Winter Break!!

I made it through the semester!!! I finished and I am fairly certain I have all "b's" and I am perfectly okay with that!! It was a hard last few weeks. This week I have been fighting a terrible cold, ya know the chills and shakes, cough, runny nose...the works. Ugh, but I think I am starting to feel better finally!! And best of all I have a whole month off of school!!! WOO HOOOOO!

I took this week off from running. My last run was last Sunday and it was TERRIBLE. Seriously, I am not sure I have ever felt that awful. I could not catch any oxygen and I was breathing SO hard. I dragged Brandi out of her nice warm house on a windy, cold, wintery day and I failed. I knew as soon as I took about ten steps I was never going to make the planned 8 miles. I think Brandi thought I was just whiney, but something felt off. I was breathing so hard and I felt like my pulse was easily in the 200 range, not usual. So I convinced her we needed to shorten it....turned it into 6 miles and called it a day. I left her house came home showered and crashed. On Monday morning I woke up with a lovely fever and have gone downhill since! Oh well. It gave me plenty of reason to sit in bed and study for my finals.

I have been bugging Carrie lately to run with me, because I miss running with her!! She had been super busy with GOTR and now she is back into her gym workouts hardcore, I think she is working out with her futrure SIL, but I still miss her!! She finally agreed to run with me this Sunday!!!!

I really hope I start to feel great again, because I am trying to stick with my new training plan!! Going to rest up!!

It is starting to feel like winter...

It is rather chilly out there this morning. I really wish it wasn't quite this cold, but oh well I guess it had to happen sometime. I need to really stop procrastinating because I have to get in 8 miles today. I have altered my plan for the hundredth time and now it looks perfect to me...again :).
Carrie texted me and said that she had an amazing run today, I am slightly jealous. I feel like I am craving an amazing run, but I don't really have a person to do a long run with. Brandi is so much faster than me and she really pushed me, but at the same time it is almost too much for me to take on a long run. Besides my legs really have been bothering me in the last few weeks. I have these terrible shin splints!
Anyways, last week of finals!! I have three, one on Monday Wednesday and Thursday. I haven' teven started looking at the stuff for tomorrow. It is on nutrition I guess....we didn't even have a nutrition class this semester! Ok........Getting my ass in gear!!!

One holiday down....

One more to go! Seriously though, Thanksgiving was not really that bad. I had a good time. I had the day off on Wednesday, so I got a chance to make all of my dinner delights! I made a green bean casserole, french onion soup casserole, stuffing, horseradish mashed potatos, ham, and a bourbon pumpkin cheesecake. I liked it all!! So we drove out to GB on Wednesday and had thanksgiving at Duane's that night. We ended up watching movies and relaxing, it was fun.

The next morning I woke up early and drove back to Wichita to run the Say Grace, it was a blast!! One year ago Carrie walked the race and she did awesome this year! So proud of her!! I ran this race with Brandi, the best I could. I tried to get her to keep going, because I know I was holding her back, but at the same time I was kind of happy she stayed with me. If she had left I wouldn't of gotten the time I did, I would of walked much more! It was really hard. But I got a new PR!

After the race we (Brian, Brandi, Weston, and me) all drove back to GB for the Clarke thanksgiving. It was a smooth day, no drama. We did go by Kevin's mom's house for a bit. It was just a long day.Can't really complain too much ;)

Kevin's company bought me a ticket to go to Las Vegas with them this year, which is really cool! Usually I am not allowed to go because we are not married, but apparently they have realized that I am not just a Friday night fling!! Anyways, it should be fun!! We are going to look up some shows to plan to go see.

Later!!

It's real!

So I have been doing a lot of my runs lately with Brandi and we had talked about planning on doing the Cowtown Half Marathon in February....she made a Facebook official statement about us doing it!! Ahhh.....Now there is the commitment! I am scared to do another half, not becasue of all the training, but because I don't want to be sick like I was last time, especially in another town/state. That is what scares me the most, because I really hurt after the last half!
Anyways, I am glad to have an actual goal now, and it really will probably be fun (minus the running part lol). I just really want to push myself without making my shins worse. So far I am doing pretty well, just keep icing them.
This week  is thanksgiving. My favorite day is the pre thanksgiving meal at Duane's. It is fun and laid back. For the last few years I have made him a thanksgiving meal because he has to work the Thursday all day, and we are like his family anyways. A used to only make a chicken or casseroles, but, last year I made an awesome turkey. Apparently he was turkey'ed out so this year I am making a ham! I went to the store and bought all of my ingredients for my meal today and I am excited to make it!! Ham, green bean casserole, cheesy onion casserole, horseradish mashed potatos, stuffing, gravy, and bourbon pumpkin cheescake!! Yum!!
Gotta do some homework!
Later!

Tired

I am really ready for this semester to be over! I know I know....the next one will start in just a few weeks after, but I need a break. Not because I am overwhelmed, I really am not, but because I am tired. My schedule for school, clinical and work has me all over when it comes to sleeping, which I get very little of.I need to sign up for next semseter's classes and I have a ton of papers to write, none of them are hard, but I just have to sit and do them. I really kind of feel like I haven't tried very hard in school. Literally I was thinking about it yesterday, I am passing all my classes with a b-something and I have yet to study for any test....kind of pathetic, I wish I could just take the boards and just start my job....wherever that may be.

Anyways, Ken texted me today, should of known better. Anytime he texts he is trying to ask for money or help. I was a little annoyed. This isn't something new, but it bothered me today. I told him he needs to call Mimi if he wants help, he won't, but I have nothing. I have no hours at work this pay period and I have my own bills to pay, sigh.....family.

Well this post is depressing....later.

Slacker!

I am sorry, I haven't posted since the half marathon! I really have no new excuses, just kind of forgot to post. Well what is new, not really much, still bustin my hump with nursing school and work and trying to stay healthy.
I have been running. I am partnered up with a girl on the group Girls on the Run and my first post half marathon run was their practice 5k. It was fun. My girl is fairly quick, so I think that is what got me motivate to run again. Which makes me happy because it has been tough to find something to motivate me.
I have been doing a lot of my runs with Brandi lately and they have been really awesome. We have more and more in common as the days go by, mostly about the guys, but still it is super nice to talk to someone that understands them! Beside I truly appreciate her wanting to run with me because I think I am improving a lot. I really still have a goal for the Say Grace that I have signed up for.....it is steep.....I want to finish in 30:00. Eek! I wrote it down. The only people that knew before today were Kevin and Carrie. I know i is something that is really going to be hard, but I am trying! I don't think I will be super disappointed, but I really want it!
Anywho....I need another big race to train for to keep me going. The Prairie Fire committee is taking oveer the half marathon that is usually in April, but they re hosting it in May. That seems too far away for my next goal race. Brandi was talking about a half in Texas that her old running buddy is doing and she suggested it...It is in February. That seems like a better goal time...but....I am a little torn. I really don't know what to shoot for. So I made my new running schedule and I am going to try to stick with it and maybe....maybe....Ill go to Texas! Well....I think I am going to procrastinate studying for my test tomorrow and watch twilight instead....Laters!

I finished!!!

I am officially a half marathoner!! I did it!! So Sunday morning comes around and Brandi said she was going to pick us up at 6:40 am and then all 5 of us would drive together. Then 6:45 rolls around and she said Brian wasn't coming, so naturally Kevin was pretty bummed. So then he wanted us to drive so that he could sit in the car....kinda a fiasco. So we go get Brandi and drive towards the race, but can not figure out how to get there with the roads all coned off! I was so stressed out! My stomach was doing the wave and I was so nervous so I figured that was what was causing it....nope, I was wrong. So we finally walk up to the start area and I am looking for Carrie and I see S2F getting ready for the picture, we actually made it, so we hopped in. I found Carrie and felt a little more relaxed, Brandi went to the porta-potty, so that was the last of her that I saw until we finished. 

Pre race with Carrie

Carrie, Kevin and I stood around for a few minutes and then we got into the start line. It was official we were going to start running! I really don;t think it ever hit me that we were not just doing a run, but we were doing a 13.1 MILE run. It was pretty nice to start, I felt like I could of gone faster, but I am so happy I didn't....

Carrie and I are in the top middle.

Carrie and I were picking people off in the beginning and it was nice because we were not running super fast. Our first mile was a 12:07 and that was pretty good, from there we were pretty steady. We turned onto Douglas and it was absolutely amazing to see how many runners were running. There were SO many people. It was so awesome. I can say it literally gave me goosebumps. The local paper got a picture of the start taking off and Carrie and I were in it....

Well we were doing pretty well, but my stomach still felt weird. I kept passing the porta-potties and thinking I would be ok. All the way down Douglas and then we started to climb into college hill. It was still really nice.

Early on because we are still smiling!

There were so MANY great spectators. We saw Elliott and Mary cheering for us and then we saw them all again when we left college hill. Carrie and I used shot bloks for our first energy/supplement and it went down easy for me. There was a fairly long area of brick running in college hill, that SUCKED. I was honestly starting to fall apart on that. I was ready to cry and I think it was only mile 5-7 ish. It was so HARD to run on! This meant it was her turn to mentally support me, boy was it a tough job. At the same time my stomach started doing flips. Finally when we were out of there and back on Douglas going west I saw porta-potties waaaaay down the road. I had a new goal :). Make it to them without embarrassing myself. I made it.

I finally felt better, but then Carrie started to feel pukey. It was a toss up who felt good. We kept going. Kevin was at the other end of Douglas to take some more pictures. We fortunately kept smiling and running when someone took our picture.

Still moving

The last 5k of the half marathon was the hardest. I have never felt so uncomfortable and painful as I did then. My stomach was back to doing the flips when I ran and my legs kept cramping if I walked. It was a lose/lose situation. Very difficult. We got to the Keeper of the Plains and new we had less than a mile left. We were going to finish, but knowing that did not make it easier. Brandi came back and found us. I think it annoyed Carrie, because she was hurting so bad and Brandi was so energetic. I really blocked it out. Brandi left us to see us finish. Carrie and I struggled to make it over the line, I could not breath. I was emotional and trying so hard to keep it together. I was wheezing and barely getting any oxygen. Carrie and I grabbed hands and we made it over the finish line together! 3:06:50! I was slightly disappointed that we didn't make a sub three, but I really honestly could not have done better. I left it all out on the road!

We did it!

I wish I could say I felt amazing after, but I didn't. I felt like I was going to pass out, well puke first then pass out. It was a terrible feeling. I felt like I was in a fog, everyone was cheering and happy for us and I barely remember them. We drove Brandi home and Kevin dropped me off, he went to chipotle for us. I got to my apartment and I got really sick. All night I felt terrible. Then my legs started to really hurt, felt like I owuld never walk right again. Thankfully today I feel much better, stiff, but nothing like yesterday. When I finished my race yesterday I said I never wanted to do that again, but I have already started looking for a spring half. Now I have a time to beat...;)

Stressed

I am not having a very good week. I really wanted this week to just be easy going and not make me worry. Well that has not happened. I have been so stressed out with school that it is not even funny. Monday I had a long nine hour day and I swear it made me sick to sit still that long. Tuesday I had clinicals and I am so tired of shitty nurses that do not want to work with students, me in particular. I am so discouraged that I literally got sick Tuesday evening and felt like crap yesterday so I didn't go to clinicals last night. I just wish I could work with nurses that would put in an attitude effort. I have to go to Newton tonight and I am dreading it. I hate mental health. I think that I will end up being a nursing home nurse or a vet tech for the rest of my life...
Not a very uplifting post but maybe tomorrow....

Just one more week!

Eeekk!! I can not believe that this time next week I will have (hopefully) finished my first half marathon! This is so exciting for me!!Carrie and I had planned this week to do one last long run this weekend. After talking it over we decided that it would be best if we just left right after work on Saturday instead of trying to get it in on Sunday. 

The end of 10 miles!

Carrie had her mind set that she wanted to run 10 miles since she had not run a double digit yet, but even more than that she had felt terrible at the 15k we did a few weeks ago. She needed this as a confidence boost. I was a little bit more leery about going that far the week before the big race. We decided to set out some water stops for us, because we thought hydration was a a huge factor in the 15k and we wanted to be prepared. Driving out that 5 miles was a LONG drive, and we never really made 5 miles. We thought with all the curves and jumping the river we would be about 5 miles. Finally we got back to work and got started. We had to really fight ourselves to not go too fast. That was hard because we both felt good. It seemed the first half we walked at ever 0.8 mile to give us our intervals. It was good. We both took shot blocks before starting and then a Gu and water at 3.5 ish then gatorade at about 4.5. On the way back we took the other half of our shot blocks and water. I decided gatorade is not for me. It makes my stomach do the waves. It is weird. We got all the way back to the clinic and we found that we were short an entire mile. I kind of tried to be lazy and say that we should end on a good note, but Carrie was not having it. We ran the block and added our last mile to it! We did 10.07 miles. It was great, we felt awesome and we both felt like we could of kept going if we had to! I am so excited for next weekend!!! I want to finish a half marathon soooooo badly!!

After our run, I came home and showered and such. I had to get ready for girls night. I had decided that I wanted to go so I was going to go. I was really tired though after my shower and took a small nap so I could stay awake. Finally got my act together and drove over to Kara's with my jello shots and was kind of surprised that they were just painting pumpkins. I mean no radio, the tv was on discovery or animal planet, and they were in pajamas for the most part. I was a little bummed. So I grabbed a pumpkin and started the painting. Everyone kind of stated to get goofy after a few drinks and jello shots and we went out and sat around the fire...and got smoked out!! I really did have a great time. The girls were all really funny and we laughed ALOT. Girls night may have started slow, but it was pretty awesome. After the fire we went back inside and played a card/drinking game. I learned a lot about those girls, lol! It was a perfect day.

Well I better get some homework done and clean up this apartment, it is a mess! Later!

Vaccines

Flu shots suck. I feel like I have been hit with a ton of bricks. I already haven't felt one hundred percent this week, but now I am sore and achy. I honestly would not get one if it wasn't mandatory. Oh well I guess, over and done with. Now I just need my arm to start working again ;)

So I went for another run with Brandi last night. I think I have figured out how she is so dang fast. She has a HUGE stride. Seriously her stride covers like 3 of mine! So when I sorta came upon this last night I started to lengthen mine, but it was not easy. Her stride is naturally long, I am naturally lazy I guess. I still had a great run. I kept coughing crap up, but overall I was pleased.

Yesterday I signed up for the Girls on the Run 5K and Say Grace. I even emailed the GOTR director about being a run buddy. Apparently I am in. Only catch is that the practice 5K is on a Wednesday, a day I am at a hospital. I am not sure how but I think I'll swing it :/. I am still debating signing up for the turkey trot 10 miler.....I am kinda scared, even though it will be several weeks after the half marathon. I am just afraid if I do not sign up for tougher races I will start slacking on my running.

Speaking of the half marathon....it is literally in 11 days!! Ahh!! Well it will be interesting. Carrie and I are going to finish this together whether we want to or not!! I also totally bought her a surprise which I think she is going to like!! I am super excited to give it to her too!! More on that later ;)!!

Well since I have been home sick for a few days, I have been pretty productive with my school and baking. I made a mashed potato casserole and I am in the process of making those apple cider caramel cookies I keep seeing on pintrest......you know the ones I am talking about!! I hope they are amazing. We are doing dinner with Brian and Brandi tonight so I will bring some if they are good!

Lastly .... Kevin and I are going to see Buckcherry tomorrow at the cotillion!! I am super pumped! I haven't seen a rock concert since Nickelback and I am definitely feeling the withdrawals!! I am such a concert freak!! Love it!!

Later!!

2 weeks away!

Seriously, there is like no time at all until the half marathon!! I am kinda freaking out. I have been a huge slacker the last few weeks, because I have been really busy. I know lame excuse, but I ran tonight. I was trying to talk myself into it all day, but I sorta failed. Then Brandi texted me asking about running this week and I decided to just get on the treadmill. While I was gliding (that's how I really felt) I asked what time she would be ready tonight. That was it. We met up at 7:30 and it was one of my best runs ever. I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up with her,especially after having already done a mile. She is definitely faster than me, but I was holding my own pretty well. In fact for the distance of 3.1 (5K) I PR in time! Anyways it should be an interesting 13.1 miles. I am still scared!
Last weekend GB had a make-up fireworks day. It was originally cancelled for the 4th of July, because of the burn ban in place. Well they scheduled it for this weekend and that's what we did. It was a massive boys weekend. I really do dislike fireworks ~ they scare me! Kevin enjoyed himself I think so that was all that mattered. Sunday was boys weekend part two. A bunch of his buddies came out to the farm and did some shooting. It was kind of fun to watch, until I realized I was getting a sunburn. Like who gets a sunburn in October?? Me.
Anyways I was a slacker and I skipped class all day today to get caught up on all my school work, since I took the weekend off....ugh.
Work tomorrow and Wednesday then lab Thursday morning and Buckcherry Thursday evening !!!
Later!

Craving Pumpkin!!

My brain is starting to hurt...take that back, has been hurting all weekend. I have SO much due tomorrow. I feel so overwhelmed. I think it was a super smart idea of me to get the Wesley paperwork started on Tuesday morning, otherwise, I would of drowned already!! Seriously though, I have 30+ pages typed for my T/W clinical, 5 pgs on my Th clinical, a reflective journal entry done, and an extra credit assignment due at midnight, a test tomorrow morning, and a quiz!! Yikes!!!
So that made me stop and decide to go to Wally-world... We had no eggs. That seemed like a great excuse :). I am going to try and make these amazing pumpkin cream cheese muffins. I think it sounds like a perfect idea. Ill try and update it in a while with a picture or two.
Anyways I figure I could use a sugar rush.
I have not run at all this weekend. I am so lame I know, but I really have had a ton of homework and I haven't even started studying for the test yet!
Be back later?

Tiger trot 15k recap

So I managed to finish a 15k without keeling over!! Honestly it was awesome. Carrie and Paul picked me up Sunday morning, Kevin got home really late and was still sleeping. I apparently have this new (but not) ritual of setting all my race gear out the night before in the living room, kinda to make sure I have it all and kinda to see it as I am usually nervous!

The weather was a little chilly, but I was convinced not to wear capris or a long sleeve, figuring once I get going I would be warm. We got to the park with about 15 minutes to spare. The more I looked around the more I saw people that looked amazing! They all looked ready for 9.3 miles, then there was me and Carrie! It was a little intimidating.

We look a little disheveled! LOL! Mile 4-ish

When the gun went off Carrie and I started off slowish. Neither of us wanted to get stuck in the "lets go out as fast as we can" group. We wanted to use this race as a training run, with a little edge :). I think we got 0.25 miles and Carrie said we should do one mile run/one minute walk intervals....I was so happy she had a plan! I was comfortable with it and even thought it was a little much for us, but game to try. We did great. Except one water stop we did great with that plan until the end. At the second water stop I was looking off to the side and I saw a Wildcat truck. I was not thinking straight I guess, because I was so confused. Anyways ~ Kevin showed up! He was at that water stop to be supportive!! I was pretty darn happy, considering I did not think he would be there at all. Also it was an out and back course so it gets lonely on those long miles.

It took us awhile, but we did it!

When we turned around we had a couple of hills to tackle, I think that was what hurt our mental game just a little. I felt ok, but Carrie got a side stitch.She was having a hard time getting it to go away. Then a few miles after I started to get serious pains in my gut. (I honestly can not blame the gu, I think it is just my system) At around mile 8 Stephanie was there with her white board sign! It was great to see her. Then honestly I wanted to be done. I needed a porta-potty or something, but there was nothing at all! My tummy hurt so bad, and I was so afraid that I wouldn't make it.

Finally we got back to the park and we could see the finish line. Paul, Elliott, Stephanie, Kevin, and Brandi and Weston were all there to cheer us in!!! (Brandi and Weston were a pleasant surprise!!!) two hours and five minutes later!! We finished!!  (with no accidents ;))


Carrie did a great job with this race and I could not have been more proud to have been her running buddy!! I think now I can safely say we are more prepared for the half marathon on October 14th. We CAN do this!!

Carrie and I finished

Schedules

Oh man is my schedule sucky. If I am not at school, I am at work, and if I am not at work I am at a hospital. Wow. I am going to be a tired girl. Oh well - I guess this is the price I pay for a great career.

Last two days I was at work, boy did I miss doing stuff! Yesterday I was on the front desk, but it was actually a nice day. Stephanie was super and for the most part people were nice. We stayed busy too! Today I was teching. I was a little nervous about getting blood draw appointments, because it has been a few weeks, but I should stop worrying. When it comes down to it I can do it and I think I always will. (I know I sound cocky, but I don't mean too. I seriously get very anxious about not doing great at work...)

I am supposed to meet Carrie tonight to go run. I am secretly hoping to accomplish 4 miles, but I also just ate dinner and I was on my feet all day, so we shall see. Hope she sends me "the" message soon!! I love running with her!! The miles go by so much faster.

Running the River

Well, back to back postings .... I know. How can she have that much to talk about with running?! But I do. So this weekend I was supposed to run 11 miles as my long run. Initially I figured I would run it out in Great Bend, but then I found out Brian was going to be out there, so I stayed home and texted Brandi and said lets do this. After much debate we came to the conclusion of starting 8ish and somewhere along the river, as I am bored with the park.

Well I woke up this morning and was so tempted to text Brandi and say, "not feeling it", but I didn't. I think I was so scared of this run simply due to the fact she is so much faster than me! I didn't want to run out of steam at my 2nd mile.

Well she picked me up and we parked at the park and got ready to head out. Weston was in the jogger and she was pushing. The first mile was comfortably fast, but I knew I wouldn't be able to maintain that. I should of started even slower, stupid on my part. Live and learn?

I managed to do mostly jog with walks on the 5.5 out, but on the way back somewhere along mile 8 or 9 I was done. I had no energy at all, my body was tired of moving. I had no idea how I was going to make it back. I walked pretty much the last 3 miles. I could come up with excuses, but overall it was me. I was just not prepared for this run. I did not fuel properly, I did not run properly this week, and I was unprepared.

When Brandi dropped me off at home, I was very shaky. I had barely enough coordination to unlock the door and push the button for the elevator. I managed to get into my apartment, but my drive for sugar was enormous. I immediately ate two italian ice freezer pops and half a bad of swedish fish, but I felt boat loads better. I did have a gu and banana before I left, but the gu I had at 5.5 miles left a taste in my mouth that made me feel nauseous. No more Jet Blackberry on long runs, before ok, but not in the middle. I need to find something that works for me.

I tried to take a nap when I got home, but couldn't turn my mind off, I just felt weird! I can;t even explain it. I was really tired after the run, but couldn't calm down. I went and met Brandi and Weston for dinner at Jose Peppers, absolutely unhealthy and delicious. I ate the whole meal, I was starving, lol.

Anyways, going to bed, should do homework , but eh....there is always tomorrow... and laundry...

Dreaming!!

I so incredibly PR'd today!!! Woo Hoo!! The Dream Big 5K was this morning. Not lying - I did not want to do this. I have kind of been dreading this the last couple of days, just because. Some excuses are that I have had a crazy week, or that I am tired, or I haven't been training for a 5k. Lame I know, but Carrie came over this morning and we car pooled. The poor girl sounds like she can hardly breath still (damn colds) but she was all set and pumped to go so I had no excuses. We got our packets and we were happy to see the shirts were nice ones.

Then it was race time. Unfortunately Carrie and I are bitches ;). We bumped into a fellow runner and both of us were trying to figure out how she has a pr that is better than ours. She does not run as often as us and she does not go as far as us. I know we are mean, but this person makes us feel like it it her mission to pass us. Oh well, the gun went off and I started running hard, like really hard. I was trying to get a good position and trying to loose someone. (Not Carrie :)) I sort of figured I would run hard until I needed a break. I kept going and I felt a little out of breath, but pretty good considering how much I did not want to do this race.

After I saw 3k mark I was getting really tired, I took a one minute walk break then got back into a groove. After that there was no room to take another walk break without walking the finish, which I was not going to do. I sprinted ( the best I could) at the end to make sure no one passed me, and I did it....35:13!!! PR!!!!

Immediately I went backwards to find Carrie. She was doing awesome, not far behind me at all!! She finished looking strong and she also PR'd!!!! (and she's sick!) I am so proud of her!!!

After the race, sweaty and tired! Me and Carrie!

Clinicals

So last night I had my first ever hospital clinical, not really what I expected. I guess I was expecting more hand holding from my instructor and nurse, but I was much more alone and on my own. My initial patient was not in his room and my nurse (finally) figured out where he was, surgery. She had no idea when he would be back. So my instructor told me to have her give me another patient, but she didn't claim to have another good patient, so I got a man she didn't really want to give me. I started working that one up and then the nurse got a call from the doctor saying he was getting discharged in an hour. Back to no patient. Then my nurse ditched me and I was alone, again. The first patient I had came back from surgery and I had him again, for about 5 minutes, then his family decided that they didn't want a student. My instructor found me reading and assigned me a third patient. This one was actually super. Great person and great family members.

Throughout the evening  I had a couple of chances to do other things with random patients. I put a straight catheter in a female patient!! Woo hoo...on the first try, nice and smooth. This patient was also anatomically a challenge, with a prolapsed bladder. Very awesome.

I was pretty nervous last night, because I was not exactly sure of what I can and can not do. It was also tough because my nurse(s) didn't really want to take the time to show me what I could do. They would rush and do it themselves, a little frustrating. I am glad I do not go back for 2 weeks, but I am kind of excited to see what else I can get to do. I want to be doing IV's SOOOOO bad!! We shall see.

This weekend I am running a 5k that Carrie had planned on doing and talked me into ;). It will hopefully not be storming, light rain is ok, just no lightning please. It is right up the street. I sorta have a goal in mind on my time, even though I kinda feel like I should just run it the best I can and be happy with that. I mean I haven't exactly been training to improve my 5K time, this was a spur of the moment sign up. Anyways, I am hoping for 38:00, but realistically I think I will be happy with 40:00 and under. I think my best time is 43:52 and that was the Get Your Rear in Gear race that sucked for me....so fingers crossed. Carrie said she is going to group run and doing her 4.5 miles first and then the race (saturday is our long run day), I told her she was crazy!! But probably smarter than me...I have a feeling she will get all her miles in on Saturday where as I will probably put my long run off til Sunday, when I will be in GB.

Off to AA and Al-anon meetings for school.....getting ahead of this game!

It's monday again...

So I had a LONG day of classes again and I will every Monday for the rest of my semester....So glad to be home. I am supposed to be doing homework, but I am really ahead and I am feeling tired, but afraid to go to bed so early, so here I am. Kevin is playing around with his camera, whatever makes him happy! I kinda thought about running, but shucks I already showered! LOL. I know its an excuse, but I have had such a hard time getting back into the whole running thing with my classes starting up again, I am so lame!!
Tomorrow - I will get up early and do some miles!
Until then...Oh!! I almost forgot to write about this!!
I put an IV in a HUMAN!! I swear the next person to say "oh you work on animals, you have SOME knowledge about human meds..." I am gonna show them!! Bitch please!! Honestly though, IV's in humans was easy, seriously, they aren't biting, wiggling, peeing, pooping, anal glanding, growling, hissing, drooling, no hair to shave, and I can see the vessel!! Like DUH! Try doing this on a dog that is mad at you!! Ha!

Sorry had to get that off my chest....bring on the hard stuff ;)

Second Semester

Yup, life as I know it is over until next summer. School started on Monday. It was a long day, class from 8-5, but I got up super early for parking. I had it in my mind that I would leave my apartment no later than 6:30 am to get a spot, well it was just a little later than that but I was worried. There was traffic on 96 and I was cursing myself for taking that way (but just found out today there is construction on 13th so it would of been just as bad). I thought I would be fighting for a spot, but there was like 10 cars in the lot total. Sweet!
I watched a girl try to park her car on the other side of the lot, right next to a truck and she pulledin and backed out to correct her parking about 3 times, then she gave up and decided to come all the way to my side of the lot and park between me and the other car I was near ( seriously?!) She proceeded to pull in and correct a few times and then she got out and swung her door right into my truck! Honestly there was nearly NO ONE in the lot, what was wrong with her?! So that is how first day of second semester of nursing school started!
The day itself was ok, long and kinda dull. I tried hard to steer clear of Janet, as I can not stand the other girls that she hangs out with, but that failed. I went to my truck at lunch to get rid of several books and she followed me. Then she tried to include me in a group project later, that I wanted no part of because of the other girls. Just as I thought ok I am done with today, my last class put us in assigned groups....with Janet! Ugh. I am so in for a long semester.
So the last two days I have been trying really hard to get as much of the "fluff" work out of the way as possible, like the Medscape stuff and ATI testing, which I have been really productive on!, but I went (for extra credit to meet my 370 instructor today) and she said I did the wrong ATI modules! There are 6 of them and they are super time consuming!!! Okay, enough bitching about that, it is only day 3 ... I have time to fix it.
In my other world, running, I am feeling so UN-motivated this week to run. In all honesty I haven't yet at all!. I need to change this and do some exercise!!!
Laters!

I ran 10 miles??

Yes I did!! I felt pretty decent considering how much I had dreaded this run. I started off thinking that I would try to run 5 miles non-stop, then I would do 3/1 run/walk minute intervals. More or less I did. There were a few spots that I was super tired, but I got through it.
I do have to say that this morning and last night I was SO sore. My muscles were fine but my knees were a different story. It felt like the tops of my patellas were hitting (hard) on my femurs. It hurt. Stairs hurt and moving hurt. They seem much better this afternoon and evening though.
Tomorrow I start my first day of second semester of nursing school....dreading it. I want to be done with school so badly.
Short post tonight.

End of Summer

I am not sure where to begin...
I went to RI for 2 weeks and am SOOOO glad to be home. :) I had a good time, but it is really nice to know officially where I call home....Kansas. I feel at home here and I feel like I belong. Anyways, I got to finally meet Bruce!! He is so CUTE and ADORABLE! Love that little boy!! I really did have the best time out there with Bruce and Candice.

Me and Bruce

That was the highlight of my trip. I also did a bunch of house work for my grandparents, like cleaning the rugs and the entire house. They are old and they really can not do it anymore. And most of my family that is close to them (distance-wise) are lazy. So I went on vacation to clean. Oh well...such is life.

I also did a 5K on Block Island while I was out there. I think I wrote about it in an earlier post, but I had signed BRidget and her boyfriend Andre up for it as well. Well that was a waste of money. We got to Block Island and my mom and John went to get a bit of food, so the three of us started walking to the beach the race was on (according to the information 10 minutes from the dock turned into 1.5 miles of walking) and they complained the entire way about why we didn't get a taxi and we should of. How were these two going to make it another 3.1 miles and back to the ferry!?
Well we got there and checked in and waited. My mom and John were nowhere to be seen, so I called her and she said (begrudgingly) they were on their way. The race started to line up and I saw that my mom and John had just gotten there as we took off. Bridget started to run with me and then 50 feet or so started yelling to Andre (who was way ahead of us) to come back and walk with her, poor guy, he looked like he really wanted to run it. I kept going. The race director had apologized for high tide, but it hurt! (If you don't know, running on the beach is great ... at low tide because there is hard packed sand from where the water was at high tide, but at high tide your only options are to run in the water or to run in deep beach sand) I ran the entire 1.5 out to the turn around and started walking, my shins hurt from the angle on the beach. I figured I would pass Andre and Bridget, but no. So I got back and found them, they were done and they had gone through the finish chute. I was peeved. Then I looked around for my mom and John, again couldn't find them so I called - on the beach in the opposite direction. All in all this 5K was a fail. :(

I did manage to get a picture in my GoRun shirt at the beach though!

Of course coming home was not exactly easy, sparing all the details, Bridget and I got into quite the fight and then the same day my flight got 2 delays and I had to actually be rerouted to leave on Sunday instead of Friday.Oh did I want to cry! I was so ready to be home.

Aside from all the drama, I did get quite a few great runs in while I was out there and now that I am back in Kansas, the weather has cooled off significantly. I am pretty excited for my training to be in the second half, but really kinda nervous about 13.1 miles!! I just got my second half of training plans and they are about the same during the week, but the long runs are scary! I have 10 miles to do this weekend! I am hoping that I will be in Great Bend this weekend so I can take advantage of dirt roads!! Cross your fingers!!
Oh and classes start next week, eek...not ready. I have an orientation every Friday for the next 3 weeks, but it all gets started in a few short days!! I want to be graduated already!!!!!

Logging my meals

I have been doing a great job, if I can say so myself, at logging my food intake this week! I decided that I need to lose some weight, more in my belly than anywhere else, but I don't think I eat that much, so I am logging it. I have to be honest with myself though and it is hard. I am kinda afraid I will fall off the wagon next week when I am in RI, but I am going to try. Anyways....

Me and Spil

This is a picture from that concert I was talking about. I really like this one, because we had such a hard time taking pictures. The sun was so strong it took awhile of trying to realize we needed to wait until it went down some.

Chris Young

If you ever get the chance....He is AMAZING in concert. Spil and I have seen him 5 times in the last year or so and he really is that good!
So I have been dealing with some nasty leg issues. Usually I have a sore achilles, but lately, and I mean since the last 10k I have been dealing with some crazy sore shins. I mean like wake up the next day and can barely move ~ that sore. I asked coach on Tuesday (track workout night) for some pointers, as I am afraid of falling far behind, and he said ice, compression sleeves, and stretching. Not much I didn't already know :/ . So I have been researching KT tape and compression sleeves. I think I may order then with my next pay check...
I really want to finish this half marathon. BADLY. I mean I have been working hard and I am 6 weeks in...not to mention I already paid the entry fee :) ( that is my real motivation).
Well I need to clean house....

Countdown is on!

In 4 days I will be in RI!! Yay!! I am really excited to be going. I haven't been in an entire year. I really have no plans aside from the 5k on BI, but that is ok! I am excited to run in the cool weather, and I am excited to see my nephew for the first time and I am excited that I can see Mimi and Papa. I really wish Kevin could come with me, but I am planning on being out there for a few weeks, and his job has him doing crazy hours.
Went to see Chris Young (again) in concert in Atchison, KS last Friday. Yup 4 hours up, sat in the sun and had an OK time and then an hour in the truck before we could even leave, and 4 hours home...got back to PHVC at 4 am. I was not in a very good mood Saturday (I had to be at work for 8:45 and neither Kate or Kara had to work) as I had to stay awake and drive our asses home. Chris was as always amazing, but I was so annoyed that I didn't get any gas money from my cohorts, Spill at least paid for lunch and a coozy, but honestly that was about 10 dollars for me. Kara gave me nothing! It cost $75 to fill up before the trip and another $56 on the way home. Sigh. Oh well it is over now and I can focus on RI...I may write more later.

Fresh Veggies!!

So last week I was on zucchini overload, well this week it is tomato's! I guess I didn't realize how many we actually picked on Sunday, but we have a bunch! Last night I made a creamy tomato soup, which came out awesome ( if I am allowed to say so myself!) I also made a thrown together salsa, so far it tastes pretty good, but I have so many tomato's left! What else can I make?
I also still have a ton of zucchini and spaghetti squash!! I really love the garden idea, because it has made making food healthy easier. I hope Kevin is up to making another garden next year!!
I am planning on going to the track practice tonight, so this is a short and sweet post.

Titan 10k

Yay!!! I finished another 10k! I am so proud of myself because it literally almost did not happen. I got up with plenty of time and started driving out to Wichita South High, and proceeded to go around the block like 4 times because I could not figure out how to get into the parking lot. There was construction on Seneca and I was alone and no one had texted me and I was already VERY anxious. Finally I found out how to get in (only by seeing another person turn where I thought you could not turn) and got in the lot with fifteen minutes until the start of the race. When I looked all around I was very nervous, no one looked slow. I had to keep telling myself it was ok - I was running the race for me... I kept getting really emotional through the start of the race and the end because there was no one there to cheer me on. I started out way to fast for me to maintain on this distance and had to pull back a little, which was sort of annoying because then people started passing me. There were lots of run/walkers and I swear those people drive me nuts!! Oh well. I had an awesome surprise at mile 5.5ish .....Carrie was there and she cheered me on!!! I got so emotional I could hardly breath (not a good thing at all at the end of a race)!!! She seriously made my day!! Can not explain how grateful I was to see her!! The best part was that she knew I would need help around mile 5! That is because she ROCKS!! I finished up the race and the old lady (74) that I had been back and forth with in positions (she was a run walker) flew by me, made me a little deflated, but I finished!! I still think I can say that I really do enjoy 10k's better than 5ks, however....I would be curious as to my new 5k time, since at that point in today's race I was still in the 30 minutes!!!

At the finish line, tired.

Great Bend weekend

Oh man it is Sunday and I so wish it was Saturday again! I went to the firefighter auction thing Friday night and forgot to set an alarm on Saturday morning for the group run, dang it. I had my whole run mapped out and everything, but Kevin called me at 6:30 am and that was when I realized it. Unfortunately it was too late for me to go or to even run at home alone as I had to go to work. Oh well. Work was super busy and I was flying all over the place!! After work I drove out to GB to meet up with Kevin. It was a NICE weekend! I was in a good mood and so was he. Got to take a look at the garden, got to relax a little and nap on Kevin's shoulder, and got to see Duane (lol). We went to Dillon's to get some groceries to make fajitas on Kevin's wok-thing at Dewey's and they were SO good. I ate way too much Saturday night. I also had one lime-arita. (tasty!)
This morning I had an alarm set for 6:50am so that I would get up and do my long run that I should of done yesterday, but boy was I tired. Fortunately- Kevin kept pestering me to get up and run so I did. It took me several minutes to get my act together though. I had sorta miled out what I was going to run so I kind of left the house with a plan. I was to do 6 miles, this would be the first time since the river run that 6 miles has come from my legs! My first 10 steps SUCKED! I was sore and tired and grouchy, but I kept plugging at it. I finally got to about a mile and was awake, but the sky looked really dark and I was tempted to call Kevin to watch the weather and pick me up if needed, but I didn't because I didn't want to stop. I did two out and backs before really getting into my run which was good, because I would not have wanted to keep going after the bulk of my run. I did decide that I wanted to run through the corn field road, which sounded like a good idea to me at the time....I kind of forgot about the pivet and it making the ground wet. I did run it though with roughly 5 pounds of mud stuck to each shoe also while jumping over the divets from the pivot wheels....My butt can still feel this part of my workout! The rest of my run was pretty simple and straight forward. I did not take the field on the way back, but the road instead. Probably for the best.
Making some fresh spaghetti squash for dinner from our garden!

Color Run

So we had one heck of a long girls weekend. Carrie, Steph, and I went up to Kansas City on Saturday afternoon for the ColorRun. It was about a 3 hour drive, and of course I drove, but we didn't get lost. It went smoothly. When we checked  into the hotel I was a little skived out. I am not a fan of hotel beds. It was a little gross for me, but I had no say in the hotel as Stephanie did that part. Then was the dinner decision. Stephanie had her mind set on this restaurant that Spiller told her about, but it looked really expensive, and I had no money to spare, as I was paying for gas. So she called and made reservations and thank goodness Carrie put her foot down, I wasn't sure how we were going to get out of it but we did! We ended up going to to the Cheesecake Factory, and yes it was amazing!
When we go back to the hotel I was super tired, as was Carrie, but Steph was still pretty awake, so she turned on a movie, Spirit of the Marathon. I watched it best I could, it was pretty good. I did not sleep more than 2 hours that night. I shared the bed with Stephanie and she was a blanket hog! Anyways 5 am came around quickly.
The Color Run itself was weird. It was definitely a "hippie" thing like Kevin said. I was fairly disappointed, because it was impossible to run! Between the course being crazy packed and Stephanie not being able to run I was not prepared for the disappointment. The splashed you with color every kilometer, but I still do not think that they were actually measured . I think that this was a race that is cool to experience, but not to do ever again. Oh well you live and learn. The best part of the run was the end. Seriously! About every fifteen minutes there was a giant color throw and that was were you got colored.

Me Carrie and Stephanie

Anyways I am into week 3 of Half Marathon training. My schedule is really messed up. Since we did the color run on Sun (technically was an off day) I did nothing yesterday, but I am super stressed about the run I am supposed to do today. I am supposed to get 4 miles EZ done, but I also had mentally planed to do the track workout again tonight. However I forgot that I said yes to Kevin in going back to GB tonight! Now it is bloody hot out!! I really do not want to try and get 4 miles done on the dreadmill...We will see.
Happy 4th to all!

week 2

New and Old

Talk about what a difference a week makes. So I got my new shoes this weekend and I LOVE them!! The new ones are on the left.
Well this is the second week on training for the half marathon and I am tired again, but for different reasons this week. Last night I decided that I was going to try a track workout that GoRun hosts every Tuesday at Friends University. I did my very best not to talk myself out of it ( I have some serious anxiety issues and am very capable f talking myself out of anything) so I kind of got crabby before I left just because I was stressed. I got there ok and I walked up to the track. Not many people were there so I asked a girl if she was there for the GoRun workout and she said yes, so I was happy I wasn't late. Kevin got there and i talked to him briefly about how nervous I was, he said to do a lap to warm up and relax a bit. So I did. (Did I mention it was well into the triple digits yesterday?! Crazy me decided this was the perfect time to try a track workout! HA!) I had a hard time breathing just on the warm up! Then we did some more warm-ups going the width of the infield. ( I was plenty warm let me tell you!) The girl next to me had her Garmin on and told me that thsoe were about 1/2 mile in distance.....and the practice had not started yet!
I was starting to get a little upset that I wouldn't be able to do the workout because I am not in shape enough, but I toughed it out....Fernando said he wanted to do a timed mile....so we did. I was dead last ( non pun intended...) at 11:50, which for me was not all that terrible. But you have to realize that the people at this work out were anywhere from 6 - 8 min milers! Oh well I was trying. Then we split into teams and did a 4 person, 4 lap relay.....ugh. Lap one - hot, but got it done, Lap two - tired, hot, finished it, Lap 3 - looked at the ground the entire time willing myself to not pass out!, Lap4 - Fernando put a sub in for me (thank you!) I was beat...that was not easy! I do want to try and do more of these!
Before I left the workout I asked Kevin what I should do for my run today ( I was scheduled 3 miles) he said to see how I felt around 2 miles....well I got up and dressed this morning and that was about it... I was pretty sore from yesterday and decided that I needed a rest day. Tomorrow I plan on getting up and doing an easy 3.
Oh and most important news!! Carrie and I broke up!! (sounds weird, but I am sooo sad) She decided to do the novice plan instead of the beginner, which is probably a good thing, but I am still trying to do that plan...I really want to improve! The runners at the track seriously motivated me. I feel so damned fat lately and I want to lose a few jiggly areas!! I don't know we shall see!

who to run with!?

Yay!!! Week one is OVER!! I can honestly say that it was actually a great week. I got al my runs done, Mon 3 miles, Tues 2 miles, Wed 3 miles, Thurs 3 miles and Sat 4 miles. It was hard not going to lie. The other day I wrote about how tired my legs were, well they were not this morning! I ready. I was however scared about doing the group run today because of how many people were supposed to be there (they keep telling us that over 600 people registered) so my anxiety was kind of high. Where to park, when to leave my apartment, pick up Brandi, and the list could go on and on, but it was really great.
I picked Brandi up about 6 this morning and we chatted all the way out east to the GoRun store, got parked with minor hiccups and managed to find Carrie - finally! - in a huge crowd!!
I was getting worried about who I should run with right before we started, should I try and run with Brandi because I couldn't find Carrie or should I start screaming her name to locate her (heheh, I was tempted!) but she found me! Brandi was really cool too though. When we all started she ran with us a little, but you could tell we held her back, so I told her she could keep going and she did. We passed her she passed us at the turn around area and she looked great. Carrie and I met up with a new girl and she was our speed, maybe slightly slower, which was cool. When we got to 1/2 mile left I saw Brandi! She had turned around and run back to meet up, which I thought was SOOOO cool. I ran with her in, kinda felt like vomiting, because she is so much faster! but it was fun!
Tomorrow is an official rest day and boy am I going to rest! I am kind of excited for next week's training to start! And in 3 weeks I get to do the Titan 10k !!! Carrie and I did have major shoe envy this morning with everyone in their new shoes and us in our old ones, so she is on her way to come pick me up for some shoe shopping and lunch!
Life is pretty good right now!!

Tired legs

Oh man are my legs tired, and my body, and my eyelids! Seriously though, I wish I could fall asleep at night so I could wake up rested, but it is just not happening. Well my alarm went off at 5:15 this morning and I was pretty certain last night that I would have a hard time convincing myself to get out of bed and run today, but I didn't. I figured with Kevin not home and Carrie out of town that I had lots of excuses I would use, but nope I was up and I got dressed, granted it was pretty slowly, but I still felt motivated :)
Last night I did decide that I was going to drive to SCP this am to run because I get so bored running in my neighborhood, not really sure why I don't get as bored at the park, but I don't. It rained a bunch last night and the radar looked like it still may rain, unfortunately it did not. I have been trying to keep my pace more consistent, but it does not seem to be an easy task.
Overall I was happy with my run this morning. Now I need to OD on some caffeine to wake these heavy eyelids up! So if you see me coming at your animal with a syringe and shaking hands, no worries! I tend to always hit the vein!! ;)
Laters.

Banana Oatmeal Peanut Butter Muffins

I really hope these come out edible! My track record with banana and oats is not something to brag about! I had 4 medium sized banana's that I have been waiting to make the "perfect" bread with, but I have no crushed pineapple (Mimi's recipe - something you never alter!) So I needed to figure out an alternative or throw out mushy banana's, which never is an acceptable answer.  They are in the oven now, so we shall see in about 20 minutes. Peanut butter banana oatmeal muffins.

So I have started my half marathon training and so has just about EVERYONE in Wichita! Seriously! I just found out a classmate (who I may add, bad talked running when she found out I ran, because she is a "hard core yogi" ) is in the S2F. Ugh. I honestly do not think that she will finish and actually run the half, but maybe she will and maybe she will learn to not talk crap on other people's hobbies! Anyways, now that I feel better by getting that off my chest...

Me and Carrie pre-run

Met up with the one and only Carrie this morning. It was not a great run. I think she was mentally not in the game today, which - hey, we all have our days, so we just took it SLOW!. It was so humid, it was really gross. I love the summer and all, but I could so do without the humidity. When we first got started I really was disappointed that we were only doing 2 miles and I kinda played with the idea of doing more at home after, but that idea went out of my mind quickly! She really is such a great friend I can not honestly think of working out with any other person on such a regular basis as I do with her!
Well gotta get the muffins!

New week needs new attitude!

I have been very negative lately. Maybe not so vocal about it, but definitely negative. The only excuse I have is the stupid meds that I am on, paroxetine, I am trying desperately to get off them and it is HARD. I have been having some serious vertigo/dizziness and hot flashes. The vertigo is almost unbearable, the room feels like it is tilting and spinning and if I move too fast I feel a little nauseous. I read up on SSRI withdrawals last night and it says that it generally lasts from 11 days to 2 months. My fingers are crossed it is the former!

Anyways, tomorrow I start my second S2F plan for the fall half marathons that I am planning on doing, yes plural...lol. I think Carrie is secretly trying to kill me! However, I did agree to it. I am really excited though, because I have honestly been terrible at working out since the River Run. I like the motivation that the plans give me. I think that I really need to try and push myself a little harder this go around though. Last time I went into GoRun, one of the coaches, Fernando, said it looks like I am dogging it when I run, which I think a lot of the time I am, but it was interesting to me to realize that someone (an elite someone I may add) actually noticed this. This little sentence from him really is inspiring me to pick it up a bit! My next race is the COlor Run, which is not timed, so I really have little motivation to try, but then about 2 weeks after that I have another 10K that I signed up for. I think Carrie was going to run it with me, but I honestly do not think that it interested her much as she is scheduled to work that weekend, so this will be a chance to prove to myself that I can run with full feeling in it and finish a 10k. I am shooting for better than my 1:25, but I need to be realistic, I haven't run in a week and a half.... so my goal is an even 11 min mile, which makes it finish in 1:13. I can do this! I will do this!!

The color run is next as I mentioned above. I guess the plan is that we ( Carrie, Stephanie, and I) are going up on Saturday and getting a hotel room. We are going to have a nice dinner and take lots of pictures and just have a fun girls weekend. I think this sounds amazing. I need a vacation super bad!! Can't wait!

Training plans!

Finally! I once again have no excuses! We got our training plans for the half marathon! Yay! I am really excited to have no reason to not run. This plan that Carrie and I are choosing to run is a little bit, err....a lot tougher, it has us running 5 days a week instread of just 3. I am slightly nervous about that, but I figure that if we get exhuasted then we can always go back down a plan. I need to remindmyself this  is not an excuse to be eating crap!

Boys weekend

Geez, where do I even start? Well Friday I had off from work, because we were going to see Nickelback in concert, which I was super excited about!! Kevin had his buddy Duane and brother Chris come down to join us. Dewey got here around 11 and Chris around 2 and then it was all beer from then on. No seriously, that is all they did all weekend...drink and get drunk. I swear I am the best girlfriend ever. Who else would put up with that?? Especially when we live in a ONE bedroom apartment!
Anyways, the concert was awesome, I had nearly no voice when it was over because I was having such a good time rocking out!! Then Saturday was movie day. Literally they must of watched a thousand movies. Brian and Brandi brought Weston over for a short time, love that little boy!, and the guys finally decided to get up and we went to Cabela's - woo hoo.....sense my sarcasm? Well I drove them all weekend. Just writing this all out is making me tired of the weekend again, I'm over it.

River Run

I did it! I did the entire run with NO walking, all 6.2 miles. It was actually a great run. I did not sleep much last night. Carrie texted me this morning around 5 and I was already awake. I was sooo nervous. I had my phone navigate me to Century 2 since I had no clue where to park. I was pretty sure that I would just find a spot. I ended up parking at Gander Mountain. Carrie and I met up and walked to the GoRun tent. It was very lonely, just her and me. I was pretty cold when we were just standing around, but I knew I would warm up. Brandi and Brian met up with us, we took a couple pictures together. Weston "made" I am proud of Aunt Kim sign. Very Cute! Well we finally got in the start line, Brandi found a friend and Carrie and I were alone again. We got going and we were QUIET. It was kind of a faster pace, but comfortable. I do have to say I hate running on bricks, anywhere there were bricks it was just tough. Somewhere between one and two miles I tripped pretty bad, but I surprisingly did not face plant :). Carrie kept telling me who she dedicated each mile for: 1-Elliott,2- Paul, 3-Me, 4- Her Dad (very emotional) 5- Her mom 6.2 - Her. I thought that was a great idea, but I felt so bad it mad her cry. At around 3 miles I asked her if she was getting her second wind yet, she said it was more like a breeze! I love that!! Anyways, we really did get an extra boost, but I was starting to get pretty tired around 4.5 miles and my left achilles was starting to really hurt. We kept talking about how we really wish we had cheerleaders to get us through to the end, but we didn't. At 5 miles, two GoRun guys had started to walk back and they spotted us and started cheering us on, it gave me goosebumps! Just after 6 miles we saw Brian, Brandi, and Weston.. They started cheering us on, and Weston was giggling so much it was making me choke up, he is too cute! Then Steph was there with a sign and she ran with us a little, which was pretty cool. Carrie and I came in side by side to the finish and we were proud!
Tomorrow, I am going to Stephanie's wedding and tonight I am finishing my online class. Not a bad weekend!

Got my rear in gear!

Well tonight was a evening 5k that I had been looking forward to for awhile. I did not prepare for it like I should of, as in I did not run this week at all! My last run was last Sunday, I know terrible, but I did not have a goal in mind for a PR, I honestly just wanted to finish without walking. I did, but barely! I was wayyyy too emotional and was near tears the last quarter of a mile. It  kind of just hit me tonight before the race that this was benefiting colon cancer. With all the stuff going on with my grandpa last week, it seemed very coincidental and karma-like, so I felt that I needed to do it for him. (They found a tumor in his colon last week.) So I ran the whole thing without walking, but i started getting teary eyed near the end and my throat started to close up, like I was having an asthma attack. I was whistling while I was breathing, I think I scared Carrie. I told her to keep going, I knew she was going to kick it into high gear and I would not be able to stay with her. She rocks. I love running with her.
Hmmm, on another note I got to hang out with my nephew Weston all day yesterday! Love that little boy. Honestly though I do not know how mothers do it! Bravo to them, because my arms are so sore from holding him and playing with him!! ( he is only 5 months old ) I really enjoyed it though, but it made me a little sad that I haven't been able to do that with my other nephew, Bruce. ( he lives in RI, I live in KS) I really need to plan a trip out to visit soon!!
Going to shower and sleep! 10k is this next Saturday! Eek!!

Stress

Wow, what a difference a day can make. Last Sunday Carrie and I went on a lng run and it was amazing. That night my whole world became more difficult. My mom called (she NEVER calls, only texts) to tell me that Papa was in the hospital. Talk about terrible week for this. I have this stupid two week class I am in and this weekend is memorial day weekend (plane tickets are super pricey on holidays) and I am scheduled at work full time. Well she told me that Mimi called her on Sunday to say Papa couldn't walk, my mom went to their house and found Papa sitting on the stairs not able to move much. She took him to the hospital and they started doing some tests. Basically he has been having dark bloody stools for over a week, he is on Coumadin and obviously bleeding out, his crit was super low (6, not really a live able number :/ ) and he has a rediculously low HR and he decided to stop taking his Lasix because he would have an accident on his way to work. (my Grandpa is 80 years old and still works full time)
I think the worst thing of all this is that I have just enough medical background to know that this is not good. When you have a crit that low, you should have  super high heart rate because your heart should be working harder to pump the blood around. Anyways I have been super worried about him and Mimi, she does not handle stress well ( last time something terrible happened in my family she had a heart attack). To top it all off I feel like I should be out there to just be supportive, but I honestly feel like I am stuck here in KS, until I am done with this class and the holiday is over. There really is not much I can do out there except be there, and I am constantly getting updates, so I just need to breathe.
On another note, I hate my professor for this online class I have to take! There that feels better just saying it! lol. Seriously though. I have to just buck up and finish this class ASAP.
Well that is enough depressing words for today. I am going for a much needed run with Carrie tonight!

long run

Amazing! well it didn't start off as amazing. Last night I could not fall asleep. I finally decided around 11 that I was going to take some benedryl. Finally fell asleep, but when my alarm went off this morning I felt hungover! It was sooooo hard to get up, but I did. Met up with Carrie at the park for an hour long run. She got her garmin, which was very cool and this was my first run with my new phone. Both tools worked great. The first part of our run I really did not think I would get far. I was so tired and felt terrible, but once we got going the feeling went away. We ran 4.5 miles with only one 10 second walk, it was AMAZING! I loved the feeling and I am soooo happy we did it.The river run has nothing on us. We got so much confidence out of this run! On to do some homework!

binge eating...

Thank you Mimi. She gave me my terrible sugar addiction, but not only that when I lived with her it was always an effort to get her to eat. This meant that we would eat randomly through the day, ugh. I love my grandma to pieces, but geez I totally hate my habitual eating tendencies. I went to the grocery store tonight because I have been craving veggies. I did really well shopping, but I got english muffins and chez whiz. yup definitely one of those things I should not keep in the apartment because I have almost finished them!

Anywho, Carrie and I are going for an hour long run tomorrow morning. I am kinda sorta scared that I wont be able to run for a full hour. Fingers crossed! The river run is coming up in 2 weeks,  it is sooo soon! Oh and we also decided that we are going to do 2 half  marathons this fall...ya we are nuts! LOL!

dizzy

Well today was worthless. I called out of work this morning because i woke up after sleeping maybe 3-4 hours feeling really pukey and dizzy. I tried to sleep more and kinda switched between restlessness and sweating. I have been thinking about getting off my medication, mainly due to some unwanted side effects, but then again maybe I shouldn't.
Otherwise I tried to run today, because we are supposed to go to Manhattan for Jessica's graduation tomorrow, not a very good run. I seem to hit the imaginary, but very real wall at 2 miles. Ugh, it is frustrating. Anyways, better shower!

First blog

This is so exciting! I have thought about doing this for a few years now, but never had enough balls to write honestly about me to the public. So I am going to try and make this my new habit, I want to chronicle my life and my experiences like this is my journal so I can look back when I am older.