Filed under: Triathlon training
Hey ya’ll.
I sat down to write this post days ago and I keep getting sucked into things like upgrading WordPress, editing my iTunes library, deleting and adding email accounts, cleaning up my home computer. It’s amazing how much admin needs to be done when I haven’t spent time at my desk at home in months other than checking email, paying bills and monitoring Twitter & Facebook.
It’s been a crazy year and I haven’t been blogging much. For someone who has kept an online presence for over 10 years now, this is not my proudest year. That said, I’ve spent way more time and effort on Facebook and Twitter than I would have ever predicted. With Facebook, I love the instant access to the lives of my circle. I must admit, I don’t follow nearly as many blogs anymore now that I have Facebook. It’s also killed me with email. It’s so much easier to write on walls and comment on statuses. Twitter has been a whole other thing that has also bitten into my blog reading. It’s so quick and instant. And I’ve been Twittering myself a ton – so, if anything, I have been microblogging this past year.
But, in the back half here, I think I was also avoiding the blog because I knew how neglected it was and the idea of an update was daunting. In fact, I don’t thinking I ever finished my dog sledding adventure entries. Not sure if I ever recapped cycling Hell Week in Texas. I know I never posted the entry about Dora that I wrote half of on our trip back from Missouri after rescuing her.
Lots of unfinished stories. Lots of random picture uploads. That’s what 2008 was for this ole blog.
I’m not going to make any promises either that I’m going to come back and blog like I used to — I’d like to, but I’m not sure how realistic that would be. But I’m not going to end it either. Me and Funnymoods go way back so I’m not about to abandon now.
That said, I do think it would be worth my time to touch on some of the important points of this year and also outline some goals and objectives that I have for 2009.
The Job. Hunger movie download
It’s no secret that I started my gig at General Mills in late 2007. I kept it secret to the blog that I was working on BettyCrocker.com for about 10 minutes. I couldn’t resist talking about what an amazing site and gig I have. I try not to get into too much about work because this is a personal site. But it felt useless trying to hide the basics, especially when I love my job so much.
It’s been a crazy year for us. I work a lot. I want to work a lot — probably more than I should. And between that and my insane commute across town to The Mills, it doesn’t leave me a lot of free time during the week. About the only thing I have made time for this past year is working out and even that isn’t as intense as it has been in previous years. I am trying to work on a better work / life balance. James does all the cooking. I’m trying to share in the cleaning. We have dogs that need exercise and love. So 2009 will see a focus on more effort into prioritizing workload and concentrating on balance. The truth is, I’m a better professional if I have a life that isn’t one-track.
The Dogs.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith rip Look Who’s Talking ipod
So, obviously, the biggest event of the year was the loss of Tryna. It hit me hard and deep and I still miss her more than I can communicate in words. Just this morning as I was cleaning out the computer, I found all these phone photos from my Razor and so many of them were of Tryna (well, both Tryna AND Sienna, but mostly Tryna). In May of 2006, she had surgery to remove a fatty tumor and she had to wear a t-shirt to stop from pulling at her stitches. I have SO MANY photos of her in her various t-shirts. So cute. She was the craziest, bitchiest dog and I miss her with every fiber of my being. Losing her in August was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to endure.
Tryna in her Charlie's Angels T-Shirt
So, then, the SECOND biggest occurrence of the year has to be the adoption of rescue dog, Dora. The crazy, spontaneous decision we made to drive to MISSOURI to adopt this little girl. I can’t recall how much I revealed here on the blog, but I know the people following me on Twitter probably thought was a a schitzo, nutcase because one minute I was talking to Adopt a Husky, the second I was looking at local Samoyeds, I was talking to Keeshond breeders in the area (no puppies to be found) and then, within 48 hours, I found Dora online and we were in the car driving to get her. NUTSO!
The thing is, I started searching Petfinder.com the day I found out about Tryna’s terminal condition. I just knew I needed fresh, young energy in the house to offset the loss. I didn’t want to replace Tryna, I just wanted a distraction. And the thing with all the rescues is that many of them are older. And while I totally support (and encourage) adopting older dogs, I just couldn’t do it with 11 year old Sienna in the house. We’re not going to have her forever and I don’t want two senior dogs at once. It’s selfish, but the grief is too much for me.
And then the whole Husky thing. Well, they scared me. We had a two-hour interview at the house and we were basically told they run away, they will tear apart the house, we needed an 8 foot privacy fence and pulley-track system installed. It was all very overwhelming. And right at about that point, that’s when I found Dora online. Poor, James, he wanted a big dog. A dog that could ski-jor (sp?) and I have us driving to Missouri for a dog that turns out to be much smaller than even the Keeshond breed standard. Oops.
But I love this breed. We knew what we were getting with this breed. It seemed the right choice for the time.
Of course, Dora hasn’t been without her challenges. She’s super skiddish and scared of strangers which we’re working through with our obedience trainer. She’s also turned out to be quite the chewer. I went through two pairs of very expensive eye glasses this year as well as numerous rugs, bedding, socks, underwear, etc. In summary, the girl has to be in her crate if she can’t be supervised. She can’t be trusted.
She is so adorable, though. Like I said, she’s not the breed standard. I don’t know if it was malnourishment or in-breeding, but her head is not the normal size of a Keeshond. But she’s actually a normal height and has big paws. She’s kind of funky and, as we say at home, has some junk in the trunk. But I think this also means she’ll always look like a puppy. She has the most adorable face and a dorky personality when you get to see it at home. She’s a fun dog.
Streeee--eetch
Of course, I can’t close out this little section on the pups without mentioning that Sienna is the love of my life and even though she did turn 11 this year, she is still very healthy. She’s learning what it’s like to have a puppy in the house. She’s very patient with Dora. And we hope we have many more years left with her because, as tough as it was to lose Tryna, I can’t imagine what a wreck I’ll be when I have to say goodbye to this girl.
Hiking in Frontenac with the dogs
Triathlon and Racing. And Weight-stuff, too. Empire Records buy
This wasn’t my best racing year. Between work, Tryna’s death and lack of motivation, I wasn’t very focused this year. I did have a PR at Grandma’s Marathon. I also had a very good first Duathlon (with 8:13/pace runs during both sets that I never was able to repeat for the remainder of the year). Shoot, I even PRed at Racine on the half iron-distance course with an epic swim in 56 degree water.
But I just wasn’t that dialed-in this year. I didn’t care as much. I was loose in my training. And, you know what? I think that was all fine after a few years of being laser-focused and always training on-plan. I think I needed 2008. What this year showed me is that you can still compete, you can still have fun even if aren’t regimented. Shoot, I went out and did the Square Lake half-iron with barely any training between that race and Racine.
Of course, I also learned that, even if you aren’t training on a solid schedule, you do need a CERTAIN amount of base miles on your legs for running. The Whistlestop half-marathon was not exactly a success. I ran that with only a long run of 10 miles on my legs and it hurt. So, while I can be loose in my training, I also need to make sure I have adequate mileage or take the shorter route if necessary.
I also gained some weight this year. I didn’t follow Weight Watchers. A few times I did try and track calories online. But, like the training, I wasn’t focused. That said, I do need to correct a little. My clothes are a little tighter and I know I’d be happier (and could run faster!) with a few less pounds around the mid-section. I’ve avoided going back to WW for almost a year, but I think it’s time. It’s the only plan I’ve ever had success on. In fact, I did start counting points a few weeks after Thanksgiving and was amazed at how much it helped in these weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday.
For next year? I plan on being a little more regimented. I’ve already planned out my 2009 triathlon and race schedule. My big race of the year will be the Twin Cities marathon which I’d like to attempt a 4 hour race (during the election, I heard that Sarah Palin has run a 4-hour marathon and I have not been able to let that go!)
Heist movie download Ruby Blue movie . I’ll probably do another half ironman and a number of smaller olympics and sprints. I’ve already set up my TrainingPeaks.com plan and we’re ready to go.
In Summary
For the most part, it was a good year. It was tough losing Tryna, but that stuff happens — especially with pets. And we gave her a good life. We have a lot to be thankful with in regards to that girl.
James and I have also had a blessed year in general. We both love our jobs. We have amazing friends. We lead a very charmed life for two late-thirty-something St. Paulites.
Tonight, we’re headed a couple of local neighborhood parties. I’m excited for the opportunity to just stick around the neighborhood and enjoy our friends’ company. And at midnight, I can guarantee that I will toast to my husband and to my life. I am one lucky, lucky girl and 2008, if anything, was very good at demonstrating to me just how true that is.
Of course, before the partying commences, I have one last XC ski to get in this season. The nice, fresh snowfall from yesterday should mean a lovely afternoon on the golf course, today.
Happy New Year, ya’ll!