Kathybad

Ok, I did it! Picture this: Fire engine red jacket (I look amazing in red!) that is perfectly fitted, shows my more slender shoulders, comes in at the waist and then flares out slightly at the hips (perfect from my cupee doll shape) = $100 Black skirt that is an A frame shape, slender at the waist, below the knee and flares out as it goes down, with soft pleat/folds = $75 Paten leather black shoes (I also bought red ones, but don't think they look as good) = $100 (2 pair) Red leather briefcase/purse combo to hold my folder and stuff (subdued soft red) = $25 Total cost = $300 (OMG!!!) Effect = Priceless! It was so much fun. I guess my feet have lost weight too because I was able to wear most types of shoes!!!

Fanny... good luck with getting de-kinked! My girlfriend had her lapband surgery way back in 2000, when it first came on the market in Canada. So it's an older lapband. The tubing has come disconnected twice from the port so she's had 2 additional surgeries to fix it. Both were really no problem, and much quicker recover than the original... hope all will be fine for you. Please do ask you surgeon about how long you need to wait before running... and listen to his advice! Then we'll be happy to kick start you at that point! Georgia Girls (Georgia, Leslie & Jeannie) - You'all are doing great! LOL at my southern drawl (not bad for a Canadian gal). I wish I could come down for the race and cheer you on from the sidelines! Yeah I'm hooked! I dreamed about running last night! And it was a good dream, not a nightmear! DH told me to go out and get a new outfit for my interview tomorrow. I've got nothing that fits right... and he wants me to rock this. So he coughed up the credit card! I might go back to that store and get that hot red jacket I tried on, new skirt and shoes! Its been so long since I went shopping for real!

I'm interviewing for the Marketing Operations Manager at 3M Canada. This position heads up the Office and Consumer products marketing team.... Post-it brand mainly. Your position sounds amazing. That would be very rewarding... and heartbreaking too. Ok, tomorrow I start my 13 week training plan for my next 5k. The training schedule includes easy jogs, long runs, intervals and cross training. I'm going to give this my all... as I'm really enjoying the running. This training schedule is supposed to take you from beginner to intermediate level. Renewed.. that sounds like a lot of fun, maybe someday I can get the gear.

You guys are too funny! Renewed... what a compliment! I'd have been grinning from ear to ear and probably would have flirted with him too, just to enjoy the moment! You gadget ho's... count me in! I used to have a crackberry... and have been suffering withdrawl for the last few months! I'd love to have the Nike+ system, but don't wear Nike shoes! Luluc... sounds like you're ready for Sat. Don't get too nervous, just enjoy it! You will do great! Tootie... good luck too on Sat! Nuke... I did my first 5k yesterday too! What an experience. Lyn... I've been studying all weekend and today (and tomorrow) for the interview. I really need to nail this! I found out today that one of the people I was supposed to meet with has changed... so now I need to find out more about this new person. I think I'm ready though! Good luck Lyn... what job are you interviewing for?

Lyn... you crack me up! I almost spewed out my coffee as I read your post! I agree... tootie... go for it. There will probably be lots of people run/walking so go get your taste of the race, and believe me... it will hook you.

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Thanks everyone for the high 5's! I'm still so psyched its nuts! I've been researching run training schedules and different runs all evening. LOL! I've convinced DH to join me on the "Resolution Run" which is held on Dec. 31st at 5pm. He ran it last year and loved it. So it's 13-1/2 weeks away and I've downloaded and personalized a training chart so that I can continue to stay motivated and improve! I keep noticing parts of my body that are looking and feeling better, so want to continue this transformation. I am so hooked! So here's what I put together for my training... Am I crazy or what!

Georgia... shake it off. Tue will work too. 17 min is excellent! Luluc... you will do great. Thanks again for your support. BTW, the run raised over $26,000 for Community Living London!

Time to all play that Rocky song... I DID IT!!!!! OMG, it was so hard... so much different than running alone. But I did it... non-stop. My time was 44:02, which was longer than I thought I'd do, but I hadn't measured the right distance in the park, so I'm ok with that. As I approached the finish line it was amazing. Everyone was cheering and then I heard my son yelling "Come on Mom". So I ran even faster then. I made 2 mistakes... 1) I didn't eat enough for breakfast nor drink enough to hydrate myself... so felt weaker than I usually do and was really thirsty. 2) I wore the shirt... long sleeves were too hot for me, and it kept twisting so it felt weird. Next time I know to wear the clothes I'm used to and wake up earlier to get enough food in me. I think if I'd done that I would have felt better during the run. However, I'm so pumped that I did it!!! As promised, here are the pictures of me at the starting line, half way and at the finish line!

Tootie... congrats on the 25 min. You are well on your way to the 5k! I agree, music is everything. I run slow, so the slower songs are fine as long as they are uplifting or have a good beat to them. Here's my run mix for my race: Mustang Sally - The Commitments Mama I'm Coming Home - Ozzy I can't stand the Rain - The Commitments Space Oddity - David Bowie Bad Moon Rising - CCR Dreamer - Ozzy Destination anywhere - The commitments Changes - David Bowie I heard it through the Grapevine - CCR Eye of the Tiger (Rocky Song) As you can tell, I like soul and old rock.

Bees Are Gone!!! Yeah! The exterminator guy said it was the worst hive he's ever seen. There were about 700 wasps in 4 hives. He said that if we had waited another week, it would have doubled or more in size as the larva was starting to hatch. They had found a small opening under our fireplace just above the foundation and built hives in the insulation around the floor joists. He took it out and when we were outside I looked at it and took a couple of pictures so my DH could see it... nasty. Now all we have to do is replace the insulation and seal up the hole. I'm so glad we called these guys. It takes guts to do that job, and I could tell this guy was a bit concerned at a couple of points. Ok, I know this has nothing to do with running... but I had to share! I'll be able to sleep tonight knowing its been taken care of!!

Renewed... Happy Birthday Girl!!! Hope you have a great weekend celebrating. BTW, everytime you talk about 4-wheeling... I have a vivid image of you on your 4-wheeler, wearing... well you know! LOL Leslie... Yeah, congrats on getting back to running! Georgia... Love the new photo. Such an amazing transformation from a year ago! Lyn... Size 10! OMG, didn't you just get banded! Congrats! I picked up my race kit and t-shirt! I'm wearing #400 on my race bib, and am so psyched for the race!

Hi Everyone... I just found a new website for Running support. You can log your runs, get info, map out running routes, etc. Check it out. Free to set up an account. It helps plan out your routes too. RunningAHEAD - Achieving goals through better information

Tootie... Congrats on the running. You have progressed so well. Go for the run, it will be such a great challenge and insiration. Good luck. I went out this morning to get my DD some new shoes... she's growing so fast! While I was out, I tried on some running/fitness clothes. The ones that are knit, stretchy and fashionable! Well, I didn't expect them to fit, as they only go to an XL size... but they did, and I looked good! Oh that felt great. So the plan is to get this job and when the money starts to come in, I'm buying a cool looking jogging outfit! Ok, on the wasp/bee front... we have an exterminator coming tomorrow to check things out. Hopefully it won't be too bad, but I'm really worried about it! These things terrify me. I was swarmed by them as a kid and ended up in the hospital... don't ever want that again!

Leslie... Who cares if it was a shovinist comment... Yippie!!! Bring it on! Soon you'll be getting whistled at on the street! As for the morning... just do it, as the Nike commercial goes. Don't think about it, just do it! Georgia... Yeah... keep on adding a minute to your time! You are doing great. Lyn... yes, when your hips shrink, it hurts! LOL. Next time you run see if you notice how you swing your hips. You might be pushing them a bit and causing them pain?? Good luck. BTW, don't worry about the weight loss or lack of it, or the restriction. It takes awhile to get to your sweet spot on the band. And once you get there, you'll know. I was banded at the end of July (2007) and didn't get to the right fill level until mid Nov. Everyone is different, but keep working at it and you'll get there. Sugar... Ouch!!! I'm cringing for you! Your legs are going to be smokin' hot when you're done with this! It'll be over soon! I did my run this evening. Couldn't get motivated during the day to do it, so waited until DH got home. I just went out into the neighbourhood and ran... not sure how far I went, but ran for a total of 45 minutes. I remixed my playlist so that the last song was the Rocky song. I timed it based on how long it's taking me to do the 5k, so the Rocky song comes on at 39 min, that should mean when I run on Sun it will come on just before the finish line! I'm a bit achey tonight... in my shoulder??? Weird. Does anyone have any experience with bees/wasps making a nest in the house? We think they've gotten into the house through the front just above the foundation and are nesting above the ceiling in the basement spare bedroom. Nasty! DH went out to spray some stuff, but can't see the hive. When my friend was here on the weekend she was stung on her toe when she was walking into the spare bedroom. I think I have to call in a specialist. I hate bees... they terrify me.

WTG Lyn... what an accomplishment. Do you run indoors at the gym or go out as a group? 1/2 marathon is such an amazing challenge, and you'd be great at it! Good luck on your interview! No, I'm not buying a new outfit... unfortunately can't afford one. But I might go to a 2nd hand store to see if there is something acceptable. I've done that a lot in the past as I am losing weight. Can't bring myself to buy something for a lot of $$ that won't fit for very long. But as I mentioned, I did go window shopping and had on this beautiful red jacket... I love red and look smoking hot in it! Off to watch "House"... love that show... laugh at how ridiculous he is!

Georgia... is this the first time you wore the armband? If so, I'd guess it was that, or if you've worn it lots before, did you tighten it a bit more this time? Try wearing the armband around for a little while to see if it happens again. It also might be how you move your arm while running. Maybe you kinked something? Hope it doesn't happen again! I wear an armband for my ipod, and I have to make sure I put it overtop of my sleeve otherwise it hurts my arm while I run.

Renewed.... Way to go!!!! :smile: Leslie... Thanks! As for the kids growing up... oh its hard somedays! But growing out of Spongebob would be GREAT!!! Unfortunately, my DH loves it too! As for coffee... I have a love affair with coffee. If I had to give it up like I did for pop, I'd have ended up hospitalized and drooling!! LOL. Its not the caffine... I don't care if it has it or not. I just love the taste and the warm beverage. It's my one splurge... I have it with light cream! Aclubb... congrats on the 20min run! You rock! It is so strange, but we have all felt the same thing... I love to run and I love how it makes me feel. Keep it up! I'm down 2-1/2 lbs this week! I'm so thrilled. Almost to onederland! Haven't been there in 20+ years, and then only briefly! My NSV for today... I went window shopping and tried on some clothes. I had to ask for a smaller size... twice!!! And when I put on the outfit, I realized that I actually have bones in my shoulders! Its not just a rounded softness from my neck to my arms. There are actual bones and angles!!! LOL! In the dressing room, I kept poking and feeling around my shoulders... they've been hidden for so long! Another NSV... I ran into a woman I used to work with, and hadn't seen her since March. She kept going on and on about how "healthy" I look. That felt really good. She said I looked strong!

Georgia... Yeah! You did it! I'm so NOT a morning person that my DH has to entice me out of bed with a cup of coffee. When that doesn't work, he sends in my DS to tickle me out of bed! Its so cute... but I hate it! In the morning I would rather have 5 more minutes of sleep than just about anything else... even chocolate! Ok, I found out my interview was moved up. Its now on Oct 1st instead of Oct 6th. That's better... I'm ready! I'm ready!... I sound like Spongebob!

Sugar... its nice to hear from you again. Good luck with your leg procedures. Hope you heal fast and can get back to running! I'm with you on the Onederland motivation... its just 14 lbs away for me and then my 100 lb loss is close after. Lyn... good for you on joining the run group! You're more dedicated than me... no way would I get up that early! I am not a morning person!

What a great NSV moment for both of you! To weigh less than your DH... I have to get down another 50lbs to get there! I hope I do someday, but if not, that's ok. Camping... I love it! When I was a kid and teenager we'd go every weekend. I'm such an outdoor nut. there is nothing better than waking up and having a cup of coffee outside in the crisp morning air! When DH and I were dating, I convinced him to go camping with me. He's a big city guy, and had never been camping before. So this was big for him. Once we got the tent set up and the campsite arranged, I suggested we go on a hike. He then started to put stuff back in his car and got out a padlock to "lock the tent". I started laughing so hard... and I still laugh to this day about it! Lock the tent. He was freaked out all weekend thinking someone was going to rob or murder us! He eventually got used to it and we would go camping about 2-3 times a year until Sarah came along. She needs too much constant supervision for tent camping for now. DH would absolutely love to have a trailer... with all the conviences - kitchen, bathroom, bed, and AC!!! Have to admit... sounds much better than the hard ground! I completed my run for today. It felt great! I planned a route in the park that included a really big hill. Just as I crested the hill (and made it!!!) another woman was starting down the hill. She saw the great big smile on my face, and smiled back. She then lifted her hand and we exchanged high 5's. Now that was a moment that I'll never forget! Had to share!

Leslie... so glad to hear you're feeling a bit better. Please be careful with your thyroid meds!!!! We MISSED you big time here! Welcome back. Mamato... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! What a perfect b-day gift from your DH. Cake is a must on b-days, so glad you enjoyed it! Lyn... midlife crisis... no way! Its just you doing what YOU want! Sounds like a self assured woman with a great sense of humor!!! Georgia... 16 minutes sounds like a great goal! Just think, last week you were struggling with 8! WTG Girl! Renewed... are you still on your runner's high! I had a great weekend. My girlfriend came for a visit with her 3 hellion sons! Usually it is very chaotic/crazy/stressful, but this weekend was so much better. When she called on Wed to see if they could come for a visit, I told her I really wasn't up to the stress. She understood. But then my DH convinced me to have them come. So before she arrived, she read them the riot act and they all listened and were really good. You have to imagine this... her sons are 13, 11 and 7. The oldest is 6' 5" tall, has an angry disposition, is moody and disrespectful. The next is 5'10" tall, bounces between being sweet and kind and moody & aggressive. The youngest is 5' 4" tall, is a very sensitive boy, intellectually challenged like my son, but fights with his oldest brother all the time. They eat us out of house and home, don't ever want to do anything but argue and play video games, won't leave their mom alone, and are always pushing for her to buy them things. She is a single mom, still very angry at her X who just remarried, and is not a great mom. She loves them, but is a push over, so they get away with everything. I love my friend dearly, but OMG it is stressful to be the bystander. However, I have to say, she did great this weekend and it was one of the best visits we've had in years. Ok... probably TMI, but wanted to share. I'm going to run on M, W, F this week, then rest on Sat before my race on Sun. I plan to run 5k today and Wed, and then do a shorter run on Fri.

Well I picked a great day to be MIA... Georgia... I am in awe of you!!!! I'm so proud of you and for you! That is such an amazing accomplishment. To have lost 100 lbs in 1 year is life changing, awe inspiring and just plain cool!!! Ok... I promised bells and whistles... :embaressed_smile::cursing:Yeah Haw!!!! Renewed... I knew you'd kick A$$... that is an amazing time! Under 30 minutes and #4 in your group! You rock! As for your DH... tell his "That's allright... we all know he had to go slow enough for the kids!!!" Hey, I just think its amazing that all of you participated! Now for both of you and the rest of us... here's the Rocky Song, cause we all deserve it! Foreigner - Eye of the tiger (Rocky Soundtrack).mp3

Luluc... UGHHHH! How gut wrenching! Ok... just laugh it off! If it was me, I'd probably lose my voice due to the sonic screaming and the contractors would be deafened!!!

Renewed... that is excellent! It must feel really great to be out running with your boys! How was the jogging stroller? I've got my fingers crossed for you tomorrow! Will anyone be taking a picture of you at the finish line? If so, share it please!