Health!

It has been almost 14 months exactly since surgery. I think things have been going really well as a whole, and I am looking forward to 2011. :) I am running and enjoying it, so life is swell.

Dave and I have been having a lot of conversation lately about our bodies, our ages, and our future. We both hurt a lot, especially in our bones/joints. It is the result of decades of soccer, and Dave and I are the same player- we hit hard. Dave is at his crossroads right now. He is really hurting on a daily basis. Does he continue on at this pace and risk a hip replacement later in life? It is tough to know when to say when, especially when you enjoy sports.

I came to this crossroad 6 years ago, but I was too immature to think beyond my 20s. I am proud to say, though, that I finally submitted my alumni status to the soccer team. I know now that I want to be able to do triathlons in my 40s, and I am starting to see the bigger picture for my body. I am so grateful that Dave and I can share these physical challenges together.

What we have realized is that at this age, it has to be more about health. Yes, goals and accomplishment can fit in there, but we must place more emphasis on health. We are not spring chickens, and we need to take care of our bodies. They have worked so hard for us over the past years- we have demanded so much from them. We need to take care of them.

My 2011 vision for health will focus on letting my ego go and racing only when healthy. It means letting go of my athletic past and forging a new, healthy future. It also means doing what it takes to take care of my knees. I have so many goals, and I think if I do a better job of respecting my knees, they will try to accomplish everything they can for me.

The little bugger is doing okay. We had him drained today because fluid has been sitting back there for 14 months. I am going to do everything I can to appease him and keep him healthy!

Wrapping it up! Christmas in New Orleans was great fun. I still get to have a little Christmas in Memphis this week, so it is not over for me yet.
This is the funniest picture of the weekend. I had just finished some mile repeats in Audubon park on Christmas eve morning. The temp started to drop and all I could find in the car was an orange shirt and blue sweater. Dave and I went straight to Port of Call- a burger for him and a Monsoon for me. I look so happy- I guess I forgot it was the middle of the day! (Dave raised an eyebrow at my order)

little voice again: way to make good choices, Damie!

We spent the rest of the day in the French Quarter. I kept getting heckled as an Auburn fan but could not figure out why. I finally figured it out and just decided to take my orange shirt off and freeze to prove my Louisiana loyalty.

I made it to church and dinner that evening, but I fizzled out and did not participate in the caroling and other festivities. At some point, I told Dave I was a little under the weather and calling it a night. I heard him mutter something about a Monsoon....

But I was back on track for Christmas day. It is debatable whether or not I have been good this year, but as long as I keep getting presents, I will continue to have my current behavior reinforced.

A new pair of Vibrams- I already have the Classics, and now I have the KSOs. I wore them all day long and just having them on my feet made me want to go for a run. I have recently been running all of my miles in shoes and have never quite been consistent in getting in more barefoot miles. All I have to do is make it happen and reap the benefits.

A painting from Key West's Sharon Wells. Key West has some good similarities to New Orleans in color and style with their homes. This is a great picture and can't wait to add it to our art collection.


I can't wait to wear this to swim practice tomorrow- my new Saints Superbowl Champions towel and my new TCB suit. Everyone, please tell me that you know the lightening bolt symbol with TCB is from Elvis and it means TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS. TCB to me is like HTFU. Dave did not know what TCB meant and I almost had a heart attack.

My favorite gift so far- James and Steph donated to a rescue group and saved a dog! The ornament with the dog's picture in it is the exact dog that was given a home in a New Hampshire rescue- a no kill shelter- on my behalf. This was such a touching present- definitely meant a lot to me.

And a Kindle. I have refused to buy a Kindle- I love holding a book- going to the library, collecting piles of books, etc... I guess no one will know now if I am reading a real book or a romance novel. hmmm..... but just for the record, the first book I downloaded was The Count of Monte Christo- one of my all time faves and it was free. Of course I am only downloading free books right now because I am thrifty like that. If anyone knows how to download free books for the kindle, please let me know!

Merry Merry!

Friday morning in New Orleans is all about recovery. The family is sitting in the living room watching "America's Game" on the New Orleans 2009 Saints. All of the guys have tears in their eyes. I just ate a strawberry pastry thingy from PJs and some sushi- all in an attempt to recover from the Carousel Bar and hit the road for some mile repeats. I can hear a little voice on my shoulder saying "way to make good choices, Damie."

2011- the year I start making better nutritional choices. You heard it here.

My mother-in-law just clapped at the TV- at a taped Saints program- so funny.

The Roberts family at Antoine's in the quarter last night.

Spending some holiday time with Dave's Pop Pop

Seriously- I am still watching the Saints on the road to the 2009 Superbowl, and I have chills. My mother-in-law is still clapping. And I want Sean Peyton to be my coach. I think he has the right combination of cojones, curse words, and superstitious beliefs that would fit right in line with me.

I recently found a great blogger- Bourbon Feet. Extremely fast runner with a great love for the sport and respect for his body. I absolutely love how he runs a lot of 10 minute miles, yet can crush races (2:3o something marathoner). I have never thought it was necessary to pay homage to your Garmin and force yourself to run a certain pace in every training session. Some of my fastest races have come on the back end of my slowest training. Bourbon Feet has some very wise words on listening to your body to determine training and race paces as well as keeping a healthy perspective on running and getting faster. Plus he enjoys life and doesn't take himself so seriously. So, I stole the picture below from his blog- some good thinking.

Racing

(health vs ego)

Merry Christmas to everyone- have a great weekend and enjoy your friends and family!

My Christmas list, in no particular order:
1. A Saints win over Atlanta
2. A pair of 808s
3. Ability to run long in 2011
4. The perfect home for Shelby Angel

Last year workouts for this week in December: run- 5 minutes. trainer- easy 30 minutes spin.

This year workouts for this week in December: run- 12 miles. bike-3 hours.

I sometimes forget, as I slog through the winter- but yes, I have made progress.

PRs

The holiday parties have almost passed. I think towards the end I burnt out like a bright fallen star. It was fun, but I am sure ready to rest! It has been a great holiday season thus far.

It is time to talk about training again, the topic on the back burner.

On my mind todays- PRs. Personal records.

Personal. And Records.

Personal, because running is personal. Right? Do you run to impress others, have a certain time published, or look down your nose at the next person who does not have a "PR" as fast as yours? Or do you run because you enjoy setting personal goals, enjoying the journey, and feeling pride in accomplishment?

I started running somewhere in middle school. I am sure it tied in to soccer somehow, and I remember my cheerleading coach had me run as well. I always enjoyed it, to the point where I remember reading Runner's World in middle school. Was I fast? Heck no! Meredith was fast. Melanie was fast. I was a clumsy, weird kid. I just happened to enjoy the way I felt when I ran.

As a freshman, I joined the track team for the first time. I never particularly liked the actual track workouts, but I really liked it when the coach told us to go run for 20 or 30 minutes. I liked the steady-state running- and I shied away from the "racing in practice" mentality. Maybe it was because I was used to playing soccer with the Meredith's of the world- the genetic speed I would never have. I was resigned to going long rather than going fast. (I am the typical center midfielder- let me use my brain to compensate for my lack of speed.)

Back to PRs. The first PRs I remember is: 6:39 in the mile as a freshman at the Latin Club Convention. Not even a track meet. And I ate pizza right before I ran- that is something I will never forget or repeat. That PR stood for the next...oh....13 or so years? One day, right after a 3000 yard swim practice I met a friend on the track for some running and ran a 6:16 mile. So, that is now my PR. Not an intentional one. I would hope my body's true PR is a lot faster than that, but until I actually go time a mile, that one will have to stand in the books.

As a freshman, I also ran my first local 5k with my two track buddies, Tara and Christine (years and years later, I still remember which buddies ran the race with me). I was an 800 meter runner at the time, but 3.1 miles didn't seem like a big deal. And I am sure I went out at an 800 meter pace as I remember walking somewhere during that race. I also remember my friend's mom passed me. Here I was- my first year in track- and a mom was passing me. (It would be Ms. Allen, BTW- some things you never forget). My new 5k PR was a 28:??. This PR stood for the next 13 years?!!! I never did another 5k until I started doing triathlons. And boy do I remember that 5k at Rebel Man 2006. I was ssooooo excited to run the whole 3.1 miles. No walking- no sireee!!!!

PRs are a symbol of my journey with running. I do my best to not let the number define me as a person or a runner, except for defining my persistence and determination. I have been as proud of a 24 minute 5k in 2006 as I have anything else- because it meant that for the first time I ran faster than an 8 minute mile in a 5k. I was uber-proud earlier this year to run a 23 minute 5k- I am sure other runners thought "boy Damie has gotten slow!" but I thought "yea!!! I can still run after surgery!"

PRs- Personal. and Records. Records are a static period in time. Runners aren't static- we are dynamic and changing. Don't let a number- a recorded place in time- be the definition of your talent and capabilities. I have too many PRs that I know are NOT the reflection of my true running ability. But if I want to change them, I better start racing!

PRs are the guideline and map for your running journey. Don't judge yourself worthy or faster than the next person based on PRs. Use head to head running to race others if you want to compete! Set new PR goals for yourself, and go get them! There is always someone faster and slower than you, so let your PRs be about you and your journey, not the next person's number.

Changes!!!

Yes, new job. Day #1. I am happy to be home and a little exhausted- mostly mentally. I have switched from geriatrics to pediatrics. From a 6 mile commute to hours of driving per week. To knowing how my week will play out with my patients- to having no idea how my week will play out as I build my caseload. To creating my own schedule- to having someone make the schedule for me.

They type A in me hates loss of control. I am a huge worrier. Dave told me yesterday my "only" fault (he initially said "only" but retracted the word later) is that I am glass-near-empty when it comes to the unknown. He said I stroll through life with my glass half-full, but the minute I come to a closed door with the unknown on the other side, I immediately prepare for a thunderstorm instead of a rainbow.

So big changes in jobs are super scary for me. And whoo hoo!!! I chose to make a job change around Christmas, thus adding to the seasonal stress. (hello Christmas cookies and candy!!!!! and an extra 5 pounds by January, I am sure!) Seriously, though, I am definitely stressed, but I think this will have a great outcome and will be worth the tough transition.

There have been some good changes going on as well for me. For one, I now have a new master's swim coach- Gil Stovall- totally awesome and I am loving practice again. His practices give me that sense of a accomplishment I crave. Gil and I have talked about that 41/55 swim stat from AG Nats- not going to happen again.

I have also turned another small corner with running- last week I ran 5 days in a row. I haven't done that since Feb 2009. And I felt great. (there is a small debate at this time as to whether my slow progress in running has been psychological or physiological, but that requires a whole other blog post. Both Dave and Joy adamantly believe it is physiological and I tend to listen to them as they know me best. Take home message- less is still more for me right now).

Alas, despite everything going on, Christmas is still on its way- bringing cheer and friendship. It is moving too fast for me right now and I can't keep up. But I am trying.
Brandon and Alisha- new Los Locos members, had a marriage celebration this past weekend. I am really looking forward to having them on our team.

Dave and I also went to our soccer team's Annual Sweater (tacky) Party this past weekend. Super fun. And yes, that is a side-pony tail.

Before I tackle Christmas, I need to finish Thanksgiving and the beginning of holiday tradition. Here is our 2010 picture of the Annual Turpin Turkey Trot. Papa was in charge of shirts this year, and in accordance with his personality, he had them screen printed. (and my shirt from 2006 is still voted worst shirt- I will have a chance to redeem myself in 2012). And papa dressed up as a turkey...laughs all around :) I think there was supposed to be a contest where the loser had to wear the turkey suit around the neighborhood for the Turkey Trot, but somehow papa just took ownership and wore it with pride.

Okay- so on to Christmas-

The Turpin family decided to do donations this year to the Porter-Leath Toy Drive instead of buying a lot of stuff for each other. It was a lot of fun filling up a basket with kids' toys and making a worthwhile donation. I hope we make this our new annual Christmas tradition- it felt good to give.

Next up- Stumbling Santa 2010 for the Ronald McDonald House
My girlfriends from work and I dressed up in our Christmas gear and pranced down to Beale Street. We exchanged our donated toys for shots (a fair trade) and went bar hopping. Dave was being a party pooper, so we left him at home to watch ESPN. (wife in short skirt, or ESPN....priorities, you know?)

Did I mention how sad I am to leave my friends from work next week to start my new job? ;((((

I kept texting Dave how much fun I was having, blah blah, too bad he is a party pooper... and next thing I knew, Dave showed up in the most hilarious outfit to have some fun. (all you have to do is make something a competition, you know? Guys fall for that every time).

Sunday- Me on the couch, the dogs on top of me (not on the open side of the couch), a romance novel in hand, still in my pajama pants at noon, hair a mess. Total happiness.

More fun to come ahead with the Annual Christmas Sweater Party this weekend and the Los Locos Christmas party next weekend. Whoop whoop!

St Jude Marathon- someone else's RR :)

Quick post on a great St Jude Marathon morning.

My morning- ran 8 miles on part of the marathon course with Gina and other friends for some pacing and good cheer- then cut off to my bike for some spectating. So, I can now run 10 miles again (will I be stuck here forever?) I did not feel great today, and I was 100% thankful I was not racing. It was just one of those days where I felt tired, out of shape, no pep, and ready to be off of my feet and on my bike. Training days are not always magical! But, I am glad I got to run with some of my friends and get in the spirit of the race.

By the way- haven't run St Jude in a while (I haven't since 2007)? There is now a great section that cuts right through St Jude. It is lined with families and children- everyone thanking you for your support. Of course I cried the whole half mile- it was really emotional.

On to the good stuff-
Huge congrats to Laura for her big PR today. I really don't know what her time is, but I am assuming it was around 3:30. Words cannot describe how great she looked when I found her at mile 19, 23, and 25. I was a total friend heckler:
"Your ass looks great, Laura. You have the best butt out here!"
"Hurry the f@ck up! I am going to need you to pick it up! HTFU"
"Come on- push it! Do NOT drop your pace. Let's go. Move your arms. Pain is inevitable- suffering optional. Let's go!" (this is like at mile 23-25...ha ha! like anyone wants to hear that at those miles- but guess what, she listened and picked it up even more than her already great pace!)
- "Your form looks really great- which means you will have good race photos which is really important!"

At mile 25 she was surrounded by a great group of Los Locos teammates- running/cycling her in. I absolutely love my tri team- we have such great support and athletes that get it! We all push each other to do well and have high expectations for each other.

This picture of Laura was stolen off of facebook. I forgot my camera.

So- Laura ran so well- so strong- because she earned it. Good days aren't gifts- they are earned. She has worked hard for an entire year to build up her mileage. Her marathon did not start 4 months ago, it started last year when she started running the trails more. She stayed injury free (I think- at least I never heard her complain!). She did the work and pushed herself. Congratulations Laura on your more than BQ!!!!!

I am stealing from Angela (some good bullet posts lately)- here are my bullet points for the night- I just can't seem to put the 100 things on my mind into a paragraph or two in readable format.

1. Just had dinner at Los Compadres and a margarita for Wednesday night dinner. No need to wonder why my body composition is never that great. I sure did have fun though!

2. Kari- you rock too. Thanks for the email. I agree that this is all good stuff.

3. Here is a picture from my cousin. (teenager- love her. teenagers sometimes get it so right). I have now planned a trip to Heber Springs, Arkansas to spend some time with her. I asked her to plan something fun for us (is 32 years-old too old to crash a high school party?). And I think I want to go shopping with a teenager- it has been a while.

4. I turned in my two- week notice to work. On to something different. I had to pull my big girl panties up and just really try something new, challenging, and scary.

5. The leg is fine. No more soccer for the year, though. (someone please help me quit. I swear it is easier to stop smoking cigarettes).

6. I am ready for an Ironman. Seriously. I mean, not ready to do one tomorrow, but ready to do one in the near future.

7. Get right- or get left. My new saying.

8. I am starting to get in that frame of mind where I .... like to swim. Not that I am getting any faster, because I am getting slower. It is just the satisfaction of someone barking a workout to me, and me completing it. Although I fail to see what could be fun about this process, I am secretly enjoying it.

9. Has anyone read "The Art of Racing in the Rain?" Every day Rooney sniffs and kisses my face in a very concerned manner. He really takes his time to investigate everything that is going on with me. Every time he does this (which is daily now), I start to worry that I have a brain tumor or that something is wrong with me. I guess you would have to read the book.

10. My song of the week is "Malibu" by Hole. It is stuck in my head.

Going to bed- alternating between a romance novel and Lamb by Christopher Moore. Good luck everyone in the St. Jude Marathon.