Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Personal Saddle Warmer



So even though I am not riding my bicycles very much right due to the cold, it is very sweet of the demon kitty to keep the seats warm for me in case I do decide to brave the cold! This is one of her favorite places to sleep and hang out and I think it is funny to walk in and see her stretched between the two bicycle seats!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Happy Merry Everyday



Ok, this is to all of the people who chastise me for saying Happy Holidays. I am sorry, but while I do celebrate Christmas, there are plenty of people out there that don't, but do have other events that are equally important to them. I have never had someone who celebrates Hanukkah stop and correct me and say, "No, it is not Happy Holidays, it is Happy Hanukkah!".

Am I wrong or isn't this supposed to be the season of love and peace? Not to mention the fact that I consider New Years a holiday too so don't I have the right to wish someone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's at one time? Do I have to specify which holiday I would like to wish them happiness for?? Maybe I am being too liberal or trying to be too PC but I am really tired of being chewed out when trying to wish someone well! I do think that we need to focus more on family and friends and the overall reason for the season instead of the consumer driven things that surround us, but surely there is a better way to handle it!

Anyways, no matter what you celebrate, or if you don't celebrate at all, I hope everyone is able to experience a little joy in their lives this season. Don't worry, to all of those who continue to correct me for what holiday greeting I use, I will still smile and wish them the best. Happy Merry Everyday!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Things I Have Done

Thinks I have done are in BOLD. Feel free to copy and post!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby (as much as a man can)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

Thursday, December 11, 2008

One Stroke at a Time

Sorry for the lack of blogs lately, however there has been less time to report with and even less activity to report on! The one thing I have managed to get in is my swimming lessons and I really feel like those are really making a difference. Tonight was a tough night because we did a lot more actual swimming than just working on strokes.

It was tough realizing that when it comes to swimming, I am totally in craptastic shape. It was hard not to get bitter as after a few hundred yards the coach told me I was dragging my arms like I was tired. Now, she is a totally sweet girl and said this with full innocence and luckily I was too busy gasping to make some biting comment back. Instead of getting frustrated though, it just makes me more determined to schedule in more time to get in the pool. I did learn to do flip turns which will while that seems routine to most people, is a total blast for me to do. It makes me want to get to the end of the pool just so I can do one! Simple minds are always easily amused.

Another thing that is making a huge difference in the pool for me is the new goggles I got. My old ones leaked and fogged up so I never wanted to wear them. After doing some research, I ordered the Speedo Vanquish goggles and not only do they not leak at all, but I have not had them fog either. It amazes me how such a small change can make my swimming so much more enjoyable!

I have also been working on what races I plan to do next year. Right now the list is very long with everything I want to do, but I am sure it will get shortened considerable after reality sets in!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Livestrong-Join Team Fatty TODAY

In case you have not seen it, please visit here and consider joining or donating! If you sign up today, there is a $15 discount! I joined and am going to be doing the Austin ride next October. If I was really clever, I would post my confirmation, but I have tried and can't seem to make it work so you will just have to take my word on it. Anyways, if you can, ride or run! If you can do so in Austin, that would be even cooler because then you could meet up with me!

In other news, our family run went so well, we are thinking of trying for a Christmas event! We had 14 come out for the run....8 two-legged and 6 four-legged.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

My Family is Full of Turkeys

I really wanted to run in a a Turkey Trot this year however my hometown does not offer one and the closest one to me is about an hour away and has a $30 entry fee most importantly...I was not going to get a shirt out of it. So I had almost given up on the idea when I realized that my parents live on a very hilly but secluded 2.5 mile loop and I have a huge family. The combination of these two things has created the Frist Annual My Family is Full of Turkeys Fun Run. I am also mapping out a 1 mile route for the non-exercisers that still want to join in on the fun. Now, there is a possibility that every family member I just sent this email to just opened it, rolled their eyes and hit the delete button, but I think there is a good chance that I can at least get 4 other people out there with me. And the best part.....I am working on the design for the T-shirt right now and I am going to print it off on to transfer paper and then iron it on to shirts!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Success!!

For the first time ever...I am excited about swimming! Ok, I have always liked swimming, and always thought I was a decent swimmer but certainly not well equipped enough to swim long distances. I worked with the instructor yesterday and she was a huge help in figuring out how to perfect my strokes and I was amazed at how much easier and faster I went through the water. It made all of the difference in the world just having someone work with me for 30 minutes. Now I am super excited to go back and work on this some more before my next lesson!

It is just not starting to get cold here but luckily the weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend and in the 60's so I am planning on getting out and enjoying it by going for some bike rides and some runs while this gorgeous weather lasts! I feel like I need to really appreciate this weather after reading about everyone else dealing with snow and ice already I will enjoy this gift I have been given!

On a totally random note, I have a blemish (I am too old to have pimples. I refuse to admit it, I don't care how common it is) right below my eye and I can see it and it is driving me bonkers and I am sure I keep making the oddest faces as I look down at it. If only I had not killed my camera. Sniff.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Swim Lessons

I start swimming lessons tomorrow at the local Y. I have not been able to find a masters class and really I do need help with my basic strokes so I think this is going to be the best thing for me for awhile. I also think this will help me be more confident in the pool so I will be more likely to go and not be so worried the whole time about the other people there. Swimming is the worst area for me to really beat myself up mentally before I even start racing so I hoping this makes a big difference next year in whatever races I decide to do.

I am dragging my roommate along with me and while she is whinning now, I know she is going to love it. I always make her do these kinds of things with me, and while she whines and drags her feet, she always goes along with these fleabrained ideas I have....and then ends up beating me in whatever it is we are doing. I need to get her out on a bike because I am hoping that I have enough of a lead on biking that maybe I could stay ahead of her for awhile......but just in case I will put her on a big heavy mountain bike to start with. :)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Back Home!

Well, the horse show went great and I ended up winning two of my classes and placing 2nd in the other two. I also got one of the qualifying scores (kind of like getting a PR) that I needed so that was a huge plus and really the whole reason I went. It was a lot of fun and I did take several pictures....and then left my camera in the truck. Which my mother found when it fell out and hit the concrete yesterday. She is not really sure how to turn it on or check it so I am going to have to wait until I go home at Thanksgiving to retrieve it and then post the pictures. If the camera is toast, at least Christmas is coming!!

This week marks my return to the gym which is a hard adjustment after working outside all summer and fall, but with it getting dark so early, it really helps to get the workouts in. And once I get back in the habit, I really do enjoy the gym and the classes they offer. I do love spinning classes. Hearing the cries of pain always makes me grin...even if it is my own crying I am hearing.

Hope everyone is having a great week and is getting ready for Thanksgiving!! It is coming up quick!!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Getting Ready to Go

My horse is now waiting in transition for me at my parents and we are both ready to go to the show tomorrow. My show whites are…..not so white after an unfortunate washing incident, but I am going to attempt to fix that before I leave. We are going to head to the show on Wednesday and I ride on Thursday. Wish me luck! I am getting fired up and am excited to go and hoping that since this is the one show I have really been able to go to this year it is not only a successful one, but also a fun one! I am going to try really hard to remember my camera!

I was kind of amazed at the number of gadget-less people! (And people I really look up to!) I think for now I will remain one of them and keep things very simple. Not to mention the fact that I really have not mastered all four of the buttons on the current watch I have so why I really think I need something more complicated, I don’t know. It is really sad but I have to get one of my friends to set my watch for me before I run. It is sad. I would like to get my super cheap bike computer set up so I could keep track of mileage for the year.

I talked my boyfriend into doing a 5k with me! Ok, I asked him to do a 5k with me and he turned over and grunted. Which is a much better response than any other time I had asked him about it so I think this is a very positive thing that he did not say a flat out no! So, because I know he reads this, please say very positive things about what a great experience it will be and how much he will love it! :) Now, I just have to find the perfect one for us to do! And matching outfits of course! (Stop rolling your eyes dear. You are stuck with me.)

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Temporary Off Season

Again with the whole bad blogger thing, I know. Sadly I have had a shameful lack of material for you guys so therefore-no posts. Since I have been getting ready for this horse show, I have decided to take my off season break now and will start my half marathon training in two weeks when the show is all done! Really, I will this time! :)

I am not sure if Garmin has been advertising their 405 a whole lot lately or if it just keeps catching my eye, but I have to say I am interested. It is such overkill for someone like me but I do love the toys. After investigating a little more, it looks like what I really need is one of the bike Garmins, but they just look like something I would break within a week and then cry over. I am thinking I need to take babysteps as far as electronics are concerned before I invest the big bucks but if anyone has any advice, I would love it!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Perspective

I was grumpy this morning. I kept thinking about all of the things I needed to do and how I did not have time to do what I wanted to do. Then, the first blog I read this morning was this by Fatty , and suddenly things are put in their proper perspective. Fatty, I am praying for you and your family. You have worked so hard and done so many great things to raise money for cancer research that you are really an inspiration.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Quick Update

I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut-off for the last week so I am sorry for the blogless period, however there has just not been that much exciting to report on! I will hit the highlights though.

-I got new pedals! I finally got a set of speedplay pedals that I am going to work on getting on my bike....as soon as I get my new shoes to go with the new pedals. I am working on that though. Pretty sure I know what I am getting, I just need to go to the bike store and I get everything right.

- I nearly had a cyclist hit my car today. Notice I said he nearly hit me, not the other way around. I was at a stop sign just waiting and he was just not looking where he was going and tried to be a hood ornament.

-I am going to do a half marathon as a relay with a friend in January! I am excited and I think it will help me learn about pacing while in a big group of people. That way, I can be confident when I do a half by myself at the end of February.

I think that is about it for now. Not as much training going on as should be, but I am trying to get ready for a horse show in November so that is highest on my priority list right now. That, and sleep. :)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

What I Woke Up To

Just for any of you who thinks I may have been exaggerating about the Viagra bangs, here is what I saw when I looked in the mirror this morning.


I am thinking the cat must have licked them all night in order to achieve this style. However, I am consoling myself by saying that now I officially have move star looks.


It is still raining here but I managed to talk my roommate into going for a run with me last night. The shoes are going to be drying for several days, but it was really kind of fun!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Random Thoughts

1) This is my second time writing this because right as I got to the end, I accidentally closed out the window. Be assured that this post was originally much more interesting and entertaining before. I cannot be expected to remember what clever things I said before much less repeat the performance.

2) It is cold and raining here. It is dreary enough to motivate me to do nothing. I do have a bike ride scheduled for tomorrow but the weather may not cooperate.

3) The time change is coming soon and it makes me grumpy. Non-active friends do not understand why this makes me so upset, but it really screws with my schedule when it gets dark an hour after I get off work. This means I am going to have to start getting up and working out in the morning so that there is appropriate horse time in the evening. Ugh.

4) I remember the days when I would workout and not feel the need to analyze my pee afterwards. Is it too dark? Too light? Should I be drinking more or less? Supplements? The fact I spend this much time thinking about it...and not writing about it. Wow.

5) My horse is getting his winter coat in and is also tubbing up so he can stay warm. By the way my pants fit this morning, I am apparently trying to do the same, but luckily do not seem to be growing excessive body hair as well.

6) I decided to sign up for a 12K run on Thanksgiving Day. I recognize the fact that I can barely run a 5K right now but I need something to work towards and in my head, this is completely doable. There is nothing like fear to get me moving.

7) I love the new Powerbar Gel Blasts in Cola. I have not tried the lemon flavor yet, but these really rock. I hate trying to eat real gels and these don't stick to your teeth like the Shot Bloks do. Huge fan!!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Slow and Steady

I ran in a 5K race yesterday and for the first time ever, managed not to stop and walk part of it. What blows my mind that even though I kept running, I ran my slowest 5K ever. I mean, I am always slow and that is fine, but wow. I looked back at my times for a 5 mile race I did back in July where I walked at least half of the course and per mile, I was only 8 seconds faster at this 5K. So, while I am proud I stuck through and kept moving, I am slightly disgusted at my times. If I am honest with myself though, I do have to admit that I have been a slacker when it comes to running lately. And by lately, I mean always. I would just rather be on my bike but that is just going to have to change so I am going to focus on getting several runs a week in even when I would much rather be riding and see what I can do to build up my endurance and my speed.

After the race I was supposed to meet up with a friend to ride but it started to rain so we bailed on that and rescheduled for today. It was still pretty wet out, but we decided to go ahead and go and it was really pretty nice...until we hit the turn around and got the full effect of the wind in our faces. It was pretty miserable, but I was able to get a good workout in by fighting that wind uphill. I think we only got in about 20 miles, but it felt like so many more!

It is still pretty dreary an rainy outside so I have spent the afternoon being a bum and am currently wishing I had more to write about so I could put off cleaning the house just a little bit longer!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Demon Kitten (aka why the kitten and I are getting a divorce)


I had a really good workout today although it did end up to be a little longer than I had planned. I have one friend that will ride with me as long as we don't go too far and basically just have fun with it. And that is great and perfect with me because just having the companionship is nice. It is possible though that I will never, ever get to choose the route we take again. Normally, we do the same little loop every time we ride, but today I wanted to mix it up and go off a different way that was marked as a bike route. Really, in all fairness to me, it was a great ride. We saw parts of our city neither one of us have ever seen before. I really thought the best part of the ride was seeing how decorative people could be when putting bars on their windows. We probably ended up going about 10 miles more than my friend wanted to do, but we both agreed it was a ride we would want to again....with mace. And maybe riot gear.

By the time I got back to my car, the sun was setting but I still wanted to go for a run while I was already out so I took off intending to go a few miles. I had only gone a little over half a mile when I realized the sun was not setting, but had in fact set and I was out in the middle of nowhere running all alone in park that is not the best place to be after dark. Actually, it is probably not always a great place to be in the daylight either. It is amazing how your imagination can start to go a little wild. What started out as a run ended up to be a sprint back to the car and as I ran, I kept a close eye on the lake. I am not sure if I expected something to rise out of it to try to get me or if that would just be a good place for some criminal to drag my lifeless body, but either way....that lake really bothered me. Obviously though, I did make it back safe and sound. Next time though....an earlier start and better planning.

Now, on to the kitten drama. I would like to point out that this is a joint custody kitten. I share her with my boyfriend. He gets her during the week and I get her on the weekends. (ahem...dearest...I know you read this. It is Wednesday.....and I still have the kitten. Pretty soon we are either going to start talking child support or we are going to have to go back to court on this one.)




Anyways, this adorable creature (her name is Sweeny Todd, the demon kitten of Flint Street) is her most affectionate at about 4am and loves to give kisses...right on the lips. Not the kind of kissing one hope to be awakened with for sure. If you spurn her affections, she becomes like a demon obsessed and must at all costs get back to those lips. So this is why I found myself at 4am hiding under my covers from the cat. I have found that if I wrap myself up really tightly, she can't get under the covers however there is a small problem with breathing. Usually at this point though, passing out from lack of air is close enough to sleeping that I would take it. Last night she got smart though and so instead of trying to get under the covers to attack me, she went for an aerial attack in order to drive me out. I am not sure what object she lept off of in order to get that kind of impact, but it was fairly impressive that a six month old cat could slam into my face with that much force. I bolted up in bed and began a verbal assault on the cat....whose job was apparently done at this point because after a small giggle from her, she curled up and went to sleep.

Now, on to tonight. I come back from not being murdered and find the new Runners World in the mailbox. I love magazine day and Runners World is really high up there on the list. After my workout I felt like quiet bath time reading my magazine would be well deserved. (Have I mentioned that the kitten is also obsessed with the bathtub and the toilet? As in, forget privacy. Ever.) Right about the time I am about the get in the tub, the door starts rattling. She has figured out that she can put her paw under the door and then shake it really hard and if she does it long enough, I will let her into where ever I have denied her access. Tonight is my tranquil bath night though and since I did not want to listen to a door rattling all night, I let the stupid beast in. Then the game starts because I am obviously not paying attention to her. First she reaches into the tub just enough to bat at the pages of my magazine. I can ignore that. Then she starts dipping her paw into the tub and splashing me just a little. I can ignore that as long as she does not get my new magazine wet. Finally, she realizes she is getting nowhere by being subtle. This is obviously a time for action. Not wanting to get fully soaked, she decides the best plan of action is to leap from the side of the tub onto me. Again, while I am still in the bathtub. Of course, doing this kind of feat does require the usage of claws for balance and upon bare skin, completely unappreciated by me. Needless to say, the next few minutes involve lots of shrieking, splashing, and ended up with the cat being chased out of the bathroom. I swear I heard her and the other cats laughing. So ends the tranquil bath. Stupid kitten.


Does this not look like the face of pure evil?

Monday, October 6, 2008

Option D

While I did bail on both of my races that I was debating on for this weekend, I managed to stay out from under the covers too. After spending two days with the stomach bug, I decided going into something still feeling sick and dehydrated was just not the smart way to go. After seeing the gusts of wind that morning, I did smile to myself a little and was glad I was not out on my bicycle not only fighting the hills, but the wind as well. So since no regrets is always the theme and since there are none, I did the right thing. I do have a 5K this weekend so I can redeem myself some.

I ended up spending the weekend with my parents riding horses all weekend and working on getting ready for a show next month. I have not been as focused on the horses as I should be and so for the next few weeks I am going to really have to work on that balance a little more. I have no idea how all of you guys out there that have kids and families do all this. I don’t get half of the training in that I should and I still get overwhelmed by it all! I know a lot of it is just planning and scheduling, but hats off to anyone that manages it and does it well!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Oops

Ok, instead of just being grumpy, it seems that I am really just sick which in a twisted way makes me feel a whole lot better. :) Getting over being sick is a whole lot easier for me than an attitude adjustment. So, now I have two days to get better so I can figure out what I am going to do this weekend!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

The Blahs

I have a major case of the blahs, probably all hormonally induced, but still having a hard time shaking them. I have two choices for races this weekend and really don’t want to do either one them. I am sure that this ambivalence will pass and when it does, here are my options:
A: 35 mile bike ride in my home town. This is a pretty hilly one that was super tough last year. Tough enough that after I did it last year, I did not touch my bike for months afterwards. Part of that was due to the weather, but part of it was due to the general frustration about my lack of performance on this race. I really had no idea that there could be 35 miles that could so completely kick my tail. Pros: hopefully do better than last year, see family. Cons: Two hour drive, gas (for the car, not personal issues), not well supported, and not great roads.

B. Race for the Cure 5k Run. This is local and obviously for a good cause. My only reason for not wanting to do this is the number of people that will be there and the only reason I am probably having an issue with that is because I am being a grumpy gus. Pros: local, need to run, good cause. Cons: Will have to be social and not snarl at people.

C. Stay in bed all weekend with the covers over my head!! Pros: I will get to stay in bed all weekend with the covers over my head!! Cons: ……ok….fine. I will probably feel guilty.

Yes, I know, this is just a mood and I am sure by the weekend, I will be ready to do something. I just can’t decide what. Normally I choose biking over running any day, but this bike ride…..eh. We will see what happens.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Reunion Recap

My 10 year class reunion went great except for being crashed by pathetic guys who graduated years ahead of us but since they are still stuck in our hometown with dead end jobs working for their parents have nothing better to do but to show up to parties uninvited and drunk and basically make total jerks of themselves. Slightly obnoxious but you just hope in the long run that they end up in AA and not wrapped around a telephone pole.

On the same note, here is a conversation NOT to have with your boss on returning from your 10 year reunion:

Boss: “How was your reunion?”
Renee: “It was great! Everyone has gotten larger and balder.”
Follicle challenged Boss: (tilts his head so I can catch the reflection from the lights on the top of his head)
Renee: “stammer”
Boss: “You were saying?”
Renee: “But they are so much younger than you!”
Aged and follicle challenged Boss: “So…..I am old and bald.”
Renee: “………”
Renee: “Here is my resignation”

Overall the time back home was good. I have come to terms with the fact that my family likes my boyfriend better than me. I think my mother still likes me better though and that is what is important. I did set out to go for a run on Saturday morning, but my brother drove past me on the way to work and mention that his kids were sitting in front of the tv which he knew would drive me nuts. I ended up stopping to get them (they live right down the road from my parents) and my run became a nice long walk with them, but still good because it was uninterrupted time with them and gave them a chance to talk non-stop to me without me getting distracted which can be a bad habit of mine. I did not think they would make it the whole way just because the number of hills, but they ended up walking about 2.5 miles without a single complaint!

I am trying to get ready for a bike race in my hometown that last year I did not take seriously because it was just a little 35 mile race that was for charity. I nearly died between “Nine Mile Mountain” and “Roller Coaster Road”. Seriously. This year, I am taking it seriously and will not get off my bike after a hill and throw a temper tantrum (I seriously contemplated disabling my bike at this point just to get out it). I just never knew they could make 35 miles hurt so badly. Anyways, the next two weeks are serious hill and strength training times for me!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Reunion and Past Due Pictures

Today I am leaving for my ten year high school reunion. I am excited to go, but I don’t have any high movie style expectations of finding lost loves (mostly because there were not any in high school) or trying to pass off post-its as my own invention.
I am however revisiting high school in a very personal way. Ok, my face has decided to revisit high school in a very personal way by exploding. There has been a very large mass that grown on the side of my face that refuses to be calmed or subside. Sigh. It might distract from the fact that I had bangs cut yesterday and they are acting like they are on a maximum dose of Viagra and are happily sticking straight up into the air. I have tried every product in the world and am now going to move on to varnish.

In other news, here are the very long past due pictures from the Hotter N Hell 100. I am sorry I did not get pictures from the Tri, but I did not have anyone there. Hopefully next time I will be better about that!


The boyfriend and I before the race. His legs really are white enough to create that kind of glow.


The fighter jets flying overhead before the race.


Finish Line!


One more before the race picture, but it looks like it could be after because of all of the sunscreen grease!

Monday, September 15, 2008

2008 Texas Tech Rec Sprint Tri

Ok, everyone was right and I loved it. I was completely terrified and wanted to bolt the whole time, but I managed to stay put and had a total blast!!!
I managed to get myself to bed at a fairly reasonable hour and only woke myself up in that "OMG I totally overslept!" panic once. I sprung up at 4:45am and packed up all of my neatly laid out out stuff, loaded the bike, puttered around the house for awhile, and finally took off.
Everything apparently went way too smoothly because by the time I checked in, got marked, and set everything up, I had over an hour to wait and fret. After half an hour of just aimlessly wandering, I started edging up to people who looked nice and getting in on conversations and figured out very quickly that tri people are so freaking NICE! I mean WOW! I seriously would have bolted or gotten way too nervous if I had not had these people to talk to. Which was good because After waiting another hour, I ended up waiting another 40 minutes because the swim was a seeded pool swim. But it was ok because I ended up in line with a group of newbie and one older experienced woman who kept us all calm.
The swim was tough, but better than I thought considering since I had not been in a pool in an unmentionable amount of time. I varied up my strokes when I got tired (which was often)and prayed the lifeguard would not think I was drowning! I think I came out of the pool at 13 minutes which was pretty miserable, but I was just getting through.

(NOTE: there was no split timings at this race, just an overall finish time. I had on my watch but I am still not certain how to use to it so all times are rough ones. They don't have our final times up yet so I am not even certain on that either)

I ran outside and quickly threw on my shirt and shoes and grabbed my bike. And here comes the part where Leah jinxed me. Big time. She wanted me to have something funny to tell. So I grab my bike and run to transition, hop on, start to clip in and pedal...and then fall over because my chain has fallen off. I just started to laugh as a guy ran over to help me and put my chain on and I was able to take of for real this time. But Leah, I was thinking about you that whole time!!! The bike was uneventful but I was never really able to get any speed up because it was a 5 lap course so any time I got any speed, there was another turn and I needed to slow down. It was good though because it gave me time to chill from the swim and recover a little mentally.

The transition from bike to run was kind of stiff and harder than I thought it would be. My hip was giving my some problems and I ended up walking for the first few yards. I settled into a very unsightly shuffle for awhile and then walked when needed. I ended up running a lot more than I thought I would though and at one point a woman caught up to me and with a bright smile informed me that she had been chasing me down since the bike. Huh? Someone had been chasing me down? She told me that it had been so frustrating because she would almost catch me and then as soon as we would turn into the headwind she swore I would speed up. To me that seems unlikely, but still flattering in a weird way. We ran along together for awhile, but she ended up ahead and finished about a minute or two ahead of me. I should have pushed harder and caught up, but next time, I am going for times!
I think my overall time was somewhere around 1:35 for a 400 meter swim, 11 mile bike ride and 2.4 mile run so not too bad for my first time. I know I could have pushed a lot harder, but I really think I would not have enjoyed it nearly as much. I met a lot of very nice people and just had a great time and have been looking for other ones close to me. Until then though...I will be hitting the pool and running more because that no practice thing just not smart. I got away with it once, but I am not pulling that again.

Another thanks to all of my blogger friends because just from reading all of your descriptions, I was totally prepared and knew exactly what to expect, how to set up my transitions, and made no major newbie mistakes (that I am aware of). I vaugely checked my trasition times and am pretty sure I did not spend more than 2 minutes at each which was my goal so I am pretty happy with that. Anyways, thanks you guys!!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

The Night Before

I am working on getting packed for tomorrow right now and have probably put it off just a little bit later than I should have, but I have still kept up the internal debate on if I was going through with this or not. I know physically I am as ready as I need to be and this week has been a workout disaster, but you go to triathlon with the body you have, not the body you wish you had. Regardless, I will get through it and it may be slow, but I will complete it and at least one thing will go right this week.
As far as the flooding, things has cleared off so we should have the biking. My car is still dead so I had it towed to the mechanic and am not really expecting a very positive outcome except to be grateful that I have a love of bicycles and enjoy commuting to work.
Thank all of you for your words of encouragement! You guys put such a huge grin on my face and I appreciate all of you so much! All of you are such a great part of my day and I don't even know you. Isn't it a funny little world??

Friday, September 12, 2008

Got Gopher Wood?

Even though Lubbock is about 9 hours away from Hurricane central, we are experiencing what the weathermen are calling a "100 year flood". Ok, so don't laugh when I tell you how much rain we have had because I know a lot of you live in really rainy states. We have 8 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. I realize that does not sound dramatic but I live in a city that has NO drainage. Why? Because it never rains. Until now apparently.

So anyways, I am on my way to the gym yesterday in the flood and fairly excited because I certain the gym will be deserted because of the rain. In my mind this is because everyone else will just be weenies and not want to get wet. It never crosses my mine that people will not be going to the gym because they are smart rational people and actually listen to newscasters when they tell everyone to stay home and not to get out on the roads. To make a very long story short, an hour later I find myself still not at the gym and have a car that is flooded out in the middle of the road. I did get it pushed out to dryish land and hopefully it should be ok once it dries out some. I have been harassed to no end about my stubbornness to get to the gym and if I wanted to swim that badly I could have just gone out in the street to swim. Smart alecs.

As far as the triathlon, I am signed up, but the officials are getting very wishy washy about what they are going to do. They were saying rain or shine but as Lubbock is now in a state of emergency, they are becoming a little more hesitant. They were talking about just taking out the bike portion (why yes, yes that would be my only strong leg) and just doing an extra run (yippee!), but we will see what happens! I am sure they will have something regardless and it will be fun! Until then, I will be in my backyard building a mini ark for me, my cats, and my dog. And hoping that my cars starts up once it dries out and does not have to visit the doctor!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Still Misgivings But....

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Monday, September 8, 2008

To Tri Or Not To Tri




I spent yesterday at Caprock Canyons State Park and spent a few glorious hours climbing up and going down hills and enjoying the gorgeous views. It is amazing sometimes what a change of scenery can do for your attitude. I also went on a short hike and realized that in addition to doing hills on my bike; my legs really need hill training too. Ouch!

The whole time I was on the bike, I kept thinking about this sprint tri that is this weekend at Tech. It is a 400 meter pool swim, 11 mile bike ride, and 2.4 mile run. For those of you who don’t know, I have not done a tri yet and there was one I was going to do in a few weeks, but it turns out my 10 year high school reunion is on the same day. So I have been debating on doing this sprint this weekend, but I am really not prepared at all. Not prepared as in I have not been in the pool in at least 6 weeks and run in about 3. All of my focus has been on biking lately. So do I go wing this or go watch and try to figure out what I am supposed to be doing and do one well?

PROS
1.I would be getting my first one over with and so all of that apprehension would be over with and I could just get it done.
2.It is local so easy to get to.
3.Pool swim!!!

CONS
1.I have no idea what I am doing except for reading from books and blogs
2.Clothes. I know that sounds stupid but I don’t have a tri suit. Can I just wear a swim suit and then put my bike shorts and top on over that in transition? Or do I swim in my bike shorts? Thoughts?
3.My running. Wow. Bad. It would be a lot of walking. Again, do I just get through it even if I am last? It is not like it would be the first time. Or probably the last time. Time to grow up and get over it right?

I need friends who do this so I have people to pat my back and tell me this is going to be ok. I am all for being strong but sometimes feeling alone and scared sucks. ( yeah yeah, the whole cry me a river thing coming back to bite me) I have to find a coach. I may have a lead on one and maybe that would be the first step. And maybe if I went this weekend, I could make friends!

On shoe and pedal news, I think I am going with the speedplays and a pair of Louis Garneau shoes. I am excited to finally make the choice because it gets so overwhelming when you are new and know nothing. Best of all, they both come in pink. Ok, the shoes are black with just a pink stipe, but I like them. :)

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Bad Blogger

I am a rotten blogger. You can throw tomatoes at me if you want. I have actually had all sorts of clever, wonderful things to write about, but I just have not gotten them from my little pea head to the computer. Kind of like the pictures I promised you. I actually do have them developed but I don’t have them on the computer yet. Obviously if they were anything exciting, I would have already had them posted, but they just did not turn out fantastic. A few are noteworthy though so I will try to summon the energy to get it done.

One thing from the Hotter N Hell that I totally forgot to mention was the tour through Sheppard Air Force Base 10 miles before the end. This is always the coolest part of the ride, but for the last two years, they have really gone all out. Usually you just ride through the base and enjoy the nice roads and get to look up in awe at the planes. For the last two years, they have had a section of the road where they have had cadets lined up along the road cheering for you in a way that makes you feel like you have just won the Tour De France. You turn the corner and all of the sudden, there are 400 cadets roaring at you and all wanting to slap you hand as you pass by and it is just simply….overwhelming. Last year was the first year they had this kind of turnout out and I was completely overcome and spent the next two miles with tears streaming down my face. I would not believe all of these all of these military personnel were out there in the sun clapping for us...cyclists?? It just blew my mind!

This year, I was prepared. As soon as I went through the gates I started prepping myself not cry. I am tough. There is no reason to burst into tears as soon as you see all of those young faces cheering for you and holding out their hands hoping you reach out and slap them. And I am tough. I made it all the way past them and even smiled at them. Of course, as soon as I got past them……well that is another story. I am sure it was just the fatigue though. :)

One story I read when I got home was that at one of the Army bases in Iraq, they had their own Hotter N Hell 100 because one of the soldiers that was stationed there was sad he was going to miss the race that year. He ended of contacting race officials and asked for T-shirts and water bottles and set up a race there. There were not enough bicycles to go around so they had some people riding in spin rooms too. How cool is that!

In other news, I think I have decided on my new shoes and pedals. I am going to the bike shop today to finalize and I will let you know my decision! Possible tri news coming too. Eek.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Hotter N Hell 100 2008

I was going to wait until I got my pictures to post a race report but since I had to use a camera with actual film then it may be awhile before I get it done so I should write this now before I forget all of the details.

We left out of Lubbock on Friday afternoon after I spent all morning cleaning and organizing to make sure I had everything I needed for the whole weekend. I also ended up getting new tires on Thursday because I got a hole in one of mine. I did have time to ride a little bit on Thursday night just to make sure everything was working right and that I liked the new tires. The trip down was fairly uneventful except for the frustration of not having my cell phone work for two hours which was probably good so I would stop texting my boyfriend who was following me in his car. Setting up our tent and hitting registration all went very smoothly and I felt really great until after dinner and had a horrible case of stomach cramps. Luckily, I was well stocked with medication and nipped that right in the bud.

Even though we were sleeping in a hot tent, I slept like a rock until 5am when I got up and started getting ready. I hit the restroom and saw way too many beer bellied, shirtless men just going outside their tents to pee. And to change. Ugh. When I got to the restroom, I smiled at the long line waiting to go into the men’s restroom as I sailed into the women’s with no wait. This soon changed because at my next bathroom trip an hour later, I found the men had taken over our restroom too. So unfair! The first time we don’t have to wait and the stinkin’ men take it over.

By the time I got dressed and ate, it was time to go line up. When lining up to start with 12,000 other riders, this can be a challenge, but this year it was fairly uneventful. I got settled in and talking some with the people around me. The guys next to me were newbies so I got to tell them some of the things they had to look forward to which got me all excited and ready to be out there. But first, they played the Nation Anthem which always chokes me up. Every single time. Then three fighter jets flew overhead (I am hoping I got a picture of this. One of my favorite things about this ride!), the cannon boomed the start and then…..we stood there. For almost 20 minutes. It was all very anti-climactic, but it is really hard to get that many cyclists started safely. The good news is that no one fell on me and I was able to pick my way through the crowd pretty easily. The most important thing about this race is being very cautious for the first ten miles. After that, it is pretty clear, but when all of the routes are together, you never know what can happen.

I saw the first big wreck about 4 miles in. All I could see is a woman laying on the ground moaning with EMT’s surrounding her asking questions. And blood. I quickly looked away, but apparently the lady next to me not only had laser vision but also was psychic as she started shrieking to her friends that she (the lady whimpering on the ground) did not have her helmet on correctly. This irritated me for so many reasons, the least of which being that how on earth could you know that when the injured party has probably already had the EMT’s and who knows who else messing with her trying to help. Second, even if you were able to tell that she did have her helmet on incorrectly, why rub salt in the wound by announcing to the whole world that she screwed up?? And not once, but yelling it multiple times? Ugh, I was happy to pass her.

The amazing thing about this race is that I was really passing people. A lot of them. For a good portion of the ride. It was an incredible feeling…mostly because it was not one I had often. Of course, my computer was not working so I had no idea how fast I was going but by the number of rest stops I was passing, I knew I was going to finish in a timely manner. Which was a darn good thing since I had to be finished by 11am in order to load up and drive to my parents house to make it to a dinner in another city at 6pm that night. Nothing like your mother threatening you to make sure that you will be on time!

The rest of the ride went by quickly and uneventfully and before I knew it, I was at the end. Not only just at the end, but I finished at 10:55am, 5 minutes before my deadline. I was excited, I was thrilled, I was joyful……and I was not really sure I could swing my leg off of the bike. I spent the last 5 minutes I had left standing over my bike using the premise that I was texting people and that is why I was not getting off of my bike. When my boyfriend was there to hold it and me, I swung my leg off and wobbled off.

I had finished my 100K in 3 hours and 35 minutes which was almost an hour faster than last year. I do have to say, I usually stop at more rest stops and linger for awhile and chat some, but this year I had a deadline and I met it! I guess it really can all be in your mind! Now that I know I can pull off speeds higher than 14 mph, I am totally ready for my next ride!

Luckily, because I am dating a total sweetheart, he had already loaded up the tent and so all I had to do was load my bike and we were off to find food. Which at that moment was more important than anything else. Apparently, it was more important than taking my seat bag off of the trunk before I drove off. Oops. I did spot it and my brakes kept it from sliding off onto the highway before I could stop and retrieve it.

I quickly stuffed my face and then started my second race of the day…driving 3 ½ hours to my parents hometown so I could then get in the car with them and drive another hour and half to San Angelo, Texas. By the time I got to the house, I had half an hour to get showered and changed and get in the car. I fully planned on passing out as soon as I got in the car (with someone else driving now) but as it turned out, I was too wired. And stayed wired all through the dinner and show we attended. Which was totally worth racing across Texas to see!

Pictures will follow soon!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

3 Days and Counting




My mind is constantly spinning as I am trying to get completely and totally organized to go to the Hotter N Hell 100 this weekend. This is the one event I make sure I do every year although earlier this week I was certain I was going to back out. Now, midweek, I am starting to get excited and nervous and just flat out ready to be there.

I remember doing this race when I was probably 7 or 8 with my parents and one of my brothers. My dad and brother were doing one of the longer distances and mom and I did a shorter one. Most of the event from when I was a child is very fuzzy, but it is something as an adult I have loved going to.

This will be my fourth year and each year I have drug another poor unsuspecting person along with. The first two years, I got a brother to go with me but those two seemed to have warned off of the others (Four brothers total. I know, it is rediculous) because systems of communications always seem to come to a halt whenever I start talking aboutit. Last year, a friend went with me for moral support and this year my boyfriend gets the honor. I love taking new people just because it is kind of awe inspiring to see how many people come out for the event, all of the vendors, and just all of the crazy bike people in one location.




Did I mention I don't get a hotel room because A)they require a two night stay and B) they are all totally booked by January and C) I am cheap. So we are camping. :) Luckily they do let us camp anywhere we can find space and there is not a problem finding a good spot. They also have plenty of showers and restrooms so it is really not a bad deal. I like to think it adds to the whole flavor of the event. You know, that flavor of sleeping on the ground all night and then getting up and biking 100K. Why do people not think this is fun??

Thank you to everyone for the pedal/shoe advice! I have decided not to do anything until after this race and then I am going to start a dedicated search to find my perfect combination so that way I have plenty of time to get used to whatever I choose. Unless I see something at the consumer show that I fall in love with, and then all bets are off.

Look for more frantic posts as the event gets closer! It is amazing how much stuff it takes to get me to one little bike ride!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me?

So I was reading on MSNBC this morning and saw this article:

Poor Jennifer Lopez. The new mom is training for a triathlon, but everyone is too busy watching the Olympics to notice.

Lopez, who appeared on "Good Morning America" Aug. 18 to discuss her preparations for the Malibu Triathlon, was overheard saying after the segment that she “couldn’t understand why everyone is talking about that swimmer,” according to a GMA source. “She couldn’t come up with (eight-time gold-medal winner Michael) Phelps’ name, and then she yammered on about how she was the one training for a triathlon just six months after giving birth, and how that was the big story right now, not ‘the swimmer.’ ”

Lopez is planning on donating money raised for her race to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. To help drum up attention, she started a blog to share tips on training. “Touch up makeup prior to your run” hasn’t made its way into any posts, despite Lopez being spotted arriving in Central Park with her makeup artist later in the day.

Apparently, Jenny from the Block requires a lot of powder,” says the source.


So, this is on the gossip page so who knows about its validity.....but why didn't you guys tell me I had to have my own personal makeup artist to compete?? Egads, this is going to throw a whole wrench in the training plans if I have to get my makeup done during transitions.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Pedals/Shoes

Don't you hate it when you are outdated and have no clue? I have pedal/shoe issues. My bike and shoes were hand me downs from my brother. I love my bike, but the shoes are not exactly...feminine. So I have been on a shoe hunt for awhile. I impulsively bought a pair of Carnac shoes off of ebay that I love and they fit perfectly....except they are old ones that require adapter plates which I finally hunted down and ordered. I got the ones for SPD's, but when I got them...they did not look quite right. Apparently I have an old type of two screw SPD's?

Please forgive my ignorance here....I know nothing about pedals or cleats. I thought all SPD's were the same but after a google hunt I realize I was wrong. So, so wrong. So basically I am going to need new shoes, cleats, and pedals? I have no clue what kind of pedals to get. Shoes should be simple and I have had my eye on a pair at the bike store....but the pedals are making me stop and think. Suggestions? What do you guys ride in?

I will be doing some looking at the bike stores, but I need a place to start. Not to mention the fact last time I went to one of the bike stores to look at shoes, the guy looked me up and down and then asked if I need shoes for spin class. I probably should not have taken offence to this but I kind of did. I informed him that they were for my road bike and he looked visibly startled. Seriously, I realize I am not thin and lithe like most cyclists, but that is really not a good reaction for a store clerk to ever have. Ever. I have not been back to that store since. Luckily, there are several others and when I go looking time, I want to know exactly what to say and what to ask for so even though I may not look like a typical cyclist, I can at least sound like a knowledgeable one! The Hotter N Hell 100 also has a huge consumer show so I am thinking that I could always pick up stuff there as a reward for finishing the race!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Hot Dam 2008

Well I did survive the run. It was not pretty and and it was not overly enjoyable, but I did finish. Dead last. That was a huge blow to my ego, but in a way it does make me want to work at it more.
To start from the beginning, I knew I was in trouble from the start. Actually from before the start as I was watching everyone line up. I was surrounded by real runners. You know the types. The kind of people that were obviously jackrabbits in another life. I did manage to get in with a group of similarly shaped people only to find out that they were just doing the 2 mile run. I was very tempted at the one mile turn around to just do the two mile, but I knew I would be disappointed in myself if I did that so I plodded on. The course had more hills than I expected but it was a pretty run around a small lake. A lake that I contemplated swimming across after the 2.5 mile turn around thinking it would be fast to swim across than continue running. I figured it would be frowned upon by the officials and that I really had no idea what kind of muck was in there.
I kept the person ahead of me in sight but barely. I tried desperately to keep up, but the second half was a lot of walking and I just had no more go. What was really bad was when one of race officials came driving up behind me and asked if I needed help. Mortified, I told him that I planned on continuing on my own steam even if it was very slow steam. None the less, a car followed me the rest of the way in which I suppose is the usual protocol, but still frustrating to me.
I averaged 12 minutes a mile which is pretty darn slow and I am embarrassed to type it, but I am doing it anyways because everything from here is going to be faster. MUCH faster. And really, I am semi relieved it was that fast considering the amount of walking I did.

After the race was over, I escaped pretty quickly and stopped and got a drink and two bags of ice. Climbing out of the car after sitting for awhile was pretty painful and I was glad I got the ice. I went to make an ice bath but apparently I was a little more brain dead than I though because when I turned the water on, I turned it all the way to hot instead of cold. I did realize the error pretty quickly but the bath ended up not quite as cold as it should have been. I think it still helped a lot though because I am not nearly as sore as I thought I would be today.

I still don't think this was fun at all, but it was very educational. Mostly because it did enlighten me to that fact I am going to have to really get it in gear and start working on speed work. But, I did finish and that is what matters. And now, I know that if I can do a 5 mile, I can do a 10k. Which is my next goal...and hopefully do it a little faster!! Thanks for all of your support and great suggestions! I appreciate all of you!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

What a Whiner

I used to think that my pain threshold was pretty high but I have decided now that I am just a big baby. Running on Tuesday, I got a leg cramp and got frustrated. I could not understand why I could not just run and be happy, but several things dawned on me.

1) I am not used to pain. I am used to exhaustion after long bike rides, but I seldom ever hurt. Even swimming does not really hurt me at this point; it just makes me worn out.

2) I don't push myself to that pain threshold. I carefully side-step it and really avoid putting in that extra mile if I know it is going to be painful.

3) Running is going to hurt. It is a very physical, sometimes jarring exercise. It will hurt sometimes and it is going to be hard. Tough. Get over it. Stop being a wimp.

Trijones posted something about Ironman Cozumel the other day and I thought to myself that it would be a really great goal, but at this rate, an Ironman is several years in the future if at all. If I am really going to do this, I am going to have to get serious, quit whining and put my big girl panties on. Am I going to be someone who does one sprint Tri and then quits because I have done one and that is enough? Or am I going to actually push it, do my sprint this year, half iron next, and then possibly.....? Only time will really tell, but first I am going to have to make some decisions on if I want to be tough enough. You gotta want it and not just talk about wanting it.

Leah, thanks for the advice on the ice and ibuprofen. It helped a lot and once I stopped hurting, it is amazing how my attitude changed! I also went and got the books you recommended and just reading them gets me motivated and excited! Thanks for all of your great advice and help!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Positive thinking down the tubes

You know how I wrote all of those positive things yesterday about running? I would like to send myself a message from reality.

TTTHHHHBBBBBBTTTTTTTT.

I have a feeling Saturday is going to be a nice 5 mile stroll. Possibly with a pimp cane if my stupid calf does not settle down. Booty.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Read the Fine Print

So I went running yesterday in preparation for a 5K I signed up to do this weekend. I ran about 2 1/2 miles and was thinking to myself that I was going to get through this run so much easier than my last one that I did not train for at all.

Then I actually read the entry form.

And realized it was a 5 mile run, not a 5K.

For most of you, this would not be a big deal. But for me, every single yard is difficult. Adding 1.9 miles to the plan is devastating in my mind. I briefly considered dropping down to the 2 mile run, but that would not be a challenge. I am going to do the 5 miles and recognize that while it is going to be painful and I am not really prepared for it, it is going to put me a lot closer to that 10K goal I have. Which then in turn will get me closer to that half marathon. Even though my mind is screaming at me that I can't do this, I know in my heart that I am tough and can get through this although it may be slower than I wanted. So, instead of approaching this with dread, I am going to be excited because this will be the furthest I have ever run!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Stupid Goggles

Ok I swam. It was not bad, but I remembered now the irritation I used to have Scuba diving when your dive mask would fog up. When diving masks fog up or get water in them, you can easily clear them. Not so with swimming goggles. So, I tried spit. No go. (I have crummy anti-fogging spit) I made my whole family spit in my goggles. Nothing. I tried toothpaste. Nope. Any other suggestions? I know they have anti fog spray, but I have not really looked for it yet.

As far as the actual swimming goes.....I need a coach. Seriously. I have been trying to get a picture in my head of how I look, but it is all bad. (imagine throwing a cat into the pool and watching it try to get out. That is me) I know I can get through the 500 M I need for the race just fine, but anything more than that and I am going to need considerable help with form. I have a feeling I am just wasting a lot more energy than I need to be.

Panic has now set in since my first triathlon is in less than 50 days. I had to take down my counter because it was giving me mini panic attacks. I know it will not be a big deal, but I just want to get through this one so I can go on to bigger and better! I have started looking for clothes to wear. I keep learning towards purchasing the one piece tri suits because they look so easy, but advice on this would be welcome! Suggestions? For this first triathlon, it is in reverse order with a pool swim last so at least I don't have to worry about a wetsuit!

In other news, HI TRIJONES!!!! I love your blog too!! Although some days, I might say some ugly things about you in my head because you are one of the ones that got this stupid triathlon idea in my head. Yes, you. Stop looking around at the other bloggers. Yes, there are some others to blame, but I would say you are in the top 3. So nice to hear from you!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I Had a Dream

Last night I had a very vivid dream about doing my first Triathlon. It was one of those that when you wake up, you really wonder if it happened. What keyed me into the fact that it was probably a dream was the fact I did the bike portion in 27 minutes and the running in 21 minutes! (talk about a good dream!) Apparently even in my dreams I block out the swimming though because there was nothing about that! Anyways, my excitement in my dream is just another motivation to really see this through!

Monday, July 28, 2008

I will....

I will go swim.
I will not be insecure about my swimming.
I will not be intimidated by the "real" swimmers.
I will remember that no one is paying attention to what I am doing but me.
I will stop putting this off.

In other events, I loaded up my bike and went to a local park to ride. It was gorgeous with several small hills to practice on. The bike routes were not really long enough and after a couple laps, it got boring so I think I will ride there next time in order to get enough miles in. It was a nice change of pace though and next time I will remember to take my camera since it is just about the only scenic ride I have been on in awhile.

Besides the swimming goal, I am also going to learn ride without my camelback and be able to reach down and grab a water bottle without becoming one with the road. Or on the road. You know what I mean. I have been riding long enough to have the balance to do it so it is time! I keep reminding myself how much cooler I will be without the camelback and that is helping to motivate me.

I have also figured out that my 10 year high school reunion is the same weekend as the Sprint Tri I had wanted to do. It was supposed to be my first and I am loath to put it off, but it keep going back and forth. Obviously a reunion is only held every few years and they have triathlons all the time, however I do spend a lot more time working out and thinking about working out than I ever do thinking about people from HS. Hmm....still time to work it out. If I can find one in the area the weekend before or after I guess that would help make up my mind.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Since Rachel Asked....

Our first show several years ago.


Blame Rachel for this post this is not about the kind of riding I usually blog about. This one is going to be about horses! Horses are really my passion. Unfortunately, they started to take over my life so that is when I decided to get another hobby that was really just a hobby and not let it consume me, which is why I started riding bikes. I wanted something I could do when I wanted to and feel no pressure to do it unless it was something I really felt like doing that day. Horses don't really work that way. If you don't go see them, they have a way of making you feel extremely guilty.

Anyways, I ride Dressage on a black Arabian horse names Czecher. Czecher thinks he is a Labrador and has tried to climb in my car before. He is truly the perfect male. He knickers when I whistle for him and comes running. When he ticks me off, I can lock him up and not see him until both of us have cooled off. When I find these qualities in a human male, it is possible I will consider keeping him too.



Currently Czecher and I are riding at 2nd and 3rd level and compete when we can afford it. Mostly right now, we do local shows. Which unfortunately I have to organize since I am president of our local Dressage club (see what I mean about this stuff taking over and not really being a hobby any more??). It really is a lot of fun, but a lot of work too. Luckily even though we have a small group here, we are all pretty active and there is a lot of enthusiasm.

This last weekend we put on a show that was really was more like a clinic. Everyone got a chance to ride their dressage test and then the judge coached them on what they could do better and then you got to ride your test again. It was just a cool training exercise so that way you could correct what you were doing wrong and then got a second chance! Wouldn't that be cool if you could do that in races? "I am sorry, that was a really bad swim, I am just going to fix that and come back and do it for real".



Anyways, that is a lowdown on this horse stuff I do. It is a lot of fun, but keeps me busy! I hope to get in some good bike rides this weekend so I can have something to blog about!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Sleepy Monday

Unfortunately, my weekend did not allow for as much training as I had hoped due to a horse show, but luckily, the rainy weather has stopped which makes commuting by bike possible again! This morning was wonderful and cool so it made the ride very enjoyable. I am sure this afternoon will be warmer, but it is still fun and makes me feel so much better in the afternoons.

I just got an email saying the Hotter N Hell 100 will have a trail run the morning after the bike race which I think will be a lot of fun. They offer a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. I think that will make for a great weekend...a 100K race on Saturday and then a 10K run on Sunday. They also offer a mountain bike ride on Friday afternoon, but I think I will skip that for now until I have a little more experience on mountain bike trails.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Book Advice

Ok, I am on an Amazon kick and I need your help. Best triathlon training books? Suggestions?

Monday, July 14, 2008

Tour De Nowhere

I love this name for a bike ride in Levelland, Texas. It is so appropriate! And the bike ride really did seem to take us to the middle of nowhere!
After way too few hours of sleep on Friday night and waking every hour afraid that I had over slept, I loaded up the car to make the 30 minute drive from Lubbock to Levelland. I ended up getting there before they even opened the registration desk. Oops. I at least had a full hour to sit there and get all of my stuff ready! Luckily I brought my ipod along and so I was able to sit there and try to relax before the race started.
This was a pretty small race; there were probably about a hundred riders spread among 5 courses. I really only saw about 10 people on mine. There was a nasty headwind that made me wish I had just stayed home and in bed. Luckily the race did a loop so the second half was bliss!! I was practically singing! In retrospect I wish I had done the 78 mile route, but that extra 35 miles could have made a huge difference between loving it and hating it. Plus it was nice just enjoying the morning and getting home early enough to take a short nap and then getting other things done in the day!
I think overall this was a good thing for me to do because each ride I do alone gets a little easier and the nerves calm a little more. And eventually maybe I will be able to convince someone to ride with me so I won't always be alone!

P.S. I got compliments on my super bright pink handlebar tape! From a guy!!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Shopping Trip

It just dawned on me that since I am going on a ride tomorrow, that means I can go shopping at the bike store! (yes, I know I am hardly going any distance at all, but I still get to go shopping!!) I need tubes, co2 cartriges, gu.......oh, maybe some new handlebar tape. Maybe they still even have that bright pink I wanted!!! Hmm...maybe this ride will be more fun that I though. I am such a geek. Is everyone like that about getting accessories from the bike store? I love going in and scoping out all of the bikes I can't afford and then finding all of the little random stuff that I don't have to have but want anyway. And the smell.....bike shops have a certain smell...and I love it! Mmm...nothing like the smell of new bike tires in the morning!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Bike Ride!

Yay! I found a bike ride in a town about 20 miles away that is this Saturday! Usually I spend a lot of time planning out which rides I am going to do but since I have not done a great job of planning this year, I decided to get on the ball and just take the plunge. Now, I just have to figure out how many miles I can do. Luckily they have a lot of mileage choices so if I am feeling wimpy that day, I can do a 30 or 44 mile route. :)

Stolen Tags

So I decided to steal a tag that has been going around just for fun.

10 years ago I was:
Just graduated from high school and getting ready to pack up and go to college where I thought life would be easy breezy and college life would be just like it was in the movies. WRONG!

5 years ago I was:
Completely consumed by a guy that I thought I would be with forever and certain I would die if we were not together. Still alive and kicking though and have moved on to much better! I was also just starting to get into cycling about this time.

1 year ago I was:
Is it bad I can remember 10 years ago more clearly than just last year? Egads. I honestly have no clue what I was doing except for this time of year I was probably frantically trying to get in shape to do the Hotter N Hell Hundred at the end of August.

5 things on my to do list today:
Go to Spinning
Wash my comforter and sheets. (stupid cat)
Attempt a run. Or at least a jog. Even a short one. Hmm..maybe a tennis game instead.
Cook something for dinner.
Attempt to reconcile with the stupid cat for being gone so much lately.

5 snacks I enjoy:
Anything with Avocado
Yogurt with blueberries and strawberries
Mixed nuts
Fiber One Bars
chips and dips

If I were a billionaire I would:
Quit my job.
Move out to the middle of nowhere and build a house with lots of trees.
Build a barn with a heated/cooled indoor arena.
Hire a personal trainer and nutritionist/chef.
Start a free bike program for kids.

5 jobs I have had:
Professional Sno-Cone Builder/Car wash attendant
Horse trainer/groom/teacher
Working at a company that made radiation monitors
Customer Service Rep for a bank
Trust Asset Associate

If you want to play, go right ahead!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Back From Vacation!

I am sorry about the lack of blogging during my vacation. I kept meaning to get online but at the end of the day, I was exhausted. Which was not a bad thing because I am one of those people that really feels like you should really try to fit in as much as possible every day of your vacation to really make the most of it. My boyfriend that I dragged along is the total opposite. I think he is still sleeping trying to catch up on sleep after being back for 3 days. :)
I was able to spend 7 wonderful days in Florida and we really did have a blast between the Disney Parks and a quick fishing trip. I have lofty goals to run every morning but a few things hampered my progress. First of all, the humidity. Yes, everyone know Florida is humid, but when you come from a very dry west Texas, it almost robs you of your ability to breathe. Second, walking 8 million miles in each of the Disney Parks each day chasing after various nieces and nephews really makes you feel like you have done a workout. Lastly, I just got tired and lazy.
Now that I am back I am very eager to get back on my schedule. It amazes me how quickly I lost what little toning I had before I left! And nutrition....really working on that again. Like eating things that actually might have some nutritional value. All good goals.
The best part about coming back from vacation.....catching up on all the blogs I read and seeing what people have been up to for the last few weeks! (Yes, I know I am a dork!)

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Tagged!

I have been tagged by Leah at Because I Tri !




As follows:


1. Find the book closest to you and turn to page 123


2. Locate the 5th sentence


3. Post in your blog the following three sentences


4. Then challenge five others to do the same




So the closest book to me was Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.





"And I wanted these people to feel like it wasn't just me, that there were a bunch of other Americans back home concerned about helping them". "He slipped me a big roll of rupees," McCrown says, "and asked me to ac like a big boss chief from America. So I hammed it up.


I have not gotten to this part yet so hopefully it will make more sense once I get there! I am going to tag Misty , Rachel , and Margo. I think most everyone else has done it! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Hit the restart button

I got up this morning.

I made breakfast.

I burnt breakfast.

I made breakfast again.

I set breakfast down to make coffee.

The rotten fat kitten ate my breakfast.

I am going back to bed and will try again later.


Evidence of extremely fat, breakfast theiving, rotten kitten who may look properly shamed in this picture....but she is not. Not one bit.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

I Finished!!!

Yay! I did it!! I finished my first official 5K and only walked twice for a few hundred yards and then got back going again. It was way easier than I thought it would be and actually pretty fun! I am much more confident that the next one I will do will be much easier, at least mentally.
My time for it was nothing to brag about, but the course actually ended up to be 5.7K instead of just a 5K so I felt a little less crummy about it after that. Unfortunately I left my ipod in a friends car so I have not been able to get an accurate time from it on how fast (or slow) I was. Hopefully I can get that back tonight and download the information!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The Beauty of My Cruiser

So, I know whenever the serious bike snobs see me riding past on my cruiser, they turn their nose up, but I really love riding to work on it and I have found out something wonderful. After weeks of riding this 45 lb + bike....getting on my road bike was incredible!! I cannot believe the difference riding that clunker that made in the speed I can now ride my road bike in. I have been concerned I was not going to be able to be ready for any bike races this year, but now I have no fear! I love my cruiser!! And I really love and appreciate my road bike for how wonderful and fast and LIGHT it is!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

First 5K

I have my first 5K tomorrow night. This is just a very fun local run with no placings or times really given which eases my apprehension some. AND it is at 10pm so in theory, even if I am gasping along or lying on the side of the road, people should not be able to recognize me. I have ocnsidered a million ways to back out, but in the long run this is the right thing to do. I have a feeling this may be the slap in the face that I need to get my butt in gear and take this running thing seriously. And if I look at this from the positive outlook.....this will be the slap in the face to realize that these events can really be a lot of fun and to chill out and enjoy myself!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Thoughts on Dieting

Round is still a shape. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Catching Up

I have not been very good about blogging lately, mostly due to the lack of interesting things to write about. I have been running although somewhat grudgingly as after the first few euphoric runs parts of my body started to HURT. I was very indignant over the whole thing but apparently when you first start running it happens. Who knew. So I have cut back the lengths a little and then will build back up. There is a "Lunar Lope" next Wednesday that is a 5K that I am considering doing but I know there is no way I can run the whole way. Do they frown upon walkers? I really think doing this 5K will help motivate me to continue training and get me kind of excited about it, but you hate to be the last one plodding in at a walk. There is actually a 1 mile course that I know I could run the whole thing. Any thoughts? Advice?

Yesterday I found a scrap of paper with all of the bike races I had planned on doing this year. I was sad to see I had already missed two of them. Biking has always been my favorite sport but now it has been thrown to the wayside as I tried to strengthen my weaker events. Now I am realizing I really need to start training seriously because the one bike ride that started it all is in two months, the Hotter N' Hell 100. ( http://hh100.org ) I love this ride. If you have ever talked to anyone about it, they will say it is a religious experience and they would be right. There is something about lining up with 12,000 other cyclists of all ages and abilites and having one massive start with jets flying overhead before the cannon goes off that just gets into your blood.. If you don't get chill bumps, you must be dead. Anyways, the point is, it is time to get serious!! That ride is not for the weak as the temperatures usually do soar into the 100's which is a great motivator to get done quickly. So now begins the hot weather training. Egads.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

HOT!!!

It is 102 degrees outside right now. I think my tennis shoes are melting. OUCH!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Weekend Update

Ok, this was a nice long weekend for training experience. I was at my parents all weekend and they are in a great area to run and bike in because there is a great mix of hills which I just don't have in Lubbock. I think this was a great weekend because I really learned a lot due to the time I had to train and the great location really motivated me.
  • First of all.....and the big news....apparently I don't hate running after all. I think I had built it up in my mind that it was going to be this horrible thing and that I was going to in pain and miserable the whole time....but not so at all! I went on two 3 mile jogs and while I am not breaking any speed records, I did not die either which was a nice surprise.
  • While my love is road biking, mountain biking in the back of land where there are no trails totally rocks! I can totally see now why people try to throw themselves off of steep terrain on bikes! I did have some fights with cactus and mesquite trees (that is west Texas for ya!) and lost very badly which will now prevent me from wearing skirts all week, but was still awesome!
  • I have been putting swimming on the back burner because the sprint tri's I want to do all have pretty short swims. However, I have a feeling anything in open water is going to be more of an issue than I had previously thought. While swimming in the tank (not a metal one.....texas speak for something larger than a pond but smaller than a lake) I realized that I get pretty nervous in open water and really don't like putting my face under. So, unless I plan on doing the backstroke, this will have to be something I work on.

All in all it was a great holiday weekend. I got lots of practice in and got to spend time with my family. You just can't ask for more! (besides a winning lottery ticket!! Seriously, gas.....wow! If I go to any bike races out of town, I am going to just have to ride my bike there and hope I am not too tired to do the race!)

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

2am Thoughts

Would the cat who is trying to qualify for the Feline Olympics on the balance beam kindly refrain from marching up and down my leg and find another place to practice. Thank you for your cooperation.

Higher Tolerance

I have never made it a secret that I hate running. Or jogging. Or the occasional crawl I am forced to do. But, yes another new toy has made its way into my collection that makes it all a little more tolerable.


I am a dork and should not need electronic motivation, but I love it. It helps so much when I can see how much further I need to go and just basically have something to play with! I was not sure about the Nike shoes because I am a die hard Asics fan but I also though it was time for a change. I got the Nike Pegasus and although they felt strange at first I think I like them. They are considerably lighter than my Asics which is probably the reason for them feeling so strange. Anyways, the whole goal is to make this experience a little more enjoyable until I hit that "runners high" which I am sure is out there!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

It's raining, it's pouring

My first day as a commuter!!! Except for the small fact that today it started to rain. Rain is a normal occurrence in many parts of the world. Not in Lubbock Texas. It rains bi-monthly and since it rained two weeks ago, I really though I was set for the next six weeks. It was even pretty when I left. Within minutes of jetting off on my cute new bike, the heavens opened and it poured down on us. Luckily, it is a short commute of about 2-3 miles. Is it sad when I can get to work faster on my bike than in my car? Anyways, through my sarcasm, it was a lot of fun and I am excited that I am able to have the opportunity to do this!
In other exciting news, I keep being a weenie about this whole triathlon thing and procrastinating, but there have been so many great blogs lately about the exciting races everyone is doing and I don't want to feel left out anymore. So I am committed to one in September. It is close to home, the swim is a pool swim so a little less scary, and it should not be too hard. Honestly, I am more concerned about transitions than I am anything else. But, I think this is something easily doable and September gives me enough to time to get ready for that run.....oh running, how I loathe thee.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

My New Toy!

Meet my new toy! Her name is (for now) Olive Oyl and she was my birthday present from my boyfriend and my best friend! They totally surprised me with this and I love her! While I adore my road bike, I really wanted something I could ride to work in my work clothes and also feel safe on! This is my new fun bike! Welcome to the family baby!


Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Ranting

We all have those pieces of equipment at the gym that we have a secret love affair with. If I am not on a spin class, then my equipment of choice is the Arc Trainer.

I love this machine. And usually I don't have a problem getting to use one since the gym has recently acquired other equipment that has TVs on it, so these are not as popular.....except to chatty pairs of girls apparently. Now normally when both machines are in use I stay in the cardio room and play on other machines while I wait for the interlopers to get off my machines. Now, I realize that they are not my machines, but I am somewhat territorial about them.
Now, if you are a hardworking individual, more power to you! If you are a pair of girls that talks the whole way through your workout you are not working hard enough and should stop wasting mine and the arc trainers time. Also, if you find that for 30 out of 40 minutes of your workout you are holding yourself up off of the pedals on the bars of the arc trainer, you are again, wasting time. I just wanted to tell them that if they would do 20 minutes without holding themselves up on the bars, they would do so much more for themselves then wasting an hour on the machine.
But this is me being grumpy. I should look on the positive side and say how much more well rounded and longer my workout was due to the fact that I had to circle the gym like a vulture waiting for prey as these girls hogged my machine. That is how I am going to look at it from now on. And also be sure to get to the gym earlier so I don't have this problem again. :)

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Hide and Seek

I am a huge Walgreens fan. There is always one nearby and they always have what I need.....except for once a month when I searching for a very specific kind of pain reliever. Then, that one time a month, I find that the sadistic men who designed the store are obviously embarassed by my pain reliever of choice and have choosen to hide it among the other 8,000 types of pain relievers in hopes that it will not be seen easily. What they don't realize is that even more embarrassing than seeing a bottle of Midol is seeing an adult woman fling herself to the ground in a full out screaming temper tantrum due to the frustration of not finding what I need....and need RIGHT THIS MINUTE.

Now, if I designed the store, I would not only have it all in a special section, but also with a giant neon sign over it. And maybe have an attendant there with a free sample of said drug so that way I don't have to wait until I get to the car to take it. And a piece of chocolate. Talk about marketing genius!!!! I think I am on to something here.

P.S. I did not really throw myself to the ground. There might have been some foot stomping though.
Also, training going fine. I love this weather for biking and have convinced all of my friends that they need bikes so they can go play with me! YAY!