What happens after a marathon?

So yes, I did it. Instead of doing a carbon copy of the post from my running blog, I think I'll just link it right here.

So what happens now? I'll admit that I am already thinking about running again. I've got dreams for a half-marathon or maybe even another full one down the line, a few 10- and 5Ks here and there. Who knows? I'll see what I can fit in before my schedule says, "Stop running, have a baby." (Ooooh, I just said it!)

So now that my stomach has stopped hating me (for the most part), my junk food cravings are running rampant. I have never been so excited to eat Kraft dinner. And what's worse, I'm thinking of doing it "the bad way" and doing it with all butter/margerine, no milk, because apparently it tastes even better that way. I'm not actually going to do it, but I'm thinking about putting a little more butter and a little less milk. Oh my, this is so gross.

My legs feel sore, but they're not as heavy as they were yesterday. I'm already thinking of running maybe 5-10K on Saturday, just for old time's sake. What does that even mean?

I have to go out on Friday night. I MUST. I haven't gone out late on a Friday night since July and I PAID for it (I ran 25K the next morning while hungover. Bad idea.). Wow, back to normal life...

Another positive minute

Climb Out of Your Rut
By Robert H. Schuller

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

Is it possible that you are in a negative-thinking rut?

Aeronautical engineers in the 1920s said it was impossible to fly faster than the speed of sound, but they were wrong. Is it possible you might be placing your faith on some negative precept? What ideas are limiting your growth? What opinions are restricting you?

Ruts have a way of becoming security blankets in your second childhood. Most little children have their favorite blanket. Many of your negative, deeply ingrained opinions and well-entrenched conclusions become emotional security blankets, holding you back from: daring to get into business for yourself, daring to go back to college, daring to tackle a physical fitness program, or daring to make a major career change in mid-life!

It takes a lot of faith to pack up and move to a new city, state or country.

What ruts are you in? You're free to leave that rut. A rut, you know, is a grave – with the ends knocked out.

Come alive. Climb out of it. Tackle some exciting new possibilities today! Just make sure you are guided by God Almighty and His holy Word. Psalm 119:105 says that God's "word is a lamp to [your] feet and a light to [your] path"! Follow it.
Don't let your ruts become security blankets.
* * *
O God, You have the power to release me from negative, locked-in thinking. Help me to see beyond the ruts and look toward the exciting, new possibilities that await me.
* * *

Cheerleaders

I had my siblings and nephews and nieces over the other night. We worked on an honouree board for the Team In Training pasta party and tent. We put together pictures of my Mom and my Mom and us and my Mom and her sisters and my Mom and her parents and my Mom and Dad and had words to describe what and who Mom is to us and everyone who knows her.

Here are some words we chose:
Strong
Brave
Spiritual
Admirable
Fun-loving
Friendly
Honourable
Positive
Faithful

I found that these words aren’t just who she is, but what she has made us. Even without her being here, she has made us just like her. Those of us who were old enough to have learned something from her taught those of us who were still too young to understand. She’d be proud of that.

This weekend, I’m excited to have such a huge support team to cheer for me and TNT as we run kilometers and kilometers for such a wonderful cause. I know that I really am going to cross that finish line because I have their love all the time. It goes without saying.

I’m excited to have my parents cheering for me too. They’re not always able to make it to these crazy things I do, but I’m totally looking forward to seeing them carry signs, clapping, pumping fists, and all that other stuff.

Sunday’s going to be one of the best days of my life.

As my reward, after the marathon the TNT victory party, then a baby shower, I’ll be heading down to the Janet Jackson Rock Witchu concert, which I’ve been looking forward to for years. I’ve wanted to see her in concert since my cousins and sisters were raving about her years ago. I’ll keep enough energy in my legs to jump up and down when she gets on stage!

Here it comes!

I am actually running a marathon in 6 days.

At this point, I know I’m physically prepared, so the trick is to keep my head in check. I know what this means and I know what is required of me, yet, I find myself wondering if the preparations I’m making mentally are the ones I should be making. I know there isn’t an exact science on how to psyche yourself up before something like this, but I’ve never done a long race like this in my life.

If I had to sum up how I’ve been feeling lately, the word is nervous. I am nervous. I’m not sure why. I know once we start, that feeling will subside, but it’s just the anxiety of the starting line. In the other runs I’ve done before, I’ve always felt the adrenaline of the group, but all those times, I was running with someone, namely my brother. This time, I’ve got my team with me, but I do wish I had someone close to run with me…

…and I do. This time I’ve got my Mom to run beside me the whole way and I know that maybe not everyone will be able to run with her, but I know she’ll be right beside me, even if it is on a Segway or something…whatever fun forms of transportation she decides to bring from Heaven.

So what I ask is this – please pray for my peace of mind and that in the days to come, I’ll continue to think positive thoughts and my nervousness will be replaced by total excitement.

Another new leaf

I turned over another new leaf recently…work stuff. It’s funny how this whole thing came about (well, actually, it’s funny NOW). We did a big office move a few weeks ago and I only actually unpacked on Friday. The move though, wasn’t the new leaf. I’ve “leap-frogged” into a new position at work that requires much more responsibility but you know, it’s nice to be in a spot where what you put out is what you’re capable of doing, no more, no less, no more busy work. I’m at the same level as my potential. I have a lot to learn still and I do need some hand-holding sometimes, but that’s okay. We all do. I’ve managed things before in previous jobs, but now, I’m being challenged every day (no, I’m not talking about the daily challenge of pulling myself out of bed in the morning). It’s nice to have a challenge, because when you get through, you feel good. You’ve succeeded.

This is good.

The Tiara

No offence to tiara girls, but I have never been possessed enough to wear one of these seriously. I guess I'm just not a tiara kind of girl. So, what makes a tiara girl a tiara girl?

Does she think about what she'd like to do with her hair and decide that a tiara would be the perfect accessory?
Does she see it as a little crown?
Does she feel like a princess and so finds that a tiara would suit her just right?
Does it land on her head while her hairdresser is doing her hair (i.e. is it unintentional at first?)?
Is one of its main purposes to keep her bangs out of the way or is it purely aesthetic?

Obviously, since I'm not a tiara girl, I don't understand the psychology behind wearing a tiara. Someone help me out.

This was a joke tiara, by the way.

Ooooops

While playing with the layout of my blog, I lost my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED list. :(

I was able to salvage/make up whatever it was that my other widgets contained though...now I just have to remember what it was I recommended. Shoot.

This Generation's Idea of Music

I was just talking to my friend the other day about how I can't keep up with the music playing on the airwaves today. I'm not sure if it's a sign of me getting older and thinking that it's all racket or maybe I'm just not "with it".

Anyway, on the way to work today, Jaye and I heard THIS ("Can't Believe It") on the radio and I thought, "Another T-Pain song, using his funny voice-warping machine" (if the man spoke to me in person, not only would I think he's Lil Jon, but I'd also not recognize his voice), and not only that, so is Lil Wayne...I think. Then Jaye goes, "Tell me what Lil Wayne is saying...just wait..."

I have no idea...you tell me.



P.S. Google the lyrics...even they're not coherent!

Pictures post

So I figure that since it's near impossible to buy a cell phone now that doesn't have a camera, I take advantage of mine and take pictures of things I find funny, odd, rare, confusing, you get my drift...and then I realized -- I don't post these anywhere!! So, for your amusement, here's my fun collection of pictures...

Believe it or not, the striped thing on the top half of this picture is a guy's JACKET...or should I say COAT? I was on the bus and this guy comes on flossin' in this THING and well, how could I not take a picture?

So one day Jaye and I decided to go watch a movie at Scotia Theatre...after the llllllllllllong escalator ride up (that's right, it's a RIDE), I nearly CRASHED into Will Ferrell. How awesome would it be to crash into him? He walked right in front of me over to this large poster to take some pictures just before the screening of his latest movie at the time, Semipro.

P.S. He's friggin' tall.

(I'm not sure why this was flipped, but anyway...) When did this happen? Text messaging from a pay phone? Whatever.

I found this hilarious...and hey, it worked, I bought me several boxes of "NEW Diamond Shreddies"!!!

I'm guessing people 'round here missed the small stop sign.

Earth Hour love on the DVP, in my building, at the Science Centre.

When we were registering at The Bay, Jaye and I saw this and decided that we wouldn't need to put this on our registry...we can't have two Jasons on our bed.

Rosie O'Donnell at Indigo

On a business trip in Niagara, I fell in love with this Hershey kiss...and then I ate it.

Look what I did! Just kidding.

Just a few hours before leaving for our honeymoon, and after scouting out numerous Bay stores from a few days before the wedding to the day after, we found my luggage at Fairview mall and I was absolutely ecstatic.

Something tells me frat boys may have been involved when this map at the airport to help travelers as made.

OMG OMG, Bath & Body Works in Canada!!!

The calm before the storm (flipped).

20 bucks says Max is in some dentist's office.

That's some serious butter chicken.