Sooo, this is pretty cool

I'm having sort of a midlife crisis and have been for a while. I'm just not as jazzed about work as I used to be. (I know, how lucky was I that I absolutely loved my job for so long??) I thought switching from government to non-profit would help, but honestly it didn't. I actually miss the hectic pace and constant crisis mode of government.

Anyway, someone asked me what I would do if money didn't matter, and the answer was simple -- something in the fitness industry. The most logical thing would be to combine my love for health and fitness with my writing skills. Way back in March, I contacted someone at a regional magazine to inquire about freelancing for their health and fitness special issues, which come out 2-3 times per year. Unfortunately, when I contacted them I had just missed the deadline for their fall issue.

However! (Drum roll, please!) Last week I received an assignment for their spring issue! And not just any assignment... I will be writing five -- yes, five! -- articles for their special yoga supplement. I am so excited!

I also submitted an article to a Philadelphia magazine that I've contributed to in the past, and that article might run in their January/February issue.

If only I could make a living at this. I'd be the happiest girl in the world.

Proof that I am hideous without makeup

After last Sunday's 5K, I chatted briefly with the woman who finished right before me. Turns out she's a hair stylist and donated a prize... that I ended up winning! I saw her again at the Fall Fling Saturday night and introduced myself as the person who won the haircut. She said, with complete surprise, "Oh! You're cute! I've only ever seen you working out before!"

Uhhhhhhh, thanks?

Two weekends ago, while I was getting my nails done, I chatted with the guy who was working on me and complimented his English, blah blah. He said that he was born in Vietnam "a long, long time ago. 67! I was born in 67 in Vietnam." I replied, "That's not so long ago. I'm a little older than you." He looked up at me and said, "Yes, I see that."

WTF??????????? Is it Pick on Alexis month (again!)? No one informed me if it is. I would have tried to be mentally ready for all the insults.

:)

Somewhat related... I scheduled my surgery to rebreak and ultimately fix my broken nose. It'll be Tuesday, December 30, in order to take advantage of days off from work (so I don't have to use as many sick days). I. Am. Terrified!

This week's random post

- Thanks for all the good wishes (via the comments here on my blog, the emails, the texts, and the posts on kickrunners.com) for my dad. Yesterday was a long day for him, and I don't yet know what, if anything, was determined as I finally left him at the VA around lunchtime. We couldn't see his primary doctor, so he was getting multiple tests done in the ER. We also visited with the social worker, which was VERY productive.

- Muenster cheese rocks.

- I'm really sore from HEAT class last night. I like it! Today is a hardcore day; I ran 4 miles this morning and will teach Spinning and lift legs after work.

- My brother is leaving Monday for 2 weeks in Australia. He had so many frequent flier miles that his flight cost him a whopping $200. Brat. :)

- Leftover Halloween candy is the work of the devil. Please don't let me eat any more!

- Is it my imagination, or did Obama look less than thrilled when he gave his acceptance speech Tuesday night? I thought he almost looked terrified, like, "Holy carp! Now I have to actually DO all the stuff I promised!" Meanwhile, I thought McCain was very gracious, and of course my man Joe was beaming from ear to ear.

Good vibes needed

Tomorrow morning I'm hopefully picking my dad up bright and early and driving him to the V.A. Hospital, where we will have to sit around and wait for a walk-in appointment. Dad's health has been failing, and recently he's been falling. The falls are becoming more frequent, and it's only a matter of time before he really hurts himself.

Apparently, he had an MRI several months ago but refuses to tell anyone what, if anything, was discovered. I've offered to take him to the doctor numerous times, but he refuses... until now.

I suspect he knows what's wrong and is too scared or stubborn or proud (take your pick) to tell us. I suspect he's either having strokes or some other neurological problems. I suspect he knows there's something seriously wrong.

I guess I might find out tomorrow, IF he wakes up in time and IF he actually consents to go with me and IF we get to see the doctor and IF she even tells me anything.

Any spare good vibes would be greatly appreciated.

Vitamin I

Yesterday was an 11 Advil day.

I've already taken 6 today, and it's only 9:18 a.m.

*sigh*

I think my legs are going to fall off

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Oh, I'm sorry. I fell asleep for a second. I'm exhausted!

Yesterday I had to cut my long run short a bit because I felt truly dreadful. I ended up doing 9.1 miles instead of 12ish, which means I have to do 12-13 next weekend and then taper for two weeks.

This morning I did a small 5K that a friend of mine put together. I wasn't confident about doing well because I had run yesterday afternoon, but I figured I'd do my best and see what happened.

Here's what happened:
7:34
7:45
7:35
:49

23:44, a 15 second PR!!! Even better, Jimmy W. told me the course was long by .03 because of where the police made him put the finish line, so he suggested that my actual 5K time was about 11 seconds faster. Swwweeeeeet!

As soon as the race ended, I walked to where Andrew was volunteering (at the 2-mile marker) to give him the good news, then jogged back to the finish to grab some goodies and rush over to the Y, where I taught a 90-minute spinning class.

Which brings me back to my original statement. I'm exhausted! :)