Lots of news

First of all the treadmill is set up and not broken!!! Yay!  The part I'm still a little hesitant about is, is that it has a slight incline and that bothers my knee so I hope it doesn't become a problem.  It amazes me that a little thing like that can make the workout much harder, but I'm hoping that ultimately it helps with my conditioning.  I remember Coach Alan telling me that when you work on an incline, it can help with running on a flat surface.  Time will tell.  I will still be making up stories, even while training inside.  I'll just turn the TV on something like Maury or Jerry Springer and that can make for some very interesting posts.  When the weather permits, I still love training outside.  Holy cow, did those words just come out of my fingers!  So odd how my views on things have changed, I just wish there weren't any bugs out there that enjoy biting me.

So, I am contemplating doing the Memorial Day 5K in Danbury.  There won't be a ton of running, but there will be some.  I really want to do it because the funds go to the Wounded Warrior Project and for those of you who don't know, my son is in the Army National Guard.  He really holds the Wounded Warrior Project near and dear to his heart and if it's that important to him, then it's that important to me.  I think I'll ask him if he'll do the run with me.  I sent out an email asking if slow pokes were welcome at this race.  If my son does run with me, I'm sure he will mock me quite a bit, but I also know he'll be very proud of me.  He knows I'm always proud of him! This race takes place just before the parade so there will be many people lining the roads.  I guess my constituents and friends will see me with no makeup on, all sweaty, with a baseball cap on and being kind of gross.  I also hope no one gets too close to me when I'm all sweaty and smelly.  I'm getting excited to do it now that I'm writing about it.

One more thing, it looks like I may be doing the Fairfield 5K in June.  More to come soon on this subject.

New reasons for training

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you don't want to answer the phone anymore, in fear of more bad news?  Well, that's what it has been like at my home for the past few days.  A good friend of mine needed an angioplasty over the weekend, but she is doing very well and already back at work.  Another very close friend of mine, Clare, called to say her sister, Mary's cancer may have returned.  Mary and I were sick around the same time and kind of formed a bond, so this news has been difficult.  Clare and I have been on the phone about three times today waiting to hear the results of the latest tests.  Monday night was the most shocking phone call of all.  My nephews' wife,Tonja, has a brain tumor.  Once you marry into my family, you are not considered a spouse, you are considered a niece, nephew, cousin or whatever because now you are blood.  So yes, my niece has a brain tumor and we don't have much information about it right now.  Like my nephew said to me, " she is a very strong lady."  So positive thoughts, lots of prayers and love being sent all around.

Today when I ventured out on my walk/run, I decided this is for them.  My race will be in honor of Mary and Tonja.  Two incredible women who I have no doubt, will overcome their illnesses.  Every step I take is a little prayer for them.

Still No Treadmill

I thought I would tell you today about the treadmill saga.  Tuesday, May 1st, treadmill #1 was sent to Sears, where we went to pick it up.  The box was wide open with items falling out, so we refused the shipment.  My husband re-ordered the same treadmill, but this time, had it delivered to our house. I was so excited when it showed up Friday evening.  My excitement didn't last long when we realized that box was also not secured.  My husband decided to put it together and maybe all the parts would still be in the box.  The parts were all there, but there was a rip in the belt and one of the roller wheels were out of place.  No matter how hard we tried, we just couldn't fix the stupid wheel.  So my husband headed back to Sears to return the second treadmill.  Yesterday, we went out to look at treadmills and we found one we thought might work out OK.  Guess what?  The floor model was the only one left and it was worn out and icky.  I'm beginning to think someone might be trying to tell me to not run a 5K.  It really has been one obstacle after another.  Anyway, we came home and Lee ordered yet another treadmill, this time from Walmart.  I'm hoping this blasted thing comes in with everything in place and it's just what I need.  Before placing the order, I was reminded (on Mother's Day),  that there is a weight limit on these things.

I already know that I'm pleasantly plump, being reminded of it only makes me sad and feel like dookie. Just like the woman at the flea market who felt the need to tell me that she sells plus sizes.  Yeah, thanks for that beotch. There was also the guy who gave me a T-shirt that was like 2 sizes bigger than I am, but it made me realize how people see me. Obviously, everyone thinks I'm really fat. I never thought of myself as being that bad, but lately, more and more people have been reminding me that I'm overweight.  Hey, at least I'm trying to do something about it.  I'm working on my weight and I don't think those insensitive people are working on their stupidity or just shutting the #@*$ up.  Sorry, I didn't expect this blog entry to take me somewhere yukky, but it's all a part of this process. I'll let you know about the newest treadmill purchase when it arrives.

I'm Back!!

Yesterday I began my training again.  It was a bit of a rough start and the walk/run made me very tired quickly.  I was hoping to just jump right back in where I left off, but that didn't happen.  I did a little under a mile and that was all I could muster up.  Today, on the other hand, was a different story.  I hit the streets early for a walk and I tried a different route.  It was invigorating!  I walked 2.27 miles in 50 minutes and some of it was a little hilly.  I'm tired and my feet are sore, but I keep telling myself that it is good tired. 

I'm sure you are all waiting to here about my newest trash discoveries.  Well, maybe you're not, but I'm going to tell you anyway.  My walk/run yesterday was my old route, so you know some of the stuff I've encountered has been weird.  There was a pair of glasses.  Really a pair of glasses?  Did this person not know they were throwing their glasses out the window?  I guess it's possible that someone dropped them walking or they were drunk.  My bet is drunk considering how many alcohol bottles we pick up.  Then I saw a First Response pregnancy test box.  Someone was definitely trying to get rid of the evidence.  Again, alcohol may have been involved.  My new route was very clean, but when I hit the old route, it was pretty much the same as yesterday except for the car bumper.  Okay, how do you not pick up your car bumper......unless of course......you are a drunk driver!  I don't listen to music or anything while I'm training, I just make up stories for all the roadside items I encounter. 

Here's my story from today:
Early April: A couple is joy riding with some tequila and has "relations" in their car and the condom breaks.  Out of frustration, the dude throws it out the window, along with the tequila bottle, and his T-shirt.  Fast forward to Thursday night.  The young woman takes a pregnancy test, but doesn't want her family to know, so she gets rid of the test.  She was wearing her glasses when she read the test and became so distraught, she also throws her glasses out.  She meets up with her boyfriend and they share a couple of those big Coors light cans, while she is trying to get some liquid courage.   She tells her boyfriend that they are expecting a bundle of joy and he veers off the road toward a small stone wall and leaves behind his car bumper. He doesn't return for the bumper because he is in shock and...drunk!
To be continued.

Might have to postpone 5K

Believe it or not there is a possiblity that I may have to do the fundraising 5K for LLS in September.  That's not to say I plan on stopping my training or blogging.  I have a family thing, that I can explain better in the future, but suffice it to say, it involves my son.  There is always a chance that the June 23rd date will happen and I should know definitely in a week or so what the outcome will be and I'll keep you all informed. I cried when I realized I may not be able to do the race in June, but my son comes first.

This morning I went to the Reional Hospice breakfast and I sat with Fr. Luke.  He told me that his church is doing a 5K in August for Healing Hearts, which is a bereavement place for primarily children. He is sending me all the information, so I guess I'm going to be hitting the 5K circuit.  There are so many good causes out there, it's hard not to try to do everything.  I'm not going to do everything, but I would love to.  Hopefully my treadmill will be here today.  I just got really excited!  It's so hard to believe that I'm excited about running and it's not even for public office.  :) 

My Letter to the Editor

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Urges-walking-the-walk-when-it-comes-to-trash-3535477.php

Above is the address for the letter I wrote to the Editor of our local newspaper and it appeared in today's paper, if anyone would like to read it.  My husband, Lee, and I did another 1 mile trash walk today and I have decided to now call yesterday, May 5th, cinco de throw all of your ca ca out of your car window.  We have never picked up so many Corona bottles, assorted other liquor bottles, and a McDonald's cup with some unknown nasty substance inside.  I'm all for having a good time on Cinco de Mayo.  I made 20 baked empanadas for my family and they only lasted a few hours.  Did you notice I said baked not fried?  They are just as yummy baked.  My issue is, that people need to stop throwing their crap in other peoples yards.  It's disgusting and honestly, it's really starting to piss me off.

Now for my good news and more about training.  Lee and I hit the flea market circuit again this morning.  We didn't purchase anything, but this is the first time since I was sick that I was able to make it up and down every isle and see the whole flea market. It's the largest flea market in New England. I'm getting a little teary writing this, because I was giving up hope that I would ever have enough energy to do that.  Then, to top it all off, I had even more energy and I was able to do the 1 mile trash walk, all in one day!!!!!  I didn't lose all the training I did before the friggin cough, which by the way, I think might be allergies.  I'm very excited and rejuvenated.  I really think I'm going to be able to do this 5K.  I'm even thinking I might give the Memorial Day 5K a shot.  OK, I won't get ahead of myself, but it would be kind of cool.

Treadmill

So here is my update.  The weather here in Danbury has been crappy and I still have remnants of the friggin cough.  I haven't been able to hit the road again, but Lee did order me a treadmill for Mother's Day.  Yippee!  It should be here in about a week and it is a manual treadmill with great reviews.  I hope this does the trick for helping with my weather dilemma and breathing in air that is too cold.  Holy mole, all this stuff is starting to get to me.  I'm trying desperately to keep my spirits up, but it's getting difficult.  I have new fancy sneakers that I've only worn once, because of this stupid cough.  I did walk around the mall with my friend yesterday, so I'm trying to do something, but it's not the same.  Team training started on April 30th, so I'm falling behind now.  I hope I can catch up.

Ok, enough of my wah, wah, wah bullcrap.  It's time to put on my big girl panties and stop feeling bad.  I'm going to put on some real clothes (not my robe), do some band exercises and drink a cup of shut the hell up about the cough and weather.  I need to remember all the kids who are diagnosed every day and all the kids who don't make it and draw my strength from them.  They all need our help.  Please, if you are reading this post, consider a small donation to LLS. There is a donation box on this blog.  I'm just reminding everyone that I am doing this for a fundraiser and even though the goal is $500.00, I would love to seriously surpass that number.  Words of encouragement would also be appreciated.  Thanks! :) 

One more thing.  Why is the sports bra post the most read post on the blog?