Still ‘gutting’ it out

Kahuna has a plane load of Marines coming back from Iraq tonight (Woohoo!!)  so we decided to switch our movie night to last night (we saw Wall-e).  Because it wasn’t planned, we headed out for something ‘light’ for supper.  I ended up getting a chicken burrito, and even tho I asked for no beans, they substituted pintos for black beans.  There weren’t very many on there because I wasn’t really sure I was tasting them, but this morning, I knew for a fact that they were.  Beans K.I.L.L. me and my stomach was cramping so bad this morning that it woke me up.  I’m so sensitive to them  that I’m surprised I wasn’t hurting about a half hour after I ate them.  It’s now 3 hours after my shuffle around the neighborhood and I’m still in pain.  It made me so much slower because all I could focus on was my stomach and not my stride.  I am seriously praying that it goes away before swimming tonight. 

Kahuna lowered the nose of my seat last night so we’ll see how that works out tomorrow.  I know just a smidge can help considerably.  Of course I’ll try out the other bajillion saddles we have in the garage before spending the money on a new one, but I’m looking at the Koobi tri saddle if what we have doesn’t work.

Even though I haven’t raced my first triathlon, I’m already planning next year’s races.  I want to do the super sprint in May that I originally was supposed to do this year, but didn’t get to because of my PF (which is doing 90% better thankyouverymuch!). 

I also want to do a sprint early in the season before it gets too warm here (I was amazed at how hot it was at 8 a.m. a couple of weeks ago at Kahuna’s race, and could not imagine running on that concrete in that type of heat for an hour). 

Lastly, I am planning on doing the Subaru super sprint again next October, just so I can see how much I’ve improved my time. 

However, Darla’s comment below has made me go ‘hmmmmm’ and now I’m thinking about a relay before a full race by myself.  It would give me a chance to do a full open ocean swim without having to worry about the biking and running portion before attempting to do it all on my own.

Gutting it out

Isn’t that a lovely subject line! 

I did better in the pool last night that I ever had.  I borrowed Kahuna’s ‘finger’ lap counter and tried to go 25 yards further than I have in the past.  I figured I’d have to get back to the other end anyway, so I forced myself to finish and I managed to go 50 yards further and swam it in a shorter amount of time.  I’m still slow by pro standards, but my swimming is strictly arms only, except the breathing stroke and I’m doing better without the pull buoy than with.  Major accomplishment, for me.  I was starving and worn out when I got home.

The time in the saddle (T.I.T.S.) is getting better too.  My sitbones (butt) have accepted the saddle.  The lady parts have not.  I am going to tilt my seat for the next ride to see if that helps.  If it doesn’t I’ll be on the hunt for a split horn saddle.  I gutted it out for about a minute and a half more than last time and my goal is to just always go longer than the time before.  I know that minute and a half doesn’t sound like much, but it’s the mileage that I’m most concerned with.

I need to be able to swim .375 kilometers, bike 6.2 miles, and run 1.58 miles.  So far the only thing I ‘can’t’ do yet is the 6.2 miles on the bike, but I’m working up to it, a mile at a time.  Babysteps, right?

Oh my, I neglected my blog again

I don’t know how this has happened, and I’m sad about it.  I love blogging but for some reason I’ve stopped.  I need blogging more than it needs me because this is my diary.  I love going back and reading old posts and seeing where I was a month, a year, 2 years ago.  Of course if I were to see where I was a month ago, I’d find myself missing.  Before I try to catch up I’ll respond a bit to the comments on my last post:

Gas is still high here, like everywhere else.  I did see it get to $4.80 but fortunately I never had to pay that price.  By the time I had to fill again it had dropped back to $4.70 something.  Right now it’s hovering around $4.60.  I could say I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one suffering with the gas prices, but I love my stitching blogging friends too much to wish that on them.  Gas prices suck the big one for everyone right now.  Kahuna is talking quite a bit about trading in his BMW M3 on a car that gets better gas mileage.  He loves that car, so I know it’s something he’s given a lot of thought to if he’s really serious.  He hasn’t gotten to the test-drive stage yet and I keep reminding him that the next new car is mine.  I’m thinking me and my purse would look good driving around with a car that bears this emblem.

 

I’m still not convinced it’s time for me to return to school.  The Marine Corps has just about approved for members to transfer their education benefits to family members if they’re not going to use them.  I’m sort of holding out to see if that’s going to happen.  Of course, now that they’re throwing actual dollar amounts around Kahuna is thinking of retiring and going back to school to get the monthly allowance being offered to students.  I could smack him since for him it’s about having more money to live off of while he surfs.  For me, it’s about furthering my education (okay, being able to make more money to buy purses and shoes) but honestly I don’t want to quit my job right now to go to school full time, which is probably what I would have to do.  The curriculum is 3 years of full-time study or 4 years of evening study and I just don’t have the mental energy to put myself through full time school and full time work again. 

As to me making an excellent attorney, that’s a frightening thing (oh, and yes, J.D. is the degree of juris doctor).  I still don’t know if I have the self-confidence to stand before 13 people and convince them not to throw a client into jail for the rest of his/her life for whatever they’ve been accused of doing.  I do know there are areas where that would not be an issue, but remember….I like the criminals.  Of course, I also like personal injury and if I were to go that route, it would probably be products liability, instead of slip and fall/auto accident injuries.

I do want to do something though, so I’m thinking of taking spanish lessons.  Far cry from what’s discussed above, but it is learning.

So to the present. 

I’m in full-on training mode for October’s super-sprint.  Last week Kahuna and I started our ‘every day swimming’ schedule, knowing that we actually wouldn’t get to swim every day.  It’s a mindset for me though and as far as I know there’s no reason to miss a night this week.  I’m trying for 5 days a week in the water.  Every morning finds me dragging my pooped out behind out of bed to either run or ride before work.  I’m trying to decrease my run time each effort, and increase the amount of time I’m on the bike.  My butt still doesn’t like that seat; however, I’ve learned that if I just stay on it long enough the blood circulation will finally be cut off and I’ll go numb.  :lol:   I’m back religiously on my WW plan and that and the training is paying off.  I lost another 1.6 pounds this week.   I bought Oahu Revisited for my upcoming trip to Hawaii (the afternoon after the tri ) and have been fantasizing about laying on the beach reading romance novels, while drinking something with an umbrella in it!

I stopped eating beef and drinking alcohol on my birthday (June 30).  So far I’ve had beef once and no alcohol.  I’m tempted quite frequently by both, but I’d like to see if I can just do without either as much as possible until the end of the year…or at least the triathlon considering that comment about about the umbrella drinks!

We finished one of our trials and are waiting on the sentencing portion - another trial was continued until next month - and we took on the sentencing portion for a new client, which happens tomorrow.  I’ve been on-call every night for Federal jury duty, which lasts a month.  It’s rather aggravating since I can’t make any plans.  I have some routine medical stuff I need to get done and I’m having to put it off since I can’t make an appointment I don’t know I’ll get to keep.

Last week Kahuna competed in another triathlon and I volunteered to work body marking and transition.  It was a fun race, but man was it hot!  This weekend has us at an outdoor jazz concert down on the beach and the weather is dreary right now and I’m hoping it’ll stay overcast so we don’t have to deal with the sun.  Next week Kahuna is competing in another triathlon, but I’m just going to watch.  This is the same triathlon I went to last year (my first) that got my interest peaked.  Kahuna was suffering from a leg injury and didn’t do all that great, but this year he’s in excellent shape and I cannot wait to see how much time he shaves off of last year’s results.

Wednesday night is movie night for us (the only day of the week for no swimming) and we’re catching up on new releases.  We normally see a movie about 2 weeks after it’s released so we don’t have to deal with the crowds.  That last few movies we’ve seen are Love Guru, Wanted, and Get Smart and I think this week will have us seeing either Wall-e or Journey to the Center of the Earth.  I’m looking forward to Dark Knight, The Mummy, Hancock and X-Files.

And you notice there’s no mention of stitching?  I’m hoping to remedy that today.  Maybe.  If the groceries get bought and the laundry gets started…which means I need to get off this computer.

I can’t promise to blog more frequently, but I hope it’s not 6 weeks until my next post.

Timing is, sometimes, everything!

A little bit ago I was complaining about spending $4.15 for gas. Today, I paid $4.51. I can’t help but think how fortunate I am to have found a job so close to home. I was filling my car every 4 days, but now I can go almost 2 weeks. The downside to that, I guess, is that right now gas prices are jumping between fills for me, instead of seeming to creep up like they felt they were doing when I was filling more often.

We’re in trial mode right now.  I spend most of my day tweaking over and over briefs and talking to witnesses.  I’m crazy busy and am having a blast.  I keep catching myself thinking how I can’t believe I’m finally back to doing this again, and finally getting my money’s worth from all the headaches of college homework.  I love trial work and always wanted to be more involved and now I’m finally doing it.  And there’s that tiny voice in the back of my head asking me if I’m ready to go further in the education and get a J.D.  I tamp it down, but it’s always there waiting on me to be tired enough to escape the barrier.

Have you helped a neighbor lately?

Remember me?

Wow, a whole month since my last post.  Very few things from the past month stick out in my mind.  There’s been a triathlon that Kahuna competed in and I volunteered for.  I’ve had my car detailed again (see, exciting stuff!).  There’s been a bit of training going on.  A tiny bit of weight loss.  The puppies are still their same precious selves.  I’ve spent some money on my October trip to Hawaii.  I’ve also paid $4.15gal. for gas!  I’m still loving my job (I wish I could tell you about some of the characters I deal with!!!).  I guess my main excuse for not posting is that I spend so much time on the computer at work, that I really don’t feel like sitting down in front of it when I’m home.   I’m super-behind on reading my email and bloglines and am taking this 3-day weekend to catch up.

I love weekends like the one I just had!

Nothing special happened, it just was.

Kahuna was supposed to compete in a duathlon on Saturday morning but changed his mind on Friday (His quads are still tight from playing soccer and rocking his 3 mile PFT [19:46]) so this left all day Saturday to do what ever.  And guess what we did!!!! Nothing!  Woohoo!  Okay I did some laundry and he finished building my bike, but we never left the house and it was fantastic.

Today I grocery shopped then we went to get my car detailed, made a return at WalMart (and proceeded to spend $50 on very important “stuff), made an Ulta stop (that place is dangerous to my checking account) and to the bike shop where we bought handlebar tape and I found the perfect helmet to match my bike and tri-”uniform.”  I’m going to be one color coordinated “triathlete” when I come across that finish line.  I even have matching sunglasses that Kahuna bought me this past Christmas, in pink of course! 

I have a chicken baking in the oven and am waiting on Kahuna to finishing putting on the tape so I can show you my new toy.  I have no idea if I’m going to name it.  Guess I’ll see how it makes me feel riding.  One thing you will notice is that I’m not using clip in pedals just yet.  I need to get used to riding it and then I’ll switch over.

Tada!

Up close and personal - but not so focused.

 Tomorrow is my first day at work by myself.  “A” is having surgery tomorrow morning and will be out from between 6 weeks and 6 months depending on what the surgeons find when they “get in there.”  She has been very patient training me and I’m nervous about being on my own, but also looking forward to it.  I have been feeling very satisfied in my work since I started.  It’s so nice to be putting to use what I’ve learned.  I have no time for the computer, barely time to go to the bathroom, and so far I’m loving every minute of it.  Here’s hoping it continues that way.

And every time the camera comes out, so do the hams

Did somebody say cookie?

Ketchup!

So it’s been so long since I blogged - 12 days - that the “new post” section looks completely new! 

Since my last post the information overload continues, but it is slacking off.  A couple of new cases have come in and starting from the beginning is a heck of a lot easier to understand than jumping into the middle and not knowing much of the history behind the case.  This is my last week of training, though, since A will be going out for surgery and not returning until sometime in the beginning part of June.  I’ve been out walking a couple of times during lunch, and am getting to know what’s in the area.  I’ve got to stay away from the food places though, since there’s a little bit of everything tempting available.

I participated in the 5K a week ago (that I mentioned in my last post), and it kicked my butt.  The temperature was 15 degrees warmer than what I was used to, I had not been on anything but a treadmill (just following Dr.’s orders), and I probably really had no business out there in the first place, but I’m stubborn.  I did finish.  It wasn’t pretty - I walked the whole thing.  I was in pain for 3 days afterward, but not my heel!  Since my heel didn’t bother me, I’m back out to training on the road this week.  I’m thinking of signing up for a duathlon that is (I think) in mid-June.  Gotta run, twice…gotta bike!

Speaking of ‘gotta bike.’  Kahuna finally got all the parts in for my bike.  It needs the peddles attached, and handlebar tape and air in the tires, and I’m set to go.

Still no stitching to report.  I was planning on doing some tonight, but Kahuna waited until this past weekend to finish our taxes (since we have to pay Federal) and procrastination of something this big freaks me out and I can’t sit and stitch when my mindset is like it is tonight.  The frogs would have a field day.

Thank you for your condolences to Kahuna about his Marine friend - I shared them with him.  The memorial service was this past week and it was sort of an eye opener for him.  It was almost like he just realized how bad things are for those of us who stay behind while they’re over there.  The Marine was actually buried Saturday, week ago, but his wife came back here for the memorial service.  Kahuna made mention of the other wives who were there, and how stoic their faces were.  I reminded him that they were trying to be brave for her and were trying not to show how thankful they were that the memorial service wasn’t for their husbands.  He did have a moment that pissed him off, and that was when someone was extolling the virtues of this fine Marine…he said he could imagine her wanting to scream how unimportant all the words were, and I told him he had no idea. 

One thing this has allowed between the two of us is to talk to him how I feel about his wanting to return.  I reminded him that this Marine was moved to a unit that he wanted to be a part of.  He was given a job he didn’t particularly want, and then was told he was to remain behind to be in charge while everyone else went off to “war.”  He wasn’t happy about that so volunteered to go and train the border guards of Afghanistan/Iraq, and was killed 3 days before his unit (who was in the Horn of Africa) returned to the US.    So now Kahuna’s at a new unit that he wanted to be part of and they deployed to Iraq almost immediately after he attached himself.  He was told he was remaining behind and is currently the acting Sergeant Major of his unit.  He’s not completely happy about this and had mentioned not too long after the deployment took place that he could always volunteer to go and train the border guards if they didn’t let him deploy with the second waive.  Did he see where I was headed with this?  I told him I would be very angry with him for a very long time if he went off like that and got himself killed.  I also asked him if he thought that was fair to me, considering he was supposed to have retired this year, on 9/11

So here I am blogging again after almost 2 weeks and leaving this post on a downer too.  Sorry

Mental overload

Started the new job yesterday.  So far the pros are J.E.A.N.S.!, great free parking, 10 minute drive, like everyone (including boss’ wife), staying busy, jumped straight into the fray by firing off some letters re evidence.  Cons, no direct deposit of pay, staying busy, feel so lost, information overload!

I registered for my first tri - a Subaru race in October.  Bike still not built since Kahuna can’t find some of the parts he put aside, so new ones are being ordered.  I haven’t had the energy to take a picture of what has been put together, but I will remedy that shortly.  I promise.  Heel doing so-so and am hopeful of participating in 5K this coming weekend, even if I have to walk the whole thing.

No stitching to report.  I was supposed to work on Hannah Beeby and Ann Holewll, but no energy left to spare during March.  I’m getting my act together this week with the new work routine and will deal with stitching best I can when I can think in the evenings.  I have an hour and 15 minutes for lunch everyday where the office is completely locked up and phones turned down.  I read and caught up on my email today.  I’m trying to figure out a routine.  I want to walk 3x a week, plus there’s a Farmer’s Market 2 blocks away that I’d like to browse.  I also have several books that have been waiting so I may just read at lunch and stitch in the evenings.  I know the mental overload I’m feeling right now will dissipate as time goes on; however, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed since I have until the 17th to find my niche since Paralegal is going out on extended leave of absence for surgery.

And while I hate to end this post on a downer, Kahuna lost a friend in Iraq on Sunday.  Please keep that Marine’s wife and 3 young children in your prayers, and Kahuna in your thoughts as he deals with this.

And then it was over

I’m super sunburned from working yesterday’s California Ironman, my heel is killing me, and I’ve never been more motivated after watching people from all walks of life, in all shapes and forms, compete in that race.  Kahuna rocked his 1.2 mile swim (41:58), his quads were aching after 56 miles on the bike (3:16:28) and by the time he had 4 miles left on his 13.1 mile run (2:02:21), he was hurting, but he’s the proud owner of a finisher medal, hat, and tShirt.  He finished 12 minutes slower (6:12:55) that what he was hoping, losing 12 minutes combined times in the transition.  He move up in his rankings with each event and has already said he knows he can finish at 5 1/2 hrs next time.  The slate is now clean and it’s time to start training for the next event.

I was so lucky in my “jobs” yesterday.  I worked what is commonly known as the “Hot Corner” where every athlete cycles and runs into and out of and was standing directly across from the swim start so knew exactly when Kahuna’s wave started.  I got to see him head out on the bike and both loops of his run.  I was also at the finish line when they shouted out his name and got a sweaty hug after the medal, tShirt and hat gauntlet.

 It was so cool standing there watching Andi Potts and Craig Alexander come cycling and running by and I even recognized Miranda Carfrae, Michellie Jones, and Samantha McGlone by their faces (2nd, 4th, and 5th respectively).  They were some very determined looking ladies.   Andi Potts beat Craig Alexander by 3 seconds and the crowds were deafening as they ran toward the finish line.  There were some gorgeous bikes to drool over and it was one huge party from beginning to end.

As mentioned earlier I’m sunburned.  The day started out chilly and overcast and the sun waited until almost the end to completely come through.  It was a perfect day for a race.  Today the wind is up and cold.  Perfect timing.

I met some wonderful women while working registration on Thursday evening and all day Friday.  I have a new cycling training partner just about lined up, and got myself talked into registering for the Women’s Subaru event in October.  My bike frame arrived while I was working on Friday and Kahuna couldn’t wait to call and tell me he was jealous and was thinking of keeping it for himself.  It is a beautiful brushed-aluminum finish and will be so sexy looking with black tape and tires.  He even started building it on Friday while I was working on Friday.

After standing all day yesterday, I’m really doubting my heel is ready for next week’s race, but I want to do it soooo badly.