A Tangled Mess No More!

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Run DMT

When my girls are due for a trim, Allana always begs me to take her to Sweet & Sassy for her haircut. I adore the whole Sweet & Sassy glittery pampering experience as much as my girls, but on a tight SAHMom-on-the-run race budget, princess haircuts at Sweet & Sassy simply are not financially feasible for two girls even with discounts or specials.

But when I got wind of Sweet & Sassy’s Tangled haircut promotion for the release of the Tangled DVD, I rushed the girls right into the salon. Any girl who donated 10” of hair to Locks of Love would receive a free haircut and style. BUT, would my girls be willing to donate 10” of their beautiful curls for a good cause and a free haircut?

Even if my girls weren’t willing to donate their hair, I decided to still bring them into the salon to take advantage of the “buy one haircut, get a second haircut 50% off” deal and all the Tangled fun Sweet & Sassy was offering.

So when I picked them up from school and informed the girls about Sweet & Sassy’s Tangled event, Allana agreed to do it. Her exact words were, “Sure. I’ll do it. Wait. How short will my hair be?” Emmalynn wasn’t quite so willing at first.

Using a tape measure, I showed the girls the length of 10”of hair and approximately how much hair would be left after the cut. Allana still agreed to do it. Once Emmalynn saw the length in the mirror, she was ready to do it. Her exact words were, “Oh! That will look so cute!”

And boy did those girls ever look so cute with their new dos! Later that evening, Allana told me she donated her hair in memory of Aunt June. Her unexpected, unprompted gesture caught me off guard and really choked me up.

I am so proud of my beautiful girls and their generosity.

You Can Pick Your Peeps

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Run DMT

You can pick your Peeps.

And you can pick your nose.

But you can’t let your Peeps pick your nose.

Today is the last day to link up your purple post over at Gone Bananas for Kirsty’s Passionate Purple Day Giveaway. If the linky is closed, simply add your link to the comments section and you can still be illegible for the drawing.

Random Thoughts About My Runs and My Issues

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Run DMT

So hubbie had his gall bladder surgery a couple of weeks ago and it went well and he’s healing nicley, but it really put a monkey wrench in my running. Since the surgery was a few days after my half-marathon, I needed a few days to rest anyway. But what I didn’t realize was that he would not be able to lift anything over 15 pounds while recovering, which meant he couldn’t lift Little Lion Man (who weighs close to 20 lbs).

What I did realize very quickly was how much Allan helps with the baby and how much I relied on him for my morning runs. And now because of his post-recovery orders, I couldn’t leave the baby with him. During that time, I was exhausted. I guess running really does gives me more energy or maybe it’s because I had to do all the late-night feedings when Allan usually helps me with that. Thanks goodness my MIL came over to help out with the baby during the day. That was a welcomed break.

In his post-surgery state (minus the gall bladder that had caused him so much pain for months), Allan was ready to kiss healthy eating good-bye like tofu and eat real food again. He salivated over steak. He craved corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day. He fancied some fish and chips. He wanted Hooters hot wings. Good Lord. A fattening feast was all my cholesterol needed! Of course, I obliged his requests while remembering portion control, but because of his fattening foods fiesta, I didn’t weigh myself for two weeks for fear that I gained weight.

I guess my thighs thanked my willpower. I lost another pound. Grand total weight loss = 26 pounds

Last Thursday, I returned back to my doctor’s office for more blood work. Hopefully, my cholesterol has dropped, no thanks to Allan’s bad food binge. I’ll find out the results this Thursday, but anticipating some improvement, I celebrated my new good blood with a beer that night and every night since last Thursday.

Every time I drop some more weight, I try on an old piece of clothing from my pre-pregnancy days. Last Friday, I tried on an old pair of cami cargo shorts and they fit! I was so excited! But when I sat in my newly reacquired old shorts, I ripped a hole in them which gave my cami shorts an authentic look as though they truly had been through the war. They must have been older than I thought, because the rip was not on the seam, but right down the middle of my bodacious badunkadunk cheek. Lovely. Apparently, those old cami shorts weren’t ready for this jelly ‘cause my body is bootylicious . Looks like you literally do win some and you lose some. Oh well. It’s a good excuse for me to buy a new pair of shorts.

Speaking of shorts, I stared sporting some running shorts since it’s been so hot and sticky lately. It ain’t the hottest look given the state of my flabby post-partum legs, but it’s much cooler than my running pants. I made the mistake of asking my husband how I looked in my shorts and he sheepishly said, “O.k.”

“But…,” I replied.

But I wouldn’t go anywhere in them.”

“Um…that’s kind of hard seeing how I’m running in them.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go the supermarket in them.”

“Thanks for your honesty hun. I’ll be sure to avoid running to Publix in them.”

Speaking of not such great looks…I need to buy some decent fitting panties because my usual comfy granny panties are getting too baggy since I’ve lost weight. When I run in these baggy granny panties, they bunch up in my butt which makes me have to pick my panties out of my ass every half mile. So if you ever wondered, yes, I really do have my panties all in a twist. And just for the record, I only wear granny panties when I run and to bed. Yeah, I am thatsexy. I’m too sexy for my granny panties.

On the subject of running…for the first week of Allan’s post surgery, I didn’t run. By the second week post-surgery, I finally managed to sneak in a run last Friday with my friend, Faith.

3.1 miles

Time 38:35

Ave Pace 12:27

Max Pace 8:34

Then, Tiffany and I ran 6 miles on Saturday.

6 miles

Time 1:17:48

Ave Pace 12:58

Max Pace 8:44

I slept in on Sunday and then a monsoon rolled in on Monday and put a damper on running that day, but I did some boot camp stuff with my BFF, Sharon Mann, who tore me a new one and I don’t mean an old pair of shorts either. I may need surgery to repair it.

This morning (Tuesday) I ran 3 miles in some super thick fog and I was grateful that no giant gingerbread men came after me, but I can’t say the same about the scary storm drain clowns. It was too dark and foggy to notice.

3.1 miles

Time 33:06

Ave Pace 10:41

Max Pace 8:43

However, I did notice some really bad driving this morning. Why do drivers pull past the white line in the road so that their car is sticking way beyond the stop sign, past the thick white line in the road and blocking the crosswalk which forces me to stop in my tracks and wait for them to pass? Shouldn’t they let me the (speedy pedestrian) pass? That just annoys me. Do they think that thick white line in the road is there for decoration to make the road look prettier? I think I may shine my LED flashlight at those drivers next time and spray their windshield with pepper spray so they will be forced to let me pass because their vision will be obstructed much like the crosswalk. I’m just saying. Drivers should stop for pedestrians/runners.

This has been another Run DMT public service announcement.

Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.

The Blackest Lily, Our Lucy

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Run DMT

Since they sobbed themselves to sleep after reuniting Daisy with her owner, Allan wanted to heal the girls’ broken hearts with a dog. He searched rescue sites and sent inquiry emails for a replacement Pomeranian. Only to have his request was denied because none of the dogs would do well in a home with children.

We mentioned to the girls that we were on the hunt for another Pomeranian but it would take a while since we weren’t having any luck. Every day, Allana anxiously asked for a Pomeranian update and offered suggestions for where to find one. Did you call the pound? Did you check the newspaper?

Finally, I had the idea to check craigslist for a dog and lo and behold, I found one. A black Pomeranian about 3 years old named CiCi who was great with kids. I contacted the owner and within 24 hours we welcomed CiCi into our home. (The craigslist experience is a story in itself, but this is CiCi’s story. I’ll save the craigslist story for another day.)

Her coat was mangy and matted with horrible dander flakes. Her nipples were the size of lug nuts and her belly sagged, so it appeared she had been bred repeatedly. (I felt her pain.) On the way home, she vomited three times in my car. Once in our home, she appeared nervous and didn’t understand commands. I worried that we had made a mistake.

Within a couple days, once she adjusted to her new home and settled in, she acted like an entirely different dog. She began to understand basic commands, like sit and stay. After a diet of better quality dog food other than the kibbles and crap her other owner fed her, her coat improved. It felt silky and gorgeous auburn highlights shimmered in her black coat.

Now she needed to shed that horrible name, CiCi, along with her mangy coat and her former life.

But what name? Emmalynn and I liked Lily or Poppy. We have two Roses (Allana and my middle name), we had a Daisy, so we should pick another flower name, like Lily. After all, she is The Blackest Lily.

Allan liked the name Roxy and honestly, I really liked that name too. You gotta love anything linked to a clothing line or a musical.

Allana liked Lucy, after her cousin in Scotland. Plus, it was an easy transition from CiCi to Lucy. That made perfect sense.

So Allana suggested we vote as a family to pick the dog’s new name and Roxy won but Allana pitched a fit so Lucy it is!

So without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to our newest family member, Cici Lily Roxy Lucy.

(Great story about the song, Lucy by Julian Lennon. Song starts at 3:33)

Visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

Killroy was here.

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Run DMT

In a Mardi Gras Mood

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Run DMT

Photobucket With all the talk of Fat Tuesday activities a couple weeks ago, I had a hankering for some Creole cuisine. So I tried my hand at some red beans and rice and man, it satisfied my N’awlins need. I attempted to recreate the red beans and rice dish at our own NOLA Café in Tampa and I think I did a damn good job.

Since it’s difficult to find MSG-free and nitrites free Andouille sausage in these parts, I substituted the Andouille sausage for Al Fresco Sundried Tomato Chicken Sausage. (Next time, I’d like to try Al Fresco Spicy Jalepeno Chicken Sausage or the Tofurky Kielbasa just to see how that works in place of the Andouille sausage.) I topped it with some Crystal hot sauce for some extra heat and no one was the wiser. It was so good, y’all. The only thing missing was the king cake.

*ETA March 31, 2011: Archer Farms makes an Andouille Sausage that is MSG and nitrites/nitrates free, which can be found in the meat section at your local SuperTarget or purchased on-line at Target.com. I used two links in place of the Al Fresco sausage in the recipe below and froze the rest for the next time I’m in a Mardi Gras mood. The Archer Farms Andouille Sausage offered just the right amount of heat and zest for my N’awlins nosh.*

Run DMT’s Delicious Red Beans and Rice Dish

2 cans of dark red kidney beans, unrinsed

1 package Al Fresco Sundried Tomato Chicken Sausage, quartered

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 bay leaves

1 bell pepper, diced

1 sweet onion, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried sage

1 cup water

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1 cup brown rice

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan. Sauté onions, peppers and celery in olive oil until softened.

While the vegetables (trinity) are sautéing, slice sausage link in half lengthwise. Then, slice the links again in half.

Once the trinity has softened in the pan, add bay leaves and garlic and let simmer with the vegetables for a minute. Add sliced sausage and let sauté for about 5 minutes. Then, add unrinsed canned kidneys beans, thyme, sage and red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and water. Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

For the rice, bring 1 cup of rice in a knuckle deep of water to a boil in a cover pot. Once boiling, lower heat to a very low simmer and simmer with lid on for 45 minutes or until rice is fluffy.

Now link up and see what If I Could Escape and Gone Bananas are serving for this week’s Friday Food Fight.

*Also submitted at*

Education

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Run DMT

When I heard this week’s theme for The Gallery, I knew just what photo to share. This photo was taken back in 1996 when I taught third grade at Rodney B. Cox Elementary in Dade City, Florida.

Only my second year teaching and I had so much to learn and that school and those kids taught it to me. Between old red brick walls, they taught me quite a lesson about myself and the world they we live in.

Academically and professionally, it was my toughest teaching year by far. But it also the most spiritual, rewarding and uplifting experience in all my years of teaching.

I grew professionally and became a great teacher, thanks to Cox Elementary and those kids. I believe I became a better person too.

I loved those kids and the person they taught me to be.

A Purple Picnic for Epilepsy

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Run DMT

Over spring break, Auntie Kirsten and I put together an impromptu purple picnic for our girls, a fine fuchsia feast that included two bite cupcakes and purple Peeps.

It was a deliciously fun time for a good cause.

Remember to wear purple on March 26 to support epilepsy awareness and link up your purple posts by March 28 here.

Pasco Challenge Recap

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Run DMT

It had been nearly two years since I last ran the Pasco Challenge half-marathon and given my latest slow and steady average pace of 11:00, there was no way I was even going to come close to finishing like I did two years ago.

It had also been nearly two years since I ran on the Starkey Trail and I had forgotten how lonely that trail can be. Don’t get me wrong. If you love nature and being outdoors, it’s a gorgeous trail to hike, bike or run. But for a people person like me, it was a long lonely 13.1 miles and the deer were not interested in any chat-chit. There were long stretches were I didn’t see another soul for miles.

Although I spent most of the race isolated from the world surrounded by flatwoods and swamp, the start of the race was quite congested. All races (5K, 10K, half-marathon, Bicycle Tour, 50K Bicycle Tour, 100K Bicycle) started at the same time. Pacing and chatting my friends, Chrissy and Faith, distracted me from crowd of people at the start.

Once Faith and Chrissy hit their turn around point, I picked up my pace a bit and began running about 9:30 for the next few miles as I held on tight to my water bottle. I worried that water stations would run out of water like they did two years ago. Plus, I wasn’t sure about the distance between the water stations. My water bottle became my Wilson. I felt safe and just holding it in my hand kept me hydrated.

Just before the 10K turn around, I saw Scott of Suncoast Running and Jackie fly by. At that pace, it was no surprise that Jackie placed third overall for the Women’s 10K.

Like billboards along the highway, I began noticing other half-marathoners heading back to the finish line and I knew the turnaround for the half marathon was near. Tim of Suncoast Running and Victoria of the Suncoast Striders were in the lead. I smiled and cheered on each athlete as they passed, but I envied their speed as I trotted along at my tortoise pace. Someday I’ll be somewhat fast again.

After another long lonely haul, I finally reached the half marathon turnaround at the end of the trail.

This year, the race organizers didn’t have us run a short distance on the Suncoast Trail. At the time, I didn’t think much of it because I was glad to be halfway through the race. I was also too consumed with taking photographs and sucking down a vanilla Cliff shot.

At that point, I finished off the last drop of my water bottle and at the mile 8 water station, I said good-bye to Sam (my Wilson I cleverly named after his Sams Choice water bottle label). I traded my trash (Sam and a Cliff Shot) for two cups of water.

Close to the 11 mile mark, I realized why the race route didn’t include the Suncoast Trail. The organizers selected a quarter mile path adjacent to the trail which led to a maintenance shed. Along that quarter path, I felt part of a race again as I spotted runners ahead of me and behind me. Smiles tried to mask our tired and frustrated faces. So grateful to see other human beings and to keep our spirits up, we tried to engage in short cheerful casual conversations as we passed each other.

Only 2 more miles became my motivation to get through the rest of the race. I was DONE. My legs, hamstrings and quads were sore. I started chaffing on the inside of my arms. Why did I think running two half marathons two weeks apart was a good idea? I’m not doing this race by myself again. Maybe I’ll do the 10K by myself but that’s it!

And for the rest of the race, I started to sing like Donkey from Shrek to keep my spirits up and to scare away the gators and snakes. ‘Cause I’m all alooooone. There’s no one here beside me.

As approached the finish line, I spotted my family and I felt such elation to be finished and in the company of people again. At that moment, I also realized the importance of spectators at a race and how they motivate me to keep moving.

But for me, it’s really all about the cowbells. I gotta have more cowbell in a race. I gotta a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.

And of course, you gotta have frieeeeends.

Moral of the story: Avoid running two half marathons so close together and don’t run the Pasco Challenge half marathon unless someone runs it with you.

Pasco Challenge Half Marathon

March 12, 2011

Bib # 606

Clock Time 2:40:19

Chip Time 2:39:08

Female Age Div 6/7

OA Place 69/77

Springtime Moondance and Praise

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Run DMT

A super moon and the first day of spring: Two miraculous events in nature to take your breath away.

*Image of Super Moon borrowed from Bay News 9*

Experiencing such a fantastic ensemble in nature forces you to stop and count your lucky stars and give praise that you are able to witness each one.