What the _____?: September 23rd, 2010

A while ago we started a little contest on this blog in which I post a picture and whoever comes up with the most clever/funny/witty/etc caption gets put into a drawing for prizes at the end of the year. Still don't have everything figured out as of yet, but we do know a couple of things 1) There will be multiple prizes 2) I love the participation so far 3) If you think your submission is inappropriate for others to see, you can always email your answer directly to me at ronnie@cysticlife.org :) 4) I've literally LOLed all weeks so keep it coming!

(By the way, this is me in 1994)

Alright, what do ya got!?!?

Last week's photo with the winning caption:

1st: "Your booty just looked so much smaller in your skinny jeans"

submitted by Kellie

2nd: "The easiest way to say 'goodbye' to pantie lines!"

submitted by Mindy

3rd: "I see London, I see France"

submitted by Jessica

First Run in a Long Time

Today Is the Day!

Today's the day that I start training for my half-half-half-marathon (for those of you doing the math at home, I believe that's around a 5k...at least that's my hope!). I haven't been able to run for the past few months, at any real pace, because of some bleeding issues. The hope is that they've been resolved during this hospital stay and that I'll be able to start pushing it again. Now, I don't want you guys to get the wrong impression, I certainly haven't been sitting on my booty for the past three months. There were still daily bike rides, walks and trips to the gym, but I was just never able to really take it to the next level. Every time I would put A LOT of strain on my lungs, Mr. Hemoptysis would knock on the door. That can happen. I understand that it can happen, but I don't like it. That's one reason I was so excited for this trip to the Hole. I knew I needed it, not only for my lung function (which by the way has almost returned to my year high), but also to get me back into the position to run again. I may hate running more than anything else in the world, but I still miss it.

So here's what I'm asking you to do. I WILL go for a run later on today. Can you check in with me before you go to bed and call me out? Make sure I run today? There's no doubt in my mind that I will lace up my shoes and run, but in the off chance I need some extra motivation, I want to know that you guys will kick my butt if I don't.

Thanks guys!!

Your body is unlike any other machine...

Yesterday was a day I've been dreading! Day numero uno in training for a half marathon in January. I wasn't so much dreading my run. In fact, I've had the itch for the last few weeks to get out running. I came up with a TON of excuses: it's tough to squeeze in runs while Ronnie's in (yeah right, I have nothing but time), it's still too hot out, I'll start when it cools off, etc etc. The truth of the matter is, I was dreading that first run because I knew it would make me realize just how out of shape I've become.

It's always the worst feeling - you're not very far into a run, a fraction of what you used to run, and you're already feeling HORRIBLE. Your legs are tired. Your feeling winded. You think, "UGH, this used to be SO easy...what the heck?!" It's frustrating.

And I wish that I could say, "I went for my run today, and it felt way better than I thought it would...I was cruising along and it was a piece of cake". BUUUUUT that would be a big, fat lie. It sucked. As soon as I left the glorious AC of the hospital and starting picking up speed until I was at a running pace (side note: do you ever milk how long you can walk before you do the awkward lean forward to push your body into a running speed? Anyone know what I'm talking about? I know my mom does because when we run together, we both wait for the OTHER one to initiate the lean forward to signal that we're starting to run.) Anywhoo...as soon as I started running I was thinking, "Man....maybe 105 IS hot". But then I started to fall into a rhythm and felt pretty good....for about 7 minutes. I pushed myself to run 20. I kept telling myself, "You big weenie, you can make it hurt for 20 minutes." But at the 20 minute mark I allowed myself to stop, and ran/walked the last 10 minutes back to the hospital.

All that being said - I'm excited to run tomorrow. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, maybe I'm crazy?! And don't get me wrong, I'm going to be making all sorts of excuses in my head as I lace up my running shoes, but I can tell you I'm excited because I know it'll bring me one step closer to be back into shape, and ready for my race. And as I always say to Ronnie (I'm sure a very annoying statement as you're pulling for air, but never-the-less I say it) - "Your body is unlike any other machine. It will adapt to the stresses you put on it." I'm gonna show this machine who's boss.................eventually :)

Thinking about joining me and making it hurt for a few weeks, so you can get into stellar shape?! Check out this video to get you PUMPED up!

Update and a Big Ol Win!!