and new images of Dora are totally up). Soon it was time for me to head out to meet Ariana.
When I arrived at the Cafe’, some teammates were still there from the Coffee Ride. I hung out with them and chatted. Then it was time for Ariana & I to head out.
Right away, I felt like I had weak legs. I blamed it on the pancakes right away (and the fact that I didn’t really eat lunch either — just a Luna bar on the way out to the Cafe.) Ariana was a good sport and rode at my pace.
The wind was a killer, too. The entire way out (and OH-MY-GOD up the High Bridge) it was tough. Many times when I looked down on my computer, I was registering 10-11 mph. Sad, sad. And the worst was that it always felt like a cross wind or a headwind — even when we turned. We had to work today!
Finally, on Hwy 13 on the final stretch, we got to benefit from some tail wind. Still, that hill shredded my legs. I let Ariana pull me back to the cafe.
I felt a little bad. This is our normal Tuesday ride and today it tanked me. Not sure if it was my lack of calories from breakfast, my overall weakness of the season or the 12 miles of running on my legs from yesterday, but we only averaged 15.5 mph for the entire ride and I felt like I worked my ass off. In fact, my legs are kind of sore tonight.
What-ev. This has been a weird season so I’m going to try and not over-analyze today. It WAS a beautiful day and it was fun to ride with Ariana and hear about her greyhound and her entry into the sport of Triathlon (she did her first two races this year). Tomorrow, we head out again. This time with Sascha and for 55 miles. I’m seriously needing my legs to rejuvenate themselves tonight.
The plan for tomorrow: early ride with the ladies and then the Ripple Effect festival to see Will Steger and Michael Franti w/Spearhead in the afternoon. Remember what I said about my freetime? I think I lost it somewhere…
Saturday August 30th 2008, 7:44 pm
Filed under: triathlon
Allrighty, then. Expect some catch up. I have the three day weekend to myself (although, granted, we are closing out on Day 1 right now). The thing is, my boy works for the Mayor of St. Paul. And since St. Paul is the location of the Republican National Convention this week — well, let’s just say he’s a little busy. So busy that he’s working 12 to 12 shifts for the next six days. Poor guy. And that leaves me kind of winging it.
I have a tendency to over-schedule myself. If you know me in real life, you’re probably very aware that I’m the first person to schedule drinks, a workout, dinner at a new joint, music at the park. I have a hard time saying no or sitting still. And often our weekends are whirlwinds of workouts, errands, parties and whatever other obligations I’ve managed to conjure up.
For some reason, though. I just haven’t been thinking much about Labor Day weekend. Perhaps it’s the distraction of the new puppy. Or the trips we’re taking in September and early October. But this weekend has stayed off the radar and James knew he had to work so he sure as hell didn’t have anything on the calendar.
So, here we are. James is off keeping St. Paul safe with the backing of the Mayor’s office and I’ve had a pleasant day to myself. It’s been quiet. But I’ve been productive. I started off with a 12-mile run. I still actually have one triathlon left this season — a half iron distance next weekend. Can’t say I’m all that trained for it. It’s going to be a “just get through it and enjoy it” race rather than anything competitive. I just haven’t had the time or dedication of late to train seriously. But I did feel like I needed a longer run on my legs prior to next Sunday. Honestly, I can’t remember my last long run (was it a 9 miler? tell me it wasn’t Spirit of Racine’s half marathon in late July…). So I’ve been slightly nervous about pounding out a 1/2 marathon in next week’s race. Today showed me I could do it. It certainly won’t be fast, but I can do it.
After my run, I hung out outside with my laptop and geeked out a bit on TrainingPeaks.com logging information & checking stats. I also blogged and goofed around. Soon, James was leaving for his shift. I ate my lunch, showered, played with the pups and then headed out for some shopping.
[It's terrible. But when I'm left to myself, I shop. Such a bad habit, but so much fun.]
I hit Lucy because of the end of season sale and scored a few deals. I hit Target and gathered an assortment of items from Soy Milk to Mascara to PJs and a new bracelet & Table Runner.
After that, I hit Erik’s Bike Shop for nutrition. I spent way more money than I’m willing to admit on Gus and Clif Blocks (I’m SUCH a nerd). My final stop was the B&N in Roseville where I found a used copy of this month’s book club pick (score!) as well as another intriguing non-fiction book. [Side note: I had lunch with a colleague yesterday and keep feeling progressively out of touch and under read throughout the entire conversation because I didn't have the point of reference for the readings he was calling out. But then I find myself in a book store and I gravitate to my same-old, same-old either adventure or food-oriented non-fiction. Why oh why???? I may not be an expert in my field of work, but I can talk some shit about the American diet and mountain climbing!]On the Line movie full
After arriving home with my purchases, I quickly found them homes and got to work cleaning up the pad. I vacuumed, dusted and washed dishes. I cleaned the bathroom and made my bed. I also took some breaks to play with the puppies. I can never really relax if I feel the house is out of order. So, I did my work and shortly thereafter fed the dogs and myself.
And now here I am. I told myself I would grant myself unlimited Internet tonight since the boy is gone and the house is clean. I’m forcing myself to blog but I actually feel drawn to the couch for some TV (how bad it that?? Especially after two weeks of Olympics and one of the DNC). Maybe it’s just that I’m not as unplugged here as I would be in my living room with my fluffy companions and a stupid movie. That sounds good, no?
That said, you’ll probably get a few extra entries out of me this weekend. With all this time on my hands, there is no doubt I’m going to be glued to the World Wide Web.
Hmmm.
Perhaps I’ll actually upload the official story of Dora, our new pup.
Or finally recap Turtleman.
Or even edit my damn stylesheets on this blog that have been screwed up for years now (literally YEARS, how sad is that?).
I might even answer some emails and get some work done and make some running & spinning playlists.
But right now, I’ve got some relaxin’ to do. The unplugged kind. I also need to make a Poke Cake for my boy. It was a request. And I’m psyched. I haven’t even worked on BettyCrocker.com for one whole year yet and my boy is officially drinking the Kool-aid, too. He wants a Poke Cake. Betty’s Poke Cake
Saturday August 30th 2008, 11:04 am
Filed under: random
I’ve been thinking about transition a lot lately. I think it is probably this time of year. Even though I don’t have kids, the whole “Back to School” vibe tends to swoop me up and have me lusting for new clothes, notebooks and organizational tools.
It’s also a time of year that bares a lot of weight. September 11th is just around the corner. Katrina happened just two years ago. I can’t help but enter the end of of August thinking about those events, how they shaped our world and how they shaped a bit of my own personal universe. I remember distinctly going to the State Fair two years ago to escape the saturation of the news coverage and misery of those poor people in New Orleans (if only they could have done the same). I remember the crystal blue color of the sky on 9/11 while driving home trying to make sense of what occurred. Even the bridge collapse happened in this little corner of the calendar. And, once again, the beautiful day was in stark contrast with the events that were unfolding. It is so weird to think of how I left the office that day, downtown, and I saw the police cars streaming out the headquarters, but I had no clue yet where they were going.
I don’t know what it is, but this time of year when we start to have chilly nights even though the summer sun is still warm always makes me a little introspective. I think of the transitions ahead of me (winter is coming, new challenges at work, new puppy to socialize) and the transitions behind me (loss of Tryna, my career change, completed marathon & half-ironmans #2). And most specifically, I keep landing on the perspective I have now from where I was one year ago.
Life last August was not good. I didn’t speak of it much online. It wouldn’t have been right. And it’s not right to hash it all out here one year later. Some things aren’t appropriate for public consumption — something I do realize even if I do wear my life out on my sleeve and across the Internet in big, bold letters stretching from here to Facebook to Twitter. I’m a sharer. It’s what I do. And I love the Internet for allowing me to spew forth all the mundane details I feel fit to mention.
Which perhaps is why last year was even harder because I couldn’t really speak of what was going on. I certainly couldn’t share it on the Internet. And I couldn’t deal with it in the way I normally cope: by sharing to insane extents. I just had to move forward, endure and set the change in motion that was necessary to correct the situation.
At the time, I was insanely bitter. More bitter than I care to admit. My anger was a very controlling force. But I tried not to let the bitterness transform into action. I was very cognizant that what I was feeling must not be acted upon. Everyone goes through tough times. Everything does
happen for a reason. All stupid, trite phrases that, when said to me, made me want to punch the speaker in the mouth. But I knew it was true. I just also knew I was angry.
Luckily, the painful stuff didn’t last too long. I have the most amazing social circle. I also have amazing colleagues. Everything *does* happen for a reason. Life is better as a result. Again, all cliche statements. But also sources of fact. At least for me at that time.
I guess the thing is, I feel good about right now and the ability to step back and look at the last year and appreciate the perspective I’ve gained and the journey I’ve taken. It’s so nice to be over the mountain and look back on what you just climbed. Maybe that’s why I love cycling and endurance sport so much. The pain and suffering of the moment has an afterglow that is so absolutely lovely to bask in.
Of course, this is just my easy little life here and my minor little problems because this introspection also offers me is gratitude. Gratitude for the life I have, for my circumstances that have lead me here and for the fact that I have had it pretty damn easy. My mountains are honestly just little bumps when put into context. This time of year frames that and forces me to stop, breathe and take in everything I am so, so fortunate to have within reach. I have a damn good life. And I’ve been blessed every second it has taken me to get here.
Okay. This ad totally got slammed by marketing peeps at work for lack of branding, but I have to admit it cracked me up. I think this is when it’s apparent that there is still some Creative in me at my core.
Wednesday August 27th 2008, 2:13 pm
Filed under: random
Woman vs. Turkey
I’ve spent most of today at work planning around Holiday campaigns and it got me thinking of one of my favorite commercials of all time. I actually brought this up in one of our meetings and I don’t know that anyone knew what I was talking about.
This ad cracks me up. Since I’m knee deep in Thansgiving today, here’s a little for you…
We just got home from Missouri/Iowa. There’s probably a whole story to tell, but the nitty-gritty is that she’s super timid. Probably was a puppy mill dog. She apprehensive of us humans, but already adores Sienna and is following her EVERY WHERE. This is making our lives 100% easier to get her to come in the house, to go outside to potty, etc.
She’s 8 months. She’s SUPER tiny. Way smaller than I’d ever expected. But her ears and feet and back haunches are bigger so we’re thinking it might just be malnutrition from where ever she came from before Rescue got her. Our hope is that once we start feeding her, she’ll bulk up. It’s funny, though, she’s like a total Mini Me of Sienna.
This is going to be a lot of work. She needs to be socialized to humans. She needs to learn how to walk on a leash and go up steps. But I think she’s a sweet heart and we’re up for the challenge. Color of the Cross 2: The Resurrection rip
