The weekend is here! Who doesn't love the weekend? I wish every day was a weekend day. Fun, training, friends....

I kicked off my weekend by riding downtown and volunteering for the Move It Memphis 5k/10k.

Whoo Hoo Rachel!!! (bad lighting in picture, oops!). She is my amazing training buddy- the way faster, way more talented, amazingly awesome training buddy that still lets me tag along. She is a consistent 18 min 5k runner, even when training for other distances. Today she raced some University of Memphis chicks and I think came in 3rd...not bad for a 37-year-old chick. Right now I am taking a break from speed work, but I can't wait to start meeting back up for our 5:45am kick-our-own-butts interval workouts.

And my other pal, Mike. Michael. I always want to say Michael as he is military and I think the formal name goes with the salute. :) I am making him show the camera that he was first place in the 10k today. Whoo hoo!!!! A couple of weekend ago we raced a 10k together and decided we have both gotten slowwwwww. He is racing his way into shape, and I am adding miles to my plan. Either way, we are going to meet up next year and do the Valentine's day couple thingy and hopefully kick some butt!!!

And my eternal gratitude to Alyson and Lilly for keeping me company this morning.

Alas, the volunteer job ended and I still needed to get in 3 hours on the bike. Alone, but not lonely, I headed through the hood to the country. I am not sure which is better. In the hood, I might get mugged, but in the country, the trucks WANT to run me over. People are such jerks in their cars. I think I have a better chance of survival in the hood, honestly. I ain't skeered.

Some hours later, I was hungry (because I ate all of my food at the volunteer post) and ready to be out of the wind (I forgot it just gets windier as the day goes on in this part of the country). But, I have to say, I had a good day spending time with Torres (aka Nando, my bike). I love, love, love my bike. Do not buy a bike without talking to David Lacek if you are in this area. He will help you figure out which geometry will fit you best- do not guess and spend all of that money. Every time I ride my bike I am so amazed at how much I like my bike. It does make a difference.

Okay- time to kick up the feet, finish reading Dog On It, and then head to a Mardi Gras party. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Healthy food all day long- all week long. (I think- I am not qualified to define healthy eating)

Glass of red wine in hand. Okay, 2nd glass of red wine.

For the first time in a couple of months, I am not completely drained on a Thursday night.

Is it the healthy food? Why do I have energy?

I don't know that I care, so I go to the kitchen to get some Girl Scout cookies.

Dave has polished them off.

And that is my reward for healthy eating. I wait too long to eat the cookies and they are gone.

Doesn't that qualify as negative reinforcement?

EDIT ON FRIDAY: I found the cookies. Dave hid them. The trick actually worked because by the time I found them I didn't want any and couldn't help but laugh. Who hides cookies from their wife? Really? Good stuff.

I don't have any profound training blurbs for today. (Do I ever?) So go check out the most recent post by Jen H. To add to her post, the most common complaint that I hear this time of year, especially on the bike..."I am so slow!!!" Well, it is cold and we haven't been riding, and we need to build back up, and it will come, and on and on. I mean, are we racing next week? And that local race in April is not the world champs, soooo.... chillax.

Get rid of your bike computer for a while so you aren't so consumed with mph. Shoot, I haven't used my bike computer in almost a year! (okay, okay. but that is because it died and I never did fix it. I don't have a bike computer out of laziness, not principle. I found, though, that I didn't really need it to race. I know what hard feels like and I don't need a certain mph to tell me if it was a good ride).

And, Jen also talks about blogging, facebook, twitter, .... all which can be draining to athletes. At least I don't twitter, and facebook is an afterthought, but I am wayyyyyy guilty of spending too much time on blogs. Like right now when I should be getting ready for bed.

Today was the happiest Wednesday around. Wednesday- my new favorite day of the week. First, I was the teacher's pet today in swim class. Seriously. My new favorite phrase is "everyone but Damie." (because I was doing the skill correctly). I got a couple of phone calls after class for that one with some teasing.

Secondly, I took a nap today. OMG. Heaven. I could sleep 12 hours in a total day if I didn't work. And, it was raining. Perfect. Guess who woke me up? Dave. Of course. I think he does it on purpose because he resents my Wednesdays.

Thirdly- I cooked dinner tonight. Wife points for me.

Whoo hoo Wednesday!!!!