Running, sweaty bands and hair!

I am really proud of myself that I actually got this run in...not proud that it was only about 4 miles.  Oh well.  The hubs wanted to go out to dinner since I work Friday night and we won't be able to do date night.  He knew I wanted to get my run in so he relented and said we could go late....such a doll! Total run was 3.92 in 43:06.

I like the route I planned because there is really no changing your mind and shortening the run once you get about a mile in so I knew I would get my miles in.  But halfway through I was just dying...no clue why.  I pushed through though and the last half was much better.  I actually enjoyed the last half.  Except for the gnats...ugh.  I swear I get a head start on my muscle recovery eating by the amount of gnats I probably consume during my evening runs...so gross! And when I get back and look in the mirror they are stuck all over my face, arms...it really is disgusting.  I told the hubs I was going to start wearing my hunting fly cover face thing for my runs to avoid eating the gnats....I'll be sure to take a picture of THAT for you to see.

On to the good stuff: sweaty bands!  I am totally in love with SkinnyRunner (you should totally check out her blog...she is hilarious, a fantastic runner, beautiful, a Christian and you will be addicted too) and I found out about Sweaty Bands through her blog.  I have NEVER been able to find a band that stays put.  I don't know if its my hair or the shape of my head but they never stay and I wish they would.  I hate taking my rubber band out a million times to re-do my ponytail to fix all the flyaways.  So I thought I would give these a try and I am so glad I did!!! Truly they do not slip.  I used it for the first time on my run last night and it didn't move...it was wonderful!!! And they have a million styles and sizes to pick from.  I just bought one to try since there was no point getting more if they didn't stay on my head.  Of course I bought one that says 13.1 since I'm training for another half.  But I cannot wait to go order more now. Check out the site and order some....they are super cute and you won't be disappointed in how they "stick"!

Here is mine!

I took a picture of me post run with it still in place...but I will admit that I am way too vain to put it up.  I was still a gross, sweaty mess so you will NOT be seeing that picture...but I promise...it was still holding strong!

Next up: new hair!  Wow....I wasn't really sure HOW dark I was going and thankful its not the permanent stuff.  I say thankfully because I'm not sure the hubs loves/likes it.  When I washed my hair and got out of the shower I was like....oh boy! But today, after straightening it and constantly checking myself out in the mirror, it is really growing on me.  I know if will fade some and I think I will like it even more once it does...and I think I will like it this dark minus the red.  So my final say is: good decision.  Its fun for fall and I hurt no one (animals included) in the process.  The hubs will get use to it (I hope).

I love Fridays! My recap of the week: I'm happy that I have worked out 4 days and although I will probably not get a workout in today, I am okay with that.  I will let today be my "off" day.  I have to work at my part-time job tonight and I won't be home until LATE so there will be no evening run.  Tomorrow I am going to get a long run in the morning and then check out a friends new Crossfit Grand Opening.  I don't think I'll get to do their WOD since I have to work at 11:00 AM but I can at least go and check it out.  I am really ready for the weekend!

Biking with the Hubs

When given the choice of working out alone or working out with my husband, I will always choose him.  Even if it wasn't the workout that I had planned for that day.  He's just fun to be with and hey, a workout is a workout when it comes to spending time with my man.  So yesterday when he told me that he was going to go ride "about 18 miles" and that I was welcome to come with, I of course switched my plans from weights at the gym to cycling with him.  He only recently bought a road bike and I really never thought he would do it, but he did and he's good!  I know the only reason he enjoys the trail we go to is because he feels like he is "in the woods" and he always gets to see deer.  You see my husband is quite the hunter and LOVES being in the woods, seeing deer, talking about hunting, watching hunting shows (oh Lee and Tiffany), you get the idea.

The loop we do is about a 13 mile loop all together, it's an out and back with a few little side roads we shoot down.  We went early to be sure we got at least 18 miles in before dark.  We keep track of how many deer we see on the ride and its funny when we come back through a spot and see some in the same area...they cannot be counted in case they are the same deer...must keep accurate accounting of the animals! Its funny, but it helps pass the time searching for who can spot the most.  We also like to spot the pygmy rattlesnakes along the way.  They seem to be out in full force lately...sunning themselves on the trail.  The last time there were TONS on the trail.  Just a little advice I was given...even if you feel you need to run them over....DON'T! You never know when one of those suckers will fling up and bite you....just saying.  A guy I ride with had one fling up and bite his shoe and then hang on for a little bit...he about soiled his pants trying not to crash and unclip to get the sucker off....just some friendly advice.

Overall last night we saw 60 deer, only 3 pygmy's (which are getting bigger from previous rides...ugh) and a goat.  Yes, I said a goat.  He lives out off one of the side roads and we see fellow cyclists stop to feed him from time to time.  He is quite friendly and if you talk to him as you come up he loves to run out to see you.  The first time my husband saw him he was afraid he was going to come out and ram him.  I guess he was looking for his snack and got a little too close to the hubs.  He is black and orange and only has half a little horn on one side...kinda sad looking but cute nonetheless.  We ended up doing 20.86 miles and rode for an hour and 22 minutes.  Good ride and quality time with the hubs....score! Even better that I burned over 1200 calories!

Lunchtime running in Florida = bad idea!

     Today I decided to run during my lunch break.  Yesterday marked the beginning of a 3 month challenge I started for myself.  I’m keeping track of what I eat, my workouts, etc. and my goal is to lose 20 pounds, improve my run times and tone up.  I’m going to blog about my progress in the hopes that it will keep me accountable.  Not that anyone actually reads my blog except maybe my mom and cousin…but it will help me so I’m doing it!

     Florida is hot…duh! Not really sure why I thought running at 12:30 p.m. during my lunch break in October was a bright idea, but whatev.  It was HOT….I gave myself 35 minutes to run.  That gave me time to change and then time for cooling down and cleaning up before I had to go back into work.  I should have known things were not going to turn out well when I went to start and my Garmin (I use the forerunner 305) flashed battery low (I let a friend borrow it and didn't charge it…ugh!).  But it started up once I cleared the low battery and I was off.  I felt good and was proud of myself for getting out and being active during lunch so I was starting off at a good pace.  I hadn't mapped out where I was running but there is a nice little neighborhood a quarter of a mile down from my office that I figured I would just circle through.  I was pushing myself and well on my way to an 8:30/mile when my Garmin died….7:30 into my run! Not sure why…but that killed my mood.  I hate running without my Garmin!  I kept going but after another 10 minutes I was POURING sweat and was so freaking hot.  I just kept thinking about having to go back to the office and take a washcloth bath in the sink in the public bathroom so that I could go back to the office….it was not looking pretty. 

     I only ended up doing 2.5 miles and only ran for 24 minutes when I had allotted myself 35 minutes…the Garmin died though and I didn’t want to be late so I just came back and when I saw my time, I figured I would use the extra time to cool down and clean up.  Boy was that a good decision.  I walked the shade of my building for about 10 minutes and then headed in to clean up…still sweating like crazy.  I normally wouldn’t have even considered doing something like this at lunch but since I didn't get up that morning to go to the gym like I was supposed to, I was making myself do this at lunch.  I got to the bathroom and stripped to my sports bra and spandex shorts and took a poor man’s bath in the sink with a washcloth and soap…praying the whole time no one would walk in on me! Thankfully no one did and I was able to clean up and get dressed but could NOT cool down…sweat was still pouring off me.

     Lesson learned…lunch time in Florida at these temperatures is NOT the time to run.  But, that being said, I felt so good the rest of the afternoon.  When normally I would be feeling sluggish instead I felt fresh (minus the drying sweat) and alert.  So, yes I should do something active during lunch every day but no, it should not be running in the heat!

So I'm all about reading blogs these days. I have a few that I DO NOT MISS but the list keeps getting bigger and bigger. I never really think about anyone reading mine because in my mind that isn't what I use it for. I use it kind of as a way to vent...get my thoughts OUT of my head in the hopes that I will stop dwelling on them. Pity party for one in my head is not fun. But I'm so bad about updating it!!! I think all of two people read it anyway but I still enjoy just getting my thoughts out. I started the blog to keep friends and family up to date on our fertility process but I think it kind of morphed into something else...what I'm not sure yet.

Anyway...I still want to use it for what it originated for so here are some current stats on where we stand:

1) The tea is over for now. I gave it a shot for three months and I just can't do it anymore. I think it messed with my balance anyway. Yes it helped some things with my cycle...not to be too graphic but it did improve the "quality" of my menses, helped with cramps, shortened the duration of my period BUT I was crazy on it. Seriously...I didn't even recognize myself. I was feeling very crazy...too emotional...almost borderline irrational about things and I couldn't get over it. Well, once the tea was done, miraculously a month later I feel completely back to normal...like someone flipped the crazy switch off or something. I like feeling normal again!

2) I'm still working on eating healthier and have started really working on my fruit/veggie intake. I'm even taking supreme greens supplements....love them! I'm still training with my triathlon team (more to come on that though) and just trying to get some more sleep. I think all these things can only help me in the baby making process.

3) No plans for any treatments any time soon. I've been praying about it and we just are not in a financial position to go into EVEN MORE debt at this time. I just don't feel it would be prudent right now. I would LOVE to be able to afford to start IVF, but unless that money tree I planted starts growing or I win the lottery (need to start playing) then its not an option right now. Which leads me to something I read on a blog I stumbled across today. Here is a direct quote from her blog entry:

"Time means something with infertility — both in the physical sense of success rates and the emotional sense of peace of heart. What is worth more — being mindful of time but spending more than you can afford, or sacrificing some time in order to make fertility treatments affordable?" (read here)

Wow...now that is something to ponder!!! I had already been working on this blog entry when I read that. It made me really FEEL my 32 years and think...am I wasting my eggs by waiting? Is there going to ever be a "right" time financially (probably not)? Ugh...this whole infertility stuff sucks!

So.....I got a part time job as a server. My life is going to be crazy! 40 hour full time job for my attorney....part time server (20 hours a week)...wife....friend....running....biking....swimming...wait...didn't I say earlier that I was going to be getting more sleep?

I feel like I need to make some sacrifices NOW so that maybe I can shoot to be in a position to work on number 3 above. Obviously the hubs and I still work on TTC the old fashion way, and I still pray that the Lord blesses us that way. But if that isn't the plan, and we need to move to IVF, well this chick needs some more $$$$!

The Wilder Fertility Fund is still around and accepting donations but I'm just not pushing things with it right now. Everyone is struggling these days so I'm not out begging people to fund my fertility treatments. If someone feels led to give, awesome. We are appreciative and so humbled by the generosity, but I'm not ready to go stand in front of Publix with a sign saying, "Please help fund my IVF"....yet. =)

Waiting is over - we move forward

It would be silly to think that one month of the "tea" was going to work, but my heart is silly a times. This month was challenging, interesting, at times miserable and did not bring about conception. So, we move on. Romans 15:13 says "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". It is not easy to remain hopeful, but I try my best and seek the Lord's strength when the sadness tries to overcome me.

The only thing I can tell you for SURE the tea did for me this month was a) gross me out every time I drank it, and b) cause my face to break out so bad I look like a 13 year old going through puberty! Man oh man it is terrible!!! Nothing I do clears up my face and it's really gross!!! I am so careful with my face....I NEVER go to bed with makeup on and when I come home from work everyday, one of the very first things I do is wash the makeup off my face. So you can imagine how traumatic it seems for me to feel so out of control with this!!! I took a few days off from the "tea" as I got closer to the end of this cycle just to test out whether that was the actual cause or if it could possibly just be from stress. Well the face started clearing up so I know its the tea.

I know that I can let go of my vanity enough to suffer through some terrible skin condition for a time if the end result is conception, which is the ultimate goal anyway. But, just to be sure that I'm not having some type of harmful reaction to the tea, I've brought it up AGAIN to the doctor to make sure he is comfortable with me continuing on the tea. I will not enjoy having skin issues on my face but if it is a unpleasant side effect that I must endure in order to conceive, well then I will just apologize now for how I must look. =)

Waiting

With the completion of my first month of my new baby making regiment comes.....waiting. Will this be the month? Will I have to take the tea for another month? I like to say I have patience....but not this month!

A boy and his KTM

Totally off from the "baby making" stuff, just wanted to give an update on Craig. He finished out his FTR season with a 4th place overall finish. He was moved up halfway through the season from the B class to the A class. He was kind of bummed about this since he was well on his way to winning the season for the B class. But he accumulated too many points before the season halfway point and they moved him up. And to be completely honest, his times are fast enough that he really should have been moved up. That doesn't change how disappointed he was since moving into the faster class would mean no more championship.

I was beyond impressed with how well he did in the A class and he improved every week. He really enjoyed the season and is on fire to train and get stronger and faster for next season. I'm happy as long as he finishes each race in the same condition as he was at the start. No injuries makes this girl smile...a top 5 finish doesn't hurt either! So proud of my boy and can't wait to see how he does next season!