No more limping...for now

Better news to start out the day: I can walk normally today! Also, I don't feel the "creaking" when I feel my knee while I'm bending it. All good news, I think! Still, I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch. I got some great advice yesterday that "if you can't walk, you shouldn't run". I mean, it's obviously something I knew, but I didn't feel like such a dud for taking a forced rest day yesterday when it was "prescribed" by more than one blog commenter :) One thing I really really really really don't want to do is injure myself trying to be SuperEmily. It turns out I'm not a superhero. I know, I was disappointed too.

Note to self.

I've decided that I'm going to do cross-training for the next three days and see how that goes, and then go ahead with my 6-mile run on Saturday if all feels ok at that point. I've signed up for an hour-long spin class this afternoon, which I'll follow with some weights, and then tomorrow is a Cardio & Pump class. 

Now that classes at the college are back in session, so are the classes at the gym...AND all of the places on campus to eat are back open! While I get sick of hearing overuse of the word "like" in a valley girl voice and frat dudes acting like idiots while I'm trying to eat my lunch in the "communal eating area", I do enjoy having more workout and dining options (although I won't be seeing Hot Gym Guy until Friday now. Bummer.)

Complete change of subject___________________________

And now, remember when I told you about the vacuum cleaner not working? Well, Jeremy and I were discussing it last night and, in his opinion, the reason it stops working is because I don't empty it enough. So, I guess I need to empty it, what, after every five minutes of vacuuming instead of after every ten minutes? Give me a break. I don't believe the one person in the house who never vacuums is allowed to have an opinion. He apparently cleaned it out really well...and it still doesn't work. I'd say "I told ya so," but I'm sure he'd have another excuse as to what I did wrong to make it not work. (Yes, I'm venting). I'm all for saving money. I mean, when you don't have much, you have to be, but if it doesn't work, it doesn't work!

It was about that point last night when I started feeling like this and gave up.

Amanda and I are going to look at new vacuums this weekend. She's had a death wish on the thing for as long as I can remember.

I've got a random hump day special in the shop today!

TODAY ONLY: 15% off your order when you enter code HUMPDAY15 in the Coupon Code box when checking out!

A pain in my running mojo

You guys, I'm in pain. And I'm pretty pissed off about it.

My right knee hates me.

I'm not exactly sure what happened, but my knees have both been a little sore, so I've been icing them off and on. My biggest fear is that my knees will keep me from running. I'm very worried about my knees! (This reminds me of the time I was dropped on my face on a cobblestone driveway and the only thing I was worried about was my teeth...they all survived, BTW).

My right knee has had an off-and-on pain when I bend it while walking, and a little pain while running but I didn't worry about it too much, because I wanted it to just be my legs getting used to running. Yesterday I was supposed to run three miles, but then Kara The Enabler was like, "Hey, you know what? Make up the six miles you didn't run on Saturday". And, since I'm always up for a challenge, I was like, "Yes, I can do it!" So I did 5.5, wanting to save the 6-mile PDR for this Saturday. 

As usual, I stretched and then, while eating my cereal for dinner last night, I iced both knees. And then while I was walking Pippi I got a shooting pain through my knee that came back every time I took a step and bent my knee. I hoped that, after a good nights' sleep, I'd wake up and all would be right with the world again. Yeah, I was dead wrong. I walked into work this morning like a cripple. I've noticed the pain is on the right side of my right knee. When I put my hand to the area while trying to bend my knee, it feels like it's "creaking" (for lack of a better term).

Possibly something with the collateral ligaments?
(also, yes, it annoys me that they spelled muscles wrong)

For today I'm just going to ice it off and on and hope for the best. If it feels better by this afternoon, I'm still considering doing my 4 miles after work. I'm an idiot, aren't I? 

I'm considering purchasing a knee compression wrap or sleeve of some sort. Suggestions?

Anyone else had this kind of thing happen to them? I need assurance that I won't be sidelined for long. It's severely crippling my mojo.

Only a partial fail

First off, let me start with a confession, because I'm self-deprecating like that. Remember on Friday when I talked all about how I was going to run six miles on Saturday, and to celebrate the new PDR, I was going to buy myself a running skirt? Well...I don't earn the running skirt just yet.

Saturday morning there was NO way I was going running outside. It was super windy and a little rainy all day and since the trees in our neighborhood are all fairly young, it's common for them to become uprooted and I wasn't in the mood to be impaled by a tree thrown at me by the wind.

So, I decided to get some cleaning done around the house. I normally start downstairs and work my way up, leaving my room for last, but thankfully I started with my room first because right after I vacuumed my room, the vacuum took a shit. No, really. Instead of sucking things up, it was leaving behind the contents of itself.

After digging around inside it (that's what she said), getting disgustingness everywhere (she said that, too), and not fixing it, I threw in the towel. I'm so upset that the carpet upstairs is so dirty, but there's nothing I can do about it. I was officially done cleaning at that moment.

Hi, I'm a piece of shit.

So on Sunday morning I had grand plans of getting the run done at the park. And then it just never happened. I feel like I psyche myself out and then get an upset stomach and then it's just not safe to run unless there's a bathroom nearby. Running is like mother nature's laxative, no?

It's just not a complete post without Poop!

Last night I did something that totally scares me, yet excites me at the same time. I was looking for a group to run with somewhere near my house, since I have no friends who live near me or who run. I found one with three weekly runs, one on Saturday morning. The route for Saturday is a good half hour drive from my house, but I think that's worth it for motivation and company to get it done. So, I've made plans to meet up with them to run my six miles this Saturday. Should be an adventure!

What did I do on Sunday, you'd like to know? Well, here it is

I was there first, she came and fell asleep
on top of me.

Who wouldn't want this life?

I'm about halfway through. I thought of taking a vacation
day just to finish this one and the third one.

Reading the Hunger Games books is giving me nightmares. If you've read the books, you'll understand when I say that I've been dreaming I'm a part of the games. (Sorry to those who haven't read them. You totally should!)

So, yes, I did a lot of relaxing and napping. I think I've been a little wound up and sleep-deprived lately and three whole rest days in a row (I know, why do I feel OK with this? I should be climbing the walls by now!) are exactly what I needed. I'm hoping for some great running workouts, starting with three miles today. I'm going to do some incline work. Watch out!


And, in closing, I want to know if you've ever met a dog who would be ok with this

...because I sure haven't!

Irene, rewards, and the splendors of ice

Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo_atl.shtml#contents

  



All this talk of Hurricane Irene, and our weather for the next few days looks like this:

I guess I'll be living vicariously through you all this weekend. Man, I didn't feel the earthquake, I don't get to freak out over the hurricane...I feel so left out!

Yesterday at work they came around and were taking everyone's computers and putting them on their desks instead of on the floor, just in case our offices flood. Umm...we've had downpours before and our offices didn't flood. I doubt "Few Showers/Wind" is going to do anything crazy, but I guess only time will tell.

I will, however, be a little annoyed if it's raining tomorrow morning for my six miles. I'm really sick of running on the treadmill, but our neighborhood is SO BORING to run in, so I was considering a couple of running trails around us.

Speaking of running, I've decided that if I survive my 6-miles (hello PDR) tomorrow, I'm celebrating by buying myself a running skirt. I've wanted one for a while, but since money is tight I haven't really been able to justify buying clothes in a while. I am, however, big on rewarding yourself for big accomplishments and since it's something I've wanted, I'm doing it! Kara suggested a Nike Dri-Fit one. Any other recommendations?

This one comes in PURPLE!

My run yesterday would have been awesome, except my knees felt off. My left knee felt like it would buckle and I'd be sent flying off the treadmill and my right one was just achy. I will be icing them with regularity today and tonight. I hope it's just them getting used to all the running and that they will strengthen up and play fairly from now on.

Last night while I was lying in bed, reading Catching Fire trying not to think of the uncomfortableness of the ice on my knees, Pippi was trying to figure out what the heck that stuff in the plastic bag is. I tried to get a video of her doing the head cocking, trying to figure out what that noise is, thing that dogs do because it's always hilarious, but as soon as I got out the camera she stopped. I got two other videos though and, since Pippi is tired of being depicted in picture, she requested video, so here it is.

 In this one, she talks and then attacks me. Ice makes her violent.

Good luck with the hurricane and be safe! I know it's hard to believe, but your safety is way more important than getting in miles :)

It's a good thing she's adorable

Today I'd like to start off with a story. Because sometimes stories are fun, right?

Remember back when I adopted this adorable puppy?

She is adorable, right? Well, it's a good thing she's adorable because this morning I kind of wanted to sell her.

You see, ever since I got her, I've been bringing her in the bathroom when I shower. I bring in a toy for her to play with and every now and then she'll pop her head past the shower curtain just to say, "hey, I'm still here." Recently she destroyed the bath mat and has discovered the wonders of the trash can, but really, that's minor compared to the other things she could do around the house.

This morning when I got up to get in the shower, she was lying on the bed looking at me like, "P-p-p-pleeease let me just stay in bed?" She looked all comfy and I was jealous, so I didn't make her come into the bathroom with me. Right about the time I was rinsing off and getting ready to get out of the shower, I heard a crash. Since no one else was awake in the house, I knew exactly what it was. She was trying to get to my coffee cup on the nightstand and knocked something over. (Lately she's discovered she likes coffee and, on more than one occasion when I turn my back, she starts drinking out of my cup).

I took a deep breath and opened up the bathroom door. What did I find?

The only things that are in their original places are the
green basket between the nightstand and bed and my
flip flops.

....and puppy was nowhere to be found. (Things fell behind the nightstand, too). Upon assessing the damage, I found that the lamp is now broken and there are little glass shards in my carpet (yay!), the rest of the coffee that was in the mug (the maroon thing at the mouth of the trash can) was spilled on the carpet, she had fun with the contents of my trash can, and my phone was in two pieces.

And she knew she was in trouble. After I finally coaxed her back into the room, I get this look:

Sorry Momma, I just wanted my morning cuppa joe.

It's a good thing she's adorable.

Yesterday when I got home, I was greeted by her and her cousin, Rocco.

Just in case you forgot what they look like.

As usual, they jumped on me, licked me, and were generally out-of-control for five minutes, and then Pippi did something she's never done before. She jumped onto the table. I'm not talking just her front paws like she normally does. She was standing on the kitchen table. Now, this is a dog who was unable to jump onto my bed or tackle stairs when I first got her. After laughing at her and putting her back onto the floor, I went up and told my brother and sister-in-law what she did. We had a good laugh, said hello, etc.

I asked them if she was good during the day (they were both home yesterday). They said yes and that they were trying to teach Pippi to jump into the bed of my brother's truck.

This is the size of my brother's truck, except with bigger tires

Ahh...the truth is revealed! Gee, I wonder why she thinks she can jump onto the kitchen table now.

I gotta get my own place.

From heckled to heckler

To start out, I need a favor. PLEASE (yes, I'm begging) enter Kari's giveaway today! Here's her plea.

It's a sad day if I don't get some more entries in the giveaway by the end of the day today. If I don't, I'll have to cancel it :(. Please don't make me cry and beg (plus Emily is offering those of you that enter a promo code for 20% off her Etsy shop if you enter).

 DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!

And now a quick confession before I get into the nitty gritty. I had breakfast dessert today and it was one of the most unhealthiest, delicious things ever. A package of Double Stuf Oreo Cakesters. I have one rule when it comes to eating such things and that is, if you're craving it, eat it. And if you're going to eat it, never look at the nutrition information. It's ok to splurge once in a while. Except now I have an entire box of them and I am no longer craving them. I should offer a pack to the next five people who order from my shop ;-)

Mmmm devilish deliciousness.

And while we're on the subject of confessions, I'm taking an unplanned rest day today. I did my four miles yesterday (it was supposed to be 4.5, but I decided to switch days and Thursday will be 4.5) and it wasn't easy. My legs are very tired, my left calf is mooing (heh), I mean hurting, and my knees felt weak (and no, not because Hot Gym Guy was there :). Amanda ended up coming and jumping on the treadmill next to me, which somehow made the time go by faster, although I'm not sure why since we both had on our iPods and didn't speak until we were doing weights afterward. And since I don't want tomorrow's 4.5 to suck, I'm resting today.

Come rest with me, mom!

At the gym yesterday, the guy who interrupted my treadmill run a couple weekends back, to heckle me about how I'm going to "wear that thing out" showed up yesterday just as I was getting off the 'mill. Of course he had some words, thought he was funny, ha-ha-not-so-much, and then I went on my merry way with some weights. About ten minutes later he stopped his treadmill and went to get off. I then decided to heckle him, "You're getting off already?" He said that I was training for a race, while he's training just to get out of bed a little earlier and then made some crack about how there needs to be a step at the back of the treadmill so the drop isn't so far when you're getting off. Never a dull moment at the gym when you've got your headphones off.

So I'm now two days away from a haircut and I've decided there's not even any sense in doing anything with my hair anymore. I get out of the shower, brush it, and go. Around the end of the day I get so fed up that it's normally in a headband, ponytail, and out of my way. My hair is stick straight and boring, except now that it's short, it's decided to grow funny.

One side under, the other side out. WTF, hair?!
Also, man, I'm looking more like my mom!
P.P.S. I was making a face. I don't smile scarily
on a regular basis.

 

Oh. yeah. About a year ago I got 10 inches cut off. That's why I'm so duh about my hair. I still have no idea what I'm supposed to do with it. It used to be a lot shorter than this!

Here's how long it was the day I got it cut:

I don't miss it one bit!

That's probably enough randomness and scary photos for today. Are your eyes burning yet?

Have you ever taken an impromptu rest day, going against your training plan?

Does your hair grow funnily? I refuse to believe I'm the only one.

How it came to be

On Friday I was thinking about my five mile run the next day and I thought to myself, "Woah, wait a second, how did this happen?"

You see, I ran two 5ks last October, which were my first ever races and I haven't ran any races or, really, ran much at all, since. And now I'm signed up to run a 15k?! What the?

And then I realized this is where it started (May 22, 2011):

For the first time this year, I had ran outside. On May 22. I did three miles around my neighborhood and mentioned that I should sign up for a couple more 5ks for motivation. Kara wanted me to double that. I thought she was crazy. A couple of months went by, and then...

 there was (July 18, 2011):

And before I knew it (July 18, 2011):

Oh the trials and tribulations of being goal-oriented and competitive. Kara, you're a trouble-maker!

So, anyhow, how did my 5-mile run go, you want to know?

Before.

Truth be told, I'm only posting this picture because of Pippi.

After.

I didn't feel like smiling. I didn't feel awesome. I started out too fast on the run (my Garmin told me at the fastest, I ran a 7:32 pace. Oops). I decided to bring along my Nathan Quickdraw bottle and I'm glad I did because it was bone dry by mile 3 and then I was just mad at myself...for starting out too quick, for drinking all my water, and for generally being a dumbass.

At around mile 2.5 I hit a side street where a skunk had recently bit the dust, and the smell was awful! It was way worse than when a diesel truck passes you and hits the gas, making you want to throw rocks at it (or, you know, grenades, whatever you have handy). Throwing rocks at a dead skunk carcass didn't seem like a helpful solution.

Let's see...I was also mad that the fancy running socks I was "prescribed" just aren't cushiony enough and I started getting blisters on my toes. So I fast-walked most of the last mile and grumbled my way back home after 4.5 miles.

MUST WORK ON PACING! I wish the Garmin had some sort of electrical current to zap me when I get too ambitious with my pace. That would sure teach me quickly!

The rest of my weekend went like this:

Pippi laying in awkward positions while I did laundry

Pippi, asleep in yet another awkward position while I was reading.

Lots of reading this! (I'll finish today so
I can start on book 2. YAY!)

At one point last night I looked up the titles of the other two books and one website said right in the opening paragraph of the page, how this book ends. I was pissed. They may be receiving hate mail.

And then, in my pursuit to save money, I decided that this week I was going to go cheapy cheap CHEAP. I'm going to hate myself by Friday, but I went ahead and made four days' worth of steel cut oats for breakfast, and for lunches?

That's right, four whole days' worth of pasta for lunch. On Friday (payday) I'm so treating myself to Subway for lunch! I feel like I'm in college again, except with "high-class" food instead of ramen.


Today I decided to skip my dentist appointment and stay home to monitor a rash Pippi has acquired that seems to be getting worse. A dog with allergies? Ohh here we go.


I hope you had a more successful long run (or runs) than I did. It's a new week, so get ready!

Motivation funnies

I was perusing through Pinterest, looking for some new inspiration/motivation and I found some that were amazingly hilarious and/or so totally offensive that they were hilarious. And now, I will share them with you!

WARNING: Some content not suitable for some audiences. :)

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"It's not about having time, it's about making time!" Love this!

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 And there are so many more. Go check it out if you're interested :)



And, this isn't motivating or inspirational, it's just pretty awesome.

 Happy Friday. I hope you enjoyed the randomness.

Three things thursday

I'm totally stealing Kara's idea with this post, mainly because it's been busy at work. And, well, also because I've been a lazy blogger.

1.  I HATE meetings. With all the passion that I can muster, I wish meetings would die. If I could afford it, I'd totally hire someone to go to meetings in my place and report back to me all the highlights.
   
   Today we're having a meeting, which my boss is calling a "forum". (We're fancy pants up in the Marketing department.) I also have an "audio conference" which is during lunchtime. This is the second Thursday in a row that I am hating. Anyhow, back to the forum. We had a meeting yesterday to discuss the goings-on at this forum and it turns out I will be playing a role in the presenting. This gives me great levels of anxiety, which means by the time I get home tonight after my workout, I'm going to be exhausted (and too tired to read more of The Hunger Games and I'm right at an exciting part!). The forum isn't until this afternoon, so I have almost an entire day to dwell on it. Yippee!

   

   If I was in charge.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2.  I can't stand strong perfume or cologne. I'm pretty sure the point of perfume is to make YOU smell a certain way. I shouldn't be able to smell it as I'm walking down a hallway that you walked down ten minutes ago. Also, please don't come into my office stinking up the place with your sprayed-on scent/poison. I have to work in there. Emails are way less intrusive and way less stinky. Also, it is not necessary to put on the junk before going to the gym. In order to run, I must be able to breathe. If your BO is that bad, you should probably shower more instead.
   
   
   
   
3. Long fingernails make me sick to my stomach. I have no idea why. If a guy has nails longer than mine (and I keep mine really short), I can't stand looking at his hands. I think when women have long nails, I get the impression that they're dirty. (Whether they are or not). I grew my fingernails out for my friend's wedding and I just couldn't stand it. They always felt dirty. There just can't be a way to always get clean under there. I ended up cutting them before the big day. When someone has nails long enough to "tap" when typing, it hurts me. And long toenails? Oh god, don't even get me started. So disgusting!
   
   

   

   Ewwww! WHHYYYYY!!

And now, on a much nicer note, Kari is having a giveaway of Click! Please don't enter because I need to win this one for my Saturday morning long runs :)

One of the prerequisites to win is to take a before and an after picture of your workout. Since I didn't have anyone to take pictures for me, mine are of the shoulders up, which I know isn't as fun. Sorry folks.

I was way sweatier after my run, but then I did some strength sets, so I cooled off a little bit. I didn't realize how red my face gets after I workout.

Do you have strong feelings about meetings, long fingernails and toenails, and stinky perfume?