Just finished 1.5 miles at a pace of 3.7 (and a couple of breaks at a pace of 3.4) with a half mile cool down.
Didn't run at all while I was in DC - didn't even take my workout clothes because I knew wouldn't do it. I've got a month to get to 3.5 miles at a pace fast enough that I won't completely embarrass myself...wish me luck, this is gonna be tough!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Always An Adventure
Had a wonderful time at the conference. I got to hear interesting, motivating, and passionate speakers; learned some good information; and even met a few new people. And that's a big thing for me because I really stink at the whole meet and mingle thing...
So all went well. Until it was time to go home. And then it all went south.
I had prearranged shuttle service and my pick up was scheduled for 1:00. My flight left at 3:10 so I was already cutting it a little close. So I noticed a disclaimer on my shuttle receipt that said they allowed a 15 minute gap.
So after our final session I planted myself in the lobby to try to catch up on work. I was in the midst of finishing an email that I really needed to get out when I noticed it was about 20 minutes to 1:00. And I wanted to be there waiting at 12:45. So I’m in a panic to get this done before I have to go…I hit the send button and nothing happens. My session had timed out!
The hotel was generous enough to allow 1 hour blocks of internet access. You could get more than that, you just had to sign back in. And I had just hit the one hour mark. GRRRR!
Panicked that I was going to miss my shuttle I grab the laptop and my bag (which is about as big as me) and speed walk to the front of the hotel and finish the email standing – balancing the laptop with my arm and my stomach. The picture of professionalism, right? But at least I got my email out!
So I wait. And wait. No shuttle. So now it’s about 10 after 1:00 and I’m starting to get nervous. So I call the shuttle service and she says the shuttle came by at 1:05. What? I was standing right at the front door… She asked me if I was standing outside, to which I reply no, but I’m right inside the front door, watching all the vehicles that come through. And she says that if I wasn’t standing outside he may not have stopped because he wouldn’t know there was someone to pick up. What? Doesn’t he know that from my reservation? Plus, this is a huge conference – almost everyone is leaving and there have been a steady stream of people outside…so the shuttle should have stopped.
She tells me the next shuttle will come by around 1:35. As that sinks in I decide to step outside, just in case. And the lovely bellman starts to navigate me towards a taxi. No thanks, I’ve got a shuttle scheduled. A shuttle? he asks. The shuttles pick up on the other end of the hotel. THE OTHER END OF THE HOTEL? WHAT? That didn’t make me feel stupid or anything…
So I run, as fast as I can with all my luggage to the elevator, go down a level, and run again across the length of the hotel to this magical and mystical second entrance. And I see the shuttle! Save!
So I jump on. It’s 1:17. I can still make it! I think. Yeah, yeah, it will be fine – I’ll make it!
But we don’t go anywhere. We’re just sitting. We wait. And wait. And wait. The driver is sitting in the front seat, shuffling papers. They must have been really, really important papers because we don’t pull out until 1:37. One. Thirty. Seven.
Now I’m in a panic. In some cities you can get away with getting to the airport a little late but with DC you never know how long it’s going to take to get through that security line. And this was not the day to test it…
And then we stop to pick up someone else.
Oh. My. God. I am so missing my flight!
Unfortunately, she was in a panic too because our flights left at the same time…this is so not looking good for either one of us. And the driver certainly wasn’t in a rush to get us there. He had no concern whatsoever. He was probably thinking we were dumbasses for not being able to navigate the shuttle system…
When we do get to the airport, I jump out before the driver has even had time to put it in park. We’re not at the right airport terminal but I know I can walk myself down there faster than he can drive me. So I grab my luggage and run. Really run. Like full on sprint. In my wedges. I check in, drop my bags and do another sprint to the security line. People were staring. But I made it!
My flights were uneventful. I met a nice guy on business who was interested in the book I was reading. Actually, I don’t think he was that interested in the book – I think he was just a talker but when we landed I gave him the book anyway. It was funny because when he asked me where I was from I told him Oklahoma and he said “Yeah? I was in Austin with a buddy of mine not too long ago.” And then said something about Dallas. I know we both have red dirt, cowboys and twangy accents but I would like to think that he knew Texas and Oklahoma were different states.
I discovered at baggage claim that my bag was missing. My bag with all my favorite shoes! And some of my favorite jewelry, my contacts, my flat iron, and my makeup. Yikes! This is an important bag people! Fortunately, it was delivered today.
And just in time! I had to go to work really ugly today - no makeup, glasses, bad hair. And of course, our Lt. Governor was visiting campus today. Now, I would have talked to him ugly or not but I was glad I could at least put in my contacts before we had that conversation about the importance of our state leadership advocating for TRiO…
So all went well. Until it was time to go home. And then it all went south.
I had prearranged shuttle service and my pick up was scheduled for 1:00. My flight left at 3:10 so I was already cutting it a little close. So I noticed a disclaimer on my shuttle receipt that said they allowed a 15 minute gap.
So after our final session I planted myself in the lobby to try to catch up on work. I was in the midst of finishing an email that I really needed to get out when I noticed it was about 20 minutes to 1:00. And I wanted to be there waiting at 12:45. So I’m in a panic to get this done before I have to go…I hit the send button and nothing happens. My session had timed out!
The hotel was generous enough to allow 1 hour blocks of internet access. You could get more than that, you just had to sign back in. And I had just hit the one hour mark. GRRRR!
Panicked that I was going to miss my shuttle I grab the laptop and my bag (which is about as big as me) and speed walk to the front of the hotel and finish the email standing – balancing the laptop with my arm and my stomach. The picture of professionalism, right? But at least I got my email out!
So I wait. And wait. No shuttle. So now it’s about 10 after 1:00 and I’m starting to get nervous. So I call the shuttle service and she says the shuttle came by at 1:05. What? I was standing right at the front door… She asked me if I was standing outside, to which I reply no, but I’m right inside the front door, watching all the vehicles that come through. And she says that if I wasn’t standing outside he may not have stopped because he wouldn’t know there was someone to pick up. What? Doesn’t he know that from my reservation? Plus, this is a huge conference – almost everyone is leaving and there have been a steady stream of people outside…so the shuttle should have stopped.
She tells me the next shuttle will come by around 1:35. As that sinks in I decide to step outside, just in case. And the lovely bellman starts to navigate me towards a taxi. No thanks, I’ve got a shuttle scheduled. A shuttle? he asks. The shuttles pick up on the other end of the hotel. THE OTHER END OF THE HOTEL? WHAT? That didn’t make me feel stupid or anything…
So I run, as fast as I can with all my luggage to the elevator, go down a level, and run again across the length of the hotel to this magical and mystical second entrance. And I see the shuttle! Save!
So I jump on. It’s 1:17. I can still make it! I think. Yeah, yeah, it will be fine – I’ll make it!
But we don’t go anywhere. We’re just sitting. We wait. And wait. And wait. The driver is sitting in the front seat, shuffling papers. They must have been really, really important papers because we don’t pull out until 1:37. One. Thirty. Seven.
Now I’m in a panic. In some cities you can get away with getting to the airport a little late but with DC you never know how long it’s going to take to get through that security line. And this was not the day to test it…
And then we stop to pick up someone else.
Oh. My. God. I am so missing my flight!
Unfortunately, she was in a panic too because our flights left at the same time…this is so not looking good for either one of us. And the driver certainly wasn’t in a rush to get us there. He had no concern whatsoever. He was probably thinking we were dumbasses for not being able to navigate the shuttle system…
When we do get to the airport, I jump out before the driver has even had time to put it in park. We’re not at the right airport terminal but I know I can walk myself down there faster than he can drive me. So I grab my luggage and run. Really run. Like full on sprint. In my wedges. I check in, drop my bags and do another sprint to the security line. People were staring. But I made it!
My flights were uneventful. I met a nice guy on business who was interested in the book I was reading. Actually, I don’t think he was that interested in the book – I think he was just a talker but when we landed I gave him the book anyway. It was funny because when he asked me where I was from I told him Oklahoma and he said “Yeah? I was in Austin with a buddy of mine not too long ago.” And then said something about Dallas. I know we both have red dirt, cowboys and twangy accents but I would like to think that he knew Texas and Oklahoma were different states.
I discovered at baggage claim that my bag was missing. My bag with all my favorite shoes! And some of my favorite jewelry, my contacts, my flat iron, and my makeup. Yikes! This is an important bag people! Fortunately, it was delivered today.
And just in time! I had to go to work really ugly today - no makeup, glasses, bad hair. And of course, our Lt. Governor was visiting campus today. Now, I would have talked to him ugly or not but I was glad I could at least put in my contacts before we had that conversation about the importance of our state leadership advocating for TRiO…
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Knock Before You Walk
So far it's been a very productive conference. The thing about surrounding yourself with brilliant, dedicated, and innovative people is that you realize how much more you can and should be doing...and I'm looking around and realizing that it's gonna take a lot more to get my program where I want it. SO much work to do! But it's energizing and exciting to think about the possibilities.
I got walked in on by the cleaning lady this morning. Interesting that she did the knalk - this is when someone knocks AS they walk into a room. Which kinda defeats the whole purpose of knocking, don't you think?
Unfortunately, I was not dressed. Fortunately I was hid behind a wall. It could have been disastrous.
I had another knalk experience that almost ended as badly, if not worse. It was several years ago, when M was a baby, and I was breastfeeding. Which meant, for this working Mom, periodically connecting myself to an apparatus and milking myself throughout the day. Every bit as humiliating as it sounds.
And the machine, a fancy double pumper, made this horrible whoooosh, whooosh, whooosh sound which I was sure could be heard from outside my office. Which only increased the humiliation.
So I had the awkward conversation with my male, childless supervisor. Now, we happen to be dear friends, so it wasn't a typical supervisor/employee conversation. It went something like this: "I'm breastfeed-" at which point he held up his hand for me to quit talking and pretended to retch. "No, listen, I just want you to know that I'm going to be pumping whi-" Again interrupted by an even more dramatic gesture of him pretending to fall out of his seat while retching. "So when my door is closed and my blinds are shut that means that - " This time he covered his face with his hands and just said "Out. Out Amber Lou. Out."
And so we had reached an understanding.
I pumped so long that I actually discovered there was a lot that I could do while I was pumping. I used to prop the bottles against the desk so my hands would be free so I could type or answer emails - it was a very effective use of my time. Who says you can't be all things to all people all the time?
So one day I'm on the computer, working away, hooked up to my milk machine and my office phone rings. It was my supervisor. My hand was on the phone, I was about to pick up before I remembered what I was doing. And that the whooosh, whooosh, whooosh would surely give me away.
Then he called right back. That was his code for I Need You Right Now, No Matter What. And knowing how impatient he is I knew what his next step would be - to come to my office. And he was a knalker. Used to drive me crazy.
About 10 seconds later I hear a knock, hear the handle, hear a key, and the handle starts to turns. And I panic and yell, about as loud as I could, "No!". It had the potential to be one of the most mortifying experiences of my life. And probably one of the most traumatic for him... poor guy couldn't look me in the eye for the rest of the day.
When I didn't answer the phone he assumed I was out of the office at lunch.
And of course, because it ended the way it ended - with nothing happening - I thought it was extremely funny and took full advantage of every opportunity to give him a hard time about it.
So please, remember: knock, pause, then enter. Or bad, very bad, things could happen.
I got walked in on by the cleaning lady this morning. Interesting that she did the knalk - this is when someone knocks AS they walk into a room. Which kinda defeats the whole purpose of knocking, don't you think?
Unfortunately, I was not dressed. Fortunately I was hid behind a wall. It could have been disastrous.
I had another knalk experience that almost ended as badly, if not worse. It was several years ago, when M was a baby, and I was breastfeeding. Which meant, for this working Mom, periodically connecting myself to an apparatus and milking myself throughout the day. Every bit as humiliating as it sounds.
And the machine, a fancy double pumper, made this horrible whoooosh, whooosh, whooosh sound which I was sure could be heard from outside my office. Which only increased the humiliation.
So I had the awkward conversation with my male, childless supervisor. Now, we happen to be dear friends, so it wasn't a typical supervisor/employee conversation. It went something like this: "I'm breastfeed-" at which point he held up his hand for me to quit talking and pretended to retch. "No, listen, I just want you to know that I'm going to be pumping whi-" Again interrupted by an even more dramatic gesture of him pretending to fall out of his seat while retching. "So when my door is closed and my blinds are shut that means that - " This time he covered his face with his hands and just said "Out. Out Amber Lou. Out."
And so we had reached an understanding.
I pumped so long that I actually discovered there was a lot that I could do while I was pumping. I used to prop the bottles against the desk so my hands would be free so I could type or answer emails - it was a very effective use of my time. Who says you can't be all things to all people all the time?
So one day I'm on the computer, working away, hooked up to my milk machine and my office phone rings. It was my supervisor. My hand was on the phone, I was about to pick up before I remembered what I was doing. And that the whooosh, whooosh, whooosh would surely give me away.
Then he called right back. That was his code for I Need You Right Now, No Matter What. And knowing how impatient he is I knew what his next step would be - to come to my office. And he was a knalker. Used to drive me crazy.
About 10 seconds later I hear a knock, hear the handle, hear a key, and the handle starts to turns. And I panic and yell, about as loud as I could, "No!". It had the potential to be one of the most mortifying experiences of my life. And probably one of the most traumatic for him... poor guy couldn't look me in the eye for the rest of the day.
When I didn't answer the phone he assumed I was out of the office at lunch.
And of course, because it ended the way it ended - with nothing happening - I thought it was extremely funny and took full advantage of every opportunity to give him a hard time about it.
So please, remember: knock, pause, then enter. Or bad, very bad, things could happen.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Greetings From DC
In DC for a conference. Really excited about the conference - looks like it's going to be some great information! Not so excited about being away from my family...it's only a few days but I'll miss them. I left early this morning too so I didn't get to say goodbye. Not like I would have liked.
They did call me while I was at the airport once they all woke up but it's not the same as a sweet little hug and kiss. M told me it wasn't fair that I got to get on a plane and she didn't and she was very concerned about how I would get on the plane, since it was still dark outside. Once we boarded I took a picture of myself on the plane to send her. It was a little embarrassing, smiling like a dork and taking a picture of myself but I thought she would think it was cool. I also took a picture down the aisle of the cabin so she could see what the inside looked like. Also embarrassing. It's a good thing I don't have any pride.
Not super pumped about the location either. Don't get me wrong, I love DC, it's an amazing place. But I've been here for several other conferences and spent a summer doing an internship here...so there isn't a lot that's been unexplored. And I don't know many people attending and of those that I do know, most are heavily involved and won't have a lot of time to socialize.
I brought some work with me, thought this would be some perfect catch up time. But no wifi in the hotel rooms. Really, no wifi? That stinks! I can access it from the lobby but I don't think I'll be dragging myself out to the lobby for that...pretty sure none of these nice folks cares to see me all trashed out in my comfy clothes...
They did call me while I was at the airport once they all woke up but it's not the same as a sweet little hug and kiss. M told me it wasn't fair that I got to get on a plane and she didn't and she was very concerned about how I would get on the plane, since it was still dark outside. Once we boarded I took a picture of myself on the plane to send her. It was a little embarrassing, smiling like a dork and taking a picture of myself but I thought she would think it was cool. I also took a picture down the aisle of the cabin so she could see what the inside looked like. Also embarrassing. It's a good thing I don't have any pride.
Not super pumped about the location either. Don't get me wrong, I love DC, it's an amazing place. But I've been here for several other conferences and spent a summer doing an internship here...so there isn't a lot that's been unexplored. And I don't know many people attending and of those that I do know, most are heavily involved and won't have a lot of time to socialize.
I brought some work with me, thought this would be some perfect catch up time. But no wifi in the hotel rooms. Really, no wifi? That stinks! I can access it from the lobby but I don't think I'll be dragging myself out to the lobby for that...pretty sure none of these nice folks cares to see me all trashed out in my comfy clothes...
Friday, September 23, 2011
Some Advice
When your wife comes out modeling a new dress it may not be wise to tell her that it looks like she better not gain an ounce. This may elicit a violent reaction where she feels uncontrollably compelled to smack you upside the head.
Or she may run 1 mile at a pace of 3.7 with a half mile cool down.
It's up to you to decide if you want to chance it...
Or she may run 1 mile at a pace of 3.7 with a half mile cool down.
It's up to you to decide if you want to chance it...
List Bliss
A former boyfriend, who hadn't seen me in several months, once enthusiastically exclaimed "I like how fat you've gotten!" I swear, that is exactly what came out of his mouth.
And he was being completely genuine - he really did think I looked good. I guess he was what they call a chubby chaser, although I'm not sure that label fits considering the girls he cheated with were not chubby.
Either way - it was an experience that taught me that there is someone to appreciate every body type. And I appreciate mine...here's why I think it's good to be a chubby chick:
1. No one is shocked when you eat a piece of cake. And have ice cream.
2. You don't have to pretend like you don't eat on a first date.
3. You're easy to buy gifts for - people bring you food.
4. Protruding bones hurt.
5. You never have to worry about someone using you for your looks.
6. You get invited out a lot because your beautiful friends don't consider you competition.
7. It's nice to snuggle with a squishy person.
8. There really isn't any guilt in missing workouts - no one expected you to stay with it anyway.
9. No one at your class reunion will whisper in shock "Man, she's gotten fat!"
10. You can go to the beach and let it all hang out because you know that the only bodies getting scrutinized are the good ones.
11. You had to develop personality and skills because you couldn't rely on being "a pretty face".
12. There are certain activities where having hips comes in handy.
And he was being completely genuine - he really did think I looked good. I guess he was what they call a chubby chaser, although I'm not sure that label fits considering the girls he cheated with were not chubby.
Either way - it was an experience that taught me that there is someone to appreciate every body type. And I appreciate mine...here's why I think it's good to be a chubby chick:
1. No one is shocked when you eat a piece of cake. And have ice cream.
2. You don't have to pretend like you don't eat on a first date.
3. You're easy to buy gifts for - people bring you food.
4. Protruding bones hurt.
5. You never have to worry about someone using you for your looks.
6. You get invited out a lot because your beautiful friends don't consider you competition.
7. It's nice to snuggle with a squishy person.
8. There really isn't any guilt in missing workouts - no one expected you to stay with it anyway.
9. No one at your class reunion will whisper in shock "Man, she's gotten fat!"
10. You can go to the beach and let it all hang out because you know that the only bodies getting scrutinized are the good ones.
11. You had to develop personality and skills because you couldn't rely on being "a pretty face".
12. There are certain activities where having hips comes in handy.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Little Hen
I need to add something to my annoying list...actually, I need to add a few things. Several times I've done something and thought - oh, that's annoying, it should have made the list. Annoying Things About Me Part II coming soon. Stick around long enough and you'll probably get to see Part III too. I do love a good trilogy...
But I digress (see, another one for the list) ...I know I acknowledged that I can be loud, which is true. And annoying. But man, something that's even more annoying is that as loud as I am, my laugh is even louder. Like, disturbingly loud.
Today I was meeting with one of my favorite people and best friends - we were taking care of some business. And while we were enjoying each other's company, it wasn't like we were having a party. There was nothing beyond a normal level of noise. Except something was said that made me laugh and I swear, the windows shook a little.
I don't know...I have no volume control.
And honestly, unless you're Julia Roberts, there is nothing attractive about a laugh like that...she can pull it off but the rest of us just sound like...a cackling hen.
On the plus side, this is the second time I have seen a dear friend AND been gifted with popcorn! This makes me very, very happy. And a bit spoiled. I'm not as obsessed as I sound, really. There are lots of other things I like too -anything sweet, sugary or chocolate. I'm not hard to please. Popcorn or anything else - I just feel special to be thought of, in any way. My friends are awesome.
And for anyone that cares - I have NOT been avoiding the workouts. Not completely. I just hate saying the same thing in every post. How interesting is it to know I do the same exact workout every other day or that I almost died on the treadmill because my body can't keep up with what I think I can do in my mind?
I ran last night - one straight mile. No treadmill track. My pace was slower (3.5) but I was consistent with my speed throughout the run- with the exception of two 5 second breaks when I decreased the speed to 3.0. I think I probably get better cardio with the track but I want to try to run a 5K in November so I'm trying to get ready for that and I thought this would be better then the stairstep effect...I have no idea if that's true but I'm going with it. So I was slow but my plan is to gradually increase my speed and my distance.
We'll see... either way, I'm running in November. I was out of shape last time and I got through it. I knew it was going to be bad when I showed up and realized I was the fattest one there. That's never a good thing. And I only had a few hours sleep. It was not pretty.
I'm sure I'll still be out of shape in November but I'm going to make sure I actually go to bed this time. So no matter what, I'll be in a better position than I was last time, right?
I'm off to get in some strength training before bed. I've got to keep with it because the shoes I like to wear require that I be a tad bit lighter than I am. I swear, I could hear the stilettos I wore today cry out a little with each step...
But I digress (see, another one for the list) ...I know I acknowledged that I can be loud, which is true. And annoying. But man, something that's even more annoying is that as loud as I am, my laugh is even louder. Like, disturbingly loud.
Today I was meeting with one of my favorite people and best friends - we were taking care of some business. And while we were enjoying each other's company, it wasn't like we were having a party. There was nothing beyond a normal level of noise. Except something was said that made me laugh and I swear, the windows shook a little.
I don't know...I have no volume control.
And honestly, unless you're Julia Roberts, there is nothing attractive about a laugh like that...she can pull it off but the rest of us just sound like...a cackling hen.
On the plus side, this is the second time I have seen a dear friend AND been gifted with popcorn! This makes me very, very happy. And a bit spoiled. I'm not as obsessed as I sound, really. There are lots of other things I like too -anything sweet, sugary or chocolate. I'm not hard to please. Popcorn or anything else - I just feel special to be thought of, in any way. My friends are awesome.
And for anyone that cares - I have NOT been avoiding the workouts. Not completely. I just hate saying the same thing in every post. How interesting is it to know I do the same exact workout every other day or that I almost died on the treadmill because my body can't keep up with what I think I can do in my mind?
I ran last night - one straight mile. No treadmill track. My pace was slower (3.5) but I was consistent with my speed throughout the run- with the exception of two 5 second breaks when I decreased the speed to 3.0. I think I probably get better cardio with the track but I want to try to run a 5K in November so I'm trying to get ready for that and I thought this would be better then the stairstep effect...I have no idea if that's true but I'm going with it. So I was slow but my plan is to gradually increase my speed and my distance.
We'll see... either way, I'm running in November. I was out of shape last time and I got through it. I knew it was going to be bad when I showed up and realized I was the fattest one there. That's never a good thing. And I only had a few hours sleep. It was not pretty.
I'm sure I'll still be out of shape in November but I'm going to make sure I actually go to bed this time. So no matter what, I'll be in a better position than I was last time, right?
I'm off to get in some strength training before bed. I've got to keep with it because the shoes I like to wear require that I be a tad bit lighter than I am. I swear, I could hear the stilettos I wore today cry out a little with each step...
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| That heel is a lot skinnier than it looks! |
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