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WIW

I’m late posting this. I took the measurements last Wednesday (on schedule) and never had time to post. I also have my weigh in from last week and today.

1st WIW of the month

  • March: 194.9
 – Body fat: 39%
  • April: 193.3 – Body Fat: 39.2%
  • May:194.3/194.9 – Body Fat 39.5%

Monthly Measurements 


January 2016 – February 2016 – March 2016
 – April 2016 – May 2016

  • Chest (under breasts): 36 – 35.5 – 35.5 – 35 (-0.5) – 36.5 (+1.5)
  • Smallest Waist 38.5 – 35.5 – 35.5 – 36 
(+0.5) – 35.5 (-0.5)
  • Belly Button: 43.5 – 42.75 – 42.75 – 42.75 (0) – 42.5 (-0.25)
  • Hips (under belly): 44 – 43.5 – 43.5 – 43.25  (-0.25) – N/A
  • Neck: 13 – 13 – 13 – 13 (0) – N/A
  • Mid Upper Arm: 11.5 – 11.25 – 11.75 -11.25 (-0.5) – ~12 (+.8)
  • Upper Arm: 13.5 – 14 – 13.75 – 13.75 (0) – 13.25 (-0.5)
  • Upper Thigh: 28.5 – 27 – 26.25 – 27.5 (+1.5) – 27 (-0.5)
  • 
Mid Upper Thigh: 23 – 21.25 – 21.25 – 23 (+1.75) – 22 (-1)
  • Above Knee: 18 – 17 – ~18 – ~18 
(0) – 17.25 (-0.75)
  • Mid Calf: 15.75 – 15.75 – 16 -15.75 (-0.25) – ~16

Busy Bee

It’s been a busy week, end of the academic year always is. I don’t think I’ve even logged on tumblr in a week, you know you get to the point where you are overwhelmed with catching up…I don’t know if I will catch up do if there’s anything I missed in the last week let me know! 

Here are some happenings that have kept me busy since May began: 

  • Phone Interviewing: I have been getting serious about the DC job search and have made it to phone interviewing with 2 companies I am extremely interested in. Ideally I’ll have a new job before the Fall semester (late August) begins, but would be happy to start one sooner. 
  • Comm Teaching Gig: Regardless of a new job or not, I have been hired to teach a COMM100 Public Speaking course this fall at my current institution. It’s a 4:30-7:10PM class so I should be able to swing if (hopefully) I’m not working here otherwise. As I look to leave a traditional higher ed setting for work, it will be nice to retain a traditional teaching experience. 
  • Social Butterflying: For over a year I thought I would be leaving my friend group here, but in the last 6 weeks since it became clear I’m staying, THREE girls announced they are moving away – all for wonderful opportunities. It’s been a lot of last hurrah’s, coupled with a lot of birthdays too within the group. 
  • Townhouse hunting with T: Since we are staying in the DC area, the townhouse hunt is on. Initially T was going to look “solo” but we also know we are going to get married (we’re coming up on 2 years together next month). We’ve had a lot of real talk lately, scary and exciting and wonderful. I’ve never wanted to “force”  anything, so I don’t want to rush an engagement, especially since buying a house requires $$.  If “we” look for a townhouse it increases our price range which helps us stay in/around our current location as opposed to moving too far out in the ‘burbs. I’ve always leaned toward waiting until I was engaged to move in together, but we spent 3-4 days a week together anyway. It’s weird that I had this “traditional” move in mindset, when everything else about me is modern and nontraditional.

Tri training starts this month! 

I’m looking at a super sprint in July (VA) and a sprint in September (MD). Both pool swims. There are Duathlon and Aquabike options at the the July one… once I lock in I will let you all know. 

Still debating traveling for a Olympic distance tri in August/September – but I need to get back into the swing of swimming before I pull the trigger on open water. 

Race for Hope DC 5K

Race for Hope was my first race ever! David Cook inspired me to run. When I ran my first race in 2010 it was only my 2nd time to DC and I never though that I’d be living here just 2 years later. 

Race for Hope is 11,000 participants strong. It starts and ends at Freedom Plaza, with sweet views of the Capitol and Mall in the process. It is always a very cathartic race, it’s a Brain Cancer fundraiser that is a celebration of both life and loss. Even though I didn’t lose my dad to a brain tumor, I still feel a sense of community. Shared loss and running our hearts out is a beautiful thing. 

This race is alway the first Sunday in May. In early years I trained for this race, lately it’s been either the start of a training cycle or the end of a training cycle. Here’s a look at my time over the years, but regardless of time I push myself hard each and every year.:

  • 29:32 (2016)
  • 31:37 (2015)
  • 31:13 (2014)
  • 28:52 (2013)
  • 26:36 (2012)
  • 26:28 (2011)
  • 33:29 (2010)

On Sunday, I ran the BEA-utiful George Washington Parkway Classic 10 miler in my stompin’ grounds of Alexandria. 

I am so fortunate that the Mt Vernon Trail which runs along the GW Parkway is where I have spent hundreds and hundreds of miles over the past 4 years. I had the chance in 2012 to run on the GW Parkway for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge half, but it meant more now since I’ve really grown to know and love this area. 

I am so thrilled I had a great race. Wonderful weather, wonderful friends, a great pace, and a freakin negative split ta-boot. HOWEVER, I almost DNS the race. Last Friday was one of the most emotionally draining days I’ve had in a while and for once it wasn’t work related, it was family related. I don’t talk about it hardly ever in “public” but my mom has some severe mental health issues. Friday was a bad day, everything is “okay” now, but still it was rough and my sister was a champ at handling things in NY. 

Saturday I celebrated a dear friend’s birthday at a Nats game. It was an afternoon game so I had a few beers before and during the game, but once the game was over ~3pm, I stuck to water. However by like 7pm I had such a terrible headache/migraine (which I rarely get). T was worried about me and I was in bed and asleep by 8:30pm. 

The early bedtime helped because based off how I felt when I went to sleep I thought there was going to be no way I was going to be up for a 5:00am alarm and ready to race. I felt good in the morning, met up with friends, and shuttled to Mount Vernon where the race started. I cued up my Hamilton soundtrack and let our founding fathers sing me the 10 miles to the finish. 

PS: okay so maybe my negative split is because of my potty break at mile ~4. I had to pee and the portapotty lines were long, so I went BEHIND them. It was secluded enough and I had my rear towards the back of the portapotty. As I was pulling my pants up a lady joined me to do the same! 

PPS: despite my heel being cranky for most of April and not letting me get as many training runs in between my half and this race, I am pleased to report that my heel felt great during the race and still is feeling good! 

REGISTERED! 

If you didn’t know (and you prob don’t because I’ve long time followed her on Instagram) Andrea Barber AKA Kimmy Gibbler is a runner. She’s run a ton of half marathons and an assortment of other races. She’s turning the big 4-0 this year and is partnering with the Girls on the Run org for a virtual 4 miler.

Andrea Barber wants to celebrate her 40th Birthday with YOU!  Sign up for the Andrea Barber 4.0 Mile Birthday Virtual Run! Run, walk, or Gibbler Gallop 4 miles anytime, anywhere, on or before July 3, 2016.

The $40 entry fee gives participants of the virtual run a custom medal (which I NEED), graphic cotton t-shirt, and a personalized autographed headshot of Andrea.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/andrea-barber-40-mile-birthday-run-tickets-24938963110

This stud (my Daddy) would have been 67 today. I’ve missed him every single day since November 18, 2007, but was glad to have him in my life for those first 24 years.

As many of you know I “adopted” ABC2 as my charity of choice as a runner. This Sunday is my 7th Race for Hope and any donations would be much appreciated: http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/TeamraiserEvents/RFH-DC?px=3405733&pg=personal&fr_id=2652