9.30.06

Well, on a whim (and I’ve never done this before – pay full price to run) I ran the Buckhead Sizzler 10K this a.m. It is advertised as Atlanta’s FASTEST 10K and you are supposed to be able to put down a really FAST qualifying time for the Peachtree next summer. I’m sure somebody did. I was hoping to finish in under 50 minutes (my best time for a 10K thus far has been 52 minutes) but it wasn’t to be. 55:38 was my time. I’m not sure why I just keep getting slower and slower it seems. I did run the whole race – no walk break – which is a first for me in a 10K. That was good progress.

It was the last race for my old worn out running shoes. They are “officially” retired as of 10.1.06. I ran a mile in my new shoes when I got home and they felt good – different, but good. I think I’ll go ahead and purchase some cushy insoles – the shoes are a little hard inside. That will also cut down on the immediate wear inside as well – probably a good idea.

I’ll rest this week – just the normal easy 3-mile daily runs. Maybe squeeze a longer one in on Thursday and a couple of laps around the rock on Saturday.

OH, I should tell you about my tour of Atlanta on the Marta train after the race. I’m not too familiar with Marta L You see, the race started at the Chamblee station and ended in Buckhead. There were shuttles that would take you to the Lenox station and you could catch the train back to the Chamblee station. Well, the shuttles didn’t start until 9:00 a.m. (they want you to stick around for the awards, etc.) I knew I wasn’t going to be getting any awards and just wanted to get on back home so…. (drum roll please) I started walking. I had read that you could just walk to the Lenox station if you preferred. Well, I entered the first station I came to and bought my rail pass (it was all the $$ I had on me – no cell phone, nothing) thinking it was the Lenox station. So I sit there waiting for the train, waiting, waiting… and I get on the wrong one. I end up riding to the next station, having to get off, get on a southbound train back to the Linberg station (you see, I was actually at the BUCKHEAD station to being with – NOT the Lenox station) transferring to the RIGHT northbound train and then finally, 3 stops later, there I was – back at the Chamblee station.

I won’t plan on running this race again – just too complicated!

9.29.06

Day off. Possibly will race tomorrow. But went shopping and did A LOT of walking!

NEW Shoes!

Yesterday was a blessed day! I bought a NEW pair of running shoes. A much needed addition to my wardrobe for a long time now. I figure I had between 1300-1500 miles on the pair I've been running in and typically 500 miles would be the time to purchase a new pair.

I won't wait so long next time!

I had a WONDERFUL shoe buying experience at Phidippides in Ansley Mall on Piedmont Road (Midtown near Piedmont Park). I'll never go back to Dicks or Sports Authority or any place like that again!

The guy spent like close to an hour with me. First he looked at my current shoes, analyzing the wear patterns both on the soles and insides. Then, he watched me run in them, then walk... THEN, he started bringing out shoe after shoe after shoe... We didn't talk price and I didn't even think about looking at any of the prices on the boxes. I just wanted to be totally comfortable in whatever I bought, no matter the price. Now that I think about it, I think he kept the boxes turned so that I couldn't see the prices. In the end, after trying on what must have been close to a dozen pairs, running in each, narrowing it down to a handful then trying them on again, narrowing it down some more, putting one shoe brand on one foot and another on the other, running in those... It came down to the Filas. I'd never owned a pair of Filas before, always run in Nike, but that's what I went there for, just to try on a bunch of different brands and see which I felt most comfortable in.

This is a pair of performance Fila and get this... (this played no part in my decision) There were 2 Fila reps there at the time and I wasn't even aware of it until I had chosen the Filas. Evidently, they were watching me and after I chose the Filas, they came up with a new box (knew what size I needed) and said, "Here, have her try on these." It was a brand new shoe not even out on the market yet, an updated version of the shoe I bought. So, I tried on that one, ran in it, didn't like it, even tried it on again (after the guy had put it away in the box) ran in it again, still didn't like it. I liked the way it looked but didn't like the way it felt, so I went with my original choice.

One thing I REALLY like about the Filas was how smooth they were on the inside. The tongue completely integrated as part of the body of the shoe. I showed this to the rep in comparison to some of the others I had tried on and told him how important that was to me because of some of my past trouble with the tongue irritating my toenails during long runs thus resulting in the lose of those toenails.

I was VERY please with the whole process!

By the way, there prices were VERY competitive. After I had made my decision he told me that one of the pairs I had tried on was like $139 but the pair I chose, a $90 pair were on clearance for $65 - good choice.

I am Naturally Fresh

For quite some time now I've been concerned about the link between deodorants, antiperspirants, and breast cancer. So when a friend of mine had to undergo 6 weeks of radiation after her surgery for breast cancer and she could not wear conventional deodorant during the weeks of treatment I told her that I too would go without deodorant for the six week period. :-O Have you smelled a strange odor???

During her treatment she found a deodorant endorsed by the American Cancer Society and given the OK by her doctor. Read about it at:

You can find Naturally Fresh in a spray or roll on at Wal-Mart and Target and probably many other establishments as well but these are two that I have purchase it at. I'm wearing it and would highly recommend it although I had quite gotten used to wearing none at all. I now have better peace of mind about the deodorant I wear.

They have a line of other products as well as the deodorant. Look for the breast cancer pink ribbon symbol on the cap.

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9.28.06

5 miles -- 3 on the mill, 1 on the road with my "NEW" running partner and we walked 1.

How old are you REALLY? I'm 36

Take the "Real Age" test (as seen on Good Morning America) at www.realage.com

VERY interesting and helpful. It takes a few minutes of your time but it is WELL WORTH IT and when you are done you receive a comprehensive evaluation about your overall health and lifestyle and what you could be doing now to live longer and a more quality life.

Take the test. I did and it said I was 36.8, should conceder GAINING some weight, and take more vitamin E. Can you believe that? GAIN some weight?!? What a hoot!

9.27.06

GREAT 3-mile run. Felt strong. Ran FAST. Faster is becoming easier.

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9.26.06

3-mile run. Fast.

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9.25.06

Good FAST 3-mile run. So fast the sweat couldn't catch up with me -- JK

Felt strong, well-rested. Will buy new shoes this week!

9.24.06

A day off for no reason at all except that I got up and made homemade biscuits, grits and eggs for breakfast. Who can run after that? Actually, to be totally honest, who can run after 3 muffins, 2 biscuits and grits and eggs? :~0 It's a wonder I wasn't running to the bathroom!

Anyway, the day got busy and my tummy never got empty enough to run -- do you doubt?

You know, rarely do I ever eat anything I shouldn't and say, "WoW! That was really worth the calories." I honestly (there I go with that word again) feel much, much better when I eat less and have that sort of empty feeling in my stomach.

Well...there's always tomorrow...

9.22.06

3 miles. Good run. Flirted with 7.5 a couple of times this week. The last of the 3-peach smoothies for this season :~(

9.21.06

5 miles. Good run. Late afternoon. Not as easy as the a.m. A little sore.

Taking a survey. Can you see me in one of these? Post comment yes or no. 

This weekend Sari Beri's Delights will begin the process of perfecting their Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookie recipe. As the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe has already been perfected. for some time now, to rave reviews this is naturally the next step. The perfection of this cookie will then be followed by the perfection of the Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie recipe. These cookies are an experience! Anyone wishing to taste test the Ultimate Peanut Butter Cooke recipe should stop by on Saturday. We would be DELIGHTED to oblige.

:-( BIG Tom registerd for college yesterday. We're going to miss BIG Tom!

9.20.06

GREAT 4-mile run. Felt good!

9.19.06

GREAT 3-mile run. Felt good!

Was it YOU???

OK, so who is the very generous reader in "NORTH METRO GA 300" that sent a donation towards my running shoe fund? Was it YOU?

Whoever you are. Thank you so much! I am going on Saturday to be professionally fitted with my first pair of "real" running shoes.

You are much too kind and generous. I REALLY appreciate the donation :~) I will think of you and wonder who you are when I run...

9.18.06

a day off

9.15.06

2 laps around the BIG rock, 10 miles. Sponsored by the ATC. Well organized.

GREAT place to run. Since I've been out there -- and that's been years ago -- they've made it one-way pretty much around the whole thing and the opposite lane is divided into two parts, one for runners (like myself), the other for bikes - there were lots of them out there too. The sidewalk is reserved for walkers only. There were lots of walkers also. Many were training for the upcoming Atlanta 3-Day -- been there, done that!

Stone Mountain is a great place to run -- beautiful, clean, I felt safe, they have their own police -- and the park attractions don't open until like 10:00 so that early in the a.m. there is like hardly no traffic at all. I'll run there again.

It was wonderful. However, the run was tough for me. Probably the toughest I've ever had. The course was nice (mostly shaded, rolling hills, one long incline at the 4/5 mark - miles 4 & 9) but I had a tough time with leg cramps and I can't really understand because I have never had that problem before. I'll have to go and figure that one out. I did sweat A LOT. By the time I finished I could feel the salt on my skin. Only remember that happening once before when I did a long 19 mile run.

My time was not good. 1:44:00. I had hoped to do it in 1:30. It's really bad when you come to the finish line and they are calling out awards :~( chances are, you're not going to win anything!

Was going to take a pic of me and my running partner for the Blog with my camera phone but I forgot. Wouldn't have been very pretty anyhow. But, if is WAS pretty, you wouldn't believe we had run 10 miles now would you?

I'm going out with my honey bunny =^..^=

9.13.06

Will take today and the next 2 days off (still tired, sore, tight and weak) hoping to recover by the weekend. Will run 2 laps around the rock on Saturday (10 miles) with the Fuel Belt and marathon prep (nutrition/hydration).

9.12.06

3-miles. Sore, weak, tired -- maybe it's the weather.

check it out!

www.hungry-girl.com

Folgers Gourmet Coffee

With new and improved packaging, the formerly no-frills folks over at Folgers are now offering up everyday gourmet coffee in flavors like Caramel Drizzle and Vanilla Biscotti. YUM! Get a FREE sample! https://folgersgourmetselections.offerprocessingcenter.com

Kashi's Kooky Stunt

Head on over to the Kashi website to get a free sample of their TLC Trail Mix Chewy Granola Bars. After you taste it, vote on whether it "was quite tasty" or it "tasted a lot like cardboard." If people don't dig the bar, Kashi's head food developer, Jeff Grogg, will eat the cardboard box the bars are packaged in LIVE on Kashi.com on October 19th. Wow. Extreme! No worries, Jeff. These bars ROCK! CLICK TO GET YOUR SAMPLE BAR NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! http://www.kashi.com/changes/PromotionLanding/default.aspx

Caffeinated Body Wash? You've GOT to be kidding!

Caramel Macchiato Body Wash
$12.99/8 oz.

• Rich Caramel, Creamy Milk, and a Double-Shot of Espresso
• Wake Up To This Incredibly Caffeinated Experience
• Gentle Cleansing with Natural Jojoba Oil to Moisturize Your Skin

Jump start the morning with a java jolt of espresso, tempered by smooth caramel and cream. Caramel Macchiato Body Wash blends the best natural ingredients in a stimulating wake up call. Enriched with natural jojoba oil to heal and soften skin, it cleanses and moisturizes. Go ahead - make your day!

Find it on Amazon.com

9.11.06

GREAT 5-mile run! A 3-peach smoothie day :~)

9.9.06

3-mile run. Felt really strong.

9.8.06

another day off...

9.7.06

3-mile easy FLAT late a.m. run to loosen up the old tired mussels. Felt strong.

9.6.06

Another day off :~)

New Shoes Fund

My cousin recently started a pedicure fund and I thought this an honorable idea. Although I fully intended to contribute to her fund when I was with her this weekend I totally forgot. Sorry, maybe next time Anna.

However, I think I am going to borrow her idea and start my "New Shoes Fund". I figure I have well over 1000 miles on this pair and the last couple of long runs I've done my feet have not been comfortable afterwards. I wouldn't say they hurt, although some might (I have a very high pain threshold).

I'll have to be much more aggressive in my fundraising efforts seeing that a new pair of running shoes cost considerably more than a pedicure, probably at least 5+ times...

I'm going to get professionally fit this time, something I've never done. I think it would be helpful and really is necessary considering the amount of miles I put in each week and the fact that I am only building on that and will soon begin training for my first marathon. These will more than likely end up being my "marathon shoes".

I'm shooting for around the middle of this month. Let's put a date down - September 16. Yes, my goal is to raise enough money by Saturday, September 16 to go and buy a new pair of running shoes. WoW! That's like 2 weeks.

I'm not going to be brand conscious this time. In the past I've always stuck to Nike. I like the reputation the company carries and they fit me well. I've been please with their shoes. But this time I'm going to a running store (Phiddipidies or the BIG Peach - I haven't decided) and I'm going to listen to the experts and try some other brands.

All donations can be sent to me... HURRY!

U.S. 10K Classic

Well, I just finished running the U. S. 10K Classic, deemed America's GREATEST 10K. At least it's probably, without a doubt, the greatest on Labor Day in Atlanta.

Cobb Parkway, if you didn't know, is like a roller coaster, UP and down and UP and down and UP and down... (you get the picture) several times each mile.

OK -- I walked a little -- you knew that. It was tough!

Those who finished in under an hour got a medal. My time = 1 hour, 1 minute and 47 seconds. MAN! Missed that medal by 1 minute and 47 seconds -- and I didn't even stop for tee shirts!

I'll defiantly run it again. Probably make it an annual event -- GREAT RACE, GREAT SPONSORS! Publix does a great job as a race sponsor.

Maybe next year I'll get the medal.

Will take tomorrow off.

Here are the pics from the party :)

Thanks so much to everyone involved!

25th Anniversary cake topper. 

BEAUTIFUL, delicious cake! 

We ate it up! 

WoW! What a surprise!

Today we were TOTALLY surprise to go to what we thought was going to be a pre-Labor Day celebration only to find out is was really a surprise 25th anniversary party. Food (good food -- no, REAL good food), family, friends, fun, GIFTS! 25th anniversary decorations everywhere, a 2-tier "wedding" cake... Did I say WoW!?!

Pictures were taken, but not by us. Maybe I can download a few from the family blog or my cousin's blog and post them here.

I think this was all my daughter's doings and then she got my mother in on it and the rest of the family and NOBODY spilled the beans, not even my SariBeri! I CAN'T believe it! NOBODY spilled the beans!

When we drove up and there were "Happy Anniversary" balloons on the mail box I thought they were for the O'Neal's "3 month" anniversary. I didn't even suspect! But then when we got to the front door and there was a big banner that said, "HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY" I just couldn't understand it. It still didn't click with me. Then inside "25" decorations hanging from the lights and stuff and then the cake was being put together -- and a bride and groom topped it. A wonderful cheesecake too with a BIG silver "25" on top.

I just couldn't believe all these people had gotten together and done this and planned all this behind our backs!

We are so blessed to have family and friends like we do. SO BLESSED!

WE LOVE YOU ALL!

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