Itchy Hands

Well this is me post-3-miler in the hot Santa Fe sun.

My least favorite part of running is the big, puffy, itchy hands I get after even a half mile. They're really itchy and distracting. I try pumping them, rubbing them, putting them above my head, but they still get all huge and itchy.

Anyway...it was a good run. I had organic yogurt with berries and almond butter for breakfast and Rejuv'nate for lunch. Two weeks til Rent opens and my belly fat is still out of control.

Time to really crunch it.

Please, God, if you exist, take away my belly fat and hips so that I can feel sexy on stage. And please give me my voice back (a bad cold took it away.)

Santa Fe Runaround 5k

Girls on the Run did it!
10 of our girls showed up and finished their first 5k all in the range of 35-50 minutes.
My 3rd grade running buddy was a trooper...had to walk sometimes but she stuck it out in that heat. Our 2nd grade honorary member was trampled in the first 30 seconds, but after crying, she got up and was the 2nd girl of Nava to complete the race. Damn, girl.

I'm on Day 2 of a stupid cold and yesterday I thought I broke my toe so I was nervous today would be bad. Still I felt strong and tried to push my buddy along. It felt good to be there supporting someone else. Next race I run I'll be solo and can push myself harder.

One observation I've made in my three 5ks is that finish line people are assholes...?
In my first 5k, a man yelled at me SLOW DOWN SLOW DOWN.
In my second 5k, a man yelled at me WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!
In my third 5k (today), a man yelled at me STOP! DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE. (as a running buddy, I did not wear a number, so I suppose I was not allowed to cross the finish line.) They could at least be nice about it.

Teacher gift taken in PhotoBooth. I put my thang down flip it and reverse it.

REJUUUUUV'NATE!

Ok so I have this obsession...with Rejuv'nate by Herbalife.
It's this health club thing...there's a "bar" around the corner.

You walk in and sign in...
You sit at the bar and they give you a shot of Aloe Vera. Good for digestion. Delicious.
Then you tell them what tea you want. I usually get raspberry. It's made of green and black tea extracts and burns 90 calories just by drinking it. It's only 5 calories. It's amazingly delicious.
Then you tell them what shake you want. I've had the "Drewskee," the "Lemon Drop," "Kevin's Special #1," "Vanessa's Dream," and the "Almond Joy." It's got 21 vitamins and minerals to make you awesome. More than fruit alone and it's only 185 calories and acts as a meal replacement. It's got protein and more things to make you feel energized and healthy.

Then you pay your $6 and walk away feeling on top of the world.

Nice people. Good deliciousness. Ohhh myyyy.

I'm getting there. Just have to keep running, eating better, and going to Rejuuuuuuv'nate.

Summer on the horizon

Long story short...

I still can't sing "Out Tonight."

2 and a half more days of school before summer vacation.

My 6th graders gradu...I mean...continuate tomorrow and I'm gonna ball my eyes out. I had a GREAT day with Kinder today. 4th & 5th graders still act like 4 year olds on crack.

I'm moved out. Leaving Stella was harder than leaving New Jersey.

5k May 26th...cute 3rd grade running buddy.

Want to drink lots and lots of beer, but I have less than a month to thin out...so one will have to do.

Annnnd this is the best song ever...

CHILDREN

So...remember I said there are 3 different groups of girls on the run? Fast/Steady/Lazy?
I should have said 4...Fast/Steady/Slower/Umm..are you kidding?

We did our practice 5k today around the streets of Santa Fe - 3 coaches took our girls in "waves" like a real race. I placed the girls in the 3 teams which they were not happy about because I separated "friends" on purpose.
I ran with wave 3. Well..if you could call it running. My 5 girls and I started slow and steady and of course there was a jerkingly sudden request to walk. We walked, but as 3 of the girls trucked along with strong strides, two slowed so much I think a worm could pass them. Complaints of their ankle, stomach, head, knee...blahblahblah. I was mean and said "alright do i have to walk you back?" They decided to keep going...but refused to listen to me when I said it was time to run. Downhill. for a block. please. anything. We've trained for this for weeks. but you were too busy in the bathroom, or texting, or not listening. Huh? Oh I understand.

I was one of those mean coaches. It didn't feel great. but my 3 that were actually determined were gonna go nuts if we didn't start running again. I walked between the 2 groups, making sure they didn't leave my sight, as I was responsible for them out in the middle of Santa Fe. They started giving me attitude and I was like...why am I doing this? I threatened there would be no snacks left for us if we didn't pick it up. Then they'd run for like 5 seconds and stop to complain.

While I'm complaining about children, I'm realizing that my 4th & 5th grades are going to be my 5th & 6th grades...supposed to be the most developed musical children in the school. After having fired at me "Yay no more Miss Echols next year" (unknowingly) and "but that's boring!" and "I don't want to have a music class" and "I don't care" and more today...I'm really counting on my relationship with the younger grades to carry me thru...
It drives me nuts that I've approached musical learning from so many angles and have engaged in so many activities for learning simple things like reading notes on the staff and reading rhythm, and they still shout out "C!" when it's like a G or something.

Anyway...7 more days with my middle school hoodlums. 5 more days with my elementary hoodlums, plus A LOT of cleaning, inventory, and responsibilities. Chamber singers concert. Tesuque concert. Rent. Gin & Subtonic gigging. Cleaning my car and room. Still too much to do. Day at a time.

MY CAR BRAKES ARE OUT AGAIN AFTER SPENDING OVER $800 ON THEM IN JANUARY.

Seeking Shape

I have to be this sexy/confident by June 14.

The small challenge of playing Mimi Marquez is that I'm not hispanic. I'm still unsure of how I landed this role in NEW MEXICO, but I'm happy to take it on. I've bought a long brown wig and have been spending time outside in addition to tanning to reach a latina glow by June. I will strive to eat less and exercise more to get as skinny as a drug addict.

The big challenge of playing Mimi Marquez is dancing and singing at the same time. The song "Out Tonight" is hard enough as it is, but with high kicks, splits, crawling across the floor, and shaking my thang, it's near impossible. My neck hurts, my strong legs feel weak, and I'm gasping for air. I will learn how to tone it down just enough to be a successful performer.

Girls on the Run has been awesome. We talk about peer pressure, eating healthy, and balance in our lives. The girls (3rd-6th grade) seem to fall into 3 groups...
1. The fast girls - never seem to stop or run out of energy.
2. The steady girls - might need to occasionally walk but keep a good running pace.
3. The lazy girls - f this sh.

I try and stick with the steady girls and catch up to the fast girls sometimes.

Taking Stella and Jaguar for run/walks is so liberating and beautiful. I can't move away yet. Also, workin it out at Gin & Subtonic gigs really works the whole body. I should be on my way down to 121 lbs. (I've named this year the year of 121) but I'm doubtful because I still feel gravity on my hips.

School has actually been really bearable. Middle school is coming around as we prepare for our concert on Wednesday. Both elementary concerts came together beautifully with really nice feedback. It's just survival til the end...12 more kind-of days.

Just keep swimming...oh yeah...I gotta get back on that.