…love Jillian

It’s over and I did it!  I got my paper turned in, attended the AAKC meeting, spoke in public without peeing my pants and managed to make it through my oral interview in Espanol with only two major sweat attacks, yes, I said sweat attacks!  So, that was awesome!

My days as an unemployed stay at home wife and mother of two (puppies) is coming to an end.  On Monday I start my new position with MC Flooring!  (After I accepted this job, a company from the Apartment Association asked me to interview.  I have good relationships with several of their employees so of course I said, “yes!”  We worked out all the final details last Friday and I start the beginning of May.  It’s basically the exact same thing I was doing before just change pest control to flooring!  I think it should be a pretty seamless transition especially since I managed to stay pretty active in the AAKC during my hiatus.  Also, I have a little break from school after finals so I’ll have a couple months to really focus on work and building a solid base before I start summer classes—sometimes I get so frustrated that I didn’t finish sooner!  (PSA:  Kids, finish school early!  If you find you have no motivation to go to class, then perhaps you should take more classes.  This assessment is based on the unemployment experiment—you know, my life the last 2 months.)

Being home for two months really made me rethink a sarcastic joke my dad always makes when I’m complaining about being busy, he says, “a busy person is a happy person,” and after this little experiment in unemployment—I think that philosophy might prove true.   I’ve already looked at the gym schedule to see when I could fit in working out between work and class—which is sort of ridiculous considering I’ve pretty much taken the last month off from any sort of physical activity that doesn’t involve my husband. (Seriously, being unemployed is a full time job that sucks pretty much every ounce of initiative out of a girl!)  I did go for a bike ride today though…

So, until life starts again on Monday, the schedule is as follows:  Friday, I take Maggie to the puppy spa for her summer spa treatments (aka bath, nail clipping and lion cut), directly following?  A pep talk convincing Maggie that the other shelties made fun of her hair because they’re jealous of her trendsetting cut!  And taking a Spanish final on Saturday.  Stressful, I know!  Oh, and tomorrow night I need to pump Hubs up for his first day at Garmin!  Not that he needs it—he’s super excited and I’m super excited for him!

Yes, this last week of unemployment has taken laziness to a whole other level, but hey, I’m not planning on being unemployed again for a VERY long time;  so I might as well take advantage of the free time while I can!

1 Comment | In: Being an adult is lame, Puppies, School, Work, Working is for the birds, Workout | | #

Tomorrow is the big “Rock the Parkway” 10k with Laurie and Hubs (he’s doing the half marathon).  The weather does not appear to be on our side.  It’s suppose to thunderstorm and be an all around dreary day.  Normally, I would him/haw about how running in the rain is dangerous and it’s likely to get cancelled and we should probably just stay home.  But, not this race.  Laurie is running with me!  Laurie is a little nervous about the distance and possibility of fun…Yes, it’s going to be raining. Yes, it’s gonna be chilly.  Yes, it’s possible that we might be hit by a bolt of lightning.  But, I’m still pumped.  Why you ask? (If you are one of DaShaun’s friends or you read this blog for the deep thoughts and witty prose, you might be disappointed in my next statement.  I promise to not make the upcoming announcement a regular theme on jillianranee.com—except before race posts.)   What is this big announcement you wonder?  I got a new outfit!  A running outfit! Seriously, I couldn’t be expected to run in a thunderstorm without the proper rain attire, could I?  When I ran that idea by Hubs; he totally agreed and we headed to Dick’s.  Hubs left me alone to shop….I found a new technical shirt AND some new Nike capri pants to go with my new thunderstorm repellant jacket.  So, with Laurie and the new outfit…I’m super excited about our race.  Hubs was excited about my excitement:      

Me:  I got a new outfit!

Hubs:  Yay!  You are going to look all kinds of awesome!

Me:  Maaaaybe I should get a new outfit for every race….that would definitely get my excitement up about racing!   

Hubs:  Done.

Me:  Considering our current race schedule—you are going to buying me a lot of new outfits! 

Hubs:  I can’t wait!

Usually, I share our conversations because of their ridiculous nature…not today.  Tonight, I’m documenting this conversation verbal contract because it’s the closest thing to a legal binding agreement I can come up with and I want to ensure Hubs doesn’t forget–have you seen our racing schedule?   I’m gonna have the sickest running wardrobe in the world!

No Comments | In: Triathlons/Racing, Workout | | #

So after this post a few days ago.  I can already see a difference in Hubs workout schedule.  He’s been trying to get his workouts in while I’m at school.  Or while I’m studying.  He’s really trying to make it more tolerable and fun for me.  Last night he wanted to go for a short run like ‘we used to.’   I was all, “Yes!  Let’s do it.”  Then I got home from school, was super tired, and my brain hurt from a Stats test…so I might have waffled on tying those shoes and getting an easy 3 miles in…so, what did I do?  I bartered for a better a time:

Me:  (Waaaaa) I don’t want to go….

Hubs:  Ok, if we don’t go running tonight can we get up and go in the morning?  Before work?

Me:  YES!  I promise.

Hubs:  You prooooomise?

Me:  Wait, I promise as long as it’s not still dark out….

Hubs:  Deal.

No Comments | In: Cuuuuuudling, Marriage, Workout | | #

Last summer when Hubs and I first started doing “triathlons” together it was fun.  We would do a bike OR a run OR a swim in the evenings and usually on Saturday morning (unless I could talk him out of it.)  It was fun.  We would talk and hang out and giggle.  We did 3 triathlons and it was pretty fun; our goal was to finish and beat our previous time…if we could.  This winter while we were planning the upcoming summer he said he wanted to do a lot races.  And by a lot, I mean, every weekend.  Granted most of them are local and don’t really take that much time out of our weekends but seriously? If I’m going to agree to do something every weekend it better be something I enjoy. 

Which brings me to the point of this post:  Hubs has decided (technically he decided awhile ago, it just recently dawned on me what it was doing to my enjoyment of swim/bike/run) he is doing the Half Ironman.  And the ‘training’ plan comes with two a day workouts and distances my who-haa can not tolerate. (Seriously, I LOVE biking but sitting on my bike for 2.5 hours is not really my idea of fun!)  When we swim, the distances are so long that I have no interest in even going.  And as far as running is concerned—I HATE running (which is no secret) anyway, so upping the ante on running really doesn’t bode well for my running shoes since he is all, “I’m going to run our next half marathon at a 2:15 pace”….which would be fine except I can’t keep up at 2:15 and the only reason I agreed to run 13.1 miles again was because we we’re doing it together.   

Anyway, I’m trying to figure how to manage an overzealous husband with the need for a well balanced life outside of work and workouts.  I’m having a difficult time getting my bearings without also crapping on Hubs dream of being the next Chris Lieto…

1 Comment | In: How much I love my Husband, Marriage, Triathlons/Racing, Workout | | #

Yesterday, I ran 5.2 miles with Tyson.  Logged an hour at Fight Club with Dad.  And swam with Hubs.   I use the term “swim” loosely as I mostly just finished the remaining 550 meters on my Ironman and whined the rest of the time but I’m still counting it as activity. 

Today, I can barely muster the energy to type this post.  My hips feel like a 75 year old women.  My butt is still recovering from the most painful butt cramp I’ve ever experienced and my arms are just exhausted.

How did this happen?  Usually an increase in activity results in an increase in energy…at least or me.  I can’t remember the last time my body was this tired!  It’s only 930 and I already need a nap….

No Comments | In: How much I love my Husband, Triathlons/Racing, Workout | | #

Dear Title Boxing Club,

Will you please re-instate stretching before and after the brutal a** kicking you deliver class after class.  You used to put on some ‘let’s get it on music’ after class and walk us through a relaxing stretch.  Also, why have we stopped using the medicine balls at the end of class?  With the ‘new management’ abandoning every enjoyable exercise only requesting crunches, pushups, and mountain climbers, I’m just sore and miserable.  I don’t think you realize….stretching and variety is important. 

Also, my dad is coming and I was joking he would be one of the guys on the Bowflex commercials (you know, the one announcing he is a grandpa and can’t believe he is in the best shape of his life) he works hard the entire class so please show him some measurable results!  

Thanks,

Someone dying to be in a swim suit by April

No Comments | In: Family, Workout | | #

I’ve been trying to leave all the “workout” posts to Hubs; it’s the primary focus of his blog and I try not to steal his thunder.  (Speaking of Hubs’ website he just posted a riveting post about chafing–go check it out here.)  Anyway, last month Hubs signed me up to complete a full Ironman between Valentine’s and St. Patty’s day.  Who voluntarily agrees to moves themselves 140.6 miles?  To date I’ve completed roughly 2,000 meters in the swim—still need 2,000 more.  I’ve logged 50 miles on the bike—still need 62 more.  And as far as running the 26.2 miles—how does 1.5 sound?  Can you tell which leg of this Ironman I’m least excited about?  I don’t know what it is about running….it’s good for you, it helps you lose weight, it gives you energy, but I just HATE it.  Last summer I ran with Hubs a lot.  He LOVED it.  And I loved spending time with him.  But I just can’t get back at it.  Hubs always asks me to go and I can usually come up with about 45 reasons why I’m not going—“oh, it’s too late,” or “oh, I have homework,” or  “my tummy hurts,” or my personal favorite, a simple, ”no.”  But now, Laurie is in on the running too.  I’ve agreed to run the “Rock the Parkway 10k” with her.  So, this week I have no choice but to start running again…. 

Oh, and tonight I’m headed back to Fight Club with mom.  And dad.  After months and months of begging and pleading mom started going to fight club last spring and she really enjoyed it but then we stopped last summer.   And now she has agreed to come back!  I went back for the first time last week and it nearly killed me.  Mom doesn’t take a simple ‘no’ when I say I don’t want to do something so hopefully she will keep attending.  A little accountability never hurt anyone….  

If I keep this pace up–I will definitely be ready for swim suit season!

No Comments | In: Family, How much I love my Husband, Triathlons/Racing, Workout | | #

Hubs is out of town for work—boooooo!  Well, boo might not be the right word since I’m not working and our puppies insist on eating.  So let me retract the aforementioned boo and insert…..a yay! Hubs is out of town for work—-yay!  With Hubs out of town, I’m left to my own devices and since I’ve barely had any nights to myself since Hubs moved in I thought I would have tons of ‘stuff that I never do b/c Hubs is always here’ entertainment but it turns out I pretty much do all the stuff I used to do before Hubs moved in with Hubs here.  Looks like all the mystery is gone :)  Anyway, I’m pooped from fight club and sore from riding my bike 20 miles-ish (in the garage) and now I have two options:  study or DJ Hero.  What to do?  What to do?  DJ HERO?  You think I should play DJ Hero?  I think you’re right!!!  DJ Hero it is….

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Dear 24 hour Fitness, 

When you sold me on prepaying for a 3 year membership 3 years ago you promised me ‘practically’ free dues for the years after my 3 year membership ended and I remember thinking ‘yeah right.’  Well, you were right.  I just received my bill for the upcoming year and it’s only $53.  Yeah, that’s right, $53.  $4.42 a month for the next 12 months.  I officially love you!  Not that I ever stopped loving you–we’ve just rekindled our romantic affair! 

I will never leave you now,  

Jillian

P.S.  If this is a mistake, please don’t recalculate my dues!

No Comments | In: Workout | | #

Things that I’ve learned about Hubs and I in the last week:

• If I yell (I mean yell) at Hubs;  he will still love me, try to fix what I yelled about, and assure me there is no need to apoplogize when I say I’m sorry.  (Sorry laaaaaadies, he’s aaaaall mine! ) 




• It has been suspected (by Hubs) that I have a tendency to sabotage our (Hubs and I’s) early morning group workouts by forcing Hubs to go out the night before.  Now prior to him bringing it up I hadn’t really thought about it but since he suggested it I’ve given it some thought….and I think subconsciously I might be guilty.  Let’s take a vote:  A. Cuddle with Hubs engulfed in a sea of down pillows, blankets, and puppies?  Or B. Get up early and run in an ice storm?  Maybe it wasn’t subconscious….

No Comments | In: How much I love my Husband, Marriage, Workout | | #