Sunday, March 28, 2010

Teensy Little Run

So I snuck in a teensy weensy little run today.

Don't worry. It was ridiculously slow. And on a treadmill. And a total of six minutes. I mostly wanted to be sure I remembered how.

But it was a GLORIOUS six minutes. Six minutes that made me feel like myself again. Despite the chub I've still got. Running slow is still running, and still awesome.

The really, REALLY weird thing was the absolute VOODOO that my iPod cast upon me. Because I kid you not--during those two little 3-minute segments that I ran (surrounded by walking), do you know what songs came on? And I have, like, 8,000 songs in this thing.

Runnin' Down a Dream (Tom Petty) and Boston (Augustana).

For realz.

I can't make this stuff up, folks.

In other news, I got a whole SIX! HOURS! of uninterrupted sleep last night, because Bean took a bottle for Matt (although it took some arguing and a bit of time) and I feel like a person again. Yay!

Baby steps...baby steps.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

We talkin' 'bout PRACTICE.

Not a game.

PRACTICE.

Yes, over here at the TST household, we've been practicing binkies and bottles. And it's driving the OCD, Mama-Bear instinct in me crazy at 2am when Matt tries to give her a bottle and she cries for more than 30 seconds. But I can fix that! Lemme at 'er!

NO. She needs to practice.

The binkies seem to help as she's making the transition. She's not fighting it as much anymore.

The trouble is, with all the stuff I dislike about nursing, there is one thing that's awesome (besides all the medical benefits of it and yada yada yada)...

...she needs me. Only me.

And she's all me. Every bit of her exists because of me.

Now, I know it's silly to think like this. Using a bottle from time to time doesn't mean she'll need me any less, you know? And she needs her daddy, too. I don't need a bottle now but I still need my Mom. I can't imagine her not being there to help me. So here I am, 32 years old, and I need her.

No bottle required.

But it's crazy once you become a mother. There's this nutty instinctual thing that just goes on and you know parts of it are irrational, yet you feel it nonetheless. And one of those things is that when I stop nursing, she won't need me anymore.

Silly, I know.

What she needs me to do is to be there for her and calm her down and hug her and support her. And that can be done long after the bottles are done.

What she needs me to do is set a good example of how to be a strong and intelligent woman.

So I'm trying to remember that. And we're practicing over here. She's practicing a bottle....and I'm practicing letting go enough to let her grow. And remembering that she can't do that without me, no matter what.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

On Slowing Down to go Faster

I've never been very good at slowing down. When I had Bug, I remember those first few weeks of craziness and hormones and sleep-deprivation and going from full speed ahead at work to STOP. SIT ON COUCH. NAP IF YOU CAN. It was kind of rough for me.

This time around, I'm trying to enjoy this more. It's still been hard, as I'm definitely anxious to get moving again. Moving at home. Moving at work. Moving in workouts. But this time, I'm definitely cutting myself some slack. Four weeks ago, my body did something freaking amazing. I know that I need to be patient with it, and work on its schedule--not mine. I'm trying to enjoy these crazy night hours as much as I can, despite them making me lose my marbles from time to time. Because I know as never-ending as this stage seems, I will blink and she'll be the size of Bug. And I'll barely be able to catch her.

I'm getting better at understanding that sometimes you have to slow down, or in your quest to do everything you'll miss everything.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Two more weeks...

Thanks for all the support and suggestions on the last post! It seems we are starting to make progress with our little battle here. Man, this girl's a fighter. :) I know it's a good quality to have, so I'm trying not to break it. Just get her to be a fighter who accepts plastic once in a while.

I am getting so so so excited about racing this season. More on that later--I have a post brewing in my head (if I ever get the time to have two hands to actually write it). My team is such a great group of people and I'm very lucky to be a part of something so freaking cool. So I hope you join us! Get those video cameras rolling!

My baby girl is a month old today. I can hardly believe it. She's brought so much joy to all three of us, and despite it being quite chaotic and me being really sleep-deprived, life is just perfect.

Two weeks from tomorrow I have my 6 week appointment. Which means, barring unforeseen circumstances or problems, that I should have the OK to start working out again. I've been walking lots and doing light stretching, and let me tell ya I am ANTSY to start running again. I think I will celebrate by calling my local running shop and setting aside some new kicks to run in. Because everyone knows new shoes make you go faster, right?

Right?

Come on, work with me here, people.

In other news, since I can't race the Cleveland Half Marathon, I have two awesome friends coming in to run it--Jacks and soon-to-be Mr. Jacks! Yahoooooo! And, my tribro TriEric and I have some big plans on how to be good entertainment on the race course. Let's just say it pays homage to the great Steve In A Speedo, my other tribro. Steve, you will be proud.

Friday, March 19, 2010

"That's my daughter in the water..."

"...I lost every time I fought her...I lost every time." --Daughter, by Loudon Wainwright

So I love that song. One of the first things I listened to in the hospital after Emery arrived.

But it is abundantly clear to me that this is definitely MY daughter. Because don't be fooled by her snuggles and coos, and her sweet little baby smell. This girl is determined.

Determined to NEVER EVER DRINK FROM A BOTTLE IN HER LIFE THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

We're fighting a little battle here and trying everything: different bottles, different rooms, different people. Singing, talking, NCAA basketball. Walking, bouncing, sitting. Crying. (me and her) Ugh.

Everyone say it with me, "Three cheers for PLASTIC!" Come on, baby girl....please please please.

She is bound and determined to have a showdown; nay, a complete and utter battle of the wills. But this is one I must win, my friends. Mommy's going back to work in a little bit, and it's gonna have to happen. Bug had no trouble at all going back and forth--we never had to deal with this with him. And it's been a rough few days here as we've tried to reason with a 26 day old.

She has NO IDEA who she's up against.

I mean, I've done marathons and Ironman and stuff. I should be able to handle this, right? No problem. Bring it on, small fry.

Oh...
...but the screaming.

And the sad, little crying face.

aggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

So I must be strong. We must be strong. Because this has to work--there's no way around it-- but I have a feeling that she's going to be a tough one to crack. Because, um, look at her mother. I don't exactly back down easily.

And I have a feeling that this won't be the first battle I ever have to fight with my fiery, determined, and snuggly sweet little girl.


Tuesday, March 16, 2010


"Making the Team"
March 15, 2010
Madison, WI


Now in its third year of giving back to the endurance community, Team Evotri once again wants you to be part of the journey.

This spring, the team will be adding another teammate from the endurance sport community. Along with joining the family, the new recruit will be awarded a prize package from the Team Evotri sponsors: SRAM, Robbie Venturaƕs Vision Quest Coaching, CycleOps Power, Zipp Speed Weaponry, 2XU, Headsweats, and new sponsor for the 2010 season, Specialized Bicycles!

Over the next few months the team and sponsors will be looking for an individual who embraces the spirit of triathlon: someone positive, enthusiastic, and dedicated to giving back to the community. Triathlon experience is not a deciding factor in choosing a winner, but passion is. Do you have what it takes to make the team?

Winners can rest assured their performance will undoubtedly be taken to the next level with the following prize package:
Trusted by world champions like Chris McCormack and Melanie McQuaid, the veteran racing professionals at Specialized will provide the winner with an unbelievable race package. Be prepared to light up the course with none other than the fiercely designed and wickedly fast Transition Pro Time Trial bike, technical helmet, and racing shoes.

Ever innovative CycleOps Power will provide the winner with a cutting edge Joule wireless Powertap SL+.

The endurance experts at Vision Quest Coaching will take the winner to the next level with a dynamic professional coaching package.

SRAM will outfit the Transition Pros with world-class Force drivetrains, engineered for top performance.

The velocity doctors at Zipp Speed Weaponry will provide 606 wheelsets, cranks and bars for the excellence in endurance sport trifecta.

The winner of the 2010 Team Evotri slot will receive a brand new wetsuit and race gear from 2XU, the industry experts in state-of-the-art style.

To top off this incredible package, the 2010 team slot winner will also receive a collection of custom racing hats and visors from the industry leader in endurance accessories: Headsweats.
Team Evotri and their sponsors invite you to submit a video conveying why you are the best pick for the team in 2010.

Making the Team: 2010: Contest Guidelines:

Endurance sport enthusiasts, do you have what it takes to make the team? Tell us how and why in a video submission no longer than five minutes, and be sure to recruit your friends to help you out! Videos will be evaluated by Team Evotri and their sponsors for creativity, quality, and how well they address the following questions:

1. How will you benefit the team if you're chosen? What are your personal attributes?

2. How have you, and how do you plan to give back to the endurance sport community? Nothing is too insignificant, list it all.

3. What are your future plans regarding triathlon and endurance sport?

*Upload all videos to You Tube and send the link to MakingTheTeam@evotri.com by April 15, 2010.

*Contestants should provide contact information along with his/her link submission. Team Evotri and their sponsors will announce the winner in May, 2010.

*Videos not within the time constraints will not be considered.

*By sending a video link to MakingTheTeam@evotri.com, candidates grant contest affiliates permission to use said video for promotional purposes affiliated with Team Evotri and the Making the Team: 2010 contest.

*The winner of the team slot forfeits all awards if he/she is unable to continue as a team member for any reason.

*The winner of the team slot agrees to contribute to the Team Evotri web site for as long as he/she is a member of Team Evotri.

*The winner of the team slot agrees to attend the WIBA training weekend in Madison, Wisconsin in July, 2010 and race the Rev3 Cedar Point Half-Ironman in September, 2010.


Transition Pros provided by Specialized, an industry leader committed to excellence in both performance and design. Visit http://www.specialized.com for their full line of men's and women's road and mountain bikes.

CycleOps Powertaps and trainers are provided by the Madison, Wisconsin-based Saris Cycling Group; makers of industry leading power meters, racks and indoor trainers, as well as home to the top minds in performance science. Visit http://www.cycleops.com for an up close and personal education.

Professional coaching provided by Vision Quest: a dynamic, hands on, fully involved coaching program designed to provide direct interaction between the athletes and the coach for triathletes and cyclists. Please find more information on the diverse and flexible programs at http://www.visionquestcoaching.com.

Wheels of Team EvoTri provided by Zipp Speed Weaponry, flawless craftsmanship makes these wheels, aerobars and cranks the industry leaders in speed and aerodynamic efficiency. For more information, and for a complete product catalog, visit http://www.zipp.com.

Drivetrain components provided by SRAM, manufacturers of world-class bicycle parts including the new Double Tap & Exact Actuation technologies designed for faster Tri, Road & CX machines. See & learn more at http:/www.willyoumaketheleap.com.

Cutting-edge and sleek, 2XU will assure teammates maximize their potential with the industry's most revolutionary wetsuits and race gear. Visit http://www.2xu.com for the latest innovations.

Headsweats custom racing gear surpasses all others in absorption and comfort when its needed most. All seasons, all conditions, Headsweats goes the distance. Check out http:/www.headsweats.com to see the entire 2010 line.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

one handed typing is hella hard

so forgive my lack of capitalization here. or posting.

but i swear there is some HUGE and exciting news regarding my awesome team, Evotri, coming up VERY soon. look at that--so huge i even used the shift key, people! i am sooooooooooo stoked for this season...i can't even tell ya.

baby bean turns 3 weeks old today, and we all fall more in love with her every day.

see what i mean?

okay, stay tuned this week for some suuuuuupppppeeeeeeerrrrr exciting news. i can hardly wait!

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Things I Thought On My Walk Today

That poodle does an awful lot of trash talking. I mean, come on. Dude. You're a poodle. Look at yourself. I can't take you seriously.

There goes a biker. *jealous* Sigh.

There goes a runner in a tank top and shorts. *jealous* Sigh.

I'll be there soon enough. Yay!

It's amazing how skinny you feel 2.5 weeks after giving birth, yet how skinny you are NOT. All relative, I guess...

I wish the next 30 pounds would drop off as fast as the first 30 pounds just did. Sadly, I know that's not how it works...gonna have to start running this post-baby muffin top off in about 4 weeks.

Two miles slowly walked with my snuggley Bean and this crazy Pug in the 58 degrees and sun = worth the wait. So will my first ride and run.

Patience....patience...

Monday, March 08, 2010

The Journey To Boston...

...began yesterday, with a very, very slow mile walked on the treadmill.

Enjoying all the snuggles, sleepy smiles, and time with our new little girl. I'm very excited to see where this journey goes from here, and I can't wait to run again. I just need to be patient and wait the full six weeks so I'm all recovered, and then ease into things.

But in the meantime, at least I get to start walking. :)