The remedy is the experience

All right...It is time to ask, beg and plead for your help.

I know that to most of you a 5K is a warm up run; however, it is the distance of my first EVER road run on Saturday. I am going to run an easy three miles tonight and then take tomorrow off...but drink lots of water!!!

Registration is at 6:30 (I don't need to register, only pick up my race packet) and the 5K starts at 7:15. I am thinking that I will get up at 5:30 and eat my usual bfast (oatmeal with walnuts and cranberries) and give myself time to drink some water and digest...then leave for the start site about 6:15 (it is apx 15 minutes from my house) with water in hand. From there I have no idea....

So, first set of questions:

1. Is running three miles tonight and taking tomorrow sound like a good way to go?

2. How does my beginning of my race day plan sound to you?

3. Any, hints tips, advice on what to eat, drink....before a race?

I am planning on wearing my HR monitor and pacing myself based on that. I know that I can run three twelve minute miles with my HR percentage being at a good 77-80%. I am also making my ipod play list tonight.

So, second set of questions:

1. Will the miles be marked?

2. Is pacing on my HR smart...might it be higher b/c I am excited and throw everything off?

3. Any good race song suggestions?

Finally I would love to know something that you all know now that you wish you had known before your first (EVER!) race. Any hints, tips and/or advice is greatly appreciated.

The COOLEST lady in the world...my Momma...is going to get up early to come down and take pictures for me...so I should have a good report for you all Saturday afternoon or Sunday.

Thanks again for all of your support!

The remedy is the experience.
This is a dangerous liaison
I say the comedy is that it's serious.
This is a strange enough new play on words (Jason Mraz)

I promised you I'd never give up

After my run Saturday I busted it in the garden...looks really good, if I do say so myself. I wish I could post pics...but still no news on the camera.

Sunday I worked in the basement and got it all cleaned out and ready for a pending garage sale.

I hoped to get a run in on Monday...didn't happen. The day slipped away from me and before I knew it we were headed to our neighbors for a get together. A friend of theirs had the coolest Margarita maker...made the best "home made" margarita's I have EVER had and had and had!

Monday morning I did find, and fall in love with, a new scent from Bath and Body Works...called Coconut Lime Verbena. I was trying to find a scent to help me hold onto the feel of the Turks trip...and this scent does the trick...it just makes me happy!

Today was another day on the winding road...

Went to the funeral of my friend G's 23 year old son. So sad...so hard.

Spent the day with my Dad...he put his car in the shop this morning and I ran around with him all day. We went to the funeral together. I think in some ways that made it easier. I know I felt blessed that we were together.

HATE to complain about this b/c I know that rain messed up several of my blog buddies plans this weekend (esp. JOHNNY!) but it is SO dry here and I am having to water the garden like crazy to keep the plants from drooping! So I got home this afternoon and watered.

Then I went for a run. Due to anxiety about my upcoming 10K I decided to sign up for a 5K this weekend. So, tonight I decided to see if I could run three miles in 36 minutes...12 minute miles.

Well...

Mile 1: 11:19 71% av HR
Mile 2: 12:34 77% av HR
Mile 3: 11:53 82% av HR

YEA I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday is usually my strength training day so I hit the free weights for a little bit after I ran and worked my arms out a little bit. THEN I went home and ate the rest of my pineapple pizza and pigged out on peppermint patties...

If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
(Sheryl Crow)

Everybody gets high, everybody gets low, These are the days when anything goes

Run it out:

Total: 53:03
Max HR: 157/83%
Ave HR: 144 /76%

Mile 1: 13:15 Ave HR 74%
Mile 2: 12:19 78%
Mile 3: 12:15 80%
Mile 4: 12:27 78%

Gardening this afternoon...pineapple pizza tonight...all should be good tomorrow!

Have a great weekend y'all...cherish every minute!
Molly

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine (Sheryl Crow)

1 Peter 5: 7-10

Yesterday was a good day...

got up feeling good

lots going on at work, kept me busy

had a really good strength training class

hung out with my neighbors last night and enjoyed their new screened in porch



Today, well...not so much

alarm did not go off and I got up late...routine already out of whack - hate that

walking Koz after his bfast and found out that our neighbor's car was broken into and an $800 stereo system stolen...Thursday morning our other neighbor's (with the new screened in porch) left their cars unlocked and found that their cars had been gone through but thought that nothing was taken....she calls this morning to say that she realized her nice, digital camera WAS taken Wednesday night! Two major break ins in two days.

On the way to my parent's, to drop Kozmo off for a play date with Percy, Scott's brother calls to tell me that the mother of a childhood friend of mine had passed. She struggled her entire life with mental illness ans substance abuse....still on the phone with S's brother (who ref's football with my friend) I get to my parent's and Percy bolts out of the front door, through me, I fall on my butt and my brother in law has to listen to my yelling and cussing. My Mom is on the phone the dogs are going crazy, I am cranky and just want to leave. After telling Mom about the break-ins I head out.

I am at work for thirty minutes and a good friend of mine (G) calls to tell me that his son (D) was found dead this morning. D had a tough life and after a near fatal car accident, in which he sustained a major head injury, he became hooked on drugs. G had been working to get D into a specialized rehab for patients with brain injuries. They found out recently that D had gotten into a specialized state run program and, in the mean time, D had been living with G's mother and had been clean for two months. Yesterday was D's birthday and G thinks that one of his friends gave him "something" and he accidentally overdosed. I have never taken a phone call like that before...to hear the pain in the voice of a friend and know that there is nothing, beyond praying, that you can do.

So, it is now 12:19 and I am already having one of those days that makes you want to curl up and crawl away...

SO, I will do the only thing I know to do...

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go
(Joshua 1:9)

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit
(Ps 34.18)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith. . . . And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5: 7-10)

Well let the geek in the pink take a stab at it

If anyone knows of a treadmill 10K...would you please let me know! Still struggling in the out of doors. Planned on 30 minute run...got a 30 minute run in...still not pretty.

One possible reason...when I got in and started to change S noticed that I had water blisters all over my back and chest...can I use that as an excuse for not being hydrated enough?

As promised pictures from the trip...

To begin with I have to say how impressed I was with how well my sister's kids handled the plane trips...this is Jimmy and me chillin' before the flight from Miami to the islands.

Once we got there it took Tommy (3 in September) a little while to get used to the ocean...pretty soon he was an old pro...here he is with my Momma (who he calls Ampy) and his Mom.

Baby Jimmy and my brother in law Tony chose the road less traveled...life UNDER an umbrella...as usual Jimmy is sleeping and Tony is reading.

Geckos take the place of squirrels on the islands...it took me a day to convince S that these guys were indeed geckos...in other words, not all geckos look like the Geico gecko.

My favorite view the first two days (you can't see the Pina Colada, but it is there)...most likely the reason for the recently discovered water blisters.

The obligatory, Molly with her tongue out picture...notice the red and white stripes on my chest...(before you start to lecture I re-applied often...a red head is as a red head does!)

The group picture at the wedding

The reason for our trip...Mr and Mrs Leo Farber.

S and I at the reception...love that man!

My favorite picture of the trip...I have always said that I am my father's daughter...and folks here is the proof!

And the trip would not have been possible without these two...thanks Momma and Dad Man for memories that will last a lifetime!



All of these pics are from my Momma's camera - so we have her to thank for this pictorial!!!!

I hope that we will get SOME news on S's camera soon...still no word. The pics from the last day of snorkeling, shelling and so forth are on his camera...hope we will all see them some time soon!

So what I've got a short attention span

A coke in my hand

Because I'd rather have the afternoon, relax and understand

My hip hop and flip-flops it don't stop with the light rock

A shot to mock you kinda puts me in the tight spot

The hype is nothing more than hoo-ha so I'm

Developing a language and I'm callin' it my own

So take a peek into the speaker and you'll see what I mean

That on the other side the grass is greener

(Jason Mraz, Geek in the Pink)

Snap back to reality

We got in from the islands this afternoon...picked up Koz. I gave him a bath as soon as I got home. My inside dog was an outside dog for a week...and boy did he smell like it! I think he had a great time at "camp" he has been asleep for 4 hours solid. He even slept while I cooked and ate my dinner - that NEVER happens!

Glad to be home...but I will miss:

seeing my sister, Tony and nephews every day
my father and S having no phone or bb service
naps after breakfast
my momma TRULY relaxed
incredible beach sunsets
geckos (they are like squirrels there!)
pina coladas
mango dacaris
TRULY fresh fish
the still, clear ocean
sand that feels like sugar
snorkeling
finding sand dollars
not understanding what people are saying around you...and really not caring
....and so much more

pictures to come (...I hope, S just realized that he might have left his camera on the plane...YIKES!)

I have to say that I don't think there is anything that could have inspired me any more (to get it going again) than to come home and read all of your great race reports! MAJOR CONGRATS to everyone!

I ran three miles (40 minutes, 38 minutes in zone) the first day and lets just say that I cross trained the rest of the time! But I am back on the wagon...ready to go. You all have inspired me once again!

Take Care
Molly

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?
(Eminem)

Watchin' the sun bake, All of those tourists covered with oil

Well I am off to the Turks and Caicos for my buddy Leo's wedding. It should be quite an extravaganza! There are events on Thursday and Friday and the wedding is Sunday.

As a southern girl, and a tomboy at heart, I am a bit nervous about fitting in with this posh New York/DC crowd...but with my sister and Mom both going I am sure the three of us will just show them how it's done...Tennessee style!

There is a really nice fitness center at our resort...I am really going to push myself to be there every morning...the 10K is sneaking up on me! I will probably be working off a lot of pina colada's too!

I have to brag on S a little bit...he is flying down on Saturday because on Friday he is graduating from LeadershipChattanooga. While I am SO excited about the trip...I am disappointed to miss his day. AND I can't wait to see him on Saturday!

Kozmo and Percy (my parent's dog and Koz's bff) are staying together with a great lady we call Aunt Ruth. Her business is called Tattle Tails...gotta love that name!

I plan on taking lots of pics (I have Scott's beloved digital camera with me!) and posting them when I get back! I'll be sure to get one of myself suffering on a long run too!

Until Then...

Take Care
Molly

But there's booze in the blender
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on

Pretty Woman

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOMMA...I LOVE YOU!!!!

Good Day!

Got up and went to church with S. Then off to Mother's Day brunch with my family. Great food and great company!


It is so fun to have a niece and a nephew that are so close in age. We spent last night with Kate, Scott's brother's daughter and lunch today with Tommy, my sister's son. Tommy is 3 months younger than Kate and there are some areas where those three months are very evident, but mostly they are so alike! My dream is that they will get married some day...wouldn't that be fun! They are both such cool kids and I love being Aunt Molly!

Good run today. Did two and a half miles on the treadmill in thirty minutes and then I decided to see how fast I could run a mile and I did a ten minute mile. skirough told me to get used to sweat dripping off me...WOW I must have been well hydrated for this run (I have been thinking about that more and trying to drink more water) because I was like a spiket!

Finally...I have talked about my husband's sense of humor before...he managed to get me going again tonight. I had him transfer some money from savings and write me a check to pay down our credit card, and on the "memo" line he wrote, "Thanks, You were great!" He refuses to write another check...I just hope the teller does not notice tomorrow morning. She might think I have taken up a new job to make some extra cash!

Pretty woman,
say you'll stay with me
'Cause I need you, I'll treat you right
Come with me baby, be mine tonight (Roy Orbison)

It's not always rainbows and butterflies

Got up and went for a run this morning...easy 30 minutes...felt good and felt strong. I did have some trouble keeping my HR down. I was only in the zone for 18 minutes. Plan on a long run tomorrow!

Took a quick shower and headed out. Treated my Mom and sister to pedicures as my mother's day gift to them. My sister's husband threw his back out and so she had both kids (the 4 month old and 2 and a half year old) you would think that would be crazy...but it was fun. We went to lunch and all had a great time!

I am headed to the kitchen to cook. We are going to Scott's brother's house tonight. His sister in law and I are making dinner. I am making a pasta salad and a caprese salad.

Poor Koz is sick...he must have eaten something bad...lucky me had to scurry around and leave...so S got to clean up the evidence of his sickness.

I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore
It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along,
yeah (Maroon Five)

You need to know this situation's getting old

So things have been going really well with my running...and I have been really happy with my progress.

Last night I was an hour early for yoga (they had changed the time but had not changed the flyer you pick up in the gym) and left b/c I had planned on cooking dinner and also I did not want to run in my yoga clothes...so no workout yesterday.

Got up this morning had my oatmeal...everything was normal. I decided to take off on a run around 10. I am sure you are figuring out by now...it did not go well. I came up with some possible reasons why...

1. It was 10:00 and 73 degrees outside

2. There were a lot of people out in the neighborhood I started in and I think I (really) picked up my normal pace to impress them (yuck)

3. I was listening to newer, faster music...trying to pick up my pace (to get three miles in 36 minutes)

So, I ran a good twenty minutes and started to feel really bad. I tried to talk myself through it and slow my pace...nothing worked. I got to feeling faint and I just could not handle it physically or mentally. I walked the 15 minutes back home...never feeling strong enough to pick it back up.

I am feeling pretty down about this...I am running 5.6 miles in a month and it WILL be hot and there WILL be a lot of people there and I DO need to pick up my pace.

Any thoughts on other methods I need to use to get through walls when I hit them on the road?I am also wondering if i should go back out tonight and give it another try?

Thanks y'all
Molly

I know you know I know
So what's the point in being slow
Let's get the show on the road today
(Kelly Clarkson)

I'm leavin on a jet plane

OH MY...weight lifting kicked my shrinking butt last night!!!!

Plan on yoga tonight and a 36 minute (hopefully 3 mile) run afterwards.

Cool Story:

On July 23rd 1997 I was flying to Litchfield Beach to meet my family for vacation. At the time my Dad was the Chairman on the NTSB and was investigating several airplane incidents. I was also doing research for a company that was developing a neural network system that would allow pilots information in the best way possible, based on their individual differences, during crisis situations. So, I was reading accident reports to see if there was any information on pilot response that might confirm my theory that pilots would respond better in stressful situations if they are given important information in a individualized manner.

ANYWAY...It was one of those days that you DO NOT want to fly...grey outside and raining. Scott basically had to push me on the plane (he was staying behind). I was so scared I was shaking and felt sick and started to cry hysterically. I had a hooded sweatshirt with me and pulled it over my head and sat there shaking. All of a sudden the pilot's voice came over the intercom and he said something to the effect of:

I know that the weather looks bad outside and that many of you might be nervous about flying today. I want you to know that I have a wife and kids at home and my life is very important to me. I would not fly today if I thought it was too dangerous.

All of a sudden there was a person that I trusted flying the plane and my fears were calmed, to the point that I was not hysterical. When we safely landed I grabbed the only thing I could find, the barf bag from the seat pocket and scribbled out a note explaining how my Dad's position and my research had induced a fear of flying and that what he said had made me feel so much better. On the way off the plane I asked the stewardess to give my note to the Captain.

Recently (March, this year...ten years later!) my father received a letter from that Captain...Captain Lucas who is no longer flying puddle jumpers and is now an Airbus Captain. He says that he was going through a box of things and found my note. He googled my Dad and found our website. He went on to say that he developed the pattern of letting the passengers know that a he is as concerned as the passengers as making it to their destination safely. In my note I said that he made my day and he wanted to let me know that my trust in him had made his day!

I am in the process of writing Captain Lucas back...he is a man that I will never forget!


So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
cause I'm leavin on a jet plane
Don't know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go (PP&M)

To everything - turn, turn, turn There is a season - turn, turn, turn

Great run last night. I did a 40 minute HR ROAD run (for those of you who do not know I am a treadmill devotee). I stayed within my heart rate parameters for 39 minutes...I am not ashamed to say I was so proud of myself and felt REAL good!

Newbie question of the day:

For a HR run I don't really need to know mileage...but later in the week I am doing mileage type runs...trying to get 3 miles in 36 minutes on Wednesday and an hour run on Saturday...do I get a pedometer, or drive around the hood and figure out landmarks....any other ideas that I am not thinking about?

Thoughts from the shower...a big SHOUT OUT:

When I started this blog it was intended to act as a journal to help me with the daily struggles of having OCD. I do not have the type of OCD that is commonly thought of and portrayed in movies (a la Jack Nicholson in As Good as it Gets). I am the obsessive type. I have trouble letting go of thoughts...I have a history of obsessing about my health...every disease I read about I am convinced I have. While this is somewhat common, where I divert is the ability to be reasonable about it and the ability to let it go. Panic Attacks result and my life is not the way that I want it to be. After a crazy year last year I was on a high dosage of meds and was controlling the symptoms...but on a high dose of meds was not where I wanted to be.

A few days into the blog world I met Andy, who met Johnny Tri. I was so impressed with JT that I started reading his blog daily and checking out the Tri blogs that he referenced. Pretty soon I realized that everyone had their ups and downs, but found strength in what their bodies COULD do, as opposed to worrying about what they might not be able to do. Soon I was trading comments with I've Landed, Skirough, Allez, Steven and more recently Laurie and momo.

I am a proud triathlete wanna be. You all truly inspire me. If you told me a year ago that I would be looking forward to lacing up my sneakers and running, I would not have believed it. Yesterday I laced up my sneakers and had a great run. It is your guidance and advice and support and great example that helps me through some tough days.

I will no longer let my mind tell my body what it can or can not do. I have drastically reduced my meds to a maintenance level. I have more energy. I do not want to sleep all the time. I read more (books, less magazines) and I have much more self confidence.

I am blessed to have my family, my incredible husband and this online community that leaves me looking forward to every day instead of dreading the next.

THANKS Y'ALL!
Molly

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together (Byrds)

You aint nothin but a hound dog, Cryin all the time

I have to admit that when I went out of town I worried about Scott taking care of my baby Koz. I felt like an overprotective mother who did not think that anyone else could take care of their child.

Well, I was obsessive at first, texting often, checking in. Making sure that he did not miss a detail. I quickly found out that everything was under control and that I was being so silly.

I realized I should trust S more I should not discount what individual strengths he will bring while raising our baby boy. For example, when I came home S had bought Koz a little tag for his halter. In the past I have always bought Koz his toys, collars, tags, food and bones. The fact that S had thought to get Koz a present was, well...

...hysterical...notice the (new) cute little blue tag S got...It says...

"Anyone seen my BALLS?"

I guess that with my trust must come his sense of humor!

When they said you was high classed,
Well, that was just a lie (Elvis)

It's those changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes nothing remains quite the same.

I'm back!

SO happy to see S and the Koz and my house and my bed and the blooming peonies...ahhh there's no place like home!

Sand running is hard! I had my first really good run this morning...I hit the streets around the beach house. Ran thirty solid minutes...could have run longer but I needed to jump in the shower and help pack the car.

One thing that I wonder, because I struggled through side stitches the entire week...on the treadmill my pace and "rhythm" is set by the machine. I wonder if my struggle on the road is finding my pace...which in turn throws my breathing off and causes the stitches...any thoughts?

Not to mention that my stomach is TOTALLY out of whack...Chicago, the beach...I think that I spoiled my sensitive little friend with a routine of bland food that has been SO BADLY interrupted that it does not know what to do (literally, if you know what I mean, I know...gross).

Had a great relaxing time at the beach. Read Judge and Jury by James Patterson and Oprah's Book Club Book, The Road by Cormac McCarthy...that is an odd book that I could not put down! I am still not sure what I thought of it and I am not sure if I recommend it...I did such a poor job of trying to describe it to my Momma that she did not even want to attempt it! I plan on getting on the Oprah site soon and reading some other people's interpretations. Opted for another Patterson, London Bridges, next to attempt to lay aside the heavy feeling The Road left me with.

When I was not relaxing I was playing with my 7, 2 and a half and 8 month old cousins! Oh my, my cousin Amy has her hands full!

Probably going to hit the gym with S in the morning before we head to a family function about an hour out of town. Need to get some weight training work in...I have abandoned that totally in the last two weeks.

I did just buy some shorts on line that I think are the best shorts EVER! I bought some spur of the moment in Chicago and have fallen in love...I got these Nike Tempo Running shorts. I also got a couple of swim suits at Athleta...my mom has told be that my butt has been disappearing since I started running, and it did not become evident to me until I tried suits on for this trip (did not need any...too cold) and the bottoms were so saggy they looked like I was carrying a load! If you can believe it I am leaving a week from Tuesday for the Tuks and Caicos for the destination wedding of a good friend of our family, (Thank goodness Mom and Dad are footing the bill on this one!) and I will have beach time for sure on that trip!

Hope to get back into it next week with a HR run Monday, Weight Class Tuesday, Tempo Run and yoga Wednesday, Weight Class Thursday, HR run Friday, yoga Saturday and long run on Sunday...WOW that looks scary all layed out!

Look forward to catching up with everyone!

Take Care
Molly

Reading departure signs in some big airport
Reminds me of the places I've been.
Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure
makes me want to go back again.
If it suddenly ended tomarrow,
I could somehow adjust to the fall.
Good times and riches and son of a bitches,
I've seen more than I can recall... (Buffet)

Round round get around, I get around

I'm at the beach.
Perfect weather for flying yesterday.First run on the beach last night...tough! Plan on going on a long one tomorrow morning...no HR monitor, no mileage...I'm just going to run!
We are at Litchfield Beach, SC. I am hanging with Momma at Latte Litchfield, the only place in town with wireless...that being said I will probably be absent for a while. I'll check in at the end of the week to let you know how the beach running is going!
Missing S and Koz already...otherwise I am a happy girl!
Y'all take Care!
freckled Molly

I get around
Get around round round I get around
My kind o' town
Get around round round I get around
I'm a real cool head
Get around round round I get around