M.I.A.

Apparently I went missing again.  Not from the real world, but I've been relatively quiet on the social media front.  I think, as a whole, I'm not very happy with this year.  That makes me sound like a spoiled brat when you read what I've been up to in my absence, but doing things and feeling things are sometimes two VERY different things.  Does that make sense?

October 18th was the last time I blogged.  6 weeks ago.  Bad Blogger.  Here are the highlights of things that happened during my disappearing act...

Painting Class
I bought a Groupon for one of those painting classes at Merlot to Masterpiece a while ago.  It took a bit of coordination to get some friends and fellow bloggers (Kim, Amanda, Marg, and Britt) together, but we finally managed to swing it.  Here is what the "goal" was supposed to look like:

Here was my finished (and framed) product:

The group shot:

Top Row - Amanda, Me, Kim
Bottom Row - Marg, Britt

Vacation
I headed to Chicago at the end of October to hang with family and participate in The Monster Dash.  My cousin Courtney and I walked 13.1 decked out in Angry Birds gear.  It was Courtney's first (and I'm told last) half and I promised her we would stay together.  I never left her side and we finished it.

While in Chicago, I made sure to eat all my favorite foods.  I hit up Portillo's twice - the first time for Italian beef and the second time for hot dogs.  We may or may not have managed to get the car towed while on our hot dog run during rush hour traffic downtown.  =/

I managed to pick-up some of my favorite candies from Fannie May - most notably Trinidads.

The beauty of a Trinidad lies in its decadent layers of rich, creamy real dark chocolate,
covered in a golden toasted coconut shell.

Of course, the best breakfast in the world can be found at Walker Bros. Pancake House.  Carbo-loading at its finest.

Post race, Courtney and I indulged on the BEST Chicago-style pizza EVER - Lou Malnati's.

Although it's hard to beat the BBQ of the South, Famous Dave's is quite delicious especially when hanging out with some wonderful cousins!

While downtown, I got to experience Chicago from the tourist perspective instead of my usual in and out of our designated commitments routine.  It was a nice change of pace.  I saw the famous Forever Marilyn statue (26 feet tall) and the Cloud Gate.

Management Meetings
Not even 2 weeks after my Chicago vacation, I set-off for Chicago again for my company's annual Management Meetings and Award Banquet.  Every year a book serves as the theme for the meetings and the upcoming year.  This year, Ubuntu! was the chosen one.  The basic concept is that "I am because we are" and that "we are all in this together".  In short...teamwork.  I have to say that some of my disgruntlement regarding work this past year has been as a result of a lack of teamwork, so this book and theme were much needed and appreciated (and will hopefully pay off).

After arriving in Chicago on Thursday, 11/10, all the managers (traveling from 12 Service Centers located nationwide) were whisked away to check into our hotel and then managed a caravan downtown to meet up with all the management of our headquarters to the Signature Lounge at the 96th Floor of the John Hancock building for a marvelous dinner (and an open bar).

Friday was filled with various meetings and followed-up with our Award Banquet.  Upper management has been really great about giving us monthly and quarterly statistics so most of us had a basic idea of our rankings in each category, but there is always one award whose recipient is always a mystery - the Service Center (SC) of the year award.  This award originated 8 years ago.  My SC won it for the first time in 2008.  We won it for the second time in 2009 becoming the 2nd SC to manage a repeat.  Then came 2010...we had dreamed of a 3-peat just to end up in 6th place (boo!).  I had a plan to win it back.  I can honestly say I worked the hardest I ever have in all my 12 1/2 years with this same company.  It paid off!  Now the only problem with being #1 is that there is a large target on your back!  =)

On Saturday we spent half a day finishing up our meetings and then it was off to my aunt and uncle's house to hang with family for the evening.  Wouldn't you know we managed to get our happy Lou Malnati's pizza for dinner!


Thanksgiving
Apparently I like to fly every 2 weeks.  =/  I only get sick EVERY time, but no big deal.  So we decided to resume our annual Thanksgiving trip to Vegas despite the fact that younger sister Linda and brother-in-law Craig were not going to be able to join us because of the upcoming arrival of their first child.  Older sister Cathy figured out that this was our 15th Thanksgiving in Vegas.  We spent 14 of them in a row, but detoured to Orlando last year for a fun-filled week in Disney and Universal Studios.

My parents stayed at the Venetian while the "kids" resided in my grandmother's condo located a couple of miles from The Strip.  This year was a bit different, though.  Normally we manage a movie or two walking from The Venetian all the way down to the Showcase movie theater by the MGM.  This year, we didn't see a single flick.  I also normally hang out at Casino Royale, but...not this time.  I mostly gambled away at The Venetian, the Palazzo, and the Las Vegas Hilton (because it was located across the street from our condo). 

We did swing a show - taking in Sting at Caesar's Palace.  It was in the Celine Dion theater, so a more intimate setting.  I loved listening to the background story of how his songs were conceived and I have mad appreciation for his violinist who made amazing music!

The ladies swung a spa day!  My mom treated older sister Cathy, sister-in-law April, and me to a spa treatment at the Canyon Ranch Spa located in The Venetian.  I chose a European facial and experienced rejuvenation in my skin!  I literally felt my skin glowing the rest of the day.  Upon completion of our respective services, we spent over 2 hours in the wonderment that is the spa-experience...the Hot Tub, Steam Room, Sauna, Herbal Laconium, the Igloo (yes, as cold as it sounds) Salt Grotto, and Wave Room while sipping on orange-infused water and delicious herbal teas.

Though I pretty much came home a big loser, I had some really nice hits throughout my gaming that kept the days fun and entertaining.  My favorite slot machines this year were Quick Hits and Hot Shots.  I will definitely be revisiting them next year!

And that's about it in a nutshell.  Hopefully I will be posting more frequently since it is now "the most wonderful time of the year!"  I leave you with this pretty dress displayed at The Venetian:

display dress made entirely of paper and ribbons

sleep, hydrate, eat, and MOVE: the plan

So you promised you wouldn't judge me and that's the only reason I'm showing this to you guys...

This year hasn't quite turned out how I had hoped so far with regards to my weight loss and fitness goals. Desperate times call for desperate measures.  No worries...I feel like I'm getting back on the right path, but let's just say some damage has been done and I've had a few set-backs, so I'm working my way back to where I once was so that progress can be made.  In the mean time...survival mode has been put into place.

Step 1 is to get sleep.  I'm getting that.  The goal is 7 to 8 hours a night.

Step 2 is to hydrate.  I'm doing that.  The goal is to drink 1 gallon of fluids a day (combo of water and Crystal Lite iced tea).

Step 3 is to eat right.  Remember the same game I discussed in an earlier post?  I like that concept and that's how I'm working my week days.  Following the South Beach diet, monitoring my calorie intake, taking cravings into consideration (I have a mad need for oatmeal and chicken salad lately) and sticking to my plan.

Step 4 is to MOVE.  I am not in the same shape I once was.  Sad, true story.  My body and my lungs are just not cooperating.  Three bouts of bronchitis in the past 3 months do not a happy, healthy Kim make.  I created a mileage plan and the goal is just to accomplish the mileage whether it be through walking, crawling running, or skipping (haha) my way to completion.
and here it is:

So, there you have it.  For the first time in a long time, I feel motivated and encouraged.  This is a good sign.  I will keep you posted on my progress!  =)

I can see clearly now...

I had a lovely Saturday.  Actually, I've had a lot of lovely Saturdays and for that I am quite thankful.  I need them as they provide me some balance.  They keep me sane.  They, along with Sundays, give me the strength to face the week.

Summers kinda suck in my line of business.  and then they kinda don't.  It's like I have a love/hate relationship with them.  I was an honors student in school.  Back in the day there were certain subjects that were not offered in the "honors" level, like history, for example.  So there was a noticeable difference between my regular history class and my honors math class, if that makes sense.  Well 8 months out of the year my job would be classified as regulars and then about mid May to mid September it's honors.  This means I am challenged which means I'm not bored. like at all.  It also means longer hours and more stress, but it means a certain sense of pride, accomplishment, and empowerment as well.  It's sort of a trade-off, I suppose.  So, this post is not about complaining, but rather explaining and relishing in my weekend, so let's get back to that, shall we?

I know I'm ironically out of focus...

Saturday...ahhhh...Saturday.  I was supposed to get up and run...or walk...heck just move in preparation for my half marathon in August, but since I'm battling yet another bout of bronchitis that didn't happen.  Let's hear it for our lovely air quality, shall we?  Instead, I slept, but it was needed, so I took that.  Then I met up with mi familia for family lunch.  I was able to squeeze in a movie - Super 8 - and then meet up with some friends to celebrate a birthday.  Super 8 was super cute, by the way.  It kind brought me back to E.T. and Goonies days.  I liked that.

Sunday was another lazy Sunday.  Every once in a while those are great to have, but really what is this Kim going to do in less than 8 weeks when her 4th Half Marathon hits, eh?  All I really did was meet up with mi familia again for a fantasmic dinner at Mia Bella (mmmm...) and then I did some grocery shopping and then I formulated my food, hydration, and revised half mary training plan before going to bed for my mandatory 7 hours.

I am starting to feel better - in mind, body, and spirit (well save for this stupid cough, but whatever...).  A wise soul named Brittaney - check out her blog cuz she rocks - offered up a word of advice to me based on my last post - she said to focus on getting sleep so that my mind could be clear.  Whoa buddy she was so right!   What a world of difference when a girl gets 7 to 8 hours a night versus maybe 5!  Sure some of it has been Nyquil-induced, but hey...who is keeping tabs as long as the end result is the same, right?!

Tomorrow, I may just be bold and daring and post my food, hydration, and revised half mary training plan if you promise not to judge me!  ;)

if at first I don't succeed, GET BACK ON THE WAGON!

How many times have I gotten off track on my diet plan in the past 6 months?  How many times have I had to regroup, recommit, refocus, and all that jazz?  Does it matter?  Point is, I've gotten back on the wagon.

I, like so many other peeps I know (specifically of the female gender) emotionally eat.  When I'm upset, I eat to soothe my soul.  When I'm happy, I eat in celebration.  When I'm mad, I eat to calm my inner beast.  When I'm sick or hurt, I eat to ease my pain.  There is always an excuse, it seems.

I was stressed out over the whole car purchasing thing.

Finally getting into a relationship after a year of not even dating caused me some anxiety as you can't be a 34 year old woman without some emotional baggage from past relationships that creeps in the back of your mind when getting involved in new relationships.

Work pretty much always has me in one tizzy or another.

The pain in my side held me back for almost a week.

Being sick for the past week and a half has put a dent in my training plan for my upcoming two back-to-back half marathons.  My lungs are still not where they need to be, so I haven't been able to run.  I can walk, though, so I have had to reconfigure my plan.  More on this in another post.

My point - if at first I don't succeed - I just need to GET BACK ON THE WAGON until I get it right once and for all!

I'm so sick and tired of trying again.  I know I can be successful - I've proven that.  Remember this girl:

She was me not so long ago.

I know I'm not where I want to be, though, and the only way to get there is to commit to the process - mind, body, and spirit.  I need to stay focused.  I need to remain loyal to my food plan AND combine that with an exercise (cross training) program along with my running schedule to get me to my goal.

I can do it!  I will do it!

and then sickness happened...

I was supposed to run the Tomball Bunny Run 5K on Saturday.  I was hoping to get a new PR with this race since I PR'd this 5K last year.  Then sickness happened.

As I last posted, I had some weird side pains going on and went to my doctor on Monday.  She determined it was muscle strain and prescribed muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory pills.  Then Tuesday evening I just started feeling blah...all chest congestion-y and whatnot, so I went to the store and bought some Mucinex and prayed that would kill it dead.  By Thursday, I still felt crappy and my cough sounded similar to a dog barking, so I decided I needed to go back to the doctor.  I didn't want to go all the way back to my doctor because it takes so long to see her with drive time and waiting time and all that jazz, so I went with Plan B.

With the parentals being on vacation, I had to go home during lunch to let their beloved Oliver out midway through the day, I decided to go to the Ready-Clinic outside the H.E.B. near my house.  Let's hear it for the rent-a-doctor who basically diagnosed me by asking me a series of questions on his computer and checking the boxes when I replied "yes".  Um...I'm pretty sure I could have done this on WebMD.  He concluded that he didn't think I had the flu.  I knew I didn't have the flu.  Once you have it as an adult, you remember it too well.  I explained to him that I needed to be better by Saturday for my race.  He told me to stick with the Mucinex and then to add Flonase.  Why he didn't give me a cough syrup, I have no idea.  Why he didn't give me some kind of antibiotic (especially considering I was running a slight fever), I have no idea.  All I know is that come Saturday, I was not better.

I was not able to run my Bunny Run.  I was not able to meet MayRay in the City as she ran her first 5K or be there when Lauren PR'd (again).  I was not able to attempt a PR of my own.  I am sad.

This also puts me behind in my own training for my two half marathons I have coming up in rapid succession.  Le Sigh.  I'm still forming my game plan, though, don't you worry.  I'm gonna kick this sickness to the curb.  I am.

In other news, I am dating the sweetest guy EVER.  He knew that my Delilah kept escaping from my yard because the back gate was cut on an angle, so he built me a new back gate over the weekend.  He also replaced some broken fence slats and put down some stuff to make my grass green (once I promised to water it).  =D  I'm not used to such niceness.  I like it.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and that you stay allergy/illness free!

no shrimp for me and other woes

My thyroid has been out of whack for a couple of years now.  I'm on Levoxyl.  I take a little pill every morning and then wait 30 minutes before eating.  I guess my doctor had some concerns about my age and the need to "fix" my thyroid.  She took that into consideration along with the fact that after a year of medication, it was still slightly out of whack and decided she wanted me to have an ultrasound done on my thyroid.  Well given the fact that my deductible was all paid for after that fateful bone scan, I thought it best to do it before the new year, so I did it on 12/28.

It was no big deal, really.  I went in a half hour before my appointment to "check in".  They had previously given me some forms to fill out - homework, if you will.  The technician came out to get me and had me lay down on the table.  She moved the collar of my clothing out of the way.  She then used the ultrasound on my throat in search of my thyroid and took several pictures.  It was a very fast process.  I asked her how long before I would hear anything.  She told me 3 to 4 business days unless they found something wrong - then I would hear something back much sooner.

I didn't hear anything back.  I assumed that meant all was well.  I actually kinda forgot about it.  On Wednesday night, 1/12, I went for a run and grabbed my mail on the way back in.  I saw a letter from my doctor's office.  I assumed it was the obligatory letter letting me know all was well.  I meant to open it, but since we all know I have A.D.D., well...  On Thursday night, I was cleaning up the kitchen after eating dinner and remembered the letter.  I opened it and didn't quite understand what I was looking at.  Basically, the letter included an imaging order for a "Thyroid with Uptake" and the letter said something along the lines that they had discovered a thyroid nodule and needed a scan of my thyroid for further information.

I was very upset by this.  I figured since I hadn't received a phone call, all was well.  Also, this was all Greek to me. I literally had to look up some of the terminology on the Internet to figure out what was going on.  When I do see my doctor next, she will hear about this.  I am certain that protocol was for me to receive a phone call.  I am certain that there was a break in the system. 

Okay, so I went to try to schedule this on Friday morning.  Apparently everyone was too busy in Imaging to take the call, so I got voicemail.  It said someone would return my call within 24 business hours.  I waited until Monday afternoon when I hadn't heard back and tried again.  This time I was able to get a hold of someone.  I found out they want me off my thyroid meds for 14 days (crazy considering everything I read on-line said 5-7 days) before I do the test.  They also want me to avoid consuming iodine.  She specified not to eat shellfish.  I was getting ready to make gumbo tonight with chicken, sausage, and shrimp.  I just bought the shrimp at lunch today, too.  I know I can make it without the shrimp, but it makes me sad.

I have to go in on Monday, 1/31, and get the iodine injection? (it's either a pill or a shot - not sure which).  I return 4 hours later for them to take a reading.  I then return on Tuesday, 2/1, 20 hours later for another reading.  I guess ultimately they are trying to discover the nature of the nodule - to make sure it is not cancerous.  The chances of it being so are slim to none, but still...

So, there's that going on right now.

No shrimp for me.  Bubba Gump wouldn't be too happy about this.

Helloooooo October

So, September wasn't a good mileage month for me.  It all started with the headaches that plagued me for a week in the beginning of September.  Then I was plagued with the food poisoning for a week in the middle of September.  Then I was plagued with the depression for a week at the end of September.  So much for September.  Bye, Bye, Bye in the infamous words of *N Sync.

I used to be a fan club member.  It used to be a joke...sorta...maybe, well perhaps I liked to pass it off as a joke, but my friend Laura and I knew the truth.  She was a member too cuz I gifted her the membership.  We were both closet card carrying members.  Oh how we loved our boy bands.  It all started with Boyzone - a barely-known-in-the-U.S. Irish boyband that we had a slight obsession with after seeing them on a PBS special tribute to Andrew Lloyd Weber.  Then we moved onto *N Sync.  Those were the days...

One thing is for sure...October is gonna blow all other months out of the water where mileage is concerned.  I will have 55 miles accumulated in my long runs alone.  This is already 12 miles more than August and not taking any weekday mileage into consideration.  Let's go ahead and set a goal for me, shall we?  Let's make it an 85 mile month.  I am training for a marathon, after all!  I know this isn't a lot compared to some of you out there, but as a wise woman (That Pink Girl) pointed out to me on my last blog post - how many miles was I running this time last year?!  Uh huh...Exactly!  I've come a long way, my little lovebugs, so I'm gonna start focusing on that achievement and stop being such a negative nelly when sTuFf happens.

You know what else?  I have my second half marathon this month - October 24th!  How exciting is that?  This time I know what 13.1 feels like.  This time I have a time to beat.  This time I'm on my home turf!  Bring it Houston Half - I'm so gonna be ready for you!

I also have a little trip thrown in the mix.  My cousin Rachel is getting married!  My family is flying out to Scottsdale, AZ next weekend for the celebration!  She picked out a super swanky hotel for the festivity, but more on that later!  Yes, yes...since I will be missing my 10-miler with my running group, I will need to run it in Scottsdale.  No worries, though, as I have already started working on my plan of action for that puppy, but more on that later, too!

One more fabulous thing is happening this month...do you know what that is???  Meliska and Greggy-D will be welcoming their little bundle of joy!  I, personally, can't wait to meet the little fella!  I remember when they first told me the news that they were expecting - it's one of my favorite memories of our friendship!

So cheers to October - I just know it's going to be a fabulous month!

What's going on for you this fall???

ease up there, tiger

I woke up at 5:30am on Saturday for my run.  Our start time was changed to 7:00am starting this week because it is not getting lighter until later.  I felt...weird...and then realized I was still sick if you catch my drift.  I thought about still going, but then I knocked some sense into myself, took some Imodium, and went back to bed.  I ended up sleeping another 3 hours and 45 minutes for a grand total of almost 11 hours of sleep.  Whoa!  That's cRaZy for me.  I must have needed it.

My family had decided to meet earlier for our lunch since one of older sister Cathy's high school buddies was in town and Cathy, her husband Jay, and I were going to a movie and early dinner with him.  So, the fam went to BJs.  Younger sister Linda and her husband Craig didn't join us as they were still feeling blah.  After lunch, I wanted to head to the library to return some books and to check out a couple of new ones, but Cathy insisted we go to JC Penny so that she could find me a dress to wear to our cousin Rachel's wedding coming up in October.  I begrudgingly went along with her plan and then was quite thankful I did when she picked out a dress for me that ended up being $70 regular price...on sale for $35...with a 15% off coupon which meant with tax it rang up for $32 and some change.  Now that is a deal for a nice black dress that I can definitely wear again (though I had hoped for a different color)!

I still had time to go to the library and exchange my books - yay!  Then I went to the movie theater.  We saw The Other Guys with Will Ferrell and Marky Mark.  I hadn't even seen a preview, so I had zero expectation. I definitely laughed several times, but I'd say it's more of a renter than a "must see" in the theater.

After the movie, we headed over to Pappadeaux's.  I haven't been there in ages.  In the past, I always ordered the shrimp brochette which are bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with jack cheese and jalapeño slivers all served over a big bed of dirty rice and a side of lemon butter which I would have poured over the top of the shrimp and dirty rice.  I also would have indulged in several slices of the french bread and butter served before the meal.  I won't lie to you and tell you I was a perfect angel during the meal...there were some healthier options, but I ordered the stuffed shrimp montage which were crab stuffed shrimp served with a bit of parmesan cheese sauce on each shrimp (not swimming in it, thankfully) and a side of green beans which I ordered without butter/oil.  I, of course, did not partake in the bread.

I then went home and watched the series premiere of Outlaw on my DVR - it's a new show on NBC starring Jimmy Smits.  Love him (especially since his performance in Dexter Season 3)!  My dad had recommended the show to me, so I decided to record it when they re-aired it.  It was a great show and I look forward to more episodes.  I also watched the season premiere of Parenthood.  This was one of my favorite shows last season - so glad to see its return!  Then I headed to bed in hopes of getting some good sleep so that I could maybe get in some mileage on Sunday.

On Sunday, I was mostly a lazy bum.  I did manage a couple of miles.  At first I was disappointed with myself having hoped for more, but then I was like "ease up there, tiger" since I hadn't run in over a week.  I kinda think I'm my own worst critic/enemy/nightmare lately.

Late afternoon, I headed over to the parental's house for another fashion show of sorts.  This meant I tried on my $32 dress for my parents.  They ooohed and ahhhed over it.  Then Cathy tried on 3 different dresses for us and we had to choose which 2 we liked best.  I threw back some leftover taco salad my mom had in the fridge, so I wasn't hungry when she suggested that we all go to Sweet Tomatoes, so I went Krogering instead and then to home sweet home.

As usual, there were so many things I should have done....could have done....but alas....there's always next weekend, now isn't there?!

How might your weekend have been?  Was it raindrops and roses?

sick of being sick, so here's a recipe

As you may or may not have heard through the grapevine (being that of Facebook and/or Twitter), I have not been having much luck in the health department.  Last week I was plagued with a case of the migraines.  This week, there were some gastrointestinal issues.  I will spare you most of the unpleasantries (and they were quite unpleasant), but I will say that stomach cramping is no joke.  I don't think I've ever experienced cramps quite like THAT and I can honestly say that I hope to never ever again.

I assumed something was going around.  I found out today that if something is going around, it also hit younger sister Linda and brother-in-law Craig.  Then a bit later, I found out older sister Cathy was amongst the less fortunate, as well.  Hmmm....isn't this odd.  Now I can't help but wonder if we all got food poisoned considering we all ate the same thing at Los Cucos on Saturday at family lunch.  The only other person to partake in the beef fajitas and not claim such issues is my mother.  Perhaps she has a stomach made of steel?  Maybe it's all just a coincidence, but we were all attacked on Monday in varying degrees.

On Monday, I dined mostly on Pepto Bismol and diet room temperature lemon-lime soda (since Walmart apparently doesn't sell diet ginger ale).  I got bold and daring late that evening when I felt very weak and light headed and had some brown rice.  It sat with me okay and I eventually called it a night.  On Tuesday, I bought me a whole wheat bagel in the late morning and it, too, sat me with me okay.  I still felt a tad bit crampy and a wee bit light headed here and there and I was no doubt dehydrated.  Today, I feel significantly better, but I can tell I'm still not at 100%....I kinda feel like I'm still dragging a bit.  I had hoped to go run a couple of miles after work, but after I got home I just was kinda blah about going out in this heat, so I figured I should chill for one more day and try tomorrow.  Not feelin' too keen about Saturday's 8 miler at this point, but I'll give it my best.  =/

Well...I didn't want to just be completely lazy for yet another night, so after perusing some food blogs from Houston Health Blogs, I happened across Marci Gilbert's recipe for zucchini banana bread and decided to modify it slightly and give it a whirl.

Ingredients:
2 medium zucchini grated
2 medium bananas
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup of sugar substitute
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Set oven to 350 degrees.

Grate the zucchini in a large bowl.

Add all other ingredients and mix thoroughly with a hand held mixer.

**Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes.

**I actually mixed together 1 tablespoon of sugar substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg and then sprinkled over the top before putting the loaf into the oven.

And then voila...here is the finished product, my friends.  I couldn't resist having a slice fresh out of the oven even though typically I prefer a cold slice of such tasty breads, but oh well...

Thoughts...a little bit on the mushy side...not quite a bread texture, but that's not really surprising since there are no eggs, nor milk, butter, or baking soda/powder in the mix.  It's totally South Beach friendly, so that makes me happy.  I will refrigerate it and have some more tomorrow.

Wishing you all good health and happy eating!

Kim versus the 5K: Bearkat Bash

Before we get into the details of the race, my little buttercups, let's discuss the events leading up to it, shall we?!  This is a bit long winded, so I apologize in advance...

So, as previously discussed I've been having some awful headache issues and an occasional bout of the dizzies.  I once again awoke in the middle of the night (2:02am to be exact) with the head pounding very sarcastic yay here>.  I rummaged through my medicine cabinet...er drawer...and discovered some slightly expired migraine OTC medication.  What's your take on expired medicinal products?  I personally don't buy into it...I think it's just the manufacturer's way of getting you to buy more - or at least that's what I'm going with here.  So, I popped 3 of them (shhhh...recommended dosage was 2, but I wasn't messing around with this hammering) and then I did something bad.  Instead of returning to the comfort of my bed, I went to my laptop to check on how my job was coming along in Tokyo (Sorority Life on Facebook).  Uh oh...only 16 minutes and 22 seconds before I could collect my earnings.  I could just go back to bed and collect the yen when I awoke again, but where would be the fun in that, so I decided to go to Las Vegas (Mafia Wars on Facebook) in the meanwhile and fight mob bosses and the lot until my 16 minutes and 22 seconds were up.  When the time was right, I collected my yen and then I thought about how I had just enough to buy this really cute Japanese print dress for 38,000 yen, so I bought it and then I had to try it on my little Sorority pledge, but then I kinda thought it made her hips look big, so I put her in an olive green Kimono instead with a pink sash.  Ah...that was the ticket.  Anyway, once I found the perfect shoes, the right hairstyle, and the appropriate accessories, the fashion show was over and I retired once again to my bedroom not so much because I was tired, but really just to shut my little doggies up who were both whining (one of them, Delilah, had already gotten out of bed to come check on me).  It was now 2:39am and my alarm was set for 4:30am.  

I tossed and turned and tossed and turned some more.  I had one of those laugh out loud moments, too.  The other day there was some dialog going on amongst my brother-in-law Craig, my double cousin Danielle, and I (or is it me?) on Facebook.  Craig ended the dialog by saying, "Too late.  Head is Uge!" This was making fun of my father who has a special problem (he likes to call it a disability) and can't pronounce the Hs in words beginning in H for some reason.  So, what made me laugh out loud was I thought of a sentence - How long is the flight to Hawaii?  Only I removed all the words starting with Hs, which made it Ow long is the flight to Awaii?  Maybe you would have to have been there with me or just know my dad to appreciate this.  Regardless, I think what made me laugh the most was how just earlier that evening, double cousin Danielle was insisting that 2:30am is hilarious.  I told her I hardly doubted that was the case, but now I think she might be on to something...  The dogs were getting a bit annoyed with me - it was obvious by their big sighs and their exasperated switching sleeping positions.  Whatever, dogs.  I'm in charge here and clearly so mature.  I decided to go to the bathroom.  One of the dogs (Delilah, again - shocker) decided to steal my spot on the bed.  She was removed, no worries.  I settled back down and must have eventually fallen asleep until that dreaded alarm sounded off just a short while later.

I got up, got ready, ate a whole wheat bun lightly toasted with Justin's almond maple butter and banana, stretched A LOT - especially that IT-band, and eventually headed out the door to the park.  Meyer Park has two sides and my team always meets on the one side in particular.  This side, for some reason, was closed.  There were cops there informing us that we must go to the other side.  This was weird.  In my head, I had decided there had been a murder on the other side.  This goes to show you how morbid I am.  One of my teammates thought that perhaps there was going to be some sort of event later that day.  Another teammate thought maybe there had been a drug bust.  Regardless, it annoyed us because our routine was thrown off.  Our coach gave us our swag bags which had our bibs, d-tags, tshirt, and some goodies in it.  I went to put the bag in my car after securing my bib and d-tag, and then I started doing some mileage.  I did about 1.75 miles at the park and then headed out towards the high school.  I found the route the 5K was taking and kept asking the volunteers if I was winning.  They laughed!  I hit the mile 2 table and they even offered me water - bless their hearts I was in need and took them up on their offer.  I continued all the way to the high school and  it ended up being 3 miles.  I got there in just enough time to use the facilities and I found Lauren and her sister, Sarah.  I was sad that I somehow lost my spare piece of gum, so that meant I had to run without it.  This sucked royally because that's how I control my breathing and how I stay hydrated even though some people (younger sister Linda WHAT?!) beg to differ.

I started off strong.  My first mile was 12:36.  Yes, this is good for me.  I know...le sad compared to so many others.  ha!  I'm okay with being a turtle.  Remember that my motto is slow and steady to finish the race.  I was a bit annoyed, however, because there were bunches of high schoolers running the race (that's not the annoying part) and some of the girls were just plain obnoxious.  They would walk in a line blocking faster walkers or runners and then they would all the sudden start sprinting just to stop and walk again.  They were rowdy and I guess what it boils down to is that they just didn't take it seriously.  I'm all about having fun, don't get me wrong, but to me...a race is a big deal and they were just doing it so nonchalantly that it kind of demeaned the event, if that makes any sense.  Maybe my age is showing?  Ah well...  I'm glad nobody made me take off my illegal headphones (yes, they tried to say they weren't allowed for insurance purposes - first race I've seen that).

I ran mile two MUCH SLOWER and with half the heart.  My energy was diminishing under the burning sun.  After my Garmin read mile 2, I walked to the water station.  It was cute when I picked up a water and the one kid said, "I remember you!"  Kinda made my moment, you know?!  After I finished my water, I tried to start running again, but I got dizzy.  Ugh!  Not again!!!!  I walked it out for a quarter of a mile, then tried to start running again and then came the charlie horses - it was like deja vu from my half marathon.  I walked it out for another quarter of a mile or so and then started a ridiculously slow jog towards the finish line.  I had to catch myself from stumbling over my own feet 5 times - NOT COOL, but eventually I finished the race with the worst 5K time I've ever had.  =(  Then, I drank tons of water cuz dang...it was HOT and HUMID.  Oh and my finishing song was Jason Mraz's "Mr. A-Z".  

It was my hottest 5K to date.  It was also the only 5K I've done where I've run 3 miles BEFORE running the race.  I've also been fighting these headaches all week.  Yes, I know...all just excuses...

Instead of running back to the park to get my car, I thought it best to ask Lauren and Sarah to give me a lift back and they were so sweet to do just that.  This race marked the 4th race Lauren and I have run together!  Doesn't look like we will have any more opportunities this year with me training for The Houston Half on October 24th and the Houston Chevron Full on January 30th while Lauren is training for the Nike Women's Half on Oct. 17th.

 Okay, enough of my ramblings...I know this was a VERY long post.  How's your weekend looking?  

please hammer don't hurt me (anymore)

Ever since Tuesday, I have been plagued with THE HEADACHES.  It's awful - constant hammering in my head.   At first I thought I was suffering from fat and sugar withdrawal after my party-food filled weekend, but now I feel strongly that it's allergy/sinus related.

I feel like I can't even get a sentence out without mumble jumbling it up.  Thinking?  Forget that.  It hurts to think, so I just don't.  This has been apparent in my work this week.  =/  Normally I'm on top of my game, but this week I'm gum on the bottom of an unsuspecting shoe.  No fun.

Running?  What's that?  Haven't gotten any mileage in since my 6.5 miler on Sunday.  The thought of pounding pavement in sync with my head pounding has made me want to vomit, so yeah...been a bit lazy.  I also got spoiled by that 52 degree weather and it has been HUMID and ugly out all week.  Blech.

The good news is that I've been eating way healthy and TOTALLY within my diet plan.  Maybe it was even easier to get back on board with that since I'm feeling under the weather???

Sleeping?  I've been getting about 8 hours each night, but for some reason I keep waking up between 1:30 and 2:00am and then again between 3:30 and 4:00am.  I can go right back to sleep again, but it's weird.  Last night when I woke up at 1:30am, I got up to use the bathroom and the world was spinning.  I've never been one for the tea cup ride at Disney, so I was not amused.  When I woke up at 3:30am it was because my head was pounding.  This is getting ridiculous.  I'm going to have to go to the doctor next week if these headaches don't start leaving me alone STAT!

So, yeah...pretty much this is a whiny post.  Sorry...  Tonight, I'm taking a hot bubble bath, enjoying a hot cup of tea, and going to bed turbo early because I have some crazy running going on tomorrow before I do a race - the Bearkat Bash 5K.