And so it goes

Today's workout: 3.2 mile run around the base.

Wow, where did August go? It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of the month. Which means tomorrow is my last chance at achieving a 5 minute plank, like I bold proclaimed I would attempt to do on the Tough Chik page. So far, I've matched 3:30 again, but planking alone means I get bored enough to give in to the pain. So, before Tim goes to work, and before I go teach Zumba, I've got a 5 minute day with the monster plank.

Yesterday, I decided I wasn't going to finish the mini quilt from Sarah Fielke's book "From Little Things" (which is a fabulous quilt book- LOVE LOVE LOVE IT), and that's through no fault of anyone but me. I simply don't quite get foundation paper piecing- it ends up backwards, or worse, I ruin it in entirety. So, after making a quarter semi-successfully a few weeks (months?) ago. I decided last night to turn this into a mug rug:

 Even the hubs likes it. And, since it's got flying gees on the front, why not roosters and chickens for the back?

 Matt Lauer, however, is just sad that there's another piece of fabric that he's not allowed to eat.

I swear, this dog is the king of pathetic, the emperor of whining, and the supreme ruler of all things pitiful when he wants to be.

Are you ready for the weekend? I am! Get up, get out there, be active- have fun! 

How are you celebrating the holiday weekend? On Monday, for the first time since I got my first job, I will join the ranks of those employed who actually get holidays off! All my prior jobs meant working holidays (I even worked Thanksgiving one year when I was a barista), so having a holiday off is going to be a little odd, but I think if I take a good nap, I'll get used to it. :)

Speaking of naps, are you an adult napper? I sure am. I think it's genetic. My grandma used to nap (even before she got old), and my mother has always been a napper. It took me years to master the art of napping, but now that my night time insomnia is gone, I can take my much-needed naps, too. I function so much better when I get a nap- even just 10 minutes to lie down.

And, in case I wake up sweaty/shaky from low blood sugar at 4 am again, what's your favorite mid-night snack? Last night, I ate some cottage cheese. I love cottage cheese, and string cheese, and Greek yogurt... basically, my top 5 foods to eat when I wake up like that are dairy-based.  They keep me feeling full enough, even in small quantities, without being too sugary or too labor-intensive so I never really leave that sleepy state that lets me fall back asleep relatively easily once I get back in bed.

Tetris top!

The Tetris quilt is a flimsy! In keeping with my stash-only vow, I pulled two fabrics from my stash for the border and chose from there. Obviously, I liked the dark border best. That lighter print will get used for the backing, though.

Planning ahead

I've got some cold-weather runs planned this winter again, so I'm knitting leg warmers- yes, you read that right. I get cold driving to and from these events, and these should help. Plus, they will get used going in and out of Zumba all winter.

This is my way of spending a perfect evening after another group run- knitting, mindless TV, and graham crackers covered in frosting. :)

It's a dog's life

I don't know why anyone would think a dog's life is bad. I mean, come on, look at that guy.

In other random news, I'm trying to find a mantra bracelet that isn't made with nickel. I can only find silver-plated, or flat-out-evil fully nickel ones. and this girl has a nickel allergy so bad that if I wear any, I look like I have massive poison ivy (and feel about as happy, too).

Anyone know of a company that makes running jewelry that is nickel-free? Endorphin Warrior is out (evil nickel), as are the bracelets I've found on Gone For A Run (they're all plated, which means I'd be fine for a week until my super acidic skin ate through the plating and revealed my enemy, nickel).

Is it so difficult to ask for a bracelet that I can wear while I get all sweaty nasty that won't leave me in pain and hives?

I'm hoping I might find something at the expo in (eek!) less than 3 weeks.

Enjoy your week- my Monday has rocked- got a bunch of cleaning done, and Zumba felt like leading a party today- WOOT WOOT!

Winding down the week

1. I have ran 4 days in a row. This is momentous, since that's something I haven't done since the February 2010 when I ran myself into a bone bruise on my talus, and then spent mid-March through the end of May in a walking boot, because I'm awesome like that.

2. This was a good idea to test myself mentally and physically; you know, see how much determination I have. Probably not the best idea, though, to have done this week, since tomorrow marks three weeks until M-Day. Oh, well, I made it through mostly uninjured (at least, nothing worse than I've dealt with all summer- just normal aches).

3. Today's run occurred immediately after I taught my Zumba class. I had a hard time finding enough people to hold class today, but luckily, Kara Goucher signed in, so it counts. The guys at the desk told me she had a blast, and can come back any time that my class needs another person. Isn't she great?

4. Some people think I'm a little odd. I trust you'll make your own judgement.

Won't our relay team for the Huff look hilarious in these? The beards are detachable. I'm still tweaking them to make the mouth opening perfect. I've had enough requests from friends that I might reopen my Etsy shop. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.

5. My husband is looking for new running shoes, and I really hope that means we'll take a trip to Indy tomorrow. I need more tea from Teavana!!!!

Enjoy your weekend! I am NOT running tomorrow!

Tetris block #6

Here it is, block 6. I have one more to make so that I'll have 12 of my smaller blocks, then I'll finish putting them together. But for now, I've got to run- literally! Headed to a group run again.

Has this ever happened to you?

On Wednesday, you might remember I planned on running about 12 miles with my husband. Well, we started running, got to the town on the trail that marked the 6 mile turn around, and then the trickery became evident:

Me: I can't wait for that darn Garmin to beep 6 miles so we can head home.
Him: You think we're turning around?
Me: Uh, yeah. Why, how far did you want to run?
Him: What's the furthest you've run at once?
Me: 16 miles... oh, no.
Him, Oh, yes.

And then the 8 mile marker came and went.

Him: Wouldn't it be awesome to get all the way to the 10 mile marker?
Me: Yeah. (Pant, gasp, pant). It would. I guess.

And then we discovered that wasn't a 10 mile marker. So, 10.5 miles from home, we FINALLY turned around. At this point, I ate my second Gu. By the time we reached 13 miles, I had the overwhelming urge to bawl. Like, uncontrollable, inconsolable bawling. I was light headed, a little dizzy, and all I wanted was to stop running and cry. We'd been keeping up a good run/walk pace that kept us under a 12 min/mile average, but once I ran out of fuel, it faltered. Somehow, my wonderful husband helped encourage me to keep run/walking until about 16 miles, where we were able to take a slight detour and find a mini mart where I got more water, some iced tea, and my saviors for the day, a bag of Skittles.

I know now that the crying was blood sugar related. And it's kind of funny how minutes after scarfing half the bag of skittles, I was able to resume our trek home. I had one more bout of wanting to cry, where I ate the rest of the bag.

Isn't that strange, how blood sugar can make you just want to cry until the end of days?

So, thank you to my husband for tricking me into the longest run of my life (for about a month more, anyway).

Next time, I'm bringing more Gu, even if he claims it's a short run!

Have you ever been tricked like that?
Or felt like crying simply because you needed food?

Tetris (Wednesday) and knitting fever

I could call this post random Wednesday. Because that's what it is.

I made my Tetris block today:

I couldn't get to it yesterday between picking up my new glasses, running errands, going to run with the group on base, etc. After last week, I've decided I need to spin OR run, not both. 

But aren't my glasses cute? As far as glasses go, anyway.

 I've been knitting like crazy lately:

 After finishing a pair of convertible gloves during the Olympics, I started these socks and a shawl. My gut is telling me that this winter is going to be brutal. And, in Indiana, your gut is more accurate than the weatherman most days. I also hope to have the shawl done by the marathon so I'll have something cozy and warm to drape around myself for the ride home.

 The dogs have been crazy- they destroyed a tennis ball, but seem to find it even more fun to play with in its shredded state.

And Matt is a definite shoe lover. He loves to sleep on shoes! Or, in this case, boots. I tried to get a photo the other day of him sleeping across 3 pairs of my husband's shoes, but he woke up. Such a strange dog.

And, in exciting/nerve-wracking news, exactly 1 month from today is the MARATHON!!!! EEK!!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

I'm a dirty runner

Warrior Dash finishers! After our "bath" in the pond. What a fun day.

Ps we were both in the top 10% of finishers (male and female combined!).

Ahhhh

Today is a rest day. After running Saturday, Sunday, Monday, then 2 (yes, 2!) Zumba classes Monday, then more running and spinning on Tuesday, I think I've earned it.

I keep forgetting to (try) to show what I saw a mile into my long run on Saturday:

Can you see it? There's a chicken at the bottom left of the tree!!! There were actually 3 of them- I was running along, and I always look for critters ahead (you never know when you might surprise a squirrel and nearly step on it!), when I saw a large, fluffy animal and stopped dead in my tracks. It startled me pretty badly since I really wasn't expecting a giant CHICKEN. Then, I saw its two friends And this is what happened when I tried to get proof: they hid. Jerks.


On another note, I was finally able to get my eyes checked today- nothing major, yay!!! Plus, I ordered some new glasses (so I will no longer be quite as useless after 6 pm when I take my contacts out). They had to dilate my eyes, so I've been pretty useless (which is why I went to the eye Dr today, since I intended on being useless on this glorious rest day). I'm so glad there's nothing wrong- apparently the floaters aren't a big deal until you get a bunch at a time. So, as long as Bob doesn't show up with 30 friends to blur my vision, everything's ok.

I think my eyes have un-dilated to resume knitting. I'm almost finished with a pair of convertible gloves-- with plenty of time before it gets cool (for once!).

Happy Wednesday!

Another Tetris Tuesday

My block for the week, plus my additional blocks I've made since my squares are only 2.5". I think I'll just use 12 blocks. I also think this quilt has gotten too bright for my mom... Oh, darn, I might have to keep it.

Time marches on

Oh, hi, August. You snuck up on me. Yeesh, that means the MARATHON is only 44 days away!

So, yesterday, I ran 3.1 miles before spin class (again- this is getting to be a habit. Which is a good thing). And that's after Monday's 3.3 mile run, 15 minute kettlebell work, 10 minute elliptical and 1 hour teaching Zumba. I feel like if I have the energy and stamina for those 2 days in a row, I'm not in as bad of shape as I thought in regards to marathon training.

Last night, we went to a meeting for a health supplement (mostly so I could talk Zumba with one of the organizers). I'm not going to name the company, but my experience leads me to continue to believe that there is no substitute for hard work. Yes, these people seemed happy, energetic, and showed weight loss using the products. Yes, some of them made a lot of money, too. But when you look closely, see the compulsive gulping of the drink being offered (and I mean compulsive like an alcoholic at an open bar), when you see that everyone consuming it had blood-shot eyes (um, hello, elevated blood pressure- NOT GOOD FOR YOU), was twitchy or jumpy, etc.... this leads me to believe that as with ever other weight loss supplement out there, you get results, but at a cost. I cannot support a product that my gut tells me is unsafe. I'd love to work with the ladies in regards to Zumba, but I won't be buying into their other side business.

To each his own. I choose sensible eating and exercise, no short cuts.

On to happier things:

After my run/spin, I came home and made extra tetris blocks. Since I'm using 2.5" squares, I need at least 12 to make a lap sized quilt. The column on the left are from the game pieces Melissa gives, while the column on the right is my own "game." So far, I really like the effect.

I'm excited to say that we signed up for another mud run- the Warrior Dash!!! I'm so happy. We didn't get to do it last year because of Tim's work, and this year, I had agreed to join him on the governor's motorcycle ride. I was bummed to be missing the WD, but thought that the motorcycle ride would still be fun (I was even thinking I'd get to get a run in somewhere further south, since I always wake up wicked early compared to others). but, things change, schedule got adjusted, and now my husband has a class he has to do, which meant no governor's ride, and just happened to leave Saturday free!  YAY!

I can't wait. I'll get to add their awesome viking-style helmet to my collection of medals and such.

Now, to dream up some sort of crazy (at least bright) outfit! I think I still have some sequin fabric....