Ditchin the bling!

Finally my braces are off.  

What I think it takes to remove braces and what happens when they take them off is TWO very different ideas. I would like to think I was misled, but I never asked.   I'm thinking 30 minutes in the chair, pull them off, shine them up and I'm out.

TWO HOURS later I finally get to rinse out my mouth and leave just to come back in 5 hours to get my retainer.  Which I was wrong about also.  

In the car before I went into the Orthodontist.  Look - I curled my hair AND lip gloss.  Special day!

Ready, set...lets do this!!

First - They put your permanent retainers on before removing any brackets.  I have them on the top and bottom of the front 4-6 teeth.  It looks more like a steel thread that is bonded on the back of my teeth.  THEN, they pop off all the brackets, take impressions for your retainers and grind all the glue and stuff off your teeth.  This was both bothersome and painful. I have sensitive teeth and had to take a break once in a while.  After that the orthodontist RE-grinds or polishes all the teeth (FOR THE LOVE!!).  Then X-rays and pictures and boom, done for a while.

This is the tragedy that befell me in between appointments.....HERE.  Or just read the next post which I did from my phone earlier in the day.  

When I came back I put in my retainers and couldn't get the bottom one off.  My frustration must have shown because the assistant asked me if I felt like I was suffocating.  Good times.  She had to get it out.  Tomorrow morning should be interested.  
Then I was waiting to get my picture with the orthodontist - because that is how it's done - and he decided to touch up my front teeth a little with shaping and a buffer.  I can't really complain, he is a perfectionist and I LOVE my teeth.  

This is after all the shaping, etc.

I know this day was replete with FWP (first world problems) but their my problems dang it!!  In the end it was a wonderful day - my tongue is a little sore from digging at my permanent retainers, but that should pass soon.  I have to learn to chew again, I keep catching my tongue and the sides of my cheeks.  

Not to dismiss my daily exercise - I did have a Pilate's mixed class tonight.  It was a lot of legs and we used the Reformer and bosu ball.  Tomorrow an early morning run!  

Smiles all around!!

CHEESE.  

Anyone remember that scene in Datenight with Steve Carrel and Tina Fey where he mentions about having sex as they are going to bed?  Well, Tina Fey  then starts taking out her retainer and spit is getting everywhere.  So sexy.

I picture that as my life.  Hahaha.

Blog on...............

Whatever.

Whatever.  what?  
Today was a whatever day.  I worked yesterday a long 12 hours in the hospital ICU and it kicked my butt!  I didn't even feel like I got everything done.  Busy Busy Busy!  I was signed up for today, but I am used only as the last person to cover, unless they need my skills.  I have some skills.  After the ICU has found all the help they can from the hospital, if they still need help then I get to be utilized.  Yesterday was awesome, but I was so tired.  I was pretty glad they didn't use me.  I finally rolled out of bed around 9-10ish. I then spent many hours doing a lot of not much.  I could not get motivated and I was tired and cranky.  I try to keep my feet in shoes which help my plantar fasciitis heal.  I have inside shoes.  I wear them with my grammy jammies.

I actually don't even wear jammy bottoms to bed, just a t- shirt or tank.  I wish I could wear awesome, cute matching pajamas but I always gravitate to the most comfortable.  These pants barely stay up and they are super soft.  They are also IZOD.  Boom. Designer.

I knew I wanted to go run.  I still had one more relaxed run to do before I can dive into half marathon training.  Tomorrow is 2 weeks after my steroid shot.  Once I started moving I was feeling much better.  Really ready to clear my head and do what runners love, run.

Drove to a great parkway in town that goes from one side to the other.  I even remembered to stretch my feet/legs.  Of course I was taking all kinds of pictures while I stretched.  I took off and ended up running 6 miles at a perfectly relaxing pace.  

Same tree.  One on the left was before my run and the one on the right after.  Sun was starting to go down and it was absolutely beautiful.  The blue sky and around 80 degrees with a slight breeze!

Last run with braces.  Taking a cool down picture in front of my awesome car, Manny.  

After my run I went to WinCo.  Wow.  I do love that place for the most part.  I bought a package of chicken breasts and each full breast was over 2 lbs!  I was making soup and it called for 6 chicken breasts, I used one and it was plenty. Now I have over 2 lbs of chicken breast in the fridge to use tomorrow!  

I decided to try the Chicken and Lime Tortilla soup that one of my race mates had posted on her blog and on Facebook.

Recipe here

See that breast?  I am impressed.  (poet - teehee)  

I misread the recipe and added just a little too much chipotle in adobo sauce for me, so it was a little too hot.  Other then that, the recipe was amazing and I'll make it again and just cut down on the heat!  Fresh cilantro and lime then cutting up an avocado to put in after.  YUMMY!

Have you ever gone for a run, not for training but mostly because you are just unhappy and need to pull it together??

What is your favorite soup?

Do you have a pair of jammies you LOVE?

TOMORROW:   It's BRACES off day!!!  woot woot!!

Blog on...........

Great run!

I did it.  My first run after the Ragnar and a cortisone shot.  I planned on an easy three - I made it four miles and enjoyed every minute of it!  I started really slow but once I corrected my form, leaned forward and held my head up high I felt great!  I ran one minute faster per mile without any increase in effort.  I kept my cadence high and with the perfect weather I felt amazing!  I reviewed in my head how good the Napa run was and how great I felt about my accomplishments.  I real inspirational run!

The park was looking absolutely perfect.

Even the "alleged" homeless man was taking a wonderful nap.  Or passed out, either way it was a great day!

Wore my new Lululemon!  I had to wear a more substantial bra under the tank but still loved it.  I started with a long sleeve half zip but tossed it back in the care after the first round.

With the pants.  I was trying to get a full body to send to Tera.  Not because the clothes make me look better but how the clothes look period.

Here is the sweaty finish pic.  After this run I finally washed my hair.  When I have it de-grayed (colored) it goes almost a week without getting too gross. 

I might have gone a day too long this time. 

BEST NEWS EVER!!

One week until those nasty braces come off!!  With all the wires and elastics around all the brackets it's impossible to show a white pearly smile.  Not to mention the hours I spend a day trying to keep the food out of the wires.  The pain is pretty much over, but I'm done.  I get them off next Tuesday and can't wait to smile without getting my top lip stuck on the brackets.

Last time I worked I was helping push the wheels down on a stretcher and pulled my right groin muscle.  It was a little sore and I could tell that I did it. When I did my BarrEvo class it didn't bother me at all and even with my Pilates I totally forgot about it.  After about 1/2 mile running I could tell it was there.  It made sure I was aware of it through out my run.  I really stretched it out after the run and it feels fine.  Funny how it just came up again with running.  I don't even know how to treat a groin muscle. Do you ice it?  Get a massage?  Awkward.  haha

Have you ever had any injuries that you can't even tell are there until you start your run?

I had a knee injury a few years ago that felt great until about the 5th step into a run

What is your favorite running outfit?

I have too  many!

When you are feeling awesome about running, what sort of thoughts do you have?

Blog on.............

Hot and Lazy

Since I have been home from work last Tuesday, Matt has been in California working.  Even though I miss my husband, I have been enjoying the lazy days.  All my workout clothes thrown on the bed with my favorite blanket and computer.  I laid in bed a lot and browsed the Internet, snacked and napped.  It was a good recovery from that long stretch of flying.

I did manage to clean things up before Matt got home tonight.  I hate coming home to a messy house and so I try to have things cleaned up before he comes home from out of town.  The black spots on the carpet by my bed? That is Ted hair.  We vacuumed 3 times today.  We have brushed him over and over again.  Poor guy.  Poor vacuum.

Another look at Audrey3.  I put a bungee cord up for her to grow along the porch.  We'll see if that works.  I'm pretty sure it won't hold a pumpkin, but I like to see how far it will grow.  I'm fascinated by how big it is!!  Nothing we planted in the garden is busting out like this.  Maybe I should plant my garden in the front flower beds?

Left a little later then I wanted to this morning, but I made it to Liberty Park to do my speed work.  I did Yasso 800 Speed work.  When it comes to running and training it seems that everyone has an opinion.  I've read that they are a waste of time and don't predict anything.  As far as speed work, I love them!  I can push myself without dying.  I am up to 6 X 800. The way I do them is I warm up with a 1/2 (which is 800 meters) mile walk/jog and then run as a pretty good pace for 1/2 mile.  My training pace calculations put me at an 800 meter time of 4:20.  Today I did anywhere from 4:02 to 4:45. After each one I walk for a bit and then slow jog for 1/2 mile.  I finished my 6 miles with an average 11 min/miles for my recovery and around 8:30 for my 800's.  Not too shabby and I burned 612 calories.  Woot Woot!

Today after my 2nd 800, I really needed to pee.  I passed the restrooms when I was running an 800 and I thought I'd make it around again.  Not so much!  The park is big and has wonderful running and bike paths.  About the time I finished my 800 I knew I needed to hit the pottie.  I walked through a short cut to the bathrooms but alas, I'm getting old and barely made it.  Meaning I peed my pants a little.  TMI?  I wouldn't want any other runners who have this happen think that it is totally unheard of.  Luckily it wasn't too much so I finished my run then got home to shower - instead of running errands.  No one wants to smell like pee!!!

It was definitely a beautiful day!  It was almost 90 degrees, but this park has awesome water fountains and I was able to stay hydrated and kept pouring water on my head.  Love the dry heat!

By the time I finished I was hot!  You can't tell in my pic, but I'm pretty wet with sweat.  That worry wrinkle really bothered me when I took the pic, but now that I look at it again, it's not too bad!  At least the braces come off in 3 months.  That will feel so good!  

I came home to shower and do some housework.  It helps to have some music to jam to.

This is the cable that is attached to our stereo/DVD player in the living room.  It's definitely old, but it works and I hate spending money for something just because it's newer.  Unless it's running shoes...of course!!  

Matt gave me a new iPod Nano for my birthday this year.  I find it almost too small.  I need to get a wrist holder so I can quit dropping it.  Trying to hold it and change songs etc, I feel like Zoolander with his little phone!  (great movie BTW)  I took this picture because it's funny how tiny the iPod is and how huge the cable is.  It works great!  

Shootings:

Most of today has been spent rehashing the shootings in Colorado.  Lots of posts on Twitter and Facebook addressing the tragedy.  It is horrible.  Unfortunately I see tragedy way too often.  This is just bigger proportions.  The family that looses a loved one to an accident, sudden illness or a personal attack hurts just as much, but society is a little complacent about these deaths.  Victims who die because they were hit by a drunk driver do not get news channels everywhere to proclaim that alcohol should be banned.  

Accountability cannot be legislated and neither can kindness and compassion. We can only do our best to be kind and compassionate and hope that our Karma is catchy.  

I really could go on and on..but it really is just my view of the world.  Someday I will post on my views on politics.  Maybe. 

Sending peace and love to all the victims and families of tragedy.  All of them.

Blog on...............

Damn it's hot!

What a weekend!!  I made it through and at this time I am re-hydrating.  

It started out with the Taylorsville Dayzz 5K with Paul, Susan and Lesa (Susan's sister).  It was a great time!  I was slow, but it was really hot.  

Before - with the group - and after.

The rest of day was spent getting a massage and going to a Mac cosmetic party.  From their I went to Amie"s house.  There is no pictures, but there was drinking and laughing and seeing all the "kids" from camping that I don't get to see very often.  I finally saw Katarina (Kat), Ashley, Karly and Camille.  I ended up at Lisa's house and woke up on their couch (another post).  I hate those mornings. I actually wasn't sure where I was for a minute and then figured it out.  I felt like SHIT all day Sunday and definitely paid for my indulgence.  I even ate pasta in the morning.  

Let's just say, I woke up this morning so ready to get back to my weird healthy running lifestyle.  My party days are numbered.  I did have a great time though!  I could hardly move for 24 hours, but I'm now up and around.  Just a little dizzy still.  I'm sorry Liver....so sorry.  Don't let Pancreas get angry with me!

Laying at the Orthodontist office this morning.  It's been ONE year and I only have 3 months to go.  You can hardly see my braces in the picture above.

We are now in "elastic" mode.   It's gonna HURT!  So worth it.

Dr. Sorbonne checking other patients.  I really like his work.  It's casual Monday today.  

NEW compression socks!!  So Orange and so comfy.  Love them, love them, love them.  I can't wait to get a matching outfit and wear them in a race!

Blog on................