Circus Peanuts

I ate 3 bags of circus peanuts last week. Yes, circus peanuts, those disgustingly sweet candies that stick to your teeth. Comfort food, that's what I've been told. Did I really think I was going to feel better trying to get my tri-shorts on Saturday morning?

Why do we do stuff like that. Eat thinking it's going to make us feel better. Quite honestly I wasn't eating them thinking I was going to feel better. Maybe subconsciously I was, who knows.

Why do we do the goofy things we do. I've been complaining about my right leg, getting stiff all over, the knee, the hip the foot. UGH! Sunday Bubba was talking about the doc he saw for his leg. "Yah, she's good. Well, sort of. You know she tells you what's wrong, then she tells you what to do about it, you pay $150 and then you ignore the advise." How true is that?

We eat stuff we shouldn't, we pay for advise we doen't use. The biggest question I have spinning in my head lately is why cancer? And if someone beats cancer once then why should they have to get it again? And then again?! Life just sucks sometimes.

"Hey - Someone Stole My Music"

My sister shouted that to me as I ran by her during the 2005 Danskin Triathlon. I teased her mercifully for shouting it during a race. There was more to it than just shouting that - like as I ran from her I heard her say - "Hey are you ok?" and then ...."Hey, where are you going?" Come on you gotta admit that's pretty funny to hear while racing.


Well the teasing stopped in 2006 - I was doing the Evergreen Lake Tri when some stole my Rudy Project sunglasses. I was crushed. And after reaching for the glasses and not having them there I said out loud - "Hey who stole my sunglasses". My karma slapped me in the face. I was mad that someone took the glasses but wondered and still do would it have been different if I hadn't teased Patty for so long.

I did Evergreen Lake Triathlon yesterday. Here's how it went -

High Points -
No thunder / No lightening
Water temp - 77.8 WETSUIT LEGAL
34 min swim - woo hoo!!!
Passed one time on the bike - only one time!!!
Gave the race everything I had. Was feeling good until mile 5 1/2 on the run and then began to literally run out of gas. Was passed one time until mile 5 1/2 and then was passed 5 more times UGH!
Seeing Caroline smiling on the bike - she made it out of the water - double woo hoo!!!
High fiving Caroline as we passed each other on the run
The watermelon after the race - so gooooooood :)

Low Points -
Rain before the race started
Still raining for the swim
Raining in T1
Raining on the bike
Wind and more rain on the bike
Rain in T2
Remember why they don't recommend wetsuits in water over 78 degrees. I wanted to rip it off I was so warm after 200 yards in the water.

I had a blast and was happy to be out there.

The Fog is Lifting

This fog I have been feeling lately is slowly lifting. I'm starting to "want" to swim, bike and run again. Man, that was long break. I was wondering if my desire to train was ever coming back. I have Evergreen Lake this week-end and I'm looking forward to it. Yesterday I was even thinking about racing it and not just doing it.

The group ride was fast, as usual. I only planned on riding to the speedway. I hung with the big boys and one very fast Lauren for about 5 miles. Well, honestly 2 of the 5 were at my pace. I was amazed at how quickly you can fall off a pace line. I can't wait to try and hang with them for 10 miles next time. Or who knows maybe 20 miles :) Or maybe I should be realistic - maybe 6 :) :)

New Editions

There have been several new editions to my life this summer. Thought I would share them with you.


This is my new tribike. A Trek Equinox. The woman who owned this bike was moving to Europe and needed to find a good home for this baby. Friday I thought it was a really fast bike until I started riding east, home and realized I had the wind at my back the first 30 miles. :) Someday I'll be a fast rider on my fast bike.



These are our new bunnies. That's Lily on the left and Buttercup on the right. The kids absolutely adore them. I hate that word, adore, it can sound a little pompous but I think in this case it perfectly describes the way the kids feel about our family's new pets.



This is our new pool. I'm sure you are seeing these pop up in your neighborhood. It's the perfect size for Grace and Zak. Zak has a fear of pools and water that he is slowly overcoming. This pool is perfect because he can touch the bottom with his feet and still go under the water and play.


Finally, our church has a new pastor, Father Greg. I've heard his homily 3 times now. He's very good at mixing humor into his message. And his broken English keeps all of us listening intently. I think he's going to do just fine in his new role. Here's a link to the church's website http://www.stanthonyfrankfort.com/



I rode by myself for a while on Friday. I started out with the group but ended up breaking away from them after 30+ miles. At first I was angry with myself for not being able to keep up. I wanted so bad to call Scott and tearfully tell him to come get me but thankfully I didn't. Caroline called me later that night and asked me if I was mad at her for not staying with me. No, I told her. Don't lose your lunch with what I'm about to say but I told her it was kind of liberating being out there on my own. Not knowing for sure where I was but staying calm and finding my way home.

On Monday SI sent out an email to the club asking that if you are riding alone be sure to let family know where you are riding or running and at least one club member. This way if something does happen it may be easier to find you. What a great idea. My tri-mates agreed. I guess it's another benefit to being part of a club. Really it's a blessing to knowing some great people.

Waves - again

It's hard to put thoughts into words sometimes.

This spring and now summer hasn't gone exactly the way I planned it in my head. I know I have written in the past about struggling with my workout program. Last winter I thought for sure I would cruising on my bike. Taking all the rides that I did last year and using them as a base, so this summer I would enjoy keeping up with the fast guys.

Life never goes as planned.

Just getting out of bed or getting out of an excuse to go and workout is difficult for me. Although I must say I am enjoying running again. And after Scott called me Friday night and said he was working Saturday morning, I was truly disappointed that I would miss the group swim/run. Thankfully Riley saved the day and came to my rescue by watching my kids. I was able to enjoy (well after 2 calls to Riley) my workout. The swim helped get rid of most of my separation anxiety and by the end of the run I was good.

Saturday night the hubby and I enjoyed a great dinner together. We talked and ate and ate and talked. I even had a Margaretta. We then watched No Country for Old Men. Violent is the best way to describe it. Oddly enough I liked it. Scott hated it. Wanted the bad guy to get it in the end.

Woke up Sunday. Got ready to ride with the group. Pumped my tires. Got my water cup on my bike, bottle in the holder. Wasn't looking forward to riding with the fast guys. Pedaled down my drive way and then the rains came. Turned around, rode back up my drive way and called Dennis. "Sorry, not coming, not riding in the rain." Went back in the house and back to bed. Woke up feeling depressed and really mad at myself for not going.

Caroline and I ended up riding 40 miles around 1:30 p.m. The sky was threatening and sure enough the rains came after about 20 miles of riding. I called Dennis and asked him if he was doing the rain dance so he could make a point that we wouldn't melt while riding out there. He just laughed. He told me how the group rode fast, really fast earlier that day. Part of me felt like I made the right decision but part of me felt like a real wus (is that how you spell wus?) for not trying. Last year I didn't care if the pack broke away from me, so why should I care this year?

Riding has turned into my waves on lake Michigan. I'm on the beach watching. Slowly making my way in.

I gotta stop the excuses and just go.

MetLife Duathlon

Ten Things I Love About the MetLife Duathlon .....

10. It's only 4 miles from my house.

9. The race caps out at 500 people.

8. Plenty of Port a Potties - not a long wait :)

7. Cool Shirt

6. Entry fee is only $30

5. Can always find room in the transition area.

4. Flat, shaded run.

3. Only 2 small hills on the bike

2. All proceeds go to a great cause. Together We Cope

1. The people :)

The MetLife Duathlon took place yesterday. http://www.metlifeduathlon.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 This was the third year I had the privilege of volunteering for the race.

MetLife is pretty grassroots. It relies on donations for food and other things that the athletes need. Why? Because what ever money isn't spent on the race is donated to Together We Cope. Check out there website. http://www.togetherwecope.org/ This year we had a lot of great organizations help us out. Running for Kicks in Palos http://www.runningforkicks.com/, Kohl's not only donated money but also volunteers who completely rocked the packet pick up tent/food tent, Lamdgrebe Chiropractors of Tinley Park ,http://www.landgrebechiro.com/ Cardinal Fitness, Body Tech Fitness in Mokenahttp://www.bodytechtotalfitness.com/, Vitamin Water, Walgreens, My Bike of Tinley Park http://mybiketinley.com/. There were countless food donations by local grocery stores in the area. It was a great day and a great race.

Thanks to Val and Gil and their entire family. See you guys next year.

How to Make a Marshmallow

On our way home from the lakefront swim/run SI was telling us how he needed marshmallow's but didn't have any. No problem, he just made them ....

1/2 cup cold water
3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
2/3 cups corn syrup
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Get a 9×9 inch pan and line it with plastic wrap
Pour some oil on the plastic wrap and spread it all over the wrap with your hands so that the entire piece of plastic is oiled (this is going to keep your mixture from sticking to the plastic).
Get an electric mixer out and put 1/2 cup cold water into the bowl.
Pour the 3 envelopes of gelatin over the water and let it soak for about 10 minutes.
When the mixture has been soaking for about 5 minutes, get a sauce pan out and start combining your 2 cups of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water and 2/3 cups corn syrup in the sauce pan.
Bring the mixture in the sauce pan to a boil and let it boil for about 1 minute.
Then pour the boiling mixture into the gelatin mixture and start mixing it at high speed. While mixing, add 1/4 teaspoon salt and beat for 10 - 12 minutes.
Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and mix it into the mixture lightly.
You are now going to scrape the mixture into the 9×9 inch pan lined with oiled plastic. Before you scrape, make sure to oil whatever you are using to scrape it out with. If you decide to use your hands, oil your hands.
Scrape the mixture into your 9×9 inch pan and spread evenly. Cover with another piece of plastic and press the mixture into the pan.
Let the mixture sit for a few hours.
Remove the big piece of mixture from the pan and cover entirely with powdered sugar.
Take some kitchen scissors and cut into squares and cover the pieces with powdered sugar.

Training for IMOO was easier than this. I think I'm going to just buy them.

I was supposed to do HHH 100K this week-end. After a couple of sleepless nights thinking about it I decided to back out. It was painful to call Rick and tell him. He was very understanding. For as unready as I was for the ride, he was that much more prepared. When we signed on for the ride we did agree he would break away if I was holding him back but I know Rick. (He would deny this) But I know he would stick with me. So anyway. Then he slammed with with the question - "Girl, what happened on that swim up in Rockford last week?" I did my best to explain but he wasn't buying it. "Do I need to get out there and build up that confidence?" See, I told ya I got some great, GREAT tribuddies.

One more thing, Happy Belated Father's day. So I'm talking to my father, who lives in Texas. The conversation was pleasant and short. And just like all father's do, mine gives me advise that it's time to stop doing tri's and stop running. "Ya know you're moving on age wise, you've done what you need to do and proven what you need to prove .... " Scott thinks this is the spark I needed to get me moving again. :)