I have been a terrible blogger lately. It's been a busy summer so far. The girls have been at my in-laws all week so it's been a little weird 'round here. We were able to visit a friend in Tennessee for a couple of days to ride and get in to trouble. ;)
I'm racing again tomorrow. This will be my 4th (and maybe last) race this season, the Iron Girl race at Lake Lanier. I'm not really nervous, a little bit but nothing major. I know I can do it, I've ridden the bike course, I can run a 5 k - nothing left now but execution at the race.
My husband and I had a discussion about the girls being at the race. The first time we talked about it I told him I wanted them there and I thought we could do it - just move them from their beds and put them in the car. We'd bring food for them and if they got bored they could watch a movie in the van. I told him I'd like them there because they've never seen me race. He said (on Wednesday) it would be tough for them, they'd be cranky, they wouldn't stay asleep.... Okay, fine. I told him I was disappointed but I'd get over it and if that's what he thought then okay. (he'd be the one dealing with them anyway)
I accepted the fact that I would be going to the race solo and started working out a race morning plan in my head. Well, last night we started talking about it again and this time he agrees to bring them. Wait... what? He said if it was important to me then they would come with us. I told him that while it was important I also understood what he was saying and it was fine if they stayed home. He said something about it being important to me and they'd be there. I'm glad he's changed his mind because I do want them there but also understand it's not a very exciting environment for 3 and 7 year olds. But then again... it could be, we don't know.
A large part of it is for selfish reasons: this is what I do, part of who I am and how I spend my free time... I want my daughters there to not only support me but to see that I'm not just their mom but a triathlete as well. (when I pretend to be, haha)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Busy summer
I haven't had a lot of time to blog lately and I haven't taken the time either. I didn't have any "real" topics so it's been ignored. Our first week of summer break went well. I think the girls had a good time. Now that we've gotten through this first week, I have a better idea of how to plan our days. This week they're going to vacation bible school which will be fun and it gives me a whole 3 hours free! I've got a couple of workouts planned but it'll be nice to do some chores around the house without two girls going behind me and making a mess. They kill me - do you see I'm cleaning?!?!
This morning, I met a friend to pre-ride the race course for the race in 2 weeks. Wow. That course is not easy. It's similar to what I ride all the time so it won't be an issue but I think a lot of people are in for a big shock. I'm a decent climber so it'll be good for me. I should be able to catch some women on the hills. (and there are plenty!) Now I'm actually looking forward to it. The race should be fun, 1200 women racing together will be amazing.
I'm stealing something my friend said... if only my cycling legs would talk to my running legs and join Team Cycling Chick! (going running tomorrow!)
This morning, I met a friend to pre-ride the race course for the race in 2 weeks. Wow. That course is not easy. It's similar to what I ride all the time so it won't be an issue but I think a lot of people are in for a big shock. I'm a decent climber so it'll be good for me. I should be able to catch some women on the hills. (and there are plenty!) Now I'm actually looking forward to it. The race should be fun, 1200 women racing together will be amazing.
I'm stealing something my friend said... if only my cycling legs would talk to my running legs and join Team Cycling Chick! (going running tomorrow!)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Athetic clothes
You know the old saying, "The clothes make the man"? Well, I think it's true. Except in our case, the clothes make the athlete. I know it's probably a little silly and has everything to do with being a girl but it definitely plays a part for me.
When I wear my Vanderkitten kit, I feel fast. I feel like I can conquer every hill and keep up with the guys.
When I wear my snazzy lap suit, cap and goggles, I feel like a swimmer. I feel like I belong there and I know what I'm doing.
When I wear my running shorts and running bra, I feel like a runner. I feel like I can run like the wind. (or a slow breeze)
When I wear my tri clothes, I feel like a triathlete. I feel like I can swim, bike and run in one day, on purpose.
Again, I know this is a little silly. I can't help it. I also have to match or at least be coordinated. For example, I can not wear black shorts and a navy top. Nope. Can't do it. My husband teases me about it. I tease him back because I think sometimes he chooses NOT to match just to bug me. His philosophy is that it's going to get sweaty and yucky... so why bother? While I agree the clothes are going to get sweaty, might as well look "put together" while doing it. :) The clothes don't have to be fancy-shmancy stuff either. That is one thing I don't care about. If the Target C9 stuff does the job, why should I spend $40 on an Under Armour top? (except bike shorts, I won't skimp on those!)
When I wear my Vanderkitten kit, I feel fast. I feel like I can conquer every hill and keep up with the guys.
When I wear my snazzy lap suit, cap and goggles, I feel like a swimmer. I feel like I belong there and I know what I'm doing.
When I wear my running shorts and running bra, I feel like a runner. I feel like I can run like the wind. (or a slow breeze)
When I wear my tri clothes, I feel like a triathlete. I feel like I can swim, bike and run in one day, on purpose.
Again, I know this is a little silly. I can't help it. I also have to match or at least be coordinated. For example, I can not wear black shorts and a navy top. Nope. Can't do it. My husband teases me about it. I tease him back because I think sometimes he chooses NOT to match just to bug me. His philosophy is that it's going to get sweaty and yucky... so why bother? While I agree the clothes are going to get sweaty, might as well look "put together" while doing it. :) The clothes don't have to be fancy-shmancy stuff either. That is one thing I don't care about. If the Target C9 stuff does the job, why should I spend $40 on an Under Armour top? (except bike shorts, I won't skimp on those!)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
HS rival
Is it wrong that I get a little bit of a bitchy kind of satisfaction that a girl I went to high school with has NOT aged well and is looking kinda rough these days? Too much? Yeah, well this girl was such a BEOTCH to me... I can forgive fairly easily but I don't forget. My husband just shakes his head at me. Whatever. I don't have to like her. See? This is the kind of stupid drama that I sometimes get myself wrapped up in on days when we're home. I am NOT in middle school. Although, sometimes it feels like it. Damn you, Becky Bennett.
Okay. I'm over it. I feel better. :)
Okay. I'm over it. I feel better. :)
Monday, June 1, 2009
A run
Yes, I posted this on Facebook too. I've had several people ask me for running advice - I know... crazy!?! Anyway, I had it here and thought I'd share with the people who don't know about my blog. (since I haven't been very quiet about my love/hate relationship with running. well, mostly hate ;) )
I think I've made my peace with running. I went trail running yesterday and I actually enjoyed it. Crazy, right? I still don't love it but I think I can start to appreciate it more than I have in the last year. I decided on Saturday that I wanted to run and I wanted to run the trail at Yargo. I decided I was going to "run happy" and the weather was too nice not to get out.
My husband went on his normal Sunday morning ride and he was back in plenty of time for me to go. By this time, I'd started to talk myself out of it. Yep... even though I had decided in the back of my mind that I HAD to go, I wanted to change my mind. It's funny how the mind works sometimes. We planned to go to the pool in the afternoon and I had an ongoing debate in my head about having time, we're supposed to meet friends, I had a bunch of coffee, I needed to eat, blah, blah, blah. Then the weather beckoned me out again. Fine, alright, you win... I'll go.
It was getting warm early yesterday. I can't put in to words how happy this kind of weather makes me. Anyway, I got dressed in an outfit I rarely wear outside of my house: just a sports bra (in sassy pink!), running shorts, my hat and running shoes. It was hot and I was going running. I got to the park and walked across the bridge in my running attire around the guys fishing and felt like a runner. I didn't care (very much) that I was baring my middle, something I don't do often. In my mind, it was important to look like a runner even if I feel I'm pretending. I usually don't see many people on the trail so I didn't care what I looked like. I'm gonna be a runner, dammit.
The trail starts totally exposed and it was hot, hotter than it's been all year but gorgeous. It's maybe 1/3 or 1/2 mile until the trail enters the shade of the trees. As soon as I entered the woods I felt at home. I know it's cheesy but as I entered the shade I felt comfortable there. I remembered how much I love being there and running. The woods in the south, especially Georgia, are familiar and inviting. In the warmer months, there isn't a lot of sun that breaks through the leaves and it's at least 10 degrees cooler. As I was running the only noises were my footfalls, my breathing and the occasional rustle of leaves from squirrels. I was running happy and I knew it. I felt a tranquility that I haven't felt lately, or maybe it was just the endorphins. Either way, I was enjoying it and that was all that mattered. I may have even had a goofy grin, I can't be sure.
So many times I have cursed the "running gods" and thrown insults their way. On my bike I am comfortable but running has always been challenging and sometimes painful. My legs moved like I told them but they were definitely unsure, confused. Thankfully, my knees and ankles were cushioned by the soft trail. This run wasn't effortless but it wasn't difficult, either.
I had decided to leave my ipod at home. I like to run to music to distract me from how much treadmill running sucks but in the woods I don't need it. I've made the mistake of taking it trail running with me before but I didn't enjoy that run, it felt like a chore. I did wear my watch and HR monitor but didn't look at it, I didn't care about pace. I enjoyed the scenery, the quiet and I actually felt thankful that I can run.
I got back to the van and felt satisfied with my run. Running the trail reminded me that I am strong. I can do it. I can enjoy running again.
I think I've made my peace with running. I went trail running yesterday and I actually enjoyed it. Crazy, right? I still don't love it but I think I can start to appreciate it more than I have in the last year. I decided on Saturday that I wanted to run and I wanted to run the trail at Yargo. I decided I was going to "run happy" and the weather was too nice not to get out.
My husband went on his normal Sunday morning ride and he was back in plenty of time for me to go. By this time, I'd started to talk myself out of it. Yep... even though I had decided in the back of my mind that I HAD to go, I wanted to change my mind. It's funny how the mind works sometimes. We planned to go to the pool in the afternoon and I had an ongoing debate in my head about having time, we're supposed to meet friends, I had a bunch of coffee, I needed to eat, blah, blah, blah. Then the weather beckoned me out again. Fine, alright, you win... I'll go.
It was getting warm early yesterday. I can't put in to words how happy this kind of weather makes me. Anyway, I got dressed in an outfit I rarely wear outside of my house: just a sports bra (in sassy pink!), running shorts, my hat and running shoes. It was hot and I was going running. I got to the park and walked across the bridge in my running attire around the guys fishing and felt like a runner. I didn't care (very much) that I was baring my middle, something I don't do often. In my mind, it was important to look like a runner even if I feel I'm pretending. I usually don't see many people on the trail so I didn't care what I looked like. I'm gonna be a runner, dammit.
The trail starts totally exposed and it was hot, hotter than it's been all year but gorgeous. It's maybe 1/3 or 1/2 mile until the trail enters the shade of the trees. As soon as I entered the woods I felt at home. I know it's cheesy but as I entered the shade I felt comfortable there. I remembered how much I love being there and running. The woods in the south, especially Georgia, are familiar and inviting. In the warmer months, there isn't a lot of sun that breaks through the leaves and it's at least 10 degrees cooler. As I was running the only noises were my footfalls, my breathing and the occasional rustle of leaves from squirrels. I was running happy and I knew it. I felt a tranquility that I haven't felt lately, or maybe it was just the endorphins. Either way, I was enjoying it and that was all that mattered. I may have even had a goofy grin, I can't be sure.
So many times I have cursed the "running gods" and thrown insults their way. On my bike I am comfortable but running has always been challenging and sometimes painful. My legs moved like I told them but they were definitely unsure, confused. Thankfully, my knees and ankles were cushioned by the soft trail. This run wasn't effortless but it wasn't difficult, either.
I had decided to leave my ipod at home. I like to run to music to distract me from how much treadmill running sucks but in the woods I don't need it. I've made the mistake of taking it trail running with me before but I didn't enjoy that run, it felt like a chore. I did wear my watch and HR monitor but didn't look at it, I didn't care about pace. I enjoyed the scenery, the quiet and I actually felt thankful that I can run.
I got back to the van and felt satisfied with my run. Running the trail reminded me that I am strong. I can do it. I can enjoy running again.
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