I *am* down with some.sick.beats - just the virus kind, boooo.

Ugh. I'm sick. There, I said it. I admit defeat. What ever nasty little virus I picked up has invaded me. This is me waving my little white flag. 

I'm a horrible sick person. I don't get sick sick that often. Sure, I get run down or weird things - things that usually end with a doctor saying, "huh, never seen that before." But as for traditional colds or the flu - I usually avoid them. Until now.

My grandmother always said, "if you don't want to be sick - don't be sick."  I really tried today. I really tried to believe I felt fine - I was lying. I feel awful, and I'm an awful sick person. 

I'm too hot, and I'm too cold. 

My body aches, but I don't want to take medicine. 

I'm hungry, but nothing sounds good. 

My words don't work right. 

I want tea in my special red mug (this special red mug) no, you aren't listening to me - my. special. red. mug. (It's the same mug). 

I want to sleep, but I can't. 

My phroat hurts. 

I'm a mess. 

I've always hating being sick. I have too many things I'd rather be doing, and being sick gets in my way. So, my behavior is half defeat - half resignation. 

So, a big shout out to the people who have to deal with the sick version of me. Who have to deal with me pouting, and who love me any way. 

I'll be back to my fancy self soon. But for now (and since I got my run in) - I'm hibernating. 

More Than A Feeling.

Do you just ever feel completely overwhelmed? As though the world is moving at a supersonic pace and you are struggling just to keep putting one foot in front of the other?  Yeah, me too. 

Floss

Run

Drink Water

Massage Your Gums

Stretch

Eat Well

Strength Train

Post Clever Material

Be Supportive

Keep Your Chin Up

Be Positive

Create a Schedule

Write

Be Present

Smile

Stop to Smell the Roses

Jump in with Both Feet

Meal Plan

Be Successful

... Make it Look Effortless

Ugh. 

I gave most of those things up for the better part of three months. I had to. I had to throw them back from whence they came. I don't want to do that - that was my motto. So I didn't. I just didn't. Didn't do them. Didn't care. 

Until now. 

I'm attempting to gather all my wagons back up, and jump back on them simultaneously. That's not easy. In fact, it really sucks. But here I am - finding my way back - wagon by wagon. 

Will I fail - absolutely. Failure doesn't bother me. I know I'll get a re-do. 

So, tonite - I ain't flossing. There's always tomorrow. 

Weekly Playlist - March 31st

Woo Hoo!!  On to week three!!  This week is an interesting blend of pop and hard hitting metal.  It should be a fun mix to run to.  You'll also notice some favorites keep popping up!!

Here are the results:

1.  Happy - Pharrell
2.  Black Betty - Ram Jam
3.  Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leopard
4.  Overcome - Mandisa
5.  Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses
6.  Hard to Handle - Black Crowes
7.  Catch My Breath - Kelly Clarkston
8.  Get Lucky - Daft Punk
9.  Back in Black - AC/DC
10. Hopeless Wanderer - Mumford and Sons

Enjoy the playlist, and let me know if you like it!  Feedback is always welcome.

Don't forget to vote next Sunday for your new favorites!!

Workout Playlist - Week March 24th.

Woo Hoo!!  On to week two!!  This week is an interesting blend of pop and hard hitting metal.  It should be a fun mix to run to.

Here are the results:

1.  Timber - Pitbull
2.  I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas
3.  Imma Be - The Black Eyed Peas
4.  My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark - Fall Out Boy
5.  Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses
6.  Bad Company - Five Finger Death Punch
7.  Fuel - Metallica
8.  Let it Go - Idina Menzel
9.  Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
10. Sail - AWOLNATION

Enjoy the playlist, and let me know if you like it!  Feedback is always welcome.

Don't forget to vote next Sunday for your new favorites!!

Workout Playlist - Week March 17th.

And here we go!!  The first weekly workout playlist.  I hope that this works out - and it's not one of those "sounded cooler in my head" ideas.

So, drum roll please, here it is as voted on by you!!

1.  Happy - Pharrell
2.  Roar - Katy Perry
3. 'Till I Collapse - Eminem
4.  Lose Yourself - Eminem
5.  Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk
6.  My Hero - Foo Fighters
7.  Can't Hold Us - Macklemore
8.  Top of the World - Imagine Dragons
9.  Let's Get it Started - Black Eyed Peas
10. Work Bitch - Britney

Bonus Songs:

Song you might not know:  Come With Me Now - Kongos
Song to cool down by:  Blue Moon - Beck

Let me know what you think!!  Happy running, walking, working out, and adventuring.

"Finish Line Feeling" - A Runner's Must Read

Wow.  That is the first word that comes to mind. 

Secondly, Liz is a SUPER HERO.

I don't want to give too much away, but Liz takes you on an amazing emotional journey through her past.  She reminds us to keep dreaming, to keep pushing forward, and most importantly to keep hoping. 

Liz, the founder of Girls With Sole, gives us permission to find joy and wonder through athletics.  She insists that each and every one of us has an athlete inside of us, waiting... wanting... to break through. 

One of my favorite passages:  ..."you know the feeling of electrifying empowering excitement at the finish line ... At that moment you cross the finish line, you are the most extraordinary person you can be and you feel as if you can do anything.  I wanted to bottle that feeling and give it to girls who needed it most.  Girls With Sole is for any girl who feels as though she is not good enough, worthless, alone, bullied, ugly, stupid, put down, neglected, abused, or simply in need of a boost of her self esteem."

Simply put, you NEED to read this book.

Because Liz is the most awesome, she will give one lucky person their very own copy!  How to win??  Post a comment on the blog answering the question, "what has running given to you?"  You have until 3/20 to participate.

Hugs and High Fives.

You can find Liz and her crew on FaceBook at:  https://www.facebook.com/girlswithsoleachieve

or on the web at: www.girlswithsole.org

Pumpkin Falling From the Sky.

I really wish that I had this super active imagination that made up all of these events.  That I was really sitting on the couch the entire time, eating popcorn, and thinking up things that would amuse you all. 

I wish. 

That isn't even close to the case.

If you have spent anytime around me at all - you will find that the most random things happen to me.  It's as though the world has created an elaborate joke just for me and, so far, I'm not impressed.

Yesterday, I was completing the simple task of putting dishes away - easy enough.  From the back room I heard a HUGE commotion which I believed to be the handy work of my asshole cats.  I walked back there and nothing was amiss.  Weird, right?

I happen to notice that the pantry door is slightly ajar, and upon its opening find the waffle maker has fallen down.  I pick it up, wind the cord, and reach up to put it back on the top shelf.  As I reach up, a 24 ounce jar of pumpkin decides to leap off that very same shelf and onto my face. 

Because my hands were holding a waffle maker - I had nothing to catch the can with... nothing that is except my left cheek/nose/mouth. 

My glasses went flying (thank you Kate Spade for making glasses that won't break under the pressure of 24 ounces), and I felt my face to make sure I wasn't bleeding (I don't get bloody noses and I am sure that if yesterday would have been my first I would have ran the ER).  As I carefully make my way to the couch I yell (and I mean yell) downstairs, "I HAVE BROKEN MY FACE," and I lay down on the couch, both hands covering my face.  By the time Shiloh finds me, I am shaking and he is worried, until he realizes that I am shaking from laughter.  He asks what happened, and all I could get out was that I was ambushed in the face by a can of pumpkin, and could he please find some ice.  He may have asked me to open my mouth (I may have claimed to have lost teeth - I didn't), but I don't really remember him asking.  What I do remember is being fish hooked as he looks at my teeth, and me being really pissed. 

Turns out, I am mostly okay.  I have slight bruising under my eye, and my cheek is a little tender.  I have lost no teeth, and my face and nose remain unbroken.

Let this be a lesson to you all - do not use your face to catch falling cans.  It's not worth it.

2014 Winter Playlist

Good Morning Friends!!

I try to keep you apprised of my ever changing playlist (and it does change - sometimes).

Here is my new running playlist - please note that it is NOT kid friendly.

1.  Thunderstruck - AC/DC
2.  Pompeii - Bastille
3.  Who's That Chick - David Guetta
4.  The Monster - Eminem
5.  You Can Do It - Ice Cube
6.  On To The Next One - Jay Z
7.  OPP - Naughty by Nature
8.  Happy - Pharrell Williams
9.  L.O.V.E - VV Brown
10. Country Girl - Luke Bryan
11. Timber - Pitbull
12. Counting Stars - OneRepublic

I hope you enjoy these new jams as much as I have (although, they are not new - but may be new to your playlist). 

Do you have a favorite running song that isn't listed on one of my running lists?  Please feel free to share it in the comments.  Suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.

Yes, These Things *REALLY* Happen

15 minutes easy, 10x100, 10 x 400 (8:00 pace) with 400 recovery, 5 minutes easy, 2 x 5 laps (8:15 pace) with 2 lap recovery, 10x100

...because who doesn't want to run 12 miles on a Wednesday afternoon in the rain??  I must admit that this was the first training session where I thought, "yup, training has officially began." (Newport Marathon - May 31st)

Chrissy and I made our way to the track, fluid in hand, iPod fully loaded, guts full of anxiety, and heads full of doubt (well, mine - I am not sure about Chrissy).  I should really know better, by now, than to doubt any workout that Coach gives me.  He has never, and I mean never, given me something that I couldn't do - he has also predicted my marathon times within *minutes* of finishing.  He is basically the smartest, ever.

We set out on our adventure.  It was tough: mentally and physically. The rain began to pour, and yet we pushed on.  At one point I stopped for a break and had a dance party for one.  You know, to shake some things loose.  Totally worked - FYI

We finished the majority of our work out, and just had the last 10x100 to go.  We were exhausted, spent, sore, wet, cold and maybe a tad bit grumpy.  We decided that we would leave the track and finish our 100s as we ran back to our office.  With about five to go, we ran across a kid/cheerleader/angel who was holding a very poignant sign:

I couldn't make this kind of stuff up if I tried!!  We hooted and woot wooted and high fived, and hollered "you have no idea how true that is" - that little sign (and really we have no idea what it was for, or why it was there) made our day.  It plastered HUGE smiles on our faces, lifted our spirits, and refueled our tank just enough to allow us to finish very very strong.  It's probably the reason I look back on this run fondly.

So, if you ever wonder if your cheers, or signs, or cow bells, or words of encouragement, or high fives, or woot woots, or you can do its *actually* make a difference.  I am here to tell you they 100% do. 

Thank you, sign angel, where ever you may be.

01/05/14 - Long Interval Run Day Musings.

15 easy/10 x 1 minute at 1/2 marathon pace, 1 minute easy/5 easy/10 x 1 minute at 10K pace, 1 minute easy/10 minutes easy

Turns out, after the holidays, LeBron and I have a little more in common.  No, I didn't grow a weird beard, or an extra foot and then some, or was contacted by Nike to make a shoe (this should all be strangely shocking to you all - except for the beard part).

LeBron and I are both Capricorns (read - ambitious, humorous, tolerant, tireless, success and goal driven, confident, and hardworking) - obviously one of us has more "natural talent" than the other - and please don't think that I am comparing myself to King James *I'm not* - BUT NOW - I also own PowerBeats by Dre (see, that is where this was going).  I feel pretty badass when I wear them, (although I do have to be a little more cautious as I can't hear cars any more) and would recommend them to any and all runners/walkers/athletes/people who love music, need ear wraps and hate ear buds.

That said, today I found my running POWER song of 2014.  The song that makes you run faster just because, that makes you run dance against your better judgment, the song that temporarily lets you forget your legs are screaming, the song that I am confident could be on endless repeat for all 26.2 miles... So, Kelly, Michelle, and Beyoncé - thank you.

... enjoy the jam.

To Capture the Mind.

I started this blog a bit ago to find a creative outlet for the mess in my brain; to put on paper the thoughts left rattling around.

And then I found running, and while the two complimented each other, running allowed me to turn inward instead of outward.  Thus, the blog lost steam (okay, okay - actually just pulled over, parked, got ticketed and painted by the cops, and towed away).

I missed it.  I miss it (present tense) - I think, ugh - what I am trying to say is this... I am going to give this another go.  For me (mostly), and maybe for you to enjoy.

This blog may take an unexpected detour - I think that I will try to post a picture, song, or segment (what I think about when I run) - as often as time will allow.  I am hoping I can at least do this at least weekly, and if you are lucky - probably a couple times a week. 

I may need a reminder here and there.  I may miss weeks - I may not. 

IthinkIcanIthinkIcanIthinkIcanIthinkIcanIthinkIcanIthinkIcan....

Only You Can Label Yourself.

I received a text from my good friend asking if I would ever consider a guest blogger. 

My answer??  Uh, YES!!!!! 

So here is Kayla, and she has something that she needs to talk to you about.  So, listen up - she's pretty great. 

This topic will be part one of a two part series.  Read on, and stay tuned.

ONLY YOU CAN LABEL YOURSELF

We live in a society that likes to put names on things. Labels. Some labels are good, some can be hurtful, but all tend to limit us. When we let people pigeon hole us with what they think we are, we can go down a very dark trail.

 

 

I started running five years ago as a way to handle the stress of a tough work situation and my every day anxiety. All was well until I went to my first race. Apparently that made me a runner. I was excited about running, talked about it all the time. Non-runners think all runners complete marathons, so it wasn’t long until I was being asked when I was going to run a marathon. I’d been impressed with my 5K finish, but apparently I wasn’t really a runner if I wasn’t signing up for longer distances. Right there. That’s when I stepped onto that dark path.

 

 

Obsession over training for a half-marathon took over. I loosely followed training plans, but I’m not patient by nature, so I figured I could rearrange them to suit my running style. I could get quicker results my way. The only results I got were injury after injury. Academically, I’m a quick study, but when it comes to life, I am s-l-o-w. This cycle of training and injury (to both my body and my mind) went on for years. There were times I would decided to stop running altogether. It was making me crazy. A couple of weeks would pass and my anxiety would start to build. I needed the release that came with running.

 

 

Finally I injured my back to the point where I could barely get off the couch for months. This was not good for me. I gained weight, and my anxiety was through the roof. So, when I was back on my feet, naturally I overdid it and hurt my ankle, BUT this was the turning point. I almost lost it when I realized I was about to lose running again. I took a step back and realized I was a runner no matter what distances I covered. I was runner if I chose not to race. I was a runner because I liked to run, needed it for therapy. In that moment, I truly became a runner because I had labeled myself.

 

 

Since then I have discovered that I have to use walk/run intervals to stay injury free. I waffled for a moment about whether or not that made me less of a runner, but then remembered I get to choose who I am. I am a runner, and no one can take that away from me but myself.

Fat Sunday.

Well,  after months and months of horrible eating and watching it effect my running, I have made a change this week.

For six days this week - I ate clean, and I mean CLEAN!!  No candy, no sugar, no packaged foods - nada.  All of my foods were identifiable by what they were, not the package they came in.  (not sure if that sentence made sense).  No preservatives, no gluten, no fillers, no artificial nothing.

Here is what I learned this week.  I am not sold that I feel SO much better when I eat clean.  I felt pretty normal. I was never starving, but I did long for certain foods.  I had a very detailed plan, and that was very helpful - if the food wasn't on the plan, it didn't head into my mouth.  I did notice that my teeth remained cleaner - longer (a weird observation, I know).

At last Saturday's Half Marathon (the Lululemon Half) I bought several items.  I decided that after 5 days of following my plan - BY THE BOOK - I could have ONE item.  Thus, hedging against my nature to just eat ONE piece of candy.  I was conducting an experiment people!!!

and then comes Sunday, or FAT SUNDAY, which it's now known by at my house.  Today is a cheat DAY - eat whatever you want ALL day long.  I was never so happy to see today - and let me tell you, I have taken FULL advantage of this day.  I will not even begin to tell you everything on my list, but I will tell you that Sonic Bacon Cheese Dog is AMAZING!!!

Here is what I have observed.  The candy that I ate was much sweeter than I remember candy being, and I couldn't eat as much as I used to.  The pizza stick I ate was way greasier than I remember them being, and left an odd film around my mouth.  Also, after I ate the food that shall not be named I became really really really tired.  I do believe that, much to my husbands dismay, I felt the need to sit down in the aisle at Home Depot.  He turned around, "Do you mean to tell me you can run for four hours straight, but cannot find the energy to walk around this store??"  I reminded him that it was now under four hours, and that if they had water stations and/or fuel stations it might make this jaunt easier.  He was so not impressed.

I suppose that what I learned today is that maybe I shouldn't go ALL IN on cheat day if there is actual "stuff" I need to be doing, other than napping.  And that maybe it's not that eating clean makes one feel so fantastic, but that eating really really poorly makes you feel really really tired.  I cannot wait to see how well I can run when I am fueling with real food - knowing what I know now (after only seven days) I should be making huge gains in the next couple months. (as soon as I shake off this calf pain).

I am pretty ready to get back to my detailed eating guide tomorrow, but first PIZZA!!!! 

Who doesn't love new Running Gear?!?

Running gear - one of my favorite topics EVER!!! 

I was recently asked to be a brand ambassador for Swirl Gear, and I thought SURE!  Before jumping in with both feet (as I often like to do) I thought I would purchase a "test" top - you know, to make sure I really really liked it.

So, here it is (drum roll please) - the top:

Cute, right?!?!  Let me be up front and honest with you (that's how I roll).  I am a Lulu girl - 90% of my running clothes are from Lulu (my socks are Injinji, shoes Newtons, and I do have some Nike Tempo shorts).  Getting me to switch from Lulu wasn't going to be easy - but I wanted to give it a fair shake.

WOW! wowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowow!  This stuff is brilliant!!  I had a 9.5 mile run today - this run included a 8:00 minute mile ladder.  It is hot here, and I was sweating like a man.  Can you tell from that picture?  Because I took the shirt right off and snapped this. 

AND - there are these tiny breathable holes all over, so it vents amazingly well.  So, not only does it wick like a champ, it hides the sweat, and airs you out ... what's not to love??  Oh, and I should mention - it is awesomely cute.  The cut is perfect - snug where you want it, loose where you want it.  I mean you could wear this to drink your morning coffee: 

Or, when you need a snazzy shirt for a new selfie:

I know that I have a wish list of products started!  I can't wait to get more.  Want to check it out for yourself??  Head to https://www.swirlgear.com/ and check it out.  If you find something you like, here's my gift to you, FREE SHIPPING.  Just use code 984 when you check out.

Swirl on my friends.

Hugs and High Fives.

Shubeez and Race Entry Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WWP and SLR Virtual 10K and 1/2 Marathon T-Shirt Vote

Good Morning Friends:

Here are the designs that I received for the t-shirt contest.  Take a look here, notice their labeled name, head back over to SLR and "like" the comment with the labeled name of your favorite shirt.  Okay - here we go!! (It should be noted that I am working with the WWP to use their actual logo.  If we cannot use it - then we will use something similar)

Title: Eggs Running


Title: Victory Lady








Title: Victory Lady



 



Front of shirt

                                                                         







Back of shirt

Title: Hearts and Soldiers


 

Title: RW&B Soldiers

 

Alright folks, you have 24 hours to vote!  Here we go!!  I have a clear favorite - do you???



 

 

 

As the Mind Wanders.

I had a long run this weekend, and I noticed that while I ran I had the most interesting, bizarre thoughts.  So, of course I want to share them with YOU.

I cannot be held responsible for what pops into my head after mile 13.  You've been warned.

Mile One:  ... and we're running - WE ARE RUNNING!!!!!  Whooo hoo this feels great!  run.run.run.lalalalalalalala!!

Mile Two:  Do I have a rock in my shoe?  Are my laces too tight?  Hmmmm.  That's a new squeek I haven't heard before.

Mile Three:  GATORADE!!!  I wonder how they come up with their flavors ..  what is a blue raspberry anyhow??

Mile Four:  I wonder if this ear warmer head band is going to give me a weird tan line across my forehead.  Must remember to take this off...

Mile Five:  Is someone smoking pot around here??  Maybe it's the dandelions - do dandelions smell like pot??  I guess I don't know.

Mile Six:  DONT STEP ON THE CATERPILL.... oh, nope, just a weird leaf thing.  Phew...

Mile Seven:  Is that a dead frog??  Here, let me - ugh, yup dead frog!!

Mile Eight:  Re-fueling station in progress.  I wonder how much water I can drink before I get that sloshy belly noise?  Ah, better not push it.  Push it??  I wonder if I have Salt N Peppa on my iPod.

Mile Nine:  Heyprettyladyinthesecondrow - she's an 8, she's a 9, she's a 10 I know... where the heck did that come from???  Beyonce... must. find. Beyonce.

Mile Ten:  Hey!!!  It's high water pants guy!!  Let's smile and wave - oh, god, my lips - I have cracked my lips - I must certainly be gushing blood. OUCH!!!  *touches face - looks at hand*  no blood. 

Mile Eleven: It's a KITTY!!!  Oooh, scary kitty - did it even have eyes??  Wait, maybe it was a blind kitty.  Why would someone let their blind kitty outside - that's just mean.  Poor little blind scary no eyed kitty.

Mile Twelve:  ARE WE THERE YET!!!  Nope, only four miles left - is that horse dead??  It's just laying down in the sun??  Do horses sun themselves?  Hmmmm, hope you're not dead big fella.

Mile Thirteen:  Well, now I am halfway there.  HALFWAY THERE!!  Who signs up to do this stupid running nonsense - I mean really, 26.2 miles - that's just a bit much right... I mean it sounded like such a great idea in October, and I really like those medals...  yeah, it's not so bad after all.

Mile Fourteen:  Puttin' on my big girl pants, puttin' on my big girl pants, puttin' on my big girl pants...

Mile Fifteen:  I'm on my WAAAAAAAAYYYYY home.sweet.home!!!!  I think I really need to make t-shirts for my long training runs.  "Who's Got Two Thumbs and Has Just Run 15 Miles - This GIRL" - I'm hungry... Is Arby's REALLY that bad for you??  Wonder what is in the "cheese" sauce anyway...

Mile Sixteen:  Heeeeeeeey - the horse is gone.  Yay, not dead horse!!! Well, unless he was moved by a forklift and he is now in horsey heaven.  Nevermind.

Mile Seventeen:  Did that goat just say "hello"??  I am pretty sure he just said "hello".  (out loud)  HELLO GOAT!! 

Thank You, Thank You Very Much!! My Winning/Presentation of the Liebster Award!!

When I got the notice that ArmsWideOpen had presented me with the Liebster Award - I was thrilled!!  I may have squeeked a little, fist pumped, and hollered "that's what I'm talking about!!"

As Patsy most eloquently states:  "Liebster" is German for "dearest" and it's a blogger to blogger award for those having 200 or fewer followers, so they can get more exposure." And since I love for people to read my blogs, and have fun - YES!!  I am accepting.  (all the while amazed that folks enjoy my rants, ramblings, and serious chats).


... And now for the rules that I have been given.
 
1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog. - check
2, Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you. - check
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog. - yup yup, done
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less, who you feel deserve to be noticed, and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been nominated. - just about done
5. Answer the 11 questions the blogger presented you with, create 11 questions for the blogs you are nominating, and list 11 facts about yourself. - little bossy don't ya think??

Phew - this was lot of work, but nothing worth having comes easy, so I gratefully accept this challenge!!

Patsy came up with some interesting questions.  You know what they say - if you are crazy enough to ask, I'm crazy enough to totally take your questions and Andrea-fy it.  (okay nobody says that,but you get my drift!!)


Questions From My Nominator:
 
1. Why did you start your blog?  I started writing to get down all the random thoughts in my head (and yes, there are many of them).  I used to write a column in my high school newspaper, and I loved it.  Plus, blog writing is totally cheaper than therapy.  Wait, did I just write that down...

2. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Oh gosh, 10 YEARS?!?!  You do realize that I have horrible vision, and need serious glasses/contacts.  I can't even really see down the road - let alone 10 years into the future!

3. Would you support me in my endeavor to be Queen of our country?  All women are Queens in the figurative sense, and we should celebrate each other as such.  However, if you are asking me to support you actually fighting people to turn 'Merica in to a Monarchy... well, you're on your own sister.

4. What is your dream that you're afraid to talk about but secretly think about all the time?  Boston. 

5. Of course, because I love to read, what's your favorite book? The Great Gatsby (le sigh), and most recently, The Fault in Our Stars.

6. If you had total control of the world, what are 3 things that you would do immediately, aside from crowning me Queen?  THAT is a lot of control - So, first - DELEGATE.  second - DELEGATE.  and third - provide cupcakes for everyone.

7. What is one goal that you achieved that you are most proud of (not counting family)?  Finishing a marathon was pretty amazing.  

8. What are you working hardest at right now? Enjoying every moment, and every opportunity that comes my way.

9. What is the most hilarious thing that has ever happened to you?  Being me is very hard work - the MOST random things always happen to me.  I am always in the wrong place - right time.  The time the TSA Agent accused me of being Katy Perry, and not giving him an autograph or having my photo taken with him was pretty amusing.

10. Finish this sentence: In 2013, I will _____________________. be the best me I can be!!

11. They're making a movie about your life. Who would  you choose to play your part?  Zooey Daschanel.  If she's not available - I guess Katy Perry would do.








 
11 Fascinating Facts About Me

1. Before 2010, running was the worst type of punishment ever bestowed on mankind.  Now, it is my most favorite thing ever.

2.  I have four plates, and seventeen screws... in my face.

3.  My elbows are double jointed (and they always get me in trouble in fitness classes).

4.  If competitive eating lasted all day long - I am pretty sure I could take home the top prize.

5.  I have a super human sense of smell that often time scares my husband.  I can tell if he has been sneaking treats, or if one of the animals has gotten into something, or if there is a fire within a 25 mile radius.

6.  I am a coffee junkee.  I also drink my coffee black - which is crazy being as 4 years ago my standard Starbucks order was: 16 ounce iced raspberry white chocolate mocha, whipped cream, half the coffee.  It was pink, and fabulous, and pure sugar.  It's a slippery slope folks - so we just drink it black.

7.  I spoke at my college graduation.  Ooohhhhh, super fancy pants.

8.  I stay the same size no matter what I do.  I had to go on a liquid diet for 4 weeks (see fact 2) and nothing.  I couldn't even buy a smaller size of pants.  Couch Potato Andrea - same size.  Marathon Runner Andrea - same size.

9.  I have an uncanny knack for rapping. 

10.  It is my life long goal to learn how to play the air drums, and the air guitar.  Yes, you read that right.

11.  I don't know how to rest.  I have two speeds: on and off.  If I am not full speed ahead - I'm not mobile.  It makes movie watching difficult!!


Questions For My Nominees
 
1.  How did you come up with the name of your blog?

2.  Favorite Treat?
3.  The story behind the most favorite picture of yourself?
4.  Pet Peeve?
5.  Guilty Pleasure?
6.  Favorite song of all time, and why?
7.  If at the end of your life you'd die content knowing you did this _______ - what would it be?
8.  Favorite Quote?
9.  Do you collect anything?  If so, how'd the collection start?
10. Your Weakness?
11.  Your Strength?


And now to pay it forward!!  My nominees for the Liebster Award are:

One Tough Mother Runner
Stacey Runs and Eats




Fitness Bliss With Kris
Colene, In Training
Devon, In Training
Fattest Salmon
It Figures, Karly Goes National
Running on the Fly
Fitness By Fit Miss
RUNinspired
Kayla Dawn Writes

Now, go and check out their blogs.  Offer them congrats, and let them know Scrambled Legs sent you!!

I Can't Be-Leash It!!!

I LOVE dogs - that said, I don't want yours to eat my face - and I also prefer it if your teeny tiny little pooch wasn't responsible for an ankle sprain.

Let's back up...

At the very end of town lies a trail, a nice paved 1K trail.  It's perfect for all kinds of activities, and people.  I was running mass amounts of intervals one day and saw: runners, walkers, bikers, roller skaters, dog walkers, and a slightly sketchy scene watcher.  I think it is GREAT when people are out running/walking their dogs - I WISH my dog would run with me, but she is 14 and diabetic, and when I start to run - she firmly plants her butt on the concrete and challenges me to a duel.  (Don't let her fool you though because if I was a squirrel, and not a human, she would totally be running).

Anyway - along comes a lady, her teenage daughter, and their two teeny tiny dogs.  The dogs are not leashed (even though the sign says to do that in big fat letters), and when I run toward them (the dogs - not the ladies), they (naturally) run toward me, and I have to give them the okie doke to get by.  This is not a comfortable move.  It strains my ankles, ruins my pacing, and kind of panics me.  The lady and her daughter laugh, and continue to walk (as if to say - aw, wasn't that awkward interaction totally adorable - it was not). 

** FORGOT TO MENTION - they have leashes in their hands**

Because the trail is a giant circle - we meet again.  Do they learn from the first time, they do not, SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS.  As they are laughing merrily on their way, I ask (way nicer than I wanted to) Can you please leash your dogs?  The gasp was audible.  SOME NERVE!!  Could you imagine - ME - not wanting to try to out juke two small creatures every kilometer.  And now, I am the bad guy.  Ugh - I have GOALS, people - and one of them is not to be sidelined due to a zig when I should have zagged.  I also don't want to be responsible for an injury to your dog - I was moving as a pretty decent clip (or that's what I tell myself) - one wrong move and it could have been bad for the all of us.

AND TODAY!!!  New dog walker, new dog.  The dog was beautiful - a huge, no a gigantic, pitbull attached to a very small man.  So, when I ran by, and the dog decided "Whoa, that looks way more fun that this walking business" he took off at a dead sprint - I had to hold my breath.  The end of the leash caught, and it did hold him, but yowza!!  I walked for awhile - so as not to provoke him with my speediness (okay not really, but certainly faster than walking).  What I really wanted to do was ask his owner: "would your dog run with me without eating my face - because if so, I would totally take him out!"  Sometimes, my better judgement wins - in that I kept my mouth shut and kept walking.

Here's to the furry friends (runners and non), and their owners that follow the rules.  This runner thanks you.

I am not a steak.

Small Morning Rant:

I have seen a lot of posts lately with things like "your man wouldn't want a steak that's all bone - why would he want his woman that way" - DO NOT PERPETUATE THIS CRAP. 

A.  As long as I am comfortable in my skin - who cares what "my man" or ANY one thinks about my size and shape.

B.  Since WHEN is it alright to go around judging other women based on each others size.  Does that sound even remotely alright??  Isn't society harsh enough on our figures??  Do you think that these type of sentiments make those that are smaller feel good??  And what if smaller people were making fun of bigger people - there'd be a riot, right?  Because we should love someone because of their inside, not their outside.  IT FEELS THE SAME.  Stop doing this.

Judgements, and hate, and bullying, and being mean - are still ALL of those things whether they are wrapped in a joke, or a harsh statement.  Criticizing others, judging others, putting other down - none of that is funny.  It's hurtful.  It's unkind.  It's rude. 

... not to mention you are comparing women to an effing piece of meat!!  Are you kidding me right now - do I really need to tell you how wrong that is, on SO many levels.

You are better than this.  Stop it.