Color Run 5k

This past weekend was the Color Run 5k.  This year it was the Tropicolor theme.  Very fun theme, fun run and always a fun, soft t-shirt.  

The good pic...

And the pic of the attacking pineapple.

Post run-nice and colorful

Our group.  Glenda and I had already met for an early morning 6 miler so I was already a bit tired going into this one.  Thank goodness it wasn't timed because it was not a good one but I ran at half marathon pace.  My knee started acting up around mile 3 (mile 9 for me in reality) so that was pretty slow.  But I made it and we all had a great time.  This one is a dirty run but always a good time!  Good set up, shirts and medals.

Slight rant...the whole MU story about the beagles is just awful.  If you haven't seen it, Google it.  I am sure these awful experiments happen elsewhere...but you won't be seeing me wearing an MU shirt or supporting MU in any way after seeng this.  It is just disgusting.  I had changed my license plate cover to ISU a few weeks ago and I am super glad i did after reading this sad news.  Animal cruelty is a deal breaker for me.  It's one thing I'm passionate about.  And this was the definition of animal cruelty in my book.  I hope the organization suing MU sues the hell out of them.  So sad to hear this actually happens.  That's all I will say but if there is one thing I can get worked up about...it is this topic.  And if there are "rules" that allow this sort of thing...those people that wrote those rules should have acid put in there eyes too.  Ok, rant over.  But you'll be seeing me sport ISU gear all the time now and no black and gold.  Appalling MU.  Appalling.

Hotter than Hell 5k

Yesterday was the third year for the Hotter than Hell 5k for me.  This was the first year it didn't live up to its name and it was awesome.  The weather was so much cooler than it has been the past 2 years!  Except I had no possible need of being rescued by a fireman this year like prior years.  

This year was the largest turn out I've seen in my 3 years of going and there were some fast runners there.  I was able to take 2.5 minutes off last years time...a lot of that thanks to lower temps.

I came in 4th in my age group so although I officially didn't win a goodie bag, they had a ton leftover so I snagged one anyway.  I always look forward to the swag from this run.  I get to stock up on shampoo and soap and thought this would be perfect for my guest bathroom.

This years shirt is my favorite out of the three.  I came home, took a shower and wore it the rest of the day.  It's worth the drive to get to Jeff City and is probably one of the least hilliest runs in JC.  I'll do this one every year, even if it really is Hotter than Hell!

Nerve Study

Recently I've had a lot of problems with my right wrist and both index fingers on the left and right hand.  So, after a year of noticing some discomfort, I decided the day I was having trouble holding a pen at work was the day to make a Dr. appt.  My Dr. figured my finger issue was due to neck pain which I constantly deal with...possibly a pinched nerve.  My wrist was possibly a fracture or carpal tunnel.  We started with an X-Ray.  No fracture, no abnormal growth.  All seemed fine.  So next up...the nerve study.  This will tell me if I have Carpal Tunnel or a nerve from my neck or elsewhere causing problems.  I thought this sounded like a great idea as this has to be the issue.

I Googled Nerve Studies and found two possibilities.  One, they hook up electrodes to your skin and send shocks to your nerves.  Or two, they insert needles into your muscle and shock your muscle.  I was hoping for the former option and not the second.  Lucky me, I got to experience both options.  So let me tell you about my experience today.  My co-workers told me it would be like sticking a 9 volt battery to my tongue.  Something by the way, I have never done.  I guess it is a popular thing to do by boys who like that sort of weird stuff.

Anyways, I arrive at the very fancy Neurology office and get signed in.  I notice a guy behind me approach the sign in desk and say "What's up?" in an all smooth way like he's at a bar trying to pick up a chick.  I glance over and decide he is a pharmaceutical sales rep.  One who relies on his looks and charm, at least to get him in the door.

My name is called and I go back and the nurse tells me I will need to remove my shirt and put on the gown.  I ask "so....is this a needle test?"  She replies "Yes, it is."  I made a crinkly, pouty face and she said "You will be fine."  I proceed to put on the gown and have a brief moment of panic that I tied it too tight in the back and won't be able to get it off.  But then I figured if nothing else I will Houdini the hell out of that thing to get out of it.  Then...I sit on the table.  This is at 2:45.

At 3 I hear from somewhere outside my door in the hallway "Hey guys, how's it going!?" from what I assume to be the mouth of the pharmaceutical guy I had seen earlier.  I instantly dislike him more.  Now he is going to hold up my appt.  Then I hear "well I'll be honest..." as he goes into his spiel.  I hear a  dr. say "nerve study" and figured that meant my dr. was wrapped up talking to Big Pharma and I proceeded to get restless leg syndrome so bad at one point I thought I broke the table.  Big Pharma guy laughs obnoxiously at something someone says and I said out loud "we could never date I hate your laugh."

Finally at 3:15, after 30 minutes of imagining my fate, in walks a Dr.,  fairly cute one, so I forgave him for being late.  He sits down and asks me the problems I am having.  Then the rest of the conversation went like this:

Small talk-where you from, what sports teams do you like (couldn't care less) etc.  Super nervous so I will ramble about anything and probably already sound like an idiot.
Dr.  "So, did you Google this procedure?"  (said with a face that gave a look of dear lord please don't say you did)
Me:  "Yes"
Dr.  "ok so you know."
Me:  "Why, is it that bad?"
Dr.  "Well it is kind of like putting a 9 volt battery to your tongue.  At least the first part.  The second part is needles."
Me:  "Can we skip the second part?"
Dr.  "I'll be honest, men usually have a hard time with this test.  Women usually are better at toughing it out."
Me:  "Google didn't make it sound THAT bad."  He just made it sound like I was about to get tased repeatedly.
He explains more in depth and we get into the procedure.  I lay down on a table and he marks all over my arm.
Dr.  "Ok, let's get started.  You'll feel a little tap. Please don't punch me in the face ok?"
Me: "If I am tempted I'll warn you." first few taps..."That wasn't so bad."
Followed by more tapping
Me:  "Ok so they are getting more intense."
Me:  "OK DR so that one hurt like a mother."
Dr.  "Yes, I have to keep turning it up."
Me:  "Ok, awesome news.  This is kind of like the knee reflex test except you are starting to really wham my knee to check my reflex but in this case it's my arm."
He finishes all the shocking of my right arm.  So far he says it all looks normal.
Me:  "Well since my right arm hurts more than the left, and the right is normal, we can probably skip the left."
Dr.  long pause...."Are you being serious?"
Me:  "Well I wasn't but if it's an option...."
Dr.  "We should probably do both arms while you are here."
Me.  "Fine."
Dr.  "I'm guessing you don't have any tattoos"
Me:  "Um no I have one.  But I hate it and wouldn't willingly get another."
Dr.  "Well after I started the needle procedure on a guy full of tattoos he said he didn't care what is wrong with him, he was done and walked out of the room."
Me:  "Bad sign."

Then moves on to the left arm.  My comments cease and then I just go with "mmhmm" and "yep, felt it."

Dr.  "Ok time for needles."
Me:  "Ok so you are just going to poke the surface and it won't really hurt much right?"
Dr.  Silence.  Crickets.
Me:  "Ok so since you are ignoring  me that is a VERY BAD SIGN."
Dr.  "I have to put needles in 10 muscles, 5 in each arm.  Then when I do I have to move them around in the muscle.  It isn't acupuncture.  It isn't going to make you feel relief.  I inflict pain.  You've been warned.'
This is the moment I knew my day had taken a turn for the worse.
Me:  Silently in my head "What the actual eff am I doing here??"  Out loud "Alrighty well there is that then."
Dr.  "First tricep here we go."
Me:  "Not unbearable but not the funnest thing I've ever done."
Then he moves to forearm and finally down to that area between your index finger and thumb and prefaces it by saying "Just remember, Dr. Silney sent you here so SHE is the mean one."  Great, another warning.  Sticks needle in...
Me:  "MMMHMMM YEP THERE IT IS"
Dr.  "This is the worst one."
Me "Obviously."
Dr.  "Ok one arm done, one more to go."
Great....now I know just how bad the other arm will hurt.  This is why Claire's pierces kids ears at the same time.

Finally all done, all is normal.  I stand up to see my blood on the white sheet.  No big surprise there given 10  needles got a in-depth tour of my muscles.  No offense Dr. but hope I never see you again.  To be fair, he made me laugh a lot.  When my stomach grumbled he asked if I brought snacks for us.  And when I said my upper arm was my least favorite shock he said "Really?  That one is my absolute favorite."  So honestly not sure I could have had a more personable dr.  He did help me relax and at leasts he was honest.  When it sucked he told me "Hey this is going to suck."  But when it was all done he said I was brave and tougher than most men he sees.  Cue up my pride face.  But never will I ever put a 9 volt battery to my tongue for fun.  That appt. was not my most fun thing ever.  So glad that is over!

Be present

I had dinner with a friend this weekend and we had a good conversation about being present.  Being in the now.  Not worrying about what the future holds. Not worrying about what happened in the past.  Just enjoying the moment you are in.  It may be a normal, everyday moment but so often we are already planning ahead or worrying about something we did or said in the past.  Today I found myself worrying about what someone was thinking or feeling and wondering what would happen and I had to stop and say to myself out loud "Stop and be present. Enjoy now."  I immediately felt myself relax and let my head clear.  Later on I went for a run and as I turned a corner I saw a deer staring back at me.  I stopped and got my camera out and took several minutes to just enjoy their beauty and appreciate the experience.  So often we are just not present and we miss so much of what is going on around us.  It is something I want to work on. Worry and fear serves no purpose. We can't control everything.  Knowing this, we may as well enjoy all of life's little moments.

Weekend activities

So I mentioned I had redone the upstairs bathroom.  Turns out I've already had a guest putting it to use.  I noticed the rugs had been moved around so I went in to check it out and found the dog had decided this was a great  new spot to hide dog treats.  If you look in the corner of the shower curtain and rug she stuck her dog treat right there where it is hardly noticeable.  Didn't take her long to find a good new hiding spot out of my newly re-done bathroom!  Glad someone is enjoying it so far.  

Saturday I tackled updating the bedroom into a guest room.  The first thing that had to go was this desk which is over 15ish years old.  I attempted to get all the makeup stains off of it and it was impossible.  I decided it was done.  I spent a good 30 minutes getting it into two pieces but I did.  Then I managed to move it downstairs.  I made significant progress in the bedroom but not ready for pics just quite yet.

Today I put my new weight bench together and was super happy with how easy it went and how well I did!  I get really "Tim the tool man Taylor beat my hands to my chest and grunt" mode when I do something handy like that.

This morning Julie, McKenzie and I all ran the Diva Dash 5k for the second year in a row.  This year was sunny but less humid than last year.  We had a good time.  I looked back at last year and managed to cut 2 1/2 minutes off my time so I am happy to have improved.

There seemed to be less people there this year than the year before but it is a fun race.  Always some good bling to take home and good photo ops.  We did our typical breakfast after and talked about the run.  The course is mostly flat but it has a few deceiving inclines that are just gradual and drawn out enough I was a little crabby about them at certain points.  I told Julie it's too bad I have to focus on breathing so much because there are always nice police officers directing traffic and runners.  They may be cute but I wouldn't know.  Because I am always focusing on breathing and pep talking myself.  It would be funny to have a transcript of the thoughts that go through my head during the time I'm running.  Today they ranged from "This would make a good Nike commercial" to "WHY is it SO sunny?" to "Just remember you'll be glad you did it at the end when it's over."  Quickly followed by "When will be it over?"

Next weekend is the Hotter than Hell 5k.  The one that I have a love/hate relationship with.  I hope the weather forecast stays as it is now and this year maybe it'll just be a hot run but no need to rescue me from certain death hot run.

The after...with a before you can only imagine

So the kid officially moved out last week.  So after helping her move out I have started to tackle putting together the upstairs bathroom and her bedroom back into something presentable for guests.  I couldn't bring myself to take a before photo.  However I'm happy with the after photo!  

It took a good two plus hours to get the bathroom looking this clean.  I went with a beachy/seashore theme.

I wanted a clean, simple look.

I included a Little Mermaid drawing from back in her elementary school days that I've always loved.  I thought it was a nice personal touch and was perfect for the theme.

More to come but it's been an exhausting week with too much going on!  Hopefully I'll be even more productive this weekend.