Friday, May 29, 2009
Happy Birthday Love!
I wrote a long post, filled with praise, but I'm pretty sure you know all the ways I love you. Happy birthday, my love.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Re-Arrange
I'm not sure why, but I'm always on a quest for "cozy". I like to find what's comfortable, what works. Not just in my home, but in my training. Coach Eric has been awesome at helping me to find my "cozy". We change up workouts, find what I respond to best and so far, I've had a number of amazing workouts that leave me feeling confident, motivated...and tired.
At home, it takes a bit more coaxing. Sam aka Danny Tanner, is into neatness. Now, I'm all about cleanliness, but take one look at my computer space and you can instantly tell that I'm a non-linear thinker. My mom used to say it was because I'm a Libra - the scales. I'm a walking contradiction. I love balance and order, but to achieve that, I need to make a mess first.
My home is constantly changing. I set things up and then want to move them again. Poor Sam, I'm always asking him where the bed should go or where I should hang something. Once it's right, I leave it, but until then, I fidget.
I'm always inspired by my friends. Erin and Erik, now living in Switzerland, made a house into a home in Danbury. Their house was perfect - eclectic and modern. Utilitarian and stylish - I LOVED it. Not to mention, they made a downstairs closet into a bathroom - something I'm trying to figure out how to do...
Aiding in the outdoor decor department, my buddies over at Homeward Bound sent over a sweet outdoor table and chair set that I've fallen in love with. 2 pink chairs, 2 lime green and a black bistro table. I'll post pictures later, but it will be perfect for some roof parties!! Little by little, the house is coming together (yes, I know I've lived here since November) and I can't wait to post pics on that too!
Tonight I'll get to share the evening with my ultimate "cozy-maker/bringer" - Sam. His birthday is tomorrow, but we are celebrating, just the two of us, tonight. I'm sure you can guess what tomorrow's post will be about!!
At home, it takes a bit more coaxing. Sam aka Danny Tanner, is into neatness. Now, I'm all about cleanliness, but take one look at my computer space and you can instantly tell that I'm a non-linear thinker. My mom used to say it was because I'm a Libra - the scales. I'm a walking contradiction. I love balance and order, but to achieve that, I need to make a mess first.
My home is constantly changing. I set things up and then want to move them again. Poor Sam, I'm always asking him where the bed should go or where I should hang something. Once it's right, I leave it, but until then, I fidget.
I'm always inspired by my friends. Erin and Erik, now living in Switzerland, made a house into a home in Danbury. Their house was perfect - eclectic and modern. Utilitarian and stylish - I LOVED it. Not to mention, they made a downstairs closet into a bathroom - something I'm trying to figure out how to do...
Aiding in the outdoor decor department, my buddies over at Homeward Bound sent over a sweet outdoor table and chair set that I've fallen in love with. 2 pink chairs, 2 lime green and a black bistro table. I'll post pictures later, but it will be perfect for some roof parties!! Little by little, the house is coming together (yes, I know I've lived here since November) and I can't wait to post pics on that too!
Tonight I'll get to share the evening with my ultimate "cozy-maker/bringer" - Sam. His birthday is tomorrow, but we are celebrating, just the two of us, tonight. I'm sure you can guess what tomorrow's post will be about!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Keeping the Balance
It is a wild time, but isn't every time a wild one? Here in CT, the leaves are out, the flowers in full bloom and weddings everywhere you look. One of those weddings happens to be in my family! This Saturday, my big sister will be married. She is the first child, grandchild, niece, etc. in my family to get married, so EVERYONE is coming into town for it.
On top of wedding excitement, this Friday is Sam's bday! We will be going from the rehearsal to the rehearsal dinner to the Tarrywile birthday event... all the night before the wedding. Can't wait!
Life stuff is fun - events like that are fun, bills and work stress, less so, but thank goodness for being a long-course athlete. I get a slew of workouts to banish my stress. Training has been awesome, I've felt fluid and strong and confident - it will be a lot of fun to finally race a tri this year after all of this bike racing! Sadly, I'll be missing the Ridgefield tri this year, but good luck, Evan!!
I thought I'd share on of my favorite swim workouts from coach Eric:
500 repeats, broken down as:
100 steady, 100 pull, 100 kick with fins and board, 100 kick on back no board, 100 FAST then rest :30 seconds.
This workout just flies by and is a lot of fun!
On top of wedding excitement, this Friday is Sam's bday! We will be going from the rehearsal to the rehearsal dinner to the Tarrywile birthday event... all the night before the wedding. Can't wait!
Life stuff is fun - events like that are fun, bills and work stress, less so, but thank goodness for being a long-course athlete. I get a slew of workouts to banish my stress. Training has been awesome, I've felt fluid and strong and confident - it will be a lot of fun to finally race a tri this year after all of this bike racing! Sadly, I'll be missing the Ridgefield tri this year, but good luck, Evan!!
I thought I'd share on of my favorite swim workouts from coach Eric:
500 repeats, broken down as:
100 steady, 100 pull, 100 kick with fins and board, 100 kick on back no board, 100 FAST then rest :30 seconds.
This workout just flies by and is a lot of fun!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Memorial Day
It has been a busy week, but I think that's the sign of a good week! Lots happening here in Mandyland - new sponsorship opportunities, new charitable opportunities, it is all VERY cool!
The June 19th Lake Waramaug Eco-Friendly Charity Sprint tri is fast approaching and the 1/2 Iron too at this point.
My training has been going well and I'm working with Eric on nutrition now. With so much packed in, Sam and I have been eating dinner European style - around 10pm most nights. This weekend was a trip to New Hampshire for a birthday celebration. It was fantastic. Portsmouth is such a cute town - like a mini Boston! We had a superb dinner (yup, late again) at the Blue Mermaid, a kind of Caribbean fusion restaurant. The service was great and the meal delicious. Sunday was spent outdoors and with Sam's family, then it was back to CT for a wild memorial day party. We arrived around 10 PM and it was mayhem.
Yesterday, we woke up to the sounds of fire engines honking and some crazy military planes flying so low, the house shook. I looked out my window (there's a fire station across the street) and noticed all of the firemen dressed in matching uniforms. Excited, I pulled Sam and Luna out of bed and we walked up to the green of New Milford to watch the parade. Everyone was out and it was the perfect morning to soak up the sun.
We arrived just as one of the vets was playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and looking around, most everyone was moved to near tears. Seeing these dapper, proud men and women, reminded me of those in my family that served our country.
Both of my Grandfathers served during World War II. My Mom's Father served in the Navy and my Father's Father was a Bomber Pilot in those tiny planes. I had the great fortune of getting to know both of these men, they were an active part of my life until their deaths while I was in high school. They had never spoken about their war experiences until my sister and I were asked, as children in Montessorri school, to interview our grandparents. It was an eye opening experience and though we are at war today, I feel somehow removed from it. Maybe because of my own political leanings, maybe because I've never been asked to serve or had the bravery to seek out combat. Whatever politics or ideals one holds, there should always be a certain amount of reverance and respect for those that do serve. BBQ's, warm weather and a day off are nice, and it's wonderful to know that is all possible because of those that have taken a stand for our Country.
The June 19th Lake Waramaug Eco-Friendly Charity Sprint tri is fast approaching and the 1/2 Iron too at this point.
My training has been going well and I'm working with Eric on nutrition now. With so much packed in, Sam and I have been eating dinner European style - around 10pm most nights. This weekend was a trip to New Hampshire for a birthday celebration. It was fantastic. Portsmouth is such a cute town - like a mini Boston! We had a superb dinner (yup, late again) at the Blue Mermaid, a kind of Caribbean fusion restaurant. The service was great and the meal delicious. Sunday was spent outdoors and with Sam's family, then it was back to CT for a wild memorial day party. We arrived around 10 PM and it was mayhem.
Yesterday, we woke up to the sounds of fire engines honking and some crazy military planes flying so low, the house shook. I looked out my window (there's a fire station across the street) and noticed all of the firemen dressed in matching uniforms. Excited, I pulled Sam and Luna out of bed and we walked up to the green of New Milford to watch the parade. Everyone was out and it was the perfect morning to soak up the sun.
We arrived just as one of the vets was playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and looking around, most everyone was moved to near tears. Seeing these dapper, proud men and women, reminded me of those in my family that served our country.
Both of my Grandfathers served during World War II. My Mom's Father served in the Navy and my Father's Father was a Bomber Pilot in those tiny planes. I had the great fortune of getting to know both of these men, they were an active part of my life until their deaths while I was in high school. They had never spoken about their war experiences until my sister and I were asked, as children in Montessorri school, to interview our grandparents. It was an eye opening experience and though we are at war today, I feel somehow removed from it. Maybe because of my own political leanings, maybe because I've never been asked to serve or had the bravery to seek out combat. Whatever politics or ideals one holds, there should always be a certain amount of reverance and respect for those that do serve. BBQ's, warm weather and a day off are nice, and it's wonderful to know that is all possible because of those that have taken a stand for our Country.
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Sunday Ride
To cap off a full week of training and other fun - weddings and celebrations - Sam and I headed out for a long ride and run. Enjoying the luxury of not having the dog at home, we slept in late and then went out to the cute diner for a proper pre-ride breakfast.
The heat and humidity of Saturday gave way to a cool, breezy, cloudy Sunday. Even at noon, I was searching for my rain cape for warmth (why yes, I have gone soft!).
We decided to drive to Washington and do our ride out of my folk's place - making out way through Warren, Cornwall, Cornwall Bridge, Sharon, Falls Village, Canaan, Salisbury, Massachusetts, New York State and then home again.
The plan called for a 4 hour ride followed by a brick run. Well, 3 hours into the ride and still in Salisbury, I broke the news to Sam. "Um, babes? I kinda mis-calculated the distance of this ride...this isn't realy my 4-hour loop - it's a bit longer."
'No worries,' he says, ' About how much longer is it?'
'Well, um, er, about an hour ... maybe 2?" I replied.
Boyfriend extraordinaire didn't freak out - he did a food check, then got in his drops and proceeded to pull me home at a pace of over 20 mph. Well, that is until we got to the climb on Rte 45 from Cornwall up to Warren. 6k and a an average grade of nearly 14%. Yup, hurts so good.
I had orders to keep my cadence at 90 on the flats and 70-80on the climbs. So I just tootled right along. Sam, blasted away from me right at the start of the climb and as I saw him disappear up the road, all I could feel were pride and admiration. He put a good 1/4 mile or so gap into me and after completing the uphill time trial, pedaled down to me and did the last crest again...and then sprinted past me for the town line win.
I would have objected, but I was ready to die from climbing while he was smiling and barely breathing hard. Yes, Cat 3's out there - you better watch out for Sam at Housy Hills this year b/c he is going to dominate.
we pulled into the driveway 4 hours and 40 minutes later with a total trip distance of a little over 92 miles. Hard, mountainous miles. Thank gawd Sam pulled me butt around all day.
Strapping on the shoes and grabbing the dog, I headed out for the brick run in Steep Rock preserve where Sam met us a while later.
Homemade fajitas, a bottle of Chimay ale and a bit of leftover chocolate mousse cake made for a perfect end to a perfect [Sun]day!
The heat and humidity of Saturday gave way to a cool, breezy, cloudy Sunday. Even at noon, I was searching for my rain cape for warmth (why yes, I have gone soft!).
We decided to drive to Washington and do our ride out of my folk's place - making out way through Warren, Cornwall, Cornwall Bridge, Sharon, Falls Village, Canaan, Salisbury, Massachusetts, New York State and then home again.
The plan called for a 4 hour ride followed by a brick run. Well, 3 hours into the ride and still in Salisbury, I broke the news to Sam. "Um, babes? I kinda mis-calculated the distance of this ride...this isn't realy my 4-hour loop - it's a bit longer."
'No worries,' he says, ' About how much longer is it?'
'Well, um, er, about an hour ... maybe 2?" I replied.
Boyfriend extraordinaire didn't freak out - he did a food check, then got in his drops and proceeded to pull me home at a pace of over 20 mph. Well, that is until we got to the climb on Rte 45 from Cornwall up to Warren. 6k and a an average grade of nearly 14%. Yup, hurts so good.
I had orders to keep my cadence at 90 on the flats and 70-80on the climbs. So I just tootled right along. Sam, blasted away from me right at the start of the climb and as I saw him disappear up the road, all I could feel were pride and admiration. He put a good 1/4 mile or so gap into me and after completing the uphill time trial, pedaled down to me and did the last crest again...and then sprinted past me for the town line win.
I would have objected, but I was ready to die from climbing while he was smiling and barely breathing hard. Yes, Cat 3's out there - you better watch out for Sam at Housy Hills this year b/c he is going to dominate.
we pulled into the driveway 4 hours and 40 minutes later with a total trip distance of a little over 92 miles. Hard, mountainous miles. Thank gawd Sam pulled me butt around all day.
Strapping on the shoes and grabbing the dog, I headed out for the brick run in Steep Rock preserve where Sam met us a while later.
Homemade fajitas, a bottle of Chimay ale and a bit of leftover chocolate mousse cake made for a perfect end to a perfect [Sun]day!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Not a bird fan
So you may all hate me for saying this, but despite my love of animals and the earth's creatures in general, I am not a fan of birds.
The pooping, the sounds, those early wake-ups? No thank you. I think I've only liked one bird ever - my friend Michele's pet parrot, Dexter. Well, and maybe the parrot from the liquor store that had a foul mouth. Yea, so parrots are cool, they can be taken off the bird list since they actually talk and exhibit some kind of higher brain function. Ducks, Herons and hummingbirds are ok too. Pelicans look funny and Robins are pretty against the snow, but that doesn't make up for the hell on earth that is pigeons, crows and barn swallows.
Where does this come from, you ask? Well, I'm not entirely sure, but I think it may have to do with being pooped on an excessive number of times. As a kid, barn swallows were constantly pooing on me. In Brooklyn, I was once pooed on 3x in a single day. And today, after a long hiatus, I was pooed on while running. Not a full-on hit, but enough to make me gag and wash my hand repeatedly when I got home.
Years ago, someone told me it was good luck to get pooed on by a bird. For me, I find it happens when I'm most stressed out and as un-enjoyable as it is, there is something oddly comical about it that snaps me back into reality. Shit happens (excuse the language! but that term encompasses stress, poo and a variety of other items) and part of life is taking stock of the situation and then cleaning things up until they are presentable again.
Having this happen today only served to remind me to laugh at the stress. To laugh at the thought that I believed nothing would be more stressful than the teenage years, then college- but it's the real-life bit after all of it that really causes stress. Writing papers, worrying about grades or what to wear to class or if you'll get that job are stressers for sure, but they are nothing compared to what life throws at you when it really begins.
My very best friend, Joe, cracked me up a few years ago - we're both small business owners and had faced obstacles and the normal hiccups getting started. He called me one day and said, 'All of those years of school, all of those specific business courses and not one really prepared me for what I'd face as an entrepreneur. I wish there was a class called all the ways things will go wrong and the art of surviving on the dented cans from the grocery store.'
He was so on target. Nothing really prepares you for what you'll face. You can try and get a general outline for what may come, but real life doesn't follow a course syllabus.
This of course is also true for Ironman - you can prepare to a point, but it's the skills you learn by doing that really serve you best of all. 2 times now, I've been crashed out of big races by another competitor. This isn't something you can prepare for - Ironman is an individual event - you don't expect someone to cut your day short. It just happens.
Sometimes life (or a bird) poops on you and you've got to count it as another lesson learned.
The pooping, the sounds, those early wake-ups? No thank you. I think I've only liked one bird ever - my friend Michele's pet parrot, Dexter. Well, and maybe the parrot from the liquor store that had a foul mouth. Yea, so parrots are cool, they can be taken off the bird list since they actually talk and exhibit some kind of higher brain function. Ducks, Herons and hummingbirds are ok too. Pelicans look funny and Robins are pretty against the snow, but that doesn't make up for the hell on earth that is pigeons, crows and barn swallows.
Where does this come from, you ask? Well, I'm not entirely sure, but I think it may have to do with being pooped on an excessive number of times. As a kid, barn swallows were constantly pooing on me. In Brooklyn, I was once pooed on 3x in a single day. And today, after a long hiatus, I was pooed on while running. Not a full-on hit, but enough to make me gag and wash my hand repeatedly when I got home.
Years ago, someone told me it was good luck to get pooed on by a bird. For me, I find it happens when I'm most stressed out and as un-enjoyable as it is, there is something oddly comical about it that snaps me back into reality. Shit happens (excuse the language! but that term encompasses stress, poo and a variety of other items) and part of life is taking stock of the situation and then cleaning things up until they are presentable again.
Having this happen today only served to remind me to laugh at the stress. To laugh at the thought that I believed nothing would be more stressful than the teenage years, then college- but it's the real-life bit after all of it that really causes stress. Writing papers, worrying about grades or what to wear to class or if you'll get that job are stressers for sure, but they are nothing compared to what life throws at you when it really begins.
My very best friend, Joe, cracked me up a few years ago - we're both small business owners and had faced obstacles and the normal hiccups getting started. He called me one day and said, 'All of those years of school, all of those specific business courses and not one really prepared me for what I'd face as an entrepreneur. I wish there was a class called all the ways things will go wrong and the art of surviving on the dented cans from the grocery store.'
He was so on target. Nothing really prepares you for what you'll face. You can try and get a general outline for what may come, but real life doesn't follow a course syllabus.
This of course is also true for Ironman - you can prepare to a point, but it's the skills you learn by doing that really serve you best of all. 2 times now, I've been crashed out of big races by another competitor. This isn't something you can prepare for - Ironman is an individual event - you don't expect someone to cut your day short. It just happens.
Sometimes life (or a bird) poops on you and you've got to count it as another lesson learned.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
