Say it ain't so.

I've been "walking around" with this information for the last day.  I don't like it one bit.  Not. One. Bit.  BUT - I understand.

I'm not running the Portland Marathon.  There I said it.  That hurt.  It isn't because I don't 100% want to - I want to.  It's because I'm not ready. Coach and I talked, and he thinks I need more time.  Could I DO the Portland Marathon?  Sure.  Would it be smart?  Probably not. 

When Coach told me this - I got very quiet.  I was thinking, "What about the registration fee I already paid??  How am I going to tell Julie??  How am I going to tell everybody else??"  Coach asked me if I was going to fire him.  I, am not.

Let's try to be logical about this.  Coach has been running longer than I have been alive.  I have been running for almost 11 months.  It would be really stupid for me not to listen.  Coach knows a thing or two about running.  He also said, and I am not joking, that if I continue on this path of hard work - I could run my 1st marathon in under four hours.  However, I will only do that by running smart, being patient, and understanding that sometimes things don't work out like we want them to.  I will not just survive my first marathon - I will be successful.

After a few more moments of silence Coach said, "You're most upset because you've already told everyone that you are running it, and now you're not - right?"  He hit the nail on the head.

So, forgive me for getting your hopes up for October.  We're going to have to wait a little bit longer.  Instead of my original plan - I will run the Spokane Half Marathon on October 9th. (thank you, thank you, thank you Julie for being so understanding and wonderful.  You have no idea how much that means to me.  I owe you super duper big time!!)  I will then run my first FULL marathon in Las Vegas on December 4th. 

My pride is a little bruised.  My ego a little tarnished.  My heart is full of acceptance.  My body and mind is ready to work their asses off.  Chin up, eyes forward, shoulders squared. On your marks. Get set. Go!

May your day be filled with mental flexibility.

Andrea

Half Recap!!

I am sure that you have all figured out that I survived.  Also, I am hooked and so very ready to do it again!!

I am really quite happy with the way my very first half went - with a finish time of 2:08:54 (complete with two monster hills - I am really looking forward to finding flat races).

There are just a few things I would do differently:

1.  Eat more before the run.  Joe says one of the Olympic teams ate blueberry pancakes for breakfast.  Really, if it is good enough for Olympians - it's good enough for me.

2.  Drink more from the hydration stations earlier on.  Towards the end of the race I was grabbing two cups of water, and I should have been doing that all along.

3.  Start out slower.  I kinda took off like the house was on fire, and perhaps I should have taken the first three miles slow.  Then, perhaps, I would have had extra gas in the tank for that monster of a hill on mile 12.

I was looking back through all my stuffs, and noticed that I haven't even been running for one year.  I believe my anniversary date is Sept. 4th.  I feel pretty good about how far I have come in less than a year.  Joe asked where I was one year ago, my response:  "on the couch, eating bon-bons."  Here's to more successful halves and wholes.

May your day be filled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment!

Andrea

Why Whole - When You Can Half??

Ugh.  Yup.  I have my first half-marathon this weekend.  Sunday to be exact.  *barf*

I don't remember being nervous at all a couple days ago, of course, that could have been the ultra hot St. Louis weather going to my brain.  (110 with the heat index, did I mention humidity... oh, Pacific Northwest how I do love thee.)

Now, I've got this:

What if I faint?  What if I have to pee?  What if I can't make it? What if I sleep in?  What if I don't drink enough water?  What if I barf?  What if I am the very last person?  What if I trip and fall, and break my leg, and have to crawl (or drag myself really) to the nearest aide station??????

Unreasonable??  I thought so, too.  Sometimes, you just can't shut off the part of your brain that rides to town on the crazy train.  I realize, that I should be fine.  Really.  Unless, like in India, I get mauled by a damn panther.  There aren't panthers in Oregon are there??

May your day be filled with clarity,

Andrea

Yup, This is MY Luck.

I told you Gabe - totally blogging it.

So, went to St. Louis - found a hotel, it was kinda far away from where I needed to be most days.  Also, it had not one, not two, but three security gates that I had to go through to get to my room.  Let's just say it freaked me out a little bit.  I don't even want to think of the reasons WHY they might need 3 locked gates.

So, I moved.  Made reservations for a different, closer, hotel.  I bopped, yes bopped, down to the front desk to check out.  This is what happens:

Desk Clerk:  Checking out?
Andrea:  Yes sir, you are just too far away.
DC: Oh, so you are going to the concert??
Andrea: Hmmm, what concert.
DC:  Really?? Uh, U2
Andrea:  WHAAAAAAATTTT!!!!!
DC:  Yup, I have tickets if you need to buy some.
Andrea: (pouty face) Oh man, I can't go - CRAP!  Now, if you had some NKOTB tickets we'd be in business.  (see I was free that night)
DC:  Oh, you a fan??
Andrea:  Heck yessssss! (believe there was a fist pump involved)
DC:  Well, I can't officially tell you this - but you might want to stay here.  We're there official hotel.
Andrea:  *silence*
DC:  I know, right??
Andrea:  *silence*

Finally, got out that I had to be going now...

BUT - SERIOUSLY DUDE!!!!! Could you maybe have told me that before I went through the trouble of checking out???  I kinda look like the type of gal who would need that information.  You know that I am sooooo not above stalking people in the lobby!!  Just another example of my bad luck.

May your day be filled with extra special chance encounters,

Andrea

Just Sayin.

I read those posts that folks write - yada yada yada look out for motorcycles.

Sure, sure I will - and I promise not to RAM them with my car if they, indeed, look out for me whilst I am running!  I almost got pummeled twice.

Hey, jerk-face on the reeeeeeaaaaaly stupid purple motorcycle. See all those cars that are stopping???  Yeah, not a weird phenomenon.  It's actually this thing (law rather) called, "pedestrian in the damn crosswalk." 

Give me stank face again, and so help me God, I will run you down and ninja kick you off your bike.

ALLLLLL better.

May your day be filled with thoughts of safety.

Andrea

Let's Wallow Together.

You ever have one of those days where nothing goes right, you're sad and you don't know why, you find yourself throwing the pity party of the century, and you just wanna go eat worms??  That is kind of me today, well not totally, but I have to travel this weekend, and I would really rather stay home.  July, just so you know, we aren't really friends anymore.

Anyhoo, this always cheers me up... and ah one, two, three, four:

May your day be merry and bright.

Andrea

Cat or Dog??

I read this analogy in an article last week, and I thought it was brilliant.  It talked about the difference in runners: some are cats and some are dogs.  You see, I am a cat.  Does that surprise you??  And by cat I mean: I like to run solo, does my own thing, set my own pace, listen to fabulous tunes, and tune the world out.  I like to be alone in my head.  It is one of the only times that I do not have to think about one single thing.  Not the dishes in the sink, the laundry piling up, the meals that need to be made, or the work that needs to be done.  For those few miles – I am responsible to no one but Andrea.  This means, I try not get run over, or trip… easier said than done.

Other of you are clearly dog runners; running in a pack, with friends, seemingly social runners.  I commend you for this!  It takes a lot of work to organize a group run – not to mention patience. 

Don’t get me wrong – I love company.  I am usually looking for a friend to join me at this race, or the other.  It’s just when the gun goes off – I visit Andrealand.  In racing, I have the every man for themselves mentality.  Whether you’re slower, or much much faster… I will see you at the finish line.

May your day be filled with the appropriate paws.
Andrea

NKOTBSB!! Or, Before there was Shiloh Farmer there was Jordan Knight.

Yes, I did.  and Yes, it was fabulous!

It was certainly one of the most action packed, entertaining concerts I have been to in a really long time: fireworks, moving stage parts, sequins, abs, and shooting flames.  Awesome.  I also must say, that attending this concert was something that I have wanted to do for the last 23 years.  Childhood dream fulfilled!! (Yes, I totally screamed like I was 11, and there may have been a few tears, also I may have screamed "I love you Jordan" - whatever).

The thing that made it so glorious, besides the super excellent company of one Cathryn Hogarth, was that they didn't try to be anything other than what they are:  a most fabulous boy band(s).  They sang all the greats complete with dance moves circa, 1989.  AND we were sooooo close - I could see the whites of their eyes.  If I wouldn't have gotten arrested, I would have trampled bitches to touch just one pant-leg of my childhood crush, Jordan Knight.  I have also gained a new appreciate for the Backstreet Boys, and the showmanship of Mr. Nick Carter. 

I also, must note, that the "people watching" was super wonderful.  I saw fashion trends that I hadn't seen in 15+ years: overalls with one shoulder undone, more neon than the law allows, and one special lady with light pink pants and perhaps black undies.  Classy.

I have to admit, if they ever come back (please, please make it so) I am there in a heartbeat, that is, if I don't buy a ticked on the NKOTB 2012 Cruise.  Don't think I won't!!

...and with that, I shall leave you with my favorite NKOTB song (please notice the awesome dance moves - you know that we can all still do them...)

May your day be spent la la la la la-ing,

Andrea

Summer Reading List.

Wowzers.  I have been a reading machine lately.  I go through these phases where reading is like breathing... it's compulsive, and well, a tad bit scary. 

However, the good news is I can provide you with a list of some pretty good reading material.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did:

1.  Beauty Queens: Libba Bray
2.  Before I Go To Sleep: S.J. Watson
3.  Amaryllis in Blueberry: Christina Meldrum
4.  A Discovery of Witches: Deborah Harkness
5.  The Wednesday Sisters: Meg Waite Clayton
6.  Good Enough to Eat: Stacey Ballis

You may notice that none of this will be up for the Pulitzer - but it's summer.  The time to indulge in junk food reading.  So, put on your pjs and bunny slippers and get to reading.

May you day be filled with good books.

Andrea

Need a Jump Start?!?

Thanks to Ms. Abbie, this song is rockin' my play list.  I can't help but get my groove on when I listen to it.  And, well, let's be honest - if they granted awards for "best chair dance in an office setting" I would win.  Don't be jealous.  It's the honest truth.  Don't believe me - I will challenge any of you to a dance off. 

In the meantime, start practicing your dance moves:

May your day be filled with awe inspiring dance moves,

Andrea

Wanna Party?!?

Hey Folks,

So, unless you live under a rock you know that I am a Pampered Chef consultant.  AND I need some awesome July hosts!!  July is a pretty rad month to have a party - catalog, internet, or otherwise.  You can earn $100-$200 EXTRA in FREE products (so $190-$415 of free stuff...even out of town/state).  It is really quite easy to host a catalog party - you just collect orders and money - and then send them to me. 

Hosts also get 60% off the manual food processor, collapsible bowls, or cool n serve tray.

Can you say best host special ever!  Aw, you know you want to help!

May your day be filled with "give it a try" moments.

Andrea

Damn Crazy Church People.

Dear Crazy Lady and your seven poodles.

Do you really think that letting your small army of poodles loose on my FRONT LAWN to pee and poop is either A.  socially acceptable B. Christian?  Cause I am here to tell you: A. get your effing dogs out of my yard B. Jesus will smite you.

Yes.  This really happened.  I, earbuds in ears, step out to water my flowers to find my yard FULL of poodles – with their owner standing by her car in my front yard.  She says something about “Tina Marie” being on my porch, indeed she is, and then I lose her after that.  I am sure that she keeps talking to me, but alas – I have my earbuds in, and unless you want me to take them out and go “batshit, bug fuck, ham sandwich crazy” on you.  You need to shut your pie hole, and get your freaking dogs out of my yard.

You would think, having the homeowner come out, ignore you, and give you serious stank face – would make you humbly pack your gang of dogs up, and move along.  Oh, not this crazy God-lovin’ woman.  She stood out there for another, oh, three minutes AFTER I went back inside.  AND here is the kicker, she drove right on over to the church – where they have a lovely yard for peeing and pooping.  Let’s use that shall we!

I decided to come up to the computer and vent, rather than scour the lawn for poop – that I could bag up and deposit on said crazy lady’s car (still not out of the question).  What the Hell is wrong with people?  I have half a notion to put a sign in my front lawn that reads, “Jesus gets upset when you let your dogs poop here.”

See Chrissy – this is what I have to deal with!!

May your day be filled with normal, sane, completely rational people.

Andrea

The Need to Share.

Whenever I hear something that is a spot on description of how I have felt - I feel the need to share.

One of my favorite bloggers, Jen Lancaster, in a description of trying to have a conversation with a "know it all" customer service rep - makes the statement that she went "batshit, bug fuck, ham sandwich crazy."  I LOVE that statement, and I totally plan to use it as often as possible, or rather, when appropriate.

Don't act like you don't know EXACTLY what she means.  It's the way you feel when someone cuts you of in traffic only to slow down once in front of you, or when you go to turn into your private driveway only to find a stranger parked in it, or when you order a super deluxe burger with cheese and the drive thru lady tries to tell you it comes with cheese and you get your burger and there is no cheese cause in fact - it doesn't come with cheese unless you ADD it, or when you are trying to run mile repeats and you have got a walker in the inside lane *shakes fist*.  At that very moment your pulse races, your ears go red, and it takes every fiber of your being not to go "batshit, bug fuck, ham sandwich crazy."  You may even find yourself muttering... "serenity now!!!!"  Now, think, have you ever heard a better description of that feeling??  I thought not.

May your day be free of ham sandwich crazy.

Andrea