Words for Wednesday

Effort can be insanely terrifying because it 

robs you of all your excuses.

- Dean Bokhari

Meaningful Shows

Special shout out to Trikitten for today's Words.

It's uncanny how appropriate this is....

She's beginning to know me all too well!

The Beast

You've all met Thelma and followed our adventures, then Jasper made his debut at the beginning of the year; but I don't think I've formally introduced you to The Beast.  Well, I've mentioned him once or twice, definitely in 2012 after I did my very first event that introduced me to triathlon.

I've only been on The Beast probably a total of 5 times since his purchase.  Buying The Beast wasn't exactly my idea; I really wanted a road bike.  Nonetheless, in all his girlie lavender, big wheels and clunky splendor, The Beast became mine.  And has been sitting for years.  Literally.

So I asked myself:  "Self? Are you going to sell this dang thing or you actually get your ass on that bike and finally learn some skills??"

So, Interwebs, I formally introduce you to The Beast.  The Beast, say hello to the Interwebs.

He better play nice.

After a safety check from our friends at Uptown Cycles, we are ready to hit the trails.  All we need now is someone with lots of patience, humor and first aid kit to babysit take us out.

Any takers?

(Also available for urban pub rides...)

Words for Wednesday

Perseverance is not a long race;

it is many short races one after another.

-Walter Elliott

Words for Wednesday

I really wish I could remember where I grabbed this.

My apologies to the source, but this was just too good not to share.

Holy Smokes.

I was just looking through my pages and saw that my last "real" post was back in April when I was training for Raleigh 70.3.  Holy smokes that seems like a lifetime ago.  Once again I find myself looking back and saying, "well, dang.  That didn't go as planned."  I had pretty big ambitions when planning my 2015 season including some long trail races, a weekend 100 mile mountain ride, two 70.3's and a Boston qualifying attempt.  Then life decided to throw some more curve balls my way.

This is how the last 8 months have shaken out.
I got through a few trail races and then we got to say hello once again to my old friend, Mr. Lateral Patella Tracking Pain In The Ass and good bye to Mr. Raleigh 70.3.

Then at end of April I received notice from my employer that my position within the institution would be eliminated effective June 30 due to restructure.  Oh and by the way, since I would be out of a job, I would also be out of a home since I was living in on-facility housing.  Life may have just wizzed a fast ball in there... you know, just to mix things up a bit...keep me on my toes....

But within the chaos, some really great things happened.  Like this:

9 years in the making!
GRADUATION DAY!!!
HOLLA!

 

view from my new place.

new job in the big city!

I did get my 100 mountain miles in, barely...but I did it!

I was gearing for a 6:30:00 performance at Augusta 70.3 for the shape I was in, but I surprised myself with meeting my original pre-injury goal of sub 6 hour....at 5:59:56!  4 seconds to spare...  I'm glad I didn't stop to pee.

But honestly?  My favorite moments and highlights of this season had nothing to do with me, but those that I was fortunate enough to witness and be a part of.

Do you remember the guy in the orange visor?  Well, I was privileged to see him complete a 100 mile trail race in Virginia.  As described on their website, it's a race that requires "grit, endurance, temporary loss of sanity."

And then I was in awe as I watched my friends, Trikitten and Sunshine, do the 140.3 distance at Beach 2 Battleship, both giving stellar performances.  Normally I would take this moment to introduce you to their blogs and link to their recaps....but we've all been slacking on the blog front these days....

And finally, I was able to help pace my friend, Michelle (yes, she does have a nickname as well, but the interwebs aren't quite ready for that), for the first 10 miles of her marathon a few weeks ago.  She had an a fantastic training cycle and was running so strong...I have never had so much fun running 10 miles in my entire life.  True story.

I am so proud of all my friends.  It's been a big year for all of us.  Lots of life changes.  Babies, new houses, job challenges, broken ribs, questionable toes..... and we've all made it through.

There are still a lot of changes for me on the horizon.  I'm not sure what 2016 is going to bring.  I've learned that nothing ever goes as planned so might as well stop planning so much?  Maybe it's time to just throw caution to the wind and see what happens...

Words for Wednesday

Stop wearing your wishbone 

where your backbone ought to be.

-Motivational Quotes

+David Roads 

Dear Dad,

I know, I know...I'm a couple days late.  Even though I enjoy it, I find it very hard to sit down and write these days.  Also, well Dad, I owe you an apology.  I almost forgot.  It wasn't until I was sitting in a meeting on Friday that I realized what the date was. Usually at some point I can see this day coming up on the calendar.  Then again...you didn't really give me a "reminder" this year.  It's been a while since you've come to visit.

It's been a challenging year.  I thought I had hit my stride again and then WHAMMO.  I had to start all over again.  It's good though; I made it through and I think I'm doing pretty well for myself.  I finally graduated from college with honors, moved to a quiet and wonderful neighborhood; I found an awesome new job with so much opportunity to learn and grow and I've met some amazing people and made some fantastic friends in the process.

But I do miss you, still.  I'm getting better at handling change, but it would be so much easier if you were here.  To sit down over a cup of coffee...do you realize that we never had the chance to do that?  Thinking back, we never did really "chat." I was too much of a teenager I guess.  HAHA! Though now that I think of it, I don't think I'm much of a chatterbox anyway!

Once again I find myself at a loss of words, so I'll cut this short.  I hope Rex is well and fitting in with everyone, I'm sure you've been taking good care of him.  Please give him a hug and scratch behind his ears for us.  Tell him Sampson is doing well and is taking very good care of me. He saved my life this year; Rex taught him well!

Until next year.
Don't be a stranger; let me know you're still watching over.

Love you, miss you,
Me

Words for Wednesday

A friend of mine asked if I was going to post a "Words for Wednesday" today.  Now...I don't know if this was a "request" because she really missed my "words," or she was just making conversation, but nevertheless....

After this morning's visit to the pool, these words seemed absolutely perfect for this Wednesday!

To be successful you must accept 

all challenges that come your way.  

You can't just accept the ones you like.

- Mike Gafka

Words for Wednesday

found on themetapicture.com

Words for Wednesday

I was talking to my brother on the phone on Monday night, recapping our respective races over the weekend, which was a little weird and cool all at the same time.  You see, I was extremely sedentary up until about four or so years ago when I made some lifestyle changes, lost quite a bit of weight, began running which eventually led me to my triathlon adventure.

It happened to Jenn, my sister-in-law, too.  Then my niece, Jordyn, and now my big brother, Les.  My nephew, Adam, was already a runner; but he's joined in the family too.  This past weekend, Jenn did her first sprint triathlon while Les and Adam joined Jenn's swim coach for some relay fun; Les on two wheels and Adam on two feet.

So there we were chatting; sharing moments, sharing the sport, sharing the experience even though we were 300 miles apart.  It was a special moment.

And then he said it.... "the health bug....it's more like a virus." And then we both got a good chuckle out of it.

But think about it, diverging from the negative connotation.  He's not too far off.  Quoting from a wiki page, "a virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms."  Quoting from my dictionary app, a virus can be "an infecting influence."

How strange and fitting that the following came up on my quotes app this morning....on a Wednesday even...go figure.
(Looks like the Universe might be telling me to get my fingers back on the keyboard?!)

"A healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch it from others.  Be a carrier."

- Tom Stoppard

British playwright

Words for Wednesday

...Man is in a hurry but time is tardy and everything has its season.

Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali

D.T. Niane

2006 edition

Words for Wednesday

I just had to pull this one out of the archives...

Theme for Thursday

This is becoming my new theme song.

I Lived
One Republic, Native (2014)
lyrics found below




Hope when you take that jump, you don't fear the fall
Hope when the water rises, you built a wall
Hope when the crowd screams out, they're screaming your name
Hope if everybody runs, you choose to stay

Hope that you fall in love, and it hurts so bad
The only way you can know is give it all you have
And I hope that you don't suffer but take the pain
Hope when the moment comes, you'll say

I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived

Hope that you spend your days, but they all add up
And when that sun goes down, hope you raise your cup
Oh, I wish that I could witness all your joy and all your pain
But until my moment comes, I'll say

I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived

Oh, oh, oh, oh

With every broken bone, I swear I lived
With every broken bone, I swear I

I, I did it all
I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived

Oh, oh, oh, oh

I swear I lived, ohhh
I swear I lived, ohhh

Words for Wednesday

Let your smile change the world,

but don't let the world change your smile.

-unknown

I have tried to find the original source of this quote without luck.
But for those interested, I found this on my Twitter feed from Motivational Quotes (@DavidRoads).
And I will say, it is the best "follow" ever!

Words for Wednesday

Don’t whine, don’t complain, and put on a Nike t-shirt if it helps.

- @swim2win4life1 
as found on SwimSwam.com

Meme for Wednesday

"Words" for Wednesday

Summer School (1987)

Yup.  That just about sums it up.

Words for Wednesday

"It would be easy to not do the work, but the course doesn't care what you say you've done. It only gives you what you've earned."

Today's edition  of Words for Wednesday

was poached from IM 70.3 Augusta's FB Page

Could not have come at a more perfect time.

"Well, hello there, Lake Norman.  

I'll see you early in the morning."

Well, in honesty, I don't know if I'll actually be able to see anything given it will be pitch black and freezing...

A Pictorial

I had a simple 1 hour bike ride to do last Thursday after work.  No problem, I had the spot picked out and the weather was great!  BUT, some craziness in the wee morning hours put a bit of a wrench in the day's schedule and honestly, I didn't feel like messing with the loading and the packing and the driving and fighting I77 traffic to go do the riding thing and then the driving home and the unpacking and so on....

So, I opted for 1 hour on the trainer in the "comfort" of my living room.

I can do 10 miles running on a treadmill, no prob.  I can somewhat tolerate spinning for 30 minutes, but an hour on the bike trainer?  Ugh.

One must find ways to keep themselves entertained while the minutes tick slowly by.  

And because misery loves company, I thought...why not illustrate a session on the trainer in pictures??  If I had to suffer, I'm making y'all suffer too!

And we begin.

Ho Hum.  Yawn.

Oh wait...this kinda hurts a little.

Seriously?  It's only been 20 minutes?

and here comes the sweat.
Where is the damn breeze?
Oh, that's right...I'm in my freaking living room :/

Heavens to Betsy.
"I'm almost done, I'm almost done"
Ouch.
"almost there, almost there, almost there"

I win!

Words for Wednesday

If you're always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you're in?

- Unknown

Two Weeks And Counting

What's in two weeks you ask?

Why it's the first tri of my season!  Belews Lake International brought to you by the stellar crew that is Jones Racing Company (I LOVE these guys!!!).  Am I ready??

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
not quite.

I haven't run more than three miles in a month, Jasper and I don't like hills and I haven't even hopped in the lake, put on my wetsuit or have swum (swam? gosh who knows #grammarcrapshoot ) any long course.

And I'm having some PTSD flashbacks from last year.  But, I guess I need to start somewhere, right?  I need to remember that I actually can do this stuff.  Sometimes I forget!  And Raleigh is creeping up on me all ninja-like and will be here before you know it.  Cue heart palpitations.

Anyhew.  Time to get my groove on and shoo away all those mental demons!

1500m swim
27 mile bike
6.2 mile run

it will be fun
it will be glorious
and I will eat fried pickles.

"I got 'dis." (mantra poached by my CT classmate and Ironman, RT Rockstar!)

Deep Breaths

We are more than half way through the semester and as with each time this moment comes 'round, I once again feel like my life is spiraling out of control, my sanity is in question and my brain is fried.

And like each time before, I am taking a few moments to breathe, reflect, and offer up...

The Top 10 Things I Will Do Once This Misery Is Over

in no particular order
except for the first few...

1. Party like it's 1999.
2. Sleep for 100 years.
3. Tuesday night pub runs.
4. Finally put away that pile of clothes that I've been staring at and moving between the bed and the dresser top. (because if I put it back on the bed, I will put it away eventually, right?  Theory dis-proven.)
5. I might finally claim my kitchen from the Christmas decorations that have been stored there since I moved in two years ago...
6. Have a beach weekend!  I may have mentioned it a time or two that...Dammit I'm over due!
7. Clean.  My apartment is absolutely gross and I can't take it any longer.
8. Swim Bike Run 70.3 miles.  Why?  Because it's what I do. And it's awesome. And I get to eat.  A lot.
9. Go on a REAL vacation.  No racing, just eating, drinking and being merry!
10. Contemplate grad school.  For like .02 seconds and then laugh until I pee my pants.

There you have it.  

6 more weeks.

Party on, Garth.

Words for Wednesday

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, 

the rest is merely tenacity.

- Amelia Earhart

N + 1 = Tons of Fun

At the end of January, Sampson, Thelma (+ Juan Pablo), the Beast and I welcomed an addition to our little family.

I had been contemplating a new bike for many months now. I mean, Thelma is a bit old and a little heavy but she gets the job done, right?  Did I really need a new bike?  With a couple 70.3's on the schedule this year, I thought why not do something that will bring me happiness, make my life a little easier and hopefully faster?  So, as a happy divorce present to myself, I bit the bullet.

Meet Jasper.

this match is
Snoop Approved!

Since that day it has been rainy, snowy and icy mess here in the Piedmont of NC, and if it hasn't been precipitating it's been just plain old cold and dreary; and honestly folks I am a wuss and do NOT like riding in the cold.  I am a pansy. I won't deny it!

So our "rides" have thus far been inside during our computrainer class which may have been a blessing in disguise.  This presented the perfect opportunity to get used to the new position and gear set up within a controlled environment (ideal for those like me who are accident prone and tend to tip over...)

And then it happened.
The sun came out.
The trumpets sounded.
The call came.
"Let's roll."

Okay, so it didn't happen quite like that.  More like, Hope is still unprepared and needs a water bottle cage ...
do you have one?
Yes I have one.
Can you put it on for me?
(Sigh.) Yes.
I don't know what to wear.
(Sigh.) Bike clothes.
I don't remember how to clip in and out.
(Shaking of the head and rolling eyes at irrational panic)
I'm freaking out.
Don't freak out (Dammit, woman.  HTFU)

Peer pressure can be a wonderful thing.  It was go time.  There I was, with my stomach in my throat and heart pounding watching as my friends started to roll out from base camp.  Gotta go now or get left behind.  "Alright Jasper, we have to make this happen.  Be good to me and I'll try really hard not to tip us over...." And then we were off.

It took me awhile to get comfortable, in my head and on the bike.  I was nervous and scared to death.  I had just gotten somewhat comfortable being in aero position on Thelma last year, but I wasn't in Kansas anymore.  Jasper is a triathlon bike and this is what he was built for whereas Thelma was a roadie made to be like a TT bike.  The fits are still night and day.  Jasper is smaller, lighter and I don't have a lot of bike underneath me as I once did. You definitely feel every single bump, no matter how small, in the road.  He also has me more forward and lower making getting down in aero position wobbly and entertaining.  Mr. van Voo gave me great advice. In summary, "Suck it up Buttercup and get your ass in aero; it's the only way to get over being scared.  Besides, on these bikes you are meant to be in aero and it will make your life easier."  He was right.  Before I even realized it, I was down in my bars more often than not, even in the pace line.  And if I was lagging behind on a flat, the only way I could catch back up was drop in the bars.  Actually, being down in my bars was the only way I could pull when it was my turn to be out in front.  Aero on the down hills?  At first I was like "hell to the no!"  by the end, I was like "in the bars going 33mph down this bitch? no prob" (only a little scary and I'm not quite sure if I was breathing or not...haha!)

I'm afraid my pull segments may have been our slowest, so I hope they let me keep trying.  I can see how pulling a few of your closest friends as a great way to build bike strength!

It's no secret my weakness is hills.  And as much as I hate hills, curse them, cry on them, whine on them and feel like my legs are going to spontaneously combust while trying to get up them; I am thankful, grateful and happy that my friends put up with my shenanigans and make me do them!

It is they who will make me stronger.

So, that was my Sunday.  I haven't forgotten how much I missed these group rides, but yesterday was definitely a reminder.  It brought back many happy memories of last summer and it was a promise to make new memories with old friends and new friends I get to call my teammates.

And let me tell you what.  If I had any doubts or buyers guilt, both are LONG GONE now.  Jasper is one lean, mean, quick little machine!

All eyes on Raleigh 70.3.
Suck it up Buttercup!

Special shout out to Inside Out Sports, Melissa Bell, Bob Nixon and James Haycraft for getting me on Sir Jasper McHotWheels.  One sexy bad ass.

Random thought for the day

There is a time (usually always) and a place (usually everywhere) for chocolate. However, I discovered that it does not belong in my oatmeal raisin cookies. 

Words for Wednesday

to live is to conquer your fears

...even if it is a banana

(this one will never ever get old!)

That moment

...when you are in the office and you happen to look up from your keyboard and find 3 empty bottles of ibuprofren, electrolyte tabs, coffee and an ice pack at the ready, a sudden realization smacks you in the face that your sport isn't just a hobby anymore, it's a lifestyle.

yea.
it just happened

#slapshandtoforehead
#doh
#Ilovestickynotes

Were you aware?

I don't watch much "real-time" tv anymore.  I LOVE tv, but I simply don't have the time between the day job, the weekend job, school work and this triathlon thing.  So when I watch tv, it's usually recordings or neflix streams of my favorite shows.  Since my divorce I'm no longer forced to sit and watch FoxNews and I'm never home in time to watch the evening news, nor can I stay up to catch the late news. So maybe I'm just out of touch.  (I do like this itsy bitsy world I've created in my own little bubble.  We all stay pretty happy in here for the most part...)

But I do read a lot of news alerts and daily headlines for my real job, so the fact that I heard not even a whisper surprised me.  Maybe it will surprise you too, or like I said maybe I'm just out of touch.

Were you aware that the trial of Dzhokar Tsarvaev started this past Wednesday?  You remember Dzhokar.  He and his brother thought it a great idea to place two pressure cooker bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013.  You notice I'm not using "alleged."  Dzhokar's lawyer said yes, he did it.  That fact isn't in dispute, they all admit it.  The why and how he came to do it is really what is in question, basically to save him from the ultimate penalty.  But I'm not here writing to get all political or discuss legal mumbo jumbo.

Yesterday was the first full day of witness testimonies. I was reading some of the accounts and it immediately took me back to that day.  It's not that I had forgotten, but the mental images of the pictures and news reports played like a slideshow in my mind.  And it forced me to truly remember.

I urge you to remember.  I urge you to read the testimonies, to view new images and footage.

I urge you to go run.  Any distance, a quarter mile, a mile, whatever, and be thankful for the feet that carry you and the heart that propels you forward, to keep moving, to keep dreaming.

And if you have people in your life, I urge you to hug them or squeeze their hand....somehow let them know how important they are to you and that your life is better with them in it.

#runforyou
#runforthem
#runforboston

Momentary Freak Out

Please allow me to pause this world of positivity, motivational words, top 10 lists, prosing on about swimming, cycling and running and random musings while I have a near meltdown.

Notice of failing grades will be sent on Monday, the day we return from "spring break."  

I've had a few moments these past few days where I literally could not breathe.  I had two mid terms the week before break and I do not, I repeat DO NOT, have a good feeling about either.  No.  Not at all.  

Panic has indeed set in.

Let the freak out commence.

Really?

This is actually a thing?  

Really???

I thought the purpose of crock pots were to "fix it and forget it?"  

As if everything else in our lives weren't already controlled by our smart phones...and now this??

I don't know if I want to live in a world where there is an app for my dang crock pot.

Seriously?  

For heaven's sake.  

What's next, toilets?  Just in case we need the ability to flush from afar?

The insanity must stop.

Self Portrait

This was me in the pool during today's swim set.

Déjà vu?

Sorry folks.  No Words for today.  Apparently the white stuff is going to fly again this evening and all hell is breaking loose.  I haven't watched the news.  So how do I know, you ask?

What's better than a doppler radar to predict the weather in the state of North Carolina?

The sudden spike in sales at your neighborhood-not-so-friendly-Harris-Teeter-turned-war-zone, empty shelves and the carts filled with toilet paper, milk, bread......or in some cases beer, wine and bags of miniature Reese's.

The silver lining?
There were plenty of oranges, apples, dried mango, coconut chips, asparagus, brussel sprouts; and most importantly a limitless supply of dates and almond butter.

.......I think I need to go find the house that went with the cart full of wine and Reese's.

I better go before the town shuts down at 5:01
.......I hope they have heat.

Charlotte 10 Miler

If my morning was any indication of how this race was going to go, I was doomed.
It seemed anything that could go wrong was going wrong.

5 am proved way to early.  I woke up late, choked on my applesauce, the dog wouldn't poo and it was damn cold.  Nonetheless, I made my way to pick up Michelle so we could start the 50 minute drive down to the far side of the city (well beyond my 2-exit bubble) to run a race that neither of us were too keen on.  In fact, we both confessed that we had fleeting thoughts of ditching the race to stay bundled and cozy in our homes instead of freezing body parts off running the streets of south Charlotte.  We both agreed at that moment, racing was a dumb idea.

I can't speak for Michelle, but I was not excited in the least to be running.  I simply just didn't want to.  But somehow, someway, I had to pull myself out of this funk.  And what better way to do that than to grab one of your besties and head out of town for what turned out to be a frigid and hilarious morning adventure full of bad decisions, hanger (hunger + anger = hanger) and Siri's mis-directions?

Michelle gave me a little crap for getting us there a bit early, but in hindsight I think we got there at a perfect time.  Rock star parking, minimal porta potty wait time with just enough time to grab our numbers and go back to the jeep to get a blast of heat (and some giggles) before the race.

After the announcer instructed us that the Start would start at the Start Line (nothing but brilliance in that statement), we got in a nice little warm-up jaunt before taking our spot amongst the 700 runners taking on the Charlotte 10 miler.

I had no race plan.  Good thing Michelle did!  I wasn't sure I could keep up with it, but I thought what the heck, I'll give it a try.  In my mind I thought that if anything, I can pace her for the first few miles so she wouldn't go out like a bat out of hell and then send her on her way.  Turned out to be a great plan and that is exactly what happened.  We ran the first four miles together and I knew she was going to have a great day so I urged her on.  She eventually decided to go on ahead as I watched her pull away around mile 4.5.  I smiled and thought to myself, "you go girl!"  And then I thought "thank goodness because I can't keep going at this pace!" HA!  I lost complete sight of her for about 1.5 miles.  I thought I was slowing down but when I looked at the watch, it told me I was actually running pretty consistent splits.  Huh.  I wasn't expecting that, but I'll take it!  I was running well.  I was working, but not over-working.

Then wait, do mine eyes deceive me?  Is that a familiar black pony tail and orange jacket I see?  Can I really be catching up to her?  Yup.  It took a little more time and a bit more work with some help from her fueling stop, but just before I reached the mile 8 water station, I spotted her slowing to get a drink.  I put some gas in the legs to get close enough to yell at her.  That sweetie pie waited a minute or so for me and we were off again!  We ran the final two miles together for the most part.  She was still ahead of me but close enough to where I'd catch up now and again.  Mile 9 was thee hardest segment of the entire day.  A three tiered hill brought to us directly from Satan.  Just when you thought it was done, it kept going.  Many cuss words were dropped, loudly.  I just couldn't hold them in!

With a mile to go, Chas, The Sockless Runner and Reckless Running ambassador, appeared with a camera in hand.  He also ran the 10 miler, but he's so speedy he had already been done for about 30 minutes and had plenty of time to scope out the perfect spot for this shot.  I wish I could say we planned this pose, but we just come by it naturally....

dorks.
but we own it.

We were in the home stretch with about a 1/2 mile to go and with Chas running along side keeping us going, er going faster I should say, Michelle pulled ahead to cross the line and I, just about on my last legs and last of my oxygen supply, crossed seconds behind her.

I couldn't believe it when I looked at my time.  Is it really possible that I just ran 10 miles at a faster pace then I did my 15K back in July?  Yup.  I know, right?  Surprised the hell out of me!!!  I guess I am getting some of my speed back.  And to think, I'm just seconds off from my half marathon PR pace and not really in race shape yet.  I hope that happens soon (damn those snack binges....#muststop).

4 weeks to go.  I'm looking at you, Wrightsville Half Marathon.

Let 'er rip!

The numbers?  I don't know if you really want to know them, but here they are just the same for inquiring minds.  There are a lot of speedy people out there!  So, I tend to hover just above the middle

Time: 01:25:44
Ave Pace: 08:34
AG Place: 20th out of 83
Gender Place: 100th out of 423
Overall Race: 241st out of 700

Not too shabby for this 'ol chick.  Absolutely no complaints here.  I'll take it!

This guy!
Photographer Extraordinaire AND he took home an AG award.
#RenaissanceMan

Congrats Roberta on your AG win!
Folks, she went on and ran another 10 after this.
#badass

Not a bad pic considering we couldn't breathe...

A big "holla" to all the folks we saw on the course.  The most fun was seeing speedy friends, old and new, blasting by.

And a shout out to all my Tri Team Ignite teammates who were there (but most I didn't see because I was hiding in the warmth!).  A good day for the Team, bringing home an AG award in the 10 mile and the men's overall in the 4 mile.  It's going to be a good year!  #ignite

Michelle and I opted NOT to have pancakes, but headed to an Irish pub for fish and chips and a pint. It may have been the best decision we made all day.

And...if you ever get stuck in a parking garage and need out, I'm your girl.
Don't ask.

Words for Wednesday

-unknown

(I wish I knew because I'd pat this person 

on the back because it is freaking hysterical.)

Snowdays

Or I think in our case, it's more like Icedays.

Whichever term you'd like to apply, the result is the same.  No sunshine, no warmth, well it leaves us a little bit uninspired this week; at least for me anyway.  I know this past week I've been in hibernation just trying to stay warm.  If it did not involve the combination of my couch, my blanket, my dog and my space heater I wanted no part of it!  

Of course, the little shit hogs the space
heater

But gosh darn it he's cute!

And then I realized something.  It hasn't really been just this week.  I've been a livin' on the quiet side of things since the New Year.  It's not that I haven't been doing things...I've been having swim bike (er...spin) run fun, keeping my date with my yoga mat on Wednesday mornings, full time work, my part time gig, and then there is school.... 

There's been some cool fun things happening, races raced and Thirsty Thursdays too.  So why haven't I written?  I honestly don't know.  Maybe it's just been the off season.  And in the off season, we all build our bases, right?  Maybe the same thing goes for writing?  As the weeks go by, we are building up our stories and our thoughts so when the time comes, we're ready.  I'm going to go with that theory.  Because as the weather breaks and my training picks up, so does my mood and my desire to write, about anything...not just about training and racing.

So, the funk stops here.  Tomorrow we've got the first road race of the season.  Am I ready?  Who knows.  It's going to be cold as......well it's going to be cold.  This is a training/test race to see where my pacing is at before my half marathon in March.  Coach Sarah asked how I was feeling about it.  I told her that I was trying not to think about it too much; to just go in relaxed and let 'er rip.  I'm going back to the strategy I implemented late last season.  We'll see how it goes.

And then I'm going to eat pancakes.  

** I'm going to leave you with one last picture, because honestly, how can this not make you smile!

That face....
It takes away all the bad.

Words for Wednesday

I needed this little reminder today, 
thought I'd share in case someone else needed it too.  

from fakebuddhaquotes.com

Words for Wednesday

"So.  Tell me.  Have you been using your foam roller.......to hang your wash on?"

- Judith

Massage Therapist 

Extraordinaire 

Translation:
You are busted.

Some friendly advice on this Wednesday afternoon.

Do not neglect stretching and rolling your muscles.  You aren't doing yourself any favors AND it turns your sweet angelic massage therapist into a She-Devil with strength greater than Gerard Butler with his CG 12-pk abdominals and his army of 300 completely focused on every single trigger point you have making you laugh hysterically because you are too delirious to cry out for mercy as the pain shoots through your body.

#crylikeabitchbaby

#lessonlearned

#probablynot

Words for Wednesday

Everything you've ever wanted 

is on the other side of fear.

- George Addair

10 Things I Learned on Last Night's Run

in no particular order

• I need to invest in warmer tights.
• Getting blasted by 16-17 mph wind gusts make you feel like running in cement.
• It is possible to freeze your woohoo.
• You can still sweat when it feels like it's 15 degrees.
• Running in the freezing cold makes  you crush your tempo goals...so you can get warmer faster.
• Or rather...Running in the freezing cold makes your running buddy drop the hammer, and in turn crushes your tempo goals.
• I really did freeze my ass off.  I couldn't feel it for an hour.
• I'm so glad I learned to launch snot rockets.
• Your dog has to pee on every single leaf on his night time walk when all you want to do is get inside and get warm before your limbs begin to fall off.
• Running in freezing temps with one of your besties makes it not so horrible, actually, it makes it pretty fantastic.

Thank you, Coach Lolo, for your carrot dangling, conversating and keeping me honest!

Words for Wednesday

On the way home from yoga this morning, I was witness to the most amazing sunrise.  In an instant I realized that I could not remember the last sunrise where I was completely present in the moment and had my eyes "open" to really "see" what was around me.    

And then I open up a email that contained a link to this post and I thought, "how serendipitous."

I don't know anything about the author or the site he writes for, but this post was too beautiful not to share.

"The spirit of sports kisses us on the forehead and our eyes open wide and we see. We have no footage of it, but the best of our lives are its proof, and celebration."

- David Roth

writer, Vice Sports

Note:

Today, I shall be like Bao Bao, the Panda

Beautiful words, David.  

Thank you!