Alrighty. Long time, no write. I’m getting back on this horse. Not the fitness horse. No siree. I haven’t fallen off that horse. Just the blogging horse … as have all of you, I might add. What’s up, ladies? What’s going on?
Here’s what’s happening here. This has been the most stressful semester of my life. Why, you might ask?
1. Job change. I took a pay cut and got WAY MORE RESPONSIBILITY than my previous job. The hours I put in this semester are not sustainable (for me, anyway) long term. I was putting in 10-12 hours a day Monday through Friday, and taking home 5-10 hours of work on the weekends. It was complete crap. But I am optimistic that I can make some positive changes to improve my quality of life and reduce my hours in coming semesters.
2. Living apart from my spouse. Again. This time it was four months, and we had an end date (mid-November), but it was still hard. He’s my best friend, and I missed him.
3. Selling our (lovely!) home in a terrible market. It’s not official yet, but it is under contract with a closing date of Jan. 20. We’re happy about the possibility of getting out from the under the responsibility of owning a home in another state and getting our lives started here, but we’re also very aware of the financial pain this house sale is causing us. Trent and I have agreed not to discuss numbers with anyone, which is probably a good idea. It’s pretty damn embarrassing, and it’s going to hurt us for awhile. But we’re hoping that the move is worth it … being closer to our families, living in a smaller city. It’ll work out.
So this semester has had a bit of suck to it. It’s also had some highlights (see previous post). But one thing that has kept me going (even when I was seriously wondering what the hell we were thinking when we decided to move back here) was my regular workouts.
I’ve been swimming, running, lifting weights, walking, and/or biking for at least 60-75 minutes most days of the week. And that physical exertion has been my saving grace, I think, particularly now that it’s getting cold outside and I can’t spend as much time outdoors. It’s been a way to take my mind off of work, finances, and missing my honey (who’s actually back in Georgia right now, waiting to find out if the home inspection will require any additional work on the house – I hope not!!).
So, I hope you’re all getting ready for a lovely holiday this week. I’m planning to enjoy some eggnog, iced sugar cookies, and homemade chex mix. What are you all going to enjoy?
I know Honor’s going to enjoy spending time with her third grandchild. Congratulations, Honor! Love to you all!!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Kansas fitness
Well, I'm officially settled in Wichita (Trent will join me in November, after his season ends and, we hope, after the house sells).
I love several things about living in a smaller city, several of which are related to fitness and my overall well-being:
1. The traffic. Or lack thereof. It is a piece of cake to get around this city. In fact, when my lovely aunt Honor came into town with her honey a couple weeks ago, I was able to meet her for dinner twice during "rush hour," and it was a breeze getting to my destination.
2. I can easily get on my bicycle and go for a ride right outside my home. I don't have to drive to a safe location to ride my bike. I can just go! And I have for the past 4 Sunday mornings. Good 60-75 minute rides in the Kansas countryside.
3. Sidewalks. YES! There are sidewalks everywhere -- unlike Kennesaw, GA. It's safe to walk and run all over the place. Yay!
4. Beautiful downtown. I took a walk along the rivers downtown yesterday, admiring the Keeper of the Plains sculpture and the rest of the city sights. Fabulous!
5. Decent university gym. The pool is fabulous. Clean. At least 8 lanes available all the time. Short course meters. The weights and cardio areas are okay. They fit my budget right now, and it doesn't hurt that it's right across the street from my building.
In other news, my mom and I are doing a 5K race in Wichita at the end of September. It's her first 5K, I think, and she's been following a walk-jog training plan I gave to her. She's doing great! Woohoo!
Here's a happy story about muscle memory --
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129359637
Apparently, if you have to take a break from your workouts (at least, your strength-training workouts), it won't take your body long to get back to its original strength, or at least close to it.
I love several things about living in a smaller city, several of which are related to fitness and my overall well-being:
1. The traffic. Or lack thereof. It is a piece of cake to get around this city. In fact, when my lovely aunt Honor came into town with her honey a couple weeks ago, I was able to meet her for dinner twice during "rush hour," and it was a breeze getting to my destination.
2. I can easily get on my bicycle and go for a ride right outside my home. I don't have to drive to a safe location to ride my bike. I can just go! And I have for the past 4 Sunday mornings. Good 60-75 minute rides in the Kansas countryside.
3. Sidewalks. YES! There are sidewalks everywhere -- unlike Kennesaw, GA. It's safe to walk and run all over the place. Yay!
4. Beautiful downtown. I took a walk along the rivers downtown yesterday, admiring the Keeper of the Plains sculpture and the rest of the city sights. Fabulous!
5. Decent university gym. The pool is fabulous. Clean. At least 8 lanes available all the time. Short course meters. The weights and cardio areas are okay. They fit my budget right now, and it doesn't hurt that it's right across the street from my building.
In other news, my mom and I are doing a 5K race in Wichita at the end of September. It's her first 5K, I think, and she's been following a walk-jog training plan I gave to her. She's doing great! Woohoo!
Here's a happy story about muscle memory --
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129359637
Apparently, if you have to take a break from your workouts (at least, your strength-training workouts), it won't take your body long to get back to its original strength, or at least close to it.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Making a Splash
First, the latest fruit of my labor:
Isn't he cute?! And he thinks I'm cool! :)
Cole is almost 3 months old. When the heck did that happen? The past three months have been a blur. He was tounge tied a birth but, being my kid, it was an atypical tie. Called a Type Four Tounge Tie, we had to visit two ENTs before finding someone to clip it. Before we knew what was going on, he was a fussy baby who dropped over ten per cent of his birthweight and was thisclose to being admitted to the hospital. That was not cool.
However, he is obviously growing now and doing well, even if he is still fussy. We got the tie clipped and he's now 100 per cent breastfed!
I'm back at swimming. I am swimming 3x a week with the master's swim program Adam is in. We're outdoor and in a 50 meter pool. I'm impressed I can make it from one end to the other, although I am slow. And fat. And out of shape. BUT I CAN MAKE IT TO THE OTHER END WITHOUT STOPPING!
My orginal goal was to lose 20 pound by the time school starts. I've since changed that goal to simply loosing weight, period! I've been tracking my weight since June 1 and lost a measly half pound. Woo.Hoo. Time to get more serious, baby. I can feel the work out in my arms and back where I need the most toning so I am hoping for some defination (aside from "bread dough") by Aug.
Oh and has anyone done the 30 day Shred? I hear it is really good and tough but worth it. I was thinking of adding it to my routine.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Big Talker
Okay, so about that triathlon two weeks ago ...
During the weeks leading up to it, Trent started talking smack, saying that he was going to kick my ass, since he's a much faster runner than me. So what if he hadn't been swimming (and had never swum 600 yards without stopping in the YMCA pool). He was determined to whup me.
So, at the race we discover that we're the only ones without racing bikes. That was our first clue that this crowd was a little more elite than those participating in the Acworth Women's Tri.
I was in the third heat (with my age group); Trent was in the last heat (with the novices). So, I didn't get to see Trent's start to the race. All I knew is that I had to beat his behind, and I sure as heck couldn't let him catch me from a 5-6 minute defecit at the start.
I feel great about my performance! I kept the swim smooth and strong, shifting into breaststroke periodically so I could sight the course. I finished the 600m lake swim in less than 12 minutes and was the 8th woman out of the water.
The bike was a lot hillier than I was expecting. The race description stated that there would be rolling hills. These hills were doing more than rolling. They were mocking us. But the ride was beautiful, out in the countryside. I finished the 15 miles in 56 minutes. I didn't pass a single person; they all passed me.
The 5K run was also hilly, and it was an out and back course, so I knew I would see Trent eventually. On the way out, I kept thinking that I'd see him pass me -- laughing his ass off about beating me. That helped me keep my pace up. On the way back, 2 miles into the race, I began to wonder where he was. I actually started to get worried, which also made me run faster. I finished the 5K (at the end of a triathlon!!) in less than 29 minutes!!!!
When I crossed the finish line, Trent was waiting for me with water. What?? Yes, he finished the race 90 minutes ahead of me.
After 200 yards of swimming.
He finished his race on a jet ski. :-)
During the weeks leading up to it, Trent started talking smack, saying that he was going to kick my ass, since he's a much faster runner than me. So what if he hadn't been swimming (and had never swum 600 yards without stopping in the YMCA pool). He was determined to whup me.
So, at the race we discover that we're the only ones without racing bikes. That was our first clue that this crowd was a little more elite than those participating in the Acworth Women's Tri.
I was in the third heat (with my age group); Trent was in the last heat (with the novices). So, I didn't get to see Trent's start to the race. All I knew is that I had to beat his behind, and I sure as heck couldn't let him catch me from a 5-6 minute defecit at the start.
I feel great about my performance! I kept the swim smooth and strong, shifting into breaststroke periodically so I could sight the course. I finished the 600m lake swim in less than 12 minutes and was the 8th woman out of the water.
The bike was a lot hillier than I was expecting. The race description stated that there would be rolling hills. These hills were doing more than rolling. They were mocking us. But the ride was beautiful, out in the countryside. I finished the 15 miles in 56 minutes. I didn't pass a single person; they all passed me.
The 5K run was also hilly, and it was an out and back course, so I knew I would see Trent eventually. On the way out, I kept thinking that I'd see him pass me -- laughing his ass off about beating me. That helped me keep my pace up. On the way back, 2 miles into the race, I began to wonder where he was. I actually started to get worried, which also made me run faster. I finished the 5K (at the end of a triathlon!!) in less than 29 minutes!!!!
When I crossed the finish line, Trent was waiting for me with water. What?? Yes, he finished the race 90 minutes ahead of me.
After 200 yards of swimming.
He finished his race on a jet ski. :-)
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Triathlon next weekend
I am so ready to race next week.
600m lake swim
15 mile bike
5K run
I've stuck with my training plan, including increasing my weight in the leg press from 125 lbs to 165 lbs over the last several months, and doing bike-run workouts at least twice a week. The swim should be a piece of cake, as usual, but the bike to run transition is going to be so much more satisfying this time around.
The real question is, how is Trent going to do? This is his first triathlon ever. He's a great runner and a good cyclist, but he's never swum more than 150 yards without stopping. And he has only been in the water 1 time in the last 4-5 weeks. Fortunately, he does know how to do breaststroke, and I think he can float on his back, if he gets really tired. Should be interesting ...
What's everyone else up to these days? Do tell!
600m lake swim
15 mile bike
5K run
I've stuck with my training plan, including increasing my weight in the leg press from 125 lbs to 165 lbs over the last several months, and doing bike-run workouts at least twice a week. The swim should be a piece of cake, as usual, but the bike to run transition is going to be so much more satisfying this time around.
The real question is, how is Trent going to do? This is his first triathlon ever. He's a great runner and a good cyclist, but he's never swum more than 150 yards without stopping. And he has only been in the water 1 time in the last 4-5 weeks. Fortunately, he does know how to do breaststroke, and I think he can float on his back, if he gets really tired. Should be interesting ...
What's everyone else up to these days? Do tell!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Anyone want to buy a house in GA?
Virtual tour:
http://www.icatch360.com/slideshow.cfm?ad_id=18684
As long as the Kansas Legislature approves its budget for FY 2011, I'll be signing a contract at Wichita State in June or July, and we'll be heading back to home to Kansas. :-)
Someone, buy our house. Please!!
http://www.icatch360.com/slideshow.cfm?ad_id=18684
As long as the Kansas Legislature approves its budget for FY 2011, I'll be signing a contract at Wichita State in June or July, and we'll be heading back to home to Kansas. :-)
Someone, buy our house. Please!!
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