Random Tuesday

So, today started with a hard nearly-4 mile run in the neighborhood ... this was after oversleeping and not running at 5:45 AM with my girlies. Whoops. So guilt forced me out the door at 9:15 AM when it was already HOT. But, I managed 3.89 miles in under a 10 minute mile, so go me.

Funniest sight along the way ... "50 Shades of Gray Painting Company" sign in someone's yard. How much business is that guy getting!?!

Next, I went to visit a potential Showhouse location for the Junior League. Amazing, but I have been sworn to secrecy, but AMAZING including hand-forged wrought iron, elevator, murals, etc. etc.

A trip to Wally World with the girls who managed to get in and out of the cart about 1,000 times, but I was proud when there were no meltdowns over not buying miniature etch-a-sketches.

A late and much needed shower turned into someone scribbling with a green marker over all of the throw pillows on the sofa. Arrrrgh. No one fessed up, but luckily, everything came out and nearly all of the slipcovers are clean and hanging to dry around our house.

The night ended with dinner prepared by moi, a family walk around the neighborhood, a skinned knee, hydrangea picking, bathtime and bedtime.

Now, off to read Catching Fire ... I might have to download the 3rd book tonight. Squeeal!

Where to go, what to do

I had the opportunity to serve in a big role (President) of my local Junior League. As much as it has been a sacrifice and true learning opportunity, it has also afforded me skills, strengths, and dedication that I didn't know I had. It pushed my limits, humbled me on so many occasions, and gave me so much more than I ever bargained for.

As the last few days of my term are coming to a close and my part-time job is over, I am now faced with a looming WHAT'S NEXT?

I have worked part time, but made this volunteer position a priority. I have relied on my husband, family, preschool, and sitters to take care of my children.

There is part of me that literally wants to lie on the sofa, eat cheese and wheat thins, catch up on all my reading, Mad Men watching, etc, but then part of me is itching to figure out the next phase.

So, I am applying for jobs, or trying to find jobs to apply to. I am working my connections and trying to make this next step one that will be positive, life-changing, and done for the right reasons.

I am trying to sit down on the floor and play princess, or color, or just sit and read without worrying about the computer, or email, or phone calls.

I am trying to enjoy time with the Hubby that we can just talk, or not talk, and not worry about the computer, or email, or phone calls, or agendas.

I am trying to spend time with my friends that have probably suffered during this experience. I know I haven't been as available as I would have liked and without those women, I wouldn't have been able to do this. I didn't mean to put some of our friendships on hold, but in some ways I feel like I have.

I am going to run a marathon ... that in itself is still a little unbelievable and after a hard-as-hell 6 mile run yesterday, I have realized that I have to get my mind wrapped around this.

I am hoping to use this blog more, get back into writing, and using this community for the positive messages that it does bring.

So, stay tuned!

Getting older stinks

So, I had been having some pretty regular foot pain, especially when I ran, so I took a couple of weeks off while I was waiting for an appointment with the local Sports Medicine Doc/Running Guru.

My appointment was Thursday morning and I set off with my new and old shoes and a bit of trepidation.  Dr. Google had turned up stress fracture on more than one occasion, and I'm definitely one that can go off the deep-end when presented with several options to consider.

So, it turns out that my left arch is falling/fallen and causing my toes to splay out incorrectly, throw off my form, etc. In thinking back to the 3-Day walk, I had some upper foot pain and I know wonder if it's now all related.

I left with new inserts and a pad for my arch and directions to come back for custom orthotics before Marathon training begins and a diagnosis of metatarsalgia, and to start running again, but take it slow.

I took the inserts on a little 2+ mile run/walk through the park. I felt good, felt pretty fast, but have no idea of my pace or distance because Garmina had a low battery from lack of use. So, I'll stick with the I felt fast comment and keep it at that.

All around, a decent run. I didn't have any pain, except a touch when going up hills and everything felt good.

So thankful to not have any major issues and to be able to get back to it.

A little insomnia

will get you ...

Two organized kitchen drawers.

A pot of coffee.

A few returned emails.

Edits to a weekly e-newsletter.

Bad drawings on DrawSomething.

A little Facebooking/Blog reading/online newspaper reading.

Calendar updating.

A found tax letter that wasn't in our file to go to the CPA.

Feeling somewhat productive, sleepy, but not enough to fall asleep.

MCM 26.2 ... here I come

So, I can now officially say that I have REGISTERED for the Marine Corp Marathon. I ran the Quantico 10K on St. Patrick's Day and received my golden ticket that guaranteed me an entry.

But, now ... I may be on the verge of my first real injury. Of course, I have already been using Dr. Google and doing too much self diagnosis.  When I ran on Tuesday, my toes hurt.  One of my running buddies asked if I were limping.  I had to be honest and admit, my toes/foot has been hurting for a while.

So, I did the responsible thing and booked an appointment with the Sports Medicine Doc who is on a first name basis with the majority of our local running community.  I am also planning to go back to our running store to see if perhaps my latest pair of Brooks are somehow not meshing well. I have also taken a break from running, just to see if I had tweaked something and needed a break.

So, here I sit ... reading emails about possible long runs in the morning, but replying "no" and contemplating spin classes instead.

So, anyone out there ever had bursitis, stress fractures, or neuromas?

Yes, please talk me off the bridge now, please.

Now we're talking

Food and running. Running and food.

I can always talk/write about those two topics, so here goes.

Some of my running faves.

1. Garmin - yes, I love having a Garmin to keep track of time/pace while running, to analyze the heck out of fast runs/slow runs afterward.  It has been a helpful tool for me.  Otherwise,  I would have completely no idea how fast or how far I am running.  This is the one that Hubby and I have. Nothing fancy and we found it on sale at Target.

2. Shoes.  For me, it is the Brooks Adrenaline. I have been wearing these for several years and they are my favorite.  I wear them about a 1/2-1 whole size bigger than my normal shoe size.  They give me enough support that I need, don't seem to rub blisters like some other shoes did, and while they aren't cheap, they definitely aren't the most expensive shoe out there.  I do recommend, go to your local running store and get properly fitted for shoes.  I promise you that it makes a difference.

3. Of course, it's also all about the clothes.  I typically run in jog bras/tanks/tees from Target in the C9 line. Cheap, cute, and made with wicking material is usually good enough for me.  I did discover Old Navy running capris this that have been wonderful.  You can typically find them on sale for $15 and I think for the price, they are as good as the expensive brands.  I also love the Nike Tempo Track shorts, skirts from Brooks, and running jackets from Moving Comfort.   I go back and forth between paying $10 for a shirt to blowing the bank on a Moving Comfort jacket at a race Expo when I didn't properly pack.

4. Just so I can incorporate food into the conversation ... some of my favorite pre-run foods include bananas, oatmeal, whole wheat toast with peanut butter & banana, mini Luna bars or mini Clif bars.  I tend to run primarily in the morning, so breakfast foods are typically what I eat. It also depends on the mileage, time of day, how late I oversleep, and when I ate dinner the previous night if it's an early run.

While running, I like Clif Shot Blocks (a bit chewy, but they tend to be more gentle on my stomach), Honey Stinger chews, or Gu Chomps.   Sometimes I will pack a mini Luna bar, or try to schedule runs so I can pick up a banana from my car.  I have a couple of running buddies who will run with a banana, but I'm not sure if I'm that graceful.

Post-run, I am usually all about coffee, chocolate milk, gatorade, etc. Then, my hunger hits and I try to make healthy choices so I don't ruin the benefits of the run!  Again, I think that meal depends on the mileage, time of day, and when I ate dinner the previous night!

Marathon training officially begins in June, so there will definitely be more on this topic to follow.

Deep thoughts

So how bad is it when the blog is neglected for a month and no one notices?  Ahem.

I don't do twitter, so I don't feel like I can switch that platform.

I'm not really blogging about "love and labradors" anymore.  I could quite possibly change the title to "Volunteering, running, chasing two princesses, whilst trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up." A bit too long, don't you think.

I've contemplated shutting it down, but I love this community and still enjoy checking in on folks, stalking other blogs, re-reading old posts when I actually used to write.

So, in a nutshell, here is what is going on:

• Two more months left of life as a Junior League President - I think this could be a blog in itself.
• Contemplating full-time jobs and daycare.
• Enjoying my time with two nearly four-year-olds that add light, laughs, and gray hair to my days.
• I will be running a MARATHON this October.
• Thinking about turning 40(!) next year.

Hopefully, I'll figure out a direction soon, or at least post more than once a year. 

xoxo 

Day 24

See Day 12.

We only have one bathroom cabinet/medicine cabinet and I don't use it, so ... here is the hall/bathroom closet.  Again.

Day 23

Shoes.

70 degrees - I think I can wear the.peeptoes. Who am I kidding, I have probably worn these when its 40 degrees.

Day 23

Where I work.

This is what it looks like when you're a part-timer and don't get to work until 9:30. Full parking lot.

Day 21

A favorite photo of you.

I just unearthed this one recently.  This was taken in the kitchen sink of the first house my parents owned.  Digging the harvest gold everything & speckled formica counters/backsplash.  I still remember when we went from harvest gold to white.

Day Twenty

Handwriting

Thank you notes and part of a to-do list.
I wonder what my handwriting would say about me.  Hmmmm.

Day Nineteen

I know it doesn't look like much, but what lurks in here is the garbage and recycling bins.

I don't mind the throwing it in there part, but I hate the throwing it away, changing the bag, cleaning the gunk that misses the trash can part.  Lucky for me, most of the time, Hubby is the designated garbage-taker-outer.

Day Eighteen

Drink.

Coffee.  'Nuff said.

I realize I missed a few ... here's to hoping I can make it through the rest of the month!

Day Fifteen

Phone.

Currently resides in our phone cubby in our 1939 home.

Day Fourteen

Heart.

Twelve.

Inside my closet.

Since my clothes closet is scary, I opted for our hall closet.

This is a little tray and bottles from Anthropologie that I love.  A few perfume bottles and antique hair barrettes always make me smile when I open the door.

Eleven.

Makes me happy.

For sure.

Now, when March rolls around and they've already finished blooming, I may not be as happy.

Ten

Self portrait day.

This actually worked out well as a new event marketing idea was being tested by the employees at work today.

Nine.

A photo of my home away from home front door ... the Junior League Headquarters.