I am still training for my first marathon, although it is a total head game. I have to fight my head every time I am out. "keep going, don't stop, your feet don't hurt (even though they do!).
Last Friday I ran 12 1/2 miles. I ran around Lake Zorinky once, then around the big lake again. I thought it would come out to just 11, which was what I was to run last week. It turned out to be 12 1/2 miles. My time was 7:38 or less minute miles until mile 11, then went to 8:15-8:20 because I was mad I was still running! I need a new hoodie to keep me warm and need to go to the running shoe store to see what is wrong with my Brooks. They are killing my feet (are they too big or just the wrong shoe for me?!).
I am happy my time is picking up now that I am off that medication. I am feeling a little better while I am running, too. Now, I just need to get mother nature to get on my side. It is too cold for 13 mile runs!
Wanna join me? Please?! :)
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
My First Colonoscopy
Yesterday I had my first colonoscopy. I'm not going to lie, it was not fun.
Saturday I rushed through my last meal before my day of clear liquids on Sunday. All day Sunday, I ate one package of yellow, a entire bottle of diet 7 up and about 7 werthers. I was starving! I organized Addison's room a bit in the morning and then watched TV in bed all afternoon to conserve energy. I was so hungry. You see, I had ran 12 1/2 miles on Friday and 6 on Saturday, so I was still revved up from all of that. I needed FOOD!
Little did I know that starving was the easy part. Come 5:30 Sunday night, I had to start drinking the 4 liters of crap to clear me out and send me running to the bathroom. The drink was salty, slimy and made me gag. It was like drinking a tongue depressor. I could hardly choke down the 8 oz every 10 minutes. Within an hour, I was in the bathroom every ten minutes, too. I was dizzy, light headed and quite nauseous. It was no treat! I had told the kids to leave me alone in my room. When I was at my sickest, all three kids and Chris were in the room. Gees! I went to bed Sunday night dreading drinking more in the morning.
Monday morning I dragged myself out of bed. I had gotten up once in the night to go to the bathroom and went twice in the morning. I had no energy to get the kids going. I sat down to do Addison's hair. Alivia was concerned about me driving them to school. I was a wreck.
After dropping them off at school, it was time to drink the next half of the 4 liters of liquid Go Lightly. I tried real hard to not have it touch my tongue. I would drink one and run to bed nauseated. By the third or fourth one, I was dry heaving, shaking and could not stand. It was a nightmare. According to the directions, I did not have to drink all of the stuff if I was clear before hand. Well, I was, thank goodness, thanks to my light Saturday night meal and no meals on Sunday (the directions are for clear liquids the day before the procedure). I dragged myself out of bed and sat in the shower. Yes, I sat in the shower. I sat to comb my hair and to brush my teeth. The longer I was from finishing the drink the less nauseous I was, but I was still quite weak.
My mom arrived about 11. She was my required driver. I can tell you, there is a reason why they require a driver. I was in no shape to drive there and definitely in no shape to drive home!
We arrived an hour before hand as directed. I went to the bathroom another time (gees, never ending!) and they called my name. They took me back into a very small space with a chair, sink, toilet and a locker to get changed into a gown. The door on the other side of the room opened up into the area with my bed. I climbed and and the nurse put a very warm blanket on me that felt amazing. She put in my IV and moved me to the procedure room. She then put the warm sleeper medicine into my IV, followed by a cold saline flush. The next thing I remember was waking up in recovering hearing the nurse tell me to try to expel the air (probably a man's dream...waking to a woman telling them to fart!). I was too sleepy to comprehend what she was saying. I somehow managed to put my clothes on, but I don't remember dressing.
The nurse, I think, walked me into a room where Chris and my mom were waiting. The Dr talked, saying that I probably have Irritable bowel syndrome, nothing serious and what to do for it. (yeah for being cancer free!). Chris said he was freaking out before the doctor started talking, thinking it was either good news or news that would change everything. It was scary, especially since I have a family history of this sort of thing (my aunt died of colon cancer). Fortunately, it is treatable and not serious. Chris says he walked me to my mom's car, but I don't remember that. I do remember telling my mom to take me to Panera. I ate soup, break and a cookie, but I don't remember much of it.
My mom drove me home, I dropped my bags on the floor and ran up to bed without saying anything to her. Chris woke me up at 5. I was so confused. I felt like I just laid down. I felt bad that I just walked off and didn't say anything to my mom. I was so out of it. Wow, I like that drug! :) I spent the remainder of the night hanging out in bed, drinking 7-up.
Meanwhile, the school called while I was in the procedure saying Asher had vomited at school. So, Chris' mom when and picked him up. When I woke, Asher looked as bad as I felt and went to bed. He slept all night!
Today, Asher and I are just hanging out, recuperating. We are both much better! We are both eating, drinking, and are beginning to feel normal. Yeah!
I can't say I will be signing up to be the poster girl for a colonoscopy. I am hoping that by the time I am 50 (when most people get their first colonoscopy) they have that drink replaced because it is awful! Glad it is all over with and I will be okay. Whew!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Asher the Basketball Player!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Marathon Training Take 1
I started training for the Lincoln Full Marathon on Monday, December 29, Following Hal Higdon's Intermediate I Training.
http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51139/Marathon-Intermediate-1-Training-Program
Under the recommendation of my friend Jill (who has run her fair share of Half and Full Marathons), I ordered myself the Garmin 10 in pink and I LOVE IT!! It uses a GPS to track my running, pace, miles. LOVE! I found out that I am a lot slower than I was 5 years ago when I ran my half in Lincoln. I ran my half marathon in 1 hr and 40 minutes for an average of 7:38. I am running now about 8:15-8:20 minute miles. With that said, I come to a complete stop a lot to take off my hoodie, redo my head wrap, fix my scarf, etc, as I run in this crazy wind, cold stuff they call Nebraska winter. But still, I AM MUCH SLOWER. That does not thrill me much considering I was hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon. My goal now is to finish the full marathon in under 4 hours, 3 hr 40 minutes would be great, but I just don't know that I can make that happen.
In December, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I was put on a medication for it and it helped wonderfully. HOWEVER, it caused muscle weakness/rigidity, lethargy and I was tired all the time. Let's just say, I was a total mess. Today I got them to change the medication. HOWEVER, this medication is less effective at treating my IBS. Great. All of this is not helping with my strength and energy while running. Sometimes it seems like my legs are moving faster than my mind, so I stop to get them back together. My legs are so stiff. I am not sure if it was from the medication or the cold or a combination. I have never had that happen before. I felt like I was a running board. I lost a few pounds on it, too, which did not help with the lack of strength I was feeling, either. I have been off the medication 2 days and am to start the new one tonight. THANK GOODNESS because my IBS is back FULL FORCE. Seriously, I am a total mess. I am hoping the medication works so I do not have to have a colonoscopy (I was supposed to have one earlier this month but I cancelled it because 1. They scare the hell out of me and 2. I felt better on the medication.). And, I need to get running like my normal crazy self! So anyway...
I found this blog...
http://www.mile-posts.com/
It is a wonderful blog for any runner, but especially marathon runner types. She gives great advise about what to eat from Picky bars to Cliff Bloks during the run, to what water bottle to carry, to if you should or should not carry a water bottle. I have a whole shopping list full of things to buy. I have started using the Cliff Bloks (strawberry flavored which were a whopping $1.97 each at Target!). They taste pretty good but I have to take with water as they made me really thirsy (so thirsty in fact that I started to question if the near by snow was okay to eat!). Obviously, I have not bought my water bottle yet! You can check out my Pins on my Pinterest board titled 26.2 or my running style on pinterest.
So far, my training has been a little rough obviously. I have stuck with it for the most part. I usually run 6 days in a row, though, taking Sunday off. I do that because I have more time to run on Fridays because the kids are in school. So why would I take that day off? And, I usually work Sunday nights. I don't really want to run for over an hour and then stay up all night. COME ON. That is just insane. ;) With that said, my body is probably more tired for those long runs because I did not take that break. One of these weeks, I will try to follow the plan correctly. It is just SO HARD.
Also, I found this great place to get updated music on mile posts called runhundred.com. It has great workout music emailed to you that have great beats per minute to work out too. It has songs that I have not heard of or would not have thought to run to.
The marathon is May 4 in Lincoln. I have my hotel already booked (booked it the first of December just in case!). Now, I just got to get my mind and body ready to go! Anyone care to join me?
http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51139/Marathon-Intermediate-1-Training-Program
Under the recommendation of my friend Jill (who has run her fair share of Half and Full Marathons), I ordered myself the Garmin 10 in pink and I LOVE IT!! It uses a GPS to track my running, pace, miles. LOVE! I found out that I am a lot slower than I was 5 years ago when I ran my half in Lincoln. I ran my half marathon in 1 hr and 40 minutes for an average of 7:38. I am running now about 8:15-8:20 minute miles. With that said, I come to a complete stop a lot to take off my hoodie, redo my head wrap, fix my scarf, etc, as I run in this crazy wind, cold stuff they call Nebraska winter. But still, I AM MUCH SLOWER. That does not thrill me much considering I was hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon. My goal now is to finish the full marathon in under 4 hours, 3 hr 40 minutes would be great, but I just don't know that I can make that happen.
In December, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I was put on a medication for it and it helped wonderfully. HOWEVER, it caused muscle weakness/rigidity, lethargy and I was tired all the time. Let's just say, I was a total mess. Today I got them to change the medication. HOWEVER, this medication is less effective at treating my IBS. Great. All of this is not helping with my strength and energy while running. Sometimes it seems like my legs are moving faster than my mind, so I stop to get them back together. My legs are so stiff. I am not sure if it was from the medication or the cold or a combination. I have never had that happen before. I felt like I was a running board. I lost a few pounds on it, too, which did not help with the lack of strength I was feeling, either. I have been off the medication 2 days and am to start the new one tonight. THANK GOODNESS because my IBS is back FULL FORCE. Seriously, I am a total mess. I am hoping the medication works so I do not have to have a colonoscopy (I was supposed to have one earlier this month but I cancelled it because 1. They scare the hell out of me and 2. I felt better on the medication.). And, I need to get running like my normal crazy self! So anyway...
I found this blog...
http://www.mile-posts.com/
It is a wonderful blog for any runner, but especially marathon runner types. She gives great advise about what to eat from Picky bars to Cliff Bloks during the run, to what water bottle to carry, to if you should or should not carry a water bottle. I have a whole shopping list full of things to buy. I have started using the Cliff Bloks (strawberry flavored which were a whopping $1.97 each at Target!). They taste pretty good but I have to take with water as they made me really thirsy (so thirsty in fact that I started to question if the near by snow was okay to eat!). Obviously, I have not bought my water bottle yet! You can check out my Pins on my Pinterest board titled 26.2 or my running style on pinterest.
So far, my training has been a little rough obviously. I have stuck with it for the most part. I usually run 6 days in a row, though, taking Sunday off. I do that because I have more time to run on Fridays because the kids are in school. So why would I take that day off? And, I usually work Sunday nights. I don't really want to run for over an hour and then stay up all night. COME ON. That is just insane. ;) With that said, my body is probably more tired for those long runs because I did not take that break. One of these weeks, I will try to follow the plan correctly. It is just SO HARD.
Also, I found this great place to get updated music on mile posts called runhundred.com. It has great workout music emailed to you that have great beats per minute to work out too. It has songs that I have not heard of or would not have thought to run to.
The marathon is May 4 in Lincoln. I have my hotel already booked (booked it the first of December just in case!). Now, I just got to get my mind and body ready to go! Anyone care to join me?
"Marathon Training Schedule: Intermediate 1
| Week | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cross | 3 m run | 5 m run | 3 m run | Rest | 5 m pace | 8 |
| 2 | Cross | 3 m run | 5 m run | 3 m run | Rest | 5 m run | 9 |
| 3 | Cross | 3 m run | 5 m run | 3 m run | Rest | 5 m pace | 6 |
| 4 | Cross | 3 m run | 6 m run | 3 m run | Rest | 6 m pace | 11 |
| 5 | Cross | 3 m run | 6 m run | 3 m run | Rest | 6 m run | 12 |
| 6 | Cross | 3 m run | 5 m run | 3 m run | Rest | 6 m pace | 9 |
| 7 | Cross | 4 m run | 7 m run | 4 m run | Rest | 7 m pace | 14 |
| 8 | Cross | 4 m run | 7 m run | 4 m run | Rest | 7 m run | 15 |
| 9 | Cross | 4 m run | 5 m run | 4 m run | Rest | Rest | Half Marathon |
| 10 | Cross | 4 m run | 8 m run | 4 m run | Rest | 8 m pace | 17 |
| 11 | Cross | 5 m run | 8 m run | 5 m run | Rest | 8 m run | 18 |
| 12 | Cross | 5 m run | 5 m run | 5 m run | Rest | 8 m pace | 13 |
| 13 | Cross | 5 m run | 8 m run | 5 m run | Rest | 5 m pace | 20 |
| 14 | Cross | 5 m run | 5 m run | 5 m run | Rest | 8 m run | 12 |
| 15 | Cross | 5 m run | 8 m run | 5 m run | Rest | 5 m pace | 20 |
| 16 | Cross | 5 m run | 6 m run | 5 m run | Rest | 4 m pace | 12 |
| 17 | Cross | 4 m run | 5 m run | 4 m run | Rest | 3 m run | 8 |
| 18 | Cross | 3 m run | 4 m run | Rest | Rest | 2 m run | Marathon" |
Monday, January 13, 2014
2013 Austin Family Album
Its' January and I have the 2013 album done! Crazy, considering I just ordered the 2012 one last one! I know, I am on time for once.
With the kids in school and not doing the 365 photo project, I took fewer pictures. Thus, there are fewer pages in this year's addition. We had a challenging yet fun year. Enjoy our year of captured moments, if you desire.
The 2013 Austin Family Photo Book
With the kids in school and not doing the 365 photo project, I took fewer pictures. Thus, there are fewer pages in this year's addition. We had a challenging yet fun year. Enjoy our year of captured moments, if you desire.
The 2013 Austin Family Photo Book
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
December 2013 In Review
We kept busy in December with Saint Nicholas Day, School Winter Party, Alivia got student of the month, Alivia's class concert, winter break, roller skating, going to the Durham Museum & Children's Museum, Tube system & more. And, we can not leave out the celebration of Christmas & New Years!
Happy New Year! 2014 is off to a great start!
DECEMBER 2013 PICTURES
Happy New Year! 2014 is off to a great start!
DECEMBER 2013 PICTURES
Monday, January 06, 2014
Holiday Break 2013
Hard to believe the kids' Holiday break is over and they are back into the second half of the school year. The started break on December 20, going back on January 2. And, I took a little vacation from work, too. It was so nice to be able to be with the kids without juggling my night nursing schedule.
Day one of break started off with meeting friends, Jill, Maggie and Mackenzie at the Children's Museum. Since all the other kids were still in school, it was so quiet there! We even saw other friends, Albanie and her kids. There were maybe 25 people there! The kids had a blast and it was nice for me to catch up with Jill and Albanie, too.
Next up, we visited the Durham Museum, seeing their HUGE tree, Santa, and their cool science display downstairs. It was fun.
On Sunday, we spend the afternoon roller blading at Skate City in Bellevue. Asher received roller blades for his birthday and wanted to try them out. I did not honestly think he would do very well. He proved me wrong, taking off and never wanting to hold my hand! It was crazy. We were all exhausted by the end of the 2 hour skating marathon. We got done just in time to get cleaned up and go to Chris' parents for Christmas. We all slept good that night.
Monday was the day we went to Iowa to bake cookies. We are still eating them (we froze most of them). :) Tuesday we cleaned in preparation for our Christmas Day Guests.
After Christmas, we spent the remaining break at home, hardly going anywhere. The kids played with their new toys, jumping on the new bouncer and playing with the neighbor kids. Our neighbor houses got all filled up just before Christmas. The house across the street is the home of 2 girls, one Alivia's age and one Addison's age. They have already made themselves at home in our house.
On the Monday before New Years, we met our friends Bonnie, Gabby, Xander and Ben at Skate Daze to play in the tube system. Addison invited her friend Halle, too. Addison had 2 sleepover with Halle during break, Alivia had 2 sleepovers with her friend Lizzy and Asher had his first sleepover with his friend Cameron. It was difficult to keep track of their schedules! Anyway, the tube system is always a good place to go to blow off energy. They had fun and I always like catching up with Bonnie.
The rest of the break we chilled at home, watching movies, baking, and enjoying each other without being busy for once. I loved every minute of it.
January 1 at night, I returned to work and the kids were in school the next morning. It went by way too fast. I don't know about the kids, but I am already counting the days until the next break! :)
Day one of break started off with meeting friends, Jill, Maggie and Mackenzie at the Children's Museum. Since all the other kids were still in school, it was so quiet there! We even saw other friends, Albanie and her kids. There were maybe 25 people there! The kids had a blast and it was nice for me to catch up with Jill and Albanie, too.
Next up, we visited the Durham Museum, seeing their HUGE tree, Santa, and their cool science display downstairs. It was fun.
On Sunday, we spend the afternoon roller blading at Skate City in Bellevue. Asher received roller blades for his birthday and wanted to try them out. I did not honestly think he would do very well. He proved me wrong, taking off and never wanting to hold my hand! It was crazy. We were all exhausted by the end of the 2 hour skating marathon. We got done just in time to get cleaned up and go to Chris' parents for Christmas. We all slept good that night.
Monday was the day we went to Iowa to bake cookies. We are still eating them (we froze most of them). :) Tuesday we cleaned in preparation for our Christmas Day Guests.
After Christmas, we spent the remaining break at home, hardly going anywhere. The kids played with their new toys, jumping on the new bouncer and playing with the neighbor kids. Our neighbor houses got all filled up just before Christmas. The house across the street is the home of 2 girls, one Alivia's age and one Addison's age. They have already made themselves at home in our house.
On the Monday before New Years, we met our friends Bonnie, Gabby, Xander and Ben at Skate Daze to play in the tube system. Addison invited her friend Halle, too. Addison had 2 sleepover with Halle during break, Alivia had 2 sleepovers with her friend Lizzy and Asher had his first sleepover with his friend Cameron. It was difficult to keep track of their schedules! Anyway, the tube system is always a good place to go to blow off energy. They had fun and I always like catching up with Bonnie.
The rest of the break we chilled at home, watching movies, baking, and enjoying each other without being busy for once. I loved every minute of it.
January 1 at night, I returned to work and the kids were in school the next morning. It went by way too fast. I don't know about the kids, but I am already counting the days until the next break! :)
Happy New Year 2014!
Happy New Year! Wow, does time go faster or is it just me?
Time to make more goals. This year, Chris and I have set the standard high for goals. One we will DEFINITELY achieve after 3 years of making it a goal (gees!). So, here it goes.
1. GO TO DISNEY!
Chris was at a new job in 2013 making Disney out of the question. 2014...Disney here we come!
2. CELEBRATE OUR 15th ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE!
After suffering through our 14th year, Chris and I are really going all out for our 15th...going back to Jamaica man to celebrate 15 years together. OMG...we are counting the days until we are sipping blended fruit punches on the beach!
3. CHRIS WILL SUMMIT LONGS PEAK!
This is Chris' lofty goal for 2014. He plans to make the summit with his brother (so the kids and I will have another long trip to the Lake again!). I think Chris is crazy and he thinks I am. I guess we are equal, or something.
4. I WILL RUN MY VERY FIRST FULL 26.2m MARATHON!!
Yep, sounds crazy, but that's me. All crazy. Really, who isn't running a marathon. I went to sign up at 12:01 New Years morning and the site was crashed...so I had to sign up at 2:30 AM. By New Years morning, the marathon was full. So, I won't be running it alone! The training has begun, even in this cold crap. Seriously, wth was I thinking training for a spring marathon in Nebraska?!
5. SAVE ONE PAYCHECK A MONTH
Although I did not get a new job as I said I would last year, I am working a ton of hours more than I was (for me anyway). So, I think it is about time I start stuffing one paycheck away per month. I still want to find a new job, though.
6. MAKE OUR HOME A 5 BEDROOM
This project was supposed to start, well, now. But, our contractor quit on us. Boo. We loved him as he did our wrought iron spindles and finished our closet/drop zone for us. Now, back to the drawing board of finding someone else to do this project for us. We will see.
That ought to keep Chris and I busy for a while. What are your 2014 Goals?!
Time to make more goals. This year, Chris and I have set the standard high for goals. One we will DEFINITELY achieve after 3 years of making it a goal (gees!). So, here it goes.
1. GO TO DISNEY!
Chris was at a new job in 2013 making Disney out of the question. 2014...Disney here we come!
2. CELEBRATE OUR 15th ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE!
After suffering through our 14th year, Chris and I are really going all out for our 15th...going back to Jamaica man to celebrate 15 years together. OMG...we are counting the days until we are sipping blended fruit punches on the beach!
3. CHRIS WILL SUMMIT LONGS PEAK!
This is Chris' lofty goal for 2014. He plans to make the summit with his brother (so the kids and I will have another long trip to the Lake again!). I think Chris is crazy and he thinks I am. I guess we are equal, or something.
4. I WILL RUN MY VERY FIRST FULL 26.2m MARATHON!!
Yep, sounds crazy, but that's me. All crazy. Really, who isn't running a marathon. I went to sign up at 12:01 New Years morning and the site was crashed...so I had to sign up at 2:30 AM. By New Years morning, the marathon was full. So, I won't be running it alone! The training has begun, even in this cold crap. Seriously, wth was I thinking training for a spring marathon in Nebraska?!
5. SAVE ONE PAYCHECK A MONTH
Although I did not get a new job as I said I would last year, I am working a ton of hours more than I was (for me anyway). So, I think it is about time I start stuffing one paycheck away per month. I still want to find a new job, though.
6. MAKE OUR HOME A 5 BEDROOM
This project was supposed to start, well, now. But, our contractor quit on us. Boo. We loved him as he did our wrought iron spindles and finished our closet/drop zone for us. Now, back to the drawing board of finding someone else to do this project for us. We will see.
That ought to keep Chris and I busy for a while. What are your 2014 Goals?!
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