Letting go and Winner {s}

Went for my last long run before the Hollywood Half Marathon.
10 miles.  It was rough.  I have a sinus infection and it is kicking my ...derrière..

I saw the Dr Friday to get lab results and I am so frustrated with her I think I will change Dr.  I feel like I am an experimental project and she does not know what she is doing. Here's an example:  A month ago she prescribed meds that were supposed to clear a fungal infection in the stomach that she does not know if  I have it or not.  She had given me other supplements to take and also increased my thyroid meds so I decided not to take the meds for fungal infection.  I hate to take meds and if it is for something I may not have, well not thanks.  So when I went in Friday she tells me my thyroid is still not good and I need an ultrasound and than she starts asking me if I drink more alcohol now...hmmm NOW?  NO I don't drink at all.  I have not had a drop since 2009 and even before then I hardly drank anything.  So I asked where this is coming from and she says something with my liver and does not really explain.  Then I tell her I did not take those meds for fungus and she says "Good, don't take them, would not be good for your liver!"  WTH? WHY DID SHE PRESCRIBE THIS TO ME THEN?
I was a little frustrated.  I asked what is wrong with my liver.  "Oh nothing, don't worry I am sure everything is OK"  What? She had just told me about not taking those meds and now it is all OK... my head was spinning....
She looked at my throat and nose and said I have a bad sinus infection.  That I knew.  She gave me Prednisone.  I hate to take it but I don't have a choice if I want to get better.  She also gave me Singulair.  Never taken that one before.  I don't like trying new meds.  I am one of those people who reads the fine prints about all the side effects.  I have not taken it YET.  I will today though. 

Ultrasound for my thyroid is Friday.  After I get the results I might just look for a new Dr.  Nothing worst than not trusting your Dr and this is where I am now.   I am also thinking of trying acupuncture.  I have never tried.  I feel I have nothing to loose.  Do you do acupuncture? Does it work for you? 

A friend of mine is having a huge yard sale for a family in town who lost their mother.  She was diagnosed with uterine cancer and passed away 3 days later.  No warning, nothing.  She had 2 young kids.  It is very sad.

I wanted to give things to help out and so I decided it is time to LET GO of the old me.
If you read this blog you know I have lost over 70 lbs.  I still see me as the old Caro.  I kept the clothes in case I would gain the weight back.  It's looking like it won't happen.  I cleaned my closet and decided to say goodbye to my old clothes.  I tried some on for fun and to show my kids.

This is a skirt size 14.  Not even the biggest one I had.  Will said "No offense Mom but I think you need new clothes!"  No offense?  He is 7 yrs old...where did he learn to say that I don't know.

These are pants size 12.  I had some that were bigger also.

Looking at all the clothes it felt really strange like this part of my life is so far behind.  For me it is hard to believe that I used to wear that stuff and that it was fitting me.
Anyway....I am dropping 4 huge bags off today.
I hope it will help this family a little.

The winner of my Boston Marathon Book Giveaway is.....TERZAH!!!!!
Terzah and I have a rendez-vous in Pasadena in 2 weeks and I will get to give this to her in person!!!!
I  cannot wait!!!!

If  you did not win....you may have another chance later today.  I am going to go see if I can find another copy for a third winner. 

A GIVEAWAY..just because + Virtual race for Sherry Arnold.

Taper week is here again...and it is fine, I need some rest but taper messes with my brain and that, I hate.  So I am in full panic paranoid mode...about getting sick.  Oh yes.  And this week I have the birthday party factor.  Yep Mini Urban is turning 6 on Thursday and I am having a party for him Friday ....with 27 kids, never thought they would ALL come..this kid is Mr Popularity, his teacher was not lying when she told me that.  Bring on the pool of germs.  I am seriously considering sporting this look:

Yesterday I did my last long run before Surf City; 10 miles and it went pretty well.  I have made some changes to my long runs since Sherry Arnold was kidnapped.  I no longer take the trail I used  to run on pretty much every day.  I now run on a busy street.  I have to use the sidewalk, that is not a + but it is safer.  I have a Road ID that I never used to wear, now it is on my shoe.  I carry pepper spray in my hands not in my belt.   I also tried something different with fueling yesterday.  This time no NUUN, just water and smaller sips and 1 Stinger Waffle in small pieces.   That part went pretty good, not perfect but good.  I also took salt sticks.  The not perfect is because I wish my stomach could handle more water at once, I worry about dehydration all the time.  It has been my #1 enemy in most of the 30 races I have done so far.  30; did you catch that? in less than 2 years.   But if I cannot keep the water down than it is not helping either.  If I take more water it tends to want to come back up...especially if I try to speed the slow pace up,   I always feel pretty good before I start drinking, I wish I could pull off a 13 miler without needing water but I cannot do that.   Now the one thing that was on the negative-lets-get-Caro-worried-before-she-gets-the Beach-Cities-challenge-DONE: Heel Pain.  CRAP.   I don't need this right now..well not ever really.  So this is related to my problem with plantar fasciitis.  I had it AFTER running not during.   I am taking care of this as best as possible.  I did buy new shoes and I will rotate those with my Mizunos Wave Inspire 7.  The new ones are Brooks Ravenna 2.  Maybe they will be better for me.  We will see.

Beth (SUAR) has created a Facebook page for a virtual race in honor of Sherry Arnold.  You can go here to read about it and to like the page.  I will be doing that race on February 11 in my town.  I am trying to get a group together to have others run this with me for Sherry.

Ok now Giveaway time.  I was not sent anything fancy, this is something I saw at the store and it was a BARGAIN so I got 3 copies.  1 copy for  me and 2 for you guys.  I am giving 1 this time and another in April when it will be Boston Marathon time.  So this is the prize:

It is a book called The story of Johnny Kelley, Boston's Marathon Man.  I just bought the books today so I have not read it yet.  I cannot tell you how great it is, I don't know yet but it looks interesting!  I did find this review:

 Johnny Kelley is Mr. Boston Marathon. Mr. Lewis has painted a loving portrait of this running icon. Mr. Kelley ran 61 Boston Marathons, winning twice and finishing 2nd an astonishing 7 times. The book was originally published while Mr. Kelley was still alive. Mr. Lewis interviewed Mr. Kelley extensively and this adds immeasurably to the story. The book is not only a biography of a great runner but a personal journey through the history of America's Greatest Race. GREAT READ!!

There are lots of pictures in the book:



Want a copy?

Here's how:

1. You need to be a follower of this blog and leave a comment.

1 Bonus Entry:

Share on Twitter (include @carotabi in your tweet) or on your blog and leave a comment.

You can enter until Surf City Day or what most people call Super Bowl Day: Sunday February 5th. 

This is open to everyone, Stefano, I mean it, EVERYONE..USA, Canada, Italy, New Zealand (Mrs. Cotter).

Race Pictures and WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Want to know 2 things that make me HAPPY today?
1. I am DONE Christmas shopping.
2. I am DONE wrapping all the gifts.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

The pictures from the Holiday Half Marathon are online.  First we have this set.  I would not buy any but the one I like best is the one where I am kind of waving to the photographer dude.  The first one was taken right after the start, I still have my throw away shirt is my hand, looking for a good place to leave it.

Then we have a second set of Caro collapsing at the end.  They managed to snap 9 pictures of my very shaky finish.  I think this is what I would look like if I would finish a race drunk!

And now drum rolll.......
The winners of my Milestone Jewelry GIVEAWAY are

AND

Congratulations Kim and Marcia!!

These were the 2 beautiful items that Melody sent me for this Giveaway

1. Running Milestones Melody Necklace
2.Christmas Ornament-Runner Girl Red

The truth is that I would like to keep them both for myself!! Ha! Ha!
But I won't of course.  So how to decide who gets what?
First one of you who comments here and tell me their first choice gets it.
Fair enough?
Also please email me with all your info so I can mail your gifts asap!

Thank you to everyone who entered!
Thank you to Melody for providing the items for this giveaway!

Make sure to visit Milestone Jewelry for special gifts for the athletes in your lives.
Use this 10% off coupon code for my followers: CanadaRunner

A Holiday Giveaway from Milestone Jewelry!

 I contacted Melody at Milestone Jewelry about the possibility of hosting a Holiday giveaway for you, my followers and I am happy to tell you that she accepted.   Milestone Jewelry has several one of a kind pieces of running and endurance sports jewelry.  You can find something for runners, triathletes, cyclists, swimmers.  Their collections offer beautiful necklaces, bracelets, earrings, key chains, charms, rings and more.   For the holiday seasons they also have really nice Christmas ornaments. 

Milestone Jewelry also has a very special line called AWARENESS & INSPIRATIONAL with several beautiful pieces of jewelry like a Sterling Silver Breast Cancer ribbon charm with pink enamel. This could make a perfect gift for a survivor in your life.

When I was looking at the Milestone Jewelry website, I found some really great shirts!  This one is my favorite! It is going on my list for Santa!!

You could win one of these 2 fantastic items

that Melody sent me for this giveaway!

1. Running Milestones Melody Necklace

  This beautiful runner girl is Sterling Silver has a Rhodium finish. Rhodium which is in the platinum family, makes this great piece anti-tarnish and anti-scratch.

That is also going on my Santa list!

2.Christmas Ornament-Runner Girl Red

This Ornament is Cast in Pewter with a beautiful Red Resin

and matching ribbon to hang your ornament with.
 

How to win one of these beautiful gifts:

1. You must follow this blog.  Leave a comment.  1 entry

2. You must go visit Milestone Jewelry and tell me what you want Santa to bring you from their website.  1 entry.

Extra entries (1 for each)
3. Like Milestone Jewelry on Facebook here.  Leave a comment.
4. Follow Milestone Jewelry on Twitter here.  Leave a comment.
5. Follow Milestone Jewelry's Blog here.  Leave a comment.
6. Share with your followers on your blog or twitter (if you use twitter make sure to add @carotabi in your tweet so I can see it).  Leave a comment.

So 6 chances to win!
You have until December 15 to enter!
Good luck!

Melody was very generous and provided a 10% off coupon code for my followers: use code: CanadaRunner.  Right now the online store is offering free shipping on all orders over $75.00.

Giveaway items were supplied to me by Milestones Jewelry. 

I did not receive any payment or items other than the 2 giveaway items for this post..

Thankfully Alive!

Even though I did not grow up with Thanksgiving traditions, (I know some of you Canadians said you did, I am from the French side and we don't celebrate Thanksgiving like the Americans do) I do like this Holiday.  I like what it means.  I like that it is and will be a part of my sons lives.  I like that in school they made journals of what they are thankful for.  Now football....I am not in the like stages yet..even after 11 years of Thanksgiving, sorry Nelly please don't un-follow me!  The meal I love but it does not love me.  Boo Hoo. We have no guests coming over this year and with Bill working insane hours we have decided that this year we are having the traditional meal at Mimi's, our favorite family restaurant in town.  They have stuff I can eat there and I love them for that.  They make the real Thanksgiving dinner and it is good. 

Running has been all inside this week.  I am thankful for a gym membership with childcare but I struggle for the 5 miles and up runs.  It is more mental than anything for me on the machine.  I did run every day this week.  Tomorrow is Turkey Trot and Friday back at the gym or off.  I have ran every day since Saturday and I am planning on running both days this weekend so maybe I should rest Friday.

OK so I am thankful for a lot of things this year, here are some of them:

1. I am thankful to be ALIVE.
2. I am thankful for my parents and that they are in good health.
3. I am thankful for my husband, he works hard to support us and he is a wonderful father and husband and without him I could not write #4.
4. I am thankful for my 2 sons, being their mom is the greatest joy of my life. 
5. I am thankful for my brother and his family.  I miss them so much. 
6. I am thankful that my children are healthy.
7. I am thankful that I am able to stay home to raise my boys.
8. I am thankful that my tumor has not grown this year.
9. I am thankful for the friendships I have had for over 25 yrs with my friends back home.
10. I am thankful for my friends here in California who accept me just the way I am.
11. I am thankful for my kids TEACHERS.  They are wonderful. 
12. I am thankful that this year I got to go home.
13. I am thankful that my kids love school and are both doing great this year.  Education is top priority for me.
14. I am thankful for running.  I truly believe it makes me a better person to run.  I feel like I have myself back a little after 6 yrs of being a bit lost.
15. I am thankful that my family, and by that I really mean BILL, support me in all of my races.  They get up early, they wait for me to pass by them, he takes pictures.  It means the world to me.
16. I am grateful for all of you who hit the follow button.  Your support and friendship mean a lot and I appreciate all of you and all of your comments.
17. I am thankful that Bill has a job.  I am.
18. I am thankful that tomorrow Bill will be home for Thanksgiving dinner.
19. I am thankful that right now as I type all this my boys are NOT fighting.
20. I am thankful for my beautiful dog Maggie and that she is healthy.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you will be with your family tomorrow.
If you are racing like me tomorrow; smile and run fast!
------------------------------------

******TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY.  THE ODDS ARE GOOD. NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ENTERED SO FAR.  IF YOU WANT TO TRY A NEW PHOTO-SOFTWARE THAT YOU CAN USE FOR YOUR BLOG OR MAKE GIFTS  GO HERE AND ENTER TODAY!***********
-----------------------------------

On Loosing 75 lbs and Running

I never did put my training for last week so I am putting it here for my personal records, I know you are all NOT dying to know :)

Mon: 3 miles tempo
Tue: 5 miles at 10k pace
Wed: 3 miles easy
Thu: REST, I went to volunteer at my kids school that day instead of Friday because Friday was off.
Fri: 5 miles HILLS at the Gym.
Sat: 3 miles
Sun: 10k Race
total: 25 miles

So far this week is going good except for warmer weather..of course the cool temps were not going to last...:(
I did all my runs outside and so no HILLS or speedwork this week.  I know all next week will be on the treadmill so I took advantage of outdoor runs for this week.

I found a Turkey Trot! A local one!  I had found 2; one on a trail and I did not want to do that and the other one was 40 miles away..for a 5k I was not convinced.  The one I will do is 10 min away and they have a kids 1k race! 

On my last race report I mentioned that I have now lost 75 lbs and that got me a lot of comments and emails.  First thank you all for the really really nice comments.  You guys know how to make a gal feel good!

I don't talk about my weight loss a whole lot here, I don't want to bore you guys with this.  This week I got some people who asked to see before and after pictures.  Ayayaye...I hate looking at those pictures.  I used to hate having my picture taken. I would try to sit and always ask Bill not to get my legs.   I would always volunteer to be the one taking the pictures. I did found pictures to show you. I have to tell you that, even though I am aware that I do not look the same as I did before, in my head I still see me like the old me.  I still put XL on the registration forms for races and when I go shopping (very rarely!), I still pick up jeans in sizes 16 even though I now need 4 or 6.  OK here we go...

See the size of my thighs and fat knees?
 Good thing Maggie saves the picture here.

I HATE this picture. 

That is Will next to me

I was asked how did I loose 75 lbs.  There was no magic pill.  I changed my diet. A complete 360.  I got sick and developed GI problems.  I had my Gallbladder removed and I have GERD since then.  I used to eat after 8 pm, in front of the TV and a lot of junk food.  Oh yeah the 3 big NO NO all at the same time.  Pizza, Wings, Burgers, Mozzarella Sticks, Chinese take out.  It was not pretty.  Not every day but it was often.  I did not used to eat like this when I was single.  But with Bill we got into these really lazy bad habits.  After the kids I was overwhelmed and I let myself go.   Excuses? Yes 100%.

I am 5'11" and I think it was "easier" to "hide" the extra lbs because I am so tall.   Most people I know tell me NOW that I was not fat.  Yes I was.  Nobody can loose 75 lbs and look "normal" after, without being overweight to begin with.

After my Gallbladder surgery I took all spicy food and fatty food out of my diet. The truth is if I eat that stuff I do get sick.  So far no food is worth it.  I have friends with the same issues and they choose to still eat the junk food once in a while and to deal with the consequences.  It would not kill me  but I made the choice to change my lifestyle.  It is not always easy and it demands a lot of discipline because I do not impose my diet on my family.  I think it was 3 mos after that I started running.  So to answer the person who asked if I lost 75 lbs just with running, the answer is NO.  It is changing my diet AND running.  This was about 40 lbs down and those pants were size 14.

This is me trying on my wedding dress on my 10th wedding anniversary last May

And today I look like this:

 I would never want to go back to how I was before.  I am frustrated with my diet at times because there are things I would like to eat once in a while and I can't because of how it would make me feel.  I do feel stronger and better than I did 10 yrs ago and that is after having 2 kids after turning 35!!! :) I am 42 now and I can run 13.1 miles.  If someone had told me 5 yrs ago that I would run 5 half marathons in 2011 I would have never believed them.

Thank you again for your kind comments and for reading.

-----------------------------------------------

Did you enter my GIVEAWAY? Go here to enter, right now your odds are looking pretty good!

------------------------------------------------

Win a FREE photo-scrapbooking digital software!!! Product review and GIVEAWAY

It's Giveaway day!

I was contacted by the nice folks at www.MyMemories.com to host a great giveaway and review their My Memories Suite Scrapbook software.

If you are a follower of my blog, you know that I love to take pictures and my 2 kids are my favorite subjects.  My family is far away and I love to make gifts for them using pictures. There is nothing that makes my mom happier than to have something with pictures of her grand children.  I also like to save memories from all the activities we do as a family and everything interesting that happens in my children's lives.  I tried traditional scrapbooking and it is not for me, all the cutting, the stickers, the glue, the writing...it takes too much time that I don't have. 

This is a digital scrapbook software.  It is very easy to learn how to use it.  I installed it on my laptop and started using it right away.  With My Memory Suite you will be able to create all kinds of projects using pictures; books, cards, calendars, posters, slideshow with music, videos, gifts tags.  One of the thing I love about this software is that each page you create can become a jpg file.  You can make really nice pages using your pictures and print them as a picture of any size you like on your own printer no need to order through any websites.  If you choose to use a website to print your pages that is also something that you can do.  You would upload those pages just like you do with your regular pictures.  It is VERY EASY. 

My Memories Suite Scrapbook software comes with templates pages, several different background papers and embellishments.  You can change the shape of your pictures, frame them in any color you want, add text to them,  add a shadow, special effects, you name it!!  You can make a lot of things without having to buy anything extra but if you want to add to what comes with the software you can download more templates or embellishments on the www.MyMemories.com website.  There, you will find a lot of fun stuff! They even have a section with FREE downloads!  You can find all kinds of monograms and templates for everything; Christmas, Sports, Kids, School, Seasons etc.

I made a few things to share with you examples of what you can do with this software.

1. Christmas gifts tags: This template comes with the software.  It adds a fun personal touch to your gifts, I know my kids will love this!!!

2. An invitation; again everything I used to create this file came with the software.  It took 5 minutes to make it. (please make a note for my birthday :))

3. I made these for my nieces.  I would make one for each player on their teams and offer this to the coach at the end of the season.  I emailed them to my nieces and they loved them! The older one is now using this as her Facebook profile picture! Score for aunt Caro!
I downloaded the letters and numbers that are in circles for $1.99. 

4. I had to make one page running related!!  For this one I used a template that I downloaded from the website.  You can see the pictures have round corners and a shadow added to them, one of them is in a circle shape.  These features come with My Memories Suite Scrapbook software. I also added a colored shadow to some of the words.

        
5. This could be used as a blog header.  One of the great thing on the  www.MyMemories.com website is the tutorials videos. There you can learn to do all kinds of projects, one is on how to make a custom header for your blog.  

   
All the pages that I made were all uploaded on my blog as JPEG files, I did not have to scan anything!  I highly recommend this software.  It is easy to use, I will use it to create the project for my son's STAR of The WEEK poster.  Older kids can use this for school projects or to create their own gifts for family and friends.

So who wants a free My Memories Suite Scrapbook software ($40 value) ???

I received one for myself and one to give to one of you! 
Thank you MyMemories!

HOW TO WIN:

1. Be a follower of my blog. One entry.

2. Visit www.MyMemories.com. and tell me what is your favorite digital paper pack. One Entry.

3. Like MyMemories on Facebook here.  If you do that you will also get a $5 coupon to use at their online store.  1 entry.

4.  Share this Giveaway with your followers, it can be on your blog or twitter and leave me a comment here. 1 entry.

So one lucky person will win a free software and for all the others I have a special coupon to give to you

$10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!

This is the coupon code: STMMMS86809



You have until November 23rd to enter! I will choose a random winner using random.org.
GOOD LUCK!

MISSION INN 10K RACE

Redemption.
I accomplished that today.

This is the 2nd race that I revisited since I started running last year: The Misssion Inn 10k.
Last year this was my first 10k ever.  I sucked big time but I finished it and I was happy that day.  I did not care about the time.  This year I did care about the time.

This is NOT an easy course.  It has some HILLS.  I don't like running hills and I am not very good at it either.  I knew where they were and how bad they were, the last one right after mile 5 is the worst, one of those where you think you are at the top and then ooops a turn and it still goes up...crap.

The weather was PERFECT:  46 degrees at the start, no wind, sun was out. 

This time I parked myself near the front to try to escape the walkers and the strollers.  That race had a great start, plenty of room no need to stop and go.  I wanted to start strong because I knew the hills would slow me down, so I did try to "bank" time a bit.  I felt pretty good and first 3 miles went by really fast.  First 5k at 29:27.  I saw Bill and the kids there.  I saw him first and I started waving and yelling his name from far away like a crazy person. 

Mile 4 I almost puked but I kept it clean.  Right after miles 5, the nasty hill...yikes...I had to walk a little.:(  Next year I will prepare better for this one.  I wanted to have a strong finish.  I knew the course and when we arrived at the last turn I was able to push and pick up the pace a little and have a good finish, that is a rare thing for me because usually I panic when I see the finish line.

So last year at that race my time was 1:11:59.  Not good.
One year later my time is 1:03:04.  No PR and still not breaking any speed record
But
Almost 9 minutes improvement on that course, I'll take it.

I have no complains about this race, the volunteers were nice, plenty of water stations along the way, did not stop at any but I appreciated the cheers at each of them.  It started right on time with a good start.  No medal but that is OK.  They had medals for the first 100 males and 100 females and the top 3 finishers.

I like this local race and I will be back next year for sure.

Talking parrots: Napoleon and Josephine! They were hilarious and the boys loved them!!

Today I stepped on the scale and I have officially lost 75 lbs.
Like someone said to me "that is a little person!"

Be sure to comeback for my next post for my GIVEAWAY !!!