Happy New Year to all my fellow bloggers. Today was a good day in the lab, if a bad day for workouts. Now is the time in the show for the...party!
Let's make 2006 the best we can. Who knows what tomorrow holds!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
2006 Goals: What I want
What I want in 2006:
Finish my dissertation by May. If that proves impossibe, get an extension that will allow me to finish by December of 2006. If all fails, find a new career.
Lose another 20 pounds. That would put my weight in the official healthy weight range from someone of my age and height. Whenever I plan to lose weight, it doesn't happen (see 2005) but I'm going to really try!
Be a better wife to my husband. More supportive. More understanding. More fun.
Train the best I can on 7-8 hours of workouts a week. Get faster if possible.
Race safe.
Have fun.
Survive to see 2007.
Finish my dissertation by May. If that proves impossibe, get an extension that will allow me to finish by December of 2006. If all fails, find a new career.
Lose another 20 pounds. That would put my weight in the official healthy weight range from someone of my age and height. Whenever I plan to lose weight, it doesn't happen (see 2005) but I'm going to really try!
Be a better wife to my husband. More supportive. More understanding. More fun.
Train the best I can on 7-8 hours of workouts a week. Get faster if possible.
Race safe.
Have fun.
Survive to see 2007.
2005 Goals: Now and Then
At the end of 2004, I wrote....
There are big athletic goals that I must face without the help of my coach, big academic goals that rest squarely on my shoulders, and financial obligations that must be met. I don't want to talk about it. I just want to do it and I'm already on my way.
My 2005 New Year's Resolutions are:Savor LifeAppreciate one great part of my life every day rather than waste time/money/calories on mediocre small scale happenings. Focus on larger events.
The way the year unfolded:
I finished the Florida Challenge Half Ironman without the help of a coach AND without any major injury, something I did not believe could happen.
Major weight loss was not a goal as much as moving focus away from food and onto other things. However, by making food a focus (thanks to the TRIDRS weight loss challenge), major weight loss happened. It feels fantastic.
My dissertation has progressed in many ways. Not as quickly as I needed it to mvoe but I'm far, far, away from where I sat last year. My topic has taken a major turn. I'm under an arbitrary dealine but I have more data than ever before.
Overall, the year was a success filled with many expected and unexpected changes. I still need to take more time to savor life but I'm still around to try again tomorrow so I cannot complain.
There are big athletic goals that I must face without the help of my coach, big academic goals that rest squarely on my shoulders, and financial obligations that must be met. I don't want to talk about it. I just want to do it and I'm already on my way.
My 2005 New Year's Resolutions are:Savor LifeAppreciate one great part of my life every day rather than waste time/money/calories on mediocre small scale happenings. Focus on larger events.
The way the year unfolded:
I finished the Florida Challenge Half Ironman without the help of a coach AND without any major injury, something I did not believe could happen.
Major weight loss was not a goal as much as moving focus away from food and onto other things. However, by making food a focus (thanks to the TRIDRS weight loss challenge), major weight loss happened. It feels fantastic.
My dissertation has progressed in many ways. Not as quickly as I needed it to mvoe but I'm far, far, away from where I sat last year. My topic has taken a major turn. I'm under an arbitrary dealine but I have more data than ever before.
Overall, the year was a success filled with many expected and unexpected changes. I still need to take more time to savor life but I'm still around to try again tomorrow so I cannot complain.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Happy Birthday Mom
Happy Birthday to Mom! She always gets screwed by people spending maybe $5 extra dollars on her Christmas gift and calling it a combined holiday/birthday gift. It's terrible. She can't help being born 2 days after Christmas.
Not this year. She got to ride on an airboat around Florida's swamps today. Soon, we're off to dinner. We have adults only tonight. Could be quite the party!
Not this year. She got to ride on an airboat around Florida's swamps today. Soon, we're off to dinner. We have adults only tonight. Could be quite the party!
Last few days of the holidaze
With the BIG Christmas Day behind me, it's time to focus on the last few days of 2005. Lots of items rest on my things to do list, both work and personal. With family in town and a birthday coming up, this will be a challenging day!
Best of luck to everyone out there!
Best of luck to everyone out there!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
And it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth....
Merry Christmas from one of the happiest, most blest triathletes just out there spreading the good, my dearest husband and the rest of the Zoo: Nikki (wonderdog, queen of the universe), Orion the Nanday and Kayko the Love Bird.
Merry Christmas from one of the happiest, most blest triathletes just out there spreading the good, my dearest husband and the rest of the Zoo: Nikki (wonderdog, queen of the universe), Orion the Nanday and Kayko the Love Bird.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Spread the Good
Today will be 12 hours of selling wine and moving 50lb boxes of champagne.
I'm going to spread the good. Santa hat and everything.
How did you spread the good today?
I'm going to spread the good. Santa hat and everything.
How did you spread the good today?
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Spread the Good
I saw two interesting cars on my way into work today. One was covered in bumper stickers like "No one Died when Clinton lied", "Jesus was a liberal", and the now famous Darwin fish. The other car was a huge SUV with a yellow "Support our Troops" sticker, "Bush in '04" and a large bumper sticker the showed a Christmas Manger scene.
What do these 2 cars have in common? Both of their drivers cut me off in traffic. I don't mean merged into traffic. I mean quasi road rage speeding around with barely inches to spare from my bumper.
This reminded me that, short of natural disasters, the reason there is anger in the world and bad in the world is that some people are jerks. My driving incident shows that it doesn't matter if they are a "tree hugging liberal" or a "religious conservative". Jerks are embedded in every philosophy, country or culture in the world. Bad does not come from the liberal media undermining moral values. Or organized religion.
While it's satisfying (and convenient) to vilify one group as the source of the worlds problems, I can't. I know there are more good people than bad. I'm making it my personal mission over the next to few days to spread some good. No, not by giving money to a worthy cause. Something harder than giving away money with no personal change. By smiling at those overworked retail cashiers, letting go of those irritating drivers, sending out Christmas cards to friends, leaving my personal baggage at home and treating people the way I want to be treated.
Spread the good, people!
What do these 2 cars have in common? Both of their drivers cut me off in traffic. I don't mean merged into traffic. I mean quasi road rage speeding around with barely inches to spare from my bumper.
This reminded me that, short of natural disasters, the reason there is anger in the world and bad in the world is that some people are jerks. My driving incident shows that it doesn't matter if they are a "tree hugging liberal" or a "religious conservative". Jerks are embedded in every philosophy, country or culture in the world. Bad does not come from the liberal media undermining moral values. Or organized religion.
While it's satisfying (and convenient) to vilify one group as the source of the worlds problems, I can't. I know there are more good people than bad. I'm making it my personal mission over the next to few days to spread some good. No, not by giving money to a worthy cause. Something harder than giving away money with no personal change. By smiling at those overworked retail cashiers, letting go of those irritating drivers, sending out Christmas cards to friends, leaving my personal baggage at home and treating people the way I want to be treated.
Spread the good, people!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
One Word: Revisted
Thanks to everyone who responded to my "One Word" tag. Here is what we have to say. It didn't have to be that hard, people...I wasn't asking for your New Year's Resolutions for heaven's sake...
Quick Note
This morning's trainer ride passed without incident. Today starts 7 days of recovery which translated into a shorter, slightly easier workout. This gave me lots of time to look around my house, see all the housework that sits unfinished, obsess about lab work which is unfinished, and all the holiday things I WANT to do but may not be accomplished due to the previous items. SIGH.
However, I CAN post a graphic to bring me a little holiday cheer.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Last long run before Disney
Today's run was my last long run before the Disney half marathon. I ran according to my race plan. 3 miles at 70% HRM max, 3 miles at 85% HRM max, 3 miles all out. Normally, I prefer to run 10-12 miles before a half but my half IM recovery overlapped with the half marathon build. No worries because today's stats are:
9 miles, 1:43:12, 11:28/mile average pace.
With a little luck I'll break 2:40 at the half marathon distance. On race day I'll run 5 miles at 70%, 5 miles at 85%, then leave all I have out on the course for the last 5K.
Crossing my fingers, wishing upon at star, etc.
9 miles, 1:43:12, 11:28/mile average pace.
With a little luck I'll break 2:40 at the half marathon distance. On race day I'll run 5 miles at 70%, 5 miles at 85%, then leave all I have out on the course for the last 5K.
Crossing my fingers, wishing upon at star, etc.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Coffeeeeeeeeee
I NEED some coffee right now. Serious need. No one is around and the cafeteria is closed. This has been a tough day.
Gray day
Today is quite the miserable mix of cold, rainy, and cloudy. I'm in the lab trying to catch up on sample prep. The only problem is that I can't wake up. This will be a long day. Hopefully the rest of you are outside right now getting in those weekend workouts.
Friday, December 16, 2005
5 things
Jeanne has tagged me. The idea is to list 5 things you may not know about me. I guess I'm not that interesting. This is hard. Here goes.
1) I've hiked over 250 miles in the Appalachian Mountains, from the southernmost point of the Appalachian Trail through Smokey Mountains National Park (including rocky Top Tennessee). I did this during the summers over a 4 year period before I started high school. My longest continuous hike was 100 miles over 6 days. SO, if you need to start a fire after 4 days of rain, let me know.
2) My Spanish is pretty darn good. My parents paid for Spanish tutoring when I entered 4th grade. For my high school senior thesis I wrote a 15 page paper in Spanish comparing the literary styles of Horacio Quiroga and Edgar Allen Poe. Then I went to college in Miami. My speaking skills are a little rusty but I still read and write fluently.
3) I've studied 4 different styles of martial arts but have yet to earn rank. I get fed up with the macho attitude of the instructors. My longest stints were Aikido (6 months, broke my collar bone 4 weeks before our test) and Shotokan Karate (4 months, left right before the rank exam).
4) My past science experience includes volunteering as a dolphin trainer and marine mammal rescue tech.
5) I am phobically scared of bees, wasps, and their kin, however, they LOVE me. Bees and wasps will fly across our yard to land on me. Just ask my husband. It's not funny.
1) I've hiked over 250 miles in the Appalachian Mountains, from the southernmost point of the Appalachian Trail through Smokey Mountains National Park (including rocky Top Tennessee). I did this during the summers over a 4 year period before I started high school. My longest continuous hike was 100 miles over 6 days. SO, if you need to start a fire after 4 days of rain, let me know.
2) My Spanish is pretty darn good. My parents paid for Spanish tutoring when I entered 4th grade. For my high school senior thesis I wrote a 15 page paper in Spanish comparing the literary styles of Horacio Quiroga and Edgar Allen Poe. Then I went to college in Miami. My speaking skills are a little rusty but I still read and write fluently.
3) I've studied 4 different styles of martial arts but have yet to earn rank. I get fed up with the macho attitude of the instructors. My longest stints were Aikido (6 months, broke my collar bone 4 weeks before our test) and Shotokan Karate (4 months, left right before the rank exam).
4) My past science experience includes volunteering as a dolphin trainer and marine mammal rescue tech.
5) I am phobically scared of bees, wasps, and their kin, however, they LOVE me. Bees and wasps will fly across our yard to land on me. Just ask my husband. It's not funny.
Kayak in the stream
Thank you to everyone who offered encouragement yesterday. I appreciate it. Life can be such a raging river sometimes. I'm stuck in the river and I can't swim against the current. Rather than sink in desperation, I've started to see myself in a kayak. Sure, I'm still in the river but I can dodge and move with the current, making some pleasant stops along the shore at times until I reach the final goal. That particular imagery works for today. :)
And on to more practical things. This weekend will involve, you guessed it, filleting tiny fish!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!! You're excited, I know. Also on deck for the weekend is the acid washing of many digestion tubes and drying of said tiny fish fillets. Next week will be a full court press of analyses.
Today I ran 4 miles easy. 48:38. The left knee had no complaints but the hamstring still protests. It's of the opinion that we need those weekly strength training sessions. It would like them back sooner than later. What a fine idea! To bad I'm not full of free time right now, you know? The wind blew something fierce today. My heart rate would go up 3-4 beats per minute when I ran into the wind. It was also chilly enough to call for a sweatshirt. I'm a cold weather wimp, I admit it. 86F and humid is FINE with me, although, I do enjoy the extra speed that cold weather brings.
Finally, my dear husband has asked me to set up a training program for him. I was shocked! Pleasantly shocked but still shocked. He appreciates my athletic endeavors but this is the first time he recognized that some of the things I learned might crossover into his goals. He's looking to increase strength and get lean. Now, he doesn't have weight to lose (5'11, 170lbs). Particularly, he wants to head off the lower back pain he's experiencing and get 6 pack abs. I told him the key is consistency and that I'd expect him do aerobic work as well. He and I can meet at the University gym after work. We'll see how it goes with Coach Linae. :)
And on to more practical things. This weekend will involve, you guessed it, filleting tiny fish!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!! You're excited, I know. Also on deck for the weekend is the acid washing of many digestion tubes and drying of said tiny fish fillets. Next week will be a full court press of analyses.
Today I ran 4 miles easy. 48:38. The left knee had no complaints but the hamstring still protests. It's of the opinion that we need those weekly strength training sessions. It would like them back sooner than later. What a fine idea! To bad I'm not full of free time right now, you know? The wind blew something fierce today. My heart rate would go up 3-4 beats per minute when I ran into the wind. It was also chilly enough to call for a sweatshirt. I'm a cold weather wimp, I admit it. 86F and humid is FINE with me, although, I do enjoy the extra speed that cold weather brings.
Finally, my dear husband has asked me to set up a training program for him. I was shocked! Pleasantly shocked but still shocked. He appreciates my athletic endeavors but this is the first time he recognized that some of the things I learned might crossover into his goals. He's looking to increase strength and get lean. Now, he doesn't have weight to lose (5'11, 170lbs). Particularly, he wants to head off the lower back pain he's experiencing and get 6 pack abs. I told him the key is consistency and that I'd expect him do aerobic work as well. He and I can meet at the University gym after work. We'll see how it goes with Coach Linae. :)
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Sudden business
Why must all deadlines suddenly converge before Christmas? Why?
Due to equipment failures in the lab, I'm behind in my analyses. I wanted to be done at the end of September, then it was October, then by Dec 1, now I'm praying to be done before Friday of next week. Then, we finally worked out an agreement to run my samples for stable isotopes. You got it, it has to be done soon while there is free time on their mass spec. ACK! That along with extra time at work due to the holidays and a lack of Christmas gift money until I get paid Dec 23rd makes me a little stressed out.
I love Christmas but I want time to savor decorating my tree. Shopping with my Santa hat is fun. Looks like Santa hat day will be December 24th for this elf.
Due to equipment failures in the lab, I'm behind in my analyses. I wanted to be done at the end of September, then it was October, then by Dec 1, now I'm praying to be done before Friday of next week. Then, we finally worked out an agreement to run my samples for stable isotopes. You got it, it has to be done soon while there is free time on their mass spec. ACK! That along with extra time at work due to the holidays and a lack of Christmas gift money until I get paid Dec 23rd makes me a little stressed out.
I love Christmas but I want time to savor decorating my tree. Shopping with my Santa hat is fun. Looks like Santa hat day will be December 24th for this elf.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Starving
Wow am I hungry. Could be that 7.5 mile run from this morning. Long workouts on the weekends are no problem because my schedule is open to the demands of my stomach. If I get hungry later on Saturday, I make a sandwich or visit my favorite local pub for a snack. In the lab I'm limited by the food I bring with me. The campus cafeteria leaves a little to be desired.
I've already eaten lunch but I'm still hungry. This could get dicey by the end of the day. Linae without food is kinda cranky.
That being said the run went very well. 7.5 miles in 1:27:20. I started with a 13-12:30 pace, building to a much faster pace during the last 2 miles. I'm trying to train like I will race. My last long run will be Monday. Again, I will start slow with 13 minute miles, building through the middle miles until I run hard the last 2. My left knee and hamstring are not convinced this is entirely necessary. They only complain at the end of the run but their comments will be given serious consideration during the next few days. More than likely I will ride easy on the trainer tomorrow and back off on Friday's tempo run. Typing things like "start slow with 13 minute miles" is still strange to me but I'm getting used to it. :)
But I'm still hungry. This little apple and tiny orange will not cut it. I'll try the "drink a glass of water" trick but it probably won't help.
I've already eaten lunch but I'm still hungry. This could get dicey by the end of the day. Linae without food is kinda cranky.
That being said the run went very well. 7.5 miles in 1:27:20. I started with a 13-12:30 pace, building to a much faster pace during the last 2 miles. I'm trying to train like I will race. My last long run will be Monday. Again, I will start slow with 13 minute miles, building through the middle miles until I run hard the last 2. My left knee and hamstring are not convinced this is entirely necessary. They only complain at the end of the run but their comments will be given serious consideration during the next few days. More than likely I will ride easy on the trainer tomorrow and back off on Friday's tempo run. Typing things like "start slow with 13 minute miles" is still strange to me but I'm getting used to it. :)
But I'm still hungry. This little apple and tiny orange will not cut it. I'll try the "drink a glass of water" trick but it probably won't help.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
One word for 2006
Kurt on TRIDRS asked: What word are you looking to describe your 2006 season?
My one word: Speed
2006 goals: My schedule won't allow me to train for long distance races so my goal is to swim/bike/run faster, especially my run. I'm a little worried because speed work can lead to injury. The overall plan is to train smart and continue to lose weight. The long term goal is to set some serious PRs. It's ambitious but my weightloss from the TRIDRS challenge has already dropped my long run pace about 2 minutes. Another 20 pounds along with consistent speed work should make it possible. Add in some pool work with the local triathlon swim coach and it might be possible.
Race goals:
5K: sub 30 minutes (current PR is 34 minutes)
10K: sub 65 minutes (new distance)
40K time trial: I'm the rider for my St. Anthony's relay team. We'll see how I do.
Half Marathon: 2:45 in January, 2:35 by December (current PR 2:58)
Olympic Distance: get very close to 3 hours (current PR ~3:30), get close to 30 minutes for the swim.
Next? I tag Nancy, Oldman, Holly, Flatman, Karen, Dawn, IronBenny, Nytro, Partyrunner, and Bolder. Everyone else is welcome to join in. I got tired of typing in all those links.
My one word: Speed
2006 goals: My schedule won't allow me to train for long distance races so my goal is to swim/bike/run faster, especially my run. I'm a little worried because speed work can lead to injury. The overall plan is to train smart and continue to lose weight. The long term goal is to set some serious PRs. It's ambitious but my weightloss from the TRIDRS challenge has already dropped my long run pace about 2 minutes. Another 20 pounds along with consistent speed work should make it possible. Add in some pool work with the local triathlon swim coach and it might be possible.
Race goals:
5K: sub 30 minutes (current PR is 34 minutes)
10K: sub 65 minutes (new distance)
40K time trial: I'm the rider for my St. Anthony's relay team. We'll see how I do.
Half Marathon: 2:45 in January, 2:35 by December (current PR 2:58)
Olympic Distance: get very close to 3 hours (current PR ~3:30), get close to 30 minutes for the swim.
Next? I tag Nancy, Oldman, Holly, Flatman, Karen, Dawn, IronBenny, Nytro, Partyrunner, and Bolder. Everyone else is welcome to join in. I got tired of typing in all those links.
Trying Again
We'll see how the ICPMS runs today when I run the samples from last week. The whole start-stop-start-sprint-halt thing is getting me down. Could all my instruments work for 2 more weeks, please?
Another trainer workout today. Insert my comments from the last 2 weeks here. It's done. It counts.
Tonight my part time job holds a champagne tasting. The good news is that I love chapmagne. The bad news is that it's hard to lose weight and work in a wine store, especially around the holidays. Looks like I'll be racing athena for Disney after all. It's not that I'm gaining weight but it leaves at the rate of a pound per month rather than a pound per week. Kinda depressing but that's life.
Another trainer workout today. Insert my comments from the last 2 weeks here. It's done. It counts.
Tonight my part time job holds a champagne tasting. The good news is that I love chapmagne. The bad news is that it's hard to lose weight and work in a wine store, especially around the holidays. Looks like I'll be racing athena for Disney after all. It's not that I'm gaining weight but it leaves at the rate of a pound per month rather than a pound per week. Kinda depressing but that's life.
Monday, December 12, 2005
It's about danm time
If you have not seen it, please visit:
http://www.happynews.com/
We're all glued to the bad,bad,bad on the evening news. Bad news sells but there are so many good things in the world. Don't miss them.
http://www.happynews.com/
We're all glued to the bad,bad,bad on the evening news. Bad news sells but there are so many good things in the world. Don't miss them.
Happy Parts of the Day
The service tech decided that since he can't replicate the problem, he can't justify replacing the sensor. Forget about the overfull error message file from Wednesday. Nope, he tested the water flow. Water is flowing so there is no problem right?
Whatever.
On the bright side, I ran this morning. It was much easier to run this morning than my previous Monday runs. The only catch was the severe gastrointestinal distress that beset me around mile 2. Thank goodness I've been using a 3 mile loop for my long runs. I made it to the bathroom in time but continuing the run was rejected by my lower intestine. This means I need to attempt my long run Wednesday morning.
On the other bright side is that CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!! I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. I love dressing up in my Santa hat when I shop for Christmas gifts, the happy music, the special church services, decorating the tree, and posting Christmas images to my blog.
Whatever.
On the bright side, I ran this morning. It was much easier to run this morning than my previous Monday runs. The only catch was the severe gastrointestinal distress that beset me around mile 2. Thank goodness I've been using a 3 mile loop for my long runs. I made it to the bathroom in time but continuing the run was rejected by my lower intestine. This means I need to attempt my long run Wednesday morning.
On the other bright side is that CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!! I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. I love dressing up in my Santa hat when I shop for Christmas gifts, the happy music, the special church services, decorating the tree, and posting Christmas images to my blog.
Continued road blocks
The ICPMS service tech arrived today. The company shiped every part he needs to repair the machine EXCEPT the one that he believes is broken. SIGH.
The last few days were split between work at my part time job and home improvement. Specifically, we removed the carpet from our back room. Stains on the concrete dashed my hopes of staining the concrete but we are going to paint it with garage epoxy followed by sprinkled paint chips to create a faux terrazzo look. The rest of the house has terrazzo floors so it should look cool when we are done.
We were supposed to finish the project last night except that it rained all day yesterday. It's not advisable to paint concrete on really damp days because the moisture could keep the paint from bonding properly. Having spent Friday and Saturday scraping, washing, rinsing, and patching concrete holes, I AM NOT painting the floor only to have it peel up in a month.
This means we won't get to the great painting project until Wednesday. Wednesday is the only night Joe and I have together this week until Saturday. Just what I want to do on my "date night". Oh well.
My workouts did not go as planned. Saturday I woke up too late for the group ride so I spent 2 hours washing the concrete on the backroom floor with TSP to prep it for painting on Sunday.
So much for 2 perfect weeks.
The last few days were split between work at my part time job and home improvement. Specifically, we removed the carpet from our back room. Stains on the concrete dashed my hopes of staining the concrete but we are going to paint it with garage epoxy followed by sprinkled paint chips to create a faux terrazzo look. The rest of the house has terrazzo floors so it should look cool when we are done.
We were supposed to finish the project last night except that it rained all day yesterday. It's not advisable to paint concrete on really damp days because the moisture could keep the paint from bonding properly. Having spent Friday and Saturday scraping, washing, rinsing, and patching concrete holes, I AM NOT painting the floor only to have it peel up in a month.
This means we won't get to the great painting project until Wednesday. Wednesday is the only night Joe and I have together this week until Saturday. Just what I want to do on my "date night". Oh well.
My workouts did not go as planned. Saturday I woke up too late for the group ride so I spent 2 hours washing the concrete on the backroom floor with TSP to prep it for painting on Sunday.
So much for 2 perfect weeks.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Still no plasma
SIGH. The service technician for our region is in Puerto Rico. The earliest he could return would be tomorrow. More than likely, it will be Monday before he can look at the instrument. This was easier right before Thanksgiving when I had a million things to do when the ICPMS broke. Now I'm making a new plan that creates blocks of free time in the future. For example, maybe I can clean the floor in the back room tonight so we can paint it Saturday. That would free up next Saturday if I need to run samples. Stuff like that. Trying to stay positive.
Another trainer workout is on the books. That's the best thing I can say about it. Thank goodness for my Ipod Shuffle. With a little luck and motivation I'll make all my workouts this week which would mean 2 weeks of 100% workouts. Next week I'm going to lure my husband to thy gym so that we can add weights back into the schedule.
Another trainer workout is on the books. That's the best thing I can say about it. Thank goodness for my Ipod Shuffle. With a little luck and motivation I'll make all my workouts this week which would mean 2 weeks of 100% workouts. Next week I'm going to lure my husband to thy gym so that we can add weights back into the schedule.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Shoes!!!!
As posted previously, I got new running shoes last night. The Asics GT-2100. It came in 2 color schemes, pink and blue, so I bought one of each.
Have you ever noticed that runners are funny about their shoes. Funny to the point of obsession. I am no exception. I know which shoes work for me. Three marathons, an ultramarathon, several half marathons, plus that half IM have shown me the shoe that works day in day out, year after year. Yet it never ceases to amaze me that the salesperson always tries to talk me into another shoe. They ask me which shoe they can get for me. I tell them. Then they say something stupid. This year it was: "Wouldn't you rather have this shoe that has more gel padding?". I stare at him. "No because I need stability in my shoe, not just cushioning." He nervously looks away, confused. Last time it was someone who worked as a prison guard and stands all day on her shoes trying to convince me that she knew a better running shoe for me. Did she run? No, but she plays basketball. Or the person who works for a running specific store who told me runners always make the mistake of buying shoes that are too big for them. She talked me into a smaller size resulting in one of the most painful blister laden races of my life.
The thing is, Asics 2100 or 1100 worked for me when I weighed 182. They work for me now. No blisters. No injuries. The implications of trying a new shoe could be devastating AND I'm out $90-120 because they always SAY they'll take the shoe back but they will do everything they can to weasel out of a return.
But back to my new shoes. I'm not a big fan of pink but the new shoes have enough black on them that they are cool. Plus, my upcoming half marathon will be my first ever PR "I'm not amazed that I can finish a half marathon I'm going for speed" attempt. The pink reminds me of my early days as a Penguin Runner. It's not that I've graduated from Penguindom but a lot has changed since those early days. The pink color shows me my roots.
Morning Check In
Workouts are going well this week. Today I ran 4 miles of intervals in 43:40. Some of the half mile splits were 9 minute miles which makes me happy. One of these days I'll have to run a 5K again.
Yesterday the mass spec went down, again. This time it's more serious. Maybe the detector, cooling water problems or a bad sensor. Either way, there was no data run yesterday. This is very discouraging. It's hard to be motivated the way it is but when I push through the lethargy and distractions, I want results. Not so yesterday.
So, my dearest husband took me out to dinner at one of our old haunts. Not a healthy choice but it was fun. Then we shopped for new shoes. I found a buy one get one 50% off sale on the Asics 2100 that I love so much. Even with the discount, running shoes are expensive. New shoes means I can't buy new wheels for my bike but my riding is pretty minimal this winter. My knees need the shoes. I don't go cheap.
Well, the coffee is brewed. Time to start another day.
Yesterday the mass spec went down, again. This time it's more serious. Maybe the detector, cooling water problems or a bad sensor. Either way, there was no data run yesterday. This is very discouraging. It's hard to be motivated the way it is but when I push through the lethargy and distractions, I want results. Not so yesterday.
So, my dearest husband took me out to dinner at one of our old haunts. Not a healthy choice but it was fun. Then we shopped for new shoes. I found a buy one get one 50% off sale on the Asics 2100 that I love so much. Even with the discount, running shoes are expensive. New shoes means I can't buy new wheels for my bike but my riding is pretty minimal this winter. My knees need the shoes. I don't go cheap.
Well, the coffee is brewed. Time to start another day.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Gray Day
Today's weather leaves me unmotivated. Cold, windy, enough clouds to make everything look depressed. My sister in Maine says the weather is the same up there, only the high is closer to 30 instead of 65 so I shut up. :)
The trainer workout felt really good early this morning. I still don't enjoy riding the trainer but it fits well into my schedule and forces me to work on drills that I would skip in an outdoor ride. My new Ipod Shuffle helps. The tunes carry me through. Even with the early wake up, I fell behind schedule forcing me to skip breakfast. My morning appointments drug on until 11:00 which meant my stomach was about to blink the "Warning: Empty!" light by the time I reached the lab. Now after some lunch and other menial tasks, I face an afternoon of sample preparation and an analysis run that will go late. Oh well. Gotta get the data. The dissertation needs to be the priority.
But it's gray out which makes life seem so...blah.
The trainer workout felt really good early this morning. I still don't enjoy riding the trainer but it fits well into my schedule and forces me to work on drills that I would skip in an outdoor ride. My new Ipod Shuffle helps. The tunes carry me through. Even with the early wake up, I fell behind schedule forcing me to skip breakfast. My morning appointments drug on until 11:00 which meant my stomach was about to blink the "Warning: Empty!" light by the time I reached the lab. Now after some lunch and other menial tasks, I face an afternoon of sample preparation and an analysis run that will go late. Oh well. Gotta get the data. The dissertation needs to be the priority.
But it's gray out which makes life seem so...blah.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Fastest 6 miles
Well, they are the fastest 6 miles I've ever run. As a child runner, I ran faster but I never ran more than 5Ks. This morning, I ran 6 miles in 1:15. That's a new speed record for me. The best part is that I kept my HR in the 70% effort most of the time. Nice. Very nice. If I can maintain that pace for 13.1 miles, I will blow away my old half marathon PR. Well see what a little more training and speedwork will do.
Of course, I come back to the house all proud of myself to find my husband staring at the door with worry. You see, I woke up late today. Rather than skip the long run, I dedicated myself to completing the run even though I would need to stay later in the lab. That means I casually walked back to the house a little after 9AM, long after my husband woke up. Long after he started to worry, called my cel phone (on the charger at the house), checked to see if I had ridden my bike to work (in the garage), and set a deadline of 9:30 before he started driving around the block looking for me. Poor guy. I am usually Miss Early, returning from all but the longest workouts before 8:30. He's so sweet. So, we both arrived late to "work". Maybe next time I'll leave a note with the time I left on it.
Well, it's time to check the precious little samples in the digestion block. Hope all is well in blogland!
Of course, I come back to the house all proud of myself to find my husband staring at the door with worry. You see, I woke up late today. Rather than skip the long run, I dedicated myself to completing the run even though I would need to stay later in the lab. That means I casually walked back to the house a little after 9AM, long after my husband woke up. Long after he started to worry, called my cel phone (on the charger at the house), checked to see if I had ridden my bike to work (in the garage), and set a deadline of 9:30 before he started driving around the block looking for me. Poor guy. I am usually Miss Early, returning from all but the longest workouts before 8:30. He's so sweet. So, we both arrived late to "work". Maybe next time I'll leave a note with the time I left on it.
Well, it's time to check the precious little samples in the digestion block. Hope all is well in blogland!
World's Shortest Personality Test
I love this stuff, especially when I'm doing digestions in the lab. What else can I get done in 10 minute intervals?
| Your Personality Profile |
 For you, comfort and calm are very important.You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection.You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong. |
Friday, December 02, 2005
Rays of hope
After spending yesterday trying to figure out the problem, my dearest husband was able to scavenge the control box from the "spare parts" hotblock we have. Today, I'm putting the control unit through the paces to see if it works. So far so good. I could be back on track Monday.
No one called me back from Westco Scientific, by the way. If I need another digestion machine, I will not use their company.
Today's tempo run went very well. That's 5 for 5 workouts. Hopefully the stress relief will help my weight loss get back on track as well as refresh my perspective on research. I need to stay focused. I need to make progress.
No one called me back from Westco Scientific, by the way. If I need another digestion machine, I will not use their company.
Today's tempo run went very well. That's 5 for 5 workouts. Hopefully the stress relief will help my weight loss get back on track as well as refresh my perspective on research. I need to stay focused. I need to make progress.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Champagne
Whether or not these words were spoken by their supposed authors doesn't matter. They strike a chord.
In victory, you deserve Champagne, in defeat, you need it. --Napoleon
And after a second devastating equipment failure in the lab, I sit on the defeat side of that statement. There is chocolate involved, of course, a nice little chocolate hazelnut cookie that my dearest husband saved for me.
Which brings me to my post. Champagne gets a bad rap. Most people hate it. But when have you tasted it? Probably the $1.50 bottle the caterer charges $15.00 for at a wedding, or worse, a company party. In most cases, that is not champagne.
If you want to get all technical about it, champagne comes ONLY from the Champagne region of France. Period. It's legal and everything. Everything else is called sparkling wine. Other countries have versions called prosecco or cava but unless is comes from the Champagne region of France, it is not champagne. In the USA many use champagne to refer to all sparkling wines but other countries would take offense.
Lily Bollinger was asked "When do you drink champagne?", and replied:I only drink champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty.
I've worked in a wine store for a year now. One thing I learned is that I LOVE sparkling wines. Champagne, cava, prosecco, the name does not stop me. It matches every food, every occasion. Worried about what to serve with your appetizers? Main course? Fish? Spicy food? Sparkling wine. Had a great day, a bad day or another case of the Mondays? Sparkling wine. My point? Sparkling wine is an every day wine, not a holiday wine or "special occasion" beverage. The Pacific Echo brut matched perfectly with my turkey black bean pumpkin chili tonight (recipe available on request).
Some sparklings are sweet, others have a hint of sweet, and some are "unsweet". Sparkling wine has it's own confusing terminology for this. As long as you know your preferred level of sugar, your local wine diva can help you. I'll stick to the California versions because they are pretty affordable around the holidays. If you hate those "unsweet" sparklings, try the Mumm Napa Cuvee "M" . The bottle has a beautiful blue label with a big M on it. Enough sugar to appease the sweet toothes but enough substance to appease an "unsweet" lover like myself. Mumm Napa makes great wines of all sweetness. If you like "unsweet", their Brut Prestige or Blanc de Noirs are very enjoyable and affordable. Want something really sweet? Banfi makes Rosa Regale. Beautiful red color. Full berry flavor. Try it.
That's it for my unqualified ramblings about wine. Sparkling wines are very cool. You could spend years learning about them.
In victory, you deserve Champagne, in defeat, you need it. --Napoleon
And after a second devastating equipment failure in the lab, I sit on the defeat side of that statement. There is chocolate involved, of course, a nice little chocolate hazelnut cookie that my dearest husband saved for me.
Which brings me to my post. Champagne gets a bad rap. Most people hate it. But when have you tasted it? Probably the $1.50 bottle the caterer charges $15.00 for at a wedding, or worse, a company party. In most cases, that is not champagne.
If you want to get all technical about it, champagne comes ONLY from the Champagne region of France. Period. It's legal and everything. Everything else is called sparkling wine. Other countries have versions called prosecco or cava but unless is comes from the Champagne region of France, it is not champagne. In the USA many use champagne to refer to all sparkling wines but other countries would take offense.
Lily Bollinger was asked "When do you drink champagne?", and replied:I only drink champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty.
I've worked in a wine store for a year now. One thing I learned is that I LOVE sparkling wines. Champagne, cava, prosecco, the name does not stop me. It matches every food, every occasion. Worried about what to serve with your appetizers? Main course? Fish? Spicy food? Sparkling wine. Had a great day, a bad day or another case of the Mondays? Sparkling wine. My point? Sparkling wine is an every day wine, not a holiday wine or "special occasion" beverage. The Pacific Echo brut matched perfectly with my turkey black bean pumpkin chili tonight (recipe available on request).
Some sparklings are sweet, others have a hint of sweet, and some are "unsweet". Sparkling wine has it's own confusing terminology for this. As long as you know your preferred level of sugar, your local wine diva can help you. I'll stick to the California versions because they are pretty affordable around the holidays. If you hate those "unsweet" sparklings, try the Mumm Napa Cuvee "M" . The bottle has a beautiful blue label with a big M on it. Enough sugar to appease the sweet toothes but enough substance to appease an "unsweet" lover like myself. Mumm Napa makes great wines of all sweetness. If you like "unsweet", their Brut Prestige or Blanc de Noirs are very enjoyable and affordable. Want something really sweet? Banfi makes Rosa Regale. Beautiful red color. Full berry flavor. Try it.
That's it for my unqualified ramblings about wine. Sparkling wines are very cool. You could spend years learning about them.
Simmering
Well, no one is writing me back. Not the person who "loaned" me the hotblock, not the company who makes it. A call to the company revealed that they don't connect people to technical support but the secretary will be happy to take my name and number. I'm sure someone will call me right back just like they emailed me right back. Not bitter. No, not me.
SOOOOOO, I'm out of here. Everyone who can help me has my cel phone number. The husband's job has its holiday "meeting" in a few hours. I was going to work in the lab but the lab gremlins vetoed that idea. Why not party?
Normally I would vent my frustrations in some killer workout but, oh that's right, I woke up at 5:20 so that I could ride the trainer and start my digestions before 8AM. AHHHHH!!
On the bright side:
--I've made 4 of 4 workouts so far this week.
--Starbucks has great coffee even if it is cup #4 for the day.
--Despite the chaos I managed to register my relay team for St. Anthony's Triathlon this morning. Race #1 is on the calendar.
SOOOOOO, I'm out of here. Everyone who can help me has my cel phone number. The husband's job has its holiday "meeting" in a few hours. I was going to work in the lab but the lab gremlins vetoed that idea. Why not party?
Normally I would vent my frustrations in some killer workout but, oh that's right, I woke up at 5:20 so that I could ride the trainer and start my digestions before 8AM. AHHHHH!!
On the bright side:
--I've made 4 of 4 workouts so far this week.
--Starbucks has great coffee even if it is cup #4 for the day.
--Despite the chaos I managed to register my relay team for St. Anthony's Triathlon this morning. Race #1 is on the calendar.
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