Spring Break

The calender tells us we are in the middle of Spring Break season, which seems to be running unusually long this year. Kids are out of school, parents have scheduled vacations, malls and airports are jammed with families and college students "getting away from it all".

Spring Break makes for a very interesting travel time for us business travelers. You know us -- we are the frenetic, cell phone/blackberry connected, caffeinated, yes-this-qualifies-for-carry-on-only, wrinkle-resistant, beat-you-to-the-gate travelers that can tell you where the nearest bathroom is in pretty much any US airport and where to get the best value for an airport snack.

You gotta have a lot of patience when traveling these days -- the tourists move slowly, apparently never having heard of a little thing called "airport security" and the "passenger screening" process; the parents with their "little darlings" in tow, who seem to believe that the airport corridors and furniture are actually their own little personal playgrounds; and the college students....well, what is there to say about them? What I try to do when traveling to increase my overall patience level is a lot of observing of the world around me. This helps me wile away the hours waiting for a delayed plane or waiting for checked baggage to arrive.

This is what I observed yesterday as I waited at baggage claim after arriving back from from San Diego:

My flight was full and the majority of passengers were of "elite" status, including me. So, instead of giving the elites the opportunity to board early, every one had to board row by row. I had a seat in the 6th row, which meant I watched pretty much everyone else board with their carry-on bags, computer cases, baby strollers, nappie bags, kiddie suitcases (don't even get me started on those...) blah, blah, blah. I knew that by the time I got on, there would be no overhead space and I'd have to have my bag checked, which is exactly what happened.

After I retrieved my bag at baggage claim, I noticed a number of college aged boys walking toward the exit, tanned, bleary eyed and wearing HUGE "si, yo estoy gingo-estupido" sombreros. They were obviously just returning from spring break some where south of the border, where they probably spent boatloads of their parent's cash doing tequilla shots off of various co-ed's tummies.

Right behind them were three other college-aged boys and a girl, dressed very differently. They were in army fatigues and walking out of the airport with family members. I couldn't really tell if they were home on leave or home from basics or just plain home.

I was struck by the juxtaposition of the two groups. Both the same ages, but living clearly different lives.

Although I am proud of the fact that people make a choice to serve our country, I feel very badly that this administration put them in a position where they have to go overseas to fight a war that should not have happened in the first place.

Putting political commentary aside, I think that most of us (at least those of us that think and listen and read) would agree that we ended up in Iraq under very false pretenses and have put thousands of people of all ages there in peril.

I watched the soldiers and wished that they could have been coming back from their spring break, tanned and full of crazy memories -- not memories that may make them crazy.

I also felt a twinge of "oh jeeze" about the sombereo chicos....I'm sure they had just a great time -- from what they can remember. I hope that they did not act the part of the ugly American tourist and that they are grateful that they CAN go to Mexico and live it up, while others in their peer group are worrying about a lot more than scrapping together beer money and passing their next exam.

I probably sound a bit judgemental -- am perhaps I am being so. The image just stuck me and stayed with me as I drove from the airport all the way back home.

Ornery sumabit

So I've been just a little cranky lately.

Okay, a lot cranky.

Both work and my personal life have been a bit frustrating in recent months. Work for a variety of reasons too long to list here; my personal life partly because I feel like I'm not getting what I want/need out of my running group any more and I'm not yet sure what to do to fill that gap.

Our running group has gone under about five or six Director changes since I've been a member. The current (new) one is better than the last one, but the programs now are a bit confusing. I coach a Basics group and, this time around, there are about three classes going on at the same time, none of which have more than three members. Seems kind of silly to me -- but I'm not the director.

The Club, in general, has a reputation of being sort of "clicky". That was very true when I joined and, at that time, I was a very slow, much more overweight runner than I am today. I really got no respect at all and made no friends. (My sister and I had joined the club. The experience was so bad for her that she never went back). I only went back because I had run my first marathon without official training and decided to get some real training via the Club. At that time, it was just me and my Coach in the "slow runner" group. She was great and she got me through the training. I shaved over an hour off my finish time.

Since then, the "slow runners" have found a niche in the group, but we've really had to claw our way to get it. The fast runners barely give us the time of day and the new director had been a fast runner.

I will say, however, that pretty much everyone else thinks she is great.

I think I just may have outgrown the group.

I still love running with my friends, but may not need to be an official member anymore. I've been thinking long and hard about changing to a new running group -- I'll check them out after I get back from this business trip I'm on. (More about that below!)

Having said that, I did have a great run last night -- went about six miles. We are still struggling to get to spring, so the night was cold, but still beautiful.

Swimming has been coming along. I had my second lesson and have added a number of new drills to do before my third lesson. I'm really enjoying the water.

San Diego: I'm posting from a hotel here. I'm attending a business meeting for a couple of days. The weather is cold (San Diego standards) but there is no snow and an ocean -- so that rocks.

I got here earlier this afternoon and took a long walk to get my bearings. I have my running stuff and will get a run in. I also found a health club with a lap pool (an OUTDOOR lap pool) and I may go there tomorrow. The interesting this will be getting in to that pool. The air temp is only in the 60s.

When I went to check out the place, there were a couple of guys in the pool. I asked them how the water was and they reported that the water temp was warmer than the air temp, so that is a big plus.

If I do get in to the water, I'll consider it practice for those early summer open-water swims. Brrrrr.....

Glub, glub

A very snowy day here in Minneapolis. Just as we were starting to actually believe that spring might be on its way, we got socked with about 10 inches of wet, heavy March snow. It is beautiful out -- the limbs on the trees are hanging low topped with big heavy blankets...There are no foot tracks or muddy mounds around from the constant meltingfreezingmeltingfreezing. Just nice, pristine snow.

Hubby and I are both working from home, which is a treat. We are still in our jammies and multitasking away. Sort of a nice way to start a work week.

Our weekend was good. Hubby's son was with us and they went to a game conference on Saturday. I ran some errands, but did not run. (Tisk, tisk).

Sunday, I met a friend of mine (AmyP) for coffee. She found out and her husband are expecting their first child, so this is a very exciting time for them.

I then went to my first Total Immersion swim lesson. My coach is pretty cool -- he swam competitively in high school and college and then "relearned" swimming the "TI" way. His recent claim to swimming fame is having swum the English Channel. Took him slightly over 13 hours.

The deal about these English Channel swims is that, unlike triathlons, you can't wear a wetsuit and you can't hold on to your support vehicle for a break or to get your nutrition. You are constantly either swimming or treading water.

Bleah!

I have no real interest in doing something like that. Even this goofy 0.9 mile swim in JULY in a land-locked lake (which, by the by, was a balmy 87 degrees last summer when I did the Sprint distance of this event...) seems like a long way. I couldn't imagine swimming the dang Channel with no protection or relief.

I do want to be a better swimmer, however. So I signed up for six lessons.

He had me do a couple of lenghts and then basically told me all that needed changing. And I mean ALL that needs changing.

I don't turn enough on my side. I roll my shoulders, but don't roll my hips. I kick "too much". These are things I knew, but until he had me break down the stroke and ONLY work on the "laying side in the water" thing, I had no idea just how poorly I was swimming.

So for now (until further notice), I'm "banned" from the freestyle. My first assignment is to practice doing laps just laying sideways in the water, my lead arm extended over my head, my other arm in my "tuck" position, with my head facing straight down, unless I'm coming up for air. I'll do one lap with my right lead arm up; then come back with my left lead arm up. I get to use swim fins to help with the kicking for now. (Boy, do those ROCK!)

He wants me to get 2 1/2 hours of this practice in between now and next Sunday, when I have Lesson Two.

He also works with a group called "Minnestoa TriMasters". I don't know much about that group yet, but will probably do some open water swims with them this summer.

I'm still reeling a bit from the big Grandma's rejection slip. This is the first time since 2000 that I will not be participating in a Grandma's event. (I suppose I could do the 5K the day before, but hotel prices are crazy and it seems like a lot of money for not much glory).

However, I have decided to do a few more triathlons in place of the 1/2....so, where there is a ying, there seems to be a yang.

The final fun thing from the weekend was the long-awaited season premier of "The Sopranos". Hubby and I had his sister and his neice, my sister and brother-in-law, and his kids over for a big Italian dinner before the show. Dinner was a ton of fun and it was great to get back in to Tony and his family. Should be a good season of Sunday night episodes.

I'll run this week and get my swimming in. Will also keep an eye out for that first robin!

rejected and dejected

I got my registration check BACK from Grandma's 1/2 marathon today. I'm so bummed! I received a couple weeks ago and mailed it back the same day -- before the day's last pickup at the Post Office.

Grandma's 1/2 picks its 4,500 participants via lottery. They pick 1,000 two business days after the entries are mailed out; then 2,500 a few days later and the final 1,000 a few days after that. My entry had to have been in that bin the entire time and still -- no luck.

Everyone else that I know of made the cut. I'm very sad I won't be participating. Someone suggested that I contact some people to see if they have any numbers available (I work for a company that is a major sponsor of the event and, apparently, sponsors get some numbers to give out. I know someone that was a big-shot spokesperson for our company and the event, but we are not exactly on the greatest of terms. (I personally think he suffers from "little man syndrome". You know, the "stamp my feet, scream and shout, I know better than you" personality. I didn't take too kindly to his every (little man) requests (aka whines/demands)when we worked in the same area. Some how I think he won't be so willing to do me a big favor...)

I'm just going to have to give up the thought that I'll be running that event this year.

There are a couple other events that I'm going to do this spring/summer that require some thoughtful training: Wells Fargo 1/2 marathon in May and LifeTime Tri in July. So, maybe I should think of this as a blessing in disguise. There are only three weeks between Grandma's and the Tri, so my peak training weeks and tapers would be screwed up if I participated in both events. This way, I can concentrate on really having a great performance in the Tri.

I start some swimming lessons on Sunday. I'm working with a coach that uses the "Total Immersion" approach. I signed up for a package of six lessons. One of the things that he'll do is video tape my swimming. That should be absolutely horrifying.

My hope is that I'll pick up on some techniques that will help my swimming be more comfortable for longer stretches. The swim in the Tri is 0.9, which is a long way for me.

I also plan on actually buying a wetsuit and doing a lot more open water swims this year. Hard to imagine that, as I gaze out on the still-frozen lakes here in the heart of Minneapolis.

As for Grandma's, I'll still go up to Duluth for the day to cheer on my friends, cuz, you know -- that's what friends are for.

Makes It All Worthwhile....

I had a great run last night. Really great. I felt strong, my breathing was just right. The evening was beautiful (above freezing and clear). Ran with some friends (Marcia, Kathy and Sarah), which always makes it worth while.

This is really only the second run of the year (!) that I can remember feeling good...my breathing has been way off and I've been sluggish on most runs.

We started the "strength" phase of the training, so we ran hills. It was the first night of hill training, so no repeats -- just rolling hills starting at the Health Club and winding though parts of Theodore Wirth Parkway. Total mileage last night was five (5).

It was great.

Also ran last Saturday. I didn't run with the group. I'm so tired from the week that getting up at 7:00 when it is cold to go and run seems like an huge task. So, I slept in and ran later in the afternoon, when the temps were "managable" (30's). Ran Calhoun, Harriet and part of Minnehaha Parkway -- total mileage 8.25. The creek that runs through the Parkway was melted. It was great to see some open water. Spring has to be coming!

The run Saturday wasn't bad -- felt pretty okay, although my breathing was off. Bumped in to another running buddy (Amy K) who was out taking a walk with a friend of hers.

I'm a little concerned because my check for Grandma's 1/2 has not cleared yet. A couple of my friend's have had theirs clear. I'm thinking there is a possiblity I won't get in that race. I'm hoping that I will get in -- I love that event. Duluth is a very cute town and they really do the weekend right. If I don't get in, I'll figure out another event to do and really concentrate on my Tri event.

I'm supposed to start coaching a Beginning Running Group tonight. Usually I love doing this, but for what ever reason, I'm less excited about it this time around. I'm sure I'll pep up once I'm out there.

Food continues to be an issue, but....on the other hand, I consider how lucky I really am to have my health and only a few problems. Kirby Puckett and Dana Reeve passed away within the last 24 hours. Both were in their early 40's -- (44 and 45).

I'm glad to be her, breathing air and feeling, for the most part, pretty darn good.

I have no willpower...

I'm back from San Francisco. I took the red eye home this morning. I got bumped up to first class, so I had a little more room to stretch out and get a bit of sleep. We arrived at 6:10 am -- I came home and slept for a couple hours. Now I'm catching up on work from my home office. It is nice to be home with the cats and in my jammies.

I am dismayed, however, at my lack of willpower (again). I'm heavier than I'd like to be; I'm in a "biggest loser" challenge with a few girlfriends; my pants are about as tight as they can get without going up a size and yet, I'm unable to string too many days of "good eating" together without faltering.

The meeting I attended brought lunch in -- standard sandwich, side salad and cookie. I made my lunch decision based on the size and type of cookie -- big and chocolate chip.

I was able to meet my brother, sister-in-law and neice for dinner and ate more than I should have there too. The snack shop was still open at the airport so, in addition to buying a book, I bought a bag of M & Ms...

I'm not always like this. When I turn it on, I can make very good choices and I go way out of my way to keep things "in control". (For example, I could very well have come to the meeting with my own lunch (sans cookie)).

For what ever reason, I'm just not wanting to turn it on right now. The irony is that I also don't want to pay the consequences (bigger pants; slower running times; seat belt extensions...)

I don't have much of any thing profound to say or add about all the reasons why I might be less inclined to stick with a program right now (frustrations at work; sick of winter; general case of "acting-like-a-baby-itis"...), but that is where I am for today.

"The Windy City I Left My Heart In..."

Greetings from San Francisco (the heart part of the title) where it is unbelievably windy (the Chicago reference).

I was supposed to fly out of Minneapolis at 2:30 pm today but the flight was delayed by over 90 minutes. Bad weather here on the coast. Rain and wind, wind, wind. I finally left freezing Minneapolis and got here, safe and sound, although the flight was quite bumpy. I'll be here for a little over 24-hours and then back to Arctic Tundraland. I've got a couple of meetings and am also hoping to spend a little time with my brother, sister-in-law and niece.

The really nice thing about today was that I got to work from home before leaving for the airport. I sat in on a teleconference call and then took a run to the postoffice -- literally.

I ran there to mail my brother-in-law a birthday card. The weather was cold (20's) but sunny. Not too long of a run (a little over two miles). Just nice to get out and stretch my legs a bit.

Usually I pack running clothes when I travel, but I was clever enough to check online for the forecast before I left.

It is one thing to run in the rain in your home city, where you have your jacket, hat, quick access to towels and a warm shower. It is another thing to do it when you are traveling and having to pack wet running clothes in a suitcase....

My breathing is way off, which is bumming me out in a very big way. I'm hoping it is really just a winter thing and not an 'age' thing or an 'asthma' thing.

My eating was almost okay today. After getting to the hotel tonight, I ventured out in to the wind to find a store to buy some water. I found that and a crummy Chinese restaurant. Whaddya do?...?

At least I didn't pack any boxes of Girl Scout cookies. (Those are waiting for me at home!)

igoddacodendahed

Huh?

"I got a cold in the head...." I've been fighting one for a couple of weeks. Hubby was sick before the indoor tri and I've been wrestling germs ever since. This one sprouted up on Friday. It isn't TERRIBLE terrible, just plugging up my nose a bit and rattling around in my lungs.

The cold did not hlep my motivation when I woke up on Saturday morning to run with my group. I was stuffed up and the temp was only about 4 degrees. I knew that the day was supposed to warm up a bit (reaching some where in the 20's), so I went back to bed and ultimately got some additional rest.

I did go out Saturday afternoon, when it was sunny and in the high 20's. I ran Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. My lung capacity was not great, but I did the miles. My body wasn't tired -- meaning my legs and arms were functioning just fine. It was my breathing and my mental side that were my enemies.

Still, all in all, it was beautiful out. The sun was warm (when I was out of the wind); lots of people out, so there was plenty to watch. I was glad I got out.

I bought a new pair of Asics Gel Kayano (sp?) Saturday afternoon. My old ones have no more arch support. I usually alternate a couple of pair (currently old Kayano and Saucony Hurricanes). My Hurricane's are holding up okay, although my guess is they will have to be replaced in about eight weeks.

The registration form for Grandma's 1/2 marathon came in the mail on Thursday and I got it back in the mail that afternoon. I should know this week whether or not my entry was drawn in the lottery. That event is about 17 weeks away -- my big tri is 20 weeks away. Most of my training efforts will be focused on the tri. I'm confident about the running side -- as long as I keep running with the club a few nights a week and get a long run in on Saturday, I should be able to cover the 13.1 miles pretty well.

I'm much more concerened about the 0.9 mile swim and the bike ride of the tri event. I found a couple good training plans and will figure out which one to follow. They range from 8 weeks to 10 weeks, so I have a little time to work out the details. Pretty exciting, though!

I go to San Francisco tomorrow for a two-day business trip. I'll bring my running stuff and get out Tuesday morning before my meetings. That is one of the great things about running -- you can do it pretty much anywhere. I've had great runs in San Juan, Puerto Rico, New York City, Las Vegas, Chicago, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Bismarck and Rapid City, North Dakota; Door County, Wisconsin, etc.

I hope to be able to post while I'm gone -- otherwise, I'll share my adventures when I get back home.

The Fat Lady Sings

I went in for a physical on Monday. (I developed asthma as an adult and use albuterol to control it. It isn't that bad -- although it generally is much worse in the winter than summer and this winter, I've been particularly wheezy). My prescription ran out, so the doc wanted to see me before he'd refill it.

I had also been thinking that it was time for a little "look/see". I'm getting older -- still running-- doing triathlons -- pretty active-- but older and worry about my little heart keeping up with me.

The doc says that I'm healthy -- everything looks just great ("stellar", he used to describe my cholestorol level). However, I am up about 8 lbs from two years ago.

He didn't chide me or give me "the lecture", which is great. I knew that my weight was up. Jeans are tighter, I feel "puffy" in my legs and arms. It is winter here. And I mean WINTER. The air temp on Saturday morning when I work up to go running was 17 BELOW zero. With the windchill, it was well in to the negative 20's. I did not go running.

I'm trying Weight Watchers
again and I know that with warmer weather, I'll be training more and more active, but...my weight has always been an issue.

I was a fat kid, a fat adolescent and, at times, a fat adult. I'm prone to heaviness genetically, but also am an emotional eater. My eating issues have been vast and deep -- including decades (really) with a very bad eating disorder.

The only thing that actually turned the tide for me with my eating disorder was running. I was training for my very first 10K race. I was in Maryland on a business trip and had found an open track at a high school. I was running laps, looking very much forward to the delicious Chinese dinner I was going to have when it finally hit me that I was not going to be able to keep up the eating disorder if I was going to continue running. The two do not go hand in hand. I knew at some point that the stress would be too hard on my heart. I pretty much left my eating disorder on the track that night.

The good news is that my eating really is much much better, oh so many years later. I can't tell you the last time I ate fast food (outside of Subway), or consumed an entire large pizza by my self, or made a regular practice of visiting the bathroom every time I ate. My diet is pretty "clean" and yet I've put on weight. So what does that tell you?

My portions are too big and I still have big downfalls (M&Ms and cookies in particular).

You know that saying about "inside a fat person, there is a thin person waiting to get out"? You certainly could say the reverse is true for me. Left to my own devices, I really could get in to huge trouble.

I do love eating and sometimes it does really frustrate me that I still get wrapped up in the numbers.

The other really hard thing about dieting is that I am hungry -- a lot -- which is not much fun either. (I know, boo hoo).

Oh well... what else can I whine about today?

I had an okay run last night -- 1/2 marathon training started. I'm meeting a good friend tonight for coffee. My husband and I will be married six months tomorrow. Today I didn't have any M & Ms...

We TRIed our best

Last Sunday was the Tri-u-Mah indoor triathlon, held at the University of Minnesota. Hubby's first, my fifth. (My first was last year's event at the U).

The tri is held at the Recreational Sports complex at the U and we spend 30 minutes each swimming in a pool; riding on a stationary bike and then running on a treadmill. The winner is based on total distance covered.

My event went pretty well. I felt very comfortable in the pool. The U has a great swimming facility complete with several pools. The pool we were in is one depth -- 7 feet, with lenghts of 25 yards. It was divided in to 10 lanes and each participant had his or her own lane.

It is a whole different experience than a swim in a regular triathlon in a lake, where you really can't see the bottom; there are waves to contend with, weeds and -- oh yeah-- other swimmers all around you.

I ended up swimming further this year than last year, 0.61 miles, and I felt good about that.

The locker room was packed when went in to T1 (transition from swim to bike). We had 10 minutes, but I had some problems. Despite my packing and repacking of gear the night before, I did not have my running shorts with me. My friend Marcia, who was also competing in the event, had an extra pair so I borrowed hers. I still ended up losing 1 1/2 mintue on the bike because my transition went too long.

My bike portion and run portion went well -- although I covered less distance this year vs. last year. In total, I covered 9.25 miles -- nothing too stellar compared to other participants, but I had a great time.

Hubby really did great too. Truth be told, he hates to swim. I mean really HATES to swim. He is not comfortable in the water and it impacts his ability to make real headway. But he got through it and then really did well with the bike and run. I'm very proud of him.

His son and daughter were with us for the weekend and were at the event to cheer us on. His daughter has 'caught' the fever now and we are signing up to do a rely indoor tri in mid-March. Hubby will row this time; she will bike and I'll run.

I'm going to sign up for some swimming lessons. I am swimming better, but there has got to be other tips and tricks to make the process easier. The real thing that I need to do much more of before the LifeTime Fitness tri this July, where the swim will be .90, is do much more open water swims to really get comfortable in the lake.

I also signed up for the Wells Fargo 1/2 marathon scheduled for May. I've run the event twice in the past. Pretty - but hilly- course. Also quite fast -- I usually can keep up with the pack for the first few miles of an event, but with this one, I'm dusted in about the first 3/4 mile. Oh well.

Training started last Saturday and, in typical Minnesota style, the weather has turned ugly. Much colder than January and more snow expected to hit. This Saturday (the day of our Long Slow Distance run), the high temp for the day is expected to be 12, with wind chills well below zero. Nothing worse for me than running in that kind of cold.

Perhaps Saturday will be a cross-train day....

Baby, It's Cold Outside

After a pretty mild December and early January we, living here in the winter-wonderland known as Minnesota, are back in the freezing zone.

Just in time to start Grandma's Marathon and 1/2 marathon training! Yee ha!

Our training starts on Saturday. The program will be 18-weeks for the marathoners. I'm going to attempt to get in to the 1/2 again this year, so I'm going to have to wait to see if my name is chosen in the lottery. I'll start running with the marathoners this week and then spin off in to the 1/2 marathon class when it starts.

This always seems to happen -- the first few weeks (or months) seem to be cold and snowy, but the days do get longer, the lakes do unfreeze and the temps do rise, so I shouldn't be so dismayed.

I guess I'm just getting sick of winter. It wouldn't be so bad if the temps would be in the 30s on a consistent basis. Much colder than that is pretty yucky and we can get VERY yucky.

I have been more diligent about some cross training since I got back from Las Vegas. I've been swimming; lifting weights again and last night ran the treadmill.

Hubby and I (along with a couple of friends) will be doing an indoor triathlon this Sunday. We swim, bike and run for 30 minutes each, with 10 minutes of transition between the events.

It will be hubby's first tri -- I'm very proud of him. I know that he is pretty much just doing this for me, which I appreciate.

I did this event as my first tri last year and loved it. It opened the door for me doing three others last year. I've got my eye on several for this year, including the Olympic distance event of the Lifetime Fitness tri this July.

I'm eating better too -- no pound bags of M & Ms hidden in any drawers -- but still am hungry most of the time. At lesat I'm making more reasonable choices.

Back from Sin City

Just got back from 10 days in Las Vegas. I was there attending two conferences, with a weekend inbetween where my husband, my sister and her husband came out for some fun.

I had a great time, but the trip got long.

The first conference was at Rio -- met some nice people and potentially good connections. Also got to spend some time with my (crazy) former boss. A lovely person, but crazy indeed. The second conference was at Caeser's and was with my work group.

For the most part, I really like the people I work with, but continually stuggle with my boss. Nice guy -- very different style from me and we really don't connect very well. I work in a very male dominated work group and the management structure is very sexist. (I'm sure someone must have told them that this is 2006...)

There are also a couple of women that are difficult to deal work. I just try to do my best, plug along and not be too much of a nightmare back.

The real fun was when my husband, sister and brother-in-law came out. We gambled (lost miserably); ate out at some wonderful restaurants and just generally had a blast.

Hubby and I rented a car, so the four of us went out to Lake Las Vegas to look at some property. The four of us have thought long and hard about buying something, but my problem is the "long distance" from Minnesota. I just don't see how only being there a few weeks out of the year is worth the expense. But...you never know.

Hubby and I also went golfing. We had a terrific time playing a par-three course called Cloud Nine at Angel Park. The holes are designed to replicate some of the famous courses (like St. Andrews). I'm new to the sport but just loved it.

There was a four-some about two holes ahead of us that was slow and would not let people play through (rude, rude, rude). Because of them, we hooked up with a very interesting man and played the rest of the course with him. Great conversation, fun day.

I exercised very little (ran a couple of times) and ate way, way, way too much. I'm sure my weight is way up. This does not make me happy in the least, but I'm not very motivated right now to do much about it. Marathon training starts in about two weeks, so my exercise will go up.

I just wish my response to unhappiness wasn't putting food in my mouth...

I go Ego

Funny thing happend last night. I'm trying to sleep -- just sort of in the drift zone. I'm thinking about this blog and how fun it will be to have posts up on my site when it hits me: what am I going to do when I want to post some thing that is potentially unflattering about my husband or my boss -- a friend, relative or co-worker? How do I disguise them? Aliases? Fictious names that only hint at their real identity? I certainly don't want to ruin reputations or hurt feelings....which could happen if the true identity is released. (hit the dramatic music, please).

My next thought was more realistic: 'Who exactly is going to be reading this anyway?' -- I'm sure not many people will even know of this site's existence - it is probably really just for me. My thoughts, musings and posting are probably of inconsequential importance to any one other than me, so...give it up, girlfriend. I won't be winning the blog award for meaningful, earth shaking posts.
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What this whole throught process did reveal to me is how protective (scared) I am of revealing much of the "truth" from time to time. I've been thinking a lot lately about writing some sort of a book or, at least, as short story. Something sort of based on where I've been and experience I've had.

Then I realize that I may have to reveal things that I'm not so sure I want out there in the light of day (or under the bed-side reading lamp). Not that I've done any thing bad or that I really regret. It is just a different thing when you consider writing about it in any thing other than a journal, kept safely under a bed, secured by lock and key.

Maybe I should have set up this blog more anonoymously -- maybe I'd feel more confident in posting "real" things. Maybe not. More will be revealed.

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On a lighter note: I had a good swim workout at the University's pool today. They host an "open swim" afternoon and I went with my friend Marcia (which, may or may not be her real name...) We are getting ready for our indoor triathlon in February.

I'm swimming better but still have a long way to go. My big challenge will be this summer's Lifetime Fitness tri in July. I did the sprint distance last year (on the hottest day of the summer, mind you). This year, I've signed up for the Olympic distance -- and the swim is the scary part for me -- 0.9 of a mile. Fortunately, I've got a lot of time before the event and will put in lots of time in the pool.

I'm getting ready to go out of town for a couple of business meetings. I'll be packing running and swimming gear and trying to get in as many workouts as I can inbetween meetings.

I'll also try to keep up the postings....and will also try to keep down my ego.

So, the fun is about to begin -- my life in cyberspace.

I've been wanting to do this for a while. A good running friend of mine has a blog and I enjoy reading her posts. She is a runner too -- and posts about her adventures out on the trails.

I will be posting about my "athletic" endeavors too -- among other things. Who knows what will come up. I'm just another middle aged woman, looking to mark or, at a minimum, leave a mark, some where out there on the world-wide web.