reaching maximum capacity

Seriously? Today was a real eye-opener for yours truly. That's right folks, Marge is officially LARGE. Mabelle has a name for these type of people (so we can talk about them without them knowing it) and what we say is that the person we are referring to is "in charge" (for example... "dude, that guy's IN CHARGE!). People... I am officially IN CHARGE. Weight gain is a slippery slope and I'm a slidin' down fast. Yes, I could say that I have a bucket full of excuses... two weddings can create enough stress to send even the likes of Calista Flockhart to overeater's anonymous. Add two pregnancies, each ending in miscarriage followed by their own portions of depression, to the equation and that's a terrible mess in that bucket. I swore to myself that I would not get to this weight and when I did my health assessment at work today I was a mere 1 pound from getting there. 16 little tiny ounces... if I drank one more soda before I jumped on to that scale I would have made. Thing is... I didn't want to make it.

I am teetering way too close to the edge of a very dangerous reality and I just got done doing something about it. I finally started running again after a long, much too long hiatus from my favorite sport. Can I tell you? It was freaking HARD! I did it though... and I felt good afterwards. Hello? I know it is possible and I know it feels good when I'm done, so I'm going to keep doing it... sound good? I owe the partial rebound to running to Jason, so he gets a double high five for that. He ran an awesome race in the La Jolla 1/2 marathon yesterday. He gets a double woot woot! Now back to the "sock it to ya" pound cake. I'm kidding.

another day, another dollar... literally

Ahhh... it's finally FRIDAY!!!! TG! I have survived yet another week in corporate hell. It was touch and go there for awhile, but alas, I only have 6 more hours until I get to leave it, even if it is only for 48 hours. Sheesh, with the price of gas these days, I work to pay for the gas that it takes me to get to work. Does that even make sense?

Chrissy(pre-race) tips # 2-25

This was taken from Runner's World (the commentary after each tip was taken from my own experience)

Before the Gun Your pre-race goal should be to arrive at the starting line relaxed and ready to run. Here's how (there's nothing worse than feeling like you're late... this is the time to become a planner... trust me!)

Lay It Out "The night before, lay out everything you'll need race day on an extra bed or the floor," says Greg McMillan, a USA Track & Field certified coach in Flagstaff, Arizona. With the race start still half a day away, you can think clearly about all the things you want with you on race morning. (I take this to the extreme and even lay it out according to how I put it on... at 3 a.m. this added step ensures that I don't have my bra on over my t-shirt.)

Travel Light Save yourself the post-race hassle of retrieving your supplies by not checking anything. Wear an old pair of sweats and a shirt over your racing outfit that you can toss at the start (most races donate the clothes). If you need to check your bag, don't put anything in your sack that you can't live without "Ninety-nine percent of the stuff gets back to the runner," says Dave McGillivray, race director of the Boston Marathon. "But one percent always gets lost in the wash." (You WILL want a pair of flip flops or something... hey, they're 2 pair for $5 at Old Navy. And bring something to wear afterwards... unless it's 90 degrees outside, I always get the post-run chills. Wet clothes+hot body= shivers.)

B.Y.O.T.P The longer the lines at the Port-a-Johns, the more likely the potty will be out of toilet paper. "So bring your own," says Rod DeHaven, 2000 U.S. Olympic marathoner. (No lie... and at the very least, wear underwear... it makes for good emergency TP... I've had to do it in a pinch, but it only works ONCE a race!)

Show Your Number Even though most races time with chips, you still have to wear a number. "Bib numbers show race officials that you are a registered runner," says Cliff Bosley, race director of The Bolder Boulder 10-K. "They should be visible at all times." Pin your bib on the front of your racing outfit with four safety pins to keep it from flapping around. (Plus this is the only way the photographers know who you are ... they are usually hired by the race committee and have no other way of identifying you. You don't want to spend hours scouring the "lost" pictures after the race. BIG TIP: Don't worry about having the number pinned to your "outer layer" (like if you're wearing a jacket at the beginning of the race)... you will most likely peel that layer off by the time you get to the first photographer.)

Secure Your Key Find someplace to stash your car key (note: singular), but not where someone might find it, like in the gas cap, on a tire, or in a hide-a-key under the car (sound familiar?). If the key is one of those bulky computer-programmed jobs, use the valet key instead, and slide it into a zippered pocket, lace it into your shoe, or use a Shoe Pocket, which is a waterproof pouch that Velcros to your laces. You could also hand your keys to a spectating friend--as long as he has a nicer car than yours. (Most water belts have a little pocket... and if you're an infraredder... you're probably wearing some sort of belt or something (to hold your gels at least) and aren't worried about shaving off 3 seconds of your time by not wearing a belt at all.) PS.. the reason why I always wear a belt (maybe with only 2 bottles instead of the 4) is because I've been to races where they run out of water by the time my infrared ass gets to the pit stop. Just at tip. Especially for small or brand new races! Stash Some Cash If you have money with you for an emergency, you won't need it. If you don't, you will. So pin a $10 bill inside your singlet. (Or stick it in with your car key)

Bag Yourself They aren't stylish, but plastic garbage bags do keep you warm and dry. "Cut a hole for just your head, and tuck your arms inside," says Bret Treier, cochair of the Road Runner Akron Marathon. (Or don't cut out a hole for your head and freak out all the other runners. JUST KIDDING). Seriously... it sounds silly... but it's easy to rip off (think sexy pole dancer) and doesn't cost much for how warm it keeps you. ANOTHER BIG TIP: Whenever I am ditching something (throwing something on the ground) whether it is my garbage bag or a water cup that I am still holding on to several minutes after the pit-stop... I try to toss it somewhere where the clean-up crew has to go anyway, like near a cone or a sign, or, HEY, the garbage can... I try not to make them make an extra stop just to pick up MY cup, etc.)

Warm Up Wisely If possible, warm up by running the first mile or so of the racecourse to get the lay of the land. If you can't do that, warm up on a nearby road or sidewalk, not in a grassy field. Early morning dew can soak through your shoes and socks. (uhhh... yeah, right... I'm guessing that if you are reading this you are an infra-redder and running "extra" is not on our checklist... I usually use the first 25 miles to warm up, really kicking it in for that last .2)

Line Up on Time Don't get there first, since the extra wait will only make you anxious. Instead, watch the clock and keep an eye on runners as they fill in behind the start. Then join in. Many races have signs showing you where to stand according to your predicted per-mile pace. Your race doesn't have markers? If you're hoping to run a four-hour (or longer) marathon, don't line up within 100 yards of a Kenyan. (It really does not help anybody if you line up at a faster pace than you really are. It's just annoying to the faster runners... as you will find out when you are dodging the slower runners ahead of you who didn't follow this same advice.)

Go As A Runner If you must dress up in a costume, "make sure it doesn't extend beyond your body so that it won't interfere with other runners," says Bosley. Elvis jumpsuit? Um, sure. Elvis cape? No. (I have nothing to say.)

And You're Off Once the race starts, there's more to think about than just putting one foot in front of the other. Wait! "Don't start your watch at the gun," says McMillan. Hard to resist, but starting your watch immediately will yield a depressing finishing time (we don't need THAT) since it might take several minutes to cross the starting line. Turn your watch face inside your wrist--to avoid an accidental bump that might activate the stopwatch--then hit the start button when you reach the start. This will sync up your chip time and your watch time, so you can accurately calculate your pace. Look For Room As you ramp up to race pace, try to achieve "daylight" between you and other runners, which is basically two full stride lengths. (Good Luck... you'd think they were giving away free F150's the way these people crowd you.)

Be Patient Don't bob and weave through the starting pack like a punt returner. You'll waste energy without getting very far. Instead, jog or walk with your arms slightly out to help you keep your balance. (But not like a plane... that's just silly) And be sure not to follow the guy with the headband who has jumped the curb and is sprinting ahead. The race gods will make him trip.

Drink Second The first water stop in larger races often resembles a crowded subway station at rush hour. As long as you're not thirsty, go ahead and skip it. "You don't want to trip or slip on someone else's cup," says Treier. "So move over to the double-yellow line and run right through." (Plus, if you're like me.. I have water if I'm THAT thirsty... plus this a perfect opportunity to shave off those 3 seconds... ha ha.)

Pass with Caution Runners with MP3 players likely don't know you're approaching. " (Hey... this is biased...) In a crowded race, runners need to have a level of consciousness about their environment, and people wearing headphones don't," (again... BIASED!!!!!) says Phil Stewart, race director of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten-Mile Run in Washington, D.C. (That's why so many races discourage headphones.) So wait until they're done singing the chorus, then yell, "Passing on the left!" Make sure to give Mr. or Ms. iPod a wide berth--while making sure you don't cut anyone off. (DID they just call me FAT??? OK... whatever they're blabbing about on this iPod issue... just remember to shout out..."On Your Left" when passing in a tight area...)

Steal Some Airtime Look for TV cameras. If you spot one, move into an open space and simply point at it. Waving and shouting signals desperation. (And if you're running the Carlsbad race, they let the elite runners start early... so at some point they WILL pass you and you will have a chance to be on TV. Plus, if you're like Len... you can run with them for a minute and brag about how you ran the same pace as the guy who won (for 5 seconds) and talk to him a bit... but I don't recommend this.. save it for your finish line moment!)

Slow Down on the Side If you need to slow your pace, do so gradually and move to the right side of the road (or the left... just to the side), again making sure you don't cut anyone off, like the ex-Georgia Tech linebacker behind you. (a quick glance over your shoulder doesn't hurt if you're about to stop or start walking)

Hold the Hoorays Sure, it's easy to get animated when you're a couple of miles from the finish. You're almost there. Yet yukking it up expends a lot of energy. "I once saw my wife talking, waving, and blowing kisses," says Treier. "I yelled out: 'Save it.' She didn't listen, and she did not finish with a smile on her face." (.2 miles doesn't seem like a lot in the big scheme of things... but let me tell ya... .2 miles is a long way after you've run 26!)

Happy Endings As you cross the finish line, you're not quite done yet: the finishing chute stretches ahead. ( Don't just stop dead cold... people behind you will run into you... use that same courtesy you would on the course.)

Keep Moving Once across the finish line, runners are all striving toward a common goal--a cold drink and a shower. If you don't keep moving forward, you'll likely get knocked around. (And... once you stop, it will be so hard to get going again, so make sure you're where you want to be before you stop moving... plus, walking around after the race helps, especially if you walk right up to a massage table!)

Take the Wrap Worn like a cape, mylar race blankets keep the heat in. And if you're offered a sticker or piece of tape with the cape, use it to secure the blanket at the neck so that you can keep your hands free. Note: It doesn't matter which side of the blanket is in and which side is out. It traps your body heat either way. (You could also tuck it in somewhere or tie a knot. You will want your hands free to hold some water,and some snacks!)

Ditch the Chip If you've used one of those secure plastic ties to attach your chip to your shoe, it takes the volunteers about two seconds to get it off. "Another efficient way is to lace the chip into the shoe just below the knot so all you have to do is untie your shoe to get it off," says Mike Burns, president of ChampionChip. "If the chip is laced farther down, below the eyelets and along the tongue, you'll have to unlace the shoe to remove the chip." This will stop you cold. (Definitely use the plastic ties they give you... and definitely remember to give that sucker back... but they're usually like hungry bloodhounds when it comes to reclaiming their chip, so no worries there!)

Drink Up Even though you are no longer running, you need fluids to rehydrate and recover. Take some and keep moving. (It's the weirdest feeling... I feel so dehydrated yet I can't drink another drink... fight it and re-hydrate... your body deserves it!)

Wear Your Hardware Drape your finisher's medal around your neck. You need your hands for other things as you continue to move through the chute. Just make sure to take off the medal sometime in the next month. (I also suggest wearing it to dinner that night as well as to work the next day.. it usually scores me a free appetizer or a free drink at dinner and a lot of sympathy at the office the next day!)

Eat. A Little Get yourself some food, but "just your share," says Gordon Bakoulis, a running coach in New York City. You need carbs to begin post-race recovery, not to feed your entire extended family. Besides, stopping for extra food will only slow things down. And any leftover food is often given away to a charity, like a local food bank. (BUT BEWARE!!! Know your body and don't think you can just eat whatever... you might even get the Hershey squirts no matter what you eat! All of the blood in your body is in your muscles... not your stomach. Be nice and try not to shock your system.)

Find Your Family Have a prearranged spot to meet up with your family and friends after the race. Anything solid and immovable is best, like a tree, the front steps of a building, or Mike, who quit running three years ago. Don't suggest something like the middle of a field, which could be jam-packed with runners come race day. Next, make sure you spot your group before they see you. Now start limping (cue the sympathy violins). But do so with a huge smile on your face. (I also like to apologize in advance for any crabbiness my friends and family have to endure during and after the race. You will be so spent that you might not have the energy to be your sweet self). Also, don't be surprised if you burst into tears (especially after your 1st marathon)... I think it's a combination of pure joy and all the repressed agony coming out at the same time.

Be kind, rewind.

image courtesy of geoGreeting

so... my friend Donna says I need to go on meds...

Salt Lake City, Utah Marathon- by Alicia

Running in Utah....with snow capped mountains in the background!Having been disappointed not running in Little Rock, AR back on March 2nd due to Pneumonia (especially having gone all that way) I knew I had to come up with plan B. My goal has been since Carlsbad 2006, (my first Marathon!) to do 10 Marathons before I turn Golden (50 Years old to you youngin’s!) on July 31st of this year. To my credit, Little Rock would have been my 9th Marathon and San Diego Rock n’ Roll would be my 10th. However, we crazy runners find a way, some how, somewhere to make it work. After I started feeling better and got cleared to run, I started running back with the group on March 22nd and a light bulb lit up in my brain. “Why don’t I find another State to run in before Rock n’ Roll?” Well, I went on the website and found the Salt Lake City, UT on April 19th. Was I crazy? I hadn’t run in 3 weeks and in less than 5 weeks I was going to run a Marathon? But I remembered something that Natalia mentioned and that was, we have MUSCLE MEMORY IN OUR LEGS! Now, sometimes what our brain thinks and what our body can do are two different things. But I was up for the challenge....that’s what makes a true Infrared!The only concern I had at this time was the Elevation. Having lived and trained at Sea Level for all of my life, I thought this might be the run that would do me in. Salt Lake City’s Elevation is 4200 and the start of the race which is at the University of Utah is at 4800. I had heard that you need to either train in High Elevation and drink lots of water. Well, I didn’t have time to go up to Palomar Mountain or Lake Cuyamaca to do any running. Most of the race was to be going down hill with several little “inclines” along the way. They said it would be hard if you’ve never run down hill before. They said it would be harder on your calves because you tend to extend your legs out further when you run down hill. They said most city folk don’t do well in elevation. Well, they haven’t met an INFRARED!The weather called for a high of 62 and a low of 42 on Saturday, Marathon Day..I think that has something to do with SLC being a very Mormon town. I found Buca di Beppo and had the Cheesy Garlic Bread and the Fruitta Di Mare (Seafood Pasta) along with a glass of Chianti. Yes, I challenged the Elevation God’s with that one! But, I also had a glass of water along with the wine. They said it’s good to walk around and get the feel of the atmosphere and elevation and drink lots of water. So, by the end of the night I was tired and I had an Airborne before going to bed. I slept from 9:00 p.m. Until 3:00 a.m. And stayed up for 10 minutes and went back to bed until 7:45 a.m. There, they said it’s good to get in an 8 hour sleep at least 48 hours before a Marathon because chances are, you are not going to sleep well the night before. Friday I got up had another Airborne, drank more water and lazed around the room. I headed back over to the Expo and got a 35 minute table massage on a Migun? Have you ever had that done? It’s AWESOME! It’s a bed that has these “Jade Balls” that heat up and go up and down the back of your body. Anyway, as I was heading back to the Hotel I noticed the wind was picking up. It was blowing pretty good and I thought well, it’ll be over by tomorrow. I went back to the room (limping like jello) drank lots of water and watched a movie. About 5:00 p.m. I headed out to Dinner and then headed back to the room to get a “good night’s sleep.” I set my cell phone alarm, hotel phone alarm and hotel clock radio alarm to wake me up at 3:30 a.m. I was good and ready and by 9:30 I tucked myself in bed.Well, it was the worse night sleep ever! I never did get more than an hour sleep at a time! I kept getting up, looking at the clock thinking I was late drank more water, then went back to bed. This went on for 6 hours! Finally at 3:30 I got up and got ready to catch the Traxx (shuttle) at 4:45 to get to the start of the race at the University. The Marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. And I thought why couldn’t we get there at 6:00 instead of 5:00 a.m.? Well, with 10,000 Marathoners, Half Marathoners, 5 K’s and Cyclists and they had to get people set up early.The University was cool probably about 55 degrees and very, very windy. Most of us took shelter around a building where the wind wouldn’t find us. That wind found us! We huddled and talked Marathon stories and I had my clear pancho on to keep the warmth in and my cheap $2 pair of gloves on. By 7:04 a.m. I was off and running down hill, down hill fast, it was like a stampede I had to keep looking at my Garmin and it kept saying 10:16, 10:02, 9:36 and I had to keep slowing myself down. This went on for about 3 miles....not a good way to start a Marathon as you are suppose to start slow and do a negative split. Which means start the first 13 miles slower then the last 13.2 miles. The wind started to pick up and you were running into the wind. I tried to run behind someone to have them block the wind but that didn’t help. Then the wind continued for the next 10 miles until finally about mile 13 it tapered off just a little until mile 16. Then from mile 16 through the end the wind got worse. It was whipping hats off and small sand gravel through the air beating upside your legs, in your eyes and everywhere. I finally started to walk, just walk because my battle with the wind the first 13 miles took it’s toll. Then I ran a little and walked a little alternating passing every mile marker telling myself, “keep going” by mile 20 I was at 4 hours and 6 minutes which was pretty good considering. I thought to myself hey, it’s just 6.2 miles left, just pretend it’s a Saturday run. I saw this family along the way that was starting to cheer me up. Then 2 miles down the road I saw them again and they rooted for me again. Then about mile 22 they can tell I was spent. All I wanted to do was finish, get my medal and go back to the room and shower and pack up and get the heck out of dodge! I finally finished with 5:38:23. It was my 4th best time out of 9! Still can’t believe I did good considering. This was a very good course had it not been for the wind. Lot’s of beautiful houses and great people along the way. A young couple had a “buffet” of items on a table along the route which they had oranges, bananas, pretzels, bugles, twizzlers, fig newtons and some other stuff. I should have stayed there a while and indulged a little longer as I think that would have helped me through the end. Would I do it again? Sure, just in another state. I hear St. George Utah is a better course if anyone is interested.Thanks for listening and run well my friends, run well!Infrared Alicia!

random acts of love

So I'm driving along and see this just hanging there. Then later on in the day I'm driving along in a different part of town and see another, similar piece hanging. Clearly from the same person due to the similarity of the font. I think to myself... "I needed that random act of Love." I don't think you can find one wrong thing with this thing called love.

On another note... I made my own freaking curtains this past weekend. You see, I got a sewing machine from BFF Jean and it has been sitting there staring at me, taunting me to "go ahead, just try to sew something, beeyotch!" And, BahDow... in your FACE sewing machine, I just went ahead and opened you up and sewed up some kick-ass curtains... whataya gonna say now? Ok, I will give you that they are not perfect. Perfect is waaaay over-rated anyway. They block out the sun with their major SPF sun-blocking "black-out" lining selves and they are pretty. There.

Also checked off this past weekend was a new recipe for "love" bars (hmmm... coincidence with the love sign??? this just occurred to me). If you love peanut butter and you love chocolate and you want the recipe, just leave me a comment and I will provide it to you. SUPER EASY PEASY recipe by the way (the recipe is off a friend's blog, not my own creation... so you're safe to try it.)

To complete my creative trifecta, I also finished up the invites to my next budget gourmet fantasy meal. I am in LOVE with these invites... sometimes-I-amaze-even-myself-they-came-out-so-good kind of love. I will post a pic once the invitees have received theirs in the mail so as to not spoil the surprise, as if I'm in any real danger of ANY of those turds reading my blog.

Rubber Ducky

(From Sesame Street)

Rubber Ducky, you're the one,
You make bathtime lots of fun,
Rubber Ducky, I'm awfully fond of you;
Woo woo be doo

Rubber Ducky, joy of joys,
When I squeeze you, you make noise!
Rubber Ducky, you're my very best friend, it's true!
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo

Every day when I
Make my way to the tubby
I find a little fella who's
Cute and yellow and chubby
Rub-a-dub-a-dubby!

Rubber Ducky, you're so fine
And I'm lucky that you're mine
Rubber ducky, I'm awfully fond of you.

Every day when I Make my way to the tubby
I find a little fella who's
Cute and yellow and chubby
Rubber Ducky, you're so fine
And I'm lucky that you're mine
Rubber ducky, I'm awfully fond of -
Rubber ducky, I'd like a whole pond of -
Rubber ducky I'm awfully fond of you!
Doo doo, be doo

food for thought

15 THINGS THAT IT TOOK ME OVER 50 YEARS TO LEARN:
By Dave Barry, Nationally, Syndicated Columnist

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative onthe same night.

2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."

3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." HMMM... no comment

4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

5. You should not confuse your career with your life.

6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

7. Never lick a steak knife.

8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip. Oops.

9. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

10. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THIS ONE.

11. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender,religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside,we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.

12. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to a waiter, is not a nice person (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)

13. Your friends love you anyway.

14. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

15. Thought for the day: Men are like fine wine. They start out as grapes, and it's up to the women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.

caught kissing another man...

All weekend long there have been reports that Bono was in town doing some environmental video or something. I thought it would be cool if we randomly ran into him somewhere... but since I don't live in a super cool (read touristy) area... chances were slim that I would get to see him. That it until I decided to SEIZE.THE.DAY!!!!

So I'm driving to work yesterday and the radio announcer again reports that there have been Bono sightings all weekend long (not unusual since I live in Cali and stars are around here all.of.the.time.) and that he is currently, as in RIGHT NOW, at Mission Bay shooting more of this video he's working on. It's 7 a.m. and I'm about to turn off on my exit to go to work -boo and I decide to turn around and head to Mission Bay. I figured my chances were 50/50 as to how many people would be there and those are some decent chances. It turns out that there were only about 20 people already there (with the same idea) and here we were staring right at Bono as he is strumming his acoustic, strolling along the bay (which clearly needed an environmental re-fresh, since there was much washing up on shore lapping at Bono's feet). Security is having us stay a short distance away from him and we're all in awe. I've been close to Bono before, having gone to plenty of concerts and waiting in line for many, many, MANY hours to ensure a front row position, but it was never in such an intimate setting. OMG!

It gets better.

He takes a break from his strolling and strumming to come and greet us and shake some hands, etc. OMG again! Hello? I get to TOUCH him???

It gets better.

He goes back to strolling and strumming and I continue snapping picture after picture. The camera guy asks for volunteers to be IN.THE.VIDEO (yes, today just had to be the day that I had no make-up on and looked like a blue version of Waldo, but WHO CARES? I'm going to be in a Bono video!) and YES I was chosen among others for what appeared to be a panoramic shot of a crowd, etc... cool.

It gets better.

After another round of strolling and strumming (we are getting a private little concert here), it seems that it was "a wrap" and the crew et. al. is about to pack it up, Bono comes over to meet and greet and allow us the opportunity for photo ops. OMG, AGAIN!

It gets better.

I hand my camera over to some homeless looking dude and jump up next to Bono and he says "come over here darlin'," puts his arm around me and KISSES ME. OMG!

It does not, I repeat, NOT get better than this!

p.s. he smells good too.