Another summer gone

This summer did not disappoint.  Sunny and hot pretty much everyday.  I couldn't ask for a more Kari-like summer.  Like all good things this too must come to an end.

I ran one half marathon with another one coming up next week.  Once again I am not prepared for it.  I'm debating even participating but I really want the medal!  I don't even care how long it takes me to do it.  But it's in the city and I really dread the thought of driving.  Right now it will depend on the weather and my mood.

The only other event that happened is news that we found out that my Simba has a cancerous tumor in his nasal cavity.  Vet said there's really nothing that can be done at this point since it has spread into his brain.  The only visible sign that there is something wrong with him is the swelling the tumor has caused around his left eye.  It has deformed his eye and he can't see out of it anymore.  But he can still see out of the other eye.  Prognosis was "grave" with the possibility of living a few months to a year.  He is still very active.  He is mobile and functioning so I don't think he is suffering.  He still eats like a champ, goes to the bathroom, walks up and down the stairs, things that I don't think if he was suffering he'd be able to do.  So for now we just continue to give him lots of love and attention and give him pills to try and slow down the progression of the tumor.

I know it's just a matter of time.  I know that in my mind but in my heart I don't want that time to come.  Every day that I wake up and see that he is awake and looking at me with his mouth open in a pant is a good day.  He does pant a lot and even though it's been hot outside, he still pants heavily in a 70 degree house. I think the tumor is making it hard for him to breathe and that is hard to watch.  He loves sitting outside now.  Before he never wanted to stay out for more than a few minutes but now he wants to constantly go outside.  He rolls around and rubs his face in the grass.  I think he wants to rub that tumor out of him.  The bad thing is, he wants someone out there with him.  He will bark continuously until you take him out.  He never did that before.  But if that makes him happy, then I will do it.  I sat outside with him the other day for 2 hours after work waiting for Brett to come home.  I treasure the time I have with him.

I pray he continues to live a happy comfortable life and that when that time comes, he passes in his sleep.  I tease and announce that I am doing a wellness check when I come home from work looking for him.  He always goes upstairs to lay on his bed when we're gone so it's always a little scary to go in the room to see if he's still alive and well.  So far everyday I find him he is sitting there panting and looking at me expectantly.  I love it.  I love him so much and a piece of me will die when he does.  He such a great dog and after 12.5 years he's an integral part of my life and my happiness.

There will be another dog, there will always be dogs.  I grew up with them and love having them as pets.  I love hearing their nails click on the floor.  I love the comfort and companionship they give me.  I love spoiling them silly.  I love taking them for car rides and seeing their heads out the side windows.  Seeing the joy that it gives them to go for a car ride.  I can totally understand why it means so much to them.  They sit home all day waiting for you to come home.  Besides seeing us, going for a car ride is the highlight of their day!

I am constantly wrapping my arms around Simba and telling him how much I love him and how he is such a good boy.  I know he doesn't understand my words but I'm hoping he can understand my feelings.  There will never be another Simba.  I will enjoy every minute I have left with him.

Yay!  First day of summer.  My favorite time of year.  And this year has not been a disappointment.  Summer pretty much started in March with 80 degree temps.  Today its 95 degrees, sunny, blue sky, hot and breezy.  Perfect summer day!

I'm on vacation this week.  My first so far this year.  I save them up to take during the summer months for reasons stated above.  I haven't posted in a while so here's a quick recap of the last few months:

• Work has been crazy.  I've been working lots of Saturdays just to try and catch up and it hasn't helped.  So I gave my bosses an ultimatum and pretty much said they need to prioritize what needs to get done because I am not working on Saturday's for free anymore.  Not in the summer.  Sorry.
• I ran my 6th half marathon on June 9th.  The Chicago 13.1.  It was a very warm day again (not as bad as last year).  The race was not called off this year and considering I haven't done any real training for it, I was happy to have completed it in 2:47.  Under 3 hours!  Considering the heat, my poor conditioning and the fact that I'm about 10 lbs heavier than last year, I didn't do too bad.  This is one of my favorite races.  Around mile marker 5 you're heading north along the lakefront (Lake Shore Drive) and you see the gorgeous city skyline.  Just breath taking.  You have the lake which is just gleaming blue with the sun reflecting off of it.  Such a pretty sight.  Absolutely love love love it!!  Grant it, at this point I'm getting tired and realize I am barely half way done but it is still an awesome view.
• Vacation mistake #1 - don't fill the whole week with appointments.  I made an eye dr appt, hair appt, and dentist appt this week figuring I have time to get them done.  Big mistake.  I sat in the eye dr office for about an hour when I was told I may want to reschedule because there is only one dr covering all patients because one of the other dr called in sick.  So I figured okay I'll do it tomorrow.  I ended up taking Simba to the vet because he's been bleeding from his left nostril the whole weekend and knew that this wasn't normal.  Ended up sitting at the vet's office for an hour and cost me $200 for antibiotics and the exam.  The next day I go back to the eye dr and sit for over an hour before i'm called back and sit for another 45 mins before the dr gets to me!! I am beyond irritated but figured I'm committed at this point so I just need to wait it out.  New contacts and lenses for my glasses costs me $480.  Thank goodness for health savings!!  Good grief.  Then I go all the way to Schaumberg for my hair.  I color it to cover the atrocious gray hairs and get a good 4.5 inches cut off and it feels fantastic!  Cut, color, and product costs me $300.  Two days into my vacation and I've spent close to $1000 and haven't even left the country!!!
• Mistake #2 - always make the effort to look semi decent when going to dr/dentist appt.  I just rolled outta bed, threw my hair in a sloppy bun and threw on some raggedy clothes.  Two major accidents on the expressway ends up diverting every frickin car in the tri state area to crawl down route 30 so that I'm running late to the dentist.  Good thing I was saavy enough to get off the main road and take a back road and manage to get to my appt on time.  Find out that my dentist office hired a new "associate".  Wouldn't it figure he's a very good looking young guy.  F me.  I realized that having a good looking dentist is like having a good looking gyny.  You don't want them seeing you in an awkward state and sitting with your mouth open and his fingers in it is pretty damn awkward LOL.  Come to find out, he's the nephew of a guy I work with.  Small world.  Good thing I majorly brushed my teeth and tongue before that encounter!
• Mistake #3 - checking work email.  It's been 2 1/2 days and my in box had 126 messages.  Took a good 2 hours to sort through them and answer some.  Not fun but I know it will save me hours of work come Monday.

So the rest of the week looks spectacular.  Heat and humidity should break tommorrow and temps will be back in the low to mid 80's and sunny.  Couldn't ask for more.  I plan on enjoying the rest of it!!!

This is insane!

We have had over a week of close to 80 and 80+ degree temps and it's only the middle of March! I was out shopping at Kohl's the other night and it was a balmy 75 degrees at 9pm. Let me just say that I am absolutely loving it. Seriously I've never seen a warm streak last this long this early in the year. It feels like summer.

I thought we were lucky when it was pushing 70 for a few days. Now I am totally spoiled. I know the bottom will drop out soon. It's suppose to drop back down to the 60's then 50's by the end of next week. I can't complain (but I know I will) LOL.

I had been running every single day since last Friday because it's been so frickin beautiful outside and I've been telling myself that as soon as the weather got warmer I was going to be running my ass off (literally). But I had to finally take 1 day off on Thursday because my body was exhausted.

But not today. It's sunny right now and around 60 degrees with a forecast of 80. I will be outside every day for as long as this lasts! I just can't believe some people are taking this gift for granted. I just want to scream!! Everyone around here knows that this is a rarity. We're experiencing Arizona weather. Take THAT Arizona :)

It's March!

We are entering the 3rd month of the year already. Really? Seriously where does the time go. It has been the warmest winter I ever remember but I am still looking forward to spring. My fear is Mother Nature getting revenge and we have a cool/cold spring and summer. But I can't worry about things I can't control.

I've really slacked off on running the last few months. I probably only run once or twice a week. I've been doing interval training to try and change things up when I run on the treadmill. But the lack of running has definitely added some LB's in noticeable places. My so called fat pants have become the only pants that fit right now (comfortably) and to add insult to injury, I popped the inside button off of both of them! That's not good.

I have been doing more p90x which has been good. I am seriously lacking in the muscle department and seeing the fat swinging from where my biceps should be is a little unsettling. I keep telling myself that once it gets warmer I will be back out there running every day. As long as my knees hold up. I keep joking that I won't be able to walk when I'm 60 but it very well may happen.

I signed up for a dirty girl mud run in June. It's a 5k with an obstacle course. I've never done one of these only because I'm not sure if I have the stamina to do obstacles, especially with my knees. It's not timed and only women can participate so if anything it will be for fun. There's about 15 girls on our team so it will be interesting.

My first half marathon of the year is in June so hopefully I will be ready for it. I haven't done more than 5 miles since last fall so getting back up to 13 is going to be a challenge. I've done 5 races so far so I know I can do it again. It at least gives me a goal.

There are light snow flurries coming down right now and it's about 20 degrees. There was a day last week where it was 60 degrees but 30 mph gusty winds. It's so easy to be lazy during this time of year. I could so cuddle up in bed and read my kindle.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The other day I was walking the dogs and saw tulips sprouting in our neighbors yard! And somebody told me that the robins have come back and they wouldn't migrate back to the north unless warmer weather is coming soon. Who can you trust if you can't trust nature!

Running outside...during winter

Never say never. Really it's true. I was a firm believer that I would never run outside if it's under 60 degrees until the winter of 2011-2012 came along. I ran outside around Christmas a few times, I ran outside last Saturday, last Tuesday and now today. Don't get me wrong, I've only been out because it's been above 40 on those days. I still stand by my edict that I will never run outside when it's below freezing.

This has been the best winter that I can remember. We've barely gotten any snow (I think it was only 1.8 inches through Jan 10th). Then last Thursday we finally got hit with about 4-5 inches. Nothing out of the ordinary but I would have been more than happy to never see the white stuff at all this winter. Today was around 43 degrees with a south wind which wasn't unbearable. I do not have the proper gear to really be running in the winter so I took it easy in areas where snow still covered the sidewalks. Even though it's well above freezing I didn't want to risk slipping and breaking an ankle.

Forecast calls for more snow tomorrow so I totally enjoyed every minute of being out there today. There's nothing like running outside. I'm really hating the treadmill now. I cannot run non stop on a treadmill for 5 miles. It's almost like torture. I end up stopping at least 4 or 5 times out of boredom. BUT I will continue to use it because I've discovered that I gained 10 lbs since this summer.

I noticed it gradually creeping up when I'd weigh myself. I'd say I'm up a few lbs because it's the TOM, or I haven't gone to the bathroom in a while or the scale is wrong. I eventually stopped kidding myself. I haven't been running nearly as much as I did during the summer and naturally I haven't cut back on my eating.

So my goal (not resolution because I don't do resolutions) is to lose 20 lbs this year, preferably before summer. I need to lose the 10 I regained plus another 10 that I've been wanting to lose for over a year. I dread having to watch what I eat and obsess over calorie counting but that's what I have to do.

I was proud of myself last week. I had a bowl of soup and an ounce of sunchips for lunch and a chicken breast and brown rice for dinner. I did that for 3 days straight and felt really good. Then Friday came and I pigged out on pizza. I'm not calling it a failure, I am just going to pick up where I left off starting tomorrow :)

I also need to start doing more weight training during these winter months. I dread the soreness but I know that in the end I need to do it. I hope the rest of the winter is as mild as it has been. I still look so very forward to spring!

So far, so good

I have to admit, this fall has actually been like fall weather should be. I've come to really dread running on the treadmill so whereas I use to think 50 degrees was too cold to run, now I'm bundling up and running outside just to avoid the treadmill.

One good thing I did find out though was that ever since I got a new modem, the signal doesn't go out when I'm on the treadmill. I am happy about that since I have like a 100 shows on my dvr that I can't seem to get to. I did start watching Mad Men. I bought the 1st season when I thought I still had modem issues and turns out to be a pretty good show. Its been out for a while now so I guess I'm late to the party.

I've been feeling out of sorts lately. I've struggled to get motivated to run and because I know I haven't been running as much, I'm stressing about how much I've been eating. I feel like I need a break from the workouts but can't bring myself to cut back on the eating. Not that I eat nonstop, it's just that I like not having to really watch what I eat when I'm working out all the time. I told my coworker that I think I'm just gonna sit on my ass this winter and get fat. She's like no you won't, you've worked way to hard to get where you are. I know she's right. It would just be nice to kick back, relax and not gain a pound over the next 5 months. Oh well, one can wish.

It's suppose to be about 60 degrees today but super windy...of course. We can't get a warm day around here without 30 mph south winds to accompany it. I'm hoping to get some energy today and enjoy the weather. It's not all that sunny but hey, I guess you can't have everything!

I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about the upcoming months. It will give me time to get back into doing p90x and working on weight training. I desperately need it. The arm flab is not appealing, neither is the belly fat. Even though I run a lot, I can't seem to get rid of some problem areas. Good thing I am fully clothed 99% of the day - lol.

Well off to church. I am always thankful to have my health and to be alive!

Indy Half Marathon Oct 15, 2011

I wasn't sure if I was ready for this half. I've only been running about 5 miles a day since my last half in August so training wise I wasn't really ready. Although this was my 3rd half for the year, it's still 13.1 miles which is nothing to scoff at.

So my plan was if the weather was forecasted to be raining and cold then I wouldn't bother driving down there and spending money on the hotel room. But the weather forecast said it was going to be mostly sunny, high 66 and "breezy". Well I guess the term "breezy" is a matter of interpretation. It was downright WINDY with gusts up to 30 miles per hour. I've said it before, wind is my enemy. Not only because you have to work that much harder to run through it but with my contacts, any little debris nearly paralyzes me and that's not a good combination when trying to run.

Friday I drove down there and it was mostly sunny and windy. I was hoping that the wind would die down to 10 - 20 mph by Saturday. I got down there around 2:30 their time and checked into my hotel. No problems. I then ran over to the packet pickup to get it out of the way. I thought I remembered where this place was but they didn't have it set up the same way. I could have sworn last year there were signs everywhere and people guiding you into the parking lot. Not this time. The way I came in last year is now a one way out and there was a farmers market at the entrance so it was hard to tell if you went in the same way. I managed to figure it out. They also changed where you get your packets but no biggie.

I then went to Olive Garden to eat. At this point all I had "eaten" that day was my protein shake at 8 that morning. Needless to say now that it was 3:30, I was beyond hungry. So I had my salad, 3 breadsticks and an entire serving of stuffed rigatoni with grilled chicken in alfredo sauce. It was AWESOME. Hopefully the waiter didn't think I was a pig. Eh who cares if he did. That's the beauty with age, you start not to care what others think and do whatever the hell you want to :)

Stuffed to the gills, I went back to my hotel and did nothing but watch tv and rest. I managed to get about 7 hrs of sleep which was good. I'm always anxious to make sure I get there early enough to get a good parking spot and avoid the crowds. I left at around 6:10am and got to the parking lot at 6:20 and got a primo parking spot. Then I just read my kindle for about an hour. It was cold out. The temp in my car said 47 and the wind was blustery but the skies were clear. My teeth were chattering it was so cold but I knew once I started running things would warm up. It's just hard getting into the mood when you're freezing.

I'm always amazed at the variety of people who do these races. It ranges from young (13) to old (60's), from overweight to stick thin. I love the diversity. It's very inspiring. And there are people bundled up with gloves and headgear to those just wearing tank tops and short shorts.

As usual there is a long line to the bathrooms right before the race. I figured I had 30 mins to kill so I waited in line. Once in the portapotty I blew my nose because the cold air was making it run. To my dismay I saw that I now had a bloody nose! I was close to panic mode because I never anticipated a bloody nose. So I'm standing in the portapotty taking valuable time from others who are waiting trying to get my nose to stop bleeding. It wasn't a gusher but enough to get the toilet paper dark red.

So I grabbed a bunch of toilet paper and stuffed it in my nose as I walked to my starting corral. I tilted my head back trying not to draw attention to myself and managed to get it to stop. My biggest fear was it starting to gush as I was running. I am not one to draw attention especially when it comes to something like this. I prayed to God that it would just dry up and by the grace of God it did! I would check it now and again and there would be light red but nothing major. One positive outcome from that debacle was it distracted me from thinking about the race for the first few miles.

I felt great up to around mile 7. At that point, I started walking because my legs were pretty sore. I knew it would happen considering I hadn't done more than 6 miles in the last few months. I pushed through to 8 mile and then really started walking more between mile 9 and mile 11. Between mile 10 and 11 there are these steep inclines which at that point there was no way I was able to run up them. It hurt my knees to walk up them and I was walking slow. I knew from the start that I wasn't going to beat my usual 2:30 time but I was okay with that. I just wanted to finish. I walked and jogged through to the finish and according to my Garmin, I made 2:34! I'll have to check the official time but I was surprised I did that well. I know the first few miles I was doing around 11:15 min pace which is pretty good. Maybe that made up for all the walking later on. Still it was a gorgeous course. This remains one of my favorite races. It was again very well organized and had great volunteers cheering people on. It would have been perfect if the wind was less but overall, the weather was picture perfect. It has been two years in a row that there was nothing but blue skies and bright sunshine for this race.

After I got my medal, I ate two bananas and and apple and two bottles of water. I got back to the hotel and showered and tried to lay down for a while before heading back home. It's only about 2 hours away but doing these races wipes me out. I usually feel sick and it's probably because I haven't eaten much and ran 13 miles! I got home and unpacked and slept for about 3 hours. I felt much better but very sore.

Not sure if I'll do this race next year only because I've already signed up for two. One in June and one in September. I'm getting a little burned out on the miles. Running 6-7 miles is a perfect distance for me. After running 5 half marathons, I still contend that I will never run a full marathon. I have no desire to run that far or that long. I admire all those who do!