Best Husband

What's not to love about a man who will rub knots out of my shoulders 2 nights in a row? He's awesome.

Musings on Grad School

This is mostly for IronBenny but it was very therapeutic to write so I thought I share with everyone...

I wish I could tell future science grad students not to worry but I can't. Grad school is hard, especially in the sciences. The classes are demanding and require substantial out of class preparation. It doesn't help that professors are hired by universities because their research brings in money, not because they are good teachers or mentors. The grad school process requires more self motivation, determination, and stubbornness than you can imagine.

Can you train for an ironman and be successful in graduate school? Yes. I don't recommend training for an IM at the end of your graduate career when you're down to the wire. That's where I am right now so there is no IMFL for me this year. Going for a PR or training more than 13-15 hours a week isn't a great idea, either, unless you have no family around. In many ways, IM training can help you. The stress relief is great and you will need the mental toughness you develop during training. Just be careful that those workouts don't become excuses to avoid the trials of grad school. Research is full of tedious chores, hard days in the field, and writing. Some days it's so easy to go for a 4 hour bike ride even though you'll be too tired to work on your manuscript that evening. Ask me how I know? :-)

Grad school has to be one of the top 3 priorities in your life. For me the priorities are my husband, grad school, and my triathlon/weight loss activities. Treating grad school like a 9-5 job won't get you very far. Grad school, especially a doctorate, needs to be like an obsession. There is a delicate balance between these top 3 priorities. Some days you juggle like a circus professional and some days you feel like you are standing under 3 falling boulders. But it can be done.

Finally, choose a project that is supported by a grant that will pay you, even if the pathetic salary means you're financially strapped at home. This is tough for those of us who had real jobs with real salaries before grad school. BUT even if the project is not exactly what you want, you will work more on your project because it's your job. There will be money to buy the supplies you need and your advisor will make more time for you because their future publications and grants are on the line. You can make it work with an unfunded project. I do. My advisor gives me as much time as possible and helps with supplies but it's the rough way to go. I would not do it again if I had to start over.

So, that's my little rant. Off to cut up more fish.

A streak of 2!!

That's right, I completed both Monday's and Tuesday's workout. Tuesday's workout has been changed to a trainer ride until the right shoulder heals up. Trainer rides are not my favorite workouts but I managed to make it for 60 minutes. Even threw in some sprints and one legged drills.

Today is a prep day in the lab. Several things must be done before starting another round of digestions and analyses. Not that I enjoy scrubbing tubes or submerging them in hot acid but that's what needs to be done. Just call me a dishwasher. This probably means I will not clean up the kitchen tonight. All my domestic energy will be used up in the lab.

It's good to be busy. Otherwise I sit at my computer contemplating how hungry I am. This weight loss stuff is hard.

Whew!

I just finished reading the usual blogs I follow. Y'all have been busy over the long holiday weekend, regardless of your nationality. Congrats on all who finished races, earned new PRs or generally participated in athletics.

My training took a serious hit last week. Between the big push to run samples, the problems with the machine, and preparations for the holiday weekend, I completed 2 workouts. There have been busier weeks where I completed all my workouts but last week was an emotional rollercoaster. Mondays are always a big transition but today is killing me. It has not been a productive day but I knew it would not be productive when I woke up. In fact, I almost took the day off. It's not that I don't deserve a day off. Graduate school does not pay me. I worked my butt off last week with 3 days of solid house cleaning/party hosting followed by 2 full days at work.

But the little voice inside me said to go. I'm glad I did even if only 2 or 3 items on the "to do" list were checked out. Consistency counts in life and in training.

Final Posterity Post

This will probably be the last post like this for a while. My half marathon training is much more straight foward. Here were the final 2 recovery weeks before I started the half marathon program.

Recovery Week 3 Nov 7-13
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Run 30 minutes, easy weights
Wednesday: ALTERED: 45 minutes easy ride outside
Thursday: Run 30 minutes, easy weights
Friday: MISSED: Swim 1500yds
Saturday: Ride 2:00
Sunday: MOVED: Run 30 minutes

Recovery Week 2 Oct 31-Nov5
Monday: Easy Ride to Weedon Island
Tuesday: Easy Ride to Weedon Island
Wednesday: Trainer ride 45 minutes
Thursday: Easy Run, 30 minutes
Friday: MISSED: Easy Swim, 15 minutes
Saturday: Easy Ride 1:30
Sunday: Run 30 minutes

Settling Back In

The weekend was crazy. Thanksgiving was a blast, even if I spent much more time hostessing than eating. It's time to refocus my efforts. I'm very tired after the problems in the lab, the Thanksgiving meal, and all the work this weekend. I need a break. :)

But I did run. 4 miles in 50 minutes. That's a good time for me. If things go well, I might PR at the half marathon.

We are go for Turkey, Houston

The Turkey is in the oven baptized in sauvignon blanc and sprinkled with fresh rosemary. The long tables are here. Joe only woke up once so far.

Time for some champagne!!!! Roederer, of course, but just a touch. The butternut squash need to be peeled.

Let the games begin

Butternut squash has a particularly firm texture. I can't believe my husband is still sleeping. Cutting this stuff is dangerous!! And loud. The dog, using her finely honed "food carnage" instincts, has stationed herself in the perfect spot in the kitchen: within striking distance of the flying squash parts but safe distance from the knife. Who would have thought dobermans like raw squash.

But I made it. Now it's off to skin the squash, boil it with some carrots, etc.

Any minute now, Dad will arrive with the turkey. He told me 6:30AM. In dad-speak that means any time after 5AM but before the crack of dawn. And so we wait. 24.5 lbs of turkey is on it's way boys and girls. Hopefully the long dinner tables will make it, too, so that I can set the table before my guests arrive.

Surviving the butternut squash is always my first goal for Thanksgiving day. Now that the large chunks are cut, the chance of cutting off a finger is much smaller.

Happy Thanksgiving

From my family in Florida to my friends in cyberspace,
Happy Thanksgiving!


p.s. The house looks great! Mom is a miracle worker.

T minus 36 hours

Tomorrow around 1pm, eighteen people descend on my 1100 sq ft home for Thanksgiving dinner. I volunteered. It's one of the only times we can combine my husband's family with mine. Last year 15 people came. We had a blast. Before this new tradition, 3 different families held their own dinner. Joe and I were expected to make an appearance at each of those dinners. It turned our happy Thanksgiving into a driving fest with no time to enjoy the meal. When I host the dinner, everyone comes to one place and my house gets its annual deep clean.

The house needs some serious cleaning. Two birds, a big dog, a husband, and a busy triathlete-graduate student (who shall remain nameless) have left the house in shambles. I spent yesterday "pre-cleaning". This involved emptying the garage to make temporary room for things in our back room and raking up all the leaves from the oak trees. The back room is an converted "Florida room", i.e. huge screened in porch that they bricked in, that is big enough to hold the 2, 8 foot tables necessary for the feast. The tables only fit if the room is emptied of it's contents. Normally this room serves as our play room. We use it for my office, yoga, martial arts, costuming and reading. It will become the grand dining room by nightfall. The trash comes today so pre-cleaning had to be completed yesterday to make certain we'd have empty trash cans for Thanksgiving day.

How will I do this? It's simple: Mom. Mom can do anything. She's coming over to help me clean. I love her.

Well, it's time to make the final list of chores. Then it's off for a quick 1 hour ride before the holidays begin. It sounds like a lot of work but I'm really excited for tomorrow.

Consolation Prize

This site greeted me as I worked in the lab this morning. The view out my lab window at sunrise is not too shabby. I love living in Florida, hurricanes and all.

As for my trace metal research, it is on hold indefinitely. When the tube broke, sample backed up and spilled all over the place. I've got a few hours of cleaning ahead of me. Cleaning the inside of the instrument is another matter. The only person who can really fix things will be traveling until early December. I can do damage control but the rest must wait.

On the bright side, I've got plenty of time to write, work up some more statistics, and clean my house for the holidays. Maybe my running will get back on track!!!

Quarter of a Million

$250,000 instrument.

$1.00 rubber tube.

Guess what happens when the rubber tube breaks?

Doesn't matter how much argon you have.

ARGON!!!!

The wonderful little plasma forming noble gas has arrived at my lab. Off to finish Friday's work!

MONDAY!!!!

Today's version of Monday was a good example of why it's not my favorite day. Monday involves the long transition from weekend life to weekday life. I had a dream that I was teaching an animal behavior class today but didn't have my powerpoint or class demos ready. A lot of my dreams are like that: it's the last minute and I'm not ready even though I thought I was. Anyway, at 2AM I'm jolted awake. Because I did not get back to sleep until 4 my body took this as a sign that we could wake up whenever it felt ready, for example, 7AM.

7AM! I need to get into the lab super early to call the argon people before the deliveries go out.
Breakfast? Lunch? Long run? Forget it. Note to self: reset the alarm on your watch for 5:30AM. Days like today really challenge my weightloss and fitness schedule. I keep reminding myself that the focus is the dissertation.

Oh yeah, argon. Friday's argon fiasco still hangs over my head. It seems that I needed to order the "ultra high purity argon" cylinder. Good thing I check my emails on the weekend. Good thing that the guy at Airgas covered my back by putting both types of cylinders on the truck, just in case., because my early morning call did not arrive before the deliveries had left. Now I must sit in the lab all day waiting to sign for the argon. Everyone else has left for their Thanksgiving holidays. I'm the only one around. Maybe the delivery will come early enough to catch an easy afternoon pool workout.

Beaujolais Nouveau

What kind of wine lover would I be without a nouveau post in the blog.

For those who don't know, one day every November the French begin exporting beaujolais nouveau. New wine. Fun. Fresh. Think the "cinco de mayo" of wine. Eight weeks ago this stuff was a gamay grape on a vine in Burgundy.

Others say that beaujoulais nouveau is too fresh, not complex enough, and undeveloped. Um. Yeah. Because 8 weeks ago it was a grape on a vine. It is fun. It is a celebration settling with the fog in a French cafe after a long harvest season. It is good times and good friends to start the holidays. No, it won't be a masterpiece in 5 years. It's new. It's life.

Those of you looking for good wine for Thanksgiving wine any Beaujolais is a good choice, especially nouveau. This wine is very fruity and unoffensive, matching every food from my father's smoked fish dip to feta chees with kalamata olives. I enjoy my beaujoulais on the cool side. Drink it with friends and food. You will have a good time.

Simple pleasures

Enough negativity today.

Share popocorn and beaujolais nouveau with the best old dog around. Can you savor life more than that? Think not.

You have to be fucking kidding me

Damn it if my house is not "it the cone" again. Surely Oldman will join me in saying what the fuck? For those of you cold climate people who say that Floridians are weather wimps, imagine planning for a hurricane and THANKSGIVING DINNER in the same week.

Not that I'm bitter. What would be better than my entire family along with all my inlaws at my house 2 days after ahurricane. The house will look lovely.

Just been on of those days.

Yeah, what he said

In those moments of such raw pain and emotion, we get to explore the depths of our character more then anyone else -which is why we take the pain.
- Bob Mina

If you haven't visited Bob's site, you should. He writes for xtri, among other things. His reports are full of great quotes like this.

At least the run was good

Tempo run.

3 miles 34 minutes.

Not bad considering my 5K PR from 2 years ago is about 32 minutes.

I needed a good run to clear the bad vibes from the morning. Now it's time to clean up at the gym. It would be nice to salvage something out of today.

All for not

And now, the argon has run out. Wonder who used is all without telling me. No argon, no plasma, no analysis. I woke up at 4AM for no particular reason. Fabulous.

Off to run!

Early Start

Nothing like a 4AM alarm to start the day. Today is analysis day when all those dissolved fish bits are analyzed for trace metals. Everyone is leaving town for Thanksgiving and of course they need to see the data today. Given that yesterday was full of unexpected obligations, this was the only way to get it all done.

Once the run starts I can head out for MY run.

I wonder how much coffee I can drink before a workout ...

Digestion Diva

Today we have digestions galore. Nothing like dissolving fish tissue in boiling acid. So much fun. The temperature alarm on the old cranky hotblock keeps going off. It believes the hotblock is too hot. This is not the case. The problem is that the temperature sensor is off.

SIGH. Old cranky machinery, boiling acid. The glamors of science.

On the bright side I made both my run and weight workout this AM. Today I have success in 2 of the 3 big areas of my life. And tonight is date night with the husband which will count for area 3! YEAH!

Siren Pillow

It's back. The siren call of the pillow. The magnetic force that keeps me from those morning workouts. A slump in motivation during the off season is normal. Hope it doesn't get worse or last too long.

A swim!

I finally made it to the pool. My new workout schedule allows me to swim when my favorite guard works. She's a senior undergrad working on Radium isotopes as an ocean tracer in Gulf of Mexico waters. Very cool.

Not so cool was my shoulder. Macho girl here tried to manhandle a bag 2 weeks ago. My right shoulder has been none too pleased since then. Rotator cuff. Bothered me again during today's swim when I tried to pick up the pace. So it was a few warm up laps, some easy drills and a cooldown. A mere 1200yds in 30 minutes. That's the way it will be until the shoulder heals.

In sad swimming news, runner-turned-swimmer-girl quit swimming. She told me her story at the gym. One of the guards at the pool gave her an unsolicited critique of her stroke. She became embarasssed and quit. Too bad. Maybe I can talk her back into the water.

Personal Pirate

It's a little late for Halloween but it's my blog.

The happy couple dressed as pirates this year.

The Captain Jack Sparrow costume tuned out rather well.

You never know when a pirate might come in handy.

Staying Focused

This morning held 2 hours worth of fish scaling. If you've never scaled fish, you've missed a fun time. Scales can fling themselves off a fish in such wondrous ways and cover large distances. Not to mention getting stuck in your hair.

Combined with last week's work, two batches of fish are ready to go for digestion and analysis. The only problem is that supplies for the digestion aren't quite lined up yet. SIGH. Even the best laid plans go bad sometimes. It's a bummer but I should have been more on the ball. Time to get going on those supplies.

Still, it is a new week, there is writing to be done and maybe some stable isotope analysis that can get started. No time can be wasted. Must stay focused.

Busy Busy

Friday typifies a busy day in my life. I cancelled my swim so that I could start work in the lab early. There were lots of fish to fillet and I had to get going. Fillet fish, then head home to grab lunch before work at the wine store. Unload the wine delivery from the semi tractor trailer. Only 100 boxes this time but it's not the only delivery on Friday. Two deliverys brought wine to the store. Totally switch gears around 4pm to pour wine for a holiday party on behalf of the wine store. Going from a sweaty mess to wine diva takes a little doing. The party finished around 8. Back to the store to finish up the tasting there. Head home around 10pm. Collapse in bed. Sleep.

Today should be fun. The weather gods granted us a perfect weather day for the local Ribfest. My husband's band will be playing at 1pm and 5pm. It's great exposure for them and we got some free tickets!!! Of course, the ribs and beer are not free but that's not so bad. :) Now it's off for a quick morning ride before getting ready to be "Merchandise Girl" for the band.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Beloved

My husband Joe

More about my fish

I know you are excited to read another post about fish but this is my life. That's why I used to post about my training all the time. The alternative is fish or the minute details of acid digestion chemistry. You pick.

When people say "oooooo, a phd in marine science that must be so cool" they don't picture me standing in my kitchen at 6AM with a sink full of fish, do they? Nor do they understand the absuridty of my barely awakened husband pouring a cup of coffee next to said fish without blinking an eye. No, they think of me running around in a Baywatch bathing suit with Jacques Cousteau or swimming with dolphins in a clear blue sea. Lies. All lies. Lies to lure poor children into science so that we end up contemplating the best method remove fish scales from a kitchen countertop.

And NOW the fish that need filleting (is that a word?), are not frozen enough to fillet. That's the thanks I get after spending a good hour mentally flogging myself to return to the lab rather than bolt for my favorite outdoor eatery on this gorgeous Florida "fall" day.

Bleah.

Which superhero are you?

My husband will love this if he sees it.

You scored as Lara Croft. A thrill-seeking, slightly unscrupulous, tough-as-nails archaeologist, Lara Croft travels the world in search of ancient relics perhaps better left hidden. She packs two Colt .45s and has no fear of jumping off buildings, exploring creepy tombs, or taking on evil meglomaniacs bent on world domination.

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com

Linae vs the Sand Seatrout

Sand Seatrout 5
Linae 0

Yeah, we got spanked on our sampling trip last night. Three experienced fishermen, 2.5 hours in the dark, and I caught a catfish. That was the only fish caught the entire time. And it was cold. If anyone knows how or where to catch Cynoscion arenarius, please email me. Many volumes have been written about the spotted sea trout but I need the sand sea trout.

We've come to the conclusion that we need to hire a guide. Should be expensive.

Strong ending

I did finish a few important tasks today, namely, attempting to scale/fillet the mojarras. You would think that filleting a fish is a rather standard procedure. Not so. Each fish in my study has it's tricks.

Today I learned that scaling large fish in the clean room makes a huge mess. Scales get everywhere, especially when they dry. So, the scaling will be done under normal lab conditions. When it comes time to actually cut the skin, the fish will go back to the clean room.

And I wonder why it takes so long to run samples.

Tonight we go fishing for the mysterious sand sea trout. I need a bunch. Hope we catch them. If we get back early enough, I can scale mojarras again. JOY REN!

Scaling fish

This just in: you can't scale a frozen fish. Gotta wait until it thaws.

Maybe I'll change my blog colors while I wait...

Fog Lifter

As the fog lifts off the bay this morning, the fog clears from my brain. Nothing quite like some coffee and water to get things going again. Time to fillet some fish.

Some days are better than others

Oh the wine tasting was fun last night. Meeting owners or winemakers from different vineyards gives a behind the scenes look at wine. However, the wine tasting was NOT the best thing for my eating plan and some of the wines had residual sugar in them. Can you say hangover? Thank goodness the lab manager can brew coffee in his office. I NEED more coffee in a desperate way.

It was all I could do to drag my butt out of bed. My well planned trainer workout turned into a "just show up" ride on Fujisawa. The HRM and bike computer tell the bitter truth: 13.5mph average, HR 130.

On top of it all my left leg hurts. Quad and hamstring. Why? All I did was run 2 miles and lift easy weights at the gym. Sure, I did squats for the first time but nothing hurt after the workout. What the heck?

Enough whining. It's time to salvage the day by improving my average worst day.

Thank you

Thanks to everyone who commented on my recent successes. Your words mean a lot to me.

Life continues along it's new path. Shifting priorities make me a little nervous but things are going well. My training plan will undergo major remodelling as I try to make room for The Big Guy in my life. The cool thing about God is that He is always there for me. The success of my half IM and weight loss showed me that He makes my needs a priority even when I don't return the favor. I'm trying to fix that by making Sunday my rest day. Work still calls on Sunday but no training mean there is time to make the drive to church in the morning. I don't have to. I want to.

Other training goals fall into place by shifting the rest day to Sunday. I can separate my long bike and long run by a few days. Three weight workouts a week become possible and I can swim when my favorite lifeguard is at the pool. Funny how things workout when we put first things first.

A step back in time

With the end of the weight loss challenge, I spent the weekend wallowing in the old habits. Yummy chicken wings. Savoring wine. Eating out at restaurants with few healthy offerings. Snacking on tasty cheese.

Sunday evening brought the realization we knew would come: while I still love my chicken wings and beer, my red burgundy, and those flavorful pasta dishes, I don't miss them as much as I thought. They don't bring as much "fun" as they used to bring.

Back to the "eat smart" plan for me. Treats are always there for me. When I really want them, I'll have them. But they are tourists in my eating plan, not natives.

Yeah Nancy

Congratulations to Nancy who finished the New York City Marathon today with bajillions of people on a challenging course. You GO girl!

GO NANCY!

This weekend, Nancy will head for the New York City Marathon. Best of luck, Nancy and have a great time. I'll be watching you online!!!

Another success

As Nancy mentioned, I won the TRI Dead Loser Challenge this week. Over the course of the challenge I lost 22 pounds and 9% body fat. That translates into 10 inches from my waist, hips, and thighs. And the best is yet to come. Since I'm on a roll, the next step is to keep on the weight loss train. The Athena category will become a memory in 4 more pounds. I'd like to get down to the 130-135 range. That puts me in the healthy weight range for my height (5' 2.5"). Sure, I need to lose another 20 pounds for that to happen but I never thought I'd lose 22 pounds.

Here are a few before and after shots

Disney 2004 marathon photos
Florida Challenge Half Ironman 2005

I have a long winded post about this but it will wait until later.

A beautiful thing

WOOHOO! The Data Analysis function is working in Excel. No more programming the t-statistic into worksheets by hand. YIPEEE!!

And, some of the data are significant. Sure, it's all preliminary with a small sample size. Sure, it raises more questions than it answers but they are real statistics from my data.

And it takes a lot less time.

YEAH!