Working On My Visor Tan

I think I got sunburned today. This is an all-time low for me – the ability to get sunburned in late November. I’m pretty diligent about wearing sunscreen, but it typically doesn’t cross my mind to wear it on places other than my face past, ummm, Halloween.

For some reason, I can’t play tennis without wearing a Nike Dri-Fit visor (even indoors, I have 10,000 of those visors), so I wore a visor all day. The visor tan I sustained each summer in my youth returns far too easily, just like the sock tan I am pretty sure sticks around year round. I’ve given up on not having a sock tan. It’s never happening.

A pink visor in May...

 

A black visor in November...

 

A blue visor in 2006...

I told you I had a lot of Nike Dri-Fit Visors. This is just a glimpse at my extensive collection I accrued over my tennis years.

I think a lot about my fake, fatherless-as-of-now children and what sport I want to put them in. Obviously, this is important, seeing as they already have first and (mostly) middle names (with last name obviously TBD). I’m sure I’ll start them out in a lot of things and let them eventually pick, assuming they are born one day. I think having a sport as an outlet is important and any sport teaches you a lot of life lessons. I mean, I’m 25 years old and I still need a sport to thrive.

Most of the sports I participated in (gymnastics, tennis) are those you have to start in diapers to be able to compete well. My first dance class was at 2 1/2 years old (I BEGGED my mom to take dance and gymnastics when I was 2, actually), quickly followed by gymnastics enrollment at 4 years old. I started tennis at the very old age of 13.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVED dance and gymnastics. So much so, that I made my mom get tapes of the music we would use for the recital so I could practice at home. See, this whole "being obsessed with something" started early.

 

First Dance Recital at age 3. I'm supposed to be a poodle. Isn't it obvious?!?

My brother has been playing tennis since 5 or 6 and started playing competitive tournaments around the 4th grade (I think, correct me if I’m wrong, Mom). If you don’t have that kid swinging a racquet or begging for a backyard balance beam by elementary school, you’re going to be playing catch up with the other “prodigy” children who have.

Here's little Harry playing tennis around age 13 or 14...

Further, I would say 75% of the kids my brother plays against don’t go to school. Ok, not entirely true, they do go to “online schools,” such as Keystone National High School or Alpha Omega Academy.

If I went to online school, I'd definitely stay in my pajamas.

[I also highly recommend getting a mobile home if your kid wants to be a good tennis player as you spend all of your Fridays thru Sundays traveling to or being at tournaments in hot spot locales such as Little Rock, Arkansas. I've stayed in more Hampton Inns than I can count.]

I can see the theoretical advantage in not attending a traditional brick-and-mortar school if you’re looking to be a high level athlete. You have much more time to practice and do the “little” things (weights, sports psych, speed/agility training, etc), which is probably the driving factor behind the tennis player homeschool craze.  You can travel to tournaments without incurring “unexcused absences” from school as school can go with you. And, to be fair, the only players I do know who have a legitimate shot at making it pro have home-schooled and moved south to Florida to train with the best at Bollettieri’s or some similar tennis greatness breeding ground. Although, the number of people I know who have a legitimate shot at making it pro includes about 3 people. Making it as a professional tennis player is very, very difficult.

Where I went to high school is literally on the wrong side of the tracks. You better hope there wasn't a train coming through at 8:20 am.

However, I think there is something to be said about the social and emotional intelligence that is learned in school. As painful as it may be, I think there is something to be gained from living through your own real life Mean Girls.

On Wednesdays, we wear pink...

And, I mean, let’s be honest. If I was 15 and something called “Facebook” existed, do you really think I’d be able to concentrate on doing my school work online? I can barely do that now at age 25 and I almost have a doctorate degree.

To my knowledge, one nice thing about running is that your probably don’t have to pick the sport up in diapers to be competitive in high school, college, or the pros. I’m pretty home schooling isn’t the norm in the “good runner people” crowd, but you can correct me if I’m wrong.

Unfortunately, if my unborn children take after me, their shot at making the cross country team is slim to none. Sorry, kids.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK? Pull your kids out of school to give them a better chance of getting a scholarship or even pro status? Thoughts on home-schooling for sports or otherwise? Do you think the demands of a particular sport, such as gymnastics, necessitate it?

And, someone clear it up for me, most professional runners got to go to “real” school, right? I don’t think the home school + send your kid to a specialized academy craze has hit the running crowd, yet, to my knowledge.

Until next time…

Guess Who’s Back?

SOPHIA GRACE AND ROSIE!!!

Also, please watch the shopping spree Sophia Grace and Rosie went on at Toys R Us. These girls are women after my own heart. Look at that shopping enthusiasm. You can’t teach that.

I mean, she definitely needed that suitcase just like I needed those Christmas window gel clingy things I bought at Target. I like to call purchases like that “necessary luxuries.”

Guess who is also back? ME!

Me at age 9. Further evidence I spent most of my childhood upside or figuring out how to flip off of things. I think this explains a lot.

Ok, no, I didn’t actually go anywhere, unless you consider venturing to the Upper West Side from where I live a trek. Anyways, in my dramatic, immature last few days where I almost threw my running shoes out the window, I’ve decided the happy running Meggie is back.

See - happy running Meggie. Have you seen this picture before? Yes.

Happy Running Meggie isn’t back to running, yet, because her IT band still hurts and her left SI joint as followed suit, but that’s a topic for two weeks from now if it’s not better. I’m just assuming all of those things will get better in time.

I think most people are goal driven so I have a hard time writing, “I am a goal driven person.” Aren’t we all? Goals do make me happy, though. I like to dream of things I could do, like running a 3:35 marathon and being on Dancing With The Stars (fine – the latter is a fantasy, not an actual dream or goal — unless I become a star). I sometimes think I live most of my life in this dream world where I can do anything I set my mind to and I am queen of my own universe with a crown and septar. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.

My queen of the universe outfit looks something like this...

A sports psychologist we had at tennis once told me to always have something to do after a match, especially during the first 30 min following a match when I was temporarily insane.. That way, I couldn’t dwell on the results, and could focus my irrational self on something else. I could then go back and think about the match when I was in a less emotional, more rational state of being. Typical post match activities included eating or shopping when I was in high school and studying when I was in college.

I found a tennis picture. Sorry, I'm not actually playing. I think this was in 2006. FYI - I always wore a visor and the Nike Dri-Fit ones were my go-tos. I have a zillion of those. Some are really gross and sweat stained like whoa.

True story: At a Thanksgiving tournament, my friend and I once went from the mall, to a match, won, and then went straight back to the mall. I mean, it was Black Friday deals – we HAD to be there.  In our defense, it also been raining all morning so we figured the matches would be canceled for the day. We also had to skimp our warm up a bit because we couldn’t get out of the mall fast enough to get to the courts. Priorities, people. Our coach was kind of mad…wonder why?

Anyways, back to the point. I think not having a new running goal to work towards contributed at least partly to my post-marathon funk. I do have some really cool stuff going on at work and the holiday season is coming up, which obviously means I gotta start getting my decorating on.

My decorating doesn't quite get this elaborate, but close.

I struggled with not being ok without having a goal because I really do think I need to take a break post-marathon and kind of disengage in the whole running thing. However, I still felt like getting my race sign up on would make me feel better and then I could enjoy my breaksie and truly focus on catching up on People Magazine and what really went down between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. I need to get my running ducks in a row so I could rest easy, knowing my IT band redemption 2012 plan is in place.

Actual ducks in a row. Ok, rubber duckies. Close enough.

So, tomorrow and soon thereafter, I plan to get my sign up on and, then, line up babysitting jobs to pay for getting said sign up on. I can start writing my race dreams and goals in my Believe I Am training diary  by drawing gardens of good and bad thoughts — fun things like that. I also plan on becoming BFFs with my foam roller while investigating ways to rid myself of and prevent both ITBS and my dysfunctional SI joint. Suggestions are welcome.

I’m thinking a spring marathon, possibly out West, but all suggestions are welcome, with a good half thrown in there in the build up to that full. All subject to change though. I’ll probably also do a 5K or 10K or two in there because those are fun. I really like 5Ks because all 2 that I have run in my life felt like out of control experiences. It was fun.

TELL ME: Do you think I’m jumping into getting my sign up on too fast? Should I take a bit more of a break before committing to anything or get my Spring 2012 running ducks in a row first?

Until next time…

P.S. I haven’t decided who is getting the Picky Bars, yet. I have to see how many stamps I have..

Still Sulking

Listen, people. I know I am being ridiculous. Running, while important to me, is a hobby – nothing more. There is no reason I should be upset or in near tears when I think about the NYC Marathon. Anyone want to give me a deadline on the sulking period?

Apparently, I wasn't upset here (yet). You know why? Because I saw Ali, Lauren, and Emily all reppin' the sweat squad.

[Seriously, huge thank you Ali, Emily, and Lauren and all the other cheerleaders I saw - Jaime, Jackie, Kimmie, Jess, Courtney, etc - and my virtutal cheereleaders, too many to name]

Mile 18 or so pick me up. HUGE THANKS!

So, yes, my whole crying on the way to work this morning thinking “all of my hard work went to waste” is quite ridiculous. At the moment, it’s the way I feel and I feel somewhat stupid now making my marathon goal 3:35, then putting that out there, and then failing miserably. I have a hard time thinking “oh, it was that IT band thing,” because I’m sure someone out there has PR’ed in a marathon on a bum IT band.

And then I saw this cute puppy on my way to work, which made me instantly feel better. I feel weird calling it "work," considering I don't get paid. Oh well, it's fun, regardless.

Or maybe I’m just slightly psychotic. Someone had the office told me “I’m sorry you’re injured,” and I was like “oh this IT band isn’t an injury, its just an annoyance.” I’m very rational right now, obviously. Like when I almost threw my running shoes out the window this morning – very mature.

Someone at work did validate me by telling me she has similar marathon experiences in not being 100% content with her time. She made me feel so much better and I’m convinced we’re the same person although separated by 6 years in age(we have similar test scores and everything). She told me to not let it ruin the whole experience for me because, at the end of the day, the NYC marathon is a very cool experience.

Anyways, if you know me and how I follow gymnastics obsessively, you would know that I, course, know the slogan of the gym that produced the last two Olympic All-Around champions, WOGA (World Olympics Gymnastics Academy). In true Russian fashion, the motto of the gym is “Train Hard Or Go Home” and “Hard Work Never Disappears.”

I want to raise my kids in Dallas just so they can be good gymnasts...

I like to think the latter one is especially true. Sure, I worked hard for 3-4 months and it didn’t pay off on the big day.

However, I don’t think it’s particularly healthy to judge anything by just one day. I don’t think a surgeon would judge his or her career based on one case.

Similarly, although I spent 3-4 months training for the NYC Marathon, I had a lot of little successes and breakthroughs along the way. I learned how to get rid of negative thoughts at the Boilermaker, I learned that humidity does actually suck the life out of you in New Haven, I learned that focusing on enjoying yourself can lead to big PRs when you least expect it, and I learned how to, finally, appreciate tempo runs. I learned that the physical often follows the mental (ie Believe I Am), that you don’t have to do crazy long runs really early in a marathon training cycle (thank you, RC), and that the whole “training for a marathon” thing can actually be pretty enjoyable, at least in my book.

I still die for the Boilermaker.

[P.S. I have to give a big virtual shout out, hug, and high five to Steph (the RC). She is awesome. She gets a thumbs up from Meggie. And a pointer finger. Although I don't think she reads this blog. Irregardless, she's cool.]

Look at the RC go...she is so fast.

I haven’t found the actual marathon to be enjoyable, yet. It’s kind of a lot of eggs in one basket for me, for a race. But, I figure, that’s kind of how I felt about running for a long time — I thought it was pretty miserable. I figure as long as I have the desire to do a marathon, I’ll keep trying.

So, yep, I think this post actual ends sulking period. Meggie isn’t a quitter, last time I checked. I have some really things going on at my unpaid work, have more time to scheme ways to raise money for Cookies For Kids’ Cancer, and can start planning my marathon revenge.

Also, PS – everyone I have ever met from Oregon or who has lived there at some point is super tiny. I want to know what on earth is in the water there that is making them all so skinny. I want some of that. Or a mild bout of a tapeworm or something. It can’t be just all that running and stuff they do over there, right?

TELL ME: Your comeback stories, your revenge stories, your war stories, your glory days, your successes, how a sport has once been terrible to you and then you loved it again…I need to be inspired. 

Before I go, I ‘ll give you one of mine which has been helpful to me in my sulking period. My junior year of college, I think I won two matches all of the fall season, culminating in a particularly terrible match that I called my “waterloo.” That fall, I felt like I couldn’t hit the side of a barn if I tried. I thought very seriously about quitting tennis that winter, because I just didn’t enjoy it anymore. That spring, I took all pressure off of myself and focused on very basic things. I got all conference that season in both singles and doubles (first team doubles, second team singles, in case you were actually curious.) So, I guess things can turn around.

One of the only pics I have of me playing tennis...I'm sure there are more somewhere....

Until next time…

P.S. Did you buy picky bars, yet?

Dear Self…

That’s right, I wrote a letter to myself. I can’t take credit for the idea. I stole it from former UCLA gymnast and 2011 World Team Gold Medalist, Anna Li. Here’s one of her floor routines, just so you can know who I’m talking about.

Anyways, I remember reading that Anna Li wrote a letter to herself before her senior season at UCLA, writing to herself how she hoped she would feel at the end of her collegiate career. I’m not exactly sure why she did it, but I thought it be a good, umm, writing exercise?

I wrote a first letter to myself a few weeks ago, before the whole IT band thing happened and my main focus, at the time, was achieving my time goal. It helped me focus myself on what I wanted to feel like at each part of the race and how, ideally, I would like the whole thing to play out. It was actually the first time I used the lined, journal side of my amazing Believe I Am Training Journal, which I still insist that each and everyone of you reading this buys (for the guys, its ok, pink is totally in for guys, too).

The back cover - can we call this super hero "Super Taper?" Yes?

However, I’m thinking I need to write a new letter to myself. For a few reasons…

First, to be honest, I’m very overwhelmed by this whole marathon thing. I’m not exactly sure why, either. In past years (when I have not been running it), I thought the energy was awesome and was jealous of people who were getting to run it. Now that its me running it, all the runners descending upon the city, ads, events, etc, make me anxious. Suffice it to say that even though I haven’t been running much, my heart rate has definitely had some spikes in zones it would only see while running. So, I think writing another letter to myself would help me refocus myself on what I actually want to get out of this whole experience and will help, umm, un-overwhelm me.

If I mention heart rates, I obviously have to show a picture of an EKG.

Second, one would reason that I need to change my expectations slightly considering I’ve run 3 times in the past 2 weeks. Of course, because I am very competitive and pretty stubborn, my A goal hasn’t changed. But, I guess my level 0 goal is to finish, considering I may have that knife in the knee happen during the marathon at which point I most likely wouldn’t be able to run the pace I would need to achieve my A goal. Plus, as all of you all reminded me, there are so many variables in a 26 mile race that it’s best to have multiple goals so there isn’t one “do or die” goal you have to hit.

I’m pretty stubborn and know my competitive self a little too well. I will probably be slightly disappointed if I don’t achieve my A goal. I’ve dreamed of it since August. It’s hard for me to let it go.

I will be enormously disappointed if I don’t finish. Yet, with my IT band thing, it is a very real possibility. I need to come to terms with the fact that I might have to readjust my goals depending on how my leg handles the race.

In my first letter to myself (which is a lot of rambling, fyi), my over-arching theme (or recurring thought, I guess) was that I wanted to walk away from the experience with a smile on my face. This may be the only time I get to run the NYC marathon and I don’t want to take it for granted or be ungrateful for the experience.

I don’t think disappointed and smiling really go together. So, clearly, I need some sort of attitude adjustment. One of the reasons I like writing blog posts is that it helps me process things in my life by turning it into a cohesive (well, not always) post. I find writing therapeutic and cathartic at times. So, I will probably be writing a little letter to myself in the very near future about how I want to feel come Sunday evening. You best believe it will also be in my Believe I Am Training Log.

Maybe I should print this and pin it to my bib or something...

Emotionally, I’m excited, terrified, anxious, scared, uncertain, yet thrilled to be taking part. Although I’m sure I seem like an ungrateful, competitive whiner, I truly am excited that I get to run in one of the greatest marathons in the world (and possibly the largest, I think). It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Physically, I feel very well rested, but with a lot of pent up energy.

Leg-sically, I ran today for 20 min. Its better, but its not perfect. I can definitely feel some friction, but its much better then previous runs last week and its not too painful. I’m hoping adrenaline will provide some analgesia on Sunday and I won’t notice a thing. I also plan on icing and taking ibuprofen (until Saturday when I will switch to Tylenol because it doesn’t affect your kidneys like NSAIDs do, just an fyi)

A nephron, which is the "workhorse" of the kidney! If you want an explanation of why you should take Tylenol before and during a marathon, I can tell you. And It has to do with this little guy.

Mentally, I have to take it one day at a time. I’ll have to take it one mile at a time on Sunday and keep reassessing my situation as I run, I guess.

So, that’s where I’m at people.

Oh guess what I also did – I’m pretty sure I freaked out a real life Kenyan runner. I saw Sally Kipyego, who was with the RC and, of course, I recognized her and screamed, “OMG!!! I LOVED YOUR INTERVIEW ON FLOTRACK! YOU ARE AMAZING! CONGRATULATIONS!”

I’m sure she thought I was a real life Buddy the Elf.

I wanted to ask her to give me all of her secrets, besides being Kenyan. Missed opportunity.

TELL ME: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WRITING A LETTER TO YOURSELF? EVER GET OVERWHELMED BY A RACE? MOVIE RECS FOR WHEN I BEGIN HIBERNATION PERIOD?

Until next time…

P.S. Aqua jogging gets old very fast.

I’ve Become One Of “Those” People

Literally, people, this not running thing is for the birds. I never thought I’d be one of “those people” that goes crazy not running. Who am I?!?

I keep trying to think of IT band friendly activities that do not include shopping. Today, I resorted to “inversion therapy.”

Exhibit A:

It started to bother the ol’ leg after about 15 minutes and my back realized I’m not the young spring chicken I was just a few short years ago before I started running so much.

[The above was Aug 2009. I think I'd die trying that now.]

I did some arts and crafts:

Snaps for Katie who ran MCM today!!! (And Lauren, Christy, and everyone else!)

I went to visit Paperclip, who was playing hard to get. He knows he loves me.

Dressed to watch the game - GO VOLS! Or not, since they aren't doing so hot this year.

I researched way too much about Derek Dooley’s pants, which are awesome.

FEAR THE PANTS. I hope Dooley doesn't get fired, because I like his enthusiasm.

Ally and I got pedicures.

The flip flops go with my "Knoxville attire," which basically means I wear sweats all day and ridic shoes.

Yes, those are furry flip flops. Don’t lie to yourself. You want some. And, yes, that is a Halloween scene on my big toe. The lady asked if she could do it and I told her ,”Do whatever you want! Go to town!” I commend her dexterity.

Slightly tacky, yet awesome. Hey, you only live once and this will most likely get destroyed in a week.

I mean, if not now, when?

I went on a 2 mile walk with my mom. The leg felt “twingy,” which is a legit medical term, in case you were wondering. I was thinking of trying out some tennis this afternoon, but that walk made me think twice.

So, I’m back to lying supine and reading “The End of Normal” by Stephanie Madoff Mack.

Really easy and gossipy read. Dig it.

I keep trying to tell myself that is not always your situation, but how you look at the situation that really matters. All the work was done when my IT band decided to stage a mutiny against me. Instead of thinking this little hiatus will make me sluggish and slow, I must think that it’ll leave me fresh, excited, and ready to go in a week. If I think the former instead of the latter, I’ll lose it, big time.

Now, I’m off to do some more handstands.

Until next time…

The Weather Matched My Mood

Today was one of those days I just want to stay at home at watch Rachel Zoe all day…rainy, misty, kind of cold. Perfect reading day, actually. You know, one of those days you want to spend in your snuggie or, better yet, HEATED HUGGIE.

This look is dead sexy. Straight off the runway.

Dog clothes freak me out. Dog snuggies are even worse.

The weather actually perfectly matched my mood. I ran for 50 min today which, in hindsight, was too much, seeing as my knee/IT band/angry tissue started hating me again and hurt with walking and bending. I had violins following me around all day and, at a few points, almost cried, at which point I reminded myself that I was being ridiculous. I really wasn’t freaking out so much over the fact that running 50 minutes reaggravated my IT band or whatever. I was more sad that all of my hard work was going down the drain.

True Life: I was terrified of pool drains as a child after I watched a 20/20 special about kids dying from getting their hair caught in them. I've been watching 20/20 from an early age.

I was talked off the ledge by a few nice people and realized that I still have 10 days to get better and that, in reality, I just need one good day of running. That’s it. If gymnastics taught me anything, its that you can definitely throw some tape on whatever ails you and suck it up for one day.

I was brainwashed as a child to think this had magical properties.

I also went back to Dr. Levine today after leaving a message that probably sounded like a anxious person yelling, “CODE RED: MY LEG IS FALLING OFF.” I got ice and stim and feel much better. Dr. Levine told me to focus all of my energy into my leg being 100% better. That means no running, elliptical, biking, or anything with a bending motion that hurts my knee until Tuesday. No tennis because the torque isn’t good for the SI Joint. I can swim if I so choose. Basically, I have to treat my body as if its a princess.

But, duh, we already knew I was a princess.

Cinderella is the bomb.

So, this has led me to the perfect Halloween costume: SUPER-TAPER.

Duh, Super Taper is a super hero.

Super Taper’s powers include: resting, icing, not being sad or freaking out, foam rolling, healing, movie watching, book reading, and relaxing.

Thankfully, I’m going home this weekend so I’ll have my partner in crime (my sister, Allison) to accompany Super-Taper in my marathon movie sessions. Allison hates running so she will want to hear nothing about it, which is fine by me.

So, that’s my plan – focus on 100% getting better, not freaking out about not running, not being sad because I will run NYCM come hell or high water, and judiciously picking out the best movies to watch all weekend.

TELL ME: WHAT ARE YOU BEING FOR HALLOWEEN? ANY MORE MOVIE RECS? TV SERIES YOU LOVE THAT I SHOULD START?

If things aren’t better by Tuesday, I encourage any of you to come join me in singing kumbaya and meditating or something while also seeking out doctors who can shoot some cortisone all up in there.

And, for those of you who have asked medically related or anatomy related questions, first, you should speak to your actual healthcare professional always, seeing as I’m not a real doctor nor am I an expert in the musculoskeletal system. However, I’ll do my due diligence for you and get back to you. I’m no soft tissue or anatomy maven, but I do know good places to look for answers.

Until next time…

What’s Up Wednesday

I know – its 9 pm…a bit delinquent for a Wednesday post, but, hey, its still Wednesday right now.

1. OCTOBER = DECORATING FOR HALLOWEEN

I sent an email to my mom asking, “Mom, can you send me my Halloween pillowcases and Halloween beanie babies?” I mean, my Halloween pillowcases GLOW IN THE DARK – I need them. I will post a pic if they make it to NYC from TN.

To make up for not having my Halloween pillowcases right now, I decided that I really needed these Candy Corn lights at CVS today.

Necessary Luxury

Oh yes, that would be my halloween blanket, too. And, look at this little gem:

Drawn by Meggie Smith, Halloween 1993

I painted that witch and cat in the 2nd grade (it was pastels, I believe) and my mom had it turned into a rug or something. My mom says I must have had a happy childhood because my witch is smiling. I guess you can also see why I didn’t go into anything that required artistic ability.

2. FALL WEATHER = WEARING BOOTS

I love Frye boots. If you want to drop $400 for someone else, you can buy me these (or the Tom Ford Sunglasses, your pick).

Its started to feel fall-ish and I busted out my boots for the first time this season. It felt like I was meeting back up with old friends.

3. GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Podium training is already up on gymnastike and I couldn’t be more excited.

Barring disaster, I think Jordyn Wieber should win the all-around title considering the reigning World Champ (Aliya Mustafina) is out with an ACL tear and the USA’s other good all-arounder, Rebecca Bross, is out with a dislocated patella.

My pick for the All-Around crown.

And you thought running caused injuries.

I’m not sure how Team USA is going to fare in the team competition as they lost one of their best bar workers this week to an abdominal strain. Bars is probably the weakest Team USA event right now. But, I mean how can you compete with this:

An amazing routine, but, let’s get real here, she was definitely not 16 (although I don’t agree with the age rule anyways).

4. THE EASIEST CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE RECIPE EVER:

It is not healthified, but I’ve gotten many a compliment on it. Here goes:

1 box yellow cake mix (fyi: yellow cake >>> white cake, in my book) + 1 box instant chocolate pudding (3.9 oz) + 1/2 c sugar + 3/4 c vegetable oil + 3/4 c water + 4 eggs + 8 0z sour cream

Yellow cake >>> White cake. In case you're ever baking me a cake.

Mix all of that in a bowl until moist.

Then add 6 oz chocolate chips.

If making cupcakes, bake at 350F for 15-20 min.

BOOM. Cupcakes.

Just add some frosting if you want and dunzo.

5. THE BENEVOLENCE OF OTHERS

Seriously, how am I so lucky? First, I have all you nice people help me bake and sell tons of cookies for Cookies’ For Kids Cancer.

I know you've seen these pic, but I really love this one.

Really ridiculously fast people offer to run with me.

Here'e Megan and I bringing sexy back to Central Park.

Megan ran a whole freaking half marathon with me, helping me PR and have a big confidence up up up day. Those 13 miles flew by, it wasn’t even that painful. Most of the time, I thought I was having too much fun for a race.

Then, Susan, who just ran a MARATHON on Sunday, did my workout with me today (3 x 2 miles at my MP, if you were curious — my MP is a walk in the park for Susan). It was by far the easiest 3 x 2 miles I’ve ever done — the first two repeats practically flew by.

Best part of the entire thing? They were the watchbearers so I didn’t have to deal with my watch or the Garms, but I still had the data.

Susan is running NYC so she’s out in terms of my pacer recruiting. I’ve submitted my application to Megan. I have secrets hopes that I can conn one of the Picky People, Jesse, into running with me. He’ll probably be busy watching his wife though, and I don’t blame him. Maybe I can bribe him with baked goods.

Jesse like wins triathlons in aviators. He also has a degree in engineering (maybe even a masters), an MBA, and runs a business. Man, I feel lazy and unaccomplished now.

At the very least, with a masters in engineering, I have high hopes I can pay him to set up a wireless router and my TIVO for me. I have no patience for technology to figure it out. He’ll probably be too busy winning something or inventing another start-up or something.

Anyways, that’s what’s rocking my week.

TELL ME: What’s rocking your week? And, do you decorate for Halloween?

Until next time…

Super-Fly

I took a Flybarre class today (hence, the name of this title) – got a deal for 5 classes on Gilt City last week. I was pretty stoked for it, considering I grew up in a leotard and anything with the word “barre” in it reminds me of my youth. Evidence of my leotard-clad childhood:

Age 3. I started asking to do gymnastics when I was 2! Started dance at 2 1/2 and gymnastics at 4. My sister might kill me for posting this pic.

Age 9 or 10 - gymnastics! My first love. Looks like my toes aren't pointed quite enough and I need someone sitting on them more often...

I figured it would be fun, maybe a little challenging, but not too tough for this 2x marathoner and former collegiate athlete. Right? WRONG.

Looks innocuous enough, right? WRONG.

Flybarre kicked my butt.

Even though I can go run 13 miles just fine, apparently I am lacking significantly in any sort of actual strength. It was slightly embarrassing what a weakling I am. Ok, not slightly, very embarrassing. I mean, hello, I thought I was in pretty good shape considering I’m able to run 5 days a week. Guess NOT.

If you’re wondering what the class is like, its sort of a mix of pilates + dance-ish + gymnastics conditioning. Some yoga-esque stuff thrown in there, too. If you’re not into plie-ing and a choreographed arm workout (which changes every month), then you probably won’t like it. But, if you have gymnastics/dance entrenched in your DNA like I do, it will probably bring back some fond and not so fond memories (squaring off your hips, anyone? applies not only to splits anymore…). If you like a good strength workout with good music, its for you, too.

The only part I was half-way decent at was the abs stuff considering I’ve been planking and voting my little heart out several days a week. Arms and legs? ABYSMAL.

Seriously, MY LEGS THAT CAN CARRY ME 26.2 MILES WERE SHAKING, particularly when you had to stand on one leg. My glutes were on fire – I thought you used those running, but APPARENTLY NOT. Standing on one leg and pulsing your other leg behind you is very challenging. When I had to stand on my left leg, it was shaking the whole time. That’s the side with the SI Joint dys-FUN-ction (fun, get it? haha). I guess that physical therapist was right when he said my glutes weren’t really working anymore, especially on that side.

After about 2 min on one leg, mine was shaking. Awesome.

Of course, if you know anything about me, the whole time I was yelling at myself “Get it together! You are a former collegiate athlete!” Tell your shaking leg to “get it together” does not work wonders to reduce said shaking, in case you were wondering.

Even though Flybarre was hard, it was really fun and, thankfully for my muscles, over in 1 hr. I’ll definitely be going back (I do have 4 more classes left on my Gilt credit) — and apparently, I need it.

Have you ever had this happen to you? Where you thought you were in good shape and then been embarrassed by your lack of fitness in one area?

Looks like I have some strength to build. Will that make me a faster runner? Will that also allow me to eat more ice cream if I have more muscle?

Until next time…

What’s Up Wednesday

Several developments to report:

1. My nails – a beautiful creation. I know I went all trendy tweeny-bopper here copying Miley, Vanessa Hudgens, and the rest of the teenagers who have more money than I could ever dream of, but I couldn’t help myself.

Vanessa's Version

 

My version take 1...

 

My version take 2...

I had to show you both pictures because the first one makes the green finger look mint candy apple-ish, which it is not. It is darker and, in fact, Turquoise and Caicos by Essie. The rest of my nails are Capri by Essie which is quickly ousting Clambake as my favorite summer color.

Clearly, nail color choices are very important to me.

2. Gymnastics National Championships this week! So, if you’re wondering what I’m doing if not at work or working on Cookies, I’m on gymnastike and youtube watching video updates people post.

Jordyn Wieber is my predicted winner, barring disaster. I think she’ll beat Rebecca Bross, the defending champ, just because Bross has been out all year with injury.

3. My planner getting WATER DAMAGE. This isn’t rocking my week, but I feel the need to tell you all about it because, if you’ve read any past posts, you know I am in love with my planner. It came all the way from South Korea to me to become my paper brain. And, it is that, my paper brain. MY LIFE IS IN THAT PLANNER.

Needless, to say I got very distressed when water spilled on it (the top edge near the binding — ie water damage on every page). Of course, I came home and blowed dried it. It is still in once piece, thank God.

Proof that this came from South Korea. You know, a map of South Korea in the back in case I want to brush up on my South Korean geography.

This planner is very curious to me because it came from South Korea, is written in English, but is called “Journal: Un Jour de Reve” which is French (the “un jour de reve” part). My planner is not only amazing at keeping me organized, but also multi-cultural.

4. HAIR FEATHERS FALLING OUT. This also is NOT rocking my week, but, again, I felt the need to tell you all as I espoused my love for hair feathers and how they complete me on this blog. At work on Monday my first little bunch of hair feathers came out after I accidentally pulled on the hair they were attached to.

Bye, Bye Hair Feathers...(that's my planner there, too)

It was a traumatic experience, to say the least. I didn’t realize how much they had become a part of me. I had to call my hair person in TN, Mallory (who totally gets me and that hair feathers are essential), to calm me down and give me instructions as to how to get them placed back in my hair. I need to find a place here that does hair feathers or link extensions — anyone know of any of those places?

Oh yeah, that’s right. Those bad boys are going back in my hair. Thankfully, at least I have the other 3 in my hair.

5. Getting Bulk Pulled Pork From the Place Down the Street. Let’s be honest people, I’m not going to make pulled pork. I was craving it today and went to the place around the corner (Waterfront Alehouse, if you were curious) and asked if by chance I could get a 1/4 lb of the good stuff. They said they had never had this request before and were a little baffled by my request. Clearly, New Yorkers do not know what’s up when it comes to proper barbecue meat consumption.

My request was granted and I now have enough pulled pork to last me 3-4 meals. SCORE.

6. People Who Thinking Running Is Fun and Cool. Its nice to get the “oh, you wanna run sometime?” reaction rather than “dear Lord, running 6 miles, that sounds terrible!” Thanks to Susan for meeting up with me today for some early morning mileage. Medical running people, UNITE. (However, I was one of the latter people for a very long time, so I can’t really talk…I get them.)

That is what is rocking my week.

Besides procuring a permit from Parks and Rec so I can have my bake sale, which, speaking of, anyone got any gluten free recipes out there?!?

What’s making your boat float these days?

Tell me.

Until next time…

A True Baller

First of all, for those of you who used the terms NBI or BI in your comments, I love you. I want to make them catch on like Gretchen tried to make “fetch” happen in Mean Girls.

Second, I’m sorry I have been whiny lately. I guess I’ve just been in a whiny running mood lately, but I write how I feel. And, whiny/frustrated/not satisfied is how I’ve feeling this week.

I’m snapping myself out of it because I have a race on Saturday! Racing in a whiny running mood = no fun. And the whole point of races is to have fun (well, after the fact, generally not that pleasant during) AND to eat whatever you want the rest of the day! Right? Yes!

Also, your comments helped me snap out of my comparison funk…so, thank you!

So, you know by now my general quest in running is to be a baller. But, let me show you someone who’s actually a baller:

Homeboy LOST HIS LEG TO CANCER and look at him! Doing a standing back (flip)! That’s hard on two legs…

Its not really the fact that Adam, whoever he is, can do a standing back on one leg, its the attitude that got him there. I don’t know this person, but I think losing a limb would give one a very easy out to be a couch potato for the rest of your life. It takes a special sort of perseverance and resilience to get back out there, flipping around like its no problem on one leg.

Think about it….first, you’d have to deal with the fact that whatever local therapy (radiation I presume) didn’t work. Then, you’re faced with an amputation, protheses, probably chemotherapy if you have metastases. Let’s not even talk about metastases or recurrences. That’s a lot to deal with, especially at a young age.

So, thanks, Adam, wherever you are, for making me a little more thankful for what I have today and amazing me with your baller-ness.

Now, two things:

1) Watch this video, you will smile:

Adorable. I’ve watched this at least 5 times already. How fun would it be to be Miss Kimberly or Miss Ashley?!?

2) Race on Saturday – let’s all hope for low humidity, some sun (but not too much sun) and fast legs.

Its 5 miles. I’m a little undecided on a goal. I think my main goal will be 40 min (~8 min/mile), if I’m feeling a little better then maybe 39 min, and I’m feeling truly baller then 38:30ish.

Regardless, finishing = ICE CREAM. Or ice cream sandwich. Or cupcakes. Or cookies….the possibilities are endless, people.

I hope you had a great day!

Until next time…