One final post from me tonight - I've either been saving up or I'm unusually chatty!
As I posted recently, I'm planning to come out of retirement and race again in 2010. Two events in particular are very meaningful to me, and I'd love to have you - my two blog readers - do them with me. Seriously, please think about them.
The first is the Virginia is for Lovers 14k in Virginia Beach on Feb. 13. I've already assembled an all-star cast including Annn, TG40, my awesome brother-in-law Mark (who recently won his age group in a sprint tri in NoVa), Patty, Susan, and maybe even the Bean depending upon her recovery from a calf injury. It will be a blast and it is for great causes, one of which - Team Kainer - is close to the heart for my family, especially Mark.
The second is the MS150 two-day cycling event in central Virginia. It's on May 22 & 23 this year, and there are shorter and longer options for those so inclined. I've talked casually to a few people about doing this ride and am hoping to rally a good team. I'll warn you in advance - this will be a fundraiser (but I promise no pressure). My mother-in-law has MS and I am riding in her honor.
Please think about these events and let me know if you're interested. I think they will be a blast if we do them together.
Peace out.
.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Congrats TriGirls!
Congrats to all the TriGirls (and TriBoys) who completed IronMan Florida yesterday, especially my girl Jackie. You are amazing!
Can I return to adulthood now?
I think my backwards spiral into revisiting adolescence is complete.
Twilight fanatic? Check. Harry Potter obsession? Check. Lightening Thief? Check again.
Zits? Check. And let me tell you, they are particularly unattractive in combination with wrinkles.
Crazy friend who gives me the silent treatment for four months over something silly? Check.
And now - hanging at the mall all day? Check. Yesterday, Rainbow and I hit the mall in the morning to buy end-of-season gifts for her soccer coach. Theatre IV was having auditions so we hung out for awhile listening. Then we returned to the food court for her post-game celebration, after which we listened to auditions some more, she played in the play area, and we even did a little shopping. We were there for hours. The average age of everyone else there had to be 13.
Very weird.
Menopause? Bring it. I'm ready.
.
Twilight fanatic? Check. Harry Potter obsession? Check. Lightening Thief? Check again.
Zits? Check. And let me tell you, they are particularly unattractive in combination with wrinkles.
Crazy friend who gives me the silent treatment for four months over something silly? Check.
And now - hanging at the mall all day? Check. Yesterday, Rainbow and I hit the mall in the morning to buy end-of-season gifts for her soccer coach. Theatre IV was having auditions so we hung out for awhile listening. Then we returned to the food court for her post-game celebration, after which we listened to auditions some more, she played in the play area, and we even did a little shopping. We were there for hours. The average age of everyone else there had to be 13.
Very weird.
Menopause? Bring it. I'm ready.
.
Dusted
Twice this year I've been really badly spanked.
The first time was on Good Friday when I rode with a big group. People I normally could hang with (at least a year before) completely dropped me at the end. Annn. Jennifer. Everyone else on that ride.
The second time was today.
I wanted to try a new 32 mile route that Fave sent me. Dave suggested we leave from my house, making the route roughly 50 miles. I haven't ridden farther than 40 in, oh I don't know, two years! but I said what the hell anyway. We started strong, helped along by a downhill start. And the first 27ish miles were good - a little hilly but tolerable.
The next six miles were torture - long gradual uphills, a couple steep uphills, and somehow very little counterbalancing downhills. I'm not really sure how that works. After the first climb on this section, my legs were toast. Dave was a distant speck ahead of me. He waited for me and tried to pull me but it was impossible for him to go as slowly as I was going without risking a complete stop, rolling backwards, or falling over.
When we hit a rest point at 36 miles, I realized that we had another 16 to go to finish the entire route for a total of 52 miles. Somehow that extra unanticipated two miles really did me in. I lobbied hard for a change of plans that gave us about another six miles instead. I know Dave was not excited about riding on Broad Street (hey, at least it wasn't 288) but he did. I guess it was the lesser of two evils compared to the option of dragging my boat-anchor self another 16.
We finished with almost 42 miles at 16.9 mph by my bike computer. It was everything I had today.
I guess I'd better drag out my trainer so I don't have a three-peat.
.
The first time was on Good Friday when I rode with a big group. People I normally could hang with (at least a year before) completely dropped me at the end. Annn. Jennifer. Everyone else on that ride.
The second time was today.
I wanted to try a new 32 mile route that Fave sent me. Dave suggested we leave from my house, making the route roughly 50 miles. I haven't ridden farther than 40 in, oh I don't know, two years! but I said what the hell anyway. We started strong, helped along by a downhill start. And the first 27ish miles were good - a little hilly but tolerable.
The next six miles were torture - long gradual uphills, a couple steep uphills, and somehow very little counterbalancing downhills. I'm not really sure how that works. After the first climb on this section, my legs were toast. Dave was a distant speck ahead of me. He waited for me and tried to pull me but it was impossible for him to go as slowly as I was going without risking a complete stop, rolling backwards, or falling over.
When we hit a rest point at 36 miles, I realized that we had another 16 to go to finish the entire route for a total of 52 miles. Somehow that extra unanticipated two miles really did me in. I lobbied hard for a change of plans that gave us about another six miles instead. I know Dave was not excited about riding on Broad Street (hey, at least it wasn't 288) but he did. I guess it was the lesser of two evils compared to the option of dragging my boat-anchor self another 16.
We finished with almost 42 miles at 16.9 mph by my bike computer. It was everything I had today.
I guess I'd better drag out my trainer so I don't have a three-peat.
.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Mommy of the Year
Rainbow's favorite game right now is "Would you rather?" and like a dumbass I bought her a book of them.
She just asked me, "Would you rather be able to hear only women talk or slowly turn into a salmon after age 60?"
She picked the salmon.
However, I picked only hearing women talk.
As soon as I justified my choice by saying I'd never have to hear Daddy and Taz argue again, she immediately changed her answer.
Another question was something like, "Would you rather eat chocolate every day of your life or be able to switch faces with anyone?"
She picked switching faces and I asked why. "So I could switch faces with you!" she exclaimed.
I told her she can just wait 35 years and that particular selection will come true.
She leaned forward and stared at me intently for several minutes. And then she settled back into her chair, slowly shook her head - and changed her answer.
.
She just asked me, "Would you rather be able to hear only women talk or slowly turn into a salmon after age 60?"
She picked the salmon.
However, I picked only hearing women talk.
As soon as I justified my choice by saying I'd never have to hear Daddy and Taz argue again, she immediately changed her answer.
Another question was something like, "Would you rather eat chocolate every day of your life or be able to switch faces with anyone?"
She picked switching faces and I asked why. "So I could switch faces with you!" she exclaimed.
I told her she can just wait 35 years and that particular selection will come true.
She leaned forward and stared at me intently for several minutes. And then she settled back into her chair, slowly shook her head - and changed her answer.
.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Mommy of the Year
Scouter just got the Van Halen version of Guitar Hero. He is ridiculously excited - and frankly so am I. We've been stuck in the house for five days with sick kids, so believe me, any and all diversions are welcome.
The game is not all Van Halen; there are a few songs by other artists too. Taz's favorite is "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne.
But of course, we're all singing, "Taz's Mom has got it going on!"
And I'm totally digging it.
.
The game is not all Van Halen; there are a few songs by other artists too. Taz's favorite is "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne.
But of course, we're all singing, "Taz's Mom has got it going on!"
And I'm totally digging it.
.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Committed
The last triathlon I did was the Giant Acorn (aka "Big Nut") two years ago. The last event I did was the Shamrock half marathon in 2008. It's been two years since I swam a stroke and more than 18 months since I did a race.
I really thought my grad school hiatus would end with graduation. I even pondered a few late summer and fall events. But nothing seemed to work with my schedule. Hence my motivation has been lacking.
Actually, I did a fair amount of cycling this summer - but lack of daylight and too-busy weekends have effectively put an end to that.
So I need a goal.
And now I have one! I signed up for a 14k race in Va. Beach on Valentine's weekend. I'm doing it with my brother-in-law and several good friends (thank you Annn and DB!) in honor of his friend John Kainer. John is an awesome guy who lost his 11 year battle with brain cancer last year. Part of the proceeds for this event go to his medical bills and his family. It is a great cause and I can't wait to participate.
Now I need to get off my fat butt and run. And I'm on a streak this week: I ran Thursday and again today. Woo hoo! Impressive, ey?
Both runs made me realize how badly I need new shoes, so I finally ordered some today. Either that or I'm too old for this foolishness. My body hurts. Not sore muscles either, although there is a little bit of that going on. More like achy back and just general malaise. Hopefully nothing that a little fitness won't fix!
Total aside - today while I was running I saw the funniest (in an odd way) thing - this clearly out-of-shape man (not that I have room to talk) was working out with weights beside the pond. His friend - clearly not his trainer - was sitting on a bench beside him, smoking a cigarette. Now that's not something you see every day. Or anything, frankly, that I'd ever want to see again.
But anyway...
I'm also talking a big game about the Mighty Man half iron next year. TG40 is pretty convincing! It is still a year away so I'm very bold... now! When realization sets in, I suspect I will be a nervous wreck.
But for now I'm excited and hopefully motivation will follow!
.
I really thought my grad school hiatus would end with graduation. I even pondered a few late summer and fall events. But nothing seemed to work with my schedule. Hence my motivation has been lacking.
Actually, I did a fair amount of cycling this summer - but lack of daylight and too-busy weekends have effectively put an end to that.
So I need a goal.
And now I have one! I signed up for a 14k race in Va. Beach on Valentine's weekend. I'm doing it with my brother-in-law and several good friends (thank you Annn and DB!) in honor of his friend John Kainer. John is an awesome guy who lost his 11 year battle with brain cancer last year. Part of the proceeds for this event go to his medical bills and his family. It is a great cause and I can't wait to participate.
Now I need to get off my fat butt and run. And I'm on a streak this week: I ran Thursday and again today. Woo hoo! Impressive, ey?
Both runs made me realize how badly I need new shoes, so I finally ordered some today. Either that or I'm too old for this foolishness. My body hurts. Not sore muscles either, although there is a little bit of that going on. More like achy back and just general malaise. Hopefully nothing that a little fitness won't fix!
Total aside - today while I was running I saw the funniest (in an odd way) thing - this clearly out-of-shape man (not that I have room to talk) was working out with weights beside the pond. His friend - clearly not his trainer - was sitting on a bench beside him, smoking a cigarette. Now that's not something you see every day. Or anything, frankly, that I'd ever want to see again.
But anyway...
I'm also talking a big game about the Mighty Man half iron next year. TG40 is pretty convincing! It is still a year away so I'm very bold... now! When realization sets in, I suspect I will be a nervous wreck.
But for now I'm excited and hopefully motivation will follow!
.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Oink Oink
The joy of camping last weekend has really managed to linger.
Why only yesterday, I received three emails from fellow campers informing me that they, their children, and/or other campers have the swine flu, strep throat, or both.
Lovely.
And sure enough, when Rainbow got home, her eyes were glazed and she was coughing. She had a fever of 102.5. By this morning, her fever spiked to 104. She was so pitiful. As I was stroking her head, she croaked, "Daddy said he was going to curse me to hell."
"Excuse me?"
"Daddy said he was going to curse me to hell," she rasped again.
I pondered for a moment and finally realized she was saying, "Daddy said he was going to nurse me to health."
And all day they've been oinking at each other.
She is feeling slightly better tonight, thank goodness.
Will this be enough to avoid a future camping trip, I wonder?
.
Why only yesterday, I received three emails from fellow campers informing me that they, their children, and/or other campers have the swine flu, strep throat, or both.
Lovely.
And sure enough, when Rainbow got home, her eyes were glazed and she was coughing. She had a fever of 102.5. By this morning, her fever spiked to 104. She was so pitiful. As I was stroking her head, she croaked, "Daddy said he was going to curse me to hell."
"Excuse me?"
"Daddy said he was going to curse me to hell," she rasped again.
I pondered for a moment and finally realized she was saying, "Daddy said he was going to nurse me to health."
And all day they've been oinking at each other.
She is feeling slightly better tonight, thank goodness.
Will this be enough to avoid a future camping trip, I wonder?
.
Camping Sucks
So last weekend, Rainbow had her first scheduled Brownie camping trip.
To be entirely accurate, her troop went last year but I had school that weekend and Scouter and Taz were Cub Scout camping. So we sent Rainbow with the boys. To hear her tell it now, she was kicking and screaming but in actuality, she was excited and had a great time. That child loves to camp.
What she doesn't particularly like is sleepovers, so I didn't want to send her by herself. Even though this camping trip was the same weekend as my favorite party of the year, the Comfort Zone fall bash. And my high school reunion. Although truth be told, I wasn't too terribly sad to miss that one.
I on the other hand believe that roughing it involves a hotel without a spa. Or with only four stars.
Camping is not my thing.
I begrudgingly committed to go on this particular camping trip on Friday night only. I admit, I was imagining that I would somehow be able to escape on Saturday morning, go on a bike ride and then attend the Comfort Zone bash with all my girlfriends. However, as the week wore on, I felt more and more delusional. Aided and abetted by Scouter telling me how much Rainbow wanted me to go and anything else he could think of to feed my guilt.
Friday came. It had been pouring rain the entire previous night and most of the day. Many other, wiser campers opted to skip Friday night. Yet Rainbow's troop headed off to camp. I met them at the camp site as they were eating dinner at a frigid outdoor picnic shelter. When I walked up to her table, Rainbow could barely be bothered to acknowledge me. "Oh hi Mom," she said in a lethargic tone of voice before she continued her conversation with friends. I stood there for a few minutes but when no further recognition was forthcoming, I joined the other moms. As I was chatting, Rainbow came over and I thought she was going to hug me. She tenderly leaned into my ear and whispered sweetly, "Whatever you do, Mom, DO NOT embarrass me."
Okay then.
So glad I came.
The evening really never improved. Although there were s'mores involved so it wasn't all bad.
We finally headed to the cabins which were very rustic - essentially thin boards and a roof. We were in the farthest possible cabin from the bathrooms, it was still raining and cold. I was grateful that at least we weren't sleeping in tents.
I probably slept some that night but it really didn't feel like it. Between the rain drumming against the roof and the movements of 16 bodies in our cabin, it was hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. One little girl became hysterical because her mother wasn't there and Rainbow needed help a couple times, bringing me to the harsh realization that I would indeed have to stay another night. At one point, she popped her eyes open, looked at me, and in a super-excited voice said, "Isn't this great?" At my expression of what could only have been horror, she quickly added, "Well, at least not terrible?"
The next morning dawned cold and drizzly for a pleasant change. I slogged through a couple of activities, all the while being either totally ignored or barely tolerated by my child. I finally decided that putting up with an entire day of this shit would make me very cranky by evening. And Martyr Di is not fun to be around.
So I left. Rainbow actually seemed momentarily disappointed although she quickly lost interest in me when I told her I was coming back. I came home, went on a four mile run, took a very long very hot shower, did some cooking, hung out with Taz, and then laid on the couch and read a book for awhile. It was a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon. Only with great reluctance - and prodding by Scouter - did I head back to camp.
When I arrived, one of Rainbow's buddies saw me and went running into the mess hall (I guess that's what it's called in camping lingo?), yelling, "Rainbow, your mom is here!" She actually ran out and hugged me. I was pathetically grateful.
Saturday night was more tolerable as more Girl Scout troops were there and I knew more of the moms. We hung out by the indoor camp fire and chatted while the girls played games and songs. If only wine were allowed, it might even have been enjoyable. Alas much too soon it was time to return to the heinous cabins for another miserable night of light sleep and loud noises.
The night was at least uneventful. When we awoke the next day, I was ready to bail. But no. We had to march to breakfast as a troop, wait for everyone, and then clean our shit hole - I mean cabin - and perform our assigned cleaning duty. These efforts took an inordinately long time during which very little was accomplished.
When we could finally escape, Rainbow begged for one of her friends to ride with us. I admit, I was hanging by a string at this point. When they complained about the music on my car radio, I huffily snapped it off.
All the while, I was plotting the next camping trip, thinking to myself that it would really only be necessary for Rainbow and I to come Saturday during the day. She wouldn't miss anything.
Then I asked her what her favorite part of camping was. Without hesitation, she exclaimed "S'mores!" I asked her second favorite thing and after a moment, she said, "Sleeping in the cabin!"
Dammit dammit dammit all to hell.
I should have learned by now to stop when I'm ahead.
Camping sucks.
.
To be entirely accurate, her troop went last year but I had school that weekend and Scouter and Taz were Cub Scout camping. So we sent Rainbow with the boys. To hear her tell it now, she was kicking and screaming but in actuality, she was excited and had a great time. That child loves to camp.
What she doesn't particularly like is sleepovers, so I didn't want to send her by herself. Even though this camping trip was the same weekend as my favorite party of the year, the Comfort Zone fall bash. And my high school reunion. Although truth be told, I wasn't too terribly sad to miss that one.
I on the other hand believe that roughing it involves a hotel without a spa. Or with only four stars.
Camping is not my thing.
I begrudgingly committed to go on this particular camping trip on Friday night only. I admit, I was imagining that I would somehow be able to escape on Saturday morning, go on a bike ride and then attend the Comfort Zone bash with all my girlfriends. However, as the week wore on, I felt more and more delusional. Aided and abetted by Scouter telling me how much Rainbow wanted me to go and anything else he could think of to feed my guilt.
Friday came. It had been pouring rain the entire previous night and most of the day. Many other, wiser campers opted to skip Friday night. Yet Rainbow's troop headed off to camp. I met them at the camp site as they were eating dinner at a frigid outdoor picnic shelter. When I walked up to her table, Rainbow could barely be bothered to acknowledge me. "Oh hi Mom," she said in a lethargic tone of voice before she continued her conversation with friends. I stood there for a few minutes but when no further recognition was forthcoming, I joined the other moms. As I was chatting, Rainbow came over and I thought she was going to hug me. She tenderly leaned into my ear and whispered sweetly, "Whatever you do, Mom, DO NOT embarrass me."
Okay then.
So glad I came.
The evening really never improved. Although there were s'mores involved so it wasn't all bad.
We finally headed to the cabins which were very rustic - essentially thin boards and a roof. We were in the farthest possible cabin from the bathrooms, it was still raining and cold. I was grateful that at least we weren't sleeping in tents.
I probably slept some that night but it really didn't feel like it. Between the rain drumming against the roof and the movements of 16 bodies in our cabin, it was hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. One little girl became hysterical because her mother wasn't there and Rainbow needed help a couple times, bringing me to the harsh realization that I would indeed have to stay another night. At one point, she popped her eyes open, looked at me, and in a super-excited voice said, "Isn't this great?" At my expression of what could only have been horror, she quickly added, "Well, at least not terrible?"
The next morning dawned cold and drizzly for a pleasant change. I slogged through a couple of activities, all the while being either totally ignored or barely tolerated by my child. I finally decided that putting up with an entire day of this shit would make me very cranky by evening. And Martyr Di is not fun to be around.
So I left. Rainbow actually seemed momentarily disappointed although she quickly lost interest in me when I told her I was coming back. I came home, went on a four mile run, took a very long very hot shower, did some cooking, hung out with Taz, and then laid on the couch and read a book for awhile. It was a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon. Only with great reluctance - and prodding by Scouter - did I head back to camp.
When I arrived, one of Rainbow's buddies saw me and went running into the mess hall (I guess that's what it's called in camping lingo?), yelling, "Rainbow, your mom is here!" She actually ran out and hugged me. I was pathetically grateful.
Saturday night was more tolerable as more Girl Scout troops were there and I knew more of the moms. We hung out by the indoor camp fire and chatted while the girls played games and songs. If only wine were allowed, it might even have been enjoyable. Alas much too soon it was time to return to the heinous cabins for another miserable night of light sleep and loud noises.
The night was at least uneventful. When we awoke the next day, I was ready to bail. But no. We had to march to breakfast as a troop, wait for everyone, and then clean our shit hole - I mean cabin - and perform our assigned cleaning duty. These efforts took an inordinately long time during which very little was accomplished.
When we could finally escape, Rainbow begged for one of her friends to ride with us. I admit, I was hanging by a string at this point. When they complained about the music on my car radio, I huffily snapped it off.
All the while, I was plotting the next camping trip, thinking to myself that it would really only be necessary for Rainbow and I to come Saturday during the day. She wouldn't miss anything.
Then I asked her what her favorite part of camping was. Without hesitation, she exclaimed "S'mores!" I asked her second favorite thing and after a moment, she said, "Sleeping in the cabin!"
Dammit dammit dammit all to hell.
I should have learned by now to stop when I'm ahead.
Camping sucks.
.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Mommy of the Year
I was telling Dave this story last week and thought it was post-worthy! And telling him helped me remember...
So this past spring, I told my kids that we could redecorate their rooms this summer if they wanted to. They both enthusiastically agreed, and I gave them some ideas about paint and wallpaper and the like.
We didn't really talk about it again until mid-summer when they asked when the project was going to start. And then they pontificated on their redecorating ideas... which include installing a ceiling in my two story foyer which would become a floor for the space between their rooms, and knocking down the walls of their rooms facing this new space to create a new huge room that they could share. They've already decided where the ice cream bar and big screen TV will be located. Apparently they are going to need lofts to make sure there is room for the basketball court and the pool table. And will an indoor pool fit?
Needless to say this is not exactly what I had in mind... I've dropped the subject entirely and am hoping against hope that they forget I ever broached it.
.
So this past spring, I told my kids that we could redecorate their rooms this summer if they wanted to. They both enthusiastically agreed, and I gave them some ideas about paint and wallpaper and the like.
We didn't really talk about it again until mid-summer when they asked when the project was going to start. And then they pontificated on their redecorating ideas... which include installing a ceiling in my two story foyer which would become a floor for the space between their rooms, and knocking down the walls of their rooms facing this new space to create a new huge room that they could share. They've already decided where the ice cream bar and big screen TV will be located. Apparently they are going to need lofts to make sure there is room for the basketball court and the pool table. And will an indoor pool fit?
Needless to say this is not exactly what I had in mind... I've dropped the subject entirely and am hoping against hope that they forget I ever broached it.
.
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