I haven't lost my edge....maybe

I was really glad to find out from the comments on my last post that so many other bloggers are Games of Thrones fans. I'm at a bit of a crossroads right now because I've dedicated half a year of my reading to this series, and while I'm dying to find out what happens next, I really want to take a break and read something else. 

To be completely honest, I'm not yet over the events from the third book. I'll defend my love of Twilight and Hunger Games to the grave, but I'm starting to wonder if all this young adult literature has made me soft and unable to handle real, grown up books.

Today is 12/12/12, and I know that's exciting because a date like that will never happen again in our lifetime, but much more importantly, it's my dad's birthday!

I'm also excited because I'm done with grad school for the semester, and today is the last day of my after school tutoring job. Anything that will allow me to be lazier than I already am is a cause for celebration.

So remember when I said I was going to take a break from training and do whatever I want? Apparently that was run. Because I've considered my exercise option for the past three days, and running won out each time. 

I will always find it strange when I can take pictures like this after I run. 

This run was in the evening, after dark, in December, yet I'm in shorts.

Monday night I achieved the holy grail of lazy speedwork - 7 miles in exactly one hour. That's what I shoot for when I sort of want to run fast but don't want to do even the tiniest bit of math or planning to construct an actual track workout or something.

Tuesday morning I ran 6 miles (9:35 pace) with Lily and Wednesday I did 7 miles at 9:02. Look at all this variety I can fit in now that I'm not training! I did the first four circuits of the torturous No More Trouble Zones after Tuesday's run, so my arms weren't totally forgotten about.

I'm ashamed to admit it but this morning was the first time I've woken up before work to run, all alone, since JFK. I've done P90X and run with Lily, but every time I tried to get my ass out of my warm, soft bed and out the door into the cold by myself has been a major fail. I've been waking up early to exercise since way back in college when I used to run before student teaching while the frat boys were still partying. Despite my long standing relationship with 5am (or earlier), I was really starting to fear I'd lost my edge. I wouldn't say this one morning run proves I didn't, but it's a step in the right direction.

Any new and exciting (and free) workout suggestions for me?

When would you work out in a perfect world? Ideally, it would be around 10 or 11am, when I've had coffee, breakfast, and feel fully awake. In this ideal world, I'm also getting paid to drink wine and watch The Office.

Training, I don't miss you

I'm not exactly sure I like what getting a gift like this from a student says about me.

But now I have this lovely picture greeting me on the bulletin board next to my desk every morning, so I don't really care. 

My weekend isn't going down in history books for excitement - I spent Friday and Saturday night working at the running store, and worked on a paper and final project for grad school, but I still fit in some good times. 

While I loved training for JFK, I can't say I was missing hearing that early Saturday morning alarm letting me know it was time for a 20 mile run. I started this past Saturday in just the most wonderful way possible.

It's important to note that snowman was filled with gingerbread coffee.

 Saturday was the first day of Hanukkah, so I continued the pajamas and holiday merriment after work.

FYI, the above picture explains why at least once a week Eric references some classic movie that it's completely un-American not to have seen, and I get confused, and he is shocked and appalled by my lack of the most basic cinematic experiences. I see no reason to roll the dice on a new movie that I haven't seen and may or may not like, when I can watch any season of The Office before Jim and Pam get married and be guaranteed to laugh out loud. 

On Sunday, I woke up to a foggy, cold, grey day, and immediately made the executive decision to put in place a strict policy forbidding leaving the apartment, getting dressed, or doing anything remotely productive. We followed this to the letter and embraced laziness entirely. Not that I need an excuse for this, but I really don't see the point in being productive when the world is ending next week anyway.

Everyone knows that part of a lazy day is to become a complete glutton and binge eat crap. First of all, Eric told me Dominos was offering pizzas half off if you ordered online. We were unfortunately had ZERO desserts (this seems to happen to me often), and I was nearly out of cocoa powder, which severely limited my baking options. I thought all was lost, but Kari's banana bread saved the day!

Or so I thought. I made a loaf and ate banana bread for lunch and dinner (that's a more socially acceptable way of saying I just ate slices randomly throughout the day). I ate so much that I was too full and couldn't even take a bite of pizza. Major fail. 

I've mentioned often that I am majorly obsessed with Games of Thrones right now. It's working out pretty well for me since I am super picky with books and go through periods where I can't find one I like. I've averaging like 3 months for each book right now so at this rate I can avoid library trips until the summer. It's not working out so well for Eric. I demanded we watch Season 1 on HBO as soon as I finished the book in June, and it ends with a major cliffhanger. I told him we couldn't go on until I read the second book, which was bad enough, but then I heard there were spoilers so I had to also read the third book.

I finally finished it yesterday and we were clear to watch! Eric kept yelling "you made me wait TWO MONTHS for this!". I can't imagine how upset he'd be if he realized it had actually been five months. 

After spending a good majority of the day reading the book, we watched the first four episodes of Season 2. And it was all I had hoped it would be and more. Until it was time for bed. I had the worst night of sleep probably since my horrific nightmares while reading the Hunger Games. I don't actually remember any nightmares, thank god, but holy crap I forgot how disturbing the television version is. Moving forward, I'll need to either watch earlier in the day or at least watch The Office or Saved by the Bell to cleanse my palate before bed.

Yesterday was filled with wonderful things biting me in the ass, but I'd still do it again and probably wouldn't make better decisions.

I also ran 9.4 miles with Carolyn on Saturday before work. It doesn't really go with the theme of this post, but it happened. 

Has anything you've looked forward to turned out to bite you in the ass? Would you do it again?

I survived the poop

Due in no small part to your support, I survived my shitty day yesterday. Did you know these giant golden eggs each hold 3 million gallons of poop? Just one of the fascinating facts I had the privilege to learn.

Don't get me wrong, I truly, truly appreciate all the hard work of the people dedicated to providing us with clean water. However, since that wasn't the route I personally choose for myself, I am putting my foot down next year to avoid standing on walkways over this lovely sight. 

Yes, it IS what you think it is.

I had grand plans for spinning and Body Pump after the field trip, but I was so exhausted that I ended up in bed while the Body Pump class was still going on (not that it mattered, since I dive bombed directly onto the couch when I got home). Walking around looking at poop isn't physically demanding (although there is the added challenge of avoiding breathing at all costs), but field trips are the most stressful thing ever, because all I do is take attendance and count kids, so I'm mentally exhausted by the time we get back on the bus. I realized it had been a week and a half since my last true rest day anyway. Also, I'm not training for anything right now, and the beauty of that is that if I feel like being in bed at 7pm is a better choice than the gym, I'm free to change my plans.

Bonus - I didn't feel like death was a better option than getting up to run at 5am, even though it was in the low 30s outside! Lily and I did 7 miles at a 9:16 pace, and that is the 5am equivalent of a 6 minute mile.

I'm working an extra shift at my second job tonight because several of my coworkers are running the Rehobeth Beach Marathon (and so is Kristy, she's about to PR the crap out of it, go wish her luck!). Kind of puts a damper on the whole "yay, it's the weekend, I'm free to drink my face off and act completely unprofessionally!" thing. But they've filled in for me plenty of times so I can do races, so I'm happy I can return the favor. 

What part of your job has you in bed by 7pm (or is that just me)?

Something to get your through your day

I have a little gift for you. Have you ever used the bathroom, flushed, and wondered "well what happens to that now?". I'm guessing not, since no one normal ever would, but today I'll get to find out (again) by taking a tour of the water treatment facility. We went on a field trip there last year and will be returning again this year. The smell is exactly what you would imagine, but then a million times worse. The only thing that could improve this situation is the weather turning suddenly cold and trying to supervise a ton of children in a dangerous area that, surprisingly, isn't really childproof because it's not a popular spot for field trips. 

Bottom line: When you get to that point today where you can't stand your job, just think to yourself "At least I'm not literally surrounded by shit like Alyssa is right now". 

Let's just say I didn't plan this trip.

On the flip side, I returned to some wonderful things this week. Tuesday, I went to spin class. Spin classes are so hit or miss, but I found the elusive, perfect class with a combination of a killer workout and excellent music, ranging from the Final Countdown to Pink. The woman next to me was alternating moaning as though she was having an intimate moment with her bike and dancing and singing like she was in the club, but I can't expect perfection. Before class, I tried to return to this mini weights routine I used to do but, embarrassingly, my legs were still sore from No More Trouble Zones Saturday and I gave up after one set.

Wednesday, I returned to 5am running with my running buddy, Lily. Waking up at 5am isn't easy, especially after being up way too late the night before, but having a good friend coming over makes it a little easier. Waking up to this on December 5th isn't bad, either.

I know it says 7:30am, I forgot to take the screen shot until after the run, and I had to hurry up and do it before it refreshed, because it was already colder by then!

After our 7 miles, I had a little time before I had to get in the shower, so I did Jillian Michaels (have I mentioned I LOVE her?) 30 Day Shred, Level 2. I had a bad feeling before beginning that I'd forgotten how hard it was, and I was right. All those shoulder moves kill me.

I'd also like to note that the package of bacon that we opened on Sunday was empty and in the trash Tuesday night. I don't know if this is average, but I ate two pieces a night and sustained one burn. I also tried Kara's method of cooking the bacon in the oven on tin foil, and it seemed significantly safer. If pouring the drippings left on the tin foil in my soup is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

In honor of my field trip, what do you anticipate the shittiest part of your day being?

Nothing to fear?

I learned last night that life can be dangerous as a carnivore. I cooked up some bacon to put on my leftover baked potato soup, and then I decided to make Eric a few pieces - he had to rush home from coaching basketball and leave right away for Broomball, so I thought some bacon would tide him over until he could eat a real dinner. 

The bacon attacked. No one warned me that grease can fly up and hit you and it really really hurts. 


Well, actually Eric did warn me, but apparently I didn't understand how to prevent it. So now I have a painful burn on my finger, and to make matters worse it's not even one that looks grotesque and will show up in pictures. Don't lie, you all know that when something really hurts, the only consolation is to show it off to the world and get sympathy. 

Nevertheless, the bacon was delicious, so I regret nothing.

Burns aside, yesterday was still horrible because I had to face my biggest phobia. Needles. I know most people have a completely irrational, paralyzing fear, so to fully appreciate this story, just pretend it's about that, instead of scoffing at me because needles aren't scary. Until I met my husband, I thought all people had such a fear. The closest I've seen him come to seeming afraid was when Hurricane Sandy hit before he could retrieve his beloved Xbox from his friend's house, and the Xbox was doomed to spend the hurricane below sea level in an area prone to flooding.

 Also, please spare me your stories of the torturous things the doctor will need to do to me involving needles when I'm pregnant because about 600 mothers have already took pains to enlighten me. Let's try to live in the now, and right now, I'm not pregnant, and I have a fear of needles.



As soon as I walked into work yesterday I remembered I was supposed to get my flu shot that day. I'm extremely lucky that I can just get my shot for free, at work. Still, I had scheduled an appointment with my doctor on Black Friday for one. My fear is so intense that I never know how I'll react so I would rather completely inconvenience myself by dealing with the doctor's office on my day off so that I could have a stranger administer the shot, and not risk shaming myself at work. 

But then I picked up a Black Friday shift at work, so that was out the window, and I was forced to take that risk. The shots were supposed to be given after the kids left for the day, but I made it about 2 hours before the anticipation nearly destroyed me, like Slapsgiving did to Barney.



I begged the nurse to give me mine early while my class was in library and she did, and I didn't cry or make a scene, so the day improved from there. My arm really hurts now, but it didn't seem to affect my Broomball game, so that's ok. 

I also did an easy 4 mile run in the dark, wearing a tank top and shorts before our game. I wanted to save my energy, because if we won,  we would make the playoffs. We tied, so now we won't know until all other teams play this week. Don't worry, I'll keep you informed.

What's your phobia? Would you ever/have you ever had to deal with it at work?

I've crossed the line

Sunday was a big day for me. First of all, I actually watched some of the Ravens/Steelers game. It's kind of a big deal. I thought it was physically impossible for me to focus on watching football, but I found a way.

Look how fast I am!

 On the most boring apparatus in the world, the treadmill, 3 inches from the screen, with absolutely nothing to do but look at the game.

I tried out some new (to me) kinds of shoes and ran a total of 3 miles. This brought my weekly total to 18, which sounds pathetic, but that's six times my mileage from the previous week.

I felt I've been in a bit of a rut with meals lately, and was in the mood to try some new recipes. One of my favorite blogs, Crouton Queen, posted a delicious sounding combo of baked potato soup and beer bread. (I used a different beer bread recipe based on ingredients I already had but it wasn't the best).

The baked potato soup called for bacon, and based on my recent meat success eating fried turkey, I decided to go for it. Bacon was the gateway meat for me since going veg in 1997, but I've only had it cooked by someone else. I didn't even know where to find it in Wegmans. But I persevered, and the salty crispy bacon bits in my soup were well worth the search.

As long as I don't think of it as dead pig, I'm good.

And with that, I've crossed the threshold from an enabled "vegetarian" to a full blown hunter and gatherer. I'll have to get used to not telling people "I don't eat meat". 

What's your favorite way to eat bacon?

Tis the season for paranoia

Although I've been playing Christmas music since November 1st, I really stepped up my game getting in the holiday season this weekend. Friday night wasn't too notable. Except that a guy knocked on my door trying to sell me meat. I know this sounds like the beginning of some weird porn blog, but rest assured, you can continue reading, even if you are at work. According to him, he had great deals on steaks. I yelled through the peephole that I'm a vegetarian (a lie, but any stranger who knocks on our door is a killer in my mind until proven otherwise) and he went away.

My mom said she was glad I didn't let him in (Eric was at work when this happened). Apparently she forgot this little text exchange we'd had earlier in the week.

Back to holiday spirit. I finally got to open up our Hanukkah gift from my dad!

It's not Hanukkah yet, but there was a great Cyber Monday deal with fast free shipping, so we got it in the mail Tuesday. I was dying to bust it out but last week was crazy busy so we just sadly stared at it in the box before going to bed each night. But now I'm typing this post on it - love it! 

I got to start on the advent calendar my mom sent me. She may have meant it for both of us, but when chocolate is involved, I've called permanent dibs for life.

Saturday night, I went to Baltimore's annual lighted boat parade with my BFFs Carolyn and Casi.

We also went to an amazing Christmas laser light show at the Inner Harbor,  out to dinner, and did some shopping. Since I actually attempted to look semi - presentable, I thought it might be a good time to take a picture of my new haircut. Unfortunately, I forgot, since there's no telling when the next time I put more than 3 minutes into my appearance may be, I took one in my pajamas when I got home.

Sunday morning, I couldn't wait a second longer to put up the Christmas tree. I really wanted to do it with Eric, obviously, but if we waited until we found a time when we were both home and neither of us was sleeping or doing grad work, our tree wasn't going to see the light of day in 2012. I also really wanted to watch Elf while I put it up, but Eric had dismantled the Xbox (that's how we play DVDs). 

A true Christmas miracle happened. My desperation to watch the movie somehow overcame my technological incompetence and I set up the Xbox. And the tree.

True story: Eric woke up and was shocked that I'd set up the xbox, and didn't even notice the tree. I seriously cannot make this stuff up.

In other exciting news this weekend, I returned to running! Friday night ended up being a perfect 4 mile progression run. I'm positive I could never execute a progression run intentionally, so any time my splits end up decreasing I pretend that was my plan all along. In this case, they were 8:37, 8:17, 8:03 and 7:47. It seems like it's been months since I did anything but half heartedly slog through a run trying to get the miles checked off on my training plan, so it felt really good to push it.

Saturday I did five miles at average 8:48 pace and once again my last mile was in the 7s (7:56), which is impressive to me because that last mile is slightly uphill. I tried really hard to keep up the tradition, and managed to run 5 miles on Sunday at an 8:22 pace and did the last one in 7:51. 

I also did Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones on Saturday, since my P90X DVD wouldn't work. I think I'm officially over P90X. It was a good change of pace, but not for me. After NMTZ, I was shaking and it hurt to lift my arms to wash my hair.

Now I'm having trouble deciding which is my favorite ornament.

Choice one

Choice 2 - from our ornament decorating contest
at our ugly sweater party circa 2010

Where do you rank on the paranoia scale - would anyone else respond to that text the same way I did?

What have you done to get in the holiday spirit this weekend?