I've been tagged to blab about 11 random things

I've been tagged.  I've been tagged.  Kathy at Just Keep Running must want to hear me blab about myself more than I already do because she's the one who tagged me. That means I can't keep avoiding my blog any longer. I do have some runs to post, but that will have to be dealt with later.


Here are the rules: 

1. Post these rules

2. You must post 11 random things about yourself

3. Answer the questions set for you in their post

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer

5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them

6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

11 Random Things About Me

1. Though I'm a fairly outgoing person, I actually like to keep to myself much of the time.  
2. My husband and I do pretty much everything together!  We're sick, twisted people who loooooove spending as much time together as possible.  
3. I rarely watch live TV.  Everything is DVR'd because I like to fast forward through commercials.
4. I sew really well.  I mean....really, really well.  I used to sew for a living making expensive boutique clothing for girls.  Now I just make stuff for me when I feel like it.  
5. I no longer speak to my sister or brother.  After many years of their abusive behavior, I decided I was done being their punching bag.
6. I grew up in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, and I have no trace of a Texas accent....UNTIL I GO BACK TO VISIT!  It's kind of creepy.
7. I would someday like to not have neighbors.  I want to live far, far away from people.  Don't get me wrong.  My neighbors here in Vancouver are all really nice.  Especially compared to a few we had in Ohio.  I just want to have some land.  More room for my garden.  A workshop for Kent.  The ability to walk past a window naked without the whole neighborhood seeing my stretch marks.
8. I was almost a Samantha or a Daphne instead of Heather.  You can tell what TV shows were popular in October of 1972. lol
9. I refuse to get into political or religious chats with people.  I hate it when people try to push their church my way...or their political views. My thoughts?  I don't want to go to your church, and I'm probably not going to vote for the candidate you're voting for....so shut your face!    
10. The conception of my children were very, very planned.  I never went into labor with either child on my own.  Both deliveries were "helped along" by my midwife or OB.  I long to know what it feels like to have my water break and rush to the hospital!  Is that weird for someone who is such a planner?  Don't answer that.
11. I hate board games.  A lot.  My children are probably traumatized by my lack of board game participation.  There are 10,000 other things I would rather do than play a board game.  At one point, when my daughter was 5, I told her "no" to Sponge Bob Monopoly.  She burst into tears, and let out a big, "Where have all the good times gone???".  Talk about mom guilt!  It didn't change my mind, though.  I really hate those games.  

Answers To Kathy's Questions

What's your favorite race distance? 

I like each distance for such specific reasons.  I do have to say, I like long runs vs. short runs.  My Saturday 11 mile run is so much more fun, interesting, and worth it compared to a mid week 4 miler.  I don't like getting all dirty and sweaty to only go 3 or 4miles.  I hate that about myself!  That kind of thinking holds me back from following through with a lot of workouts.

Do you have any "bucket list" races?

Hood To Coast! lol  I laugh at that because Kathy runs it pretty much every year, and doesn't consider it a bucket list kind of thing.  Another one would be Haleakala Run to the Sun in Maui.  36.2 miles all uphill as you race to the summit of Haleakala.  You go from sea level to 10, 023 feet, and have to do it in just 10 hours.  Not for a novice like myself, but perhaps someday....

What's your favorite holiday?

Halloween!  Everyone who knows me well...knows I am a huge Halloween freak. Check out the elaborate window display we did in 2011 (links below).  This is the front picture window of our house.  We had to pretty much clear the entire room just to pull this off. 

Seen from the street:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODw8hK9EWyo&list=UUn5mHyFE65Qr_q1O2B7gkeQ&index=4&feature=plcp

Up Close:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7wkoEyFXC0&list=UUn5mHyFE65Qr_q1O2B7gkeQ&index=3&feature=plcp

It took us weeks to build it all.  Months of thought and engineering to pefect the magic mirror effect...only to have a total overhaul once it was built.  We are huge nerds, and the 2012 build will be even BETTER.  I never get tired of hearing Madam Leota saying her lines.  (She's the gal inside the crystal ball in the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World.)  She's on a loop, along with the thunder and rain sound effects, and it made me sad every night when I had to shut it all down.  That was an elaborate way to answer the question, eh?

Where were you born?

Irving, Texas...y'all!  Tiger pride, baby!!!!

Why do you blog?

To prove that significant changes CAN be made if you try, I suppose.  This is not my first blog.   I've been keeping track of my lifestyle change since 2001. We didn't have blogs back then!  I used a free web site and painstakingly updated it daily.  Anyway, I blog to hear myself talk at times.  It's kind of like therapy in a way.

What is the last book you read?

Ummmm, I skipped book club (the first ever for our neighborhood) Friday night because I didn't read the book.  I am so not a reader.  I read cookbooks.  Does that count?

Any strange fears/phobias?

Snakes.  Hands down, snakes.  It's irrational, actually.  I see them WAAAAAY too often here in Vancouver when I'm out running.  I swear they're out to get me.  I don't care that there are no venomous varieties here.  A snake is a snake.  Period.  I actually peed my running tights once (just a little) when I saw one chasing after me on the Salmon Creek Trail.  No kidding.

What's your vacation philosophy regarding exercise?  Make sure to fit it in or give yourself a break?

I give myself enough breaks because I'm usually injured every few months, and the physical therapist forces me to take a break.  So....I get plenty of real breaks.  I made sure to take two full weeks off at the first of the year just to give my legs a break since I worked so hard to make it to the 1,000 mile mark.  However, I workout while on vacation.  That's part of the fun of going some place different is to see something new while running.  Plus, it frees me up to consume a few more calories on stuff I can't or won't eat at home.  

Any bad habits you're trying to change?

Too many to list here.  To be honest, it's the same old habits I have battled for years.  There are some days I'm stronger than others.  My goal is to keep working my healthy lifestyle as much as possible.  I honestly believe in my heart that if I keep reaching toward healthy 80 percent of the time, the rest doesn't matter nearly as much.  It has worked for me since I decided to lose weight many years ago.  I've found a healthy balance, and that has helped changed my habits more than anything.

What was the last movie that made you cry? (or tv show or song or whatever).

Uggggg, I watched Forrest Gump again the other day, and it makes me cry when he's at Jenny's grave talking to her about little Forrest.  He's so sincere and childlike.  As soon as he says, "You died on a Saturday morning, and I had you placed here under our tree."  The tears start welling up.  But when he says, "I miss you, Jenny. If there's anything you need....I won't be far away." I just fall apart.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
To sum up a very, very long story, I'm most proud of the positive changes I made when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. Not only has it changed my life, but it has also had a drastic impact on my husband and children. I lost 80 pounds, and am determined to not go back to my unhealthy ways.  When relatives poo-pooed my journey, I stayed strong.  Did it hurt when they were snarky or badmouthed what I was doing?  Of course.  I powered through it, though.  I will beat the odds.  I have so far, and that's really something to be proud of, in my opinion.  The fact that my immediate family benefit from this accomplishment makes it even sweeter.

Who I Tagged
Here's the list of blogs I've tagged.  If you've already been tagged on one of these things don't feel obligated - you're off the hook!

Runner Maybe 

Journey 2 Succeed 

The Running Fairy

 Get To Goal

Buttoning My Jeans

Shut Up And Run 

Gourmet Runner 

Getting There 

Read.Write.Run.Mom. 

Never Trade 

Earn Your Donuts

My 11 questions for tagged bloggers

1. If you listen to music  while you run, what's your "power song"?
2. Which race has been your favorite so far?
3. What's your favorite training plan?
4. What's your go to post run fuel/food?
5. Do you reward yourself after a big event?
6. If yes to #5, what do you do to reward yourself?
7. Have you motivated others to run?
8. Who motivated YOU to run?
9. Is running part of a bigger journey for you, or is it just something you do?
10. What's your favorite time of year to run?
11. Is running a solitary event for you, or do you share it with others? (I run with my husband for the most part, but do enjoy running with friends from time to time.)

I can't wait to hear what all of these tagged bloggers come up with.  Until then, happy running!  :)

2.5 miles with an old friend

2.5 fast miles
35'ish minutes
Toning included

I popped in a Walk Away The Pounds (WATP) DVD this afternoon.  Monday is typically my rest day, but I wanted to do something since I missed out on Friday and Sunday's workouts due to babying my knee.  I feel so good for doing something today!  

I miss my old friend, Leslie.  We have spent a lot of time together back in Ohio.  No, I don't know her in real life, but I feel as though I do.  I would come home from work, slip out of my work clothes, hammer out a couple of her DVDs or whatever I had time for that day, put my work clothes back on, and head back to work. lol  That's the nature of a kooky work schedule, but I didn't make excuses.  Those were great workouts for my busy schedule.  Thanks to those DVDs I became stronger & began to run!!!  It was nice to get back to my roots today.

{the good} It was so sweet hearing Leslie's voice again!  Reminding me that I'm strong, and my goal isn't to be a size 2.  My goal is to grow old strong.  SO TRUE!  Besides, these birthin' hips will never be a 2! lol

{the ugly} The garage floor was wet (from parking the cars inside all the time), and I was paranoid I would fall.  I need a Shamwow or something.....

How did 4 miles turn into 5.5?

5.5 miles
55 minutes
10:17 pace

So....my 4 mile run turned into close to 5.5.  Why?  Because my husband talks me into stuff, and I follow like a little puppy. lol  He must have known I was pushing harder and feeling better because he wanted to add in an extra mile in order to make it to the 4 mile mark.  Little did we know, the route he thought would get us to 4 miles was actually close to 5.5.


{the good} I made it to 5.5, and didn't die!  My knee felt tender, but it wasn't killing me or hurting badly.  I was keeping an eye on it....perhaps TOO much of an eye on it.


{the ugly} There's a stretch of the route where there is no where for us to be BUT the road.  Downhill.  On a little country back road.  Not a good thing.  The line is literally painted on the edge of the road.  No grassy side.  No gravel.  Just a big deep ditch full of blackberry brush.  It's not even that long of a stretch, but due to it being downhill, cars aren't able to see me until they're on their way down the hill.  Not cool.

I won the 2011 fitness challenge!

I rarely win anything, so you can imagine how surprised I was to win the 2011 fitness challenge [hosted by my friend from back in the day, Karen].  Check it out!

Thank God for photo editing software! lol

You might remember me chatting about Karen in a post about here and here.  She ran it with me when I was in town to visit my parents.  Well, she diligently kept track of each participants numbers throughout the year.  Would send an update monthly.  I had good months....and some not so good.  It really depending on if I was injured or not. You know what was funny about this challenge?  I followed through with more cross training and  physical therapy exercises because I knew someone was watching me!  How sad is that?  It all boils down to accountability for me in some way.  My goals for the year helped me stick with the challenge, too.


At the end of the year, it all added up to something good.  $81.00 worth, to be exact!  Kent told me to spend it on something for me, but I decided to hand over the check for our savings account.  We're paying off December's Disney World trip, and every little bit helps.  Since I had such a fun time there, I consider that "something for me".  :)

[Side Note: I'm proud of myself.  I don't say that often...or nearly enough.  Winning this challenge was just as emotional for me as making to the 1,000 mile mark on 12/31/11.  Thanks to Karen for coordinating it all.  Thanks to everyone who ran with me in 2011, or supported me along in some way.  Thanks for reading this post.]

You know you're a runner when.....

....your laundry room looks like this:

There used to be a time when my laundry room as full of hand washed blouses, skirts, bras, etc.  Now it's just running clothes 100% of the time.  I clearly need to find a job!

Has a fall come back to haunt me?

3 miles
30 minutes

I took off for my scheduled 30 minute run this afternoon, and questioned whether I should be going at all.  My knee has been hurting since the trip to Maui, but I'm not exactly sure when it started hurting.  I remember that it was noticeable while we were hiking one day, and thought it was a fluke.

As far as running goes, I didn't notice it until our long run Saturday.  It started hurting....and it hasn't stopped since it started. It hurts all the time now.  This is a different hurt than I've ever experienced.  It's smack dab in the middle of my knee.  Under the knee cap.  It hurts with every step I take.  Every time I stand up, sit down, go up the stairs, come back down, etc.  Hmph.


{the good}  At least I got in my daily run.  It's sunny out for a change!  Cool, but sunny.  I wore a black shirt to help keep me warm in the sun.  :)

{the ugly}  I'm worried about this knee issue.  This is the same knee that took a hard blow in November when I tripped and fell on my neighbor's front step.  It was purple and green for well over a month.  I can't help but think this has something to do with that fall.

Our worst 11 mile run to date

So, we had a super sucky long run Saturday.  So what?  Life goes on.  I'm not complaining, I'm simply confused & bewildered at this point.  Here's what I had to say about the run upon logging my miles on DailyMile.com...

OMG...this run sucked eggs for both of us. I'm not sure I've ever seen a pace like that during one of my long runs. At least not for 2 years or so. I did it. I'm proud that I got out there on such a crappy, rainy, cold Washington day, but my body was telling me no the ENTIRE time. I normally have a GREAT run after taking a couple of weeks off, but not today. Oh well. That's life.

I still cannot figure out what went wrong, where the time went, etc.  In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter.  All I know is, Kent was WAY ahead of me nearly 100% of this run.  Usually, we're side by side.  I felt bad for him because I'm pretty sure he was sick of having to look back & keep tabs on me.  I finally told him to go on at his own pace & let me be.  I was mentally OK...just physically not with it.  I was giving it all I had, but my legs felt as though they were running through thick water.  I could not move at my normal speed for whatever reason.  It was disturbing.  We didn't even stop to take one single picture or goof off at all. Not one goof off to speak of.  Just one bathroom stop.  How boring of us.

I sure hope the next long run is better.  I'd hate to have a series of these.

The Honolua Bay hike was pretty, but not really a hike!

We stopped for what I thought would be a hike at Honolua Bay, but come to find out it was just a creepy walk down to the water.  A pickup truck full of locals nearly ran us over.  Come to find out, it was actually the driveway to their "house". (I'm using the word house loosely.)  Once we walked down to the water, you could see them in front of their house sharpening large knives on a leather strap.  OK, that's a slight exaggeration, but it was still pretty creepy!  There was a vibe in the air.  We stuck around long enough to snap a few pictures, but left to find better hiking ground.  This would make a fabulous place to snorkel, but the water was too cloudy due to the high winds that day.

I need this saying on the front of a t-shirt (boob joke!)

Hiking to the Nakalele Blowhole (Yes, I said blowhole!)

After an attempt to find the Nakalele Blowhole the day before clad in swim suits and flip flops, we chose to stop midway down and go back the following day wearing real clothes.  This hike is super rocky.  Not just any rock....lava rock.  Have you ever scraped your body against lava rock?  It hurts.  Anyway, we finally found it, and it was AMAZING.

So beautiful....so dangerous.  So many tragic stories surround this handmade warning sign.  All it takes is one big wave popping up over the cliff wall to push you into the hole.  I'm glad we didn't take the kids!

So far away!

Midway down.  I tried to not look too far ahead.  It freaked me out a little.

Midway down.  Why did I look back up the hill????

It was difficult to capture how big the spray could get.  This was medium size.

A close up shot of a little puddle.  Do you see all the snails???

At one point, I saw the ground moving, and realized crabs were EVERYwhere!

It looks so innocent, but it's actually quite deadly.

We made sure to not get too close.

I wonder how many people have taken self portraits in front of this rock...

Awwwwwww!

A view from the car.

It was SOOOOO hot out.  I was covered in sweat, and it was pouring into my eyes.

I'm not sure which part was worse....going up or down the hill.  Both were daunting in their own special way. I did it, though!  Kent was shocked that I did this hike with him.  I loved it.  I didn't complain.  I could keep up with him.  There was a time when I would have refused to go.  A lot of things have changed in the past few years.  After 18 years of marriage, it's nice to shock the hell of him now and then.  ;-)

Second run of the year in Maui!

The second run of 2012 took place in Maui....just like the first.  What a fabulous way to kick start marathon training!  Our legs weren't feeling so fresh this time around.  I could tell that we were pretty speedy with our previous run. My shins were telling me alllllll about it.  Also, we hiked to find the Nakalele blowhole the morning of this run.  So my legs were a bit tired from scrambling around rocks.  All of that, combined with a late lunch before leaving & the 3pm heat and humidity of Maui, got to me.  I was pretty sure we'd get an action shot of me puking on the sidewalk, but I held it in. :)

I ran ahead of Kent to snap this shot.  He looks confused & annnoyed. lol

EEEK!  I'm not sure what this funky bug is, but it was huge & I almost squished it.

Kent didn't see it so we went back to check it out.  That's his foot...not mine.

Green grass and blue skies!

This is one hot & sweaty self portrait!  Man it's humid in Maui...

38 miles in Maui.....DOWNHILL!

First off, I would like to state that Maui Downhill is a fabulous company to work with should you ever visit Maui & wish to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to ride a bike 38 FREEZING miles downhill.  Second, I had a fabulous time despite A) I had been battling a migraine for days, B) the early, early, early pick up time require to do this, C) I didn't sleep more than an hour the night before (had the insomnia thing again), and D) the guy fitting us with helmets at 4am took one look at me and blurted out, "Wow, you're a BIG girl!".  Like I don't already know I'm a lard ass, dude.  Was it seriously necessary to make mention of it? I so badly wanted to say, "Holy smokes, you're a totally bald, pregnant looking man!", but I kept it to myself.  It was too early for snarky comebacks.

We chose to do the sunrise tour.  Yes, I said sunrise.  While on vacation.  Sunrise & vacation.  The two really don't mix!  Here's how it works.

1. The driver, Sweetie, picks you up at 3:20am in front of your resort
2. Sweetie, who appears to be hungover from whatever party she just left a few hours ago, drives you to their hub over by the Maui airport (about an hour away).
3. Tour guides fit you with some much needed gear (a motorcycle helmet, rain gear, and gloves).
4. The pregnant bald man dishing out helmets calls you fat.
5. Then, Drunk Sweetie drives you to the top of Mt. Wannahockaloogie Haleakala.
6. She then makes you stand outside at 7,000 feet, for an hour, in 28 degree temps, with 70 mile an hour winds to watch the sunrise before the ride begins while she passes out in the van. 
7. Once the sun has risen, we all piled back into the warm, cozy van for an 8 mile ride back down the mountain to the starting point of our bike adventure with our fabulous guides, Alex & Marlin.

I think pictures tell the story much, much better.  So here's a little picture collage of our sunrise bike ride down a giant mountain.

I cheated & took this one from the visitors center (notice the dirty glass).  I was SO COLD there was no way I was spending another second outside.  Who knew Hawaii could be so damn cold???

Check out the ocean behind us!

Once the sight seeing at the top of the mountain is over, they drive you 8 miles down the mountain to begin the bike ride.  It would have been so cool to start at the top, but I think we were all kind of grateful to drive 8 miles down hill where it was warmer!  After a half mile "test ride", we were off.  They stop about halfway to take pictures, and these are a few that Marlin, the van driver, snapped with my camera....

I call this position the "Traveling Spider Monkey"!

Look 'Ma, no hands!

Now back to the spider monkey....

Group shot.

The view was simply amazing.

The road was calling our names....so we took off.

We stopped about 5 miles from the end of the ride/tour for a quick bite to eat at the Sunrise Country Market & Protea Farm.  My second born immediately found a critter to play with, and spent the rest of the day covered in cat hair. lol

I swear my kid has a built in cat radar.  She can spot them a mile away.

The Sunrise Country Market & Protea Farm is a little Mom & Pop shop serving fruit, fresh sandwiches,  burgers, pulled Hawaiian pork on a bun, etc.  I had a delish bowl of fresh pineapple!   They grow the most AMAZING flowers there, but are known for their proteas.  Check out the pictures below or check out their web site for more info. 

I need a hula girl sign like this one somewhere in my house.  

Ahhhhh-mazing.

Ahhhhh-mazing.

Ahhhhh-mazing.

The market has a little orchard & grows fresh flowers.  

So peaceful.  You would never know I was standing next to a porta potty.  Why is the scenery here in Vancouver, WA not so amazing next to the porta potties I use each week during my long run???  :)

Riley was sad to say bye to Beach Cat / Dark Tail.  Yes, she named the kitty.  That's what she does.  :)

It was SUCH a fun experience.  I wish I had been feeling better that day.  Actually, I had a migraine for a couple of days before we left for Hawaii, and it lingered during our entire trip.  It's a shame these get in the way of day to day life, but they also get in the way of having a maximum amount of fun.  Those last 5 miles down the hill killed my head.  I felt as though someone had been shaking me for hours on end. My brain felt bruised, and every little bump & jolt sent bolts of pain to my head.  The helmet they fitted me with was much too large for my giant pumpkin head, and having it bounce up and down throughout the ride was beyond  miserable.  Think about how much fun it would have been migraine free!

I logged this ride into DailyMile as an actual bike ride.  I did that on the way up the mountain.  I probably should have waited until we were finished to log those miles because I would have known by then that they don't count.  Why?  We barely peddled the bikes at all!  If every bike ride could be that effortless, I'd bike more often.  I'm pretty sure what we did does not count as exercise.  However, some of those 21 switchbacks we rode through scared the shit right out of me due to the speed we were traveling.  I'm certain calories were burned as I screamed WEEEEEEEEE all the way down the mountain.  :)