Memorial Day 5K Complete!

This morning I completed my second 5K and it was a REAL 5K! Streets were closed and there were a lot of runners- REAL RUNNERS! I'd say at least about 2000 participants or so. It was the "American Heroes" run at the Ballpark in Arlington. Camera crews were there, about 5 branches of the military and we even had an Apache Fighter Helicopter fly-over and landing. It was great!

The course was much harder and the sun was out and gleaming. It was beautiful though. When I turned the first curve I saw a sea of people in front of me running and I thought wow this is really beautiful. I should have started doing this years ago! I felt wonderful and accomplished. I'm finally doing something I always wanted to do, something that use to intimidate me. I kept a pretty good pace through-out the race and I sprinted all the hills which really helped my time.

When I made it around the last bend I had one more hill to the finish line. I was getting mentally prepared to sprint in like 45 seconds and all of a sudden I see my husband coming back for me again. He ran beside me clapping and saying words of encouragement I'm sure but I had my iPod on and couldn't hear him. Once I saw the final hill I took off in a sprint. I could see the finish line before me and I saw the clock. I ran quickly but lost a bit of steam right before the finish line but I pushed it a little more. I finished in 38.56 minutes, my fastest official group run time (last one was 42.43)!!! I still have a looooooooooot of work to do but for my second run (and much more challenging of a course) I think I did pretty good.

On to the next one! Woot!

Why can't I be a Naturally Skinny B*tch??!!

So I didn't work-out in the gym at all last week since it was my brother's first week home. I did walk around downtown on Tuesday (that counts as working out right? lol) and we went swimming on Friday.

However no running took place besides doing my first official 5K Saturday morning! So this week I'm back to my schedule trying to run as much as possible. I'm also doing some cross-training (arms, legs, back). I'm feeling pretty good overall.

I tried to increase my pace on Tuesday (first day back) and that bit me in the azz! I was unable to complete the 5K, I was just too drained so I stopped at 1.64 miles. SMH! On Wednesday I was determined to redeem myself so I hit it hardcore, not only was I determined to do the entire 5K at a good pace I was also determined to finish in under 40 minutes. Lord! When I say by the skin of my azz that's exactly what I mean! I finished in 39 minutes and 57 seconds! I was watching the time and pushing myself to beat the 40 minute mark. I did a lot of speed increasing in order to make it. It was so hard I thought I was going to vomit but I felt like a million bucks when I finished. Of course my hubs had came down to the gym and jumped on the treadmill next to me like 5 minutes before I finished. So he was there to share in my triumphant moment. It's funny because we are barely ever in the gym at the same time due to our schedules but he is always there when I need him.

He gave me a fist bump and told me how proud he was of me. He's such a cheerleader! ha ha I love him so much he is definitely the president of my fan club.

Today I did an am work-out because I have nails, pedi and eyebrows after work today. I did 2.16 miles on the treadmill (I wasn't going for 3.10 b/c I wanted to cross train). I finished my work-out with arms, legs and back so it was a very good workout. I have to do it all again tomorrow morning because I have afternoon plans with the hubs and a friend from BBC.

Saturday will conclude the am work-outs my last day of running before my Memorial Day 5K run at the ballpark. Hoping to come in under 40 minutes this time trying to beat last week's 5K time which was 42.43 minutes. Wish me luck!

IVF Consultation

Really!? Seriously?!

I-----------------V------------------F!!! UGH!

So today was the appointment I'd been looking forward to and dreading at the same time. Hmmmmmm to say I'm over-whelmed would be an understatement. I mean really! My doc explained everything in detail with pictures, graphs the whole nine yards but damn! I left with a "what the hell" am I doing bubble in my head. It's just so much! So much emotionally, mentally, physically and FINANCIALLY! I mean I know people pay upwards from 15,000-25,000 for an IVF and my little 10,000 is not much but it kinda is! UGH!

We have to do all new tests; blood test, SA, Pap-

Protocol is as follows:
Birth control
Trial Transfer
Lupron
Baseline Sonogram
Gonal F and Menopur
Sono
Sono
Sono
Sono
Sono
HCG shot
Egg retrieval + mix with sperm for 5 days
Egg Transfer
Blood test to see if PG
Oh did I forget to mention pay 10,000 first! SMH!

The process is like 6 weeks long and I think I see my doc like 20 times during that period! WTH!

I'm just having a dramatic moment right now I guess but geez I just want to have a baby naturally not pay to get pregnant! It pains me to know I may pay all this money and stress myself to death and it still is not 100% guaranteed! I just don't know if I'm strong enough for this.

I have to do this though and at least I'll know that I tried my best to start a family. I just pray for strength and sanity while I'm going through this. God will never put more on me than I can handle. Sigh~

Back to Reality...

Ugh back to work tomorrow. SMH~

My week off was very eventful. My nephew and I picked up my brother on Monday at about 9:30am. It's very good to have him home. A bit over-whelming at first because we had so much to do to get him adjusted.

Monday- lunch, necessity shopping, hair-cut, clothes and shoes shopping. Not to mention I live in downtown Dallas and my parent's house is like 40 minutes away. So I had lots of driving this week.
Tuesday- we went to the courthouse, the driver's license office, got him a new cell phone, went and visited with one of his friends and just running errands in general then I had to take him back to my parents.
Wednesday- was my day of rest while he ran errands with our cousin. I stayed home all day and slept. Literally did not leave the house, I was physically and mentally exhausted.
Thursday-picked up my brother and nephew and we went to the eye doctor, more shopping, visit a friend, visit family members. My husband took him out that night to a jazz club where some of the family were and I stayed home with my nephew. They stayed over-night this time.
Friday-we had friends over and took my nephew swimming and had lunch at the pool-the sun alone was draining! Then later that evening back to my parents' house where we all stayed the night.
Saturday-was my first 5K and then back home where me and hubby napped. Later that evening we went to dinner and to a movie just the two of us.
Sunday-I'm home alone and enjoying my last day of rest before I go back to the office.

Overall everything went well- lots of driving, lots of shopping and lots of family time. I'm very happy that we were able to help as much as we did because starting from square one with wardrobe, shoes, etc is very daunting! My brother is adjusting well- he's great with his son-very loving and very attentive. My nephew's favorite new word is "daddy" and seeing them together is worth all the work we are putting in. This is still very early on but I think he will be OK :-)

In the upcoming weeks we need to figure out his job situation and transportation. My husband and I are going to help as much as possible without over-extending ourselves because we are still getting ready for IVF in the next few months.

Life is a non-stop ride for us right now and frankly I'm just holding on for dear life! Ow!

So many accomplishments, So little time!

I completed my first official 5K this morning! Woot! My time was 42.43 minutes, it was my first time running outside. There were a few inclines which I wasn't expecting but the overall experience was lovely. My hubby ran with me and I told him from the gate don't wait on me just run at your own time I'll be fine. Needless to say that sucker lapped me like I was on crutches or something! SMH! My family came out to support me, even the baby was rooting for his auntie! One of my besties made it as well with her two kids. Shout out to Monkay (our childhood nicknames for each other). I ran the entire thing and was able to push the little inclines without much struggle. When I made it around the last bend there was my husband (who'd already finished 20 minutes earlier! lol) waiting with my family. He ran the last piece with me -rooting me on and pushing me to sprint. He sent me through the finish line by myself as not to steal my thunder! lol It was wonderful and I'm so thankful to have the support especially from my husband who is my biggest fan no matter what I'm doing.

So I'll be racing to beat my time on the next race which will be the "Heroes Run" at Ranger Stadium on May 31st. Ms. Mel told me about this one and she is one of my running inspirations along with Sherry B.! Mel ran the race this morning too-obviously so fast in fact that she came after me ran the entire race, finished and left before I ever saw her! Ha! She's a beast! Only reason I knew she was there was because they called her name for a medal! She obviously kicked some a**! So I'll see you at the stadium Mel! Woot!

On to the next one!

(** on a side-note- the hubs placed 3rd in his age group for his first 5K and won a medal. Way to go sweetie! YOU WERE AWESOME!!)