Tourist Rant

Dear Tourists,

It is that time of year where non-beach dwellers flock to the sun, surf and sand that is my 'hood. I don't mind sharing this beautiful area with you (cough *lie*) as long as we can get a few things straight:
(Photo borrowed from the OC Register)

1. Pick up your trash. Your beer cans and bags of Doritos not only give you a fat ass, they don't need to litter my street, as well.
2. Look both ways before you cross the street or boardwalk. If you just walk without looking, you will get knocked the F out by a car or a bike or even a runner. In the same arena, hold your kids hands because if they run across the boardwalk they, too will get knocked the F out.
3. When walking or riding a bike on the boardwalk the "rules of the road" apply. In other words, ride on the right hand side. No, it's not funny for you to go on the left hand side and pretend that you're going to run into someone. It's annoying and stupid, just like you and your mullet.
4. If you decide you need to stop to adjust your fanny pack/pick your ill-fitting swimsuit out of your ass/take a picture/light a ciggie/pick your teeth/fix your socks & sandals, please do not do this in the middle of the boardwalk. Move to the side! You are only setting yourself up to get knocked the F out, as well.
5. Cover-Ups people. Enough said.

Peace Out. Holla.

Tester 14

As it is known in the running community, your long runs are the time you "test" things for your marathon. You test out your clothing, nutrition, gu, etc. So I tested out a few things on my 14 miler this morning and here are the results. Hold on to your seats cuz this is exciting stuff.

Good:
1. Hair tied in BUN instead of pony tail. Usually after a long sweaty run, my hair is one big dread lock, impossible to brush through. A bun solved this. Definitely gonna "bun" it for the marathon.
2. Nike's did good on the long distance, as did my fav brooks shorts. Although they were completely drenched and dripping sweat when I was done. I was so sweaty that I actually looked like I just got out of Bikram, instead of running. It was crazy. I love it!

Side note: I hopped on the scale right when I got home just cuz I'm crazy like that. I wanted to see how much water I lost. I was 129.8 (That is 2 to 3 lbs of sweat). Of course I drank it all back in like 2 mins, but it was cool to see the scale say that. Plus it proves how much we sweat when we run, and therefore need to replace those fluids.

Bad:
1. Running with Invisalign. You are supposed to leave them in except when you eat. So, I wanted to run in them, but when it came time for my Shot Bloks, I had to take them out. It was annoying. But I don't want to keep them out for a full 2+ hours. Also, the G2 probably is not good for staining reason. I guess I'll live with it.
2. G2. I hate hate hate drinks like this. I try them all and they are all just too damn sweet for me. I actually choke as I'm trying to drink it. And they make me my stomach cramp. I wonder if I should just stick with water, then find some other way to replace electrolytes. I drink Smart Water in Bikram. Supposedly it has electrolytes, but I'm not sure if I believe all that stuff. What do you guys think?

So, here's the digits. I am pretty happy with them. I think Fartleks are really helping me. I read somewhere (I think Nitmos or one of those fancy fast runners) that if you want to get faster, you have to train faster. Seems like an easy concept, but it took me a while to "get it."

Distance: 14 miles
Time: 2:09:02
Average Mile: 9:18
The awesome part is that my 2nd half was as strong/if not stronger than the first half. Mile 2 and Mile 10 were my fastest miles, both under 9 mins.

Song of the Day: Now You're Gone by Basshunter

Dig It Like A Miner

Things I've been diggin'...

Things that changed my universe...

Things that make my life a little sunnier...

You get the picture.

1. Nike HJ030 Vapor Sport Bud Headphones - several people have been asking/talking about headphones lately. Here is my 2 cents on the matter. I LOVE these ones because the hook behind your ear and don't slip and slide out when a little sweat starts dripping. I tried a million other types (looking for something less expensive) but these are the only headphones that work for me.
2. Chocolate Soy Milk - I've blogged about this before. But I really love this stuff as a treat /recover drink after my morning run. It replaces a few calories so I'm not starving by the time I get to work at 8:30 am. If I'm feelin' fancy, I will add a banana and throw it in the blender with some ice. But it's great just on it's own too.
3. Schick Intuition Plus - I am seriously lazy about shaving my legs. Just ask my ex. But with this razor, I can do a great half-assed job so I don't look like chewbacca in yoga class with my super short shorts.
4. Japanese Cherry Green Tea - I am a firm believer in the benefits of green tea. But most green tea tastes like dirt. This shiz is the bomb dizzle. It's like a sweet sassy party in my mouth. If I am sad, just bring me one of the babies, iced and I am one happy little sassafras.
5. Brickbreaker - This is where I confess how much of a dork I am. I love love love playing Brickbreaker on my Blackberry Pearl Phone. I play it almost every night while I'm winding down. I'm addicted. It actually really relaxes me. For those of you who don't know it, it's kinda like tetris. For those of you who do, I can't seem to get past level 16.

What items in your life can turn your frown upside down?

Fashionably Flexible

I'm feeling discombobulated again.

One of the main reasons #1 on Ze Plan was to be 'fashionably flexible' is because being flexible is something I really struggle with (mentally, not physically. I'm actually pretty physically flexible for a runner).

My normal schedule has been:

Mon = 4 miles
Wed = Farteks (usually 4 to 5 miles)
Fri = Long, Slow Distance Run (LSD)

Sun = 5 to 6 miles

This is perfecto because the the only time that I run back to back days in a row are Sun/Mon and those are both just mellow/short runs. I'm really not trying to over train and get injured again, hence the reason I don't want to run two days in a row.

But this week is totally jacked up. My Sunday night run had me all screwy and tired so I missed my Monday morning run. I ran Tues. I couldn't wake up this morning. I must run Thur and therefore don't want to do my LSD run on Fri. Now I have to do it Saturday, which means I can't go out on Fri night.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH - be FLEXIBLE POM, be FLEXIBLE.

Ok, I'm gonna make it happen, don't you worry. (I know you're probably going to lose sleep over all of this.) I'm thinking the long run will be Sat morning. Then I can go on my date Thur night (hopefully he will fit into my schedule).

Told you guys I'm crazy. It will probably get worse before it gets better, kinda like acne.

LUCKILY I am on a BIKRAM BINGE and lovin' every minute of it. It's helping keep the full blown crazy at bay. Kinda.

By the way, my friends, THIS (see below) is the SHIT I have to deal with on a regular basis at my place of employment. What you can't see: brownie bites, assortment of mini cookies, coffee cake, etc, etc.

Yes, I did indulge a bit. I tried to stick with fruit and cheese only, but a brownie bite might have slipped and fallen in my mouth. Ok, maybe a cookie, too. Luckily the Invisalign is back in and no more snacking can happen.

Song of the day: Star 69 by Fatboy Slim (rated r)

But Seriously Though

The Portland Marathon is approximately 14 weeks away.
Training is going tres bien.

It's time to get serious and think about my race goals.
Last year, my goal was 4:30. With my hip injury, I finished at 4:45.

So, here are my goals:

1. Maintain my weight. I know it's not that important when endurance training, but I gained 12 freakin pounds last year. That can NOT happen again and it is a huge deal to me, so shut it. To make sure that doesn't happen a"gain", I will continue to weigh myself a couple times a week and not increase my calories too much. I will continue to eat several healthy meals a day, starting right when I wake up. I know it helps balance me out if I eat right away, then I'm not starving all the time and therefore pigging out on whatever the biznatches bring into the office. I will also keep up with Bikram 3 to 4 times a week.

2. Finish in 4:25. According to the McMillan Calculator I should be able to finish in 4:20. (ha ha, get it - 4:20?) I'm giving myself an extra 5 mins because I'm nice to myself. To accomplish this goal, I will continue to follow ZE PLAN extraordinaire, get in all my Luscious Longies and maintain a Healthapotamus attitude.

3. Have Birthday Fun. It's my best friend's birfday so after the marathon, we're gonna party like it's 1999. Actually 1999 came and went, and the party kinda sucked. So we're gonna party like we just ran a marathon! That is more our style anyway. Although, a Portland Blogger Martini Meet Up will definitely be in order. Holla.

So, there they are folks.

Fartleks in the Wind:
4 miles
Time: 35:08
Average: 8:47
Max: 5:43

Just Call Me Angel of the Morning

I am a morning runner...

You know, early bird gets the worm...

Get the workout out of the way first thing so the rest of the day has meaning...

Well, Sunday I slept in. Hey, I am human occasionally.

Then I had stuff to do so I didn't have time to get in my morning run.

(Side note: I went with a girlfriend (Hi SZ) to look for wedding dresses. Usually this can be quite a daunting task. Well, let me tell ya - this girl knew what she wanted. We walked in, she tried on a handful and BAM - Done. Signed on the dotted line. It wasn't too difficult because every dress looked amazing on her. It was flippin' awesome. ) Also I went to the movies, saw "Love Guru." It was goofy, but a nice air conditioned theater was a good escape from the crazy heat.

By the time I got home, I was feeling really discombobulated from missing my morning run. So what the heck - I laced up my sneakers and hit the boardwalk. It was about 7:30 pm and still scorching hot. I had a fantastic run without Big G. I think I ran about 5.5 or 6 miles, was totally drenched in sweat and happy as a clam.

Here's the problem. I get home around 8:30 pm, take a quick shower and watch a little lame TV. Next thing I know it's 10:30 pm (past my bedtime) and I am NOT tired AT ALL. I force myself to go to bed, but I lay there tossing and turning. Finally at 1:00 am, I get up and take a half a sleeping pill. (Trust me, I am hating myself this morning.)

Running gives me such awesome energy. Which I ADORE in the morning, but not so good in the evenings. Anyone else have this problem?

Me Learn Good One Day

There are so many of life's lessons that we KNOW, yet we don't implement in our daily lives. And by "we" I mean "I."

I am not a stupid girl (most of the time).

I make good decisions (some of the time).

I think things through (once in a while).

But some (stupid) things I do over and over again.

Exhibit A.

Drinking before long runs is not a good idea. I have blogged about the consequences of this numerous times. Yet, do I learn? Of course not. So yes, I drank last night - a few glasses of wine at dinner and then 2 vodka sodas after dinner. And yes, I enjoyed the pooptastic benefits of a hungover 8 miler this morning.

Mile 1: 9:24 - head bouncing around; can't see straight

Mile 2: 9:22 - headache really kicks in

Mile 3: 9:48 - Oh shit I'm thirsty (with no water pack today)

Mile 4: 9:39 - Half way, I can do this

Mile 5: 9:34 - Ok, this isn't too bad

Mile 6: 9:31 - Thank Sweet Baby Jesus it's not sunny yet

Mile 7: 9:11 - Seriously, this needs to end

Mile 8: 9:04 - I'm done! I will NEVER drink before a run again (yeah right)

Total: 1:15: 33 - 880 calories (not to bad for hung over. I think the fartleks are making me faster FO SHO)

Exhibit B

Dating. Enough said? Ok, I'll elaborate a bit.

About 3 years ago, I made the list. The most important list of all. A list of the qualities that I want in my significant other. Hey, you gotta put it out in the universe if you want it happen, right? Remember THE SECRET???

The list has 2 columns. (Single girls - do this now!)

Column 1 is a list of "Must Haves" - things that are deal breakers.

Column 2 is a list of "Would be nice, but not a deal breaker.

My list is long and I swear it freakin' grows everyday.

Now, that is not the bad part.

The bad part (where I make stupid decisions) is that I have this awesome list and I know what I want. BUT I meet guys that do not qualify and I date them anyway. I understand that nobody will be perfect. But if there are things that are deal breakers, then I need to break the deal.

Someone just drop a freakin' ANVIL on my head. Then maybe I'll get it.

Book Tag

Because I am uber busy at work today (not), I thought I would participate in this fun little TAG from Judi at Miles & Madness. I just heart Judi - she is a serious athlete and I swear she will be an Iron(wo)man one day.

Here's the deal:
1.Find the book closest to you and turn to page 123
2.Locate the 5th sentence
3.Post in your blog the following three sentences
4.Then challenge five others to do the same

The book closest to me right now:

Chinese Business Etiquette by Scott D. Seligman

The use of public places for entertainment - both business and personal- is common practice among Chinese in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other Asian countries. Foreigners are frequently invited out to restaurants by Chinese people. These can be very pleasant experiences, though they can sometimes end in a battle over who pays the check. (Splitting the bill is traditionally un-heard of....)

Anyone else bored today? I am really bad at picking people, so you can do it if you want to :)

Guest Blogger - New Motivation

Let's give a warm welcome to my first guest blogger ever. We'll call him Clinton (from "What Not To Wear"). Clinton comes to us today from Denver, where he does not YET have his own blog. But I think with his keen fashion sense and new found love for running, he might just have one soon. Besides, he thinks I am WAY cooler than I really am, so you gotta love him for that. Take it away Clinton...

(Of course, I had to plug in my commentary at some parts.)

I gained 10 pounds last fall. Nobody said anything to me directly, but I noticed people gagging when I walked by. I knew I was putting on some weight, but when my favorite Ben Sherman pants started getting tight (you know, when the stitches are holding on for dear life) I knew I had to do something about it. In January, my dear (and patient) friend Kristin (you might remember her from my first marathon, she is also running Portland) introduced me to the world of running, Jessica’s POM Blog and Runners World magazine. I was inspired!

Three sources of motivation PLUS an added perk I didn’t expect…other runners! Seeing other people run motivates me, but more importantly, I love looking at runners’ bodies. Why are runners so hot? I have fallen in love with runner’s calves and bums - I don’t mind running slowly just for the view. I live in Denver where the days are hot and the runners are shirtless. We all know that not all runners should be shirtless, but it’s that one you have to look back at when you pass that makes it all worth it.

What have I learned so far?

1. Running drops pounds – I’ve lost the 10 I was trying to get rid of plus an additional three!


2. Bikers hate runners. They want to kick us when they go by. (This might just be a Denver thing or maybe because he's a guy. I know bikers sure don't try to kick me, but then again, I'm me.)


3. Runners are part of a community of athletes, of which I am happy to be a part. Runners will always have something to talk about.


4. Kristin and Jessica are the two most inspirational runners I know (and the most beautiful.) (Can I get a "hell ya?" I swear he typed that, not me.)


5. I want to meet Jessica’s mom to ask her where I can find a runner’s helmet and head-lamp. They don’t sell them in Denver.
   
   Motivation is different for everybody. If it’s watching hotties, being faster than the 9 yr old running faster than you (or the 80 yr old for that matter) or pissing off the bikers, it’s important to share with the people around you. Nothing gets me thinking more about my next run than hearing why others do it to. Speaking of hearing, let’s get Jessica to lisp (from my new braces) her wisdom into an audio podcast so the people running around us at the gym can wonder why we are laughing on the treadmill! (Hell no, that won't happen.)

Thanks Clinton. I think you should sign up for the Portland Marathon too!

Exciting Breaking News

News Alert:

Hold on to your seats, as we here at the POM Institute have a new member. (The POM Institute consists of POM, her friends, coworkers and sister and it is very scientific.) He will be preparing a guest blog to be posted within the week.

Please note that he is very sensitive and does not tolerate criticism (and thinks I am awesome, therefore he gets to post on my blog).

Stay tuned.

Up In My Grill

The TOOTH of the MATTER:

I have had braces before, circa 1986. The horrible silver ones. With rubber bands and all kinds of drama. (I really wish I had a pic to share - that would get a good laugh out of ya'll). Approximately 1989, I had straight teeth and a nice retainer to keep them that way. Being the awesome teenager that I was, I broke my retainer about 5 times. Finally my mom gave up and said, "you break it again, you buy it." Well, I did break it and I didn't buy it.



Flash forward to my early 20s and the onset of Wisdom Teeth. My teeth were all pushed forward, so I have these little rabbit buck teeth in the front and the bottom are crowded with major shifting. There's kinda like a snaggletooth on the bottom (my ex thought it was cute, but I sure hate it).



HENCE THE INVISALIGN!

I picked them up yesterday and they fit perfectly. They feel tight, but not sore. I popped a few Advil before bed, just in case. I did NOT sleep well. I kept waking up and wanting to take them out, but I didn't. Luckily they do not pop in and out as easily as a retainer. I had several dreams about TEETH. All the waking up caused me to over-snooze this morning and NOT RUN; Messing up my run schedule for the week. GER.
.
Since they are NOT easy to take out:
GOOD = NO mindless snacking and only water drinking.
BAD = I need to eat like 6 times a day, so it's a pain to have to take out everytime.
.

I am wearing them in this pic - you can hardly tell.
.

So here starts my journey to straight teeth (AGAIN).
.
.

I will try to not blog about it anymore, as it is a very boring subject and nowhere related to running, rants or relationships. And based on this pic it is quite obvious that my eye cream is NOT working.

Self Improvement Jeopardy

Welcome to the first (and probably only) edition of....

SELF IMPROVEMENT JEOPARDY!

Let's get started.

Category: "Running Gear" for $40
Answer: This item of clothing is so awesome, that despite an entire drawer clean clothes, THIS is dug out of the dirty hamper.
Question: What are Women's Brooks Element Shorts?
CORRECT!

Category: "Running Gear" for $120
Answer: This pair of sneakers were "iffy" at first, but now the best things ever!
Question: What are the Nike Air Zoom Vomero 3
CORRECT!

Category: "New Level of Crazy" for $5,000
Answer: POM's latest and greatest step towards wanna-be perfection and total craziness.
Question: What is Invisalign?
CORRECT!

Category: "Marathon Training" for $600
Answer: POM's fastest run EVAH, EVAH.
Question: What are today's Fartleks?
CORRECT!

Thanks for playing.

Fartlek Digits:
Mile 1: 8:59
Mile 2: 8:20
Mile 3: 8:54
Mile 4: 8:33
Total: 34:45; Calories: 440

Weekend Summary

This about sums up the weekend:

* Running = 17 miles total

* Yoga = 3 hours total

* Wine = Immeasurable Consumption

* Family Time = 1 lunch

* Friend Time: 1 day & 1 night

.

Dating Update: The negotiations with the Captain are off. That ship has really sailed this time. I mean really.

Baby Mama Drama (BMD) is back in town this week (haven't talked about him much, he's a runner).

New date this week too - need a nickname for him. Stay tuned.

Song of the Day: Calabria by Dirty Laundry

Snobbery Backfires

Confession Time.

I am kind off a snob.

I have NO idea where this came from (most likely my dad's side). But my family is not wealthy, I don't have designer clothing and I am only moderately good looking. But the snob inside is there. She's always been there.

Case in point:

Picture a 3 year old P.O.M. hanging out with her grandmother. (This is my grams favorite story by the way.) Anyway Grams has to run some errands. First stop is K-Mart. POM looks up at her Grams with blue eyes bigger than her entire face and says, "Gamma, we don't like this store, do we?"

As I have "grown up" (ha, yea right) I have been through some hard times and I'm not as snobby as I used to be. I realize half that shit doesn't' even matter anymore. But every once in a while, that little snob within rears her ugly head.

Like today on my 12 miler. I'm thinkin' I'm pretty bad ass, hittin' the pavement with my fancy gear. Some douche-bag passes me. I look at his feet and immediately think "he's not really a runner with those shoes."

See, snobby, right?

Then I look down.

And realized that I look like

and over-geared Punky Brewster on Steroids.

Spilts:

Mile 1: 9:27

Mile 2: 9:44

Mile 3: 10:00

Mile 4: 10:01

Mile 5: 10:08

Mile 6: 10:00

Mile 7: 9:54

Mile 8: 9:14

Mile 9: 9:39

Mile 10: 9:45

Mile 11: 9:13

Mile 12: 8:44

Total: 1:55:50 = 1334 calories

Song of the Day: Sun in Shining - Spencer & Hill Radio edit by Yanou

Tagged

I know, I'm LAST to the party, but at least I showed up.
Reluctant Runner tagged me for a little running meme. Thank goodness she did because I ain't got nuthin' else to blog about today.
You know how it works.

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?
Ten years ago, the only running I did was to the liquor store to pick up smokes and booze. I ran around town, getting in trouble. I saw people running, as I sat on my patio nursing a hang over. I thought their running shorts were really dorky. It never occurred to me that I would ever pick up the "habit" of running.

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?
My best experience was my 22-miler training run with my friend Mari in the rain. It sucked, but it was probably the most fun I have had running. Worst experience was trying to do hill training for the first time last year totally hung over, in the heat. I wanted to die. I had to walk 80% of it.

3. Why do you run?
I first started to run because I thought "you never see fat people running." Then I got hooked. I love how running clears my head, makes me sweat and how it feels when you're in the zone.

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?
The best advice came from someone who actually annoys the F*&K out of me. When I first started to train long distance, this person told me that it doesn't matter how slow I go. I can slow down as much as I need to.

The worst advise usually comes from non-runners. My favorite is that I shouldn't run because it's bad for my female organs. Hello - the 1920s called and want their advice back.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.
I'm kind of an open book. There isn't much about me that the general blog reading public doesn't already know.

I'm tagging anyone who needs something to blog about today....

Fartleks & Funny Convos

First thought when alarm rang at 5:30 am: I don't want to get up.
Second thought: Oh, I have new shorts to try out. I'm up!

It takes little things to make me happy and get up in the morning.
Little things like new running clothes.

I've been putting off the whole speed training thing for a long time now. I tried it last year and hurt myself. So I've been paranoid. But I know if I want to decrease my race times, I need to Fartlek. So today, this is that I did. Of course, I make up my own Fartlek rules because that's just what I do. So I ran a mile then did 2 miles of fast, then slow. Then 1 mile normal. Let's just say that my fast was fast and my slow was really slow. My quads and lungs were BURNING! I guess that's what supposed to happen, right? I didn't bring Big G with me, but I got home about 7 minutes earlier than normal. So I think my overall time was faster. I'll have to bring Big G next time to really see the numbers. It was kinda fun to switch it up like that, but really hard.

Here's the funny thing. I run on a boardwalk with several other runners and walkers. So, as I would speed up, I felt like people thought I was just showing off and trying to pass them. Then slow down once I did. Am I just making this up in my head? Or do you think people might really think that? Not that it matters, but I'm sure it looks kinda silly.

I'll leave you with this little gem of a convo I had with the Captain. I know you want more details, but I'm not sure where things stand right now, so this is all you get. tee hee

Captain: You look really thin right now.
Me: Well, I'm finally down to 131.
Cap: It looks like you've lost more than 5 lbs.
Me: Really? Well, I'm barely at 131, usually its more like 133.
Cap: Yeah, until you take a big poop and drop down to 127.

Song of the day: Waiting by Shiny Toy Guns

Looking In

So yeah, remember when I said that Bikram yoga quieted my mind?

Well, today it didn't. I don't know if it was the big fat burger my dad made me eat, or the fact that I was at a funeral earlier in the day, or that the Captain and I are talking again or maybe even that the room wasn't hot enough (ok, now that's just crazy talk). But my mind was all over the damn place. I still felt great and I am really starting to see improvements in the postures. Yippy for that.

Being at the funeral (only the 2nd in my life) really made me think about weird stuff. I have been sooooo blessed to have only lost one grandfather at this point. The funeral today was the mother of a very good friend of mine. I practically grew up at their dining room table. Her mom was like my 2nd mom, especially when my parents got a divorce and my mom was a single parent. Seeing my best friend there, now without BOTH of her parents, just made me realize how important family and true friends are. There is so much to handle at a time like this and thank God she has such a huge support system. Her mom was such an amazing woman and I was definitely blessed to have her in my life.

It made me think, do I have a support system like that? Do I have people in my life that would stop everything and sit day and night in the hospital with me? Who would step up and do all the things that need to get done?

What's more important to me is - Am I the kind of friend that would do that for others? I would like to hope I am. I only visited this lady ONCE in the hospital. Once. That is shitty of me. I get so bogged down in my routine that I alienate myself, even from my family. This is something I really want to work on.
I have been working on the "outside" of my body for so long.
It is time to start to bring the focus inward.

Song of the day: You Wouldn't Like Me by Tegan & Sara

Weekend Victories

This was a great weekend in regards to food & exercise.
I did all that was planned and more (I threw in an extra day of yoga).
I did have one too many a' martini on Friday night, not sure if that messed me up, but I was weighing in at 133. BUT, that is just fine because guess what PANTS I'm wearing to work right now......
That's right... the old motivation Dolce pants. And they fit pretty darn well.

That's all for today folks.
Marathon goals coming later in the week.

Chatter Brain

MizFit had a great topic this week (on her Monday Face time).

Check it out. She talks about the "negative chatter within" and how to change that chatter to be positive. One suggestion is to think: Is this thinking helping me to feel good and reach my goals?

I have been blogging about trying to find the positive in things, so this blog was one that stuck a chord with me.

I'm sure most of you know a chatter mouth or two. The ladies at the gym or church that just can't shut their yap for a minute! Well, I have a "Chatter Brain." (Sometimes it turns into chatter mouth after a few glasses of wine, but that's another blog.)

My brain feels like it's constantly on overload. Not necessarily negative thoughts (thanks to lots of practice), but always several thoughts at once. Usually they aren't even related. For example:

Is it lunch time yet? I'm hungry. Did I turn off my straightening iron? What
should I wear to the funeral. I hope I brought cheese to work. I need to get my
oil changed. I can't believe the Captain is still so mad at me. He has my crock
pot. I never use my crock pot. I should find a recipe for crock pot chili. (I
think about food a lot). I need to call my dad. Thank goodness there's no
chocolate in the office. Do I have gas in my car? What am I going to wear to
tonight? I have to send pictures to my mom. Why is it so damn cold in here?

You get the picture. It's like this all day and all night. BUT, I found a way to stop the chatter, at least for a short about of time.

PUT MY BODY INTO A PHYSICALLY STRESSFUL SITUATION
(i.e. Run long distance, do Bikram yoga, etc.)

If I am sitting in a 105 degree room trying to do yoga positions, my brain is ONLY focused on that exact moment. If I'm running, I am only focused on my feet, breathing, maybe music. If I am pushing my body to it's limit with something, then I can't think about anything else.

It's freakin' awesome! Try it.

Song of the Day: Move Shake Drop Remix by DJ Laz

Ten is the New Black

Looking at my training schedule for the next few months, there are a LOT of 10-milers. Today was the first. And lemme tell ya, this makes me one happy girl.

I love ten.
Ten is the new eight (I used to love eight).
Ten is the new black.
Ten is the new flip flop.
Ten is the new chocolate soy milk.

I was totally DORKED out in all my gear - Here are the results:
Mile 1: 8:51
Mile 2: 9:35
Mile 3: 9:53
Mile 4: 10:05 (hill)
Mile 5: 9:37
Mile 6: 9:41
Mile 7: 9:39
Mile 8: 9:09 (Had to pass some blond skinny beeotches)
Mile 9: 9:12 (Cute firemen)
Mile 10: 9:08
Total: 1:34: 50


I'm off to yoga again. Last nights class was so awesome, it was almost sexual. It's like a drug and I need me some more! I will be back to blog about it...

Revision One and Binge-fest

I need to share with you that I (The Self Proclaimed Health Freak) give in to Shit-Food that sabotaging bitches (just kidding girls) bring into my world.



The last 2 days have been ugly. Real ugly.



Exhibit A: Seven (maybe 8) shortbread cookies with macadamia nuts dipped in chocolate (sent from Hawaii).



Exhibit B: Nachos - a big fat, fatty plate with everything on them



Exhibit C: Reese's Crispy Crunchy Bar


Exhibit D: Peanut M&Ms



I have no excuses because remember that is Rule #1.

But it stops now.

I will eat very healthy at home. Fruits & Veggies galore.

Tonight: Birkam
Friday: Run 10 miles
Saturday: Bikram - probably walk or something else
Sunday: Run a coulple miles & ???




I will hold off on the weigh-in until Sunday because I'm sure this "little" binge kicked the scale back in the wrong direction.



Not sure if anyone cares, but I did revise Ze Plan for Portland:





(Flashback) Song of the day:
Right Down the Line by Gerry Rafferty

Boobs & Sneakers

For a little added motivation for this upcoming training season, I hit my local running store (Road Runner Sports) for a new pair of kicks. I bought my shoes there last time and it was a very pleasant experience, so I was looking forward to going back.

And let's just say those young fellas didn't disappoint. I was greeted promptly, helped excessively and had a lot of attention while I was there.

I tried on a few selections based on their helpful suggestions. I was bouncing around, running around the store (to make sure my shoes were comfy of course). I ended up with a pair of Nike Air Zoom Vomero 3. I have never been a big fan of Nikes but these felt great.

I was really impressed with the service at RRS. Such helpful young fellas. So I loaded up my purchases (you know I couldn't walk out with JUST shoes), hopped in my car and looked DOWN.

Two buttons on my already low cut shirt had POPPED open and my voluminous breasts were literally pouring out all over the place. Nice.... I guess that's a sure-fire way to get good service.

I took the new Nikes for 4 mile spin this morning. I'm not sure how I feel about them now. They were fine at first, but by the end I kinda felt like there was half a tennis ball under the ball of my foot. I am going to try them again for my 10 miler this weekend and if they disappoint, I will be returning them to Road Runners. Thankfully they have a 60 day return policy. And I'm sure if I have the "girls" out, they will be extra helpful finding me another great pair.

.

Last, thank you for all your advice on Z plan. I am going to make some adjustments, like increasing the mileage on the shorter runs for the 2nd half of training (a lot of you suggested that). Also remember, that I OVER trained last year and ended up with a hip injury that really slowed me down for the LB Marathon. And yes, I will definately keep up with my "during the week" runs to include hill work and speed work.

.

Oh, one more thing. I showed the gals at work a picture of BWDOTDFM and they want me to give him another chance because he is so "dashingly handsome." Honestly, I don't think just a pretty face is enough for me anymore. Welcome to being in your 30s. wah.

.

Song of the day: Just the Way You Are by Milky

Ze Plan... Feedback Requested

This is what I am thinking for my long run schedule. *Remember this is my long runs only.

I am going to run about 3 times per week during the week also, but really try to not run 2 days in a row. I am not going to plan out those days, as "Fashionably Flexible" is rule #1 (for week days only).

Do you think that is too long of a taper from my last long run to my race weekend? I think I did this last year, but can't really remember.

Song of the day: Dangerous by Kardinal Offishall

Easily Irritated

I will be the first to admit that I'm easily irritate or "EI" as I frequently call myself.

I've made it pretty clear that I have embraced my inner-planner and I'm proud of it.

This recent email convo with the "boy who didn't open the door for me" is a prime example of my easy irritable-ness. My commentary is in green.

Me: I am working on my marathon training plan right now.
BWDOTDFM: When are you planning on starting that training plan? What does that consist of? I am gonna start running after the gym real soon again.
Me: It starts this weekend with a 10 miler. Then basically, long runs on the weekends and running 3 times during week. I really want to stick with yoga 2 to 3 times per week, also. (Then I sent him my long run schedule ~ hey, he asked.)
BWDOTDFM: Nice to see you didn't plan anything out. Just playing it by ear are we? (Sarcasm is funny, but not when it's stupid.)
Me: You have to plan out your long runs – Marathon training takes a lot of PLANNING.
BWDOTDFM: I know, "I plan out everything. My middle name is planner!" (Why do men find planning to be such a negative thing? Seriously?)

I'll tell ya one thing. I'm going to PLAN on not seeing him any more. How about them plans?

Maybe I just don't like him
or I'm really not ready to date
(probably a little of both),
but I keep finding little things like this that annoy me.


I hope he doesn't find my blog.

Oh Yeah That Marathon Thing

Remember that little race I signed up for? Well, I guess I need to let go of my "no-plan" running plan (as much as I have loved it) and start thinking about fall Marathon training.

I like to create my own plans because I know my body better than Mr. Galloway or Mr. Higdon. But I will take bits and pieces from a few plans and mesh them together for my very own POM plan.

This is what I'm workin' with:

1. Fashionably Flexible: Long runs on Fri, Sat OR Sun - whatever day works best for me.
2. Weak Weekdays: Only 3 times per week MAX and not over 5/6 miles.
3. Cerebral Caloric Intake: There will be NO 12 lb. marathon weight gain like last year.
4. Luscious Longies: 3 runs of 20+ plus miles, maxing out at 22 miles.
5. Yoga Yahoo: Continue to do Bikram at least 2 days a week - aiming for 3.
6. Healthapotamus: Get refocused on hydration/nutrition/vitamins/supplements.
7. Shoe-tacular: Need to get new shoes to put into the training mix.

I will come up with the flexi-schedule this afternoon instead of working.

Does anyone else make up their own marathon plans?
What are your priorities/thoughts/concerns/struggles about your plan?

Song of the day: Inspiration by Ian Van Dahl

Sundays Nothings

Just rambling...

Did Bikram twice this weekend. (I swear this is why the recent weight loss.)

Ran a total of 13 miles (Fri & Sun).

The scale still said 131 this morning even after a pizza and beer binge last night, so I'm officially changing it on my side bar. SWWWEEEETTTTT.

Is it bad to not go on a 4th date with a guy because he didn't open the car door for me on the 3rd date? It really bugged me for some reason.

I know I haven't done any songs of the day lately. This is because music hasn't been very inspiring to me lately. But on my run today, I played this song 3 times in a row! You know how I love me some cheesy remixes!

Song of the Day: Say Yeah by Wiz Khalifa