I just registered for Boulder Peak and Xterra Lory. Both had a price increase after today (Boulder Peak being much more of an increase at $25) so I figured since I plan on doing them, I may as well sign up now. Not that I am signing up for all of my races now--some don't even have their 2011 registration open and others I can wait since the price doesn't go up for a little while. Up until October of this year, I lived in NJ for almost 6.5 years which was the majority of my time racing triathlons. Living in CO brings many new challenges with races I have never done. Combine that with my undertaking of off-road triathlons and 2011 should be a very interesting year.
2010 was a difficult year at times with the iron deficiency and continued migraine troubles but the year also was highlighted by some major life changes. My 3 big highlights from 2010 are:
1) Making a big change and moving to CO and starting a new job. Change can be difficult, but it also helps me to push myself and grow and learn new things.
2) Getting Mickey the dog
3) trying out Xterra despite not having a mountain bike of my own to ride. I'm so glad I tried something different and found something new that I really like.
This past week. Cooper and Frito went to the vet for a checkup and because we had noticed that one of Cooper's front teeth had turned purple (i.e. it was dead). I was a bit concerned about that and some of the lumps that he had. In NJ, the vet I went to classified Cooper and Frito as seniors and ran all sorts of test as a result. They also said Cooper needed to have a dental exam and that his lumps needed to be removed because they may be cancerous. Of course I ran the senior tests (I didn't have a choice if I wanted the exam done there), and also had Cooper have surgery to remove several lumps and have a dental exam and tooth removed. The vet here didn't classify them as seniors and said that as long as the lumps weren't growing, they were just fatty masses and cause no harm. And that his teeth were okay and he didn't need them removed--just maybe a cleaning sometime. It was so nice not to be pressured into surgery under false information and spending over $1000 for something Cooper really doesn't need, not to mention save him the trauma of walking around in a cone for a week. I am a bit frustrated that the vets office in NJ just seemed to be wringing every dollar that they could out of me, and glad that we have a vet here that is honest and not out to rip people off.
Cooper and Frito were both 3-4 lbs lighter...they have always been very thin dogs, but I guess all the extra activity they have been getting here has leaned them out even more. Mickey is now the heaviest dog in the house.
So I guess this is my last post for 2010. Happy New Year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Cookies and workouts
Christmas came and went too quickly. I had all these plans of things I was going to bake but only ended up making 2 batches of gluten free thumbprint cookies. The first batch didn't turn out so well--lesson learned that if I am not using a mix, I need to put Xanthan gum. Adam still devoured most of the crumbs from the first batch and I was successful in my second attempt.
Adam really wanted Italian rainbow cookies and I was going to make them for him, but then I saw how involved it was, so Friday afternoon we drove all the way to Wheatridge (not that close) to an authentic Italian bakery (not many of those around here unlike NJ and Long Island) and got him more than a pound of cookies.
We got enough exercise to feel like all this cookie eating was justified. On Friday, I did my first ride up Lookout Mountain. Adam and I rode from town in Golden and then quickly began climbing. The actual climb as we measured it is around 4.5 miles, though the climbing begins before that. It took me a little while to get warmed up, but once I did, I was moving pretty well. I ended up finishing the climb in 28:07 with a 173 norm power, which I am happy with since I have barely ridden my bike for the past few months. It is a starting point at least and I'd like to do the climb every few weeks to see how my cycling is progressing. It was an amazing view--the climb winds it's way around the mountain and there are amazing views of Golden, snow covered peaks and of people hang gliding and paragliding. Before we started the climb I made a comment that it didn't look like it was that high up, but early on into the climb the views were amazing and I quickly realized just how far we were going up. Part way up and towards the top there was ice and snow on the road. My tire slipped on the climb up which made me super cautious on the decent. I froze on the way down, even after adding an extra layer wind jacket.
I rode on my own yesterday, 2 hours+ riding up Deer Creek Canyon road. I didn't go up to the really steep part on High Grade, but it was a good enough workout for me at this point. Adam rode it later in the day and a guy that was riding near him on the decent crashed badly and the ambulance and fire trucks had to come and close the road. It reminded me of how important it is to be alert when descending and not to take stupid risks to try to be faster than someone else.
I ran 90 mins Saturday and felt great, definitely getting into the groove of things with running. Swimming, I actually feel pretty good considering the sizable breaks in swimming I have taken, and while my times are not where I would like, I know that with consistency, they will get down where they need to be.
Speaking of swimming, Adam got me a new swimsuit and goggles for Christmas among other things. Getting a new suit is always good motivation for me to swim. He also got me some egg beater mountain bike pedals--now I just need the mountain bike! My favorite gift that he gave me was a homemade calender with pictures of the dogs and us and with little captions.
There is a blizzard in NJ yesterday and today. Glad I am not there for that! I was really enjoying the 50-55 degree weather this weekend and today. I know it will get cold again, but it sure has been nice and it seems like the sun is always shining and even when it gets cold it seems like it is only for a few days and then it gets "warm" again. I feel so lucky to be here and while I miss many things about NJ, I am so glad that I made the change to move out here. If someone had told me I would be moving to CO, or anywhere really, this time last year I would have thought they were crazy.
Adam really wanted Italian rainbow cookies and I was going to make them for him, but then I saw how involved it was, so Friday afternoon we drove all the way to Wheatridge (not that close) to an authentic Italian bakery (not many of those around here unlike NJ and Long Island) and got him more than a pound of cookies.
We got enough exercise to feel like all this cookie eating was justified. On Friday, I did my first ride up Lookout Mountain. Adam and I rode from town in Golden and then quickly began climbing. The actual climb as we measured it is around 4.5 miles, though the climbing begins before that. It took me a little while to get warmed up, but once I did, I was moving pretty well. I ended up finishing the climb in 28:07 with a 173 norm power, which I am happy with since I have barely ridden my bike for the past few months. It is a starting point at least and I'd like to do the climb every few weeks to see how my cycling is progressing. It was an amazing view--the climb winds it's way around the mountain and there are amazing views of Golden, snow covered peaks and of people hang gliding and paragliding. Before we started the climb I made a comment that it didn't look like it was that high up, but early on into the climb the views were amazing and I quickly realized just how far we were going up. Part way up and towards the top there was ice and snow on the road. My tire slipped on the climb up which made me super cautious on the decent. I froze on the way down, even after adding an extra layer wind jacket.
I rode on my own yesterday, 2 hours+ riding up Deer Creek Canyon road. I didn't go up to the really steep part on High Grade, but it was a good enough workout for me at this point. Adam rode it later in the day and a guy that was riding near him on the decent crashed badly and the ambulance and fire trucks had to come and close the road. It reminded me of how important it is to be alert when descending and not to take stupid risks to try to be faster than someone else.
I ran 90 mins Saturday and felt great, definitely getting into the groove of things with running. Swimming, I actually feel pretty good considering the sizable breaks in swimming I have taken, and while my times are not where I would like, I know that with consistency, they will get down where they need to be.
Speaking of swimming, Adam got me a new swimsuit and goggles for Christmas among other things. Getting a new suit is always good motivation for me to swim. He also got me some egg beater mountain bike pedals--now I just need the mountain bike! My favorite gift that he gave me was a homemade calender with pictures of the dogs and us and with little captions.
There is a blizzard in NJ yesterday and today. Glad I am not there for that! I was really enjoying the 50-55 degree weather this weekend and today. I know it will get cold again, but it sure has been nice and it seems like the sun is always shining and even when it gets cold it seems like it is only for a few days and then it gets "warm" again. I feel so lucky to be here and while I miss many things about NJ, I am so glad that I made the change to move out here. If someone had told me I would be moving to CO, or anywhere really, this time last year I would have thought they were crazy.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
2nd Christmas
It's only Dec. 22 and I feel like I already celebrated Christmas. At my parents in MI we did most of the things we normally do for Christmas only several days early. All the foods we normally eat, but with a gluten free twist on some of them for me. No else seemed to like the gluten free Pulla (a Finnish sweet bread), but I did. I guess I'm not used to my bread being as fluffy and soft, so I was happy to eat it. That and the gluten free thumbprint cookies sure did taste good. I got in lots of XC skiing at least once a day and some running too. I thought running was going to be so easy coming down from altitude, but with the cold air and snowy roads/trails it felt much harder. It felt so much easier running here today in 40+ degree weather and dry conditions. I really missed having the dogs and Adam there. Next time we'll have to figure out a way to get us all there. My sister's dog Charley Brown, who is a German Short haired pointer served as a good substitute buddy for the time I was there. She is a lot like Frito, only with 10x the energy.
So I've already opened all the presents from my family but I have all Adam's and his parents left to go on Christmas. I feel like I got so much already. Adam and I are deciding what foods and traditions we want to incorporate into our Christmas. We both have traditions we are used to that we want to keep so it should interesting.
Mickey's newest trick is taking the tennis ball and dropping it in the toilet. He is such a character.
I managed to avoid getting my sister's cold until the very last night I was in MI. Not a bad one but definitely warranted a day off training so I didn't get worse. Since I flew in late am and had all day off work, I was going to bike and swim after I got home. That turned into a 3 hour nap with Cooper. Better to rest than end up really sick.
1 more day of work tomorrow and then a 3 day weekend. I have to figure out what I am going to cook for my 2nd Christmas!
So I've already opened all the presents from my family but I have all Adam's and his parents left to go on Christmas. I feel like I got so much already. Adam and I are deciding what foods and traditions we want to incorporate into our Christmas. We both have traditions we are used to that we want to keep so it should interesting.
Mickey's newest trick is taking the tennis ball and dropping it in the toilet. He is such a character.
I managed to avoid getting my sister's cold until the very last night I was in MI. Not a bad one but definitely warranted a day off training so I didn't get worse. Since I flew in late am and had all day off work, I was going to bike and swim after I got home. That turned into a 3 hour nap with Cooper. Better to rest than end up really sick.
1 more day of work tomorrow and then a 3 day weekend. I have to figure out what I am going to cook for my 2nd Christmas!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Random
It was mid 60's Monday and Tuesday and now there is snow coming. Of course the snow is coming just in time for me flying to Michigan to see my family. They got some snow there, so I'll get to do some XC skiing while I'm there!
I don't understand why some people are the way they are. I went for a run in shorts and a t-shirt on Tuesday. It was gorgeous out and the gym that I use pretty much for a changing room had people lined up running on the treadmill staring out at the sunshine. I don't understand why people run on a treadmill at all, but especially when it is so nice out! Are people so stuck in their routines that they don't want to get outside and get some fresh air? I just don't get it. Perhaps these same people are just as perplexed by me coming to the gym and then just running outside. Anyway, I think we've been pretty lucky here to have so much nice weather.
I haven't done any of my Christmas shopping yet. I don't really like shopping for Christmas presents.
I'm flying out tomorrow pm and I still haven't packed. I don't like packing either. Since it's going to be cold, I feel like I should pack a lot, but I don't want to pay the airline checked bag fee, so I'm going as minimalist as one can possibly pack and still be somewhat prepared for running and xc skiing in the cold.
We hired a dog walker on Sunday. Adam talked to several dog walking companies and we found a woman we thought would work out. She walked the dogs Monday. And then got into a car accident and broke her leg Monday night. So, I guess we will be shopping for a new pet sitter.
Adam finally got his new bike. He has been without a bike for around a month now and was starting to freak out a bit about losing his biking fitness. As much as I've enjoyed having him to run and swim with on occasion, I think it is best for all of our sanity that he is back on the bike.
I don't understand why some people are the way they are. I went for a run in shorts and a t-shirt on Tuesday. It was gorgeous out and the gym that I use pretty much for a changing room had people lined up running on the treadmill staring out at the sunshine. I don't understand why people run on a treadmill at all, but especially when it is so nice out! Are people so stuck in their routines that they don't want to get outside and get some fresh air? I just don't get it. Perhaps these same people are just as perplexed by me coming to the gym and then just running outside. Anyway, I think we've been pretty lucky here to have so much nice weather.
I haven't done any of my Christmas shopping yet. I don't really like shopping for Christmas presents.
I'm flying out tomorrow pm and I still haven't packed. I don't like packing either. Since it's going to be cold, I feel like I should pack a lot, but I don't want to pay the airline checked bag fee, so I'm going as minimalist as one can possibly pack and still be somewhat prepared for running and xc skiing in the cold.
We hired a dog walker on Sunday. Adam talked to several dog walking companies and we found a woman we thought would work out. She walked the dogs Monday. And then got into a car accident and broke her leg Monday night. So, I guess we will be shopping for a new pet sitter.
Adam finally got his new bike. He has been without a bike for around a month now and was starting to freak out a bit about losing his biking fitness. As much as I've enjoyed having him to run and swim with on occasion, I think it is best for all of our sanity that he is back on the bike.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Busy
I guess it's been quite awhile since I wrote on here. A lot has been going on.
I have been to acupuncture 2x now. The verdict is still out on that. I know that it is not something I will see instant results with for something like migraines and insomnia. I first went the Tuesday almost 2 weeks ago, and I had a migraine when I arrived. I took treatment medicine for it but it didn't help. Having acupuncture with a migraine was not pleasant and it didn't really help (although I guess because I had taken the medicine it wouldn't help the migraine that was occurring). I was going more for prevention anyway and for help with the insomnia I've been having the month or so. After going that Tuesday I had to keep taking treatment medicine for migraines and had more trouble sleeping partially because I was having pain in my left foot that was causing my whole left side to feel numb. None of this could have had to do with the acupuncture, but I certainly felt much worse and struggled the week after I went. I was having so much trouble sleeping that I tried Melatonin, but that completely wiped me out. I was too tired taking that and still woke up in the middle of the night, but just felt groggy later. Ugh.
So I went back this Tuesday and haven't had a migraine since but have still had the sleeping problems. I'm not sure I like the person I am going to. For insurance purposes I'm limited with my choices, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable going to her. I felt okay the first time I went, but I got a very negative vibe from her, which made me uncomfortable and hard to relax the second time, which makes it pretty uncomfortable if you aren't relaxed. I don't feel the pins (is that what I call them?) unless I tense up, and I was very tense the second time. So, I think it may be helping but I may need to go to someone different. I'll give her one more try this week and see how it goes. If I can't relax and feel comfortable with the person, then it is not going to help me as much as it possibly can.
I think I really need to go get a massage. My back is seriously knotted up and my foot isn't doing too well either. I don't know of anyone good locally and don't want to drive forever to get a massage. I think this week I'm going to have to work on finding a good massage therapist.
I also went to a new primary care physician and she was great. She spent a lot of time talking with me and referred me to a neurologist which of course I have to wait a long time to go see. She was a recreational triathlete and had a bike, treadmill and weights all set up in her office! Her practice is more about prevention than about just writing prescriptions for everything and I like that. We did also discuss my asthma and I decided to go back on Advair. My asthma is not in control and so I do need to something different.
As for training, I'm starting to do what resembles triathlon training again. I biked 2x this week. 1 really didn't count much as it was an easy 30 min spin on the trainer after Adam adjusted my seat angle because my back was hurting and the seat was uncomfortable. Before this, I haven't biked in over a month. Today I rode outside. It was chilly, but not bad, maybe high 30's-low 40's with some wind. I rode around 1:40 and I was tired and so hungry. Something about biking, especially in the cold, just wipes me out. As far as other training, I've been swimming some, but not as much as I would like. Swimming doesn't happen too easily when I have a migraine, that's why I want to get it figured out. Running is staying pretty consistent. The nice weather certainly helps though.
I am joining a multisport club/team EPC Multisport made up of a lot of Xterra athletes. Last Sunday I did a run and swim with the group and Adam and I went to the team's happy hour on Wednesday. It seems like a nice and competitive group and it will be nice to have people to train with so I can learn some of the good places to train, push myself harder, learn some things about Xterra, travel to races with, etc. I'm excited to be part of a team again. I really enjoyed being on the club team in college and when I lived in NC. I never belonged to a club when I was in NJ, but group workouts and traveling to races with friends and meeting other athletes is one of my favorite parts of being in the sport.
Last week we celebrated Hanuka, and this week we got a Christmas tree. It was Adam's first time picking out and decorating a tree. Even though he is Jewish, he and his family always celebrated on Christmas because his dad owned an appliance store and that was when they could celebrate. So we are keeping with that tradition and opening presents together at Christmas time. And I was hoping I would get some early presents.
Mickey is getting a little bigger but is still full of puppy energy. Sometimes he will go in a corner by himself and twirl the tug o war rope over and over until he gets dizzy. I think he would play all day if he could find willing partners, but Cooper and Frito need a rest after awhile.
I have been to acupuncture 2x now. The verdict is still out on that. I know that it is not something I will see instant results with for something like migraines and insomnia. I first went the Tuesday almost 2 weeks ago, and I had a migraine when I arrived. I took treatment medicine for it but it didn't help. Having acupuncture with a migraine was not pleasant and it didn't really help (although I guess because I had taken the medicine it wouldn't help the migraine that was occurring). I was going more for prevention anyway and for help with the insomnia I've been having the month or so. After going that Tuesday I had to keep taking treatment medicine for migraines and had more trouble sleeping partially because I was having pain in my left foot that was causing my whole left side to feel numb. None of this could have had to do with the acupuncture, but I certainly felt much worse and struggled the week after I went. I was having so much trouble sleeping that I tried Melatonin, but that completely wiped me out. I was too tired taking that and still woke up in the middle of the night, but just felt groggy later. Ugh.
So I went back this Tuesday and haven't had a migraine since but have still had the sleeping problems. I'm not sure I like the person I am going to. For insurance purposes I'm limited with my choices, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable going to her. I felt okay the first time I went, but I got a very negative vibe from her, which made me uncomfortable and hard to relax the second time, which makes it pretty uncomfortable if you aren't relaxed. I don't feel the pins (is that what I call them?) unless I tense up, and I was very tense the second time. So, I think it may be helping but I may need to go to someone different. I'll give her one more try this week and see how it goes. If I can't relax and feel comfortable with the person, then it is not going to help me as much as it possibly can.
I think I really need to go get a massage. My back is seriously knotted up and my foot isn't doing too well either. I don't know of anyone good locally and don't want to drive forever to get a massage. I think this week I'm going to have to work on finding a good massage therapist.
I also went to a new primary care physician and she was great. She spent a lot of time talking with me and referred me to a neurologist which of course I have to wait a long time to go see. She was a recreational triathlete and had a bike, treadmill and weights all set up in her office! Her practice is more about prevention than about just writing prescriptions for everything and I like that. We did also discuss my asthma and I decided to go back on Advair. My asthma is not in control and so I do need to something different.
As for training, I'm starting to do what resembles triathlon training again. I biked 2x this week. 1 really didn't count much as it was an easy 30 min spin on the trainer after Adam adjusted my seat angle because my back was hurting and the seat was uncomfortable. Before this, I haven't biked in over a month. Today I rode outside. It was chilly, but not bad, maybe high 30's-low 40's with some wind. I rode around 1:40 and I was tired and so hungry. Something about biking, especially in the cold, just wipes me out. As far as other training, I've been swimming some, but not as much as I would like. Swimming doesn't happen too easily when I have a migraine, that's why I want to get it figured out. Running is staying pretty consistent. The nice weather certainly helps though.
I am joining a multisport club/team EPC Multisport made up of a lot of Xterra athletes. Last Sunday I did a run and swim with the group and Adam and I went to the team's happy hour on Wednesday. It seems like a nice and competitive group and it will be nice to have people to train with so I can learn some of the good places to train, push myself harder, learn some things about Xterra, travel to races with, etc. I'm excited to be part of a team again. I really enjoyed being on the club team in college and when I lived in NC. I never belonged to a club when I was in NJ, but group workouts and traveling to races with friends and meeting other athletes is one of my favorite parts of being in the sport.
Last week we celebrated Hanuka, and this week we got a Christmas tree. It was Adam's first time picking out and decorating a tree. Even though he is Jewish, he and his family always celebrated on Christmas because his dad owned an appliance store and that was when they could celebrate. So we are keeping with that tradition and opening presents together at Christmas time. And I was hoping I would get some early presents.
Mickey is getting a little bigger but is still full of puppy energy. Sometimes he will go in a corner by himself and twirl the tug o war rope over and over until he gets dizzy. I think he would play all day if he could find willing partners, but Cooper and Frito need a rest after awhile.
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