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!