The time I won $8

The week before last, I returned to Vegas with 8 other girls to celebrate the end of Katy’s singledom. She’s getting married in three two weeks! Vegas was crazy, as expected, and I think Katy had an amazing time.

Friday
3:40am - Woke up, pushed GO on the coffee maker.

My genius idea (if I do say so myself), move the coffee maker next to my sink so it can brew as I get ready.
4:05am- Left the house to pick up Jaime at her house. Jaime and I were on the same flights to/from LV. We had debated asking Chris to drive us to the airport, but after discussing exactly how early we’d have to leave, we thought it’d be a lot nicer of us to drive ourselves.
5:15am - I realized I left my phone in the car. Shoot. I had texted Jaime when I arrived at her house but I failed to put my phone in my bag. I considering running back to the car to get it, but I probably wouldn’t make it back to the airport in time. I considered asking one of my friends who was joining us in Vegas to use a spare car key to get my phone and then bring it to me on their flight. However, I don’t have a spare car key. So, I decided I probably wasn’t going to be alone at any time during this trip and I should probably just tough it out and live in the 1990s.
---fly to Phoenix---

---change planes, fly to Vegas---
9am - arrive in Vegas. Woohoo, we made it! It was about 65 degrees, sunny, and time to hit the pool! Katy’s sister (the MOH) had reserved us two rooms at the Signature at the MGM. It’s off the strip, but has access to all of the MGM’s pools. Jaime and I spent several hours soaking up some rays while we waited for the other girls to arrive and for our room to be ready.

Once our stomachs started yelling at us, we had lunch at Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill at the MGM Grand. Jaime and I had a tough time meeting up with the other girls, but thankfully, she and I are friends, so we shared a delicious pizza and two glasses of red sangria. I’m not sure if it was the sun, the drinks, or the hunger, but this meal was seriously incredible.

After lunch we went back to the pool and saved chairs for the rest of the girls. We learned the hard way that poolside drinks are expensive ($17/one cocktail) so I had made plastic cups for everybody to bring down. Our whipped-cream flavored vodka/Diet 7 Up drinks were deliciously refreshing.

Weirdly, the pool closed at 5pm. Jaime and I wanted to check into our room, so we went back to the Signature to move our bags into our proper room, shower, and grab the 9th gal, Natalie. The timing was perfect and we saw Natalie arrive just as we were checking out the view from our 4th floor balcony.

Before dinner, Friday night.
That night, we walked over to the Cosmopolitan to find a place to eat dinner. Without a reservation, dinner for 8 can be hard to arrange. Only 8 girls, you ask? Ha, Ericka didn't exactly make it to dinner. She had too much fun at the pool all day. Vegas can be tiring!

We ended up having dinner at a cute Italian place, DOCG. Jaime and I continued our romantic weekend, and split the Arancini (fried risotto balls) and arugula salad.

That night, Courtney had reserved us bottle service at a totally-hip club, Tryst, at the Wynn. She knew somebody who worked there, so we only had to pay $20/each. At first I thought that was too much, however she really hooked us up. We got our own table, tons of drinks, and the best chocolate cake of my life. And, a surprise to us all, Ericka joined us before the night was over!

I lasted until around 3:30am (5:30am Austin-time)
Saturday
Once everybody was awake, Ericka, Jaime, and I went to brunch at the infamous, Hash House a Go Go. We had about 40 minutes to wait, so Jaime and I hit up the penny slots to get some mimosas. Jaime borrowed $4 from me and ended up winning about $13 for herself. I spent $1 on the slots and $1 on my drink and came back with $8! And an amazing mimosa! And our meal was incredible!

Gigantic portions
After our meal (I HIGHLY recommend this place) we went to the pool to meet up with everybody else.

After a few hours in the sun, Ericka, Natalie, and I went inside the MGM to play some more penny slots. Also, I really wanted a pina colada. Natalie was up $20 but refused to cash out (uuugh!). We left empty-handed, but not empty-bellied!

Seriously, so good.
Saturday night we all had dinner at Battista’s. The Dailey’s (regulars to Vegas) recommended this Hole in the Wall for our dinner. A very affordable option with a lot of character, Battista’s worked our really well for the 9 of us.

That night we also had an hour-long limo ride, and tickets to Thunder from Down Under. The limo was cool although not really necessary for transport. And the show? Well... personally, it wasn't really my thing, but I know Katy had a great time. If you're into man-butt, then you might want to check it out. But if you're into talented theatrics, I might recommend Blue Man group or a Cirque Show instead.

Sunday
Jaime and I left the hotel at 7:30am and made it back to Austin around 6pm. Veeery long day, but definitely worth it for the two days prior.

After being home for about two weeks, I've had enough time to rest and I'm already anticipating the next weekend out there. Vegas is one of the weirdest cities ever, and exists for the sole purpose for people to have a good time. I'd say, we did that.

Races are Weird

I am alive! The race was hard, but I finished.

Here’s what happened:

Friday night- We finished The Wire. All five seasons, done!

Saturday-
I woke up at 5am and we were out the door 20 minutes later. I had packed extra water, a pack of Shot Bloks, and 1 mini bagel for consumption before the race. Chris kindly drove us to the airport Fast Park, where a line of school buses waited to drive us the rest of the way to the resort. We arrived at Fast Park at around 5:45am. Zooma warns you that the bus ride could take up to 40 minutes, and that the last bus leaves at 6:00am. I ate the mini bagel while we were on the bus. We arrived at the Hyatt Lost Pines just after 6:00am. Awesome, however...
really, really, not awesome. 1.5 hours to sit around and let my nerves completely tear me apart.

Although it looks like I am mocking the portrait behind me, this is actually my "there is nothing amusing about any of this," face.My quad/groin/hip muscle was hurting, I had to pee every 5 minutes, and not even a few sips of Chris’ coffee would make me feel better. I just wanted to start running. But, that’s not how races work... so we wandered around the resort until 7:15am when I peed again (fourth time maybe?) and headed over to the start line.

Things are definitely looking better at this point!
I quickly found these ladies,

Well... Chris found them first
And we were off!

Miles 1-4
I kept a pretty solid 10:20 pace running up and down the hills. Sooo many hills. I was having a good time though, just taking in the scenery and watching other people. Running skirts are all the rage right now. And seriously ladies, do you think booty shorts are a good idea for a half marathon? Ugh, just stop.

Miles 5-6
This is when it got tougher. The hills were steeper and I was pretty much always thirsty. The sun started to peep out, so the wildflowers cheered me on.

Post Race picture of the wildflowers
Miles 8-9.5
Too much walking. I lost a lot of motivation. My train of thought went something like:
Why did I sign up for this?
I still have so far to go.
I've already run 8 miles and I've already impressed myself.
Walking is so much easier than running.
Wow, there are a lot of people even slower than I am = more reason to walk.

Mile 9.5-10
This race was really low on spectators, but one awesome guy really helped me out. He yelled, “it’s downhill until mile 10, you can do it, let gravity take you!” So, I ran that part of the race.

Mile 10-11
The course is really beautiful and weaves around the immaculate Wolfdancer golf course. Although it was pleasant to check out the quality of the greens, it was not pleasant seeing all the racers in front of you and behind you. I’d rather just see the people in front of me so I know I need to pick it up. But when you can also see the people behind you, it made me think it’d be okay if I slowed down even more. Using my stopwatch, I tried to do the 1 minute walk/5 minute run method until I made it to mile 12.

Mile 12-finish!
Run, Jane, Run! Sarah met me just before mile 13 and really helped me get to the end. Ruuun!

I'm going to pass you!

getting closer!

I am faster than you!

aaaand, done.

My total time was 2 hours and 26 minutes. Chris helped me realize that because I have never run 13.1 miles before, I cannot really say, “Oh, I could have done better.” I did the best I could because it’s the first time I did it.

Shortly after the race I changed into my swim suit and collapsed into the lazy river. As I floated around I passed by mile 12 and witnessed a few girls still out there trying to finish. Although I felt really bad that they weren't done yet, it also made me feel a little bit better about my own performance. Even though I had to walk, I still finished it in a decent time.

So happy to be done.

More reflection to come in the next few days, but at this point I am just so happy to be done.

one day more

It's crazy to think that I'll be completely done with this by tomorrow morning. When I got my coffee from the kitchen at work today, I thought to myself, "at this time tomorrow I'll be running 13.1 miles!" It's almost here.

On Wednesday I ran 4 miles inside on the treadmill. It was raining. I thought about just sucking it up and going outside, but I decided the only way I could start a run in the rain was if it was for a real race. When I got home I started to feel some tightness in my right quad/groin/hip muscle. Ha, shows how much human anatomy I know. Yesterday, I ran 2 miles without any pain during the run. The "upper thigh area" really only hurts when I get up from a seated position. Like, when I put all my weight on the right leg to stand up.

Oh, but before my 2 mile run (last training run!), I had to go pick up my race packet from Luke's Locker. The journey was incredibly annoying. I realized I wasn't going to make my 5:30pm yoga class at around 4:30pm when I was at a complete standstill on Mopac and 45th. My car was completely stopped in the far left lane when BAM, I am shaken forward, confused, and surprised. I look in the rear-view mirror and see the front of a gigantic SUV. "Omgosh some idiot just rear-ended me." Yes, that is what happened. I get out of the car and some kid, probably around 17 years old says to me, "I'm so so so sorry."

I am still pretty shocked by all of this. This has never happened to me before. I quickly pull over, thinking how annoying we are for the rest of the rush-hour commuters. I get out of my car and we both agree that there is seriously, no damage. Maybe some light scratches? But they totally could have been there already. The kid continues to apologize. As we get back into our cars I say, "It's okay, but be careful!" Suddenly I have become some all-knowing adult passing on my wisdom to the younger drivers of the world.

My journey continues for another 30 minutes when I finally make it. Race packet obtained. It even included some sweet free stuff!

Zooma running shirt, bib, four safety pins, Lemon Zest Luna Bar, SunRype Fruit Strip, Garnier shampoo/conditioner sample, and Dole real-fruit pineapple bites . Not bad!
I'm saving all the goodies for after the race tomorrow. And at this point, all I can do is go to bed early and hope for the best. My goal is to finish having felt like I did the best that I could.

I've found several other blog posts with descriptions from the 2011 race. Per their advice, I'm going to try and really enjoy the experience. One mile at a time. I'll try to take in the scenery, the other runners, and the feeling of accomplishment.

So, today after a 25 minute stationary bike ride to get rid of some energy (and listen to my favorite podcast, thanks again Natalie!), I've been pretty freaking lazy. I feasted on some leftover pasta, some of Johnny's Favorite Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, and sooo much water. Oh, and I did this:

Something about hot pink nails makes you want to run faster. Right?

And get a load of this awesome tongue-out cat pose.

Oh Khyra, always entertaining.

If anybody is awake from 5:30am-10am tomorrow, please send lots of good thoughts my way. I am almost there!

Nerves

I cannot remember the last time I’ve felt this uneasy. Show week in high school? Yeah, I was a mess during those weeks. Which is funny, because most of the time, I try to be a pretty laid-back person.

I feel like I’m unprepared. I feel like my last long run was weeks ago and my legs aren’t going to be ready for so many miles on Saturday. I feel like my training regime has been totally messed up since my back injury. I feel like I should have pushed myself harder and run 14 miles before the race. Like I had originally intended to. Heck, my initial schedule had me running 13.1 miles on February 25th. That never happened. It should have happened.

In the book, Dawn recounts her own marathon experience in a hilariously horrifying journal entry. Her experience was so horrible. Her knee starts hurting before the race begins. She breaks her mp3 player. She has to sit down and rest. She limps to the finish line.

I just want this whole thing to be over with so I can get on with my life.

ReCap10k

Yesterday I participated in my first official 10k race. The Statesman Capital 10,000 is the fifth largest 10k in America and the largest 10k in Texas. This year they claim to have had 23,000 registrants. I don’t deny it, I thought the race was extremely crowded and had a lot of walkers. Still, it was so great to see so many people being active and enjoying the beautiful (albeit, hot) March day. If you’re nervous about finishing the 6.2 miles, this is definitely the 10k for you. Our company had 20 participants and finished in anywhere from 45 minutes to over 2 hours. We placed 15th out of the 37 Corporate Challenge teams. Way to go to the freaks at National Instruments who ran it in 34-41 minutes/each. Ridiculous.

Yay Team Morningstar!
Only 2 more runs until Saturday's race. I am definitely nervous.

Training for the Half

Last week, I received one of the most perfectly timed gifts of my life.

But, let me start the story at the beginning. And since it’s been awhile since I’ve posted, some important plot points are necessary.

On February 25th I ran 9.2 miles. Also that day, my dear friend Katie turned 25. Katie is training for a marathon and she's doing a half in mid-April. After talking to her, and getting evermore annoyed with my unceasing frugality. I registered for a half-marathon. $93 freakin’ dollars.

I’m going to run the Zooma Half Marathon on March 31st at the Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop, TX.

The training continues,

On Saturday, March 3rd, I completed a 9.1 mile run with a meet up group sponsored by the race. The run was supposed to be 10 miles, but they shorted us a few, and I was unhappy about this. You know you’ve changed when you are upset that you only ran 9.1 miles. Only. I know, I know, ridiculous.

I finished the run and made it back home by 9:30am. Chris was out golfing, so I had the house to myself to lounge around all day. Perfection. March 3rd was also one of the most beautiful spring days we’ve had yet, so after a breakfast sandwich, a protein smoothie, and 3.5 hours of television, I felt like I’d feel even better if I went outside in the sunshine. Then I thought, “ah, I can plant this year’s garden!” And by garden, I mean, a few pots I have on my back deck. We don’t have a yard, but I’ve made the best of what space we have. I leaned over to grab last year’s dead plants and instantly felt a horrible tightening in my lower left-back. Uh oh.

Oh yes. The same horrific feeling I felt last fall. Same spot, same tightening. But on the bright side, the pain level was about half what it was last time. Maybe it would go away with some yoga?

I went inside and tried stretching out in all sorts of ways, but the pain was not going away. I’d hurt my back, AGAIN.

Like I said, it wasn’t as bad as last time, so I tried to carry on as normal. I finished my garden (I already have some growth!), did household chores, and went on an awesome date-night with Chris. Unfortunately, I woke up on Sunday morning feeling even worse. I went to yoga, hoping more stretching would help, however I was pretty limited on which poses I could do. On the bright side, I was able to stretch out my legs without any pain, phew.

Bringing us to Monday, where all day long I fretted about what I should do. I had 3 weekends until the race. Long enough to continue, but not unless I healed up quickly. Should I see a chiropractor? Should I see a physical therapist? It seemed like every person I went to for advice told me something different. I was a mess of indecision and on the verge of tears. By the end of the day I decided I’d do exactly what I did last time this happened, lie on the heating pad on the floor and do some gentle stretching. No running, no weights, no nothing. Just take it easy and heal up quickly.

Needless to say, Katie’s gift could not have arrived at a more perfect time. I got the mail Monday after work; in it was her package.

I started reading it immediately. It’s hilarious, it’s accurate, it’s motivating. And although it was frustrating to read about this woman’s runs while being unable to run myself, I related with her stories and knew as soon as my back healed, I’d be back out there.

And sure enough, by Thursday the 8th, I ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill and did the best yoga class I’d done in a loooong time. That Saturday I didn’t think I should do the 10 miles I’d originally planned on, so that’s the distance I have to run this weekend.

I’m nervous. I haven’t done as well with my shorter runs this week, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do the full 10 without walking. Dawn touches on this in the book, but the run/walk method that a lot of people use doesn’t work very well for me. Whenever I stop to walk it’s like my body thinks it’s done running, and when I try to run again it doesn’t want to do it. All of a sudden my legs are tighter than they originally were. It’s easier for me to just keep running. Or at least, that’s how I've felt during the 93,000 other training runs I've done.

Here’s hoping the 10 miler goes just as smoothly. Here’s hoping.

"Using" My Film Degree

So, we had Kimber’s farewell party and the 2011 "Framily" movie premiere. Enjoy!

What I did all day long b/t Christmas and NYE.
Speaking of movies (cuz that totes counts as a movie, right?) I’ve been really busy lately running lots and sitting on the couch eating fro’yo lots.

A quick review of my last two weekends...

We tried, we tried so hard to watch The Hangover Part II, but we had to turn it off. It was So. So. So. Bad.

Chris had heard lots of good things about this Ewan McGregor movie where his father comes out to him (as in, “hey son, I’m gay”) and then dies of cancer. Meh... Beginners didn’t really do much for either of us.

In typical Soderbergh fashion, Contagion has a lot of A-list stars in an interconnected, high-paced thriller. I really liked it, even though it's increased my daily Purel usage by about 200%. Wash your hands. Stop touching your face.

The one with Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (but his friends call him Joey, um OK!). Joey’s character gets cancer and his odds of living are... 50/50. It was sad (duh), funny, and overall, very well done. Plus I’m always a fan of Anna Kendrick.

The good movie streak kept on going with Woody Allen’s latest, Midnight in Paris. I finally saw it, after hearing the positive reviews of practically every person I’ve met. My tagline: Man walks the streets of Paris and every night at midnight he’s picked up by the writers and artists of the 1920s. We’re talking T.S. Elliott, the Fitzgeralds, Salvador Dali (played by the oh so beautiful Adrien Brody), and beautifully written, Hemmingway. I looooved it.

Can you read that? It was nominated in 2009. Sooo... I finally saw An Education. It is probably more of a girl movie, but still, very delightful, especially the 1960’s UK fashion trends. Love.

I stayed British and I stayed in the 1960s with another one that’d been on my “To Watch” list for a long time. Pirate Radio is about DJs who played on the pirate radio stations during the 1960s in the UK. The soundtrack was great, but I couldn’t finish the movie. It was just, weird.

And to conclude this month of movies (we're on break in between seasons of The Wire), Sunday night Chris and I watched the Ridley/Tony Scott and YouTube movie from 2011, Life in a Day. A pretty interesting concept, the Scotts edited together the footage that thousands of people across the world shot in the same day (July 24, 2010) and created a fairly seamless narrative. The girl at the end annoyed Chris, but overall, I enjoyed this one too.