Pieces of My Year... In Photos

Since the cough and cold medicine has dried out all my creative juices, I thought I would follow in Vanilla's steps and review 2007 "Pieces" style. Are you ready?

Jan 2007 started out slow - not much to report. I had been running for a few months and just starting to get excited about it.

Feb 2007 I ran my first Half Marathon on Super Bowl Sunday in Huntington Beach, CA. My time was 2:04. I loved it! I also did a lot of exciting traveling this month - Costa Rica and Australia!

Mar 2007 This was an exciting month for me. I met The Captain and ran a 10K in Seal Beach the day after, in which I PR'd totally HUNG OVER.

Apr 2007 Just spent the month getting to know The Captain and having fun. Pretty mellow.

May 2007 Stayed at the Phoenician in Scottsdale for a week. Then went to Palm Springs over Memorial Weekend with The Cap. Very relaxing and fun.

June 2007 - My best friend calls me up and talks me into training for a marathon in the fall. I think it's a great idea (uhm... ok?) Also went to Fiji for the first time (AMAZING!)

July 2007 - Spent 4th of July in Newport Beach with friends. This was the last of my flat tummy (proof in the photo). After this, 10 lbs came creeping back - blame it on the Captain for sure!

Aug 2007 - Not much to report. Except EL CAP and I kicked butt in a bowling competition with friends, in which they have yet to pay up!

Sept. 2007 - Spent Labor Day in Vegas with friends. Intense marathon training commencing. And I started this blog!

Oct. 2007 - I ran my first Marathon in Long Beach, CA. 4:45 mins. It was one of my most proud moments in my life, so far. It was such a great day with friends!

Nov. 2007 - Spent a lot of time in Physical Therapy. Trying to get back to where I was with my running, but hitting alot of walls along the way.

Dec. 2007 - I turned 32 yrs old. EEK GADS. Also had a great Christmas spending 80% of it on the freeway.

It's been quite a year for P.O.M. I wish everyone the best in 2008. Let's start thinking about our goals for 2008. Happy Running!

PEACE OUT.

Garmin Update

Here's the update:

Went to the mall.

Bought new Hudson Jeans and new shoes and a bunch of other stuff.

Then got home.

Checked all my comments regarding the Garmin.
Went online and bought Garmin.

I did chose the cheap shipping, so it won't get here for a week or so.

See, I told you I think I can have it all :)
(Thanks to all the gift certificates I got for Christmas)

Can't wait to run with the Big G (that's his name. yes, he's a man.)

Now going out for martini's and sushi.

Sometimes I love my life.

To Garmin or Not to Garmin? That is the question.

The Captain gave me sweet moola to get myself a Garmin for Christmas . So I was looking at them online and realized how much money they cost. I was excited about getting one, but now realize that it might not be the best for me.

Here are my personal pros & cons. (God, I love lists)
Pros

1. It will assist me in my mileage counting obsession
2. IF I ever go a different route (yeah right) I will know how far to go.
3. I can track my times and progress
4. It's cool and people will think I'm a real runner (ha ha)

Cons

1. The price
2. I never go different routes (I would have to drive, because of where I live)
3. I already know how far it is to run 5, 10, 15 or even 20 miles
4. I could buy 2 pairs of jeans with that money
5. I could buy 1 pair of jeans and new shoes
6. I can time myself with the watch I already have
7. It's really bulky and I get easily irritated when I'm running.

I'm going shopping this afternoon and it looks like new jeans are winning over the little G.
Any thoughts, advice, opinions????

Song of the Day: Talk to me, Dance with me by Hot, Hot Heat

Focus People

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and Santa was kind to you. But now it's time...

All right, put down the egg nog.

Step away from the left overs.

Put the cap on the vodka bottle.

Finish up the last of the wine.

It's time to get back at it. I'm 5 lbs from my goal. And I have about 5 weeks left. This is doable. I am trying to get over a little cold that my sister passed on to me. But at least I haven't been pigging out. I will go for a walk tomorrow and then try to run again on friday. There is still a lingering cough and i'm not sure I will be able to run. There's always sumthin' - isn't there? But nothin's gonna hold me down. I can see the light at the end of the muffin top tunnel. (PS: I tried on the goal pants and they can be zipped up now, but still too much spillage over the top.)

Good luck to all in the CHALLENGE! Are you refocused????

Oh and as extra motivation, The Cap and I are going to Hawaii in February! whoooooooooooo hooooo YOU BETTER BELIEVE I want to look hot in a bikini!

**Pic is from Christmas evening, after a lovely 8-course Italian family dinner :)

Song of the Day: Break my Stride (Remix) by Pacific Groove

Sheeeeeeeeee's Back!!

Yippy yippy yippy.
So far so good with my goals.

Fake smile perfected - check
Don't be crazy - check (so far)
Wine consumption limited to avoid puking - check (so far)
Eat Healthy brekkie - check
Run 5 miles Saturday - check

That's right. 5 pain-free miles. I think I can really do this peeps. Obviously my original plan is not happening. But I'm revising it. However I'm too lazy to put it in an excel spreadsheet. But my plan is just keep doing my short runs during the week 3 to 4 miles. And increasing my weekend runs by a mile or a mile and a half each weekend. This will get me to at least 10 miles before the half marathon on Super Bowl Sunday. I feel so happy to have a goal again and actually thinking I can do this. I'm not trying to break any records this time around, I just want to finish the half, pain free and happy :)

Injuries seriously suck ass and I'm glad to have gotten thru the hip drama.

So far so good. I hope I can keep this up.

Song of the Day: In a Dream by Rockell

Christmas Goals

Well, this is it. Family time is drawing near. I think it's best to outline some goals to help get me through the week. So here they are, in no particular order.





1. Practice fake smile & excited look in the event of a crappy gift
2. Run 5 miles on Saturday - rain or shine
3. Run at least 4 days during week off and go to gym to do weights
4. Don't be crazy
5. Don't consume too much wine that will cause puking.
6. Hold tongue when appropriate - basically just keep mouth shut all day
7. Eat fruit & protein for breakfast everyday
8. Find a way to sneak in laundry at sister's house (pathetic for a 32 yr old woman, isn't it?)
9. Try to blog a few times from home - can't disappoint my readers
10. Don't be crazy

Good luck to everyone dealing with "famille détraqué." I am testing out a new theory this year. Minimal time spent at each location, causing more driving than I would like, but less time = less opportunity for blow outs.

More time on Freeway vs. More time with Family. Freeway wins.

Merry Christmas. Peace Out.


Song of the Day: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayle Peevey

Balls, Balls and More Balls

Today's theme is BALLS.

You people... your mind is in the gutter.

The BALLS I am talking about are PEANUT BUTTER BALLS. In the picture, they kinda look like poop, but trust me - they are heaven on earth and definitely not stinky in any way.

So far this morning, I have had four delicious, creamy balls.

I have tried to research the calories and fat in these precious babies, but the info varies from 110 calories to 320 and fat anywhere from 8 to 19 grams. Either way you look at it, by eating FOUR, I'm screwed. But boy oh boy did I enjoy each and every one. And to be QH, I will probably go have another one when I'm done typing this blog.

And guess what's for lunch?????

The Captain made his famous MEAT BALLS again! I can't wait to dig into those puppies.

See, I'm surrounded by balls.

Except, of course, the EXERCISE ball.

Besides balls (can you tell I just really like that word today?) I did go for nice little run after work yesterday. I think I'm really back peeps. This weekend I will attempt to bump up my run to about 5 or 6 miles and see if I remain pain free. I sure hope so, cuz I need to burn off all the BALLS I've been eating. (Had to get it in ONE more time - ha ha)

What's your favorite holiday treat?????

Hot, Hot Sex

WHOA - That got your attention.

No, this post is not going to be X-rated. I just wanted to share my new favorite song:

Music is my Hot, Hot Sex by Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS)

This song is so fun and I can't get it out of my head. Go download it NOW. You'll be singing it all day, even in your sleep.

In other news, I am participating in the "Virtual White Elephant Gift Exchange" on RunnersLounge. So, here is the gift I'm bringing:

BodyGuard Full-Body Condom

It's not REALLY running related, but it can be. You see, when you are running in a crowded race, you never know what might happen. At least it will protect you from other peoples sweat, spit and snot rockets that sometimes spray uncontrollably.

So there - Merry Christmas.

What is the best White Elephant Gift you have received???

Dysfunction At It's Finest

Family time during the Holidays?
Full of love and cheer and happy smiles?
I think not.

If you are hoping for some lovey, dovey, "families are so great", quality time bullshit blog, please look elsewhere today.

Let's get real people? The Holidays are are a time where we have to hang out with people that annoy the crap out of us. As a matter of fact, I like to refer to last year's Christmas as the "Great American Family Blowout."

Now not every family member bugs. I have some aunts that are amazing and my sister is my best friend (and the ONLY reason I can survive the holidays). My niece is the apple of my eye. But there are some... we ALL have one... that just make you want to hop on a plane to Paris on Dec. 22 and come back Jan. 2nd.

I have an uncle who seriously makes me want to kick a baby (ok, I don't really want to kick a baby, but I'd sure like to kick him). And my mother: She is worthy of several blogs. I love to her to death, but we have a VERY hard time connecting and she has some social dysfunctions that I can't even explain. The best word to describe her is WACKY.

I cope by trying to get in a really good workout first (long runs are great on family days). Then I hit the bottle. Seriously.
Family + Wine = Manageable
Family + No Wine = Just Plain Stupid

So fess up. Who is your annoying relative? What makes them so irritating? They probably won't read my comments, so feel free to be honest. How do you cope?

Song of the Day: Tell it Like It Is by Tracy Chapman

STREEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Amy asked in her blog what you do to deal with stress. This tends to be the season for stress. I don't know what it is -families, money, work, New Years goals... whatever it is, a lot of people seem to get the blues.

Some people do weird things to cope. When I was a kid, I would bang my head against the wall and blame it on my imaginary friend Ta Da. As a teenager, I would punch holes in my wall (I was a really pleasant teenager). College age, I drank and smoked.

Since I love food so much, I automatically assumed that I would eat like a big fat cow when stress really hit. Well, this weekend I tested that theory (unintentionally).



I had an emotional weekend and I learned that I DON'T EAT when I'm stressed. And if I can stomach anything, I usually end up throwing it up. I never knew this about myself or maybe I haven't been this emotional in a long time. Even weirder still is that I went to the market and bought a ton of food, but didn't eat it. The good part is that I dropped 4 lbs! I know it will probably come back - but I'm at 140 right now. Only 5 lbs away from my goal!

But the best way to deal with stress is to run. It clears your mind and makes your body feel great. So, that's what I did...

I ran.
I ran Saturday 3.5 miles and Sunday 4.2 miles
WITH NO PAIN!!!!

The runner girl is back! So the question is... will I be able to get up to speed to do a half marathon in 6 weeks??
I think I can. Strike that.
I know I can.

Song of the Day: Mama Said Knock You Out by L.L Cool J

Houston, By The Numbers

I'm waiting for my flight home! Home ... ahhh... back to the healthy me. This trip was just a disgrace, health wise. Here are the stats...

• Number of Days in Houston: 7
• Average # of Meals per Day: 6
• Average # Calories per meal: 2,800
• Average # of Trips Thru the Buffet each meal: 2.75
• Number of Workouts: Zilch
• Bottles of Wine Consumed: 14 (with coworker)
• Dirty Martini's Consumed: 3 (wine was easier to come by)
• Number of Desserts per Day: 3
• Number of times I said "I'm not going to eat like this again": 14
• Average Time before Eating bad again: 25 mins
• Number of Arguments over a candy bar: 2
• Number of pants that could not get buttoned: 2
• Number of times the hotel banquet staff made a comment on how much food I ate: 5

Serious issues people. Real Serious.

Good news is that I will be home in a few hours and back to eating like a human.

Great news is that The Captain fixed by closet! Dang I love that man.

Processing.... Please Hold

PLEASE STAND BY.
I am still in Houston and too busy blog? Can you believe it? How can ANYONE be too busy to blog? I do not know how to cope. But I'm trying.

Check back next Monday. The regular scheduled program shall return.

I thought I had it bad...

The other morning I was waiting at a stop light behind a truck. I was already zoning out, thinking about the stressful day ahead. Then I noticed the truck had a logo that quickly caught my attention. I rushed to work to check out their website http://www.doodydude.com/. What a fun name! For a small fee, this guy will come clean up your dog poop! He even does cat litter boxes. Since the last time I had to clean out a litter box I actually threw up in my mouth - I think this guy might be on something.

Putting this in perspective, which would you rather deal with on a daily basis?

Stinky Poop

or
Sharty Situations, B.M. Budgets, Crappy Travel, Potty Worthy Paychecks, Ca-Ca Clients, Turdy Bosses, Doo-Doo Vendors, Anal Appointments, and Shitty Stress.

x

Not sure what you think, but it looks like the Stinky Poop wins out over a "regular job" anyday.

Like I said, this guy is on to something...

x

Song of the Day: Take this Job And Shove It by various artists

Funky Town

Won't you take me to...
Funky Town?

No, I don't want to go dancing.

I'm in a
FUNK!!

Maybe it's the closet situation.
Maybe it's the looming business trip.
Maybe it's post-bday boozing.
Maybe it's from not running.
Maybe I'm sick.
Maybe I'm just tired.
Maybe I'm stressed about Christmas.
Maybe I'm burned out.
Maybe everyone else is just really irritating.

Maybe I should just shut the funk up and take a chill pill.
Anyone got one?

Ok- I promise to be back to "normal" tomorrow. Ha ha - "normal." Yeah righ.

Song of the Day: Wreck of The Day by Anna Nalick

The Facts of Life

You take the good, you take the bad

You take them both

And there you have...

((Sing it with me....))

The Facts of Life, The Facts of Life

I woke up in a panic this morning at 3:45 am. Anxiety kickin' in.

Lots of crap going...

And this song popped into my head.

Thanks to Tootie and the girls, I learned this valuable lesson: You gotta take the good with the bad.

So, here is my "good" - The Captain sent beautiful flowers to my work and made an amazing dinner last night! Yes, that's a huge steak and lobster (and wine, of course). I didn't eat the whole steak, which means I have a great left over lunch today too!

x

x

x

x

Ok, now for the "bad." My closet COLLAPSED this weekend. For an organized, OCD person, this was very, very bad. Now all my clothes are on my couch and there is crap everywhere. I think this is where my anxiety is coming from. This picture sucks, but you get the idea.

Another anxiety maker - I am leaving for a business trip Friday for seven days of 16 hour days - mostly on my feet (and don't even get to dine on my own). All meals with my client. Stressed much?

Song of The Day: The Way I Am, by Ingrid Michealson

Thirty Two Things

Thank you Thank you Thank you for all the birfday wishes. A couple people asked how old I was turning. And now that I have finally come to terms with it, I will share. Thirty two.

Many women freak out when they are approaching the big Three-Oh. If you are drawing near to that age, I recommend a funny booked called Twenty Nine and Counting...

I did not freak out on my 30th. I went wine tasting with a bunch of really good friends and had a great time. I was looking forward to being 30 - finally a real adult. With that, I had a real sense of freedom to be who I want to be and not what other people want me to be. Sounds weird out loud, but maybe you understand.

HOWEVER, when I turned 31, it wasn't quite as easy. For some reason it really hit me then. Holy shit - I'm in my 30's! What the hell am I going to do with my life? I freaked. I balled my eyes out in a restaurant and had to leave. It was not a pretty site.

This year, I'm just fine. Had a wonderful weekend. Drank way too much. But I did actually attempt to run. I went two pain-free miles! I was very excited.

Anyway, in celebration of being thirty two, I thought I would come up with 32 cool things about being 32.

1. I can rent a car with no problem
2. I am confident in my career
3. I’ve travelled to 18 countries and adding a few more next year
4. Car insurance is less expensive
5. I can use curse words in front of adults
6. I get to sit at the grown up table at Christmas
7. Older people can tell dirty jokes around me
8. People finally stopped asking me when I am going to get married (I think they’ve given up)
9. I’ve paid off my debt and know how to use a credit card wisely
10. I don’t have to live on pizza anymore (I actually don’t really like pizza)
11. I don’t enjoy sleep-over’s anymore (except with The Captain – wink wink)
12. I would never even think of crashing on someone’s couch
13. I’m happy to stay home and watch a movie on a Friday night
14. Girls night out doesn’t elicit the same response in me that it used to
15. I prefer to drink good wine over crappy stuff
16. Don’t even think of pouring me a cheap vodka drink
17. I can say “no” to invitations and not feel guilty
18. I can slightly hold my tongue more than I used to (well, sometimes)
19. I can enjoy spending quiet time with my grandparents and want to hear their stories
20. I can leave when I want to
21. I have a savings account and it actually has money in it.
22. I have a 401K AND an IRA
23. I don’t think Top Ramen is a “staple” item
24. I think fresh vegetables, cottage cheese and eggs are “staple” items now
25. The wild oats have been planted. No need to dig them up again.
26. I highly value the skill of Multi-Tasking
27. Quality is better than quantity in most everything- food, drinks, clothing, relationships, etc.
28. I can still have a baby, if I chose to
29. I know how to get things done
30. I can get along with my mother – this was no easy feat
31. A good nights sleep and exercise are way better than closing down the bar
32. A delicious cup of tea could instantly change my mood

Song of The Day: Inside of Love by Nada Surf