Tuesday, April 21, 2009

My stolen IPOD

About 2 weeks ago, my car was broken into. in my driveway! while I slept! Bastards. Anyway, they stole my GPS (I'll miss you Nigel) but, even worse, they stole my damn IPOD. So, my question is....how's that work? They can't hook it up to I-tunes, because it's already registered right? Could they wipe it clean and start over? Or are they destined to listen to my music for the rest of their days. Geez, I hope so. I would love to think that some crack addict who stole $3 bucks worth of spare change out of my husband's truck was destined to listen to my collection of Robert Goulet, followed by "Sunshine Day" by the Brady Bunch. Now there's some justice. Sure, they would probably rather listen to "'Timbaland" or "NeYO" or some other bulls*&% but instead they will have to hear "Convoy" by CW McCall or better yet, the original broadway cast recording of CATS! Yes, this is good. I imagine them sitting around the crack den, when all of a sudden, out of the IPOD speakers comes "Copacabana" then maybe a few choice selections from Dionne Warwick. Sure, they could listen to my running mixes and get a little Rihanna or some Coldplay, hell they might even joy my collection of Young MC and DJ Ez Rock with Rob Base. But you know they are going to be hating the Grease Soundtrack and the New Kids on the Block.
Of course, who am I kidding, they probably pawned the thing within 1 hour of stealing it. Still it's nice to dream. It makes me feel better about losing my 4 gigabytes of joy!

Monday, April 20, 2009

spelling is not my forte'

A dear friend just told me that my blog title is spelled wrong. I can't believe I never noticed it before despite the fact that I am an excellent speller.
The problem is, if I fix it then my loyal following (once again, all three of you) may never be able to find it. So, that being said, I am leaving it the way it is.....just like me.....slightly flawed.....but still fabulous! Thanks Jo.

108 days to go.....

I figured out today that I have exactly 108 days to go until I turn 40.   I have to admit, I am really having difficulty wrapping my head around age 40.  I think it's because I still think of myself as 27 years old, that 4o just doesn't seem possible.   It's just can't be right, can it?   So, here I sit, on the precipice of middle age, in the worst shape of my life.   Sure, I'm running, but I would not say I am in peak condition.  I just can't seem to get in the groove.   I keep trying to diet, but I am failing miserably at that.   Life is really complicated at present and I am struggling to get passionate about anything.   I know that I want to record this milestone by doing something fantastic that I can be proud of, but I am having a hard time pulling it together to do it.  Why is that?  Any thoughts, ideas?  I am appealing to you, the three people who read this for your advice.  Let me know what you think.   In the meantime, I'll keep chugging along.  Maybe if I can kick this cold, I will find my MOJO.  Here's hoping.
shuffling off

Sunday, April 19, 2009

First Race of the Season

Heaven Help Me! I ran the Patriots Day 5 miler this morning. Believe me when I say, I had no business running this race. I have not been training regularly at all, due to illness and overall family craziness. I haven't run at all in about 3 weeks. So, anyway, I headed to Portland and lined up in the corral with about 400, much better prepared runners. It was a gorgeous day for a run, but you could have fooled me, because I was paralyzed with fear at the start. My concern, would I be able to finish? I have run a lot of races in the past and I have always been prepared and confident. Not today. I was so jammed up while waiting for the starting gun, I thought I was going to throw up. Anyway, the whistle went off and I began shuffling along. Soon, everyone, and I mean everyone had passed me. I was truly "bringing up the rear" the only ones behind me were the "walkers." About 1.5 miles in as we entered Back Cove, I thought it was the end, I couldn't breathe (did I mention I am getting over a cold?). I was huffing and puffing as if I had smoked a half pack of marlboro lights last night (I know what your thinking, I didn't-I'm not that dumb). So, I did it, I started walking. I walked for about a 1/4 mile, and then started running again. Curiously, I passed a few of those folks who had earlier passed me, they too, had found themselves running out of gas. I kept moving at a snail's shuffle, but I was still in the race. At around mile 3, there was a water stop; THANK GOD! After hydration, I was back in action. I finished the last two miles at a much quicker pace than the first three, amazingly and I crossed the finish line with just a little it left in the tank. I was really proud of myself! Then, I drank three bottles of water (and didn't have to pee-truly a sign of a hydration problem) and then headed home. I got home, ate two huge hamburgers from the grill and then took a long cool bath. After that, naptime. Now, you might be saying, wow you must feel good. THAT WOULD BE WRONG! I am in so much freaking pain right now, I am popping Advil like Tic Tacs. My lungs feel like they have been wrung out.
What did I learn? I learned that I need to get back on the training wagon...........and get serious........after a few days of rest.....and a massage.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Beach2Beacon is on the horizon once again....

If I am going to run, let's make it worthwhile huh? See below....


As many of you know, I presently serve on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Lewiston Auburn. I have mentioned to many of you how my experiences working with all of the Southern Maine Boys and Girls Club has had such a profound effect on me. I have had the opportunity to meet amazing kids, who are succeeding on the right path, despite some pretty tough odds. These kids count on the BGC as a "safe haven" sometimes, it's the only safe place they have. This past year, I had the opportunity to again judge the Youth of Year scholarship competition and meet and interview more of these incredible boys and girls. I see how the club has changed their life and I am always moved to tears when I hear their stories of challenges and how they have overcome those challenges with the club's help. So, my friends, once again I am running the Beach 2 Beacon 10K race on August 1st and doing so in honor of the Boys and Girls Clubs. I am hoping you will support me in this endeavor by making a small donation to the club in my name. I invite you to visit the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine website to view more about the club's mission. www.bgcmaine.orgI even have my own fundraising page. If you wish to donate, click on "Sponsor a B2B runner" and then click on my name. Or paste this into your browser:http://www.bgcmaine.org/main.asp?id=69So, here we go again, more training, more advil, more ben-gay. I am determined to break an hour this year. (Did I mention the race is only 5 days before my 40th birthday-EGAD!)
thanks in advance for your support.
God bless!
Jill

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Running 2 Fourty......where am I?

So, I was befelled by illness this week. Just totally run down and pooped out. I think my body just said....enough....no mas.....stop. I have felt like crap and all I want to do is sleep. Meanwhile, I have crossed over the "4 months until I am 40" threshold and I haven't seen the treadmill in over a week. The weather is getting nice, I should be out on the road, racking up the miles. Instead, I am laying in bed, searching for "hatchling" eggs on that stupid facebook app. I gotta get it in gear. It's not looking good for the "half" on memorial day. I am sure I will have no problem with the Patriot's Day 5 miler and the Mother's Day 5K will be a breeze. Hell, I should even be fine for B2B, but a half....I don't think I am even close to ready. So, what's an aging harrier to do? Find another race a little later in the summer, that's what! I have to be honest with myself. I am hell bent on doing a half to celebrate my passage into "40 and Fabulous" but I am a realist too. I just don't have the miles under my belt to get a half done by Memorial Day. And, I am ok with that. It's like Dory said in Finding Nemo, "just keep swimming." But, for me, it's "just keep running"
I will keep all of you (all three of you) posted when I pick my race. Waddle--Waddle