Only two days to go until we try doing our first sprint triathlon. We had an easy workout this morning, just 5 miles on the bike and a 2 mile run. Jenny is going to leave me in the dust on the run portion of it as she is all about running the 5k in 24 minutes (she can actually run it in like 20 or 21 but she's giving herself a few minutes since she'll be doing this in the third leg of the tri). Me, on the other hand, not being a runner until this year, will be glad to finish the 5K in under 30 minutes and am hoping for 28 minutes. We'll see... I'm now thinking, with two days to go, that I should have sucked it up and bought a new bike. I've been borrowing my moms or my nephews as I don't even own a bike. But I didn't want to put the money in until I new if I would even be able to drag myself across the finish line, since they are anything but cheap. Now, I wish I would have just to save me a little energy on the bike portion.
Oh well, to late to think about that now. I just have to make it through the seaweed and follow my sister across the finish line... Then, it's on to Summerfest where, gasp, I might actually attempt the 10k...
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Open Water Swim
Ok, so we are down to six days for this sprint triathlon that we are doing. Swimming in the pool is a piece of cake, 500 yards or 10 laps and it was taking us about 13 minutes. We decided yesterday to combine all three events and do the full length on them all, which actually went well, other than the fact that we did the swim in Clear Lake, which is anything but clear! It was SO sea weedy! YUCK! I hate seaweed and all the stuff in lakes as it is, but this was like lilly pad haven and even once we got quite a ways out past the raft it was still gross. I still had seaweed wrapped around my ankles and I'd find a lilly pad around my shoulders or arms. I couldn't stand it at all... it was almost like panic city. So, after a little venture out and we still couldn't get pass the seaweed, we headed back and ended up with only a 10 minute swim. So, tonight we are headed to a "beach" area at Gun Lake and hoping that it is not so sea weedy and then we can try the open water swim again.
I know we can do the length, and after the 10 minute swim yesterday we finished the bike ride and the 5k run and I lived, and I'm still walking this morning (first time we did all three - we've been doing two things at a time until yesterday). The water even felt almost warm. So, now I'm just praying that Sherman Lake, where the tri is at this weekend, has a nice clear stretch for the swim... If not, the swimmers around me will think I'm the crazy loon in the pack as I swim each stroke saying, "I hate seaweed, I hate seaweed, I hate seaweed...."
I know we can do the length, and after the 10 minute swim yesterday we finished the bike ride and the 5k run and I lived, and I'm still walking this morning (first time we did all three - we've been doing two things at a time until yesterday). The water even felt almost warm. So, now I'm just praying that Sherman Lake, where the tri is at this weekend, has a nice clear stretch for the swim... If not, the swimmers around me will think I'm the crazy loon in the pack as I swim each stroke saying, "I hate seaweed, I hate seaweed, I hate seaweed...."
Friday, July 24, 2009
Breathe....
Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and pray for patience... That's what I keep telling myself it seems. Everything seems out to "get me" ... work is in a really bad place in my mind right now, it's crazy busy season with football starting, parent's packets to print and organize (about 270 sets of them), school paper due next week, kids head off to camp in 2 days and I still need to do that last minute shopping trip and help get them packed, a wrestling tournament tomorrow, and at some point I need to go back up to the fair and get all of my kids' 4H stuff back out of the booth and then take the booth down... AH!
So, as overwhelming as it seems.... deep breath, maybe a few of them, and maybe a glass of wine Saturday night when most of this is done.... It'll get done. Somehow, someway, by the grace of God giving me patience and that super duper amount of energy (caffeine helps too).
Besides being crazy, this week has been pretty good. The kids did well at fair. Lots of blue ribbons. Jessi got 10 blue ribbons and 1 red. Jason got 6 blue and one red as well as 1 outstanding, 2 best of shows, and 1 gold state fair ribbon! The fair also kept them busy this week while I worked and ran them to and from, but it's good ole' fashioned fun for them, and Robby can't wait to get started in 4H this coming fall!
Anyway, quick little vent to help me practice breathing and thinking! Hope you all have a good weekend!!
So, as overwhelming as it seems.... deep breath, maybe a few of them, and maybe a glass of wine Saturday night when most of this is done.... It'll get done. Somehow, someway, by the grace of God giving me patience and that super duper amount of energy (caffeine helps too).
Besides being crazy, this week has been pretty good. The kids did well at fair. Lots of blue ribbons. Jessi got 10 blue ribbons and 1 red. Jason got 6 blue and one red as well as 1 outstanding, 2 best of shows, and 1 gold state fair ribbon! The fair also kept them busy this week while I worked and ran them to and from, but it's good ole' fashioned fun for them, and Robby can't wait to get started in 4H this coming fall!
Anyway, quick little vent to help me practice breathing and thinking! Hope you all have a good weekend!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Almost the end of July!!
Wow, this summer is just flying by. Life is busy as always, and there isn't much new going on, but I just can't believe that the summer is almost 2/3 done! Where did it go??
I'm in the last few weeks before football season starts and have a list a mile long of the final to-dos for the season. We originally thought that this economy was going to kill our numbers; however, due to a very generous donation from a local judge, we have been able to cover the scholarships that we give to the kids with financial needs and our numbers are back up over 250, with 2 or 3 sign-ups coming in daily! On top of that, I'm working with an attorney to try and obtain non-profit status for our league, officially, and what a load of paperwork that is, but it will all be worth it!
School is going well, I am now 1/3 of the way done! 40 more weeks till my bachelor's degree! As far as I know, I still have a job until at least the end of April 2010. They keep telling us that we will know more in November when they start posting our jobs down in Ohio... so, for now, I am working on my attitude and morale level at work. I never thought of myself as a lazy, care-less attitude type worker, until you know your job is being moved, then it kind of makes it hard to care, especially on those days when it feels like all the work is being dumped on your shoulders. I just want to ask "why bother?" ... so, I am working on keeping a good attitude. I don't enjoy being negative, and I'm not a negative person by nature. So, I'll keep looking for the good in all of this.
Other than that, my sister has whipped me into pretty good shape! I call her drill sergeant Jo... her latest was telling me that sprinting up the hills is good for my butt. But does that mean I HAVE to do it? I did... almost, made it just about to the top before I thought I was going to pass out and my quads were going to explode. This was after our 10 mile bike ride. Have you ever tried to run after biking 10 miles? Doesn't sound too bad, but I guess they call it spider legs... I don't know, but it was the weirdest feeling for the first 1/2 mile or so until I had full control of my lower body.
Today we ran our 5k after swimming - instead of biking the 10 miles - so I did get in my early morning workout. Now, next week, we have to combine and actually practice the whole triathlon all together. I can't wait!! (yes, that was a little sarcastic)! It is kind of fun though. It's a sweaty bonding sisterly experience, and even though she kicks my bootie (she's the marathoner in the family - 26 miles is a piece of cake for her) she is someone who you just want to try and keep up with. I wouldn't make it out of bed at 6am to swim/bike on my own! It's good to have that motivator in your corner! And, since we are at 16 days till the actual tri, it's literally sink or swim!
On top of that, I'm trying to drink lots of water so my body isn't dehydrated, which for me is a challenge since I normally am strictly a coffee drinker.
The kids have been busy. Busy fighting, cleaning, whining about all these chores (I have to remind them once a week that having slaves was why we chose to have kids...), playing, going to all their summer camps, and right now finishing up 4H projects for fair, which is only 2 days away! Jessi is waiting waiting waiting for that big Middle School schedule to get here, along with the orientation dates so she can do her official walk through before school starts! Robby told me yesterday that he is ready for school to start - to be the big kindergartner this year! It's just crazy. I can't believe that I now have TWO kids in middle school.
And, to make me feel even older, yesterday was our 14th year wedding anniversary! Time definitely does fly, but oh, let the good times roll!!
I'm in the last few weeks before football season starts and have a list a mile long of the final to-dos for the season. We originally thought that this economy was going to kill our numbers; however, due to a very generous donation from a local judge, we have been able to cover the scholarships that we give to the kids with financial needs and our numbers are back up over 250, with 2 or 3 sign-ups coming in daily! On top of that, I'm working with an attorney to try and obtain non-profit status for our league, officially, and what a load of paperwork that is, but it will all be worth it!
School is going well, I am now 1/3 of the way done! 40 more weeks till my bachelor's degree! As far as I know, I still have a job until at least the end of April 2010. They keep telling us that we will know more in November when they start posting our jobs down in Ohio... so, for now, I am working on my attitude and morale level at work. I never thought of myself as a lazy, care-less attitude type worker, until you know your job is being moved, then it kind of makes it hard to care, especially on those days when it feels like all the work is being dumped on your shoulders. I just want to ask "why bother?" ... so, I am working on keeping a good attitude. I don't enjoy being negative, and I'm not a negative person by nature. So, I'll keep looking for the good in all of this.
Other than that, my sister has whipped me into pretty good shape! I call her drill sergeant Jo... her latest was telling me that sprinting up the hills is good for my butt. But does that mean I HAVE to do it? I did... almost, made it just about to the top before I thought I was going to pass out and my quads were going to explode. This was after our 10 mile bike ride. Have you ever tried to run after biking 10 miles? Doesn't sound too bad, but I guess they call it spider legs... I don't know, but it was the weirdest feeling for the first 1/2 mile or so until I had full control of my lower body.
Today we ran our 5k after swimming - instead of biking the 10 miles - so I did get in my early morning workout. Now, next week, we have to combine and actually practice the whole triathlon all together. I can't wait!! (yes, that was a little sarcastic)! It is kind of fun though. It's a sweaty bonding sisterly experience, and even though she kicks my bootie (she's the marathoner in the family - 26 miles is a piece of cake for her) she is someone who you just want to try and keep up with. I wouldn't make it out of bed at 6am to swim/bike on my own! It's good to have that motivator in your corner! And, since we are at 16 days till the actual tri, it's literally sink or swim!
On top of that, I'm trying to drink lots of water so my body isn't dehydrated, which for me is a challenge since I normally am strictly a coffee drinker.
The kids have been busy. Busy fighting, cleaning, whining about all these chores (I have to remind them once a week that having slaves was why we chose to have kids...), playing, going to all their summer camps, and right now finishing up 4H projects for fair, which is only 2 days away! Jessi is waiting waiting waiting for that big Middle School schedule to get here, along with the orientation dates so she can do her official walk through before school starts! Robby told me yesterday that he is ready for school to start - to be the big kindergartner this year! It's just crazy. I can't believe that I now have TWO kids in middle school.
And, to make me feel even older, yesterday was our 14th year wedding anniversary! Time definitely does fly, but oh, let the good times roll!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Midnight
The quiet of the house at midnight is kind of nice. My hubby and oldest son are away in Pennsylvania at wrestling camp, the painting/facelift of my home is almost complete and here I am, wide awake, drinking coffee and enjoying the midnight solitude that I rarely have the energy or time to soke in. Not that it's entirely by choice that I sit here, I am supposed to be finishing a paper for tomorrow's class (again, I am the forever procrastinator - I still have 17 hours to go...).
However, as I take a break from the structure of writing, I am enjoying the solitude, the fish tank gurgling, the quiet music in the back ground and the pure peacefulness of the moment. Yes, drink it in while you can, because in a few seven hours or so, the daughter and youngest son will again be picking and needling each other endlessly, the dog will be running around and trying to sit directly on my feet, my "hired" help (Dad) will be here to regrout my tile, and I will have breakfast to make, dishes to do, and the peace and quiet of midnight will be replaced once again with the business that is life.
But for now, a deep breathe, a sip of coffee (raspberry chocolate flavored), writing, and quiet...
However, as I take a break from the structure of writing, I am enjoying the solitude, the fish tank gurgling, the quiet music in the back ground and the pure peacefulness of the moment. Yes, drink it in while you can, because in a few seven hours or so, the daughter and youngest son will again be picking and needling each other endlessly, the dog will be running around and trying to sit directly on my feet, my "hired" help (Dad) will be here to regrout my tile, and I will have breakfast to make, dishes to do, and the peace and quiet of midnight will be replaced once again with the business that is life.
But for now, a deep breathe, a sip of coffee (raspberry chocolate flavored), writing, and quiet...
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