Now THAT was Interesting

Tonight I was looking for something different to do. I thought I was going to yoga but decided to look up the YMCA schedule just to ensure class was at the time I was thinking. It wasn't. They changed the whole schedule around-so after pondering my options I opted for water aerobics. Yes...water aerobics.

So off to class I headed. As I jumped in the water I felt an 'aahhhh' come over me. The water welcomed me as it enveloped me with a hug. It felt so good to be in the water. I was already thinking of swimming some laps after class because I loved how the water felt on my body but soon realized I didn't have my goggles-next time.

Class gets started...I look around...and realize I am the youngest by at least 25 years and/or the lightest by 100 pounds. Not that it matters...just making an observation, but I was the one getting stared at tonight. Class was okay. I may try another instructor next time. I'm not quite sure she gave me the workout I needed. However it did loosen up my hips and back and it did feel great to have a non impact workout. We worked out with water weights and when I would put them in the water, it would float me up. The hardest part was trying to stay grounded and not floating to the surface!

I may have to work some swimming into my schedule. I didn't realize how much I missed it until tonight.

As for tomorrow:
In the morning-running some miles.
In the evening-weight training for a kick butt workout.

Dinner with Ashley

Last night some of us from my TNT team met Ashley and her family for dinner last night (picture of me, Ashley and Karen). Ashley is my Honored Patient for my Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. Ashley is 12 and has a sister that is a year older then she. Once the newness of meeting someone new wore off and she got comfortable with us, we had a very nice time. Her family is very kind and her sister could talk your head off!

We got to hear the story of how Ashley was diagnosed. They went for a doctors visit for what they thought was something routine. Only to find out that she had cancer. She talked about getting her hair cut, then wearing a 'do-rag' because her hair was falling out and then having to wear two-but that wasn't enough and then not even a week later having a head shaving party. Can you imagine what that would feel like at 10?

Ashley on the outside today looks great. You would never tell she had cancer only 2 years ago. However, on the inside, things seem to be changing again. She is having some of the same symptoms she did when she was diagnosed the first time. Yesterday, instead of playing at the pool like most kids should be doing in the summer, she spent it in the hospital taking a battery of tests to determine what is happening.

Please keep Ashley in your prayers and hope that the cancer has not returned.

The Best Little Coffee House

This morning Doug got up early to head across town for running group. He had quite a drive and still needed to mark the trail for the runners so he took off around 4:15 am. I opted to stay in bed this morning with the cool breeze coming through the open windows. It seems like forever since I was able to sleep in. I 'slept in' til around 6:30 am. I got up, did a few things around the house and then decided it was such a beautiful morning that I was going to get some coffee, sit outside and do some homework. So I packed up my computer, books and Ms. Mols and we headed to the best little coffee house around.

• The coffee is the best around. Exactly the way I like it.
• I grabbed some breakfast too of cottage cheese and pears-very refreshing.
• Sat in a comfy chair in the sun with my feet propped up and my flip flops off able to peer over the computer at my pink toenails.
• Very dog friendly. Practically a dog park with balls to play with and enough room to run around like a crazy maniac. Molly that is, not me.
• No parking lot to stare into, but instead, beautiful green grass and fruit trees galore.
• Nothing but blue skies to look to with a perfect slight breeze.
• Doves cooing and birds chirping.

And I didn't have to go anywhere but my backyard!

On the flipside to my wonderful morning there was no run. Yep, no run. I needed a break. I haven't run in a week! I've done other things-but no running. I needed this time to rest and recover. In the next couple months, my training will be stepping up so I need to be refreshed and renewed. I think taking this time has helped.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Playing Hookey Today

Work: My manager and director came into town from Denver to take our team to the Royals game. Beforehand, we tailgated with Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ (turkey, sausage, cheesy corn, coleslaw, baked beans and the boss's wife made a homemade chocolate bundt cake with chocolate icing. Mmm...) and it was all chased with yummy beverages. What a great day...some sun...some shade...a cool breeze. And what a game. The score went back and forth, there were some very exciting plays and in the end, the Royals came out ahead-5 to 4!

Thursday Night Run: After sitting outside all day, I am tired. How does that happen? I didn't do anything but sip a drink, watch a great game and chit chat. So...I'm going to skip out on one of my favorite things to do and opt for the couch tonight to veg out.

Tomorrow I'm working from home so if it's not raining, I'll head out before work or during lunch to catch some miles and maybe hit a yoga class at the YMCA. That would be heaven!

I've Been Tagged!

I'm so excited to have been Tagged for the first time by Strawberry Hill Runner. How exciting! Here we go...

1- How would you describe your running 10 years ago?
In 1998 I was a biker bitch. A yuppie biker bitch, but a Fat Boy Harley riding chick, nonetheless. Running was not anywhere in my vocabulary.

2-What is your best and worst run/race experience?
My best race experience...I've had a lot of great races...times maybe not so great-but the experience was. I love the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco-the course is beautiful and so fun. I'm running it again this fall with my best friend, Karen. This will be her first marathon so I'm going to call this as 'going to be' my best race experience.

My worst race experience...hmmm...I can't say that I've had a worst race experience, but a bad experience was my very first marathon...the Portland (OR) marathon. I got to around mile 16 and was having horrible back pains along with ankle/foot issues. I could hardly walk, let alone run. Doug and I got to around mile 19 and I was crying. I had actually read a very inspirational banner they had hanging from one of the bridges and with the emotions of your first marathon, it all came crumbling down. Poor Doug...he turned to me and asked, "are you crying cuz you're in pain or are you crying cuz you know you're going to finish?" Sobbing...I said, "Yeessssss". We finished, we got back to the hotel room, showered, went to eat and then I went back to the hotel room and crashed. Crashed for 18 hours! AND...it was our first anniversary! Poor Doug. Luckily we were able to spend some time before and after the marathon exploring the Portland area and had a great time visiting the wineries, waterfalls and coastline.

Come to find out, after returning to Kansas City, I went to the chiropractor for the first time, Dr. Reed in Lee's Summit. He's the BEST. He aligned me and proceeded to tell me I had twisted my ankle at some point, hence the pain. After he readjusted me, I was good to go! Never have I had the back pain or foot pain I had then. So...if that is the worst race experience I ever have...I'll take it!

3- Why do you run?
As some of you know, I have that posted on my blog...
I run for me...I run for fun...I run to chit chat with friends-new and old...I run for charity...I run to clear my mind...I run to run with my honey...I run to gain strength...I run to smell the fall leaves...I run for red red wine...I run to taste the falling snow...I run to sweat...I run to smell the flowers...I run because I love it...I run to see the sun rise and/or set...I run...

4- What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?
Vaseline is your friend!

5- Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.
By the name of my blog everyone knows I'm not the fastest runner. BUT...I did place 1st..YES...1st in my age group in a half marathon I ran! I got the coolest trophy too. That's surprising isn't it!? I know...I know...I'll take a bow for you now...

Okay...something NOT too surprising...there were only 2 of us in my age group! LOL!!

Now I'm supposed to tag 5 other people so these are the people whose answers I'd really like to read:

Doug
Jenny
Laurel
Topher
Rachelle

Here are the guidelines: If you have been tagged, you will find your name above. You should then, copy the rules (or your version of them), and the set of questions onto your blog post, provide your own answers, and then tag 5 new people.
Just to be sure that everyone tagged knows they have been invited to play, go to their blogs and leave them a special comment letting them know, and refer them to your blog for details.
One more thing, once they've answered the questions on their own blog, they should come back to yours to tell you.

That was fun!

Stop Light Runners

What kind of stop light runner are you:

1. One that takes advantage of the red light by stopping, bending over, gasping for air until the light turns green and praying for the light to stay red, or


2. One that while waiting for the light to turn green bounces around, does high knees and then more bouncing up and down, up and down?

I'm number 1, no doubt! I really think number 2 looks funny and wastes too much engery!

Red Red Wine

Okay, not Red Red Wine...but I do like that song. What we have here is White White Wine. Doug has made another batch of his fabulous homemade wine. It's a Sauvignon Blanc and is a dry, white wine. It's for his Team In Training fundraising. For him to travel with a team less then 20, he has to fundraise, as is the case for his Anchorage team. If anyone is interested in this tasty gem, let me know.