11 miles ... whaaaaa??

Today was our two hour run. I got up at 530 so I could go pickup the Derby Doll and head down to Coronado. I couldn't make up any excuses today about it being rainy. Today is freaking GORGEOUS! I had to pickup the Derby Doll so I couldn't leave her hanging. I dragged my butt out of bed, and I am so glad that I did. I was kind of freaked out about running for two hours. But really ... it was only 15 more minutes than we did last Saturday and without the hills. We did 9.5 miles last weekend, I was curious to see how far we'd make it this week.

Two hours. Eleven miles. Non-stop. Except for water.

Whaaaaa???

I can't believe it. I say this every week that I can't believe I ran that far. And its true. Each week is my personal best. I remember freaking out when we did five miles. And my 15k? 6.2 miles? Hmmph! That's nothing! But it is. Really. Freaking. Amazing. My running buddy Shell pointed out we're now only two miles away from a HALF MARATHON! Half way there!!! I have to print out and actually look at my March training schedule now since tomorrow is March. I've been avoiding it. I haven't wanted to scare myself. But ... made it through February and I'm not dead yet! Currently icing my shins to keep my shin splints from getting tooo crazy, but not dead.

The icing is helping lots though. I don't waddle around like an old man too much anymore. Except if I have too many of my bloody marys.

That's one of my perks. The light at the end of my crazy early morning runs. And my home made breakfast burrito. And the nap I'm going to take shortly.

I should shut up and be thankful I have a J O B

So, mid-January, the owner of my company and he EVP calls me and my coworker into his office (which is weird because he's like 90 and usually just works from home). Closes the door and says have a seat. I'm totally freaking out because I'm thinking someones in trouble or someones getting fired. But then I guess they'd have done it one on one. Long story short, instead of laying anyone off, we're going to do 'work share'. Work share is everyone gets their hours cut (ours is 8 hours per week) and collects unemployment from the state for one day per week. I kind of freaked out a little and almost cried because we're going to be on unemployment. And I'll be making less per month. What about my cat? How can I afford to buy him his juicy fancy feast if I'm not working one day per week? How will I be able to sign up for cool races? How will I get cool running clothes? HOW AM I GOING TO AFFORD MY BOOOZE?? Which is moslty what I freaked out about. I'll have to suck it up and deal I guess.



Then I decided to look at the bright side. Every week I get a three day weekend. Because I get every Friday off! Not only do I get Friday off work, I get Friday off from my workouts! I started thinking that I'll sleep in. Hang out with my girlfriend E since she has Friday's off. Go see movies. Wander around all willy nilly. TAKE NAPS! This was the Friday before I went to meet three lovely whores in Las Vegas. I had things to do. Pack, get oil changed, take a nap, sleep in. It didn't work out. My first Friday I'm not supposed to work, my boss wanted to have a working lunch. "Let's meet and talk business. One o'clock." My phone started ringing at 8am. Work. I end up getting up because I've got all kinds of stuff to BEFORE I have lunch at 1pm with my boss. Which in my ideal world I would be taking my NAP at 1pm. I run my errands, come home to start laundry around 12180. Boss man's going to call me when he's ready to go. My bed looks delicous, but I've got to stay motivated. Laundry, pack. Read some books. Get renters insurance straightened out. 1238. Bed looks fantastic. Beer in the fridge is cold. BUT NO! Stay focused. Organize my drawers. 1256. Phone rings. Boss man. "Mel, I gotta meet with you on Monday. Gotta go meet someone important. Talk to you later." I was able to get my nap in but I didn't start until 4 and it made me stay up way too late. Ran crazy miles, drove to Vegas to meet the whores, and had a good time.



THIS week, I was totally looking forward to my Friday off. I ended up goiong into the office. Still getting paid unemployment, but working. Which now ruins my THURSDAY night. No wine bar. No free apps, free wine, followed by new wine bar within walking distance of E's house. But at least I kind of brown nosed without really getting down and dirty. AND I still actually slept in because I didn't need to be there until 10am which was awesome. And I was only there for a couple hours. OK ... I'll stay positive about the whole situation. Is it bad that I'm complaining that I have to work? I mean...I still have a job which in this economy and construction industry, is pretty freaking cool. I should just suck it up and deal.

I'm ready for my close up!

Because people are dying to know ... and YoB knows how to ask the questions, here's my interview:

1.) if money was no object, where would you imagine yourself in five years? all aspects of your life.
It's hard to think of money as no object. Its funny that today I was talking with one of the boys at work about it. "What would I do with $2million" which really isn't no object, but still gets ones brain going. I guess I'd do some traveling. Home and abroad. I would buy a house. If money is no object, I would buy my sister a house. I would go back to school since I wouldn't be working. I'd setup funds for my nephews and any other additions that may come up for them to go to school and not have to worry about money. I'd probably do something generous. Like adopt a bunch of cats and hamsters. Or give to charities. Ooo ... I would have BALLS that raised money for charities. Because aren't you supposed to have BALLS when you're rich? Heh heh heh ...

2.) if someone were the type of person who didn't like to meet new people, what would you suggest to them? how do you think they should meet new people, have new experiences, evolve as a person and an individual?
I'm still working on this one myself. It's so easy to play it safe. To stick with what you know. I'm not the type of person that's good at meeting people. Or maybe I just don't think I am. I guess I can only suggest to keep open. To new experiences and new people. (I'm currently contemplating internet dating sites to meet new people. Because who wants to meet all drunk in a bar??) I am totally shy. I've gotten a little better with talking to people in a social setting thanks to my marathon training and strength torture ... I mean training class. I guess I'd just have to say just go out and do it. Its not thaaaat bad. I tend to do better one on one. And if you can meet one new person and get out and do something, thats awesome. Keep it up.

3.) if you could have one skill/talent, what would it be? what would you do with this skill/talent? would you share it with the world? keep it for yourself? use your powers for good or evil?
Oooo. Super power. Hmmm ... that's a tough one. I used to want to fly. I love the mutants in all the movies and TV shows. Could I fly and be super strong? Like SuperSmallz instead of SuperGirl THAT could be cool. But maybe I'd use my powers for evil. I'll be an evil genius SuperSmallz! They seem to have so much fun trying to take over the world. Even more fun than the Pinky and the Brain trying to take over the world. Maybe like Darth Vader Powers!! Yes ... I want to have crazy awesome Jedi powers. Do they count as super powers? As a jedi master ... I say they are super pwers. And counts.
4.) once the marathon is over, will you still run? do you consider yourself a "runner" or will you be finished after the marathon? would you run trails or around the neighborhood? or are you a die hard gym rat?
I will definately still run. I haven't really considered myself a runner, but I guess that I kind of am. I really do enjoy it. I love the zone. Because there totally is a zone. And it feels awesome to be there. I'd love to run the trails around our house. San Diego is totally awesome. We have the beach, mountains, and everything in between for good runs. I usually go to the gym because since I've started running, it's gotten dark all kinds of early. I started running in September. It was hot and I'm kind of a wuss. I liked the gym because it was cool. And I know how fast I'm going on the treadmill. The days are totally getting longer which is awesome. I'll have to get over the not liking to run in the heat because I'll be running twenty six point two miles when its warm. Almost June. I've now got my super shoes so I have no excuse not to go running around in the outside world (how do I know how far I've gone? whats my pace? how many extra calories do I get to drink ... I mean did I just burn? These and my me-pod will do it all!! I'll keep you posted on how it works tomorrow when I go for my hour and 45 minute run. Yes ... I'll be up at 530 am, on the road by 6 to be running by 7. OMG ... I should be in bed.

Jealous?? Kitty is ... he's trying to STEAL them!

5.) if you could "pick up and go" for one month right now, where would you go? what would you pack? would you take anyone with you? what would you want to see? "RIGHT NOW" as I think about this I'd say I want to go to Hawaii. I have been so stressed at work and busy with working out all the time. I think the pace of Hawaii would be perfect. I'd be on the beach most days relaxing and getting a tan. I miss my tan. I would attempt surging some more. I don't think I would run too much while I was there. Or I'd have to go early in the morning. yes ... I would run while in Hawaii. I would like to run on the beach. Oooo ... running on the beach in Hawaii would be awesome. Watching the surf while running ... and the surfers getting in and out of the water. Yes, that's where I'd like to go 'right now'.

7 miles??

I finished my first ever 10k two weekends ago. I'm clearly a little behind on the blogging along with other things. Anyhoo, I finished in 1 hr / 15 minutes. Ran most of the way too! That was 6.2 miles. Only 20 more to go! I freak out a little when I think about the fact that I'll be running T W E N T Y S I X MIIIIIIIIILES in a little more than three months. But when I think back, I would never have thought that I would have run 3.1 with obstacles in October, but I did. I never thought I would run more than an hour in a row, but I did. 6 miles! It felt amazing. I credit all the training. Here's my schedule.

Monday - run
Tuesday - track group run usually with lots of sit ups or push ups or just loooong runs pushing ourselves. The people are totally awesome.
Wednesday - strength training (should be a run, but we do some running) - this one I love a lot. The first class I did, it took me 3 days to walk normal. We did goofy exercises, the people were super cool, and we laughed. Not to mention that I couldn't walk for 3 days. Must be good because clearly I am not working the muscles right. So now, every Wednesday, I go in for torture ... I mean a workout
Thursday - run
Friday - REST!!
Saturday - early loooong runs - we're currently up to an hour and a half this Saturday. Runs start around 7am throughout San Diego so I'm up earlier on Saturdays than I am for work during the week!
Sunday - active recovery which is pretty much do something besides run. Chances are I skip this ... but feel bad about it at least. But, I get in my 5 days of running and that's really all that matters

Last Saturday our group run was to run a total of 1 hr 15 minutes. I skipped the actual group run because it was so stinkin early. I wanted to sleep in for one saturday which I haven't done since January. I didn't feel like running in the rain .... again. Plus we were supposed to go to trapeze school in Escondido at noon. I figured I'd sleep til 10, trapeze and then go to the gym. What a not happily scheduled Saturday. I woke up at 8am on Saturday. It was sunny and happy that early in the morning. Got my butt up, dressed, and of course ... THEN it starts raining. With hail. Trapeze dude in Escondido said it wasn't raining there. What a crock!! Needless to say, that was cancelled and by the time we finished brunch ... which was a whole nother fiasco ... I was ready to just head home. I napped, opened netflixes and decided I was clearly not going to go for run.

Long story long ... I went on Sunday and it was awesome. I did 6.75 miles in my 1 hr 15 minutes. Felt great too! I'm getting better! Yesterday's track run was pretty much 3.5 miles with either push ups, sit ups, or jumping jacks in between laps. That was nice and easy. (whaaaaa?? that just came out of my keyboard???). I'm sure this Saturday I'll get in at least 7 miles. Only 19 more to go!!! holy crap....19 miles?? twenty. six. miles?? twentysixpointtwo????

This is why I only look at one month at a time on my schedule. I start to freak out.

Tonight's workout was another good one. I can barely move my arms. My abs are freaking killing me. My legs are jello. Blue jello to be precise. And I love it. We do all kinds of stuff with the medicine balls, bands, and just plain gravity. Tonight we did crazy push ups, pull ups, ab stuff, running. I'm going to sleep like a rock. And waddle around like an old man tomorrow. : )

Vampire or canibal??

My sister is my best friend in the whole world. I love her to death ... now. But when we were younger ... we had our moments. One that still stands out is this. I was all of of 4 or 5 and I still remember this dream I had. Or at least the craziest part about it. In my dream I remember that she made me sooooo mad! I think it had something to do with the fact I wanted to be in on the game she and all of my cousins were playing. I'm not the youngest of the seven of us, but for some reason, I've always been the baby. There were times they would laugh at me and I would just cry. Like the time we were at our after church horseback riding. I was in the slow lane. The bigger kids and Ki were in the other lanes. I told them "If my horse stops to poop, don't laugh." Of course it did. And of course they did. And I criiiiied. Cried like a baby!! I was a big crier. They used to call me the typewriter. Because my lower lip would look like a piece of paper that was coming up out of a typewriter. I was good at it. It worked for me. I'd usually get my way when there were adults around. Maybe that's why in my dream she didn't let me play the stupid game. Anyhow ... I remember I was sooooo mad at her, that I bit her. Bit her chin off. Well, almost off. It was just hanging there. I remember telling her about it. I don't remember exactly if it was then or years later when we were older. But I still hang onto the fact that I didn't bite her chin all the way off. So that must mean that I still kind of liked her. Still do too. : )