An example of why Run/Walk Etiquette is Important

Let's do a Throwback Thursday post to a time back in June 2011 to one of my running events and one reason why race etiquette is so important.

On June 12, 2011, I participated in one of our local running events, The Bridge City Boogie (BCB), in the 5k. I just ran a the Saskatchewan Marathon (Half Mary) the end of May with no issues.  The BCB event was packed.  It had grown so much that it had over 6000 participants that year.  Now runner/walker etiquette was not there in the slightest.  Now given that this was such a family orientated event I can understand not everyone knowing them but some of the attitudes that went with the participants were not that friendly.  In fact knowing that there would be a good number of walkers and that I would be running the 5k, I headed towards the front of the 5k group and placed myself about 10 rows back because I could not manage to squeeze up anymore.  I had strollers and little kids in front of me and people holding hands.  I did ask politely to go ahead of them and was refused. Ok. fine.  I had noticed a few other people that I knew would be running and as one was prepping their Garmin for the race, a group of ladies were making fun of this runner with all her "running gadgets" and about how she must think she is so cool.  Nice attitude. Really.

Now I mentioned that there were a high number of people for this local race.  This was a big deal considering our city has never had this many people in a run/walk event before and I really don't think they were prepared.  They did have the 'rules of the road' made available prior to the event and they made many announcements that all walkers, strollers, and such to please line up near the back of the their distance group.  People did not budge.  Ok, fine, no problem, I would just stick to the left and hope that things aren't too bad.

Well they did not get any better.  You see since the huge number of people were squeezed in to a skinny side street with people also on the side grass areas for each distance group.  I was thankful that the race had a different start time for the 10k group, but the 5k and 2k group was release together.  Now imagine all those people squeezing in from the grass area suddenly on to the road and the first turn was right ahead and to the left... The site wasn't pretty.  I thought I had a good spot as there were a few runners ahead of me, but then I noticed some people jumping up on to the curb to the left and running up on the sidewalk and grass area.  I was trying to stay true to my distance for myself, but I guess I didn't catch on to this warning sign and the next thing I know I was being edged off the road and suddenly my left foot was up on the curb (over 1 ft up from the road) and my right foot was still on the road.  Saying ouch here would be an understatement.

I was mad and I also didn't realize what exactly I did to myself yet, but I noticed that I couldn't really run anymore the way I was.  I couldn't walk either without limping.  I came up with the alternate shuffle/walk thing and continued on and the pain got worse.  I knew I was in trouble and had in my mind I needed to find someone with a walkie talkie (of all things) and they could help me.  I went past the route marshals, the police, and other volunteers, but did not stop because they did not have this walkie talkie.  I think I was in some kind of shock with tunnel vision at this point from the pain.  When it came to entering the stadium where the race ended, I saw the finish line and just focused on that.  As soon as I crossed that line I hopped to the information tent and asked where the ambulance was because I thought something was wrong.  They just told me that I ran past it when I entered the stadium. They had me sit at that point and called the ambulance workers over to me where they checked me out and said I should go to the doctors and maybe get checked out.  So, I hung around and a very nice volunteer helped me over to an area so I could try to find my friends.  Once they found me, they grabbed their van, picked me up, and drove me to my vehicle.  Then they left.  At this point the pain was really bad and I started to laugh because it was my left ankle that was sore and I was driving my truck that was a standard. Yeah. Let's just say I rode that clutch the whole way to the minor emergency medical clinic.

So, I get in to the doctors, he thinks sprain but sends me for x-rays there just to be safe and calls me back in.

Broken L-fibula from race

The result was a broken Left Fibula just above the ankle.  Broke right across and thankfully no displacement to warrant surgery.  I said your joking right?  He just responded with "you finished the race?" I have always said I was stubborn but did not realize how stubborn I was.

So, the doctor gave me the option of a regular cast, a cast that I can shower with, or an air-cast.  I chose the air-cast so I had to go to another place to pick it up.  So off I went riding my clutch again, but I did call my husband to tell him the news and to please come to the city to exchange vehicles with me since I really can't drive mine.

Now I know that I can not put the blame on the race event, but I did send an email to them to let them know what happened and to please be aware for future races so maybe some more focus on race etiquette or what ever could happen.  I also found out that I was not the only runner with injuries from that first turn.

Now, there is a happy ending to this story.  I was originally signed up for to run the 5k at the Mogathon with my family two weeks later on June 25th.  I contacted the event and asked if they would let me complete the 5k in a wheelchair instead and they had no problem with it.  So, with two weeks in between the two events, I rented a wheelchair to use at work and home to prepare, and finished my 5k in the wheelchair with my family by my side.

Finished 5k in wheelchair

I must give a huge thanks to the Mogathon event as I was the only wheelchair participant and they had one area of the event that a wheelchair could not go through, so they made a ramp just for me.  Wow.  I was so impressed and full of gratitude.  

I also have to give a huge thanks and hug to my very supportive family and workplace.

Final times for both 5k races:
Bridge City Boogie (broken leg) - 33:19 mins
Mogathon (wheelchair) - 40 some mins (can't remember exactly right now)

So, when life gives you one huge lemon, you make the best lemonade with what you were given.

Do you have any good or bad examples of race etiquette being done?

The Good and The Bad

Workouts? What workouts... lol Been to busy to even TRY to squeeze one in. Remember yesterday I had plans to fit SOMETHING in? Yeah, well it did not happen. I left my house around 9:30 a.m. and did not get back until 5:30 p.m. and was wiped, both physically and mentally. I think for the next bit here I will not force any plans for workouts of any kind and just be happy to get in what I can. Being realistic should be gearing my current goals at the moment and when we are a bit more settled with this moving stuff, I can re-evaluate where I am and continue on. As I manage to get the odd walk, swim, or whatever in I will be accountable and post it. :0) I am taking it easy and not lifting anything or pushing myself to the point that it will interfere with my healing.

Good thing is that the flooring is now bought and is in the new place waiting to be installed next week. My poor son had quite the workout unloading 2 skids of the stuff! We did cheat a bit though and unloaded it in to the heated garage right off the truck so he did not have to travel far. :0) Since I have a small truck we had to make two trips out there. (btw - the flooring guy had the name wrong with the Bamboo flooring, it is engineered oak hardwood which is susposed to be quite durable also - was kind of looking forward to just saying I have Bamboo... lol )

The doctors visit was both up and down. No answer BUT have decided to try to apply for workman's compensation based on a claim I made nine years ago (injured same area of back that hurts now) and see if they feel it is related in any way. I thought it may have been the knee that started it all but I am lost at this point now. Who knows, maybe they can shed some light or eliminate them so we can move on to the next possible cause. The problem with me is that some of the injuries that I have had in the past have been quite severe so how do you determine what the possible cause of this could be? It really is the million dollar question.

I do have to laugh though. You see I am so used to using lingo like IT band, SI joint, and such and I just had the ortho AND my family doctor ask me what IT band stands for... ok... this just really made me giggle. lol

So today my sister is coming over bearing timmies :0) and going to help with a couple loads of just some odd light stuff around the house. My son is home again today (will explain in a bit here) so he will be able to help also. You see I was looking around my old house here and I do not see where I could even put a packed box at this point it is so cluttered with stuff. So I felt maybe we could start clearing some stuff out to make some room for the stuff being packed in boxes.

My son? Well for those that do not know, my son has Asperger's, ADHD, Tourette's, and Asthma. Quite the combination I know... lol We are just having a really bad spell lately about this whole 2012 stuff going on. He likes to watch the history channel and they have covered a few things about this subject. One of them being about the Mayans. Now my son see's things black and white and not much grey areas so trying to explain this to him is really hard. He says the Mayans have always been right in their predictions so something bad IS going to happen 2012. He is a bit paranoid at the moment and quite fragile. I am trying my best to keep him calm but it is pretty hard when he tells me that when ever he lets his mind go bland (as he puts it) this stuff always pops in his mind and then he gets worked up about it. So I have been trying to keep him occupied with me (he also is showing signs of a chest cold so have to keep that in check before full blown asthma attack) and I am enjoying the time with him - he really is a great help. :0) I usually would try to take him to his doc but he just retired suddenly and now we have to find a new one.

So today my mind goes in to positive thoughts and being very optimistic about the coming weeks ahead. I am going to enjoy my coffee, dream about the new place, and plan some nice walking and hopefully soon to be running again routes in that area. :0)

Mindless munching again...

Yesterday as I was watching the Boston Marathon, old habits kicked back in and I munched... and munched... So another day of mindless munching and it did not stop with the marathon.  Last night I ended up getting the mentality of oh well, today is a write off anyways and went and took the family to an ice cream place and had a swiss dark chocolate gelato in a waffle cone and brought some baked old dutch chips to eat also... no water...

I am so close to being back to the original 100 lbs loss again and it seems like it is scaring me some  how... I don't know how to describe it.

All I want to do is run this mood off but the roads are really slippery and my treadmill is broken. :(  I think I am going to have to tuff it out and dress the part and boot my butt outside to get over this.  I need to feel like I got a good run in and Sunday's fiasco with the treadmill did not give me that.  It was more depressing than anything.  I even felt like having a *gasp* smoke last night!!! (I didn't though - about my only nsv for the day) :(

Oh well... enough of my problems...  life can be tough sometimes and I have to learn how to overcome them with out the use of food and have backups in place when things go wrong. EG. Treadmill breaking down.

The scale was not so nice to me this am as I took a peak at it and I think I am going to have to be really strict with myself here if I at least want to stay the same.  I have gone over and beyond my FPs for the week which I think is the first for me this journey.  OP no more...

So, my plan for the day is nothing but water (no coffee), get my 5k run in, eat clean and within my points (both DP and APs), and get out of this funky mood.

*Thanks to the virtual push from Froggie-George, I am going somewhere to use a treadmill and try to kick this mood away.  I will post when I am done.

run: 5.44 km/40 mins, first 5 mins not in that time as I was walking to warm up, then 30 mins of 6:47 min/km run, then 10 mins of walking to make 5.44 km in total.  I feel a bit better and more relaxed now - something that I have not felt since last Thursday.  It was a bit tricky running on a different treadmill as it was showing in miles/hr for speed and I had absolutely no clue what I was set on.  I just went by the Nike+ for distance and pace.  I know if I had run outside it would have shown a really good run as I really pushed my self today to get all the cobwebs out.   I may have to re-calibrate my Nike+ so it can be a bit more accurate. (Garmin would have been just around 6k and pace would have been about 6:20 min/km {for the run part})

Your turn Froggie-George... lol  :)

Boston Marathon!!!

Well, a bit of a late post today because I was watching the Boston Marathon and cheering on some fellow maniacs. :)  16 of them ran in it today!  Everyone but one managed to cross the finish line which was great.  The one that did not cross, we do not have the full story yet but were assured that he is ok.  So, it was a very emotional and exciting day as I was camped out on the couch on my computer. :)  Nothing else was accomplished....

This coming Sunday is my first race this year and I am planning to do the 5k in it.  I am not too sure of how the course is yet and if there are many hills.  It is probably going to be on the trails which suck because they are not in the best shape right now and not very flat.  The road would have been better. :(  I just realized though that I am going to have to rearrange my training schedule for the week though and maybe do my long run on Friday instead.  That would mean that I am going to have to get off my butt here and do some cross training of some kind tonight! lol  So I really should work things out today and get things planned.

Eating wise, I do not know what has come over me but I can not stop mindless munching right now.  I am just about at the 100 lbs lost mark again and it almost seems like I am sabatoging myself.  I don't know what has come over me... Maybe it is the weather?  stress?  who knows.... I do have to smarten up though and not let this get to me.  I really feel like a good run right now because it feels like I was denied that yesterday and maybe that would help?  It is too bad that it is snowing and cold otherwise I would be outside in a New York Minute! lol

Well, I should get going here and check out everyone's blogs for today...

cross train?

wts?

Back to routine...

My son came home yesterday! Yeah!  Getting back in to routine was not as bad as I thought it was going to go.  I did have a bit of a hard time getting him up this am but I think that one is pretty normal for anyone right after holidays. :)  As he was making his eggs this morning he did get upset though because he said that his real dad would not let him cook at all while he was there because his dad did not want him to scratch the stove.  My ex said that it is a fancy stove (just a flat top) and that it was not for kids to cook on.  My son told him that he was very good at cooking and my ex replied by asking what has he all cooked and my son replied what he had.  My ex told him well that was all beginner stuff and that's not cooking!  Arrrg!  You don't say that to a kid!!!  My son is very proud of what he is able to cook and I am too.  I have taught my son to be safe around the stove and he is very careful.  My son is just starting out... there is nothing worse than someone telling you that you are not doing well enough.  So I guess all of us when we start something are not good enough then and should stop.  Boy... If I had listened to that advice I would not be the person I am today being able to do the things I can.   I guess my son asked also where the clear lids were and my ex told him you don't need clear lids to cook.  OK fine, pt taken but when you are a kid just starting out, it is a good thing to have so they see what is going on under the lid.  BTW - my ex was not the greatest of cooks.  lol Rant over. :)

Today I am for SURE taking my new bike out for a small spin.  It is rest day today but I SO want to try it out again!!! lol  I am so happy that the weather is finally going to warm up a bit here this week and stop being so stubbornly cold. :)Scratch that. :( It's snowing outside!!!!  Arrrrrggggg!

Food wise I am going to be doing some planning here and a trip to the grocery store for some things.

Homework wise I need to keep cracking down on myself and get moving.  

I am still not smoking and I am so loving the feeling.  I sure hope that I can maintain it this time.  It is sad because it seems like right now I am looking for something to sabotage it.

Funny British/slapstick movie...

My DH and I went to see this movie last night and we both enjoyed it.  It has a bit of fowl language in it so just a pre-warning incase you may be offended.  Although it makes fun of many running cliches, and not really realistic to train for a marathon in that short of time, it had a good moral to the story.  My DH and I had a good talk afterwards about things like hitting the wall and other such running issues that I think my DH is looking at what I have done in the past differently (better) and is more interested in my running now. Who would have thunk it that this comedy would have brought on all that?  lol  It was a mindless funny show though that I will actually buy when it is released on DVD for my feel good/funny/motivational running movies.

Yesterday I had a great ride on my stationary bike and increased the resistance a couple of times for some intervals.  My wt session also went well and I am really focusing on making sure that I am getting a total body work out so I am balanced more in my strength.  Today is a rest day for me and I will just be getting in some leisurely walking in at the GardenScape Show here.  I am so excited to go and get some new ideas.  :)  I am working on trying to have a more 'green' habitat out there with the composting, rain water collection, and solar lighting.  I sure hope they have some new things that I can take advantage of at some pt.  I have a dream to have a house one day on solar power and water reservoirs under the drive way and such... but it sucks that so much money is needed first to be able to do these things... It kind of defeats the purpose if you ask me...  Low income families would have cheaper utilities if all the houses were more eco friendly...

Tomorrow is official ww wi day so watching sodium and drinking lots of water.  I have no more flex left from earlier this week :), and no APs will be earned so today I think may be on the tougher side.  That is the one thing that I really like about core though... I do feel I am quite satisfied on less than I ate before which makes me think in the end that it will not be as bad as I originally thought.

My DS comes home tomorrow and I am so excited.  It is always so hard for me when he is gone to his dad's.  He gets the typical spoiled time all in a short period of time and then wonders why he can't have/do these things here.  I keep reminding him that he only sees him a little spurts maybe 5 times a yr so yes, it seems like a lot.  I simply ask him in about a years time what have I done... It is really disheartening though because my ex really flaunts the money around and when my DS called me the other day... he's like hi mom, I am talking to the Lexus!  So... my ex bought another luxury car... Well at least he did not threaten my son this time like when he was told not to not tell me about the beemer...  Who cares.  Am I hurt? Realistically... yes.  But just because it seems that my ex is trying to buy my DS's love and attention.  No amount of money in the world would ever bring me back to wanting this man and my son will soon figure things out on how his dad really is.

Well, thanks to the cold weather, I was not able to take my new bike out for a spin yet and today is looking the same.  It is sunny today but still cold.  We are supposed to have a bit of snow yet again...  Not much... but just enough to say... enough already! Bring on Spring!!!! :)

I totally forgot...

... to post!!!! lol  I can't believe I forgot.  It has been such a routine for me to do it in the morning...

Well to sum up the last couple of days what has been happening is that I have completely overindulged in chocolate!!!  Super high pts...  Yesterday was the first day that I managed to get things back on track again. *whew*  So I am quite curious on what is going to happen on wi.  There is going to be another wi challenge for April and I am in.  I have to decide again what will be my goal and how  many APs I will earn.  I surpassed my last expectations last time for the March one but I know things are going to slow down here at some pt....

I am having a bit of a dilemma at the moment.  See, the running room group that I run with on Wed and Sun have voted that they want to do their hill training on Thurs instead of the usual Wed, which I am used to doing the Wed.  I have done the Thurs hills last week on my own and come Sun... I can tell that it was just a bit too close for comfort for me and the hills are going to get harder here... So... I really do not want to give up running with my new running friends but I do not want to suffer in my long runs.  I am going to give it one more shot here and if it causes any grief what so ever on Sun, I will do the hills myself on Wed and Thurs I will run the tempo run by myself.  :(  That leaves me only with Sundays to run with them.  :(  :( *pouting* But I have to do what is best for me and consider that if I push myself too hard and at the wrong times, I will get injured.  The other thing is that the couple of girls that I have been helping me out are really showing signs of struggling and it is all 'overuse' type of signs.  I really think they should stick to the 'program' and stretch out there runs as much as they can. ie - Wed. instead.  The instructor this year is a bit of a teenage 'twit' that cares more about partying than anything else and is telling them to push as hard as they can all the time.  I am really trying to keep my mouth shut here but these girls are going to injure themselves.  I do not want to over rule him and I want them to go to him for advice not me!  I don't know what to do...

Well last night I watched 'The Mist' on dvd.  I read the book before and thought it was good.  The movie was OK but not the best, the ending though was a tragedy and I was impressed by that.  I won't give it away... 

I am going to buy a new leash for my dogs.  It is nice enough now to take one of them out when I run outside.  My oldest, Cleo used to run with my friend and I all the time and just loved it.  Last year I started training Tala to run with my but she was still at the too hyper stage and would zig zag all over.  I generally use the gentle leaders with all three when I take them for walks and have no problem.  I used it with Tala last year to work with her then also.  So, this could be the year that I get her going as I am quite sure that running will be right up her ally! :)

On the sad news... my rat, Suki, is not doing too well again here.  When she tries to jump, she just falls down.  :(  I don't have the heart to put her down right now as it does not look like she is in any pain, and is still responsive to me when I call her.  I know in rat years it is about that time but I am not ready for this.  For those who do not like pet rats... I understand and you do not have to read this, but I have owned all types of small critters and the pet rats have been the best.  They bond, respond to you, know their name, warm, fuzzy, cute... they do not try to run away from you like most others... As far as I am concerned, they are the best pet for a kid that want a small rodent because they are easier to hold and take care of.  You can't take your hamster outside and go places... I heard that in some places that rats are illegal to own (Alberta?)  A shame.

Well, I am still smoke free!  I will update the day # here as soon as I figure it out.  I know I should have this off the top of my head but I feel like I focus on smoking too much then.  I will edit later....

Cheers!

run: steady 5.04km/32:42 mins, avg 6:28km/min, it was on the colder side and wished that I wore more. (2 layers), I started out too fast as I realized too late because I was getting wonky readings from my Garmin (we started beside the buildings) so I had to stop and walk 2x, went for coffee after with a couple members of the group

Good Friday

A little late in posting today... I was a bit busy this am.  Austin and I just finished dropping off Jason at the airport with his work partner for some re-certification on some stuff.  Jay won't be home till Monday night now... And with Austin leaving Sunday night... I am going to be alone for 24 hrs!  Woooo Hoooo!  I wonder what kink of trouble I can get into... :)

Well today I went looking for some new runners and wanted to go to a different store other than the Running Room this time to get a second opinion on what shoes to get.  I know I need a stabilizer but the ones I have are not doing to well in keeping my rt foot under control.  I do not want to go to orthotics unless I absolutely HAVE to.  The other store here, Brainsport, has been in Saskatoon for years and are very knowledgeable, but I am always intimidated when I go there because it always seems that just the elite go there.  They are a little bit more expensive, but the knowledge is worth it.  So I got in my car all ready to go with my current running shoes on and low and behold... the store is closed today.  I was quite surprised because majority of the stores here are open, it is just the government, banks, and city ones that I understood were closed.  Oh well,  I can wait until tomorrow.  I just will not be able to wear them on my long run on Sunday.  Have to break them in first and make sure they are good ones for me.

Challenge wi today was a sts.  I was not too surprised as my exercise schedule is going to be hill workouts on the Thurs before Fridays now.  I was contemplating doing them on the Tues but then I have my speed run on Wed.  Decisions, decisions...  But on a good note, I have met my challenge goal and my AP goal.  Surpassed both!  :)

Well I have almost completed a full week of core now and I am still not too sure of what I am going to continue with.  I really like how I am feeling fuller and I do not have the cravings that I used to as much, but on the other hand, my eating schedule for the week is not quite suiting it.  I am having a hard time with that and making the right decisions food wise and I do not want the family to change our little traditions.  I once heard of someone referring to a combined mix of core and flex as flore.  This is where you eat a majority of core foods and count pts.  I must admit that I did continue to count my pts this week while attempting core and I found that I was forcing a little to eat my required amounts for pts with APs.  With switching to more core foods, I was fuller longer.  So, I am going to continue to count the pts and try to continue to be as core as possible and see where this takes me.

NSV today was putting on a pair of pants that I bought myself in Sept/07.  They look ridiculous!  lol.  No word of a lie... when I pull them away from my waist, there is a good 3 inches of a gap!  And these were nice, snug, and fitting when I bought them.  :)  I showed my husband and he just laughed at me and said I was melting away on him. :)  So that put me in a good mood today.

Today for exercise is some cross training, strengthening, and stretching.  We went out for our brunch at OPA and I was very good.  No pita bread, had the chicken, and had the ceasar dressing on the side.  :)  I am sure the chicken would be a bit high on the sodium and extra fat but I will be counting some extra pts for that.

A complaint on the weather here... I thought a temp of 1 should feel warmer than this!  It smells like we are going to have a major snowstorm here!!!  And the cold is just biting.   :(

I joined a new Canadian running group last weekend and I love it.  I was involved in the Mom's in Motion here last year but really did not feel that I fit in.  It seemed that everyone was more of a crowd that just had babies or young toddlers.  So I just did not see the 'fit.'  So this new group is called Running Mania and everyone just seems like a hoot and there are all abilities of runners there.  So I feel quite more at ease with them.  I just ordered some of their running maniac gear so I can run my half marathon here in maniac style.  :)  

cross training

strengthening

Quit Smoking 1 month 9 days

No School?

I thought my son had school today but found out last night that he did not.  I even put up the schedule in his classroom and the teacher did not say anything about it.  I am confused now as I was going to sub today... :(  Now I am getting phone calls for other schools.  I did not bring the phone to bed cause I thought ok I guess I am not working and here I have some messages.  Well I guess I am going to be booking myself off since my son is going to be home.  So, no paycheck this month... :(  :(

Last night's run went really well for me.  I am getting so close to running 5 k in 30 mins!  There were a couple of hills that were long and dragged out and I had 3 lights to deal with.  This is my year to hit it I know it!  It was such nice weather last night also.  Tonight I am going to do my first hill workouts for the season on the treadmill.  This should be fun...  I just have to keep saying to myself... I love hill workouts, I love hill workouts...

Well, challenge wi is tomorrow again so lots of water and watching the sodium.  When I went to the store last night, I picked up some cherry tomatoes and snow peas for snacking.  I am trying to not just have mostly fruit during the day so I am hoping that these will help me.  I can't wait to grow my own so it will not be as expensive.  I have looked at those in home light growing kits and they are just under $200!  OUCH!  So, growing right now is out of the question.  Oh well, pretty soon I will be able to start my plants from seed here in preparation to getting ready to start my garden.  I have always just bought prestarted ones and put them in but I am going to try this on my own this year.

I am working on what to do for supper here.  We have some cous cous left over from supper last night (stir fry) so that will be part of it.  I have to get back into planning my meals here... It works out so much better when I do that.  

I have a little rant.  Two weeks ago my chem instructor changed.  The old one was awesome and was always on the ball.  This new one had my assignment for almost a wk before he marked it and I emailed him 2 days ago for some help and I still have not heard anything back!  I am just about finished my next assignment but I am confused on one question on the practice stuff and low and behold there is a question on the assignment that is pretty close to it.  I sure hope that he gets himself organized more and starts to respond quicker.

Well, I had better go and book myself off here so that they know that I am unavailable for work.

run: 3 hills

Quit Smoking: 1 month 8 days

Last nights eating...

OK... so yesterday I was doing that slow down your eating thing and stop when you are full and I don't know what happened but last night I kept on snacking... 12 almonds, 11 pretzel chips, more yogurt and ff cho-pudding powder, cadbury thin... I finally made myself a home made London Fog tea at home and said enough already!  The only thing that was core was the yogurt and pudding powder by the way.  Yes it could have been worse but man oh man I do not know what happened.  :(  It was completely mindless eating...  oh... and my water... maybe 1 L in? I still have a couple of WPs left but not very many.  I don't know what I am going to do for the rest of the week let alone tonight for Tuesday's eat out night.  I am counting all the pts and trying to move on on core but I am really not sure now how I am going to make it.  I will be earning some APs today for some extra pts and hope for the best.

So for exercise today I am going to cross train, some strengthening exercise, some challenge moves, and some yoga to stretch things out.  Yesterday I managed to do some yoga and really worked on my IT band.  I also iced it 3X yesterday with some pain killers/anti-infamatories and will do the same today.  I still have bruising on my chest so I wont's go super hard working out that area.  There is only minor pain there right now so I will just take it easy on it.

I was considering subbing today but want to work on my homework.  Last night I had a phone call from one of my guy friends that is in the LPN course here.  He started with the RN one and then decide time wise he would just do the LPN first and decide later.  I used to work with him at one of the long term care homes as a special care aid before I became an EA.  Then I ran into him while I was working at a school because his kids went there.  Small world!  :)  Anyways, he kinda kicked my butt more and got me thinking that I really need to buckle down on my straps more.  He is a good person but man, he is worse than a woman on the phone and does not stop talking!  Two hours later... I finally said that I really have to get going!

Well, as I get ready here for the day, my plans are to really try to see if I can get core to work for me, homework, plan meals, and some light cleaning of the house.

cross training

strengthening

challenge moves

yoga

Quit Smoking: 1 month 6 days

feeling better...

Well today I am feeling like I am going to take a walk!  The complete rest has done me some good and I hope to be well enough on Sunday morning to head out for my long run.  Good news with nothing being broken is I don't lose as much time away from running, and my endurance is still in my muscle memory so that is good.  If all things work out well... I will be back running normally soon!  Yeah!

Well my challenge wi was this morning and I am pleased to say that I managed to get rid of those extra 5 lbs on the scale that scared me this week.  I am down 1.6 lb from last Friday!  Woooo Hoooo!  After seeing the 'scare' on the scale I really tightened up on my eating healthier for the rest of the week and drank I swear 4+ L/day!  The only 'treat' that I had was the angel food cake that was supposed to work out to 2 pts per piece, but after we lost a good chunk of it to the walls of the oven... I think that number dropped.  :)  So happy day for me!

Last night I let my son cook for his dad and himself, I had my own supper all ready before of a turkey kabob.  Austin made hamburger helper all by himself.  He has been really into cooking more and loves doing it, so I thought I would teach him more.  I figure with the packaged foods it would be easier until he can get enough coordination to do more.  This am he wakes up early and says he wants to make pancakes!  Yeesh! Why don't you just tease me some more.  Pancakes.... drool...  lol So my son made his pancakes, a little burnt but who doesn't at times, and right now I am cooking my steel cut oats.  I tried these oats yesterday with a banana and I quite like them.  So we have the fan going from all the pancake mix on the burner.  Austin's little mishap trying to 'flip' the pancakes.  lol  All in all, things went well though.

So last night I was reading a post on the GDT about someone feeling that her daily multivitamins were causing problems in her wt loss... there were some valid pts that were made.  Although from what I have learned I would never give up a daily vitamin, I wonder if looking for a new one would be in order?  The problems that she noted were wt gain and lack of going to the bathroom... if you know what I mean.  Another poster mentioned something about taking a children's vitamin instead?  The amount of Iron in the multi-V was mentioned as a culprit for 'not going'... I will check in to this before I believe it.  If that is true though, I can see where taking a children's Vit would be a lower dose and would ease the problems?  As I said already though, I will not give up my daily Vit but I am willing to change them as I have noticed that 'going' has been more of a problem the last couple of weeks.  My wt loss is not a problem yet but... you never know.  If someone has low iron though... I would not change from an adult dose.  As for everyone taking daily Vit... from what I said before, we need them or we do not get enough of the vit and mins that we need, even when we plan at our best.

Well, my breakie is done cooking and I am hungry.  Sorry, the stomach rules over the blog.

Ok, I am back.  :)  Well, by looking at the mess in the kitchen, I think I know what has to be done first today, so that is what my son and I will be doing first.  I would like to get another couple of assignments in so that will be a priority also.  I was originally planning to take my son skiing today since he has the day off of school and with the 2 for 1 pass I have from the ski hill, but with the injury I can't do that now.  So, I think I am going to have to find another thing we can do.  Maybe the movies, mini golf, not too sure about swimming yet, or maybe go on a hunt for a new 'active' wii game?  Even though we have the old game box DDR, we could always go for the new wii one, I hear it gets the whole body involved.  If I could find the Guitar Hero, I would get that one.  That one really works on the eye-hand coordination.  I know some people would frown at even thinking of getting video games... but you have to understand my son.  Sports are just not his thing... Some of these games have helped him more than you could know with his coordination. It took a long time for him to learn how to use them, but now that he knows... things are better.  When he goes to Calgary to his biological father's after Easter, he is going to be going skiing there.  Although Austin says he is NOT going on the lift though... :)  This should be interesting because my ex-husband feel's that Austin should be able to do things 'normally' and be just like every other 11 yr old boy... 

We are going to make another 'treat' though later today... the low pt brownies made with the bran.  So we will see how much damage we can do with that one.  lol

Well, I have gone on quite long enough for today.

walk?

Quit Smoking: 1 month 2 days

went to the doc...

Good news... nothing broken, bad news... bruised ribs and such.  I knocked things around pretty good when I hit the ground.  So yes, there is nothing I can do but take some pain killers (he prescribed) which make me ill.  :(  I can't go running until things feel better.  I am going nuts here though.  There is only so much I can handle of sitting around!  Today it looks like it is going to be another rest day... *sigh*  I had to try snowboarding at least once in my life though...

Well I have to tell you a funny story from last night.  While I was 'happily' medicated, I decided to make an angel food cake with my son.  Now I swear that I read on a post that someone used diet pop mixed with it to make it more pt friendly...  So my son and I started making it.  We poured in the diet sprite in the mix and it starts to foam... I am OK, I guess it is supposed to do that (haven't made an angel food cake before) and we put it in the oven and set the timer.  Oh my... 5 mins later my son comes from the kitchen going 'oh no!' and I am like OK what's wrong?  Austin says that the cake is exploding and oozing all over the place.  So, you know kids exaggerate so I was not too worried until I saw for myself...  Sure enough, there was angel food cake, exploding/oozing all over my oven.  So, what does a girl do that belongs to ww?  Post on the GDT board.  lol  So I asked what did I do wrong when I made this cake.  I guess you are supposed to mix pop with cake and fruit and other stuff with angel food cake!  Someone had posted that when you mix angel food cake with pop, it is like the science volcano experiment... Ya I know that now!  I had a volcano in my oven!  So, key lessons learned: 1) don't try to bake when medicated and 2) pop + angel food cake only belongs in science class.  lol

Today there will be no baking of cakes.  We did manage to salvage some of the cake that ended up being very light and bubbly (less pts!  lol) I just let it cook because I did not want to see our efforts lost.  Tomorrow though, I am looking at making the low point brownies... the one's with bran and a low-fat brownie mix?  I think I will research that one a bit more before I attempt it.  :)

For supper today, I haven't got a clue.  My week is so messed up at the moment and every thing seems turned around on me.  Good news though is that I am getting lots of homework done. :)  So as I said earlier, no exercise for me today.  :(

Tomorrow is challenge wi so I am going to be careful with the sodium and up my water.  I am really hoping for an at least stay the same... 

Quit Smoking: 1 month, 1 day!

still really sore...

Well this morning I am still pretty sore, my ribs especially...  I have had broken ribs before and I don't think that I have them again, but Wow!  I can't move without being in pain here.  I am supposed to do a 3 km run tonight...  I am going to have to see about if I am capable of doing that one... :(  This is not something that I need right now.  The scale is even showing pain right now along with it.  I am so far up 1.8 lbs which is really odd for me this morning.  I just finished TOM and I have been drinking water like crazy here... but going to the bathroom?  Not as much as I should be.  Yes I have had some of the 'bad' food on Sun and Mon, but I have stayed within my pts.  The highest sodium day would have been Mon with the fries, and yesterday was all healthy stuff.  So I am going to shoot for a sts this week.  I was hoping for a loss but I do not think it is going to happen.  I have also been taking some painkillers which I know can reek havic on the scale also.  I just wish that this pain would go away... I hate having this much of it.  My husband says that if it is too bad again later today, he wants to take me in to see if I fractured anything.  I told him sure, but really there is nothing someone can do for fractured ribs besides heal it out and pain killers...

So, exercise wise for me today is to get my run in if I can.  If not... then I will be doing nothing again.

As for food today, I am planning a healthy day food wise and I am going to try to up my water even more and get some flushing going on.

Yesterday, I managed to do some homework and cooked some chicken for supper.  I steamed some green beans for myself to go with it.  The rest of the family had rice and steamed veggies smothered in sauce.   We all had a slice of the Blue Menu Apple Crisp for desert.  You know that apple crisp really was not bad for 2 pts.

As for being on 19 pts/day, I am having a hard time with it I think, especially on days that I can not earn APs to get extras pts.  I have made sure that I do not go in to my FPs too much but it sure is getting harder.  I know that it is just the mentality of it all but I sure wish I can snap out of things here soon.

Well, I am pretty tired here.  I would love just to go back to sleep but I have to wake my son up here in half an hour... My dog, Tala, insisted she had to go out this morning at 6 am!  ARrrrrrg!  I hear a small nap calling my name as soon as my son goes off to school here..... :)

Quit Smoking: Day 31 (1 month!!!!)

knew it was coming...

TOM that is... My plan for the day is drugs... lol OK... so I am not going to drug myself completely up or anything, I do have some homework to kick butt in. :)

Today is a light 3 km run with some challenge exercises. Yesterday's cross training went quite well as I really pushed to go faster with the elliptical and the bike.

Since I have not made it to the hospital to pick up some applications yet and that was one of my goals for the week, that will definately be in order for today. I was talking to my friend last night and she said that they have been in a hiring freeze here since December and that the freeze will be lifted by the end of the month. So I had better get moving. :)

You know... I find it so funny that all the provinces have spring break at different times. The ones that have it now I find a little weird. The kids here have theirs starting with Good Friday and then the following week. To me it just makes sense instead of having all the Easter Candy in their system for school. Just a thought that came to my mind. I heard quite a few people talk on the boards yesterday about being on holidays or they will be starting them next week. The other thing that brought this thought up is that I received an email yesterday from Empire theaters and they advertised toonie mattinees. SK is not on their list... :( because we are not on spring break like most of the country at the same time.... I am wondering if they will do that for us when we start ours?

Well all I can say is I am happy that I made chilli last night for supper and that it will last today also plus some snacks. I really do not feel like doing much today... I really do hate this time of month. Why can't they just take everything when they 'fix' you? I can't carry kids any ways... I know it has to do with hormone production, but seriously... I have taken BC just to control the cramping but it is so useless for me. I just want them to take it all out already!!! This all comes from going to the hospital too many times for serious pain management and wonky TOMs... Well beside the drugs... a hot water bottle will be my best friend.

OK... so I am sounding a little on the grouchy side this morning...

On the positive side, for my challenge wi this morning I am down to 133 lbs, which is 0.6 from last Friday, and I have earned 83 APs since we have started. I am happy with this especially considering who decided to grace us with their presence. Sunday's wi should be interesting... I should say that during this, I don't feel like eating much, where as the week before it... I will eat any thing and fight for control. :)

OK... so I have one more rant... yesterday my son comes home and he is very upset. He tells me he has to redo his biography poster... OK fine... then he shows me his mark that he got on it. 7/10! OK... so I am not quite understanding here... he gets a good mark and they want him to redo it? This is pretty hard for me to comprehend let alone a child that has Asperger's! This is too much of a grey area. He did his work, he got a good mark, now they want him to redo it because they said it is not good enough... Jason and I really had to struggle with this one on trying to calm him down and make this situation a good one. I know they are fighting for neatness with him... but this was neat and he did very well at his printing. Arrrrgh!

Can you tell this is going to be a long day for me yet?

Well, it is just about time here to wake my son up, then off to the races I go.

run: 4.4 km/40 mins, treadmill set at 6.4 km/hr, felt so good at 3 km I just had to continue, I forced myself to stop at 4 km, it felt sooooo good and felt like I could run forever. It was a nice light run.

challenge exercises
yoga

Quit Smoking: Day 26!

I am locking myself up...

lol... not really, but I am going to be staying in my study room for most of the day though.  I managed to complete some homework yesterday and the taxes for all of us.  There has only been one year since I turned 18 that I have had anyone else do mine and that was the last income tax with my ex-husband.  I figure if I have been taught how to do it and know how to... I should be able to do it.  And the weird thing is that I just love doing it.  :)  Seriously, Accounting class was fun for me.  I know... GEEK!  lol

So last night I ran on the treadmill and increased my speed just a little to see how I would feel.  I went pretty well!  It is not time for speed intervals or anything like that yet, you need a good base first, but I just want to increase my speed a little when I run so I am taxing my system more.  I keep on training with the same speeds and this time... trying something new.  Tonight is running 4 ks with the running room.  It is -19 out right now so I am hoping that it warms up just a bit and that there is not a repeat of winds like Sunday.  At least we are only out for a short run.

Tonight for supper I am making steak with salad for me and something with the rest of the fam's.  I can sure tell that TOM is poking its dreary head around the corner here, cravings have been harder than usual, and the grouchiness?  Well let's just say that between the not smoking and PMS... I am having a lot of fun right now.   NOT!  I really do find that this is the weakest time for me and giving in to temptations.  I have used up 3/4 of my FPs already!  Mind you the one cinnamon melt took a good chunk by itself.  :)

I had a good chat with my Nanny yesterday and she sounds so much better.  She sounds 'alive' and her voice was cheerful.  I am grateful that things are going well.  She has been having a couple of rough nights but for the most part, she is improving well.

I am just realizing now that I am going to have to 'break free' from my study room today at some pt and grab grocery 'necessities only.'  I was hoping to wait till the weekend but have noticed things this morning were out and are needed everyday.  Maybe I will just make my weekend shopping list now and do it all today instead of Sunday?  I think that is a plan.

Well, I am off to finish getting my son ready for school.  He hid his homework last night so he would not have to do it.  I found it this morning and right now he is at the kitchen table doing it before school.  Ahhh.... the joys of being a parent...

run: 5.19 km/33:55 mins, outside with running room, 6 pm, avg 181 bpm :( 6:33 mins/km :), temp -13, good run, very hilly though, slipped a couple of times, over all very proud as this is my PR!!! YEAH!

Quit Smoking: Day 24!

time to get back on track...

Today I am making a vow to give my ol' butt a kick and get back on track with my homework.  I have been so lacking in doing this and I am now way far behind in everything!  I am actually kind of scared the amount that I am behind.  I was very happy when I got the news about getting in to the RN program and feel that it was the 'wake up' I needed to get myself back in order.  I have been focusing so much on ww and exercise that I have neglected this way too much.  Today this all changes.  

Here are my rules:

1.  homework everyday not subbing, every subject 2 hrs and when subbing, 1 hour each

2.  exercise on planned days

3.  less time on the ww boards posting except my usual threads on set time for morning and night.  (there will be some free time that I can hopefully)  I'm addicted!  :)

4.  try to grocery shop only once per week (I tend to go more and spend needlessly)

5.  water will be my drink of choice why doing homework

There, this covers things for the most part.  This a.m. I am going to work on a time schedule for myself as I work better with these.  Its either that or I am going to have to hire a drill sargent to kick my butt!

This week my goal is to go to the university hospital here and grab an application for work in a few areas.  I would like to get back in working with SK health so I have a better chance getting a job after schooling.  If I have to work in housekeeping... that is perfectly OK with me, I would like to be a unit aid though as this was basically what the old special care aid did when I was one before.  I also would like to get a job there because it is way better pay on casual than working as a sub educational assistant.  Did you know that I lost around $6/hr from going to casual from a contract position!!!! Unbelievable how much difference there is in pay.  No wonder that they do not have enough subs in.  Even the Teacher subs get better pay and it is comparable!  I never knew how bad it was because I was hired right on to a contract and never subbed for the last 5 yrs.  I may keep my sub position as a 'just in case' kind of thing, but the hospital is way better and will give me summer employment also.  Now this is if I get a job.  :)

Anyways, exercise for the day is some cross training with a walk.  Food today is 'eat out' Tuesday, so quite the higher pt day for me.  edit : I am doing a 4 km steady run on the treadmill.  I have decided that Thursday will be my hard cross training day.

oh! I almost forgot... I have a confession...  My DH came home from a break at work yesterday and stopped at McD's... he brought home 2 Cinnamon melts!  My weakness of cinnamon buns took the better of me and I had a whole one!  10 pts gone!!!  All I can say is boy oh boy was it good and I sure drank my self silly with the water afterwards.  :)  I am managing to get over this ok actually.  I have realized that this is a lifestyle change and I am going to have my treats in moderation.  I will have days of ups and days of downs...  I know that I am still on track and doing better than I was before and that is all that matters.  This is why I look forward to Tuesday's 'eat out night' so much!  

run: 4.18 km/30 mins, treadmill, 9 pm, 8.3 km/hr, felt really good until last 2 mins (maybe from the taco time earlier)

Quit Smoking: Day 23!

Frozen

Can you say f r o z o n !!! 'Cause that is what I am right now! In all the times I have run... I do not remember myself being this darn cold! I am even having a really hard time typing right now. I must be weighing less than I used when running. No 'extra' padding to keep me warm! :( I started off my susposively 9 km run at -15 with windshield of -24 and then all H*LL broke loose and the temp dropped to -17 with windshield -31 and wind gusts of 45-52 km/hour. Now I have run in snow storms and times colder than this, but today took the cake for sure. I do have one problem though... this is the second time I have run with this running room location and the distance was out (only a bit) again. Usually it is a bit over so we can ease off or ease into. So my 9 km run was 8.76 km. Close enough I guess... I will just have to watch the longer runs to make sure that I am getting in my distances. I did have my smoothie with milk this am and it was good. Right after the run, I had 1 cup of chocolate milk.

Well, as you can see by my pic of mushrooms... I have found a new love! Portobello mushrooms. I have been grilling them for the last couple of days for a burger and I LOVE them! I went and picked up some more yesterday because everyone was gone and so the supper I had originally planned is going to be tonight instead, potato fish cakes. I have had this one filet left in the freezer and it is not enough to feed everyone so I decided I would give making fish cakes a try.

OK... I can't stop shivering here! Warm thoughts.... think warm thoughts....

Well I am done for exercising today. I think I earning something like 7 or 8 APs. That's enough. I am just going to stretch out now and dream of a hot bath since I can't have one after a run. Stupid muscles. And I am way too cold to have a cold bath to take care of my muscles... Again... stupid muscles...

Today is homework - I am really falling behind now and have to smarten up! Then some house cleaning and pick up my son from my mom's. He wanted to stay again last night. Go figure... wouldn't you if you got spoiled rotten and could eat anything you wanted?

I almost forgot... official wi today and I am at 133.4 lbs! (weight before run) Woooo Hoooo! I am off now so I can take my measurements before I forget - yes I do them weekly... It helps me through this. :)

run: 8.76 km/1:06:07, avg 173 bpm 7:33 mins/km, sunny -17 windshield -31, wind gusts 45-52 km/hr, 3 layers top, touque, neck warmer, 1 layer bottom (needed two), mitts, felt really good except for the cold and running into the wind, 8:30 am
Quit Smoking: Day 22

yeah! its Friday!!!!

I am so happy that it is Friday today... I have been looking forward to it all week.

Yesterday's teriyaki turkey burgers went awesomely well. Thanks to who suggested that one in their blog... see, I do read others. :) My husband swears that I put onion in his though... I didn't except mine and it was in a totally different bowl. I even cooked mine after his... he hates onions and I love to cook with them so I separate some of the recipes. :) We had the burgers with the whole wheat PC Burgers first burger buns. They look really weird but they work awesome and we loved using them. They tasted really good too!

My challenge wi went really well today, even with the super late being awake last night deciding that I finally had enough with the see through background in my blog. I had a coffee with my favorite non-fat creamer at 1 am cause I was just a cravin' it. :) The scale showed a 133.6 lbs for my weight! Woooo hooo!

So far the 19 pts thing has not been too much of an issue for me since I usually go into my APs as needed thru-out the week and the same with the FPs. So that is going well. I am finding that I am putting raw bran in everything though... just so I make sure I am getting my fibre in... yesterday I even put it with my scrambled eggs in olive oil... I know... WIERD.

So it took me since I got home on Mon till the last 2 days to finally get my priorities back in order with losing wt. As I said earlier... it payed off nicely.

My Nanny is still doing pretty good. I could never imagine going through that. When I was told back in 1992 that the chances of me walking or walking normally were slim and that I lost the use of my right hand (bad car accident) I was in total shock and was very depressed about the whole thing. Then I became mad and determined that I would prove the doctor's wrong. Well I did it... I will never be 100%, but I can run properly enough ;) and I have my hand back (thanks to the nerve growing back). My Nanny is joking about things right now, I know she is trying to hide her feelings about everything... but she has her life and will be with us longer... ok... now I have made myself sad...

Exercises for today are cross training with elliptical, bike, walking, then challenge exercises and yoga.

As today I am signing up officially for my half marathon for May, I am going to post a pick today of me and my friend in the full I did a few years ago. I am also going to finish putting up picks of my 'zoo' here so everyone will know why I call it 'the zoo.'

elliptical 35 mins yeah!
walking 30 mins
bike 30 mins
challenge exercises
yoga
Quit Smoking: Day 20!

so I got bored...

Well as you may have noticed a new beach background for my blog. It is now 2:45 am and I am done for now. I was a little tired of trying to get my pics to view well with the clear post background, so I opted for one that had a solid one instead. I am not too overly fond of the orange post background but I just LOVE the purple in the template, and the beach... of course! :)

It sure is a pain in the but though changing the template with the Pizaz though... I have to save everything before I can change it and then put it all back on... time consuming....

But I do like the way that the pics and such pop out a bit more now.

Off to bed.

she came out of surgery fine...

Well my Nanny's surgery went well. That is good. She is pretty out of it and my one aunt stayed there the night. My mom is going to stay there the night tonight and I am visiting her today. I hope that she handles the whole breast thing ok...

Well I have a complaint. I have been using the Nicorette Lozenges for quitting smoking and lets just say that my gums are SORE!!! I only use 2-3/day but they last forever in my cheek! If I try to get rid of them faster I get sick. It would be really nice if they would make them so that they were more sensitive to mouths! I am switching to the gum here and going to try the Thrive stuff to see how they are and if they are any better.

Last night we made the 'Sticky Chicken' from the ESMB book (Eat, Shrink, and be Merry) and they were a hit at my house. It was 6 pts for the amount that I had but oh so good. The rest of the fam had it with some side kicks and I had mine over a salad. Really nummies.... mmmmmm.... Tonight I am making the teriyaki chicken from the ww site.

Today is a really focus on the water day and very low sodium as my challenge wi is tomorrow morning. The scale has been good to me thus far and it would be nice to move it down...

Yesterday I took just took Tala, my husky, to the dog park... Cleo was still slow moving from yesterday's. Tala had so much fun and was more interested in meeting all the the people more than the other dogs. She is just a socialite. :) I have never met a dog or person that she does not like. She is just my cuddle bunny... :)

Last night's run went really well for the first time going outside this year. I thought I would have more trouble with the ice and snow but it was not too bad. I had a decent time and was quite happy with it. It was nice because I was running with a clinic group that is doing their first half marathon and they were quite intrigued by my experiences and doing the half and full before. So it was like I was some kind of celebrity... :) I will be joining them from now on on Wed and Sun for running especially as the long runs get longer... it is nice to have someone with you and since my running partner can not run anymore, this is great! It was just a really great feeling to put on all my outside gear again and go...

Today for exercises I am going for a 3 Km quick run, challenge exercises, and hot yoga. The gym were I do my hot yoga have cancelled Wed nights because they lost their instructor to Ireland... :( So I am happy to be going tonight and get a nice deep stretch in all my muscles. I really think that this is going to help me with my too tight of muscles that I alway get when running. I generally have a problem with my IT band always getting to tight and have gone in the past to a massage therapists to help. This time I am seeing how the hot yoga helps it. I have a few problems in areas of my body from my car accident back in 1992 that will never be the same. But I move on and do my best!

run: 2.9 km/19:21 mins, outside, temp -1 windy, 10 am, avg 157 bpm 6:40 mins/km, steady run, sunny, thin 1st layer and windpro shell - was warm, felt good, by myself
hot yoga
challenge exercises
Quit Smoking: Day 19!