First Print!!!

Yeh! I just sold my first photo today!! horah!!! it's the one on this blog. It was to a friend for her brother, but I still sold it. I am pretty excited about selling my first print. I just had to take a picture!

As for training goes... doing the 4 mile walk tonight....

Themed Three Thursday

Last night the common number to my "training" was 3. Monday, I was supposed to do my endurance walk, only after my chiropractic appointment I was just too sore to race pace 3 miles. Tuesday, I was also too sore. Wednesday, had a headache all day, would've walked but slacked off. Finally, Thursday I had my follow-up chiro appt. Not so much fun (whole different story), but I HAD to do my walk! At 7:58pm I headed North with Cooper. Warmed up, tried a fast pace, up hill. My feet felt hot, and if anyone knows the cure or tips please share. I get a mile and half out, turn around, let Cooper off his leash, and head back. Kind of got a side ache; which is sad, but just kept truckin. Cooper was doing really well too! Finally, get back to the house, 53 minutes! Then I grabbed the other two dogs and took the 3 down the road about a third of a mile for a cool down. After putting them in the house I did 3 sets of push ups and 3 sets of lunges. Once inside I was mixin up some banana bread, it called for 3 bananas. I used 5! Yum! And then for dinner we watched prison break; disc 3. Finally retired for the evening. Hopefully, I'll get the pace picked up, but for those of you who think it sounds easy, try it...up hill too :) who knows what was up with all the threes.....

1 Week Down!

I have been meaning to write sooner this week, just didn't get around to it. This weeks "training" was pretty easy... 30 minute walks and today a 3 mile walk - which I will do tonight when it's not so hot out. Covered 2 miles in the 30 minute jaunts. Also learned only one dog accompanies me, Dallas, and she has to be off leash. I don't know if she'll be able to keep it up once the miles increase, she gets pretty worn out towards the end :(. I also had 2 gym days with weights, lunges, sit-ups, & everyone's favorite... the push up!

I came back from my first walk telling Jorge, "well, I had a 16 minute mile!...that's a 7 hour marathon or so." He replied, "well, we better get you an old man with a walker to be your walking buddy!" Great advice ;) My dad's advice... "you'll have to get Jorge driving next to you drinking beer." Dunno how exactly that's supposed to help me... but that's my family for ya.

I did finally retire my Nike maxair livestrongs :( it was about time, my toe was beginning to pop out and the bottom was being held on with super glue. Being located in Kansas, that doesn't leave me many Running/Walking/Outdoorsy..."Bouldery" stores to go to for some real good shoes. After roaming around the mall (which I hate doing with no money), I ran into a friend of mine who informed me about Great Plains Running Company Luckily, it was only a few blocks away. Told the salesman what I do and what my goal was... after all I was also looking for work shoes too. He hooked me up with a pair of Nikes and a pair of Mizunos and of coarse some insoles. They had a bunch of stuff, I'll probably be visiting them quite a bit as the M-day (marathon day) gets closer. Next, came breaking them in. The Nikes are strictly for work and the Mizunos are my walking shoe. The Nikes are a little tight, but I'm hoping they'll be okay. The Mizs are a great shoe. However, my feet seem to be always hot. I don't know if it's just me or what. I even have those coolmax beathable socks. Otherwise...So far, So good. I just hate breaking in shoes!

Yesterday, I visited the much needed chiropractor, Dr. Cortner in Manhattan. It was my first time seeing him, so paperwork! ;) He seems nice and like he knows his stuff. In the morning he took Xrays. Afternoon I came back and his adjustment was like, "wham, bam, thank-you mam!" I go back on Wednesday to go over my rads and discuss what's next. Apparently, my back is all screwy up around my neck and lower back, which could explain my penguin walk or all my headaches. It better be worth it because I am one sore lady today!!!

A Challange....

So, I was clearing off my kitchen table (I'm a pile person) and came across some old printed out work-out sheets. The third one read, "YOU CAN DO IT, You can walk a MARATHON!" Those words kind of sank in a little bit. As the cleaning went on, I kept glancing over at the papers. Thought to myself, " you know alicia, you've been wanting/needing a physical challenge to help you get back into shape. And you know rugby just isn't in the cards anymore..." Once I finally wiped down the entire table I sat. Pondered. Picked up the papers and decided "YES I CAN, what the hell right?!" The next day at work that's all I could think about was marathon this & marathon that. Now, I'm not familiar at all with the whole jogging/walking world. The closest I have come is sprints & Indian runs in practice, chasing an opposing rugger for the tackle, and having the road closed by my parents house in Colorado for some Boulder-athon. Back then we were the ones tipping over the porta-potties the night before ;).
I called Jorge on my lunch break, threw the idea at him and asked if he would be my coach... per say. He said "Alicia, you can do anything you put your mind to, and heck yeah I'll boss you around.... take off your clothes and get to bed!" Yup, that's my coach ;)...and my numero uno supporter!
After that I began researching, I never realized there was so much to think about and preparations to take! First, I needed a date. I wanted something around the 20 week range (that's how long I'll need to train). Second, it has to be close...enough. Third, it has to be legit. I found two, one in Overland park, KS and one in Tulsa, OK. After checking them out I'm going for November 21st, 2010 The Williams Route 66 Marathon! Plus a couple days ahead there's the Fall Classic hog show in Duncan, OK that I would like to attend too!
I now have my training plan all put together. Reading "The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking," by Dave McGovern. Started my walking ... yesterday. A whopping 2.1 miles in 39 minutes... yes horrible, but there's an explanation (excuse), I took Cooper & Dallas. Big mistake!!! Next time either no dogs or just Dallas - she doesn't stop at everything or tangle me up. I would also like to add I will mainly be walking from my house and we are in a hole so I have hills in either direction. I guess it will add to the training! One other thing I would like to add is I am starting this overweight, out of my normal shape, and recovering from last years Achilles tendon issues. So ... BRING IT ON!
Well, just have to talk to my physician otherwise it's a go!!!
I will keep you updated through the training and of course on other random notes ;) oh, and if you have any tips don't hesitate!

Crack! Boom! Wheewww-Pop!!

4th of July! Independence Day! America's Birthday!... One of my favorite holidays!!!

Ever since I could remember this day is in my top 3. Good food, friends n family, & fireworks!!!
Sometimes camping and a lake (only not this year...at least the puddle in my driveway isn't big enough for a boat).
When we were little there were always BBQs & partys that our parents were dragging us too. Partys where the older guys would be making "bombs" during the daylight, then draggin out their Wyoming bought fireworks as soon as the sun dropped. It was a blast! I would always beg my mom, "Can we light them now?" "How about now?""Is it time yet?" It would be like 1pm. So, she made sure to always get snakes, smoke bombs, and party pullers for daytime then "the works" for dark! hello Sparklers!! An all-time fav!
Then it became tradition to to to a lake! McCounahay, Nebraska... Horsetooth, Colorado... Glendo, Wyoming...Greyrock, Wyoming...Milford, Kansas...but we always found ourselves back at Glendo. Those were some GREAT times!
Unfortunately, I haven't been to Glendo since 2004 :( It's hard to get off and be able to get home during the summer. However, last year I was able to talk my family (-my bro) to come out to Kansas. They brought the boat, so we hit up Milford. Then of coarse a party.
This year.... I'm collecting that holiday pay & working. My friend had a get-together. I drank, swam/water fight, played beer pong & ate plenty of food. Tonight I had a whole date night planned for Jorge and I... So far it was on hold because of the rain :(

..... For the 4th, Jorge and I ended up going into Manhattan in the rain, hit up a couple firework stands. I love everything from the little dorky stuff - like the chicken who "lays" fireballs - to the artillery shells! After spending some money, dinner was at dairy queen, I had some killer acid reflux so ice cream was my food while Jorge enjoyed his Flamethrower. Then we went home and acted like little dorky kids playing with our sparklers, tanks, fountains, firecrackers, and cherry bombs!

Spare Time

Since we don't have internet at the house I do most of my writing in a notepad then transfer onto here...

I don't have much but on a really hot or rainy day when I'm not doing any "hobbies" and want to do absolutly NOTHING I have been recently having a glass of wine and watching Desperate Housewives.
Currently, I'm up to season 3. Pretty decent show I might say. Now, Jorge and I don't have TV channels...AT ALL! So, we basically just watch movies or rent seasons. Jorge is kind of liking DH, although he isn't telling me that, I can just tell. We are also watching Prison Break. It's different than other shows, & has some smokin actors.... "hello Wentworth!"
One thing I love about not having TV, is I can just watch a whole season with out any commercials!!
Who knows what I'll find next