Celebrating the "F" Word

No, get your mind out of the gutter, not THAT "f" word but rather FORTY. I hit that milestone last Wednesday and you can visit Gman to see pictures of the (almost) surprise party that marked the occasion.

Thanks hon and Es and everyone else who made it all so special!

13.1 miles summed up: Hot, Hilly, Hellish

Here is the race report I wrote up for the tri club:

Racer:
Heather Zoller-Gritz
Race:
Country Music Half Marathon
Date:
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Location:
Nashville, TN
Race Type:
Run - Half Marathon
Age Group:
Female 35 - 39
Time:
3:46:45
Overall Place:
21638 / 22749
Age Group Place:
2058 / 2179

I met my sister in Nashville so the two of us could run our first half marathons. I've been fighting a nagging foot issue but put in the miles and after a good 10 miler last Sunday felt prepared for the race. After running consistently in 50 & 60 degree weather I wasn't prepared for it to be 80 by the time we started (in corral 27, almost an hour after the first runners started) to only get hotter and sunnier along the way. I felt good for the first five miles other than what seemed like constant uphills, not big hills just lots of them (very decieving elevation chart. Cytomax and water on the course and I took some at every stop. At the halfway point I was right where I expected to be, right about 1:30 (I was aiming for 3 hrs).Unfortunately things went downhill (not literally) from there. I started to feel sick to my stomach and felt increasingly dizzy so I sat down in the shade, ate my sport beans and waited for the bathroom. I felt considerably better after about 10 minutes of downtime. At the next water stop I took Cytomax, water and added some salt (literally, from 2 packets sitting on a table).

That did the trick and I was able to alternate running and walking but my calves felt really tight every time I ran. I kept telling myself time didn't matter, I just wanted to finish. At mile 11 my calves started seizing up so bad I couldn't walk, the cramps went all the way down into my feet. I had to stop, stretch and massage them to keep moving, first one side, then the other. I felt like I was getting passed by 100s of people every time I stopped. By that time I just wanted it to be over, it was hot, no shade and I was moving so slowly I really thought it would never end. There were cheerleaders giving out jelly beans and then a Gu station, I had some of each and some water and that seemed to help with the cramps but I couldn't run at all, my calves wanted nothing to do with it so I walked the rest of the way in.

There was good music all along the course and tons (31000 between the marathon and half) of people. There were a good number of shuttles moving people from the finish line to the start. The finish was at LP Field where the Titans play which was pretty cool. I will definitely carry some liquid with me next time if there is any doubt about whether I will need it.

Yesterday at the airport I was talking to a guy in the security line and he said of the 20 halves he has done this was by far the hardest, that definitely made me feel a bit less of a wuss. I am seriously torn between awe of the accomplishment and disappointment that I didn't run much more than half of it. Probably a good life lesson in accepting what you can't change.

Looking Into the Crystal Ball for 2009

If only it were as easy as looking in the crystal ball to see what the year has in store!

Weight goal, 60 pounds by the end of the year, 5 pounds a month, definitely doable (I've done it before and vowed never to have to do it again). Back to Weight Watchers I go.

Exercise goal, finish the Country Music Half Marathon, April 25 with my sister Jennifer. Then on to tri season and the Tri to Win Sprint Triathlon, Iron Girl and at least one other triathlon (maybe an Olympic distance?!).

Money goal, with Gman dig ourselves out of our credit card debt, at least halfway.

You notice I never used the R-word, resolution, these are my goals for the year--measurable and I hope attainable.

Run #1 down today.

Year In Review

When I think back on 2008 two things really stand out to me. One an accomplishment of my own, one a loss for my whole family.

In January I started training in earnest for triathlon season. I remember my first Sunday training class, I was pretty sure I might die by the time it was over. I went to church afterwards and was barely able to get up and down for hymns. My face was bright red for hours. I had to go home and take a nap. But I did it. I was excited to go back the next week. I got to meet some neat new people. I went to swim one morning a week at 5:15AM, in the pool at 5:15 AM, which meant leaving my house a few minutes before 5 which I believe is still officially night. The payoff was completing 2 sprint triathlons, an indoor tri, 3 5Ks and an 8K for the year. I joined the Mid Maryland Tri Club and met cool people living the tri lifestyle. I stretched myself like I would never have imagined. It carried through to all parts of my life, really if I can do a tri, I feel like I can do anything! I lost 25 pounds on Weight Watchers and felt like an athlete for the first time (subsequently I've gained back 10 of that but isn't that what New Year's resolutions are for?!). I am headed into to 2009 with the goal of finishing a half marathon in April, the same 2 sprint tris, and an Olympic distance tri somewhere late in the year. Did I accomplish everything I wanted, of course not. Did I accomplish things that I wouldn't have imagined a year earlier, yes.

The second thing that most immediately comes to mind when I think of 2008 is the loss of my grandmother on July 4. I lost both of my grandfathers before I had kids. They were both important to me but my grandmother influenced me in so many significant ways. Part of it too was with the loss of my grandmother it changed so many other things. The house that had always been hers my entire life was sold. I'll never spend time in that house with her again. The things I took away from her house were things from the kitchen. Grandma and I spent much time in her kitchen, cooking, baking, talking. As a kid I would take a walk and end up at Grandma's house, she always had time for a talk and an apple or something to drink. When I am in the kitchen using her measuring cups, using her recipes or her rolling pin I feel connected to her and growing up. She was an amazing woman of faith who I will miss and I am sorry my kids won't get to know better.

In comparison to those two things there are other important things from the year that might be the milestone of another year. My second nephew Brady Augustus was born in January. In February Gman and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary (and I finished the Tri to Help Indoor Tri). March brought PDQs seventh birthday. April had Gman and I celebrating birthdays. In July I ran the Run for the Roar race in Marietta, we spent two whole weeks in Ohio for Grandma's funeral and our vacation in the Hocking Hills the following week (at the big log house, as the kids dubbed it). August was the big race, the month I'd been training for all year. I became an Iron Girl. What an exhilarating experience! Boobah started Kindergarten in September after months of waiting to find out if she was admitted (she missed the cutoff by 2 days and we had her tested). The Pouter started high school, we were very proud of his choosing to apply and being accepted into the STEM program. I also completed the Police Pace 5K with a friend who wanted to get back into running. In October we made it to Marietta College for Homecoming, I hadn't been back for that event in many years. My BFF from College and I ran a 5K race with my sister. When we were in college no one would have believed that we were going to run, let alone get up early in the morning to do it! In November I travelled to Richmond to run the NTelos 8K with Buildermama. Neither of us ran the entire way but we did have fun and and after a debate about whether or not to even go we were glad we did in the end. I got a new boss this year and its been a working whirlwind but I've learned a lot and have enjoyed almost every minute of it! He is new to the company and brought in some other new people who are positive and fun to work with. Finally, we are in Ohio to celebrate Christmas and the end of another year. Lots of time for family and friends.

Tomorrow, new year, new goals.

Big D

Last Monday my brother-in-law, his Dad and his cousin went out to hunt. The night before they'd played with my nephews and watched the Steelers win. A good weekend all in all. Unfortunately after a morning of hunting they went to meet up and my BILs father was lying on the ground. He'd had a massive heart attack. He was just 60 years old. I have had my BIL in my head and heart all week. He and his Dad were so close. They loved to hunt together. His Dad had been his baseball coach, watched him become an all-American in college and play semi-pro ball. Bib D loved my nephews. My BIL being an only child, my nephews the only grandchildren they were spoiled with love and attention from Pap. Thankfully they got one last evening with him before he went on his last hunt. I went to the funeral. My BIL spoke eloquently about his Dad. His uncle spoke about him, saying that they'd been busy the last few years and didn't find time to go to their hunting cabin always putting it off until next Spring, Summer, Fall. He reminded us all that now is the time for living, you never know how much time you have. Big D, I didn't know you that well but I know the impact you had on many lives and I know that you will be missed.

"Just" five miles

I ran five miles today, the farthest I have ever run. If you had told me a year ago that I would be running five miles and have signed up to run a half marathon, I'd have laughed at you, perhaps rolling on the floor while doing it. So now I've done the distance, I will head to Richmond to do an 8K race with Buildermama in a couple of weeks.

I've learned a lot about running: The first time at a distance is always the hardest. The first mile generally stinks (this is my theory on why I've never done it before). Some days, leaving the house may be the hardest part of the run. My worst runs are at races, I don't want to compete but it would be nice not to send my heart rate into the stratosphere and feel like crap. Some days running feels good and empowering, some days running is a battle of the mind over the body. The best part of running is almost always being done and feeling like you've really accomplished something!

Run Fat Girl, Run

Ugh, the diet is not going so well. I don't know if my body has kicked into the mode where it needs to store up for the winter or if it is my "running piglet qi" but mostly I've been watching my weight bounce up and down. Why? Simple answer carbs, glorious carbs! Mostly sugary ones. Girl scout cookies (85 cases anyone?) abound, apple pie, pumpkin spice cake, pumpkin bars, donuts. I've fallen off the wagon and the only reason I can get up is because of running.

Buildermama and I are running an 8K (~5 miles) at the Richmond Marathon on November 15. To get ready I've been running at least 3 times a week, I'm up to a little over 4 miles and this weekend is scheduled for 4.5 and I am going to do a 5K race back home this weekend at my college Homecoming.

While we are home we will also be celebrating my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. My sister and I wanted to plan a trip for them. Mom decided she'd rather have lunch at a local restaurant instead. My sister and I said we'd take care of it. I took care of the inviting, my sister took care of the menu. Of course Mom had to put in her two cents. Let's hope her menu choices this time are more successful than at Thanksgiving when she insisted that no one likes pecan pie (because she doesn't).

A Dutch Wonderful Day: Now and Then

Yesterday we took Boobah to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA for her birthday. She requested a trip to Dutch Wonderland with Tippy Tornado instead of a party. Sounded like a fantastic idea to me, no cleaning my house to have 5 year olds destroy it in record time or renting a place and being mobbed by sticky hands and loud voices all afternoon. Parties stress me out, I love the idea of throwing a party but the execution generally leaves me bitchy.

We have a truly fabulous day with Boobah, Tippy Tornado, PDQ, Karate Boy, Gman and Esmerelda in the land of all things wonderful. Esmerelda and I kept up a running commentary of the things we were there without--her ex, strollers, diapers, diaper bags, etc. The kids were big enough to go on almost all of the rides, if not by themselves with an adult. The only bad part of Es and Bubba not being together was being short an adult to match up with the kids. We compensated though and had a much better time for it. More than once we reminisced about our last trip, we decided it was two years ago. Today I took a trip back through Gman's archives to discover it was August 2005--how much they have all changed! Enjoy!

THEN NOW

THEN NOW

Then, we didn't even manage to get a picture of all of them together. I had a newly broken ankle and spent the day in a scooter.

Now--Wonderful Amish Fun

Gearing Up for Iron Girl: The Back Story

Its taken me a week to process Iron Girl. While on the surface it was "just a race" down a little bit deeper it was so much more! Almost two years ago Esmerelda asked if I wanted to be part of an Iron Girl relay team with her. I laughed and said "um, maybe" but I don't swim so well and my bike is old and run, ha, I just don't run. In the end Es decided she was going to do it all herself. I knew she would because I've seen her take on the seemingly impossible so many times and she always gets through it--you know, a triathlon seems easy when I think about her working full time, being pregnant, having a toddler, taking care of someone else's kids full-time, AND getting an MBA all at the same time. Talk about mental and physical toughness. Any way, I was fascinated by her stories as she trained for Iron Girl and the races she did before. I watched her body and attitude change as she made her way towards the races. Iron Girl was the first time I watched her race. Boobah, PDQ & I headed out to the top of a hill to watch the racers come up the hill. The energy was amazing. Oh, here she comes, yell for Miss Wendy and the girls and I did. The look of surprise on her face was priceless. They were riding up a hill and most everyone looked like they were having FUN! Finally, after picking up some flowers we headed off to see her at the finish line--except we didn't make it in time because of the traffic and crowds. When I saw her I was so proud, she was practically beaming with her accomplishment. My biggest surprise was the other women I saw there, friends from church, Mom from the babysitter, neighbor. It made me think, maybe this isn't such a crazy idea, maybe I *could* do it. And thus the triathlon wheels were turning.

I knew that if there were any way I was going to do a triathlon I'd need to start running right away. I could certainly get on a bike, I thought that would be a piece of cake given the time I'd spent in spin class. I dreaded the swimming part but I figured I had plenty of time to get to that but running, I knew running would be my hard part. So over the course of 5 months I did a Couch to 5K program from Beginner Triathlete. The mix of walking and running made it seem not as hard as I expected. I remember thinking I'd die running 3 minutes in a row but more importantly I remember the feeling of triumph the first time I ran 30 minutes in a row. What an accomplishment for someone who had never run more than a mile, ever.


Winter came and so did the triathlon training class, one morning a week at 5:15 AM at the pool and Sunday mornings at the gym and on the track for two hours of biking and running. That first morning I was scared. Would I be able to keep up? Would the class be full of real athletes that I could never keep up with? What if I made a fool of myself? Self doubt kept me up most of the night. But I went, met great people and worked hard, really, really hard. Inside on the bike wasn't so bad other than getting used to being on the bike for an extended period of time. It felt good to work hard. Then came the run. We (and by we I mean they) jogged over to the track to run laps and then we were supposed to run back to the gym. All that running I'd done for months to prepare for this day was on fresh legs. Running on legs that have been riding a bike for an hour is much, much different. I jogged and walked to the track and it was all I could to make it through the laps. When one of the coaches yelled "we're in zone 2 now!" as I trudged by it was all I could do to resist telling her I'd left zone 2 long behind and was working as hard as I could even though it didn't look like it! At the end of the workout I was exhausted. It was a good exhausted though. I went to church and it was all I could do to get up and down for the hymns. When I got home I took pain relievers, a hot bath and a long nap. I kept telling myself I've got 8 months until the race, I *can* do this but believe me, their were days I doubted it.

Es and I did an indoor tri in February and it wore me out. Again a great sense of accomplishment tempered with that was hard, what have I gotten myself into! In June we did a local tri to raise money for melanoma research and education. It was fun, my parents were there, my kids were there and I finished. I walked part of the bike, it was hilly and every time I rode the course I got off, I don't know how much was my lack of fitness and how much was mental after that first bad ride. There were days when I would run or ride and feel great. Then there were other days all along the way that made me seriously doubt what I was doing. Luckily most of the days were somewhere in between and there would be a good day to pull me out of a bad place.

Three weeks before the race there was an opportunity to swim in the lake used for the tri. It is not somewhere they typically allow people to swim. The typical reaction was, "you are going to swim where? eeeeeeeeeeew" There were about 500 women there that morning for the practice swim. We waited a long, long time to get in the the water but finally it was our turn. The first bit was fine, then my goggles broke. I spent the rest of the swim with a horrible headache from tying my goggles on my face. I spent about 500 yards trying to decide if the lake water would give me an eye infection if I just dropped them all together. I was glad I did it but again..."what am I doing?!"

I went to the brick n' pic with the tri club, the first time I'd actually interacted with them in real life, not just virtually on the message board. They were planning to run-bike-run. I decided I'd run and bike since my family was coming afterwards. I'd never run first and I have to say it took a LOT out of me. I had the slowest of the group in my sights for the first half of the run but then I lost them. My heart rate was unbelievably high the entire run. Finally, bringing up the rear I made it back to the bike racks and nearly everyone was gone. The guy riding sag said he'd follow me. I so didn't want to be last but off we went. He was helpful and encouraging. We eventually found some other riders from the club and they took turns hanging with me. I felt horrible for holding people up but appreciated the company. It was great to ride with experienced riders, calling out when cars were coming, there were things in the road and getting to know them a little better. It really shook me though, would I ever make it through the race if this run and ride had been so hard? It was coming up quick.

Finally, one last ride-run brick before the race with Es and our friend D from work. It was truly the best bike ride ever. Tons of people were out, waving and encouraging as they rode by. I was fast, I felt good and my back which had bothered me on nearly every other practice ride was good. I thought I had it licked when I started the run. Ugh. The run was miserable, I just didn't have it. D ran with me and then I'd walk, she'd circle back and run with me some more. We headed up the hill that until this point I'd always avoided. Mistake, big mistake. Holy cow, it was a long series of hills that never seemed to end. D finally took off and I ran with a few other women along the way. My foot hurt, I'd had some foot pain in the past but never enough to make me stop, until that day. About a quarter mile from the end I couldn't take it any more. I finally took off my shoes and walked from there. As I hobbled along I ran into a woman from my tri class and it was good to catch up with her. I was thrilled to find out the end of the race was in a different, closer spot than I thought. Besides the pain in my foot though I felt good. I decided I would baby the foot until race day and see what happened.

Almost a year of training to do a race. Really, it was more of a lifestyle change. Training included at least 5 workouts a week, including one "brick" that usually lasted 1.5-2.5 hours. Never in my life did I imagine I would be exercising long and hard enough to need food in the middle of it! As my distances grew, so did my confidence. Not just in the fact I could finish it, that I could run or that I could ride. I found that at work I was more confident in my opinions. I was more willing to take risks. Becoming an Iron Girl had way more to do about changing my life than just finishing a race.

Next time, Iron Girl: The Race.

I am an Iron Girl

The race was great. Truly amazing the power of all those women, encouraging each other and all those people on the sidelines cheering us on. More later, but I did it!

Just 10%

Yesterday at Weight Watchers I reached a milestone, since April I have lost 10% of my original starting body weight. For reaching this dubious accomplishment, I received a key chain. Its kind of like being a kid and getting the prize in the Cracker Jack box, that little thing means so much more than it should. The stop along the way on my journey is nice. Its like the trip we take to my parents, there is much expectation to get to the stopping point and a recognition that if we just keep going we will get there although it will take time.

What else comes with losing 10% of your body weight?

Lower blood pressure & cholesterol-with a family history of heart disease and prior problems of my own this is important to me. My doctor recently put me back on BP meds at a very low dose because in his office my BP was high. Hopefully I can get back off these meds soon!

Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes-again its in the genes and I showed my susceptibility to it when I was pregnant, I'd like to continue to ward it off for as long as possible.

Gain energy-I have to say I do feel better and am able to keep going longer, whether it be in triathlon training or just making it through a hectic day at home and work.

Reduce pain-Check, this is one I can definitely see. My joints were surprisingly tolerant of running at a higher weight but I have noticed lately that even after a long, hard workout I don't feel it later nearly as much. Part of this is certainly the muscle and stamina I've gained as well.

George Carlin--RIP

I remember feeling naughty listening to George Carlin and his 7 dirty words. I read today that he never thought his legacy would be what people are allowed to say on television. I have never watched George and not laughed, no matter how irreverent, he is just plain funny. So enjoy a little bit of George Carlin, gone today at 71.

I AM a triathlete

South Carroll Tri to Win Sprint Triathlon

SWIM 13:27 400m


The swim was uneventful, it was a pool swim and someone held us at the mat until a lane opened up. The guy in the other half of my lane was doing some bizarre frog-like thing for a lap or two, I was so glad when someone else got in.

T1-3:29
On with the cycling jersey, gloves, socks, shoes, open up the beans, chew a couple. I have to say the big surprise here was WET socks! Had a great rack position right next to the bike & run out.



Bike 1:04:51
This course is really hilly, I conquered the first couple of hills without problems, felt strong. The third in the series always gets me. My HR was creeping up so near the top I walked a bit to save something. Did the same thing on the next really long, gradual hill. Got passed by several people here. After these hills were done I knew it was time to hammer. Passed 3-4 people in this stretch. One poor guy lost a crank at mile 8 of 14.7 and was riding in with one leg. There are two climbs at the end, I walked the top part of the first one, its an increasingly steep hill up and around a bend--crankless guy and I walked it together. I got a head of steam and determination and ground up the final steep hill and after that it was back up the driveway into the transition area. There was a dude on a motorcycle who kept showing up at every intersection screaming you can do it. It was cool the first couple of times, after that it got annoying!





T2 2:57

Quick out of the shoes, on with the running shoes. Love my lace locks! Took a big drink, my hydration on the bike was so-so. Almost ran out with my cycling gloves, ran back and took them off.





RUN (or trudge as the case may be) 43:24


The beginning of the course wound back behind the swim center on grass and then a rough gravel path--I heard several people say it was longer than 5K. I took it easy here worrying about a twisted ankle. I walked through the water station and then started jogging up the hill. Stopped to walk one more time on the uphill. Walked through water at the top of the hill and was glad to start the mostly downhill trip back. Walked through the final water station and ran the rest of the way back UP the driveway across the line. My girls came out and ran with me.


It was great fun and only 68 days until the next one. Definitely need to go out and ride hills to prepare!

Graduation Overload

In the past two weeks we've been to two high school graduation parties, last night my stepson graduated from middle school and tonight Boobah graduates from preschool. Needless to say I have been up to my eyeballs in creamy cake icing, hamburgers and hot dogs. The world's second most expensive preschool does preschool graduation up right, real caps and gowns, community auditorium and they even took them yesterday morning for practice walking across the stage and singing their songs. I am sure I will cry like a baby.

Given the parties of the past two weeks, including a high school graduation party complete with Sumo Wrestling suits and a dalmatian moon bounce (pictures to come), I should have seen it coming.

Boobah (from the back seat of the van): "Mommy, do *I* get a graduation party?"
My mind: You are 4, its preschool, we are not having a party!
My mouth: "how about Rita's?"
Boobah: "That's good."

Esmerelda and boys are coming to celebrate Boobah's big event with us tonight, she demanded that Tippy Tornado and Es be in attendance. Es said that she has some graduation decorations so I am sure that will endear her to Boobah forever (as if she isn't already!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I ran 3.5 miles this morning at 5:50, my longest run yet. It felt good, morning is definitely going to be my go-to time of day for the summer, the heat really kills me. This morning was in the upper 50s and it was actually nice to be outside.

364 days to 40

Today is my 39th birthday. I've told many people it is the first of many. I am lucky to have many friends who've hit the big 4-0 ahead of me, including Gman (who wrote a lovely post to wish me happy birthday). As I look back at the last 9 years I am amazed at what I've done--got married, had two kids, bought two houses and sold one, make almost 3 times as much at work, mourned the deaths of three great-grandmothers and my best friend's mother, became an aunt times two and a stepmother to an adult! Not bad in the major life accomplishments categories for the first 9 years of my thirties.

This year, these last 364 days I am going to try to go out with a bang. At least two triathlons, an 8K, hopefully two kids in school full day, more time to take care of myself and to spend with Gman. Here's to the best 364 days of my thirties.

Running: Now and Then

About 6 months ago I started running with the intention of doing a triathlon this year. I started by finding a Couch to 5K running program that promised to have me running for 30 minutes after 16 weeks. There were some starts and stops along the way, a sore hip here, sore knee there, and a couple of bouts with sinus issues. Then there was winter, I forced myself to run on the dreadmill I didn't like it, but I did it. Anytime the weather was remotely warm enough to think about running outside, I did. Then in January our tri training class started and the running generally followed over an hour on the bike. It really made me doubt my ability to swim, ride and THEN run especially on days like Sunday when it was cold and the wind was fierce.

Today when the weather was in the 50s and I had a day off yesterday I pondered the difference between running (okay RUN might be a strong word, jog or slog might be a better term) now and when I started:

Then: I checked my watch every 30 seconds to determine when I could stop running
Now: I check my heart rate monitor after 10 or more minutes to see where my heart rate is

Then: I'd try to run when there would be the least people who would see me
Now: I run whenever I feel like running

Then: I'd stop running when I had to, I just couldn't do more
Now: It is a concious decision to stop, not an overwhelming feeling of I can't go any further

Then: There was mostly walking for 30 minutes of a "run" and I was worn out
Now: I can run for 40 minutes without stopping and might be able to go longer if I tried

Then: I avoided running uphill at all costs
Now: I avoid running up big hills at all costs but I tackle the little ones full speed ahead

Bring on the spring and an opportunity to run and bike outside. Now that I've conquered my fear of running I need to get over my fear of rocketing down hills 0n my new road bike. The POINT is to go fast!

Happy Birthday PDQ

Friday was PDQs birthday, she turned 7. She mentioned the upcoming birthday at least 7 times a day, 7 days a week for the last 7 weeks. Is it bad that I am glad it is finally over?

Here is one of my favorite pictures from the early days:

I am glad the birthday and party are over but am awed by the seven year old this cute little baby has become. I marvel over the genetic mix, she has my facial features atop Gman's body. Its amazing to watch the outcome of mixing our DNA. His brown eyes and my blue have given her stunning blue/hazel eyes that change with her mood and wardrobe. I hope we don't get blamed for the less desirable of the genetic traits we've possibly passed along like a tendency to gain weight and wide feet.

Everyday this little girl amazes us with her ability to put together complex ideas one minute like an adult and the next minute pinch her sister like a two year old for not sharing the markers . I love that she is becoming more independent and forming strong opinions. Pink is out, blue is in. Like broccoli, hate salmon (and then, being the girl that she is, changes her mind to decide its not that bad).

The birthday magic was shared with Grammy & Pop from Ohio who came for a long weekend and managed to escape from the snow. On Saturday night we held a High School Musical Half-Sleepover in our basement. Thanks to whomever came up with the half-sleepover idea. The girls came at 5:30, we had pizza and did a Wildcats pennant, watched the HSM II movie, had cake and sent them on the way. It was a glimpse into what our future holds, shrieking girls, telling secrets, and swapping opinions on clothes.

Happy seventh birthday PDQ, I love you more than I could ever have imagined possible.

Exercise High

This morning we did a mini-triathlon in training class, 10 minutes in the pool, 15 minutes on the bike, and a 10 minute run around the indoor track at 5:15 in the morning.

10 min swim=400 yds (2:30min/100 yds)

15 min bike=unfortunately no odometer or speedometer on the bike but I mixed in some serious spinning with a few hills, I felt the pain :)

10 min run=.95 miles (10.32 min/mi)

I felt really good afterwards, like we were just getting started. What a change! I can remember the last time I tried to run the indoor track at the gym about a year ago, I couldn't make it more than a lap and a half before I had to walk. The 2:30 min/100 yds was my goal for the Tri to Win in June, maybe I need to move my goal time down just a bit.

While the scale isn't moving much I can see changes in my body. My weight is only down six pounds since I started training on 1/21. When I went to the doctor yesterday my borderline high blood pressure was back down in the normal range. Es called to tell me Kohl's was having a sale and most things were buy one, get one free. Who can resist BOGO? I was thrilled to find that all the clothes in the misses section fit--no plus sizes for me! This morning my pants are sitting around my hips because they are too big in the waist. Yesterday the receptionist in our building even made a comment that I was looking thinner. I was shocked, yeah, I see all these little things but was surprised anyone else could really see the difference.

More important than the physical stuff though, I FEEL different. While work may not be great and the kids may send me to the loony bin, I feel good about what I can do with my body. I've been thinner but I don't think I've ever been in such good shape physically and we are just getting that party started.

Tri-ing to get in shape

I am now signed up to do three triathlons in the coming months, indoor in February (a defined time instead of distance), a sprint in June with an indoor swim and a more laid back cycle, and finally a sprint in August that is a "little extra" on all the distances.

I've been training more, getting ready to start the tri training class. I know from watching Esmerelda last year that it is going to seriously kick my butt. Hopefully I am ready for it, I know they will push me--that's what I am paying them for :) I am up to running for 20 continuous minutes which seems pretty incredible since a couple of months ago I was praying for a 2 minute interval to be over.

I have invested a bunch of cashola in the past couple of weeks--fins, heart rate monitor, platform for the front wheel of my bike. I am sure there is more to come. I am loving the heart rate monitor, seeing when I need to work harder and when I might need to take it a little easier. Most of all I love the calorie count it gives me for the work I've done!

Of course the hardest part is fitting it all in, especially this time of year. I can pull myself out of bed at 5AM a couple of days a week for spin class or cycling but I can't do it every morning. Some mornings I've been able to roust the girls a bit early and hit the gym after dropping them off and still make it to work before 9. Occasionally I can squeeze in a lunchtime workout but its hard and I always feel kind of grungy all afternoon even though I've showered. So here's to hoping that the class and its 3 hours of workouts a week will help me get myself schedule for the other 3 I need to do!

We had a minor victory for Boobah tonight. She is on her third session of skating lessons in the last year or so. The first time she passed from Tot 1 to Tot 2. She spent most of Tot 2 laying about on the ice and frustrating the crap out of me. Last week she returned to the ice and I was impressed with her determination to get up and keep trying. This week it all paid off! With slightly smaller skates she managed to spend the entire class on her feet rather than her backside. Yippee Boobah. She was so incredibly proud, her first real athletic accomplishment!

Goodbye Old Year, Goodbye Old Window Treatments

I had a dermatologist appointment today to get the once over, lots of people in my family have had close encounters with skin cancer. She tells me its unlikely I will get it because my cumulative sun exposure is minimized by the fact I burn like crazy and am smart enough to get out of the sun! My eczema did lead to a bunch of flat warts on the back of my knees (I know, seriously gross) so she took the time to freeze all those puppies off. One or two wouldn't have been so bad but I must have had 20 on the back of one knee--can you say OUCH! The girls were with me so I couldn't' even curse. In addition I left with, no kidding, FOUR prescriptions despite the fact she kept reassuring me I had great skin, BUT as fair as I am I should start using this on my face and oh, that will help with your rough heals, oh, try this for the eczema and I don't even know what the fourth one was for. This lady is really nice and can talk faster than anyone I've ever met! Oddly the girls got stickers and lollipops for being good--I got nothing more than a sample or two :( To top it off I lost one of my new, favorite earrings, serious bummer.

So, since we were already halfway to Annapolis I decided I'd do a drive-by of the Country Curtains store. Although I wouldn't label my style anything close to "country" I do like a lot of their window treatments paired with something more contemporary! Thank goodness for the Garmin, it got me there and back without any trouble (although we couldn't find parking at the mall for a lunch adventure). So finally, the lace blinds in the dining room (above) will be banished forever (the walls in that room did get painted as well, a gold color). I was pretty disappointed they weren't in stock at the store and had to be ordered so I have to pay shipping, even after driving over there, and I have to wait--both things I hate! I found great new treatments for our plain Jane kitchen as well. I'd show you a picture but they were labeled "TEST" in the store and I can't seem to find a picture online--guess I'll have to appeal to Gman for a picture or imagine, take one myself!

By then the girls were worn out and HUNGRY and had to pee--the trifecta for bad behavior. We headed to the mall--no parking places to be found and enough close calls with teenage drivers to head home post haste. I got the girls to forgo the usual McDonald's or Chick-Fil-A for a "special girls lunch" at Mimi's Cafe. We all enjoyed lunch, there is something to be said for not feeding them until 1:30, they actually eat what you put in front of them without any arguments. The blue cheese walnut salad was awesome although really heavy on the blue for my taste so I left a large pile behind. After fueling it was off to Lowe's for the window hardware. I ended up with some valances and new rods for the girls as well as what I needed to hang my new curtains. I finished off the day by ordering the girls some faux wood blinds (JCPenney is having a sale and FREE shipping!) and some cheap sheers. As I remember I get the redecorating bug this time every year--last year it was re-doing the girls' bathroom while recovering from surgery.