cha-ching!

Well.... yesterday was a bad day at work. Highs and lows but mostly lows. Im not even going to explain because its in the past. I still love my job and who I work for. With that said, today sure has felt like the opposite so far.
Lets rewind... So it was closing time yesterday and one of my friends found out she didnt get the house she put an offer on, then I was invited to the gym but had no time so I decided to go shoe shopping. I have come to the realization that my taste is extreemly picky in certain areas. One of them being shoes and another watches. I know what I want and I know when I see it and find what Im looking for I wont second guess myself. It will just be a quick decision. I have been looking for a new watch since my last one died and also a pair of black dress shoes for work. The black shoes that I have are worn into the ground. I have had then for over 4 years and they need to be retired. I am always wishing I would have bought more than one pair years ago but who would have thought? All my other shoes never made it past a year and I didnt even wear them every day. So the Kenneth Cole shoes that I bought were a great investment and a steal at the time. I am now faced with really wanting an needing another pair but all the ones I like are about 80-120 bucks. I just cant reason that! Im also very picky on what I want them to look like and how they feel. So last night I went to 5 stores and did find one that I halfway liked but didnt LOVE. All the other places either didnt have what I wanted or what they did have wasnt my size. I thought some shopping would help me relax and it did but I left empty handed. No shoes, no watch.
I got home a bit late and Lost was about to start, I hadnt had dinner, I was emotionally exhausted, but Daniel was there with a hug. :)
So off to today. So... I had to go to the dentist today for my semi annual cleaning. I found out that I got a new hygenist! YIPPIE! I liked my old one but she was super rough on my mouth where there was no need to be. I have never had a cavity and always floss, brush, etc multiple times a day. You can call it an obsession but Im terrified of getting a cavity. Needles, drilling, etc NO THANKS! So I was on my way to work and did my weekly shop to stop for produce and found strawberries for 99cents! Cha-ching! Super excited about this one for sure!

traffic, beer, more traffic, and sodium

So off we went on Thursday night to go find the brewery in Atlanta. We didnt think much of it but we got directions from the internet and had our map with us and ready to have a good time. The directions said 7.4 miles then take a right. WELL.... first off the directions were wrong which only proves my point once again on how bad I need a garmin for my car. Regardless, we were in the car for 30 minutes already when the directions said it would take less than that to get there. So off we went on the side of the road to figure things out. I felt so uneasy not knowing where we were. Figured out that we had not passed the turn point yet and still had a way to go. (even though we had already gone over 7.4 miles) Regardless, we did finally find where we were going and it only took an hour to get there. By this time we were ready for a drink. Atlanta traffic isn't the best at all. We walked in and of course I forgot our voucher in the car and had to go back and get it. We got ourselves our glasses and started pouring away. We were able to try 4 BIG glasses of beer. Me being the driver, I had half glasses and didnt even finish some of them because the taste got to me and the last one I just took a sip to see what it tasted like. YES I AM A RESPONSIBLE DRIVER! Alex on the other hand didn't have to worry about being responsible so she could drink what and however much she wanted. Still, 8 oclock came too fast and last call did as well. While we were there we had some pictures taken and they all turned out funny and we couldnt figure it out until at last, it was the reflextion of my running jacket that the flash got a hold of! I looked like something out of some scary movie. It was soo funny! (picture to come later)
So off we went to get some dinner. We had decided to get chinese food from Mama Fu's. I got mongoian beef and Alex got Chicken lo mein. I liked her better but thats ok. (I think its because mine had fungus in it ... mushrooms) We got back to the hotel, watched greys annat. and called it a night.
The next morning came with car alarms going off and me not knowing what time it was. It ended up being 8am so we slept for 10 hours! I guess we needed it. Both of us felt so bloated. All that sodium we had the day before and stuffing ourselves with food just made us both feel horrible. I think between all the coke we drank, the chinese food, snacks, and junk food we felt icky.
We got ready, packed everything up and off we went to breakfast. We decided on IHOP. Normally this would not even be on the list of choices but we figured they had a menu that we can pick from that said how bad the food was for you so we chose there, plus we figured a big breakfast would then lead us to a late lunch and less money spent in the long run.
We found IHOP, ate and went on our way to the subway to get into the city. Our plan of attack for the day was to go to the underground but not before I introduced Alex to Trader Joe's. We walked around there and found amazing prices on sushi, wine, and flowers. So thats what we got. We had a cooler in the car so we kept the sushi in there for lunch and I called my mom because I found some flowers that were so pretty and only 5 bucks! She said it was a steal and then the wine wasnt even 3 bucks. Alex got a bunch of that.
So the car was stocked with everything and we got into the city about midday. We found the underground after freezing our tooshies off walking there only to be halfway disapointed. In a nice way you could say we felt pretty unsafe and we were definitly the minority there. There wasnt any store that was taylored to white people (except the candy store).
We made the executive decision to leave and get back on the train to get to our car.
So we made it to the car and then found a mcdonalds for a bathroom and then ate our sushi in the car. It was super yummy and off we were to get back home. The traffic wasnt that bad until we got to Charlotte. UGGG. Can you say horrible?! I think we were stuck for about an hour in bumper to bumper traffic. Then after getting Alex's car from my parents, it rained most of the way back to Greensboro. I wish the trip was a bit longer but Ill take what I can get.
I already miss my best friend and want to go traveling again but need to get my game face on for this sprint triathlon which will be another road trip on the first weekend of May!! HEHE!!
So back to good nutrition, hardcore training, and work.
I cant wait for another trip! It was so much fun having girl time even though it was extreemly nice to come home to a loving family who missed me as much as I missed them.

Atlanta

Well last night I was Atlanta bound. I left work and headed straight to my parent's house in charlotte to spend the night. Traffic endedup being a bit difficult. I saw an accident happen right next to me but finally made it there. Phew! Alex met me there a short time after and we chatted with my dad til we called it an early night. (10pm) I am still getting over this cold thing or allergies or whatever you want to call it and have had a very difficult time sleeping, falling asleep and staying a sleep. It was no exception last night. I didnt get to bed til 11 then got up at 230 then again at 555.
We got on the road a little later than expected and ended up stopping because it didnt seem like we were going the right way. We were but it still made us feel better. Off again we went. We stopped 2 more times, once to eat, and once to stretch our legs and get a little bit of fresh air. We did finally make it to the city and stopped to ask about how to get to the train station.
We were off to go and see the World of Coca cola. We were like kids in the candy store we were so excited!! We stopped to eat at Corner Street Bakery before going and filling our stomachs with drink and walking around everywhere. We finally made it to the inside of Coke and bummed a private vip tour. We didnt really realize it until near the end but o well. We learned a lot and got our picture taked with a really funny and scary looking polar bear. Its eyes were freeky. If I was a kid, im not sure I would get my picture taken with it.
Off we went and finally made it to the tasting room where Alex had no idea that we got free drinks. I told her they had over 60 different kinds there and it was all free. We walked around and tried almost everyone. Most were yummy but some were flat out gross.
We finished up at the gift shop and then went out where it started raining. We walked around the Olympic park area and then back to the train. We are relaxing here at the hotel and about to go back out to a brewery. It is called the Red Brick Brewery and we got half price ticket on this webpage earlier in the week. SCORE! We get to try 5 different kinds and get a free glass.
Off we go! Pics to come later.

Off on the wrong foot

So today started with me waking up 2 hours after my alarm was to go off. Go figure. It didnt even make a beep or anything. So with that happening, I got no workout in. I really wanted to run today since I feel so much better and then afterwards do some weights. That got pushed to the side. I was on my way out the door with five million things in my hands when all of a sudden CB starts making these really weird meow noises. I was sure he didnt feel good so I dropped everything and encouranged him to come to me in the kitchen, where he did. He then proceeded to "get rid of everything he just ate plus some hair". I praised him so much because he didnt do it on the carpet. Phew! I of course then gave him more to eat because he just lost his breakfast. When I did this, ST then did the same thing as CB. O goodness. You could say not my morning. I finally got out of the house, forgot to drop off some stuff at Vals and off to run some errands and get my day started. There was an accident on my way to work so I was stopped there for a bit. These are just the few things that really kind of got me today. But on some positive notes, my car got washed inside and out (thank goodness) and I was treated to mexican food at work! Yippie! I normally would have let most of these things bother for just a bit before getting over them but I just believe that there was a reason for all of them today (not that there is never a reason) and just brushed all of it off... After all Alex and I are going on vaca together later today!! HEHEHEHE!

Marathon part 2

Left the house to go and meet Alex at the Rush to carpool to HP. Thank goodness because that is just stressful enough trying to find a parking place in some place you dont know very well. So I hopped into Ron's car with Alex and Ron's friend Josh. Off we went. We got to the race and went to go find Kathy and Mary. After hanging out and getting ready for the event, Alex and Mary went out for a warmup run. I stayed put. We got to the race a hour early but that hour flew by! We took some pics (which I look like death in) and then finished up getting ready. (music on, water in bottle, shoes tied, etc) It wasn't until the national anthem that I felt nervous. GRR why couldnt that have happend some other time. I frankly didnt care at all about even finishing the race at this point. I had already given up on doing the whole marathon due to my tight chest and was secretly cursing the doc I went to for not giving me something for this on Wednesday but what are you going to do?
Alex and I started at the same place but once the race started off she went much faster than me. I knew that was going to happen even if I had done the full marathon. She had trained for a faster time than me because of the shorter distance. I went out with a sour stomach and everything was so crowded. I have gotten used to the crowds though so that was ok with me. All from the start to mile marker 4 I felt horrible. I did go under pace but my stomach. I had to stop for a bit at mile 4 to get my act together and then went on my way again. The whole first 4 miles I kept telling myself, its ok to drop out when you see your family. Its just a race, who cares! Then the compeditor came out of me saying... "dont you want that metal, beer, and pizza??" Well of course I did! So I saw my parents at mile 5 with a cow bell and a home made sign! How nice! I told them at that point I would see them at the end of the half on the finish line. Then I saw Kathy, Mary, Ron, and Josh at mile 6.2 and then at mile 6.5 Daniel was there. He ran with me for about .1 miles and I told him I was just going to do the half. He told me that if I hadnt told him that, he would have insisted that I only do the half. (he was woken up when I got up this morning from my coughing attacks in the hall bath)
Off I went to go finish up my race. When I got to the 7 mile marker the marathoners and half marathonser split. Everyone was telling me I was going the wrong way. I had to tell EVERYONE that I didnt feel good and that I was only going to do the half. I felt really good from mile 7.5-11 and every other mile was a struggle. I kept looking at my watch only to get frustrated at my pace. I felt like I was pushing so hard only to see such a slow number... errrr!
I will say that this Garmin is like THE BEST thing EVER for runners. I knew exactly how much longer I had at the end of the race and just bolted it as hard as I could go the last .2 miles. I knew I could physically give it my all and not hurt myself with the cough, etc. So off I went!
I saw everyone near the end and they were all cheering and that was so wonderful.
After the race, as my day would have it, I was given a wet towel only for it to fall on the ground. O well.... who cares! I then had a nice long coughing fit for about 10 minutes. After conversing with everyone, Alex and I were off to go find the pizza and beer only to find out that there was no pizza this year. WHAT?! That was my motivation. I ended up choosing the wrong beer and it was gross so I gave it to Daniel. We all hung out for a bit more and then left. I met Alex at the gym to hang out in the hot tub. We had fun conversing over the race and what we thought about it, what we saw, out likes and dislikes, etc. We then made more of a plan for later this year of shorter races. (because they are so much fun and we can train shorter in the hotter weather)
Later in the day, I visited with my parents at Val's and then went to Red Robin to have a super late lunch with everyone. From there, I was called by a coworker telling me that she signed me up for a race in April. Its only 3 miles so no big deal and its for a homeowners church. Eastwood Homes is going to sponser me and deck me out with a snazzy tshirt and stuff. Im excited!
As for the remainder of the day, it was spent on the front porch reading a magazine and then spending time with Daniel and telling him of my plans for extending out back deck. Yeah for warm weather!!!

Marathon day and before

So as most people know, I have been fighting a cold... (doc told me it was allergies but I highly disagree with him) anyways.. thats not the point. I have lost my voice, coughing, nose stuff, the whole nine yards. I have been training for this marathon since December. I took a few weeks off after my half marathon and then geared up for this. Lets just stay that I dont feel like the stars are alligning for me. I couldn't sleep last night because I was snoring so loud and coughing, not because I was nervous of oversleeping. This has been the least nervous I have ever been for a race in my life. I am normally so nervous I dont want to eat, and I can sleep. Frankly, today, I just want to be able to start the race.
You could say that I feel unmotivated and maybe I am. I did feel pretty ok yesterday but today my chest is tight. My goal today is not to beat any time that I previously had for myself. It is just to finish. I know I will be way behind many people but thats ok. If I walk, thats ok. I am just thankful that I can walk and run and who knows.... there is always next year or another race to do my very best at.

Just a few days and...

Just a few days to go and what happens to me? I get sick. Thats right, yucky body feel, lost voice, sore mouth, runny nose sick! I understand that things happen for a reason but I am not sure why this of all things has happened to me right before race day. I have worked so hard for this moment, hours and months of prep work, cross training, weight lifting, etc.
I guess I will be taking it day by day and of course listen to my body. In no way shape or form if I have a fever would I ever run like that so I am going to just wait it out..... fingers crossed!
O and of course since I wasnt feeling good, my day was so busy! I had a realtor fuction at 930am today and then after that I was go go go at my model. I had one person after another and then have a home that is on hold, another one that has an offer on it and another one that will be sold in just a bit. What a DAY!

o bananas!

So I went to the store the other day and got way too many bananas to know what to do with. I already made banana bread and had 5-6 bananas left. ERR. I do NOT eat over ripe bananas so whats a girl to do? I searched the internet for some ideas and came up with banana icecream. Im sure some of you first think eww gross, but keep an open mind. It was so darn good and easy and fast to make. This is what I did....
Pealed 5-6 bananas and cut them into 1-2 inch pieces and placed them in my blender. Then set it on puree for 5 minutes. About halfway through, I added a tablespoon of cocoa poweder per banana and 2 tablespoons of splenda. Then finished mixing. At the very end I added one cup of peanuts. Mixed for another minute and then poured it into a pyrex container and put in the freezer. In no time you have a yummy frozen treat that tastes like you really shouldnt be eatting it. But with bananas being so good for you and naturally sweet and only about 70-90 cals per one, you cant go wrong. I put mine in the freezer, forgot about it, went to work and then came home so had to use a fork to eat it. Still.... so good! It will definitly be a keeper in my healthy recipe book and something that I know no one else will eat in the household except Country Biscuit will try to sneak some but no worries... its no treat for a cat.

baking skills

Well today was a day at ht and hanging out with Val. I found some bananas on clearance and I had a coupon of course and then the idea happened. I'll make banana bread! I then stopped in lowes and got some greek yogurt and milk. So off to the house I went. I pulled up my handy dandy computer and got on the oxygen magazine website and found a healthy banana bread recipe. It included 12 oz greek yogurt, 5 eggs, some wheat germ, steal cut oats, a tad of baking powder, a bit of lemmon zest, a bit of vanilla, three bananas, and I added some peanut butter.
It is so yummy. I put peanut butter on top of the bread when it was complete and I will freeze some of it since I will be the only one eatting it. Daniel doesnt do bananas.

This past week I have been really focusing on organic and clean eatting. I really can tell a difference in the pep in my step. I feel so much cleaner and I have been doing a lot of research on organic and natural products along with all the toxins that we use when cooking.
SO.... today I went out and got a cast iron skillet because I learned that the nonstick pans actually put toxins in your food after they are heated up for so long. Who knew!??!

Also, I have been having some great luck finding organic coupons and natural coupons and some great deals with this. And for all of those wondering, no Im not about to go and do extreem things like dreadlocks or anything. Just thinking more about positive changes.

The joys of being a mother....

Some wouldnt consider a mother but I do. With three children in the house (all of them having 4 legs) it is hard work. Today I woke up at 640am and not having to go to work because Country Biscuit was meowing at the door. Knowing that Daniel isn't feeling well, I got up to run them off. Well that worked but now I was awake for the day. Some days life is easy and others, I am tested in many ways. Someone might be sick so I have to clean that up, or I have to spank one for thier actions that they knew better about. Sometimes its just a little love that needs to be given and of course the usual playing/eatting/drinking that goes on daily. As much as I can't stand being woken up so early on my day off, I can't help but love them all. I always know I can take a nap later in the day and just get my day started early. So that is what I plan on doing today... getting started early and making the most of this rainy weather that we have today.

not much

Well.... not much has happened in the world of mine recently. Well.. not much that is super interesting. I do have to say that I am enjoying this super nice warm weather and it was so nice to walk around the community today and get some work done. Earlier today Alex met me at the pool for a workout. This is the last one with her til at least Sunday or so. She is on her way to Boston and NYC! I got to the pool a bit early which isnt much like me, Im normally the last in the water getting my hair in my cap and goggles situated. We started doing our workout and after our warmup, we had 18 100's with no rest and all super fast. About halfway through, my foot decided that it wanted to cramp up super bad. Of course it did!I had to stop for a sec, and just pull for the last of the 100's.
Off to work it was after practice. It was a very busy day there. We have a ride tomorrow with the owner and everything had to look picture perfect. Not that it didnt but I wanted to spruce up the place just a tad more. So I got out my lysol wipes and started cleaning the signs outside. The landscapers got them a bit dirty yesterday but thankfully the grass was cut and the bushes trimmed.
On another note, these two weeks leading up to marathon day are becoming super hard. I have been taking naps because I know that a few days leading up to the race, my nerves get the best of me and I cant sleep. Also, I have been really focusing on my eatting. Limit soft drinks or eliminate them, drink tons of water, veggies, fruits, whole grains, etc. Thankfully I have had a great deal of help from Aldi and get some really great prices on some produce. I also got a few coupons for greek yogurt and have been having that to curb my sweet tooth.
I hate this time of training. I halfway wish the race was already over. I don't like to not do anything. I want to go go go in the gym and outside and eat whatever I want including cheeseburgers and french fries. Then the days after the race, my body is tierd from lack of sleep and pushing so hard.
O and today I got the worst phone message. Daniel wasnt feeling good! AHH! I cant have any germs right now! No sickness! That would be the worst.
Off to peacefull dreaming..............

hmmm

Well... I guess all I have to say is that I cant wait for spring. Hopefully March 20th will be non snowing/non raining. Thats my marathon day and its only 19 days away! I really cant wait for the spring to come and all the flowers to come up. I love waking up and going outside and it feeling like spring. Right now it feels like Dec 28th!
Not much has gone on in the wide world of the Myers house. 8 piece has been getting into a lot of trouble recently. He has been getting on the counters, stealing sweet tea's food, and a lot more! Sweet tea has been really sweet and all over me. Right now she is laying on my foot and waiting for me to rub her.
Last week was my most difficult run at 22 miles. I am now starting to taper and go down a bit for the next few weeks. I cant wait til race day. Red Robin here I come afterwards!! O and all are invited. The race starts at 8am.