The Man on a Trip

He left this morning, and will be absent for about a week (estimated as of today).  Already I have new appreciation for people who parent alone, or mostly alone.  As I drove away from the gymnasium after Miss Monkey's foray with back handsprings and exhibition team, I thought, "oh I'll get to the gym myself--oh, wait, right, he's gone so, uhmm, I guess I'll have to wait til Monday."

Wait. What?

Yes, I have to wait until Monday, when KidsClub is open, between the hours of 8-1 or 4-8.
May I just say.....efff this sh*t.  Mentally I'm already trying to calculate how many workouts I'll miss or have to pare down to fit in their 2 hour time limit.  Pit that against the minimum workouts possible between now and the tri we are supposedly doing the first week of October.  Out look does not look great, doesn't even look reasonable.  I want to do better this time around, not the same, and certainly not worse.  I can't do better in races unless I'm trained for them.

I'm willing to forgo the rest of the racing season (and save that money) but stay on a training plan, I'm enjoying the plan very much.  I've found that my RPE upper threshold (probably also known as zone 5 with a HRM) is dry heaving.  If I'm doing speed work, I should dry heave at least once to know I've hit my ceiling, and then I'll ease off enough to avoid vomiting.  I've also found that I really really need to get to my yoga rug more often.  I'm more symmetrically balanced strength-wise when I practice and therefore stronger in everything else I'm doing.

Oh, right, and The Man is gone, he's on a train (in part due to his {slightly milder} aversion to flying).  I miss him.  So, the Gigglesisters, who weren't too giggly today, tried in various ways to test out all the mechanisms by which to make mommy fly off the handle.  If anything I became more conscious, especially proud of my response this evening when they were popping around the bedroom after "lightsout."  Hooray for parenting consciously!

Here we go on a crash course in single parenting.
: )    <3 p="p">

p.s. now that my challenge to myself is over, I'm missing writing something every day, even if it's the rather boring everyday life stuff.

Train like you race, 'Cause you race like you train

True dat.

On 4 hourse sleep, I was dry heaving--well rather a bit more than just dry heaving--after only 30 minutes of running.  With a full walking recovery with my RunBuddy back to her vehicle it was better and I did a reasonable zombie death shuffle to cover the last 20 minutes.  Watched a fire-sky dawn, and molten sun peaking behind the city proper.  Then had to pause for the silhouetted herons ethereal over lake glass.  Smelling damp earth and listening to birdsong....I'm so grateful I didn't "call it in."

Now, post-2 mi. swim (pool, meh), looking forward to napping with Toddleator.  Lack of sleep for me = slight beligerence, hangover look, slow thinking, and draggin' azz workouts.

Holla.

: )  <3

Okaaay, I've been procrastinating.  This morning when my alarm went off, I was not especially tired, but I switched it off anyway 'cause I will lie there considering what all I'd like to start my day with and then fall asleep again.  And my alarms look similar to this (except waaay earlier than 7th hour-ish)...

(Thank you John Pozsadsides)

I fool myself into thinking that there isn't enough daylight yet to get out and run or bike alone, or that I could just get to the pool, but then what to do?  AH, that's the key.  I need a plan.  Well, I've been procrastinating that as well because I'd really like to have a heart rate monitor to work with, that's the next step in my training evolution I think.  I buckled down today though and picked a HR based plan in pleasant knowing that a HRM will manifest in my future, in the mean time I'll just stick with RPE (rate perceived exertion) or feel.  I'm good with that.  With a plan in place I've no excuses at 4:00am, here is what the first month looks like:

AdaBug happily back on with BeginnerTriathlete.com.  Yoga right now, then hitting ye olde 24Hour this afternoon post-taxi kiddo from her gym.

Life is good and it goes on and on.

: )  <3

Runnnnn

First thing I thought of this morning 4:15a, "flapdoodle, I didn't post last night."

That's okay.  'Cause I can hit it twice today.

I might have a running buddy, assuming she doesn't mind dragging me along behind.  : )  She's reading this book, Run Like A Mother.   Of course it's on my extensive, "To Read" list.
I've never identified as a "runner", I guess I'm going to have to add to my identifications.
It was better pace than I've hit in a long time and something to look forward to.  I think around 3 miles, what I guess was <10' pace based on my puffing and blowing, our local hills took a toll, add to that an almost complete lack of breakfast = bonky dry heaving, and I bail out at almost 4 miles (total distance ~4.5). Sad I won't be able to say I hit 7 miles this morning but happy to report that I didn't walk all the way back, I did miniature strides.  Yes I made that up.  Strides are ~40yd of form focus run, from standing building to 5k pace.  My mini-strides were loosening up the tightness building in my evolved form I'm working on, and gave me something to do as I was getting home.  I virtuously won't count a .25 mile walk in with my run workout unless there was some decent jogging at minimum.  Tempo or cadence is something I need work on (both with running and cycling).  Those are next steps in my athletic evolution I suppose.

The Happiest of Ways to start the day---Get it on with a run at dawn!
: ) <3

p.s. then YOGA

Challenge

Since it's summer time we're supposed to have more spare time....riiight.  So, I'm issuing a challenge to myself to blog once a day, about something.  Doesn't matter what it is, just get some writing done---it's cathartic for me, I need this outlet for sanity and creative exercise.

Outfitted for
competition,
countenance changed
perceptively

A happy weekend was spent watching Olympic trials and trying out The Man's popcorn experiments.  Miss Marvelous monkey has mentioned multiple times, "When I'm in the Olympics..."

Big breath Mama, here we go, into the wild blue yonder!  That's what she wants, her goal, I will not disparage it in any way.  I will not say, "maybe", or "yeah, BUT....", and I will not erode her vision, her confidence by reminding her "IF".  

It's what she wants I will stand behind her successes and learning opportunities (b.k.a mistakes) the whole time. 

"beam" on
basement floor

I pride myself on being incredibly careful with boundaries between what she wants to do and what I want for her in life.  I've realized that I mustn't offer opinions unless specifically solicited, sometimes though my opinion shows through in my speech, mannerism, and actions.  Children mirror us in every way.  I am a hands off parent when it comes to her endeavors.  I offer support where needed, but otherwise it's her show completely.  Which has made for interesting non-conversations with other gym parents.  I guess I'm atypical like that.

There, my first post of 30 to come in July's lovely heat.
My mission today is to find a tri-training plan that will serve for an Olympic distance in October.

Happy day!
: )  <3

Finally

I got back in the saddle for real--today I complete a triathlon for the first time in almost 3 years.  It was a smallish, local sprint, Pelican Fest in Windsor, CO.  This was The Man's first ever triathlon and my 6th.    

Post Race deck change

Swim was good, bike was good, the run however, left something to be desired.  Panicky schtuff started in on me and was difficult to get under control.  I attribute it to lack of training sessions due to children, illness, and simple laziness.  There's a massive magnet in my bed it seems keeping me from getting up at 4:30 to get in workouts before Loving Husband leaves for work.

So, it could've been better, but I think I did all right considering the training I did accomplish.  Other recent races: Kick it for Kenya and Skirt Chaser coming up.  And probably at least one other tri this season toward the end of summer.  Excited to be back, and ready to get the work done to improve!

Find Race Report HERE.

I think maybe I should get a reward when I'm able to get a workout in with these little people in tow.  Today after much waiting round for them to finish a last minute snack (that I now realize I should've used to make sure the gym bag was packed) we finally made it to the gym....but only after I wasted another 1/2 hour trying to get music into my swami phone, successfully completed; however, would've been smarter to ignore the Verizon BS that popped up when I plugged the device in.  Hindsight, no?

My new running shoes just begging for a tryout I was excited, until I realized I wouldn't be able to get in everything I aimed to, kidsclub just not open long enough.  No matter, run some anyway, new kicks need a break in period so kept it short, besides finding that I forgot my water bottle I was forced to keep it short.  Head to locker room only to find as I unpack for a swim that I've left my towels at home...nothing to dry off with, unless I tried using my pants but as they're fleece I didn't think the absorbency would serve.

I give up.

Upside:

New shoes are awesome, but will require more focus on run form as they're lower profile than anything I've used before.  Got to get E to nap with little trouble, and listened to F excitedly read another BOB Book from the library.  "Wow, that's cool, I'm actually reading it!" she said, pausing between pages.  SO FUN.

Phase 1: Cleanse Day 5(6)

Some observations from the past few days:
The siren song of the macaroni & cheese with peas was almost too much to bear.  I'm really aware now of how I would taste here and there of what I cook.  Toddleator E's turkey dogs smell so wonderful, and when I licked a finger it was so lovely.  One night, the plate of apples, cheese, and turkey for Miss Monkey was very inviting.  I do so miss cheese!  She did very much enjoy the shrimp in the stir fry.  It's been a treat eating really tasty food that looks pretty, too.

My energy levels throughout the day have been steady, unless I'm on shorter sleep from a later than usual evening.  I've been sleeping well, waking easily, though I plan to wake earlier as I rev up the training.  I have to train otherwise I can't race.  There is a bike trainer on it's way to me right now, pretty exciting to coordinate with The Man to bike/run in the mornings while chi'ren are sleeping.

Most interesting, I think is the new silence in my thoughts regarding what I eat vs. workouts.  A gymnamom brought homemade cinnamon rolls one morning.  I realized my cravings for sugar have subsided such that I didn't even consider eating one, they looked pretty tasty but I had not the slightest inkling to actually eat one.  In the same moment I also realized there was silence in my thoughts around whether or not I needed to get to the gym myself that morning.  I was completely serene, and it dawned on me that because I'd been eating so well the tape had shut down.  I no longer need to berate myself for what I'm eating or not eating---Victory!
A few weeks ago I would try to time my meal and my workout that I'd have energy but not starve myself.  I can workout anytime now because my energy levels don't wax & wane through the day---now, if we get the logistics figured out, it'll be golden!

p.s. I do miss coffee, too, that wonderful hot cuppa in the morning, or decaf in the afternoon.  I miss the taste and smell.  For now, lemon water with cayenne as been warming enough before the daily breakfast smoothie.

Optimum Wellness

What is it?  Wellness is a choice.  A couple of weeks ago I remarked to a friend that if someone would hand me all the tools to completely makeover our pantry, I'd be totally into eating cleaner and more sustainably.  My Loving Husband and I attended a Wellness Event hosted by Dr. James Rouse, where we were handed the tools to do just this.  Complete with menu, shopping list, recipes, and explanations for both phases one of which is a gentle 3 week cleanse.  I picked up the Rouses' cook book as well, Colorado Fit Kitchen, it's beautifully loaded with good for you food.
So, for the first few days both The Man and I have been without flour products, dairy, and sugar of any kind.

It's challenging...and I'm hungry.
In fact, I'm hungry often enough in the past 3 days to wonder if there isn't something awry with my metabolic process/blood sugar/insulin.  I'll be checking in here to chronicle this adventure and it's affects with triathlon training, yoga practice, parenting, and the rest.

My favorite quote from Dr. Rouse;
"Every time you eat is an opportunity to show your [body] love."

Workout Wagon

I'm hanging on by fingertips to the workout wagon, haven't completely fallen off, but it's been close.  Spotty yoga, and running now and then, some weight training when  possible.  Since I've lost my suit swimming has been out of question.  I'm back to where I began years ago with yoga and running solely.  Without a trailer or a bike trainer I'm SOL for riding my bike and can only use imagination for the spin bikes at the gym.  Eating hasn't been too crazy (other than The Fever week).  I've managed to avoid too much process sugar eating alot of quinoa salad and smoothies.  Being without butter for over a week makes one creative with breakfast.  I realized I don't like to eat toast without butter, and I certainly couldn't bake anything.  The holidays approach though, and I'm loathe to try to change the menu, there's just so much comfort in those holiday foods.  Chatting with an acquaintence recently regarding eating vegan-esque, gluten free, etc.  I would totally do it if I personally didn't have to expend the time and energy making the switch.  If I won a personal chef/grocery shopper for a year I would definitely change a lot of what we eat.  For now though I make small changes, like not drinking much milk, eating fatless greek yogurt, more and more veggies and salads, simply cutting back on the bread.  Now that our mega-box store membership is back on I'm enjoying buying organic items (yay!).  A related note, that mega-box store membership happens to represent a big component of abundance & opulence for me.  It's comforting for me to see that there is definitely enough.

Jogged out!

Miss Monkey's invitation to a competitive gymnastics team affords me and E a little time.

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Workouts n' whatnot

Having finished breastfeeding a few weeks ago, it seems the liquid fat my body has been clinging to is melting slowly away.  I'm kinda sad to have breastfeeding end, I know and she knows it's time though.  I'm sure to get enough cuddling in whenever we need to.  My workouts have been sporadic but more often.  I plugged in a training plan and hit about half the workouts.  I gave up on trying to force a solution though, I noticed I was becoming b*tchy and crazed, feeling like a failure when I messed up the plan.  So, I surrendered the results.  Suddenly, Baby E was sleeping through the night, and time started stretching.

I'm amazed that on a a given day I can pull off a triple workout if I feel like it---would never have been able to do that 5 years ago.  I might pick up a run, or a bike on a whim.  I can complete a long swim in (~2k yds) pretty comfortably and still survive the rest of the day pleasantly.  Daily life has become easier, and I think it's because I've given up trying to force it all to happen on my timeline.  One day in the far future I'll have more than all the time I need, until then I'm becoming more and more content to hang out and be present when the need arises.  And Their needs are never ending.  

I dropped in on a Zumba class.  While bouncing and shaking my nether-bits to fun world music, I giggled time and again....this is the dancing I used to attempt after a cocktail or four, in dark noisy clubs, delusional I was unique hot-stuff.  And now, I, and the rest of the middle-aged (and more) ladies have been relegated to flapping our flesh in a brightly lit box at prescribed hours of the week---probably so we won't frighten the general public.  It's a fun workout. I wonder, what if I didn't have the stability and core strength, though?  I could see how it might injure some-sedentary-one off the street.  Also, I had a free training session with a lady-trainer at my daughter's gymnastics gym, TRX is too too fun!  Really challenging and just what I enjoy.  I finally made it back to my yoga rug, after months of avoidance.  Short but sweet practice, I need to find an Ashtanga studio within reasonable driving distance.

Kinda sad that our bodies mayn't reflect the inward youth we retain.  The best I plan to do for my earthly vessel is everything I've been doing, tweaking the diet a bit, keep on keeping on.  As I am inward, I will show outward.

Rooms Around

I moved the rooms around.  Now there is a sleeping room for the girls, and a playing/craft/soon-to-be education room.  Miss Monkey is adjusting all right with Baby E waking periodically in the night.  A few recent nights due to stuffy nose.  Other nights, however, it seems baby simply wants to know that we're still around, cuddling her momentarily (not removing her from crib) and she heads back to sleep.  As she's not on a schedule yet, I'm still not getting training in as I would like.  Doing what I can when I can means squeezing in runs, and yoga.  Finally a replacement swimsuit! So, a bit of swimming whenever plausible.  Timing naps with Baby E means I haven't been to the gym in a looong while.  Then passing around another bout of illness, and workouts get pushed back over and over.  Excuses? not really. Re-prioritizing, is my term.  I realized I was becoming too stressed trying hard to get a workout in at all, defeating the therapeutic effect.  So, I'm giving over to care of the baby until she's at a place where it'll be easier to get it in.  Might mean I'll pass up early season races, but come fall I'll be ready to go for sure. 

I had really been feeling as if I had to prepare for battle every day with Miss Monkey The Terrible.  I was really beginning to get into a power struggle over almost everything, and I felt as if I was operating withing a spiritual-mothering deficit. Little patience, no compassion, no energy for empathy.  I was slowly slipping into a "do it or else" mode of parenting.  And that is never how I set out to do this mommin'.  So, The Man and I took a Love & Logic parenting class, and may I simply say WOW.  Much has changed in the past 3 weeks that I've been using my newly acquired tools, there is less yelling, definitely less tantrumming (on both sides), and the theatrical crying we witnessed last night just didn't have the same 'oomph' that it normally does.  Thank Goodness!

F has started her ballet class, and continues into Level 1 gymnastics.  She apparently imagined ballet somewhat different than the reality, and expressed some disappointment around that.  We'll keep going and see what happens though.  When youth ministry teachers see me at Mile Hi they might quip, "Oh, you're Sparkle's mom!" Yes, that's our famous Dragon Warrior Princess Sparkle, and her brothers, all of them led by Luke Skywalker.

E is eating more solid foods, still nurses 3-4 times daily, drinks from a cup if offered, pulls up on everything creeping along, just beginning to attempt standing alone, loves pushing things around looking so proud practice-walking, and shakes her crib in anguish if we leave her up there foolishly thinking she'll go to sleep.

We are getting set to start homeschooling, and a visit to grandparents in Texas post-birthdays.  Keep marvelously moving freely forward, in great gratitude always.

I was awake at 3ish this morning so excited for Groundhog Day!  "I kid! I'm a kidder." 

Lay there considering I might head to the gym to get the long workout in I need to, but I really prefer to wait until 4 to get up.  Of course, I dozed off, Baby E awake at 5, nursing then she's back down...then it's too late to attempt early morning workout 'cause The Man leaves earlier than he used to, besides, it's a long one today.

And yesterday, began with such great intentions I was on track to hit the gym and then we head out for the rest of our busy-busy Tuesday.
Little girl gave me so much flack about what she needs to wear in this frigid weather we are delayed such that it's time for baby's morning nap...
and when the baby wakes we head to monkey's gymnastics class...
I figure, well, consequence is that she won't get to story time today as I need to put E down for nap reasonable time and hit the gym late shift at 4, it's a "short" workout so I'd be able to make it home to get dinner in order and baby in bed on time...
but then E doesn't wake again until after 4, by that time dinner's pressing as is baby's feeding/play/bed time...
I'm left wondering if I should goto gym at 7:30p, and I already know I wouldn't get to sleep until >>12a if I do that, which in turn would throw off today.

 I relent and do yoga.  And I will start my day with yoga today, keep my Self centered, things always so more smoothly when I'm up before the offspring.

I'm beginning to think maybe it'd be better to start "real" training when baby drops the morning nap, but that's is months away, and I want to race this summer.

Workout? what workout?

I haven't rooted to the couch, that's something at least.

There were at least 6 weeks there when Baby E arrived that for obvious reasons I merely concentrated on sleeping when I could and recovering from the endurance challenge that is the last trimester or so of pregnancy culminating in the extreme endurance of labor.

After the okay from Doc I did workouts here and there when I could, and still there were snags in my plans.

I can't workout if my breasts are or will become engorged---that's uncomfortable. So timing my workouts post-nursing, and hopefully while baby is sleeping is key.  Add to that I must time my workouts according to my nutrition and availability of some one to keep eyes on the offspring and it gets tricky, GloboGym won't take any infants in childcare < 6 months.  When Miss Monkey has a bike again, she can ride while I jog  Baby E in the Burley.  But without a bike trailer I'm trapped on the trainer or spin bike.

I got into such great habits of eating while training for the 1/2IM and I kept up that metabolism with swimming & walking while preggers (besides the mega-munchies to feed that baby), which means that I have to eat before a workout (and sometimes during) otherwise I bonk.  So there were the times that The Man came home early-ish I could've headed to the gym but I was hongree, and if I stay to eat I end up putting kiddo to bed, then had to nurse the baby again before bed, and suddenly it's 9pm and I'm wasted tired and just want to sleep.  Wake up next day, after a baby feeding or two in the night, and repeat...oh, and 4 hours or less of sleep in a shift.

Then there's moving, and the big pause with Miss M, and moving again.  Makes for even less time, and less schedule to operate with.  I did get yoga in, a little strength training, and more run than bike, no swimming tho'...and that little bit probably kept me sane with a Little Girl that was acting out and a sweet -sweet demanding infant.  Social obligations aside, just getting baby n' kiddo into some semblance of schedule proved impossible, and only just now have we settled into a routine in the new place.  Finally!

Hope beyond hope that AquaPiglet (thank you, TriAya!) has settled into a 6ish to 4ish sleep, then we nurse early, she goes back down, and I head out to do something until Loving Husband departs for his fantabulous VP position.  If there's time later in the day for more, then we're golden, it'll develop just as it should, I've faith.

Shopping races for next season, and looking forward to getting back into the rhythm.

Don't fight the waddle

And here I thought March would just drag by, then I looked up again and it's over already. What with swimming lessons, busy busy busy, then a nasty bought of Spring Head Cold, March just melted away.

Now, let's talk waddle. Not the aged waddle one is blessed with at venerable stages of life.
The pregnancy waddle. I've had to make a conscious decision not to fight the waddle...it's pointless, and wastes energy at this advanced gravid state. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed the inevitable slow-down, more so this time than the first. Felt as if I hit a wall, a fairly sudden need to walk slower, to roll into/out of the car slower. Walking through a parking lot, having lunged the belly out of a vehicle, I have to slow down while baby gets comfortable again released from the cramped position of my driving. Lovely consistent workouts last week, then Saturday lots of baby-prep activity, and Sunday volunteering...by Sunday night I was completely wasted. The first pregnancy, workouts were 20-30 minute walks, prenatal yoga, but mostly working out how I'd get my pizza fix that week (I gained 60 lbs the first time). My workouts this time are 1 hour walks, real swimming, light strength training, now and then low-impact machine related, and natal yoga. By the way, watching the cyclists & runners venturing out to take advantage of beautiful spring weather, without being able to participate? Little pangs of jealousy assuaged by the truth of my Transitional State. All my activity has been quite satisfying for the time being, except for the distinct feeling that I'm ogled for my state of pregnancy, and constantly (I do mean constant) commented on by strangers.

Now, I understand elder women forgetting how big a woman can get during the last trimester. Of course we forget, that's why we 'get' more than one child. The love for and of the offspring greatly outweighs the un-comfort and then pain of childbirth.
Anyway, I really have gotten at least one comment a day from a stranger lady who feels it must be okay to comment on The Belly. Days I don't get comments are days that we simply don't venture out. I am fairly certain I now understand why women never used to venture out in the last trimester---who would want to? It's hard moving this mass around, it's clumsy, it really is stare-worthy, and comment-worthy. I haven't decided which is worse, the elder that comments, "oh, dear, MAY?? Is it just ONE??" or the younger woman that feels the need to tell me how she "never had to buy maternity clothes and only gained [the recommended] 35 pounds". Either way, some part of me wants to go home and pity myself, the other part (a new part) enjoys the attention in a jolly way, knowing that the yogi-triathlete is in here just biding time, ready to burst forth again as soon as Baby allows me to take this body off.

August-ness

It gets warm here. Rarely I would call it hot, but most certainly warm. While this past Sunday started out warm, it ended up downright HOT. I finished my Half Iron Man distance triathlon in 7:47:47. Plenty of time under my 8 hour goal! I'm proud. 5430 Long Course Race Report

Gary & Fiona didn't make it to the race unfortunately. Apparently Fiona's nap schedule was obliterated for the day, quite possibly due to my super early mornin' snuggle pre-departure for my race. She passed out around noon & though Gary even banged up against her bed with the vacuum, she didn't budge. I don't blame him for not wanting to drag her out of bed, cranky, and sleepless to hang out in hot sun for what would've been hours. So, instead he cleaned house & made bleu cheese bacon burgers on sweet chili bread, with mesclun greens, pickles & olives. Ginger ale too boot, and French Pot small batch ice cream. It was lovely. Miss M did make the trip to Boulder & got to see me cross the finish line, it was really great having someone there I knew that I could chat with & celebrate with. Thank you, M!

This week has been recovery, the first time the notion of going back to the gym occurred to me at all last night. A good sign. I figure this afternoon will be easy strength train & lite cardio, maybe some yoga too, if I'm lucky.

Fiona has spent numerous days at the pool with Mercy & Jack, as have I when not picking up hours at the bike shop. She's becoming so confident on her bike that I will probably have to start riding with her instead of walking. Last week she rode a solid 2 miles from our house to the Brunner Farm House, only managing to frighten me once the whole ride. Yesterday I surprised her with a water bottle cage, mounted to her handlebars. Reminding her that she wanted to ride her bike was the only catalyst strong enough to rouse her from napping last afternoon. Trying to make Autumn plans for some travel, I hope some camping, too. We shall see, we shall see.

Yes, yes, she has a little laptop. It's sooner than I would've liked, reminds me of a Speak n' Read. The thing is acceptable for now, and a while to come I think. Screen time is still limited, as is TV, and everything else electronic. Now if only I could hold the same rule for myself! :)

Is There Really A Human Race?

by Jaime Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell

Is there really a human race?
Is it going on now all over the place?
When did it start?
Who said, "Ready, set, go?"
Did it start on my birthday?
I really must know.

Do I warm up and stretch? Do I practice and train?
Do I get my own coach? Do I get my own lane?
Do I race in the snow? Do I race in a twister?
Am I racing my friends? Am I racing my sister?
If the race is a relay, is Dad on my team?
And his dad and his dad? You know what I mean.

Is the race like a loop or an obstacle course?
Am I a jockey, or am I a horse?
Is there pushing and shoving to get to the lead?
If the race is unfair, will I succeed?

Do some of us win? Do some of us lose?
Is winning or losing something I choose?
Why am I racing? What am I winning?
Does all of my running keep the world spinning?
If I get off track when I take the wrong turn, do I make my way back from mistakes?
Do I learn?

Is it a sprint? A dash to the end?
Am I aware of the time that I spend?
And why do I do it, this zillion yard dash?
If we don't help each other, we're all going to...
CRASH!

Sometimes it's better not to go fast.
There are beautiful sights to be seen when you're last.
Shouldn't it be that you just try your best?
And that's more important than beating the rest?
Shouldn't it be looking back at the end that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?

So, takes what's inside you and make big, bold choices.
And for those who can't speak for themselves use bold voices.
And make friends, and love well, bring art to this place.
And make the world better for the whole human race.

Pie in the Sky July

Independence day (a while ago now, I know) was great. We walked to the County Commons to watch fireworks. Fiona had a ball twirling & playing frisbee with new friends. She got tired of the fireworks display after a little while though, and actually said she wanted to go to bed.

Then there's the PIES. I made a strawberry rhubarb pie that was beautiful & delicious. Then I made another one...it wasn't as good as the first one, still really tasty but not perfect. There is something I must be doing that's meditative during the first pie attempts, that I can't seem to duplicate with subsequent pies. More study is needed.

Then there's gymnastics.

Fiona got a leotard, then wore it for 2 days & nights.

And the beaching/swimming.

And Dragon Boat Festival---FLYING DRAGONS!!!
Our team holds the record for the 500m course (HOORAY), but we lost on a technicality to the Florida Chop Suey this year (BOO).

And that's how summer time is, lots of fun, busybusybusy.

My Olympic distance race, on the 12th, went SO much better than the Sprint (June). I took 40 minutes off my previous Oly time. WOW. Race Report here. I was so pleased and proud, felt fresh afterward too!

Last week we took an evening out to see Walking With Dinosaurs which was neato. Fiona was on the edge of her seat for real, just about the entire show. At intermission she was fairly concerned that it might be over with. After pointing out that it was just a potty break for everyone, she felt better, but still took some convincing before she decided it was okay to get up & go with me to the ladies.

Yesterday, funny things mothers end up saying:
"Stop using the dog on my hair, please!" (a wooden toy dog, while she was "making my hair")
"Honey, don't touch your face after you touch your bottom. STOP rubbing your eye---you just touched your anus!" (such an un-pretty word, but all the books say to call the parts what they are...)
Cheerily pluggin' along!
Next weekend, HIM!

Fairy Dust

This morning, on the deck, with the bag of potting soil...
A big creative mess! Little Girl apparently enjoys tossing dirt in the air, so as to ensure total coverage. When she decided to come inside, I had to funnel her straight to the bathroom for an early shower (unhappy) to get the finer dust from her scalp & hair. She had dirt down her back as if she'd suddenly grown a strip of dark downy fur.
Preschooler's fairy dust.

Couple of evenings ago, on the guest room/office futon, it was extraordinarily important that she put me to bed. Fiona did it thoroughly, complete with kisses on the forehead, the tucking in, removal of the hairpin, and a lengthy fairy tale story resplendent with a prince, Peter Pan, the Princess, the little Mermaid, the king, and "somesing happens...but then somesing didn't happen"....and a dragon.

I complete my first race of the season this past weekend. It was harder than I figured, I messed up my hydration & fueling (water n' food) pretty bad, got some heat stress, and cried 'cause I didn't hit my goal of a sub 2-hour race. I did see improvement with my bike pacing & especially swim pacing compared to my first sprint. Race Report here. After an insanely busy couple of weeks just before the race things have calmed down somewhat this week, inasmuch as one might say my life with Little Girl is "calm" as busy as we have become somehow.

Fiona started gymnastics again, in her third week today. Was visibly trembling with excitement when I told her she was going to get to attend again, could barely contain herself. Little friend Jack is in the same class, and while he sits there with some solemnity following instructions, Fiona is off bouncing about testing the young teachers' boundaries & limits with them trying to keep her on task. I think she's just so excited it's hard for her to keep on task!