That's Just Hope

Words sometimes just come out of my mouth with no apparent relevance to anything.  Sometimes they are thought provoking and sometimes they definitely are not.  Sometimes they are intelligent and sometimes they reveal my naiveté.  But one thing is for sure, they will usually make you shake your head.  I seem to have that effect on people.  An old friend once told me that if I were to have a t.v. show, it would be along the lines of "Seinfeld" and it should be named "That's Just Hope."

I haven't been writing (obviously) which makes me sad (tear).  Honestly, I haven't had much to write about.  There hasn't been any focus, just a bunch of randomness.  Luckily for the interwebs I'm really good at random, so I thought I'd write a random post.

I know.  Genius.

So, here are some random thoughts and things that have happened in the past few days.  In no particular order because...well...it's random.

When walking to the grocery store, it is very important to remember that you have to carry back everything you buy.

It doesn't matter which floor is my destination, when that elevator bell dings and those doors open; I walk right on out like a boss....then turn right back around.

Can someone please explain to me how putting the peanut butter in the soft drink aisle makes sense? 

Dear Trail Mix Mixers:  To claim your mix as a Tropical Blend, you really should include more than one tiny pineapple wedge.  And maybe throw some shredded coconut in there.... 

Sometimes I feel like a Mini Cooper in a lot full of Lamborghinis. 

I have rediscovered my like for Cadbury eggs. 

I have this strange feeling that I'm running out of time. It's like a little rain cloud following me around and every once in awhile, usually when I'm happy and smiling and well, just being me; it shoots out a little lightning bolt and gooses me right in the ass to serve as a little reminder that it's still there. 

My dog likes to poop as close to the road as possible, during rush hour, and it's embarrassing as all get out. 

When running and cycling groups post "all levels, all paces welcome," do they REALLY mean it??   

Sometimes it's VERY difficult to live across the street from Fuel Pizza.

Somehow Adele has infiltrated ALL of my Pandora stations.

And that my friends, is a wrap.
And for all of our sakes, hopefully I'll come up with some ideas for better posts.
Suggestions welcome!

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. 

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

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.

Thoughts for Thursday

"...you shouldn't mix fairy tales with liverwurst and buttermilk."

That is sound advice, Betty Haynes; sound advice indeed!

I think I found my niche.

Coach Sarah had me do a 1-mile time trial last week.  Why?  Um....good question.  I don't rightly know the answer to that.  She said "we" are doing one and I said okay because I basically do everything Coach Sarah tells me to do :)  (you would too.  have you seen her arms??  #gunshow)

I have not actually done one of these before.  I think they are used to base pacing estimates to determine/reach time goals for each race distance.  Anyway.  I 'm not writing a blog post on the ins and outs of mile time trials.  I'm writing to tell you that I think I found my next challenge.

After my time trial, I think I have shown some promise in the distance.  Now, I wouldn't be breaking any records like the elites did at the world championships last week, but I think that if there were age groups, I might could be a Beer Mile contender!

Now I just need to learn how to chug a beer.

The training cycle will begin soon, but I gotta build up my "base" first....

Or should we dare to be different and start something completely new.

Like the Mezcal Mile...

(better have a pull up bar at the finish line...)

Is that light at the end of the tunnel I see? Or a deleted scene from Poltergeist.....

Here I am.  In the final push of the semester.  Just one more test and a presentation to give.  Most of the hard stuff is done so it should be smooooooth sailing from here on in, right?

BWAHAHAHAHAHA

The surgery caused me to get so far behind in one of my courses that I literally can hardly see straight.  My professor and her department really have been cooperative, understanding and forgiving with past assignments.  But, the high volume of this class has had me spinning in circles and it's been all I've been able to do to just keep up with current work, let alone trying to get past work in.  I know, I know.  Cry you a river, right?

I do have the paperwork in place to allow for me to complete all coursework due by February 2015. But that doesn't quite work.  I mean, what happens if I fail this class?  I really need to know if I have to fit in a 3rd class next semester to get all my credit hours in to graduate in May.  AND I FULLY INTEND TO GRADUATE IN MAY.

So here is my plan.  Do 1.5 months worth of coursework in 1 week.  And if that doesn't get me a "D", I plan to beg.  And if that doesn't work, I have one final card to play..........

But you HAVE to pass me.  

I lost an organ in this class!

So, what do you think,

too much?

Thank you Chas for the idea.  I might have to use it.

Or maybe I should just lead with that....

So why am I sharing this?  It's not without purpose.

I hereby nominate this excuse to be considered among the 

Top 10 Excuses Professors Hear At The End Of Semester When Final Grades Are Released. 

#enoughshenanigans

#backtowork

It's that time again

Things I will do when this semester is over

• mop the puppy prints from my floor
• master the flip turn
• catch up on Chicago Fire
• finish furnishing my apartment (hahahaha!  yeah right)
• celebrate my newly found Monday night freedom by going to sleep at 8:30 (party on, Garth)
• finish unpacking moving boxes (can you say dumpster?  if I haven't needed it in a year, I think I can get rid of it)
• evening walks to the coffee shop
• epsom salt soaks
• read a book without falling asleep after 4 sentences
• eat real meals
• read a book that has nothing to do with environmental anthropology
• go stir crazy with too much time on my hands?

Just four more weeks until winter break.

And then what?
One last semester until that final drive to campus to walk down that aisle, grab that piece of paper and run like hell before someone takes it away!

Things You Thought You'd Never Hear Me Say

• I miss doing planks
• 24 hour relay in the mountains?  I could be talked into that...
• Sour Patch Kids?  No thank you.
• Century ride?  Why not...I haven't done one yet. And yes, 100 miles does sound like fun.
• I don't want to watch any more tv
• I love avocados
• I can't wait to to have 4:30 am wake up calls again
• Would I like a ride home?  No thanks, walking is good for me.
• I'm sad I missed out on all the late season open water swims.
• I don't want to drink smoothies ever again.

Okay, that last one is a bold faced lie, but I had to come up with one more to make it an even 10....

Thought for Today

Goodness knows I have my ups and downs, highs and lows.
Some things could be better or could be worse.
There are lots of things that I could do better to be better.

But when it comes right down to it,
I really do love my life.

Happy Wednesday, my friends.
It's good to be back!

Team Ignite - it might get a 'lil crazy!!

A few (but not all) random thoughts on why I'm excited about next season and being on Team Ignite

The outfit.  Let's be honest, I don't care if your male or female, we ALL love new race clothes and want to look cool and bad ass in our nifty new tri kits.
The gear.  It's cool to be able to say "swimskin" and not have it sound dirty.  Or it will, and we will all laugh.  Or at least I will.  #shenanigans
Time Trials.  Posts have been lighting up about the final night of the CC Time Trial Series and the team did fantastic!  And though the thought scares me to death.......I WANNA!  I want to play with the cool kids next year
Learning.  I'll be training side by side with some unbelievable and awe inspiring triathletes.  What an awesome opportunity to get to know them and learn from them.  #Ishallbeasponge
Speed.  I'm intrigued by the wondrous awesomeness of what is known as race wheels.
Going back to the outfit..... loving the fact that the new kit will match the color scheme that Thelma and I have going on.
New goggles.  Because mine just sprung a leak in the pool yesterday :/
Group activities.  I love being part of group activities!  #shenanigans
Spa days for Thelma.  She loves them and doesn't get them because I'm clueless.  She's dirty.  And noisy and needs attention.  #morelearning #Thelmaisadramaqueen
Potatoes.  Love me some McAlisters.
Strength.  Trading in my little "bb guns" for a couple of sawed off shot guns....
Sink or swim.  My swimming, well it's no secret that it sucks.  So, in order to keep up with my teammates, I will be living at the pool this winter and shall become one with my paddles. #findmylats
Group racing.  Racing with friends is the BEST.
No more separation anxiety.  Since we'll all be wearing the same thing, I will be able to pick out my people in a crowd  #nevergetlostagain

All #shenanigans aside.  I really can't wait to get started.  I feel so privileged to be a part of this team and to work with and get to know Rich and Tonya and my teammates; to be able to do what we love to do, together, and to tell our stories and share this beautiful sport with both athletes and non-athletes alike.  It doesn't matter what your passion is, if you're excited about it, the excitement is contagious and infectious in the most wonderful of ways.

The reason at the top of my list?  I can't wait to unlock my next level of potential and show everyone what I can do.  Why, you ask?

To show you that if I can do it,
So can you.

Light the fire.

Let it burn.

Find your passion.

Get excited.

And be your own kind of awesome.

and always let there be #shenanigans!

(and photo ops)

@TriTeamIgnite 

Cheers to

@HUUBUSA  @BlueBicycles @SpiritedCyclist 

McAlister's Deli @PFITCENTRAL

Monday Musings

• dark chocolate covered banana chips is where it's at
• I miss Thelma
• sometimes running 15 miles is harder than running 20 miles
• I miss half iron training
• sometimes harder miles are more of a gift than easier miles... they force you #HTFU and #GTWD and make then you go "RAWR" because you realize you're a bad ass and a rock star for getting it done.
• I've devised a new body/number/division marking policy for triathlon that should be implemented as of 1/1/2015
• sometimes quiche is not the answer
• Chicago is 4 weeks and 6 days away #hurryupandgetherealready #wantitdone
• sometimes dates dipped in Barney Butter Cocoa+Coconut Almond Butter IS the answer
• lunchtime workouts would be much easier and much more frequent if I had a hairstyle that required no maintenance. #missingmyponytail
• I have developed an addiction to dried mangoes
• getting antsy.  I need a challenge.  Something a little nuts, a little extreme that I would never do.  Something cool, something fantastic....something epic.
• 3 weeks of classes done....13 more to go #slapshandtoforehead
• I am REALLY looking forward to running the Savannah half. The weekend is going to be an absolute blast!  

Thoughts to Ponder

when on a plane....

"...close the air blower above you when you get in your seat; 

you are simply blowing germs directly into your face."

Gross.

thank you USAT for that tidbit.

Breakin' the Bubble

And just like that, another summer is over.  A busy summer.  Lots of training, lots of socializing and trying to get all my ducks in a row.  It didn't quite turn out like I had hoped.  Sadly, I never did get my beach vacation; though I did get two trips to the lake and was able to take away one of my most fondest memories to date.  Maybe the summer didn't turn out exactly how I'd hoped, but it was still a good summer regardless!

Alas, summer is over and fall is about to start.
And, when one thing ends it leaves a new beginning right at your feet.
The question is, what are you going to do with it?

Triathlon season is over.
Marathon training has been in full swing.
School has started.

Sounds like the same old same old, doesn't it?

Funny thing is....
I'm not good with "same old same old" anymore.

Time to get out of my bubble and see what the hell happens.

Time to spice it up a bit.

Thoughts to Ponder

I wonder.......

          Can a girl live off of just smoothies alone?

Sometimes ya just gotta change things up...

It is a with a conflicted heart that I post this today....

It may not be the same without popcorn on Popcorn Friday, 

but as you can see I am having no problem devouring this bowl of fruit and walnuts....

I'mma 'bout to make Happy Plate!
nom nom nom nom nom

Self Portrait

I'm pretty sure this is what I look like while open water swimming.....

I saw this on Google+ but after a little research to give photo credit,
I found that this image is part of a collection by Seth Casteel in a book of which you can purchase,
Underwater Dogs.

Thoughts for Thursday

Even if you have your earbuds in...

...people can still hear you singing.

Best Headline Ever

Police:  Ice cream truck driver assaulted with fudge bar

I wasn't planning on posting anything today, but this one was just too good not to share....

full story here for citation's sake.

A Brief Interruption

This brief interruption of regular programming has been brought to you by The-World-Must Stop-Because You-Have-A-Paper-Due Enterprises.  All systems were taken offline so that every available resource could be directed to the project's completion.

We are happy to report that this project is in its final stages and regular posts of thought provoking randomness and wit as well as coverage on most worldly topics, such as the Twilight marathon that will soon commence in my living room as we debate the acting prowess of Kristin Stewart, will soon resume.

C'mon folks...you know you missed me...