More Mother Running Fun

I am on the fence about possibly running the Memorial Half Marathon in OKC.  I need to get this nailed down because I don't want to begin running 7+ milers on the weekend for no reason.  I'm sure it would be in the best interest of health, but I find "in the best interest of health" non-motivating.  When I first started running back in 2009, the only reason I would go is because I made a deal with myself that every 20 miles logged I would go get a drink at Starbucks.  If I didn't hit the 20 miles, no coffee for me.  I kept a log on the fridge and that was pretty effective.

I can't really do that now because I can make my own lattes with my Nespresso machine at my house, which may be the best Christmas gift in the history of my life.  They are not paying me to say that (maybe they should) nor are they giving me any complimentary Nespresso capsules (I know they should do at least that) which would be nice because I'm already close to out of the 200 or so we purchased at Christmas...hmmm.  That's a latte drinks.  (Please forgive me for that...)

I'm sure the amount you care about how much I do or don't want to run some half marathon and the amount I'm in love with my espresso machine is little to none so I will also provide you with the top five reasons Can't Hold Us by Macklemore is my primary running jam at the moment.

Top 5 Reasons Can't Hold Us by Macklemore is My Primary Running Jam at the Moment

1.  Cowbells

2.  Clapping

3.  Mackelmore!  Love. Him.

4.  There is some serious low brass going on.  I picture someone running after me blaring at me with a trombone.

5.  The lyrics...This could be a really long reason but I'll shorten it to say that most of it just gets me really pumped up especially because when I run I'm like a great white shark on shark week....

6.  There is a personal shout out to me at the 3:38 minute mark.  He distinctly says "That's Rachel right here".  Listen closely.  You'll agree.

I can count to 5 but I threw an extra one in there just for YOU!

Cheers!

Don't Let The Man Get You Down

You're welcome.  I decided to allow adds on my blog.  Then I changed my mind.  Just wanted to keep you updated on the level of care.

Add free for your ultimate enjoyment.

Plus I'm lazy and I didn't want obscene advertisements and the list of choices to block or not block had approximately 20 pages and now I blog in run-on sentences and the quality of writing is just way down here with the be verbs and whatnot abounding and I don't think getting a $10 check every three months for my blog is good for my self esteem and The Man is just peeking around every corner of every advertisement; they can't fool me.

Winning.

Other wins today:

Positive potty experience (I am referring to my toddler, no I'm not that weird.)
Homemade fried rice AT LUNCH (I'm like freaking suzy homemaker, although I'm sure suzy would go ahead and cook dinner but I'm using this as a reason to NOT cook dinner)
Un-monetizing my blog (I'm so free right now I might just float away)
Acquiring a spot in the queue for an emergency bug spray this afternoon (I killed multiple spiders and such in my house, a win? not so much...although its more of a win for me than my little buggy friends (read with accent))

Until next time (when I tell you about how I got kicked out of the free food tent at the race Saturday) Keep your eye on The Man and cheers!  

If I've taught you anything, it's to watch out for The Man.  And trip him.  (Just say no to advertisements).

PS-I solved for "X" Saturday morning at the race.  X = sore hips and knees and a race time reflective of the rest on the side of the road around mile 10 for a sock adjustment...and then a few minutes later I was still sitting.  But over all, it was a really great experience.  We saw our friends, enjoyed the scenery, ate really great food and I finally got my husband hooked on running so that was a win.  I can't wait to get my toe healed so I can beat the pants off him at the next race.  Babe, I hope you read this.  But I'm sure you won't, because you never do (we have a real healthy relationship, y'all.  No really.)

Adventures of a Mother Runner

I have an equation I need help solving.  I know, I know....why am I asking you to do Math when, clearly, the post title indicates the content should be running.  Well, impatient.  You haven't read the equation yet!

(Toe fracture+3 weeks off the already shortened 10 week training plan)/5 hours of sleep the night before the race=X

Solve for X, my friend.  That's what I'll be doing early this coming Saturday morning.

In all seriousness...I am not looking for a record breaking time (thank GOODNESS).  I run this race, which is the Chosen Half Marathon, to show my support to some of my most dear friends as they raise funds for their adoption.  I will run with gusto, walk with pride, hobble in support.  I aim to cover every inch of the course, even with pain if it amounts to that.  They have taken their journey in stride with pain and joy.  I know that the emotions and feelings I have during a race pale in comparison to what they have been through, BUT I pray they know just how much they are loved and supported by their friends and family; how much we have cried and rejoiced alongside them.

BATTLE CRY! "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen!"  Ephesians 3:20-21

(Two posts in one day - Bazinga!)

The Accidental Twelve

Sounds like a movie, right?  (One about a woman who obviously doesn't understand birth control) or perhaps and inspirational one about a rag tag team who overcomes obstacles in order to be the next winning champs. 

I wish it were the name of the muffins I didn't just cook.

Let me tell you, The Accidental Twelve is none of these things.  What it is; however, is the number of miles I ran on Sunday.  Accidentally.

I only missed one important step during the run.  I went right instead of left and didn't figure out that I was with the twenty mile running group for a little while.  No, no.  I will never be with that group on purpose.  It was a complete and total accident during which I almost made a few people hate me by complaining so much.

It's difficult to keep going when your ear buds are telling you that your goal has been met, two miles ago.

Last words to my awesome training partner:  "I'm not running a step past 10."  Boy, was I completely wrong about that.

Cosmos: 12   Rachel: 0

 Cheers to long runs, and even longer accidental ones.

'til next time!

Attack!

How have I not shared my encounter with the bird?

Lately, when jogging by our corner convenience store, which, by the way, I swear off every time I go in.  Why do I swear it off?  Because the convenience store got with The Man and decided to not post prices on any of the goods for sale in the store.  Well, I'm assuming its all for sale, but who could really tell with no pricing?  They have a "policy" that you may not charge anything under $2 on your credit card.  My natural inclination is to pick up the cheapest nearby object and waste more money just to hit the $2 mark - a great strategy if anything had pricing!  Half the time I pick something that ends up being $3+ and then they win.  I suggested they just add the amount to my tab that would total up to $2, but they weren't going to be tricked into that.  Just to get even I've started not buying items that don't hit the mark by abandoning my transaction at the register.  Nicely, of course.  They want to play games with me?  BOOM

So, back to lately.  Lately they have hired a bird to dive-bomb my head as I jog by on the sidewalk.  This relentless bird swoops down from the electric line when you least expect it, and also right as you meet a biking fool who takes great joy in watching/laughing as you freak out like a spaz, screaming and flailing your arms.

No matter how traumatized I am by the attack, I seem to forget to not go that way and it happens all over again.

And again.

No matter the time of day.

'til next time!

Boom Shakalaka

Here are a few tidbits/state of the Sanchez update:

Still watching Grey's all afternoon.

Still remembering that I am thankful for the job I've been provided that allows me to work from home and see my beautiful baby girl grow and learn so much every day.  Do you realize that the line between regular blogging and work blogging blurs completely because of this?  Am I working or blogging?  No one is sure.

Still staring in wonder at baby girl, who from this point forward shall be referred to as BG, as her big blue eyes stare back with complete trust and unconditional love (she is the best thing we have ever done).

Still trying to straighten my arms out without pain in my elbow pits because I'm so sore from doing the 30 day shred, even though that workout is so two years ago.  This in combination with running is brutal.  But in a good way.

Still photo-documenting BG's every move excessively.  Seriously.  It's quite excessive.  I have 1300 pictures stored on my iPhone.

Most importantly....I'm still wondering WHY my husband asked me how to spell "boom shakalaka."

PS - my amazing friends started an adoption blog and I really am still moved by their unfailing commitment to the Lord and his plan for their lives.

Cheers!

Get Crazy, Get Wild

Yesterday was day one of Half Marathon Training III.  i.e. week three.  Yes.  Wearing my "procrastinator" label with pride, I'm jumping right in at week three to finish a training plan just in time.  This, pared with haphazard planning, resulted in the accidental running of an extra half mile last night.  I hope the cosmos took note.  This equals points somewhere else, right?  Not only did I run a extra half mile, but was also on time/early to work today.  WIN!  Only time will tell if it's an actual win.  Don't worry, either the win or loss will be thoroughly documented through blogposts right here.

Since the latest addition to our family (no....not a child....but a puppy!) my schedule has become more routine.  And by routine, I mean we get up at about the same time every day, we eat on a regular basis, no wrecking of cars, purchasing of homes or moving of stuff....just ........normal things.  Finally!  And it's sooooo nice.  I feel like I'm playing house, but it's real life, apparently.

Snookie (newest addition.....she's a cute little Corgi.) has effectively learned to sit and walk on a leash.  And to run around like a crazy little dog while I sing the theme song to Jersey Shore.  It's heartwarming, really.  Almost as heartwarming as internet shopping.  Which I did a little of yesterday for my office.  I figured that working directly with undergraduates automatically licenses me to hang this on my wall:



Which is precisely what I went shopping for....

Cheers!  Until next time!

Confessions of a Running Addict

Yesterday I finished Half Marathon numero dos! I was having visions of distress and failure prior to the race, mainly because I wasn't as diligent in my workouts as I was for the first one, but everything turned out ok! It was a really fun weekend spent with my fam and old friends!! I'm already planning for the Half in OKC next spring. It might be safe to say that I'm addicted.

Some motivations during the race included, but were not limited to:

1. Beating the girl who was running like Peoebe Buffay who kept passing me.

2. Getting away from Mr. Shorty-Shorts whose right cheek was eye-level and right in front of me 80% of the first 3 miles.

3. Making it to the next water station so I could eat my energy jelly beans, which taste like candy.

4. Getting to the finish line so I could eat some free food at the end!

I will confess that as I ran I picked out people who looked weak that I felt that I had to pass. I don't know what this says about me.......but I'm pretty sure that most of the people I got in front of at the beginning of the race passed me back around mile 11. Including shorty-shorts.

Mile 11 is the bad place where you start evaluating the meaning of your life. Its the place that you ask random fellow runners to push on your back. Mile 11 is the place where shins fall off. Mile 11 are the words that cause me to shudder and have nightmares. I'm so glad that I made it through mile 11.

Now I just need to concentrate on suffering through sore muscles. It's totally worth it. Why? Because I'm an addict!!

Until next time!

Woops...

So, I skipped a day or thirty. Welcome back? I have been busy on the parade of jobs, which I think has finally come to an end. Whew! Most people that don't know me think I'm crazy, but the ones that do know me.......well, they KNOW I'm crazy! What's life without a little crazy flava flave?

The good news is that online shopping has commenced once more. I just bought a pair of running shoes for half the price I paid for the exact same pair I bought earlier this year. They were the lucky shoes I ran with in the April half. When I get them I predict that I'll wear them in hopes that karma remembers that I'm a good person and the shoes are lucky, in which case the fact that I've trained slim to none for the upcoming half becomes a moot point. (I think the most likely outcome of this little situation I describe will be flailing and hobbling about across a finish line in Dallas. But that remains to be seen. Luckily. (This brings me to a point: If you flail and hobble and no one sees you, it's like you neither flailed nor hobbled. Just like the tree falling in the woods that no one hears which makes no noise. Science....eerrr wait. Science disproves that one. Science, you do not give me hope for the upcoming hobble/flail situation...))

Well, I'm off to sell things online. This is a new one I haven't tried before. I need some income to fund the online shopping endeavor. Also? All the app buying. Including the "Damn it. My mom is on Facebook" filter. Thank you, SNL, for being spot on sometimes.

Until next time!

PS - Jokes aside, I'm pretty thankful for all the people in my life who are aware of my craziness and the parade of jobs and have gone through it with me. It's amazing how a crappy situation can reveal love and support of people in my life. I won't take any of them for granted and will be thanking God on a daily basis for each and every one of them!! Also, I will thank him for Amazon.com.

I Win

I watched seven hours of America's Next Top Model today. SEVEN HOURS. And I've been awake since 2am. Why? You ask. Because I jolted awake and then watched infomercials about Zoomba and the movie Up. Up is the reason I didn't go back to sleep. It sucked me in, plus made me cry. I like to watch children's movies. I have no shame. Things started seeing freakishly clear around 6pm today. But now that it's 8pm, not so clear. Lack of sleep? Lack of general concern? I'm out to run a bit, seeing as I've run a grand total of none this week.

Some people may look at my past two crazy days and think that I lost. I started the day yesterday with three potential and probable job offers and ended with none. I look at them and think that I won. In the long run I have been spared the agony of working in a truly unprofessional and unpleasant atmosphere, and that counts for a lot. Also? How many people can say that they have lost three jobs in one day? I win. I'll add that to my resume.


Furthermore, my day this morning started with a stakeout. I can't give you anymore details than that. Just picture Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza spying on someone in a really inconspicuous way. I'll give you one guess as to who was playing George this morning. (Me. The paranoia is back....you know. The paranoia where the I'm George and my life is Seinfeld) Doing the stake out was quite amusing and informative, in a totally non-creepy, stalking way. Win again.

Don't worry. I'll keep my ear to the grindstone, as Ben Afleck so eloquently put it in one of my all-time favorite moves, Good Will Hunting. By that I mean, I may do some fictional writing posts later. or not. Either way, you can anticipate what's next, and, regardless*, I win. Please take note, masses: irregardless isn't a word. (not to indicate that I think I'm being followed on this thing by the masses.)

Until then!

PS-Apparently irregardless is a word, according to spellcheck, who wanted to change Zoomba to Zambia, which would have probably made for a much more interesting infomercial.

*Maybe I should clarify that irregardless shouldn't be used here, rather than saying it's not a word. Maybe it is a word. I can't think of any time it would be of acceptable use. I don't know much about grammar. I'll ask my cute little English Majoring sister.

I Heart Breakfast Tacos

For real. They make me think deeply. Or maybe they were drugged.

Everything can change in a breath and life is fleeting. These are the truths I'm rediscovering through the crazy ride of moving to Houston. When concentrating on these ideas, I swear to myself that I'll never take things for granted, especially the small things, and I'll think positively. It's just not as easy to be funny when taking it seriously, y'all!! I'll find a balance, don't worry.

There a few things I need to address: this is day 1.5 of living like I'm broke, day 9 of half marathon training, and Netflix finally got wise and came out with an app which will revolutionize my life. Maybe not, but seriously, it's birth was long overdue.

Today was the first day that I walked out side and felt relief and an overall zen feeling. It Was either because it was about 10 degrees cooler or because something big is about to happen. Maybe something big already did happen, when I got two of the most delicious breakfast tacos this morning. And honestly? If that were it, I'd be content.

Until next time!!

Check and Done

Oh, and my apologies for beginning two posts in a row with "day one of......" Tomorrow will be day two of training and still day one of living like I'm going broke. Why still day one you ask? Because that's whats before day two.

Later!

Lucky For You, I'm Unemployed

Day one of the half marathon training has found me! Hello there, day one. I feel as though you signify something lucky. I'm not sure where I get these ideas, but I have a lot of them right now. For example, I found one particular school in Houston that I find appealing. I've convinced myself that I will teach there. Also that they will call me today. It's like the scene in American Beauty when the mom is pep talking herself about selling the house TODAY. I picture myself being less of a tool than her, though. Hopefully.

I really do hope that today is lucky because I definitely shaved with a totally rusty razor this morning. I'll probably get tetanus. I looked in the lucky day handbook and it said that wasn't allowed. Read the handbook, day one of half marathon training. Don't break the rules on me.

Outlook for the day: good, if not lucky. Chance of baking a chocolate cake: 80%. Chance of me posting the clip from American Beauty for you later: 50%.

Until next time!

Shorty Shorts

A lot of people frequent Memorial Park who live in Houston. A lot of people realize that I'm an impostor runner. A lot of people are probably going to be annoyed when I start yelling "HEY! Running man who just flew by me! GIVE ME BACK MY SHORTY SHORTS! Because I'm pretty sure you raided my closet before you came to run! But you only took my shorts, no shirts. Maybe you should have re-thought that!" Actually, it'll probably not include all of that, seeing as I'm typically out of breath at Memorial Park. It will be more like "HEY! Running man, give me back my shorts!" This may or may not give the wrong idea about what's actually going on.

I have a lot of problems stemming from Memorial Park. Not only do I leave slightly traumatized at the sights, but also half dead and in a rage because of the Houston humidity. To add, it seems that the high school cross country over achievers who are too young to know what is sensible have been running laps around me. I was very close to stopping and drinking from their large, very cool and insulated jug of water. I think they probably owe it to me after all they put me though with the lapping and quick running.

In other news, today is my mom's birthday! The June Holiday Madness has ensued (which includes my mom's, sister's and my birthdays and father's day - it's like alternate Christmas!). I'm most definitely still celebrating my birthday and enjoying my birthday bouquet while contemplating the importance of celebrating loved ones on their special days. I love knowing that someone thought of me on my day, and want to do the same for the important people in my life! Plus, getting and giving presents might be on the top of my list of favorite things.

Cheers to holidays!

Until next time!!

QTD Fake Out

So, I'm still in the business of finding things that make me happy. That includes, but is not limited to, my old poetry journal. Don't lie. Most of you had one back in the day, or in the current day. I love poetry, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I definitely spent some time writing what I thought was quality poetry during my high school days. Here is one of my favorites that I wrote back in high school when I thought I was all mysterious, deep thinking, emo and what not.

A long, dark hall
cold floor.
Doubt looms around the corner,
anxiety stands ominously in the door way.
Straining, reaching, trying to get
a piece.
Short, brisk steps slow
as a bulb of hope illuminates
the cold, hard corridor.
Unfamiliar wallpaper and tapestry
change and shift from eerie to comfortable,
dull to funny.
The two eyes at the end of the hallway become reassuring.
Instead of fearing the unknown,
knowing the unknown.
It's not new anymore.
Time passed.
I got to know the stranger.

While we are on the subject of happiness, I am about to drink some chocolate milk and be lazy on the couch.

In addition, it's T-minus two weeks until the half marathon. I'm stoked that I have been able to train and actually be sort of athletic for once in my life. It shows that once one puts her(saying "his or her" is cumbersome, but correct. So I just pick one and go with it. Naturally I pick "her.") mind to something, it really can be accomplished. I'm going to go all inspirational quote on you and leave you with one thought:

"I'm going to run a half-marathon." -Rachel Sandidge

I was going to find a good quote, but I decided that would cut into my chocolate milk/couch time. Soooooooo, that was sort of a trick. ish.

Until next time!!

The Less Fortunate

Yesterday, after a hard day's work, I got ready to nearly sweat to death in the hardest track work out of my life (thanks to my running partner. Don't be tricked into thinking I can be self motivated into going outside and busting out an excruciating work out. Well, maybe. Chances are probably......eh, about 30%) (I'm truly happy that I have someone to be on this journey with me that will put up with my whininess. We are usually just plain hardcore, but during the off time of hardcoreness, I can lapse into serious whining. I'm working on it though. Really)

Anyway, after 1.5 hours of being hardcore (translation: 45 minutes of being hardcore, 45 minutes of being whiny), I lounged around in my car while my dear husband got out of class. Thank you, professor, for holding class late. Thank. You. While this situation would normally generate numerous "what are you doing?" "why is it taking so long?" texts, I was just grateful to be sitting around in the leisure of radio jams recovering from death. During this time I deduced I would not be partaking in that cooking dinner ritual. We all know that me cooking brings somewhat of a risk to the table, as you saw not too long ago, and I had already taken sufficient risks with the working out. So, the Sandidges decided on Chinese take-out.

We stopped by our favorite place on the way home and got our food. I made sure and got extra fortune cookies, a move karma apparently doesn't appreciate. After eating our delicious dinner, I excitedly cracked open what I sensed to be the most lucky of the four fortune cookies. And my fortune read:

You think no one cares if you are alive. Try missing a few car payments.

Excuse me? That was less fortune, more depression. I couldn't bear to crack open another, so I saved my other one for today. AND I just opened it. AND it would not fall into the category of fortune, but it wouldn't exactly fall into the category of depression either:

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Clearly whoever wrote that is not aware that everyone has a different learning style, because that fortune doesn't apply to me. And that person, who appears to be a kinesthetic learner, didn't take notes on the day they talked about the meaning of the word fortune. I feel cheated. Doubly cheated. Plus, spell check continues to jack with my emotions.

Until next time!

Bustin' Some Rhymes

So, on my long run of the week I like to contemplate things.......the meaning of life, what I'll be wearing the next day, what I need to shop for on-line......you know. Important things: Where is that road to being a good person I was looking for the other day?? You get the idea.

Well, last weekend I was jamming to my uber cool running mix which you better believe includes Jay-Z. Have I mentioned that our romance back from the Hard Knock Life days has been rekindled? As his voice soothed my soul, I was trying to picture Jay-Z sitting down to write some songs............and I started laughing out loud. I mean, does he list out words that rhyme? Is he pulling out his pocket thesaurus?? I'm just having a hard time picturing this! I think it must just come out perfect when he goes to the studio the first time. That is the only way it can work out in my mind.

I used to write poetry in high school, which colors my ideas about brainstorming and writing or doing anything creative. Cheers to Jay-Z for beating me at this process. I never tried to rap though. Maybe that's easier. I should add free-style rapping to my list of goals I have going. More amusing things for you to read about.

Pretty sure I'll need to pick the optimal time to test out this free-style rapping, like, oh, I don't know, maybe during an interview. I will be going on lots of those soon. My future employers will need to know that I'm creative. Perfect way to show them! Or maybe I should do it at HEB the next time I go and almost die by being stampeded in the dairy section. Those people are on a MISSION I tell you. I have been trapped there on multiple occasions. I'm sure if I were rapping at people they might make a path for me, my eggs and my milk.

I'm not lying when I say that I observed a very painful first date on Millionaire Match Maker which included a free style rap from the girl to the guy. He decided she was crazy. Maybe I'll be better than her.

Well, I should go review common rhymes and do some brainstorming so I'm ready when the perfect opportunity presents itself. Does that negate the free-ness of the styling? I'm going with no.

Until next time!!

Inspiration Found Me

If Jack Osborne can do it, why can’t I? Maybe I’m behind the times, but the last thing I remember hearing about Jack Osborne was that he went to rehab……..I missed the part which occurred after when he did a British reality TV Show called Adrenaline Junkie and lost a ton a weight while doing extreme things in crazy places around the world. Hot DAMN! I might even venture to say that he became cute!

Surfing, mountain climbing, running with the BULLS, martial arts training - just to name a few of the insane things he went on a quest to accomplish. He didn’t even stop with the sheer adrenaline and sense of accomplishment for himself. No, no. He went looking for that road I was talking about earlier. You know, the one that leads to being a good person? I think he found it somewhere in Europe, but that’s beside the point! He took some kids on season 3 or something and MENTORED them. Let me just say that I am feeling a bit INSPIRED here. SO! Here we go. I’m about to be predictable and make a list of goals I would like to accomplish…………No. To hell with that! I’ll just let you know when I do something list-worthy.

Here is the first one for you. I’m currently training for a half marathon, which will take place on April 25, 2010. Stay tuned to hear about me learning to snow board which will be taking place in May, and what will be especially entertaining for you will be reading about me learning to break dance by the year’s end. You're welcome.

Until next time!!!

Octoblog

I ran 8 miles today.

I ate 8 pounds of food today.

I drank 8 beers today. Not. I wish.

I read 8 pages of my book today.

I want 8 kids, so I can post 8 pictures of them on my blog.

I have 8 friends.

I like the number 8. Not really. I prefer odd numbers to even.

Maybe I will get 8 hours of sleep tonight. That would be great.

100 Miles

People run in 100 mile races. I am not joking. Some of these really ambitious people do this in rainforest-like settings. Where you can actually fall off the course. Fall. Off. The. Course. Check it out for yourself:

http://www.runnersworld.com/photo/2010hurt100/home.html

This is my future. hahah. Just kidding. These people probably don't eat Jose's for lunch and then Lane's for supper. As I may have. Today.

Until next time!!