My husband, the Runner

About three months ago my amazing husband decided to take up running, again. When Brandon was a bit younger he did quite a bit of running and if my memory serves me correctly, he even joined a running club that did long runs (7-10 miles) at least once a week. So running is not a new sport to Brandon, just one he has decided to revisit.

Although Brandon has run with me in the past,his shin splints generally get the best of him and he winds up in so much pain it's just not worth it. I think this time around, he simply ran through the pain and out of the shin splints, like Forrest Gump and those tacky leg braces, except B's shin splints weren't visible to the rest of the world. And although he gets plagued by the pain every now and again, for the most part his shins are doing much better.


This is the best Forrest Gump, leg braces picture I could find.

ANYWAY-
I am so proud of how far Brandon has come in the past couple of months. He has become a pretty dedicated runner. Running through this dreadful heat and humidity is enough to make any runner want to quit!

Tonight Brandon will have his second trail race. Tonight...he conquers.....



Here is a map of the Haw Ridge Trail Race (which might as well be written in Japanese)



I love the fact that he is a runner now, but I HATE that he decided to revisit this passion while I am unable to join in. While he spends his evenings bettering himself, I spend my evenings flailing around on the couch. Do you know I have to use a "roll move" to get out of bed now? Brandon jokes that once this baby is born and the doctor gives me the okay to start running again, he will probably take another "break" from the sport. I generally reply by mumbling curse words under my breath and giving him the look of death.

While Brandon is out working hard and getting in shape, I am taking on a whole new shape of my own. Speaking of morbidly obese......I have started to swell. By the end of most days I usually look like this....



The only difference is I don't have the cute sailor outfit or the hat.

In truth, I am very proud of Brandon! He is working really hard and his hard work is paying off. I can't wait to start running with him this winter! I can't wait for us to include Josie (in a stroller, of course. We don't expect she will be a good enough runner to keep up with us right away) in our runs! Hopefully this time next year, both Brandon and I will be gearing up for the Haw Ridge Trail Race 2012! Good Luck Brandon! I know you will do great!!!

What a slacker....

I started running (or something close to that) again. Just typing that sentence practically winds me, so you can imagine how graceful I look while actually running. A trainer at the gym once told me that you can start to loose muscle memory in 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS! That seems ridiculous and really unfair. You would think your own freaking muscles would be kind enough to give you a little more of a break. So..I sat down and did the math....No physical activity + 5 months = absolutely zero muscle memory and sooo out of shape!

If you can loose muscle memory in 2 weeks, I bet you are wondering what can happen in 20 weeks. Well, stop wondering. Because it's disgusting. And sad. No wonder my body seems to be in complete rebellion today. When my legs ARE functioning they seem to have a mind of their own, the rest of the time they appear to be made of jello. I am in that struggle of mind over body and I am not gonna lie....my body seems to be kicking my mind's butt right now.

In other news....
I know I have been a very bad blogger lately. I could make a thousand excuses (all valid, of course), but the truth is...I just haven't been feeling the blog as of late. It probably has something to do with the exhaustion and mood swings, but who really knows. This is how I look most days, now....(at all hours of the day)



Brandon has been absolutely amazing over the past month. He is so sweet, even when Bitchy-Lauren shows up. I have always heard that pregnant women can be moody(and hormonal), I just never thought I would be one of those women. A duck in our neighborhood hatched four ducklings last week....and I cried. That's how hormonal I am. I don't even care for ducks (although I really have nothing against them).

The good news is...this Friday we will hit 12 weeks and will be quickly cruising into our second trimester (which by the way...I always want to call a semester, not trimester)! We have an appointment next week with an ultrasound and I am really looking forward to hearing a heartbeat and seeing the changes in the baby over the past few weeks. I am also hoping that with the quickly approaching 2nd trimester I will be reunited with my energy! It would be really nice to feel like I can help out after work. Most days I am so tired I can barely help fix dinner.

Spring seems to be off to a good start and we are really excited about summer! Brandon and I have already put in quite a bit of work in the gardens and we look forward to the awesome display of colors, textures, and smells we get each year. I will post some pictures soon!

A lot happened, 4 years ago.

Exactly four years ago today I was cursing many things. My best friend (sorry JoElla), my body, ridiculous ideas, the entire state of FL, and last, but nearly not least (trust me), Disney characters.

At the time, exactly four years ago, I was right in the middle of running a marathon. Yeah....26.2 miles. Every last tenth of a mile. Right about now I think I was nearing mile 20 and the word "run" was really being stretched to meet it's definition. I was in motion, yes, but "running" would not accurately describe that motion. It was more like walking (limping), but in my mind, I was running.

This was the Walt Disney World Marathon, which naturally (as it's name would imply) took place in Disney World. At first, it was so exciting. Each mile we would see different Disney characters. Our first encounter was Chip and Dale. I was so excited to see them I nearly knocked people over to get a hug. Funny how things change, because by mile 15 I was threatening to punch any character that got near me. At mile 18 I hit my wall. The adrenaline had pretty much worn off and the idea of running 26.2 miles was so ludicrous, I couldn't figure out why I had agreed to do the race in the first place.

JoElla and I crossing the finish line


Showing off our medals after the race. It may not look like it here, but I wanted to die.


At mile 20 I wanted to quit. I was done. Jo kept encouraging me and all I wanted to do was punch her (sorry Jo). But, we pushed through and we made it to the finish! Although I probably was not the ideal running partner by the end of the race, I am forever thankful to JoElla for pushing me through the experience. It is an accomplishment I will always be proud to say I completed. And one that lead me to an even bigger accomplishment.......

Quitting Smoking. I know, gross, right? I was a smoker. And towards the end, I was a fairly heavy smoker. I smoked over a pack a day. For nearly 10 years. I tried several times to quit. There were two major factors to me quitting.....
1. I had met a man (Brandon) I really liked and he was not interested in dating a smoker. (He never complained, but I could tell he didn't find smoking sexy..big surprise, huh?)
2. If I could run a freaking marathon, there was absolutely NO reason why I couldn't quit smoking.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't just run a marathon then say BYE to cigarettes cold turkey the next day. I had cut back on my smoking quite a bit, as I had met Brandon in October of 2006. I had also cut back because I was busy training for the marathon. These two factors made it possible for me to finally kiss cigarettes good bye. In fact, the day after I returned home from FL (the day after the marathon) I had my final cigarette. And I haven't looked back.

I know there are people who will make up 1,000 excuses why they can't quit (I was one of those people), but you can. Just do it. Just tell yourself you have had enough. And take it one hour at a time. If you can make it through one regularly scheduled "smoke break" without a cigarette, then pat yourself on the back and look towards making it through one more. Be strong and be proud of yourself. That pride will take you a lot farther than a cigarette. Trust me!

Napping for Cancer

I feel a little bad. I registered (and paid) for the Buddy's Race for Cancer 5k, taking place this afternoon at 3PM. *side note- why in the world would you schedule a race for 3PM? Why?*

Anyway, this morning I decided not to run in the race, and I feel kind of bad. Running at 3PM really screws up the rest of the day. Had it been an 8AM race, I would not have even considered skipping out. Oh well.....at least they got my registration money, which will go to a great cause. Instead, today I plan to take it easy, watch some football, and maybe even take a nap! Wahoo.

I also registered for the BlueCross Autumnfest 8K, taking place Thanksgiving morning! YAY! Thank you for the early morning race start (the way it should be) and the 8K race that will make me feel less guilty about eating lots of turkey and stuffing and all the other delicious Thanksgiving treats! I am really looking forward to this race, which takes place down on "Volunteer Landing", which is a place I love to run and a course I know well. Brandon and I plan to go down there Saturday morning and run the course, just as a refresher.

Brandon has recently returned to his running roots. So, now, you may be on the look out for two Bice's running! It's fun to have a running partner again, although Brandon may not feel the same. Last time we ran I talked the ENTIRE time. I think Brandon was more exhausted from having to listen to me, less from the run. I love my husband.

Race for the Cure

This weekend, tomorrow to be exact, is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Knoxville. This is a pretty big race/run/fun walk in Knoxville, as I am sure it's big in most cities.



The last time I ran in the Race for the Cure was in 2008. In 2008 I was still training (somewhat) for half marathons. I think my last half marathon was in early 2009...and trust me, I did not train enough, and it was NOT pretty.

Anywho...
I am nervous about tomorrow's race. I have not been running much lately and I am definitely not in the shape I was in two years ago. And, yes...I realize it's ONLY a 5K. But- I am extremely competitive! Although I am not sure who I am competing against. Myself, I guess? It would be great to beat my 2008 time (Ha,ha ha), but that's not going to happen. So I set myself a new goal time....and I laugh at that one, too. I guess I will just tell myself over and over again "It's less than 30 minutes of your life...just run!" I wish I could say that would make me run faster, but it will not.

This year my race bib will be "tattooed" with the names of my family and friends who are survivors. These are the names of women who have faced cancer, some more than once, and fought with everything they had. These women are everyday heroes! MY everyday heroes! And I am proud to know each and everyone of them.

Maybe while I am out on the course instead of telling myself it's only a half hour, I should remind myself that I am running for them, not for a time chip. I will be running for my family, friends, and all women who have yet to face this monster, for the ones who lost their battles, and the ones who continue to fight. Breast Cancer is a nasty disease and finding a cure is so important for our futures, and the futures or our families and friends.

The race is always fun and in the end, very emotional! Thank you to everyone who participates, not matter how big or small. And good luck to all participants! It's only 30 minutes of your life, right?

My Heroes: Aunt Laurie Ann, Aunt Bunny, Nannette K., and Cousin Brittany

This weekend in May...all over the place blog

Do you remember when you were a kid and you got a new pair of shoes? And of course, that meant you could run faster and possibly even jump higher? Or was that just me?

Intro new fitted jet packs:


I have not had the chance to test out my theory of running faster (like I really need to test that) or jumping higher, as it's raining today, but I have every intention of wooing people with my athletic abilities tomorrow! Thanks B!

A good friend of mine, Samantha, recently moved into a new condo/townhouse! This is her first time on her own and owning her own home! I decided that for a housewarming gift I would help her put her gardens together. For anyone who has ever had to start their own flower gardens....it can be a real pain in the butt. Having someone who is willing to help (my mom at our house) makes a big difference. I am not really sure Samantha was as excited as I was, but I think we had a good time. It was A LOT of hard work, all day long, in 86 degree weather....but the hard work paid off!

Samantha's gardens before:



Samantha's garden after:




Friday night we enjoyed an evening among royalty (practically). Brandon and I were invited to join friends in Box Seats at the Tennessee Smokies Baseball game. I am not going to lie, my life has changed. I just don't think I can go back to mingling with the public in their general, one priced seating areas. High class living (although very short lived) has changed me. Call me a snob, but who while all those fans were getting soaked by the pouring rains....we were high and dry, and enjoying comfortable couches in air conditioning. I think these box seats may have created a monster in me. I might need an intervention.....or a move up in the tax brackets. Although...in reality, I don't think I could fit in with the "riches"....I stick out like a sore thumb and anytime something went wrong or (God forbid) missing...they would look directly to me. Why? I have a guilty face! Which translate to- I look poor!

You be the judge...do we look high class?


Three weeks ago today I got a sunburn that was probably the worst I have ever experienced. That is truly saying a lot, as I am pale, even by Irish standards. I have experienced many 'a sunburn in my lifetime...and this one was BAD. About a week ago (two weeks after the burn) I stared peeling...which is totally normal. But, here I am, 3 weeks after the initial burn and experiencing ITCHING like I have never known before. No more peeling, simply itching all over my back. Have I done some kind of permanent damage to the nerves or am I experiencing some allergy to over exposure to the sun? All I know is I can't take much more of this. I thought I was going to claw my skin raw last night...finally two benadryl later and waking my husband at 1AM to apply yet another layer of lotion...I was able to rest. I would never be a good meth addict (like there is such a thing), I would never be able to handle the itching and "bugs" under the skin. This is good to know, because up until now, I was really teetering that line....take meth or not to take meth. Well....now I have my answer! (That's a joke, mom and dad...I was never really considering it....after I learned what it did to your teeth. <-- Kidding)

And finally.....
A quick update on the Inglorious Batters, our co-ed softball team. So far this season we have:
-Won one. No...that's no typo...
-Lost five. Ouch
-Almost had one fight with a female player on the other team (and a male player on our team).
-Almost had altercations with officials and their "calls"
But...we are still having fun! We have a great team (personality wise) and we all get along...for the most part. And although we have only won one game, we are considering entering the tournament...just to extend our season and socializing...because trust me, it's not because we are going for first! GO Batters!