A Poopy New Trend...

As I was out for a run yesterday I had time to ponder a disturbing new trend I seem to have been noticing lately....people who leave their bags of dog poop on the side of the trail. Really people, is it so hard to carry that specimen to the trash can? I'm not anti-dog...in fact, anyone who has read this blog knows that in my house live 2 ultra cute and completely spoiled 4 legged monster dogs. Ever since the Big Dog came into our lives 9 years ago we have had plastic bags stashed and tied every where, just in case we are out and about and he needs to take care of some business. I'm not going to lie...there are times we have forgotten a bag and had to make do with some less than desirable clean up methods, but here's the thing...we still clean it up. Poop Bag Leavin' Ladies and Gentleman (PBLL&G) those stations along the trails are put there just in case you forget to bring your own bag....not because someone else is miraculously going to throw your bag in the trash can for you! During the course of my 10 mile run yesterday I counted 8 bags along side the trail...EIGHT...and I ran out and back which means during the course of 5 miles there were 8 bags...one being freshly left by a PBLL&G...most were within a tenth mile of a trash can, some were even closer. Here's what gets me most worked up...the PBLL&G I watched pick up the poop and promptly leave her bag at that very spot I had this conversation with...
Me: Aren't you going to take that to the trash can?
PBLL&G: Ummm (avoiding making eye contact)...I'll get it on my way back
Me: Yeah I'm sure you will (with a roll of the eyes to add to my sarcastic tone)
...Not surprisingly the bag was still on the ground when I ran by on the way back to my car...anyone out there want to help me set up a 12 step program, we can call it Poop Bag Leavers Anonymous! Hope everyone's week is off to a good start! :)

I'M IN...I think!!

No official letter BUT looked at my application status online for graduate school and it's changed from to department for decision to ADMIT!!!! Woo Hoo!

Weekend in White Lake

Wow what a weekend.......this was the view of the lake we swam in from the front door of the lodge room that Iron Sue and I stayed in...pretty, huh?! ...although it wasn't nearly as glassy on race day....our room at the FFA (Future Farmers of America) Campgrounds lodge was sponsored by the Corn Growers Association...it was pretty basic, but had a mini fridge, hot water, a flushing toilet and I felt ok about walking around barefoot so it gets high rating from me!

Our trips both down and back were fairly uneventful and although mapquest told us it would take around 4.5 hours, we made the trip in around 4. White Lake is a cute old town, filled with lots of old Mom and Pop style motels and RV parks. The lake itself is clean and was pretty warm (75 degrees) given it was only the beginning of May. Once we arrived we got checked in and went to packet pick-up...very easy...and went for a quick swim in the lake with SFN. We all then headed to the local church for a nice pasta dinner....

...served up by the local ladies...

...who were all gracious enough to pause from serving and money collecting to let me take their pictures!! Thanks ladies, the food was excellent...especially the chocolate cake for desert!!! :)

...and here's Iron Sue and SFN enjoying their feasts....

...this was going to be SFN's first half iron distance triathlon and yet he still looks cool as a cucumber!!

Race day was hot, humid and windy...I managed a decent swim although starting in the late waves is kinda sucky as I would find out even more so later in the day...cue the foreboding music...it was a long little run up from the pier to transition although I did manage a nice spot on the end of a bike rack three racks away from the bike out and in, so I'm not complaining! The bike ride was pretty windy...which is to be expected since I don't think I've ridden yet this spring where the wind hasn't been in my face for the majority of the ride...I tried to settle into a nice pace but my heart rate just wasn't playing, oh well, I figured I'd give it what I had!! Around mile 20 this girl passed me and said, "Nice Swim"...really, I know you and most others are faster than me on the bike, so no need to say something silly just to feed your own ego...but I digress...I was quickly distracted by snakes...dead snakes and live snakes...and ones I couldn't tell if they were dead or not...cooperheads...YEAH!! So I made sure to keep a close eye out and avoid all things slithery! Finally I made it to T2 and out on the run...which was over for me almost before I started...didn't even hit mile 1 before the left hamstring and right inner quad were taking turns cramping (thanks for alternating body!) so for the next few miles I went into run, walk and OD'ing on electrolytes mode...not a fun place to be when there are many more miles up ahead. After about 4 miles I seemed to get the cramping mostly under control, but headed into mile 5 the water stop was without water...really, no excuse for running out of water on a hot, humid day if you ask me...so I continued on my slog feeling pretty defeated and a bit angry about the lack of water...anyway, not much else to describe about the run, can't tell you how happy I was to get to the finish line...a little upset over the whole race but that's what life hands you some times, so for me it's back to the drawing board in preparation for Eagleman where the run will in all reality be hotter and more humid. Congrats to SFN who looked solid during the race...great job man and watch out IMFL 2009, you're going to do fantastic!!

After my race Iron Sue and I headed out for some pizza, which was pretty good although lacked adult hop type beverages and a round of mini golf....

...and while I won our round of mini golf by two strokes, I have to tell you it affirmed my suspicions that no time in the near future should I take up professional mini golfing!! Hope everyone had a great weekend! :)