11/08/2007-12/07/2011

Back on November 8th, 2007 I wrote my first blog post. It was titled; "This is all new to me!" and if interested, you can read it here. It's funny to go back and read that-as well as a lot of other ones. Back then my blog was called "The Road to Marinette".....then it switched to "My Road to the RKC"......and now it's just "My Life with Kettlebells". I love spending hours sitting back and going through my past postings. I'm truly amazed at some of the things I've written over the last 4 years. It's been quite a chapter of my life. I've read about a person who's definitely changed over those 4 years. Even I can see that. I've gone through a lot of the same things we all do.....joy, sadness, fear, pride, pain, excitement, etc....the list goes on.
I've decided that it is time to put a end to this blog. No specific reason. Just, that it's time. The fact that I'm "excited" about writing this post reinforces to me that it's the right decision. I've thought about what would be a good way to end this. Then I realized that there's just no good way to say goodbye.
I definitely shed a tear as I write this post-for many reasons. One reason being that I actually hate goodbyes. Anyone who knows, really knows me knows this.

As I've looked back at some of my posts over the last few weeks, I'm very thankful to each and everyone of my followers/stalkers for your dedication and the comments that you've left. I've gotten a ton of support from you all. I will truly miss that. It's been fun to read some of the comments I've gotten over the years. They've uplifted my spirits when I was down and they've filled my heart with the love you've all sent my way.

I have but only one regret....that being that I've never been able to post a full marathon report. I know, it's silly to regret.... I'm truly thrilled to think back on the things I have posted about. From my favorite races, to getting tattoos, to getting through the hardest thing I've put my body/mind through, to jumping out of airplanes, to meeting inspirational people, to never wanting to eat a twizzlers again!

This blog was always meant to inspire and NOT to impress, I hope I pulled that off. I hope that you've been inspired to have a fearless love, a love of yourself. Not one of us is perfect. We all have hopes and dreams. We need to listen to the sounds inside our souls. Everyone around us has their little schemes.....listen to your heart and hold on to your dreams. Don't ever just "think" about taking that chance.........TAKE it! Make it yours! If I never would have taken "my" chance..........my chance on what's the most important thing in my life, me, I would never be able to keep showing you all this photo!


Of all the things I've done, I'm most proud of this picture! It says so much.....
much more than anyone could even imagine.

I hope for nothing less than pure happiness in all your lives. Please be kind to one another and especially to yourself. Make room for what's important to you. Take chances. Do what's right. Be proud of yourself. Raise your children with lots of love. Have fun, not just once in a while, but everyday. Love what you do-if you don't, change it to something you can love. Be kind to animals. Dance and sing as if no one can see you. Take Velvet Antler on a daily basis. Learn how to swing a kettlebell. Always be on the lookout to learn something new. Watch "I Love Lucy" at least once a day. When you don't feel like it.....do it anyways. Tell your family and friends how much they mean to you. Respect those that were here before you and made you what you are today. Embrace each day as if it were your last. Thank God-he makes no mistakes. Live by the Golden Rule. Remember that a smile goes a long way. Remember that sometimes it's better to just listen and not speak. We're all superstars. Love who you are-for you are perfect. Remember that "things" are just that....."things". Remember that all your problems will work out. Be the best person that you can be.

The next time a snake crosses your path or you see Lucy on TV or you hear ABBA on the radio or you spot a can of SPAM on your local grocery story shelf-give a little smile and wonder to yourself; "gee I wonder how Diana's doing" and then tell yourself; "I know she's just fine"..............

Thank you all for what you are......you're all an inspiration to me!

Race report x 2!

What a fast paced last couple of days.....

Last Wednesday I did the 90 sets of MaxVo2 snatches followed by a 3 mile run....
Last Thursday I worked a busy 12 hours at the "hole" that pays most of my bills....
Last Friday I also worked another busy 12 hours, came home and changed into my winter running gear.....it was now time to run a 5K through Christmas lights which were set up at the County fair grounds just a mere 5 miles away from the house. It was the Enchantment in the Park 5k. The run started at 9:30 after the park closed for cars.


It's a drive or walk through Christmas lights that collects food and donations for local food pantries. It's really neat and it looks like this.....picture taken from the event's website.....


Sure, it's really cool the lights and all............BUT, do you notice how pitch black the darkness is???? Yeah, it really, really, really sucked for running. We ran around the parking lot and through the back of the park which is a very un-even gravel road then finally through the lights-we did this same route twice to make up the 3.1 miles. It was 26 degrees, which not too bad, but I didn't bring anything for my mouth, so my asthmatic airways were totally wheezing the 12 days of Christmas for the first mile or so until they somewhat acclimated themselves to the temperature! The worst part was the un-even gravel road in the pitch black of night-me and my feet were EXTREMELY nervous. I felt really old out there and not being able to judge depth of my running to the road, it was uncomfortable. It was not a timed race, no bibs, but they did have a timing clock at the end to see where people came in since there were gifts to the fastest ones! My time was around 42 minutes! Too damn dark to run with any speed! None the less, I got a rather cool looking shirt and the bragging rights of completing another race for the year!


Saturday Jeff and I were gone from 8:30-5 going here and there, doing this and that. I was fried by the end of the day. Friday was a very long day. After scarfing down some food-didn't eat all day since breakfast due to busy schedule, it was time to relax and watch the Badger Championship game. In case you're dead......they WON!!! Woo-hooo, Bucky's going back to Pasadena to smell some roses!!!!

Today.......Race #2!
The Milwaukee Santa 5k........what a great race! It was held downtown by the lakefront of Lake Michigan.


It was a lot of fun. Everyone got a Santa hat, a cool shirt that looked like a Santa jacket and a red/green colored race bib. I went a little different and wore my reindeer antlers! This way, I knew I'd stick out a little easier for my "personal" photographer (AKA: Jeff) to spot me amongst all the red.....plus I wore my Badger's shirt with a Green Bay Packer shirt under it. I definitely had red and green Christmas colors on and I represented the football teams!! Here's a pic of all the "goodies" I got for this race......the antler were mine!


More race photos thanks to the hubs........

Me and Santa at the start finish gate-he rang his bell for each runner as they came back and also had our names shouted out as we crossed!!

Lining up to start

Gettin' ready for the bell to ring the start!

And I'm off.... the one in antlers and Wisconsin shirt!

All the "Santa's" running up to the bridge

All the Santa's running up and over the bridge that crosses the main road which drives all along the lakefront. A lot of cars were honking and waving at us at this point! Can you imagine just driving along and then all of a sudden a couple of 100 Santa's are running on the side of the road!

And I'm back!

And so ends a busy stretch......it was fun and I'm glad to have pulled off 2 more 5k's which will more than likely end this years racing season, unless I come across something else real quick!

And to end this post..........can you say...........

12-0!!!

Holy crap, what a game......

Happy 8 Weeks and another fine MaxVo2

I'm pleased to report that as of today, I'm now 8 weeks being "diet dew-less". I've quit before and the longest was for 4 months. Right now, I'm at half that time, but feel different about it this round. What does the Dt. Dew do for me? Pretty much, it just gave me that caffeine rush. What else? Well, to be honest it ripped my guts up when I slammed a lot of it in a given day. It made me feel bloated and it started to get my heart feeling like it was gonna thump out of my chest. I feel great that I've gotten this far. I don't really have any cravings. I'm saving lots of money by NOT dropping $1.75/bottle x 6-8 a day! Ugh, that makes me sick to think I was doing that. It feels great to NOT let "something" run my life.

Today, for the 2nd Wednesday in a row, I belted out a great MaxVo2 session.
Snatches w/12kg. 15 seconds work/15 seconds rest.
8 reps x 90 rounds for a total of 720 snatches
Total time: 45 minutes.
Time to move up again and get back on this with the 16kg. I was up to 45 sets with the 16kg not too long ago.......
MaxVo2 is a nice addition to the other jerks and press sessions I'm doing. I will eventually snatch for the 10 minutes like the other stuff to see where my baseline is.

After the MaxVo2, I went out for a 3 mile run. Not really sure why, but it was on my schedule to keep up with my every other day run plan. I picked a hilly 3 mile route which really showed me just how tired I was from the 45 minutes of snatching. Oh well, it's in the history books and I've recovered nicely with a ice cold chocolate milk and some great homemade beef/veggie soup. BTW.....on today's run, the temp was in the low 30's which made for my first successful snot-rocket for the season!! Woo-hoo, it's the little things that get us all excited isn't it?!!! LOL

From Christmas decorating to jerks......

After taking Jared to school this morning, I came home washed up the dishes and put up our stockings. About 15 minutes later I crawled back into bed to snuggle with my cats. I couldn't get warm, I felt wiped, I felt completely drained and I knew all I could do was to succumb. From shortly before 9am until 1pm, I was covered up over my head with blankets and cats-still freezing, but managed to sleep most of that time. Now..........I've since showered, eaten and feel like a million bucks again! Sometimes you just have to let it be............

My training has been grueling these last few weeks. I've been doing lots of cleans, presses, snatches and running! Yes, that says running! I go no farther than 3 miles at a crack, but I go pretty much every other day unless work gets in the way! I love to run when it's in the 30's and 40's-perfect.
I hope to, possibly next week, increase from 3 miles just one day a week. This year, the running is going to be smarter-I can only pray the bones keep up!

Yesterday was Christmas decorating day. Pretty much everything except the tree. Plans for that are this weekend.....Jeff was told of a place where you can cut your own for a pretty decent price. Why does Christmas Vacation come to my mind?! This year will be a nice big tree, we have the room for it......just hope it lasts until Christmas Day! Today, I've been cleaning up cat puke with garland in it......hmmmm, no surprise there! Tis the season...pretty twinkling lights, ornaments dangling down, garland everywhere-a cat's dream come true! LOL.

Besides all the decorating and cleaning, I did a 3 mile run in the afternoon. After Jared got home from school, it was out to practice driving. After dinner it was Jeff and I off to Menards for some "house" stuff. After that it was down to the basement to do both my kettlebell training and Jared's.
Jared and I did........
2-handed swings, 10 reps x 25 rounds for a total of 250 swings. He used a 16kg and I used a 24kg.
Jared hit the shower while I did my session.....
10 minutes straight-long cycle jerks w/12kg. 49L/51R with one hand change.

I guess I can see now why my body needed to go back to bed...........

Hey Santa.....

This past weekend was kind of slow at work-slow enough where we actually got to read the Sunday paper! Woo-hoo, checking out all the ads for Christmas. Now mind you, I've really not been much into the holidays these last few years, why, I'm not sure, but whatever, it just hasn't been there. This year seems to be a smidge different. I figured today I'd get the house decorated and surprise Jared when he comes home from school. I've been playing the "scrooge" all this past week since Thanksgiving intending to fool him, so he'll be surprised and happy to see the "stuff" up when he gets home today.

Now onto my Santa list...........
While looking at the Target ad, a beam of light came from the heavens above and shined on this item..........

Are you kidding me????? It was a really small ad too and my eyes fell right onto it. We have a 99inch theater screen in our basement where Jared's Wii is hooked up right now-good lord, if Santa brings this, I truly may NEVER leave our basement!! I am not into video games, maybe a little TETRIS here and there, but Dear Lord, I will become a video game junkie with this under my tree!!! Got that on your list Santa????

So decorating today went like this...........I have soooooooooo many ornaments of different things. Of course tons of Green Bay Packers, of course tons of Lucy, of course tons of Nascar, etc.....so, I thought what the hell........

A Green Bay Packer tree.....

How totally cool is that???? Can't wait to add another "Champions" ornament to it!!

And of course I MUST have a Lucy tree........


I have sooooo many Lucy ornaments, this doesn't even come close to all of them. These trees turned out really cute. Now just to keep the cats away!!!
We'll probably get our "main" tree this weekend. We ALWAYS go with a real one, so we wait a little bit therefore hoping it won't dry out before Christmas Day!!

Aside from laundry, dishes, cleaning and decorating, I did manage to get out for a nice 3 mile run. Tonight it's kettlebells by myself and with Jared!!

Have a great day wherever you are!

To give Thanks......

I have to work tomorrow, so I'd like to take this opportunity today to give thanks for so many things......

First I'm thankful for today's kettlebell session! It was 45 minutes of snatches. I did MaxVo2 training.
15 seconds work/15 seconds rest.
8 reps per set x 90 sets. Total of 720 snatches.

I love these days when I crank this out. It gets those endorphins ripped!

Now in definitely NO particular order.....
I'm thankful for:

My family
My friends
My cats
The fact that I woke up everyday, so far, this year to see another day.
The beauty of a sunrise
The beauty of a sunset
The sound of my cat purring as he's snuggled against me in bed
The warmth of a sunny day on my face
The fact that my feet seem to be on the mend, slow mend, but a mend
New people that have come into my life this year
The view of my backyard
Having the health to do the things I never would have imagined doing
My bike
My kettlebells
Having a roof over my head
Having food on my table
Having clothes on my back
Having a job to go to
Being able to do something I love-make people breath easier and teach kb's
The sound of a nice gentle rain shower
The sound of all the birds that visit their feeders
The beauty of the deer that come and eat their corn
The smell of my husbands cologne
My new orthotics
The fact that I made it to the finish line of my 5th half marathon this year-broken feet and all.....
My devotion
My dedication
My strength
My will
My stubborness
Meeting a fellow blogger and someone I call my friend, Lindsay
Being now 7 weeks diet dew-less
Velvet Antler
All the military protecting my freedom
The first snow fall of the season-which came a few weeks ago
Twizzler lady-yes, she's a pain in the a$$, but she's come into my life for a reason.....
All the friends who came into my life and left a mark on my soul
Being a Mom
That I live in a free country
I am able to walk on my own
I am able to see and hear
I can breath on my own
My Sports Medicine doctor
My GI doctor
All the great people I work with
Padded bike shorts
I Love Lucy
SPAM
GU chomps
A ice cold chocolate milk at the end of a race
The feeling I get when a finisher's medal is hung around my neck
Disco
Having the best parents for as long as I was blessed to have them in my life
David Bowie
Knowing the difference between right and wrong
Seeing my husband at the finish line of all my races
My son's laugh
My husband's heated car seats
All the family that came before me and made me what I am today


I'm sure there's more I could come up with.....but this is a good start. May you all have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! I will be spending mine with Twizzler lady!!

Doing things for time.......

My kettlebell workout this morning started off with this song......she's quite the character, but I am starting to really like her songs. It was a good way to start things out.
I'm really digging doing my workouts for time lately. I love to run and of course we all keep track of how fast and how far we go. I love to bike and again, we keep track of how far and how fast we went. I love to swim, yup, I always time my laps. So.....time to "time" the kettlebell part of my life. Last week I did a couple of workouts where I set the timer and just went-NO rest. Loved it. It's great for building endurance without any "chance" of injuring the precious feet! Last week I did swings for 10 minutes and then the next day for 15 minutes. I also had one day where I did snatches for 10 minutes. I managed 190 reps for that workout. All of these were awesome. It's quite the sweat workout and some great music makes things go faster. I suppose some might ask; "well, isn't just standing there swinging for 10 or 15 minutes straight boring?" I respond; "well, isn't sitting there on the couch stuffing your face with whatever boring?". "Isn't feeling like shit from lack of good eating and exercise boring?" I could swing all frickin' day and never get bored. I guess it's just like someone who can run those amazing ultramarathons......are they bored? I doubt it for they're doing something they love to do and it makes them feel great!
Today's workout consisted of doing long cycle jerks for 10 minutes with a 16kg. Holy Mother of Mary....that was both hard and exciting! I managed 74 reps. I have no idea if that's good or what, but I don't really care since I'm not out to beat someone else-at least not at this time. Here's a video of a woman doing the 10 minute jerk competition for you to just get an idea of what I was doing this morning. Check out the chick next to her! Who says lifting heavy was not healthy???? Hello ladies.....pick up the bells!!



Seeing as how she got 122 reps with a 8kg, I guess my 74 with a 16kg is pretty good!!!

Another reason I'm liking workouts with my kettlebells for time is that then I have more "time" for whatever. I can easily do these even after a long 12hr shift at work. Sometimes it's a great stress reliever as well to do it after work!! Especially when dealing with the now famous "TWIZZLER LADY"!!!
These will be great for my endurance in whatever I chose to do. For instance....after my 10 minutes of jerks, I went for a 3 mile run. Nothing exciting about it-roughly the same time of 36-37 minute range. A few hours later however in the pool, I cranked out a 1/4 mile swim in 7:48. Not sure, but I think that's my fastest. No matter what, it felt easier to swim today. Now, if only I learn to (make that, stop being so fucking stubborn) put my head in the water, that should easily be a 4-5 minute swim for a 1/4 mile.......whatever!

After swimming, the hubs took me out for a nice lunch! Now it's time to get Jared from school and do some practice driving then off to train a new client!! Poor thing..........she has NO idea how great her life is going to be now that she's decided to put kettlebells into it!! LOL....

Just to rap up workout today....
10 minutes long cycle jerks w/16kg=74 reps
3 mile run
1/4 mile swim

Can't wait until tomorrow...........Have a great day wherever you are!