Halloween, as an adult

As a kid I wanted with anticipation for Halloween.

Now?  It's a day that makes the dog go crazy!  (most dogs have issues with Halloween, FYI)

from Hot Topic

This year there is a big to do at work.  But I'm still dressing up.  I'm dressing up as a student.

A Hogwarts student.  I bought the sweater a size too big, but I'll make it work.

(I'm getting into the spirit today by wearing TFIOS earrings)

There's a plan to hit up the Rocky Horror Picture Show later on Friday night.

But hey... candy goes on sale on Saturday....

But it's at 11.  And I'm old (and sick.  I've been sick all week)

In the scary news:  I have a half marathon in a week and 2 days.  I need to get back out running, but have been exercising with Just Dance 2015.  It's not bad.... but there are aspects from the last few games that I wish I could mesh together.

I miss the sweat mode from JD 4...

Back of the Pack Runners

We all know that I'm not the fastest thing on two legs.  I don't know if I'll ever be!  Most days I don't consider myself a real runner, since I walk during my races.

This is my philosophy:

My goal?  a 16 minute mile.  I'd like to keep a consistent 15 minute mile, though.

This summer I ran the Bay Days 8K.  I remember being alarmed when a race that had a 90 minute time window was going to have the awards ceremony after an hour.

What about those that couldn't finish in an hour?  I know they wouldn't get an award.... but would they be forgotten?

It seems that other people have noticed that at times the back of the pack people get forgotten.

Other people have noticed it too.  It started out with this blogger (who is normally speedy, but decided to walk the race), then others started speaking up: One example here

I still vividly remember my thoughts as I walked back tired and hungry that day. I’d just run an entire 10k and was on a super high at something that I had never ever done before. And I was let down by the racing community who indirectly told me that being that slow was no good to even receive the water and banana that I had paid for.

And here:

If the course is advertised to be open for 3:30 from the start then it should be open and fully supported for that time and any runners who fall behind should be picked up or checked on for safety. It’s not special treatment to support ALL the runners within the time limit advertised. 

I'm not a fast runner, and thankfully none of the Flat Out Events or J&A Racing runs have ever tried to pack up on the slower runners.

You know what?  The medals that I have won aren't participation medals.  They are finisher medals.  I've worked hard for each and every one that is on my wall.

Finishing is a HUGE accomplishment.  For me, it's more important than trying to be first.

Vet trials and tribulations

Are we going in the car????

I don't care how much you hate the doctor.  Misty hates it worse!

Ever since I dropped her off and they scooped out her lady-bits...

It has so bad when we dropped her off last year for her dental, we almost had to pick her up again.  She was that freaked out.

Sunday was her semi-annual exam.

I took reinforcements.

Not the vet!!!!

The SE went with me.

And Misty did so well!  No one got bit!  And she didn't have to wear a muzzle!

But she was obviously tired and unhappy when we got home.

She left me a present in front of the sink then hid under the couch.

The bad thing is:  Misty weighs 13 pounds.  She really should be 11.5 to 12.

Did you say walkie???

What does that mean?  More big walkies.  So this little lady is going to go running with me in the mornings.  At least 3 days a week.

She hates walkies during the heat of the summer and in the snow.  But right now?  Perfect walkie weather.

Also, we have to cool it with the treats.

I guess both she and I could stand to lose a pound or two!

GamerGate

I've been following this.

And honestly, I don't get it.

To get caught up, go here.

I don't want to get into bias and corruption in gaming journalism.  Because this is SO much bigger than that.

How this started is so incredibly not important compared to the escalation that has happened.

Seriously, if the only way to win your argument is to issues rape threats and death threats and then publish the personal information of your female targets so the threats can be carried out....

It doesn't matter what your position is.  You've already lost.

Why?

because whatever point that you made is lost in the ugliness of the threats.  I don't even care about the original opinion.  I don't care what started it.  It's gone WAY beyond that.

I'll never understand why these men are SO threatened that they have to resort to this.  Why ANY man is to threatened that they have to resort to this.

You win some, You lose some

This afternoon was a win!

Why?  Well, other that it being oppressively hot for this time of year, it was also the Employee Appreciation Carnival.

And they had an adult bouncy house!!

Actually, it was like an obstacle course.  Like a REALLY padded Ninja warrior course...

I did it 3 times!

I even tried the climbing tower!  I got halfway up before the heights got to me!

I was a hot, sweaty mess, but man did I have fun!

Those lose some:  There no way I'm winning this DietBet.  I was SO close for the last round, this round I can't seem to manage it.

I've just been feeling off in general.

I read this article, and something clicked.  I'm working on the stress, and the sleep.  The water is an eternal battle.  But the last two made me pause.  Now before you go start saying that I have to give up everything fun in my life (dairy, meat, sugar), that's not going to happen.  I'm working on my portion size.  It's a battle of mine.  But I do want to add a probiotic to my daily regimen.  I have a coupon AND one is on sale at Target.  I also need to look into adding more fiber.  it's supposed to keep you fuller, longer.

Unfortunately, the last two require money.  Money is tight these days.  Do this weekend's fun is going to be substituted for my health.

Gimme a W!!!

I know I've mentioned this before, but Marching Band was a HUGE part of my High School years.

Yup, cut me, and I bleed Blue and Gold!

I don't know why I looked, but I knew that the band was travelling, so I looked up where (they've come to Virginia Beach before) and yup, it was Virginia Beach again!  Did I go?

You bet your sweet bippy I did!!

The Spousal Equivalent went, since no one else could, and since he was sick we left right after West Genny played.

He now fully understands what I mean when I saw West Genny is committed to excellence!

Before I get into the competition, let me break down the scores:

• West Genesee:  86.1
• Princess Anne High School: 84.450
• Potomac Falls High: 83.575
• York High: 82.6
• Tabb High: 82.450
• (and everyone else)

See?  Excellence!

The night started out with the smaller bands, and went to the larger ones.  (we left before Princess Anne, I actually really wanted to see them!)

I have some thoughts.  And these thoughts are mainly about colorguard and Visual Effect.

I'm very serious when I say that some of these guards need like a day with anyone who is skilled in guard work to clean them up a bit.  Body facings were off.  Messy flag work.  Eyes on the box, not on the ground!

But in these girls defense, it was super windy.  I saw flags being ripped out of people's hands!

But with the lower classes of bands, the music was really good!  (Some of the marching needed a bit of help...)  I'd love to see the guard add to the over all effect, not detract from it! 

Now, I waited all night.  We were there on the cold metal benches for hours waiting for what I hoped was going to happen.

The band started to take the field and a parent bellowed from somewhere on the stands above me:

"GIMME A W!!!!!"

I felt tears spring to my eyes are I shouted back.  I remember being on the field, and hearing my parents join that cheer.  I remember cheering that same cheer as we left the huddle before competitions.  I remember being at States one year and hearing the parents rows below me shouting it.  It's the same cheer that has been used since before my years in band, and I'm thrilled that it's being used now.  (They spell out WILDCATS, for those that didn't get it)

The band was excellent, as always.  I know that kids won't do anything except for their very best.  And by the end I was a bit misty in the eyes.  Because I remember what it was like to be out there.  I remember what it was like when you heard the crowd cheer.  I remember what I was like when all just fell away and you performed the very best show.

The take away?

I really have to go for the reunion parade in 2016!!!!

Right now?  A bath.  My back is killing me!!

'Tis the Season

I have a December birthday.  What does that mean?  It means that the questions will start coming:  What do you want for your birthday and Christmas?

I've been thinking about that.

And the answer is... I don't really want "things."

I have a house full of stuff.

Now I've expressed desire for the Toothless Build a Bear and the world's most perfect sweater, but do I really need them?

Not really.

All in all, I haven't been buying many physical objects of late.  (with the exception of running gear.  I've been trying to build up my running gear)  I download audible.com audio books.  I stream movies and shows from Amazon Instant Video.  I buy the occasional treat from Food Ireland and Trader Joe's.  I sign up for races.

After living in a few different homes over the last few years, I've become to learned that I don't need much in terms of "things."

What I want for Christmas this year:  The ability to pay for my races.  The ability to pay for a Disney vacation (to run the Princess Half). The ability top pay to go to Diagon Alley.  People to go with us to Christmastown (We're home for the holidays this year and no one is visiting).  being able to pay for healthy groceries would be a plus too.

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Morning

Ever have one of those mornings?  The type were you just wish you had gone back to bed?

I did.

It was going well.  I did my morning walk.  (Around the block this time.  Letting my injury heal and all)  I then looked at my email.

Bad math cost me $35 in overcharge fees.

I hate it when I do that!

I managed to figure that out, and forgot to turn on the stove for my breakfast.  20 minutes later, I had that figured out when I dropped my container of faux-sugar.  I then battled with the dog.  I wanted to clean it with a mop.  She wanted to clean it with her tongue.  I won.

By 7 am I wanted to go back to bed and get back up tomorrow.

Driving to work I ran down the incredibly long list of chores that I want to accomplish before tomorrow.  Picking up the porch.  Cleaning up the entry way.  Sorting and putting away clothes.  Putting away the box of odds and ends that i collected last night.  Vacuuming.  Dishes.  Taking out the trash.  Making dinner...

I do not know what brought of this immense desire to clean all the things (well, clean my living room)  But maybe the place will look nice by this weekend!

My New Training Plan

As we know, I'm injured.

It's not awful, and it's getting better, but it hurts.

What I need is a plan!


This week:  Walkies.  See this?  Misty likes this plan!  Not a run in sight.  A nice morning walkie (with the puppy).  I'll start out short and work up to walking the distance of my morning run.  In case of rain, some strength training.

Nest week, I try for one short run!

I have this deadline looming in front of me:  October 15th.  That's the last day that I can defer the Massive Medal Half.  I REALLY don't want to.  I'm sincerely hoping that this injury is nothing and I'll be right as rain tomorrow.

But tonight it's more advil.  More ice.  More rest.

2014 Crawlin Crab 5K and half

It happened folks!  The races are done!

On Saturday morning I ran the 5K.  Gail and I did, actually.  I had a slight personal best (Like by 20 seconds), but I ran the fastest mile split ever, at 13:22 minutes!

The course was nice and semi flat, but the volunteers were the most blase and uninterested ever!

 But for race organization, J&A totally win!

Sunday morning was a less rushed affair.  I got dropped off and immediately realized that it was COLD!  The car said it was 47 degrees.  And there I was in a running shirt and capris.

Unlike the 4 corrals for the 5K, there were 6 for the half.  It took almost 10 minutes for us to start the race.

I walked more of the race than I wanted to.  I did it all with my friend Renee.  It was our first half.  It was her suggestion that for the next half I set my timer to 1 minute of running and 3 of walking, and I think I'm going to try that!

The course was amazing.  We went through downtown Hampton, by churches were the parishioners came out to cheer.  There were marching bands and cheerleaders from Hampton University.  The volunteers and police were cheering us on.  heck, people sat in lawn chairs in their yard to cheer us on!

Can I tell you that having ports-potties at all the water stops was a god-send!!  Seriously!!  The curse of the small bladder came to haunt me during this race.

Mile 9 and 10 swung around Chesapeake Ave with views of the million dollar houses and the bay.  it was cool, sunny and breathtaking.  I was SO glad that I bought the $3 hat at the expo (it says Leukemia and Lymphoma society on it).

Around mile 12 my knees started to hurt.  Not my knees... the backs of my knees.  Mile 13 it was more than a little painful.

But I finished.  My goal was 3:30 hours and a 16 minute pace.  I ended up with 3:34 and a 16:24 pace.

And I'm ok with that.

Today the back of the right knee is painful and sore.  I have plans to ice it, sit with my feet up and to get a massage.

And do some laundry.

The next race is in a month... so tomorrow I try out some walking.  Hopefully I can run a bit next week.

It's that time of the year!

I bought my first pack of pumpkin spice k-cups yesterday.  (Target's house brand, they are the best, in my opinion)  I also bought the Spousal Equivalent some pumpkin ice cream from Trader Joes as well.

Yes, it's trendy.. but I like pumpkin flavor, so I'll take it.

I ran today.  A bit...  I haven't felt all that well in a week or so.  Nothing huge.  Tummy issues and a headache.  I figure rest along with pain killers and maybe a probiotic might help this.

What I really need to do is shake the blues that have settled hard on me.

Not really the blues.  More like the blahs.

I tweeted this yesterday:

I got many responses, both on twitter and on Facebook.  Which warmed my heart!  Today I've been listening to a lot of Sutton Foster, both excited for and dreading the race this weekend.

Then I got a call.  I have a mammogram tomorrow.

Puppies are messy business

Puppies don't sleep in.  At least ours doesn't.

If I decide to sleep in, I know I'll have a surprise waiting for me.  I'm a lazy pet parent, hence the pee pee pads in and around our bedroom.  But sleeping in on a weekend can lead to other surprises to clean up.  This weekend I cleaned up a few surprises.  One such surprise came about because my genius puppy forgot to potty in her excitement that there was a cat outside.

The best thing anyone has ever gotten for me was our Bissell rug cleaner.

I only mention this because this morning I was a good pet parent and took the pup out early.  Instead of running my usual run, I walked it.  With Misty.  She doesn't like walking the Spousal Equivalent to the bus stop anymore, and I've been lazy, so she hasn't gotten out for more than short walks.

Did I mention that there in just a few days until the half marathon??  Part of me is feeling rather confident.  The other part of me is terrified.

Though when I complete the challenge, and get my three medals, you bet your ass that I'm wearing those medals to work.

After I take a day off for a massage and couch time.