As always this time of year is a flurry of activity.  I have been a busy bee for the last couple of weeks, checking things off my ever growing To Do list.  I have been using Google Tasks for a couple of months now.  I like it a lot, especially because I can use it from my iPhone too.

I woke up last night to get ready for work and I noticed that light flurries were dusting the ground with a fine white powder.  It looked quite pretty especially since it wasn’t really accumulating.  I honestly don’t mind winter too much.  It’s just when things get messy, wet and icy that it starts to become a drag.

After work I went straight to the gym.  I wanted to run outside, but I didn’t bring the proper clothing.  I felt a little indecisive anyway and figured the gym would provide more options.  I would love to design a fitness plan to start off the new year.  I have been training for a race since last May and I am starting to incorporate other forms of exercise to try to change it up a bit.  Today I did 60 minutes on the Arc Trainer and some upper body strength training.

Oh I did bring my computer to a couple of technicians and the optical drive is shot.  I was concerned that I did something to cause it but was told that this piece of hardware on the MacBook is just crap, not their best work.  It fails eventually especially with increased use.  So essentially I didn’t do anything it just bit the dust on its own.   It will cost about $250 to replace the optical drive but I could go with an external for less than $100.  I will probably do the external, but I don’t know what to look for.  I just started my research.  Hopefully I will figure it out soon.

Tonight after dinner we did something totally different.  We went up to the town commons for a coffee and a treat for the little guy.  There was live music at the cafe and Carlos was thrilled.  He loves music and sat as still as a three year old can sit for about 45 minutes.  After that we walked around the commons to see the Christmas lights.  It was cold out but with coats and mittens we didn’t feel a thing!

I’m going to nap for about an hour now before getting ready for work.  I work tonight and then I’m off tomorrow night only before working another three nights in a row.  I don’t mind though.  I work with a great group of women who make work an enjoyable place to go.  Tonight I’m bringing baby carrots and lemon hummus to snack on.  Other than that I might nibble a graham cracker or two and drink coffee.

I hear that we are getting more than a flurry tomorrow.  Fingers crossed that it is just another meteorological lie!

This afternoon I must deliver my baby MacBook to repair shop.  The disc drive spits out every disc I try to feed it.  Carlos may have stuck something inside of it when I turned my head for a minute.  He definitely did that to our desk top computer upstairs.  It spit out my work ID when I tried one of the tricks I found while googling “something is stuck in my disc drive.” We know there is at least one Caillou DVD still in there and possible other unidentified objects.  The suspect has pled the 5th!

I’m not sure that is the case with my laptop.  So I have to bring it in to have it checked out.  This means that I may not be around too much over the next few days (hopefully not any longer than that).

Off I go to get some things done on my gigantic To Do List.  Today might just have to be an exercise rest day. Later this afternoon I’m going in for a much needed hair cut and color.  Then Carlos has T-ball at 4:30 at the YMCA.  Busy day!!!

I set out on a very chilly run this morning after dropping Carlos off at school.  I definitely wanted to run this morning.  So I bundled up and off I went on my usual route around the reservoir.  Within seconds I was met with a cold wind.  I let out a shriek and pushed on against the wind.  I found myself laughing out loud.  I felt challenged but I was loving it.  The wind diminished on the other side of the reservoir.  Towards the end of the loop the sun was shining bright and added some warmth.

I finished up my first loop and went to the car for some water and to check my phone.  I cannot run with my iPhone, but I’m always worried that I will miss a call from my son’s school.  I know, I know what on earth did we do before cell phones.

I was feeling good and decided to go for another loop.  I took off my fleece since I had warmed up a bit, but kept my mittens on.  I encountered the wind again, but I was ready for it this time.  My legs felt incredible so I just let them dictate how fast I should go.  I wasn’t keeping track of my time for this run.  I just wanted to run for the fun of running.  My second loop went by like a flash.

I did a bunch of tedious errands: dropped books/DVDs at the library, got gas, enjoyed a free coffee courtesy of the Pride gas station where I filled up my tank, stopped at CVS to pick up wish list items for Carlos’ teacher, and then I went to the Scrub Wearhouse for some new scrub bottoms for work.

My scrubs have become downright baggy.  One pair is so worn that soon I will be almost indecent.  I have one pair that I can pull up to my chin.  I grabbed all mediums and they all fit!!!!  So excited.  I loved the Sketchers bottoms but of course they were more expensive.  I tried on a few pairs of the Cherokee pants that were on sale, but they just weren’t as comfortable or as well fitting as the Sketchers.  I decided to treat myself and buy the pants that fit and felt best.  Sketchers it was.

The rest of the day gave way to coloring, playing games, dancing around the kitchen, and attempting to put up the Christmas tree.  We have a fake tree.  It’s not very big.  It fits in a box and comes apart in three pieces.  The lights on the bottom worked fine.  The lights on the middle, not so much.  I tested the top and the lights were fine.  Off to CVS for new lights.  I bought one box because that’s all I needed.   Well I should have had the foresight to just buy two sets of lights because as soon as I finished putting the lights on the middle part, the top lights didn’t work????  I have decided to let it go until tomorrow.  So there we sat in the living room with a Christmas tree in the corner with only the bottom lit up!

Dinner was quick and inspired by Roni’s Rainbow Turk-a-Roni.  My husband begged me to make a pumpkin bread.  I found a quick and easy recipe on the Very Best Baking website for spiced pumpkin bread.  I made a couple of changes (applesauce instead of oil, less sugar) and the end result was delicious.  I had to shut my husband off or the entire bread would have been history.

From making statements like, “I cannot cook,” “I cannot run” for as long as I can remember to whipping up a homemade pumpkin bread and enjoying a 7 mile run in barely 30 degree temps.  Who am I?

If this seems like deja vu it probably is.  I wrote a similar post 2 days ago.  This one is my rewrite.  On Sunday I ran the Hot Chocolate 5K in Northampton, MA.  It was my fourth 5K and my best time yet.  It did not start off on the best note though.  Warning: TMI alert!  My stomach felt off and I was forced to wait in line for the port-a-potties.  I’ve never had this issue before a race.  I made my way to the starting line feeling a bit crampy but somewhat better.  I was a little congested and my throat was scratchy.  I had been feeling like I was fighting something all week.  There is a running joke in my family that when my aunt and I get sick it is for a minute fraction of the time that anyone else would be affected.  For example when the Norovirus was running rampant a couple of years ago, I got it for about 3 hours!  Anyway I had amped up my vitamin, fruits and veggie intake all week.  So far I was winning the battle of the common cold.  However, as I made my way to the starting line I began to feel the cold fighting back.

Instead of placing myself in the 9:30 – 10 minute/mile group I immediately forced myself back in the 10:30-11 minute/mile group.  Why?  My speed has improved.  I knew this but ignored it as I sunk into a bit of a pity party.  And then we were off.  It took what seemed like forever to cross the starting line and then hill #1 appeared almost immediately.  As the cold air hit my throat I felt like I had swallowed sand paper.  There goes my breathing…I huffed and puffed a little up the first hill and then tried to find my groove.

My groove never seemed to come.  The route was boring and there were hardly any supporters along the way.  I seriously wanted this race to be over.  My legs felt ok, but my breathing was just slightly off throughout the race.  I trudged up 3 more hills before heading back to the finish line which was the same as the starting line.  The hills were not the worst I had ever done, but they felt it because of how I was feeling.

There was this really tall man in a striped shirt that was just a few feet in front of me for most of the race.  I began pushing harder to catch up with him.  I figured with his stride he had to be running faster than my typical time.  I never actually caught up to him, but he didn’t get much further ahead of me.   It gave me something different to focus on for the last half mile or so and I began to forget how badly I had felt at the beginning of the race.

I crossed the finish line, but there was no time clock so I really had no clue what my time was.  I got my complimentary hand designed mug but there was no way I could entertain the thought of hot chocolate.  I had one thought on my mind…HOME!  Off we went.

I fell asleep immediately after settling Carlos down for a nap.  I crawled into my own bed and napped for over 3 hours.  I never ever do that unless I have worked the night before and have to work again that night.  I got up and showered.  I felt better, but not 100%.  I went grocery shopping and then whipped up a delicious minestrone soup for dinner.  It was just what the doctor ordered for Orlando and I.  Even he wasn’t feeling great.

Then the times were posted.  Orlando rocked the race and finished at 20:23 averaging a 6:35 mile.  Wow unbelievable!  Got to love long muscular legs that played soccer for many years.

And how about me?  I PRd!!!!!  I finished in 28:53.  Remember my last race just a few weeks earlier.  I finished that one in 29:44.  Wahooooooo!  I am psyched by the progress I have made in the last year.  Despite not ideal conditions I still ran that 5K with everything I had inside of me.  I did not give up.  I did not give in to the negative talk inside my head.  I pushed through.  ME!  Yes I did.  And you know what…I’m proud of myself.

This is a rewrite of my previous post.  The only way to get of the funk is to walk away.  So I’m starting new with this post. Yeah Me!!!  I feel terrific by the way.  I’m back to healthy and I hit the gym yesterday and tonight to change up my workout routine.   If I am up to braving the cold in the morning I may just hit the trail for a leisurely run around the reservoir.  I think I am ready to get back out there.  Until tomorrow…

I ran the Hot Chocolate 5K yesterday.  I PRd with a time of 28:53.  This is great for me.  Fantastic really!  Yet I feel strangely let down.  I don’t know how to make sense of my feelings.  As I mentioned in a previous post I also pulled on a pair of size 10 pants this weekend for the first time in years.  Why does this all not make me beam from ear to ear?

At the starting line I seeded myself with the 10:30 racers even though should have at least stood with the 10 minute milers.  There I go again grossly underestimating my abilities.

My first instinct when I saw my official race time was that my tag was defective?  Not, “wow your hard work has paid off.”

For the first time before any race I had some tummy issues and had to endure the port-a-potty.  Needless to say my issues did not entirely resolve.  So I ran with tummy issues and a still unresolved minor cold and cough.  Do you believe that for a minute the thought crossed my mind that I didn’t deserve to PR this race because I wasn’t feeling great?  What is wrong with me?

I’ve got a little soul searching to do.  Hopefully I can shake this funk and get on with things.

We went to the North Pole tonight.  At least Carlos thinks that we did.  Actually we went on the Polar Express train ride from Lenox to Stockbridge.  Carlos wore his new Christmas Thomas the Train pajamas.  It was cold and felt like the North Pole when we arrived at the station.  Everything was decorated with lights.

Berkshire Scenic Railway decorated for Christmas

We boarded the train and Carlos got to fill out a letter to Santa who we heard might be making an appearance.  Carlos was a little grumpy because he didn’t have a nap and of course fell asleep in the car on the way.  He simply was not going to let me take his picture.  But I tried anyway!

Hidden smile

Hiding

Now that's better

The train ride was about 20 minutes to the Stockbridge station aka the North Pole.  The  Polar Express book was read over the loud speaker on the train while young children walked around our car showing the pictures in the book.  Once at the North Pole we got off the train there for hot cocoa and sugar cookies.

Carlos and Orlando at the North Pole

Once back on the train the conductor announced that Santa was going to be coming on the train very soon.  The kids were so so excited and started clapping and making lots of noise.  Santa went up the aisle and talked to every child.  He graciously posed for photos.

All I want for Christmas is...

Carlos asked for drums and a guitar and some surprises.  Then we set off on the return trip to Lenox. It was a lot of fun.  Carlos loved it!  Apparently it is quite the hot event.  I found out recently that tickets sold out in September.  I am so glad that we got to go even though I must admit I’ve never read the book or seen the movie.  I plan to buy Carlos the book for Christmas and I will add the movie to Netflix.

Earlier in the day I took Carlos to the Christmas party my work has for children of employees.  The kids were treated to a Bubble show by Casey Carle of Bubble Mania.  I enjoyed it too.  He had a sarcastic sense of humor which I could appreciate.  The kids thought he was a riot even though they didn’t understand most of the jokes.

After the bubble show Santa arrived.  Instead of waiting in the long line a few of us let the kids play and got in line at the end.  They passed out gifts to all of the children.  Carlos was thrilled with his Crayola game and race car track.  Surprisingly when it was time he actually sat on Santa’s lap and told him what he wanted.

Carlos and Santa

It was a great way to start off this holiday month.  I hope to have my tree up this week and with any luck all of my Christmas shopping done so I can begin work on my Christmas brunch menu.

I had last night off.  Yesterday was extremely busy and ended with a rather dull psych lecture at Mt. Holyoke.  I actually nodded off here and there.  On the walk back to the car I lost one of my new gloves.  Bummer!  Before bed I finally managed to organize my google tasks.  I felt better doing that and I fell asleep knowing that today would be a productive day.

Today was a preschool morning.  We got up and got moving around 6:15.  I accomplished a few things around the house.

Beds stripped – check

Carlos’ bed made – check

preschool mountain of paperwork read – check

dishes washed – check

laundry in wash – check

clothes out of dryer and folded – check

We were out the door at 7:35.  I dropped my pumpkin off and headed back to the college for a run and glove search.  Sadly I did not find the glove, but I did run a swift 4 miles around the pond.  I felt good.  I think that I am definitely ready for the 5K on Sunday.  I am just going to play it by ear as far as my time goes.  If I PR great.  If not then there’s always next year to set another PR.

I was home by 9am.  Showered, dressed, dried hair, more clothes in wash, made half of the bed (don’t ask – my bed is such a production), ate delicious oatmeal, checked email, updated my iPhone, and brought the recycling outside.  Back in the car at 10:45.

Carlos loves to be surprised after school with fun outings.  He is definitely not spoiled.  I have been purposely not surprising him lately because he was coming to expect it and would get downright bratty when I simply took him home after school.  Here is a sample conversation:

Me: Hi honey how was school?

Carlos: Good.  What are we doing today?

Me: I don’t know yet.

Carlos: Oh do you have a surprise for me.

Me: No.

Carlos: No surprise. Well this is the worst day ever.

Really I think to myself.  I ignored the temper tantrum that ensued and since then I have not had any surprises up my sleeve.  However, today I decided we should start using our children’s museum membership.  So after school I tricked Carlos into thinking that I had errands to do and instead surprised him with a trip to the museum.  He had a great time and was extremely well behaved.  I had a nice time too chatting with a super friendly mom.  They are hard to find…trust me.

After the museum we were quite hungry and stopped off at Friendly’s for lunch.  Carlos was complimented by a woman sitting nearby for his good behavior.  It was a good day, what can I say.  There have been plenty days when I am sure others are staring me down with their judgmental eyes.  Today was not one of those days.

My mom called while we were at lunch to tell me she was home and my aunt was there too.  So I called my grandmother, picked her up and went over to my mother’s for a visit.  Carlos adores my mom, my aunt and my grandmother so he was thrilled to be with all of his favorite ladies.

At the last minute I decided that the last thing I felt like doing was cooking dinner.  Since I only ate a bowl of chicken noodle soup at Friendly’s (I am hyper aware of the nutritional info in most of their menu items and it’s not pretty, but the chicken soup isn’t horrible) I figured I could handle some pizza.  Our pizza here is cut in square so a piece isn’t as large as pie shaped pizza slice.

We got home and had dinner almost immediately.  Since Carlos hadn’t had a nap today he was set for a 6:30pm bed time.  Orlando gave him a bath after dinner while I finished making the bed and vacuumed the upstairs.  Then I put Carlos to bed after a couple of books.  He was asleep almost as soon as I shut the door.

Would you believe that I kept going?  I ran to the drug store for a few things.  Then I stopped at Kohl’s for Christmas pajamas for Carlos.  We are going on the Polar Express train ride tomorrow night in Lenox, MA and the kids wear their pj’s.  While at Kohl’s I decided to try on a pair of size 10 pants just for the heck of it.  Well you know what…they fit!  No funny jumping around, lying down to zip or sucking in of anything.  They went on, zipped and looked pretty darn good except for the length.  Too long.  I checked the petite section but they didn’t have the same pants.  I didn’t care.  It just felt good knowing that I could actually fit into a size 10.  I have done that in about 22 years!

Nope not done yet.  I stopped at another store to do some Christmas shopping.  I managed to get Carlos an acoustic guitar, a toy bull dozer and a flashlight.  The child loves flashlights.

Now that was one productive day!

I picked up our race packets for Sunday’s Hot Chocolate 5K.  I am super excited about this race.  It will be my last race of 2010, but I will be running it with my husband.  My mom and my aunt are walking the 2 mile fun walk with Carlos.  At the end we all get big mugs of steaming hot cocoa!  This will be the biggest 5K I’ve ever participated in with 5000 runners.  As cold as the day may be the energy of all the racers and supporters should heat things up a bit.

In other news, where the heck have I been?  Well I’m not exactly sure how all these days have gotten away from me.  Basically I have worked the last 6 nights in a row with one night off between.

Sunday was my only night off and we spent the day visiting a long lost friend in Worcester, MA.  OK she wasn’t really lost, but it’s been nine years since we last saw her.  That was also when we first met Jean.  We were all staying at the same backpackers in Swaziland.  We spent a day on safari together.  Then Orlando and Jean traveled back to Mozambique together and I journeyed to the US for my first visit in over two years.  That was in 2001.  It was amazing to see Jean again.  She is just as beautiful, interesting and inspiring as I remember.  We had a great time exploring the Museum of Fine Arts where her friend Lily works.  Carlos handled a day at the “boring grown up museum” (his words!) quite well.  We listened to beautiful Christmas music presented by a local choir and string ensemble.  The museum collection was quite impressive.  And the bathroom was, well, the highlight of Carlos’ day!  Just kidding…sort of.

The next three days were full of cleaning, errands, gym, running, birthday shopping for Carlos, and a few hours of sleep crammed in there.  Speaking of running we are off to T-ball at the Y in t-5 minutes.  I’m hoping to work out a blogging schedule soon and maybe acquire a few readers sometime.  Off I go.

Thanks to Meghann at Meals and Miles I was tipped off to an amazing deal on Amazon for a Garmin Forerunner 205.  It is on sale for $88.  I also had gift certificates to use.  My total purchase cost $49!!!!  I am psyched.  I have wanted a Garmin since my Nike Plus bit the dust just before the half marathon in October.  I know that a Garmin will be extremely useful in the upcoming year as I prepare for a full marathon.

After my 10 mile run yesterday I think that I will try to hit the gym tonight before work for a little Arc Trainer and some speed work on the treadmill.  I have also been trying to incorporate 2-3 days of strength training at the gym.  I know that it is important and I will reap the rewards in time.  After the 5K next Sunday my goal is to put together a winter training schedule so that I do not slip backwards during the holidays and cold weather.  I’m sure having the Garmin will make things a little more exciting.