Questions for all you runners out there...

So just a quick lil' survey for those who pop on over to my space on the web (including all you lurkers!)...spill it...

1. What time of day do you run?
2. Where do you usually run?
3. What is your favorite song to run to?
4. When I was marathon training I actually gained 15 pounds. I am NOT happy about this. Any advice for dropping pounds while running? It's not like I'm consuming an insane amount of calories or fat...no more than I was before, and I have a very difficult time believing that I gained 15 lbs of muscle. I wish!
5. When did you start running?
6. What's your post-race/post-run ritual?
7. What do you eat before you run?
8. What's your favorite running movie? (psst...I love Saint Ralph!)
9. What's your motivation for running? (or when you first started running)
10. What are your running shoes?

Just curious! :)

Do tell, do tell!!!

Apparently I forgot a number 5...but that is now fixed. Whoops!

Man this is one tall building.

"Great things come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who Hustle."

Abraham Lincoln said that. And that's what's on my Hustle medal (I had no idea we were even going to get a medal--sweet...makes up for the really lame t-shirts!!).

Well...as you may have guessed. I survived the Hustle. My stomach ache and nausea never really went away...and it became a problem around the 78th floor (ew! I'll spare you the details, but it wasn't pretty). I just don't get it. I'm a yaker. It stinks. I deal with it. I just feel bad for those around me who have to be a witness to it. God love the volunteer who helped me out...and screw the medic that didn't want me to finish. I'm just a yaker...

But anyway...the race went well. Team Chittie Up! had 1 member missing in action so we moved forward as a pack of 10. Overall, we placed 15th out of 31 teams...dead smack in the middle...go us!

It's a really cool concept for a race. Since we were doing the half, they brought us up to the 40-something'th floor (42? 46? 48? I don't remember)...it was sweet because we had to walk through a boiler-type room and see the guts of the Hancock (photo to come soon hopefully). And with that....our team started in 8-second intervals....Sarah first...followed by Courtney...Taylor...Susan...and on and on...I went last thinking that I could help any of our teammates that fell behind. I didn't anticipate yaking mid-race (I'm typically a pre/post race sickling).

My stats...it took me 13:32 to get up the 52-flights. It would've taken a lot less had I not had a second breakfast (again...ew). And you would not believe how dizzy you get going up. Oof!! They had some 'cheerleader' type folks every few flights to keep you motivated and signs on each platform...my favorite of which was "Man this is one tall building." Every time I saw it I thought "no shit." I have a photo of it, among many other things...but the camera isn't transferring photos over for some reason...we're due for a new one soon as it is...now soliciting recommendations!!

The view from the top of the Hancock was unrivaled....absolutely stunning....it was a beautiful, clear and sunny morning. So after I got my bearings back after while at the top...I was good to go. :)

But yes...I finished and was only mildly sore today. Mostly my left butt cheek and inner left thigh were bothering me. And sitting at my desk today...total blech!

I ran a mile tonight, too...I was hoping to go further but my left hip flexor was not willing to cooperate with me. After a mile came and went, I hopped off to do some well-needed weight work. My arms are flab and I'm determined to make that change. In noteworthy news...I was able to do 50 lbs tonight on the one pull down thingie. I'm at 30 lbs on the pushing thingie...and the weird arm squeeze thingie, I upped the weight to 40 lbs...like my technical jargon? I should totally be a trainer. ;)

Mike and I did a bunch of stretching earlier, too. But I'm thinking we need to be doing more. His knee was bothering him while running tonight and my hammies are super tight...abnormally tight. As soon as I can afford to get my rear into Bikram Yoga I'll be stretching like a rubber bands. :) Anyone have $125 to spare?! This stupid thing called a mortgage prohibits us from doing so many things we'd like to do. :sigh:

For now...it's time to watch the Bachelor. We haven't advanced to TiVO...yet (I know, I know...we're soooo 3 years ago). So it's time to rewind the VCR and cross my fingers that Dr. McHottie actually picks Lil' Miss Tennessee and not that obnoxious Mow my lawn chick.

Shhh....no spoiling it for me!!

Dude. I am not doing well.

It's 6:15. I feel as if I'm about to throw up. This is not good.

Why of all days for my endless health problems to act up, this day has to be it? This climb ain't going to be pretty.

Who needs to work out?

Seriously...who needs to work out when you can have a drunken dance party in your friend's apartment? All that bopping around I did easily worked off that pitcher of Sangria and half case of beer I consumed. Despite the fact there were only 4 of us...it was a great time.

Best part? No hangover this morning!

Not exactly the best pre-race preparation. But I've succombed to the fact that the Hancock is going to kick my ass tomorrow morning. And I'm okay with that. It sounds like most of the folks on my team are sorta screwed, too. ;) Should be interesting!

So tonight is KU v. UT (Texas)...let's hope tonight I have enough willpower to lay off the lager. Or else I'll have beer coming outta my pores tomorrow during the race.

Blech!

A confession.

Dear friends,

I have a confession to make. I've been a cheater.

Yup. I cheated. I've been playing hookie with that one thing...i think it's called running...yah, that's it! (not to rat him out, but Mike has cheated too!! but with reason...he's had an exam every day this week...)

The last 2 days, running has been the least of my worries. You see, Tuesday it was my Kansas Jayhawks vs. the Baylor Bears...and frankly, I had to watch them go out there and tear the court up. Wednesday came and went...it was a really rough day at work. I mean really bad. Think of the worst day ever and multiply it by a million and that was fraction of my day.

So yep. I came home. Cried. And decided that even though it'd make me feel better, working out was just not an option. But you wanna know what did manage to make me feel better? A handful of Do-si-Do Girl Scout cookies and takeout from The Kerryman--an Irish Burger...doesn't get much better than that. And on top of it all, I had a big ole glass of coke. I haven't had soda in ages. It was good, but my head started hurting a little bit because of it.

So tonight...I was supposed to do stairs with Angie and Sarah. that fell through. Then I thought about running 3-4 on the treadmill...but I was so completely and totally unmotivated (plus my back has been bothering me). So I ended up doing crunches on the physio ball until my abs quivered....did this three times...so I think I'm pushing 300+ or so crunches. I did a little bit of resistance band work, too. I next tackled my Crunch Pilates video. It's been a while since I've done pilates...

To make a long story short...my abs are feeling it. So boo on me for not running....but yay for my abs work!

And, i figured since I got the photos off my camera...I'd share the one of Phog sitting on my tummy while I did crunches. Isn't he the sweetest lil' boy?

So the Hustle up the Hancock is a few days away...and I gotta say. I'm nervous. Okay...that's a lie. I'm scared. I don't exactly feel prepared. I just hope I don't get so dizzy I yak again. Sarah says she's a yaker, too. I'll have to carry yak bags for us on the way up. Going up those evil, evil stairs makes me want to just run. I'd rathe run 10 miles for each flight of stairs. Ugh........what have I gotten myself into?

Ooooh AND Sarah and Sommertyme are interested in doing Bikram Yoga, too...and Chefs Wife is a regular the studio we're looking at...:woohoo: Now if only we can get them to call back and let us know if we can have a free trial class before buying into this $125 ordeal...

Love always,
The cheater.

Ch Ch Changes...

In an evening of boredom, i finally cracked the code and figured out how to slightly change the appearance of this blog. Go me. We have a modified look, folks. You likey? I'm a fan of simplicity.
Being Presidents Day and all, I was one of the fortunate few who didn't have to go to work. So what did I do today? I ran.

Sorta.

I had intentions of running 4 miles. I headed back out to the TNT meet up point and headed north today (which was a bad idea because it's quite boring up that way). I ran the first mile at 11:21...SCHWEET! So I slow it down a pinch..and my right shin starts being obnoxious. So I do a bit of a wog...and get to mile 1.5. By the time 1.5 hit, I was in a good amount of pain. So I walked. And with the exception of a few minutes around 2.3-2.7, I walked everything else.

I stopped by the time I circled back to my car at mile 2.9. Hours later I'm still quite sore. I'm not sure I should be running two days in a row. I should switch it up from here on out.

In other news, last night Mike and I signed up for two races...the first-ever Race to Wrigley 5k out in Wrigleyville (woo! it's after opening weekend!!) and the Soldier Field 10-miler which ends on the 50 yard line. It's agreed that he'll probably beat me in a 5k or an 8k, but he can't hold a candle to me when it comes to the 10-miler. Now that I've got that in writing, I'm sure he'll go out of his way to make sure he crosses the finish line before I do.

Bitterly cold winter 5k run...

So after reading Rae's post about running in the snow, I decided that it was time for be to brave the bitter cold and go running outside. Now mind you, I haven't actually gone running OUTSIDE for well over a month now, as I have been a slave to the treadmill. I forgot what it was like to have your buns go numb midway through a jolly ole jog...oof!

Around 2 this afternoon, I laced up my running shoes, grabbed my Garmin, iPod and waterbottle, bundled up with my vest and fleece and hopped in the car. I was going to the old TNT meet up place off of Wilson and Lake Shore Drive. Along the drive, I passed a bank...the sign said 8 degrees.

Yes. You read that right...eight...as is single digits...negative windchill factor...bitter cold...less than 2 hands worth of fingers...degrees. And yours truly, quickly discovered that she forgot her gloves. I...am a genius. my fingers were numb before I even got out of the car!!

Today I decided to run south...it takes me down past all the tennis courts (no one out there today) and the golf course (there were, however, a few brave men teeing off)...and I ran all the way down to the Recreation Drive totem pole. I did a nice mix of running and walking. I walked when the cold air was stinging my lungs so badly...I ran when it felt good (and boy did it feel good quite often today!). Only downfall to running in the cold is that my nose seems to do more running than my legs. And I didn't have any tissues with me, so the runny nose maintenance was a bit amusing. I ended up doing an out and back 5k. Again...bitterly cold, but it felt so awesome.

Note to self...try to master the art of spitting while running. Everytime I need to spit, it seems to dribble down my chin or land on my shirt. What can I say? I'm oh so eloquent and graceful. :) I know it made a few runners and dog walkers laugh today along the path.

I don't have my split times just yet as I haven't had the chance to upload the Garmin info to the PC (I'm on the laptop right now). BUT....here's my fun and exciting news about my 5k run today...I actually set a 5k PR for me. Which, isn't a great time or anything....but it's a new PR in my book. Last time I timed myself on a 5k, I ran 38:27. Today I finished in 36:24. Which is an average pace around 11:44/mi according to the MarathonGuide.com calculator.

It's a pleasant surprise for me, though. I'm not a fast person. I'm quite pokey. Could it be that I'm....gasp...IMPROVING?!

Dizzy. I'm so dizzy, my head in spinning...

Oh.my.gah.

Have I ever told how much I hate stairs...I mean I really, really, reeeeeeeeally detest them. Stupid concept, those stairs are. And whoever had the BRILLIANT idea of racing up stairs, should really pay the price.

So Susan came over this morning for a quick lil' round of Hustle Training in the stairs at my condo. This isn't anything new for me considering I've climbed them a handful of times before today. Now mind you, I didn't have a chance to eat anything this morning either, so there enlies problem numero uno.

So around flight 18 on the first trip up...I am absurdly an insanely dizzy. What on earth is going on!? I'm only at 18 and I am sooooo ready to be DONE. Ugh. I crouch down and try to compose myself. Eventually, I make it up to 26 and suggest we take a quick breather in my condo.

Phew...okay...feeling better...let's go again...

So we head back down on the elevator and go back up. I'm feeling fine. Until 13. I keep telling myself that I'm halfway there (a lot of good that did) and crawled my way up a few flights. Crouched down...and felt like I needed to yak. What can I say? I'm a yaker. Some people are...it must be my punishment for being so rotten to my mom when I was younger. But alas, no yaking for me at that moment. The dizziness just took over.

I'm not sure HOW I did it, but I did get all the way back up to 26. Which would make for 52 flights. The exact number of stairwells I have to climb next Sunday. Once at the top, I knew it was only a matter of moments before the yaking would take place. Luckily, the elevator arrived quickly and we were back in the condo before we knew it.

I dashed to the bathroom and well, you can figure out what happens next.

I felt bad. And embarassed. I *HATE* getting sick. :( especially with other people around.

So yah..52 flights. Somewhere under 15 minutes-ish.

What is it with me getting sick around races? Lets hope I can keep everything down next weekend.

Twas a blistry cold night in Chicagoland...

So yeah...I'm sitting here on the couch...watching the news...and our wind chill is consistently -20...AND WORSE. We're under a winter wind advisory until tomorrow morning at 10am with the likelihood of it going into the afternoon. It's the kind of cold that would stop birds dead in flight for their little wings freezing in place. It's the kind of chill that makes you go numb within moments of stepping outside. It's the kind of winter night that makes you beg and plead for the nastiest, most humid, steamy and sweltering summer afternoon to come...and to come fast. Which says a lot from me consider just how much I hate the heat.

I am SO not running outside in the morning with TNT. I did my 20-miler in 0 degrees with -10 wind chills and it was the most miserable run of my life. My feet were numb, I couldn't feel my butt and I had snotcicles hanging off my nose. I'll take the dreadmill anyday when given the option between indoor/outdoor. I'm just not prepared for that kind of cold again, just yet.

So yes, this wasn't the initial post intended for this evening. I had my whole Feb. RBF challenege typed out...and by some freak of nature, my laptop pulled a crapdoodle on me. So alas, that post will be saved for another evening.

Susan is coming by tomorow at 10am to battle the stairs with me. She's part of team Chittie Up! so we're both going to climb to our doom next Sunday. Our team is signed up for the half Hancock, which is only 52-flights of stairs. That's about 48 more flights than I typically care to climb. But I'll get by...somehow.

The more I do it, the less I like it.

Today, somewhere between floor 12 and 13, I realized that I'd much rather be running...running outside...in the fresh air, along the lakefront, along with all the other chicagoland runners. But because of crappy weather, and the likelihood of our building's workout room being packed, and the fact The Hustle is drawing nearer and nearer, I laced up my shoes and headed for the stairwell. And I find that the more stairs I do, the more I hate 'em. CURSE YOU, YOU BLOODY STAIRS! And to think, the Hancock is only a little over a week away...then I will be FINITO with stairs for a while.

Oof. It seemed stuffier today compared to past climbs. And I was just soooo not in the mood, but I did it and it felt great (and no stomach issues either--woo!).

I did 42 flights tonight. All it took was Beck's E-Pro, Franz Ferdinand's Take Me Out, and 1:59 of Smashing Pumpkins' rendition of Clones (We're All) on my iPod to get to the top. A whole 9 minutes and 18 seconds. That doesn't include the 4-minute wait and ride to get back to the ground floor after hitting the top deck at 26. So I went back downstairs and climbed to 16. I was only going to go until 10, but I felt good so I kept on climbing. I contemplated for a whole milli-second on going all the way up to 26 again, but those last 6 flights really did me in. And with that, I was through.

And my thighs, they're-still-a-burnin'!

Frustration. Disappointment.

Earlier today I had high hopes of running a 5k tonight. By the time I got on the treadmill I was struggling to get to a half mile. I'm really frustrated...disappointed...irritated...angry...the run of the mill emotion list when you're simply pissed off.

See, those who know me, know that for years I've battled stomach issues with little luck as to finding the problem. I've switched medicines multiple times and we've found that protonix and reglan (yes, the stuff cancer patients take) are the best combination to date. I have good days and obviously, I have bad ones. Tonight was a sucky one. I just feel like I'm making excuses, but I know there's just days where if I push myself to run, there's consequences to pay. And to be frank, I'd rather chill on the couch than spend a while heaving over the porcelain throne.

Clearly, I didn't allow enough time between dinner and hitting the treadmill. By the time I hit .4 miles I was belching like crazy. By the time .6 hit the acid reflux had ensued in full force. By the time .75 came and left, I was done. I had to stop to avoid yaking all over the place. :(

I really wanted a good run. It just didn't happen. I did some light weight work on the arms while Mike finished up his 2-miler. I'm really proud of how well he's doing. He's sticking to the schedule and rocking hard. He'll be great by the time the Shamrock Shuffle comes around.

In other fun news, I've found my source of inspiration for the February RBF Challenge. She's one outstanding and amazing woman who's overcome a lot of odds, sorta like me (but I'm not to the same extent as her)...but more on that later. For now, it's time to pop some more reglan to settle my tummy and sip on some tea.

Perhaps I'll be motivated to get up early and do crunches before work? I've tried to get up early the past 2 days, but it only results in hitting my friend the snooze button for a good hour and a half. I really want to, but I am just NOT a morning person. I think I'm going to sign up for Bikram Yoga this week. There's a really great and affordable studio a few blocks away...it'd be nice to get in once or twice a week to work on my flexibility and core strength.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and enjoyable Valentines Day. My mum actually called to let me know that for V-day she was giving me a subscription to either Runners World or Running Times. I just need to let her know which one.

Okay. It's off to bed--to bed I said. G'nite.

The little things that kick our ass...

So, sadly I did not run outside today. It was cold. I wasn't in the mood. For a while I contemplated going out and doing 4, I just couldn't get the motivation I needed, even though I know it would've made me feel better. You know how it goes. I did, however, get a pretty good workout inside...and was coached by the most adorable 4-legged furry critter named Phog.

Yesterday we picked up a Reebok resistance band (level 3) at Target. I didn't expect to get such a good workout from such a simple and inexpensive thing. I was able to do curls, squats, lunges and a handful of other awesome exercises that I can already feel a difference. I highly recommend picking one up for days you can't make it out. Such a little thing packs a lotta punch.

So in addition to the resistance band work, I did 150 crunches, with "Coach Phog" constantly trying to sit on my stomach and play. I have a picture of it stuck in my camera, but I can't the photos to upload to the PC for some reason. But Phog even got in my face trying to give me endless kisses which seemed to turn into a weird puppy make out sessions (gross, I know). I also did 75 push ups (what can I say? I'm a wimp) and stretched a bunch. So overall, I feel good, despite the fact I didn't run or climb today.

So yeah...that's that. Now I'll be making progress if I can only lay off the Peanut Butter M&M's. Those suckers are addicting!

Snowy Day Training

So after my earlier post, I went and climbed the stairs...again...all 26 of them. I tried to slow myself down and really focus on the slow, steady, walking aspect. So today's stairwell took 5:28...30 seconds slower than last weekend's time. Which is probably for the best. So after I did the stairs, I came back to the condo to do some stretching and Mike agreed that if I'd wait for him, he'd go run with me.

So I wait...and I go down first because he's taking a while (whoever said it takes girls longer to get ready haven't met my hubby)...I walk in...greeeeeeeeeat...some dumb wench is on the treadmill (yes, she really was a wench...she ended up being a complete and total beeyotch to some folks who were waiting to use her machine). So I hop on, hoping she's not going to be taking forever so Mike can join me, and start running with 2.5-3 miles as my goal for the day. So I'm running along, doing a 2:1 interval and Mike comes down...and like another 3 or 4 people and do some of the other machines. Mike does weights and decides he's going to go back up since the dreadmills, er....treadmills, are taken. So some folks come up and ask how much longer we're going to be, and I say I'll stop at 2 mile (no bigg, I was at 1.75 at the time) and the wench beside me is like..."Welllllllll, I was only going to do 3 miles, but now I think I'm going to do 5," in her most overdramatic voice...give me a friggin break. Everyone in the workout room just stood there dumbfounded that the audacity of this girl...especially because there's a 30 minute limit when other folks are waiting for the machines.

I quickly finished up my run and stopped when I hit 2 miles and gave it to one of the girls that was waiting. I finished up with weights, focusing on the arms. Finally, the salty wench lets someone get on her machine, but not before her big dramatic exit.

So yes...2 miles, 26 flights, and a bunch of weights...that was today's workout.

Tomorrow, I am running outside...and doing more stairs. And I am so excited (except for the stairs part)!! It's been far too long since I've been running along Lake Shore Drive. Let's just hope Mike is brave enough to face the cold.

Uhhh...yeah....that's early...

So we were assigned our team climb time for The Hustle. And it's early. Very early. Like, I'm running a marathon today type of early. And I'm not a morning person. So yeah...our Hustle time is 7:45. We'll all have to be there by 6:45. Which means I'm getting up well before 5. And it's the KU/Texas game the night before. Which means...no drinkie drinks for me.

Joy.

And I'm totally slacking on the climbs too. So today, I'm going to run a few miles (3 maybe?) and climb my building...again. Maybe I'll go for 37 floors.

Okay...yah...I'm going to lace up my running shoes now.

Peace, yo.

Back in the saddle again...

Tonight, for the first time since my marathon...I ran. Tonight, for the first time ever...I had a running buddy. Tonight, for the first time in a long time...I have that fantastic post-run feeling. Woohoo!!

And despite my near-death experience on the treadmill (I was watching the end of the Duke/UNC game and I was cheering for Duke since the Blue Devils are the lesser of the 2 evils--where I'm from you hate the UNC coach who shall not be named with a passion...but anyways, I was watching the game and I tooooootally lost my footing when JJ "passed" the ball into the UNC bench with 33 seconds left...ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Are you trying to blow the lead JJ? I was so panicked, I completly lost my footing and nearly bit it on the belt...luckily, I caught myself on the heart rate monitor grips), it was great!!

So my husband...the non-runner...the "I'd rather have a beer or smoke in my hand than a waterbottle" guy...ran with me...and we had a blast! This was the first run of many, as we train for the Shamrock Shuffle. I'm still laughing at the fact that he signed up while drunk. What a funny guy! But he's determined to take the training seriously and even made me follow the stretching regimine in one of his rehab books...afterall, we're both "serious runners." Hahhaaa...although I will admit, he looks great in his UA garb. Super sexy. And all sweaty...yummy!

Rae was right! Running with your hubby is a good time :)

This run brings my monthly total to:
Month - 2 miles
Year to date: 42 (okay...42.2 from that lil' race called a marathon I did last month)

Go me. In addition to the 2 miles, we did some weight training focusing on the arms, too. I feel I should add that I walk an addition 2.5 miles each day in my commute to and from work, but I don't count that as training.

On deck for tomorrow...leg and arm work before going to Taylor & Jacob's for the Kansas basketball game. Go Jayhawks!!

New Running Gear.

Tonight Mike and I bought some new running gear. 99% of which was for him. He hit up the Sport Authority and bought a bunch of fun wicking shirts and shorts....went to pay and then won a $75 gift card! He rocks...so he went and bought himself some more gard. Now he's a serious runner. I'm so excited! He's going to start running...WOO! I have a running buddy...and it's my best friend! I just had to share how much I'm looking forward to a run with him tomorrow.

So yes, after he bought his clothes and socks this afternoon, we hit up Fleet Feet this evening. I walked away with a new Nalgene bottle to take to work and we both picked up a running bottle, too. It's cool...made by Nathan Sports and there's a fun little zip pouch for keys/gels/etc. I'm excited to lose the bulkiness of my obnoxious Nike Fuel belt. So we got some fun water bottles and then Mike picked up a new pair of running shoes....before we know it, he'll have a running blog.

Now Mike is getting embarassed...so I'm going to end this post. But I'm just so excited and proud of my baby, I had to share!!! :)

Stairs = Spawn of the Devil

Oof. I am wiped out. And I worked out for less than 5 minutes. Way to go, Barb. Way to go...

I know, I know...you're sitting there thinking, are you kidding me?!

So here's how tonight went...

I left Adele & Dave's Superbowl Party with a nice little jog back to my car....easily a third of a mile. I felt great and loved the crisp Chicago air. I wanted to run right past my car and keep going, but I needed to get back home and see how Mike was feeling (had a terrible sinus headache).

So I get home and I think to myself...i've got the energy right now to do it...let's see how I do with the 26 flights of stairs in my building. BRILLIANT! I need t start doing SOMETHING to get myself ready for the Hustle Up the Hancock race on the 26th. 52 flights of stairs just don't HAPPEN. You have to earn and work toward it.

So I toss on my running clothes and lace up my shoes, grab my iPod and go down to the first floor. I set the timer on my Garmin and up I go! First few flights are GREAT! Flight seven my thighs are burning and by the 9th floor my knees are driving me nuts.

I stop on 10. Run into the condo, chug some water and notice that it's only taken me 1:55 to get there. Not too shabby! Right? So I crawl back into the narrow stairwell...

I sorta do a little stair-hop-pseudo-running thing for three flights. Feels great...and then kills. Nope, that's not gunna work. Back to the climb method. Floor 20 is here before I know it...and then I'm counting down the flights.

It took a hole 4:53 to get to the top of my 26-floor building (minus my water break on 10). I'm not sure if that's good or not considering I don't have much to compare to. We'll see how I do on my next try later this week.

But I've decided...Homie don't like stairs. I'm wondering what I've gotten myself into. Funniest part is...I'm team captain for my group of friends for the Hustle.

This funny, funny guy called my husband...

I love my husband. I really, honestly do. I love his rosey cheeks, his goofy phrases, and especially his nutty nicknames for me. But I really love the antics he pulls while under the influence.

Step into a scene from last night...
[Griffin's Public House...smokey bar, beer in hand, random local band in the background]

Mike: I'm so glad you're out having fun and not...[mimmicks me running]
Barb: Yah, I'm having a good time, but I'm looking forward to start running lots again.
M: Maybe I'll do some running with you.
[Barb and friends laugh]
M: What? What's that supposed to mean? I can run.
B: ...only when you're being chased.
M: No!! I run.
[everyone looks at him unconvinced.]
M: I'm serious. I'll prove it. I'll start running with you.
B: Really? I'd love it if you did. I think you'd have fun and like it.
Friend: You'll be running along, a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other, right?
M: So? I'll still be running...
B: Are you serious?
M: Yes! I'll even sign up for that one race with you.
B: Whatever, you won't do it.
M: Yes I will...
B: No you won't...you do know you have to sign up ahead of time, right?

So this debate goes on and on for a while...and eventually we make it home in the wee hours of the morning. Friend #1 reminds him of his challenge/agreement/whatever...and Mike spends the next 10 minutes trying to type in "Shamrock Shuffle" without a typo (a tough task when you've had a handful of rum and beer). The next thing I know, he comes running into the bedroom to wake me up and tell me he signed up to race with me.

Greeeeeat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited...but I'm not sure he knows what he's getting himself into. See for yourself...Mike's Myspace Blog. This morning he had completely forgotten that he had signed up! When we delicately reminded him, he was struck with the "oh sh!t" look. Heheee...isn't he the cutest thing?

So that's that. My husband, in his drunken stupor, signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle at 3:30 in the morning. I, for one, find it quite humorous. I'll be sure to have him give a race report. I think his driving motivation during the 5-miler is knowing there's a beer with his name on it at the finish line. :)

Boys are silly!

Shuffling Crew.

Despite the fact I am feeling completely and totally miserable, nauseus and achey (from my tooth), I made myself sign up for the Shamrock Shuffle today. Yes, it's only an 8k...but I'm slow...and I'm out to set a decent PR...at least "decent" by my standards...which means under an hour (see, told you I was slow!). I may try and run a few of my girls from the lounge through it...Katie has decided to make it her first race as she starts training for the Chicago Marathon. I'm so proud! I figure it's a good first race back for me. The largest 8k in the world (limited to 25,000 runners and sells out every year)...they gotta be doing something right.

Not that this'll make me feel any better right now. But mentally it's getting me psyched to start running again...whenever that will be. Down the road I'm thinking about the Kansas City half marathon as a training run for Chicago. Hmm...any thoughts, mom? I know you're reading this...

Becoming strangely aware of my teeth.

Yes. You read that right. And I don't understand it either. But within the past few days...just as I've been feeling much, much better from the nasty headcold...I've become strangely aware of my teeth.

okay...maybe not ALL of my teeth, but a single, solitary, evil little tooth in the back upper right hand side of my mouth in particular. It doesn't ache. It hurts. It throbs. This little tooth gets a kick out of bringing me agony...and it's becoming an increasingly prominent problem in my mouth. I just don't get it. I'm good to my teeth! I brush at least twice a day...okay, so maybe I don't floss like I should, but really...who does??

So this little evil tooth...it's actually my wisdom tooth...and frankly, it's not making me any smarter. I've felt it up there coming in for quite some time now, more or less denying its existance...procrastinating discussing it with my dentist for the past two, three years. But somewhere at the tail end of my headcold misery, it decided to charge on through and break the gumline. So in this valiant charge to make Barb miserable...it's pushing my root canal (I swear I take good care of my teeth!! the root canal was 2 years ago when I had a crack in my tooth from grinding my teeth in my sleep)...so I feel like my root canal is going to just drop from my mouth.

It's miserable.

So here's the kicker...my whole "teething" problem became evident when I went dashing across the street before a light change. Each time a foot struck the ground in my quasi-jog, it was like my teeth were reverberating in my mouth. You read it here first folks, teeth can--and do--reverberate. So clearly, because of this revelation, running is now a problem...and lately, walking has become annoying, too. The toothache gives me headaches. The tooth hurts more when I'm running...therefore running = headaches. And that's just no bueno.

I'm calling the dentist first thing in the morning. If I have to go to an oral surgeon, I want it done and have these suckers out as soon as humanly possible.

In the meantime, to help ease the pain, I've pulled out the vicodin. [WARNING: don't try this at home, kids.] Yes...it would appear that yours truly is slowly, but surely, turning into Karen Walker from Will & Grace...I practically have my own mini-pharmacy hiding in my bathroom cabinet. I've got Reglan... Vicodin... Lorazepam... Protonix... Aciphex... Prevacid... and some random old cat bite antibiotics, just to name a few fun lil' prescriptions in my posession. You got a problem...I got a remedy, and yes...if you have a fever, I've got more cowbell.

So I took the vicodin close to an hour ago...pain in my mouth is gone...poof! GREAT! The only problem is, is this stuff makes me crazy. Crazy like I want to throw my cat into the dishwasher for nuzzling up against my black pj pants crazy. In the past hour, I have already cried. Three times. Once because I felt bad that I didn't take the dog out with mike....once because I couldn't get the dvd player to work (mike was laughing hysterically at me) and I actually sat here and cried, because I want to run. And can't. Because my tooth hurts. It's ridiculous...it sounds like a nutty poem that ended up crumbled in the trash can in shel silverstein's home...

This crap makes my emotions go haywire.

So yes...I hope to have a date with my dentist very soon. Otherwise it'll be an extended battle of barb vs. tooth vs. vicodin vs. barb's 20 other personalities that come out while on the meds. Oh, my husband will be thrilled.

I just blame the single, solitary, evil little tooth in the back upper right hand side of my mouth for making me crazy and so in tune of my teeth. I bet you can't say the same...now can ya?