Defintiley a HIP Mommy and not a HIPPY Mom!

If you know me you know I have freaking FABULOUS ideas that tend to go over the top and take thorough planning (if you attended my daughter's Poodle 1st Bday Party or my son's Tiger First Bday Party then you've seen my creativity in action).  The latest great idea went something like this:

• I Love the Farmer's Market
• I love to run
• I should run to the Farmer's Market!!!

In Mathematics Geometry Proofs were my strength (it is also the class that I met husband in--and the class taught by the BEST math teacher ever--Mr. Matsunaga!).  If this and that then this....Anyway, the above reasoning made perfect sense!  Planning went something like this:

• One way trip:  2.5 miles
• Opens at 8
• Running 2 miles:  25 minutes tops
• Leave house at 7:30 am

Preparing went something like this:

• Practice walking to MHS with Fanny Pack and water bottle--water bottle too irritating don't take
• 5 mile run--easy, can do!

So it seemed like I thought everything out and it would be all GOOD. I woke up this morning with a start at 7am without my alarm clock and decided it was a sign.  Today's the day that I go totally green.  Kanu would be soooo damn proud of me!!  I dressed in my workout clothes, put on my eyes (eyebrows, eyeliner, mascara--after all I still AM a rockin' van mommy!!), some mineral foundation and packed my Envirosax bag, cell phone, ID (in case I died and they needed to know who I was), Bank Card (you just never know) laced up my shoes and ran outta the house.

I had just run 5 miles a little over 18 hours ago on basically the same route so I didn't anticipate any problems.  That's where I was wrong.  The morning was particularly humid and the air ripe with Vog.  1.5 miles into my run I was drenched with sweat and a little winded.  Realization of what a stupid idea this was began screaming in my head.  If I turned around now it would take 20 minutes to get home...then I could jump in the van....ugh.  Too much time!!! 

Somehow I made it to the Farmer's Market at Peak Time.  Lots of cars pulling into the Parking Lot.  I was sweating hard, feeling a little dizzy but relieved to have made it (note to self, either drink and eat something before leaving or carry the damn water bottle).  I pulled out my list and headed to the Bale and Nalo Farms Tents.  There was a lot of great produce out there but I reminded myself that I was walking my ass home with whatever I decided to buy so I had to be smart.  As I walked I kept my eyes to the ground praying that I wouldn't see anyone that I knew.  I didn't want to scare them with my stinky sweat and I had no clue whether my make up was leaving black streaks down my face (note to self--pack a mirror and powder next time?!!).  UGH!  Someone I know!  Look away, look away!!!!!  I quickly picked up some Cilantro, Grape Tomatoes, Limes, Pickled Veggies, and 2 bags of Baguettes.  I packed my Envirosax with my goodies carefully so that nothing would get smooshed and headed to my next destination.  Next destination?  Burger King of course.  After every other Farmer's Market spree I'd jump into the van and head to the drive through.  Today I'd be walking another quarter mile and visiting the inside.  

*******

So, here I am...Envirosax filled with veggies, Iced Coffee in one hand standing outside of BK realizing that it's a far walk home.  I kinda want to cry.  I could call someone to pick me up (they'd be PISSED), I could run home (dumb), or I could do what I set out to do....ok.  But wait.  I just drank a free cup of water and am drinking an Iced Coffee.  What if I have to use the bathroom on the long trek home?!!!  ugh.  Didn't plan for all these wrinkles.  I'd better drink slow and walk as fast as I damn can.

*******

And so I make it home in one piece.  Pedometer shows 11,700 steps, scale reads a pound less.  Maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought.  Maybe I can do it again.  Maybe next time I take a kid in the jogging stroller. Maybe I can do this "green" thing.  Maybe I can start walking to work.

And then I look at my goods and realize that there's only THREE baguettes in each bag and not FOUR like last month.  Six baguettes just not enough for tonight's Family Dinner.  Cursing.  I am damn well eating bread tonight.  Maybe hubby doesn't need bread?  More cursing.  NEED.  MORE.  BREAD.  $%#@!^!!!!!  Hell, not walking back up there.  Some more cursing.  

It doesn't pay to go green.  I am not ready for yoga.  I will not start composting.  A little Louis Vuitton is good for me.  Where are those damn Van car keys?!!!!!

Van mommy is outta here--going to buy more damn bread AND a Costco size bag of razors!!!!

Van Mommy is LITERALLY on the run!

I am a runner.  It feels good to say this because three months ago I wasn't.   In fact, three months ago I was overweight, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, was tired, outta shape, and unable to fit in any of my  Seven for all Man Kind Jeans.  Needless to say I was feeling like a suburban van mommy...not a hot n sexy van mommy.

Today I love to run.  Putting on my running shoes and running away from home is the most liberating part of my day (imagine that!).  I am addicted to the high that I get pushing my body a little faster, a little further day after day.  I can run a mile in 8 minutes, 2 miles in 18, 3 in just over 30...I can run 5 miles at 7 in the morning, and I have run pretty much every day except for about 9 days in 2011 clocking more than 70 miles total!!!  It's nothing short of a miracle, really.  When I run I feel free and strong.  It's a time for me to reflect and find peace.  It's a time for me to push against myself to be mentally tough and physically fit.  It's a time for me to realize how strong I am and how strong I can be.  It's me finding me.  And I love it.

But there's a little secret to my madness...and the secret is the strength that gives me the energy and desire to push myself beyond my limits every day.  Its nothing illicit, nothing that can be bought...packaged in a book and sold...maybe...what it is is a force that has been around for many years...a force that is stronger than iron...it's the age old power of women.

I have a little fitness club consisting of some amazing women.  They are near and far, new friends (some I have never met in real life) and old friends, accomplished athletes and weekend warriors, mommies of crazy kids and dog mommies, independent single women,  runners, skaters, dancers, boxers,ZUMBA-ers,  in shape, outta shape...all walks of life with the common denominator of being supportive and giving.

These women have done what no one has been able to do (aside from Mr. Moses, Eder, Derbs, Mr. Murton...well, and my parents) and that's keep my running.  Their stories are inspiring, their courage amazing...their will infectious.  Every day I see them overcoming adversity to get some "me" time in to do better for their bodies and their souls.  The result?  Improved confidence, better relationships, less stress, more laughter.  For me?  Sevens that fit.  Nough said.  I can get my groove on.  I got my mo-jo back.

So I write this post to thank my girlz who have enabled me to run my first 5 miles for fun.  Who support me in running and in life.  Who tell me it's okay to take a day off.  Who encourage me to eat more ice cream and run a little less for my soul.  Who try to wake me up in the middle of the night to get a good deal on Yoga then buy it for me when I slumber on.  Who have no shame to talk about futs, bike shorts, or fat....and who jumped rope like Naomi Campbell to lose face weight.

I will never ever underestimate the power of WOMEN.  And I will forever be indebted to my LGF2011 Girls.  Thanks ladies.  Thanks for helping me feel sexy again.  Thanks for giving me the gift of being able to fly.  Thanks for the positive support I get from you every day.  Thanks for sharing your strength that makes me tough.  Can't wait to run our marathon in 2012...and don't worry I am planning our GNO!!!

Girlfriends

I have girlfriends from all walks of life but the ones that have been with me the longest are my high school girls, better known as, "Part ham, mostly bologna."  If you knew us in high school you know that drama and flash followed us everywhere.   We documented our big hair, neon clothes, white pumps, Madonna outfits, and acid wash jeans as best as anyone in the 80s.  We loved, we hated, we gossiped, we flirted...St. Elmo's Fire had nothing on us.  Ok, so maybe I exaggerate, but reminiscing about high school is for that, right?

For the most part we met in the 80's as 7th and 8th graders and began hanging out in high school.  A pretty eclectic bunch we were nerds, jocks, beauty queens, artists, dancer girls, goodie-two-shoes and sometimes--naughty.  After high school we kept in touch even as we went to colleges around the country and were always sure to schedule our annual Christmas outings.

As we got older we threw raging Bachelorette parties, loving showers, and really celebrated when we turned 30.  We've always been there for one another through divorces (mine), drama, the good and the bad through phone calls and the occasional get togethers.

As adults we've become successful in our careers, travelled the world, have homes filled with love, have overcome adversity and celebrated triumphs.  This year is our last year in our thirties and we've been friends for more than two-and-a-half decades. Two of us live on neighbor islands, and all of our kids and husbands hinder us from getting together like we did in the past.  We communicate on email, Facebook, texting and through one another (so and so said....) because so busy, we don't even have time to spare to talk on the phone.  This past Christmas life happened and we missed our first Xmas get together.  It was inevitable yet heartbreaking on so many levels--especially thinking back to all the ones we had had in the past--like the blackout of 2009 when we raided the M********'s house and made a mess eating with kids in the darkness.

Last week a few of us got together to celebrate a birthday.  We hadn't seen one another for about half a year and it had been years since we went out at night sans kids and hubbies.  It ended up being a classic night with a lot of stories re-told and remembered, and new laughs to talk about for years.  Spending these few hours with my girlz warmed my heart and apparently knocked me out (I've been sick for days).  In many ways it was as if time had never stopped.  Distance had not diminished our connections or our love for one another.   I am so glad that they are in my life--because even if our time is limited now, the memories we share together are a huge part of who I am today.

So, here's a shout out to my girlz who have loved me when I was fat AND skinny, who have held my hair when I was barfing at the 5th reunion, who accepted any date I have ever brought to an outing, who never raise an eyebrow no matter how bad I am being,  who have been my friends forever, who don't hate me because I am beautiful (inside joke)and who are amazingly TALENTED, INTELLIGENT, PATIENT, BEAUTIFUL, PASSIONATE, COMPASSIONATE, and the best BFFs BeSTiEs a girl like me can have.

Love you guys!!!

Half of Part Ham, Mostly Bologna