So sad we had to say good bye

As with my dad the rush of memories are just exhausting and wonderful.  I just wish we had more time.  Will miss you always. 

Little guy

Ben Howard - Highland Drifting

No run

We interrupt the previously scheduled morning run qith a dog emergency.

For those that know me I make a conscious effort to note my food when I am truly focused.  Which I have been.  And I noted too much wine the other night and the subsequent sandwich and chips the next day.  And I noted the healthy food as well.

The culprit I always try to stay on top of.... fresh beets! 
You know the color goes through the system pretty much unaltered.  Had a doctors visit on the subject alone.  Inagine my embarrassment.

So this morning getting the dog is his cart and I notice a ting of red in his urine.  I take him outside to go potty and eat.  Sure enough crazy red urine.

Text my friend the pharmacist.
Call the vet.
Text a friend just to calm down. Their dog always has blood in urine problems.

And then I come back inside.  There is a dish on the floor by his corner.  I curse that it didnt make it in the dishwasher last night. Mutter mutter mutter as I bend down tom pick it up.

BEETS!  I had beets this week.  Bacchus had the bottom of the plate goodness from them last night.

Called the vet back. Cancelled the appointment.  And made a note to not only remember what I eat but to also remember what scraps I give the dog.

Now to swim.

Phew

Friend swim today

My friend's neighborhood pool opens early for lane swimming. So we are going to try to do that this morning. 
We were to meet at 7.  It's been postponed to 8. I am thinking she had Friday night plans.
So I guess I'll get up now amd do a quick run.
Haven't worked out since Tuesday.
Blek

love the angst anger sadness

swam some
ran some
this week...
and then got sidetracked...  thunderstorms and all
try again this weekend...
signed up for a 10k training course- not sure what that will be
not doing the related race as I will be in Halifax

http://youtu.be/dc-zMUlznAA

Swim bike fish produce

Ok maybe not exactly what one would expect.
Finally got myself going this morning.  Waking up in my own bed with a window open and the overall peacefulness of a May morning made it hard to motivate too quickly.
Got up did laundry made coffee and finally hit the road.
I am a bit unnerved for next Sundays.  I am so not ready for the race.  When you spend so many weeks on the road training is impossible.  People have inferred I should plan better that is achievable.  Folks thats not really true.  There arent enough hours in some days.
So here I am a week out.
I swam the wee little 200 yards for th sprint racing in the outside pool. At 2 minutes per 100 yards my pace was rushed. Colder water. Nerves. Will do it again tomorrow and Monday and Tuesday and Thursday and Friday.
I rode for 40 minutes. I would say I pushed that too.  There were no hills on those rides in Orlando. Never realised the huge difference.
No run yet for today.
Got gas on the way home AND went to the new fish market... scallops, flounder,  salmon..
Then stopped at produce market.

The afternoon consisted of prepping the fish.  More laundry. Scrubbing the patio.  Killing som weeds. Pruning the oleander.

Next up a shower.  Trying my darnedest to lay low this weekend. 

Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) tweeted at 6:30 PM on Fri, May 23, 2014: Hey coach – think I earned my Blue Bunny pit stop today. http://t.co/GB5bxAej5M #BlueBunnyWinBig for $20,000 vacation http://t.co/Pwq7RfRW7o (https://twitter.com/JimmieJohnson/status/469968526216687616) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

And the rest of the week

We bought 4 days worth of tickets to try to take it slow around the park.  Days one and two seemed to work out OK for that.  Days 3 and 4 really rushed by.

We spent the whole day at EPCOT on day 3.  It was supposed to be a late start day with the intent of staying until the light show.  Late start didnt really register.  I think we were there by 10.  And we did stay through until to end.  Probably should have gone a little later on that day.

Day 4 was Magic Kingdom with the end of the day at EPcOT.  We did OK with that except WOW was I grumpy grouchy and tired yesterday morning.
We used the FastPass+ pretty effectively yesterday.  No wait for Pirates, Big Thunder Mountain or Splash Down Mountain.
Waited forever for Peter Pan ride.  Still not sure why that thing is so popular. 

From there we rode the monorail over to EPCOT. That is always a must.  Its like a lot more memories travel with me to this place than the new ones that are made.  If that makes any sense.
We waited in line for Test Track.  Actually it was easier than trying to coordinate with a FP+.  It is a fun ride.  For all the rides, I remember the exhibits as a child seemed more interesting and less silly video game oriented. Hmmm... 
From there we walked over to the United Kingdom for lunch.  Ate way too much!  Guess we didnt really need those crisps or mushy peas with the bangers and mash... 

The evening was just a crash...  back to the room a little after 5.  We took naps, baths, watched a movie and went to bed.

Today is a slow day.  Trying to motivate to get on my bike.  Then I guess there will be some pool time.  And then some shopping,  dinner and packing.

Tomorrow's ride home is always a chore.  Especially trying to balance our exit time in light of Orlando commuter traffic.

Was a good park day

Breakfast at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Bike ride over lunch.
Afternoon into evening at Holywood Studios.
Saw the Beauty and the Beast show.  Had not seen that before.
Did the Backstage Tour. Hadnt donw that in ages.
Did a Walt Disney exhibit.  With a Julie Andrews narration gosh it made me sentimental for the man and his dreams.
Saw Fantasmic.  That was an interesting night show.
My mom watched some Star Wars fireworks as I screamed my head off on Tower of Terror.  Have never ridden that before.  Um, wow.  I tell myself 4 seconds to get to the bottom.  That is generally true.   But when you drop like that 3 times...  I was out of breath.  Feel a little hoarse.  Stomach/diaphragm feel a little out of sorts. Legs wobbly. And I wont dare share the other aspect of it.  I would ride again.

Hope she is feeling better tomorrow.  She did OK today.

Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom fireworks.

At Walt Disney World

Feeling a bit stressed. My mom fell yesterday... last time I had that car accident... what is it with this place...
To see her bounce off the sidewalk sitting there all the people came rushing over in the heat of the late day sun...
Not sure if her wrist is broken.  It is pretty bruised.  She doesnt want to have it looked at yet.  Ugh..
The biggest thing I have learned is I am not ready for this.  To be the caretaker.  To be older.  I dont think she is either.  Dinner was to be a nice late Mothers Day event and it just didnt go that way.
In light of recent events - and I suspect you know what they are - the fall just threw me for a bit.

Rode my bike around our resort yesterday.  That was nice.  Might try that again today or tomorrow.  We are going to breakfast at Animal Kingdom Lodge this morning.  Then going to check out this Star Wars Weekend thing. 

I guess this is a lesson in one day at a time.  Slow down. Pay attention.  Take care of yourself.  Take my vitamins.

Yes the head is still swimming even after a good nights sleep.

sinuses are hell!

it starts with the dry air of the plane ride...  it always leaves me felling just a bit dehydrated...
then you add to that the dry forced air of the hotel room...  I always tinker with the thermostat to try to get the right mix of air...
but then drop me down in the middle of the desert - UGH!!!
and when we weren't outside in the dry air we were in the casinos with the forced air and oxygen and who knows what else floating around... add to that staying out WAY TO LATE - silly piped in oxygen
and you wake up Sunday with a sore throat.. nothing I can't handle.  I have all my travel gear with me EXCEPT my cough drops...  but I seemed to do OK
by Sunday night - maybe not so much - self medicated with a ginger beer Jameson concoction followed up with a jalapeno infused beer...  they did a nice job of numbing the discomfort
Monday was ~ok~ Flight back - unpack repack do it all again...
Somewhere in there this week I just didn't kick it.
More hotel air and LOTS of pollen throughout Virginia.. 
I was close to beating myself up for stupid late night partying after the wedding until my friend confirmed her son is really sick with allergies as well.. he is my litmus test of sorts...
So I sadly stayed in for the better part of today.  It is beautiful outside.  I so wanted to swim, bike, run....  but I have been hacking up stuff and sneezing and just general malaise..
SO I downloaded pics from Vegas... perhaps friends of friends can see them, I am not completely sure
gonna have some soup and orange juice now and call it a day in..
the bike is still on the trainer so if I get so inclined I can do that.. as I hack up another lung
if only I had an ocean to dunk my head in

Vegas was fun

Very interesting.

VEGAS tomorrow...

going for a wedding... so much better than the world of concrete or whatever that was...
and a little less strenuous than the tri I was thinking of competing in as an excuse to visit...
and I only have one bag to check not a bike to check - still not sure how all that goes..

so I packed my little journal to write write write...  I had forgotten how fun the written word and thoughts were versus the typing...
and I don't have a book to read - rob lowe was gonna come along but never got over to the bookstore..
too close to the earthy crunchy store the dude works at..
I have a few magazines from a friend.. that will keep me somewhat entertained...

and I will comment upon my return as to my overall thoughts.. and try to remember how to share pictures...  like did you ever see the Ireland Ireland or London pictures... 

there really are days when i cant do it all

yesterday included face to face meetings, desk time back at the office, prep for today's face to face meetings, realization that prep for Thursdays meetings wont happen until today, house cleaning, dog walking, packing unpacking....  I cant wait for Disney...

Walk Run Stretch

I don't feel sore form yesterday but I suspect that could be up for debate tomorrow.

Today after spending most of the day tinkering around the house.. Laundry dishes cooking groceries etc..  I relaxed over a LATE brunch.  And eventually took it outside for a 2.6 mile walk run.  And a T25 Sunday Stretch.  

All in all a good day.  

The little guy did amazing today with his wheel harness.  I think he is tired and sore too.

5 days to Vegas.

Booked my Red Rocks and Hoover Dam tours this evening.  

Bike run swim

So timing and some misinformation had me riding the bike on the trainer ths morning.

46 minutes. 200+ calories.  Distance unknown.  Wouk guess 8 to 9.

Ran for 2.5,  I was trying to get 5000 steps in.  Took about 35 minutes.  

Then. Swam.  Just 500 yards.  My body was screaming at me...  YOU HAVENT DONE THIS IN AGES!!!

Now a soak in the tub.

Then off to a haircut.

And then I might venture out by myself for a late lunch.

The perks of giving up on the flighty boy...  I am not waiting around for him to confirm if he ants to run with me.  I am not waiting around to find out about lunch.  I am not rearranging anything to accommodate him.  Sadly I arrived at the same conclusion almost 4 years ago.  I was more hopeful this time.  Kept my patience longer.  But gave up nine the less.

Tomorrow is pack for Vegas day and whole lot more.

Swimming

NO CONTACTS! No crazy dry eye.

Only did 600 yards but that is 600xs more than I did a week a month a quarter ago.

Winter has been unkind.

Normally by this time of year I have been outside on my bike numerous times.  

Running in a tshirt and possibly shorts is a no brained.

Figuring out I don't need to bundle up after swimming happened weeks ago.

Not so much this winter.  

And then I add to it work stress..  Which I have realised is mostly me taking other people's gripes to heart instead of ignoring them and just ploughing through the work.  I am starting to block that out.  Sadly in avoiding the people griping it has gotten rather lonely.  I sit at my desk, do my work, listen to the radio, talk to a client or two.  Have rare interaction with anyone else and come home.  

Boy stress... That Is my own undoing.  My OCD self is rather challenged by the laid back boy.  It is probably the main reason for the attraction but wow...  I have things on my calendar through June and he is uncertain as to his week.  Which normally puts me in a tail spin when his plans and mine don't line up.  And they haven't been lining up for weeks.  But for some reason we both stay at it.

The eye surgery hasn't really out me off.  I did struggle with the 3 weeks of exercise ahead of time.  Swim, bike, run without contacts is miserable.  OK swim isn't too bad but the motivation wasn't there. Bike was impossible which lead to glasses in the sun. It happening.  I KNoW I should have used the indoor trainer but that just didn't get into a groove this winter.

And the run.  That went ok here and there but overall not consistent.

And let's not even talk about trying to do burpees with glasses with T25.  Awkward.

So all this is turning around.

And today I started back at square one.  Yes, I took an AM walk in the rain.  I revisited what will get me out of the bed and out of the house...  Walking always seems the least intimidating.  So if that's where I have to begin to get moving more consistently than that is what I need to do.

This evening I will set that trainer up.  And I will ride it as I catch up,on The Following.  

And tomorrow there will be pool time.  10 days have passed so I am clear to swim tomorrow. 

I just have to take it one day at a time.  And when it comes to those that sabotage my objective it might even be one hour at a time.

Rainy chilled morning walk

I feel like I am starting back at square one

Day ONE

Bacchus got a wheelchair

Now there are two of us in the house that are training.  He considers it a combo between biking and running.  

Fingers crossed it continues to work and improve.

I get to go back in the water on Tuesday.  yAY!  You know that's when the silly boy will want to make plans.  

Race June 1st - I need to stick to my plans.

Vegas in two weeks.

Week 1 to Vegas

I am so off my routine.
So much so that I think it is time to create a whole new one.
Not sure what that will look like.

Ran once this week for 2 miles.
Thats nothing compared to old workouts.
Drinks tonight with friends.
Dinner tomorrow night with another friend.
Gave up on silly boy at least for now just like I gave up on him a few years back. But hey that means a reduced intake of craft beer.
So this weekend looks nice. I should get s good workout and training in.
Need to order a dress for the wedding.  Back up plan for the orange dress. 

3 weeks to vegas

and my dress is so not near fitting..
damn this long cold winter and lack of motivation
err... silly boy that keeps me second guessing my workout agenda for beers
this week the weather is to be turning around and even though it will kill my allergies
I am so looking forward to it

running back is packed
no swimming for 2 weeks

Lasik

We will see how this goes
No workouts until Monday
No swimming for 2 weeks

Vegas in 3 weeks

4 miles

Completed again today. Of course I forgot my watch so I am uncertain as to the pace. But I hope it was reasonable. I have 2 weeks until the race. I don't feel like I am any closer to my goal than the beginning of the year.
I hope the weather for the next 2 weeks cooperates so I can hit that goal.
I probably need to watch my diet as well. There has been a lot of wine and cheese on the menu this week. I need to not let that continue into the next two weeks. I know if I get an invite to go out for beers... Or if one of my invites is confirmed... Then that blows that put of the window. But for now I need to clean up that diet.

This weeks menu is going to include some pineapple coconut smoothies... I have that coconut milk I need to use up.
Lunch will be spinach salad with avocado and mandarins oranges... Might throw some salmon in there.
Dinner is to be chicken and something.
Wednesday needs to be a fast. Haven't done that in a while. Might throw another daily fast in the mix as well for lent.
Snacks... They are always a challenge. Apples and celery maybe.

Well I will figure it out more when I go grocery shopping in the morning.

make me chuckle

things that sound good... and even better with an accent...
Why don't we grab a drink sometime?
I was just chill.  Playing my guitar.
Oh I love to dance.  I dance a little every day.
I need to detox.  Think I'll do some yoga.
We should go for a run.  The cardio would do me good.

Sadly, I am not one to go running with others.  I like the alone aspect of it.  I like to listen to my music or purge the many thoughts running through my head...  BUT I guess I need to up my game and go for a run.

keep on running

so the shamrock run is in 3 weeks...  I am habitually going to the race site and running the course... OK - I am running the sidewalk, the course will be the closed road.. I mention this because the grade and surface will be different... but I am making progress...

the last 4 runs I did I saw marked improvement on my first mile and my overall rate.. today, not so much but I am OK with that..  have been feeling a bit under the weather..

swimming can do that - forget how the chlorine etc can wreak havoc on the system
going to be another beautiful day tomorrow - gonna go for another run

most of look like this when doing triathlons... tired, wet, transitioning and thinking about the bike..

and most of us do not have the luxury of professional photos in our triathlon efforts... but hey maybe I will look into that... could you imagine a big ol' pic up on the wall in my office/indoor training room...

new inspiration?

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/12/features/im-a-triathlete-jimmie-johnson_67234

although he does remind me of someone... always has... makes me laugh that he has now decided to do triathlons...

his foundation is sponsoring a race down the street from my house later in august... seriously considering registering...

I have registered for a 4 miles race in March and a mini tri in June..
it feels good to be back on task...

it clears the head..
reminds me of my own strength and focus
keeps me moving forward
grounds me
oh and helps put silly boys (ok just one) out of my head for at least a few hours every day while I train

now that the snow is melting I will be getting back in the water... that bag has been packed since last Tuesday... 3 days of snow kind of interfered with that..

more snow!

and I had my swim bag all packed to start up again this week... been snowbound for 3 days now and it might continue for a few more...

on another note...
http://youtu.be/Sy1LxA-2Kqg

makes me think of the passage of time

Snow!,,

I can't wait for winter to break... I miss my workouts and the sunshine.
Gotte get ready for the Shamrock 4 Miler, New Orleans, Vegas, Disney and Ramblin rose Triathlon.