Do you get what you want?

“Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” - Dali Lama

Yesterday was a test, in many ways, for me. I wasn't at work for more than a few hours when my hard-drive crashed, yes I back up. But none the less it crashed, leaving me without a working computer. With that I have to say that I work with some of the most amazing people. Our IT expert is this young, passionate, friendly and an ever-considerate dude. We all adore him. He was sympathetic as he took away my laptop, not knowing when I'd get it back. I made my rounds to meet with various people and then decided that I'd work from home for the rest of the day.

I had lunch with another favorite co-worker. We found a great Mexican joint on Central Ave and I enjoyed a large helping of enchiladas. We talked through my computer problem and about work in general and as always, I left feeling connected and psyched about work. I'd have to work from home for the rest of the day and bring my own laptop in for the rest of the week. But no big deal.

I left the office and met Keeler for a run at Boom Island. It was hot out. The first part of our run was not shaded and was along side traffic until we reached the trail, by this point the realization that I had JUST eaten enchiladas was hitting me. First and foremost I had just eaten, which is terrible for running. Secondly, my choice of lunch was not the smartest. After about a mile my body was PISSED at me. I was nauseous, bloated, tired, thirsty and cramping. We stopped running and (love her) Keeler said it was cool to just walk. I was so happy to be with her and have the chance to talk. We walked the route that we were going to run and it ended up being (as always) a great conversation. I can get so many things worked out of my system just by talking to that girl. She's my angel.

So, crappy workout right? If I have a crappy workout it usually puts me in a bad mood. I need these workouts for both mental clarity as well as building up my training. I had already missed a workout on Monday from the heat, I couldn't' miss another day.

Pete and Marie were planning to swim at 5pm, so I decided to join them. I did about 2,000 meters, not bad, but more importantly I was able to work on some issues that I've been having with my stroke. When my arms enter the water I cross way over in front of my head, instead of a straight out reaching in front of me. Pete is always having to say "Wider!" I haven't swam two day in a week in a long time and this felt great. I think because I had kind of written off the day already that I wasn't expecting to get much out of this... but I did. It was a great swim and I felt strong.

Weather Delay Causes Maguro Shortage in Minneapolis

When I left work at 5pm yesterday it was 95-degrees out. The air was so thick that walking to my car was more like wading through molasses. I managed to talk to Keeler, who to my surprise told me that under no uncertain terms, was I to run. The air quality was terrible and it was just too damn hot. We would likely run slow, over heat and not get the workout in that we'd want, and possibly die from heat exhaustion. See that map? Minneapolis is just to the right of center, where the red is darkest. I got home to find that Pete has sequestered himself in the A/C flooded bedroom. I told him that we weren't running. He took a long hard look at me and said that our only alternative was to go out and have sushi. I'm used to working hard and making sacrifices. If sushi was our only option then who am I to argue?

Today its only supposed to get up to 85 and with quite a bit less humidity. We'll go for a ride and probably be better off that we didn't run yesterday. I'll make up for it on Friday with pleasure.

For those of you who do anything in brutal heat: run, garden, walk, stalk hot babes in bikinis; please make sure that you stay hydrated. And by that I mean, drink water ALL day long, not just before you go out. If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

When you get back in from running down old ladies in your padded bike shorts, replace your electrolytes with water and juice, potassium and magnesium. Lots and lots of water and a banana are good. Toss in an orange. But keep up the fluids, clear liquids like broths are also a good way to rehydrate.

When I was getting ready for last year's big event I spent the entire month prior to the race with a water bottle in-hand at all times. I was drinking and peeing constantly. By the last week I focused more on hydration and nutrition than I did on training, which are usually pretty light anyway. On race-day it was hot out. I swam, I biked and I ran - drank when I could during the event and I never got thirsty. I'd love to know what other people do in the summer to stay hydrated. Feel free to post a comment letting us know what part of the country you live in and what you do during the blasted heat to stay alive!

Let's Draft!

Last week put me back in the game both physically and mentally. It consisted mostly of running: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday I ran. Tuesday and Sunday biked, also swam on Sunday and then took Thursday night off. Monday, Wednesday and Friday I did the same exact route. When I left the house I noted the time, and then again when I got home. I wanted to track my pace. Guess what? It improved, a lot. And actually by the time I ran on Friday my legs felt strong, warmed up and just plain good. My form keeps improving and as Pete keeps reminding me, I need to give myself credit for how strong I am. Apparently I keep underestimating my endurance. I like that he's there to remind me. We added some good distance Saturday and kept up our pace. I think I'm actually working harder than I did last year, working harder and feeling better.... hmmm interesting.

Sunday, despite the crazy weather was a great training day. We met Marie at the pool at 8am. My swim was about 1.5 miles of distance drills ending with some speed. Then we cruised home, hopped on our bikes and headed out. By this time it was so muggy that a layer of damp air just sat on us the whole time. We busted out twenty-two miles and maintained an average speed of 15 mph, maybe maxing out around 23 mph. Of course when I'm drafting behind Pete it makes those miles much much easier. He doesn't let me do it for long, he likes me to set the pace... but I can sense him behind me, I'm imagining him behind me yelling "Mush!" Last week felt great. My legs were sore, by body was tired and my head was clear. Now I need to focus on just getting faster and more efficient.

This week will be more of the same, picking up the pace, adding some distance and remembering that I'm stronger than I think I am. I'm so grateful that Pete not only is supportive, but that's he's out there - right beside me. We need to register for the triathlon this week. We haven't done it yet because between the two of us its going to cost $300. That's the thing with these events - they ain't cheap. This year it will be a different experience for me - and I cannot wait to see how it turns out!

Feet don't fail me now!

Ew doggy! It was hot yesterday! I did the same exact run that I did on Monday and I managed to add five minutes to my time - which is a lot. Imagine that your goal is to run an eight-minute mile for five miles. This means that it would take you forty minutes to run that distance. Add just five minutes to that total time and suddenly you've dropped from an eight-minute mile to a nine-minute mile. I'm not training for an kind of elite race, but keep tracking of my time and distance is important. By tracking my daily workouts, even down to the time it takes to run, can display areas where I'm struggling or showing great improvement.

I have to set goals in order to reach any kind of meaningful outcome. These are day by day goals, not just the big race at the end of the season. Now with that said, on Monday we reached a high temperature of 76-degrees about the time I ran. Yesterday, I ran at the same time and the temperature was 80-degrees and it felt like I was running along River Road, in New Orleans! It was hot and sticky. Mid-way through the run I actually thought I was making better time than on Monday. Despite the heat, my feet kept up a great pace and I felt good. I was disappointed when I got home and looked at my time. So I mowed the lawn as punishment for that five-minute deficit.

Rules of the Road

This has been a really spectacular week for being outside. I was lucky enough to have Pete join me on another ride yesterday. The crazy bastard had already done a ride and a short run and thought it sounded just splendid to join me for my ride! What a guy.

We headed out to the land of Hopkins. Its a magical place west of Minneapolis. We've done this route before. Its easy to get to with minimal time on city streets and we can be on the trail in minutes. Once on the trail we can haul ass without fear of cars, however unstable Rollerbladers with headphones on can be just as dangerous. Like so many trails in the city, this one is extremely smooth, well kept and lots of people use it. There are lines separating the bike lanes from the running lanes, should people decide to pay attention to them.

It was a really great ride, despite the mass amounts of other people on the trail, we really enjoyed ourselves. With Pete drafting we worked on various speeds. Ideally I'd like to be able to cruise a bit faster and with more ease, so riding in my big ring as much as possible kept us moving at a pretty good clip. Of course Pete being a good foot taller than I am, wishes that his big ring was bigger. Wow, that could sound really dirty if your mind was in the gutter.

Here's where simple communication comes in handy and for cyclists, its crucial. If you're out riding a bike (or rollerblading) its really courteous to follow some simple guidelines for communication. If you don't because you're too cool for school, then get off the road!

Hand Signals That Don't Include the Middle Finger:
Left Turn - left arm pointing out to the side
Right Turn - left arm pointing up with the elbow at a right angle. Alternatively you can use your right arm to point to the right, however with traffic to the left of you (where it should be), its not likely to be seen
Stopping - left arm pointing down with the elbow at a right angle

Just like when driving a car, these signals aren't for you, but rather to communicate with others around you. Keep in mind that its never safe to assume people have seen or even understand what these signals mean, so use your eyes to survey your surroundings. Yes, I realize I sound like a hall monitor, but the next time you're out, you'll notice.

Some other great tips for a more enjoyable, and less bloody/broken-boned ride include:

• Wearing a helmet the right way. The right way? Oh yes. Keeler called me the other day just to tell me about another rider that she saw wearing their helmet backwards. I suppose that this is better than wearing it without the chin straps snapped, or wearing it crooked. I don't understand why people wear it crooked, I mean we all look like dorks with a helmet on - crooked or falling to one side DOES NOT make you look any cooler. If your helmet isn't on your head nice and snug and snapped - don't bother wearing one, because its not doing you any good.
• Stay to the right side of the road and traveling with the direction of traffic. The only time this doesn't apply is when you're turning left or passing a car.
• Do you know what the traffic rules are when you're driving? Well, they are the same for cyclists. This applies to stop signs and lights, flipping people off and even driving drunk. You will get a ticket if your busted riding your bike drunk.
  
• Keep your eyes open. Look at drivers. If you're wearing sunglasses nod your head to communicate. But remember, never assume other riders or vehicles around can see you. In fact assume that no one can see you. For you motorcyclists out there, you know exactly what I mean.
  
• When you're on the road with other cyclists, runners, rollerbladers or even walkers - talk to them. Pass only the left and as you're approaching say loudly "On your left". I say it as I'm approaching so that I don't scream at them when they are right next to me. I want to let them know I'm coming so that they don't swing wide and cut me off. It drives me crazy that some of the super special geared-out riders don't feel that this is necessary. They zoom by and assume that they are so fast they must be invisible.
  
• If you ride with other people, its great to talk to them too! If you're the last rider in a group you can say things like "Car back!" if a car is approaching. Or "Rider back" if another cyclist is going to pass.
• Ah yes, passing. If you are about to be overtaken by another rider, don't be a douche bag and try to speed up. This is just annoying and shows how small your penis really is. Slow down enough for the other rider to pass you.
• If you're riding in front of other people its really nice to point out crap in the road, since you're going to see it before they do. You don't have to yell out but rather point to the ground where the pot hole or patch of sand is. Riders will see you do this and its very courteous.
• Don't wear headphones and listen to your iPod while riding. Just don't.
  
• Lastly (for the moment), don't be jerk.
  

Pink Faces and Happy Places

Ever notice that when some people exercise, no matter how much or how little, their faces get bright pink, completely flushed and look as if they could burst at any moment? That's me. I've always been that way. Maybe that's why I have great skin? But its true. No matter what the workout is, except swimming maybe, I get really pink. It lasts for hours after I've worked out, long past the cool-down shower, long past the meal that I inhale, long past stretching and sitting around. I've just come to love that part of myself. I think of spin classes that I've left where people look at me with the utmost concern. They must be certain I am about to drop dead.

I needed a good run last night so badly, and luckily I got it. My day had consisted of nothing but dead-ends, frustration and let downs. By the time I left work I could feel the bulging muscle on the back of my neck that was causing my monstrous headache. The entire drive home I just kept telling myself that a good run would relax everything. When I got home Pete was jumping out of the shower after his ride, I kissed him, changed into running clothes, looked at the clock and headed out the door. I did a nice brisk warm-up walk of one block and then headed toward the lake. I was surprised that no one else was really out running.

As I rounded the corner past the Rose Garden I heard the strangest noise behind me. From a distance I couldn't tell if it was someone on a moped and then as they got closer it sounded like someone bouncing on a pogo stick. I wasn't going to turn around to look, as they were clearly approaching fast and were about to pass me. When he did pass, I couldn't believe my eyes, it was a guy running in these (see picture) shoes. Craziest damn thing. He was cruising too. With every step he took he seemed to propel forward as if walking on the moon. I have no idea how difficult it must be to run in these bad-boys, but it sure looked effortless from where I was standing (running).

Alas! The excitement didn't end there. From the Rose Garden I turned right toward the Band Shelter, and again, there weren't too many people out except... BAM! Bikini! There she was, full-on string bikini chick - getting into the water! And just past her were a couple of kids and a dog swimming. Are you kidding me?! The water couldn't have been more than 55-degrees.

Ultimately I did my run in what seemed to be record time. It felt awesome. I was shocked when I got home and looked at the clock. Paying attention to my form, following Marie's instructions really has made a difference. I've only run a couple of times since I got the go-ahead from Moe and my speed was really surprising. When I got home, pink-faced and happy, Pete knew I had a great run. I'm looking forward to Wednesday's run now even more!

Seriously?

I made the most perfect egg salad sandwich for lunch today. And I mean perfect!

Moments ago I ate my lunch outside in this glorious weather. I work in the warehouse district of Minneapolis, so my courtyard is really the loading dock. But I like the industrial feel of the neighborhood, which overlooks the Twins ballpark. Not a bad way to spend a 15 minute lunch break - the kind of break I don't often allow myself.

Mid-bite on the second half of my scrumptious delight of a lunch and out comes one of the other tenants in the building. There aren't many tenants, as we (Modern Survey) take up most of the real estate. I'm clearly enjoying the quiet of the afternoon, eating my sandwich and soaking up the sun as my legs dangle from the ledge. I'm clearly happy. She lights her cigarette about two feet from me and proceeds to bitch. About how she wants to leave early, about how last week we had shitty weather, about how this week its so nice out and people forget that last week it was cold and raining, about her co-worker that's lazy. I don't know which was worse, the bitching or the cigarette smoke that so violently polluted my egg salad. All in a span of five minutes this woman lays a load of manure all over my lunch. I sat there eating. I thought about getting up and eating my sandwich elsewhere, but I just scarfed it down. I stood up, smiled at her and simply said, "That was my lunch break. Thanks." She didn't respond.

Disclaimer: I actually love the smell of cigarettes, as bad as they are. This in no way is meant to punch smokers in the head. I used to smoke. The above commentary was merely pointing the fact that some humans seem to not only impose themselves on others, but can do so with such invasion that it astounds me.

You may have spandex on but you ain't no cyclist

It was quite a busy weekend. Aside from being back into the swing of training, there was Art-A-Wirl, laundry, shopping, lounging about, wine on the porch, and catching up on the current season of LOST.

Saturday turned out to be the busiest day, and maybe a bit too much for me to take in. After a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, maybe not so hearty, but I like it, we headed out for a ride. It wasn't a very impressive ride by any standards, but it was my first ride in a month. I must say that getting back on my bike felt great. We rode just shy of 15 miles, on the flat paths of the Greenway. I have to say that it really kills me to see huge groups of people out riding, all in the same super slick matching gear. They look so cool that Pete and I must look like circus clowns - even AFTER Pete was geared-out from his contest. In some cases they ride four or even five riders wide, spilling way over into the on-coming lane. On very rare occasions Pete and I might ride side by side for a quick chat, but that's it. Single-file and drafting is the way we like to ride. I especially like draft behind Pete!

After our ride we came home, ate some eggs and then headed to the Midtown Y for a swim. Being that this is my second time back in the pool in a month, it was a light 1/2 mile or so. Between the warm-up, some drills and a cool down, this made for a perfect swim.

Sunday was the least special day of all. 2.5 miles, that was my plan for a run. I felt like a loser. Pete (my huge cheerleader) came along with me. I felt slow, limpy and had zero motivation. He of course did everything he could to keep my spirits high despite the fact that my mood was swirling down the toilet. A bad workout for me is like getting my ass kicked by someone. He said that I was running faster and smoother than before, which is very good, but I just wasn't feeling it. I was in such a bad mood for the next few hours, ugh, poor Pete.

I do feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things. This week will be a full training week. I'd really like to get entirely around Harriet if possible, geez, just typing that sounds so sad. One step at a time.

No saddle, but my running shoes were happy to see me!

Yes, Day One was only one little bitty mile, but it felt damn good to put my running shoes on. I ran my little one mile down to Lake Harriet and home again, and then did my strength training. I'm not in pain today - wahoo! But I didn't push it too hard and it felt great. I even iced my back per Moe's orders when I went to bed - and (sigh) it was worth it. I wish the weather wasn't so crummy, I'll have to figure out what tonight will be, either a ride or another short run, ah the possibilities!

Yesterday I received an email from the CSA farmers, that M, R, Pete and I joined. We're all really excited about the first delivery on June 1st. The CSA that we joined is Turnip Rock Rock, based in New Auburn, Wisconsin. We'll be getting locally grown, fresh vegetables delivered weekly all summer long. And yesterday we received an email about what's been planted and how the fields are looking. While we only signed up for the veggies, they also have goats, pigs and chickens. In the fall they are hoping to have eggs! Dang, now I'm hungry.

Lastly I wanted to report that my rockin' Marie finished the Lacrosse Marathon like a rock star. Her time was 3:46. She placed 4th in her division, 18th in women and 74th overall.

Back in the Saddle Again

...well almost. Where the hell have you been? Where have I been?

For the better part of the last month I've been kicking myself. Its ironic that my last post was about being in pain. This time the pain was real. I managed to do something to my back four weeks ago. The day after that drills workout with Keeler in fact.

The drills were great and we stopped once we realized we were pooped and our form sucked. All I know is that the next day I felt sore. In the morning it was a good kind of sore in my back, as if I'd worked out really hard. By the middle of the day that soreness turned into pain and by the end of the day I was in agony. That was Thursday. On Friday I woke up and again with the sore moving to pain and into agony.

That's when a friend sent me to his chiropractor, the most kick-ass gal in the verse, Dr. Moses. She rocks. For you locals, check out her site: moebodyworks.com. She barely touched me, and certainly didn't do any cracking for the first few visits. I was told that I couldn't work out in any way, shape or form for at least a month. F*CK! I was pissed, but in pain, so I was going to listen to everything she said. At first she thought I had a herniated disc, but after some therapy decided I just did a really really good job pulling a muscle. Aside from sitting on a big blue stability ball at work, NOT training and seeing Dr. Moe on a regular basis, this lil lady is ready to jump back on the horse, slowly at least.

Yesterday was Day Zero, and I swam. Because it was mother's day the Uptown pool was pretty mellow. I managed to get a whole lane to myself for most of the swim! It felt so good to stretch out my somewhat atrophied muscles with long fluid strokes. (Yes I also spent the day with my mum).

Today is Day One of training. I am officially starting over. With 61 days left until the Life Time Fitness Triathlon I've got my work cut out for me. This week will be light running and strength training. Per my doc's orders I am taking it easy. I'm going to be nice to myself, nice to my body, because there is no way in hell I'm going to hurt myself again. I'm no longer disappointed and frustrated that I've lost so much time, that I had gotten so far in my training and have slipped back. I can deal with it. It could have been worse. I could have broken a bone or something terrible like that!