Even MORE than you wanted to know... with even MORE answers

Here we are again... in exposé mode.

In case you are late to the game, we are playing Q & A and it all started here... so click on that if you want to see all the questions as they were asked.

Once all the questions were asked, I began answering. Some of these questions have really forced introspection, while others have made me question the asker's sanity! The first round of answers are here... so click on that if you want to know things like who my celebrity crush is, where I stand on spanking, what size jeans I wear, and to see my triathlon video again.

Then I tackled Caroline's questions... that woman is going to be the next Oprah (darn it... I was hoping to nab that vacancy)... so click on her name to find out what I want for my kids, if I breastfed them, why I run at night, what my tattoo looks like and much, much more. Adam also got some answers... mostly 'NO.'

Today, the interrogation continues... and we're not done yet. The final installment will be a video... oooo cool, you say... but it means you'll have to look at my face :P

Here we go:

Jess THE Blonde Ponytail (aka Private Chafe) had the following:

Does eating a slice of bread make you want to punch someone? :) She is, of course, referring to my gluten-free lifestyle. No punches are usually thrown, but foods containing gluten make me very, very "reactive."

Do you wipe from the front to back, reverse or not-at-all? the right way.

Who would play you in a movie?  (Laima asked this one, too!) I'd like to give the role to Jodie Foster. I think she is a wonderful actress and is the right age, but she's too short and flat-chested.

The Manly Runner could initially only muster these questions for me... so disappointing...

How in the heck do you keep up on reading and writing Blogs with 10 kids? I can't with one. (Laima has 4 kids, but she also asked this question) The older six are 19 through 31 and don't live here. So there are only 4 kids in the house. I don't get much sleep.

If you had to drive across the country and could only bring one CD what would it be? Assuming I would not be traveling with my kids and it is not a mix CD, I would have to bring just the Sound of Music soundtrack because I could sing along to every song, pretending I was in the Austrian Alps... I would have gone crazy from listening to the same thing over and over again anyway... why not have it happen listening to Julie Andrews and those cute kids?

(of course, he DID come back with more... those will be in the video)

His boyfriend, Kovas, wanted to know

Fidel or Stalin? Dude, yeah... Fidel all the way. He had a nice smile and let me hug him. A sweetheart.

North Dakota or South? Aren't those badlands in South Dakota? I want those... so South.

Who let the dogs out? I think it must've been the neighbor's kids.

What you gon' do with all that junk?/All that junk inside your trunk? Clearly you've mistaken me for someone else... I have no trunk.

Why you sleepin' with ya eyes closed? I tried it with them open – it didn't work out so well.

Should I stay or should I go now? You should go unless you can come up with more compelling questions!

Patrick from The Road had these equally inspired and inspiring questions...

Do you think the chicken crossed the road just to get to the other side or is it a small part in some sort of government cover up? I think it was all part of that Carmageddon thing. That chicken was working for the contractor.

Are we alone in the Universe or is there life on other planets? Gary Coleman, Phyllis Diller... we are NOT alone.

James Taylor or Neil Young? No thanks :)

What do you think the success rate (as a percentage) was for successfully executed wild west gun fights? "Successfully executed" is defined as a gunfight that ends with at at least one participant down for good. My best guesstimate would be somewhere between 78 and 92% ... but really, I have no idea.

Julie was curious about:

How do you deal with rotten Mom moments? I remind myself of a quote from I think it was a Cary Grant film that I am so annoyed I can't remember the name of. It goes something like this..."I take consolation in the fact that never in the history of mankind has any parent ever done the job 'right.'" Man, I wish I could remember that movie and the exact quote. I usually apologize after a cooling off period and give hugs and kisses and loving reassurances.

Both of my boys have the same sarcastic "wit" that I do, do your children "get you" and follow in your steps? For the most part, my kids 'get' me. They are all pretty sharp and sharp-witted. As they gain experience and confidence, I do believe they will one day be able to banter with the best. 

If you had to read only 2 blogs from now on whose would you read? Definitely Catey's. Her Random Thoughts From the Zoo is what finally helped me get the courage to try running again and got me interested in blogging about it. I *heart* Catey :)

H Love wanted to know:

How many times a day do you think about running? anywhere from not at all to several... all over the map!

Where do you find strength, and no I don't want to know how far you can run or how many push ups you can do. I derive a great deal of strength from knowing I have lived through my past experiences. The trials, tribulations and joys of my life all strengthen my resolve to carry on, live life as fully as I can and deepen my faith in what I'll call 'the process'.

Do you brush your teeth before breakfast, sex, or running? Almost always before breakfast but not necessarily before the other two... spontaneity and all that.

Run with Jess  had food-related questions:

What's the oldest thing buried at the back of your fridge/freezer? HA! I just found some mustard that has an August 2002 expiry date! We have moved with this mustard in tow! Holy moley! Of course I put it back in :P 

Your favorite breakfast?  Gluten-free banana-blueberry pancakes that my husband makes for me!


BDD mastered the inane...

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends? How do you think she GOT popular?

Do penquins have knees? Yes, and little bitty kneepads for when they play volleyball.

How does aspirin find the headache? First, it corrects your spelling mistakes...

If teflon is stick free, how do they get it to stick to the pan? It doesn't know a life outside of the pan, so it sticks around out of fear.

When someone yells "headsup!!" why does everyone duck? For the same reason that when someone yells "catsup!!" everyone holds out their hot dog... conditioning.

And S who blogs at footbeats wanted to know...

Plugs or Pads and why? pads are a bulky, sticky, icky mess akin to diapers. Plus... you need to wear underwear to effectively use them ;-)

Have you ever had to change the above during a race? If yes, details. No... fortunately. Only had those issues in training!

Whats the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you during a race (assuming a "no" answer to above)?  other than crashing and burning in my first marathon and full-on peeing in my pants in a marathon relay, nothing during a running race. Rowing is a different story.



The next installment will be the last and, as I said above, will feature video responses to questions from the following valued readers:

Laurie from The (Mis)Adventures of a Jogging Stroller Mom
Noemie... who is my friend in real life and I can't believe she never asked me this stuff in person!
Sandra from Absolutely Narcissism who is in serious training for fitness model competitions... she is so beautiful and fit already!
Lisa who has an unobtainable profile
Jennifer from Chase-ing the Dream
Beth from Shut Up and Run
And Chris K's shame-induced follow-up.

See you then!

And you'll see me :)

NUUN PLATUUN!

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The information on this very select group of highly-trained individuals has been held classified ... until now. Running in the Hood to Coast Relay will be two hand-picked Nuun teams of female bloggers. One many people already know about... they are After-NUUN Delight.

Introducing their badass flipside...

N*U*U*N PLATUUN

free your mind and your feet will follow...

 Major Miles... aka Tricia...firmly believes "Endurance Isn't Only Physical". She applies that doctrine by doing the majority of her training mentally. Sure, she plans on putting in some "major miles" as part of training, but just as importantly she is preparing for Hood to Coast by dreaming about running down that mountain, talking about the upcoming relay to anyone that will listen, and focusing her energy on tracking down the perfect camo print in wicking material.

"Draft beer, not people"

Captain Cupcake  ...Average A who keeps the Diary of an Average Runner, has this to say:  My life has become amazing once I started believing in myself and putting my mind and spirit into my dreams. This runs the gamut in every aspect of life: from overcoming addictions; moving across the country on my own; and becoming better, stronger, and faster in my own body every single day.

I am really excited to not only have the chance to run this historic race, but I am excited to team up with so many wonderful, talented, and inspiring female bloggers -- some of whom I've admired for years!

Our third runner is the quiet brains behind 'Operation Hydration', Corporal Kim ...our Nuun Staffer

Captain Obvious of Seattle has a superpower-esque way of making completely useless observations to her running buddies: “Look, there’s a slug. Don’t want to step on that.” She has been distance running, racing and blogging about it for two years, and recently completed her first full marathon. Captain Obvious, who blogs at Mom vs. Marathon, would like to point out that she is a mother, as well.

Running the "Bataan" leg... Captain Underpants ... aka the faster bunny whose notable accomplishments include but are not limited to having run three marathons, BQ-ed and NYC qualified.  She is incredibly good at never getting injured!  Hasn't been injured since age 16. Additionally, she's got a couple tech-y sounding degrees that she is proud of (Engineering and MBA). (The lack of any English classes probably explains the awful grammar in her blog). She can make some mean pancakes for breakfast and a great key lime pie. She is learning to bike so that one day she can do a triathlon. 
A lover of all things crazy and that push you to the limit, she is excited to be a member of this squad because Hood to Coast is just that. She feels that to be on a team with a ton of extremely nice and inspiring women is priceless.  

General Confusion.Lisa is a married mother of two wonderful children who blogs at Discovering the Meaning of Stonehenge.  She took up running 3 1/2 years ago, at age forty.  While training for her first marathon, she discovered her love of running and fitness.  Since 2008, she has run five marathons, 16+ half marathons, six mud runs and oodles of other races.  She is a RRCA certified running coach as well as trained in pre- and post-natal fitness, teaching Stroller Strides and Body Back bootcamp classes.  Running is her escape, her fun and her “me” time.  She builds friendships around running, but also finds her “happy place” during solo runs.  


She loves spending time with her family, especially outdoors.  Hiking and biking are key activities that everyone in the family loves. Her son is following in her footsteps and recently ran his first 5K. 


In a previous life, Lisa was a casino executive (for 18 years!).  She worked long hours in a tough, people-focused industry which really gave her a thick skin. There isn’t much Lisa hasn’t seen or heard, and a bunch of women in a van during Hood to Coast will be tame compared to some of the high rollers in the casinos.

Hood to Coast has been a dream of Lisa’s for many years.  Her father ran it a few times in the 80’s and even before Lisa was a runner, she thought that HTC would be very cool. The course goes through her old stomping grounds of Mt. Hood, Sandy, Gresham, downtown Portland and the Oregon Coast.  She is thrilled and honored to have been chosen by NUUN to run on their team.

Private Chafe ... aka Jess Allen aka "THE" Blonde Ponytail ;)  Jess ran her first race ever, the Portland Marathon, last October 2010 and began her blog, Blonde Ponytail shortly thereafter.  Jess is a recognized ninja. When she isn't silently assassinating wrong-doers, she advises students at Washington State University where her husband coaches baseball.  Jess is a NSCA-CSCS and former Stanford University softball player. She is mom to one fur-child, Cooper, a 3.5 yr old golden retriever. 

Cap'n Crunch  introduces herself:  Hi everyone! I’m Caitlin and unlike most of the lovely ladies on my team, I am not (currently J ) a blogger! I am a part of the Nuun Event Marketing team and I volunteered myself for a spot on the team! I graduated from Washington State University in 2010 where I played soccer for the Cougs, in addition to earning my degree in Comm. I grew up in a running family and have run two half marathons in the past year. My Hood to Coast legs will be the most I’ve ever run in 24 hours and I’m quite looking forward to the challenge. 

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Code name: Nightingale. This super secret agent is rumored to blog at Nurse on the Run. Her identity is closely guarded and all info is classified. When sighted, she is usually in the vicinity of someone needing medical assistance... or running really fast!

Major Pain  ...aka H Love... whose motto and blog are Keep On Keeping On.  She tells us:  I spent my time growing up between Florida and Washington State, enjoying the beauty of both places!  I am a small town girl who loves to compete (with myself) and try new things.  I have always loved sports, but running was never one of them.  I played basketball at the community college level and then finished my schooling at Washington State University!  Go Cougs!  In 2009 another mom asked me to be on a 100K relay team to run the last leg....4.3 miles!  What? It was a huge challenge.  After running those 4.3 miles I was HOOKED!  Those 4.3 miles , led to 13.1 and recently 26.2!  Being part of NUUN Platuun is a huge gift and I still can't believe I am going to be part of HOOD to COAST!  I am a mom of three amazng kids (10, 8 & 5) who inspire me daily! I am blessed with a hard working hubby that makes me laugh and supports me in all I do.

I "stay at home" (ha, ha, that's a joke) with the kiddos and work part time as a Early Childhood Education consultant and trainer.  I love to bust a move (no alcohol necessary) and enjoy hanging with my fam and friends.  Love, love, love, white sand beaches,the  gulf of mexico and warm sunshine!  I try to enjoy the moments I am given and always looks for ways to inspire and connect with others!  Can't wait to "bring it" with this amazing group of women!  Go NUUN Platuun!  Hoo- Rah!!

Sergeant Style  ...aka Tonia.  Here's the short version: Mom. Runner. Wife. Triathlete. Friend. Pescatarian. Coach. Not necessarily in that order. 

And the not so short version: As a former Division I Track and Field athlete, I have always had an athletic side, but it wasn't until my second child was born that running became my passion. I began running in 2007 after I vowed to run a 10K by the end of the year. I finished that 10K and have never looked back. Since then, I've run 4 marathons, 10 half marathons and a slew of shorter races. Right now, I am training for the NYC Marathon with Team Grassroot Soccer.

Although, I am primarily a stay-at-home mom, I have been active in the fitness industry for five years and is am a certified running coach with the Road Runners Club of America. In 2010, I established, TMB Endurance Training, a coaching endeavor focused primarily on distance runners. I am also certified as a fitness instructor with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, where much of my focus has been spent in the areas of Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness.
On a personal level, I am mother to three beautiful daughters, Dizzle, Doodle, and Dilly, wife of 7 years to J and author of the blog, Racing With Babes.

Notable accomplishments: 3 kids. 4 marathons. An Ivy League degree. An a appearance in the August 2011 Runner's World magazine.

Why I am so excited to be on Team Nuun for Hood to Coast: Well, isn't it obvious? Hood to Coast is "the Mother of All Relays" and running it with Team Nuun is a once in a lifetime experience. Who wouldn't be excited? Seriously, though, I am so honored to be included in this group of amazing blogging women from all over the country. I am looking forward to being challenged and forming new friendships and bonds. I know this is bound to be an experience I will never forget. 

Commando  ...aka XLMIC, blogger at Taking It On ... lurks in the shadows until the perfect moment to jump out and bust someone's cojones. She is relentless in everything she does. If she cannot out-and-out beat you running on the road, she will annoy you into the ground or make you laugh until you are immobilized... or you wet your pants. She appears unphased by almost any situation. She began running as a way of cross-training for her favorite sport, rowing. She rowed for Cornell University, at Vesper Boat Club, and was on the 1991 US PanAm team. After running two sub-4 hour marathons, she had four kids and took an injury-forced, 8-year hiatus from athletics. (She also has 6 grown stepkids). She resumed running less than a year ago and prefers to run at night... stealth-style... after everyone is asleep. Don't look for her because you won't find her that way. Just listen... she has a hard time keeping quiet for very long. 

These formidable and fun athletes will present a force to be reckoned with at the 2011 Hood to Coast!

Caroline Asks, I Answer... what she wanted to know...

When I was presented with this award... game... whatever it is... by Kovas over at Midwest Multisport Thingabob, I knew I would get a lot of weird questions, most of which would be related to my personal life and NOT athletics. That's cool. That's how I prefer it ;-)

I'll say right here and now that Caroline, my favorite Canadian runner in exile, wins a Nuun prize for the most questions. The woman wants to know everything about me. Just come on up and move in for awhile, woman... we'd have so much fun! And it would save me all this time typing :P

Her bazillion questions I will answer in order... not sure who else is interested in these answers, so please bear with me, my adoring fans, while I appease Mme. Caroline.


How did you end up with what I consider a French name?  I am named for my paternal grandmother. Everyone born after 1920 who has this name was also named after her grandmother... I have done the survey.

The answer to Beth's question is wedding night correct? (ha ha!!) incorrect. But I was over 21.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be? I really love where I live... not this house, but this area is perfect for me :)  But if I were to pick somewhere else... probably Villefranche-sur-mer in Southern France.

what did you study in College? if you knew what your life was going to be would you make the same choice? Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture. I really wish I had gone with my original plan and studied Romance Languages.

how long was your longest relationship before your husband? 2.5 years... a year of which was cross-country long distance. 

did you have a big wedding? with bridesmaids and all the hoopla? small... no bridesmaids but did have a flower girl and ring guy... my youngest stepkids. Oh, matron of honor was my mom and best men were my oldest two stepsons. Only family was invited and about 10 very close friends... total was 40 people. But I did have a fancy real wedding dress.

Are you happy? I think you are..just want to be sure... I am fundamentally a happy person. I do have some areas of life and personality with which I struggle, but I am happy.

What is the one thing you wish the most for your kids? I want my kids to grow up feeling solid about themselves. I want them to be functional adults in functional relationships in all areas of life – love, friends, business... with the wisdom to know when that isn't happening and what to do about it. So I guess my one wish for them would be "functionality."


what has been the hardest part of motherhood for you so far? the fighting! I am an only child and their bickering and fighting is so incredibly hard for me to cope with. I just don't understand it.

what is the one thing you thought you would never say that did come out of your mouth one day..is it "because I said so"? I used the "f" word in front of them once. 

What poster was on your wall when you were a teenager? In high school, I think I had a poster of the tortoise and the hare. In college, I had a poster of a painting by John Waterhouse...

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how old were you when you left home? 18 years, 3.5 months

tatoo? if yes what? where? yes! and I love my tattoo. I got it when I was 37 and had always wanted one.

he's a gecko and the other side of the anklet is the four elements...

earth, air, wind and water... and it comes with a great story!

why do you run mostly at night? how is that safe? I have 4 kids who require supervision. My husband usually gets home around dinnertime. Then it is time to get everyone ready for bed. Sometimes he is up for doing it on his own, but that really isn't fair. He has a very physically demanding job. This means I usually have to wait until the kids are in bed... and it's dark. We live in a gated community so it is pretty safe. I feel comfortable doing it... most of the time.


what were your favorite running shoes ever? Nike Skylon circa 1995-1996. They changed it and thus began my frustration with the whole discontinued thing.


do you use cloth diapers or disposables for your babies? I used cloth diapers with the first 3 and disposable with the fourth.


did you breastfeed my children? for how long? why? Yes, I breastfed. I didn't know there was any other way, believe it or not! I am glad I did. I nursed them for 2.5 years, 3.3 years, 4 years and now 2.4 years, respectively. We did extended breastfeeding because it was what was working. I will say that when I weaned my then-four-year old and saw him next to the newborn, I understood why it weirds people out, but the continuity of doing it made it never seem weird. I have no judgement about breastfeeding one way or the other.


how on earth did YOU, at the age of 45, have a baby? and more importantly, why? She was a very wanted surprise! I wanted a big family... always. 

And Adam... skating in so last minute is NOT boring. You are out of form, dude. But because it's your birthday and you're THIRTY now, I will answer your questions here, too.  I am so freakin nice.

Do you ever make your kids dress up Brady style and sing the Brady bunch song? No!

Be honest – how many Cuban cigars did you bring back? None!

Can I have a Cuban cigar? No!

What does XL MIC stand for? eXtra Large Marge In Charge... there was a whole post on it, dude. Do your homework :P

If you could run with one person dead or alive, who would it be? Steve Martin. I think it would be so fun.

Now y'all go on up to that pink button and WHACK it... give me a little voterino... Top SF Bay Area Mom Blog... all the way, baby!