Big Discovery, New Shoes, and Some Interesting Products!

On Wednesday morning, a fellow Stroller Warrior posted an invite to a CrossFit Workout the following morning. Lo and behold, this event was taking place in my "backyard!" I live about 7 minutes from MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) New River. Apparently, for the last 10 months, MCAS has provided the space and equipment necessary for any CF workout you could imagine! Who knew? What a big discovery. The best part is this: they have an enclosed play area for kiddos, or if they don't want to play there, you can have them right beside you in the stroller as you workout. HUGE BONUS! 

So with the Weasel in tow, we headed to MCAS, located the warehouse that enclosed the gym and met up with some ladies to grab a quick workout. There were two active duty Marines on hand to instruct us and provide us with the WOD. We did a 1k row to warm up and then got right to the WOD: 15 minute AMRAP - 6 toes to bar, 8 hand release pushups, 12 squats (repeat 3 times), 400m run. That Thursday morning, there were approximately 15 ladies kicking butt at this huge gym...it was AWESOME!

Sorry for the awful pics, but I only had my iPhone.

After the workout, I decided to drive down to Wilmington to visit TrySports in search of some new shoes. I'm a mid to forefoot striker, and I was desperately in need of new ones:

The fella at the store watched me run, listened to my concerns, and then gathered up several pairs for me to test on their treadmills. I have been a loyal Saucony wearer for YEARS, so I fully intended on selecting yet another pair. After testing Sauconys, Brooks, Newtons, and Asics, I was shocked to find myself veering away from my "old standby" and selected the Asics! 

Since we were in Wilmington, home of many hippies, Weasel and I decided to hit up the Tidal Creep Co-Op where we ate some lunch and did a little shopping:

I grabbed several of these packets in search of some new great sources of protein and other healthful boosts:

I'll have a review later, but I'm stoked to try them out. And I even got some to send to Jess over in Afghanistan! After we got home, we hung out for a bit and then after a total nap fail, I packed Weasel in the car, headed back to MCAS and did a 3 mile loop to test out my new kicks. I'm happy to report that they feel great and I already notice a difference in the way my feet and legs feel with full cushion and support! Talk about a great day!!

Just My Luck...

The Monday following the half, I did a great shake out 3.1, and I had every intention of doing a short 30 minute jog with my fellow Stroller Warriors on Tuesday (as usual). My husband said, "You should really take the day off today." Naturally, I objected because I have my routine, and I love running with my girlfriends. So he relented and said, "Hey, I just don't want you to over do it and end up with an injury down the road." I took it into consideration, but decided to meet the club anyway.

So Tuesday morning, at 8:55, I headed out with Jason's uniforms in tow (to take to the dry cleaners) and the Weasel's breakfast to go. We were supposed to got to playgroup immediately after the run, so I wanted to get the dry cleaning dropped off BEFORE our 9:30 run. Unfortunately, in my hurry to get things done, I sped through a school zone (the flashing lights were overhead and not a place I typically look). It was a speed trap!

Source

I was clocked at 44 in a 25 during school hours. Totally busted. I handed over my license and registration and shortly after had a serious breakdown. It was enough to upset the Weasel who was previously riding happily in the back with her waffles:( The cop returned, ticket in hand, and told me how to take care of it. Unfortunately, I didn't need the instructions as this is my 4th ticket since moving to NC in August 2009! 

Background: In November 2009, on the way to a friend's wedding (in which I was a bridesmaid and running ridiculously late), I received a ticket. I was going 90 in a 55, but the nice cop wrote it as 70 in a 55 so I didn't go straight to jail. Thank goodness he was understanding. This was the first ticket I had gotten since I was 16! On my way back to Jacksonville that same weekend, I was 10 miles from home on a long trip with a crying baby and an anxious dog and got my second ticket...73 in a 55. I had to wait for a call from my husband, who was training in CA for an upcoming deployment, to relay my discretions. Luckily, I caveated the bad news with the fact that I had just found out we were pregnant! I drove slowly for a while, but earlier last year, I was pulled over coming off a bypass into town where the speed limit drops from 65 to 45 without much warning. I got that ticket for 59 in a 45. So that officially brought me to 9 points on my driver's license. Not good!

Coming back to the ticket at hand, I was so distraught over my newest mistake, that I decided to skip the run all together. I dropped off the dry cleaning and headed straight to the local courthouse. As luck would have it, I ran into my neighbor, a deputy sheriff, as we entered the building. I explained my situation, and in very certain terms, she told me exactly what to do. I checked in at the front desk and requested to be an add-on to the court docket for that day. The Weasel and I waited approximately 3 hours (thank goodness I had lots of snacks!) and within that time, we met with a DA and had the charges reduced to 40 in a 25 not in a school zone, and then went before a judge to request a Prayer for Judgment. My request was accepted, THANK GOODNESS! So now, I absolutely cannot get another ticket within the next three years, or this one will be reinstated. 

Needless to say, I definitely ended up taking the day off running:( But my dear friend came over with milkshakes in hand and a great birthday gift to boot. So thankful for my great friends. 

Borrowed Questions

I happened upon this great blog yesterday courtesy of the FitFluential Ambassador Blogger Support Group FB Page. She listed 11 random things about herself and then answered some questions from fellow bloggers. At the end, Rebekah posted this list of questions and asked people to comment back with answers. I'm out of ideas for blog topics at the moment, so I'm posting my answers here:


1. What’s the closest purple thing to you? - The cover of a book entitled Dr. Paula's House Calls to Your Newborn
2. Who inspired you when you were little? - My father. He was an immigrant from Korea and worked harder to make a good life for himself and his family than anyone I've ever met.

3. Who inspires you now? - My fellow Stroller Warriors. They are military moms making fitness a priority in their lives and often serving as single parents while spouses are deployed. 
4. What was the biggest fear you’ve overcome? - I honestly can't answer this one. I don't have a single thing I can think of as a FEAR that I've had to overcome. I suppose that makes me one lucky gal:)
5. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? - When we were about 4 or 5 years old, someone asked us what we would rather have our names be. My sister (Jessica) answered "Jessie." I answered "Martha." This is mainly because we had another set of twins in our pre-school class with those names. Now I would have to say I would change my name to Reagan because I'm secretly in love with Ronald Reagan. Luckily, I just named my daughter that, so I guess I won't have to change it any time soon.
6. Who is your celebrity crush? - Without a doubt, and even with pointy ears in Star Trek, Eric Bana. 

7. Who is your same-sex celebrity crush? - Jennifer Connelly. She's gorgeous, but more important, it's natural.
8. What’s your favorite character trait? - Honesty. I'm physically unable to lie. I start sweating and laughing nervously if I even try. So I value that character trait in others.
9. What’s your favorite body part? - My friends from SW call me "Calves McGee," so I suppose I better say my calves. I got them from my father.  

10. We’re going on vacation to Bali. You can take one thing. What is it? - I'm Asian. It's in my DNA to say I'd take my camera. But because this is a running blog, I'll say my Saucony's.
11. Bikini, tankini, one-piece, or coverup? (extra points if you’ve been to a nude beach!) - Even pre-baby I was never really comfortable in a two piece. I've had a complex about my hips since I hit puberty, so I'm going with tankini...sporty, but also cute.


And just for fun, not because I was tagged in the posts circling the Internet, here are 11 Random Things About Me:


1. I hate even numbers. In March we will turn 32. I'd rather just skip it and go straight to 33.
2. I cut my toenails more than I probably should, and when I do it, I usually clip the calloused skin from the sides of my big toes. Gross, right?!
3. I have a tattoo of a frog on my left foot for absolutely no reason at all.
4. I hate bumpy gourds that they display at Halloween because it makes me think of skin diseases.
5. I love being a twin, but I used to hate it.
6. I talk to my mother-in-law every day.
7. My two best friends are from my high school days. We usually text once a day at least.
8. When my husband is away, I get used to being alone with my daughter. When he returns, it's difficult to fit him back into our lives.
9. I like way too many shows on ABC Family.
10. If I could have excelled at one sport when I was younger, I wish it had been gymnastics. Unfortunately, I'm 5'10".
11. I would love to be a semi-professional photographer one day.


Now if you're willing to share, please comment with one random fact about yourself!