Racing for my Grandma Lila

Still 'recovering'...

2006-05-25T15:24:00.000-04:00

After fully recovering (a.k.a. not exercising and flitting around the world) for the past four weeks, I'm sifting through the mostly blurry photos my dad took in Florida. I cannot emphasize enough that no one...I do mean NO ONE...looks great while they're doing a triathlon. So if getting sweaty isn't your thing, stick to the Perrier and pilates. Otherwise, join the fun!

Direct to mail...

2006-05-04T16:56:00.000-04:00

Throughout my triathlon and fundraising, I've reserved most of my personal story about my grandma to this blog. But it seems the people who've been following my journey passed it along to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Just before I left for Florida, a woman in advertising at the society sent me an e-mail. It seems my story is coming direct to your mailbox!
So watch for the mailman in coming months. You never know when I might pop up in a brochure for Team in Training!

Yikes!

2006-05-04T11:56:00.000-04:00

Multiple myeloma is not a forgiving cancer.
My grandma just was released from the hospital after her potassium dipped to dangerously low levels a few days ago. But she sounds better. A bit shaken up, but back on the farm ready to eat something better than the "cardboard cutouts" they feed her in the hospital.

Nearly cancelled!

2006-05-03T18:17:00.000-04:00

The rumors were true about the waves in Tampa Bay. Up to four-feet swells nearly killed one woman. And in retrospect, officials said the race should have been cancelled.
But we swam anyways, and lived to tell about it.

After the race, there's an AFTER PARTY!

2006-05-01T23:00:00.000-04:00

Let it be known, I was well-deserving of the alcoholic beverages I consumed on top of the pier. Without them, I may never have been able to dance for four hours to a bizarre, but entertaining, deejay. And hell, I finished with a time of 3 hours and 5 minutes; second female finisher in the National Capital Area TNT bunch! All those Coronas were my little reward. And as you can see from these pictures, my teammates rewarded themselves in much the same way.
This morning...I realized my aching body is probably more a result of the dancing than the triathlon. But I don't care. I had a blast shakin' my ass!

Racing to the finish...

2006-05-01T22:47:00.000-04:00

Once I ditched all the cumbersome equipment from the bike ride, I was ready to roll. Like everyone who hops off a long bike ride, by legs took a few minutes to adjust to the run. So the first mile was probably 10 minute pace. But after that, I set into cruise mode.
No one passed me the whole run. And with about a half mile to go, I forced my fatigued legs to pick it up for a strong finish. The whole run took me around 50 minutes. Not quite the pace I did in college. But pretty good, no less.

Off to battle the wind...

2006-05-01T22:38:00.000-04:00

Yes...I am tired. The swim cap came off and I was about to stagger into the transition area to strap on my helmet and camelback. The winds were halting on stretches of the flat 25-mile course. But after about an hour and 30 minutes of people pedalling past me, I was ready to ditch the bike. It was time for my specialty: running.

Three foot waves...

2006-05-01T22:34:00.000-04:00

It's true. Tampa Bay was not a pretty site at 9 a.m. Rumor has it the race officials nearly called off the swim. And more than 100 of the 4,000 triathletes were pulled from the water.
But how did I do? Very well, thank you! In roughly 33 minutes I zig zagged my way around bright orange bouys.

13 hours 'til start!

2006-04-29T20:05:00.000-04:00

Tampa Bay was brutal today. The wind and waves were so bad I couldn't see the buoys 100 meters away. But my bike is on the rack, and I've filled my stomach with pasta. So in 13 hours, the horn will blow and I will run into the water!
Since I've been in St. Pete, herded from event to event, I've developed a stellar sunburn across my back. Racer back-stripes and all. The race check-in even doled out a cold Michelob beer to all participants.
The highlight, though, will be tomorrow night. Yes, that's correct. AFTER the race. I'll be lured to the finish line by anticipation for a night at Cha Cha Coconuts.
Seriously, though. Shots of vodka are not my motivation for finishing. My grandma is. And yesterday I talked with her on the phone.
After five rounds of chemo and a stem cell transplant, she's doing well. At least as well as one can be after enduring far more than I will tomorrow. In fact she said she's feeling the best she's felt since her extended stay in St. Louis. I told her it must be because I'm in Florida. She agreed.
But the real reason she's feeling better isn't me. It's her. She's the toughest, most determined woman I've ever known. So tomorrow, when I'm pummeled with exhaustion, I'll think of her and push through the discomfort. Tomorrow is for my grandma.

To the airport...

2006-04-28T06:21:00.000-04:00

My eyes are only half open as I write. My little alarm is beeping again. I'd much rather sleep. But some genius at United made the best-priced airfare to St. Pete leave at 9 a.m.
But I'm packed....I hope. And ready to jet. [Yawn]
More later when I can actually see the computer screen.

Stay hydrated...

2006-04-24T11:05:00.003-04:00

About five years ago, I made the mistake of not drinking enough fluids before racing around Scottsdale, Ariz., in 110 degree dry heat. After a 5km struggle, I collapsed at the finish line suffering from heat exhaustation. I was rather hysterical. Had a splitting headache. Couldn't see clearly. It was awful.
St. Petersburg, Fla., is not 110, but 85 is still jarring when coupled with humidity. So all week I'm on a strict fluid intake regimen. This means lots of water. LOTS of water. I will be striding through the finish line...not falling across it.
Five days!

Don't I look ready!?

2006-04-23T22:59:00.000-04:00

I hope so. After six months of training, I better be.
One of my Team in Training teammates posted a batch of photos of us all running around Rock Creek Park on Saturday. I believe we confused a few people as we did a faux dash across the grass in our wetsuits. (Rock Creek isn't exactly swimmable.) But as you can see, I quickly slipped out of my wetsuit and into something better suited for a bike ride.
Six days left!!!

One week left!

2006-04-22T10:25:00.000-04:00

The countdown is on...just seven days until I take to the race course.
This morning, I met up with my teammates in Rock Creek Park for a "practice triathlon." This was sans swim, but complete with peeling off the wetsuit. How did I fair, you dare ask? I won!
OK. So it was 30 minutes on the bike and 10 minutes of running. And the tough guys stayed on their bikes too long. I also had the advantage of starting in the first wave. So somehow, I managed to turn on my running legs and glide through the finish.
Fair warning: This "win"...not likely to be replicated in the real thing next Sunday. Among hundreds of participants, I'll be quite pleased with finishing this multisport event. Then I will grab a cold beer and toast my grandma.
Cheers!

Home at last...

2006-04-20T20:46:00.000-04:00

I guess my grandma clicked her ruby red slippers because she's back on the farm.
A month after she began the long process of the stem cell transplant, I finally talked with her again. She's weak from the blood loss and intense medical treatment, and a bit frustrated with the slow recovery. (What do you expect from a grandma who lifts weights and runs around her cornfields everyday?) But I can hear the determination in her voice.
I know I'm not nearly as fatigued as her, but I too am tired. Last Saturday I hammered out two hours on the bike followed by a half hour run. (Up and down hills, no less.) But I'm ready to race next weekend. Yes...that's right...NEXT WEEKEND...April 30! The long, arduous days of swimming, biking and running will culminate in a feat of great physical endurance on the Florida beach. My dad will be there to record this miracle with photographs. So stay tuned...

Out!

2006-04-09T19:30:00.000-04:00

Yep...I've great news to report: My Grandma Lila is out of the hospital! Yea!
From what I've heard from my dad and brother, she's in the hotel adjoined to the hospital. Still a few more tests this week, then back to the farm for a full recovery. While something like this is not fully fixable, I imagine she'll be very close to her old self in no time. Chasing away the skunks and hauling around dirt...

She's so lucky...

2006-04-06T00:38:00.000-04:00

Lucky for my grandma, she's alive.
This morning, by boyfriend's grandma died of pancreatic cancer. A far more deadly cancer. She was diagnosed about the same time as my grandma, but science hasn't solved the mysteries of the pancreas. And this morning his brother found their grandma passed away in her home. So today, rather than donating money to blood cancer research, lets make a donation for pancreatic cancer research.

Sleepy...

2006-04-05T12:05:00.000-04:00

I know...it's been a few days since we sprung our clocks forward an hour. But I still haven't adjusted. I can fall back just fine. But losing an hour of precious sleep... that just ruins me.
The past few mornings I've had to drag my butt out of bed to exercise. I stumble around with my eyes all squinched. Nibble on my peanut butter Clif bar. Then gradually wake up. Maybe I should move back to Arizona where they don't honor daylight savings.

Feeling sore...

2006-04-04T17:24:00.000-04:00

I'm feeling a bit sore. But my grandma is feeling a lot more sore. My dad wrote a few minutes ago to tell me she'll probably stay in the hospital 'til the end of the week. The worst side effect she's had with the chemo is mouth sores. They become so bad, it's nearly impossible to eat. So until the docs can get her throat in check, she'll be hanging out at the hospital.
But don't worry, IRS. She should be home in time to pay her taxes.

Early release!

2006-04-03T11:38:00.000-04:00

This is simply a rumor I heard from my little brother: My grandma may be realeased from the hospital as early as Tuesday!
Of course, this shouldn't surprise me. She's always been persistent.
Go Grandma!

Write to Lila...

2006-03-31T13:28:00.000-05:00

If you'd like to wish my Grandma Lila well while she recuperates, you can send her an e-mail through the hospital's "e-mail a patient" Web site. I've used it several times, and she's been receiving my notes. If you know Lila's full name, enter that in the patient name field. If not, Grandma Lila should do.
She can use all the fan mail she can get. So start typing!

Recovering...

2006-03-31T13:20:00.000-05:00

So while I try my best to relax on my day off training, my grandma is in St. Louis trying to recover, as well. She's still hangin' out in the hospital.
Her doctors predict she'll be ready to take off the hopital gown and unplug from the IVs on April 8. Then it's another week in a hotel room while she continues tests and stuff. And if I know my grandma, she'll be doing great by the end of this ordeal.

Planning for the beach...HELP!

2006-03-30T19:11:00.000-05:00

I know...I'll be competing in the St. Anthony's Triathlon. But I'll be at the beach, too! So it's time to start planning.
My boyfriend, Chris, is meeting me down in St. Petersburg, Fla., for the weekend. In all my foresight, I did not reserve a room for the two of us. Instead, I'm stuck rooming with another TNT teammate. So to keep him from sleeping on the street, I'm now in a panic looking for a hotel room.
This task...well, it's not easy. Everything that looks close to the race, and safe enough to sleep in, is all booked. So what do I do? Where do I stay?
Any advice on inexpensive, hip little places to stay near the beach? Please comment. I'm begging you.

Matchy matchy...

2006-03-30T16:05:00.000-05:00

I just got a snarky note from my dad...in essence wanting to make sure all the money he and his colleagues donated is matched by their company, Cimarex. So how much more money could that mean for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society? More than $2,000!
That means my fundraising total could end up in the $8,000...maybe even $9,000 range. Do I hear a little chant going? "CURE BLOOD CANCER! CURE BLOOD CANCER!" Oh yeah!
It's not too late to donate!

Word is...

2006-03-29T15:11:00.000-05:00

I'm apparently well known by the hospital staff taking care of my grandma. Tacked to her wall is a copy of an article The Norman (Okla.) Transcript published about my triathlon. So as my dad writes, "She is soooo proud of you...All of the doctors and nurses know about Joni."

Nearly out of the hospital...

2006-03-29T09:32:00.000-05:00

Since my grandma was admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago, I've anxiously awaited her release. Because she's sequestered in a room, the only way to chat with her is in person. Both my dad and uncle have done that. But I've been stuck at home, relying on the hospital e-mail a patient service.
But since her high-dose chemo is closer to wearing off, I think I may soon get a chance to talk with her. Yea!

A sleeveless shamu....

2006-03-28T16:56:00.000-05:00

At last, I've a wetsuit. Not that I've been pining away for the neoprene thing that clings to my skin the way a mosquito does. It's really a constricting contraption designed to keep me warm in cold water. (Think Seaworld, when the divers ride around on Shamu.) It was a major workout for my forearms yanking the thing on this morning. All the old birds at the community pool were looking at me like I was nuts as I hopped around the locker room. When I finally got the thing on, I realized I was choking. The neck is soooo tight, it left an imprint the way goggles do. The good thing: It keeps me afloat.
So...as I investigate my possibilities for a racing outfit, the wetsuit and the triathlon swimsuit enter the mix. Clearly, if it's cold in St. Pete, I'm wearing the wetsuit. If it's not, no way. I am not lubing my body up with jelly crap to squeeze in and out of the black body armor. But as I dig into the depths of google, I'm just not seeing any advice on this. I am especially not seeing any evidence that triathletes care about how they look in their racing outfit. Which is sad. Surely this community of exercise masochist has some sense of style. Right?

Racing in style...

2006-03-27T17:03:00.000-05:00

Ok...so anyone that knows me, knows I hate racing in ugly clothes. In high school, when our cross country team was suited up in uniforms from the 80s, I went on a mission to replace them. Not with newer and equally as goofy looking uniforms. Oh no. Our team donned sports bra tops and patterned shorts. We were the fashion icons of the Arizona h.s. cross country circuit in 1999.
So, as race day gets closer, I'm searching for the perfect ensemble. Something stylish, comfortable, and most of all, something that tells the story of why I'm putting myself through exercise hell.
I can already hear a few of you familiar with Team in Training..."But you get a free purple jersey with the TNT logo!" Ahhhh...and you are right. I do. But have you seen those singlets?! They are awful. The worst shade of purple known to the rainbow. Not even Lucky Charms or Trix would subject kids to that hue in their cereal.
But, you say, "It tells the story of why you're racing!" I argue, it does not. While I am whole-heartedly a supporter of raising money to cure blood cancers, I am doing this for my grandma. Call it a coping mechanism for us both, if you want. But I am stuck in DC and she is stuck in Altamont, Illinois. So this triathlon is how I'm supporting her. She is my story.
So how do I translate the story of grandma's fight against cancer into a racing outfit? Yes...I'm asking you. Give feedback via the comments option below.

E-Z week...

2006-03-27T16:56:00.000-05:00

Imagine my relief when I looked at the training schedule to see "25 minites Bike"!!! I pleasantly rode out far enough to see the about-to-blossom cherry trees around the tidal basin. Then turned around and went home. And at 60 degrees, it was nice enough to leave the jacket at home. Yea!
Tomorrow: A nice swim and a quick run.

Thank you, donators!

2006-03-26T20:23:00.000-05:00

I major thanks is in order for everyone who donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society via my fundraising. Last I checked, I raised more than $6,000!

So 40 days later...

2006-03-26T19:55:00.000-05:00

There is a reason I've never kept a journal. But never fear. Just because my blogging habits have gone to poo, does not mean my training has.
I've been quite dilgent since I last wrote. Just yesterday, my training reached an apex. A two hour (25 miles) bike ride, immediately followed by a 30 minute run. My muscles feel the way a piece of overcooked chicken looks. Even my stomach is paying a price. But in five weeks, I'll be in Florida.
I'm not the only one who's progressed. After five rounds of chemo, my grandma is in the midst of uberchemo....in the form of a stem cell transplant. Out in St. Louis, she's with her partner, Cec, as she recovers from the treatment.
Here's an example of how well my grandma is dealing with this cancer:
A few weeks ago, she had to have at least 2 million cells extracted from her for the transplant. The process was projected to take three days. Six dull hours in a chair every day, with her blood being filtered through a machine as it was flowing through her body. But typical to my grandma's determined demeanor, she cranked out 6 million cells on the first day. So the overachiever left early, and called everyone to brag about her accomplishment.
You go grandma!

Go Granny, GO!

2006-02-15T21:20:00.000-05:00

After all this blogging, I realized some of you have no idea who my Grandma Lila is. Yep...that's her in the sunglasses. Pre-chemo, of course.
She is the most ambitious and hardworking woman I know. Back in the '40s, long before women played sports, my grandma loved to play basketball. It wasn't the kind of ball playing we see in the WNBA. It was a much more dainty version. But all the same, it wasn't the norm for high school girls.
Then as she grew older, she loved to play and watch tennis. Then the sport of choice became running. She's always had a million ragedy old race t-shirts from the many 10ks she competed in.
When most grandma's were knitting, mine was off lifting weights or jogging around town. In 2000, she hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with camping gear on her back.
So as she finishes her 5th round of chemotherapy today, I know she's fighting hard. No challenge is too great for my grandma.

Cover girl...

2006-02-15T13:26:00.000-05:00

I'm no Nikki Taylor or Halle Berry, but I did make the cover of The Oklahoma Daily, the University of Oklahoma's college newspaper. Big thanks to the reporter Whitney Coleman for writing the story. Although, a few little fact errors crept in: I graduated from OU in May 2003, not 2004; and my grandmother was 65 (fall 2000) when she hiked the Grand Canyon. Otherwise, an excellent piece I encourage everyone to read.
And don't forget, donate!

Eight inches of white stuff...

2006-02-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

Apparently everything shuts down when it snows in D.C., even if the roads are clear. My weekend proved to be shut out. The bike shop closed and foiled my plan to buy a trainer (a little prop that turns my bike into a stationary machine). And the rec center had it's lights out, so the pool was off limits.
But no worries. I was back in the pool this morning. About a mile of back and forth. And the 45 minutes of hauling my butt through the water left my eyes red with owlish hickies. Yea for drugstore foundation. All the time I've been spending in chemically treated water has been less than pleasant for my skin and hair. Ahhh...the sacrifice.
But I am soooooo pleased to report that my grandma is doing better than good. She has been great. The docs in St. Louis say a stem cell transplant in her blood is in the cards. So in early March, she'll begin the arduous process of harvesting stem cells, and cleaning out her blood. From what she tells me, it involves roughly three weeks of isolation and flushing out the bad blood. And I'm so impressed with her attitude. Rather than squirming, scared of the process, she's excited. Well...ok. Not like birthday-party excited. But visibly happy at the idea that this treatment could seriously extend her life.
***
Also, soon to come in the news... the University of Oklahoma's Oklahoma Daily and the Effingham Daily News are in the process of publishing reports on this fantastic triathlon feat. Keep checking back for links.

Back to the grind...

2006-02-08T12:45:00.000-05:00

After last week's easy workouts, I'm getting my butt kicked with all these strengthening workouts. Today, though, was a bike ride to the airport and back. Not as butt kicking as tomorrow's scheduled long run. Yes...I'm back to running! YEA!
My boyfriend was in town for the weekend, though. So of course, in typical Chris fashion, I ate more crappy food than usual. I'm now back to the chicken and rice, smoothie, fruit, bagel diet. I've super tasting tastebuds, so lots of foods that most people eat (i.e. salads, tacos, lasagna, ketchup, butter, mayonaise, etc.) repulse me. So eating a bland bunch of health foods is really quite normal. My downfall is the greasy stuff, like friend chicken and french fries. If I can stay away from restaurants and fast food, I'm safe from the sick feeling that always comes after a meal full of crap.
In other news, my grandmother met on Tuesday with the specialist doctor in St. Louis who'll hopefully give her a stem cell transplant. I've not heard what the verdict is, but I imagine I'll get the news in the next few days. Cross your fingers its good!

A long, long ride...

2006-01-28T22:35:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness for Friday. Without the day of rest, today's 14ish mile bike ride would have been far more exhausting. But a peanut butter Cliff bar before the ride, and a little bit of electrolyte drink during, and I felt far more comfortable than I have been. My arms and shoulders are still tired, but I felt soooo much stronger. I actually had some balance on the bike. No near spills. Yea!
And I've been doing specific exercises to strengthen my inner quads and hamstrings, so hopefully in another week I'll feel ready to run. I probably could now, but I want to make sure that I don't limp about anymore. No more hurt knees. No more hurt anything for that matter.
And don't forget to donate! Next year you can claim a nice tax deduction...and feel good about it.

***

Also, a good resource for all you peeps who have exercise envy. You don't have to be a super athlete to do triathlons. Check out BeginnerTriathlete.com.

Repeat Tuesday...

2006-01-26T16:03:00.000-05:00

Yes...today was a replica of Tuesday's workout. My arms are not quite so jell-o-ee. Does that mean I'm getting stronger? Hmmm....
But I've some great news to report on the fundraising front:
I've collected about $650 more dollars since putting out a limited circulation of my printed graphic. I guess now it's time for a mass mail to ensue. Watch your mailbox. All donors are deserving of gratuitous thank yous!

jell-o arms...

2006-01-24T14:48:00.000-05:00

A really long workout in the pool has left my body in post workout shock. My eyes are dreary with the after effects of chlorine. I have line marks on my face from the suction of the goggles and swim cap. My arms are noodles...I can barely raise them. And the rest of me just feels exhausted. Thank god for makeup and food.
The specifics of the swim:
200m warmup
6x75m Even (Kick/Drill/Swim), Odd (Swim)
5x100m Freestyle at race pace
3x200m Freestyle Even (Easy), Odd (Fast)
1x200m Kick
3x100m Breast or Back
Cooldown
Yes...that's a whole lot of back and forth and flip-turning.

My triathlon graphic!

2006-01-22T17:46:00.000-05:00

Click on the graphic and you'll be able to read it.

Swim, swim...

2006-01-22T14:26:00.000-05:00

After an hour in the pool, and 1900m later, I spoke with my grandma. She's in great spirits, and just had her fourth chemo. Tomorrow, she'll go to the doctor to have some follow up blood work and testing. Then, in a few weeks, she's off to St. Louis to see the doctor about her stem cell transplant. If all goes as planned, the transplant will happen in mid-February. Yea!
Between all the doctor visits, Grandma Lila has been keeping busy with her usual projects. She and her partner Cec spent the morning scrapbooking pictures of her farmhouse. But now she's taking her afternoon nap.
I was telling her about my new bike and how it's strange readjusting to riding a road bike, all bent over on the handlebars. The swim and run of the triathlon seem duable, but the 25 mile bike is a bit daunting. But my grandma seems convinced that I'll be fine. And she's probably right.

Johnny Cash of the triathletes....

2006-01-19T18:09:00.000-05:00

or so says my boss. All black, carrying my bike over my shoulder...
Speaking of cash...did I mention you can donate money to my triathlon effort? Look to the right...yes! Right there, where it says donate...now click and send The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society a bit of change.
Thank you!

I'm really doing this...

2006-01-19T17:43:00.000-05:00

Look! It's me training for the triathlon!
With a little help from my photographer friend Greg, I've some proof to show those in disbelief. I really am training for this event. And take notice to that sleek bike!
Stay tuned for more pictures...

Tri this on...

2006-01-18T17:54:00.000-05:00

Keep checking the blog for real pictures of me training! I will soon have real proof that I'm doing this. And you can see my new fancy pants bike!

$2200 short....

2006-01-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

So is anyone feeling generous? Want to help find a cure for those nasty blood cancers? Then pretty please, donate to my fundraising effort on behalf of The Leukemia and Lymphoma society.
I'm putting in grueling hours training for this triathlon, and all I ask is for others to drop a few coins in my online jar. I have until Feb. 17 before the Team in Training peeps charge my credit card! Yikes! I'm generous...but not rich.
Other than raising loads of cash...I've been diligently training. But I've run into a bit of a problem...I've a yuck knee. So no running for a few weeks and lots of ice, ice baby. But never fear...I'm still training up a storm. I can swim as hard as i please, and biking just needs to be scaled back a bit.
And out in Illinois, I'm pleased to announce my grandma is doing well. She had a little run in with the hospital. Some dehydration. But all seems well. She's going into her fourth and final chemo before the big stem cell transplant in St. Louis. Go Granny, go! ;)

Happy New Year!

2006-01-10T07:09:00.000-05:00

I took a little holiday break from the blog...but no break was taken from training! I've kept up my gradual increase of exercise. And I'm happy to report I bought a bike! The bike shop is putting it together and I pick it up tomorrow morning. Woo hoo! Finally...I can give up those miserable stationary bike rides and actually pedal somewhere. It's a fancy little road bike with aerobars, which apparently I'll need in the triathlon. The bike shop people thought I was silly because I haven't been on a real, moving bicycle since middle school. And I've never ridden one that requires switching gears. But alas, I will test my cycling mettle tomorrow. We shall see if I can really get through the 25 miles of this race.
But the swimming and running are going quite well. I made it through an easy 1500m (a little less than a mile) in the pool Sunday. And this morning, I managed to wake my butt up and go for a team swim of about 2000m in Georgetown. Surprisingly, I managed to lap most of the seven people in my lane -- including nearly all the men. My competitive drive is kicking in!

So expensive....

2005-12-11T17:41:00.000-05:00

ahhhhh...I can feel my money being sucked out of the bank account and into all these warm clothes and gear I need. And did I mention, I still haven't bought a bike?! I can feel the ramen noodles...except I hate ramen. So I can't really feel it...but I can feel the essence of what a diet of ramen means. Scrimp....and spend on something else. Although, I did manage to wrangle a free hair cut and color out of the Aveda hair school. So I saved loads of money on that. So I suppose now I can spend the savings on something like gloves and a hat. So for Christmas, I want some warm workout clothing. :) Please, Santa?
But other than the wallet shock I'm in...my workouts are going quite well. I'm doing ok...getting in those runs, and bikes, and swims. Chris, and his love for watching television DVDs in marathon sittings, had me planted in front of last season's 24. I finally put my foot down after 8 episodes, put on the layers, and dashed in a figure eight around Clarendon, Courthouse and Rosslyn for half an hour. Then it was back to 24. I think I'm on episode 16? I know...ridiculous. But those silly shows are addictive...and I still managed to tear myself away to get to work on time, and do my 30 min. faux bike ride. So I'm still in the game...my new goal is to get up to the level 3 training program. My competitive streak is kicking in. Watch out...

Leaky goggles...

2005-12-08T14:43:00.000-05:00

After inhaling a Five Guys burger and fries, I waited the traditional half hour and hopped back in the pool. As if the heavy grease on my insides wasn't enough, my relatively new goggles persisted with their leakiness. The other night, in a dark stupor, I ran into the corner of the bathroom door, eyebrow first. So now I have a nice lump on my left eye that makes my already crappy fitting googles even crappier. I could not get the stupid things to suction. So lap after lap, nasty chlorine water filled my eye. Now I just look like I'm stoned.
I am happy to report that I managed to swim 15 minutes straight of freestyle. Yea! And tomorrow is my day off! My boyfriend Chris is in town and isn't too amused with watching me swim. At first, I think he thought watching me swim would be some sort of turn on. Then I had to remind him that while I would be in a swim suit, it is a one peice. And all my hair is wadded up in a plastic swim cap, adorned with bug-eye goggles. So really, I'm not such a sexy lady gliding through the glistening water of the Fairfax County rec centers. I more closely resemble an alien in my green and black get-up. He opted to wait upstairs and read Esquire.

long time no write...

2005-12-07T21:01:00.001-05:00

But I've still been working out!
My boss told me he started a blog today, and I realized I'd been neglecting mine. So here I am again! I've not forgotten what I'm doing. Since I last wrote, I've been diligently training. Bit by bit I'm getting myself back into top form. My competitive nature won't let me slip to the back of the pack. Oh no...I want to do well in this triathlon. No flimsy finish from me.
So when the TNT peeps posted our workout schedule option on our group web site, I downloaded the level 3. Lofty? Maybe. But I can do it. So, I'm not exactly advanced...but I used to be. And they do say "muscles remember." So I hope mine have a strong memory.

processed turkey and cold rolls...

2005-11-24T23:25:00.000-05:00

I guess that's what you get for working on Thanksgiving. My loving employer doled out the Turkey day feast...the only thing that tasted like it should was the pumkin pie. But free food is free...no complaints there.
Today is a recovery day. So I opted out of the jog in near freezing weather. Heck, last night there were flurries! The wintry weather is rolling in. Blah.
But I chatted with my grandma, who I can report is doing quite well for two weeks after her second chemo. She swishes some medicine in her mouth to quell the painful cold sores in her throat and then eats dinner. This year the turkey came from the nearby hotel. So Cec got a break from the kitchen. She also told me about the treatments...they set her up in a lazy boy and pump in the drugs for a few hours. I think yesterday she had some sodium and potassium iv'd in. And in 14 days she'll have some more chemo. On second thought, maybe I should go brave the freezing weather. It would have to be less painful than what she's going through.

an early Thanksgiving...

2005-11-23T23:02:00.000-05:00

Twelve hours of sleep is not a bad recovery. Tuesday I ran a decent 2.5 to 3 miles to the Iwo Jima monument, and back. Yea! My little lungs are slowly getting back to normal.
Then today, after lounging about all morning, I walked around my neighborhood running errands. First order of business: sorting out my bank accounts...all my transactions cleared Monday and Tuesday in my old checking account. :( Thankfully, no overdraft charges and all is well in the world. Then I sipped a smoothie at Barnes & Noble while I checked out books and magazines. The chaos of Whole Foods ensued after that...no desperate houswife wasn't at that store. The woman in front of me blew $250 on turkey day chow. Me? A paltry $18 for some food to get by for a few days. Dinner was turkey on a rosemary roll. A baby pumkin pie for dessert.
But the highlight of my day? Swimming at the Providence REC center. A group of sizable women were twisting and turning in the water next to my lap lane. I managed to pull my way through the pool for 30 minutes! Then, I endured the curtainless showers and made it to the sauna. All these rec centers seem to have saunas. So nice! It's below freezing and snowing outside. So 180 degrees is a welcome break.
Tomorrow, I'm off to work. Yes, working on a holiday. Welcome to the newspaper business.

Still not myself...

2005-11-21T16:23:00.000-05:00

Running on little sleep, I woke up and reorganized my bank accounts, bought a new cell phone, and went swimming! Still no ID on me, so I know I shouldn't be driving...but oh well. I'm slowly getting the essentials squared away. Filed a police report, put a fraud alert on my credit, etc.
But the pool was good. My fog-proof goggles are proving themselves worthy of the $20. No fog yet. Although the first lap they weren't on tight enough and had nasty chlorinated water sloshing in my eyes. But a whole 30 minutes in the pool! Not shabby for an out-of-shape couch lover.
I'm not sure what I'll do tomorrow...the weather is so dreary and rainy...I just detest running in crap like that. Although, If I can catch a few dry spells I may venture outdoors. Otherwise, I'm probably heading back to the pool. Swimming is so great for getting my lungs up to capacity... and no risk of shin splints or sprains! The downside is all the naked, old women in the showers.

Stolen identity...

2005-11-20T13:17:00.000-05:00

I thought Saturday would be a day to rest my muscles....and now it seems like Sunday will end up being the same. Last night I went out with some friends in Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. Evening was nice enough...I was so tired I only had a few sips of a vodka tonic and half a beer. We ended up at this dive called Zucchabar that was blaring 80s music. So like all the women I was with, we laid our bags and coats on a big stuffed chair we were all standing next to. Our group was standing around the stuff all night until the end when most of group shifted down the bar a bit to dance to a few songs. I could still see my bag...and so I made a quick trip to the bathroom. When I came back...gone. So the jerks that were calling themselves security looked around, told me they had been having a problem recently with a customer taking bags, and told me in so many words I was stupid for leaving it there... Maybe I was, but certainly not the way to calm someone down. I had everything in that bag...license, passport, insurance cards, work id, i pod, you name it. So one just stole me!
So needless to say, I'm still incredibly upset. By some good grace, I had my keys in my pocket. So I can still get into my apartment and car. But my little identity is off in some scummy thief's hands. :(

So sore...

2005-11-18T21:36:00.000-05:00

My poor little lungs....ahhhhhh. I am such a baby. I miss being in shape...getting back to that state is just so painful. Ok...so it's not painful....but its not comfortable. I went for a short run yesterday toward the Iwo Jima monument...but then got too cold and too out of breath to make it all the way to the park area. (I know...lame.) But today I found a pool near my office where I swam for about half and hour. Bathing suits certainly tell you when you're not in shape.
But after my short swim, I talked with my grandma. She was quite chatty. I must say, I'm impressed with her resilence. The first round of chemo she had a few problems...mouth sores and a sodium deficiency. But she seems to have figured out her body's reactions and is more prepared for this second bout. Her partner Cec is feeding her well. And from what I hear, she's starting a collection of skull caps to keep her head warm in the cold Illinois weather.
I'm anxious to find a bike, though. I'm being told by the experts and old timers at the Team in Training program that I need to wait it out until I'm fitted and all that. So until then, i suppose a spinning class will suffice.
Until later...

Goodbye couch...

2005-11-16T19:47:00.000-05:00

So begins Day 1 of training for a triathlon. I now must resist the urge to lounge in favor of the all important exercise. Because there is no way I will be able to make it through .9 miles of swimming, 25 miles of biking and 6.2 miles of running.
But I've got to gut it up. If my grandma can make it through chemo, I had better be able to make it through a triathlon.