Another one about poop

Momma, I'm embarrassed for you. Slacker.

First off, I confess. Last week was a running fail big time. It was supposed to be my first week of "official" half training; I was supposed to run two days. I ended up running...one day, and two miles at that. I'm embarrassed, and I don't really remember what happened. I did, however, get in two days of spinning. I'm pretty sure three workouts in a week is a new low for me. This week WILL be different! I mean geez, my training plan has me running THREE days a week, with the other days left for rest or cross-training. I can pound the pavement three days!

I've decided I'm going to call this week a step-down week since I never really took one when my plan called for one. It's definitely a weak excuse, but I'm using it.

WIN: You can't deny me a childish Nike shirt. I waited months for this to go on
sale and it finally did and it was the best day.

Speaking of shirts, I've made it my mission to "desensitize" Pippi to wearing shirts since she gets so cold and Winter's coming so I'd like to get her a sweater or something. I tried her out with one of my old shirts.

Ma, i think it's a little too large.

She actually kept it on for a while, which was shocking. And then while I was cleaning my room she disappeared for a few minutes, which is never a good thing. When I went to investigate, she had gotten it half off. I'll keep trying.

Poor Pippi has been sick for a couple of days. She acts fine, just a little sluggish, and let's just say her poop isn't...uhh....solid. I'll leave it at that. I didn't think we had any chicken or white rice, so I made her plain pasta and greek yogurt. And then, Sunday morning, I was informed we had chicken in the freezer. She's going to get really sick of plain, boiled chicken, but I'm determined to get her poo (and belly) back to normal. Ahhh...the things you worry about upon becoming a dog momma.

I felt so bad for her Sunday night that I sacrificed my blanket AND my side of the bed.

Pippi a.k.a. Spoiled Rotten

I found out this morning that it's possible she may have a parasite. Yes, a poop parasite. In order to find out, this entails me bringing in a sample of Pippi poop (tehe) to the vet. With every fiber of my being I don't want to touch her liquid leavings. But since I really want her to feel better, I guess I'll be doing just that. I'll let you know how that goes <whimper>.

Did you win anything in Kari's bake sale yesterday?? I was outbid early for the two things I really wanted, but since I'm not made of money, I chose to back down. This is difficult for me. Instead, I bid on and won some delicious-sounding cranberry walnut bread. I can't wait to get it and make it my breakfast. I'll be shipping out my two packages of cookies to the winners this morning. I may have to buy more ingredients and make another batch, though, because those suckers are delicious!

In closing, don't forget to submit to me your naming ideas for my etsy shop headbands for your chance to win TWO free bands! I've only got a few ideas so far. Keep 'em comin!

Competition time!

Yesterday I found this on Pinterest and laughed out loud. It's so true! If I walked into work without makeup on, I'm convinced people would think I'm ill. (Thanks, family, for the permanent under-eye dark circles).

Tell me it's not true :)

I'm currently in the process (along with a couple of other creative souls), of naming the headbands in my etsy shop. I want to spread the word and get more interest, and I think it calls for a brilliant marketing strategy beginning with a super fun name. I want this name to stand out and not be like all the rest of them. Mine are clearly the best ones! (BTW, If you have bought one [or two or seven :)] and wouldn't mind my using a quote from you to use on a flyer or poster, or even on the Facebook page, let me know!)

So far we've come up with some good ideas. Brainstorming is fun (thank you, Thesaurus.com). BUT, I know there are some even better ideas floating around in your brains. Enter: THE COMPETITION (dun dun dunnnn).

Here's the deal-e-o:

1. Between now and next Wednesday (November 2), leave a comment on any post with all ideas you come up with for my non-slip ribbon headbands.
   
2. I'll take all the ideas that I receive and post them on Thursday.
   
3. You will all vote on those ideas.
   
4. The winner of that vote will receive TWO FREE BANDS (and will possibly be the namer of the bands!)

I'm looking forward to reading your ideas, as crazy as they may be. So, get on it and start sending me your ideas!



Just in case you need some inspiration

Versatile Blogger/I was too lazy to come up with my own blog subject today

Yesterday Katie tagged me in her Versatile Blogger post.

The "rules":
1. Thank the giver (Thanks, Katie! I enjoyed reading your random things.)
2. Share 7 random things about yourself (easy!)
3. Tag 15 other newly discovered blogs (and then you can feel free to participate or not).

Ok, here goes nothin.

1. I am a twin. I have a brother who is the exact same age as me (minus about a minute).

   

   getting ready to blow out our candles last year

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. My belly button is a "halfie". It's half in and half out. My brother's is the same way. (Last night my friend told me hers is a "levely". I've never heard that one before. (Also, belly button piercings gross me out).
   
   
   
3. I've been diagnosed with Patulous Eustachian Tube (to make a long story short, my ears don't regulate pressure correctly). I discovered yesterday that when I sniff, I get the clogged ear feeling and then I can hear myself breathe. It sucks. I had to give up caffeine, too. Somewhere along the line I must have really pissed off karma. I miss my morning coffee. Decaf is just not the same. However, if you have any flavored decaf brands to share, let me know. Dunkin Donuts doesn't make their amazing pumpkin and mint flavors in decaf. Discrimination.
   
   

   

   Oh how I miss thee.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. It's no secret, I have a horrible track record when it comes to dating. I have a weird pattern of dating guys with names that start with the same letter. Mainly, B and J. In no specific order, they are: Brandon, Brian, James, James, Jason, Josh. I thought for sure when I broke the cycle, he'd end up being "the one". Oh how wrong I was.
   
   
5. I think landscape paintings are the most pointless types of art ever. Think of it this way: when you take a picture of a landscape, it's the first one to be deleted from your memory card. Am I right? Why, then, would you want to hang a huge, painted one on your wall that is actually just an artist's interpretation of a landscape?
   

   

   ......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. I am a klutz times about a million. I have a knack for walking into walls, hitting myself in the head with doors, slamming my knee into things (like I did this morning). In the Summer I worry that people at the gym will see all the bruises all over my legs and think I've been abused. One morning in college I was awoken by my roommate, lying flat on my back on the floor with a huge bump on my forehead. Apparently I had gotten up to go to the gym and when I opened the door I knocked myself out with it. I = awesome.
   
   
7. Anytime that I get to sleep is my favorite time of day. I get giddy for bedtime. And, if I happen to have time on the weekend for a nap, you better believe I'll take it! Whoever said "I can sleep when I'm dead" obviously has never met me when I am experiencing a lack of sleep. Even I can't stand myself at those times.

And now for step 3: 15 other newly discovered blogs. Feel free to participate or not. It makes no difference to me either way :)

The Studly Runner
Running to the Kitchen
Running on Coffee
Rust Belt Runner
The Running Cook
Get Up and Go
Gourmet Runner
Running in Real Life
Healthy. Happy.Life
Runner maybe
Cows and Lasers and Everything In Between
Run With Kate
Crookedbrain
Not Just Saying


Is anyone else as glad as me that tomorrow's Friday?!

Running:baked goods as dogs:poop

This has nothing to do with anything except that it's true. How did we manage it?!

I really don't have much to talk about today. Yesterday was a rest day, so I had time after work to be tortured by the dogs relax. Yet again, my legs are still sore from my seven miles on Sunday. They had better get used to it because my weekly mileage goals aren't decreasing any time soon!

Best dog costume I've seen in a while.

This week is my first week of half marathon training. I guess this means the 15k is technically a training race. My long runs for the next three weeks are: 8 miles, 9 miles, 10 miles. Ouch! Today is my first day ever of interval training. I'm going to be stuck doing it on the treadmill today because if I go home first to run in my neighborhood, I'll be playing with, and taking care of the dogs. I just don't have the heart to let them out of their crates for a half hour to go outside and to change, and then put them right back in.

Today's plan is:
10–20 minute warm-up
12 x 400m (90 second rest in between each; timed)
10 minute cool-down___________
total: 5–6 miles

My mileage is definitely coming up this week, which I'm glad for since Kari's bake auction is coming up this weekend and I'm looking forward to enjoying the delicious goods I get.

I've heard so much about cowboy cookies, I hope I get some!

(By the way, the auction is this upcoming Sunday, October 30 from 10am to 8pm. You know you want some baked deliciousness!)

In other news, I'm contemplating making more of the race bib hangers.

Runners, is this something you'd want?

Also, I'm going to order some Christmas patterns soon for headbands (and maybe collars) for the shop, but only if it seems like people would be interested in rocking them. Would you?

My weekend, caption-style

There's way too much to write about without being horribly boring, so you're gettin' pictures. Yeehaw!

I think I've clearly lost my mind. I signed up for yet another race...in April :)

I finally ordered CEP calf sleeves! If they're as awesome as I'm expecting, the pink ones will be on my Christmas list.

Friday night Pippi was pooped, and therefore acting adorable

At Target, they sell footy pajamas for adults!!! I KNOW! (note: I didn't buy them but I wanted to)

I also bought Pippi this little gem. It's called PAYBACK!

 

A preview of my contribution to Kari's baking auction. (no zebras were harmed in the production of these baked goods).

Since I'm no longer drinking caffeine, I got my own coffee maker to brew decaf in the mornings. Why get a boring black one when you can get a PINK one??

We got our pumpkins! Mine's the little guy. The big one needed to be buckled in. Clearly I haven't grown up.

I finally ran seven legit miles...all at once. And I didn't die! I might actually make it to the 15k!

I recently saw a race bib hanger for sale on etsy for $24. I was going to put it on my Christmas list, but then I thought to myself, "Self, don't be dumb. You could make that!" And so I did, for $12.


And now it's Monday. I doubt it will be as wonderfully random as my weekend was. <sigh>

 

 

 

 

 

Not normal

I'm going crazy. No, seriously. I normally pack my outfit for the gym the night before, and I try to make sure it either matches or doesn't look too nutso, since I assume people at the gym already think I'm nutso. I must have been in crazy mode when I packed yesterday's outfit.

...and the socks are pink.

Apparently I thought the black sports bra, green shirt, blue shorts, red Aspaeris Pivot shorts, and pink socks combination wouldn't make me look like a clown. I was wrong.

So much color in one picture.

Also, after yesterday's post with the ridiculous looking dog in the pink tutu sweater (that still makes me laugh, by the way), Katie brought to my attention a very disturbing product called rear gear. Sounds innocent enough, right? Well, prepare yourselves, my friends. Innocent, it's not. What is this elusive product?

"Butt covers for your cat and dog"

No, I'm not joking.

Product description directly from the website:

Is your pet feeling left in the dirt because of his/her unsightly rear? I’ve got them covered... Rear Gear is handmade in Portland, OR and offers a cheerful solution to be-rid your favorite pet’s un-manicured back side.

So a dog is supposed to be embarrassed about its..uhh...rectum, but covering it with a ridiculous picture tied to its tail, isn't supposed to be embarrassing? Now, I'm thinking it's supposed to be a gag gift (gosh, I hope so!) but...seriously?? Would you buy one?

Ok, back to training talk. I took advice from the comments left on yesterday's post (thanks, everyone!) and set up a training plan based on a Furman First half marathon plan. The concept of these plans is "Run Less, Run Faster". Basically, it gives you three running days per week that you switch up with cross-training in between. This means you can choose which days to do each run. I *heart* this approach. I really wanted to start doing some interval training and speed work, and this plan has all that. Yeehaw! If you're interested in this approach, there are plans for all distances. The only problem is that all the distances are in km, so I still need to go through and translate things, but still...I have high hopes.



Is your pet embarrassed by the sight of their ...poop hole?

Do you mix cross-training in with your running training?

Show me the whipped cream

Happy two-hundredth post!

I don't know who I'm saying that to. This is my 200th post (woohoo?)

Anyway...

So, what happened with the weather? It went from 70 degrees to 45 degrees overnight? Is that even legal? I had the window in my room cracked last night and woke up in the middle of the night freezing. I got up to shut it, and Pippi was over on the chair all snuggled up in pillows trying to stay warm. When I got up to shut the window, she came back to the bed and I covered her all up with blankets and she buried her head in the pillows. I have a feeling I'm going to need to get her sweaters for Winter. I've never had a dog who needed to be as warm as me!

Ok, if you want to laugh...a lot, go to etsy and search for "dog sweater". What do you think about this one for Pippi?

Hooooold on a second. Why would you post a picture of your dog making
that face?! I'm not even looking at the sweater anymore!
source

 

Here's another dog that looks totally pissed. The jacket looks warm, though! If I were a dog I'd rock it.

"You better sleep with one eye open, you bastard."source

Pippi doesn't like rain (or bath water) getting in her ears, which is a problem since they stand straight up, like rain funnels.

I wonder if Yoda had some sort of ear gutter system.

Ok, enough of that. But seriously, if you need a laugh, searching for images of "dog sweater" is a good place to start.


Now on to training. I've yet to decide on a half marathon training plan, although I guess whichever one I choose, I can start with the 7-mile long run week and go from there. It looks like most of them don't allow for cross-training days, so I'll be somewhat designing my own. (I need my cross-training in order to stay sane!)

Yesterday I had grand plans of getting in a run and some strength and then having a glass of wine when I got home. Unfortunately, my run was a dizzy one so I didn't want to make the situation worse with wine. Instead, I stopped at Starbucks on my way home for a caramel apple cider. Of course I was in my sweaty gym clothes which always throws people off for some reason. The barista lady asked if I wanted whipped cream on my cider. I guess since I had obviously just come from working out, she was expecting me to say no. But you better believe I want whipped cream on top! Pile it high, please.

I've had this for dessert way more times than I'd like to admit.

I think it's funny that it's assumed people who work out don't eat junk food.

Show me the cookies!

"Cynical" doesn't begin to cut it

I thought we were playing hide-and-seek.

Guess who was up all night listening to her scratch and scratch because she's all itchy from getting tore up by all the underbrush in the woods. Have you ever gotten up at 1am to put Hydrocortisone cream on your dog's belly only to have her lick it all off? Oh, the licking. What's worse, the scratching or the licking? I just can't decide.

This is such a bad time to be giving up caffeine.

(Some background for those who don't know. She was let out again without a leash and ran into the woods. After about three hours of searching in the woods, in the dark, in the rain, in flip flops, tears streaming down my face, I finally found her out on the road soaking wet and scratched to hell.)

I'm glad she's home safe, but still pretty annoyed/angry/contemplating revenge really want to punch something.



Yesterday I was contemplating this awesome Groupon deal for a massage.

She is not digging deep enough!

You could either get a 30-minute massage for $19 or a 60-minute massage for $32. It was a 2-day deal so I figured I could decide today if I wanted to do it or not. After last night, I was all set to get in today and buy the 60-minute massage. When I clicked on "Buy!", I got this:

For crying out loud! I guess being indecisive comes back to kick you hard in the face. I went ahead and got the 30-minute massage. I'm going for the deep tissue. I had a regular massage earlier this year and it was nice, but felt pansy-ish. I want to leave feeling like I was beaten up...in a good way.


Did anything awesomely un-awesome happen to you recently?

Why are dogs such jerks sometimes?

HALF crazy

Well, you guys, it's official. I'm registered! February 18, 2012 I will run my first half marathon in Myrtle Beach, SC, one of my most favorite places on the planet.

Apparently it was necessary to note the location of the ocean in really big letters.

I was looking at the maps for the other two races (full marathon and 5k) and found it funny that the word that came to my mind for the 5k route was "cute".

Don't you just want to snuggle it?

And now, because I'm a Pinterest addict, I want to share with you all probably the most epically awesome thing I've ever found on Pinterest. No surprise, the subject is POOP!

Click the image to make it larger and to get the full
effect of its awesomeness.

I'm still wrapping my head around the amount of training I'll be putting in the next four months to get up to 13 miles (and all the Winter running clothing I'll be needing). Let the fun begin!

Does this mean I'm going to have to start taking ice baths?

I finally did it...I conquered the hills! It wasn't pretty, and I was hurting the entire time, but bam, done.

Approaching the hill where the devil lives.

My brother's friend, who's been running way more years than I have, told him that he got halfway up it one day (keep in mind that in order to get here, it's all hills also) and thought he may need to call 911. Hearing that was serious motivation.

I fought the hills and I won.

The whole way my stomach was giving me signs that things weren't going right, and when I got to the 3-mile mark I called my brother to come pick me up so that I could use our home facilities. I decided I wanted to try to get as far as I could before he got there so that the second part of my run wouldn't be too long. I only made it a half a mile. I was bummed I didn't get to run down that hill.

I think the whole having to stop in the middle killed my mojo, and the second half of my run was incredibly painful. I thought my glutes might fall off. I actually walked most of the last two miles, but as Kara told me, it doesn't matter how you do the miles, as long as you get them done. And I got seven miles done!

I think I need this.

I'm pretty sure that next weekend when I attempt seven again, I'll be taking a different route, with less hills. Today my ass is on fire.

Truth be told, I really wanted to wimp out on this run. I just wasn't feeling it. But then I got these messages and felt motivated again.

So, we all know that I was coerced into signing up for the Hot Chocolate 15k by Kara the enabler.

Now Alyssa has promised to "harass the crap out of me" until I register for the Dasani Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach...in February.

We all know that I'm going to register eventually because I'm not one to back down from a challenge (dammit). So, thank you Alyssa for that. Sadly, I have to wait until payday (this Friday), but it seriously does look like a lot of fun, AND I get to meet Alyssa and her hubby "in real life"! Plus, there's an expo (I've only heard of these and really want to experience one) and all sorts of fun things going on that weekend. So, run 9.3 miles in December (less than two months away and seven is the longest I've run so far), and then in two months, train to run four miles past that to make it to 13.1. I've got a long road ahead of me (no pun intended).

In other news, I decided to make Pippi a Halloween collar, with a little something extra to make it a little cuter to not make me not want to murder her for running into the woods.

The lighting is awful. The colors are much nicer than this.

Am I nuts for thinking I can train for a half marathon in two months, having never run that distance?

Have you ever had to crawl through the finish line?

Just slightly crazy

Remember when I casually mentioned that I'm going to start really using coupons and trying to save money? Well, I don't know that I truly explained the extent to which I'm going to try to do this. I've created a binder with sections marked for different coupon categories (poultry, beauty items, soups, etc), and today the trading card binder pages I ordered should be arriving, so I can really organize the coupons.

Yep, ONE HUNDRED of these suckers.

In my eyes, this little project should accomplish many things.

1. save money! (the big one, obviously)
2. fulfill my love of organization (I truly am excited for this part)
3. boost my ego (Just like when I get done cleaning the house, or my car, I feel awesomely accomplished. I suspect I'll have that same feeling when I see how much I was able to save.)

I DON'T, however, plan to be a crazy couponer who buys things she doesn't need or use just because she could save a ton of money, and then stock-pile them in the closets, under my bed, and in the dogs' crates.


Now I just need to figure out how to save a ton of money on things I want/need for running and working out:

CEP compression tights for my freaking sore calves!

RelaxReflect gear for Winter running

Knuckle Lights (Thanks Alyssa for the picture)

cycling shoes for spin classes (my new love)

Superfeet insoles for my running shoes. I'd given up on these
until I have yet to get my left shoe to fit correctly.

...and etc. etc. You get the point. If you're like me, your wish list is forever long.

Have you had a positive experience with "couponing"?

What's the #1 thing on your running/working out wish list?


Good luck to everyone racing this weekend! Kara, Kari, and Alyssa, I'll be thinking about you!