Random Friday Facts

1. I wash the tops of my canned goods before opening them.  There is no telling what has walked on those cans.

2. When writing in cursive, I often get carried away and put just two humps on my m’s.  Which is unfortunate since my NAME has an m in it.  Makes it look like I can’t spell when really, I’m just in a hurry.  M’s should only have two humps  - are you with me?

3. I almost exclusively wear dresses to work. And, well, everywhere else too. It makes it so much easier to get dressed in the morning – never worry about matching! 

4. The pool dries out my skin, my cuticles the most.  Karen turned me on to Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.  I. Am. Obsessed. This stuff is amazing and smells so yummy!  Plus, no animal testing. We all win.

5. I leave for Chicago in a week and the only things I have planned so far are, eat at Noodles & Co and to run. This is entirely unlike me and I think I’m in denial that I’m going.  Great strategy, yes?

6. But there are so many other trips that I DO want to take.  Anna has fueled my desire to make it to Yellowstone.  And while out in Cali, might as well hop over to Yosemite to climb Half Dome. 

7. Pretty much all of my tweets are about food.  Sigh.

8. I've never had chicken pox.  I KNOW.

9.  The new Emojis from the iOS6 are rocking my world.  Lots of new animals and the pink sparkle heart is BACK!

10.  I prefer to sleep on my side.  My right side.

11.  Last month I got my first ATM card.  Since, like high school.

12.  I with there was a rule against bloggers posting pictures of their jacked up feet. Seriously y'all, I know you're proud but we are horrified!

13.  I really, really, really want to get a Brazilian Blowout to semi-permanently tame my hobo hair.  But for a girl who cuts her own hair, the price is frightening.  Have you done it?  

14.  I used to quilt.  Me.  Miss Can't Sit Still.  

15. I wish I knew how to play the piano.



Tell me something random about you!

Fat and Happy

Last year wasn't my favorite.  It was a year full of changes and challenges and at times, enormous struggles.  Struggles that felt like they would consume me.  Muddling  through, as the year grew, so did I.  By year's end I was in a really good place, but I was still glad to put 2011 behind me.  

I started the year surrounded by amazing people who love and care for me.  And I decided, that 2012 was going to be the Year of TPG.   I was going to live the life I never even knew that I wanted; I was going to make sh!t happen.  And I have.

I raced my first triathlon, then a few weeks later my first 70.3.  I rode 100 miles then bought a new bike and rode around New Mexico.  I signed up for my first Ironman.  But the spaces in-between are what that changed my life.  

New experiences, new perspectives, new objectives.  A new life.  

That's what I've carved out this year, a new life.  And it's exciting and comfortable and challenging and rewarding and everything I ever wanted - and so much more.  In my wildest imagination (and it's pretty darn wild) I could have never dreamed I'd ever be this happy.  Yet every day it keeps getting better.  

I spend my days with people who inspire and encourage me and who make me feel valued and loved.  I come home to the new spaces that I've created and I finally feel at home.  I wake up smiling and I go to bed thankful for the many blessing that have come my way.  Often, I stand in awe of how entirely happy I am - happier than any one person deserves to be.  I don't understand it, but that's okay, it just is.  This new life, it suits me just fine and I'm enjoying every moment of it. 

My pumpkin patch days are here.  And yes, they were worth the wait!

 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

It's the Autumn Equinox, Y'all! My 5K Attempt

So, I've been sick since last Sunday.  Like, missed a few days of work to spend the day unconscious sick.  Thursday I ran for the first time since my 20 and what should have been 4 miles at 7:30 pace, ended up being 4 miles struggling to stay under 10.  Not looking good and honestly, not feeling well either.  

So of course, the best idea is to race on Saturday, right? Right.

And if you feel completely drained and unable to breathe, you're really setting yourself up for success by creating a new alarm on your new phone, titled, Race Day, only to set it for p.m., not a.m.  Sprawled in the biscuit, I thought, wow, I really feel like this was a long night's sleep. Welp, it was. Because it was 30 minutes later than I intended to get up!  Whoops.

So that only meant that my adrenaline was already flowing when I arrived at the lake in the dark for my warm up miles.  I like to run about 3 miles before a 5K because the hardest few miles for me are always the first. Might as well get those out of the day before the race begins!  I've run this race the past two years so, as usual, I ran the course, plotting my race strategy.  Basically, run as hard as I can without throwing up.  It's not complicated.

Recognizing many of the competitors, I knew there were some speedys on the course.  So I lined up right behind them, planning to hang on to them as long as I could.  And I did.  Frances, a local superstar, who thankfully is NOT in my AG, and I ran side by side until the 5K turn around.  Looking at my watch, I wondered how it was that I could possible keep up with her.  She kept going at the 15K...that's why.  There is no way I could pace her for a 5K!  

I spotted two females ahead of me (one of them only NINE years old - incredible!)  and knew that I couldn't catch them but if I held my lead, I could finish a respectable third.  Crossing the finish line, I glanced at my watch, saw that it wasn't a PR and slightly disappointed, I jogged back to the course to cheer on the other 5Kers.  After a few minutes of cheering, | glanced again at my watch and was horrified at the time!  How in the Sam Hill did I run so slowly?  I really thought I was pushing myself - even sick.  Then I noticed the distance, 3.45.  I've run this course before and it is NOT long and I know it well, I run the tangents wisely.  There is no way I ran that long, I didn't weave even once.  Turns out, I forgot to stop my Garmin, and the auto resume picked up when I jogged over to the course.  Ha!  I hadn't done so badly after all - just 15 seconds away from my 5K PR.  Sure, I could have pushed 15 seconds harder but at least I wasn't minutes off my goal!

Enjoying a gorgeous sunrise post race.  Happy Autumn!

Got to my car to leave, only to realize my car key had dropped out of my Spibelt at some point. Stupid blogger continuously taking out her phone to snap pics!  Do you see it?  Thankfully, I found it by my waiting spot. Whew.  

While waiting on the awards, I spotted sweet MK and Music Mary out for a ride.  It was a gorgeous morning for cycling!  

My cat is, once again, unimpressed by my take home.

Fifteen seconds off my PR, not too bad considering how crappy I felt.  Third female, first in my AG.  All in all, not a horrible day for racing.  I've got Chicago in two weeks, I hope to perform better there as far as meeting my time goals.  I don't see my placing in ANY age group at Chicago, ha!  

I'm still figuring out how to race a 5K.  I really think I can hit my Magic Number if I focus on just 5Ks. And maybe next fall that's what I'll do.  Someday, someday my 5K time will end in "een."  For now, for now I've got some distance racing to knock out. 

How do you feel about racing 5Ks?  Have you got it figured out?  Or like me, do you prefer distance racing?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Candy corn season, duh.

Sometimes you just do things.  Sound familiar?  Yeah, it's what Scott Jurek's dad used to tell him. Basically, HTFU.  (have you read his book yet?  What are you waiting for?)

Saturday I could not stay awake.  I did nothing but lie on the sofa all day, snoozing.  No really, from noon until about seven I napped on and off, not once getting up.  Lazy bones.  

As I headed to bed around nine (long hard two hours of consciousness) I realized my throat hurt, my head hurt, heck, my whole body hurt.  Oh, yes, the return of allergy season where I throw open the windows and everything in the air attacks me at once.  Stab stab stab go the allergens. Sigh.

So today, when my alarm went off before sensible people are even thinking about stirring, I rolled over and groaned.  I did not want to run.  But, sometimes you just do things.  This was my last 20 miler before Chicago.  I had to get the miles in.  Sick above the neck, you run.  

I took my time getting dressed and eating breakfast.  Hearing a curious sound, I peered out the window only to confirm what I hoped wasn't true, rain.  Yep.  Well, we need it desperately so I won't complain.  Besides, once you're wet, you're wet.  I knew at least it wouldn't be cold rain!  

I laced up my brand new Mizuno Wave Riders - yes, I just got new Pearl Izumuis, but those aren't for marathoning just yet.  A little sad that they would be subject to puddles on their maiden run, I made sure to apply plenty of body glide on my still dry feet, JIC.  I was testing my entire marathon outfit this run, so my new favorite Feetures made the journey as well.  And, being that it is finally Autumn, my first run on the season fueled by candy corn!  

Candy corn - the fuel of champions cotton headed ninny muggins.

My sweet trainees know that I inhale love candy corn and they surprised me with a big bag last week.  So thoughtful and so timely!  Normally, I'm a Nike clothing fan through and through, but I adore this lightweight Adidas tank.  A. It's pink, 2. It's super comfy and C. It features a built in candy corn pocket!  Okay, the manufacturers bill it as pocket for your shuffle - it even has a small hole for the earbud cord to run though.  I guess you can use it for that.  I use it to store my candy corn.  Please note, I discovered today that putting free roaming candy corn in your shuffle pocket is not advisable in the rain.  It all melted together into one giant candy corn.  Wait, never mind, that isn't a problem, that's a dream come true!

Built in candy corn pocket - thank you, Adidas!

As I headed out I really didn't want to run 20 miles.  I didn't want to run any miles.  I wanted to turn around and climb back in the biscuit to sleep for another, oh, 12 hours or so.  But I was meeting a friend after mile nine, so I told myself to HTFU and get to running.  Honest to blog?  It was a struggle, y'all.  I was hating every minute.  Normally I don't have any issues hitting my pace for my long run.  (the established pace, not my arbitrary  TPG pace that is often unrealistic)  That morning I suffered running even a minute per mile slower.  Gah, this was going to be a long morning.  I slogged through my 9 miles, arriving at our meeting point only to realize that in my fuzzy headed state, I had miscalculated. I had allotted TWO HOURS to run but nine miles.  TWO.  Ugh, me and math, never good friends.  So, I parked myself in front of the local running store and sat, shivering, waiting for Coach Swimmifer to arrive. Sat there for over a half hour.  Clearly my brain was not functioning at 100%.

Do you see me?

Now, normal TPG, fully functioning TPG would have just run another three miles or so while I was waiting.  Nope, sick head TPG just sat there, staring at the rain.  As soon as Coach Swimmifer arrived, I realized my mistake. I could have turned my mistake into a positive - ended my run early and she could have driven me home.  Ah, well.

We headed out and fortunately she was feeling chatty because honestly, I didn't have much to say.  Mostly I just thought about being dry again and having lunch.  And a nap.  Or two.  The miles with her went by much more quickly and before I knew it, our 8 was up and I was once again on my own.  Just three miles to arrive home.  Home to dry socks, a warm shower and two kitties who want nothing more than for me to take a nap so we can snuggle.  

And you know what?  That picked up my step. After 17 miles I was finally feeling strong!  My last three miles were the fastest of the day - faster even than my designated pace!  What started out as a "just get through this" run, ended with me feeling strong and happy.  

Twenty miles done.  I do love 20.  It's my favorite marathon distance to train - 20 miles just feels like marathon training!  It's go time now, the taper has begun.  I'm racing next weekend and excited about that.  It's been along time since I've run a footrace and I'm hopeful that I can add a new PR to my list.  We shall see.  

No matter what, Chicago is just around the corner.  I've paid the man.  Now it's my job to stay healthy and stay sane.  Both big jobs considering today!  

How do you motivate yourself when you just don't feel up to running?

Why I No Longer Fear Open Water

Alternately titled, Flip Turns: Pretty Sure That's How I'll Meet My Untimely Death

Let's be clear, I have NO idea what I'm doing in the pool.  I'm surprised I haven't drowned long before this.  It's true.  My butt drags, I struggle to keep my buoy in the water, I can only breathe on my right side - basically a Hot Mess.  And yet, yet I am a huge hit at my pool.  (no, I'm not, not even a little bit) Minor celebrity some might say.   (no one would ever say that)  But people stop me all the time and ask for swimming tips.  I attribute this to two things.

1. Clearly they've never ever seen anyone swim before and 
2.  They are thrown off by my pretty intimidating glitter rainbow throw up suit.  Truth.  (not truth)

Tonight though, tonight was Flip Turn Night.  Knowing full well I'd lose all swim credibility once my fellow swimmers witnessed the hilarity of me trying to master the flip turn, I arrived ready to tackle this trick.

Looking less than confident pre-swim.  

(breaking the no camera rule in the locker room) 

You Tube is my best friend for how-tos.  Flip turns, no exception.  I watched this one from my buddy Lance's group, LiveStrong and this one from TTS.  Watched about 80 times each.  

I warmed up for a few hundred yards then headed to the "deep" end to practice.  The deep end is four feet at best, but I didn't want to hit my head in the shallowest end.  Or any end for that matter.  Turns out, I am a Viking at the standing flip.  If there was a competition on standing still and then rolling forward, I would totally not drown.  Doing the same thing while moving forward? Not so much.  I can flip, but I cannot find the wall with my feet.  Or I can, but then I end up on the bottom of the pool.  Lots of coughing, sputtering and just being honest here, lots of snot.  (don't ever drink the pool water folks) 

I can't tell you how many times I bonked my shoulders on the bottom of the pool, scraped my knuckles, inhaled water, rammed into the ropes, etc.  Which, aren't ropes at all but really hard, heavy scratchy plastic things that hurt when you scrape them.  With repetition, I managed to finally get going in a straight line most of the time, but then I'm on my back and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get back on my stomach.  

So, some progress.  I'm flipping just fine, but not really turning.  I'll get there.  Eventually. I'm sure it was an entertaining sight!  Hey, everyone is new at some point. I just started swimming this year. While I'm slow and awkward, I'm determined.  I'll figure this out. 

Yeah baby, check out those goggle eyes!  

Also, my poor suit is so saggy baggy.

As I was doing my cool down laps, a young girl in the lane next to me slapped the water to get my attention.  I stopped, raised my goggles (I can't hear you if I can't see you) and smiled. Sweetly, she said, "Wow, you're really good!  How do you swim for so long without getting tired?"  Bless her heart!  It's nice to know I still have my loyal following, ha!  (clearly she felt sorry for me and thought a kind word might help my sad state of swimming - it did!)

Swimmers, any tips for mastering the flip turn? 

Training Can be Fun

And usually is.

As soon as the sun was (mostly) up, we were in the water.   Heidi, her Hubs and I got in a short OWS in those early moments of morning.  The weather was perfect - overcast, a little cool.  The water was warm, it felt like bathwater.  Since the morning had a chill, we stayed put with just our heads bobbing out while we talked about our weekends, our plans and basically, enjoyed catching up.  Then the fun began.  Heidi and I started our not-so-synchronized underwater gymnastics.  Rio 2016, watch out - we've both got a fierce handstand!

Look closely at that gorgeous sunrise and you'll spot some lakeside gymnastics about to happen!

Goggle eyes.  There is just no escaping it.  

We took off for a ride and the weather continued to amaze us.  The severe drought has caused a lot of the leaves to fall so with the cooler temps, it felt and looked like early fall! 

Um, how cool is this?  Brian's stealth bomber bike has a water reservoir in it!  

I made him pose for this "action shot" and he generously obliged.  

We stopped midway for fuel.  For some that meant gels, water, etc.  For me, it meant grabbing my nutsack. This was during Vegan week you see.  My beloved rice muffins have eggs in them and even Honey Stinger Waffles have, well, honey in them.  

Is G not the cutest thing ever?  Yes, the answer is yes.

For some, like Drum, it meant a nice cold Slurpee.  Smart woman!  

Most of my training is done solo.  It's easier in some ways.  I don't even worry about holding anyone back or, conversely, pushing anyone too hard.  But it's nice when our schedules work out and we can get a good group together.  Drum, our resident speedster, had completed a Century Ride the day before so she was looking for a nice, easy recovery ride.  I knew I could at least keep her in my sights if she was going easy!  

Do you prefer to train with a group or solo?  I think it is much easier to ride in a group with various paces than to run in a group,  yes?  Swimming is much safer in a group.  Please, oh, please, don't even swim in the lake by yourself! Plus, you're gonna look pretty dumb doing lake gymnastics solo!

My tri-bestie and favorite gymnastics partner, Heidi.  Love being silly with this girl!  

Do you prefer to train alone or with a group? Does it make a difference depending on the discipline?

Blackland Tri

It's Labor Day once again.

And that means Blackland Tri!  I volunteered last year and had so much fun, I offered to do it again this year.  Our first responsibility was to man an aid station at the turn around for the older kid (11-14) run course.  From that station we could also watch the kiddos on the bike course.  So fun to watch them go by!  They were all so polite - many of them greeted us with "Good morning!"  and most of the runners offered a sincere, "Thank you" when we handed off cups of cold water.  Truly adorable!  I did experience some bike envy - one girl, she couldn't have been older than 11, had Zipp wheels.  No lie!  

One of the team coaches hung out at the water table for a bit telling us about his athletes and encouraging them as they came by.  A few really intense parents showed up shouting, um, helpful tips.  There was one mom running alongside her daughter, who was riding a little pink mountain bike, wearing a wonky pink helmet and a terrified expression.  Her mom, looking pretty anxious herself, told us, "She's been asking to do this all year!"  How awesome is that?  I didn't even know what a triathlon was at that age!  Probably best I don't have kiddos - my daughter would have Zipp wheels for sure, ha!  I'd have to get a second job to afford the custom made teeny Betty Designs kit!  

Once the kids were done, we packed up and took our wares to peddle on the grown up run course.  Thankfully this aid station was in the shade - it was a scorcher today!  Of course we cheered for all the athletes but it wasn't long before one of my favorite triathletes came careening by - Heidi!  

And right on her heels, her hubs, Brian!

Hedi and Brian are so awesome.  They came back after finishing (and after Heidi took 2nd in her AG!) to help us at the aid station. They even gave up their bottles of water when we temporarily ran out of water.  Talk about giving back to the tri community!  How cute is Heidi in her new SOAS pink top?  Very, the answer is very cute.  

Here comes Elaine, smiling as always, even though it was about a thousand degrees at this point!  

Brian and Mama C, ready to provide Heed should anyone need electrolytes!

I had no desire to race this one and I'm so glad that I didn't.  It was HOT!  And I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to give back to the community that supports me.  I think it's very important to volunteer a few times a year - it takes many hands to make a race run well!  (run well, heh) Plus, it's fun to be out there encouraging the athletes, recognizing familiar faces and lending a hand to those in need of a little extra confidence. 

Did you race this weekend?