Tag Archives: Halloween

Random Thoughts about My Muffin Top and My Cycles

Posted on by Run DMT
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During my run yesterday morning, a black cat crossed my path.  Whereas most people would panic about such superstitious events, it reminded me to put out our Halloween decorations.   And with that, the girls and I decorated the yard for Halloween last night.

Last Halloween, Allana suggested making our yard a bit spookier, so when I found a skeleton on clearance after Halloween, I grabbed it.  It still could use a few more gory items but with no grass in our yard, I think we’ve perfected the bone yard graveyard look for now.

Speaking of Halloween, Allana and I were discussing our costumes the other day.  I mentioned how I wanted to dress as a Cheerio from Glee for the Frakenfooter Half Marathon.  “Really?”  Allana asked.  “You’re going dress as a cheerleader?”

“Yes, it will be fun and it’s perfect for the race.”

With a sneer and a sarcastic tone, she interrogated me further.  “You think you can pull off a cheerleader costume?”

“Yes,” I proudly replied ignoring her tone.

Really?  You think you can be a cheerleader with your muffin top?”

Gee. Thanks, kid.  Sheesh.  Out of the mouth of babes.  And where did she learn the phrase muffin top?  Time to cancel my subscription to Shape magazine and time to crank out more crunches.  It might also be time to consider a different costume for the Franekfooter.  Maybe I should go with Blueberry Muffin to conceal my muffin top while embracing and poking somefun at it?

As Allana and my muffin top so kindly reminded me, I have fallen out of the sit-up cycle.  Seriously, it’s bad.  My handlebars ooze over the top of my shorts and pants.  The very same pre-pregnancy shorts I was bragging about fitting into again at the beginning of summer.  What the hell happened?  Hmmmm…maybe it’s the piles of candy corn I’ve been binging on.  Yeah, it could be that.  Or maybe it’s the sheer volume shit I ate at my girlfriends’ getaway catching up with me.  Possibly.  Hmmm….Or maybe it’s because I haven’t seen a sit-up in weeks.  Yep, perfectly reasonable, but I’m going to go with Answer D: All of the above.

Speaking of cycles and falling, I never did get back on my bike this summer.  I just couldn’t do it.  Oh well.  There’s always next summer.  I would like to attempt another triathlon again…*sigh*…someday.

As for other cycles, like my womanly cycles, I keep forgetting to take my pill at the exact time every night which causes me to spot bleed and it totally sucks.  Next week, I have my gyno appointment and I plan to speak with my doctor about other birth control options.  I think I may ask about the NuvaRing, but really my birth control situation all depends on what my insurance will cover, which totally sucks too.  Anybody have any thoughts on NuvaRing?

As for getting back into my running cycle, I started off great this week, thanks to my friend, Larisa.  She harassed texted me until I committed to running with her last Saturday.  She planned to run 18 miles, but that was too big of a jump after my recent 13 miles plus a week off from running.  I decided 15 miles seemed like a reasonable amount.

15 miles 

Time 3:24:17

Ave Pace 13:37

Max Pace 8:38

Best part = Calories 1371 BOOYAH!

Those 15 miles were tough.  The heat got to me and the last two miles really did me in, but I did it and I could walk afterwards.  I thought I would be so sore on Sunday, but it wasn’t too bad.  Nothing a little stretching and yoga couldn’t fix.

After a day of recovery and rest, I was back in full running mode on Monday.  The early morning sky was clear and full of stars and the slightly cooler weather felt refreshing.  It was a pretty decent run too.

3.1 miles

Time 34:44

Ave Pace 11:13

Max Pace 7:58

When I walked out the door for a four mile run this morning, the humidity hit me right away.  It wasn’t quite the same beautiful morning as the day before, but at least the run as decent.

4 miles

Time 44:18

Ave Pace 11:05

Max Pace 8:10

Since Allan has declared Wednesday morning as his early at the office day, I won’t be able to run with Tracey of Suncoast Running on Wednesday mornings for the time being.  Therefore, I’ve decided to make Wednesdays my strength training day with some Boot Camp stuff thrown into the mix to help remove this muffin top.  Then, maybe at that point Allana will approve of me wearing a Cheerio costume.  I’ve got a little over a month to make it happen.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Random Tuesday Thoughts about Being Pretty in Pink and Pumpkins

Posted on by Run DMT
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During my girlfriend getaway on Anna Maria Island, I had all good intentions to run.  I packed three running outfits, a hydration belt and my old running shoes so my good pair wouldn’t get sandy from the beach.  Well, they sure didn’t get sandy!  My old running shoes didn’t even see one grain of sand or the light of day, because they stayed in my bag all weekend.

My friends are such saboteurs.

I didn’t get a decent night’s sleep until I returned home.  Now, my sleeping pattern has been so good that my lazy behind hasn’t been up to run since being back home either.  The Thursday BEFORE my girlfriend was the last time I ran and it was only 3 miles. Not good.  And it was a terrible run too.

3.1 miles

Time 34:07

Ave Pace 11:01

Max Pace 8:44

 
I joined Team Striders and I registered for the Race for the Cure 10K.  I really love this race. There’s no pressure, just a bunch of people raising money and awareness for breast cancer research.  Plus, the course is gorgeous along St. Pete Pier over the Gulf and through sea of pink.  Which reminds me… I need to buy a new pink running outfit for the race.  Maybe I’ll wear a tiara this year?  But before I worry about my pretty in pink ribbon outfit, I need to get a couple of 6 mile runs in before the race.

I also have the Frankefooter Half Marathon in October, which requires another special outfit.  I’ve been perusing the Halloween aisle at Target to check what costumes have been added to the displays.  No Glee Cheerios Cheerleader costume yet but there’s tons of candy.  Last week, I bought a bag of Twix and this week I bought candy corn.  Craptastic.  If I don’t get running soon, my ass is going be a scary sight.  No costume necessary because with my cheesy grin, I’ll look like a Jack-o-latern.

Speaking of pumpkins, I can’t bring myself to eat anything pumpkin flavored yet.  It’s like my brain can’t enjoy allspice when the weather is warm.  Even though fall starts Friday, the forecast predicts temperatures in near 90 and that’s not perfect pumpkin weather yet, which is probably a good thing.    I can put off my butt looking like a big-ass pumpkin muffin for a few more weeks.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Random Thoughts about Running in a Sauna through Sprinklers and Santana

Posted on by Run DMT
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Lately, the thermometer has been sticking around the high 80s to low 90s and the humidity is sticking around with the heat and choking my running friends and me.  It’s brutal, like running in a marathon in a sauna.  No room to breathe.

I would like to thank my neighbors that illegally watering their grass at 5:30 morning.  You don’t think anyone notices, but I do.  I make a mental note of the days and times you run your sprinklers and I always run past your house on those days.

However, I’m not thankful for your push green grass or how you are selfishly depleting the aquifers to keep that plush green grass.  But don’t worry.  I’m not calling the water department to file a complaint.  Nope, I’m too busy running slowly on your plush green grass and selfishly soaking up the water sprayed illegal by your sprinklers and I don’t feel a bit guilty about it because it feels so damn good during my hot humid runs, like this morning’s 3 mile run.  So thank you.

3.1 miles

Time 35:03

Ave Pace 11:03

Max 8:13

After discussing with several running friends the number of weeks to prepare for the Space Coast Marathon, the consensus seems to be that it is totally doable. I have a few half marathons under my belt from early in the year and another one coming up next month, so I should be ready for the marathon if I keep at it.  So, there you have it.  I’m going for it.

Last Saturday, I ran 10 miles to get back in the training groove.

Time 2:11::01

Ave Pace 13:06

Max 8:04

The run felt good and I didn’t mind the miles, but once again, that damn humidity was a real bitch.  My friend, Faith, joined me for a couple of miles which it helped take my mind off the humidity and I was really grateful for her company.  Besides the humidity, the hours spent running alone can be a real bear too.

But, I came up with a plan to beat the long boring miles by myself.  I asked a few of my shorter distance running friends like Faith and Chrissy to meet at different times to help me get through the miles.  Even by running a couple of miles with me, it will keep me motivated and moving.

Speaking of miles and motivation, I registered for two races in October: the Race for the Cure and the Frakenfooter half marathon.  I love Race for a Cure (the course and the cause), but I’m really excited about the Frankenfooter.  I have wanted to do this race for some time, because it’s a Halloween race with costumes!  I even picked my costume before I registered…Santana from Glee!

How fun is that?!

I told my running girlfriends to dress in the same costume so we could be a whole group of Cheerios!  Of course, I’ve got a totally different costume for our adult costume party, but that’s under wraps until we get closer to Halloween. Muhahahahaha!

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Halloween Hangover

Posted on by Run DMT
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Almost a week later, my family and I are still recovering from a Halloween Hangover, a weekend filled with Halloween hoopla and a sugar high.

 

Last Friday, the girls had their Literacy Parade at school.  All the schools in our area prefer to promote reading in lieu of celebrating Halloween and therefore ask the kids to dress as literary characters.  The kids are then asked to carry a book which accompanies their costume.

 

In past years, the girls have had two costumes: one for the literary parade and one for Halloween.  Feeling lazy and frugal, I told the girls they could only wear one costume this year unless they chose to wear a costume already in their closet.  Fortunately, they seemed all right with that idea, but then Allana spotted the Double Trouble costume (half devil/half angel) at Target and really wanted to wear it.  I explained to her that if she could think of a book related to the costume, I would buy it for her.

 

A couple of weeks later, we thought of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (an absolutely brilliant book).  In the story, Gladys Herdman plays the angel in the Christmas pageant, but she has a reputation for being an evil child.  Get it?  Gladys Herdman is half angel and half devil.

 

 

Emmalynn’s costume required less thought.  She wanted to be “Heather, the Violet Fairy” from Rainbow Magic: The Rainbow Fairies.

 

 

On Saturday, we attended our Moms on the Go Halloween party, which is always a lot of fun and this year, the weather was perfect too.

 

 

Sunday, we took the girls to a local pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins for jack-o-laterns.

 

 

 

 

Carving pumpkins is an activity we plan to do every year, but this is the first time we actually managed to find time to do it and the girls loved it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, we went trick-or-treating and the girls collected a mountain of candy.  In keeping with our 30-Day Giving Challenge, we donated 3 pounds to the dentist for Operation Gratitude and we still have a huge pile.

 

 

Now, you may understand why I call it Halloween Hangover.  We indulge in way too much fun and candy every Halloween.  Thankfully, the clocks go back this weekend so we can get an extra hour of sleep to help recover from our Halloween Hangover.

Music Monday: Halloweenies

Posted on by Run DMT
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As to be expected, our Adult Halloween party was quite the freak fest.  Much like the mood of the entire evening, the costumes and the company were a lot of fun.

 

 

Dressed as Katy Perry and Russell Brand, Erika and John had the best costume once again.

 

 

Tiffany and her husband, Greg, had the cutest costume dressed as Will Schuester and Quinn from Glee.

 

 

As Top Gun, Jackie and Bob were definitely the coolest.

 

But Julie and Jason had the funniest and most creative couples costume.  Can you guess what it was?

 

 

 

This Saturday, the Halloween hoopla continues with our Moms on the Go Family Halloween party.  Not quite as risqué as our adult party, but still a lot of fun.  Every year, I lead the kids’ costume parade with the Monster Mash, followed by our Witch Doctor freeze dance and we wrap the fun with Thriller limbo.

 

 

As you can imagine, I always need a stiff drink and a dead sleep after the kids’ party.  I hope this Halloween is a real treat for you and yours.

 

Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

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

 

Music Monday: Get Ur Freak On

Posted on by Run DMT
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On Saturday, Allan and I will be hosting our annual adult Halloween party and I am so ready to get my freak on.

 

 

Since I’ve still got a saggy, baggy belly from where my baby bump once was, I am going for comfy and cute for this year’s look.  In case you’re curious about my costume, I’ll give you a hint.

 

 

As we draw closer Halloween, each week I will be sharing my favorite Halloween tunes for Music Monday. Share your favorite spine tingling tunes too… if you dare. Muhahahahahaha!

 

 

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

 

Music Monday: My Candy Girls

Posted on by Run DMT
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Next to the costumes, Halloween is all about the candy in this house. It’s amazing how a small morsel of sweetness will motivate my daughters to walk miles.

 

 

Yesterday, we visited Sea World’s Spooktacular Halloween. For this spooktacular event, Sea World sets up candy stations for the kids to trick-or-treat along on a path leading to Shamu’s Happy Harbor. I don’t know if it was the excitement of being at Sea World or a sugar rush from all the candy that kept my girls moving all day long. Either way, my candy girls had a great time.

 

Stay tuned for a complete review of our day at Sea World’s Spooktacular Halloween.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we draw closer Halloween, each week I will be sharing my favorite Halloween tunes for Music Monday. Share your favorite spine tingling tunes too… if you dare. Muhahahahahaha!

 

 

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

 

Music Monday: It’s Almost Halloween

Posted on by Run DMT
10

I love Halloween.

 

As soon as I spot the pumpkins and the costumes lined up on the shelves in the stores, I am ready to get my freak on.  I’m hosting our adult Halloween party this year and you know a killer time will be had by all.  I can’t wait!

 

Although the stores have been full of the sinful sights and scents of the season for weeks, the weather finally cooled over the past few days and it truly feels almost like Halloween.

 

 

As we draw closer Halloween, each week I will be sharing my favorite Halloween tunes for Music Monday. Share your favorite spine tingling tunes too… if you dare. Muhahahahahaha!

 

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