Fell Short

I know that running is self inflicted pain (the hubby constantly reminds me about this and he can't understand why I do it), but I continue to train for this half marathon. I now know that after ten miles it is all pain. There is no runners high, no in the zone, just plain pain for me. In the attempt to make it to 12 miles today, I fell short at 11.5 miles. Not bad, but I did have to stop at a gas station to get a cup of water and I ran out of steam going up a huge hill on the 11th mile. So my time wasn't exactly great. At the 11th mile, I actually contemplated whether there would be a chance to get an epidural while running (my favorite drug in world). Rationally I know this is impossible, but it crept into my mind none the less.

I'm trying not to complain about the weather, but man does it have to be 80 degrees. Not exactly prime temp for running a lot of miles. I planned the half marathon in April assuming the temps would be in the 50s (my favorite temp to run in). I actually avoid any races in the summer unless it is a triathlon (obviously because I get to swim).

Now I will have to rest my poor skin and bones for the rest of the afternoon until it is time to pick up the girls for their dentist appointments. Well at least it's not my dentist appointment.

Have a great day and enjoy the weather!

Running my Skin Off

I've actually never ran more than 8 miles before. Training for a half marathon has been interesting. I have to make it to 12 miles before the race in April. Since the weather has warmed up to highs of 70's this week, I was excited to venture on to my 10 mile run. I pulled out the shorts and baseball cap, a big change from the running pants, fleece, headband for my ears, and gloves. By the tenth mile, I'm feeling the pain in my feet. The blisters are forming on the inside of the ball of each foot, but I push on. Not until I get home do I realize how bad my shorts were rubbing against my inner thigh on one leg. Funny how the endorphins kick in and the pain doesn't show up until afterwards. I thought no big deal, I have a little chaffing going on until I take a look at all the chaffing going on. I had on the inside of both my arms where my shirt was rubbing against my skin, but the worst was on my one leg.

By the next day, my leg was scabbing over. My shorts had literally scrapped off the top layer of my skin. I couldn't even wear jeans. I had to wear soft material pants all day.

Note to self: No pain. No gain. That is after 10 miles.

I will be switching to new shorts for my 11 mile run.  

Dream Analysis

Everywhere is dark. My heart is beating so rapidly I'm disorientated. Realizing I'm in a room, but panic starts to set in. I don't know where I am, what day it is or what time it is?

Have you ever woken from a dream and felt like this?

Last night, I was startled awake during a battle in Scotland back in the 1700's where men still wore kilts on a daily basis and I was full of blood and danger was after me. Not sure if the blood was mine or someone else's, but I ached all over, muscles, bones even the hair on the top of my head. The deep seeded feeling of death lingered in the room as I realized I was still in the 21st century in my cozy bedroom at 2:00 am in the morning. Relieved, I still had access to a washer and dryer because I never want to have to do laundry by hand without running water.

Okay so this dream was brought on by a book I just finished that took place during the 1700's in Scotland that involved time travel (I really enjoyed the book). Definitely a lot of action in packed fighting that went on. Now the soreness comes from running ten miles the day before (part of my training for my half marathon I'm running in April). And the blood, well...(Warning: All men skip to the next paragraph)...that's just the regular unwanted friend who decides to visit every month. My dreams tend to become more vivid during this kind of visitation.

It always amazes me how real dreams can feel. The impact stays with me for several days afterward. Weird how our brains can play tricks on reality.

Well enjoy the good weather!

Unforeseen Talent

What is a four letter word that starts with an "S" and ends with a "T"?

On Saturday, Child #1 had team pictures before her basketball game. In order to prepare for the waiting around, I allow all three kids to bring their DS's (which I have to admit helps tremendously with keeping them out of trouble). I finally get everyone situated when all of a sudden Child #2 sneezes. I've never seen so much snot in my life just hanging half way down Child #2's face. I'm mean it was just suspended there. Really just hanging, too much to suck back in or just wipe with the good old sleeve. At least it was as clear as water and not that yellow or green color.

Now that I've grossed you out. Sorry, I digress. After my moment of awe, I realized I needed to help her. Of course, I start laughing, but I quickly herd her into the bathroom and get some toilet paper. Not one drop on the floor. Now that's talent. I'm not sure how many people saw the incident, but it would've been traumatic for the average bystander except for me I couldn't stop laughing. I didn't want to make Child #2 embarrassed so laughing was better than saying how gross it was. She thought it was funny after I got her all cleaned up. We had a good chuckle together. 

Some might say "Shit Happens" but sometimes "Snot Happens."

Unknown Bottle Contents

The funny thing about questions are you never know what you're going to get (like a box of chocolates). My favorite question starts out with "What was in that bottle of..." The surprising thing about this time it wasn't coming from my children, it was coming from my husband.

Stop. Rewind 10 years. When we bought our house, we were going to replace the front window with a nice bay window. Now that has turned into me just wanting any kind of window with crank outs. Since we all know the old saying "if it ain't broken, don't fix it," well that's my husband's favorite philosophy. While I've been waiting for the new window (don't mind my grey hair by the time the new window's installed), I haven't bought any new window treatments. I didn't want to spend any money until we got a new window. Logical, right?

Anyway, the house came with blinds and curtains, which have weathered a crazy dog and three rambunctious children.  The curtains were ripped out of the wall too many times to repair so we eliminated those last year.

Four days ago the pull string broke on one set of blinds.

Two days ago, the pull string broke on the other set of blinds. So I found cheap blinds at Walmart for $11 each (not bad for temporary blinds for another 10 years while I wait for a new window).

Now for instillation. How long will it be before the hubby hangs up the new ones (not too bad only two days). While I was playing taxi, the hubby was hanging the new blinds (he did a great job). We meet up at a basketball game and the infamous question is asked, "What was in the bottle of Windex under the sink?"

My first initial response would've been Windex, but I ponder the question for a moment. Before I can tell him, I break out laughing. I made a mixture of water and Oxiclean in an old bottle of Windex so I could get some stains out of the carpet (works great). The thought is what counts. He washed the outside and inside of the window with Oxiclean.

His response, "Well that makes sense. I kept spraying and scrubbing and I couldn't get the streaks off the window."

When we got home, the window was covered in a cloudy white film. The real bottle of Windex cleared it right up.