Active Friends

In my early 20's whenever a birthday rolled around it was all about eating good food, finding a hip bar, club or both and partying the night away.  Now a decade later and things have changed.  Don't get me wrong, I do like to have a good time just in a different way. For my 32nd bday I ran a 1/2 marathon.  After the relay triathlon my friend Santa said she wanted to do a full sprint tri.  She found one the weekend before her bday and asked me to compete with her. I love that my friends want to go out there and be active.

I've trained but not 100%.  I worked a crazy work month with a lot of OT.  But all things considering I know I can and will finish the race. The main thing I am worried about it not know my bike and gears yet. 

Did I forget to mention I got a NEW bike.  A Jamis Venture Sport Road bike.  It's the 2012 model so got a killer deal of $525! And I have my loving hubby to thank for it because it was part of my bday gifts.  The race entry was also a gift.  THANKS BAY!

At first I really liked the model up from this one and a 2013 model, but Jay had a good point. I am new to the sport, I am not a cyclist so why spend a ton of money on a bike not knowing if I am going to train more after this race.  True... very true.  I went with reason and ended up with a pretty cool and fast bike none the less.  I went on a 11 mile bike ride the next day and was pleased.

I also got new shoes in the mail yesterday.  I had given this running store a second try after having a bad experience with them in the past and they failed miserably!!  They got me in the wrong shoes 3 times and I have the blisters to prove it.  After the last return I opted out of an exhacnge and I went online with the newest version of my last 3 pairs of running shoes.  I don't have time to break them in before the race.  Not only because the race is 4 days away but because I have come down with a yucky cold.  I am a walking mucus machine. Ick!

Wish me good luck!

I did it!

When I turned 30 I went on a family hike because I wanted to start off my 30's healthy. Two years later and staying active is still the way I like to celebrate my bday.

I ran 13.1 miles with no training and after working a 12hr graveyard shift. Yay me!! My goal was to do it under 2:30 and barely made it with a finish time of 2:27!

I was losing steam around mile 8.  My legs were cramping up and fatigue had really started to set in. Jay has gone on pack runs around our house so when I saw some one running it reminded me of him and I quickly picked up my speed.  My legs felt heavy but I followed this Army ROTC member has he rapidly weaved in and out of groups.  I was extremely motivated!  I was able to keep up for almost 3 miles. 

And here are my result.

But I didn't finish this race without some clear evident of my lack of training and breaking in new running shoes.  3-4 blisters on each foot (gnore my sock fuzz).

 No pain, no gain... right?



Friends with enough crazy in them as me

It was cold, early and raining, but the excitement was in the air.  It was our first triathlon.  Seriously it was the best feeling to be a part of this team.  We cheered each other on and shared funny and inspiring stories as we waited for each other.

As always... my family were our #1 fans!  I can always count on them to show their support and love.

I guess it's what I signed up for

I'm in there. The tunnel and I think I see a light in the not too distant future. Almost 3 years ago I started on this journey to earn my B.S. and I am FINALLY going to get that piece of paper!! This quarter I am taking 22 units of science courses. Yes, 22 units! It has been my hardest quarter yet. Not because of the unit load, but because my teachers have been giving so much work. Seriously, finals are next week and I had 6 quizzes, 2 formal lab reports, and 5 lab write ups due THIS week alone. Next week (yes, that would be during finals week!) I have 3 quizzes due. Who gives quizzes the week of finals week? It has been ridiculous keeping up with all the quizzes (sometimes 2 for 1 class within the same week), homework, papers, lab writes up, presentation, etc. To celebrate the end of this quarter, I am going to visit my sister in Colorado during Spring break. Can't wait!

Fall Qtr

Good bye summer days of sitting outside and reading a book, sleeping in, and having nothing really to do besides what I wanted to do. Summer was great. Sure, I had a calculus class for 6 weeks of it, but overall I got to spend time with friends & family, exercised, I joined a book club and just chilled. Jay and I also went to Jamaica and Vegas... which I will eventually post pictures and write about. I can't complain... it was great!

Now it's back to school time. I am taking water pollution (which doesn't have a lab, yay!), bio internship class (for the research work I am doing), organic chemistry, evolution and marine ecology (which has field trips). I am super excited for this qtr. 18 science unit in total. For the most part my teachers are enjoyable, knowledgeable and will keep me awake. Right now I am going into my 2nd week, so most concepts are review and seems easy, but I have been warned to not let that be a false sense of security. I

I feel very blessed to be able to go to school and be so close to getting my B.S. I want to make the best of this school year! I haven't been to many events or that involved so plan on doing so.

Other then that... 8 days away from checking off another item from my bucket list -- running 26.2 miles... YEAH BABY!

2 months away until race day

So whose idea was it to sign up for this race? Oh yeah, mine! I only have 8 weeks left and am confident that I will cross the finish line, but am not so confident I will do so in the time I would like. I did 15 miles yesterday and must say the latter part was rough and my sprinting at the end was slow, but I felt like I was pushing so hard. At least at the end of this run I didn't have the same thought as I normally do, which is subtracting what I ran from 26.2 and questioning myself how I am going to do it. I do know one thing, I need more songs on my ipod ASAP!!!

Here was my workout for this passed week:
Mon: Ran 3 mi
Tue: Rest
Wed: Ran 6 miles, even though I was supposed to do 4
Thur: Was supposed to do 7 miles, but after mile 2 my shin was hurting really bad, so did the elliptical, stair climber for 20mins, and the row machine for 500 yards x 5.
Fri: Rest
Sat: Rest - It was Jay's graduation and I worked graves, so no way I was squeezing in a workout.
Sun: Ran 15 miles.

Completed week 9

... of my full marathon training. I am pretty excited that I am training and even though I don't always stick exactly to the plan, I am working out more then I have for any other event that I have signed up for. *patting self on back!*

Monday: Swam laps for about 45mins with my sisters and niece.
Tuesday: Ran 6 miles (52.42), even tho my training calender said 3 miles
Wed: 10 miles (1:46), but was supposed to do only 7mile
Thur: Rest
Fri: Rest
Sat: 4 miles (36.45) and weights
Sun: Rest

I will NOT walk!

This morning I woke up at 5AM. It's no secret that I am not a morning person, however, I was surprisingly alert and upbeat this morning. My youngest sister wanted to run a 5k without stopping or walking, so we trained some and signed up for a pretty flat street race. We ran it in 40 mins flat. Not bad for my sister's 2nd 5K and she accomplished her goal!

We took advantage of waiting in line by the porta-Johns for a photo opt. And waiting at the finish line was my love and lil Ms. Jayla.

Afterwards my mom treated us to breakfast. I had a veggie omelet with potatoes and a pancake. It was a little hole in the wall place, but really good. I love it that my family does active things together and as the years go by I feel like we are growing closer and closer.

I've been going on many dates

...with "Bob." I had to come into work this morning bright and early for day shift coverage. Yup, a 12-hr shift from 6a-6p. Tonight I am hanging out with a ol' friend at my favorite sushi place, so probably will be home late. Why is this all important? Well, that means I would have to workout tonight when I got home OR this morning before work. Last night (or should I say this morning?) I didn't get to bed until til passed midnight, so when my alarm went off at 3:30AM you KNOW I turned it off and tried to get more ZZZ's, but couldn't. Jay came into the room before 4AM to help motivate me to get out of bed. Did I mention I am not a morning person? Poor guy got to see my ugly side (just a little). I turned off my next 2 alarms and just decided to go do my run, so at 4AM before the sun was peeking thru the clouds, I was on another date with Bob. We did a 3 mile run and then parted ways. Until our next date...

Yup, I'm bragging...

...cuz I am proud of myself! I'm taking calculus over the summer at a local junior college because my school requires that I take the prior prerequisites within the last 3 quarters. They offered me entrance into college algebra (which I have already taken), but I didn't want to push back graduating any more then I already have to. Plus, who wants to take more math then they need to? Unless you love it or are majoring it, most people try to avoid it.

Calculus is challenging. It's a 6 week course that covers 7 chapters and a test every week. The very first week we covered 2 chapters and about 200 pages of material and on the first test I got a D. I was feel discouraged and contemplated dropping the course. I didn't want to spend waste my summer taking a class that I would have to take again. Then came test #2. Luckily it was just on one chapter, however, I studied and studied and just wasn't getting it. I texted Jay the day of the test after studying for about 4 hours and told him I was planning on dropping the class. I didn't tho. I took the test and just hoped for a passing score and I improved a little from the first test with a C grade.

And then... test #3 and #4.. TAH DAH!!!!
This coming week I have a final that will cover 2 chapters of new material and on stuff I was tested on before. Wish me luck! After next Thursday summer will officially begin for me.

Completing a month of training

Time to celebrate that month! WOOHOO!!!! A part of me didn't want to post this week because I really enjoy logging onto my blog and seeing the picture of Beyonce. It was VERY motivating. I want those abs!!! Nonetheless, I found someone else whose body also motivates me. This week was pretty exciting for me because I found a new running trail that I LOVE!! I worked 2 day shifts and one of our officers is on light duty due to pregnancy, so we got to chatting about working out. She recommended a trail by her house and even though the trail is pretty far from my house, it is well worth the drive. It used to be a railroad, but it has been converted to a side-by-side paved and dirt trail which is ideal for my training because it will allow me to ween myself off dirt paths for the marathon that is solely on asphalt and concrete. The first trail map I saw was deceiving because it has these numbers on it from 1-5 that are supposed to be mile markers (that eventually add up to 6 miles one way); however, on mapmyrun.com my run was 4.52 miles at my turnaround point. Maybe it is right mileage on the trail map, I don't know... but what I DO know is that it took FOREVER! I am used to running on a treadmill where I visually see my pace, time, and distance, but out in the open I do not have that. For training purposes this is a good trail because the race is also like that. I do know that a few time robbers that I have to account for are the stop lights, water break at a near by park and the walking I did for about 15 minutes, but all in all it took me 2 whole hrs to get to my car. Yes, 2 hours!!! That means I ran for like 1:45 which also means my pace was approximately between 11.64-13.33. Since I don't have a Nike+, Garmin or some other running device, I don't know my "true" time. No, I don't have a iPhone with an app either. I plan on getting something to track my pace next time though. When is next time you ask? Next week... 10 miles!
My workout schedule this week:

Mon: I honestly can't recall if I worked out, so by default I a will have to put it as a rest day. It was 4th of July and I know I worked from 1800-2330, but can't recall if I workout before work. Oh well.... If I did, it would've been a 3 miles run.

Tue: Ran 3 miles (29:38) and did weight training. Lunges w/ weights, kettle bell swings, squats w weights, wobble board, arms, dead lifts and calf raises :)

Wed: Ran 4 miles (39:28) AND did an Insanity DVD workout with Crystal.

Thur: Didn't workout! I should've..but I worked a 6a-5p shift AND went to class from 6-9:15 and had to work the next day, so pussed out.

Fri: I was supposed to workout with Cristy but pregnancy 1st trimester illness got to her and so I went home a took a nap and didn't wake up until midnight. So much for working out.

Sat: Ran 9:02 miles :)

Sun:.... and so here I am due for a double workout because the sleepies got to me and because I can't remember if I worked out on Monday. I am about to go on a 3 mile run and then do 30 mins of cross training. On the list is 50 burpees and the rest I will play it by ear.

When I look in the mirror...

I want to look like her! I JUST saw the Destiny's Child video for the song "Cater 2 You." Holy crap when I saw Beyonce is in her black bathing suit I became insantly motivated!!!! No joke, I am buying at least ONE picture of her in a bathing suit to put in front of my treadmill.

And I am pretty sure Jay won't mind having a picture of her up in the garage :)

So with that said I have 2 days left in my official 3rd week of training. I have a cross-training day and a 5 mile day left. I work 'til 10pm, so tonight will be my x-training night. And since this is where I am keeping a log of my workouts for the next 14weeks, here was this week's schedule.

Mon: Rest day

Tue: Rest day

Wed: Double run 4 miles (40:02) in the afternoon and 3 miles (28:12) in the evening

Thur: Evening 3 mile run at the track with Santa

Fri: Rest day

Sat: I will be doing a Insanity DVD, squats, lunges, and burpees after work

Sun: 5 mile run at the park is planned

And Jamaica is what, 6 weeks away? I think so, time to get a little more serious!!!!!!

Inspired thru my fears of being injuried

Yesterday I was supposed to run 3 miles, but after sleeping in, going to class in the evening and then staying up late working on research work I failed to squeeze in running. I was going to run it another day and take 2 consecutive "rest" days, but Jay insisted that I double up today. I've been maintaining my workout schedule and thought why not. I did my 4 mile run before class in 40:12, then when I got out of class I did my 3 miles that were due.

Now, during my last mile of my earlier run Jay had come in to the garage where I was running on the treadmill. He cheered me on and of course motivated me to step it up a notch. He said that I was playing it safe with my time. I thought about it. Maybe I was. I have been training to just get the distance down and only run for time once a week. You see, I had been training for a marathon back in 2007. I did too much too soon and got stress fractures up and down my lower legs. It was so bad that my doctor gave me a bone growth stimulator that I had to put on every night for 30 mins and told me I had to take a year off from running to help my bones heal. That is some serious stuff. Plus, during a run a few months before that incident my ankles had swollen up and were all BRUISED. It hurt to walk. The podiatrist had said I needed custom sport orthodics, which I got and he recommended that I get proper running shoes (which the running store I had got my shoes at had recommended the wrong ones).

So the truth is, yes I am apprehensive about training a little hard at times because of my past injuries. It seems like when I go passed a certain point my shins begin to hurt and sometimes for a week or two while I am just walking. And I really, really, really want to accomplish this running goal of mine.

So with that all said and done... last night I took my loves advice to heart and pushed myself. I tested myself to see if I was playing it safe and if my legs were stronger now. As Jay said earlier I might have more gas in the tank. I dedicated my 2nd run of the day to him and push hard. My slowest pace was 10:40 and fastest was 8:34 and I ran for the most part at a 6.3 setting which I think is a 9:31 pace.

And tah dah... I beat my last time by about 2 mins. My right shin did hurt, but I'm not out of commission. I felt very proud. Now if only I could keep up this pace for the entire race. :) Only training and time will tell.

Week 16

Received sad news yesterday (well for me that is)... I'm losing my workout buddy for about a year. She went off and got knocked up. In all seriousness, I am happy for her and just being selfish.

Cristy and I have been working out once a week for over a year. She is one of the reasons that I actually workout on Fridays. We've done track workouts, lifted weights, ran and even did a race together. She is a great workout partner! She definitely motivates me and I am super happy that she says the same about me. There are many Fridays that I know I wouldn't have worked out had it not been for her. I will need to push myself to keep it up, so when the time comes that she is ready to workout, I'll be ready.

This passed week marks 16 weeks before the race. My shin is flaring up again. I Googled the anatomy of the leg and figured out which muscle/area is bothering me. I plan to stretch my calves more and add more muscle to my legs to help that area out. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to lose some weight so less pressure and weight is bearing down on my leg.

My workout this week was as follows:

Mon: REST
Tue: Ran 3 miles in 30:18. Last week I did it in 31mins, so I am improving :)
Wed: Ran 3 miles Thur: Swam 40+ laps. I lost count after awhile. (Yup... me after my laps @ about 11:15PM and the gym was still pretty packed)
Fri: 3 mile run and squats with 45lbs and lunges with 16 lbs.
Sat/Sun: Either Sat or Sun I am going to run 7miles and take the other day off. I work graves tonight and Sat 2-10p, so we will see when I squeeze it in. I really enjoyed last weeks run on the trails. Maybe I will do this run at the park near my house. It's a dirt track and while not like the trail, it will be outside and different from my treadmill view of a white wall.

15mile week

Week 17:

I thought I might as well keep a log of my workouts and what better place then my blog. I started training 2 weeks ago. It was one week of ok working out and then a week off due to my shins flaring up and finals. But time is ticking... and I need to jump on a program and STICK with it! I am planning on doing this schedule.

This week has been awesome. I have had energy like I wouldn't believe and am fighting a cold, so wasn't expecting that. I think that is remarkable.

Sun - Ran 3 miles
Mon - 30 mins of cardio and 30 min of weight training
Tues - REST
Wed - Ran 3 miles
Thur - Ran 3 miles
Fri - Tonight I will be doing cross-training for at least an hr
Sat - 6miles on trails (hopefully with my sis' dog Diego)

Decisions, decisions

So becoming a vet it is no longer "the plan." Let me start off by starting I am at peace with the decision and let me tell you why.

Originally I had wanted to join the Army, so they could pay for my schooling plus I would have a job right after I graduate from vet school. Not only that but I would not have to worry about additional training (as they would provide that) and insurance, etc. I had even though of making military life a career. I thought about retiring and being set for life with medical benefits. If I didn't get the required GPA to enter vet school (as I had worried about in previous post) Plan "B" was to get a M.S. at the vet school I wanted to go to. It is a year long program and if you get B's or better in all your classes, then you automatically get accepted into their vet program. So in my perfect world, I would be accepted into the Army, I would get accepted into the M.S. program and get B's or better and go to vet school.

But there was so math I was doing in the back of my mind. Well, besides financial budgeting. When I graduate with my B.S. I will be 31. I would graduate with my M.S. when I am 32. Vet school is a 4-year program, so I would be a whooping 36 when all is said and done. Not the end of the world, but there were a few hiccups, issues, thoughts, concerns... you get my drift.

1. There is a significant other I have to consider. Would our relationship last with me being deployed or station away? This wasn't what he signed up for when we got together. It's a lot to ask of anyone and it's not like Jay would just follow me. I understand he has Jayla to think about and can just leave his job etc.

2. What if... I change my mind and want to have kids. How would that work out? I can't have a kid right after graduating... I will be going through boot camp and being shipped off. And even if I funded school, then I would be starting a business or joining a medical group. I would have to wait at least a year to be protect under family medical leave act for job protection. Good lord... I would be having a kid at nearly 40!

3. Funding was the next thing that made the list. I had always thought I would pay for school on the government's dime. But if I didn't join the Army, then I would have to take out loans. ICK! I already have school loans and don't like thinking about having to pay them back. I can't imagine medical school loans.

4. Money while in school... so I wouldn't be able to work for 5 years if I did both the M.S. and M.D. route, which means Jay would be the only source of income for our household. Another thing he did not sign up for. Plus, it's not like I am in my late teens or early 20's living at my parent's house. I am a grown women who has bills, mortgage, etc. I don't come from a rich family and can live of a trust fund. I am just regular me... no scholarships, lotto $, or family royalties to bank on.

So Jay and I came to a pretty good compromise. He is helping out A LOT while I am getting my B.S. Since I am about a year away from graduating, we thought I might as well finish. Right after I will sign up for an online A.S. program that requires two 9 week internships. What is the A.S. program in you ask? Registered Vet Tech... basically a animal nurse. I will still get to work with animals in the medical field, be able to do research, not go more into additional school debt and if Jay and I want to start a family then we can move forward with that.

I think it is a good plan. I really appreciate Jay being honest with his feelings, but not making me think that he wouldn't support my decision if I decided to go the vet school route. He was being realistic about the whole thing. We are being a flexible couple with each other's goals and dreams and I think this was us growing and learning to understand each other.

In the end I will still have a loving and wonderful guy at my side who isn't going crazy thinking about me being deployed or about piling debt and I will also get to work with animals. Win-win!

Sprouting

Wow... it's been a year since I posted. I remember times where I would think about posting some random thoughts or cool events in my life and then weeks would go by and I never made time for it. Then, I got busy just living life. Sometimes recording life in writing takes so much energy(for me anyways), but I must say there is a bright side to posting -- it is great way to go back and relive special moments.

A year a go Jay and I were on rocky ground, school was overwhelming, I had started a new job and was going through some very long 10hr days of training with evenings filled with summer school. Since then somethings are the same and others have changed. I am still overwhelmed by school. CA is having some major budget cuts and since the younger generations in general does not vote, politician seem to think cutting back on education is a fix to $ problems. So with that being said classes are being offered less and less. I want to graduate already and not being able to get into classes really sucks!!! So I loaded up this quarter because some classes (which are prereqs for others that I need) will not be offered for another YEAR! I know... INSANELY stupid!!! This quarter I am taking 17 units, plus was taking a California mandatory 120hr class in the evening and some Saturdays for work that thankfully has ended. I am crossing my fingers that I pass my classes. I felt like this quarter I was always playing catch up.

Things between Jay and I are better than ever! The break up was an emotional, draining, frustrating and confusing thing to go through, but it really helped us out. There was all these little things that weren't being communicated that became one HUGE ugly monster and some not so little things that really needed to be addressed. We chipped away at issues and committed to working it out. I am so happy we did! We are a lot more open with each other and I am learning to not take things so seriously. Life is to short and I am going to make it shorter if I stress out so much! Jay has really helped me relax more and laugh at things instead of getting butt hurt and all EMO. I am not saying I am 100% cured of my ways... and a part of that anal retentive personality it who I am. But I have loosened up.

My research work is trickling in, but I think that will end soon. I am still working at the PD, but very part time.

So a quick update:
- Today Jay and I celebrate 2 years of officially becoming homeowners. YAY!
- In about 13-14 weeks, we will be heading off to JAMAICA! So excited!! It will be a mini vacay to celebrate the wedding of Jay's BF.
- I did the math and *if* I take 17 unites for Fall, Winter and Spring qtr... I will be graduating next Spring :)
-I signed up for a full marathon. Haven't told the world yet. Only Jay and my oldest sis know (and now anyone who reads this blog will know too)
- Career goal changed... no longer plan to go to vet school, but will still work with animals. Planning on becoming a RVT (animal nurse). That deserves a post. Since I am working a 12 hour grave shift tonight, I might post about that decision later.
- And finally... it's crazy but 5 years of my daddy passing is coming up. How time flies! Now I understand when people say "it feels like it was just yesterday..." I can relive that time period in my mind with such detail. Strange how the mind works. I am thinking of getting a tattoo of a hummingbird towards the end of this year in remembrance of him. I've been wanting to get it for sometime, but just haven't gotten around to it.

.... and that folks is what we call a wrap!

What it took

Back in October I filled out an application for an on-call/part-time police dispatcher position at my school. What followed was a lot of tests, $, and time! I really didn't it would be such a lengthy process.

The first process to be considered for the position was a 4 hour POST test that was a bubble in questionnaire as you listen to a recording. Passed it and was off to the next phase which was a panel interview. I passed with flying colors and got compliments from the interviewer about how well I was prepared and polished I was. Word got around about me, because when I came in for my second interview the Chief's assistant gave me the "I shouldn't be saying this but" people were impressed and there was a buzz about me. It was a nice compliment and I was happy she shared it with me. I had an interview with the Chief and finger prints the next day. After all that the pain in my ass "fun" began. I had to fill out a damn near 30 page application with so much detail about y life, family, friends, places I've worked, current places my references word, things I've done, etc, etc. It had to be accompanied with my transcripts (from 3 junior colleges mind you), copy of my birth certificate, credit score, H.S. and A.A. diploma. There was a page that had to be notarized, too. After it was submitted there still needed more info! Ugh! I had to provide them with a copy of my SS card, driver's license, reason why I don't have DD14 and proof of automobile insurance. The private investigator took almost two months to "clear" me to the next level.

My physical entailed meeting the doc and him checking my medical history and oddly enough being able to touch my toes and do a squat. I had to laugh when he asked me to do it. The place also took a urine sample, preformed a hearing and eye sight test and took some blood work. You would think I was being hired for physical intensive job! A dispatcher sits for almost 12 hours straight... was this all really necessary?

Any who... next was the psychological exam. 4 hours of IQ test, more bubble questionnaires, and fill in the blank crap and I was told that I needed to come back for my one-on-one with the shrink. I thought it would be done all in one day, but seems like I would have to back the hour drive once again. When I went back for my mental clearance check I was in the room a total of 20 minutes and all done. Seems like I am good to go and started training this passed Monday. Seems like a chill job. The only thing I don't like is that I am a one-man show and when I need to use the restroom, I need to find a police officer, my boss of someone to cover for me. That can get annoying! But other then that, things seem like a good decision.

Going in a cave

Since I no longer have a desk job, it's harder and harder to get on blogger. I find myself writing blogs in my head, but they rarely make it onto the actual thing.

The holidays were great!! A mini recap since I don't have time to upload pictures yet. We hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas at our new place. My little sister and bro-in-law were in town for Christmas and stayed at our place for a few nights. We went to the shooting range, ate A LOT, watched movies, went to Oak Glen Apple Rance and hung out. Jay turned the big 3-0 and we celebrated the night with one of his old marine buddies. Jayla was in town for a few short days and Jessy's b-day was celebrated early since she was in town. School started up shortly after.

This past Monday was the official day of my 2nd qtr. I am taking the next biology series with a lab, chemistry and English. I feel the pressure of school already and the budget cuts. There was only ONE class offered for the next bio series class forcing me to sign up for M, W, F classes. UGH! I prefer T/Thur since that's when clubs meet and more school stuff occurs. Plus, I prefer to jam all my classes in two days, not three. My schedule is ALL day Mon and Wed. From 9am to 8:50p. I know it's a long day, but I have a 5 hour break in the middle, which allows me to head over to my job and put in some hours, study, or hit the gym. Friday I have class from 9:00am-11:30 and then head over to work from there. Did you know because of holidays and stupid furlough days I am missing 2-3 weeks of lectures/class, but am STILL responsible for the material?!?! What?????? I have to log into three website as well to stay up on all my assignments. Luckily, I am extremely organized for the most part and that will help me stay on track on when things are due. Hence, I will be in a cave studying, looking for more work, finishing my research work for the next 10 weeks...

October 11, 2009

Yup, that last picture speaks volumes about that day. It seemed like something really, really didn't want me to go that day. The night before I set my alarm for 4:00 AM to give me enough time to get up, shower, take my thyroid pill and give the allotted 30 - 60 minutes before eating and drive time. My phone has been acting up and decided not to sync with Verizon's towers and when my alarm went off saying it was 4:00 AM is was actually minutes before 6:00 AM. AHHHH!!!! I only knew this because when I woke up something told me to reboot my phone. Well... Verizon ISN'T the most reliable network after all. Somehow I brushed my teeth, put on my workout out fit, took my thyroid pill and made it to my sister's house in 20 minutes. Yes, I was doing 80mph.

The race waves started at 7:00 AM!!! I ate my apple and finished getting ready on the drive there. My sister said she woke up late too. She was worried when i wasn't there and not picking up the phone because I am normally the on-time type.

We hit the road and weren't the only late ones. As we waited to exit we saw people running in the distance... the race was already under way.

Fearing there would be no parking for this international race we parked at the first parking lot we could find and ran to the race line. By this time I had to use the restroom and we were so excited that it didn't dawn on us how far we were running.

So I found the porta-potties, stood in line and did my business only to find NO TOILET paper. AH! Well, good thing there were toilet seat covers. We were going to run the 1/4 mile to the start line and then start the race, but thought nah and started where the porta potties were. By this time we didn't know it but had ran about a mile to the race and was about 40+ minutes late.

Jay was kind enough to put new songs on my iPod the night before but a mile into the race it stopped playing... 13.1 miles with no music. Ugh! My sister and I chatted and laughed about the days events. I confessed to her that I had only ran up to 8 miles in my training. I could feel my toes hitting my shoes and regret not cutting my toe nails the night before. I had tied my shoes loose because I knew they would swell and didn't want to stop to retie them or cut off my circulation which ended up being a bad mistake.

I ran straight for about 9-10 miles and started to crash. Not eating breakfast had finally gotten to me. Plus I was pushing myself further then I had in training. Around mile 11 there was an aid station were we got a protein drink for fuel. I was happy to finish it, but bumped that it took about 3+ hours (well we think since we were late).

On both feet my toe nail next to my big toe are black and I was SO sore. But I was happy that through every obstacle we made it and finished the race. There nothing I rather do then set a goal and have great company along the way.