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. :-)

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.

Pee Lattes

Due to my kray-kray work schedule, I am limited to only one yoga class a week.

I've found a mat pilates class at the gym that I can fit on once a week, so I'm gonna give it a whirl.

I love me some stretching. I'm sure there's more to it than that, but whatevs - I'm in.

I busted out 15 miles on the mag trainer tonight. My dog Ollie hung out on the bed and watched me in between dozing off. He's such a sweet soul.

Looking forward to the Go! training kicking off this weekend. Hoping for decent weather.

Much like a personal puzzle...

...all the pieces are falling into place.

I’m a little scared to list it all for fear I will jinx it. SO I will just hit the highlights:

-The 1/2 marathon training kicks off in a month, and I’m well prepared. The Fleet Feet coach who is reworking my training plan has participated in the tris I signed up for so she’s shared a lot in terms of prep, course, weather, etc. She agrees that a 1/2 is a big enough bite in tandem with my 70.3 tri training. I'll do the full marathon training in the summer to train for Chicago.

-The spinning classes at Rogue, which is ONE BLOCK FROM MY FRONT DOOR, are in full swing and I’ve just signed up for a couple later this week.

-I chatted with a couple people over the weekend who are now keyed up for some long weekend rides this winter, waiting to hear back from my buddy at Momentum to see if there are any others.

-My bikes are tuned up and working great. Still, I’m going to hit up a flat repair class tomorrow so I can get a discount on some new tools.

-I have all of my winter riding/running clothes & gear. Check.

-Might need another pair of running shoes to switch out with…so that’s on the list.

-I STILL LOVE RUNNING.

-Planning a quick weekend getaway prior to the 1/2 marathon training. I need a minibreak.

Life is ridiculously good.

All that’s left is for this PMSy-crabbiness to subside. Lol

Lewis & Clark'n it...

I've been spending more time on area rivers to test my mettle. I'm fine kayaking on a lake, but depending on the current, some rivers are a little fast for me.

There's a race I'm thinking of doing, which takes place on the Missouri River. One of the items on my dirt nap list is to kayak on the Missouri, but would rather do so with a large group of experienced paddlers, during a sanctioned race. Safety is key here, due to the dangers this rivers is famous for - large, floating logs...super fast current, especially during high water, around the pilings and wing dikes....and barge traffic, which can capsize or pull a boat under.

Thankfully, the water level is very low due to the drought the country is experiencing, which decreases the chances for overly fast currents. However, the danger is still there.

The biggest river I've been on is the Illinois, and while I was with very experienced kaykers, it was still a little overwhelming.

I've got a few weeks before I need to register for the race, so I'm giving this a lot of thought. I really don't care about checking something off my list, but it would be such a great accomplishment to say I kayaked solo, 20 miles, down the longest river in North America, like Lewis & Clark did....word.

Yawn, Trip, Scowl, Ouch

That was my morning, in a few words.

Met my trainer Kelly at 5:00 am. He immediately started in - upper body workout plus abs. After Monday's lower body workout I actually thought that upper would be easier.

Obviously I don't know Kelly very well.

An hour of brutal weight training. One. Whole. Hour. Of. Brutality.

I had my eyes closed for most of it.

He only had to assist me on one exercise. Which is good. 'Cause I'm a fighter.

But I was so internally whiny that I'm sure it showed some on my face.

After all that, I still love my trainer.

BTW, the pic above is the bain of my lower workout. Squats. Those suck.

Can I Has Sum Peanut Butta?

This personal trainer thing is a little like having my own Jambi - you know, the genie from Pee Wee's Playhouse? meka leka hi, meka hiney ho.



When I left my training session Monday, he said to text him with questions, day or night. I didn't think I'd have any. I was sorely wrong.

Although he wrote out a list of foods I should eat, I've had questions about foods that AREN'T on the list.

Like peanut butter. My friend got a trainer a few months ago, and has made significant progress. I checked out her eating regime, and she's got peanut butter on there a couple times a day.

So, on Tuesday night I got out a spoon & dipped it in the Peter Pan I keep on hand to help Oliver choke down any medications. OMG, it smelled so unbelievably delish. And yes, I know I'd only been doing the diet for a day, but my willpower was breaking down.

Until this happened...

Before I downed any, I immediately thought to text Kelly. And this is how our convo went...

Me: "Can I have a spoonful of peanut butter?"

Kelly: "F no!"

Me: "LOL you're awesome!"

I love that he yells at me via text, with expletives no less. :-)

My question for him today was this...

Me: "Can I have a pickle?" (I'm seriously craving pickles)

Kelly: "Lotta sodium!"

Me: "K, I'll skip it."

Each time I text him, I get an answer back within 10 minutes. How cool is that??

Gotta say, I'm loving this training. Can't wait to see what's in store for me tomorrow at 5:00 am. Guessing I won't be able to lift my arms the rest of the weekend, which might interfere with my spinning class with Kelly on Friday night.