Par for the course......

Pretty par for the course these days that I am overwhelmed and WAYYYY behind on blog reading.

As in 1000+ unread blogs....so many that google has stopped counting.

My sincere apolgoies for falling off the face of the earth.

I haven't been doing much EXCEPT working the REAL job, working the LTF gig, and planning the RIDE 4 Jess on October 9.

Very excited to annouce that we have a sponsor for the event:

Nutrition Addiction: There mission is to bring good nutrition to community members and to provide the valuable service of informing people about the importance of good nutrition and regular exercise to achieve optimum health.
There GOAL: To fill the gap between the desire and the action, giving members the tools to help those that want to make a change for a healthier lifestyle. Providing solutions, motivation, education and a friendly atmosphere where they feel valued and supported with like minded individuals.


We will be starting and ending the ride from their location in Grapevine - all proceeds from smoothie sales that day will be directly donated to the National Brain Tumor Society.  Along with that they will post up an aid station around mile 6.5 of the first loop, mile 19.5 of the second loop and mile 32.5 of the third loop which will serve the HerbaLife Prolong Product mixed with water.

Prolong is a dual-source blend of maltodextrin and low glycemic fructose facilitates carbohydrate utilization with a 12:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio with ultrapure whey protein isolate that helps reduce muscle breakdown during exercise.  Bioavailable electrolytes help maintain a cellular environment for proper muscle contraction and B Vitamins support carbohydrate metabolism.  Provides 500% daily value of Vitamin C to scavenge cell-damaging free radicals.

In layman's terms....the stuff is delicious.

So that's where I am right now with THAT!  I am very excited that this has taken on a life of it's own and we are a little over a month away from actually hosting the ride.

Don't forget you can participate virtually - just make a donation to my fundraising page (ANY AMOUNT IS APPRECIATED) and let me know you are participating either by commenting or emailing me at
allie0622{at}yahoo{dot}com.

If you are going to actually be able to BE THERE on October 9 - let me know that too.... email or comment!

We will  have donation tables set up for credit card donations the day of the ride!  Donations will be accepted through November 5!

Happy Monday Y'all!

Work and Virtual Races!

So Monday I got some good news.  My territory doubled and my responsibility doubled.  But it was on the heels of my coworkers departure. ... so it was kind of sad but none the less a good opportunity for me.

I'm very excited to have sole responsibility of my territory - but it is a little scary too.  Now I am the only one to blame if things go wrong - but consequently - the only one to praise if things go right :)

So needless to say - things have been hectic since Monday.  The best way to keep up with me lately has been through twitter (@allie0622) - I'm kind of addicted.

A few things going on around the blog world:

CTER and Silly Girl Running have paired up to host the virtual Cupcake Marathon/Half Marathon March 14 - 26 You should go visit their sites and sign up!  The innagural race is sure to be loads of fun!  You don't have to run all the distance in one run, but you can!  Check out the details by clicking on the link above.

Detroit Runner Jeff is hosting the "I just felt like Running" virtual 5K.  I ran mine yesterday on the dreadmill at the gym in between work and family obligations.  My time: 30:31...I could have done better but it was a long day.

Tall Mom is hosting her March Challenge - 93 miles in March to honor her love of the number 3.

So here are three fun things you can do in March!  Happy Running!

Cry me a river.....

Thanks for all the support on my flip turn post yesterday.  I even flip turned at Masters today- IronDave was impressed....I think I smiled underwater!

I ran a 4 mile tempo run yesterday - Here was the plan:

Mile 1 - warm up
Mile 2 - begin to build pace slightly to 80% until 2.5; 2.5-3 gradually increase to 85%
Mile 3 - 3.5 - decrease to 75%
Mile 3.5 - 4 - very easy cooldown.

Here's how it ended up:

Mile 1 - 11:00min/mile - warm up
Mile 2 - 10:13/mile - pushing the pace a little (for me) but not terribly uncomfortable
Mile 3 - 9:40/mile - thought I was going to die
Mile 4 - 10:30/mile - gradually brought my heart rate down and then cried when I was done.

I'm a crier.

I cry when I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad, I cry when I'm mad, I cry when I finish a race and apparently I cry when I finish a tempo run.  Hey, it happens....what can I say - I'm a chick and I have emotions.  God help us when and if I ever have babies.  It could be a long nine  months.... with my infant size tear ducts and toddler size bladder Bill could be in for it.

Not that you care about my tear ducts or my bladder.

Speaking of bladders....

I finished The Long Run by Matt Long in a little under 2 days. The first day I read 14 something chapters.  You should go pick it up.  It is awesome. (or you can still enter to win it over at Running with Whit).  I'll save my review for when I win this giveaway... I'm determined to win at some point...... I just want to re-gift it to you!

I picked up my race packet for the 15K which I've become increasingly more nervous about over the last few days.  Yesterday the 4-miler went great but that pesky pain I had in my calf while I was training for the 1/2 has crept up again.  I need to look at my mileage on my shoes....may be time for a new pair...and practice that KT tape again - that sure helped during White Rock. 

Other than that I'm feeling great.  I swam 2000 yds at Master's today and have a 45 min. tempo ride tonight on the trainer.  I plan to catch up on the bachelor during the ride....don't judge me.

One of the three dogs has had diarrhea for the last week.  It's really starting to piss me off.  I don't think it's Lyla - pretty sure it's one of the others.  I need them to stop though b/c I'm getting tired of cleaning up shit all around the house.  Scratch that - Bill is tired of cleaning it up and I'm tired of following behind with 409 and whatever else I can get my hands on to sanitize said area. 

So ....

Dear Shakes and/or Deuce,

If you are reading this while Daddy and I are at work - PLEASE STOP SHITTING.... you are really starting to wear on me.  You are not very cute when you are pooping all over the new flooring in the downstairs.  Nor are you cute when you are farting up a storm - so much so that I had to hide behind my snuggie all last night while on the couch AND have two candles burning.  Your ass odor is foul - and I suggest you fix it - QUICK!

thanks and gig 'em,
your human mommy

If this doesn't get better by Friday - I'm calling the vet.  Do they have doggie diarrhea medicine?  If so, they are all three getting it!

Enough talk about bodily functions from me and my dogs.... hope you have a wonderful hump day!

Neti Pot......

That's not some Indian name for the wacky tobacc-y....

Have you ever used a neti pot?  A sinus wash?  Is this already a disgusting post?

I'm still sick as a d-o-g but am at work because I'm taking all of next week off on vacation and I'll be dammed if I do any work.  So I'm sitting here bathing in hand sanitizer as to make sure I don't spread my illness to everyone.  Good thing they put me in a corner..... almost at the 24 hour mark of the antibiotic so hopefully I'm not infecting anyone.... If I do, and you read this, I'm sorry.

My boss just called - I said "This is Allison" and he laughed..... he said he couldn't even understand me.  AWESOME.....

Anyways - have you ever used a neti pot?  I'm pretty sure they are the best thing ever.....

Over the last two days I've become seriously congested and it's moving into my chest which is never good.  Bill had a neti pot from the last time he was sick and told me I should use it.  I love him therefore it didn't bother me at all that I was inserting something into my nose that he had previously had in his.  No worries - I scrubbed it down before hand.....

Anyways - the neti pot looks like this....

You fill it with warm water and saline (ours came with saline packets - if you don't have that salt is just fine)

And then do this....

FYI - It's kind of disturbing how many pictures there are online of people using these things.......

It has the potential to be rather disgusting..... I hit that potential like no one's business. It was like a cascading waterfall of sinus gunk...... I pretty sure Bill was turned on...I kid, I kid.

Anyway - I did it twice on Sunday, once yesterday, and today in a steamy hot shower.  Nothing like a steamy shower to get the congestion out.

So I still feel like crap - hoping that it clears up by Friday - I hate missing workouts, I hate that I'm sick the week of Christmas, and I also hate that it is going to be 80 degrees here today.  December 21 and it's 80 degrees.......such is Texas.....

In other news:

Training/Races/Challenges:

Lesley and Sherry are hosting a new fun challenge in 2011 - RUN FOR THE BLING OF IT!

Go visit Sherry and read her post with the details... I've already signed up - Will you???????  I think I've said it before that I only do these athletic events for the shirts and medals anyway :)

If you don't follow Jeff, you should, - go visit him and watch the Ironman Videos from 2010... I watched them all last night laying in bed and I cried - the whole time.  Maybe I actually do have inkling of interest in a full Ironman one day......

Giveaway:

Don't forget to enter my key chain/Starbucks giveaway here

Random:

My friend Della is a sixth grade math teacher - she had her students work in groups to prepare a graph.  This particular group graphed the historical temperatures during June in Bryan, Texas.... notice anything funny?

Day 20: Nicknames

Are you sad I only have 10 days left of this challenge??????? What am I going to blog about when this is all said and done?  I'm sure I'll find something entertaining for you.....or at least what I think is entertaining.

Nicknames:

I've always been jealous of people with really cool nicknames....like my friend Newbie.  Although her mother (and sister-in-law) hate it I think it's neat we have a name just for her.  Seriously my kids will call her aunt newbie one day.  Nicknames I've been called (some less consistently than others)

Al: My whole family calls me Al....
Alllie: Some certain friends call me allie
Allie Wallie: Jess called me this
Allie-Tri: Bill calls me this on weeks before races

Pretty uneventful nicknames I suppose......  Do you have any nicknames?

I just spent the first part of my morning at a conference for work.  It was boring....who schedules these things the week of Thanksgiving....BUT.... we are leaving here early today for a team holiday outing. i.e. we are gong to happy hour.  Very thankful I got up early and ran this morning.

The conference today did have an amazing key note speaker.  Scott O'Grady who lives here in Dallas now spoke for about 30 minutes on his experience when he was shot down over Bosnia.  Who can check is WIKI page here....

It was an amazing speech and definetly gave me a new outlook going into Thanksgiving.  I really want to read his book......

He said the 3 things that kept him alive for 6 days while hiding out in Bosnia.... his faith in God, his relationships (family/friends), and his patriotism.   It reminded me of a quote Jessica wrote in her journal...

"My relationships with people are what prepare me for eternal life, and nothing else on earth will matter when I face God.  I will pray that my relationships, not just my close relationships, but all will always take priority over every other thing in my life.  Loving is the most important thing; not work, school or gain.  Character is my legacy."

What is your legacy?  What keeps you going every day?

Day Something Or Other....14 I think

First of all - I ran 4 miles yesterday at a sub 10 min. mile pace...boo-ya!  I think the mid 50 degree weather is my ideal temperature.  It also felt like it was mostly downhill but whatever...it counts.  Again, let me say BOO-YA! I was super stoked....after I ran I watched Bill pitch an amazing baseball game.  Seriously he is so cute in his baseball uniform....I should have taken a picture.  Next time......

This morning was Master's Swim - I got in 1800 yds.  Not showing off - not falling behind.  I'm supposed to stay within the 1800 - 2000 yds range....  I felt strong today.  Maybe it has something to do with my good run yesterday. 

I've decided I"m going to wait on the Garmin..... I know I know but my polar is working just fine and the bike shop price is outrageous.  Thank you Lesley, Amber and Crystal for your recommendations - I'll be sure to check out those places! (Plus it gives me a reason to go to Costco)

Day 14 of the Challenge - A picture I love......

I love this picture because this was the first time Bill saw me race.  It was a great race for me but more importantly I loved crossing the finish line and seeing his face.  He gave me a BIG SWEAT HUG AND KISS and I melted instantly.  I would race everyday to see that look on his face of pride and instantly knowing that he believed in me.  I could find more pictures that I "like" better (as far as how we look) but this picture takes the cake for me.  In 2009 when we were broken up and I had started triathlon I always wished he was there.... I had waited a long time for this moment..... I love him and although being apart was probably the best thing we could have done at the time - being back together now is so wonderful.  He is my best friend, my rock, my companion, my love....I love you honey :)  Thank you for always supporting me, always believing in me (even when I don't believe in myself), always kissing hugging and telling me you love me (sweaty and non-sweaty), you are the best and I couldn't do this without you!

October Recap

Seriously - does anyone else agree that time goes faster as you get older???  I feel like yesterday it was blistering hot in the middle of July and now it's NOVEMBER???? Anyways - that's beside the point...

I went out for my seven mile run yesterday and crashed.  I'm not sure what's been going on with me lately.  After the emotional break down in Austin, last week was just a tough training week for me.  The distances weren't tough but the mental aspect of it s.u.c.k.e.d.  I couldn't find my motivation anywhere... even HERE, where I wrote about keeping the motivation. 

It was just a tough week. Plain and simple.  Do you ever have those? How do you get around them and regroup for the next week.

I emailed Lea about it and she said it's normal - I took this morning to sleep in, get my rest and am planning on swimming tonight at the gym.  Bill has baseball practice from 6-8 the ranger game is on at 7 so I think I can fit in some laps pretty easily.  Hopefully I can get back on the wagon this week. 

October recap:

Swim - 7,050 yds (4.4 miles)

Bike - 120 miles (14mph average over all rides)

Run - 38 miles (10:50 pace average over all runs)

This is crazy - I've never worked out so hard in my life......  I've increased swimming distance by 50% over September, Bike 28% and run 71%.  (can we say focused on running?)

When I look compared to previous months I've logged on daily mile - this is such a huge accomplishment.  If you would have asked me two years ago, "Allison, do you think you could ever train for a half marathon and a 70.3 at the same time?" I would have said "HELL NO- and WHAT'S A 70.3???".

Maybe just looking at these number is what I need for a little pick me up. :)

My sweet sweet boyfriend surprised me with this on Friday: (A&M Cycling Jersey)

Isn't he precious?  I just love him... it was a little surprise gift b/c he was proud of the effort and dedication I'm putting into training.   I just love that boy.....

I also cut 4 1/2 inches off my hair Friday....

I took Friday off work and 1. got my hair done, 2. got a massage and 3. ran errands that I couldn't get done after work.  It was nice...sooo nice.

It was a nice 3 day weekend for me........ now I have to go catch up on all that work I left on Friday... toodles :)

7 mile Sunday

I have to run 7 miles today... I'm not looking forward to it - I'm not motivated(AT ALL), I'm tired and am super excited about the Ranger game tonight.

I know it's an hour and fifteen minutes out of my day, I will feel WAY better - and WAY accomplished when I'm done...but I have to get off this couch first....

Plus I ate WAY too much at the Ranger game last night.... pics and post to come later....just use your imagination: a 6 hour tailgate + a 3 hour baseball game = a lot of food

Inspiration Much?

There is a man in my neighborhood who, for the last six months, walks at least twice a day (I see him every morning and every afternoon).  Literally when I first noticed him, he probably weighed over 400 pounds.

He walks the same route, wears the same headphones, and always waves and smiles --- at everyone.  This morning I was thinking about him.... I've been down over the last couple of days because I have this terrible crick in my neck and I can't turn my head (much less swim or bike -- I have to get my six mile run in today), my bike chain popped off the other day and I haven't been able to fix it, which is so annoying.  Thank God for Lea who is fixing in at swim tomorrow, provided I am able to move my shoulder....

Anyway -

I've been kinda bummed out b/c I had to take a day off yesterday from working out,  my boss has been in a particularly bad mood, and the work environment has been rather stressful lately.... but then this morning... I was driving out of my neighborhood and saw him.  I don't know his name, don't know his story, but he inspires me.  I can walk with a crick in my neck...heck he's walking around on two legs supporting 300+ pounds... I can do SOMETHING...

I thought to myself... I wonder if he'd let me interview him for my blog?  So this afternoon if I see him (which I usually do) I think I'm going to stop and ask him if I can ask him a few questions.

What inspired him to start exercising?
What motivates him every day to continue?
etc, etc...

Do you have any questions you would like to know?  He's probably down 80+ pounds if I had to guess from looking; provided he says yes to my impromptu interview I'll ask him :)

Still to come: shoe post (I got new shoes and am in H.E.A.V.E.N), a few random about me posts, and hopefully a giveaway...stay tuned :)