Tuesday, May 19, 2009

New Chapter

I am soooo excited I started my internship today!!! I will be working part-time at STG Design. There really aren't words that can explain my excitement!! The office is cool and is hidden in the woods so there are plenty of great views. We even have a shower in case someone is running trails before work...oh, this knowledge made me smile.

I think the hardest thing for me to get used to is my computer has 2 gi-normous monitors and I spend half my time trying to open a program and think it hasn't opened only to look to my right and see the so called non-opening file big as Texas staring at me...keep looking to the right. It's gonna take some getting used to.

Oh, this place is so organized it's kinda scary. There is some system (no recollection of the fancy name) where we list our strengths with certain programs like 1-5 and the company defines what each of these numbers means. STG is in the process of switching their main 3D software to Revit and not many people in the office know how to use it. Lucky me, I've been using it for my projects for the past year. Yeah, the computer tech listed me as a 3, which is one number shy of teaching other peeps in the office how to used the program...there are only 3-4 other people in this category with me;-) WooHoo!

In other exciting news I did my first long run today. Let me clarify my definition of a long run that would be a whopping 5 mile run. Baby steps people, baby steps!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Anonymous

“The thing is, we have to let go of all blame, all attacking, all judging, to free our inner selves to attract what we say we want. Until we do, we are hamsters in a cage chasing our own tails and wondering why we aren't getting the results we seek.”
Anonymous

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Perfect Timing.

Gandhi’s Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World

1. Change yourself.
“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
2. You are in control.
“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”
3. Forgive and let it go.
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
“An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
4. Without action you aren’t going anywhere.
“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”
5. Take care of this moment.
“I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present. God has given me no control over the moment following.”
6. Everyone is human.
“I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps.”
7. Persist.
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
8. See the good in people and help them.
“I look only to the good qualities of men. Not being faultless myself, I won’t presume to probe into the faults of others.”
9. Be congruent, be authentic, be your true self.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
10. Continue to grow and evolve.
”Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position.”

I can't remember where I found this list, but I like it and its what I need right now in this moment;-)

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Quote

What's done is done - William Shakespeare
Shakespeare is talking about acceptance. The facts of the past can never be changed. What we can choose is how we view those facts and whether we allow them to corrupt our future. Whatever happened, you did the best you could, given the knowledge and abilities you had at the time. Tomorrow is a new day. Begin with a fresh outlook that does not project your past into your future.
-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Friday, March 13, 2009

Decisions that SUCK!

It's been a long day and one that should have been a happy day since it's the kick-off for spring break...but this thing called adulthood really put a damper on my happy day. I kind of think I need to avoid Friday the 13th from here on out seeing as we've had 2 in the past 2 months and they've both involved some not so great news I'm officially boycotting from now on;-)

It is with great sadness I have decided to postpone my Boston Marathon to 2010. I'm sure I'm making a bigger deal out of this than necessary, but I have shed some tears over today's decision. I am rarely one to have FoMo but I will for sure have it come April 20th.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Maybe

“If you are not making mistakes, that means you’re not trying new things.” Anonymous

Hmmm, wonder if this applies to the ass whooping I took on my Saturday run??? Let's just say I'm still pace 'challenged' and 20 seconds too fast per mile equates to one hell of a blow up;-)

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Quote Time

"Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drowned your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

~ Steve Jobs

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

HEB

How to explain my hatred of grocery shopping??? I don't know what it is but I LOATHE going to the grocery store. Something about it puts me in a bad mood and makes me want to commit terrible hurtful crimes on people i do not know.

Well, it's a new year and a new training season. I have decided to become a healthy eater...so I went to see the dietician goddess known as Meredith. We came up with some ideas as well as a new grocery store venture. Obviously, she understood the pain of me going to my ghetto neighborhood heb. We decided that twice a month I would go to the super store heb in Kyle on my way home from school. Today was my first day to try this super sized heb. I was all excited hoping for a pleasant experience one that would make me want to find the foods I'm supposed to be eating. Um, yeah, it was more like a living nightmare that involved the typical suburbia box with a grocery cart as high as I am tall (when did the buggies get this big?) next thing you know I am lost in the home area of the store and still haven't found the Alexia potatoes. I'm screwed at this point. So, my hatred for grocery shopping still exists. All I know is there is a new requirement for the men that I date. They will have to do the grocery shopping.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Seriously...

Dear FoHo and Steph your office jobs must be very boring;-)
Well, I'll give y'all a post but no complaining if it's more boring than your job. Remember you asked for it!

Spring Semester '09.

Good news this is my last spring semester, EVER. YEEHAW!!! Finally, there is light at the end of this very dark tunnel.

The bad news. I'm taking 15 hours. I've bitched moaned and groaned about the 12 hours I've taken in past semesters, why not take 15. What's one more class???

The good news about the bad news is 3 classes are online, which means I do homework at home and drive to the ACC campus to take tests. Here's what I think. The syllabus should be posted for all online classes before registration. Drum roll please. Here's why- I have a test, a paper and some forum discussion I must participate in every single week. This may not sound bad except these are classes that have NOTHING to do with Interior Design. Basically, I can't wing it and pull things out of my ass. I actually have to read chapters and take notes. I find this very annoying. I also find it annoying that Texas created the dumbest law on the planet. Don't ask me what the law's name is...something to do with the fact if you did NOT get your degree in the good 'ole state of Texas you must take TX Government, American Govt and 2 History classes. I've taken 3 of the 4 classes, BUT not in the state of Texas. These people are killing me!!! Hello, I barely scraped through the first time and was hoping it was all behind me...I did manage to get 1 of my History classes approved so I only have to take 3 annoying classes.

More good news on these online courses being through ACC, the grades don't affect my grade point at TX State, which means a 'C' is passing and done. The funny thing is I just took my TX Govt test I made a 70. I laughed when I got the score. I said it would be the bare minimum and bye golly that's what I got;-)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

I'm It

Ok, I'm it. Jane has tagged me with some specific instructions. Post the 4th picture in my 4th photo album. Here ya go...



I don't think words can express my love of the Golden Gate Bridge. Obviously, it runs deep...when I went into my photo file the 4th album is labeled GGB and all it has are pix of the bridge. This particular picture was taken after I had moved away from the city but was in town to celebrate my 35th b-day. It was a perfect day, sunny and 70 degrees with good friends!!! Thanks Jane!

Just to keep the ball rolling- Dee, FoHo & Kamran you've been tagged;-)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hopeful

Ahhhh, back to training we go, hi-ho! Actually it's great to be back into a running rhythm. Apparently, Mother Nature did not get the memo I sent in December. I was done with my 2 weeks worth of winter. HELLO- 26 friggin' degrees this morning. I have a thick fleece headband I use for skiing. Note- skiing means snow/cold, a place where one might experience 26 degree weather. I live in Central Texas where one shouldn't experience such conditions. I have been wearing that damn ski band for 2 weeks now, what gives??? I do not live in the North I do not own a snow plow as I find it wrong to need such a yard utensil.

Anyhoo- The point of me posting. I went to 'Happy Office' last night. Really just to sit, listen and hang with my peeps. For the most part I fly under my coaches radar and learn from those around me. It seems ever since my race in December I am sitting on Sisson's radar. Argh!!! The world hasn't ended and he pretty much calls me out on the things I already know but somethings I didn't think he had noticed. Boy, am I wrong. When I'm tired my running form goes to hell in a handbasket. I always knew once tired my arms and shoulders swung side to side. Really a pointless move considering I'm trying to move forward. Well, it seems Sisson noticed I do it ALL the time and when tired it's uber bad. Apparently, my shoulders, back and abs are weak. No shocker there. This am I spent the majority of my run focusing on moving my arms forward instead of side to side. Dear gawd was that hard/impossible. Geez, Louise am I way weaker than I thought. Thanks to Renee I have a 3-month pass to Castle Hill fitness, which I've been using. Tonight we're giving Pilates a chance. Something tells me tomorrow's run is going to be extremely interesting.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Happy New Year!!!

"I think you have to be willing to challenge yourself, to push yourself. To do things that maybe somebody else wouldn't do. To go places somebody else wouldn't go, both literally and metaphorically. That's an important part of really succeeding. If you're risk averse, you may be safe. But you probably won't be brilliantly successful." Dr. Judith Rodin

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

FoHo...

So my blogging days are somewhat done but back by popular demand- quotes. Yes, one person equals a demand in my world.

I think this one is hysterical and I have no idea where I got it from...

"Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply.
If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.
If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.
So - if you give her crap, you will receive more shit than any one human being can handle.
Love and appreciate all the women in your life."

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Still Processing...

I'm still trying to wrap my head around my race this past weekend. It was good, bad & ugly.

The Good:
I finished in 3:45:30 which is a 4 minute PR as well as my Boston Qualifying time.
I ran the first 19 miles with my running peeps.
The 3:45 pacer coming up on me at mile 25ish and dragging my ass to the end.
I left nothing on the course.
Team Rogue on the sidelines at end screaming for me- trust me I heard you!
My coaches and friends on streets throughout the race screaming with encouragement.

The Bad:
I was cold.
I missed my goal of 3:39 for the second time.
Mile 18ish realizing it was NOT my day.

The Ugly:
Dehydration.
Blurry vision from mile 20 on.
I think I might have bonked. Still processing.
Absolutely no control over my legs in the final 10k. I've never been here before.
Frozen hands, i.e. dysfunctional.

So, the good out weighs the bad and I get to continue training with my peeps in the spring as we get ready to tackle Boston in April;-)

Friday, November 21, 2008

I Am A MORON!!!

It's quite possible I'm the last person to know this about myself but if I'm not let me tell you the 2 major idiotic things I managed to do in 1 day...

Thursday am I opted to forgo my work-out since I have been dealing with a minor cold and really can't risk it getting worse with my 'A' race around the corner. So I decided to 'sleep in.' For starters this is a bad move on my part. Tuesday/Thursday are school days for me so my day starts at 4:30am. It sounds crazy but I'm used to this routine and can follow it well. Today with the decision not to get up at 4:30am really jacks with my system...as I hit the snooze button so many times I'm at a loss for how long it takes me to get out of my house and to my 8am class on time. The beauty of being a student I don't have to bother with a shower or painting the face;-) Now I have to have enough time to make my coffee, pack half the house and get down to San Marcos.

So I start making my pot of coffee like normal, or so I think it's like normal. I know it takes a bit to brew but seriously what the heck is going on??? there's a smidgen of coffee in the pot but it's not looking to make anymore than the smidgen. Dear goodness coffee pot don't fail me now...if there's ever a day I need some serious caffeine help it's today. I go over to see what the problem is. I open the part that holds the ground coffee and notice it is not even wet from water passing through it. I'm perplexed on this one. After staring at the coffee pot for a good minute, I realize it is not going to tell me it's problem so I start trying to figure this thing out. Apparently, this thing needs water in order to make the coffee??? You heard it hear first one must add water to pot for it to brew FRESH coffee. Idiot moment take 1.

On for my next idiotic moment...this semester involves a 2-hour break after my first class. I've always used this break to go to the gym, lift weights and shower for my next class. Ok, so today was just skip shower but definitely get in the weights. Remember I didn't go to my morning work-out so my stink was at a low, or so I thought;-) When I said my morning routine was whacked I was not playing around. I have a system that my body can follow on automatic pilot...when pilot is lost other people suffer. I'm working on some leg lifts and I'm sitting there trying to remember if I put on deodorant. I kept reminding myself but the whole coffee debacle really threw me off...oh, no please tell me my automatic pilot did this for me...I'm totally sniffing to figure this out. Bad news... I grab my wallet, leave mid-work-out, leave stuff at gym and sprint to the student center. I already stink but at least I'm outdoors now. I go buy deodorant and immediately rush in the bathroom to cake this stuff on...my biggest fear BO...that stuff is awful. Idiot moment #2.

And this is how I ended my school week...

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Jibberish

Yes, I know it's spelled gibberish but unfortunately, when I named this blog I didn't realize the spelling at the time was wrong. So I'm officially stuck with jibberish;-)

We're 2 1/2 weeks away from game day and I am so excited!!! The Lydiard training system my coach opted to use this season has been phenomenal. Granted during the summer months I did nothing more than bitch, moan and groan. Some of that was heat/humidity related but the majority of it was from a certain someone being out of shape. She shall remain anonymous;-) There was a point in the training I thought no way in Hell I can qualify for Boston with the piss poor performances I was having and the thoughts of death looking better and better after each practice. Trust me it wasn't pretty. My long runs sported quite a few walk breaks in them, something I've never had to do before. Really that one is a total confidence booster, ugh! However, my wise coach said to me "you're getting there just keep at it." As much as it kills me I must admit he was right (he always seems to be, maybe that's why I pay him) and I was wrong. In all honesty I'm glad to be wrong in this case.

This is the first marathon I've trained for where I'm not mentally burned out and chomping at the bit to get'er done and over with. I find this the worst way for me to enter a race because I have a very flippant attitude to race day once it arrives. Mainly because I'm over IT...I'm ready for my next adventure one that does NOT involve running. This training season is so different. I have rediscovered my love of running. Everyday I wake up excited for my runs. I think this training has finally broken through my mental barrier, which I've always said is my biggest down fall in this sport. If the San Antonio marathoners is any indication of what can happen I'm fired up to see some results!!! Woo!Hoo! Bring on CIM!!!

Sunday, November 09, 2008

My Love of Quotes Continues...

“Twenty years from now you will be
more disappointed by the things
you didn't do than by the
ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~Mark Twain

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Flirting

You're expecting an exciting post based on the title...ha! unfortunately what is flirting with me needs to get lost;-)

Let's see training season has been great overall...I haven't had an injury since my doozy of an IT band back in '05. So, why the heck is plantar flirting with me now. See what I mean this flirt needs to get lost. I realize my right calf is uber tight and the good news about being a student again I rarely 'have' to wear high heels anymore. Ignore my blog photo. I'm rolling the heck out of my calf on a very tiny ball. This ball is just one size larger than a golf ball and just a tad softer. What I'm getting at is this ball makes me quiver it hurts so bad to roll on. Regardless I am rolling on this teany weany size of a ball almost non-stop...so why is my foot hurting more??? I've made the executive decision not to go to tomorrow morning's work-out and take Friday off as well. I'm hoping to get my calves massaged while I'm at it. Me not running 2 days in a row is not a pretty sight. You may want to steer clear, just sayin.'

And I thought flirting was supposed to be fun...

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Processing

I seem to be in a processing mode this semester not too worry I only wish to discuss my process of running. I think I've finally made peace with my IBM 10K 'Race' this past weekend. I was frustrated on a lot of levels and am slowly celebrating the small successes that did come from this race. The week I'm having I have to acknowledge the small successes;-)

I haven't run a 10k since I don't know when. Let's just say before Sunday I did NOT have a 10k PR listed in my little running PR box. This leads me to believe it didn't exist;-)

Goal- 46:33 (7:32 pace)
Actual finish- 48:00 (flat, dead even, 7:44 pace)

Once I finished I was very disappointed with my time even though I knew I left nothing on the course I was unhappy with my results. My coach was quick to say find the successes in it, focus on it and let the disappointment go. Ok, I find that way easier said than done. Well, it's Wednesday and I can officially let it go. Remember I'm slow.

My first mistake at this race was to start in the middle. I spent the first mile dodging people in a very tight space. When I saw the first mile time I knew there was no way to hit my goal. I couldn't move any faster than I had just moved and the time sucked!!! With that said I now know to get behind 'the train' and start from there. I know those peeps start very close to the front. Sorry, the rest can pass me, I will be that asshole. My coach said I could, take it up with him.

1mi= 8:18 (WTH?)
2 mi= 7:33
3 mi= 7:28 (14:55 for miles 3 & 4)
4mi= 7:28
5 mi= 7:32
6 mi= 8:15 (wheels are coming off)
.2 mi= 1:27

Here's what I learned from this race. I am a much stronger runner than I was back in '06 both mentally and physically. I ran 10 miles on Saturday and more than likely ran those miles a little too fast. I worked the rest of the day at the store and drank no water. Ok, I don't recommend this as a good pre-race plan just what I had on schedule for the day minus the lack of water. In a way this so called pre-race plan showed me my progress with the ability to push past the dehydration cramps (this used to stop me dead in my tracks) and find a rhythm regardless of pace and get'er done.

So all in all I'm satisfied with this finish. I still have work to do but know my goal is within reach;-)

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Pacing

Pacing is something I hear about non-stop in fact it's something I'm supposed to know how to do. Well, guess what, I can't pace for the life of me. Actually that last statement isn't completely true but it's not far from the truth, I promise. No, I don't want a garmin I don't like looking at a watch non-stop. I am however, bound and determined to figure out how to feel my pace. I have always been one of those get out there and run type gals. Basically, when doing speed work I run 'til it hurts and sometimes this carries over into my long runs as well. Never mind that I've been working with the same coach for the past 2 years and I'm just NOW starting to understand what the hell he's been talking about. Ok, so I'm a little slow on the uptake of some things and I'm glad to finally be getting this message.

Today was one of the hardest work-outs of my life, and I'm beyond ecstatic with the outcome. About a month ago I thought no way in HELL I will be able to pull off a 3:39 at CIM (California International Marathon in Sacramento). I couldn't find my running legs it was like they were on permanent vacation. However, something changed recently- maybe the attitude adjustment I had been struggling with or the sweet kind soul that sent me a kick in the ass e-mail (Jeff- I will be forever grateful).

Let me explain the soul buster work-out. Basically, it was a run from North Austin to the Austin High School track which is more or less in South Austin. We had to put in 18 miles before getting to the track and the route was far from kind. If you're familiar with Austin you know we have some unforgiving hills such as Red Bud Trail & Stratford and yes, we had to knock those out prior to getting to the track. So, not only am I working on the pacing thing I've been trying real hard on slowing down at the beginning of my runs. I tend to act like I'm a dog being let out of the gate. Start hauling ass the second feet hit the pavement and then mid-way lose all steam and crawl to the end. Not a good method of madness for a marathon.

Part 2 of this work-out was all mental. It consisted of 6 miles on the track...that's right 24 friggin' laps on the reddish brown oval in the daylight mind you. The first 2 miles were to be at marathon goal pace (MGP)- Brenda and I nailed this one. Both miles were the exact same. Holy smokes we're awesome, but you already knew that didn't you? The next 2 miles were half-marathon goal pace (HPMG) this is when the mental game really kicks into gear. Again mission accomplished. The final 2 miles (I thought suicide looked good right about now) were to be at your 10k pace. I will spare you the f-bombs I was dropping in my head. Thank goodness Sisson, my coach, was on the track asking how things were going. I knew going for 10k pace prolly wasn't in the stack of cards for me. I told him I'm slipping...his words dial down to MGP if you need to but get 'er done! I'd like to state for the record I may not have hit the 10k pace but I was faster than my HPMG with my form still in tact. It's the small things that make me wanna do the happy dance.

All I've got to say is that track section made me dig down deep to levels I never knew existed and quite frankly, without the sweet souls standing on the track passing out water (did I mention we couldn't stop between these 6 miles) and cheering I would have never found those levels.

My coach, the man of few compliments told me he was impressed with my running. So with a puffed up chest and my posse we hobbled the 3 miles left to the store and 27 miles later I couldn't be happier!!!