Woodsy

Blog on

So I have been fairly busy since May 1st.  As for training, I am in serious "aquabike" training mode at the moment.  The knees are still healing after I finally went ahead with PRP injections.  There was an article in competitor magazine this month about PRP, with a title containing the words "magic bullet".  I'm not quite sure I can vouch for that yet but I am optimistic.  Because that's the only way to be!  I will probably have a second round of injections on July 1st and then start consistent running again *hopefully* at the end of August.  The PT has me working on my gait: moving toward a midfoot strike as opposed to heel strike.  My running gait is 20+ years in the making so it certainly feels weird to change things up.  But no time like the present.  The PT also said I could probably get new running shoes if I successfully change my stride.  Woohoo, no more bricks!  I've worn the same type of motion-control shoes for a long time but since I'm not wearing them much anymore, and wearing Nike frees during the day, my feet feel trapped when I put on those big-ass running shoes.

On a less optimistic note: swimming and the weather.  Less running must mean faster swimming, right?  Well, not so much.  I am still going to masters and enjoying that a lot more than swimming on my own.  But I swam the 800 and 2000 at Hagg Lake a couple weeks ago and the results were inconclusive.  The 800 because I don't believe I've swam that distance before in open water, and the 2000 because I could not feel my arms by the time I got out of the water.  Yes, I have a full wetsuit and yes, it was that cold.  I finished the 800, thinking the whole time "not doing the 2k", and got out of the water.  The cold water made me delirious enough that I decided I couldn't "wimp out" and so ON I went into the icy waters, again.  My right hand became a "claw" shortly after starting and I immediately regretted it.  But I lived to recover in my car with the heater on full blast for about 30 minutes.  Then hopped on my bike trainer on the parking lot, did a 1 hr spin and ate pizza off a BBQ grill, in the parking lot.  Hey, I am not alone in my madness!

The real reason I am writing this blog is because I do not want to study.  I have my class final this week and am lacking motivation- luckily I only need 55% to get an A in the class.  Will be glad to be done with papers and group projects, next up is biology in the fall/winter.  Starting small with Microbiology, then maybe Biochemistry if I can fit it in.

Headed out to the Blue Lake triathlon tomorrow to cheer on the masses, and happy that I don't have to work tomorrow night.  That is apparently going to be when I study since it isn't happening tonight.  My work schedule is M-F days this week, giving me the opportunity to get my butt kicked twice on the bike if so desired; PIR on Monday night and Mt Tabor on Wednesday night.  I just recently recovered from the kicking at training camp in Bend last weekend.  First workouts of any intensity on the bike in 6 weeks, not to mention a 3700m swim workout which is a LOT for me.  Now if the weather would improve, it might actually feel like race season.

Chillin'

Sadly, the summer of beer is quickly drawing to a close.  We had our first fall weather preview this weekend and I really didn't care for it too much.

Here are my Top Ten Signs that Summer is over...

1.  The pumpkin spice latte is back.  When the eggnog latte comes back, it's really all over.

2.  Our 6th annual Friendiversary came and went.  Unfortunately, we could not celebrate together this year due to travel.  However, we did celebrate one of our own getting married; Bobbi Jo and Brian threw a big party for us at Cooper Spur.  "Montana chic" indeed.  We rode the train (c'mon ride it), rode bikes, danced, ate cheese and drank in the hot tub.  GOOD TIMES. 

 
Awesome view

 
Sarah and I at the reception before it dipped below freezing!  This is also a sign that summer may be over soon.

Turns out the traditional 6th Friendiversary gift is pie.

3.  Bootie-licious cycling attire complete with wool socks, rain jacket and fenders.  Rain bikes come off the garage ceiling- yes I said rain bikes.  If you don't live in the Northwest, you may not understand.

4.  Going to work in the dark, coming home in the dark.  Blah.  When I'm on shift I manage to get some daylight for a few hours before going in at 2pm, but Woodsy Owl is soon going to join the day shift for 6 WEEKS.  Hello 4:30am alarm for masters swim.  So not looking forward to this.

5.  The Scoggins Valley triathlon happened last Saturday.  Don't let the lovely picture of purple wildflowers fool you; after an early morning downpour the roads were wet and nasty.  But it didn't actually rain on us during the race so can't complain too much.  My race was mediocre, about the same as every race since IMCDA.  My legs still hurt most of the time.  Feeling slow and unprepared for my second and last A-race (supposedly) of the season, the Grand Columbian half-iron.  Problem is I did this race 2 years ago, so coming back to post a slower time after two seasons of long-course training is not something I am excited about.  So I'm still contemplating this one.

6.  Bobcat Nation unites!  

A disappointing sign of fall was the Bobcats getting crushed in their season opener on Saturday.  No worries, they just need some time to warm-up.  Should be on fire by the time they come here to play Portland State on Nov 7th. 

7.  Our Ironmen and women are in recovery mode.  Made what has become an annual trip to Penticton for IMC and enjoyed the view from the sidelines.  The conditions were warmer than last year and smoky to boot, but Chris persevered to finish strong!  Or so we were told an hour and a half after the fact- oops.  Sorry :( .  We did see Sue and Tim finish- hooray! 

8.  Cross season is beginning, and I'm making excuses for not doing it.  My work schedule did nicely last year since I was working on Sundays.  Of course, the blog-ability of 'cross is unmatched.  'Tis utterly ridiculous.  The only race I'm "seriously" considering at this point is the Halloween race in Astoria.

9.  You are making plans to escape to drier climes.  First stop will be Grand Coulee for the half iron in two weeks.  Next will be Montana at the end of September.  OK, that may not be warmer but it should not be raining.  Maybe just snowing.  Then there's Kona in October.  As a spectator instead of a competitor.  Yeah!!  Also I've also decided to do Ironman Arizona in 2010 instead of Ironman Canada.  Still trying to escape the IM rain curse, I'm 0/2 so far.  This also justifies a winter training trip to Arizona and a fall training trip to New Mexico since the race is in November. See how that works? :o)

10.  The Summer of Beer evolves into the Fall of Wine.

Winter games. A poll.

Taking your car out to spin circles in an icy parking lot.  What did you call that?

A.  Brodie
B.  Doughnut
C.  Cookie

To use it in context:
High schooler #1:  Dude, I've got my dad's car.  Let's go spin some brodies in the K-Mart parking lot!
High schooler #2:  OK sweet.  Pick me up.

In Great Falls, MT they were brodies.  Sadly, the Intel parking lot here is not big enough for such antics.

HELL-O Kitty

Christmas shopping for me?  Planning a trip to China?  Check it

It's an explosion of Hello Kitty crap, in pink and white! 

I'm at a loss for words.  Thanks John for sending!

Girl's Weekend

Drinking and stamping?  No, we don't have a problem.

Socializing on the first night.  I think we have enough wine, but we'll see how the rest of tonight goes.

Fifteen of us have escaped to Mt Hood for the 4th Annual Stamping retreat.  The basic rules for the weekend are to eat, drink and have fun.  Maybe stamp out a few Christmas cards if you're so inclined.

Gail, Pam, Lisa (our fearless leader), Mary, and Cathy are up early and starting to work.

We also got out for a run on a gorgeous day.  I ended up joining Sarah for a loop around Trillium Lake, just a short "recovery run".  Thank goodness there was plenty of food at the house for post-run refueling!  Tomorrow I may ride up to Timberline, we'll see how the legs feel about that.

 Girls run wild from the house in Government Camp.

The money shot.  Trillium lake and Mt Hood x2.

I can confirm that all of the women here are amazing cooks- we are eating well to say the least.  My cards are nowhere near done, but I've tried more than five new and different wines!

Sarah and Eileen break out the EVIL wine.  Evil I tell you!

Like I said, my cards are not done but here are some shots of my station.  Pay no attention to the wine glass in the background.

Snowman heads everywhere.  Chaos.

After an official "headcount".  OCD you think?

I hear the guys are out at a topless bar in our absence...no harm no foul.  Or was it a tapas bar?

Progress Ridge

I almost titled this post "Condo-monium", like "Condominium".  Thought that was clever but I know some of your minds would move the dash past the "m" and wonder what the heck I'm up to.  Because that's how some of your minds work.  So to explain my new title, "Progress Ridge" is the name of my housing complex and this post is all about Progress! 


Tapering has been a little rough so far

OK, I didn't really take all these shots.  I have a roommate now you know :)

   

Actually they went in here, a shot glass case that I mounted to the wall.  Not an easy task as the thing weighs maybe...30 pounds?  I collect shot glasses when I travel, cheap mementos that are not a T-shirt.  And functional!

Home improvement continued!

Before

After

Looks deceivingly simple but re-mounting that door has puzzled me for months.  Had to rely on my keen engineering skills and problem-solving ability.  HAHAHA.  Actually I just dug out the biggest hammer I could find and...
That's right!  More power tools!  Along with (most of) the parts that had fallen off.

 
I had a couple parts left over.  Clearly unnecessary.

I'm on a roll.  Next!

I get too much morning sunlight in my bedroom, waking me earlier than I'd like on work days.  Cheap mini-blinds provided by Polygon Homes not doing much for me.


Voila!  "White-out" curtains.  Now, I just may never get up.

On my new schedule I'm averaging 6-8hrs of sleep per night, much better than 5-7 in my previous job role.  And pager wake-up calls in the middle of the night are limited.  By the way, I know some of you are looking at the pics above and fondly remembering my painting party and the 4 COATS of paint required to make this room red.  It looks really good though doesn't it?!

SO as of today, it appears my home improvement projects are complete.  Next up will be installing a dedicated ice bath/warm bath tub for recovery.  Maybe an endless pool, or better yet a hot tub.  With swim-up bar.

Things that are Annoying

Good morning all! 

1.  Accidental pages from work at 4am
2.  Waking up early to call into a meeting for 5 minutes
3.  Finding a mole in your garage.  Gross!  Spent half an hour with broom, boxes etc. to drive the little guy back outside.  Moles don't seem to like dried mango, btw.
4.  Dads who read aloud to their 3 year-old at Starbucks. And I quote,  "YEAH, that's a LADYBUG!  Do you like ladybugs?  See Mr.Sun there?  Look at the puppy!  What does a puppy say?"
5.  Rain in July.  Mr Sun is nowhere to be found.

TGIF for me.  Off to the pool, postponing my ride 'til later.

Livin' Large

Received an SMS update from my brother, apparently living large in Toledo.  A picture entitiled...

High Class Dining

or

Date night in the "Rust Belt"

 
Ambiance, indeed!  Check out the mood lighting.

Two week notice

I'm so far behind in my blogging that I'm posting a two week notice regarding what has been happening since my trip to Coeur d'Alene.

- Returning from CDA, we hit town just in time to join my friend Beth, her folks and several friends for dinner.  5:30 arrival in NW for dinner at 6:00.  Had like 5 whole minutes to spare after a quick change at Starbucks.  Dinner was at the Laurelwood NW Public House; a really cool little place, I'd never been.  

- Living the "shift 8" lifestyle for 3 weeks now and loving it.  The no alarm clock-setting, 4 day weekend-ing, getting up between 9 and 11 am lifestyle.  You would think I'd have more time for blogging.  Due to a couple vacation days, I have yet to work 4 days in a row.  That'll be rough but I'll deal with it when it happens in two weeks.  Awww- I know you are playing your violin for me right now. 

- My roomate Lindsay moved in - hooray!  Fellow triathlete and Intel-ete.  Yes, our garage does look like River City bicycles, thank you for asking!  Mostly because my bikes seem to have multiplied over the last year.  But I did take my bike trainer out of the living room and we returned the furniture to normal vs. "trainer studio" arrangement, since it seems that summer has finally arrived in Portland.  That is good news.

- The ORRC 4th of July run down in Wilsonville was a wild success.  There were popsicles and water.  Good times were had by all, and my race director duty is done for another year.  Our VP of races asked me if the race is getting easier to coordinate since I've done it for 3 years now.  I said well, it's getting easier to procrastinate!  Not necessarily a good thing, but going on-shift at work afforded me time to do last minute preparations.  Plus I had veteran volunteers Susan, Fritz, Jeff, Dave G, the Bemroses and aid station-lifers Tom and Sarah, plus new help from Lindsay, Francisco and David B.  Thank you!!

- Friends Bobbi Jo and Brian got engaged over the 4th of July weekend :o)  Congrats BJK!  Guess it will be BJKJ in another year or so.

- Yesterday I competed in the Lake Stevens 70.3 (half-iron triathlon) up in Washington along with Sarah, my coach and a couple Speedshot teammates.  PRs abounded, results are here, race report is coming. 

IOU:
One 1/2-Iron race report
As mentioned in the CDA post, an IM fashion and stripper revue *I mean* "review".

I'm Expecting

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A new bike :)  Any day now!!  I'm quite sure that you are as excited as I am.

That's all for now, of course there will be a full report upon delivery.  Gotta go finish work and cramming for Chinese class.  Just wanted to pique your interest, or possibly send you into cardiac arrest.