Monday, June 22, 2009

So, I was thinking...

I am one to set lofty goals... I can think of many more times that certain goals have not come to fruition than have, but even if something you work for doesn't happen the way you see it happening, the journey there is usually worth it. With that completely non-descript rambling, here are my latest goals in regards to swim/bike/run:

Aug. Mountain Lakes Triathlon
Sept. Star Physical Therapy Triathlon
Oct. Cedars of Lebanon Sprint Triathlon

I want to run a half marathon each month between the months of October 2009 and March 2010, leading up to the big kahuna: the FULL Country Music Marathon in April 2010. As of now, these are the half marys I am looking at:

Oct. Murfreesboro
Nov. The Outter Banks
Dec. St. Jude's
Jan. Callaway Gardens
Feb. Mercedes Marathon
Mar. The Disney Princess
April: CMM

With the exception of the Disney Princess Half and the Outter Banks, each race is w/in 4 hours of the house and an overnight stay w/ friends or a comped room using Brandon's fabulous hotel points. I can do it. I will do it. I owe it to myself to work towards each race; logging the miles, blisters, sweat, aches, pains, joy, satisfaction, and PRIDE that will come with the miles. I will be a marathoner and triathlete.

Now, who's with me?

Monday, June 15, 2009

Bonnaroo "Training"

This past weekend was my first Bonnaroo experience. For those of you who may not know what the Roo is... well, it's a festival that more than triples this small town's population for 4 days and brings huge music groups to the middle of nowhere. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the entire 4 days. My personal favorite was Buffet. This country girl is a beach bum at heart and he has a gift for making me feel as if sand is between my toes and an ocean breeze is on my face. He played a "surprise" gig, in that he wasn't on the schedule and they announced his performance a week or so ago. Seriously, the absolute highlight of my Roo weekend. Other acts I saw and enjoyed were Snoop Dog (seriously, a great show... what I could see through the haze ;)), Wilco (I didn't know any of their songs, but really liked what they played. In fact, that's who Pandora is playing for me right now.), Public Enemy (Flave-a-Flave!), Merle Haggard, Phish, Bela Fleck, Springsteen, & the Beastie Boys.

My friend and neighbor, Michelle, and I worked in a lemonade & pretzel stand for our tickets. We had so much fun people watching and talking to our customers. Our stand was in the middle of the Other Tent's field. The main acts there were African and Bluegrass. It was great listening to such different music and jamming along to the steel drums. We definitely met some interesting people with interesting "accessories" and stories! We had offers for things other than to pay $4 for a lemonade and learned a lot about people from all over the world; even as far away as Japan. It took that guy 70 hours to get here!

One funny story about a customer: this guy asked for extra sugar in his lemonade. It's already mixed and comes from a huge barrel. All we did was squeeze a lemon and add ice to make it look pretty. So I squeezed and mixed his up, he takes a sip and hands it back to me to "add some more sugar". Sure, buddy, whatever you want... @ the same time I am making change for someone else I take his cup, put it down under the counter, pick it back up and swirl it around and hand it back to him w/ his "extra" sugar. He takes another sip, his eyes get really big and he says, "Yeah, just like I like it!" Then throws a tip in the jar and bee-bops off. Hilarious! Perception is reality, huh? :)

The Roo was an absolute BLAST; I can't believe I waited so long to go, but am SOOOO glad I did! Thanks, Andy, Sheryl and the CHS Soccer booth for our ticket in. We will SO be there next year. Til then, this chic is back to reality... Kisses, hugs, dirty feet and playing hard w/ my babies, tri training and trying to organize this house. Loving life and looking forward to our next adventure!

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Truckin' Along

Week one of triathlon training is solidly behind me and I'm holding strong(ish) in week two. Well, that could be a lie... I'm surviving and thoroughly enjoying my workouts. I've even become an early bird (GASP!)! It's SOOO much easier to set my alarm for 5:45, get up, and get out the door before anyone turns over than it is to try to get something done later in the day. I know that chances of me getting in an afternoon or evening workout are slim to none. Going to bed by 9:30 isn't hard, especially when I can barely hold my eyes open!

Things I've learned while training:
1. Multiple showers a day are good... and fast!
2. Gears on a bicycle exist for a reason; to make life easier. Learn to use them and love the bike.
3. Body Glide is my new BFF.
4. G2 Gatorade makes me so sick, it's ridonkulous!
5. Cliff Bars keep me full from post workout until lunch.
6. Rednecks in big trucks swerving towards me are @#$#@%#$^ not funny.
7. Dog chase = all out sprint.

This past Saturday I volunteered at a local tri, the Mach Tenn. It was SO great to be able to tell everyone "Good luck & have fun!" after body marking them. And such a blast to cheer on my tri pals coming out of T2 and heading out for their run. The not so fun part? Who knew my quads would be SO SORE from doing squats to write on legs??!?! (And what's the point of men shaving their legs?) Holy hale, I'm still working out the soreness! :P

In non-tri news, my first Bonnaroo Festival is coming up in a couple of days. I am STOKED!!! I'm working in a lemonade / pretzel booth Thursday and Friday from 11-6 and then have the rest of the weekend to see: JIMMY BUFFET, The Beastie Boys, Phish, Merle Haggard, and Snoop Dog!!! Yee Hawwww, baby!

Our summer is in full swing. We are finally settling down into a good routine as far as playing outside, working in the garden, playing in the sprinkler, NOT watching tv, and enjoying down time. Nice, quiet, peaceful, fun, full of giggles, long naps, and love. What more can a mom ask for?

Workouts for the week:
M - 53 bike / 1 hr swim (almost died, called Brandon to bring my inhaler, AND got lapped by the guy who uses a floaty. Nice.)
T - 24 run (w/ babies in jogging stroller = HOT!)
W - 70 bike / 1 hr swim (goal: not coming close to death or getting passed by floaty friend)
T - 32 run + BONNAROO
F - 44 swim / 88 bike + BONNAROO
S - BUFFET @ BONNAROO
S - 44 run

My run is definitely my weakest aspect. Right now I'm doing a run 1 / walk 2 routine. next week I'm going to up it to 2/2 and see how that goes. HOPEFULLY I'll find my muscles helping me out and chop lots of time off as I truck along.

Till next time,
The Parrot Head