One Word

Posted on April 11, 2007 by 21cm

I have but one word to say about deep tissue massage.

OW!

Actually I have more words. Like “Ow! That hurts” and “mmmmmmmmmmmm…………….that one is kind of painful!” and some other words that only rattled around in my head and did not come out of my mouth.

I went to get brutalized massaged, twice today. The first time was for an evaluation but he just couldn’t hold back. He found a bone in my foot that was slightly twisted and stuck so he needed to get that fixed and then he broke up some adhesions and pounded on some mineral deposits behind my knee.

Who was I to complain – his goal is to get me to Wildflower because he’s a Wildflower guy himself. He’s doing the Long Course. He was impressed that I was taking on Wildflower as my first ever Oly. I try not to think about it.

Anyhow, he decided I needed to go back for more with the massage therapist and since he was a cute guy I agreed. I had to overlook his crocs but once I did that I was good to go.

I actually got to go in one of those ‘ding dong’ rooms where they have the gentle drum music playing and it is so pleasant. But where was the soft bathrobe and the scented oil and the fresh sheets and the getting naked part? Nowhere – it wasn’t there. It was just me in my clothes and a cute guy who hurt me a lot. He was cute but he wasn’t gentle. He had a job to do and psuedo seduction was not on the menu. Story of my life.

The official word is that I’m okay to ride my bike, I might be okay to run this Sunday. And Wildflower – here I come.

Posted in training | 15 Comments

PSA – Don’t give up your URL

Posted on April 10, 2007 by 21cm

A couple of bloggers have left the ‘hood lately and abandon their blogs. Bob of Haiku Thursday (Ourmarathonblog a.k.a Running Destination) is an example. He must have deleted his blog or something. The URL he left behind has been hijacked by a spammer (something about drugs from Canada).

I don’t know what the alternative is if you decide that blogging is taking over your life and you need out but don’t just abandon. The spammers thrive on that. I don’t know how they do it but they do and who wants to be part of that road to hell? Not me!

Speaking of me – I tried running again last night and it did not go well. The hammy cried ‘NO!” in no uncertain (and very painful) terms. I iced. I elevated. I went swimming today but mostly pulled. I have an appointment at a sports clinic tomorrow where they will probably tell me I need a deep tissue massage or 5. Anyone have any opinions about the benefits of deep tissue massage? I’m all ears. I’m also sort of skeptical.

Here’s why. If you have some sort of tear, what good can massage do? I can see massage making a huge difference if your muscles are in a state of tetnus or rigor or something but if you are torn or internally bruised wouldn’t the massage make it worse. My real issue is that the receptionist was trying to book the massage before I even had a consult. That strikes me as daft. Does the mechanic schedule you for a new head gasket before he’s looked at your car? No.

Anyhow- if you know something about deep tissue massage please tell me about it.
TIA!

Posted in PSA, training | Comments Off on PSA – Don’t give up your URL

PSA – Don’t give up your URL

Posted on April 10, 2007 by 21cm

A couple of bloggers have left the ‘hood lately and abandon their blogs. Bob of Haiku Thursday (Ourmarathonblog a.k.a Running Destination) is an example. He must have deleted his blog or something. The URL he left behind has been hijacked by a spammer (something about drugs from Canada).

I don’t know what the alternative is if you decide that blogging is taking over your life and you need out but don’t just abandon. The spammers thrive on that. I don’t know how they do it but they do and who wants to be part of that road to hell? Not me!

Speaking of me – I tried running again last night and it did not go well. The hammy cried ‘NO!” in no uncertain (and very painful) terms. I iced. I elevated. I went swimming today but mostly pulled. I have an appointment at a sports clinic tomorrow where they will probably tell me I need a deep tissue massage or 5. Anyone have any opinions about the benefits of deep tissue massage? I’m all ears. I’m also sort of skeptical.

Here’s why. If you have some sort of tear, what good can massage do? I can see massage making a huge difference if your muscles are in a state of tetnus or rigor or something but if you are torn or internally bruised wouldn’t the massage make it worse. My real issue is that the receptionist was trying to book the massage before I even had a consult. That strikes me as daft. Does the mechanic schedule you for a new head gasket before he’s looked at your car? No.

Anyhow- if you know something about deep tissue massage please tell me about it.
TIA!

Posted in PSA, training | 15 Comments

The Reluctant Triathlete

Posted on April 9, 2007 by 21cm

I’m trying to be a triathlete – I really am. I have an event scheduled and it is coming up soon – very soon. Wildflower Olympic distance on May 6. My enthusiasm for this event waxes and wanes hourly. I get excited about going mostly because I get to meet a whole bunch of great bloggers – Carrie, and Tri-Mama and Taconite Boy, the whole RaceAthlete Team , FeLady, and I get to see Jeff again and probably meet SHSMH (at least I hope so) and a bunch of other people I neglected to list. (Apologies in advance if you are one of them. Give a shout out in the comments!) I don’t get excited about doing the event, though. In fact I’m sort of dreading it.

I have not trained for this the way I had intended to. I bought a training book. I was fired up. I had plans! I didn’t follow them – not at all. Part of it was the wedding which took up most of 2 weekends although I did get 1 bike ride and a couple of swims in. I could have done more, though – I really could have and that was only 9 days out of the last 4 months. Mostly it was me just blowing off one workout after another. Especially the running. I’ve logged a grand total of 71 miles this entire year – ugh.

So what’s the problem? Why the reluctance? Wherefore went my zeal and enthusiasm and why, oh why have I replaced it with the dread of humiliating myself on the course and finishing in far more time that I should? Why the self loathing and self flagellation?

I don’t’ know. I really don’t know. Maybe, as Bold has pointed out, I’ve lost my reasons. I had them once. I even wrote about it last November and it seemed so clear. So why do I feel like I’m forcing myself through this?

There are no answers; there are only solutions –

Continue reading →

Posted in motivation, training, triathlon, Wildflower | 9 Comments

Video Mashup du Jour

Posted on April 7, 2007 by 21cm

I have a role over at CRN to provide the Saturday inspirational video. It’s a fun job because it gives me a reason to wander the internets in search of fun and/or inspiring video that pertains to training. Sometimes I bump into something else, though and today was one of those days. I give you this (word up, Roman – video mashups are fun, too!):

Speaking of CRN, I need you to do me a little favor. If you are subscribed to this blog I need you to dump the feed you are using and use my Feedburner feed instead. You can do it by clicking on the link at the top of the upper right side bar. I’m not sure how all of this works but that’s what I’ve been told. One of the things Feedburner provides are lists of posts sort of like the lists of blogs you get with Bloglines. To see my last 5 posts at CRN just look toward the bottom of my sidebar on the left. If I were more ambitious I could figure out how to put those titles in a scrolling and well decorated square thing but I spend too much time at my computer as it is so you just get the static content.

In trainnig news – I swam AND ran yesterday (booyah!) and today I went to go on a 25 mile ride and just didn’t. I only went 12. I wanted 25 miles in 90 minutes and I got 12 in 60. Not the plan. Not the plan AT ALL! I will not be discouraged, I will just keep on keepin’ on. Yeah – that’s it.

Posted in Fun in a tub, training | 4 Comments

Hump Day Miscellany – the Post Wedding Version

Posted on April 4, 2007 by 21cm

Looks like I have some questions to answer: (updates!)

1). There was no bias! Really – read the comments again and find the one from my sister. oops- that wasn’t a question.

2). The gent in the background at the shower is the husband of the hostess. He and his son did a wonderful job serving tea and pouring champagne. He was the perfect butler!

3).. Line dancing? Oh no, Momo! I am suffering a Brick House injury, Brick House being the world’s very best dance song evah!

4). I don’t believe there are any incriminating videos of me dancing like a crazy woman but I’m guessing there are more pictures. If any show up I’ll share.

5). UPDATE – I forgot the poem. Momo asked about it. You can read it here. Perpare to get a little verklempt.

My hammy is recovering and I got a great workout this evening with the one, the only Amazing Hip! I am in his ‘hood so I met up with him at a beautiful track where he was hoofing it at a 6 min/mile pace. I got on the track and was running at about 10:30 pace and when he passed me I asked him how many more repeats he had. I waited for him to finish and then we chatted for a minute and we ran his cool down together which for me ended up being a smokin’ pace. My splits were:

Lap 1 – .58 miles 9:20/ mile (I swear while I was running it said 10:39)
Lap 2 – 1 mile – 9:07
Lap 3 – 1 mile – 9:23
Lap 4 – .42 miles – 9:31

I am feeling GOOD! Thanks Jeff – you are the BEST! I couldn’t have done it without you. You really are the Amazing Hip.

UPDATE – that is PR! I have never run 3 milles that fast in my life. I can hardly wait for my next 5K so I can PR officially. Jeff, you are my new best friend.

Posted in Hump Day | 7 Comments

Injured in the Line of Duty

Posted on April 3, 2007 by 21cm

Does dancing like a fool count as the line of duty? If it does then the title stands.

In the wee hours of Sunday morning I woke up, or thought I woke up, from a deep, champagne drenched sleep because I had a horrible cramp in my hamstring. I wasn’t sure I wasn’t dreaming because who in the world gets a cramp in her hamstring? I got out of bed and walked on it and tried to stretch – at least I thought I did. Then I went back to sleep.

When I woke up for real Sunday morning I just wasn’t sure if it had happened or not and my leg felt okay. Maybe a little sore but I couldn’t really tell. Monday I went running and it was fine but maybe my left hammy was a little tight? Still wasn’t sure. Today I swam. My hammy is definitely sore and tight and I do believe I suffered a dancing fool sort of injury. Nothing too drastic, though. And really, it was totally worth it.

In other news… like mother like daughter

Continue reading →

Posted in training | 7 Comments

Oh What A Day!

Posted on April 1, 2007 by 21cm

I should revise that – oh what a weekend. It started Friday afternoon with an invasion force raiding the local nail shop for manicures and pedicrues and continued that night with a group of about 30 people at my house for tamales and Margaritas. We polished off a handle of Tequila and a case of Corona in no time flat! Saturday morning the same group assembled for Wedding Morning Mimosas and then the day was off. We had little errands to run, hair appointments in the afternoon and then it was time to get dressed for the big event. I was fine until about 30 minutes before I got in the car to head up to the room. And then I was a wreck. I forgot my bracelet. I forgot to put the chip in my camera which was then rendered useless. I didn’t fully charge the battery for the video camera and then forgot to take the AC adaptor with me.

When we got up to the room it finally hit me – I was the Mother of the Bride! I almost started crying right then and there but held off until the bride arrived.

It was a gorgeous evening in a beautiful setting

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

When the Bride arrived I I gave her hug and then looked at her adoringly while she almost cried.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

She drank champagne and laughed with the groom.
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The wedding ceremony was really amazing and magical. It was the most heartfelt, authentic, romantic wedding on record. The officiant has been the Bride’s best friend since they were in high school and the words she wrote and then read to the attendees made everyone cry and laugh and rejoice. The couple wrote their own vows which were a perfect expression of their feelings, their love for each other, and their vision of their shared future. There were a couple other readings and some more words and then the Mother of the Bride completely broke down and cried like a baby.

After that there was only 1 thing left to do – toast the couple and dance.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Or, in some cases, dance like a fool

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Everyone was touched and everyone had a great time. It really was the most fantastic wedding I have ever been to. I feel honored to have been a part of it. I could NOT have done it without a considerable amount of help from my sister. Thank you so much!!

These picutres represent but a mere fraction of the total. I’ll have to figure out some sort of slide show when we get the digital images from the professional photographer.

Posted in True Love | 24 Comments

Hump Day Miscellany – the Pre-Wedding Version

Posted on March 28, 2007 by 21cm

HA! There will be no lists! We have delivered everything to the caterer, I have a Dark and Stormy in my hand and I am off to celebrate the joy and happiness of my first born and her true love.

Stay tuned for pics early next week!

Posted in True Love | 7 Comments

Nobody Chose Me

Posted on March 26, 2007 by 21cm

The airwaves have been rife with the notion that Triathlon chooses us – that we resonate so completely with the sport that it feels like a calling, a destiny. Well I’m here today to tell that I’m like the last kid standing in the ‘unchosen’ line in P.E. class. The one nobody wants on her team but who plays anyhow for whatever reason.

To give credit where credit is due I first read this ‘chosen’ notion on Stronger’s blog where she was referring to what Kahuna said. When I couldn’t remember where I first read that notion I did a search and found a similar post by Daniel Clout on Beginnertriathlete.

I’m glad other people feel chosen. They probably feel competent, too. Not me. I’m a great example of how you really can cram a square peg into a round hole. Of course if the diameter of the hole is bigger than the diagonal distance across the square it’s no contest but I’m not very big. And I’m not very strong. And I’m not much of an athlete. I’m tenacious and I persevere but it is definitely a brute force effort and I don’t love it. I love me a little bit for doing it but I don’t love the sport.

This weekend was a painful reminder of why that is. Saturday I had 22 million things to do so instead of going out riding with my friends I just went for a short ride locally. I went to the road with the hill that tried so hard to kick my a$$ a few weeks ago. It kind of kicked my patoot again but having just climbed the Berkeley hills I knew I could do it so I did. When I got to the top of the hills I could only marvel at my prior accomplishments. What happened to the Queen of the hills? She abandoned me and left me yearning for a leg transplant.

My run yesterday was also a total bust. Of course my Garmin has started lying through it’s non-existent teeth about my pace and that just really gets me down but still – I felt heavy and slow. I did take the opportunity to run up a big old nasty hill because Wildflower is pretty much all about tackling hills but my pace overall stunk. It’s the first time I’ve run 11+ minute miles in a long time. No joy there.

I will not be denied, though. I will not lose confidence. I will love myself no less. I’m eternally grateful to every single couch potato in the world because next to you I look like an athletic Goddess but I’m no goddess. I’m not even very good. All I can do is set my goals, train and try to make them and when it doesn’t work out just move on to the next thing. I’m really glad I do it, too because I’m in the best shape of my life and because I meet great people both in real life and on the internet and I will soon meet a bunch of internet peeps face to face – good times!

Triathlon, you may be a reluctant date but I’m not letting you go just yet. I will keep coaxing you and whispering sweet nothings into your 3 ears, ignoring your scorn of me because I’m sure that if I do this long enough we’ll find mutual love. Please stop being so recalcitrant and tell me you have feelings for me, too.

Posted in training, True Love | 10 Comments