Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Did ya miss me?

Okay, folks.

I'm back.

And even though I'm sure that I have only, like, three people who still read my blog, I kind of miss writing here. Not that the vacation hasn't been fun...cause it has.

But, for the sake of my future marriage, I think I should blog again.

Cause Mighty M may just kill me if I don't.

No, don't get me wrong. He doesn't READ this anymore...nah, he gave that up a while ago. I could divulge his deepest secrets here and he have no idea until someone randomly came up to him and pointed accusingly at a race next year.

No, it's more like I talk too much. WAAAAAAAY too much. And now it's not just about triathlon. Now it's about weddings AND triathlon. And Mighty M is breaking under the pressure.

So I'm going to need to get some of this out in blogging again. Beats payin' for therapy.

So. Things I've been meaning to say and haven't yet....

(1) I've decided that swim paddles are like cocaine for pool rats. The moment you put them on you're bigger, faster, stronger, and will nevereverever stop swimming. The down side? The moment you take them off you have T-Rex arms that barely drag you down the lane any faster than a sea slug. Paddle hangover, I guess.

(2) Cadence is all relative. All relative. When I started up with prep for my 2008 season, I thought 95 rpms as a "warm up" for 20 minutes was some crazy fast nutty stuff I should only do on the trainer outside of the watchful eye of the public. Now? 115 and I are friends. FRIENDS. Go figure.

(3) Single legged drills? Still suck.

(4) I've decided to get my own custom designed shirt for racing next year. People tell me all the time that I wear my heart on my sleeve and I'm an open book. (Apparently, I'm also a walking metaphor.) So I've decided on the coolest of coolest designs for a new custom race jersey. I'll reveal it dramatically at a later date. As in the later date when I have time to just put the graphic into electronic form. I'm a weeetle slow like that.

(5) I've decided to take my writing to a new level. I had a very sad loss recently -- a friend who I will dearly, dearly miss. And in my sadness, I have been searching for a way to manage this loss and convert it to something useful, for myself and others. I don't do many things well, but I know my way around a paragraph. So I've decided to turn sadness into words in a big way. A very big way. More to come for this, but it has been on my mind for weeks now.

(6) I'm still training...a bunch. My coach has been building me up slowly from the bottom and I'm starting to feel -- really feel -- the change in my confidence levels. I'm simply stronger in the pool and stronger on the bike. My running comes easier, too. And that's never happened before. I always tend to have one hiccup each week that messes with the schedule, but I'm being really good about sticking to the plan. And it's paying off. More to come on that, but it's all good.

and,

(7) I'm still getting married. (YEAH FOR ME!!) I'm still in total bliss and gush over Mighty M each day. Our future is so full of hope and joy, I can barely contain my excitement. It's exhausting, of course, finding the right place and managing the budget. I mean, who knew that photographers were that much money? My budget is good on some things and baaaaad on others. We'll figure it out, but the planning is an emotional minefield. So far, no major explosions...well, there was that one, but let's just not talk about it. Cause WE'RE GETTING MAHWEED!!

Okay, that's all from here. More thoughtful, non-bulleted writing to come. But for now, just know I'm back and thinking up crazy things to say here while Mighty M absorbs every second of televised hockey at his disposal.

15 comments:

Wes said...

Yay! I'm in the top 3 of your blog readers! Who knew I'd place in such an important event? :-)

In honor of my getting back in the pool today, I may have to just get me some swim paddles (I've just ordered a cyclocomputer with cadence).

Sorry to hear about your loss :-( Give it all to us! We can take it :-) :-)

Mnowac said...

Hi there - I came across your blog off of a link from another blog, can't remember which one and have added you to my favorites. I like your writing style and flare --- woohooo jazz hands. I too am sorry for your loss and know how cathartic writing can be.

Monica

Jane said...

I'm pretty sure more than 3 people read your blog.

Weddings are a vast conspiracy to make people spend obscene amounts of money - because they know people will pay! Good luck on the budgeting.

Stef0115 said...

Okay at least four people read your blog! I am a recent fan and am really glad you are back.

JenC said...

Welcome back! I check on you every day, because I like the way you write (very entertaining).

Good thing you have triathlon too, because wedding planning can become all-consuming. Then, the day passes quickly and you are bummed that it is over. Remember that in the long run, it is you and your husband's day, so do whatever it takes to make you and not others happy. Just my $.02 (I've had two weddings).

21stCenturyMom said...

We're up to 6!

You make training hard sound like a great idea. I'm going to have to give it a tri try after the first. I've decided to give myself some down time until then.

The Wedding Industry tries to make you think you need a bunch of poop you don't need. The stuff you do need is expensive enough - place, caterer, photographer. Just remember - simple and from the heart beats ostentatious and showy any day. It's all about the love and the party. Woo Hoo!

Carrie said...

Lucky 7. It's so awesome to hear you so excited. Not that you came across as sad before- but the happiness is very apparent!

Donald said...

Hey, welcome back! I hear you on #5 - many times I'll stutter and stammer to find the right words to express something, then I'll sit down at the keyboard and it all comes out just the way I want. Sorry to hear about your loss - but it's nice to hear from you again.

Tea said...

I'm totally with you on the ILT's. Hate um....hate um more because they friggin work.

momo said...

welcome back! what does this make me? 9? 10? i'm somewhere in there!

weddings can be as crazy as you want them to be, just remember that at the end of it - there are two people who become one heart and that's when the real craziness begins. in a completely good way, i mean. ;-)

hugs!!

Team Brazo said...

Ok, I'm at least above 10+...

And ya, ILT's do suck...

Bill said...

Lots of stuff. Good stuff.

Even though it's expensive, I can't overstate the importance of a quality photographer for your wedding. You'll pay quite a lot, but I guarantee it'll be worth it.

As a photographer (occasionally for hire), one thing I won't do is weddings, since it takes so much preparation and work. That's what you'll be paying for. If you go cheap, you'll get cheap. So do your research, check references and follow-up.

Having said that, have fun on your wedding day. We handed out disposable cameras at the reception and asked folks to use them - just make sure you specify that you want every single one back; you might want to go so far as to number them and keep track of where each one went. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the results from other folk's perspectives.

And agree wholeheartedly with #3!

IronMin said...

YAY! WELCOME BACK!!!! IN ALL CAPS!

Amy@RunnersLounge said...

Glad to hear your chattin' and still swimming like a fish.

Keep us updated - can't wait to see the shirt!

ShirleyPerly said...

Welcome back! I'm so happy to hear how well things are going for you in and outside of training. Look forward to seeing that shirt!