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!!!

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.

Obnoxious Cat, Mother Nature, Dorm Room, Revenge

A recent meeting with my coach in discussing endurance and strength training and upcoming events got me thinking about motivation.

Motivation is a funny thing.

Sometimes you search for it, ferret it out from the dark corner in which it hides, and hold fast so it doesn't slip away. I call that Obnoxious Cat motivation. It doesn't want to be there, it's temporary, and in the end it slinks away and hides once again, not wanting to be found. I could use another adjective, but cats are pretty darn obnoxious so it stays.

And other times, motivation sweeps over you like a warm wave...or takes your breath away like a cold blast of air. This is Mother Nature motivation. It's unpredictable, a force to be reckoned with, and can have lasting effects. You've got to use it to your advantage, and ride it out. Don't fight it - own it!

There's also Dorm Room motivation. This is a goofy, fun one that can be really useful. Cut out pics of people or places or things that represent your end goal - whether it's a trip to Antigua, a sleek new Audi or that wicked six-pack stomach - and put together a collage for your wall/fridge/bathroom mirror. To see these motivational images everyday reminds you of why you're up at 5 a.m. to work out or just work.

And othen there's this - one of the best motivators of all. Revenge. Being able to prove to yourself that the someone whom you thought was in your corner isn't needed....they don't figure into your plan. You've let their empty words, their fasle solicitousness hold you back, but no longer. You've got support. You've got a plan. You've Got This. And when you reach your goal, you've won. For yourself.

Mine is currently a combination, about 65/25 Mother Nature and Revenge, with a smidge of Dorm Room thrown in (nothing on my walls, but my screen saver serves me well.)

What's yours?