Finding My Courage (But If I Only Had a Brain)

A few months ago, I registered for a local triathlon, Faces of Courage, but even with the date of this triathlon drawing closer and closer, I have been avoiding my bike.  If you are a loyal reader, you will remember some of dismount issues here and here and here. 

 

On Wednesday morning, with the date of the event only a few weeks away, I decided to stop procrastinating and finally ride my bike.  My goal was 10 miles.

 

I started the first five miles with record speed for me: 12 mph.  I zoomed around the neighborhood.  I impressed myself with how I maneuvered and circled the cal-de-sacs.  It seems my balance has improved.  Maybe the time off the bike did me some good?

 

Then, I hit a dead-end, figuratively and literally.  Lacking the ability to circle square corners of a dead end street, I attempted to dismount and turn around.  “Just hop off”, I told myself, which seemed like a pretty good plan.  Like a bad slapstick comedy, I hopped off the seat and landed in the center of the bar. 

 

Feel free to cringe at the thought, but be warned before you continue reading.  Viewer discretion is advised.  The following segment contains graphic description and girlie parts.

 

 

When I landed on the bar, I slammed my pelvic bone, which of course, caused excruciating pain.  But apparently, I also slid across the bar, because I tore my…eh hem…*cough*…well, let’s just say I tore stuff that should only be ripped during childbirth.

 

In agony for the rest of the ride, I tried to push the pedals but the pain slowed down my pace quite a bit.  The upside to my dumb dismount: I properly dismounted when I finished my ten miles and managed not to fall over.  Unfortunately, my labia lesions made it difficult to push out some push-ups for yesterday’s challenge, but I did it.

10.07 miles

Time 42:53

Pace 14.1 mph

 

This morning, I was still sore from my injury and unable to run.  I am feeling a little bit better this evening, so hopefully I can run at least 3 miles tomorrow.

Push-Up Challenge, Day 4

I started with a set of 12 manly push-ups and it was quite a struggle to push through them.  I thought I was going to die. Now, one possible explanation could be that I did today’s challenge at night after dinner when I typically do my push-ups in the morning.  There is another possible reason, but I will explain that all tomorrow.  I have a killer headache and I need to lie down. 

 

So, to recap today’s challenge: first set of 12 were manly with much struggle and sets of 17, 13 and 13 were all girlie push-ups.  I really hope to start week 4 on Friday and I may be able to if I only do all girlies push-ups.

More Swell Photos

For this week’s Wordless Wednesday, I thought I would share more photos from our trip to Treasure Island.  These fabulous photos were taken by my friends Kelly and Erika.

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

High on Weed and Grass

Before you jump to any conclusions, I’m referring to the pollen count around here.  Grass and weed have been high, but mold has been extremely high lately and this morning during my 3 mile run, I had an asthma attack. When I returned home, I took a hit off my recovery inhaler and made a mental note to myself that I need to start using my inhaler about 30 minutes prior to running.

 

It’s not my best performance, but not too shabby despite not being able to breathe.

 3 miles

Time  28:21

Pace  9:27

 

At least it inspired me to add a couple new songs to my iPod.   

 

 

I should try to doing the chicken while I run.  It might help with the breathing. 

 

I hope you enjoy the next video, because I can’t watch it.  Prodigy look like scary, evil clowns to me.

 

 

I also like Kayne West’s Breathe In, Breathe Out, but I couldn’t find a decent video on youtube.  If you have any other suggestions for breathing theme-related songs, I am all lungs ears.

Push-Up Challenge, Day 3

I began day 3 three with a set of 12 manly pushups.  After resting 60 seconds, I then attempted 17 manly push-ups, which was no easy task.  I must admit, I fell to the floor around the twelfth one, but once I regained my composure and my strength, I finished the set.  Next, I did 13 girlie push-ups and finished with another set of 13 manly push-ups.  The last set was certainly a struggle to squeeze 13 more manly push-ups out of me, but I did it.  Hopefully, I can do it again on Wednesday.

A Firecracker on the Fourth

 

 At last year’s Lutz Independence Day 5K Run, I cramped terribly within the first mile, which I believed to be a result of starting off way too fast (7 mm) and perhaps being too hydrated.  Since last year’s race, I’ve tried to find the right balance of hydration (which I am still trying to figure out), but mostly I avoid drinking 30 minutes prior to my runs.

 

Fortunately, for this year’s 5K, I avoided starting off too fast and I maintained an 8:30-9:00 mm pace for most of the run.  I stopped at the water stations for a quick drink and to pour water on my head in an attempt to not overheat.

 

 

At the start of the race, Tiffany and I spotted a very peculiar patriotic runner.  She wore a flag bikini top, red shorts, combat boots, a stars and stripes tiara and combat boots.  To complete the ensemble, she had a flag sticking out of the back of her shorts.  Since she wore desert combat boots, I assume she must have been a veteran.  Therefore, out of respect for our troops, I will not ridicule her attire, but I have to know one thing:  How could she run with a stick up her butt?  Do they teach that in boot camp?

 

 

The 5K course twisted through a residential neighborhood.  To help cool overheating runners, home owners and spectators aimed garden hoses and sprinklers into the streets.   At the one mile mark, a husband and wife team distributed water to the runners, a service they’ve happily offered for the past 20 years. 

 

 

 

The heat really made the race a struggle, but I survived another ridiculously hot race and thankfully, I avoided any cramping.  My time was o.k.  Honestly, I wasn’t planning to break any PR.  I’m just glad I didn’t pass out from the heat.  Cool Running lists a different time/pace for my race results, but I am going by my good ol’ Garmin.

 3.1

Time 27:50

Ave Pace 8:58

 

 

Even though this race is ridiculously hot, I love the small town fair after the race.  Pony rides, kettle corn and crafts make this race a family affair.  Sadly, my family missed my firecracker performance and the Fourth of July fair again.

 

 

The small town fair reminds me of something you would see in a romantic comedy.  Boy meets girl.  Girl pukes on girl from heat exhaustion.  Like projectile vomit, their love is unstoppable.

Happy Fourth of July

The other day, my oldest daughter mentioned that she wished kids received gifts on the Fourth of July like other holidays.  I replied, “You get many gifts, such as freedom and liberty.”

 

 

 Thank you to our forefathers who sacrificed their lives to give us such glorious gifts.

 

Push-Up Challenge, Day 2

For Day 2 of the hundred pushup challenge, I started at Week 3 based on my initial test.  For the first set, I tried my hand at 12 manly push-ups.  The last two were a little shaky and I was thankful for the 60 second rest. 

 

For the next two sets (17 and 13), I did girlie push-ups with a 60 second rest between the sets again.  Feeling strong for the last set, I went for another set of 13 manly push-ups.  Way to finish strong!  WABAM!  How you like me now?

Happy Anniversary, Moms on the Go!

 Tuesday marked the third anniversary of my moms group, Moms on the Go.

 

Having been involved in two moms groups in my old neighborhood, I understood the benefits a moms group offers to survive life as a SAHM.  When an Internet search for a moms group in Land O’Lakes turned up empty, I knew I needed to start my own group when I moved to the area.

 

From the start, friendships between moms and their children developed quickly.  We enjoyed spending time together.  In a matter of a few short months, Moms on the Go rapidly became one of the largest, most active moms groups on Meetup.

 

 

Three years later, I still love organizing Moms on the Go.  I am blessed to know so many wonderful moms and fortunate to have found some fabulous friends along the way. 

 

 

I feel passionate about what I do and I have an outstanding team of organizers to help fulfill my vision, which is defined our on About Page.

 

 

 

Regardless of our children’s ages, all SAHMs have a strong desire for adult interaction. We are looking to escape our mundane routine for an opportunity to connect with others and ultimately build relationships for ourselves and our children. 

It takes a village to raise a child. Moms on the Go is that village. We are your extended family. 

 

We recognize that social interaction is as important for our children as well as ourselves. Our calendar continually offers stimulating activities which enable our children to interact and create new friendships in a safe and friendly environment. 

 

As well as developing relationships, our group is about support. Moms on the Go strives to be an all inclusive moms’ group. With active calendar and equally active message board, our members will find the encouragement, advice and support they desire and the bonding they need to survive in the frontlines of motherhood. 

 

We acknowledge the importance of our role in the community, and therefore, we strive to build strong ties to the community by organizing and implementing several outreach activities throughout the year. 

 

We are more than a playgroup. We are a group of women that are passionate about building relationships and finding friends who have similar experiences to share. 

 

 

For me, Moms on the Go is more than a moms group.  It’s my family.  Thanks for three great years, ladies.

 

A Frogalypse

With the torrential downpours and thunderstorms over the past couple of days, I haven’t run since Tuesday.  When no rain clouds appeared this morning, I ran out the door for a 4 mile run.

 

Today’s run was gross.  Let me rephrase that.  The run was good, but the roads were disgusting.  I have never seen so many squashed frogs.  I suppose the rain confused them or perhaps the rains gave them the courage to explore beyond the cypress swamps, but the results looked like an amphibian apocalypse or what I’m calling “A Frogalypse”.  With visions of froggie guts hopping into my head, my college biology class came back to haunt me. 

 

I also spotted a flattened armadillo, which became one with the rode after being continuously run over and a few squashed snakes.  Yuck. 

 

Oh, the humanity!

 

I’ll try my best to shake off the horrible images that still haunt me to share my stats with you.

 

Tuesday- 3 miles

Time 29:31

Pace 9:50

 

Thursday- 4 miles

Time 38:16

Pace 9:34

 

***Disclaimer: No amphibians were harmed in the making of this post.  All amphibians sited were already dead.  Although I did not stop to inspect the flattened amphibians to determine if the creatures in question were frogs or toads, “frogs” were merely selected for the sole purpose to tell a humorous tale and lack any real scientific evidence to make such a classification.***