Nibble, chomp

Last week was one of non-stop nibbling, which is to say I was busy from wake to sleep.

Today was a case of big 'ol chomps. Had a major meeting in which big decisions were finally made and are now moving along, and my workout was a Danger Will Robinson Level 9.5 hour-long spin class. I pushed more than I ever believe I have and got into the best zone during the big hills sections. I'm already incredibly sore, but that's the payoff.

I have to say, if I had to choose a nibble or a chomp day, I'd go with chomp. It feels fantastic to score big. However, you need nibble days to keep the peace and remind yourself that steady pace gets big results, too, it just takes longer.

The same could be said for tri training. Steady workouts during the week, with longer ones on the weekend make for a good combo.

Looking forward to a week of nibbles and chomps, getting together with my IM mentor and my coach, & getting out of town for a bit...but only after the workout is done.

Oh, and I'm so jonesing for warm weather. Long rides are much more pleasant in 50 degrees or above.

Clarifyah

Respectively - in the order given

Respectfully - given marked or proper respect

Two very similar-sounding words, with wholly different meanings.

True story: When used incorrectly in a sentence, can create ire and consternation. :-)

On a side note, here are some of my favorite made-up words:

HA HA - NO!      RIGHT
Essentric               Eccentric

Supposably          Supposedly

Expecially             Especially

Febuary               February

Nuculer               Nuclear

Ruff                     Roof 

Acrossed            Across

Excetera             Et cetera

Buh'nn                Button

Mischivious        Mischievous

That which does not destroy me...

....nourishes me.

Or, something like that.

I'm a real stickler when it comes to balance. I value my personal time. I want to see my family and friends, spend time with my dog, and get some "me" time on the calendar. If these things don't happen, I get nutty.

I've managed to roll with the crazy this week, and while I am pretty exhausted today I don't feel terrible. I might go so far as to say I feel more alive?

I really enjoy my job. Getting to work closely, daily, with some of the best and brightest medical minds in the country is a blessing. It's something I enjoyed back at BJC, and due to my new role as program manager here at AH I am on the forefront of patient safety initatives, therapeutic taskforces and resource integration. There is so much that goes into health care management and physician support, and I'm thankful to be a part of it.

The longer hours, travel, and non-stop workload are part of the package, and I welcome it all. However, the downside is it makes my schedule all wonky which can thwart my attempts at balance IF I DON'T PLAN.

Which brings to mind this quote: No one plans to fail - they fail to plan.

In a discussion with my coach last night, the great Jeremy Koerber, the topic of sleep came up. Ah, sleep. Not an easy thing for me. He said that the more I get, the better my muscles will recover, the more it will help me with reaching my goal weight, etc. I get that. And I want that.

I have no problem working out late at night. In fact, this helps me to sleep better. For most people I know it wakes them up. If I train in the morning, it wakes me up. If I train at night, it helps me sleep better. Kind of a win, win.

I just need to be steadfast about creating a schedule and sticking with it.

That is my goal this weekend. Get the schedule down for the next few months.

Oh, and sleep. :-)

Ahh

Really great 3-day weekend.

Got many chores out of the way Friday, and also got the kayak rack installed at the Alpine Shop. Looking forward to putting it to use soon, the yak has been dry for far too long.

Saturday I had a great session with my coach Jeremy from Integrated Wellness. We worked on increasing areas of my strength training routine. We also talked about working on speed. That afternoon the sun peeked out for a good long while so I took advantage and did an 18-mile bike ride. Heaven. Sore now but worth it.

Today I waited til the rain let up and did a 7 miler. Plodded along but got'er dun. Even more sore now. Hello, foam roller...

My tri-buddy Peter has been uber helpful in giving me tri training tips - apps, swimming, nutrition - and I'm so grateful for the help and the friendship/mentoring. We're planning a ride sometime in the near future...at least when my schedule lets up later on this month when my boss is back...

Thinking about starting a tri blog to track my progress this year. If so, will need to
launch soon...

On a side note, Girls is such a boring disaster. The first season was clever and unique and had a snappy script. This season is lacking punch and panache and is wholly a letdown. Why do I keep watching? I'm hoping against hope it gets better. Wtf, Lena Dunham? Where's the steam?

On another side note, I had breakfast with my best gal pal today and it was such a good, long chatfest! We've not seen each other for awhile, and even though we talk almost everyday, there's something special about looking your confidant in the eye and having those meaningful convos. She also gave me a dozen of her high-school records - Rex Smith, Rick Springfield, Chicago 17, etc. She's so damn rad!!!

I have a crush on Haim...

There's a song called "Forever" by the band Haim that's about to suffer overexposure on Siruis XM, but I don't care.

These girls are fabulous. The band features two sisters and some other girl. The song has a good beat and you can dance to it. And now that I've seen the video, I'm intrigued, so very intrigued, because the mature, polished voice doesn't match the package it comes in WHATSOEVER - a shoegazer/goth/indie waif, distant cousin to Legolas the elf from LOTR who doesn't look much older than 18.

But then, I can say the same thing about Fiona Apple back in the day.

So, when I first heard the song it reminded me of about a dozen songs from my childhood. 80's New Wave, pop, and dance hits. And it takes me back to that time in my life, when life was all about music and sock hops and cruising main and crushing on boys and sleep overs and all that really good kid stuff.

Here is "Forever"




And here is Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's "Head To Toe"...kinda similar beat:



Haim's sound is like a conglomeration of Rick Astley beats,  Everything But The Girl, with a Gloriea Estefan Latin twist thrown in to spice it up. And yet, it's also singularly unique and yummy. I have to say, they've grown on me.

The lead singer is fun to watch as she chews and snarls out her words with such an elegant voice. She's ariddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. I might have a girl crush.

Here's another one, super catchy, and the lead singer's look in this one reminds me of Patti Smith...and Mayim Bialik...and Liv Tyler. Oh, and I love that they have awkward-yet-cool-lazy-looking choregraphy. Cracks me up! I am sure they did it themselves, because these ladies are obviously multitalented.

I bet they use Prell shampoo and wear anklet socks with pom poms and rollerskate on the weekends at an actual rink that spins records like J. Geils Band and Supertramp.

So damn rad.

I want Haim to play at my birthday party. :-)

Crackly head, sniffle, Ironman

My doggie had a loose tooth, and a crackly head.

Turns out the loose tooth was a minor thing, and the crackly head was subcutaneous emphysema which means that air got under his skin from some tiny hole somewhere on his head.

The vet, who is the nicest man, brought in some shiny pliers and in about three seconds had that tooth out. Very little bleeding, and Ollie was good as new.

Very small fee as well. Had been prepared to shell out much more.

A while after we got home, Ollie was acting low and bothered, hanging his head off of the couch. I called the vet at 7:55, and he said if I could be there in five, he'd give me a couple pain pills for him. Again, how cool is my vet?? Super cool. Ollie is resting now, hopefully not in any pain.

On the sickee front, I'm feeling better today. Still coughing some, and wheezy and stuffy, but overall don't feel like a truck rolled over me.

Ready to hit the gym tomorrow and bust out Jeremy's workout, and am going to bed early so I can fit everything in tomorrow.

Also, I have a new tri buddy and am learning much in the way of nutrition, gear, training, etc. Always glad to have the support and the insight, especially from a seasoned racer. My swimming is sub-par, I need all the help I can get. Lol

So these things....my dog being okay, me feeling better, workout help...are enough to make this girl happy.

Deciding to be happy, to find the good in almost any situation, takes little effort. And the end result is darn fine.

Betta

Slept in, which I'm quite certain isnaiding in my recovery. My cough has dissipated a bit, and the fever took a hike. Made it to the gym and got through the new routine from my coach.

Took Ollie for another slow 1-miler, and saw a neighbor running with his doggie, a little bigger than Ollie. Welcome to the Small Dog Running Club, buddy...always room for one more. :-)

Missing out on mucho fun this weekend - the Alpine Shop is having its paddling event, with deep discounts on gear and fun films. And the Tri Club had a bike trainer session that my buddy went to...pics look like fun was had by all. Bah.

Ah well...spring is around the corner. I'll rally soon.

Fever?

The upside to being sick?

1. You get taken care of

2. You get to stay in and watch movies while under the covers.

I'd read "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" and thought it was a darn good book.

Just finished the film.

Balled my fool head off.

I don't remember being this affected by the book, so I'm thinking that I still have a fever?

We shall see...the hunt is on for the thermometer.

Snow buddy

I'm sticking to my guns, bronchitis or not.

I got home from work early after seeing the doc, and when I took Ollie out I told him we would be doing a short run.

He pawed up to the challenge.

Now I'm feeling all booey...that run was the cake, but I'm ready to decomp and snuggle with da boy.

Huffin and Puffin

Being sick at home is the pits, but traveling for work with a nasty cold makes it even worse. I don't get much sleep in hotels, especially when a train comes by every so often. Dallas was great from a professional perspective, but so glad to be home.

On a positive note, I am doing the March "Run Every Day" challenge from I <3 To Run.  Doesn't have to be the usual 3+ miles - it can be a brief warm-up on the treadmill prior to busting out some strength training.

I am planning to do mine indoors later today, due to the crap roads/trails today and the ick that's inhabiting my body at the moment.

I still love running. And running loves me. :-)

On a not-so-positive note, my little Oliver seems to be fighting a respiratory ailment as well. He's a little wheezy, like his mama. Hoping it's nothing he picked up from the kennel.