I ran my first 10k this morning...in the rain! My pre-race traditions seem to continue and I couldn't sleep last night because I started doubting myself even though I know I've been training for weeks for this and knew I was more than capable to be running this morning. I set the alarm for 6:30 this morning so I could get up and eat before the race and once again, like the last three, I couldn't eat because my nerves were just too worked up. This comes back to kill me about halfway through a race because I lose all of my energy. I'm going to have to get over that for the Pig because I can't run 13.1 miles without eating anything the morning of.
Megan and I left the house around 7:10 and began our drive downtown. Of course it was pouring down rain and I knew this was how it was going to continue. However, we lucked out and by 9 a.m. when the race started, it was just a slow drizzle that really wasn't too bad. I think we got poured on once during the entire race but at that point, it felt good because we were hot from running.
We finished the full 6.2 miles in 1:39:22, which means I was able to maintain a 16 minute mile, even when walking. We walked a good chunk of it, especially the hills, but I did push myself when I was running so I feel like I'm making progress. I'm very pleased with how well we did and running in the rain this morning was a good training experience for the half-marathon because it almost always seems to rain on that day. I think I strained something in my leg though when I went sliding on the painted lines in the road and tried to keep my balance without wiping out. I took three ibuprofen when I got home from dinner which seems to have helped but I'm still limping a bit.
Thanksgiving was pretty uneventful. My aunt, my cousin, and I had all run today so by the time I got to dinner (lunch I guess since we ate at 1) I was ready to sleep. It was fun spending time with the extended family and talking about school, work, and running with them. Of course the new guy came up because my cousin Kim saw my facebook status so I shared some of what I know about him with my cousin Vicki. They're all excited for me but my uncle Gary told me if I keep him away from the family too long that when I finally do bring him around, they'll make sure they embarrass me! Oh how I love my family! :-P
Speaking of the boy, we're having brunch tomorrow! We've been chatting for the last hour through text messages and I was telling him how I want hot chocolate but don't want to go to Starbucks alone and he told me not to waste my time or energy and to make Swiss Miss instead. I told him I don't like hot chocolate from a box because it doesn't taste right or I just don't make it right. He told me he'd invite me over for a cup tonight but he doesn't want me driving in this nasty weather. How sweet is he?!? I'm looking forward to spending time with him tomorrow. :-)
Alright, half time is over. Back to yelling at my poor pitiful Bengals team. *sigh* Is it baseball season yet??
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Twas the night before the turkey trot...
Twas the night before the turkey trot, not a creature was stirring, not even me. Okay, not quite the same tune, but you get my drift. I've been home from work since 5:15 and all I've done is lay on the couch in my pajamas. This has become my newest pre-race tradition. I don't make plans for the night before and I just relax to get myself pumped for the race.
Tomorrow is my first ever 10k, or 6.2 miles for those not familiar with the running lingo. My ipod is currently charging and has been updated with new music to keep me pumped and ready to run. The weather isn't supposed to be the greatest but at least it's not supposed to be as cold as it was today. The current forecast for 9 a.m. is scattered showers and temps in the mid 50s. I can handle the temps but running in the rain will be new territory for me. At least it'll toughen me up (as my uncle so lovingly said earlier on facebook!) to get me ready for the Pig because it seems like it rains every year on the day of the Pig.
As I stared at my running clothes in the bathroom earlier, it amazes me how much I've changed and grown in the last year. This time last year I was a year into my gym contract but wasn't running at all. A year later, I'm up to six miles and halfway through my training for the half marathon. I never thought I'd be a person who loves to run but it's become my stress relief, the one thing that keeps me sane through the crazy parts of my life. More of my money has gone towards new running clothes in the last few months than anything else I've bought and I don't regret a single cent of it.
I think one of the biggest lessons I've learned in my training is to NOT set a time goal for myself. I know my pace and I know what I'm comfortable at so setting a time goal isn't what matters. What matters is that I cross that finish line and prove to myself that I was able to do something I never thought I could do.
I never thought I'd be at this place, training for and actually running different races but this is my life now and I love it. I love this confident person I've become since I started running. I love being able to walk into a room with my head held high knowing I'm comfortable in my own skin and proud of how far I've come.
Here's to an amazing race tomorrow! 6.2 miles here I come!!
Tomorrow is my first ever 10k, or 6.2 miles for those not familiar with the running lingo. My ipod is currently charging and has been updated with new music to keep me pumped and ready to run. The weather isn't supposed to be the greatest but at least it's not supposed to be as cold as it was today. The current forecast for 9 a.m. is scattered showers and temps in the mid 50s. I can handle the temps but running in the rain will be new territory for me. At least it'll toughen me up (as my uncle so lovingly said earlier on facebook!) to get me ready for the Pig because it seems like it rains every year on the day of the Pig.
As I stared at my running clothes in the bathroom earlier, it amazes me how much I've changed and grown in the last year. This time last year I was a year into my gym contract but wasn't running at all. A year later, I'm up to six miles and halfway through my training for the half marathon. I never thought I'd be a person who loves to run but it's become my stress relief, the one thing that keeps me sane through the crazy parts of my life. More of my money has gone towards new running clothes in the last few months than anything else I've bought and I don't regret a single cent of it.
I think one of the biggest lessons I've learned in my training is to NOT set a time goal for myself. I know my pace and I know what I'm comfortable at so setting a time goal isn't what matters. What matters is that I cross that finish line and prove to myself that I was able to do something I never thought I could do.
I never thought I'd be at this place, training for and actually running different races but this is my life now and I love it. I love this confident person I've become since I started running. I love being able to walk into a room with my head held high knowing I'm comfortable in my own skin and proud of how far I've come.
Here's to an amazing race tomorrow! 6.2 miles here I come!!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
First date
Last night was the best first date I've ever been on. I wasn't 100% sure going into it that it was a date but about half an hour into it, I realized it was, not only because he insisted on paying for dinner as soon as we sat down but because he actually called it a date. *insert girly squeal here!*
I went over to my friend Amy's after work to change clothes and get ready which was so fun in itself. It's been so long since I've gotten ready for a night out with one of my girl friends. We had Pandora cranked up on my blackberry and we were trading make up back and forth and talking about my date. I jokingly told Amy at one point that I didn't know who was more excited, me or her! She held me hostage after I had gotten ready because she told me I needed to be "fashionably late." She finally let me leave and even though I was still early, Jeremy was already waiting for me.
We sat down to dinner and as soon as we sat down he told me to order whatever I wanted, that it was on him. I looked at him and told him that he didn't have to pay for dinner but he told me that he knew that, but because he had asked me out he was paying. As soon as we ordered (after a huge fiasco with our waiter who was a jerk for the rest of the night) we just started talking. Once we started, it was non-stop for the rest of the time we were together. We talked about everything from politics to religion to education and even his kids. He had me laughing so much and at times so hard that people at the table next to us kept looking over at us!
At one point, Amy and our other co-worker Missy "crashed" my date! They knew that Jeremy was taking me to O'Charley's for dinner and they came in and looked for me. Once they got to our table, they acted like they didn't know I was going to be there and then made it a point not only to introduce themselves to Jeremy, but to point out the fact that I had straightened my hair and put make up on. *cue blushing* I was mortified! Luckily Jeremy took it all in stride and was so polite to them. I was ten shades of red when they walked away but Jeremy took us right back into conversation and all of my morification just melted away at how quickly he made me comfortable again.
Eventually we moved our date from O'Charley's to Dairy Queen where we sat and talked for another two hours. We got comfortable with each other to the point that we were actually teasing each other and poking fun at each other, especially at our ages. I can't help but wonder if maybe part of him is concerned about the fact that we're ten years apart because he joked about it a lot while we were on our date. Whenever he would bring it up I'd tease right back and then we'd slip right back into conversation.
Not once during the night was there an awkward pause or a loss of conversation. You just couldn't shut the two of us up. The only reason we ended our date when we did was because the girl at Dairy Queen was sweeping the floor and we thought they were closing. We ended up lingering in the parking lot for about 15 more minutes just talking and at one point you could tell we were awkwardly trying to figure out how to say goodnight, whether we should hug or just leave so we just left. haha! If you couldn't tell we were on a first date before then, you definitely could after!
I think the best part of the entire evening was when we were talking about the things we do outside of work and our churches came up. It was such a sigh of relief for me to find out that we believe the same things spiritually! The only difference in our church going beliefs is that he prefers a more traditional service and I prefer the contemporary service at my church. I actually have a worship mix on my Itunes that I'm going to burn and give to him the next time we hang out because he told me he's willing to try anything once so I figured I'd share with him why I like what I do.
I know it was only a first date, but I really like this one. I'm hoping he stays around for awhile. I know the timing is going to be slower than your typical dating relationship, especially because there are kids involved, but I am not opposed to seeing where this goes, especially since I now know we share the same spiritual beliefs. Along with that, we even talked about raising kids and being a stay at home mom! (Not as in us of course-just in general). He told me he's not opposed to his wife going back to work once the kids are at a school age but before that, he thinks kids are better raised at home with their family and not in an all day day-care or preschool setting. (This all came up because we were talking about my job and I griped about parents like that). When he made those comments, I just wanted to swoon right there. I love that we're already on the same page about that!
The cynical side of me is already looking for reasons why this could fall apart while the emotional side of me is ready to jump in head first. I'm praying like crazy to guard my own heart so that I don't get hurt. I know there's a chance it could happen but he's the first guy I've met in awhile that I'm willing to take that risk with. This is all happening so quickly that I'm still processing. I never expected to agree to letting Andrea introduce us last week and then actually going out on a date this week.
I'm ready to take this as slow as it needs to go and I'm praying for guidance on it, for protection of my heart, and for God to show us what His plan is. That alone is the most important factor in my opinion. It's such a comfort to know we share a mutual love for the Lord. That's so important to me in a relationship.
I haven't been able to stop smiling since Friday. I was alone in the car tonight and just kept thinking of Friday night and I could feel the grin just slide across my face. I have butterflies whenever I think of him and I'm excited for the next time we get to spend time together.
Now that it's taken over an hour to write this entry (I've been distracted several times!) I'm going to bed to pray this out and then get some sleep.
Sweet dreams. I know mine will be. :-)
I went over to my friend Amy's after work to change clothes and get ready which was so fun in itself. It's been so long since I've gotten ready for a night out with one of my girl friends. We had Pandora cranked up on my blackberry and we were trading make up back and forth and talking about my date. I jokingly told Amy at one point that I didn't know who was more excited, me or her! She held me hostage after I had gotten ready because she told me I needed to be "fashionably late." She finally let me leave and even though I was still early, Jeremy was already waiting for me.
We sat down to dinner and as soon as we sat down he told me to order whatever I wanted, that it was on him. I looked at him and told him that he didn't have to pay for dinner but he told me that he knew that, but because he had asked me out he was paying. As soon as we ordered (after a huge fiasco with our waiter who was a jerk for the rest of the night) we just started talking. Once we started, it was non-stop for the rest of the time we were together. We talked about everything from politics to religion to education and even his kids. He had me laughing so much and at times so hard that people at the table next to us kept looking over at us!
At one point, Amy and our other co-worker Missy "crashed" my date! They knew that Jeremy was taking me to O'Charley's for dinner and they came in and looked for me. Once they got to our table, they acted like they didn't know I was going to be there and then made it a point not only to introduce themselves to Jeremy, but to point out the fact that I had straightened my hair and put make up on. *cue blushing* I was mortified! Luckily Jeremy took it all in stride and was so polite to them. I was ten shades of red when they walked away but Jeremy took us right back into conversation and all of my morification just melted away at how quickly he made me comfortable again.
Eventually we moved our date from O'Charley's to Dairy Queen where we sat and talked for another two hours. We got comfortable with each other to the point that we were actually teasing each other and poking fun at each other, especially at our ages. I can't help but wonder if maybe part of him is concerned about the fact that we're ten years apart because he joked about it a lot while we were on our date. Whenever he would bring it up I'd tease right back and then we'd slip right back into conversation.
Not once during the night was there an awkward pause or a loss of conversation. You just couldn't shut the two of us up. The only reason we ended our date when we did was because the girl at Dairy Queen was sweeping the floor and we thought they were closing. We ended up lingering in the parking lot for about 15 more minutes just talking and at one point you could tell we were awkwardly trying to figure out how to say goodnight, whether we should hug or just leave so we just left. haha! If you couldn't tell we were on a first date before then, you definitely could after!
I think the best part of the entire evening was when we were talking about the things we do outside of work and our churches came up. It was such a sigh of relief for me to find out that we believe the same things spiritually! The only difference in our church going beliefs is that he prefers a more traditional service and I prefer the contemporary service at my church. I actually have a worship mix on my Itunes that I'm going to burn and give to him the next time we hang out because he told me he's willing to try anything once so I figured I'd share with him why I like what I do.
I know it was only a first date, but I really like this one. I'm hoping he stays around for awhile. I know the timing is going to be slower than your typical dating relationship, especially because there are kids involved, but I am not opposed to seeing where this goes, especially since I now know we share the same spiritual beliefs. Along with that, we even talked about raising kids and being a stay at home mom! (Not as in us of course-just in general). He told me he's not opposed to his wife going back to work once the kids are at a school age but before that, he thinks kids are better raised at home with their family and not in an all day day-care or preschool setting. (This all came up because we were talking about my job and I griped about parents like that). When he made those comments, I just wanted to swoon right there. I love that we're already on the same page about that!
The cynical side of me is already looking for reasons why this could fall apart while the emotional side of me is ready to jump in head first. I'm praying like crazy to guard my own heart so that I don't get hurt. I know there's a chance it could happen but he's the first guy I've met in awhile that I'm willing to take that risk with. This is all happening so quickly that I'm still processing. I never expected to agree to letting Andrea introduce us last week and then actually going out on a date this week.
I'm ready to take this as slow as it needs to go and I'm praying for guidance on it, for protection of my heart, and for God to show us what His plan is. That alone is the most important factor in my opinion. It's such a comfort to know we share a mutual love for the Lord. That's so important to me in a relationship.
I haven't been able to stop smiling since Friday. I was alone in the car tonight and just kept thinking of Friday night and I could feel the grin just slide across my face. I have butterflies whenever I think of him and I'm excited for the next time we get to spend time together.
Now that it's taken over an hour to write this entry (I've been distracted several times!) I'm going to bed to pray this out and then get some sleep.
Sweet dreams. I know mine will be. :-)
Friday, November 19, 2010
Sweetly dreaming
I know I need to share details but all you get tonight is that I had a great time on my date and have so much peace about seeing where this goes. For tonight, I just want to soak in the details by myself before sharing them with the world.
All I can say is that tonight's dreams will be very, very sweet.
All I can say is that tonight's dreams will be very, very sweet.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Second date!
Guess who has a second date tomorrow night?!? I DO!!!!
Jeremy and I were texting this afternoon and talking about getting coffee after work tomorrow when he suggested dinner instead! So we're getting dinner tomorrow night when I get off of work!!!
AHHH!!! I am freaking out right now!!! I'm hoping I can eat since I haven't been able to keep anything down but toast today.
And I'm soooo nervous!!! AHHH!!!! I'm going to be freaking out all day tomorrow!! And this entry has taken me a million tries to write because I'm so excited I keep making typos!!
AHHH!!! YAY!!!!
Jeremy and I were texting this afternoon and talking about getting coffee after work tomorrow when he suggested dinner instead! So we're getting dinner tomorrow night when I get off of work!!!
AHHH!!! I am freaking out right now!!! I'm hoping I can eat since I haven't been able to keep anything down but toast today.
And I'm soooo nervous!!! AHHH!!!! I'm going to be freaking out all day tomorrow!! And this entry has taken me a million tries to write because I'm so excited I keep making typos!!
AHHH!!! YAY!!!!
Just my luck
As I write this, I'm currently sitting at home curled up on the couch under my UC blanket. I took a sick day from work today after getting sent home yesterday afternoon right after my lunch break because I started getting sick. It all came on quickly.
At 10:30 yesterday morning I started getting really bad stomach cramps but still felt fine. I thought I was just hungry. Over the course of the next hour as I sat down to lunch with my kiddos, it got so bad that I was doubled over holding my stomach. Stacey sent me to the bathroom and even that didn't help. At noon one of our other girls came over to break me and I sat in my car trying to convince myself I wasn't sick. That only worked for about 45 minutes before I finally did get sick. Twice in ten minutes to be exact so Stephanie sent me home. I spent about eight and a half hours getting sick before it finally passed. I fell asleep around midnight and slept until 10:30 this morning.
I feel okay right now. In fact, I woke up hungry but I figured I should probably try and keep water down first before I attempt food. Last night I couldn't even keep water down. I really want some toast and juice but I'm going to wait for another hour or so to make sure this bug has really passed. The best part of it is that it truly is short lived. It last about 12-24 hours and then it's done.
The best perk of being sick? I've been curled up in bed watching episodes of Law and Order SVU and Bones on Netflix. This morning there's a House marathon on so I'm sitting on the couch watching that right now. I can't fathom the idea of laying in bed anymore because I've been laying in bed since two yesterday afternoon and my back actually hurts from laying in bed for so long.
I should go strip my bed and wash the sheets now since I spent all day yesterday sick in bed. Blah.
At 10:30 yesterday morning I started getting really bad stomach cramps but still felt fine. I thought I was just hungry. Over the course of the next hour as I sat down to lunch with my kiddos, it got so bad that I was doubled over holding my stomach. Stacey sent me to the bathroom and even that didn't help. At noon one of our other girls came over to break me and I sat in my car trying to convince myself I wasn't sick. That only worked for about 45 minutes before I finally did get sick. Twice in ten minutes to be exact so Stephanie sent me home. I spent about eight and a half hours getting sick before it finally passed. I fell asleep around midnight and slept until 10:30 this morning.
I feel okay right now. In fact, I woke up hungry but I figured I should probably try and keep water down first before I attempt food. Last night I couldn't even keep water down. I really want some toast and juice but I'm going to wait for another hour or so to make sure this bug has really passed. The best part of it is that it truly is short lived. It last about 12-24 hours and then it's done.
The best perk of being sick? I've been curled up in bed watching episodes of Law and Order SVU and Bones on Netflix. This morning there's a House marathon on so I'm sitting on the couch watching that right now. I can't fathom the idea of laying in bed anymore because I've been laying in bed since two yesterday afternoon and my back actually hurts from laying in bed for so long.
I should go strip my bed and wash the sheets now since I spent all day yesterday sick in bed. Blah.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thoughts from "that" girl
Since Friday, I have found myself being "that" girl. The one sitting by the phone, whose heart leaps into her throat each time it rings or beeps with a text message, hoping it's the guy she went out with over the weekend. Each time, my heart comes crashing back down with disappointment.
I don't know how to do this. It's been so long since I've gone out on a real date that I don't know how it works anymore. I know that this situation especially is delicate because there are kids involved. I never thought I'd let myself even consider dating a man who has kids and now I find myself genuinely interested in getting to know this guy and I don't know how to work this situation.
I've text him here and there but so far nothing seems to pan out from his end. Andrea keeps telling me I need to take it slow, that he's been hurt in the past and that if he wasn't interested, he wouldn't have asked for my phone number and suggested we get together again. But still, my stupid girl heart keeps thinking that because he hasn't called, he's truly not interested. On Sunday evening, I suggested we get coffee later in the week or over the weekend and his response was "I'll try. I'll text you again later in the week" and my girl brain took that to mean he truly wasn't interested and didn't want to see me again.
I hate that I've gotten my hopes up, that I've met someone I actually want to get to know, and now I find myself being the girl I always hated-the one sitting by the phone waiting for a guy who may or may not call her. I hate that I've done this to myself and the fact that everyone is being vocal on their opinions of this particular person. All I want is to be happy and instead I'm making my own self miserable by waiting on something that may or may not happen and letting everyone give me their two cents, when really it doesn't matter what anyone but myself thinks.
How long do I wait before I call him and ask him to get together? I don't want to be pushy but I genuinely do want to get to know him. So how long do I wait for him before I give in and call him?
AHHHHHH!!!! WHY HAVE I BECOME THAT GIRL THAT I HATE?!?!?
I don't know how to do this. It's been so long since I've gone out on a real date that I don't know how it works anymore. I know that this situation especially is delicate because there are kids involved. I never thought I'd let myself even consider dating a man who has kids and now I find myself genuinely interested in getting to know this guy and I don't know how to work this situation.
I've text him here and there but so far nothing seems to pan out from his end. Andrea keeps telling me I need to take it slow, that he's been hurt in the past and that if he wasn't interested, he wouldn't have asked for my phone number and suggested we get together again. But still, my stupid girl heart keeps thinking that because he hasn't called, he's truly not interested. On Sunday evening, I suggested we get coffee later in the week or over the weekend and his response was "I'll try. I'll text you again later in the week" and my girl brain took that to mean he truly wasn't interested and didn't want to see me again.
I hate that I've gotten my hopes up, that I've met someone I actually want to get to know, and now I find myself being the girl I always hated-the one sitting by the phone waiting for a guy who may or may not call her. I hate that I've done this to myself and the fact that everyone is being vocal on their opinions of this particular person. All I want is to be happy and instead I'm making my own self miserable by waiting on something that may or may not happen and letting everyone give me their two cents, when really it doesn't matter what anyone but myself thinks.
How long do I wait before I call him and ask him to get together? I don't want to be pushy but I genuinely do want to get to know him. So how long do I wait for him before I give in and call him?
AHHHHHH!!!! WHY HAVE I BECOME THAT GIRL THAT I HATE?!?!?
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