BACK FOR THE NEXT COMMITTMENT

Yes, it has been three months since my last post. I have no excuses except that I have been a little distracted. So to put all my cards on the table...YET AGAIN. I guess being overweight and living an obese lifestyle is like being addicted to drugs and alcohol. The difference is that there is no Rehab for fat people when you fall off the wagon. I mean yeah sure since my last post I have completed three half marathons but it doesn't mean i've been living a 100% healthy lifestyle.

YES!! You read that right. Dec. 6, 2008 was my first half marathon. It was the Las Vegas Inaugural Rock n' Roll Half Marathon. It was a blast. I made it even with my knees killing me the last three miles I completed in what I consider a good time 2:39:04. My goal was 2:45 so I did it. My 2nd race was Jan. 17, 2010 in Phoenix, AZ. I was fortunate to spend time with Raul, Brett and Douglas at Brett's place. I had a great time. Except I had to use the restroom and I was battling an ankle injury I sustained during the holidays. I felt it the entire time but kept going... nothing is ever going to stop me. After like a 5 minute bathroom break I finished at 2:42:26. Still keeping it below 2:45.

This weekend Jan. 31, 2010 on my 36th birthday I was running my 3rd Half Marathon. After hitting 2.5 miles I started noticing my eyelids getting in my way while running. I just thought it was clumped up mascara on my eyelashes. I wiped them but kept going. Once I hit 4 miles and set a good pace at the 5k mark I just couldn't help but wonder what was going on with my eyes. I couldn't see. It was as if they were closing in on me. I stopped at mile 6 into a hotel on the south beach strip hit the ladies room and just about passed out of shock from what was going on with my eyes. I was having my first allergic reaction. My eyes looked like I was in a boxing match except they weren't bruised in color. It scared me so much...but there was nothing I could do. So I kept going. But just couldn't see so I stopped at the next cop and asked him if there was an ambulance. They came, they freaked out and tested me. Asked me what I did different and all I could think of was this shitty ass make-up from the mall that I bought the day before. That mixed with my sweat must have caused the reaction. Well they gave me a shot of benadryl and washed out my eyes with two bags of water. They seemed to get a little better. Well the race was already passing me by. I thought what the hell. My body is okay...i mean sure I just ran 6 miles and stopped for like an hour but hell I have to finish. Even if I have to walk. Sure the bus was there that was picking up injured runners etc but I refused to get on. I ran some and walked most of the remaining course. What can I say i'm crazy, obsessed, insane and well just all around nuts!! But I finished. There were times while running that I eventually had to close my eyes. I was fighting just to keep them open a quarter of an inch to see in front of me. Mixed with tears and sweat I finished the damn race before they cut it off and I got my medal. My face is still swollen but my eyes are open they aren't as shut as they were before.

So i'm sitting at O'Hare waiting for my connection to get back to Vegas. I have calls from everyone that I need to follow-up on but It is Feb. 1, 2010 and I need to make my commitment to myself once again.

I must also confess the dating. I have also been a little distracted with dating. I've been seeing a few guys (all younger than me) and let's just say I need to cut the chord and commit to myself again. Artie Blanco still needs to come first. They are really nice but no one that I really see myself making a deep connection with. That is too distracting at this point in my life. I need to stay focused. Back on track.

Well, I think this is enough for now, I don't even know my finish time for the race but oh well. In my next blog I will talk about the difference in the races that I have participated in. And why I probably won't be running an ING race again. It just wasn't that fun or exciting.

Until next time...Tootles