Life According to Coleybear

The Garden is Planted...

2011-04-17T14:18:00.004-04:00

Was happy to see that some of the plants made it through the winter and are thriving this spring...Rosemary, chives and cilantro (which last year was a total flop but seems to love the current weather!)...here's hoping that this year's tomatoes are better than last year's!

enter early...enter often!

2011-01-15T20:09:00.001-05:00

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/01/garmin-forerunner-310xt-giveawayjanuary.html

and while you're there...scroll down and check out some awesome animal pics!

yup...we live at the beach!

2010-12-27T14:36:00.003-05:00

DC Rainmaker's November giveaway...

2010-11-13T16:49:00.001-05:00

...stop by and enter!!

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/november-forerunner-210-giveaway.html

More Gear from DCRAINMAKER!!

2010-09-02T16:50:00.001-04:00

So while we're all stuck inside because of Earl, do a little surfing and contest entering!!!
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/

More Go Go Gadgets!!

2010-08-08T16:33:00.001-04:00

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/08/garmin-forerunner-310xt-giveaway.html

Another great opportunity to put your name in the hat!!

...what's been going on???

2010-07-19T19:29:00.007-04:00

...lots and lots of veggies...above is my first eggplant...since then I've been lucky enough to get 4 more with several more on the plant....lots and lots of cucumbers...the chili pepper plant has a million peppers on it while all the other peppers that looked close to dead are now flowering and producing....TONS of tomatoes which are still all green...grrrr...hoping that they begin to get red and ready to eat soon....the herbs are going crazy...mint and parsley has been made into some tabbouleh while the zucs and eggplants have been grilled and baked....basil is awaiting to be made into some fresh pizza...can't wait!

A little race as therapy for a disrupted adoption....anyone out there in my extensive list of followers (love ya mom, dad and JJ!!) that has experience with older child adoption, I'd love to have a discussion...suffice to say, the situation was ugly and although I'm sure I wouldn't change anything I did, I do think if we try again we will do some things differently.

And lastly... what's a blog without a few pics of the handsome boys!!

Go Go Gadget...

2010-07-01T22:27:00.002-04:00

DC Rainmaker Style

...If you've never checked out the best sports gear reviews and travel pictures you must stop by today and browse through...and while you are at it enter to win a Garmin F110!!

How the Garden Grows....

2010-06-16T21:30:00.007-04:00

Garden Pictures...

2010-05-18T16:57:00.004-04:00

I was going to write about the defiant child and his many Emmy award winning temper tantrums but really, who wants to read about that crap?! So on to a much more worthwhile topic...the garden! It's amazing how a little rain (OK a lot this week) and lots of sunshine really do make the garden grow! All of the plants have taken off...including my garlic......and I even have baby chili peppers....
This is my first try at squash, eggplant and an assortment of hot and sweet peppers not to mention some of the herbs so I'm pretty excited how great everything seems to be growing right now. Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

The Garden is Planted...

2010-05-08T16:12:00.004-04:00

...and has been expanded!(Top pic is the new bed, bottom pic is the old bed)

On the menu for this year is tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, red peppers, green peppers, banana peppers, chili peppers and jalapeno peppers. On the herb front basil, rosemary, parsley, cilantro and chives...with a little mint planted in a pot at the front of the house so that we can have mojitos by sunset this summer...a girl's gotta plan you know! Here's hoping for a bountiful harvest!!

Someone Call Guiness....

2010-05-07T20:49:00.005-04:00

...I may just have witnessed a record breaking tantrum...really an hour and a half of CRAZINESS...I just want to know how these gurus... ...and

...recommend I totally transform my defiant child when I feel like going.......on him!! I think even the dogs are starting to wonder if all the drama is worth a measly treat here and there!!

But on the upbeat and positive side, while the kid that throws tantrums every few minutes but still gives us treats continue to earn solitary confinement and possibly juvenile detention within the next year, I am honing in on my Rock Band drum skillz because when and if he finally earns the right to play, I want to make sure that I can ROCK...like Bret Michaels...except on the drums...and that my friends is a plan!

Temper Tantrums...

2010-05-03T19:46:00.002-04:00

When we last left this poor lonely blog we had announced the matching up of a child with our family...since then we've not only visited this child but have permanently moved him into our home...and it has been all drama all the time folks!! Some days even the dogs start looking at him wondering if he's for real!

Several summers ago we babysat our friend's Bichon Frise for the summer...we used to walk around the neighborhood with our two puppies (aka miniature ponies) and hers and laugh about how the neighbors were probably scratching their heads wondering "what the F*&K?"...which led us down the path to the following nicknames for the dogs...Knuck (short for knucklehead), Chuck (short for chucklehead) and F*&k...so we thought that a new nickname was in order for the latest addition to the family...anyone out there seen the movie Jarheads? Well we are now embracing The Suck! And while it sounds pretty miserable of us to have given such a nickname, I'm sure those out there that have adopted an older child might also fondly remember this phase...the testing...the defiance...the temper tantrums....the generalized horrid behavior...and think to themselves how fitting.

Nanny 911 and the World's Strictest Parents would probably be out of their league...and the amusing part is that despite all of the talking amongst yourselves, we as parents have to find our own niche in parenting and go with it...this role for me really hasn't changed much...before the hierarchy of the house was something like this according to the big dog...Jack, his master, the pesky, upbeat other dog in the house and the lady that feeds us while the master works....now the hierarchy stands at...Jack, his master, the pesky, upbeat other dog in the house, the kid who throws temper tantrums every few minutes but still gives us treats and the lady that feeds us while the master works and when the treat kid forgets to. It's all about knowing your place...and let me tell you, if I forget, sooner (like within the next millisecond) the kid that throws temper tantrums every few minutes but still gives us treats will remind me of it when he blissfully ignores or downright says "No" to any and all requests made by the lady that feeds us while the master is away.

Over the weekend I thought it might be fun to do a little science experiment...one in which I tally how many times I get told "I don't want to" (51), "why" (7), "I'm not" (12), "I don't like" (12), "I can't" (11), "hate" (5), "No" (8) or just blissfully ignored (18)...in six hours folks...six hours...if I had only known that my research paper should have been on such a topic instead of the use of radio-frequency detection systems for sponge counting in surgery in an effort to reduce retained sponges following procedures I would not only have written my paper but I'd have collected my data and probably gotten a "A+"...for the paper....not my parenting skillz...and been on the fast tract to a PhD! Oh and just for fun (and so you know that I still believe in being fair) I had did have a category for cooperation...you know, giving him the benefit of the doubt...sadly, there wasn't a doubt, much like there wasn't even 1 single tally mark next to the category....embrace The Suck Coleybear....embrace The Suck!

Well it's obvious...if you haven't figured out already by reading this blog...I'm not totally the warm fuzzy type but I did look at the skinned knee and offer a band-aid the other day as well as made a really nice ice bag for the "sprained" wrist, so I'm not totally heartless...and while this experience so far has definitely required me to channel my inner psychological warfare tactics I am going to give it a thumbs in the middle so far...you know....well at least they tell me so...it does get better...hopefully I'll be able to change that thumb in the middle...but in the mean time I'll continue to video tape the temper tantrums and embrace The Suck...as long as he figures out one of these days that I will win or die trying!

OMG...it's been a LONG time!!

2010-03-07T11:16:00.003-05:00

So like everyone else I blame Facebook for my disappearance...really JJ you need to sign up because you are basically one of the few reasons I keep this up!! :) So since I left you what's been going on....

1. LOTS of school work...a big BOO HISS to APA for changing their format again and not getting it correct in the first of the two publications of the 6th edition (of which I got the first...go figure!)

2. Snow...for real...at the beach...and it lasted more than a day....unfortunately I spend my life slicing and dicing, saving lives and that is a 24/7 job that doesn't give out snow days...kinda like 7-11...without a big gulp machine....

3. Sunshine...it is finally not dark in the morning and for a bit longer in the evening...running sans flashlight is fun...and much less dangerous to the ankles...

4. We matched up with a little boy...well not too little...10...so I may have to change the blog title to "Zero to Middle School in 6 months...strap in TIGHT!"...we'll see...should be a fun, exciting and extremely challenging few years!

5. In two weekends TPH makes a comeback at the Shamrock Half Marthon...where JJ will conquer the 13.1 mile distance for the first time as LL and I escort her...hopefully she's not going to put me to shame....and maybe while we run the team can explore the option of a marathon again with all three participating!

6. In three weeks I do my first trail race...shoule be fun and amusing and I'm hoping to not break my leg or neck...we'll see...running over bridges and overpasses just doesn't really give you the feel of a mountain "trail"!!

Hope everyone is doing well...and eating LOTS of french toast!! :)

Goodbye 2009....

2010-01-01T09:32:00.025-05:00

....Hello 2010!!

It's funny how we get caught up in our every day lives and think that it's boring and nothing new happens, but as I was out for a run this morning I was reflecting on how many things really did happened this past year and thought it was suitable to post and start the new year out right!

I started out the year applying to graduate school, getting in and eventually starting this past fall...wow...now I remember what school it like! In addition to stressing out over my research class and APA format I also spent the semester learning about family health and life stages...and while we certainly encountered some of those this year...I find the ones that aren't in the textbooks both fascinating and frustrating at the same time.

In the spring the hubby and I embarked on a journey to adopt a child or two from the American foster system....we aren't sure exactly what the ending will be but has opened our eyes to how simple and truly blessed we have been and currently are in our lives. While the statistics quoted to us state that there are 50 to 250 adoptive families to each child we have been looking at older children (9 and above) who comprise a huge percent of the children waiting for a family. These kids have had to endure so much in their short lives that it's a wonder how they remain positive and continue to hope for a mom or a dad...and yet the one's we've meet at various speed dating (my affectionate term for the meet and greets) opportunities are so hopeful and awesome I want to take everyone of them home with me! But alas we submit the home study and wait and wait and wait and wait...but in the end we both have faith that this is going to pan out exactly as it is intended for us...and while we know it's going to be a bumpy ride we are sure to enjoy every minute!

So while we wait I thought I'd post some pictures from 2009....I did some races...some were good...some not so good...

...we said a sad goodbye to a friend....
...we visited family....

....and got to see friends....

...we met some new friends....

...I planted a garden.......we had doggie surgery....one was planned....

...the other was not....
...but all's well that ends well...

...here's wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2010...CHEERS!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-25T08:06:00.002-05:00

...From All of Us!!

View from the Couch...

2009-11-27T14:22:00.002-05:00

Philly Marathon....

2009-11-24T09:09:00.003-05:00

...well not exactly the time I was looking for BUT this was a great marathon...well organized and supported...I ran smart with what I was given on Sunday and fueled spot on so I'm going to give myself an "A" for effort....plus the weather was fantastic and I got my picture taken with Rocky...thank god they moved him to the bottom of the stairs...I was prepare to get up them if I had to, but alas he was at the bottom and my legs weren't going to complain about that! Great weekend with friends...and more importantly with the fam...a little early turkey day celebration and a beer and I was out by 9pm! Happy Thanksgiving week!!

A Mine is a Terrible Thing to Waste....

2009-11-16T21:23:00.002-05:00

....especially when you are driving "right" by.....

Attention TPH...

2009-10-21T17:50:00.002-04:00

TPH...and those honorary members...I think that 2010 needs to be the year of the comeback...now...Who's with me?????

Weekend Projects...

2009-10-04T15:02:00.010-04:00

Home Depot Bucket use #300...the elevated dog dish... ...The pieces....

...Starter hole for the roto-zip...

...roto-zip ready to zip...

...after the whole is cut....

...on the bucket, waiting for the dish....

...silicone to the dog dish....

...something to hold it down while it cures for 24 hours...

...finished product....after waiting for a few too many months for the hubby to make something wooden, this was my compromise...he originally told me it was a little trailer park...but really, for 4 bucks I think it's a stroke of genius!! Plus now when we travel with the doggies, they have their own luggage to carry food, leashes, toys, medications and treats...can't forget the treats! Hope everyone's having a nice weekend! :)

Move Over Rainmaker...

2009-09-14T20:41:00.005-04:00

Just Kidding!! But in true DC Rainmaker fashion...a food post! Ever wonder if the recipe in the magazine tastes good?? Well tonight I decided to try out a recipe that was in this month's Runner's World...and boy it was good...I'm pretty sure it's gonna taste even better tomorrow night with crusty bread and some fresh (read that hasn't been sitting open in my fridge for the past 2 years) red wine...bon appetite!

Happy Almost Friday...

2009-09-10T21:38:00.002-04:00

Just a quick update so that the parentals don't worry about my state of alivedness!! Week two of graduate school and I've already completed and emailed off my first assignment...thanks to the mom for some proof reading and the big sissy for the last minute citation consultation...darn APA format!! So other than my sudoku addiction being replaced by school reading and papers, things are going...busy, but going...it's been raining here for days...so much so that on Tuesday I decided to build an Arc! Yeah I know...gardens, pickles, salsa and now an arc...where do I find the time! Seriously though I'm hoping for some drier weather as my running is behind schedule...and we all know that that's no way to run a sub-4 hour marathon!! So with my computer battery almost dead and happy thoughts of building arcs, I'm off to get some sleep...hope everyone has an awesome Friday...and a great weekend!
:)

Labor Day Weekend...

2009-09-07T18:10:00.004-04:00

Labor Day Weekend in VB means only one thing...The Rock and Roll half marathon...ok, well it probably means a lot more, but if you want to run a flat half marathon in hot and humid conditions, then this is the race for you!! Seriously...I was glad that Elite racing finally decided to hand out technical t-shirts for this race...I mean really, if you are charging people close to the price of an Ironman the least you could give them is a technical shirt!! But I digress...this weekend was full of visiting family and...drum roll please....Dogs!! I know, imagine that, on this blog there would be a picture of a dog....shocking!!
First the cousin and her family blew into town for the half marathon...we ran the perfect half marathon...well paced, negative split and best of all a big 15 minute PR for the cousin...Woo hoo!! Unfortunately the fireworks were allegedly better in Knoxville than the Black Crows...so the TN gang blew out as fast as they blew in Sunday post race...really, even if the fireworks were cancelled they were better than the Black Crows...I'm not one to be less than positive about things but this was by far the worst concert I've been to...aside from the rocking harmonica solo, the band did little for me or the crowd...maybe if we had all dropped some acid ahead of time it would have been better...but that would have been a LOT of acid!! Sorry BC...maybe next time you'll sing more than 5 minutes AND do an encore...but your hippy hair did look FABULOUS blowing in the wind! :)
Our doggy visitor rode down on the boat with her mom and dad...she's like our third dog child and obviously she wasted no time at all getting all settled into her futon throne! Queenie was very happy to stay in air-conditioned and carpeted splendor for several days while her humans tinkered on the boat...despite the nasty boating weather, there were fish that were caught...or at least tales of fish being caught because goodness knows I didn't even see a scale let alone a fish attached to it!!

Otherwise school has started and I'm getting back into the swing of things...although on-line classes are certainly different than attending classes but I could totally get used to lounging on the couch in my underwear watching class...it's a hard life but someone's gotta do it! With that I'll leave everyone with well wishes and hopefully now my mom won't tell me on facebook that I'm ignoring my blog....really Patsy, it's hard to maintain both!! Bye! :)

A Question for the Big Sissy....

2009-08-24T18:27:00.000-04:00

DID YA BRING ONE HOME FOR ME??????!!!!!!!!!

This week's visitors...

2009-08-21T21:02:00.003-04:00

taking the plunge...

2009-08-18T18:00:00.002-04:00

...can't believe I did this, but I joined facebook today...so make me your friend people!!

Mutant Cucumbers...

2009-08-05T06:04:00.001-04:00

Salsa Sunday...

2009-08-02T14:06:00.007-04:00

Salsa Sunday...started with the past few days tomato crop...yes Dad those are all from my plants the past few days...eat your heart out!! (Although if you were closer, I'd share) ...First order of business was to remove the skins from the tomatoes...after much searching of the internet I found a nice little trick that was so simple and cut my chopping time down to nearly nothing...first you dip the tomato in the hot boiling water....

...30 seconds later you dunk it in ice water and waala...skins slide right off...it was awesome!

....skinned and chopped up into the pan they went with the other salsa ingredients...while we simmered away I got the jars ready...

...and BAM! I've got salsa....perfect!

...Hope everyone is having an awesome Salsa Sunday...marathon training starts tomorrow...YIKES...I'm not sure the track will remember my name! :)

more pickles...

2009-08-01T17:58:00.008-04:00

So, today was bread and butter pickle making day...an official holiday...or maybe not...but with the abundance of cucumbers from the garden I needed to do something!! So I chopped up a couple onions and cucumbers and sprinkled them with pickling salt and soaked them in ice water for a couple hours... ...while they soaked, I cleaned a couple of quart jars... ...then I mixed the rest of the ingredients up in a pot...originally thinking my pan wasn't big enough, I cut the recipe in half...in the end though I ended up making a batch and a half to fill all the jars...

...I then got the hot tub (aka water bath canner) boiling, put the clean jars in to warm up and sterilize and drained the cucumbers and onions...isn't this great...just like television...three pictures later I'm already draining...that would be a 2 hour warp if anyone's really interested!

...I then put the cucumbers and onions in the bread and butter mixture and brought it back to a boil....filled my jars up....put on the lids...and put them in the hot tub to soak for a little while...

...and presto...PICKLES!!

...I'd like to think of them as jumbo bread and butter pickles...thank goodness the hubby put some of the other cucumbers in the downstairs fridge where the temperature control is questionable at best...just in case you are wondering, freezing a cucumber isn't really good for it!! Otherwise I'd still be making pickles...tomorrow is salsa making!! Hope everyone's having a nice weekend! :)

The Big Sissy's Long Awaited Race Report...

2009-07-22T18:53:00.008-04:00

...or How I Broke My Foot in Two Places....
...or How Much Running in Soft Sand is Too Much???...

All of these would be fitting titles to the Big Sissy's RR...but we'll let her rant for a bit....

If I were in charge of the world (which I am not-but she is striving towards) all races would be planned with common sense and the non runner in mind! (again, a reminder that the thoughts expressed here are solely the writers and may not be confused with the blog's owner's own love of running!!) So after we picked up our excellent race packets, which were the highlight of this race, we learned where the Five Guys Burgers and Fries along with the PetSmart are located in New Jersey. Being a dog owner myself I have to say that the information on where the PetSmart was located along with the location of the 24/7 emergency vet could be potentially useful information but I digress. Race packet pick up was very smooth which considering it was 4th of July weekend at the shore was amazing because it could have been a giant nightmare!
We arrived at the race site only to discover that the racks (at least some of them) were numbered wrong. (I think this was only the 10 or so numbers that the Big Sissy fell into, but I for one was confused when after seeing the mis-marked racks couldn't find mine...) So I set all my stuff up and then had to move all my stuff again. Not so horrible but I should have known then. As we got our pre-race directions we learned that the race was going to start ½ mile from the transition area and then go another 400 or so meters down the beach. Now, there are 80 blocks of beach in Avalon and I understand that some people had trouble last year with the current and ran into the peer but again…there are 80 blocks of beach. After a lovely week of water temperatures the wind decided to change on Saturday and so the water was COLD and I don’t just mean a little cold I mean freeze your feet off, can’t breathe cold.

We need to get you a wetsuit Mooch...

Like any good swimmer would do, I simply swam like the little old ladies who didn’t want to get their purple hair wet at the pool in the summer. My old lady breast stroke was still faster than most of the people’s regular swimming but then we hit the beach…now we have to RUN back to our bikes in the loose sand (see map...I think she's referring to the map I posted previously...) Any advantage that I gained in the water was VERY quickly lost as I trudged back to my bike. you passed this guy trudging!!

The bike was a scenic three loop course, like my sister my ADHD kicked in and by the middle of the second lap I was completely bored but I did notice some very cute doggies along the way who were passing time with their people watching the race. The helpers were cheerful and helpful which is always nice. Not too many bike complaints except that again, you have 80 blocks of beach maybe there was a way to stretch the bike route out so that you didn’t have to do 3 loops but again…

But you're smiling here!!

...next was the run and thanks to the piping plovers (adorable little endangered birds that they are) nesting on the boardwalk we got to run on the beach at high tide. I could again say that there are 80 blocks of beach and PAVEMENT in Avalon but you get the idea. WHY ON EARTH DO YOU RUN ON THE LOOSE SAND FOR THREE MILES WHEN THERE IS A PERFECTLY GOOD PAVED STREET??? Less than ¼ of a mile into running in the loose sand I ditched my shoes and ran barefoot for the remainder of the race. It is completely demoralizing to pass the finish line 3 times especially when you are slow like me. But I did finish and the ice cold towel was a very nice consolation prize. Nic’s beach towel was way cooler. As a total positive they had CHOCOLATE MILK at the finish which was great and REALLY COLD (like the ocean) and since I didn’t swallow any salt water or work hard enough to puke it was sure tasty!!! Since I couldn’t walk on my screwed up ankle (which later turns out to be a broken in 2 places metatarsal bone...) which was now even more screwed up thanks to three miles in loose sand, my very kind sister the nurse went in search of some ice. This turned out to be a much larger challenge than one might think and again proved the value of the ice cold towel at the finish. Anyway, couldn’t get out of there fast enough and for sure I wouldn’t do the race again, even with the awesome packet stuff because I really do think common sense shouldn’t be so hard but hey what do I know?! Some nap time on the beach and a walk in the water to ice my foot finished the afternoon for me.

Nice Puke-Free Finish!!!

Congrats on a great race despite the broken foot and all...I think that ranks you pretty tough in my book!! And a shout out to Dad for the great pictures...although he failed to capture my pukey finish photo, he did a pretty good job getting all the other highlights...or at least some good pictures of the lady in purple he thought was me!! JK...luv your skillz DAD!

Busy-ness...

2009-07-19T19:47:00.007-04:00

I need to show my blog some love!! I'll have the Big Sissy's race report up soon since she finally sent it to me...but first I must edit because we all know about the dog (who has made a miraculous recovery...thank goodness) and well because it's my blog and for once I can print what I want...call it repressed pride of authorship for all of those Christmas letters I wrote that were hilarious only to be edited to a more tame and way less funny outcome because someone didn't like something I said!! :) I promise not to butcher it too much Mooch.

I spent this week slowly getting reacquainted with my running shoes...and by slowly I mean after 10 days I finally went for a run...and of course I chose the hottest most humid day to venture out, but I lived to tell the tale and I wasn't even too sore the next day, so we'll classify it as a success...but the reality is I need to get back out there and start getting some base miles in before marathon training starts in full at the beginning of August...this is so against my procrastinating tendencies...so maybe I'll start tomorrow!

For today's project I made pickles...random I know...especially since I've never made pickles before let alone canned anything BUT from my initial (completely amateur) opinion, I think I did a good job...it appears I ended up with a good seal on all 8 jars...so in a couple of days we'll see how they taste. The garden is doing so well...I never imagined I'd enjoy it so much or have as many cucumbers as I do...next year maybe I'll plant some cucumbers that are supposed to be made into pickles, this year we'll just have to improvise! The tomato plants have a million green tomatoes which are all of a sudden turning red in big numbers instead of the one or two every few days I've been getting...just yesterday this is what I picked... ...and the most exciting news is that I've got baby green peppers!!! I'm so excited!

...aren't they cute?!!? I'm already planning for the fall and next year so that I can better use the space I've made...but an expansion is definitely in the plan...especially now that I'm a master canner (spelled correctly just for you Lee!!!)!! Ha! Hope everyone had a great weekend! :)

New Jersey or Bust!

2009-07-09T20:18:00.010-04:00

Well I think our long weekend would be described as a Bust! Maybe we should have taken the closed due to flooding tunnel as an omen to not make the trip....or maybe we should have considered the resulting 15 mile back-up at the other tunnel a sign...but silly us...decided to change plans, meet Geek some where in MD to return the puppy and continue our trek up the Eastern Shore to NJ...only to land here less than 30 minutes after our arrival to the parental units....Yes that would be the emergency 24 hour vet hospital!!! In keeping with my strong sense of fairness, Jack decided that he too needed some emergency surgery...fortunately with a lot of luck and the quick actions of his well trained owners, his bout with GVD (aka Bloat....180 degree flipped stomach, filled up with air...) was successfully resolved with surgical intervention by Dr. Jessica. Needless to say, we are so thankful it was successful as we were in no way prepared for the alternative. 48 hours after surgery...when he decided he would eat for us instead of the great hospital staff that took awesome care of him, he was released back to us for a little R&R and the salvage of a nice last day at the beach...which was spent swimming, running, biking and running...at a little race called Islandman.... ...I'm going to let my sister rant about this race...mostly because she chose it, but let me just say, I disagree a little with this particular course but I'm sure that the race director had good reason why it was organized as it was...however it involved a TON of running and a good deal was on softer sand...which I know is unavoidable when doing a beach triathlon...but starting the swim away from the transition area and then swimming even further down the beach just didn't make sense!! So with that little explanation, here's my quick race report...ocean swim...a little choppy but with a good current it was very quick, not that you could tell that from my 11+ minute time for the 1/4 mile swim but really the fastest woman's time was 8+ so I'm not too disappointed....most of my 11 minutes was spent running from the swim exit to transition...I think they could have lessened the blow of this largely soft sand run to transition by having another timing mat at the swim exit but everyone did the same race...on to T1 which was mostly uneventful for me...I'm never super fast but this year I've really mastered having coffee and scones in transition so my just over 1 minute time pleased me especially since I opted to remove my wetsuit once I got to my bike....and speaking of the bike...it was a lovely 3 loop 12 mile ride...it was enjoyable but really hard to remain legal with 400 racers in a 4 mile area but surprisingly few penalties were handed out...and luckily I was not one of the lucky ones receiving one of those even though I was convinced I had incurred one trying to pass a couple guys that were already blocking the guy I was trying to pass...it was ugly but I was pleased with my time of 38 minutes and some change but grossly reminded that my ADHD can really only handle two laps tops!!...T2 was also uneventful...despite that others tell you not to talk to anyone even your parents I had a nice quick conversation with my mom while changing shoes and quickly got on my way to run in some more soft sand. Originally this run was described as a 5K beach run on the boardwalk...but thanks to some nesting Piping Plovers it was run entirely on the beach...and I'm pretty sure the boardwalk in Avalon, NJ isn't very long so it would have been a lot of circles to get 5K...not that passing the finish line not once, not twice but three times before actually finishing was much better!! Despite the sandy run and my awesome vomiting at the end of the race (UGH...think I swallowed a bit much salt water during the swim...) I actually managed a 25 minute 5K which I thought was ok...in all I finished 4th in my age group netting an awesome beach towel prize. And while I have been there done that on this race, considering its reasonable price tag the goodie bag, technical t-shirts and prizes were really awesome....and best of all an iced down towel as a finishers medal...I love useful gear! So with that a few more pics from the weekend....

The Boys Chillin' after Jack's Return Home

The Big Sissy and I in Transition

Off We walk to the Swim!!

...I'll have more pics for the Big Sissy's guest race report...but until then hope everyone's having a great week! :)

Dear Dad...

2009-06-30T21:28:00.004-04:00

Life here is rough...they make me sleep in their tempurpedic bed...on the fleece sheets...with a fuzzy blanket...in the air conditioning and under a celing fan....but I'm trying to make the best of the situation....

....I miss you...

....do you think they'll let me take this blanket home?!

Love,

Mixson

Dog Days of Summer!!

2009-06-28T11:05:00.009-04:00

We have a visitor this weekend....

...He'll be with us for a few days and so far he's been a very busy guy learning the house rules....First he had to master the art of lounging and remaining as stress free as possible....

...then he had to wait his turn for some snackies...

...then he had to take a nap....

...lastly, he had to sit and watch while I mowed the lawn, watered the garden and picked cucumbers....although, unlike the hubby, he didn't tell me I missed a spot!!...don't worry Geek...I think he'll want to go home...eventually!!!

Quick Version...

2009-06-15T21:00:00.002-04:00

First and foremost...if you haven't done so already go visit Steve in a Speedo's Blog and not only be entertained by his blister pictures and hilarious posts, enter to win a free pair of shoes from onlineshoes.com. And since 110 other people have already entered at least once to win I find no shame in putting this up on my blog to get myself a third entry!! :) Mommy needs a new pair of shoes Steve...I'll send you my blister pictures from this weekend if it'll get me a fourth entry!!
This weekend was Eagleman 70.3 up in Cambridge, MD after a fairly rough start to my trip...read that flat tire and torrential downpour in the minute I left the car with all the windows down to grab something from the house (can we say wet butt for the ride up?!) I was excited to find out one of our friends, Big Cris, won the Blazeman award...what an honor for a very deserving guy...congrats!! I have to say that this race was well organized, fun, the town so supportive (because let's face it, having a half IM wind through your town for hours upon hours is just not convenient) and the volunteers were spectacular...not once did I hit an aid station that was devoid of all the goodies...water, gatorade, bananas, gels and ice galore! The race started with really overcast skies...but some where near the end of my bike adventure the sun came out full force making for a hot run...and while the results look as if I decided to totally skip T1 and the bike portion, I can reassure you I definitely did them...just apparently missed the mat or my chip was being finicky. I had hoped for a little faster run, but I'll take the whole race...the half IM distance is still kind of a mystery to me even after a few, so needless to say, there will be more in my future, although maybe not until 2012 when I graduate from graduate school...right now looks like my temporary retirement will start in August! Look out IM New Zealand 2013 though!! :) I didn't get too many pics this weekend so hopefully the race photographers will have caught some of my better moments...and hopefully not me battling the gel at mile 8!! Have a great week everyone!

I'm alive!

2009-06-11T10:00:00.003-04:00

Much to the distress of my friends and family I've been in posting oblivion over the past several weeks...instead of boring you with the details I'll give you the short list...
1. Last build up in training for Eagleman this weekend...wish me luck!!
2. Surgery for one fuzzy four legged monster that resides with us...translated means solitary confinement in the crate except to eat, drink and poop which he has to do on a leash and with a sling for extra support...I'll post pics of him eventually...first few days post op he looked like a poodle with a haircut gone very very wrong!
3. Family stuff...I'll explain in greater detail in a bit...once we've got all the details...
4. Work...could it get busier...well maybe it could since I'm updating my blog today...shhh don't tell!! :)
Hope everyone is doing well...I need to download my pics and get them all up according to topic...I'll do that soon...promise!!

A Poopy New Trend...

2009-05-11T13:20:00.002-04:00

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!!

2009-05-07T18:20:00.002-04:00

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

2009-05-04T09:01:00.018-04:00

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! :)

Ready or Not, Here I Come!!

2009-04-30T21:13:00.002-04:00

So, Iron Sue and I are headed out bright and early tomorrow morning to wild, wonderful White Lake, North Carolina to participate in the White Lake Half. Seems we also drew the short straw (me) and the extremely short straw (Iron Sue) for wave starting position. Iron Sue will be wearing the neon green cap in the 9th (last) wave...and I'll be sporting Navy in the 7th wave...a full 40 and 30 minutes respectively after the first wave...woo hoo! Other than my Bento Box I have miraculously found all of my race gear...given it's been about 10 months since the last time I tackled a triathlon and the fact that I just started gathering stuff tonight, I think that's pretty good...however, of everything I would really like to have, a place to put my electrolyte tabs would be really nice...oh well, maybe I'll find it in time for Eagleman in June!! :) The camera battery is charged and ready to capture the weekend...wish me luck!!

Did We Skip Spring??!!

2009-04-26T11:11:00.004-04:00

I think we just may have!! It's funny how just last week my furnace was on and there was frost on my car...yesterday, after watching the husband sweat profusely and listening to him complain about how hot he was, I ended up turning on the AC!! It hit 90 something here...WOW!! I love the warm weather and since the weekend's workouts were short and sweet I've gotten a lot of the other projects I've been meaning to do done...yippeee for the taper!!
Yesterday was spent mostly getting yard stuff done...mowing while the hubby weed wacked (I've been banned from wacking now for several years, however, after the 4 inch stick flew and hit me in the face (thank goodness I had eye protection on), I'm thinking my license to wack might have to be restored!!)...fertilizing and laying down some more grass seed (read that fertilizing and providing the neighborhood birds with a feast!) and finally getting my raised garden bed filled with soil and plants. I figured by raising the bed I would avoid the dogs tromping through and killing the plants...well, let me tell you just how wrong I was about that!! Given his recent displays of contempt for the "no dogs on the new couch" rule.......I shouldn't have been surprised by the muddy paws and flattened pepper plants in the garden! Not to mention the enormous paw prints and half smushed basil plant. So after today's run I headed to the Home Depot to once again test my theory that the best way to get service is to go in your workout clothes...I think I'm a sadly disappointing female customer though...you see, despite the fact that I HATE to shop, I do love projects and I know my local HD's like the back of my hand...so for the 6 men that asked me if I needed help while I walked from the garden department to the fencing department...thanks, but I had it covered! And now, my garden bed has a fence....

...now all I have to do is pray that the pepper plants can be revived!! Oh, and I have a little bit more room so here's what I've got so far...cucumbers on the left end, basil and pepper (one red, one green )plants in the front, and pole beans and tomato plants on the back...I'd like to put a couple more herb plants in between the veggies so I'm open to suggestions. The plan is if I'm successful this year, next year I'll build another bed for squash (yellow), zucchini and eggplant since they need lots-o-space...this year I'm just going to count on my friends for those items!!

Lastly, a shout out to my younger cousin who overcame a tonsillectomy a few weeks back to run a great race at the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville yesterday!! Although I'm the old-ball cousin without a Facebook page (oh the horror, I know!!), my bloggy shout out is still heart felt, just not instantly gratifying...Woo Hoo, way to go Jess!!

Hope everyone has an great Sunday!! :)

MIA

2009-04-21T20:26:00.005-04:00

Yep, I've been MIA...between workouts and home improvement mayhem at the homestead, I haven't had much time...nor any random, funny thoughts! Even worse than your mom worrying that you were dead because your blog hasn't been updated in (gasp) a full week, is your sister trying to get her Easter card up!! Mooch...there are rules to this blog...first is you can't be greedy...just because some of your other cards have made it up here, doesn't mean the Easter card does...even if it it has marshmallow peeps on it!! We've gotta keep you busy...trying to find that elusive card that will some day make it's way back up here!!

The last few weeks I've spent wrapping up the big training miles for Whitelake (70.3) the first weekend of May. While this is a race to gauge where I'm at and where I need to go before Eagleman, I'm still a bit nervous...the weather here hasn't been as conducive as it usually is to getting out on the bike. Most of my long rides have been spent in hellacious headwinds, which is good practice but very demoralizing at the same time!! But we've been blessed with some good weather (and some more wind dammit!) so I've been out and about a few times and feeling a bit more confident. However, it's also the start of tourist season here which inherently means a good game of Frogger when around the oceanfront...what happened to looking both ways before crossing streets??!! I digress!

The past weekend was spent installing recessed lighting in the front living room...what is it with old houses that don't have any overhead lighting??...and putting together and securing to the wall two beautiful glassed door bookcases...the room almost looks like an adult lives here...if it weren't for the futon!! In my defense, I couldn't give the futon up...the dogs love it because they can sit and watch the world go by out the window and I feel it provides me an added layer of security...seriously, wouldn't you think twice about robbing a house with this...

....and this....

....standing up in the window like Sasquatch, using their big dog bark?!?!! Vicious I tell ya, absolutely vicious! Plus, in a pinch the futon gives me an additional space to sleep guests...if anyone ever came to visit me!! JK parentals...I know you were just here!! So I'll leave ya with a photo of the newly improved room...forgive the computer table...it's a mess...but...WE'VE GOT LIGHT!!! :)

Cherry Blossoms...

2009-04-12T19:07:00.008-04:00

...Ok, so it's a little late, but I have a good excuse...I'm not going to bore you with a race report, other than to say that this year's Cherry Blossom 10 miler in DC was absolutely gorgeous...definitely makes up for last years rainy and cold weather. I will have to say though, that packet pick-up sucked...with such nice weather, the metro was packed (think 2 pounds of crap in a 1 pound bucket!) due to the great weather, festivities and blossoms in full bloom--logistically it took nearly 1.5 hours to retrieve my race number and shirt once I arrived at the Building Museum...that's without any dilly dallying at the expo...and not including the metro ride to and from. Maybe next year it'll be better! I wish I could have fished my camera out of my purse to take a picture of the train, but I was being held in one place by about 40 of my close personal friends (read total strangers that thankfully had all taken a shower) and was exceeding my capacity to be patient with the encroachment on my personal bubble! My wave start...I'm at the way back...

Why are race photos so ugly?! I'm really not in pain in this picture!
Aren't the Sherpas in Training cute?!?!

I then arrived home to find Cuz in the hospital after suffering a stroke mid-ride...I'm pretty sure between him and Stevie G they like to remind me that I should never race without them...it leads to strokes and broken ankles! Cuz is recovering well, however, his stroke is a reminder that it's always best to ride with someone or at the very least someone should know your plan...if you aren't feeling right, you turn around NOT finish a 50 mile ride (Ahem...not mentioning any names...)...wear an ID...and most importantly, HYDRATE! OK, off of my soapbox! A big WOO HOO to my Iron-Friend SDR for snagging herself a lottery slot to KONA...I jumped off the couch when I read the TV today!! :) Hope everyone has a great week!

Thank You Fuel Belt!!

2009-04-06T15:54:00.004-04:00

I always feel compelled to let people know when I've been the recipient of great customer service, so I had to share this with everyone....the weekend before last I went out for my usual long run with my Fuel Belt Sprint Palm Holder and sadly, even though it was only a few months old (but well loved), it broke mid run.......so I contacted the folks at Fuel Belt via email before I went to bed one night last week and by the time I checked my email the next morning, Michelle at Fuel Belt had left me a follow-up email and had already sent me out a replacement....

...which arrived today...less than a week later! Way to go...thank you so much Michelle and Fuel Belt!!!

I've got lots of fun pics from this weekend's Cherry Blossom 10 miler...I'll get them posted in the next few days! Happy Monday!

The Big Sissy's Pictures!!

2009-04-03T19:58:00.008-04:00

So I've picked out my top three favorite pictures from the sister's first triathlon of the season...sorry Mooch, but you didn't send me your favs so here we go...

Picture Number 1: This is my absolute favorite because you can clearly see my sister running...right in back of the lady meandering in the blue raincoat...ok, so you can barely see her shoulder...dad, what is up with this picture?!?! Way to capture the moment!! :)

Picture Number 2: Now we can see her running...10 years ago...ok, maybe just 3 years ago...this is a sight I never in a million years thought I'd see...my sister running and not even because she is being chased by a rabid, furry woodland creature...you are a ROCKSTAR!! Totally color coordinated to boot...shirt matches her shoes...a nice touch I must say...and wearing that race belt I gave her for her birthday/first triathlon ever present in 2006!

Picture Number 3: Also on my short list because not only do we have the sister, but we have the mom starring in this photo...again the color coordination is astounding...however, Cuz and I need to get you into a nice set of pink speedplays and some matching bike shoes some time soon...and maybe even (GASP!) remove those reflectors!!

So there you have it, my top three...hopefully I'll have some fun pictures to post after I get back from running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler up in Washington, D.C. this weekend...I may even carry my camera as the blossoms are supposed to be blooming...but I don't know if I'm coordinated enough to pull off running, taking a gel and pictures all in the same race, we'll see...in the mean time hope everyone has a nice weekend! :)

The Big Sis's Triathlon Report...

2009-03-31T16:24:00.003-04:00

...not to be confused with the big sissy's triathlon report!! So earlier today I called upon my sister to submit a race report from her first triathlon of the season...so here's the report, with some embellishments courtesy of me because it's my blog and all those years of my version of the family Christmas letter getting shot down, I can finally have pride of authorship!! :) ...oh and I get to pick the pictures out too because she didn't send me her favs...JK...I'll wait for those!

It was a dark and rainy morning in March when 318 crazy souls descended upon the Freedom Center in Manassas for the Tune Up Tri. This proved several things to me first all triathlons should end with the swim and start with the run it is way better to get the worst part over with first. (the previous statement is the sole opinion of the person writing this report and is in no way meant to influence your decision about what portion of the actual sport of triathlon is better...she's a swimmer, need I say more?!?!) It also proved that people who do triathlons really are crazy cause who in their right mind gets out of bed on a cold rainy morning to go run and bike in the rain when it is only 40 degrees and then after they are totally soaking wet, takes off their warm clothes and walks/ runs barefoot across a parking lot to go swim...and thinks it fun!?* Well I have to say it was fun and despite the fact that Nicole dragged me kicking and screaming (oh the drama...I didn't even have to pay your entry fee for your first race!) to my first tri I am now hooked. This I know for a fact because I would never have gotten out of bed on such a day several years ago to participate in an athletic event. (SOOOO true...the girl can sleep!) While I haven't mastered the art of transitioning quickly yet I did finish 13th out of 32 in my age group in less than 40 minutes (39:29 to be exact) and finished in the top half of the total field. (A BIG WOO HOO to you!) Given that two short summers ago I finished 16th from last I have greatly improved. (...but you didn't finish last just like I promised you wouldn't...) This maybe in large part due to Nicole's consistent pressure to do better and do more or it might be due to all the training Troy and I have been doing together either way it felt good to actually be good this time. (I love that you used my name and Troy's in the same sentence!) Plus having been bad makes you empathetic to the poor soul who is stopping at the end of every lane, had to walk the run and even had to get off their bike and walk part of that too. (...remembering that that person is still there getting it done...way better than those who didn't even show up!) Some things never change and stupidity should be against the rules just like i-pods and flip turns. I say that because despite being told NUMEROUS times that you were to get in the pool and go the guy in front of me failed to follow this very simple rule and nearly caused an 18 athlete pileup fortunately the guy behind me grabbed me and since I failed to fall in and give the guy a concussion the rest of the people behind me were also saved. Needless to say people are SLOW in the pool and I hate when they get aggravated that you are passing them. One person even swam side to side to prevent being passed another guy pushed off the wall in front of me and then gave me a dirty look when I ran into his slow side stroke swimming self. At the end I touched before three people who got credit from the ham radio guy for finishing ahead of me. I guess no one told him to record numbers in the order you touch not the order he felt like. (...had to remove what you wrote here because God bless Mr. Ham Radio Guy for volunteering..."be nice to the delivery guy, it's not his fault he can't read..."...but I digress on with her report!) Anyway, for the first time I actually felt competitive and I was doing the passing instead of being passed. YIPPEEE!!! As always the sherpas were present (Mom and Dad ROCK!!) and the ever elusive husband sherpa actually showed up too. (Way to Go Lar...when you gonna do a tri?!?!?!) Hunley the four legged sherpa was wet and smelly all the way home but the kids thought he was just awesome and as he was the only four legged sherpa there he got loads of attention. (Damn dogs know they are soooo cute!) Some adult even knew he was named after a submarine but the kids still think he is named after Curious George's friend. This is sweet revenge for me because I wanted to name him after Max from the Grinch. So in the end he got a story character name anyway! But I digress...the race was fun and I am looking forward to seeing how I do in June. Might be time to take Eduardo up on his clipless pedal advice and see if it makes a difference. (it will...and the two of us won't have to keep having the same discussion about whether you finally got clipless pedals or not!!) Hopefully, this completely fills everyone in, provides a good advertisement for the Tune Up Tri (the folks down there actually always run a nice event), and encourages all those struggling tri people to keep at it cause you just might get better! Here's to sunny and warm days for the rest of the season's events (though not as warm as last year's Sandman) so that we can all work on those funky tan lines!! I'll drink to that!!

And there folks you have it...my first guest race report (spell checked because the elementary school principal didn't remember to!!)...I'll post pictures tomorrow to give her a chance to get her makeup and hair done so she looks good!! :)

Weekends...

2009-03-31T06:37:00.002-04:00

While the crew down here was getting savagely beaten by the 20mph headwind for many hours on the bike, my sis finished her first triathlon of the season this weekend...which I think calls for a guest race report!! So Mooch, send me your report via email, making sure to include at least a paragraph about how I taught you everything you currently know about triathlon, identify which of the pics you want included with your report (you may have to send those too as I only got the second batch from dad...) and I will post it here! Hope everyone's having a great week so far! :)

Shamrock 1/2 Marathon

2009-03-23T13:50:00.002-04:00

We had a great weekend for racing here this weekend...perfect for many of the folks chasing PRs during the many races of the Shamrock Marathon weekend. After spending much of the last week in a major funk, I decided it would be best to just go out and enjoy the race and not worry too much about anything else...a good strategy, but in the end I wished I had been a bit more aggressive! Still I ended up with a nice PR at the half marathon distance...and an apparent out of body experience according to my Garmin which some where between miles 4 and 5 lost its signal momentarily, came back up but I was a half mile further down the road than I actually was...the funny thing was that after it shut off at 13.1 miles (more than a half mile to the finish) I restarted it to finish the race and finished with merely 13.19 miles run...I'm still trying to figure it all out...but I wish I remembered more of that alleged half mile I gained!! :) Now it's recovery week and cramming the bike riding in an effort to be ready for my first half IM the first weekend of May. Happy Monday!! :)

it's the 17th!!

2009-03-17T08:27:00.001-04:00

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY EVERYONE!!! Hope you all have time for a green beer (or 3) today...enjoy!

Keeping My Favorite Sister Happy...

2009-03-16T09:32:00.003-04:00

...my sister has been talking about the perfect birthday card she got me (like 6 months ago...) for about a week now...and how if her Christmas card made the blog then the birthday card should definitely make the blog! Obviously while sisters we are not of the same mold...from me you'd be lucky to get your gift (sans card) in the close vicinity of your birthday (several months after still qualifies as close vicinity in my book!)....her...she shops for cards 6 months in advance...this is why everyone is still awaiting on their Christmas cards from me...from 2007!! Hee hee!! Well Mooch...here you go...the card is definitely funny and I think my favorite is number 2 but apparently I live my life a little bit more like #3!!!!

Birthday Greetings...

2009-03-13T06:24:00.004-04:00

...ok, I was trying to upload some balloons but apparently I'm being overly zealous for blogger this morning...so I'll settle for this...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM AND MS. R!!

...hope your Friday the 13th birthdays are AWESOME!!! :)

Let the Funky Tan Lines Begin!!

2009-03-08T15:42:00.007-04:00

This is how last week started out here...while my chucklehead doesn't mind bad weather...in fact I'm convinced the worse the weather, the longer he stays outside...I'm a total cold weather wimp. So imagine my joy when the temps warmed up here starting on Friday...Saturday came and I enjoyed a nice long run in the park in shorts...and today...Iron Sue and I hit the open road...unlike our last attempt which I can only qualify as pitiful, this was an awesome ride...50 miles to enjoy the warmer temps, curse the wind (man it was blowing!), see what Coach Troy has done for us during our long trainer sessions and of course start those AWESOME tan lines our athletic apparel produces!!

Iron Sue poses with her bike!

Me with the Blue Roo...

...a really bad attempt to get a photo of both of us...I'll work on that!

Hope everyone had an awesome weekend!! :)

Tired of Troy...

2009-03-06T19:41:00.004-05:00

So my sis is tired of me writing about my Sundays with Troy...and while I can't figure why anyone would be tired of Troy and for the record my last post said nothing of his greatness, I thought I'd put a post up dedicated to her need for something new!! :)

...it was 70 degrees here today...hurray for warmer weather! Although I did get to spend the majority of my day inside in standardized testing hell...AKA taking the GRE's. I haven't quite figured out what a standardized test of the obscure verb form of a word we normally use as a noun can tell an educational institution...or what a 45 minute essay discussing a topic I'm in no way interested or even know much about is going to tell anyone about my ability to express ideas, but I did punch my card today and took the test...I passed...I think...here's hoping that I get in to graduate school!!

...I also got to spend a good hour at the local DMV renewing my license because, yes folks, I'm getting older this month...even aging up in the world of athletics...but this arrived on my doorstop from the sister...

...reminding me of two things...1. The kid in me still loves the Muppets...and 2. I'll always be younger than she is...hee hee...so folks...it's time to get things started...it's time to light the lights...

A New Record...

2009-03-01T18:09:00.005-05:00

...2.5 hours on the trainer...ugh!...yeah, I know, nothing compared to what some others do, but a new record for me none-the-less!

....at least the dogs were impressed...

....or maybe not!! Hope everyone had a nice weekend...and maybe a little less rain than we had! :)

Death By Running...

2009-02-21T17:42:00.003-05:00

I would have preferred the death by chocolate version today...finished out the distance series today...it was miserable. I knew something was up when my heart rate decided to jump up into (and stay in) the 170's and I was barely moving faster than my normal weekend long run pace...heading the body I decided today was better spent not nauseous and dizzy, but man, if my heart rate approached anywhere near the high 160's (a place I run most of my high end (or is it low end?...the fast end...whatever that is)tempo runs...and even some of my interval work) the head started spinning...it sucked. We all have these runs though...or at least that's what I'm telling myself...I guess the last two weeks of me feeling like I'm falling apart was a prophecy! The hubby was uber-sympathetic, offering me the fact that I'm just getting old...good for me I'm not nearly as close to dead as he is!! JK! Weather was nice though...clear skies and a little breezy, but good running weather. Tomorrow I wimp out on the cold rainy weather...Iron Sue and I have a date with Troy...be still my beating heart! :)

Guilty Pleasures...this one's for you dad!

2009-02-20T20:42:00.002-05:00

I was walking through the drug store yesterday, on my way to buy a manila envelope for my graduate school application, when I came across these...I have big issues with most of the holiday stuff that gets set out MONTHS in advance, but this is not one of them...a pink or yellow (the only 2 real colors these little guys should ever be...) sugar high...after they have sat on the counter, out of their packaging and gotten to the perfect level of staleness of course...I was however disgusted to see that these yummy little creatures now come in a sugar free model...I mean really, how can a sugar coated marshmallow chicken ever go sugar free?!?!?!

Sundays with Troy!!

2009-02-15T18:23:00.005-05:00

Ok, so I'm a weather wimp...something about steady 20mph winds and below freezing temps that keeps me indoors on the ol' bike...so Iron Sue and I sweated to the pseudo circus music with Troy for a little over 2 hours today...I love Troy!! :)

Hi Mom and Dad...

2009-02-14T13:53:00.004-05:00

...I'm still alive!! You know you need to post something on your blog when your mom calls and says, "Well we hadn't heard from you in a couple of days and you haven't updated your blog..."! Duly noted. My lack of blogging (and calling my parents...) is due to a lack of time...who knew a 15 minute shift in work schedule could cause such a problem! Starting Monday I'm going to try a different approach to getting it all in...maybe it'll free up some time...if it doesn't...I'm counting on day light savings time to get more sunshine in the evening!
Luckily, not much new is going on...I had the opportunity to run the inaugural Virginia is for Lovers 14K as part of Team Kainer this morning...it was a great first time race with only a few snags that I'm sure will be fixed in the future...well attended and I think that by far it had one of the best race shirts I've ever gotten...long sleeved...good quality and I don't have to worry when I spill red gatorade on it (like I did my sweatshirt this morning even before the race started)!! The winding course traversed the sportsplex grounds and surrounding vicinity...I hear even Cuz found the amphitheater with only a minor wrong turn...which is good since he was bike leader extraordinaire this morning! Most importantly it looked as if Fun was had by all!!

I hope everyone is enjoying Valentine's Day with someone special or at least has the dog or cat to cuddle with!! Happy Saturday! :)

It's Here!!!

2009-01-31T13:43:00.005-05:00

After a couple years talking about it, looking for the perfect fit, thinking about it, looking again, thinking again and then much debate, the new couch has finally arrived!! I never realized what a big decision furniture was...over 10 years ago when we first got a couch we had two things in mind while looking...cheap but comfortable. This time around we had to be committed to our decision, find something affordable, comfortable, durable, dog friendly (because at our house the dogs tend to make themselves comfortable...usually at the expense of the "master's" comfort), went with the decor in the room (not an issue with apartment white walls) and we would like for many years to come. And just to prove that this couch was our destiny, we would have never even seen it had we not cut through the furniture store on the way to patronize the Geek's restaurant! So with that...the new couch came in...the old couch went to the dump...I think I saw a tear in the dogs' eyes as we hauled it out to the truck...I can guarantee there were no tears shed by the master at the dump...sorry boys!

A warm welcome to my sister, who finally decided to leave me a comment under her own name....but hasn't signed up as a follower quite yet...whatareyouwaitingfor Mooch??!! Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!! :)

Swimmin'

2009-01-27T18:19:00.003-05:00

Happy Tuesday...after taking yesterday off because I seemed to have a touch of whatever stomach bug is infesting the area, I hit the pool to make up my swim. November through February are tough in terms of pool access here...with swim league and high school swim, the lanes are limited as are the times. I knew it would probably be a little busy, but then again swimming before 4pm I thought I might catch a break...what a dreamer I am! It all started with the high school swim kids getting out of the pool...I was just about ready to jump in and start my warm up when they all exited...I knew they'd be shifting the lanes and so I walked up to the lifeguard to see if they were indeed shifting lanes and asked where I should start. The answer, "Well you can just swim over there until the high school swim is over." Not wanting to be a pain and point out that they were all out of the pool, I dutifully started my warm up and wasn't even 200 meters in when the same lifeguard is yelling at me to move over...I resisted the urge to tell him it would have been much easier for all parties if he had just let me start in the lanes that were going to be open. So with my workout underway, I'm about to start my main set when this kid jumps in my lane...jumps as in I'm 1 stroke from the wall about to flip turn and he jumps in practically on top of me. Again I keep my cool and continue swimming. Well midway through my first of many 200's he's standing in the middle of the pool 3 feet from the wall with his girlie draped across the wall discussing something I'm sure was completely earth shatteringly important, you know like why she skipped out of home room or if her friend's sister's sister liked liked him...so I stop, calmly tell them I respect that they are getting their workout in too, but seriously, pick a side of the wall that lets all parties swim continuously...he gave me the it's all about me attitude, I kept swimming. Eventually the love birds left the lane, enter another guy who was easy to share with until the "I can't swim an entire 25 meters without stopping" lady got in. Now, I know I'm not the most patient person in the world, but seriously, look at the people swimming before you hop in a lane and start getting in the way. Grrrrr!!
Saturday was the second race of the distance series for me...it was a perfect day for running...cool temps...partly sunny skies (until the rain started)...perfect. I had a great race, felt strong the whole way, did a super duper (if I don't say so myself) job of pacing for the race and while I think I could have pushed the pace a bit more, it is early in the season so I was satisfied and feel good about where I am with respect to my upcoming year.
Yesterday while recuperating, I was reading an article about how the Girl Scouts are downsizing their cookies this year...anyone that has ever ordered a box of Samoas over the years knows that they've been downsizing for quite some time now...right mom!! But let's face it, I still love those thin mints, so when the little girl down the block knocked at my door, I ordered some! Gotta keep the GS in business--some one's gotta have a job!
Hope everyone is having an great week so far! :)

SNOW!!!

2009-01-20T20:03:00.004-05:00

In case you didn't hear, it was supposed to snow today...they closed schools...the salt trucks were out...and well...not even a snow flake...but we were prepared!! :)
In other really exciting news, the second race of the distance series is this weekend...thankfully I am now breathing much easier so hopefully it'll be a bit more enjoyable than the last time--wish me luck! Otherwise I'm trying to get used to the new work schedule and figure out how to get my runs and swims in on the same day without running out of time. I'm thinkin' Jimbo's got a mole that follows me around since just this past weekend I was thinking out loud on my long run how Drill Night Mondays haven't been too drill filled...boy was that a premature thought!! A main set of 3600 meters of drilling last night...I will never complain again...or at least you won't hear me because I'm drowning trying to figure out how to do change 10 and breathe while staying afloat without fins OR water wings...wasn't pretty...but at least I wasn't in the early onset dementia lane, so I've got something going for me!
Hope every one's having a fun filled Inauguration day!!

A Belated Christmas!

2009-01-14T17:57:00.004-05:00

Despite the rumors, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth! After spending an awesome weekend with the parental units celebrating Christmas belatedly, catching up with friends and actually catching a glimpse of the nocturnal animal we call Geek, I've been trying to get things done around the house, work and get all those workouts in to boot...funny how quickly you forget how much time two workouts a day take! I think I've had the same conversation with my ego on several occasions the past two weeks...it goes something like this...
ego...ugh, I can't believe that interval was so slow
me...it wasn't that slow
ego...well a few months ago you were easily holding this interval, now you are struggling
me...hello, it's January...relax, it all takes time
...anyone else in the same dilemma?? I know I have plenty of time for my upcoming season, and I need to be patient...I just need to keep reminding the ego!
So other important things...The 2008 Rock of the Year is Copper! Yes, while most kids believe the only reason they'd ever get a rock in their stockings is because they've been bad, at our house, we'd be worried we were bad if we didn't get a rock...having a rock jock for a dad, we learned to love all things rocks, minerals and mines at an early age! And we got a bonus rock this year, taconite pellets...all uniform in size, unlike those we used to collect at the train tracks on the way up to visit the grandparents in the UP of MI. I'll have to post pictures once the hubby brings home the camera!
I also got in a great run along the Silver Crescent Trail...

a nice change in scenery and mother nature decided to wait to rain/snow until I got home...Thanks to Sonia and the rest of the Pacers gang that let me tag along for their run!
And most importantly we got to catch up with friends we haven't seen in a while...it's amazing how quickly kids grow up...I used to think people were silly every time they saw me and the first thing they said is, "oh, look how big you've gotten..."...I totally get it now!
But now back to the daily grind...I was glad to see Mr. My Sweatshirt Is too Small to Cover My Belly on the trail during my intervals today...although along with his belly...he had shorts on, and while our weather is in no way as cold as it is up north...it is darn cold here...I looked like the stay puff marshmallow girl compared to him...BURR!! I wonder what happens if your beer belly gets frostbite....ok, maybe I shouldn't wonder!
I hope everyone is having a great week so far...stay warm...it's off to bed early for me...gotta get some GRE studying done...I'm sure that'll be exciting! :)

Confessions...

2009-01-06T18:29:00.005-05:00

I need to come clean about a couple of things...

Yes, it was me that brought the carrot cake into work yesterday...I know you are all on some kinda new fangle diet to celebrate the new year, but really, it's made with a vegetable, and for the record, I didn't hold your mouth open and force you to eat it...so please stop telling me about how I'm ruining your diet while you eat the moist, cream cheese frosting covered delight...and just admit, it was good AND worth a few extra calories!

I rode my trainer today...for the first time in a couple months...D I know I promised to get on the bike a few times in the month of December but I just couldn't get past admiring it while it sat quietly on the trainer all clean and sparkly...although for the record, the bike told me it didn't want to get all sweaty and who am I to argue with the blue roo?!...glad today was an aerobic workout 'cause that "test" Thursday will probably kill me! It was nice knowing everyone...JK!

I love Bret Michael's Rock of Love...some time during the first season I got sucked in, and while I knew neither of the final two was a good choice, you went ahead with the young one ensuring a season 2...I can respect that, you are a rock star! And watch season 2 I did....RELIGIOUSLY...and while I though you had made a better choice, I wasn't entirely surprised when VH1 announced season 3..."HI-OOOOO" the drama...I'm so glad for this guilty pleasure while I sweat away on the trainer...my only complaint...the new TV (yes dear, the one above the fireplace that I NEVER wanted there for fear it would melt) is no where near the right viewing angle for riding...good think I've got a massage scheduled tomorrow to help with the crick in my neck! Oh, and Bret, even though you swear there will be no season 4, I promise to watch! :)

In other news...the essay is done...now all I have to do is study for the GRE's...so if anyone out there wants to start sending me new vocabulary words, please feel free to do so...but make sure they are something random or at least a normal every day word that has an obscure meaning, because otherwise, I'm sure it will never show up on the test! Also a big thanks to the master's swimmers for inviting me to your annual New Year's Day swim...I was a little disappointed last year that I didn't garner an invite, but am honored I was included this year on the 15 year tradition...Jimbo and Boston Mary thanks also for the AWESOME breakfast...the food was amazing and the door prizes fabulous. Thanks also to Mike for taking and sharing photos like this one....

...oh, and if you get the time, meander over to the Rainmaker's Blog he's on an epic trip and has some really awesome photos up. Happy Tuesday! :)

Happy 2009!!

2009-01-03T16:12:00.002-05:00

Happy 2009 Everybody!! Well I started my quest to rediscover my inner athlete today at the Tidewater Striders' Distance Series Race #1. They hold this series every year during January and February as prep races for the Shamrock Marathon and half marathon. You have the option of either running a 10K, 15K and 20K or a 20K, 25K and 30K...after coming to terms with my ego after my disastrous race at Richmond this fall, I decided it would be much better to focus on events that would aid my race at Eagleman in June and not attempt an early season marathon...so I opted for the 10K today...and considering I've been battling some chest/sinus cold the past two weeks I was glad I did!! While I wasn't near race speed today, I did survive and make it back to my car (notice the map...duh, turn the garmin off!)...and the weather was pretty nice considering yesterday's cold rain. The upcoming week brings me back to full time training...so by tomorrow I will have that essay done...which means that I will actually have to get back on the bike instead of just looking at it and pay a little more attention to what I eat...I guess it was time to hang up the cookies anyway! Hope everyone had a good start to their 2009, Happy Training!

A Look Back at 2008...

2008-12-30T19:01:00.010-05:00

When I was graduating from college (the first time!) my father used to joke me about being a S.A.G. (Shiftless, Aimless and Goalless...not the vehicle that picks up the stragglers in a race!) and while 2007 found me with razor sharp focus towards IMFL, 2008 found me once again a S.A.G! I guess I was tired of riding my bike for hours on end...running, running and more running and swimming so many laps I lost count (ok...it was a lot, but I'm not too good at counting!)....so I started 2008 without much focus on anything, I had a few races I wanted to do, but mostly I wanted to cheer more and race less...in the end it turned out to be a great year. I was able to enjoy racing when I wanted and cheering for my friends as the conquered their new adventures...I was able to hang out with my family and friends past 8pm...I was able to race in the pouring down rain, with water up to the middle of my shin and love every minute of it on more than one occasion...surely I had some good races and of course I had some not so good races but 2008 was without a doubt a success for me on many levels. For 2009 I have some goals...some that have to do with athletics and some that don't...so since the first thing to do is write the goals down...I hereby present 2009 in a nutshell....

Running races until the first week of April...all the while building back my base on the bike and maintaining the swimming...I hope I remember how to ride my bike...it's been a couple of months! A few triathlons...and hopefully graduate school...right now all that is standing between me and graduate school is a 500-700 word essay about my hopes, dreams and aspirations and why becoming a nurse practitioner will help me achieve those...and the GRE's (again...who knew 10+ year old scores were bunk?!)...it's funny how I can babble endlessly about silly stuff but trying to compose an essay, complete with paragraphs and punctuation is not so easy! I think it's the grammar that's holding me back!!

Anyway, with that I'll leave you a few pics from this year... Nay's first 70.3...the 118 degree in the shade weather was kinda a bummer!

Cuz and Stevie G...road trip/racing friends extraordinaire!

Giving new meaning to Turkey Trot!

Meeting Troy...my heart is still a flutter!! ;)

The fam...The two laziest dogs I know...gotta love 'em!

I hope every one's 2008 was what they wanted it to be...and cheers to 2009...may all your dreams come true!!

So What Was In The Box??!!

2008-12-26T19:56:00.003-05:00

YES ladies and Gentlemen...that is a MONKEY on my Christmas Tree!!! And that my friends is what was in the box!! OK, so it's a seemingly random gift...a monkey puppet...but it's got a long story starting in 1984 when my parents traveled to California and brought back two things that would alter my life as I knew it...the first we didn't find out about for a couple months, but I can whole heartedly say that even though I celebrate an anniversary of the day he ruined my life with him on December 5th, he didn't really ruin my life...well maybe just a little!! JK Geeko! Anyway, they also brought back a monkey puppet for me and several years later while we were away on vacation, some bad person broke into our house and basically took many things from my room...gym clothes...babysitting money...swim bag...but most importantly the monkey. Over the years, a family wide search effort has been made to locate another monkey puppet without success until obviously this summer when my favorite sister travelled to California and ironically must have found this puppet. While he is not an exact replica...for the record the original one was a girl...I think his older, wiser, Bret Michaels rock star look if fitting for this point in my life! So there you have it...only thing left is the name him...anyone got a suggestion?!!??!!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah etc etc...I promise to make an effort to take a picture of the flamingos during the day this weekend....once the neighbors leave their house!

Christmas a Little Bit Early!

2008-12-24T18:41:00.004-05:00

I arrived home from work today with a box on my door step....

On the front of the box was a card that said..."OPEN CARD FIRST"...
So I opened the card....

Cute I thought....wondering if the sister was trying to send me a subliminal message....but then I read the inside...

"NO WAY" I though....and what, you are all wondering, does this message mean....Well I can tell you this, the picture I took with my camera phone does NOT do the gift justice, but my sister...the older, bossy, most favorite sister I've ever had did indeed hit a home run this Christmas season!! But of course the husband has the camera with him so we will have to wait until tomorrow to post a picture of this spectacular mystery gift....I'm pretty sure though that the parental units (even if they weren't already told of this gift which I'm sure they were) know exactly what it is!! So in the mean time I hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS!! My wishes for a safe and enjoyable day for all! :)

For Mom and Dad!

2008-12-19T20:47:00.002-05:00

Flamingos by Christmas Tree Light...I haven't gotten the courage up to take a picture during the day yet...maybe tomorrow! In the mean time, enjoy! :)

Swim Torture Jimbo's Way!

2008-12-10T20:16:00.002-05:00

Tonight at swim torture I learned the real meaning of the "+" sign...or at least what Jimbo means when he writes it into the workout....now mind you it took me two explanations and the first 700 of the set, but I totally understand now....so in case anyone out there attends torture in the near future....when the set reads...
3x700 RI 2:00
Break 300+500
middle 200 hard, remember time
300-:10-200-:10-200
...the "+" means "&"!!
But before I figured this out I tried to figure out how 300+500=700 and how funny it was going to be to nail Jimbo in one of my blog entries for his mathematical skilz...I forgot my 200 time and then while he was yelling and meanly scowling at me he explained (a little exasperated I might add) that the breaks in the 700's were at the 300 and 500....then my light bulb went on, my cap turned back to a lovely shade of orange and I completed the next two 700's without incident AND I remembered my 200 time despite a clock malfunction!! Gotta love the torture...I'll do better next week Jimbo I promise...I'll be in a little better swim shape...and hopefully that will translate into more oxygen to the brain therefore better mental acuity while swimming!

December Running Randomness...

2008-12-08T20:36:00.002-05:00

It's coooooold here!! Actually it's not too bad, but I'm a total cold wimp....I probably should have been an animal that hibernates all winter...or maybe I was one in a previous life...so after donning enough layers to give the stay puff marshmallow man a run for his money I went for a quick loop around the neighborhood prior to swim torture. On my run I came to a couple conclusions...first, my house is in the 10% of the neighborhood that is not decorated (yet!)...however, while devoid of decorations, we are not in the 20% of the neighborhood that has enough decorations to share with the neighbors on all sides...we also don't belong to the 5% that keep their decorations up year round...and lastly we are not in the 2% of the 5% that not only keep those decorations up year round, but they light them up!! By far my favorite house in the entire 'hood is the Flamingo House...originally the hubby and I wanted to put Santa in a sleigh being driven by pink flamingos...the only catch...we have a neighbor that LOVES flamingos...he has probably 2 dozen (ok, 23 at my last count) in his front yard...all shades of pink...and they move around the yard every few weeks...you fade to an undesirable pink, you're outta there, replaced by a shiny new flamingo...they are big, small and every size in between. Today as I ran by I had to smile...they are now all surrounding a lighted tree with one on the top...next time I run, I'll bring my camera...it's awesome! Maybe I'll buy a Green light bulb for the front porch light so I'm not the last to decorate! :)

Ikea Commercials...

2008-12-03T19:48:00.002-05:00

So it's almost been a week without a post which means that nothing exciting or otherwise blogworthy has happened or occurred to me! The past couple of days I've been searching the internet in vain trying to find the newest Ikea commercial...you know the one with the lady in bed, the alarm rings and there's an older woman sitting on the other side of the bed that says something to the effect of "I know you are really into this exercising thing, but this mattress is perfect for you as a side sleeper, so go ahead, cover yourself back up and hit that snooze alarm, there will be another day..." Awesome and funny...it's exactly how I feel right now!! So, if anyone out there is way more savvy than me...which I know is asking a lot of the 4 people that actually read this blog....can you find me that commercial?!?! :)

Turkey Trot 2008

2008-11-27T20:08:00.006-05:00

One of the best things about Thanksgiving around here is the local Turkey Trot, an awesome event (one of many) put on by the local running club to raise funds for their scholarship fund. Last year I missed this event, IMFL had sapped me of my immunity from the roving cold so I was sick sick sick...the year before, it rained for this event...cold, pouring down rain...fun to run in, but once you stopped...brrrr! But today it was beautiful outside, crisp, clear blue skies and lots of sunshine!! And still being in recovery mode allowed me to run a relaxed race with no time goal what-so-ever...talk about heaven...I love runs like today!! So, a few pics and a wish that everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving and was able to enjoy good food and good company!

Today's fabulous venue!

A Tribute to Stevie G!!

2008-11-25T18:35:00.004-05:00

It seems that I may have forgotten to explain the whole blog thingie to Stevie G...you see, just the other day he logged on...and the first thing he sees is STEVE IN A SPEEDO! GROSS's link (one of the funniest blogs I've read) and he asks himself, "is this a bad joke--it was only once--hanging up in my room--and I didn't even know you then?!" You see, this is the man that has heard my entire position paper on Men In Speedos at least 300 times while running, biking and even swimming...he's listened intently (or at least pretended to listen intently) as I've explained why one guy or another really doesn't meet my mantastic speedo wearing qualifications...and they are quite stringent...he's got the speedo (or shall we say lack thereof) thing down pat! We even have an unspoken agreement that if either one of us has a suit or tri-shorts that are not quite doing their job covering things up, we are to tell the other so as to save the potential horrible embarrassment and awkward social moment. And for the record I have never seen him in a speedo...not even pictures...even though I'm sure somewhere in his safe Cuz has got some!! (muah hahahahaha!)
But back on task...Stevie G, I know you've got it figured out by now that I wasn't joking you...and while I blame my late summer training slump and lack of motivation completely on you and your broken ankle...I just want you to know you are one of my favorite people to run, drink and shoot the S%$# with...if I was stranded for a non-mechanical reason somewhere on a long bike ride without nourishment, I would choose to be stranded with you because I know you'll have an extra powerbar to share (...although if I had a flat tire I'd have to reconsider!! Hee Hee!!) ...And I can think of no one better to kick my butt in the open water than you...so check back often, because if I'm going to make fun of you, you know I'll be making more fun of myself first!! (and of course I'd ask if I could make fun of you publicly first!) :)

Two other very important things I've discovered during this marathon recovery thing...
1. I like regular oreos better than double stuffed
2. Marshmallow fluff is equivalent to crack cocaine...I'm addicted!

1st Run Post-Marathon...

2008-11-24T16:56:00.002-05:00

Me: I think I'll go for a little 40 minute run
Body: WHAT??!! I've been enjoying lounging on the couch taking naps
Me: Well I'll just keep my heartrate in the low 150's
Body: 150's??!! I can keep it in the 80's if you'd just lay down on the couch
Me: I'm going...
Body: How about the 60's??
Me: I'm going...
Body: I'll teach you a lesson...
Me: Ugh, I guess running a marathon does make you tired...
Body: Zing, right IT band take that!
Me: ouch...my legs feel like lead...
Body: HA! Told ya you should've just taken that nap...

...nothing like a little run to remind you that you aren't invincible!!

A Request...

2008-11-22T10:16:00.002-05:00

Please keep my friend and former co-worker in your thoughts and prayers...thanks!

Dog Days of Winter....

2008-11-19T16:21:00.003-05:00

I want to be my dogs when I grow up....

The Expanded Top Ten List!

2008-11-17T20:43:00.011-05:00

As promised, more pictures PLUS highlights from The Jefferson and The Capital Ale House!! But First...the coolest medal of the group.......YES that does say MacDonalds...and so does the race shirt!! We still haven't figured out the MacDonald's Expo booth which had vegetables laying all over and not a Big Mac or fries in site, and for the record there was absolutely NO cauliflower on the menu when we stopped there on the way home...purely for research purposes of course!! ;)

So the expanded top ten list...first the Jefferson...with it's gilded bathrooms and amenities just like Busch Gardens (ladies, if you have ever frequented the bathrooms at Busch Gardens ya know what I'm talking about...maybe you guys do too...but I haven't been in those facilities to confirm!)...we got to cap off our night by hanging out in our compression stockings with good friends, take sexy, sunken cheek pictures and drink rum and cokes...who could ask for anything more!!??!!

Deep Voice's Wife, Deep Voice and Podcast...Guys, I know you didn't know you even had code names, but since I didn't ask you before I plastered your faces all over my blog, I tried to protect the innocent...if you'd like your code names changed, just shoot me an email!!

This is the rest of the gang...picture is from the CAH though, we forgot to commemorate at the Jefferson, must have been the rum and cokes!! From L to R-Bill aka Jim, Sue, Stevie G., Cuz, NayNay, Beth!!

...I'm still waiting on more pictures, so hopefully we'll get some of those sexy, sunken cheek pics!

We started off the night at the Capital Ale House with a round of beers while we waited for our table. Blake, the bartender gave me a couple of samplers since I couldn't make up my mind...imagine that...but in my defense the menu is about 10 pages long and roughly 1/3 of it looked tasty! Once we finally arrived at our table, we were waited on by the BESTEST server ever...her name is Mary and if you are ever in Richmond and find yourself at the CAH please ask for her, because she was nothing less than awesome! She even took a picture with us...

Mary, Stevie G. and Me...thanks Mary, you really were great!

There were a lot of shenanigans going on throughout the evening between the beers, pretzel platter and the concert going on next door with Amy from the Indigo Girls...but probably the funniest was the plastic roach incident...you see NayNay has this plastic roach who has traveled the world in an effort to end up in her friend's food or in the case of Saturday night...BEER...

Who knew it would float??!!

...the disappointing thing was that EVERYONE WAS SO DARN CALM about the plastic roach...picking it out of Cuz's beer with a knife and placing it on a plate...secretly they were pissed, but still too calm...so calm that my inner middle child was forced to pick the roach up off the plate and put it in my mouth....

Yes mom and dad, you should be proud!!

...I just can't understand why that cute couple trying to have a romantic dinner kept giving us those angry glances all night! Most importantly, a team motto was decided upon and we will ALL be sporting it in some way shape or form at Eagleman in June...until then, it's top secret! :)

Marathon Race Report...and Weekend Recap!

2008-11-16T13:08:00.011-05:00

Put your flannel PJ's and slippers on, grab a cup of hot chocolate...this might take a while!!

Yes Folks, those are finishers medals!!! The funny thing is all week I'd been dreading the weather-it kept looking worse and worse, with rain and wind and then I turn on the weather channel race day morning and staring at me is the current temperature...

70 degrees!!!

You have got to be kidding me I thought to myself...OK, well I probably proclaimed it out loud as I also looked at the projected winds...20-30mph-UGH! So immediately I adjusted my race strategy, recalculated my pace, finish time, added some more electrolyte powder to my gatorade, etc etc...and things were going along just fine until I got to mile 14...cue the foreboding music...when I started to cramp like I have NEVER in all my life cramped. Needless to say I spent much of the rest of the race trying to find a "pace" that didn't lead me into a fully body spasm and as disappointed as I was in the moment, I was in no way the only one feeling that way...all around me people were shuffling and moaning...laying on the side of the road...we are talking carnage...lots and lots of carnage!

Several years back Runner's World nominated the Richmond Marathon "America's Friendliest Marathon"...and if you've run this race, you know that it's true. 4 years ago when I did this marathon (my first ever!), I was amazed at how many people were out along the course cheering, playing music etc etc...and this time around, there were at least three times as many people out there...they truly were amazing yesterday! So, despite the fact that my finish time was no where near where I wanted or trained for it to be, I still loved the race...the course is beautiful and challenging and the volunteers, spectators and police officers patrolling all the intersections are fabulous. Here's some more pics...as my friends send me theirs I'll continue to post more...but these are some taken by the hubby

NayNay and I in the porta potty line!!

At the start...no, I didn't have a bad 80's side ponytail, that belongs to the girl behind me!!

Me with the 3 best spectators on the course (in my humble, totally unbiased opinion!) Hubby, Mom and Dad

So, because our races didn't quite go as planned, NayNay and I spent the drive home making a top 10 list for the whole weekend....so here they are in no particular order...

1. The Omni...let me just tell you the last time NayNay and I went to an event we stayed at the Bate's motel...seriously, I can't remember what the name was but I can tell you the fumes from fresh paint were so overwhelming...and we couldn't figure out if they had just painted to cover up the blood from the murder that had just occurred in the room or if they were using the paint as a way to hold up the plaster on the wall...either one was a possibility...not to mention that we didn't dare walk around in bare feet or even put our luggage on the floor it was so nasty...so the Omni was an awesome change...friendly staff, floors that were safe for bare feet and cushy robes for lounging...

2. The peanuts in the race goody bag...by the time we drove to Richmond, checked into the hotel, missed the first shuttle to the expo because it was full, waited for the second shuttle, picked our gear up from the expo and hopped on the shuttle bus back to the hotel...we were HUNGRY!! Those peanuts were a spot on snack!

3. Doubled Stuffed Oreos and pretzels...a perfect snack for the successful athlete...

4. Race Sherpas aka Hubby, Mom and Dad...not only did they all get up early and drive over 1.5 hours to the race site...they were out there all day long cheering and offering support...it's so nice when you aren't having a great race but you can look forward to the places you know you can find your race sherpas...and in my case, you can stop, chat for a while and watch your quads cramp right before your very eyes!! I know we thank our sherpas, but spectating can be way more exercise than the race itself...circum-navigating the race course...trying to find snazzy things to say to the athletes...cowbell ringing....clappy hand clapping...I have seriously gotten worse blisters from cowbell ringing than the ones I ended up with yesterday! So thanks guys, you really were the best three out there!! :)

5. Joe and Corey...the two greatest shuttle van drivers...it was such a good thing you had the step stool last night guys!

6. Randomly running into friends just when you are closing out your tab...Bill AKA Jim, Sue and Beth...glad we got to stay for a few more rounds...probably not nearly as thrilled as the cute couple trying to have a romantic dinner in the booth across from us...but they'll get over it!

7. The Richbrau Brewery...perfect for your post race recovery meal...burgers, homemade root beer and the sherpas...awesome!

The next two have sub-lists to them and also require some pictures...so I'll dedicate a post and pics to them later, for now we will just list them...

8. The Jefferson Hotel

9. The Capital Ale House

10. Completing the death march despite the heat, humidity, wind and cramps!!

Hope everyone was able to share their weekends with family and great friends! Oh, and just for the record...it was sunny low 40's, projected 52 degrees for the high, and zero wind in Richmond today when we left...perfect running weather...what a difference a day can make! :)

It's Raining...

2008-11-12T19:37:00.003-05:00

...It's pouring, the old man is snoring...he bumped his head, and he went to bed and couldn't get up in the morning...
After much thought, I've determined that this nursery rhyme will be my theme for Saturday's race! I've retrospectively analyzed the weather conditions for all of my races this year (OK so there were only about 10 running or triathlon related races for the whole year, but it was a recovery and rejuvenation year!) and determined that about half had something in common...RAIN. It all started with a cross country series back in January...sprinkled for the first race, POURED (think a good foot of standing water and mud that would suck even the tightest tied running shoe off your foot thanks to the two loop course) for the third race...then there was the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, more rain...thank goodness that mom and dad athletic supporters (AKA the jock straps!) live a quick car ride away because it was wet...then that 1/2IM in NJ, OK so it poured the night before and sprinkled a little in the morning but did become a bright sunshiny day, so maybe that only half counts...a sprint triathlon in September put the bible to shame...pouring rain, swarming mosquitoes, thunder, lightening, the whole 9 yards...and finally the wettest Race for the Cure since the one in Washington in 2004 where my girlfriends and I lost our moms (only temporarily...they will never be in charge of the cell phones again though...I'm glad my mom has learned her lesson...they only work when you answer them!!). Saturday's weather forecast, SURPRISE calling for 40% chance of rain!! But it's fine by me...I've had some of my strongest races in the rain this year and trained in torrential downpours...so Mother Nature...go ahead...rain on me...I guarantee it won't ruin my day!

All Good Things Eventually Come to an End

2008-11-10T16:52:00.005-05:00

It is with great sadness that I announce Open Water Swimming 2008 has officially come to an end. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, most of you have probably not had open water swimming on your radar since September maybe even October, but for me, I finally caved in and decided that it was time to hang up my old rubber dingy suit and commit myself to the pool 3 days a week. Truth be told, I hate the rubber dingy suit, I only wear it when absolutely necessary because putting it on means that I jump into the water and become super buoyant, getting tossed and turned with even the slightest wave...which is not at all good because as we learned from Gilligan's Island a three hour tour can easily lead to being stranded with the professor and Maryann indefinitely or at least until you get rescued or your series ends, whichever comes first....So much like it started back at the beginning of April, it ended with Cuz and I taking the plunge...suffering from full facial ice cream brain freeze, swimming and exiting to a standing ovation. Ok, so we only got the standing ovation yesterday...the people on the shore actually stood in amazement that we were in the water and watched the entire 30 odd minute swim spectacle and clapped, hooted and hollered at the half way point and kindly took our pictures at the end! So for your enjoyment...or at least so my parents can shake their heads and say, "Yes she is our favorite middle child"...the before and after photos! The Before....see how pretty it is...

and the after....

...and it only took my feet a really hot shower and about an hour to defrost!! Bring on the pool!

Richmond...

2008-11-09T09:40:00.006-05:00

To distract me from watching the weather channel like it's a movie just to catch the 10 day forecast for Saturday's projected weather (like it's gonna change every 8 minutes!) I decided to put the gang up on the blog so that when I write about who did what on Saturday people will have faces and names...although, their names may have been changed to protect the innocent!

First the Boys...Stevie G. and Cuz...

Stevie G. (short for Stevie Gonzales, because I'm certain he is a direct ancestor of Speedy Gonzales) AKA ARMS (ladies if you have ever body marked him you know what I'm talking about!!) will be walking the 8K...you see, he was supposed to be running the marathon with me, but an unfortunate mis-step in the middle of the night over his dog back in July left him in a nice, big, blue cast for about 6 weeks. Saturday will be exactly 4 months since the break and we are all psyched that he's back walking fairly normally...but SG, just because you dodged the bullet this time, don't get too confident, because there will be another marathon for you...count on it!! :)

I'm sure you all recognize Cuz because he is everywhere!! No matter where you are he knows someone...I've recommended many times that he run for mayor but he decided his political aspirations had to wait until he runs the half marathon Saturday. Now, he'll tell you this is his first half marathon, but don't be fooled...it is his first STAND ALONE half, but the man has done a couple of half Ironmen so I'm confident he'll have no issues with this distance...especially since he even took a gel during his last 10 mile training run!!

The Girls...Nay Nay and myself...

...Yeah, I know I'm in an inflatable flamingo outfit, but this is what you get when you send harassing emails to your friends trying to get them to run a marathon for weeks and weeks until they cave in and sign up!! This will be Nay Nay's first marathon and I predict it'll be a Boston qualifier for her...she's super FAST even when she's not wearing that Wonder Woman outfit!!

...and me...I'm hoping for a BIG PR!! Wish us luck!!

Quick shout outs to Cuz on his super fast 50 and awesome 1500 at yesterdays VAMST swim meet...your flips turns were good AND you went off the blocks...and to Jimbo on his awe inspiring 50 Fly and 100 IM...way to not get chicked boys, we're all proud of you!! Billy Bob, we missed ya, but riding a camel is way more fun!! Now, back to the weather channel!!

It's Official...

2008-11-06T20:28:00.002-05:00

I saw my first Christmas commercial today...It's only November 6th...isn't there a law out there which states you can't start advertising for Christmas until after thanksgiving? If not, I'd like to propose we skip the Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Valentine's day crap and get out the Shamrocks already! Bring on the GREEN beer! :)

I VOTED...

2008-11-04T15:19:00.003-05:00

...and I've got a sticker to prove it!! I have to say that one of the big advantages of having to be at work by 6:30am is that you don't get stuck in the voting line, in cold, pouring down rain for over an hour!! Yep, waltzed right in, got my ID checked (I didn't even have to leave my left kidney on deposit either!), cast my ballot and I was out of there in less than 10 minutes...yippee!!

The Joy of Tapering...

2008-11-03T16:50:00.003-05:00

The best part about training for a marathon or any other race for that matter, is the taper. I love workouts that contain the words six miles, easy and get in a few hills while you are at it!! And fall is the perfect time to go out and enjoy those easier runs...no more humidity...warm enough to still wear shorts...ahhhh...love it! The only drawback about tapering is that you have ample time to think about the things you've seen (or continue to see in my case) while out there sweating since you aren't contemplating your mile splits or trying to keep your heart from exploding in your chest! So let me touch on two curious people I pass a bit more regularly than I want to admit...First is Mr. My (insert shirt, sweatshirt or other type of top) Is Too Short for My Beer Belly Guy....I see this guy almost every single time I run...I think his job is to walk back and forth on the trail in his short shirts just to make me wonder why on earth he can't find a shirt that covers his whole belly. But he always has a smile on his face and really we should be on a first name basis we see each other so frequently and the best thing about him, is at least it's only his belly...which brings me to Man #2. I'll try to keep this PC as I think the only person that reads this blog right now is my dad...but...suffice to say I have been trying to figure out how to nicely tell Man #2 that his man parts are hanging out of his shorts! The problem as I see it is one of two things, either he's not married (clearly no wife would let him out of the house that way) or he hasn't replaced those lucky running shorts in about 20 years and the liner disintegrated 18 years ago. The very first time I passed Man #2 I figured it was a fluke...I mean really, can it be fun to run like that?! I dunno...but what I do know is it is no fluke...in the past two weeks I've seen him twice, in all his glory and his lucky shorts! I asked the hubby what was the proper way to let him know that maybe he needed shorts that were a bit longer and of course he says, "just don't look"...uh huh...but it's like driving past an accident, you can't help yourself! YIKES!! :)

A Blog for me!!

2008-11-02T10:15:00.000-05:00

After many months of shame being on my buddy Greg's blog as someone without one, I decided to grab the bull by the horns and make my own!! So bear with me while Life According to Coleybear is under construction...