Racing For A Reason

When I first started training for the half marathon with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society I didn’t have a personal connection to the mission.  However,  my Great Uncle (My Granny’s brother) just passed away from the disease.  He kept it a secret and no one knew he had Leukemia.  I can’t imagine keeping a secret like that… I like to talk too much, I think I might have kidney stones and I already told the whole World Wide Web! (don’t worry…I’m going to the doctor on Thursday to find out for sure)…. Anyway, I definitely knew him but I wasn’t super close to him because he lived in another state.  However, I still have to watch my Granny, my Mom and others grieve as a result of the disease.  So now when I raise funds and complete my race in April, I will be doing so in honor of my Uncle and all the others who have to fight blood cancers.

What Did Carli Eat Today?  (It’s been TOO long since I’ve posted one of these)

B- Oatmeal and lo fat yogurt

L- Salad with chicken on top and honey mustard dressing

S- Granola Bar

D- Open Face Tuna Melt I made at home.  It was delicioius!  ( I put a little chesse and lo fat ranch dressing instead of Mayo)

S- Salty Sweet Trail Mix…the whole 99 cent bag, I just kept eating it…*sigh* at least the rest of the day was alright

*Have you Checked out Groupon yet?  I’m always excited to see what the deal of the day is!  I got $25 off my new running shoes with a Groupon.

Thanksgiving Weekend!

Hey Y’all! I hope you had a good Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.  I was able to sit back and look at all of the things I’m thankful for.  I’m thankful for my sometimes stressful job, because at this time last year I didn’t even have permanent job or health benefits.  I am grateful, even though I had to work late on Wednesday because my boss gave me an assignment and told me to have it done on Wednesday or I would “finish it while eating turkey tomorrow.” I’m especially grateful for my miracle baby niece who amazed me when she came bursting into the world at 1.7 pounds and still makes me smile with cute little Thanksgiving Day morning E.T.-like pictures like this.

I’m thankful for my family and for the delicious meal we ate together on Thursday.  We had Turkey, dressing, corn, sweet potatoes, greens, ham, macaroni and cheese, rolls, lemon and strawberry cakes, sweet potato pies and peach cobbler.  I do believe there were some chittlins, but I didn’t get near those.  Yuck!…

I’m thankful for all of my shop-aholic cousins and my Big Little sister who, helped me scope out the Black Friday ads on Thursday night. 

I’m thankful even though the first Wal-Mart I went to sold out before I got there, that a different location still had my 32 inch Flat Screen TV on sale for $198!!!

I still laugh everytime I watch Knocked Up!

I’m thankful for my little sister and my dog Nyah who braved the cold weather (it SNOWED) and walked with me in the park on Friday afternoon. 

I’m thankful that my girlfriend and I had awesome seats at the OMG Usher and Trey Songz concert tour. And I’m even more thankful that they both took their shirts off on stage.  LOL!

Usher's Floating Stage above the crowd!

I’m thankful that I have workout out buddies to help me stay on track.  I’m thankful that I worked out twice today! The training schedule said I should complete 4 miles today, so I walked 2 miles in Forest Park with my buddy Tee from Team in Training.  This afternoon I was supposed to work out with a new work-out buddy, but she was a no-call no-show.  So, I just went to the gym by myself and finished up the last 2 miles on the treadmill while reading a new book.  It’s Marianne Williamson’s book that was recently featured on Oprah’s favorite things episode.  I ordered it on Amazon.com.  I’ll do a video book review like I did for “Skinny B!tch” when I finish it. 

Last but not least, I’m thankful for YOU my “Fans” who read my blog and continue to support me on my personal journey from Fat to Fit to Fierce. Love Ya!

Green Eggs & Ham

Today was probably the last warm day of the year.  Even though it was dark and threatening to rain, I really wanted to train in the park tonight after work.  I took the ferocious beast also known as my fur baby Nyah to protect me.  And, I put on a neon green reflector work vest that my friend accidently left at my house months ago.  I called my Mom and my sisters who all thought I was crazy to walk in the park at night.  My Big Little Sister called dibs on my cute clothes just in case I got “chopped up by a killer” and my other Little Sister begged me not to risk my life so close to the holidays.

It was so nice outside, until my Little Sis called to tell me “Noah’s Ark” rain was coming my way.  Nyah and I picked up the pace.  At first it was just a sprinkle.  And believe it or not, I liked it!  I’ve said over and over how much I hate rain. But, ironically,  it was like the bestselling children’s book Green Eggs and Ham .  After I tried it, I really liked it.  The cool drops felt refreshing against my hot sweaty face. That was until a loud crack of thunder stopped me and Nyah dead in our tracks.  We both looked up and then it POURED down rain.  We were soaked. I ran to all the way to the car, and when I sat down in my soggy pants, I had flash backs of my bathroom disaster.  Ugh, it was horrible.  Then the windshield wiper broke on my car broke due the the tumultuous rain. It was just a mushy mess…. So I decided to write this little poem…

I would not, could not, in the rain…
I do not like rain here or there
I do not like rain anywhere
I do not like rain in the park
I do not like rain in the dark
Not in the dark. Not on a train.
Not in my car, Not in a tree.
I do not like rain, Sam, you see!*

*Okay, so Dr. Seuss wrote it, but it seemed appropriate.  LOL!

I’m Not a College Kid Anymore

I really wish I could blog every day, but I just don’t have the time.  So I guess sometimes I will have to combine two days of training updates in post since I’m working out 5 or 6 days a week.  Yesterday, I met my new workout buddy Tee at the History Museum in Forest Park.  She asked if we were walking and talking or just listening to the iPods.  I told her that me and my little sister usually do both.  She liked the idea, so we had one ear bud in and the other out so that we could hear each other.  We had a really good time, our personalities blend well, and we chatted the whole time about all kinds of stuff.  We power walked and talked for 2 miles.

 I bought a Groupon for Big River Running Company because wanted to go get some new running shoes.  Tee wanted to go check out the store too, so we trailed each other to the store on the south side.  They checked out my old shoes  to see the wear patterns picked a better Brooks running shoe that would be best for my flat feet.  They felt so good, it was a much better fit than my old ones.  They felt nice and bouncy.  Before I checked out I saw a product called “Yankz” that keeps your shoes tied so you don’t have to tie them every time you put them on.  I bought it, not because I’m too lazy to tie my shoes, but it’s so annoying to have to stop and tie my shoe when I’m working out.  I saw some negative reviews online that it’s overly complicated to assemble.  I totally agree.  I asked the guy at the store to put it on my new shoes for me, and it still was a little tricky for him.   But, once it’s done, it’s done….

Last night my Big Little Sister continued her 25th birthday celebration with a house party.  She had the cutest cake with a Quarter on it! We had a ton of fun!  We played taboo and spades and cracked jokes until the wee hours of the morning.  I staggered in the house at 2:53 AM.  I set my alarm clock and the alarm on my cell phone before picking out some clothes for my 7AM group training session.  I should be okay right? I’m still young right? I only gave myself 15 minutes to throw on some clothes and get to the park.  I was so glad training was in Forest Park this time, because I definitely wouldn’t get lost.  The team met at the visitor’s center, but I don’t think I had ever been inside.  I signed in and we had an injury prevention clinic.  The guy talked about taking ice baths to relieve inflammation and lots of other good stuff that honestly I was too asleep to process or remember.  However, I was awake enough to hear that there would be massage tables when we came back from our walk. 

Y’all know I have issues with being last, so I was determined to keep up with Coach Tina.  I did keep up for a while, but then I couldn’t keep up with the brisk pace, so for most of the walk I was in the middle of the group.  It was pretty much the same path that I usually take when I go to the park, so I knew every curve and what to expect along the path.  About half way through, we stopped and she taught us some important stretches.  It was a nice chance to catch my breath and meet some of the other walkers.  I was so excited to see so many juicy ladies like me.  In my mind everyone was going to be thin and overly energetic, while leaving me behind.  But our team has all shapes and sizes striving for the same goal, it was beautiful! When I got back, I talked to the injury guy about my aches and pains.  I told him about that knee and my ankle that you guys always hear me complain about.  I expected the same ol same ol advice, lose some weight and take a pain reliever.  But instead he sat me down and narrowed down the specific points of my pain.  I was a little embarrassed that he had to touch me, because I did NOT take a shower this morning, AND I just finished walking 3 sweaty miles.  I was smelling like onions.  I apologized for my odor and he told me he works with athletes all the time after training and it was no big deal.  I got on the table and he started massaging my knee and my ankles and all the muscles in between… it was wonderful!  “What ARE you???!!” I asked him, because the only thing that came to my mind was Magician.  “A doctor” he replied.   I said “What KIND of doctor?” He told me he was a chiropractor that specialized in sports injuries.  When I stood up there was NO pain. I couldn’t believe it.  I felt like I should’ve tipped him or something.  He gave me his card and told me that I don’t have any major problems, just tendonitis.  His free sample treatment was better than the free sample they give you at Charley’s Steakery that makes you want to buy the whole sub.  I will definitely be going for a follow up visit…..Well, today I learned that I ‘m certainly not a college student anymore, and I require more than 3.5 hours of sleep to function.  So with that said, I’m throwing in a load of laundry and taking a nap!

Friday Night Training

Yesterday was my Big Little Sister’s 25^th Birthday!  She wanted to go to dinner at Lambert’s Café Restaurant in Sikeston, Mo.   Lamberts is about 150 miles from St. Louis.  It was Thursday, so she waited for me to get off work and we took a mini road trip with two of her friends.  The food there is so good! It’s known as the home of the “Throwed Rolls.”  They literally throw giant hot dinner rolls and you catch them.  Then they walk around with Sorghum Molasses for the rolls, and huge bowls of sides dishes they call “pass arounds.” My favorite is the fried potatoes and onions.  I wish I could tell y’all that I ordered a salad and drank water, but I ordered the fried chicken and drank sweet tea. 

Yesterday was supposed to be a “cross-training” day.  Coach Tina might regret that she told me it was okay to rest on cross-training days!  Well… I guess technically she said “rest”, not drive for 2 hours and eat southern style deliciousness.  LOL!  Anyway, we made it back in town a little before midnight.  Today was a very long day at work.  But, when I got home I didn’t even sit down, I just started changing into my workout clothes so that I wouldn’t lose motivation.  My little sister called and said she wanted to join me at the gym.  I thought I was supposed to complete 2 miles today, and I didn’t feel like counting almost 40 laps around the track, so I got on the treadmill. You know I rarely train on the treadmill, and I spent 5 minutes trying to figure out to turn it on and set it to 2 miles.  I felt silly, but  I finally I asked one of the gym staff members to help me.  He gave me a weird look and told me you can only set the time, and you just monitor the distance.  Who knew?  However, I was able to set the speed to a 16 -minute mile pace.  I did pretty good and got in a little sweat.  My sister and I were chatting as usual until a very sexy caramel flavored young man walked past our machines towards the free weights.  By the time we wiped the slobber, we forgot what we were talking about.  The gym has all kinds of eye candy….Anyway, when I got home, I was so proud of my Friday night training session that went straight to the kitchen  to mark off another successful day off the training calendar.  And then I saw it…today was supposed to be a one mile.  Just ONE.  I’m so lazy, I wanted to undo that extra mile.  I mean not really, but I was like dang, I could’ve saved it or something I don’t know….But now that I actually type it out I see that that extra mile was probably a good thing especially after “cross-training” with fried chicken and potatoes.  Tomorrow morning I’m supposed to meet my new workout buddy Tee in the at the park.  Then we have another team training on Sunday.  That’s about it…me and my sister are watching Dead Like Me on Netflix on the Wii.  I’m so tired I’ll probably be sleep before the episode is over!