A Runner’s Prayer for the Marine Corp Marathon

Two Days. Sunday.

 

YES, WE CAN!!!

 

Ever since coming back from IM 70.3 Cozumel it has been a roller coaster of emotions – with a bout of bronchitis, then another problem exacerbated by the intense coughing – I have been relegated to the sidelines of training for the Army 10 Miler followed by the MCM.

 

I had nothing but fear, doubt and uncertainty that I would be able to run the MCM let alone the Army 10, but last weekend I went out there with no expectations. All I wanted to do was beat the cutoff times and get in some kind of training – some version of distance before the MCM.

                   

AND IT WAS A GLORIUS DAY FOR A RUN. I felt great, refreshed. I actually looked up and looked around to take in the beauty of the city, talk to other runners and since I was all back of the bus – offer some encouragement to those who had their heads down. Si Se Puede. You CAN do it. It made my day and quickened my steps when I say Princess Erin at mile 6 and 7. When I saw BK with the cow bell (you NEVER have enough cow bell) at mile 7 right before going across the 14th St. Bridge and off to the finish line, I KNEW I had it in the bag.

Now, as I approach Sunday and 26.2 miles- I pray. I pray for me and I pray for my run buddy as well as all the runners who are winners in my book for getting up Sunday morning, lacing up their shoes and putting their toe on the line. WINNERS.

 

Search me, oh Lord, and try me; test my soul and my heart.
For your kindness is before my eyes, and I [run] in your truth.
Psalm 26:2-3

I know I will be tested, but He will be with me every step of the way.

 

The Runner's Prayer 
Father God,
Watch over me Sunday as I run. 
It is the day
and it is the time for the race.
 
Watch over my body.
Keep it free from injury.
 
Watch over my mind.
May I listen to the signals from within
as I enjoy the scenes from without.
 
Watch over my spirit.
Keep my heart and ears open for your voice.

Give strength to my steps

 
Watch over my fellow marathoners.
Remind us that we all are struggling equally.

I believe I am not running or struggling alone. 
 
Lord,
Let me win.
Not by coming in ahead of my friends, but by beating myself.
 
Let it be an inner win.
A battle won over me.
 
And may I say at the end,
"I have fought a good fight.
I have finished the race.
I have kept the faith." 2Timothy4:7
 
Adapted from The Ultrarunner’s Prayer by Carolyn Erdman & Jay Hodde

 

See you out there! God BLESS!

Triathlon by the Numbers

It probably all started – fear, doubt, uncertainty, second guessing – with IM70.3 Cozumel DNF last September. I was wondering if I was really meant to do this or even if I needed to do this despite how much I used to love it.

 

Then I fell and injured my foot. 2 xrays, 3 doctors, and 4 races where I just – IMHO – just sucked and the doubt increased/fun decreased exponentially.

 

I got pretty sick and some girl part issues (I ain’t discussing it here, but if you want to know details then hit me up off line) and I was pretty much ready to hang this game up.

 

But I’m not a quitter. Never have been. Never will be. I had to figure it out. I got myself a coach. Local pro, Suzy Serpico and her husband Danny (swim nazi extraordinaire) took me under their wing and have me well on my way back to my mojo.

 

After two weeks of following the training plan, I had what I considered a great race at the Maryland Women’s Sprint Duathlon last weekend. It got me to thinking…I’ve only been looking at one race at a time and/or compared a race to the previous time I did it. The question was “Have I been making any improvements over these past 3 years?” I wanted to see if all this doubt was justified. We all end up with injuries/setbacks sometime in this adventure of Triathlon and athletics. Does it mean that I’m not getting better, not improving?

 

Let’s look at the numbers:

 

Olympic Distance:

                           Nations                        Nations                       TriRock Philly

                        Sept  2010                    Sept  2011                     June  2013

Swim 1.5K         59.10 – 3.36/100m         no swim                 39.58 – 2.26/100m

Bike 24.85mi    2:17:20 – 10.8mph       1:38:19 – 15.2mph      1:58:03 – 12.6mph

Run 10k/6.2mi    1:31:56 – 14.48pace   1:22:41 – 13.18pace   1:41:51 – 16.83pace

 

What did I take from this? HEY! I’m getting better on the swim AND the bike. Nation’s is a flat course vs TriRock Philly which is wicked hilly so I am confident that I am getting much better on the bike as well, but, of course, need some work on those GOSH FORSAKEN HILLS. I was even getting better on the 10k after the bike until the foot injury set back.

 

How bout that? All is not lost.

 

Sprint Distance:

    Philly Tri –June’11     MusselMan –July’11      IronGirl-Aug’11       Philly Tri-June’12

     850m/17.7mi/5k      750m/16.2mi/5k         998m/17.5mi/5k       850/17.7/5k

S      37:20 –4:12/100     23:48 –2:34/100        34:15 –3:08/100      27:23 – 2:57/100

B     1:05:59 –14.3mph  1:07:06 – 14.5mph     1:30:26 – 11.6mph   1:06:43–14.1mph

R       32:28 – 12:42            41:00 – 13:12             48:07 – 15:27           42:16 – 13:36

 

What did I learn here? First, any swimmer can have a bad swim and panic. I did just that at the PhillyTri in June 2011. A month later, I was back on my game and got it done. Second, when the hills are not that bad, I am pretty consistent on the bike. HILL WORK!! Lastly, I am pretty consistent on a run that is essentially flat. Throw in a hill and I’m a mess. HILL WORK/HILL REPEATS!!

 

Taking a look at it another way:

                     Swim                    Bike                      Run

Sept’10      3:36/100m             10.8mph                14:48

June’11      4:12/100m             14.3mph                12:42

July ‘11      2:34/100m             14.5mph                13:12

Aug ‘11      3:08/100m             11.6mph                15:27             HILL HELL (B&R)

Sept’11                                   15.2mph                13:18

June’12      2:57/100m             14.1mph                13:36

June’13      2:26/100m             12.6mph                16:83      HillHell-Bike/Foot-Run

 

The message is clear – KEEP AT IT. Listen to my coach. Don’t shy away from the hills. Bike and Run Hill Repeats. Maybe even throw in a few run clinics.

 

…and this is all to compete against ME! To be the best ME in the sport I love. I know there are probably a bunch of my fellow Triathletes/Duathletes training buddies that are way faster and even place in their age group. There is always something to shoot for, but I do this for me and improving and getting better over time compared to my previous performances is satisfaction enough for me.

 

I don’t know if this analysis is helpful to anyone else that might be struggling with doubt, uncertainty or even the losing of their joy.  If you are thinking that all the work is for naught, check your numbers. It might just be better than you think – for you!

STOP BEING AFRAID…And Keep Moving Forward

STOP. Stop being afraid. Stop speaking all of those fears into existence that freeze you in place and keep you from moving forward.

 

To co-opt a line from an the upcoming movie, Aft.er E.art.h…

 

The challenges are real. Fear is a choice.

 

I chose to face mine and move forward. Now, don’t get me wrong…I have fears. Lot’s of them. Every time I go out for a ride with the Baltimore Metro Cycling Club or the Observation Crew, I’m scared – afraid I’ll get dropped (which happens EVERY.SINGLE.TIME) because I’m not strong enough; fast enough, good enough. But I load my bike up every chance I get, and ride with those brothers, trembling, laughing, pushing – getting better, stronger, faster each time.

 

I was afraid of going back to school – I’m too old, what about my family, money…blah, blah, blah. But instead of putting it off and making excuses,I drove myself over to the school and enrolled.

 

There is plenty of things that give me pause, but I decided I could either be paralyzed by my fears or I could acknowledge them, deal with them and keep moving forward.

 

So, how you ask? Well, for me, I don’t believe that fear comes from God. I simply reject the notion that God would give me the idea, the ability, the dream to achieve something and also give me paralyzing fear that would keep me rooted in place, making excuses and staying the same. The fear, the doubt, the worry is there, but I tuck the all in my handy dandy mental wheeled suitcase, slap my courage sticker on that sucker and pull it behind me – and occasionally, I leave it behind. I refuse to give life or power to my scaredy cat luggage. I abuse it, I kick it, I bully it into submission.

 

And I move forward.

 

I ride with faster and stronger cyclists. I run with faster & better runners. I get into open water as much as I can even if I have to stand on dock for awhile until I can ease my way in and – Just.Keep.Swimming. I let the young adults in class call me Lab Mom and make fun of my highlighters & note cards as I chuckle over their confusion about my skewing the curve with my A. I push through.

What was the point of all this? Just a reminder to all my friends & family to keep pushing, keep moving forward and achieving all those awesome things you want to do – big or small. When you hear yourself making excuses, giving power to your fears (I’m worried I can’t…, I’m afraid this/that is going to happen, I’m scared of…, etc.) STOP.ACKNOWLEDGE.REWORD.

 

Yep, I may be afraid of getting dropped on this ride, but I’m going to listen, learn and ride as hard as I can, always trying to catch up. They will come back and pick me up and I will learn to draft, I will ask questions…BUT I WON’T BE STOPPED.

 

Change your self talk and stuff all that self-limiting talk down a hole somewhere. Bruce Lee sums it up perfectly:

OR…you can go with how I would say it…

I choose to keep moving forward. The challenges are real. Fear is a choice. I chose the challenge. What about you?

Facebook-Conformity & Groupthink

I just finished my first prerequisite course – Fundamentals in Psychology – with an A+ I might add, and some of the concepts that we discussed in the class came to mind when I logged into the Book of the Face.

 

What I noticed was that Fac.e.book would make a great closed environment for a scientific social psychology study of conformity and groupthink.

 

Conformity – the act of yielding to social pressure; of matching attitudes, beliefs and behaviors to the group norm.

 

Groupthink – a phenomenon that occurs in groups where the desire for conformity; for consensus results in incorrect decision making or loss of ability for critical evaluation. The pressure to conform prevents debate; eliminates critical thinking.

 

FA.CE.BOOK = GROUPTHINK …A LOT and heaven forbid you are a non-conformist and/or actually apply critical thinking to a subject…more often than not you will be driven from that discussion, beat down, denigrated, insulted, blocked, unfriended. Happens all the time. If you don’t see it – perhaps you have succumbed to groupthink. You might just be conforming to the group.

 

Think about it. Do you just watch what others post – yeah, those opinionated post that get under your skin, that just make one-sided point without any discussion and also offer no solutions because you don’t want to rock the boat; make your friend mad; offer a solution that may raise the ire of said friend?

 

Do you just click like or add you affirmative comment; cosigning that picture/opinion/political piece without offering any context?

 

Do you enter into the discussion in the affirmative and then when someone else offers a dissenting opinion you jump down that persons throat with name calling, shade slinging and condescending quips in order to show how dumb and out of step with “mainstream” thinking that person is?

 

Have you ever been in the midst of an interesting yet heated debate on FB and just sat idly by saying NOT A DAMN THING in the thread while someone debating outside of  thought “norms” gets thrashed, but then contact them privately to commiserate? OH YEAH! I’ve seen that one. Heaven forbid you go against the thread norm and publicly come to the defense of the outlier. INTERESTING.

 

I didn’t have words to put to the phenomenon until after taking this class, debating with my classmates and watching videos of the results from some studies on conformity & obedience. Interesting stuff. Food for thought.

 

So…what say you? Can you see the groupthink and conformist nature of FB?

Just Random–Thoughts Happen

Happy New Year! A lot has happened in these first 10+ days of the new year at True Blessings. WHEW! I could probably write a post about each unique event but time has been limited. I’m going to just share some of the things that have popped into my head…Just Random Stuff :

 

• I got a promotion at work and the 1st day was Jan 2nd. We had a year beginning meeting this week where I met everyone in my region and in my district team. SIGH
• There definitely are NOT any diversity goals in my region since I was the only person of any color out of 53 people.
• The was a goal for achieving the most khaki or bad blond highlights – it was reached.
• The amount of information I’m having to learn is EXACTLY like drinking from a fire hose.
• Toledo, OH for a training class in Feb? SERIOUSLY?
• I went to an Vision Board Party last Saturday and it was a wonderful experience. I took it rather seriously and was amazed at how random pictures, phrases and items that I only picked because they struck a cord with me came together to create my 2013 Vision. What were some of my take always?
• The ladies I shared this experience with were all awesome!
• My vision is MY Vision for ME. Everybody had great, interesting things they wanted to achieve and that was great for them. My board was about me.
• I can’t wait for the “gathering” at the end of this year to see how much of our Visions have manifested. I know they will.
• I started the first of several perquisites I need to get accepted into a Physician Assistant/Masters in Public Health program. January 2nd was a very eventful day. Promotion & School.
• I’m THAT old lady that sits in the front row of class with her hand dandy notebook, pen & highlighters – taking copious notes.
• We spent the 1st hour of class with an icebreaker where you had to tell your name, why you’re in class and something unique. REALLY?
• Major is communication, yet you mumble?
• There is ALWAYS the perky kid in class that always has a story, raises their hand and says pick me!
• Only interesting person in class is the girl who is a Junior in HS graduating early trying to find out what she wants to do with her life.
• …then there is the DC cop majoring in nursing cause she hates being a cop.
• So far, I have a 97.7% in the class. I be smart.
• I can’t wait to ride my new bike. I brought her home from an awesome fitting on Monday. The plan is to take her out on Sunday. Now I just got to name him/her.

• All those gun position meme’s people are posting…I find it amusing, and JUST DUMB, that so many people have such an absolute opinion/position defending the need to keep every single weapon on the planet, but NEVER have a position or solution on how to keep it all and yet make it harder for wacko’s to get them. I see.
• God don’t like ugly. That mess, that snark, the negative that you do behind the scenes will eventually catch up to you. Do better, please.
• I realizing that something(s) are going to have to give to keep family, work, school, tri-training going. TV is it. That’s what a DVR/TIVO is for.

 

• I Dreamed a Dream…and they will come true.

RANDOM: No Regrets, Unforgiving, Fit & Phabulous

I recently read an article about the Top 5 regrets of the dying and 2 of them stood out to me based on some recent things that have happened and/or been said to me:

 

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. ~~ Well, that won’t be one of my regrets. I won’t wish I had lived true to myself. I am who I am and I am doing all most of the things I want to do with my life. I live this life out loud; large and bodacious and I try to drag as many friends/family along with me on this most awesome journey called life. the only people who I have bent/adjusted to/for are my children & husband, but even still – I CHOSE – and The TravelDiva has managed to stay True North.

 

Are you living life true to you?

 

2. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings. Ummm, DUH! I’ve always had “the courage” to say how I feel and to express myself. Maybe it’s more of a lacking a filter instead of courage, but I have managed to navigate the military, corporate career & entrepreneurship with enough of a common sense/decency filter to be pretty damn successful. What I have found; however, is that there will always be people who believe it is okay for them to say any damn thing they want any which way they want to you without so much as a by your leave and then get their panties in a bunch when you check them or you don’t allow them a pass. You mad…oh well.

 

Do you hold all of your feelings & thoughts inside? What’s that feel like, because I would suffocate.

 

No regrets.

 

I tried to extend an olive branch to a FB friend who ~ 2 YEARS AGO!! ~ internalized and made all about him something I wrote about on my blog regarding elite athlete snobbery. He promptly unfriended me and I hadn’t heard from him since until he commented on a mutual friends page. I sent a message holding my olive branch and flag of truce, hoping that time had soothed over this complete misunderstanding. NOPE. The door got slammed in my face. I was told that the way I hurt his feelings was “unforgivable” ~ PERIOD and that he was not going to reconcile ever…Like EVER.  WOW. Good thing I’m not dependent on man’s forgiveness to be absolved of my alleged sins. Glory to God. Funny thing though…since he hasn’t mastered privacy settings yet, I was able to see some one of his recent posts on forgiveness where he said he had learned a lot form being able to forgive.

Really, boo? I think you need to go over that lesson again.

 

Are you hanging on to a slight, a hurt, a hate? Are you unforgiving as if you NEVER EVER do/say anything that hurts or is wrong? You know the only person you are hurting is YOU right?

 

A complete stranger saw a picture of me running in a race. Her comment about someone she doesn’t know anything about was “Hmmm, I bet she comes in last a lot.” Wow! A friend of mine who heard the comment handled it superbly and the stranger didn’t speak to her for the rest of the day. My friend was so crushed – NOT! My thoughts…No dear, I have NEVER come in last in anything I have done, but I bet her narrow ass would or be laid out in the back of a rescue vehicle. SMDH. People need to stop it with projecting their issues, hang ups, insecurities and all those subjective notions of what beauty & fitness should looks like for evey one. STOP IT. STOP TSK TSK’ING EVERYBODY AROUND YOU AND WORRY ABOUT/FOCUS ON YOU! Seriously. Here’s what I know – I know who and what I am ~ made in God’s image. My issues are mine and yours are YOURS. Don’t mistake this Athena physique, red lipstick and a smile for weak & lazy. This Athena Goddess will rip your scrawny arm off with her bare hands, throw you out on the lawn to feed the zombies (or simply to feed those turkey vultures on my neighbors widow walk) and keep it moving. Thin does not necessarily equal fit/fast/beautiful. That ugliness that come of your mouth ~ all that snark & demeaning comments ~ make you look like the big fat pig you roll around with when you do that mess. TRUST ME. It’s ugly & you smell.

 

I hope you are not one of those people. Don’t be THAT person, mkay? Grow up.

Live Beyond It

Yesterday, around 5pm, I received a text from my manager that I needed to cancel all appointments with customers and stay home by the phone. More information would be forth coming. I’ve heard that before. Twice. And each time I was laid off from my job during that “wait at home for the phone to ring” period. This would be the third time in 6 years that I had to do this. All I could think about was that I needed to get the HELL out of this industry (pharmaceuticals) and move on to something else. I held on to the fact that I was moving on and I couldn’t wait for classes to start so I could get these pesky pre-requisites out of the way and MOVE ON!

 

I then got a message from a friend to check out the “Daily Message” and it was RIGHT ON TIME. I’m disappointed, I’m worried. I’m afraid…but I’m going to LIVE BEYOND IT!

Don’t live with the disappointment. Live beyond it.

You cannot stop what has already happened. However, you can let it make you stronger and more determined.

Instead of dwelling on the pain or injustice of what has happened, imagine the best possible outcome. Then get busy moving yourself steadily and passionately toward that outcome.

Life has the power to disappoint. Yet you have the power of life, and the power to move on to bigger and better things.

When you have been disappointed, it means you truly care, and that’s a very positive thing. Zero in on what you care about, and put your energy into advancing those things in your life.

Look ahead, and look at all the good and valuable things you can do. Look ahead, and step confidently forward with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

— Ralph Marston

I sat home today with a friend and colleague, drinking mimosas and chatting it up, trying to laugh our way through till the phone call came. At 10am I to the call…"You have been retained.” Then I was told to hang around for the message about a webinar at 4pm that would give me more information on the transformation. Seriously? My friend, she had to wait till 3pm (she was part of the contract field force so things are done differently) to hear what was happening with her. At 3pm, in a less than 5 min call, she was told – along with around 300+ other contract reps- “thanks for your service, but your contract has been terminated effective December 31st. We expect you to give the same commitment previously until December.” Really?

 

LIVE BEYOND IT. We honestly have no choice. I have cried for my friend and then got on the phone and started working that rolodex on her behalf. While I was retained, today was just a further wake up call that I need to continue looking ahead; stepping confidently forward toward my new goals/purpose…

 

Physician Assistant License and Masters in Public Health

 

I’m putting my energy into advancing bigger & better thing in my life. LIVING BEYOND my disappointments. LOOKING AHEAD!

Amazing…Just The Way You Are

Go ahead and watch the video. It’s less that 15 seconds. I’ll wait…

That’s right – You’re Amazing…JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!

It took a pro triathlete to remind me of that – to set me straight and get my mind back in the game – and to work on keeping my mind there – IN the game.

I’m AMAZING – JUST THE WAY I AM.

Debbie Tanner & Clark Ellice – world class/ranked pro triathletes, Olympians and just all round genuinely nice people, sat at my kitchen table asking about ME, my training, my life. Every sentence I spoke was peppered with qualifiers, down plays, jabs. “Yes, but I’m slow.” “I can’t…” “ I wish…” “If only I could…” “If only I wasn’t at the race weight of two triathletes…” “If I had…”

BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Debbie made me stop after a few sentences. “STOP, Lisa! STOP. Stop saying that stuff. YOU are amazing just for doing all of this AND all the other stuff you do.”, she said. “You manage to work, have a a wonderful family, train & workout AND race. This is all we do. I think you’re awesome.”

She does? WOW!

And then Clark dropped the mind bomb of the weekend – which I have made an affirmation – “Where your mind goes, your energy flows.”

WHERE YOUR MIND GOES  - what are you thinking and speaking into existence? Is it positive or negative?
YOUR ENERGY FLOWS – positive thoughts, affirming messages – better performance in everything you do.

PERSPECTIVE!

So, you’ve made lifestyle changes and you’re still not that elusive size 10 yet? Guess what, you might not ever be or it may take a LONG time. You are amazing, just the way you are.

You’ve started that couch to 5k program a few months ago, but on group runs, you are always the slowest one. SO! You’re faster than every single person still on the couch – You are amazing – as fast or slow as you are.

You’ve been doing triathlon’s for a WHOLE YEAR now and you’re getting down on yourself cause you are always a middle of the pack, bottom of the age group triathlete. (Wonder who she’s talkin’ bout) STOP IT! You’re doing it! And I was reminded that my pro’s have been racing/competing since they were 12. PERSPECTIVE.

I am Wife, Mother, Medical Sales Professional, Entrepreneur, Networker, Chief Cook & Bottle Washer…and I AM A TRIATHLETE! Debbie gave me her medal at the end of the Columbia Triathlon (she came in 5th). I carry it in my car, hanging from my dash board like in the video to remind me every single day that…

I AM AMAZING…JUST THE WAY I AM!

…and so are you, my friends, so are you.

When Nobody is Looking

What are you doing when nobody is looking? Not much? Procrastinating? Putting it off? Malingering?

 

Do you have mad game and come up with justifications to explain yourself later?

 

Are you coming up with reasons why you can’t, shouldn’t, won’t do something? Are you using your past history dictate to you what you can or can’t achieve?

 

Do you make stuff up, exaggerate what you did or are doing so that the people who you THINK are “looking” will be impressed?

 

Truth be told, the people who you THINK are looking AREN’T! They are usually out making it happen. Getting it done.

 

NO LIMITS.

 

The only people looking are the ones you pay to look…like my Tri Coach. Oh, when I’m all by myself, there is no slacking – HE IS LOOKING. And he is gonna KNOW that I misrepresented what I said because it will reflect in something later. As Bruce Lee so eloquently put – those limits, those lies, those excuses you come up with – will show up later somewhere. They will show up on your next race, in your career, in your relationship, in your life.

 

REMOVE THE LIMITS.

 

I will be the first to tell you that I have procrastinated or not wanted to do something that needed to get done. I have gotten much better at acknowledging it for what it is – I just don’t want to – accepting it and accepting the consequences. Life gets in the way. I have obligations, duty, family, home. Things happen and I have to adapt, improvise, overcome. What I have stopped doing is coming up with elaborate reasons why or excuses.

 

- That niggle in my knee just keeps me from XYZ

- I was treated so badly by ___________ that I just can’t do that, go there, be that

- I don’t know how to do _____________ and I’m too old to learn something new

- What would I do with my hair (I LOVE that one)

- I can’t afford it. (but you could afford those new shoes, eh?)

- I so busy.

- I’m tired.

- I don’t have time to fit ___________ in.

 

The list could go on and on. If I’m injured – okay – but what can I do in other areas while my injury heals? If I’m sick – okay – let’s get better and while recuperating let’s revamp that game plan (business plan, nutrition plan, any plan).

 

See…I agree with Bruce Lee. There are NO LIMITS. Only plateaus…and we MUST go beyond them if we are to grow. As Yoda says – DO OR DO NOT, THERE IS NO TRY.

 

I spent the weekend with two Pro Triathletes. The reason they are Champions is because they don’t make excuses, they have NO LIMITS. They do what they need to do, even when nobody is looking.

 

I am a work in progress. The journey is awesome.

 

What LIMITS (excuses) are you placing on yourself that are holding you back from achieving?

I Got The Victory

We spent Resurrection Sunday with the family. The Fire Marshall and Princess Cara went off to church while I cooked and went on a short run. I put on my “Praise” track and as I was taking on that nasty little hill up Rt108 (which is part of the Clyde’s 10K run next weekend) the song “Victory” by Yolanda Adams came on. I tore that hill up singing at the top of my lungs…singing my life, my story…but I’ve got the victory!

 

Truly I been through the storm and rain
I know everything about heartache and pain
But God carried me through it all
Without His protection I'd surely fall
I been broke without a dime to my name
but all my bills got paid 'cause I called on Jesus name
You can't tell me that God isn't real 'cause
I got the victory and that's why I'm still here

I'm not worried 'bout material things I don't have
I just rest 'cause I'm sure in my savior's care
'cause I know that my blessing is on the way
I can't see it right now but I stand by faith
I fought many ,many battle's in His name
I held up the bloodstained banner and proclaim
that Jesus is the Truth and the Light
believe it when I say He will make it alright

 

What a glorious day it was!

             

      

            

No Mandate? Tough Tooties–Suck it up & Die

The Mandate. Let’s say, for argument sake, that the federal mandate that everybody purchase health care or pay a penalty for not doing so is, in fact, unconstitutional. So, we scrap it and also probably throw the baby (healthcare reform in its entirety) out with the bath water.

 

Who cares that there has been no real stab at reform since and probably won’t be anything done about it but more bitching, whining & fear mongering for years after we get rid of it. Why should our elected officials give a rats ass whether the rest of us minions go bankrupt just trying to get healthcare coverage or pay for the care we get when they have the best care on the planet paid for by the minions.

 

Just Suck it up and Die, won’t you please.

 

Never mind the fact that in order to buy a car, register it and get tags you are REQUIRED – MANDATED (granted by the States) to have insurance. True, you can opt out by not even purchasing a car. You don’t really HAVE to buy it – walk or public transp, right. However, let say you get your car, cancel your insurance cause you can’t afford it or didn’t want to buy it in the first place and then you have an accident, totaling the car. Can that person still tow their busted car (sick body) to the repair shop (hospital) and expect it to get repaired (treatment) for free? HELL NO! Tough Tooties – Suck it up sucker – you’re out a car and probably still have to pay the bank for that car.

 

Never mind the fact that in order to buy a house – get a mortgage – you are REQUIRED – MANDATED  to have home owners insurance. True, again, you can opt out by not buying a house. Rent. Let’s say you do rent, but you opt out of not getting renters insurance (your not required to do so) even though you have some nice stuff. What if you get robbed or worse – your rental burns to the ground with all your stuff inside. Can you walk into a clothing store/furniture store with a jar of your ashes and expect to get your stuff replaced for free? HELL NO! Tough Tooties – Suck it up fool – you S.O.L., sitting on a milk crate wearing hand me downs aren’t you.

 

Not so with healthcare. When did healthcare, treatment become a right and if you can’t or won’t pay for it then well, you have the right to get at least basic care for free (while the rest of us pay for that freebie with higher premiums, lifetime maximums, pre-existing condition exclusions, etc)??? You may not get advanced care, but if you sit in that emergency room long enough you WILL get care.

 

I say, HUMPH. You want the liberty and freedom to not be told you have to pay for healthcare? FINE. You want to decide if you should have healthcare coverage – you want the option of saying no thank you, I got this. FINE. Suffer the consequences of that decision then. I don’t want to pay or suffer for it. You don’t have any coverage, you get sick, in an accident or just run your body into the ground cause, shit, you want to eat, drink, smoke, drug yourself into the walking dead…then Tough Tooties – Suck it up or Just Die.

 

…and those of you that simply can’t afford it because you are on minimum wage, work part time or your employer doesn’t provide it – so sorry. Tough Tooties – Suck it up, pay out of pocket for what you can and for what you can’t – just die then. Or petition Congress for some of the money you send in to pay for their Cadillac Health Coverage. That should work.

 

Harsh? Unfair? Lacks Empathy? *Shrugs* Yep. While everyone is screaming from the rafters about the constitutionality of “Obamacare”, how tyrannical, costly & disasterous it is/would be, nobody (particularly the GOP candidates) – NOT NEAR ONE – is screaming about how tyrannical, costly and just downright WRONG the current system is OR even has a suggestion at an alternative. Honey Badgers - Who gives a damn. They certainly don’t.

 

We have the right to life, liberty & happiness…not healthcare. Unless, of course, I missed something. If you want a RIGHT to it, please explain to me you plan for paying for it. If “ObamaCare” in its entirety is the harbinger of the angel of death, then what do you think is the solution to our current broke down, on a respirator healthcare system?

 

Or are you like the Honey Badger – you just don’t give a fugg (as long as we get rid of this plan)

GTFOOHWTBS–The Killing of Trayvon Martin

Just stop. Stop with all the bullshyt.

 

Those of you that think if Trayvon had just stopped and answered Zimmerman’s questions and confrontation…

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

 

So, am I now supposed to teach my children (my 20 year old son) that if a STRANGER is following you, stalking you and then confronts you…A STRANGER THAT IS NOT EVEN IN A POLICE UNIFORM…that they are just supposed to stand there and let said STRANGER do, say, touch, harass them with all the deference, respect & yes, sir’s that they can muster as if this was the 1950’s? ARE YOU FUGGING SERIOUS??? So, if a stranger is following me; harassing me, I’m not supposed to run? What if that STRANGER turned out to be a serial killer or rapist?  Wouldn’t you be calling me fugging stupid for stopping to talk to with a STRANGER?

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

 

What about MY RIGHT – what about Trayvon’s RIGHT - to stand our ground? Oh…Okay. The one with the gun is always gonna win that one, huh? What if Trayvon did fight back – against the pursuit and confrontation of a STRANGER!!!??? He didn’t have the right to stand his ground, the right to self-defense against that idiot, Zimmerman? Of course not. Like I said, the gun wins.

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

 

I simply can’t wrap my mind around the idea that Zimmerman, who had almost 100lbs on Trayvon, felt that his life was in imminent danger from a kid with a bag of skittles and a can a tea to fight with. SELF DEFENSE MY ASS. There is NOTHING you can tell me, nothing you can say that will convince me that Zimmerman was the victim here. Zimmerman was the one that called 911. Zimmerman was the one that followed that kid despite being told not to. It was Zimmerman that got out of his car and confronted Trayvon, once again, despite being told not too. Who was the aggressor here? Zimmerman started it and he finished it…and now his little vigilante, racial profiling, stereotyping, over zealous azz is still free to roam the street.

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

 

…and you know as well as I do, that had Trayvon had a license to carry a concealed weapon, stood his ground when Zimmerman confronted him and was the first one to get off a shot, that Trayvon would have been hauled off to jail while they “investigated” his claim of self defense. And I’m sure the outrage would have been just as loud to convict him for shooting Zimmerman instead of backing off. You know it, I know it. I willing to say it to your face. Makes you uncomfortable. Too bad. The truth hurts.

 

As for Geraldo Rivera’s assertions that if Trayvon has not been wearing a hoodie, this probably wouldn’t have happened like it did…

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

 

How about that for stereotyping and racial profiling. That is just about the same thing as saying that if women didn’t wear the pencil skirt then they wouldn’t get raped. Really? Geraldo – SHAME ON YOU! That was just dumb, asinine logic.

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

 

As for those of you that think that we all should just shut up about this since there is so much other similar tragedies in the the world…NO. I won’t. Don’t take issue with me for staying on top of this injustice, talking about it and calling it for what it is – MURDER, plain and simple. Do I care about the other injustices in the world?  YES. I’m sick of it all. Take up the lack of coverage for many of the other social injustices with the media. Those that scream the loudest seem to get the attention…watch the power of any special interest group. That Stand Your Ground Law is some bullshit, plain & simple. Where is ya’ll girl, Nancy Grace? Mmmm Hmmmm.

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

 

You know, if enough good people just keep silent, refuse to throw a flag on the play or call BULLSHIT when they see it…then well evil, injustice will win every single time.

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

Everything Ain’t For Everybody

I haven’t had much to write about this week. I’ve been focused on WINNING the GirlznGear contest and Judy seems to be rallying the troops for the closest race ever to the finish. You would think this was for some multi-million dollar contract the way I’ve been stalking recruiting people for the vote.

 

It is gonna be tight.

 

I signed up for a Groupon for CrossFit. HUMPH. After just 2 Basic classes where you do a short workout and the trainer teaches you some of the moves, I have decided that CrossFit just ain’t my cup of tea. I have absolutely NO interest in ever trying to jerk, clean, snatch a gazzillion pounds over my head or the bear crawl, climb rope or any of that stuff. NONE. NADA. And if you thought Triathletes have a lot of “shit” we say, we got nothing on the CrossFit people. Cult like if you ask me…but the same could be said about the sport of Triathlon’s.

 

I tried it. I gave it some of my UMPH and well…NO. I’ll be saving my UMPH for the Triumph for Swim, Bike, Run (…and jump, kick, box something as one of my friends is always saying to me- “Did you jump, kick, swim today?”)

 

Everything ain’t for Everybody…and CrossFit just ain’t for me.

 

I have been a swimming fool this week. 2100 yards with Becca on Tuesday and 1850 this afternoon. Some long sets in there. Let me tell you again – I LOVE MY SWIMp3 player. LOVE.

             

The music is just the ticket to keep your mind occupied on ANYTHING other than swimming forever – back & forth – FOREVER and EVER. It gets lots of stares from people in other lanes. WHATEVER! Go get you your own. HUMP.

 

Recently, I have been the recipient a lot of “Wow, I could never do that.”, “I’m just too busy, I don’t have the time.” or some variation of how crazy I am and that they would NEVER do ‘that’.

 

My response – “If you think you can’t, then your right – you can’t.” or “Busy people find the time to do the things they want to do/are important to them.” As for the crazy…Yep, I am. I resemble that remark. Towards what they would never do…Good, you’re in my age group. One less person I have to compete with.

 

Shrug. Everything Ain’t for Everybody…and excuses are like belly buttons – everybody has one.

Sick & Shut In Randoms

Apparently I caught some cooties from somewhere that decided to take up residence in my throat & lungs on Wednesday and it progressively got worse till I came home from a business dinner on Thursday night with no voice & collapsed in a heap across the bed.

 

I so appreciate the FireMarshall running out to the store at 10pm to get me some meds.

 

I don’t appreciate that he felt the need to take his time while he picked himself up some ice cream and various other snacks too.

 

Cough. Hack.

 

That one dose Zi.th.ro.max is the BUSINESS!!! Only problem…you can’t leave the house or go to far from the bathroom. 2grams of A.zyth.ro.mycin with clear your intestines out of EVERYTHING.

 

TMI?

 

Being ordered to take a day off from (to quote my friend) running, swimming, kicking & fighting everything, everywhere was AWESOME! I tried to go from the beginning of the internet to the end, but stuck with my goo.gle reader instead.

 

I so wanted to just unfriend some people today…so entrenched in their rhetoric, bullshyt & soundbites that they are almost rabid, but if I did that, then that would be one less voice that challenges the crazy instead of co-signs it.

 

SIGH. Some people just make my head want to explode. Just..Just Stop.

 

I bought a dress to wear to an event this month…damn thing fit perfectly – EXCEPT…when I tried to get both girls inside it.

 

Seriously. Wall slide of depression and self loathing.

 

Then…I had to take my measurements for Coach Torture Lionheart and while I only lost 2 1/2 lbs, I did talk off a total of 4” all around, (1/2+” from calves, hips, waist, arms).

 

I’ll take it…and I’ll take that damn gown back too! HUMPH.

 

I didn’t get into the Warrior Dash this year…all the times were sold out for Saturday. Guess I’ll go ahead and register for the Philly Tri (Olympic or Sprint…that is the question).

 

Olympic…probably.

 

I want a runDisney medal…BAD. That’s some awesome race bling. Jan 2013…right MsPattey?

 

I love Pan.era Breads Tomato Soup. Delish!

 

I’m going to see Diana Ross and then run a half marathon next month. Gonna go see The Boss then BE the boss all in one weekend. Mad Excited about it.

 

What shall I “Cook with Love” tomorrow night for our friend & classmate? Hmmmm…

 

The cocktails are always the easy part.

 

My SwimP3 headphones (ones you can wear in the water) are EVERY.SINGLE.DAMN. THING. PERIOD. Nothing like swimming a mile to Adele & Tina Turner.

 

My meds are kicking in…sleepy time.

 

Anything happen random or made you go…hmmmm, lately?

Meeting Madness

…The random stuff that goes through my head about the shyt that happens/is said at meetings.

Why do they always thank you for coming to the meeting…”I appreciate you coming. Thank You.” As if it was optional to attend. Seriously.

 

That blond, slim (almost anorexic) look for a pharma rep is still alive & well.

 

I’m not JUST a sales rep…I’m a Change Agent. *insert eye roll*

 

“Hyper Focused Strategy”…Explain to me how to be HYPER and FOCUSED at the same damn time. SIGH.

 

I can already tell from the way my District Manager is looking at me that I have not fixed my face enough to “look engaged.” Oh well. I’m a work in progress.

 

What exactly is the point of being “very” knowledgeable about the disease state and process if you are not allowed to EVER use that knowledge to compare & win (competitively sell vs. competitors)? Anybody can be taught to read a damn script and saying “I dunno” get’s real old…even to your clients. Just sayin’.

 

Us old school change agents are one sentence away from being a compliance/HR nightmare, but we are some change agent sell our azz off mofo’s though. WINNING!

 

Only a half day in on the two day meeting and I’m already losing the “give a shit” battle.

 

I love team building activities.

 

When all methods of persuasion fails…inserting fear, doubt, uncertainty into the the mix works. Really..it does (but it probably isn’t “compliant”).

 

It’s funny how you all of a sudden become like E.F. Hutton when your sales numbers are kicking the AZZ off of every body else in the district.

 

Best get your umbrella cause I’m raining KNOWLEDGE down on ya’ll. (But only the “compliant” stuff mind ya.)

 

…and just when I thought I was fakin’ the give a shyt funk, my Regional Manager sits down next to me.

 

Look engaged. Look engaged. Look engaged. Look engaged.

 

It's 5 o’clock in the PM

Meeting nuttin’ but mayhem

You said it’d be over soon

So I snuck out to the break room

And I thought I’d just wait there

Until time for the team dinner affair

I’d pretend I was interested and I was dreaming…

 

What psychedelic drug was the marketing team on when they came up with the name for our new combo product? I can’t even pronounce that mess. SMDH.

 

It’s 5 o’clock in the morning…

 

We are going to do a “DEEP DIVE” into the data. o_O …vs. a shallow one?

 

WTF is a Secret Sauce (Best Practice) Mentor. These names for shit is NOT cute.

 

Recognition/Award Time!!!

-Biggest jump in regional rank #35 to #6 (TRx MS .3 to 3.5) post launch

- Top TRx product volume in District

- Tied for Top Overall NRx product volume

- Most strategic approach with routing & teamwork coordination

- Managed care lead

 

HOW BOUT THAT PLASTIC TROPHY! I got a hug too!

 

 

 

Nothing makes the day go by faster than to get a call for the final interview on a dream job/opportunity.

 

THANK YOU JESUS for that text from Ms.Pattey…it came just as my forehead was about to dent the table.

 

Holy Smoke! The President might stop by the resort for the DNC Meeting also being held here! WHAT! Oh, I can’t go down that hallway. Oh okay. Yeah. Those Se.c.r.et Service people are NO JOKE. They look like if you even breathed in their general direction I would have an appointment with a marble floor, gun muzzle and some latex.

 

Yep. I’m moving along. Nothing to see.

 

AST (Advanced Sales Training)…okay…good info. SOOOOOOoooo, when your trainer AND DM admit they were “poor sales people” until they went through the training (AS A TRAINER & DM) o_O, does that mean that poor performance is how you get promoted in these streets? {{{{O_O}}}} HARD DAMN STARE.

 

Seriously!? So now we are Change Management Consultants?

 

I think I’m bleeding from my eyes.

 

Only things worth “taking away” from the meeting:

- Be interested NOT interesting.

- Stay in the moment.

- Seek First to Understand.

 

Do you ever want to drink straight from the bottle after company meetings?

Dream Catchers

My girl, Nineteen69, wrote a great post the other day regarding the Invasion of the Goal Snatchers. No such truer words. I have dealt with my share of Goal/Dream Snatchers (or just plain Negative Nelly’s)…from the “Why in the world are you doing all this crazy ish?” to the (make me want to slap the snot out of you) “You don’t LOOK like a triathlete.” or my all time favorite “You do all that working out stuff and you don’t look any different.”

 

To those comments I say, yeah, well this chick that doesn’t LOOK the way you think I should look could beat the fugg out of your narrow, sit on the couch, occasionally doing some Pilates/yoga/stretching – whatever doesn’t cause you to sweat or muss your hair – AZZ with one arm tied behind my back in stiletto heels. WTF EVER.

 

I learned long ago to not let those fools ruin this here show. I do what I want, when I want, how I want. I do it with flair, sparkle and red lipstick at every chance. What I have done, in order to pop a cap in the nugget of a Goal Snatcher Zombie, is surround myself with a cadre of Dream Catchers – people that embrace your goals with you, keep you accountable, workout with you, send you training plans, cheer, nag, push, love & believe even when you don’t.

 

People like Nineteen69 – who is my shero and gave me a refresher course in commitment, perseverance & giving it all.

 

MsPattey – who is a living example to me of what happens when you set a goal & execute that plan. I live vicariously through her adventures. It is going to be an absolute honor to be there at the finish line of her 2012 goal of 26.2.

 

BK – Fit & Fabulous! Waaaay more fit than me but calls me Team Captain. She makes me feel invincible.

 

Becca – intense & focused. ALWAYS has the grin and sparkle in her eye that gets you to set new and seemingly impossible goals. This heffa right here…Whew!

 

There are my new friends at TriUnify, MidMarylandTri, Baltimore Metro Wheelers Cycling Club (AND the OC’s) & BlackGirlsRun. Of course, there isn’t (at least I haven’t found) a negative nelly in the bunch. Special shout out to Maddy – that girl right there…BEASTLY!!! She saved my life on the SeaGull Century.

 

GBaby, Robin, IGator, IMTaurus, BigNuts, Ryan, Juanita…I could go on. GET IT! My peeps

 

Then there are my professional spectators – they take race spectating to a whole new level – my daughter, Princess Erin, being the epitome of spectating – maps, routes, pictures, video, signs – take a lesson from her. SissySays with the daily hugs and “what did you do today – don’t you need to work me out.” accountability. The FireMarshall – he carry’s my gear, set’s things up, makes sure I want for nothing and makes it possible to put in odd & long training hours. Without him, I couldn’t get it in. The Queen Mother – who thinks (and knows) I’m crazier than a bed bug, but shows up with camera, telephoto lens & fold up seat and is my personal paparazzi.

 

I’m prolly missing some crucial people. My apologies. Ya’ll know who you are. Suffice it to say that my Dream Catcher Squad ROCKS and way overshadows the Zombies from the Invasion of the Goal Snatchers. If you have those Zombie Goal Snatchers around you, POP a cap off in their melon and roll out. DO YOU! FUGG THEM!

Goal Snatchers throw salt on your dreams because people changing their lives make their own lives seem stagnant or insignificant. To quote the sage philosopher, Kanye “I know you rather see me die than to see me fly.” - Nineteen69

Surround yourself with Dream Catchers and watch yourself soar!

Thursday Thoughts: Gleanings from TET 2011

It was very interesting to see how many people hoped & prayed for better times in the 1-2. More interesting were the people surprised by the fact that so many people had a TET (tough economic times) in 2011.

 

Yep. Had them. I felt no need to wallow in it and share the TET with the whole world. My family and Top Mafia have been bedrocks of support & encouragement and we are making it through.

 

Been there, done that, got a t-shirt for it.

 

What I will share are some of what I have learned and/or thought about along the way for this episode of Thursday Thoughts:

 

- That high horse I was riding; kept warm by a blanket of quick judgment, threw me off for a nice tumble.

 

- The fall was jolt and eye opener.

 

- The use LOTS of prayer with a large dose of exercise (how bout those 10 races in 2011) works wonders to alleviate stress, quell panic attacks & crying jags.

 

- Also…there is way better living through pharmaceutical intervention. Besides adult beverage intervention results in a VERY large ass, soooo…I highly recommend the pill form of intervention.

 

- Cleaning supplies from the Dollar Store clean just as well as those name brand ones in the grocery store – trust! You ought to try it…once you get over your snobbery, you’ll find some great deals on regular azz stuff. Compare & Win!

 

- You learn REAL quick like the difference between a NEED  & WANT; frivolous expense & basic necessity. QUICK.

 

- Those hard choices are hard & SUCK big time – at first – and then it gets easier – and then you realize you wasted a whole lot of money on shit stuff that just wasn’t necessary.

 

- I can go without a whole lot of stuff so that my kids can have whatever they need. Education & Learning Experiences are priority one. Nails, hairs, new stuff – can wait.

 

- GMa’s are THE BOMB! Pride is folly.

 

- Not everybody can help you financially, but they can help. Homework, Transportation, Babysitting, Cleaning, Cooking, an Airline Ticket (you know who you are)…and much more. Bartering WORKS. Get familiar.

 

- Just because you are temporarily broke doesn’t mean you need to look temporarily broke down. Shop that closet, use shit up, squeeze that tube till it screams, get creative, use YouTube university (I learned how to braid extensions into Cara’s hair – ALL BY MYSELF), DIY. I may be in the TET but I will LOOK GOOD while it it. HUMPH.

 

- I find it a gosh dang disgrace that when a person could use or NEEDS a tad bit of assistance they can’t/don’t qualify. See…those last 2 years of tax returns say you are “rich”. But right now…not so much. Too bad, so sad. That’s the group of people who are now losing their homes, filing bankruptcy – just losing EVERYTHING. SIGH. It takes 2 years of abject destitution and sitting on the waiting list to get “assistance”.

 

- Too little, too late.

 

- BTW…not everyone on unemployment & getting assistance is a lazy, shiftless, take advantage of the system, trifling ass, not good for nothing.

 

- Just Saying.

 

- A tip to those of you still out there looking for work – It’s easier to find a job when you have a job. GET ONE…any one…even if you are woefully underpaid. Do good at it and keep searching till the opportunity opens for you again. Seriously. It sucks big time out there. NETWORK!

 

- And YOU – the employer, scoffing and refusing to hiring someone that is/has been unemployed and will only hire someone who has a job – YOUR DUMB & AN AZZ.

 

- Being the wife (and business partner) of an ambitious, visionary entrepreneur will test the limits of any woman’s love & endurance. Especially when your husband starts a company during the worst economy since the Great Depression. I found out that I’m one of those women that has what it takes. I’m in it to win it. Instead of driving a wedge between us, it drove us closer and I became an asset instead of a hindrance & dream stealer. WE ROCK!

 

2012 is our year. The 2011 TET is over. I’m speaking it, and so it is.  The lessons I’ve learned along the way (and I’m sure there are more)…I’m keeping, for through adversity, we grow.

 

Do you have a lesson from TET that you care so share? Come one! Do Tell!

Time is Money/Money is Time

I was freaking out. Just a tad stressed. I have to take exams, finish up about 8 more hours of online modules, entertain Princess Cara who is on Spring Break, choir rehearsal, concerts, miscellaneous appointments to fit in before I go to Minneapolis for 10 days of MORE TRAINING (I am too friggin old to do this rep shyt), fit in workouts for my triathlon training schedule, wife/house/mom/chex goddess duties to perform, restock liqour cabinet AND grocery shop for Easter Sunday Dinner.

 

…and there are only 24 hours in a day. AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!

 

Then the light bulb goes on. While sipping on a glass of wine to calm my nerves & watching an episode of Crim.inalM.inds, I could get my grocery shopping done and have all of it delivered to my door. HALEILUAH! Jesus was a Peapod truck.

 

In 40 min, I had crossed off everything off my list, applied my coupons, used my store card for additional discounts, picked a delivery time/date, clicked ‘complete order’ and I was on to my second glass wine. I just got back about 2-3 hours of my life. YES!

 

2-3 hours in the grocery store, you ask? When is the last time you got in and out of the grocery store, unloaded & put away in less time when shopping for a major dinner party? (P.S. I’m up to 10 for Easter Dinner now…at least it is less than the 16 for Thanksgiving)

 

Talk about a load off my mind. DONE! Time is money/Money is Time. What a load off my mind AND schedule.

 

Have you ever used Peapod or another delivery service to gain back some time to your life?

You’re a Firework!

So tomorrow is race day! The “season kickoff” of all the various races that I have signed up for.

 

The Cherry Blossom 10 miler.

 

I got up this morning and met BklynDiva (@thefitlounge) at the metro to go to pick up our race packets and check out the Expo shop. My goal was to complete my outfit for a coordinated look and @thefitlounge was looking for an entire race day ensemble. We may not be fast but WE LOOK GOOD! We come up out of the Judiciary Square metro stop across from the National Museum where the expo was and the line was almost a block long. We were like DA HELL! It went pretty quickly and we hit the expo.

 

AND WE WERE WINNING!!!! We hit some 50% off racks and BOO-YAA, SCORE!

I completed my race day outfit & picked up an outfit to match Dominique Diva Dawes (yeah, my bike) to train in. I also picked me up a “Run Skirt”. Has a pair of capri’s built in. I can’t wait to get some run time in them. KEEEE-UUUUTTEEEE! GO ME!!!

 

I also just HAD to get some stickers for my car. HAD TO!

 

@thefitlounge and I wrapped it up, walked outside and were stopped in our tracks. The line to get into the building was now 3 city blocks long, going around the 3 sides of the building. DAMN SHAWTY! How bout that wait? I’m so glad that we got up and went early.

 

So, I guess I’m RET TA GO! …and right now I can’t get this song out of my head. It has been speaking to me about a lot of things and while I haven’t achieved a couple of goals I set for myself recently, while I won’t break any speed records tomorrow…

 

BABY I’M A FIREWORK…and I’m going to let my colors burst.

 

Tomorrow is the start of a lot of new beginnings.

 

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own