The Runner's Body

There are so many things out there about having the "body of a runner". Runner's World had an article a few months back called The Runner's Body, in which they took a number of "ordinary" people and had an article featuring them and the fact that they are not what one would normally think of as the "traditional" runner. There were many people who loved the article, but there were also people who wished that the article showcased a wider variety of the non-traditional runner - all ages, shapes, sizes, ability. All you have to do is scroll down to the bottom of the link for the article (on the website it's individual videos) just to see one such comment.

The typical runners getting the attention (winning races, etc.) are thin, trim, and have calf muscles that could kill a person who just looked at them. Not to mention the flat, firm midsection.

I'm not going to lie and pretend that I look like a "runner". Apparently there's a certain amount level that your body gets accustomed to, and you don't sweat nearly as much?
Yeah, I sweat like a racehorse.

I'm tall, I'm thin... I love my calf muscles (and my legs in general).
My midsection has days where it's nice and thin.
But let's face it, it (that is, my midsection) isn't toned like it was when I was fifteen and super excited to be in marching band and do an amazing job at it. And my hips? My hips leave much to be desired - to me, anyway.
Although I finally have a butt! And it's all thanks to running. LOL.

But for real, how many people out there "match" the "desired" runner's aesthetic?
Thanks to the Liebster Award nomination, I've begun following more blogs of average runners, some who run more than I do, some who run less than I do, some who are shorter, taller, thinner, larger, out-boob me, older... Maybe a couple who are younger, I'm not sure.
But the thing we have in common (or, at least some of us have in common - don't wanna loop everybody in here, just in case!) is that we don't necessarily fit that aesthetic.
I'm also seeing more and more articles about runners who don't look like "runners".

Ok, that last part? Really, I just read one article in the February 2013 issues of Runner's World. It was by Ted Spiker, author of The Big Guy Blog. It's either called "The Big Guy" or "True to Size"; either way, I can't seem to find it on the RW website. He talks about fitting in with the crowd, or rather, what it's like to stand out because he doesn't fit the "runner" mold. His wife surprised him with a running jacket after he got a 5K PR. She bought an XL, but it turns out he needed a 2XL... The store didn't even sell 2XLs, and the salesman kept saying "He's doing great. Just tell him to keep at it", over and over, basically saying (without saying the words) that if he kept it up he could lose weight... Not even knowing whether or not the person WANTED to lose weight or anything. And according to the wife "He kept going on and on. He didn't get it."

Why is it that size, or anything else, seems to determine whether or not you're a "real runner"?
I get it, they did a study about how extra weight does impact one's speed, whether you're already pretty quick or not.

Speaking of size, I have an "average" bra size, but I've heard that finding a sturdy sports bra for anything above a D-cup or so is a complete pain (and horribly expensive). I get it, more support, more fabric, etc... But really?

Ok, it's time for me to be done with my spiel. My show is coming on in 2 minutes (Yay Bunheads!!!).
I'm out.

Running to live

I'm kind of ashamed to admit this but... I haven't been running in two weeks. Two weeks today, actually.

Yes, you read that right: I have a half marathon in 28 days (well, about 27.25 days, give or days), and I haven't been running in two days.
Thanks to the Liebster Award nomination, I've been checking out the blogs of other people and, because I follow a couple running blogs, I've found some more running blogs to follow. The word I saw used on one of them (if only I could remember which blog!) was... "Lethargic".
Maybe it's just this time of the year, and the fact that the Midwest doesn't have the greatest weather this time of year, but I certainly feel no motivation to get on my running shorts and freeze my butt off outside to trudge through the cold to a treadmill.

Heck, I'm having a hard enough time writing this blog, but I think that's because Sex and the City 2 is on right now, and I haven't seen it in well over a year.

Anyway, back to the running bit... It's funny saying that basically I've been having one heck of a time running lately, because I've been thinking more seriously about deferring my Disneyland Half registration (see also: not the Dumbo registration) to part of the Goofy's Race and a Half. I would absolutely love it, too.

It's amazing to think of how much I have gotten from running. Greater confidence, on top of everything else. Excitement, opportunities - hello, I am doing FOUR Disney races this year (5K and Princess Half at Disney World, and the Dumbo Double Dare at Disneyland)... Even though I don't do it near as often as I'd like.

What can I say? Life gets in the way.
I know, I know, I'm over here typing a blog post, so I've got time to run, right? I just haven't felt the... Inspiration. And to make it even more... Ironic... Yes, ironic is the word I'm looking for! Diabetes runs in my family. So does obesity, apparently. A bit of high blood pressure (although mine is really good), probably some high cholesterol (again, mine is quite good).
But one of the things I've been discussing with DH is that even though we have no intention of having kids any time soon - and unless my IUD magically fails, there's no way I'm going through the hell to get it taken out any time soon! But I have no intention of raising my kid(s) in an unhealthy environment. That's not to say that they won't be allowed to have sweets or watch TV/movies or anything like that. But I want my kid(s) to grow up knowing physical activity and the importance of taking care of one's self. And I think that running, or at least modeling the physical activity I plan to encourage, will help to encourage that. Maybe break down some barriers, some of the limitations we impose on ourselves - like I mentioned in my Liebster Award post, and probably a different one, I never thought that I would ever be a runner. Or even vaguely close to it. Walking, I can do. Shopping til I drop, I can handle - in heels, strangely enough. But running? I never saw that happen, and I guess I never thought I would get support for it, although in retrospect I guess I should've known better. When I mentioned it to my dad a year ago, he was all for it, encouraging me and telling me training was important if I planned to run the Runway Run, and that since I wasn't trained for it last year, it's definitely something I can work toward this year.

(if only I could find a link to the race... I hope they have it again this year)

I'm not saying I felt like I wasn't living before. But I was living under the limitations I imposed on myself. Full-time graduate student. No running outside of running laps in marching band. Don't like sweating. Can't do it. Afraid of looking silly. Don't want to do it alone - granted I think that last one was more along the lines of wanting support.

But still, you get where I'm coming from. Now I'm just afraid of freezing ;)

Procrasti-Nation

The title of this post just seems to work with how I've been doing lately.
That doesn't mean things have been going badly. They've been going quite well, actually. I've just been, well... Procrastinating.

I've got a lovely client that I've seen every other week for a year next month. I know the office likes to be able to give each client a Christmas present. This particular client... I want able to think of anything. She didn't want anything. The office had no clue.
I don't know if they ended up getting anything for her or not.

The last time I saw her before Christmas was only a few days before, I believe, an then I wouldn't have seen her for another couple weeks. But during that time she mentioned to me that since she's been getting older, she's having a harder time getting out of her recliner, and that the recliner also seems to be "sinking" from normal wear and tear.

BINGO!

Gift idea? A new cushion for her chair. Or rather, one to go on top of it, replace the pillows she'd been sitting on.
Of course, I forgot to ask her what her favorite color was. So I had to wait two weeks. Then I finally got to ask her - you know, after Christmas is over and done with. Her favorite color?

Yellow.

So two weeks after Christmas, DH an I are scouring the fabric section in our Walmart to see if there are any bolts of yellow fabric that aren't too boring or too far, uhh, "out there". And in yellow, it's usually one or the other, and selections are few and far between, especially when compared with purples, greens, and blues.
But we finally found some. This rich golden-yellow with white swirls in it :) Then we picked up some foam squares to go in the cushion, about four inches thick.

I had two weeks to get it done, to make sure my client had a lovely seat cushion. And of course, when did I start on it? About two hours before I had to be at work. Go figure.
::rolls eyes::

It wasn't my best work, because this is the first time I've ever used foam, not to mention making a cushion. I'm used to making pillows and maybe the occasional bag or a super easy dress or something.

I brought it to my client, as a super late Christmas present (yeah, a month and a day late! Haha), and she loves the colors, and she says it's super comfortable. I'm really glad that she likes it :)

Maybe it would've been better if I'd started on it a week ago, but I don't know that. And I think it turned out really nice.

Ooh! I also have plenty of extra fabric (Walmart now sells quilting squares as well as small bolts of about three yards or so). I can probably finally turn one of those pairs of old, torn jeans I've been keeping in my crafting area into a skirt or something! With the yellow it'd be super cute for springtime!

Attached (since I'm posting this from my phone and not a computer) are a couple pictures of the cushion. I'm really happy with the way it turned out, and I can comfortably say that my stitches shouldn't be coming undone, so she's got a sturdy cushion to last a while :)

And since I can't post a picture of my super sweet client (or maybe I could, but I won't) here's a picture of her wonderful doggy :)

Have a good one!

The Liebster Award

I was going through my emails last night, and it appears that the lovely Liz over at 2 Love Birds Building Their Nest nominated me for the Liebster award.

Now I'm sure you're asking yourself, "What on Earth is this Liebster award thingy?" Well, I copied the answer for you, direct from Liz's page! (Hi, Liz!):

"So what is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster Award nomination goes to those bloggers who have a following of less than 200 to promote other bloggers to comment and share - even get to know each other!  I think this is great, because it gives you the potential to gather a larger following!  If you get nominated, you cannot nominate the person who nominated you (No tagbacks!).

The point of the Liebster Award is to answer questions, tell 11 secrets about yourself, and nominate 11 other bloggers who fit the criteria.  Here it goes!"

It's very flattering to be nominated. Really, it is. Sometimes I wonder how many blogs just... Don't get noticed. Not like "I'm seeking attention" getting noticed, but just how many times they get passed up in favor of one that's obviously more popular. You've gotta wonder, because there are so many blogs out there. It's like Aladdin:

He had to become a prince just to be noticed for more than being a, uh, nuisance. And then they thought he was amazing. Hello, he had a song about him!.
When I think about that, I remember reading something on Pinterest (probably their FAQ page, for all I know) that says that if you want to attract more followers, the best thing you can do? Is be yourself ☺

Now on with the questions!

11 Questions (posted by Liz for those she nominated)

1. What is your favorite color and why?
   I don't really have a favorite color. I used to say it was pink. Before that it was probably red and black. I'm rather partial to royal blue and bright orange, because those are the colors the hubs and I used in our wedding. I like a lot of colors, especially bright, fun ones!
2. So, you have a blog.  Why?
   I believe I started it as one of those "fitting in" type deals. I was part of a forum with a crowd of women that I grew to become very fond of, despite being from all over the US and various other countries. I kept it because it was fun to have something that I'd worked hard to personalize, and that I put some thought into.
3. What is your goal for this year?
   I have a few different goals.
   1) get all of the stuff with my mother's estate settled
   2) finish my first half marathon
   3) hopefully get accepted into a PhD program
   4) ... Buy a house. We'll see how that one goes.
   5) graduate with my M.S.
   6) get a "big girl" job. depends on how #3 goes
4. What is the best song to describe your mood today?
   That's a really good question. Sometimes I have songs stuck in my head that really have nothing to do with how I feel - and I don't really even like them! If you'd asked me on Tuesday it would've been "Stay Home" by Self, from the movie Shrek.
   Maybe "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, although I own it on the Rock of Ages soundtrack. Or maybe "Titanium" by David Guetta and Sia. I'm sure if I think long enough, something will stand out. I'm just not feeling it just yet, that's all.
5. Who are the 3 most important people in your life and why?
   Three most important people in my life? Let's see...
   There's my husband. Does that really need explanation?
   There's my dad. I've always been a daddy's girl. If I'm not feeling well, I call my dad. I love my husband, but sometimes I just need to talk to my dad. Our phone calls average about 1:30 long (and by that I mean about a minute and a half), but I wouldn't trade them for the world.
   Third person? Um... Maybe my sister. I'm sure she thinks I'm quirky as can be (that's what big sisters do, right?), but sometimes she just gets me.
6. How did you meet your significant other? (if single, what do you look for in a significant other?)
   My husband and I started dating right after junior year of high school. He actually looked me up on Facebook (mutual friends, all that fun stuff), and I avoided him as much as possible for MONTHS. I mean, seriously, here's this 16-year-old guy talking to me on Facebook. We had art together in 8th grade, but I didn't know him. I didn't talk to him. And we ended up going to rival high schools, although he came to my school for one class a day because his school didn't offer it. But he was persistent about talking to a girl he'd only had one class with nearly 4 years before...
7. If there was a $100 bill laying on the ground, would you take it?  If so, what would you buy with it?  If not, why?
   ... I honestly don't know... I know I'd be likely to pick it up, stare at it for a bit, and look around to see if anyone was looking worried about having lost something. If I was in a store I'd turn it in. I don't know what the person planned to do with that money, or whether or not $100 is something they'd even miss!
   If I were to spend it... I'd probably buy books. Or stuff for my internship... Valentine's Day is coming up, maybe I'd get something for my husband.
8. Compare yourself to your 15 year old self.  What would you tell him/her?
   Oh, good grief. Probably something along these lines:
   "You're in marching band. Enjoy it, and make sure you do it again next year - that's your wonderful director's last year.
   You're going to get braces... As fun as the glow-in-the-dark colors on the retainers are, the plastic Invisalign-style is better suited to your life at this time - band, French class, choir, lunch... And for the love of Pete, WEAR YOUR RETAINER! You don't want to get your retainers back on when you're 21 - right before your first Valentine's Day as a married person, but you do...
   Right now you're in the best physical shape you're ever going to be in. Take care of your body.
   In nearly 8 years you'll be running a half marathon - actually, TWO! Don't let anybody tell you that you can't.
   Your lovely first boyfriend? Yes, the suspenders are hot. When you find the urge to dump him, do it. Listen to your gut - on more than just that boyfriend. He's not right for you. It's not a big deal. The time after the break-up with really suck, but remember it's not a big deal.
   This (sophomore) year you and your best friend will get the chance to attend something that freshmen and sophomores at your school don't usually get to do. When you attend the little conference, SPEAK UP!
   Speaking of friends... That friend you've been wanting to dump? Do it. You fall out of touch anyway, and she's no good for you. She's never going to pay you back, and she's kind of a leech. Can you say toxic? She's known for being a negative, well... you know what the word is. And your best friend? You're going to fall out of touch... Don't let her get away, because she's amazing and you know it. Tell her you appreciate her, and that she's wonderful.
   Also, make sure you say those things to yourself. You're wonderful, but you don't say it enough. You're self-conscious, and you've been dealing with your skin for the last five years (and will be in the future), but that doesn't make you any less of a person. A lot of your papers, and your passion in college, has to do with people, specifically females, and body image.
   Continue sticking up for people, especially those who can't stick up for themselves, because sometimes nobody else will.
   Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Your dad was right when he said that the most you can give someone is your word. Speaking of which, when he asks you what you think of his girlfriend, tell him you hate her. Don't lie to be nice. It'll save you years of grief.
   And tell your mother you love her every day, because you have less than five years left with her, and not telling her as often as you can, even when you're mad and yelling at each other, is the one regret you truly have - the day you fly out to go to that family reunion in 5 years, make sure you're on time to your internship! It's a lot of pressure, but it's important. It's been 2.5 years, you're almost a professional counselor, you've been to counseling yourself (we call it "avoiding countertransference"), but that's the thing that really gets you. P.S. You're going to hate your birthday after all of this, so enjoy it.
   Oh, and music education? You're more suited to psychology. Trust me on this.
   Take care of yourself. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. Don't be afraid to take time to learn who you are, and don't hold on to the people who hold you back or use you without being willing to give."
9. What is your worst vice?
   I hate admitting this, but I've been battling with not-so-hot skin for the last 12 years... When I get upset/nervous/anxious... I scratch. I pick. It's horrible, and a lot of the time it's unconscious. And a huge (horrible) habit...
10. Take your age and double it.  Where do you see yourself at that age?
    Well, I'd be 45 (22.5 currently). I really don't know where I'll be. I have dreams of doing things, like being a counseling who (maybe) has her own (well, JOINT) counseling practice. And/or being a photographer. A really nice photographer ☺ And hopefully the hubs and I will have kids. But where I see myself? I don't really have that image just yet.
11. What is the best life advice you can give your followers?
    The thing I heard my dad tell my mom, the thing I've told my family, friends, classmates, clients, the consumers at my internship... Is that you can't take care of anybody else until you take care of yourself. That means physically, that means mentally, that means emotionally. If you're not taking care of yourself but you're taking care of someone else, you may resent it.
    The thing I often told a person who, unfortunately, just didn't seem to get it, is that you need to love yourself, have a good relationship with yourself, before you start looking for someone else to love you. I believe that a healthy relationship with yourself is important.
    
    Also, as I told my relatives at the family reunion because someone was worried about the already-cooked spiral-cut ham that got cooked (again - and therefore ruined. they tried to decorate it to make it cute - nobody ate it), and because they were stressed that nothing would be done in time: Not breathing is for dead people. 'Nuff said, right?

And before I forget, 11 fun facts about me!

1. I. Love. Disney movies.
2. I also love musicals. Rock of Ages is in my head more often than not. I love it!
3. The Nanny and Friends are my favorite TV shows. My husband watches them with me, and he enjoys them, but I just know that at times he thinks I'm completely off the wall.
4. I'm interning at a mental health agency. It was a shaky start for me, but I love it. I started off in the Homeless Services department but, due to a lack of hours, got moved over to the second facility in the Day Rehab Services program.
5. I despise doing the dishes. Seriously.
6. I'm super excited because I finally got a DSLR. DH gave the ok, and now those photography books I've been buying finally hold some more meaning to me because I can explore more with camera settings. My beautiful point-and-shoot left a bit to be desired due to the limited range of settings.
7. I'll be running a half marathon with one of my college roommates next month. And I'm making tutus for us! It'll be awesome, and you can bet I'll be taking TONS of pictures when we're at Disney World, and that I'll definitely be posting pictures.
8. I am a Moon Jogger. I am one of many many many MANY people signed up to run/walk/jog 1,000 miles this year... Although I'm doing the Ultimate Moon Jogger challenge and am working toward 2,013 miles.
9. I'd already paid for my race registration for the Disneyland Half Marathon. Since I decided to register to run for/with a charity, I now need to defer my race registration to another race... I'm trying to decide if I want to do the 2014 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge at Walt Disney World and begin training for a full marathon, or if I want to do the 2014 Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland or the 2014 Princess Half Marathon at Disney World (the link takes you to the 2013 race, as that one hasn't happened yet). Or even the 2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon, but that's cutting it pretty close to the Disneyland Half weekend...
10. If you couldn't tell, I'm really excited about running. I don't it near as often as I should for someone who is signed up for two half marathons and plans on signing up for more races, but I do it. It really makes me feel good because... Maybe it wasn't so much other people telling me I wouldn't be able to do things like that, as it is feeling that I don't want to hold myself back, that I can do more. That I can BE more.
11. I'm graduating with my M.S. in May (knock on wood that I pass both of my comprehensive exams needed to graduate!). Sometimes it makes me proud to say that I'm the youngest person who is about to graduate from the program at this point. When I started it was kinda scary, being barely-21 in the program. I had someone (who is now a friend) say "You're a baby!" (mind you, she's in her 50s, and I'm about the same age as one of her sons. Just a few weeks younger, I think. LOL).
    Even better, I have a husband who SUPPORTS me doing the best I can in school, supports me joining professional organizations and furthering my career, and hopes that I'll get accepted into a doctoral program. It makes him proud (I think he brags on me more than he lets on. haha), and he also knows just how much education means to me, to my family.

Now the 11 questions for those I've nominated:

1. What was your favorite TV show growing up?
2. What is it that you "get" out of blogging?
3. What is your favorite book? Why?
4. What made you decide to repost this and nominate others?
5. What is your favorite memory?
6. What do you do when nobody's watching?
7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money, and why?
8. If you could donate to any charity (any specific charity, or a general cause), what would it be?
9. If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
10. What do you love most about yourself? List five reasons why.
11. Chocolate or vanilla?

And then because I couldn't resist adding this particular question (and couldn't pick a question from above to NOT ask):

Let's see... My 11 nominees are (drum roll please!):

1. Amanda at A Whole Lotta Somethin'
2. Amy at EIGHT is GR8
3. Erin at For the love of Disney running...
4. FrozenOJ's Concentrated Life (no name given ☺)
5. Indeah and Ravi at Girls Rolling 20s
6. Amanda at Laughing in a Beautiful World
7. Maze at Learning by Burning
8. Sarah at Life isn't always a fairytale
9. Dee at My Paradise
10. Jaime at The Unlikely Competitor
11. And finally, Ashley at ....Every Little Beautiful Pieces (I can't see how many followers you have, Ashley, but in the event that it's under 200, I definitely didn't want to miss out on nominating you!)

Have at, everyone!

A-T Children's Project

If you missed the last post, I will be participating in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend over Labor Day Weekend this year.
As part of it, I decided that I will do some fundraising for one of the Charitable Organizations that the particular race weekend will be working with. The one I chose is the A-T Children's Project.

A-T stands for ataxia-telangiectasia. If you would like more info, click on the embedded(?) link.
A way to look at it is like it's a combination of muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and others.
My A-T Children's Project Page also provides more information.

It's interesting, because it's suggested that finding out more about A-T could actually help with other diseases such as varieties of dementia - which, if you know me, you know that's a subject near and dear.

If you would be able to donate, even just a couple dollars (or, hey, a couple cents!) it would be greatly appreciated - and not just by me.

Thank you, and have a good night :)

Disneyland, here we come! (fundraising tips welcome)

Race registration for the Dumbo Double Dare opened this morning. The DDD isn't anywhere near as long as the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge (half marathon/13.1 miles one day, full marathon/26.2 miles the next, for a total of 39.3 miles.
But the DDD still looks pretty promising. It's doing a 10K (6.2 miles) one day, and then a half marathon the next day, for a total of 19.3 miles.

I was one of the many many many many MANY people upset with runDisney. I tried for over an hour to get into the race, but the site kept glitching because so many people were trying to register. And by the time I got to it, it was already sold out! The DDD filled up in about 30-45 minutes after it became available to the general public!
(The part that bugs me about that is they KNEW there would be a mad dash for it - it's the first year for the DDD and the 10K there, after all. And yet the website wasn't equipped to handle it. I even checked different events on the website to see if it was just trouble getting that race to load. Nope, the whole site)
It also turns out that there were only about 5,000 spots available... And plenty of people were able to pre-register at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, as well as at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend, if you were an Annual Pass holder, if you had a Disney Visa credit card (almost makes me wish I'd decided to get one but, uh, no thanks). The DDD was between 60-80% full by the time the general public got to it. Not only that, there were people (like myself) who signed up for an email alert about registration. By the time I finally got the email, registration was closed!

It's amazing how many people, like myself, were mad with the whole thing. I hadn't expected it to be so wide-spread. It was even more amazing how many people were saying something along the lines of "It's not runDisney's fault. You should've gone to a race!"
I'll be the first to tell you, me doing Disney World AND Disneyland in one year? That's a HUGE splurge for me. Call it a bucket list thing, if you will... Although I don't actually have a set "bucket list". If it had been as simple as "Oh, well, you just didn't get to it in time", that's one thing.

Anyway, let me quit my ranting and raving. It's really getting me nowhere.

So I went ahead and registered for the 10K. QUICKLY. At the time I registered, the 10K was about 90-92% full. Then I registered for the half which, at this time, is about 85% full. Unless the website has been updated some time in the last 5 minutes, but I think it's probably closer to 80-85% full by now, if not more. We shall see.
The hubs will be doing the 5K, and we can be each other's cheerleader. I'm looking forward to it, and maybe holding a sign for him, since this will be a 5K he's doing by himself - the 10K starts 45 minutes after the 5K, so unless he's doing an 8:00 mile or something, I don't think I'd have enough time to be able to see him before I take off for my race.

Onward with where I'm getting with this blog!
I kept seeing people saying "Hey, you know, you can register to run with a charity. They still have open spots for the DDD!" Eventually I decided to just check it out.
The A-T Children's Project had a spot where I could become a fundraiser, even though I'd already registered for the race. AND they still have DDD projects. So I figured I'd jump on the chance. And I took it - although I'm still trying to figure out how to get from "I already registered, but wasn't able to get into the DDD" to "I'm registered for the DDD".

It wasn't the easiest decision to make. I'll be the first to tell you that I can't pronounce all of ataxia-telangiectasia. I just can't. I'm getting closer, but I feel like I'm butchering it. So in addition to the weird feeling I had (coughHAVEcough) about "I'm going to raise funds for something, but I can't pronounce it", my main concern was "I've got about 6.5 months to raise $600. How am I going to do it?"

Ok, so that's an average of about $100 a month. No problem. Except... I'm no fundraising whiz. Never have been. But the hubs really settled it for me.
"We're going to be there, we might as well do some good and help others."
(paraphrasing, but you get the basic gist of it)
AND he said that if I wasn't able to raise the $600, he'd take care of it, and not to worry. And, well, 6.5 months.
Yes, my husband said that. Something tells me I should keep him ;)

Well, it's that time of the night. I'm gonna ski-daddle. Any tips/suggestions for fundraising are more than welcome!
Also, here's the link to My A-T Children's Project Page.

Goodnight!

One down, two to go

Yesterday I got back a letter on the status of my application to a doctoral program in Counseling Psychology.

"Dear Victoria,
Blah blah-blah blah-blah... While we found your application to be very strong, the pool of applicants was highly competitive. Thus, we have judged that we are not able to offer you admission into our doctoral program at this time. However, due to the strength of your file, we would like to consider you for admission to our master's program in counseling..."

I posted about that on Facebook, and on of the comments I got was basically asking if they even LOOKED at my application. Because, let's be honest... In less than four months, I'm going to HAVE a master's degree in counseling. Why would I need a second one??
The only real difference I saw in the course work is that they've got a couple classes dealing with adolescents, while I haven't had any on that particular subject during my master's program. And the difference is really only six credit hours in the end. The equivalent of two classes. I'm thinking I'm not going to pursue that.
While I would LOVE to have a doctorate in Counseling Psych, part of me is pretty offended by the suggestion that my current schooling isn't good enough. ESPECIALLY when that school pairs with mine for some distance education, and it's the same school system and all.

If I'd just applied to one program, the next step wouldn't be so hard. But I'm waiting on two more application decisions.

Long story short, I have a job opportunity at my internship. As in, I've been told that they would love to have me and there's a position open.
Here's the catch: It's a full-time position, and the doctoral programs I applied to? Their classes are at any and all times of the day. It just wouldn't work out for me. So one way or another I'm going to have to say "goodbye" to something. Goodbye to the job opportunity in order to pursue a full-time doctoral program. Goodby to a doctoral program in order to make money.

Or, and here's what I'm really afraid of, goodbye to both because they're already interviewing prospective candidates so I may miss out on the job AND not get accepted into either of the remaining doctoral programs that have a current status that has yet to read "under review".

It's like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Except both seem equally immovable at this time. I never expected to miss out on opportunities due to wanting to further my education. Or rather, I expected to miss some things, for instance missing hanging out with friends because I have a ridiculous homework assignment due the next day. But it just always seems to surprise me when I realize that wanting to further my education can be a barrier, because I wouldn't be able to dedicate 100+% of my time to it, despite being able to do the job and do it well.

What to do?
Decisions, decisions...

On that note, I'm off to bed. Goodnight!

Last first day of class!

As far as we know ;)
Tonight is the first night of my Human Development class.

I have a confession to make: I'm that weirdo who has not only printed out the syllabus already (in my program it's not TOO weird! haha) but I've already read it, highlighted some parts, and I've already planned out what my two "additional" projects will be.
The class has a total of three projects/papers, as far as I'm aware. One is a 4-5 page paper on a topic related to life-span development. I'm still contemplating what the subject of this one will be. For example, subjects from the past have included middle age and cosmetic surgery, pros and cons of breastfeeding, and expansion of adolescence into the 20s.
The closest idea I have for a topic at this time is something related to the drinking age. Real original, I know.
The other two projects, which I've already started, involve a 2-3 page summary of our experience, gathering information on a couple topics our professor has put on a list. From there we'll be doing a 15-minute (max) presentation. The plan is that I'll be doing one on the changes newlyweds have experienced since being married. I'll be combining two other topics, since they're so closely related, about the changes that parents have experienced since having a new baby, and what the birthing experience was like. I'll also be including people who have already had kids but now have a new baby, and what kind of adjustment has been taking place.

I really am excited for this. I reach out to my Facebook friends, as I know a lot of them are married/newly married/new parents. So far I've had 8 new parents (specifically new moms) agreeing to participate, 3 moms with new babies (maybe 4, I'm not quite sure), and 7 newlyweds.

What I'm really looking forward to is seeing what questions they'll answer. That is, I know some of them will have more than one section apply to them (newlywed with a new baby, that kind of thing). I'm looking forward to seeing what they consider maybe being a "new" baby or being a "newlywed".
I know that from personal experience I stopped feeling like a newlywed not too long after we got married, mostly because it was back to "real life" - no honeymoon, lots of work to be done, husband taking summer classes, etc. It's like there really wasn't downtime. But we've been married just over a year and a half, and some people would still consider that being "newlyweds" because it's been less than two years.

Apparently there's a show called The Newlywed Game, and the cutoff for eligibility is if you've been married more than 2 years.

Well, we're now up one newlywed and one new mom (or... new baby, already has kids... I'll figure that bit out later)! :D
I almost didn't expect it to come together so quickly/nicely, but I should also know from experience that a lot of women like talking about/remembering their weddings, talking about their birth experiences, etc.

What's especially funny about this whole thing is that I'm not doing a thesis. And getting such enjoyment out of people willing to participate in research makes me wonder just why the heck I'm not doing it! And then I remember that I'd be cranking out a thesis in under 4 months. Not impossible, but I would probably run screaming by the end of it if I procrastinated on it, and I would have to gather a committee, first!

The last first day of my program!

I'm gonna be completely honest, I hope wasn't my last first day of a semester in my education ever. I think I mentioned a while ago that I'm currently waiting on a decision from three doctoral programs... I'd forgotten what it was like to just... Wait. I've been checking on my applications for over a month now, and the status shown online still says the same thing:

Submitted.

It's a relief to see that word when you're concerned about whether or not a test or homework assignment got turned in, but not when you would like it to say "Under Review". I'm hoping to find out something (positive) soon.

Today (that is, Monday, not Tuesday, since it's after midnight) was my first day back at school this semester. And my last first day for my current school program!

The day as a whole started off pretty nicely. Got to my internship, did our morning meeting, ran my group... Then I started on paperwork and I thought I was going to die.

Ok, not that bad, but long story short? Cramps + IUD don't mix. I kinda felt like I was being crushed from the inside.

I should clarify, now that I have the IUD my menstrual cramps don't feel like the usual menstrual cramps. Hell, if I have them I don't notice them. All I notice is THE SQUEEZING FEELING. Yes, all bolded, larger font, and in caps is a start at being sufficient enough to describe it. Note that I said "a start".

I ended up heading home before lunch to hopefully find some food I could stomach so I could take 800 mg of ibuprofen (yes, you read that correctly: 800 mg), and get some sleep with the hope that I wouldn't oversleep my first class back. Or, you know, vomit.

I have to say, nothing makes me feel quite as... Pathetic. Yes, pathetic. Nothing makes me feel quite as pathetic as knowing that not only did I bail early because I had cramps, but that I had to take a doctor-approved dose of a pain reliever (a pain reliever that often isn't recommended for runners, unless I'm mistaken - I've heard both ways) so that I would quit feeling like my uterus was about to be sucked out of me. Which already sounds forceful and gross and agonizing and all that other (not-so-) fun crap.

On the plus side, I restarted a book I'd read (and loved) previously. Any romance novel fans, Jennifer Crusie fans, or... I don't know how to define what Bob Mayer writes, but Bob Mayer fans... If you haven't checked out Agnes and the Hitman, I HIGHLY recommend it. Especially if you've got a good sense of humor. Southern mob, a hot hitman, good food, a dog named Rhett (yes, Rhett, as in Gone With the Wind Rhett), and swingin' frying pans!

Then I got my nap, and all was well.

As far as classes go, I'm really looking forward to this semester. Not just because it's my last semester before I graduate with my M.S. (knock on wood! Comps are next month!), but because so far classes are looking good! Granted, I've only got two classes this semester, and I've only had one. But the benefit to being so far along in my program is that my internship class? There are only 8 of us, if you include our (pretty cool) instructor. My Human Growth class is on Tuesday evenings, so I have yet to experience it, but I hear it'll be pretty easy. Mostly writing. And I took a Human Growth course in undergrad, so here's hoping that helps.

It's interesting, though: There's no required book for this class. The Blackboard shell isn't even online, so I don't know who is in my class, although with some hunting I can figure out how large the class is... It looks like there are 24 people (including myself) in the class.

My internship may very well end up leading to a job. I'm unsure of how I feel about it. On the one hand, I spend 30+ hours a week there, and it would be lovely to be paid for it. On the other hand, I know good and well that not only am I waiting on doctoral decisions, but that if I get accepted I may not be able to work there. Or if I do, it will have to be part-time - which I suppose isn't horrible. Let's be honest, that's not bad at all.

Now on to running!

What, you didn't think I could make it a whole post without talking about this journey, did you? ;)

Ok, ok, I thought I could, but we're getting down to crunch time with the countdown, and I'm just excited to be going to Disney next month! Everything is just under 45 days away. About 44 days and 23.25 hours, actually - according to the runDisney website, of course!

I didn't get a run in tonight like I'd planned. Too easily distracted by the fact that I'm making our running tutus. And they. Will. Be. AMAZING! I'm going to post pictures and everything when I finish them, because the ideas I've got are so exciting!

Another reason I *may* have put off running, in addition to a lack of time and all that fun jazz when compared to everything else going on right now, is probably nerves surrounding my lovely running fuel. Since Friday's awful post-run episode of GI distress, I've gotten a couple other types of running fuel to try. I've long since established that Gatorade is not my friend. I'm adding GU to that list, although I don't know if that includes the GU Chomps, which I'd already purchased. I've bought Hammer Nutrition gels (one in Apple-Cinnamon flavor, one in Tropical), and some Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem Solids in Strawberry-Vanilla, which I don't have to worry about mixing into a drink.

And excitement of excitement, Jelly Belly makes sport jelly beans! Now THOSE I'm excited to try!

There are some other brands of fuel I was looking to try. I've heard from lots of people that Honey Stingers is good, and that Nuun has really been nice for people with sensitive stomachs.

Speaking of supplements, I picked up some Calcium Magnesium Zinc, which my dermatologist suggested when I talked with him about the half a few months ago. He didn't tell me that they'd be so large!

(That's what she said)

Although I don't know what I was expecting. But it certainly wasn't to take 3 a day.

Before I go, I think I've decided on a new name for this blog. I'm thinking it's going to go from "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" to "A Runner in the Making". But it's been over a year so naturally I've grown attached to the current title of this blog, even though I don't dance even half as much as I used to. Not even close. I'm lucky if I'm gettin' down in front of the bathroom mirror nowadays.

Well, I've rambled on quite enough for the night. It's bedtime. Toodles!

An experience I'd not care to repeat

I know a couple months ago I posted about fueling for runs - before, during, and after - and that Gatorade was a nightmare on my stomach.
Well, with the half next month, I figured that now's as good a time as any to get back into checking out fuels. I believe Disney gives out GU brand energy gels and such, so I decided to look it up. I saw some good things, mostly. Some bad from some people, but nowhere near as many as had trouble with Gatorade. So I picked up three flavors of the gel to try, and one back of the Chomps chews. I decided to have one (lemon sublime) pre-run, and one (strawberry banana) mid-run.

I got to the apartment's workout room around 11 last night and - this, btw, is super creepy - I flip on the light and there's just someone in there on the elliptical! I about had a heart attack!
...
And pretty sure it's not safe to work out in the dark. Especially when using and surrounded by equipment.

Older BIL suggested that if the TV was on then maybe that was enough light.

No. It was straight up DARK. Talk about scary as hell.
A couple came in not long after I got started, so I didn't felt as, um... Weirded out. Considering the time and all.

Eventually the couple left, and I pulled out the iPad and started to watch Mulan. About an hour into the workout (so maybe 25 minutes into the movie?) I have the second energy gel.

BTW, the scene in Mulan where she chops off her hair and steals her father's armor? I watched that 3-4 times. It was wonderfully motivating. I ended up going 5.7-6.0 MPH (10:00-10:30/mile, my usual is 12:30-13:30, if that tells you anything).

I decided to keep going until the end of the movie. I made sure to take a picture of the treadmill when I hit 9.11 miles (because seriously, that's funny), but I did hit "stop" at the end of the workout instead of "pause", so no pictures of the 9.55 or 9.56 I ended with.

That's right. Yours truly finished out at 9.55-9.56 miles! In about 2 hours and 11-12 minutes, keeping in mind I used the first mile as a 20- to 21-minute warm-up. That is 2.5 miles farther than my previous longest distance. And even with walking I'm still faster than the required pace :)

I got back, uploaded my run (my first failed NikeFuel mission - short by 300-ish points, but my best yet, so I can't wait to try it again! Another shot for the "hard" difficulty. I WILL get it), and then when I got ready to shower... It hit me.

I'm sure you can see where this is going.

I spent about 2.5 hours between the bathroom floor and trying to snuggle my sleeping-like-a-rock husband, all while feeling nauseous and having a case of the shakes. It was horrible! Even the stomach cramps I had from Gatorade didn't have that impact! I finally got a shower and got o bed at about 4:15 this morning.

Let's put it this way: between my post-shower weighing and my waking-up weighing (not even 6 hours apart) I lost 8 pounds. Which doesn't put me underweight or anything, it puts me at a weight I was more accustomed to a few years ago, but it still isn't good.
TMI, but I'm not sure how much of the loss was water because I made sure to drink water pre-, during, and post-run, and especially when I thought of the risk of dehydration with the post-run symptoms, and the gels/symptoms really cleaned me out...

Part of me is going "Hey, maybe you should just try the same brand but do it differently, even more water or something! Or maybe try a different brand! You may just have to condition yourself for it."
The other part of me is going "Hell. No. Do you really want to sit through another night of 2+ hours of shakes and nausea?"

I'm quite jealous of those runners who don't experience GI problems with running. Apparent,y they do exist.

On that note, 47.5 days to the Princess Half! I'm really feeling that I can do this. I got to 7.05 miles without energy gels, 9.55-9.56 miles with. I just need to make sure I can get that last 3.5 miles in, and I'm all set!
Also, DH and I have discussed the Disneyland 10K (the first year for it!) and the Disneyland Half Marathon so I'd have a shot at the Dumbo Double Dare medal for doing the 10K and half, AND the Coast to Coast medal for doing at least two races of half marathon or greater distance, one at Disney World in Florida and one at Disneyland in California :)

Hey, Disney?
...
I'm coming for you.
I hope you're psyched, because I know I am.

(Now just some pictures to showcase some of the fun parts of last night's/this morning's run:
- 9.11 miles. Just for kicks.
- "Citizens, I need fire power!" "Who are you?!" "Your worst nightmare." (I think Eddie Murphy did the Batman voice better than Christian Bale! Haha)
- "Light me!"
- the fireworks :)
- "If you ask me, she should've brought home a man!" "Does Fa Mulan live here?" "Woo! Sign me up for the next war!"
It's the "small" things, right?)

It's the most wonderful time of the year

A belated Happy New Year to everyone :)
Not too much is going on here in my neck of the woods. Just the usual life of a Master's candidate hell-bent on being a successful runner. Who wants to go to Disney.

Speaking of school, typing that made me realize that I graduate this year! Four months from Friday, if I'm not mistaken. But at this point in time it really doesn't feel like it's all that close.
I'm halfway done with my second internship, and I basically have until the end of April to get it taken care of. With any luck it won't be particularly difficult, seeing as it seems that I practically live here.
School starts on Monday. It seems so weird to say that. With any luck this won't be my last semester in school. I'm still waiting on my doctoral applications to be reviewed. Hopefully I won't have to wait too much longer.

Regarding the running, DH and I officially kicked off our part of the Ultimate Moon Joggers challenge last night. We didn't get as much distance as we would've liked (he got 2 miles, I believe, and I got 3.33 - for the Ultimate we each need 5.5+ miles per day) but it was a start and we're going to work together to get in our miles. If we each only get 1000 miles this year instead of 2013 miles it won't be the end of the world, but we're gonna go hard because sometimes going home isn't the answer.

Last night I did my fastest 5K in 36-37 minutes. The exact time I couldn't say, since my shoe pod is a bit off, but I won't worry about specifics for now. The fact of the matter is that it's an improvement.

Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend is officially next month. Yes, you read that right. NEXT month. I'm... Unsure of how to feel about it.
On the one hand, I'm super excited. I know I can finish it, even if it ends up being a run-walk combination. I'm pretty psyched because I think I can get under the 3-hour mark if I keep this up. At least that's my hope. I've got 7.5 weeks to make it happen.
On the other hand, my brain is going "... You're kidding me, right? 13.1 miles? What the heck is wrong with you??????" And the nerves want to start.

Then I remind myself of the pin on Pinterest that says something to the effect of "That little voice that tells you you can't... Is a dirty lying whore." Or, you know, something to that effect ;)

On a more positive note, I booked all of our trip stuff with the exception of flights, which will be booked sometime within the next week - probably within the next few days, actually.
Disney level of readiness? Probably about 65%. Book flights, finish room and food reservation-type stuff, keep running, keep excitement up.
I'm running with a camera, if I can. And we're going to get so many pictures on and off the courses! And a few hours after the race were going to have lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table!

Not gonna lie, I think it's some funny mess. Cinderella is now a princess and she's going to be serving us our appetizer. Never mind that it's one that "she picked especially for us", the fact is she's going to be our server for a short time.

I hope I'll get that laugh out of my system before we get there.

Not much else is going on. Just running, school, and internship.
DH and I have been discussing the possibility of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. I would love to get the Coast to Coast medal for doing at least two halves in one year, one at each resort. We'll just have to wait and see, no?