New Race... finally

www.colormerad.com

So it has been awhile since I have signed up to run in anything but a coworker and jogging buddy mentioned Color Me Rad.  And once I looked at the site I had to sign up.  The premise of the race is simple.  You wear a white shirt, you run, and you prepare to be color bombed along the way :)  So it pretty much sounds awesome and I think everyone should sign up.  If nothing else, you can sign up to be the color bombers...

www.colormerad.com/races/columbia.html

Trying to be wheat free

Treats left on my desk for the group

Three weeks!  Yesterday made week three of wheat free for me… minus cross contamination I’m sure.  As I don’t have to be wheat free I am not (as of right now) giving up food that may have been cooked in the same location as items with wheat.  In reading up on wheat in tolerances and wheat allergies I have enough of the symptoms that I figured I would try and cut it out of my diet and see if made a difference.  I know self-diagnosis of anything is bad, blah, blah, blah, but I know enough people who went years waiting on actual diagnoses, tests came back negative, and were eventually just put on elimination diets so I am just cutting right to the chase and trying to see if my allergies and other issues get better.  And you know what?  They have.  I am going to try for two full months to see if what I am feeling is sustained or if I am just tricking myself into the feeling better.  But if nothing else I don’t CRAVE foods anymore (ex. cake and donuts left on my desk- which is the communal spot for goods to be deposited- see picture).  Don’t get me wrong, I still love sweets (see next sentence and photo) but I can look at it and say eh whereas before…

Yummy, delicious, and I can eat them!

So, yesterday I celebrated with a gluten free cupcake.  A local shop, Cupcake, sells a gluten free chocolate chip/vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing on Tuesdays and it was really good (again I’m not being vigilant about the cross contamination because let’s face it… it’s a bakery that sells baked goods so, you know, there is a fair chance of a little flour getting on the tray or something).  Though if I do keep up with this I realized that Thanksgiving is going to suck.  I will have my choice of turkey, turkey, or turkey.  Ok, and green beans. :) 

But you know what doesn’t suck?

www.tasterie.com

This new company I found called Tasterie.  This company sends out a box of goods, either signature (meal options) or snack, that meet your diet needs that have been vetted for specific allergens and offer several allergy combinations.  I ordered the top 8 signature box as I figured that would be the toughest test at least taste wise (since it means no dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, or wheat) and see what kind of treats they send.  Also, neat is that they include menu ideas and recipe cards for that month’s products.  And for those people who have food allergies this is a genius idea because they have gone through all the work to make sure that the companies meet your needs and because it gives you a chance to find new foods and brands.  Because how many times have we all looked at something and then decided against it because we didn’t know if we would like it and it was too expensive to buy and then never eat?  So I ordered the box for August which will ship out on the 10^th, so I should get it midmonth and will let you know how it is.  

 

Convention 2012

This post is a little late but like most of this year I have been busy and time has just been getting away from me.


This year as part of my position as advisor I went to our National Convention in San Antonio, Tx.  Having never seen any of Texas out side of DFW Airport, which I have spent many hours in over the years, I was very excited.  But I was even more excited to see our group and I learn at the workshops, network, and of course win lots of awards (as this was the chapter's first elegable year).




Upon arrival Cindy and I saw one of many quatrefoils that are the symbol of both San Antonio and Phi Mu so this city is perfect for us!
Upon arriving at the hotel we went downstairs and picked up our  convention packets which had all the details for our non-stop activities.  I had mistakenly packed workout clothes... that was wasted space in the suitcase.  Points for me though that I managed to fit all my outfits and shoes into a carry-on. :)  But the packed had all the details for the next four days and a super comfy tee all wrapped up in a precious Lilly laptop tote.

That night we met up with Delta Zeta, who was also holding their convention in San Antonio, at a local ranch for dinner, line dancing, and my favorite part- the rodeo!  On the right you can see a picture of the opening presentation of colors.



The next day was our first full day of activities which included alumnae initiations, memorials, and a sisterhood luncheon (the first of many meals that either steak, steak, or beef short ribs), and business sessions.  Cindy had fun pointing out the appropriate white dresses... and a couple not appropriate undergarments. ;)  Really people, no one should have to tell you that A) slips are your friend- I know nobody likes them, but they serve a purpose and B) undergarments beneath a white dress should ideally be skin toned, blush, ivory, etc.  To the random girl standing before us... a black thong may not be your best choice for in the future.  



We took a few pictures with our banners.  One with the whole group and USC's banner, and one where we found my chapter's banner.


The next few days were meetings, meetings, workshops, meetings.  We got a lot of really great information and ideas to take home but it was so tiring.


We did get one free night and being in San Antonio we had to see the Alamo and the Riverwalk (both of which are amazing and not to be missed... but much smaller than one would think)


Last night there we had our carnation ball where, shockingly, there was steak served.  But also served eleven awards in total to the chapter!  The girls have worked so hard and put in so much effort I am so proud to be affiliated with this group of women!


So despite coming home exhausted, I can't wait for Boca in 2014.  This is definitely a tradition I want to start and I can't wait to see what is to come for this amazing chapter.

This will not end well for David and I...

Y'all may have to send out a search party out for me and David if he orders this game from ThinkGeek.  Like you will find our mummified bodies sitting at the table... Help.

Making lunch fun

So, I have been trying to do better with my eating habits.  Last semester was CRAZY.  I could probably count on my fingers and toes how many at home made/cooked meals I ate from January-April. Yeah.  Not so great (for my waistline or wallet).  This summer (or May to those whose worlds don't revolve around an academic schedule) I have been trying to be really good about taking lunch to work especially and admit that I am actively bribing myself to eat in more and exercise regularly again (as, sadly, that suffered too).
And so, dork that I am, I have created a daily check list where I get a point if I don't go out for meals and a point if I get a workout of some sort in.  This month I will be treating myself to a pedicure and a new Lilly agenda, next month I have a massage as my big treat.  It doesn't hurt that my lunch box is super cute either.  It's got little alligators on it.  And they will bite you if you touch my food in the office fridge...  Just putting that out there.

Two Weeks Until Convention

Just two weeks 'til national convention and I can't wait!  It's my first one and I am super excited.  There is a lot of new information coming out this year including a revamping of our new members program and I am really excited to see all the changes.  There are several collegiate members from our chapter going and another advisor/Columbia Alumnae President is going too.  Which is good because there are so many workshops that I want to go to I was going to need to figure out how to clone myself...

And because I am super neurotic I also set up my calendar of events already.  And my time is booked!   I will keep looking to see when I can fit a run in, which right now is right after arrival and the day we check out (not shown) but...  I am still going to bring my shoes and I am sure I will entertain my roommate by using my little yoga app I have downloaded 'cause I know I will need a little relaxation with this schedule and my overall excitement.  Plus, yoga can be in my room (aka air-conditioning) and despite being from SC, I can't imagine running is TX in July will be something super fun.

I am sure I will be posting a lot after this event. What is everyone else getting up to this summer?    

10:27

Metabolic Stress test- Not me :)

In the bubble and still not me

 That is evidently how long I last on a metabolic stress test.  I was horrified... I mean I am fairly active and yet I tapped out at 10+ minutes.  So yes, I was horrified, until I went home and googled 'average time on a stress test' and found that most people last from 8 to 12 minutes so I was right in the middle.  Which made me feel slightly better, but not by much.  And for those of you unfamiliar with a metabolic stress test it involves wearing a mask to measure breathing, an EKG, and a treadmill that where the incline and speed increase at a steady rate until you feel you can't go any farther.

Why am I taking a stress test you might ask?  Well, I am participating in a study at the local university.  And I like to participate in studies.  You get to learn more about yourself and you help further other peoples education and research.  And you get to do some interesting stuff.   And you get to do this interesting stuff for free!  And with this one, in addition to the cool tests, I am also getting a stipend which is just icing on the cake.

Body Scanner

Still not me- this is dude

But anyway, this time one of the schools at the university is doing a comprehensive calorie in calorie out profile.  And so far I have participated in four things.  The first was the stress test, which measures calories expended while exercising.  The second was a resting metabolic test which as I am sure you have guessed, measures my resting metabolism.  These two tests gives them an accurate representation of my metabolism.   The third test scans the body and shows your body fat and gives them an extremely detailed pictures of body fat composition. And for the fourth, I am now wearing sensors two sensors for the next week one which measures the activity I am doing and another which measures when I am sitting and standing.

So I am really exited to see all of the results at the end and find out more about myself.  And if any of you live near a large university please look on their websites and see what is going on.  There is some really cool stuff out their.

I'm still here. Promise :)

I have been really busy lately, but I will get back to posting soon.  With the car accident (the car issues were minimized thanks to my awesome parents) and a crazy schedule I just haven't been writing anything up.  But I hope to start back up soon, especially since I have a lot of stuff going on right now.  Lots of good stuff, but it I definitely am getting a workout in time management.  I was approved by Nationals as Chapter Advisor for my local sorority chapter (I am working with an amazing group of girls), getting ready to move in with a friend (good news is we have already worked out the thermostat settings, everything else is negotable :) ), class (I'm taking Roman Art this semester), and starting to go to races again  (just did one last weekend through USC).
(And I am sure that my gratuitous use of parenthesis has driven at least a couple of you crazy)(But I love all of you)(And one more... just cause)

Bye, Bye Baby

 Over the holidays my car, aka Baby, bit the dust.  This really hurt for a few reasons.  Baby was my first car, we were hit (duh that tends to hurt)... and she was paid off (that might have hurt most of all).  We were rear ended and the damage totaled more than the other insurance was willing to pay, not to mention the frame had been bent.  Which you can kind of see in the top picture, but they found more damage as they pulled the car apart and that tipped it.  So I spent most of my break on good drugs on the couch.  It was good that if I had to be in an accident that it occurred while I was on my break.  It was bad because I had a lot of plans which due to the good drugs I skipped.
So now I am just dealing with the insurance company, and new car (new to me) stuff, DMV, etc.  Things have gone well and the two Nationwide agents I have dealt with have been amazing (my insurance agent was good, too).  But it's still a ton of stuff to deal with.    

Spreading a little cheer

Devine Night Out was last Thursday.  This is an event when all the shops along Devine Street stay open late and host a street party.  I saw an email saying that the Red Cross needed volunteers to help man tables so I checked the calendar and that night was free.  We were working on trying to get cards signed for the troops for the Red Cross's Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign.  Our table was set up outside of Southern Pottery (which is home to some amazing art and local talent) and we worked for three hours trying to get as many people as possible to make cards.  And we did good.  With the exception of one girl who flat out said no, everyone else who walked by wrote a note to some of our service members.  This is such a little thing and many people think that they don't have time to volunteer, especially around the holidays, but this was three hours.  Such a small commitment but a large return.  So I encourage everyone to do something this holiday season, no matter how small. It may be the best present you can give to yourself...  And I am stepping off my soapbox now :)  

One of the other volunteers took pictures and I will post pictures as soon as I have them.

They say things come in threes...

I really needed a new gym bag... and now I have three.  Which really need to be put to use now that we are in the thick of the holidays.  Not so much for the food (though that is a factor), but for the stress and everything else that goes on at this time of year.  So I will take this sign and keep packing the multiple bags.  That way in the mornings I can just grab one on the way out the door.

Tales from the land of online dating

 So most of you know I have been trying online dating and boy are there some interesting people out there.  Lots of nice ones, but some others...
So lets start with the basics.
Photos.  Please. I have posted examples of two of my favorites.  The laying on the couch shot (I see my running shoes and other crap I drop when I walk through the door) and the bathroom mirror pose (I think I gain points for the attempted duck face and the double mirror, but my lose some because you can't see in my shower or see my toilet) .  These were taken post run so I am extra sexy :).  I don't know why everyone posts these on their profile.  They don't make me want to start up a conversation.
Then there is the actual profile.  I would like for you to tell me things about yourself beyond your profile reading "I'm an open book.  Ask me anything you want."  But it also shouldn't be longer than a George R.R. Martin novel.  And my personal favorite profile is, as follows,  with my thoughts- and I am sure yours (I know at least one other friend echoed my thoughts almost verbatim when I let her read this) edited in:
"I'm ___ I'm 29 and I just recently turned single."  I like how he turned single.  So can I turn coupled?  "I work at ______ I'm a _____.  I don't wana be doing it for the next 5yrs  I'm gona do my best to move up even higher."  Ok,  you do that. "I'm a great Singer and awesome dancer.  I learned how to dance from a stripper so I have talent in other areas as well."  Ok, I just feel like this statement also means you might be bringing some extra baggage to the table which requires monthly treatments. And I know that is probably not an accurate assessment of the health of strippers but it is my first reaction.  And the most awesome part of the profile... " I'm awesome in bed I can literally vibrate while I... you know that's all I'm saying"  Really that is where you decide on discretion?  I would have started around the dance section.  Needless to say I did not respond to him.  A honorable mention for profile WTF is:  "I'm Mexican and my love is like a Mexican."  What does that even mean?
And once you are past the profile it is onto messages.  I have previously talked about the text speak and it is still rampant.  Please at least write a full sentence in introduction.  "hey u cute send me something back kisses" is not going to get a response ever.  I also love the overuse of emocons and exclamation marks.  I use them a lot (I know this, more importantly you know this about me).  But if your message is made up of about half of these there is an issue.  From my inbox (I had previously responded back to a hello message and this is what I got back):  "I'm good!!!!  And you????  My name is _____!!  What's yours? :)"  And then when I did not immediately respond I got this "How come you won't talk to me???"  "Did I scare you off already??? LOL!!!"  And while he is probably a very nice person, I know also know that he is way to needy for me.  Way too needy.
Last, if anywhere in your profile you say you are married it ain't going to happen and separated is still married.
I think I am done for now.  I will probably have more very soon...

You win this round, Governor's Cup!

Not sure what this is, but it's pretty.

Start line

Last weekend was the Governor's Cup where I was supposed to run in the half marathon... You can probably tell by that statement things did not go as planned.  I will admit that I had slacked off slightly in the weeks leading up to the event, hadn't run more than six at a time since the weekend before the Mud Run.  But after picking up my packet I went to look at the course one more time and saw something that I had missed up until now.  The course was closing 30 minutes earlier this year.  Which meant that there was a good chance that the race would close before I finished.  And I don't know how Columbia does it, but many other places will completely pull you off the course... and I was not willing to take a chance on being pulled off at mile 12.  So I dropped down to the 8k.   The good news is that this year I got to cheer for my dad at the finish line.
So half marathon... you win this year.  Next year I will make sure I can finish in under three hours and I will show that course it won't beat me.

New stuff

This week I got some new things (or at least new to me). 
My couch bit the dust and luckily a friend was selling one that met my criteria (no cats) so with the help of my dad we got the couch to my apartment and all set up.  I also got a new hair cut.  That's pretty much it...

Runway Run

So, last year I ran this race thinking when would I ever get a chance to run on a runway again without being tasered by the TSA.  With that thought I signed up for the event.  And they did it again this year!  Although, this year I waited to sign up until after the Mud Run to make sure I could even walk. 
The weather was cold and kind windy but I was with some fabulous people.  Icing on the cake this year was that they gave you your pictures for free (normally they cost a small fortune- $20+ a picture).  So here are mine!  :)


1)  And we're off!
2) Where's Waldo... or Melissa?  I'm in here, can you find me?
3) Almost there.  Pierre giving a little finish line encouragement.

Getting a little dirty...

Finally!  If you haven't followed the mud run saga, I was originally supposed to do this event last April.  However due to team switches and tornadoes (or the threat of) my dad and I were pushed back to the fall event.  And in moving we gained two great new team members, Brooke and Mitchell.

The night before the race Mitchell sent out some advise from a mud run veteran.  "Channel your inner four year old."  So I went into the event with that mindset.
Saturday was beautiful and we were ready to go at our 11:03 start time.  And we started at 11:03 on the dot.  They were very precise.  Which, if I think about it shouldn't surprise me since the event was put on my retired Marines.
The mud run was comprised of 5.2 miles and 34 obstacles.  Two were closed due to hornets or yellow jackets or bees (some flying stinging things) and in their place we had to do pt type exercises.  Otherwise we attempted everything else and only had to take a pass on the 10 foot wall.  To the right from the top is our 'before' picture.  Followed by me attempting to swing across a mud pit.  As you can see, I didn't make it.  Bare hands+ muddy rope +  little upper body strength = me sliding down the rope.

To the left is the 15 foot wall, a random picture along the course and our after shot with a member of our other team who came to support us.  She was pulled from the event by her doctor (only to then find out she could have participated :( ).
I then, after taking a few showers, went to babysit that night.

The next day, I did not want to move.  While I had embraced my inner four year old, no one had warned me that my inner eighty year old was coming to visit.  I popped ibuprofen like candy all day (especially since I had to go work).

Once I got home from work I made a huge mistake.  I broke out the 'menthol pain relieving gel.'  And put it on like lotion.  Which led to me curling into a ball while my body tried to figure out why it was on fire and cold a the same time.  Lesson learned.  One body part at a time and use sparingly.  Previously I had only used it on a small area and it worked and felt good then...

Yesterday, I was down to feeling like I was in my sixties so I decided to go for a run to loosen up before class and it helped so much.  I then came home and broke out the bottle of ibuprofen again and the menthol (which I scaled back my usage drastically).

Today, I felt thirty-seven.  Hopefully tomorrow I will be thirty again :)  Countdown to next year has begun. 

Disney Wine and Dine Half

 So, on Friday morning the parents and I packed up and started the drive down to Orlando for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon for which I had been raising money on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (where we- you and me- raised $2800 dollars for this amazing cause!).

On the way down we had to make a stop at the GOASIS in Brunswick, Ga.  I don't normally take pictures of rest stop restrooms, however, the GOASIS is the nicest truck stop/gas station EVER and you should know to stop there if you are passing through.  They also have a great assortment of snacks, movies, and random other treats that are not at your average stop.

 We arrived at the Disney Contemporary Resort which was where the Team in Training participants were staying and I got checked into this fabulous room.  Below and to the right are pictures of the room, patio, and garden at the resort.  My roommate was a really nice, fun girl from the Florida Chapter.

After checking into my room we left to check my parents into their room at a local resort that was very generously donated for use by a coworker.

It was then about time for dinner where we were meeting the other members of the South Carolina Team.  We were meeting at Portobello's  in Downtown Disney.  I was the only one from Columbia, there was one from Greenville, six from Charleston, and two from Hilton Head.  We had a nice, relaxing, get to know you dinner.  From there it was some looking around/window shopping then back to the room for bed. 

 

I got up early the next morning to back to packet pickup and the expo.  Where I had to put on blinders so that I didn't spend every penny I owned.  There was stuff every where from Craisin taste tests, shoes, Greek yogurt, sweaty bands (and you know I have trouble around those), Chiquita pinko, and running clothes.  The only thing I didn't see was the one (ok two) things I was looking for.  I wanted the mickey shaped 13.1 sticker and I wanted some running ears.  Sadly, I found neither. 

But I did get a lot of awesome stuff in the the goody bag and a shirt that proclaims "I am only half crazy 13.1"  I did really well restraining myself :)

 

Then it was time for our inspiration brunch where we all mingled and heard a little more about why we are/were doing what we were.  Then we learned that the Disney group had raised over $500,000 dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!  After lunch it was time to go back to the room to catch a nap before we met back up at 7:15 to get ready to shuttle to the race.

We got on our shuttle only to find out that the highway patrol had already shut down the major entrances into the Wide World of Sports (early).  So after riding around for an hour we finally found an entrance that was open.  The good news was that we were able to sit that extra hour rather than standing around waiting.

Then, around 9:30 it was time to head to the corrals.  I was in corral E so even though the event started at 10pm, my group started at 10:20. Every five minutes we inched forward a little more until finally we reached the start.

One really fun thing about Disney races is that they have entertainment along the course in the form of characters and performers. 

Along the way there were many to see, music playing, and pictures to take.  I stopped for the fairy godmothers (where I wished for the patience to deal with some of my fellow runners and to finish strong- since there was still the after party to attend) and for one of the army men from Toy Story ('cause we all know I love a man in uniform- even if he is green). 

 We got to run though the Animal Kingdom which was fun, but narrow, and is what caused me to wish for patience since people were walking five and six across and it was very hard to get ahead of them.  And we got to run though Hollywood Studios and circle the Tower of Terror.

One thing that definitely added some time to my race, in addition to stopping for pictures though out the course, and this is totally TMI, but I had to stop at every restroom I passed.  Not because I had to actually go, but because it was a night race, even though there were port-a-johns everywhere.  It was a night race.  I don't what one lit up like a spotlight, but a little light is nice.  So when I was in the parks I stopped "just in case".  Because they port-a-johns are scary enough when you can see.  If the people in front of you couldn't see I am not going anywhere near that.

And then finally I finished!  I had run for two days (hehehe).  I got my medal and I was off into the park for some fun.  I got back to the hotel around 3:30am and was wide awake (I couldn't move at this point but also couldn't sleep).  My roommate came in around 4am and we talked for about an hour.  I got up early for breakfast, but then crawled right back into the bed.

That night we went to dinner at Ohona's at the Polynesian Resort.  Which was full, so we got on the wait list.  While waiting a six top opened up, so the couple behind us sat with us so we could all eat there.  It was a family style meal that just kept coming and was amazing!  And sent me into a carb coma.  So it was to bed I went about 10pm that night.  

But first I had a purchase to make.  We were headed out in the morning and while they were not the ears I really wanted I picked up these and they are pretty cute and fun.  I don't care that I won't ever really wear them.  Although I could, maybe for another Disney race...