Inside the Mind of Suz

It’s no secret that I love me some Peyton Manning. I really do. I just can’t help it. The whole “aww shucks” thing just endears him to me. While I love his more recent Mastercard Commercial (I’ve even blogged about it), I have to say that my all-time favorite ad is the infamous CUT THAT MEAT! bit. Ask anyone in my family, and they’ll tell you that, from time to time, I will bust out a “Cut that meat!” of my own; and for no apparent reason. Such is my love for Peyton.

And then there’s Tiger Woods. I can’t stand golf. I don’t want to watch it, and I don’t want to play it. I can think of few sports I like less. That’s not true. I hate hockey and baseball more. I digress. The point is I don’t like the sport at all. But I love me some Tiger Woods. If I pay any attention to the sport, it’s only because of Tiger, and no one else. It’s like he possesses some extreme power that makes me pay attention to him when he plays. I can’t fight it, even though I want to.

So imagine my delight at learning that Peyton and Tiger are teamed up to play in the Quail Hollow Pro-Am yesterday! It’s like the sports gods decided that I’ve been a faithful devotee and made this happen just for meeee! I know they’ve played together before, and are friends, but this is the way I like to look at it. Don’t burst my big, fat, red, shiny balloon!

When they hit the course there were quite a few fans in attendance. No surprise. Those two are a couple of the biggest names in all of sports! And I was also pleased to learn that Peyton brought good friend, teammate, and former Buckeye Anthony Gonzalez with him as his personal caddy. Good stuff.

I didn’t get to watch it on TV, nor do I know if it was even televised. Let’s be honest, that’s pushing things a little too much for me. Simply knowing that two of my favorite athletes got together and competed today is enough for me. It’s like the planets aligned. But for shits n’ giggles, here’s the SportsCenter segment:

[media id=4]

So, thank you, sports gods! Keep it comin’! I’ve been a very good girl this year!

It’s been a few months, but I know I can always count on the LA Times to give me my Candace Parker fix.

Last we heard from the female CP3 was when her ESPN Magazine cover for Women’s History Month debuted. There was a bit of a controversy over the writer’s (Allison Glock) mention of Candace’s C cups. That allowed the story to get more press. But, other than that, the only mentions here and there like when she attends the NBA game of hubby Shelden Williams or other LA events. That’s not enough for a fan like myself.

So, I was quite happy to see there was a new update. First of all, she’s due next month! Soooooo soon! Ahh! Candace attended a March of Dimes event over the weekend and reported that mother and baby were doing well.

The event was called “March For Babies”, and since the goal is to “support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives”, it’s easy to see why the mom-to-be chose to support the cause. More info at www.marchforbabies.org.

In other news, you can become of fan of Candace on Facebook. Awesome. Of course, if you do that, then I’m guessing you’ve already joined her fanlisting, correct? *cough*

Can’t wait until Baby Parker-Williams arrives!

I finished my initial round of ChaLEAN Extreme over the weekend. It was actually pretty anti-climatic seeing as how Saturday was my final workout and it ended up being the first one I ever missed in 3 months! lol

I went to the Ohio State Spring Football Game, which involved getting up really early (something I do not do…ever!). By the time I finally got home, and finished watching the first 2 rounds of the NFL Draft, I was in no mood to take part in a Fat Burn Challenge. And my version of “Recharging” simply included a long session in bed. (more…)

I did it! I got back to running today yesterday, and it felt great!

After I decided that I was definitely going to run, my body woke me up earlier than usual. I guess it was its way of saying, “it’s beautiful out! Let’s go running now, please?!” Well, that’s exactly what I did!

I searched around the web to see whether or not I should eat a little somepin’ somepin’ before I left. Most runners said that if you were doing short run (less than 5 miles), that you should be ok running on an empty stomach. When I was training for a 5k last year, I realized very early on that I needed to wait at least 90 minutes after eating a meal before doing a run. If I didn’t, I would get cramps mid-run. Not a great feeling.

So, I did my Week 1 Couch to 5k run on an empty stomach and felt fine. I don’t know if that was because I was truly ok, or because it was soooooo beautiful outside today. I spent most of the run looking at everyone’s yards and all the color tulips in full bloom. Running under and past such fragrant trees was also enjoyable!

I did my first run with Run Keeper (free edition) and I have no complaints thus far! My iPhone was able to easily track my course, via GPS. I took the advice of many users in that I opened up my Google Maps app before I started Run Keeper, so it could zero in on my location. I went and checked my run and it looked pretty good to me! I didn’t pay much attention to the pace/speed readings since I was both walking and running for this workout. It’s nice to see that Run Keeper works as advertised. I’ll try a different app next time I run and report back!

After my run, I took a short break, refueled with a banana and some peanut butter, then did ChaLEAN Extreme Lean Circuit 3. I felt so accomplished!

It just felt so great to be out running again! I missed it! My last run was in October!

So, it’s no secret, that I am enjoying the spoils of having a jailbroken iPhone. It’s the only way to live, in all honesty.

I’ve come to the conclusion that there will be situations where I may want to broadcast live. Yes, I’m talking video. Probably not too many, but knowing how to work things when the time comes would be helpful. I’m pretty sure my work on various pool decks would be enhanced with a little live streaming. But not any race footage, because the big, bad boys will come after me and possibly revoke my media credentials. I don’t want that! (Avid swim fans should know what I’m talking about!)

If I just want to record some silly video to share and edit later, I’d probably use the Cycorder app. That’s where all the “Puddles Chronicles” footage comes from. It’s easy to use, and I can decide later whether or not I want to share recorded video.

Qik has its recording app, which is pretty established, while UStream.tv’s app is relatively new to the iphone market. I downloaded them both, so now I have 2 live video streaming apps that I need to try out. (more…)

Not only are they rather easily taking care of business against the Pistons, but they’ve also taken time out of their schedules to make us all laugh.

I saw this on SportsCenter and I am dying!

Nice to see the Cleveland Cavs’ fun-loving spirit (see what I mean, Ray?) continue to shine through as they spoof a recent Heineken Beer commercial.

Please let there be a Cavs/Lakers final. Please, please, please!

Just a collection of some of my thoughts today. This is something new I’m doing, so bear with me!

I really like Beyonce. She may come across as overexposed at times, but she seems like a wonderful person. She never has anything bad to say about anyone; even though many deserve it! She’s extremely private (not an attention whore), and very close to her family. I really respect that. Plus, her new movie, Obsessed, looks great! I kind of want to see that.

Does Flo Rida have to sample songs in all of his new singles? I heard one of his songs during “The Hills” and was like “again?” ‘Right Round’ sampled “You Spin Me” by Dead or Alive and now this new song “Sugar”, samples Eiffel 65′s “Blue”. Both samples piss me off because I partied to both of those songs during college and don’t want him ruining my shit! A sample is fine every now and then, but seriously, knock if off, Flo!

I did my workout today when I first got up, but after a serving of yogurt. I really like that scheduling and I’m pretty sure I’ll continue it!

I just realized today that I have 80 iPhone apps. Is that a lot? I’m only going to add to that as the weeks pass. I downloaded 2 more today already… (more…)

Week 11 of my ChaLEAN Extreme challenge is in the books! I can’t believe I only officially have one week left! When I started the first week I thought, “wow, it’s going to be a long 3 months!” But the thing is, it hasn’t! Having a set schedule of workouts with the variety that ChaLEAN Extreme brings has been refreshing. And my time doing the program has flown by!

I’m not sure this update will be a lengthy one. Just a short progress report because I know what I’m going to get with these workouts now, and it’s easy to see where I’ve improved, what still needs work, as well as the visible results (which are always encouraging!). Oh who am I kidding? These are always long! Read on for more! (more…)

He needs a large helping of it to go along with all that whine he served up the other day.

I’ve been meaning to write about this, but I’ve been busy with Easter, lost iPhone photos, and tax preparation. You know, life.

The Boston Celtics seemed to have forgotten to board the plane to C-Town in order to play the Cavs on Easter Sunday. I mean that’s the only explanation I can think of for them getting destroyed the way they did. The Cavs beat down the defending NBA Champs 107-76. Yes, that score is correct. The Cavs won by 31 points. And, as is the case whenever the Cavs are up big, King James takes a seat on the bench, and provides entertainment for the crowd and cheerleading support for his teammates.

I’ve never seen a player have that much fun on the bench! I have noticed that LeBron has been like this all season when the Cavs are up big. These are the spoils when your team is doing well. He’s an animated guy that enjoys his job. He always puts on a show for the home crowd and they love him for that.

However, Celtics player Ray Allen took exception to the antics of LBJ and the Cavs bench on Sunday. He complained to the media after the game:

“I’m always going to remember that. If I beat a team, as happy as I may be in victory, I’m always going to stay humble and always remember that there’s another day. We play each other too much. Those are great motivational thoughts for me.”

Really Ray? Please STFD and STFU. Who are you to tell the Cavs how they should act? If the roles were reversed, I’m not so certain you and your teammates wouldn’t be acting the fool on the bench. And maybe if y’all had played like the champions that you are, none of this would have happened. If you have a problem with how the other team acts on their bench, and in their house, why not try playing a little ball and shut them up? Bitching to the media is weak sauce. LeBron agrees:

“We’re not trying to disrespect any team or show up any team. We’re all professionals. If you take it as disrespectful, then you got to do something about it.”

And to drive my point home, I’ll quote one of my all-time favorite movies, Friday.

“Remember it! Write it down! Take a picture! I don’t give a f*ck!”

So, yea. Go ahead and “remember that”, Ray. Maybe the next time y’all play the Cavs, your team will remember how to play defense and shoot baskets. You know, the fundamentals that help you win games.

FWIW, I think the Celtics will once again be the team from the Eastern Conference that makes it to the NBA Finals. Once KG gets back and is healthy, they’ll be back to form. But this time, I think the Lakers take the title. So, I didn’t write this post because I don’t like the Celtics. I wrote this because I can’t stand grown men who are crybabies.

I know I am extremely late with this post, but you know what they say, “better late than never!” Also, this update won’t be anywhere near as long as last week’s. The first week in a new phase is always longer becaues of the first impressions. This post is more about any progress I may have made since then.

I finished Week 10 of ChaLEAN Extreme and continue to feel challenged. I really like that. I feel like when workouts stop being a challenge/struggle, I don’t get as much out of them. That’s not going to be an issue this month as the Lean Phase is still kicking my butt! And, as a result, I am noticing some more changes in my body. I’ve got to say I’m very pleased! (more…)