Is My Back, Back?

My back was feeling a whole lot better yesterday so I couldn't wait to get home from work to run a few miles. The pain I have been experiencing is in the lower left part of my back and I only feel it when I turn my body to the left or sit for long periods of time (like my hour plus commute home). I do not feel any pain when I run but I am sure that running probably aggravates it. I have to say that I am proud of myself for not running for an entire 4 days! Of course I thought about it everyday and I was tempted to but I kept my eye on the prize and didn't do it!

I have also been finding ways to keep myself busy and distracted from running. All I have to do is hang out with my kids and somehow we end up in dangerous places! In case you are wondering who ate the biggest pizookie....it was me!

I have been in panic mode for the past few days thinking that another marathon is not going to happen for me. I have the option of dropping down to the half marathon but I really don't want to do that if I can help it. I really want to run this race but at the same time I have to be prepared for it both mentally and physically.

So how did my run go? Well, since I don't feel the pain when I run it is hard to say. I took it really easy and averaged about a 9:26 pace and now it is kind of  wait and see what happens.  I feel fine this morning but we shall see how the next 24 hours go.  I am keeping my fingers crossed but if the pain returns, I am going to be a huge mess stop running and re-think this.

In other news, my laptop decided that it likes to stay in "blue screen mode" and of course my warranty just expired! Isn't it great that things always decide to take a crap right after the warranty expires? I called HP to get some help/support with the blue screen issue and they basically wouldn't even talk to me if I didn't give them my credit card number and allow them to charge more that I paid for the laptop!  It might be time to look into that MacBook I have been lusting after for the past two years!

Thank you to everyone who has been so nice and supportive of me and my 10,000th injury! So many have asked how I am feeling and have sent encouraging thoughts my way. I really appreciate it :)

Anybody ever have the "blue screen" computer problem?

PC or Mac?

I have an iPhone and an iPad but not a MacBook.That's weird!

Hey, It's Free!!

The one thing I love about my birthday is all of the free offers that I receive from all of the restaurants and shops that I frequent.  This year I collected a ton of freebies and I am pretty excited about it! Here is what I collected this year:

1) Free Scoop of Ice Cream from Baskin-Robbins

2) Free Dinner from Soup Plantation

3) Free $30.00 Dinner from Benihana (This is one of the best offers!)

4) Free Birthday Burger from Red Robin

5) $10.00 Gift Card from Macy's

6) $10.00 Gift Card from Kohl's

7) Free Birthday Brownie from Buca di Beppo

8) Free Birthday Dessert from TGI Fridays

9) Free Drink from Starbucks

10) Free Meal from El Torito

11) Free Meal from Hooter's

12) $10.00 Free Game Play at Dave and Busters

13) Free Meal from Mimi's Cafe

14) Free Medium Tots or drink from Sonic

15) Free Movie Rental from Redbox

I'm sure you know that most restaurants will give you a free dessert if you dine with them on your birthday.  One of the best desserts ever is the pizookie from BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.  A chocolate chunk pizookie (pizza cookie) with vanilla bean ice cream is my all time favorite and my greatest weakness!

I will be busy the next couple of weeks redeeming all of my free offers, meals and desserts and gaining lots of weight! Am I missing out on any good offers?  Let me know if I am.

I'm Out of Control!!

I have been way out of control with the treats lately!  After that 16 mile run on Saturday, I was making all kinds of excuses as to why I should treat myself and I just kept going and going!! Look at the damage that I did!!

It started with this....

then it went to this....



Chocolate Mocha Mousse and Banana Split Cupcakes!



 then it escalated into this...

 and finally ended with this!



White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pizookie!

I finally got some Medal Motivation today after seeing the medal for the Long Beach Marathon and I stopped! I can't wait to see this around my neck on October 9th!

Now it is back to things like this...

I'm done confessing! Oh and by the way, I somehow managed to lose 1/2 pound in the process.