Another “wah wah I am overwhelmed” work post
Everyone in my office has a Blackberry. I think it is a great tool, when used correctly. I especially like using the calendar in it, as well as previewing emails before I get into the office. I was really excited when I got mine, back in December.
That was before I really had any use for it.
Now it just serves as a constant reminder of how many “unread” emails I have (I read them and mark them as unread if there is something I need to act on) and how much work I have to do.
Yesterday I looked at my Blackberry and started saying, “shit shit shit.” My mom was there and of course, wanted to know what I was “shit shit shitting” about. Just work stuff mom…
I am in an all day business training every day this week. I need this training to get a certification in my office, so it is really important that I attend. And I am honestly looking forward at being away from my desk all week.
But… that doesn’t mean my regular job is going to do itself while I am out all week! I was “shit shit shitting” about the emails I received this weekend. They were all regarding things that have to be taken care of this morning, which means I had to get up extra early, to make it into the office at 7:00, before my 8:30 training starts, to get these things done… blah blah blah.
I stressed out about all of this for an hour or so yesterday, then told myself – just get done what you can. I am someone who likes to have everything completed and have a clean slate to start the day. That’s just not possible anymore.
Even though I know that though, I still try.
On a related note, I am going to be super busy this week and probably won’t be reading blogs on my lunch break like I normally am. So… the 700+ unread blog entries in my reader is just going to keep growing! I am sorry I’ve been MIA! I’ll get there! You might just be seeing a ton of comments at once from me!
How cool is the Forerunner 405?! / Wisconsin Half Marathon Follow-up
My birthday isn’t until July 31st, but this is what I want:
The Forerunner 405CX, 405, or whatever cool version is out in July…
Steven has had his Forerunner 405 (Jack) since December 22, but really hasn’t started using it intensely until now, since we finally have weather that permits outdoor running.
We were already impressed that it kept track of our pacing and distance, and even figured out when we were running laps at the park, but when Steven connected Jack to the computer today and showed me the Garmin Connect website… I was blown away.
The website shows elevation, speed, heart rate, as well as a physical google map of your run! I cannot believe we haven’t looked at this until today!
Of course, many of you already know this… and have been sharing your maps/charts on your blogs, but wow. This is one cool little watch!
If you click here, you can see our stats from yesterday’s race. And if you click on the “player” button (and hit play), it will show a little video of our movement on the map as well as our elevation vs. speed (chart shown below).
Today is a “Yes, I love technology” day!
It’s also a “I am so happy my legs aren’t as sore as they were yesterday” day! My legs aren’t usually sore after a long run, but they were immediately yesterday. I was changing in the backseat of my car, and just lifting my leg up while in the sitting position made my calf cramp. We walked around for about an hour and a half after the race, so I am happy we just didn’t get into the car and drive home! I imagine that would have made it much worse.
I really, really, really think I am going to have to try ice baths after my long runs now. Anything that prevents injury and lets me keep running… brr!
13.1 numero uno: Wisconsin Half Marathon
Today was the big day… Steven and I ran the Wisconsin Half Marathon! I am still waiting to get our official time. I think it was 1:57:45 or something like that. Update: Official time is 1:57:47.
It was a beautiful, perfect day for a half marathon! Clear blue skies, weather starting in the low 40s and moving into the mid 50s – we couldn’t have asked for better weather!
The beautiful scenery! We got to run along Lake Michigan for much of the race!
The calm before the storm (Check out all those tissues! I didn’t use one!). I am happy I wore green – it was very easy for people to find me!
In the beginning, we looped right past the start and I yelled to my dad (as a joke), “I’m tired!” He yelled back, “Quit your whining!” Ha ha. (Click to enlarge – see me waving in the green?)
The race went really well. I felt great most of the time, despite spending half of it feeling like I had to go poo. I finally succumbed and went at mile 10. Talk about a load off! It took me a full mile and a half to catch up with Steven, which was kind of a bummer since it was so close to the end of the race and I wanted to run with him.
Ever wonder what Steven is thinking when he has to run alone?
I had just handed my hydration belt off to my mom before this photo – I am so happy my parents were there!
The Jelly Bellies worked really well for me! I ate 25 of them around mile 6 and they tasted great and maybe gave me a little boost? I am not sure. I would definitely use something with electrolytes in it for a full, but they worked fine for me for this half.
Steven got really dehydrated in the last couple of miles, and I felt so awful there was nothing I could do for him. We still finished strong, together!
Crossing the finish line!
Still nipping out after 13.1 miles! Check out the cheese medal!
My mom made this fun sign for us. When she got here last night I asked if she made me a sign. She said, “I didn’t know people did that!” So I happily supplied her with paper and markers. Yeah. I’m kind of lame.
Me and los padres (doesn’t that background look like something bobbiandmike would like?).
My legs immediately felt sore and tired after the race. I quickly changed out of my race clothes and into my “frump” outfit to walk back to the finish line to watch other runners and check out the booths. And dance on the rocks.
They were planning polka music at the finish line so my mom and I had to do some dancing.
We saw my coworker finish her half, and well as Susan BOSTON QUALIFY! You rock Susan! I am so impressed!
Go Susan Go!
This race left me totally pumped. I was really energetic throughout it, talking to the spectators, making jokes… I definitely see a full marathon in my future!
Nail polish on the train
Hey ladies (or men, what the hell!), where do YOU like to paint your nails?
- At home
- At the salon
- On the train
- Other
To the ghetto fabulous woman on the train painting her nails this morning – what the fuck hell is wrong with you? I don’t want to smell nail polish at 6:30 am in the morning! Paint your goddamn frickin’ nails at home! Sure, it may be convenient to paint them on the train, but it’s also very convenient for me to get out of my seat and punch you in the face. Take your pick.
And this is me in a GOOD mood.
I guess I should just be happy it was her fingernails and not her toenails. And that she was sitting on the complete opposite side of the train. I feel worse for the people closer to her. Smells like that bother me (I get migraines). Would it bother you?
Crazy 8’s Meme
Look! Another meme! I’ve seen this one going around the internet A LOT lately, and I finally got tagged for it… by Bethany!
I have to be honest. I usually skim memes. Or just mark them as read. So if you do the same for me, I understand.
Although, this one was interesting to fill out, because I really had to think hard about what to put on these lists! And I am sure as the day goes on, I will think of even more things to add.
8 Things I am looking forward to:
- The Kenosha Half Marathon this Saturday!
- Seeing my parents this weekend.
- Going to SELF’s Workout in the Park with Diane on 5/16.
- Spending time on the Mississippi River this summer.
- Going to Disney World in January.
- Doing the 30 Day Shred for 30 consecutive days (starting 5/1) and getting shredded!
- Trying a vegan diet.
- Seeing X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek, Angels & Demons, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Terminator Salvation this summer.
8 Things I did yesterday:
- Got caught up at work!!!
- Blogged. Read blogs. Added new blogs to my reader. Felt guilty for being addicted to blogging.
- Talked to my coworker about doing a sprint triathlon.
- Listened to Jillian Michaels’s podcast.
- Ran 4 miles with Steven.
- Ate homemade Mexican Food for dinner.
- Got sick and spent a lot of time on the toilet.
- Started watching Lady in the Water and wondered, “Is this lame movie going anywhere?!?!”
8 Things I wish I could will do*:
- Run a marathon in 2009.
- Finish logging in my IDP** credits.
- Learn how to style my hair.
- Work harder at communication with Steven.
- Experiment more in the kitchen.
- Try yoga. Try slowing down.
- Maintain my weight loss.
- Get more sleep!
8 Shows I watch:
- I don’t watch television, but I do own all 6 seasons of Sex and the City.
Play along if you want!
*Modified that one a bit!
**It’s an architecture thing.
No primping or preparing / Why I love Jillian Michaels
I’ve been tagged by Mrs. Smith. Here are the rules:
1. Take a pic of yourself right now.
2. No primping or preparing.
3. Just snap a picture.
4. Load the picture onto your blog.
5. Tag some people to play along. I don’t tag, but participate if you want!
This is me, when I woke up at 5:00 am, sans makeup! (See how wavy my hair is, Denise?!)
Of course, Data saw that I was snapping pics with my phone and wanted to get in on the action. I think he cheated though – he was definitely licking himself before he jumped into the photo!
See how tired I look? I look this tired ALL DAY LONG. Even though I put on makeup, try to get enough sleep and drink lots of water… I always look tired. Even when I don’t feel tired.
And… more blabbing – I love Jillian Michaels’s* podcasts. I often feel like she is speaking directly to me, about something I am personally struggling with. Already, I have been able to apply something I listened to last night to a situation this morning. More below…
Autopilot is getting me nowhere, but fast!
Do you ever worry about becoming someone you don’t want to be? Maybe you have a specific person in mind, whose actions you simply abhor… or maybe it’s just a collection of traits that you worry about.
I have both – certain influential people in my life, as well as a list of various traits I try to avoid accruing.
Lately, I haven’t been giving my emotions the attention that they deserve. I’ve been very quick to react to things. Rather then stepping back, observing and evaluating, I hastily make decisions, just to try to keep up with the pace of things. I’ve become incredibly impatient. I don’t want to sit still or slow down for a minute.
This is adversely affecting me at work and at home. And I am beginning to worry more and more about turning into someone I don’t want to be.
I know who I want to be: happy, healthy, someone that people think of as “nice,” fun to be around, a good listener, hardworking, reliable, friendly, funny, intelligent, approachable, attractive, easy-going, patient, understanding…
But how do I get there? And QUICK! before I go to far in the other direction!
I’ve noticed that when I actually do slow down and take time to think about what is going on in my head (why I am reacting to things the way I am) I find the cause of the “problem.” But sometimes I just want to ignore it. I just want to avoid it. How awful is that? Here, let me just shut my brain off for awhile and go on autopilot. Let’s see where that gets me. I don’t like where that gets me.
Sports Beans vs. Regular Jelly Belly Jelly Beans – What’s the difference?
I used my last pack of Berry Blue Sports Beans during my 12 mile run on Friday. I later drove to Sports Authority to buy a few more packs for next Saturday’s race, and… they were out. I actually said “shit!” when the sales clerk told me.
Since we’ve decided we like them so much, we looked into buying a case of them online (we’ll be using a lot once we start training for a full marathon!) yesterday morning. Then, we actually compared the nutritional label for Sports Beans versus regular Jelly Belly Jelly Beans and found out the differences are some added vitamins, potassium and sodium (electrolytes) in the Sports Beans, and less calories in the Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. That’s it.
We basically just need them for the sugar/energy during endurance runs (I mean really, do you actually expect to get vitamins from candy?), so we decided to just buy regular Jelly Belly Jelly Beans for awhile and see how those work out. We’ll get to eat more. Ha!
Our Target has a HUGE Jelly Belly selection. So it was fun to pick and chose!
There are actually more jelly beans not shown in the photo!
I decided to try one of the Cold Stone Birthday Cake Remix Jelly Beans, because they made me think of my sister. They were okay, but I know I wouldn’t like that taste in my mouth during a run!
I chose (starting on the right): berry blue, kiwi, and watermelon*. Steven made two mixes: lemon drop with lemon lime, and orange juice with tangerine and orange crush. I put the Sports Beans in the picture below for comparison.
I am not sure what those last things are on the left? They don’t look like Jelly Beans.
When we went through the checkout, I started chatting with the cashier about Sports Beans, and how we were buying these instead, and blah blah blah. She said (something like), “It looks like you got a lot of healthy food, so it’s no big deal you are getting these!” Then I explained to her that we actually eat this while running. She was nice to me, but I think she thought I was crazy. And Steven probably did too. But you know what? I try to talk to the cashier, to be polite. Even if I don’t make sense (that’s often). What’s the point of acting like they aren’t there?
If we end up liking using these, it will be a huge cost savings. Sports Beans cost $1.00+ for a 1 oz. pack. Jelly Belly Jelly Beans cost $7.49 a lb. That is a saving of .53¢ an ounce!
So… we’ll see how it goes! Has anyone else tried doing this? Probably. It’s not that novel of an idea.
Kenosha Half Marathon Weather Watch Day 4:
Steven asked if looking at the weather every day was making me feel worried. Actually, it’s not. I am just looking at it for humorous purposes. It is what it is on race day!
*What’s funny is, these can sit in our pantry forever, and I won’t touch them unless I am running. I’m not that into jelly beans! But that peanut butter… oh, no.
Peanut Butter Shame
Peanut Butter is a trigger food for me. It can sit in the pantry for weeks and I don’t even think about it, but once I open it, I eat WAY too much.
We had two containers in our pantry from November – creamy and crunchy. They were both half full this week. They are now gone – mostly because of me.
We went to Target today to get groceries, and even stopped by the peanut butter, but I didn’t say that we needed any, because I didn’t want it in the house. I was being selfish.
Steven noticed we were out when we got home. He was upset that we didn’t get any. I can understand that. He likes to have it every once in awhile. And it was wrong of me to only think of myself when making the grocery list. I told him I would go pick some up, but that it is a trigger food for me, so I had no idea how long it would last. And I have no idea how long this overeating/binging phase is going to last for me. Why do I go through phases like this?
So now I feel guilty for eating too much AND for not getting any more peanut butter for the pantry. Yay.
Pacing and Pooing
Today, I learned two things about my running:
- My pacing sucks: Jack*, Steven’s Garmin Forerunner 405, accompanied me on today’s 12-mile run**. WOW. I am a sporadic runner. My first few miles kept going back and forth between 8:00 and 9:15. Then my later miles were between 9:00 and 10:30! Boo! I still finished in 1:48:43, but I hate those positive splits! I am happy Steven will be wearing Jack during the race.
- I cannot predict my pooing patterns: I have a very real fear of having to go poo while I am running the half marathon. Today “nature called” around mile 5. I ran all the way to the public restroom (I was running in a Forest Preserve) and… it as closed for cleaning! Now, for me to stop running to go to the bathroom is a pretty big deal and I was looking forward to that relief. I think my sprint to the other bathroom made that one of my fastest miles! I wish I could figure out what is causing this (cutting out dairy has only helped a little bit). It seems so random. I will be really upset if I have to stop during the half marathon. I am the type of person who would not be ashamed to go in the woods (yeah, I said it!) but Steven would kill me if I did that. So I am hoping I will have an empty bowel that day!
Kenosha Half Marathon Weather Watch Day 2***:
Lame… see how much it has changed since yesterday? Why do I even look at this?!
*Steven’s GPS Car Garmin is called Jill, so I brilliantly named his Garmin GPS watch Jack. As in… Jack and Jill! Yes, Steven has to put up with my lame-ness on a daily basis. Poor guy!
**Yes, I know I should not be running 12 miles so close to my half marathon. But I HAD to get it in. Every day I had a long run scheduled it rained or snowed. So I watied until we had GORGEOUS WEATHER – today!!!
***I am posting this for my amusement, to see how much the forecast actually changes between now and race day!
Hi! I’m Kim, a 40-something-year-old living in northeastern Illinois with my husband Steven, and our cats, Khaleesi, Apollo, Starbuck, and Eddard aka Ned. My current main hobbies are running, painting rocks, flying, reading, and eating. I follow a vegan lifestyle and work in an account management role. I write about a variety of topics and consider this a “life” blog – a place I can share anything that’s on my mind. Please visit the “About” page to get a better idea of who I am! 🙂
