DNR

Holy weather report Batman! I seriously have to learn to take 5 minutes and check out the weather each day. Instead I usually like to look out my bedroom windows and take a guess as to how I should dress in accordance to how I think it feels outside. (think being the keyword here)

I woke up today, (nice and slow because I don't have to be anywhere today!!) and I took a look outside and saw the wind blowing. I assumed it was just as cold as it was yesterday so the little spandex and Ravens zip up weren't going to cut it.
Back into the closet I go.

...I take a look and pick my super soft VT sweatshirt and the thickest pair of Jeans I can find. Did I mention that I hate the cold?
Anywho.
I step outside to go run some errands before my BFF gets here and

BAM!

Hello nice weather. Hello warmth. Hello stuffy leather interior.
And bye bye sweatshirt.

Underneath luckily I had the always classy wife beater on. I was headed to Wal-Mart so I guess it's better that I wear the attire of the indigenous people. So as not to stick out while I am there, I like to remain undetected in that place. (At times it can be rather scary just walking through those doors, but that is a whole 'nother blog)

On my way I see what I have determined to be one of the more hilarious things in recent times. Mostly because it pertains to my life in a sad, real way.
A car in front of me has one of those bumper magnets. Oval shaped white magnet with black letters and a black outline. It's on a jeep of some sort. I see the letters

DNR
.. and I think to myself. Where the hell is that place?
I have seen OBX and for the locals OCM but DNR?

Then I think... "do not resuscitate"? Which the year of nursing school taught me stood for DNR.

Oh. My. God.
I need one of those stickers.

...for my car!
Seriously I love my car. It is a lovely Dodge Stratus (refer to Will Ferrell skit on SNL)
It is 10 years old and has been, well, resuscitated a couple of times. (WAY more than I can even count)
I can't even begin to explain the seemingly random and always disastrous events that have happened to me while driving that car. Nothing that hasn't made me a better person today (and way more equipped, flat tire? got it. Dead Battery? No problem. Overheating? Seriously I can handle anything now)

But I digress, this post was more about the comedy of the situations my car has put me in (not the severity of life and death situations it has also put me in) So to me a huge "DNR" sticker on my car would be so appropriate.

Because after a new transmission, some major engine fixes, huge alignment issues, 3 blown tires and possessed wiper blades I think it may be time to put my car to rest if and when (please be later rather than sooner!) it finally has another misadventure. Bessy,(Which is what I name all my cars) has been good to me. Especially for what I paid for her. But if she suffers another mishap I think it's time to get her to sign a "DNR"


...stay tuned.
Off for another fabulous friday, if Morgan would get here already!

My ipod failed me.

Off for another run this morning. Gosh I feel good!
But I have to keep fidgeting with my ipod.

Next song.

Next song.

This one isn't bad....wait, no... next song.

Who the heck put these songs on here?
...dangit bobby, that was me. What the hell was I thinking? These aren't working out songs! Everybody knows you need to create a very specific list of well crafted tunes to put on a workout play list.Oh silly Brookie.

I just tossed like 40 songs on there to try it out.
The dilemma is that I no longer have access to my Itunes. It is on my computer and my computer is sitting in a box in my closet with no internet connection to speak of. And now I will be forced to listen to those crappy songs, over and over again. OR (say it really loud) I could just stop working out again! (Bad Brooke, triathletes can't be this lazy!)

So if we are keeping count that is two. Yup two ipods that have failed me now. The first one is an ancient decrepit ipod mini (remember those? Mini? Ha! That thing is HUGE compared to the one I have now!) And that lasted me a couple months before the audio jack output (the small one at the top) no longer wanted to work with ear buds. The audio jack for an I-home (the big one at the bottom) ...is just fine. So that sucker is permanently stuck on my kitchen cabinet hanging ihome. Which was great last year when I had kitchen cabinets to hang it from and a kitchen all my own. (Well I shared it with 3 other girls but they quickly learned that loud music in the kitchen is not an option in my life, thanks mom.)

And yet now I have the perfect running buddy, a teensy tiny little nano, with a crappy play list. (Why can't I have the play list that is on my own blog?!)

So ask me how far I got in my run today. Wait no, don't ask, don't tell. Right?

And I have started a new game to pass the time while switching between bad songs....
Squirrel Displacement Count (how many squirrels lives I can interrupt by running on the path.)
Yesterday I got to 5 and today was only 2.
Like I said.
NOT a good run day.

The really superb part of everything though is that my bestest bestie best lover friend is coming home tomorrow. Oh Morgie, how I missed thee. So, fat and slow I may be but without a best friend this weekend I will not be! I can only assume the fabulous Fridays tradition will continue tomorrow as planned!

...stay tuned.

Major Recovery 5.13.2008

Major Recovery
Current mood: rebellious

Oh man is my body in major need of some recovery time. I, doctor whittington have decided that my shin splints were always a result of a stress fracture underneath.Self diagnosed, yes, but it is likely the truth. I cannot run without an extreme amount of pain anymore. Good, Great, Grand. So I have decided that running is out until race day. Only cycling and swimming until then and maybe some moderate jogging when I get closer to race day. 18 days and counting! Damnit. I guess thats what I get for being a slow piece of poop who suddenly decided to do a Triathlon!
You better believe this will not hinder my performance on race day. I will absolutely give it my all and the result will ultimately be, me crossing the finish line with a smile on my face. Just like I set out to do.
This however may hinder my plans to go straight forward into an Olympic distance Triathlon in D.C. in September. Who knows.. I will have to stop by an actual Doctor of Medicine and see what the verdict is. After race day of course.

Besides that things are good. I just got back from a weekend full of my bestest best friend Morgan. I went down to Blacksburg to celebrate her graduation. I am so proud of her it is unbelievable. There was even an argument at dinner before her graduation that showed me just how passionate she is about what she does. She is an amazing woman and I have a lot to learn from her. But for now she is all graduated and will be coming back to me tomorrow for the summer. ( Until she leaves me again for North Carolina. )So this summer should be great, her and I together again! That may or may not spell trouble for everyone else around us.. so prepare yourselves accordingly.
But anyway just being back down there is good for my soul. There are certain places in this world that just bring a sense of calm and peace into me. Blacksburg is one of those places. Dewey Beach is another place like that and I cannot freaking wait to get back there either. I love the people there and I have even more reason to love it now. I joked with my roommate Erin earlier in the weekend that there were so many potential new boyfriends that I couldnt decide and I may bring at least 12 of them home with me. Well little did I know that I would really meet someone that I would want to bring home with me {the others were just hotties that I spotted from across the room , but all potential boyfriends in my mind} I don't want to go all into girly mode and gush about him but I am just truly glad I went down to Blacksburg this weekend. Later this summer it may prove to be very worthwhile. I just love being back in that beginning phase... I'm pretty sure all girls love this part! Oh no am I turning into a girl again?!? Noooo!! Haha
As far as the rest of my life is concerned... I came to the conclusion that I have to do what is right for me. Seems easy enough. But that means not staying where I am . Unfortunately I feel I have been manipulated to the point that quitting will be no easy task. I don't know if it ever is but I hate giving up on things.. I hate being the bad guy and I hate walking away from a good thing. I have found that out in multiple facets of my life in the past few months. I am a big fat baby when it comes to letting things go. Even if they are meant to go and maybe they were even supposed to go much earlier. This will be a good test for me to stand up and assert myself and face the consequences. Even as I write this I have butterflies in my stomach. I have bigger and better things ahead of me and I cannot just ignore them because I am scared. I know this portion of my blog is pretty vague but it's been months of this back and forth and I am just ready to put aside all the uneasiness and move forward now. I am going to do it! Today! I am listening to my playlist on myspace...which i love. And right now Carrie Underwood's "Wasted" is on. How can I not make a move with Carrie telling me not to waste any more time! Okays so I must go, I have things I have to take care of !
And as my aunt said.. not Run Forrest Run.. instead it is now Swim Sammy the Seal Swim! And maybe even Bike Lance Bike!!!!

Days on End 4.17.2008

Days on end...
Current mood: adventurous

Here it is nearing the end of April and I am back again to write more. I have just gotten home from a long day of work and each of my days lately seems to be longer and longer. I think mostly because, these days I am in a routine where I am up and off to the gym by 730 or 8am every morning. I get in about a two hour workout and then head home to get showered and eat a hearty meal and actually start my day.. Today I was able to fit in a 15 mile bike and a 2 mile run which feels awful and fantastic at the same time. Some days are easier than others and I can just hop on a bike or strap on some shoes or slip into my suit and go... but some days I feel like I can't possibly finish my triathlon. I shouldn't even try. I should just stick to getting fit and healthy and be satisfied with that. But then something kicks me and says.. "WTF you will NEVER be satisfied with just that." I can't freaking wait to show up on race day and actually kick some ass. Today was one of the better days I've had, especially since last night I ran four miles. I mean this was absolutely UNheard of before I started training. I would have never in a million years thought that I would be putting in 10-15 miles a week on my little feetsies. But here I am.
I have to say one huge aspect of continuing training is that I have told every one of my family members that I am doing it and they are cheering me on. What helps is the change that everyone is able to see in me too. I just feel good all the time now. There is something to be said for excercise. Erin and I were talking and I swear if people only knew what it does for you and how easy it is to get hooked on to fitness this world would be so much better off. Excercise is a miracle drug that most people just don't know about yet. Believe you me I am going to be preaching away about it. People know how I like to preach when I find something I truly believe in. Have you heard me talk about "the secret" ? Hahaha

So lots of things are different right now and I think I am starting to get the hang of it.I've had my ups and downs lately. The whole moving out and finding a place to live process has started again and I remember just why I hate it. Every year I seem to get up and go somewhere else. I want to get settled to some extent. I would like to know that in another 12 months I do not have to pack my shit and get on the road again. My love life is a litle rocky these days and it can really take a toll on me and my mental status but luckily I have the endorphins from exercise to keep me going at times. I miss my best friend more than words can say. She is part of me.. so when we aren't together enough, I feel like I lose a little bit of myself. She is scheduled to return soon though, thank God! And she will return a graduate of Virginia Tech, I am so proud of her! Oh and my mother recently asked me to commute up to Baltimore two days a week in order to help my Step-Grandfather heal from recent surgery and all fo the getting old struggles. He isn't doing well right now so I am not even sure if I will be making those weekly trips but what a thought. To fit into my already crazy schedule I would be in Baltimore two days a week and trying to work as much as possible to make up for those days of work lost. So naturally I figure my current place of employment can't possibly cover that for me. I must get a second or technically third job at this point. Oh gosh that is a frightening thought. If my days seem long now, I cannot imagine what they will be like in the coming weeks when I try to fit in three jobs and triathlon training and trying to start my new business without losing my social life too... oh the stresses of being a 23 year old! When it's bad it ain't that bad and when it's good.. it's freaking amazing. So I take all my complaints back and I am going to enjoy the ride.
I got a new bathing suit for my triathlon and I am in love.It is bright green and bright blue.. it's reversible so I am glad that while I will be in the water, if I start to go down.. there will be enough visibility on me that someone can come save the girl in the bright green bathing suit! Not that that will happen. I just finished a conversation with my aunt and she is super motivating. She is is great shape and a wonderful athlete and just happens to be doing a 50 mile bike ride this weekend.. what an inspiration.. gosh i love my life ...
and I cant wait... hopefully I will have much more to write about my new business venture in the coming blogs.. I am working hard and doing some research to figure out just how to get this thing right. So more to come on that note I promise!
Its almost 10 o'clock and I figure I should probably get something to eat now.

Oh and I have only a few more days until Nicole's 5k in Richmond and I am super excited that I will actually be able to RUN this year... and I know I had always planned on that since starting training but I am at the point right now where I know that I can actually do it.
Staying motivated can be tough at times but other times I find inspiration in each person around me. I have an incredible cheerleading team in the ladies that I work with. They tell me day in and day out how proud they are of me. My family thinks I am crazy and that is all the more reason to keep going because if they think I am normal.. then I must be doing something wrong! My roommate is doing her own feat of amazement in that she will be running the San Diego Marathon. Crazy woman I tell you. So she keeps me motivated too And the more results I see when I look at my ever sculpting body I cant help but get more and more addicted to the way I feel. Freaking good. Now don't get me wrong. I have my days where I feel like I can't get enough sleep even if I slept for 3 days straight and I don't want to move because the weather is just not ideal. So in those moments if any of you have words of wisdom or encouragement, feel free to pass them along. I don't use an IPOD when I train so all I have are my thoughts and to hear someones voice in my head to keep pushing me is a great help!
More to come..
Stay tuned!