Kansas City Half Marathon

So on the 13th of October, I packed up the baby, a suitcase and a backpack full of movies and we headed off to Kansas City. I was very excited and quite scared to be doing my first half marathon, but I was excited to be able to do it with family.

Traveling was uneventful. Oh! Except that on NO of our 4 flights were we assigned to sit together. What? She's 2! Sometimes we were on completely different rows. Most of the time we both had window seats on the same row. It was quite annoying. And no matter how early we got to the gate, they couldn't seem to figure it out. People were nice about sliding over, though. Especially when I would say "Hey,I don't mind if she sits over there, You can watch her for me!" That got them moving in a hurry.

Oh, and because my child is 95% potty trained (on some days. On other days she's only about 25%. She chooses her compliance level based on if there is something better to do, anger at a punishment she has to endure, blood sugar level and her desire to piss me off. I'm not kidding on that last one.) I didn't have her wearing a diaper on the plane. It was never ever a problem, until I tried to take her to the bathroom in the airport before we left, and I didn't take her pants off all the way, and you know the rest. Baby with legs in awkward position + placed near edge of bowl = arc of pee shooting out of her and covering her pants. Totally my fault. But we had to get on the plane, so with a little wipe down and some heavy blotting we were on our way (yes, I forgot to bring a change of clothes. Again, my fault. If I had been better prepared this would've been a non-issue)

She never peed her pants on the plane. Why should she when we went to the bathroom a minimum of 4 times on every plane ride! Because plane bathrooms are so fun! They smell like a latrine and are so closely cramped, but yes! let's go again!

Once we got to Kansas city, it took me less than 24 hours to offend my sister in law. BOO-YAH!! I'm pretty good at that. Not like I *TRY* to offend her, but I know I can be judgmental sometimes. And I am pretty easy to read, and I have a big mouth. So basically, I would be surprised if I DIDN'T offend her. But luckily my sister in law is one of my favorite people on this early and so easy to talk to, and so quick to forgive and make you see why you are such an ass. And I always learn something new and important from her every time we talk. Lesson for the day: Don't raise your children for the approval of others. If you raise your children to the eyes of everyone around you, you will have morally confused children who can see your hypocrisy. If you feel like you are doing something with your kids just so outsiders don't look down on you, you might need to re-think it. It was a good time.

My sister Julie arrived 2 days later. She and her husband drove from Texas, and they got there just in time to go pick up our packets from the race coordinators. They had a whole bunch of fun stuff to see and buy. Disney was there pimping their marathon through Disney World. And that sounded like fun! My sister in law said she thought about doing that some year in the future. And I think that would be so much fun to do as a family again. I would do the half marathon, of course, but to be there and then enjoy Disney World after the race would be great, I'm thinking. I'm just dreaming, of course, but I think it would be a great goal.

I resisted the urge to buy anything, and so I went home and started getting really nervous for the race. And I mean really really nervous. My sister in law started laughing at me that night because I was just so stressed about what to wear. Should I wear a jacket? But I know it will be warm, I don't want to run with it around my waist with the zipper slapping me for 10 miles. What about gloves? Will I need them at the beginning? I didn't bring a good shirt to wear. What will I wear? Seriously, it was nuts. I was going nuts. She thought it was funny. Mostly because marathons (and half marathons) are nothing for her now. And she hardly even trained for this one! She just thought it was funny to see me all anxious and worrying.

So the next morning, I woke up and put my 10 year old niece in my bed and locked her and my baby in there. She was to be my primary babysitter, and she was great. Actually, all of the girls were great with the Bibbs. And Kyrie got to wipe her butt after an especially big poo. My kid will bend over and stick her bum in the air for you to wipe her. You don't even have to ask. The kids thought that was great! Anyway, they all babysat my girl while I ran.

And now, a sad story. Because my brother had Volleyball games on that day, and we needed Julie's husband to be at home with the girls in case something happened and he needed to drive someone to the hospital, this meant that there was no one to cheer us on and take pictures of us at the end of the race. (or during) But I got a few pictures before the race. While we were sitting in the car preparing.


Where did Julie go? Ahhh, she was bending down. And Tina is typing on the phone probably saying "We are leaving our phones now. Talk to you in 3 hours". But then they were ready for the next one:
Ohh, not a good one of me! A LOT of double chin action going on. We all looked at this picture and decided that we needed another one.

SCARY EYES!! ALICIA IS DEMENTED! SHE WILL RUN HER RACE. . .AND THEN TAKE YOUR SOUL! And then I decided that I should stop looking at each pictures after I take it, and just keep snapping pictures. And so I did:

This is the best BEST of Tina and Julie. But I'm halfway gone. . .And I still have some crazy eyes. . .or some crazy eye, I should say.

Tina is looking half squinty. And I have a weird tip on the end of my nose. But I think this is the best of all of us. The best I could get. But why stop there?
Me with more double chin, and Julie looking off at something else in the distance. Maybe looking at where we SHOULD be? Like at the race?














And now Tina is just laughing because it is getting ridiculous. And somehow the flash got turned on to make me look all Casper-like. But we were having a good time. Everyone has a good time before the race STARTS, right?

We tried to stand in line for the potty. But we realized that people were cutting in front of us, and we all were only semi-dedicated to peeing. So we walked away like 2 min before the starting gun went off. We all laughed later that we were all willing to go before the race, but we never bothered to stop and pee DURING the race. I guess the nerves made the need not so great once we got started.

And start we did! Tina ditched us before we even crossed the starting line, but we thought she would. She turned around and said "see ya in a couple of hours!" and she was off. And Julie and I started slow and slowly. But we had a good time! We got to chat with one another all the way until about the mile 10 1/2. Then she felt like she was going too slow and she was cramping up, so she went ahead. The funny thing is that she didn't go THAT much faster and I could see her up until about mile 12 or 13. I think she only finished a few minutes ahead of me. They had bands playing music along the trail, and people had signs and noise makers to cheer you along. It really was a fun time

The Kansas City Half Marathon is HARD. It's up and down about 45 hills. No joke! If you aren't running up, then you are running down. There are very few level places. The last mile is ROUGH. Especially for me because I didn't know where we were going. If I had known where we were and when we would turn I think I could've done better that last mile. Especially because you tend to get down on yourself when the marathon runner passes you. (happened for me on mile 12.5). I'm happy that I finished in just over 2 1/2 hours.

Anyway, I'm going to wrap this post up. Tina tried to run back to get the camera at the car so she could photograph us. And she made it! But then the camera was on "play" not "take" pictures so it didn't happen. But we took a picture after the race of Julie and I together! Which Julie accidentally deleted. BOOO. I told you the picture situation was a sad story.

We went right home after the race, because I had a baby that I needed to get back to, and we all needed some good food. I think next time I would like my family to be there at the finish line for me and we can stay around and see what all there is going on at the party. But I'm not sad I went home. My body needed rest! I got a well deserved Thai meal later that night, and then the rest of my time there was a vacation!

I had a great time, and I loved being with my family and just making a goal and finishing it. I definitely have another one in me, but I don't know how soon I will do it.

Thanks for reading, people!

P.S. They had people taking pictures along the trail, and you can buy them. But I am cheep. I have the sore muscles and the memories of my first half marathon. I don't think I need much else. But here are some of the horrible grainy shots: I'm in the yellow shirt and gray pants behind tank-top girl.





















If you want to see more pictures of me running, I think for a limited time you can go to this link:

http://www.backprint.com/view_user_event.asp?S=20&PID=bp%18yG&EVENTID=72309&PWD=&BIB=7573

There you can see bigger MUCH better pictures than what I've blown up here.

Dear Egg Nog. . .

I happily welcome your Holiday return. I passed you today in the store and I bought not one, but TWO of you. One of you (the pumpkin flavored one) has already been opened and I have have been enjoying your straight from the carton. We are such good friends, (nay I say lovers?) that there is no need to kid ourselves with the pretense of a glass.

I will weep when you leave me again when the holiday season ends. But we both know that you will be back. There is no denying what we have together.

I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early.

Love,
Your Alicia

A Fashion Question

So I have this skirt that I FINALLY fit into again. But it's kind of a light cream/pale pale pale yellow. It's linen, and looks more like a neutral color, but with a hint of yellow. It's an H&M skirt which I LOVE just because I bought it in NY right after my mission, but also because it was what I was wearing when I saw my husband for the first time after my mission and the first time I kissed him. Oh, and he asked me to marry him when I was wearing it. So, it's basically a magic skirt. For both of us.

My question, is it too late in the year to wear it? It is definitely more of a spring/summer skirt. But it probably won't fit me next spring/summer. So can I still wear it now? I worked really hard to fit into it, but it only fit me too late in the summer season.

I leave the debate up you you, my friends. I have no fashion sense at all. As can be seen by the fact that I am currently wearing jeans I purchased at D.I. and a shade undershirt that I found in the back of my closet and is probably 5 or 6 years old. So, basically I'm dirty and nasty.

If you say I have to wait, I will. I mean, I've waited 4+ years now, what's one more, right?

What is the oldest piece of clothing you still wear on a regular basis? OR What is the one piece of clothing you keep or have kept in hopes that you will someday fit into?

I've learned my lesson this time. . . . I SWEAR

I do it every time. I say, "This time I'm sure it will be different. This time it won't be so bad. It was an accident, this isn't the norm. I just need to change how I approach the situation, and then everything will be better." But I've finally accepted the truth. And I'm not going back. That's right. I'm breaking up with you, Cafe Rio.

Every time I go there no matter what I eat, I always end up regretting it. I regret it as I'm eating it, and then for the next 12-48 hours. There is no food there that I can eat and the feel good about myself later. It's not the fattiness of the food, per se. It's just the essence, the flavor, the lingering nastiness. And I'm done with it.

So, if you ever suggest that we go to Cafe Rio for lunch or dinner, the answer will be "sure! I'll meet you there and I'll bring my own food to eat while you eat that sludge they call a meal"

I nearly vomited a little in my mouth just writing this post. And you should know that it's been 5 days since I had my last horrible experience there. But that's how long it stays with me. But I'm seriously staying away this time! I'm super SUPER SERIAL!

Can you smell the SPICE?

After the rain last Saturday, I went outside only to discover the air smelled like fall. Not just of chill and damp air, but SPICY. It smelled like cloves, cinnamon, allspice, ginger. I thought maybe someone in my apartment complex was just burning a pumpkin pie candle (or making zucchini bread or something like that) but the smell was found all around town as I ran errands that day. It made me really hungry for a pumpkin shake! Or a pumpkin doughnut!

Like I said before, I'm excited for fall this year. And even for winter, I guess. Something different. It's almost felt like it's been summer for too long. (I know! Who would've thought I could EVER think that?)

Today when I went running at 6am it was raining. It was so delicious and cool. It kept me at the perfect temperature and the run went really well despite the fact that I was soaking. I would give other people running in the rain the head-nod of understanding. "Either you love running in the rain as much as I do, or you are also training for some race" I would think. And then I would think to myself, "Hey girl, you should loose the windbreaker. You aren't doing yourself any favors. Just let the rain soak you. Enjoy it! And then go home and take a warm bath"

I know that's what I plan on doing right now.

Right after I experience some zills, that is.

Just a few things

I love my husband. On most nights he lets the baby climb in bed and snuggle next to him and lets me sleep. Sometimes he'll poke me and tell me to take her back and put her into bed, and I am happy to do it! It's nearly impossible to pick her up while she's sleeping on your bicep. I know, I've tried it. And he's so good to let his arm fall asleep for her comfort.

And every Friday night he makes sure that he takes care of her 100% so I can get up early and run. He's so good about that. I'm lucky I have a husband that doesn't mind our baby sleeping in bed with us for a few hours every night. And I'm just lucky that she's sleeping when she comes into bed with us! She used to try to play when she would get up at 1 am, which would result in a fight and then putting her back into bed over and over again (up to 3 hours of it) but now she just crawls in bed and falls back asleep within seconds. I do consider myself lucky. Especially because some nights I will wake up and say to Marcelo "Oh, she slept the whole night in her bed!" and he'll say, "uh, no." :) Now THAT'S a good husband.

On a negative note, I am SOOOO angry when people don't return their books to the library on time! I'm sure I've already ranted about this, but it's SO annoying to see the due date online (the 30th) but nothing. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THIS BOOK FOR MONTHS, PEOPLE!! TAKE IT BACK ON TIME!!! If you want to know, yes, I take back all my books on time. Furthermore, when it is an especially "coveted" book, I try to make sure it is returned within a week. And if it is a book on CD, I return it the SAME DAY. I think they should give certain people special "24 hour club" status. And they have to return certain books within 24 hours. And if they abide by the rules of the club, they get to keep their membership. I think I will suggest that in the library "suggestions box" the next time I go.

I'm running a half marathon in 2 weeks. I'm quite nervous about it, but I've been training and I should be ready for it. My sister in law, sister, brother in law, and maybe a few cousins will be there to support me and some will run it with me. Well, I don't think they will run "with me" but they will be running in it as well. It's in Kansas City, and it's expensive. Not the race so much, but the airplane tickets, the shoes, the socks, and the band aids for my bloody nipples all add up! (I'm kidding about the bloody nipples part. I think that only happens to men). I'm very lucky that my brother and his family are putting up with me for such a long time (To find the best price, so I had to stay a full week) but I'm going to make it up to them. I'm going to teach my nieces the patented "Judd Fall" which you know will make them the most popular kids in school. And I'll show my nephews the awesome dance moves I just learned on "IASIP"

So that's what's been going on in my life. I hoped I could put a post about how I reached my goal weight, but I cannot. My body HAAAAATES me. Seriously, I'm practically starving it to death and it refuses to drop .2 pounds. I'm not kidding you, I'm .2 pounds away from reaching my goal, and it just won't do it. I guess that tells me that I need to make a lower goal. So now I can say I don't have to lose just .2 pounds, but 25.2 pounds. So when you look at it like that, it's not so miserable that that last little bit won't come off.

















So let's hope that my long run today will have some effects on the scale in the upcoming days. Here's Hoping!

Welcome Fall

For some reason this year, I'm looking forward to fall. Maybe it's the change that is coming. Maybe it's because I have lots of plans for next year and I'm excited to get them going. Maybe it's because I'm looking forward to Christmas and spending it with our little family and our beautiful tree. (Seriously, our tree is freaking gorgeous. You should come over just to ooooh and awwww and then go home and look at your inferior tree and feel sorry for yourself. COME ANYTIME!) (har har)

I really don't know what it is, but I'm excited for fall. Leave, apples and pears, pumpkins, Halloween, snow, snow skiing (maybe I'll get Marcelo to try snowboarding this year) and then the new year! I'm just excited for the changes.

Maybe it's because I turn 30 this year. 30 seemed so far off when I was 12. I mean, 16 was conceivable. 20? A little bit harder, but still dream-able. I don't think I ever thought about what it would mean to be in my 30's!! And now that it is here, I can't say that I'm sad. I think it's great, and I'm happy with the way things are going.

For the most part. I still have lots of things I want to do. And I'm excited for those things to happen someday. Nothing ever stays the same.

Changes. Don't you love it? WELCOME FALL!!