Princess

I'm sitting on my couch listening to Natalie Merchant (if there's one person I could sing like it would be her; sorry Sia!) trying to muster enough courage to do this. I'm not sure I'll have any running friends after this confession. Ask any of them and they'll tell you that I ALWAYS make fun of women who run in running skorts. Why would anyone run in a skirt? It seemed frivolous and way too girlie to me. What kind of message was that sending? How could anyone take you seriously as an athlete running around in a skort?

Who cares if anyone takes you seriously; these babies are beyond comfortable! I bought one as a sort of joke and the other day I was getting ready to run and had no clean clothes so apprehensively took out the skort. My entire family looked at with with disbelief. A skirt? I ignored them. It was tempo run night so it wasn't going to be "easy.". Off I went. I was amazed at the support and comfort. Plus, it looked kind of cute; especially with my black running shoes. And we all know that the aesthetics of how you look is so much more important than your form when running.

It got me to thinking; what if I ran the marathon in one? I could channel Ms.Courtney Love off of the Doll Parts cd. I love Hole and listen to songs off of that cd often when I run. All I would need is a tiara and cape to complete my royal outfit. Then I thought I could sing, "Dont' Cry for me Argentina" a la Madonna in in Evita as I ran. This entire outfit was really coming together but I wasn't convinced. And then of course fate intervened and the message was clear. McCressey (my new name for Cressey which I use adoringly-snort, snort) lovingly referred to me as "Princess" in an email (might be exaggerating on the lovingly part). I loved it! I will now be known as Princess Cupcake! I don't think that's what Eric had in mind but oh well. How about "Princess Protein?" or "Princess Piriformis?" "Princess Pain?" I got it, "Princess Pain in the Piriformis (interpretation left up to the reader.)

I'm still not sure if I'm going to run the marathon in it (though it does compliment my legs nicely and could use those extra cheers around BC when my legs will feel like boulders and taking the T to finish line will seem like a great idea.) In my humble opinion, the crowds and cheers at BC are way better than the ones in Wellesely (I think it might have to do something with the testosterone levels of the crowd?) I do know this. I can't wait to wear my skirt, tiara and cape to CP in Hudson and drag the sled while singing the soundtrack to Evita and making Eric and Tony yell, "Use that leg drive Princess." Oh, to dream big..........

Speechless

I feel like I'm 12 years old and just got an autograph from Rick Springfield or when I was 5 and got my official Shaun Cassidy membership pin. Sia, yes Sia, the genius behind Breathe Me, Little Black Sandals, the woman who says, "I'm going mental mental chicken oriental" (I seriously wanted to hug her when I read that on her blog), my girl Sia WROTE me!

I am not a message board person. When my sister was on Starting Over, I made the mistake of visiting one of the message boards to find HORRIBLE things written about her and my family. When I was sick I got bored and found Sia's website. They had a message board and I was interested in the set list for her shows so looked around. There's a forum called "For Sia" so I checked it out. You can leave messages for Sia there. So I did. Those who know me, know that for better or worst I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm incredibly honest which can be refreshing and irritating. I love talking to new people, asking people questions that others don't have the courage to ask, compliment them, just connect. I mean if we don't put ourselves out there, then what's the point of our existence? That's why I'm a teacher. I am in the incredible position of not only connecting with these amazing kids but teaching them things about life and hopefully about themselves. Back to Sia. Little Black Sandals has touched so many people that I love in my life and so many of her songs give me hope, make me think and just make me smile. So I left her a message thanking her for her ability to touch lives through her art and told her the story of my little black running shoes and requesting a song for Boston (I haven't seen Pageant of the Bizarre on any of the set lists and I listen to that song every day.) I honestly never thought she'd write me back. She did. She called me "luv" and was happy her songs have helped and gave me a "hug" for losing my mom. I had chills running down my spine. I see her next week and the show is sold out. And you know what's going to be on my feet..............

Oscars.....1 hour to go

I come from a serious movie family so The Academy Awards are a big night around here. Personally, I watch to see the fashion breakthroughs and heartbreak (love that everyone is wearing red this year.) Interestingly, I didn't used to get excited over the nominations because so many of the movies were big mainstream studio cookie cutter productions. But lately so many independent films have been getting noticed so it's been great to watch. Ellen Page should win for her completely raw and refreshing performance in Juno. Her performance was like sarcasm with honey. And Glen Hansard and Marketa Luglova should win for best original song for "Falling Slowly" in Once. My Irish girl Helen made me a great cd with a lot of the soundtrack on it and I just watched the movie last night. A quirky and offbeat love story with soul stirring music. My favorite song though is "When your mind's made up." I've been singing it all day. AHHH! Yet another Stephcoincidence (my entire life seems to be made up of them lately). There was just a commercial on for Ryan Phillipe's new movie (and by the way I totally called he and Reese's divorce years before it happened; perhaps I am psychic) Stop Loss and guess what the theme song is -"Open Your Eyes" by Snow Patrol. I am so there! Pizza has been ordered, wine bottle picked, brownies made; I am ready for 4 hours of fake chests, botoxed faces, spray on tans, and "You really like me" speeches. My favorite part of the night; when the camera stays on the faces of the losers once the winner is announced and they sit there and clap with clenched smiles that scream venom towards their fellow nominees. I love this night!

Icicles are forming on my head.......

I'm totally in a cheezy seventies song mind set. 18.3 this morning. Not my best run, but not my worst. Running 18.3 miles after a week of vacation, missing my last long run due to illness and after a snowstorm was not exactly what I wanted to do at 8:00 this morning but it had to be done. I was apprehensive as I drove into Boston; snow was everywhere. Where were we going to run? Unsure whether they were going to cancel the run this morning due to the weather, I didn't have my ritual Friday night dinner of pasta. Try nachos. I know, I can blame no one but myself for my energy deficiency (though I did have salad and chicken for lunch.) But nachos just felt like good comfort food to eat during a snowstorm.

I get into Boston to find Jeff waiting outside of Fitcorp; oh good another team member who also missed a run due to illness and had been on vacation. While talking to him, I tried to put my Garmin on and nothing-and I had just charged it. Not happy-the thing is brand new. How was I going to keep an even pace? How would I know where I was and when my misery would end? Can you see how disconnected I was this morning?


I ran the first half with Jeff and John. Jeff and John are both over 6 feet. I am 5 2 on a good day. I felt pretty good that I kept up with them for that long! I was having GU and shoe issues at a water stop so they went on without me which was fine. My legs were starting to feel heavy and I knew the last half was full of hills. My mind started to play tricks on me; I suddenly felt like I couldn't do it. I then felt something sharp brushing the side of my face. An icicle had formed in my hair; I looked like the Bride of Jack Frost. Then I ran into a puddle and my feet were soaked. I was cold. And then the song came on. No, not Sia. Tori. As in Amos. Beauty of Speed came blaring through my earphones and there was something about the song that changed my mood completely. This is the cool part; I didn't even realize I ran up 2 of the 3 Heartbreak Hills. The one good thing is that I tackled the hills today; ran faster up them. Last night I made a playlist for this run and I must have known what a whining loser I would be feeling like because every song that came on took my mind off everything! The Kaiser Chiefs came on with "Na, na, na, na, na", The Smashing Pumpkins with Zero, "Loneliness is Happiness", Poe with Haunted, "build a casket for your tears." I had chosen songs with lyrics I love to sing. I was like a traveling kareoke machine running through Newton, Brookline and Boston.

I don't feel as great as I did two weeks ago when I ran 18 but I don't feel horrible. Tonight's feast? Vic and I are meeting my Dad and my step-mother at Alta Strada in Wellesley. I've never been and I love trying new places.

I took Drew to Target this afternoon. I was eyeing the Easter m&ms and this is what came out of his mouth, "You know Mom, Eric wouldn't want you eating that. You need to eat only healthy food on your marathon diet."

Let's see if he's remembered in my will...................

Steph's Puerto Rico Training

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I will now share you with images and reflections from my training while vacationing in Puerto Rico.

Image #1-Drew and I on Palomino Island, the private island owned by El Conquistador. On the way over on the catamaran I start yelling in my best Herve voice, "Boss, the plane, the plane!" I told Drew to look out for a very short dark skinned man with a Monkees haircut and bad white tuxedo. Hydration is important during training as you can see from the pina coladas in our hands. Did a 5k lt run at a 8:03 pace that morning.

Image #2-A girl needs her protein (and Corona.) This is me at La Concha (a brand new very ultra hip and cool hotel in Condado) eating my latin sliders. I ordered them because how could anyone pass up something called a "latin slider."
Ran a 3.5 race pace run that morning.

Image #3-Truly exerting my arms here while reading my Vanity Fair. What you can't see is the calypso/reggae band in the back. I definitely exerted extra calories while grooving to them! Did a 5k deathbed run that morning (first run after being so sick-it was not pretty!)

Image #4-Drew and I after a very vigorous workout of lying in our innertubes in the ocean. He's drinking a strawberry/kiwi dacquiri and I another pina colada!

Image #5-Picture taken by 6 year old Amelia. She wanted to capture the intense eyeball workout I was doing by watching her brother in the pool while I soaked in the sun with my drink!

Well, it's pretty obvious I took my training very seriously in Puerto Rico! Seriously, I did. I ran every day (left the sleeping family in the hotel room), ate well (yogurt/fruit for breakfast, salad with chicken for lunch and fish for dinner except for the last day when I gave into the latin sliders and then had steak at a wonderful Puerto Rican restaurant. Hey, I'm Mexican, a girl's gotta have her rice and beans). I did enjoy my drinks by the pool and ocean but always waited until the afternoon and in moderation. I had lots of margaritas and sangria! By far the best drink was an italian margarita which was made with amaretto-divine!

I went to Puerto Rico to unwind and relax and spend time with my kids and that's exactly what I did. Amelia and I got a mother/daughter mani/pedi at The Golden Door Spa. What an experience! My feet have never felt so soft. Drew and I played a lot of catch in the ocean. I had a lot of time to just be. I never do that. I fell asleep to the sounds of the ocean and the sounds of the coqui frog and awoke to the same. Every morning I would open the curtain to the brilliant colors of the plants, ocean, sky and sun. Peace. That's what this vacation brought me. Peace. And a serious sunburn (yes, Mexicans can burn as I and my half Mexican children found out-a first for us all!). Vic didn't burn at all thank to his space age gringo I will not tan suit. I referred to him as The Great White Shark. It's back to reality; Boston is expecting a snowstorm tomorrow and I have to run 18 miles this weekend. Welcome Back from Paradise Steph!

The nasty bug finally bit my butt!

Dear Goddess of Health,

Please make me better and quickly. I, who has not been sick in 2 years, has spent the better half of my day observing the inside of a toilet. Had to delay our trip to PR by a day (and I will get on that plane even if a barf bag is attached to my face.) Good news is that I haven't gotten sick in almost 5 hours and my fever has broke. Poor Lilli came by with her daughter and the look on her face seeing me in my crazy mitten pjs, disheveled hair and glassy eyes scared me. I am Invincible Steph, not lay on the couch and watch The Suite Life of Zack and Cody marathon on the Disney Channel. Amelia was assigned as my nurse while Vic and Drew went out to run some errands. The girl does not have future in nursing. Every time I asked her for something she'd call Vic and say, "Um, when are you going to be back? I think Mom is dying." Wlll use tomorrow to rest up and pack and hopefully board that plane on Sunday. How demented am I? Even after getting sick twice, I was still trying to figure out if I could run...................I would appreciate any assistance because my Juicy bathing suit and a margarita with my name on it is waiting for me at The El Conquistador!

Sickly Steph (even in illness I can still use alliteration-a true teacher!)

I spent Valentine's Day night with my trainer........

This is Tony, trainer extradornaire. I walk into CP in Saxonville tonight and look at Tony and realize that I am spending V Day night with him and two other guys. I look at him and say, "I can't believe I'm spending Valentine's Day night with you on some artificial turf." He didn't realize it was V Day night and then gets all emotional and puts his arms out for a big hug. I tell him I'm deeply offended that there is no romance in the air. He then kicks himself for not bringing "Sade and a bottle of wine." All kidding aside, Tony has an AWESOME girlfriend. She's nice, smart, strong, has a great taste in music, food and handbags (and I guess guys) and makes a mean meatloaf. Maybe I should date her......

Today wasn't so bad. I got about 50 pounds of m&ms from the kids in my class. A fourth grade girl went up to Drew (in third grade) at school and hugged him and said she liked him. I like that girl's gusto-going for the younger man! Not so sure I'm crazy that she's after my very handsome son (a boy who still sometimes puts his clothes on backwards.)

As I was writing out lesson plans last night, I listened to a lot of music and realized 99.9% of my music has love, love found, love gone wrong, young love, old love, bad love, love lost; every kind of love as a theme. Seriously, can't anyone write a song about something other than love? Like one on eating a Cheez It or licking the frosting off a cupcake (Vic actually came through and surprised me with cupcakes from Wicked Ass Cupcakes in Sommerville along with a tee-shirt to match.) This might make up for not buying me anything for Christmas-a problem I quickly rectified with a new Kate Spade bag and Gucci watch. I tell him that on his tombstone it's going to read "Didn't buy gift for wife on Christmas 2007."

So I got to thinking because believe it or not, yes I am a romantic at heart. I have watched Love Actually and Pride and Predjudice so many times I have lost count. When Mr. Darcy tells Elizaebeth "you bewitch me" I want to kiss the t.v. screen. Or when Colin Firth realizes that he is in love with the maid and travels on Christmas night to tell her, I am screaming at the t.v., "Run faster to her!" I was trying to think what was my ultimate love song; I didn't think for long because these lyrics popped in my head:

Get up, get out, get away from these liars
'Cause they don't see your soul or your fire
Take my hand, knot your fingers through mine
And we'll walk out this dark room for the last time
Every minute from this minute now
We can do what we like anywhere
I want so much to open your eyes
'Cause I need you to look into mine
Open Your Eyes, Snow Patrol

The entire song is a masterpiece. The way the music starts slow and then builds up. The way his voice starts small and by the end he's yelling, "Open your eyes." I am addicted to songmeanings.net but have not looked this one up. I think it's because I like my own interpretation. This would be the best song to play at an end of a movie where the boy and girl are running towards one another in the rain after realizing that they are in love..........................................oh my God, I'm cheezier than a Lifetime movie interpretation of a Danielle Steele book. Okay, change the frame of mind Steph, time to go watch Fatal Attraction and 9 1/2 Weeks.

Johnny Wisdom

He's what I asked for for V Day tomorrow. It was between Johnny and the Keebler Elf (another man who tempts me) but that dark, brooding gaze beat the promises of refined sugar and carbohydrates (but it was close.) I'll rant about V Day tomorrow-I plan on listening to A Bloody Valentine all day long.

So this entry is actually about a Johnny I know but it got me to thinking about the name Johnny. Why is it the universally used name for so many songs. Fine Young Cannibals sing of a Johnny, Poe sings of Dear Johnny and Angry Johnny (wonder if it 's the same Johnny?) and then there's Johnny B Good. Was there a Johnny in history that created anger and angst? I seriously wonder about this (especially after running 15 miles.)

I love the people I work with. I love what I do so the fact that I work with such exceptional people makes my job not seem like a job some days (except when there's report cards to be done.) Everyone who works in a school will tell you that the real heroes of a school are the office and custodial staff. Without them the school could not function. Enter Johnny. Johnny is the afternoon custodian for my wing. He's a great guy that makes me laugh every day. I look forward to our conversations every afternoon. The other day he asked me about the 18 miler; I told him how well it went and nothing hurt, not even my rear end. He told me he drove to NH and his rear end was hurting for hours. Then I expressed my concern about my 10.5 miler this weekend. Where and when would I do it? We travel on Saturday to Puerto Rico. Did I really want to spend my first day of vacation doing a long run? Or worst on a treadmill? I was talking to Johnny about it and he said this, "Yeah Steph run 10 miles in the foothills or PR and you guarantee a ransom phone call to your family for 30 million dollars," Now that was funny! Then today he said he was listening to the congressional hearings on steroids and thinks I should start taking them so I can run a 2 hour marathon. I told him I already had my drug and pointed to the multiple bags of m&ms on my desk. Apparently my love for m&ms has gotten out and everyone has bought them for me for V Day.

So the plan is I leave school right at 3:00 on Friday, run 10 miles (this after a full day of teaching and meetings) then come home and pack. I'm] already tired thinking about it.

Going now to listen to my Johnny Compilaton

Going Places

That's the name my friend and colleague, Damon Burnard's, thesis exhibition. Tonight was the opening and a bunch of us from school went. The vibe in the room was energized. My fellow fourth grade team member, Jessica, and I went around and closely examined all of the pieces. One painting captured my eye (in fact would even consider buying it-it was made up of vibrant blues, greens and purples with the blackest of black. In talking to Damon about his work, a theme of childhood, repression and conformity was mentioned. I then read this quote on one of his pieces:

"Places inside determine whether we precieve places outside as melancholic, sinister, beautiful or dull."'

That one is going in my journal. I"m still processing.

I also learned that Damon wrote one of Drew's favortite books, "Dave's haircut." How did I not know this?

The Men Who Tempt Me

I was just challenged in an email to write about something that challenges me on this blog. I'm pretty sure this is not what she had in mind but I LOVE challenges and never pass them up. It's that type A in me.

Let me set the scene. I'm watching Gossip Girl on Tivo, listening to Zero 7 (Sia's old band-check out their videos on YouTube-Pageant of the Bizarre is brilliant-she better sing it when I see her. )It I have my new glasses on (pic is coming Kegger) and I'm in my fuzzy blue and black leopard print pjs (I have a thing for crazy pajamas). Did a threshold run, feel great. Ate well-protein shake for breakfast, yogurt, carrots, hummus, banana for lunch, Cytofuse after the run. Dinner was greenbeans and fish. All is well. And then the temptation begins. The calls from the kitchen. The lure. I'm too weak to resist their empty promises of instant gratification. The sensation they will bring me. How my lips feel when I touch them. Meet Orville and Dough Boy, the two white, pasty men that I just can's say no to.

Every night they enter my dreams, filling my head with forbidden thoughts. Orville is super sneaky; how dare he make Kettle Corn. The juxtaposition of the sweet and salty makes my head spin and my heart race. And Dough Boy. So squishy and soft; being with him is like being home. Most nights I can fight them off but not tonight. I was weak. We stared at one another for a good 10 minutes until at last Orville broke the silence. I might have lost this battle, but will conquer next time.

Swimsuits, long lost hedgehogs and good karma

First, they're done! All 21 report cards are written, typed, printed and ready to go. I can gain control over my life again.

So you knew that when I said yesterday that I had to go swimsuit shopping that this story would be even more heart wrenching than the quest for jeans. But I had to share because the inexplicable happened; I found two, the first two that I tried on and they rock.

But let me back up. All day yesterday I kept waiting for the pain and hunger after the 18 miler to set in. It never did. I walked around Boston in the snow and in Ellie Tahari heel boots and was fine. I ate but not out of the ordinary for someone who had just run that mileage. I woke up this morning and was fine. No soreness. I walked into training and Brian was scared to ask and I told him I felt awesome. Looking back I shouldn't have done that because the boy kicked my booty but hey, that's his job. I mean to do glute ham raises with the weighted vest less than 24 hours after running 18 miles seemed a little harsh but I whipped those babies out. He couldn't believe how focused I was (and how clueless- my incoherent description of things E and T have me do just showed how co-dependent those two have made me-I think I need an intervention.)

Amelia and I headed to the mall. First stop J. Crew. We're in the kids section and this nice woman comes over to help us. She looks so familiar and then I recognize her as a woman that participated in a Motherless Daughter Support Group with me. Her name is very distinctive; after an animal so to protect her identity, I'll call her Hedgehog. I say "Hedgehog, it's me Stephanie.' She looks and then says, "Oh my! I didn't recognize you; I love the hair!" We hug and catch up. It's weird because I had been thinking about her. I always admired her courage and her relationship with her daughter and how honest she was about trying to raise her child without a mother figure and without a full time partner (she and her husband had divorced.) She of course then gave us extra attention and laughed at Amelia's dressing room commentary. "Um, Mom, so not you, "I love this color one me!" We left with two outfit for Amelia, two tee shirt for me (another plug; J Crew cotton tee shirt are the softest and best fitting around), swimsuit cover up but not swim suit. Time was of the essence so we made a beeline to Nordstroms.

I typically try in 20 swimsuits and never LOVE any of them. I'm wandering around and my new Nordstrom's Best Friend Phyllis comes over to help. I tell her what I need (my lovely daughter; "My mom only swims on family vacations and even then she only relaxes with her margarita") Phyllis looks at my body says, "I know exactly which ones." All the other women are grabbing "the miracle suit" which sounded pretty good to me but when I asked Phyllis she looked at me, leaned over and whispered "Sweetie those are for women who wear double digits, you do not." True, but everyone can use a miracle in their lives! She picks out a brown/white (brown is a must with my coloring according to Phyl) tankini by Tommy Bahama. I felt good about that choice. Then she picks out this frilly, feminine one piece from Juicy Couture. I told her I don't think so but she took it into my dressing room anyways. The Tommy Bahama fit and looked good. Sold. Then it was time for the one piecer. Putting it on I was amazed at how silky and smooth it felt. Then I looked in the mirror and almost passed out; this was it, the swimsuit I have waited for all of my life. Even the 6 year old critic could find no fault. Phyllis checks in and gasps, "Stephanie, that is exquisite." This comment prompted my new dressing room friends to tell me to come out so I did and they couldn't believe how great it looked. No joke, they go and get some off the rack to try on. I knew right then and there that my good luck 18 miler Karma had followed me to Nordstroms. Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket? Those are them up there. Needless to say I don't look quite look like the picture but imagine her a lot shorter, darker and with shorter hail And hips, legs and a butt!

So I'm watching The Grammy's and must comment on Beyonce. She danced with Tina (Tina is a Goddess but looked like the exhaust pipe off my car-no women should ever wear full body metallic silver, but we forgive you Tina). The girl has legs and I love her for that. Those legs say I am strong, not a wimp. Don't mess with me. I love it!

"My Little Chocolate Cupcake"

That's what Dawna called me at mile 7 today. I really thought she was going to lean over and try to lick me after saying that.

It's 11:49 p.m, I had one of those days in which everything is illuminated. I'm eating my favorite late night post long run snack, honey mustard pretzels and Feist is the musical guest on SNL. I picked up my new glasses today and it's amazing how much more clearly I can see. I typically only wear them at night but these new frames (I of course had to get Prada to match my sunglasses) give me a Soho art gallery owner look. Don't ask me where I came up with that one; I don't even know an art gallery owner from Soho.

I woke up with butterflies in my stomach; this 18 miler was freaking me out. Dawna and Helen arrived on my doorstep at 9:00 (both with cds they made for me and another friend made me one too-3 in one day. I love getting new music.) We set out. We went slow for the first 4 miles and then we picked it up. The first four miles did allow us to have a great conversation about politics, Barack vs Hilary, society's unrealistic perceptions of women and soul mates. We went fast up some hills. I would lead with Dawna in the middle and Helen behind Dawna. I would give her some pep talks. We sandwiched her in to keep her on track. We stopped for Gu at mile 6.5 and Dawna said to me "You're like my little chocolate cupcake." I spit my Gu out from laughing so hard; I loved my new nickname. It personified me. We named Helen her "glass of Guinness." We were totally cracking up. I left them at 10.38 and ran the remainder by myself. It flew by. I ran reverse splits. I didn't get tired. What was wrong? Where was the agony I was expecting? I finished with a 9:16 pace and was happy with that. I felt energized, strong and confident. I totally needed that. Did the Target shopping for our upcoming trip to Puerto Rico. Tomorrow it's bathing suit shopping; I'm talking Amelia who is brutally honest but alway right. Went to Teatro before the Flamenco Festival. I could have eaten bread all night. The performance was incredible; I loved watching her hands and facial expressions. I am so taking flamenco again; I do have the hips for it! Days like today make me feel invincible. The running has given me purpose and confidence and I am so thankful. I am surrounded by amazing friends (with great taste in music) and love hanging out with them. I always feel like I learn something new about myself when with them. But most importantly, they make me laugh. And nickname me after baked goods.

Another visual

All of my running friends wills tell you that the real reason I run is for the shirt, or in the case of Boston, the jacket. So I got this email today. I think the timing is significant as I have been freaking out about this 18 miler that will take place in 7 hours and 15 minutes. Yet another visual to go along with my images of calamari, olives, imported cheese and prosciutto around mile 15 tomorrow when I am seriously questioning my sanity. If you see a lost looking petite woman with black running shoes running around in circles and mumbling, "Mortadella, olives and sangria" please stop and help her out.

I am pleased with the color of the jacket. Last year's was navy blue and white. Cause you know if the colors were bad, I would totally stop training.

It's time to go back to sleep but funny story first. Dawna always teases me about going to Nordstroms so tonight I get a voicemail from her that she was about to walk into Nordstroms for the first time and she needed some support. I didn't have my phone so couldn't offer my support. Where was I? Where else, Nordstroms. I was picking up my Paige jeans. Somehow wondered into the make up department on my way out and am now the proud owner of the "Magic" setting powder by Prescriptives, blush creme stick by Nars, MAC eyeshadow in Mythology and MAC lipgloss in Love Nectar. A huge thanks to my new best friend Marilyn who helped me add products that I truly didn't need but am so glad found me. Seriously, what I loved about her is that she wasn't tied to one label; she knew all the lines and what to put together. I'll post sometimes about my favorite products but let me say this; MAC lipgloss is the only way to go. Nothing else compares. Where were you Dawna to stop me?

Okay, back to sleep. I fell asleep from 10-1 and had to wake up because I drank like a gallon of water before going to bed in prep for hydration for tomorrow. I'm ready. Hopefully I'll dream of me in my new jacket (which I won't wear until AFTER I run the race-hate those people who wear it BEFORE) with a piece of foccacia in one hand and my glass of sangria in the other.......

Duh!

Meet Broken Social Scene, my newest band obsession. I've been into the male/female vocal sound lately; listening to a lot of Shiny Toy Guns. I stumbled upon BSS and couldn't stop listening to 7/4 Shoreline. There was something so familiar and intoxicating about the lead female voice. Well, hello Steph, that's Feist, second only to Sia, singing. I love Feist (the get down get funky version of My Moon My Man is one of the many ringback tones on my phone, Sea Lion Woman get me energized, When I Was a Young Girl gets the body groovin) and couldn't believe that I was so dense not to recognize her voice. Listen. It's a sound hard to describe other than it's like a Pringle; once you start, you can't stop.

2:17-a new personal PR. For a hair appointment. Brian was going for a trademark look last night and spent painstaking time on the color, cut (no he called it sculpt) of the hair. It must have worked; people at work were like "Your hair looks awesome!". The girls in my class, "Ms. H-B you look like you're 27!" They're just trying to butter me up because report cards are coming out.

At 6:40 I got an email that made me naseous; I have an official number for the marathon. I trained with Brian for the first time tonight and let me say this, he may be only 23 but he's good. Really good. Apparently he didn't know I was training and no one left him my program. This after communicating with Eric and Tony today (I think they were still recovering from a totally Stephnique rant that I wrote at 1:00 a.m. but Cressey described as "literary beauty"). Those two are really slipping in their old age. He pushed me, added more reps and weight and had the necessary sense of humor needed to be my trainer. And he added a new saying to go with "Arch your back-Get that butt down!" I am so having shirts made up.

I'm stressing, Jeff is deathly ill and isn't doing the 18 miler this weekend. There goes team Steph and Jeff. Enter Dawna and Helen. They're doing 10 miles on Saturday so I'm going to do 10 with them and then 8 on my own. 18 miles. After I did the 16.5 miler and I was ravenous and exhausted. I've learned with these big long runs (I no longer consider the 10.5 ones long-I know, only a runner would say that) I need to have a nice meal planned that night. Something to look forward to during my run. Give me some visuals. Saturday I'm going to Teatro before attending The Flamenco Festival. I'm already envisioning thier flatbread appetizer thing, antipasto, calamari, foccacia and one of the most incredible concoctions ever-pineapple infused rum. Their drinks are delectable. But 18 miles. Those little black running shoes better bring me some magic. 18 miles? What was I thinking?

Dr. Marcheesey and Rihanna's hair rocks!

Doesn't Rihanna's hair rock?


So here's blog cleansing number two of the week. I just finished writing my last report card. I promised myself if I finished before `11:00 p.m. I'd write about why Rihanna's rocks.

Today I met with my chiropractor who when the last time I saw him one day after the marathon made me swear I'd never run a marathon again. His name is John Marchese and the man is a genius. I will now call him Dr. Marcheesey though. I asked him about his recent wedding and he told me that the priest called him Marcheesey and for some reason I totally lost it-almost rolled off the therapy table. The chunks of cheese jokes started flying out of my mouth. His new partner, Dr. Tim, chimed in (and gave me some good pre-run nutrition advice.) I went through one hour of torture but feel more connected.

I haven't seen him in almost a year and his new offices are great. He walks out to greet me and the first thing out of his mouth is "Tell me you're not running the marathon." That was immediately followed by, "I like the hair Steph" (he hadn't seen it short) Which brings me to Rihanna's hair. Rihanna is responsible for the bob phase (sorry Posh and Katie.) I admired her when she did it but secretly wished she had cut it shorter. Katie and Posh had nice ones now they look a little too suburban (this from a suburbanite). Whenever I get my hair cut I always tell my stylist, Brian, "Don't make it look suburban. I want messy, messy, messy!" Lots of women have such security issues about the length of their hair. When I read accounts of women in magazines who cry and cry if their hair is cut too short I want to yell "Shut up! Hair grows back." Like Sia said, Some people have real problems like not being able to find designer jeans to fit over their rear end. I have many issues but thankfully this is not one of them. Stylist to the stars Chris McMillan has said that there's nothing sexier than a woman with short messy hair. It proves she's confident, sassy and a free spirit. I'm sure there are many women with long hair like that, but the man is on to something. My hair goddess is Meg Ryan when she had short hair. Sally Hershberger, her stylist, was an artist when she cut Meg's hair. Not one piece was in place and it looked like she just rolled out of bed. After I cut my hair off, I felt like a new person. I just look better with shorter hair . As I said before in this blog, I get asked a lot about it. At the gym last night, the woman at the front desk said, "Stephanie, your hair always looks good" (it doesn't but I didn't argue!) Back to Rihanna. I open my new People magazine and there's a picture of her new hair cut. She finally took the plunge and cut it all off. She looks amazing! I have my 2 hour hair apppt tomorrow night and can't wait to see what Brian comes up with. He uses an arsenal of tools; razors, combs.

Jean Hell

Okay, I really hope the image uploaded since is the first time I'm trying it on my MacBook (and a big thanks to Adam at The Apple Store who patiently answered all of my questions, helped me restore my iPOD and complimented my excellent taste in music!)

So if you are a guy, stop reading now because unless you have high levels of estrogen and know the difference between low rise, boot cut, wide leg and skinny, you just won't get it. Expect random blogs this week; I am swamped at work and writing about my trivial problems is a cleansing outlet for the three new units of study I have to plan out and 21 report cards I'm working on.

Any woman can tell you how horrible jean shopping is (I can see everyone nodding their head in agreement.) Try if you are petite with curves and runners legs. Pure hell. All of my running friends complain about how jeans are too big in the waist but tight in the hips/butt/legs (I can see more head nodding.) In fact I think on one of my long runs last year, Janette, Sarah and I had like an hour conversation about jeans.

I needed a "dress up pair of dark denim jeans" (you ladies know what I'm talking about, you men are totally lost). I have a couple of events coming up (art exhibit opening,performances etc) that I need them for. I had two hours yesterday to find a pair at The Natick Collection. After a bizarre encounter with an overly friendly male sales associate at The Levi's store who complimentd on my "booty" and asked if I was married (oh yeah and tried to come into the dressing room when I was changing-what the hell?) I left feeling disillusioned (get your Kleenex out.) The Gap wasn't going to cut it; I needed a pair of JEANS (I know now I have lost all the guys.) I went to the petite department at Nordstroms and if I wanted to look like an extra on Three's Company with waistbands up to my chest, I would have been fine. So I ventured into the regular sized people department. Enter my savior, Rachel. I explain the situation; she totally got it and starts pulling different styles from different brands. 16 pairs of jeans later and no luck. I tried everything; Citizen for Humanity, Hudson, Seven (was really pulling for those because MJB sings about putting on her 7 jeans in Grown Woman.) Buffalo by David Britton (now I'm positive all the guys are asleep while you women are taking notes) fits me well but they don't carry him. I am about to start crying in the velvet dressing room with aweome furniture and no joke, Jimmy Choo heels to try on with your pants when she says, "I've got one more brand." Enter Paige Jeans. She brings me two pairs; one boot leg and one trouser jeans. I'm a little wary of the trouser jean but am desparate. My new dressing room best friend Lila who was trying to buy a pair of "You screwed me over ex boyfriend and aren't you sorry you did" because she MIGHT be running into him at a party next weekend (I swear, I think my sister and I have a gene in us that makes people pour their hearts out to us-within 5 minutes I knew her life story) screams "Those are them" when I wearily walk out of the dressing room in the trouser jeans. She was right-they were awesome. But way too long. I needed to get them altered and quickly, Within 3 minutes, Elena, the very sweet seamstress came down from alterations and had me pinned and ready to go! Boys and girls, not all jean stories have happy endings but this one did. May you have sweet dreams now. Those are them up there!

I'm still in my pajamas and it's 3:00 p.m.!

So last night during my training I was told I had a type A personality and I've never thought of myself as that but I guess it's accurate so in true non-conformist fashion, I'm still in my pajamas and it's 3:00 in the afternoon!

My kids are both really sick so Vic and I have had to take turns being at home, today was my day. The good news is they are getting better and I show no signs of it and the incubation period is over so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I have watched more Teen Nick than thought possible. I have used this day to write report cards while playing Nurse Steph. No joke, they both have a cowbell and ring it when they need something. I am loving my new laptop and am so thankful for it!

I realized this week that runner is permanently part of my identity. All I could keep thinking of is "I can't get sick, I have to run 11 miles Saturday and I've got the big 18 miler next Saturday." Then I started thinking, if I do get sick, I'll be better by next weekend but probably couldn't do 18 if I had to skip running for a few days but maybe 14? What kind of sick and twisted person thinks like that?

Vic better come home soon; I still need to go running, I haven't had my Starbucks yet and I need to stock up on dvds, ginger ale and some food for me. I heard a car door slam........YES!