Does this shirt make my butt look fast??

I know, I know it's a long time coming. With trying to catch up since I've been back from vacation and Mom and Mom in Law trying to get me to settle on a place and find a date for my upcoming wedding I've barely had time to think much less blog. But all that's behind me and I'm back on track.

On to the RACE!!

Kb and I stayed with Chuck and his wife the night before the race. I took it pretty easy and went to be early. Of course time was changing that night so it wasn't as early as it would have been. After setting 3 alarms to insure at least 1 of them would go off right I was asleep. Let me tell you 5:45 aka 4:45 came pretty early. Kb got up with me and after making a PB&J we were off. We were to go to Fair Park to catch a shuttle downtown. The last shuttle was supposed to leave at 7. At 6:15 this is what we saw:

There were just as many cars behind us. At pretty close to 7 we were throught the gates of Fair Park and I bolted out of the truck and left Kb to park and find me later. At the start line, there were a ton of people. All shapes, sizes, ages and levels of athleticism. I felt like I fit right in at my corral. The gun went off at 8 but I didn't cross the start line until about 8:45. Kb was there the whole way and snapped a pic of me taking off. (of course he also took a picture of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders but I'll leave that out)

                

That's me in the purple wearing a shirt that says on the front and on the butt "Does this shirt make my butt look fast?" I started to cry a little bit. I couldn't believe I was actually doing it. After all the sweat, tears, and injuries here I was, at the beginning of the finishing of a huge goal I made for myself all by myself. I was a little overwhemed. In the words of my boss, I told myself to "SUCK IT UP and JUST DO IT"

The 1st 5k I felt great! (I know I was worried about my "running makes me poop" issue but no worries, I took care of that before the gun went off *yeah*) Mile 6-7 were getting pretty tough. It was through a really nice, (aka Expensive) pretty neighborhood that was wound around, and was hilly at the end. I was getting hot and tired and was in serious need of some water. About the time I was ready to head off to a 7-11 I saw Kb. Like a proud papa he was at the beginning of the spectator section snapping away cheering me on. I feel bad but I think the only thing I said was "there better be some eff-in water up here close or YOU'RE going on the 7-11" he assured me there was so I was so after a Gu and slamming some H20 I was off again.

The bands were cool and I have to give it to them to come out so early and play for us.It really broke up everything. I knew according to the elevation chart if I could make it to 8 miles it was all downhill, literally. Mile 8 to 11 was pretty much a blur. Mile 11-12 was REEEAAAALLLLYYY  LLOOOOOONNNGGGG. 11 miles was as long as I had run before. I was HOT, Sore, Tired and grouchy by this point. Since Kb didn't get a great reception the 1st time I saw him, I was determined to be running, and really looking like I'm enjoying myself. So once I got in the finish corral that wound us around to the finish line I decided to run the whole thing. All 1.1 miles after 12 without stopping. I saw him at the end by the finish line cheering me on. Telling me "Go Baby Go!" I did. I finished what I started and felt great! Even though I shed a few tears, and was completely exhausted. I finished in around 3 hours which was my goal for this one. I'm so proud of myself. I'm proud of Kb too, he was by me the entire time and I couldn't do it without him.

What a Week!!!

I don't have much time right now but I promise to elaborate later. I just got back from a fabulous vacay in Costa Rica with Kb. It was beautiful but I was completely out of touch with the world. No cell phones, no internet, no email, no blogs, NOTHING! and I have to say it was pretty nice. I promise to recap the race in Dallas I ran the Sunday before we left BUT I have something more important to share!! On St Patrick's Day, at sunset, on the beach in Costa Rica Kb Proposed and I accepted so I'm soon to be Jb, Mrs Kb Ha! we're so excited. I'll have a vacation recap and race recap this week. I have TONS of pictures from everything and can't wait to post them! Stay Tuned!!

** This was right after everything went down and the view of the sunset. Excuse the riding around all day with the windows down hair, lack of make-up and self picture. I promise I have more to come.**

Happy Freakin Friday!!

It's Friday!! Yippee!! This is one of the best Friday's eva! The Friday before my 1st 1/2 Marathon AND before my week long va-cay in Costa Rica!! I would be pretty worthless at work but luckily we have quite a bit going on that's keeping me focused.

This morning it was pretty chilly here but has warmed up fast. Beautiful blue skies are making this Friday just a little more awesome.

Ok, so I did my dress rehearsal with all my gear on. It went pretty well. I bought a new belt/pocket thing I can carry around my phone or camera in and it stayed in place so I'm happy. Shoes are still treating me right. I'm still debating on how I should layer. I know it will be cold at first but will warm up. I'm thinking about just wearing something I can shuck off when I start to get too warm. I also had my last acupuncture treatment before the race yesterday afternoon. Shins are still feeling good I just need to them hold out for a few more miles then I'll let them rest. Ya hear that janky old Shin Splints? I said I PROMISE to REST if you'll carry me to the end.

Drinking lots of water and trying to get enough rest this week should get me ready. Planning on going to bed super early on Saturday night and hoping to get some good sleep.

As far as Costa Rica goes.. well I can't get past Sunday so no, I'm not packed or ready. I do know where my passport is but that's about it. We don't leave until Tuesday but I took off Monday to do all the things for the trip that I haven't done so far. Wish me luck!! Next time you hear from me I'll be a full blown 1/2 Marathoner!... or 1/2 Marathon Finisher!...or 13.1 Mile Runner in an organized Race! Aw Hell, whatever you call it I'll be a goal achiever for sure. LATER TATERS!!!

The Final Countdown...

It's HERE!! I can't believe it! My race is on Sunday. I got my final Rock n Roll Newsletter email giving me the last of everything I need to know. I'll be running by myself and I'm so nervous. Here's the random thoughts going through my head....

1. They say to get there early to avoid lines, how early is early??
2. How many alarms will I have to set to make sure I get the time change right and get up on time?
3. DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE TIME CHANGE!! (For once I wish I lived in Arizona)
4. When is the last time I can get out of my corral and go pee ( as I mentioned earlier... when I get nervous I have to pee)
5. Why don't they show the porta potties on the race map. They show where all the bands are, medical stations and water. What about porta potties??
6. Should I pop an Immodium before I go?? Running makes me poop. Especially 1st thing in the morning.
7. Coffee, tea, water, Accelerade?
8. Check the weather, check the weather, check the weather
9. What distance runs should I do this week? Should I run a dress rehearsal and get all my gear on?
10. What should I eat the night before? The morning of? What if I'm too nervous to eat?

I really don't know what I'm stressing about. My only goal is to finish. I said I wanted to run one of these before my next birthday and here it is. I'm not competing against anyone but myself. I have to just let my body win the arguement my mind starts when it's telling me to quit. I know I can do it.

Kb has been my biggest fan and I know he'll be waiting for me at the finish. He's met me after some long training runs and gave me that little extra push I need to finish knowing he's there supporting me. He always has a smile waiting for me and telling me how proud he is of me. Kb, that means more to me than you'll ever know.

After all, no matter what happens I just need to remember I'll be recovering on the beaches of Costa Rica. That's my finish line.

Tales from Kinko's

If you feel the need to people watch, and you're out running around, hit up your local Kinko's. You will not be disappointed. I've made a couple of outings to Kinko's in the past few days. I don't have to go often since I can print just about anything I need at work. O but the last 2 days have been enough for to last me for a while my friends. Here's a few examples of those that haunt my local Kinko's in the 254...

• The dude that helped me with my printing job has longer fingernails than I do. I mean I don't know if he was gay (not that there's anything wrong with that.. Hellooooo Seinfeld) or a drug addict but come on man, give 'em a file at least!
• Some chick was in there with her house shoes on. Not ones that could be confused with real outdoor shoes. Unless of course, shoes with cartoon heads coming out on top of your foot is going to become a trend.
• 2 kids were in there working on their "Album Art" 1 had on a toboggan (Dude, it's like almost 70 degrees here) with his hair all mushed down and coming out of it and the other had on a hippy headband on and I'm pretty sure he hadn't washed his hair in weeks. STANK!
• Another dude's iris's were so big you couldn't see the color! I don't know if he came from an eye dr appoiment, had just finished slamming a Mountain Dew, huffed some paint or picked up a package from George Jung but GEEZ he looked jicked OUT!

All that was observed during the day. The WORK day. It makes me wonder what little gems might be there waiting for me when the sun goes down...

Good News about my Blister and Post Race Recovery Plans

I know, you can't wait to hear about my blister.... After getting yet another blister after a simple 35 minute run I decided I can't take it anymore. My race is in a week and 1/2 and there's no way I can make it through those miles. I called RunTex and they told me I needed to bring my shoes in and get fitted for new ones!! Yippee! I told them I was trying to suck it up and tried new socks, some blister pads and even Body Glide (which worked but I'm pretty sure would wear off after 10 miles or so and I am not stuffing Body Glide in my bra) in hopes that whatever was rubbing the arch of my foot would wear down. They said it was the shoe and I probably wouldn't be able to wear it down on my own so, Kb and I are making a road trip to Georgetown for some new kicks!!

I know I said my race is in a week a half, more importantly in 2 weeks I'll be recovering in Sunny COSTA RICA!!! AY-AY-AY!! Yep, Dallas Rock n Roll race on Sunday and we're heading to Houston to fly out to  Costa Rica on Tuesday!! Wednesday I'll have my toes in the sand in Playa Garza! I can't wait! I love the beach. A friend of ours moved there a few years ago and has a charter fishing company http://www.rdcharters.com/ so we're staying with him and he's taking us out to catch the big one.

I can't believe the race is so close. I'm starting to get nervous. (When I get nervous I have to pee. NOT GOOD!!) I'll post about all my pre-race thoughts and jitters next week. Happy Humpday!

So I'm not exactly "graceful"

My race is in 2 freakin weeks!! I can't believe it! I only have 1 Sunday then Wham-O! Here it is. YIKES!! So far shin splints are feeling pretty good. I have an acupuncture treatment scheduled this week and will schedule 1 for next week as well. I'm not sure if it was the rest, the new shoes or the acupuncture treatments that have helped the most but I'm sticking with the plan that has helped so far. I signed friends and fam up for runner tracking. I just wanted to sign up Kb but it was none or 5. Oh well, I'm sure they're just as excited as I am for the race. HA!

Ok, so I missed out on the last 1/2 marathon with my shin splints. They hit me like 4-5 weeks before the race and were killer. What happened this week?? I step off the porch and twist my ankle. Now, this happens all the time. Sometimes it has lasting effects, sometimes not so much.  I have weak ankles anyway but this particular ankle was severely sprained and my tibia was fractured a couple of years ago in a fall leaving George's Bar. (No, it wasn't the beers I had consumed it was the slope in which the step stones were laid out... ok, and the 3 inch heels.... ok, and the beers) So I'm not exactly what you would call "graceful". Anyway, it has been jacked up ever since. (It happens to be the same leg that I got my shin splints in. Don't know if 1 has anything to do with the other or not)

So back to Friday, I stepped off the porch and twisted my ankle. It kinda hurt but it always does then goes away. Back to work I go, no biggie. Went to the gym for some work on the dreadmill and to keep it interesting I did some intervals with sprints. Umm Yep, that's right, Miss Smarty Pants over here didn't lay off the ankle that day and paid for it the rest of the weekend. When I got up Saturday and Sunday it was super sore. It was so pretty outside Kb and I went to the Golf Course to spend the day. (I kicked his A$$!! I was sinking putts like nobody's bid-ness Holla!!) I could feel my ankle swelling around my little socks. **Not good**

The ankle is a little less sore today so I'm headed to the gym to hop on the bike. Gotta keep that cardio going!