Mish Mash of Hodge Podge

Which is really all that this blog is. I've had several running blog topics or 'ideas' running through my brain, but somehow haven't committed to any single one yet. Blame it on the IM training, because that's what I'm doing. And while I'm at it, I need to thank Mary Bradbury for the 'Hodge Podge' idea in the first place.

Without further ado...

1) I haven't killed any plants yet. But the tomato is looking a little less-than-stellar. Note to self: watering daily is important...

2) I was hit HARD by a case of the grumps Wednesday morning. Don't ask why or how - I can't explain. Only while driving to the pool, when I made myself list a few positives, did they go away. I have a home, a roof over my head, a family that loves me, enough food on the table... Yeah, that will put things into perspective quick!

3) It only took 45 minutes to swap out the race wheels and re-hook-up the power meter. My biggest obstacle? I couldn't get the stupid zip ties to work in order to secure the bike computer mount to the stem. Instead of the 2 that are required to do the trick, I've got 4. Don't ask.

4) But I rode my Scott for the FIRST TIME yesterday since Oceanside. It was everything that I had hoped it would be and more. The cross winds weren't too horrible, the hill repeats didn't seem too hard, and I loved the feeling of not-having-trashed-legs-so-I-can-still-feel-strong-while-doing-the-workout. Good feeling will be gone in a few days, I imagine. I am, after all, still in the first week of IM build.

5). OhMyGosh! I'm at the FIRST WEEK of IM build! And there are (something like) 65 days left before Coeur d'Alene. Not that I'm counting...

6) I refuse to be bullied into leading the lane. I'll do the pull set - not a problem. I don't mind sharing. Heck, I'll even take turns for the mainset. But when I can barely make the interval for a killer 18 X 100 and there are faster people there who are just cruising in the back, I am MORE than willing to take my paddles and shove them, well... you get my point.

7) I will be spending as much time physically riding my bike and running on Saturday, as I slept last night. I'm riding 6+ hours (or until I hit 100 miles... the real kicker? I MUST stay on my bike a MINIMUM of 6 hours, and I must ride a MINIMUM of 100 miles. If I get the miles before the six hours are up, I have to remain on the bike...), and then running 40. Wow. I think post-ride sushi will be appropriate.

8) I don't like driving in the car for 100 miles. It seems so...long. And takes for-ev-er. Thankfully, I'll be on a bike!

9) I am in Peanut Butter Egg withdrawal. Yesterday when I had a chocolate gel, I wondered where they had hidden the peanut butter before I realized it was just a gel. small sigh.

10) Susan Boyle on "Britain's Got Talent". Simply amazing and the clip made me tear up. If you've got a few moments, its worth checking out.

11) After watching 3 past episodes of "The Office" on the web last night, Nathaniel and I are caught up. Wow - a lot has happened... For our viewing pleasure, I made a really good lentil dish and Nate cracked open a bottle of wine. Its nice when he's at home and not flying night flights!

12) There's a construction sight right next to the pool, as the high school is putting in a new stadium complex. Or something of the sort. Now I don't have a problem with that...the chocking diesel fumes from all the machinery that have been blowing into the pool, on the other hand... Nothing says 'Excellent' like coming up with a lung full of diesel fumes when you're trying desperately to make the 18 X 100 on x:xx pace.

13) Even though the hot tub isn't the best thing for me post-workout, man it feels good. After Saturday's session though, it'll be the ice bath - I'm sure. Nathaniel even volunteered to have it ready by the time I return from my run...

14) New swimming suits make me feel 1)fast 2)happy to swim 3)not naked - as my old ones were a little, errr, threadbare...

15)The House Monster and Mini Monster have decided to co-exist. Nope, they're not friends. But I think they accept each others presence. And Tabbitha growls while Anabelle chases her around the room. In case you're wondering, this extra dose of exercise has not prompted the Fat Grey Cat to loose a few pounds. The only time that they're close? When Tabbitha is asleep and Anabelle curls up as close as she can without touching Tabbitha.

The Sub Zero Poopin' Hero

Need I say more?


Absolutely not.

Sometimes a picture is worth 1,000 words.

(And yes, those ARE jelly beans. I think...)

Restraint-Wind-Fish!

I thought that I exhibited exemplary restraint when I passed by the Giant Reces Pieces Peanut Butter Egg in the checkout lane. Although the second one, a few feet down had me pause for though. Two Reces Pieces PB Eggs in such a short space...and I'm not even looking for them...Is this a sign from some Two-Floppy-Eared Higher Power showing me that I should toss one OR BOTH into my cart?

And then I kept going. There is, after all, too much of a good thing. I simply love PB eggs too much to eat many more. In the past when I've really liked some particular food item - I've never actually stopped myself from enjoying it. Try eating two trays of Ferrero Rochers in one sitting. I guarantee that you'll never eat another rocher again. Trust me.

Thankfully, the PB eggs will not meet the same fate as the Rochers. That I guarantee. Next year, though, all bets are off.

In other news, I'm back on the bike. Not the TT bike, just the converted-cervelo-into-a-road bike. Today's ride was meant to be an easy one, and I figured the lack of aero bar end-shifters would keep me from gunning it up the hills or chasing down riders on Pacific Coast Highway. Yeah (small laugh) right.

The wind, hills, headwind, cross-wind, more hills, (and did I mention wind?) kept me from going "fast". My ride turned more into a "cruse": enjoying Elfin Forest, pedaling DOWN Canyon Del Dios (ahem - MORE headwind), sightseeing through Rancho Santa Fe, smelling the Dill and other herbs at random moments, and finally receiving a well-deserved tailwind on my foray back into Carlsbad. If 25 mph could feel so easy ALL the time. I may not have even been pedaling (much) -

Trust me when I say I was a happy camper with the wind on my back.

Honestly? I'm giving myself until Thursday afternoon for the Ironman training to really start hurting. So far, I'm doing okay (knock on wood and famous last words, right?). A little sore from lunges yesterday... But as the work builds, I know the fatigue will really set in. By next week, any semblance of "normal", "springy", or "fresh" legs/body/fill-in-your-body-part-of-choice will be long gone.

The good news in our house, though, is the start of Season 5 of Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch". The small things in life, eh? Nathaniel's love for the show got me interested; and last year during my recovery, I spent many hours in bed watching reruns and previous seasons.

I (read: he) enjoyed the show so much that Northwestern coffee mugs arrived on our doorstep one day... He loved them so much that he refused to take one to work, claiming it would be gone before the day's end. And while I don't agree with the logo "I'd rather be crab fishing" - the mugs feel great to drink coffee out of. Even if I do color mine with a skirt (read: coffee creamer).

And with that, I'm done. Off to eat dinner and enjoy a show about crab fishing. And while it seems wrong to eat Turkey Loaf while watching incredibly hearty souls fish for crab, well, that's what's on the menu. And maybe, just maybe, a PB egg.

You never know.

The end of R&R...

Well, it's been a great week. Relaxing, calming, no pre-race nerves, or post-workout fatigue. No epic rides, long runs, or German-ITU-style swims. (Small sight of relief. Was it that audible? Through the computer? Wow). Recovery mode has been, simply stated: fantastic.

Even the kitties are loving it, enjoying to the max. Then again - they always. do. Now, if only Tabbitha could fold the laundry in addition to sleeping on it...


I've alo had time to take care of my Jasmine plant, which I've so aptly named "Jasmine." She's a bit needy, this girl. Constant dead-heading and trimming; but its very satisfying at the same time. Gardening will do that, I guess.

The very best part though? Spending time with Nathaniel. We actually enjoyed two weekend mornings in a row of having breakfast and coffee on the back patio. Saturday and Sunday. Seriously - not joking, folks. I think this must be some sort of record. Yes, he teased me about my love for coffee creamer (his quote: "You drink coffee with a skirt!"), while I joked that I NEED my coffee with a skirt because I make it super strong. Two entire mornings!

Later on we enjoyed lunch in La Jolla and a stroll through the Scripps Aquarium. Um, yeah - nothing gets me going like marine life and the unmentionables with really big teeth. Yeah. We even saw a few of those. And after that?

Wine tasting! We're members of Which Creek Winery, and enjoyed a sample of fantastic wines. We may even crack open a bottle to go with our pizza and "Amazing Race"-watching date tonight. You never know... Top off the afternoon with the Carlsbad Farmer's Market and just-picked strawberries, and I think I was walking on air.

But it ends tomorrow.

Not the plants, no. Or the wine... The R&R, that is.

Tomorrow I begin my IM Coeur d'Alene build. I'm excited, really I am. But in addition to that excitement, are a little bit of jitters and nerves. Kind of like those we all get before a big race... I know that the weeks ahead will be tough...filled with new challenges, long days, sore limbs, and a mind that grows stronger from all the time spent training. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting up and out the door. Others, its pushing through to the end of a ridiculously long workout.

Regardless, I'm reminded that I do this sport, because I love it. It's my choice, to swim-bike-run. And all the training that goes with it. And yeah, sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming. But more often than not, I'm grateful for even the chance to participate.

Because just over a year ago, I didn't know if that was possible or not.

So tomorrow, I jump back in. Excited, happy, and (slightly nervous) about the road that lies ahead. Back on track, ready and raring' to go.

But for the rest of the night? I'm chilling. Relaxing, living it up, soaking it in, enjoying the calm before the storm. And if some pink compression socks, comfy hooded sweat-shirt, wine, Margarita Pizza, Amazing-Race TV-date with Nate, and (oh, ghee) a Peanut Butter Easter egg happen to come my way...? You bet I'll take it for all its worth. I'm well on my way already!

Monsters in my life

At the beginning of the day, Anabelle aka "Mini Monster" enjoys batting the plants...

And more importantly, chasing, errr....'playing' with her sister - Tabbitha the House Monster.

But at the end of the day, Tabbitha is the one that sits up in the bed. Like a person. Yeah. YOU would have taken a picture had you seen her sitting UPRIGHT next to you in the bed. INSTEAD of your Other Half... (Where is he...?)

Oh yeah - the NVG fligh. (Night Vision Goggles). Well - while I miss him, we all know that the House Monster is happy where she's at!

Here's to hoping that you've got lots of House and/or Mini Monsters in your life!