Forget my birthday?! Donate! :)

Hello loved ones!

I have a different sort of request this year.  You know how much I love races, right?  Well, this year, I have a dilemma.  I've signed up for 3 races that are donating monies raised to great causes.  I'm also helping out with a fundraiser in September for my friend, Richard, who is celebrating 21years of being cancer-free!

Now, we know that it seems like everyone is raising money for somebody, at some point, in some way.  Well, I get that.  So, let me offer this request.  In lieu of birthday presents, Christmas presents, or Mother's Day gifts, if you're able, I would love for you to donate to one of the following charities.  If we don't already exchange presents, then please consider donating anyways- and I'll be happy to reciprocate anytime.  :)

This donation covers you for 2012- I will not nag you for anything this year- promise! I'll just remember the gratitude I feel that you've made it possible for me to donate to not just one great charity, but FOUR!!

Here are the donation pages and a brief detail on the race and the charity involved:

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The Doughman Quadrathon- proceeds benefit SEEDS & See Saw Studio:  http://www.doughman.org//donate/fast-foodies

MS Muck Ruckus 5miler- proceeds benefit the MS Society:  http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/MuckRuckus/NCTMUCKEvents?px=1624993&pg=personal&fr_id=18943

Warrior Dash Mud Run 5K- fundraiser proceeds go to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital:  https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/donate.do?sectionStyle=subMenuThree&to=user&eventId=226830&programId=901&userId=802630&donateToself=Y

Clix For a Cure- fundraiser proceeds the Light the Night Walk (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society)- run by my friend Richard, who is celebrating 21 years of being cancer-free!:  http://pages.lightthenight.org/nc/Raleigh12/HeroesforHope

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Again, whatever you can donate would be amazing.  Thank you!!

Monday's Workout: 5 mile run (10ish min mile)

Today's Workout: 12.5 mile road bike (16.2mph)

Huh, whuh?! What is this blog that you're seeing- is it a figment of your imagination? Did you take the blue pill or the red pill?

Yep- I'm back!!

What am I doing? Well, I'm still racing, still training, still dieting, so not much has changed on that end. I am 20+lbs heavier than I was last year though (just realized that when I pulled up an old blog post.) What I'm NOT doing is dwelling on 2011 though- 2012 is looking good.

What's on the calendar so far:

• April 21- Rugged Maniac Mud Run 5K
• April 28- Primal Mud Run (5 miles)
• May 5- Expedition Everest Challenge 5K (Walt Disney World)- running this with my buddy, Jen Golden
• May 20- Warrior Dash Mud Run 5K- running this one with Josh
  
• May 26- The Doughman Quadrathlon (bike/meat portion)- relay team consisting of me, Josh, + our good friends Erin and Roy King
• June 9- Ninja Challenge 5K- running this with WFAR
  
• June 16- MS Mud Ruckus 5-miler- running this with WFAR
  

HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT....

• Sept 29- Tower of Terror 10-Miler (Walt Disney World)- running this with Mel Kriz
  
• Oct 13- Medoc Trail 10-Miler (if I can get in!)
• Nov 11- OBX Half Marathon (my second)- hopefully running this with Mel and Erin
  

• Jan 13, 2013- Walt Disney World Full Marathon (my third!)- running this with Erin King
  
• Mar 23, 2013- Spartan Sprint- running this with some friends and family
  

So, there yah go. Not too shabby and I get to run with friends too!

I'm also roller skating again- even bought myself a pair of speed/derby skates last night. Does it feel weird to be one of the oldest people at the rink- sure- but, if I'm going to hit my goal of being on a Roller Derby team, I gotta start somewhere, right? :)

As far as the diet, I've found a method that really works for me. I'm recording my food on MyFitnessPal (if you're on there- add me "ibeforej") and I'm now carrying a FitBit. I loved my BodyBugg, but it's bulky and I have to pay a fee to maintain the account online. This said account is also about to expire, so it was time to either break up or renew. Also, the iPhone app for BodyBugg was, well, buggy, so it pretty much rendered it useless most of the time (especially now that I have the version w/out the watch.)

(note- NOT my man hand!)

So, I bought a FitBit and I'm SUPER pleased. It syncs wirelessly if the base is plugged into my computer (a little bulky and better suited for desktops, but I'm getting used to it) and it automatically syncs with MFP. So, if I have a heavier calorie output day, it will adjust my daily calories automatically.

What am I eating? I'm keeping my carbs under 100 a day and trying to eat mostly meats and veggies. I even made a Veggie Puree that I haven't made in, oh, like 6 years. I subbed turnips for the potatoes (seriously- the best swap ever for soups, crock pot recipes, etc.) and added green beans. And added lots of elephant garlic, 'cause, well, we had LOTS of elephant garlic.

(Again, not my hand)

So, things are on track. And I'm writing in this blog again- hallelujah!