Nothing

I've got nothin'.

Actually, that's not entirely true. I have a long blog post in drafts about how I'm done blogging because my content has changed and I write a lot more about stupid stuff and less about anything meaningful and that leads me to believe that I need a change and that change is to stopping blogging.

And it's true -- that's how I feel. I haven't posted it, because I went from decided to ambiguous in under 30 seconds. And just like making decisions riding up hill, I also don't make decisions when ambiguous.

So instead I'll just write this silly little post about not having anything to write.

Aren't you glad you stopped by?

My attention is all over the place. Our wedding is rapidly approaching and there's a ton to get through. I continue to question my wedding dress choice, but thankfully not my groom. Our house is in the process of having random repairs done by a handyman who comes randomly (aka, whenever he likes) and looks like it might last longer than the countdown to Christmas. I still am unhappy in my job and looking for the right move to the corporate world of bonuses and meetings where people actually show and do work. I have a perpetual headache that I can't seem to throw enough pharmaceuticals at to convince it to go away quietly. My new (to me) car has been in the shop three times already and I've had it for only 1 month. I'm running out of money. Quickly. And my bitchin' tan from the vaca is sadly gone.

Decidedly not in that list of things is feeling inspired to write about training or life as it relates to training or life with a small side of training, no dressing.

So, I've got nothing to say. Which is quite a change for me. Usually I talk all the time. All the time. Mighty M says he doesn't worry much about a lifetime of this, since he plans on going deaf. Which would be a tasteless joke if it weren't for the fact that he, indeed, will go partially deaf at some point like every member of his family. The question is: how many years into the marriage will he start sitting next to loud speakers to speed the process up.

That's it, folks. It only took me 452 words to tell you that I have no words.

Typical Able.

It's going to be quiet around here. You might hear crickets. You might wonder if I'm ever coming back. And of course I will. But only when I actually feel like I have something to say.

At least something that makes better use out of 452 words.

August Sprint in Mid-Atlantic?

Random moment...

Anybody know of a sprint tri coming up this month in the PA/DE/NJ area? I tried to get to the Lums Pond race yesterday, but even leaving at 4:45 from the beach I didn't make it in time. Terribly frustrating. I'm all ready for a race, and no place to do it!

Anything through Labor Day would work...preferably within 2 hours drive and a reasonable entrance fee. (I have a sprint on the 14th already, so sooner is better.)

I'm jonezing, peeps! Help me out!

She's BACK

And good grief am I tan.

Wow.

I had a great time on vacation and am both happy to be back and sad, all at the same time.  There were some low points (a dent in my new car, an iced cappuccino exploding on a public bathroom stall, a too late arrival at my sprint this morning), but a million high points to make up for them.

I kept very active (one 30 mile ride, a number of runs, a TON of walking, and lots of local riding) and hit the pillow exhausted each night.  I also changed my first flat.  Seriously.  All by myself.

Incidentally, you guys write a lot.  I have over 1000 blog posts to catch up on.  That's three zeros.  Goodness sakes.  This is going to take a while, you know.

Right now, though, I'm exhausted.  I've been up since 4 and drove almost 4 hours already.  (My attempt at leaving early enough to get to my race, which sadly did not work.)  I'm literally going to take a nap.  At 10:30 in the morning.

Because today is still officially vacation.

Outie

Well, folks...it's almost vacation time. A week of sun and surf at the Jersey shore. Me, Mighty M and my wonderful inlaws. Ocean swimming, flat beach highways, and early morning runs with my beebie. Sandcastles, summer books, and lots of sunscreen. I finally got my Thule rack on the new car (it only took me 3 days...a record, I believe) and we're hitting Kmart at lunch for chairs, towels, and trashy novels.

I. Can't. Wait.

I'm going to be unplugged -- no email, no google reader, no facebook -- for like 10 days. I'm sure to start twitching from withdrawal in two. But I have a 50 miler ride tomorrow and a sprint race next Sunday to distract me.

So, to my favorite bloggy friends, I shall see you on the other side. I promise to take pics.

I blame you

I blame Wes and Kritta.  Both of you.

Because I reallyreallyreally don't want to go for my ride tonight.  Even though it's gorgeous out and sunny and lovely and perfect for riding.  I want to sit on my porch and admire my herb garden and listen to the family next door parent with air quotes.

And instead, I'm going to go for a bike ride so Wes doesn't have to drop the "eff" bomb and Kritta, well, she'll drop it anyway but I don't want to disappoint her.

So I'm going to ride.

Ugh.

I'm going to press publish post as soon as possible so I have zero chance to back out.  Ready...pressing... now

UPDATE: Done and done.  Ride and core/arms.  I can't lift my arms above my head anymore, but I feel much better about myself.  Thanks Wes.  Thanks Krit.  Love ya!

You bet your...

Oh, we're thinking about it.

You bet your sweet ( ) we're thinking about it.

It would be our 1-year anniversary and we're not doing a formal honeymoon when we get married. This would be a wonderful anniversary gift/belated honeymoon, no?

...

Are you thinking about it, too?

Reverse psychology

The pool is clearly trying to manipulate me into being a faster swimmer.

I know it's tricks. It's up to no good.

I've been a stranger to my hallowed Y halls in the past few weeks. Mainly because I'm lazy. And also because I have three more races this season (maybe four) and they're all range from 1/4 mile to a whole 0.85 mile swims.

And with my Operation Guns focus, I've been more about slapping on the running shoes than I have been about goggles and smelling like chlorine.

But yesterday I dragged myself there for a touch up (like highlights, but stinkier...actually, no, highlights are pretty stinky) and was surprised.

Half mile time trial in 15:30. That's a 1:46 pace. (Thanks, Team Dork Rocket for doing the math for me.)

That's not freaking bad, folks.

Let's just realize that I generally live in the 2:00/100 region of the pool when I'm swimming on a regular basis.

Hmmmm. I may just have a chance at being a gooder swimmer this year. I have to say, I'm really liking these shorter distances!

Check back with me later and we'll see if the mortgage company is using the same psychological tricks.

In an attempt to not be so darn negative

(a) I've lost weight.  Anywhere from 3-5 pounds, depending on whether you catch me before or after running in the sweatbox that is called outside. Baby freaking steps, people!  Plus, my abs hurt.  That has to be good, right?

(b) I'm going on vacation next week.  As in the entire week of next week.  I can't hardly wait.  I've already made my packing list.  It's three pages long.  This vacation is going to rock.

(c) I'm sandwiching my vaca with joy.  First, a 50 miler bike ride which conveeeniently is on the way to the beach (ahem, sorry...the shore) the first Saturday.  To top it off, my last day is a sprint tri that is very conveeeniently on my way home.  (Okay, kind of.)  In between, I tan.

(d) I'm still getting married in, like, 3 freaking months.  Oh good lord.

(e) Soon after the wedding, Facebook and I are going to have a love child.  Wait a second... .

(f) Coffee exists.  So does Tylenol PM.  Enough said.

(g) Did I mention I was going on vacation?  Oh.  Well, I am.

It's the things you know

A huge thanks to Jess of 21 Days (and Flatman, of course, for pointing me to her) for showing me the difference between relative humidity and dew point.

I'm a nerd.  I like this kind of stuff.  Just the other day I floored my mechanic by starting in on series versus parallel circuits and the four stroke engine.

The things you gather over time.

Anyway, I went to where Jess suggested and read up on the topic.  Very interesting indeed.  Normally I would look at the humidity reading and think I'm kind of a wimp out there.  But today my run was all about 83 degrees and 55% humidity...but a 65 degree dew point.

And now I'm beginning to understand what "fucking unbearable" feels like.

Thanks, Jess.

Ugh, poop

Well, I have only some poopy things to report on my Operations Guns progress.

Poopy Progress.

I didn't reach my goals last week. I feel kind of guilty about it. Well of course I do. I steered the ship right ashore on my first trip.

Can I get a do-over?

Here's the report.

Tues - Run (0:40) DONE
Wed - Functional strength routine (FSR) DONE, Bike (1:00)Missed (stormed)
Thur - Swim (2,200) Missed, Run (1:00) DONE (on Friday night)
Fri - FSR Missed
Sat - Brick (1:15 bike, 0:20 run)Missed
Sun - Swim (time trial)Missed, Run (1:30)Missed

See what I mean?

Poop.

I did get a lot of important things done in lieu of training (it hurts me to even type that). I had a lovely dinner with M's best man, his wife and baby on Thursday. I farted around with getting a rack for my new(ish) car most of the day on Saturday. (Still unfinished. We're missing a part from an old system, so we need to get an Aero Foot now. I'm like a sieve for money.) And Sunday I cleaned the house from top to bottom since we're heading on vaca soon and will be gone for a week. And reorganized the basement, built a shelf system and stored all the wedding stuff we've been accumulating. (100+ votive holders take up a lot of room!)

Entirely unpersuasive, I know.

It's Monday. A new week. Clean slate.

This week's plan is in the margin. Time to stop with the excuses.