I can't believe it has been over 5 weeks since my last post. What have I been up to? Hmmm...
Well, I am running. Not as much as I set out to. My goal was four days a week and I would be a running machine. It started out that way and then, well...
Ok, so now I am 2-3 times a week. Not great, but not bad. I should run my first 5k by the end of the month. WHAT!?! Ugh... I mean, really? This whole being active thing is cutting into my lazy, drinking wine on the couch days!
I am pretty sure I am the slowest runner on Earth. I would never make it in Africa. Seriously, a large animal could be chasing me and I would have to turn around and ask it to slow down and if maybe we could take a break. Just a short one, then I swear you can keep chasing me. The good news is that I lost weight, so I am not as meaty... therefore, not as appetizing. But I am sure this big, hairy beast still finds me appealing.
Too bad we aren't talking about men...
Today's Lesson: No matter how slow you are, at least you are moving!
So I planned to run before the Pink Door Board Meeting last night, but as I turned into my neighborhood it was lightning. I am too precious to get struck by that electronic crap from the sky so I decided to eat dinner and have a glass of wine instead. Oh, if only you could follow my train of thought on that one.
Of course, the sky was completely clear on my way to the meeting which left me a wee bit disgruntled as I am not the biggest fan of running in the dark. Anyway... We had a great Board Meeting and got done a little before 8:30PM. I knew I needed to stay on schedule so I ran in my neighborhood when I got home. It was dark, so I avoided the retention pond & Pinemont Street in front of the 'hood.
I mean, I don't always think before I do things (scroll up, see wine before long meeting and a run) but I do have some logic that shows up every now and again. Sadie was feeling down b/c I left her alone all day while at work and then left her again for the meeting. No, she didn't tell me in our secret language - I can just read it in her eyes. Other dog owners get that statement... people without pets, or those with cats, just realized that I revealed that I am a wee bit cra cra.
Sadie and I headed out on the neighborhood streets to get in the 2 mile walk/run. It's a great "adventure" as I learned a few lessons that I think others need to know before they start running with their four-legged punkins:
Dogs don't care that you have a plan, they will stop to smell other dog poo at any chance they get. Screw you and your training plan for getting in their way.
A little rain never hurt anyone, but a neighbor driving by and spitting out of his window and the wind bringing that special gift to you... well...that hurts!
Tripping on the grooves in the street and then treating the fall as if it is a part of the run isn't fooling anyone... especially the old couple walking across from you. Believe me, they will giggle... LOUDLY!
The darker it gets, the more noises you hear. You feel like you are stuck in a scary movie but without the creepy music. To be clear, a little David Guetta doesn't make it less scary.
Forgetting you brought your garage door opener instead of your key (even though the opener was in your hand the whole time) makes you look like a tool when you are freaking out at your front door because you can't get in.
Hopefully I helped all of you with my running expertise. Hopefully next time I will plan a little better. I will leave you with the unscary David Guetta...
Today's Lesson: Don't let lightning, wine, dog poo or your neighbor's spit get in the way of your goals and dreams. :)
I'm still blowing and going on the running. (Again, run/walk...calm down.) I decided to run at the nearby TC Jester Park last night. This park is most known for disc golf, dog parks and a murder or flasher or two. But that last bit didn't stop me - NO! I wanted to spend time in the 'hood.
I was impressed with it. No, it's not Memorial and definitely doesn't have the eye candy but it served its purpose and is close to home. Win-Win. There were tons of families and couples running or riding their bikes.
There was one chick running by herself with her headphones on. She is my favorite type of runner... one who is oblivious to everyone around her. Now for safety reasons that probably isn't good, but for my amusement - it is FABULOUS!
Chickadee, as I fondly referred to her yesterday, ran past me... loudly. Very loudly. So of course I sped up to see what all this noise was about. She wasn't scared, no one was chasing her, she wasn't on her phone yelling at her man about the toilet seat being up. Nope. She was singing. Out loud. Top O Lungs.
It's a catchy song and I had to fight every urge to not just join in. Well, not every urge... she was running a bit faster than I normally do so there was some serious panting on my part. Not sure if you have tried it, but panting and singing aren't exactly BFF.
After a while Chickadee lost me, mostly b/c I am slow and b/c Jillian said I could walk. (Cue me sighing: "Thank God!") But as Chickadee left me, all I could keep thinking in my head over and over and over again was... "Hey Hey Hey". (Disclaimer: For those not hip enough to know this song, let me be clear that I am not singing a stupid Fat Albert song.) Who knew Alan Thicke (you know, the Dad on Growing Pains - hello ladies, Kirk Cameron's Dad... yeah, knew that would ring a bell). Anyway, who knew his son was so hot and was so trendy on running trails!?! We learn something new every day.
In honor of Chickadee, and all those with confidence to sing it like they own it, I leave you with two versions of the song. The original in which Robin Thicke (yes, Alan's son... now you are catching on) intended, and my favorite in which Jimmy Fallon intended it.
Today's Lesson: Sing it like you mean it! Oh, and what really does rhyme with "hug me"? ;-)
I got a wild hair and have signed up for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. {Pause for everyone to take a moment to let it sink in, re-read b/c you are sure you read it wrong the first time, and then react with a "WHAT!?!}
I started the Couch 2 5k on Monday... yes... again... for like the fifth time... Last night Bambi and I decided to run together so we could catch up. {NOTE: run = walk/run - don't get too excited}
We did the loop at Memorial Park, and I did well. Bambi told me so, therefore it is real. Plus, my Couch 2 5k app has Jillian Michael's voice, and she told me I did great. You know it's true when Jillian says it! Seriously, have you watched Biggest Loser? That woman is a screamer. She was very laid back and low key on my app, so I must be really good at it.
I am so excited because with all my weight loss I look cute in workout clothes now. Granted, not as cute as that stupid ho running in a sports bra, tight daisy duke-type running shorts and her six pack... but who is judging anyway?
Anyhoo, I found a pair of capri workout pants on the Target clearance aisle for $6.99. AWESOME! I was wearing them last night and I have to say I love them. Comfy... cute... go with everything... hide the jello jigglers on my body... I heart them.
After our run in the dead heat of Houston (oh I know y'all are sweating just reading about it), Bambi and I were soaking wet. Blech! Of course, that didn't stop us from heading over to Luke's Ice House to partake in their Texas Thursdays and have some $4 Texas vodka.
So, we pull on up to the bar. I get out and happen to look down. Seriously!?! No, really.... Seriously!? It looks like I peed my pants. My crotch area is totally soaked... TOTALLY! I freak out and tell Bambi I don't think I could go in. She poo-poo's me and says that I worked out so of course I am sweaty. I do like my cocktails, so I decide to just go along with it. Of course, I still whined about it on the walk into the bar.
Then, Bambi gives me the kicker. She says something that just blows my mind (yet in hindsight, probably should have been obvious)! "Black is the only color that doesn't show the sweat."
Well, (enter explicit here), I guess I shouldn't have worn gray capris in the Houston heat... while running-ish. CRAP!
Today's Lesson: No matter how cute you think you look, you still look like you peed your pants.
