What I DIDN'T Miss About Running - and check out SR's HUGE GIVEAWAY!!!

Quick disclaimer: I wrote this last night, but for some reason, my stupid phone would not send the pic to my email. Love technology... 

So today was much better than yesterday. I managed to get out 3 miles before having to walk a bit. I'm struggling a bit to find my happy pace... Mile 1: 9:42 (perfect-o!), Mile 2: 9:36 (little fast), Mile 3: 9;24 (WTH?! No wonder I'm tired!). So I walked for about half a mile, and then picked it up for about another mile back to the house. But as I was running, I realized that there were a few things about running that I didn't miss...

1. I didn't miss having callused, ugly feet. It was kind of nice to indulge in a pedicure the last couple of weeks, and yes I would like callus removal thankyouverymuch... Oh wait, those were there for a reason. I now have a gorgeous blister under my second/third toes. I definitely run too much on my toes.
2. Non-runners when you're running outdoors. Yesterday, it was the three (overweight) teenagers that kept calling me Forrest. And somehow I managed to run into them three times during my run. At a more immature point in my life (read: single, no kiddo), I would have grabbed the biggest of them and given him a few choice words that maybe he should take up running too. Today, it was the guy in the car that had to yell WOOOOOOHOOOOO! and honk repeatedly at me. Yeah, buddy, I see you... and I'm totally not acknowledging you. Why do non-runners get such a kick out of seeing us run? It's not like we're not doing anything illegal or immoral - or even unnatural. I don't get it. 
3. BLOODY TOES!!! Arrrgh!!! In the joy of having pretty toes for a few weeks (see #1), I haven't kept my toenails as short as I should. Thus, when I pulled off my socks, I found this:

 

Totally awesome, right???

 If you haven't done so yet, check out Skinny Runner's AWESOMELY HUGE GIVEAWAY!!!! Yikes!! Someday, I hope I have such an awesome blog that companies want me to test/review/give away their stuff! I adore her - she's frickin' hilarious. Follow her blog!!!

Drumroll, please....

TA DA!!! I got to run today!!! And I feel A...MAZ...ING!!! It's like that old 80's ballad "Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone..."

So, I only ran 2.75 miles... I had every intention of putting down 4-5 miles today, but I think that might have been overly ambitious because after 2 miles, my body was like WTH?? I still kept my miles under 10 minutes, and I know I'll bounce back pretty quick - as long as I don't overdo it.


I seriously cannot describe how good it felt to get back out there - especially with the full support of my doctor. I didn't feel like a teenager sneaking around behind their parents' backs - ahhhh, again back to the 80's... (okay, mid 90's.... but I'm still an 80's child at heart). I feel like a normal human being again - which Paul just cannot comprehend, nor can my employees, but he could definitely see a difference in me when I got home. I'm seriously an evil B without running. I find so many things to nit pick about!! So I know he's relieved to get me out of the house again in the afternoons - even if my runs are short to start with!!!

My Smart Coach from Runner's World has me scheduled to pop off an easy 5 miler tomorrow, so we'll see... Yeah for being back!!!

This just isn't my month...

So Friday I woke up with a toothache. Nothing too terrible, but annoying nonetheless... But the great news is that I went for my follow-up with the surgeon, and I'M A GO!! So I had full intentions of running Friday after work. And then...

By the end of the day on Friday, my face was starting to swell!! Saturday morning turned into a dentist appointment, and I had to have a tooth pulled - which was not only super painful, but also meant no strenuous activity for 48 hours. WTF? I swear the running gods are out to get me this month!! But a little bit of percocet (and, a lot of wine), and I'm feeling much better today. Swelling has gone down some, but I'm going to have chipmunk face for a couple more days. So instead of running this weekend, I shopped - heavily... If I don't get running again soon, we're going to end up homeless! But at least we'll have great shoes & clothes!!!

So looks like tomorrow is going to be my day! I figure two surgeries in one month is more than enough - I mean, what else could possibly happen?? Maybe I should knock on wood...

Ready.... Set...

GO!!! At least that's what I'm hoping to hear tomorrow from the surgeon. It's been almost three weeks since my surgery, and almost 5 since I've been running regularly. I'm so ready to run!!

Thanks to Diana (check out her blog!), I signed up for the Really Big Free Marathon!! I stayed up until 12:01 AM so I could make sure to get registered... Come to find out, the field is only half full (which means I could have caught some zzzzzz's last night). So there's still time to sign up. It's going to be in Vegas (okay, Henderson) on November 3, 2012. Yeah, I know that's next year, but how can you say no to a FREE MARATHON?!?! And you get a tech tee and a really big finisher's medal! You do have to put down a $50 deposit to hold your spot, but you get it back when you show up to the race or if you cancel at least 3 months prior to the race.

I'm resigning myself to the fact that San Diego is out. It's only 2 months away, and registration is almost full. If it is still open by the time my bday rolls around, I'll take that as a sign from the running gods that it's meant to be. Otherwise, I'll train like hell and hope that I can qualify for Boston at the ET Marathon in August.

So I'm so glad that tomorrow is FRIDAY!!! This has been the longest... week... ever.... Ugh! In fact, I think I might just go have myself a glass of wine right now and wish it was already Friday.

Do you have any fun weekend plans?? Mine hopefully include logging some miles! FINALLY!!! And more wine, of course!

Who's up for a little run??

ME!!! That's who!!! Even if it is only 60 degrees and rainy...

I'm so tired of coming home from work and sitting.... But I'm getting pretty good at stalking blogs and buying shoes!!! I think Paul's ready for me to get back to running too - even if it is only to save our bank account from atrophying like my muscles...

I go back to see the surgeon on Friday. My swelling has gone down dramatically, and I can tell my muscles are starting to heal. Now I just need to the green light, and I'm off!! (Okay, whether she gives me the green light or not, I'm getting back out there... but right now Paul has my running shoes hiding, so I'm just going to tell him I have a green light so I can get my shoes back!)

I'm waiting to see what my mileage looks like on May 13 to determine if I'm going to make San Diego or not. That's my birthday, so my goal is to be up to 16-18 mile runs by then. If I'm there, then my bday present is to register for the marathon, and get my hotel booked. I'm thinking I should be able to get on track in two months, don't you??

In the meantime, I'm trying to big the biggest pain in the ass as possible around the house. I'm hoping I can crack Paul and just get my shoes back!! And I'll continue posting links of great shoe sites! If you check out my previous blog and go to Just Fab, you get 50% off your first shoe purchase with free shipping! Who can say no to a killer pair of shoes for $20?? Not this girl!!!

Here's a pic of my not so little man... He can stop growing any day now!!!

What's a girl to do...

So what does a girl do when she can't run?? Shop, of course!!! Lately, I have become addicted to shoes... I've always been the type of girl that just has the standard black/brown shoes in her closet, and only spent money on good running shoes. But lately, I have been buying crazy cute shoes!!!

I just signed up at justfab.com, and EVERY pair of shoes is $39.95!! All with free shipping!! So sweet! Check them out, and get your shoe addiction on!!

I am going to try and go out running again tomorrow. I've stopped wearing the stupid belly binder they had me in, and amazingly, my swelling has gone down dramatically!!! A couple more weeks, and my belly should look normal again!!!

Not so Superwoman....

So yesterday, against all advice, I went out for a run/walk. Thought I was much tougher than your average human being, smarter than all the doctors.... WRONG!!! There's a reason my surgeon said no running for six weeks - my stomach is swollen!! Check it out... yeah, that's all swelling.... You can see where my abs usually are, and where my tummy pops out!!

I'd show you what it looks like from the front, but it's pretty nasty... Seriously, it's gross.... Okay, okay, since you asked for it.... But if you just ate, you might want to stop right here. Turn back now.... Okay... you were warned....

So what to do with myself now??? Stalk blogs, of course!!! And plan my summer/fall races!!!

I'm thinking about doing the E.T. Midnight Marathon in Rachel, NV. It runs on the fringe of Area 51 - at MIDNIGHT!!! Super cool!!! And it's a Boston qualifier..... hmmmmm.... Do any of you have some good summer/fall races coming up??

Oooh!! Awesome Quote of the Day from Runner's World!!!

	Whenever you have any bump in the road, whether it's two weeks or two years, there are so many naysayers. Let it fuel you. Don't take it personally. Go out and prove them wrong. Jenny (Barringer) Simpson, Olympian and American recordholder in the steeplechase

Starting over....

I'm miserable. I have been through numerous relationships where I have had to pick myself up and glue all of the pieces back together. But those always involved some stupid guy. Not running.

Against doctor's orders, I went for a 3 mile run/walk. More walking than running, actually. The only way Paul let me out of the house with my running shoes on was because I swore I was only going for a walk, and took Aiden in the stroller with me. So even when I did run, it was pretty slow. It's hard to run when you're pushing a 32 lb kid in a stroller. It felt good to be out, especially since this is the most gorgeous time of the year in Arizona. But I can't believe how low my fitness level has gotten. After only a quarter of a mile of running, my lungs felt like they were on fire!!! It seems impossible to me that less than two months ago I was running a half marathon. I need to take a spoonful of my own advice: There is a light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can't see it.... But that tunnel seems really long right now.

I seem to be healing quite nicely. I haven't had to take any type of pain medication in four days. Pretty good, since my surgery was six days ago!

I haven't decided whether or not I'm going to make the San Diego Marathon. I'm just going to keep trying to increase my mileage, and make the final determination the first week of May. I know that my fitness level will bounce back strong, but it just sucks starting over. Especially since it's from square one.

Let the healing BEGIN!!!

So today was the dreaded double hernia surgery... But it went way better than I thought it would. In fact, I'm in ZERO pain right now, and plan on going back to work tomorrow. I have on a super cool (not) belly binder that goes from boobs to hips, and I get the pleasure of wearing it for the next six weeks. The surgeon is hoping that since she cut my abs, we'll have a chance of them healing back together if I wear this band.

Fun fact: If my ob/gyn that delivered Aiden had been worth anything other than a huge bill, he would have made me wear one of these after my six week checkup pot-preggers. My abs were so separated that I could literally stick my whole hand in my belly. Doc said they'd go back together. They didn't. At least not all the way. Hence, the huge hole around my belly button, which eventually led to the double hernia. I know there's a reason he doesn't work in the Valley anymore.... Have a feeling I'm not the only "satisfied" patient he's had. But, I have a great ob now, who assures me that I will not go through the same ordeal when/if I decide on baby #2.

So tonight, I'm using the surgery as an excuse to stuff my face with junk food, watch shameless reality TV, and stalk blogs. If you get a minute, GO HERE and vote for Skinny Runner's little brother & fiancee for the Ultimate Wedding Contest from Crate & Barrel. They're a super cute couple, and Matt is training for his first marathon - in less than 10 weeks. Plus, I love Skinny Runner. If you haven't checked out her blog, do so. You'll be glad you did. She rocks.

Surgeon has told me to keep moving, and that it will help the circulation and healing... But I don't think that means running just yet. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, I can make my big debut. Are any of you doing any fun, moderate mile races this spring? Since I may not make San Diego, I need a fun spring run to train for and keep my spirits up. And I'm trying like a son of a gun to try and find a summer marathon that's Boston certified, so if you know of any, please let me know!!

T-minus 24 hours and counting....

So, in roughly 24 hours, I will be under the knife. I'm super excited to get these hernias fixed and get back out on the road, but I'm also super nervous about getting put under. The only anesthesia I've ever had was back in high school when I had my wisdom teeth out.

Against doctor's orders, I'm heading out for an easy 3 miler today. I don't know why, but I feel like I have to run one more time before my surgery. Maybe subconsciously, I'm afraid that something will happen, and this may be my last run ever. Stupid, I know... but I'm going out today... just in case.

I'm sure everything will turn out just fine. Lord knows that my surgeon has done thousands of the exact same surgery that I'm having.

Anywho.... say a prayer for me tomorrow, and run a mile or two for me while you're at it.