A First!

Nope, not talking about a PR.

Nor a new distance.

Just a lovely chaffing rash under my bra line from running today.

It was only six miles.

And it is December.

Guess my bodyglide will be coming out of hibernation for this winter.

My Watch and Me

With Masters class cancelled for the next two weeks, I headed out yesterday for a solitary swim workout. Arriving at the Y to a full pool, I walked over to a lane with most polite looking swimmer – and it turned out to be TRIgirl BL, her husband whipping by in the next lane over. We chatted for a bit and then she glided off to finish her swim as I eased myself into the cold water to begin mine. There was a workout posted on the pool’s whiteboard, so I decided to give it a try. First was a 600 warm-up. I was feeling pretty good as I knocked out the 12 laps.

The main set was five 400s – broken up into 200s and 100s. I knew I couldn’t make the one interval time that was posted, but figured it would be a good way to set some baselines with my new and cool Christmas present – a swim watch. I checked my time after the first two 200s. The same sucky time for both - to the second. Hmph.

I gave my watch the evil eye. How dare it tell me I am so much slower than I hoped?

So I started on the four 100s. The first one was exactly half of the 200s. At least I was consistently sucky.

I thought to myself “I hate my watch.”

Annoyed, I continued with the next two 100s. Two seconds better. Three seconds better.

I decided not to time the next two 200s and work on form. They flew by and then it was time to confront the watch – and the 100s - again. Continuing through the 100s, my times (thankfully) improved, and I finished the last 100 seven seconds better than the first one of the day.

OK watch, maybe we’ve progressed to the like stage.

Favorite Gifts

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

For the past few years, one person or another in my immediate family has suggested scaling back for Christmas, celebrating more simply. But it has yet to really happen. A special present one year, a good year financially the next, the plans are usually thwarted before the Christmas trees are decorated. This year was no different.

But my favorite Christmas presents this year were not the most expensive ones (though I did love them, too).

Given how well I’ve treated myself during this Ironman year, between race fees and new equipment, I told my husband not to worry about me for Christmas, except for one thing. Something I didn’t even realize I wanted/needed this year until we put up the tree and I noticed the many different wire fox terrier ornaments we’d collected over the years – but alas, no bichons! I couldn’t believe it – Fezzy has been with us over a year and we did not have one ornament for him. Maybe it was because he was a surprise around Christmas time last year. Or maybe it was because we decided to not put up a tree last December.

And so, my husband listened. A week or so before Christmas, there was a package waiting on the stoop with two adorable bichon ornaments. Our tree seems much more complete and pretty with these latest additions.

On Christmas Eve, my brother and sister-in-law gave my husband and me a beautiful glass ornament honoring our sweet Wesley who crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge in May 2006. Between the hand-painted picture capturing Wesley’s spunky eyes and cute face – and a “forever in our hearts” message – I think I teared up for about 10 minutes. They also gave an ornament to my mom and dad for Shelby, another fox terrier that shared our home and memories.

Then, Christmas Day, the hubby and I were to be traveling I95 while most folks would still be celebrating. My crazy and wonderful family rushed around to squeeze in one more get together before the road trip back to Virginia. And in the midst of a quick meal and packing the car, my brother and sister-in-law gave us another thoughtful surprise - a frame with Fezzy and Buttercup’s pawprints pressed carefully on one side – and room for a special picture on the other. I’m already debating where to display it (after I figure out which pictures to use)!

Presents that remind me of my furkids – what could be better?

Love Me Some Outdoors

This is so sad - I started this post several days ago, when it was a little more fresh in my mind. But between work and holiday preparations, I wasn't able to finish it until tonight (Thursday)! So please excuse this somewhat late account of last weekend's awesome bike ride!
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TRIDi, Popscr and REB60 invited me to join them on Saturday for a bike ride. Standing on my deck that morning watching while Buttercup and Fezzy took care of their business, I thought to myself, "It is going to be a chilly one!"

Since my Christmas list includes all sorts of items I never thought I'd ever need until this year, like arm warmers, bike shoe booties and such, I scoured my closet to figure out what to wear. Fleece lined exercise pants, gortex turtleneck, bicycle jersey, a pair of borrowed arm warmers, heavy fleece sweatshirt and TRIgirl bicycle jacket later - I headed off to meet the crew at TRIDi's house, feeling more like the Michelin man than anything.

My fellow bicyclists were waiting for me, ready to go and a little more properly dressed. We headed off to do two loops around TRIDi's house, including a few more trafficked roads (she being a daring traffic connoisseur).

It was cold at first. But about five miles into the ride, it didn't matter. My mega layered torso must have been radiating enough heat throughout my body that even my ungloved fingers were warm. While our speed seemed faster than what it actually was, I occasionally thought I heard a manic Annnn laugh in the distance.

The ride flew by. We did a little over twenty miles in about an hour and fifteen minutes. TRIDi, Popscr and REB60 plan on riding every Saturday, weather permitting, and don't seem to mind if I tag along. Which convinced me - I am going to ride outdoors with them as much as possible during this winter off-season.

I will miss the discussions and music of indoor cycling class, though I am keeping my fingers crossed that no one minds if I still drop in on really bad weather days.

And I hope they understand that I just can't resist the lure a good ole outdoor ride!

Believing

Yesterday was Masters swim class.

For several months now, I've been arriving to Masters class and Ironwoman Canada has pointed to the same lane. I've longingly looked over at the lane where I used to swim. Where I wasn't always the slowest. Where I'd sometimes find familiar and kind faces. Where there'd be people who would be less concerned about intervals and would want to chat and catch-up between sets.

For several months now, I've swam in the Lane of Dread. With swimmers who'd be so far ahead, they'd lap me on a 200. With several folks who'd strictly adhere to their assigned intervals and had no interest in waiting for the rest of the group (aka, me) to catch-up. With a few guys who can be pretty darn competitive - and have thankfully tolerated me - probably because I've immediately moved over anytime they have come close to my toes.

Every once in awhile, Ironwoman Canada would shift over the superfast people into the next lane, but I would almost always still be the slowest with the swimmers that remained.

So, yesterday, I plopped myself in this lane with my normal sigh of resignation. We started our drills. I was still falling behind, but the gap didn't seem quite as large.

Then we started the first of a bunch of sets of 100s and 200s. I wasn't being lapped. I was finishing close to or before the person in front of me started their next split.

With the next few sets, I decided to try to reach the person in front of me. I'd never been able to draft off these swimmers before. But, somehow, I was doing it - I was keeping up enough to draft.

I'd finish a set and wonder when I'd tire or when the other swimmers would kick into their normal speed. I found myself huffing and puffing, but still hanging on. Even when we went to the 300, the pull buoys or the modified IMs, I was within a respectable distance.

When we ended the class, the guy who I had been drafting off of all night, joked with me and said "Next time, you'll need to lead a few sets." I think we both knew I won't be ready for that for long while, but it was still an indirect compliment - you're doing better.

As everyone began leaving the pool, I walked out with Ironwoman Canada. Around this time I was starting to wonder, maybe these guys were injured or sick or Ironwoman Canada had told them to go easy and let me draft. As I started to voice these thoughts, Ironwoman Canada cut me off.

She told me they weren't true.

She told me she'd been putting me in this lane for a reason - for a day like today to arrive.

She told me I needed to be less timid.

She told me that I had more ability than I thought I did - and that I needed to push myself.

And she told me that one of my biggest obstacles has been just believing in myself.

I'm still a little skeptical about what next week's Masters class will bring, but am mulling over these few new ways of thinking. For trying out a few revised self-definitions.

For wondering what could lay ahead by just believing in myself.

Please Vote for Mommy - by Fezzy

Mommy has been very busy lately trying to keep up with work and life in general - so I've had a chance to sneak onto the computer and tell you all that her blog has been nominated for an RVA 2k7 Blog Award by the ever so awesome Triathlonmom. She is very flattered and is so honored to be listed among such talented writers.

Go take a look - blogs by Triathlonmom (Near West End News) and TRIgirl Cyndi (Simply Tri-ing) have also been nominated!

And please vote for them all. The more time Mommy blogs, the less time she will be gone working or training!

Shifting Gears

While not quite a year in review or list of new resolutions, some changes seem to be a'brewing.

Last year, the past 12 months, have been a static-charged experience. There was so much to learn, so many distances to accomplish, so many obstacles to overcome. To think, last December, I couldn't swim in a wetsuit or take in more than 100 calories during a workout, let alone complete an IM, a half IM or even a marathon.

It's been a crazy ride.

Now, there is less anxiety stepping into off-season training. Rather than continuing along the path of constant uncharted territories, the next year is already feeling a little more...familiar. And with that comes a sense of peace - and dare I say - confidence?

I don't have to participate in every race that pops up - I can choose the ones I really want to do.

I don't have to stick to every single workout exactly as prescribed - I've learned enough about my body to brave adapting some training sessions on my own.

I don't have to worry (as much) about whether I can merely do something - I can focus more on attempting to do it better.

As crazy as it may sound, I've been feeling charged since IMFL - like there are untapped wells still be explored in my triathlon future.

Instead of painstakingly plotting every minute detail of the roads ahead, I think I am going to sit back a bit and see where this next journey takes me.

A Life Lesson

There are moments that leave you wishing you could turn back the clock or do things differently.

This week, I fired my cleaning people. For months, I'd come home and see the same stains on the floors or notice niches of my house that looked like they'd hadn't seen a dust rag in months.

Every once in awhile, I'd leave a note - "Please clean floors thoroughly" or "Bathrooms need some extra attention." There'd be a slight difference for that week, but the message never really carried over.

Then a month ago, I took a personal day to go to the doctor and run some errands. My doctor's appointment was for 9:30. I left around 9:00 and was home by 10:45. Within that hour and 45 minutes, the cleaning people came - and left. I had no idea how long they actually stayed - but I doubt it was more than an hour. As a matter of fact, when I told my neighbors - they were like, "We've been wondering whether to mention to you..."

So I left a note this week, asking for the key and thanking them for their service. To which I received the following back.

"We told you to tell us if we weren't doing something right, but you didn't."

Guilt. Even though I "thought" I did. Maybe I should have waited till after the holidays. Maybe I should have been more clear or given them another chance or issued an ultimatum. Or, or...

Then tonight, I found out that I was part of something that unintentionally hurt someone I care about and respect greatly. And though part of my part included trying to avoid such a thing from happening - I never took the time to double check - to make sure all the bases were covered and all the "i"s were dotted.

Generally, I am better about being on top of these type of things. The proofing, the fact checking, the editing - that is what I do all day long. There are excuses I could throw out about what happened - but they really don't matter. Honestly, I don't deserve, nor want, a pass here - I should have been more aware - more conscientious - more on top of things.

Because if I was that person, I'd be hurt, too.

Makes the whole cleaning people thing look ridiculous.

For now, I just need to look for a way to make amends, to apologize - and to take from this a lesson - to not let life's craziness get in the way of making sure to do the double-checking when it really matters the most.