Gladiator Run

So I survived my run and I'm ALIVE!  I feel good about it but two hours after the race Saturday I wasn't feeling so hot.  I mean I was still on a high from actually accomplishing it but actually walking and moving my limbs was difficult to say the least.  Going to the bathroom was like an extra wall sit that I just didn't want to have to do.  Ya know?

Well this was my first obstacle course run so the sign up sheet stated it was 17 obstacles and a 7K run.  The thought of a 7K scared me to death so I began training and doing 2 miles and trying to work my way up from there.  Well I basically worked my way down and never went over 2 and in fact didn't exercise once the week before.   GRRREAAT IDEA.

We threw together some tutu's and cute socks and made a team out of it.  So the day started beautifully and actually a bit chilly, in the 60s.  We headed to Estrella Mountain Park and the setting was gorgeous with big hills and mountains all around. F that gorgeous setting.  That's why I couldn't walk!

After some stretching and lots of nervous dibbles (yes you heard me right) the countdown was on and we were off.

Obstacle #1:   A MOUNTAIN.  That's right.  Run about 2 miles up a mountain.  Awesome.  I was really regretting those screwdrivers and cigarettes the night before.

Obstacle #2:  Shimmy on your belly under a canopy made of rope.  Well thankfully someone had knocked this down so we just hopped over it.  At that point I may have just layed down for a rest and called it good after the huge hill so I'm thankful someone already took this down for me.

Obstacle #3: Tires.  Run through about 10 feet of tires.  Easy peeasy.

Obstacle #4:  Climb over a 6 foot wall, a 2 foot wall, then a 6 foot wall.

Obstacle #5:  Carry 40# sand bags for a short distance through sand.

Obstacle #6 and #7:  Go on your stomach through a moat of mud with barbed wire over it so you basically face plant in the mud and eat mud for 2 miles.

Obstacle #8: Polar Plunge:  Wade through waist high water (and go underneath two boards to get out so you HAVE to dunk your head).  This water was LITERALLY about 40 degrees. They were shouting don't stop, keep moving, you will be sick if you stop...a little intimidating to have them yelling that at you as you run up to hop in.

Obstacle #9:  Crawl in a culvert like tube with no light and full of mud and what smelled like the pig barn at the Iowa State Fair.

Obstacle #10: Climb into and out of a 8 foot dumpster (empty thank goodness!)

Obstacle #11: Climb into and out of a 12 foot dumpster (I chickened out on this one and just used my feet to crawl along the braces on the outside of the dumpster to get around it)

Obstacle #12:  Burpees with cinder blocks!

Obstacle #13: Cargo climb (that's me starting at the bottom!)

Obstacle #14:  Climb huge wall using rope.  (That's me in the background and this was VERY hard for me.  My arms are missing my Kosama workouts big time)

Obstacle #15 and final: Run through fire

Obstacles #16 and #17 must have been there but my mind is blank.  Maybe it was the running on different terrain since we did the huge rocks on the mountainside, pee gravel, sand, and asphalt during the trek? I'm not too sure.

Finally done and getting my chip cut off my shoes (thank goodness I wasn't expected to bend over to do it myself as I was shaking with exhaustion!). 

 This is our dirty selves afterwards and although it was one of the hardest things I've done, it was so awesome afterwards!  We hydrated with some water, a banana, and then of course went to get our free tshirts, metals, and free beers!  It was a great experience and although two days later I'm still walking like a freak and have some bloody knees it was well worth it!

Have you ever done a mud run? What was your favorite part?

Review: Phoenix Zoo

So we woke bright and early at 5:30am to head to the zoo yesterday.  After giving away some free tshirts and things from my work we headed out for the 1k walk and to see the sites.  We walked around with someone from my work and her daughter and three granddaughters.  We actually ended up walking 5+ miles and the kids only sat in the stroller for like 15 minutes so they zonked out the minute we got to the car.

The kids of course wanted to do all the extras that cost money but since my work paid for my walk admission I figured we saved about $50 on going to the zoo so it was not big deal to spoil them with the extras.

 At the beginning of the walk there were some cheerleaders and of course we had to get a picture with them!

 

Charlie was NOT a fan of the camel, in fact he was shaking when I put him on there.  But of course wanted more when he got off and we also go to pet the camel so that was fun.  

  

The zoo had extras we were not prepared for: a playground with a small river and two different splash pads!

 

 

There was also sting ray bay where you can pet sting rays when they swim by.  Launa loved it.

 Charlie refused to put his hand in the water and just ran around and around the pool area. 

 

Overall it was a good experience but I know we didn't even see half of the zoo.

Definitely worth it and only about twenty minutes from home! 

Midwest Folks are so nice!

As you know we've lived in Arizona now a little over one month.  The biggest difference here is not the weather.  Not the congested areas.  Not the pollution.  Not the sun.  Its the people.

Ooogles and oogles of RUDE people! 

Pick up your tray at McDonald's and put your trash in the garbage?  

Nope.

Even if your table is situated right next to the garbage and is practically touching the can?  

Nope.

Let your 14 year old play on the McDonald's play place running around like a heathen?

Yup.

Walk your grocery cart back to the store or to the cart corral?  

Nope.

Even if you are parked right next to the cart corral you will just leave it in your parking space? 

Yup.

Push your cart to the bus stop at the end of the Wal-Mart parking lot to hold your groceries while you wait for the bus and then just leave it there next to the 50 other carts? 

Yup.

Say hello or good morning back when a nice jogger/biker comes by?  

Nope.  

Pretend not to speak English when someone asks where the swim diapers are?  

Yup.

Stare at the 80 year old man in Costco who can't quite lift and load his cat litter but never go over to help? Yup.

Stare at the stranger who decides to help him like she's a freak?  

Yup.

These little things are so frustrating I can barely take it.  I have spouted out a few times about the grocery cart thing to perfect strangers.  Then I remember we are in a big city now and I should just shut my mouth.

Today in the mail we had a nice surprise from Iowa.

The people we sold our house to sent us a thank you card!  How nice!

An older midwestern doctor and his wife sent a hand written note just thanking us for cleaning the house so well when we moved out and helping them measure rooms, remember where we bought hardwood, etc.  The wife even commented that they were initially going to repaint (I LOVE color) but after holding out they decided to leave the red, purple, green, and tan rooms and live with them!  The note wasn't anything too special or intimate but it was just a nice gesture from a stranger. 

It was a good card to get and made me feel great about where we came from.  Now if only we can try to instill old fashioned caring into these westerners....

Mmmmmm

The only thing good about this heat is that I am too hot to pig out as usual! Today's snack was raspberries, mango, and blueberries with a dash of honey.

We lunched on Little Squuezers pizza and then dinner at Red Lobster.
Yes I know eating out way too much and not really exercising at all. Oh well, I'll get back into it soon.

Errands

We are eating breakfast then running around to locate the Walgreens and other stores so I can start my weekly couponing trips. I started the day with some yogurt with added fresh strawberries and raspberries. One way to get your extra fruits in us to add fresh to whatever you can, especially yogurts. Have a good day!

Birthday boy!

Charlie turned two today!

Smoothies

On the menu this morning: toast and smoothies!

Our smoothies consist of whatever is in the fridge at the time.
Today was:

Almond milk
Blueberries
Peach Oikos yogurt
Mango
1tsp sugar

Yummy!

Lazy day

Today was deemed no pants and no bra day. It was awesome. Some poor old guy rang the door bell but I saved his poor eyes and didn't answer the door. No clue who he was so you know we wouldn't have answered anyway. We are too big of suckers for door to door sales and charities- it cost me $10 to answer to a stranger yesterday.

So we focused on potty training again. This time Kit got in on the action as well.

I am also somehow thinking of how to get my big goodwill Box into this pink bag for veterans donations later this month.

I think the potty training is going well for pee, but foresee poop issues.
Anyone with boys have a suggestion? And don't even think our tubby boy wouldn't pull the Cheerio out of his own pee and eat it so leave that suggestion out. :)

Ranch Market

Today we visited a new grocery store-Ranch Market. It's HUGE and it has not only groceries but food and tables to eat at plus jewelry, phone cards and much more. It's very Mexican based and has lots of exotic things we haven't seen elsewhere, including beef tongue and beef guts! The meat, cheese, and fish sections are each so huge they are almost and entire side of the store each! They even have a bull walking around giving out candy.

Days

The days are starting to run together since I am jobless. Yesterday the kids had a play doh session then we were basically outside swimming and doing sparklers the test of the night.

Today we ran a few errands then found a shaded park! Of curse the benches for moms were in full sun though.

Monday errands

Today we slept in ( the kids are truly learning!) and then headed out for errands at noon after we turned off the air. We tried a Greek Gyro place that was okay but no kid friendly items other than the cannoli.

Then we headed to Lowe's for wood for a project Chad is doing in the office. Lowe's ended abruptly when I picked up Charlie and got a handful of poop. ALL OVER MY HANDS. A quick change and outfit throw away on the tailgate and off to WalMart for ice cream. Then a mad dash home before it melts. We decided we must invest in a cooler to keep in the trunk as our freezer bags won't cut it for the frozen items. Our chicken nuggets were almost dethawed last trip by the time we got home.

We came home and napped, ate, then tat up!

Look what I found for a dry rack? Two over the door shoe racks for $1!!!
SCORE!

Park!

We finally found the neighborhood park just about a short mile bike Ride away.
The kids finally got some social interaction with other kids and they are MISSING that big time so it was much needed. We went at 8pm but it was still about 90 or so out and the park was packed. And yes, we were a minority at the park. Just something we have to get used to. It didn't stop the kids from making friends.

To AC or not to AC?

One of the biggest adjustments since moving to Arizona has been (of course) the HEAT!  I'm talking not less than 110 every day so far, which is apparently a little unusually hot (of course).  Its not so much the heat that's the problem but the lack of air conditioning.  You see when you run the air from 12pm to 7pm Monday through Friday your bill is basically double quadrupeled for those hours (8 times regular price per watt).  This is to cut down on what people use.  Normally it wouldn't be such a big deal because we would be at work.  But when you are unpacking and setting up it gets hot fast.  And if you know me - the air setting will not be changed based upon the outrageous billing prices. 

So we have integrated a system that Chad's parents are using quite nicely.  The air is cranked down to around 79 until 11:59 and then its off.  Until 7pm.  Off.  Today it only got up to 91 in the house during this time period.  That is the coollest yet.  We are almost done setting up so I think it will be fine once we start being lazier or get out into the pool more but this adjustment is not easy.  Also when we get jobs we will be gone for the majority of this time so it won't matter.

I hope this strategy pays off when we get our monthly bill.  I anticipate this being only an issue for June through August since those are the hot months.  After that we will have the windows open and the breeze blowing through these big picture windows.  Until then all shutters are drawn and fans are on.

This also means my laundry and dishwasher times are only before noon or after 7pm during the week.  But guess what? Weekends are regular rate!! So I'll be sitting comfy tomorrow folks!

What are your helpful  hints for saving electricity for me?  Please share!

It's hot!

The heat has gotten to us and it's a whole lot of nothing as far as activity here today. I just put away Launa's hair ties and am now seating like a pig so back to the fan by the couch I go.

The hall/kids bath is all set up. I do want to get a shower curtain to add some color and hide those gold doors but need a job to pay for those things first. :)

The pantry is stocked nicely but in this heat cold food always sounds best. My hot tea, yogurt and blueberries were hijacked this morning but it still held me over until corn dogs for lunch.

We are keeping our eyes to the front window to return the plate to the neighbor that delivered chocolate chip cookies on it and to invite the little girls to play and/or swim.

If it cools down I am going to tackle the garage so I can Park in there and reduce the heat in my car by about 30 degrees! Black cars are so rare in Arizona and I know why!

It's so hot you can fry an egg!

We have all heard this insane saying about the southwest US but until you are in it you don't truly think its possible. After three days of waking up to 100 degrees my dad tried it. He set the frying pan in the sun from 9am to about 12pm to let it warm up and it took two hours to make scrambled eggs. They did my sizzle hit
It definitely cooked them!

Poop soup

Our move has went relatively well do we were expecting some drama. Well it came today. Dish Network came today to hook up our TVs and mid work he asked to use the bathroom. Well my Pa had clogged the hall bath and we were without plunger so all using the master bath. This big man comes out and tells me the toilet is overflowing. I tell for husband who waltzes into the bathroom.....AND GET FECES ON HIS FEET. Seriously floating in our bathroom. How much toilet paper did thus guy need???


The parents were out and about so rushed a plunger home but not before we had to sacrifice blankets and towels for clean up.

I can change a poopy diaper but a strangers poop floating in our house? Awesome.

To the Minute!

My next three days are basically planned to the minute - and blogging is not in there unless I'm sleepless thinking about what needs done or sold still like last night!

So I may blog on the road while we are making our cross country journey and let you know how its going.  Stay tuned for an Iowa girl making her way in a new state soon!