I've been doing lots of lurking and no writing, too. Guess I'll jump in as well!
Kris and Marianne, I'm also doing the Holiday Run Challenge if you want another teammate. I probably won't run every day but I'll get some in there! Kris, great job on your race!
Olivia, maybe you need to dial it down a little? For me, at least, holiday schedules plus hard workouts can really affect the way I feel. Do you like that Edgar Sawtelle book? I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of it, but found the end really depressing. Also, the way they raised and treated the dogs I kept wanting to think they were horses, not dogs!
I'm having a harder and harder time saying "no" to holiday goodies. Days have been assigned as "naughty" or "nice" depending on whether or not there is a holiday party. My plan to ignore the work Christmas party lunch pizza has failed. Must resume body composition focus in January!
Kristen- you are in like flynn! My full name is Kristen (spelled just like yours) so we gotta stick together. It's all about the fun!!! More the merrier!! Any other running chickas?
I'm doing the run challenge too. It would be cool to have an EN Chica team- sign me up. I ran 5 whole miles today (really really slow) and was sooooo happy! I haven't been biking much at all and I really think that Leigh nailed it on the head- I think the bike is what was really the agrivating issue to my calf problems. So I'm working on fixing that.
Linda- so happy for you and your bike test! Sounds like the MOJO IS BACK!!!!
Hello to all from Birmingham ( my home town). We are here until Thursday to celebrate with my Mom and Su's family. It is gorgeous right now and about 57 degrees. Going to head out for a run shortly.
Kit- I so agree with you about the entire IM experience. After a dissapointing show @ IMAZ, I have been thinking long and hard about my focus for IMMOO. Do I want to go sub 14? Hell yes. Do I want MORE to share the experience with all of you. Absolutely!!
Count Su and I in for the run challenge. Not sure how far and there won't be any fast, but we are in just for the fun.
I took the liberty of naming our team "EN Chickas Rule." If you want to change it, just let me know and I'll ammend mine. Otherwise, be sure to sign on with that team name.
Nemo--Mojo is surely back, but not crazy, rah-rah I'm-going-to-burn-myself-out energy. Just deliberate and steady. It's nice.
I'll give you Jan girls a word of advice. Remember, it takes 6-8 weeks for adaptations to occur. The first few weeks feel like same-old/same-old, and while it's good to feel back in the groove, your fitness isn't really back. Give it time, and you'll wake up one day and you'll know your back in the game--still at the starting blocks, but the building begins.
EN chickas rule is fine by me, now we really need the Tundra force to score on the cold weather!! and as far as running 10k pace or other?? now who is fit and FAst and not recovering from something???? we need those girls.
okay a fluke nice day here (high of 55) and I met up with Heather and then eventually David and I rode 40 miles today!! it has been a long time, since I have done that and three weeks since I have seen them so just a grand ride!! here I am at ride's end. I way underpacked calories so after 2 hours came back to the car and foraged around and found a poptart!!! 200 calories, donned another layer and good to go! Today was winter solstice, shortest day of the year, so it all UP from here!! we have rain and colder weather coming in on Wed -? so we were enjoying a nice day outside!! I hope your Monday was good too!
now who is fit and FAst and not recovering from something????
I think that's only Olivia. LOL! I'm doing fine, but not fast. Leigh might be a candidate depending on her HM recovery. OTher quick new chickas, please reveal yourselves!
M--that outfit it just too cute. What a great day!
I am sorry, but I just do not want to commit to running. I am kind of bummed by my lack of desire to get in on that challenge. I think it;s because my foot hurts from too much jumping around with my "chosen" fitness program (some videos) and over doing it on X-C skiing. I was so excited about the snow, but breaking trail was really hard in some places. Geez I hope I turn around before 1/5/10!I love the name of your team though! Good luck. Be safe. Enjoy!
Marianne- you look adorable in that outfit. Wish we had that warm weather here. I think the same way, Winter solstice- shortest day of the year. They only get longer from here! Yippee!
Nemo- Good to hear you are on the mend and running!
Olivia- Agree with Linda. Back it off. Start learning now what your body is saying and in season will be a cinch.
Quick, quick here - have to get started Decorating Gingerbread houses! Love the outfit Marianne! In on the run challenge - will neither be far nor fast, but in none the less.
Gina - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me you are going to eat at Highland Bar and Grill or one of Frank Stitt's other restaurants while you are in Birmingham! and if you do I want the food report . I wanted to go to Birmingham for our anniversary last year just to eat there - I lost . I have his Southern Table cookbook though ;-). Enjoy your trip!
Blessings and love to you all from Northern California. Those of you near a Dunkin Donuts please have a french vanilla regular for me and a few munchkins. Gosh I miss going there.
I have truly been enjoying this holiday season. Such feelings of gratefulness every day: For my loving family, Steve who constantly cracks me up..he just came into the kitchen dancing and spinning me around. He is a goof ball and a true gift from God in my life. Madison is just about the sweetest little peep I know and so pretty I can't stop looking at her. I am grateful for my job which allows me to help people every day. I am so glad to share this journey of IM training with all of you. An IM time or place will never be my end all goal in all of this. Yes it is fun to train hard but I am in this for the long haul. No time for me to be burned out. I do what I can and modify the rest to fit into my little life. I have been at this IM thing for 10 years with no end in sight. I love it and love that all of you have such a good perspective on training and life.
I got a Christmas card from Karis and Chris Lieto today. It took my breath away. What they wrote inside is 100% how I feel and I wanted to share it with you:
May We all:
RUN the race that is set before us and never give up.( Hebrews 12:1)
Find COMFORT through Faith.
Find JOY and ENCOURAGEMENT through blessings.
Find STENGTH through humility and WONDER in the Miracle of Christ's Birth.
May you have a very special Christmas week, filled with family , friends and love. The gifts and parties and food are fun but it is the human connections we have each day that are always what this season is about . So many people need love and encouragement. Seek out that person who needs your smile. You are all such amazing women. Strong , smart and real. Imagine how many lives you can touch? I know how much you have all touched mine!
yes Olivia!!! and Carrie too are fit enough to run their best effort in this run challenge... and I know others are too. so chime in you thoroughbreds!!!! great card Carrie and glad your positivity is in your whole family!! yep Madison is cute! okay scooting off the air.... now everybody go out and get some holiday socks, they make you smile!! okay Michele on not running, the skiing sounds like work in itself!! you know me, I wait all year long to finally get to run every day of the week!! and that really isn't a challenge for me so finally yes!!! I can do this!! I love it.....
Thinking about challenge, but you won't get many points from me. Run/ walk, EZ pace. Just to be part of the group makes it special. No overdoing it his time
Gina- have fun with families in Sweet Home Alabama!
Kris- great pics, and card. Had my color done last week- mine is getting darker, but the way she does it, i can go longer between needing touch up
Linda- glad to hear you had a great ride, hope the ice problem gets fixed soon- eek
Kristen and Olivia- welcome back! Always nice to hear from Chickas
Nemo- Glad the calf is behaving, it's related to bike position? How is the run-away dock?
Olivia- what the others said- don't bang into brick wall. Sometimes a day or so after my ART RX, I am more sore. be prepared with Ice and NSAIDS. I make lots of faces when ART is working on me. he laughs which makes me laugh and relax
I have a Knot in my Trapezius (?sp) i think from test, postponed week 1, will start up again in am.
Just finished Edgar Sawtelle, Kristen, I'm with you in being disappointed with the ending. It was slow to start for me, then I get into it, can't stop thinking about a book til i'm done, kinda like Crack - That is how I am with most books. I need a book holiday, or BA Bookaholic Anonymous
Kit- I also love your approach about IMMOO. Coming back from an injury (2) i want to have fun, be able to get to the start and finish, but enjoy the journey, keep it all in balance. Even though I'm not doing Moo, sharing my journey to lake placid with you guys makes it special. I have done the finish x2 now, this year i want to have a good race.
So- I had an IM dream last night! yes. during the race, after the swim, I went to my sisters for transition, then I had to get food from her place, then I had to wait for her because she decided to take a shower, so I had to wait for her before I could get back to the race, I don't remember how it ended. WTF? What is behind that
The only thing that keeps coming up for me is that right before CDA in 08, in May we got my parents moved up from Florida, my dad was pretty sick. In that crucial time period missed lots of workouts, or had to modify, very stressful time. didn't have a lot of confidence going into race. Since my mom isn't the healthiest person in the world, I have in the back of my mind the same thing could happen. I have to stopping thinking that way, because if i do, then something will happen( self-fulfilling prophecy?) So I am trying to let that all go.Maybe now that it is out there, I can let it go.
Anyway- hope all you guys have a great holiday week!
As with the other girls, I'm just getting caught up here and finally getting the last of the presents wrapped and the cards sent out...
Carrie, thanks for sending on that message...it's a good one to remember this time of year and always good to hear!
I'm in for the run challenge, too! Can I jump in the Chicka's team?! Hoping to get the running mojo back up!
Linda...White Christmas! It's our absolutely most favorite Christmas movie! My sister, mom and I know every song and drive the boys crazy singing along.
My take on Christmas- my daughter (Abigail) is 15 months and is sort of figuring out what this Christmas thing is all about. She LOVES the christmas lights and says WOW! everytime she sees a tree. She dances to the carols and ate her first taste of cut out cookie last night. It's fun seeing christmas through her eyes and helps me remember to slow down and appreciate these precious moments with her!
I do love the email subscription option of the 4.0 forums. Totally lets me keep up to date with this thread all while pretending to "do my paperwork at the office". It's very handy because I am living at the office these days and subsequently...a chronic lurker.
Firstly, thanks to all the HM well wishes and congrats. thought of all of you that day! I've actually been feeling awesome and haven't missed a beat or day since the race. next goal 1:42 by the end of February.
Second, would like to join the chica's in the run challenge if you'll have me. planning to run lots while up on the beach in Maine for the long holiday weekend.
Just doing a firmware update on my 310xt (finally) and back on here 2x in one day!! Yay!! Gotta do the Garmin re--set up process.
I will check out the run challenge in just a few seconds. As long as it doesn't add MORE mileage, I'll consider it. Just to do it with y'all.
Listening to all of you...will see how I feel when the alarm goes off tomorrow. If there is any doubt I will not get up. BTW...you all may be on to something. The ol' PMC pink and yellow line show a huge jump over the last week and 1/2.
Carrie, Thank you for your beautiful messages! As always...
Marriane, your bike outfit with those socks is AWESOME!!! You look great. I love the IM jacket...I need to spend a little more time checking out the goods for sale....I've never gone to that Finisher merchandise deelio after IM....look at that cute stuff that I'm missing.
Kristen, Thanks for keeping the OS gang going...I needed your week 12 post.
And booo for the Sawtelle ending...now I'm not looking forward to getting to that part. I am with you Tracy, I get sucked into reading sometimes just like an addict. That's probably another reason why I haven't been on here as much. Anyone read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?
Carrie -- What a beautiful blessing. Thanks for sharing.
Robin - Hooray gingerbread houses!
Olivia - Very cool about being smart athlete. How many times are you going to get anyone in this haus telling you to sleep in? And it would be very cool to meet you in real life. I'm totally working getting Mac to think Vail is awesome.
Linda - Thank you for all these wise things you keep saying about taking care to not overtrain and not worry about not seeing big gains right away. I am listening and I totally appreciate them. I took an FTP test tonight and it was not a big gain. Then, I read what you wrote about not expecting gains for six-eight weeks in the OS. Since I started late due to flu/ear infection, I remembered I'm really only six and a half weeks in. The work is in the legs. I am sure it will come out when it is ready. Who knew sophomore year of EN would have so many new challenges? I love this sport because there is no sign of it ever getting boring.
EN Chickas Rule - Yes, yes you do! I'll be cheering from vacation for you!
Robin- We are big fans of Frank Stitt. He single handedly turned the restuarant scene around in Birmingham years ago. All 4 of his places in B'ham are outstanding and would be worth the trip.
We actually have an invitation to go the Highland's tomorrow night!! Bon appetit!
WOW! We had our tri group holiday party tonight and I am gone for 3 lil ole hours and I come back to 16 posts! Super glad to see all the company in the run challenge. Goal is to do fun things with the fitness so plse do not worry abt how long or how fast, do what you CAN and enjoy every minute of it! Remember, we can conquer in numbers- the ladies of EN are a force to be reckoned with. Single we are strong, together we are invicible!
Off to bed with me... very, very tired gal!!
P.S. Gina- are you gals in for the run? Carrie H and Carrie C? (of course we'd have to get Carrie C to defect from the Nor Cal group ) How bout some of the new EN gals? More the merrier!!! And the more miles Mike H will have to run (ck out the run challenge forum for Mike's pledge)
Olivia - I couldn't get through the first 10 pages of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and gave it to my sister. However, a friend just told me that all of her book club agrees that if you can get through the first 50 pages or so, the rest is great. Maybe I'll try it again.
Like several of you other ladies, I'm a compulsive reader. I actually get a little anxious if I don't have several books lying around waiting to be next. I haven't read anything lately that I loved, but I just finished The Piano Teacher and found it really enjoyable.
Anybody read "Sarah's Key"? The girls at work read it and passed it to me. I couldn't finish it because I was way too emotional. Any other good reads out there?
Haven't heard anything about Sarah's Key. Eeks. If it's that emotional I don't know if I can go there. In fact today for my bus/train ride to work I think I'll read something else aside from Edgar Sawtelle....may switch to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle....
Don't know if I can handle much in the realm of emotional after yesterday when I kept crying thanks to my periodontist appointment. I thought I was done with expanding the scope of this treatment but here we go again. And the darned price tag keeps getting higher and higher. If I really wanted to bum myself out I could put together a photo montage of the bikes and vacations I could have bought with the $ I've spent on the treatments from all of this. Ugh!
I'm up and woke up easily with no alarm. Getting in some cals and so far feel OK to get in today's workout. Still holding out final eval for when I get on the bike. If the legs don't feel it I'll get off. Went to bed early last night, so that may have helped. Maybe the evil sweet potato french fries that I ate at lunch yesterday also helped.
Give The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo another go, Kristen.....it gets to a point that you can't put it down.
Ladies- you all make me feel so uneducated! While your reading all these heavy books and participating in book clubs, I'm re-reading stuff from my childhood! I finished Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galley and now I'm reading the squeal, Restaurant at the End of the Universe!
Beth- Sophomore year with EN can be pretty tough. You won't see all the huge gains you saw in year 1. You will see gains= but they come in much smaller doses. Don't worry- the work is still working!!!
Socks came from Target!! okay do NOT go tothe Finishers merchandise!!! you would think it is a Blue Light Kmart sale in there!! but nope, everything is $$$ and hubby bought me this jacket and honestly?? I have loved it, nice deep pockets, comfortable, not binding and warm..... please note that you either get some MOJO on the ride or show up with it, cuz it has those MDots all over the thing, so you can't slack!! so if you could stop seeing the dontis you would have somemoulah for the merchandise!! LOL.... you know I am teasing you I feel so sorry for you for the visits.
no I am not reading!! so Nemo dont' feel bad. ... Nada, nothing, just christmas cards!! my favorite with some hot tea in the afternoon.
what else? out the door to PT and a short run with dog, christmas with MIL here tonight... can you put my name in with team? wondering... I am still doing the pushups!! and still doing clamshells!!!
my funny... Heather and I are riding... both on Luceros, and we both underpack calories, and after about 20 miles, feel like we have gone about 50.... I drop my Cliff Bar on the ground! so we pick up the pace to ABP++ and head back to car and I forage and find blueberry poptarts and tell her "thank goodness I am a MOM"... and after inhaling, we ride again,, getting in 40 miles!!! oh, at the end we link up with David also on a Lucero.... three triathletes on QR Luceros.... just riding around the Rivertrail... of course we were both winded so we challenge him "go do an interval" and we will catch you on the back side, he does and still looks fresh, so we say "do another one!", the guy has speed and in fact when I was drafting and then I was off I just yelled "POP!" meaning i had just popped!! anyway a very nice ride.
@ ;Beth--my first year with EN, I didn't get any big gains until July! And that was with an October OS start. I chipped away at gains in the OS--4 watts, 3 watts... Then a 13 watt jump on top of those gains in July, another 10 in August, and another 8 in September! I couldn't hold the last 8 watt gain in training (P called it having a "good test") so I backed it down to the August number and used that into the Ironman. IOW, all you can do it chip, chip, chip away. Do your best, and the gains will come--slower in year two, but they will happen. The worst thing to do is to compare to others. Just stay your own course, and you will be as good as you can be. The major point for me is that I am already at a solid FTP for my ability, weight, etc. It's not that I can't improve--I can--but the gains three years into this will not be as dramatic as someone starting out. Rich warns people of that all the time.
I have the attention span of a gnat these days. I listened to Racing in the Rain in the car. I think I would have enjoyed it more on the printed page. I am making my way through The Elegance of the Hedgehog and am really intrigued by it. I have the "sweet potato pie" book coming up next.--can't remember the full title.
Keith has the dog out for a romp, and I'm happy to have the morning off from adding that into my routine, as fun as it is. Off to wrap things up at a client today, and I'm off until the 4th!
Comments
Ice Dam? Oh that's scarey Linda! Go get that taken care of!!
I think you'll need this extra part of the link for Mancona's baby pool to get to their specific site: http://www.expectnet.com/games/guessbaby
BTW- I'm picking Feb 20 'cause that's MY birthday!
M= We can be the Southern Belles of the run challenge. I still think we should get bonus points for style and accessorizing while on said runs
I've been doing lots of lurking and no writing, too. Guess I'll jump in as well!
Kris and Marianne, I'm also doing the Holiday Run Challenge if you want another teammate. I probably won't run every day but I'll get some in there! Kris, great job on your race!
Olivia, maybe you need to dial it down a little? For me, at least, holiday schedules plus hard workouts can really affect the way I feel. Do you like that Edgar Sawtelle book? I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of it, but found the end really depressing. Also, the way they raised and treated the dogs I kept wanting to think they were horses, not dogs!
I'm having a harder and harder time saying "no" to holiday goodies. Days have been assigned as "naughty" or "nice" depending on whether or not there is a holiday party. My plan to ignore the work Christmas party lunch pizza has failed.
Must resume body composition focus in January!
I may join the challenge. I need 5' to think about it, and will let you know. That 5' is on tap later today!
Rockin' bike test today. Very happy with how it went!
I'm doing the run challenge too. It would be cool to have an EN Chica team- sign me up. I ran 5 whole miles today (really really slow) and was sooooo happy! I haven't been biking much at all and I really think that Leigh nailed it on the head- I think the bike is what was really the agrivating issue to my calf problems. So I'm working on fixing that.
Linda- so happy for you and your bike test! Sounds like the MOJO IS BACK!!!!
WOOHOO! Way 2 go!! Yes, do! We will be the most funnest team ever!!
Hello to all from Birmingham ( my home town). We are here until Thursday to celebrate with my Mom and Su's family. It is gorgeous right now and about 57 degrees. Going to head out for a run shortly.
Kit- I so agree with you about the entire IM experience. After a dissapointing show @ IMAZ, I have been thinking long and hard about my focus for IMMOO. Do I want to go sub 14? Hell yes. Do I want MORE to share the experience with all of you. Absolutely!!
Count Su and I in for the run challenge. Not sure how far and there won't be any fast, but we are in just for the fun.
I'm in for the run challenge. Why not?! Esp will all of you. If you haven't gone to the spread sheet to sign up, here's the link: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AvCYkX_CIWHxdFZFdHVGSEhyZ1hlWlhKNXpELTdkUkE&hl=en
I took the liberty of naming our team "EN Chickas Rule."
If you want to change it, just let me know and I'll ammend mine. Otherwise, be sure to sign on with that team name. 
Nemo--Mojo is surely back, but not crazy, rah-rah I'm-going-to-burn-myself-out energy. Just deliberate and steady. It's nice.
I'll give you Jan girls a word of advice. Remember, it takes 6-8 weeks for adaptations to occur. The first few weeks feel like same-old/same-old, and while it's good to feel back in the groove, your fitness isn't really back. Give it time, and you'll wake up one day and you'll know your back in the game--still at the starting blocks, but the building begins.
EN chickas rule is fine by me, now we really need the Tundra force to score on the cold weather!! and as far as running 10k pace or other?? now who is fit and FAst and not recovering from something????
we need those girls.
okay a fluke nice day here (high of 55) and I met up with Heather and then eventually David and I rode 40 miles today!! it has been a long time, since I have done that and three weeks since I have seen them so just a grand ride!! here I am at ride's end. I way underpacked calories so after 2 hours came back to the car and foraged around and found a poptart!!! 200 calories, donned another layer and good to go! Today was winter solstice, shortest day of the year, so it all UP from here!! we have rain and colder weather coming in on Wed -? so we were enjoying a nice day outside!! I hope your Monday was good too!
I am sorry, but I just do not want to commit to running. I am kind of bummed by my lack of desire to get in on that challenge. I think it;s because my foot hurts from too much jumping around with my "chosen" fitness program (some videos) and over doing it on X-C skiing. I was so excited about the snow, but breaking trail was really hard in some places. Geez I hope I turn around before 1/5/10!I love the name of your team though! Good luck. Be safe. Enjoy!
Marianne- you look adorable in that outfit. Wish we had that warm weather here. I think the same way, Winter solstice- shortest day of the year. They only get longer from here! Yippee!
Nemo- Good to hear you are on the mend and running!
Olivia- Agree with Linda. Back it off. Start learning now what your body is saying and in season will be a cinch.
Quick, quick here - have to get started Decorating Gingerbread houses! Love the outfit Marianne! In on the run challenge - will neither be far nor fast, but in none the less.
Gina - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me you are going to eat at Highland Bar and Grill or one of Frank Stitt's other restaurants while you are in Birmingham! and if you do I want the food report
Happy Holidays ladies!!
Blessings and love to you all from Northern California. Those of you near a Dunkin Donuts please have a french vanilla regular for me and a few munchkins. Gosh I miss going there.
I have truly been enjoying this holiday season. Such feelings of gratefulness every day: For my loving family, Steve who constantly cracks me up..he just came into the kitchen dancing and spinning me around. He is a goof ball and a true gift from God in my life. Madison is just about the sweetest little peep I know and so pretty I can't stop looking at her. I am grateful for my job which allows me to help people every day. I am so glad to share this journey of IM training with all of you. An IM time or place will never be my end all goal in all of this. Yes it is fun to train hard but I am in this for the long haul. No time for me to be burned out. I do what I can and modify the rest to fit into my little life. I have been at this IM thing for 10 years with no end in sight. I love it and love that all of you have such a good perspective on training and life.
I got a Christmas card from Karis and Chris Lieto today. It took my breath away. What they wrote inside is 100% how I feel and I wanted to share it with you:
May We all:
RUN the race that is set before us and never give up.( Hebrews 12:1)
Find COMFORT through Faith.
Find JOY and ENCOURAGEMENT through blessings.
Find STENGTH through humility and WONDER in the Miracle of Christ's Birth.
May you have a very special Christmas week, filled with family , friends and love. The gifts and parties and food are fun but it is the human connections we have each day that are always what this season is about . So many people need love and encouragement. Seek out that person who needs your smile. You are all such amazing women. Strong , smart and real. Imagine how many lives you can touch? I know how much you have all touched mine!
God Bless you all!!
Carrie Chavez
M- Love the festive outfit
Thinking about challenge, but you won't get many points from me. Run/ walk, EZ pace. Just to be part of the group makes it special. No overdoing it his time
Gina- have fun with families in Sweet Home Alabama!
Kris- great pics, and card. Had my color done last week- mine is getting darker, but the way she does it, i can go longer between needing touch up
Linda- glad to hear you had a great ride, hope the ice problem gets fixed soon- eek
Kristen and Olivia- welcome back! Always nice to hear from Chickas
Nemo- Glad the calf is behaving, it's related to bike position? How is the run-away dock?
Olivia- what the others said- don't bang into brick wall. Sometimes a day or so after my ART RX, I am more sore. be prepared with Ice and NSAIDS. I make lots of faces when ART is working on me. he laughs which makes me laugh and relax
I have a Knot in my Trapezius (?sp) i think from test, postponed week 1, will start up again in am.
Just finished Edgar Sawtelle, Kristen, I'm with you in being disappointed with the ending. It was slow to start for me, then I get into it, can't stop thinking about a book til i'm done, kinda like Crack - That is how I am with most books. I need a book holiday, or BA Bookaholic Anonymous
Kit- I also love your approach about IMMOO. Coming back from an injury (2) i want to have fun, be able to get to the start and finish, but enjoy the journey, keep it all in balance. Even though I'm not doing Moo, sharing my journey to lake placid with you guys makes it special. I have done the finish x2 now, this year i want to have a good race.
So- I had an IM dream last night! yes. during the race, after the swim, I went to my sisters for transition, then I had to get food from her place, then I had to wait for her because she decided to take a shower, so I had to wait for her before I could get back to the race, I don't remember how it ended. WTF? What is behind that
The only thing that keeps coming up for me is that right before CDA in 08, in May we got my parents moved up from Florida, my dad was pretty sick. In that crucial time period missed lots of workouts, or had to modify, very stressful time. didn't have a lot of confidence going into race. Since my mom isn't the healthiest person in the world, I have in the back of my mind the same thing could happen. I have to stopping thinking that way, because if i do, then something will happen( self-fulfilling prophecy?) So I am trying to let that all go.Maybe now that it is out there, I can let it go.
Anyway- hope all you guys have a great holiday week!
As with the other girls, I'm just getting caught up here and finally getting the last of the presents wrapped and the cards sent out...
Carrie, thanks for sending on that message...it's a good one to remember this time of year and always good to hear!
I'm in for the run challenge, too! Can I jump in the Chicka's team?! Hoping to get the running mojo back up!
Linda...White Christmas! It's our absolutely most favorite Christmas movie! My sister, mom and I know every song and drive the boys crazy singing along.
My take on Christmas- my daughter (Abigail) is 15 months and is sort of figuring out what this Christmas thing is all about. She LOVES the christmas lights and says WOW! everytime she sees a tree. She dances to the carols and ate her first taste of cut out cookie last night. It's fun seeing christmas through her eyes and helps me remember to slow down and appreciate these precious moments with her!
Ok, my sappiness is done!
I do love the email subscription option of the 4.0 forums. Totally lets me keep up to date with this thread all while pretending to "do my paperwork at the office". It's very handy because I am living at the office these days and subsequently...a chronic lurker.
Firstly, thanks to all the HM well wishes and congrats. thought of all of you that day! I've actually been feeling awesome and haven't missed a beat or day since the race. next goal 1:42 by the end of February.
Second, would like to join the chica's in the run challenge if you'll have me. planning to run lots while up on the beach in Maine for the long holiday weekend.
Have you? I was terrified you were going to join In the Cold!
So great to hear how well you're doing. Hitting your stride and then some.
Just doing a firmware update on my 310xt (finally) and back on here 2x in one day!! Yay!! Gotta do the Garmin re--set up process.
I will check out the run challenge in just a few seconds. As long as it doesn't add MORE mileage, I'll consider it. Just to do it with y'all.
Listening to all of you...will see how I feel when the alarm goes off tomorrow. If there is any doubt I will not get up. BTW...you all may be on to something. The ol' PMC pink and yellow line show a huge jump over the last week and 1/2.
Carrie, Thank you for your beautiful messages! As always...
Marriane, your bike outfit with those socks is AWESOME!!! You look great. I love the IM jacket...I need to spend a little more time checking out the goods for sale....I've never gone to that Finisher merchandise deelio after IM....look at that cute stuff that I'm missing.
Kristen, Thanks for keeping the OS gang going...I needed your week 12 post.
And booo for the Sawtelle ending...now I'm not looking forward to getting to that part. I am with you Tracy, I get sucked into reading sometimes just like an addict. That's probably another reason why I haven't been on here as much. Anyone read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?
Alright. I signed up....EN Chickas Rule!!
Hi Ladies!
Carrie -- What a beautiful blessing. Thanks for sharing.
Robin - Hooray gingerbread houses!
Olivia - Very cool about being smart athlete. How many times are you going to get anyone in this haus telling you to sleep in? And it would be very cool to meet you in real life. I'm totally working getting Mac to think Vail is awesome.
Linda - Thank you for all these wise things you keep saying about taking care to not overtrain and not worry about not seeing big gains right away. I am listening and I totally appreciate them. I took an FTP test tonight and it was not a big gain. Then, I read what you wrote about not expecting gains for six-eight weeks in the OS. Since I started late due to flu/ear infection, I remembered I'm really only six and a half weeks in. The work is in the legs. I am sure it will come out when it is ready.
Who knew sophomore year of EN would have so many new challenges? I love this sport because there is no sign of it ever getting boring.
EN Chickas Rule - Yes, yes you do! I'll be cheering from vacation for you!
Robin- We are big fans of Frank Stitt. He single handedly turned the restuarant scene around in Birmingham years ago. All 4 of his places in B'ham are outstanding and would be worth the trip.
We actually have an invitation to go the Highland's tomorrow night!! Bon appetit!
WOW! We had our tri group holiday party tonight and I am gone for 3 lil ole hours and I come back to 16 posts! Super glad to see all the company in the run challenge. Goal is to do fun things with the fitness so plse do not worry abt how long or how fast, do what you CAN and enjoy every minute of it! Remember, we can conquer in numbers- the ladies of EN are a force to be reckoned with. Single we are strong, together we are invicible!
Off to bed with me... very, very tired gal!!
P.S. Gina- are you gals in for the run? Carrie H and Carrie C? (of course we'd have to get Carrie C to defect from the Nor Cal group
) How bout some of the new EN gals? More the merrier!!! And the more miles Mike H will have to run (ck out the run challenge forum for Mike's pledge)
Olivia - I couldn't get through the first 10 pages of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and gave it to my sister. However, a friend just told me that all of her book club agrees that if you can get through the first 50 pages or so, the rest is great. Maybe I'll try it again.
Like several of you other ladies, I'm a compulsive reader. I actually get a little anxious if I don't have several books lying around waiting to be next. I haven't read anything lately that I loved, but I just finished The Piano Teacher and found it really enjoyable.
Haven't heard anything about Sarah's Key. Eeks. If it's that emotional I don't know if I can go there. In fact today for my bus/train ride to work I think I'll read something else aside from Edgar Sawtelle....may switch to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle....
Don't know if I can handle much in the realm of emotional after yesterday when I kept crying thanks to my periodontist appointment. I thought I was done with expanding the scope of this treatment but here we go again. And the darned price tag keeps getting higher and higher. If I really wanted to bum myself out I could put together a photo montage of the bikes and vacations I could have bought with the $ I've spent on the treatments from all of this. Ugh!
I'm up and woke up easily with no alarm. Getting in some cals and so far feel OK to get in today's workout. Still holding out final eval for when I get on the bike. If the legs don't feel it I'll get off. Went to bed early last night, so that may have helped. Maybe the evil sweet potato french fries that I ate at lunch yesterday also helped.
Give The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo another go, Kristen.....it gets to a point that you can't put it down.
Beth- Sophomore year with EN can be pretty tough. You won't see all the huge gains you saw in year 1. You will see gains= but they come in much smaller doses. Don't worry- the work is still working!!!
Socks came from Target!! okay do NOT go tothe Finishers merchandise!!!
you would think it is a Blue Light Kmart sale in there!! but nope, everything is $$$ and hubby bought me this jacket and honestly?? I have loved it, nice deep pockets, comfortable, not binding and warm..... please note that you either get some MOJO on the ride or show up with it, cuz it has those MDots all over the thing, so you can't slack!! so if you could stop seeing the dontis you would have somemoulah for the merchandise!! LOL.... you know I am teasing you I feel so sorry for you for the visits.
no I am not reading!! so Nemo dont' feel bad. ... Nada, nothing, just christmas cards!! my favorite with some hot tea in the afternoon.
what else? out the door to PT and a short run with dog, christmas with MIL here tonight... can you put my name in with team? wondering... I am still doing the pushups!! and still doing clamshells!!!
my funny... Heather and I are riding... both on Luceros, and we both underpack calories, and after about 20 miles, feel like we have gone about 50.... I drop my Cliff Bar on the ground! so we pick up the pace to ABP++ and head back to car and I forage and find blueberry poptarts and tell her "thank goodness I am a MOM"... and after inhaling, we ride again,, getting in 40 miles!!! oh, at the end we link up with David also on a Lucero.... three triathletes on QR Luceros.... just riding around the Rivertrail... of course we were both winded so we challenge him "go do an interval" and we will catch you on the back side, he does and still looks fresh, so we say "do another one!", the guy has speed and in fact when I was drafting and then I was off I just yelled "POP!" meaning i had just popped!! anyway a very nice ride.
@ ;Beth--my first year with EN, I didn't get any big gains until July! And that was with an October OS start. I chipped away at gains in the OS--4 watts, 3 watts... Then a 13 watt jump on top of those gains in July, another 10 in August, and another 8 in September! I couldn't hold the last 8 watt gain in training (P called it having a "good test") so I backed it down to the August number and used that into the Ironman. IOW, all you can do it chip, chip, chip away. Do your best, and the gains will come--slower in year two, but they will happen. The worst thing to do is to compare to others. Just stay your own course, and you will be as good as you can be. The major point for me is that I am already at a solid FTP for my ability, weight, etc. It's not that I can't improve--I can--but the gains three years into this will not be as dramatic as someone starting out. Rich warns people of that all the time.
I have the attention span of a gnat these days. I listened to Racing in the Rain in the car. I think I would have enjoyed it more on the printed page. I am making my way through The Elegance of the Hedgehog and am really intrigued by it. I have the "sweet potato pie" book coming up next.--can't remember the full title.
Keith has the dog out for a romp, and I'm happy to have the morning off from adding that into my routine, as fun as it is. Off to wrap things up at a client today, and I'm off until the 4th!