Refresh

Yup, its been a while. I had to take some time to get my shit back together. Yes, I'm still alive, but woah baby. I went through a hell of a spell.

So here is what I've been up to:

School. I'm going for my masters in HR Management. I love it. Its an interesting field and, well, I love people. It takes a lot of time each week to get homework done.

Work. Duh

Working out. I took a time out. Mainly because I just was a mental mess. I was trying to fix my binge eating and everything else fell away. I'm not recovered. Every day is a struggle. I'm not perfect. I had a while where I just let anything go and am not enjoying any of that. So, I'm working on getting some exercise in each day. I have a schedule that mixes weight training with running. I have a full marathon planned for the end of the year. And I WILL KICK ITS ASS!

Food. See above. I'm working on it. Some days I may write about my struggle. Some days, I will write about success. Maybe some recipes. I continue with food prep and the last week was ok. I had some great days and some perfect. Some days just sucked. I learn, and realize I'm perfectly imperfect. And that is ok.

Knitting. I've been doing it a lot. I'm working on a cushion for the library and learning more about charting. I'm also working on making a transformer hat for a friend. I also have a few other items in the works. Its been peaceful and fun. Not too much cursing over it.

That has been me in a nutshell the last few weeks.

Insanity Max 30, Knitting, and Other Odds and Ends

I've spend some time over the last few weeks getting back to me. What does that mean? I have no idea, but I've been doing it. 

Over the last week, I have been up at 5 am, which is just an ugly hour, to work out. I decided on Insanity Max:30. I love Shaun T and find him funny and very motivational. He inspires and does the workout to, so it is kinda nice to watch him get his ass handed to him while I get mine handed to me. This has reduced my food cravings. In the food world, I have worked toward balance. I am enjoying my meals, my wine, my coffee. But I am focusing on moderation with the 21 Day Fix food plan. I am rebuilding my relationship with food. This means, I'm eating good, healthy foods. MOST importantly, I'm not beating myself up for not being perfect. The result this week? Less food stress, more working out, and clothes fitting loser. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: I stepped on the scale and NO MOVEMENT and I was damn pissed. BUT, I measured, compared and saw inches move down. Dont trust the scale. It LIES. Reduction in inches dont always happen early either. BUT, in my case it did. It was a reminder to me to focus and be happy, results will come. 

In getting back to me, I guess I should let you know I knit. I LOVE to knit. And I'm pretty good at it. Not outstanding, but good enough where my stuff fits when I make it and I'm pretty proud of it. It had been a while since I knitted. I picked it back up in December to reduce stress and it is working. I made a few gifts for the holidays and now am finishing up some socks (hope this week) for me. I have planned 2 more projects and have set goals to do 1 project a month.

In other news, work has kept me stressed, which is why working out and knitting have been great stress reducers. I am planning a trip in the beginning of March to see my parents. A mini 2 day cruise and a tattoo is planned for then as well. In between all this is my masters program. 

I'm feeling like I'm on the right path. I have amazing support. Every day is better.

Floor day

Well, it's been busy here. I've been following my food journal, or rather writing in it and analyzing what the deal is. I've also been clearing my library. Talk about a workout! Books as far as the eyes can see. I'm excited to revamp it. Today we put down new floors. It's kinda neat to have a part in the home improvement project even if the house it upside down. I'm ready to get back to normal. 

Happy Holidays

Its been a while since I've had the time to write. The end of the year was crazy. I finished up a class for my Masters program, taken my car to the shop 3 times and at one point it had to stay for 3 days, worked, spend time with family and friends, and got help.

Normally, the beginning of the year is reserved for resolutions, and the second week of the year is the time reserved for pushing them aside, at least that is the running joke. I don't think that has to be the case. I started my goal (not resolution) at the end of December. Not too long ago, I posted about my binge eating. Well, I found someone who can help me with it. I went to my first session last week and Monday I will go for my second session. I like her. She listens and is getting to know me. She lets me work through it with guidance. I'm bringing a food journal with emotions in it. I can tell you, its ugly. Holidays have been hell on my healthy eating. Thank goodness I'm back to better now.

I also sat down and wrote out goals for this year (again, not resolutions). Some have due dates, some just need to be worked out throughout the year. What are they? Well, time for some accountability :)

1. Work toward B.E.D (Binge Eating Disorder) recovery
2. Marathon number 2 (Savannah, GA in November)
3. Knit (the goal is one project a month if small, and if a shirt...well, I guess that depends). I'm a knitter and LOVE it. It brings me peace and reduces stress.
4. Read more (no real date on this one. It will be a mix of personal development and fun reads.)

A lot of them are for throughout the year. For some, it will include continuing my workouts and training (many long runs in my future).

I hope 2015 was a good one for you. Welcome to sweet 2016. Lets make it an amazing year!

Rock n Roll Savannah Weekend Part 2

Sunday was our 5k and 1 mile run. It started at 1pm but before that happened, we did a little exploring of Savannah.

We were up and moving and decided to find the Waving Girl. She was so cool. We took pictures by her with our medals. We walked a little more and headed back to the hotel to get ready.

We walked to where the shuttle was and learned that Siri and GPS is a jerk in Savannah. It was not able to find us. Thankfully we figured it out and made our way to the shuttle just in time!

First was the 5k. It was cold and not like Saturday. It was cold and there was call for rain. We walked it, in part due to blisters and I wanted to make sure no legs fell off. The course was pretty, even going through the woods. We went by some horses as well. How could we not stop for a photo opportunity with them?? As we were nearing the end, the rain started. Our finish? It was running through the stadium. Talk about a cool finish! The medal was a pretty 5K in purple.


We then changed our bibs for the 1 mile. The rain started to come down harder and colder. We ran walked the 1 mile. And we ran by chickens (welcome to Savannah! Ya never know what you may get.) With that we finished up and headed back to the hotel to take hot shower! Just too cold. We changed and headed out for dinner. The 1 mile race was a peach.  Bonus, because we did a race on both days, we got a remix medal! BOOM!

Monday morning we left. We went to breakfast, checked out a few shops and picked up some goodies. We also saw another container ship. You know I had to watch it try and fit under the bridge.

See ya next year, Savannah!

Rock 'n' Roll Savannah Weekend Part 1

Its been a week since my trip to Savannah, GA. I think I have processed it enough now to share my weekend.

On Thursday, November 5, we got in the car for the long ride. We passed the Sombrero and were on our way to Savannah. We made it in good time, checked into our hotel (which was awesome!), and planned our day. Of course the first stop had to be the expo for packet pickup. I'm so glad we went Thursday.

Ferry across the river to the convention center and it was quiet. No major lines or craziness. We got our bibs and off to check out the Brooks section.Once we passed "customs" we saw a giant shoe in a pool, a hut with goodies, and treadmills. We got our "passport" and Mary said she wanted to ride the shoe! So off we went to the shoe. It was like a mechanical bull and at 14 seconds, she popped the emergency stop since she did not want to fly off. On my turn, totally lost track of time and off I flew legs in the air, ass over teakettle! We picked up our free goodie, got our gate analyzed and tried on shoes. The result? A sweet cooler bag!

We checked out the rest of the expo, picked up our shuttle and VIP passes and headed back to Barracuda Bobs for a meal. Love this place. We ate there often! Friday we started the day walking around the beautiful squares. She showed me Forest Gump square and I have to say, Savannah is just as pretty as I remembered! We also went back to the expo, got our beer tickets and then off to Wet Willis for lunch.

Saturday morning was race time. First, I am glad I brought shorts. It was damn hot and 99% humidity. My hair told me so. Shorts and a tank to run in. We went to the host hotel for breakfast and coffee and then to the start to watch the wheelchair and elite start. Super blur. They are some fast folk!

We made our way to our corral and decided it was going to be fun! I took a ton of pics while walking. We saw a ton of awesome signs. The people of Savannah are super creative!

zoom in on signs available on my FB page

The bands were a combination of uh.....? First band was drum and pipes. Yes, I love it. But not really Rock n Roll. But whatever, I think I have determined it is music, not so much rock. Sadly, there were a total of 5 bands I counted (more on this later).

The people of Savannah are awesome. Just awesome! We ran through neighborhoods ranging from rich to poor and all in between. Every neighborhood was out. Cheering. There was a woman yelling about "the gold is yours to take! The GOLD is for YOU!" who was too cute. There was a kid playing the drums and that was awesome too (kid got talent). People cheering and holding signs. People were also giving out ice, and water. But it was hot. Very hot. More and more people were walking as the morning went on. Tables were running low on water, cups and Gatorade. Later we found out that tables were packed up and there was no water or Gatorade. Minimal misters and the hot weather plan went to hell. The people of Savannah answered. They came out to help their runners. They brought water and ice. They did what they could to help runners cool down.

We ran the mile markers that day. At around mile 8, we were turned around. The race shut down and everyone was diverted back to the finish. A police officer was sitting in his truck telling runners through the megaphone to divert and head to the finish line. Confusion! What? Why? So, we did what we were told. We made our way to the finish. Many people were confused. Especially when we merged with this group like "where did you come from? Cheat?" And as we told them the race got cut, they were realizing something more happened. As we got closer to the park, more and more people were laying on the side of the road being treated for heat exhaustion. We made it to the finish in a huge mass. There was a big crush of spectators trying to find their people because they knew the race was cut short. Much, much later we found out that someone died on course. Talk about heartbreaking.

We stumbled into the area with water, Gatorade, (chocolate milk for Mary), and looked for the VIP tent. Just as Rascal Flatts were starting up. Yes, not rock. But I dont care. I admit, I love me some Rascal Flatts. I watched a little and headed to the tent to get some food and liquid (beer counts). VIP is the way to go. Doing that again. I am happy to say that I got to hear the song I wanted to, Bless the Broken Road. They are awesome live.

As we headed back to the hotel to relax, help my blisters (still have 10 toenails yay!!) and think through the morning, we started to look at the RNR Savannah page. We saw a lot of bad feedback. I understand why the course was diverted. They did their best to prepare but it was not enough. The medical staff were swamped and runners were very lucky how amazing the people of Savannah are. It was sad about the death as well. We also started to see how marathoners were cut short of their marathon and were getting full comp to another race. We emailed to see what was going on and found out that they did not realize that the half marathoners were cut off too. A week later, we are waiting on responses from RNR regarding the half marathon.

The rest of the day was dedicated to rest, Wet Willies for drinks and food and having a great time with friends we met at last years 1 mile race.

With that, I will end here. Part 2 will include the 5k and 1 mile!

Rock n roll Savannah run weekend is here!

So, it's the night before Savannah. I'm finishing homework and packing my bags so I can leave tomorrow morning. Mary and I will be leaving in the morning to run a half marathon, a 5k and 1 mile this weekend. 17.2 miles. I know I have not trained and all I can do is my best. And that is ok. It's going to be an awesome weekend of friends, runners, and Savannah!! 

A year ago I did my first and only marathon there. It took all I had and then some. It changed me as a person. This year, I will have a great weekend and do my best. I think I appreciate this weekend even more because running almost didn't happen. If I get a did not finish for the half that is ok. Because I know I did my best. 

This weekend will be run with heart. I will carry those who can't run with me. I will carry my dad, who used to run with me. I will carry anyone else with me who wants to be with me. 

I will update as I can this weekend. 

Wonder Woman runs again.