Oreo Cookies

I have never been a bad eater, as most of my family says “You will not find crap food in Monika's house".   My kids love to visit their aunts and uncles on the weekend.  Guess why! they have Oreo cookies and Candy, chips and crap!

During one of our family gatherings, Isaac was looking for chips or cookies in the kitchen cabinets.  My daughter Cindy says to Isaac “you will not find that in this kitchen”.  Number 1 Rule: you bring that crap with you.   

He found what he believes to be a container of Brownies from Whole Foods!   This is the store i do most of my shopping.   The container says dairy free, wheat free, gluten free; he paid no attention to the label since he could see they were brownie...    He took one bit out of the brownie and said “what the hell is this, it taste like crap”.     Cindy replied “that’s what my mom calls sweeties”. 

It’s funny but every one that visits brings soda, and SWEETIE! (Cake, cookies, chips, etc....).   

The reason i am telling the story is because I recently weighed myself and found I had gained weight! How, it beats me.   As, of today very serious training, more fresh food and water. NO COFFEE.   

I am a morning person, and working out at 5 or 6 am was never a problem.   I feel like the energizer bunny, after a workout. 

I haven’t been myself lately,  I think I might need vitamin.  Check out how I'm feeling!  

Alright, I have a 10 days trip to Hawaii in September and I plan on wearing a small bikini.  Wooo Hoooo.... OK!  “So lets get our shit together”   NEED SOME HELP HERE !

GOT TO KEEP RUNNING!  My Motivation:  Hawaii, hot beaches, waves, pineapple with liquor.  

Open to suggestions J

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Freaking Out

Call it old age, or call me a whip.   I have been thinking out this year’s marathon more than I should.   I have never been concerned with speed, my thoughts are as long as I complete the marathon I am good.   And I have to admit last years marathon was hard but I did complete it, that was my only goal. 

Just in case you’re laughing, I didn’t see you at the finish line! J

As a new marathon runner its hard to know what is good and what isn’t.    Like every sport everyone has advice and there are always books, books and more books.     I am trying to keep my sanity as I train and try not to overdo it.  I have always been a health nut, of course the regular 5 or 6 miles run on the theadmill but I never did imaged I would become a marathon enthusiast. 

I enjoy the run, the time alone to think thing out.  The control I have over myself and the feeling of my accomplishments when I am done.  

I was running 5 miles run yesterday and I was supposed to run 2.5 miles, and when I reached the mile marker I was suppose to turn around.   I started my run by listening to a sermon on how we should be the best at everything...   Geezzz am I obsessed with perfection. “no”.  I just like to hear positive words as I run.  For some reason I started to remember high school and all the things I had planned to do with life.  Like I was reviewing my plan.

Then I jumped to the birth of my daughter Monica.  I was remembering that I took some pictures of her at Humboldt Park surrounded by dandelions, which of course I now know are weeds!   I love that picture.   I know you are saying “get to the point”, well my point was I got so deep into the thoughts that I blocked out the run.   I had passed the 2.5 miles marker and I noticed that my breathing was in tune.  My legs didn’t feel heavy and I was running in sync.   That is my point as an amateur runner, I don’t need to over think my run or focus on the need to be a 10 minute mile runner.  That will come with time and experience.   The reason for my runs has always been health, entertainment, and to reduce migraines from stress.

Stress, because when I run, I solve problems, I organize my day.   I remember what I have forgotten to do.   I clear my head and have a clear perspective of a lot.

What I like the most from my running now is that it has united my family.  My kids have gain interest in running;   we planned a few 5K’s together.   I give them credit; I know they love me if they are running in cold weather with me during the Santa hustle last year.   Its sweet to see them matching my soxs or running next to me.  I guess health is not the only reason to run now.    

I guess this is what I need to remember instead of worrying about the marathon.   

I will admit I have become a bit selfish, I was searching for long distance runs last night and my husband as me why.    Well I answered I have quite a few long distance runs, if I am going to run a 14,16,18,20 miles during my training, it would be nice to get a metal for them. 

Thanks for hearing me out!   Join me in a run J

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Lost My Groove!

Sorry Troops, I haven’t had the opportunity to write, I seem a bit off lately.   What is up with the cold weather and all the rain?  This time last year I was full force in training and kicking butt.   I am running but I can’t seem to find my grove?   I do not know at what given point, or what race I lost it at!  BUT I NEED IT BACK! 

Running, especially over long distances, requires a great deal of recovery.  After a few runs, I could not walk off a small curb, for four days without my legs buckling due to weak muscles.   This last run I was waiting patiently behind a head bopping, music dancing, energy for the next year teen runner!,  This was very humbling,  Hello! I hear the inner voice say, OMG, are you old! Get it together.  I know I have a lot of training to do But, I just can’t get into the rhythm.   This experience made me ask myself, why does running require so much recovery? Does recovery just take time? How can I recover quicker and easier from racing and running?  I need to slow down and get there when I get there!   Anybody hear me out there?

So who ever finds my Groove please return it!  I miss it L

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