Saturday, September 13, 2008

Here I am!

.... Just been busy I guess - Here's my recap of the past several weeks:

1). My tri season is over, but I have been training anyway! I actually did two swims each of the last two weeks. Those of you who know me, know that as school was winding down, I was only swimming 3-4 times per month, then only swam in races during the summer (plus a whopping two lake swims for fun), and was struggling to get my lazy arse in the water at all. But I am baaaack! Workouts were 3300, 3700, 3200 and 3300 yards. At the end of the w/o of the third day, Jean had us do a timed 100yd sprint and I got a 1:18. Which normally I'd be bummed about. But not now - knowing that I only lost 9 seconds by being lazy for 4 months? Lazy's cool.

2). I've done 3 x 20-milers in preparation for Twin Cities Marathon next month. Am planning on 21 or 22 this weekend, since it's three-weeks-out and that is when I try to do a long-long one. I don't know - there is just something comforting about having more than 20 in my back pocket come race day.

3). Speaking of race day, I am carrying a large flag for the Special Olympics (with my friend Jen Lenarz!) and a couple others for the Twin Cities Marathon. Luckily, it will be passed between us all day, because I assume it will get pretty heavy. Jen is super super fast, so the only time in my life I will ever get to run with her is if I do this, so I am in.

4). I am also doing the Whistlestop Marathon the weekend after TCM, and I will try to go fast for that one.

5). I've been biking well - no aches and pains, but boy is my bike getting old. It squeaks and creaks and stuff, but it still gets me around. I can't wait until I can get a new one... so many Specialized Transition Pros online to drool over.... :-)
Terri and I did our secret-weapon spring-training in the pre-season and we both have been faster for it.  If you want to know what our secret weapon is, I shared it in a comment with both Tri-Rob and Momo so you have to go hunt for it! But it has worked great for two summers in a row. 

6). We switched schools this year and the kids are happy as pigs in mud. Bobby especially loves it. As many of you read last year, it was a painful year for us at Providence Academy, where the kids have gone since pre-K. But Heritage Christian Academy is a much better fit for us. I've been told that what we believe in is "cheap grace" but call it what you like, it works for us and we fit in much better here, so please be happy for us!

7). I took the kids to the state fair a couple weeks ago - I hadn't been in a few years. I hate the fair! It's like a sea of grossly overweight, sweating people all walking really, really slowly, eating huge buckets of cookies, gigantic greasy turkey drumsticks, 12-inch long hot dogs and cheesecake on a stick. Gross! Those who aren't eating, are smoking and drinking until their eyes are all glassy, and it's dusty and dirty - blech. But the kids wanted to go and I felt it was my parental obligation. We actually ate something called Pig-lickers: crispy bacon strips dipped in dark chocolate. Hey, when at the fair, eat the fair food, right?
It was really cool to see all the animals, though - a baby cow was born when we were there - see above pic!- and if we'd waited around just a teeny bit longer we'd have seen piglets born, too. The kids went to the Haunted House but were so scared that a guide with a flashlight had to usher them out. Ally didn't stop crying or squeezing me for at least a half hour... ;-)

9). I passed my room at Florida IM over to my friend Julie Hull - watch for her that day - she's an uber-athlete! and I requested the portion of my registration fee to be refunded, so I am really and truly not doing Florida. I'm sad, but it just is what it is. Erin and Terri will be racing, and I will have lots of other people to cheer for.

That's my update! Now I am going to head over to Greyhounds site to get the latest on his hurricane Ike reports...

I'll close out with a few family pics..


Ally figuring out how long it will take to earn enough points to get another Webkinz.


At the fair.


Snuggling up by the fire-pit.


Ally's pet Lucy the caterpillar moments before we put her outside to be free.


17 comments:

Bigun said...

http://www.mnb2b.org/ that's the new 1st race for your next season's calendar...

Fe-lady said...

Bacon dipped in dark chocolate...two of my favorite foods, but I never thought about them being put together.
Interesting!
Love the photos! (Especially that Ally likes bugs! Me too!)

Spokane Al said...

If I got within 20 seconds of 1:18/100 I think that I would throw a party with all the bacon dipped in chocolate everyone could eat!

You are amazing.

Tri Mom said...

So cool....I will just look for the Special Olympics flag during the marathon, and maybe I'll be able to find you among 11,000 other runners! Hugs to all of you!

juliemac said...

for your season being over, you have a lot going on!!
my season is over and ummm i can't think of anything coming up??
your kids are looking old and very cute!!
we tried to get them together in summer, ok lets say fall!!

test said...

I didn't know they has marathons fer whistle tips now, mama?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSOSJ68xOBA

Who's running it with you?

Coming home soon ~ can't wayt to see you agains!

Unknown said...

Sounds like you have a good plan set up. Busy busy!

Steve Stenzel said...

YEAH for the TC marathon!!

(I'll be out there in the chicken suit again!)

21stCenturyMom said...

Those are some seriously long workouts and if I could come close to 1:18 I would be pretty sure I'd died and gone to Tri-heaven. Seriously. And a 1:08 - that' for kids! Kids like Michael Phelps.

I loves me a nice 600 pound pig - as long as it isn't walking around on 2 legs eating a friend Snickers - bwahahahahaha......

So good to hear from you! I missed you!!

21stCenturyMom said...

I meant FRIED - a FRIED Snickers. Of course, a person like that might consider a Snickers to be a friend - who knows?

jbmmommy said...

Glad to read what you've been up to. Sorry I don't know the secret- sure you won't share before I search through comments? Anyway, you are completely amazing- a 1:18 after time off, I'd need a motor to ever produce a 1:18. Enjoy your upcoming marathons.

brendaj said...

My parents' new house has a firepit. Your picture is making me look forward to chilly evenings sitting by it!

KC said...

happy the school year is going well!

i always watch the marathon very near the 19-mile mark. i'll give a yell for you and the flag! i'll be the lady with the baby and a four-year-old. speaking of the baby, i wanted to tell you i only made it to 194 with kid #2 - i was projecting two pregnancies with weights over 2-bills, but i fell short. ;)

and, you've got my interest piqued. i need to know the secret weapon!

Unknown said...

Glad the new school is working well for your family. Definately sounds like a better fit to me. :-)

SWTrigal said...

NIce pics Jenny..jealous of you being in off season..
:)

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

I hate the fair too!!! They even let the schools out here for it!

Marci said...

Taking 4 months off and still holding a 1:18... sweet!

The pics of your kiddos are precious :)