I'm running The Texas Half in Dallas this Saturday. In celebration of race-week nutrition, training, etc, I have decided to post a little ode to technical apparal.

You know how they advertise "cotton...the fabric of our lives..." WRONG. Not for a runner. For a runner, cotton is one of the most deplorable fabrics of all time! It clings, sticks, and stinks, and doesn't wick, dry, or breathe. Thus...the wonders of DRI-FIT, polyester-spandex blend, environmentally UN-friendly technical fabrics. Once you say goodbye to cotton...there is NO return...

So you thought running was just about the shoes? Let me introduce you to a whole new world...

First of all, the shoe. These happen to be my perfect shoe. Let me just say that NIKE does NOT do the running shoe well though they are my fav for all other tech-apparal. Along w/ running shoe shopping comes a whole vocabulary w/ words like "mid-foot support", "overpronation", and "advanced cushioning system".

Then the shorts...Now I know we all love and know the Nike Split Track. But let me tell you SIZING is the big deal here. Too small, they ride up, especially if you are blessed w/ curves like I am. Too big, and there isn't enough coverage in the middle and HELLO CHAFING! These are best for sunny, warm days...over 60 degrees.
My new found love...the running capri. With these you get maximum movement, minimal chafing and less sweating. Negatives...if you want to carry your phone for safety, these make it a bit difficult.

For cold days, we're talking less than about 38 degrees or lower, especially when you run in the dark at 6 am, the compression tights are the best option. Like the capris, great for movement. But I've worn these on a long run where my ending temp was in the 50s and it was HOOOTT.

Ah the singlet. The liberating feeling of running without sleeves just MIGHT be one of the most euphoric experiences in life. I'm not kidding. Plus, you get a great tan! Mine is a pretty blue color...not this yucky black.Ok, so I think every female needs to ditch the old high school/college/youth group t-shirts and purchase one of these UnderArmour Tees. They will REVOLUTIONIZE your workout experience. I'm serious, I was all about the old Zeta tees at the gym and then I got one of these. The breathability is amazing! The only downside is they can get kind of stinky post-workout.Who knew that Dri-fit around your head made a difference? Again, I was true blue w/ my pink Baylor hat and got a hat like this one. Somehow, it holds my sweat yet stays dry all at the same time. And I think the fact that it is white makes it a great sun reflector. Ok, no more excuses against the cold! One of these little puppies will keep your ears and head so nice and toasty on cold days! I have a pretty purple and pink one.This is the one thing I have not purchased but is next on my list...right now I'm wearing some apparent "moisture wicking" cheapos from Kohls. Which comes the one downfall to this post...tech apparal is PRICEY. Even socks, which I didn't get into, can run into $10 or $12 a pair. But I figure, these are items I am wearing several times a week...I definitely get more wear out of them than most of my other clothing items. Whatever the cost, tech apparal is worth it. There really isn't a comparison. And no trying to get those cheaper brands they sell at sports stores...somehow, there is a difference. Although my one paradox is that I have one favorite sports bra...and it was $8 at Walmart.

actual conversation

this was an actual conversation I had today, with an actual client.

Client M: Ms. Celina, I ordered a few movies last month for christmas. (referring to his cable bill)

Me: Well, I'm sure that's ok.

Client M: Well, Ms. Celina, you just tell me how many I can get.

Me: probably somewhere between 1-3 a month. no more than that, ok?

Client M: Probably not even that. It won't happen again, it was just for Christmas.

Me: ok. What movies did you watch?

Client M: Some alkfjdla (a word I didn't catch).

Me: what was that?

Client M: Some porn.

Me: (stunned)....Oh....ok.

lunch break ramblings

(for some reason, this is posting as 10:42am...don't be fooled...it's actually after 12pm)

I was tagged and I thought it was about time for an update anyhow.
So here are my one-word answers....

1. Where is your cell phone? pocket
2. Your significant other? studying
3. Your hair? ponytail
4. Your mother? intense
5. Your father? sweet
6. Your favorite thing? finishing
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? diet
9. Your dream/goal? perfection
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your fear? psychotic-ness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? babies
13. Where were you last night? play!
14. What you're not? rested
15. Muffins/donuts? muffin
16. One of your wish list items? watch
17. Where you grew up? Spring
18. The last thing you did? paperwork
19. What are you wearing? sperrys
20. Your TV? 24
21. Your pet? Judgie
22. Your computer? work
23. Your life? full
24. Your mood? sleepy
25. Missing someone? always
26. Favorite pastime? husband
27. Something you're not wearing? perfume
28. Favorite Store? anthro
29. Your summer? moving
30. Your favorite color? depends
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. Last time you cried? sunday
33. Who will re-post this? ames
34. Four places I go over and over? work, church, beartrail, home
Four people who e-mail me? mom, coworkers, pottery barn, and play director
36. Four of my favorite foods? chocolate, granola, salad, pineapples
37. Four places I would like to be right now? home, boston, florida, and australia.
38. Four people I tag? amy, katie, dez, ashley

ok now, about life...well the most major thing right now is the Christmas play at church I am in. First two shows were last night and they went great! I love being in a play where the final direction before the show is to "just be in the Spirit". And I love that after it's over we go directly to pray together while Pastor Jimmy is sharing the gospel. And I love that while we pray, people are getting saved and their lives are being transformed! I also have made some cool new friends. One being Fred Nelson, who plays my husband in the play. This was odd and kind of intimidating at first for a couple of reasons. 1. He is an associate pastor at the church. The only contact I had with him before this play was him on stage preaching a sermon and him leading the engagement retreat w/ his wife Becca. 2. He co-wrote the play so he wrote my character, which is intimidating when you are trying to personify this person that he wrote and imagined. But it turned out fine and I'm not intimidated by him anymore. Another friend is Janine, she is a young teacher and we are very similar. She is the one I get the giggles w/ about things to do with glow-tape and burping backstage and peeing while your mike is on. Her grandmother was in the hospital during our tech and dress rehearsals and actually passed away yesterday morning so I have prayed w/ her through that which has built friendship. If any of you are in Waco, come to a Thursday performance of "The Carolers", 6:30 or 8:30pm at Antioch.

In other news, remember how I was preparing for the Dallas Whiterock Half Marathon? Well I am good and ready but little did I know that this Marathon was a big deal. A few weeks ago I went to register only to discover it was sold out!!! Yes, these things DO sell out! So I put my name on the waiting list and have continued training but I haven't heard ANYTHING. So I am a very sad little runner right now. Guess I'll just wait till Bearathon 09...anyone want to train w/ me???

Well, I want to do some other stuff during my lunch break so I'm gonna call this post quits for today...love you all!

update!

so it's been a while since my last post but today i find myself w/ an unprecedented amount of extra time b/c TWO of my clients rejected me today...one refused to go to his Dr's appt that we have rescheduled 3 times due to him forgetting it once and refusing to go a previous time. Grr. So I get to call the Dr and fix it for him. The other is "sick". "how are you sick?", I ask. He answers "i'm sick, don't you know what sick is?" Ok, that's just where you end the conversation. So, at the end of the month when I need to meet my 3.5 hour quota with all my clients, they are bailing on me. goody.

in other news, I'm gonna go for the ever-popular bullet points to describe life right now:

--speaking of work, I have been working WAY too much. like no lunch and till 6 which is fine if I were getting paid for it. but our overtime has to be "approved" whatever that is, so I'm not getting paid. this along w/ a whole other list of woes, is making me really really not like work. Well. I like what I do, it's just unmanageable and I don't feel like I'm being compensated. So it's bad management.

--I am running my SECOND half-marathon. The Dallas Whiterock 1/2 on Dec 14th!! All you in the Metroplex, please come cheer me on. If you want to come, let me know and I'll have my mom coordinate mile marker assignments! This is different for me b/c I am training completely on my own. Tommy was going to do it, but he caught a bought of IT Band tendonitis so no long distance running for him for a while. and my dezzy, is as we know in Boston, freezing her tushie off so it's me completely solo. Let me tell you it aint too fun doing a tempo run at 6am in the dark. A tempo run is as follows: warm up about a mile, run a certain number of miles at a pace significantly faster than your race pace, and then cool down about a mile. I did my first one yesterday, it sucked, and my time sucked, but I could definitely feel myself pushing harder. Tempo runs help you increase your speed. I'm pushing for a sub-10 minute mile on race day.

--We went to Arkansas this weekend for the first time since being married. It was really fun and beautiful. We ate, shot an armadillo, fed horses, moved cows and saw the new baby cows. Mom-inlaw found some lamps at this antique shop that are AMAZING and so maybe santa will put those under the tree for us this year! Allison (t's little sis) dog-sat Judgie for us over the weekend and we got back and she and her friends had cleaned our apartment! it was such a blessing to come home to!

--also, The Office? Ok, I'm glad Jim and Pam got engaged, but I am getting extremely miffed at their strange interactions over the past few weeks. These producers BETTER not split them up or I will be outraged! Also, Tommy and I figured out why Michael and Holly get along. They are both dorks! What's different is that Michael is also an idiot.

--This weekend is homecoming and I hope to see alot of you there! PLEEEEASE call and let's hang out this weekend if you are going to be in Waco!

ok, better get back to work. love you all!

i am posting pics

So I finally hooked up the new camera tommy's parents gave us and downloaded some of the honeymoon and some other random pics. So here are a few!

umm, hello paradise...this was our view from breakfast on our first day in Puerto Vallarta.

our hotel...our suite was on the fourth floor right on the corner (there are only four of them) a night out at one of the best meals of my life..the setting was so romantic and the food was fantastic! and then Judge....b/c I know you are all dying to see him grown up :)

hopefully some pics of the nest will come soon!

wedding pics!

Hello all! I know it's been a while since a post. Sorry this one won't be that long or interesting. But the wedding pics are online!! I am really pleased w/ them. If you would like to see them make sure you have a few minutes (there is 600 pics!) and make sure your internet connection is very good. The website can be a little finicky. anyways do this:

www.onlocationportraiture.com
-->weddings and portraits
-->proofs
-->password: byrd
ENJOY!

On the Waco front, we've been enjoying unusually beautiful weather...around 56 in the morning and 88 during the day. fabulous. especially for a morning runner! On the job front, I think I'm getting into the swing of things. last friday we had a staff appreciation day complete w/ volleyball tourney, ping pong tourney, awards ceremony and a special skit/dance (which I was a part of!). Let me tell you...these people are INTENSE about the annual volleyball tournament. the 2nd place team was like calling the other team cheaters and talking about getting back at them next year and stuff. Crazy! I'm getting attached to some of my clients...I just am really for their recovery. On the life front, Tommy and I are 1.5 months old...and its still fun! We are still leading lifegroup which has turned out to be one of the most refreshing things in our week. the group is pretty young this year, young, excited, committed. We are still learning each other but it has been a real joy for us to be a part of.

That's all for now I guess. I love you all...

men are from mars...

so after a fabulous 3 weeks of marriage, and 2 weeks of actual living together, I have learned a few things about the way boys live...I don't have any brothers so this is the first time in my entire life I have ever lived with a male that wasn't my father.

1. they eat all the food. when we went grocery shopping the first time we got a pound of peppercorn turkey for him and 1/2 pound of honey smoked turkey for me. one day i come home for lunch and i reach for my honey turkey...it's gone! then one morning i reached for the box of cereal...gone! and he eats. all the time. we now have to buy 2 loaves of bread, 2 cartons of milk (organic milk, so it's not cheap!), 1 1/2 pounds of deli meat (it is an enormous amount of meat!), and about a million apples. yikes!

2. for some reason, he thinks that the shower curtain bar is a towel rack. now, if we didn't have a towel rack, i could understand. but we have a rack...and an over the door thing with a billion hooks...most of which are empty...but over the shower curtain it goes...making big wet spots on the curtain.

3. also, after a workout, did you know that boys have to hang up their dirty clothes to prevent them from molding...i always just throw mine in the hamper...but theirs are so sweaty that they could MOLD. sick.

4. the WIRES. ok, i can't stand seeing wires...my mom is like that so i think she has rubbed off on me. in the living room at any given time the following are visible: computer cord, ipod charger, ipod cable, playstation controller on the floor, rockband equipment with connecting wires, ipod speaker...we are working on the concealment of such things.

5. dirty clothes. it piles up SO QUICKLY. first of all, his clothes are just bigger...so they take up more space. second of all, he can't rewear his clothes minus shorts and pants. third of all, he changes at LEAST twice a day b/c of the exercising...so i feel like i constantly have laundry to do.

ok ok ok, so i'm being dramatic. living with tommy has really been wonderful. and we have some living differences, but i think if we are conflicting over where he hangs his towel, we're doing pretty good. he really is so caring and really really tries to make me feel comfortable and in turn, I want him to feel comfortable too. and maybe sometimes things might look a little funny, but he LOVES me well. so i hope this was funny, but know that he makes me happy. wet spots on the curtain and all. :)