April Showers

Whew! Memphis is a little crazy this time of year weather wise. Just when you are super excited to ride your bike outside, mother nature makes sure it is extra windy to give you just a little more of a challenge. I used to hate riding in the wind, but I have learned to just ignore the mph and enjoy the day outside.

This week we have moved from wind to storms. Real storms with huge downpours, hours of lightening, tornadoes, and loss of power. We have listened to tornado sirens many times the past 2 weeks. Of course you are supposed to take cover when you hear sirens. So when I was running yesterday, with lightening every 15 seconds and tornado sirens going off all over the city, I couldn't help but think that just maybe I am not right in the head. I spent one mile trying to figure out when to just go home.

I finally called it quits when I decided it wasn't worth explaining to Dave how the lightening and thunder were "such and such seconds apart so I was not in big danger." Never mind the sirens. Some battles just aren't worth it, plus I realized I sounded like an idiot.

At least we have our power back this morning. I have been sitting here listening to 3 consistent hours of lightening and rain. It feels good to just sit back, listen, and rest. Mother nature is pretty awesome.

Here are some pics from the past weekend- sunny and windy!!!

Los Locos at the Cycle for Safety. I am the midget in the middle.

I have been trying to strengthen my arms, I swear. But when I see myself next to Kevin, I realize that I still own chicken wings. However, Kevy looks great!

A new project for you!!!

Who doesn't need to clean out there closet and get rid of some gear that they do not use anymore? Once I started filling this box, I came across more and more things that I do not use enough to justify keeping. It is time to share!!! Bree is collecting running shoes and clothes for 200 Philippines children so that they, too, can experience the joy of running. Check out the details here. And send your box of stuff to the address below.

Bike Works
74-5583 Luhia Street
Kailua-Kona, Hi 96740
808 326 2453

PS- she needs this by May 15th!

Around and About

This week has been much better. I have gotten some needed sleep and rest, and it really made a world of difference to me. I stretch myself too thin sometimes hanging out with friends, but I really can't complain. I mean, what a problem to have, huh?

Oh, and I told Dave that I didn't want to do ANYTHING this week or weekend. Nothing extra. I would say "no" to every invitation. How is that working for me? Well, tonight I went to Bosco's to help send Laura off. Do I dare say no to the other invitations that came my way today: Girls' Night at Gayle's on Saturday and Easter dinner with my parents? Aghhh!!!! I am going to bed NOW to bank some sleep.

Saturday night Dave and I had some yummy, homemade Indian food with some of our old New Orleans/college friends. Good times!

I then jetted over to Cafe 1912 to have drinks with Joy (in town briefly) and Laura (moving to California for good this week!!!!!). See- see how I try to cram everything in? It was so worth it, though. I never get to see Joy anymore, and Laura is about to desert me as well. Looks like I will have to start booking some flights out west...

But really, besides the comings and goings of my friends, my life is just kind of humming along. There is nothing new to report. I am going to work every day. I train every day. I love my dogs. I love Dave. That just about sums everything up.

I have made some good progress with my running. I ran 36 miles last week. That is a huge number for me as I have not seen it since 2008. The best part about it is, I am no worse for wear. I actually feel good. You see, I have learned that I cannot build miles + go to track + worry about my speed + race. Every single time I have been focused on my running...even when I have been running well....I would get greedy. I would jump up to a 50 mile week and in that week I would also have a hard track workout and some sort of road race on the weekend. I would try to PR in the 5k and the marathon AS WELL AS do well in my triathlons. Super smart, yes? We have all done it. So, I am truly building a base right now. If you don't believe me, ask my friends. They have been very tolerant of my "I am staying at a low HR blah blah blah" training.

The best part of running for me right now is....drum roll...enjoying it! I enjoy it! I am not in constant pain, and running is starting to become joyous again! I am not completely pain free, and I don't think I ever will be, but boy what a difference.

Here is my favorite run of the week (and the best part about having some time in your season where you just get in some easy miles): me + my two dogs + no HR monitor + no care for time + trails + water/phone/camera.

Time FLIES when you run the trails with your dogs. I think the thought that crosses my mind most often on these runs is: who is the leader of this pack? Why am I in the back?

Water break!

Somehow...don't ask how because I have no clue...Rooney can manage to find a tennis ball in the middle of a forest hidden under a huge log WHILE we are running.

So, I hope everyone has a run this week that they enjoy. I hope your miles are going well and you are getting strong. Have a great week!

Karma Help

I have been a little overly stressed lately...I would say the past two weeks? I felt it coming on and couldn't quite pinpoint it. Last night, I finally reached that point where I thought, "I don't like work and I am miserable, my training sucks and I will never be faster, and on and on."

The thing is, I do like work (most of the time). If you asked me what I would do other than physical therapy, I couldn't really tell you. (except run my animal rescue farm one day- and I guess it is way too late to play professional soccer).

My training also does not suck, although when I am stressed, my training is sub-par. Like everything else, I have some successful runs and some poor runs. Making progress in triathlon for me is just not linear, although I want it to be. So, I have to take a step back and look at the big picture quite often.

Before I flipped my lid- and I was oh so close to doing that last night- I thought to myself...does everything about my training/running right now suck, or am I just stressed and need to sleep on it and rethink things in the morning? Dave and I decided the trip to Pensacola last weekend put things off center a bit- the travel, the stress of spending way too much money, the drinking, the rush back home, the disruption in our routine, skipping the grocery store and not having any good meals, etc....

So, I marched straight to bed with two missions that may just center the world a little bit for me.

Mission 1: write some long over-due thank you notes. I do not write these enough. I want to make a good habit of telling people thank you more often. I am taking them to the post office NOW!

Mission 2: give a little bit to others... Now, Dave Ramsey tells me to wait on this because I have not reached this baby step and I have not paid off my debt. But, sometimes just a little is okay, right? :) Check these good links out if you have a mind to share a little bit today:

• TEAM VICTORIOUS SECRET - to benefit SEEDS and SEE SAW. Check with Kari Mayhew for more information.
• EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS- Nate's College Fund- Check with Hillary Biscay for more information.
• MEMPHIS AREA YMCA- We Build People Campaign - Great cause for local Memphians.

Has my karma changed? Stressed dissolved? Hmm. I don't know, but I definitely feel better this morning after some rest than I did last night. :)