Tag Archives: Classy pants

Olympic Thoughts

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3.5 mile runTreadmill Hata Strides

Since the Olympics are over, I thought I’d keep this post simple and give you some Olympic-sized thoughts for the weekend.  Actually there’s not my much Olympic about them, but whatevs.

-Boob Tube Woes  I just downgraded my Facebook status from “Married to my TV” to “Casually Hooking Up”.  My TV then proceeded to unfriend me.  Turns out we’re back to our morning Sports Center rendezvous with an evening quickie with Spongebob.

In other news, I think the most impressive part of the Closing Ceremonies is not that they actually pulled it off, but that it looked like Posh smiled a little teeny, tiny bit at one point during the Spice Girls performance.

-Classy Pants  Yep, I busted out the classy pants once again this weekend.  On Saturday evening we had to squeeze a lot of people in my car and I ran out of room in the back for the car seats, so it meant smallest person sat in it.  I guess I drew the small stick.  Never has 31 looked so classy.

Climbing into the back seat gives me super classy hair. And apparently I was VERY happy about riding in this super awesome booster seat.

- Quiet Moments  Without Track & Field streaming on my TV & computer, the neighborhood will be much quieter.  My neighbors will no longer find the need to come check on me because they “heard screaming”.  Sorry, that was just the men’s 5k ending.  #dontmindme

-Ugandan Gold  Uh, hello, [or should I say ki kati]  Uganda’s gold in the Olympic marathon:  I was beside myself, pee my pants ecstatic.  Are we ready for the next Ugandan gold in 2024?  I already got him to agree to this, and a promise is a promise you know!

Calling for a 2024 repeat?   Source

-Not Fun Run  Given it was literally around 100 degrees when I got a chance to run yesterday, I opted to hit the treadmill in the A/C.  People, I made it 3.5 miles and it was a.w.f.u.l. (emphasis on f u, treadmill).  I don’t know how some of you do long runs on that torture device.  After 2 miles I want to break something and likely start muttering under my breath causing a scene in the gym (think Office Space fax machine style tantrum).   This week will be difficult with continued heat.  I’m predicting a nuclear meltdown in my just increasing mileage.  Just sayin’.

Any exciting weekend revelations?
Anything exciting?

Keepin’ It Classy

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5ish Miles
Sweaty, Beer Motivated Strides
@ Road Runner Sports Adventure Run

Yesterday I was keepin’ it real class in the McD house.  Strawberry was rushing through breakfast and panicked because he didn’t have a glass.  I learned him real good that if you have less than half an inch of milk – glasses are foregone.

Going green? Don’t use glasses then recycle container.  Done and done.

After cruising through another day of successfully wearing both shirts AND pants for all work meetings, I changed into my classy pants and headed out to the Road Runner Sports Adventure Run.

People, if you live near a store that hosts these you have to go.  I went to meet more local runners and guess what – it works!  I showed up and saw a bunch of peeps whom I had seen in various local races over the summer, I even found a group I had met last month, met a woman who was a week overdue with her first baby trying to get labor kick started, met a few new people – including traffic tempting blogger a few of you may know.

Me and a few of my local running “friends” – this was only about 1/3 of the people there

Want to come and find winning tickets? Don’t look here. Look all around me. The “winningest” ticket I had was when I accidentally got a second free beer. I’ll take that!

They literally give away thousands of dollars of stuff, you get in a few free miles and get to try and make sense of a crazy map on your iPhone as you adventure off following the “check points” collecting tickets.  Fast, slow, old or young (wow, this is almost sounding like a personal ad) will have a fab time.

Nothing says super fun like leaving sweaty butt prints on the asphault with people you hardly know or just met.  No, seriously, I mean that.

Do you live near a Road Runner Sports?
If not, do you have local running events like this?

True Confession Thursday: Short & Sweet

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Jillian Michaels & Yoga WorkoutsKidd-o Stretchy Strides

Regular readers know that it’s Thursday which means I get to tell you all sorts of embarrassing stuff.  You game?

This was 4 hours post dentist. It was far worse during the video conference

Dental Woes.  I had to get a filling yesterday which left half my mouth paralyzed a large part of the day.  This meant I had to have a teleconference with a new coworker while half my face didn’t work and I was making repeated farting noises with my mouth
as my lip just flapped in the freaking wind.  Poor new colleague, he probably thinks I’m crazy.  He’d be half right.

I ate Ben & Jerry’s after my workout.  It was on sale and I’ve been so good.  So sue me.

I had the ultimate “search term” on my blog yesterday.  Someone actually searched “i have a naughty aunt that looks at my crotch” and it somehow led them to this place.  I would feel dirty if I wasn’t giggling so hard 8 hours later.

Work at home woes.  Prior to the Quasimoto video conference I thought it might have just been a teleconference and I spilled water all over my shirt right before it started (uh hello genius your face is numb why do you think your mouth will work?) so I was just sitting there in my bra with my shirt in the dryer when I got the request for a video conference.   But don’t judge.  I regularly work in a sports bra or sans pants.  If no one’s home, I’m working and spandex is my business casual, why should I have to be dressed?  The UPS driver doesn’t seem to mind.  And for the record, I grabbed the closest shirt around which sadly came from the dirty laundry.

Sadly this is only half of his feet, the rest are sporting more blisters.

Ignorant parenting.  My son was complaining about his feet all last night and then after his 6 hour soccer camp.  I repeatedly told him to “Cowboy up cupcake” and stop complaining.  Later in the day I found not 1, not 2, but 5 huge blisters all over his feet and toes.  Bad mommy!  Bad!

So there you have it…there’s plenty more to tell but that will have to suffice for now.

In other news, Laguna Hills Road Runner Adventure Run is tonight.  If you’re an OC’er you definitely need to check it out.  Free runs, free laughs, free giveaways, and most importantly free adult beverages.  It is an enchanting evening where local runners will run for beer.

She’s Baaa-ck

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A Few Bricks last week…
No Recuerdo Strides

Yes it’s official – I’m back.  I’m tired.  And I hardly remember much of what I actually did and when.

Most of my days looked something like this:

Wake up

Hit the gym

I love awkwardly angled self-portraits in the gym. Not one foreigner looked at me strangely at all. I swear. Okay that’s a lie. They ALL did.

Grab some grub

Each morning my breakfast appetizer was a little Nuun. Sweatastic times in mega humidity

Then pretty much hit the beach, pool, swam, feel asleep, drank something fruitastic, played volleyball, snorkeled or any variation thereof.

Some of the friends I met snorkeling. While I swam in the middle of hundreds of fish, I unfortunately, did not find Nemo.

Oh yeah, and there was a wedding!

I promised pink chiffon…so there you have it folks!  Steph & Ash – uber congrats.  Love you both!

I am clearly uber photogenic.  Check out some of the snapshots from the wedding:

Classy Pants: My aunt was testing the camera and this was the best I could do.

I title this photo: Hour 8 in chiffon, boned bodice dress in 88% humidity and 85 degrees. It felt nice if you’re masochistic and all.

I have no food, a full day of work ahead of me and kids who will likely not wake up until 9 o’clock and just have to take the tardy due to the late airport pickup last night.  Sounds like a serious reality check.

Not on the agenda – a workout.  Luckily I squeezed one last good one in yesterday morning because the ol’ schedule just won’t allow today.  Plus, I’ve missed my kids like peanut butter misses jelly.  So I want to spend as much time as possible making up for all the cuddles and smiles I missed last week for every minute possible after school.

From the late bedtime, I’m guessing I’ll get to make up for all the tears and whining I missed last week too.

What’d I miss last week?  Anything exciting?  Races, injury recoveries, etc?

My Return: Recap of Road Runner First Thursday Adventure Run

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Minutes:  1 hour
Miles:  5.7
Classy Pants Strides

Alas, my triumphant return to running.  I kicked this off with the Laguna Hills Road Runner First Thursday Adventure Run.

Let’s just say that this moment was far less triumphant and more…well stumbling, bumbling and humbling.

First of all -I had two intentions of participating in this event.

1 – Meet new people.

2- Get Mama some new giveaway compression socks.

Here’s the way these work.

–>You register early to get your free beer ticket (this is of critical importance).

–>Next, you walk around, look at cool products, meet some neat people and if you’re me find a bathroom.

On a sidenote there are some…er…plumbing issues in my house right now so I’m going on 24 hours of no water.  So finding a bathroom was IMPORTANT.

–>In grand fashion, they reveal a map, you somehow record where to go and run like the wind to get tickets.

Big ol’ map

–>Next you find people to run with and go collect tickets at the various spots.

And this is where I forgot my numero uno purpose of this…RUN WITH PEOPLE.

I bolted out Lone Ranger style and got to a stop light where a group was already waiting.  They were all going one way and I was going the other to the “secret Facebook spot” for extra tickets going the other direction.  They headed my way to get the bonus tickets and we set off together.

For an hour, and 5.7 miles I got to know a great group of people, kept a nice slow, steady, I’m just coming off an injury pace and grabbed my tickets to be entered for the $3,500 of prizes they gave away at the end.

One way to go for a run with the dog…

WAIT.

Did I mention you have an hour to finish and get back to the store?   Our group was cutting it a bit close and that’s when my awkward, gangly identity reared it’s ugly head.

You see, to save time we may have sorta, kinda been jay walking.  A car came, I panicked and bounced into the bushes.  I hopped, skipped, and then my foot landed on the sprinkler cap.

It was a sad mix of awkwardness a la “Revenge of the Nerds” completed with a douse of “There Will be Blood”.  I was face down in the bushes. 

Weird angle: check….creepy looking uber small feet.: check..need for better camera skills in the self-portrait: check!

Freaking awesome.

This is why I usually don’t run with people.  Whenever I do, I seem to fall on the first meeting.  I clearly have the gift of making a fabulous first impression.

That said, everyone was really supportive and I don’t think they cared too much that my grace clearly knows no bounds and I am a fantastic klutz.  I got my free beer and never heard my numbers called. :(

This is a giant knot that will likely be hanging around for a few weeks…probably sporting all sorts of pretty shades of purple, blue, yellow and brown. My own personal rainbow.

Light at the end of the tunnel: one of the women in my group remembered me saying I was vying for some new compression socks and had won a pair herself.

And she gave the certificate to me.  If you happen to see this Linda, thanks!  They made my evening!

So yes – mission accomplished on two counts…with yet another side of humble pie.

Summer’s Coming!

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Strawberry LEAPING into Summer last year!

I could say something fun or profound – or just say – my hip hurt today.  Like REALLY bad.  Yesterday I was doing some speedwork on the dreadmill at the gym and around 2.5 miles my whole lower half seized up so I jogged to a halt, stretched, iced and called it a day.

Instead of being crabby about the fact I have a half marathon on Monday and I’m not sure what this means -I’m resolved to consider dropping down to the 10k if needed and focusing on something else – SUMMER’S COMING.

What? you ask.  Don’t you live in SoCal – land o’ perpetual summer?  

Ummm, yeah.  So what if it’s 85 degrees and we’re at the beach in February?

Summer’s coming and it just FEELS different.  Just to tame the heart for the next month until school gets out – last year’s summer in pictures….

The sun & the sand

Sangria in Mommy’s Hand

Swimming

Hillbilly swimming

And Hillbilly Sangria (ftr, this was *mostly* staged)

Sporting my classy pants once again

Urban Run

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10.34 miles
Stylin’ Strides

So after the last crazy few weeks of work, I realized I needed to get away, unplug, recharge, whatever you want to call it for a few hours before I blew my top yesterday.  I wasn’t quite sure how to do this, but I knew I’d figure out a way.

My cousin…and me bringing sexy back with my compression sleeves.  True story, look above her head and a giant hot dog is pouring ketchup on her…

Here’s the thing – if you were to ask anyone in the entire world who knows me to use my name and the word spontaneous in the same sentence…well…

Basically you’d not get a response because they would be laying on the floor laughing too hard to respond.

So this spontaneous plan was a big stretch.

I got a call from my fabulous cousin (yes I’m talking to you) asking if I wanted to meet up at a festival.  So I spontaneously pulled over in said city and decided to park my car and run 10 miles to the festival (I’d cab it back with them later).

A few things.

A- I am NOT familiar with the ins and outs of this city.

B- Who wants to walk around with me for hours after a 10+ miler in the hot So Cal sun?

C- I was desperate – who cared?

Citrusy Hydration Station

So here’s the low down on my urban run:

  • I got lost.  Like SERIOUSLY lost.  Ended up in the worst part of town watching multiple drug deals kind of lost.  Yes, I saw 3 of them.
  • I found an awesome cheering squad from as surprising population – the homeless.  Lots of cheers, high 5′s and maybe some comments I couldn’t quite (or didn’t want to) understand.
  • I am trying to start a fashion trend by wearing compression sleeves to street festivals.  Surprisingly it didn’t catch on.
  • Running is usually my stress release, but even after 10+ miles it was all balled up.
  • After last week’s hydration mistake, I wasn’t going to let that happen again so I was sure to double hydrate:  Orange Nuun & Shocktop (to keep with the citrus theme).  They actually paired surprisingly well.

After a few hours of run, sun & fun I made my way home to finish up some reports I had waiting.  It was a much needed break…and quite the adventure.

My question to you is what post-run beers pair well with which Nuun flavors?

I’m thinking a taste test might be in order!  Any takers?

From Juggling to Struggling

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Miles: 3.81
Minutes: 29.27
Blah Recovery Strides (seriously still…)

Lay It Down Indeed!

About 6 months ago I saw this super awesome bracelet on a different blog.  I. had. to. have. it. (purchase/look here)

Lay It Down.

It’s so simple and it has double meaning for me.  I bought it knowing this.

Lay it  Down – A message appealing to my faith – when the stresses of the day and life in general can build I need to I lay ‘em down and let ‘em go.  It’s out of my hands.

Lay it Down – For the athlete in me, I remember to lay the heck of the smack down when I’m laced up out on the trails, streets, etc.  I don’t need to take anything back with me.

And let’s face it, it’s a good reminder because …my personal life has been a little rough as of late.

Let me paint you a pretty little word picture of a 15 minute snippit from yesterday.

4:40pm:  Picture StridingMom sitting on a piece of dirty cutout carpet salvage in the middle of the garage.  I’ve got my laptop on the ground, my ear buds in my ears and am participating in a conference call.  NBD right?

Except that overhead the carpet cleaners are finishing my house.  And oh yeah, they’re almost finished but hanging out waiting for a few fans to dry, so one of them is teaching Chocolate how to do tricks on the skateboard and I can do pretty much absolutely nothing since I am on a teleconference.    (On a total sidenote if you’re in the OC and need a carpet cleaner , check these guys out, they’re FABULOUS and worth every penny)

The other two bambinos are running around torturing the poor 80-year old HOA president by playing kick ball within 10 feet of his ladder.  Perfect.  I’m literally hoping and praying no one starts screaming, yelling or kicking a ball my direction.

About 10 minutes into this fiasco I now need to manage 10 different conversations at once as Strawberry’s guitar teacher shows up for lessons- which would have to be in the garage because the carpets had just been cleaned.  Classy, super classy.

I had this moment where I went from juggling to struggling.  And honestly it’s felt a lot like that lately.

My babies showin’ me the love!  Methinks they may have a future in floral design.

So today, while very much of the same juggling/struggling act, I am trying to have a much better approach.  My kids got in the “Mother’s Day” kick early and made me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and 30 (sorry beautiful trees, they killed you but warmed my heart) beautiful drawings.  I’m not sure which was the better gift the fact that they said, “it was a sign of love and respect” (what?!?) or that they cooperated and coordinated without fighting for over an hour (what what?!?!).  It’s a Mother’s Day Miracle.

Hair brushed – check. Noticeable lack of wicking fabric – check.

After yesterday’s tirade rendering me a dirty woman and loosening any small amount of respect you had about my ability to practice basic hygiene, I turned over a new leaf.  I actually showered, brushed my hair AND wore real clothes to attend a mother’s day teaat Vanilla’s school.  Super presh.

And that’s exactly what I had to do today – I let go of my worries and laid it down on the trail and am left feeling so much better.  I got my juggling game back and let the struggling go.

Lay it down, peeps.  Lay it down.