I Almost Ran a Marathon Part 2

Hey, I’m back to finish this story. You’ve been frantically refreshing until this moment, huh?

If you have followed my blog for a little while you know that I competed in “figure” which we always called “bodybuilding light”. Really it’s for us girls who don’t have excessive testosterone flowing and don’t want to get itby way of a needle. ;-)

Here is a link to a post about that time of my life and if you go through the Archives anytime in January 2007-July 2007 is the point where I started that phase and continued for 2 years.

Through competing, I found that I stay focused on my training with something high to shoot for. I think wearing close to nothing while walking in 5 inch heels is a scary enough goal, right? That sounds kind of bad, but I swear there were NO POLES involved in what I did.

That brings me to now. I won’t be running any ridiculously long distances, just a 5k on Thanksgiving. I will however be doing this...Next Level Invitational .

I’m super excited because I’m getting stronger and gaining skills (muscle up is coming!) and now I want to utilize that. My biggest fear about the competition is that I don’t ever do more than one workout in a day. These usually entail 3 parts.

I have faith in my coach and that it will be a great experience for me. I need to have a goal and not just any goal, a goal that is bigger than what I think I can do.

So, onward we go! Want to come with me?

Also, I want this and with Amazon Prime, shipping is free so that’s like a $25 savings!

KettleBell

And, I tried pancakes with coconut flour. So far I’m not that impressed with coconut flour. Have you used it with success? Please comment and tell me HOW?!

Flashback Friday

Stuff about footwear is always interesting twice. Right?

Shoes: Who needs ‘em?

I Almost Ran a Marathon Part 1

No, I didn’t but what a catchy title, right?

On Saturday my friend Jaala ran a marathon. Jaala is fast and has a mental strength that is pretty much unrivaled in most of the people I know. She ran it in 3:29 which qualifies her for the Boston Marathon, by 11 minutes. This, to me, is awesome.

On the same day, some other friends competed in a competition called the NLI. They did amazing, stacking up quite nicely against some heavy hitters in the Crossfit world.

I woke up on Sunday feeling inspired. I wanted to stay out of the gym but still get my body moving. You know that feeling after you have done a workout? Yeah, I wanted that.

So I decided to go for a run. I put on my Lulu shorts and my NB (old people) shoes and set my course.

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To be honest along the way I had a little argument with myself about how far I would go. Each street I passed I would become more resolved to make it. I had no clue how far the actual mileage was but I wanted to get to my pre-planned turnaround point. I set milestones for myself…”five telephone poles and I will walk 10 steps”…and the like. Have you been there?

As the mid way point approached (and a downhill area YAY!) I began to channel Jaala. I prayed for mental toughness and speed. I’m not sure I got either, but I was able to run all the way home with only one break.

I’m not a runner, people. I have short legs and running a marathon or 1/2 marathon or anything that requires running for periods longer than an hour will never be on my bucket list. Never. Unless it will save someones life, and I mean ACTUALLY save it…not raise money for research. I’ll pay for YOU to run a marathon but as for me, no thanks.

So I got home with a sense of accomplishment and some really tight calves, but it fueled me. I’ve been training without specific focus other than building strength and gymnastics development, which are evident in new skills and abilities but I really needed more. Watching all of my friends DO something with their training made me question, why am I doing this?

To Be Continued…

RX Jump Ropes

This may be my next fitness related purchase.

The one pictured might be a little fat but the RX Jump Ropes people make them in varying diameters depending on where your double under skills are. I really like the way the handle feels and the rope attachment to the handle seems to have a smoother spin than the speed ropes. I’m a little nervous to change though.

Go HERE to read more about them.

Maybe your double unders will look like this…

I get nothing from this company for posting this.

How’s your flossing, and did you put on clean underwear today?

So, I got my teeth cleaned today. It’s been a year and honest to God I did not think it had been that long.

Ever since the “deep cleaning incident” of 2000, I have been pretty religious about going. Not to mention a horrific root canal to give a nice swift kick to the tookus and keep me going.

You don’t EVER want a deep cleaning. Mine had to be done in 2 visits (I’ve heard there are worse.) Lot’s of novacaine and digging into deep places in my mouth. This episode is also what prompted me to get adult braces.

Behold the before and after….

braces before and after

Plus a link to the post when I got them off here.

While most people said they thought my teeth were fine, I always hated that fang and there were some issues that were making teeth cleaning really sucky. So, braces it was and honestly, it was not that bad and it went really fast. I think 18 months.

So flash forward to today. I got my teeth cleaned and of course there was the guilt of not flossing regularly. (Maybe that will be a New Year Resolution? I have a few months to get geared up and work up to it.) But what i don’t get is why they even ask. I know that they know. They know that I know they know. What is the hoped outcome of the question “how’s the flossing?”. I wonder what they would do if I looked them dead in the eye and said “Of course I floss daily. Doesn’t everyone?”

Seriously. I think I deserve a pass. I’m over here trying to get three kids to bathe, put on clean underwear and brush their flipping teeth. I shouldn’t have to floss. When I walk in to the dental office, I should be able to have a flag on my account that says “don’t ask about flossing- mother of three”. Right?

On another note, did you know that you can pass gum disease by sharing food or kissing people who have gum disease? Dang. Had they told me this in high school…haha. I kid. But really, I’ve got to get on my husband….more regular cleanings or no more kissing. For reals.

Do you floss? How often? do you feel bad when you don’t, Or only when the hygienist asks you?

Check out this post from my OLD blog around this time in 2005, right after we got back from New York City and my first ever trip there. What an awesome memory. I love that city!!

She is coming…

She doesn’t warn you with a phone call.

She doesn’t text or email.

It’s more like a sudden kick to the head with an indian(is that racist?) burn on your arm afterwards.

You plan for her arrival, even know when she is supposed to show up, but you’re never REALLY ready.

Supplies purchased. Mental preparations are made and warnings go out to all in the household that may get in her way.

It doesn’t matter, though. You’ll be blindsided. A new habit or action never before seen or experienced.

Don’t get in her way. Even appeasing her with gifts like chocolates or mashed potatoes won’t suffice. She does as she pleases. Just wait it out.

Imagine the peace you’ll have for 3 weeks…before she comes again.

Happy Month To You and Yours!

Flashback Friday – Rest Days and Parties and Cheating, Oh My!

I did a few figure competitions about a lifetime ago or so it feels. Check this post about 5 minutes in to the first month or so of training…how much I learned.

Rest Days and Parties

Must conquer.

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Work.

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Shoes Optional

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