One week from now...

...I will be in Chicago, on the starting line, warmed up and ready to run!

I can't believe the half marathon is almost here. Tonight is night number three of six, half-way through my overnight work week. Taking it easy this week on the running, just easy 3 milers every other day or so. 

The weather has not been nice to me this week in Yuma. Yesterday's run was absolutely ugly. I got spoiled last weekend with 78-80 degree weather and intermittent shade while running. But at least I know I run better in cooler temps, even if the humidity is higher. Chicago weather, don't fail me now! Forecast shows a Saturday night low of 65 and a Sunday high of 79, perfect running weather!

I have one week left to make my fundraising goal as well. I have reached 90% of my $1000 goal, just $99 more to go! Woohoo! Click here if you'd like to donate. 

I'm so excited, I don't know what to write! Til next time...  

29 days 12 hours 47 minutes...

...until I make my feet and legs carry my body 13.1 miles in Chicago, IL. 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little scared, but I'll be okay. Maybe scared isn't the right word, overwhelmed maybe? I don't know. I am positive I will start and finish, I just don't know how much time will be in between the start line and the finish line. Only time will tell...and well a couple of practice runs over the next few weeks. 

It's my weekend off and I spent last night with my mom and step-dad celebrating my step-dad's birthday (and mine too) with a nice dinner out. I love it when I don't have to cook. It was a quick trip to San Diego, as I've had plumbing issues at home, but I also needed to restock my baking supplies so I can finish up my bake sale orders. Remember a couple of posts back I mentioned the bake sale? Well, I baked 6 dozen chocolate chip cookies and 3 dozen cinnamon raisin cookies last time. This weekend I will bake 3 dozen chocolate chip cookies and 5 dozen cinnamon raisin cookies! Yes, that's 17 dozen cookies! Special thanks to Dr. Dan, Rita, Julie, Nichole and Jen for supporting me in the second round of baking!

With the bake sale proceeds and direct donations to my fundraising page, I have raised over 50% of my goal for Project HOPEFUL, NFP! :)

OK, enough writing, time to get something done this weekend. Besides baking, I need to prep food for work next week and take care of some clutter in my house...it's going to be a long weekend...I may need to treat myself to a movie at some point as well.

Until next time...

Life, loss, and beyond...

Five years ago, my life, my family's life, my sister's life, my niece and nephew's life, changed forever. I remember the day I found out, which was actually the next day, August 4, 2008, with great clarity, well, the beginning of the day anyway. It was one of the most exciting days of my life, the closing of my first home purchase. Okay, so I had a lot of help to buy the house, but, nonetheless, it was a crazy, great morning. I picked up the keys from my realtor and then left town as quick as I could, as I needed to drive to Joplin to take my Granny (mother's side) to the podiatrist. As I drove up I-44, I still remember exactly where my phone rang, and the sound of my dad's voice on the other end. In that moment, my heart sank, I knew something was wrong, but never in a million years would I have been prepared for what he was going to tell me. He asked where was I, when I said headed to Joplin, he asked me to pull over, he needed to tell me something. I did as he said, and he asked if I was somewhere safe, as safe as you can be on the side of the turnpike, I remember telling him. That's when he told me, we've lost Tory. I was speechless, immediately I asked if it was her heart, and then he said that she had drowned in Elk River. I was torn, as I needed to go to Joplin to help my Granny, but I desperately wanted to be with my dad and family as well. But, before I could even say anything, my dad told me, go to Joplin, take care of Granny and then come home. I said okay. I don't really remember the rest of the drive to my Granny's house though. I told my Granny the news and she was shocked as well. I took her to the podiatrist and back home, then I was on my way to my dad and stepmom's house.

You can still find the news report online.

My nephew was in school, my niece was on her way from college in Edmond. I remember my niece handled herself amazingly through everything. My nephew was his quiet reserved self as well. The rest of the week up to the funeral is now a blur. I must have gone back to Tulsa to get clothes and such, but I don't really remember exactly when I went home. I remember my dear friend Shelly was there to help me. I also remember when I returned from Tulsa to my parents', after getting clothes, that they had my sister's dog and two puppies. I remember that my cat was already at my parent's house, as I had just returned home from Houston that weekend after spending a week at a compounding course, and they had planned to keep him until I moved into the new house. I don't remember when our other sister arrived, but I remember we re-bonded after the funeral. I was never as close to Tash as I was Tory, but she is my sister and I love her dearly. 

Had I lost my mother at the age my niece did, I doubt I would have handled it as well. My niece has always been pretty responsible. She's an awesome big sis to her little brother. I know there's not a day that goes by that she doesn't think about her momma (because there's not a day that I don't think about her at least once either). I only wish that my sister could be here to see the wonderful woman, wife, and mother, her firstborn has become. I wish my sister could be here to see the amazing young man her baby boy has become. 

Over the last five years so much has happened. I graduated from pharmacy school and moved away from home yet again. I remember my sister had attended my white coat ceremony when I started pharmacy school in 2007. She was so proud of me. She used to joke that she needed a bumper sticker that said "Your kid may be on the honor roll, but my sister is in pharmacy school!" I went to the 2010 white coat ceremony of a friend and recalled the memory of my sister being there just few years earlier for me. It was a good, but hard day. One of the puppies left behind made her way into my heart as well. My little Ellie Mae was definitely not what I had in mind when I was dreaming of getting a dog for my new house. I wanted a medium to large dog, a dog that could protect me and my house. Well, as The Rolling Stones song goes...you can't always get what you want...but...you get what you need. I needed that little dog as much as she needed a home and I wouldn't trade her for anything. 

My niece married a wonderful and loving man, and they now have an adorable almost one year old. My sister would have made an excellent grandmomma. My great nephew is pretty lucky though, he has plenty of aunts and great aunts to dote on him and tell him about his grandmomma that passed before he was a sparkle in his momma's eye. My nephew just recently married his best friend.

Life goes on, but we don't forget. I can talk about my sister and what happened without crying now, but she will always be in my heart and I will think of her often. I miss you, Victoria Marie Ross, you will always be my Tory.

In memory of Victoria (Tory) Marie Ross, October 8, 1968 - August 3, 2008


        

41 days...

Time is ticking away...41 days until the Chicago Half Marathon!

Training is slow, but I'm working on it. I'm still babying this ol' knee of mine, but I will make it. 

I decided to do a bake sale to help boost my fundraising efforts. Of course, due to the nature of the cookies, I had to limit it to my local area only. To date, I have made 6 dozen chocolate chip cookies and 3 dozen cinnamon raisin cookies. A quick shout out to those who have supported my bake sale: Julie, Kim, Kimmie, Juan, Candace, and Enid! Thank you so much! If you're wondering what kind of cookies, they are based on the Giant Vanilla Bean Chocolate Chunk Cookie by paleOMG.com. I use Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips instead of the chunks in the chocolate chip cookies. For the cinnamon raisin, I use almond butter instead of sunflower seed butter, raisins instead of chocolate chips and add a little extra cinnamon. I like to think of it as a pseudo-oatmeal raisin cookie.

In case any of my local peeps are reading this, you have until August 3rd to request cookies...

In other news, I managed to go to Texas Roadhouse and not eat one of their rolls that they bring out when they sit you at the table. Gasp! I know, I don't know how I did it either. I had just had a cheat meal two nights earlier, so I guess the bread craving just wasn't there. At any rate, I was very pleased with myself. It was probably due to the fact I was explaining my eating habits to my friend that I was having dinner with, as I had yet to eat a meal with said friend. You can't really say "I eat Paleo" and then pick up a grain based roll and slather it with cinnamon sugar butter, can you? I try to eat clean/Paleo, whatever you want to call it, 80-90% of the time, but once a week I still feel I need a treat. If I allow myself more than one treat/cheat meal a week, I fall off the wagon and it is ugly. I have such a love-hate relationship with food. One day at a time... Wondering what I did eat for dinner? I had the 6 oz sirloin-medium rare, with steamed vegetables and a plain sweet potato. YUM!

Also, special thanks to my friends and family for your generous contributions! Hugs and love to you all!

Before I really start rambling about nothing, I will close for today. Thanks for reading!   

Why I run...

It was asked on our Facebook team running page to post: why do you run?

Initially, I decided to run the half-marathon because my coach was running it, and I have wanted to run a half for a long time. But then, as the days went by, more reasons came to me as to why I run and why this organization means more to me than I would have ever thought.

As I reflect on those who have been part of my life, I realize that I know more people who have adopted or are going to adopt a child than I would have thought. Several people I went to high school with have adopted, I don't know the situations, or if any of the children have "special needs", only that they have been able to provide a loving home to a child that needed one. One of my friends from high school is in the process of adopting. She has a very special story of loss and love. You can read about her story here. Of course, my CrossFit coach and her husband (also my CrossFit coach) have one adopted child and are working on bringing home twin boys. I also know someone who has adopted an HIV+ child, whose virus load is now undetectable. Yeah! :)

I look back on my childhood and while it wasn't perfect, I had parents that loved me. I had two sisters that loved me, even if we didn't live in the same household. Had it not been for my family, I wouldn't be where I am today. I cannot imagine living life in an orphanage or foster care. If I cannot provide a home to a child needing one, the least I can do is support an organization that supports adoption.

So, why do I run? I run for my health, to see just how far I can push my limits, to check off a bucket list item, and to raise awareness for Project HOPEFUL, because all children, no matter their HIV status, or other health issues, should have a family to call their own. 

Birthdays...

Birthdays...Everybody has one...My mom's is coming up on Saturday, so I decided I needed to make a treat for her birthday. I don't think I've posted much on my eating habits, but I try my best to eat fairly clean most of the time. I try to keep it to one cheat meal a week, although, while I was on vacation, I cheated more than I'd like to admit. Last week, along with getting my behind back to CrossFit, I also started the 21 Day Sugar Detox. I'm on day 7 and doing well. Well, until I decided to make a treat for my mom...I kinda had to lick the bowl...but, hey, I'm proud of my food choices for the last week, so a little taste testing today isn't too bad.  I will have a brownie with my mom for her birthday as treat, but otherwise, no added sugars/fruit for 14 more days.

Here's a picture of my concoction: 

I'm going to call it Coconut Caramel Brownies. 

The topping is from The Urban Poser's Samoa Donuts and the brownie underneath is paleOMG's Fudgy Brownies. I love this brownie recipe, I use dates instead of figs, and make my own baking chocolate from cocoa powder and coconut oil instead of melting the Enjoy Life chocolate chips.

I suppose while I'm here I'll update on my knee. PT is going well. I made it to CrossFit two days last week and two days so far this week. I have one more PT session this week as well. Since I'm going out of town for the weekend, I may not make a third day at CrossFit, but we'll see. I may decide to drop in somewhere. My knee feels pretty good, as each day goes by, it gets a little better. I had a 5 lb PR on my back squat on Monday, and was able to do full squat cleans today. 

Well, I think that's about it for now. Last night was my last night of work, and I have yet to go to bed, so I think it is time to get some sleep. Back to a regular schedule for my time off. :)

 

Just a little behind...

Oh dear...yes, it has been over a month since I last posted, and if you read the last post, you might remember I fell during my Sunday run. I didn't think much about this until my right knee seized up on me during the WOD the following day. Long story short, I'm knock kneed and have softening of the cartilage behind my patella. What did the doctor say? Running will aggravate the issue. CrossFit will aggravate the issue. You should bike or use an elliptical machine for cardio. However, I was never explicitly told not to train and run a half-marathon. I was never explicitly told not to CrossFit. I was given four weeks of physical therapy with kinesio taping to help strengthen the muscles around my knee. I was asked by the physical therapist to not squat or run for the first couple of weeks of PT, so he could start working on my VMO. 

This is week two of PT, and I've been really lazy about CrossFit, mainly because I hate modifying the WOD. Only one day of CrossFit last week, and so far no CrossFit this week.

But...that is all about to change...did I mention I've been on vacation and out of town off and on for the last three weeks? Yeah, that hasn't helped either. Ok, who am I kidding? I've been in a rut. I can make all the excuses in the world, but I'm the one that chooses to do or not do something. I let a couple of doctors and an acute injury discourage me. Today, I'm choosing to make a change. I will go to CrossFit on Thursday (two weeks of PT will have been completed, thus fulfilling my physical therapist's requirements), a place I love dearly, and if I need to modify, I will. I know the limitations of my body. I will be okay. I made a choice a little over a year ago to try out CrossFit, on my own, knowing no one, and it was the best choice I could have ever made regarding my health and well-being. Back to CrossFit I go on Thursday morning...10am...if anyone wants to remind me of this, please do. :)  I know I have to be the one to make the choice, but a friendly nudge in the right direction is always appreciated.

Until next time... 

400m...

Oh, dear, that was ugly! Missed running on Friday, as it is challenging for me to try to fit in CrossFit and running on a day I work 10 hours overnight, keeping at least 3 hours between each, getting at least 7.5 hours of sleep, and not dying from the heat of southern Arizona. Hmm, I sound like I'm complaining, don't I? I don't mean to, but, argh! There's not enough hours in the day! :)

So, my Saturday interval training breakdown:

5 x 400m at 10 min/mi pace = 5 x 400m @ 2:30

What I actually did:

#1: 2:43.4, rest 2:43.0
#2: 2:44.9, rest 2:44.4
#3: 2:52.3, rest 2:52.1
#4: 2:49.0, rest 2:50.4
#5: 2:47.7, rest 2:47.5 

Ok, kinda missed the mark...temp 86...I run a loop, 200m west, then 200m east back to my starting point, had a bit of head wind on the way back...one would think it would have helped me on the way out, but I couldn't tell...lol 

Today is my "long" run of 1.5 miles at 95% of test pace (14:03 pace, 21:05 total time).

Final stats for today's run: 1.51 miles, 21:29, average pace: 14:16. This included falling down once (the sidewalk jump up and grabbed my toe) and a technical error at the end when I couldn't get my phone out of the case to stop runkeeper, only to find out I hadn't quite hit 1.5 miles, so I restarted and finished...oh well...still not too bad, and it felt good. I didn't feel short of breath, the run just felt steady. Nothing like starting a run at 86 degrees and ending it at 90 degrees outside. Time for breakfast.

This concludes week three of my CrossFit Endurance Training. 

Next week: CrossFit on M-W-Th-F, Interval training on T & F, repeat 1 mile test run from week 1 on Sunday. 

I think...

...way too much. Seriously, it's one of my flaws. I over analyze, everything. It could be max height box jumps, deadlifts, snatches, cleans, whatever, the more I think about how tall the box is, what weight I have, or how heavy the last one seemed, the harder it is for me to complete the movement. Nike had it right, Just DO It! Don't think about it, don't try, just do. When I can successfully clear my head of all noise/clutter/whatever you want to call it, it seems I can do way more than I previously "thought" I could. 

Today, is the 1RM snatch. Today's goal is to stop over analyzing the movement and get under the bar, and then get back up. End of story. Done.

Time for CrossFit.

Easier said than done. I didn't get to my 55 lb PR power snatch weight, but at least I was getting under the bar in my full squat snatch at 50 lbs overhead. Meh. I worked last night, I'm a little tired and a little scattered at the moment. I'm OK with it. Every day, thankfully, is a new day. All I can ask of myself is to do the best I can each day. :)

Whew, the first night back to work is always the worst, transitioning from days to nights is a little tough. But, I've been up all night, I've worked my booty off this morning, and I have fed my body, so, it is time to rest. Now, if only I can make it up by 8pm, so I can work on a little interval training before I go to work tonight...if not, I'll do it in the morning when I get off work. Stay tuned... 

3, 2, 1, GO!

Yeah, I didn't feel like "going" this morning, but I did. Interval training is not very fun, but at least the road in front of my house wasn't littered with parked cars this morning, so I was able to use the road for my 200 meter run, and not half on the sidewalk. 

I was shooting for 200m in 1:15, here's what really happened:

#1: 1:08.7, rest 1:08.8
#2: 1:16.8, rest 1:15.7
#3: 1:11.7, rest 1:11.4
#4: 1:16.9, rest 1:18.8
#5: 1:17.8, rest 1:17.4
#6: 1:16.7, rest 1:16.6

At the end of each run, I'm pretty much huffing and puffing, but I seem to recover by the end of the rest. I'm hoping this will get easier?

I am not looking forward to Friday...5 x 400m in 2:30, with 1:1 rest ratio between intervals. I know I can do this, as that's pretty much what our METCON was on Monday, well, 4 x 400 in 4 min, I made each one in 2:24-2:34, with the remainder of the time for rest, the last one, however, I pushed and made it in 2:10, which is my current PR for the 400m. It will be nice to actually get the full rest amount, 1:30 or so rest is ok, but I always feel like I'm behind when I start again. 

Can't wait for CrossFit today, it's deadlift Wednesday! I can do without the METCON, well, I don't mind the hang power cleans, but I still have yet to do a double under. Oh well, c'est la vie! Plus, I get to go with my friend that I never get see anymore, as we both have crazy schedules!

Time for breakfast...I hear bacon in the fridge calling my name...mmm...bacon...

Oh, and I made these yesterday...

You can find the recipe here.

 

I need to come up with better post titles...

Oy, I hate writing...I always have, I always will, but I need to start keeping track of stuff, so here I am, reviving my old blog. Ok, so there wasn't much here before, but hopefully that will change this time around.

Let's start with a little update: I have been CrossFitting since June 2012. I have completed four 5Ks since then, and competed in the 2013 CrossFit Open. No, I wasn't much of a contender, but wanted to do it to for the camaraderie of my box mates and to have something to compare with next year. Needless to say, I was unable to complete some of the workouts, but I gave it my all, and that is what counts!

So, as I posted yesterday, I'm training to complete a half-marathon. My training schedule is proving to be a bit challenging for me, but, I will make it. Last week, I made three of the four CrossFit workouts and completed the "run 1 mile as fast as you can" portion of my running schedule. This week, I completed all four of my CrossFit workouts, one of my interval training workouts, and today's "long run". Maybe next week I will complete all 7 workouts. :)

April 28, 2013: 1 mile, 13:21, wow...I really did that! :)

Yesterday's workout: 4 x 200m @ 10 min/mile pace (1:15), not fun, but I did it.

Today's workout: 1.5 mile run at 85% of test pace (15:42 pace, 23:12 total time), I shouldn't have waited until 10am, but at least it is only 81 degrees outside. :)

OK, well, didn't think I would ever say this, but a 15:42 pace is really slow...final stats for today's run: 1.51 miles, 22:21, average pace: 14:51.

Did I mention that I also signed up for a Tough Mudder in November? If I can do 13.1 miles, surely I can make it through 10 kilometers and a bunch of obstacles, right?

Next up for today: my favorite meatball recipe - Bacon Meatballs from PaleOMG!

13.1 miles...

...is only four 5Ks in a row... :)

Yes, I am going to run a half-marathon!

I will be running in The 17th Annual Chicago Half Marathon on September 8, 2013 with Project HOPEFUL's Team TRUTH. 

Project HOPEFUL is a non-profit organization with a mission for "educating, encouraging and enabling families and individuals to advocate for and adopt children with HIV/AIDS and other of the most overlooked children for adoption." 

Running a half-marathon is on my bucket list and my friend and CrossFit coach, Nichole, is running with Team TRUTH. So, I decided why not work on checking this item off my bucket list, train and run with a friend, and help out a worthy cause. 

If you would like to donate, I would certainly appreciate any amount that you are able to give. My fundraising goal is $1000. 

I will be blogging my training, so be sure to check back for updates!

 

Bucket List

1. Run a half-marathon (Scheduled: September 8, 2013, Project HOPEFUL Donation)
2. Run a marathon
3. Participate in a triathlon
4. Be a Tough Mudder (Scheduled: November 9, 2013, Wounded Warrior Donation)
5. Take a hot-air balloon ride
6. Take an ocean cruise
7. ...

List in progress...