It's funny (well, not really) how you can build expectations up in your head and how the reality of those expectations just never quite pan out. My four day weekend began, in it's planning stages, as a weekend long visit with family built around my participation in a 5K race and ended up as a 3 day weekend with no family, lots of driving, and a lot of unexpected down time. I'll spare you all the renditions of the planning stage, but let's just say, the revisions of my weekend plans could take up a few chapters in my book of life.
The positive? I set out to do a 5K and did it. I earned an awesome medal, and enjoyed 5k of hugely rolling hills, in an amazingly peaceful nature preserve/park. The drawbacks? Outside of the 5k, I'm disappointed that I feel (so far) that I have not made the most of the rest of my time off. The fact of the matter is, when I return to work tomorrow I'll have hell to pay, meaning, I'll be swamped in catch up work. Knowing myself, when I am at the height of my frustration with the overwhelming workload, I will think back to my weekend and ask myself, "Was it worth it?" and at the moment, I can't say that the answer would be "yes".
Additionally, my upcoming work schedule for the week is insane, including three 17+ hour days which leaves me with an overwhelming feeling of, if I don't get "it" all done now (laundry, cleaning, errands, etc) I won't have the energy, enthusiasm or time for "it" later. So how do I balance these feelings and nagging responsibilities? Do I feel sorry for myself about the dashed plans? Do I just pick up and carry on like nothing happened? A bit of both, really.
By blogging and thinking things through here (blogging = cheap therapy) I realize that my time off is mine and deserved no matter what I do with it. I have to push through the mental brainwashing that tells me that time off must be filled with non-stop movement and accomplishments. I have to realize that time off, can be just that. Time off. Away. Period.
So this post now finds me mid way through my Monday, and what have I done? I've slept in, burned a disc for a friend, blogged and ran an errand. I've had breakfast and my beloved morning cup of blueberry coffee, and quite frankly don't give a shit what the rest of the day brings (as long as it's not any more snow). There are numerous ideas of pampering and fun along with responsibilities swirling around in my head but one thing that won't be for today, is a check list of all the things I have to accomplish waiting to be marked off. Screw it. The best things in life aren't planned, and neither is this Monday.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Stairs
Stair training has taken on a whole new place in my workout, I love seeing how much faster I can go and just how hard I can work by changing up the intensity levels. The program called "Fat Burner Plus" is my favorite! Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a numbers junkie when it comes to time and distance, so my 2014 Hustle goal is to finish in under 20 minutes. That would mean shaving 5:46 off my current time, which I think is pretty manageable given I have a year to train! My personal best to date has been 84 flights in 20 minutes, so I'm improving slowly (versus 71 in 20 minutes previously).
I recently found out that there is a Sears Tower Climb! So, that means that the next stair climb event for me will be (God willing) the Skyrise Chicago event, which tackles the 103 floors of the Sears Tower this fall! I can't wait! The irony of all this really is, that if you've read my 2011 blog, I'm afraid of stairs and falling up (yes up) and down them, so it would have never occurred to me that I might become addicted to them!
I recently found out that there is a Sears Tower Climb! So, that means that the next stair climb event for me will be (God willing) the Skyrise Chicago event, which tackles the 103 floors of the Sears Tower this fall! I can't wait! The irony of all this really is, that if you've read my 2011 blog, I'm afraid of stairs and falling up (yes up) and down them, so it would have never occurred to me that I might become addicted to them!
Monday, February 18, 2013
Germs
I would like to thank (insert sarcasm here) the human, walking petri dish that felt the need to infect me with their disgusting collection of contamination. Thanks to the selfish jerk(s) who believed their work was more important then the health of their co-workers, I have spent the last 72 hours on my couch with the stomach flu (I'll spare you the details of THAT), along with painful coughing, sneezing, burning lungs, a runny and stuffy nose, headache, fevers and chills. In addition to being miserable, I have missed two days of work, one of which will be without pay. So again, thank you to the ass-hat(s) who felt the need to come into work, cough and hack all over, sneeze without covering your mouth or nose, and pass on your craptacular germs.
Besides missing work, I've missed time planned with friends, time set aside to volunteer and help others (something YOU, the petri dish of ick did NOT do!), and time in the gym. I've been ridiculously lethargic and bored to the point of succumbing to watching cake decorating and Joan Rivers' marathons while revamping and collaging photos on Instagram for sources of couch-ridden entertainment.
Oh - and did I mention that I have 6 days to miraculously get better and rebuild my lung capacity in order to participate (somewhat successfully) in the Hustle Up the Hancock event? Seriously, was I not meant to do this event? I am not at all happy with being sick and what it has un-enabled me to do! I have a life, damn it and I need to get back to it!
So, for those of you who are sick and feel the need to go to work and spread the "love", you can take this blog post as a personal note of condemnation from me. WORK is not that important, and neither are you. I don't mean that to sound as insulting as it may come off, but we are all replaceable. In the end, what should matter most is the life and times spent OUTSIDE of the workplace, and you have taken away 72 valuable hours from me. And yes, I'm just a little bitter about it.
Besides missing work, I've missed time planned with friends, time set aside to volunteer and help others (something YOU, the petri dish of ick did NOT do!), and time in the gym. I've been ridiculously lethargic and bored to the point of succumbing to watching cake decorating and Joan Rivers' marathons while revamping and collaging photos on Instagram for sources of couch-ridden entertainment.
Oh - and did I mention that I have 6 days to miraculously get better and rebuild my lung capacity in order to participate (somewhat successfully) in the Hustle Up the Hancock event? Seriously, was I not meant to do this event? I am not at all happy with being sick and what it has un-enabled me to do! I have a life, damn it and I need to get back to it!
So, for those of you who are sick and feel the need to go to work and spread the "love", you can take this blog post as a personal note of condemnation from me. WORK is not that important, and neither are you. I don't mean that to sound as insulting as it may come off, but we are all replaceable. In the end, what should matter most is the life and times spent OUTSIDE of the workplace, and you have taken away 72 valuable hours from me. And yes, I'm just a little bitter about it.
Monday, February 11, 2013
It's Almost Here...
This picture should have gone with my last post, but for some reason, I couldn't upload it at the time. I call it, "The Booger Picker".
But onto February, and today's post...
Cupid's holiday is just 3 days away and I just got around to taking my Christmas tree down last weekend! Where does the time go? Do you ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything you want done, completed? Or better yet, you have the time to complete your "to-do" list, but can't find the motivation or energy to do so? I unfortunately toggle between those two points of existance at any given moment.
So not only is Valentine's day coming (by the way, what are you doing to celebrate?), but so is my unicorn. Okay, unicorns don't exist, but on the 24th of this month I'll be tackling one of my "unicorns". You know, one of those things you think about, you might chase, but never get to capture? For me, my unicorn is tackling the Hustle Up the Hancock event. The Hustle is 94 flights of stairs and 1,632 steps of hell (in my opinion). So why do I want to do this event you ask? Because it's always eluded me and I want it, damn it!
In the past, I've been met with some obstacles when it comes to tackling this beast. During one year of training I dislocated my knee which ultimately sidelined me from participating. And registration? Let's talk about registration! I've attempted to register for Hustle in the past to no avail as individual registration sells out at record speed. But don't you worry, this year I got smart! I'm listening to my body and learning when to back off from training, and I joined a Corporate Team and let THEM do all the registration work for me guaranteeing me a spot! It's official, I've got my t-shirt, I've got my bib and now all I need to do is show up and earn the medal that they hand out at the top!!!
Here's to praying that nothing happens to negatively impact my climb between today, and event day! Wish me luck!!!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Animals Are Gross
(I've been meaning to post this for a week, but couldn't get the photo to upload, so sadly - no picture of a giraffe licking it's nose!)
Sunday at the zoo I witnessed two chimps "grooming" each other. Yes, imagine one chimpanzee orally "grooming" the other's genitals. This was then followed by the troop patriarch exposing himself to the others, and then manually "relieving" himself. Yeah, just a bit awkward. These lovely acts were followed by a giraffe (in a different exhibit obviously) licking the boogers out of it's nose, which - in comparison to the before mention actions, seemed almost cute.
Of course I'm an adult and aware of what people and animals do, but I still have to say, I'd rather just not see it going on in the zoo. No, I'm not a prude, but I think my brain has been permanently tarnished in some way now! What I mean is, when I am at the zoo I tend to appreciate the animals for NOT being humans, and here they were doing very "human" behaviors (yes, I know animals breed too and that some have sex for fun, etc, etc...). Still, I guess I wish to envision the world's animals as majestic and not subject to human behaviors, whether they're good, bad or normal!
Needless to say, I did my best to avoid contact with the "oohing and ahhing" children that surrounded the scenes in efforts that I (as a volunteer educator) would not have to explain what was going on! Thankfully, no one approached me on those particular behaviours! Instead, when pointing to an empty turtle shell, I got asked by a small child to explain where the animal had moved to? And why didn't he like his current home? Sheesh.
Sunday at the zoo I witnessed two chimps "grooming" each other. Yes, imagine one chimpanzee orally "grooming" the other's genitals. This was then followed by the troop patriarch exposing himself to the others, and then manually "relieving" himself. Yeah, just a bit awkward. These lovely acts were followed by a giraffe (in a different exhibit obviously) licking the boogers out of it's nose, which - in comparison to the before mention actions, seemed almost cute.
Of course I'm an adult and aware of what people and animals do, but I still have to say, I'd rather just not see it going on in the zoo. No, I'm not a prude, but I think my brain has been permanently tarnished in some way now! What I mean is, when I am at the zoo I tend to appreciate the animals for NOT being humans, and here they were doing very "human" behaviors (yes, I know animals breed too and that some have sex for fun, etc, etc...). Still, I guess I wish to envision the world's animals as majestic and not subject to human behaviors, whether they're good, bad or normal!
Needless to say, I did my best to avoid contact with the "oohing and ahhing" children that surrounded the scenes in efforts that I (as a volunteer educator) would not have to explain what was going on! Thankfully, no one approached me on those particular behaviours! Instead, when pointing to an empty turtle shell, I got asked by a small child to explain where the animal had moved to? And why didn't he like his current home? Sheesh.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Warmth, Chicken Shit and Chicken...
Warmth...
This past week and weekend were unseasonably warm for a Chicago January. Not that I'm complaining, however! Despite the warm and sunny week with temperatures in the 50's, I unfortunately did not get outside to enjoy it (not even for lunch) but, I was lucky enough to get outside in the surprising weather yesterday!
Saturday I took part in a 5K race that I had been anticipating for nearly a year. I couldn't wait to complete this particular race as it was the third and final race in a series for me. The "pro's" of the morning? The race motivated me to get up and outdoors in the early AM before the weather turned cold (otherwise I might have been a snuggle bug and stayed in bed all morning). I got some exercise and only needed to wear a t-shirt and a light running jacket (how refreshing!). I'd like to say that there were only positive things to say about the race, but unfortunately for the first time ever (after having participated in over 50 events or so) there was a down side.
The "con's" of the morning were really, only one. The race was not the full 5K distance as promised. As I have run this particular trail more then once, I realized it was too short to be 3.1 miles during the run, but knew I had followed (along with hundreds of others) the path as it was marked. The fact is, the race organization messed up, and I'm wondering (as this is my first experience with something like this) what, if anything, they will do for their participants. I am waiting on a reply from their organization and am optimistically hoping that they will offer some type of credit towards merchandise or a future race...we'll see what happens.
Back to the positive though... I did cross the finish line and I did receive my medal, however it felt like a hollow victory. After having checked my jog tracker I had traveled 1.86 miles which is just barley over a 3K race distance versus the promised 3.1. Not to be defeated though, this optimist, post race, then walked the full length of Grant Park and hiked to the Red Line in order to surpass the 3.1 distance. Go "glass is half full" thinking!
Chicken Shit?
Yep, I am one. Despite my other blog telling me to do one thing every day that scares me, I couldn't bring myself to spray tan! Despite having a free option to do so, I mentally talked myself out of a free spray tanning session. All I could picture is a streaked and uneven tan resembling a zebra, and turning the color of the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! I know plenty of people who have had positive experiences with it, but, well... I guess I will leave that to them. What are you afraid of that you just couldn't concur?
Chicken...
I bought some. Not the real, live animal or the over priced, conveniently pre-cooked and ready to serve "short cuts" package, but real, raw and organic chicken breasts from my grocer's freezer. Why is this blog worthy? Well, I've joined a 30 day "Real Food Challenge" that is asking it's participants to eat only whole foods - nothing processed. Let me tell you, buying the chicken and knowing I have to deal with cooking it "the old fashion way" has been the hardest part so far. How spoiled I have become with life's overly processed, but super convenient, pre-cooked (with additives) cooking options!
This week's menu will supply chicken breast and grilled zucchini, chicken fajitas wrapped in a lettuce shell, and perhaps some mixed salads and strir-fry options while snacking on fruits and nuts. As a recent gluten-free goer, reducing the grains in my diet doesn't seem like a big adjustment, but of course I say this pre day 1 of the challenge (which starts tomorrow). I'm sure there will be a blog update somewhere along the way with me craving pizza or tacos or something. Have you taken on any challenges recently? If so, what were they and how did they turn out?
Happy Sunday Readers - I'm off to the zoo!
This past week and weekend were unseasonably warm for a Chicago January. Not that I'm complaining, however! Despite the warm and sunny week with temperatures in the 50's, I unfortunately did not get outside to enjoy it (not even for lunch) but, I was lucky enough to get outside in the surprising weather yesterday!
Saturday I took part in a 5K race that I had been anticipating for nearly a year. I couldn't wait to complete this particular race as it was the third and final race in a series for me. The "pro's" of the morning? The race motivated me to get up and outdoors in the early AM before the weather turned cold (otherwise I might have been a snuggle bug and stayed in bed all morning). I got some exercise and only needed to wear a t-shirt and a light running jacket (how refreshing!). I'd like to say that there were only positive things to say about the race, but unfortunately for the first time ever (after having participated in over 50 events or so) there was a down side.
The "con's" of the morning were really, only one. The race was not the full 5K distance as promised. As I have run this particular trail more then once, I realized it was too short to be 3.1 miles during the run, but knew I had followed (along with hundreds of others) the path as it was marked. The fact is, the race organization messed up, and I'm wondering (as this is my first experience with something like this) what, if anything, they will do for their participants. I am waiting on a reply from their organization and am optimistically hoping that they will offer some type of credit towards merchandise or a future race...we'll see what happens.
Back to the positive though... I did cross the finish line and I did receive my medal, however it felt like a hollow victory. After having checked my jog tracker I had traveled 1.86 miles which is just barley over a 3K race distance versus the promised 3.1. Not to be defeated though, this optimist, post race, then walked the full length of Grant Park and hiked to the Red Line in order to surpass the 3.1 distance. Go "glass is half full" thinking!
Chicken Shit?
Yep, I am one. Despite my other blog telling me to do one thing every day that scares me, I couldn't bring myself to spray tan! Despite having a free option to do so, I mentally talked myself out of a free spray tanning session. All I could picture is a streaked and uneven tan resembling a zebra, and turning the color of the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! I know plenty of people who have had positive experiences with it, but, well... I guess I will leave that to them. What are you afraid of that you just couldn't concur?
Chicken...
I bought some. Not the real, live animal or the over priced, conveniently pre-cooked and ready to serve "short cuts" package, but real, raw and organic chicken breasts from my grocer's freezer. Why is this blog worthy? Well, I've joined a 30 day "Real Food Challenge" that is asking it's participants to eat only whole foods - nothing processed. Let me tell you, buying the chicken and knowing I have to deal with cooking it "the old fashion way" has been the hardest part so far. How spoiled I have become with life's overly processed, but super convenient, pre-cooked (with additives) cooking options!
This week's menu will supply chicken breast and grilled zucchini, chicken fajitas wrapped in a lettuce shell, and perhaps some mixed salads and strir-fry options while snacking on fruits and nuts. As a recent gluten-free goer, reducing the grains in my diet doesn't seem like a big adjustment, but of course I say this pre day 1 of the challenge (which starts tomorrow). I'm sure there will be a blog update somewhere along the way with me craving pizza or tacos or something. Have you taken on any challenges recently? If so, what were they and how did they turn out?
Happy Sunday Readers - I'm off to the zoo!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Happy/Unhappy
Things That Make Me Happy
An official end to my holidays and returning to a normal schedule...
Yoga...
Hugs from friends just because...
The length of sunshine and daylight per day is getting longer by the minute...
Easy to maintain, low maintenance hair styles!
Sunflower seeds in my salad...
Clearance sales...
Warm weekend forecasts (in JANUARY!)
Fitting into a size smaller pants (no matter how tight they are!)
York Peppermint Patties...
Things That Make Me Not So Happy
Craving a York Peppermint Patty...
Still needing to take down my overly, abundantly, decorated Christmas tree...
Uncooperative people...
Not enough hours in the day to workout or have as much fun as I'd like...
People who gripe about Facebook while using Facebook...
Still craving a York Peppermint Patty...
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