I wanna dance with Matt!!!

So, where the hell is Matt???

Now i don’t know about you guys, but this video totally rocked my day, night, week and maybe even my year!  This guy is simply amazing don’t you think?  So, after you watch the video go here for more info on Matt!  Now, i realize i may be very late discovering this video and Matt and you all may have already seen this and marveled at it.  Well, tough shit!  I found it today and it makes me happy (which is a rare occurance these days) so just go with it OK???

 I so wanted to be out there dancing that funny dance right along with Matt.   I love that he thought of this, i don’t love that i didn’t think of it first!  Not that i would have done what Matt did, but just to think of this concept is in and of itself pretty incredible right?  He made people happy.  He made people dance.  Dance together and be happy together.  Isn’t that really what life is all about???

Being together.  Uniting with fellow human beings and having fun.  Smiling, giggling and dancing!!  People, this is incredible.  This dude Matt, i think i’m in love with him.  Don’t worry, i’m not some crazy stalker that wants to find Matt and dance with him in the middle of the night naked while eating yodels!!!  Nope, i’m not that girl. 

All i want to do is watch his video, over and over again.  He dances as bad or worse than i do.  But, thats not the point.  He friggin dances.  Thats it.   This video is infinitely better than watching the show So you think you can dance!  Why?  Because these are real people who don’t claim, hey i can dance better than you!!  These are people who don’t give a hoot how they look.  They just want to dance and have fun!!!   NUFF SAID!!

So, my camping trip to Oregon…cancelled.  Yeah, it is.  Some family situations in both my family and my friends family made it impossible for us to travel at this time.  You would think i’d be like all upset and blubbering like a baby, but nope i’m not.  Not really anyway.  It’s more of a relief.  Strange but true.  I simply don’t think i was ready mentally for this kind of a vacation.  I don’t know about you guys, but the thought of literally shitting in the woods had me scared shitless!  I’m such a wuss. 

Luckily, i was able to get a refund for the actual hiking trip as well as for some of my hiking/camping gear that honestly i don’t think i will need for a long time.  So, i returned it for a refund.  My backpack may be a little harder to return but i was told i may be able to get a store credit which is actually cool because this place sells running shoes and clothes, garmins even!!!  So, it may work to my advantage!!

I am trying so hard to stay positive!  I mean really positive.  I’ve been going through a bit of a hard time lately.  Not with my running, but with personal relationships and being way to impulsive.  I’m not even sure whether or not i am going to be seeing Mr. Neil in concert and you know how much i’ve been looking forward to that right???  Impulsive how you ask?  I bought a MacBook, white, sleek, cool and gorgeous.  I did not have the extra money for this.  In fact the salesman at the Apple store, when i said to him, “I’ll take it”, he looked at me like woah, are you sure, let me show you what this baby can do first!!!  I’m like OK, sure but i’m still buying it.  I’m even taking lessons once a week to really learn how to use it.  It’s fun.  It’s expensive.  I’m broke!

Tattoos:  Not good.  Thats all i will say for now.  Soon i will share the tattoo impulsiveness that happened last week.  When i’m less embarrassed and when i discuss it with my therapist.  Bless her heart! 

So, my running goals are, well see thats just it.  I don’t seem to have any running goals.  This can’t be good.  I run practically every day.  But, i don’t see the big picture.  Will i just run everyday, do the same thing day in and day out??  Or should i set some goals for myself?  Run a half marathon?  Perhaps a 10K?  Join a running group or even better yet…start a running group?  I simply don’t know at this point.  Right now, i feel as though i am running away from something, not to something.  That kinda sucks.  Running doesn’t suck, just the not knowing part sucks.

Once again, though i really want to thank all of you guys here.  You never fail to encourage me, make me feel happy and tell it like it is!!!  Ted you reading???  Really folks i mean this from the bottom of my dancing heart!!!  I love you guys so much!!!

I’m going to go drown my sorrows in a cup of Haagen Dazs icecream!  CHOCOLATE!!!  Oh and dance too!!!

Orthorexia???? HUH?

So, i just read about this today in a friends blog!  Orthoreixa??  This is a new one to me.  I mean sure i “want” to eat healthy and for the most part i do eat healthy but i’ll be damned if i’m going to be labeled an orthoreixic!  To me this is just the psychologists of the world trying to rake in more $$$$.  Right?  Are you with me on this???

Does this look like the face of a person with Orthorexia???  I think not!  I am stunned at this.  Maybe, its not so new but its way way off base, IMHO! 

Leave it to a medical doctor to determine that too much healthy eating is BAD! I mean come on! I agree that eating disorders of any kind are not funny and should be treat with respect and sensitivity. This video didn’t reflect or show any Orthorexians that I saw, just talked about how it exists.   The food showed in this video, to me looked amazingly delicious! 

Rant over!!!

So, i’ve run 5 days in a row.  Mostly 4 miles, 5 miles twice i think.  I’m still at about 53 minutes for the 5 miles.  9 min 19 seconds being my fastest mile.  I cannot seem to get below that number but honestly if i ask myself why i need to, i cannot come up with a solid answer!  So, i’m happy where i’m at right now.  Plus, the weather has been really humid and sticky.  I come home sweating profusely.  It’s kinda embarrassing sometimes.  Not too concerned really.

My hiking trip is coming up fast.  12 days away now!  I am getting exceedingly nervous and tense.  Lots of reasons that i’d rather not get into just yet but i will.

Once again i wanna take this and a lot of it:

I’m so reluctant to share things here for fear of the wrong person reading it but i know my running buddies here will always understand.  Thats BIG!!  I think i am inadequate in trying to express my feelings sometimes.   Or sometimes, maybe too much sharing? 

I have a lot on my mind and it’s hurting almost.  Intense is maybe a better word.  It’s OK, i’ll be fine, i’m sure.

It’s just right now, i want to say FUCK it all!  I want to shout it out loud.  I may do that later!!  :O)

Weekend is approaching fast.  No plans.  Running of course.  Thats a given.  I’ll see!  Love you all once again!

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 

New Rule: The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger the asshole. If you walk into a Starbucks and order a ‘decaf grandee, half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n’-Low, and One NutraSweet,’ ooooh, you’re a huge asshole.

New Rule: Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn’t make you Spiritual. It’s right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to ‘beef with broccoli.’ The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren’t pregnant. You’re not spiritual. You’re just high.

New Rule: If you ever hope to be a credible adult and want a job that pays better than Minimum wage, then for God’s sake don’t pierce or tattoo every available piece of flesh. If so, then plan your future around saying, ‘Do you want fries with that?’

Yeah i would be the only one who blogs, that ends a post with a nice scripture, then adds on some new rules for 2008 from George Carlin!!!

Geek in the Pink….

Yo, Brotha A to z,
Yo, wussup B,
Yo, What time is it?

Ha-ha, It’s laundry day!
I don’t care what you might think about me
You’ll get by without me if you want
Don’t judge it by the color, confuse it for another
You might regret what you let slip away

like the geek in the pink
well like the geek in the pink, yeah
So, Jason Mraz! He’s pretty cool and is a raw foodist. I’ve been a fan for a while now and when i read over at we like it raw that not only is he a raw foodist, the dude has an avocodo farm!! Whats up with that?? You should all definitely check out his fabulous blog freshness factor five thousand . It’s the bomb for sure!!! He writes his blog as if he’s writing a song. Lyrical and funny and light! Please check out his new CD We sing, We dance, We steal things! Its really good and fun! One of my favorites on that CD is this:

The Dynamo of Volution:

[making a choice or decision...Volition means! So, Jason my friend is The Dynamo of making a decision!!! I wanna be a dynamo of volition too!!! Someday! Soon i hope!

So, that brings me to well…me!  The geek in the pink!
The geek in pink is doing major running! In an ipod induced trance, i ran 5 miles in 53 minutes FUCK YEAH!!!  Just do it! Whatever IT may be for you! Focus on what you want to accomplish and how you want it to happen! Manifest, pray, skip, whatever works for you!!! JUST DO IT!!! This is your life folks. You do not get a do over!! So, you have to work with what GOD dude has given to you. Could be beauty. Could be brains. Could be both!! Or none! Who cares really…I don’t know, maybe i think too much. I was told i have too much time on my hands. So, lots of time to think. But, i’m a good thinker! See, i’m good at something!!! What i’m trying to say is that everybody is good at something.

Me? I’m a good runner and thinker! I’m also very sweet and a good friend. I’m also a geek. But, i’m good at being a geek. I embrace my inner geekness to the one hundredth degree! I am so damn good at being a geek..
Fuck…I always come here to my blog to try and prove to everybody how so very good i am!!  Don’t I?  Hear me out!  This is my blog so i guess i can do whatever i want here, but i don’t want to sound as if i need anybody’s approval ya know?  Cause i really do not.  All i need is my own approval.  I used to (not so long ago) worry to bits about what others thought of me!!!  NO MORE!!!
I am a new and improved geek in the pink.  Why should i feel crappy all the time? It’s insane isn’t it? I know that what i do and how i live is right for me. If others think differently so be it. Everything i do makes sense to me. I will not ask for acceptence because i accept myself. I will not ask for opinions because only my opinion counts for me! I will be who i am and not change.
Makes sense?  I think so…FOR ME!!  I always want to stress that…whatever i write here is good only FOR ME!!!  You may have a totally different outlook on life and that is perfectly fine FOR YOU!!!  Get it?? 

For everything that was written long ago was written to instruct us, so that we might have hope through the endurance and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.
Romans 15:4

“If happy comes along– that weird, unbearable delight that’s actual happy– I think you have to grab it while you can”

How I love lost evenings. How I love people with fire in their bellies. I think people without passion are missing a lot of life’s experience.

I’ve been carrying these around with me since the weekend.
These are the little jewels in my brain. The little bits of treasure I think about when I need some perspective. I’m no great philosopher, I leave that to the earnest singer-songwriters I spend my time and money following.

I guess the closest I ever get to a world-view is this: “You’ve got to celebrate today, ’cause sure as hell it’s all going to go to shit tomorrow”. It’s funny how often that comes up in my life.

Anyway. No Proust, no highbrow philosophy for me. It’s all about the learning!!!!
Ah, before I descend into and I love all my friends and you’re all beautiful and I love you and you’re beautiful and…..well, you know, lets just say i do love you and you are beautiful and leave it at that!!!

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).

I think i may be done here!   For now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty amazing grace and my fastest mile!!

Pretty amazing grace is what You showed me
pretty amazing grace is who You are
I was an empty vessel
You filled me up inside
and with amazing grace restored my pride

Pretty amazing grace is how You saved me
and with amazing grace reclaimed my heart
love in the midst of chaos
calm in the heat of war
showed with amazing grace what love was for

You forgave my insensitivity
and my attempt to then mislead You
You stood beside a wretch like me
Your pretty amazing grace was all I needed.

Stumbled inside the doorway of Your chapel
humbled in God by everything I found
beauty and love surround me
freed me from what I fear
ask for amazing grace and You appear

You overcame my loss of hope and faith
gave me a truth I could belive in
You led me to a higher place
showed Your amazing grace
when grace was what I needed

look in a mirror I see Your reflection
open a book You live on every page
I fall and You’re there to lift me
share every road I climb
and with amazing grace You ease my mind

Came to You with empty pockets first
when I returned I was rich man
didn’t believe love could quench my thirst
but with amazing grace You showed me that it can

In Your amazing grace I had a vision
from that amazing place I came to be
into the night I wandered
wandering aimlessly
found Your amazing grace to comfort me.

You overcame my loss of hope and faith,
gave me a truth I could believe in.
You led me to that higher place
showed me that love and truth and hope and grace were all I needed.

I wanted to include not only the video to this amazing song, but the lyrics as well!  Come on now guys, first of all, who doesn’t like, excuse me, love NEIL DIAMOND!  This man rocks my world.  This man wrote such an incredible song that speaks directly to me!!  TO ME!!!

My god!  How simply incredible is this??  First of all, he played at the Glastonbury Music Festival!!!  Check out that lineup!!  Friggin Neil Diamond!  Now while i admit, my musical tastes run the gamit from Christian rock to folk to hip hop but i shall always have a special place on my ipod for Mr. Diamond.  He’s my homeboy!  A fellow Brooklynite!  SWEET!!!  I love this dude so much!

Want to hear the best part?  I am going to see him in concert on August 15th!  YES!!  Madison Square Garden!  Now, the venue is not perfect only because its very big and i like a much more intimate setting, but hey its Neil! 

Here is Mr. Neil at a secret Myspace concert in NYC at a very small venue called The Bitter End!  How neat!!!  CHERRY CHERRY!!! 

See how music lifts up my heart?  It really makes an OK day so much better!  You too??

So, now on to some running stuff.  June 29th was officially 5 months since i started back on my running since my broke my toe last year!!!  So, in 5 months i’m up to 5-6 miles.  Not bad huh?  But today, i did my fastest mile since i started.  Ready?  I did a mile in 9 min 19 sec!!  WOOHOO!!!

I ran as if my life depended on it!  I don’t know why really.  It just had to be done.  Of course, i thought i had run a 7 minute mile with the amount of energy expended so i was kinda scratching my head in disbelieve afterwards, but then i thought hey michelle dude, give yourself just a little credit OK?  So, i did. 

I realized i do not have many most excellent running photos of myself, so here i am partaking in some caffeine afterwards!  HA!  UGH, this photo is horrible!  Weight wise i am down 35lbs!  Pretty amazing!!  I feel great, look dorky and run like the dickens!! 

Next stop is Ashland Oregon!  July 23rd!  Yikes!  More on that later, promise!  Nerves are settling a bit, but still there!  Here is a nice prayer i’d like to end with:

 

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

A bit heavy, but it really means a lot to me!  So, in turn i hope it touches you too!!  Love you guys!!!

What do i know??

Apparently not too much!  So, thats me on a 1975 Harley Davidson.  Cool huh?  I don’t know anything about riding a bike, except the person riding it always looks pretty cool.  So, i thought me sitting on a Harley would look just as cool.  Not so much!!!  Just another dorky runner i am!  In my own mind, in my dreams i am way cool!  Too cool really…its scary!

Sometimes, i feel like taking the above medication and forget about it all!  I always have days where i am so happy, then days where i am so sad!  Its like a roller coaster!  One day your up, up, up…then all of a sudden you feel so down!  I do not like the downs but i am slowly learning how to deal with those days.  Its really hard but it takes a lot of self control.  I’m tired sometimes.  It really exhausts me, those down days!  You would think running would help, it does.  But, it doesn’t…Some days you need more! 

I’m kinda concerned about something.  In one month’s time i am going on a hiking trip with a friend.  First time hiking for the both of us and its stressing me out.  Yeah, you would think i’d be all like happy and excited, but i’m not.  I’m scared!  I’m nervous.  I’m feeling like i won’t be able to do it.  It’s 3 days of hiking.  3 days of camping out.  3 days of setting up camp, tents, sleeping bags… Will i survive?  Don’t know really…i guess time will tell huh?  Here’s something cool though.  This has got to be the coolest thing i am taking on my hike!  By the way, the hike is in Southern Oregon!!  Yes, i said Oregon!!!  Oy Vey!

So, this is my life!  I am scared shitless!  Why?  Because i am a dork that lets the world scare her!!!  Yet i run!  I always run!  I love to run!!!  It really keeps me as sane as possible. 

Let’s play it by ear OK?

I’m sure I’m not the first, nor will I be the last, to say:

Shit
Fuck
Piss
Cunt
Cocksucker
Motherfucker
Tits

RIP - George Carlin

 

 

Ooops….I sorry

Wow, i certainly didn’t realize that it’s been over a week since my last post!  That is so not me, i usually like to update at least every other day or so!!  So, sorry, my bad!

I did have surgery on Thursday the 19th.  Sort of minor but i was put to sleep.  There is a lot to be said for heavy duty medication coursing through my veins.  Very little memory of it and NO PAIN! 

Believe it or not, after the surgery, after i showed the nurses that i could pee, i got dressed, left and had raw lunch with my friend who took me.  How crazy is that??  We also went to Whole Foods shopping for a bit, then walked on the boards and made a Starbucks run!!  Yikes!

Then, the most unbelievable part!  I ran the very next day!  BIG MISTAKE!!  I felt dizzy and weak but i pushed on and finished about 4 miles.  I didn’t run the rest of the weekend, though…good move on my part!

So, what i did do was get a tattoo!  My 4th!!!  I love this tattoo so much!  It’s a bit bigger than i had anticipated but i think it looks amazing!  

 I knew i wanted a butterfly! Why? Because, to me butterflys represent a free spirit, A butterfly is a symbol of transformation or change, love and joy.

To me, it represents beauty, changes, taking flight, simplicity and peace. At first, its an ugly catepillar and no one will give it a second look. but with time and dedication, it becomes something marvelous to the human eye. Its a natural wonder. So, with my life, after getting through some tough times, a butterfly just reminded me of myself actually. I had to take time and appreciate what I had and what I hope to be in the future.

I just got my butterfly tattoo last night. It was exhilarating, it is beautiful and calm it is colorful and vibrant…everything I want to continue to be! ~ Happy.

It was a great experience. Getting my tattoo! A friend bonding, laughing time! I have three others, but this one by far is my very favorite! It’s awesome. Everytime i pass a mirror i have to take a peek! I just love it so much. Who knows, i may go for number five tatt in the future! I now realize that getting a tattoo that represents something is the way to go!

I will share my others with you when i have the perfect photos of them.

I feel happy today! When things fall into place, the place in my head responds. Life can be so much better than i even thought. There’s just so much to grasp and hold on to.

How is life my blogoshere friends?  Summer running cannot be beat!  Just way more intense and great than running in the cold winter months!  Life is good!!

Rejoice evermore!

Thessalonians 5:16

 

Tag…your IT!!!

So i’ve been tagged! Not once, but twice by Ted and Jgurl so i think i have to do this!!! Here goes:

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

10 years ago my running was actually at its best! I fondly remember doing 5 miles in about 43 minutes. Also, 10 years ago i was participating in many races. Some cause races and some just races where i could eat bagels afterwards! 10 years ago i was 10 years younger and 10 years faster! No ipods back then but i always ran with some sort of music set up.

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?

Well i would have to say my best race experience was when i ran the NYC Marathon back in 1991. As hard as it was, it was also quite amazing. So many people all doing the same thing at the same time. Blew my mind. Still does…

My worst race experience was when i was doing the Staten Island Half marathon and i stopped for some water, gulped it down and only then did i notice that the water was BROWN! Can you imagine? So for the rest of the race i was obsessed with possibly having diarreha after i finished. (i didn’t) It really ruined the race for me and needless to say i never did THAT race again!

 

3. Why do you run?

Many reasons. I would say my number 1 reason why i run is the commraderie of my running community! I always know i can count on my running buddies to be there for me!  As i am ALWAYS there for them as well.  This is just the way it is!

I also run for the obvious, to keep my girlish figure and in the summertime i run to get a tan! :O) Plus, IMHO running clothes and shoes are pretty neat!

Seriously, i run simply because i love it AND it loves me right back!

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you’ve been given about running? 

The best AND worst advice i been given about running is this: don’t do too much because you want to be able to run everyday don’t you Michelle? Of course, but i also want to run faster and longer! “Don’t do that Michelle” you want to be able to run everyday don’t you? Of course, but i also want to run longer!!!! UGH! Its confusing, its amazing, its crazy!!!  It makes me crazy!  In a good way!  Only in a good way!!!

 

 

 

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

Surprising about myself! I am way way way to sensitive. Too emotional, too caring, too loving. Now you are probably all saying, but thats not a bad thing is it? IT IS! Trust me on this one! It only backfires on you in the end. I know this has nothing to do with my running but hey you asked!

Also, and this is a biggie…i have recently accepted Jesus into my heart!  Woah, thats heavy.  But i have to say, i’ve been questioning this decision for a while now.  Someday, i will share the reasons why but for now i just want to go on my run!!!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

 

1979 and stuff….

So, what were you doing in 1979?  Were you even born yet?  I was!  I was 18 years old in 1979.  Not yet a runner.  Not even thinking about running.  Yikes.  I just like this song, how about you?

The heat is on here in NY!  It’s about 90 degrees right now and extremely hazy.  I decided, rather happily not to run today.  For a few reasons:

1) I desperately needed a day off

2) It was 85 degress when i woke up

3) I really was tired

4) Did i mention i was tired?

Well, thats about it!  I am not stressing out about it.  No sireee!!!  Tomorrow is another day right? 

I’ve been looking through a Victoria’s Secret catalogue and believe it or not, i can now order some of their products.  When i say products i mean some cute PJ’s and maybe some tank tops and stuff.  Not the real sexy undies or bras.  I’m just not that person ya know?  Personally, most of the models in the catalogue look as if they are in the throes of orgasm as they gingerly touch their privates in an attempt to lure us all in.  Men?  What do you think?

There’s a lot to be said for running though.  Makes you look kinda sexy in a 1979 kind of way.  I like to always be running behind the guy with the spandex running shorts and a cool camo bandana.  The man butt is a powerful lure to finish 6 miles.   Unless of course the man butt belongs to an 80 year old and said man butt is flopping in the wind.  Not cool.  Apologies to any 80 year old man who has a flopping butt!

I ran 6 miles twice last week.  First time in:

1 hour 9 min (sucks)

1 hour 6 min (still sucks)

Someday i will get it down to 1 hour so it won’t suck as bad. 

This week i learned how to make nut cream cheese.  Real good on raw onion bread with some sprouts and avocado.  Makes a nice sandwich…

The weight loss challenge is coming along.  I did not lose any weight since last week so i am still being quite challenged.  There’s a lot to be said for staying the same weight weeks on end.  I think! 

I was a bad girl last night.  Let’s just say it involved icecream and lots of it.  Worth every cent and all the mental anguish i experienced afterwards.  Too good to pass up!  It’s summer after all.  Moments like these don’t happen very often.  Thanks Ralph’s ices and icecream!!!  Word!

I am inspired to run a race.  I want to run a race.  I am thinking the race for the cure in september….5K!  Dude, i am such a chicken shit.  More like i want to do a half marathon at some point.  I truly believe its doable for me.  Do you?

So, laundry done!  I am going to spend some quality time with myself and my bible!  Life simply cannot get any better than this!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All good things….All this beauty!!

I have been on a journey of sorts.  Spiritually i’ve been all over the place!  I finally found a place in my life for prayer.  It works folks!  I lived to tell the tale and the power of prayer is out there for all to behold.  I can think of 1 million ways that incorporating praying into your life will make you a better person AND a better runner!  Just know it simply IS!

My running is taking a path and i am following.  Here’s what i have decided.  I do not want to feel stressed out before each run.  I do not want to feel i have to run a certain distance to be called a runner.  I know i am a runner.  I am.  Nobody told me this.  It’s just a fact.  So, what i do now is arise each day, make sure its not raining and get dressed to run.  I then run.  Now, don’t get me wrong here folks.  Of course i want to set goals and possibly run a few races.  I do set goals.  But, i do not start my run thinking….today i must run 5 miles.  Must is not a good word for me.  Neither is should.  How about think about what you “could” do. 

I could do 5 miles today if i so choose!  I think about what the benefits are to doing that.  Will i end the run in pain?  Will i end the run in tears?  Will i end the run and have to limp home?  If the answers to these questions are YES, then 5 miles is not my goal for the day.

On Friday May 30th i ran 6 miles!  This is the most i ran in a very long time.  I ran it in 1 hour and 9 minutes.  69 minutes.  I think thats about an 11.5 min pace.  It was an awesome run.  It felt right and i felt strong.  It made me very happy when i was done.  It was hard though.  Sure, i felt strong but the run inself tuckered me out.  My legs were a bit shakey and tight afterwards. 

Today, on the other hand i literally could not go a step over 3 miles.  It was hot and i didn’t think i should push.  I hear the word acclimate being discussed.  I know the word.  I guess i’m in the middle of acclimating.  So i ran 3 miles in 34.02.  Again just about an 11.5 min pace.  At least i’m consistent right?

So, i just read with interest….Liv is doing a weight loss challenge for all us bloggers!  See this is just what i would have loved to do but great Liv beat me to it!

WOOHOO, i am so there!  1 month really gives me the push i need to lose the last 15lbs or so that i want to lose!  Thanks Liv!  You ROCK!!!  So, i guess i can say here that my starting weight is 129lbs.  I want to and will go down to 115lbs.  YES!!!  NO!!!  YESSSSSSSSS!!!

I am also sort of gearing up for my July 24th hiking trip.  I simply cannot wait.  Can you tell i am psyched??  I will of course talk more about it closer to the date, but i will say its in Southern Oregon and its 3 days of hiking/camping out!  I am going with my BFF, the woman i sometimes talk about, my sista in the lord, my tatt sista, my best friend!  It’s going to ROCK!  You can read all about it here!  Its all friggen raw!!!!  Can you imagine?  I may hide 1 or 2 candy bars in my backpack!  Nah, i won’t!

So my soul searching is nearly complete.  It will never be 100% complete because, then life would be dull, dull, dull!  I learn A LOT while running.  Maybe too much!  I need to rein it in a bit.  As my friend Karen says “you need to chill”.  Its just that i feel happy.  At least today i do!

I’d like to mention that i am going through a surgical procedure on June 19th.  I am kinda scared and a very big chicken!  What needs to be done, needs to be done!  There is the tiny chance that it could be worse, the biopsy will tell me that.  My doc said 99.9% it is NOTHING!  I believe her!  So, maybe you guys can say a prayer for me?  If you want!

I am getting a bit into wheatgrass!  Its an amazing thing, wheatgrass!! 

Why should I drink wheatgrass juice?

Growing and juicing your own wheat sprouts is not only decorative and fun, but also highly nutritional. Wheatgrass is full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The juice has many health benefits due to the high concentration of chlorophyll, Vitamins B-12, B-6, K & C, and beta-carotene.

Wheatgrass has the following properties:
•Detoxifies the liver
•Cleanses the colon
•Leads to a tangible energy boost
•Boosts the immune system
•Purifies blood as Chlorophyll has similar molecular structure to hemoglobin - a component of blood
•Very rich in chlorophyll
•Contains 97 enzymes, vitamins, phytochemicals and minerals made famous in the US by Dr. Ann Wigmore in treatment of cancer
•Experience less colds as your resistance to infection increases
•Contains more protein per once than beef

Good stuff huh?  Again, i’d like to stress that eating live foods or raw foods is only good for you if you WANT to do it!  Not because someone else does it ya know?  It is quite delicious though!  Bee pollen, honey, superfoods, hempseeds, chia seeds, raw cacao, fruit smoothies with aloe, fruit, nuts, seeds, …gosh the list goes on and on!  Next Saturday i am taking my sister out to Pure food and Wine in Manhattan and i will fully report on our dinner, including photos!! 

So, running…what can i say?  It has delighted me throughout the 20 years or so and has definitely made me a better person.  Of that i have no doubt!  Socially, mentally, physically, every which way you can think of!  I love it so, and i love you all!!!

I think i am literally Runnin’ down a dream each and every day i am out there!

“I make a great second impression.
Most people don’t know that.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shut up and let me go…

I’m feeling kinda ornery and stubborn today.  Not really sure why.  I didn’t run today, but thats not it.  I guess maybe i am impatient about things to come!  Wondering is all?

So, here is a photo of myself and my best friend with our very first all raw feast!  We worked very hard.  You would think that since there was literally no cooking involved, it would be easier to execute.  It wasn’t.  It took us the most part of a day to do all this.   There’s a nice big salad with edible flowers, some raw tacos, some amazing raw sushi and really good raw pizza!  Everything was so tasty and delicious. 

When preparing raw food, a lot of different spices are used to make the dishes delicious to the palate.  Cayenne, jalepeno peppers, cumin, hot red pepper, sea salt.  If you can imagine, it is even better than the cooked alternatives.   Does it make you want to try some raw food?  Or as i like to call it ”living food”?  I wish i could prepare a dinner like this for each and every one of you…

It’s fun cooking with a friend.  It’s fun bonding.  We both have very different styles in the kitchen.  Karen is quick and easy, i am much slower and more methodical.  She left me to make the salsa for the tacos.  Took me way longer than really necessary.  I didn’t like how i cut up the tomatoes so i had to sort of recut them to the sizes i felt were appropriate for a salsa.  Nuts right??? 

Speaking of nuts…the cheese for the pizza is not cheese!  It’s nuts.  Yep, nut cheese is what us raw foodists call it.  Oh so good too!!  It has an incredible cheesy taste and i bet if i didn’t tell you it was nuts you would all say….”YUM, thats some good cheese you got going on!!!

So, this is a wonderful drink that i made for Karen.  ..it is made with white peaches and edible flowers with some coconut water! I call it Michelle’s special flower drink for Karen! MSFDFK for short!!! Hope she liked it!

Of course the best part of the day was sharing this dinner with her family who do not eat raw.  They all seemed to like it.   It was just a lot of fun for me.   Like i said, bonding time. 

I hope each and every one of you are having an amazing Memorial day weekend!  The weather cannt be better and tomorrow i hope for a 5 mile run in the sun!!

A Prayer of Trust

Protect me, God
I come to you for safety.
You are my Lord,
All good things I have come from You.

How good are the Lord’s faithful people!
My greatest joy is to be with them.

You, Lord are all I have,
And You give me all I need.
My life is in Your hands.
How wonderful are Your gifts to me,
How good they are!

I praise You Lord because You guide me,
I know You are always with me.
Nothing can make me afraid
Because You are near.

Show me the path that leads to life
Your presence fills me with joy.