This little story makes a really good point....
A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and
Explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and
Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half
Full?'....she fooled them all... "How heavy is this glass of water?", she
Inquired with a smile. Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. To 20 oz.
She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I
Hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it
For an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it For a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same Weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly Heavy, we won't be able to carry on."
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest
Before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the
Burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night... Pick them up Tomorrow.
Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax,
Pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it and the now
'supposed' stress that you've conquered!"
1 * Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're
The statue!
2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
Them..
3 * Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their
Maker.
4 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague
5 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was
Probably worth it.
6 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you
Won't have a leg to stand on.
7 * Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
8 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
9 * You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be all the
World to one person.
10 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
11 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.
*Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate!*
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Race season closeout
On October 16th I wrapped up another season of racing. I had big goals this year. I accomplished the biggest of them but fell short on others leaving me with more goals to hit next year.
My race schedule this year looked something like this...
Training started in late December with the addition of more running miles and a core class.
April 30th - 1st 1/2 Marathon - Minneapolis, MN - Running in a lite rain for 2 hours 20 minutes and real discomfort for the rest of the day with inflamed IT bands.
May 22nd - 1st Olympic Triathlon of the season - Ogden, IA - water temps in the high 50s so the swim was shortened and a huge set of hills on the bike reaffirmed I need to spend more time in the saddle, but had a strong run.
Jul 9th - Midnight Madness, Ames IA - 5k as a family pushing the kids in a buggy and it wasn't half bad.
July 24th - 1st 1/2 Ironman - Chisago Lakes in MN - Swim was foggy and slow, Bike was bumpy and had some serious mental issues the second half. reaffirmed I need to do the distance I am racing in training as my longest bike was only 45 miles and the race was 56. My run was four minutes faster than in April but over all missed my time goal by 10 minutes. It was an amazing experience and I have already signed up to do it again next August at the Wisconsin Dells.
Sept 3rd - 10k run - Clear Lake IA - Course was .5 miles too short but was a fast run for me even so.
Sept 25th - Peregrine Charity Olympic Triathlon - Set a goal of 2:45... last years time was 3hrs and 1 minute. Pounded through the swim (gasping for air in transition), road hard on the bike 17.5 mph ave, and had an ok run. Final time 2:48 so did go a bit faster than last year.
Oct 16th - Des Moines 1/2 marathon - My goal was to run 10 minutes miles or faster. Got jumbled up at the start and was behind the pace sign for 2:20. The first three miles were a bit slow because of all the people running. Then I just got faster and faster and faster... I kept looking at my watch in disbelief when all my splits after three miles were between 9:45 and 9:15 with one at 8:45. I blew away my two earlier time with a 2:06. Next year I want to break 2 hours.
Lessons learned...
* I trained harder than my body could handle at the beginning for the first 1/2 marathon and felt the pain. Once I got into a more mixed training plan (1-2 swims a week - one sprints and one distance, 3 runs a week - one sprints, one hills and one distance, 2 bikes a week - one 25-30 miles and one 35 - 45 miles, one yoga/Pilates core class) my body responded with more speed and less discomfort.
* I still have deficiencies so I need to work on strengthening my left ankle, hip and shoulder so I am more balanced. I rolled my left ankle re-injuring a 16 year old tear 5 weeks before my 1/2 ironman which messed with my swim training but was able to run through it.
* There is always room to improve. I fell a few minutes short on a couple of time goals and with some hard work and focused energy I know I can reach those goals next season. I need to have a ride training plan to work on speed and distance. I need to keep working on my running strength to improve my speed and learn how to have consistent splits mile after mile. I can't slack off on the swimming just because I am good at it.
* I can achieve my goals even when people think I am crazy. It just takes planning, family coordination, a little luck and hard work.
* I get really lazy after my season is over so I need a better maintenance plan to keep the body moving so I don't loose my fitness or pick up extra pounds.
* I have to listen to my body. I put a lot of strain on my thyroid and adrenals this season because I didn't balance my stressors and my training.
Yes I am already looking forward to next years season. Formulating a race plan gets a little more complicated these days though because I have to factor in travel, Kiddo activities, and other events. It is crazy to have things on the calendar already into August of next year. So with that I leave you with the message that with a plan and some follow through you too can achieve your goals. Happy fitness to you.
My race schedule this year looked something like this...
Training started in late December with the addition of more running miles and a core class.
April 30th - 1st 1/2 Marathon - Minneapolis, MN - Running in a lite rain for 2 hours 20 minutes and real discomfort for the rest of the day with inflamed IT bands.
May 22nd - 1st Olympic Triathlon of the season - Ogden, IA - water temps in the high 50s so the swim was shortened and a huge set of hills on the bike reaffirmed I need to spend more time in the saddle, but had a strong run.
Jul 9th - Midnight Madness, Ames IA - 5k as a family pushing the kids in a buggy and it wasn't half bad.
July 24th - 1st 1/2 Ironman - Chisago Lakes in MN - Swim was foggy and slow, Bike was bumpy and had some serious mental issues the second half. reaffirmed I need to do the distance I am racing in training as my longest bike was only 45 miles and the race was 56. My run was four minutes faster than in April but over all missed my time goal by 10 minutes. It was an amazing experience and I have already signed up to do it again next August at the Wisconsin Dells.
Sept 3rd - 10k run - Clear Lake IA - Course was .5 miles too short but was a fast run for me even so.
Sept 25th - Peregrine Charity Olympic Triathlon - Set a goal of 2:45... last years time was 3hrs and 1 minute. Pounded through the swim (gasping for air in transition), road hard on the bike 17.5 mph ave, and had an ok run. Final time 2:48 so did go a bit faster than last year.
Oct 16th - Des Moines 1/2 marathon - My goal was to run 10 minutes miles or faster. Got jumbled up at the start and was behind the pace sign for 2:20. The first three miles were a bit slow because of all the people running. Then I just got faster and faster and faster... I kept looking at my watch in disbelief when all my splits after three miles were between 9:45 and 9:15 with one at 8:45. I blew away my two earlier time with a 2:06. Next year I want to break 2 hours.
Lessons learned...
* I trained harder than my body could handle at the beginning for the first 1/2 marathon and felt the pain. Once I got into a more mixed training plan (1-2 swims a week - one sprints and one distance, 3 runs a week - one sprints, one hills and one distance, 2 bikes a week - one 25-30 miles and one 35 - 45 miles, one yoga/Pilates core class) my body responded with more speed and less discomfort.
* I still have deficiencies so I need to work on strengthening my left ankle, hip and shoulder so I am more balanced. I rolled my left ankle re-injuring a 16 year old tear 5 weeks before my 1/2 ironman which messed with my swim training but was able to run through it.
* There is always room to improve. I fell a few minutes short on a couple of time goals and with some hard work and focused energy I know I can reach those goals next season. I need to have a ride training plan to work on speed and distance. I need to keep working on my running strength to improve my speed and learn how to have consistent splits mile after mile. I can't slack off on the swimming just because I am good at it.
* I can achieve my goals even when people think I am crazy. It just takes planning, family coordination, a little luck and hard work.
* I get really lazy after my season is over so I need a better maintenance plan to keep the body moving so I don't loose my fitness or pick up extra pounds.
* I have to listen to my body. I put a lot of strain on my thyroid and adrenals this season because I didn't balance my stressors and my training.
Yes I am already looking forward to next years season. Formulating a race plan gets a little more complicated these days though because I have to factor in travel, Kiddo activities, and other events. It is crazy to have things on the calendar already into August of next year. So with that I leave you with the message that with a plan and some follow through you too can achieve your goals. Happy fitness to you.
Thanksgiving - Giving Thanks
So as another Thanksgiving has come and gone along with another Black Friday I am taking a few minutes to reflect. Anyone who knows me knows I hate that the American society is overly focus on consumerism. Black Friday is an obvious example and things seem to be worse the last couple of years as stores are opening earlier and earlier as people try to get great deals to reduce the impact on their pockets books. People at stores at midnight with their children pepper spraying others in the holiday spirit. It all makes me really sad.
The kids and I went to mass this weekend to celebrate the beginning of Advent in preparation for Christmas and the celebration of the coming of Jesus. While were there Father John told us a story about a group of nuns living together that all have some sort of physical limitation living in harmony and taking care of each other. His message was that if we were more aware we would see that God has given us all we need to be happy we just need to be open and willing to accept God's gifts.
Last week I got an email from Andy Andrews a motivational speaker that I have seen live and whose books I have read. He has an excerpt from one of his books at the link below. It is a story about Wade a minister who is struggling through a family Thanksgiving meal. He has found that he is preoccupied by all the things that wear him down and has lost site of the good things around him. Andy asks us to reflect and write down 10 things we are grateful for.
Andy Andrew's Short story about being thankful.
Things I am grateful for:
1) Having a new day presented to me with each sunrise where I can breath another breath and find the opportunity to learn and be a better person.
2) Having all my faculties, limbs, functions working for the most part, and the ability to listen to my body and manage my health.
3) Having two beautiful children and a husband who love me and support me through each day. Having time to spend/share with them each day.
4) Having a great job that challenges me and allows me enough to cover my family essentials.
5) Wonderful family members (parents, aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents, brothers/sister) who I am close to, who accept me, and share thoughts and experiences with me.
6) Wonderful friends from around the country who treat me like family.
7) Living in the USA, in a safe and beautiful country that I love to explore nature and learn the history of.
8) Technology that lets me do my job, share my thoughts, hear from friends and family, and experience new things.
9) Hobbies that help me wind down, create, learn and share.
10) The ability to set goals, challenge myself, and achieve my goal as well as the desire to keep building and learning and striving towards my goals.
So with that I ask you to think about your blessings, what are you thank you for... that doesn't mean that the things that bring you down are not real, but I put forth to you that it is possible to realize these things and then let them go so they don't damage your health or relationships. Focus on the good positive things in your life and spend your energy nurturing those things instead.
Thank you for being a part of my life.
The kids and I went to mass this weekend to celebrate the beginning of Advent in preparation for Christmas and the celebration of the coming of Jesus. While were there Father John told us a story about a group of nuns living together that all have some sort of physical limitation living in harmony and taking care of each other. His message was that if we were more aware we would see that God has given us all we need to be happy we just need to be open and willing to accept God's gifts.
Last week I got an email from Andy Andrews a motivational speaker that I have seen live and whose books I have read. He has an excerpt from one of his books at the link below. It is a story about Wade a minister who is struggling through a family Thanksgiving meal. He has found that he is preoccupied by all the things that wear him down and has lost site of the good things around him. Andy asks us to reflect and write down 10 things we are grateful for.
Andy Andrew's Short story about being thankful.
Things I am grateful for:
1) Having a new day presented to me with each sunrise where I can breath another breath and find the opportunity to learn and be a better person.
2) Having all my faculties, limbs, functions working for the most part, and the ability to listen to my body and manage my health.
3) Having two beautiful children and a husband who love me and support me through each day. Having time to spend/share with them each day.
4) Having a great job that challenges me and allows me enough to cover my family essentials.
5) Wonderful family members (parents, aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents, brothers/sister) who I am close to, who accept me, and share thoughts and experiences with me.
6) Wonderful friends from around the country who treat me like family.
7) Living in the USA, in a safe and beautiful country that I love to explore nature and learn the history of.
8) Technology that lets me do my job, share my thoughts, hear from friends and family, and experience new things.
9) Hobbies that help me wind down, create, learn and share.
10) The ability to set goals, challenge myself, and achieve my goal as well as the desire to keep building and learning and striving towards my goals.
So with that I ask you to think about your blessings, what are you thank you for... that doesn't mean that the things that bring you down are not real, but I put forth to you that it is possible to realize these things and then let them go so they don't damage your health or relationships. Focus on the good positive things in your life and spend your energy nurturing those things instead.
Thank you for being a part of my life.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Road to my first 1/2 Ironman - Final installation
Ok, so I have been really busy the last two months with Missouri river flooding working some weekends and then traveling for a family reunion and then for the 4th of July holiday.... plus of course training, family time, etc...
Here are my final stats with me falling about 10 minutes short of my goal...
Swim: 35:51 (1.2 miles… plus a couple hundred yards) – Goal under 35
Bike: 3:09 (56 miles… was the hardest part for me mentally) – Goal close to 3 hours
Run: 2:16 (13.1 miles and was a new PR for me by 4 minutes from April) – Goal under 2:30
Transitions were really slow because I took my time to regroup before the next leg.
My race report will have some “excerpts” from my 16 year old training buddy Chris who did his first 1/2 Ironman with me and a link to his dad William’s blog also which both provide some extra insight to the race course. This is pretty detailed mostly for my future recall so bare with me.
Joe, JJ and I drove to the race site Saturday afternoon as a big storm front was coming in so I could pick up my race packet and survey the situation. I noticed the bouys were not in a straight line, there was a lack in potties in transition, and we were going to be pretty well crammed together in there so was prepared to deal with this the next morning. We drove the run course so I had a good picture in my mind of how that was going to work. Now the picture in my eyes was another story as I misplaced my contacts which I ironically found after my post race shower... so I raced with ok vision for the swim and mostly looking over the top of my regular glasses for the bike but tried not to let it get to me.
A little mobile motivation on my arms...
“The Transition Area: For a ‘State Championship’ it’s pretty unorganized and obviously low-cost. They crammed about 1800 people into a transition area up and down a hilly tree covered area, so things were tight.” But it was nice having an assigned space and mine was near the bike in and out opening.
Before the race I caught up with the three teammates I had racing with me that day including my riding buddy Galen who ended up having a fantastic race after two rough ones the last couple of years. We were all pretty grateful for the weather Mother Nature had dished up. It was overcast and cool in the morning and humidity was pretty much gone. What a blessing after weeks of scorching heat and humidity in Iowa.
I had my typical nervous stomach which is good as it helps clear out anything that might be an issue later in the race. As I was heading down to the beach for the race start they still had transition open and folks in the registration line really not well organized. I don’t know why folks wait until the last minute to arrive for the race start (enormous lack of parking in the area) and it really did complicate things to have a sprint tri going on at the same time as a ½ Ironman.
Just as the race was queuing up to start a”huge fog cloud rolled in, and you could barely see 2 buoys from the start line. For some reason they decided that it apparently wasn’t an issue and started us on time, a decision I hope they don’t make again. The swim started off fine and we all dealt with the fog. The course itself was supposed to be straight out and back but curved to make a J kind of thing. So after the turn around, we couldn’t see the next buoy or much of else for that matter. The only logical thing was to swim in what I thought was the right direction, which, of course, it wasn’t.”
I am pretty sure I did an extra couple hundred yards and at one point was way off course beyond oncoming traffic which really pissed me off because I couldn’t get into a good rhythm due to great difficulty sighting the buoys. I really couldn’t use my swim skills to a time advantage like I usually do which likely added 3-4 minutes to my time but I did manage to stay calm and just kept sighting off the largest group of green caps in front of me going the same direction.
Another thing I had never experienced before was the mixed group start. They had us in waves of 40 – 50 people by when we registered so there was a mix of ages and genders at the start. We also didn’t have the normal age marking on our leg (the body markings they did do were pretty much useless and were mostly gone by the time I finished). There was pretty much no way to know where you were in the pack of folks in your competition group which was probably ok since I was only focused on competing against myself. The last cool new thing about the swim for me was the wetsuit strippers so I ran out of the water got my suit down to my hips and lay down on a mat and my suit was off in 3 seconds flat… SWEET!!
Bike: “Small rollers and flats the whole way except for one rather large downhill with the uphill being made up slowly over 5-6 miles. By all means a fast course, but not flat.” The weirdest part of the course was a hard right straight into an uphill with a water stop part way up it at around mile 32.5. I planned to carry my own nutrition on the bike so I wouldn’t have to swap out water bottles and such and for the most part that worked out for me however I wish I would have had two water bottles and one “Gatorade” instead of the other way around as it wasn’t a hot ride and I would have rather taken in more food nutrition instead of liquid so ended up with a full bottle of “Gatorade” at the end of the bike and probably was a little deficient in nutrition going into the run.
There was an obvious lack of course officials on the bike course. In the last couple of miles before the sprint tri folks and the ½ Ironman folks separated, I was passed by a group of 15 riders, quite obviously drafting, who nearly ran 2-3 of us off the road. It is an individual sport people (and highly illegal), so very annoying when people are blatantly cheating.
For about 5 miles (felt like more) in the second half of the race, we rode on perhaps the worst roads they had to offer and it was a legitimate challenge to put forth effort and not crash. Sadly my mind got the best of me here and my planned mph dropped way down so after about 15 miles of smooth, then rough, then rough and windy, etc changes every couple of miles I had to pull myself together and focus on getting the last 12 – 14 miles cranked out. This being my first time doing a ½ on top of my longest training rides being in the 40 mile range, I really didn’t know how much to hold back and I think that didn’t help the situation any.
Run: The run started by meandering for 3-4 miles through the edge of town along the lake neighborhoods. I saw William and Chris bring it in while I was still in my 2nd and 3rd miles or so… God bless all the people who were running sprinklers for us and all the people working the corners and water stops!! The sun had come out with around 14 miles left on the bike and the run was going to get hot with temps in the low 80s by the time I finished.
After the town miles we spit out on a county road running the wide shoulder with runners going in both directions in about a four foot space. There was a long shallow uphill section with no shade from around 4.5 to the turnaround loop. This was the section where I just kept focusing on putting one foot in front of the other (thanks cousin Jen for that advice in April). The turnaround was about a mile with mostly gravel but with some very welcome shade. Historically I know I start to bonk around miles 5, 8 and 11 so I tried to make sure I was taking in a gel or Gatorade a mile before those points, and taking in water, and the blessed ice down the shirt for the rest of the aid stops. We had aid around 1.5, 3, 5.5, 6/7, 9.5, and 11.5 so it seemed to be perfectly spaced for my needs.
On the run course I saw a couple of great quotes but now can only remember one… “Someday you will not be able to do this anymore… (and on a second sign behind it) but today is not that day”. This was posted around mile 7.5 on the run and I thought hell yeah!
Things nagging me besides the hot sun on the run were my right pinky toe (missed the glide there apparently and got a blister) and my left ankle (the one I twisted in June) which I stupidly put my timing chip strap on. I pushed through all that and strangely between the ‘smile’ and ‘have fun’ I had written on my arms I managed to experienced a serious runners’ high around mile 9 so I had to hold myself back for a mile or two before I cut loose and pushed it to the finish line. I am pretty sure I smiled all the way in from mile 9 or so.
Smiling at mile 10.5...
The end… I felt really strong coming in to the finish like I still had more in the tank. I was really emotional in a good way when I crossed the finish line as I usually am and Joe asked if I was ok and I said just happy. Chris put this quote out: “Why do people run? Because it feels so good when you stop.” -? And I could so relate.
Pushing through the finish line...
So how am I two days after? I went to yoga/Pilates class yesterday and my quads are a bit sore like I was lifting weights but all in all I feel great. I am anxious to get back to training and will be heading to the pool today and getting a run or two in this week but mostly taking it easy for two weeks (hiking in Colorado and puttering in Kansas City) before getting back into ‘training mode’ again. I have three more races on the plan for the year… a 10k run where I am shooting for a PR in early Sept, an Olympic tri race where I hope to improve on last years time at the same venue, and another ½ marathon this time with Joe in October… then maintenance mode or something like that anyway.
So in hindsight... did I learn something? Heck yeah... Will I do another 1/2 Ironman ... MOST DEFINITELY... Will I do a full Ironman someday... uh... my logical mind says you are nuts, but my heart says probably. In the meantime I feel like a super hero undercover as a full-time working mom of two young kids... I wish I could shout out my joy of my accomplishment to the world. I love to train (yes the more I exercise... the more I want to exercise) and have goals for my fitness so as Chris said to our triclub in his race report “I must be crazy. But aren’t we all?”
William "mister hard core triathlete" race report blog... http://wsjinames.blogspot.com/2011/07/0-0-1-1501-8557-iowa-state-university.html
Here are my final stats with me falling about 10 minutes short of my goal...
Swim: 35:51 (1.2 miles… plus a couple hundred yards) – Goal under 35
Bike: 3:09 (56 miles… was the hardest part for me mentally) – Goal close to 3 hours
Run: 2:16 (13.1 miles and was a new PR for me by 4 minutes from April) – Goal under 2:30
Transitions were really slow because I took my time to regroup before the next leg.
My race report will have some “excerpts” from my 16 year old training buddy Chris who did his first 1/2 Ironman with me and a link to his dad William’s blog also which both provide some extra insight to the race course. This is pretty detailed mostly for my future recall so bare with me.
Joe, JJ and I drove to the race site Saturday afternoon as a big storm front was coming in so I could pick up my race packet and survey the situation. I noticed the bouys were not in a straight line, there was a lack in potties in transition, and we were going to be pretty well crammed together in there so was prepared to deal with this the next morning. We drove the run course so I had a good picture in my mind of how that was going to work. Now the picture in my eyes was another story as I misplaced my contacts which I ironically found after my post race shower... so I raced with ok vision for the swim and mostly looking over the top of my regular glasses for the bike but tried not to let it get to me.
“The Transition Area: For a ‘State Championship’ it’s pretty unorganized and obviously low-cost. They crammed about 1800 people into a transition area up and down a hilly tree covered area, so things were tight.” But it was nice having an assigned space and mine was near the bike in and out opening.
Before the race I caught up with the three teammates I had racing with me that day including my riding buddy Galen who ended up having a fantastic race after two rough ones the last couple of years. We were all pretty grateful for the weather Mother Nature had dished up. It was overcast and cool in the morning and humidity was pretty much gone. What a blessing after weeks of scorching heat and humidity in Iowa.
I had my typical nervous stomach which is good as it helps clear out anything that might be an issue later in the race. As I was heading down to the beach for the race start they still had transition open and folks in the registration line really not well organized. I don’t know why folks wait until the last minute to arrive for the race start (enormous lack of parking in the area) and it really did complicate things to have a sprint tri going on at the same time as a ½ Ironman.
Just as the race was queuing up to start a”huge fog cloud rolled in, and you could barely see 2 buoys from the start line. For some reason they decided that it apparently wasn’t an issue and started us on time, a decision I hope they don’t make again. The swim started off fine and we all dealt with the fog. The course itself was supposed to be straight out and back but curved to make a J kind of thing. So after the turn around, we couldn’t see the next buoy or much of else for that matter. The only logical thing was to swim in what I thought was the right direction, which, of course, it wasn’t.”
I am pretty sure I did an extra couple hundred yards and at one point was way off course beyond oncoming traffic which really pissed me off because I couldn’t get into a good rhythm due to great difficulty sighting the buoys. I really couldn’t use my swim skills to a time advantage like I usually do which likely added 3-4 minutes to my time but I did manage to stay calm and just kept sighting off the largest group of green caps in front of me going the same direction.
Another thing I had never experienced before was the mixed group start. They had us in waves of 40 – 50 people by when we registered so there was a mix of ages and genders at the start. We also didn’t have the normal age marking on our leg (the body markings they did do were pretty much useless and were mostly gone by the time I finished). There was pretty much no way to know where you were in the pack of folks in your competition group which was probably ok since I was only focused on competing against myself. The last cool new thing about the swim for me was the wetsuit strippers so I ran out of the water got my suit down to my hips and lay down on a mat and my suit was off in 3 seconds flat… SWEET!!
Bike: “Small rollers and flats the whole way except for one rather large downhill with the uphill being made up slowly over 5-6 miles. By all means a fast course, but not flat.” The weirdest part of the course was a hard right straight into an uphill with a water stop part way up it at around mile 32.5. I planned to carry my own nutrition on the bike so I wouldn’t have to swap out water bottles and such and for the most part that worked out for me however I wish I would have had two water bottles and one “Gatorade” instead of the other way around as it wasn’t a hot ride and I would have rather taken in more food nutrition instead of liquid so ended up with a full bottle of “Gatorade” at the end of the bike and probably was a little deficient in nutrition going into the run.
There was an obvious lack of course officials on the bike course. In the last couple of miles before the sprint tri folks and the ½ Ironman folks separated, I was passed by a group of 15 riders, quite obviously drafting, who nearly ran 2-3 of us off the road. It is an individual sport people (and highly illegal), so very annoying when people are blatantly cheating.
For about 5 miles (felt like more) in the second half of the race, we rode on perhaps the worst roads they had to offer and it was a legitimate challenge to put forth effort and not crash. Sadly my mind got the best of me here and my planned mph dropped way down so after about 15 miles of smooth, then rough, then rough and windy, etc changes every couple of miles I had to pull myself together and focus on getting the last 12 – 14 miles cranked out. This being my first time doing a ½ on top of my longest training rides being in the 40 mile range, I really didn’t know how much to hold back and I think that didn’t help the situation any.
Run: The run started by meandering for 3-4 miles through the edge of town along the lake neighborhoods. I saw William and Chris bring it in while I was still in my 2nd and 3rd miles or so… God bless all the people who were running sprinklers for us and all the people working the corners and water stops!! The sun had come out with around 14 miles left on the bike and the run was going to get hot with temps in the low 80s by the time I finished.
After the town miles we spit out on a county road running the wide shoulder with runners going in both directions in about a four foot space. There was a long shallow uphill section with no shade from around 4.5 to the turnaround loop. This was the section where I just kept focusing on putting one foot in front of the other (thanks cousin Jen for that advice in April). The turnaround was about a mile with mostly gravel but with some very welcome shade. Historically I know I start to bonk around miles 5, 8 and 11 so I tried to make sure I was taking in a gel or Gatorade a mile before those points, and taking in water, and the blessed ice down the shirt for the rest of the aid stops. We had aid around 1.5, 3, 5.5, 6/7, 9.5, and 11.5 so it seemed to be perfectly spaced for my needs.
On the run course I saw a couple of great quotes but now can only remember one… “Someday you will not be able to do this anymore… (and on a second sign behind it) but today is not that day”. This was posted around mile 7.5 on the run and I thought hell yeah!
Things nagging me besides the hot sun on the run were my right pinky toe (missed the glide there apparently and got a blister) and my left ankle (the one I twisted in June) which I stupidly put my timing chip strap on. I pushed through all that and strangely between the ‘smile’ and ‘have fun’ I had written on my arms I managed to experienced a serious runners’ high around mile 9 so I had to hold myself back for a mile or two before I cut loose and pushed it to the finish line. I am pretty sure I smiled all the way in from mile 9 or so.
The end… I felt really strong coming in to the finish like I still had more in the tank. I was really emotional in a good way when I crossed the finish line as I usually am and Joe asked if I was ok and I said just happy. Chris put this quote out: “Why do people run? Because it feels so good when you stop.” -? And I could so relate.
So how am I two days after? I went to yoga/Pilates class yesterday and my quads are a bit sore like I was lifting weights but all in all I feel great. I am anxious to get back to training and will be heading to the pool today and getting a run or two in this week but mostly taking it easy for two weeks (hiking in Colorado and puttering in Kansas City) before getting back into ‘training mode’ again. I have three more races on the plan for the year… a 10k run where I am shooting for a PR in early Sept, an Olympic tri race where I hope to improve on last years time at the same venue, and another ½ marathon this time with Joe in October… then maintenance mode or something like that anyway.
So in hindsight... did I learn something? Heck yeah... Will I do another 1/2 Ironman ... MOST DEFINITELY... Will I do a full Ironman someday... uh... my logical mind says you are nuts, but my heart says probably. In the meantime I feel like a super hero undercover as a full-time working mom of two young kids... I wish I could shout out my joy of my accomplishment to the world. I love to train (yes the more I exercise... the more I want to exercise) and have goals for my fitness so as Chris said to our triclub in his race report “I must be crazy. But aren’t we all?”
William "mister hard core triathlete" race report blog... http://wsjinames.blogspot.com/2011/07/0-0-1-1501-8557-iowa-state-university.html
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Road to my first 1/2 Ironman - First Olympic Tri of the Season
I am eight weeks out from my first 1/2 Ironman... I am terrified and super excited. I am busy collecting information about nutrition, about what to expect on the race day, about what gear I need to implement (I just bought a new bike seat this weekend). I am busy trying to figure out how to get 12 hours of training into my week and have it be quality and preferable not all solo so I have someone to push me.
So I did my first Olympic Triathlon of the season and have the stats from that one (May 22nd, 2011) as well as from my first one in Sept 2010. Things are looking good but there is still a lot of room for improvement. The two races are really apples and oranges with times because the swim was cut way back for the one I did last week due to water temperature issues.
Bluff Creek Olympic, Ogden, IA Lucky number 4 F35-39
500 meter Swim (This was very short... was supposed to be 1500 meters)00:10:57 VERY COLD WATER - 56 degrees at start... wetsuits recommended.
T1(wetsuit shimmy,socks,shoes,helmet,shades,bike)00:01:43
25 mile bike 01:33:22 Very Hilly Windy Bike
T2 (shoes, hat, number) 00:01:35
10k (6.2 mile) Run Personal Record 00:56:28 Very Hilly Windy Run
Total Time 02:44:05 Fourth in my Age Group 4
Overall 18 / 27 total women
Peregrine Olympic (Cedar Falls, IA) Last Sept. - Air temp at the start 64 degrees... about the same as the water temperature... BRRRRRR!
Overall Swim 25:46 (noodles lined the swim like a lane rope...very fast swim)
T1 2:22 (wetsuit shimmy, shoes, toweling off, helmet, glasses)
Bike 1:30:29 (very flat bike)
T2 0:56 (slip on shoes, hat, number)
Run 1:01:44 (pretty flat albeit warmish) Total Time 3:01:14
I missed my goal in Sept. by just over a minute but had a great experience in my old home town with a couple of great triathlon racers of Iowa ladies along. I plan to do this one again this year and hope to drop 10 minutes over my total time so in the meantime I will keep working it. More to come as I get closer to Ironman...
So I did my first Olympic Triathlon of the season and have the stats from that one (May 22nd, 2011) as well as from my first one in Sept 2010. Things are looking good but there is still a lot of room for improvement. The two races are really apples and oranges with times because the swim was cut way back for the one I did last week due to water temperature issues.
Bluff Creek Olympic, Ogden, IA Lucky number 4 F35-39
500 meter Swim (This was very short... was supposed to be 1500 meters)00:10:57 VERY COLD WATER - 56 degrees at start... wetsuits recommended.
T1(wetsuit shimmy,socks,shoes,helmet,shades,bike)00:01:43
25 mile bike 01:33:22 Very Hilly Windy Bike
T2 (shoes, hat, number) 00:01:35
10k (6.2 mile) Run Personal Record 00:56:28 Very Hilly Windy Run
Total Time 02:44:05 Fourth in my Age Group 4
Overall 18 / 27 total women
Peregrine Olympic (Cedar Falls, IA) Last Sept. - Air temp at the start 64 degrees... about the same as the water temperature... BRRRRRR!
Overall Swim 25:46 (noodles lined the swim like a lane rope...very fast swim)
T1 2:22 (wetsuit shimmy, shoes, toweling off, helmet, glasses)
Bike 1:30:29 (very flat bike)
T2 0:56 (slip on shoes, hat, number)
Run 1:01:44 (pretty flat albeit warmish) Total Time 3:01:14
I missed my goal in Sept. by just over a minute but had a great experience in my old home town with a couple of great triathlon racers of Iowa ladies along. I plan to do this one again this year and hope to drop 10 minutes over my total time so in the meantime I will keep working it. More to come as I get closer to Ironman...
Another Year Older
Well, last Wednesday, May 25th was the first day of another year of my life.
Here is my annual birthday photo... not real spontaneous but you grab a photographer when you can get one. :)
So some reflections of the past year.... My body chemistry seems to be holding steady after several years of thyroid and adrenal bounces every few months. I have had numbers holding strong for 9 months now. I am pretty sure I can only attribute that to very carefully listening to my body. I try to respond appropriately when it tells me to slow down or gives me the thumbs up to charge ahead again.
I have more grey hairs (thank goodness for color in a box) and more wrinkles around my eyes and on my hands... just a sign of experience right? Oh and then there are the things that droop that no amount of exercise every really seems to get rid of...
On a positive note (not that the last information wasn't positive... its mostly just fact... and not much one can do about that...) I finally did my first Olympic Triathlon (not sure what that is... read some of my older posts)... I also did my second one even faster. Oh and then there was the 1/2 marathon... who would have though I would become a runner. Looking forward to my first 1/2 Ironman in 8 weeks... I love having fitness as part of my every day life and love that my daughter is embracing the joy of staying fit.
My kids... whew... we have had our ups and downs and really I am learning patience... patience with my kids when I have to ask them more than once to do something, and patience with my self when I don't handle their lack of compliance well. And then there is Joe... we actually had some dates this past year but life is really busy and we both know we need to make more time to love each other but we are pointed in the same direction together and so we continue to learn and grow together.
So really that is what another year brings me.... more reflection than I can cram in a blog but the knowledge that there is always another wonderful adventure around the corner, another lesson to learn, another challenge to try my patience and grow my confidence and so I start this new year with open arms and bigger goals and more love in my heart to share. Thanks for being on the journey with me...
My vanilla cream cake... It wasn't an ice cream cake but at least it had yummy chocolate icing. :)
Here is my annual birthday photo... not real spontaneous but you grab a photographer when you can get one. :)
So some reflections of the past year.... My body chemistry seems to be holding steady after several years of thyroid and adrenal bounces every few months. I have had numbers holding strong for 9 months now. I am pretty sure I can only attribute that to very carefully listening to my body. I try to respond appropriately when it tells me to slow down or gives me the thumbs up to charge ahead again.
I have more grey hairs (thank goodness for color in a box) and more wrinkles around my eyes and on my hands... just a sign of experience right? Oh and then there are the things that droop that no amount of exercise every really seems to get rid of...
On a positive note (not that the last information wasn't positive... its mostly just fact... and not much one can do about that...) I finally did my first Olympic Triathlon (not sure what that is... read some of my older posts)... I also did my second one even faster. Oh and then there was the 1/2 marathon... who would have though I would become a runner. Looking forward to my first 1/2 Ironman in 8 weeks... I love having fitness as part of my every day life and love that my daughter is embracing the joy of staying fit.
My kids... whew... we have had our ups and downs and really I am learning patience... patience with my kids when I have to ask them more than once to do something, and patience with my self when I don't handle their lack of compliance well. And then there is Joe... we actually had some dates this past year but life is really busy and we both know we need to make more time to love each other but we are pointed in the same direction together and so we continue to learn and grow together.
So really that is what another year brings me.... more reflection than I can cram in a blog but the knowledge that there is always another wonderful adventure around the corner, another lesson to learn, another challenge to try my patience and grow my confidence and so I start this new year with open arms and bigger goals and more love in my heart to share. Thanks for being on the journey with me...
Monday, May 30, 2011
Ode to the yard...
Well, my hands are raw(even wearing gloves all day) and my feet are aching... then there is the sunburn. Uugh! I've been spending a lot of time in the yard the last three weeks. It is that time of the year again where we are so happy for a great day of weather after winter chill head out.
So a nice day comes... on Wed of course so I skip a workout and go prep the garden beds. I have three raised beds that I plant my garden in to keep the dogs out for the most part. The next weekend JJ and I planted the garden. By some miracle this was the earliest I have gotten my garden in.
Lots of to dos for the yard this spring. I spent an hour manually pulling dandelions. Yes, I hate putting chemicals down with the kids and animals running around so I pull most weeks manually which works for big broad-leaf plants. Still have more to pull.
Then there is the wiley peach tree with tiny fruit that the dogs feast on... I spent all morning cutting it down and finding the trunks of the two apples tress which had wire, wild grass and some strange tree growing up into the trees so pulled it all out and cut things down. We planted a new baby maple in its place and created a perennial bed around the old trunk and the new one. Oh and with a little team work the back yard got mowed and doesn't look abandoned anymore.
The new tree and old stump...
Oh and what about Finley and his friendly dog run that turns to mud with his enthusiastic running up and down the fence line?? Tried weed barrier and bark last year. This year we have almost finished installing edging, new weed barrier (as Fin tor the old one to shreds) and river rock which will hopefully not all run down hill like the bark did. Just have about 20 more feet to go.
The dog run...
Next to finish is the dog kennel as Neah prefers to hang out outside during the work day when it isn't too hot, but right now it is full of mud so need to put in drainage and weed barrier...
Then on to the Arbor and deck/patio area for a place to hang the sky chair... and the list goes on and on but for now I am tired... but happy after a great day of hard work, watching the kids work hard with us and play hard in the portable pool too.
My dirty legs and sunburned self after a long day in the yard... Aaah!
My little dude sucking on ice to cool down at the end of a hot day.
So a nice day comes... on Wed of course so I skip a workout and go prep the garden beds. I have three raised beds that I plant my garden in to keep the dogs out for the most part. The next weekend JJ and I planted the garden. By some miracle this was the earliest I have gotten my garden in.
Lots of to dos for the yard this spring. I spent an hour manually pulling dandelions. Yes, I hate putting chemicals down with the kids and animals running around so I pull most weeks manually which works for big broad-leaf plants. Still have more to pull.
Then there is the wiley peach tree with tiny fruit that the dogs feast on... I spent all morning cutting it down and finding the trunks of the two apples tress which had wire, wild grass and some strange tree growing up into the trees so pulled it all out and cut things down. We planted a new baby maple in its place and created a perennial bed around the old trunk and the new one. Oh and with a little team work the back yard got mowed and doesn't look abandoned anymore.
Oh and what about Finley and his friendly dog run that turns to mud with his enthusiastic running up and down the fence line?? Tried weed barrier and bark last year. This year we have almost finished installing edging, new weed barrier (as Fin tor the old one to shreds) and river rock which will hopefully not all run down hill like the bark did. Just have about 20 more feet to go.
Next to finish is the dog kennel as Neah prefers to hang out outside during the work day when it isn't too hot, but right now it is full of mud so need to put in drainage and weed barrier...
Then on to the Arbor and deck/patio area for a place to hang the sky chair... and the list goes on and on but for now I am tired... but happy after a great day of hard work, watching the kids work hard with us and play hard in the portable pool too.
My dirty legs and sunburned self after a long day in the yard... Aaah!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
the state of air travel
So I have been on the road a fair bit lately and normally find traveling to be a fun diversion from my normal routine... an adventure to be had with new places and people to see. I even enjoy flying normally but my adventure of late have left a bad feeling in my gut.
I have to say that as gas prices went up and airlines tacked on the fees we all said that sucks but worked through it. Now with Northwest and Delta combining forces, and the latest merger of United with Continental... which was the last airline to serve meals with their standard tickets, I have become increasing disappointed with the performance of the airlines.
When I was out in Pennsylvania in March I realized I planned poorly and had opted to fly home early in the day rather than staying for the conference debrief. So the evening before my flight I called to see if I could push back to a later flight. There was room on the flight but to change there would be a $150 fee plus the cost of the difference in price of the tickets form the day they were originally purchased to it would have cost me around $700 to change my flight. The airline employee told i could call three hours before the later flight and they wouldn't charge me to change if there were still seats available. The only flaw with that logic is I would already be on a plane back to Iowa by then.
But with my weekend trip to Long Beach for meeting on the horizon I was prepared to fly again. So to make my trip more family friendly on they way out I left in the afternoon and since I was only to be traveling part of three days I packed a backpack sized suitcase for clothes, and my laptop backpack for everything else which should have left me with no checked bags.
Well because the airlines in their genius are charging for luggage everyone has slightly oversized rolling 'carry on' suitcases which take up all the space in the oversized bins so someone like me with two smaller bags still had to plane side check my clothes on three of the four flights.
To make things even more fun, because LAX is about the least modern major US airport I have been to (Des Moines is nicer) they don't have the facilities to give you back plane side checked luggage when you arrive there so you have to go to baggage claim.
So to end my story (or maybe begin it) on a bright note I am thankful the Denver airport is modern AND has free Wifi so my day today didn't suck as much as it could have. I got to LAX at 5:56 to catch my 7:30 flight to Denver and all went as planned until I got off the plane in Denver... I even had room for both backpacks inside the plane with me and got a nap after what was a short night.
That should have been a warning sign because I checked the displays upon arrival and my flight to Des Moines was delayed 2 hours so I had a four hour wait ahead of me. I wandered down to the first gate my flight out was assigned to and found out the plane was coming from Chicago. I am starting to run out of fingers to count how many times Chicago departing flights have flummoxed my travels when I don't even have a leg that takes me through Chicago.
So I am still in good spirits, and go find some lunch. Then I roam around looking for an available power outlet because they are in high demand in Denver. I found one to plug my rapidly dying phone into because I had spent a whole 15 minutes checking email, and sat down with my laptop to do some paperwork from the meetings I had just left since my laptop was fully charged.
After about an hour of that I wandered down to find my gate had changed and it was possible we would be departing later than anticipated.... super. So I do the loop again and find another power source and figure out they have free Wifi and entertain myself with catching up on email and chatting with friends who took pity on me after my cranky FB post.
So finally after 7 hours stuck in Denver i hear a call for boarding to Des Moines to our third assigned gate for all rows boarding immediately because they were able to round up a plane and crew from somewhere to actually take us to Des Moines.
So we all herd out to the tarmac.... yes the tarmac because the plane they had for us was quiet small, and yes i had to plan side check my laundry. We have an uneventful flight to Des Moines and then we get there and they tell us some more Great news.... only one gate and set of ground crew available because remember we were almost 5 hours late getting there so we had to wait for them to unload the plane in front of us while we sat on the runway long enough for me to type all of this with my two thumbs on my phone with several breaks for cramping.
So i finally arrive in the building at 8:15cst twelve hours after I got to LAX and five hours later than I was supposed to get there.... i haven't had anything to eat four hours... not even airplane pretzels because they don't give you those on United anymore. I take the bus to get my car and find out that my credit card is locked because of unusual usage (now you are probably thinking while you were just in LA and now you are in Iowa) but I did not use it while I was traveling and it turns out the credit card company is updating there system so they can't tell me why it won't work and it turns out as of today someone was using it that wasn't us.... I just love credit card fraud.
So my trip which was otherwise most wonderful and productive left me teary eyed in frustration while putting enough gas in the car using an alternative funding source so I could drive 45 minutes to Ames to arrive home at 9:35pm to finish this blog. So with this I leave you (thumb typos and all) with wishes that your future travel adventures may be less 'adventurous' than mine.
I have to say that as gas prices went up and airlines tacked on the fees we all said that sucks but worked through it. Now with Northwest and Delta combining forces, and the latest merger of United with Continental... which was the last airline to serve meals with their standard tickets, I have become increasing disappointed with the performance of the airlines.
When I was out in Pennsylvania in March I realized I planned poorly and had opted to fly home early in the day rather than staying for the conference debrief. So the evening before my flight I called to see if I could push back to a later flight. There was room on the flight but to change there would be a $150 fee plus the cost of the difference in price of the tickets form the day they were originally purchased to it would have cost me around $700 to change my flight. The airline employee told i could call three hours before the later flight and they wouldn't charge me to change if there were still seats available. The only flaw with that logic is I would already be on a plane back to Iowa by then.
But with my weekend trip to Long Beach for meeting on the horizon I was prepared to fly again. So to make my trip more family friendly on they way out I left in the afternoon and since I was only to be traveling part of three days I packed a backpack sized suitcase for clothes, and my laptop backpack for everything else which should have left me with no checked bags.
Well because the airlines in their genius are charging for luggage everyone has slightly oversized rolling 'carry on' suitcases which take up all the space in the oversized bins so someone like me with two smaller bags still had to plane side check my clothes on three of the four flights.
To make things even more fun, because LAX is about the least modern major US airport I have been to (Des Moines is nicer) they don't have the facilities to give you back plane side checked luggage when you arrive there so you have to go to baggage claim.
So to end my story (or maybe begin it) on a bright note I am thankful the Denver airport is modern AND has free Wifi so my day today didn't suck as much as it could have. I got to LAX at 5:56 to catch my 7:30 flight to Denver and all went as planned until I got off the plane in Denver... I even had room for both backpacks inside the plane with me and got a nap after what was a short night.
That should have been a warning sign because I checked the displays upon arrival and my flight to Des Moines was delayed 2 hours so I had a four hour wait ahead of me. I wandered down to the first gate my flight out was assigned to and found out the plane was coming from Chicago. I am starting to run out of fingers to count how many times Chicago departing flights have flummoxed my travels when I don't even have a leg that takes me through Chicago.
So I am still in good spirits, and go find some lunch. Then I roam around looking for an available power outlet because they are in high demand in Denver. I found one to plug my rapidly dying phone into because I had spent a whole 15 minutes checking email, and sat down with my laptop to do some paperwork from the meetings I had just left since my laptop was fully charged.
After about an hour of that I wandered down to find my gate had changed and it was possible we would be departing later than anticipated.... super. So I do the loop again and find another power source and figure out they have free Wifi and entertain myself with catching up on email and chatting with friends who took pity on me after my cranky FB post.
So finally after 7 hours stuck in Denver i hear a call for boarding to Des Moines to our third assigned gate for all rows boarding immediately because they were able to round up a plane and crew from somewhere to actually take us to Des Moines.
So we all herd out to the tarmac.... yes the tarmac because the plane they had for us was quiet small, and yes i had to plan side check my laundry. We have an uneventful flight to Des Moines and then we get there and they tell us some more Great news.... only one gate and set of ground crew available because remember we were almost 5 hours late getting there so we had to wait for them to unload the plane in front of us while we sat on the runway long enough for me to type all of this with my two thumbs on my phone with several breaks for cramping.
So i finally arrive in the building at 8:15cst twelve hours after I got to LAX and five hours later than I was supposed to get there.... i haven't had anything to eat four hours... not even airplane pretzels because they don't give you those on United anymore. I take the bus to get my car and find out that my credit card is locked because of unusual usage (now you are probably thinking while you were just in LA and now you are in Iowa) but I did not use it while I was traveling and it turns out the credit card company is updating there system so they can't tell me why it won't work and it turns out as of today someone was using it that wasn't us.... I just love credit card fraud.
So my trip which was otherwise most wonderful and productive left me teary eyed in frustration while putting enough gas in the car using an alternative funding source so I could drive 45 minutes to Ames to arrive home at 9:35pm to finish this blog. So with this I leave you (thumb typos and all) with wishes that your future travel adventures may be less 'adventurous' than mine.
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Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The road to my first ½ marathon…
2011 Get In Gear - Half Marathon Minneapolis, MN
SHAWN BLAESING-THOMPSON
Time 2:20:37, Splits 10 Mile 1:45:17, 4 Mile 41:24
Ave Pace 10:45 per mile
Overall Place 870 out of 1030, 407 out of 533 Females, 162 out of 201 Females in F30-39 AG
The road to my first ½ marathon…
So if you had told me two or three years ago I would run a ½ marathon I would most certainly have laughed in your face. Running more than a couple of miles always used to leave me beat up and unhappy until last summer.
I have something like 8 sprint triathlons, one team Olympic and one solo Olympic triathlon under my belt over the last four years. Last year was the first year I really did any consistent training for my races as I had two Olympic races on the schedule as well as a 10k run. I did a 10 week triathlon class in the early spring to give me a kick and help me meet other crazy folks like me. Part of my process was also learning how to run better. I was a competitive swimmer through middle school and high school so for me the swimming is the easiest part of the triathlon. With the bike I just need time in the saddle to keep things going, but the run was kicking my butt.
So I did a little research on running technique and came across the book chi running which goes through the principles of correct running form. There are four key points I focus on:
Don’t heel strike but rather hit with your midfoot or whole foot at one time.
This requires a shorter stride so your feet actually hit pretty much under your body.
Run relaxed. I always tensed up my upper body and got headaches from running so I focused on keeping my shoulder down and back.
Add a slight forward lean to let gravity move you forward faster.
Strengthen your core and use that instead of your leg muscles to propel you.
So within a couple of months I was easy running between 3-5 miles a couple times a week. I wasn’t doing the core work last summer and could tell once I hit the five mile mark.
This winter I added a yoga/Pilates class to my mix which works all the core muscles, adds an upper body and leg strength workout and all the sudden I am up in the 8-10 mile run range and feeling good.
My average training week usually looks something like a 2.5 – 4 mile run on Tuesday and Thursday. Sometimes a short 2-3 mile run on Saturday and a long 6-10 mile run on Sundays with my average distances miles per week around 15 – 22 over the last two – three months. Now I have to tell you I am not real fast when it comes to sustaining over a long run so on my week day runs I have been focusing on an intense hill workout and a speed workout and last week I actually was able to do a 5k on the treadmill in around 26 minutes. I now need to build that speed into my open run and 10k times and then figure out how to bring down my ½ marathon time.
Race day I was pretty jittery even though I kept telling myself just go out, enjoy the experience and try to hit your goals along the way. We had to park about a mile away and with a light rain falling I jogged down the hill to the park where the race start was. I hopped into the shoot about a minute after the gun went off but because there were around 8000 folks (mostly doing the 10k run) in the chute with me it still took me about four minutes to get to the start mat and get some jogging momentum.
It was overcast and around 45 degrees with a drizzle that came and went the first 10 miles or so. There was a wind that wasn’t insignificant, but didn’t really bother me. The first mile was spent with the usual careful picking to try and find a clear path so I wasn’t tripping over people and eventually was able to focus on finding a comfortable pace and enjoy the course. It ran along the Mississippi river to the north for 3 miles or so and then crossed a long high bridge over the river and wound south for about 7 miles before doubling back on itself and crossing a different bridge into Minnihaha park to finish.
I was about three miles in before I found another woman who was going about the same pace and doing the ½ rather than the 10k so we kept each other on track as best we could using the splits I was pulling off my watch. She picked up her pace with about four miles to go so I did the next three miles solo and then came across another woman going about the same pace and we motivated each other to the finish line. We were all first timers so it was nice to have a little outside my head voice to keep me moving.
My splits came from my GPS app on my phone and were similar to the splits I pulled from my watch…
Final time 2:20:37
Mile 1 = 10:15, Mile2= 9:45, Mile 3= 10:05, (had some Gatorade) mile 4 = 10:16, mile 5 = 10:05, Mile 6 = 10:14, mile 7 = 10:45 (had water with gu pack),Mile 8 = 10:20, mile 9=10:23 (turn around point), mile 10=10:37 (had some water), mile 11=10:56, (uphill grade) mile 12=11:19 (uphill grade had some Gatorade), mile 13.1 = 11:42
All in all I hit my target time because I hadn’t done any training runs over 10.5 miles and hadn’t implemented any nutrition intake on my long runs either so I wasn’t sure how I would perform over time. Goals for the future would include keeping my splits between 9:45 and 10:30 and working on the mental part of the last three miles to the finish line. I had some hip irritation due to a tight IT band in my left leg for about half of the race and my IT bands in both legs screamed at me the rest of the day so I need to work on getting those to release better. All in all my soreness is pretty much gone on day three out and I did opt to rest Sunday and just do my yoga/pilates class on Monday. I ran Tuesday and felt it some but pushed through to get almost 4 miles in.
So goals beyond that. I have two Olympic races on the books this year plus am going to attempt my first ½ Ironman in late July. I hope to do another half marathon run in October to close out my season and see where all this running can take me.
SHAWN BLAESING-THOMPSON
Time 2:20:37, Splits 10 Mile 1:45:17, 4 Mile 41:24
Ave Pace 10:45 per mile
Overall Place 870 out of 1030, 407 out of 533 Females, 162 out of 201 Females in F30-39 AG
The road to my first ½ marathon…
So if you had told me two or three years ago I would run a ½ marathon I would most certainly have laughed in your face. Running more than a couple of miles always used to leave me beat up and unhappy until last summer.
I have something like 8 sprint triathlons, one team Olympic and one solo Olympic triathlon under my belt over the last four years. Last year was the first year I really did any consistent training for my races as I had two Olympic races on the schedule as well as a 10k run. I did a 10 week triathlon class in the early spring to give me a kick and help me meet other crazy folks like me. Part of my process was also learning how to run better. I was a competitive swimmer through middle school and high school so for me the swimming is the easiest part of the triathlon. With the bike I just need time in the saddle to keep things going, but the run was kicking my butt.
So I did a little research on running technique and came across the book chi running which goes through the principles of correct running form. There are four key points I focus on:
Don’t heel strike but rather hit with your midfoot or whole foot at one time.
This requires a shorter stride so your feet actually hit pretty much under your body.
Run relaxed. I always tensed up my upper body and got headaches from running so I focused on keeping my shoulder down and back.
Add a slight forward lean to let gravity move you forward faster.
Strengthen your core and use that instead of your leg muscles to propel you.
So within a couple of months I was easy running between 3-5 miles a couple times a week. I wasn’t doing the core work last summer and could tell once I hit the five mile mark.
This winter I added a yoga/Pilates class to my mix which works all the core muscles, adds an upper body and leg strength workout and all the sudden I am up in the 8-10 mile run range and feeling good.
My average training week usually looks something like a 2.5 – 4 mile run on Tuesday and Thursday. Sometimes a short 2-3 mile run on Saturday and a long 6-10 mile run on Sundays with my average distances miles per week around 15 – 22 over the last two – three months. Now I have to tell you I am not real fast when it comes to sustaining over a long run so on my week day runs I have been focusing on an intense hill workout and a speed workout and last week I actually was able to do a 5k on the treadmill in around 26 minutes. I now need to build that speed into my open run and 10k times and then figure out how to bring down my ½ marathon time.
Race day I was pretty jittery even though I kept telling myself just go out, enjoy the experience and try to hit your goals along the way. We had to park about a mile away and with a light rain falling I jogged down the hill to the park where the race start was. I hopped into the shoot about a minute after the gun went off but because there were around 8000 folks (mostly doing the 10k run) in the chute with me it still took me about four minutes to get to the start mat and get some jogging momentum.
It was overcast and around 45 degrees with a drizzle that came and went the first 10 miles or so. There was a wind that wasn’t insignificant, but didn’t really bother me. The first mile was spent with the usual careful picking to try and find a clear path so I wasn’t tripping over people and eventually was able to focus on finding a comfortable pace and enjoy the course. It ran along the Mississippi river to the north for 3 miles or so and then crossed a long high bridge over the river and wound south for about 7 miles before doubling back on itself and crossing a different bridge into Minnihaha park to finish.
I was about three miles in before I found another woman who was going about the same pace and doing the ½ rather than the 10k so we kept each other on track as best we could using the splits I was pulling off my watch. She picked up her pace with about four miles to go so I did the next three miles solo and then came across another woman going about the same pace and we motivated each other to the finish line. We were all first timers so it was nice to have a little outside my head voice to keep me moving.
My splits came from my GPS app on my phone and were similar to the splits I pulled from my watch…
Final time 2:20:37
Mile 1 = 10:15, Mile2= 9:45, Mile 3= 10:05, (had some Gatorade) mile 4 = 10:16, mile 5 = 10:05, Mile 6 = 10:14, mile 7 = 10:45 (had water with gu pack),Mile 8 = 10:20, mile 9=10:23 (turn around point), mile 10=10:37 (had some water), mile 11=10:56, (uphill grade) mile 12=11:19 (uphill grade had some Gatorade), mile 13.1 = 11:42
All in all I hit my target time because I hadn’t done any training runs over 10.5 miles and hadn’t implemented any nutrition intake on my long runs either so I wasn’t sure how I would perform over time. Goals for the future would include keeping my splits between 9:45 and 10:30 and working on the mental part of the last three miles to the finish line. I had some hip irritation due to a tight IT band in my left leg for about half of the race and my IT bands in both legs screamed at me the rest of the day so I need to work on getting those to release better. All in all my soreness is pretty much gone on day three out and I did opt to rest Sunday and just do my yoga/pilates class on Monday. I ran Tuesday and felt it some but pushed through to get almost 4 miles in.
So goals beyond that. I have two Olympic races on the books this year plus am going to attempt my first ½ Ironman in late July. I hope to do another half marathon run in October to close out my season and see where all this running can take me.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Nuturing Relationships
I was reading the monthly reflection in the book I use for a journal. It talks about nurturing relationships. It is easy to chat over facebook, text and email... but the monthly reflection said to spend time in person to person communication.
I would love to have the time and energy to do that and for the couple of close friends I have in Ames we do make a point to have a monthly lunch or ladies outing to catch up.
But alas, I have a network of people I care about that don't live in Ames and aren't close enough to see on a regular basis. I don't spend enough time catching up with my far away friends over the phone because it is just easier to use the digital media as a crutch. My monthly assignment is to pick four people I cherish to write a handwritten note to and write from the heart. I guess why stop at four... I will try to write four each week in the month of May.
I actually really enjoy writing letters. For years over my life I have had people I've written to regularly. My grandfather who passed away in November was one of my regular correspondences. We wrote letters and for years after my grandmother passed until I started having kids. I actually miss our letters because he would always write back with stories of his travels or even just the day to day activities. I do cherish the handwritten notes I have gotten from friends and family over the years. Those are the hardest things to let go of so they end up floating around my house or getting stacked in a box for another day.
Well... this month, the month of my birth (May that is) I am going to spend some time nurturing my cherished relationships. If I don't have your address email me with it and am happy to write you something from the heart. My best to you my friend.
I would love to have the time and energy to do that and for the couple of close friends I have in Ames we do make a point to have a monthly lunch or ladies outing to catch up.
But alas, I have a network of people I care about that don't live in Ames and aren't close enough to see on a regular basis. I don't spend enough time catching up with my far away friends over the phone because it is just easier to use the digital media as a crutch. My monthly assignment is to pick four people I cherish to write a handwritten note to and write from the heart. I guess why stop at four... I will try to write four each week in the month of May.
I actually really enjoy writing letters. For years over my life I have had people I've written to regularly. My grandfather who passed away in November was one of my regular correspondences. We wrote letters and for years after my grandmother passed until I started having kids. I actually miss our letters because he would always write back with stories of his travels or even just the day to day activities. I do cherish the handwritten notes I have gotten from friends and family over the years. Those are the hardest things to let go of so they end up floating around my house or getting stacked in a box for another day.
Well... this month, the month of my birth (May that is) I am going to spend some time nurturing my cherished relationships. If I don't have your address email me with it and am happy to write you something from the heart. My best to you my friend.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Letter to friends and family on Thyroid Issues
I have posted this before on my Facebook Page. Thyroid disease is something I have struggled with for seven years now and did real well for three years before all heck broke loose. You can't always just fix things with a pill and this letter highlights some of the things I have struggled with over the years. I am posting it here because a friend of mine is fighting the fight now a little reminder never hurts for those watching at the sidelines.
Best to you all.
Shawn
Dear Friend/Family Member:
Someone you care about has thyroid disease. You may not know much about thyroid problems, but I imagine, like many of us, you've heard things here and there. If anything, you probably associate the thyroid with weight problems, or think it's an excuse people use for being overweight. Or, you may already know someone else who's taking thyroid medication -- usually Synthroid -- and they seem to be doing fine, so you assume thyroid disease will be similar for your friend/family member.
There's so much more to thyroid disease, and while I can't cover it all in this letter, I'm going to try, briefly, to give you a sense of what your loved one is facing. So can I ask that you set aside for a few moments the information you do have about thyroid disease, to open your mind and heart?
The thyroid is our master gland of metabolism and energy. Every single body function that requires oxygen and energy -- basically, everything that goes on in our bodies! -- requires thyroid hormone in proper amounts. That means we need the proper balance of thyroid hormone in order to feel and live well. We need thyroid hormone to think clearly and remember things, to maintain a good mood, to grow hair and nails, to have basic energy to get through the day, to see well, to digest our food, to burn calories, to be fertile, to get pregnant and have a healthy baby, to have a good sex drive, and much, much more. In some ways, you can think about thyroid hormone as the gasoline that makes the car go. No gas, and there's no way to move forward.
Typically, a thyroid problem comes in one of several forms. Your loved one may be hyperthyroid...that means that the thyroid gland is overactive, and producing too much thyroid hormone. When the thyroid becomes overactive, you can think of it a bit like the gas pedal on the car is stuck, and the engine is flooding. If your loved one is going through hyperthyroidism, he or she may be feeling extremely anxious and nervous, with a rapidly beating heart, higher blood pressure, and even palpitations. Some people describe the sensation as like their heart is beating so hard and loud everyone around them can even see it and hear it! They may be hungry and thirsty all the time, suffering from diarrhea even, and losing weight. Others may even be wondering, wrongly, if your loved one's rapid weight loss is due to an eating disorder or some sort of illness like cancer or AIDS. His or her eyes may be sore, sensitive, gritty and irritated, and vision can even become blurry. Sleep may be difficult or impossible, and lack of sleep combined with the body zooming along at 100 miles an hour can cause extreme exhaustion and muscle weakness. Frankly, people who are in the throes of hyperthyroidism have told me that they feel and look like someone who is strung out on drugs, or who has had 20 cups of coffee after not sleeping for a week. With heart pounding, and all body systems going full tilt, your jittery, stressed-out hyperthyroid loved one may even feel like he or she is losing it, ready to fall apart at any moment.
If your loved one is hypothyroid, they are facing different challenges. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid is underactive, and not producing enough of the energy and oxygen-delivering thyroid hormone. This is like trying to get somewhere with barely enough gas and feet that can't reach the gas pedal. If your loved one is hypothyroid, he or she may be feeling sluggish and tired, and exhausted all the time. Think about the worst flu you've ever had, and how tired, and achy and exhausted you felt. Now imagine waking up every day feeling like that, but having to get up, go to work/school and take care of yourself and others feeling that way. Depression -- or feeling blue -- is common, as are memory problems and being fuzzy-brained -- we patients call it "brain fog." Your loved one may look in a mirror and not recognize herself (and I say herself here, because the vast majority of thyroid patients in general are women -- thyroid problems do happen in men, but are seven to ten times more common in women.) Because when she looks in the mirror, she sees the outer half of her eyebrows are thin or missing, her hair is thin, dry, coarse and falling out, her face and eyelids are puffy, her face is bloated and puffy, and she may have gained weight, despite eating less and working out more than everyone else around her. With hypothyroidism, anything and everything can be slow, even digestion, which can cause constipation. For women, periods can be worse, and come more often than before. Menopause can be worse, and come earlier than for other women. And after pregnancy, hypothyroidism can worsen postpartum fatigue and depression, and make breastfeeding difficult or impossible. And then there's that issue of weight gain. Your loved one may be following the most rigorous and healthy diet and exercise program, and yet be unable to lose weight. He or she might even be gaining weight on that program.
If your loved one has thyroid cancer, they have an entirely different challenge. The majority of thyroid cancers are considered highly treatable and survivable, so doctors and others often cavalierly refer to thyroid cancer as "the good cancer." But the reality is, no cancer is "good," and someone who has thyroid cancer has cancer, "the big C." Cancer as a concept is frightening, and raises fears and concerns. Someone with thyroid cancer initially may have few, if any, symptoms. In some cases, however, they may have hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, or a combination of symptoms of a thyroid imbalance. Most thyroid cancer patients require surgery to remove the thyroid -- and this can be daunting, including the idea of a several-inch incision in the neck and resulting scar. After surgery, many thyroid cancer patients will need to have followup radioactive iodine treatment to ensure that all the cancerous tissue was removed, and it can be many weeks after surgery before a thyroid cancer patient -- who by that point is typically quite hypothyroid -- can start thyroid medication to again get lifesaving thyroid hormone they need. And the thyroid cancer patient in your life will require lifetime of medical treatment for the resulting hypothyroidism, along with periodic -- and sometimes physically challenging -- follow-ups and scans to monitor for a recurrence of the cancer.
These are just a few of the conditions that can affect thyroid patients. There are autoimmune diseases -- Graves' disease and Hashimoto's -- that can be at the root of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Sometimes people develop a goiter -- an enlarged thyroid -- or benign nodules that cause symptoms. Sometimes a temporary infection causes thyroiditis. And again, these problems can be difficult to pinpoint, misdiagnosed as everything under the sign, and even when diagnosed, poorly treated.
So what many thyroid patients have in common is living in a world that overlooks, downplays, poorly treats -- and sometimes even makes fun of -- their condition.
Magazine articles, books by doctors, patients brochures in doctors offices -- and doctors themselves -- insist simplistically that thyroid disease is "easy to diagnose, easy to treat" even though patients know that this is far from the truth. As for "easy to diagnose," your loved one may have even struggled to get diagnosed -- to get taken seriously -- in the first place. Doctors regularly misdiagnose hyperthyroid patients as having an eating or anxiety disorder, and hypothyroid patients as having stress, depression, PMS, or menopause.
Worse yet are the truly unsympathetic physicians that we all too frequently encounter in thyroid care. Like the marathon runner with hypothyroidism who was in training, on a strict diet, and still gaining weight and was told by her doctor that she had "fork in mouth disease." Or the endocrinologists who tell patients, "Well, you should be GLAD, you know, because you have the GOOD cancer!" Or the doctor who diagnosed a woman with hyperthyroidism by clapping his hands together loudly behind her head, chortling: "Oh, I can always tell you hypers, because you practically jump off the examining table when I do that!"
There are advertisements and comedians who use "thyroid problem" as the not-so-secret code to describe someone who is fat. And there's a whole realm of scam artists out there trying to sell us cockamamie Thyro-this and Thyro-that "cures" for thyroid disease that in many cases can make things a whole lot worse -- or at best, not help at all.
Even Oprah admitted she had a thyroid problem, then claimed it went away, then said she had it but it wasn't an excuse for her weight gain, then decided not to get treatment, and continues to struggle with her health issues.
And perhaps saddest of all, there are friends and relatives who say "I don't buy this thyroid disease thing, it's just an excuse for not losing weight" or "Thyroid? Hah! She's just lazy!" Or, "Why can't he just get OVER it and get back to normal?"
Husbands criticize their wives for gaining weight. Teenagers whisper behind a friend's back about anorexia. Coworkers complain that their colleague is "lazy."
Once we're diagnosed, treatment is not an easy fix for many thyroid patients. Doctors try to rush hyperthyroid patients into permanently disabling the thyroid with a radioactive treatment that will make them hypothyroid for life. Many doctors believe there is only one medication to treat hypothyroidism -- a medication that does not resolve symptoms for all patients. When patients learn about other available options, doctors may stonewall, refuse additional treatments, or push antidepressants, cholesterol medications, weight loss pills and more, instead of addressing the thyroid issues. The conventional medical establishment believes that treatment for thyroid problems is one-size-fits-all. This cavalier attitude means that many thyroid patients struggle for years to live and feel well, despite being diagnosed and "treated."
I'm here to ask you -- in a world where thyroid patients are disregarded, overlooked, misdiagnosed, abused, exploited, mocked, and ignored -- to be the person who truly "gets it" for the thyroid patient in your life. Be the person who understands that while thyroid disease may not be visible, it is causing your friend or loved one to suffer. Be the person who understands that even though celebrities aren't talking about thyroid disease, and sports figures aren't wearing bracelets to promote thyroid awareness, that this is a genuine, difficult, and life-changing diagnosis.
Be the person who opens mind and heart to the thyroid patients in your life. Be the person who listens, and learns about the struggles and challenges. Be the person who empowers the thyroid patient in your life, by helping him or her do as much as possible to improve health. Be the person to help find doctors and practitioners who do not view your friend or relative as a cookie-cutter patient on a thyroid assembly line. Be the person who helps the thyroid patient in your life to maintain balance-- to help find time for rest, for exercise, for stress reduction, for self-care, for proper nutrition, for fun!
Live well,
Mary Shomon
Thyroid Patient Advocate
Best to you all.
Shawn
Dear Friend/Family Member:
Someone you care about has thyroid disease. You may not know much about thyroid problems, but I imagine, like many of us, you've heard things here and there. If anything, you probably associate the thyroid with weight problems, or think it's an excuse people use for being overweight. Or, you may already know someone else who's taking thyroid medication -- usually Synthroid -- and they seem to be doing fine, so you assume thyroid disease will be similar for your friend/family member.
There's so much more to thyroid disease, and while I can't cover it all in this letter, I'm going to try, briefly, to give you a sense of what your loved one is facing. So can I ask that you set aside for a few moments the information you do have about thyroid disease, to open your mind and heart?
The thyroid is our master gland of metabolism and energy. Every single body function that requires oxygen and energy -- basically, everything that goes on in our bodies! -- requires thyroid hormone in proper amounts. That means we need the proper balance of thyroid hormone in order to feel and live well. We need thyroid hormone to think clearly and remember things, to maintain a good mood, to grow hair and nails, to have basic energy to get through the day, to see well, to digest our food, to burn calories, to be fertile, to get pregnant and have a healthy baby, to have a good sex drive, and much, much more. In some ways, you can think about thyroid hormone as the gasoline that makes the car go. No gas, and there's no way to move forward.
Typically, a thyroid problem comes in one of several forms. Your loved one may be hyperthyroid...that means that the thyroid gland is overactive, and producing too much thyroid hormone. When the thyroid becomes overactive, you can think of it a bit like the gas pedal on the car is stuck, and the engine is flooding. If your loved one is going through hyperthyroidism, he or she may be feeling extremely anxious and nervous, with a rapidly beating heart, higher blood pressure, and even palpitations. Some people describe the sensation as like their heart is beating so hard and loud everyone around them can even see it and hear it! They may be hungry and thirsty all the time, suffering from diarrhea even, and losing weight. Others may even be wondering, wrongly, if your loved one's rapid weight loss is due to an eating disorder or some sort of illness like cancer or AIDS. His or her eyes may be sore, sensitive, gritty and irritated, and vision can even become blurry. Sleep may be difficult or impossible, and lack of sleep combined with the body zooming along at 100 miles an hour can cause extreme exhaustion and muscle weakness. Frankly, people who are in the throes of hyperthyroidism have told me that they feel and look like someone who is strung out on drugs, or who has had 20 cups of coffee after not sleeping for a week. With heart pounding, and all body systems going full tilt, your jittery, stressed-out hyperthyroid loved one may even feel like he or she is losing it, ready to fall apart at any moment.
If your loved one is hypothyroid, they are facing different challenges. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid is underactive, and not producing enough of the energy and oxygen-delivering thyroid hormone. This is like trying to get somewhere with barely enough gas and feet that can't reach the gas pedal. If your loved one is hypothyroid, he or she may be feeling sluggish and tired, and exhausted all the time. Think about the worst flu you've ever had, and how tired, and achy and exhausted you felt. Now imagine waking up every day feeling like that, but having to get up, go to work/school and take care of yourself and others feeling that way. Depression -- or feeling blue -- is common, as are memory problems and being fuzzy-brained -- we patients call it "brain fog." Your loved one may look in a mirror and not recognize herself (and I say herself here, because the vast majority of thyroid patients in general are women -- thyroid problems do happen in men, but are seven to ten times more common in women.) Because when she looks in the mirror, she sees the outer half of her eyebrows are thin or missing, her hair is thin, dry, coarse and falling out, her face and eyelids are puffy, her face is bloated and puffy, and she may have gained weight, despite eating less and working out more than everyone else around her. With hypothyroidism, anything and everything can be slow, even digestion, which can cause constipation. For women, periods can be worse, and come more often than before. Menopause can be worse, and come earlier than for other women. And after pregnancy, hypothyroidism can worsen postpartum fatigue and depression, and make breastfeeding difficult or impossible. And then there's that issue of weight gain. Your loved one may be following the most rigorous and healthy diet and exercise program, and yet be unable to lose weight. He or she might even be gaining weight on that program.
If your loved one has thyroid cancer, they have an entirely different challenge. The majority of thyroid cancers are considered highly treatable and survivable, so doctors and others often cavalierly refer to thyroid cancer as "the good cancer." But the reality is, no cancer is "good," and someone who has thyroid cancer has cancer, "the big C." Cancer as a concept is frightening, and raises fears and concerns. Someone with thyroid cancer initially may have few, if any, symptoms. In some cases, however, they may have hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, or a combination of symptoms of a thyroid imbalance. Most thyroid cancer patients require surgery to remove the thyroid -- and this can be daunting, including the idea of a several-inch incision in the neck and resulting scar. After surgery, many thyroid cancer patients will need to have followup radioactive iodine treatment to ensure that all the cancerous tissue was removed, and it can be many weeks after surgery before a thyroid cancer patient -- who by that point is typically quite hypothyroid -- can start thyroid medication to again get lifesaving thyroid hormone they need. And the thyroid cancer patient in your life will require lifetime of medical treatment for the resulting hypothyroidism, along with periodic -- and sometimes physically challenging -- follow-ups and scans to monitor for a recurrence of the cancer.
These are just a few of the conditions that can affect thyroid patients. There are autoimmune diseases -- Graves' disease and Hashimoto's -- that can be at the root of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Sometimes people develop a goiter -- an enlarged thyroid -- or benign nodules that cause symptoms. Sometimes a temporary infection causes thyroiditis. And again, these problems can be difficult to pinpoint, misdiagnosed as everything under the sign, and even when diagnosed, poorly treated.
So what many thyroid patients have in common is living in a world that overlooks, downplays, poorly treats -- and sometimes even makes fun of -- their condition.
Magazine articles, books by doctors, patients brochures in doctors offices -- and doctors themselves -- insist simplistically that thyroid disease is "easy to diagnose, easy to treat" even though patients know that this is far from the truth. As for "easy to diagnose," your loved one may have even struggled to get diagnosed -- to get taken seriously -- in the first place. Doctors regularly misdiagnose hyperthyroid patients as having an eating or anxiety disorder, and hypothyroid patients as having stress, depression, PMS, or menopause.
Worse yet are the truly unsympathetic physicians that we all too frequently encounter in thyroid care. Like the marathon runner with hypothyroidism who was in training, on a strict diet, and still gaining weight and was told by her doctor that she had "fork in mouth disease." Or the endocrinologists who tell patients, "Well, you should be GLAD, you know, because you have the GOOD cancer!" Or the doctor who diagnosed a woman with hyperthyroidism by clapping his hands together loudly behind her head, chortling: "Oh, I can always tell you hypers, because you practically jump off the examining table when I do that!"
There are advertisements and comedians who use "thyroid problem" as the not-so-secret code to describe someone who is fat. And there's a whole realm of scam artists out there trying to sell us cockamamie Thyro-this and Thyro-that "cures" for thyroid disease that in many cases can make things a whole lot worse -- or at best, not help at all.
Even Oprah admitted she had a thyroid problem, then claimed it went away, then said she had it but it wasn't an excuse for her weight gain, then decided not to get treatment, and continues to struggle with her health issues.
And perhaps saddest of all, there are friends and relatives who say "I don't buy this thyroid disease thing, it's just an excuse for not losing weight" or "Thyroid? Hah! She's just lazy!" Or, "Why can't he just get OVER it and get back to normal?"
Husbands criticize their wives for gaining weight. Teenagers whisper behind a friend's back about anorexia. Coworkers complain that their colleague is "lazy."
Once we're diagnosed, treatment is not an easy fix for many thyroid patients. Doctors try to rush hyperthyroid patients into permanently disabling the thyroid with a radioactive treatment that will make them hypothyroid for life. Many doctors believe there is only one medication to treat hypothyroidism -- a medication that does not resolve symptoms for all patients. When patients learn about other available options, doctors may stonewall, refuse additional treatments, or push antidepressants, cholesterol medications, weight loss pills and more, instead of addressing the thyroid issues. The conventional medical establishment believes that treatment for thyroid problems is one-size-fits-all. This cavalier attitude means that many thyroid patients struggle for years to live and feel well, despite being diagnosed and "treated."
I'm here to ask you -- in a world where thyroid patients are disregarded, overlooked, misdiagnosed, abused, exploited, mocked, and ignored -- to be the person who truly "gets it" for the thyroid patient in your life. Be the person who understands that while thyroid disease may not be visible, it is causing your friend or loved one to suffer. Be the person who understands that even though celebrities aren't talking about thyroid disease, and sports figures aren't wearing bracelets to promote thyroid awareness, that this is a genuine, difficult, and life-changing diagnosis.
Be the person who opens mind and heart to the thyroid patients in your life. Be the person who listens, and learns about the struggles and challenges. Be the person who empowers the thyroid patient in your life, by helping him or her do as much as possible to improve health. Be the person to help find doctors and practitioners who do not view your friend or relative as a cookie-cutter patient on a thyroid assembly line. Be the person who helps the thyroid patient in your life to maintain balance-- to help find time for rest, for exercise, for stress reduction, for self-care, for proper nutrition, for fun!
Live well,
Mary Shomon
Thyroid Patient Advocate
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 27
•Day 27 — This month, in great detail - Ok... finally done with the 30 day challenge. It took me 50 days but I got it done in typical Shawn fashion.
Quote for the blog....
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
-- John Muir
Ok, going a little free form here... looking at months... A friend once told me the key to a good marriage is separate vacations. Honestly I think there is some truth to that idea. Having been a couple for fourteen years my hubby and I have completely different ideas of vacation. If we did a cruise I would want to go north to Alaska and he would go to the Carribean. We went to Las Vegas and I wanted to go hiking and visit the Dam and he wants to hang out at the sports book and have a few drinks.
We find it easier to pick family vacation destinations usually something around a baseball stadium and water park. So a few years ago I started going on ladies weekends into the woods to go hiking, skiing, cycling. The hubby gets his mancation with his buddy usually to Las Vegas. Joe just got back from his biennial Vegas outing so now it is my turn to look forward to the months ahead.
I love spending time outdoors especially in the mountains so I am gearing up and looking for places to go. I've got things narrowed down to late July early August for the date. My hiking buddies from college are going to NM for a long weekend hike so I may tag along on that trip. Other options are a road trip to Colorado or Northern Michigan to spend some time in the woods. Looking for good places to hike in these areas if you know some and a buddy or two to keep me company.
Already breathing deeply just thinking about the sounds of Mother Earth and blue skies on the horizon. :)
Quote for the blog....
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
-- John Muir
Ok, going a little free form here... looking at months... A friend once told me the key to a good marriage is separate vacations. Honestly I think there is some truth to that idea. Having been a couple for fourteen years my hubby and I have completely different ideas of vacation. If we did a cruise I would want to go north to Alaska and he would go to the Carribean. We went to Las Vegas and I wanted to go hiking and visit the Dam and he wants to hang out at the sports book and have a few drinks.
We find it easier to pick family vacation destinations usually something around a baseball stadium and water park. So a few years ago I started going on ladies weekends into the woods to go hiking, skiing, cycling. The hubby gets his mancation with his buddy usually to Las Vegas. Joe just got back from his biennial Vegas outing so now it is my turn to look forward to the months ahead.
I love spending time outdoors especially in the mountains so I am gearing up and looking for places to go. I've got things narrowed down to late July early August for the date. My hiking buddies from college are going to NM for a long weekend hike so I may tag along on that trip. Other options are a road trip to Colorado or Northern Michigan to spend some time in the woods. Looking for good places to hike in these areas if you know some and a buddy or two to keep me company.
Already breathing deeply just thinking about the sounds of Mother Earth and blue skies on the horizon. :)
30 Day Challenge - Day 28
•Day 28 — This year, in great detail
The 30 Day Challenge Blog goes on....
Another quote for the day… “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward you are always in the same place. If you don’t have a dream, you’ll never succeed.” Nora Roberts
Just two more days left to cover after almost two months.
So as usual I am taking my topic idea and conforming it to fit my thoughts. So my year in great detail is pretty boring in the grand scheme of things so I will talk about some of the highlights that I am looking forward to over the next year.
April… time with my mom’s family at our first gathering since my uncle passed away. My daughter so enjoys playing with her cousins and I genuinely love time with my extended family. Oh and then there is that ½ marathon which honestly if you had asked me two years ago if I thought I would ever do one I would have laughed in your face. But I have busted my hinny getting ready for this and am excited to see how it goes.
May… Going horse back riding with my daughter’s GS troop. Abby loves horses so much and it will be awesome to see her eyes light up and how she does with actual real live horses. Road trip… off to LA for an Association for Women Geoscientists Excom meeting. I get to visit with my old camping buddy while I am out there and hopefully continue to make a difference for AWG. I have my first Olympic Triathlon race of the year… I have to put the garden in and oh yeah… there is the matter of another year getting added to my tally bringing me to 37.
June… Looking forward a family reunion with all the crazy relatives on my Dad’s mom’s side. The first one since my grandfather passed away. May do a triathlon in Madison with my cousin and teammates.
July… 4th of July weekend at the lake with my family is always great… please don’t rain or blow because last summer’s weather was crummy. Ok, time to get my butt signed up for that darn ½ Ironman. I REALLY want to do it so I just need to get it on the schedule once and for all. Then time for a road trip to the wilderness … maybe Colorado or Isle Royal, MI??
August… rest and stay cool… try to keep the garden alive… family vacation to Kansas City for a little baseball and fun. Then maybe hit the State Fair and send the kids back to school.
September… Labor day weekend at the lake to run the boat down on gas for the winter. My last Olympic Triathlon of the season in my childhood stomping grounds.
October… maybe another ½ marathon or if things get really crazy a marathon?? Just another step on the road to someday, maybe before I turn 40 doing an Ironman. Up to MN for the AWG Board meeting and the ever so fun Halloween.
November… the month of plentiful holidays and birthdays. Traveling to the in-laws for Turkey Day.
December… CHAOS … celebrate the birth of my daughter – eight years. Spend a week off with my family hanging out.
January… ramping up my training for the new Triathlon season. Ramping up the program for the next GIS-T conference.
February… Snowshoeing and Cross Country skiing galore assuming mother nature cooperates with us. Leap year bonus day.
March… CHAOS… St Patrick’s day is on a Saturday. YEAH! Road Trip to Connecticut for Vacation and AWG board meeting, AWG conference and trip to New York City
April… Road Trip to GIS-T in Colorado for a little work and play…. Which brings us back to May May May May… whew… took in a little Sound of Music there.
The 30 Day Challenge Blog goes on....
Another quote for the day… “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward you are always in the same place. If you don’t have a dream, you’ll never succeed.” Nora Roberts
Just two more days left to cover after almost two months.
So as usual I am taking my topic idea and conforming it to fit my thoughts. So my year in great detail is pretty boring in the grand scheme of things so I will talk about some of the highlights that I am looking forward to over the next year.
April… time with my mom’s family at our first gathering since my uncle passed away. My daughter so enjoys playing with her cousins and I genuinely love time with my extended family. Oh and then there is that ½ marathon which honestly if you had asked me two years ago if I thought I would ever do one I would have laughed in your face. But I have busted my hinny getting ready for this and am excited to see how it goes.
May… Going horse back riding with my daughter’s GS troop. Abby loves horses so much and it will be awesome to see her eyes light up and how she does with actual real live horses. Road trip… off to LA for an Association for Women Geoscientists Excom meeting. I get to visit with my old camping buddy while I am out there and hopefully continue to make a difference for AWG. I have my first Olympic Triathlon race of the year… I have to put the garden in and oh yeah… there is the matter of another year getting added to my tally bringing me to 37.
June… Looking forward a family reunion with all the crazy relatives on my Dad’s mom’s side. The first one since my grandfather passed away. May do a triathlon in Madison with my cousin and teammates.
July… 4th of July weekend at the lake with my family is always great… please don’t rain or blow because last summer’s weather was crummy. Ok, time to get my butt signed up for that darn ½ Ironman. I REALLY want to do it so I just need to get it on the schedule once and for all. Then time for a road trip to the wilderness … maybe Colorado or Isle Royal, MI??
August… rest and stay cool… try to keep the garden alive… family vacation to Kansas City for a little baseball and fun. Then maybe hit the State Fair and send the kids back to school.
September… Labor day weekend at the lake to run the boat down on gas for the winter. My last Olympic Triathlon of the season in my childhood stomping grounds.
October… maybe another ½ marathon or if things get really crazy a marathon?? Just another step on the road to someday, maybe before I turn 40 doing an Ironman. Up to MN for the AWG Board meeting and the ever so fun Halloween.
November… the month of plentiful holidays and birthdays. Traveling to the in-laws for Turkey Day.
December… CHAOS … celebrate the birth of my daughter – eight years. Spend a week off with my family hanging out.
January… ramping up my training for the new Triathlon season. Ramping up the program for the next GIS-T conference.
February… Snowshoeing and Cross Country skiing galore assuming mother nature cooperates with us. Leap year bonus day.
March… CHAOS… St Patrick’s day is on a Saturday. YEAH! Road Trip to Connecticut for Vacation and AWG board meeting, AWG conference and trip to New York City
April… Road Trip to GIS-T in Colorado for a little work and play…. Which brings us back to May May May May… whew… took in a little Sound of Music there.
30 Day Challenge - Day 29
•Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
The 30 Day Challenge Blog goes on…. Here are a few quotes that seem fitting today that are taped into the front cover of my health journal.
“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.” Reverend Run
“Balance is the place to which we must return.”
“What a feeling it is to accept and own my life and not beat myself up for the mistakes I have made!”
365 Days… what I wish for myself
1. To continue to grow as a person, a friend, a mother, a daughter, a wife and a colleague.
Well, yesterday I was just stepping on the treadmill at the gym because it was snowing in April. I took one last look at my email on my phone for some reason and got a message from a friend I have known professionally for five years or so. I had sent a note or two over the last few weeks since we saw each other at a conference and hadn’t heard from him. Well his response made me do a double take because something I said had knocked our friendship off track. I immediately felt horrible for inadvertently hurting him which is not something I would ever do intentionally.
I was overly critical (me just saying thing things as I see them without thinking first) and without knowing any of the back story I took an experience that is clearly painful and emotional for him and essentially slapped him across the face with it. I have had a long row with health problems myself and I should have been more sensitive and spent more time getting to know what was going on. And so I learned a little through this process and I try hard every day not to judge people because we all have a back story that we carry with us that defines who we are. I am still waiting to see if he will forgive me and let me prove I can be the kind of friend/supportive ear that won’t judge but will be there when he needs me.
2. Continue to balance my health/fitness with my life.
Jeez… five years ago now (time files … ) I went through a period of pretty intense soul searching about myself that lead to more soul searching about my marriage that lead to a serious illness due to the stress of the things I found about myself and my partnership along with overextending myself and having a stressful job/workplace.
I learned a lot throughout those couple of years because I had lost myself somewhere along the way getting married, having a child and trying to fit a mold that most little girls grow up buying into that conflicted with who I really am…. Anyway a story for another day… Through those years and a health scare that literally knocked me on my butt for almost a year I have learned to listen to my body. Our bodies talk to us if we listen… they tell us when to rest, when to eat, when they like something and we just have to listen. So I continue to learn how to balance my family, work, kids activities, professional activities and all the stuff I just like to do that isn’t relevant to everything else… With eating what my body needs, exercising, continuing to learn how to deal with my lingering health junk and focusing on positive mental health.
3. To cross at least one thing off my bucket list each year.
I have a yearly book of days that I mind dump into about once a week (old school with pen and paper) and in the back of my book I have my short list of resolutions for the year (I usually do pretty good) and my bucket list of things I want to experience in my life. The list has standard things like places I want to travel, things I want to learn… but did you know I want to visit all the Major League Baseball stadiums or ride the train through the Rockies to the PNW… if you are paying attention you know get a tattoo is on the list. There are other things but I won’t bore you with the list today… I will let you know when I cross them off complete though.
4. Make a difference…
Pretty broad topic I know but this idea of making an impact has been niggling in the back of my mind for the last couple of years. I am naturally drawn to reach out to people. I enjoy being positive, sharing ideas, working towards a goal. How do I roll that into making a different for someone/something else? On some level we all want to be needed and gain approval from others for a task well done. But this idea really goes beyond that… I want to make a difference not because someone will pat me on the back, but because a difference needs to be made.
So for now here are two of the things I am working at to make a difference... easing into being a Girl Scout leader for my daughter’s soon to be Brownie troop. I have had a lot of experiences in life and for some reason seem to know a little bit about a lot of things so I want to help these girls have positive experiences in their lives in the same way that being a Girl Scout 30 years ago had on mine. I am also on a conference planning committee with a remarkable group of people who every year put on a conference that makes the attendees feel like family. Where we all come away with new connections and ideas so we can all go forth and make a difference at our jobs. I hope that a tiny bit of what I have to offer make things even better.
So those are some of the hopes, goals, and thoughts banging around in my head for how I want to live the next 365 days of my life. Best to you all. Shawn
The 30 Day Challenge Blog goes on…. Here are a few quotes that seem fitting today that are taped into the front cover of my health journal.
“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.” Reverend Run
“Balance is the place to which we must return.”
“What a feeling it is to accept and own my life and not beat myself up for the mistakes I have made!”
365 Days… what I wish for myself
1. To continue to grow as a person, a friend, a mother, a daughter, a wife and a colleague.
Well, yesterday I was just stepping on the treadmill at the gym because it was snowing in April. I took one last look at my email on my phone for some reason and got a message from a friend I have known professionally for five years or so. I had sent a note or two over the last few weeks since we saw each other at a conference and hadn’t heard from him. Well his response made me do a double take because something I said had knocked our friendship off track. I immediately felt horrible for inadvertently hurting him which is not something I would ever do intentionally.
I was overly critical (me just saying thing things as I see them without thinking first) and without knowing any of the back story I took an experience that is clearly painful and emotional for him and essentially slapped him across the face with it. I have had a long row with health problems myself and I should have been more sensitive and spent more time getting to know what was going on. And so I learned a little through this process and I try hard every day not to judge people because we all have a back story that we carry with us that defines who we are. I am still waiting to see if he will forgive me and let me prove I can be the kind of friend/supportive ear that won’t judge but will be there when he needs me.
2. Continue to balance my health/fitness with my life.
Jeez… five years ago now (time files … ) I went through a period of pretty intense soul searching about myself that lead to more soul searching about my marriage that lead to a serious illness due to the stress of the things I found about myself and my partnership along with overextending myself and having a stressful job/workplace.
I learned a lot throughout those couple of years because I had lost myself somewhere along the way getting married, having a child and trying to fit a mold that most little girls grow up buying into that conflicted with who I really am…. Anyway a story for another day… Through those years and a health scare that literally knocked me on my butt for almost a year I have learned to listen to my body. Our bodies talk to us if we listen… they tell us when to rest, when to eat, when they like something and we just have to listen. So I continue to learn how to balance my family, work, kids activities, professional activities and all the stuff I just like to do that isn’t relevant to everything else… With eating what my body needs, exercising, continuing to learn how to deal with my lingering health junk and focusing on positive mental health.
3. To cross at least one thing off my bucket list each year.
I have a yearly book of days that I mind dump into about once a week (old school with pen and paper) and in the back of my book I have my short list of resolutions for the year (I usually do pretty good) and my bucket list of things I want to experience in my life. The list has standard things like places I want to travel, things I want to learn… but did you know I want to visit all the Major League Baseball stadiums or ride the train through the Rockies to the PNW… if you are paying attention you know get a tattoo is on the list. There are other things but I won’t bore you with the list today… I will let you know when I cross them off complete though.
4. Make a difference…
Pretty broad topic I know but this idea of making an impact has been niggling in the back of my mind for the last couple of years. I am naturally drawn to reach out to people. I enjoy being positive, sharing ideas, working towards a goal. How do I roll that into making a different for someone/something else? On some level we all want to be needed and gain approval from others for a task well done. But this idea really goes beyond that… I want to make a difference not because someone will pat me on the back, but because a difference needs to be made.
So for now here are two of the things I am working at to make a difference... easing into being a Girl Scout leader for my daughter’s soon to be Brownie troop. I have had a lot of experiences in life and for some reason seem to know a little bit about a lot of things so I want to help these girls have positive experiences in their lives in the same way that being a Girl Scout 30 years ago had on mine. I am also on a conference planning committee with a remarkable group of people who every year put on a conference that makes the attendees feel like family. Where we all come away with new connections and ideas so we can all go forth and make a difference at our jobs. I hope that a tiny bit of what I have to offer make things even better.
So those are some of the hopes, goals, and thoughts banging around in my head for how I want to live the next 365 days of my life. Best to you all. Shawn
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wanting some Ink....
So for a long time I have though it would be interesting to get a tattoo. My husband has a lion's head on his chest. Lately have seen a handful of tattoos that friends have and now two of my cousins have recently gotten tattoos.
I have decided I really want one so I have officially started thinking about what my design will be. I have an idea but I am not going to share just yet. I want to work through it some before I do. I also need to decide where I want to put it... thinking 3-4 inches in size... anyone have ideas ... recommendations?
As I get to training for a half Ironman I am thinking maybe a couple of years down the road I may do an Ironman and then when I finish I would definitely get the customary inside the bicep Ironman logo.
So I just need to pick a time line.. maybe I get the first one that I design when I finish my half Ironman this summer. Love to hear what you think... shoot me an email. :)
I have decided I really want one so I have officially started thinking about what my design will be. I have an idea but I am not going to share just yet. I want to work through it some before I do. I also need to decide where I want to put it... thinking 3-4 inches in size... anyone have ideas ... recommendations?
As I get to training for a half Ironman I am thinking maybe a couple of years down the road I may do an Ironman and then when I finish I would definitely get the customary inside the bicep Ironman logo.
So I just need to pick a time line.. maybe I get the first one that I design when I finish my half Ironman this summer. Love to hear what you think... shoot me an email. :)
Monday, April 11, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 26
•Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Lately my weeks haven't been consistent from one to the next. So I will just chatter here about the last two weeks. Two weeks ago I drove to Des Moines with the kiddos to go out to dinner with my folks and honey to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday. Sadly it was the second birthday in six months overwhelmed by the news of a death in the family.
Then I was up to catch a flight to Hershey PA for the annual GIS-T conference. I missed the last two conferences due to lack of commitment to a DOT and lack of funding. But this group of people is like coming home to family. I look forward to travels for work (nothing like a little time away from the hectic day to day) and I especially look forward to this conference. I enjoy my visits with friends and learning what others are doing that I can take back to my office.
I felt some of my fire coming back at work. I had been in a bit of a holding pattern since winter started... I tend to be one who stirs the pot at work and pushes for change. I look at the big picture and try to figure out how to get folks pointed in a better direction. I had been lying low the last few months so it was good to get some new wind, new ideas, and new energy.
After five days it was back home and into shuttling kids to soccer practices and doctor appointments. I haven't stopped running since... literally and figuratively considering I am just three weeks out from my first 1/2 marathon.
A couple of days after I got back I was off on a single parenting adventure while Joe took a five day mancation with his old Air Force buddy. It is weird because when I am the only adult in the house, at least for this past week, I rocked the single parenting adventure. The kids were great... mostly doing what I asked. We were pretty much on time all week to daycare, work, the gym, soccer practice, appointments. there weren't even any major melt downs... I think we all brought our A games.
But alas... it was not to be. Joe came back and we are now falling into our old patterns. Juggling Joe doing a long day in field and me feeding kids and running to practices. The me off for two days to an in state conference with an overnight. I get back and the next day Abby and I go to Girl Scout camp for her first overnight Girl Scout camping experience. Then to squeeze in a Palm Sunday Mass and then another long training run before we start all over again in a new week.
So I guess for me each week is different and the same. I try to just take it all in and go with the flow most of the time. But alas.. it is after 10pm yet again and I have to get kids moving in the morning and have a full day so I am signing off. I think I only have three more of the 30 day challenge blogs left but I am already thinking up new things to share since the blog habit is forming.
Take care my friends and good night.
Lately my weeks haven't been consistent from one to the next. So I will just chatter here about the last two weeks. Two weeks ago I drove to Des Moines with the kiddos to go out to dinner with my folks and honey to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday. Sadly it was the second birthday in six months overwhelmed by the news of a death in the family.
Then I was up to catch a flight to Hershey PA for the annual GIS-T conference. I missed the last two conferences due to lack of commitment to a DOT and lack of funding. But this group of people is like coming home to family. I look forward to travels for work (nothing like a little time away from the hectic day to day) and I especially look forward to this conference. I enjoy my visits with friends and learning what others are doing that I can take back to my office.
I felt some of my fire coming back at work. I had been in a bit of a holding pattern since winter started... I tend to be one who stirs the pot at work and pushes for change. I look at the big picture and try to figure out how to get folks pointed in a better direction. I had been lying low the last few months so it was good to get some new wind, new ideas, and new energy.
After five days it was back home and into shuttling kids to soccer practices and doctor appointments. I haven't stopped running since... literally and figuratively considering I am just three weeks out from my first 1/2 marathon.
A couple of days after I got back I was off on a single parenting adventure while Joe took a five day mancation with his old Air Force buddy. It is weird because when I am the only adult in the house, at least for this past week, I rocked the single parenting adventure. The kids were great... mostly doing what I asked. We were pretty much on time all week to daycare, work, the gym, soccer practice, appointments. there weren't even any major melt downs... I think we all brought our A games.
But alas... it was not to be. Joe came back and we are now falling into our old patterns. Juggling Joe doing a long day in field and me feeding kids and running to practices. The me off for two days to an in state conference with an overnight. I get back and the next day Abby and I go to Girl Scout camp for her first overnight Girl Scout camping experience. Then to squeeze in a Palm Sunday Mass and then another long training run before we start all over again in a new week.
So I guess for me each week is different and the same. I try to just take it all in and go with the flow most of the time. But alas.. it is after 10pm yet again and I have to get kids moving in the morning and have a full day so I am signing off. I think I only have three more of the 30 day challenge blogs left but I am already thinking up new things to share since the blog habit is forming.
Take care my friends and good night.
30 Day Challenge - Day 23
•Day 23 — A YouTube video
Ok, so the funny thing is I work with technology all day long. At work we push to try to keep up with the most progressive options... but outside of the office I have to say I am a bit of a slow adopter. It took me a couple of years and plenty of nagging from friends before I got a Facebook account. Of course now I am on FB almost every day and love to chat with my friend and family that way.
I don't really watch YouTube unless my hubby shows me some random "double rainbow" clip of this or that. I don't have a twitter account because I don't have time to follow anyone and I suspect that the 2 or 3 of you who read my blog is about all the followers I would have. :)
Well, in following of the spirit of the 30 (45) day challenge I did pick a YouTube video to share... My kids and I have been fascinated by the Eagle family. Tonight all three baby birds were flopping around in the nest while one of the parents fed the babies from the critters lying around the edges of the nest. I shared the link in an earlier blog, but here is the footage of the baby birds popping out of their eggs.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ries96
Ok, so the funny thing is I work with technology all day long. At work we push to try to keep up with the most progressive options... but outside of the office I have to say I am a bit of a slow adopter. It took me a couple of years and plenty of nagging from friends before I got a Facebook account. Of course now I am on FB almost every day and love to chat with my friend and family that way.
I don't really watch YouTube unless my hubby shows me some random "double rainbow" clip of this or that. I don't have a twitter account because I don't have time to follow anyone and I suspect that the 2 or 3 of you who read my blog is about all the followers I would have. :)
Well, in following of the spirit of the 30 (45) day challenge I did pick a YouTube video to share... My kids and I have been fascinated by the Eagle family. Tonight all three baby birds were flopping around in the nest while one of the parents fed the babies from the critters lying around the edges of the nest. I shared the link in an earlier blog, but here is the footage of the baby birds popping out of their eggs.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ries96
Saturday, April 9, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 30
•Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy - The wolf in me... I have always had a passion for wolves and done a careful study of Native American Culture. I was poking around today and found this story I thought I would share. May we all have the strength to feed our good wolf...
The Cherokee Legend
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good... he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, faith and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
The Cherokee Legend
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good... he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, faith and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
30 Day Challenge - Day 24
•Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Well, now I am seven days behind finishing my 30 days of blog. I will persist and finish the list one of these days. Guess I just have to stay up past 10pm more often... tired tonight but with the mind working overdrive and a movie I haven't seen on the TV so here I am still up at midnight.
I know tomorrow I need to go take Abby to buy a soccer jersey at 9am because for some reason I am the only one who knows where anything is at in the house...and yet this one thing eludes me. Where did I put Abby's soccer jersey at the end of the fall season? I haven't a clue. I guess I have been a wee distracted ...
Hard to know where to spend my time and energy... keeping house and tracking on random laundry is certainly not very high up on my list.
How does one decide where to put their energy... for me the list of choices can be overwhelming. My family and my job draw from the bulk of my reserves but I wouldn't trade for either of them. All my other choices are just offshoots from those... kids - PTO, Girl Scouts, soccer Practice, Daycare schedules ... work - executive committees, conference planning, work groups... fighting the good fight... trying to make the world better or at least my small part of it.
Occasionally I factor in time for my hobbies (see past blogs for that list) and other activities. Finding the balance between everything/one else and what I need isn't always easy and some days I feel like I am about to tip over, fall off, throw my hands up in the air... but then balance is restored and I plod along with my day again.
May we all know what is most important to us, may we take the time to fill our reserves so we can be the best parent, employee, friend and most important be true to ourselves. Now off to bed with me and may we all continue to learn and grow and be better than we were yesterday.
Well, now I am seven days behind finishing my 30 days of blog. I will persist and finish the list one of these days. Guess I just have to stay up past 10pm more often... tired tonight but with the mind working overdrive and a movie I haven't seen on the TV so here I am still up at midnight.
I know tomorrow I need to go take Abby to buy a soccer jersey at 9am because for some reason I am the only one who knows where anything is at in the house...and yet this one thing eludes me. Where did I put Abby's soccer jersey at the end of the fall season? I haven't a clue. I guess I have been a wee distracted ...
Hard to know where to spend my time and energy... keeping house and tracking on random laundry is certainly not very high up on my list.
How does one decide where to put their energy... for me the list of choices can be overwhelming. My family and my job draw from the bulk of my reserves but I wouldn't trade for either of them. All my other choices are just offshoots from those... kids - PTO, Girl Scouts, soccer Practice, Daycare schedules ... work - executive committees, conference planning, work groups... fighting the good fight... trying to make the world better or at least my small part of it.
Occasionally I factor in time for my hobbies (see past blogs for that list) and other activities. Finding the balance between everything/one else and what I need isn't always easy and some days I feel like I am about to tip over, fall off, throw my hands up in the air... but then balance is restored and I plod along with my day again.
May we all know what is most important to us, may we take the time to fill our reserves so we can be the best parent, employee, friend and most important be true to ourselves. Now off to bed with me and may we all continue to learn and grow and be better than we were yesterday.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
One last good-bye to a good man...
Two weeks ago we lost a great man. A man with an huge smile, a big heart and unwavering faith. He spent this last year in the fight of his life trying to beat back melanoma cancer, but despite being in the fight he still managed to have a full year.
Travels kept me from his visitation so I missed the wonderful stories and wasn't there to support my family for his last goodbye. We did get to spend time together a few weeks ago quietly watching a basketball game and I had the time to say goodbye while he could still hear me say it.
I just spent the last 20 minutes solo quietly watching the amazing CD that was put together for viewing at his visitation. Though there were tears I mostly smiled with an overwhelming feeling of joy for having been so lucky to have had him in my life.
The world was a better place with him in it and our family will feel the loss for many years to come. I am so proud of my family and their strength through all of this. This week they announced the creation of the Jim White Foundation to help raise funds for research and education about Melanoma cancer. I am hoping to be able to fund raise for the foundation as part of one of my races this summer so when the time comes I hope you will help support an amazing cause.
Christmas 2010 holding his beautiful granddaughter.
Spending time with all the family at a wedding in Chicago October 2010 sitting here next to his beautiful wife my Aunt Nancy holding baby Haley.
A typical pose with his wonderful smile from December 2007.
JAMES WHITE Obituary
MUSCATINE, Iowa – James A. White, 63, of Muscatine, died on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at his home, after a courageous battle against melanoma cancer.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011, at the St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth Street. The Reverend Jason Crossen will officiate the service. Honorary bearers will be Dick Berghefer and Harold Loos. Casket bearers will be Jeff Hayes, Mike Graves, Dustin Ziegenhorn, Harry Church, Neil Bachman, Gary Wieskamp and John Peters. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Durant American Legion Post #430. A funeral luncheon will be held at Gannon Hall following the committal service.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Nancy White to be used for Melanoma Research.
Jim was born on August 18, 1947, in Muscatine, the son of Joseph J. and Edna Margaret Schlipf White. He was a graduate of Hayes High School, class of 1965. He was also a graduate of the University of Iowa, class of 1969.
He was a US Army veteran serving from 1969 to 1971. He was stationed in Vietnam for one year, where he received the Bronze Star.
He married Nancy J. Wilson on February 26, 1972, in Muscatine, at the St. Mathias Church.
He owned and operated Wilson Shoe Store from 1978 until 2005, and later sold cars for Muskie Motors.
He was a member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish; the Knights of Columbus; Muscatine Elks Lodge; and the Durant American Legion Post #430. He had been active with the St. Mary Parish Council for four years, where he had served as president. He served for 12 years on the Little League Board of Directors and coached Senior League Baseball for many years. He had been a member of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors; he also served as past president of the Muscatine Quarterback Club and the Greater Downtown Merchants Association. He had also served on the Main Street Muscatine Board of Directors, and the Shoe Partners of Iowa Retail Board of Directors.
He especially loved spending time with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren, and enjoyed watching them in sports events. He also enjoyed playing golf, watching sports with his friends, attending Iowa Hawkeye football games and traveling to Las Vegas.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Nancy J. White of Muscatine; two sons, Jay A. White and wife, Cyndy, of McFarland, Wisconsin, and Andrew James White of Muscatine; one daughter, Amy Jo Gorham and husband, Phil, of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Tyler and Jaden White and Dylan and Hailey Gorham; and one brother, Wayne J. White and wife, Bev, of Muscatine.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Travels kept me from his visitation so I missed the wonderful stories and wasn't there to support my family for his last goodbye. We did get to spend time together a few weeks ago quietly watching a basketball game and I had the time to say goodbye while he could still hear me say it.
I just spent the last 20 minutes solo quietly watching the amazing CD that was put together for viewing at his visitation. Though there were tears I mostly smiled with an overwhelming feeling of joy for having been so lucky to have had him in my life.
The world was a better place with him in it and our family will feel the loss for many years to come. I am so proud of my family and their strength through all of this. This week they announced the creation of the Jim White Foundation to help raise funds for research and education about Melanoma cancer. I am hoping to be able to fund raise for the foundation as part of one of my races this summer so when the time comes I hope you will help support an amazing cause.
Christmas 2010 holding his beautiful granddaughter.
Spending time with all the family at a wedding in Chicago October 2010 sitting here next to his beautiful wife my Aunt Nancy holding baby Haley.
JAMES WHITE Obituary
MUSCATINE, Iowa – James A. White, 63, of Muscatine, died on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at his home, after a courageous battle against melanoma cancer.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011, at the St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth Street. The Reverend Jason Crossen will officiate the service. Honorary bearers will be Dick Berghefer and Harold Loos. Casket bearers will be Jeff Hayes, Mike Graves, Dustin Ziegenhorn, Harry Church, Neil Bachman, Gary Wieskamp and John Peters. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Durant American Legion Post #430. A funeral luncheon will be held at Gannon Hall following the committal service.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Nancy White to be used for Melanoma Research.
Jim was born on August 18, 1947, in Muscatine, the son of Joseph J. and Edna Margaret Schlipf White. He was a graduate of Hayes High School, class of 1965. He was also a graduate of the University of Iowa, class of 1969.
He was a US Army veteran serving from 1969 to 1971. He was stationed in Vietnam for one year, where he received the Bronze Star.
He married Nancy J. Wilson on February 26, 1972, in Muscatine, at the St. Mathias Church.
He owned and operated Wilson Shoe Store from 1978 until 2005, and later sold cars for Muskie Motors.
He was a member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish; the Knights of Columbus; Muscatine Elks Lodge; and the Durant American Legion Post #430. He had been active with the St. Mary Parish Council for four years, where he had served as president. He served for 12 years on the Little League Board of Directors and coached Senior League Baseball for many years. He had been a member of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors; he also served as past president of the Muscatine Quarterback Club and the Greater Downtown Merchants Association. He had also served on the Main Street Muscatine Board of Directors, and the Shoe Partners of Iowa Retail Board of Directors.
He especially loved spending time with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren, and enjoyed watching them in sports events. He also enjoyed playing golf, watching sports with his friends, attending Iowa Hawkeye football games and traveling to Las Vegas.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Nancy J. White of Muscatine; two sons, Jay A. White and wife, Cyndy, of McFarland, Wisconsin, and Andrew James White of Muscatine; one daughter, Amy Jo Gorham and husband, Phil, of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Tyler and Jaden White and Dylan and Hailey Gorham; and one brother, Wayne J. White and wife, Bev, of Muscatine.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Monday, April 4, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 22
•Day 22 — A website
Not sure where to go with this one... but must catch up with my 30 day challenge and this seems to keep me up and delaying another fitful night of sleep. darn time changes and travels days crammed full yet not enough gets done.
Well, anyway to websites...
The one we are addicted to in our house right now is the Eagles of course.
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
Lately I am loving the Groupon website because who doesn't love a great deal on something you planned to spend money on anyway.
I spend a lot of time on http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ reading articles and reading through causes.
Something I don't get enough time to actually do regularly but do like to check out the new ones of...
http://www.geocaching.com/
And when I need a little environmental motivation I like to visit
http://www.grist.org/ or http://www.motherearthnews.com
For a little work time fun I like to recon pages from other DOTs successes. This is a cool one... http://maps.modot.mo.gov/timi/ or this one... http://dashboard.virginiadot.org/
That is probably enough random web pages... now back to my real addictions... gmail and facebook. :)
Not sure where to go with this one... but must catch up with my 30 day challenge and this seems to keep me up and delaying another fitful night of sleep. darn time changes and travels days crammed full yet not enough gets done.
Well, anyway to websites...
The one we are addicted to in our house right now is the Eagles of course.
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
Lately I am loving the Groupon website because who doesn't love a great deal on something you planned to spend money on anyway.
I spend a lot of time on http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ reading articles and reading through causes.
Something I don't get enough time to actually do regularly but do like to check out the new ones of...
http://www.geocaching.com/
And when I need a little environmental motivation I like to visit
http://www.grist.org/ or http://www.motherearthnews.com
For a little work time fun I like to recon pages from other DOTs successes. This is a cool one... http://maps.modot.mo.gov/timi/ or this one... http://dashboard.virginiadot.org/
That is probably enough random web pages... now back to my real addictions... gmail and facebook. :)
30 Day Challenge - Day 25
•Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Skipping a couple of days in an effort to finally finish this round of blogs.
My day in great detail... hmmm
A typical week day...
5AM - Joe escapes to the gym and van pool to Des Moines
5:00 am - 6:30am get up early and workout in the basement a couple mornings a week.
OR 6:00am - 6:30am Get up and partake in a few minutes of quiet time before the kid wrangling begins.
6:30 am (usually earlier) JJ is up and demanding a banana and some juice and I am crawling up into a loft bed to drag my 7 year old out of bed. why couldn't she be a morning person.
Crawl into the shower and hope by some miracle Abigail actually gets herself dressed the first time I ask her... that is a RARE thing. Get out of the shower more awake and continue the crazy hustling of children into clothes, lunches made, dogs in and to their kennels and off to the daycare.
7:30pm race to work and begin what is usually a mix of meetings, working on documents, and actually GIS and database work.
noonish... A couple days a week I run to the gym to either swim or do my yoga/pilates class. Helps break up my day.
1:00 - 4:00 or 4:30 more of the same as the morning.
Some days I am out the door at 4pm for a run before I race to pick up the kids by 5pm.
5:00pm masterfully rummage in the kitchen for wonderfully healthy meals to make and feed my family.
6:30 hang out with the kids, playing and watching programs together on the DVR.
8:00pm wrangling kids into pajamas and story time.
8:36pm kids in bed and time for an hour to myself... today blogging, sometimes knitting, journalling, surfing...
10:00- 10:30 crawl into bed... maybe read or head straight to sleep.
Weekends
Would love to say I get to sleep in... JJ unfortunately stays on the same schedule every day so Joe and I take turns being the one who gets to sleep in until 7:30pm when the decibel level rises.
Joe and I negotiate to see who goes to the gym and who stays to pry Abby off the couch from the TV. Now it is soccer season so Saturday mornings we ride the sidelines. Triathlon season is coming so at least one morning is usually spent doing a long ride and running.
Somewhere in there laundry is done and parts of the house get clean, usually a team effort, dogs might get walked, the kids get played with, naps are had (that is an extra special day when I take the time for a nap) Then we start over again with Mondays.
Most of it I wouldn't change at all but sometimes I need a vacation.
Skipping a couple of days in an effort to finally finish this round of blogs.
My day in great detail... hmmm
A typical week day...
5AM - Joe escapes to the gym and van pool to Des Moines
5:00 am - 6:30am get up early and workout in the basement a couple mornings a week.
OR 6:00am - 6:30am Get up and partake in a few minutes of quiet time before the kid wrangling begins.
6:30 am (usually earlier) JJ is up and demanding a banana and some juice and I am crawling up into a loft bed to drag my 7 year old out of bed. why couldn't she be a morning person.
Crawl into the shower and hope by some miracle Abigail actually gets herself dressed the first time I ask her... that is a RARE thing. Get out of the shower more awake and continue the crazy hustling of children into clothes, lunches made, dogs in and to their kennels and off to the daycare.
7:30pm race to work and begin what is usually a mix of meetings, working on documents, and actually GIS and database work.
noonish... A couple days a week I run to the gym to either swim or do my yoga/pilates class. Helps break up my day.
1:00 - 4:00 or 4:30 more of the same as the morning.
Some days I am out the door at 4pm for a run before I race to pick up the kids by 5pm.
5:00pm masterfully rummage in the kitchen for wonderfully healthy meals to make and feed my family.
6:30 hang out with the kids, playing and watching programs together on the DVR.
8:00pm wrangling kids into pajamas and story time.
8:36pm kids in bed and time for an hour to myself... today blogging, sometimes knitting, journalling, surfing...
10:00- 10:30 crawl into bed... maybe read or head straight to sleep.
Weekends
Would love to say I get to sleep in... JJ unfortunately stays on the same schedule every day so Joe and I take turns being the one who gets to sleep in until 7:30pm when the decibel level rises.
Joe and I negotiate to see who goes to the gym and who stays to pry Abby off the couch from the TV. Now it is soccer season so Saturday mornings we ride the sidelines. Triathlon season is coming so at least one morning is usually spent doing a long ride and running.
Somewhere in there laundry is done and parts of the house get clean, usually a team effort, dogs might get walked, the kids get played with, naps are had (that is an extra special day when I take the time for a nap) Then we start over again with Mondays.
Most of it I wouldn't change at all but sometimes I need a vacation.
Friday, April 1, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 20
•Day 20 — A hobby of yours
I have way too many hobbies... So in no particular order...
Photography... I love taking nature shots and photos of friends and family. Lately I have been trying to find good shots to capture while on my runs... My cell does an ok job outside.
Reading... love a good biography, mystery, and any recommendation that gets me thinking.
Flying... Most people don't know this but I love to fly and am good at it but haven't had the funds to finish my license.
Earth Science... I love the study of science and since I don't use much science in my job from my Earth Science and Soils degrees I spend a fair bit of time trying to keep up with current Earth related research and news. I especially love rocks and pick up a small one from every trip to bring home.
Maps... I love collecting old maps, looking at current maps and have a bunch from across the country... plus obviously I love making maps too. I enjoy anything spatial and hate driving in cars with maps on the dash... way too distracting. :)
Fitness... I learned to swim really young and can work through a lot of mental gymnastics in the pool. Today I was told I am a runner too because I did 17 miles this week so far but it is funny I don't think of myself that way... just a person training for a 1/2 Ironman (yes I plan to sign up tomorrow... freaking out a little. :) I make fitness a priority for me and try to be a good example for my kids too.
Hiking, Kayaking, Snowshoeing... I love anything outdoors and never seem to have enough time to 'convene with the Earth' as I like to say. Listening to the wind and creatures...hmmm just can't get enough outside time.
Whew this list is getting long... Like I said too many hobbies
Music... I love listening to music and making music... I have played a lot of instruments in my time but really only mastered one. Need to dust off my guitar soon and see if I can master that too.
Gardening... I love to work in the yard mowing with the electric mower, tending my flower gardens, and growing veggies in my raised beds. I love being able to feed my family what we grow. I already have a herd of tomato starts growing in the basement.
Arts and Crafts... Besides fitness related activities this is probably next in line. I love making homemade cards, I quilt when I have time, I make jewelry mostly as gifts, and my special craft is knitting. Right now I am finishing off a sweater and gearing up to do several sets of socks which are my specialty. You know I care about you if you get socks from me. :)
I have way too many hobbies... So in no particular order...
Photography... I love taking nature shots and photos of friends and family. Lately I have been trying to find good shots to capture while on my runs... My cell does an ok job outside.
Reading... love a good biography, mystery, and any recommendation that gets me thinking.
Flying... Most people don't know this but I love to fly and am good at it but haven't had the funds to finish my license.
Earth Science... I love the study of science and since I don't use much science in my job from my Earth Science and Soils degrees I spend a fair bit of time trying to keep up with current Earth related research and news. I especially love rocks and pick up a small one from every trip to bring home.
Maps... I love collecting old maps, looking at current maps and have a bunch from across the country... plus obviously I love making maps too. I enjoy anything spatial and hate driving in cars with maps on the dash... way too distracting. :)
Fitness... I learned to swim really young and can work through a lot of mental gymnastics in the pool. Today I was told I am a runner too because I did 17 miles this week so far but it is funny I don't think of myself that way... just a person training for a 1/2 Ironman (yes I plan to sign up tomorrow... freaking out a little. :) I make fitness a priority for me and try to be a good example for my kids too.
Hiking, Kayaking, Snowshoeing... I love anything outdoors and never seem to have enough time to 'convene with the Earth' as I like to say. Listening to the wind and creatures...hmmm just can't get enough outside time.
Whew this list is getting long... Like I said too many hobbies
Music... I love listening to music and making music... I have played a lot of instruments in my time but really only mastered one. Need to dust off my guitar soon and see if I can master that too.
Gardening... I love to work in the yard mowing with the electric mower, tending my flower gardens, and growing veggies in my raised beds. I love being able to feed my family what we grow. I already have a herd of tomato starts growing in the basement.
Arts and Crafts... Besides fitness related activities this is probably next in line. I love making homemade cards, I quilt when I have time, I make jewelry mostly as gifts, and my special craft is knitting. Right now I am finishing off a sweater and gearing up to do several sets of socks which are my specialty. You know I care about you if you get socks from me. :)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 19
•Day 19 — A talent of yours
Shoot... so I have been dragging my feet on this on for a while. I have lots of talents but haven't really mastered any of them...
For those of you who know me I would love to hear what talents you think I poses...
email me at mudnmaps@gmail.com
I will summarrize my thoughts and the feedback you all might provide... If I don't hear from anyone I will just know none of you are reading my blog. :)
Shoot... so I have been dragging my feet on this on for a while. I have lots of talents but haven't really mastered any of them...
For those of you who know me I would love to hear what talents you think I poses...
email me at mudnmaps@gmail.com
I will summarrize my thoughts and the feedback you all might provide... If I don't hear from anyone I will just know none of you are reading my blog. :)
30 Day Challenge - Day 21
•Day 21 — A recipe
I enjoy cooking and trying new things. I used to specialize in baked goods, but when I ended up eating half of everything I baked because everyone else lost interest I now only bake when I feel like it. My favorite things to bake are holiday cookies and sweet breads/muffins. I will rustle up a few recipes that have been 'handed down' by my family that I have tweaked to make them healthier.
Lately I have been on a recipe kick using my two new Moosewood lodge cookbooks. These are vegetarian recipes but pretty much all of the ones I have tried over the last few months have been YUMMY! I will pick my favorite one or two and post that too.
I also love things I can just throw together on a whim for a quick meal. I am not one of those people (like my husband) who follows a recipe to the letter. I am more of a little bit of this and that kind of person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my quick throw together meals... Buy a garlic and cheese loaf or baguette from the bakery section of the super market. Slice it in short slices like you were making bread for sandwiches.
Lay the bread out on a baking sheet and lightly butter. This will go in the oven at 350 for a few minutes to crisp up before you add the toppings.
Toppings... pretty much whatever is in the fridge.... Pick what you like and mix them all together in a bowl.
Several Tomatoes Diced(a can is ok too)
Olives sliced (we love black but sometimes get the greek stuffed variety)
Mushrooms sliced and sauteed
We usually go veggie or I put on smoked salmon but could also do some sausage crumbles too... nothing too big.
Put the toppings ingredients on the bread first (after lightly toasting the bread), then the meat if you are using some, then top with your favorites grated cheese... we have tried just about every kind so have some fun.
Put in the oven until the cheese is melted and starting to brown... Makes a meal all by itself, but can serve with fresh fruit too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So lets see...
What's for dinner tonight? Shawn's variation of a pseudo chili... Chili for me means veggies (can be carrots, celery, corn, spinach and always tomatoes), beans, and a little bit of ground turkey. Last time I made chili with dill pickles in it... Yum! So back to tonight. I did a pound of ground turkey with lots of seasoning. Since I sell Tastefully Simple I always have seasonings on hand... I used some red pepper, garlic garlic, bacon bacon, and of course wahoo chili. I put some in the crock pot and some in the meat while I sauteed it. I added a small container of frozen spinach (first time for this one so will see how it goes), two cans of organic tomatoes (I use fresh when they are local or in season the back yard), and beans... this time a can of black and one of pinto beans. I throw everything in the crock pot the night before and then fire things up on low in the morning. I am making some cheddar biscuits to go with it (also TS food).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rachel Rays' turkey meatloaf recipe is a huge favorite in our house so her is my take on that one.
* 2 McIntosh or Gala apples, peeled and cut into small dice (I've used Braeburn and Figi too)
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice (use this when I remember)
* 2 pounds ground all-white-meat turkey (I do one package of regular white ground turkey and one of turkey sausage which adds a ton of flavor)
* 3-4 ribs of celery, finely chopped (I use this when I have it handy)
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped (I either use fresh onion, or TS onion onion depending on what I have on hand)
* 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning (I only use TS spices here)
* 1 large egg
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper (usually skip this)
* 2 cups chicken stock (can use organic veggie broth here too)
* 2 cups stuffing mix (I have used stuffing mix, or breadcrumbs depending on what is in the pantry)
* 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
Preparation - (I do make this on parchment paper and then put half in the freezer once it is cooked for a quick and easy meal down the road.)
Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF.
In a large bowl, add the apples and lemon juice and toss together. Add the turkey, celery, onion, poultry seasoning, egg, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
In a medium size bowl, add the stock and the stuffing. Toss around, letting the stuffing soak up the liquid, then add it to the bowl with the turkey. Mix everything together well, then turn it out onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and shape it into a loaf. Coat with EVOO, transfer to the oven and roast until brown and cooked through, about an hour.
I enjoy cooking and trying new things. I used to specialize in baked goods, but when I ended up eating half of everything I baked because everyone else lost interest I now only bake when I feel like it. My favorite things to bake are holiday cookies and sweet breads/muffins. I will rustle up a few recipes that have been 'handed down' by my family that I have tweaked to make them healthier.
Lately I have been on a recipe kick using my two new Moosewood lodge cookbooks. These are vegetarian recipes but pretty much all of the ones I have tried over the last few months have been YUMMY! I will pick my favorite one or two and post that too.
I also love things I can just throw together on a whim for a quick meal. I am not one of those people (like my husband) who follows a recipe to the letter. I am more of a little bit of this and that kind of person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my quick throw together meals... Buy a garlic and cheese loaf or baguette from the bakery section of the super market. Slice it in short slices like you were making bread for sandwiches.
Lay the bread out on a baking sheet and lightly butter. This will go in the oven at 350 for a few minutes to crisp up before you add the toppings.
Toppings... pretty much whatever is in the fridge.... Pick what you like and mix them all together in a bowl.
Several Tomatoes Diced(a can is ok too)
Olives sliced (we love black but sometimes get the greek stuffed variety)
Mushrooms sliced and sauteed
We usually go veggie or I put on smoked salmon but could also do some sausage crumbles too... nothing too big.
Put the toppings ingredients on the bread first (after lightly toasting the bread), then the meat if you are using some, then top with your favorites grated cheese... we have tried just about every kind so have some fun.
Put in the oven until the cheese is melted and starting to brown... Makes a meal all by itself, but can serve with fresh fruit too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So lets see...
What's for dinner tonight? Shawn's variation of a pseudo chili... Chili for me means veggies (can be carrots, celery, corn, spinach and always tomatoes), beans, and a little bit of ground turkey. Last time I made chili with dill pickles in it... Yum! So back to tonight. I did a pound of ground turkey with lots of seasoning. Since I sell Tastefully Simple I always have seasonings on hand... I used some red pepper, garlic garlic, bacon bacon, and of course wahoo chili. I put some in the crock pot and some in the meat while I sauteed it. I added a small container of frozen spinach (first time for this one so will see how it goes), two cans of organic tomatoes (I use fresh when they are local or in season the back yard), and beans... this time a can of black and one of pinto beans. I throw everything in the crock pot the night before and then fire things up on low in the morning. I am making some cheddar biscuits to go with it (also TS food).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rachel Rays' turkey meatloaf recipe is a huge favorite in our house so her is my take on that one.
* 2 McIntosh or Gala apples, peeled and cut into small dice (I've used Braeburn and Figi too)
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice (use this when I remember)
* 2 pounds ground all-white-meat turkey (I do one package of regular white ground turkey and one of turkey sausage which adds a ton of flavor)
* 3-4 ribs of celery, finely chopped (I use this when I have it handy)
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped (I either use fresh onion, or TS onion onion depending on what I have on hand)
* 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning (I only use TS spices here)
* 1 large egg
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper (usually skip this)
* 2 cups chicken stock (can use organic veggie broth here too)
* 2 cups stuffing mix (I have used stuffing mix, or breadcrumbs depending on what is in the pantry)
* 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
Preparation - (I do make this on parchment paper and then put half in the freezer once it is cooked for a quick and easy meal down the road.)
Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF.
In a large bowl, add the apples and lemon juice and toss together. Add the turkey, celery, onion, poultry seasoning, egg, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
In a medium size bowl, add the stock and the stuffing. Toss around, letting the stuffing soak up the liquid, then add it to the bowl with the turkey. Mix everything together well, then turn it out onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and shape it into a loaf. Coat with EVOO, transfer to the oven and roast until brown and cooked through, about an hour.