Winter Wonderland-Oklahoma Style

It's been really icy here the last  few days.  I opted for life over the gym.  

Good news though! It's melting!!!!   Back to training hard in the morning!

April 19th...day of truth!

BALTO 5k

I didn't run the 5k today. I took the advice of my mother, father, boyfriend and friends and did not run due to my health. 

I hate giving in. 

I feel like a wimp. My mom tells me all the time that I should "listen to my body", but I don't really know what that means.  Does it mean I should not run when I feel bad? I cough all the time.  Nothing great was ever accomplished without pain.  The point is, somewhere between wussy and self-endangerment there is a line you're supposed to follow.  Apparently however, this concept is completely foreign to me.  In my mind, I've either won by completing my task regardless of complications, or I've let my disease dictate my life and therefore lost.  I lost today, and not because I couldn't fight, but because I chose not to.   My family and friends don't see it that way, and I suppose I shouldn't but since when are humans ever logical?  

On a brighter note, my medicines came in.  I'm officially medicated.  I won't back down again. 

Because "people are beginning to ask"

According to Jessica, "people" are wondering where I am.  Even though I highly doubt that anyone read my blog consistently enough to worry about my extended leave of absence, I'm choosing to humor my friend  by updating "everyone". 

 

Last month's 5k went relatively well, all things considered. I finished the race in about 30mins, and proceeded to cough up a lung all over the curb.  It was sexy baby! Jessica did extremely well.  She accomplished her main goal (not walking) and one other time goal that I can't remember.  I was so proud of her!  She finished well, and recovered well...which was something I didn't quite manage.  It took me an hour to have enough air to speak! To sum it up, the weekend was a blast.

 

The past month has been a bit of an adventure to say the least. Let me start  by talking about my next challenge.  Jessica and I are signed up to run in the BALTO 5k this weekend in my hometown, Edmond.  BALTO stands for Bring A Light To Others.  It is the annual fundraiser my high school puts on.  Each year, a different person or organization receives 100% of the donations. This year, the recipient is Diana Caporale.  Diana has been diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis which has caused cirrhosis of the liver. There is no cure, and eventually, she will need a liver transplant.  Diana graduated from Edmond Santa Fe High School, and her family and mine have known each other for years.  Aside from the fact that I know this year's recipient, the Edmond High Schools fundraisers (all three benefit the same recipient)  are an amazing way to get high school kids involved in the lives of others.  My Dad, sister, Jessica, and I are all running together next Saturday, so naturally, I'm pumped. 

 

On a personal note, the past month has been one of the more frustrating months I've experienced lately.  I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that because of an ungodly and unnecessary amount of red tape, I am still without the medicines that my doctors call my "lifeline".   I personally despise calling any drug my "lifeline" however, having been without them for 4 months (I'm supposed to have them every day) I can safely say that I am miserable. I really hope I get them soon.  My training will be extremely difficult without them. 

 

Ok, time for a happier paragraph.  Jessica and I have chosen our tri!  We are competing in the King Tut sprint triathlon in McKinny, Texas on April 19th.  I am so excited! We finally have a date, and when I talked to my mom, she said she'd buy me a wetsuit for my birthday! Woo hoo! I also talked to Tim, and not only is he going to come to the triathlon, he said he might run a 5k with me on Valentine's Day! Granted, he only said maybe, and only because I said that was the only thing I wanted for Valentine's...but maybe, just maybe he'll like it enough to work out and then we can fulfill my workout couple dream.  =)  As far as events go, I want to do some kind of race every month.  So far, I've got the BALTO run this month, 3 events (33 mile bike race, memorial half marathon, and triathlon) in April, and hopefully an Olympic tri and marathon (?!?!) later this year.  Jessica said she's interested in doing an event every month or so also.  It'll be good to have someone to keep me honest throughout the year. 

 

And now, my "people" , this post is entirely too long.  Yes, there is much more to say, and yes I know I have starved you the past 6 weeks,  but never fear! I shall post again!...maybe...  =)

The Countdown Has Begun

I never pretended to be good at this regular blogging thing...but here is an update for all of you who haven't given up hope that I would write again eventually. 

This Saturday, Jessica and I are running a 5k.  It's going to be cold.  I can feel it.  I'm actually really nervous about it.  I used to do this in high school.  I'd get nervous like a week before the actual race, and be miserable until it actually started.  I'm not miserable yet, but that old knot in the stomach is definitely there.  I just don't know if I'm ready for this.  Yesterday, I biked 7 miles, then ran on the elliptical for 3 miles.  I hope that means I can run 3.1 without killing myself.  

Until then, I'm going to do the elliptical again today (my apt doesn't have working treadmills and it's really really miserable outside) and I've started carbing up.  I don't have any breathing treatments, and am still fighting with the insurance company to get some so I'll be doing this sans medication.  This should be interesting...

Update: It's been a few days

It's been a while since I've written.  Not to worry though, I'm still around, and still training.  Jessica was in town last weekend so we went on a run on Sunday.  It was a little windy, and a little cold, but overall, not too bad.  I really enjoyed getting to run with a partner.  I've missed working out with someone. 

On another note, THANKSGIVING IS THIS WEEK!!!  I love Thanksgiving (it's hard to tell I know).  I'm going to my parents house tomorrow and will probably stay until Saturday or Sunday. Unfortunately, I have a paper and a test next Monday so I do have to be a little productive.  =(  

I also want to start looking for a club, or some type of group of people to train with.  I really don't like doing it alone all the time.  I came across the Okc triathlon club's website today.  I'm going to do more research before getting into that though.  Not only am I shy and would kind of want someone to join with me, I'm looking for a specific thing.  I don't want to join a group and then decide I don't like it (and waste my time and money). 

Anyway, sorry this post is a bit scatter brained, but I suppose it mirrors my state of mind right now, so it can't be helped. More to come soon!

Off day

Today was an off day.  It was amazing. Tim came over last night and we watched "The Blues Brothers".  We woke up, went out to lunch, and saw "Quantum Solace".  It was a good movie, but I liked the last Bond movie better.  I also did 7 minute abs again today.  They hate me now.  

I'm supposed to run tomorrow, but it looks like I'm going to go visit Jessica instead and she's swimming.  I might just swim instead.  Swimming's harder anyway.  

Against the wind

I woke up this morning to a beautiful fall day in Oklahoma. The temperature was around 60 degrees, no wind and sunny.  It was great!  I went to the store and bought a bike helmet and pump so that I could go biking after I taught my class at noon.

Well.

If there's one thing I should've learned about Oklahoma by now it's that the weather never stays the same.  Around noon today a cold front came in and with it a strong north wind.  Norman isn't exactly known for it's hills, but I can tell you from experience that the north/south winds here are incredible. 

So what did I do? I went biking on a north/south route.  Genius. The wind was so strong that I could hardly peddle against it.  I would have gone another way, but at that point, I would've had to ride against the wind almost as long just to find another route going east/west. So I toughed it out.  If I had to put a distance on the workout, I'd say about 6 miles (?) or so most of it against the wind.  It took me about 40 mins.  It's not far, and I wish I could've gone farther, but my legs are jello, so hopefully it did some good. 

When I got home I decided to try and look up the 7 minute abs video that my friend Melissa has been talking about lately.  I couldn't find it so I had to ask her.  This video is AMAZING. My abs have never hurt so bad during a workout before.

Here is the link in case anyone is interested:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVmjhNmvEwo

There are several different positions that they do for 30 seconds each 2 times. So you start out doing the ones that work your lower abs then work up to your upper abs and repeat the process.  I loved it so much I think I'm going to make it part of my daily routine.  

On a different note, I think I'm going to try and revamp my diet. I'm not sure what this means yet other than I'm a poor graduate student with extraordinary dietary needs (no really...it's incredible how much food I need) who eats crap, and I want to change that.  At this point, I'm eating spaghetti o's  at least 4 times a week.  I don't even know what's in those things!   I'm going to the grocery store today as soon as I get the motivation to get up.  I'll probably just buy some frozen fruit, yogurt, and some meat to cook with this week.   Anybody have any healthy recipes or suggestions? I'm really groping around in the dark on this one.  

Ok, I think that's about it for now.  Hope everyone has a great day!