A New Adventure

Yeah, I know I promised my next post was going to be a review on my Nutri Bullet.  Sorry to disappoint (I promise I'll get to one Melissa....I've taken tons of pictures), but I have some waaay more exciting terrifying exciting (I'm going to stick with exciting) news to share.

I've been toying with the idea of starting a Couch to 5K (C25K) program at work after one of the dudes in my running group talked about offering one at his job.  Since I'm on the Wellness Committee at work and all that.....

I picked the Tim Lambert Memorial 5k, which isn't until October 12.  Since a large portion of county employees work at the courthouse, I thought this 5k was perfect.  Sure, it is on the weekend (read: a non-work day), but it is in downtown Easton, and should be accessible to everyone.  Plus, it is late enough in the day (10:00), that the participants won't have to be up at the bum crack of dawn.

I printed out a blank calendar from August through October, and plotted out the nine weeks of  C25K, having October 12 being the last run date.  Kind of like the "end of season" 5k.  I plan on making informational packets to hand out to employees once they let me know they are interested.  We're going to advertise the program using our work email, and I'm going to make a bunch of fliers to post in the various county buildings to advertise it.

I plan on having the group run with me (and whoever might want to help out....I know Bobifer told me he would) twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then invite them to do the "long run" on Saturdays with the Breakfast Club Runners.  (They can also just do it by themselves whenever they have a chance on the weekend.)  I figure we'll meet after work at either Riverview Park or Penn Pump, since both locations are close to the courthouse.  Plus, since they are paved bike paths, they'll be much safer to run on than trying to have however many people running through the streets of Easton.

Since the program is nine weeks long, the participants would be running a total of 18 times with me.  If they run at least nine of those 18 sessions, the Wellness Committee will pay the 5k entry fee.  Awesome, right?

Here is where I'm nervous.  What if no one signs up?  It seems that sometimes, people are very apathetic when it comes to fitness.  We've had 30 people express interest in a FREE Zumba class, and then only 15 actually show up.  People don't want to commit to something after work.  What if I suck at it?  I'm not a terribly good leader to start off with, and I'm certainly not a terribly good runner.  But then again, maybe that would help people feel less intimidated....who knows.  I'm also kind of nervous about people asking me for advice.  I suck at giving advice, especially about working out.  What I do works for me, which may not work for you.

My theory was this:  I signed up to run a fall half marathon, so I'd be running those days anyway.  Why not attempt incorporating it into something that would be beneficial for my coworkers.  I know when I started running, I never thought I'd be able to finish a 5k, let alone a 10k or half marathon.

I think it would be so cool to see those who sign up realize that they CAN do it too!

Softball & Tats

I'm not a huge fan of bringing attention to myself.  I think that's why the whole running/lifting/solo time at the gym works so well for me.  I'm the only one who has to rely on what I'm doing.  Yes, I know I work with a trainer, and that he's kind of rooting for me....but I am the only one who benefits (or sucks) from the work I do.

I think this is why the whole softball thing is was difficult for me.  I put so much pressure on myself to do well, and then when I suck, I'm pissed at myself, which makes me put even more pressure on myself..... Yeah.  You see where this is going.

The hubbs and I have been doing some serious sleuthing to figure out why I've been sucking so bad in the batter's box, but hitting the piss out of the ball at the cages.  And he figured it out.  My feet need to be offset.  In the box, in a game, I grip the bat like I'm going to club someone to death with it, line my feet up with the plate, and swing like I want to kill something.  I'm like Frankenstein....all stiff.  I'm so freaking tense.  In the cages, I stand with my feet offset, which is a much more relaxed (for me, anyway) stance.  It allows my hips to open up, I can take a big step, and I'm much more mobile (read: able to better hit slightly outside or inside balls).

We tested out this theory on the field today.  Not at an actual game, but he pitched to me and I swung away.  And holy moly....I need to relax and remember to keep my feet offset.  I actually put a whole bucket's worth of balls in play!

Another problem of mine is that when I'm catcher, I suck at throwing.  I can never get the ball back to the pitcher without him having to scoop it off the ground.  So I wanted the hubbs and I to work on some throwing.  He stood at home, and I stood at third.  And almost every single ball I threw to him was money.  Seriously.

Why can't I do that shit in a game?

I know why.  Because I hate calling attention to myself.  So I just kinda of "short throw" the ball back to the pitcher.  Not step or anything.  When I'm getting the ball back, the next batter is usually already in the box, and the umpire is there, and I feel bad taking the time to properly set up, take a step, and get the ball back to the pitcher.

Chris said I gotta slow down the game and make it mine.  I'm finally starting to believe him.

In other news, I went back to the Tattoo Factory on Monday evening to get my new tattoo fixed.

This is how it looked:

I really loved the design.  I gotta thank my buddy Barry for that.  But, when the tattoo artist was doing his thing, we obviously had some issues.  Notice the top part of it, where there is all that shading around the paw prints?  At first, he thought it might be bruising, or some of the stencil that was being stubborn and refusing to wash off.  But after a week, the stubborn smudges stayed.  And me, being the perfectionist freak I am, couldn't deal with that.  

I went back, and we decided that he would put shading behind the whole thing.  (Trust me, there was a lot more discussion involved, and I am totally convinced that the tattoo artist completely knows what he is doing.  He is more than competent, and that's why I went back to him.)

I was super nervous, because even though it looked good, I was worried the shading was way too dark. But he said it would lighten up after a couple of days.  In fact, he had said that I might even have to come in one or two more times, just to get the right shade in there.  He can always shade in and make it darker later, but once he goes dark and it is too dark, I'm fucked.    

Plus, I bled like a mofo.  I didn't have that problem with either of my other tattoos, or even this one on the original go at it, but the shading...yikes.  He wanted to use a certain type of needle, but after trying that one I bled waaaay too much, so he had to switch to a different one. What a trainwreck.  Luckily, it still didn't really hurt all that much.  

By today (Wednesday afternoon), the shading has already lightened a bunch.  And actually, looking at the original tattoo in comparison to this one with the shading, I actually do prefer the shading.  

It might continue to lighten as it heals, but I'm supposed to stop in tomorrow evening so he can check it out and see how it is doing.

Next blog.....the NutriBullet has arrived!  

Running in the Rain...Just Running in the Rain!

I think about all kinds of things when I run.  All these awesome thoughts go through my head, and I'm like, "Oh....that would be an awesome blog topic."

Then I stop running, go to Death Gym, go home, shower, eat, blah, blah, blah....and my mind is a blank.

Luckily, I do remember one thing from my run today.

I'm going to stop saying I'm slow.  Sure, I'm slower than other runners.  And I'm definitely much slower than I was a couple years ago.  But, I am where I am.  I'm not slow.  I'm running the perfect pace for me, at this moment.  Most of my runs are averaging the same-ish pace.  And eventually, I'll start throwing in some speedwork (probably fartlek-type running, b/c I can't wrap my head around a track) and hills.  But for now, I'm just running to run.  To get back into it.

But damn it.  For me, right now, I AM NOT SLOW.  I am just running.  So there.  :)

Other things I learned/remembered during my run today:

• Running gets easier if you keep doing it regularly.  I had forgotten that.  Duh.
• Running in the rain is probably the best feeling ever.  While I was at work, I was almost dreading my run.  I kept watching the rain pour down.  I told myself to suck it up.  Then, when I started running, the ran had stopped and I was sad inside.  Halfway through, it started misting, and by the time I was done, it was pouring.  And it was glorious.  Simply. Glorious.  There is something cleansing, renewing, whatever, about running in the rain.
• I love the feeling of having to breathe deep while running....makes me feel like a machine.
• All the lifting I've been doing.....yeah.  Helps with the running.  (See....all this shit is connected.)  Even though I started to feel tired-ish towards the end, my back/shoulders/core kept me upright, stopped me from hunching over, and kept my form (mostly) in check.  Seriously.  Never realized how awesome that could be.  I bet I looked strong, even if I didn't feel it.

I'm not too big on "selfies" while running/working out, but I just felt so "in the moment" (if that makes any sense).  And yes....I listen to music.  That way, I don't have to listen to myself breathe.

Running Clothing

Does anyone out there make summer running clothing bigger than something that would barely cover my hand?  Seriously.

I have a big booty.  Gasp.  Yep.  I said it.  And you know what?  I kinda like that big booty.  Yep.  Said that too.

But I wandered through Dicks, Sports Authority and Marshalls today, looking for something semi-specific.  And realized that not one of their scraps of fabric would have a chance in hell of fitting over this booty.

What prompted this trip?  Well...the last softball tourney I was in, I wore capris and got sunburned.  Which left me with a really sexy tan line mid-calf.  Seriously.  Sexy.  (Ha.)

I have another softball tourney coming up this weekend, and my hubby made a comment that someone said I should wear shorts to get rid of the tan line.  Normally, I wouldn't give a fuck about what someone else thinks.  But since the hubbs brought it up, I figured I'd go look.

But here's the thing.  I hate wearing shorts and running.  I have super thick thighs.  And shorts ride up.  And are uncomfortable.  And then I get self-conscious.  I was looking for longer-ish tight shorts.  Kinda like the bermuda length shorts, but made out of spandex or whatever high-tech spandex-look-alike fabric things are made out of nowadays.  Because that spandex shit doesn't ride up.  Or maybe one of those cute running skirts, with long-ish tight shorts under it.

Did you know that just about every single pair of those spandex-type shorts have like a 1/2 inch inseam?  Seriously.  No one, I repeat NO ONE wants to see me in that.  Hell, I don't want to see me in that.

Anyways.  Don't people realize that big chicks run too?  And need appropriate clothing?

I need to start my own running clothing line.  Called Curvy Chick Workout Wear.  Or something like that.

So you're all just going to have to deal with my super sexy mid-calf tan line.  Get over it.

I Didn't Die!

That's a good thing, right?

The hubbs and I got to the Tortoise and Hare 5k super early, and that was a good thing because parking was at a premium.  We picked up our race packets....some very nice swag.....and went back to the car to stay warm.  (It was chilly!)

We saw a couple people we knew, and Shayne, one of the chicks in BCR, made these signs.

I was so touched!  I don't think I've ever had a sign made specifically for me, and I thought it was fabulous that the sign was for both me and the hubbs!  Seriously...BCR has some awesome people.  

I also took this shot of Chris before we started.  I needed a shot of him with a race bib on.

We lined up towards the back of the pack.  Chris wanted to hang with the walkers because he didn't know how much running he'd be doing, and mentally, for me, I rather be in the back and work my way forward, then start up too far ahead and be passed by a bajillion people.  Plus, I didn't really have high hopes for myself, so starting in the back was fine for me.

I wished him good luck, and we were off!

Things were fine to start.   I was going at a comfortable pace and felt decent-ish.  Then there was a hill.  Not like a death hill, but a loooong slow incline.  (Please note.  Not only have I NOT been running much, but when I do run, it is mainly on the flat bike path.  So even what is considered a slight incline looks monstrous to me.)  I made it up the hill without walking, which was kinda a big deal for me.

We carried on, and at times I really wished I had my Garmin.  I had no clue where I was distance-wise in terms of the race.  Apparently, there were mile markers.  I missed the first one.  We came upon an aid station, and I assumed we were at the halfway-ish point.

We carried on some more.  We got to some rolling hills around mile 2, and I finally had to stop and walk some.  Once again, I wished I had my Garmin.  Not for pacing purposes, but to know how far we were from the end.  I like to kick it up a notch or two at the end.

Well....I kicked it up too early.  I started to feel good and pushed a bit.  Probably about four tenths of a mile out, I felt gassed.  I had to walk, otherwise I was going to unravel.  I was kind of mad at myself for kicking it up a little too early, but it is what it is.  I walked for a very short bit, and then carried on.

I finished in 32 minutes and change.  Although it was definitely my second slowest 5k ever, I guess I did better than I anticipated.

I went through the finish chute, grabbed a water, and walked back out onto the course.  I wanted to find Chris!  I strolled along and waited at a random intersection until I found him.

Here he is, rounding the corner!

We carried on, and I walked with him until we reached the park.

Once we got to the park, I took a shortcut so I could get him at the finish. 

 See the clock?  It says 55:08.  His goal was to come in under an hour, and not be last.  Both goals were met!

My only complaint was that the people manning the clock no longer were tracking the finishers.  When I ran through, volunteers were there with a clipboard, writing stuff down as people went by.  When Chris went through, nothing.  The website for the event clearly states that people should finish within an hour.  He did.  Why was he not offered the same respect as those that finished in a half hour?  Even though he wasn't "racing" this was still his first 5k.  How many others ran their first 5k, and finished with a PR of their own, only to not be acknowledged by the finish line staff?

I don't know....maybe I'm rambling about nothing, but to me it is kind of a big deal.  Maybe, when the results are posted, he'll be listed there with his time.  And I'll be more than happy to correct this.  

After the run, Chris wanted me to take this picture:
Two things you will probably never see again....

....a pay phone, and Chris wearing a race bib.