Summer is kicking my rear. J's cousin got married which involved getting up at 4AM and taking a 8+hour road trip last weekend. After an amazing wedding we got a few hours sleep and hit the road the next day to get back home. Since then I have been working like crazy to get everything accomplished to be prepared for my Las Vegas trip. That includes getting the house in order for J to be in control while I'm gone, getting my girls taken care of until J gets them for the weekend, and about a million other things to make sure things go smoothly while I'm gone. On top of all that I have been trying to get everything I need done for the trip. BTW, 5 of us girls leave tomorrow at noon on an 18+ our trip to the city of lights. A whole different type of marathon.
I just wanted to give all of you a heads up on why I'll be MIA. We leave Sunday afternoon for the trip back. So, hopefully if things go well you hear from me on Monday evening or early Tuesday. I'm already having some major blog withdrawals. I'll miss you guys. Good luck to all of you who are running while I'm gone. I'll look forward to getting home and catching back up. I also have huge plans to get this booty of mine back in shape. I've had it. Fat, consider this your warning :)
I leave you with a few of my favorite pics from the weekend.
Check out my FIL. I have several classic shots :)
Big M caught the bouquet. I don't even want to think about it.
1. I've been busy. We have a wedding we have to make a road trip for this weekend and my Cookie Lee trip to Las Vegas I'm preparing for. On top of everything, two of my Cookie Team are going through family emergencies. Then, before I knew it, my Grandma was in the hospital this week as well. The last few days have been stressful and emotional. I'm just trying to get as much done as I can and be prepared for whatever comes next. One of my Cookie travel partners is in Alaska right now with her family. She and I were tag teaming the 18 hourish trip to Vegas next Wednesday. Without her, it's all me. I can handle it, just hoping it all goes smoothly. I'm a marathoner....bring it.
Sending big hugs and prayers out to my friends and their families.
2. Another One Bites The Dust. I lost another Follower since this morning. After a tough few days it was the last thing I wanted to see. Summer is causing chaos with my blogging. I obviously need to step it back up. Sorry to all of my faithful followers. I'm not going anywhere. I have serious plans. Hopefully you'll all hang around to see it happen.
3. Running/Weight Loss. I plan on getting more details on this. After a highly stressful February, my body refuses to lose weight. I want to do it right and do it healthy. After losing 80+ pounds before, I know it can be done. I'm just slightly frustrated that none of my routines are working at all. How can I run as much as I do and still feel and look this way???
A friend sent me a link with sarcastic responses on normal signs. Thought I'd share a few. Jess, there's one for you.
Looking for something fun to do tomorrow??? You're in luck. If you like free stuff and running shoes then this is where you'll want to be. OnlineShoes.com is having a New Balance Minimus Event at Greenlake.
Minimus, fromNew Balance, offers the absolute latest and greatest in minimalist running shoes, and also referred to as “barefoot running”. The Minimus shoes are like nothing you’ve ever tried before, and this could be a great opportunity for you to give them a little test run.
Plus…..Play some “Minimus to Win it” games (our spin on the Minute to Win It game show) to win someFree New Balance Swag! Sunglasses, Running Jackets, Travel Coffee Cups (the good ones), backpacks and more.
New Balance Minimus Event
Date: 8/21
Time: 1:00-3:00
Where: South end of Greenlake
I'm hoping to check it out tomorrow with Big M & Little M. Mini road trip. It looks like a 215+ mile round trip. Not sure how J will feel about this but it would be a fun girls adventure if I can make it happen. Hope to see some of you there.
Buy the powdered sports drink mix instead of premixed. It’s cheaper and more similar to race drink mixes.
Each pound you lose makes running a little easier.
Hydrate. Make it a habit to drink water throughout the day.
If you are running very long distance drink enough electrolytes (e.g. Gatorade).
On long runs eat something every hour—whether you feel like it or not.
During longer runs if you don’t like to carry water take some cash in your pocket pouch or a shoe wallet. Run a route where there’s a corner store that you can use as a pit stop to pick up your water and maybe use the bathroom.
Avoid eating spicy foods before running and the night before your long runs.
To aid recovery the most crucial time to eat and drink is in the hour immediately after you run.
Prevention Tips
Use Vaseline or BodyGlide wherever things rub. They will help prevent blisters and chafing (guys don’t forget the nipples).
Do not increase your mileage more than 10 percent per week.
Guys: Band-Aids before the long runs. Your nipples will thank you in the shower afterwards.
Log your mileage for your legs and your Shoes. Too much on either will cause you injury.
If you are prone to shin splints and lower leg pain try running soft trails for your Training runs and save the asphalt for race day.
Do not run two hard days back-to-back.
Ice aches and pains immediately.
Pay attention to your form. Try to run lightly to minimize impact that could lead to injury.
Cut your Training by at least 30 percent to 50 percent every 4th or 5th week for recovery.
When trail running don’t forget the bug spray.
Neosporin (or another antibiotic cream) is good for chafed areas (if you didn’t use your BodyGlide!).
Make sure you cut your toenails short enough so they don’t jam into your Shoes!
Put some BodyGlide between your toes on long runs.
Be careful about running on paths that force you to run consistently on a slant. It’s hard on the hips knees and IT bands.
Don’t stretch before a run. Warm up by walking briskly or jogging slowly for several minutes.
Do not ice for more than 20 minutes at a time.
Do not use the hot tub after a race. It will increase inflammation and hinder healing.
Frozen peas make a great ice pack for aches and pains. A thin t-towel wrapped around them makes the cold more comfortable.
Soreness one to two days after a run is normal (delayed onset muscle soreness).
No amount of money spent on gadget training programs or funny food can substitute for minutes, hours, days and weeks on the road.
There’s no shame in walking.
Subscribe to a running magazine or pick up a book or two on running.
Four laps around the local the high school track equals one mile.
Lift weights.
It’s okay to take walk breaks (run 1 minute walk 1 minute then progress to run 10 minutes walk 1 minute etc.).
Vary your training routes. This will prevent boredom and prevent your body from getting acclimated.
Speed work doesn’t have to be scientific. Try racing to one light post and then jogging to the next.
Push through rough spots by focusing on the sounds of your breath and feet touching the ground.
Do speedwork after you develop an endurance base.
Practice running harder in the last half of your runs.
Do abdominal breathing to get rid of side cramps or “stitches.”
If you can’t find the time to run, take your running gear to work.
Run on trails if at all possible. It will be easier on your body and you’ll love it.
Build rest into your schedule. Rest is just as important of an element as exercise in your fitness plan.
Forgive yourself. Over-ambitious goals usually lead to frustration and giving up on your fitness plan. If you miss a goal or milestone let it go and focus on the next opportunity to get it.
Mix-up your training plan. Make sure your training plan is not too heavily focused on one thing. No matter what level of runner you are your training plan should include four essential elements: endurance speed rest cross-training.
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Weather Tips
Dress as if it is 10 degrees warmer than the temperature on the thermometer.
Wear sunscreen and a hat when the sun is beating down—even in winter.
Run early in the morning or later in evening to avoid mid-day heat.
Pick up a pair of Yaktrax when running in icey conditions.
In the winter dress in layers (coolmax or other technical clothing) and wear a headband over your running hat to cover your ears.
For colder climates invest in socks rated to 40 below (usually found in sport/ski shops).
To keep cool in hot weather soak a bandana in cold water wring it out a bit and tie it loosely around your neck.
For hot weather fill your water bottle about half way lay it at an angle in the freezer and just before you head out for your run top it off with more water.
1. I was happily surprised with family from Idaho coming to visit last week. Jim was married to my Mom. (My mom passed away in 2004) Even though we are technically not related anymore I still consider him my Step-Dad. His wife, Annette, is awesome. They got here early Thursday morning and left late Wednesday night. During this time I probably burned more calories than I usually do in a month. Seriously, we rototilled, hauled sod, pulled weeds, scraped moss off the roof, wired J's man cave, ran the Dirty Dash, and dug up a huge stump out of my front yard. It started innocently enough by just going to dig and cut out the roots. 7 hours later we had the whole thing dug/pulled out and cleaned up.
Thank you for all of your help and for driving so far to see us!!! We miss you already!!!
2. The Dirty Dash was so much fun!!! Full recap is on it's way. Check out one of our finisher's shots. Thank you to my "Out For Mud" Team for a great day. Awesome job to Big M!!!
3. Less than 2 weeks until I leave for Las Vegas. I'll be heading to the Fall/Winter Cookie Lee Catalog Launch. I haven't been to Vegas as an adult. We are doing a road trip with 5 of us girls. I'm super excited. In celebration of the new jewelry and to raise some extra Vegas funds all of my inventory is 50% off. Check out my website link above. I have a ton of stuff. If there is something you like, let me know. I'll send it your way. Any extra $ would be great. Anyone who buys something from me will also be able to choose an item from the new catalog at 50% whenever they choose. Any questions, just let me know.
Any suggestions for Las Vegas? Places to eat or things to do? We'll be staying at the Hard Rock Hotel. We'll have one free afternoon and night, along with anything we can squeak in super late or early.
Harry Potter & Running Combine
4. Harry Potter Madness. Anyone else experiencing this? It took a lot of will power to not take my girls to the midnight showing last night. Not sure when we'll squeeze it in. The past two days have been full of HP Marathons and watching all the specials on TV. Any reviews without spoilers??? Should we spend the extra $ to watch it in 3D? I'm really hoping to see it this weekend.
5. See Jane Run Half Marathonis this weekend. I'm extremely sad that I won't be going to this event. With a $95 price tag and no place to stay I would have to drive up there race morning and figure it all out solo. I'm even more disappointed that I will miss supporting and being a part of Chelsea's 1st Half Marathon. She has been an awesome cheerleader for so many of us runners. I wish her the best of luck. Good luck to the rest of my running buddies who are running~Tall Mom/Tall Sister & Kerrie. It just seems weird that I'm not running for the first weekend in forever :( Who knows, maybe a miracle will occur. A women's event ending with champagne & chocolate sounds super fun.
I was lucky enough to win concert tickets to the New Kids On The Block & Backstreet Boys concert last Friday night. I loved the NKOTB but never got to see them in concert. As much as I wanted to see them, I didn't want to pay for tickets. Luckily, that problem was solved. The next issue was finding an accomplice. It worked out that I was able to take my awesome and amazing friend, Jessica, who had never been to a concert before. I picked her up around 5PM and we were on the road. We made a quick pit stop to top off the gas tank and to get a few snacks and beverages. I knew I wasn't buying food inside the Tacoma Dome and I wanted to make sure I had something to drink afterwards. We made good time and ended up taking the exit just after the Tacoma Dome. Smart move that took us almost directly to the parking lot. We had $21 cash and figured that would be enough for parking....wrong. $25 Baby. I pulled in, confident that I could find enough change in my purse and car to make it. We did. After some hysterical giggling we were parked and headed into the building.
Here we are in line waiting to buy some NKOTBSB merchandise. Painful, but necessary. I had to get a t-shirt after waiting 20+ years to see these guys. I got an awesome shirt and blinking rings, yes, we are that cool.
After a long wait in line we made our way to our seats. I was very happy with the view. Pretty good for free tickets. At 7:30PM the show began. After a funny intro out came Matthew Morrison. I don't often watch Glee but I'm sure you will recognize this guy. He put on a great show for almost an hour. After he was done, and a quick stage change, the real show began.
The noise was unbelievable. Probably the loudest crowd/concert I've been too which is saying something. The whole place was rocking in more ways than one. All the stands were shaking and bouncing. It was crazy. I was way more excited than I thought I'd be. When the guys came out, I was screaming with the rest of them.
Both groups started out together and then took turns singing some of their greatest hits. I think they all sounded great. Both groups made a point of making a connection with the crowd. They brought fans on stage, they made surprise entrances on the stairways, (see below) and performed out into the crowd. The stage was set up to give everyone a great view. Along with their hits they also threw in some Coldplay, Prince, Bel Biv Devoe, Queen, & AC/DC.
Donnie & AJ ~ The Bad Boys
Here is the video I caught on my phone of Nick (BSB) coming down the stairway next to us. He was followed by Brian. A girl two seats closer in our row was able to touch his hand. She was a bit excited after that.
If you watch this video, prepare yourself. This was during the NKOTB song "Cover Girl." If I wasn't deaf before the tank top came off, I was afterwards. Donnie just happened to be my favorite a lifetime ago.
The concert kept on rocking. For the encore the NKOTB sang "Hangin' Tough" & BSB's sang "Everybody." This was followed by all the guys coming together to mix them together for the finale. When the lights went down, it was 11:00PM. We actually made it to the restroom and out to the car by 11:13PM. Then we sat, and sat, and sat. We were laughing and having fun while we waited. I was a tiny bit concerned with how much sleep I'd get before getting up and heading right back up for the Dirty Dash the next day.
Once we made it to the freeway, it was smooth sailing. I had Jessica dropped off and I was in bed just before 1:00AM. Guess what? It was all worth it. I was more than pleasantly surprised with how great the show was. If you get the chance to see them, do it.
I love my shirt!!! Yes, I'm a nerd :)
BTW ~ This post does include some cardio/running. We ran all the way back to the car.
Guess where I'm going tonight? Last week I was lucky enough to win tickets from our local radio station to go see....................
NKOTBSB
Then
Now
I think they have aged well.
Backstreet Boys minus Kevin
That's right. Tonight after an unmentionable amount of years I will get to see the group that I had plastered all over my bedroom walls & ceiling growing up. I was a bit obsessed. Thank goodness that obsession has moved on to better things like running, right? That being said I am extremely excited about going. I never got to see them when they were young and popular. As an added bonus the Backstreet Boys will be there as well. Watch out world, I'll be reverting back to a teenage girl in just a few hours :)
Who is your favorite NKOTB or BSB guy? I was a Donnie & Joey girl.
I know these are a totally random mix of songs but that's how I roll. I love music and I always have a varied selection at all times on my iPod. It's been my one constant running companion from the beginning. If I don't change things up, I'd lose my mind :)
Thank goodness our wave of the Dirty Dash isn't an extremely early one. Can't wait to see Kim & S tomorrow and tackle some mud. I hope you all have a great weekend!!! Good luck to all of you who are running!!!!
when running in icey conditions.
