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Last week was a good week in terms of eating, drinking water, and working out.  However it all went down over the weekend.   Saturday morning I did the yard work, laundry and cleaned out after a short nap i got up and was planning on going to the gym but I had something strange and hard in my mouth.  I some how chipped my back molar.   I was able to find a dentist that was opened and ended up spending the afternoon in the dentist and came home and slept the rest of the day.  Sunday I was feeling a little bit better but was still out of it.  Then today I was actually feeling better but then the dentist called and said they needed redo the impression for the crown so now I am back to being out of it.   And three days removed from the gym and working out.

Last week I knock my goal of drinking water, eating fruits and veggies out of the park.   I drank about 80oz of water everyday and ate on average 6 fruits or vegetables. daily.

I cam very close to meeting my milage goal.  If i would have gotten in my long run on Sunday i would have met it.   (Stupid tooth!!!)

One of my biggest disappointments is that the week before I was able to keep up a solid food log.  This past week, I could not keep one up for nothing.  I totally failed on this goal.

I also feel short on my goal to finish reading the book The Gut Balance Revolution.

This week is going to be challenging. I have a lot going on at work, I am not feeling the best and I have lot going on at home; plus I am getting ready for company and to travel.

My goals for this week;

1. stay active – get in at least 10 miles

2. eat healthy – proteins, veggies and meats.

3. get rest and don’t push myself too hard

4. finish reading The Gut Balance Revolution

I have a lot more I want to stay and write about but I am too out of it and I have taken one to many pain meds for my tooth/mouth.  So this is where I am going to end it.

When my mom was in town a few weeks ago, we decided to visit the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky (on the banks of the Ohio River in the Newport on the Levee area).  We had to two attempts to visit due to crowds.  First we went mid-day on a Saturday and line was LONG.   We decide to do something else and come back another time, so we came back first time Sunday morning, when the aquarium was just opening.   There was still plenty of people but nothing like the day before.   In talking to other guests, they said the best time to come is Sunday morning, right when they open otherwise the Aquarium is packed.

Compared to many aquariums, the Newport Aquarium is very fish focused. There are no marine manuals, the bird collection is limited to penguins; but they do have galleries which include others, frog, turtles, and crocodilians.

When you first enter into the aquarium’s exhibit area you see the exhibit “world’s rivers” which highlight fish found in river through the world; this include what fish are likely in the Cincinnati area rivers as well as rivers and lakes Australia, Thailand and Africa. After see fish found in rivers all over, you come across your first interactive exhibit, the Shore Gallery.  Here you touch a horseshoe crab or a star fish.  All around you, you will see different exhibits about life on the shore, including life like model of the birth pattern of sea turtles.  Then, you get your first glimpse of the sharks, specifically the “shark ray” or also known as the bowmouth guitarfish.   There are 4 “shark ray” swimming around with other fish and sea life, they also be viewed from other viewing points but from this viewing point you can watch a dive show.  There is also good amount information about sharks in the area, everything from diagrams to fossils to a shark cage.

Next step into the world of the Beautiful and the Dangerous.   First you see beautiful salt water fish then you see a giant Pacific Octopus and Spider Crabs.   Then you turn the corner and see fish that known for their bite — lionfish, piranha and stonefish, just name a few.  As you enter into the next room you see more dangerous animals when you enter Gator Alley.  There are two white American Alligators – Snowball and Snowflake.  Then there is Mighty Mike from the Florida bayou.   There are a few other tanks with other little scaly creatures as well.

After a short walk, you enter Frog Bog, an exhibit area devoted to 20 plus species of exotic frogs from around the world. Frog Bog has the largest exhibit of frogs in the Midwest.  Here you will see frogs like you have never seen before.  This area is also busy with kids.  It’s filled with tons of hand-on activities and a children’s playa area, which when kids climb through the different tunnels and tubes, they will see more frogs in secret tanks.  There are also some adorable frog statues which make a good stop for a photo or playing “frogger”

Next you will go into a new section the aquarium, Canyon Falls, which is home to the newest guest, Asian small-clawed otters. They are always active and as cute as can be. After your heart is melting from the cuteness of the otters, you will go on an adventure in the Amazon as you journey under 117,000 gallons of fresh water. A 32-foot long acrylic tunnel lets you see the world’s largest freshwater fish – the Arapaima, among dozens of other species.

Then with in seconds you are transformed into the a world of vibrant color and natural splendor as you pass through the coral reef. You will see the graceful cownose rays and if you look carefully the eel peeking out of the exhibit’s rock formations. An advantage to being at the aquarium early in the morning is that you can see the care takes in their scuba gear feeding the fish. They are even nice enough to interact and pose for pictures while doing so.

Next you will mesmerized and amazed the Jelly Fish.  They can be viewed in psychedelic colors and from all angles, thanks to tanks that give off a 360 degree view. This is great place to sit and relax for few minutes, if you need to.

Next take a walk with the sharks as you go through the shark tunnel.  You will see sharks swimming beside and above you. Then if walking with sharks is not enough for you try your hand and petting shark. After you had your fill of things swim below, go and meet some new feathered friends in Penguin Palooza.  The area is small but penguins are active. Be sure to check out all of the neat information penguins before heading back upstairs.  Then if you are lucky you might be greeted by a real life penguin out for his daily walk.

Overall the Newport Aquarium was nice surprise.  Overall, it takes about an hours to get through and that includes stops at the interactive stations.  There is plenty of interactive actives for to keep kids busy (which is something that surprised me) and there are plenty of different animals to see.  If you go on the weekends, during the summer or on school holidays make sure to arrive early, to avoid the crowds.

A full gallery of pictures from the aquarium can be found here.

Tonight is the MLB All Star Game and it’s in our backyard.   Cincinnati and the Great American Ballpark has been preparing for the All Star for well over a year. This weekend downtown Cincinnati played host to all the festivities.

But really the Cincinnati started celebrating the All Star Game about a month ago when “’mustaches on parade” were unveiled around the city.

I taken out on a little run to go see them (although I had to see a few of them by car) …

I should point out that mustaches moved around the city a couple of times.

Then Cincinnati got mustache fever and different buildings put on mustache to welcome the All Star Game …

  

This past Friday, Fanfest opened at the Duke Energy Center and there was all sorts of fun for fan of all ages …

There was also plenty of parties going on downtown …

 The Pepsi Block Party

All Star Gala

A Little League All Star Game, for the kids …

Then there was the futures game …

And the celebrity softball games …

Then Monday night was the Home Run Derby.

And my favorite Reds player Todd Frazier won!!!!

 

Today there a red carpet parade to the stadium …

And finally tonight was the All Star Games …

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(Post 2 of 2 in a series of????)

So here we are, it’s been a  week …

Looking back at last week’s goals I had my successes and failures

1. Drink at least 64oz of water daily …. Getting there – Most days I drank about 40 oz of water

2. Walk / Run at least 50 miles … Almost there – I got in about 30 miles this week. I never got in a long this week; if I would have I would have surpassed my goal.

3. Everyday day eat at least 4 fruits or vegetables … Mostly successfully – I think there was one day I didn’t have 4.   Most days I ate salads for lunch and a couple of days I also ate a salad for dinner.

4. Complete at least 4 – 30 minute weight / conditioning sessions; do at least 3 abs workouts … Getting there – I got in conditioning workouts but no abs.

While I don’t feel like I was totally successful with any of my goals I made effort and had some small successes.

This week I started reading The Gut Balance Revolution by Gerard E. Mullin, MD.

The Gut Balance Revolution provides a thorough and fascinating look at the critical role the gut microbiome plays in weight control and optimal health. The Gut Balance Revolution tell you which foods to eat, which to avoid – and why – in order to boost metabolism, establish a healthy gut, and as a result, achieve and maintain a healthy weight. I appreciate that Dr. Mullin’s approach, based on his years of experience as a leading gastroenterologist, involves promoting real, whole, high quality foods, as well as a focus on overall wellness, including the importance of meditation, sleep, physical activity, and social support. I about a fourth of away through the book and I think after I finish reading it, I will be able to use his 3-phased plan to help get my diet back into shape.

This coming week is going to be a little challenging. The group I typically workout with is not meeting due to vacation schedules. So I am on my own for workouts. While I am will be lacking the support I am looking forward to this because it will allow me to be a little more flexible with when I go workout.

So for this week, July 13 – 19:

1. Write down what I eat, drink and what I do for exercises.
2. Run / walk at least 30 miles; get in at least 1 long run
3. Eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables
4. Do at least 4 day of weight and conditioning training.
5. Drink at least 64 oz of water
6. Finish reading The Gut Balance Revolution

Every so often I volunteer to cook dinner our churches’ priest.   This week I was signed up for Thursday.   Wednesday night, decided to get the dessert together. I decided that I was going to just do something basic and easy so I bought some ready-made cookie dough.   I preheated the oven, put the cookies and major fail, they cooked too fast around the edges and burned on the bottom.   FAIL.

So I had to think of something else.   I knew that priests really like fruit so I decided to make a cobbler. I made a really simple one a while back that simple and good but could not find the recipe. So I went to my go to blog recipes and found a simple cobbler recipe. And this was the result …

The original recipe was from the Pioneer Woman’s blog: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/08/the_great_cobbl/

I had more berries than what the recipe called for so I basically ended up tripled the recipe and taken the extra cobbler to work.   Also, I don’t know if I use self-rising flour … I think it was just all-purpose flour. All in all I think it turned out pretty good.

Before I finished my bachelor’s degree I knew I wanted to get master’s degree.   I applied for graduate school during the first semester of my senior year in college. I was accepted to both programs I applied to.   One was a public history program and the other was a library science program.   The public history program won me over by allowing me to take classes for my master’s program, while still an undergraduate. Within 6 years of graduating high school I had my bachelors and master’s degrees and I was working in my chosen career path. I was satisfied. However after several years in the career world, I began thinking about getting another degree. At first I leaned towards a PhD in history. Then I leaned towards getting a teaching certificate, then towards to a master’s in education.   I never could decide which direction was best, so I just kept working. Then my career taken off in another direction and I started thinking about getting MBA or master’s in information science or even programing.   Before did however, I studied and received various IT certifications.   I felt I was on the right path and could see myself committing to masters in information science, but then something happened. I some how happened to get my dream job which led to opportunities to teach at the college level and get back into the academic world, with research and publications. Once again my outlook and direction towards a third degree changed once again.   For the first time a PhD made sense.   I applied and was put on the waiting list for program of my choice. Then I moved across country. I got an even better job, now I am questioning what the next step is. I feel like my current options are a Master’s in library and information science possibility followed by PhD in library science or history. But when I think about it, I think my ultimate dream would be to get a Master’s in Library and Information Science followed by a PhD in History or American Studies.

Today I attended my first professional gathering in the Cincinnati area. It made me think a lot about my future and where I really want to be with my career.

I want to be an archivist who is considered a leader in the field of digital archives and digitization practices. I want to help preserve history, promote historical knowledge and an understanding of historical events. I want to be able to help commemorative historic event and people who have made an impact.  And I want to do this with the help of technology.

Will an MLIS degree and or PhD in history help me get to the point I want to be?   How do you become a leader in field and respected by others?   What do I need to be doing to better myself?

What can these degrees do for me?   Both are keys to the club so to speak or right of passage.   Both a MLIS and a PhD opens the doors for more career opportunities. As one of my mentors told me having both or one of these degrees makes you an elite in the field and gives you the seal of an expert, so to speak.

What is stopping me … time and fear. I am nervous about the commitment it will take, what I will have give up, what I will have to miss out on.   Both programs will require time to study, to do research and projects. Recommitting myself to months of study is a hard for enjoy my life without having to study, do school work, research and write papers.  I am fearful that I don’t have what it takes to make it through the programs or that I will fail.

I don’t think there is an easy answer, this is something that will require a lot of thinking… but in time I think I will have my answer!

(Post 1 of 1 in a series of ???)

Today I want to start a new series. I am going to call it Slim Down Sundays. This series will focus on my wellness and fitness, so here goes nothing. But before I do I want to make it clear that do may intend to turn this blog into a fitness and running blog, I just want it be a place I can share my thoughts, feelings, frustrations, and hopefully successes.

I was never a skinny person, as a kid I always was the chubby one. I was always a kid who enjoyed being outdoors and playing sports; I played tennis and basketball in high school. However, I have always been more of book warm than one to explore the latest workout trends. As an adult my weight battle can best be described as a rollercoaster ride.   I have been as heavy as 250 pounds and as light 150. After moving up to the Cincinnati area a little over a year ago my weight got out of control. We started eating out more. There was also my bout with depression I went through; in addition, to adjusting to a new schedule, habits, and environment. Food became my comfort.

In the past year I have put on 50 pounds. I am still in shape. I am still running, I am still going to gym. However, I don’t have the same focus or discipline I had in the past years. However, I am working hard to get it back to point where I was several years ago in terms of eating right, working out, overall wellness. and weight.

I want to use this blog as something to hold me accountable. I also want to use as a way to track my journey, my goals, my failures and successes.

The way I want to do is give myself goals for the week and then each Sunday blog about how I did, talk about work worked, what didn’t work. I will probably talk about frustrations and challenges, as well.

So here I go …

Wellness goals for the week of July 5 to July 11^th

1. Drink at least 64oz of water daily.
2. Walk / Run at least 50 miles
3. Everyday day eat at least 4 fruits or vegetables
4. Complete at least 4 – 30 minute weight / conditioning sessions
5. Do at least 3 abs workouts

I will report back in a week …

This is another post that very over due … Events in this blog post happened on May 15, 2015.

I don’t think emphasized in my post about the Flying Pig Marathon how much the Cincinnati community supports the Flying Pig Marathon, not only at marathon time but year around. The first, Cincinnati’s Reds Friday home game after the marathon was Flying Pig Night at the Ball Park.  Finishers were offered discount tickets to the game and we got wear our medals and walk on the field during the pre-game activities!

This was my first time on a MLB field! It was certainly and experience I will not forget. I don’t think you truly appreciate the size of the Great American Ballpark until you are on the field. It was cool getting to see my favorite Reds players warming up.

The winners of the Flying Pig Marathon were invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch of the game.

This was also our first Reds game for the 2015 season.   Since I had the offer for discount tickets through the Flying Pig Marathon, I splurged and got us lower level seats, right behind the dugout. This was our first time sitting on the lower level, while the view was good I think I like the first row upper level tickets where we normally sit, just because we don’t have deal with people in front of us during the game … I know it’s the little things.

In addition to being Flying Pig Night, it was also Star War night at the ballpark. I am not sure what that officially means besides that Star War characters were all over the place, the Reds’ mascots were playing with light sabers. The fireworks were also themed to music from the Star Wars soundtrack.

Everything aside some pretty neat commemorative t-shirts were created for the games!

The Reds played the San Francisco Gaints.

During the game the Powerstacks that reminiscent of the steamboats that were common on the Ohio River, caught fire. The Powerstacks emit flames and launch firework to incite or responds to the Reds efforts. During the 6^th inning Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen was pitching and after only 2 strikes the flames and smoke began. Then flames started coming out. Finally the fire department came, two section of seating near the powerstacks were evacuated and the fire was taken care of.   And the game went on and play was never interrupted.

 

Just a little side note … on of the firefighters was related to the family sitting behind us. It was kind of neat to listen to their surprise when their father / husband / son, showed up to put out the fire.

In the end the Reds lost.

The fireworks after game did not disappoint.

Happy Birthday American!

Last night we headed out to the Great American Ballpark to watch the Reds play the Brewers.  The Cincinnati Pops were also at the game, they did a special performance at end of the game and provided the sound track for the Friday night fireworks shows.

This 4th of July we enjoyed relaxing around the house at BBQ, watched baseball on TV and watched our neighbors set off fireworks.

I am proud to be an American and thankful to live in the United States.

When I moved to the Cincinnati area a year ago, everyone told me I needed to run the Flying Pig.   I was not sure if I really want to run it or it, but I signed up.   When the weekend came, I was not sure if I was going to actually run or just go to the expo, pick up my runner’s packet and then talk myself out of the race Sunday morning.

After work on Friday, I went to the expo and got my packet. During the expo something strange happened, I became excited about the race.

Sunday morning I headed to downtown Cincinnati for the race … ran … and set a personal record of 2:17:17!!!

THE EXPO …

The Expo was one of the biggest that I have been to. There were a ton of vendors and it was one of the best race expos I have attended.

I started by picking up my bib and all the goodies.   Besides a bib and t-shirt, all runners received a poster and backpack.

After I had all of the race goodies I went through the aisles of vendors.   The Flying Pig had a shopping area, sponsored by Asics with commemorative marathon items. I picked up a t-shirt and stuff “flying” pig.

There were also booths for all of the local running stores and running related products.

The expo also had a good mix of informational vendors, giving samples away or promoting upcoming marathons or runs.

The other thing I really liked about expo was how everything was all in one big room, there was a places for people to talk/hangout and all of the pig décor.

This was a neat social experiment …
I fly with the pig because  …  TO PROVE TO MYSELF THAT I CAN DO ANYTHING!!!!

HALF MARATHON …

Sunday morning, I left our house super early thinking that parking would be a problem in downtown Cincinnati, but it was not. I actually ended up getting a little nap in the car before it was time to head to corals. The parking garage we choose to park in was perfect because it allowed Allyn to have the prefect spot to see the race begin and take a few early pictures.

The course was filled with lots of hills and bridges.

This was probably the hilliest course I have ever run.

What I loved about the race was all of the people that lined the streets and were cheering on the runners.   From band, to nursing home residents, to community organizations, there were people everywhere cheer on the runners.

The hardest part of the race for me was mile 10 to end, as I was coming down off the highest part of the course, my feet wanted to run fast, given we were going down hill, but my upper legs and hips didn’t want to. In fact, I ended up walking the last mile because upper leg muscles were not happy. I think one thing that gave me extra boost at the end was all of supporters cheering as you neared the finish line.

I did manage to run the last quarter of the race and run across the finish line.

.

I was not planning to set a PR and was totally shocked when I discovered my time was 2:17:17. My goal was to finish within 3 hours. Honestly the race just went by really fast. All I remember at one point is seeing marker for mile 8 and wonder how I got that far.

My biggest mistake of the race was that I kept my jacket on. I should have taken off and handed it to Allyn when I passed him. Instead I kept my jacket on through the whole race, I think by the time I crossed the finished line I was over heated.

There were tons of goodies to eat for the runners just past the finish line. The one thing I really like about the finish line area is in addition the normal backdrop for finishers photos, they actually had pigs that you could take your picture with.

 

There was actually an after party, which lasted well into the afternoon, but we didn’t hang around for it because we had other obligations in the afternoon.

The Flying Pig has become of my favorite races.   The course was great and there was lots of support on the sidelines, which made it a great race to run. In the coming years I might make it a goal to do the 3 or 4 way challenge, which includes the 5K, 10K and half marathon / marathon.