Three Things Thursday - Support!

Well, I had some many things to tell so it was tough to pick just 3!
So I will tell you about 3 important things to me and some of their recent developments.

SUPPORTing my HUSBAND- Within the last few weeks my husband has started a new routine. After about 3 months off from working out, he decided he wasn't happy. When he was combat-wounded in the Marine Corps, he was in the best shape of his life. 165 pounds, 4% body fat, if you know him (right now he is hanging onto 140 with dear life) back then, he was, well, a rock.
So he decided that cardio workouts weren't what he needed. We made him an appointment with the YMCA to be setup on their new ActiveTrax system, where he would warm up with cardio and then do weights, with the goal of adding some bulk back to his frame.
So, now, as I get up at 4am daily, I brew his coffee, prep his protein shakes, pack his lunch and wake him up before I head out. I am a morning person and he...well...ISN'T. I want to make this process as easy for him as possible. We are in the middle of week 3 and he's going strong. He takes one weekday am off and makes it up on Saturday. I am so proud of him and I want to support his goals as much as he has supported all of mine.

Being SUPPORTed by FRIENDS- I am so fortunate for my friends. I have made some major changes in my workout routines and running lately and having their support has meant the world to me. I don't know if they know how much sanity and peace they bring me, but I am thankful for each and every minute I spend with them. They make me stronger, they keep me honest and they are all in my heart. Some of them I see and/or talk to every day, others I do not get the time with that I would like...but let me say this - they know who they are, and I am thankful for each and every one of them.

SUPPORTing of myself - It's tough. I am my own worst critic. I expect the best of myself. Lately I have seen so many things so much clearer. I have seen my value, my goals and my spirit. I have realized that I am worthy of the good things in my life and that I need not waste time on the bad and the negative. Sometimes "cleaning" out the closets, so to speak, is difficult to start but immensely cleansing once it's done. I have decided to stop struggling over the worries I cannot control and focus that energy on positives and the future. It's been an amazing wake up call.

Run safe, run happy.
-d

Wordless Wednesday! (ok, ALMOST wordless...)

Pictures from ACAC Napier Sprint Tri 10-10-10

Look at me! I told Dr. G (my sponsor) I "look" fast! Whoo hoo!

Total action shot turned pose and poster model for AC!

Run safe, run happy!

-d

Sometimes Crying is a Good Thing....

I knew Saturday morning was going to be a challenge.
I had some demons to deal with and I would be dealing with them on a 20 mile run...alone...
Not "alone" because I was with 300+ other people, but alone.
I was running on Saturday instead of Sunday; I didn't have my usual running partners; and I was worried.
I have had some issues with this distance, I wasn't confident and frankly I felt this was a make or break run for me.
I went out not intending to run anything other than a pace where I was comfortable...
4 miles in and I was the front of the pack for the Novice running route.
When the Intermediates stayed straight on Grove and Novice's route turned on Maple, I was all alone.
Not. Another. Runner. In. Sight.
I had one pass me while running thru U of R, but that didn't matter.
I was smiling, I felt GREAT!
I rounded the ramp onto Riverside Drive, blew thru the SAG and soaked in some beautiful scenery.
Here I am around mile 9...

I was in my "zone" and I felt amazing.
12, 14, and 16 came easy and I knew - I knew I was doing well.
The Lee Bridge wasn't even bad, and that is a great sign.
As I glided thru Monroe Park I had a suspicion about was what happening...but I decided to wait to look.
As I turned the corner onto Boulevard for the final mile, all I could do was smile.
I hit the Sportsbackers Hill and started to slow down BUT I quickly served up a few choice curse words and hit it.
As I rolled into the stadium, a Plum coach approached me to ask if I was okay...
WTH?
Apparently I was crying...
Yep...
Then I tried to answer and couldn't speak - except in one word sentences - it went like this...
"Most - Prefect - Run - Ever..."
Yep, 20 miles...3 hours 5 minutes...PR and euphoric moment!!!
I did it. I ran in a pocket all alone, I ran well, I succeeded.
Worth every second!

Run safe, run happy!
-d

Words about me for Wednesday...

I met my husband on Match.com - met Sept 18th, 2005, moved in together Nov 1st, 2005 and married Dec 31st, 2005...

I rarely sleep more than 5 hours a night....I can sleep when I'm dead.

I have a deep dislike of needles - except for the kind that give tattoos - I have 7 already and am planning #8 - sorry Mom :-(

If I had to be someone else for a day, I would be Lara Croft...she is bad ass and hot!

I cannot stand to leave the kitchen sink wet.

I haven't had 10 toe nails at the same time in almost 3 years.

I like the house cold - even in the winter - if I lived alone I would keep my thermostat at 57 degrees.

57 degrees for a reason - I am OBSESSED with odd numbers...can't leave the tv volume, a radio volume knob, etc on an even number, just can't!

I truly believe that had I not found running as my second true love (next to Bob) my past 250 pound weight would probably be over 300 now, or I would be dead. No doubt.

I am scared of the dark. Petrified.

If I became President, peanut butter would be made a food group.

I don't ever think my house is clean enough...

As much as I workout and eat well, I have never been happy with my body.

I don't feel sorry for people that don't want to help themselves, it's a choice, not a destiny BUT I WILL help anyone that is willing to do the work, it is a passion I have.

I don't get eyebrows...they are just weird...

Run safe, run happy!

-d

Three Things Thursday!

Paces - Maggie and I got our runs in this week. Sunday - 15 in the misty morning, out and backs are typically boring, especially when they are on one straight, long road...but we manage to make it fun between our talks, made up words, sight seeing, etc. Our 8 on Tuesday was fast - no training run, it was like a race...ended with the last mile pretty much at a 7:20m/m - and I admire anyone that can run that fast all the time! This morning's 7.5 was not as good - it was a training pace run and I was miserable and Maggie fell and twisted her ankle half way out - she hobbled in and I puttered in...thank goodness tomorrow is a rest day.

Faces - It's been a great vacation! Mom and Dad made it down for most of the week and Bever and Dennis joined Maggie and I for the entire week. Although it was sad that my hub and Lady Em had to go home Sunday, but I have actually relaxed! This is not something I do well. I do miss the faces that I see everyday - my hub, my fur kids and the friends that I normally see on an almost daily basis - these faces and spirits fuel me and I cannot wait to see them all again!

Places - the beach house was, in one word, decadent - simply extravagant. I didn't want for anything all week...8 bedrooms, 9 baths, huge kitchen, hot tub, pool and right on the beach...
OBX has a Harris Teeter, which we broke in quite well on grocery day AND let me tell you, Beach Road Grill @ 2519 S. Virginia Dare Trail - Mile Post 10.5 in Nags Head - it's a must.
These twin sisters that own it are from Hopewell, Va and their cook, Miss Carrie, well, let me just say this - HOME.MADE.FRIED.CHICKEN. - save it in your "rolodex" - between the friendly service, the warm and low key atmosphere and the awesome food, it won't disappoint. I wish we had found it sooner. 

Run safe, run happy!
-d

Wordless Wednesday!

Almost Wordless Wednesday...almost...

If you haven't read about Faith...

faith the dog

Run safe, run happy!

-d