14 Goals for 2014

14 goals for 2014

1.  I will reduce my overall debt by a minimum of 5%

• This means no NEW debt
• Paying off or down the balances on everything I currently owe to have overall debt on 12-31-14 5% less than 12-31-13

2.  I will reduce my body fat % by 5% overall  (Goal=35% body fat)

3.  Get my cholesterol under 200 with diet alone!  (No more meds!!)

4.  Double "organized" Run/Walk miles from 70k in 2013 to 140k in 2014 (87 miles)

5.  Double "organized" bike miles from 20 miles in 2013 to 40 miles in 2014

6. Total Running Miles for 2014 > 400 miles by 12-31-14

7.  Total Biking Miles for 2014 > 400 miles by 12-31-14

8.  Running pace below 14 minutes per mile for any distance less than 7 miles by 12-31-14

9.  Complete a 15k in less than 2 hours 15 minutes by 10-20-14

10. Jump rope for 3 minutes without stopping by 12-31-14

11. Improve my Single Arm Power Clean and Jerk to 45 pounds (3 sets/12) by 12-31-14

12. Do 100 pushups ON THE FLOOR in under 3 minutes by 12-31-14

13. Read 12 non-fiction books by 12-31-14

14. Eat Cleaner!  Decrease my reliance on processed foods, prepackaged meals and carryout.  

Weird and Stupid Injury!!

I give in.......no, I am not quitting running or working out.  I am giving in to the fact that I have an injury.  

Do I have a cool story like I rescued a child from a burning building?  NOPE!  Felled by Push-ups!!!  

It is not a major one but is so damn annoying!!!

 Pulled an Abdominal muscle or tore an adhesion.  Started during push-up-sharp stabbing pain which we immediately stopped but pain is now a little worse 2 days later.  GRRRRRR!!!!!!  It is very superficial so my vote is adhesion-

Upside- elliptical and running don't make it worse.  Tried some lifts today....   Some are ok...  Some maybe not.  BUT-if I try to push up at all on that side.....let's just say there are words that rhyme with Duck!!!  Haha is I can stretch with no pain!!

To go see the trainer tonight or not.....  Guessing it will be NOT when I text him.

Mentally escaping, strange setback and being a mom!

We all have the ways we escape from stress or get away.  I would love to say for me it is running.  Well, sometimes it is running but my true escape and love is reading.  Been feeling the pressure creeping and sat down and read TWO novels this week.  Yup. TWO.  (Now, before you all think I skipped workouts and such....  it takes me only about 3 hours to plow through a novel.)  Part of me is thinking I need to see if there is anything good on the library.

From time to time, I just need to check out into a different reality.  Everyone get's that right?


Today's workout was less than fun.  Doing the new "FUN" thing- pushups on the floor.  4th one in and had this SHARP pain in my abs.  Like a hot poker being stabbed through.  Not kidding.  It was bad on the 3rd one, worse on the 4th and nearly hit the floor on the 5th.  Trainer's rule is if something HURTS, stop.  No working through pain.  Pain is STOP.  Achy/soreness/tension is one thing-Pain is STOP.  So stop we did.  But plenty of other things in the bag for the workout and we still rocked it for the hour.

So what has me so stressed that I needed to plow through 2 books in 3 days.  The kid.  If you know me, you know my kid and that he has HORRID allergies and for years had terrible food allergies.  Well, had a run of throwing up with no other problems 4 times in 6 weeks.  That means GI time.  He wants to repeat tests which means the kid is off his GI meds for a month so we get the best results on the test.  (Looking for things like allergic esophagitis, EOE, gastric hyperacidity........)  First 6 days were fine.  Day 7 was a bit of aching.  Day 8 was painful.  We are now at Day 12 and the pain is constant.  His best description "It feels like something is stuck in my throat and like I need to puke but can't".  And he is exhausted because it makes it hard to sleep.  And this cold weather and such is making his body ache.  AND to top it off, he had a small flare with his allergy shot today so he is sporting a huge and painful welt on his arm.  This is making me feel like a CRAPPY mom.  The test is not until 12-26 so we have 19 more days until the test and then a probe is left in for 48 hours so it will be 21 days before he can start back on the meds that help.

SO..... the next 3 weeks are going to just SUCK.  The docs OK'd something other than his usual GI meds (Zantac and Tums instead of Prevacid) but yeah....... . he said we might as well just toss them out the window for all they help.  (At least he is old enough to understand the why behind it.)

So if I am a bit moody and crabby...... it is because being unable to do something to help your kid, even knowing that we need the answers this test will give us, SUCKS!!!!!!!!

The part of the Holiday season this Fit Gal dreads....... The Holiday FOOD!

When you think of the holidays, what comes to mind?

Let's be honest..... Food is a big part of it.  I know it is for me.  I come from a family of GREAT cooks and bakers.  Add to that I work in the Health Care industry and every Tom, Dick and Vendor sends food to the office.  And my coworkers love to bake.

Let's look at the  risky spots.....

1. The food pushers seem to target you.  Seriously- we all know them.  The people who seem so sweet but you almost think they are on a secret mission to destroy the self-control you are so desperately trying to cling to.
2. Any horizontal surface at the office---  Loving coworkers and their spouses bake.  It makes them feel good.  It ends up in the office kitchen, at desks, at times it seems like every horizontal surface in sight.
3. Office meetings and gatherings..... MORE food.  There are gatherings and meetings and each comes with treats.
4. The office holiday parties.  Enough said- food you have no control over, at times alcohol and MORE BAKED GOODS
5. Vendor food at the office......  the send cookies, candy, seemingly harmless popcorn tins.
6. Holiday get togethers with family and friends.  We celebrate holidays with our friends, our family and food. (And sometimes booze.......  sometimes lots of booze.)

Depending on what article you read, the average American gains between 1 and 5 pounds over the holiday season.  Looking back over my life..... I think it is at times closer to 10.

SO.......  Need to make a plan.

Am I going to skip everything festive and fun. NO!  And I going to be that person who does not eat anything and sits there eating a protien bar and drinking something from a blender bottle.  Haha, I don't think that is reasonable either.

What are my plans to stave off the dreaded holiday gain? (And actually try to even lose a little.  I am just over 10 pounds away from a big milestone)

I am going to eat at clean and healthy as I can at every chance.  This means at home and non-party situations keeping it within counts and focusing on my Protien/Carb/Fat ratios.

I am going to log more workout time.  In November I logged a total of 17 hours over 19 workouts.  Need to up the time, number AND intensity.  If I know I have a risky food day coming up, making sure the day before, day of and day after I push water and work out HARD.

Remind myself each time I sit down that while people may feel slighted if I don't fill my plate and gorge myself to a food coma, most of my family and friends are very understanding of how hard I am working and don't judge.  Most have healthy options.  

And if I slip/indulge/overindulge- I won't use it as an excuse to keep sliding.  Each morning I get up and remind myself why I do this, why I WANT this.  This is not about self-sacrifice, being the "perfect" eater/exerciser.  It is about working to be a healthier, fitter me.  I am human, I am a work in progress.  I will slip.  I am allowed to have cheat days.  So long as they don't become cheat weeks.  As long as my cheat days are not 5,000 calorie free-for-alls.  

AND-- Never, EVER wear loose/fat pants to a place where there will be too much food.  I need to wear a pair of pants that fit well, shirts that are not too big.  Not just because if my pants fit that it hurts to eat too much.  More because it shows off my hard work.  Every time I go into a bathroom or pass a mirror, I see the hard work literally reflected back at me.  Nothing like a reminder of the WHY.

So  today, for the first time, I am posting my actual weight, waist, hip and thigh measurements for the world to see.  This is hard for me as I still am a ashamed of the numbers.  BUT- when I look at what they were a year ago..... I am a proud.  I will be posting the post-season numbers on January 2nd, 2014.

Weight: 210.2

Waist:35.5

Hips 43.5

Right Thigh:25.5

2013 Rockford Turkey Trot (NOT)

This morning I did the Rockford Turkey Trot.  As always, I learned a few things......  

1. If a running group hosts a run, has it at a VERY hilly park and lists it as a trail run--- It is NOT your standard 5k.  (Hence the "NOT" in the post title....hard to trot when struggling to climb hills and breath)
2. LLBean makes amazing traction slip-ons when running up and down icy wooded trails
3. Apparently karma likes to help adjust your time if you do a good deed.

My AWESOME friend Brenda Sheehama and her daughter Dominique again braved the Illinois weather to run with me.  8:00am, picked up packet.  Stood huddled next to a grill for the next 70 minutes waiting for the 9am start and trying not to freeze to death.

Race start ran a bit behind but 10 minute is not too bad considering there were almost 1000 runners.  In the woods.  In the winter.

I was TERRIFIED of a trail run.  Terrified of falling, of SUCKING.  

My posted time on the website is 41:04.  That is NOT my time.  Not close.  I was about 2-3 minutes behind my friend who finished at 49:51. I am rolling with 51:04 for my records.

In truth, I have no idea what my actual time should be.   I really ended up coming in about 20 minutes after Brenda because a nice elderly lady fell and I stopped and sat with her until the ambulance came. (She was OK but w/ her history of significant back problems, age of 70-something and "I don't think I passed out" made me think I would wait to make sure she stayed put.) I think Karma took my time and shaved off a bunch to make me feel better.

Up until that point, it was an interesting run and want to do it again when it the trail is NOT covered in ICE.

I think I may branch out into more trail runs.  It was so wonderful being out there, in the beautiful sunshine, pushing my body in a different way than I ever did.  IT FELT SO GOOD!!!!!  I like it so much more than street running.  In the woods, on the dirt, at spots only 1 person wide........  not great for a race but really, really great for the mental space.

This race was different in that the "winner" was not based on speed but instead closest to your predicted finish.  This meant no little voice from MapMyRun telling me how long I had run, or my pace, or how far.  There were no mile markers.  It was not a up and back.  I had my Shuffle for music and just ran. (well, and walked......  especially on the hills)

So, in addition to the "normal" things I am thankful for (family, health, safety) I have a new "Thankful".

I am thankful  I stepped outside my comfort zone, even if it was accidental, to discover what an amazing experience a trail run is and how it really, really made me feel more connected to my body, to my run, to nature.

(Hat from 2013 Rockford Turkey Trot.  Shirt from FitLikeFlint.com  I love my new shirt.... I got it to remind me to keep working out, keep running, keep focused so I don't end up looking or feeling like a stuffed turkey.)

Baby, it's cold outside -Running in Cold temps, high winds and surrounded by kids of idiot parents!!!!

Kim Miller, me, Brenda Sheehama and Dominique Sheehama

Yesterday was my 12th event of the year- The Jingle Bell Run.  Had been looking forward to it for several reasons.  Was running with a few friends I had not seen in a while and it was for a great charity. (The Arthritis Foundation).

It was NOT a fun race.  I loved seeing my friends but the weather and the event left something to be desired.

Let's start with the weather......   It was 19 degrees and wickedly windy.  The course was on the very far west edge of Rockford so when I saw windy, I mean bitter, blowing and coming at times it seemed from every direction.  I dressed well so once we started it was not too bad except for any exposed skin and realized I need better gloves.

Then, the run itself.  As noted above-it was hideously cold.  Standing at the start, it just was bone aching cold.  Glad for the extra shirt and knee high socks I pulled on.  Looking around, the wardrobes of others left me shivering.  Shorts and a t-shirt?  Really?  What worried me was the children who appeared to be in only a pair of track pants and maybe 1 shirt and a fleece jacket.  Some were already talking about how cold they were.

So we start to run.  Every time I thought the wind could not get better, that at some point it should be at my back.....  NOPE.  At what I would guess was 1/2 of a mile (more on this later) I start hearing kids sobbing behind me.  Begging their parents to let them turn around.......  "Please Mom, I am freezing-I can't feel my lips.  The mother quickly tells them "you wanted to do this and I paid good money for it so you will finish it". Ok....  I am an adult, I wanted to quit it was so cold and a quick glance behind me my guess is the children are MAYBE 8-10 years old.  And no hats, gloves or scarfs.  "Please turn around" I am thinking in my head and try running a little faster so I don't turn around and yell at this mother.

Going up a hill it starts to really suck.  Wind is bad.  Come up on two kids, maybe 7 and 8-9 the older child is trying to hug the little boy into her coat as he is SOBBING.  No adult with them.  Not enough clothes between the two of them to keep one of the warm.  Again no hats, gloves or scarves.  My blood is boiling.  I ask the kids if we can call someone.  THEY DONT KNOW THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE PERSON WHO BROUGHT THEM.  I tell them we should be almost to an aid station, when we get there we can see if they can get someone to drive them back to the finish.  Trying to get the, walking and keep them moving.  The boy stops crying at least.  I tell them we have to be near the halfway.  Another lady is there walking her dog now we have caught up to.  She can tell I want to go faster but not leave these kids.  I quickly explain they are NOT mine and I am not sure where the adult is.  She agrees to walk with them until they come to the aid station or she can get them to one of the cops on the route.  I take off again.  The annoying little coach voice from MapMyFitness tells me for the second or third time I am behind my goal pace.  I HATE HER at that moment.  Almost as much as the adults who turned these children out on this cold day to run alone!

I wish those were the last of the crying children.   I would pass several more.  And near the end, it was old kids......  Yes, it was that cold and windy.  I don't think I could have my eyeballs were frozen.

WORST RUN COURSE EVER!  No mile markers-not one.  No aid stations (despite there was supposed to be TWO!). Most of the course volunteers (when you saw one) were inadequately dressed teenagers.  3.48miles.  No photographers anywhere in the course or at the finish.

Had hoped to PR.  Came close-missed it by 40 seconds.  If I would not have slowed to talk to those children I would have knocked it out easily.  Do I regret it?  No, humanity over huberous every time.

Towards the end I saw the cars and minivans, hazards on heading back into the course.  I am hoping someone finally got someone to go collect the poor frozen children.

Got out today for 2 miles.  Felt good!

Next up--  Turkey Trot 5k on Thursday.  Temps will be about the same but less windy.  I sure hope so.  This one is all grass and trail so not expecting a PR for sure.  It is currently my last of 2013.  Really wanted to set a new PR so may have to do "just one more".  Or maybe it will be my lucky #13?

A soggy, sucky run and a wardrobe malfunction!!!

UGH......  my first race in a while and it went ABSOLUTELY HORRID!!!

Let's start with- it was supposed to be lovely out, low 50's, no rain until later today.

NOPE!! It was 46 degrees and drizzly.  AND WINDY.  I think at one point I would have been going backwards if I would not have been pushing so hard.

Then there was my wardrobe.  Took off running, make it 20 steps- pants immediately start falling down.  Not just a little saggy.  They are falling down.  Slowed down, hiked them up and pulled them up as well as I can.  Then tried again- NOPE, same result.

Tried tucking my shirt in.  NOPE.  Thought, OK- I will run and see what happens.  It is not like they will fall all the way down.  Had on a long shirt so figured, they will stop at my hips.  Kept running.  OK, when they hit my hips the kept going.  When they hit the middle of my cheeks.... I gave up running.  I could not run bare butt.  Not happening.  SO, moved to speed walking.  Ran the last bit because my pants were so glued to me from the cold/wetness they couldn't go too far and "WORK BITCH" came on!!!  One cannot just WALK to that song.

Survived the wind and the rain and ended up 50:13.  Pace of 16:12/mile.  #142/154.


My dear friend Cassi explained-- this is why you need to be sure all your running pants have ties on them.  So as you lose weight, your pants do not fall off when you try to run.

Quick trip to Sports Authority and scored a new pair that tie and are fleece lined so I do not freeze my butt off next weekend.

Not my PR but is one of my fastest actually.

Still chasing the 45 minute time.

Turkey Time!

Wow, seems odd to be taking about Thanksgiving isn't it?

I was looking back at the blog and adjusting my year totals (haha, because I signed up for another 5k so I will do 3 5ks in 10 days......  It seems to be a sickness.)

This time of year staying on track becomes a struggle.

I now come home in the dark.  I can't even get a 30 minute run in after work.

Unhealthy food is EVERYWHERE- You go from Halloween and candy to Thanksgiving which comes with tons of food and pie.

Then Christmas which seems to be a 5 week expedition to see how many baked goods, candy and other carb loaded crap foods.......

So using these three 5k's to keep me focused and have ordered a new shirt to keep me focused.


And then, to remind me-- ordered this shirt (Obviously NOT me in the shirt...waiting for mine to arrive)

Working to surround myself with fitness events, plans with friends (not involving food or drink) and spending quality time at the gym.

Will update you after the run on Saturday!  (Please no rain or horridly freezing!)

Thanks for reading!

Monica

2014 Races - for anyone who wants to join me or cheer me on!!!!!

For those following this, I post my events so if anyone wants to join me you have the info.  You can come cheer me on or run with me!!!

My goal is to double the miles I did last year so..... I need to do:

135k (84 miles) in run/walks

40 miles in bike rides

OH MY-- It is lofty goal but going to try my damnedest!!

Here is to a great year!


1-11-14  Chicago Polar Dash                                                                             10k

http://www.chicagopolardash.org/

Supports: Shriner's

Location: Chicago Grant Park/Soldier Field

Distance options: 5k, 10k, 14 mile

Total planned for 2014

5k          (None yet)

10k        1

Other     (None  yet)

Total Distance: 10k

Gloomy, grey and falling off the wagon

I was humming along, doing fairly well with my food and working out and then WHAM......  hit a bump and fell right off that damn wagon and it rolled over me!!

I could list a bunch of reasons.... Halloween Candy, Bridal Showers, the fact that Illinois seems to have become the land of perpetual grey and rain....  The end of Daylight Savings Time...  Shorter days and longer nights.. The Fitness Manager leaving my gym. (My trainer is still there but the FM helped keep me motivated too) It is darn cold out.

But they are not reasons, they are excuses.  BULLSHIT excuses.  So I am back on track.  Watching the food, drinking the water, hitting the gym, the elliptical, getting outside if there is daylight and dryness. Got the darn candy out of the house. Back in FOCUS.

I think everyone has these and the biggest challenge is not giving in, not giving up.

And what turned me around? Having someone ask ME for advice on how to do it.  Hearing them tell me how I have showed them it is possible, inspired them.  

How can I give in, wallow, get lazy if I could be the reason why someone is ready to take that first walk, the courage to look at what they are doing and asking for help from me.  

Sometimes I get frustrated and think "Is it worth the work, the sacrifice, the time, the energy, the money".  Honestly, in my mind I know it is worth it for me.  But if this little thing I am doing then creates a ripple and touches someone and helps them be brave enough to start to make the change-how can I stop?!  There could be someone out there watching, waiting to see if this is something they could do.

So, if you are one of those out there reading this, thinking "it is too hard and takes too much work"- while it is hard and takes a lot of work- but honestly having people tell you how amazing and inspiring you are makes it worth even more.  

So, I have flipped the wagon over, loaded up and moving on.

So...... leaving you with this thought- if there is someone who moves you, inspires you, keeps you going-- TELL THEM- you might be the voice I needed to hear the other day that helped me get back up on that wagon and carry on.

(p.s.- the results of my 12 week challenge at the gym-15 pounds/ 6.7% weight loss in 12 weeks.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!! It's the Birthday Blog!

WOW!  I turn 41 today.  I look at that number and think....... At 41 I am in better shape than 35.  How many people can say that?

Today I was supposed to be running.  I had it all planned out.  10k, cute clothes, family there to watch me finish.  Well, instead I am sitting writing this in my recliner, under a nice warm blanket and haven't showered since Friday.  The Happy Germ Fairies decided to give me Bronchitis for my birthday! (which honestly I was afraid was instead that my body would not let me run in cold air...... PHEW, it was just germs although I do need to use my inhaler and a balaclava when running in cold air apparently.)

I could be sitting here having a pity party (it was tempting) but instead, I am grateful for what I have, for what I have done, not that I had to skip ONE race.

This year I have done TEN!!!  I have walked/run 50k (31.20 miles) and rode 20 miles in organized events.

While working out, I have done another 140 miles of running/walking and biked another 65.

I have gotten someone who has NEVER done a 5k to do TWO with me.

I have learned to love my body, even if it is not perfect.

I am 30 pounds lighter than 6 months ago and 55 pounds lighter than I was when I was 35.

My waist is SIX INCHES smaller.  This is one of the measurements that made me say WOW!!!

And I did not do this alone.  My family has been there all the way.  My son has tolerated late dinners or cooking for himself so I could go to the gym.  His dad has taken him whenever I needed so I could be downtown having fun and doing packet pickups.  My dad and Margi have been supportive beyond measure.  AND MY FRIENDS HAVE CHEERED ME ON!  I have reconnected with friends I have not seen since High School and we get up at the unholy hour of 7 am just to go run or walk.

A frequent statement out of my mouth (and makes people chuckle) "Oh, it is just a 5k, that is only 3 miles".  Even better "Well, it is only 6 miles, it should be over in about 90 minutes".  6 months ago even that sentence would have NEVER passed my lips.

Last week with my trainer, we did something that I would have NEVER thought possible.  The Trainer placed a bosu on top of a 18 inch box.  I thought...."Oh what crazy hell does he have planned".  THEN, he hands me two 15 pound dumbells.  He calmly looks at me "Step up on it, get your balance and do arm curls to an overhead press, lower the weights then step down."  WHAT!  Has he lost his mind!!!!!?????  Guess what- I not only did it, I did 3 sets of 8 of this!  How many people can do that!

 PLUS

 + 30 pounds of dumbbells AND I ROCKED IT!!!!!!

Two more events planned this year, hoping to see a few more friends there.

11-23-13 Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5k in  Loves Park, IL  - This one benefits the Arthritis Foundation, is supposed to be a BLAST-- I have formed a team called "Jingle my Bells"- feel free to pledge me or even better, JOIN ME!!!   So far, Brenda Sheehama, The Miller Family and I believe my Dad and Margi are IN!  The post party is supposed to be a HUGE blast!!

http://JingleBellRockford.kintera.org/jinglemybells2013


11-28-13 Rockford Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5k, Rockford, IL  - maybe if I run in the morning, it will help keep the metabolism up to burn off the calories later in the day.
https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Rockford/RockfordThanksgivingTurkeyTrot

I feel a bit conceited writing this blog today but........ IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!  If I can't toot my own horn today, then what the heck is the point of life!!!

ME- 5 years ago 

Me-6 months ago

Me-NOW!

THANK EVERYONE FOR FOLLOWING MY JOURNEY!!!!  Can't wait to see what my October 2014 year in review will look like!

Fall, the final month of 40, and why I really hate my teeth.

Went out for a run to clear my head tonight and it felt like fall.  It also struck me that, unless I leave work early this is the end of long runs on week nights.  Finished at 7pm and the bike trail took on a VERY creepy darkness.

It was so beautiful though how quiet and still the woods were.

I am now less than 3 weeks to being 41 and looking back 40 has been pretty damn AWESOME!

Right now I am stronger than I have been in years, love my job, my child, my family and friends.

Here is where I have to say "Ugh".

The joy if your 40's is that it seems all your filings from your childhood turn to crap.  Now in process of 2nd root canal.

(This s where I will also learn how many of my medical professional friends are reading this blog and still paying attention.)

Apparently the 1st round of antibiotics and pupal debridement did not kill said abcess.  Last few days the pain has been coming back and this fun dizziness.  So, called and changed to Clindamycin.

Decided to run today anyway.

The more I ran, the worse the dizziness seemed.  Kicked back to a brisk walk and as long as I breathed slowly and with my mouth closed all was good.  The cold air would cause the world to tilt a bit on it's axis.  If I tried to look to the left without moving my head and it was like the Maxtrix.  BUT I NEEDED TO CLEAR MY HEAD AND THE TRAIL WAS SO PEACEFUL.  So I pushed past mile 1.  Well.....  By mile 2 it got worse....  As long as I looked straight ahead....  Fine.. Eyes to the side.. HAHA.....the world got a little sideways.

The fat ME and the nurse ME were recommending stopping and calling someone to come get me.  The "I really want to be a skinnier, runner" ME, she said "it's ok, just maybe don't run at all, walk faster and look straight ahead".  Made it home, pace was slower than my normal (19/mile vs 16/mile) but I didn't fall over or pass out cold.  Knees buckled a few times.

Guess I will hold off running until the new antibiotics kick in!  Think I will tell the trainer no jumping either tomorrow since it seems jumping/jostling makes it so much worse!

We ROCKED CHICAGO Ladies!

Wow!  I have now completed 24.8 walking/running miles and 20 miles on a bike during organized events.... Today was my longest Run/walk....  The 10k Chicago Women Rock.  I was all over the map emotionally on this one going in-excited, nervous, terrified...  Yes, nervous and terrified...  Self-doubt was creeping in...  Did I bite off more than I can chew .  Crazy dreams and very little sleep last night....  But felt ready this morning.  Then we started....  Was good the first mile.  Something happened mile 2....   It felt like I had been running forever and it had only been 29 minutes?  I nearly started crying, nearly stopped.  I have never felt so overwhelmed.  4.2 MORE miles.  How can I do it?  

Ever have a song come on and it just hits a chord, pushes you on, makes you think think "I got this".  In comes the lyrics "Cause sometimes you feel tired, feel weak, and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up.  But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength, and just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up, and not be a quitter, no matter how bad you just wanna fall flat on your face and collapse......  Go left, go left, go left, right, left......."  Now...  This is NOT part if my playlist.  I ended up in my son's workout playlist for this run.  Eminem saved my run......  My son's playlist was great.....  Every time I thought "WTH was I thinking?" And the song I needed came on!  Thinking I need him to redo mine.  The Eminem song came one three times today....  And each time, the lyrics kept my head where it needed to be.  Music is such an important part of my life and I truly think it can make or break a day.

And then there is just something about running along the lakefront.  The temp was low 60's, a breeze, lapping waves on the lake and sail boats dotting the skyline.  Somewhere around the last mile or so, it was so beautiful I wished I could stop to take a picture.  But I knew if I stopped or paused.....   I might not find the rhythm again.

And no, I am not loopy on a runner's high ok....  Are you still reading this, here is the ugly.

A-hole bikers.  It was posted at every entry to the lakefront path about the event, that it will be congested and expect it.  Mile 2-4 is the up and back.  It is CROWDED.  To the lady who was trying to fly through at about 20 miles an hour and screaming at us "get the hell to the sides, some of us are trying to get through here"...   You lady are why we runners and walkers think riders are a-holes.

Running + need to pee = horrid side stitch.....  Thank heaven for the mile 2.5 portapotties!

My right shoe....  Around mile 4....  The inside of my shoe developed a weird farty feeling...  And like the cushioning was off.  Lemons and lemonade...  There is a dirt shoulder to the path-  took to running on that and I wish I would have tried that much earlier!  So much nicer on the knees and hips.  

Did not drink enough pre-race apparently and the breeze made for AWESOME shivers the 2 miles, especially in the shade.  Had two cute little old ladies who were doing the half tell me "Deary, you are shivering and not sweating......   You need to drink more or slow down". So I drank as much as I could without puking......  Which is not much..  But did drink a cup at each water station plus what I carried....

All said....  I CANT WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR!  Totally doing the 5 mile Schaumburg Turkey Trot!  I got this!

And here are my Thank You shout outs-

Dani Vitale- for driving, for keeping me calm and enduring my prattling, for keeping me believing I can do this.

To AJ and Ian at XSport- not just for the training but for making me enjoy going to the gym.....

To Anke Smith and Kim Miller-  for being great friends and cheerleaders.

To my kid for not hating the Saturday mornings that I abandon him to run.

And, to the wonder of Spotify/iTunes/the awesome music industry because if I had to run without music....  I could not run!

Crazy Days Ahead......

Gosh, it has been over a month since my last blog post.  Can't believe it.  Had someone send me a message saying they missed seeing them.

What have I been up to that I  didn't post?  Not really much of anything particular.  In fact, more like not much of anything.  Hit a funk and it then turned to a moody rut.  Not really the Mind Place I like to blog from.  Oh well, maybe getting it out will help get me out of the rut.

Feel frustrated these days.  Sharing it with all of you so that if you are having a funk too, maybe you will feel a bit less alone and not give up or give in to the funk.

The intellectual part of me understands the process and why the body reacts how it does and to "not get hung up on numbers" but the emotional part.......is struggling.  I hate writing these types of posts as it feels like I am whining.  Well.......  I suppose I am.

Upsides of all my work:
-I am so much stronger
-I am so much more confident
-Have achieved so much more than I ever thought I could
-I LOVE WORKING OUT WITH A PERSONAL TRAINER

Downsides
-The scale is NOT going where I wanted it to be.  I will not hit my weight loss goal for my birthday and I have to let it go.
-While many parts of me are shrinking and everything is more toned, my damn thighs WILL NOT SHRINK
-I have never been so tired of thinking about what I eat and the act of eating itself.
-There never seems to be enough money or time to balance everything I want to do
-Stress is NOT my friend, nor is insomnia

I could make excuses.... I had a cold, my job has become a bit crazy, it is getting dark so early and making me sad........blah, blah, blah.  Time to put up or shut up right?


SO....... the lessons for this month and what is the new plan:

1.  I will now always wait until the morning AFTER  rest day to do weight and measurements.  This month I decided to do it after 6 days of hardwork outs and a bout of the DOMS.  This made me nearly throw in the towel.  It made me cry.  It made the trainer and the fitness manager at the gym need to talk me off the ledge.  It made me feel like I failed.


2.  Tried running and walking for a month to see if I could increase my distance/speed.  Will NEVER be a runner.  Struggled a lot and may have been part of the funk that I thought I should strive to be a runner.  I am not.  I walk, I run, I jog......sometimes I do them all in a single outing.  Running burns more calories but just is not me.  My overall time..... IT IS THE SAME no matter what once I get out past 3 miles.  So, I am following my whimsy.  If I feel like running, I will but I do short little bursts (think a bunch of sprints in the middle of a very long walk).  If I want to walk it all, so be it.  The speed is not what it should be about.  It should be about getting out there and clearing my mind.  Connecting with my body.  Not a "Minutes/Mile" or "Calories Burned".  So.... no more "I have to crack and stay below a 15 minute mile".  It made me HATE going out.


3.  Realized that just because I will not hit the weight loss goal I wanted by my birthday, I have accomplished so much more.  The number on the scale cannot define my failure or my success.  Nor can a measurement.  Success is that I have made changes that will help  me live a longer and health life.

4.  I have to embrace/get back to the FULL workout plan.  3 days per week doesn't cut it.  I need the Cardio 3x/wk and Resistance 3x/wk to keep my body going.  It makes such a difference with my sleep, my mood, my stress level.

5.  With the kid back in school and the chaos of work, I need to keep things simple.  Clean the whole house over the weekend.  Prep and prepare as much as I can on the weekends too.  MAKE A MEAL PLAN FOR THE WHOLE WEEK.

6.  Make time to read too.  This sounds funny but it really is something that is not just a "I like to do it" but instead  NEED to do it.  There is something that reading does for my brain that nothing else does.

7.  Trust in my trainer.  He has gotten me great results and he has assured me the plateau is a temporary thing.  Back to basics he says.  Eat well, train hard, get your water and sleep in and the body will do what it should.  Right now....it is hard to believe it as the scale has not moved for almost 3 weeks  but as he said, it has also not gone up and it WILL drop.

8.  Making the stairs my friend.  Every work day, at least once, I do the stairs.  Down 11 flights, walk a mile, then back up all 11.  NO excuses.  It SUCKS right now.  It will get better.


Well, since it is on the internet, it must be true right?  So I have no choice than to DO IT!!!!

What is on the upcoming agenda?

9-21-13 Women Rock 10k

9-29-13 HeartWalk Chicago 5k

10-13-13 Pumpkin Stampede 5k

10-20-13 Monster Dash 5k AND I TURN 41!!!!!!

RedRun and running with the kid!

The Red Run was a good time!  Finished in 50:00 flat so not too bad.  Had a much better pace until the last 1/2 miles was up a big a$$ hill.  Told the organizers that was my only complaint!!!!

(Might have done better had I not had a few drinks Friday night and only 4 hours sleep....  Just maybe lol)

Did too much post-run Saturday so had a forced rest day yesterday.....

Tonight the kid joined me tonight on a run.  Need to figure out post-race recovery.....  Tried to run my normal route/pace.....  Did not go well.  Made it 2.77 instead of the 3.2, pace of 18:30.

Kid did much better than me but his shoulder started to hurt (think was due to holding a water bottle funny) and then cramp in his foot.  He did the 3.2 with a pace of 16:34...  And that was walking back with his slow gimpy mom.  

He does agree with me..... Running is an ends to a means--  great calorie burn but not actually "fun".

Wednesday he will be doing the 12 mile bike ride....he said he would rather stick to biking....running hurts too much.  (Hehe, tried telling him it gets better but not sure it was convincing since I was limping at the time.)

6 weeks to WomenRock and need to double my distance.

Wish me luck!!!!

Lessons learned-listening to others = less pain

Just got back from a "run".  That still goes in quotes because my intervals are 45 seconds of running followed by 3 minutes if walking.  So basically I am running 20% of the time.  Feels good to be able to say that!

So, to explain the title of this post.

I follow a lot of other runners posts and blogs.  I am a nurse.  (Yes, even if I don't see or talk to patients I am still one!). I have exercised off and on for years and should know some things.

This weeks lesson's learned:

1.  If you get HORRID shin pain at the onset of your walking-loosen up your front 1/2 of your shoes laces!  Credit to Kim Scheips!!!

2.  Do not drink ice cold water if you get nauseated when exercising.  Used room temp before and during run....  Did not feel like barfing!!  Credit to Dani Vitale!

3.  If you make funny noises and cough when running and your Doctor gives you an inhaler....  USE IT!  Credit to Alex Smith (Anke's son after me telling him during the RNR we had to pause a minute cause I couldn't breathe.)

Despite it being warm and humid, despite being tired and cranky, I got my 5k in tonight in 52:20.  It was not severely painful, I did not have to stop to prevent vomiting and I did not gasp for air during it.....  Hehe!!!

Need to check with how soon before work out to use Xopenex since it did not kick in until 20 minutes into running and WOW what a difference.

Gonna try it before the gym tomorrow- who knows...  Maybe I will make it more than 6 minutes before yawning....  Trainer now times it to see how long before I yawn.  (Apparently I yawn a lot when I get really winded....)

My worst NOT running

Sunday- the weather was perfect-- a cool 68 degrees, low humidity, "I should go for a run" I thought.  "It will be great" I thought.

Well, not so much..........

Learned a few things though.

1.  If your running tights are too small, they will fall down every time you try to run.
2.  If you have sciatica, do not try to wear a fuel bag because wherever it sits...  the thing irritates the sciatica and makes you leg hurt.  Then you run funny......   Then it hurts more, then you run funnier, then you nearly fall.

So.... then I stopped trying to run.  Then came the long, slow walk back.  Managed to still get a half-decent pace of 18 miles per hour (which was sooooooo slow).

Gonna try again tomorrow.

Haha, and signed up for 2 more 5k's and contemplating an 8 miler the first weekend in November and a 5 miler at the end of November.

CRAZY, CRAZY, CRAZY!!!!!

What makes one "a runner"?

So, was once told by an ortho I should not run....  SI joint is unstable and until that is resolved....  No running.  Through the 'fun' working with AJ my personal torturer oops, I mean personal trainer it no longer slides out.  My IT band is not as tight either so.......  After the Rock-n-Roll and an amazing 8 year old named Alex Smith cheering me into running I thought....  Let's see what happens if I try to do it more.  So, Saturday I tried it again...  Would run and count to 30 and then walk til I felt OK.  Not sure how many intervals I did of this....probably only 4.  Speed walking between.

Monday I rode my bike to give the knees/hips a rest.  I also enjoy the speed of the bike.

Tonight was cardio again.....  Used my MapMyRide's interval and did 15 rounds of run for 30 seconds and walk for 3.  (So for the non- math fans I ran for 7min30sec and walked for 45min38sec when all was said and done.)

My pace average was 16:48... Fastest speed was 8:15min/mile but only able to maintain for the 30seconds.

***Forgot to add--it was HIGH humidity which was a first for me too!

I learned I don't like to jog..... It does not feel natural..  So I either walk or I run.  Does 1/7 of my time spent running mean I can call myself a runner?  Or am I still a walker?  If you don't understand why this matters......  Sign up for a 5k.  Some make you say which you are.......

Going to keep working at it as my legs don't feel to bad.......

So.... For all my fans out there.....CAN I CALL MYSELF A RUNNER?

Motivation....(well, MORE motivation)

If you are in Facebook with me you know I am working with a trainer at XSport Fitness.  (His name is AJ and he KILLS ME, in the best possible way.). They are having a contest similar to Biggest Loser- prize is $50k for the national winner....  Biggest % weight loss in 3 months.  Well......  AJ and I are going to give it a shot.  I think he is hoping to at least have me win their club so he has bragging rights. Figure this will give me that extra UMPH heading into the home stretch to my birthday.......

So, going to be kicking it up another notch and get more serious about it.  3 months from now is weigh-in.  222.6 on the scale today.  Where will I be in 3 months?   Not sure but it would be awesome to not only be in better shape but to have $50k to celebrate it with!

Don't wish me luck but instead Strength, Endurance, and WILL-POWER!

Inspired and Excited

This past weekend was the XSport Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon aka the RNR.  (Definitely NOT rest n relaxation.....).  

Kicked it off with some time with Connor Friday and saw a movie.  

THEN......the crazy time began.  Headed to the city for the RNR.  In typical Monica fashion, I made a wrong turn and parked at the wrong side of McCormick Place.  Literally the 180 degree wrong side.  If you have never been there, I swear it is over a mile from one end to the other.  And was wearing my minimal shoes so they do not correct for my goofy gait like my running shoes.  Shins were SCREAMING by time I got to packet pick-up and the Expo.

This was my first major expo I went to and OMG....  I was overwhelmed with the products, samples and info.  I spent over three hours roaming around, trying different protein and fueling products, looking and different vendors..... Yeah... It was crazy.  Grabbed a couple things I needed and a zillion samples and coupons.  Will likely do a review of all the stuff (the good, bad and the icky!) at a later time.

I bought a shirt on Saturday that said "You don't have to go fast, you just have to go!"  That is one of my favorite mantras.  Another great one "No matter how slow you are, you are doing laps around those who never get off the couch!".  (Anke likes "I thought they said RUM".....)

To make sure it was not "all about me" at the expo I registered to be a potential peripheral stem cell or bone marrow donor.  Not sure I will ever get a call but if I can help save a life, I will!

To make the weekend even sweeter, I got to see Dani Vitale and her Mom.  I went to school with her and lived down the block for years and like many friends, lost touch over the years.  It was like time never passed!  And her Mom!  Oh how I love that lady!  Time was too short this weekend but it will NOT be another 20 years beforeI see the again.

That night attended the CureJM conference dinner with my dear friend Anke and her wonderful boys Alex and Connor.  (Her Connor- she has one too!). It was so inspiring to hear the stories and meet some of the families I have seen on Facebook.  

Anke was kind enough to let me crash in her room so I did NOT have to get up at 4am to drive back in.

The race started at 6:30am.  I am not a early morning person, nor do I like to exercise in the morning.  We left the hotel at 5:40 so I figured "I should pass a Starbucks on the way for coffee". NOPE!

Decisions, decisions came next.  Anke has two adorable 9 year old twin boys, Connor and Alex.  Connor seems to be struggling with stiffness (he has JM, the charity I ran for in this event) and I was afraid I would go too fast for him or if something happened he would need his Mom so he went with Anke and Alex went with me because he is the faster of the two boys.  The race starts and Connor decides he wants to try to run.  AND RUN HE DID!  All the CureJM had this VERY bright yellow shirts.  Apparently he was on a mission to pass as many as he could.  

That left the faster of the two boys with me and my 16-17min/mile pace.  Alex is a ROCKSTAR and my hero!  He never complained about me being slower and when I noticed his Mom was getting further away I told him he could run up to her if he wanted and NOPE!  He was happy to stay with Miss Monica!  Having a faster person with you who keeps a running dialog going makes one not think about "oh, my shins hurt" or "oh it is so hot".  We talked the whole time (well, he talked, I was often too busy trying to breathe.). He is a testament to his awesome parents.  This little 9 year old boy got me to do something trainers have failed at....  I RAN!  It did not kill me and my gait was fine.  And I have this pint-sized cheerleader "Miss Monica you are so fast when you run!  You are doing such a great job!  I hope I can you beat your personal record.  I am so proud to run with you!"  Seriously, this kid has a future as a sports trainer at the tender age of 9.  And he not only helped me beat my PR but CRUSH IT!  Previous best time was 16:53 min/mile.  DRUM ROLL............  NEW PR 14:31 min/mile.  Yup, shaved almost 2 1/2 minutes off my per mile pace!  And I am not sure who was more proud.... Me or Alex!

After that, I introduced Anke to the wonderful concept of being "Rolled-out". If you have never had a trainer roll you out with a foam roller after working out, you are missing the best part of working out.  She and both the boys tried it and I think it will be a new purchase for the Smith household.  I use one at least once a day at home and it is amazing!

Then some post race visits, showers and off to breakfast (and EXPRESSO).  And then it was it e to say good-bye.  I had to go home and The Smiths needed to get to their new hotel.  After a "scenic" way to the new hotel in Lincoln Park (stupid GPS was a little ambiguous at times and we made a few wrong turns....I know you are suprised by this) I dropped them off.

Posting some pics below.  This was such a fun but too short weekend.  Hopefully I can convince "my Connor" to do a race with me one day!

(Oh, and the medals are awesome too!  Check them out in my pics!  Very heavy and nice- not plastic but metal medals!  I got two- one for finishing and one for being a Charity Supporter!)

The CureJM Team!

Me and my hero Alex running!

Me, Alex, Connor and Anne!  This is the first picture in a LONG time I like how I look!  Loving watching the transformation in over the last 3 months since I started this journey!

I may be in that sea of people......  Likely the clump of VERY bright shirts at the start line on the far left side of the picture....

Me and Anke at breakfast.  I am always so impressed by how well she manages everything and has raised two of the politest and kindest young men!  Their compassion is amazing especially considering the medical issues and all.

Look!  I AM a runner!  

Keeping me humble........

I had not planned to write until after this week's 5k but tonight........   it was a "milestone" night between me and the kid.

He knows how hard I have been working out.  He seems to be happy about this.  We go to Dicks Sporting Goods to look for a Kettlebell for me to work out at home.

I see a very big one that has an 16 on it... .thinking "BOY, that seems awfully big for a 16?"  (Yes, I have since realized most are kg, not pounds).

I try to pick it up... DEFINITELY not 16 pounds.  My normal is a 26 pounds (unless AJ lies.... he tried to give me a 35# last week...sneaky bastard.)

Kid grabs it "What, this is super light" and asks what I do w/ it.  I grab the one above it and show him a kettlebell swing.  He does it NO PROBLEM w the 16.  (Which, for those non-metric friends of mine is the 35 pounder AJ gave me and I could not swing last week)  He then grabs then next one marked 20.  (45 pounds......)Yup, he could swing that too but just needed to put a bit more UMPH into it.

For those thinking 45 pounds is not that much....... I suspect you have not done a Kettlebell swing. Or are not a novice/getting back in shape 40 year old woman watching her 13 year old child do this...........

He now wants to get some stuff here to work out with.  He has flat-out does not want to go to the gym with me but is good about the elliptical so........ I guess I now have to build weight into the budget.

(We got an adjustable kettlebell so we can just add or remove weight for me vs him for now.  It can go up to 50 pounds and at 13 I do not want him swinging more than that.)

This week has been such a humbling week with this child.  He is now taller than me, stronger than me and likely smarter than me.

(OMG, and started shaving this week too............  glimpses of days to come.)

Fitness, fun and family

PHEW, is it just me or is it HOT outside?

It has been nice having a month between events.  Having a blast this summer and trying to make fitness part of it.  Two weeks ago, found myself particularly restless and had two choices........  watch something on TV or go MOVE MY a$$.  I started the day w/ an 8 mile bike ride and then followed that up w/ a 5 mile walk.  In 90+ degree heat.  FELT AWESOME THOUGH.  Then this past weekend, another 4 mile walk outside. My pace is sucky but know what... I SWEAT MY a$$ off, did it and it felt great!!!!  I may not make my goal of a 4mph pace this summer but hey, if I am improving and moving, it is a WIN!!!!

Starting to love my workouts with the trainer too.  Not sure I have talked much about that here.  I need things to keep me motivated (hence the crazy summer of 5ks......).  The other thing is paying someone each week to FORCE me to exercise outside my comfort zone.  If you can afford it, it is an amazing thing to do.  I only go once per week to the trainer and am on my own the rest of the time.  AJ is a great guy.  He is VERY into Crossfit (to the point he was competing for a while and training involved 1000 burpees in an hour....told him that was nuts and it ain't happening for this girl.)  Well, since I had time between events, he decided it is time to really start to push me outside my comfort zone.  If you would have told me when I started this journey in April I could do what I am doing today..... I might have laughed so hard I would pee myself.

Last week, he pushed me.  We did work w/ weights on a bar (dead lifts, then clean and jerk, then to an overhead press... 3 sets at each level.)  He looks at me "AND NOW, we start the high intensity!".... What?  I thought I was going to DIE at what he told me we were going to do.  Sequence of Burpees/low jumps/kettlebell swings.  Sets are 21 reps, 15, reps, 9 reps.  And for those who struggle with math.... YES-- 45 burpees.  I did it!!! They were not pretty, my time was not stellar but guess what.... I did what I swore at the beginning I could not do.  He is worth every friggin penny.

In addition to the benefit of the workouts I get and the confidence he gives me, there are two other benefits to it that keeps me from cutting it out when I finish this group.

1.  To pay for training, I had to cut things from my budget..... what did I cut- the EATING OUT budget.  I am cooking more at home, even if it is something "quick and dirty" and trying to make more "clean" choices with our food dollars.

2.  I think about what I am putting in my body and what I do to be active.....   If I am putting crap in my mouth all day long and don't work out except w/ the trainer, then I might as well be flushing money down the drain.  So.... I make better choices and make sure to work out in between so I don't waste the money and physical gains those Thursdays w/ AJ give me.


So....... does that mean I am good all the time... HAHAHAHAHA.... Here is the fun and family part.  This past weekend had LOTS of Family.  Escaped to The Forss Hilton (actually, my dad and Margi's house but it is like getting away to a hotel for the weekend they take such great care of us!).  Got to hang w/ them Friday night and go with my Dad to pick up Uncle Ernie at the Airport.  He lives in Colorado and don't get to see him much.  He is my dad's oldest brother and it is so fun to listen to them talk about their lives as children and just seeing them together.

Envision a 66 year old man and a 72 year old man racing through Barnes and Noble to see who can get to the check out first and then trying to get the cashier on their side on what pests older/younger brothers can be....all while I shake my head with embarassment ... and laugh!

Or... having discussed earlier in the day that THEY had ice cream but me, my son and Margi didn't and them saying "well we can go again later".  I look up and it is 9:30pm and am like "HEY-you never got us ice cream".  We literally all JUMPED in the car (5 people, Honda Civic..... 13 year old looking at me like we all lost our mind) in under 2 minutes and raced the clock to get to the ice cream place that is 25 minutes from their house and closed in 30 minutes.... yes, we made it with 3 minutes to spare and then proceeded to eat a sundae made with apple pie ice cream and caramel sauce.   Nice thing about their house is they have a pool so I also swam that morning..... (although my swimming looks like someone trying not to drown really.......)

The next day it was off for more family to celebrate my Aunt's birthday and more fun time w/ family.  Love being w/ the cousins and my family!

This week at work.... it has been a challenge.  Looking forward to the trainer tomorrow -- for 1 hour I cannot think about work, or bills, or pretty much anything as I am trying to remember simply to breath and not fall over.  (Hmmmmm, guess that is another benefit of AJ.  Good thing he does not read this or he might push me harder when he reads about the ice cream....)

This weekend--  the RockNRoll Marathon (doing the mini which is 3 miles) down on the lakefront which should be a great time but even more fun.... Get to see a old friend who was so dear to me in High School (Dani), one of my far-away friends (Anke) and get to meet a virtual friend face to face (Mary)!  So cannot wait. GIRL TIME!!!!!!  (And a 3 mile event on the beautiful lakefront......BONUS)

Dirty Girls and Dirty Dogs...

WOW-this past weekend was super DIRTY!! 

Saturday was the long awaited Dirty Girl Run!  What a BLAST!!!

I was super worried about my lower body strength when I should have worried about my upper body!!!  Lots of pulling myself over walls and crawling!

The temperature was a bit cool too and by the end we were shivering!!  (And of course muddy!!  Thanks to Michelle and Theresa for hanging in with me!

Then Sunday had to run help the kid wash his dogs at his Dad's due to one getting sick on the others.  Love those dogs to pieces!  Have the best of having a dog (playing with them and exercising them and RARELY have to deal with the icky part)

We got plenty wet and had a lot of laughs trying to convince them to stand still long enough.  (3 dogs-2 are full Rotties who hate bathes and a lab/pit who LOVES to play and shake water everywhere). 

This is Gunnar-he was the one who was on the receiving end of most of the mess and who truly hates water made worse by some numbness issues he has.  The yard is my son's Dad's....  Such a great place for a boy and his dogs!

Cleaning the crates....not so much but still doable.

Then we went to put them away......

Bad judgement on my part led to me getting caught up in one of the dog tie-outs and a nasty burn/bruise.  Seeing my trainer tomorrow for some options until it heals and thankful I have 3 weeks til my next race!