the joyery...

Well I didn't get around to posting the pictures as promised. Our evenings have exploded with busy-ness lately. With Ed working until 8p every night, I've been trying to get caught up and get things taken care of and planned for our super busy summer and fall. I'm a notorious planner and organizer, to a fault... an annoying fault to Ed I'm sure.

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone for commenting such encouraging things to me. Sometimes this blog frustrates me for many reasons, but since the marathon, it has been a total source of encouragement, serving to uplift me each and every day. Thanks Interwebs, you have no idea how much your encouragement has lifted my spirits the past few days.

I'm still working on photos (i am a photoshopper so i go through all my photos before posting, nothing but the best for you guys) and just wanted to say hang on, they are coming and will be well worth it! Promise.

I am also excited to announce that Ed is doing the Bike Across Kansas (BAK) in one short month. The event starts at the Colorado border and ends in Kansas City, and lasts for eight days. I am so excited for him and eager for him to get to achieve one of his big goals this year as well. I'm putting all my measly little races on the back burner and trying to help Ed focus on healthy eating and encouraging him during his cycle training right now.

I'm even going to try and get out there and ride with him a few times during his training, but with my little hybrid Schwinn I won't be able to keep up for long. I am just happy I get to return the favor to him of being supportive during training for a huge event. I'll be posting on this more, even though Ed has a blog, he isn't big at tooting his own horn or writing about some of his physical pursuits... instead I get to do it for him!

Run to the Finish suggested I might also have a case of the post-marathon blues. She is probably right. But I've been much better the past two days and think I've come out on top after being in the dumps. I'm taking her cue and am going to post what I am thankful for (thanks for the idea Run to Finish!)

Fair Weather Runner's Joyery:

• I am thankful for such an amazing support system on this blog
• I am thankful and stunned that my 'followers' have all of the sudden taken a jump in the past few days, WELCOME, I'm so honored you are interested in my little life!!
• I am thankful for a patient, loving, understanding and amazing husband, I could devote an entire post to how awesome Ed is, maybe I will
• I am thankful that my PT told me this morning I can start running again next week
• I am thankful for the opportunity to cheer on and support all my girlfriends at the RiverRun 10K tomorrow
• I am thankful for my job and that WSU has asked me to continue teaching this summer and fall
• I am thankful for all of my amazing friends, especially Kristen the Running Lawyer and my cousin Rachel who have been super supportive listeners during my post-marathon blues stint
• I am thankful for the chance to run a half marathon on trails in June
• I am thankful for my health, and instead of worrying about impending health issues, I'm choosing to focus on the perfect health I currently have, life is too short
• I am thankful for being 30 and this amazing year I have had so far, and all the exciting things still to come.

Like I said I aim for honesty on my blog, and like many commented, sometimes you just have to get it out there. It clearly helped because the next day after posting the poopery, my mood has improved. So thank you. I promise this weekend it will be picture-palooza! And I'm working on a new masthead! Fun to come.

Last but not least, good luck to all the racers this weekend. My friend Indika is coming from Kansas City today to run her FIRST EVER 10K tomorrow at the River Run along with Kristen the Running Lawyer and many of my blahg-free running buddies. I know Oz Runner is doing the 10K tomorrow as well, after having a root canal yesterday, that is tough on a stick my friends! GOOD LUCK everyone!!

the poopery...

I'm in a funk Interwebs. I know, it's either feast or famine on my blog, it's like I'm bi-polar, all leaping and screaming for joy one post, or bummed about something on another. And no, I'm not bi-polar... maybe I'm just a normal human being. With a wide range of human emotions.... hmmmm.

It's been a rough few weeks, at work and physically. I haven't mentioned it yet thanks to all the marathon hoopla, but my company went through another round of major layoffs, I lost a key person to me here at work, which has resulted in some stress. It has been harder on me than I expected, I miss her, my job is harder without her. I start to tear up knowing she isn't coming back. I guess you realize how much seeing someone every day at works means to you when they aren't there any longer. I've handled all the other layoffs like a champ, it was fine, but this one... this one has been rough. In addition, some people have been leaving here on their own, like my buddy Jerf the IT guy, he has been deployed to the Iraq.

This place gets lonelier every week... It's hard Interwebs... it's really hard. But I still have my job, and I am so thankful for that.

Anyway, I'm bummed because I've decided to heed wise advice and not run my all time favorite 10K on Saturday, the River Run. The more I think about it, the more sad I've become. But I've been through this before, the not being able to run a race bum-out and it will be fine. I'm still going (now I'm also going to be at the race to work for one of our stations sponsoring the event since there are no longer enough people left in the building to do certain jobs, so the rest of us are picking up the slack, it's the nature of the game) and cheering on all my friends and Ed who will be doing the race. I've been deemed the official race paparazzi, let the stalking begin. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to return the favor of everyone who cheered me on, now it's my turn. I think it will actually be really fun.

In other poopery news, I attempted to run for the first time since 'm' day last night. That was ugly on a stick. One and a half miles, never broke a 10:30... awesome. Although I did go to spin the night before, which kicked my butt. Plus it was raining on my run, and I took Milo and he wanted to pee on every living thing in sight. I love running in the rain, but when I got home from my pathetic attempt, Ed called and forgot he didn't have a car. So dripping wet and cold I had to drive to his office to pick him up.

Then we rushed to get ready to go to a Cinco de Mayo Birthday celebration for my friend Liz... which was quite entertaining (being the sober one is always MUCH more entertaining!), and oh there will be pictures with sombrero butting to come! But for now, just a random photo, I have to leave you with something. I was so cold though, that I decided it was a good idea to wear a turtleneck sweater, I am lame. And old. And tired.

*sabrina texting in the background, clearly she didn't want to be associated with us*

More poopery you ask? I went to my Dr. again this morning to address yet again my non-stop ear issue. It's like white noise... and please for the sake of my literal hypochondria problem, refrain from commenting on the ear issue. It's not healthy for me. Just know I'm starting yet another round of medication and if that doesn't do the trick, off to the specialist. I get nervous about these things... as most hypos do. And yes, it is a literal problem, not the casual ohhh I have swine flu joking i'm a hypochondriac thing... nope I am a real one.

Like in the way that my doctor knows, suggested some help for me, and is very understanding about it. This problem often leaves me in tears of frustration, it isn't a fun issue to have. Anyway, I just choose not to elaborate on it on my blog because it is an obnoxious and annoying personal problem. Much like feminine itch. BLECH. But I aim for pure honesty on my blog, and this is something I've been dealing with hardcore for the past two weeks.

Verbal diarrhea complete. Poopery indeed. I just needed to vent, these things usually go in my personal journal... so welcome to the mind of ME! You just got a sneak peek! LUCKY. Thanks for listening. I'm ready to go home, watch some AI on TiVo, eat an entire package of Milano's and hope tomorrow is a little easier.

I have more pictures and some happiness for you tomorrow no matter what.

the finish line...

I received a few more photos of post-race. I'll keep adding more this week, sorry peeps, all you get this week are marathon weekend pictures. I'm getting the full CD of photos from my mom on Sunday. Maybe next week I'll offer more fodder, in addition to more pictures, for now, you get to revel in the glory that are pictures of me. You are welcome Interwebs.

I do have to say, being removed from it all for a week now, I'm pretty proud of myself considering all the conditions I had facing me. It was an amazing experience, maybe I'll pontificate (i heard that word 18,000 times in a meeting this morning and had to pilfer for my own pure amusement) on all of that later this week.

For now, post-race photo delight:

*proof i really did leap across the finish line, i was actually worried the timing mat wouldn't catch me, and yes, those are both my feet up off the ground*

*the announcer starting to go crazy with me, i'm still being uber-running-dork here*

*i don't know who took this picture of my mom hugging me, but it sums up how i felt right after finishing to perfection. please note my sister kris in the background, it looks like she is plotting my death*

*like i mentioned we had no choice but to bring milo with us to OKC at the last minute. and yes i kiss and snuggle my dog, give me a break here interwebs, i've been married six years, am 30 and have no small humans of my own. so please say hello to milo miles, my substitute human, you have to admit he is pretty freaking adorable*

*liz and i post race, she ran her first half, managed to go back to her hotel, clean up, check out and still come and meet me at the finish line. i heart her, she is an amazing friend. oh and you can tell how windy it was, look at my blanket flying in the wind! and there were about 15 cameras on us at this moment, we clearly didn't plan which one to look at. nice.*


*my sister kris, who did the relay with some friends, and i after the race, some of her first words were, "i want to run a marathon now, i want a silver blanket." so i shared. can you tell we share DNA, we even opposite matched and not on purpose*

I'll try and post more photos of the actual pre-race weekend fun tomorrow! Stay tuned.

best part of my day...

Seeing that my uber-healthy after lunch snack of sour skittles is an "excellent source of vitamin c." I am chomping guilt free, and don't you worry, I got the BIG bag.

Still waiting on marathon pictures, but I'll probably start posting pictures from the entire OKC weekend tomorrow anyway. You are on the edge of your seat... don't lie.

There also may be a possibility that this day will rock because this evening I am:
A) Starting my seedlings for an enormous summer garden
2) Putting the finishing touches on the Munich and London legs of our upcoming fall vacation
C) I am no longer in marathon training.... hello dirty martini and vats-o-cheese, I've missed you
4) I am going to my favorite killer spin class for the first time in two months, finally.... seriously happy this marathon thing is over (oh but don't you worry, it only took four days for me to decide when and where my next one is, yep kids, i decided to do another one, this first shot was just too brutal)