Two Run Day

Still trying to catch up with you guys. I am about to head out to run with the PIM group. We have a 3 mile Indian line, which are fun except I know we will have a couple fast pacers in my group. I did 5 this morning, and ready for 3 more. I will make it my mission to catch up with the rest of the blogs tonight.

Today's Workout:

AM Run 5 Miles (12:43)

PM Run 3 Miles (11:33)

Fat Girl:5 Running:0

On the plane en route to Puerto Rico

Dinner in Puerto Rico. Lil' Buster thought it would be funny for it to be upside down

The view from our room in Puerto Rico

Lil' Buster doing a coin toss to see who he would sleep with. Grandparents won, whoohooo!

With my parents at "The View" in St. Lucia. Ironic since there were 4 ladies that ran the place..LOL

It's sad when I pass out before my parents

Hell's Gate in Antigua

My nervous smile since I am crawling in and over Hell's Gate

My sharp dressed guys

Formal night portraits

We got back from vacation on Saturday. I spent two days doing what seemed to be mountains of laundry. It was a lovely vacation with the family. I only did one spin class, and a little hiking but it was more leisurely. There was however, a lot of eating with plenty of fruity drinks. I had a 5 pound gain for the week. It was a reminder how quickly I can revert to my old ways. The positive side is that it's done. I am now in damage control mode riding the Weight Watchers wagon.

Yesterday, I went for my first run in over 10 days. I was supposed to do 5 miles, which turned into a miserable 3 miles with lots of walking. I blame my lack of exercise last week, and that I was still getting over the stomach flu I got the last day of the cruise. Who the hell gets a stomach virus, and still gets a 5 pound gain for the week?!? That would be me. Today I went to a spin class bricked with a 1 mile run, and a way cut short 2000 yard swim which turned into a 350 yard swim. I still love to quit that swimming! I had a tough time with today's workout as well. I flipped off for a week so I can expect it to be super challenging for the next few days. I have the Ironbabe super sprint in less than two weeks. I hope that I can pull myself together by than.

I have been busy catching up with things. I look forward to catching up with you guys tonight after dinner. I have like 150 posts in Google Reader :-O I also went to the tri club meeting in my area last night. I gotta blog about that this week.

Monday's Workout :

3 miles some running, lots of walking,

some standing there while a raccoon looked me over

Tuesday's Workout:

1 hr spin

1 mile run (11:39)

swim

4x50 :10

1x150

Kokomo

Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go Jamaica Bodies in the sand Tropical drink melting in your hand Well be falling in love To the rhythm of a steel drum band Down in Kokomo..

I will not be going to those places. It will be more like flying to Puerto Rico tomorrow morning than Saturday evening boarding The Crown Princess to Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, Tortola, St. Thomas/St. John. I will be getting my runs in, maybe a few spin classes while on board for fun. I promised no hardcore (like I'm hardcore..LOL!) tri training to the family. I tried to pack my tri training book, and got a cross eyed look from the hubby. I opted for light hearted chick lit instead. So, I will be reading, drinking, dancing, lounging, gambling, snorkeling (not swimming unless chased by a huge fish), and soaking up the sun with beautiful beaches. I may not get on the Internet since they charge a small fortune per minute, and I will be busy see above...HAHAHA! I will have my BlackBerry when on land so if you catch the UFC fight Saturday, e-mail me (contact seection on the left) who won the St. Pierre/Serra fight, please. I will be missing it, and doubt I will hear about it on the islands. Catch up with you guys when I return.

Bon voyage!!

You may want to set your DVR for the Paris Marathon & Boston Marathon airing on Versus.

Running Knitter, good luck with the Tillman run, and have fun!

Lisa, best of luck with the tri. I know you will rock it!

Have a Happy Birthday, Jess!

Double Down

That is what I always think of when I say 11. Speaking of which, I am behind on one of my famous movie reviews. Well, they are famous to me..hahaha!

"21"

3 out of 4 stars. Mostly because I love blackjack. If you are not in to cards and casinos much than it might be a pass for you. If you have those vices like myself well than stop watching World Poker Tour on ESPN2, and get to a movie theater.


I did my long run today, which was a couple days earlier than scheduled. I hesitated thinking it would be too much on the body, but went for it trying to ignore the pace on LT and enjoy it?!


I left from Northshore Park, and saw a bunch of moms with strollers doing what sounded like a boot camp. That instructor was tough. I was waiting to see if she would have them do over head presses with the strollers. Here is 1/4 of the group trying to catch up to their sprinting instructor. I wanted to catch a pic of them in action, but thought the drill sergeant would spot me and make drop and give her 20.

I also eavesdropped on officials from the CB&I Triathlon race measuring out the course, and discussing the transition area. I really wanted to do that tri, but the distances are pretty long for me with the 1/2 marathon in Cleveland two weeks following. Oh well, next year. Those chicks on the bikes really made me mad. On my way into the park on Lake Woodlands they were flying through the stop signs. They would not even slow down, and I had to hit the brakes hard not to hit them. I am a big believer in; If we want to share the road as cyclist than we must follow road rules. Goes to those A-holes who don't show courtesy to cyclists as well. Oh, wee I guess I got on to some soap box there, sorry.

I did stop at HEB (grocery store) on mile 5, and went grocery shopping...totally kidding. I had to use the bathroom, and pick up a G2. I got a bathroom shot for Marcy. As, I was standing outside sucking down my drink I saw the biker mom from Lil' Buster's school. I swear I wasn't stalking her this time. LOL! She, saw me said hello, and that it looked like I was in the middle of something serious.

Anhow, the run was beautiful on the eyes, and I took it easy on the legs. The picture of the house by the lake is for Nancy. I was thinking how she had a pic of a vase, and said she had vase envy. LOL! That is how I feel about this house every time I run past it. I even imagine how sweet it would be to live there, right by the trail, go rowing in the lake(I have never rowed, but looks like fun) and have a housekeeper clean it, blah blah. Anything, to make the miles pass on, right? It was a gorgeous day, and 11 is in the books with pen now.

Wednesday's Workout:

Run 11 Miles (13:21)

I stopped the timer on the bathroom/G2 Break

Mile 1 (12:50) Mile 2 (13:43)

Mile 3 (13:36) Mile 4 (14:09)

Mile 5 (13:27) Mile 6 (12:22)

Mile 7 (13:26) Mile 8 (12:52)

Mile 9 (13:35) Mile 10 (14:18)

Mile 11 (12:35)

Tuesday's Workout:

Nothing I am slacking on the XT.

I will be back hardcore on a tri schedule once I get back from vacation.

Tri Stalker Strikes Again

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend! It has been absolutely gorgeous here in the Houston area so I am loving it. I want to thank you all for your kind words from my last post. You blogging buddies are a huge support system to me. I did get a biatch slap back to reality when I went to buy a swimsuit on Saturday, oh the horror! I bought one that managed to, lift, separate, tuck, tighten, and hide as much as possible without looking grandmaish. I also, hung out with my sister, Melissa on Saturday at the local tri store all morning. She was looking for a bike, and her boss & husband own Tri On The Run. She did find a bike to meet her short limbs, a Fuji 46cm frame, my bike looks giant next to her's..LOL! She was scared to test drive it by herself so they let me take out this sweet all carbon frame bike. It just had a speed look about it. I fell in love hard and fast, but I just put aero bars on my baby so she will continue to be my girl. Also, money is the main issue, but don't tell my baby girl that. I want her to think she is my one and only 4eva. The owner Johnny gave us plenty of personal attention, and I was able to pick his tri mind for a few hours. I think I will have to save my pennies and get a proper fit on my baby girl.

My "baby girl"

On Sunday, my sister and I planned a 15 mile ride together to get her acquainted to being on a bike. Mel got a flat tire 1.5 miles out. I had a seat pack, but no clue on what to do, and her tubes are smaller than mine. I rode back to the car, and picked her up. Than we tried to do a short run together, but her asthma was giving her a really hard time. I guess it was time to call it a rest day.


In other tri stalking news, I had talked to one of the Mom's from Lil' Busters pre school not too long ago. She saw my imprint from my number on my leg, and asked which tri I did. I was in a hurry so I could not talk long. This morning when dropping off Lil Buster I saw her, and her bike racked on the back of her car. Oh yea, baby cue the Mission Impossible theme song. This afternoon, I waited around for her to pick up her son. Lil Buster, was like "Mom can we go home now?" No, not yet HAHAHA! Than I saw Kari (cool Mom I love to hang with) we talked, and I let her in on my plan. Sorry Kari, I was a little nervous about my stalk attack so I did not even ask you about your weekend or anything. Well, I saw the bike Mom coming out, and introduced myself. We talked a bit exchanged numbers and score we are gonna ride together when she gets her bike back from a tune up.

Today's Workout:

Run 4 miles @ a faster pace

I guess my version of speed work

Mile 1 (11:58)

Mile 2 (11:41)

Mile 3 (10:39)

Mile 4 (10:00) fastest mile ever

Big Reflections

The spring cleaning bug has bitten over here as well. It started last week when I was getting dressed for Lil' Buster's field trip that required real clothes. See, every morning I get ready with no decisions to be made. I get in running clothes, and go work out. Later, I will jump in some sort of elastic yoga pant looking thing with a tee. Yea, I don't do yoga, but they serve their stretchy purpose. I tried on 12, yes 12 pairs of pants that morning, and nothing fit. It was a good thing though because they were all too big.

My entire closet

Why did I think a size 24 pink sequined number would be slimming?!

I was pleased, since I know I have lost weight but it is still hard for me to grasp. This is a conversation I have with the hubby often.

Viv: Shane, am I fat like her?
Shane: No, sweet you are smaller than her.
Viv: Are you sure?
Shane: You used to be that size, but you are smaller now.
Viv: You are crazy.
Shane: Are you doing this to piss me of.
Viv: No, I really can't tell.

I don't know if this comes with years of being so big that you lose sense of your size. I know I am not small by any means, but I still feel really huge. I know I have been losing weight, and have seen pictures where I can see a difference. It really hit me though trying on a bunch of clothes that were too big. I decided to clean out the closet of all the things that were too big on me. Which, left my closet with 2 skirts and 3 tops from the old days. I would have made do with these, but with vacation coming up next week I would need real clothes, not running clothes to wear for a week. It was time to go shopping so I went to my ol' faithful Lane Bryant store. I was a 24 and at times a 26 so I thought I would start on 20's too big, 18's too big, 16's too big, 14's a little loose, too much room to eat more than I should. Oh my God, I stood there and thought is this real? Can I finally walk in to regular people size clothing store? I have been in to these stores before with my friends and I am usually stuck looking at accessories because no matter how fat I am those earrings will always fit. Needless to say I have tons of earrings.

I went to Gap, a little shell shocked. I got that feeling I always get when I walk in to these stores. The, are they looking at me thinking, she can't fit into anything here. I was also prepping my usual answer that I am looking for a gift to justify why I would be in there. I started looking around it felt like hours before I found some bermuda shorts. I grabbed a 14 and stood there for a minute staring at them, holding them up to me, anything to not have to go to the dressing room and have to be sent back to Lane Bryant with my tail between my legs. The sales lady came up to me, "Would you like a dressing room?" Ah shit, "yes please." I tried them on they were a little loose. I sat in that dressing room, and shed my first tears in a long time. This is real my hard work, my passing on sweets, driving by fast foods like the enemy, the endless figuring of points I stick in my mouth, my endless hours working out, it was working. The sales lady knocked on the door, "were those OK, do you need a different size?" To which I get a the hugest grin, which she could probably see through the door, " yes, can I get a 12 please."

I still have a way to go. I consider myself at a half way point of my weight loss. I am happy though that I can finally open my eyes to see some accomplishments. I am looking forward to actually being in pictures this vacation.

Wednesday's Workout:

Run 5 miles (13:00) so hot and humid just pure torture, the feet

felt like cylinder blocks

Swim 250 yards made up 1/2 of my quitter workout

Thursday's Workout:

Spin Class 1hr.

Friday's Workout:

Run 10 miles (13:15)

Nothing like the TX heat from 1-3 PM

Like, I'm a Quiter

Thanks for all your expert advice. Some of you ladies have suffered the same so it was good to know it wasn't just me. I guess the higher mileage in the heat is causing this. I have been applying Neosporin, and trying to keep the area dry. Here is a Cramer tip for you all, invest in JNJ because I will be buying Vaseline by the industrial size since Body Glide quit on me. Jess, and a few others mentioned to keep the shoes dirty like a badge of honor. I am all about showing the battle scars, so dirty they will remain. I will also pike down, and invest in some cycling shorts.

Shane and I were in bed last night he was almost asleep when he said, "Can you turn down that Hills crap?" I said, "How did you know it was "The Hills?" To which, he responded, "they say like every other word, and so are you these days." Like, I have no idea what the hell he's like talking about...HAHAHA!


I went for an early swim today since I like had a hair appointment this morning. I left this morning like at 5:30 to the gym with my swimsuit on and swim cap, a la' Java! My hair guy cut tons of damaged hair off. Like, the pool really eff's up your hair even with a swim cap. He also got out all my grays, and highlights for my summer hair. So, it will be like all cute for vacation. We leave for vacation in 10 days. WHOHOO! I will tell you guys where we are going next week. Oh yea, my point about the swim. Anyways, I was supposed to do like 2000 yards, and I quit after 700 yards. It wasn't even a long swim it was broken down into a few 100's, quite a bit 200's, and some 50's. I don't know why I am such a quitter at swimming. When I run if I have to do 5 or whatever, I just keep going even if I have to crawl till the Garmin reads 5. I do the same on the bike. I will not even think if dismounting that saddle till the scheduled mileage is done. I know swimming is my worst, yet I insist on just stepping outta the pool, and saying screw it! How do I plan on being a better swimmer when I quit?! I have a running day tomorrow, but since I was a slacker today I will go back to the pool tomorrow evening and play catch up. Like, I will be no swimming quitter, but I will try to cut out the like in my vocab.

My Hair, The first pic is my angry model pose..HAHAH! Since are not some of the best photo shoots done in the kitchen?!

The second one is just me all cheesy smile.

Today's Workout:

Swim

3x100:20

7x200:25 quit after my 2nd 200 :-(

6x50:10

Advice

I need help, it will be a little T.M.I. , but I won't post pics because than this blog will change to a different kind of blog. I did pull Shane into the pantry after dinner and flashed him. At, first his face was like oh yea, getting some than he said, "gross, Viv!"

1. I have serious chafing under my boobs. It started on my long run on Saturday. After, today's workout there are puss blisters (I wanted to make it plural but the spelling was tripping me out) under there. Needless to say it hurts. I have no idea what to put on there??
2. I also have some chafing on my OK even more T.M.I. on my butt cheeks?! I am guessing from the bike since I wore running shorts. What do I put there? Is it time to invest in some cycling shorts?
3. My running shoes are super dirty. Can they be washed? If so how? I just never thought of throwing $100 pair of shoes in the wash. Do I use gentle cycle?

Thanks for any advice you can throw my way :-) Today was my official weigh in day, and the 5lbs. was officially gone! I guess when you follow WeWa it works. I know the weight loss will slow down, but I am committed to keep losing.

Today's Workout:

BRICK

(rolling hills, well as hilly as it gets in the far west side of The Woodlands)

Bike 14.72 Miles 1:03 (14mph)

Run 4 Miles 51:40 (12:55)

Fairytale Nine

Today was the longest run to date on the schedule, 9 miles. I headed to The Woodlands, where I do most of my runs. I never will know why we moved from there, oh yea cause we couldn't afford it. Maybe in the future. I am not too far from there anyway so I still go visit the trails, and do my rides out there. It is just a friendly sports area. People will still stop at pedestrian crossings, and let you by with a smile, birds chirping, squirrels jumping outta bushes to say hi, beautifully shaded never ending miles of sidewalk trails, running peeps giving the runners sup nod. So, yea it is basically my fairytale running setting.

I took Lil' Buster for his 5 year check up this week. I knew his pediatrician was a runner since I have seen her at local running events. I found out she was also a triathlete when I was looking for my bib number on the Lone Star Triathlon log, and saw her name. She was registered for the 1/2 Iron and did it in a little over 6 hours. So, being the runner/swimmer/cycling stalker I have become. I dressed Lil' Buster in his tee that said My Mommy is a Lone Star Traithlete hoping she would bring it up. She did, and we talked triathlon while some sick kids were waiting to see their Dr. :-O Come to find out she is the secretary of the local tri club, and encouraged me to come to the meeting at the end of the month. She told me there are several beginner athletes and a few sponsored athletes, and they have several workouts to help us improve. Yea! See, being a stalker has payoffs..HAHAHA!

I have been back on Weight Watchers hardcore this week. I jumped on the scale and a 5lb loss thus far, but official weigh in day is Monday. So, I won't make it official till than. After, seeing some of the pictures that the photographer took on the course of the tri I thought oh man have I got to get serious with the eating side of my fitness. I want to be a hawt triathlete MILF after all, HAHAHA!

Recovery Week

Monday's Workout:

5 Mile Run (12:42)

Tuesday's Workout:

Cycling 20 minutes

Wednesday's Workout:

4 Miles (12:18)

Thursday's Workout:

1 hr. spin class

500 yard swim

Friday's Workout:

500 yard swim

Saturday's Workout:

9 Miles (12:42) -- deja vu' consistently slow