New blog, new adventures

Not sure if anyone still has IM Able in their feed, but I've recently started blogging again in a different place.  A number of years and 2 kids later, I'm finding the need to write again.  Feel free to join along on the ride...

http://equalsfourofus.blogspot.com/

Updates on the site

Some new posts up on the website, in case anybody is interested.

Here's the link for the main site.

There is a new recipe, my 2009 race schedule (at least where it is now), and some posts about training and whatnot.  Plus, lots of pictures of the wedding.

If you want to keep up with my travels, you can...

...add this link to your reader for my training updates

or

...add this link to your reader for news of my crazy life.

Thanks for visiting!

Announcement

Hi!

If you haven't linked the feed at my new site (tisk, tisk), you might be interested in knowing there's some fresh news thrown up earlier today.

Just saying. It involves the numbers 140 and 6.

Know much about blogging platforms?

Cause I don't.

I'm having some isshews with my new wordpress account. If you know much about this kind of stuff, can you take a gander at my post today? I need to dip into the well of your collective talent.

Thanks, peeps!

Over there

I've taken up residence over here. It's kind of like a new apartment. Full of possibility, fresh with paint, and oddly unfamiliar. It needs a design upgrade and I'm still trying to figure out Wordpress. But, I'm still putting it down into words when I can. There is an increased possibility I'll talk about my ovaries (eww is right) and use words like "relationship" and "inlaw" and "my stupid period." There is a distinct likelihood that I will say bad words about good things and bad people. I may even throw in some politics and race issues, just for kicks and giggles. And, of course, there will be my ongoing pursuit of the perfect training week.

But I promise to reward you with wedding pictures and stories of the days I do manage to drag my sorry ass out of bed to run. As well as all of the crazy things I think up when I do.

Stop by and say hi. I'll leave the light on.

Parting words

This past weekend, friends lined up for a fabulous race out in Madison, WI. For me, it marked the second anniversary of my writing here.

My first year was about training for my first Ironman distance. It was fun. And hard. And full of lots of self discovery and insight.

Then I didn't finish the IM. And I sulked for a while. And picked up the pieces and put together a new race year. And then I continued to swim, bike, and run.

And life was good. Very, very good.

And here we are, two years later. And I'm realizing that I have changed a great deal. And my relationship to the sport has changed, as well. When I started, I sought a good deal of redemption from triathlon. I wanted -- and needed -- to find a core for myself that included discipline and follow through. I needed to prove to myself that I could, even when it was tough.

And I fell in love with the process and it found a place in my world. A permanent place. And, coincidentally, my life opened up in other ways. I fell in love with a boy. And he found a place in my world. A permanent place.

It has been two very good years.

And recently I have found that my writing has trickled down to less inspirational pieces about training and racing because, frankly, the process has become less about redemption and realization and more about just plain living.

And as much as I want to write more here, I'm finding I resist it. I don't want all of my writing to be about sport. I have much more complexity in my noggin to share. I have relationships and a professional life. I have hopes for a family and dreams of a new home. I have personal journeys that are no longer tied intimately with training and racing.

I need a new home and need a more personal, reflective voice. I'd like to write about it all, not just the triathlon journey. I need to write again, not just report.

So my words will migrate elsewhere. I'll let you know when it's time. I hope that many of you will come with me, and continue to listen to what you find interesting. I have every intention of trying outlandish new adventures and falling down in stupendous ways. I expect to have every pitfall and bad decision on paper, as well as each success. I have a marriage to build and a family to start and a career to jumpstart and an Ironman to conquer.

The next few years will not be dull. That, I promise.

So, thank you to the hundreds of friends who visit each day and the 50,000 who have spent this past couple of years together with me. I appreciate you more than I can describe. And soon I hope to share much more with you than just my splits. Soon I'll share my life. Yes, there will be training. But there will be more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I suspect I will.

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.

Doggie Doo Run, 2008

Here's one for my local peeps.

I just signed up to run in and support a great local event, the Doggie Doo 5k!

You should, too.

It's hosted by Canine Partners for Life, a truly excellent organization in our backyards that helps support those in need of canine assistance for mobility or medical reasons.

As their website says...

Canine Partners For Life (CPL) trains and places assistance dogs with individuals with mobility impairments to help increase their independence and quality of life. CPL has several types of assistance dogs in its program including service dogs, seizure alert dogs, home companions and residential (community) companions.

Our recipients come from all walks of life and have a wide variety of physical disabilities including muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders and more. The one thing they all have in common is a drive to become more independent and a commitment to do what is necessary to have an assistance dog in their life.

If you remember, you helped me raise thousands of dollars for CPL during my training for Ironman Wisconsin. (Thank you again!)

The race is at Hagely Museum and runs along the river there. Seriously pretty stuff, folks. It's early in the morning and organized by those we trust (for good reason!) at Races2Run.

It'll be fun. I'm doing it. All the cool kids are doing it.

And for $15, you should do it, too.

I double dog dare you.

Here's Mischa, the dog my family raised from a puppy
before his formal training, working with his "mom."

Way Reasonable

The coolest thing about all your comments on my new plan is that everyone saw how completely reasonable it was!

Thank you! I totally agree!

That's big for me. Cause, I'm a chronic planner and I have biiiiiig ideas in the early stages and tend to overwhelm myself in the process.

Pushup goals? Totally manageable.

Frequency goal? An excellent idea.

FSR goal?

Weight goal? Toooootally doable.

Nice run last night (woot!) that was relatively pain free. Reminded me how LUCKY I am to be able to go out and run on a dime. It's such a gift. Really.

This morning, I was up early and in the basement (full of spiders) and wrestled with the swiss ball (my fave, as you know) and the assortment of weights down there. I have every intention of making that ball my bitch again, you know. Today, however, it was not. (I have a bruised right knee to show for it.) But soon. Soon... .

Also, last night I made yet another yummy Ellie Krieger dish, this one from the Food Network site. I'll blog about it later. It had pumpkin seeds and chicken and roasted tomatillos and it was nuuuuuummy.

Operation Guns

With the change of direction in place and the new goals set, it's time to put my money where my mouth is.

Week 1
Operation Guns

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


It's so on.

Change of direction

If you haven't already noticed, I've been blogging less about training recently and more about my so called life. The training is there, but it's more sporadic and falls victim to wedding planning and work exhaustion more than I'd like to admit.

I'm at a good point now to reassess and make a plan for the rest of the season -- what I want to do and how.

I know I'd like to continue to race. That's a given. Sprints would be a good way to keep me honest, especially since the only Oly's around here seem to be on wedding designated weekend. (And there are sooo many wedding designated weekends!)

But I'm also thinking of adding a different goal as a primary one. I want to improve on my running and safely build up to a solid weekly mileage. I also want to tone up and lose some weight before the wedding. Nothing drastic, just so my back and arms are nice and tight and I can feel comfortable in my wedding dress.

(Which is soooo pretty. I tried it on again yesterday for my FMIL, and I really, really like it. I'm having an issue since it doesn't really match the heiloom pearls or my mother's ring that I intend to wear, but I'll figure that all out later. For now, I'm just happy it's the right dress for me. The ivory version that's mineallmine is due in October 10th. Sqeeeeeel!)

So, I'm in the process of putting together a plan to keep my swimming and biking in line for sprint distance races, as well as build my running efforts. I find that running is the best weight loss bang for my buck, and I miss having higher mileage each week. So, a Sprint distance run-focused plan. I'll return to the ball of hell in the basement and the Elf's strength circuits to build my upper body and core.

If anybody is interested, I can (figure out somehow to) post my spreadsheet here so you can see my plan and progress.

I think there should be some goals involved, to keep me on my toes. Right? Here are the one's I've thought through so far...

August:

• Meet at least 80% of my training sessions (frequency) *
  
• Work up to 25 pushups (continuous) and 50 pushups (in one day)
• Hit a 5k in 33:36 minutes (10:30 pace)
• Run 4 x week (min) **
  
• Lose 5 lbs weight (160 lbs) ***
  

September:

• Meet at least 80% of my training sessions (frequency)
• Work up to 50 pushups (continuous) and 100 pushups (in one day)
• Hit a 5k in 32:00 minutes (10:00 pace)
• Run 4 x week (min)
• Lose 5 additional lbs weight (155 lbs)

October:

• Meet at least 80% of my training sessions (frequency)
• Maintain pushups goal
• Hit a 5k with mile splits all under 10:00 pace
• Run 4 x week (min)
• Lose 5 additional lbs weight (150 lbs)

November:

• Maintain pushups goal
• Run at least 3 x week
• Maintain weight loss (150)
• Stay healthy for the November 22nd Big Day.

I'll keep y'all updated on the plan this week. It's almost done, but I need a little time to work on it tonight, just to get the kinks out.

____

* I struggle with consistency, so this is a biggie for me.
** Rest weeks will be shorter, easier runs. But the frequency will stay the same. I think it helps with my knee health to keep the frequency, but dial down the intensity and duration. Time off from running at all seems to hurt my knee, rather than help.
*** I'm currently at 165, and have been here pretty consistently for a long time.