Internet Foils Bulglary
Topic: web stuff
Well, looks like the web is good for something after all! Takes neighborhood watch to a whole new level! 

South Shore Tri
Topic: Active

Just did my first race for the year, South Shore Tri, put on by Tri Masters. Tri-Masters is a not-for-profit organization that empowers at-risk children via triathlon in order to teach life lessons. As our youth athletes learn to swim, bike and run, they gain skills in goal-setting, conflict resolution, respect, responsibility, self-discipline and perseverance.

It was pretty nice, good race to get back into it. I swear though, that run was not 1.5 miles... It was probably more like 2.5/3 miles. We'll see how I did. For an enaugural race, they did a fab job:

• There were lots of people on the course helping out
• They had great sponsors.
• It's for a great cause
• The swim was shallow enough to walk
• It wasn't overcroweded
• Parking was right there (if you came early) - there seemed to be enough for everyone within a 2 block walk of the check in and transition area
• They had a nice stretch and warm up session - thanks Bally's Total Fitness!
• The road portion of the bike race was perfect!
• Some of the race was in the shade! I didn't get too hot because it was a cool day, by the lake, and partially in the shade.
• The food was good after the race
• Really the people who put this on are the best part. All the volunteers were so great and made this a fabulous experience.

 Here's what I'd change/what to be aware of:

• I hope next year, when you pick up your goodie bag, there is a course map in it. If I didn't know Chicago so well, I'd be lost. The location doesn't map well on any mapping service I tried last night. Also, you have no idea where the run/bike will be, which is not good for safety - it's good to memorize the streets/map so that you know more about when you are expected to turn, etc.
• Water prior to the swim start. It's hot out, they should have some water at the water start/there was no water available pre-race. First water on course was at the run. Now, it's too short to get dehyderated if you a. brought water or b. are fast, but if you didn't know to bring water and were slow, there could be issues. At the race talk, there is a warm-up sponsored by Bally's Total Fitness.
• Tell people that you are going to need to keep your cap with you/have that color for the race. I brought my silver cap with me because I didn't know. Had to run in and get the TYR (Thanks TYR for sponsoring another great event!!!, I just bought your new cap and it fits all my hair and doesn't slip or stick!) white one because just found out they weren't just give-aways at the race talk.
• A portion of the race takes place on sidewalk and lakefront. This area is not clear of people.  There was a close call with a recereational biker in my way going the "wrong way" on the course. AAAAA, and lots of sharp turns where you had to watch for pedestrians. So you can't go full out fast. But it's a great fun race.

catch-up

well, let's see...

 What has happened in the last few months/what's going on:

-got married 7/3

-got promoted 7/24

map of where I've been...
Topic: web stuff

create your personalized map of europe or check out our Barcelona travel guide

Molly
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Day to Day

 

-molly is sick in the EAR for the 4th night in a row, might not make it to next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

has it really been that long?
I am sorry dear readers, but I've been very bad at keeping up with this site. The reason is?

I am working insano hours and remodeling the house, and am getting married in now... 28 days. Therefore, all my excess energy (what energy?) is being used elsewhere.

But, please I do recommend highly, http://www.bensaunders.com, Ben Saunders is currently completing a great training expedition on an iceberg in Greenland. Quite entertaining/educational/inspirational, and much more regular and interesting then this pathetic blog over here.

laters!

I got to Tri harder
Topic: On the way to Triathlon
Not true to form of this "no fear here" blog, I am indeed afraid. A friend wants me to sign up for the international distance triathlon. I am having some trouble doing it. I am afraid.

I don't do the whole open water swim very well. I have endurance. I just mentally lose it when it comes to the open water. Apparently I do have a fear, and it's completely irrational. When I am in the pool, I know in my head that I can not drown, so long as I'm conscious. I can always just lay there and not move. I have a lot of fun in the water. I learned the "dolphin" over the fall months, and really enjoy swimming. I've got the endurance to roll out of bed and jump into the water and swim 3 miles or maybe more... I just can't do the open water deal. And in the races, people climb over you, splash you when you are taking a breath, and bump you accidentally, and may injure you. What then? Some races, not this one in particular, have few lifeguards, so there is a reasonable lack of full safety. But not in this race. There are a ton of people to help me out. Why is it that just typing about it makes my stomach turn? Why is it that I can't handle just doing it? I'll probably do it, but I make myself sick just thinking about it. I guess a lot of open water swims all summer might help cure some of it. I also guess that I am mostly afraid of losing my access to surface and air, and they allow... A snorkel. Come on, how can I be afraid of that? I am also embarrassed to try and swim with a snorkel, no one does that. It's allowed, but no one does it, no one seems to need it. Except for me. I am also afraid because I can't see without my contacts. When I'm swimming, if I lose my mask and my contacts come off, then I'm screwed. that's one thing that drives me nuts. If my mask comes off in the pool, I practically half drown myself every time! I need to overcome this fear. Fast.

The good news is that though my knee still hurts and is still swollen, a month later, I am back to running, and boy did I lose my endurance in that in 3 months. But not to worry, I know what to do and how to catch up.

just my luck

guess where I had to go right when this whole thing just got started? Right next door!!!! Me and my luck.

Confessions of the Obsessive Compulsive Anal Retentive...
Topic: on the way to... marriage
Now I know that being obsessive compulsive is a condition that has specific characteristics, and I do not have those. But if there was a contest to see how close anyone could come to being obsessive compulsive without having the actual disorder... I think I might win. This is further underlined by what I am about to share, which I am disturbingly proud of, enough to put it out there. This is what having 101 degree fever for 8 days in a row does to a person who is normally out and about doing something all the time.

A certain someone has been using our laundry room for a giant toolbox. I brought order to the disorder, and now, for lack of other achievements outside of my job, I will be sharing them for your viewing pleasure.

Yup (the missing label was replaced after the picture was taken).

MJD's dad

Just got an email from MD... He just let me know his father passed away 6 weeks ago. What the heck? When it rains, it pours. MD only has like 2 friends cuz he's kind of a jerk on the surface and hard to get to know, so I think he told me because he considers me a close friend. He also just found out that I'm getting married, and congratulated me too. He really wrote to congratulate, but the father thing was a btw. Funny how people work. :(