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My first 10 k run....

Finished my 10k...55 min 23 sec. Ticked off though. The timing chip for some people was all messed up and they didn't get my time documented in the computer system. Guess the timing company they hired had a computer mess up with the timing chips. I am steaming mad! I finished 1st in my age division...they totally skipped women over 25 to 49 and went right to 50 and over. They are supposed to be fixing it and posting results but I am so disappointed. I p r'd and people slower than me got a medal. Heck, the geriatric runners/walkers, that walked the 5 k portion in over an one hour got a medal. I was so dissapointed and after running my personal best, waiting around for over an hour to get my just recognition....I leave with nothing. I came out to the car crying, because the dissapointment I felt was tremendous. Hubby was ticked too and went back into the building and gave them what for over it..guess my metal is supposed to come in the "mail"...when they get the snafu fixed. It was a messed up race! I don't blame the church, or the people at the church. It was totally the timing company's fault. The overall race was very organized. But, I am sure some people think it is no big deal, especially those that did not run...but for a runner like me, that puts her heart and soul into every run, to have your first 10 k, with a personal record, botched so bad..well, there just are no words to describe how unhappy I am. Even though I know I achieved my personal best and should be very proud, having this snafu happen kind of took the happiness away. Either way, it is what it is. I won't be running this race again.
Have any of you ever ran a chip-timed race and have this happen?
I would like to know. Go figure, any time something happens like that, it usually happens to me.
Anyway, here are my splits;
Mile 1-Mile 3, 27 minutes.
Mile 4-8 minutes
Mile 5 9 minutes
Mile 6 9 min 30 sec
.2 miles-2 min 23 sec.
At least I feel that is about where it was. Hubby stayed with me, following me throughout the course, kept me informed of my time. So, although those splits are "estimated"..they are pretty darn close.

Hope you have a good weekend!

Happy Friday and my first 10 K run

Well, finally...it is Friday. I am so glad. It has been a tough, busy week. I am looking forward to the end of the day and spending the evening with my wonderful husband. The kids are gone for the weekend. It is their Fall break from school and Aaron's dad wanted him, it's his Halloween, and Aaron wants to go trick-or-treating with his cousins. Max went to Grandma's house for 4 day break as well. She took him trick-or-treating last weekend at the neighbors, so not sure if she is going to take him again this weekend. For his sake I hope so. I am going to miss taking part in that with them this year. I hope they take pictures for me. Anyway, it will be nice to relax with the husband.

Tomorrow morning, I am running my first ever 10k run...I have run that distance many times on my own runs, so it's not the distance I am concerned with. But...the shin splint I have on my right leg. I ran 4.8 miles yesterday and the last couple of miles, it just about killed me. I have been taking ibuprofen...I have new shoes, that seem to be working out really well...so, hopefully I can complete the race tomorrow.
I am not looking forward to the chilly morning either. I hate the cold! I hate running in the cold! I am not that hardcore of a runner. Love running outside, but not in weather that is excessively hot or cold. Oh, well..I didn't think about the temp when I signed up for this race, so I am just going to have to grin and bear it.
Hubby is going to "station" himself about every mile for me, with extra water, motivation, picture taking what have you...lol. At mile 3 I plan on taking a gu gel or something, hopefully that will help my muscle recovery a little bit.
I am not shooting for a record breaking time. The last 10k I run on the treadmill, I ran it in 58 min 25 seconds...that was without an aggravated shin splint. So, I am just hoping to complete this real 10k in around 1 hr 5 minutes. Just in case I have to stop and walk.

Wish me luck! Hope all of you have a safe and fun Halloween weekend!

Stress....Level....High.....

Well...I have one specific person in mind I would like to choke...but, that person is not worth the effort..plus, I would lose my job. Probably go to jail...and I don't want that.

Anyway, reason fro being M.I.A. lately? Life...work, family, etc....I am seriously working my little fanny off lately. It is my busiest time, add in a manager that can't do a thing without me holding his hand and my stress level is seriously through the roof. I have not worked out in 4 damn days.....the hubby and I went away for the weekend, and were seriously on the go the entire weekend. Not a chance to squeeze in any activity...can't really run because all of last week, I ran in broken down running shoes, that seriously needed replaced, therefore I aggravated the hell out of my right leg...serious shin splints. So, I took 4 days off from running...and work has got me so worn out, that the past 2 days, the gym is the last place I want to be.

Which sucks...because I have a 10 k to run this upcoming Saturday morning....I am kind of worried as to how I will do. So, I have new shoes, and I plan to take them for their first spin on the treadmill tonight. I am shooting for a 4 miler tonight, 5 miler tomorrow, rest on Friday then my 6.2 mile 10k on Saturday.

Wish me luck! In everything!

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Goal Reached...should I aim higher?

At the start of this year...I set a pretty lofty goal for myself...to run 700 miles in a year. Well, as of this past Sunday...I met and exceeded that goal.

I have ran a total of 701.8 miles and I am only midway though October with 2 months left in this year.

So, I am changing my goal...although it is harder to get runs in during the winter, I am shooting for 850 miles. It may be a little far fetched, but I think I can do it.
If I can get a 12 miler in once in October, November and December, then I know I can, if not reaching 900 miles. How awesome would that be?

Wish me luck!

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Karma...I am a strong believer....

I have always lived my life, with the philosophy, "What goes around, comes around"....what you give out will come back to you ten-fold. I have been through a lot in my life...I have had my fair share of injustice, many "woe-is-me" moments....I have been through 2 divorces and truly experienced hell on earth. My first marriage, was to a man much, much older than me...I married young, at 19..had babies right away, and lost my true identity, as pretty much everything revolved around this man...his job, his sports, his friends...I was 700 miles away from home, no family, no friends...then one day, I got a job, made friends and discovered, just like Reba in her video "is there life out there", that yes ,indeed there was life out there...and I realized I had fallen out of love with my husband, and I couldn't be in a one sided marriage any longer...so, I asked for divorce, and after a fight for my life for my kids (he put me through a year long custody battle), I came out victorious with custody of my two boys.

Then, I fell into the trap of feeling like I needed another man in my life...and through mutual friends, met husband number two. Husband number two turned out to be a wolf in sheep clothing...went from working a high paying job, to jobless, with a drug addiction and a penchant for taking out all of his frustrations on me..with his fists...and on my boys...I ended up pregnant with my third child and saw no way out...He didn't work for two years, I was the soul provider, did all the household chores, raising the children, everything...all the while daily taking his verbal, mental and physical abuse...eventually, after 5 years of enduring his abuse, which led to his subsequent arrest...I finally saw the light and got out! Thank God I did....that divorce was brutal too...I lost my house, lost my car and just about took my life....Thank God for my children, as they were what kept me going.

While going through that divorce, I met the love of my life..my knight in shining armour..my current husband...of 8 wonderful years....he literally saved me...he found me, I believe through Karma...and literally lifted me up, saved me from my despair and showed me what true love really is.

He too made a lot of bad choices in his life...settling for a woman older than him, not happy...we both believe that we had to go through all the hardships we went through in order for the stars to align and lead us to one another....

I have never been happier...sure, we have our fair share of arguments as any couple will...but at the end of the day, we always settle and work things out. I love him more than any mere words can say. The only unhappiness we ever have in our lives are financial...

Due to divorce, on both of our sides...we have spent many years trying to financially get on our feet. I get no child support from ex number 2, but my husband takes care of his step-son, and our son together...treating them both equally and with love. He is a hard worker and a good provider...we do without a lot..heck, I have no stove and haven't had one for almost this entire year....but, we make it work...slowly paying our bills down, so that we can get a stove, but pay cash for it. We do not use credit....it has killed us in the past...so, we struggle...

A few weeks ago, I got a phone call from Ex-husband number 1, just retired from a high paying job with the government...unbeknownst to me...as his wife of 8 years, thanks to a crafty divorce attorney, I was entitled to a percentage of his retirement....he called me to let me know this. We are on good terms, friends and have a good "divorced" relationship...He said I should be expecting to get a check for quite a large sum of money...he wasn't very happy about it...and you know what, I didn't hesitate at all, not once to tell him, that money is not mine...that it wasn't right and would not be right for me to take it. He was very grateful. I felt our friendship, the relationship we have with each other and our kids was way to valuable to tarnish over money...so, we went to an attorney, and had it changed. 2 checks were already on their way to me. So, I agreed to sign them over and give them back to him.
All the while knowing how much that money would help my immediate family. Wednesday, I got the first huge check. Holding it in my hand, I couldn't help but think...man, this is a new stove, plenty of food to fill my cupboards, clothes for my kids, Christmas, etc...so, I put it in the bank, then turned around and wrote a check to the husband for the exact amount, of which I will give him tomorrow when I pick up our son...

Now, back to the Karma thing....as I said, we could have used that money so much...and by law, I was entitled to it...but, because I did the right thing, what my heart told me I should do...Karma paid me back.

Our local radio station has been hosting a contest...called "Show me the money"...anytime you hear that phrase, you call in, be caller number 9, you have your name entered for a chance to win $500...I have been trying for weeks..and last night, on my way home from the gym, I started calling...after 4 busy signals, I just about gave up, but thought...nope, one more time...I am calling once more..and I be darned, if I wasn't caller number 9...as the D.J. was congratulating me, telling me my name had been entered for the drawing to be held on Friday morning(this morning) and I had won a gift certificate just for being the correct caller, for a massage, then he told me to hold on, so he could get my information...as I was holding, my cell phone went dead...I was freaking out...I was a mile from home, so I zoomed home, ran in the house, grabbed the phone and called the station back. The D.J. laughed, when I told him my cell phone had died, assured me it was good, took my info, told me to be listening Friday morning for the name of the winner in the drawing.

Hubby joked with me when I told him, told me there was no chance I would win...I told him he was wrong...I just had this feeling. This morning, I brought a radio to work, had it right by my desk..at 8 45 a.m...the D.J started the drawing, and lo and behold, he called my name! I sat there for a second in shocked silence...then realized I had only seconds to call back...I was shaking....I couldn't believe that I had just won $500...it took forever for the D.J. to answer the phone...but, he confimed my idenity and the $500 is mine. $500 is no where near the amount of the check I gave back to the ex..but, beggars can't be choosers..that was the amount that I was intended to have...and I am oh so grateful. It will really help with our bills and maybe an extra little treat for the two little ones..

So, see..back to karma...what goes around comes around...do the right thing and eventually, you will reap your just rewards...weather they be a monetary financial windfall or finally meeting that soul mate that you are entitled to...

Have a good weekend everyone!

Tap...Tap...Tap...Is this thing on????

Hello (echo, echo, echo), Hello (echo, echo, echo)...lol.

Excuse me while I knock some of these cob webs down....


Wow...another week gone by? At this rate, I am going to wake up and find out I am 95 years old or something...geez....


I am so busy, time seems to be getting away from me....I am still reading all of my favorite blogs, just not a lot to write about regarding my life...all of you other bloggers out there put me to shame...so interesting, so insightful...love you all!!

For those few of you that are still in the audience...I will fill you in on my past week or so.

Monday-Friday-work from 8 till 5......busy time of the year, so that is a good thing...the days go by pretty fast.

Evenings after work-hi, ho...hi, ho...it's off to the gym I go....My weight lifting has been down, but my running has went up...I am averaging a little over 20 miles a week....should close in to that 700 plus miles for the year...no doubt in my mind. That feeling of accomplishment is awesome.

Last weekend, the kiddos were gone and the hubby and I had a friend visit...he drove in from out of town, so we hung out and went to a red neck bar on Friday night, which was awesome....always fun to people watch at those type of establishments....especially the drunker people get...lol..plus, live band and they weren't too bad..but, for the life of me...don't really remember there name...oh, well.
Saturday, we picked our friend up for lunch and afterwards we went back to his hotel to swim, sit out on the patio and drink some wine...(for me), beer for the men...well, for our friend..as hubby doesn't really drink...we weren't supposed to have drinks or food out near the pool, but no one else was around, so our buddy snuck some stuff down from his room..the temps outside were awesome, so we lounged around for awhile, drinking and telling funny "life" stories....then we left to go home for awhile, as we had more plans for later that evening. We rested for awhile, then dressed and drove back into town to pick up our friend and then headed to Indianapolis to go to a club there. The club we went to is a mixed crowd of people..from straight to gay, and I must say it is the most fun club around...very techno, cooly decorated and the dance floor was hopping...we had such an awesome time...sad to see the night end...but, at around 3 a.m. Sunday morning, I was finally home and in bed...even though I was dead tired the next day, I still managed to get a 4 mile run in..probably the last hot day we are going to have for the year.
Then I spent my afternoon, having a nice leisurely lunch with hubby at Applebee's and then came home and spent 4 hours cleaning house, while the hubby did the 2 hour turn around drive to pick up the kiddos.

Now, here we are..almost at the end of this week....tomorrow is Friday and I have no major plans for this weekend. I was sick Monday evening and called of work on Tuesday, so I didn't work out either day...ran 4.6 miles last night and I plan on some gym time tonight...another 4 miler...and some leg and ab work. Got to get some strength training in on my legs..because...I have signed up for a 10k run on October 30th....I am super excited, but very scared....I have been having a lot of trouble on my runs lately....feeling tired/sluggish, ankles weak, shins hurt, knees hurt, hips hurt, butt hurts...not sure what is going on...but running 5 miles or more is becoming extremely hard..maybe it's because I'm 40 now, you think? Anyway...I have to get my butt in gear...I would love to work on my speed over the next couple of weeks, try to finish this 10k in around 1 hr 5 minutes...at worst...1 hr 15 minutes...(that would be with some walking)....and I don't want to walk..at all...although, there is nothing wrong with that if you need to.

I have to pick up the 16 year old this weekend...not sure if any of you remember from previous posts, but a little over a month ago, he got a concussion while playing football (he plays center and defensive tackle), so it was pretty serious..he is recovering ok, but no football for the rest of the season..even though he isn't playing, he still has to go to practice and to the games..so, looks like I may not be picking him up until Saturday morning, which throws off my entire weekend...I would rather get him tomorrow night, freeing up my Saturday to not have to do the 2 hour drive....but, that is probably what I will have to do.
I also want to get in a 6 mile run Saturday and a weights sesh as the gym...the little kids want to go to Exploration Acres (see link):

http://www.explorationacres.com/

They have corn mazes, hay rides, pumpkin picking, a corn shooting cannon, all kinds of good fall fun, so we may do that Saturday evening...if we do, I will be sure to take pictures...

Have a great rest of the week everyone and a terrific weekend! Go out and celebrate fall...it is finally here!

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Busy and Bored...Lost my mojo?

Sorry for no posts in the past week. I have been extremely busy here at work..and I am bored with blogging...it has kind of taken a back seat for me...I just don't have it in me most days to come up with a post worthy of putting out there...I don't have many readers any way..so, what difference does it make, at least that is how I feel. I have no worthy occurrences going on in my day to day life that warrant putting a post up...


Without a doubt....I have lost my mojo...anybody care to help me find out? Seriously...I remember when I started this blog...I wouldn't let a day go by without a post...but, I found fitness...I started living healthier and by the time I work all day, which has been extremely busy, and then work out in the evening, get home and take care of my family and household responsibilities...well, I am kapoot...no computer time for me. That is the last thing I want or have time to do.

I know bloggers go through spurts...we all do it, I have read it on other blogs as well...so, I hope my mojo will return...in the meantime...check out all the wonderful bloggers on my blogroll...maybe they will not be as disappointing as me.

Catch ya later!