tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67364617137437276992024-02-19T20:18:20.591-05:00All Aboard the Pity Boatjillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-90253337075012802432011-08-31T19:25:00.003-04:002011-08-31T19:48:14.947-04:0014dpo - beta<br>Pee test this morning was negative again so I knew what was coming. The beta was negative. I'm really bummed (understatement) but trying to ignore it. I mean really, did I expect any different?
<br /><br>I was already gloomy enough in my last post so here is my attempt at thinking happy thoughts.
<br /><br>The fertility clinic I go to has the best blood drawers ever. I have a needle phobia - have never been good with them. Obviously through the IF years I've learned to better deal with frequent blood draws but they still freak me out. This place makes it so much better. They get it over with super fast, they try to distract if I seem like I'm getting anxious, they hardly ever leave any bruise or mark at all (I've had some bad ones at other places), and often I can barely feel the needle go in. The picture below shows my arm a few minutes ago - see the tiny red dot? That's the only mark and I hardly felt it. Today, as she was drawing my blood I told her they are awesome at it and I appreciate it so much.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84ClpAdviMU5_-vg421lMtfJGB_P0ilW5kqMMJlz2LgSCEMpjDtRlYugth7LGKDn3nRd5qAf-1WvIr-fFXTwIEqWGo2AYgY-4mw-dvS3zd1TScUjdjcy9ZVE4kS996SqH_y0qO3tTyrA2/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84ClpAdviMU5_-vg421lMtfJGB_P0ilW5kqMMJlz2LgSCEMpjDtRlYugth7LGKDn3nRd5qAf-1WvIr-fFXTwIEqWGo2AYgY-4mw-dvS3zd1TScUjdjcy9ZVE4kS996SqH_y0qO3tTyrA2/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a>
<br />Things I get to do now:<br>
<br />- Stop taking so many pills a day for a little while. I currently take 7.<br>
<br />- Stop taking the progesterone gel every night. Ugh that stuff is unpleasant.<br>
<br />- Not worry about if I'll be able to do the upcoming vegas half marathon while 18 weeks pregnant. I'm signing up officially in the next couple days.<br>
<br />- Get rid of the sore boobs in a day or so hopefully. (well, the soreness anyway, not the boobs themselves...)<br>
<br />- Move on and officially end this cycle. This random cramping must be from the progesterone and, now that I know everything is negative, it's driving me crazy :/
<br /><br>I'm planning on doing this all again next cycle if they'll let me. I must be crazy.
<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-17206904501137028392011-08-30T13:15:00.002-04:002011-08-30T13:33:04.920-04:0013dpo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJg14YaOMAo1Z9MUnjLnduGPkECai2mpPXC4GFQS-LI1AWH3yRagP9Vrb_H57zUqpy956xln-cBz-Ju6__skhdm6yYh6KLl2kfjfbJZWPiAKeIbNKf8s81LmWjd9_xr7MNLDOfp8P9xWH/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJg14YaOMAo1Z9MUnjLnduGPkECai2mpPXC4GFQS-LI1AWH3yRagP9Vrb_H57zUqpy956xln-cBz-Ju6__skhdm6yYh6KLl2kfjfbJZWPiAKeIbNKf8s81LmWjd9_xr7MNLDOfp8P9xWH/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_R2rYhS8RLchp4h5Duqc7hDjFcLpK6awrGXMX2K2MtvjAMDmBU6noK0VvekVogKuAn-rgA1LGMayWmGFa3Ov_2ZzIUYMRni1yUFXxg_GJmoE8SIU59Yg_YobppjuPdOrfTm7GqfLQYx1x/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_R2rYhS8RLchp4h5Duqc7hDjFcLpK6awrGXMX2K2MtvjAMDmBU6noK0VvekVogKuAn-rgA1LGMayWmGFa3Ov_2ZzIUYMRni1yUFXxg_GJmoE8SIU59Yg_YobppjuPdOrfTm7GqfLQYx1x/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a>
<br />My hope is gone. I tested for the past 3 mornings - all negative. I'm irritable, sad, crampy, and "the girls" have been sore now for a couple days. I feel the need to apologize for being such a downer.
<br />
<br />The picture kind of goes along with this depressing theme. Earlier this year we cleaned out our garage (one pet peeve of mine is attached garages that can't actually be used to park cars in, so we always keep ours fairly clean) and I came across a box that hadn't been sorted through in a LONG time.
<br />
<br />Those are the magazines I started subscribing to, buying, and collecting when, 15 years ago, I decided I was ready to have a baby. Silly me. The years on each magazine are what really get me. I threw them all away.
<br />
<br />Tomorrow I fully expect the test in the morning to be negative and my beta to be negative too. I suppose there is still a small chance but I'm pretty sure that a test wold have been positive this morning if it was going to be at all.
<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-28502456044876576892011-08-27T14:14:00.001-04:002011-08-27T14:14:25.639-04:0010 dpo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtVLukSh_PF5vY_KRtPJQeYiq1nQR0kBpgvNTY1z5qVr7J7Qk-SOJpkyPYU0NMj6K3Y92vkv7aLCk5gOJGMj_HkjxonfyzPYqGoC8_BfOhYJQWB1cDtInR0Nteg1Kx-PGpVLL3wEPtT6W/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtVLukSh_PF5vY_KRtPJQeYiq1nQR0kBpgvNTY1z5qVr7J7Qk-SOJpkyPYU0NMj6K3Y92vkv7aLCk5gOJGMj_HkjxonfyzPYqGoC8_BfOhYJQWB1cDtInR0Nteg1Kx-PGpVLL3wEPtT6W/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a><br><br>Took this with my phone camera right after my hsg/shg in June. It's my uterus; the tube on the left in the picture is pretty clear, with the spillage at the end, but to me the tube on the right looks odd. Too long or something. The doctor and nurse did not say there was anything abnormal.<br /><br>I was able to wait 2 days but tested this morning. Negative.<br /><br>I'm feeling crampy today, like my period's about to start. That could be a good sign or it could mean nothing.<br /><br>Guess I'll just have to keep waiting...<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-10575002652577003262011-08-25T12:28:00.003-04:002011-08-25T15:09:39.060-04:00It's Not Real<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTHjKR6HUQLa-Ob3xKGHwQRNIWmARVylc_WbxBGrqjjMvSSk53XIxHci062wwyVj2M2U52Sd5LpOF8KEXlv2Y_p6OudSq4eTcMSwLIoWn69PJbDp4B94znyPo-VKe6TaZnTQm5x_9Wq7y/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTHjKR6HUQLa-Ob3xKGHwQRNIWmARVylc_WbxBGrqjjMvSSk53XIxHci062wwyVj2M2U52Sd5LpOF8KEXlv2Y_p6OudSq4eTcMSwLIoWn69PJbDp4B94znyPo-VKe6TaZnTQm5x_9Wq7y/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a>
<br />This is my first ever positive pregnancy test. It's not "real" but it is a symbol of hope. Too much hope realistically. It's the result of a trigger shot.
<br />
<br /><div><b><u>Back Story</u></b>
<br />
<br /></div><div>Back in June I decided to go back to my fertility clinic. There was a whole fiasco with a gyn/fertility clinic I was going to closing and I wanted to get a new prescription (for glumetza, I'm currently on metformin) so I figured what the heck. July was also my much-dreaded "advanced maternal age" birthday which I tried my best to ignore.ugh. I ended up discussing a clomid cycle, got all the medication for it, and then it was cancelled due to an elevated tsh level.
<br />
<br />About one month on a low dose of levothyroxine and my tsh still wasn't low enough (it was about 4) so I started on double the dose. That did the trick and my tsh lowered to about 2. I'm still on that dose.
<br />
<br />During the first cycle that was cancelled I had my second hsg. It went uncomfortably fine. Both tubes are still open. However they found that my uterine lining did not look smooth in some places and they recommended a D&C. I was not on board with this and didn't schedule one.
<br />
<br />During the cd3 u/s of the second cycle, an ovarian cyst was found. So, the second cycle was also a bust for both elevated tsh and the cyst. They put me on BCPs for that month. I was fine with taking the pill; however, about 11 years ago I had taken BCPs for about 1.5-2 years and had a bad experience with them. I told the nurse that and she gave me a lower dose type. I took the first pill that day and then proceeded to spot/bleed for<i> the entire cycle</i>. It was awesome. <span class="Apple-style-span" >{please note the sarcasm}</span>
<br /><div>
<br /></div><div>When the pack of pills had about 2 weeks left (including the 5 placeholder pills) I realized that I would be taking the last real pill days before the half marathon which was some really crappy timing. I called the office, told them about the half marathon, and asked if I could stop the pill earlier. They agreed. Yay!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>On Aug 5th I went in for my cd3 u/s and blood work. My tsh was a 2 and the cyst was gone.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I took 100mg of clomid from Aug 6th - 10th. I didn't have high hopes. I've taken clomid before - though it was about 15 years ago now and those cycles were unmonitored - and I was never able to detect ovulation.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>On the morning of Aug 16th (cd 14) I went in for the progress u/s and more blood work. To my surprise my lining looked great and there was one dominant 20mm+ follicle. Whoa. There were a couple other follicles but all under 16mm. A perfect response!? Definitely not what I was expecting.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>They gave me my hcg trigger (10,000 units) that day, at the end of my appt. Then of course, there was some sex. (this was not an iui cycle)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The test in the picture above was taken on the 17th. I had to do it. I had to create at least one positive test in my life, even if it was "fake".</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b><u>Current Events</u></b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>So, now that we're caught up in the story, let me just say that I'm currently going crazy. This is really the first actual 2ww I've ever had. One where I <i>know</i> there is a chance, however small.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>My beta is on Aug 31st at 1:00pm. 6 more days. Assuming ovulation happened the day after the trigger, I'm currently 8dpo. I was planning not to test again but I've been getting steadily crazier and bought a bunch of $1 tests yesterday.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I tested last night to see if the trigger was still there and it wasn't. The test was definitely negative. Ever since that the hope I did have has diminished. Doesn't it take 10 days for 10,000 units of hcg to leave a person's system? Last night was only 8.5 days for me :/ I know this has nothing to do with whether I actually conceive or not but for some reason that negative test has really slapped the sense back into me.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Now that I know the trigger is gone, I'm going to wait at least a couple days before I consider testing again.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>After waiting 15 years, getting pregnant on my very first monitored clomid cycle would be way too much luck for one person.</div></div>jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-31229656282015675492011-08-07T17:12:00.001-04:002011-08-07T17:12:13.629-04:00Second Half Marathon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB2ys3bHmvAFe5yjbuWiCktZSHKY8644UaXZX6UouZAEcNsIwTR4-tdzMyjTe4zltH8GQb5WEeNHu-ErgOKU_CufSpqLSbD6Rt-Yz9haZiFQtAdkPS8arTN0fpFG7-yELOl6mg7jAKt-O/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB2ys3bHmvAFe5yjbuWiCktZSHKY8644UaXZX6UouZAEcNsIwTR4-tdzMyjTe4zltH8GQb5WEeNHu-ErgOKU_CufSpqLSbD6Rt-Yz9haZiFQtAdkPS8arTN0fpFG7-yELOl6mg7jAKt-O/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a><br><br>So very much more difficult than the one in Vegas.<br /><br>It was POURING rain the entire time. I couldn't gave been more soaked and I have chafing "burns" on my waist and bottoms of my feet from the wet fabric.<br /><br>This course also included quite a few hills. Ouch.<br /><br>I finished though. I was so close to the Vegas time, I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't beat it, but Vegas was so much easier...<br /><br>I am sore but nothing too crazy. No pains other than soreness (and the chafing injuries). My hips were hurting a fair amount in the last half mile but they feel ok now.<br /><br>I don't have any pictures. I was planning to bring my phone to take some but with the heavy rain forecast I was afraid I'd ruin it.<br /><br>We are hoping to do the Vegas half marathon again this December.<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-12657019282340097262011-05-22T15:19:00.001-04:002011-05-22T15:19:41.639-04:00Vacation Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeulIi7-VSqJ4DFRYhBU20CiZonXuSPsPdEx9f-OQ8864w8vNQ32kBm1zeAgy5j8-rUoty6nsZVYGqXOHBXP0at6t3JmOSZ9mVs-HjXWX60UT5ChGLpnbsYyVepscsSXhkHMZTzdrzfsR/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeulIi7-VSqJ4DFRYhBU20CiZonXuSPsPdEx9f-OQ8864w8vNQ32kBm1zeAgy5j8-rUoty6nsZVYGqXOHBXP0at6t3JmOSZ9mVs-HjXWX60UT5ChGLpnbsYyVepscsSXhkHMZTzdrzfsR/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a><br><br>Happy ICLW everyone! I've already gotten a bunch of lovely comments. Thanks so much for stopping by and reading! :)<br /><br>I'm on vacation this week so I'm hoping to get to read and comment a lot.<br /><br>As I'm typing this I'm in the car with R (husband) and the dog driving to a house we've rented for the next 4 days in the Adirondacks. It's very large (we have 4 friends joining us), nice and secluded, views of the mountains, large property with a river. River (my dog) is going to have a blast with his very own river!<br /><br>This weekend is also both R's birthday and our anniversary. We've been married for 6 years. R picked the day of our wedding specifically so he would have extra help remembering the date :D<br /><br>We went out for a nice dinner yesterday (I got sweet and sour calamari, walnut crusted cod with spinach risotto, & panacotta for dessert) and we have a bottle of champagne to share with everyone tonight. We don't buy each other presents but every year we get a bottle of the same type of champagne. Our own little tradition.<br /><br>I got a pedicure yesterday too. I used to have a funky thing going on with my big-toe toenails and after years of trying different things, finally managed to clear it up. Last Sept I got one for the first time and now I'm addicted. I get one every few months - love how long they last.<br /><br>I'm still sore but getting better. C (my sister) and I went for our long, week-2 run earlier today. 4 miles. It pretty much sucked (we walked a lot) but, as always, we're happy we went. C's arches were bothering her and we just aren't used to the heat/humidity yet. Hopefully we get used to it since the half marathon is in August! Here is where I have second thoughts about this new goal. Yikes.<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-84380004204320325992011-05-20T23:34:00.003-04:002011-05-21T01:57:15.321-04:00I'm SoreMy calves are sore but in a good way. I kinda like it :)<div><br /></div><div>I accomplished my goal. I jogged the entire 3.5 miles. No walking breaks. Really crazy that I can do this now.</div><div><br /></div><div>My new time was a little under 48 mins, so I cut a bit more than 5 mins off my time from last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm definitely happy with this and proud I accomplished what I set out to but I'm having a hard time not comparing myself to others. I run/jog damn slow. Really slow. To my credit there were hills in yesterday's run which I'm not used to at all. But, I'm still extremely slow.</div><div><br /></div><div>I keep telling myself that jogging for 48 mins straight is so much more than I've ever done athletically before 2 years ago and that I'll keep improving little by little if I keep it up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Near the end of the race I had some brief flashes of concerning knee pain in my right knee. Same knee I've had a bunch of surgeries on (I tore my ACL ~18 years ago). It didn't last long but I'll be keeping an eye on it when I run next.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of running next, C and I are training for our 2nd half marathon that's on August 7th! I put a ticker up for it. I'm excited but way more nervous now that I know the 3.5 I just did was pretty tough.</div><div><br /></div><div>This week was week 2 of our training and this weekend we'll be running 4 miles.</div><div><br /></div><div>C is much more enthusiastic about this next half marathon now that she knows we've done it before :) I know we can do it again and this time we have a time to try to beat!</div>jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-81579378706203378652011-05-19T16:46:00.001-04:002011-05-19T16:46:40.458-04:00Another 3.5<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGprNuz-ZAbtI7mYv4p7Cpk5MvqvLiQKHBAHfIxrmB7SASqGeeYzmtLVmO75AUAS8_FBQ3-P3v-Q8EbMN4ceXXVDMZDOFX2wAdh3szh0hV2Jue5UtJw_0WNEphclXx2txJYWqTxSEHxAww/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGprNuz-ZAbtI7mYv4p7Cpk5MvqvLiQKHBAHfIxrmB7SASqGeeYzmtLVmO75AUAS8_FBQ3-P3v-Q8EbMN4ceXXVDMZDOFX2wAdh3szh0hV2Jue5UtJw_0WNEphclXx2txJYWqTxSEHxAww/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a><br><br>Tonight I'm running the corporate challenge (3.5 miles) with others from my company for the second year in a row.<br /><br>Last year this event was my first ever "5k" and it is what helped inspire me to do the half marathon.<br /><br>I was very disappointed last year when I had to walk almost the whole thing. Having been pretty sick in the month or so before, I didn't have a chance to build up as much as I was planning. Who knows, even if I wasn't sick I might have procrastinated anyway.<br /><br>I finished last year in about 53 mins.<br /><br>I'm going to beat this time tonight.<br /><br>I know I can run for 3.5 miles straight now. I hadn't ever gone that distance last year without a walking break.<br /><br>I'm actually looking forward to this!<br /><br>(*pictured above is our team t-shirt, my number, and my almost 2 yr old(!!) ga.rmin)<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-23221349998939269562011-05-17T01:00:00.000-04:002011-05-17T02:29:22.897-04:00The Unpleasant 1/3 of Life (My Work History)<div>I haven't been happy at work for a long time now.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are ups and downs all the time but generally I'm unhappy, I'm annoyed, I'm stressed, I'm pissed, I'm frustrated. However, I'm not sure if this is because of the job itself or because of a personality flaw or my lack of coping skills or what.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I was 16, my first job was at a restaurant as a bus person. I don't remember my feelings toward it but I do remember crying in the car when my dad would drop me off. Finding the place deserted when I went in one day was not heart-breaking :) The owners had skipped out in the middle of the night.</div><div><br /></div><div>My next real job (besides standard baby-sitting) was as a drug store cashier. I worked there through the rest of high school and after. I remember liking this job for the most part with some negative mixed in.</div><div><br /></div><div>At 19, I moved out of my parent's house (dropped out of college) and across the country. That's a whole other story but when I finally started working, I had cashier/retail jobs until I became a nanny for a 3-month old baby girl. She was a cutie but her mom was a nut job. I loved the work but dealing with her mom was hard on me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I left the nanny position 9-10 months later when I moved again, returning to my home town. I had formed strong ties with people at the drug store and they agreed to hire me back but for a different store. I was hired as the manager of the 1-hour photo. It was in an extremely busy area and we were constantly over capacity. That, along with a bad situation getting worse with my personal life, caused me a LOT of stress. I remember that Halloween had been a particularly bad day at work and I went to my mom's for a party. I went upstairs away from everyone, stood in a corner and cried. It all felt so hopeless.</div><div><br /></div><div>After that I transferred back to my original store to work part time in their photo lab and not as a manager. At the same time I took a job as a nanny for a 9 week old little boy. In general I was happy with both jobs. Money sucked but my ex and I were always good with money and it wasn't an issue. I LOVED nannying. Seriously, best job I've ever had.</div><div><br /></div><div>During these two jobs my life basically fell apart and my ex and I separated. I ended up moving away and leaving both jobs about 2 years later. I couldn't support myself anymore without my ex on so little pay and I needed a big change.</div><div><br /></div><div>A brand-new drug store of the same chain was opening in my new town and I used my experience to easily get another photo lab manager position. That lasted about 3 months. Looking back it seems much longer. I really liked the photo-developing aspect of the job and I was good at managing the dept but I COULD NOT take the customers anymore. It was all over when my teenage employee's eyes moved from the angry woman storming away, to me, and said, "OMG you totally laughed in her face!!" Ugh. Not my best manager moment. I was so frustrated by getting yelled at for something that wasn't my fault, that I couldn't fix, for the millionth time. It was an "if you don't laugh, you'll cry" situation. I didn't get in trouble for the incident but I was so done with retail.</div><div><br /></div><div>My bf at the time (R, my husband) worked at a website development company and got me a job as their administrative assistant. I didn't think I could do this job. It was much different than anything I'd ever done and paid much better too. Salaried pay?! What's that? Turned out I could easily handle it but it was a tiny company and I was bored much of the time. I played flash games half the day and remember being pretty unhappy with the boredom (silly, silly past-me). A year after I was hired, both R and I were laid off on the same day along with many more of the company's employees. Doh!</div><div><br /></div><div>I missed being a nanny and applied to several day care centers but was sad to find out those positions pay about $6.50/hour. There was no way I could support myself on that. With R's help and encouragement I again branched out regarding the types of jobs I might be able to do. I really never considered that I could make more than a cashier's salary.</div><div><br /></div><div>My next job was scheduler for a company with many medical offices. It's complicated to explain and this is already way too long but basically I cold-called people all day long and scheduled appts for them. I worked there for a little over 4 years. It didn't pay as well as the admin asst job but paid much better than any other job I'd ever had. At the beginning I liked it well enough but I eventually became stressed and frustrated with its tedious nature, the tiny raises, lack of promotion possibilities, and upper management in general. It was not a career.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went back to school while at this job and finally finished a degree in biotechnology. I haven't mentioned it yet but none of my jobs have had anything to do with what I'm interested in (besides nannying anyway). I love sciences: biology (marine, plant, cell, micro), astronomy, geology, etc. Biology mostly though :)</div><div><br /></div><div>After graduation I procrastinated about 6 months and started applying to lab tech positions and other things. I didn't get called back for the ones I liked the best. I interviewed at several places and was offered a job at a small company that couldn't give me health insurance and wasn't biology related but was in the right science-y direction. At the same time R got me an interview at the company he had been working at for 3+ years. It was a MUCH different position than anything I'd ever done before. I was very intimidated but he thought I could do it. It was a far cry from the science-related field I wanted to be in but it would pay about 3x as much as I was making.</div><div><br /></div><div>I interviewed and I got the job. Pay was a HUGE part of why I took it. I could imagine having it as a career. It had good health insurance and a 401k. R works in the same building as me - we get to have lunch together, and sometimes commute together.</div><div><br /></div><div>But there are lots of negatives that have compounded over the 4+ years I've been there and I'm very unhappy. And now I have a decision to make. A decision that I'm having a very hard time making.</div>jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-2054951825053881892011-05-14T01:40:00.001-04:002011-05-14T01:40:13.202-04:00Travel and Discontent<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3Q_O-5APrJrfzyxdgCVfY7gWx2porXOlpwj3xSSXma9qRYa5cZQIH-mieJ-B2-i-wGBr2u8ch44q_PyM1DmA6NivLJNB1iPBwk5U6eETDERBtsuzdgofTk4Vj2wCwiF4BcW7VKJMs03Y/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3Q_O-5APrJrfzyxdgCVfY7gWx2porXOlpwj3xSSXma9qRYa5cZQIH-mieJ-B2-i-wGBr2u8ch44q_PyM1DmA6NivLJNB1iPBwk5U6eETDERBtsuzdgofTk4Vj2wCwiF4BcW7VKJMs03Y/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a><br><br>The pic is of my sister's new kitten. She was fostering him and fell in love. Hard to imagine why ;)<br /><br>C (my youngest sister who lives a mile from me) and I went to visit our middle sister the weekend before last in NC. We flew down and back in 3 days.<br /><br>I had never been there. It was a good trip. We spent some quality 3-sister time together, which is rare, and we got lots of kitten cuddles too.<br /><br>I've been traveling a lot this year. In Feb I went to NYC for work for a couple days. In March I flew to TX to visit my dad. At the beginning of April I went to see my grandmother and hang out with my dad a bit more since he was visiting her as well. Then there was the long weekend trip to NC and in about a week we are going to the adirondaks for a nice vacation in the woods.<br /><br>The vacation will be the first time traveling with R this year. I'm looking forward to being off work for a while but am afraid of what might go on at work with my projects while I'm gone.<br /><br>I'm continuing to have a hard time managing work stress but I'm not sure it's just work that's the problem. I feel like I can't get control of my life.<br /><br>More about this later I guess. I need to get to bed. The later I stay up, the worse everything seems...<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-63364765803250110932011-05-12T12:55:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:48:36.586-04:00Pink<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYGcaYKZjQppsCkErMN_g9ZjIrLZyozo1OG7gzViJ2nWMiM-qlKWCieg5vUR9XrWSG3lpHZvWhNYUal5O2SyB_s_OweMK8vjZWOaEYZAfjEklVj_jnesB2zsSkS2AzIdXQLaPg_cEODjQ/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYGcaYKZjQppsCkErMN_g9ZjIrLZyozo1OG7gzViJ2nWMiM-qlKWCieg5vUR9XrWSG3lpHZvWhNYUal5O2SyB_s_OweMK8vjZWOaEYZAfjEklVj_jnesB2zsSkS2AzIdXQLaPg_cEODjQ/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="178px" width="320px" /></a><br><br>So happy it's spring!<br /><br>I've been taking pictures of all the new flowers and plants blooming in my yard.<br /><br>We have three of these trees but this one gets the most flowers. It won't last but another couple days. It will last much longer here :)<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-88200771041075283162011-05-06T10:00:00.001-04:002011-05-06T10:00:57.198-04:00Donuts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ymajr8WuoWsq1DQKwRYRvF7iQRVX86Ve6vXoOq2cU-DFgNDAmF3tidZHhxIYSXKBzu0V8y-lQufTj9w26gb86f_rB_NRRfbQQv0dydpsuUo91ULjcQ9adIBo42PaBdZ6M3EYgQCvajWE/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ymajr8WuoWsq1DQKwRYRvF7iQRVX86Ve6vXoOq2cU-DFgNDAmF3tidZHhxIYSXKBzu0V8y-lQufTj9w26gb86f_rB_NRRfbQQv0dydpsuUo91ULjcQ9adIBo42PaBdZ6M3EYgQCvajWE/" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a><br><br>I'm not feeling too well this morning. Just stomach issues which will pass soon, I'm sure. That didn't keep me from eating one of these donuts and then going back for another. I told myself it was so I could take a picture for the blog. Uh huh. But I will end up eating it.<br /><br>I seriously have no will power. YUM DONUT is all I can think.<br /><br>I'm a huge carb addict. Cake, cookies, chips, rice, potatoes in other forms... I crave that stuff. Reading about diets that are beneficial to PCOS (like atkins/southbeach) makes me die a little inside.<br /><br>When I was first on glumetza my relationship with food seemed to change. I no longer craved carbs nearly as much and I liked fruit more. 4 or 5 months ago the annoying mail-order pharmacy I'm forced to use was out of my brand and auto-switched me to an extended release metformin. It's WAY cheaper but it seems like it's not working as well. I'm almost done with the current supply so I'm trying to switch back to glumetza.<br /><br>I'm still in limbo but 99.999% sure I'm not pregnant, of course. I've been spotting off and on, REALLY lightly, for about a week now. I'm assuming I didn't O at all this past cycle and everything is screwed from that.<br /><br>It just drives me freakin crazy to not have a normal cycle. Maybe I just need to lose more weight. I'm at approximately the same weight I was 15 years ago when I first started trying. Obviously it didn't work then and I only went up from there. Maybe another 30 lbs... boy that donut sure looks delicious...<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-26124565487661390802011-05-03T14:58:00.001-04:002011-05-03T15:01:44.740-04:00Desperate Hope<div>In the past 2 years...</div><ul><li>I've started exercising regularly (though with some lapses...)</li><br /><li>I've started eating healthier, smaller portions.</li><br /><li>I've taken <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">metformin/glutmetza</span> for the past 1.5 years and I think it has helped a lot.</li><br /><li>I've taken <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EPO</span> regularly.</li><br /><li>I've taken other vitamins regularly.</li><br /><li>And, I've lost a good amount of weight.</li></ul><div>My cycles slowly seem to be regulating. They are still much longer than average but a far cry from every 2-4 months like they were.<br /><br />I'm so happy with all these things. I'm proud of myself.</div><div> </div><br /><div>Of course, I'd like to lose more weight. I want to continue to exercise regularly. I want to continue to make smart food choices for my body. But even so, there is a giant, positive difference between the me now and the me from 2 years ago. That's awesome.<br /><br />BUT...<br /><br />Does this increase my chance of getting pregnant?</div><div> </div><br /><div>I'm hoping so. Hoping too much, in fact.</div><div> </div><br /><div>I still have yet to ever detect an ovulation, either by temping (which I don't do anymore but am considering doing again) or by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">OPKs</span>. However, I do track CM changes and have found a pattern of specific changes approximately 12-16 days before AF arrives.</div><div> </div><br /><div>It's been almost 15 years. I've never seen a positive test. Given those facts I'd say my chances are pretty damn slim.</div><div> </div><br /><div>But I'm healthier/weigh less now than I have in about 13 years. I've resisted it but maybe all these years the doctors I've seen were right. I was too fat to get pregnant. This can't be true in general - I've seen pregnant women and mothers much heavier than I have ever been - which is why I get so upset whenever I'm told that. Doctors love to preach weight loss. To an extent, sure, it's healthier to be closer to an average weight, but give me a break. I lost weight because that's what happened when I started exercising and eating better (and taking met), not because I was specifically trying to. I've never counted calories or limited myself to specific types of food.</div><div> </div><br /><div>Anyway, clearly I have some weight-directed thoughts that want to come out but that's not what this post is about really.</div><div> </div><br /><div>These beneficial changes I've made lead me to believing my chances at getting pregnant may have increased a significant amount. I can't help it. I know it's probably not true but I'm in crazy hope mode. I know I'm always setting myself up for big disappointment.</div><div> </div><br /><div>This cycle has been odd, I didn't really track a clear CM change but, if I ovulated, I think it was around 2 weeks ago. With every cycle I'm continually wishing and hoping that this could be the one.</div><br /><div>I can forget about it for a little while but my mind keeps going back there. And when I think about it I feel desperate.</div><div> </div><br /><div>Please, please, please...</div><div> </div><br /><div>Just let this be it.</div>jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-15094655505369882252011-04-13T22:24:00.001-04:002011-04-13T22:24:03.027-04:00Mobile test 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R0rjzwO1kHXFmvZoBwvyu1BNl4CSEF9TpOQZuTQzxEjBvz4lH15vTdxhmlqjsWswMjyuyrENMpYzC4rE3sODkjBObkeWiW5x1QOvbSWHQzz3-MjsJx3XXxdp-Uj-J33sLD2vvT7KZmyq/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R0rjzwO1kHXFmvZoBwvyu1BNl4CSEF9TpOQZuTQzxEjBvz4lH15vTdxhmlqjsWswMjyuyrENMpYzC4rE3sODkjBObkeWiW5x1QOvbSWHQzz3-MjsJx3XXxdp-Uj-J33sLD2vvT7KZmyq/" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a><br>jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-14655910775061112922011-04-13T22:20:00.001-04:002011-04-13T22:20:20.943-04:00Mobile test 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3mVGGxin2jj_E-hKJrxKCky8K7buquqSJb-aP5E9qYTB1kKczeNHB18xI0RjP9GopDXSoOazz9SUtRzSsiUF-dYNDgqez3sdjM5QrIepP8jC3wMKQS_HsCmfipCA7TxewvYoTkzDBosC/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3mVGGxin2jj_E-hKJrxKCky8K7buquqSJb-aP5E9qYTB1kKczeNHB18xI0RjP9GopDXSoOazz9SUtRzSsiUF-dYNDgqez3sdjM5QrIepP8jC3wMKQS_HsCmfipCA7TxewvYoTkzDBosC/" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center cursor: pointer;" height="240px" width="187px" /></a><br><br>Testing a couple more pics... don't think there's a way to post multiple pics in the same post. Annoying.<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-1847968689698879392011-04-13T21:07:00.001-04:002011-04-13T21:07:57.763-04:00Mobile test<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB6AsfZbbhJaifIsLLovq45-C7_8dQi_jTu-0NfSc6bZeSmBLLmj6dwNyxPjxak6JyEOk_K2vW4riuZsvr1xoojTFyvHJNxJf65G1CwV5EEFImsXkR_G_LlBdNbAQBacygBzIJZkUR9E3/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB6AsfZbbhJaifIsLLovq45-C7_8dQi_jTu-0NfSc6bZeSmBLLmj6dwNyxPjxak6JyEOk_K2vW4riuZsvr1xoojTFyvHJNxJf65G1CwV5EEFImsXkR_G_LlBdNbAQBacygBzIJZkUR9E3/" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center cursor: pointer;" height="180px" width="320px" /></a><br><br>Just downloaded a mobile blogging app for my phone...<br /><br>If it posts, the pic is one I took in a book store while chuckling to myself. Maybe I should have bought a copy ;)<br />jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-79409220670863343342011-04-02T01:07:00.003-04:002011-04-02T01:32:23.986-04:00Surprise Heart-BreakI have <a href="http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/">this site</a> in my reader. Often it is very funny. Sometimes <a href="http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/2011/03/26/saturday-night-special-cougartown/">shockingly funny</a>. haha<br /><br />Little did I know, today, while browsing some older posts, it would be the source of much more negative feelings.<br /><br />Some people would think this was funny, even cute, or sweet. When I looked, I was stunned for a moment while I read the caption, and then I was completely heart-broken. For the aunt and for myself.<br /><br />I'm referencing <a href="http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/contests/awkward-wedding-contest/who-wore-it-best/">this picture</a>.<br /><br />I almost cried. Please let that not be me.jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-87062159478801988562011-03-19T23:28:00.002-04:002011-03-19T23:37:28.604-04:00A Long Timeas in... it's been one. A long time. It's been a long time since I've even looked at my blog.<br /><br />I'm behind but I've still been reading blogs often. I just haven't been blogging myself. Apparently I can only juggle so many things and stay sane. I don't really even juggle a lot. It's sad, really. Stress management is what it's all about.<br /><br />I told R today, when we were sitting at Red Robin eating an early dinner, that I haven't blogged because the next post to be written is the final installment of the half marathon recap and I just didn't want to write it. He said, "you are procrastinating your own hobby." It's true. That's weird. No clue why I haven't felt like writing the last installment. My apologies to anyone who was waiting to read it...<br /><br />Right now I'm sitting on the couch, in my living room, next to R, and we are watching Oceans 11. Well actually, he is watching it. I'm writing this post and probably annoying him with clicking.<br /><br />Now I'm going to go write a bit more of the final half marathon post. I'll finish it someday.jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-88689944290076408062011-01-05T14:55:00.003-05:002011-01-05T15:00:54.345-05:00IBDW (Shameless Request for Comments!)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558793343958478354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPThIamheQYp1I1gVPh9lK25rKQI7dPMi0r2qTqIlU_MfOmEgM-jpYeeUeoRzBEY7Jlp9Ejlcgry6-T1RE9ZgxBpKU0M15OgRHY3Rp0RvtDSqKyi6nvjv5WdYTYHqoOcTl3m1GM-opfbU/s320/Blog-Delurking-Week-2.png" border="0" />Lots of posts today for IBDW - I've been commenting up a storm - so I'm curious to try on my blog too! Please say "Hi" in the comments if you are reading, even if you regularly comment anyway. More than just "Hi" is always welcome, of course. I love finding new blogs to read :)<br /><br />And, I promise, the final installment of the half marathon recap is coming...jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-11250142278763292792011-01-02T21:01:00.002-05:002011-01-02T21:13:59.869-05:00Two YearsI've been blogging for two years today. I'm terrible at posting regularly but the fact that I still post at all is amazing. I have no plans to stop either.<br /><br />I'm so happy to have found this community. Reading stories and comments from people who are going through similar things is so helpful and I love to offer support to others as well. If I end up having to accept a childless future, blogging will be a huge part of how I will come to terms with my situation. Reading about others' lives is really eye-opening.<br /><br />I made rice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">krispie</span> treats tonight on a whim - I'm going to go eat one now in a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">blogoversary</span> celebration :)<br /><br />Happy 2011 everyone.jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-30035347432803766062010-12-29T15:30:00.006-05:002010-12-30T23:01:03.506-05:00Half Marathon (part 2)So we finally got to the hotel after our long walk dragging our luggage.<br /><br />After a quick bedbug check (anyone else creeped out by the possibility of those in hotels? Eww the thought sends shivers down my spine...), we relaxed a bit and started talking dinner.<br /><br />We decided on the hotel buffet (called "More" haha). It was $30 for both of us and very good. So many different things to try. I'm the type of person who gets a tiny amount of every single thing that looks good. I was happily surprised at the inexpensive food in Vegas - I was expecting to spend much more.<br /><br />After dinner we went right back to the room. The plan was a very early bedtime because the race was so early. Plus we were beat. With the time change, it was midnight EST by the time we turned out the lights.<br /><br />We both had weird dreams about the race and we were up before our alarm, which was set for 5:30am Vegas-time. Breakfast for me was brown sugared oatmeal and some fresh fruit from a certain popular coffee place. The lines were crazy! At that hour, none of the buffets were open and everyone wanted to fuel up before the race. I also ate some nuts for some extra protein.<br /><br />Back at the hotel room we finished eating and got ready to go. The race started at 7am but being in the second to last corral we were looking at more than a 30 min wait. The start and finish were at Mandalay Bay. We jogged over from our hotel, stretched a little (tough since there were so many people and no good places to sit on the ground), found our corral and waited.<br /><br /><div align="center">This is me in my pink shirt, waiting in the corral :)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8bQMgK_zhGk__D4Zql6iH8EwRpm-KEM7A8Sbt333OkH6tAvbDzzRceAWevYls8M2cyfVZGyj98-LfIy9AtxRkO7gxio8TOkGkaaudXVqCP2iTMKi9_rJpBzGuVp97EYbRfIpqUz_0LZZ/s1600/PICT0019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165779640628642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8bQMgK_zhGk__D4Zql6iH8EwRpm-KEM7A8Sbt333OkH6tAvbDzzRceAWevYls8M2cyfVZGyj98-LfIy9AtxRkO7gxio8TOkGkaaudXVqCP2iTMKi9_rJpBzGuVp97EYbRfIpqUz_0LZZ/s320/PICT0019.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our shoes with orange timing tags - I'm wearing capris, C is wearing long pants<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaBdz0Tt3wgja-1wzbaDrDv63uk0IpqxoHK-Ea1uqLJVkVctGkyhYhDq-_hFtCGZUfT0Bzhiv0ysjWIwL5FNMHjW1DelA-12t3dLNn7hWo_geef5vAi9uG-OdO1EfSUkrY9zBa5AwRo52/s1600/PICT0018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165773722025874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaBdz0Tt3wgja-1wzbaDrDv63uk0IpqxoHK-Ea1uqLJVkVctGkyhYhDq-_hFtCGZUfT0Bzhiv0ysjWIwL5FNMHjW1DelA-12t3dLNn7hWo_geef5vAi9uG-OdO1EfSUkrY9zBa5AwRo52/s320/PICT0018.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">The view ahead of us (looking south)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQBTfs9KpxQd29CxqfdS2-8JYj8VeuQ6bRT5AytPw3x8gB3QJAZ3_q7Vm4MYwO00fUbUhpcNRTYpVESvUOEfoeGx3xQaNqz_-2EnolD4Hit3Y_Bvnr7g_D22FM1_VEKn62D3zTXWgn4K7/s1600/PICT0023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556168788439793458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQBTfs9KpxQd29CxqfdS2-8JYj8VeuQ6bRT5AytPw3x8gB3QJAZ3_q7Vm4MYwO00fUbUhpcNRTYpVESvUOEfoeGx3xQaNqz_-2EnolD4Hit3Y_Bvnr7g_D22FM1_VEKn62D3zTXWgn4K7/s320/PICT0023.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">The view behind us to the last corral</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpx-SmRLCiZNIP8tnV2Zev2k2O1Gku1CKDQwF4K5Wa8U3O-yXthJd3iv-7z7W5vNj0pzlEcPuJ-Wq1SzFgpEt7n7bKelb_cugHiNvk8O5SCMYAHA2fUykI68lb7j9gzq94iZZlK9RFWJN/s1600/PICT0022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556168780545344226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpx-SmRLCiZNIP8tnV2Zev2k2O1Gku1CKDQwF4K5Wa8U3O-yXthJd3iv-7z7W5vNj0pzlEcPuJ-Wq1SzFgpEt7n7bKelb_cugHiNvk8O5SCMYAHA2fUykI68lb7j9gzq94iZZlK9RFWJN/s320/PICT0022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We heard the tail end of the national anthem (the starting line was pretty far from us) and the race started but our corral didn't move. We were anxious to start.<br /><br />Then I realized I really had to pee. Uh oh.<br /><br />I tried to ignore it. All the corrals were lined up going south on the strip and curled around to the north side. While we waited we watched the runners, that had just started, going past us in the north lane. It was fun to watch all the different costumes. So many Elvis-es? Elvi? haha<br /><br />I still really had to pee.<br /><br />I decided the feeling was not just in my head and told C that I was going to run and find a porta-potty. Much hate for those (yuck) but it was necessary. C was worried but I was optimistic. I'll be back in time! By that time we were slowly moving forward toward the starting line. I ran as fast as I could, was in and out super fast, and back with C before she moved very far at all. Whew. I can't even explain how happy I was that I chose to go then. I would never have made it.<br /><br /><div align="center">The purple banner is above the starting line - getting closer!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFgQBBvsfPjRLh3ccvwKiPUHyHwMzFEmXKaN0v3JS0rg76PSaKyJh53IFdWiSv2I_65XmeVFy_LUdmhjt4jESffHWVYg9ytyRvBlNhe98c4Qr-JmWJbf0hLQs4PDvETeInSc7G4cBdONb/s1600/PICT0024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556168795523200658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFgQBBvsfPjRLh3ccvwKiPUHyHwMzFEmXKaN0v3JS0rg76PSaKyJh53IFdWiSv2I_65XmeVFy_LUdmhjt4jESffHWVYg9ytyRvBlNhe98c4Qr-JmWJbf0hLQs4PDvETeInSc7G4cBdONb/s320/PICT0024.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">I was extremely excited at this point - almost there!!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEd-NX6zeE7Wu4c9QLh2xlfY9yGxCb1-2M_mO7RT7yBEZgXQ1wLEatan3qrRcS7IGMcI67wyYuwj4t2eGbh7EBsH1PR0LXEsV84SvNyWequhHnV1lsteea62CC-Hvg_0TweiV5tTzpDfr6/s1600/PICT0025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556168803032273154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEd-NX6zeE7Wu4c9QLh2xlfY9yGxCb1-2M_mO7RT7yBEZgXQ1wLEatan3qrRcS7IGMcI67wyYuwj4t2eGbh7EBsH1PR0LXEsV84SvNyWequhHnV1lsteea62CC-Hvg_0TweiV5tTzpDfr6/s320/PICT0025.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">And we're off! The sea of jogging heads in front of us</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaKe0e1diwGo44TIcC_BbQHvP3o9fqtxzM83DqIjklG38KTDsi2CIZdFeefishvKRC_9Br4PwNGFBhtaAc8UuS-BpfH7C90ftAEMo1apViJwiYr1rpVarTTr8S6zFz40mvIRiK3ClQYyq/s1600/PICT0028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556169753143130242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaKe0e1diwGo44TIcC_BbQHvP3o9fqtxzM83DqIjklG38KTDsi2CIZdFeefishvKRC_9Br4PwNGFBhtaAc8UuS-BpfH7C90ftAEMo1apViJwiYr1rpVarTTr8S6zFz40mvIRiK3ClQYyq/s320/PICT0028.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qsfWliXGyZJ6GHReSj1luhCQI3rAMAS6RupBHB-JwZX9XvwOzqgG20LfqI48Ddv3eGBy7MWhlgrKkTPhnA9WruK1hBa8QDAqdRM4-_Lp_PRuutzwb5oX4iobpVgSako5Mw5MbWfV_nPX/s1600/PICT0027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556168804892614162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qsfWliXGyZJ6GHReSj1luhCQI3rAMAS6RupBHB-JwZX9XvwOzqgG20LfqI48Ddv3eGBy7MWhlgrKkTPhnA9WruK1hBa8QDAqdRM4-_Lp_PRuutzwb5oX4iobpVgSako5Mw5MbWfV_nPX/s320/PICT0027.JPG" border="0" /></a>The guy above the G in the starting line pic above was the singer, dressed as a blues brother, in a band that was playing. There were bands scattered throughout the race but less than I thought there would be. It was still so much fun jogging up the strip. There were a lot of spectators and cheer leaders.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTDPDBpW4iP9WJQmcdNi9DjqKvKxgFD5nUa4QQEyCle72Lrpha8U8qOt93sVShzchoaYAFmHaJp2QorrAHQ1raiYS8K-aO6qklLe4u-Hxng2blQIr9nf3r8CVRctuCCM7KDB1TfD_07Mn/s1600/PICT0031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556169755019738466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTDPDBpW4iP9WJQmcdNi9DjqKvKxgFD5nUa4QQEyCle72Lrpha8U8qOt93sVShzchoaYAFmHaJp2QorrAHQ1raiYS8K-aO6qklLe4u-Hxng2blQIr9nf3r8CVRctuCCM7KDB1TfD_07Mn/s320/PICT0031.JPG" border="0" /></a>We slowed down at the second or third water station for a quick drink and kept going. I had my garmin and I was keeping an eye on our pace to make sure I wouldn't totally burn myself out. My goal was to jog for half of the 13.1 miles and I REALLY wanted to do that.<br /><br />Once we got past the actual strip and on to some of the side roads, there were a lot less people on the sidelines and it almost seemed like we were at the very end of the whole thing - kind of deserted. But, there were thousands of people behind us. We kept checking ;)<br /><br /><div align="center">This is heading back south, you can see the stratosphere in the distance</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E6MG3R_TzcwE10nTujcFiJKRQTEKemq4QjexKUo0Shk25aj7PktnQ0ve1tAPj6lS4167Rgz1FHoxTQACyVr0hmlY9i1ofhGDuZjtnHEL8VK9dfE9GSbu96FNo1HiDvtUXSinshIwCfqI/s1600/PICT0034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556169758086908066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E6MG3R_TzcwE10nTujcFiJKRQTEKemq4QjexKUo0Shk25aj7PktnQ0ve1tAPj6lS4167Rgz1FHoxTQACyVr0hmlY9i1ofhGDuZjtnHEL8VK9dfE9GSbu96FNo1HiDvtUXSinshIwCfqI/s320/PICT0034.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">MILE 8! We had not taken a walking break at all at this point!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiJKd5ACG-AulWMLuQfUunWm7XKrZo22dcw_rzYUuw2lcPv1L_tP7U0J7TCAY0Uf0U6ok2PLbw0-v548bt_55Rr7ul6SPwmbq3fbqBsg2Y2QWKO-eCSawkP8jIf6LWPHMoVE7hSRXCsg_/s1600/PICT0039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556169768179831890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiJKd5ACG-AulWMLuQfUunWm7XKrZo22dcw_rzYUuw2lcPv1L_tP7U0J7TCAY0Uf0U6ok2PLbw0-v548bt_55Rr7ul6SPwmbq3fbqBsg2Y2QWKO-eCSawkP8jIf6LWPHMoVE7hSRXCsg_/s320/PICT0039.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">This guy was at approximately 8.5 miles if I remember correctly</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKdBidMVQ7VsdMW0_8VkP94Gjp1CRZN2XW440qZMxfRzAN1PgGKV8s_DurEfI7UJvvUSshG38TBIVghdpsC5AlBaZMg3QxeLUBQqS21GAWPVq3b9AtJYn5UVpoFr2mCArCJmI4b7mTPME/s1600/PICT0043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556169772543305650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKdBidMVQ7VsdMW0_8VkP94Gjp1CRZN2XW440qZMxfRzAN1PgGKV8s_DurEfI7UJvvUSshG38TBIVghdpsC5AlBaZMg3QxeLUBQqS21GAWPVq3b9AtJYn5UVpoFr2mCArCJmI4b7mTPME/s320/PICT0043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was a little before this point that things started getting tough. My goal was to run for half, which is 6.55 miles. We had passed that by a long shot and were so amazed at ourselves already but we wanted to push on for as long as we could. It was getting difficult.<br /><br />Part 3 coming soon!jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-24643297008325794762010-12-29T11:56:00.011-05:002010-12-29T15:36:27.084-05:00Half Marathon (Part 1)I am glad I bought a crappy camera to bring with me (I would have felt terrible if I damaged or lost my good camera) but whoa boy, did I take some crappy pics. Posting them anyway - bad pics are better than no pics, right?<br /><br />C and I had non-stop flights to and from Vegas. We got stuck sitting in a full 3-seat row both times which was a pain but we survived :) When we landed on 12/4, we took a shuttle right to the health and fitness expo to pick up our race packets.<br /><br /><div align="center">red carpet into the expo</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoS5lUV87-kap2DOdSc50NJmtYWt7wOO5fAeZp0VlgBCUkNEVVh_CpvMod3zVICnd3hL2mnbGlwwlAEtnSE82UMxHLC_Bv8kSggfZ0_5njPaCxsYirHCZlAUAvnI-y95xziD7IknXfwGy/s1600/PICT0005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165245001031858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoS5lUV87-kap2DOdSc50NJmtYWt7wOO5fAeZp0VlgBCUkNEVVh_CpvMod3zVICnd3hL2mnbGlwwlAEtnSE82UMxHLC_Bv8kSggfZ0_5njPaCxsYirHCZlAUAvnI-y95xziD7IknXfwGy/s320/PICT0005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd5blEsDBJSEZS1wJZX8NPf1dUlrYx5XMyvNUUKRbvC3HI7YSdeegpEqxI-EWAcxpDcT0QxFLTuhnXDLZTTTGxAp_w1Sr1afl2ugr3lHrzcEhQmrXyLz-v6C7ofhShSN398TA3vFz17Gy/s1600/PICT0008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165254938382898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd5blEsDBJSEZS1wJZX8NPf1dUlrYx5XMyvNUUKRbvC3HI7YSdeegpEqxI-EWAcxpDcT0QxFLTuhnXDLZTTTGxAp_w1Sr1afl2ugr3lHrzcEhQmrXyLz-v6C7ofhShSN398TA3vFz17Gy/s320/PICT0008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">the line for our corral</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qfVzNIym7AKsyFGhzXSe8SC4oeVnB2iPu46EAB3_vKT2X9ILiwPOC_aQ8mwEqhUQHJZMblFvy1-a8YwoWqqMLY_oOoj8kq2XXnr9hSyKBCyU2p60LPkt5UAmCejn1d1j03VWdHfcWGvc/s1600/PICT0009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165261959848082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qfVzNIym7AKsyFGhzXSe8SC4oeVnB2iPu46EAB3_vKT2X9ILiwPOC_aQ8mwEqhUQHJZMblFvy1-a8YwoWqqMLY_oOoj8kq2XXnr9hSyKBCyU2p60LPkt5UAmCejn1d1j03VWdHfcWGvc/s320/PICT0009.JPG" border="0" /></a>The expo was interesting but was a lot more sparse than I imagined it. At least some of that was probably due to the fact that we were there at the tail end of it. We didn't stay long. On our pass-through we found stretchy belts with a zipper pocket to carry things while jogging. I bought one to carry the camera the next day and it worked well.<br /><br />We thought about catching a taxi to our hotel (we were going from the venetian to the luxor) but decided not to. It was a lot longer of a walk than we realized. We had to cross the strip back and forth for construction areas and large crowds. Really it would have been fine but we both still had our luggage. I was soooo happy to finally see the hotel.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3k_XhPO9kIuV3-BvUt9SAklsNVzRwLJwPR2D2rHAxDJamvsnqm79bMjfKIDO0IC-FLmUXGWmVFmUfQFI730gcSw05qKgl5CGN35Tq9qiE2_yv3EaJ370X_URbuIKl1FVlQWy0bJ0yOpm/s1600/PICT0090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556172050198308418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3k_XhPO9kIuV3-BvUt9SAklsNVzRwLJwPR2D2rHAxDJamvsnqm79bMjfKIDO0IC-FLmUXGWmVFmUfQFI730gcSw05qKgl5CGN35Tq9qiE2_yv3EaJ370X_URbuIKl1FVlQWy0bJ0yOpm/s320/PICT0090.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBUPnmUXRoDfGJc7fGVPt4ZRoUptHJN1vxne0S7YF2tNHSbFWItZBWhNawAn2zPDFI87Xbjs9gx8iLLOUyE10JyRDpLE638BZbLyOO3zgnzpFuluTmWj2HWu_10H03W1cg9030bpOy0ZF/s1600/PICT0010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165268826558434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBUPnmUXRoDfGJc7fGVPt4ZRoUptHJN1vxne0S7YF2tNHSbFWItZBWhNawAn2zPDFI87Xbjs9gx8iLLOUyE10JyRDpLE638BZbLyOO3zgnzpFuluTmWj2HWu_10H03W1cg9030bpOy0ZF/s320/PICT0010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aHZASq8Q9hI3_sfMnThtrdi5oYD2o-DfC68AMuZKEWnEm2_6qc_Ao-nfqgFzq3u0kEB4nx9RT19SYsgI3PWAl7RB96cV42U7_sgAqb3E45XceYayxUiyoOKLgeCuI9RTf5-EaCmJJy_j/s1600/PICT0011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165751780541794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aHZASq8Q9hI3_sfMnThtrdi5oYD2o-DfC68AMuZKEWnEm2_6qc_Ao-nfqgFzq3u0kEB4nx9RT19SYsgI3PWAl7RB96cV42U7_sgAqb3E45XceYayxUiyoOKLgeCuI9RTf5-EaCmJJy_j/s320/PICT0011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">the view of the strip out our slanted window</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sE30hc_3A7WqYujnfv8_M6KOin7Nwt-h_XEh1JRcKnzqO2Xr4aaylpMDPbiwWx7l984rTIKtPdiYzOPqFpCe-W82eTKWijSDNOuAuN8T2T7qCVFpg4QmfGMaJAvosvxoiFv7kMDIkhLa/s1600/PICT0012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165762284216194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sE30hc_3A7WqYujnfv8_M6KOin7Nwt-h_XEh1JRcKnzqO2Xr4aaylpMDPbiwWx7l984rTIKtPdiYzOPqFpCe-W82eTKWijSDNOuAuN8T2T7qCVFpg4QmfGMaJAvosvxoiFv7kMDIkhLa/s320/PICT0012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCOIrD1QzRnsRsWESpKQLRVID_L8yB6YKoPuFs-U66tFcBrlU-tCxD1fbUTrsmlBFX6m8617Y7W4RafHCUJT7j1G1cU29hhUyqh7VUoQDath0hi3KvBCTxY1IZ1hEyOL0yQwU5jZE-LVp/s1600/PICT0013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556165767086689442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCOIrD1QzRnsRsWESpKQLRVID_L8yB6YKoPuFs-U66tFcBrlU-tCxD1fbUTrsmlBFX6m8617Y7W4RafHCUJT7j1G1cU29hhUyqh7VUoQDath0hi3KvBCTxY1IZ1hEyOL0yQwU5jZE-LVp/s320/PICT0013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is taking me forever to post so stay tuned for part 2! :)jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-50903123718775754522010-12-16T09:55:00.003-05:002010-12-16T10:16:22.577-05:00So Awesome<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL800c0PgaBxY_dAQSihOwc-j1HmFJH6lVlfHL50FO425eGiDGoCq0k4FJL0G1dsXRfXJWnRKJK9nMfFqlMqvT8UtBCH7sLXX4vWNcmYUTvFB9CFQTT9f27LxUWrwoSAXzJ9P_PqY_CAp/s1600/2010-12-05+Finisher%2527s+Medal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551294265373736546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL800c0PgaBxY_dAQSihOwc-j1HmFJH6lVlfHL50FO425eGiDGoCq0k4FJL0G1dsXRfXJWnRKJK9nMfFqlMqvT8UtBCH7sLXX4vWNcmYUTvFB9CFQTT9f27LxUWrwoSAXzJ9P_PqY_CAp/s400/2010-12-05+Finisher%2527s+Medal.jpg" border="0" /></a> We finished! We did much better than we ever thought we could and we completed it in a lot less time than we thought too :)<br /><br />It was an awesome experience and I'm totally thinking about doing another one in the future. I have more pics and want to share more details but I've been annoyingly busy (with work, buying xmas gifts, housework, etc.) since I got back and the times I haven't been busy I just haven't felt like blogging.<br /><br />Another post coming soon I hope!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(and I'm behind again - 285 posts in my reader - time for some more catch-up)</span>jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-85945877408248037932010-12-04T01:04:00.005-05:002010-12-16T10:25:12.874-05:001 Day LeftWhoa baby - 1 day until the half marathon on my ticker. I'm not nervous really but I am worried that I won't be able to do this. I'm freaked about not being able to finish or hurting myself trying.<br /><br />I bought a new crappy camera (so I don't mind too much if it breaks, gets stolen, lost, etc.) to take on the actual run with us so I plan to have pics to show when I get back!<br /><br />Speaking of pics, this is one I took on our last run with my new crappy camera. We do long runs at a local bike path and it looks so dreary now that winter is here. I know it's a pretty bad pic but I took it while I was actually running and I think the way it focused is interesting. Makes the path look neverending, which is how it feels a lot of the time :) haha<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546706513289666722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIAgXh6vRb10OSeeSYvm4RaK-ly3zTJZLXvjqFI80YAhd7aYjyVOfXhI3W_JplTFlBrtSQ9wjQqTLMwC2Qi-tuT1g4241gjyW1hOG3OVqDWzwqQTB1HOEaXSjt2FVXKMlySK_NeN49YTm/s400/PICT0012.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Our flight to Vegas takes off in 9.5 hours. I hope this turns out to be awesome.</p>jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736461713743727699.post-26872766048386324692010-11-30T09:40:00.002-05:002010-11-30T10:12:01.641-05:00Disappointing Last RunI think I'm in denial that I'm going to Vegas this weekend. It doesn't seem real.<br /><br />This past weekend was our last long run and it was pretty disappointing. We were supposed to do 10 miles. We wanted to do more like 11 miles. We ended up doing about 8 miles. In two hours. Which is slow, even for us. And I forgot my garm.in at home so we had to guess at approximate mileage. Damnit! I was kicking myself.<br /><br />C and I were both really tired. I wasn't in pain at all but I was beat. C's hip started hurting toward the end which sealed the deal.<br /><br />I don't think we both ate well enough that day and the day before in order to have enough energy for a long run. C said she had hardly eaten anything earlier that day because she woke up really late and we left for our run around 2:30pm. I did make a point of eating a good amount that morning but I was sick the night before.<br /><br />At around 3pm on Saturday I started getting this bizarre aching feeling in my... girl parts. It was annoying but I was trying to ignore it. Then about an hour later I got what felt like AF cramps but higher, to the left of my belly button, which came on in waves accompanied by intense back pain/cramping. It sucked. The worst of the pain I was crying through but it passed in minutes. It peaked about 4 times from ~4pm - 10pm that night and then lessened to a dull ache.<br /><br />Apparently the appendix and gall bladder are on the right side, and I've been to the ER before (years ago) for weird pain like that and they weren't able to do anything for me except give me pain killers that made me throw up, so I decided there was no need to go. R is super supportive and caring when I'm sick. He took care of me.<br /><br />Since I felt yucky most of the day, I barely ate anything, and I think that contributed to our crappy run the next day.<br /><br />I'm feeling a bit better now but occasionally have twinges that worry me since I'd rather not feel pain again like I did on Saturday. I'm feeling a twinge, that may or may not be related, right now in fact.<br /><br />Oy. This better not interfere with the half marathon trip this weekend.<br /><br />----------------------------------------------<br /><br />Thanksgiving went well, despite the fact that stress is at an all time high at work and I worked most of my 5 day vacation-that-was-only-a-vacation-in-so-far-as-I-didn't-have-to-drive-to-the-office.<br /><br />We hosted dinner for 10 adults and a 1 year old. I cooked a 16+ pound turkey in <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe/index.html">Alton-Brown-brining-style</a>, like I do almost every year. In addition to turkey and ham, we have all the "standard" stuff like mashed potatoes, candied yams, stuffing, *can*berry sauce (it's a must), cranberry salad, gravy, etc. There was way too much dessert, 3 pies and a cake that my MIL surprised us with (she was only supposed to bring the ham).<br /><br />The 1 year old finger painted her food all over her section of our dining room table and my dog had a wonderful time cleaning up her mess on the floor and chair.<br /><br />He wishes we had a baby, too.jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645802594940433840noreply@blogger.com7