Thank God That's Over II

Thank God Christmas and the season of gluttony is finally over.  No more presents and no more massive quantities of food.  Let me amend that, more presents and food at my mom's house tomorrow, but small in comparison to what has taken place since Thanksgiving and especially the last few days.  With the kids off of school I have been thrown a little off my schedule so I feel like I have not been getting in the workouts I need.  Next week they are still around but it will be much calmer as we will not be traveling and New Year's will be a relatively calm affair with friends.  I plan on getting on my bike/trainer and picking up the weights again.

I can not believe how much crap we have now acquired.  (Thank you to everyone for all the presents.  I am in no way suggesting that the thoughtful gift you gave is "crap," it is all the other presents that people gave us that are "crap".  Your gift is perfect!)  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE "crap" as much as the next person, but until it all finds a home, it feels cluttery and like we have a bunch of "crap".  

I am happy to say that I received the items below:

The flashlight is from E and the other items were stocking stuffers from A.  I gave A a nice, warm robe (we weren't supposed to give each other gifts, but I couldn't help myself) and I encouraged her to buy herself a North Face down parka in a girls size large which, by the way, costs half the price of the women's version.  It fits perfectly.  Sometimes, it pays to be petite.

At the in-law's house we had our traditional dinner Christmas meal complete with birthday cake for Jesus.

I ate so much that I had heartburn so bad it kept waking me up.  Ah, mission accomplished.  Now I can start working it all off.  Yippee!

Christmas Eve Finnism

While watching Ni Hao, Kai-lan on Nickelodeon, A asked E if this was a Chinese Dora the Explorer.  F, who was playing on the computer, looks over his shoulder and says, "That's an idiotic show."

Too Much and Too Soon

Well, today is the first full day of winter (officially) and we have already had a handful of double-digit, sub-zero days with windchills in the negative multiples of ten.  I have lived in Minnesota my entire life and I honestly can't remember a year where it has been this cold and this snowy, this early.  These temps are normal for the end of January.  It makes me wary of a protracted winter in the deep freeze.  To make matters worse, I keep reading blogs of people who live in Hawaii.  Talk about self-torture.  Later on tonight or tomorrow morning I will, again, bundle up and shovel and blow the one-to-three inches of snow we are supposed to get while trying to keep my fingertips from turning blue (again) and my boogers from freezing. 

Cold, but not AS cold

Ran again this morning and this time it was in the "acceptable" range for the rest of my running group.  (Erika has a tummy bug, so didn't make it.)  Mary took pictures to document our frostiness, but the steam from her hot, sweaty hands kept obscuring the lens.  Here are the best three shots.  Mary told all of us to smile and we did - but we all had face masks on. Even after we pointed that out she still told us to smile and we all still did.  Running in bitter cold makes us dumb.

   

Easy Rider

A few posts back I was lamenting my lack of enthusiasm for my poor bike.  As indicated, we needed to see the counselor (also known as Helton, our favorite Brazilian at Penn Cycle.)  When he heard my plight he reminded me of something he told me on the day I bought my bike - "That saddle is shit!"  I wasn't expecting to buy a new saddle, but I imagined I would walk out of their spending money on something.  He gave me the pitch and since the only thing that was keeping me out of the saddle was my sore ass, I figured he might be onto something.  To make a boring story short - I have a new saddle and it makes a world of difference.  Now, if I could just get past the mind numbing boredom of riding on the trainer.

The solution

My new Christmas plan

I have a plan for Christmas that I have been developing over the last couple of years. We probably spend a couple of hundred dollars on each of the kids on a variety of toys. These toys are inevitably the "thing I have wanted all my life" and bring mere minutes of amusement before they are cast aside to be moved from one place to another by me or A until they finally end up at Goodwill or in the garbage.  

So here is what I am going to do.  I am going to give each kid two one-hundred dollar bills and a small box of matches.  Then I am going to have each of them invite over a bunch of their friends.  With their friends around them in a circle on the driveway, each of my children will get to hold a hundred dollar bill and light it with a match.  I figure there will be as much excited squealing and intense interest in this as there has been in any of the presents we have gotten for them.  It's all very neat and tidy and we won't have to mess around finding the perfect thing (which doesn't exist anyway) then carting it off to the land of mis-used toys (also known as Goodwill.)

It won't happen this year, but one year I will be satisfied.  

Balaclava does not equal Baklava

  

One is good to eat (baklava).  The other you wear on your face (balaclava).  Actually, you could probably wear both on your face.  Mmmmm, baklava balaclava.

-15

That was the temperature at 5:15 according to Weather.com.  According to the local news the temp was -11 with a -25 windchill.  Take your pick, it was still unbelievably cold. What to do?  What to do?  Well, I had been awake since 4:00 AM and had all my warm clothes laid out so - run.  And it was a great run.  I saw one other runner, two walkers and one guy walking his dog. My watch was buried under so many layers that I didn't even bother starting it.  This run wasn't about time or distance really, it was about getting out there in any weather and running.  (You know, the "what doesn't kill me makes me stronger" mentality.)  When I got home I realized how scary I must have looked - my facemask and hat were frost covered and I had ice on my eyebrows and eyelashes.  

I have to tell you that I dressed perfectly.  No cold spots and no overheating.  And my shoes with the screws in the soles - great.  (They do have a finite amount of grip and seemed to help little on skating-rink-smooth ice.)

For the record, this is what I wore - bottom to top.  (This is also meant as a reminder for the next time it's this cold and I can't remember what I had on.)

Asics Cumulus 10 with screws in the soles

Wrightsock crew sock

CW-X tights

Patagonia Capilene long underwear

Brooks wind boxer

Patagonia Integral pant

Patagonia Silk Weight Capilene t-shirt

The North Face Momentum 1/4 zip top

Patagonia Wind Shield jacket

Patagonia stretch shell jacket

Patagonia mid-weight glove liners (periwinkle)

Asics Winter Run mittens

Stretch balaclava

REI Power Stretch beanie

Looking at it this way that is a lot of clothes!  (And Patagonia has a lot of my money.)

Why I run

Motivation has been a big issue lately.  Issue not in the sense that I don't have any or can't find it, issue in the sense that it has been on my mind a lot lately.  I have read some interesting blog posts and articles about motivation and more important than "motivation" is "passion" or "inspiration".  So, I have decided what that "inspiration" is for me.  I guess I could keep it to myself, but I feel like writing it down will help me connect and re-connect with it in the future.  I do it for the chicks.

That is totally untrue!  The reason I love to run (and swim and, somewhat, bike) is that I get to this point where I can't believe that I am doing what I am doing.  Confusing perhaps, but I get this flash that I am doing what I am doing under my own power and that the human body - particularly mine - baffles and amazes me.  I tell my legs or my arms to do this "thing" over and over again and don't stop until I tell you to or until we have reached a certain point - and they do it.  I hurt and they keep doing it.  I get bored and they keep doing it.  I get tired and they keep doing it.  I get scared and they keep doing it.  I get distracted and they keep doing it. And when I say "they" I really mean "me" (or to be grammatically correct in the above sentences, "I".)  

I came across a quote from a book I will be reading that resonated with me (thanks Simon):

“Members of the endurance subculture grow so close to the subject they lose sight of the vastness of their achievement. Without thought or even the barest of acknowledgement, they pass through mental and physical boundaries on a daily basis. Meanwhile, the public stands in awe.” – Mike Plant, author of Iron Will

I "awe" myself.  At times I just go and hammer and don't think twice, but then it will dawn on me that what I have done is pretty special.  And what the people I run with have done is pretty special.  Not the distance or the time or the effort, just the activity.  Not everyone wants to or, more importantly, can do what I do.  It is an ability that I take for granted, but every so often, it presents itself in such a way that I can do nothing but be thankful for it.  

I run for that reason - because it makes me thankful for, and in awe of, everything I have been given.

What the...?

Why is it that the worse the weather gets, the more I want to be out in it?  It is supposed to get down to six below zero tonight and stay cold for the next couple of days and all I find myself doing is trying to figure out what I need to wear to run in weather like this.  I am not supposed to run tomorrow, but now I want to because it's going to be so cold.  I may need a different hobby.

Then, I read an article and have see a couple of blog posts on "screwing your shoes".  We totally used to do this to our boots with the big lug soles when I was growing up in Brainerd.  I think I am going to take a shot and try it with an old pair of shoes (I have about eight pairs laying around here.)

Reliving Summer

It is even colder here now, so I am looking for more escapes.  I found a montage/recap video from the Summer Olympics that has been satisfying some of my need for warm memories.  Hopefully, it will help you a little bit, too.  

Red Monkey Butt

This is how I felt after this morning's run.  My lower body was dressed about one layer too light and combined with 12 degrees and some wind, my ass froze.  Now would be a good time for the "Ass Hood."  Erika, get to work on that.

Damn You!

Why aren't you more inviting? I need to love you. It's not that you are uncomfortable, it's just that riding you in place is the absolutely most boring thing I have ever done. TV doesn't help (unless I just haven't found the right thing to watch.) I struggle to 30 minutes and then abandon all hope and leave you in your corner in the basement alone and lonely. Perhaps new trinkets (like a better seat) would help, but I doubt it. I would much rather run for two hours outside in the freezing cold than spend time with you. For that I am sorry and I will pay the price if I don't spend more time with you on a consistent basis. I think we need to go see the counselor and make sure we fit now that you have aero-bars. I will make an appointment for next week. Please be patient with me and know that I want to make this work, it is just really difficult. See you soon.

Motivation

We have fallen into the depths of winter around here (-1 this morning = Brrrrr!)  In an effort to stay motivated and to provide motivation for others (you know who you are), I offer this video.  I have been watching it repeatedly because it: a) has a kickin' techno soundtrack, b) is a triathlon, c) takes place in warm, sunny Hawaii.  Enjoy and let me know if you need additional motivation and I will see what I can dig up.

Weight loss products - hmmmm

When I searched Amazon.com with the term "weight," this page popped up.  Is someone not so subtly implying that a toothbrush might also be a good weight loss product?

Finnism

Small talk at the dinner table tonight from F,  "So, Gramps, how's that heart of yours doing?" 

("Very well now that I have that pacemaker, but I still can't hear a damn thing you say.")

Suck It 40!

I just got back from renewing my drivers license and I passed the eye exam without wearing my glasses.  So, I no longer am required to wear glasses to drive.  Next thing you know I will be able to eat copious amounts of food without gaining weight, stay up all night and still function the next day, join Facebook and start playing video games all day*.  Since I have turned 40 it's like time is running backward.  

(*Don't worry, Honey, I am saying all those things facetiously.)

Da Na Na Na Na Na Na! You say it's your birthday!

Da Na Na Na Na Na Na! It's my birthday, too! Yeah!

On my birthday in history - 

Events:

1818
Illinois became the 21st state in the United States.

1833
Oberlin College in Ohio became the first coed institution of higher learning in the U.S.

1979
In Cincinnati, Ohio, eleven fans are killed during a stampede for seats before a Who concert at Riverfront Coliseum.

1967
Dr. Christiaan Barnard performs the first successful heart transplant in Cape Town, South Africa.

1984
Deadly gas leaks from a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India , killing more than 2,000 people and injuring 200,000.


Birthdays:

1948 - Ozzy Osbourne, English singer ("singer" in the loosest sense of the word.)

1955 - Warren Jeffs, American convicted polygamist (Poster-child for dirty old men.)

1960 - Daryl Hannah, American actress ("actress" in the loosest sense of the word.)

1965 - Katarina Witt, German figure skater ("Super hot Olympic skater" in the strictest sense of the word.)

1968 - Brendan Fraser, American actor ("actor" in the loosest sense of the word.)

Overall not the worst day to be born. A nice mix of positive events - Illinois begat Chicago, Co-ed colleges begat my wife, heart transplants begat life saving - and tragedies - The Who begat the end of "festival seating," Union Carbide begat mass killing. Unfortunately, others who share my birthday, with the exception of Katarina Witt, seem to be marginally talented hacks and/or total creeps. I hope that doesn't reflect on me.

One final thought:

Lines On Facing Forty

I have a bone to pick with Fate.
Come here and tell me, girlie,
Do you think my mind is maturing late,
Or simply rotted early?

-- Ogden Nash

Finnism

  &  

"I would like to have 'The Force', it's like having Jesus in my heart."  (I think parochial school is confusing my child.)

Winter Night

This is not the greatest image but, last night the sky was simply amazing.  There was a crescent moon and Venus and Jupiter were super bright.  The above image was taken at about 5:50 PM, but it was most spectacular about a half hour earlier when the sun was going down and the sky was the most beautiful purply, blue/black (and I was driving to the U so I couldn't take a picture.)  (If I find a good picture from someone I will post it.)  Nature is pretty amazing.

Two days left

Today is December 1st, 2008.  I only have two days left of my thirties.  Wednesday I turn 40.  On one level it's not such a bad thing.  People who don't know me very well assume I am younger (maybe it's because I am so immature.)  I am in pretty good shape and I have most of my hair (although it has been thinning - and thanks A for reminding me about that.)  I have also been avoiding, up to this point, feeling particularly 40.  It does help that I started to enjoy running as much as I have so I have energy and have avoided injury.  But 40 isn't really that old is it?  

On another level I feel kind of sad.  It doesn't help that I am "celebrating" another decade and I am currently under-employed.  The hair on my head is thinning yet I am growing hair in areas I haven't before. (Nose and ear hair clipping is now a regular grooming regimen - sorry if that was TMI.) My kids are getting older, my mom retired and I like to watch the History Channel. Oh, well - there isn't anything I can do about it so I will just keep plowing ahead.  

Finnism

We are out to lunch and the girls are talking about the new "Tinkerbell" movie.  F leans over to me and in a not-so-quiet voice announces:  

"I know I am a boy, but I like fairies."

The 405

My 40th birthday came early and in a big way thanks to my incredibly generous mother.  The present at the top of my wish list cost about $350 retail.  My mom figured with tax that would bring the total to about $400.  By her estimation $10 a year was a pretty reasonable amount to spend on her favorite and only son.  I suggested that she may want to refigure her estimation as I was pretty sure that some of those years (especially most of the teen years) I probably owed her more than $10.  She agreed, but pointed out that there were a lot of years that were easily worth $20 so an average of $10 a year was appropriate.  We went to REI and picked up the most powerful watch I have ever had on my wrist - the Garmin Forerunner 405 with Heart Rate Monitor.  

So, in the past few days I have spent time playing around with all the various functions and have had a couple of occasions to run with it and work with it in action.  Boy is it fun!  I am still figuring out some of the more interesting details of it, but I have discovered one unsettling bit of information.  This information has me in a quandary because it affects more than just myself.  Do I share this information with the running group or do I keep it to myself/ignore it and continue on the way we have for over a year now?  The disturbing information is that I now know precisely (or more precisely) how long we run.  And it ain't as far as we have been figuring.  What to do?  What to do?  At some point I am sure someone will ask, "Hey, Mr. Fancy-Watch-GPS-Heart-Rate-Monitor-Old-Timer-Bastard, how far does that super-fancy time piece say we actually ran?" and then I will have to be honest, won't I?  That question will probably be asked sooner rather than later now that I have posted this and most of the running group reads this on a regular basis.

Finnism

My brother-in-law is in town and staying with us for Thanksgiving.  He asked F to get him something from the kitchen and his reply was: 

 "You got it, bro!"

'Tis the Season

Thanksgiving went by in a blur and we are already supposed to start thinking about Christmas, but I just can't get in the mood.  There is no snow on the ground. It's been very bright and sunny lately.  It is cold, but by no means bitter.  It still feels more like fall then like the holiday season.  At least it did, until this morning.  

Running my regular route down to Lake Harriet at 5:15 in the morning, in the dark, slightly sensory deprived in the dark, with my ears under a thick hat, I ran by Sunnyside Gardens.  Sometime in the last four days they got their order of Christmas trees.  The scent was a heavenly surprise and I broke into a wide smile and breathed deeply.  As I was basking in the memories of past Christmases triggered by the sweet smell of freshly cut pine, I remembered that there is another little tree lot about half a mile down the road in a little park I run by.  And there it was, my second hit of the holiday season.  There is something about that smell of Christmas that makes me smile more than anything else.  To get the opportunity to enjoy it by myself early in the morning made it all the sweeter.

Half-way There

That might not be completely accurate, but it feels like it because the stress of making a giant meal for 17 people is finally over.  One bird in the oven and one bird on the grill and they both turned out great and finished within minutes of each other. (My personal favorite was the grilled turkey, but I may be biased.)  

    

Before

After

The aftermath

Everyone got along.  Crazy is still just that - crazy, but I was too busy to spend much time listening to her idiotic and ceaseless prattling.  Apparently, she is "thinking about getting her kids into soup" - as an example of idiotic prattling.

There was too much political talk so I would just get up and leave.  A's dad looks good (oh, he had a pace-maker implanted on Wednesday and was discharged Thursday around noon.)  We have about 36 hours left until we are left alone.  I think I might be able to survive.  

Son of a Bee Sting!

It's 11:45 PM.  A and I are asleep, cozy in bed. Under warm, soft flannel sheets with a down comforter on top.  Mmmmm! So nice.  So peaceful.

"AAAAgggghhhh!  AAAAgggghhhh!  AAAAgggghhhh!" high-pitched, girl-shrieking from A as she is kicking at me.  "AAAAgggghhhh! AAAAgggghhhh! AAAAgggghhhh!" high-pitched, girl-shrieking from me as I am startled awake by my wife kicking me and shrieking at me.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG?" I ask her.

"Oh, it's you! I woke up and couldn't figure out who was sleeping in the bed with me.  (Zzzzzzz.)"  She mumbles as she rolls over and goes back to sleep.

Yes, honey, it's ME.  Your husband of twelve years who has slept next to you the vast majority of nights over those twelve years.  

As I lay there with my heart pounding out of my chest, I realized it doesn't instill a lot of confidence in the impression I am making when my wife doesn't recognize me in our own bed.

Danger in the Freezer

For whatever reason, since the TCM I have developed new aches and pains.  My left hip gets tight, but I can kind of stretch that out.  Then there are the shin splints.  The doctor gave me the thumbs up to run without pause as I don't have a stress fracture, but he suggested I ice my shin to help rehab it.  Taking that advice, I grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and Ace bandaged it to my shin over my sock.  Well, I thought it was over my sock.  Turns out it was only half on my sock and half on my bare skin.  As I walked around the house with my lower leg sufficiently numbed, I forgot about the ice pack - for about a half hour.  When I did remember the ice pack and decided to remove it I found the bare skin above my sock to be very white (whiter than normal - hard to believe I know) and very cold.  Creepily cold.  The thought that entered my brain - "Holy Shit!  I struggle all winter to stay warm and avoid frostbite and I fricking give it to myself in my own house."  Needless to say, I have a nice reddish area that now has some feeling in it, but still looks strange.  It's not worth a photo right now, but if it gets particularly gross, I will pass a visual along.

Finnism at the Movies

Sitting in the theater watching previews before Madagascar II a music video comes on that is actually an ad for the National Guard.  The video has lots of images of soldiers helping disaster victims and fighting battles - lots of carnage and sadness.  At then end of the video, when the theater is quiet, F says to no one in particular, but in a very loud voice, "I DO NOT want to see that movie!"

I hope that you have learned your lesson

After running errands on Sunday afternoon I come home and A matter-of-factly announces she had to save F's life.  In an irritated voice she explained that he was eating lunch with his friend and was cramming (we are a family of crammers) his sandwich in his mouth and talking (which he never seems to stop doing) and laughing and he aspirated his lunch. 

I picture it going down this way - F is talking and laughing and standing at the table eating as fast as he can (the kid never sits down in a chair).  A warns him to stop cramming food in his mouth, but he keeps cramming, talking and laughing.  Then the talking and laughing stops. A looks over at F's eyes bugging out of his head, puts her hands on her hips, cocks her head, rolls her eyes, lets out a big sigh of exasperation and walks over him, spins him around and gives him the Heimlich.

                    

Not this Heimlich                                 This Heimlich

Tangential story - My mom was an emergency room nurse when I was growing up and she would do training for the EMTs and first responders in our small town.  One night while she was teaching the CPR course she accidently referred to the Heimlich Manuever as the Heimlich "Removal".  Well, she couldn't get off of it and referred to it that way for the entire night.  To this day we refer to it as the Heimlich Removal just to make her nuts.

Tangential story II - Not really a story but a joke told by my dad who made every joke an Ole and Lena joke and told it in a "Scandihoooovian" accent.  Ole and Lena are having dinner with Sven when Lena starts to choke.  Sven gets all excited and runs to dial 911, but Ole remains calm and tells Sven, "No need to worry.  I know yust what to do."  So Ole grabs Lena, spins her around, pulls down her pants and licks her on the butt.  Lena lets out a giant cough and the piece of food she was choking on flies out of her mouth and across the room.  Sven looks at Ole, eyes wide in amazement, "Ole that was yust incredible! How did you know what to do?"  Ole replied, "I yust learned CPR - they call that the 'Hind-lick Manuever.'"

Back to the story - I only picture it going down that way because that is kind of the way A told it and that was kind of my reaction - eye-rolling, an exasperated sign and the phrase, "fricking kids."  Needless to say, I am never one to miss a "teaching opportunity."  For the rest of the day, every time I saw F eating something I felt compelled to remind him to be careful so mommy wouldn't have to save his life again.  It remains to be seen if he has learned anything.

New Shoes and More Good Stuff

It has been an interesting morning.  First off, it's bright and sunny for the first time in about six days.  I got my new running shoes (thrilling, I know) but they are still the Sunny D flavor (ugh).  I forgot that I got a 20% discount from the store I go to so they weren't $95 they were $76.  Then I go to the grocery store and get coffee at Caribou afterward.  I am waiting in line behind someone who, it seemed, had never ordered coffee before and there was much discussion about price and what had been charged.  I was trying not to look impatient even though I obviously was.  As I finally made it to the front of the line to pay, the woman behind me offered to pay for my drink because she had to wait for hers to be made anyway.  I of course declined a couple of times and then caved and accepted her offer, because, hey - free coffee.  Now, I can't wait to do that for someone else.

I Love New Shoes

I was still befuddled by my shin pain (which wasn't bad after yesterday's run, by the way) so I looked at my shoes.  Turns out they are over three months old and have nearly 400 miles on them.  400 miles - every time I see that it always amazes me.  How fast the miles pile up.  Looking at the soles I have some pretty good wear, especially on the right shoe.  It's interesting how losing what seems like such a thin amount of rubber can have such a big affect on my body.  So tomorrow is new shoe day.  I hope they look better than my current pair - I feel like I am wearing Sunny Delight on my feet - and hate Sunny Delight.

Just give it time

So my last post had me concerned that I had a stress fracture and that I would never get enough time on the bike.  Well, I had that X-ray and I have a perfect tibia - no break , good news.  It must be a little bit of shin splints - bad news.  Stretching, Aleve and ice will have to do the trick.

I got on the bike for half an hour today.  I tucked the computer in the seat bag and strapped my old watch on the handlebar just to keep track of time.  A nice easy ride to get me started.  If I can do that at least a couple times a week and build up the time in the saddle, I should be good.

I just need to keep reminding myself to give it time.

Mid-November, already a little frustrated

Too much time on my hands (no job - rainy, crummy day - home with sick kid) makes me think too much.  I tried to get on the bike trainer yesterday - I have it set up in the basement in front of the TV instead of in the laundry room like last year - but it didn't go well.  The batteries were dead on the remote and then the sensor on my computer wasn't picking up.  Once I got in the saddle, I lasted all of about 20 minutes total.  I was too bored!  I hate a treadmill (haven't been on one in years and not even close since I started running last year) so I am not sure what would make me think a bike trainer is much different.  It's not!  Way boring! But I have to figure out how to get some time in the saddle.  The bike is easily the weak part of my races and if I want to make the gains I have projected, improvement on the bike - even a little - will get me there.  

To complicate matters I have decided it is time to get an x-ray of my right shin.  I have had on and off pain for months now.  Nothing excruciating or persistent, but recurring and localized.  I want to make sure it's not a stress fracture or something that could put me out for a long time if I don't get it taken care of.  The thing of it is that it doesn't hurt after I warm up during a run.  It is most uncomfortable after I been sitting for awhile.  Strange, but I figure better safe than sorry.

So my mind has decided to be frustrated - "I will never get enough time on my bike because attempt one was rather dismal."  "I have a broken leg!" "I am going to be 40."

One thing I can't do anything about, the other one probably won't come to pass (and if it does, I am one tough mo fo) and the third one I just need to keep getting on no matter how long or short a time.

I have to just take it all one day at a time.  

How not to parent

"Dirty Skirt" lost her nomination for parent of the year.  Last Saturday her five-year-old son broke his tibia (the big shin bone) straight through about three inches above his ankle.  He was pillow surfing down their main steps while mom and dad were in the kitchen cooking up a batch of meth.  That last part was a lie - apparently mom and dad were in the kitchen "drying dishes".  Call it what you will - the kids were unsupervised.  None of this disqualifies anyone from parent of the year.  

The poor kid had surgery to reset his bone and is now home and in so much pain he can't be moved.  "Dirty's" family has just bought a new house and is still in the process of selling their current home so they are hyper vigilant of making any sort of mess in case they have to show it.  Her son has finally gotten to the point where he can sit in his wheelchair (it just gets better and better) and move around some.  

Yesterday, the kid is finally mobile but still learning to drive and he kept bumping into the walls.  "Dirty" finally got fed up and admonished the kid - "If you don't stop running into the walls I will take away your wheelchair."  

Cross her off the ballot!

Rainy Days and Mondays

Today is obviously Thursday, but the sentiment seems appropriate.  It has been cloudy, cold-ish and drippy for the last four days or so and it is starting to get to me.  E has been home with a cold for two and a half days now. Which means I have to stick close to home and haven't been able to get out much.   F has been up in the middle of the night for a variety of reasons for a few days now, so I am a little sleep deprived.  And to top things off I have eaten terribly for the last three days.  I am pretty sure I have eaten more servings of Oreos (with milk however) than fruits and veggies in those three days.  Running usually gets me back on track, but it was rainy, cold and windier than expected today and those things combined with lack of sleep and empty calories equaled less than exuberant running this morning.  I need some snow or sun to lift my mood.  Or maybe I just need a nap.  

Dreams

Everyone always goes back to that place of comfort - a happy place - when things get stressful or disappointing.  At least that is the way it happens for me.  For a long time when I get to tough places in my life, I start to have swimming dreams.  The pool was my happy place for so long.  I dream I have to do some insane workout after not being in the pool for years or I have to get in and race with no training.  Thing is, they are pleasant dreams.  I feel in control and calm.  I never finish the race or the workout, but I always feel good about it.

Well, now I have developed a new happy place.  Apparently it's a triathlon.  I have been having tri related dreams lately.  Again, they involve being thrown into a workout or race with no training, but in them I appear confident, competent and do just fine.  

Too bad at this time there is no money in sport for me, but it helps get me through the days - and nights.

Thank God That's Over

This blog was never really meant to be a rant or a political soap box, but I feel the need to walk up to that line right now.  Thank GOD the election is today.  I am so sick of the ads from both sides and then all the PACs and special interest groups.  I voted this morning and I am DONE!  I hope my guy wins, but I really am not too worried either way.  If the world hasn't come to an end in the last eight years I think we will be safe going forward.  I just hope it's a landslide one way or the other so there won't be weeks or months of litigating for a president.  As irritating as this campaign has been, I am glad we live in the country we do.  Sure there are things that could be done to improve the process, but there is in any system.  OK - 'nough said!

On a separate note - I ran 12 miles in the past two days at a sub-8:30 pace.  I feel like I am coming back.

Faster

I was just reading some blogs I follow (while I take a break from grading papers) and recognized a thread in all of them today - a loose thread, kind of frayed and fuzzy perhaps.  It has to do with goal setting and training especially when it comes to long distance events - marathons and half or full Ironman distance triathlons.  What I have taken from this thread is that very specific goal times are kind of ridiculous for these events (maybe any events).  There are way too many variables in training over such a long period of time and on the actual day of the race, that a very specific goal seems like a lot of pressure to put on yourself - or in this case, myself.  

In an earlier post I listed a bunch of goal times for the events I am planning on doing in 2009 and that is fine, but I think that realistically I should have three goal times for every race - faster than I have gone before, about as fast as I have gone before, finish in one piece.  That means that my training for an event falls roughly in the same categories.  If I want to run a race faster, I have to train faster/harder.  If I want run a race about the same as I have in the past, I have to train like have in the past.  If I want to simply finish a race, I have to train enough to make it through while remaining (or getting) healthy.  Some of the performance comes from experience and learning new tricks.  I consider those improvements a freebee - to be considered but no necessarily banked on. This way the pressure is off, I continue to enjoy the journey and the times will come.  

Overall goal for this year - faster.

What is WRONG with me?

I am sitting here, the kids are in bed, A is playing Bunko and I am watching The Biggest Loser and just polished off about eight Oreos.  I have been eating the house and am sitting here still hungry.  We only ran three miles this morning, which is fine.  I have been lifting weights as well, so I hope that has something to do with it.  I have had some job search set backs - the job that I really wanted was put on hold (thanks economy) so that is the second time I have had a position put on hold.

Is it the combination of these things along with the days getting shorter and the weather getting colder that makes me want to eat everything that will fit in my mouth?  I don't know - I will think more about it while I eat this apple.

Finnism

Mom (talking to F and his buddy Nick) "Nick, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Nick - "An astronaut."

F - "Dangerous job."

I'll Take That Bet!

I have to add another marathon to my dream list - the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco.  20,000 participants and less than 5% are men.  There is a caveat though, I have to run it with the women from the running group and ... wait for it ... I have to run it in a skirt!  I suggested a nice gold lame number and it was met with enthusiastic approval.  I think that the other requirement for the race should be that at least a couple of the women (you know who you are) who run with me should try to hit their Boston qualifying time - even if they have already qualified.  I secretly (or not so secretly, now) hope this actually happens.  What a story!

The Real Housewives

My wife watches questionable television.  For all her talk about limiting the amount and monitoring the content of television our kids watch, she watches the most ridiculous crap on the air.  (OK - I watch some crap, too and she doesn't watch these terrible shows on a regular basis, but there are a couple she seems to go back to.)  Her latest bit of "entertainment" is "Real Housewives of Atlanta" - a winning spin-off of "Real Housewives of Orange County" and "Real Housewives of NYC".  I have decided that there is opportunity for yet another spin-off  - "Real Housewives of Country Club."  (For people not familiar - Country Club is the neighborhood we live in in Edina, MN. Kind of a misleading name, since it isn't connected to a golf course.)  Apparently, some people are impressed that they live in "Country Club" - the people we associate with, not so much - I think we all live more in the "country club" neighborhood with our eight year old Honda and Creeping Charlie infested front yard.  I will be placing an ad in the Country Club Neighborhood Life Magazine (see what I mean?  People impressed with themselves) and we'll see who has absolutely no shame and wants to embarrass themselves on national television.  

(OK - maybe not, but it could be "entertaining.")

Let the off-season begin

After struggling through two weeks of marginal running post-TCM I took Saturday off and got set for the off season.  I ran seven miles this morning at 8:40 pace and it felt comfortable and easy.  Now comes the good stuff.  Some people struggle with the off-season.  With nothing to train for they feel unmotivated.  I am excited because this is where the big gains come.  I don't have a race until mid-January, so I have from now until then to get totally healthy, get fully into the weight training and rededicate myself to the stretching/core work that I have been doing.  It will be challenging to work out in the cold, but I thought the same about working out in the heat and adapted to that.  Anyway, I am looking forward to the work.  Wish me luck.

Preliminary 2009 Race Schedule (Revised)

The Twin Cities Marathon is 10 days away.  I am in the middle of my taper and my mind won't stop running.  Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about all I have done in the past nine months.  I have also been planning what I will shoot for in 2009 after I get back from my "training vacation" about the middle or end of December.  Following is the major race schedule I am considering and some preliminary goals for each race.  Might be some 5k races in there as well.  We will see how this plan fleshes out in the end.

January 24, 2009 - Securian Winter Carnival Frozen Half Marathon - Goal time: @1:45 - This will be a fun race with not much serious training.

May 2, 2009 - Wells Fargo Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon - Goal time: 1:35 - This is the warm up for Grandma's and would like to be running about ten minutes faster than last year at this point.

June 7, 2009 - Buffalo Sprint Triathlon - Goal time: 1:00 - 1:05 - Kick-off for the triathlon season.  I should be able to trim off some pretty significant time with much faster transitions (no socks this time), faster swim (no wet suit?) and way better bike.

June 20, 2009 - Grandma's Marathon - Goal time: 3:30 - This might be ambitious as I will be in the middle of triathlon training and will be pretty torn down, but, for now, I will give it a shot.

July 19, 2009 - Door County HIM Triathlon - Goal time: 5:00 - Shooting for a faster swim, much faster bike and another good run.

July 25, 2009 - Chisago Lakes HIM Triathlon - Goal time: 5:15 - This will be my first time doing this race and my second HIM in a week.  A daunting task to be sure, but I am a glutton for punishment. (I did DCT a week after Lifetime in 2008.)  Figure I will tack on 15 minutes to account for tiredness from DCT and unfamiliar course.

September 6, 2009 - City of Lakes 25K - Goal time: @1:45 - Another warm-up race.  This one for TCM.  

October 2009 - Twin Cities Marathon - Goal time: 3:25 (maybe 3:20) - This race could also be the Chicago Marathon or even New York (if I am gainfully employed.)

(All races and times subject to change based on financial constraints, training, health, etc.)

Procrastination

I like teaching, but I really hate correcting assignments, quizzes and projects.  Therefore I am procrastinating by doing anything but those three things.  I will get it done, but I am fighting it tooth and nail.  Hell, I am even taking the time to write this blog entry, I must be really fighting it!

Ironman Fever

During TCM it was decided that 2010 would be the year of the Ironman.  (You have to plan a year ahead because the fields fill up in minutes after registration opens.)  We - CS & M - are aiming for Madison with Canada as a possible back-up.  Yesterday was the 2008 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii - "The Ironman" - and I watched a bunch of the race live online and I just read some race reports on some blogs I watch and now I can't wait!  The way I figure it, I can swim no problem, I can run an incredibly painful marathon (done it), but I have to get used to being in the saddle for five + hours.  Good thing I've got a year and a half to put it all together.  Have I completely lost my mind?  I certainly hope so.

Marathon Reminders

Once again, sorry to everyone who reads this. This list is more for me, so I don't mean to bore you.

Things to remember for the next marathon:

1) If I have to pee, pee early (preferrably in the first five miles).  It is a lot easier to recover the time rather than later in the race.

2) Lube up the waist band area.  The only place missed and the only place that is not pretty.

3) Strawberry Clif Shots are my friend.  They went down pretty well and didn't taste terrible even after the fourth one.

4) Drink 1.5 liters of Accelerade orange in the morning.  Cut back on the water later so you don't have to pee as soon as you start.

5) Eat a Clif Builder Bar a half hour before the start.  It simulates what you do every morning before a run.

6) Take three Immodiums about three hours or so before the start.

7) Carbo-load three days out from the race.  It really works!

26.2 in 3:34:48

The End!  After ten months of training and racing my innagural season is complete and it couldn't have ended on a better result.  First, I must thank everyone who ran with me, encouraged me and put up with me during my training.  Second, I must thank everyone who came out to watch my races - especially the people who came out yesterday and stood in the pouring rain and cold.  I wouldn't feel this good without all of you.

So, the race.  Wow! There is so much to recall and so much that I have already forgotten.  

We got to the fricking start late.  We were still sliding up the chute to the first corral with about 90 seconds left.  My favorite was the people who were pushing through to get to the start faster.  I mean really, we are all going to the same place and the clock doesn't start until you cross the line anyway.  C and I got separated dropping off our bags.  I didn't know if she was ahead of me or behind me.  After the start, I scanned like crazy and found a nice open area where I could be seen.  I'll tell you what, it is good to be in the first corral - a lot fewer people and it opens up really quick.  Needless to say, C caught me from behind in the first mile.  

It was crazy fun to run through the closed off streets of downtown Minneapolis.   Mile 1 was there in no time, as was mile 2.  We started looking for L around this time, but could not find her.  I wanted to hand off my arm warmers (which were a stellar idea, I must say), but had to carry them until we saw my family. I had to pee at the start and was still feeling it now, but I decided to hold it, I would need that liquid later and it would reabsorb wouldn't it?  It was about this time that the rain started.  

It was light at first, refreshing, and not too irritating around Lake of the Isles, but then it really kicked in.  On the west side of Lake Calhoun it really started to come down and that, combined with the wind blowing across the cool lake made for a miserable few miles.  It was at this point I saw "the girls" and my fam.  They are all incredible troopers for hanging tough in really crappy weather.  C and I were clicking along comfortably, joking about people splashing us and jokingly asking for towels.  Having my name on my shirt was so fun and funny.  It's great to hear my name called out.  One woman surprised me and I turned back to wave at her like we were best friends or something.  I had a smile on my face for a lot of the race because people kept calling out my name. 

Fast forward to halfway - we came across in about 1:44.  We were smoking right along and feeling good, but of course the race is only starting at this point.  We figured we were on pace to hit our goal of 3:30, assuming, as I told C, "we don't do anything stupid." A lot of the second half of the race is kind of a blur.  Every mile I got past 13 I would tell C how much better it was than Grandma's.  We were taking fluids regularly, eating our gels and generally having a fun comfortable race.  

Around mile 16 or 17 I just couldn't hold it anymore.  I was starting feel a cramp from clenching, so I made a dash to the port-a-potty.  We decided C would keep going at the same pace and I would just have to catch up.  I figured I lost about a quarter mile to C by the time I got out of the can.  (Note to self: Pee early in the race, it is a lot easier to catch up with more distance.)  I pushed the pace and figured if she held her pace and I sped up I could catch her with at least a few miles left before the finish.  I did get some good luck - the course at this point was fairly flat or with a very slight uphill and kind of winding, so I could see pretty far ahead.  I thought I could see her shirt and white visor ahead but it was hard to be certain, so I just kept pushing.  My next break came at the point where we climb up to the bridge.  There is a 90-degree left turn onto the entrance ramp and I got a clear shot of her and I was gaining.  I caught up on the River Road, hammering uphill.  It took about three miles.  I think we were happy to see each other.  I just hoped that I hadn't wasted too much trying to catch up.  The only thing I really wanted to make sure of was that I didn't have to run up Summit Ave. by myself.  

And then there we were.  Making the turn onto Summit.  We had run this together a few weeks ago and it didn't seem too bad then.  To be honest, it didn't seem too bad yesterday either.  Don't get me wrong, it was painful, but I think that is more due to where it is in the race. You are past the 20 mile mark and if you aren't feeling the miles, you aren't running hard enough.  Really, the most daunting part of this stretch is that it is so straight and monotonous and the crowds are spread wide on either side.  Some tool-job came up behind me asking if we could see the Cathedral (No! It was one of the five other churches on Summit that precede the Cathedral.)  I chose to ignore him and he fell back.

Saw the whole gang again and it really helped.  I still had great energy, was still running and was able to high-five the kids.  All of the sudden, there is C's husband, M, running with us.  I was thoroughly confused.  Had he finished and gotten back to run the last few miles with us?  Wow, that is hardcore.  (Turns out he had a rough race and was hanging with our friends waiting for us to come by.)  

My legs were really getting heavy at this point.  I reminded myself that they certainly felt better than they did at Grandma's, where the pain made me walk, and I had run up steeper hills later in races when I had already been racing for four hours, like the Door County Half Ironman.  This wasn't so bad.  It worked.

Pushing hard up the last hill to the turn to the Cathedral I started to get a stitch under my ribcage on the right side.  I realized I was breathing from the top of my lungs so I eased up a bit and concentrated on belly breathing and really pushing my navel out.  Mission accomplished, stitch gone.  And then my vision was upon me.  

Since our last 20 miler that finished at the finish line, I had been rehearsing in my head what my finish would be like.  It is quite possibly an ideal finish.  You make a gradual turn that brings you by the Cathedral at the top of the hill, the highest point on the course, and then you are looking down at the State Capital.  The finish is downhill, across a highway overpass and then a straight shot to the line.  I ran it exactly as I wanted to.  As soon as I made that turn at the Cathedral I freewheeled down the hill and let my momentum carry me across the overpass.  The stretch from the overpass to the finish is longer than it seems.  The stitch came back a little, but at this point it didn't matter.  Finish line and done!

C was right behind me.  I had a personal record by 28 minutes.  C had a personal record by about 10 minutes.  There were hugs and smiles all around.  What a great way to end the season.  Next year - who knows?  3:30? 3:20 and Boston?  It certainly bodes well.

Racing on the brain

I have racing on the brain and, it being fall, there are a lot of big marathons happening around the world.  This leads me to think of the marathons I think I would like to run.  (I say "I think" because I will be running my second marathon in eight days and hopefully will be more successful than my first and will want to continue to run marathons.)

In no particular order - my dream list of marathons:

Boston Marathon

Chicago Marathon

London Marathon

New York Marathon

Berlin Marathon

Paris Marathon

Dublin Marathon

Venice Marathon

Athens Marathon

Marine Corps Marathon

Rome Marathon

Maybe.  Someday.

Finnism

F walks into the bathroom after he wakes up this morning.

He puts his two Webkinz stuffed animals - Shelly the turtle and Flip the dolphin - on the tank of the toilet, looking into the bowl. He lifts the seat, drops his pants and prepares to "use the facilities."

A & I chuckle.

F:  "What?  They wanna watch. It's no big deal, they're both boys."

The Countdown Begins

The Countdown has begun.  What countdown?  The countdown to the Twin Cities Marathon.  Taper started yesterday.  It was supposed to be a 14 miler but I only did 9, which ended up being a wise choice as I am now battling a head cold.  So, now it is all easy runs and a little speed work.  Plus, I have to be careful not to gain any weight now that my mileage is down.  (The GIANT bowl of ice cream I just ate won't help that.)  The funniest part is how I count down.  My countdown consists of checking weather.com and looking at the 10 day forecast (yes - I realize that the race is 14 days away, but I look for the trend of the weather) and then reconsidering everything - race plan, clothing options, nutrition options, everything.  Inevitably, in the end I go with what I planned on all along.  So, let the countdown continue.

I have no idea how a six year old brain works

F: "Daddy, if someone is wearing a bow tie they are a spy, right?"

Me: "No, I think it just means they are a 'bow tie wearer'."

F: "Oh, but if they are wearing a black bow tie they are a spy."

Me: "No, it might just mean they are going somewhere fancy."

F: "Oh. I found Indiana Jones hat!"

Finnism + Elise

Anatomy quiz at the dinner table last night:

Me:  What is the tube your food goes down?

E: Your asparagus.

Me: What is the little dangly thing in the back of your throat?

F: A mudflap.

I am incredibly gifted/I have no idea what I am doing

** I just came across this unfinished draft - I am sure I was going to follow up with some screaming fit the kids had after such a glorious day, but I thought it was worth posting even if incomplete. **

I sit here basking  in what might be my most glorious day as a parent of a six and eight year old.  A had to work on Sunday so it was a "daddy day".  It was a glum, cloudy fall-ish day.  The kind of day where you want to curl up on the couch and watch football all day.  Or at least that is what I wanted to do.  A was having a bunch of friends over on Monday for coffee, so I had to make sure the house was picked up.  I definitely was not picked up when she left. 

After a leisurely morning of cartoons and computer games for the kids (usual for a "daddy day") it was time to get the day rolling.  I don't enjoy cooking.  I grew up mostly on dry cereal for breakfast, served to myself with way too much sugar.  Therefore, my preference is to go out for breakfast or brunch with the kids.  Off we go to Bruegger's for bagels, smoothies and coffee.  F asked if he could bring a book with. "Sure" - "Can I bring it in?" - "Sure" - "Can I read it in the car?" - "Sure".  What? No Legos?! No Nintendo?! No old, dirty rope?! E chimes in.  "Can I help F with the hard words?" - "Sure".  Oh my god, who kidnapped my children and replaced them with these bizarre creatures? 

In the car I gave my usual stern lecture regarding how to behave in a restaurant and how if they didn't behave they would lose privledges and I would be angry (or angrier).  "OK - Can we keep reading?"  Once in the restaurant I suggested they choose their seat and wait quietly while I stand in line and order.  They run to our usual spot and slide in to the booth next to each other.  As I get in line, I look over expecting to see punching, scratching, hair pulling or crawling on, over, around or under the table.  But what to my wondering eyes do I see?  The two of them reading - E patiently, calmly, quietly helping F with the "hard" words.  I am amongst the greatest parents, EVER!

It might be a bad sign when the kids' "usual" is so unique (and mildly disgusting) that you are recognized for it.  (The usual is a cinnimon sugar bagel with strawberry cream cheese and - wait for it - sliced turkey.)  

Where Have I Been? What Have I Been Doing?

It's been about a week and much has happened, nothing of note on the employment front.  That is actually not true.  I am teaching at the U - Introduction to AutoCAD for Interior Designers.  The first day of class was shear brilliance.  I handed out the syllabus and laid down the rules and made the students chuckle a couple of times - 45 minutes, DONE!  Second day of class, not so glorious.  When I turned on my computer and opened the program all the menus, commands, buttons, etc. were gone.  I hate the way the U insists on having the absolutely most up to date versions.  Luckily, I have enough experience to just start right clicking on stuff until some familiar pops up.  Needless to say, I think I actually taught some stuff.  We will see when I go back tonight.

This past weekend I ran the City of Lakes 25K. It is a good tune-up for the Twin Cities Marathon in October.  I wanted to finish it in under 2 hours and have a faster half-marathon than my personal best.  Both goals achieved!  Final time - 1:59:42 (my watch said 1:59:14) and half marathon split 1:42:xx.  I ran to the start at Lake Harriet - two miles from home and then about another mile to the starting line, then of course I had to run back home after the race so I got in a nice long run all told.  The funniest part was running home with my commemorative mug in my hand.  This was the first race since I did the half-ironman in Door County. It amazes me how my body (and brain) didn't think twice about running for two+ hours, it seems like a short race after hammering for over five hours.  This should bode well for the marathon.

Now, I just have to find some full time employment.  Wish me luck!

What a difference a day makes

It is always easy to forget the adage that tomorrow will be better, especially when for the last six months my lack of employment has clouded my perceptions.  But boy, let me tell you, the last twenty-four hours have seen some radical improvements in aspects of my world.  (Unfortunately, not in the employment arena.)

Yesterday morning was cloudy, oppressively humid and warm (76 degrees at 5:30 AM) for this time of year (in my opinion). It was a running day and we ran three miles, were so sweaty and overheated and miserable (especially me) that I suggested we pack it in and get coffee.  So we did.  Yesterday was also the first day of school - F is in first grade and E is in third.  We got them on the bus with no problems and everyone was excited.  A went to mass with the kids and when she asked F how it was going his reply was "I hate it!  It's boring!"  A pointed out that he had been in school for all of an hour and a half and an hour of that was mass.

By noon the temp was about 80 and still humid but it started to rain.  In the span of about an hour and half the temp dropped 15 degrees and the humidity was cut in half. F came running off the bus yelling "SCHOOL IS AWESOME!"  I ran 17 1/2 miles this morning in perfect fall running weather - 50 degrees, sunny, breezy, low humidity.  And I start teaching this evening.  

What a difference a day makes.

First Day of School

Happy, Excited Kids waiting to get on the bus.  I wonder how long the joy will last.