Pretty sure they are trying to kill me

First Burpees now running? Ugh.

Warmed up like normal only didn't do my pullups. I was running behind the others and we were ready to get started. Can't say that I'm incredibly sorry about that one.

Extended warmup included back and forth across the box doing high knees (like you are running through tires), high heels (like you are kicking your butt), and side shuffling. Easy enough.

Then we were to run a mile. I wanted to fall to the ground right then and there. I haven't run at all in about 2 months so I knew it would be a struggle. Luckily it was cool outside, a bit windier than I would have liked, but it could have been worse. I had to walk quite a few times which I expected and when I made it back to the gym it was a 12:02 mile. At least I wasn't last (3 others came behind me) and that was about right for when I was training for the half. This can get better. I know that.

Then came the front squats. I scaled it to the 33lb bar and was confident that I could do it. It would be hard, but doable. The first 5 were alright, then the pain started. I did 11 squats with the bar but at that point I could barely hold it. My wrist was giving me piercing pain and I couldn't shake it out. I tried getting the bar in position twice more before I started tearing up. I was so mad. I knew I could do it but my wrist wasn't letting me. The trainer came over and told me to just rest my wrist. I finished up the WOD with 39 air squats to finish in 18:44.

After it was done I was pretty much beaten down. Upset and angry and dissapointed. We talked through it and I am confident that I can get better but I need to continue to stretch my wrist and take it easy on those movements that put it in the painful angles.

I'll be picking up some pre-wrap and tape tomorrow to take with me from now on. Hopefully that helps to stabilize it and give me a bit more support to allow me to do the workouts like I should. For now it's icing as much as possible. (20 minutes on, 10 minutes off) and stretching too.

In other news, there is something in one of our ducts. It sounds like it is in the microwave. Fun right?
The husband today asked me to watch him check the duct (yeah, I've got his back) and sure enough there was enough leaves and sticks in there to build a bird condo. We thought we got everything out and it was empty since we saw the bird fly out when we opened the door. But after settling in to work, we hear it again. Only it doesn't sound like a bird now. It screaches and scratches... Lord help us if it really is some kind of bigger critter. Will keep you posted.

Merry Christmas!

Trans Siberian Orchestra 2011

For Mr. Buckeye's Birthday we went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He has always wanted to go but the timing was never right. This year the stars aligned because they were at US Bank Arena on Dec. 1. How perfect to start of the Christmas season!

 Long hair might be another requirement to be a rock guitarist. A stance is the other requirement. Stance and long hair to swing around. If you've got both, you too may rock.

 We may have watched this guy in the front row more than anyone else in the entire show. He was jumping around, air guitar solos, air drum solos, and at one point I thought he was going to jump on stage. He was up the entire show... notice everyone else in their seats.

 Lots of lasers, smoke, fire, fireworks, and rock Christmas music makes for Happy Buckeyes!

October ?

Had dinner on a patio and ate ice cream while walking by the lake... in short sleeves and flip flops!

It is October???

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Cancelled

I made it back safe and sound but not without incident. After a monster storm that threatened to flood the airport, 2 flight delays, a cancellation, and a butt-crack of dawn early flight. I have made it back.

I had the absolute best time during our long weekend in Manhattan.

Recap later- I'm too tired!


2buckeyesinNYC!


















PS- Emily: I was brave and wore my red lipstick!
- L'Oreal Color Riche in True Red (Color recommended by Casey)

We're gonna Sco-o-ore tonight!

Last night we did something I haven't done in a long long time. We went bowling!

We precluded our bowling outing by meeting up with some friends for dinner. The lovely Lils kept everyone entertained and I had some fun playing with my camera.





We ended up playing 3 games and ended with total domination by us girls!

K and A (That's Me!)





Game One



Game 2

  

Game 3- DOMINATION! That's me at the top :)



2buckeyes

Post-bowling ended with a nightcap at a local bar where we heard a surprisingly great cover band. When you see the name "Booger Prestley" on the board you likely aren't thinking of some great talent. But they were good! Played excellent music that we could all sing along too, and the singers voice was actually pretty great.



Getting up today took a little bit of effort but we did make it out of the house to run some errands and grocery shop. Now it's time to just relax the rest of the day away.

Perhaps some knitting...

Paparazzi

The hubs surprised me with a new camera for Valentine's Day.

I now am the proud owner of a new Canon Powershot sd1400is.

It has some fun shooting modes that I am loving right now.

Fisheye mode - Our lamp on the back porch

Macro option- This little guy was walking on the patio

I am really pleased with the images for such a compact point and shoot camera. I've only gotten to play a couple of days but I'm looking forward to really figuring out everything that I can do ith it.

Masters of disguise

I am currently 800 miles away from home and completely exhausted after a 12+ hour day of travel and meetings.

Here is my favorite pic from Saturday.

Thank you and goodnight.

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It is now tradition

I think if it is 3 years in a row it is now tradition.

Dinner at PF Changs and a movie.

Dinner was delicious and Just Go With It was adorable. We laughed our butts off.

Happy Valentine Day!

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today

Was a snowy day.

I still had to work but luckily was still very productive. Laptop and live meeting helped greatly.

Aside from work I also:

Supervised while Mr. Buckeye hung up the shelf, picture, and mirror in my office.

Skinned a young chicken for dinner and almost barfed about 6 times. Also peeled those veggies and had the crock going in time to have dinner deliciously waiting for us at the end of the day.

Washed and dried a load of laundry and folded 2 others.

I also made quite a bit of progress on the Cala test knit. I am completely through chart a. We will kindly ignore the fact I spent way too much time performing surgery due to my own stupidity and lack of paying attention. It still is coming along quite well.

Back to the office tomorrow so cross your fingers for okay traffic!

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Oh the weather outside is frightful...

And caused our power to go out twice yesterday.

And yet the roads are completely clear and free from snow today.

And yet the kids still had school cancelled.

Pansies...

I mean, ouch, that was kind of mean. I am really just jealous of their snow day.

In all reality we had a good weekend (save for the power outage) Went to Best Buy and dinner on Friday night, more shopping on Saturday followed by a night on the town with some friends, followed up on Sunday by doing absolutely nothing except laying in PJs all day until 5 when we braved the storm to go get some groceries.

At least the snowblower got it's first round of activity for Winter 2010/2011!

Happy Birthday

To my best friend

To my whole world

To the man that makes me laugh uncontrollably and loves me unconditionally

To my husband

Happy 30th Birthday to you.

PS- It's Beat Michigan Week - GO BUCKS!

incredible!

The husband and I got new cell phones for our anniversary.

We have joined the rest of the world with smartphones. I can blog from my phone now?!? There is a wonderful world of apps I'm discovering!

How did I ever live without you, Droid Incredible?

What are some of your fav apps???

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Recap? In pieces

So I've been a terrible blogger as of late. Hopefully some of you are still checking up on me. Please say Hi so I know you're still out there :)

Friday night was a typical happy hour and dinner date. I didn't run either because the shins were still incredibly painful I decided to give it a rest yet again. Saturday was an early start to head up to CBus for the Buckeyes game. Great time tailgating with friends and seeing out of towners who made the trip in was a nice surprise. I didn't run either, but we did manage to walk roughly 4 miles and I was on my feet the entire day save for maybe an hour when I could find a chair. I wasn't worried about the not-running but I was beginning to feel lethargic. We managed to make it to CBus and back on Saturday which was awesome considering I had one of the best sleeps I've had all year Sat night. I swear it felt like I slept 12 hours when I only slept 7. It was the deepest, heaviest sleep. And it was lovely.

Sunday was the usual recover, relax, and recoup. The husband and I had a relaxing date night as well. Dinner at PF Changs (thank you Bossman for picking up our tab) followed by a movie.

We saw Takers. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. If anything I was too distracted and annoyed by the awful camera work and shaking screen to really get into it. I think if the camera had held still during the action scenes I would have enjoyed it more. Sure it was predictable, and it was a typical action robbery kind of movie but we still enjoyed it as a whole.

I didn't run yesterday either. Major bummer. But I still didn't feel quite up to it.

I did, however, run today. Back on schedule with 3 miles. Not my best, but it's done. It's amazing what just 5 days off does to your endurance. I took walk breaks to catch my breath. And I wasn't running any harder than normal. That's the breaks I suppose.

Off to have dinner and get my shawls soaking. Yes, I said ShawlS. As in 2. As in I finished 2 projects over the weekend and I'm super stoked. They are both lovely and amazing and I can't wait to wear them. My first (and second!) triangular shawls. A new fashion trend I'm ready to accept!

Busy Busy

I was borderling slipping back into that yuck place I was a month or so ago. Luckily, I can feel myself pulling out of it. I just tend to get overwhelmed over small things and spax out. (Please note: I'm a drama queen.)

This week has been a bit up and down. Ran my 3 miles on Monday post-work. Not so fun considering the heat, but I ran/walked- didn't break any records, wasn't my worst time either. It was what it was. Just a run. I had to take Wed off because the legs were still really tight and a bit sore. Spent the night hanging fabulous things in the basement (it's totally amazing and I can't wait to share photos after the big reveal at PFest this weekend!)

Had a minor freakout yet again today after work. But luckily, Mr. Buckeye was there to chill me out and decided he would go running with me. On one condition- it had to be our neighborhood loop, he didn't want to go to the gym. He must have forgotten that our loop is pretty much 2 giant monster chop your leg off hills back to back. But away we went. It was fun to get out and run with him. I dropped him off at 1.5 miles (he did so awesome! especially considering the knee issues... yuck!) And I set off to finish my 5k. Another 2 hills later I was begging my body to take me home. And it did.

Off to shower and hit the grocery- must be prepared for the party this weekend!

We're in Miami, (beeeep!!)

So after roughly:

3 hours
2 allen wrenches
1 pair of needlenose pliers
3 mistakenly read steps- apparently I’m not a good direction giver
1500 pieces
85 teeny tiny nails
A hammer

We got half of the entertainment center put together (it’s 4 pieces but we only have 3- picking up the last one today!) The TV was moved downstairs along with the Wii and Blu-Ray- the upstairs looks so EMPTY without a TV!- just in time to cuddle up on the couch and watch the Jersey Shore 2 Premiere.

Oh and of course it was Taco Thursday!

Good times.

Break

It was a fantabulous day today. Finally a nice bit of weather to get us away from either muggy, humid, and hotter than Hades or muggy, hot, and OMG is that a monsoon?

Work rewarded us for getting us through the year with a BBQ for lunch today. We got to spend 1.5 wonderful hours out in the sunshine not working. I look forward to those. Plus it was jeans day. It's amazing what allowing your employees to dress down does for morale. I wish we have jeans days more often but I'll take what I can get.

After work we headed over to the range to hit a bucket of balls. It's been I don't know how long since I've played and I was worried that everything I had learned would go out the window. But all was well, I still topped the ball quite a bit but when I got under it and swung smoothly I had a nice draw and good loft. Plus I was hitting my driver pretty well and that is a first for me. We've decided we are going to go play this weekend- likely on Sunday morning. Just the 2 of us. I'm really looking forward to it.

Post-golf today I felt guilty. I didn't run at lunch and I didn't feel well (I've got this nasty cough thing where my voice is cracking and itchy and just eeew- plus my back hurt. Mr Buckeye was sick for about a week and I'm worried I may have caught what he had. Same symptoms- achy, sinusy, coughing, etc. only his throat didn't hurt.) But as we were driving home I had the urge to run. I didn't want to be mad at myself that I fell off schedule for even 1 day.

So I went. And I did it. It was hard, I'm not going to lie. But I decided I would stay at my 5.5 pace during my runs and push through. I managed all except the last 2 minutes of the 2nd 5 minute run. 3 minutes in I had to take a 10 second breather to finish. But I ran 10 seconds extra to make up for it. All in all a solid run. Especially considering I didn't feel well. 2.57 miles in 32:30, average pace including 5 min warmup and cool down was 4.7.

I can do this. I know I can. It's a tough road but I'm mentally coping with it and I figure that has to be at least 75% of this process.

And just so ya'll don't think I'm faking this. Here I am after the run today. Blinded by the sun, redder than a tomato, and dripping with sweat- I toweled off... I don't know how many times.

And remember when I mentioned I was THAT girl at the movie theater? You know... the one who Knits In Public? Well, this is what I started:

One Row Lace Scarf
US 9
Elsebeth Lavold Cool Wool in Color 07
My Ravelry Project Page!

Week 3. Almost done!

One good thing about being so frickin frustrated about something is that I can now go pound it out on the treadmill. Though yesterday I was disappointed and proud of myself at the same time. Wednesday I completed W3D1 and survived. It was hard, but it was doable. I got home yesterday and listened to the message from the sales person- the shipment is scheduled to arrive “around the 12th”. GRRRRR. Between that- deadlines and madness at work (but this is a good thing, just stressful) I loaded up my gym bag and headed to the Y. I am proud of myself that I pulled myself off the couch and computer (I sterted getting distracted) and actually drove over there and completed W3D2 but I’m disappointed that at one point about 2 minutes into my second 3 minute run interval I had to grab the machine and stop for about 4 seconds. I ran the extra 4 seconds at the end to make up for it but I’m just irritated at myself that I couldn’t get through that last minute. I mean really- it’s only 60 seconds. But I could attribute it to the fact that I haven’t done a back to back run with no day break in between yet.

My shins were crying a little bit but I felt great. I was definitely a little bit sore this morning so I know it’s working. I’m taking today off and will be ready to complete week 3 tomorrow morning. Then I will be off to Week 4 where the run intervals are 3 and 5 minutes! GAH! I may have to repeat the last session of week 3 to prepare. I’m still on schedule for my half marathon but I’m still at the point where 13.1 miles seems unreachable. But I’ll get there. One step at a time.

My birthday is coming up in just 4 short weeks so I may want to go get fitted for shoes. Mr Buckeye told me to go this weekend but I don’t know that I will. My mode of thinking tells me to put it off as long as I can since I have shoes and they aren’t worn out, but his mode of thinking is that if it will help me now, why wait? Who knows. We shall see.

W3D1- 1.96 miles 3.8/5.5 intervals 28 minutes
W3D2- 2.07 miles 4.0/5.5 intervals 28 minutes

Gimme some of your TOTS!

Well last night the heavens opened up and the rain came down. Too bad I had gone to the grocery store first and declared I would walk around the neighborhood after dinner vs. going straight to the gym when I got home. FAIL! Look at what happened to our backyard. We totally need to talk to the township about this. Happens whenever we have a big rain. A lake emerges.

So I thought my schedule had hit a brick wall. Actually, not so much. The sky cleared enough and the temps cooled down that I was able to convince Mr. Buckeye to walk with me. A walk around the block took 30 minutes, 2 epic hills up and 2 epic hills down. It was nice to just go walk. No treadmill beeping at me and no timer staring me straight in the face. So rather than a 20 min Run/Walk last night I enjoyed a 30 minute hilly walk with my husband. I’ll count it as a win!

Plus, What did I get at the grocery store? Tater Tots and stuff for Sloppy Joe’s! (No ManWich for this girl!) My first time making from “scratch” I think I did okay. I even put the green peppers in, and I don’t even like them. But I couldn’t taste them. And I used a bit of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ instead of brown sugar. We will just ignore the fact that Mr. Buckeye said all he could taste was green pepper. But he still ate it. So I know he was lying. It’s not my favorite but I’ll work on it. Simple, Easy, Quick, not terribly unhealthy. I’ll have to put it into rotation and keep tweaking till I love it.

Recovery

Well folks, I’m back. Hopefully for the better, and hopefully for good.

This weekend was everything that I hoped it would be, and much needed. A bit of sun, friends, friend’s new babies, good food, flowers, rounded out with some knitting and rain. I couldn’t be happier.

We bought a flag, and it proudly hangs on our front porch. Above the 2 pots of flowers and once out of control but now neatly trimmed bushes. New flowers now line the edge of our garden and surround our mailbox. We didn’t plant last year and I kind of missed it. We will, however, ignore the fact that it was hotter than HADES and we were outside working for over 5 hours on Sunday. My hamstrings still burn today. But it’s done. And it looks lovely. So lovely in fact, that Mr. Buckeye and I sat on the front porch while the rain came pouring down. Yes, I was knitting in my rocking chair listening to the rain. And yes, I was wearing a long linen skirt. But no, I’m not 80. Yet.

Photos to come. Rain + camera = sad face. So provided the heavens stay closed today, I’ll snap away tonight.

And in other positive news, the new hot water heater will likely be installed today or tomorrow. The only time a cold shower works? After spending 5 hours in hotter than HADES weather. On a Tuesday morning while getting ready for work? Notsomuch.


This monster was out. of. control.



So I hacked it to pieces.


The bermuda grass took over the garden. and holy bushes!


MUCH better!

ignore that missing shutter up there... it's back now. Stupid wind.

Flag and potted plants photos to come!