the house is the same, picture boxes and crap wherever it is nice and organized.

Anyhoo.... It's good to be home, got some groceries, think we're doing our first load of laundry tonight. Should be a blast!

Oh yeah, seriously thought about SD, if you go, ABSOLUTELY go to the Zoo. It's just as amazing as everyone says it is. It's like a Disney Zoo. Clean, friendly. Go. Eat at Tender Greens for sure. To give this a 10 out of 10 isn't good enough. Amazing chain and so delicious. Pretty much everything is 10.50. Created by three chefs from the Ritz, chef on site, food is amaze. Eat here. Buy water at Costco. We paid $4 for a case of 36. You might have a couple left, donate them to the vagabonds on the boardwalk. Bring a sweatshirt. Just like SanFran, you think because it's Cali it's going to be warm. FALSE! In-n-Out is not as good as everyone thinks it is. Promise. If you want a fast cheap meal, skip a burger and eat at Del Taco. Head to La Jolla and get cupcakes at Cups. Organic little yummy yum yums. Soap box, out.



Favorite room in the house, sun room.

We actually bought their piano so I can't wait to get after it!



 

Yes ladies and gentleman, I have a back hall.

 

Home gym, ie. storage in 5 years.



Torrey Pines.



Unreal the two cutest nieces in the world are mine.
Joan of Arc strikes again!



SD Zoo. I want one for the bathroom!

Lil(huge) shirt I found for fat Fern.

13,000lb elephant. NBD.



Pumba.
Kept trying to escape, luckily his t-rex arms kept him pretty well
in his enclosure.



Timon.





Sea Lions in La Jolla.





Up close with the giant.



Cute little Kung Fu Panda, kept doing summersaults!






If I were homeless

Right now I'm sitting in work meetings and I'm so bored but I know it has nothing to do with how boring I am.

I'm totally letting my mind wander. It doesn't help that I'm also starving and the lb of seafood I ate last night has made me bloated like a puffer fish.

What's it like to be homeless? As I was running along the boardwalk yesterday I saw a ton of homeless people. I'm not talking about like, 3, I'm talking about like 30. I only went 4 miles but every time I turned my head, there was another one. when I first saw them my mind (obviously) went to running. 'If I were homeless...' I'd sleep all day and then run at night when the city was all mine. Quiet and dark. No traffic, no people. Mine.

But then I saw one guy was digging in the garbage, eating old French fries. Another lady was bathing from a water fountain using newspaper.

How do you run if you don't have food to eat? You don't have pre- or post- run energy. And, gasp, running aside, how do you have energy to live?!

All of a sudden all of the mystique of running through the streets at night is lost and reality hits.

So now you're wondering, why don't you help? I'm glad you asked. I go through my closet monthly for things to donate. I regularly donate my time to local organizations like Salvation Army's Harbor Lights, and donate dollars when I can.

I just do my best to try and be a good person. Reflecting back, I'm reminded of a quote I recently saw;

Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do little -Edmund Burke

So next time you're thinking of doing something but don't because you might be embarrassed by your amount of 'something' do it anyway. Smile, pray, give.

Wonder if I’m a Fighter, or a Flighter? #Run

I went for a run from new house last night and passed an idling Sheriff’s Crime Scene SUV. I figured since it was idling, they probably lived there. Made me feel safe. WRONG. There have been a string of burglaries in new n’hood and they’ve hit about a house every other week for 4 months. I mean, seriously cops? It’s not like the burglaries have been spread out around the state, it’s literally a 10 block area they have hit 8 times.

So, here’s the super creepy thing. I ran last night, in the dark, past the scene of the crime. Were they lurking somewhere? Had they already driven off? Did they see me? Did I see them?!

I don’t like burglars, that’s probably just a fact but I would say my dislike borders on severe hatred for a burglar who f’s up my running route.

I have my lil’ pink mace and I’ll probably run with a key between my knuckles but I hate not feeling safe in my neighborhood. I think that is what bothers me most. These burglar’s have no respect for anyone. Take my stuff, it’s all material, I don’t need it but leave me peace of mind. Husby travels a lot, the last thing I need is to worry more when he is gone.

I guess I’ll find out if I’m a fighter or a flighter if, or when, the opportunity presents itself. Until then, RUN SAFE!

PS, Happy 5 mo birthday to the worlds cutest niece and nephew!

Just a tiny one today, that's what she said

I love hotdogs. These are the best. Grays Papaya. They have papaya juice and delicious hotdogs. Heaven.

Back when I was a kid, 2006 in Pictures

 If you google me, I won't show up. I didn't really exist before 2006. Well, I mean, obviously I existed but digitally/socially I didn't.

My digital footprint started in 2006 (I had obviously just received my first digital camera and found Kodak (RIP btw, I hope they make it, I love them!) when I was knee high to a grasshopper and as young as a spring chick. Now I'm 30, I'm old, wise, and need glasses every day, not just at night. Kind of fun to see differences then and now.  



Literally today, 30 year old me.
The glasses on my head aren't just for looks.
Sad.



2006, 24 year old me.

 

Then, waste of time.



 

Now, love of my life, husby. Most amazing guy ever!

 

 

  

Now, Hawaii!



Now. Where am I?!

 

Then, Napa.

Then. Where am I?!









Then, babe.



Now, still kind of a babe.





Then, not a care in the world!



Now, holy crap we're a grandma and aunt!
PS, I think I'm wearing the same jeans?





Then, Fam.



Now, Fam.

Then TC, 4:50.



Now TC, 4:13



 

Now, Bestie P & J

 

2006 Bestie J bachie party













Bestie P's! Then... just dating! (This is the year I met my
Besties, btw)



Now Bestie P's Married, 2 year old and another on the way!





 

Then Sissy, young dumb & 21.



Now Sissy, Old and a mom of Twins!







Then, Mom and Dad. Dang are they cute!





Now, Mom and Dad. They're grandparents!

Lesson is, I am going to age awesome. Can't wait to see what another six years looks like!