Clemson fans... blahdfuisdsjkuiguugh!!!!

GO GAMECOCKS!!! Beat Georgia!!!

Blah!

I just ate half of an Uno's pizza. And NO... it was not a personal pizza. It was the deep dish Chicago kind that I think is supposed to feed a family of 12. Why? Why did I eat all of that? At least I had a salad and diet soda to go with it.

I feel like this now...

Maybe my niece ate Uno's too?

Damn, I need to run in the morning.

The cutest damn thing in the whole world!

My little niece is sooooo cute!!! I had to post this- yesterday was her first day at the pool and I think she made QUITE the fashion statement. At the tender age of 5 weeks, she already understands the concept of accessorizing without cluttering the outfit. She also understands how to best hide her physical flaws (like baby chub) by sporting the cover-up. Her matching hat really gives the outfit a punch too.

Awwww....

I am in Minneapolis this week- working, working, working... only got 2 hours of sleep last night due to some technical issues with my demo and a 5:40 AM flight. Gonna be up late tonight too. Hope I can make it running in the morning... joy!

Holy crap... I ran 20 miles this morning!

Well, I feel like I cleared a physical and mental hurtle in my Chicago Marathon training. I ran 20 freakin' miles... in the pouring rain. Luckily, I had 3 running partners (one of them is my boss too) who kept the time rolling with funny stories, debates, and the Kevin Bacon game.

Geez it feels good to accomplish this. I have to agree with Jess about how it feels good to reach this point and just soak it all in. It finally is hitting home that I am really running the marathon in 5 weeks and that I CAN do it. I WILL do it.

The alarm going off at 4:00 AM this morning was an unwelcome sound. I could hear the rain pouring outside and could see brief flashes of lightning. The funny thing is... I did not even consider crawling back into bed. I was DOING this run.

I usually do not eat before a run but decided to eat some peanut butter toast and a banana. BLAH! I could taste the peanut butter in my mouth as I constantly burped it up until mile 10.

Yuck.

I met my running partners and we were off... long before the sun even came up. The first couple miles were easy- I do not look at my Garmin as much when I run in the dark. I felt strong through mile 16 when I started to feel like I was falling apart a bit. I lost one of my clip-on bottles on my hydration belt... my legs started to really, really hurt... I felt like I was being tested. I kept trucking along- not talking as much and just concentrating on breathing and getting through it. Before I knew it- mile 20!

Post-run... I am really, really SORE. I also have some chafing issues from running 20 miles in soaking wet clothing, despite the BodyGlide I slathered on. I am tired, a little dehydrated, and just want to chill.

I feel good though... oh I feel good. I just ran 20 miles :)

Sigh.

So, reading the updates out in Blog World has been pretty depressing lately... injuries, folks having to drop out of races due to health issues and serving jail time, etc. OK, maybe not jail time... but still. Injuries are not good.

I am still alive. Not injured. Just unmotivated to blog.

My runs have been lackluster lately. Hot, muggy, waking up at 4:15 AM to beat the heat during the work week. Lots of work, travel, stress, relationship drama, etc etc etc.

BLAH!!!!!!!!!

So... I have not felt like blogging. I am hoping to get a rejuvenated spirit. I am a mere 6 weeks from Chicago and I feel like I am losing momentum... fast.

My first step to getting out of my rut was to post here.

Now I am accountable. I will only run with a smile on my face from now to October 7th.

Deal!

Three cheers for Brownie!

Brownie finished the Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run this weekend in 28:38:39!!

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmnn!! Way to go!!!

...in the middle of a looooong trip...

Left home Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM for DC. Stuck last night here after my flight to Lexington, KY was cancelled...giving me a BONUS vacation at the Hilton Crystal City. Yahoooooo!!!

Flying out today to see family in Lex, attend friend's wedding tomorrow in Louisville. Fly to Raleigh Sunday... and now going to San Francisco Tuesday night... back next Friday.

Sigh.

At least I got a treadmill run in this morning. Lord knows much I love the treadmill... choke choke :)

Happy trails to all!!!

Tiffster

RawwwWrrrrrrrrr rAAAAawwrrrrr RaaaWWWrrrrrrrrrrr

What is that sound, you ask?

a) A bear coming out of hibernation, ready to eat anything and everything

b) Tiff scavenging the kitchen several hours after a long run

c) All of the above

Yeah, definitely answer C.

I know 16 miles is good and everything for health and weight loss and I burned a ton of calories but then why do I eat anything and everything in sight? At least I am eating healthy stuff, as opposed to In-N-Out Burger or Sonic or something.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tip of the day!

http://www.retailmenot.com/

Over 25,000 coupons and discount codes for pretty much ANY online site you would ever shop on. It lists the codes, the percentage of time that they work, and any comments.

I have saved quite a bit already using them for Footlocker.com, redenvelope.com, and renting a car on Budget.com

Hurray for DEALS!!!

16 miles this morning... a new PR!

This morning was hot, muggy, humid, and everything else you would not want on a 16 mile run day. Lately, I have increasingly questioned my decision to a) Run a marathon and b) Run a fall marathon which means summer training yeeeech. Nonetheless, I know I can't whine to all of you because many of you are doing the same exact thing... some of you even training for more challenging physical feats.

So, this morning came early with a 4:50 AM wake up call to get my stuff together and out the door to meet my group. The first couple miles were a little fast which I ended up paying for later. We talked about anything and everything and enjoyed the quiet and peaceful solitude before the sun came up. I got a little burst of energy at mile 7 from some GU and getting fired up from talking about someone that really pi$$ed me off lately... always helps while running!

I changed running shorts and my shirt at mile 10 as I was drenched in sweat, refueled, and hit the last 6 with a groan. I really struggled through miles 12-15 although it still did not pull down our average pace per mile and my running group even stated they were running faster than normal today with me there.

In the end, I finished the 16 marking a new running record for myself and I feel great- albeit a tad sore and I have some chaffing issues from my sports bra when it was wet against my skin (maybe change it, too?) despite lots of BodyGlide. I drove home feeling on top of the world and ready to tackle anything. It sounds so cheesy but I love it... running just makes me feel like I can do anything and gives me this fabulous aura of confidence.

This afternoon is our company picnic which I think I am going to skip in lieu of taking a nap in my wonderful bed, studying for the GMAT, and just enjoying NOT spending my entire weekend running around and doing stuff.

Happy trails to all!