Saturday, August 09, 2008

Shifting Gears

Whew. Lots going on this week. I'd better run down in listy-like fashion:




  • ate more ice cream than any human being should be allowed

  • had two great swims, one nice ride, and a two hour hike with the Bug and Matt to celebrate our 4th anniversary on August 7 :)

  • decided for my other "30 minute ride" to "spin out my legs" on Tuesday that it was TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE to ride 13 minutes to the nearest Dairy Queen with Bug in tow and Matt on another bike, eat a Thin Mint Blizzard, and then ride 13 minutes home.

  • I SAID IT'S TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE SO BACK OFF

  • Speaking of which, I'm still trying to figure out...how long is the window to eat ice cream without abandon after a 70.3? One day? Two?

  • Probably not six.

  • Tried out some new recipes this week and actually had time to read a magazine

  • realizing that chasing Bug around ONE ROOM is quite tiresome
  • I'm pretty sure my 100 IM is the most HILARIOUS thing around. I might sell popcorn and charge admission next time Coach Emily prescribes it. It ain't pretty

I've also made some peace with the duathlon thing. I was really upset about it for a good 24 hours or so. I think it's just because I feel like I worked so hard all summer and I really was ready to blow this race up. But I have to remember that I did blow it up, just not in my element. Shaving almost 40 minutes off the bike and 23 minutes off the run is nothing to sneeze at, so I'm feeling pretty good. I'm kind of feeling like nothing can stop me right now.

Which is probably not good.

See, I've got this little thing called a marathon coming up. And I haven't been in the marathon mindset for a long time...like, since the Flying Pig back in '05. So I really need to shift a bit and get it in gear. Coach Emily has already informed me of what my training weeks will look like, so I'm ready to give it a go.

Sub-4 ain't gonna be automatic, kids. I need to focus. And put down the ice cream.

I've already had one good solid freak out about going back to work...not because I don't want to, because I love what I do. But I have some real issues with leaving the Bug, because, in my head, HE CANNOT SURVIVE TEN MINUTES WITHOUT ME. It's the same reason why I don't have a good swim when he's AT the pool with my Mom or Matt. Because, the whole time, I'm thinking, "Is he okay? Does he need me? Maybe I should get out."

Seriously. The WHOLE time.

I guess this is sort of just what happens when you have a little Bug, no? You just have to learn how to squelch the irrational thoughts, and realize that YES HE CAN SURVIVE FIVE SECONDS WITHOUT YOU. And a few hours. And eventually college, even.

Yikes.

So, I am going to try and shift mindset a bit. Hopefully the transition will not be as hard on me as it was in January. I am not going to get into details, but I will just say this: I didn't deal well with it. And it took a good 2-3 months of getting used to.

So in the meantime, I'm going to get up earlier, and either do schoolwork or get a workout in...but still have time for the Zoo and the Nature Center and the pool in the afternoon, followed by a walk with Mugsy Pug and maybe a sunset at the beach. And I'll do one more triathlon, because who ends their triathlon season with a du? Seriously.

Because you know what? I might only have two weeks left of summer, but they will be my two weeks.

13 comments:

Jennifer P said...

The second worst thing to thinking that they can't survive 10 seconds without you is coming home and hearing that they didn't miss you at all. It's bittersweet.

I've been back to work for 6 months and I'm still a basketcase.

PS You're a rockstar when it comes to training and racing and you'll have a fabulous sub 4.

JenC said...

Hopefully we'll get to swim at Lorain. We didn't swim at GCT today. Of course, I'm not complaining. Rob did say it was way worse than Steelhead conditions.

I don't have a bug, but I can imagine that is way hard. Good luck with that buddy!

Amy said...

It is hard for me to go back this year too. My LO is 3 now... next year she will start pre-school. It seemed like yesterday she was born. I really enjoy my job and I don't know if I could give it up either. I might change my mind when we have our second child. Good Luck resetting for the marathon. I am sure you will rock it!

TriShannon said...

Um... excuse me... why was I not invited on the training ride to DQ? Oh yeah, because I live too far away. :( Next time I'm in Cleveland, or if you get out here we are so doing that training. Just like old times! :)

triguyjt said...

enjoy the two weeks left before school and then all the experiences you'll have where your making a difference in kids lives...those things are big time...
great to see you again on saturday and meet the little man.... what a blessing!!!

it might have been subliminal but saturday night and sunday night...me and the fam slammed down two good sized tubs of mint chocolate chip....yummmmeee yummmeeeeee.

I'm blaming you!!

Pharmie said...

Oh. I didn't know the ice cream was an issue. I've taken that liberty on a several times weekly basis. No races need be involved. Woops.

tracie said...

it was so awesome to meet your little man on saturday! what a cutie!!!

enjoy the last few weeks before school starts (and missing the little guy) :(

Michele said...

mmmm, ice cream. one of my major weaknesses.

training ride to DQ sounds totally acceptable to me. I just might do that this weekend, and blame you for the idea ;)

90% sure I am in for new Orleans, got figure out where to stay and how much that is going to cost. then get final ok. think might sign up by end of week.

Manitoba Guy said...

Eating DQ is ALLOWED and STRONGLY encouraged.

Especially if you are eating DQ in Brandon, MB!!!!

note: author of this comment is slightly biased based on the fact he and his wife own the DQ in Brandon, MB!

We also do not have the Thin Mint Blizzard in Canada, but instead we have Brownie Batter. YES, it's worth the trip to Canada JUST for the Blizzard!!!

ShesAlwaysWrite said...

Yup. TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE.

(Doesn't it made you nuts when you go shopping or something and get all worried and rush home because omg it's been like 45 minutes and they *must* need you.... only to find they didn't even notice you were gone?!)

tryathlete said...

Triceratops was an ice-cream eater, I believe.

Hope the training for the sub-4 marathon goes well.

Just scrolled down a couple of posts and Little Jay-Z is looking good.

Rae said...

HA! There have been SO many posts you've had lately that I wanted to say something to you about!!!! Every time you post a picture of J I just ooh and aaaah and can't wait to do the same!!

And I will TOTALLY be emailing you about maternity running clothes and running strollers!!! I am starting to be OBSCENE in my current running gear!

Sweet said...

I think USAT rules specify that the ice cream eating window is about 6 months.