check please

my alarm went off. and for one of the first times in a long time. i actually didnt roll over. and dread the next step, of getting out of bed. i didnt hit snooze. i lept out of bed, like a five year old on christmas morning. ok, might be a bit of an exaggeration. but i did get up easier than i did today, on this sun filled monday morning. i had checked the weather the night before. only 30% chance of rain in the wee morning hours on saturday. i dressed. ate some energy gummies. (joj i read the directions and you are to eat the whole pack). braided my hair. pinned my bib with my race number to my inside shirt. thinking i might take my top layer off mid way. which was not the case. and sat to wait for my friend lp to arrive (my photographer). and for my parents to pick us up for the race. they came. and they came with zola in tow. and in the pick up truck. anyone who knows me. knows how much i hate the pick up truck. my grandfather keeps passing down these giant trucks to my father. they are so big. and massive. they usually try to force me into long road trips in these monstrosities. but i always refuse. and probably throw a fit like a child. but you would too. and they work. i have never rode more than around town in the truck.

so i drove to the race. in the bus. and mentioned we probably looked like the beverly hillbillies. with our dog and sitting two abreast in the truck. dad and i hopped out. while they parked. and we walked and warmed up on our way to the starting line. just as we weaved our way through the crowd, the rain started. just little drops. that eventually came down harder. and more. i wore my now deemed unlucky nebraska hat (since the girls lost yesterday in the sweet 16 - remind me not to wear it during football season) which helped to keep the rain off my face. my first couple of miles of the race. i was miserable. i was sick of the rain. sick of the hills. and having a hard time getting in the groove. finally the rain stopped. we reached half way. i gulped a little gatorade. and felt the best i had all day. we finished. i finished my first 10K. our time was a little over an hour. which i felt good about. now onto more training. i need to work on my hills since our 1/2 marathon course starts with 2 hills. and some sprints to help with my breathing. and i hope in the mean time. mother nature works on her weather.

patty mchatty run

these hips dont lie

last night while falling asleep. i thought about how my creativity. and inspiration on here has been gone. buried under all those huge, piles of snow from the many storms this winter. but i can feel a hint of it coming back. i hope it will blow through with the warm breeze, when i open my french doors. and feel the spring air on my skin. but for now...

GF10 Update: i made it to 5 miles on the treadmill on sunday. i struggled through that last mile. my hips were a bit sore the next day. i could totally feel i needed a rest day on monday. one of the things that kept me going, besides my new play list (thank you x-tina and salt n pepa) is knowing whatever pain or discouragement i feel. i have a dear friend who is going through a lot more in her life right now. and she is so much stronger than i. the pain i feel has no comparison. she is my inspiration. she is my motivation. to keep going. to run a little bit harder. i admit i am nervous. scared. for this 10k on saturday. it is the longest race for me. but i will keep thinking of lowa. pushing myself to the finish line. love you lowa!!

the hips were still a bit sore yesterday on my 3 mile run outside. it took me longer to get warmed up and in a groove. i stretched them out really good after the 5 miles on sunday. my muscles were so warm and limber. i felt like i was in highschool again. warming up to cheer for a game. just folded over to the floor in my butterfly. maybe that was it. maybe i stretched too much. runner friends - any ideas? advice?

aaaah...kick it

back to my road to the 1/2 marathon. lil joj and i finished the st. patty's day 4 mile race. and we finished strong. i just remember giggling the whole time down the final stretch. because we, some how found all the energy we could to sprint down to the finish line. and i felt somewhat like pheobe from friends. with my jacket tied around my waste. and fingers tucked into my sleeves. running as fast as my tired legs could go. but i am so very proud that we did it. even in somewhat yucky weather. so proud that i had dad sign us up for a 10k next weekend. its only two more miles. sorry let me rephrase that. only two more miles. ugh. but its time in my training to do 6 miles. and the weekend i should be running a 10k is lil joj's bachlorette weekend. so probably wont get it in then. i have some pics from the race, but the site wont let me save them. i'll do some magic at work tomorrow. we wore our nebraska hats to support the womens basketball team in town for the tourney. although they had their first lost of the season that day! (yayaya - they are good). so might not be wearing those again. ha.

GF10 update: after the race, i got back on track, ran 3.5 outside on monday. took a few days off to celebrate my third favorite holiday (behind christmas and halloween) and consumed some green beverages. then i went for a short run outside again tonight. thinking it was around 2 miles, but i didnt go to my normal park, which i know the distances. felt like a neighborhood jaunt. it might snow this weekend (seriously, seriously) so i need to get all the outdoor running i can. the plan is a 5 mile run on saturday morning. probably be on a treadmill. grrrr.

finally, pics from the catwalk. i'm too sexy for my shirt, so sexy...it hurts!

all the jewels, my headband and flowers are done by my dear friend emmyray. she is available (well booking up fast!) for weddings and other social engagements. check out her site for more work.

pro-gress

my running progress is moving along nicely. i have broken the barriers of the 4 walls of the gym. and the scary treadmills. and leaped into the open road. i spent the last sunday afternoon at the rents house. playing beatles rock band with brother and dad. its kind of like the old days. we would spend weekend afternoons making videos and such. now we have a game to grade us and give us scores. lets just say i am lead vocals and have a hard time not making 100 pts. whoot! but i probably need to take it off easy.

GF10: dad, zola and I did 3 miles on sunday. it felt good for the first mile or so. then i remembered the sushi i snacked on the hour before. and felt a few cramps. but i made it. and felt pretty good the next day. i had a road bump the last couple of days. i had to travel for work. it was a one nighter, but i had to prepare the night before and we had a late dinner with the client. so no running on the road. although it was gorgeous - i wanted to break free from my meetings. instead, after we landed back home, i put on my running shoes and did 3 miles yesterday.it was easier than sunday. although i am a tad sore today, but that might be from traveling.

this weekend lil joj is coming down for the st. patty's day race. i think its going to be cold, but we can do it! 40s isnt bad. and we have the green beer to think about during the pain.

wishful thinking

i wish someday i could dance all day. i went to mcdonalds today for lunch. advertising really does work. i keep seeing the chicken nuggets photos around town. and man those things look tasty. with the all white meat chicken. the new spicy sweet sauce. it was heavenly. well and back to my point. they had on great music. jeff, my modeling coach, and i like to dance out in public. i wish i could do that all day long. then we had an odd conversation about bio movies. stemming from grey gardens. we think the guy at the booth next to us. thought we were weirdos. and couldnt get out of there fast enough. i ended my meal with a chocolate shake. its just one of those days. where i wish i could hang out at mcd's all day long. dance. drink shakes. and not give two shits.

GF10 update: i pushed 2 miles last night. i am still congested. going on four days now. i say pushed. because i felt fine before and after. until this morning when i woke up. and couldnt breathe out of my nose.

this weekend i am watching two new clients. baby, mini-goldendoodles. be sure to check woof.woof. for updates on cali and roxy. they are only 3.5 & 7 months. i have my work cut out for me. last night when i met them. i felt like i was watching the puppy bowl. i heart them. well i say that now. before i have stayed a full night with them.

slow moving

i have never really been into working out on the weekends. to me the weekend is for r & r. and the site of a gym. or treadmill. is not that. i dont mind being outdoors. like on a nice walk or jog. but due to the winter weather. this has not been an ideal factor to my weekends. so i write with much regret. i did nothing of the sort to train. it was a little nicer here. so i took the dog i am watching to the park and walked around. week one not the greatest. but here is wishful thinking that week two will be better. i have convinced my dear dad to run with me. he has ran a lot more races than i. even a marathon. so he is experienced. but since he turned the big 6-0 this year. i think it will be a monumental thing for both of us. and he is going to help map out some of the long runs.

GF10 update: nadda. and i am congested from the weekend. taking my mucinex d and hoping i can make it to the gym tonight.

fashion roadkill

today is the big day. my stomach is filled with butterflies. i went to practice last night for my runway debut. its pretty legit. and as one of the other girls and i noticed. there are real models also in the show. like they are the real deal. i am leaving in a few to go live the life of a model. get my hair and make up done. and wait around. not eating. until i am out on the catwalk. i also will be walking around the show. so customers can get an up close and personal look at my jewels and flowers. all by my dear friend emmy-ray. i am very excited and nervous. i have been practicing my walk and facial expressions this morning. jeff has been a great modeling coach. he reminded me of my tv hair modeling from this summer. where he said i looked scared. but the hair dresser was throwing me around like a rag doll. i think we have my face perfected. less eyes and slight smile. with a big smile during my poses. aaahhh. maybe i can use these to go on the show - america's next top model - but for the 5'6", average girl addition. pictures and recap to come.

GF10 update: after practicing for the wedding hive fashun show, i made it to the gym for a quick 2 miles. i should be running 3 miles tonight. but doubtful i can get that in. i'll shoot for that goal on friday.

boots are so out

i cant take this winter crap anymore. i love all my boots. but i am getting tired of sporting them every day. even in this 12 degree weather. which the weather man so kindly reminded me that normally it is 50 during this time. i put on my flats. with no socks. my father would have flipped. that i would walk out of the house with no socks. exposed skin to this temperature. i could hear him this morning - 'you are going to get sick. arent your feet cold'. but i have had it. so thats my rant for the morning. i also hope this awful weather will go away. because as noted by lil joj, we will not run in frigid weather for the upcoming st. patty's day race. if there is snow. or below freezing. i will go to the gym. run and then hit the after party. per training schedule i should be running about 4 miles that saturday anyway.

GF10 update: i went to pilates class last night. it covers my stretch and strength portion of the training schedule perfectly. just have to switch up the days. i am a little sore today. but hope i can put in a light run this evening. 12 weeks and counting for the 1/2.

tomorrow night i am helping emmy-ray jewelry by modeling in a wedding fashion show. i am pretty excited. i get to leave work to have my hair and make up done. (who doesnt love that). i borrowed a few black dresses from ellenclare. so i am ready to walk down the runway. que in - right said fred - because i am model and you know what i mean...and i shake my little tush on the catwalk...i'm too sexy...

i'm back

when i started this blog. my first post - click here to read - was in regards to GF08. or get fit. its amazing how long ago that first post was launched. and that we still continue to use the get fit theme. i am now back in the swing of daily blogging on my progress. it helps to keep me motivated. and now that i have a goal of a 1/2 marathon in may. its time to get serious! well as serious as i can get. i still wont be able to say no to wine night over running. or an extra piece of cake. and i really dont envision becoming a gym rat. i still think 3 nights a week is big progress. even one night at this point.

i started a mat pilates class about a month before christmas. my first class was a challenge. i found myself sitting and waiting for the teacher to count down the seconds. rather than holding the moves. it was hard. i now can hold most moves for the full time. with a sigh of relief at the end. but my core is really strengthening. which will help in my running.

now for running progress. i have hated the treadmill this winter. i think its the combo of winter blues. there has been so much snow!! and a busy winter months of dog sitting. normally summer is my peak season. excuses, excuses. but i just had not found the joy of running. until last night. i broke through my funk. partially because i had new shoes. they make the difference. its funny, because i tried buying random shoes that were on sale at a discount shoe place. i didnt pay much attention to the type of shoes - i.e. i need stability and cushion because i have weird feet. i tried running with those last week. and my feet were burning. in so much pain. i had to stop and walk the rest of my time. i was miserable. so i was in such delight to find my 3 miles last night was a breeze. i kind of felt like i could have gone longer but didnt want to burn out on the first night back.

i have switched gyms in the last year. and this new place has treadmills with low bars. i dont know why, but i am a little timid to run on these treadmills. i like the side bars to be at my waste. in case i were to trip or fall off. i have something higher to grab onto. fingers crossed i dont have a post soon with a trip to the dentist because i fell off the treadmill.

also, i am listening to the same workout mix from GF08. i need help! i dont listen to workout music regularly. so i dont buy it. or dont think about it until i am there. on the treadmill, skipping through the songs. so let me know if you have any hot tracks to add. or replace my current.

GF10 update: monday = 3 miles, i felt good. maybe could have pushed for more. looking forward to my next run.

goals: march 13, 4 miles for st. pattys day
may 16, 1/2 marathon

down fall

i cant help but rant about the over sexualization of young girls. and it seems to only get worse. and worse. it is sad to me that new bars opening in our city have decided to have the female wait staff wear nothing but lingerie. and at another undies and chaps. with very sexual motions involving a bull. i mean. is this really what draws people to attend. to stand in line for an hour and a half. this makes hooter restaurants look like church. are we really only animals gathering at the water troff.

did it start with britney spears. i know many celebrity news sources seem to think the 'oops i did it again,' school girl outfit was the beginning. not sure if i totally agree. but dont disagree she didnt have a hand in it. x-tina also played a fair share with her 'dirty' video. but i think they were both just puppets dangling from the 'man's' strings. and now we have musical teen sensation (i am not advocating that she is really a sensation - i really cant stand her) miley cyrus posing topless in vanity fair. it was claimed as art. but did they really think a 15 year old girl who has young girls idolizing her. that they would make the connection that her topless photos are art. these are the children that giggle at the word fart. and the fact she is still a minor herself.

it has always bothered me. i think i first noticed the skimpy outfits around halloween while in college. not sure if it relates to my age at the time. if thats why it became more and more apparent. but it was the year my friends and i dressed as jem and the holograms. while out at the bars. more girls showed up with the slutty outfits. or as we like to name them. sexy firefighter. sexy nurse. sexy rainbow brite. this saddened me mostly because i like the creative aspect of dressing up. the challenge of thinking of a fun outfit. finding all the pieces. like a treasure hunt and then the reveal. where people recognize you and congratulate. for these girls. its like congratulations. you look like you have zero brain cells. and spent a lot of money on practically nothing.

this also makes me want to take back some of my post from yesterday. my dancing is harmless. far from anything explicit. nothing to be ashamed of. but i do think i will stop reporting my GF08 happenings. i have come to the conclusion. the idea behind my goal to look like a golden goddess/hot bod in my swimsuit this summer is far from being met. but i also dont think that is the reason. i know i will never be on the front cover of sport illustrator swim suit edition. (which dont get me started on that complete magazine of filth). it has become more about enjoying my time while running. not dreading the workout routine. but looking forward to it. and the great feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment when i finish each run. i have always felt comfortable in my own skin. even in my camel toe spring break bikini bottoms. no one is perfect. and the thought of striving for that. its not me. unless i make some real progress in my running. i wont report.

i

i is for...

ice cream. yum. i could eat it all year round. i also like a nice cup of italian gelato.

itunes. how did i live with out it. i mean. work wouldnt be the same. i have to listen to music while working. pretty much while doing anything.

ingrid michaelson. a new favorite musician. i am going with some friends and brother next week to see her in concert. i am very excited. its at a bar. so very intimate. and going to concerts is the best way to enjoy music. it seems like once i see someone live. i fall in love all over. or find a new person/band to obsess over. another i forgot to mention for f. is feist. love. love. love. her/band.

idiots. there are a lot of idiotic people out there. a lot of them clog our roads. they act even more sporadic and retarded behind the wheel. i have no tolerance for idiots. especially when i am driving to work. get off your cell phone. pay attention to the road. and try to be normal for once.

GF08: i ran 4 miles last night. two on the track. while being gazed over by creepy old men. then another 2 on the treadmill. those last two were tough. i debated a lot. i was going to give up. i would think 3 was good. okay. 3.5 will be nice record. but i didnt stop. i just kept on keepin on. i will take the doggies on a long walk tonight. i am still dogsitting for cali and max. i took some pics of them, but need to charge my battery again. i left my camera on all day yesterday at my desk. silly. silly.

first time

word. that is the first step to starting this miraculous, life changing thing we call blogging. my first word. i hope to keep in-touch with friends, inspire strangers and overall vent my comings and goings.

its starts with the on-going GETFIT(fill in year) plan. as it is 3 months into the new year, we are well on our way to GF08. i had an illness in december, by illness i mean cold/flu like symptoms, that caused me to shed a few lbs. i took that as an inspiration to keep on the bandwagon, as the ultimate goal of GFanyyear, is to have a bikini body by summer. this goal has never been met. every year i still carry around the jelly from one too many beers, burgers and brats and sitting on my sofa watching the life source. but this year is different, i have dvr. therefor, i can be more choosy on when i tune into my favorite shows. and this means not as many excuses for not going to the gym. so i started the year off with running. yes, running. i bypassed the walk, the jog, the walk-jog and i went for it. there is pain, and i just grin and think in my head...only a couple of more minutes and you will be done.

my progress...its been up and down. i was doing really well and was able to run almost 3 miles straight on the treadmill. after running 2 with no pain, i increased my speed for a challenge. this lead me to the 3 mile mark. i then went on vacation. oh yes, i did. and i forgot all about the motivation and the goals.

but now i am back. i went last night and with my new shoes (thats another story). and i did 2 miles. and it was painful. i debated with myself in my head (yes i do a lot of internal talking with self). and i said self, you can do this. its not that bad. you will feel better at the end. you have done it before. kick it into high gear and deal with it.

red faced and sweaty, i jumped off the treadmill meeting my 2 mile goal and with plans to do it all over tonight. hoping by next week, i will say hi, 3 miles...missed ya!