I'm probably not on many RSS feeds anymore, but just in case, I've moved!

http://excellentmarathonadventure.blogspot.com/

Still on Sabbatical

It's been so long since I've posted that I'm sure I'm off of most of my blogging friends' blogrolls by now. Coming out of blog sabbatical to let you know that I'm officially on blog sabbatical. Not blog retirement yet . . .hoping to get back into the swing of things now that marathon training is officially under way.

So long for now!

Hello Again

It's been so long since I've blogged that I almost forgot how to do this. Seriously, I had to think for a second to log in with the right IDs for Blogger. My husband especially, checking out his Google reader at work, will be surprised to see a new post from me. Not of a heck of a lot to say but yet so much to say, so let me update you:

• My weight loss efforts continue, and I'm down 7 pounds since January 1. I had really hoped to be down 10 by now, but such is life.
• I've run here and there, sometimes not because of a sore throat/cold that refused to go away, sometimes because of too busy with work, sometimes because effin' plantar fasciitis is back again.
• I'm officially signed up for Chicago 2009! Also signed up for the Chicago Police Foundation's Run to Remember, the Soldier Field 10 Mile and the 13.1 Chicago.
• I've become addicted to Facebook and must stop. It's been good to keep up with Jill, Chris and Karin via Facebook, but I also have to get back to reading blogs.
• Facebook has been good because I've been able to reconnect with some long-lost friends, including my college roommate. Fifteen years later and we find out that we're both running Chicago!

Not an exciting return to the blogging world, I know, but for now I must get back to the parts of my life that do not require a laptop. Be back soon!

Starting Off on the Right Foot (Even if it is sore)

It's been a productive weekend on the running/get healthy/lose weight/get strong for Chicago '09 starting line front:

• I developed a Half Marathon training schedule for Mike and me, based on Hal Higdon's novice plan. The first Half Marathon in Chicago is in early June, so I stretched the schedule out to get a good base going.
• Ran 2 miles on Friday, took Saturday off when some familiar foot pain crept up (Are you effin' kidding me?) and ran 3 miles today (plus some upper body strength training). Mike has not run yet due to a conveniently-timed head cold. Of course, he hasn't signed up for the Half either, but I think I'm close to convincing him.
• Bought Bob Harper's new book and armed with Bob's food list, bought some of this, this and some other good-for-you things I don't feel like looking up links for. :)
• Bought a food diary to record every morsel that goes in my mouth.
• Taped two horrendous photos of me (no, I won't be posting those) from Christmas into the inside of my food diary, as well as this photo of the swimsuit I'll be wearing (and not embarrassingly so) during our June vacation.
• Oh yes, committed to myself and everyone that I talk to that I'm going to lose 40 by the Fourth, or 40 pounds by July 4th. Even posted a handy little tally on the right. Mike asked if I really want to "go public" with the 40 pound goal on my blog but the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right? For my family and friends who've said that there's no way I need to lose 40 pounds . . .well first, Bless You! and rest assured I'm not turning into an Olsen twin. Forty pounds is still well within a healthy BMI for me.
• Meeting with a nutrionist later this month.
• Have three more sessions with my personal trainer.
• Weighing in for our next round of the Biggest Loser contest at work on Monday. (the first one didn't work so well, at least for me.)
• Taking my latest obsession with The Biggest Loser one step further and signing up friends and family for an email, honor system version of the Biggest Loser contest. (Yes, I will have two Biggest Loser contests going at once. . . .accountability is key for me.) Thank you Cheryl, Lori and Dad for signing up! Want to join? Let me know if the comments section by Wednesday (1/7) and I'll email you the info.

You're probably thinking, obsess much? I know I tend to go all out on these, but for me, if I'm going to stick to anything I need to completely immerse myself or I tend to lose focus.

I'm looking forward to arriving at the Chicago '09 start line much lighter than I am now!

*For the male readers that came back to my blog without getting distracted by the Victoria's Secret link, thank you!

A Race on the Calendar

Congratulations! You are entered to run in the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K on Sunday, March 29, 2009.

www.shamrockshuffle.com

Yes, I Know

The photo is too big but since this is the 18th time (no exaggeration) I've changed the style/color/template of my blog today, we'll all just have to deal with it.

New Year's Promise to Myself

2009 will be the year . . .

. . .I finish the Chicago Marathon. (I can't change the blog title to "My Fourth First Marathon." Besides a tongue twister, it's pathetic.)

. . .I will lose the "baby" weight. (My youngest "baby" turns 5 in April)

. . .I will properly cross train (Taking steps toward this already, meeting with personal trainer)

As a result . . .

. . .I will meet my goal of finishing the Marathon before I'm 40 (Oct 2010)

. . .I will not cringe at the sight of me in family photos that will be taken during our June vacation

. . .I will be able to buy a dress for our niece's summer wedding because I like it, versus buying one because it hides and covers the best.

I know reading this you may think that New Year's resolutions are often broken. Not this time. I'm too fed up with myself.

Now if I can just get building maintenance to move that vending machine further away from my office . . .

Race Schedule Revisions

Updated my race schedule on the left. New Year's Day Run? Yeah, not going to happen. I think I'm finally, FINALLY! coming out of my months-long running funk. Signed up for a new Half in Chicago, the 13.1 Chicago in June. A few days before we leave for vacation, so that should be interesting, given everything that comes along with vacation prep, finisheverythingatworkbeforeI'mgoneforaweek prep.

Hmmm, I have three halfs on the schedule. That might be a little much. I have to think about that.

Conference call coming up at work, gotta go.

My Butt Hurts

Went to my first-ever spinning class tonight. The instructor told me that my butt will hurt tomorrow. Well, it hurts now. I liked it, even if I was a little uncoordinated in the beginning. I can see how it can be addicting. During "sprints" the guy next to me was going so fast! I've never seen anyone's legs move that fast. To quote Chandler from "Friends": "His legs flail about as if independent from his body!"

I've been keeping a fairly regular workout schedule the last couple of weeks, between my personal trainer visits, other sessions at the gym and the treadmill at home. (No running outside for me, I live in Chicago! Yes, land of Blagojevich.) Goal is to get in shape, lose the extra pounds and get strong for Chicago Marathon '09.

While he doesn't need to lose weight, I've been getting on Mike's case to work out because if he works out, I'm more likely to work out. If he's not, I'm likely to make excuses.

Special note to my blogging friends: I know I've been terrible about posting AND commenting on your blogs lately. I will get back to it soon. Between the holidays and spending more time at the gym I haven't been on the computer much. When I have been on the computer, I've been researching info for a summer Disney trip. (If anyone's been to the Grand Floridian, would love to hear your reviews.)

Ok, gotta go address some holiday cards. In the spirit of the holidays, I leave you with this. Thanks to Mary Ellen for sending it my way. (Be sure to pause my playlist on the bottom left.)

Random Thanksgiving Post

I need to be at Mike's mom's house in a couple of hours (Mike's at work, meeting him there) so even though I need to find clean pajamas for the kids, find clean clothes for the kids, get myself showered/dressed, supervise son's shower, give daughter a bath, walk the dog, do the dishes, fold the laundry and stop the kids from fighting, I'm going to post this random list I found at Unfocused's blog. Oh, and I have about 7 minutes left on the laptop battery. I do not procrastinate.

Items in bold, I’ve done; items in plain text, I haven’t.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (Going to DisneyWorld in June, does that count?)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (Unless screaming Skid Row songs while drunk on the way home from a party in collegecounts . . .then no)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (I've run IN a Marathon)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason (Ahem, Mike?)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Clearly I need to travel more.

O iPod Where Art Thou?

I can't find my iPod. I need my iPod to run. Yes, I'm one of those runners. Especially on the treadmill. Looked everywhere last night and today and came up empty. Mike may have it easy Christmas shopping for me this year, I may need a new one. (I'm a little scared it was on top of the newspaper pile that was tossed out. If that's the case, then someone picking up the recycling bin has a new iPod Nano that says "Love, Mike" on the back. Oh, and a Nike + sensor)

Mike offered to let me use his iPod Shuffle and while I'm not looking forward to it, I just might need to. Why don't I want to use his Shuffle? Well, here's a couple examples.

My iPod has music like this:



Mike's has music like this:



My missing iPod has music like this:



Mike's Shuffle includes music like this:



Ok, truth be told I don't know that he has King Diamond on his Shuffle, but he has some King Diamond Cds and I'm just trying to prove the point that we really don't like the same music. Truth be told twice I do have some of "Mike's music" on my iPod . . .Rush, a little Metallica, Spock's Beard and some others. But the vast majority is not for me.

Where is that iPod?!

A New Record

I think I set a new record for the longest time I've ignored my blog . . .or those of my blogger friends. It's been awhile, I know. Nothing specific, just busy days, busy nights, a lot of stuff . . .and a little laziness here and there.

To all of my blogging friends, I know I haven't commented lately, it's not that I didn't find your posts interesting, I just didn't um . . .read your posts. Or any posts for that matter. Hope to get caught up over the next few days. To get you caught up on me, here's some quick updates:

• I took one step closer to becoming a svelte and fit runner for the Chicago '09 starting line and had my first workout with a personal trainer. My trainer is great, very sweet and patient. She was particulary sweet and patient when I let the weights slam back down during the first exercise.
• I took very few steps the next couple of days after the workout - - which focused on weight training exercises -- because I've never really lifted weights before and was sore as hell. My limp around the office and my struggles getting in and out of the car was a constant reminder of how unfit I am. Ninety year olds move around easier that I was.
• Haven't signed up for any 5ks because schedules (what race is nearby, if Mike is off of work to stay home with the kids, if we don't have anything conflicting) haven't worked out.
• We started a Biggest Loser contest at work several weeks ago. So far I've lost weight, gained weight, lost weight and gained weight. So I'm hoping the next weigh-in - -the last one - - that I at least lose enough to meet my original starting weight. Sad, I know.
• I kicked my Red Bull habit! Went cold turkey and so far, doing pretty good. (I may have been a tad crabby for a couple of days.)

Ok, gotta get back to work. Can't get to the gym tonight because of other stuff we have going on, but planning to run on Friday and do weights the gym on Saturday. Next personal training session on Monday.

Shattered

My dreams of quitting my job and spending my days working with a trainer to get me ready for Chicago Marathon '09 are shattered.

2008 Halloween Millionaire Raffle Winner
Draw date: October 31, 2008
We are sorry, Millionaire Raffle ticket number 413797 is not a winner.

Step Away From The Play Doh, Ma'am, Step Away

First let me say that this post has absolutely nothing about running, except that I should have gone to the gym when I got home after the Play-Doh incident but . . .I didn't.

I wasn't going to post this but it's just so ridiculous and surreal that I have to share it. Plus Mike said he was surprised I didn't post about it yet, considering how aghast I was last week, so here it is.

The scene . . .

Last week we went to our 4-year-old daughter (let's call her "T") "Trunk-n-Treat" event at school. The pre-schoolers dress in their costumes, we eat hot dogs, we play games and they trick-or-treat with parents handing out candy and treats from trunks of the cars. (I would have liked to post a picture of our daughter as she looked very cute in her HSM* cheerleading costume but Mike and I agreed when we entered the blogosphere not to post pictures of our kids. No offense to my blog friends, this isn't directed at you, but there are some sickos out there.)

Of course, in our typical "I only pretend to be organized" fashion, I had to run out during lunch from work to get candy for the kids. In my mad dash across Target (because I was also trying to stop home to let the dog out for a walk) I grabbed a bag of candy and bags of the mini Play-Doh containers because I figured, hey, how much candy can a 4-year- old eat? I also grabbed two inexpensive greeen Halloween-themed bowls. (Remember the bowls, these will be important.)

It rained at the event so when it was time for the kids to "trunk 'n treat" so we moved everything into the gym. I stayed with T in line outside the gym while Mike set up ourPlay-Doh and candy stash inside the gym with some of the other parents. While I'm in the "parents waiting with kids" section outside the gym Mike calls on my cell reminding me that he has to go pick up our 6-year-old, A, from a birthday party. So Mike leaves the candy and the Play-Doh in the bowls on a chair. A nice older woman tells Mike no problem, I'll keep an eye on it. Mike leaves the school.

Mike leaves to get A; T and I enter the gym in line with other parents and kids to do some trick or treating. Chairs were set up in a "U" shape with parents passing out candy. As T and I make our way down the line, I notice the green bowls I brought, the candy and the Play-Doh. A woman is standing over the chair, as other parents are complementing her on the great idea to bring Play-Doh. The woman, in all her Play-Doh-basking glory, says - - Thank you.

What - Wait. Thank you? It's not your Play-Doh lady. Wait I tell myself, don't overreact, others probably brought Play-Doh. I do a quick scan of the gym and no, no Play-Doh stations, only candy. And those are my green Target bowls! T and I get closer to the Play-Doh Imposter and I hear her tell another mom, "Oh thank you! Yes, I thought the kids might like it." She's talking about my Play-Doh! My Play-Doh! WTF? Who lies about Play-Doh?

So T and I get up there and I look at her straight in the eye and say, "T, pick out some of the Play-Doh WE brought." The woman, who doesn't know that I'm the true bearer of the Play-Doh says nothing. I say, "That looks like the Play-Doh I brought." No response. I say again, "Yes, WE brought that Play-Doh." Again no response. But she's clearly uncomfortable. "That's the Play-Doh I BROUGHT in MY green bowls." No response.

Now it's clearly time for either 1) T and I to move on or 2) Continue to hold up the line while I'm confronting the Play-Doh imposter, resulting in a scene in the school gym. The people in line behind me didn't know who really brought the Play-Doh (and likely didn't give a damn either) so I thought that while it was so odd and crazy and strange for someone to lie and claim to bring someone else's Play-Doh to a school event, I had to move on before I was forever branded the "Crazy Play-Doh Lady" at my kids' school. We have nine more years until both kids are out of this school so I couldn't risk the humiliation for my kids . . . I could just picture A getting in a fight at school defending his mom, the Crazy Play-Doh Lady.

I'm not bitter, we are only talking about Play-Doh here and I am well aware that there are more important things going on in the world.

But seriously, WTF? Who steals Play-Doh?

*If you don't know what HSM stands for, you clearly do not have pre-teens or young kids in your house.

Six Weeks

Went to the gym Tuesday night and ran. Yep, you read that right. I ran. For the first time in 6 weeks.

It sucked.

Funny thing about not running for 6 weeks (and eating crap the entire time I might add). You pretty much lose any fitness you had. So I struggled through 2 miles, the entire time wondering, where is that girl that got up at 3:45 a.m. one morning to run 10 miles -- and enjoyed it?

She clearly wasn't at the gym with me on Tuesday night.

Back to the gym Friday night. 350-odd days until Chicago '09.

Coming Out of Hibernation

Karin is dragging me out of blogging hibernation by tagging me. Thanks Karin!

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

10 Years Ago (1998):
1. Been married to Mike for 3 years
2. Was still able to sleep past 7 a.m. on the weekends (No kids yet.)
3. Getting itchy to leave my corporate communications job (ended up leaving in March '99)
4. If I have the years right, Mike was still back in school which meant I was hanging out at Applebee's a lot while Mike was bartending.
5. Was the weight I want to be at now (sigh).

5 Things on Today's "To Do" List:
(Taking Karin's cue, we'll make this tomorrow since it's almost 9 p.m.)
1. In 65 minutes, get up, shower, dressed, get kids up, fed, dressed and drop them off at school.
2. Work (send out a press release, work on '09 budget)
3. Meet former boss for lunch (incidentally, the boss from my job in 1998!)
4. Call and schedule next appointment for dog trainer.
5. Drumroll please . . . GO TO GYM AND RUN ON TRACK!

5 Things that I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Quit my job.
2. Vacation in Hawaii.
3. Remodel house.
4. Go to gym everyday (ok nearly every day) while kids were in school.
5. Volunteer by doing PR/media relations work for nonprofits.

5 Places I have lived:
1. Chicago, IL
2. DeKalb, IL
3. Chicago, IL
4. Schaumburg, IL
5. Schaumburg, IL
(Different places in Chicago and Schaumburg)

Jobs I have had:
1. Retail - Madigan's
2. Concession stand worker at NIU football game (I lasted one football game)
2. Retail - Kohl's
3. NIU Dept. of Journalism office aide
4. Various (ok three) PR jobs before my current job . . .
5. Media Relations Director for a division of a well-known, global company

Now, I'm tagging....
1. Mike
2. Kitzzy
3. Stephanie
4. Terri
5. Jill

I'm Still Alive . . .

. . .Just working a lot, stressing a lot and therefore not blogging much or running much (if at all).

I've also been obsessed with the Election coverage.

Base mileage build up for Chicago '09 starts October 15!

Don't laugh, I'm just glad to have a semi-desire to run again.

Running Through My Head All Day

Not sure why, I haven't been watching '80s videos, haven't seen Footloose recently, but it popped in my head and hasn't left.

(Pause my playlist on the bottom left to hear.)







Now it's in your head. You're welcome.

Not a Running Meme . . .

. . .but a food meme. Because let's face it, I've been doing a helluva lot more eating than running lately. (well, always. Which is why I started running to begin with . . to lose the weight from my pregnancies . . . okay, from my eating. Whatever, shut up and read.)



Saw this on Mike's blog who found it at Unfocused Me's blog.



1. How do you like your eggs?
Until my first pregnancy, not at all. Now, poached.


2. How do you take your coffee/tea?
I don't. And neither does Mike, which is why we annoy the hell out of our family guests at the kids' birthday parties because when you don't drink coffee, you rarely think of buying/making coffee. We started catching on when some family members started stopping at Dunkin' Donuts for coffee on the way to our house.


3. Favorite breakfast food.
Eggs Benedict


4. Peanut butter.
Not sure what I'm supposed to say about this. Do I eat it? Yes, only on toast before a run. (Ha! I've worked running into this post on my running blog!)


5. What kind of dressing on your salad?
Italian or French or Thousand Island or Ranch or Garlic. I'm not picky. (No Mike, I'm not.)


6. Coke or Pepsi?
Until baby #2, Pepsi. Now, ick. Diet Coke, or if I really feel like I need a caffeine boost, regular Coke. (I know that there isn't more caffeine in regular Coke, but psychologically, it helps me. Don't judge.)


7. You're feeling lazy. What do you make?
Nothing. I ask Mike what he's making us. (What do I make ever? I'm not the cook, Mike is.)



8. You're feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order?
If it were up to me alone, just about everything except anchovies and sausage.


9. You feel like cooking. What do you make?
That's funny.


10. Do any foods bring back good memories?
Hmmm. Beer nuggets from NIU. I really enjoyed college.
What are beer nuggets? It's a DeKalb, IL thing. Deep fried pizza dough served with warm pizza sauce (or cheese sauce). Perfect at 3 a.m.

11. Do any foods bring back bad memories?
The chili my husband makes. Wait, I'm not trying to be mean. He knows where this is going. I actually used to love his chili but I ate it when I was two months pregnant - - and sick daily - - with our daughter. I couldn't keep much down, including the chili. The bathroom episode from the chili was the sickest (most sick?) I was during the whole pregnancy.



12. Do any foods remind you of someone?
Cranberry juice. My grandmother drank it every day and she was always scared of running out of it.


13. Is there a food you refuse to eat?
Unfortunately, no. Wait, Italian Sausage. Just not a fan.


14. What was your favorite food as a child? Chocolate.

15. Is there a food that you hated as a child but now like? Meatloaf. Didn't like my mom's, like Mike's (sorry mom)

16. Is there a food that you liked as a child but now hate? Peanut butter and jelly

17. Favorite fruits and vegetables. Grapes, tomatoes, asparagus (but only very cold with salt)

18. Favorite junk food. Ding dong's. Which is why I never buy them. Because I would eat them.

19. Favorite between meal snack. Pretzels . . .or lately, Hersey's Pumpkin Spice kisses. They are awesome.

20. Do you have any weird food habits?
Not sure about now but as a kid I couldn't switch between foods on my plate. I had to eat all of the mashed potatoes before moving on to the turkey, all of the turkey before moving on to the corn, etc.

21. You're on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on?
Unfortunately everything I'm not supposed to be eating while I'm on the diet.

22. You're off your diet. Now what would you like?
Lou Malnati's pizza or Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Brownie ice cream. Wait, both.

23. How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Very

24. Can I get you a drink? A glass of Riesling.

25. Red or White Wine? See above.

26. Favorite dessert? Chocolate ice cream or Portillo's Chocolate Cake. No Portillo's in your area? You're missing out.

I swear I'll start blogging about running (and start running) again once I get over this damn cold. Now I have to go check and see if we have any Pumpkin kisses left in the house.

My New Winter Home

The track that I will be running on a lot this winter. In beautiful Wasilla, Alaska*

(It's 1/9 of a mile. Not great, but better than the treadmill.)

Question: What is the proper gym etiquette when another runner is running the wrong direction? On certain days you go left, on certain days you go right based on the schedule posted at the entrance. Last time I was here I ran the way according to the posted schedule, but there were two other runners (running together) who were running and walking opposite. So, every time we met up, I would have to switch lanes to avoid running into them.

Am I supposed to call them out on it?

Run the direction they are running in even though it is not the "posted" way?

Or just do what I'm doing and give them dirty looks as I pass?

*Actually, it's in Illinois. That was an attempt to cheer up my sister. She made the mistake of getting into a political "discussion" with my parents today.