Going the Distance

[pushingmylimit]

So this year we went with a serial killer movie theme for Halloween decorations. We bought the masks but created the bodies from pvc pipe, pool noodles, pillows, garbage bags filled with paper... literally anything.

We lit up the area they were at so neighbors could see them at night. And we periodically moved them around the house so it would give the illusion that they were moving. Neighbors have stopped me on my run to tell me our decorations are freaking them out. Hee hee.

A few nights ago we put costumes on them - we had Pennywise dressed up as Pacman while Freddy, Jason, and Michael dressed up as Pacman ghosts. I wish I had taken a picture, it was actually pretty funny.

Tonight is the big night. We put out more decorations last night, including a dead body, a blown up newspaper clipping about the Halloween massacre (Michael Myers), wanted and missing posters, etc.

We will put some of the mannequins out. We made a Georgie, poor baby, even missing his arm. He will stand in front of our garage, which now has the three doors (very scary, scary, not scary). We will likely alternate between the various other characters to see if we can scare the shit out of our visitors.

Wish me luck. And HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

[pushingmylimit]

Good Morning all you overachievers!!

It's been a while, I've been busy with work and family.

I did end up knocking out a 20 miler before work (the picture on the right - my shirt is soaked in sweat). I also did a 12 miler yesterday with intervals in my Camp Crystal Lake socks.

Halloween is one of my FAVORITE holidays. Fortunately, my neighborhood is Halloween central and people started decorating their houses back in September. On Halloween night, we will get 500+ trick or treaters (honestly, it's probably more).

The theme this year for our house is movie serial killers. I will try to post some pictures later today. So fun!!

[pushingmylimit]

Been running a lot lately.

Tomorrow will be 20 miles before work.

Wish me luck!

[pushingmylimit]

Check out my abs! Not bad for an old lady. I don't even do ab workouts, either.

I don't look happy - I haven't been super happy lately. Work has got me stressed out because I have taken on too much. Part of my job as in-house counsel is to personally litigate cases that aren't covered by insurance or that would cost too much if insurance was triggered - which ends up being a lot of cases spanning everything from collections to construction defect to employment to personally injury to property damage to certain workers' compensation claims... the list is endless. And that is only part of my job.

So I've been working on reorganizing my workweeks and even workdays to be more efficient and to keep distractions to a minimum. I always tell my kids that we need to keep adapting. Few problems are so difficult that they can't be solved - we just need to make sure we are being resourceful, strategic, and creative in our solutions. So that's what I've been doing with respect to my job these last few weeks. I know I will find a way to make it all work. I'm that good. Lol.

[pushingmylimit]

Hello! Wanted to share my latest library book haul. I was super excited to go this time because the library I went to had all sorts of ancestry books - think entire family trees, explanation of Scottish crests, etc. I couldn't take them home, but I am eager to go back and do some digging.

I wish I could take all of you with me so that I could find out what catches your interest.

Some of these are books on topics I love (architecture, art), others are related to health (posture, diet), some are related to trips I plan to take (down the eastern seaboard), and some have information that might be helpful in books that I'm currently working on writing. (I'm still working full-time as a lawyer, just writing on the side.)

On the running front - 10 easy miles on Monday, 8 dreadful interval miles on Tuesday, and 8 miles of hills that tried to, but didn't succeed in kicking my ass this morning. Also did some strength training and stretching on Tuesday.

My health, at least for now, has calmed down. I am so grateful! Hope everyone is doing well!

[pushingmylimit]

Had a court video appearance this morning (cameras are mandatory), so I ran a fast 8 miles and got my ass ready. I may have been sweating a bit on my run.

Still dealing with health issues, but hey, I think this part of life now, at my age. It sure makes the good days all that much sweeter.

[pushingmylimit]

Ran a 16, a 12, and a handful of 8 milers last week. This morning was another 8 miler.

I have to admit something.

I'm terrified. Nothing to do with running.

Last year I was hospitalized with idiopathic acute pancreatitis. My symptoms were severe and debilitating abdominal and back pain. They ran almost every test known to man (except one) and couldn't find out what caused it (hence, idiopathic). It took me three days to bust out of there.

The one test they didn't do was a special endoscopy to see more of the pancreas (to rule out pancreatic cancer). The specialist I saw didn't think it was necessary at that point.

If I end up back in the hospital, I will likely have to do that test and if nothing turns up, they will take my gall bladder out.

Guess what I've been feeling this past week?

Please let this pass.

[pushingmylimit]

It's been too long. I've been checking in on everyone, of course. I'm fond of so many of you.

I started training again back in January of this year.

I ran my fastest marathon one morning before work.

I ran/walked 36.99 miles in a race in June.

Then things fell apart. I almost lost my father in July. I've spent a lot of time with my parents, doing what I could to help them work through it. As soon as that situation was under control, I came home and work picked up. I'm having a hard time making my long runs a priority. The well of motivation is running dry because I'm using it for so many other things.

But I'm not giving up. I've wanted to do this damn 50 mile race for so long. I know that I can do it. I know that the only thing holding me back is my faith in myself.

I will get it done before the end of this year.

Because we don't have forever to do the things that we want to do.

[pushingmylimit]

I was going to dress up for a very special dinner date this weekend, so I bought a dress from Amazon... and yeah, I would never be seen around town wearing something like this. This is a Vegas only dress.

It's literally the most painful thing in the world, to shop for dresses. I loathe shopping in general, but this is a special circle of hell. It's too sexy, it's too baggy, I'm too short, my shoulders are too wide... I feel like goldilocks but there is never anything just right for me.

Anyway, these days I'm running 8 miles 5-6 times a week and strength training 3-4 times a week. My goal these days is just to be consistent and have fun - not push towards a goal or race. I've got too much else on my mind for that right now.

Hope everyone is doing well.

[pushingmylimit]

I use post-its on my monitors to remind myself of the things that I need to work on. This one has been there for about six months now. At this point, I don't think it's ever coming off. Haha

[pushingmylimit]

Beads and beads of sweat as I stretch after doing strength training.

[pushingmylimit]

Just... eww? HAHA!!

Been having issues with side stitches, not sure what that is about. I'd get to mile 3-5 and then it would start. I tried running through them (2 more miles) and it never stopped. The only thing that stops the cramping is walking.

I've been focusing on form and so far I'm back to 8 miles with no issues. Here's hoping they are gone for good!

[pushingmylimit]

I'm still running, anywhere from 6 miles to 15 miles most days.

But to be honest, I've been a mess. I generally have a great deal of stress in my life most days, it goes with the territory of my profession and having kids... but this particular point in my life has proven especially difficult.

A few weeks ago I dropped my oldest son off at college. Even before he left, my heart felt ripped in two. My world is off its axis. It's no surprise that I've fallen into a functioning depression. I'm not super productive like usual, but passably so. It's been so long since I've been in a depression but I haven't forgotten how it works. I know that no amount of talking it through will help. It's not the time to pick up a new hobby. My body and mind physically reject all of that anyway. It's just a time thing. And I need to keep pushing through my day-to-day stuff and try to stay busy.

So I have been running, although some days I have to forcibly push myself out the front door, only to have some kind of anxiety attack while running, to the point where I have to give up and come home because I can't breathe. I still get out the next day and try it all over again.

Some have suggested I have some gummies or see the doctor for medication. No thanks. I am certain I can get this anxiety under control without supplements. And if I can't, I'm not so stubborn that I won't seek help. I just want to give my body and mind time to sort this out. I have faith in myself.

I went to the library the other day for a pick-me-up. It always amazes me how empty the libraries are. I mean, you can check out books for free. There is so much knowledge and creativity there, so many ideas... is that not intoxicating to you? Anyway, the picture shows part of my latest haul (yeah, only part haha).

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

[pushingmylimit]

Still training. Can't remember where I left off here, but I ran 11 miles yesterday and another 8 miles today. Not far enough in that I feel completely committed yet, but I'm getting there.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

[pushingmylimit]

Hello! Decided to come back to tumblr and hold myself accountable in my training!

Last week did 8 miles, 6 miles, 8 miles, 6 miles, rest, 6 miles, 12 miles... Also been doing some strength training.

This week did 8 miles, then another 6 miles today. Today was interval training, so I had to work for it, not sure you can tell...

Anyway, it's good to be back and I can't wait to catch up on how everyone is doing!

[pushingmylimit]

Holiday Party Time!

How has everyone been? It’s been a while, eh? I rarely take pictures of myself these days, but when I had to get dressed up for a holiday party, I made an exception. It’s a rare sighting - like bigfoot kind of rare.

Still running. Doing a lot of strength training these days. 

I know I say this every time, but I want to be more present on here. I do check in on everyone occasionally and it’s so nice to see you on here and what you’ve been up to. 

So hopefully I’ll be seeing a lot more of you guys on here! 

But if I’m full of shit and don’t see you on here before the holidays, happy holidays! 

Just kidding. I’m coming back before then.

Probably.

[pushingmylimit]

Hello! How has everyone been? I’m back in serious training mode again. I’m interested to learn what everyone’s fitness goals are. Catch up with you guys soon!