Wordless Wednesday: The College Graduate

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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?

Princess Cara RUNS!

My Princess is turning into a regular athlete – and a bling seeking one at that. Wonder where she got that notion from?

 

I’m so proud of my little athlete.  Princess Cara always wanted to go with Mommie on her workouts/training sessions and so I got her some gear and took her with me when I could or put her on the treadmill…and now, since I gave her my old bike, I have her on the trainer as she learns to shift and break on a road bike. (Going from a Barbie bike from To.ysRU.s to a road bike is a BIG.DAMN.DEAL in my book)

 

And I’ve created a monster. What kid do you know that gets a ‘tude cause I wouldn’t let her get her workout in on the treadmill at 9:30pm on a school night? Only my kid would ask you about her next race and, when you present her some options, want to see what the bling looks like before even considering it. Only my kid NEEDS to go shopping for a coordinated outfit before the race AND wants her own sparkle gloss for her lips “like mommie.”

 

Careful what you say and do around your kids. They are sponges and mimics. I can’t help but laugh…if swim, bike, run for bling with coordinated outfits and gloss is what she got from me…I’ll take it.

 

 

These pics are from the Tridelphia Ridge Elementary School Retriever 5K Run – the PTA’s largest fund raiser for the year and first 5k. It was well put together for a first time event and Princess Cara was excited to run it with her BFF Sam (in the Gap sweatshirt).

 

Imma tell ya what…I see track star or distance runner Olympic hopeful in her future. Well, that’s the Ambitious Mother with dreams of scholarships and going to the Olympics talking. She might just only want to do it for grins, giggles and bling like her Mom. We will see. What I do know is the Princess is FAST. Gazelle fast. And makes it look effortless. (*secretly hates her guts* – HUMPH). Almost every picture I took of her, shows her feet not even touching the ground. She moves as if she is gliding along on the air. Speedy.

 

So, when I see her coming round the corner almost at mile 1, leading the adults and dusting the kids, I’m thinking she is gonna TAKE ‘DIS RACE. Like 1st in her age group and I’m jumping up and down like a RunMom wishing I had more cowbell and a horn.

 

…and just like that, her BFF said she just couldn’t go that fast any more. So, the Princess stops and says “Don’t worry, I will wait for you. I won’t leave you. We can do intervals.” As my hopes were dashed of a 1st place win, my heart soared that I had trained and raised her up to be a good BFF and running partner. I know she got that interval business from me (cause she is WAAAAY faster than I am and she needs to stay with momz when we run).

 

Princess Cara never left Sam and walked/ran with her until they got near the finish line – where she brought it in like a champ. It was way slower than I know she could have finished it, but she finished with her friend (who, I found out, had never ran before that day).

 

Princess Cara RUNS!!

Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever

This years adventures in swim, bike, run have been plagued by injury, pain and now illness. I have spent the better part of the year since mid-January telling myself that pain in temporary, pride is forever during a race and trying everything – ANYTHING to be able to train/walk without reinjuring my foot; without walking with a limp.

 

And my training and fitness have suffered for it. Yet, setback after setback – I keep pushing through.

 

The Cherry Blossom Ten Miler was last weekend. Princess Cara has Spring Break the week prior and she had a head cold/productive cough the entire week (didn’t hold her back at all though – HUMPH). The Friday before the race I was starting to feel a bit run down, but didn’t think much about it. Sunday morning of the race, I woke up and my throat was swollen and it hurt to swallow. I wasn’t feeling all that wonderful, but hey, I’ve felt worse. I shrugged it off and thought that a little breakfast and a coffee (or two) and I’d be right as rain.

 

Not so much. I look at this picture of me riding the metro into the DC and I can see it on my face. I’m tired, I’m sick…but I’m pushing through.

Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever.

 

Yeah, well. I probably should have stayed home and regrouped. After totally falling apart during this race – I pretty much decompensated after mile 4/5, I was wiped out and out sick for a damn WEEK. A WHOLE DAMN WEEK…SICK AS A DOG SICK. Just pitiful. Looking at my stats for this race is a study in depression and how injury and illness will set you back BIG TIME.

          

On the left is Oct 2012 Army 10 Miler –------ Right is April 2013 Cherry Blossom 10

 

I have never been Speedy Gonzalez, but with the foot injury in January, half azzed training as I nursed and cajoled the foot and now sicko, I am now truly slower than frozen molasses.

 

I’m feeling much better now. Took an entire week, but I’m back and it’s time to START OVER. START ANEW.

 

The Challenges are REAL! …but the fear & worry associated with them are a CHOICE.

 

I am choosing to not let these setbacks hold me back. I am choosing not to net negative, worry or fear enter my psyche. BACK TO WORK, BABY!

 

How are ya’ll doing? Any setbacks that have gotten you off your game? How have you dealt with the adversity?

 

See ya out there!

IM70.3Cozumel & Marine Corp Marathon–HERE WE GO!!!

April 1st…April Fools Day…is as good as any other day to get started on the journey for the IM70.3 Cozumel Redemption Race AND if I wasn’t crazy enough I added the 38th Marine Corp Marathon (rather I was punked into it – I’m such a sucker).

       

I’ve pulled out my training plan from last year and incorporated my 18 week Intermediate MCM Training plan that doesn’t really begin until June 20th. Putting the two together, I will be way prepared for the MCM and have a great head start into the training. I started today with a 60 min hill ride with TriBecca who then forced me to do core work too. HUMPH. Yeah…we got work to do cause that headwind and those Hills of Howard County were NO FRIGGIN JOKE today.

 

We set some goals for the MCM after having a blast from my past moment… 27 years ago, I ran my first marathon – the 11th Marine Corp Marathon. This was before they gave out bling – you got a certificate. I can’t believe I ran 26.2 miles in those shorts and then got on a bus for a 6 hour ride from DC back to West Point. CRAZY CAKES.

So, I wasn’t last…I beat the bridge and 366 other people to finish in 5:19:07. Can I work towards finishing in 5:30/5:45? YES I CAN. That would be an avg 13 min pace. YES I CAN! Wouldn’t that be a hoot!!!

 

Here is the schedule leading up to IM70.3 & MCM:

April 7: Cherry Blossom 10m

June 23: TriRock Philly

July 14: Maryland Olympic Duathlon

Aug 17: West Point Sprint Triatlon

Sept 8: Rock Gap Iron Girl (Relay – Swim)

Sept 22: IM70.3 Cozumel

Oct 27th: MCM

 

Let the games begin.

Wordless Wednesday - Diva Sparkle

Acknowledging Your Blessings

A family friend and business associate sent us a message today…a reminder that even in our lowest moments; even at our darkest hours we should not just count our blessings but also acknowledge them.

 

Say thank you!

 

I am thankful for all of the blessing – big & small – that we have been graced with and for all of my friends and family that I so gladly and humbly share these blessings with. I love you.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN WHEN WE PRAY?

  I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received. I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

 

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section. The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them." I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

 

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledgment Section, my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed. "How is it that there is no work going on here?, I asked. "So sad," the angel sighed. "After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments"

 

"How does one acknowledge God's blessings?" I asked..

"Simple," the angel answered. Just say, "Thank you, Lord."

"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.

"If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world.

 

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy."

"If you woke up this morning with more health than illness .. You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day."

"If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation. You are ahead of 700 million people in the world."

 

"If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world."

"If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare."

 

"If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair."

Ok, what now? How can I start? Have a good day, count your blessings

"Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people with whom to share it. I thank God for everything, especially all my family and friends!”

Race Report: A Royal Family Weekend

It was a Fit Family Birthday Weekend at Disney. The 26th celebration of my 21st birthday was on February 21st and Princess Cara’s 9th Birthday was on the 22nd, so we decided to celebrate our birthday by playing the Mickey & Minnie and ALL of the other Princesses, Princes and assorted characters at Disney.

 

We had a blast.

 

But let me tell you, it’s a racket and Disney has this business down to a science. From shuttle buses to the expo (since parking was limited at the resort where the expo was) to brochures outlining where to park, where to spectate down to the CHear Squad (EXTORTION, but well worth it for your Spectathlete crew that gets up with you at 2am) – where for a mere $100/person you can have private seating, buffet breakfast etc etc. Mmmm Hmmm. We also went to the Pre-race Pasta Dinner at Epcot where for $40/person (cash bar) you got a pretty decent meal, DJ, dancing, activities, pictures with the princesses (we saw Cinderella, Tiana and Belle), access to the park just in time for the fireworks & light show. Princess Cara was in Disney heaven.

 

Ron and Princess Cara ran the Royal Family 5k on Saturday morning. Princess Cara had a stellar performance for her first 5k running the 1st 1.5 miles non stop, doing intervals for the next mile and running it in like a champ for the last .6.  The FireMarsall refused all attempts to get him in costume opting for the all black secret service look as Princess Cara’s Royal Guard.

             

After the race, we made it back to the hotel in time for our free breakfast which was included in my hotel package and the Princess was ALL ABOUT going to the pool. At the pool she made fast friends with a lovely girl named Evie and fanangled her way into going to SeaWorld with Evie and her mom. That required me to get up off my lounge chair and play meet the mom, break bread & libations while talking about our daughters all the while both girls are floating to the edge of the pool with “Please, Please, Please!” every 5 seconds.

 

Off to SeaWorld the girls went and once back…inseperable. Quick to change, dinner and then we HAVE to go to the poolside movie. The FireMarshall is such a good sport as I had no interest in seeing Hercules with a bunch of kids.

 

Early to bed, early to rise as I had to be in Epcot for the Disney Princess Half Marathon NLT 4:30am to park (for free) and get into my corral by 5:30am. Team Spectathletes were AWESOME and up with me at 2:30am with not nary a complaint. Of course I got them a CHEar Squad package, so once they dropped me off, they were off to get their viewing seats and hot cocoa at the 5.3 mile mark in Magic Kingdom

                

9000 – NINE THOUSAND RUNNERS – mostly women almost all in costume (and some AWESOME MANLY guys dressed as Princesses, Mr. Incredible and I saw a couple of Princess Leah’s and Wonder Men – LOVED IT) lined up to run 13.1 miles. I was, of course, adorned in fairy wings, tiara and glitter ready to see if I could get ‘er done despite not running for the prior 2 weeks trying to heal a foot injury.

 

At 6 am the first corral was off…corral E probably got going around 6:30am and at 3 miles in I knew I was in trouble. That bruised bone or whatever it is in my foot started up with shooting pain and I was hobbled into a shuffle. I kept moving though, bummed that I was not keeping a pace that would allow me to stop for all the photo opps with all the Disney characters out. It was so cool. To be honest, this is not a race to get a PR on. This is a run for fun, grins, giggles. Definitely a race to do with a bunch of friends and just have a great time.

 

I had a terrible time in this race because I had to walk a lot and stopped at the med tent to get some more Tylenol and BioFreeze, but I finished, walking away with some awesome BLING!

After the race, we went back to the hotel to hang out and I immediately scheduled myself some spa time at the Ritz Carlton Spa followed by max pool side time with some frozen umbrella type drinks. My version of relaxing and hydrating!

 

I put together a little video slide show from the weekend.

Have you ever done any of the Disney Races? What’s your favorite? Which one’s would you recommend?

Diva Review: Designer Tie by PUCCINI

I recently was asked if I would check out one of  BowsNTies.com new line of designer ties…The PUCCINI New Repp-Stripe Collection.

Of course, I’m not gonna wear the tie so, since The FireMarshall has a business conference he had to lead in NJ last week, I gave the tie to him to get the workout.

The PUCCINI's New Repp-Stripe Collection is available in 8 trendy colors. We received the Amber Yellow and White Stripe to run through the paces.  Each tie is made from a unique microfiber fabric that looks and feels identical to silk but is more wrinkle and stain resistant. Definitely a plus if you travel a lot. Each tie features two unique colors paired with a contemporary striped design. To see all available colors, please visit: http://www.bows-n-ties.com/mens-fashion-tips/wrapper.php?/archives/469-New-Repp-Striped-Tie-Collection-by-Puccini.html

The FireMarshall sent me the following comments regarding the tie:

The tie was nice. I received a lot of compliments. I had to get use to the feel of the tie- it was a little stiff, maybe a bit thicker than I’m accustomed to, but it is very sturdy and has great coloring. There was great contrast with the yellow shirt, dark blazer and pants I was wearing.
Do I have to send it back? :) :)

The price point for the tie was a welcome surprise. For under $10 you can get a very nice, fashionable, wrinkle and stain resistant tie that would work well for the fast paced/travel intense business man.

We Like! Wanna learn more? Visit them at http://www.bows-n.ties.com or on FACEBOOK – at BowsNTies
Enter to win you own tie... a Rafflecopter giveaway I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fit Family Foto Friday

Lessons from Microbiology

Every now and then, take your phone out of its protective case and wipe that sucker down with an antibacterial wipe!

(Growth from cell phone-bottom pic, upper right)

Carry antibacterial gel, use it and or wash your hands after using public stuff...yuck.

(Growth from keyboard in college library - bottom pic, upper left)

Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Damn...just walk around with a mask on; the air is gonna kill you.

(Growth from 20 min of medium being exposed to air- bottom pic, lower left)

Good to know that people must be washing hands or using hand towels to open door as exit bathroom. JUST DO IT!

(Growth from inside bathroom door handle- bottom pic, lower right).

P.S My lab buddies call me Ma'am, apologize for every curse word and want to know if they can be in my study group...I am the group. I think I'm the lab group mom. Sigh.

40 Seven Years of Total Magnificence

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOI!!! So…who’s that girl?

 

Spirit Airlines has NO Spirit

 

I was going to write this laundry list of how Spirit Airlines (@SpiritAirlines) SUCKS major big time, but I found the most awesome website that outlines everything you need to know about this fugged up, nickle and dime your azz to death, lying till their seats are on fire airline.

 

Spirit Airline Facts

Facts about the country's cheapest and most complained-about airline.

Yes, Spirit Airlines can be, for some, the cheapest way to travel from point A to point B. To others it's a nightmare organization that has ruined vacations, destroyed business travel plans, taken money without offering agreed upon services and shocked unsuspecting travelers with hidden fees and questionably-ethical policies. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Spirit Airlines has seven times more official complaints against them than any other airline operating in the United States. Even the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation has recently warned travelers that Spirit Airlines doesn't care about its customers.

 

While my recent flight itself was uneventful (it took off and it landed on time), everything about this airline that touts itself as the cheap, discount flight airline, there is NOT ONE DAMN THING CHEAP ABOUT IT – AT ALL.

 

Yes, my flight to Dallas was about $100 less that any other airline and there is where it ended. The got me this time – MY BAD. I will NEVER, EVER fly these bastids ever again. I went online to print my boarding pass and you can’t - until you register for their “frequent flier” program and log in. From then on, you have to LOG IN every.single.time. I check in and I’m asked if I plan on taking a CARRY ON or checking any luggage? I check carry on. And then it starts, for $59/year I can save $10 on my baggage fee – but you still gonna pay. Let me get this straight…I give you $60 buck and SAVE $10 per bag per leg. I would have to take 3 flights in a year with them to break even AND I still gotta pay $30 for a MFn’ CARRYON!

 

GTFOOHWTBS.

 

So, now the $100 I saved flying Spirit went up with the $40 ea way carry on fee. Minus $80. BTW, if you don’t check in and print your boarding pass at home, they will charge you a fee…up to $8. Want a glass of water – $3. Soda, Coffee – $3. Snack, Sandwich – up to $15. Shall I go on?

 

Want to pick your seat? from $12-$25 depending on the type of seat. Traveling with your S/O and want to sit together? You BETTER pay for your seat or you will most definitely will be split up. Watched it go down over and over and over on my flight.

 

Seats DO NOT recline and actually that is a good thing because  there is absolutely NO ROOM. NONE. There are ads on the tray tables, they market a credit card to you on the plane, giving away enough points for 3 flights – getting you for interest on the card and more fees to use those miles.

 

The acquisition cost suckers you in and after you are stuck, they collect the rest of the money from you. You end up not saving a damn thing.

 

Spirit Air ain’t got no spirit, no they don’t. Fly @SpiritAirlines at your own risk and the emptying of your wallet.

Wordless Wed- "Thou craven hell-hated death token"

Foto Friday - BINGO!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Oh, honey. This has never been one of my issues. Let it shine, baby! I always do!