Be Smart. Be Safe.

At 8:00am on Saturday, Dad and I were the only ones at the group run. Slowly others started to trickle in. I should have taken this as a sign of the odd things to come. In total there were six of us split into two groups: Andy, Dante, Brian and Doug, Dad, me. Less than two miles into the run, we came upon the first group. We saw Andy and Dante, but it appeared the third was on the ground. As we approached we saw it wasn't Brian.

The first group had found a female runner face down on the side of the trail. She was breathing and her heart was beating, but she was unconscious. Brian ran up to the houses to call 911. I went through my CPR and first aid checklist. She breathed heavy and you could see her heart beating in her neck. We took off our jackets and put them over her. She moaned a lot and her eyes were open but completely glassed over. We asked her some commands and she didn't follow any of them. Finally, the parametics arrived and awakened her and she had no idea what had happened or anything. She looked completely frightened.

Here's the moral of the story. She was not carrying any ID. I checked her pockets and I checked her shoes. Nothing. She had been running by herself. Please, if you have to go running by yourself, carry ID. I got Road IDs for myself and my family last year and now I know why it is so important. Please, be smart and safe out there.

Jinx

My first Boston should have been in 2004. Instead, I got a stress fracture in my foot and had to sit out. I ran Boston in 2005 and 2006, but despite training and going to the race last year I decided to skip the race due to the weather conditions. I ran the Flying Pig Marathon a few weeks later to make up for it. This year I'm determined to run Boston, but I'm starting to feel like it's a jinxed race for me.

I have had the weirdest sensation in my foot, and I'm starting to get a little worried it may be a stress fracture developing. I have no pain in my foot, but I do have this weird numbness and pins and needles thing going on. It's like there is a shaft inside my foot that sometimes it contracts and sometimes it releases. I'm hesitant to talk to the doctor about it because I HAVE TO run Boston this year.

There is only a few weeks left of training. I am going to eliminate the speedwork and add in more cross training. This is my 10th marathon and I don't have another one planned so it's important to be able to get to the finish line AND the start line.

Bonus: If you want to know the outcome of my National Anthem audition check it out here.

It Was Electric

I was trying to put into words what it was like to be at the Ohio State game last night, but this commentary pretty much sums it up.

March Madness

It’s about four weeks until the marathon. This is my least favorite time of training. Not only are the miles high, but the soreness is at a premium. To say this week’s training has gone badly is an understatement. It’s Friday and I’ve run a whopping 7.35 miles. Total. My calves are so tight they feel like rubber balls. And I’m not talking about Nerf balls, I’m talking about dodge ball balls that should be soft but really aren’t.

But I have been doing some cross training this week so it’s not a total loss. Wednesday I swam 2500 yards: 4 X 200 warm-up, 1500 main, and 4 X 50 cool-down. Yesterday I got on my bike and spun for 45 minutes.

This weekend I have a 20 miler on tap. And I HAVE TO do it. The finish line is in sight, but I need to pull it together and concentrate for the next two weeks.

Thursday Things I Shouldn't Admit

This really isn't something I shouldn't admit, but has been a little embaressing this week.

When I was let go by the shoe company I worked for years ago, I continued to have my discount for several months. The last month the discount was available Dave and I bought 8 pairs of shoes between us. One of them each being a pair of running shoes to use as sneaker.

Side note: here in Ohio no one says sneakers. We use the word tennis shoes to imply sneakers.

Being that it's been 2-1/2 years since I departed the company, our shoes were starting to break down. Dave's had developed holes on the top and both of them had absolutely no tread left. So, this weekend we bought new sneakers to replace the old ones. I <3 my new shoes and I have worn them every day this week (I also <3 having a job where I can wear jeans and tennis shoes). But, now that they have tread on them, I have tripped all up and down the hallway at work. I tripped two times going from the front door to my desk just this morning.

Until I hit the deck, though, I just kinda shrug, smile, and say "new shoes!"



Another side note: Treaster, send me an e-mail, please. I need your e-mail address.

Live Life

The husband and I are not your typical Mr. and Mrs. We started dating around the time that most of our friends got married. We noticed that when our friends were dating they would becoming a couple and only do couple things with their couple friends. Dave and I had been friends before we started dating so when we said, yes we're going to be a couple, we made a decision together to not cut out our friends just because we are now a couple. And we've kept to this promise. Eight and a half years later we still hang out with our single friends, as a couple. We still hang out with our friends with kids, as a couple. We still work really hard to be good friends with people even if we're not at the same point in our lives as others.

Dave and I choose to live life. We always have and always will. We don't like to follow rules or adapt to societal norms. That's just not us. And we do things because we should without really thinking about it.

Last year Dave and I took our epic trip to Italy for two weeks. People said to get it out of our systems because we wouldn't be able to travel like that once we have kids. We crinkled our noses and said, why? Why would we not want to teach our child the love of travel and allow them to see the world? If we ever do decide to have a child, we would not put our plans on hold, our plan would include him/her. And travel would definitely be in the plans.

Next year we're going back to Europe. Since Jeff let the cat out of the bag in one of his comments, we're going big with Ironman. Why drive four hours down the road to Louisville for the biggest event in our lives? We're flying half way around the world to do this epic adventure in Austria. Yep, we're doing Austria.

2008 and 2009 are all going to be about going big. You all know the life list, right? Things are getting checked off the list fast. This weekend, I'm hoping to accomplish another on the list. I have been accepted to audition to sing the National Anthem at a Clipper's game this season. The Clipper's are our Washington Nationals AAA farm team. Sure it's not Idol, but it's on the list. Then it's on to my 10th marathon and my first tattoo in April.

There are little things too that may not on the list that we just do because why miss out on the opportunities? Our beloved Buckeyes didn't make the NCAAs this year, but they are a #1 seed in the NIT tournament. Last night they hosted UNC-Ashville (with 7'7" Kenny George). Dave and I went and sat courtside. On the floor! Go big! Live life! On my birthday (April 16th) we're going to see Michael Buble in concert. Why? Because I'm a fan and he's coming to town. Do I know the price of the tickets? Nope, but that doesn't matter to me either. Finally, we're planning with a friend this summer to tour a few states on a weekend and see as many major league baseball games as we can.

Dave and I live life. We grab it by the horns and hold on tight. We love the adventure.

Are you living life?

I need a bigger rack!

No, not that kind of rack!

I'm talking about a clothing rack where you put your clothes to dry. As my marathon and triathlon training is ramping up, and Dave is also putting in two-a-days, we have huge loads of workout clothes that completely fill our drying rack without being able to put anything else on it. I either can't do all the laundry in one day or I need to get another drying rack.

I live right next to Meijer. I think I'll be getting another drying rack. :)

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

A good friend of mine just finished reading “The Catcher in the Rye.” Although he didn’t like it, I loved it. But, the last time I read it I was a senior in high school, going through a very rough patch, and really identified with the main character, Holden Caulfield. High school was a nightmare to me, as I’m sure it is for a majority of the population. I went to a really small rural school where I graduated with 51 other people most of whom I had gone to school with since kindergarten. By the time we were seniors, we hated each other and gossip was the main form of communication. Being that I was a little socially awkward to begin with, most days were just hell.

I went to Ohio State for a couple of reason, but mostly because it was the largest school in the nation. Not only were there endless possibilities, it meant there were possibilities to find new friends. Or I should say, friends at all. I dove in head first at OSU making the crew team, being in honors engineering, getting involved at church, joining a sorority. And I made great friends. Life long friends. I’m still really good friends with the first person I met at college. She still lives in Columbus and we keep in touch occasionally. I have friends who has met, married, and had children with other friends. We still hang out. We still talk on the phone. These were the kind of friends I always longed for.

At my previous company I made these types of friends. The days they weren’t at work were painful. When I got offered a new job, I thought long and hard about leaving and truthfully it was because of them. I hated my job there, but I loved my friends and I thought the sacrifice might be worth it. In the end, though, I chose the new job. Leaving was hard. Many tears were shed on the way home on my last day. Since then I have spoken to them every day either through e-mail or phone calls. We’re having dinner together in a few weeks and we’re planning to get together throughout the summer. I have had a really tough time adjusting to the new job. I like the work better, but I have only made one friend here and that’s only because I basically said, “do you want to be my friend?” I am so happy to have made my friends at my previous job and although I miss them painfully every day, I know they are a few clicks or one dial away. They will always be my friends.

Since I graduated college, I have coached high school track. I looked forward to it every spring. Last year some things changed so I decided not to come back this year. Practice started on Tuesday without me. I met Andrea yesterday at the school for our Wednesday midweek long run. I got to the school early and checked out track practice. There were lots of “Hey Coach Gordon’s” and lots of hugs. I miss the kids, but I feel empty without being around the other coaches. Those other coaches over the years have become my friends. They made standing in the snow for 8 hours bearable. I always wanted to stay after practice and hang out with them even though I had 12 miles to run. I would smile every time I got an e-mail from any of them or they called me and said hello with a “Hey baby!” Yesterday the head coach let me know that my contract has not been taken by anybody else and if I wanted to come back I could. He said I could coach anything I wanted. And….I’ve paused. Truthfully, I can’t go back. I left for very specific reasons and those reasons haven’t changed. But I also feel that coaching is like gravity and I just can’t seem to get out of the force field. There is no doubt that I’m going to be around, a lot, but I’m not sure I can dedicate the time to it that I need. For now, I’ll continue pausing.

In six weeks I turn 30. This is a milestone I have been looking forward to and dreading for years. After tumultuous teenage years, my 20s rocked. I have done the coolest things and experienced things I never dreamed I would do. And I couldn’t have done it without my friends.

So for my friends out there who read my blog, this is your virtual hug. Thank you for being my friends.

Reality Check

Yesterday afternoon my nephew called me.

“Aunt Meredith, do you want to go swimming with us?”

From there it became a 5 minute long conversation of, “when?” “Swimming!” “J, when?” “Swimming!” “No, J, when?” “Swimming!!” “J, put your mother on the phone.”

The kids wanted me to join them at the Y, where Amy and I would work out first and then join the whole family for swimming. I thought, well I can get in my nice easy run while Amy is walking beside me on the treadmill, then I’ll play with the kids for a while, and finish with my 2000 yard swim I had scheduled. After 27 years of having a sister, I should know there is no planning with Amy.

As I meet her at the Y she says to me, “do you want to take a cycling class with me?” Oh crap! I wasn’t prepared for a cycling class. Not only I had done an 11 mile threshold run on Monday, I only had a pair of running shorts with me. The class was small and not all that intimidating (you know what I’m talking about). The teacher was intense, though. She would say things like, “turn your dial to the right two times.” TWO TIMES! By the end of the class I thought I was going to throw up and had to spend the last 15 minutes just pedaling it out in the seated position.

You know, I have these grand plans: do a half Ironman this summer, do the full Ironman next summer, but I guess I didn’t fully think out what the heck I was getting into when I decided to make these plans. Truly, I haven’t been on a bike in three years. That includes not even taking a spinning class. And, oh yeah, I don’t particularly like to ride a bike. If I can’t handle a one hour spinning class, how in the world am I supposed to ride my bike for 7-8 hours and then run a marathon?

Today, I’m a little bit more nervous about all this than I was yesterday.

VIP Photo Booths

If you don't read my other blog, which there aren't many people who read it (yeah, I keep stats), then you wouldn't know of our really cool new business.

Introducing, VIP Photo Booths. We designed and built our very own photo booth available for rental at events like parties, wedding receptions, bar/bat-mitzvahs, etc. There has been so much fun inside the booth. If you're planning a great event, don't forget to include VIP Photo Booths.

I'm Meredith Gordon, and I approve of this message. :)

What it snows, it pours?

Dear Mother Nature--

This weekend, we got snow. A lot of snow. So much, we made the national news. Yep, we got over 20 inches of snow in two days. Saturday we were stuck in the house. It was the longest day ever. Sunday we managed to dig half our driveway out, move our car, and go sledding. My mom was there taking pictures. Hopefully I can post some soon.

Needless to say, I didn't run. Who cares? Nobody was running. Unless it gets warmer this week, there's not going to be a whole lot of running outside at all. There is snow everywhere.

Desperately hoping for spring...

Sincerely,

Meredith

Kids Say the Funniest Things

I have one niece and two nephews. My youngest nephew is less than a year old so he's not saying anything yet, but the other two say some of the greatest things. My five year old nephew offers some of the best things I have ever heard. I could write a whole book with quotes from him.



Two years ago he used to always say to Dave, "Hey, I didn't know you were coming," as if seeing Dave was a strange occurence. Although this doesn't seem funny to the outside world, J has a way of saying it so it is funny. He's also very good at the computer and used to talk to the mouse pointers saying, "Hey, get back here."



These are just the beginning. In the last several weeks he's been on a roll. It started on his fifth birthday when we bought him "Star Wars." We put it in the DVD player kinda late and he immediately fell asleep. An hour later Dave offered to take him upstairs and put him in bed. He woke up halfway up the stairs and just said, "Pause it." He he he!



Last week I was at my parents house and I was letting them know that Dave bought a suit. J piped in, "Was it a supersuit or a swimsuit?" By the way, a supersuit is scuba diving gear.



Finally Mom told us J's latest famous words. He was at the doctor for his 5-year check up and before the doctor even said hello to him he said, "There's no blood in this eye because it all went to this eye. I saw it in the mirror." Where did he come up with that?



I never plan on having more than 1, maybe 2 children, but I am so glad my sister has a middle child. He is the best form of entertainment.

Thursday Thoughts

It's been a while since the Thursday Thoughts so I thought I would post one. I've been having A LOT of new visitors to the site (thank you--I love it!), so it is time for a little participation. I ask a question, you answer it. Simple as that.

Winter seems to be dragging on FOREVER in these here parts. I cannot wait for spring to get here.

So, what's your plans as soon as winter is over?

I Need Your Help!

Alright smarty-pants, I need your help.

Although we haven't signed up for the Ironman yet, the step of purchasing our bikes pretty much seals the deal. There's no way I am spending that much money on a bike without making it useful. Now for the next step.

I had applied this year to be part of Team Polar, but the team fell through and therefore I didn't get any really cool Polar gear. I currently train with a heart rate monitor from Timex. Don't tell Timex, but I think it's a piece of crap. I've had it for maybe two or three years and it has seen better days. The rubber on the outside is peeling off, combined with having to replace the battery several times, has made the watch unusable in the water.

Here's where I need your help. I'm in the market for a new heart rate monitor, but I'm looking for real gadgetry. In addition to heart rate monitoring, I also would be interested in GPS. I have a love/hate relationship with the GPS, but I'm starting to warm up to it. This heart rate monitor has to be useable for my swims. Also, because I'll be spending SOOO much time on my bike, I'm looking to have it integrate with a bike computer. Currently I own no bike computer either.

I should also mention I'm the owner of a Mac so it should probably be compatible with that too.

Any suggestions that would do all that stuff?