Friday, May 30, 2014

Cooking Up a Storm

This weekend is Erik's 20th birthday. I can't believe how fast it has gone! We also have a couple graduation parties and I'm running a 5K tomorrow morning as part of an MS fundraiser. Tonight we'll have Brian's parents, cousin Barbara and maybe one aunt over for a birthday dinner. Since I have to work today I did as much prep as possible last night and made a grape Jell-O poke cake and a full batch of Frog Eye Salad. Tonight I'll make stuffed shells and salad when I get home and hopefully we'll have a fun evening! Yesterday I got off at noon and ran a few errands before getting my teeth cleaned. The training schedule had swimming and strength training but my calf has been giving me fits again so I decided to stretch out and take the dogs for a walk with Erik. While we were out we saw THREE foxes over in the cemetery. I'm trying to decide if it was both parents and one kit or two kits and one parent. It was pretty exciting and it's the first time Erik has seen them this year.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Getting Smoked on the Trail

Last night I had a meeting at church at 7:30 and I was supposed to run and bike on the tri schedule. The good news is I got the biking done, the bad news is by the time we got home, walked the dogs, made Erik's reservations for Detroit and put away laundry it was 10:30 - and I had to get up at 4:30 today... so I will have to work out extra today. I rode to church and shaved 11 minutes off my total ride time from the year before. The last mile my quads were KILLING me and I was gushing sweat so we'll have to keep practicing that stretch. Even though I was fast on the ride there have been some incredibly fast women on the trail this week and when I'm hitting 15-17 mph they are passing and GONE. I wonder how much speed I'll really pick up with a new bike?

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Nervous? Wear Yourself Out!

This morning is interview 4 of 6 for the Project Management position I applied for in April. I'm nervous - REALLY nervous. More nervous than I was on our wedding day. My interview dress felt wrong this morning so after a few hasty costume changes I am in pants, and a sparkly black and red top. Hopefully it says "I want to be the center of attention, and I want you to remember me"! Yesterday after work I mowed our house, added strawberries to the must go (leftovers) we had for dinner, mowed my mom's and did some planting there, went for a 30 minute bike ride, did deacon birthday cards for June, went to the hard ware store and the grocery store and took a long hot shower. It was a full day! I made it through half of my tri training schedule yesterday, but skipped the swim. I have been reading a lot about the need for endurance when completing a tri and the reason for additional training in the schedule. I'm not sure what I can do to convince myself to follow the schedule... I'll have to keep working on it!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

We Keep it Hopping

Friday Brian and I left Lincoln at 8 to bring Erik back to Lincoln for the summer. It was a good trip home with lunch at Jethro's on the way back! Friday night we took the dogs for a walk but I skipped the rest of my training. Saturday we hosted a brunch at our house and then spent the rest of the day trying to get caught up on life. The dogs got a nice walk, Brian and Erik hit graduation parties, I had a nice bike ride and skipped my swim - again. Sunday morning Erik and I went to church and Brian headed out of town for a meeting. It was a rest day on the training schedule and I spent a LOT of time on the couch. We tried for a walk after dinner but the storms were trying hard to roll in. Monday morning we went out to visit cemeteries with Brian's aunt Nancy - it was a BEAUTIFUL morning and we finished with a church lady luncheon in Nehawka. In the afternoon I lifted weights with Erik's, weeded a flowerbed at my mom's, had dinner at our house and took the dogs for a short walk. All in all it was a good weekend - training, family time, yard work, house cleaning and rest time.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Enjoying Spring

Yesterday I made it out of the office on time (2 points for me) and headed home to get dogs out, start laundry and go for a bike ride with Brian. We did the bride ride loop - and it was lovely. Except for the few seconds when I thought I was going to be run down by a riding lawn mower. I swear - the adventures we have on the trail are kind of amazing. After the ride we zipped to the 501 for dinner and then I headed home to walk dogs and finish cleaning for the weekend. We are hosting a brunch Saturday so it needs to be a little more organized than usual!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Getting In Your Own Way

I know earlier this week I talked about not loving the schedule/structure of the Iron Girl training program. Last night I skipped both my workouts. While I didn't love my half marathon training schedule I put in every run, even when I had homework, class in Omaha, graduation parties and vacation. With my tri training, any excuse is a good enough excuse to skip. I am planning to do extra workouts tonight to get back on track but I'm not really sure what my problem is. I feel like it is easy to make the excuse that it's too much time to pack up and go to the Y, or the logistics of running or riding with wet hair is too bothersome. If I really want to do this tri I need to suck it up and get on with the training and teaching my muscles how to transition with brick training! Yesterday I got off work in a somewhat foul mood. As most people know we know someone who is preparing to get married and I am EXTREMELY uncomfortable with the situation. Yesterday I was able to locate their wedding registry which is an exercise in hypocrisy, but that is another story, for another time. When I got home there was an accident south of us with traffic backed up for 2 miles so I changed clothes and started mowing. After dinner I started laundry and then went to mow at my mom's. It was good to get all the yard work done but I'm still feeling slightly unsettled. Maybe it's time for me to clarify my commitments.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Respecting the Crosswalk

Seriously - I am becoming a little old lady - before my time. I have always had a strong appreciation for dinner at 4:30, but this year I yelled at a kid for walking across the grass, got after a neighbor for calling after 10 and last night I yelled at a lady who cut me off in the crosswalk. In front of the Y there is a roundabout - with traffic coming in, traffic from the Y, traffic from the library and traffic from the parks/trails/soccer and baseball fields. The lady was so busy looking at the roundabout she never looked for pedestrians or cyclists on the trail (a SUPER busy trail) and drove into the crosswalk to look for traffic. In a snotty voice I said "thanks" and she said you're welcome and then I yelled the B word. In my defense I had a long and hectic day and I was a little annoyed with the world by the time I got on the bike. After our ride we took the bassets for a short walk and then I zipped to the Y to get my lifting in - which means I got ALL the workouts for the Tri Training schedule yesterday. Today is a swim and a run but I have a LOT of other things to get through so we'll see how it goes!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Pretty Steamy for a Monday

Yesterday I got out of work a little later than planned, took my friend Vicki in for her post-op check, went to dinner with Brian at the 501 and then took the dogs for a really long walk - in the heat. The high in Lincoln yesterday was 89 - pretty warm for May. Dinner at 501 was actually REALLY good. They are under new ownership and it made a HUGE difference. Our waitress was a nurse I used to work with at the hospital and she kept the cold beer coming and served our food hot and delicious! We have another Groupon to use there this week and I'm pretty excited to go back! The dogs and I walked through the cemetery, then through the small loop in Rolling Hills. They enjoyed being out at dusk and even though I thought it would help them sleep Cache was up twice to get water. Tonight I have quite a bit to keep me busy with the training schedule and getting our house ready for company.

Monday, May 19, 2014

I'm Just Not Feeling It

This is the second week of Iron Girl training and I'm off the training schedule already. In my defense Friday afternoon I mowed at my mom's and then felt CRAZY sick the rest of the night. I had terrible belly pain, nausea, cold sweats and thought for a bit that I might pass out. Since I did yard work before my work out I missed my bike ride, weight lifting and the swim that I deferred from Thursday. Saturday I participated in the Wear Yellow Run at Ashland (what an AWESOME event) and then we did 3 hours of tree work and weeding at my mom's before celebrating Roger's birthday dinner. I was scheduled for a swim and ride Saturday and a run Sunday so we just flip flopped the days. Sunday morning Brian and I rode in the first Bryan Bike Bash and Erik volunteered at the refreshment table. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and a really nice ride. I got to ride sweep for my first time ever - it was harder than I imagined. The rest of Sunday was spent on yard work, a graduation party, getting Erik back to campus and then going to bed early. I skipped my swim. Again. I am sure there is a really good reason to do training back to back in the order on the schedule. I just haven't got the logistics down yet. I'm planning to do another two weeks on the Iron Girl schedule and try harder to dedicate to it, but if it still feels super clunky I might try to re-write something that works better for our life. Like a long run, a long swim and a long bike day, two days of combined, one day of rest, and one day of yoga and strength training. I want to have a great first event, but I also need to be totally invested in a training program that works well in my life.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Still Sore

One of my very dearest friends had sinus surgery yesterday and is feeling pretty icky! After work I made her a big pot of chicken noodle soup, mowed the lawn, ate dinner with Brian, went for a 2 mile run, watered plants and then spent a couple hours taking care of her. I was supposed to run AND swim yesterday but I ran out of daylight so today I will lift, swim and then bike. Not the end of the world =) My hip flexors still feel really tight and stiff when I run, I was hoping that the swimming would stretch everything out a little bit, but no luck yet. Monday is my rest day - there might be a round of You Tube yoga in my future.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Rest Days

I'm sure that I've whined about this on the blog before but rest days can be torture for me. Yesterday it was a good thing my arms were tired and it was rainy - that did help me stay inside. After a short Wednesday at work (it's usually my long day) I went home, walked the dogs, did laundry, picked up dinner and met Brian at church and then headed home planning to finish planting and mow our yard. I was about a mile from home when the skies opened and poured down rain for 5 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of drizzle. That made it easy to stay inside, change the cat box, clean out the freezer, run Bob the Robot vacuum in the living room and read a few magazines. I understand the merit of rest days and not pushing so hard all the time, but I still find it challenging.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Building Blocks

Yesterday was my first ever day of "brick" training, meaning that you do more than one kind of triathlon training in a single day/workout. I got off work a little early, ran to my mom's for a little light housework and a potty break for her dogs, then to vote, home to wash and walk our dogs, to Cooper Y for my first training swim (4 laps of Freestyle and 3 laps of Breaststroke) dinner with Brian's aunt Nancy, packet pick-up for the Wear Yellow Run this weekend, 30 minutes on the trainer and bed time. I was COMPLETELY exhausted by the time we crawled into bed - and having a week of training with lifting and swimming back to back is making my arms SUPER tired - hopefully that means I'm building muscle and gaining definition. This month is flying by. My first "in person" interview for the job I am going for is today. I am nervous and excited and ready to try something new!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

A Pain in the Leg/Neck/Back/Foot

Maybe I should have had a little more rest after the half marathon. I still have a few sore spots here and there, and the calf that I tore in Davenport has been cranky all week - let's just blame the weather! Yesterday I got off at 2, met my girl Vicki for a quick pedi and now have amazing purple toes. I was COMPLETELY surprised when they took off my old polish because my big toes are still REALLY bruised. Maybe that's why I'm still slow? After I got home I took the boys for a walk, inhaled half a ribeye that Brian grilled for dinner and then went for a quick strength training workout. It has obviously been too long since I lifted weights since I thought I was going to die during and after, and I still have a few sore spots this morning! Triathlon training is going to be pretty intense, but I'm ready for it!

Monday, May 12, 2014

You Better Work B*tch

I confess - I have the Ru Paul single - and I played it a LOT!!! I love club music and house music, and I have shared that love with Erik. Friday when I got off I took the dogs for an hour walk, did a little housework, started Erik's laundry and did the grocery shopping. Saturday was CRAZY busy - starting at 0500 with two pans of lasagna, sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor, running 3 miles, prepping communion, getting the last of our Mother's Day gifts, mowing and fertilizing all three houses, prepping dinner, finishing laundry, hosting 9 for dinner, walking the dogs and crashing. Sunday was much quieter. Even though we did communion for church we had lunch with my mom, got Erik on the road early since the forecast was pretty dismal, planted annuals in the front yard, ran 2 miles, purchased the mulch for our house, had my mom over for dinner and watched way too much television. I have officially started the Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon training program. I am confident that I can pull this off and become a better athlete along the way! Lincoln was spared from MAJOR storm damage last night but it sounds like many places around us were not as lucky. Hopefully today the sun will come out and dry things out!

Friday, May 9, 2014

Hungry, Lazy, Tired

I keep thinking that some of the fatigue from running the half will just evaporate on its own. I have blamed allergies, running, spring, long days at work and even a few unseasonably warm days but I am just zapped! Yesterday I got off at 2:30, picked up Mother's Day gifts, walked the dogs, went out to dinner for Brian's brother David's birthday, went to the deacons meeting, come home and cleaned for an hour, planted myself on the couch for 30 minutes and crashed at 9:30. This might seem like a full day, but I skipped my run, didn't make it to the store for cards and still have to make a trip to pick up one last Mother's Day gift. This weekend I'm going to try to balance rest, cleaning and exercise so that hopefully I feel more on top of the world next week - when I officially start the training program for my triathlon!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Time to Get Out on the Trails

Last night was chore night at home, but first, I took what is probably my last ride on the trainer for the year. I put in an hour while I watched the end of "Just Go with It" and the beginning of the Real Housewives of Orange County. It is SUPER weird to watch the ugly Christmas sweater party when it's 95 degrees outside. Since it's officially spring and our threat for snow and freezing temperatures has largely passed I'll have Brian bring my bike to the garage this weekend so I can go back to riding outside. After my ride I tackled three loads of laundry, cleaned out the fridge, cleaned sinks and toilets, ran Bob the Robot vacuum (iRobot), and did dishes. I have been wondering if I have bad allergies this year or if I'm coming down with something so we went to bed early and I took a Benadryl. I have been beating myself up pretty badly over my half marathon time, but yesterday, I learned that a recruited Division II swimmer started at the same time I did, and finished a minute behind me. She is 19 years old. While that sounds tacky, it makes me feel better to know that someone who is a "real" athlete struggled on Sunday. I will begin the triathlon training schedule on Monday. I'm a little nervous - but completing the half has given me courage to train and confidence in my ability to succeed.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Shake it Out!

Yesterday was my shake out run. I did two miles to a friend’s house in a surprisingly short time since I had a few stops and starts. My toenails are still pretty sore but my quads are feeling so much better that it's a fair trade! After work yesterday I had a quick lunch before mowing, planting, walking dogs, dinner with Brian and then my short run. It was a beautiful spring day to play outside. The rest of the week has some unseasonably high temperatures and a few chances for rain so I've been trying to enjoy the nice weather every chance I get!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Rest, Stretch, Walk

My day of recovery yesterday involved lots of food, lots of stretching, lots of time with the remote and, in the evening, a nice walk with the dogs. We did 2 miles when Brian got home and it made my legs feel much better. I used some quad stretches off the internet that improved my outlook on the world and am hoping to get in a shakeout run today in addition to some yard work. This week will be unseasonably hot (90+ forecast for Wednesday) and with lots going on at work. Hopefully I can get everything done!

Monday, May 5, 2014

My First Half Marathon

I officially survived my first half marathon. My official time was 3 hours 7 minutes - so not as fast as I was expecting. My 5k and 10k times were good and consistent and close to my other 5k times. I think I may have been slower at the end since I had only done a few long runs. Sunday also marked my first running blister(s) on the ball of my right foot. While I remember a lot of things about the route I confess there are things that I don't recall about the last few miles.


I learned that my running iPod is only good for 2 hours and 15 minutes but I was able to switch over to my backup and keep running.  While I had originally planned to be a one and done, I am going to run again next year - for two reasons - 1) to beat my time - I want to finish in 2 hours and 40 minutes (or less) and 2) because it was AMAZING.  While the pain in my quads today is pretty intense, and my shoe choices are limited because of the blisters I loved the experience, the route and the people.  Next year as part of training I will plan to run country club hill until I can make it to the top =)


The hardest part was the rest days.  Thursday I got off REALLY late and then met my mom for Fiddler on the Roof.  By the time I got home it was WAY past my bedtime so I hit the sack and did my last 2 mile run on Friday.  Saturday I took the dogs for a walk but otherwise lazed around.  The hours passed slowly, I was bored with the television and I have never been so tired of eating.


Brian was FANTASTIC - I could not have had more support - he got me dropped off, made sure Erik was at the first stop, had my mom and Roger prepared for me, gave me a hug and kiss at the 9th mile, and met me at the finish with a smoothie.  He ended up parked about half a mile from the end of the race but it was good to get those extra steps in.  I had so much help and support along the way with my new co-worker Tracie and my dear friend Vicki.  It was a great day and I am excited to do it again. 

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Let Your Mind Wander

I blame the running. Seriously - it's like my new catch phrase. Last night I got home about 5, tossed dinner in the oven, leashed up the dogs and hit the road. It was cold and windy and not a very fun walk. When we got home Brian and I walked around the yard and made some landscaping decisions for this year - we have a few more plants to buy but overall things from Erik's graduation are doing well. After dinner I took on the laundry and rode the trainer for an hour. Last night I really let my mind wander and honestly I have found it is the best way to get through my workouts. I use the time running and pedaling to focus on what I need to change, improve or redesign in my life and before I know it - the run is over. I suspect this negatively affects my times, but it does change the activity for me into something that brings a lot of stress management and relief. I might have to read one of the marathon books to know if this is good or bad - but it definitely works for me - well that and the Real Housewives of Orange County.