Reading everything, but realized I haven't posted anything until m pointed it out! Haven't had much to say!
This is where I'm at--cruised along through the OS--dum de dum--until now. The VO2max block is doing me in--again. (Olivia, isn't this where you started feeling pinched?) Same for me every year. Time to regroup--the beauty of being a self-coached athlete. Think about it....30/30s on Tu; VO2max RUNNING on Wed; more 30/30s on Th. Three VO2max days in a row. (Between us, I have never understood the wisdom of that.) Then the Sat ride has gone INSANE! The first two OSs, the Sat ride main set was 1x15 + 2x15 @ 85%. Now it's 2x15 @ ;FT + 3x4' at ~VO2max + 2x 15 @ 85%!!! It's triple, with TP running the next day! UNCLE!!! This girl needs to tone it down. I need to ask Rich about why the big Sat bike change. I told Gina that this OS seemed easier somehow. I take that back. Now's the time for me to cool it a bit before I dig too big a hole.
Olivia--great news about the recovery. I knew you would get there. Quick question--you mentioned moving from the OS into race prep. I hope you have a 2-week "transition" built in there. RnP always made us take 2 weeks after the OS to regroup, recover, and rest before moving on. I hope that hasn't gotten lost in the 4,0 shuffle. It's clutch to do that. Just wondering...
OH OH OH and the other week is the week I do Habitat 500. 500 mile bike ride to raise money and awareness for affordable housing. Anyone interested in going???? It's a LOT of fun. It's like summer camp for adults with beer..... We stay overnight at schools and community centers. Local churches and organizations feed us. We either tent outside or bunk out on the gym floor. Anyone that is interested in more information let me know. Somehow, in light of the issues in Haiti, I feel like this is a misplaced effort this year but I do it every year and want to go again this year.
Talked to hubby last night and I think that in December of 2011, we are going to go on the Rimu with this company, www.activenewzealand.com. It will be within 4 months of my turning 50 and a month from when my husband turns 50 and we will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2012 so we are starting to save for this. Should be a great time.
Posted By Sheryl Woodworth on 18 Jan 2010 10:46 AM
Talked to hubby last night and I think that in December of 2011, we are going to go on the Rimu with this company, www.activenewzealand.com. It will be within 4 months of my turning 50 and a month from when my husband turns 50 and we will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2012 so we are starting to save for this. Should be a great time.
Sheryl- FWIW- you can probably do that same itinerary of activities on the Rimu trip for almost half the cost. You have to be willing to do a little research and planning on your own- but NZ is super easy to get around once you are there. You have to do the driving from place to place on your own (vs getting some "down time" to sleep on a bus) but we actually thought the driving was part of the adventure.
Posted By Sheryl Woodworth on 18 Jan 2010 10:46 AM
Talked to hubby last night and I think that in December of 2011, we are going to go on the Rimu with this company, www.activenewzealand.com. It will be within 4 months of my turning 50 and a month from when my husband turns 50 and we will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2012 so we are starting to save for this. Should be a great time.
Sheryl- FWIW- you can probably do that same itinerary of activities on the Rimu trip for almost half the cost. You have to be willing to do a little research and planning on your own- but NZ is super easy to get around once you are there. You have to do the driving from place to place on your own (vs getting some "down time" to sleep on a bus) but we actually thought the driving was part of the adventure.
Usually, I'm up for planning but this overwhelms me. Can you plan it for me? So, my only concern is getting somewhere remote with no support for emergencies (I'm pretty risk adverse). If we planned ourself, then maybe the whole family could go including the inlaws.....
Olivia: Great to hear you're recovered and refreshed.
Beth: Welcome back! What are these fat skis that you speak of? Powder skis?
Linda: I've with you with the Sat ride. It's a complete a$$-kicker. I'll be interested to see what Coaches have to say about it. I was thinking it was to ease us from OS to Basic Prep.
Vacation! I live for vacation!! ToC, Cowgirl camp, IMMoo...the base building. In 30 days, I'm going to Argentina to hike Patagonia, see a penguin colony, and Iguazu Falls. My parents took my brother and I on some really awesome family vacations. The big stuff: family reunion trips to the beach in Thailand (I have 27 first cousins), road trip from Yosemite to Yellowstone, a camping + Disney World combo with 5 other families. The weekend road trips: Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, OH, visiting the Smithsonian (it's enormous), Niagara Falls + Toronto with a side trip to go cherry picking. Mom and I are scheming a family trip to Langkawi, Malaysia...maybe in 2011.
Reading everything, but realized I haven't posted anything until m pointed it out! Haven't had much to say!
This is where I'm at--cruised along through the OS--dum de dum--until now. The VO2max block is doing me in--again. (Olivia, isn't this where you started feeling pinched?) Same for me every year. Time to regroup--the beauty of being a self-coached athlete. Think about it....30/30s on Tu; VO2max RUNNING on Wed; more 30/30s on Th. Three VO2max days in a row. (Between us, I have never understood the wisdom of that.) Then the Sat ride has gone INSANE! The first two OSs, the Sat ride main set was 1x15 + 2x15 @ 85%. Now it's 2x15 @ ;FT + 3x4' at ~VO2max + 2x 15 @ 85%!!! It's triple, with TP running the next day! UNCLE!!! This girl needs to tone it down. I need to ask Rich about why the big Sat bike change. I told Gina that this OS seemed easier somehow. I take that back. Now's the time for me to cool it a bit before I dig too big a hole.
Olivia--great news about the recovery. I knew you would get there. Quick question--you mentioned moving from the OS into race prep. I hope you have a 2-week "transition" built in there. RnP always made us take 2 weeks after the OS to regroup, recover, and rest before moving on. I hope that hasn't gotten lost in the 4,0 shuffle. It's clutch to do that. Just wondering...
Yes, Linda!! That is exactly when things crumbled for me! Those rides are killer from both effort and an overall time commitment perspectives. Not to mention the fact that I couldn't fuel myself well for those. (it was about that time that on FB I was posting things about having felt like I'd just finished a sprint race)
I posted a couple of meager questions in the feedback thread, but thought I was a moron for doing so. Like, duh? What I’m I not getting. It was exactly when this stuff started on the bike when I could no longer tack the full runs on the end of the rides, and my Sunday runs, while I got through them, were much more difficult. It would be good to understand what the logic is on the dramatic jump, and also, maybe request that there be a bit more guidance/coaching around how to get through those workouts or work up to them, or something. This is definitely a space where we can improve how the plan is framed, delivered, and then attacked.
I sort of thought that you all who did the power hack last year had seen all of that before, and knew what the gig was. Interesting that it’s new to you as well, and that you’d like some additional info….
Having learned from you….the rest helped!! But it’d be nice to be able to plan ahead for how to adjust those workouts so that you know you’re benefiting without having to get to the ugly place.
Haven’t gotten anything definitive from RnP about the transition. I’m assuming that will start on 2/1, but only guessing. Would love to know, so that I can schedule some periodontist work during that time, but I know the info is forthcoming. A few of us IMSG peeps have put something in the macro feedback forum. I’m definitely planning for a regroup period of at least a week, but have heard in some of the podcasts that sometimes two weeks is recommended. We’ll see.
For MLK Day I went out on my old PINK bike (that has been transformed to a single speed now) and brought some cokes and skittles to Jenny and Julie while they did the run for Haiti. They did 25 miles! I am so impressed by everyone chipping in and doing that challenge (and yes a little jealous too ). It would be so nice to be able to run enough to just go pick up and run that far w/out even being trained for it! I am committed to keeping this hip healthy though and knock on wood the plan is working so far so I am sticking with it!
Linda - I am really glad to hear you post your thoughts on how your OS is going. Thanks so much for sharing them - if I wasn't hearing that I know I could easily fall into the "I can do more" trap. I am feeling really really good (I know I am only starting week 3), but have found myself thinking - Man, this isn't so hard. I keep reminding myself though that it is a long time til July and on top of that thinking of adding Longhorn in October all the while being mindful of the injury and taking care of that. I am going to stick w/ this beg. plan and just enjoy the ride as long as it lasts .
VACATION !!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to travel and for this reason I buy a lottery ticket almost every week. Having the financial freedom to travel the way I want to would just be the berries for me . We are going to lay kinda low in 2010 in hopes of taking the kids to Australia in 2011. I have spent extended periods of time there, love the country and have good friends there. It is something I really want to share with my family. Jack will be in 6th grade in 2011 so it will probably be the last time for a while he could miss an extended period of school. December is really the only time of year we can go so that is what we are shooting for - we've been saving for the last 10 years! of course the stock market has not helped our savings much .
2010 - we'll probably take a family trip to my parents place in Ocean City MD in late July and we'll do some weekend trips to Museums, etc. I'm trying to formulate a plan for President's Day weekend now. It looks like I might get to come to Boston in March to visit an old friend and I am thinking of trying to do that the same weekend as the Expo so I can meet the NE peeps too! That is still in the planning stages though - so we'll see. Then I will get to go to Austin if I go ahead w/ Longhorn so all in all a pretty good year for me!!! My husband takes two fishing trips and a hunting trip each year too - so it all kinda balances out. My "want to go do" list is as long as my arm though - I have a friend that lives in Moscow I am dying to go visit, but that would be pushing it a bit .
Hope everyone is enjoying their MLK Day. It is sunny and beautiful here today (notice the squinting in the picture above) - pretty weather makes me happy
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” - Martin Luther King Jr.
I have been reading. Loved all the organizational stuff. Anyone want to come to my place? Still trying to organize from when I moved in in May.
Marianne- loved the Rudy story. I did a Stoopid thing Sat. After my lovely walk on sat, came in the front door, apparently closed the door with the keys still in door. Sunday, looking for keys in usual place, uhoh, don't tell me- yup. All night in the front door! In Baltimore!!! Thank God, no one came in!
Yes, I don't like guns either. Like Gina, I see too much stuff from GSWs working in OR. Also when I was a kid maybe 6-7yo, my uncle was a NYC police officer. I was staying with them for a few days and asked my uncle if I could see his gun. He gave me a big lecture about guns not being toys etc. lesson learned. That same uncle comitted suicide with gun, 2 weeks after I graduated college
Vacation- only thing for me this year is IM lake placid, training camp, cowgirl camp, watching IMMOO. Otherwise little getaways. This year is all about getting ready to buy a house. One of my huge student loans will be paid off in next few months 2011, want to go to Australia to visit a friend, and possible western Australia IM.
Beth welcome back!
Olivia, glad you are feeling better. Linda, hang in there. one of my thoughts for you was maybe backing down to beginner plan?
Ok so my knee is about 90-95% I think. Last weeks massage really must have loosed up some scar tissue on my hamstring tendons. very little pain, backing down on NSAIDS. Doing more on bike without twinges. Don't think runable yet, but getting close
This is my challenging time, but no, I won't run yet til absolutely sure, and ART guys says ok, then very slow progression. I am walking around with a huge smile on my face. This is the best I have felt in a long time
I have been reading and 'lurking' around here for awhile. I think all of you ladies are awesome! This is a great space.
I'm looking for some advice on how you ladies have ended up living where you currently live. About 6 months ago I convinced my wife to sell our home and travel while working. Well, it is not working out well and we are looking for places to live. This is an important decision for us as we would like to 'settle' a bit for awhile. Do you live near family? Live where there are jobs? Low cost of living? Good weather?
Any insight from this group of women would be appreciated!
My My My, there is just too much going on here! I can't keep up!!
Kitma- Argentina/Peru is absolutely on my list. We will have to trade travel notes when we finally meet in person!
Robin- I'm sooooooo jealous of you riding on that pink bike outside!!!! Oh man, I just didn't realize how much I really do love my bike until this injury.
The bike was always my backup plan when injured and I guess I never really respected or appreciated it as much as I should have.
Tracy- I'm glad to hear your recovery is coming along too! Gosh, its been so helpful to know there are others out there with me!
Olivia & Linda- I am taking some serious notes!!!! When I finally can start training again, I'm going to remind myself to find these posts when I reach that spot in the training plans!
Carly- Welcome inside the Woman's Forum! What an interesting question you pose! I don't know if Joe and I have the perfect solution, but we have certainly done a lot of thinking about where the "perfect" place for us to live would be. The trouble is, I'm not sure the place exists (or at least not in this country)! Frankly, Washington DC is a nice place and meets lots of our requirements, but the congestion and abundance of "Me First" attitude just became too much of a negative for us. We live in OBX NC because of the warm temps (I hate the cold), we are near the ocean (I just don't think I could ever live somewhere that was land locked), we wanted a small friendly community where we could feel connected, and it was economically possible (we can afford to live here- largely thanks to the fact that my employer lets me work from a home office). The things we miss, and wish we could get if we ever moved again are: the mountains (4 hour drive to real mountains and I miss them more than I thought I would) and closer to good medical facilities (a 2 hour drive to the nearest ART specialist simply sucks).
I am now in week 2 of cutting back on sugar and either that time of the month or the lack of sugar but I am whooped!! wanna take a nap about 1:30 every day like I was PG, nope I am not but that sorta fatigue!! today I talked myself out of it, not gonna nap.. I did yesterday though for one hour and woke up feeling very out of it, cuz i can't just lay down for 15', gotta be one hour or more!!! anyways, come to find out my sugar in my fav yogurt!!! so I have been surviving and when I read about sugar , it says "go looking for sugar, ie hidden in words like this... blah blah... "honey I ain't looking for sugar, it is finding me!!" really who goes looking for sugar?? and no I don't wanna find out that sugar is in my fav Cheez its!! lol. anyways, I have continued.. and i Just finished some blueberries.... okay we have also had nice weather but due to this fatigue... I have been too tired to ride!!! so instead went outside and have been deadheading mums, huge ones at that and untangling them from thorny rose bushes, about to go back out cuz now they look like tumbleweeds in my front yard!!
way to go on all the trips!! sounds like we all have a bunch in common. Moscow was pretty cool, one of the cool things I have don ein my life was go there a long time ago but very interesting. emailed my cousin about England and times.... haven't quite decided but stonehenge was another cool thing that I have seen! that and casltes.
*now about Carly's question:
gotta go back outside, but short answer, I followed my husband to wherever his job was, but intially my stepdad was in aF and we came to AR, and I met DH in HS and then he was in Army but we came back ehre to be closer to family once we had children. I love Arkansas, it has the wide open spaces, the trails, rivers and plenty of outside activities but not skiing and not the ocean.... so many people vacation to those places.. but for weekend getaways and all sorts of camping, hunting, canoeing and etc, and many trail runs and all sorts are held right here! The standard of lving is lower yes, and we have high teenage PG, low education!! according to the rest of the county stats, but not sure who gets those stats, cuz
well everbody seems purty smart to me! . Yes we are still friendly and have that southern hospitality and that openness . The humor seems somewhat slapstick at times, and down home is still happening here but also the city life is accessible with symphonies, museums and the like. Good place to raise a family though and that is ultra important as we have five children. You can buy a house and have a yard!! I love the warm weather too... as most of you know.
"Arkansas is a Natural."
other thoughts, we don't have an active public transport system, yes buses and a tram in the city but seems like most take their cars, no train or subways or bike here and take the train home, althought the LR buses do now have bike racks on the back. Always road construction to keep up with growth and yes traffic but not LA traffic. but a fair majority drive 45' to work in LR and live outside of it. Most people are looking for communites with good schools or pay for private and that dictates where they live in relation to their job. OUr airport has great service esp for SW for like for overseas or other trips I have taken to races and the like, I will go to Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago or other rather than directly get there. Arkansas is considered part of the "Bible Belt" so christianity is prevalent and many churches to choose from. But our divorce rate is still the us standard and our teenage Pg is high. Arkansas has some very poor areas but also very rich and all areas in between. seems like both parents work and I am in the minority of staying at home. People drive trucks, and SUVs and vans and all such. Drug use with the kids is a problem and meth use even with adults. We have dry counties (no liquor sold) but many chain restaurants and seems like most people have access to alcohol or drink. most of my teenage kids' parents have alcohol in their house so getting some before the age of 21 (legal drinking age) is easy. We have the same problems of parents sorta not knowing what is happening with their kids and neglect and abuse is an issue here too... the romantic view of the South is still here but also all problems that our other states have too. now as far as tri training.. well I think other places might have "better pools" I have just found one, but I have searched for years for some training. We do have lakes for OW swimming though. so the swimming community for masters is small but active. Cycling is great here with local rides, centuries, road races and tris and a close community too. and Running is also good here too with local races, clubs and etc. We do NOT have the major big time races. the Little Rock marathon is one of only three in the state, good thing is though if you show up, you know people...! We have one 1/2 tri in the state, 3 olys, and numerous sprints scattered from May - October. I am in shorts from March - November maybe with a jacket but over 40 degs I can wear shorts. July and August it is hot and humid here and Jan and Feb here is sorta cold so only the die hards are out!! but you know them so it doesn't seem unusual. There aren't big TRI clubs, we have them but not like I have read them... our local bike shops have teams and in NW AR an active club too.. we do have cycling teams scattered but honestly we feel like one big family when we show up to races!! now our closest IM to us is KY and close in terrain and temp so a popular one as well as FLA and WI. Mt biking is also good here and ultra running, both have active communities and friendship and races and also a lot of carryover into tris, running or cycling. We have good hospitals and Children's is also in LR, so I don't feel the need to travel out of state for X procedure. Safety, not sure where AR ranks but LR normally has a high murder rate but ...I don't go down to those bad parts of town! We have many good restaurants from French, Mediterranean to good ol catfish joints! what else?? smile. m
Tracy - glad to hear the knee is doing better! Keep up the good work, sounds like you're absolutely on the right track.
Carly - welcome! We ended up in madison, wi nearly 14 years ago because it was about half-way in between where our families live (Chicago and Appleton), and it seemed like a great place. I do love Madison. For the midwest, it is a fantastic community for the triathlon lifestyle. It's generally very active, and pretty bike-friendly. With IMWI here, it's amazing how the tri community has grown exponentially. It's a nice cultural mix for the size of city (population ~250,000 in the city, and ~550,000 in the county), with the University of Wisconsin, the state capitol, and many technology and bio-tech companies. The city has a lot of green space, many lakes (although pretty poor water conditions late in the summer), and a very high ratio of bike shops per capita The main drawbacks are 1) no mountains, 2) no ocean, and 3) high cost of living compared the rest of Wisconsin.
That being said, although I love Madison, I am hoping to live in the pacific northwest (Portland!!) or somewhere on the west coast some day...
If Madison weren't so cold in the winters, I'd LOVE to live there. Spent quite a bit of time there between college trips up there from Iowa City, and post college visits to my sister who did her PhD in Madison. Great town. Wisconsin in general is great, I think. Also will always have an east coast corner of my heart having grown up in DC and still having most of my family there. My sister lives in Charlottesville, VA now...that's another place that I dig!
I'm in Denver now and love it. Small enough that it is easy to navigate. Big enough that there is a decent arts and intellectual culture. Public transportation is decent, but not what I'd expect given my formative years in DC. The system works well, I'd just change some of the frequency and timing of when trains and busses run. We have some of the best skiing in the world at our back door, and more recreational opportunities (barring surfing and ocean activities) than you can shake a stick at. The climate is generally very mild thanks to the lack of humidity. We do get our hot summer days, and some cold days in the winter. But extremes are fairly rare. Often, when we get big snow storms the accumulated snow is gone within a day or two. So odd compared to what I grew up with where snow and ice would linger for weeks! There's a HUGE tri, bike, run, do-cool-stuff culture here too. With lots of the pro triathletes up in Boulder (also a great place to live, but way more expensive) that makes for some fun surprise race line ups duirng our local races. WRT employment, while there have been folks getting laid off and losing their jobs, the Denver market hasn't been hit as hard as some areas. There are also many companies with HQ in the area currently or ones that are considering coming here. Also, in the Boulder/Ft. Collins area there's a pretty strong entrepreneurial culture.
Alright. Enough rambling...time for 2x20! |||COL|||2010-01-19 06:17:40.490
Robin: LOVE that pink bike! I'm so jealous that you and our other warm weather chicas can ride outside on the road in Jan.
Tracy: Great to hear that your knee is just about healed. I'm about in the same place with my knee too. You're absolutely right about staying mentally strong and resisting the temptation to go out and run 20 miles at tempo now.
Welcome Carly! Where to live...I'm living in the Rochester area because 7 years ago my ex-husband (we were married then) got a job offer that he couldn't resist in this area. We were living in Seattle at the time---a place that I utterly loved to be and live. I had a successful surgery practice, but he was offered a position to be a president of a company. We discussed the move, but in the end we obviously didn't discuss it enough because I felt plucked out of a wonderful life I had built for myself in Seattle to come to the Frozen Tundra. It didn't help that I did my residency in Upstate NY and found it full of bad memories and metaphoric bad weather. Well, I'm not married to that man anymore (and he's not the president of that company either because months after we moved back the CEO and owners of that company sold it out from under him. ). I would've moved back to the PNW, but I met Kevin. As for living here, we're very close to the Finger Lakes which is great for road riding, open water swimming, hiking. We have decent mountain biking close to us too. The cost of living isn't very expensive, but I think the NY taxes are horrible. There isn't an enormous community of active folks here (compared to Seattle), but it's big enough to have training friends. The winters are cold, snowy, grey and can last from Halloween to April. There's lots of places to snowshoe and xc ski though. We are about a 5 hour drive to my parents and my brother & his family. I know that I will be the one taking care of my parents when they get too old/sick to do so. They refuse to move to NY (from PA) because of the taxes.
Kevin is going to retire in 2 years. We're planning on moving to either the PNW or central PA (where there's awesome mountain biking) or VA (warmer, but not bloody hot in the summer). It will all depend on where I can get a job.
Where to live... in my 20's I moved where ever the desire took me. Baltimore, Charlottesville, VA, and Salt Lake City. I did lots of outdoor stuff, jobs were easy to come by (health care). No family nearby. In my 30's I returned to NY (briefly) to care for my grandmother, then back to Baltimore because I love that area. Graduate school ensued. Met my wonderful DH. We moved to Richmond but he hated his job, so almost 5 years ago we headed to Boston. I am living closer to my family than I have since college 20 years ago. The stress and guilt that they try to put on me to come visit them I am now refusing to accept. I assisted my dad to care for my other grandmother until her death in July. Although my 2 sisters live close by, neither pitched in. They could not deal with the end of life issues. I love my family, but I am a "friends are family" person and prefer to spend holidays with whom I choose. We both love our jobs in Massachusetts, but if we could have the same jobs in Northern California or Australia, we'd be gone. I am a big believer in doing what makes you happy. I was proud to care for my grandmothers and will gladly do the same for my mom, maybe my dad. Where to live is not as important as being happy with where you are.
Pink bike! I love it! (Although I think it needs some glittery handlebar spangles.)
Welcome, Carly. It is always great to have another chicka around.
Why do I live in Evanston? I moved to Chicago for grad school six years ago and just stayed. I moved to Evanston to live with my boyfriend, Mac. Fortunately, this was my second year of triathlon. I started getting a little tired of fighting the crowds on the bike path and getting comments about my fine booty whenever I went on a run, so quasi-suburban life has been working out. Great restaurants, high cost of living, and a regular Metra train to my office in the Loop all make it worthwhile. I love that I can sneak to the Art Institute to visit a painting at lunch. I would run away to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and live in a tiny stone cottage in a minute.
No pictures of the glorious falls, but I have bruises on the backs of my calves from diving over bumps before I learned to (better) lean forward and really tighten my ski boots.
Fatty skis - most of the newest skis are fat, like powder skis, but also work beautifully in non-powder conditions.
Olivia - did you go to the University of Iowa? I did my graduate work there, circa 1992-94, for PT school. I like Iowa City, too, and Madison is kinda like a larger version of it. And yes, you certainly need to enjoy the winter sports in order to appreciate Madison year-round.
Beth - love the Mineral Point comment! Lucky for you, there probably are quite a few tiny stone cottages there... I commuted from the east side of Madison to work in Mineral Point for a short time. Beautiful countryside, but I certainly don't miss the drive time.
I'm generally not much into pink myself (yes, I realize I'm in the minority here), but I think your bike looks awesome, Robin! I'm especially partial to the old Specialized Allez bikes...that was my first road bike (red, of course) and it's the reason I fell in love with cycling and triathlon!
We lived in Tiffin, IA when my husband worked at UI Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. I even worked at the Supper Club in Tiffin. That's when I learned the rule about not waitressing after you are 30 with a bunch of 21 year old college girls!!!
OK, so Nemo, I loosely priced the trip if we did it on our own scheduling our own stuff and there is the issue that someone has to pick you up and get you to places if you are going to bike point to point but I think we could get around those. I do have to say though, our entire family of four could do the trip for what it would cost for two of us to do the tour if we had the girls save their own money for airfare and we pay everything else. I think our oldest would be willing to taxi us but I'm not sure if she has to be 25 in NZ to drive a rental car as you do in the US without encountering massive charges. Anyway....nearly 2 years away, so plenty of time to figure it out.
So, here is a video of our cute dog who loves to bite the wind when he is in the car. His name is Chester. He's a golden. I just felt so left out of the doggy discussions....I'm not really sure how to upload videos so I'm just including a link to you tube.
Not sure how many of you saw the Pants on the Ground video, but I joined this weight loss team here in town at a local Core fitness studio and our team name is "Lookin So Slim with our Pants on the Ground"
Sheryl- you could consider renting a camper van too. We saw lots of those around. Not sure how your daughter would feel about driving it, but that's another nice way to go with a family of 4 and bikes.
Thank you ladies for your responses. I appreciate all of your insight and wisdom. After some soul searching, my heart is in Boston and probably always will be. I lived there for a year after school and left because of the high cost of living (we lived in Chestnut Hill...). I hate to sacrifice living where I want, but I know that living in a lower cost of living area will allow me to continue to play this fun triathlon game, travel, etc. Bottom line I agree that it is about being happy with your life/situation and less about where you actually live. I just have to make the decision and go with it!
Thanks again for sharing.
That video of the dog is too funny. My black lab actually does the same thing!!
Move back here near us! Ladies, Carly is a very good friend from here in NY. In fact, she and her wife and are the triathlete friends my DH and I are going to visit in NorCal next month! Can't wait!
I was waiting for you to drop in here. I know what your vote is!! Honestly you can't live where there is no work... Can't wait to see you and Doug! LOTS of rain here right now, but we will make sure it is gone by the time you arrive
*changing the subject: I leave in about 5 weeks for Guatemala..
my first mission trip and it has been described as hotel at night (with small swimming pool) for base camp then bus up the mts to a different village each day, with the last day as a free day in Antigua. I think some hiking or walking during the day and hilly terrain. so those of you that have gone on such or have hiked... I thought could help me think thru what I need to take/purchase.
I just ordered these: a functional, pocketed, canvas short actually for fishing but Sports Academy had them and nice pocket for water bottle, and roomy pockets for snacks and camera. ordered them online to get my size.
I also bought two pair of capris by Magellan that the bottoms zip off making shorts, are lightweight with UPF50, and with roomy pockets. I got some blue jean capris as well. They fit and I can always return them if something better comes along! I have ordered a new one piece Tyr.
I just bought new running shoes by Brooks (so I can break them in) and I don't think I want hiking shoes per se as my running shoes I am most comfortable with and use them on trail runs even. I have a backpack by Rudy Project and all sorts of dry fit tops once I find out exact temps. I hear warm but cool at nights.
I need to get camera cards purchased in case I don't have compuer access to download pics (I doubt I will have any internet). I have a small shirt size Bible and I have been collecting Happy meal toys, outgrown summer clothing of my kids to share and other sundry items to give to the kids (that will go in backpack!). Since I eat constantly it seems like, I am taking snacks from here to supplement the 3 x meals per day!! I am so used to eating every few hours!! and drinking more probably than the average American so I have heard there is a water bottle that I can filter their water?? anybody know of this? I was told not to drink the water but we fill up our water bottles from the safe water every morning before we get on the bus. I will take my "race day meds" to cover all: aleve, motrin, immoidium, pepto etc.. and remember my 18 year old to go with me. Gonna try to download all EN podcasts on my IPOD for plane listening...
**
I have been housecleaning, yard work the last few days and got extended at PT, so figured in my "down time" I would get organized about my trip!! m
@Marianne - what a great trip! It sounds like a real adventure.
@Robin - I had a good time at the half marathon, but had to immediately drop any hopes of a PR. I have participated in either the half or full marathon at this event every year for the past, oh, 7 years, but this year the traffic getting there (5 minutes on a normal day) and crowds in the corrals were terrible. By the time we got to the convention center (Thank you, T, for dropping us off) and waited in the portapotty line it was 15 minutes to start. I said goodbye to my sister (running the full marathon) and went to my corral. I was supposed to be in the first wave but got stuck behind all the slow people in the second wave. By the time the gun went off it took me 3 miles to weave around the walkers and slow joggers. Oh, well. My legs felt great and the day was beautiful. Even better, my sister qualified for Boston! She's an amazing runner. At least I can ride the wheels off her on the bike, and I'm a better swimmer. We went shopping on Monday for her first tri bike, though, so I had better watch out!
thanks, I got online with amazon.com and they had a big selection of water bottles with filters... and I also ordered the battery packs and camera cards , extra, for two cameras. looked at the Keen sandals and think I oughta try them on after reading reviews, never had any. good jog on the running everybody!! m
Comments
Hi All!
Reading everything, but realized I haven't posted anything until m pointed it out! Haven't had much to say!
This is where I'm at--cruised along through the OS--dum de dum--until now. The VO2max block is doing me in--again. (Olivia, isn't this where you started feeling pinched?) Same for me every year. Time to regroup--the beauty of being a self-coached athlete. Think about it....30/30s on Tu; VO2max RUNNING on Wed; more 30/30s on Th. Three VO2max days in a row. (Between us, I have never understood the wisdom of that.) Then the Sat ride has gone INSANE! The first two OSs, the Sat ride main set was 1x15 + 2x15 @ 85%. Now it's 2x15 @ ;FT + 3x4' at ~VO2max + 2x 15 @ 85%!!! It's triple, with TP running the next day! UNCLE!!! This girl needs to tone it down. I need to ask Rich about why the big Sat bike change. I told Gina that this OS seemed easier somehow. I take that back.
Now's the time for me to cool it a bit before I dig too big a hole.
Olivia--great news about the recovery. I knew you would get there. Quick question--you mentioned moving from the OS into race prep. I hope you have a 2-week "transition" built in there. RnP always made us take 2 weeks after the OS to regroup, recover, and rest before moving on. I hope that hasn't gotten lost in the 4,0 shuffle. It's clutch to do that. Just wondering...
OH OH OH and the other week is the week I do Habitat 500. 500 mile bike ride to raise money and awareness for affordable housing. Anyone interested in going???? It's a LOT of fun. It's like summer camp for adults with beer..... We stay overnight at schools and community centers. Local churches and organizations feed us. We either tent outside or bunk out on the gym floor. Anyone that is interested in more information let me know. Somehow, in light of the issues in Haiti, I feel like this is a misplaced effort this year but I do it every year and want to go again this year.
Talked to hubby last night and I think that in December of 2011, we are going to go on the Rimu with this company, www.activenewzealand.com. It will be within 4 months of my turning 50 and a month from when my husband turns 50 and we will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2012 so we are starting to save for this. Should be a great time.
Sheryl- FWIW- you can probably do that same itinerary of activities on the Rimu trip for almost half the cost. You have to be willing to do a little research and planning on your own- but NZ is super easy to get around once you are there. You have to do the driving from place to place on your own (vs getting some "down time" to sleep on a bus) but we actually thought the driving was part of the adventure.
Usually, I'm up for planning but this overwhelms me. Can you plan it for me?
So, my only concern is getting somewhere remote with no support for emergencies (I'm pretty risk adverse). If we planned ourself, then maybe the whole family could go including the inlaws.....
Olivia: Great to hear you're recovered and refreshed.
Beth: Welcome back! What are these fat skis that you speak of? Powder skis?
Linda: I've with you with the Sat ride. It's a complete a$$-kicker. I'll be interested to see what Coaches have to say about it. I was thinking it was to ease us from OS to Basic Prep
.
Vacation! I live for vacation!! ToC, Cowgirl camp, IMMoo...the base building. In 30 days, I'm going to Argentina to hike Patagonia, see a penguin colony, and Iguazu Falls. My parents took my brother and I on some really awesome family vacations. The big stuff: family reunion trips to the beach in Thailand (I have 27 first cousins), road trip from Yosemite to Yellowstone, a camping + Disney World combo with 5 other families. The weekend road trips: Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, OH, visiting the Smithsonian (it's enormous), Niagara Falls + Toronto with a side trip to go cherry picking. Mom and I are scheming a family trip to Langkawi, Malaysia...maybe in 2011.
For MLK Day I went out on my old PINK bike (that has been transformed to a single speed now) and brought some cokes and skittles to Jenny and Julie while they did the run for Haiti. They did 25 miles!
I am so impressed by everyone chipping in and doing that challenge (and yes a little jealous too 
). It would be so nice to be able to run enough to just go pick up and run that far w/out even being trained for it! I am committed to keeping this hip healthy though and knock on wood the plan is working so far so I am sticking with it!
Linda - I am really glad to hear you post your thoughts on how your OS is going. Thanks so much for sharing them - if I wasn't hearing that I know I could easily fall into the "I can do more" trap. I am feeling really really good (I know I am only starting week 3), but have found myself thinking - Man, this isn't so hard. I keep reminding myself though that it is a long time til July and on top of that thinking of adding Longhorn in October all the while being mindful of the injury and taking care of that. I am going to stick w/ this beg. plan and just enjoy the ride as long as it lasts
.
VACATION
!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to travel and for this reason I buy a lottery ticket almost every week. Having the financial freedom to travel the way I want to would just be the berries for me 
. We are going to lay kinda low in 2010 in hopes of taking the kids to Australia in 2011. I have spent extended periods of time there, love the country and have good friends there. It is something I really want to share with my family. Jack will be in 6th grade in 2011 so it will probably be the last time for a while he could miss an extended period of school. December is really the only time of year we can go so that is what we are shooting for - we've been saving for the last 10 years! of course the stock market has not helped our savings much 
.
2010 - we'll probably take a family trip to my parents place in Ocean City MD in late July and we'll do some weekend trips to Museums, etc. I'm trying to formulate a plan for President's Day weekend now. It looks like I might get to come to Boston in March to visit an old friend and I am thinking of trying to do that the same weekend as the Expo so I can meet the NE peeps too! That is still in the planning stages though - so we'll see. Then I will get to go to Austin if I go ahead w/ Longhorn so all in all a pretty good year for me!!! My husband takes two fishing trips and a hunting trip each year too - so it all kinda balances out. My "want to go do" list is as long as my arm though - I have a friend that lives in Moscow I am dying to go visit, but that would be pushing it a bit
.
Hope everyone is enjoying their MLK Day. It is sunny and beautiful here today (notice the squinting in the picture above) - pretty weather makes me happy
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” - Martin Luther King Jr.
I have been reading. Loved all the organizational stuff. Anyone want to come to my place? Still trying to organize from when I moved in in May.
Marianne- loved the Rudy story. I did a Stoopid thing Sat. After my lovely walk on sat, came in the front door, apparently closed the door with the keys still in door. Sunday, looking for keys in usual place, uhoh, don't tell me- yup. All night in the front door! In Baltimore!!!
Thank God, no one came in!
Yes, I don't like guns either. Like Gina, I see too much stuff from GSWs working in OR. Also when I was a kid maybe 6-7yo, my uncle was a NYC police officer. I was staying with them for a few days and asked my uncle if I could see his gun. He gave me a big lecture about guns not being toys etc. lesson learned. That same uncle comitted suicide with gun, 2 weeks after I graduated college
Vacation- only thing for me this year is IM lake placid, training camp, cowgirl camp, watching IMMOO. Otherwise little getaways. This year is all about getting ready to buy a house. One of my huge student loans will be paid off in next few months
2011, want to go to Australia to visit a friend, and possible western Australia IM.
Beth welcome back!
Olivia, glad you are feeling better. Linda, hang in there. one of my thoughts for you was maybe backing down to beginner plan?
Ok so my knee is about 90-95% I think. Last weeks massage really must have loosed up some scar tissue on my hamstring tendons. very little pain, backing down on NSAIDS. Doing more on bike without twinges. Don't think runable yet, but getting close
This is my challenging time, but no, I won't run yet til absolutely sure, and ART guys says ok, then very slow progression. I am walking around with a huge smile on my face. This is the best I have felt in a long time
Have a great day!
Oh yeah!!!! Beth - the trips sounds like it was great! Any pics of the spectacular falls
Kristin - how did the race go?
Olivia - glad you are feeling better. Wow, getting ready to transition?!? Exciting
I have been reading and 'lurking' around here for awhile. I think all of you ladies are awesome! This is a great space.
I'm looking for some advice on how you ladies have ended up living where you currently live. About 6 months ago I convinced my wife to sell our home and travel while working. Well, it is not working out well and we are looking for places to live. This is an important decision for us as we would like to 'settle' a bit for awhile. Do you live near family? Live where there are jobs? Low cost of living? Good weather?
Any insight from this group of women would be appreciated!
My My My, there is just too much going on here! I can't keep up!!
Kitma- Argentina/Peru is absolutely on my list. We will have to trade travel notes when we finally meet in person!
Robin- I'm sooooooo jealous of you riding on that pink bike outside!!!! Oh man, I just didn't realize how much I really do love my bike until this injury.
The bike was always my backup plan when injured and I guess I never really respected or appreciated it as much as I should have.
Tracy- I'm glad to hear your recovery is coming along too! Gosh, its been so helpful to know there are others out there with me!
Olivia & Linda- I am taking some serious notes!!!! When I finally can start training again, I'm going to remind myself to find these posts when I reach that spot in the training plans!
Carly- Welcome inside the Woman's Forum! What an interesting question you pose! I don't know if Joe and I have the perfect solution, but we have certainly done a lot of thinking about where the "perfect" place for us to live would be. The trouble is, I'm not sure the place exists (or at least not in this country)! Frankly, Washington DC is a nice place and meets lots of our requirements, but the congestion and abundance of "Me First" attitude just became too much of a negative for us. We live in OBX NC because of the warm temps (I hate the cold), we are near the ocean (I just don't think I could ever live somewhere that was land locked), we wanted a small friendly community where we could feel connected, and it was economically possible (we can afford to live here- largely thanks to the fact that my employer lets me work from a home office). The things we miss, and wish we could get if we ever moved again are: the mountains (4 hour drive to real mountains and I miss them more than I thought I would) and closer to good medical facilities (a 2 hour drive to the nearest ART specialist simply sucks).
linda glad you posted, and all others too... yep we notice if y'all aren't around!!
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-symptoms-of-sugar-withdrawal.htm
I am now in week 2 of cutting back on sugar and either that time of the month or the lack of sugar but I am whooped!! wanna take a nap about 1:30 every day like I was PG, nope I am not but that sorta fatigue!!
today I talked myself out of it, not gonna nap.. I did yesterday though for one hour and woke up feeling very out of it, cuz i can't just lay down for 15', gotta be one hour or more!!! anyways, come to find out my sugar in my fav yogurt!!! so I have been surviving and when I read about sugar , it says "go looking for sugar, ie hidden in words like this... blah blah... "honey I ain't looking for sugar, it is finding me!!" really who goes looking for sugar?? 
and no I don't wanna find out that sugar is in my fav Cheez its!! lol. anyways, I have continued.. and i Just finished some blueberries.... okay we have also had nice weather but due to this fatigue... I have been too tired to ride!!! 
so instead went outside and have been deadheading mums, huge ones at that and untangling them from thorny rose bushes, about to go back out cuz now they look like tumbleweeds in my front yard!!
way to go on all the trips!! sounds like we all have a bunch in common. Moscow was pretty cool, one of the cool things I have don ein my life was go there a long time ago but very interesting. emailed my cousin about England and times.... haven't quite decided but stonehenge was another cool thing that I have seen! that and casltes.
*now about Carly's question:
gotta go back outside, but short answer, I followed my husband to wherever his job was, but intially my stepdad was in aF and we came to AR, and I met DH in HS and then he was in Army but we came back ehre to be closer to family once we had children. I love Arkansas, it has the wide open spaces, the trails, rivers and plenty of outside activities but not skiing and not the ocean.... so many people vacation to those places.. but for weekend getaways and all sorts of camping, hunting, canoeing and etc, and many trail runs and all sorts are held right here! The standard of lving is lower yes, and we have high teenage PG, low education!! according to the rest of the county stats, but not sure who gets those stats, cuz
well everbody seems purty smart to me!
. Yes we are still friendly and have that southern hospitality and that openness . The humor seems somewhat slapstick at times, and down home is still happening here but also the city life is accessible with symphonies, museums and the like. Good place to raise a family though and that is ultra important as we have five children. You can buy a house and have a yard!! I love the warm weather too... as most of you know.
"Arkansas is a Natural."
other thoughts, we don't have an active public transport system, yes buses and a tram in the city but seems like most take their cars, no train or subways or bike here and take the train home, althought the LR buses do now have bike racks on the back. Always road construction to keep up with growth and yes traffic but not LA traffic. but a fair majority drive 45' to work in LR and live outside of it. Most people are looking for communites with good schools or pay for private and that dictates where they live in relation to their job. OUr airport has great service esp for SW for like for overseas or other trips I have taken to races and the like, I will go to Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago or other rather than directly get there. Arkansas is considered part of the "Bible Belt" so christianity is prevalent and many churches to choose from. But our divorce rate is still the us standard and our teenage Pg is high. Arkansas has some very poor areas but also very rich and all areas in between. seems like both parents work and I am in the minority of staying at home. People drive trucks, and SUVs and vans and all such. Drug use with the kids is a problem and meth use even with adults. We have dry counties (no liquor sold) but many chain restaurants and seems like most people have access to alcohol or drink. most of my teenage kids' parents have alcohol in their house so getting some before the age of 21 (legal drinking age) is easy. We have the same problems of parents sorta not knowing what is happening with their kids and neglect and abuse is an issue here too... the romantic view of the South is still here but also all problems that our other states have too. now as far as tri training.. well I think other places might have "better pools" I have just found one, but I have searched for years for some training. We do have lakes for OW swimming though. so the swimming community for masters is small but active. Cycling is great here with local rides, centuries, road races and tris and a close community too. and Running is also good here too with local races, clubs and etc. We do NOT have the major big time races. the Little Rock marathon is one of only three in the state, good thing is though if you show up, you know people...! We have one 1/2 tri in the state, 3 olys, and numerous sprints scattered from May - October. I am in shorts from March - November maybe with a jacket but over 40 degs I can wear shorts. July and August it is hot and humid here and Jan and Feb here is sorta cold so only the die hards are out!! but you know them so it doesn't seem unusual. There aren't big TRI clubs, we have them but not like I have read them... our local bike shops have teams and in NW AR an active club too.. we do have cycling teams scattered but honestly we feel like one big family when we show up to races!! now our closest IM to us is KY and close in terrain and temp so a popular one as well as FLA and WI. Mt biking is also good here and ultra running, both have active communities and friendship and races and also a lot of carryover into tris, running or cycling. We have good hospitals and Children's is also in LR, so I don't feel the need to travel out of state for X procedure. Safety, not sure where AR ranks but LR normally has a high murder rate but ...I don't go down to those bad parts of town! We have many good restaurants from French, Mediterranean to good ol catfish joints! what else?? smile. m
Carly - welcome! We ended up in madison, wi nearly 14 years ago because it was about half-way in between where our families live (Chicago and Appleton), and it seemed like a great place. I do love Madison. For the midwest, it is a fantastic community for the triathlon lifestyle. It's generally very active, and pretty bike-friendly. With IMWI here, it's amazing how the tri community has grown exponentially. It's a nice cultural mix for the size of city (population ~250,000 in the city, and ~550,000 in the county), with the University of Wisconsin, the state capitol, and many technology and bio-tech companies. The city has a lot of green space, many lakes (although pretty poor water conditions late in the summer), and a very high ratio of bike shops per capita
That being said, although I love Madison, I am hoping to live in the pacific northwest (Portland!!) or somewhere on the west coast some day...
I'm in Denver now and love it. Small enough that it is easy to navigate. Big enough that there is a decent arts and intellectual culture. Public transportation is decent, but not what I'd expect given my formative years in DC. The system works well, I'd just change some of the frequency and timing of when trains and busses run. We have some of the best skiing in the world at our back door, and more recreational opportunities (barring surfing and ocean activities) than you can shake a stick at. The climate is generally very mild thanks to the lack of humidity. We do get our hot summer days, and some cold days in the winter. But extremes are fairly rare. Often, when we get big snow storms the accumulated snow is gone within a day or two. So odd compared to what I grew up with where snow and ice would linger for weeks! There's a HUGE tri, bike, run, do-cool-stuff culture here too. With lots of the pro triathletes up in Boulder (also a great place to live, but way more expensive) that makes for some fun surprise race line ups duirng our local races. WRT employment, while there have been folks getting laid off and losing their jobs, the Denver market hasn't been hit as hard as some areas. There are also many companies with HQ in the area currently or ones that are considering coming here. Also, in the Boulder/Ft. Collins area there's a pretty strong entrepreneurial culture.
Alright. Enough rambling...time for 2x20!
|||COL|||2010-01-19 06:17:40.490
Robin: LOVE that pink bike! I'm so jealous that you and our other warm weather chicas can ride outside on the road in Jan.
Tracy: Great to hear that your knee is just about healed. I'm about in the same place with my knee too. You're absolutely right about staying mentally strong and resisting the temptation to go out and run 20 miles at tempo now.
Welcome Carly! Where to live...I'm living in the Rochester area because 7 years ago my ex-husband (we were married then) got a job offer that he couldn't resist in this area. We were living in Seattle at the time---a place that I utterly loved to be and live. I had a successful surgery practice, but he was offered a position to be a president of a company. We discussed the move, but in the end we obviously didn't discuss it enough because I felt plucked out of a wonderful life I had built for myself in Seattle to come to the Frozen Tundra. It didn't help that I did my residency in Upstate NY and found it full of bad memories and metaphoric bad weather. Well, I'm not married to that man anymore (and he's not the president of that company either because months after we moved back the CEO and owners of that company sold it out from under him.
). I would've moved back to the PNW, but I met Kevin. As for living here, we're very close to the Finger Lakes which is great for road riding, open water swimming, hiking. We have decent mountain biking close to us too. The cost of living isn't very expensive, but I think the NY taxes are horrible. There isn't an enormous community of active folks here (compared to Seattle), but it's big enough to have training friends. The winters are cold, snowy, grey and can last from Halloween to April. There's lots of places to snowshoe and xc ski though. We are about a 5 hour drive to my parents and my brother & his family. I know that I will be the one taking care of my parents when they get too old/sick to do so. They refuse to move to NY (from PA) because of the taxes.
Kevin is going to retire in 2 years. We're planning on moving to either the PNW or central PA (where there's awesome mountain biking) or VA (warmer, but not bloody hot in the summer). It will all depend on where I can get a job.
Where to live... in my 20's I moved where ever the desire took me. Baltimore, Charlottesville, VA, and Salt Lake City. I did lots of outdoor stuff, jobs were easy to come by (health care). No family nearby. In my 30's I returned to NY (briefly) to care for my grandmother, then back to Baltimore because I love that area. Graduate school ensued. Met my wonderful DH. We moved to Richmond but he hated his job, so almost 5 years ago we headed to Boston. I am living closer to my family than I have since college 20 years ago. The stress and guilt that they try to put on me to come visit them I am now refusing to accept. I assisted my dad to care for my other grandmother until her death in July. Although my 2 sisters live close by, neither pitched in. They could not deal with the end of life issues. I love my family, but I am a "friends are family" person and prefer to spend holidays with whom I choose. We both love our jobs in Massachusetts, but if we could have the same jobs in Northern California or Australia, we'd be gone. I am a big believer in doing what makes you happy. I was proud to care for my grandmothers and will gladly do the same for my mom, maybe my dad. Where to live is not as important as being happy with where you are.
Pink bike! I love it! (Although I think it needs some glittery handlebar spangles.)
Welcome, Carly. It is always great to have another chicka around.
Why do I live in Evanston? I moved to Chicago for grad school six years ago and just stayed. I moved to Evanston to live with my boyfriend, Mac. Fortunately, this was my second year of triathlon. I started getting a little tired of fighting the crowds on the bike path and getting comments about my fine booty whenever I went on a run, so quasi-suburban life has been working out. Great restaurants, high cost of living, and a regular Metra train to my office in the Loop all make it worthwhile. I love that I can sneak to the Art Institute to visit a painting at lunch. I would run away to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and live in a tiny stone cottage in a minute.
No pictures of the glorious falls, but I have bruises on the backs of my calves from diving over bumps before I learned to (better) lean forward and really tighten my ski boots.
Fatty skis - most of the newest skis are fat, like powder skis, but also work beautifully in non-powder conditions.
Beth - love the Mineral Point comment! Lucky for you, there probably are quite a few tiny stone cottages there...
I'm generally not much into pink myself (yes, I realize I'm in the minority here), but I think your bike looks awesome, Robin! I'm especially partial to the old Specialized Allez bikes...that was my first road bike (red, of course) and it's the reason I fell in love with cycling and triathlon!
We lived in Tiffin, IA when my husband worked at UI Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. I even worked at the Supper Club in Tiffin. That's when I learned the rule about not waitressing after you are 30 with a bunch of 21 year old college girls!!!
OK, so Nemo, I loosely priced the trip if we did it on our own scheduling our own stuff and there is the issue that someone has to pick you up and get you to places if you are going to bike point to point but I think we could get around those. I do have to say though, our entire family of four could do the trip for what it would cost for two of us to do the tour if we had the girls save their own money for airfare and we pay everything else. I think our oldest would be willing to taxi us but I'm not sure if she has to be 25 in NZ to drive a rental car as you do in the US without encountering massive charges. Anyway....nearly 2 years away, so plenty of time to figure it out.
So, here is a video of our cute dog who loves to bite the wind when he is in the car. His name is Chester. He's a golden. I just felt so left out of the doggy discussions....I'm not really sure how to upload videos so I'm just including a link to you tube.
Not sure how many of you saw the Pants on the Ground video, but I joined this weight loss team here in town at a local Core fitness studio and our team name is "Lookin So Slim with our Pants on the Ground"
Thank you ladies for your responses. I appreciate all of your insight and wisdom. After some soul searching, my heart is in Boston and probably always will be. I lived there for a year after school and left because of the high cost of living (we lived in Chestnut Hill...). I hate to sacrifice living where I want, but I know that living in a lower cost of living area will allow me to continue to play this fun triathlon game, travel, etc. Bottom line I agree that it is about being happy with your life/situation and less about where you actually live. I just have to make the decision and go with it!
Thanks again for sharing.
That video of the dog is too funny. My black lab actually does the same thing!!
Dana,
I was waiting for you to drop in here. I know what your vote is!!
Honestly you can't live where there is no work... Can't wait to see you and Doug! LOTS of rain here right now, but we will make sure it is gone by the time you arrive 
*changing the subject: I leave in about 5 weeks for Guatemala..
my first mission trip and it has been described as hotel at night (with small swimming pool) for base camp then bus up the mts to a different village each day, with the last day as a free day in Antigua. I think some hiking or walking during the day and hilly terrain. so those of you that have gone on such or have hiked... I thought could help me think thru what I need to take/purchase.
I just ordered these: a functional, pocketed, canvas short actually for fishing but Sports Academy had them and nice pocket for water bottle, and roomy pockets for snacks and camera. ordered them online to get my size.
http://www.columbia.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Columbia_US-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=FL4523
I also bought two pair of capris by Magellan that the bottoms zip off making shorts, are lightweight with UPF50, and with roomy pockets. I got some blue jean capris as well. They fit and I can always return them if something better comes along! I have ordered a new one piece Tyr.
I just bought new running shoes by Brooks (so I can break them in) and I don't think I want hiking shoes per se as my running shoes I am most comfortable with and use them on trail runs even. I have a backpack by Rudy Project and all sorts of dry fit tops once I find out exact temps. I hear warm but cool at nights.
I need to get camera cards purchased in case I don't have compuer access to download pics (I doubt I will have any internet). I have a small shirt size Bible and I have been collecting Happy meal toys, outgrown summer clothing of my kids to share and other sundry items to give to the kids (that will go in backpack!). Since I eat constantly it seems like, I am taking snacks from here to supplement the 3 x meals per day!! I am so used to eating every few hours!! and drinking more probably than the average American so I have heard there is a water bottle that I can filter their water?? anybody know of this? I was told not to drink the water but we fill up our water bottles from the safe water every morning before we get on the bus. I will take my "race day meds" to cover all: aleve, motrin, immoidium, pepto etc.. and remember my 18 year old to go with me. Gonna try to download all EN podcasts on my IPOD for plane listening...
**
I have been housecleaning, yard work the last few days and got extended at PT, so figured in my "down time" I would get organized about my trip!! m
http://www.rei.com/category/4500030
@Marianne - what a great trip! It sounds like a real adventure.
@Robin - I had a good time at the half marathon, but had to immediately drop any hopes of a PR. I have participated in either the half or full marathon at this event every year for the past, oh, 7 years, but this year the traffic getting there (5 minutes on a normal day) and crowds in the corrals were terrible. By the time we got to the convention center (Thank you, T, for dropping us off) and waited in the portapotty line it was 15 minutes to start. I said goodbye to my sister (running the full marathon) and went to my corral. I was supposed to be in the first wave but got stuck behind all the slow people in the second wave. By the time the gun went off it took me 3 miles to weave around the walkers and slow joggers.
Oh, well. My legs felt great and the day was beautiful. Even better, my sister qualified for Boston! She's an amazing runner. At least I can ride the wheels off her on the bike, and I'm a better swimmer. 
We went shopping on Monday for her first tri bike, though, so I had better watch out!