I’ve moved

to here:

runforwine.net

I tried to update the feedburner, but when I tested it, no luck.

I want to make it as easy as possible for people to continue following me, but there’s nothing like technology to make me feel like a moron.

Thanks for the Love

I can always count on my blog peeps to lift me up when I’m feeling down. THANK YOU for all your nice comments. Feeling better.

There are a couple of reasons why I haven't focused on triathlons this year. One is because of my IT band injury, and the other is more personal. Maybe someday I will give myself another shot at it, but until then I have to acknowledge what I DID do, rather than what I didn’t. (don’t we all!). I know full-well how hard I worked, what I dealt with in training and race day, but the bottom line is that sometimes you really want the numbers to show that. Insecurities? yes.

In sharp contrast to yesterdays photo, this morning:

47* is perfect for running. Not so perfect for an OWS. But that’s how we roll up here.

45 minutes later: It feels like somebody punched me in the face with Novocain and water boarded me with salt water. But pain makes you feel so ALIVE. doesn’t it?

Fake it till you make it.

 

Puget Sound (aka cold ass water) Wollochet Bay:

My awesome friend Mellissa swam SANS wetsuit. She is a phenomenal swimmer. And very nuts. If you ever hear of someone swimming from Alaska to Russia, it’s likely her.

 

A long hot shower and cup of coffee later, I can feel my toes again.

Spreading the love SHOUT OUTS:

Go over to Running Sane and wish her luck at Grandma’s this weekend! She is a hilarious and very REAL blogger who tears it up on all over the arctic tundra (minne-sot-a to you and me). GOOD LUCK GIRL!!

Also send some love to the freakishly strong athlete Running, Tri-ing, and Living who is racing Patriot Half Ironman this weekend! You are such an inspiration! Many well wishes to you Ana Maria!

 

Tags: OWS, i've got issues

Regrets and Remorse

 

It still pisses me off that last year at my one and only attempt at a 70.3 I got a record heat day. I feel cheated. And it still bothers me.

A good friend of mine just did Boise 70.3. She did awesome and I’m jealous. Happy for her, but still – jealous. She had the finishing time that I was training for.

I wish I would have done another, but what do you do. You can’t just find one the following weekend.

And now I’m convinced the bike is what fucked me up. Well, that and marathon training a few weeks later. I will not train for another event like that without a solid bike partner(s).

I know it was amazing even to finish that day, but Eff. How do I get over this disappointment? Unfinished business?

Tags: 70.3

Weigh in Monday

 

Thank you all so much for the ideas for the dresser. Yesterday I sanded it down and hope to get a couple coats of primer on it by this weekend. Hopefully I can unveil it by next weekend.

I’m attempting a double workout today in preparation for Ragnar. 3 easy miles this morning then 3 miles with hill repeats tonight. Nervous, but I’m getting a massage sandwiched in between which I think will really help. I know it’s only three miles, but there is still a small part of me that expects the injury to reappear so I’m really making an effort to SLOWLY increase mileage.

I’m still having problems commenting on some blogs. Something about the comments being embedded on blogs. I don’t know. I just know when I try to comment on certain ones, it kicks me off and prompts me to log in to Google reader again. Frustrating and annoying. So if I’m not commenting, it’s probably because I can’t. Not because I don’t want to!

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Molly over at I’m a Sleeper Baker is doing a 2nd round of Weight Loss Challenge. Well, less of a '”challenge” and more of a support group really. But I’ve decided to play along this time.

I don’t talk about my weight very much on this blog, but it’s often on my mind, as I’m sure it is with most of you. My self-worth isn’t attached to my weight necessarily, however I do feel better about myself and better in general (particularly my energy level) when I feel ‘light’. <-contradiction much? I know you know what I’m talking about.

Until recently, I haven't been running or training AT ALL over the last several months I haven't really had a major focus on nutrition. I dieted (awful word! but the right one for this instance) for Hawaii. Then I splurged when I got back. And have been ever since.

As it stands, it can either go two ways: I can go up a size, or I make a conscious effort to lighten up.

TMI – if you don’t want to hear about poop then skip next paragraph.

This challenge comes at a very pointed time. I recently spend two days constipated. I know everybody is different, but I am an EVERYDAY pooper. Usually twice a day. The other day I didn’t poop. Ok, no problem. The next day I didn’t poop. (incidentally, had an awfully horrible pathetic run) and that night I literally slept on the couch (in pain) waking up nearly every ever (in pain) and drinking water in an attempt to move and flush things along. So many things wrong with that situation that even I’m not comfortable sharing. How do people live like that? I think it’s because I ate a whole package of Oreos in less than 48 hours. That’s like 40 Oreos people!

Ok, safe to begin reading again.

My goals for this weight loss challenge: 1 pound a week (challenge is 5 weeks)

More specifically: eat 25-30 g of fiber, 3-4 servings of fruit, and 4-5 servings of vegetables

The focus being less on losing weight, more of what I’m eating.

Meal Plan designed to keep a tally of fiber, fruits, and vegetables:

 

The keys to success will be preparing foods that I can easily grab and eat during the week.

Such as –

Lima Bean Salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lima Bean Salad

red onions
prepared lima beans (I grab frozen ones)
cherry/plum tomatoes
garlic
basil
avocado

Combine and refrigerate.

 

Summer Fruit Salad

several fruits of choice at produce stand

 

Secret Ingredients: Mint and Lime (a little zest and juice)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s to a week of healthy eating and pooping.

Molly is also running the NYC marathon this fall and is raising money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. She’s having a ton of fun giveaways and prizes all summer long to help raise money.  You should go check her out!!

Tags: meal plan, recipes, weight

Dresser Project

I bought this at a yard sale and I want to transform it into a nice piece of furniture.

Paint options (I’m only picking one color):

blue family

neutral grey

darkest

Next, which finish?

And finally, the hardest decision. Hardware.

each is pictured in the polished nickel (on left) and satin nickel.

all from Restoration Hardware. I’ve been searching knobs and pulls online for three days straight. I was limited by 3'” center-to-center screw holes. Finally gave up on all that business. This is why I don’t shop at thrift stores. I have no patience for endless searching. I know what RH has to offer in terms of quality and reliability. That is worth a higher retail price (although all this hardware is super affordable!).

I have my favorite, but I’m not sure it will look the best with the curves of the dresser…….

What combination do you think?

 paint color, pain finish, hardware, and hardware finish

Tags: home projects, furniture

Commenting on Blogger

I figured it out. There are certain formats that I can’t comment on - The ones with the comment directly on the bottom of the post like these blogs:

Meg Runs!

I’m a Sleeper Baker

Living the Dream

Versus the blogs that direct you to a separate comment page like this, which I can comment on:

Running Sane

Ambitious Aspirations

What I don’t understand is why other people can comment on the blogs that I can not?

Home again

I’m home again for a while.

I’ve been trying to get this post out for over a week now. Every time I sit down to finish it up something comes up.

And what’s up with Google lately? I can’t comment on some of your blogs. Every time I hit the “comment” button it directs me back into the sign in page. So I sign in (even though I KNOW I’m already signed in), then I hit comment again. But it sends me right back to the sign in page.

Is there an update I need to do or something? Anybody else having that problem? I guess if nobody comments here I know my blog is also on the fritz. Somebody email me or comment me if you know what’s going on.

A few weeks ago were were here:

It was as you would expect a beautiful vacation.

We came home on a Saturday night, then Sunday morning left again for my husbands work conference. It’s a week of boring lecture and training for the husbands, but fun and drunken bonding for the spouses. I can not begin to express how truly awesome it is to meet other women who deal with the same lifestyle issues as me. No need to explain every detail to each other. Most of us can finish each others sentences when we start discussing frustrations or even just everyday emotions and events. I always walk away with new friendships and a refreshing outlook on life.

One of the wives is a breast cancer survivor. Another is currently battling breast cancer and just completed her first round of chemotherapy. Both of them got the news while there husbands were away. It really puts the bad news I got a few months ago into perspective. 

 

The drunk-mobile

The Real Housewives of ATC

Sunrise at Skank-mania lodge (@ the Columbia River gorge)

Oh yeah, and last week I ran 12 MILES! Holla.

This week, I’m shooting for 15 big ones!

Shopping Spree + Hair Pic

 

Before every vacation it seems to be imperative that I go on a shopping spree for said vacation.

The goods:

First up – Eddie Bauer

love, love, LOVE that long sweater with the belt. LOVE. Half off, plus another 30%. LOVE.

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Ann Taylor Loft (they have the PERFECT color story right now!)

A beautiful albeit very wrinkled purple linen dress.

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Old Navy

this will be the purse for the vacation. $12.00. The cheapest purse I’ve ever bought and a score.

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Target

cheap swimsuit top (to match another full swimsuit I already own) and even cheaper seasonal tanks

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Nordstrom (the holy grail of accessories)

both the shoes and wrap will go with purple dress above.

Side note – these shoes are ULTRA comfortable. Granted I haven't worn them for longer than 5 minutes, but I fell in love as soon as they went on my feet.

 

Double Side note – the belt and super sweet bling shoes are not going on vacation with me. I just couldn’t pass them up. (shoes = AMY!)

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New hair! …..and bling shoes at the end.