True Story

I need to get this story off my chest.

Trust me, the story is fragmented and won't be the full story, and I am positive that I have the timeline completely screwed up, and even some of the facts wrong, but it's what I have for now.

This post will be full of grammatical errors, so be prepared. I am trying to get it out quickly...

And I am sure that my mother would kill me if she knew I were writing out this story from my own perspective. She would have seen things a lot differently than what I lived. But I have to do it!

This year has been so full of turmoil.

In a month from now, it will be ONE YEAR since my mother died.

I can't believe it.

No one has asked, but here's the story...

My mother was a great woman. She was full of laughter, wit, and love. She made us dinner every night and always made sure we were safe in one way or another.

However, she lost her mother when she was young, and I think it totally screwed her up.

She loved to have a good time. When she was younger, I'd say she was probably a partier. She had my sister when she was 18 with a man who she never married--I think he robbed a bank once? She then somehow ended up with a different man for a few years that she did marry. But it did not last long. He was in a wheelchair--wait, maybe he was the one who was shot from robbing a bank? See? The stories are foggy for me.

At some point, she met my father: Brian K. Matchett
A vietnam veteran.
Long story short, he was screwed up from the war. At one point, he was involved in a murder trial. He was later acquitted to  a lesser crime of manslaughter. You can read his story here.
That was in 1981. My mother had to sit through a murder trial, pregnant with my brother in 1979.
My father served some time, and was released. My mother has told me the true story of what she was told happen that night, but I won't be sharing that here.
I was born in 1985.

Life apparently was good for a few years. My father was working for the VA. My mother worked various jobs at the hospital: secretary, phlebotomist, etc. It was me, my sister, and brother living in a nice, beautiful house in the suburbs of Massachusetts.
Life seemed great to me! We were doing well financially.

And then my father began stealing money from the VA. Don't ask me in what ways or how because I don't know. My father was a smart man--educated! However, he had no common sense. And he believed his own lies. Like, for real.
He went to prison for this. I do not remember for how long. I was too young to recall, but I do remember one time when my brother packed up all of our stuff, threw them out the window, and we escaped. So, that cannot be good?

My Father was in and out of my life at various times. We moved to Florida in 1993. I just turned 9. My sister was in college. My brother was a freshman in high school.

It was around this age when I found out once that my mom smoked pot! I was so upset when my brother told me.
I knew she loved to drink, but not smoke! I didn't even know it was marijuana--I thought it was cigarettes. Anyway, this doesn't even matter now, but I remember looking through the window and seeing my mother, aunt, and friends smoking...and being very sad.

My mother met my future step father, Jerry, in 1994. You see, my mom's sister had been in a relationship with his brother for years and years, so they brought them together.

Jerry...oh, Jerry. He was a bit younger than my mother--7 years? He was a roofer. He smoked a lot of pot. But he worked and made a living.

Their relationship was intense. They argued all of the time. Deep down, Jerry was a nice guy--he loved us like his own. He took care of my mom--paid the bills, cooked meals, etc. But he was also a grouch!! He always came home from work pissed off, and my mother would antagonize him constantly. He always threw things (like the phone and remote), broke shit in the house. It was annoying, but commonplace.
There was always drama! Numerous DUIs, stints in jail, etc.

My mother had a hard time keeping a job. She always worked different secretarial jobs, but she would quit. She HATED TO WORK.
Her alcoholism got much worse over the years.

In 1999, mom and Jerry got married. I was 14.

During this time, I saw my father a few times. He was now living in New Hampshire and remarried. He called himself "Doctor," and told people he had a PhD. I honestly think this is a lie, but that's okay.

I got along well with my mother. She trusted me. We rarely fought or had those strange teenage angts years. She was reasonable, but still strict. I respected it, and she respected me.

You have to understand, at this point...I was the only one left in the house. My brother had a failed stint with the army, and was now working, while my sister lived her life in Massachusetts as a successful teacher.

But behind closed doors, life was not that good. My mother's drinking was out of control. I felt so alone. She thought that she was so slick by putting her beer in a tea cup every morning. I told her I knew what she was doing, and she was not smart. Eventually, she gave up pretending and began drinking immediately upon waking. She didnt even try to hide it. She would drink from sun up to sun down.
At one point, my mom and Jerry began a friendship with this younger couple who got them into pills.
I remember one day when she came into my room and asked if I had a tylenol for a headache. I completely lost it. I was probably 15 or 16. I screamed and cried and told her that she cannot take all these pills and drink at the same time. "Don't you want to be around when I get married and have kids?!!?" I was furious. She cried.
That was it.

They took pills on and off for years, and stopped for a short period of time.

During my first semester of nursing school (2006), everything got so out of control. It was October, and my mom said she had enough of Jerry. She sold her car, and managed to get my uncle to buy her a plane ticket to move to Massachusetts to live! She was incredibly selfish. She left the house in shambles. I scrambled to find homes for our cats. I hated her.

During her time up north, we tried to get her help. We were so close to getting all of her (6) brother's and sister's to agree she needed serious help. Rehab. I distinctively remember telling my Aunt, "If we don't do something, she is GOING TO DIE." My Aunt said, "NICOLE. You don't know that. Your mom is NOT going to die!!"
Really? She's not????

My mom was back to Florida by Christmas and living with Jerry in a trailer!
A trailer. Listen, I have nothing against trailer homes, but if you knew anything about my mother, she was full of pride, and would never imagine herself living in a trailer. But now? it was ok to her. This was a huge clue that she had gone off her rocker.

Life was complete SHIT. Everything was a facade. She was drinking so much. She never had a job or looked for one. Jerry gave up on that cause.

I graduated 2008.

January 5, 2009 my real father died. Apparently, he had pneumonia, a fib, etc. He died at home. I did not attend his funeral.

And then, Jerry fell about 4 stories off a roof and broke his back and shattered his foot! We weren't even sure if he'd ever walk again. After a long time in the trauma unit and then rehab, he eventually came home.

This is where the pills got out of control. They were taking very large amounts of pain pills: oxycodone. And my mother had her own prescription for xanax. MY BROTHER, TOO. Yep, my brother was doing all of this, as well.

Life was so sad. Eventually, Jerry won a $350,000 settlement from his injury and they bought a small home outright. My sister and I took bets on how quickly the money would go. She said 2 years, I believe. I said...1 year.

And I was right.

During this time, my brother moved in with them. They were taking pills, selling pills, and doing who knows what else!! I was sick. I hated visiting.
At one point, my mother was baker acted for taking too much xanax and threatening to kill herself.
Another time, after working 12 hours, I sat in the ER with her for a CT of the head after Jerry threw the granite coffee table at her head.
Another time, I received a phone call at 7 in the morning. It was my mother on two phones: one to me, and one to 911. She was talking gibberish. When I got there, they were driving her away in an ambulance. Jerry, too. they mentioned something about carbon monoxide poisoning, which immediately made me laugh. No, they are on drugs. they ran out of their pills and were completely insane. Jerry was talking gibberish for days in the hospital. Purple people eats and Harry Potter shit. He made no sense. He thought Mirza's name was Kurt...

These are just snippets of the drama that I dealt with on a day to day basis. Jail, hospital, unknown calls and feelings. Numerous times I swore I would cut off contact, but it was too hard. She was my mother. He was my step father. I LOVED MY MOM.


I KNEW THEY WOULD DIE.
I knew it.

And on January 5th (yes, two years to the date that my father died) around 9pm, after Mirza and I had just finished eating tacos, I saw the missed text messages from my brother:
 "911, call me.." I immediately said to Mirza, "someone is dead..It's either my mom or Jerry. And I really hope it's Jerry."

It wasn't.
It was my mom.
Dead. At 54. OD on xanax and oxy.
In my brother's room. He tried CPR when he found her, but it was too late.

To be continued...

congrats if you made it this far.

Week 2 Half Marathon Training Recap

Whoa, week 2 went so quickly!!!

I guess it's because I had to do my long run on Saturday since I work tomorrow.

I am pretty proud of this week.

You can check out my Week 1 recap here.

Week 2 is pretty much a repeat of week 1! 3 miles, 3 miles, 4 miles.

Tuesday, November 29th.
Plan: 3 miles.

Mile 1: 11:54
Mile 2: 12:04
Mile 3: 12:05

Total time: 36:04. My best time so far for the 3 miles during my training.

Wednesday and Thurs=12 hour shifts working.

Friday, December 2nd
Plan: 3 miles

At first, I told myself, "This can be an easy run since tomorrow you have to do your long run of 4 miles," but then I got out there and did:
 Mile 1: 11:45
So, then I said to myself, "Hey, it'd be cool if you could run these 3 miles sub 12:00.
And then I got to lap 2...
Mile 2: 12:34
At this point, my goal was shot to hell, so I went back to my original plan of making it an easy run. I figured I would save my legs for the next day.
Mile 3: 13:07 (boo!)

Total time: 37:27

Saturday, December 3rd
Plan: 4 miles

Last week, this was my Personal Distance Record (PDR). I did it in 49:35. My goal was 50 minutes or under, and I was proud.

For today, I told myself 50 or under again!

Here are my stats:
Mile 1: 11:55
Mile 2: 12:13
Mile 3: 12:16
Mile 4:...wait for it...11:55!! BAM!

I am so incredibly proud of that last mile. Last week, I did it in 13:11.
Total time: 48:21 !

10 more weeks to go!

Week 1 Half Marathon Training Recap

Before I recap, thank you everyone for the nice comments on the engagement photos! We are officially in love...with our photos! ha. I told the photographer that it's bordering on narcissism at this point because I am so obsessed with looking at them. It's just wonderful to finally have decent photos of ourselves as a couple, after nearly 9 years! Totally overdue.

And getting your hair and makeup professionally done is so worth it. Such a confidence boost. At least in my case, since I have no idea what I am doing in that department.

My hair held a curl for all about 1 hour. The hairdresser blew it out, then put it up bobby bins in loose curls for me to release before the shoot. We both knew it would be flat in no time, so we did our best!! And by "we," I of course mean..."she" because she really worked her magic.

 Taken with Mirza's iPhone...

And after the shoot:

Straight again!
------


Anyway, this is supposed to be a recap of Week 1 of my Half marathon training!!!

On Wednesday and Friday, I ran 3 miles. I was proud because my finish time for Friday was 20 seconds faster than on Wednesday. Baby steps, people! Baby steps.

And today was my first official "long" run. 4 miles. This truly was a long run for me...the longest of my entire life. Each weekend will be a personal distance record for me.

I took it easy. I allowed myself walking breaks (small, short bursts), and kept my pace at 12:30. I finished in under 50 minutes, which was my goal. I know that it's slow, but I AM TRYING.
 Trust me, I am definitely pushing myself mentally and physically. At times, my pace is anywhere from 8:50 (hauling ass for me) to 13:00 (at the end when the wind was coming straight at me on the bridge!).
I am absolutely covered in sweat when finished. I feel like death, but then immediately feel alive!!
I'm starting to love running. It just feel so great when you set out to accomplish a goal and then DO IT!

At first, I did not intend on posting my pace or breakdown of workouts because I am "slow," but then it occurred to me: someone needs to represent the slow runners!!! And be proud.

So, here we go:

Wednesday: 3 miles. Total time: 37:45
Mile 1: 11:21
Mile 2: 13:43
Mile 3: 12:39

Friday: 3 miles. Total time: 37:22
Mile 1: 12:14
Mile 2: 13:28 (ok, so I am sucking on mile 2's apparently!)
Mile 3: 11:39 (I saved it for the end, I guess!)

Sunday: 4 miles. Total time: 49:35 (This was tough. PDR for me).
Mile 1: 11:21 (same as Wednesday)
Mile 2: 12:06
Mile 3: 12:56
Mile 4: 13:11 (the wind was literally making it hard for me to breathe. So happy to see 4 miles on my Garmin!)

That's that!!
Slow runners, represent!

I know I have faster speeds in me. I just need to gain some stamina!

Before when I ran, I used to curse the entire way, and be extremely jealous of anyone who passed me on a bike. I still kind of am, but then I remember that I am working towards something greater, so I just keep my feet moving, and look forward...sweating, huffing, and puffing.

This is too good not to share...

Click here: 
A sneak peek of our ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS...

LOVE THEM!!!

Day one of 1/2 training

Today began Day 1, Week 1 of 1/2 Marathon Training! ta-daa!
I ran 3 miles:)
Felt good!

And as promised, here is my training schedule, adapted to my own work schedule. I do long runs on either Saturday or Sunday, based on when I work that weekend.

It may not be how a "professional" or seasoned runner would make a schedule, but my goal is really to just finish the half marathon by actually running. Obviously, I know I could walk it, but that's not what this is about.

^{W=work. Will gauge how you feel on work days to do other exercises , running, or resting}

^{#/c = run and cross train, as in weights or yoga.}

Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon Training Plan.

Week	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
1 (21)	w	w	3	thanks	3	w	4
2 (28)	w	3	w	w	3/c	4	w
3 (5)	3.5	cross	3.5/c	w	w	5	w
4 (12)	3.5	w	w	3.5/c	cross	rest	5
5 (19)	rest/c	4	w	w	4/c	w	6
6 (26)	rest/c	4	w	4/c	w	5k? o 6	w
7 (2)	cross	4.5	w	4.5/c	w	rest	7
8 (9)	w	4.5	4.5/c	w	w	8 or 10k	w
9 (16)	5/c	rest	5/c	w	cross	w	8 or 10k
10 (23)	w	5/c	5/c	w	w	rest	9
11 (30)	w	5/c	rest	w	5	w	10
12 (6)	w	4	w	w+2	rest	rest	½ M :)

November 21 through February 12^th

Still undecided if I will be doing the Turkey Trot in the am.

Hmm, decisions.

Either way, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Where Do You Run?

I've been getting in a lot of short runs to get my legs and lungs prepared for 1/2 marathon training.
But let's face it: all my runs are short, anyway!
That's okay now..I just remind myself of this during my 1-2 mile runs:

It's all about the experience

On Sunday, I'll be running a 5k, and the 21st begins my official 1/2 marathon training!

I devised my scheduled based off Hal Higdon's 12 week plan for the novice around my own work schedule. I will be posting it sometime this week for those interested!

Currently, I've been doing all of my runs on the Pinellas Trail, but I am getting itchy already to find a new running route.

For one, the trail isn't exactly the safest place for a woman to be alone, if you get my drift. And secondly, I know I will get extremely burnt out on running the same route over and over.

My main issue is that I can't just lace up my shoes and run out the front door for a run. I live in a gated apartment community, and while it's not a bad neighborhood, I live off extremely busy roads. Even with side walks, I do not feel safe running down the road. It is loud, dangerous, and people yell things out the car window while I run! I've walked to the store and flea market from my apartment before and it was hell. People stare at you, honk, etc. It does not make for a stress-free run. And seeing as how running does not come easy to me as it is, I definitely do not need the extra stress of getting run over or kidnapped!

With that, I am currently stuck with getting in my car and driving to a location for my runs.

Today, I went to a local park that has a 6 mile paved trail.
And I ran the entire thing!!!

ha!. Not. My furthest run is still a 5k. When I run 6 miles (not too far off from now!), you will know...because I will be screaming from joy!

This past week has still been pretty humid. I thought we were cooling off here in Florida, but the weather cannot make up her mind! I think the humidity was 93-100% during my run.
I know you can't tell, but the sweat is dripping here....

 Gotta love sweat, but would love it a lot more if it weren't still in the 80's during November.

Tell me---where do you run?

217

I officially begin my 1/2 marathon training on November 21st; the day after a 5k.

Since I've been running in my current shoes for quite awhile now, we took a ride over to Fit-2-Run to try on some new pairs.

I had my arch tested, ran on the treadmill, and tried on a few of the popular brands, but in the end, Asics still won my heart for comfort...

 I've been running and exercising in Asics, and I also wear the same brand for my 12 hour shifts as a nurse, so I  figured--why fix something that isn't broken?

I ended up with the new Asics GT-2170.

I went with a darker shoe than I normally go for; that also has bright wild colors. I figure 1/2 marathon training is out of my comfort zone, so I went with something different!

It was until I got home and took a better look at the shoes that I realized the numbers...2170...217...MY BIRTHDAY NUMBERS! That's a good sign in my book!

Abbey agrees.