Marianne- Have a wonderful and safe trip. We look forward to your report when you return. Shrink- How did the cookies go? Barb- Have a great time at your race, be safe, and give lots of hugs! Anyone know when Kitima returns? I didn't think this was 2 weeks away, 10 or 12 days, it's been 14. Hope she is safe and I am wrong. Loving the Olympics, always great to watch these athletes!
Thanks girls, I am awake at 3 and it felt like a prerace night, having gone to bed at 10 and awaking many times! finally I think about 2:45 a.m. I relaxed only to hear the alarm! now coffee as usual and computer.... Robin, note that I won't be doing MiM cuz brother's wedding reception in SC is that Saturday... they are going to Jamaica for wedding and then coming back,.... y'all remember when my sister in law died of cancer Oct 08?? well hisfiancee's husband died of cancer and they met at grief theraphy and will now have (5) kids. pretty excited for them!!! to have found each other. what about the legs on the downhill female skiers, the cuts and the turns , wow, I bet they have good abs! Thanks for the friendship and I look forward to meetng many of you at ImMoo camp and/or race!
Hi Girls, well I finished the "Race the Base" with my son (and daughter in law), we had terentiall (sp) rain, I mean ungawdly rain and winds up to 35 MPH, it was a reverse tri so I went all out and when I got to the swim I had nothing left but I kept thinking about Marianne's wonderful feedback to me and kept telling myself "I love this". So Nemo, I ran 10 min. miles and am paying for it today, can hardly walk, so again and again, I continue to learn that I MUST NOT give in to myself and wanting to go all out running on a very very bad knee. I get caught up in the moment and just run instead of a fast walk which was planned=( The bike was really really hard with lots of head wind, it felt like 50 MPH but probably gusts of 35, just not strong enough (long season ahead), this was supposed to be a "just to get the juices flowing" race but it really put me in my place and showed me how much work I have to do for my Key Race (1/2 IM Kona, June). So back to running in the water..... Now an update on how the "cookies" went. About 75% of the older gals and guys were appreciative, but I was floored when the instructor said "I am not sure if I can let you continue to do this running thing in our class after your event this weekend". I told her NO, I am training for a big race in June and kind of stood there with a look on my face like "what???"....so I may have to find another place (this is at the local Y near enough to my home), they only members in the deep pool when there is a lifeguard and there is only a lifeguard twice a day (during these classes for the elders with arthritis). I am going to see if I can find a way to run in the 4 foot lap pool (another huge pool at same Y) with a belt on, Has anyone figured that one out or tried to do that?? I have a few pictures from the race (one is a video showing the awful weather), not sure how to post them here so will post them on my profile ), worst weather I have ever trained in let alone "raced in". Now I know why we SWIM first, I went all out on the final loop of the bike and then had to run a long way to the swim and got in and had NOTHING left, first time I have ever had to stop for a few seconds to doggie paddle in the middle of the swim, just to get some air, think my heart rate was 200! completely anaerobic , so now rest a recuperate (have a Nuclear Bone Scan this week) to see what might be wrong with my knee replacement, it is swollen and huge and as I said I can barely walk. I am scared to death that running may not ever be in my future, for today I can not allow that to be a reality for me and if it really gets to that I am going to find out how to be one of the fastest race "walkers" known to man or woman. I have to tell you ALL, that I carried your kind words and your spirits, your experience and your knowledge with me during this entire race, gave myself positive thoughts the entire time , "thank you God for allowing me to be out here with all these wonderful people", "you can do this", "this is fun", "you are a lucky lady" and more. I also looked around at all the marines and the USA flags, the fighter jets, the helicoptors lined the course (it was on a Marine Base), and no matter what I was out there, rain or shine and giving it my best shot. There was also a division for wheel chairs and in that wind I couldn't believe how hard it must have been for them, so inspiring!! I can't wait to meet all of you and again want to thank you for accepting this very newbie member as one of your own. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend, will stay on top of the radar. PS I love that song too, gonna find it and put it on my IPOD + PPS Still trying to find the place online to sign-up for the July Chica trip
Shrink---That's the way!!! Nice. Work. So glad you're feeling so good about yourself in the race! Believe me, you will carry the chickas with youin many, many ways. They completely got me through IMFL training, and bouyed me all of race day! Congrats!
G--LOVE that. What is takes to get tot he finish line, right?
Dear friends: I'm back! I landed this morning on one snowy runway...after being in the jungles of Iguazu Falls, it's a real shocker. Time to shift gears and wax those skate skis, huh?
Gina: A big, big hug to you on the one year anniversary for your dad. You are so blessed to have had such a wonderful father.
Marianne: Safe travels and have a great time!
Shrink: A belated Welcome! So glad you jumped right in.
I took over 1200 pictures so after I sift through them I'll post the top 100 and write a report. A quick run down of the trip: Patagonia...what a strange and wonderous place! Vast spaces of scrub brush punctuated by herds of guanacos (wild llama-like animals) and lesser rheas (look like short ostriches) then BAM! massive granite peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torres surrounded by their monstrous glaciers. Peninsula Valdes: more boundless scrub plains now studded with merino wool sheep then WHOOPS! a drop off of cliff that have fossils of sea creatures from 20 million years ago and beach littered with penguins, sea lions, and elephant seals. The Punto Tombo penguin colony had about 1 million penguins---if you weren't careful, you could step on one! Iguazu Falls: Wow! Thundering water...like Niagra Falls on steroids. The dusky swift builds its nests behind the falls and flies right into the raging waters to get to them. Toucans and parrots everywhere.
Time to download those pics! I'm so happy to be home. This was really the break I needed. Yes, I ate red meat and drank red wine every single day I was there. The ice cream was incredibly delicious. And dulce de leche...Ohhh mama! I'm ready to get back to training and working off the damage I did in the kg department of watt/kg!
Kitima!!!! Welcome back! Just that short description is captivating! Can't wait to see your photos.
Shrink- Glad you finished the course, sorry for the knee pain. I can not believe the "Y" is being that way. If the instructor tries to pull the plug, I'd speak to management. You aren't harming anyone and you've paid your dues too!
The song alone is not available for download on i-tunes. I was thinking exactly the same thing about the video. When I am less lazy, I might get to that.
This has been a cleaning day and I am taking a break right now. Soon I will get up to start dinner and finish the laundry and paper organizing. Oh what a fun life I have. Wouldn't you love to spend your weekend like this? ;-)
Shrink, good job on just finishing that race! Those conditions sound horrible. Your local "Y" needs to get over themselves and let you get on with your training.
Kitima, welcome back! I'm looking forward to seeing those pictures and reading your trip report. The food sounds delicious!
Olivia, how was the trip to St. George?
We had a beautiful day here, sunny, with temps in the 60s. We made a trip to the garden center and bought some tomato and strawberry plants. Let's see if they survive this year.
This past week was my transition week, and I rested lots and ate more than I needed. I'm looking foward to jumping into week 5 of the half IM plan and getting my food intake back under control!
Shrink- congrats on that race! So sorry to hear you'll be stuck in the pool with lots of pool running though. I agree with the other ladies here- I can't believe your Y is being so crazy! At our Y the aqua-aerobics class is every morning about the same time I'm there to jog. There are 4 lap lanes and then the open area for the aqua joggers. I spoke to the lifeguard when I first started and asked if he/she preferred if I took up the deep end next to the aqua-joggers or if I was in a lap lane. He asked me to stay in the deep end next to the ladies unless they needed to do some deep water stuff- at which point I move into a lap lane (assuming no-one is there). I'm very fortunate I guess, everyone knows what everyone else is trying to accomplish with their morning and we all just try to make room for each other. Benefits of living in a small town I guess.
Olivia- I can't wait to see more pics and hear the details of the weekend in SG! The bike course sounds crazy and having done the St George Marathon before, I'm pretty sure I have an idea about just how crazy it might be!!
Kitboo- Welcome Back!!! We missed you! The adventure sounds simply amazing. I think I'm going to start planning my vacations around whatever it is you are doing!
Kristen- we had a nice taste of spring here too! My neighbor was out planting collard greens this morning, yummmmmmy! Oh, and I saw purple martins this morning! When I lived in NJ/MD the sign of spring was always red robins, but down here it's purple martins! We've gotta get our martin house up soon!
OK ladies, most of you know I finally did a little running today. It was just 5 sets of 2 minute jogs, nice and easy with good form. Everything felt pretty good and so far no signs of aftermath trouble from my calf. If it feels good tomorrow (it's always that day after ya know?) I'm going to go ahead with my plan that I laid out for the WSMMs in the Med Forum next week for slooooooooooowly getting back to running again. I may not be fast at IMoo- but I just hope to be there!
Kitboo's back! We missed you! And I can't wait to see all your pictures.
Hm. Pool running. I always LOVE when there is a well-behaved pool runner in my lane while I'm lap swimming. You don't tend to move around too much or ever accidentally kick me, like my fellow swimming lap sharers have done.
Kristen -- I'm so into getting resting and eating with you. In a few minutes, I'm off to eat pizza. There was also bacon chocolate soft serve and delicious tostones from Urban Belly this week. I love living in a city where great chefs set up shop beneath El stops and make me delicious dinners that cost well under twenty dollars.
My sister made me awesome pain cave wall art. I may now have the most kick a** pretty pain cave in the haus now.
After two visits to the chiro and one to my bodywork guy, my right hip moves properly again! The scary part? I didn't realize it was not moving. This is surely good for my future ftp. Does anyone else gets to points in training where your body is crazy stressed out and extra crunchy? When does it usually happen?
Kit- WELCOME BACK, it's not been the same without you. Vacation pics and report asap, please!
Kristen- Glad you guys had a sunny weekend. I am so, so ready for spring.
Linda- Hope the weekend, sans boys, was lovely
Olivia- IMSG reconnaisance report please
Below are the latest Belle pics. She is a love/demon/clown/sponge and sooo much work. BUT, twice as much fun. Completely house broken, knows the sit, kinda knows the down, and she and Indie are BFFs!
Thanks to all of your kind words on FB on the anniversary of my Dad's death.
G--A'belle/Indie BFFs...that just makes me smile ear to ear. How cute it THAT?! I needed a dose of puppy pix, and there they were. Cali is 10 months old today. She was a demon/love/so much work little puppy too. Now, it's basically smooth sailing--as long as she gets those runs in!
Yup, the boys just got back. K and I really didn't have much advance notice they were going, so we hadn't planned anything. We had to do college finance stuff, and some more taxes (finished), so it wasn't a free and clear weekend to go do stuff. But I got some riding and running in, and it was quiet and peaceful, which was a nice change.
Had a real "meh" ride this morning. Felt good, but the numbers were just not there. Weird how that happens sometimes. Ever onward, right?
Gina- I knew I was missing something but couldn't quite put my finger on it until just now-ah yes, I'm running way to low on puppy picture mojo!!! Thanks for the fix!
Hi Girls!! I'm back! Put my reeeeeeaaaallly looooooong write up of the riding and running in St. George in the IMSG forum. I'm very glad we went out there and did this.
I took very few pics....I know failure! I was busting my butt to keep up with the guys and not be a nuisance. As the only chica, I wanted to not be a girl, you know what I mean? I didn't want the guys to think I couldn't hang. Unlike Rich, I can't just be riding along with gloves on and whip out the camera and start taking pics and vid! I have a few that I'll try to post.
What's not in this dissertation is the drama with the condo I rented. OMG! What a dump! I'm not kidding! I've been in gas station restrooms that were cleaner that this place. I ended up doing quite a bit of cleaning, including washing the bedsheets just so I could feel remotely comfortable in there. I took pics and sent them to the owner. And have told him that I want a full refund for my April/May reservation. Got other lodging lined up already. What a PITA! Gotta love that I'm totally behind on my own house cleaning, but there I am trying to clean up this guy's hole in the wall!
Can't wait to see pics from Argentina, Kitima.
I had all of you with me this weekend....and will take all of you back in two months! Thanks!
Beth, Bacon Chocolate soft serve? I would so try that! Sadly, I'm back to cut up raw vegetables instead of yummy treats!
Gina, Anabelle is getting so big so fast! She's just adorable.
Olivia, it sounds like you had quite a trip! I can't believe your condo was such a dump, but at least you found another one for race time. That would have added waaaaayyy too much stress on an already stressful time. The course sounds amazing, extremely tough, and beautiful all at the same time. You are going to crush it!
Olivia- so glad you found out about the condo before race week! Whew! Who woulda thought that would be another "race rehearsal" thing to worry about!!!
Been thinking about you guys- still no home compuetr, but hopefully this week. Makes iLife challenging. Hopefully this week? Last week, had to put my SB ( Super biotch cape and hat on when dealing with geek squad and best buy). My computer was in service center somewhere in kentucky ready for final inspection and shipment for 6 days!
Gina- was thinking of you all day yesterday. Hope your day was ok. That first one is tough. I still have days where I really miss my dad, just these little things that pop up. Your dad soundslike he was super special.
I can't believe how big a'belle is getting. those pictures are great, always.
Welcome back Kitima- looking forward to your report and pics. Glad your trip is what you needed.
Shrink- congrats on toughing it out in those conditions. Take it easy on that knee. Rich has said to me many a time. Let your knee be your coach, Frustrating about the pool thing. I would go to a manager , you have every right to use it too. Hopefully something can be worked out. Your days sounds like a good practice for mental toughness training. Yaaaah for getting it done.
beth- soundslike you are really settling in to your new place, with a nicely decorated Pain cave
Olivia- sounds like an adventurous Recon weekend. Gald you found out about the condo ahead of time and found a new place. Sounds like a challenging course.
Nemo- glad to hear your calf is progressing, keeping my fingers crossed.
M- will miss you while gone,
Envious of those with signs of spring! Birds, seeds to plant, sunny days.
Ok-so I have been back from haiti a week. Work needed me to jump right back into work, no rest for the weary, and boy am I feeling it> just have to hang in there 2 more days, then I have a stretch of 4 days off. So last week I did 4 x12 hr shiftsinstead of my normal 3, and they were a doozy! Wonder if maybe we flew over the bermuda triagle on my way back from Hiati to Miami and my energy was sucked into the triangle? I am just really wiped out. The other thing is they needed me to work nights saturday, instead of days. I sually like to take a few days to switch from nights to days, but nope, back at work 6;30 am. On a positive note, they let me out an hour early today. maybe I'm still carrying around what ever Ipicked up on the trip? My appetite hasn't been very good lately, and I was pretty dizzy all morning at work. If not feeling myself by end of week, will call the infectious disease docs that were on the team with me. My back is doing better though on the tordal. Just concerned, because July 25 is getting closer and closer, bigger and bigger.. Ok, I'll stop whinning now
Another thing I wanted to put out there for the group- what is up with older people not wanting to go to Dr/ hopsital when sick? been dealing with that with my mom of late. She gets these fever/c hills, she is immunosupressed on and won't call dr because she does not want to go to hospital,. My dad did the same thing, then things get to far along and much harder to treat, or they get weak and fall and break a hip. I Really lost my patience with my mom the other day on the phone. Any words of wisdom. Anyone else dealing with this with their aging parents?
Ok, gotta scoot- please send positive thoughts of returning computers and bursts of energy my way . Thanks
Tracy- I hear you. With the storm dumping 2 feet of snow in NY, my dad had no heat or power for 2 1/2 days. Did he go to stay with my sister 20' away? Nope. Froze his butt off in a 40 degree house. Stubborn!! His GF was out of town and she tried to get him to go too.
Anyway... where are your parents in relation to you and your siblings? Or a good neighbor that will call and give a heads up when things are not good? My grams neighbor checked on her, and if she didn't answer, they'd call mom pronto. Gram learned not to ignore them. As for the "putting it off"... I had to get real serious with my dad about giving me and the doc straight answers and not dancing around things. It takes a lot of prodding still, but he is better at listening more and giving excuses less.
I do not come from a family of hypochondriacs (DH's family- well let's just say they'd live in the doc's office if they thought it would help). Anyway- sometimes I just called the doc myself. Of course this was when I was the health care proxy, so that made it easier.
Best advice- have a sit down with your mom and find out REALLY why she is not calling. Is it money? Fear of something worse being found? Fear of being a burden and preferring to just slip away? Is the fear justified? Is there anything that can be done to ease her fears?
I hear your frustration. You love your mom. But with both my grams, when they did that, I told my parents to let them be. One stayed the course and was fine. One changed her mind, went to the doc and had a med change. Unless your mom has dementia (and I don't get that impression), there may not be much you can do. But patince and persistence are key.
Good luck with the computer. Sending + thoughts your way!
I wish I had time to address everything specifically. I have been checking in and reading I just haven't had the time to post. I did post a little blurb in the Jan OS, but really need to get a move on right now. This being back at work is really cramping me! Just want you all to know I am thinking of you all and hear YOU all the life issues!!! They are real and big and I just keep telling myself one day at a time. Now - if only my little Esther alarm clock would stop going off at 5:00 AM! I don't have to get up til 5:30 and by the end of the week that adds up! SMILING
@Shrink- how is the pool running going? Have you found a way to get your Y buddies to share? I think you said that the lap pool is only 4ft deep all the way accross- that's probably not going to be deep enough for you to run without hitting the bottom unfortunately- so I hope you can work something else out!
@Tracy- I usually need a week of rest when I return from vacation. And what you just came back from sure as heck was no vacation!! Seem totally normal to me that you'd be tired. But you are doing the right thing to stay on top of it and get checked out if it continues.
As for the parent/dr gig. My problem isn't that my parents don't go to a doc (because they do that fairly well) but what they don't do is tell me or any of my siblings! It's always "oh, I got that biopsy back earlier this week and it was benign". HUH??? WHAT BIOPSY??? Or "Dad came out of surgery just fine this morning and the Doc says he'll recover quickly". HUH? WHAT SURGERY??? Now I must admit, I'm not much better about it. We have this whole thing about not telling anyone something is wrong until we have all the facts. The ongoing joke in our family is that our tombstones will read "Oh, by the way, I was sick".
Oh- and good luck getting that computer fixed! I know how frustrating that situation can be!
We have this whole thing about not telling anyone something is wrong until we have all the facts. The ongoing joke in our family is that our tombstones will read "Oh, by the way, I was sick".
LMAO! So true! I've gotta pass that one on! That is totally us too!
Coming to you from the snowy south, again. I have seen more snow in the last 3 months, then I have seen in my entire life!! Crazy.
This is what I drove through today on the way to Birmingham.
Timely discussion about the aging parents going on here....
My Mom had a shoulder replacement yesterday and will be in the hospital through tomorrow. This coming on the heels of the one year anniversary of my Dad's death has been tough for her. My sisters and I are tag teaming being with her and I will be here until the weekend . She is doing fairly well, though pain control is an issue. At this point, she is becoming the bionic woman- both knees relaced, a broken hip fixed, and now a shoulder replacement. The airport security people love her. Anyway, she is otherwise in good health (for 78) and planning on coming to IMMOO.
Robin- I hear you on the puppy alarm. Belle is sleeping all night, but wakes @ ;5 and there is no amount of coaxing to get her to "settle" after that. Oh, how I miss that 30 minutes of sleep too.
Tracy- Hope you are catching up on your rest. One of the guys I work with, said all he wanted to do was sleep when he came back. On top of your fatigue, I know how frustrated you must be with your Mom. It is SO hard when they get older and many, many times I just have to take a deep breath or bite my tongue.
I have had some niggling lateral knee pain which I thought was ITB. Stopped in to see my PT yesterday and it seems it is not that. Turns out my opposite side is super tight and she thinks my knee is torquing some to compensate. She gave me wome new stretches to work on. Let's hope that solves the issue!!
HATED leaving Indie and my little Belle this morning. Su gets her turn now, we will see how that goes
Hi, girls...just checking and catching up...Tracy, rest up and make sure you're getting fluids in!
Kit...glad you are back!
Gina, be careful driving through that snow!
I know I'm a little behind here, but wanted to throw in my $.02 about negative self-talk...had LOTS of issues with it. Here's a little strategy I developed: I save all my old Runner's World and Tri magazines. When I have a few minutes (which isn't often now!) I go through and cut out words, then glue them onto index cards with positive and affirming sayings. Like "yes, you can!" "you can do it" and so on. I either keep them in pile and read through them when I'm having a tough week or hang them around the house in places I see them (aka bathroom mirror, doorways, pain cave, etc.) In September for my HIM, I did the EN 4 keys sayings cut out of magazine words. It was also soothing and relaxing to look through magazines and cut out words. If I don't have that much time, I get out the ol' crayola markers and do 'em in color.
Teaching my 1st spin class tomorrow!
Having trouble with my feet...these quarter size "lumps" have showed up on my right foot: heel, on top and one under my big toe. I ignored them for awhile, but they are bruising now and they hurt. Made an appt. with dr. to get referral to foot dr. (aye!)
Free coffee Wednesday at our local Dunkin' tomorrow! That's getting me out of bed! Enjoy your day!
Greetings to all! Busy weekend for me and just starting to catchup with things. Can't believe how much Annabelle has grown! I almost want another puppy until you guys talk about being up at 5am with them. Kinda like babies... you forget that stuff and remember the fun stuff!
Oliva- super glad to hear you had what sounds like a great trip to St George! Think that would have to give ya such a boost! I've been seeing pics of the course on twitter and I am ready to pack my bags now and go! Can hardly believe you & Carrie are so far along in training. Race rehearsals will be here before we know it!
Gina- for once we did NOT get the snow. Be safe driving in that stuff! All I can say is... 18 days till the first day of spring! Bring it!!
Tracy- Can remember issues with my grandparents & hospitals. They always had the fear that if they went in, they wouldn't come out. Fear isn't a rational thing so may have to just take some understanding and emotional appeal to deal with. Can't imagine living w/o internet connection. Was reading part of Patrick's 10 hr week articles on line and one of them dealt with time/balance and training. One of his comments was to stop incessantly checking email like a gerbil on crack. Whoops... reality check... is that really me??? I'll be at email and forum anonymous!!
Dana- good luck at spin class! Think you'll enjoy having your own class! Just remember to breath and smile!
Linda- new Cali pics? Gotta have a complete dogs of EN fix!
Nemo- sending you super calf mojo gal!
To all the other chickas, Happy hump day! Wed is almost here!!!
Comments
M--We will miss you. Come back, safe, sound and healthy! We promise--no wrecks!
Shrink- How did the cookies go?
Barb- Have a great time at your race, be safe, and give lots of hugs!
Anyone know when Kitima returns? I didn't think this was 2 weeks away, 10 or 12 days, it's been 14. Hope she is safe and I am wrong.
Loving the Olympics, always great to watch these athletes!
My new favorite song for IM-MOO!!
Now an update on how the "cookies" went. About 75% of the older gals and guys were appreciative, but I was floored when the instructor said "I am not sure if I can let you continue to do this running thing in our class after your event this weekend". I told her NO, I am training for a big race in June and kind of stood there with a look on my face like "what???"....so I may have to find another place (this is at the local Y near enough to my home), they only members in the deep pool when there is a lifeguard and there is only a lifeguard twice a day (during these classes for the elders with arthritis). I am going to see if I can find a way to run in the 4 foot lap pool (another huge pool at same Y) with a belt on, Has anyone figured that one out or tried to do that??
I have a few pictures from the race (one is a video showing the awful weather), not sure how to post them here so will post them on my profile ), worst weather I have ever trained in let alone "raced in". Now I know why we SWIM first, I went all out on the final loop of the bike and then had to run a long way to the swim and got in and had NOTHING left, first time I have ever had to stop for a few seconds to doggie paddle in the middle of the swim, just to get some air, think my heart rate was 200! completely anaerobic , so now rest a recuperate (have a Nuclear Bone Scan this week) to see what might be wrong with my knee replacement, it is swollen and huge and as I said I can barely walk. I am scared to death that running may not ever be in my future, for today I can not allow that to be a reality for me and if it really gets to that I am going to find out how to be one of the fastest race "walkers" known to man or woman.
I have to tell you ALL, that I carried your kind words and your spirits, your experience and your knowledge with me during this entire race, gave myself positive thoughts the entire time , "thank you God for allowing me to be out here with all these wonderful people", "you can do this", "this is fun", "you are a lucky lady" and more. I also looked around at all the marines and the USA flags, the fighter jets, the helicoptors lined the course (it was on a Marine Base), and no matter what I was out there, rain or shine and giving it my best shot. There was also a division for wheel chairs and in that wind I couldn't believe how hard it must have been for them, so inspiring!!
I can't wait to meet all of you and again want to thank you for accepting this very newbie member as one of your own. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend, will stay on top of the radar.
PS I love that song too, gonna find it and put it on my IPOD +
PPS Still trying to find the place online to sign-up for the July Chica trip
Shrink---That's the way!!! Nice. Work. So glad you're feeling so good about yourself in the race! Believe me, you will carry the chickas with youin many, many ways. They completely got me through IMFL training, and bouyed me all of race day! Congrats!
G--LOVE that. What is takes to get tot he finish line, right?
Dear friends: I'm back! I landed this morning on one snowy runway...after being in the jungles of Iguazu Falls, it's a real shocker. Time to shift gears and wax those skate skis, huh?
Gina: A big, big hug to you on the one year anniversary for your dad. You are so blessed to have had such a wonderful father.
Marianne: Safe travels and have a great time!
Shrink: A belated Welcome! So glad you jumped right in.
I took over 1200 pictures so after I sift through them I'll post the top 100 and write a report. A quick run down of the trip: Patagonia...what a strange and wonderous place! Vast spaces of scrub brush punctuated by herds of guanacos (wild llama-like animals) and lesser rheas (look like short ostriches) then BAM! massive granite peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torres surrounded by their monstrous glaciers. Peninsula Valdes: more boundless scrub plains now studded with merino wool sheep then WHOOPS! a drop off of cliff that have fossils of sea creatures from 20 million years ago and beach littered with penguins, sea lions, and elephant seals. The Punto Tombo penguin colony had about 1 million penguins---if you weren't careful, you could step on one! Iguazu Falls: Wow! Thundering water...like Niagra Falls on steroids. The dusky swift builds its nests behind the falls and flies right into the raging waters to get to them. Toucans and parrots everywhere.
Time to download those pics! I'm so happy to be home. This was really the break I needed. Yes, I ate red meat and drank red wine every single day I was there. The ice cream was incredibly delicious. And dulce de leche...Ohhh mama! I'm ready to get back to training and working off the damage I did in the kg department of watt/kg!
Shrink- Glad you finished the course, sorry for the knee pain. I can not believe the "Y" is being that way. If the instructor tries to pull the plug, I'd speak to management. You aren't harming anyone and you've paid your dues too!
The song alone is not available for download on i-tunes. I was thinking exactly the same thing about the video. When I am less lazy, I might get to that.
This has been a cleaning day and I am taking a break right now. Soon I will get up to start dinner and finish the laundry and paper organizing. Oh what a fun life I have. Wouldn't you love to spend your weekend like this? ;-)
Shrink, good job on just finishing that race! Those conditions sound horrible. Your local "Y" needs to get over themselves and let you get on with your training.
Kitima, welcome back! I'm looking forward to seeing those pictures and reading your trip report. The food sounds delicious!
Olivia, how was the trip to St. George?
We had a beautiful day here, sunny, with temps in the 60s. We made a trip to the garden center and bought some tomato and strawberry plants. Let's see if they survive this year.
This past week was my transition week, and I rested lots and ate more than I needed.
I'm looking foward to jumping into week 5 of the half IM plan and getting my food intake back under control!
Have a great week, ladies!
Shrink- congrats on that race! So sorry to hear you'll be stuck in the pool with lots of pool running though. I agree with the other ladies here- I can't believe your Y is being so crazy! At our Y the aqua-aerobics class is every morning about the same time I'm there to jog. There are 4 lap lanes and then the open area for the aqua joggers. I spoke to the lifeguard when I first started and asked if he/she preferred if I took up the deep end next to the aqua-joggers or if I was in a lap lane. He asked me to stay in the deep end next to the ladies unless they needed to do some deep water stuff- at which point I move into a lap lane (assuming no-one is there). I'm very fortunate I guess, everyone knows what everyone else is trying to accomplish with their morning and we all just try to make room for each other. Benefits of living in a small town I guess.
Olivia- I can't wait to see more pics and hear the details of the weekend in SG! The bike course sounds crazy and having done the St George Marathon before, I'm pretty sure I have an idea about just how crazy it might be!!
Kitboo- Welcome Back!!! We missed you! The adventure sounds simply amazing. I think I'm going to start planning my vacations around whatever it is you are doing!
Kristen- we had a nice taste of spring here too! My neighbor was out planting collard greens this morning, yummmmmmy! Oh, and I saw purple martins this morning! When I lived in NJ/MD the sign of spring was always red robins, but down here it's purple martins! We've gotta get our martin house up soon!
OK ladies, most of you know I finally did a little running today. It was just 5 sets of 2 minute jogs, nice and easy with good form. Everything felt pretty good and so far no signs of aftermath trouble from my calf. If it feels good tomorrow (it's always that day after ya know?) I'm going to go ahead with my plan that I laid out for the WSMMs in the Med Forum next week for slooooooooooowly getting back to running again. I may not be fast at IMoo- but I just hope to be there!
Kitboo's back! We missed you! And I can't wait to see all your pictures.
Hm. Pool running. I always LOVE when there is a well-behaved pool runner in my lane while I'm lap swimming. You don't tend to move around too much or ever accidentally kick me, like my fellow swimming lap sharers have done.
Kristen -- I'm so into getting resting and eating with you. In a few minutes, I'm off to eat pizza. There was also bacon chocolate soft serve and delicious tostones from Urban Belly this week. I love living in a city where great chefs set up shop beneath El stops and make me delicious dinners that cost well under twenty dollars.
My sister made me awesome pain cave wall art. I may now have the most kick a** pretty pain cave in the haus now.
After two visits to the chiro and one to my bodywork guy, my right hip moves properly again! The scary part? I didn't realize it was not moving. This is surely good for my future ftp. Does anyone else gets to points in training where your body is crazy stressed out and extra crunchy? When does it usually happen?
Off to pizza!
WOW, what a hockey game!!
Nemo- Keep plugging baby, IMMOO is in the cards for ya!!
Shink (or is it Shrink?)- Kudos on your finish in tough conditions. That race is just $$$ in the mental bank. And there is no formal sign-up for the July trip, just look here for details: http://endurancenation.us.dnnmax.com/Community/Forums/tabid/101/aff/33/aft/946/afv/topic/Default.aspx
Kit- WELCOME BACK, it's not been the same without you. Vacation pics and report asap, please!
Kristen- Glad you guys had a sunny weekend. I am so, so ready for spring.
Linda- Hope the weekend, sans boys, was lovely
Olivia- IMSG reconnaisance report please
Below are the latest Belle pics. She is a love/demon/clown/sponge and sooo much work. BUT, twice as much fun. Completely house broken, knows the sit, kinda knows the down, and she and Indie are BFFs!
Thanks to all of your kind words on FB on the anniversary of my Dad's death.
G--A'belle/Indie BFFs...that just makes me smile ear to ear. How cute it THAT?! I needed a dose of puppy pix, and there they were. Cali is 10 months old today.
She was a demon/love/so much work little puppy too. Now, it's basically smooth sailing--as long as she gets those runs in!
Yup, the boys just got back. K and I really didn't have much advance notice they were going, so we hadn't planned anything. We had to do college finance stuff, and some more taxes (finished), so it wasn't a free and clear weekend to go do stuff. But I got some riding and running in, and it was quiet and peaceful, which was a nice change.
Had a real "meh" ride this morning. Felt good, but the numbers were just not there. Weird how that happens sometimes. Ever onward, right?
Hi Girls!! I'm back! Put my reeeeeeaaaallly looooooong write up of the riding and running in St. George in the IMSG forum. I'm very glad we went out there and did this.
http://endurancenation.us.dnnmax.com/tabid/101/afv/topic/aff/62/aft/1261/Default.aspxI took very few pics....I know failure! I was busting my butt to keep up with the guys and not be a nuisance. As the only chica, I wanted to not be a girl, you know what I mean? I didn't want the guys to think I couldn't hang. Unlike Rich, I can't just be riding along with gloves on and whip out the camera and start taking pics and vid! I have a few that I'll try to post.
What's not in this dissertation is the drama with the condo I rented. OMG! What a dump! I'm not kidding! I've been in gas station restrooms that were cleaner that this place. I ended up doing quite a bit of cleaning, including washing the bedsheets just so I could feel remotely comfortable in there. I took pics and sent them to the owner. And have told him that I want a full refund for my April/May reservation. Got other lodging lined up already. What a PITA! Gotta love that I'm totally behind on my own house cleaning, but there I am trying to clean up this guy's hole in the wall!
Can't wait to see pics from Argentina, Kitima.
I had all of you with me this weekend....and will take all of you back in two months! Thanks!
Gina, Anabelle is getting so big so fast! She's just adorable.
Olivia, it sounds like you had quite a trip! I can't believe your condo was such a dump, but at least you found another one for race time. That would have added waaaaayyy too much stress on an already stressful time. The course sounds amazing, extremely tough, and beautiful all at the same time. You are going to crush it!
Hi Everyone!
Been thinking about you guys- still no home compuetr, but hopefully this week. Makes iLife challenging. Hopefully this week? Last week, had to put my SB ( Super biotch cape and hat on when dealing with geek squad and best buy). My computer was in service center somewhere in kentucky ready for final inspection and shipment for 6 days!
Gina- was thinking of you all day yesterday. Hope your day was ok. That first one is tough. I still have days where I really miss my dad, just these little things that pop up. Your dad soundslike he was super special.
I can't believe how big a'belle is getting. those pictures are great, always.
Welcome back Kitima- looking forward to your report and pics. Glad your trip is what you needed.
Shrink- congrats on toughing it out in those conditions. Take it easy on that knee. Rich has said to me many a time. Let your knee be your coach, Frustrating about the pool thing. I would go to a manager , you have every right to use it too. Hopefully something can be worked out. Your days sounds like a good practice for mental toughness training. Yaaaah for getting it done.
beth- soundslike you are really settling in to your new place, with a nicely decorated Pain cave
Olivia- sounds like an adventurous Recon weekend. Gald you found out about the condo ahead of time and found a new place. Sounds like a challenging course.
Nemo- glad to hear your calf is progressing, keeping my fingers crossed.
M- will miss you while gone,
Envious of those with signs of spring! Birds, seeds to plant, sunny days.
Ok-so I have been back from haiti a week. Work needed me to jump right back into work, no rest for the weary, and boy am I feeling it> just have to hang in there 2 more days, then I have a stretch of 4 days off. So last week I did 4 x12 hr shiftsinstead of my normal 3, and they were a doozy! Wonder if maybe we flew over the bermuda triagle on my way back from Hiati to Miami and my energy was sucked into the triangle? I am just really wiped out. The other thing is they needed me to work nights saturday, instead of days. I sually like to take a few days to switch from nights to days, but nope, back at work 6;30 am. On a positive note, they let me out an hour early today. maybe I'm still carrying around what ever Ipicked up on the trip? My appetite hasn't been very good lately, and I was pretty dizzy all morning at work. If not feeling myself by end of week, will call the infectious disease docs that were on the team with me. My back is doing better though on the tordal. Just concerned, because July 25 is getting closer and closer, bigger and bigger.. Ok, I'll stop whinning now
Another thing I wanted to put out there for the group- what is up with older people not wanting to go to Dr/ hopsital when sick? been dealing with that with my mom of late. She gets these fever/c hills, she is immunosupressed on and won't call dr because she does not want to go to hospital,. My dad did the same thing, then things get to far along and much harder to treat, or they get weak and fall and break a hip. I Really lost my patience with my mom the other day on the phone. Any words of wisdom. Anyone else dealing with this with their aging parents?
Ok, gotta scoot- please send positive thoughts of returning computers and bursts of energy my way . Thanks
Anyway... where are your parents in relation to you and your siblings? Or a good neighbor that will call and give a heads up when things are not good? My grams neighbor checked on her, and if she didn't answer, they'd call mom pronto. Gram learned not to ignore them. As for the "putting it off"... I had to get real serious with my dad about giving me and the doc straight answers and not dancing around things. It takes a lot of prodding still, but he is better at listening more and giving excuses less.
I do not come from a family of hypochondriacs (DH's family- well let's just say they'd live in the doc's office if they thought it would help). Anyway- sometimes I just called the doc myself. Of course this was when I was the health care proxy, so that made it easier.
Best advice- have a sit down with your mom and find out REALLY why she is not calling. Is it money? Fear of something worse being found? Fear of being a burden and preferring to just slip away? Is the fear justified? Is there anything that can be done to ease her fears?
I hear your frustration. You love your mom. But with both my grams, when they did that, I told my parents to let them be. One stayed the course and was fine. One changed her mind, went to the doc and had a med change. Unless your mom has dementia (and I don't get that impression), there may not be much you can do. But patince and persistence are key.
Good luck with the computer. Sending + thoughts your way!
Hi All!
I wish I had time to address everything specifically. I have been checking in and reading I just haven't had the time to post. I did post a little blurb in the Jan OS, but really need to get a move on right now. This being back at work is really cramping me!
@Shrink- how is the pool running going? Have you found a way to get your Y buddies to share? I think you said that the lap pool is only 4ft deep all the way accross- that's probably not going to be deep enough for you to run without hitting the bottom unfortunately- so I hope you can work something else out!
@Tracy- I usually need a week of rest when I return from vacation. And what you just came back from sure as heck was no vacation!! Seem totally normal to me that you'd be tired. But you are doing the right thing to stay on top of it and get checked out if it continues.
As for the parent/dr gig. My problem isn't that my parents don't go to a doc (because they do that fairly well) but what they don't do is tell me or any of my siblings! It's always "oh, I got that biopsy back earlier this week and it was benign". HUH??? WHAT BIOPSY??? Or "Dad came out of surgery just fine this morning and the Doc says he'll recover quickly". HUH? WHAT SURGERY??? Now I must admit, I'm not much better about it. We have this whole thing about not telling anyone something is wrong until we have all the facts. The ongoing joke in our family is that our tombstones will read "Oh, by the way, I was sick".
Oh- and good luck getting that computer fixed! I know how frustrating that situation can be!
LMAO! So true! I've gotta pass that one on! That is totally us too!
Hey all-
Coming to you from the snowy south, again. I have seen more snow in the last 3 months, then I have seen in my entire life!! Crazy.
This is what I drove through today on the way to Birmingham.
Timely discussion about the aging parents going on here....
My Mom had a shoulder replacement yesterday and will be in the hospital through tomorrow. This coming on the heels of the one year anniversary of my Dad's death has been tough for her. My sisters and I are tag teaming being with her and I will be here until the weekend . She is doing fairly well, though pain control is an issue. At this point, she is becoming the bionic woman- both knees relaced, a broken hip fixed, and now a shoulder replacement. The airport security people love her.
Anyway, she is otherwise in good health (for 78) and planning on coming to IMMOO.
Robin- I hear you on the puppy alarm. Belle is sleeping all night, but wakes @ ;5 and there is no amount of coaxing to get her to "settle" after that. Oh, how I miss that 30 minutes of sleep too.
Tracy- Hope you are catching up on your rest. One of the guys I work with, said all he wanted to do was sleep when he came back. On top of your fatigue, I know how frustrated you must be with your Mom. It is SO hard when they get older and many, many times I just have to take a deep breath or bite my tongue.
I have had some niggling lateral knee pain which I thought was ITB. Stopped in to see my PT yesterday and it seems it is not that. Turns out my opposite side is super tight and she thinks my knee is torquing some to compensate. She gave me wome new stretches to work on. Let's hope that solves the issue!!
HATED leaving Indie and my little Belle this morning. Su gets her turn now, we will see how that goes
Kit...glad you are back!
Gina, be careful driving through that snow!
I know I'm a little behind here, but wanted to throw in my $.02 about negative self-talk...had LOTS of issues with it. Here's a little strategy I developed: I save all my old Runner's World and Tri magazines. When I have a few minutes (which isn't often now!) I go through and cut out words, then glue them onto index cards with positive and affirming sayings. Like "yes, you can!" "you can do it" and so on. I either keep them in pile and read through them when I'm having a tough week or hang them around the house in places I see them (aka bathroom mirror, doorways, pain cave, etc.) In September for my HIM, I did the EN 4 keys sayings cut out of magazine words. It was also soothing and relaxing to look through magazines and cut out words. If I don't have that much time, I get out the ol' crayola markers and do 'em in color.
Teaching my 1st spin class tomorrow!
Having trouble with my feet...these quarter size "lumps" have showed up on my right foot: heel, on top and one under my big toe. I ignored them for awhile, but they are bruising now and they hurt. Made an appt. with dr. to get referral to foot dr. (aye!)
Free coffee Wednesday at our local Dunkin' tomorrow! That's getting me out of bed! Enjoy your day!
Oliva- super glad to hear you had what sounds like a great trip to St George! Think that would have to give ya such a boost! I've been seeing pics of the course on twitter and I am ready to pack my bags now and go! Can hardly believe you & Carrie are so far along in training. Race rehearsals will be here before we know it!
Gina- for once we did NOT get the snow. Be safe driving in that stuff! All I can say is... 18 days till the first day of spring! Bring it!!
Tracy- Can remember issues with my grandparents & hospitals. They always had the fear that if they went in, they wouldn't come out. Fear isn't a rational thing so may have to just take some understanding and emotional appeal to deal with. Can't imagine living w/o internet connection. Was reading part of Patrick's 10 hr week articles on line and one of them dealt with time/balance and training. One of his comments was to stop incessantly checking email like a gerbil on crack. Whoops... reality check... is that really me??? I'll be at email and forum anonymous!!
Dana- good luck at spin class! Think you'll enjoy having your own class! Just remember to breath and smile!
Linda- new Cali pics? Gotta have a complete dogs of EN fix!
Nemo- sending you super calf mojo gal!
To all the other chickas, Happy hump day! Wed is almost here!!!