"Alphabet St." - Prince

I'm likin' this ABC thing going around.

so
I'm
freaking
doing
it.

ABC's of EMZ

A~Age [of the Pita] heheheee: 38



B~ Bed Size: California King - if they made a bigger one - I'd freaking buy it though.


C~Chore you hate: d i s h e s.  I'd rather mow lawns for [all of] my neighbors.


D~Dogs: Two.  I'm so [NOT] a dog [or any animal for that matter] person.  Never wanted a dog.  Love other people's dogs.  But . . . . Mase [my Pit bull].  I. love. that. dog.

E~Essential Start your Day Item: Diet Coke.  One that I've cracked [de-fizzed] the night before.


F~Favorite Color: g r e e n

G~Gold or Silver: white gold or platinum


H~Height: with or without heels?! 5'9" or 6'1"


I~Instruments you play: treadmill oh & the sax for 2 months.
J~Job Title: clothing sales / personal shopper

K~Kids: one. freaking. fantastic. peanut.

L~Live: Arizona. 

Home of 60 degree winters [and maybe 120 degree summers]

M~Mom’s Name to my Peanut: Nana

N~Nicknames: EMZ [thanks "Happy" & Dave], Emalita decarmalita, Smurf, Boomer. [those are the one's I'll share]

O~Overnight Hospital Stays: one [when my girl was born]

P~Pet Peeve: just one?! Hair on people's backs [like loose ones not attached to their heads] 


Q~Quote from a Movie: [just one?!?!?!] "fat guy in a little coat" "hey, this suit make me look fat?" "... no no no, your face does" - Tommy Boy


R~Right or Left Handed: Right


S~Siblings [hate that word]: Three older sisters.  One older brother. another pet peeve ---- the word "sibling"

T~Time you wake up: 5:30am

U~Underwear: Depends on which day you ask me. [See Julie's - awesome "depends" comment below] hilarious.
okay, right now . . . . well, does the liner on my sweet new 26.2 shorts count as "undies"?

V~Vegetable you Dislike: corn [unless it's in salsa]


W~What Makes You Late: my shoes. [decisions . . decisions]

X~X-rays You’ve had Done: Arm X 2.  Collar bone X 2.  Dang trampoline

Y~Yummy Food you Make: desserts. Macadamia crusted chicken [stuffed with feta]. [back in the dairy days].


Z~Zoo Animal Favorite: pygmy marmoset [so those probably are not at the zoo] so I'll say pigeon. ;) 

"The Sign" - Ace Of Base

I've been seeing things lately.

And.  I.  Love.  What.  I. See.

When I pulled into my garage.

I
saw
this
on
the
door [leading inside]

I. freaking. love. my. Peanut.

t h e n

When I lifted up my towel off the mill this morning. 

I saw this:

Which rocked.  Because it was a mile further than I thought I had gone.  [progression run.  kicked.  my.  butt.  ----- but I kicked right back] ;)

Then as I was stretching [for all 52 seconds] it came to me . . . .

This
is
the
place!

This. is. the. place. for. my. stickerspiration.

So
I
slapped
these
babies
on!

This one from J-Moo:

This one from Candice:

And Molly & Aimee . . . .

ummmm, Peanut stole yours for her school notebook. [WITHOUT asking - see Papa she's NOT perfect after all.]  URRRGGG. 

You will need to see it though.  It's. pretty. freaking. cool.

I think I need to get on making one of these signs.  soon.

Happy Tuesday!

Where's the coolest place you've put one of your [and or received] signs?!

"For The First Time" - The Script

okay, so it's not the "first" review I've ever done. [This is my third.]

Truth be told - I'm not a huge "review" fan.  I only review an item[s] if I think it's something I'll love.

And

These goodies from 26.2 performance apparel ...... did. NOT. disappoint.

I received:

* performance sock
* short sleeve 26.2 road wrap running performance tee
* 26.2 Classic II running short

Let me first tell you I have run in my Thorlo walker/runner crew socks since 1999.  No joke.  Yes, the ones that are about 1/2" thick.  I've been too freaked out to try anything else.  They work.  Why mess with "works", right?

W r o n g.

So. freaking. glad. I did.

These. socks. rock.

It was like being 14 all over again.  When you find out you don't have to wear granny undies and you buy your first thong. 

Completely. liberating. [hmmm, weird,  maybe that was just me?!]

Now.

the.
photos.

Peanut greatly dislikes taking photos for my blog [not totally sure why - but she did a great job, given the canvas]. 

Her only request, "one photo has to be silly" . . . [like that would EVER be a problem . . . . so she picked this one]. 

yikes.

It was pretty freaking early, so I appreciate it Peanut!

And be nice on the photos [I. AM. NOT a make-up wearing runner].

Firing up "Ed".

The shorts. . . . . a lot like the Nike Tempo shorts I own 4 or 14 of.  What I like better about these . . . . . the leg openings.  I'm not a fan of the leg slit up to the waist band on soooooo many of the running shorts made today but I have sometimes wished the tempo shorts were "roomier" . . . . wish granted.

These were fabulous.

SO here's the "first time" part.

I've never done a run [over 6 miles] in a shirt.  I don't like hate things swooshing on my midsection.  I've always been this way.  Nothing new.  You should have seen me running 8 months pregnant. 

but
this
shirt
is
UNlike
any
tech
shirt
I
have
ever
worn.

It feels like silky velvet but just as [if not more] breathable as all my other "tech tops".  Seriously, I could touch this shirt all day long.  It's amazing.

And guess what?

I. wore. it. all. 12. freaking. miles. and. loved. it.

So
what
are
you
waiting
for?

Check them out! [here]
And here's a promo/discount code for when you are checking out.

[ discount code 262SAVE ] 5%

Did you do anything for the "first time" today or over the weekend?

please
spill. 

"Say Yeah" - Wiz Khalifia

Happy
Emz

&

Happy
Peanut.

Termite.  you. freaking. rock.

You see, two days ago.......... we received this:

And this very handy/awesome insert:

And
The
coolest
part

This:

Yum.
Yum.
Yum.

I had never heard of a King's Cake.  And apparently, it pays [if you know as thoughtful of a person as termite] to call your stupidness out into the blog world.

Thank you so very much.

Guess
who
found
the
baby?

Awwwww, heck ya!

2011 is going to be a great one around my casa!

Thank you Termite!

I'll leave you with a few photos of my two [very opposite] dogs "playing" together this morning.

Then . . .

No worries, the fluffy [incredibly useless] dog was not injured.

Happy Friday!

"Why" - Annie Lennox

It's the question I've been asked the most in the last 9 days . . . . .

w h y ?

Why would you run for 24 hours on a treadmill?

[after my first initial thought......why. freaking. not?]

My true reply is:

I
do
because
I
can.

I'm doing it because [I KNOW] I can - and since I can, I am going to do this to raise money for Sojourner Center. 

From the moment I first visited it was a . . .

Life. changing. experience.

That's the response I gave yesterday when my intentions for this run were challenged.  I do most of my volunteer work with them behind the scenes. I like it that way.  But I felt it was time for something bigger. 

I've toyed with  the idea of this run for about a year.

I did not wake up one morning and decide to lace up my sneaks and pretend I could be like Dean.

But.  now.  I.  feel.  ready. [And my body will follow suit by May 7th] ;)

It's what I can offer today.  It's what I can do to raise awareness.

So I'm freaking doing it.

The marathon runner/endurance athlete eats, breathes, sweats and dreams about his goal - the ultimate finish line - dedicating himself to years of rigorous training in a quest to stand atop the podium, win an age group placement or the sheer joy of crossing the finish line.

It is passion, patience and sheer ambition that leads the endurance athlete through the challenges and obstacles on the path to victory.

I have my own finish line.  Maybe not one that others will ever understand.  And it may never include any significant medals that were won. 

And
That's
Totally
Okay.

My list of goals may be short one, but it's important all the same. I've spent years working toward my own aspirations, fully aware that most good things don't just happen to people, they evolve after a long term commitment to hard work.

Some may question my goals. . . .  Surely, there are other more important goals I could currently be working on. 

My replies: 

I am

and

to each their own.
My dedication to my family, my career and local volunteer efforts are all a part of my [mostly, very personal] plan to become a better person. I have filled my life with worthwhile interests and I firmly believe they will lead me to personal growth, a sense of fulfillment and compassion for others.
Every day I strive to live with passion [I may need to work on a little less passion or maybe the right word is "emotion"] but I do not want life to pass me by as I go through the motions.

So.  my.  friends.  this.  is.  why.

Emz

* To those of you who have asked about donating . . . . a big freaking huge, "thank you".  I hope to have the location [of the run] picked by early March as well as the link I will be using to accept donations.

Thank you.
Thank you.
T h a n k   y o u !

"So The Story Goes" - Erasure

I.
Loved.
This.
Race.

IMS Arizona Marathon.

Wait . . . you've never heard of it?!

Ok, so it's only in it's third year but from now on..........every February........

you
will
find
me
there.

The expo:

* small
* well staffed [maybe too well] ;)
* VERY well organized [other than making you exit out the exit door........It was raining and the exit was not close to where we parked].
* decent shirt - I have yet to actually use a shirt from a race but It was nice.

Race Day:

* again well organized.
* heated buses
* great warm areas to wait until race start
* water/aid stations - amazing.
* tons of volunteers

Now the good freaking fabulous part . . . .

Other than the marathon with my sister two weeks ago, I have never felt so calm and relaxed going into a race.  I didn't eat my "usual" breakfast.  I forgot my gloves.  [used a pair of the Pita's socks] I forgot my bag tag.  I forgot my water.

and
I
didn't
care.

This was a "training" run.  It. was . all. good.

Got to the start line.  Begged the bag guy to take my jacket and if I didn't find him after - - - no biggie.  He did.  So. freaking. nice.

A few people came up to me from December's Tucson marathon.  When you are wearing polka dot arm warmers [thanks Angie B!] I guess you kinda stick out.  weird.  I also ran into my neighbors who were running the relay.  good. times.

Weather:  cloudy & sprinkling but not freezing [YAY!]

And
we
are
off.

After the third mile.  I.  called.  this.  race.  awesome.

My legs - felt amazing
My head - clear
My form - dare I say [until the photos come out] better.
My breathing - easy to steady

I wanted to push harder but I was mile 6.  Splits had been between 7:11 - 7:24.
Save it Emz.  Save it for 20. 

From 6-8 the rain & wind became much more steady but not heavy.

Not too eventful from 8-11.  Just nice and steady.

Mile 11 rain. heavy.  completely soaked.

And
guess
what?

iPod down.  Yep, again.  This time due to rain [water in the plug in(earphones)].  holy. freaking. suck.

Mentally, I thought, "no, not another race like Utah".  Followed immediately by, "Kate ran without an iPod her whole freaking marathon.  I've.  freaking. got. this."

Mile 14 - rain stopped.
Mile 15 - rain again.

Mile 17 to 18.  My worst mile on the books. [7:49]

Mile 18 ditched the Pita's socks I had worn as gloves.  Those freaking things could have been up to my ears. 

Size 15   =  [well some.............] ........ some freaking big socks.

These photos are going to rock.

I decided right then [at 18th "lap" alert from my Garmin].  That I was not going to have another mile come in over 7:45.

Got a burst of needed energy at 19.  YAY!

Mile 19 - 7:32
Mile 20 - 7:34
Mile 21 - 7:37
Mile 22 - 7:42
Mile 23 - 7:42
Mile 24 - 7:41

then . . . .
the heaviest rain & W I N D hit. 

Thank goodness the wind was from the side.

Mile 25 - 7:40
Mile 26 - 7:41

HAPPY
FREAKING
EMZ

New
PR.

3:18:53

"Cool" - Gwen Stefani

Because he's just completely that cool.

Exhibit A:

I mean look at this outfit.

Patrick.

Rocks.

C o m p l e t e l y .

Want an incredible "life" story.  Read his.

Want something "inspirational".  He's your guy.

Want some SoCal dry yet creative humor.  Click here.

Want a thermojock review?  He's not your guy. . . but he could lead you in the right direction to someone who does.

Without getting all soppy and [gasp] nice.

He's one of my very best blends [thanks Molly for the term - blog / friend].

Yes, he did author, create, invent, inspire these:

But
he
was
way
cool

way
before
that.

Thanks Prick, I mean, P-Rick.
[can't make this too nice].

Happy Saturday!

Weekend plans?

I plan to get rained on in "windy" Arizona.  what.  the.  heck.

Am I in Kansas?