Because I'm Still Sore

Here's a quick little post about my race on Monday. Ran or mostly walked rather the Bolder Boulder. The weather was wonderful, conditions were good, I started too fast and it felt like I walked 80%... I did finish under the time I wanted to (1 hour 27 minutes) which brings to mind two reasons: a) I maybe ran more then I think or b) I have become a super walker (walking almost as fast as I run).

All in all I should be very proud (I sort of am) but at the same time it's not as exciting to talk about how I walked the Bolder Boulder run.

In other news that tops my race...my nephew Cam Cam is going to be a big brother and I'm going to be an auntie again. December is the special month (just in time for a long Christmas visit to Iowa).

Happy Friday. I'm running another race next Saturday to raise money for the Life Network. It's a 5K. I'm hoping I can actually run it, but truth be told my legs (butt mostly) are still sore from the Monday race.

Because Frustration Abounds

This short little post is going to be about my frustration with my weight. If that doesn't interest you...now you know to come back a different day.

I think I'm getting stronger. I think I'm getting better at running and more powerful on the spin bike but it's also possible it's just an allusion. I have been stuck at this weight since for sure the beginning of December and possibly longer...and I have a hard time believing all those good things could be happening while my weight stays exactly the same (give or take a few pounds in each direction).

For most of this journey I was losing 1-2 pounds per week. It was sometimes frustrating if I compared myself to the biggest loser contestants who were losing 5-10 pounds per week. At this point I take back all of that frustration...I just want the 1-2 pounds per week back.

Because I Don't Poop On Their Transportation

There is a bird (or a gang of like 25 based on the amount) that finds it absolutely necessary to poop down the sides of my car daily (eveningly actually). I complained about this to my friends and family at Easter dinner and one of them said something that revved my annoyance and sent me into "how can I 'fix' this problem, NOW" mode like none of the actual birdy poop had yet done.

They said very casually and sort after-thought like "oh, that can take the paint off".

What?

No stinking way...not only does it look awful running down the length of my driver's side door but it could also strip the paint off that door making my car look forever trashy? No stinking way...

It seems to me that this same poop problem started around the time my roommate started making comments about the little bird taking up residence in our fake berry wreath above the mail box. So, as the weeks of annoyingness passed on I started to credit that little bird for the daily, disgusting layered down the side of my car.

One afternoon in a pit of rage (silent stomping mostly)...I decided enough was enough. This little birdy was going to have to find a new home. At this point in the story you are probably no longer disgusted by my car but sympathizing with the little bird. I understand (I'm mean) and I won't hold it against you. So back to the rage...I pulled down the wreath (little bird is off wreaking havoc somewhere else at the moment) and I'm all prepared to pull out the nest and nicely place it on a branch in the tree in our yard (see I'm not as mean as I first appear). BUT when I lowered the wreath, to my dismay, there were 5 little blue eggs laying at the bottom.

No stinking way...I might be fed up with the disgusting runs of poop on my car but I'm not cold hearted enough to kill the innocent birds before they are even born (I'm anti-abortion). I carefully put the wreath back in it's spot and went in the house to wallow in the foreverness that would become my disgusting car doors.

Since this little event I have caught the real culprit sitting on the side of my car...it's a much bigger bird than the one inhabiting our wreath and thus explains the amount of poop on my car. I will admit I still have moments of wanting to get rid of the wreath bird (eggs and all) just because I can't be completely sure that she isn't contributing in some way to the filth but my roommate gives me those eyes of "Killer...how can you?" and I make the right decision.

My most logical idea about fixing this problem is to tape pictures of owls inside my car windows...I'll let you know if that works or not. I'm open to suggestions too...my car looks very ridiculous (cause I'm too lazy to wash the doors of twice a day).

Because Feeling Special is Great

It's my birthday. I have felt super special since Friday (people started celebrating with me early) and now as the actual day is coming to a close I just want to share a few of the ways I have felt blessed...something I never want to take forgranted.

• Dear, wonderful friends surprised me with lunch and flowers on Friday.
• My roommate planned a wonderful weekend in Breckenridge. (original plan was to hike...but with the amount of snow still there we should have brought snow shoes...we shopped instead).
• 7 of my lovely friends spent their own money to join in on the Breckenridge birthday weekend.
• We relaxed and followed no specific agenda (I love doing that).
• We ate good food and good cake all weekend...I will likely not feel as blessed by that tomorrow when my body realizes just how much good food and good cake was eaten.
• 39 people wished me 'happy birthday' on Facebook. Facebook makes birthday wishing easy but I still appreciate all of the well wishes.
• My mom sang happy birthday to me on my voicemail.
• My nephew wished me happy birthday and then claimed he wanted another birthday-to which my brother informed him he only gets one a year. He decided he wanted to watch a video instead.
• I was able to take a free yoga class today and that makes any day better.
• I received lots of calls (including one from Thailand), cards, emails and texts that reminded me of all the amazing friends and family I have.

I am blessed. This last year has had loads of ups and downs and thankfully God shows me daily-ways to keep putting my trust in Him. Though I'm not yet who He wants me to be and not quite where I want to be (or thought I would be at this age)...His plan is better than anything else I can dream or imagine, so I'll keep following Him.