Race Recap

It's the Sunday after race day and I'm sitting here with my second cup of coffee, sitting in my sun room, The Coffee House playing in the background and I feel peace.  The race was not as I expected but I did it.

The race yesterday was not good.  The day before I did what I was supposed to, drank lots of water, rested, ate light, and went to bed early.  I went to bed at 10 only to wake up in a coughing fit at 11:30 and it went on, and I was awake, until 2:30.  Our alarm went off at 5:55 and when it did I thought, "fuck!!".  Thankfully we had already paid for this race otherwise I am fairly certain my butt would not have gotten out of bed that morning. 

But I did, and that was the first step.  I got ready, even put make up on {such a girl} and we were out the door to drop KP off at my in-laws by 7.  On our way to the race we listened to some upbeat, fun {LMFAO and Ke$ha if you were wondering} music to get us pumped, it worked.  Once we got there I forgot I was even sick.  Seeing all the people was a thrill and the weather was pretty much perfect.  I could do this.

My girls Lindsey, Holly & Alicia met us there and I thought there was no way this could be bad because these girls are too much fun to have a bad race, they did not disappoint. For the most part we were together the whole race and that was awesome, especially for me, the first time runner.

On our way Jimmy had said to me, "what's our goal for today?" and my answer to him was to finish.  Initially my goal had been to run the entire race, regardless of my time, but after the rough night and stupid sore throat my goal had changed to, "just finish".  

Somewhere into mile 2 Alicia got a cramp and I felt like I was going to die so we slowed down to a fast walk for about a half mile or so when we met up with Lindsey and ran to the finish line {with a Sunkist 10 in hand}.  My final time was 36:20 which is the worst 5K I've run to date.  Before that I was averaging about a 9:30 mile so I added about 2 minutes to my mile during this race.  Am I happy with this time?  HECK NO!  But? I finished, and that deserves a pat on the back.  

How did I feel about running though?  I hated it.  As soon as we were finished Jimmy was so pumped that he immediately asked what 5K we would be running next to which I quickly gave him a serious side-eye.  Next? There will be no next!  I had such a miserable run and felt like total shit, there was no way I was thinking about the next run. I never wanted to run again, another day in my life.

But then today I thought more about it.  I had a great night sleep {hello 8:30-7} and felt refreshed and clear-headed when I woke up.  I will do another 5K, soon.  In fact, I think April 15th is the next date. I want to do another one where I feel good, am not sick, and prove to myself that I can do this thing.  I can RUN a 5K.  This next one is along the Hoover Dam and it's gorgeous so should make for a very easy run based on scenery alone. 

Most people say you get a runners high and become addicted after your first one, that is not the case with this girl.   For me, if I did better this time I would be done with 5Ks altogether, put a fork in me, I'm done.  But, for the sake of proving it to myself, I'll do another one.  Who knows, maybe after that one I'll feel that way.  Maybe.  We'll see.

Now Calling...

L.A.I.D. is now accepting sponsors for April!  {how is it almost April?!} If you missed out on your opportunity last month then make sure you get in for this month!  I would love to pimp you out and pump up your business as much as possible!  Sponsors make us happy.

Here's the low down...

• L.A.I.D. has 780 followers and growing daily
• If you don't own your own business or have anything to promote consider promoting your own blog.  The more exposure the better!
• I will promote you in anyway I can.  Having a sale?  Interested in a giveaway?  Hosting a link-up?  Let me know and I'll blog/FB/Tweet about it along with doing a monthly post about you!
• L.A.I.D. has an average of 37,000 page views each month with nearly 400,000 all time, that's a lot of exposure people!
• I take a lot of pride in this little blog of mine.  I post 5 days a week which means that's 5 times a week people could see your ad and go to your site!
• Prices are pretty cheap around here, just $10 gets your a spot for the entire month.

So what are you waiting for?  Shoot me an email or leave me a comment and let me know if you want to get in on this, I'd love to have you!

A Kick In The Pants

So tomorrow's the big day.  And I'm not talking about the National Day for Beer Drinking aka St.Patty's Day.  Tomorrow is the day I cross that something off my bucket list called a 5K. 

You know what the kick in the pants is? I've been sick, all week.  Kendall had this cough for a few days earlier in the week that seemed to only bother her when she'd sleep and, well, looks like I've caught it too.  Only mine comes with coughing up what resembles vomit mixed with snot.  Hope you weren't eating just then.  And, unlike KP, mine seems to be the worst in the morning.  Guess when the race is?

Needless to say I've turned into a man and have become completely incapable of doing anything all week, especially run.  Monday I managed to put in 16 whole minutes on an incline walk and Tuesday I was able to complete 30 minutes of walking and that's it. So I haven't actually run a 5K in over a week at this point and I still haven't ever run outside.  

So pair my lack of training with my lack of health and that should equal a pretty sucktastic race.  Oh and did I mention that it's supposed to rain too?  Icing on the cake.

I've got my best man and some great ladies running with me so hopefully that will be enough to get the adrenaline going in the morning because otherwise I'm afraid I may fall asleep at the pre-race breakfast. 

Wish me luck. 

MTV Generation

Did you guys watch MTV growing up?  Singled Out? Bevis & Butthead?  TRL?  I am pretty sure I lived for their "quality" programming.  This was before Jersey Shore and {my favorite} Teen Mom took over and pretty much became the only actual "shows" still on this music video channel.

I used to rush home from school to watch TRL. I even recorded {on a VHS tape} Britney {we're on a first name basis} doing the Oops I Did It Again dance and practiced it day after day till I got it just right.  Did I mention I wanted to be a back up dancer for Miss Spears?  Still do. Do they even show music videos on that channel anymore?  I can remember all the hype whenever a new video was coming out from Brit-Brit or MJ and it was talked about for weeks and there was most likely a countdown too.  Gah the good ole days.

I loved all the shit-talking that went on on TRL too.  Remember when Xtina threw the digs at Britney or when Carson scolded Shannen Dougherty for being a no-show?  I mean you never knew what was going to happen there.  Not to mention the CRAY CRAY fans!  Gah I always wanted to be on the streets yelling up at Carson, I didn't even care that I'd never actually make it into the studio! 

I remember The Real World when the biggest scandal was someone not showing up for their "job" or having an identity crisis because the show didn't fit in with their morals.   Now it's just a bunch of drunk horny boys and girls looking to party and get it on, blech.  Or wait, is that Jersey Shore?  Same difference.

Was I the only Tom Green fan?  I mean, no, I didn't like him marrying my girl, Drew Barrymore, but I did find him quite hilarious.  "My bum is on your lips".  Never gets old.  What happened to him anyway?  Is he still alive?

Oh and the VMAs...the way they used to be.  I mean I can't even tell you the last time I watched the VMAs because they are just so lackluster these days.  I remember all the hype over what Britney would do next and who would Eminem offend this time?  Now it's like what color is Katy Perry's hair and why is Nicki Minaj trying to be like Lady Gaga?  AKA, total snozefest.

Remember how they'd always come up with cool and always changing commercials?  I have no point of reference here only that I remember watching music videos {when they still played videos} while I was getting ready for school and always getting excited to see what the transitional commercial was going to be.

And I'm pretty sure I got all of my news from MTV. Not just MTV News either. I remember watching MTV when 9/11 happened, MTV people.  Not CNN, not our local news, MTV!  And I'm pretty sure PDiddy and his always on TRL appearances got me to Rock The Vote in 2004 {I think}.

I also got my workout from them.  One summer I did The Daily Burn every "morning" at 11 o'clock.  And I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that did because it went away and never came back.  I did, however, buy the VHS and never did it again.  But it was fun while it lasted, promise.

Oh and spring break! Gah I LOOOOOVED MTV Spring Break!  They would play all sorts of competitions and dating shows that were just morally incorrect but oh so delicious to watch.  In fact, I'm pretty sure a lot of today's reality shows got their ideas from MTV Spring Break.
I remember how Singled-Out was on EVERY time I turned on channel 37 {in Hometown, OH anyway}.  I used to hate it.  Sure it was a fun little show and Jenny McCarthy was hilarious, vulgar but yet totally adorable  {followed by Carmen} but COME ON!  I mean I think I had seen every episode at least as many times as I've seen every episode of Saved By The Bell and Full House, but it's totally not the same the second, third, 50th time around.  But then?  When it mysteriously went off the air with no explanation, I was sad.  I missed it!  I missed the reruns.  I even remember looking for it on DVD {back in the day, not yesterday or anything} and coming up empty.

I just wonder what Kendall's generation will have that could ever, will ever, be as great as MTV.  Will there even be MTV in 2030? Gah I hope so.  And I hope they start playing music videos again.

SO WHAT! Wednesday

AND!

This week I'm saying SO WHAT! if...

I'm doing things a little bit differently this week because I REALLY wanted to be able to link up with Mandy for Stop & Smell the Roses Wednesday.  

So link up with her, or me, or {even better} BOTH!

18{ish} Months

I haven't done an update on lil miss since...well...a long time.  In fact I'd say I've failed at keeping y'all in the loop with the happenings of my busy little girl.  This time is just so precious and I just had to document it, even if I'm a couple weeks late on her 18 month birthday.  Better late than never, right?

Giveaway Alert!

Because Jimmy is Irish and because Julie is so sweet, so so sweet, we're hosting a St. Patrick's Day, Luck 'o' The Irish giveaway...or something like that!  

Julie is a March blog sponsor of L.A.I.D. and she has so graciously offered TWO readers two amazing gifts! Holler!

Up first we have A Scent of a Scandal handmade, cruelty-free, vegan candle {hello scent with a purpose!} AND a $10 Starbucks gift card.

The second winner will get 3 DeShawn Marie handmade vegan soap AND  a $10 Starbucks gift card!

Isn't that an awesome gift?!  Think I can enter to win?

The rules are simple:

Mandatory:

1. Follow L.A.I.D.
2. Follow A Beautiful Day blog 
3. Go "like" Julie's Facebook page

BONUS entry:

1. Tweet about this giveaway and mention me @shannonrdew AND Julie @JulesABD
2. Go "like" my Facebook page

And it's that easy ladies!  Good luck!!!

Firm Friday

Another week, another Firm Friday.  This FF is serious though.  As in for 3 days this week I did 2 workouts a day, that's 6 workouts this week y'all.  I started because Jimmy was out of town so I was doing a workout during Kendall's nap and then the evening I was so bored that I'd do another one.  Well Jimmy got home on Wednesday and needless to say I didn't do any work out that day but I loved the feeling of 2-a-days so much that I wanted to keep it going.  Thursday I woke up bright and early at 5:30 and got a workout in and then during Kendall's morning nap I got in a 5K.

Speaking of 5K...my first one is in just over a week, it's NEXT Saturday people!  I have to say I'm excited to get it over with.  Not because I want to put the first race/pre-race jitters behind me but because, quite frankly, I'm over running.  There I said it.  I'm over it.  I've been very honest about my experience with running this far so why quit now?  I've told you I've never loved it, so no lies here.  In fact, I've only been running about once a week lately and none of it has been outside, so this race ought to be interesting to say the least.  I know I will run the entire thing but my pace may not be what it used to be, and that's OK with me.  The goal here?  Finish {and then drink LOTS of green beers}!

See I've come to realize that I need variation in my workouts, something that running on the treadmill just doesn't give me.  Instead I started doing the 30 Day Shred again.  For you long time readers you'll remember I did 30DS to prepare for my boudoir pics and the wedding back in '09 and saw results without changing much else about my lifestyle.  I know it works and so why not start doing it again?  I also incorporated a couple new home workout DVDs to my collection, courtesy of Jillian Michaels, of course.

 Jillian is the best DVD workout teacher I've "met".  I've done Core Secrets and I have Weight Loss Yoga with Bob Harper and none of them can compare to "TVs toughest trainer".  She's motivating, she's encouraging and she's here for results!  I have done both DVDs this week {along with some incline walking on the treadmill} and I can officially say that if I keep this routine up there will be results in fewer than 6 weeks. 

Jillian is no joke!  She's all about pushing you and making you work for the body you want, "this doesn't come for free". Even Jimmy is excited to start 6W6P, even though he's yet to give it a try.  I was sore the days after I did both DVDs but not so sore that I couldn't function, I think that's important to note.  

6W6P is core based so even though you work arms, shoulders, back and even legs all the moves are intended to strengthen your core muscles {where I need the most help}.  This one is tough.  It's circuit based, just like 30DS, and she goes through the moves slower at first and then, like Tae-Bo {told you I've tried them all}, the second time around is double time.  I'll say during the first round I was all, "this ain't so bad", but when we moved to double time, boy did I feel the burn!

Yoga Meltdown is unlike any yoga I've done before.  It's harder.  If you are looking to do a relaxing, mostly stretching based yoga {like I'm used to}, this isn't for you.  She mixes in cardio with it and even moves like upward dog {an easier position} are challenging in this video.  From what I've gathered this isn't a calorie burning workout, as you only burn about 150, but it's still a really good workout and stretch.  

My plan is to incorporate these videos and some light running and walking a few days a week.  I realize 2-a-days aren't always going to be possible and I'm sure I'd burn out of them after a few weeks too but for now it's a really nice accomplishment.  

#KONY2012

I know, I know.  You are all tired of my posts for the day.  I mean, 4 in one day is a lot, even for this girl. But this is just too powerful to schedule for tomorrow.  Everyone needs to see this.  Please, if you have 30 minutes to read blogs, Facebook, tweet, or pin things I urge you to put those things on hold and spend those 30 minutes watching this video instead.  I promise you'll be glad you did.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

It's time to make a difference in our WORLD.  This is the world we are leaving to OUR children.  Let's leave them with a world to be proud of.

Stunner Shades On

I've already written my ode to winter so think of this as my ode to summer, kind of.

You know something we are obsessed with here in the L.A.I.D. household?  Sunglasses.  Seriously Jimmy has a sick addiction to Oakley glasses and buys at least one pair a year.  As a matter of fact, his wedding gift to me was a pair of Juicy Couture shades that I just ADORE!  So much so that I haven't even bought new sunglasses since, yeah I've been sporting the same sunnies for over 2 years now and I don't care.  Check it!

I mean would you even bother to buy glasses if you had these?  I had always wanted aviators but could never find a pair that fit my face right {Ray Bans look TERRIBLE on me} and these were just too perfect, I knew they had to be mine.  Thanks to my {then NEW} husband and his obsession for sunglasses they are mine, all mine. He knows me so well!

Speaking of glasses, I have pretty good vision and have no need for eyeglasses but I always wanted them, always.  I thought they looked cute and, most importantly, I thought they looked smart.  I guess that's one of those, "you always want what you don't have" kind of things.  Like how girls with straight hair want curly and vice versa.  I went through the same thing with braces but then I actually got braces and was not happy about it.  See what happens when you get what you ask for?  Not always what it's cracked up to be.

In college I had started getting headaches and I was convinced it was because my eyes were going bad {yay!!!} and bought a pair of eyeglasses online {you know because I was far too embarrassed to buy them in store seeing as I didn't really need them}.  I got them in the most brown-eye flattering shade of purple and I had to admit they looked pretty snazzy.  But?  They were a slight prescription and to my disappointment my headaches weren't from my eyes, it was from diet coke.  Sads.  Again, you can't always get what you want.

However, the whole wearing glasses without a prescription trend is now becoming quite popular so this! just! might! be! my! time! to wear glasses and not feel like a tool and give myself a headache from blurred vision in my unnecessary prescription ones.

So what's all this babble about anyway?  Well I just found out about GlassesUSA.com and they have prescription {and non} glasses AND sunglasses at 110% lowest price guarantee!  Even better? They have brand names like Coach, Nike, and Lacoste!  And because I love you and they know it {to the tune of I'm Sexy and I Know It} they are offering a discount to all L.A.I.D. readers!  Holler!

Get 50% off any pair of eyeglasses on orders over $80. Code: SPECIAL50 

Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

How cool is that?  You better believe I'm scouring their site looking for the perfect stunner shades for this summer.  I mean, after all, it's been 2 years since I've had a new pair, right?!

You're welcome!

Embie Online Winner

I have a winner for my Embie Online Button Print Giveaway and it is...

{drum roll please}

JENNY from Life, Love and Marathons

Congrats girlie!  You should be hearing from Embie Online soon to receive your very own print.  

Speaking of...I got mine over the weekend and can we say CUTE?!

I really love it and it was the perfect addition to that shelf over our couch.  Previously I had some fake flowers and this just feels so much more complete and I love the pop of color the blue brings to the room!

Thanks again to Embie Online for letting me host this giveaway and please go check them out!

 

Pinspired Thursday

It's been a while since I've shared some of my awesomeness latest Pinterest projects and what the heck am I doing them for if not to share with the world!?

Last weekend I hosted a girls slumber party at mi casa and when I went on Pinterest to look for a delicious drink to make I knew just the one I wanted.  I had pinned this Skinny Girl Sangria back in the warmer months but never got the chance to actually make it.  Well the temps dipped into the high 50s here in Ohio this weekend which meant, HEAT WAVE!  Which also meant I had to make this yummy libation for my girlfriends.

I had searched for other cocktails but most of them either 1. required millions of ingredients or 2. had crazy ingredients that I would basically buy for the drink and discard the rest, either way, no bueno.  So this was perfect!  Simple, few ingredients and what ingredients did require I could use at a later date, no problem!  

1. Bottle of Sauvignon Blanc 

2.  Bottle of sparkling white wine

3.  peaches

4.  kiwi

5.  mint

6.  pint of raspberries

Basically you pour all of the above into a pitcher and let sit for about an hour, to soak up all the flavors.

My only complaint about this yummy summer cocktail is that it didn't make enough!  There were 4 of us and about one glass each was all we got, I coulda used at least 3 myself.  But I will definitely be making this again, especially when we get into the dog days of summer, so refreshing!

Cheers!

SO WHAT! Wednesday

This week I'm saying SO WHAT! if..

• Kendall has had more juice this week than in her entire life previously.  I bought some Mots Tots last week and she {without me teaching her the word} asks for "juish".  Don't worry, I cut it with water.
• It annoys the piss out of me that they still haven't found a replacement for Regis on Live! With Kelly.  I'm thinking Nick Lachey or Mario Lopez.  Please and thank you.
• I spent some of my birthday money on Kendall.  She deserved some things too.
• I spend some of my birthday money on workout DVDs.  Mama WILL be hot this summer.
• I am ready to do this 5K and then take a break from running.  I have ADD when it comes to exercise and I'm a little burnt out on running now.  Time to change it up, see bullet point above.
• I look forward to story time on Wednesday, probably more than KP.
• I took to Twitter for iPhone case recommendations and then followed none of them.  I went by Amazon reviews and I'm so glad I did.  I got the CaseCrown Glider case and I'm in looove, it's so pretty and shiny, it looks like candy!

Husband Q&A

Because I'm lacking inspiration and because I think this has the potential to be fucking hilarious, I want to do a little Q&A session with the man behind the woman, literally and not so much.

Have you been dying to know if Jimmy is really on board with this whole raising Kendall as an only child thing?  Or do you want to know what all this hunting business is all about?  Perhaps you'd like to ask him why he loves me so {because I'd love to know the answer to that one}.  What about his beer of choice?  Oohh I dare you to ask him about zombies {promise it's laughable}.  

So because a normal post of me answering the questions in writing is so last year, we will be doing this in vlog form.  I will ask him the questions, blind, no seeing the questions beforehand, and he will have to answer them on the spot.  Oh, and did I tell you that I'm not even telling him we're doing this?  So yeah, should be good TV time for you guys{?} and gals.  So go ahead, ask him your burning questions, don't hold back, let him see what the L.A.I.D. readers are all about.

Peace, with chicken grease.

It's Good For The Soul

Sometimes a little R&R is needed, am I right?  

And a little friend time.  

And a much overdue facial.  

And family.  

That's what this weekend meant to me.

This weekend Jimmy was away, out of state on a snow goose hunting trip with his dad and brothers.  This is something he loves to do and I love that he is so passionate about the things that make him happy.  I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't a little bummed when he rolled out at 6:15 Saturday morning.  I was very bummed, sad, and already missing him before he walked out the door.

He's gone away on hunting trips before, this is not a new concept to me.  But this time was different, it was different because I am different.  I am a SAHM now which means the part of the day when he comes up the stairs is the best part of my day.  I look forward to 4 o'clock every day.  The chance to see his handsome face, have adult conversation, it's really the best.  So to know I wasn't going to get that for 5ish days, bummed me out.

Friday night we were laying in bed and I told him how I was sad he was leaving us.  I didn't want him to feel bad because he was going to do something he loved and he was doing it with the people he loved, but I wanted him to know how much he'd be missed.  Instead of apologizing and trying to make me "understand" he simply said, "make the best of it" and even suggested I go and get a massage while he was gone.  Well you don't have to tell me twice!  It's been almost 2 years since my last massage, I'M IN!  {however the spa didn't have openings for massages in less than 24 hours so a facial sufficed}.

So, I did just that.  In that moment I decided that I was going to be selfish, as much as I could with a toddler {it is birthday week, kinda, still}.  

Saturday was a great day with my girl.  We went and had lunch, alone, at Pei Wei and Kendall took on a new liking to lo mein.  I used to cringe when I'd see people eating alone but there's something therapeutic about it. Sure I had Kendall with me but she's not one for conversation these days.  So we sat and ate lunch, we did a little shopping and then we had a slumber party!  My best girlfriends brought their girls over {there were 6 1/2 girls in my house that night}and we ordered pizza, had a dance party, laughed our butts off and we don't have a single picture to prove it.  I think that's the best part.

Sunday I headed to Hometown and let my parents have some quality time with Kendall while I hit up the spa. To say that that hour to myself was bliss would be an understatement.  It was heaven on Earth.  I felt human, I felt renewed, I felt good even though I didn't have a stitch of make up on and was in my gym clothes.  I had every intention of going out for a run afterward but then I though, "Nope!  I'm spoiling myself today!" and I did just that.  I even stopped at Dairy Queen and picked up my favorite Oreo Blizzard with EXTRA Oreo.

Sunday night was full of maxin' and relaxin'.  I enjoyed some trash TV once Kendall went to bed {and my Blizzard, of course}, painted my toenails, and turned off my phone.  

Do you know how much easier it is to relax when you don't have Twitter, Facebook, WWF, Draw Something, text, email, Instagram, notifications going off every 2.5 seconds?  It's like...I need to do that more often.  Same goes for not documenting much of this weekend.  Sure I took pics here and there but it wasn't like I felt the NEED to take them for sharing purposes.  I say that because one too many times I have found myself thinking in Tweets, that's bad.  

It's nice to unplug every once in a while, even if it's just for the evening.  It's also nice to take some time and say SO WHAT if the laundry isn't done, I want to paint my toenails tonight.  

I went to bed feeling good about the weekend.  I felt refreshed and it didn't take much.  I think more weekends like this are in order.  

Today it's back to the 5 a.m. grind and that's ok because I'm ready for it now.  Bring it on Monday!