Dingoes Trot with Turkeys in November

[1jooj]

Because where I am, it's already November!

Do we need a thread intro for anyone new who wishes to join in? If so...

For mamas who run, walk, jog, wog, traipse, hop, skip, jump, or aspire to do any of those things, we are the Dingoes. Join us here for inspiration, commiseration, support, entertainment and community. Share your training challenges, your race reports, and discuss anything and everything--just like having a super-supportive IRL running group!

We also like to discuss biking, swimming, climbing, team sports and the million other things that come up, some of which we do to run better, some of which we do when we can't run, and some of which we just do.

All are welcome!

It is commonly known that Dingoes are a  bunch, but don't be intimidated. We love new members and cherish (ahem) the old ones, too.

Me? All suited up and about to head out for a run around the park. Humidity's a little high this morning. Kids have a half day of school and pressure's on for me to bring the fun this afternoon. I still don't know what that's going to mean. But I plan to get in a good 3 hours of writing before then.

[tjsmama]

Happy November, all! Here's hoping November is more productive than October has been for me.

Yeah, cover letter and resume still not done. Seriously, WHAT is my problem?! I have 47 days till graduation. The application for the new grad program opened yesterday. Just get your freaking act together and DO stuff! Sigh. I was so tired last night that I went to bed at 9. Tonight, um, well...trick or treating happened. I invited us over to DS's kindergarten bff's house (, some more) for ToT since we live in condos and don't really have organized ToT in our neighborhood. We've always gone down to the burbs, but now that DS is making neighborhood friends, I'd like to start hanging out here more. It was great. DS had a blast with two of his buddies, and I had a lot of fun with the parents! Of course, DS was up WAY past bedtime, on a school night. Tomorrow morning is NOT going to be fun. My child's candy haul was more than a little ridiculous. Sheesh.

rr~I took DS out for a run in the stroller this morning, for the first time in months! I was doing ok, until I totally hit the wall about a mile and a half in. Yikes. Forgot how hard the whole stroller pushing thing was! 4 miles, at a not-horrible pace.

[MelW]

Gaye, that is a lot of You have a TON of stuff on your plate. (But here's the pep talk- just get the resume and CL done- they don't have to be perfect, since they're going to interview you based on your student nurse job and practicum experiences. And hospital HR departments are notoriously sloooow, so get it in while you have time for the application to linger on someone's desk)

real, I know the running away feeling all-too-well

sparkle, your impressive work on the applications is giving my hives about mine. I have promised myself to get busy on them in two weeks. Luckily I don't have to do the GRE, just need to get this stats class done this term. I have some tentative references, but so much to do for applications essays and intents, etc. etc.

Jo, thanks for the November thread. I really admire how you're looking at balancing all of your family's needs while you make your decisions.

It's almost November here (two hours to go still on the west coast!). Hallowe'en was nice- lots of kids in the neighbourhood, and my little bumblebee and bigger jellyfish-princess-bride were both pretty cute. Made the weekend crammed with costume sewing feel worthwhile when they were so thrilled with the outfits. I did trick or treating with both for a while, then brought the youngest home while the oldest went out for a bit more with my sister. I then fed my youngest the one thing in her treat bag that didn't contain dairy, wheat or corn (potato chips), only to have her push the bag away partway through and say she didn't like them. Her face was covered in a red rash, and my best guess is that the "vegetable oil" was corn. She felt better after some benadryl and an organic cane sugar lollipop, thankfully.

The rest of the week is insanely busy- more work than I can let myself think about, a stats assignment due on Thursday, and my oldest daughter's birthday tomorrow and party on Saturday. On a positive note, I marked and commented on 300 pages of student assignments over the weekend, so at least that is off my plate!! (yes, I have no social life...)

RR: nothing today except stretching and yoga. This evening this photo of me (I'm the one in front) was posted on yesterday's run facebook page. I'm smiling, but don't look like I'm moving very fast...

[bec]

Sparkle - Oh no, mama!!  I hope you heal quickly.  It sounds very painful.

Real - So been there with the wanting to run away!

Halloween - We did a lot of walking the neighborhood, and the kids came back with full pails of candy.  I am talking them into exchanging the candy for Charming Charlie gift cards.  My kids loved their costumes, so they had a good time.  Katie was Candace from Phineas and Ferb (I learned a lot about hair for this one!), Emily was a recycling bin, and Abby a princess (her way of scamming a tiara from CC!).  Oh, and the pup was a flower (we put construction paper petals on his cone.  Mean, maybe, but cute!).

[JenLove]

Jo ~ Thanks for the new thread.  I hope whatever choice you and your family makes is a good one where everyone feels loved and supported.  How hard!

Gaye ~ Goodness you got a lot going on!  And how to you still push T?!

I hope within the month, I can start working out again soon.  For now babywearing wearing seems to be enough to make my bottom sore still.  I think I will eventually start with the yoga booty ballet easy dvd, squats, and abs but I'll take it day to day and see how it goes.

[JayGee]

Yay!  November!

Gaye ~ get those apps in!  You'll be so thankful you did. And what is this grad program???  I also have no idea how you manage to push T.  Kirsten is WAY to heavy to push anymore in the jogger.

Jooj ~ hope you had a lovely run this morning.  Did you see the picture of my DS building the Lego Burj Khalifa on FB?  He was amazed when I told him I have a friend who lives just a few blocks away.

Sparkle ~ what is it with the steam burns?  I got one Sunday night on my wrist and it's blistering today.  Hope yours feels better soon.

JenLove ~ how's the new little guy?

MelW ~ your picture is great!  I want to come run there with you someday!

bec ~ that dog costume sounds funny! Glad your kids had a good Halloween.

Nic ~ wow, what a marathon story!  That snowstorm in the northeast was pretty unusual.  You finished the race, you did great!  Now, go relax.

RR ~ pilates yesterday, plus walking all over the neighborhood with the kids last night; nothing planned for today, but may try for a walk/run after dinner.

NRR ~ DS is 10!  He had a fantastic birthday on Sunday.  I can't believe I have a 10 year old.  How did that happen???  Halloween was fun, even though I made way too many surreptitious trips to the candy bowl .  DS was a juice box, DD1 was a hobo, and DD2 was a ballerina.  They also scored WAY more candy than we'll ever be able to eat.

Edited by JayGee - 11/1/11 at 7:16am

[doctorjen]

Here's the race list for the November thread. Please PM me if you'd
like me to add something for you!

: dingo race list
:

Naughty Dingo - Seattle Marathon - November 27

MelW - Jingle Bell Poker Run - December 4

Nickarolaberry - Disney World Marathon - January 8, 2012

kitteh - 13.1 Los Angeles Half Marathon - January 15, 2012

Realrellim - Yeti Chase 10K - January 28, 2012

Realrellim - Ralston Creek Half Marathon - February 12, 2012

tjsmama - New York City Marathon - November 4, 2012

 Other places to find the Dingos:

: cooking blog :

knitting blog

We have a private Yahoo group. Submit a request to join and mention your MDC
username in the request so we know who you are.

We also have a private location map. Send a PM to eksmom to get info
and join up.

Why are we called the Dingos?
See this post

Edited by doctorjen - 11/14/11 at 4:55am

[doctorjen]

2011 Dingo Race Results 

babybugmama - Walt Disney World Half Marathon - January 8 (First half of Goofy challenge) - 2:21:14
babybugmama - Walt Disney World Marathon - January 9 (Completion of Goofy Challenge) - 5:08:02
Nickaroloberry - Disney Marathon - January 9, 2010 - 4:59:14 (PR!)

HomeBirthMommy - Walt Disney World Marathon - January 9, 2010 - 6:12:57

Realrellim - Frosty's Frozen 5 and 10, 10 miles - Jaunary 15 - 1:33:51

Tjsmama - Yeti Chase 10K - January 22 - 1:05:18

Realrellim - Snowman Stampede 10 miles - February 19 - 1:29:05

Nickarolaberry - Scrub J 10K - February 19 - 1:01:42

JayGee - Ofallon YMCA Indoor Triathlon - February 26 - 47:14

modmom - Disney Princess Half Marathon - February 27 - 2:16

Runningmommy - 10K - March 5 - 47:16

Nickarolaberry - Sarasota Half Marathon - March 13 - 2:03:50 (PR!)

Nickarolaberry - Springfest 5K - March 19 - 26:43 (PR!)

MelW - CVRR Half Marathon - March 20 - 2:10:51 (PR!)

poppywise - Oakland Half Marathon - March 27 - 2:34:57 (PR!)

Mel38, poppywise - Cooper River Bridge Run 10K - April 2 - 1:09:18 

bec, and bec's dh - Reach Out and Run 5K - April 9 - 37:40

Nickarolaberry - 10K - April 9 - 58:45 (PR!)

Realrellim - Platte River Half Marathon - April 10 - 1:57:38 (PR!)

Geofizz - runcbus 10 miler - April 10 - 1:34:42

Penelope - Lincoln Half Marathon - May 1 - 2:17:42

Bec - Indy Mini Half Marathon - May 7 - 2:43:20

Naughty Dingo - Lake Monona 20K - May 7 - 1:50

Naughty Dingo - Syttende Mai 20 Mile - May 14 - 3:15 

tjsmama - Summer Open Sprint Triathlon (converted to duathlon due to weather) - May 22 - 1:34:23

Mel38 - Charleston Sprin Triathlon Series - May 22 - 1:31:07

Naughty Dingo - Madison Marathon - May 29 - 4:29:43

Realrellim - Bolder Boulder 10K - May 30 - 55:33

tjsmama - Bolder Boulder 10 K - May 30 - 57:13

doctorjen - Streator YMCA Memorial Day 5K - May 30 - 27:39

bec - Naperville Triathlon - June 12 - 1:51:24 

tjsmama - Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon - June 25 - 3:40:16

Realrellim - Grand Park Run for Independence (5 miler, but a little short) - July 2 - 44:54

doctorjen - Streator Run for Glory 5K - July 2 - 26:27

Realrellim - Middle Park Half Marathon - July 9 -  2:00:25

memiles - Warrior Dash - July 16

Realrellim - Lookout Mountain Triathlon - July 23 - 1:42:39

tjsmama - Courage Classic 3 day bike ride, including a century - July 23-25

MotivatedMama - Beach to Beacon 10K - August 6

tjsmama - Ironman 70.3 Boulder - August 7 - 7:03:05

bec - Bangs Lake Multisport Festival (Olympic distance triathlon) - August 14 - 3:44:27 ( PR!)

doctorjen - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K - August 14 - 26:37

Realrellim - Splash Mash Dash Triathlon - August 20 - 1:28:35

tjsmama - Splash Mash Dash Triathlon - August 20 - 1:23:51

tjsmama - Venus de Miles Road Ride - August 28 - 4:32

Dmitrizmom - Pufferbilly 5K - September 10 - 45:03 (7 min PR!)

Realrellim - Devil's Thumb Ranch Trail Race (7.5 miles) - September 17 - 1:15:29

bec and bec's dh - Warrior Dash Upper Midwest - September 17 - 41:13 

JayGee -  YMCA Lakeside 5K - September 24 - 24:05

Realrellim - Granby Oktoberfest 10K - September 24 - 1:05:50 (pushing the double jogger!)

tjsmama - Oktoberfest Sprint Triathlon - September 25 - 1:36:42

poppywise - Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders 5K - September 25 - 32:47 (gun time)

eksmom - Star City Women's 5K - October 1 - 27:58.7

kitteh - Santa Monica 500 10K - October 2 - 56:19 (first race ever!)

bec - Prairie State Half Marathon - October 8 - 2:58:55.5

tjsmama - Denver Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon - October 9 - 2:09:18

doctorjen - Kansas City Marathon - October 15 - 4:25:44 (PR!)

Geo - Columbus Half Marathon - October 16 - 2:05:51 (PR!)

LaLaLaLa - BayState Half Marathon - October 16 - 2:08:47

bec - Corn Maze 5K - October 16 - 37:44

bec - Des Plaines River Trail Half Marathon - October 22 - 2:48:29

Nickarolaberry - Marine Corps Marathon - October 30 - 5:04:19

MelW - Perserverance Trail Run 11K - October 30 - 1:29: 

bec - Hot Chocolate 15K - November 5 - 2:07

Realrellim and real's dd - Home for the Holidays 5K - November 5 - 47:58

RunningMommy - Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon - November 5 - 1:39:48

tjsmama - Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon - November 12 - 2:50:18

eksmom - Outer Banks Half Marathon - November 13 - 2:11:11 (PR!!)

2010 Results

Edited by doctorjen - 12/9/11 at 5:12am

[Mel38]

Happy November 1st!

Thanks, Jo, for the new thread. I hope that something gels for you regarding future plans. And that your mom doesn't make you feel guilty about doing what is best for your family. Moms... well, we are all moms... but there's something special about that mother/daughter relationship that really yanks my guilt chain, too.

Gaye, you are doing great just getting all this stuff done in your life. What with the crazy shifts you were working, the pressures of school and single momming, and sports and taking care of your friends and keeping your Dingos updated and and and... don't be too hard on yourself.

Mel, the pic of you on the trail race is awesome! That looks like such a fun race, and could you be any cuter? I hope that your busy week goes smoothly.

Sparkle and JG, ouch, heal up you guys!

Nick: Thank you for your awesome RR on the MCM!! Wow, it sounds like a grueling race, between the weather and the stress of knowing that your family was dealing with the whole loss of power thing, all this was obviously weighing on your mind. But you mastered it, and you kept on going, and you got >this< close to your target time, even considering the fact that you were running in throngs of people, running injured, running nauseous, running cold, and ran like, what, .3 or .4 of a mile too far! That's your 5 minutes right there, even without the port-o-potty trip. But you did it!   Just as with the having-a-baby analogy, give it a few days before you make a decision about Disney. I hope that you can get back home real soon.

I got back from Boston on Sunday with no trouble. There was hardly even any snow there, only on the grassy areas and on parked cars. They were in full de-icing mode at the airport, which was interesting to watch as I waited for the flight, but the sun was shining and there was almost no wind.

So, I have not exercised in any way, shape or form since running on Saturday. I feel like a total slug! I really should get out for 30 minutes today... It would be good especially since I am expected to run 8 this weekend Yeah, right. But that's what the Galloway plan calls for.

BTW, did I even mention that I completely missed my flight on the way to Boston? Right. Because I had just glanced at the ticket and remembered the number 1345. Thinking this was the time it flew, I had my DH drive me to the airport at noon. Um, no, it was the flight number. Flight 1345 leaves at 6:50 am!!!  I was like 5 hours late for my flight! I did not even bother to try to explain that to the ticket agent for fear she would think me a complete idiot. They put me on stand-by and I had no problems arriving that day. I Southwest.

[1jooj]

Nic, going back now to read your RR...

I actually ran the full 3418m circumference of the park without a break this morning, then a 200m break, and then another mile before breaking again, and finished at about 7000m, plus my walk to and from the park. Came home and did some yoga stretches, and then a little work before the kids came home. Took them to see Johnny English  and picked up Indian takeout for dinner, now homework before bed.

Now I'm investigating home/online schooling, to see whether there's any sense to just being over here for, say, 6 months of the year? November through April or some such? But that would be the end of a lot of other things, so we'll see. There is a K12 academy here, but ugh, I don't know.

But I think I did decide that I want to try to get back to half-marathon fitness by the time the weather starts to heat up again. It felt so good to be able to run a little further today.

[kerc]

here. eating some yummy red curry wild rice soup. mmm.

nursing a good cough and missed my regularly scheduled run last night due to the festivities...

[tjsmama]

You guys. You make me with your kind words. I you all.

nic~, mama. I hope you get home safely soon. Sounds like a tough, tough race, but you know what? You finished it! You could have quit and you didn't, and you ran 26+ freaking miles! WAY TO GO!!!!

sparkle~I hope your arm is feeling better today...and yours, too, jaygee! Ouch!

melw~Great picture!

Ah, pushing the stroller. I seriously had not done it since the spring, I don't think. Maybe once over the summer. It wasn't completely horrible, but I give credit to the fact that the Chariot is a dream to push. Although when DS got out to run, I definitely felt the difference! Let me tell ya...pushing the Chariot was a WHOLE lot easier than carrying his dead weight upstairs to bed Sunday night when he fell asleep in the car on the way home!

It's kind of sad, but I do feel like I don't need to have a super-stellar resume and cover letter. I think I'm guaranteed an interview. Maybe that's one reason that I've been putting it off...I just hate doing these things. I have a hard time talking myself up, and to do it in print is even worse. Trying to come up with action-oriented descriptions for things I've done makes me want to rip my hair out. I WILL get this done today. Preferably in the next couple of hours. I'd really like to drop off a resume and thank you letter for the nurse manager where I did my practicum today (and I have something to drop off for my preceptor and for my clinical scholar, too). I feel like the one for my nurse manager at work doesn't need to be perfect, just for the fact that I'm going to her to get her advice and opinion on it, too, ytou know? It's not like I want it to suck, but it doesn't have to be completely ready to go, either. I think the bigger thing with the new grad program is the supplemental application where you have to answer a bunch of essay questions. Speaking of which, the new grad program (aka nurse residency program) is the only way for a new graduate nurse to get a job at the university hospital that I currently work at. It's a year-long program where new grads take some classes, do an evidence-based practice project, get peer support, and have much longer than normal orientation, all paid. There's a movement in nursing to try to get more of these residency programs to bridge the gap between school and practice...after all, medical students don't just graduate and get thrown into practice on their own, so why do nurses? There are residency programs at a couple of local hospitals, and they are the only entry into the hospital if you're a new grad. It's EXTREMELY competitive. In the last cycle, there were 400+ applications for 26 positions. And they're making a move toward wanting to hire >50% from out of state in the name of diversity (which is stupid, IMO...hello, you have one of the top nursing programs in the country in your backyard!). My other dilemma is that they make you pick your top two choices for unit based on what's available, and typically the managers won't even consider you unless you list their unit as a preference. Well, labor and delivery and the birth center are both available as options, but if I list both of those, then I can't list MY unit as an option, which I kind of feel like I need to, since I probably have a better shot at getting hired to my unit than to L&D or the birth center.

rr~Got my long run in. It was not pretty. I really struggled to go do it...it's overcast and cold and depressing this morning. And I just didn't want to! But I did. Let me say again, it was not pretty. I forgot my inhaler, which made it even less pretty. There was a lot of walking in the second half. Yet somehow, I managed just over 11 minute pace for 10 miles? I have no idea how that works out.

[Geofizz]

Here, drowning in work.

Anxiously awaiting a dingo visit this weekend!

[MelW]

Mel, glad you got a standby flight! It's kind of a funny story (though the thing that keeps me awake at night before trips worrying about details).

Nic, what an amazing feat of endurance and tenacity!!! You're terrific. I hope you get power and get home soon.

Gaye, PM me if you want a second set of eyes on your application. My last job before nursing was running a student employment centre and helping people write resumes, etc. I agree that it's crazy-making to need to choose your areas of interest for the application. Fingers crossed for you getting what you want!!

bec and JayGee, the costumes sound cute for all!!

kerc and jo, you're making me hungry for curry.

[bec]

Nic - Just finished reading your marathon report.  It just seems like this race was the true embodiment of marathon.  Tough, hard, something to be endured, painful, and exhausting.  But, you also need to remember you are triumphant, tenacious, strong and seriously hard core!!!  I really hope power comes back up for you soon!

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by bec 

Nic - Just finished reading your marathon report.  It just seems like this race was the true embodiment of marathon.  Tough, hard, something to be endured, painful, and exhausting.  But, you also need to remember you are triumphant, tenacious, strong and seriously hard core!!!  I really hope power comes back up for you soon!

Couldn't have said it better myself!

[sparkletruck]

Nic - Truly awesome, in every sense of the word! You have GRIT girl! I am proud to know you

MelW - I feel like I have so much to keep track of that the more I get out of the way, the less I have to remember. Just finding people who would write the recs took 2 whole weeks. I cant fill out the application until I had those lined up b/c the app. sends the recommenders an electronic form. The recs are not done yet, just lined up. You are handling SO MUCH, and so well, you will do the same with the application process.

Gaye - can you find a template, or model resume and then plug in your data? I always find it helpful to have the possible phraseology and/or words next to me when I confabulate one of those things

Mel38 - that is too funny about the flight. How lucky that it worked so smooth. And congrats on the nice runs in Boston

JG - Happy Birthday to your DS. Double digits; I'll be there next year and I'm already wistful Congratulations Mama

Real - the even sadder thing is that I already took the GRE 11 years ago! The results are only good for 5 years, and they just changed the test last month, increasing it from 3 to 4 hours, among other things Ah well

NRR: Arm is much better. It doesnt hurt anyway--the hydrocodone nipped that in the bud last night, and then I woke this morning with no pain, but a genuine big purple burn mark and some blistering. It started peeling today, and yow that fresh skin hurt, so now Ive got a big bandage on.

One of the recommendations I nailed down (from my past mentor) involved ME rewriting her old rec of 10 years ago, per her request, which I can now email to her so that when the program sends her the form she can just cut and paste. The other I confirmed yesterday when I managed to track down the long-ago VP of the school where I worked, from whom I have a copy of an eval. he did of my teaching back-when that I found in the garage. Ah Google. Asked him if he'd be willing to rewrite it/have me rewrite it and he is happy to. So scanned that today to email to him. Phew. Now back to the regularly scheduled [GRE] program

[zubeldia]

Nic, wow, mama, what a race. It sounds absolutely grueling. I totally bow down to you. Fantastic, and it says amazing things about your spirit.

Jo, honestly, I don't know how I would cope in your shoes. It seems to me that you're already living apart, but you're away from all your usual supports, which must make everything ever more difficult. You're a strong woman.

MelW.... 300 papers? Wow, I feel like a whinge-bag moaning about the 25 exams I received today

Mel, I did laugh as I read about the flight! But sounds like Boston was a lot of fun. Wish I'd been able to come down for a visit.

Gaye, get to that cover letter!

Sparkle, very impressed that you managed to get those letters of recommendation! Everything crossed that this works out.

Real, do you know when you'll find out about the TT position?

Happy birthday, Jaygee's ds!

AM: I think I am actually now just really depressed. I'm finding it very hard to function and mostly I just feel sorry for myself. I should be 9 weeks pregnant now but I have no idea if I am still pregnant. I will see my Dr next week and I am just hoping that we find a heartbeat with the doppler. I can't bear to go for another ultrasound at the fetal/maternal center, and I am seriously considering changing Drs to one that has an inhouse ultrasound machine as I just can't face the ultrasound place. I am still sick - and have lost almost 10 pounds. I saw another Dr on Saturday and he suggested that I may have to go to the hospital for some fluids, but I managed to drink a little more. My dad is still in hospital and is reacting badly to the meds they;ve given him. I feel so helpless as it sounds like they're really doping him up so that he sleeps, and they've even used restraints on him. My dad is a very mild-mannered 86 year old, and it's heartbreaking to imagine him so vulnerable. Oof, I would like to wake up to 2012! 

[JenLove]

zub ~ I wish I had the words.. or loads of money to fly for tea, hugs, lots of support, and whatever else you'd need!

jo ~ Thinking of you!

AJ is doing great!  He is growing way too fast and putting on weight a lot quicker than Val did.  He was averaging 2oz gain daily at his 2 week appointment!

Our farm is coming along - 12 hens, 1 rooster, 4 ducks, and 2 goats.  We should be kidding late winter and taking over Jo's adventures with the farm babes.  We sold our first dozen eggs today and have a big list of people who want some. :)  J will be traveling next week to get our guard dog for the animals in the barn - a Great Pyrenese.  

[1jooj]

Nic, just...wow. You win for the sheer determination. I think I might have let go once finding the hotel, if I'm honest. You did such amazing work out there. Congratulations. I am SO proud of you.

Jennie, watch out. You are going to love this.  And I seriously cannot wait to come and see you in the middle of it.

Zub, hang in there, mama. Trying to consciously place a line between what is in my control and what is not, is a helpful exercise for me. Prayers for your father. 

MelW, I had a similar reaction to Zub on 300 pages of papers. I can hardly get through 300 pages of a well-written work these days. Yikes.

Today will be one of those super-full days, if I can muster. I want to go out for a short run, then I have to find the UPS office (because the post office won't ship anything over 450g?! even though I received the same book via postal mail?!). Then a bookstore trip to research a special column for UAE national day, and then come home and clean the house because the kids have Arabic tutoring tonight. Humidity is a bit on the high side again, so we'll see what happens.

Also need to write because it's November and I need to make significant novel progress, and I'm starting a book proposal for another project. 

Sparkle, at least this trial by fire will have you committed to the cause, yes? I don't envy you the GRE studying. I choose to forget that detail when I consider going back to school.