Category Archives: Just my Thoughts

2 February 2012

Comfort Zone

By Nicki

Today I stepped out of my comfort zone – way out of it.

I follow the Pittsburgh Marathon on Twitter. I am planning, as soon as I have the money, on registering for the marathon on May 6th. I am hoping they do not sell out before then. So today I applied to be a pacer.

I have run two marathons. I have not hit my goal on either one. I have, though, come extremely close to my goal for each of them. Both had weather issues that affected my run but are not the reason I did not hit my goals. I am the reason.

I have learned a lot since the last marathon in October. I have picked up my pace. I am training better than I remember from my first three attempts at marathon training (the first attempt saw me training but getting closed out of running due to not registering in time). I love to encourage others to meet their goals. I am a fairly outgoing person. In my mind, I am who I would want leading my pace group.

I did not sign up for any great race pace. I applied to pace the 5:30 group. If I ran Pittsburgh in 5:30, it would be a PR but one that I am anticipating. I actually would like to finish closer to or under 5 hours but am willing to run this race at a 5:30 pace. The average pace would be a 12:30 mile. That is not my pace currently but I could run at that pace. I am faster than that.

I have not run the course that is the Pittsburgh Marathon but I have run in Pittsburgh previously.

Guess I wait now. If I get the cash I am hoping for, I will register. I can always get a refund if I am chosen as a pace.

4 comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Fitness, Just my Thoughts

27 January 2012

Mr. Gingrich

By Nicki

What makes Newt Gingrich electable? While Mr. Gingrich is known, and has proven that he still is, as a great debater, being able to deflect rhetoric and talk in a controlled environment does not indicate someone who is able to govern a country. Gingrich would respond with the fact that he did govern when he was in Congress. I will not deny that but also know that one of the most charismatic presidents in recent history was in the White House at the same time, meaning that governing was not all on the House.

In South Carolina, only one state I know, Mr. Gingrich took an overwhelming victory in the GOP primary. Surprisingly, he won over almost all different categories of voters, including evangelicals. These would be Christians. Yet, Gingrich has been married three times and divorced twice. He has admitted to having an extra-marital affair with Mrs. Gingrich Number 3 while still being married to Mrs. Gingrich Number 2. This is adultery and not something most Christians believe in or tolerate. I do believe Mr. Gingrich when he says he has sought forgiveness on the wrongs he has done. I do believe in second chances. I do believe in private matters – politician or not. I also believe that some private matters shed light on character.

My guess is that a lot of voters believe that a debate will decide who wins the White House in November. Since no one party holds a majority of the voters or voters do not always vote along party lines, both President Obama and the GOP nominee – whomever that may be – need to be able to appeal to the independents and to the other party. I am a Christian, though not an evangelical. I am a woman. I have followed politics since I was 12. I am registered in a political party – meaning I am not an independent – though I have only twice, since I have been able to vote for president, voted for a nominee of one of the two major parties.

What do all of these statements mean? One, both Obama and the Republican nominee had best hope that a viable third party candidate does not appear. Two, whoever wins will have to have more than a good debate. Three, the ability to appeal to both independents and those who are not in “your” party will play the most decisive part in who will win come November.

Do you follow politics? Do you only follow once it is a general election? Do you vote on party lines?

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26 January 2012

Moderation

By Nicki

On Sunday, January 22, Bob Schieffer did a commentary on definitions during his 30 minute Face the Nation program. Earlier in the program, he spoke at length with South Carolina primary winner Newt Gingrich. The commentary did not reflect on Speaker Gingrich but was about politics.

Schieffer discussed the labels used in politics: moderate, liberal, conservative. I sat laughing as I readied to go for a run. Schieffer pointed out that moderate, by definition, may actually be what the nation needs or is really looking for in a president. Conservative, despite many who are called that using the word moderate as a derogative term, is defined as moderate in point of view.

What one word is used in both politics and health care, yet with extremely different meanings? Moderate or moderation. Do we not want to eat those rich foods in moderation? Yet, it seems we do not want – according to the recent name calling during the GOP primary process – a presidential nominee that is moderate in point of view.

If a candidate can communicate a moderate point of view on most issues, my guess is that will appeal to more people that a democratic or republican point of view on issues.

http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf

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25 January 2012

Hydration Goal

By Nicki

There are so many ways that dehydration effects people. Unfortunately, we are all more or less dehydrated. During warm months, I do not find it hard to be sure that I am getting enough fluids. Once the heat leaves – which can be any time after mid-September – and is gone to stay, I find it much harder to stay hydrated.

I have noticed, just lately, that I feel sluggish and have had issues with headaches. Because of this one of my big goals for this year is to be sure that I stay hydrated. Just drinking water is one way but when the wind chill outside is below zero, it is hard to convince myself that I want to have a bottle of cold – or even room temperature – water. In the cold months I do drink a lot of herbal teas which do count as hydrating as they are not caffeinated. I just cannot possible drink enough.

Let’s take a recent eight mile run. It was in the 20s outside, even though the sun was shining. I took 16 ounces of water with me on the run and did not finish the entire water until after returning home and showering. Not having water during the run did not prevent me from perspiring. My shirt layer closest to me was totally drenched with sweat when I removed it. Now some of this could have been overdressing but I doubt it as I was not hot at all during the run. The point is that I was sweating but not necessarily, even throughout the remainder of the day, replacing the fluids I lost.

I am making a separate hydration goal of at least 70 ounces of water during these dry winter months on top of whatever other fluids I take in during the day. This will be difficult for me but I will attempt to keep up and will try to post weekly how I do.

Do you stay hydrated? How much water do you drink in a day? Does it vary by season?

3 comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Fitness, Just my Thoughts

20 January 2012

Get Lighter!

By Nicki

Get lighter!! This is the motto for 2012…lighter, lighter, lighter. We can all do it. And, it will apply to all different parts of our lives. See my goals for this new year.

Body/Fitness/Health


Lose 25 pounds.

My son is getting married in August so ultimately, I would love to have this goal achieved by the end of August but taking all 12 months is probably best. As I have written about many times, I have lost approximately 60 pounds to date. In October of 2010, I came within 8 pounds of my goal weight but I have put a little back on so if I lose 25 pounds, I will be at approximately the middle of “healthy” weight for my height and body/frame size.

Run at least one race a month February through December.


Truly, the possibility exists that I will run a race a month including January but I am not totally into the January race potential. I do believe, whether I include January or not, I will run 15 races in 2012. The tentative race list is coming any day now.

Home/Living Arrangements


New Living Room Furniture


I cannot tell you the last time I had new living room furniture. I will not be buying brand new this year. I will, though, get slip covers for the love seat and the oversized chair. It is possible I may add one new piece to the seating furniture. I may also add a new television but that is far off and may be an addition at the end of the year as I first need to get a few other things off the list.

Bedroom


Declutter all surfaces and the floor of my bedroom. Get rid of things that are not being used. See if it is possible to keep all the Clean Eating magazines in the bookcase as they are truly cookbooks. Try to giveaway the stamping magazines that are not wanted to keep.

Garage


Declutter the garage. Keep only those things that are usable now. Get rid of all baby clothing except those few outfits with sentimental meaning. Get rid of childhood toys. Sell toy box on Craig’s List.

Bedroom Closet


As part of the lovely farmhouse, my closet is one of the only ones in the house. I have clothing in there that belonged to my ex and need to get rid of those. I also have clothing in there that will never be worn again – hopefully – as it is too big for me. I want to clean it all out and giveaway what I can. If there is something that can be sold, I will do that also.

If you want to get lighter in 2012, please join me by posting how in the comments.

6 comments   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Just my Thoughts

19 January 2012

By the Numbers

By Nicki

I realize that my year in review talked about my running last year. Then, I finally got some stats from last year via email from Dailymile.com (thanks, guys!). I now can look at this second full year of running and racing from a numbers point of view. Having always been very good at math, I like numbers.

I had 334 workouts last year. This included race days. Now, I did have several days where I would have two or three workouts. I know that sounds crazy but prior to my February marathon, I was swimming three mornings a week and going to kickboxing three mornings a week. Those workouts did not deter me from running on two of those days each week, at least. That basically means if I had one workout a day, I only took off one month the entire year. Since I had my first running injury this past year, I know that I did take off more than one month of rest but those double and triple workout days helped.

Strangely enough, January and August were my biggest mileage months. Both were in the 160’s. Neither were as high as August of 2010 when I hit 194 miles. I am unsure why this year seemed to be less miles in those big months. January of 2011 was cold and snowing but was the last big month prior to my first marathon so I got those miles in. I did some of it inside but the majority of it was outside. August of 2011 included a 5K race and two half marathons ten days apart. All three races were personal records.

The other odd thing for me to look at is that I had three months that were under 100 miles. I do not know why I trailed off at the end of the year. Maybe I was finally tired. Maybe I was just realizing I needed to let the muscles recover. I don’t know but I am hoping to not see that again.

I ended 2011 with 1331 miles on my legs. I had started the year with the goal of running a race a month. While I did not run a race each month, I did run 13 race throughout the year with August being the biggest racing month with three races covering 29.3 miles. My secondary goal was to reach 1500 miles. It took three years of having 1000 miles as a goal to reach it so to come within 169 miles of the 1500 mile goal on the first try is good for me. Had those last three months hit 100 miles, it is possible I would have hit that goal.

Off to make my 2012 goals!

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18 January 2012

Weather and Health

By Nicki

Winter weather has finally hit the area I live in. By last year, the school was running out of snow days and the number of two hour delays that had occurred were plentiful. Districts in my area were wondering what they were going to do with February, which is routinely a worse month than January.

This year is just the opposite. We seem to be getting the cold weather – the highs at my home yesterday did not reach double digits, putting a real squash on my running outside – but not the precipitation. And even the temperatures seem to be on a ping pong table, bouncing between below average and above average. We have seldom had two or three days of average temperatures in a row.

Unfortunately, the weather is taking its toll on my household. My youngest is still finishing his senior year of high school. For some obscure reason, his bedroom seems to be the coldest in the house. This is extremely odd as my bedroom is larger and is an addition to the house and built on a concrete slab. He thinks he is getting an ear infection. He got one last winter when we had an extremely cold – below zero overnights – snap. I have done everything I can to help him prevent this infection, if indeed he has one. I have reminded him to put a hat on when he goes outside. I have suggested he sleep upstairs in his brother’s bed as this particular brother is at college. I have suggested various clothing, as alternatives to what he chooses to wear. I have also suggested certain foods – mostly those that the average high school student would prefer to not eat.

What do you do when you feel a child is getting ill? Do you immediately call a medical professional or do you attempt to use some holistic methods to prevent or “cure” illness?

 

6 comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Family, Just my Thoughts

17 January 2012

2012 GOP Primary

By Nicki

I have been watching the GOP presidential primaries and caucuses with interest. I am not a registered Republican. I do find the primary/caucus/nomination process amazing, though. I am particularly interested in this year’s GOP as there is an incumbent president of the opposing party who is running for reelection.

I realize that as a country we encourage anyone to run for elected office. Each state has its own threshold for getting a name on the ballot for the primary or caucus that is held in that state. While some of these hoops that need to be jumped through are high, most are reachable with a small organization.

What amazes me – particularly with the GOP the last two election cycles – is the massive number of initial candidates! Is it really necessary to have 8 to 12 choices? Can there possibly be that many varying views within the party. On top of that, can it possibly be good for the general election to have your candidates dragged through the mud by their own peers prior to that time?

I realize this process is not solely the property of the GOP. This particular election cycle, though, it is and it seems worse than in previous years. While there are not 12 GOP members trying to run the gamut of primaries and caucuses, the negativity started with Iowa – which started earlier than previous years due to wanting to be first. To the only slightly trained political eye that is mine, it seemed that the GOP had decided who was going to win the primaries and caucuses to become the party’s nominee before the actual voting began. Due to this unspoken nominee, the negativity came out first thing. Rather than waiting and letting the opposing party vet the negativity on the nominee, the other, non-ordained GOP candidates seem to be doing the Democrats’ jobs of picking apart each of the possibilities, including those who have little chance of being the party’s nominee.

Does the primary/caucus process seem more negative this year, already? Do you even pay attention prior to the general election cycle?

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11 January 2012

The Unplugged Life

By Nicki

I have been trying an unplugged life. This type of living is very odd for me. Let me explain.

Back in October, I gave up on Time Warner. We no longer have the digital phone or the broadband internet or cable television. This has been a hard thing to adjust to for me. I didn’t realize how much I depended on cable television. With a digital converter and an antenna, we can manage to get about seven stations at my home. Major networks – CBS and Fox. I do not watch a lot of Fox. What I miss is CNN and the Weather Channel. I also missed a lot of holiday specials that I would watch and holiday movies. Worse than those, I am missing some college sports that I love and hockey. There is no hockey on any of the channels I can get via the airwaves. I cannot, though, justify the cost of that bill each month.

The digital phone is more an inconvenience for those who are trying to reach me. I do not keep my cell phone charged on a regular basis. I also do not manage to remember to take it with me places. People cannot call me or get a hold of me easily. My children – most of them adults – can be reached at the drop of a hat, though. They always have their phones on their persons.

Internet, though, is a tough on for all of us. Some of the kids have smart phones so those are okay for internet access. Not all of them have these. My work is internet dependent. I have taken to working at coffee shops or, strange as this may sound, McDonald’s or Barnes and Noble. All have free wi-fi and I can do my work or email work to clients this way.

Is this an ideal life for me? No. Is this what I need to do at this point in time? Yes. I have not been to a location to be online in over a week. I am heading out to check email, mail work to clients and get some news other than that on the local CBS affiliate.

 

Could you live without cable, internet, landline phone?

 

4 comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Just my Thoughts

10 January 2012

Single Parent Christmas

By Nicki

Do you ever wonder what single parents do on holidays? I know my experience is not typical. I spent the first ten to twelve years my ex and I were separated having him to dinner and my house Christmas morning. We waited, all but stockings, for him to come over so he was with the six kids for the big part of Christmas as far as kids are concerned. He would also, on occasion, come to Mass with us on Christmas Eve. Usually, this was because one or more of the kids would be singing, doing liturgical dance or serving on the altar. He would not come if this was at midnight but one of the earlier masses.

The past three years the kids – the youngest is now 17 – have gone to his, or his girlfriend’s, home on the evening of Christmas. This is a bit more difficult as we always have a large dinner at some point in the afternoon. Now, to accommodate the kids going to their dad’s, I try to arrange for dinner to begin before 2 pm. I have succeeded for three years.

The first year, the kids left and I did also. I went to the movies. My younger sister frequently goes to the movies on Christmas Day so I figured this was a good move. Well, may have been a good move but was not a good movie. I look for escapism in a movie. I do not want a movie that might well be too closely patterned after actual life. I did not get what I was looking for in the movie.

The second year, the kids left and took me to a friend’s home. Joan and Brian tend to have a lot of extended family over after dinner on Christmas evening. They do a Yankee swap and I had been invited to bring some cookies or other dessert item and come along. I had a great time but it was a logistical nightmare as the kids had to drop me off and then come get me after they were done at their dad’s. We did not have enough cars to go around that year and I, while having a good time, felt compelled to leave when my children arrived.

This year I did what I love to do when I have the house to myself. I turned the television off. I turned the Christmas tree and some Christmas music on and picked up a good book. I could very well have gone to the friend’s home again. I had some vague plans of doing so but decided I needed some quiet time to myself. I enjoyed reading. Kids were here and there after being at their father’s. One came home and left again. Others came home and played video games. One stayed at her dad’s. One was dog sitting. It was a great evening all around.

Single parents – whether moms or dads – have to learn to put any petty jealousies of the other parent aside for the sake of the children. Either pretend to be friends for one day or find a group you can hang with while the kids are with their other parent.

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