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Friday, May 31, 2013

May Training Recap!

Whew!  May was crazyyyyyy!!!!  I had a blast this month!

It is finally warm and the workouts have moved outside!  YAY!!!

I am part of a road bike group now that rides on Saturday mornings.  Woo Hoo!!!

I am back in school for my second semester...blah.

It was my birthday, Mother's Day, Nurse's Day, Memorial Day!!!  Celebration Station!!!!

I got some cool running/biking gear this month for my birthday and Mother's Day!!

So let me break it down!

Running:
54.0 miles ~ down 6.1 (due to my race tomorrow I cut back this week)

Biking:
103.9 miles ~ up 83 miles!!!  WOW!!!  I am LOVING the bike this year!

Rowing:
15,932.5 meters (9.9 miles) ~ down 2,413.5 meters (1.5 miles)

So how did it go?

I'm loving the bike.  Like for realz.  I almost love my bike as much as my husband and kid.  Seriously.  I'm not kidding.  The feeling I get riding is amazing, it's like no other.  I feel the wind in my hair (kinda) and I often eat bugs too, but you know what, I LOVE it!!!!  Ever since I got White Lightning last June, I've struggled with shifting gears, finding the right cadence, but now I got it.  And I'm good at it.  I've improved my time, and I am able to ride long distances without my "Hoo-Ha" hurting!  YAY!

My rowing and running went down a little.  I've been a little more focused on the bike and I cut back my mileage for the 5K I'm doing June 1st.  I want fresh legs, so I ran three miles this week and rode 23 miles on the bike and no rowing.  I want to PR, so I need to be fresh and ready to roll tomorrow!

Oscar has accompanied me on ALL of my runs but one this month!!  We went trail running last weekend and had a blast.  He's my partner.  Although I'm hooking up with my hubbys co-worker (kinda) tomorrow at the race and I'm gonna make her run with me.  I'm gonna make her do it.  I need a running buddy!!!!!!  She lives close to me, I see her running around sometimes when I'm running, so hey, we need to hook up yo!!!!!!!!

How did your May training go?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

How much is too much?

I know we often ask ourselves, "how much can I take?"  I do it all the time.

Of course it is usually for personal goals, school, and life type stuff.

Well in this case we will discuss how much alcohol is too much for a person, and why don't people know this about themselves?  I mean really.  I have a good example:

Umm, yeah.


Last Friday night after work we had a girls night.  We were celebrating May birthdays, and I cannot pass up a girls night with food and drinks, who can?  I don't have just boo-koo's of friends here, so it was nice to go with these ladies.  They are fun bunch to say the least when we are at work and not drinking!

There was six of us that went (my office only has 10 ladies).  We met up at a new Mexican joint in town known for their tasty food AND awesome drink menu.

We all started with some sort of margarita, I mean it IS a Mexican joint.  I know my personal limit is two, especially since I wanted to drive myself home so I didn't have to call my husband to pick me up (how embarrassing would that be?!?!)  The new girl came too, she's only been with us a few weeks, and she was super excited to go with us.  (Maybe that should've been a clue?)

She had 4-5 margaritas, the large size.  Like huge.  After two she was toast.  She was quite funny at first, then it got a little annoying.  She was asking funny questions to us all, (remember we work at an OB/GYN office) and we all laughed, but I"m telling you, when she went to pee, which was about 6-7 times, it was nice to just chat with the girls.  None of us were drunk, matter of fact, I don't think any of us were tipsy at all.  She asked us why were weren't talking, I simply told her, "we can't fit a word in edgewise".  That kinda made her mad.  Of course I was just telling the truth.

So it was not only annoying to us, but it was annoying to the people around us.  I felt so bad for them.  I was almost embarrassed for my co-worker.  You know that group of ladies that are loud and obnoxious when you are out with your husband and would like a nice dinner?  Well that was us Friday night.  

No only was she talking loud, she was throwing profanities every other second.  Not that I'm a perfect angel, I cuss too, but man, I don't yell them out.  When we were done drinking, she got mad at us and called us all p*@#y's.  OUCH!

So yeah, I was so embarrassed when we left.  We were there for 3 hours.  I just felt bad for the people around us.

I haven't been back to work yet, I only work on Friday now, so I'll see her this week.  I'm not even sure if she'll remember how silly she looked.

So do you know when you've had enough?   This girl is 28 years old, old enough to know the limit, right?

I was young once, and yes, I pushed the limits on my drinking.  I've made a fool of myself, and hell, I've even woke up the next day still drunk, but that was years ago, and NOT with my co-workers!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

A Thursday Rant...

I am a little bit upset.

Yesterday was my birthday.  Birthdays are a big deal.  I love my birthday, I mean for real, love my birthday.  I know some people don't feel the same.  I love the day mostly because I reflect more about the past year on my birthday than I do at the end of the year.  I'm a grown up so I don't expect presents really (well from my husband, yes of course...).  I don't even care about people posting it on my Facebook "Happy Birthday" (of course those things are super nice...).  That is awesome so don't misunderstand, but they are not what I need.

So my day began as a typical day, but of course it was my birthday.  The boys and I went to McDonalds for breakfast ('cause I'm fancy like that), we sent the boy to school, and the hubby took the day off to spend with me.  My mom and dad always call early to wish me a happy birthday.

I guess I expected my brother to call or text me.  I mean he is my brother.  He knows when my birthday is (at least I think).  Well I didn't hear from him at all that day.  It's not the first time he's not called, but it always kinda upsets me.  Why you ask?  I'm not sure.  I guess because he's my brother.

I posted at pic on Facebook of the hubby and I on my birthday (I usually take a pic of us on my birthday, not sure why).  My brother commented on the pic, "Happy Birthday.  Sorry I'm late, I worked yesterday".  No call, no text, he commented on a picture at 12:41pm, the next day!!!

Is it wrong that I am pissed about it?  I would NEVER do that to him, NEVER.  I always call him on his birthday, if he doesn't answer, which he usually doesn't, I text him.

My thought when I read the comment was, "did you work the entire 24 hours that was my birthday?"  "Did you even know it was my birthday?"  I also said some things out loud in the car that I probably shouldn't repeat.

I guess maybe I'm just old fashioned?  I don't know, but my feeling are hurt.

How would you feel if a sibling didn't at least acknowledge your birthday...on the actual day?

Maybe I'm just over reacting, but it still hurt my feelings.  I guess I am a little bit of a softie sentimental type person...

Other than that, my day was perfect.  It was perfect weather, I ran with Oscar, did some shopping, ate some Thai food, and took a nap.  I mean really, what more could a girl ask for?

Monday, May 20, 2013

Last week in a nutshell

This week/weekend is a little bittersweet.  I start school next week, so I am going to just working on Fridays.  I love my peeps at work, well most of them.  This week was full of orthodontist appointments, studying, doing learning modules for the hospital, and studying.  Oh yeah, and I had to fit a little bit of shopping in there too...

It's been super warm the past week.  When I got in the car to come home Wednesday, this was the temp on the pavement:



So Tuesday and Thursday morning (my only days off...) I spent at the orthodontist with J.  My kiddo needs braces (again).  I got the estimate Friday morning.  All I can say is, I'm in the wrong business, I should have been an orthodontist 'cause they make the mega bucks.

Since both of those mornings were busy, I planned on a solo bike ride Thursday afternoon.  I had to buy some scrubs for clinicals* this summer, when I headed home I planned to jump on the bike for a quick 10 mile ride, but this happened:


So yeah, no bike ride on Thursday.

Friday was uneventful.  Had some crazies at work, but what's new?  Pregnancy makes women crazy.   I bought some alcoholic beverages, came home, and this happened:

Note, that is an empty bottle...


Our Saturday morning bike ride was a no go.  It had rained all night, and was raining that morning.  I'm all for the rain on a run, but not on the bike.

Since Saturday was a crappy weather day, we went and saw the new Star Trek movie.  I'm not a "Trekkie", but those movies are good, and quite funny if you have a sarcastic sense of humor (like me).

Instead of a morning bike ride, the hubby and I decided to ride the trainer (his idea, NOT mine).  We did 10 miles.  He beat me by 1.5 minutes.  Ugh.  (Not that we were racing...)

Sunday I had every intention of going hiking with J since the hubby was going kayaking with some friends.  It was foggy so we didn't go, the point of hiking (to me) is when you finally get to the top you want a view, so we opted out.  Oscar and I ran instead.

This next week is going to be amazing though, I get to hook up with my nursing buds I haven't seen in 3 weeks, and guess what else?!?!

It's my birthday week!!!!!!!  Woo Hoo!!!!!!



So how was your weekend?  Was the weather nice?  

I know it was crappy here!  Welcome to spring in Virginia!



* Why is this not a word?  I mean clinicals is what students do.  It wants to correct it to clinical or clinically.  Am I right or wrong?  I've always said 'clinicals', but that doesn't make it right!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Weekend wrap-up

This past weekend was awesome.  I mean like for real awesome.  The hubby is on his break from school and I am too, so there was no studying going on.  The weather was great (a little on the cool side) sunny and breezy.  We spent most of our weekend outdoors, which is what we love.

I started off Friday night with Mexican food, with a side of Margarita.  It had more than a shot of tequila in it.  It burned the whole way down my throat.  I drank it anyway.  Then the hubby had to drive me home...

YUM!


On Thursday of last week I got an email from the bike store saying they are going to start beginner/novice bike rides on Saturdays this summer and asked if I was interested.  Ummm YEAH!  I quickly RSVP'd!!!  I bought 'White Lightning' last June and rode her all summer, and in the winter I rode her on the trainer.  She's a beauty, and I was ready to get her back out on the road.  I talked with the hubby, he was game, so we loaded up Saturday morning, met 11 other people and rode for 18 miles.  Ahhhhh-mazing!!!!!  I used my hydration pack the hubby got me for Mother's Day, and it worked perfectly!!  It was so fun, I think I smiled the entire way.  Meeting new people, chatting along the way, enjoying the mountains....it was great!  So many times I wanted to pull out my phone and take pics, but that would be dangerous, that's almost like texting and driving!!!!  Just take my word for it, it was beautiful!!

Before our bike ride

A few of the peeps we rode with


Now if I could only find a running group like that, I'd be set!

Saturday afternoon the boys went kayaking while I stayed at home and caught up on my shows.  I don't do kayaking, but they do, so it was perfectly fine with me.

Sunday morning Oscar and I got up to run 4 miles then the boys took me out to breakfast.  After breakfast we went on a hike close to Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's house).  We took Oscar with us since he was overly energetic that morning.  Since we had Oscar, we couldn't go to certain parts of the trail.  Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalks, so we had to stick to gravel/dirt paths.  Which kinda sucked.  I heard the boardwalks are great, so we will have to go sometime without Oscar.

On our hike, J looks excited...

Drinking from the tap


After our hike, we came home and took a 3 hour nap.  It was probably the best mother's day I've had.  Run, breakfast, hike, nap....yeah, it was the best...

Could he not be ANY cuter?


Seriously?
How was your weekend?  Is the weather finally nice where you are?

I'm glad ours is finally warming up.  Not where I'd like it, but at least the sun was shining!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Thursday's Random Thoughts and a measurement update...

I'm in a bit of a random-ness mood.  My mind has been jumbled all week.  You'd think my first week off of school I'd be all relaxed.  Well not really.  I have lots of things that need to be done before I start back in a few weeks.

I went mountain biking on Sunday with the boys.  I wrecked trying to jump a tree root.  Obviously the tree root won.  My left leg is all bruised and a little scraped up, but that's cool 'cause I think bruises are sexy, especially (only) if you get them doing cool shit like jumping tree roots.

It has rained every day since Sunday.  Well except today.  Oscar and I finally went out for a run this morning, I think we both needed it.  I am not afraid of the rain, BUT when it's raining sideways and lightning out, I'll stay in.  I was a little sore from the wreck, so it was nice to get all the junk out.

How in the hell did I miss that this week was Nurses Week?!?!  I mean seriously!  I've been a nurse for 11 years and this is the first year I forgot!!  Well kinda.  I did forget, but was reminded, so I made sure I called my mom and told her Happy Nurses Day.  Yeah, 'cause she's cool and a nurse just like me!  (I can say that because I was a nurse before she was!!  Ha, ha mom!  I love you!)


I saw this on someone's FB, and I stole it!


I've been cleaning out closets and getting rid of junk.  And organizing.  An OCD-ers paradise!

Tonight is J's final orchestra concert of the year.  I can't wait.  I seriously love it.  He's kinda glad it's the last one, but he is going to be in the orchestra again next year.  I think that's pretty awesome.

I went to Target today and bought these....

Umm, yeah.  Perfection in a cookie container.


Just when I thought Oreos were already perfect, they went and did this.  It IS my birthday month and all, so I HAD to buy some!!

J wanted his bathroom redone.  I've been trying to get him to change it for a while, but he never saw anything he liked.  Until Sunday.  So Tuesday I went back to Target and bought the stuff to redo it.  I think it looks all grown up.  He picked each item out himself.  Where did my baby boy go???

Before:




After:

Yes, that is a tag on the rug, and it is not longer there.



I'm already studying for my test that is on the first day I go back.  How awesome is that?  A test the first day back from break.  Nursing school is weird.

So about those measurements...

Yeah, they sucked.  I did them on the 7th, and I was not happy.  Of course I really shouldn't be surprised since my training numbers went down, but my running went up.  Guess that's what I get for going on vacation and being busy and too lazy to fit a workout in.  Oh well.  I've already biked more miles this month than last month, and it's only the 9th, so I'm gonna be fine.  But isn't it weird I ran more last month than in previous months and gained?  Hmmm....

Here it is, and it's ugly...

Thighs +1/2 inch
Hips   same
Waist  +1/2 inch
Arms  same  (thank goodness!!!)
Belly  +1.5 inches (yikes!  I was 'bloated' if you know what I mean...)
Weight  - .2  (Not sure how I lost a little...)

% body fat  -1.3%  (and I'm not sure how that happened either...)

So let me explain...

Okay, so there is no excuse really for the waist and belly...I mean I was bloated, but I didn't think it was that much.

The thighs did get bigger, but I don't think it's fat.  I'm not one to toot my own horn, but my legs are leaner now than they have ever been.  Maybe that's why my % body fat went down?  I dunno.  I do know it makes buying a new pair of khakis and shorts difficult...

So my numbers are weird.  I mean really.  I lost weight and  %, but gained in the middle.  How does that happen?  I don't have a clue.  I just hope next month is better...

So what do you think?  Do you think it's strange?
I know I do.  I'm sure it'll even itself out soon, but when a girl is a numbers freak, it's hard NOT to freak out!!!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

April Training

This month wasn't as great as previous months.

I took a vacation for a week.  I was only able to run on vacation.  And I ran 21 miles.

I didn't run but 3 miles one week.  I just wasn't feeling it.

So yeah, I slacked a bit.

But then this and this happened.

And now that I feel better and more motivated, I'll get out a little more.

And with warmer weather on the way, I feel running and biking are going to be on the 'to do' list.

I've already started running early with Oscar before anyone is awake (YAY!)

So here's the breakdown:

Running:
60.1 miles  ~  Up 18.6 from March

Biking:
20.9 miles  ~  Down 42.7 (yikes!)

Rowing:
18,346 meters (11.4 miles)  ~  Down 9.4

I had a lot of deficits this month.  Of course I could sit here all day and blog about how busy I was, or that I went on vacation.  Blah, blah, blah.  No one wants to hear that crap.

I will say this, if I could've taken my bike on vacay, I would have!!

I did get to try new things this month, running at altitude, hiking, trail running, and snowboarding.  I think because I'm pretty fit, those things came pretty easy to me.  (Well maybe not the snowboarding, but that's a whole other kind of sport...)

I was also still waiting on spring to come here in Virginia.  It was so cold, and I was so over running in cold.

Although when I did get to run in shorts and short sleeved shirts, I felt naked!!!!

The good news is, spring is finally here.  I'm ready.  Of course that means lots more runs in the rain, and I'm perfectly fine with that.

So here's to May!  The most best-est month EVER!  And it's 'National Running Month', who couldn't run a little more?!?!

How did your April training go?

Friday, May 3, 2013

How I spent my first day with no school

A little afternoon Ellen

Evening attire, I know, you're jealous of my matching abilities...

And who doesn't need a good ole drink?



It was my first official day off from all things school.  

It was a good day.  



Thursday, May 2, 2013

Random Though Thursday!!

I'm finally DONE with the spring semester!!!  Woo Hoo!!  It's official I made 2 A's so far, I'm still waiting on my Pharmacology final grade, but I'm thinking it'll be a B.

No more school until the 20th.  Well kinda. I have a test on the first day of class.  Nice.

Eddard Stark, you're my hero! (Even if they did cut your head off!)


May is my MOST favorite month!!!  It's the month that is the awesome-est!!  It has Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and MY BIRTHDAY!!  I celebrate the entire month of May!  Woot!



Oscar and I are running partners again.  With summer on the way I can get up at 5:45am and it is light enough and still cool enough (for now) to get a quick 4-5 miles in.  And why not take Oscar, he's super ferocious!!!  And with less traffic, he does much better!

This time next year, May 15th to be exact, I will be graduating!!!!!!!  WHAT?!?!  Oh yeah!  Even more reason to celebrate May!



The hubby wanted a few ideas for Mother's Day.  What is on my list?

Hydration pack, this one is MADE for women!!  Awesome-sauce!


In pink of course!



He was going to get me the super cool shoes in my previous post here, but I couldn't wait.  I needed a "I finished the first semester of nursing school" gift!!



What is your most favorite month?

If it isn't May, well then you need your head examined!  (just kidding, just kidding to any literal readers out there...)







Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Did you know...

 May is National Running month?

These are the new kicks I'll be wearing...





By far the coolest shoes I've owned.  Ever.