Yes, she can.

HURT BOX Workout

2009-05-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend was looking random for me, as the weather was predicted crap and only one crit Saturday in Milwaukee. After the past few weekends of traveling one or both days, a house that is full of dirty laundry and mail that needs sorting, I opted to stick around Madison.

This past week I feel like I may have had a turn-around with workouts and how I am feeling on the bike. Its funny, I look back to about a year ago, and think of how fit I was living in Tucson, availability to ride all the freaking time, but I don't necessarily think that there's benefit if you are doing junk workouts without structure. I have been dilligently trying to follow my "go hard or go home" combined with "easy means easy" workouts. Hard is hard, and easy is easy. There really shouldn't be much fluff in between. Fluff is fluff, and lets face it, no one is fluffin' on race day.

Tue night was the season opener for the Madison Tue Night Crit series. Holy hell, this has got to make one stronger!!! I rode over an easy 20min from the house, and did the 30 min effort in the B's race, feeling like a fish out of water in the first few laps. I found a group to work with that had been spit off the back, and though I was already discouraged being that I couldn't hang with the chase group, I was humbled by my ability to actually work harder than I have been all season (read: The crit that I DNF'd the week prior to..blech)

My group was about 4 deep and I sprinted hard to the finish, crossing ahead of the others. I thought to myself, "damn, I am just getting warmed up, let's do it again!" I rode a few cooldown laps solo, and this awesome gal Jane pulls up alongside (I had recognized her from Baraboo the week before) and she encouraged me to join her in the A's race that was minutes away from starting. What the hell, why not,right?!

So low and behold, Jane and I promised to stick together and work if we got dropped> Boy, did we EVER get dropped. Early on and for the next 40 min, we would hang to a wheel for 30-60 sec, and then recover til they lapped us again..we got lapped a milion times, but it was a super workout!

Today I was painfully introduced to the hurt box that is Jill Kislia. She is riding effin strong and kicking butt this year. Neither of us did the Muskego crit, so we instead took off to Observatory hill and did some hard (for ME!) hill repeats...Jill was encouraging the whole time, and though I am certain the workout didn't kick her butt nearly the way it did mine, I am uber grateful for her forcing me to be in pain during most of the 50 miles today. Ahhhhhh......and now I am tired..

Rachel won the Muskego Crit! Rock on ISCorp...and from what I can tell Kristin is hanging in the mix at Joe Martin...can't wait to read her race report!!!! Good luck to everyone else racing this weekend!!!

Other than that, life is good and I need to find a dress for a wedding of my dear friends next Fri.....So after a bit more downtime its off to TJ Maxx to bargain shop...happy training until next time!

IA CITY and BARABOO

2009-05-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

Some recent races and a re-cap:

The past few weeks have been filled with many exciting events. I think my last blog entry was pre-IA so let's dig back deep in the vault and recap for just a minute

IA CITY RR/CRIT: (2wks ago?!)
RR-A 44mi race that included a large and in charge field of about 30 women, many from Team Kenda..ahem...who were kickin a$$ and takin' names all day. Kristin, Jill, Catherine, Mo, and Jessica were there and had the largest showing, as well as the win (Catherine). Unfortunately dear Mo didn't have such a fun time, as she took a spill on the 2nd lap (I think) and ended up with a second butt cheek that was full of red gunk and fluid. She didn't break anything but still, it was a crappy way to end the weekend and we hope to see her out again really soon.

Kaitlin (who is in Belgium with the natl team right now) had a great race and came in 4th, and I tried best that I could to chase most of the attacks so she could save herself for the finish. I hope it helped, and truthfully, I wished I could have done more, but I ended up popping in the 3rd lap and rode the last 12mi pretty much solo. A feeble attempt, and you have to walk away with at least learning from your mistakes. All and all, I worked really effin hard out there in the time I was with the pack, and I just need to dig a little deeper next time.

Sun's crit....well, let's just say I have NEVER DNF'd a race by choice, and I rode 4 laps of a 20 lap race. I pulled. I was pissed as hell. I'd like to forget it, so moving on :) (Kaitlin held on for 4/5th and Rachel was right there in the mix working all day..Great work ladies!)

BARABOO RR: last weekend was a super close and hilly RR that consisted of about 30 miles of solid climbing over a 15 mi loop course. Rachel, Kaitlin, Yvonne, Elicia and myself made a nice representation for ISCorp, in addition to the other 20-something women in the 1/2/3's. It was a large draw for the Kenda and MadCity teams, as both had as many or more riders.

This was probably the best I have felt all season up to this point, as I had recently gotten compact cranks on my bike, and my climbing was feeling more solid...Kaitie blew a spoke early and was out, Elicia giving up her wheel to Kaitie. Rachel and I hung on with 2 others for most of the race in the 4th group from the front and worked together to finish strong. Rachel had an awesome break on a hill with about 2 miles to the finish, and I was finally able to hold off the other women in our field and let Rachel get away. I think our group finished in the MOP but after talking with the others, EVERYONE seemed to have a tough race.

Namaste

2009-04-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

I can't even believe it, but I have become a little yogi. I never ever thought I would become so addicted to something that doesn't involve a bike, goggles, water, a trail, or running shoes, but its true. I have found something that (GASP!) I love to do INDOORS! Its bewildering, but also invigorating.

My co-worker, who is a certified Baptiste instructor, has been harassing me-or should I say "Challenging" me-to come to her class for awhile now. Now, don't get me wrong, but I know its hard work. And with this lingering ITB issue that is still rearing its ugly head now and then, I figured what the heck, perhaps I should go??
I've been switching between the reallyhotyoga and the lessthanreallyhot yoga places. The former is much better on days when I have consumed at least 3 Nalgene-sized bottles at work. You really need to prepare your hydration for those classes. I can already tell in the past month that attending even as few as 1-2 classes per week (which is all I can afford, both time and financially speaking!) has helped to improve my flexibility, my strength, and my overall sense of well-being. I think I may let the gym membership lapse for the summer and yogacize instead.

This weekend was the opening Madison crit series that a local velo club sponsors. Rain had been predicted for the weekend, and since Sat am looked awesome and the womens race was scheduled for 5pm, I opted to instead get a longer ride in the am with Lia. We headed out for about 60mi, at a very nice aerobic pace, and I threw some hard intervals in when I could. I have been working on my strength by SITTING while I am climbing. This is a new skill that I have yet to master :)

This race season is long, and right now, its more beneficial for me to get some longer miles in since I spent so much time off of the bike prior to my move. While this past week proved to be a bit of a breaking point in terms of leg fatigue and my perception of lack of speed, I think my fitness is finally coming around and I am getting stronger. We will see.

Big Easter Miles and FUN!

2009-04-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am an orphan this Easter!! My dad and bro are sunning and funning in FL and Mexico, respectively, and my mom and sister are hanging back in Ohio!! So I am here in WI, and what better thing to do this weekend now that Spring is here but RIDE RIDE RIDE! Its warm, its sunny, and there are lots of people here so let's go!

Rachel and I took the liberty of organizing a fun group of hardcore women to do something long on Saturday. I rounded up the ladies with email, Rachel planned the route out to Blue Mounds (HILLS!)

It was fantastic! We had about 12 women show up, perhaps more, I am not even sure since it was so big you couldn't talk to everyone..Some of us from ISCorp and a large group from MadCityVelo...We even had a UWcycling group that rode part way with us!

First stop was at the coffee/bicycle shop in Cross Plains, notice the cool bike racks below with all of the rides!

Here are some of the ladies, refueling with cookies and scones prior to our next part of the journey!

That's Lia, one of my new riding buddies, and I don't think she knew I was taking her pic! LOL!

The ride was a fantastic 5hr-ish jaunt, filled with good hills, great conversation, and everyone feeling glad they took the afternoon to enjoy the outdoors..Some peeled off early, some did the whole route..but either way it was fun! Today I am heading out for something a bit shorter, then off to my friend Courtney's for some Easter Dinner and relaxing!

Below is a new creation, I just made it for brekky! Pecan Cinnamon Whole grain French toast with mango, blueberries, and raspberries on top! De-Lish!

Race Report-Hillsboro 4/4/09

2009-04-11T06:13:00.000-07:00

This report is about a week overdue! Woops!!

I feel like this is my coin phrase, but honestly, "There's been a lot going on around here these days.."

Last Fri we loaded up Rachel and Jordan's cars and about 5 of us headed on down to Litchfield, IL, just outside of STL....Sat April 4th was the official kick off to WI/IL race season for me, and I was certainly ready to test my legs and my (lack of) strength with some big names...Many of the top Midwest NRC racers showed up, including a Webcor gal (Rebecca Much), some fantastic racers out of IN, and many of the Kenda girls (my new cycling friends Kristin, Jill, Monique, and some others). Madeleine and Anne from BH were there, too, looking super strong and ready to go!!
Needless to say, the field was stacked and there were almost 40 women in the 1/2/3's race! That's huge!! Bigger than any race I've done in AZ! (which was a bit of a surprise)

Position is key in road racing, and I suppose you have to learn what to do RIGHT after doing it WRONG...Case it point, I didn't position myself right when the gun went off...Rachel and Carrie-Ann, my teammates, and both very strong Cat1/2 women, were right in front, drafting appropriately and ready to follow the attacks by sticking to a wheel...I somehow didn't get in the mix, and tried to jockey up from waaaaaaaaaay off the back!!!?!?!? After about 3 attacks in the first 5 miles, it became a lost cause, I dropped off (along with about 10 others!) and Shelley from Kenda and I TT'd to get back....

We never ended up succeeding in that attempt, rode much of the first 15mi solo, and finally found a group of women behind. They scooped our tired legs up and we continued to work in this pack of women for the remaining 35/+ mi of the race! It was solid, we all worked hard, and all in all, I felt pretty tired and GOOD when it was all over.

The lesson learned: GO FROM THE GUN!!!!! I hate excuses, absolutely hate them...It drives me nuts when people have excuses for "why they got dropped" or "I was sucky today because..." I couldn't hang today because I am not as fast as those chicks, plain and simple! But I plan to get faster, and frankly, I wasn't that surprised! So back to the lesson: I need to be ready to blow myself up and hang on for attacks earlier than 30mi into the race, and that is what I plan to take with me from that race! What separates the pros from the Cat 3's is that they can ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK throughout the race, and still have enough for the finish! And I hope by midseason I am able to stick to their attacks!

After we finished up racing, Carrie-Ann, Rachel, and myself changed and ate some snacks, watched our Cat1/2 men finish up, and then headed off to get some food and drive home. Over 10hrs of driving, 4hrs racing/warmup/warmdown, in 36 hrs was a LOT, but I am glad to have done it!

Wavering Weather..........:/

2009-03-27T04:50:00.000-07:00

Well, this week we've had it all....torrential downpour, sunny skies and highs of 50 degrees, and then, low and behold, the only 2 days that I have off, we are supposed to get snow! Go freakin figure!! Not exactly ideal for another 2 long days of base miles in the saddle, but what is one to do!? Move back to Tucson...nahh!!! I guess you just deal...

The work is still busy, the days are flying by, and I am happy to say that I'm up to 11hrs of cycling this week, and its only Fri...I guess that is pretty good, considering I am putting in at least 8hr work days.

Tue and Wed were roller rides, with Tue being more interval focused and Wed a total recovery spin. I am still sooooooooooooooooo incredibly frustrated with my legs!! My L leg, which was the initial source of discomfort and ITband injury, has more or less healed in the past few months. But a stupid 30 min run I did about a week ago triggered some pain in the R leg (which, mind you, I was doing all of the same stretching, strengthening, and rehab on to PREVENT it from being injured like the L leg!!!)...Certainly, its not nearly as bad or painful, but lets just say I am not running...AGAIN!!! Erghhh!! Bike and swim, bike and swim..oh, and yoga and weights! let's hope something works here!!!

The Univ of Wisc cycling listserv is a great place to post a ride, find others to ride with, etc. So, being that I knew I had a light afternoon schedule on Thurs and it was pegged as the "only nice day" this week by all the meteorologists, I opted to post a ride.

To my pleasant surprise, about 15 people showed up at the Arb bridge at 430 and off we cruised towards Paoli, up Observatory Rd, and back into Madison. Awesome, fast ride, and I was the only chick! (I may have even chicked a few of the other dudes out there too!) That's always fun to do...I was probably older than most of those little studs by a decade, but who cares, it was a super workout! And exactly what I needed heading into the wintry weekend...

Off to sip another cup of java and head to work.....

Happy Friday!

Something to Try.........

2009-03-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

Yummy, healthy, and delicious....Try these if you are looking for a new alternative to cooking/eating Garbanzo (Chickpeas) Beans!!

-2-3 cans of Garbanzo Beans; strained
-Optional: 1 can Black Beans; strained

-Spread out onto cookie sheet
-Drizzle with Olive Oil or spray with Pam (I use the former!!)
-Top with your favorite seasoning: S&P, dill, oregano, Mrs. Dash, etc
-Bake for 40-50 min (depending on how CRUNCHY you want the texture!) at 425
-VOILA!!!!!!! A healthier alternative to croutons or salad toppers loaded with fat and hydrogenated oils!

*They can get pretty dried out, so I store them in an airtight plastic container!

Lack of blog = one busy girl

2009-03-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been filled with big miles in the saddle, big hours at work, and big time fatigue for this girl.

Last weekend, Kristin got together a huge group of ladies and organized a fantastic weekend full of riding in the Madison area. I don't know about you (Jen H, Jen L, Angi, etc) who are familiar with AZ riding, but I gotta tell you all WI IS WHERE ITS AT!!!!!! I have done some of the most epic, hilly, fan-freakin-tastic rides since moving here. Obviously the weather is our only downside to getting out everyday, but nonetheless, you are all invited here when the Southwest becomes entirely too miserable for riding this summer!

Back to the weekend: Saturday was a solid 5.5 hrs (~90mi) with a bunch of heavy hitters from the NRC...Bri, Sam, Louise, Kristin...all the gals that really know how to ride...and plenty of other strong local gals who really gave me a run for my money...we climbed all day, and were fortunately sagged the entire way by Sam's dad and her boyfriend...I have to say it was the best supported ride I've ever done, and I didn't even have to pay a dime to ride!

Saturday was also Kristin's Dirty 30th! so we went to the Great Dane for an awesome meal, and Monique showed up with a magnificent artwork of cupcakes in the shape of a bike! how cool! Good times, good food, great people!(See Kristin's blog for the cool pics!)

Sunday was a good solid 4hrs in the saddle, a bit less hilly compared to Saturday, with a cruise out to New Glarus and back. By Sunday afternoon, I was pretty much D-O-N-E! But so happy that I was able to ride those distances with an extremely talented group of ladies both days!

Which brings me to this week.....tired legs, after coming down from that "high" on Tue and into Wed...I try to avoid massage, only because of the cost..but I caved on Fri afternoon...I have been putting in big miles at work as well, since I run my butt off most days. So I took the liberty of scheduling something for Fri afternoon, perfect timing leading into the weekend for some more long miles.

Yesterday another group of women from Milwaukee and Madison met and we cruised out to Blue Mounds for about 70miles of hills. Another super day of riding, and I am caffeinating up here for a shorter ride today with some of the same women!

I think overall I am just so happy that I've met some great women who enjoy riding and training as much as I do. TMinus two weeks until the season kicks off in Hillsboro, IL. (I still don't even know where the hell Hillsboro is!?? Go figure!) but I plan to be there, perhaps a bit flat since I've not done speed, but nonetheless really excited to start racing again!

Cheers, and Happy Sunday! Welcome Springtime! I am so much more appreciative of this great weather now that its finally here! Yay!

A Rainy Weekend..........

2009-03-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

Bummer! I knew my 2hr ride on Fri was TGTBT!! It started to pour like mad on Sat am didn't let up until the snow was coming down in chunks and flakes by Sun evening.

All in all, I had a pretty decent weekend training wise....50min mod run Sat, 75 min in the pool, lots of stroke work. A bit of yog's to stretch out the hips, and some maxing and relaxin' Sat night with friends and a glass of wine..

Rachel and I had planned to ride "come hell or high water" on Sunday and unfortunately we got the latter...literally! I was still raining cats and dogs when we ventured out the door, completely geared up for what we anticipated would be a short ride..but hey, at least we were doing it!! (You know, they don't necessarily stop a race if there's rain, so sometimes you just have to buck up and do it!)

We made it about 15miles, doing all miles on the Cap City trail and surrounding areas out to Monona...kind of wimpy, and ordinarily something I wouldn't do, but we both agreed that in the downpour it was much safer than roads...

About 12.5mi in, my hands went totally and completely numb..Ok, I know, a bit dramatic but nonetheless I was ready to call it quits...and I think she was too! Her hubby rescued us, and we were sooooo grateful for the warm ride, towels, and blast of heat awaiting us inside!

I stood under my shower for what felt like hours, and believe it or not, my 1:15 min in the saddle actually felt harder and longer in hindsight..I think I expended so much energy trying to stay warm, not slip, move my fingers, etc.

Much to the dismay of Rachel (HA!) we won't be doing that anytime again soon....

The hours-minded junky that I am wanted to do some more time in the pool, so I headed off for a longer set in the water that afternoon, by which time the roads were getting dicey. You gotta love the Midwest, the ever-changing pattern of weather.

Today I am feeling notsomuchawesome....EEKS! There are 2 flu's spreading around at work, and I am concerned I may have a touch of something. Think today will be the rest day, with my fingers crossed for the rest of the week being filled with Springlike temps!

Perfect Afternoon!

2009-03-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

This morning started off with a very hard, anaerobic set in the water, doing a long freestyle warm up set of 500, 400, 300-ladder sets, some kicking, and then a main set of 5 X 200's broken up freestyle. I felt awesome after the 75 min workout--just what I needed to get me thru the Friday at work after what has been a very long week.

I love those days at work when all of your interactions are positive! Its a rare day when nearly everyone I meet, all patients I work with, are happy, grateful, and truly appreciative of the service you are providing! It was great day, and makes me remember why I do what I do...........

On the flipside, I was equally as happy when my 330pm appt cancelled, and I was finishing up at 230pm. The day was slow, our staff was adequate, and I took the opportunity (a rare one, might I add!) to get out the door and enjoy the beautiful 55 degree temps and sunshine! You better believe it, this girl is going riding!

I just love the UW cycling listserv, as you can post a ride, and within 5 min people are responding to you left and right, wanting to meet up and cruise the streets. Since I hadn't been on my rollers since Tue night, I was hoping for a mellow, aerobic 1.5-2hrs on the roads, and had just enough time prior to dusk.

Derek and Mollie, 2 cyclists who are newer to the sport, met me at the Arb and off we went towards Paoli. We ended up taking a slightly different route out towards Goodland Park, and talked a bit about racing. It was such a nice and fun ride, very social, and reminded me again why I do what I do. Mollie was full of questions about racing and training, so it was fun to be on the other side for a change--as I am usually the one asking questions to others!!!!

We ended up with about 30 miles and 2hrs later, and I was feeling warm, toasty, and pleasantly exhausted after a great day of training, work, and socializing! I capped off the day with my most favorite place to spend a dollar-- TRADER JOES!!!

And let me send a big HOLLA!!! To all of you who commented on my previous post regarding food choices!!
-Eileen, the lentil soup is da bomb! Ate it for dinner last night!!
-Jen H,- MINI PB CUPS!!! soooooooooooooooo good!!!! and yes, I Heart Naan Bread!! The garlic kind!!!

I filled up my cart with a bunch of yummies and ate my way into the evening!

Today is a typical Midwestern one....a day of sunshine usually follows a day of rain/cold/precipitation. I am finishing brekky and off to train indoors!

Happy Saturday!

How would you react?

2009-03-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

This post has almost nothing to do with training, racing, etc. But a lot to do with all that has been going on in my ever-diverse world. I have been tired as balls lately, trying to muster up the energy to sit on my damn rollers for longer than 1.5hrs, but it hasn't been all the motivating for me. The temps are warming, the skies are bluer, and I am still working the daily grind so basically, I am SOL if I want to get outdoors for a spin...However, my swimming and running have been fan-tastic so really I can't complain. That's about it for now.

In other news, my neighborhood is trying to pass for a halfway house to inhabit formerly homeless men, that would include 12 full-time residents who may or may not live there up to 4months at a time, with an obvious turnover rate every 4 months. You do the math, that's potenitally 36 residents in one year. All with potential criminal and/or sex offender records. And my hood is full of owner-occupied family homes, small children, and some student and professional rentals that are flat-style apt homes. I have been adamantly opposed to this, from a perspective of not only a female but thru the eyes of my neighbors and friends who are parents of small children.

Now it is a known fact that many homeless people have history of unmedicated or untreated mental illness, uncontrolled addiction, and criminal behavior. While there are clearly more "warm and fuzzy" people living in my hood, I am not one of them.
I guess I wish that I could be more accepting, and not as fearful. But I am a safety Sally and this idea makes me a little on edge.

At a community meeting last night, that wore my brain and feelings out to no end, there seemed to be a clear bias towards moving forward with these plans. From the chatter amongst people, it sounds as if this will likely occur. Again, I am somewhat speechless. And unsure of how this will affect the feelings of the neighbors, the property values of homes that inhabit mostly upper middle class working folks, and the safety of all of us.

What to do, what to do.......................

Some of my favorite things

2009-02-28T12:47:00.000-08:00

Its the time of the year when I start to add different items to my grocery cart. Namely more frequent purchases of electrolyte drink mix, Fig Newtons, Clif bars, and the occasional 6-pack of PayDay bars for those really long days in the saddle. I'm burning more calories, I am working harder, and my body is just craving different things.

I am a very healthy eater- and this isn't an attempt to break my arm patting myself on the back, I just truly happen to enjoy my veggies. Blame it on my awesome mom who gave me only two choices as a child- broccoli or carrots? (Or you can just not eat dinner.....You get the idea). While others were allowed Trix and Cookie Crisp cereal, we would twist mom's arm for a mere box of Honey Nut Cheerios...and even that was a huge deal at the time. Nonetheless, I have steered clear of the bad stuff for most of my adulthood as a grocery store customer. While I dabble in the occasional burrito, hamburger, and serving of fries, I tend to crave these things only after an extremely hard effort, such as a race or a marathon day of training. I think I have trained my body to "not" crave many of these items on a regular basis, so its certainly helped keep me in check.

Some find it odd, but I really do not crave meat. EVER. I could definitely go the rest of my life without it. But chocolate, wine, bread, coffee. Now that's another story.

One of my guilty pleasures is searching other people's/friends fridge and pantries to find out WHAT I AM MISSING OUT ON in the world of food. I have some necessities and addictions that I can't live without. These are a few of my favorites:

Trader Joes
-organic creamy Peanut Butter (with Salt)- Good on just about anything
-Basmati Brown Rice
-Wild Rice (the black kind!)
-Mediterranean Hummus
-Natures Path Organic Pop Tarts (blueberry= the best, apple cinn., strawberry, brown sugar)
-Kashi Go Lean Crunch
-TJ's Roasted Vegetable Pizza
-Multi-Seed Corn Tortilla Flatbread (great with the hummus)
-Peanut Butter Pretzels (I go thru 1 bag/week)
-PURE energy bars
-LARABars (cashew cookie, apple cinn., cherry pie!)
-Clif ZBars (better than the original)
-Organic SOYcoutash (frozen blend of soybeans, corn, and peppers)
-Harvest Hodgepodge (frozen veggie mix)
-Wasabi Wow (trail mix)
-Blood Oranges
-Sweet Potatoes (lately I've been slicing thin, drizzling with olive oil, salt, pepper, and baking until crispy!)
-Mahi Mahi, Salmon, and Tuna steaks with seasoning (frozen)

What are some of your favorites?!?! Am I missing something good....Fill me in!

Solo Ski on another SNOWY Saturday

2009-02-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

Me, trying to avoid the blowing snow on the only gusty part of the trail.

Apparently everyone else missed the memo, because when I pulled into the parking lot at the local golf course where I have been logging cross country ski miles all winter, there was only one vehicle. A little odd to me, considering there has been falling snow accumulating approx 5in since early this morning. Fresh, light, fluffy snow, with minimal wind. And the best part yet, really perfect temps for skiing. I guess I was the only one that thought it was a good idea.

Just as I was throwing down the skis onto the fresh snow, a fellow loonie like me skied up, red faced, frozen-nose-dripped, and raring to go. "It's a bit tricky out there today, you have to make your own tracks," she said. She and I agreed that the loop which generally takes us about 30 min would probably take about 40 today....

I set off and to my pleasant surprise, it was quite fantastic...Not a soul in sight, after my new ski buddy took off a few minutes before me..Just pure wintry white beauty, and a challenging workout that felt more like backcountry skiing on this awesome Saturday afternoon.

Base miles have started this week, and though I had hoped to be up to about 120mi by today, I am short by 25mi. I am not stressing, as I still have 10 more weeks to really build the fitness and peak at the right time. In fact, it was more fun to get out and rip it up on the snow after my trainer ride this am, and my 1.5hrs of skiing will be added to what would have been my longer ride for Saturday. Hopefully I can hit the pavement for some outdoor miles by Tue, as temps look sweet and I have the day off.

Back to clean the pad up for my mama's visit. Due to the *SNOW EMERGENCY* she opted to hang in Chicago an extra day with the brother and head onward to Madison tomorrow. Fun times in store.

What's that beep????????????

2009-02-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

Apparently I hit the trunk button on my set of keys, because at 545am my neighbor knocked on my door to inform me that my "car alarm was going off." Oh $hit!!! I felt awful, and ordinarily, I would have figured this out on my own, as Tue am is my Masters' practice. I had decided to sleep in until 6am and get a mellow run around the hood in alternatively. Yes, that's right, I am actually going to call it a "run" because I am v e r y s l o w l y starting to pick up the speed enough to deem it more than a fast walk....And I couldn't be happier.

So, 15min before my alarm was set to buzz me out of slumber, I am up and at 'em, with the keys, turning off the alarm, and just for good measure, making sure the car will start. Ahhh, relief, the sound of my car's engine firing away...

My run was refreshingly chilly, and peaceful. I do look forward to this time of the year when the air is crisp and cool, the sun is starting to rise a little earlier, and the time of the day is so quiet--and you feel as if you are the only person awake in your neighborhood. On this particular day there happened to be a handful of us out enjoying the beauty of late winter before we all had to shuttle off to our respective jobs and commitments.

The week is cruising on by, and I have laid out some groundwork courtesy of the awesome cyclist and friend of mine, Kristin, who generously offered to help me with some insight and focus to my training block for the coming cycling season. This week is the unofficial 2nd week of "base" training with 10 more weeks (or so) to follow. I will likely be in base for the first few weeks of my season, though I do plan to race well into the middle of the summer, so I need to remember to be patient with myself. Its all in good time. I am hoping that for a change, I can actually be diligent and follow instructions.

My mom is here this weekend, so long riding may not happen, though I do plan to get out a fair share, in between all of the other fun places I hope to visit with her...most of which will include coffee, food, and some sort of place that sells home decor! That is my mom's "thing" and we tend to have enormous fun putting together my little home when she is around! Yay!

When this is what you have to be excited about............

2009-02-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

I have sunken to a new level. My life is so standard and boring these days that I was overjoyed this morning when I realized that I could secretly make my "two bag-of-grinds" coffee without anyone giving me hell for making extra-strength brew.....You see, some undercaffeinated people that work in my office seem to have an issue with coffee that-GASP!-is darker than tea!! WTF?!?!..So much, that last week, a post-it note was placed on a freshly-brewed pot of coffee-colored water stating *PLEASE USE ONLY 1 BAG OF COFFEE PER POT PLEASE*....Now, economically, that may be more substantial in a time of great despair. But considering that a) Most people don't drink that CRAP you call coffee b) Everytime I've made a pot, it seems to disappear before I even GET any coffee, I think YOU WHO WROTE THE POST IT are WRONG! I feel so much better after getting that off my chest..To all my coffee snob sistas out there "Can I get an AMEN....a HELL YA..."

So, after realizing this morning that no one in my office makes decaf coffee and there is an empty decaf carafe sitting quietly unused in the pantry, I have opted to secretly brew my double strength blend, without anyone knowing it exists. Pathetically, looking forward to work tomorrow.

In other news, I was able to get out for a short little spin on the bike Tue afternoon. Temps hit the 50's and now that its staying light out until almost 545pm, I can actually get some miles in after a long day in the office. Some good efforts in the pool Tue am, combined with my Sunday mega miles were a good chance to go pretty light and easy. Goal for the week is to hit 150/+ mi. I am at 90mi and its Wed, so we will see. In fact, its more about time not miles. But miles matter. Hell, time sitting on that God damn seat is what counts, loss of feeling in my vajay-jay, then I know I am becoming one with the bike.....But I digress.

Just like Aerosmith, I'm back in the saddle again. With my strong cup of coffee. 1 + 1= AWESOME. I can't wait for race season. Bring it on. I'll be there April 4. Fully caffeinated with miles under my belt. Ready to bring down the house.

Cycle mania

2009-02-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

This weekend was chock full of cycling action from Fri night until Sunday afternoon. Temps in the high 40's and mid 30's on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, were reason enough to let the trainers collect dust in my house and pull the fender over my rear wheel (in fact, I didn't even own a fender until Kristin mentioned that Planet Bike makes a pretty sweet little attachment!) In any case, I shot over to the bike shop Fri afternoon, made a quick salad, grabbed a bottle of wine, and headed over to Rachel's house for a team meeting with the ISCorps girls.

I am really happy to say that I think this will be a solid and dedicated group of women who I am looking forward to racing with this season. Yummy lasagna, homemade bread, salad, wine, bruschetta, and cookies with tea were on the menu, and over the course of the next few hours we ironed out the season and all commitments entailed with racing on ISCorps cycling team. All and all, a really fun night!

Saturday I headed out for a 4hr solid effort with Kristin, Rachel, and some of the otehr UW/ISCorps team members..Belleville, New Glarus, and Mt Horeb, with a few early season rest stops that included coffee, a PayDay bar, and Fig Newtons (of course!) I was more tired than really trashed, and ate my way thru the afternoon as I watched back episodes of Grey's on the computer! Nice...and even mustered up energy for a little social time with friends Sarah and Courtney later that night! Fun times...

Sunday ride was a bit more mellow, and though colder, a lot less windy than Saturday's ride...Rachel, Yvonne, Kristin, and myself drafted the boys for about 25 miles and then broke off for another solid 3.5hrs around the hilly countryside outside of Madison. Another great day on the bike. I can't complain. Certainly this weekend has been full of some good training, but I've obviously neglected my own chores, so as I procrastinate typing this post, I am now looking at a long list that include finishing laundry, grocery shopping, and some other odds and ends. Its weekends like these that make me look forward to them all over again! It looks as though it'll be trainer rides for the remainder of the week, but we will have to see....Until next time....

Silver Lining

2009-02-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

Why is it that everytime I see Matt Lauer/Brian Williams/my local news anchor there has to be yet another company closing its doors, leaving thousands of people jobless and wondering where they will find money for the mortgage and groceries!?!? Its begining to severely depress me, and also make me appreciate employment at the same time. So much, that even with 16 patients that I saw today, I am exhausted as crap, still have to get in a workout and strength train, and though tired, I am ultra thankful. I used to rally like a champ to stay out past 1am in college, and I plan to use the same strategy tonight for my run and core workout.

I've said it once before, but people, if you are considering a job, go into healthcare.....Job loss = poor health. Unfortunately, it doesn't seems to be resolving itself anytime soon. Job security, an oxymoron. Perhaps it should be called Job Availability....Think about it.

On another note, I am annoyed to report that I slept all funktified last night and have an annoying nerve pinch-thingy in my left arm...wonderful...hopefully not the end of the world but nonetheless just extraordinary since my left hip/knee are still less than perfect. The silver lining is that it may be warm enough here this weekend to get out and ride...something that doesn't involve pounding my leg or flailing my arms around. I am hoping for sunny skies and temps in the 40's.

Busy schedules don't bode well for double workouts, and right now, I am getting in what I can get in. Less than I'd like to be doing, but I am hoping for that little thing called "Quality" to trump my "quantity" ratio. Time will tell. After all, my first race is Hillsboro in late March. With such a long season into the summer, I am relying on the upcoming warmer months to light that fire under my proverbial butt! As I was pedaling away on intervals to my new favorite 80's stream station last night, I was thinking to myself, "Its been just a year since your last race" and boy, the time has certainly flown on by. It does make me very hungry to get back out there and tear it up.

Time to blow this pop stand and trek on home for another evening of indoor training!

Making Nice with the Treadmill

2009-01-31T05:44:00.000-08:00

I've blogged on this before. Perhaps, even multiple times. Desperate times call for desperate measures. And the old adage, "keep your friends close and enemies closer," is the tactic I've imployed here.

Yes, I have been running on the treadmill. As much as it bores me to tears, its the only way to get back in the saddle and start to run again. With the past 2 months being inconsistent at best in terms of running, I have decided to forgo the icy and slick streets of Madison and do my miles indoors. So far, so good. While I feel as if my pace is no more than a fast walk (think 5.0mph...blech!!!) it sooooo much better than not running, the other alternative.

I am happy to report that I've been taking 3-4 days off in between, and starting with 3-4 min/run followed by 1-2 min of uphill fast walking. And you know the funny thing?? I am actually enjoying my workouts. In fact, its making me really appreciate the time I am spending running during those 35-45 min on the treadmill. I am logging my progress and how I feel, so I know if I need to scale back or increase. My fingers are crossed on this one!

On another note, its time to start thinking about the upcoming cycling season. While my Tucson friends have already started their race season, mine won't get underway until late March. Now's the time to really start putting those miles in on the rollers, and any nice day I can get out where the temps are above 35 degrees, I will try to ride outside. But for now, I am still taking full advantage of the snow-covered golf courses and skiing or snowshoeing on the weekends. There will be plenty of time to ride in the coming months, so I am not too anxious about this one.

Its Saturday morning, and I am fed, caffeinated (probably too much!) and hydrating for day of training! Happy for the weekend ahead!!

2009-01-25T20:45:00.001-08:00

A Reason, Season, Or Lifetime

2009-01-25T07:11:00.000-08:00

My friend in Tucson introduced me to this thought awhile back after a nasty break-up. It seems to be quite fitting, esp since I really believe that people come into your life in one or all of the above.

The community I've surrounded myself with starts as a group of "reason" or "season" people- upbeat, happy, usually-competitive, athletic folks, either triathletes, runners, and cyclists. The bonus is always the possibility that they will be in my world for a "lifetime." Many of my best friendships lasting years on end are with these people. However some of them are just "reason" friends, and after we complete our training session/race we part ways until the next event brings us together again.

Then there are my friends who have been around thru thick and thin--All of the hardships, the disagreements, the break-ups, the make-ups, the people I can call whenever I am just feeling the need to vent, get some sound advice, or just B*tch my little heart out (which I tend to do!!) when I know everyone else is probably not going to get it. They are my lifeline. My strength for those days, though few and far between, when I really need a shoulder to cry on.

My immediate family, they are my "lifetime." That's a given, since no matter near or far, sick, healthy, dead or alive, they have shaped my life. While some family are only around for a short season, and others specifically find a reason, they are still important figures in my world.

Most of the men I've dated can also go into the above "reason" and "season" categories, since after a few months/weeks/years their reason and season have failed to keep them around for a "lifetime." In some ways, its a bit depressing. But on the other hand, what you don't find in some people makes you keep searching for it in the others that come into your life for the next reason or season.

I think this lesson is a positive way to look at your personal relationships--with family, friends, and all of the others in between. Every person that comes into your life makes an impression, a footprint, leaving their mark so as to influence your life, your decisions, your next big move. So think about your life, your relationships, and how the people whose paths you cross usually can somehow fit into one or a few of the above

*************************************************************

Tue Happenings

2009-01-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

While most of everyone in the country was busily streaming the Inauguration on their desktops at work, I managed to attempt streaming 4x's without much luck. Ok, as I can always watch it later tonight online.......

Apparently age doesn't do much for eyesight. At my annual opthamology exam, I was told that 1) I have an astigmatism (tha hell is that??!?!) 2) my eyes have worsened by almost 3 levels in BOTH eyes 3) my insurance doesn't cover new contacts or glasses
Bummer on all accounts, but amazing how new Rx can make a world of a difference. Was that light green or red? And apparently I am no longer color blind

Tue Masters was eventful. In honor of CHANGE TODAY we wore flippers for the kick set. SOME change it was. Hard. And flippers I've always thought to be the wimpy way to kick. Put some glute and fire those abdominals, not so easy. In fact, a nice challenge that I welcome.

Madison is warming up, and though it would have been a most perfect afternoon to run--sunshine, pleasant winter air, and the best yet, off work early- my gut is telling me to giver a go one more week without it. At this point I've been off running for just shy of 4 weeks, what's another few days if it means I come back healthier and stronger!?!?? Besides, my butt is still stiff from marathon cross country ski sessions over the weekend and a little biff I took coming down a steep hill.

I am behind on my ABC addictions- Grey's, Private Practice, and Brothers and Sisters-so I will fire up the rollers and punch out some indoor miles and core training instead. I have also discovered a "create your own radio station" on Yahoo.com that just about rules!!!! You pick the artists/songs. It soooooooooooo makes the time fly by when you are stuck indoors.

Off to train, until next time

Starting Late

2009-01-17T07:20:00.001-08:00

Its funny, when I lived in AZ I was accustomed to being up and at 'em for a pre-dawn workout. Not so much since moving to WI.

Its a much different mindset when you have gusting wind and negative temps until midday, so my weekends have been a little more lazy in the am...Get up, linger to the coffee pot and grind up some beans for a cup of joe. Eat breakfast, watch NBC, think about my friends in Tucson halfway done with their 70-mile ride on the Saturday morning Shootout..Facebook the crap out of friends..Facebook is such an addiction...its probably good they block it at my work! :)...................

Two doctors appts this week: one with sports med/athletic trainer, and another yesterday afternoon with a chiropractor, and I am already feeling more positive about healing this SI joint/ITband/piriformis thing. I really hate the elliptical but I sucked it up for 45min Fri morning at the gym, as I watched my friend Tina and other random runners jog circles around the indoor track when it was -25 outdoors at 6am. For the first time, I was actually wishing I was running around that track with them. Soon enough.

Laundry is drying and I am slowly getting my morning off on the right foot-literally-and heading to the UW pool for what I anticipate to be a good hard session. You really can't beat the facilities at a DivI pool.....Crystal clear water, a million lanes to swim in......and when its this cold there is no where else I'd rather be if I have to workout indoors.........

New Core Exercises!!! (thank GOD!)

2009-01-15T20:26:00.000-08:00

So, I have been mulling and griping, and frankly just dragging my feet...Or my leg, for that matter, in the past week! I finally had an appointment today to see a Sports Med specialist to figure out WTF is wrong with my left leg!

If you live under a rock, then you probably haven't heard that the entire middle section of our country is in a glacial freeze right now, and Madison, WI is certainly no exception! In fact, I think we may be in the top 5 right now of COLDEST cities in the USA...I am sure some random North Dakota town has out done us, but that's a fight I will let them win..I promise, this tangent of weather patterns has something to do with my damn knee and stupid injury, so read on...

This morning, after a solid 20 miles indoors on the rollers, I geared up post shower to head to work...knowing that the temps were in the -10's and dropping, I layered like a good girl and walked speedily to work, as my entire body continued to freeze every step I took...my walk to work is about 10 min/-/+ so opting to cut the time, I picked up the pace and ran in the snowboots for the last 200 yds!! BIG F*n mistake! My knee was stiff the remainder of the afternoon..

Good, however, was the appt I had at 2pm to see Dr. Gronski and Deb-Athletic Trainer extraordinaire! I was so impressed with both evaluations I received from them, and Deb remained in the room to perform some myofascial release on my SI joint, hip, and piriformis... Dr. Gronski doesn't seem to think that its more than just imbalance in the SI joint, which in turn is sending negative energy and inflammation down my IT band, hip, knee, and consequently causing other bursitis, tendonitis. In fact, he seems to think that this will heal relatively quickly if I am a good student and do my homework in the form of core work, ice, and slowly introducing running to my regimen again

Deb offered up some new exercises, which I will post later with instructions! (want to make sure they work!!!) I am stoked, and after my evening trainer session, I hit up the gym for some work! I love new stuff, and I am hoping I have that "good" soreness tomorrow from the workout!

Here's to getting healed...my running shoes have cobwebs and they miss me!

Whine and Wine...........

2009-01-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

I am a lover of wine. And lately, the more I whine, the more I wine. Well, not in a bad way, so to speak. I am good with my intake, a glass some nights of the week with dinner...Perhaps more often, not necessarily a large serving. My faves are generally whatever is on sale at TJ's for less than $6, and I am always a sucker for anything dark red, but particularly the lighter ones like Zin, and Pinot Noir. White wine, though I rarely turn down a glass (!), tends to give me a gnarly headache, and hangover, no matter how little I consume

Apparently my wine goes hand-in-hand with my whine, because that seems to be more prevalent as well. This knee/ITB syndrome/hip/What-the-hell-is-wrong-already thing is really becoming quite the bugger....While I have been swimming my little butt off and feeling fabulous in the water, my leg is both literally and figuratively at a stand still...No running, going on 14 days today! It sucks! (and since its Fri, how about a glass of Cabernet while I am at it)

I just need to put it out there: Has ANYONE, ANYWHERE, in the land of Blogville, ever had a lingering knee issue that feels almost like a pressure of fluid building up around their lower quad/and posterior knee that is not pain but tension???

I have broken down and made an appt with a sports med MD, which being in the industry, I have finally taken my own advice...I stretch, I ice, I rest, I cycle, I swim, nothing is really making it any better, so I am at a loss. My only hope is that it really is just a bad ligament sprain or strain, and not a tear to something requiring an operation. Damn, health is something I really take for granted. And I miss my pain-free body. Whine, ya, that's twice in one paragraph. Pathetic.

Madison, on the other hand, is so pretty and snowy today, it just makes me want to layer it all on an run in the park. Shit. There I go again, whine. No running. So I will wax up my skis, take off into the beautiful hills and try my hand at some more skiing. The conditions look to be stellar, and its things like this that keep me hoping I will be back to my old self really soon.

Here's to a happy, healthy, and lovely winter weekend filled with a moderate dose of wine and a minimal amount of whine!

Hol-i-day Re-cap...........

2008-12-30T09:39:00.001-08:00

Gratituesday, many blog about this!

Things I am grateful for, with a sprinkle of Hol-i-day CHEEEEEER!!!!

1) My ibuprofen-- still chomping on it, (not really) but nonetheless the ITB is getting "less" sore and mo better..Fabulous. Running is coming back. S L O W L Y. But I am up to about 45 min, every 3rd day. It seems to be working

2) My foam roller. Josh, my sometimes-lane-mate-at-swimming-when-I-get-there-late, thank you for your hilarious comment. I do feel like a total tool carrying that thing with me that looks like a weapon from American Gladiators (remember the giant Q-tip!) but that thing is so masochistically phenomenal! Rockn' it!

3) My safe drive back to Ohio....What a nightmare this weather pattern has been as of late. EVERYONE's facebook status' included "stuck at airport;" "cancelling Christmas;" "snowed in;" etc etc. Made it back to the homeland after wading out the snow and ice on Wed last week, in time for a lovely celebration with the most important people! Hooray for that!

4) Spending the Week with Family! As mentioned above, 3 full days to hang with mom, bro, sis, dad, extended fam, etc. Good food, good wine, some quality conversation, and for the first time in a long time, a chance to be get home a lot faster than when I lived halfway across the country!

5) My cross country skis! Technically my mother "gave" me her old ones, used only 2x's...so they are new to me! I am gonna rip it up tomorrow and Thurs....

Oh and on that note, one more just because

6) A SHORT WEEK!! Yay for the office being closed all day Thurs and a half day tomorrow!

Random Thoughts on a Random Thurs

2008-12-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

I am first responding to Amanda Lovato's thoughts on the LOVE/HATE Treadmill (b/c of some nasty blogger, I guess you can't leave her any messages anymore??) The irony is I was JUST THINKING THE SAME THING last night as I trudged through the snow....

I HATE THE treadmill...I would rather pick my nose and eat it.....I would rather pick up someones dirty diaper and accidently get their crap on myself...I would rather do just about anything in the world EXCEPT run on a treadmill...its boring, its bouncy, there's nothing fun to look at, I can't focus as well, I get too sweaty, I hate how I feel like I don't get a "Real workout" in when running on one...but I am starting to think with the temps hitting the -10's that it may be my only option if I train early....bummer.....

Other randomness

YAKTRAX....HELLO!! Who is the genius that invented these!?!? After 30 times nearly-falling last night running (nearly cracking my skull) I walked to the running store on the way home from my work (where I also walk to and from everyday)and bought some of these fun little additions. Best damn $25 I ever spent, as I felt like my feet were GRIPPING the ice on my run last night.....they are cheap, they are easy, and you can even wear them with real shoes...score!

2nd thought (not as fun.....My knee is STILL giving me troubles...I have found that it doesn't hurt per se but it does seem to feel stiff if I stand in one place (ie, work) or sit for too long...but running doesn't hurt it???

Thoughts!?!?? I am interested in anyone's feedback...I can pinpoint the ITband and also the fact that after I run the next day the back of my knee feels "tight"--as if I pulled my hamstring/and/or/calf muscle a little...no "pain" but stiffness, and it remains a little swollen....ok well, I know, I've seen an MD, whose a friend and a runner, and he thinks bursitis...my ? is when does it go away if you are only running a few times a week for very short distances???

SWIM SWIM SWIM

2008-12-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

I just finished a swim-heavy workout week....And I am loving it! I think I may have posted this before, but I am certain that I missed my calling in HS...grade school, for that matter!! I would've been a half-decent swimmer had I received better instruction earlier on, but you can't go back, right!?!?!?

My new Masters' group is kicking my booty...tons and tons of drills, lots of timed efforts, lots of ways to really work myself in about 50-60 min....Now, truly, some will think this is crazy, but I have NO PROBLEM most days being in the water for 90/+ mins of training....so a hard effort in less than that I really feel it....Today we did lots of 100's timed, broken up into easy, build, and all-outs, and then some deep water kicking!! Fun stuff....

I am happy to report that 40 min on Wed of "SNOWSHOE" running proved to be ok for my ITb to tolerate and I am going to keep at it this weekend...a high of 40degrees Sunday may even allow for some outdoor riding! OOOOHHH, excitement!! More to follow, but my patients are waiting and there is work to be done!!

Enjoy your weekend!

A Snowy Weekend ;)

2008-12-08T14:02:00.001-08:00

What a weekend!! I thought that after the first snowfall, about a week ago, I'd perhaps be ready for my Tucson winter of 70-degrees...But I am suprising myself and adjusting ever-so-nicely! (I know, I know, talk to me in a month....I may eat my words!) For now, things are pretty fun!

Fri AM I joined fast-mama Aimee for a gander on the golf course in the Snowshoes..For those not familiar, these are NOT your Grandpa's tennis-racket style kind used to hike thru the woods in search of dinner....We runners buy the light, aerodynamically-minded style that slip on and off, allowing you to pummel through mounds of snow and get your HR up to a solid LT effort! Can you say MAX Test?!!?? I forgot just how challenging of a workout I get on these..And I am not kidding when I say you can absolutely do some damage in about 30/+ min on the hills! Even my little 3hr-marathon friend was feeling it after 40min!!! Not too shabby....So much fun that I ended up out there again on Sat, for a 2nd go at it....one nice little lady x-country skiing muttered to her husband, "I didn't even know you could run in Snowshoes!"

Back to my reality, post-snowshoe, about 3hrs later that day....my ITband is "better", but that is all relative...I spent some of Sat doing damage control, as my knee became stiffer by the hour! I am so ready to throw the towel in on this one...I ice, I rest (but apparently not enough!), I chow Ibuprofen for dinner (not really, I know about GI bleeds!) and its still there...I have backed off my mileage but unfortunately I need less time running and more time healing...Thanks to Tina's boyfriend/MD resident/SUPER STELLAR runner-and-knower-of-all-run-injuries, he assured me that I was on the path but this little nagging $hit of an injury will take time and I should probably do even less running..

So the answer to that? Purchase a set of rollers for my bike, and work it like the Euro riders do leading up to the races....I managed 1.5hrs on Sun and despite my white-knuckling the hallway door (in fear of FALLING!) I was able to two-hand the latter portion of the ride...not too shabby....I highly recommend for anyone interested in breaking up the boredom of an indoor trainer or those looking to improve bike handling skills...there is NO SLACKING with rollers.

Ahh, all in a day's work......On that note, I am off to pop some more Ibuprofen, ICE the knee for the 8th time today, and wish that I were out running the streets of Madison in anticipation of the 12in we are expected to get tonight....oh the life!

Things I am Thankful For in this world.......

2008-11-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

In honor of TGiving:

1) My family- Though I am closer in proximity to my family than I have lived in the past 8 yrs, I didn't get to see them on Thanksgiving. That, however, doesn't change how much I love them or how meaningful they are to my life. And bonus, I am off to Chicago today to hang with the little bro for the weekend! Yahoo!!!!!

2) My friends--New, Old, near, far, and all the ones in between...They make me smile, bring out the best in me, and make me want to be a better person! I especially miss all my Tucson homeys, as I have spent the past 3 TGiving years with them!! ..I miss my girls--K, K10, C....:)

3) My ability to get up everyday and "do what I do.."--run, swim, bike, train, walk to work, etc....I know it sounds hokey but this really matters...and since I have been temporarily sidelined from running hard with this ITband injury , I am realizing that health and having a strong body are something that I often take for granted.

4) My job...with so many people out there getting laid off, positions being cut or changed, I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
very grateful to wake up everyday and head off to work, knowing that I enjoy what I do and I am getting paid to do it! I can't stress this enough!

5) My independence...Again, hokey, but I think that this has helped me persevere so many crazy situations in the past year, and without it, I am sure life would have seemingly crumbled before me..its hard to be tough sometimes, esp. when all you really want to do is cry! But I have had to look deep inside of myself to find the answer that sometimes only I know..it really just makes you stronger I think!

So, to all my blogger friends..Happy Thanksgiving...don't strain a hammy in the long lines at the malls today! Just sit back, kick it, train, whatever...be grateful for all that you have in your world!

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

2008-11-21T13:28:00.000-08:00

The winter season has officially begun. As I set foot out the door Tue morning for a run before work, strategically avoiding the small puddles that had now frozen to ice, I remembered what it was like to experience winter all over again....Let's face it, I have lived thru 27yrs of it and 3yrs without. It was bound to happen!;)

So cold that without avail, I hopped in my car Tue after work and drove fast as I could to Land's End. AHHHHHHHHH.......The smell of new leather boots, sound of squeaky galoshes...and the cozy comfort of a warm down coat (that actually covers my derriere!) Luxurious!

I purchased a very fashionable yet practical number in Chocolate, snagged some sassy bright pink tech shirt for base layering, a pair of warm fuzzy clogs and I was out the door! Shivering, nonetheless..but much warmer than when I started.....

The ITB has been nothing but cranky since starting the track workouts a few weeks back. The more circles I run, the more painful it feels. You know what I say? Screw that. I am D-U-N DUN with all of that until it heals. I skipped a week ago. Felt awesome. Played around with mile repeats this past Wed. Not-so-awesome. So I ice, I rest, I drop the intensity and mileage until I feel good(er!). Time. Tick-freakin-tock.

Until then, I will attempt to perfect the exact number of layers necessary to sustain 3hrs of comfortable riding on a Wisconsin winter's day. I welcome the challenge.

Fall Update

2008-11-11T13:40:00.000-08:00

Its been months. Decades if you will....I have now been in Madison,WI for officially 6wks, and I am still loving every minute of it. Sure, I had some major hiccups along the way

Car troubles. Random scary AAA tow truck people who hauled my sorry vehicle off an overpass outside of St. Louis. A car that--AGAIN--died as I pulled into a toll booth someplace outside of the Chicago West Suburbs only miles from my aunt's house.

Its been one headache after another- The car, that is....I have thought once or twice about leaving the keys in the ignition, doors open, and just going to bed, only to find it missing by morning. Somehow, I think I may get more money from insurance if I do that.

I have found an awesome running group, that includes a number of really fast men and women who smoke the living crap out of me every time we do a track workout. Geez, haven't done track workouts since 2005, so I am remembering that the body needs to be S L O W L Y introduced to running hard efforts in the same direction again...owwy!!! IT band not so happy....more ice, more recovery!

Cycling has been less than Tucson, no doubt the dreary rain and wind has gotten in my way a few times. But I am still managing to meet some great UW cycling team members, and will be racing for a team out of Milwaukee for the 2009 season! SO STOKED!!

I found a Masters' team that has a COACH, and REAL WORKOUTS! I really missed pushing myself hard in the pool, as much like the track, I haven't done coached workouts other than my own in over 2 yrs! Score!

Oh ya. The job. Heheheheh. The real reason I moved here. Going well. Very well.

More later.

Adventures in Travel, Part one

2008-09-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hi, well. Its me....and wow, how i have experienced more than I ever anticipated on this journey back to the Midwest.

Day One started off pretty uneventful, with me up at the ass crack o' dawn, packing car and anxiously awaiting the movers to arrive at 7am to pick up all of my stuff which hopefully would fit the bill of under 1200 #.......

Note to the wise, if you are ever moving and using a professional company, absolutely consider the option to view them weighing your stuff. I went over my 1200 # limit by 20 #, and the nice guy with Atlas movers in Tucson vouched for me, kicked the other mover out of the van, and re-weighed my stuff so as to give me a better weight and let me tell you, a MUCH cheaper rate on my move! Awesome!

I was off towards Albuquerque, destination of Day One. No probs, wow, was I in for a surprise. Happily greeted 8/+hrs later by friend-of-friend Becky, unloaded minimal items and off for a nice run of 55 min at elevation. Uggh....running midday never suits me well but a workout is better than NO workout, right!!?!?!??!!?
Yummy dinner at Flying Star Cafe with a hearty salad, bread, and fruit......what could go wrong, right?!

more later...trust me, it gets better......

I'm moving forward.....

Moving on Out.....

2008-09-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

Bike is packed--in a ghetto fabulous box , surrounded by mounds of electrical tape, bubble wrap, and newsprint.

Bed is stripped, only the mattress pad remains, as I attempt to do all sheets, towels, and pillow cases left so that I have clean linens upon arrival.

Boxes, packing tape, lots of hairs that have been pulled from my head--all on the floor of my living room.....Boy, I cannot wait ' til 730am tomorrow when my movers get here to load me up.

And then, its Madison or bust!!!

I'll stop along the way in Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and St Lou....Between my mom's old high school friends and my friends-of-friends, I have the benefit of not getting hotels and crashing on their couches! Nice!!! Hopefully I'll get there with time to sneak a short run or swim in....if not, I guess this is a recovery week. From what race you ask?? The race to get to Wisconsin. That's as about as good of an excuse I can give:)

I will be blog-absent until I get cable. And, oh yeah--a computer! So until next time, happy reading and happy training. I hope that my adventure back to the Midwest is fun, exciting, and eventful in a good way!

Until next time!

Last weekend's events.......

2008-09-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

I am 7 days tardy on this post, but its a good reminder of why I will REALLY MISS TUCSON! Last weekend the crew got together for a fun night out (see below) at Bumsted's--if you are ever in Tucson, check it out! On 4th ave, a cool little eatery.....huge sandwiches, salads, burgers, great specials on pints (yea we had a few of those)......Yummy!!! This pic is the group prior to early (9:30pm) departure so that we could climb Lemmon the next morning!!

We started our workout from mile 12-Bear Canyon, which was a total switch. Unfortunately, last weekend's temps were rather humid and hot, so when we got rolling at 7am we decided to start from higher elevation and climb to the top! Casual, fun and still challenging .......I added more miles for a good solid 50mile day in the saddle.......

More move stuff going on this weekend...my life is lame....that's all I talk about anymore these days....it's like "don't ask about the move, alright!!!!?" HAHAHAH!!! fortunately it'll be a vision of the past in a few weeks here....

Off to pack some stuff, have another cup of java at 1pm, and then head to Target...Ahhh, that sounds like a decent afternoon....

Something More.........

2008-09-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Wheww! Who knew how much work it would take to get this move rollin'.....

T-minus 7 days, and I am done done DONE with my job in Tucson! (YAHOO!!) In fact, (don't tell my boss!) but I have pretty much checked out! Between all of the phone calls to movers, insurance, apt/landlords, and the insane number of odds and ends that you need to take care of, there really isn't much time for work!

I have been sneaking in a fair amount of quality training, which I am very happy with...and I think I realized that "hormones" (the pill) are just not good for me! Does anyone else out there agree!?!?? I swear, since I quit taking it about 1 month ago, I have felt leaner, faster, quicker, and had more bounce in my step. I have had a love/hate relationship with the pill for many years, and I am definitely in the hate stage at this point! No more added hormones with all the stress from the move, that's plenty for me!

Last night (thanks to quitting the pill) I had an awesome 60 min run....now, I am not your country bumpkin, so when I tune into country music, it must have an up-tempo and rock beat!! Sugarland's "Something More" came blaring thru the Shuffle as I cruised into the 40 min mark of my run.....It was about 7pm, the sun was nearly setting, the air was crisp and cool, and I was thinking to myself "I am really gonna miss nights like these in Tucson..."

But the song is so fitting to where I am in my life right now....."gotta be something more, something more than this...I need a little less heartache, I need a little more bliss....I'm gonna take my chances, taking the chance I might....find what I'm looking for..........gotta be something more...."

I have great people in my life who are so supportive of me...and those are people that will be here no matter what town I live in..........

It just makes the move a bit easier to handle.....

Until next time...
:)

FULL CIRCLE

2008-09-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

We do eventually come back to our surroundings, familiarities.....and I am doing just that! I had mentioned in a previous blog or two that I was in the midst of some possible "big changes." And friends, those changes are about to happen.

Thurs I was offered a position in Madison, WI that I could simply not turn down! So in about 3-4 weeks here, I will be packing up the Uhaul and heading back to the Midwest to live and work! And the best part? I am so much closer to family, my BFF from college lives there with her hubby, my bro is in Chicago.....and I will be in a town full of beautiful places to train and race! I am really very excited!

The dork in me is more concerned with finding training partners and a cycling and/or triathlon team to join, and less concerned about housing! (Ha! not really, but come on, you have to get your priorities straight, right?)

Its very bittersweet! I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for in Tucson......And we are all starting to realize how very precious those friendships are with one another.....Its rare that you meet people that really get you.....and I have been lucky to meet a whole group of men and women here that do just that!

I just know that I won't lose them, so it makes things a bit less dramatic. Surely there will be tears. But as with anything, you can lose touch with people you truly care about, so it will definitely be hard these first few months!

Don't think I am writing off Tucson! I'll be back...(In fact, I am already seeing how I can score a spot on the America's Dairyland cycling team so that I can come back and race Tucson Bike Classic next April!!!?!?!?!)

So, here's to a positive and bright new change! I am very excited for new possibilities ahead!

Happy Labor Day

5 Things you need to Know about the Hippest City in the USA!

2008-08-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, Jen H. I am alive. Thanks for checking. You are too cute, that's the mom in you, right?!?!? :)

My blog took a breather. A few days to recuperate. To just chill. But it was a very good reason!!

I had a super weekend. So super that I needed a recovery day on Mon (travel) and another day to hit the snooze on Tue morning.

I have to agree with Amanda Lovato that you must "respect the travel." Travel takes the livin' life outta ya....the bounce out of your step....the fatigue that- HELLO!!!- was non existent as I bopped to the airport Fri, and mysteriously appeared at my doorstep Tue am- kickin my freakin ass.....wah wah...I am done bitching....this post is about my fab weekend in "Hippest City in the USA"

MADISON, WI, baby!!!

Home to IM WI, Univ of Wisc, known for cheese turds (er, curds), beautiful lakes (see below), a million bike paths that wind around the city, and just a damn gorgeous place to live. Ya, that's right. A cool place to inhabit.

I have lived North, East, Southwest....and visited many extraordinary towns that I would gladly relocate to at moment's notice. But none, my friends, are as cool and familiar and fantastic-o as the Mad City....

5 Things you need to know about Madison, WI

1) Rachel Ross, please brace yourself! Madison LOVES BARACK OBAMA..Its a liberal town full of academics, of course it likes him!!!
"OBAMARAMA" to the nth degree..... Obama schwag on 1) doorsteps, 2) windows, 3) lawns, or in this case 4) outside of a store

Exhibit A (as seen below...in honor of Tue night's DNC speaker, the ever-holy William Jefferson Clinton)

2) Bike Paths

So, you fit little thing! You say you wanna bike? How about bike the whole city and never ever have to get on a single city street. That's right. My bro and I proved that Sunday afternoon by covering about 3 hrs of "cruiser" riding along the many paths that surround the lakes (Monona, Mendota, Wingra). Who would have known that I had a lactate threshold on a cruiser?! But I was kind of sore the next day! HA!

*Disclaimer- Advanced riders should seek out the many country roads within miles of the city limits, which offer wide bike lanes, and rolling hills

3) Beer on the Terrace

Can you tell me a school that is a) literally built on a lake b) has a bar on campus overlooking that lake, and c) has a terrace where you can buy beer and sit outside next to the lake?

*Disclaimer-For a good time, ride your cruiser bike to the bar, park outside, order a pitcher, share with your friends, and bike home. Great recovery workout after a hard 60 min effort interval run in the am. I should know, I did it. :)

4) Fried Cheese Turds (curds)

No, not typically on my diet. But after my bro and I had a little "fun" at the campus bar, we needed to bike the drunk out of us and hit up a local cheese turd joint. Yummy. I just had a taste, seriously.

5) Jo Jo lives there!

Probably one of the best reasons: My oldest, bestest homey in the whole wide world, JOANNA, lives there with her hubby. Makes the visit all the more special and meaningful!

Yay for Madison!

Sport- what it means to me

2008-08-17T07:57:00.001-07:00

Every 4 years, when the Summer Olympics roll around, I am again reminded of WHY I became an athlete. I have been moving, shaking, having fun, competing. Doing SOMETHING since the time I can remember, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

While I was never "Olympic" caliber, I never believed that I couldn't be either. I tell this story to people infrequently, but I will share with all of you how I became so in love with this thing called sport.

As a girl, I was always moving 100 mph. My mom told me I could never sit still. Not so much ADHD, but more that I couldn't find my true focus unless I was doing something physical. As a small child, that involved nothing structured--riding my bike all day, playing at the pool for hours on end til my hair was green, or late night games of kickball with the neighborhood kids in the summer (which unfortunately in this day in age, is pretty much out of the question!)

I fell in love with volleyball in the 4th grade. I lived, breathed, died volleyball. Pretty much until my sophomore year in college. But switch gears back to 6th grade--my parents were divorcing, my body was changing, things were just in transition. And I gained the proverbial "puberty" weight. And the boys were mean. They used to "moo" at me, call me "cow" until I cried. And you know what? It just never stopped me from proving all of them wrong.

That summer, I was determined to become a healthier preteen. I started running--very slowly, but I was doing it. With my older-than-dirt Nike gym shoes, I ran around the block once a day. One lap turned into 2 and 2 turned into a 1-2 miles per day. I did this everyday for the whole summer. And by the time I reached 7th grade, I was feeling like a million bucks.

This love affair with running continued, despite my equal interest in becoming a volleyball stud. A stud I certainly wasn't but a hard worker, yes indeed. I ran on the weekends during high school. Sometimes ran 1-3 miles after volleyball practice. I joined the gym and began strength training at age 13 and continued throughout high school. The one thing my coach always found impressive was my work ethic. While she attempted to make the team strength train, do plyometrics, etc, most never did anything but play volleyball. She knew I was dedicated enough to hit the gym after practice. Run on my off days. Do stadium steps just to get better agility. My volleyball affair continued for 2 years in college. By Junior year in high school, I had been proving my skills as a setter for some Division III program scouts. Freshman and sophomore years I would play for Illinois Wesleyan.

After choosing to attend a larger school my Junior year in college, I continued to dabble in the love of running; entering 5k,10k, half marathon, and marathon events. All of these races continued to give me a purpose, desire, and dedication to the sport. I found triathlon along the way as well, which changed my life.

There have been many races of which I've completed. Some with PRs, some barely finishing and dragging myself across the line. Many that have brought me tears of joy and tears of pain. But all of them, each one, has helped to carry me through the journey. Because after all that's what its about. And the journey continues--whether it be a cycling stage race, a local 10k, or a step back into the world of triathlon.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, those boys that called me fat. Well, let's just say at my five year high school reunion, I had completed countless triathlons, I was training for a 2nd Ironman.

They had grown beer guts.

Revenge can be so very sweet.

This Bud's for you, Mary!!!

2008-08-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKRZZWuNufk

ya, you go girl! You win! I just give up.....

Phelps Phanatacism!

2008-08-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Sorry Mary! I stole your terminology...but we are still duking it out for the biggest fan award.

Rest assured, the world still turns. And things still happen. And yet, in the midst of it all, in the silence of the operating room today, Michael Phelps is getting yet another shout out.

As some of you know, I am gearing for a career as a Phys. Asst. Today, I was fortunate enough to scrub in for a a few surgeries with a fellow colleague, Kim, who is a PA for an orthopaedic practice here in Tucson. About 40 min into a rotator cuff redo, the surgeon randomly announced how excited he was about the Olympics. Up until that point, the only sound I heard was the grinding of gristly tendon, scar tissue, and fat as it was sucked out of the shoulder. Arggg!!!

MICHAEL freakin PHELPS....maybe he should run for president. I mean, he's got another 4 years to kill before he's gotta get ready for 2012. One term, that should be enough. One thing's for sure- He could help solve the ever-growing lazy ass/obesity epidemic that is plaguing the nation.

Food--or exercise--for thought.

Hump Day + iShuffle Requests.....

2008-08-13T17:33:00.001-07:00

"Mary, Mary, why ya buggin'.............." I think that is from some 80's song (which if you keep reading, goes with the post...ya Eggers, I am talking to you girl! nice post on the Phelps :)

Hola! it is Hump Day....a pretty splendid day of the week. Got in about 4500yd this am, followed by a Loooooooooooooooooong day of work. Blah. Its one of those weeks. The neverendingweek......I try, oh, how I try, to wake up without feeling even the least bit tired when alarm beeps and rings me out of sleep at 4:50am, but alas, no luck. Tired. Shuffle to the bathroom. Put on selected outfit to do selected training session. And go about it.

Actually, I had a most excellent speed session on the bike yesterday with my new badass training homey, Kathi. She's this hard-core gal who is almost 60yrs old (doesn't look a day over 45!!!) and is prepping for Duathlon Worlds in Italy (Jen H, are you in?).....I'm glad at half her age, I can at least still hang with her ;) We have bundles in common, which is how we met up actually!! She is a fellow Buckeye , and it turns out we have about 10 people + 1,000s of races (participated in) in common! Wonderful!

In an effort to get out of my slump with running, I think its time I shouted out some requests-er, suggestions- for new tunes to add to the iPod shufflemix.......I am taking all and any, and I will give you a mere smattering of what has currently found its place on my playlist, so you can make appropriate suggestions:

(RR: I am also listing my songs, just so I can prove to you what perfect matches our pods would be!!:)

Fascination-Human League
I'm Yours- Jason Mraz
Rainbow's Cadillac- Bruce Hornsby
I'll set you free- The Bangles
a few by Brandi Carlile
Hall and Oates- so classic, really, any of their tunes
Other side of the world- KT Tunstall
Extraordinary- Liz Phair
Smoothie Song- Nickel Creek
Conviction of the Heart- Kenny Loggins (don't laugh, I HEART LOGGINS! and its a fab song!)
Africa- Toto (need I say more!?)
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant- Billy Joel
Breathe- Michelle Branch
Mercy- Duffy
The Obvious Child- Paul Simon
America- Simon and garfunkel

Help! Great songs...but I need more...better...whatever

Smoothies, something that people like to blog about:)

2008-08-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

Yum. My most favorite treat after a long ride/swim/run whatever whatever. Heck, it doesn't even have to be that long for me to enjoy it, but definitely rewarding in flavor and quality calories after any of the above!

I crave cold, delicious, always-creamy smoothies in the summer, and hot, robust coffee (+ cream and some sprinkles--er, tbsp--of Sugar in the Raw!) post workout. Sugar, I know, bad. I have been trying to cut the 2 pack per day habit, its just so hard. Agave is just not the same!!! :(

Here's my recipe, altered almost daily, but you get the idea:

'Nana Berry Blast
*1 banana
*1/2 cup non fat plain yogurt or 1/2 cup unsweetened Almond milk or 1/4 each of both
(depends on desired creamy-ness. Usually I do the yog!!!!)
*1 scoop unsweetened unflavored Soy Protein Powder-also varied depending on length of ride
($4.99 at Trader Joe's for a HUGE tub-Best deal in the store!)
*Variable amount of Frozen Berries (blue, raz, black) and/or Pineapple bits (large handful)

here's where it gets tricky:) ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS blend 'nana, milk/yog, and protein powder together. Perfection in terms of superb smoothness. Then add frozen fruits, and other delectables

Other things I throw in for mood enhancement/life energy:
*Agave syrup, just a dash
*Very Greens- delicious green supplement powder at TJ's also
*Bee Pollen
*Almonds (soaked in Water overnight, makes them blendable!)
*MMMMMM Peanut Butter, a scoop if I feel like a real treat!

While I am really trying to get others into the art of smoothie making, my famous "breakfast" treat has only been dubbed one hilarious nickname by my bro and sis : "The $hit Shake"
Need I really say more!?!?!?!

Happy Smoothie Making

I'm all NBC

2008-08-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

That's right, at least for the next few weeks:) Its OLY TIME!! and it only comes around every 4!

Some random thoughts:

1) Lacey Nymeyer, a Tucson chick, is swimming the 4x100 with abs-o-rockin steel DT. .

2) I have recently introduced some DT moves into my core workout. I think by 2010 I may come an inch closer to having 1/4 of her ab power!

3) Did you see the awful news of a 2004 Olympian's father being stabbed to death while sightseeing in Beijing? What's the deal with all of the crazy-f$cks in this world?

4) Did anyone catch Bob Costas' random slam at Venezuela last night during the Parade of Nations...oil prices, anyone?

5) Speaking of Costas, whats up with his hair!?! Toupe? or"Just for Men" ? take your pick:)

Happy viewing, I am settling into another evening of riding the couch and enjoying the competition!!!!:)
(and I muse at why I can't get a date....ehehhehehehehe)

Girls Gone Wheeld. Part deux

2008-08-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

This is a more civil version of the crew getting our photo on for the belated 30th Bday party for yours truly, and Colleen (on my left, multi colored tank!) Both 30 hooray................

And well, this pretty much explains my utterly exuberant personality and excitement about being a year older. Notice the rockin' custom T my bro and Julie (his girlfriend/our adopted sister...love her!) made:

"Wheelz of Steel"- retro, love it.....

When me and my girls get rowdy..........

2008-08-05T04:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently (or, at least me!) we hug and try to kiss our little team brother Jake!! heheheheh....about as old as my baby cousin, but nonetheless a great kid!

In order from left to right: Kristen, with the ripped, bike tan arms; Becky, the crazy hiking chick that nearly killed me a few weekends back (see old blog!) ; Jake, the stud!!!; Me, robbing the cradle!!!!; Kendra, with her cute new blonde haircut; Colleen, the Cat 2 speedster; and the one and only hostess extraordinaire, Cindy!!!!

I love my homeys!

I went All The Way.

2008-08-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Ya, that's correct. All the way. First time ever. And it was all that I hoped it would be and more.

I climbed to the top of Mt. Lemmon. All estimated 9,000ft of it from Le Buzz parking lot. Can you believe that this self-proclaimed "competitive cyclist " has spent 3 years in the beautiful Tucson desert and never, not once, climbed to the very top!

I have pedaled 3, 85-100 mile days throughout the Gila forest of NM, on vertical switchbacks of 15-20% grades. Raced the never-ending State Hill Climb that is Mt. Graham---a climb that makes Lemmon look like a bump in the road. So what is the deal!??? I should be taking advantage of what is practically heaven in my backyard. (Shoot, Jen H was here for like, 1 min, and she was already on her TT bike climbing to the top! I have NO excuses)....

Well, maybe a few:

1) I am annal and enjoy my "warm up" before a climb. Translation: I generally start 20 miles from Mt Lemmon and climb once I get there (which is then, only about 10-15 miles up!)

2) My homey teammates and their damn coaches (hehehe! !!!!!
One of my many friends :"Oh well, you see I am only supposed to ride 36.7 mins of effort and then the other 53.12 minutes should be in Zone blah blah blah...."

3) Up until last Christmas, (thanks mom!) I did not own an iPod. There's only so much mental fatigue you can handly while being vertically destroyed on Lemmon monster!

4) I can't think of any other good excuse. So I just thought, hell, I'll climb it.

Without further adieu, August 3, 2008 (which, is nearly 3 years to the DATE that I first came to Tucson) will go down as the day when I was de-virginized on Lemmon.

HOW WAS IT, my first time?!?!?!? Ohh, ahhh.....oooooh!!!! I felt strong, got passed by lots of people, passed a few people myself, had no mechanicals, no errors in nutrition/hydration, and managed to feel pretty damn good when I pulled into the Visitors Center to fill bottles, drop trou, and be on my merry way back down with my crew who finally, much to the dismay of their coaches' orders, climbed with me to the top! Hooray!

I am tired, and feeling great all at the same time. 8hrs in the saddle this weekend + CORE. Coulda woulda shoulda snuck a run/swim in there, but you know my philosophy: QUALITY v. Quantity! And indeed, it was just that!

Was hoping for that "bikini" recovery swim (Bree!!) but its about to pour and frankly, I am just trashed. So instead, I am going for a nice rain walk to shake out the legs, and sit on my couch as the weekend fades into Monday.....

This week looks to be pretty fun for both training and social gatherings.....so I am excited!!
Until next time.....: )

Blind Date....and getting my MO-JO back...

2008-08-02T15:57:00.001-07:00

Its not what you think. Blind dates. Pretty disappointing in my 30-yrs young experience. Usually its all. "Oh Mere I know this nice guy," "Oh nice guy, I know this girl Mere.." yada yada....so the story goes.....two nice people. Nice. Yeah, that's important. But frankly, nothing else in common.

I've said it time and time again. I want an athletic guy. A guy who favors a long ride over marathon-sessions of SportsCenter....A man who can (Oi!!!!Love this one!!).......Fix my bike...:) :) clean my drivetrain, help me when something is "off"....because obviously if he rides, he'll be overly skilled in bike maintenance as well.

And he should be handsome. Not conventional. Not, "ohhhhmyyyygodddd he is soooooooooo hottttttttttttttt." In fact, a bit goofy. A lot goofy. And smart. Smart guys are good. And if they happen to be on the fit, trim, leaner side, that's just perfect. Michael Phelps has a nice bod. In case anyone is taking notes.

I love to laugh. If tears are flowing from my eyes, its usually just me laughing till my belly hurts from this funny guy. Because really, don't you just feel better when you laugh. And bonus: You smile, so that makes you feel good.

He's out there. Who knows where. But I'll meet him.

--------------------------------------------------

Oh, and the MO-JO, I got that back on my 3.5 hr ride this am. First time in months I am craving a stage race. A big, fat juicy hunk of stage race. .....with a side order of hot sexy cyclist man for dessert......TBC....:)

Weekend Recap........

2008-07-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well, let's see, where shall I begin?

1) I had all good intentions of contacting Jen H this weekend to hook up for some training sessions, but my schedule of ride/run/swim didn't jive with hers and I had to work, so Jen H, in the bloggy blog world I sincerely apologize for not connecting yet again! Looks like we are destined for a internet friendship that revolves around messages and emails only!!?!?!? Bummer!!! (only kidding, but seriously, when you are out here for longer than 2 days, look me up!:)

2) The monsoons were killer this weekend.....so gorgeous!! Lightning nearly every night, with lots of wonderful torrential downpour that has turned our ugly brown hillside into a beautiful rainbow of color. The mountains are a brilliant green and many of the flowers are blooming yet again!? You would think it was spring here! One of my favorite things: Falling asleep to the rain pitter-pattering on my rooftop........

3) Good Friends: What would we ever do without them!?

Fri: Christina and I enjoyed a nice afternoon spin ride up to Oro Valley. She was particularly ghetto-fab in her Specialized T-shirt- (she had forgotten her cycling jersey and met me after work!) Fun! It was great to catch up with her, chat about life, work, school, men, etc! Good times to be had.

BONUS: She had a recovery ride so I didn't feel bad having her wait up for me. Old Lady Mere hasn't had much saddle time since last Sunday? :0

Sat: Carolyn and I connected for a 40 mile ride on Sat am, and again, a really great chance to ride, chat and catch up with a good friend. Its amazing how you can go weeks without seeing your usual training crew and how MUCH you have to fill each other in on.....(i.e, recent break ups (both of us!), races, training, vacations, work, men who suck, chamois butter, saddle sores, bike adjustments, Tour de France updates, Carolyn's cute hairstyle, current grocery list at Trader Joes'...I mean, seriously, how MANY things can you talk about on a ride?)

Sat night Carolyn, Pat and I headed out for a filling meal of sushi, sake, and late night conversation, all while witnessing more extravagant lightning and monsoon action occurring just outside the door. Meanwhile, Carolyn is trying to convince both of us to ditch work for the next few days and join her in the Grand Canyon on a hike and raft tour in the Colorado. Damn work!!!!!!

Sun: I dragged Pat out to be my partner in crime on a "long" run- I am half kidding because 8 miles really didn't seem like a long run. But when all you have been doing is cycling for the better part of last year, 8 miles is indeed a long run. (Not to mention, we started at 730, which is much too humid! Yikes!) I survived and he was happy I forced him into it! Kept the pace just under 9:00min/miles. UGHH!!!

Sidebar: This frustrates me so much right now! I am used to running much faster than this and I know, its just going to take time and patience! For the first time in my life, I may actually follow this marathon training plan to a T. I am one of those "bad" people who push, push, push, and end up injured when running a) too fast b) too often c) without enough recovery! Can somebody help this girl?

You can learn a lot about yourself with training. I heart speed. Fast swim sets, fast little roller hills to climb, track workouts, criteriums, short distance road races. Change is good. Its been 3/+ years since my last marathon. I am ready to tackle this challenge. And I will surely welcome back the bike training once I have conquered this quest! Rock on!

I am going to enjoy my coffee, pamper my toes with a home pedi, and enjoy the rest of my Sunday with highlights from the TDF ceremony!

Peace and Health,
Mere:)

A List of Random Thoughts......

2008-07-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

1) I need to run MORE trails!!! (or more uphill, for that matter!) Ran with Becky's boy Myron today. What a mountain goat!!!!!! We pummeled through the brush and streams at Sabino Canyon for about 65 min of SOLID uphill. And ya, I was very far behind. Again, its why I do what I do.................

2) I am going to need to purchase another pair of shoes, maybe not trail ones but something more solid than my speedy lite Asics.....Off to Sports Authority later for my sturdier Saucony's..moving on......

3) Yay for a day off!! I have a list of things to do that include random house chores (laundry, ugh!!), and I am meeting a co-worker to teach her some new core training exercises after work! Fun

4) Possible new opportunity for me that could involve experiencing all 4 seasons again! Hmmmm..Not talking yet, but keep ya fingers crossed! It could be a great thing!

5) Jen H is in Tucson! must get in touch with her (Jen, if you are reading, I will call ya tomorrow and we can connect for something on Sat morning perhaps! ie, me trying to chase you up Lemmon?)

6) I need some new workout clothes. I find myself in Marshalls, TJ's, and other places perusing the "clearance" section for great deals. If you have the time and energy, you can find some spectacular deals (like the Brooks sports bra I found yesterday for $5!!!Nice!)

Ok, off to check chores off the list, then to the gym!

Happy Thurs, its almost the weekend!

Mixing it up and down (the canyon!!!)

2008-07-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

Started the day off with a beautiful 5mile run at 630.......took the liberty of catching some more ZZZs and going later, then hit the pool for a 70 min workout. Had planned to do little errands, clean, straighten up the house, grocery shop, per Saturday usual!! BUT, my wild n' crazy homegirl Becky wanted to do something outrageous! (Hold onto your panties, we scaled the side of the mountain!!)

Hehehehee....so much fun!! You see, we fill our days (and nights) with all sorts of "scheduled" run/bike/swim workouts and races, and tapers, and more races, and more tapers. Well, dammit! Its time to have FUN and let loose!!!! I can fake it and say that I am a hiker. But I am NOT a hiker. I like to run trails, not walk them. So when Becky said "hike" I thought, "sure, leisure stroll thru the desert landscape!" Boy, was I wrong!

Becky doesn't hike, she blazes trails. She bushwacks. She took me to the site of not one, but TWO rusted busted and destroyed cars that had--Yes!--fallen over the edge of the road and I am pretty sure that the people inside didn't survive (Don't worry! the cars have been there for years, i am sure! It wasn't grim!)
Becky is a hard-ass. And she is hilarious, so you better be able to hold on for dear life and avoid peeing your pants in the process, cause she'll make you do that too!!!!!!

It involves scaling down--and I do mean STRAIGHT DOWN-- the side of a mountain.
(That's me giving the "thumbs up" since I made it down without falling on my face!) By 1215, we were heading out from Seven Cataracts down to 7 waterfalls of the canyon at mile 9 of Catalina Hwy. Being the inexperienced hiker and thinking we were headed on a more horizontal path, I opted to wear my worn out, retired running shoes--the ones I wear around the house for random things like cleaning my patio or washing my car????Note to self: Purchase shoes with better traction for next "hike" with Becky.

By 1259, we had reached Destination Water...LOVELY....Streams flowing, brilliant waterfalls, green leaves, trees, some harmless gardensnakes floating about! I tell you, I forgot I was in AZ!!!!!!The goal was to meet up with a group of Becky's guys who were rappelling down from mile 14 Windy Point on Lemmon! We never did see them, but ended up hiking to the most gorgeous of the 7 waterfalls, and I felt like I may have died and gone to heaven! Becky and I named it Arizawaii! as in, "are we in Kauai!?!??!"

The pics are of us on our journey both IN and OUT of the canyon. I think its safe to say that this hike was more Novice/Intermediate bouldering. Oh hip flexors, shut up already!!!

(Above is my hiking mentor/instructor/overall awesome friend and very experienced hiker, Becky!) Look over her L shoulder!! THAT's one of the destroyed cars that was hanging by a string off the mountain!

Becky also modeled the "Totally Gay Ass Homemade Rain Slicker"--also known as a Glad trashbag to be used in case we got caught in what was predicted to be a killer storm this afternoon. Looks like we missed it based on the blue skies in the pic. In fact, I got a killer sunburn on my shoulders instead! Who knew?!! It was total cloud cover when we left home!?!??!

Off to sip a glass of red and and mellow out!

Its a New Day.....

2008-07-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

So, I do this about once per year. I take about a week--and when I say a "week" I really mean about 3-5 days--where basically I do NOTHING.....absolutely freakin' nothing.....

Except:
1) Eat things that I would normally deem "toxic"--usually things WITHOUT a shelf life.....ya, you KNOW what I am talking about............
2) Eat more....and this involves pantry raids at work AND at home.
3) Sit around. ALOT of this. Both morning, noon, and night.
4) Sleep in "late"--in the tri/swim/bike/run world, that would be about 7-730am
5) Take a lazy morning in before work. Get up calmly and gently at 7am, turn on coffee, take LONG shower. Sit. Read. Drink coffee. Repeat. Go to work all jacked up on caffeine since my efforts to pre-metabolize caffeine with a hard a.m. workout are temporarily halted.
6) Think about working out ("Oh, its so nice out, perhaps I should run 45min after work and hit the gym for my core session.") Then go home, eat cereal and soy milk for dinner, watch tv, take ANOTHER shower, read book. Fall asleep in front of TV. Repeat for next 4 nights!

The funny thing is, I have not trained nor raced seriously since April. And it is now late July. This little break, which would have been better scheduled for me in early May, has taken awhile to get to, but I am glad for it. I am motivated, driven and excited to get my goal in gear.

And perhaps, I will share that with you all very soon. Lets just say it'll certainly involve more running than cycling soon. And a continuation of the long and hard swim efforts that I have been doing more of these days. TBC!!!

Tomorrow is a run/bike. Let's just see what happens!!
I'm fueled, hydrated, rested, and ready for what's next!

Back from Ohio.........

2008-07-15T18:59:00.000-07:00

....and oh, what a trip it was! :) :) :)

First off, let me say THANK you to all who sent cheerful and kind birthday wishes. I Heart my blogland pals!

Wed 7/9 : Arrived kinda late from Tucson via DFW --which- PS, if you are unfortunate to have a 3hr layover, like me, there are plenty of delicious things to eat, cool stores to browse around in...AND * BONUS*-- a stop and drop pedi/mani place to get a lil' quickie before you hop on the plane in your flip flops! (Found that place a little TOO late, as I had a half hour til boarding..) Proceeded to have a free ROW--yes, a ROW--of seats to myself and spread out with my Marie Claire, iPod, and Mentos.

Thurs 7/10: Time changes do nothing for your training, I swear!!!!!!! I "slept in" til about 730am...but you know what??? I remembered that "Shit it's NOT 108 degrees here at 730am!?" So no biggie getting my run in later in the pleasant and balmy Midwestern temps......A PERFECT run......I always have those "perfect runs" on the first day of vacation, you know what I mean? (note to reader: Dayton ain't vacation, its just a good familiar) I really ENJOY that first run when I step foot on the home turf. Its green, its lush, its hilly, and its new, at least for today:) Plus, in the words of everyone's favorite tattooed rapper .."go shawwty, its your birfday...."...it ain't ya birfday if you DON'T have a good run, eh????????

My mom and I decided that the perfect day for my turning THE BIG 3-0 would be to mellow by the pool and get our lazy river on and pummel down waterslides!!.....WAHOO!!! We hopped in the car and set off to a little mini waterpark (now referred to as "Wal-Mart with Water"-- if ya know what I'm sayin) It was quite interesting-the crowds of people, that is :) And truly a fun afternoon of conversation and quality time with my momma!

Fri 7/11 and Sat 7/12: WEDDING!!! My stepsis tied the knot and what a beautiful bride she is!!! We had a great time eating, dancing, and ("of-course-I-would -like -a- 4th -glass-I -have -no -race-to -train -for right now") drinking champagne!!!!! A very full and happy two days of rehearsal dinners, lunches, wedding pics, wedding pre-gaming, wedding post-gaming......all reminding this "healthy " girl WHY exactly I gave up the late nights and parties and drinking more than 2 beers in 30 minutes a very long long long time ago!! I swear, did I really used to stay out past 2am for 4 nights straight in college??? All while managing decent grades, and a very active lifestyle on cross country and training for tri's....perhaps that explains my lack of ability to win or place well at these events....Hmmmmmmmmm, now if I could only turn back the clock.......

Wow, times have surely changed. For the better.

Now, I am back to what I call "Tucson Reality"......buried under a pile of dirty running shorts, a danced-out black party dress, and a time zone traveling hangover that has got me wondering, "where did the time go? it seems like just yesterday that........" Oh, how the good times fly by.

Its time to de-blog, and un-pack! G'nite!

Why we do what we do...........

2008-07-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

I had somewhat of an epiphany tonight. It happened not on my run, but after my run. In the shower.
1) Training 2) Showers. Two of the best places to ponder life. While in motion, or while in stillness (as the warm water pours over you). Both very tranquil, serene places 'to be' that complement each other, preferably in that order.

You see, I had a wonderful ride this morning with my two ass-kickers- AKA Tammy and Mimi.....fast as hell....I suck wheel. But you know what, I ride HARD with these gals. When I race with them, they usually beat me. But who cares? The point is, they are kicking my ass. The payoff? I get faster. I prove to MYSELF that I CAN hang with them. And that, my friend, is WHY I DO WHAT I DO.

It also brought up a quite different reason after my run this evening. Work was a doozy. A long, terribly exhausting day both mentally and emotionally. I work with heart patients. I "rehab" them. I teach and educate, and console, and comfort. And sometimes, it is damn exhausting. But hell, what job isn't?

Looking forward to leaving on time, I ended up staying later at work to finish necessary duties. Although after looking outside and seeing a storm brewing away, I suddenly got excited for my little run I had planned after work. I knew, given how hard I worked this morning, I wouldn't be able to stomach much more than 40 min, and I swear, as much as I enjoyed having the beautiful evening rain soak me with each step I took, I was disappointed that I could only last 30 min tonight. Again, bringing me to
WHY I DO WHAT I DO

I love to feel my body move. I love to breath hard, feel my heart pounding. It reminds me that I am alive. That I am a human being. With many more talents and things to give in this world. Many more stories to be told and many more experiences to be had. So, freaking big deal that I ran 30 min. I will run 60/+ tomorrow. And the day after that, 90 min. Its OK to have a day like today where I don't do what I feel I am capable of doing. I am only human right. Perfection is not possible. But striving for it is.

Tomorrow I will board my flight for Dayton. Where I will get to run in the wonderfully humid and green of the midwest. Run by my old high school and do a track workout on the track I used to train for my first marathon. And most importantly, share in a great wedding of my stepsister. And see the most important people in my life- My family. That is the best birthday present I could ask for .

30 years old, bring it on. I am ready for you.

Another weekend in Blogville.........

2008-07-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

Happy end of a lovely 4th of July weekend......Started Fri morning (see previous blog entry) with a "firey" climb/intervals up the lemony-flavored Lemmon.......followed by a short day of work, a nice "cruise"/recovery swim in the lovely Oro Valley pool.....followed by a determined bargain hunt at Old Navy for something "cute" to wear to Kendra's BBQ....fun times, too many chips and peanut M&Ms (HOLLA!!!!!!!!)later and I am in my bed (lame!) before fireworks because of rain delay (*Fireworks went off sometime after 10pm! Too late for this endura-dork!)

Up and at 'em at 630, fueling with coffee and brekky, at pool at 0800-0945 for a "long"(and HARD) swim and then off to jobby-job for a few hours.....Bike shop for some tweaks on my brakes, haircut (the important things in life, really!) then out for more errands.......and home for a "Sat night frazzler" with the Shauna....a new fun drink for us!! Makes us feel like old grannies but seriously refreshing on a hot humid Tucson night: lime twist with vodka and soda...MMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!! I think it was 5pm....but on the holiday weekend I think its acceptable to drink at 430pm??? Anyone..????

Early evening for me on Sat after catching up with friends, and the standard "fat burning" ride on Sunday....4.5 hrs of steady climbing and cruising up Lemmon and back home....Core workout in the evening, some serious cleaning ....I also "rode" the couch with some TDF (I FREAKIN LOVE JULY!!!!Takebackthetour.com!! Hooray!!!,......and wouldn't you know its back to Sunday night and time to git 'er done for the week ahead........

Yay for a short week--Off to Ohio on Wed for 5 days to celebrate my big 3-0 and my stepsister's wedding! should be a wild time! ;0
Cheers!

When Bad things happen to GOOD people........

2008-07-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

I always wonder WHY the kind, giving, and selfless people in this world get screwed .

On Wed evening, a coworker was burglarized. This is a women who has already had to overcome a fair share of adversity in the past year, which to me, makes it so much more UNFAIR. Not to mention, she was supposed to leave today to compete in Quelle Roth, a race in which she has (of course!) been training for since last summer. She has friends in Germany. She and her husband were so EXCITED.....They planned to arrive a week early, stay a week after to tour and vacation....like all of us, they had mentally and physically prepared for months to race an IM distance.... And now, because of some senseless, self-entitled JERK(S) (I am keeping it PG! Though I can think of much better titles for these people) things just won't be the same.

They took it all.....clothing, jewels, china, electronics, 3 computers........6 bikes!!!!!!!!!!! With the help of good friends and family, however, we all pulled together to make sure that she didn't miss her flight this morning.....I called her and offered my bike, to which she said " You are the 5th person to do that, thanks I found one that'll work!".....Her husband, being the totally kind and loving guy that he is (and determined to put the clues together to figure out these perpetrators....) opted out of racing, but INSISTED on my friend going......I am so very happy that she decided to go!!!! She owes it to herself and those a$$holes that ripped her off to have a GREAT RACE, a FUN VACATION, and a personal best!!!!

*******************************************************************************

On a quite random side note, Christina and I were pedaling at the ripe hour of 5am down Catalina Hwy to Mt Lemmon...we were interval-ing up the hill and during our warm-up saw the most BIZARRE thing: A ball of fire and smoke covering the whole road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our curiosity go the best of us, and we proceeded to chase the flames, only to see swarms of fire and police officers attacking a small car fire!!!! The good news: The owner had clearly escaped and was being attended to at the side of the road!! Too much action for a Fri morning....

HAPPY 4th of JU-LY to all!! enjoy your food, family, and God bless!
Mere:)

At the request of Bree (and other bloggers!)

2008-06-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

10 Years ago I was:
Finishing my 2nd year of college and transferring back to Ohio University (and starting to think about doing a Triathlon!?! Hmmmmmm)

5 Years ago I was:
Preparing to begin my graduate degree in exercise science at Ithaca College
(and debating training for my 3rd IM......still debating....;)

1 Year ago I was:
Dreading the fact that I was almost 29 and still not married/homeowner/didn't know what I wanted to do with my life...and still single! (hehehehe)

*Disclaimer* I am now today, EXCITED about turning 30 and loving the fact that the best times are ahead, right?.........

5 things on my TO DO list today:
Mail my student loan check
Deposit another check (see a trend!)
Get my long run in
Pick up a Rx
Send a thank you note to a friend

5 Snacks (only 5!!!):
Pretzels
Banana
Granola Bar
Apple
Peanut Butter *Disclaimer*this goes well with all of the above

If I were a Billionnaire::
Pay off all school loans/debt for my family
Buy "vacation" homes in Hawaii, New England, Italy, Australia.....etc and of course, host fabulous training get-aways for all of my homeys
Be more philanthropic with time and money
Buy more bikes!!

5 People I would want to have lunch with:
My Grandma Helen
My Mom
My Best Friend Joanna
Steve Carrell (cause he'd make me laugh)
Kathy Griffin (because she's absolutely nutty!)

5 Places I have lived:
Dayton, OH
Bloomington, IL
Athens, OH
Ithaca, NY
Tucson, AZ

5 Jobs I have had:
Grocery Store Cashier
Ice Cream Scooper/Sundae Maker
Lifeguard
YMCA Fitness Attendant
Exercise Physiologist, Cardiac Rehabilitation

A Great Ride up the Mountain.......

2008-06-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

While most of my home-girls from Summit Velo (cycling team) were up in Flagstaff racing this weekends' Summit Center Classic stage race, I opted to stay in Tucson and get my act together for my final on Monday! YES! THE Final! I am so excited to be finishing this class, as it will allow me to get the ball rolling on nursing school or physicians' asst school soon! (More on that another time!:)

Today started with an 0400 wake-up call, followed by me rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, making java, eating my Organic pop-tart and PB(!) and getting the gear ready for what has now become my "standard Sunday ride"- Meet Paul, Christina, and whoever else gets their holy laziness out of bed, and cruise over to Mount Lemmon for some intervals (or really, whatever you want to do) up the mountain.

Mount Lemmon is our beautiful little secret training mecca here in Tucson. It is about 9,000ft up (just ask Jen, she's gone to the top!) and is a hill climbers' dream. Some rolling parts, lots of steady steep grades and the place where you can find nearly 99% of Tucson cyclists on a Sunday morning. Not to mention, when you hit about 6,000 ft, you don't even feel like you are in the desert anymore. Pine trees, cooler temps, and the smell of fresh mountain air. Just love it!!!

While I am normally a rather "outgoing" gal, I have been rolling solo lately on workouts. Sometimes we endurance athletes do better with training buddies, and then other times its nice to step away and use workouts more for gathering your thoughts, personal time away, etc., and lately, that has been the case with me. Besides, not really having a training focus has helped (BUT NOW I NEED ONE!!) I have welcomed the change, however, and am always glad for Sunday when I get to ride with my Northwest Tucson crew.

Saw the usuals cruising up Lemmon, but this week I did NOT see Peter Reid. Yes, that's right, THE Peter Reid. Last Sunday on my descent, I could have sworn I saw a familiar tall and lanky Canadian climbing the mountain (sans helmet!!)....when I reunited with my crew, my buddy Paul (who knows NOTHING about the Tri world and EVERYTHING about cycling) said to me, "Gord Fraser was just riding up the mtn and was with this stud triathlete." Paul only understood the lure and excitement after I ran down Peter's list of IM achievements--and I hear he is now a pilot!? Interesting.

Time to refill the coffee and fuel up for an intense study session on immunity and disease. Oh the excitement(?

Have a peaceful and happy Sunday!

I think we may need an intervention.

2008-06-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

I admit it, I am severely addicted. Sometimes I find myself at Trader Joe's with an "excuse" that I need________ (fill in the blank), but really, I am just there for IT. IT and some other essentials that go so well with IT. IT calls my name as I walk through the holy gates, (that, of course would be TJ's)

"Mere, there's only 3/4 of a jar left, you need some more of me!"

Yes, my fellow friends. Most of you (Jen, Ashley, HTFU et al) know EXACTLY what IT is - PEANUT BUTTER!!!!!! And I am not talking about that processed crapola that comes in industrial sized tubs at Costco. NO WAY IN HELL.....I am talking about the delicious, seductive, smooth-yet-crunchy "Organic Natural Trader Joe's Crunchy" PB.....it's pure heaven on earth......It makes me salivate just thinking about it.

I, like some others (who shall remain nameless but let's just say they are Starbucks-obsessed!!! RR, ME) am completely obsessed with the PROCESS, shall we say, that goes into a perfect jar of Trader Joe's Organic Natural Crunchy. Should you be so obsessed, please follow the rules below :
1) Buy 2 jars--in case of course, you have NO PB at home in your fridge, which would be in fact, a crisis! In that case, buy 3 at a time (You really never know what life entails but you ALWAYS need to have your trusty companion available at a moment's notice to take with you to race/weekend away/in the event you starve to death)
2) Upon your return from the store, promptly turn sealed container upside down. This will promote even distribution of natural peanut oils and will sufficiently prepare you to "STIR" later.
3) Go do something ridiculous. Paint your toenails. Make and drink a pot of coffee. Read a blog or two.
4) Return to that pretty little jar and GET WORKIN'
5) Open sealed container and with a knife, begin stirring slowly in a churning motion. Use those strong wrists. ( I add a few EXTRA shakes of Sea Salt, just to give it some more OOMPH!)
6) Lick the knife, you know you want to!
7) Toss in the fridge (I hope you screwed lid back on!!).
!Voila! You have just mastered a fine art! Congrats, pat yourself on the back, and spread some of that fine delicious-ness on a warm toasty slice of bread!!

...LET the RAIN begin......

2008-06-26T14:52:00.001-07:00

YESSSSSSS!! Its finally here!! As much as I would have rather swam for the full 60 min today (no biggie, though, I did almost 120 min yesterday, so I am good!!:) I got kicked out of the pool this afternoon due to a pending storm and thunder!!!

Most people would be grumpy as hell to have their workout cut short but not me, its FINALLY here!! Yes, that is right my fellow non-desert dwellers!!! It is the glorious start of MONSOON season....you see, most of the summer months are spent dealing with temps well over 100 degrees...and Monsoon marks the beginning of temps in the 90's and cooler, more pleasant evenings and mornings (ie, great for those early morning rides or runs...) Not to mention, you don't have to run your A/C at 67 degrees just to maintain your sanity indoors!!

Off to the gym for some strength training....Yahoo!!!:)

Thank God for Good Friends........

2008-06-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

Those who know me well know that the past few months have been particularly low due to a variety of "changes" (if you will).....The cycling season ended a bit early (April) as I took on some new challenges by adding a full-time summer class to my already busy work schedule, thus reducing my hours at work and trying to bang this thing out so I can move ahead with a new career.........

On the relationship front, I have been quite down in the dumps.....I feel like I am so damn sick of dealing with men who claim they are "ready," when really, they have no clue what they want. In fact, the idea of dating anyone right now, frankly, scares the $hit outta me! Warning to the wise: If he's still living with mom (even if he claims its "Temporary"--he's really never planning to move out!) And on that note, she's the one you are competing with--not some other young thing!!!l! ;)

Which brings me to my homeys: Kendra and Cindy!!! Kendra is my wonderful "Married" (like its a disease or something) optimist, who is quick to schedule a lunch date, a ride or swim, or just some good ol' time to chill , even though her schedule is busier than Obama right now.....She's just completed her first year of residency and I swear, she never sleeps and still manages to lead a much more vibrant social life than yours truly, and I have NO excuses!!!!

Cindy is the most analytical, yet kind-hearted person you will meet. She is there (even if only on text messages lately! HA!::) if you need a quick pick me up, or to grab a beer and just vent....she's lived through many more "life experiences" than myself, so I definitely take to heart her points of view, and her ability to pick up and move on.

Its no wonder that these past few months I have really called upon my girls to cheer me up and bring to light what really matters in life : YOUR FRIENDS
(In fact, no sooner did my heart break and Kendra was there with wine, my favorite dinner, ice cream, cookies, and an entire night of consoling my tears ! Thanks K!!!)

So here's to my two best Tucsonans....I love you girls more than you know and we've got many good times ahead!

:) MP

.....Things that are broken

2008-06-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

......My car.....well, now its fixed , thanks to my best friend's husband--AKA Nate the Rent-a-husband!!!!!!!

......Everyone needs a rent-a-husband, don't they???!?! (my sources tell me even married girls enjoy a man who knows how to "fix things")

.....My iShuffle....ok, well, let's just knock on wood...or knock on the handlebars of the tready that i did my KILLER interval workout this afternoon, cause (can I get a "HELL YA!!") it still miraculously works after I so furiously and stupididly(is that even a word?) "washed" it with my cycling gear!!!! DAMN....I am counting my lucky stars on this one..........

.....So my one and only blog homey Jen H., who I am happy to report will soon be a part-time Tucson resident/aka homeowner, bugged me about my "BLOG"......Jen, seriously, do you think I actually have time to BLOG??? I mean, I am a much better blog READER and subscriber than an actual blog"GER"............

This is a start....we'll see if I can keep up...........

......MP

Halloween Tricks.....and Treats!

2007-10-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

The weekend has come and gone, and again I am wondering, "Is it really almost Monday?".....yikes?!?!

Saturday was a comical and adventurous "Ladies Night" with me and my homies.....Margaritas, gourmet grilled fish, salad, cookies, and some good ol' pumpkin carving was to be had!!! After I spiked our tequila with some margarita mix, we girls decided to play some fun Halloween pranks on some of our dearest dudes on the Mens' team......It was a throwback to high school as we all piled into the car and headed out to "ding dong ditch" and scare the boys!! Dressed in masks and wigs, we proceeded to haunt their house and see just how long it would take for them to figure us out! Total time: 5 minutes!!!! What a hoot........

The fall air and pleasant temps allowed for a steady, hilly 80 mile ride out to Colossal Cave on Saturday and a more relaxed 30 mile spin up Mt Lemmon on Sunday.....My glutes are now reminding me that they don't like to go hard or long....In fact, they are whining.....wimpy glutes!!!

Kristen and I headed out for a 1.5 hr hike up to Finger Rock trail this afternoon...A lovely and mellow day...and a great way to start the week!

Enjoy what's left of your weekend

The off-season

2007-10-27T05:55:00.000-07:00

let me start off by saying that I have an EXTREMELY difficult time having an off-season when the weather is absolutely PERFECT this time of the year in Tucson.....The wind has picked up ever so slightly, the temps are dipping into the 70's just after I arrive home from work, and the early mornings are absolutely perfect for layering arm warmers on the bike or a long sleeved Tshirt for my morning runs......It doesn't get much better than this, sounds cliche...but really, this is why I live in Arizona....(Its certainly NOT for the summers!)

I ventured out into the wilderness on Wed afternoon, with an attempt at a 70min. trail run that was just shy by 5min.....The route I intended to take involved more 'bushwacking' than expected, so 20 min of that run was spent on the roads close by......I am finally feeling as though running is coming back to me, both physically and mentally....Running is often a mental game with me.....You really have to give yourself a pep talk during the latter part of a run in order to finish strong and make it back without stopping for some lame excuse.......I find the most difficult part of running in AZ is the heat...I am and always will be a self-proclaimed COLD WEATHER RUNNER! I revel in idea of black tights, warm fleece hats and gloves, and the sight of my breath as I exhale with each step on a frosty morning...that's how I learned to run and that's how I prefer to run....So bring on the colder temps, I am ready for some great runs this winter.....

More later...off for a lovely mellow long ride with my team and possible some de-lish breaky and coffee to follow.....

when things are clicking......

2007-09-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

This morning I had a super 60 min swim, which involved lots of drill work and kicking......I can feel my legs becoming stronger and more efficient when kicking without the flippers, possibly due to all of the miles I have been logging on the road as of recently.

I nailed my 100's on the 1:25, which was stellar!! You know that you are improving when your times are dropping by :05-:10 sec and you are not quite out of breath (meaning that you can go even faster if you had to!!!)

This weekend will involve some tempo rides with shorter distance to get ready for the race next weekend

TGIF
Mere

2007-09-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

Days off are always fun, especially when they occur midway thru my week! I awoke to my annoying alarm at 0500 in hopes of joining the Thurs Fairwheel ride downtown for a fast and friendly 2.5 hr bike up NW.....No such luck, as I noticed my rear tire was totally flat for the 3rd time in 3 days!! Must have a sliced tire, and didn't have a spare!!! Off to the pool for about 90 min of swim instead....and luckily, I would be able to get a long training day in later on the mountain.....My swim felt incredible today, and I was nailing my intervals! YESSSSS! I love those days (Although I am sure the coffee had something to do with the energy buzz!) I headed off to the bike shop afterwards and was graciously hooked-up with a sweet new tire and a loaner iPod courtesy of Paul for my jaunt up Lemmon later that morning!! Lots of Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, and ol' school country and rap/gospel to make my cruise a lot more fun!!!!

My whole goal in the past few months has been to load my quads and lungs with obscene amounts of climbing to gear up for the state hill climb on Sept 23rd! I have been fortunate enough to get lots of quality riding in the past few weeks...Labor Day weekend allowed for 210 miles and 15,000 ft of climbing in western NM and eastern AZ! A total blast, and a complete energy drainer once I got to Monday of that weekend! My legs were complete junk, and loving every ounce of the energy I had expended....My legs have really taking a beating this season, racing nearly 2-3x's per month March-May.......I have developed some true muscle memory, and I am really hoping that it can carry over into this end of the season where I have a few key races left to prove to myself that I am ready to upgrade by next season!! It has been such a whirlwind, and I am very happy with my own progression in cycling, as well as that of my closest teammates who are also steadfastily improving...

Off to catch some zzz's and prepare for another day of work and training!

Cheers
Mere:)