...(story of my life lately)...so I am posting very briefly.
I'm coming up for air under a sea of DBQ's to grade. Those of you who know what those are understand how NOT. FUN. TO. GRADE. THEY. ARE.
I told my AP kids not to expect them the next day, as each one takes at LEAST 10 minutes to grade. And I have 44 of them. One kid said, "Hey, that means you have seven hours and twenty minutes...minimum...of grading to do."
Thanks, dude. Rub it in.
Anyhoo, ran some snowy wet hill repeats this morning for 9 miles. I'm so darn slow on hills, but they are good for me. Kinda like brussel sprouts. You don't eat them because you like them. You eat them because they are good for you and stuff.
JayZ has found his feet, and his thumb. Which is pretty sweet. :)
Swimming is coming along well, too. I made the mistake of thinking that, in the end of last Monday's workout, my "300 at T- :12" was supposed to be my threshold pace minus twelve seconds for EACH 100, not overall. Consequently, I pretty much DIED. And wasn't able to finish it. Then my buddy told me I was doing it wrong and it was TWELVE SECONDS OVERALL. hee hee! That's funny. I kicked my own ass for no reason.
So, all three major Presidential candidates will be in Cleveland Monday and Tuesday--and one in the city I teach in on Monday! Pretty sweet. I think I know who my choice is but need to do a little more digging to be sure.
And TriShannon will be in Cleveland for my comeback half marathon. She's going to run a 1:50 with me. And I don't care how she feels about it. She's doing it with me and THAT'S THE END OF THE DISCUSSION.
And I've been tagged by Ange and Triguyjt, and I usually don't have time for these but since I'm rambling and making no sense here I go okay ready go:
Seven Random Things About Me:
1. My ancestry is Portuguese, Italian, Scotch-Irish, and German. But my married last name is 100% Polish.
2. I'm somewhat of a neat freak, except for my closet.
3. Robot Chicken is a damn funny show.
4. I'm not sure who I'd pick: Jack or Sawyer. Probably Jack.
5. I graduated college with one of the newest Cavaliers, Wally Szezerbiak. And I probably spelled that wrong. His girlfriend (now wife) was in my freshman dorm, and she grabbed him up at freshman orientation. None of us even had a chance. Oh well. :)
6. My nickname for many years was (and to some people is still) Arcs.
7. I don't really like cake. It doesn't do it for me. But ice cream does.
If you'd like to be tagged, you are.
I'm so out of time. Bye.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
"I am fearfully and wonderfully made." --Psalm 139:14
This was the verse that the sermon focused on today, the day we baptized our son. I haven't been to church since he's been born--something I'm not really proud of. I've been praying a lot--a LOT--don't get me wrong, but I haven't actually been to a service until today.
And that was the verse that the sermon focused on.
That was also the verse that I had typed small and taped in my bento box during Ironman. Because it reminds me that I'm stronger than I think, because that's how I've been made.
Interesting, no?
I'm continuing to be amazed by what my body's been doing. Yesterday, I ran a very hard, hilly 10 miles out at Hinckley with some of my Soler buds. It was hard, and it kicked my butt, and I loved it. We negative split it a bit, which is saying a lot for that loop. The last time I ran that loop was August of '06 with IronJohnny as we prepared for IMW.
It felt good to be back.
But cold. It was about 14 degrees when we started. (That's cold for here...I know it's balmy for some of my other blog friends) It was so cold the first mile that I could barely feel my hands except for the stinging.
Today?
Sunny, 51 degrees, and not a cloud in the sky this afternoon. I ran in shorts. A little windy, though. My Ironman hat flew off and almost landed in a creek. I saved it, of course.
My running is coming along really, really strong. Surprisingly strong, for me. I'm very excited to see what I can do this year.
It's pretty amazing what these bodies can do, you know?
This was the verse that the sermon focused on today, the day we baptized our son. I haven't been to church since he's been born--something I'm not really proud of. I've been praying a lot--a LOT--don't get me wrong, but I haven't actually been to a service until today.
And that was the verse that the sermon focused on.
That was also the verse that I had typed small and taped in my bento box during Ironman. Because it reminds me that I'm stronger than I think, because that's how I've been made.
Interesting, no?
I'm continuing to be amazed by what my body's been doing. Yesterday, I ran a very hard, hilly 10 miles out at Hinckley with some of my Soler buds. It was hard, and it kicked my butt, and I loved it. We negative split it a bit, which is saying a lot for that loop. The last time I ran that loop was August of '06 with IronJohnny as we prepared for IMW.
It felt good to be back.
But cold. It was about 14 degrees when we started. (That's cold for here...I know it's balmy for some of my other blog friends) It was so cold the first mile that I could barely feel my hands except for the stinging.
Today?
Sunny, 51 degrees, and not a cloud in the sky this afternoon. I ran in shorts. A little windy, though. My Ironman hat flew off and almost landed in a creek. I saved it, of course.
My running is coming along really, really strong. Surprisingly strong, for me. I'm very excited to see what I can do this year.
It's pretty amazing what these bodies can do, you know?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Things I Heart
(in no particular order)
Carrots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carrots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Being chubby!
Being a Ladies Man!
And my Mommy.
Happy Valentine's Day....
Love,
JayZ
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Twelve Year Old Me
I've been going to this awesome triathlon swimming clinic thingy my buddy Rob is running out at Oberlin College. It's been a lot of fun, although I haven't been as regular as I would like. But, I'm getting out there and seeing some of my tri buds and getting a real tough workout in, which is good stuff.
And the best part?
It's totally working.
Somehow, on only swimming once every 2 weeks, I'm getting faster. This makes me get excited to think what I could actually do when life settles down a bit and I can get to the pool more than once every 2 weeks.
How much is it working?
So much that I've actually been pretty shocked when I've been hitting the wall for most of the sets. From 50s, to 100s, and all the way up to 1000 yards. I'm like..."huh?" And, "really?"
Okay. We'll go with it.
But last week in the pool I thought of something, as I hit the wall for another set of 50s. I hit the split I needed to, and it was pleasantly hard...I was out of breath and had to really move the arms as I saw the black line rising up the wall. Rob asked me, "How'd those go?" I should have said good. Great even.
But I replied, "....okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah, okay..." I said. "I mean, I hit it, but I just remembered what I did when I was 12 years old."
He laughed and assured me that his twelve years old times were also a wee bit faster than today. And this coming from a guy who's freakishly fast.
For some reason, I thought about this on the whole ride home. I remembered what it's like to be in a swim meet. I haven't had one of those in a long time, but I still remember this one in particular. The one where I set my PR. The 50 free. In North Olmsted, Ohio, in a sort of crappy indoor complex. Those of you who are swimmers know what I mean here as I describe the sound of a 50 yard freestyle sprint. It's the quiet sound of your arms moving in water followed by a brief interlude of absolute screaming as you turn your head for a breath.
By the looks of this one, I could tell it was going to be close. My coach was screaming and I could see my teammates yelling at the top of their lungs. You can never make out any words...you just hear this mumbled roar. So I kicked it into the highest gear I could.
And I beat her. By barely a half a stroke.
That was Twelve Year Old Me. Shortly thereafter, I stopped swimming year 'round. I made the cheerleading squad (I know...don't laugh), decided I really wanted to be a fastpitch softball pitcher, set my sights on first chair flute, and went onto high school. Eventually, boys actually talked to me. Times got slower as I wasn't able to give swimming my all, as they usually do.
And then I was done.
(For a while.)
Now, Thirty Year Old Me swims in a pool with triathlon friends and tries to bring down my times as best I can on an every-other-week-swim schedule. There are bills to pay, diapers to change, and work to be done. There's no coach screaming for me to outkick the girl next to me.
But once you hear those sounds...you sort of always hear those sounds.
And I think what I've come to realize is that I am in triathlon because of Twelve Year Old Me.
Because, whenever I come to the wall after a hard set, I can sort of see her in the lane next to me. She's already at the wall. She's even smirking a little bit.
I don't know if I'll ever catch her. But her presence helps drive me.
I don't really get too into the age-group awards thing anymore, and that's probably a result of me not having much of a chance to place in age-group anymore unless it's a short distance race with not many people in it.
But I do get into beating Twelve Year Old Me.
I just wanna wipe that smirk off her face.
She doesn't know a lot of things. She doesn't know that Thirty Year Old Me has seen a lot more than she has and done a lot more, nor does she really care for that matter. She doesn't know how Twenty Nine Year Old Me trained for an Ironman for a year while performing a delicate balancing act with my career, friends, family, and relationships. She doesn't care about all that, because she can still beat me.
I can race her knowing these things. Understanding that, although she might beat me to the wall, there's a lot more that I've gotten to see and do by being a few seconds behind her.
She has no idea what 18 Week Pregnant Me did when I ran a 5K faster than she'd be able to do.
(She hates running, you see.)
She also doesn't know that 18 Week Postpartum Me is able to run 10 miles at a pace faster than Twenty Nine Year Old Me was able to do during Ironman training.
All she cares about is that she's at the wall faster than me. So she bobs there with her swim cap and her royal blue summer swim team suit that's faded a bit, with her event written on her hand in a black sharpie. And I'll let her go, because I know that I wouldn't trade those few seconds for the world.
But the idea that I might even be able to come close to her again is pretty exciting. And the understanding that I could absolutely annihilate her in anything over a 50 freestyle is also pretty cool. But she doesn't want to race that, you see.
When she mouthed off at practice, she was always getting threatened to be doing the 200 IM or 100 fly or some other event that would have been horrible horrible horrible for her. She only wants to do what she's good at.
And Thirty Year Old Me has done a lot more, mostly way out of my comfort zone. So I'll let her have this one little victory.
(For now.)
And the best part?
It's totally working.
Somehow, on only swimming once every 2 weeks, I'm getting faster. This makes me get excited to think what I could actually do when life settles down a bit and I can get to the pool more than once every 2 weeks.
How much is it working?
So much that I've actually been pretty shocked when I've been hitting the wall for most of the sets. From 50s, to 100s, and all the way up to 1000 yards. I'm like..."huh?" And, "really?"
Okay. We'll go with it.
But last week in the pool I thought of something, as I hit the wall for another set of 50s. I hit the split I needed to, and it was pleasantly hard...I was out of breath and had to really move the arms as I saw the black line rising up the wall. Rob asked me, "How'd those go?" I should have said good. Great even.
But I replied, "....okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah, okay..." I said. "I mean, I hit it, but I just remembered what I did when I was 12 years old."
He laughed and assured me that his twelve years old times were also a wee bit faster than today. And this coming from a guy who's freakishly fast.
For some reason, I thought about this on the whole ride home. I remembered what it's like to be in a swim meet. I haven't had one of those in a long time, but I still remember this one in particular. The one where I set my PR. The 50 free. In North Olmsted, Ohio, in a sort of crappy indoor complex. Those of you who are swimmers know what I mean here as I describe the sound of a 50 yard freestyle sprint. It's the quiet sound of your arms moving in water followed by a brief interlude of absolute screaming as you turn your head for a breath.
By the looks of this one, I could tell it was going to be close. My coach was screaming and I could see my teammates yelling at the top of their lungs. You can never make out any words...you just hear this mumbled roar. So I kicked it into the highest gear I could.
And I beat her. By barely a half a stroke.
That was Twelve Year Old Me. Shortly thereafter, I stopped swimming year 'round. I made the cheerleading squad (I know...don't laugh), decided I really wanted to be a fastpitch softball pitcher, set my sights on first chair flute, and went onto high school. Eventually, boys actually talked to me. Times got slower as I wasn't able to give swimming my all, as they usually do.
And then I was done.
(For a while.)
Now, Thirty Year Old Me swims in a pool with triathlon friends and tries to bring down my times as best I can on an every-other-week-swim schedule. There are bills to pay, diapers to change, and work to be done. There's no coach screaming for me to outkick the girl next to me.
But once you hear those sounds...you sort of always hear those sounds.
And I think what I've come to realize is that I am in triathlon because of Twelve Year Old Me.
Because, whenever I come to the wall after a hard set, I can sort of see her in the lane next to me. She's already at the wall. She's even smirking a little bit.
I don't know if I'll ever catch her. But her presence helps drive me.
I don't really get too into the age-group awards thing anymore, and that's probably a result of me not having much of a chance to place in age-group anymore unless it's a short distance race with not many people in it.
But I do get into beating Twelve Year Old Me.
I just wanna wipe that smirk off her face.
She doesn't know a lot of things. She doesn't know that Thirty Year Old Me has seen a lot more than she has and done a lot more, nor does she really care for that matter. She doesn't know how Twenty Nine Year Old Me trained for an Ironman for a year while performing a delicate balancing act with my career, friends, family, and relationships. She doesn't care about all that, because she can still beat me.
I can race her knowing these things. Understanding that, although she might beat me to the wall, there's a lot more that I've gotten to see and do by being a few seconds behind her.
She has no idea what 18 Week Pregnant Me did when I ran a 5K faster than she'd be able to do.
(She hates running, you see.)
She also doesn't know that 18 Week Postpartum Me is able to run 10 miles at a pace faster than Twenty Nine Year Old Me was able to do during Ironman training.
All she cares about is that she's at the wall faster than me. So she bobs there with her swim cap and her royal blue summer swim team suit that's faded a bit, with her event written on her hand in a black sharpie. And I'll let her go, because I know that I wouldn't trade those few seconds for the world.
But the idea that I might even be able to come close to her again is pretty exciting. And the understanding that I could absolutely annihilate her in anything over a 50 freestyle is also pretty cool. But she doesn't want to race that, you see.
When she mouthed off at practice, she was always getting threatened to be doing the 200 IM or 100 fly or some other event that would have been horrible horrible horrible for her. She only wants to do what she's good at.
And Thirty Year Old Me has done a lot more, mostly way out of my comfort zone. So I'll let her have this one little victory.
(For now.)
SNOW DAY SNOW DAY SNOW DAY!
Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo no school tomorrow due to wind chill!!!!!
I realize that our wind chill is NUTHIN' next to what my bloggy friends to the north are dealing with (JenniferP, all the Twin Cities peeps) but it was enough for Northeastern Ohio.
And now I might actually get caught up on some things--like sleep! Boooooooooo yah!
I swear we're worse than the kids...
SNOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW DAY! :)
Stay warm everyone!
I realize that our wind chill is NUTHIN' next to what my bloggy friends to the north are dealing with (JenniferP, all the Twin Cities peeps) but it was enough for Northeastern Ohio.
And now I might actually get caught up on some things--like sleep! Boooooooooo yah!
I swear we're worse than the kids...
SNOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW DAY! :)
Stay warm everyone!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
All I have time for
I'm behind on blogs and emails, most likely permanently. Or until June. Hope you understand.
This is very, very hard. I'm trying to keep all emotions in check, but it's rough. However, every day gets a little bit better.
For now, I only have time for a few numbers:
50 pounds lost
10 miles ran Saturday at a negative split (last 3 miles under 9)
2 miles at a 7:53 pace last night during my tempo run
And with that, I've gotta go.
This is very, very hard. I'm trying to keep all emotions in check, but it's rough. However, every day gets a little bit better.
For now, I only have time for a few numbers:
50 pounds lost
10 miles ran Saturday at a negative split (last 3 miles under 9)
2 miles at a 7:53 pace last night during my tempo run
And with that, I've gotta go.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Oh, the ways we trick ourselves...
I have to trick myself sometimes. Like, during IM training, I wouldn't shower the night before I had to swim. I always shower at night, so that would FORCE me to shower in the morning...and if I have to take a shower in the morning, I might as well do a swim, see?
So yesterday, after being up from 2-5am and being so ridiculously exhausted that I wasn't even making sense at times, I picked up JayZ to find him just going down for a nap.
Hmmmmm. Decision time.
Do I watch the Lost recap on the couch in PJs, or do I watch the Lost recap while running 5 miles on the dreadmill?
Before I had time to rationally answer that question, I POUNDED a mint-chocolate gu.
Because, see, after you eat a GU, it's really sort of necessary that you run, right? I mean, who pounds a gu like a college freshman pounds a Natty Light, and then goes to doze on the couch?
So I did. And, as usual, despite feeling soooooo tired that I barely knew my name, a good run makes it all better. And going to bed at 8:30 and sleeping soundly until 6:30 because my husband ROCKS also makes it all better.
Because, in my book, a tired groggy dreadmill run is always better than no run at all.
So yesterday, after being up from 2-5am and being so ridiculously exhausted that I wasn't even making sense at times, I picked up JayZ to find him just going down for a nap.
Hmmmmm. Decision time.
Do I watch the Lost recap on the couch in PJs, or do I watch the Lost recap while running 5 miles on the dreadmill?
Before I had time to rationally answer that question, I POUNDED a mint-chocolate gu.
Because, see, after you eat a GU, it's really sort of necessary that you run, right? I mean, who pounds a gu like a college freshman pounds a Natty Light, and then goes to doze on the couch?
So I did. And, as usual, despite feeling soooooo tired that I barely knew my name, a good run makes it all better. And going to bed at 8:30 and sleeping soundly until 6:30 because my husband ROCKS also makes it all better.
Because, in my book, a tired groggy dreadmill run is always better than no run at all.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
I Can't Fight It
So, I've had this problem/issue since I was a little kid. Often I wake up in the middle of the night for some reason and then my mind RACES RACES RACES over everything I have to do and OMG, it's getting late and did I do this already? and I can't believe I have so much to do tomorrow and oh no now it's 3:37am.
So, since I was probably 8 or 9 years old, I turn my alarm clock around. I have to, or I drive myself nuts. And this has worked pretty well.
So the plan was to work out before school so that I wouldn't have to do it when I got home. BUT, JayZ usually gets up once a night, unless we are lucky and he sleeps totally through, or to about 5am. The past 2 nights it's been around 2am.
It doesn't even matter if I get up or if Matt does. I'm up. And then I start to worry.
And then I can't fall asleep for, oh, about 2 hours.
Ugh.
So I had wonderful runs Monday and Tuesday, when he slept the whole way through. But since then I haven't because I've had the most random sleep schedule ever and been totally stressing about it.
So, I've decided on a new plan of attack.
So, since I was probably 8 or 9 years old, I turn my alarm clock around. I have to, or I drive myself nuts. And this has worked pretty well.
So the plan was to work out before school so that I wouldn't have to do it when I got home. BUT, JayZ usually gets up once a night, unless we are lucky and he sleeps totally through, or to about 5am. The past 2 nights it's been around 2am.
It doesn't even matter if I get up or if Matt does. I'm up. And then I start to worry.
And then I can't fall asleep for, oh, about 2 hours.
Ugh.
So I had wonderful runs Monday and Tuesday, when he slept the whole way through. But since then I haven't because I've had the most random sleep schedule ever and been totally stressing about it.
So, I've decided on a new plan of attack.
- I will run at least 2 times during the week. This will happen Mondays and Wednesdays when Matt can get home fast after his school lets out. That way I can still spend good quality time with JayZ but Matt can play with him while I run...or JayZ might even take a little catnap, which would make me feel even better. I just don't want to miss anything.
- Runs won't be more than 6 miles for now, so I will be done in less than an hour.
- On the weekend, I'll do my longer run of 8-10 miles Saturday, and then either swim or run on Sunday.
- Core work will be done almost every day that I can, since I can have JayZ on the floor with me.
- A Friday 5 mile-ish run will be added when I can, to give me 4-5 runs and 1 swim for the week.
- I'm going to not worry as much about riding for now. I should be getting some spinervals DVDs soon so when I do I'll sneak them in on the weekend...maybe on Sundays. Something's gotta go, and since my early race is a half marathon, I feel like for now I can put cycling on the back burner. I know I should work on my limiter, but I just don't have enough hours in the day for now, and Steelhead isn't until August, so that buys me a little more time.
- Next year, when I get more settled and JayZ hopefully sleeps through most nights, then I will resume early morning runs, since I do actually enjoy them.
This way, when I get up at 2 or so, I won't put so much pressure on myself to hurry up and get back to sleep for 5am's wakeup call. Plus, I will be leading a 7am review session for APUS History every week starting next week. I will get to school relatively early all days and use that time for grading/planning, since even that still gives me some extra morning time.
So that's the plan.
Whew.
Now if I can just get through today without falling asleep...
Monday, January 28, 2008
And it's done.
We're all fine.
JayZ laughed and giggled all day long, and snoozed, and pooped. The usual. He even "left me a message" on my home machine to say he was happy and giggled. It was soooo cute and made me smile.
I got up, ran 5 miles, got ready, and then we had to WAKE JAYZ UP (seriously. the kid rocks.) to take him to the sitter's. Yes, he slept ALL NIGHT.
I cried a little when I said bye, and when I first walked in my classroom. Just a teensy bit.
And then, it felt kinda good to be back. Just a teensy bit.
I got very busy, which made time fly. And then it was time to go.
A good friend said it best to me when he tried to describe what I (and what we) are feeling right now. He said it's a revolution of your heart and mind. I think that's the closest thing I can liken it to. My heart and mind have been completely, 100% rewired over the past four months. I never knew it was possible to love something so much.
So tomorrow, we do it all again. Except it's a tempo run in the morning.
And another big smile and giggle around 3:30.
JayZ laughed and giggled all day long, and snoozed, and pooped. The usual. He even "left me a message" on my home machine to say he was happy and giggled. It was soooo cute and made me smile.
I got up, ran 5 miles, got ready, and then we had to WAKE JAYZ UP (seriously. the kid rocks.) to take him to the sitter's. Yes, he slept ALL NIGHT.
I cried a little when I said bye, and when I first walked in my classroom. Just a teensy bit.
And then, it felt kinda good to be back. Just a teensy bit.
I got very busy, which made time fly. And then it was time to go.
A good friend said it best to me when he tried to describe what I (and what we) are feeling right now. He said it's a revolution of your heart and mind. I think that's the closest thing I can liken it to. My heart and mind have been completely, 100% rewired over the past four months. I never knew it was possible to love something so much.
So tomorrow, we do it all again. Except it's a tempo run in the morning.
And another big smile and giggle around 3:30.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Ugh.
Okay.
I just cried for, oh, about an hour and a half. And I'M AT HOME.
I started while I was feeding him today, and then I just couldn't stop. He kept smiling at me, and I kept crying. Matt says I'm in big trouble when we take this kid off to college.
Ugh.
Maybe I'll get it all out of my system before tomorrow? Wishful thinking....?
Ugh.
I just cried for, oh, about an hour and a half. And I'M AT HOME.
I started while I was feeding him today, and then I just couldn't stop. He kept smiling at me, and I kept crying. Matt says I'm in big trouble when we take this kid off to college.
Ugh.
Maybe I'll get it all out of my system before tomorrow? Wishful thinking....?
Ugh.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
A Few More Days
Well, I go back to work on Monday. I can't believe it's been 16 weeks already....SIXTEEN WEEKS.
How did JayZ choose to celebrate? By sleeping for TEN HOURS.
That's right. It's not a typo.
This morning I awoke to hear my neighbor shoveling snow. Then, I had a small moment of panic. Wait...if he's out there shoveling snow...it must be...morning?
MORNING!
I looked at the clock. 6:31.
OMG.
I darted into JayZ's room...and he was fast asleep. I had last seen him when I kissed him goodnight at 9:15 last night.
Thanks, buddy! :)
So I think I'm all ready. Diapers, wipes, and extra clothes are already at the babysitter's house. I have my first unit planned for AP and ready to go. World History is set since I've taught it for several years. I just need to get in there and make copies.
Monday. Monday it is.
I am really lucky that we could arrange so I didn't have to go back after 6 weeks. We only get 6 weeks paid, but Matt and I really wanted to have more time than that, so I've been unpaid for quite some time now. It's been a bit of a challenge and we've had to use our credit cards more than we'd like to, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Anything.
So I'll be bringing a few extra kleenax with me on Monday, and at least it's a teacher work day. So if I need to cry a little, no students have to see. I do want to be there. I do want to go back. I am choosing to go back, which I always said I wanted to do...I didn't want to have to go back unless I wanted to, and I do.
But it's still so hard to imagine my day away from him. Even though he takes a good morning and afternoon nap, as my buddy K at work told me to make me feel better. "Dude," she said, "He's gonna be sleeping for what, 3 hours anyway? And we only work 183 days out of the year."
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. It's still kind of hard to think about next week, though.
One of my former students was home for break and I got to meet her for some coffee. She's studying to be a high school science teacher, which is awesome, because she's one of the good ones. We really, really need the good ones to go into this field. I had her as a freshman in World History and she was wise and mature beyond her years, which she still is now. She just texted me the other day, because she knows I'm worried about how I'll handle going back. She said, "You love JayZ and you love teaching, and there's enough love in you for both."
She's right. There is. I just have to remember that when I step back into room 221.
I'll adapt and we'll make it work. I'm amazed at how well we've adapted so far. My body's never really let me down, and it's always been my mind that's my biggest foe. So I just need to remember to trust myself here. If chores fall by the wayside a bit, it's OK. If I can't cook a nice meal like I enjoy, then the microwave can be our friend for a few weeks. I'm lucky that Matt is so helpful. Now that we're both working out a lot we have a TON of smelly laundry, and he always pitches in. I'm hoping to get up early 3 times during the week (at least) to get a run or swim in, and then fit in longer workouts on the weekend.
I'm going to be a little tired...I can't expect JayZ to sleep as well as he did last night every night. But somehow, we'll make it work. We always do. We've made it work the past few months and had to sacrifice some things.
But it's been amazing.
And I wouldn't change it one bit.
And there is enough love in me for it all. I have to remember that.
How did JayZ choose to celebrate? By sleeping for TEN HOURS.
That's right. It's not a typo.
This morning I awoke to hear my neighbor shoveling snow. Then, I had a small moment of panic. Wait...if he's out there shoveling snow...it must be...morning?
MORNING!
I looked at the clock. 6:31.
OMG.
I darted into JayZ's room...and he was fast asleep. I had last seen him when I kissed him goodnight at 9:15 last night.
Thanks, buddy! :)
So I think I'm all ready. Diapers, wipes, and extra clothes are already at the babysitter's house. I have my first unit planned for AP and ready to go. World History is set since I've taught it for several years. I just need to get in there and make copies.
Monday. Monday it is.
I am really lucky that we could arrange so I didn't have to go back after 6 weeks. We only get 6 weeks paid, but Matt and I really wanted to have more time than that, so I've been unpaid for quite some time now. It's been a bit of a challenge and we've had to use our credit cards more than we'd like to, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Anything.
So I'll be bringing a few extra kleenax with me on Monday, and at least it's a teacher work day. So if I need to cry a little, no students have to see. I do want to be there. I do want to go back. I am choosing to go back, which I always said I wanted to do...I didn't want to have to go back unless I wanted to, and I do.
But it's still so hard to imagine my day away from him. Even though he takes a good morning and afternoon nap, as my buddy K at work told me to make me feel better. "Dude," she said, "He's gonna be sleeping for what, 3 hours anyway? And we only work 183 days out of the year."
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. It's still kind of hard to think about next week, though.
One of my former students was home for break and I got to meet her for some coffee. She's studying to be a high school science teacher, which is awesome, because she's one of the good ones. We really, really need the good ones to go into this field. I had her as a freshman in World History and she was wise and mature beyond her years, which she still is now. She just texted me the other day, because she knows I'm worried about how I'll handle going back. She said, "You love JayZ and you love teaching, and there's enough love in you for both."
She's right. There is. I just have to remember that when I step back into room 221.
I'll adapt and we'll make it work. I'm amazed at how well we've adapted so far. My body's never really let me down, and it's always been my mind that's my biggest foe. So I just need to remember to trust myself here. If chores fall by the wayside a bit, it's OK. If I can't cook a nice meal like I enjoy, then the microwave can be our friend for a few weeks. I'm lucky that Matt is so helpful. Now that we're both working out a lot we have a TON of smelly laundry, and he always pitches in. I'm hoping to get up early 3 times during the week (at least) to get a run or swim in, and then fit in longer workouts on the weekend.
I'm going to be a little tired...I can't expect JayZ to sleep as well as he did last night every night. But somehow, we'll make it work. We always do. We've made it work the past few months and had to sacrifice some things.
But it's been amazing.
And I wouldn't change it one bit.
And there is enough love in me for it all. I have to remember that.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Happy Stuff
Okay, so now that my rotten week is over, and the worst of the bad stuff seems to have passed, here's some happy stuff:
- soooo excited to race this year I can barely stand it
- able to hold my 2 miles of tempo at an 8:07/mile this week--yippee! Am slowly working my way down to 7:50 tempo miles as "official" half mary training starts 2/17
- despite swimming 3 times in the past month, I didn' t get my butt kicked TOO bad today in the pool...yippeeeeeeeee
- also surprising today was my 1000 yard swim as it wasn't TOO far off what I would like to see it at...did it in 17:19...again, very pleased as I have been a total pool slacker lately
- the trainer is so much better when watching the Colbert Report
- Matt's birthday present totally kicks butt but I can't write what it is yet because he SOMETIMES reads this (and with my luck if I write what it is he'll check)
- got to have dinner with 2 of my Miami AGD buds, Miles and TBone last night--we had some good laughs, girl time, and pinot noir...mmmmmm
- Friday night got to have dinner with my funny friend Jon and his awesome fiance, Amy, so that cheered us up quite a bit
- 45 pounds down, my friends. 45 pounds.
- Guess who ROLLED OVER this week? I'll give you a hint: it wasn't me.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
I was trying really hard to keep everything here training only, but life is spilling over into training lately.
This has been a really, really rough past few weeks and especially an awful few days. More so for my friends than for me, but that in and of itself is quite hard.
Yesterday I just needed to zone out and spin on my trainer, and the whir of the wheels helped me to not notice as much the taste of salty tears mixing with salty sweat. Today's 6 miles on the treadmill did the same. Some days you just need these workouts--not for any time or distance goal, but for keeping your head together goal. It wasn't the first time nor I'm sure the last that I've felt tears well up on a run or ride, and dealt with my own fears and demons by putting one foot in front of the other.
Over the past few weeks, and especially the past few days, my prayer list has gotten longer and longer, and I am finding myself wondering if God is getting sick of me always asking him to help my friends.
In between text messages, phone calls, a wake, and a funeral, I have been forced to think about a few things.
What if it was my dad, who was shoveling snow a few days before Christmas and found himself having a hard time talking to his wife, only to have emergency surgery on Christmas Eve morning, and then to find out a few days later it was stage four brain cancer?
What if it was my ten month old in Intensive Care and on morphine for almost two weeks?
What if it was me who had to jump the red eye to Denver because my brother had tried to commit suicide?
What if it was my dad who fought a courageous battle with stomach cancer and lost the fight this Saturday?
In all four cases, it wasn't. It isn't. And all I can do is thank God and pray and pray and pray as much as I can for those who it is. But I was forced to think about what it would be like if it was...if I lost my husband, my father, my brother, or my son. I see the strength that my friends have right now and as I ran today I really thought to myself, "I don't think I'm that strong."
I hope I don't have to find out.
Why do I do these things--run, swim, bike, push myself like I do? Because my legs can move, my brain is fine, my heart beats. Because I have those privledges. I have a wonderful family and friends that I can't imagine life without, but every once in a while, I have to, and it sucks the wind right out of my lungs.
So I do the only thing I can do. Be there for them as much as I can. Pray for them.
And to keep me strong for them, I have to run. So I will.
This has been a really, really rough past few weeks and especially an awful few days. More so for my friends than for me, but that in and of itself is quite hard.
Yesterday I just needed to zone out and spin on my trainer, and the whir of the wheels helped me to not notice as much the taste of salty tears mixing with salty sweat. Today's 6 miles on the treadmill did the same. Some days you just need these workouts--not for any time or distance goal, but for keeping your head together goal. It wasn't the first time nor I'm sure the last that I've felt tears well up on a run or ride, and dealt with my own fears and demons by putting one foot in front of the other.
Over the past few weeks, and especially the past few days, my prayer list has gotten longer and longer, and I am finding myself wondering if God is getting sick of me always asking him to help my friends.
In between text messages, phone calls, a wake, and a funeral, I have been forced to think about a few things.
What if it was my dad, who was shoveling snow a few days before Christmas and found himself having a hard time talking to his wife, only to have emergency surgery on Christmas Eve morning, and then to find out a few days later it was stage four brain cancer?
What if it was my ten month old in Intensive Care and on morphine for almost two weeks?
What if it was me who had to jump the red eye to Denver because my brother had tried to commit suicide?
What if it was my dad who fought a courageous battle with stomach cancer and lost the fight this Saturday?
In all four cases, it wasn't. It isn't. And all I can do is thank God and pray and pray and pray as much as I can for those who it is. But I was forced to think about what it would be like if it was...if I lost my husband, my father, my brother, or my son. I see the strength that my friends have right now and as I ran today I really thought to myself, "I don't think I'm that strong."
I hope I don't have to find out.
Why do I do these things--run, swim, bike, push myself like I do? Because my legs can move, my brain is fine, my heart beats. Because I have those privledges. I have a wonderful family and friends that I can't imagine life without, but every once in a while, I have to, and it sucks the wind right out of my lungs.
So I do the only thing I can do. Be there for them as much as I can. Pray for them.
And to keep me strong for them, I have to run. So I will.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
I Told You So...
...said the body to the TriSaraTops.
Had to stay close to home for my run this morning, and I don't know why, but it was so awesome. I had to SLOW MYSELF DOWN. Huh?!?!?!??!
For real. I really had to hold myself back.
Maybe it was Sweet Brooks Comeback Shirt?
Could be my new iPod nano and my new purchase of tunes, including Kanye's "Stronger," which pumps me up big time?
Could be a nice run along Lake Erie with no breeze, 37 degrees and sunny?
Man, it just CLICKED today.
I finished 8 miles in a negative split. Average pace 9:23/mile.
For me, that's like, good and stuff. That almost makes me able to keep up with ESpeed on her really really slow recovery runs!
I think the little bit of fartlek/tempo stuff I've been throwing in, combined with dropping a few more pounds, must be contributing. Coach Kara told me when I was preggo and slow about all these studies showing women about 6-12 months postpartum coming back stronger than they were before. Then I saw Paula Radcliffe won NYC this year just 10 months after giving birth to her daughter.
You know what's EXACTLY 10 MONTHS TO THE DAY AFTER JAY-Z'S ARRIVAL?
Steelhead 70.3, baby.
So clearly, that means I'm going to WIN Steelhead.
(kidding)
But I think it means that setting some lofty goals this year like I have isn't too totally crazy and insane. It's a little insane, but not quite Britney Spears insane. So that's good.
All that time last year when people were telling me to ENJOY being pregnant, stop fighting it so much, be slow and happy, and know that I would come back faster...and you know who you are...um, yeah. Go ahead and say I told you so.
It's not the first time I should have listened to others who had been there before. :)
Had to stay close to home for my run this morning, and I don't know why, but it was so awesome. I had to SLOW MYSELF DOWN. Huh?!?!?!??!
For real. I really had to hold myself back.
Maybe it was Sweet Brooks Comeback Shirt?
Could be my new iPod nano and my new purchase of tunes, including Kanye's "Stronger," which pumps me up big time?
Could be a nice run along Lake Erie with no breeze, 37 degrees and sunny?
Man, it just CLICKED today.
I finished 8 miles in a negative split. Average pace 9:23/mile.
For me, that's like, good and stuff. That almost makes me able to keep up with ESpeed on her really really slow recovery runs!
I think the little bit of fartlek/tempo stuff I've been throwing in, combined with dropping a few more pounds, must be contributing. Coach Kara told me when I was preggo and slow about all these studies showing women about 6-12 months postpartum coming back stronger than they were before. Then I saw Paula Radcliffe won NYC this year just 10 months after giving birth to her daughter.
You know what's EXACTLY 10 MONTHS TO THE DAY AFTER JAY-Z'S ARRIVAL?
Steelhead 70.3, baby.
So clearly, that means I'm going to WIN Steelhead.
(kidding)
But I think it means that setting some lofty goals this year like I have isn't too totally crazy and insane. It's a little insane, but not quite Britney Spears insane. So that's good.
All that time last year when people were telling me to ENJOY being pregnant, stop fighting it so much, be slow and happy, and know that I would come back faster...and you know who you are...um, yeah. Go ahead and say I told you so.
It's not the first time I should have listened to others who had been there before. :)
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Coca Cola Shirts and Cavaliers
So today on my tempo run (which was fabulous, by the way), I got to thinking. I've been wanting a new, hawt, sexy tri bike for a while now.
But why? I dunno. I guess because it just seems like a natural progression or something. You know...start running, do a few sprint tris on mountain bikes, get an entry-level road bike, run a marathon, do an MS 150, think maybe an Ironman's not so crazy after all, spend a few seasons getting ready for it, finish Ironman. Want a new sexy hawt tri bike.
Now that I'm realizing how much child care costs (seriously...second mortgage, anyone?) and just signing up for races in general (for real, dawgs...does Steelhead REALLY need all $200? Would they also like my soul?), I'm thinking it's just not going to happen.
But I think that is OK.
See, I really have no business going out and getting a hawt sexy tri bike. Not just because I can't afford it. Because I'm not really even cool enough to ride it.
Seriously. I have no business on one of those things. Who am I kidding?
Growing up, my parents THANKFULLY did not allow me to succumb too much to the ridonkuluss-ness of the dreaded Middle School Years. Where most girls are mean girls, and where you tried your hardest to look like everyone else. Where you buy that purple ESPRIT sweatshirt...marked up $50 because it has the word "ESPRIT" on it and at age 11 you're not even really sure what that means but you MUST. HAVE. IT. because so-and-so has it and made fun of your outfit from Sears.
I really didn't have much ESPRIT stuff. Except for one purple sweatshirt.
But one thing I did have was a Coca Cola shirt. Exhibit A:
It was red, because it had to be. And I wore it on the first day of 6th grade with my denim skirt and loafers with the laces tied in some ornate knot that I had to do because everyone else was doing it.
I loved that Coca Cola shirt. It was the one piece of clothing I had that I really allowed myself to "buy into the hype" and feel all cool and stuff and do what everyone else was doing.
And then a few years later...and even now...I look at this thing and go, HUH?
THAT'S the fugly thing that I wanted to wear? Because everyone else said so?
Hmmm.
Since when have I cared what I'm riding? Honestly. Sheesh. I am currently driving the only car I've ever owned... a '99 Chevy Cavalier (total base model--no power locks or windows) with 92,000 miles on it. The heater and AC has two levels: high and off. The cupholder blows. There's some weird stains on the seats. It came with just a RADIO. Not even a tape deck. I splurged and spent $125 on a CD player, lest I succumb to the idiocy of Cleveland radio stations. The rust spot on my trunk is covered up with an Ironman Wisconsin magnet.
It is NOT a HAWT SEXY CAR at all.
I drive it to school and sometimes my students make fun of my car. SERIOUSLY. My students, many of whom have brand new or leased cars that are wayyyyyyyyyyy cooler than mine.
THEY'RE SIXTEEN.
Last year there was an H3 in the student parking lot.
I wish I was kidding.
I am always quick to defend my car. It's been hella more reliable than many of my friends cars. I gotta give Chewy some love. (that's her name) In fact, I sort of pride myself a bit on having a car that I paid off in 2002 still, that doesn't have any bells or whistles, and that I have money to spend on other things. Like a backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon, or whitewater rafting in the New River with friends.
(Or, lately, diapers and wipes.)
So I think I'm going to embrace my bike. Love the bike. It's a 2002 Trek 1200. I bought it with no experience whatsoever, and it took me on my first MS 150 that August. It allowed me to think, "Hey...maybe that Ironman thing...maybe it's not too crazy, since I just rode 150 miles...?" And it took me to Ironman Wisconsin. And it got me to the finish line.
She's not very sexy. But she's a workhorse.
This year, I'm going to put my FP60s on this very ordinary, very entry-level, very non-hawt bike. These FP60s, which are WAYYYYYYYY cooler and hawter than my bike, or really me for that matter. And I'm going to see how far they take me. And how far my bike takes me. But really, I'm going to see how far ME takes me.
Maybe the transition area at Steelhead will remind me of my high school's parking lot. I'm used to driving the oldest car there and it doesn't affect my work performance at all.
Perhaps ol' Chewy is trying to tell me something.
But why? I dunno. I guess because it just seems like a natural progression or something. You know...start running, do a few sprint tris on mountain bikes, get an entry-level road bike, run a marathon, do an MS 150, think maybe an Ironman's not so crazy after all, spend a few seasons getting ready for it, finish Ironman. Want a new sexy hawt tri bike.
Now that I'm realizing how much child care costs (seriously...second mortgage, anyone?) and just signing up for races in general (for real, dawgs...does Steelhead REALLY need all $200? Would they also like my soul?), I'm thinking it's just not going to happen.
But I think that is OK.
See, I really have no business going out and getting a hawt sexy tri bike. Not just because I can't afford it. Because I'm not really even cool enough to ride it.
Seriously. I have no business on one of those things. Who am I kidding?
Growing up, my parents THANKFULLY did not allow me to succumb too much to the ridonkuluss-ness of the dreaded Middle School Years. Where most girls are mean girls, and where you tried your hardest to look like everyone else. Where you buy that purple ESPRIT sweatshirt...marked up $50 because it has the word "ESPRIT" on it and at age 11 you're not even really sure what that means but you MUST. HAVE. IT. because so-and-so has it and made fun of your outfit from Sears.
I really didn't have much ESPRIT stuff. Except for one purple sweatshirt.
But one thing I did have was a Coca Cola shirt. Exhibit A:
It was red, because it had to be. And I wore it on the first day of 6th grade with my denim skirt and loafers with the laces tied in some ornate knot that I had to do because everyone else was doing it.
I loved that Coca Cola shirt. It was the one piece of clothing I had that I really allowed myself to "buy into the hype" and feel all cool and stuff and do what everyone else was doing.
And then a few years later...and even now...I look at this thing and go, HUH?
THAT'S the fugly thing that I wanted to wear? Because everyone else said so?
Hmmm.
Since when have I cared what I'm riding? Honestly. Sheesh. I am currently driving the only car I've ever owned... a '99 Chevy Cavalier (total base model--no power locks or windows) with 92,000 miles on it. The heater and AC has two levels: high and off. The cupholder blows. There's some weird stains on the seats. It came with just a RADIO. Not even a tape deck. I splurged and spent $125 on a CD player, lest I succumb to the idiocy of Cleveland radio stations. The rust spot on my trunk is covered up with an Ironman Wisconsin magnet.
It is NOT a HAWT SEXY CAR at all.
I drive it to school and sometimes my students make fun of my car. SERIOUSLY. My students, many of whom have brand new or leased cars that are wayyyyyyyyyyy cooler than mine.
THEY'RE SIXTEEN.
Last year there was an H3 in the student parking lot.
I wish I was kidding.
I am always quick to defend my car. It's been hella more reliable than many of my friends cars. I gotta give Chewy some love. (that's her name) In fact, I sort of pride myself a bit on having a car that I paid off in 2002 still, that doesn't have any bells or whistles, and that I have money to spend on other things. Like a backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon, or whitewater rafting in the New River with friends.
(Or, lately, diapers and wipes.)
So I think I'm going to embrace my bike. Love the bike. It's a 2002 Trek 1200. I bought it with no experience whatsoever, and it took me on my first MS 150 that August. It allowed me to think, "Hey...maybe that Ironman thing...maybe it's not too crazy, since I just rode 150 miles...?" And it took me to Ironman Wisconsin. And it got me to the finish line.
She's not very sexy. But she's a workhorse.
This year, I'm going to put my FP60s on this very ordinary, very entry-level, very non-hawt bike. These FP60s, which are WAYYYYYYYY cooler and hawter than my bike, or really me for that matter. And I'm going to see how far they take me. And how far my bike takes me. But really, I'm going to see how far ME takes me.
Maybe the transition area at Steelhead will remind me of my high school's parking lot. I'm used to driving the oldest car there and it doesn't affect my work performance at all.
Perhaps ol' Chewy is trying to tell me something.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
I Just Fartleked
Yes, I did! And it was a good one.
Decided I would throw a little teensy bit of speed in now that things have been good for the past 6 weeks. I was able to hold my pushes in the low-8s without too much trouble. It felt good to kick it up a bit. Hopefully this will also help Operation Melt the Muffin Top, too.
I've been thinking of ways to help me feel better about going back to work. It's not that I don't want to teach; in fact, I miss that. I miss the students and I miss teaching. It's that I don't want to hand JayZ off to someone else. Ugh. I'm dreading that day. Good thing I have 1st period free in case of major waterworks.
Reasons its' not so bad, right:
--Since I only work 9 months out of the year, or 75% of the year, then it's ALMOST like I'm ALREADY working part time...right? So I'll just pretend I'm "part time." That sounds better.
--Think of all the famous moms who are back at work...Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar after having 2 kids...Paula Radcliffe kicked booty in NYC just 10 months after her baby...so surely somehow I can grade papers, right?
You get the picture. I'm gonna have to really talk myself down from the "this is the worst day ever" feelings I'm having about January 29th...
On a lighter note, we enjoyed Matt's last day off of school yesterday by taking JayZ to the pool for his FIRST! SWIM! EVER! We'll be starting sets of 100s soon. :) He wasn't quite sure at first but then he loved it! He looks a little bored here, but you'll have to take my word for it.
And this picture quite pains me, but it's so darn cute at the same time. Look at the twins! New sweatshirt courtesy of Auntie ESpeed. :) As a Big 10 fan, I have to admit I was really glad to see Florida lose. Don't worry...he'll be wearing the RIGHT COLORS on Monday!
Decided I would throw a little teensy bit of speed in now that things have been good for the past 6 weeks. I was able to hold my pushes in the low-8s without too much trouble. It felt good to kick it up a bit. Hopefully this will also help Operation Melt the Muffin Top, too.
I've been thinking of ways to help me feel better about going back to work. It's not that I don't want to teach; in fact, I miss that. I miss the students and I miss teaching. It's that I don't want to hand JayZ off to someone else. Ugh. I'm dreading that day. Good thing I have 1st period free in case of major waterworks.
Reasons its' not so bad, right:
--Since I only work 9 months out of the year, or 75% of the year, then it's ALMOST like I'm ALREADY working part time...right? So I'll just pretend I'm "part time." That sounds better.
--Think of all the famous moms who are back at work...Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar after having 2 kids...Paula Radcliffe kicked booty in NYC just 10 months after her baby...so surely somehow I can grade papers, right?
You get the picture. I'm gonna have to really talk myself down from the "this is the worst day ever" feelings I'm having about January 29th...
On a lighter note, we enjoyed Matt's last day off of school yesterday by taking JayZ to the pool for his FIRST! SWIM! EVER! We'll be starting sets of 100s soon. :) He wasn't quite sure at first but then he loved it! He looks a little bored here, but you'll have to take my word for it.
And this picture quite pains me, but it's so darn cute at the same time. Look at the twins! New sweatshirt courtesy of Auntie ESpeed. :) As a Big 10 fan, I have to admit I was really glad to see Florida lose. Don't worry...he'll be wearing the RIGHT COLORS on Monday!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
All I Wanted For Christmas
...and then some.
What an amazingly fun first Christmas as three! It began with a few things before Christmas....
--A fun time with my 2 chicas, TriShannon and DaisyDuc as we met up in Columbus for lunch
--Lunch the next day with JayZ and my buddy, Steph, who came up from C-bus for a quick visit
--an 8 mile run at a 9:42/mile pace, followed by coffee at Caribou with my running buddies
--an awesome 2500 yard swim at the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW REC CENTER opened in the city where I teach...which means, folks, that I can buy a membership for Matt AND myself for less than just myself at the Y! Goodbye, 20 yard Y pool that is 99 degrees. (moment of silence for my Y membership)
--42 pounds lost and counting. (Sadly, I have a few more still to lose...you'd think 42 would have been enough, but Baby Z just really wanted me to pack it on.)
--Registering for the final stage of my comeback "trifecta..." the Columbus Marathon. Sub-4, here I come!
Christmas was spent with family and friends, and we had a wonderful time at home sharing our first Christmas morning with our little guy. He wasn't quite sure what was going on, but that's OK. I can't wait until he gets to understand the magic that Christmas brings.
What an amazingly fun first Christmas as three! It began with a few things before Christmas....
--A fun time with my 2 chicas, TriShannon and DaisyDuc as we met up in Columbus for lunch
--Lunch the next day with JayZ and my buddy, Steph, who came up from C-bus for a quick visit
--an 8 mile run at a 9:42/mile pace, followed by coffee at Caribou with my running buddies
--an awesome 2500 yard swim at the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW REC CENTER opened in the city where I teach...which means, folks, that I can buy a membership for Matt AND myself for less than just myself at the Y! Goodbye, 20 yard Y pool that is 99 degrees. (moment of silence for my Y membership)
--42 pounds lost and counting. (Sadly, I have a few more still to lose...you'd think 42 would have been enough, but Baby Z just really wanted me to pack it on.)
--Registering for the final stage of my comeback "trifecta..." the Columbus Marathon. Sub-4, here I come!
Christmas was spent with family and friends, and we had a wonderful time at home sharing our first Christmas morning with our little guy. He wasn't quite sure what was going on, but that's OK. I can't wait until he gets to understand the magic that Christmas brings.
And to think, that last year at this time I was sunning and surfing in the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii...wow, what a difference a year makes.
With all the changes of the past year I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude for what I am so lucky to have...my family, my friends, and my health. As two of our friends are struggling to deal with some serious issues in their families this holiday season, it makes me realize even more how blessed and lucky I am.
I can hardly wait to see what 2008 brings.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Busy week! It's amazing how much I have going on despite not being at work.
Stopped into work to see my students today. JayZ was a trooper and let everyone oooh and ahhh over him without pooping, spitting up, or fussing. Thanks, buddy! It was good to see my students again.
Workouts have been going well, although a pesky old plantar fasciitis-y heel is bothering me slightly. I've been icing and stretching lots and lots, and sleeping with the funky sock thing, which is how I nipped it in the bud last time. Hopefully it won't bother me much longer and I caught it fast enough.
In biking news, there is no biking news.
(I know, I know. What ever happened to "working on my limiter?" Gimme a few more weeks...)
In swimming news, things are going really well! Got to drive out to Oberlin on Sunday and swim with some tri friends, including JenC, who was looking solid in the water as her usual Ironman-self always does. Even got to move up for a few sets with the fast dudes--score! Although, said fast dudes pretty much caused me to get my ass handed to me. Hey, that's a good thing, though. Keeps me motivated. I haven't been able to hit the pool as much as I've liked, so if I have any hope of staying in the fast dude lane, I'd better get there...asap!
Tuesday, JayZ and I got to have lunch again with superfast blogger Kurt! Here's proof:
Stopped into work to see my students today. JayZ was a trooper and let everyone oooh and ahhh over him without pooping, spitting up, or fussing. Thanks, buddy! It was good to see my students again.
Workouts have been going well, although a pesky old plantar fasciitis-y heel is bothering me slightly. I've been icing and stretching lots and lots, and sleeping with the funky sock thing, which is how I nipped it in the bud last time. Hopefully it won't bother me much longer and I caught it fast enough.
In biking news, there is no biking news.
(I know, I know. What ever happened to "working on my limiter?" Gimme a few more weeks...)
In swimming news, things are going really well! Got to drive out to Oberlin on Sunday and swim with some tri friends, including JenC, who was looking solid in the water as her usual Ironman-self always does. Even got to move up for a few sets with the fast dudes--score! Although, said fast dudes pretty much caused me to get my ass handed to me. Hey, that's a good thing, though. Keeps me motivated. I haven't been able to hit the pool as much as I've liked, so if I have any hope of staying in the fast dude lane, I'd better get there...asap!
Tuesday, JayZ and I got to have lunch again with superfast blogger Kurt! Here's proof:
And here's proof that Matt and I had way too much with hair gel:
Tomorrow, I'm driving to Columbus for a few hours for something super-fun...pics to come!
Another 7 mile run this Saturday, as I'm holding the mileage steady at 20 for a few weeks. If the heel thingy gets worse I'll be cutting that way back, but for now I think things should be OK for a nice run outside.
And finally, happy three-years-since-we-brought-you-home tomorrow, Mugsy! You're such a good Pug Man. :)
Saturday, December 15, 2007
A Few Numbers
1 cozy nap with my three boys (Matt, JayZ, and Mugsy)
3 Clif Bloks (Strawberry)
16 ounces of NUUN
8 ounces of water
1 mint-chocolate GU
7 miles ran in the snow
1:09 total run time
9:57 average pace/mile
1 Trisaratops who looked like a human icicle upon arrival back home
3 giggles at Mommy covered in snow from one happy little boy
20 miles of running this week
70.3 miles will be covered at Steelhead on 8.2.08--I'm in...it's official!
1 very happy tri-mommy
1 handsome little devil
3 Clif Bloks (Strawberry)
16 ounces of NUUN
8 ounces of water
1 mint-chocolate GU
7 miles ran in the snow
1:09 total run time
9:57 average pace/mile
1 Trisaratops who looked like a human icicle upon arrival back home
3 giggles at Mommy covered in snow from one happy little boy
20 miles of running this week
70.3 miles will be covered at Steelhead on 8.2.08--I'm in...it's official!
1 very happy tri-mommy
1 handsome little devil
Friday, December 14, 2007
Running Roulette
I've been playing a little game I like to call "Running Roulette."
Here's how it works:
1. Feed a hungry JayZ. Watch for his eyes to start a-drifting.
2. When eyes are heavy, put JayZ on bed and change into running clothes.
3. Pick up JayZ and take him to the basement. Proceed to rock him and sing him a few songs until he's OUT.
4. Put JayZ in his swing, which is right next to the treadmill. Turn on swing and classical music.
5. Quickly lace up shoes. Grab water bottle. RUN RUN RUN START RUNNING HURRY UP
6. Run 4 or 5 miles. Continually look at JayZ to see if he is waking up. (he never, ever does--must be the music and humming of the dreadmill)
7. Stretch while facing JayZ in swing. Here's where it gets interesting...
8. Wonder if I have time for a shower.
9. Make sure monitor is on. RUN up to bathroom, stripping down on the way. Jump in shower and HURRYYYYYYYYYY and take fastest shower of your life.
10. Listen to monitor. Usually still just hear "click clack" of swing and music. If this is the case, dry off and attempt to dry hair. If you hear rustling, or even worse--crying--throw on a robe, put hair in a turban, and rush downstairs.
11. If music is still playing and no rustling is occuring, attempt to dry hair. Abort mission as soon as monitor shows signs of fussiness.
12. If you've gotten this far, you can try and get dressed. MAYBE even throw on a little makeup?
13. And finally, the ultimate--you get to eat lunch.
Most times JayZ lets me at least get to shower, and more often than not, actually dry my hair and have lunch. Provided I can get outside for my long run tomorrow, I will hit 20 miles of running this week with my little game.
Thanks, Little Man. You're the best little guy for a million reasons, and this is just one. :)
Here's how it works:
1. Feed a hungry JayZ. Watch for his eyes to start a-drifting.
2. When eyes are heavy, put JayZ on bed and change into running clothes.
3. Pick up JayZ and take him to the basement. Proceed to rock him and sing him a few songs until he's OUT.
4. Put JayZ in his swing, which is right next to the treadmill. Turn on swing and classical music.
5. Quickly lace up shoes. Grab water bottle. RUN RUN RUN START RUNNING HURRY UP
6. Run 4 or 5 miles. Continually look at JayZ to see if he is waking up. (he never, ever does--must be the music and humming of the dreadmill)
7. Stretch while facing JayZ in swing. Here's where it gets interesting...
8. Wonder if I have time for a shower.
9. Make sure monitor is on. RUN up to bathroom, stripping down on the way. Jump in shower and HURRYYYYYYYYYY and take fastest shower of your life.
10. Listen to monitor. Usually still just hear "click clack" of swing and music. If this is the case, dry off and attempt to dry hair. If you hear rustling, or even worse--crying--throw on a robe, put hair in a turban, and rush downstairs.
11. If music is still playing and no rustling is occuring, attempt to dry hair. Abort mission as soon as monitor shows signs of fussiness.
12. If you've gotten this far, you can try and get dressed. MAYBE even throw on a little makeup?
13. And finally, the ultimate--you get to eat lunch.
Most times JayZ lets me at least get to shower, and more often than not, actually dry my hair and have lunch. Provided I can get outside for my long run tomorrow, I will hit 20 miles of running this week with my little game.
Thanks, Little Man. You're the best little guy for a million reasons, and this is just one. :)
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