Day 4; the Shred

I didn't get to the SHred today...BUT I did walk/jog 3.05 miles in 43 mins (that's an average of 14 min a mile which is GREAT for me) My quickest mile was 13.48 so I'm getting there. And the night is still young (it's 830pm cst) so I can still get the Shred in after hubby goes to sleep. I'm really proud of myself though...I pushed myself on my walk/jog. and I'm going to do it again tomorrow. And then the next day. The weather is wonderful.

Lordy Lordy Look who’ll be 40!!

Since you don't know me very well let me just come straight out and tell you; I LOVE my birthday. I feel as if it’s MY day, made specially for me, to do what I want-mostly anyhow. Sadly, most birthdays of recent years have been a let down because no one seems to understand what a big deal it is to me. My mom totally got it (and BTW it’s all her fault I feel like I do because she made our birthdays a REALLY BIG DEAL--HUGE) but I won’t go there…not today.

Weeks ago, when there was still 40 days left until my birthday, I had planned on doing a post titled “40 days of birthday” in which I would list 40 things I wanted to do by my 40th birthday (that I was going to post-see title a few lines above) and do one thing each day. I mean, everyone should celebrate there birthday for at least a month right!?! But I stalled out at like 25. Figures…1st thing to peter-out as I age is my “desire to do fun and outlandish things.” Notice I didn’t say memory…cuz I remember things just fine. Sometimes-too fine. But (Again) I won’t go there…not today.

So anyway, the point of the list was to do things that were cheap/free, that I hadn’t done in awhile (if ever), to get me (and the hubby?) off the couch. And let’s not forget things that would be FUN (or lead to fun). I put down take a picnic, fly a kite, go to a Grizzlies baseball game, eat raw oysters (check—did this as I was making the list), go to a drive in, go fishing, go to the botanical garden, lose 8 lbs..but I never got the list done (remember I stalled at 25) and I’m 25 days away. So what’s the point now. Besides, let me be honest…the list of things was boring and forced. The only fun thing on the list was that I wanted a party. A real party with real people doing real fun things; not just a party with family. Matter of fact if you could leave the family part out of it, it’d be even funner. Yes I know funner is not a word but I don’t care-it’s MY birthday (stomping foot). But no one around here knows how important my 40th birthday is (or any birthday of mine) so if there’s gonna be a party I’m going to have to plan it. Which I suppose I could do (I had entertained the thought of going to Vegas but who can afford that) but doesn’t appeal to me today because I don’t want people to think I’m “that kind of person”. The kind that has to be the center of attention, wear a princess crown all around town singing “It’s my birthday it’s my birthday” and expecting everyone to stop and sing happy birthday to me. Sounds a bit silly now that I think about it. So no party for me…VERY BIG SIGH.

Anyway (again)…I’ve only lost 3 of the 8 lbs and eaten the oysters. Nothing else on the list has gotten done. And I’ve lost the desire to have a to-do list leading up to my birthday. Sadly, I’ve even lost the desire to even celebrate my birthday, even at work (which I’m normally in charge of birthday treats). And I pray that the gal at work who is in charge of my birthday goes into labor before the 8th (she's due the 14th of July). Is that mean of me? To wish someone goes into labor before her due date just to get out of celebrating my birthday? What I ask, is wrong with me??!?!!?!? Ugh. Sigh. Yikes. 40. Who’d a thunk it…I didn’t plan this far ahead yah know…when I was a teenager I guess I never knew there was life after 21.

So, for those of you over 40..is 40 really ALL that? I heard it was da bomb..turning 40…but I can feel the water works starting just thinking about 40….

and a recap of the weekend...I walked 4.05 miles in honor of the Susan Komen walk on Saturday. It took us 1 hr and 10 mins and included some serious hills. I felt great once I was done. I had signed up for the walk itself that day but then heard there would be 70,000 plus other people showing up. and I don't do crowds well. at it was going to be hot. and the Komen walk didn't start until 9 so I wanted to get done and get back in.

So far so good...Great way to start the week!!

Have a told you lately how happy I am that I started this journey!! Have I told you lately how amazing I feel emotionally? Well, I am happy and feel amazing...even though it's allergy season LOL (laughing out loud)!

I worked very hard all weekend outside; at my house and at the front enterance to our subdivision. I pulled weeds, mowed the lawn, trimmed bushes, collected all the clippings and leaves. There was a lot of bending over (toe touches), squats (to pick things up), and I"m sure you get the picture. I burned a lot of calories (IMO) and it was very theraputic...turned my frown upside down if ya know what I mean!

On Monday I got into work and found that I had finally gotten a gym locker!! WAy cool!! I can store all of my gym stuff at work aleviating (sp?) me 'forgetting' a change of clothes. Also after getting to work I found out that I had won my very own Inperspire Towel "I Run Because I Can"! Thanks Jaime at http://runningdivamom.blogspot.com and Inperspire; I really appreciate it; somedays motivation is hard to come by. Jaime has a fabulous blog if your looking for a great read with lots of inspiration.

Last night as I chased lil man (my pug) around the back yard I slipped and sprained my foot. it isn't bad but kept me from running. Thankfully I am still able to walk and have gotten in 3 miles today.

Today at work was another wonderful day...besides being incredibly busy, I rec'd my finish photo from the 1/2 marathon. Boy do I look HOT...hee and in more ways than one! I'm thinking of blowing it up (my side anyhow) because I feel it will be great motivation for the days that I feel like I just can't do it. Such great form from what I can tell.



Sherrie is on the left (in the grey shirt) and I am on the right (purple shirt). We both look incredible and felt incredible when we were done. I hope to carry that "feeling" for as long as I can and then some.

Before closing; I'd like to thank all of you...those who just read; those who are nice enough to leave a comment; those who share their journeys on their blogs. It's people like you that keep people like me on target. It's people like you who help teach me the ins and outs of changing my lifestyle for the good, the ins/outs of learning to run, and learning that through lifes downs there is always an up.

Tomorrow promises to be another great day. After my gang takes me to lunch for being such a great assistant (little do they know that my greatness comes from their greatness-they are such an amazing team), I'm going to a place called Fleet Feet for a new pair of running shoes. A gal from work gave me some of her reward dollars ($45 worth) to help off set the cost and they (Fleet Feet) will help me determine which shoes are best for my feet and for what I plan on doing with them. My current shoes (Avia's) are great for short running distances and medium walks (6 miles or less) but not for 13.1 marathons. And I love 1/2 marathons and plan on making them my new hobby!

Have a great great week everyone and I look forward to reading your all of your blogs later this week.

Blah Blah Blah

So much to say; not enough words to express what I have to say. I have so much on my mind, so many things I’d like to share but never know where to begin. The words always seem to get stuck somewhere between my brain and fingers. And when they don’t get stuck someone always comes along and interrupts me. I have a habit of pausing (obviously too long of a pause) when I am trying to find the right word to say. I wonder if using cb lingo would help to let others know when I’m done with my statement so they can stop interrupting me? Maybe I should end every sentence with “over”? and maybe I should end a conversation with “over and out” to let them know I’m done talking? Hell, I don’t know. I just don’t know.

Last week was a busy, confusing week for me. A very good friend got sick and is hospitalized. Sadly he is in a hospital 2 ½ hrs away and I can’t just “drop in” and check on him like I’d prefer. I did however drop everything and run over there to be with his wife shortly after being hospitalized (for a day) but was called back to work/home. I wish I could have stayed longer but duty calls. And now I sit with my phone stuck to my hand waiting for updates. Talk about feeling totally helpless. Not a damn thing I can do for either them except pray (and ask others to pray) and I’m having issues in that area. I know there is a God (there just has to be-I look around me and see a lot of amazing things-surely an asshole could not have made them!). I know I should go to church. But too many times I’ve gone to church and felt like I was in high school all over again. And honestly; let’s just not go there—I didn’t like high school the first time! And that (the not going to church) makes me feel like I don’t have a right to pray; because I’m not totally walking the walk. No matter how good a person I think I’m being I’m told/implied to that I’m not entitled to very many Godly things because I don’t go to church. Which makes me madder because how can someone be a “true Christian” and say those things?

And that’s my excuse for not behaving myself. I walked/exercised 2 of the last 7 days. I ate whatever I felt like eating. I taunted myself with bad food choices (a large bag of cheeto puffs lasted 1 day)…and sadly I felt little remorse. I did pay for it yesterday and today though. All the processed food is tearing my inside up. And I walked 8 miles after resting 5 days and now have blisters galore on my feet! I will NEVER DO THAT AGAIN (wait 5 days to walk/exercise)!! I started yesterdays walk planning on doing MAYBE 4 miles. But I was enjoying myself so much that I said “eh what the hell”…I’m glad I did but my feet, legs and back aren’t glad! That’s what I get for waiting too long!!