Friday Freaky Funk Fun

So I adore my friend in England.  A USA transplant.  Her comments always have me laughing and smiling like a dork.  And  Kera, MY UEA running mommy . . .she couldn't possibly be more inspiring.

They ask questions.  Frequently.  Which I love.

Love. [actually, I love it that big]

Even when people ask questions nonchalantly ...[and probably don't care really in the slightest if they get a reply]. . . . it makes me feel special, happy, warm and super fuzzy.

Kelly, won my iTunes gift card giveaway [a while back] so I got her email address [sad for her] because now I can answer her directly.  And Kera, I stalked her way back waaaaaay back.  Yay me!

But here's [just one each of] their questions,  that crack me up.

*Can I also just kind of make fun/ask as to why you wear sleeves and a bra but seem to be missing fabric to cover your midsection? 

*oh...and what's the deal with the gloves. i'm not hip to the running gear scene.

I think Kelly is referring to this ;) :

And Kera, to this:

And Yes, my blue [discontinued] sans couture seamless fit royal blue bra top is my favorite.

So, Kelly/Kera, my temp goes up way to fast while running but hands always seem freaking cold.  SO I wear my [so NOT made for running gloves by North Face?!]  I don't like things touching my stomach.  Come on - you ask, I tell. 
TMI - I don't like things swishing around my mid-section or under my arms.  Ewwww.
So running sleeves   =   perfect for me. 

Plus, I knew in Oregon, I'd be cold at the start but knew I didn't have time [literally if I wanted to meet my goal] to be screwing with disrobing my top.  I tried that in Tucson in December 2009.  Remove ipod, remove hoodie, place hoodie at waist, place iPod back on.  That was like a 45 second ordeal.  Which is like 5 minutes when you are trying to reach your goal.

Ahhhhh, you've just wasted 3 minutes [sorry] but now I feel better.

I love questions though.  Any questions out there to make me feel special?  You want me to waste your time blogging about in the future? 

Didn't think so.  BUT . . . .   You guys are awesome.

Happy Friday!

And yes, all you REAL crazy amazing athletes out there [tri-guys and gals].  I do feel like a huge, HUGE, huge loser for owning the watch [ which I shall probably be shortly giving to one of you {who will actually get it wet & ride it on a bike}. 

Have I mentioned it doesn't tell the real time of day?!?!!

PMDD or PMTDD anyone?

"There's no place like home." - Dorothy [wizard of Oz]

Poets have long said [something like], The best part of a journey is coming home.

I see it more as a delicate "re-entry".  Maybe the astronauts know what they are talking about.  Jump back into your daily "life" too fast and you'll "burn up" [or out] but go in to easy and you fall off the radar never to be seen again. [yes, dramatic but remember what blog you are reading].

I feel as if I am suffering from this dilemma, I call PMDD.  {Post Marathon [Trip] Dysphoric Disorder}.

Without a doubt, when I return from a marathon [especially in another city/state].  I seem to fall into a low-grade depression or funk.  PMTDD.  Which includes being tired, slightly moody, food cravings, increased sensitivity to criticism  & sleepless.

Sadly, there is no KNOWN cure for PM[T]DD.  However, I hear wearing 8 Gu packets in your belt loops, never having more than 3oz of any fluid in your carry-on /purse & wearing compression socks to the grocery store has helped some.  No one really knows why these methods help but some believe it tricks the body into thinking it still has a marathon [in some awesome far away state] coming up.

When we come home we are the same person who left. 

The only thing is . . we're not.

I think psychologists could explain PMTDD quite simply. . . while racing/running we feel free, ready to live it up, get that PR, try something new.  While at home, we know there will be many work emails awaiting, a crap load of laundry, a dirty house, a relationship to address, a dog to pick-up, the light bulb that hasn't ever been replaced in the laundry room.  I know, I know it's not really bad.

The run . . . the trip . . . life experiences . . . they change us.  No, not in huge ways rather, small subtle ways.  A lot of these changes cannot be seen until we are home.  Which is why no matter how difficult to endure, PMTDD is a necessary part of the journey.  our journey.

Does this mean me need to suffer through this alone?  Heck, NO!  Hello, why do you think I blog?! ;)  I love to read about your journey.  what you do.  How you cope.  I think we should hold web/video conferencing meeting [for extra support].  What the heck, let's all meet up in Boston [or NYC - YAY!] next year. 

Ahhh crap, who am I kidding?  I just signed up for [this] as I suffered through my PMTDD yesterday.

I am so not addicted to running.

w a i t . . .what the . . .

This is my 202nd POST?! 

"How did I miss making way too big of a deal over my 200th?"

 --- that was the thought I had this morning until I realized it [200th post] could not have been better. 

It was this.

I did have something all fun planned for my 200th though.  I guess, I'll just have to save it for 300.

After our Portland fun.  Did I mention, I'd move there in a heartbeat?  We moved onto Washington.  Now Gina, this is for you.  The best photo I have ever captured on my iPhone.  [you must check out her blog.  her photos are taken from her iPhone.  we have the same version - so [very] apparently she knows what she is doing and I do not.]

The bridge connecting Oregon to Washington.  Beautiful.  Need I remind you I live in AZ.  The last time I was on a bridge was when I was in Seattle last year and the time before that probably on a family trip over the Hoover Dam in 1998.

We ended up in a city, town, dot on a map place with a population of 494 497 people - and just in case your grandma lives there [I'm not mentioning where].  A little dodgy.  But we were soon back into areas like this.

Ok, seriously, you Washington & Oregon dwellers . . . I really hope you know how awesome you have it there.

We spent a night in Port Angeles.  I loved that city.  SO did Peanut.  The starfish were freaking huge.  huge. alive ones nonetheless.

We of course made our way to Seattle.  Where I got my fabulous sandwich three days straight [ya, the place at Pike's market with the line out the door... started with a "m".  Sorry, didn't care about the name - I knew where to find it and that's all that mattered.]

Peanut thought this was pretty sweet.

I'd rather have a scorpion on me than a bird in my hand but --- she loved it.

And apparently, you have to have your photo on [or with or rubbing] the pig?!  whatever.  we [they] did it.

And you know how it goes . . . where ever there is a Nordy's I'll surely be close.  But we captured Peanut in front of this sweet recycled penguin thing there instead of a photo of my credit card bill.  I'm one smart chika. ;)

But check out her new kicks.  nice.

We stopped at the aquarium for this horrible and freaky photo.

But we saw this on the walk there.  awesome.

Hey Kovas, you should have bought this instead of the minivan. ;) joke. joke.

But my favorite photo from the whole trip . . .

 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

Yep, our best Nordstrom [shoe department] photo ever.

bulletproof [portlandFTF marathon]

Just so you know ..... you'll want need to go get that morning diet coke, coffee, toilet break or pillow.  I will try to keep it on topic [but you know that never rarely goes well].

Ahhhh Portland.
I love you. Everything about you. I mean seriously... You had me at our aerial arrival.

[a huge, "I'm sorry" to anyone who has ever flown into Phoenix---ugggg ugly]

You had Peanut by the terminal walkway. Okay, so Starbucks rice dream bar & hot chocolate may have had something to do with it but by the time we reached our rental car station - we were having a blast.

Race packet p/u was awesome. Well staffed and also included smokin' deals on attire. Yay!! Even Loved the try-on rooms where I got a photo of this

 and in another unmentionable place where I saw this

Next, we were off to a place I saw on diners drive-ins &dives [food network]. Byways Cafe.

Yum. Yum. Yum.  Blue Corn Pancakes.

I hear even the orange wedges are good.

The marathon was held at Sauvie Island. Beautiful. However, the closest hotel was 7 miles away but at a Priceline cost of $59 - who freaking cares. ;)

Don't usually get too nervous before races so that's a definite plus for me. Got there early which was very good due to the amazing insane amount of traffic. [As there is only one road inti SI.]

6:28am came around we they sang something in celebration of July 4th. Some Americana song. I was too busy cracking up at our their horrible singing voices to even recognize the song.

6:30am - I am off.  It all boiled down to one simple element ---- keep my stinking Garmin at a pace on or below 7:44 and I've got this.

Mile 1-7:24.
Mile 2 - 7:32
Mile 3 - 7:29
Mile 4-7:39
Mile 5-7:47 -- didn't like that one but wanted to make sure I didn't go out too hard at the start [pre mile 18 anyway]

Mile 6-7:41
Mile 7-7:42 --- I think I have found my pace guy.  I have a need to do this every race [especially small races where no "pace teams" are to be found.  A guy with 8 [I had time to count] Gu packets around his waist.

Mile 8-7:40
Mile 9-7:43
Mile 10-7:39
Mile 11-7:44  - I really am wanting to pass Gu guy but this guy has issues with chicks passing him.  Seriously.  The back of his shirt should have said, "If you are female and pass me, I will forego the next water station to be back in front."  hilarious.  It motivated me and I loved it.

Mile 12-7:39  1/2 gu.
Mile 13-7:38
Mile 14-7:40  1/2 gu
Mile 15-7:39
Mile 16-7:42. I see peanut & the pita.

Mile 17-7:43. This stupid running dork photo was captured.

Mile 18-7:39. Cramps. Toe cramps set in.  Like twisted over the tops of each other cramping.

Mile 19-7:38. -8 gu belt boys tells me,"I'm done w/you. You got me." not sure what that meant exactly but I passed his Gu bum & [sincerely] smiled.

Mile 20-7:39 cramps moved up to shin.

Mile 21-7:42 I belch something fierce while passing a 1/2 marathon walker. Completely freaked her out.  Seriously, felt bad but I could hear her cracking up a few seconds later, as I was still yelling out my apologies.

Mile 22-7:43 1/2 gu.
Mile 23-7:41
Mile 24-7:37. 1/2 gu.  [last photo OP until finish line]

Mile 25-7:36. I can see the finish line. Tears well up in my eyes. I turn on "bulletproof" one more time.  loud. & I begin to smile ear to ear.

I've got this.  I've freaking got this.

Mile 26-7:34. I think of my dad and try to sprint as fast as my cramped toes [and right shin] will allow me.

.2 = 1:51

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

In my peanuts arms. Her first words, "mom, you did it. You did it better than your goal!!"

Followed by "can I have your medal it's awesome. It's made out off all recycled materials.".  [made from recycled bicycle chain-completely awesome]

Then like someone had kicked her in her backside she had to run to the car where she brought me the sweet necklace KP & her daughter had made for me.

3:20:29

Goal met = happy Emz

portland -foot traffic flat 7/4/10

I came.  I saw.  {I ran}.  I [finally] conquered.

3:20:29

Heck Ya.

RR - to follow.

I'll tell you what I want what I really, REALLY want

Well, I want a crap-load of things. 

Hey, no judging, 99.99% of them I can't buy.  [Oh man, how I wish I could.] 

But for this weekend, I want this:  a smiling/happy/carefree Peanut, awesome fireworks, my family & friends to know they are my back bone & my 3:23 marathon.

Hope you all have a fun and SAFE 4th of July.

AND

Thanks to Grace for the

The first official "award" given to me on this little blog of mine.

As requested a few things about me [which may be regretted later]:

*I am the only girl in my family [of 4 girls] who is lucky blessed enough to have an older brother.
*I am big on manners.  BIG.
*My love for animals could use some serious [I'm not mean though] improvement.
*I have 14 credits left to get my degree.  The same 14 credits I've had to get for the last 12 years.
*My radio in my car has not been turned on for 8 days [and I just noticed it yesterday].  I am loving it.
*I bake my "magical chocolate" cake approximately 2 times per week.  "people" please ask me to bake something else, I swear I can.

she's crafty

Man, how I love the Beastie Boy's.  I know, reliving my college days.

Here are my "Thoughts for Thursday".

I kept Peanut home from summer camp last Friday and we made this.  I know, I know who names their daughter so people can forever torment her on her initials?? "phone home" anyone?  [Hey, they are my initials too.  Misery loves..... ]

Then she made this all on her own. The kid loves crafts. "She's Crafty". Me.....not so much.

Then, I got this really awesome work email this morning requesting additional photos of the very orange dress below [with someone wearing it].  Chuy wasn't cooperating [what?  So my dog doesn't like silk]....SO I went against my better judgement . . . put it on and let Peanut snap a few photos.  To which my dear sweet bidder replied, "I see why you are selling it, it doesn't suit you."  Really? Really are you going to ASK me to model it then insult me?!  Whatever.

Just in case any of you are wondering how *&%@!^* hot it is here today.

Another awesome quote I just saw at the YMCA when I went to pick up Peanut.
And I leave you with events from Peanut's Friday night trip with the "P" family to Blockbuster.  Only my kid could figure out how to mangle  and tangle her hair into the twisty buzz lightyear-ish fan thing in 30 seconds or less.  That's my girl.