Dublin

All workouts and weight loss efforts are on hold.
I did bring a pad and paper to do some old school journaling this time around.
But will make sure to post the fun stuff.

toilet

yes, i have started a post called toilet... i just noticed that i commented that the guest bathroom was complete... which was a half truth given the fact the toilet started leaking around the same time i started painting... thankfully the plumber was able to swing on by and get that fixed...
it wasnt without stress or cost however...  and of course it makes me start to wonder what next the house will be 10 years old next year...

to blow off stress i did run a little over a mile this morning
i havent run since last week - gosh i need to remember how good it feels when all is said and done...
and to blow off even more steam - 55 minutes on the bike trainer...  watched some Fantasia as well ... yes, the Disney movie - it was a pleasant distraction...

next up is some stretching.. i just need to get up off the couch and do it...
i did take a break for some dinner - a minimal meal of peaches and cottage cream - shhh, don't tell my mom i generally do not like that as an option but have had some dairy cravings and am tired of yogurt...  and i did change my nail polish.  nail polish?  yes, every once in a while i get inspired - tomorrow this will end up with some glitter on top too in preparation for the company holiday party...
just hope it lasts while i am in ireland

good mood now

that's my little mantra of the day... i realised yesterday that i am just in a bad mood... not a mean mood (OK - some may say I was mean yesterday and still beating myself up) but a bad mood like gloomy mood...  friday's news is just too much for my head to get around and the fiscal cliff and obama care and all the other stuff in the news...  thinking what else can we do...
i guess i need that vacation...

in preparation for the vacation i finally got myself up and out of bed this morning to go for a run... nothing like being in a pissy mood to motivate my butt to get out of bed and hit the pavement... oh and let's say it was nice and almost warm out there... it felt good...

well gotta go get ready for work because i have to leave early again today to meet with the plumber on the leaky toilet...

ONCE

I borrowed the movie from my neighbor so my mom could watch before our trip.  I had forgotten what a slow odd little movie it is with a very well hidden positive undertone...  Probably NOT what I needed to watch although the music is amazing.
I did nmanage to ride my trainer for 55 minutes while watching so I am pleased with that.

Other than that though - I am not pleased with my day.

I wore my saran wrap pants earlier and showed my @$$.  And now I am feeling bad for it.  I have apologized but you know sometimes it is forgiving yourself that is the hardest thing to do.  Oh, I don't think the other person has forgiven me yet either.  I thought a good workout would help clear the head but it hasn't.  I have thought a good workout would clear my head on the overall topic for months now and it still hasnt worked.  If it had those pants would have stayed in the deep recesses of the closet.  Some times I should just keep my opinions to myself.

thank you

still have a ways to go
funny for you to comment...

i actually weigh less than when my dad first died if that gives you any indication of things...

the planning for ireland has distracted me from my workouts...
the cost of the trip has distracted me from my need to register for a race - they are crazy costly in comparison to your neck of the woods...
and then i just bought a Robbie Williams concert ticket for June in London...
that may pre-empt any race fees

Guest bathroom complete.

Searched out similar outfit to see what 18 months or so later looks like.  Was hoping it looked better but I am OK with this.

We'll blame it on the pumpkin pie protein shake and Newks Salad for some bloating.

Speaking of bloating...  off to the ACC bowl game.... you know there will be beer and more bloating involved...

2008

Wow, I must verge on hoarder... the last time we did Weight Watchers at Work was 2008.  I had no idea it was four years ago.  That was just crazy to read.  At that time my starting weight - according to them - was higher.  And my overall loss was greater. 
How does that work?  Well I didnt weigh in at WW until a ways into my personal applied weight loss regime.  So they have me at a different place.

It felt good to throw out some of the items that are clearly outdated.

I also found some recipes I had been looking for so I was glad to come across those as well.

Happy December 1st

Yesterday marked exactly 10 months since my annual physical at the doctors.  Always a fun day.  I had tried to lose some weight prior to that day but was not overwhelmingly successful.  Although in hindsight as to the past 10 months.  I really don't know what I was trying to accomplish in that short period of time after the holidays.
I can safely say that since that day (and this is according to their scale versus my scale - and we all know that there can be issues with that so maybe it is not as safely as I think but anywho) I have lost 18 pounds.  I can't even believe that I got to that point that I had that much to lose.  Go figure.
I had been trying to get to that Athena weight for so long and now I am officially Athena less 6.  How crazy.  I am one pound less than my lowest weight from the "my dad is dying from cancer diet"...  And I am inspired to lose even more.
For one reason I am still not at the goal I wanted to be at.
And second of all, once I get to that goal I could probably find a 8 to 10 more pounds.  Now that would be extreme but...  HAH - that would have me at the weight where I used to think I needed to lose weight.  How we just don't know what we don't know.

So I have a bin of Weight Watchers stuff and I have a notebook filled with a year's worth of notes.  I am going to take some time this morning over my coffee to go through them all and find some ways to get myself up and motivated for the next 4 pounds.

YAY ME!

Scale

I should not have gotten on the scale in the office before lunch.  It has me 6 pounds heavier than the WW weigh in the other day.
Now I know I have had 2 cups if coffee, one pumpkin pie smoothie, a couple glasses of water amd a strong cheese... so maybe that is what the scale is reading.
I am sure the food over the weekend didnt help... BUT SIX pounds?  I will have to remember to weigh at home tomorrow morning.  The scale is in the shuffle of the bathroom being painted.

Stomach Rate Monitor

Perfect timing or just ironic. Somehow my heart rate monitor did not sit right on Thanksgiving's run. Maybe all that tinkering with the watch ... Who knows...
So as the run continued my HRM slipped down and by the end of the run it was situated around my waistline. It continued to get a signal and it read higher than the HRM normally does. Who knows what that means.
Still just wondering why it won't upload.

Dexterity

So earlier last week I was getting low battery low memory messages from my watch.
So on Thanksgiving morning I fumbled with my mini screwdriver and the mini screws on the back of the watch to switch out the battery. Sometimes I feel like I am all thumbs. It took a couple of attempts to pull it all together.
I was still getting a low memory message and ended up deleting all workouts including some of the workouts that I had yet to upload to Garmin Connect. Eerrrr
Of course I was upset with that but let it go.
Whatnot am struggling with now that is NoT being let go... Ever since the battery change I have not been able to get the data to upload properly.
Why is it that every time I change out a battery I have a problem with the FR60?
Have to wonder if the more expensive varieties have such issues as well.

Painting

It doesnt get the heart rate up that much but it does test ones sense of balance.  And fitting the ladder in the tiny room sure is a challenge.

I hesitate to post this... Wow, what was I thinking when I took this picture.  And I can tell from the setting that it was taken at the gym locker room.  It is in a file named BB 2011 so I know this is more than a year old.  There is another before picture that I have been looking for that I have yet to get my hands on.  This one will do for now.  Wow,,,, just look at that paunch of a stomach...  Not sure there has been much improvement on the arms to date just yet.  I guess I need to find some after or current pictures at this point.

Happy Thanksgiving

I always think of my friend that does not need to celebrate this holiday because um they do not live in the USA or are even a US citizen and does not like turkey and does not like pumpkin but for some reason still celebrates this holiday with family...
I got the food dislikes correct, right?
I still get a chuckle out of this... some restaurant thanks you for your tradition and helping their revenue...

ME?  I had dinner at a friends house.  It was lots of food and lots of fun.  I hate to admit it though... with all the sunny side positive outlook always on behavior I embrace all the time... I found very little to be overly thankful for this holiday...  I know of all days to wake up and not want to embrace that part of my personality... what the heck is up with that... but that is how I felt from before I went to bed the night before and it stayed with me even into today...  Last year around the same time I got this same way...

Four more pounds.

That is the goal between now and Dublin. I have a little over four weeks to bust my a$$ and starve myself to get there. OK that is more extreme than my realistic approach but I like the extreme to it.

I ran two miles this morning and have to come to realise that I can do that all mornings most mornings and I need to not sway from it.

One more pound

So WW is releasing this new thing ActiveLink.  It is something you wear all day and it tracks your overall activity and converts it into WW points.  It sounds pretty interesting.  It then gives you a baseline and challenges to improve advance excel in the activity area.  I guess it is like the FitBit thing.  So at work they have challenged us to lose 4 pounds in 8 weeks to Thanksgiving and they will buy us each one of them.  I was not aware of this when I ate my way through MS.  So I got the last of those pounds off.  And now I just need to get one more pound down for the AL challenge.
The final weigh in is Tuesday morning.  I am intently focused on this.  I just dont know that one pound is going to drop in 3 days. 

I didnt do it much good yesterday at the Thanksgiving luncheon.  It was supposedly healthy stuff but let's be honest... canned green beans cooked however is not the same as steamed fresh green beans or frozen green beans...  and the sweet potatoes - not sure what they were mashed with but pretty sure that was butter I tasted...  the cranberry relish was OK but probably more sugar than expected... and then there was dessert :)  To top it all off I had more wine after work than I needed as well.

SOooooo - this morning I got up and tried to run that out of my system.  I thought I'd run for an hour.  But after 30 minutes I had done the circuit and reverse around the neighborhood and was sufficiently cold.  So that was that.  Today we are walking around the mall doing some shopping... I would like to think that will kill some calories as well BUT I know in there will be some sort of unhealthy food...

and on that note - i need to get in the shower so i am not late

Shooting Star

I forgot to mention that I saw a shooting star on my run last Wednesday.  Interesting the things you notice on the run. 
I did not get a run in last night as I anticipated.  Watched #TVD instead.
This morning I noticed that my friend has purchased a non-Ryobi power tool.  What is that?!  It is always interesting to run on Friday to see what people have put out in the garbage along the side of the road....  Yes, I do keep this in mind when I put my recycling out.

Big weigh in this morning.  Even bigger next Tuesday so...  I am really trying to limit the bloating food intake.  And trying to get the exercise in.

Tonight will be more stretches and crunches etc.
Tomorrow I will need to run before getting to the mall to update my wardrobe for weight loss to date.  And that holiday travel.
Sunday is going to be one of those long long runs...
And then Monday and Tuesday morning need to be those AM runs...

Just brain dumping...

still waiting on that skewer for my trainer...

rrrraaaaiiiinnnn....

It has been forever since it has rained last.. At least it feels that way.  So it rained the other day - Tuesday - I ended up doing some morning stretches but there was no getting out there.  TODAY it was a downpour!  Wow... could barely get the dog to go out into the craziness... 
SOOOOoooo - this evening I MUST do an evening run. 
I havent done an evening run in quite some time.  It will be good to get out there.
There are races every weekend for the next 4 weeks. I havent signed up for any of them just yet.  Part of me wants to.  The other part of me says hold onto my money and just get out there for a run. 
I am trying to get down 4 pounds before next Tuesday.  I am down probably 3 pounds according to the info I was given last week.  Now just need to remove that margin for error....  I have found the best way to do so is sweating sweating sweating...

I am looking forward to getting up on my trainer and putting that to work.  PROBLEM I am waiting for the proper rear wheel skewer.  Not sure on the ETA of that.  Guess I need to follow up on that.  LONG story....

Have also added some ab work into my evening.  Supposedly you can do ab work daily without need for rest..  I started that earlier this week.  Waiting for the ab pain to kick in.  Not sure - maybe I am just not pushing myself enough...  Hmmmm...

OK - time to get out in those raindrops...

6 weeks to Dublin

crazy i know
feels like i just got back from ireland
seems like it was just christmas 2011 when we talked about going back for the holidays
feels like my loud irish neighbor just moved in
but i really has been a year ... and we are just 6 weeks away from visiting again...
yes, i am finally getting excited...

transition area

i know the triathlon season for 2012 has come to a close and the thoughts of a transition area won't pop up until next year as race day approaches... unless you struggle every morning to get out of the house and fit in a work out at the early hours...
YES - my bedroom floor on a nightly basis looks like an odd interpretation of a transition area...
scattered along the floor - heart rate monitor, sports bra (OK-2), long underwear (it is THAT cold at 5am), top, running pants, bright orange tied dyed hoodie, socks, watch...  all there to keep me encouraged...
and it seems to be working
even though i havent been blogging in quite some time i have been getting up on a regular basis and going for a run... it feels great!
I am just 5 pounds away from my first goal weight...
and it is wonderful for my mental outlook...

oh, hello there...

Yes, it has been a while since I have been out here.  I got on the road sometime in October and have been traveling for the better part of the month.  The good news - only gained a pound while I was away.  Not sure there is any bad news for the trip or for being home...

This past week was almost a week at home... I drive to Richmond in a 24 hour turn around and boy oh boy did I treat myself on that trip - Chic Fil-A and Chipotle Grill...  And not much working out...

I decided to turn things around when I got home...
Ran Friday morning - felt good.  Ran Saturday morning - nice to get a out there for a longer distance...  Ran this afternoon - got 4 miles under my belt.  A GREAT feeling...  gonna try to do it all this week too...  got two pounds to lose before Friday.

How are the rest of you doing?

Logistics

Working out some logistics for my upcoming work travel...  and somehow have found myself sucked into some youtube time warp black hole...
and much to my happiness... a new Tim Rice-Oxley interview...

I hate that I cant get the videos to embed at the moment... Errr.

http://youtu.be/wzbdEiICkUQ

Oh well, it is a  nice interview... love TRO!
Probably why I have purchased tix to see them yet again in ATL in January.
Very excited!

Running man

I covered about 2.5 miles this morning around the neighborhood. I had the pleasure of being joined by a friend. It was nice. And on my birthday... As I do every birthday over the past few years... I think of another that share this day and does not have that option to go for a run... Puts things in perspective today and on those whiny days.

And on that note... Good luck to next week's Miami Ironman contestants!

Been a while

Got on a plane on the 10th and was away until the 13th. It was a good break from the day to day at this end. It was good to get away - even if it was a lot of work to be done.
The only exercise I got was the brief AM treadmill walk each morning at the hotel, a 30 minute afternoon walk with the client each day, and a days worth of walking around New Orleans.
It was a fun trip. Like to think I made some new friends.

Sunday was spent cleaning around the house and laundry. Had dinner with an old friend. SO NICE! I know he and In don't see as much of him as I used to. I won't complain because I so appreciate the friendship when I do see him.
The neighbor situation has blown up and pissed me off. I spent Monday/ Tuesday wanting to yell, scream, stamp my feet and throw something. Thankfully I remembered the serenity prayer and feel better grounded today.
Tuesday also included October bday drinks after work. That was fun. Not as big of a crowd as I would like but that really is OK.
Tonight is catch up with The Vampire Diaries (#TVD) birthday night. Exciting!
This weekend will be the last of the birthday outings for the year. Then I am off to MKE, Brookfield, JAN, Greenwood, Olive Branch, Memphis, Richmond.
I will sleep through November.

Yoga morning stretch

Trying to add those stretches in the AM.  It seems to be coming together in the mix. Stretch. Stretch. Stretch.

Grace and Gusto

I found this exercise video on Exercise on Demand this past week.  Unlike other videos I have found this one I have actually dont twice already.  There are a lot of obligue exercises in this video.  It is a lot of motion that I do not do with the swim, bike, run workouts.  It has lots of stretching in it.  Long fluid motions.  I have really enjoyed it. 
As with the hill drills - I am adding to the mix.

RUN in the rain

I found myself in the middle of a downpour on Monday morning.  Or was it Tuesday?  Anyways...  Thankfully I wasnt too far from home.  My 2 mile run turned into a half mile run.  I got wet - nervous some of my electronics did as well.  We shall see how that pans out...
It was going to be a fun workout too... I was going to do a bunch of hill drills.  I am going to add that to my mix this week.  And this week's mix is not going to be all that long because of my upcoming trip to New Orleans.  Oh that is such a positive spin to the trip but we will call it that.

The morning runs are going well.  Gotta keep at them.

H.A.L.T.

I havent revisited the HALT acronym in quite some time.  And I don't know that I would say it actually applies but it is the one that has come to mind this past week for ne.  I dont know that I have felt any of those but I needed a quick reminded to exercise patience.  UM - it didnt necessarily work.
I can be so mean sometimes and I hate that about myself.. brutally honest can be hurtful and really to no one's benefit.  No one acts for the positive on the receiving end of nastiness.  So I need to remember to HALT.  Because now even though I have been told everything is OK, there is no way to take it back.  And it will always hover there like a stupid elephant in the corner.  If I really watned to hold true to what I said than it still would have been mean.  I think I was that mean in an effort to convince myself of my actions... but it is not working...  missing is a word that comes to mind...

back in the water...

remember i have been referencing being around someone and the whole thing making me thankful for what i have and the whole positive outlook on things, etc?  well that has kind of taken a turn for the worse...  oh, don't worry i am still positive and thankful...  but really didnt want to see that much of the dark underbelly of others...  so i have walked away from it.. but sadly kind of miss it... go figure...  i guess it comes back to the distraction was entertaining, the individual was entertaining... 

i decided i need to refocus on what is important to me - because staying up until all hours of the night drinking lots of beer and dancing around - as fun as it may sound - is something from my university day and not for my adult life - at least not on a regualr occassion...

so i went back mentally to where i was 7 weeks ago - does anyone remember what my biggest concern at that time was? 
http://vimeo.com/47472070
how in the world did i spend an entire afternoon watching the closing ceremonies and miss this?
that was the biggest thing on my mind... and i so much enjoyed that stress than any other silliness at the moment...

anyways - so i faced my fears yesterday and ran a 5mile race!  yes, a 5 mile foot race!  Spring Lake Five HERE I COME!!!!  Wonder how to even get on the list to register for that? I digress...
I did good.  It didnt feel that bad.  And my time was good.  I averaged 13 minute miles according to the race stats.  My Garmin shows a little slower but I am OK with that.  So now thinking I will do the 8k at Thanksgiving.

And today I got back in the water for a swim.  I did 1000 yards.  I won't complain for that.  For sure.

And I did some gardening in the wee hours of the morning.
AND got myself out of bed crazy early and went to the 7:30Mass.  Guess what, it is the non-singy Mass.  After all these years I finally stumble upon the version I have been looking for.

And that is that... me getting back on track... 

Miami Ironman

a month out - good luck with the remaining training

race day

got my number - 327 - and shirt yesterday
yay - looking forward to pomp and circumstance of it all...

if it dont feel good what are you doing it for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtOV7bp-gys&feature=player_detailpage

lots of different horses by lots of different men...
hurricane in the back of her throat...

i think these two lines surpass the rudebox - dont sweat much for a fat lass

Back to reality

I got a nice 2.5 mile run in last night after checking in to the hotel. I was going to do an out and back loop and the next thing I know I am going around the block. It was a great route except where part of the sidewalk ended.
I wasnt planning on going for such a distance.  Wow, my legs were achy and tired after it all for sure.
I watched a little Criminal Minds... always good to go running in an unfamiliar place in the dark BEFORE watching Criminal Minds.  I fell asleep before it ended - why I dont have a tv in my bedroom at home.
This morning was a little lie in.. now eating one if those mediocre at best compimentary breakfasts.  The coffee is good.
Gonna go put on my new suit.

Alone Time

One pf the perks of travel is anonymity and alone time.  Sitting alone at a restaurant eating some food and coming home to a lone hotel room with no daily distractions.  It may sound unappealing but I think it is good for the soul.  It shakes out all the other noise of a day.
I sit here and dont have to talk to anyone. I can be pleasant to the bartender without the need to be conversant like a regular. I get a dose of Sports Center which I would never turn on at home. 
So I am making the most of it this evening.  And contrary to original plans... I will be home tomorrow night.  So it is not too overwhelming with being away.  And I am happy for it. 
I ramble on the subject as I really was looking forward to being away.  The distance does the heart and mind some good.
So I finish up my dinner of chopped salad and glass of wine.  A light evening.  I will head to the hotel and work a run into the mix.
From there a long hot shower and climb into bed.
I did hit the mall this time around too. Finally got myself a new gray suit.  Now I have to keep the weight off to stay in it
Very excited - it was 40% off as well. 

A good day!  Just in time for the full moon to sneak up on me next week and mess with... but for tonight :)

And after that

Glub! Glub! Glub!
Yes, I am planning on getting back in the water.  I havent done much swimming since mid Summer. I am looking forward to getting back in the water.
The rhythm of the stroke and the breathing. The peacefulness of the noise and the quiet.  Kick. Kick. Kick. 
It will be good.

3 days

To race day!  I have been getting up each morning this week - OK that is only 2... and running.. it feels so great!  I never thought I would be one of those people to really say that.  But here I am.  Loving the feeling as I move along. It clears the head so much.

I will be away the next 3 days which will impact my ability to train. I am packing all I need to train.  There is a nice trail near the hotel. ShOOt maybe I can find my way to the beach and run there!  It will be nice to be away as well.

Looking forward to it all!

role model revisited

i got sucked in some to the negative behavior...  wow, that sure can burn you out pretty darned quickly...  it had me all motivated a few weeks back and now it just has me a little down in the dumps...  mostly because i am tired...  plus the realisation that i need to go back to life as i know it and as i like it....  sleep at a normal hour, food that consists of actual meals, hydration, exercise, finances in check, responsibilities in check...

i prefer that lifestyle and getting a glimpse behind the curtain was interesting...
my thought this morning as i was running - who would have thought a year ago when i was out for yet another run that this all would have transpired...  life always throws such curve balls... sometimes they are very unsettling, sometimes they are challenging... and in this instance i would call it eye opening

it felt real good this morning when that alarm went off and i got up and out...  a good night's sleep so helps to clear the head... sure hope it continues...

5 mile race is on saturday

8 more to go

So trying to keep up the motivation. Not much on the workout front this past week. Didnt feel well and then all kind of fell apart. Shooting for 5 miles today. Beautiful weather for it. Now to get my head around the concept.

what to do

so i had a break on friday...  covered 5 miles saturday, 4 on sunday, 1.5 monday...  decided that yesterday was going to be another 4 miles... let me tell you, my body wanted nothing to do with it...  my feet hurt - like they were crammed in uncomfortable shoes all day and the transition to sneaks was just miserable...  i need to look at that today before throwing on my higher heeled black shoes... and then my stomach - you would have thought i ate a bowl of brocoli for breakfast and lunch my stomach was so bloated and nasty...
so instead of 4 miles - i barely WALKED 1 mile...  just miserable
today i have a meeting and since i will be a wee bit closer to home (OK traffic may negate that thought) i was thinking i should get on my bike - use a different muscle group for the evening and potentially not put as much wear and tear on my feet
let's hope that works.
tomorrow is - able to donate blood again day... so i will be trying to do that after work
of course that means no work out after work....  gonna have to get up and out on the pavement in the AM...
and the same for Friday morning...  trying to drop a few more pounds this week

Role model

Can someones unreasonable behavior be viewed as motivational.
I dont think they write about that in self help books but I think it is worth considering.
Sure has motivated me recently.

5miles

i covered 5 miles today on the run...  it was exhausting... it was wonderful...
the footpod said it was 5 miles...  the Garmin map showed that it was longer... it said 5.2 miles
i need to do the math to figure out what that pace actually was

sorry just got totally distracted by an episode of Covert Affairs - dont always like the show but this one totally sucked me in...

so i went for the run - i have to say i am totally becoming one of those people that gets sucked into the endorphins that make you feel good with running.. the music helps, the fresh air, the sun and even the heat...  it does such a great job to clear my head

I am little nervous about this race... but more nervous about all the upcoming travel after the race
i have been doing so well with my eating and exercising and losing weight...  on the road could undermine that...

need to start looking at how to get the exercise in when i travel NOW!
Wilmington, Slidell, Milwaukee, Mississippi.. will take some work

for now, will run again tomorrow

B'tyne - Run - 5miles by delbda at Garmin Connect - Details

B'tyne - Run - 5miles by delbda at Garmin Connect - Details

Positive mental attitude

Last week I felt so good about things.  All sorts of things in my life.  All the accomplishments and challenges.
This morning I still feel the same.  But with a touch of melancholy.  It makes me sad to watch people struggle to find the positive in their own lives. 
Of course my own dimented little mission is to help them try.  Futile efforts at best.

Good thing a run can clear my head.
No bike today.  Gotta prep for this 5 mile thing at the end of the month.

Leslie

I sure hope everyone is OK with the approaching storm.  It seems to have given them sufficient warning to be prepared.  I sure hope so.  I have watched some video so far.  That shoreline sure is a lot rougher than usual.  Mother Nature's little reminder to paradise I suppose.

Run run run run run run run run run run

I realised that I actually covered a good bit of distance on my morning walk/run on my day off.  Yesterday's run was pretty darned great.  I felt real good about it.  I do need to check my stats though and see what I truly accomplished. 
This morning was another walk/run take the morning off approach.  I stayed up too late watching Giants football.  And then they lost so that made the late night even worse.  Oh the beginning of each season does this to me....  That's why I normally don't watch so early on.
I was to run with a friend this evening.  We are not too successfully trying to run together at least one evening each week.  So far it has only happened twice.  The first time it stormed on us lap one.  The second time we did pretty good.
This evening I feared there would be rain - hence the small workout in the morning.  It did rain, however it was out of the system by the time our run time came about.  Unfortunately the run did not happen as family matters popped up at her end.  I guess I could have run more, I just didnt feel like getting in my car to go somewhere and didnt want to stay near by.
Instead I did firm element for work.  I know, how exciting is that.  I completed 3 out of 7 courses.  And then I came across an 8th course. 
I plan to be done with them all by the weekend.

Radio Silence

I have to wonder if emails were not yet read or if the silence is the acknowledgement of said emails.  Not even a week later I am trying to agree with my original sentiments.  YUCK!

My Blogger App

Seems to be a bit out of sync with my actual blogger site.

Day off

Walked this morning.  Tried to run but opted to just get out there. Thought I would run after work.  It poured.  So today is an off day.
Harassment training for work instead.  Boring!

Trainer

Not too sure how to use it. Thankfully the weather is holding out so I don't need to figure it out just yet. But I am a proud owner of a bike trainer. I have been contemplating getting one for a few months now. I just haven't wanted to part with the additional $$. I had been considering canceling my gym membership since I haven't been in a while to cover the cost. Instead I bought a used trainer for less than half the original cost. Helps to know people. And I expect that to be my resource as well when I finally need to figure out the set up.
Rode twice this weekend. A fun use of time!

Sunday....

Long weekend kicking in...    Friday night, well that was the final straw of a long week.  Oddly felt like it opened my eyes.  That cathartic moment.  2 days later it might not seem as eye opening but maybe it still is.  The initial rush has worn off.
Yesterday's training was wonderful.  The ride did a great job to clear my head.  I still need to plot the course I rode.  I followed that up with a run.  Quite the exercise of trying to put the two sports together in a brick.  I havent done one of those in ages.
I spent the rest of the day lounging about.  Lunch with friends - Mmmm Jersey Mikes.  I had the tukey and provolone.  The #3 I figured would be too salty after my workout.  Nice long bath.  I dont know why but I love the luxury of a nice long bath. And cocktails on the patio.  Kind of like a rite of passage for the weekend.  The end of summer-- some subs and some rum...  Two of my favorite beach pass times.  Lobsters and clams would be good too but those arent readily available in this part of the country.
I dont know how many hours of sleep I got last night.  It was surely needed.  It felt odd at first to go to bed so early.  But I was so tired.  I was up late the night before.  And then when I woke up in the middle of the night - how nice to be able to roll on over and go back to sleep for a bit.  WONDERFUL!
Today - a bike ride was not in the mix.  It was supposed to be but the morning didnt pan out for a ride of that nature.  I did however do my long distance run/walk.  OK let's call it what it is - it was a walk.  I wasn't ready to try to cover that distance in a run.  I have been covering 3.5 miles in a walk run combo this is just a walk.  It was good to get out for that amount of time.
I thought with the full night's sleep I had last night that I would work through the day getting things done.  Ooops - not the case.  I fell asleep watching the American Le Mans.  Caught up on some silly tv programming.  And now sit here dazed trying to determine what to do with my time and evening.  Laying low sounds so appealing.  
I havent had an evening to myself in a number of weeks.  There has always been something here or there that has caught up to me.  But not tonight.... 
Not sure what to do to make the most of it.  Tomorrow will be another bike run.  Well at least I hope.

Keep trying to embed this with little to no success... so just going to try to paste the link instead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIZ9nYECYuM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

hopefully this will help...
this has me really thinking about what my next dream is... what is that next goal? 
to hear it out of the mouths of the next generation just makes me proud and envious...
what to do next?

what would you do if you weren't afraid!?

Cathartic moment

Had one of those in the overnight.  Perhaps a selfish one but who cares.  I have been feeling rather emotionally exhausted recently.  And I started to figure out what it is...  and decided to try to shake it...  turn over a new leaf or whatever...  hoping it works
It surely got me out of bed and out the door this morning.... hour bike ride... 40 minute run... lunch with friends...
I hope I can keep this memomentum up... we shall see

Busy week

Saturday ended with a bday celebration for a friend. That was nice. Sunday was a long walk. It was to be longer than it turned out but footpod died. It had some stress.
Monday was some more stress. But I managed a morning run to offset it.
Tuesday... another morning run. I AM going to get the hang of this. Dinner with a friend. Much needed girl talk. It was an eye opening evening.
Wednesday was a long work day. I was to go to bed early. It didnt happen.
Thursday. That was a run after work. Have started covering 3.5 miles.  Yay me!  Not sure on pace but need to cover longer distances.  I took a long hot bath and went to bed. It was BRILLIANT!
Friday - yup another run! I plan to keep this up through the long weekend.  Followed by a black and coke - i have all this diet coke to use... enough Goslings offsets the nasty nutrasweet flavoring. Then a short walk to the local italian restaurant for some salad and dessert and prosecco.  Turned out to be another eye opening evening.
It has been quite the cathartic week.

Now for the longer race

I went for a long walk with a little run here and there yesterday.  I didnt know how long it was until I got home to plot it as my battery on the footpod wore out...  I covered a little over 4 miles.  I was hoping to cover 5.  Just couldnt figure out how to eek some extra distance out of it.
Today I went for an AM run.  I do enjoy the morning runs.  Unfortunately I do not think they will be enough to get me in shape for the Ramblin Rose 5 mile race in 5 weeks.... So I need to think of some other things to get a move on.
I havent been on my bike or in the pool in ages.  I need to get back at that.

Race day

I think some of this training has paid off.  I ran two mornings this week.  Didnt think too much of it.  But I guess every bit counts.
Wasnt my over analytic self with the race today. Sure we got there early but I didnt pick up my packet the day before. I pretty much winged getting to OrthoCarolina. And I didnt even look at the course of the race.  That is just crazy for me.
You might say I was distracted.  Which I need to be at times.  The release from pressure is good.  And it seemed to be OK on my overall race.
I ran the first mile without stopping. YaY me!  I did pretty good on the second two miles as well.  I was pretty happy with my overall time and pace.  And I felt pretty good too.
Now to start training for the next race.  About a month away and two more miles to add to the mix.
Wish me luck

Better get moving

Yesterday was a half day for me. It was a nice uneventful afternoon. I went to SMC and went for a run. I did a crazy route - 3 minutes run head back towards the beginning each 1 minute walk. It extended the 2 mile route to be 2.5 miles. I also added another mile on the route just to get more activity under my bed.
At the beginning of all this I passed a fellow runner that told me I better get moving. I figured out what he meant when it started to rain on me. Thankfully it was only rain at that time and I just got wet but did not have to rush to get to shelter. However the second storm cloud that blew through was much stronger. It was perfect timing to get back to the car. By the time I was pulling out of the parking lot the skies had opened up and it was raining thundering etc. it went that way off and on over he rest of the afternoon.
This morning there will be a four mile hike. I need to get moving.

Don't bug me

There can be so many hazards with running. First if you are klutzy you need to be careful. Depending on where you run you should be careful of cars and other vehicles. I came across other hazards with last nights run.

First off, I am now packing bug spray in my bag along with sunscreen. Have you seen the news on West Nile? So the bug spray has come out. Of course the other day when I ended up doing some tree climbing along the trail I did get a bug bite. Then unthought of that awful poison ivy from hiking in Cozumel. I got nervous it wasn't a bug bite. So to help take precautions the bug spray is in the bag. Of course a little bugger got me right on my elbow last night. Only covered 2 miles.
Hazard two... Well this might not impact everyone. Somehow between the HRM sports bra and sports bra I pinched a piece of skin under my arm. It was just uncomfortable after a while. When I got home I realized it was more than just uncomfortable. Nice ol' irritated piece of skin. I have switched up the sports bras for today's run in hope it won't get any more irritated.
And lastly - hair ties. How in the world did I knot my hair around my ponytail holder? And in a good way. In don't know nautical knot terms but this one was a good one. Unfortunately I did end up having to cut it out of my hair. Well I cut the damaged hair. CSM will love that at the end of next month when I go to get my hair cut. Hopefully I can avoid that again.
Did cover two miles. Trying for 4 today. Half day - so we shall see how I step up with that free time.

Quiet time

I made an amazing dinner tonight.  Monday ended up being Mexican with my mom and her friend.  Always good intentions but they fall through when it comes the cheese sauce and refried beans.
Tuesday night was dinner with a vendor.  I had an odd seafood salad of clams, mussels, calamari and octopus.  I figured light high in protein low in fat. I forgot about tentacles.  I did not eat the octopus.
So tonight was a wonderful medley of everything I have needed and wanted to cook.
Grape tomatoes tossed with olive oil Salt and pepper Grilled amd then tossed with basil.
Grilled zucchini.  Grilled chicken.
Grilled portabello mushroom topped with pesto hummus.  A side of prosecco.
All very tasty.
The last few paragraphs have been voice recorded so much easier than typing on the small screen.

Ate dinner at the dinner table without the tv on.  I have yet to turn it on and it is very peaceful.  I should remember to do this more often.

Contemplating should I go to bed early again so I can go running in the morning or will my neighbor make another 1250 am errand run and wake me up?

Olympics

AKA why I did not get up early on Monday.  And I had done such a great job of planning ahead.  I found NBC love streaming online and watched in real time.  Bit I got tired (ok more like ears bleeding) of Jessie J.  They went through all this formality of the flag.  I figured it was done. Bit it wasnt.  Not until I got home from the grocery store did I realise MISSED TAKE THAT!!! WHAT??? HOW COULD THAT BE?
So I watched NBCs edited broadcast for all those hours in fear of them being cut.  Bob and Al and Ryan did not know what to do with them. So there was a lame instruction and then there they were... Jason, Gary, Mark, Howard.... you light
...  turn the tv up! Do an internal happy dance. Goosebumps!  Good stuff! Thank you for not cutting.  Although they did cut the dancers that followed and I have yet to see much of that.
It was good.  It was late.
No early alarm.
But lots of searching for footage since then.

This week

We spoke last on Saturday.  We went out that night.  Interesting comes to mind.  No need to get into details.
Sunday was going to be a run.  Then.it was going to be a swim.  It turned out to be jumping jacks and burpees.  And odd day of marginal productivity and an egg mcmuffin.  These things happen when you go out late the night before.
Monday was nothing - see next entry.
Tuesday I ran before work.  I only ever do the 1.5 miles.  I always want to do more but I get consumed with time.  Truth be told my lazy days dont start all that timely so I could still do 3 miles and be ahead of the lazy days.
Today turned out to be a nice 2 mile run walk with a co-worker.  I felt awkward as her 26 year old dancer self surely could have run laps around me but she kept with me.  We are doing a 5k in 10 days so I need to get on that some more.
So will run again tomorrow.

Rain no ride.

Got the run in.  Need to post pics of trail.

Dinner with friends

That seems to be the theme for the week. Last night I went by to see some friends in their new house. Got to meet their new baby. He is a cutie. We bonded over dinner time preparations. Dinner was tasty. Grilled romaine, chicken and an orzo combination that was very tasty. Mixed some wine and good conversation in it all. A nice evening. I have to chuckle as with all homes... There is a new living room, family room, screened in porch, even bonus room with entertainment center... But we hung in the kitchen.
Tonight is a night out on the town. A multiple birthday celebration. I think I need to run out for some party hats today. We have dinner plans at 6. The restaurant has a rooftop patio so I am hoping the weather holds.
And later this week there is a vendor dinner. Ok that might not be "friends" in the conventional sense but we are all work friends.
So today to offset this I need to get a move on. Hoping to start with a 4 mile run and then maybe a bike ride. Which will lead to a long hot bath and a nap and an unproductive day between now and dinner at 6. Lol

Crazy rain

It is pouring down rain again tonight. Last night I got a flash flood warning on my phone and there was very little rain. Tonight it is just gushing down! But no warning. Go figure.
Thankfully I got a run in earlier. Ok even if I hadn't I surely wouldn't be going for a run at 9:46pm. Ran with a coworker. It was a good time.
Ran yesterday before that storm.
And a morning earlier in the week.
Tired and feeling it in my legs.

Run

Did I ever mention my Sunday run?  4 miles.  First three 2 minute walk 3 minute run for the first 3 miles.  Walked last mile.
Yesterday did not result in a run.  Had tentative plans that did not culminate into anything.  Hate that.  Came home.  Fixed up dinner. Cleaned up kitchen. And then nothing.  I suspect because I spend a majority of my days scheduling I have become a bit anal retentive on the subject.  Oh well.  This continues to be a learning curve for me.
In an effort to stick with plans for the rest of the week I went to bed early and got up early to go for a run.  I only covered 1.5 miles but it is better than nothing.  And it opens up my evenings...  might eventually get back in the water.  Fingers crossed those storms stay away.

4 miles

I ended up covering 4 miles today.  Haven't gone that far in a long while.  And even more rewarding.. I did a 3 2 sequence.  I ran 3 walked 2 or vice versa given the fact I started with the walk.  I did well with the first 3 miles until my phone acted up.  It gets tired too.  Around minute 38 it started skipping and trying to dial out.  Quirky error.  I walked the last mile.  Good outing.

I am dressed to swim.  But instead made an attempt at greens.  I needed to use that chicken stock from yesterday for something.  And I tinkered around the house some.  Oh and Andy Murray.  Good stuff.

Going to go hang with friends some and then off to the food store.

I am very excited by the closing ceremonies rumor.  I think a performance from Take That would be too much to ask.  Oh the things that distract me.

Out with the old. In with the new.

I never thought I would be one of those people that required frequent sneaker replacement.  Oh how things have changed.

Before and After treads.

Quiet

I have been quiet this week.  Distracted I suppose.  Off kilter with my goals in mind.  Did I mention distracted?
So I had a nice visit with a friend last weekend. She and her family recently moved back to town.  We swam with her daughters and had some a lunch.  A good time.  No real swimming went on. 
Monday I went for a run.  It was one of the more painful runs I have been on in a while.  My legs were all sorts of tight.  By Wednesday I could still feel the pulls in the muscles.  Not fun.
Tuesday was to be a swim day but again those late day storms blew in and screwed up all aspects of training.  Went out for drinks with a co-worker.  It was fun.  Met some people.  A good time.  But this has become one of my distractions that I need to put a stop to.  And for so many reasons...  wallett, waistline, lifestyle.  I do not need or want to be sucked into other people's bad habits.  I have worked hard to create good habits for myself and need to stick with them.
As a result unfortunately Wednesday was a miserable day.  Plus those achy muscles I mentioned earlier.
Thursday was a birthday outing for a friend.  Now that was fun.  There is a new bar in town and a friend is the bar tender.  It is a tiny place.  Kind of feels like you are hanging out with a few of your not so closest friends in someones garage bar.  Not too bad.
Friday another friend was visiting from out of town.  That ended up as drinks and dinner.  See what I mean distraction.  I kind of like being anti-social but I know that is not always the best approach.
And finally yesterday - well I had every intention.  But nothing every happened.  I spent a better part of a day working on a birthday present for a friend.  I think she thought I was baking for her.  Which I was not.  Now with some creative thoughts overnight I think I will find myself working on it some more this afternoon. 
But first a run.  I am going to try for 5 miles.  I know it wont be a full out run.  But I need to get my mind set and body OK with that distance for the race at the end of September.
I have opted not to sign up for that tri around the same time.  I really want to get my head around this always evasive running.
Oh and I did lose a few hours on the second grey book.  The emails segment makes me chuckle.  Reminds me of someone.  However I feel like the author stole the idea from Bridget Jones.  Not that she didnt steal the whole concept from the Myers woman.  Speaking of which.... think I will upgrade my playkist before today's run.  hello ADD

Bike ride

I had this notion that I was going to get in a bike ride and a run in this morning before meeting a friend for some pool time. I was up at a reasonable hour but got sidetracked by the women's cycling on the tele.
I only managed to get a 45 minute ride in. I did two loops with a focus on some up hills and out of the saddle work. I have found that saddle work on hills is similar to running for me. Similar leg muscles and similar impact on the heart rate. And since a run didn't make the mix.
Lounging by the pool was a nice use of time. A little bit of vitamin d and some girl time.
I watched some Olympics but sitting down after my morning activities usually results in an I intended nap. The really painful naps where you wake up stuff because you haven't moved the entire time. The startling nap because you aren't too sure where you are when you wake up. The kind it is hard to bounce back from.
But bounce back I did. All the way to the grocery store. Kind of mad about the grocery visit. Somehow I managed to spend lots of money again this week at the grocery store. I blame $20 of it on beauty aids as they are called - soap, toothpaste, deodorant. That stuff adds up quickly. The other was an attempt to expand my vegetable horizon even more. But fearful of the selections I bought some of the normal veg as well. As a result...
I now have Brussels sprouts roasting with fresh beets in the over with a dash of fresh ginger. That one shouldn't be too bad. The other is cauliflower with onion, yellow squash and fennel. This one does make me nervous. Ever since my BDA days I have not been a fan of fennel, but in reading on greens this fell into one of those out of the ordinary categories so decided to add into the mix.
Between the two I should have a good variety of roasted veg for dinner this week.
For lunch the new to the mix veg is rainbow chard. I mixed spinach and radicchio to the salad as well to keep it within reason for my taste buds.
And I have chard and beet greens left so I guess I will need to figure out what to do with them. Sautéed with chick peas for next week sound like an option.
But man this eating healthy can sue e get expensive. I hope I can drop these next ten pounds before I feel like my efforts are breaking the bank.

Ladies Cycling

Could find myself sitting here and watching cycling instead of getting out there and doing it. Time to turn off the tele and walk away.

Ok. Ok. Aaahhh

My first love

For those of you not in the know that would be gymnastics.  With the Olympics under way this means there will be cartwheels, head stands, hand stands, back bends and leaps added to my days.
Bacchus will be most embarrassed as these usually occur during our walks.
So excited!

Olympics

Celebrated the opening of the Olympics this evening.  BT London Live concert with Duran Duran, Paolo Nutini, Stereophonics, Snow Patrol.  Commute on DROID.
Pizza and wine and dessert for the televised ceremony.  So tired now!
Impressed with Kenneth Branagh appearance but why didnt they include some of the many other British icons.

On a serious note

I always wonder if all those years sitting in the saddle of a bike had some sort of impact on the health of Lance Armstrong.  Compression, as someone called it earlier today....  No just a whole lot of pressure and a bit of a pain in the a$$ at least from my perspective.

Kind of the same but in a different area from a female perspective.  There are days that I still struggle with the tight chest feeling of a heart rate monitor, sports bra, tri top all in the effort to keep everything contained between the swim, bike, run....  Probably why the more successful triathletes are flat chested.  That's not necessarily in my cards.

Just remember to take all safety precautions - goggles, helmet, sun glasses, hats, sunscreen.... etc etc...

All in the same boat

In the past few weeks I have received some pics from friends in their bike shorts.  My thought - what is with these men and their desire for pics in the sausage shorts.  And it didnt even cross my mind the suggestive nature of my short naming.

I call them sausage shorts because of the way they cling and suck in the fat of my thighs.  Like sausages - duh.  It never crossed my mind the male interpretation of the nomenclature.  Ooops.

Of course the men - well they are less self conscious in their outfits.  Oh the differences that make the all women race events all that more important.  We sit around and always compare ourselves to others as we wait to start the race.  The men, they just think I am dressed like this, you are dressed like that.  We are all in the same boat.

Of course the female in me still feels the need to compare.  Um, those boats arent always the same size....  Modesty and confidence sucked up all together in a pair of sausage shorts.

I am SO looking forward to some run, bike, swim on Sunday. 

Back to a fun mode!

Old blog

The previous events of the week had me going back to an old blog.  Couldnt remember for the life of me what the name was.  Exercised the memory banks to remember the log in.  It didnt have the dad blog that I deleted.  Did find the birthday recap blog.  A bit of memory nostalgia.
Logged off.  Left it behind like before.  And I still dont know the address.
And that was that.  Just one more layer to an odd week.

Demons caught up to me

Long day.

A FB post on Monday evening took me by surprise.  Ah, the pros and cons of FB.  It puts you in touch with people you have lost touch with over the years.  Especially those of us that are transient in nature and have friends in far off corners of the world.  It lets you know the good stuff - fun pictures of families and the like.  It also lets you know the bad stuff.

Mondays post was a bad stuff.  And it was from someone I had purposely lost touch with over the years.  Those nasty college years and such.  Trying to find my own ground, my own space.  For all my inappropriate bitchiness at that time I felt I truly had not right to be privy to this sad news.  The loss if a loved one out there for all to see just seemed so personal.  It made my heart break for this old friend of mine.  It brought back childhood memories and dreams for our futures.  What lies ahead of her was never in those dreams.  And I felt so sad.

And then the irony, coincidence, timing of it all made my head implode.  Overnight on Monday a neighbor passed away.  That was the compounding news that awaited me when I arrived at the office yesterday.  There had been an illness so now there is peace but it doesnt make it any less painful or sad.  And again I struggle with my place in it all.  Must be something with my upbringing.  He is a neighbor and a good friend to some of my good friends.  Someone I interacted with when others invited him out.  So I am saddened by the news.  Sad for the family's loss.  Hopeful in their ability to move through this and forward.  But keep my distance in it all.

And so today is only Wednesday.  I sure hope the storms stay away this afternoon so I can get a swim in.

Run from the demons

That makes it sound horrible, eh?
My co-worker/friend and I have signed up for a 5mile race in September (hmmm Spring Lake 5 in my future?)  Tonight was our first night to run together.  We met a little after 530.  I need to work on the change at office routine. 
Lap 1 was a walk.  There was thunder in the distance but we thought it was in the distance.
Lap 2 it started to rain.  We talked about how nice it is to actually run in the rain.
Contemplating Lap 3 lightning bolt in the distance and doing the one, one-thousand distance test it really wasnt that far off.  So Lap 3 was a sprint to the car.
It was dry by the time I got home but still random thunder.  TwC noted a fast moving thunder storm with hail.
So I made dinner.  By the time I was done the sky had cleared.
Feeling the need to clear my head... will expand upon later... I decided to finish the 30 minute routine with a quick jog towards town and back.  Didnt do the whole distance but enough.
Now a hot bath.
Still clearing head.

Cycle

Made it out again on the bike. I really need to clock the distances of the rides. I think they are close to 12 to 15 miles but would like to know for sure.
I am liking riding through the neighborhood and taking in the various landscapes.
Killer is that when I am done with the rides sitting (yes, SITTING) by the pool is the most appealing activity to follow.
Silly use of time.
Now, I am watching lots of tv. Catching up on USA programming - White Collar, Suits, Political Animals, Covert Affairs.

This weeks menu

So instead of hitting the pavement right out of bed I opted to bang around the kitchen.  Some habits die hard - dancing in the kitchen on a Sunday morning and cooking.  So this week...
Poached eggs - this is a new venture for me.  Attempt #1 went OK.  Water probably needed to hotter and patience needed to be greater.  Need to remember that during the work week.
Over sprouted rye with some canola spread and finely chopped dill.  With a side of cantaloupe and blueberries.  Oh and caffed coffee - it was on sale.
Celery and laughing cow cheese snack.
Spinach salad with mushrooms, sprouts, radishes, red onion - trying to make it tasty without bacon and egg.  Going to make my own mustard dressing.
Fresh fruit snack.
Homemade tomato soup... the dollop of ricotta cheese to make it creamy will add dairy and protein.  Side of roasted peppers, zucchini and onion.
I have some cuts of lean beef in the fridge should I get a protein craving.  Unplanned meals always seem to address the protein need.
Oh gotta remember my vitamins.
Bikini pool time.  May bring bike just in case.

Struggling

To get out of bed and do it all over again today.

Bike, run, swim

Wow that is the first multi sport training I have done in a long long time.  The bike got the most attention. 
The run.  Well I thought I would go longer but the decided on course was shorter than I thought.
The swim.  I remember when 500 yards was a huge accomplishment.  Today I feel like I just got wet and had to get out again.  I was tired from it all.  So didnt push it.
Wanna try it all again tomorrow.

Iron

So I was asked last night over a truly decadent lobster dinner, how did I manage to get my iron up.  Obviously with lobster I know how to get the cholesterol up.  I felt like a cheat when I said multi vitamin with iron.  They must have felt that was a lie as well because they proceeded to ask me 3 more times, no really what did you do?
Simple every morning before my coffee I pour myself a glass of Horizon Organic Fat Free Milk with hda blah blah blah and take some vitamins.  According to the blood bank list I was already eating items with iron in it so I needed a boost.
Sure I might be low on meat protein these days but I feel OK with that.
Oh and for those concerned that I am anemic it is not that low just not strong enough to be given to a patient in need of blood.
I am excited to work the donating thing back into my routine.

Iron Good

Blood donation time!

Blood pressure was good too.  Gonna have a pepsi and some keebler cookies...

Nothing nothing nothing

This week is turning into more of the same - a whole bunch of nothing.
Monday was a get together over The Bachelorette for a friends birthday. Let's not even talk about the crazy rain storm for the commute home.
Tuesday was going to be a swim. Yep - another thunder storm. It is really starting to get on my nerves.
Yesterday was to be a run after work. I had everything I needed to go on the run. I hadn't really prepared the non essentials for running after work. I leave a whole lot more home when going some place after work. Don't feel like lugging it all around or locking in the car. So I came home with the intent to run here. Can you guess? Thunderstorm. Well actually it was some spitting rain and random lightning bolts in the distance. With all the lightning strikes in the news I opted to stay in.
At least I did some morning yoga stretches and walked to the mall during the day.
Today should be a swim. It should also include some bit of a run. Sneakers to the office is sounding like an idea for today.
I have signed up to donate blood today. The last few times my iron has been too low. Not ago low to be a health concern but not high enough to donate and have the blood be strong enough for the recipient. I sure hope the vats of pork BBQ I have had over the last two weeks and my multivitamin will help with that iron count. If not, I may just ask them to remove me from the list.
So with all that today's workout may not happen.

NOTHING

that was the toll of activity for last week
Not the case for this week
Gosh it can make an impact on my mood.
Keeping that in mind for this week

Nothing today. Quasi bday celebration for a friend. No workout for this last 24 hours.

Walk around town

I have played tourist in my home town a few times now. uSNWC sure does count.
We also took the light rail to uptown and walked around. Mainly to see the football stadium not much else.
It was fun.

Also checked out some of the new and improved greenways as well. I need to remember to visit those more often.

Grad party

My friend's son graduated college. They had a party. It was nice to see everyone. Nothing crazy to write home about.

His 5% body fat does continue to motivate me in my fitness quest. I would look silly and unhealthy with that low fat % but it still inspires me.

USNWC Canopy Tour

During the visit my friends daughter and I did the 4 hour canopy tour at the US National Whitewater Center.

It said it would take 3 to 4 hours. For some reason I thought that would not be the case. Don't really know why.

We went in a group of 8 with 2 tour guides. There were 7 zip lines, 5 rope bridges and 2 repels. The zip lines were fun. The rope bridges were challenging - some more than others. And the repels were good for a laugh.

The last one made for a great laugh as the tour guide tried to startle me as I faithfully stepped off the platform. I started laughing and was still laughing as I landed. Totally forgetting the instructions to stand when I landed I just keep laughing and found myself laying on the forest floor looking back up at the tour guide that seemed to be having a good laugh as well.

It was well worth the $$ for the tour. I would suggest it to anyone. Can't wait to do it again.

House Guests

I also had a friend and her daughter visit. It was a nice time. Always fun to have people to kick about with.

However it does wreak havoc on the diet and the exercise.

Lunch at Maggianos.
Frozen yogurt at TCBY.
Burger with bacon and pimento cheese. Son of a Peach.
Hagen Dasz - how do you spell that?
Breakfast sandwich at Panera.
Milkshake at Pikes.
Party food.
Challah bread french toast.

Food overload. No wonder I felt sluggish to work out last week.

Getting back on track this week.

Coldplay revisited

Wow almost two weeks ago now... We went to the Coldplay concert. It was a lot more fun than I anticipated. They out on a great show that resulted in almost 2 hours of dancing. Old songs - reminded me why I liked Coldplay in the first place. New songs a - reminding me why so many people flock to the concert.
It was a good good time.
So glad I could sleep in the next day.

Missing some days

Noticed I haven't said much of things in the last week. Not that I was doing much. Training fell OFF last week. Couldn't even tell you how or why. Maybe why the posts stopped as well.

So let's back track.

Tri Ballantyne

That is the tri that is running this morning.  I was going to sign up for it when I was done with the Orlando race.  Well the Orlando race never happened.  And I have been on the fence ever since.  Race day is here and I am sitting on my back patio waiting for a friend to pick me up.  We are headed to the greenway to go for a walk and grab some breakfast.
It will be nice to just do that.

Muse

Reminded myself I need to giggle more this afternoon. Need to surround myself with people that giggle more.

Not sure it helps with racing or training but giggle more is on my horizon.

COLDPLAY HRM?

Something more fun than that..
. This lit up on queue somehow during the shoe.  Really cool effect.

AM Run

Went for a quick run this morning before it got hot. Was trying to get the workout out of the way before the heat and to allow for a late night at the office.
Amazed that the energy I had from the run made for a very productive day. Now I am home wondering what to do with my time. Last week I did an hours worth of old school aerobic and calisthenics activity. Think I will do the same this week.
Then I will find myself sucked into the crazy drama of the girl living in NC that goes to BDA. Yes, I will lose an hour or two watching the Bachelorette.
Best get to that workout.

Garmin Swim

Would love to see how the 910 tracks swim strokes.  Just saying.

HEAT WAVE

Today I woke at 430.  Seems to becoming a thing.  I call it insomnia but who really knows.  I looked at the temp on my phone - 80F.  Really?  Maybe I am waking up from the heat. 
I thought get up right then and there and go for a run.  OK - it was dark out at that hour....  so I rolled over and waited for the alarm to go off at 6.  And even at that hour....  HOT!
I ran walked - more walk in that heat - for 3.5 miles.  Surprised as I went to walk the dog that my tank was dripping wet.  Probably would have been more surprising if any neighbors were up at that hour as I took that drippy tank off and finished the dog walk in my sports bra... shoot it covers more than most bikini tops....
The afternoons workout was an arm workout.  Pushups.  Weights.  Pushups.  Weights.  Hand stands (try em they are an arm workout).

Tomorrow I think another morning walk run will be needed.

Breakfast mojito

Well that sure can catch attention. Today in the test kitchen the morning cooling smoothie is honeydew melon, cucumber, mint and line. Of course in this household no smoothie gets away without a dose of cinnamon and flax seed. But the general flavoring of the mint reminded me of mojitoes. But so much better - no simple syrup with loads of sugar to slow you down.
The problem with smoothies is the overall mess of things. Either the blender or the food processor gets tucked out of the pantry and a mess always ensues.
Right now I am finishing my coffee(still holding strong with the decaf), sipping my "mojito" and hoping the mess cleans up itself. Probably no such luck there.
Next up is a kale salad. Sadly I have purchased more food this week than I may well need. Forgot about the concert Tuesday night and the pig roast for Wednesday. Oops.
Well best get back at it.
Dinner this week is a spin on the roasted cauliflower in a quesadilla form with spinach and mush peas (instead of refrained beans).

Bib shorts

Not for me.  Now that would be a site.
My friend does the Off Road Assault on Mt Mitchell every year.  Look it up.
And this is the second year - so now I guess it is an annual thing - that he has chosen to post a picture of himself post ride in only his bib shorts.
And I think to myself - why are men so less self conscious about walking around in these crazy skin tight shorts than women? 
And the bib short - well they have an awkward waist line cut as well....
It always makes for good commentary.  All I can say thank goodness for tans. 
I wont be posting any new outfit pics at this end.  No tan...

ZOOT suit

seems the tri store had extended their grand opening (of sorts) sale through this weekend... so the tri shorts and top i have been looking at since April some time were on sale today... and thankfully they still had my sizes....  i got a new pair of shorts with a blue accent and a matching top... at 30% off each item... i cant complain - now i feel like i need to swim bike run tomorrow....

working up the energy to go for a walk in this heat... i know crazy but that is part of the reason i want to go - just to sweat some...

Travel

Downside of travel is food.
Eating on the road is so startling.  Ihad a salad at Wendys on Tuesday and was shocked at the points for the salad.  So I got fries.  Hello - self defeating.
Thursday I had a salmon salad at Long Horn.  I need to stay away from salmon when eating out.  It is too doused with fat to really be healthy.  Snuck a muffin in their too.  And then Thai food for dinner.  Not over the top food but much different than the bland veggie chicken mix.
And then I had to snack on the drive home.

Shaking it out this week coming up.  Gotta drop these 4 pounds that have crept back on over the last 2 weeks. 

This WW thing is not doing as well as my other efforts.  But I will not get discouraged.

Tomorrow

I can only imagine what my drive to get out of here will be like this evening.  There is a part of me that thinks - take it slow stop at the mall instead of leaving right away...  let the highways and the drivers cool off some on this hot Friday before driving 4 hours myself...  It sounds good now... the problem being even when I wait it wont be long enough...  I have the pumpkin syndrome if I wait too long...
Have you ever wondered why everything else of Cinerella's went POOF at midnight except for the slipper that was left behind... Kind of a hole in that story if you ask me.  anyways...
I have a make up WW meeting in the morning...  That's a 730 weigh in which will not be fun given I havent really paid too much attention to my intake this week.  That lasts until 830.
Then I think I will head over to LSCG again.  I can get there a little after 9am and an hour walk/run would be OK.
Then I really need to hit the office.  I dread this.  Can you hear it in my voice?  I just want to drop off all that I have been lugging around the later part of this week and get some filing done.  Why not on a hot steamy Saturday.  I will NEED to remember to throw a change of clothes in the car for that.
Then I was thinking POOL the latter part of the day.  Sure some swimming but mostly just to lounge about out of the heat.  I havent been to SH's pool yet this year.  I have been to the SCCL outside pool yet.  Both viable options.
I ramble like this when I feel like I have tomake the most out of my time in the near future as the current time frame is all booked solid.  Speaking of which - time to load up the car and head on out to my various locations.

Greetings from HOTlanta

When I went for my run yesterday upon arrival... it only materialized into a walk.  The heat felt good but breathing was yucky.  So I walked the 1.5mile loop instead.
This morning was only 78F unlike yesterdays 100+F but at 640am that is silly hot. 
An odd day of uncertain meetings today.  Exercising my so called flexibility.  Not sure was I was called adaptable at an early age.  Not feeling it right now.  It will all come together I am certain of that.

Can you see this?

I met family at this great little hole in the wall Thai restaurant in Roswell this evening.  As I got off the highway to get there this is what I saw.  Do you even remember this?

what to do this week

it is a week of early alarms, early drive times, much face time...  for example tomorrow I need to be on the road by 5am; which means and alarm time of 4am; ideally means a bed time of 8pm.  it is possible but would mead very little in the way of a workout this evening....  my goal is to do the 30 minute cardio video from the other day and maybe a long walk - i was thinking the hills around the neighborhood may change things up some
tomorrow evening will mean exhaustion - so again - need to find something to do within reason...  thinking it will be some swimming - that always calms my nerves and me
wednesday night is another early night for a thursday AM drive - maybe not as early as tonight - have to figure out drive time - i suppose this evenings workout would be a good goal
thursday - after the client visit i am driving onwward... my arrival time will impact the workout - generally it is a run but there is a pool so i could kick about a bit
friday AM depending on the timing of the meetings will be another run - there wont be one in the evening as i will need to sit in traffic to get home
Saturday AM - I need to make up my WW meeting (why am I writing all this? - just trying to get my bearings).  from there I think I will go for a run back at the greenway - according to the maps there looks to be just as interesting a route if i had taken the path the other way
and then i need to go to the office to get some physical work done - filing and such - which will not get completed this week...  it would be nice to get an outdoor swim in as well...
first things first - work on monday morning

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

I found myself motivated to do something new this morning. I got my butt in the car and made my way up to Freedom Park. Mind you this is past my office so it is a drive.
But I am so glad I did it. They have done a great job with the greenway. It was a nice dose of nature with urban skyline.
I covered 4 miles and then sat on a bench under a tree overlooking the pond.
Pond? It may look familiar if you have seen Shallow Hall or episode one of this seasons Bachelorette.

Now some strength exercises and stretching while playing fetch with the little guy.

Wheatabix

I also needed some breakfast food so this week we are doing a combination of some old faves. One Wheatabix biscuit and a quarter cup of Go Lean Crunch with Silk. More carb than usual. Less fruit and protein but a tasty treat.
Seriously considering going up to Freedom Park for a long walk run today. May do some pool time with my mom. And then definitely need to address laundry and groceries.
It will be another early night as I have 3 really early meetings this week and a drive to Atlanta.
Considered staying over to go to the aquarium but opted to save some $$ as I did just book that USNWC Canopy Tour.

Better today

It is amazing what some good ok alone time can do for the spirit. I retread yesterday's post and thought wow better shake that off.
The gardening helped. I am on a get rid of the weeds mission in the front garden. I have seeds for other plants but they are not going in the grounds this year. So I raked up a bunch of old mulch and re-sprayed all the weeded areas. The oleander that looked like it wasn't going to make the winter is doing superb. I am not sure the sheets i use to protect it over the cold winter months will be large enough. The lantana is doing what it does every year - flourishing. And now I have these dahlias. They are crazy tall and keep falling over. Not too sure what the approach to them is supposed to be.
Upon potting the lantana I also managed to throw some black and green basil seed in a pot. We shall see what happens there.
And then I moved inside. It took a better part of the day to clean around the house - dishes, dog corner, paperwork. All sorts of stuff. Feel like it is not that case at the moment but... I know it was time well spent.
Lastly I exercised. Without a race in the future I feel a sense of freedom when it comes to the calorie burn. Weight Watchers was acknowledging the half way mark of the activity campaign so I thought I would do some of their exercises. Unfortunately the video piece wasnt working all that well so it ended up being their arm routine and fitness blenders cardio and an routine.
From there I stopped by to see a friend. Grabbed a roasted chicken at the grocery store.
Sat down and had some chicken legs and fake potatoes (I purée cauliflower, cannellini beans and garlic) and used my Waterford water decanter to hydrate.
I was in bed by 9. A storm rolled in at 10.
I was up by 6:30
I guess I needed the rest.

Potted

Hoping the lantana, dahlia, oleander, Easter lilies inspire that wee twig of a frangipani in the background.

Frangipani planting.

Stay tuned.

Morning coffee

I have really been out of sorts since I came home from Florida. The ordeal with the insurance company still bothers me. The lack of sleep is catching up to me. Work. Friends. Etc. I just want to avoid.
I went to NJ and that was fun. But really have an overall sense of done with it all at the moment. I suppose it could be boredom.
I sit here on my patio and take in the peacefulness of the morning. Well peaceful except for the mocking bird cawing at the stray cat that keeps hanging around.
Damn I am tired of those cats too.
The train whistle is in the distance. The dog is doing an extended tour of the back yard etc. My decaf black coffee tastes welcoming. The half priced mandevilla in the fish planter looks great. So glad I made that purchase. All the flowers in the back yard are doing wonderful - the petunias, the portulaca, the vinca. Even the lavender that I planted from seed is started to pop up.
It makes me smile. But I am just hating this rut of a feeling.
The little guy and I are going to move to the front yard now. This coffee is almost done and I have a case of weeds that need to be addressed. Then I think there will be a run and a swim. Yes, at this hour there should also be a bike. But that's not hitting me today. Oh well.

Sleep

I slept fine while I was on the road. My guest room at my friends house was very comfy. That is not turning out to be the case at home. I keep waking up in the middle of the night for a considerable amount of time. I have decided the AC needs to come down a little more. Only dropped it 1F overnight last night. It has kicked in this morning already so maybe it is the air. The air quality has been catching up to me as well.

This evenings workout is gardening and house work. Oh fun! But needs to be done and it does burn some calories.

Dinner

Continuing my efforts to eat healthy whole foods.  This evening black beans, red pepper, vidalia over spinach and a sie of toasted sprouted rye.
And a beverage.

A run and a walk and a walk

Yes, it was that busy of a day.  We went to the beach and ran for a bit.  Probably close to a mile.  Then walked some.  Had breakfast at this cute counter place in the town next to here.  Then did an obligatory drive.  Stopped at Asbury Park and took a walk.  I have not walked along the Asbury boardwalk in decades.  I was very young the last time I peered out at the ocean from that vantage point.  It was nice to see how they have renovated the area.
From there we drove some more.  All the way down the Spring Lake and they headed home.

Great day!

After all the day time activity we went into town for dinner.  We went to a new restaurant for dinner.  It was tasty.  It reminded me of Fishy Fish in Kinsale.  I had steamed little necks and steamed lobster.  It wasnt an abudance of food.  It was just right.  The wine was tasty and the conversation was fun.  The end of dinner distraction was Jon Stewart and his posse coming in for dinner.
We then walked around.  I grabbed zome frozen yogurt for dessert.  And we went back to the beach to check out the scene.  It was entertaining to some degree. 
Now we are back at home unwinding for tomorrow.  Flight home in the afternoon.  A weekend well spent.

Run along the beach

That is todays objective.  Although not 100% sure that it is going to happen.  We went up there yesterday.  The loop in the boardwalk is 4 miles.  It would make for a perfect clear your head workout.  Not that my head needs clearing this morning - still have peppy Keane songs and some ballads running through my head.   But it would be nice to get on out there.
The other option is yoga and I am just not that into trying that on such a beautiful day. 

As far as the rest of the day is concerned.  Not too sure what we will do.  I'd like to head south a bit and have some steamers and lobster.  Not sure if that will work with my non meat eating friend. 

Concert dancing

What type of training does that count as?
What a great show.  What a great reason to come to NYC.  Flew to EWR thia morning. Spent the afternoon at the Pavillion in Long Branch and a walk around Red Bank.  Train into the city after dinner.  Crazy cab ride to The Beacon Theater.
And then a really great Keane performance.
Two years ago when they came through the city and I was on my way to Bermuda.. I promised myself next time I will make the effort.  So I was up in the air NYC with an old friend or MKE by myself or with client.  Ultimately a great reason to visit.
Tom's voice was amazing.  What great range.  A good stage presence.  Tim just makes me smile his quiet Clark Kent looks and humble song writing ability.  And the crazy little way he dances while sitting at the keyboard.  Brilliant!
We jetted early to catch a cab back to the station.   A little stressful as cab driver took us right down 7th and through Times Square.  Thankfully we made the 1118 train.  An hour later I am not sure we would have handled it.
SJK is asleep next to me.  We only just left the airport station.  A ways to go yet.

Clothes

What has started to become apparent with these efforts is that my wardrobe is falling short.
I was excited before our holiday that some of the clothes I was packing were fitting far better than they had in years.  Even with the scale reading something slightly different than before the spacial displacement had clothes fitting better.
So today I am putting on a pair of khaki pants that I bought just last Spring along with the cute trendy tank and cardigan that go with it.  The pants are crazy big.  In fact they seem even bigger than when I wore them just two weeks ago.  I guess I am going to have to hunt down that tailor near where I used to live and get some alterations.  I hadnt really budgetted for that.

As far as workouts go...  I did not get on the bike this weekend.  I was too distracted in trying to get other things done than to be up and on the road before traffic or to haul somewhere else to ride.  I did not swim this weekend.  The SCCL pool is being worked on this week - I suspect with the outdoor pool being open they can do some major work on the indoor pool. 

So my time between now and getting on an airplane on Friday will be spent jogging and stretching and maybe work those push ups and sit ups into the mix.

Yesterday I did run.  I went to the other greenway and parked by the Trader Joes.  I never go to that section to park.  Not many spaces as far as parking goes.  But I got the very last spot.  I ran/walked/jogged just short of 4 miles.  It was nice to get out.  Not too hot for June.  I treated myself to some mango from TJ afterwards.  I also bought this sprouted rye bread.  It tastes just like rye but a little more hearty - like those breads in Ireland.  And due to the sprouting aspect - wahtever that means - it had far less carbs than other breads.  Woo Hoo. 

FYI - the millet isnt too bad.  Reminds me somewhat of grits.

Today in the test kitchen

We are trying millet. Out of quinoa and oats so picked this up to give it a try. Gonna serve with berries and milk as a breakfast cereal.

The past two visits with my friends they have served eggplant. Yes, that is me gagging a little bit. Amazingly I have liked it both times. I am going to have to try it in my own home. I have to remember to get that part back on the grill. Next week when I get home.

Goodbye Athena

Sure I have been battling for this goal for quite some time. So much so I won't really feel it has been achieved until it stays away for a while.
With the weekend right around the corner that may either work for or against me. Sadly realised I have not been on my bike since before Orlando so that needs to be my focus this weekend. With the sun rising earlier it should be easy to achieve. I just need to make sure to get butt out of bed in the morning.

From there - the next goal... Dad's dying of cancer weight. I know morbid goal name. But it was the lowest I have weighed in years. I always felt it was a result of being distracted over those 6 months of illness and after math. The weight crept back up over the 6 years after that. Some times more notably than other. Some reasons more recognizable than others.
I suspect it will be a Summmer goal. And then the home push before the holidays.

ABC Monday Night Tele

I need to hold my tongue on this.  Girl from CLT going to BDA. 
Yes, I just need to keep my observations to myself.

Back in a routine

WW is doing a 6 week fitness challenge and since my employer is paying for us to participate in the WW program we have an opportunity to win some cool things through this challenge.
The discount on Speedo will get me a new bathing suit - YAY!
But it is the Garmin watch that I really want.  Yes, it is one that we have already confirmed is not water proof.  But I am OK with that, it has a GPS in it.
I am not sure exactly what the challenge or should I say the drawing entails.  I would like to think the more activity points you acquire the greater your odds.  But who knows.  That is the mindset I am going for.
The minimum they suggest is 2 points per day.  In doing their math it doesnt look like much activity.
My personal goal is a minimum 4 points per day but have been averaging 6.  4 points is a 30 minute run - so...

There are two tris that coincide exactly with the end of the challenge.  I was hoping to find some coutnerparts through work to join me on one but so far there have been NO replies to that email.

I willjust have to keep plugging along.
Last night did a neighborhood run - a few more hills and a head wind for that path.
And then some swimming - didnt swim that long - wasnt initially on the agenda so...
Funniest thing I have done this week and have felt as a result - hold on to your hats - don't laugh too hard - jumping jacks... yes, jumping jacks... I needed something to elevate my heart rate a bit after a long walk on Sunday so I threw some jumping jacks in the midst of the other stretches etc.  Yes, definitely feel that in the upward motion today.  Dont really find myself throwing my arms up above my head like that in the pool.... 

car is fixed

just waiting for the insurance check so i can pay for it when i pick it up...
looking forward to putting the extra daily steps of taking care of this behind me

of course i keep thinking of that kid on his motorcycle with no helmet
thankfully he was OK
cant help but be mad every time i think - really no helmet?
we all know how bad motorbike accidents can be - come on, at least wear a helmet

Blogging

I did much better from the road than from home when it comes to posts. Plus there was more fun stuff to talk about in Orlando.
The week has consisted of work, tending to the car and cleaning the house. Work will always be there. It was just a matter of getting back into the swing of things. Tending to the car is more of a logistical nightmare. The estimate has been submitted. The car is still at the shop. Insurance company has not found the estimate yet in their system to make a decision. Body shop says car is not drivable. Insurance company reminds me I did drive it all the way back from Orlando. So I have a loaner that needs to go back to the dealer tomorrow. I won't have a decision on the car as it is a holiday. Like i said. Logistical nightmare.
As for the cleaning. Yes, I know I have a cleaning lady that comes every other week. It is to give me more time for training. But I was kind of grossed out upon returning home. So decided I needed to do my own version of scrubbing. It is more the corners and the base boards and under the cushions and things like that. And you could vacuum up after the little guy daily. It was a busy few days of it. Finalizing laundry today.
Maybe I will be inspired by other things this week that will be more interesting

what a week

first the fridge
then the accident
now i have some allergic skin reaction rash thing going on....

i havent ran since sunday because the heat just makes my skin itch more
i have been spending all my free time washing sheets and clothes and stuff in different detergent and buying different soap... good stuff....

i hope this all passes soon

Ran a Mile!

Does that confuse you?  Well it was far more exciting for me when I was out there on the greenway realising that the foot pod/garmin were about to clock a mile and I was still running...  OK maybe we should call it jogging but...  This was the first time that I was actually at a run pace for a full mile... no walks in the mile... a full mile...  very exciting for me.
Of course when I got home and looked at the Garmin stats it wasnt as exciting for me.  The pace went up and stayed up.  The heart rate went up and stayed up.  None of that up and down like a rollercoaster from my usual routine.  But hey it is a great accomplishment I have been working towards for quite some time now.

In other news - the drive home was miserably LONG!!! I was so exhausted by the time I got home.  I took a long hot bath, crawled into bed and slept for 8 or 9 hours.

Yesterday was the pig pickin....  it was nice to see everyone... and the food was good... yesterdays workout consisted of unpacking, shopping, gardening(well weeding)...

Now off to two baby events....  a long story on how there are two on the same day...