It's winter already.

November 18th and it is already winter. Yesterday we had snow. Granted it was only a dusting, but it was pretty windy and looked (and felt) pretty feirce while I was walking the dog. Dog loves this weather. When he got outside, it was like Christmas and his birthday all rolled into one. So, at least that made me smile!

Winter has forced my workouts inside--partly because it is too cold to run outside and partly because it get dark by 5 PM. Thankfully, I can swim to break up the monotony of the treadmill.

Yesterday's pool workout:
300 m warm up
5 x (100 kick, 100 pull), :10 s rest
4x100 free (2:00--which was too easy)
8x25 drill (fast start, catchup, one arm...etc)
total distance: 1800 m

Patience, Kim-San, patience.

Argh. When it comes to character flaws, being impatient is my numero uno. I like...err, need, to be able to control my own trajectory. Waiting on applications, waiting on emails, (or even waiting in line!) makes me anxious, irritable and weepy.

I need Mr. Miagi now!

?que es "tagging"?

A week or so ago, my friend Ruthie "tagged" me. Not being a N-gener (she's a whopping 3 years younger than me!), I have no idea what this means. But, I read the directions and I *think* I understand.

Ruthie's blog (http://musingsfrommadison.blogspot.com/) is absolutely delightful--but I'll warn you NOT to read it late in the afternoon. All the recipes and yummy pictures will have you drooling on your keyboard. (See...that is rule 1 of tagging, link to the person who tagged you....too bad I don't know how to embed links1)

Now for rule 2, my seven random things:

1. I am ridiculously competitive---e.g. on Friday night, my dear husband and I went to the gym to run. It was raining cats and dogs, so we figured we would take "refuge" on the treadmill (I use the term "refuge" VERY loosely!!). As we ran next to each other, I found myself spying on his pace....and always made sure I was at least 0.2 miles/hr faster. When we run outside together, I need to be a quarter-step ahead. Lucky for me, Jeremiah has begun to find this behavior humorous!

2. When drunk, I like to eat the worst junk food available. Ever wonder who eats those hotdogs at 7-eleven? You know the ones that look like they have been on those hot rollers for days. It's me.

3. I miss riding my bike. I haven't fixed it since the epic fail a month ago, and every weekend I find myself staring longingly at the other bikers in Madison.

4. Right now, I find myself oddly glued to the World Series score. The Phillies lead the series 3-1 over the Devil Rays. Game 5 is currently underway. Phillies lead 2-1 in the top of the 6th inning. Philadelphia hasn't won a World Series since 1980...could this be our year?!?!?

5. Halloween is my least favorite of all the holidays. (People in masks are creepy, right?)

6. I kind of want to run this marathon:

E.T. Full Moon Midnight Marathon, 1/2, 10K, & 51K

August 8-9, 2009 (Midnight races!) ~ Rachel, NV near mysterious Area 51!

but frankly, I know it would suck to run all night.

7. I have the cutest dog on earth.


So, that's my seven. I would do step three...but the only people I know that blog are Ruthie and Jessie. Ruthie tagged me, so it seems silly to tag her, she already tagged Jessie. You can read her seven on her blog: http://robbplusjessie.com/. As for step 4...well, I didn't do step three so I guess I'm off the hook!!

With that, I am going to go enjoy some Indian Pumpkin Soup (ala Ruthie and Eric!). I made it tonight--with some minor edits, because I can never quite follow a recipe. It is totally yummy! Check it out!

mmmm....PIE!

I know, you were probably expecting me to write mmmmm...BOP. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find my Hanson CD lately.

Last night I made an apple pie. I'm pretty sure I haven't ever made a pie before. I've helped my mom or my husband make pies, but never embarked on the journey all by myself. It started yesterday at lunch. On this rainy Sunday, I had a hankering for warm apple pie and a cup of tea. Unfortunately, the Weary Traveler didn't have any pie. So....I had to make it myself!

Here's the finished product:


I like to cook...but could somebody else come over and do all the dishes?!?S!?

Just checkin' in

It's been a while since I've written so I thought I would just pop in and say hello. Truth is I have been feeling pretty blah these last two weeks: tired, recovering from a cold, not interested in exercising, bored....well, you get the idea. Life feels like I am just going through the motions. Most days, I am out doing something, but what I really wish I was doing was taking a nap. le sigh.

Hopefully, I snap out of the doldrums in a few days/weeks and get back to the my regularly scheduled programming.

In the mean time....here are some pics from a beer fest we went to last weekend.

Getting a beer:


The boys with some beer maidens:


oh and did I mention it was also a gun show?

Epic FAIL (well, sort of)

Ever have one of those “Why didn’t I realize that was going to happen?” moments, you know, the kind that has you slap your head and get angry with yourself for not thinking more clearly? If not, I envy you!

I had an epic moment this past Friday night. Since I hadn’t been feeling well during my volunteer hours at the Madison Children’s Museum, I took the bus straight home to rest, instead of returning to the office. Later that evening, I decided to rally my sick self back to the office to get a few things for a business trip, and to retrieve my bicycle—and Jeremiah needed to print out some things at the office as well, so it seemed worth the trip.

After an hour or so, both of us were done our work and schelped our stuff back out to the car, which we had conveniently been able to park for free in the neighboring parking ramp. I plopped the boxes and bags in the truck, Jeremiah hoisted my bike up onto the roof rack and we happily started to drive home. 5 seconds into our drive, we hear a huge CRASH. Puzzled, we look at each other and then out the back window. Then, my heart sank as I realized that my bike (my baby) had been ripped off the roof rack by one of those “if you are this tall, you won’t make it up the ramp” signs. We stopped the car and got out, and sure enough, there on the ground, was my bike, still attached to the roof rack, but the gnarled roof rack was NOT attached to the car.

At this point, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I first wanted to cry---after all, my bike and I had become pretty good buds this summer. Then I wanted to laugh and thought “if we had caught this on film, it would have been great for the FAIL blog”. In the end, I cried. Thankfully, the damage to the bike seems to be pretty minimal—wheels that needed only to be slightly re-trued, shifters that need to be replaced, and aero bars that need to be re-aligned. The frame of the bike seems fine and Jeremiah thinks he’ll be able to do all the work.

I will admit that my first concern was for the bike. It took until the next day until I realized I should check out if we damaged the car at all. Of course, we did. There’s now a large scratch/dent in the roof where the trough of the bike rack rammed into the roof. Pretty random, but at least it’s not really that big of a deal.

The funny thing about blogs

is that you first feel like you want everyone to read it, and then you realize, 'oh crap, what if people are reading it!?!?!?' when you want to write about innermost secrets of your heart. What is it--a diary or a newsflash for everyone?

I'm 'working' from home today, but truth be told, I have been SUPER unproductive. Besides checking my email, looking a little bit into flights, and downloading one document, I haven't done anything in the last three hours but surf the internet. Not a great use of my time---only complicated by the fact that I am justifying my lack of productivity by the fact that I worked most of this past weekend and will be working (well, traveling) again this weekend. I don't get paid enough to work 12 hour days. So, let's hope this blog is more like a diary--else my boss will find out I'm a slacker.

Why am I so unmotivated? Well, I think it has to do with three things:
1. I am not excited about what I am doing right now;
2. I haven't gotten more than 6 hours of sleep a night for at least two weeks; and
3. (Most important) I am waiting for the arrival of my new boots.

Yes, sadly reason #3 is the most influential of my current state today. I have searched for many years for the perfect pair of black knee boots that fit the following criteria:

• flat (or kitten heel), since the bone spur in my big toe makes it hard to wear heels.
• not too vampy, since it doesn't fit my personality
• black
• leather, not pleather
• versatile from work to going out
• comfy (but, really is this even possible with cute shoes?!?!)
• not too expensive
• oh, and they have to fit my big athletic calves.

I never thought I was asking too much!! And, after a few years and several orders, with subsequent returns, I *think* I just may have found them.
They are slated to arrive today and I feel like I am stalking the front door. UPS truck, where are you?!?!?!?! If you would come, I could actually get my work done (of course, after I paraded around the house for awhile to truly determine if my long search is over!)

The scale ticks up

It has been a month since the tri (and really about 5 weeks since the hard workouts subsided). However, I haven't changed my eating habits. So, the other day, I felt brave and hopped on the scale. The verdict: up 5 pounds since the training ended. Sigh.

So, I start the battle again. I'm trying to be upbeat about it. Setting a goal of losing 15 more pound total (so down ten from where I was 5 weeks ago). But to tell you the truth, I'm not sure I can do that. I have only once or twice in my life, for a very short time even, been under 150. Both times, I wasn't healthy about. Both times, I became obsessed with the scale. So, I kind of feel like I am already setting myself up to fail. If I had to subsist on non-fat yogurt and low calorie bagels before to get to that 'magic number', how can I do it while still enjoying food?

I really wish that I could be thin--like JCrew model thin. I know, those girls are just that--girls. And, to add insult to injury, their photos are airbrushed. But, I'll never be JCrew thin. Rationally, I know that my frame is too big. My athletic build makes me a little meatier. But still, there is this nagging sense that life could be easier if I was thinner--like how much easier it would be to get dressed in the morning if all my clothes looked awesome.

Okay, enough rambling and whining from me. I'm off to finish my coffee and then dive into work. Lots (of really annoying administrative tasks) to do!

could I be an Ironwoman?

This weekend was Ironman Wisconsin--as evidenced by all the ripped men and women walking around town, and all the really sexy bikes that I saw at the registration tent. As the race came and went, I found myself wondering "What makes these folks different than me? Could I be an Iron(wo)man?"

On Sunday evening, I went to watch the end of the race--when all the 'normal' people would be finishing. When I say normal, I mean those people who are not trying to qualify for Kona or win their age group (or the race!). How inspirational to watch these Ironmen, the ones who finish in 12 or 14 hours! These folks look alot like you and I: fit but not machine-like, sometimes younger, sometimes older, some bleeding, some smiling from ear to ear. I wish I was more eloquent so I could explain the elation I felt for them and with them as they turned the corner to head up State Street for the last 3/4 mile of a 140.6 mile day.

Could I be an Ironman? Maybe. But, I also realize that the glory that comes from crossing the finishline on race day comes at a cost. Hours spent on the bike, in the pool, out on the road running. The training plans are enough to turn me away. Week 12, Sunday: 6 hour bike, 2 hour run--as a brick. Right now, I am saying no thank you. Maybe one day, but not now. I'm not tough enough mentally, nor am I practiced enough in the sport. I've set my sights on something more within reach: the half-iron, 1.2 mile swim, 58 mile bike, 13 mile run. THAT seems doable. Not easy, but a goal that can be attained with alot of sweat and tears.

Triathlons aren't my life (not like you can tell that from the blog). To be an Ironman, I feel like you have to be a triathlete first and a person (wife, mom, friend, co-worker, etc.) second. I'm not ready to make that sacrifice. The glory of Ironman doesn't seem worth it--but after seeing those runners Sunday night, it makes me wonder if it might be.

again, I slack.

Blogging is hard work....you have to come in on weekends, Saturdays, stay late, etc. I am not that dedicated. I have a bunch of friends who have these amazing blogs about all the yummy food they cook, or all the great things they do. I just can't seem to get into a rhythm. Maybe I should change the name to "Den of Slack"...

Well, just to update, I did finish my O-length triathlon in 2:53. I placed in my age group--my official place is somewhere between 1 and 3. But, really all that matters is that I got a sweet trophy. I don't think I have had a trophy since I was in T-ball! (many many moons ago!). I already have my sights set on a completely a half-iron next summer or fall. (and shaving some time off my O-length...and losing another ten pounds....and being a rock star....well, a girl can dream can't she?!?!?!

After the race, I had a terrible case of the blues. I realized that the intense training schedule had given me refuge from all the anxiety and uncertainty that I have been struggling with. With no training plan to occupy me 1-3 hours a day, my mind was left to spin out of control. It has been a rough couple of weeks.

But, I am back on the training wagon again. There is a half marathon here November:
Frankly, I want to do it just because the T-shirt will be really cool...and you get two free beers after the race!! Jeremiah is going to run it as well, and has been talking so much trash I have to start following him with a broom!

So, that's the update. That wasn't too hard. I didn't have come in on Saturday, or the weekend, or stay late, I just had to steal time from work!

Overtraining?

Even though it has been a week since I have written, I have been hard at work, in the pool, on the bike and on the road. Hard at work to the point where I am worried that I may just be overtraining.

This week's regime:
Saturday (7/5): biked 25 miles of steep hills on the bike
Sunday (7/6): tried to run 8-9 miles...but it was the middle of a hot afternoon, so I ran 1. :(
Monday (7/7): 2700 meters in the pool, with my hardest set being 8x100s on the 2:00. Those really pushed my heart rate up!
Tuesday (7/8): a brick. 1:45 on the bike (23.4 miles) and 28 minutes running
Wednesday (7/9): 2500 meter in the pool. Distance set--developed some mental toughness on that 800!
Thursday (7/10): 45 minutes run, 5 miles.
Friday (7/11): taking off!
Saturday (7/12): RACE DAY!

Okay, so all those details are probably unnecessary, but for my own sanity I needed to write them down. I have been sleeping REALLY badly. I fall asleep quickly, but then toss and turn alot during the night. I never feel rested and my body is fatigued a lot. The first two miles of my run today were kind of a struggle (which showed in my splits!). I feel like Google is telling me: You are overtraining! I am trying to listen, but not being very good about it. I had started the run tonight going easy. By the 15 minute mark, I found myself checking my watch, wondering what my pace was. My negative split for the last half of the run tells me I wasn't very good about keeping this run 'easy'. Sigh. Why I am I so stubborn?!!?

More interestingly, Saturday is race day. I'm pretty jazzed about it. Nervous, but in a good way. It will be really nice to work out the (some) kinks of transition out now, so I will be smoother and smarter for the Oshkosh tri in August. The biggest draw back is that the race starts at 8 am...an hour from here. So I'll be up and on the road by 5:30 to get there in time for packet pick up, transition setup and all that fun stuff. And frankly, I'd prefer that 5:30 came only once a day.

Off to rest and recover. I started carb loading tonight with a post work snack of crackers and yummy dinner of pasta. Next update, I'll have completed my first tri!!

Weekend warrior turned fashionista

Some weekends I hate that I have 3-4 hours of training to do. I get a little squirrelly about when I am going to fit it in, whether I should do the run on Saturday or Sunday, what routes I should take (and lots of other random things). I get squirrelly about a lot of things, so at least this pattern of thinking of thinking is not new!

But, squirrelly or not, I got all my workouts in. My ride yesterday was really relaxing--well, as relaxing as a 30 mile training ride can be. I had been dreading it, but the lake views calmed me down. I also had some fun dodging rain drops (and hail!) as a few storms rolled through. My run today started with a few bad choices (a long sleeve shirt and shorts that ride up), which made the first 2-3 miles annoying. Although, I might say it made all 8 miles annoying. But, it was the first 2 or 3 miles that I spent cursing myself.

Today's shorts debacle has me really thinking deeply about my tri: what am I going to wear!?!?!? I'm not ready to plunk down a lot of money on a trisuit--since this is just my first triathlon. Do I run in bike shorts? That doesn't seem very comfortable. What do I swim in? What about the sports bra issue? Ah, these are the real questions when it comes to training!

And of course, the most important factor: Can I find an outfit that I still look cute in? Because just finishing is not enough--I have to look good while doing it!

a slacker week

I tried very hard to follow the training program this week. I did my brick on Tuesday. I swam on Thursday. But I didn't run last night. This week my regular life got in the way of my training--sometimes in great ways, sometimes in not so great ways.

Wednesday was my two year wedding anniversary, so I was happy to rearrange my day off of training to spend some (much needed) quality time with my husband. After our second year of marriage, we are in such a better place (emotionally, physically, geographically...etc!) than we were a year ago. I managed to find the best present ever--a used record player. My dear husband started purchasing vinyl last month with nothing to play it on. (Why someone would do this I have NO idea!!) After unsuccessfully searching around on Craig's List for a few days, I wandered into a local used CD/record store and found a great player. The look on his face was awesome--and we have listened to the two records he owns too many times to count!

Friday was a different story. I bailed on my run because my job has me beaten down. I came home, had a good cry and then sat on the porch with a good friend and drank a few beers. I wish that I had been able to leave my disappointment and sadness about this project at the office, get my run in and then sit on the porch and drink a beer or two, but my heart was just way too heavy. Even this morning, I am still in a funk--but I can't bail on today's workout. I am dreading the 2 hours of solitude on the bike, where I will likely rehash every conversation I had in the last two weeks, re-analyze all the meetings and ponder what I could have said differently to make this project run smoother.

Some days, like today, I wish there was an 'off' switch to my brain.

i love new toys!

i've discovered that the amount of gear you need for a triathlon is both exciting and overwhelming. i am trying to be frugal (since postdocs aren't made of money!) and only upgrade to those things i really feel like i need.

saturday, i found something that i really needed: aero bars. i have spend the last few weeks coveting other people's aero bars, and finally decided i had to have them. after quick stop at the local bike shop, i excitedly started to mount them on my bike. after about three minutes of fumbling, i got discouraged and realized that:

1. i actually needed to read the directions.
2. it was going to take more than five minutes.
3. my complete lack of mechanical ability was once again going to kick me in the butt.

but, thanks to a very patient husband and Sam Adams, i regrouped and started over.

45 minutes later, i put down my allen wreches, stepped back from my bicycle and grinned. the aero bars looked AWESOME! after a quick ride up and down the block, i made some final adjustments and then suited up for a training ride. i hit the capital city bike trail and 30 miles later, i was still grinning from how much i love the aero bars.

verdict on the bars: worth every penny!!

but...i find myself wondering if the 30 miles passed quickly because i was excited for a new toy, or if i really feel that much stronger on the bike. i guess we'll see how i feel tomorrow during brick #3.

lacking motivation

okay, so today's schedule says "45 minute run"--so around 5 miles. and here i sit, on the couch, having a staring contest with my running sneakers. they are winning (but i will claim that they have the unfair advantage--no eyelids (or eyes for that matter!).

i have run out of excuses to get out of this one. it is no longer 'too hot' now that the sun has gone down. i have had a snack, so i am not too hungry to run. i drank a ton of water today, so i can't pull the 'i'm dehydrated card'.

if i don't go, i'm a slacker. and frankly, of all the names i have been called in my life, i might hate that one the most.

me+running shoes=awesome friday night date!

Long time, no blog

so i started the blog about a year ago...and like many blogs out there, it remains empty. turns out i didn't have as much interesting stuff to say as i initially thought. hmm. i think the same thing happens when you give a toddler the telephone. as soon as you hand them the receiver, they clam up. take away the receiver, they start blabbering away. turns out, i was that toddler.


so what made me start dreaming of popsicles again? well, just that--the thought of popsicles!

it's summer again and this time, i'm out in the midwest. and as much as i hate to admit, i am kind of liking it. the weather is infinitely better than it was in DC and i actually have some free time on my hands.

and, since i can't stand free time, i'm training for a triathlon. two weeks in. i'm pooped already. today is my day off, and i am loving EVERY.LAZY.MINUTE. i think if i could convince him, i would have my husband carry me everywhere i go today.

even typing has proved a little too strenuous for my liking, so i am off!