Welcome, Hurricane Season!

I'll go ahead and say it now... Run for your lives! We're all going to die! I have a bad feeling that we are in for another one this year. Then again, I thought it might rain yesterday, and it didn't.

Running update: Six miles with the Fall group on Saturday (and I got in an extra couple of miles running to and from my house). The crowd seemed a bit smaller. Maybe it was the heat and humidity. I have news for you...its only going to get worse. I personally had a good run and kept a steady pace between 9:05-9:15. My color group (yellow) is supposed to run a 9:00-10:00 minute mile, so I'm on target for the faster part of our group, but I'm not in the lead pack. I think our lead pack is going out too fast, and did last week too. Its going to end up discouraging runners when the heat and humidity really show up. Now is the time to take it slow, get the distance in and not focus on speed too much...we'll all get faster through the course of the training season. If I'm keeping the pace that I noted above and can't even see the lead group in front of me, they are going too fast for our color group. Runners have even commented on this, and are confused about the pacing, so I just tell them to run with me...a fast but not overwhelming pace that is challenging but not ridiculous. Not that I want to lead the entire group...I'm fine with trying to maintain my current pace and meet some of the runners around me, and I think our pace is appropriate. If you want to run faster, go to the faster color group (green). It just frustrates me that we, as coaches, preach one thing and do another. Maybe we should have an in-between pace group, lime color maybe?

And the jury is still out on the Saturday running start times...runs begin around 6:40 a.m. now, regardless of distance. That means alot of running in the sun. I personally prefer earlier start times (like when its still dark), but I'm not in charge. I just need to remember my sun block. I already have a nice runner's tan. Its real sexy.

Hill work begins this week. I'm looking forward to it, because these workouts are great for building strength, speed and stamina, and burn alot of calories, especially in the evening heat. I'm going to do my best to get to all of the hill and speed workouts this season, because they really do help as long as you approach them appropriately to keep yourself injury-free. I'm sure the first couple of hill workouts will go like this - several runners will race up the hills and race back down them, or they will come to a dead stop at the top of the hill before the downhill portion. Wrong approaches. I will never forget my friend Jamoosh advising me in one of my very first hill workouts to maintain my pace up the hill but take smaller/quicker steps, get my knees up and pump my arms. I hear that advice in my head every time I encounter a hill. And running down a hill shouldn't be a free-for-all. Don't lean back, don't go too fast, maintain control while letting gravity help.

Clif notes - keep your pace while running up and down hills but adjust your running form appropriately.

Random thoughts:

Our generation's "let's do lunch" is "let's get a drink." Said with the best intentions but you know it won't happen any time soon unless you nail down a date and time right then and there. Just something I've observed the past few years and think is funny...

Also, as the old saying goes, "you are the company you keep" or "the company we keep defines who we are." Sad but true, people will judge you based on the type of people you hang out with. What does it mean if I hang out with my cat alot?

Run Wild Jewelry

Check it out! Beautiful handmade jewelry by my friend Pattie, for the runner/triathlete. Can you guess which item I'm going to be buying??

Gasp!

Has it really been almost a month since I posted? I know my one reader has missed me dearly. Thought I'd get in a post before enjoying this gorgeous Memorial Day...

Running update: Fall marathon training is in full swing, and it is hot and humid out there (duh, its summer in Houston), but we have a pretty good group of runners every Saturday morning. I've been getting in a couple of extra miles by running from my house to the meeting location and back. I'm trying to get back to a regular running/exercise routine during the week, but its been difficult. Work has been demanding and I'm usually so exhausted in the evenings and would rather kick back and have a drink than run. That'll change...high school reunions are coming up, and I don't know about you, but alcohol goes straight to my waist. No bueno.

Family update: We are all still pretty sad about my grandfather's passing and that my grandmother is now in a "home." She requires 24/7 care, so this is definitely the best place for her to be...the family is at peace with this decision. I've gone to visit her a couple of times when I've been back to my parents' to help them clean out my grandparents' house. My grandmother really doesn't know who I am, who any of us are, but she knows were are family, I think. Its hard not to completely detach myself from her because that's not my grandmother, not the same person who I loved to spend so much time with, have such great memories of. We had a special bond, and that's what I choose to remember, not how she is now. But I love her the same nevertheless.

Going through my grandparents' house and their belongings has been a great experience for all of us. We have found so many pictures and other momentos that we had never seen before...such a great record of family history. I have volunteered to get the pics etc in some sort of order, a project that is going to take me months. And apparently my grandfather kept every single bank statement he ever received. We have been finding those things everywhere! This hoarding of sorts is quite typical of the Great Depression generation, I believe. It has inspired me to become better organized so that if anything should happen to me, my family will know exactly where to look for the important stuff. Plus, I've never been one to keep stuff "just in case." I do not like clutter, at all.

Pictures:
Some great pics from my birthday -

The girls...


Fellow birthday celebrant Brian and his wife Leah...


Me and my dear friends Aimee and Tyler...


Cake from work...they know I'm a princess...


And from Mother's Day weekend -

Grammie and Sorennah...


Grammie and Pops with Koen and Hayden...


Hayden and Koen (could they be any cuter??? Answer: no.)...


Me and mini-princess Sorennah...

Rest in Peace, PopC...

My beloved grandfather, affectionately known as "PopC" passed away late this afternoon. He had been in the hospital, but by all accounts, nothing was viewed as imminent, so my family is experiencing some shock and much grief tonight. I am blessed to be in close proximity...both my parents and my grandparents live in Bryan...so I was able to get here tonight to do what I can to help.

I have a very heavy heart. PopC was a wonderful man, always had a smile for you. I never saw him upset or mad. I have so many fond memories that are flooding through my mind right now but I can't possibly post them all here. We were very close my whole life. He truly loved his son and daughter in law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Most of all, he was the most loving, patient and caring husband to my grandmother, MomC.

I remember always looking forward to visiting my grandparents when I was a kid when they lived in Wichita Falls. The trip was a long one for little kids who liked to fight with each other, but my grandparents always cheered us up right away with toys and ice cream and alot of love. They took us to wildlife parks in Oklahoma, went on family trips with us to Colorado and Wyoming, I just can't remember many family events where they weren't there. Graduations, birthdays, holidays, you name it, my PopC and MomC were involved in everything. My brother and I are their only grandchildren, and they showered us with love every chance they got.

When I decided I wanted to be called "Carolyn" instead of my nickname "Carrie," PopC never missed a beat, never once slipped up and called me Carrie...that was always very special to me and I have never forgotten that. For years, he collected the state quarters for all of us so we would have all 50. When my brother and I were younger and had a "cussing war," he laughed and laughed. We spent countless nights playing cards as I was growing up, and for several years my grandparents owned some land where we would go ride 4-wheelers and search for animals in the woods. I loved to visit the shopping center he managed in Wichita Falls, and even as a young girl was fascinated by the stories he would tell about his coffee mornings with his friends. When my mom was sick with cancer many years ago, he often drove her to Houston for her treatments. He always asked about my running and my work and my dating status, truly interested in what was going on in my life. My grandparents house is full of family pictures and cards and keepsakes, and I love to look at them every time I am there. Nothing was more important to PopC than family.

I'm most thankful for what a wonderful father my PopC was to my dad and how he welcomed my mom into his family as his own daughter. And gosh, he loved his great-grandchildren! Its a shame they won't know him. He was so proud of his entire family. PopC's smile and happiness were truly genuine, and you couldn't help be in a great mood around him. Everyone loved him, and even his nurses cried today, because he charmed them as he did everyone else who knew him. Always a smile, a smile I will never, ever forget. Sure he declined physically over the last few years but he was mentally sharp as a tack. It was just in the past couple of months that he deteriorated so quickly and suddenly, but no one expected he would pass so soon.

I'm grateful that my MomC got to spend some nice time with him in the hospital yesterday. She doesn't really know what is going on, but is doing well considering. I of course am sad that I did not get to say good-bye, but I did see him at the end of March, and that makes me happy. I know he knew how much I loved him, how much we all loved him, and we knew without a doubt that he loved us.

My parents have been saints throughout the failing health of my grandparents. I cannot tell you, or them, how much I admire them and their love and concern and caring. My heart breaks for my dad. Our family has been through so much lately, but we are all here for each other, as we always have been.

I'm rambling because my mind is unfocused. So many things swirling around, so many great memories that make me laugh and cry tears of happiness and sorrow. What a wonderful man and a wonderful blessing he was to my family. I am incredibly thankful that I had 38 years with him. I will miss him terribly.

In happier news, I had a wonderful birthday celebration with my friends on Saturday and will post pics and a running update soon.

Birds of a feather...

You know the rest. Sigh. That is all.

How the Swine Flu started (I stole this pic from my friend Jennifer. Thanks Jenny Shenny!):

Hypothetically...

...If you call a female a "toothpick," is that a compliment or an insult?

RIP Pontiac: You were my first car in high school and remained in the family until my brother totaled you (and a couple of trees). Now your entire line is totaled. But I don't really care since I drive only foreign cars. Go Toyota!

Mom update: MD Anderson says no cancer, no tumors, no nothing except for some bone lesions that are a result of small stress fractures in her hip/pelvic area that was radiated heavily years ago. I guess bone lesions look like cancerous tumors. At least the drama ended quickly. We were all emotionally drained last week.

Unfortunately a new drama is emerging as my grandparents are not doing well at all and may soon have to go into a nursing home. This has put alot of stress on my parents, especially my dad. Its so hard to see my grandparents, whom I've been close to my entire life, deteriorate.

I really don't ever want to be that old, unless I'm filthy rich and can hire a couple of young, sexy care-takers who like older (much older) women. There would be no shame in being someone's sugar mama. But who am I kidding...my parents are spending my inheritance as we speak.

Running update: I finally got a 4 mile run in yesterday, after taking a couple of weeks off. Then we had our Fall coaches meeting last night. Can't believe the training season for Fall marathons starts on Saturday! And, I woke up early to get in 45 minutes on the elliptical this morning. Gotta get back in shape for running and upcoming social events/activities, not to mention poolside/deck lounging.

Speaking of running, Happy Birthday to fellow runner, blogger and Taurus, Cassie!

And speaking of running and blogging, Kathleen wrote an excellent post last week that rings true and relevant, to me anyway...

Thank you...

Thank you to my friends who have called, sent me emails/notes, and posted here in response to the news about my mom. I am so blessed to have great friends who care and show support. Its very comforting and calming.

Today was a bad day...had to constantly hold back the tears during work. I'm sure my emotions will swing wildly during this time, but that's to be expected when someone receives such news about a dearly loved one. Should my mom get her treatments here at MD Anderson and stay with me during that time, I will cherish every minute I have with her. We too often take our loved ones for granted. Scary news can be a real eye-opener and blunt reminder of what's really important.

Now, if I can just find the motivation to keep up with my running, I'm sure that will help with the stress and with maintaining a sense of normalcy. C'mon, running mojo, come back to me!! :)

No rest for the already stressed...

Running update #1: Didn't run this week, because...

Neck/shoulder issues: I'm having some unusual pain in my neck and shoulder, and down my arm, including numbness in some of my fingers, that is not the normal dull pain I am used to having on a regular basis, which I often don't even notice anymore (brief explanation here, second paragraph). But when rest and muscle relaxants and even pain killers don't work after several days, I get concerned. I had an MRI on both my neck and my shoulder on Thursday and I'm still waiting on results. I hope it is either nothing or just a pinched nerve. If its disc-related, like something to do with my already-herniated c6-7 disc, it could be bigger problem and could require surgery, like I had in 2003. Keeping my fingers crossed. The latter scenario will no doubt keep me out of running for a while, if not forever. I'm hoping that is not the case, but I have pressed my luck for many years running with my neck condition. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Running update #2: I'm not running the Country Music (Nashville) Marathon next weekend, because:

Mom update: Some possible tumors were identified in my mom's latest x-rays (update: apparently the dr who found them is pretty sure they are malignant tumors and have metastasized from somewhere). They are in the same location where she had, and beat, cancer several years ago (brief details here, second paragraph). My parents will be coming into Houston at the end of next week for appointments at MD Anderson. Unlike my reactions in the past when I have found out one of my family members is, or potentially could be, ill, I have remained uncharacteristically calm and haven't freaked out, yet. We all need to be strong for each other during this time, and as my dad said, we've come together to beat this before and there is no reason we can't do the same this time. I am so blessed to be so close to my family...we all support and love each other very much. We've been down this road before, and we know the drill. No reason to expect a different outcome. I'll provide updates on my mom as appropriate.

Weekend: Hope everyone enjoys the weekend! We may have rain here in Houston today, but tomorrow is supposed to be great. I have a few plans tonight and tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to taking my mind off of my personal pain and what's going on with my mom, if only for a while.

Hippity Hoppity

Happy Easter!

Running update: Saturday was the annual Knucklehead Easter Egg Run (or something like that). Eggs, mostly confetti-filled, are hidden along the running route (River Oaks rose garden area), and everyone has a great time collecting eggs and attacking each other during the run. This year, with Nashville two weeks away, I kinda needed to get in a solid taper run, so though I did run with my group, my friend Doug and I ran ahead of the pack and got in a great 8-mile run at a pretty good clip. I hadn't planned to run that fast, but when I have someone running with me the entire time and the conversation is constant, I tend to stop watching my watch and stick with a comfortable pace. On Saturday, that pace happened to be around 9:03 or so. It was pleasantly cool out, and I felt great during the run. That's all I was hoping for. After, the gang headed to breakfast, which was entertaining, as always!

Home improvement: I've been in my house a little over one year, so it should come as no surprise to those who know me well that I would be itching to re-do something. My master bath was the target. When I moved in, I was all about color. I painted the bathroom a beautiful teal-ish color, but of everything I painted/decorated, that bathroom never made me totally happy.


So I finally did something about it...repainted it, got a new shower curtain, and installed new faucets (which used to be that standard silver finish).


Within the next year, I plan to get new countertops and tiling, but for now, the result is a very comforting, soft, bigger-looking bathroom, perfect for a relaxing jacuzzi bath. I'm also re-painting some patio furniture. All of this painting and plumbing ruined my manicure, so of course I had to work on my nails today too. It would have been very un-princess-like if I didn't...

Random tidbits...

Family matters: My beautiful niece is 6 months old! Hard to believe, and I can't wait to see how much she grows over the next 6 months. What is so cute about her is that even at her age, she can't take her eyes off of her brothers. It is adorable how she looks for them and then watches them non-stop while they are playing. Once she is more mobile, I bet she's going for the toys; she's probably planning toy-snatching strategies already. The boys will have more competition. Hilarity should ensue, at least from my point of view. Maybe not so much for their parents, who will have to deal with three children fighting for toys, every day.

Soapbox: So, I read an article this weekend that says voicemail is becoming obsolete thanks to other means of communication like email, Facebook, and Twitter. I will never Twitter, or tweet, or whatever. I'm already borderline obsessed with Facebook but slowly growing weary. Remember the good ol' days when you actually wanted to talk to someone, hear their voice, hold a conversation that didn't involve typing and risking carpel tunnel? And a PSA to guys...asking a girl on a date via text/email is not cool, especially if you are both in your 30s or older. Grow up and use the phone. *stepping off soapbox* UPDATE - Apparently I'm old-fashioned and just as guilty as anyone of shooting off a text or email instead of picking up the phone. But for a rather "formal" first, and even second, date (not including a casual invitation to lunch or happy hour, etc.), I think a call is nice. Just my opinion, and this is coming from someone who does not like to talk on the phone. Hmmm. Oh hell, I don't have any idea what I'm talking about, if you haven't figured that out by now... That is all...

Running update: I got in my long run this weekend - 18 miles - my last long run before the Nashville Marathon. I have never run 18 miles by myself. I found it boring, but at least I had my iPod. I ran from my house to Memorial Park, did a loop, said "hi" to my friends running the 4 the Park 4 Miler, ran through River Oaks, then did a loop around the Bayou. I actually felt really good and had a decent run, a good pace for my long run - 9:15 per mile or so.

Ice bath experiment: After my run, I decided to do my ice bath in my garbage container (sans garbage and washed out, in case you were wondering) in the garage instead of using one of my tubs. I thought it was a great idea...no ice to haul inside, no mess to clean up, just dump out the water. My first mistake was filling up the container outside of the garage, then trying to move it into the garage behind my car so my neighbors wouldn't see me standing in a garbage can for no apparent reason. Well, it never crossed my mind that a container that big filled with water is not easy to move. And to top it off, I was wearing my Aggie sweatshirt. I did indeed feel like an Aggie joke. But, I got my ice bath in, which helped my legs a ton, because they were very sore after the run. I hadn't run that far since the Houston Marathon in January.

The barrier is up: I put up some mesh stuff on my patio so my cat Millie can't get to the ledge anymore and take another header off the balcony. I wish I had my camera to capture the look she gave me when she discovered I had blocked off her favorite spot. Then she just stared at the mesh for a while. I wonder what she was thinking... I hope she doesn't leave me any surprises anywhere in retaliation...

Baseball season is here: Oh yay. The most boring game ever, besides golf. I might go see a few Astros games, but you won't catch me watching any on TV. There is just no action, at least not on a regular basis. I'll watch the highlights on ESPN.

The end of March Madness: I think that if you are going to call something "March Madness," it actually needs to take place and come to completion in March. Too much time between the Elite Eight and the Final Four. Same with the time before the Superbowl. There is no need for two weeks in between the conference championships and the big game. Move it back to one week. I should be a commissioner or something...

Happy Birthday Emily!

My sweet Goddaughter Emily turns 12 today! I love you so much, Emily!

And, Emily's birthday marks the anniversary of my ownership of Millie! Hard to believe that for 11 years I've had my precious cat. It was on Emily's first birthday that her mom, Traci, informed me that she was looking for a new home for Millie. Traci got Millie as a little teeny furball when we were in college, and there was no way that sweet cat could go to a stranger. I left Austin that day with one of the best gifts anyone could have given me! Great memories...

Perfect Pace?

Apparently, it has been "discovered"... Hmmm...

The Thrill of Victory...

My brother Dave and I participated in a duathlon in Bryan/College Station today. He biked 12 miles and I ran two 5k legs. It was pretty cold, but not windy, and I ran the best 2 5k's I've ever run. Dave had a fabulous 12 miles on the bike. We were excited to have finally done a race together and to have done so well. The great news is that we placed first in the co-ed relay division! We got a great plaque (you know, its all about the hardware). The other side of this story is that there were just two teams in our division, but the other team had a good runner so we had to give it our all and not slack off. We did, and I can finally say I won a race. I will never, however, be able to say that in any marathon or half-marathon. Many thanks and love to our great team manager - Dad!

The best part of the weekend was being with my entire family for my mom's birthday on Friday. My brother, SIL, nephews and niece were there, my grandparents who live there, my grandma from Wisconsin, and my parents of course. We had a very full house, but it was a great time. The boys love love love their Auntie Kiki! And my niece is 6 months old and is just so beautiful.



One family member who was missing was my beloved cat Millie. She had a little "incident" on Friday morning... I got up early to workout on my elliptical, let her out onto the patio, and an hour later, went to let her back in. She was gone. Gone from my third floor patio. Which meant one thing...she fell. Granted, I had visions of some predatory bird swooping in at 5:30 in the morning to snatch her off the patio, but I figured that was pretty remote. I did expect to find her dead though. That's a fall of about 20+ feet, and for an old arthritic cat, well, I expected the worse by the time I made it to the first floor and out the front door.

I was calm, but started calling her name, like she was going to respond to that (never). Then I did a little whistle I do that she responds to in some way 65% of the time. It worked. I heard her meow from the front of my next door neighbors garden area. She poked her little head out from under a bush, a look of bewilderment on her face. I scooped her up and hugged her, and later thought that might not have been the best idea in case she had broken something, but she didn't wince. I checked her out and saw that her nose and mouth area were a little bloody. To be on the safe side, I took her to the vet, and they said all tests and x-rays were just fine. To be on the safer side, I left her at the vet over the weekend, just in case. And that calmness I noted earlier must have been adrenaline, because I was completely mentally wiped out by 10 am Friday morning. I can't wait to bring her home tomorrow. Poor little Millie!! She's gonna get lots of loving!

Congrats to my friends Stacy and Shubh on the baptism of their son Romit today!

The Joys of Godmotherhood.

Even though I have never wanted children of my own, I am very blessed and honored to be surrounded by them at many times and have the opportunity to be a part of their precious lives. There has been no greater joy for me in recent years than being an Aunt and a Godmother, and "Auntie Carolyn" to my friends' children.

Almost 12 years ago, my friend Traci asked me to be her daughter Emily's Godmother. Wow, I was stunned that someone would bestow such an honor on me (especially after our wild college days :)). I remember holding Miss Emily when she was 4 days old, and now she has blossomed into a beautiful young lady. I got to see her dance last weekend in a competition, and I was in awe of how mature and graceful she is. Sadly I have not been able to see Emily over the years as much I as would like, as we have never lived in the same town, but she will always have a special spot in my heart, and I hope I do in hers.

This past weekend, I was again asked to be a Godmother, this time to Travis James, the son of my friends Angela and Jason. Its amazing how being given the title of Godmother suddenly makes your relationship with a baby, a child, a growing young person, all the more serious and important. To know that your friends trust and respect you enough to want you to play a role in their childrens' lives, well, it brings life into perspective. No matter what we are facing, especially during these current difficult times, children need all the love and positive support they can get. I hope to bring more of that into Travis' life...I say "more" because based on what I saw this weekend, that little boy is going to have a lifetime full of love and support from his family, as does Miss Emily from her family.

I really don't know my own Godparents (two sets) well at all, but I know who they are, and they are special to me because they were special enough to my parents to be asked to be my Godparents. I hope that my Godchildren, as they get older, can say they know me well and that I somehow in some way, made a difference in their lives.

The five-hour drive from Houston to Baton Rouge: It sucks. I-10 sucks, that long stretch over the LA swamp sucks, and all of the construction and 18-wheelers suck. Ten hours of driving suckage was worth it though for the baptism and to see my dear friends.

Running update: Got in a couple of good runs last week, and plan to hit the track again tonight and tomorrow. I've also been doing some work on the elliptical machine in the mornings, and have joined a Pilates class that I hope to get to three times a week. I haven't been out to run with the Knuckleheads recently but hope to rectify that this coming Saturday, since I'm actually going to be in town.

Armadillo Dash 1/2 Marathon

I ran the Armadillo Dash Half Marathon in College Station this morning. It was nice to get out of Houston for the weekend and see my family...I hadn't been back since Christmas. We saw the Aggie men's basketball team beat the crap out of Iowa State yesterday, then I carb-loaded (probably too much) before settling in for the evening.

This morning was a balmy 32 degrees. For me, that's just about perfect running weather, but it was very windy. I was concerned that would cause a problem...however, for the majority of the race, it really wasn't an issue. The course was pretty boring, and I think I saw a grand total of 10 spectators, but hey, it was just a half. No big deal. Since we drove the course on Saturday, I knew what I was in for...some rolling hills and long stretches of nothing. But once I plugged in my iPod and the race started, I was half-way done before I knew it, and I was having a strong run. I was on target for a big PR, until mile 9-10, when we turned due north and were punched in the face with the strong winds. I felt like I was running with something dragging behind me, and it was cold. Thankfully, it was just for a couple of miles, but it was tough. I was very glad it was just a half marathon and not a full. After running so many fulls, its nice to know you get to stop at 13.1 for a change.

Regardless of the wind at the end, I kept on truckin' best I could and did end up with an "official" PR: 1:55+ . I say "official" because I ran the first half of the Houston Marathon this year about a minute faster, but who cares! That was unofficial. Considering the windy conditions, which I think added about 1.5 - 2 minutes to my time, I was pleased with the race and how strong I felt during and after. I proudly claim this PR. It was a good way to start my serious training for the Nashville Marathon in April.

All in all, I would definitely run this race again. There were plenty of water stops and there wasn't a huge slew of runners that made the beginning miles difficult to manuever. I think about 600 or so ended up actually finishing the race in the alloted time, so it was a smaller group than what I'm used to. The really nice thing was being able to be dropped off right at the start line (thanks Dad!) after waiting in the warmth of the car for a while. And my mom and dad were right there as I crossed the finish line...that was very special! They are my biggest supporters and I was appreciative that they were there. Though, I almost didn't recognize my mom...she was so bundled up in clothes. Once I got the feeling back in my face and could move my lips enough to talk, I informed her she was not allowed to complain about the cold weather, which she stood in for about 15 minutes, since I ran almost 2 hours in it!

In other running news, I am signed up for the Chicago Marathon this year. I'm really excited about that. I also entered the lottery for the NY marathon, so if by some slim chance I get in, I'll defer to next year. Hard to believe that in just two short months, my official marathon training season will begin again. I'm just glad I'm back in my running groove...