Well, this is embarrassing.....

Excuse me.... I'm just here clearing out cobwebs and letting a little sunshine in.  Really, Nik?  This place has been vacant for how long?

I've thought about Skillzville.  Just not enough to do anything about the sad state of affairs that this blog had become.

Until now!

In a nutshell, I have GOT to get it together.  I hit a banner birthday this year... the big four-oh.  Sadly, I spent most of the last year letting my health slide.  There was a foot injury that sidelined me.  Then there was another surgery that sidelined me some more.  And I was so tired of starting over.  So tired.  But then I realized?

If I don't quit, I never have to start over.

So tonight, for the first time in a year, I pulled out my running shoes and hit the bike path.  My goodness, it was ugly.  U.  G.  L.  Y.

But?  I wasn't on the couch.  I wasn't snacking on pretzels and binge watching Pretty Little Liars (don't judge me).   As tough as my first run back was, I can't wait to do it again!

Accountability.  I haz none.  Well, I haz haz'd none.  Shit's gotta change, yo.  So welcome back to Skillzville.  Population: 1 lady who is gonna get her groove back.

Resolution, shmesolution.

So here we are.  The first day of a shining new year.  2013 was a pretty rad  year.  It was filled with friends, family, accomplishments, and general happiness.  I will be sad to see it go, but there's nothing like a new year to give you that clean slate feeling.

I haven't made a "resolution" in years.  How many times have I resolved to weigh xxx lbs by June, then felt like a total slug because I didn't get there?  It ain't no way to live your life, you guys!

Once again this year, I won't be making a "resolution."  What I will be doing is reminding myself that I can take responsibility for my choices, and I can make better, healthier choices.  And by making better, healthier choices, I'll feel like I'm a better, healthier person.

Happy 2014!




Maybe I should resolve to blog more often....

Heh.

Once upon a time, I kept a livejournal.  Yep, I did.

It's been no less than 15 years ago, and for some reason tonight, "log in to livejournal!" popped into my head.  So I did.  Or at least I tried.

A nastygram popped up that said This journal has been purged and deleted.

Fitting.  Very fitting.

Well, they didn't say rum.....

But they did say FREE BEER at the finish line, so there's that.

I know you all have been waiting with bated breath (HA!) for me to post about the marathon, but it's taken me a day or so to wrap my head around the whole thing.  So here's the lowdown.

First and foremost, let me just say I think I'll be ticking half marathons off the ol' bucket list.  

So, the good stuff....

The weather was great.  A little drizzly in the AM, but nice and cool.  It stayed overcast most of the morning, which kept the temp down.  The sun came out around mile 8, but it was still great weather. It never got hot.

It was the Air Force Marathon, and the course took us through Wright Patt.  I got to see some very cool things I never would have had the chance to see otherwise.  Also, since it was on base, service men (and women, of course) were guarding the barricades and they were cheering us on.  They cheered us as we ran/walked by, and we thanked them for their service.

I got a medal!  Not a first place (or even 50th place) medal, but I have a beautiful finishers medal that I will forever be proud of.  

My boy stayed at my side the whole time, even though I'm sure it was killing him to stay at my pace.  And we walked with a very dear friend.  I still say she is a dear friend, even though she's the one who suckered us into this in the first place.

Free beer!  And water, milk (eww, right?  But I guess runners swear by it), huge chunks of bread, bananas and LaRosa's pizza at the finish line.

I burned over 2300 calories in just over 4 hours.  YEAH!!!!

Now, the not so good...

I can't lie, you guys.  I'mma bring it to you raw.  It was brutal.  BRUTAL.  I kept thinking "13.1 miles?  Eh, I'm going to walk it.  No sweat."  Because really, who can't walk 13 miles, amIright? 

I will just tell you that by mile 7, the boy and I weren't even talking out of the need for me to conserve energy.  By mile 9, I was stopping at least once, if not twice, a mile to stretch.  About mile 10, my muscles were on fire and my feet hurt like nothing I've ever felt and I had to will myself not to cry.

Around mile 8, this was our conversation:

Boy:  Come on, babe.  You can do this.

Me:  I know.  I know.  *whimper* OhmyGodIhurtallover.

Boy:  But we're almost done!  We just hit mile 8!

Me:  That is so, so good.  Wait a minute... mile 8?  That means we have FIVE MORE TO GO!

Not only did I do a 13.1 mile course, but it was no less than a 1 mile walk from car to starting line, and from finish line back to car.  I.  Wanted.  To.  Die.

My feet still hurt.  I've been gimping around for two days.  No foolies.

But here's the thing.  There are no words to describe going down the final quarter mile stretch, under the wings of old military planes, and crossing that finish line.  My legs were barely holding me up by then and I was so exhausted I was willing myself into putting one foot in front of the other, but I had the biggest smile as I crossed.  

So, no - I have absolutely no desire to do a half marathon ever again.  You have my full permission to bust my chops if I sign up next year.  But I do want to keep running.  10k's?  I'd totally be down for that.  You know... once I can walk normally again. 

I thought they said RUM!

It's almost here, you guys!  Marathon weekend!!!!  According to the countdown on their website says it's just 1 day, 4 hours and 15 minutes (and 12 seconds).

I have my RUNNOFT playlist all updated.  I have energy gels and bars to stash in my belt.  Tech socks are clean.  Stocked up on Bodyglide.  Bib pickup is tomorrow. A carb-licious dinner planned.  And praying hard for no rain!

Even though the boy and I never expected to set any speed records, I am a little bummed that I had a minor setback with training (you know, that whole losing an organ thing).  As long as I get across that finish line, I will be SO FREAKING STOKED.

This happened. This REALLY happened.

Scene: Bath and Body Works, one poor young girl working the store alone on a Sunday afternoon.

Clerk: I'm so sorry for your wait, thanks for being patient.  I'll be right with you all.

Me, the next person in line: No worries, you look a little swamped.

Broad perusing the table next to the register to her daughter: Maggie, come on.  We're next.

Me: Looks behind me to see if I'm the only person to notice this bitch cutting the line.  Excuse me, I've been here for a few minutes.  There's a line.

Broad: I was actually in line, just looking at this table.

Guy behind me:  Well, then you were not in line.  That is called "still shopping."

Broad:  I have to get my daughter to a birthday party.  Sits stuff down on counter right smack in front of me.

Guy behind me:  Great lesson for your daughter on respecting others.

Broad: Ignores guy.  We're on our way to a birthday party.  It said no gifts, but I think this would be nice for my daughter to give her, don't you?  Do you have any ribbons we could tie on these?  Maggie, these are 5 for $10.  Can you go pick two more?

Me:  You're kidding, right?  You are what's wrong with humanity.

Why, WHY didn't I channel my inner Rube?  Had I not been so shocked by her rude behavior (really, what is this, the middle school lunch line?), I would have Rubed her in a heartbeat.

Self-imposed fail whale

Tonight, I bid a fond adieu to my Twitter account.  I just can't handle the narcissistic, meaningless CRAP of social media these days.  There are more important things in life, you guys.