Triathlon Triumph

I almost forgot to write about the triathlon!

I just re-read my post from last years "My First Tri" and although this one felt easier in a way, I still had the same amazing feeling at the end...such a high and once again that was mainly due to having friends along for the journey either taking part with me or spectating and supporting on the course.
The race was well organised and quite a bit bigger than the one I did last year. The main difference was that this was a pool swim. I had been concerned about 2 things going into the race: the distance as it was double the lake swim, and the chaos of the pool. It turned out okay though, the distance was hard for me but I was expecting that and just plodded through trying to focus on one lap at a time. We each had a lap counter but mine got a little confused and told me I was finished after only 6 of 10 laps. I was confused too and then she checked and said she was wrong, which I already knew. I committed to not looking at my watch throughout as I didn't want to be demoralized by knowing just how slow I was going. Laps 1-6 were torturously slow at accumulating but I don't recall counting 7-9 as I finally found my groove. Lap 10 was of course the sweetest and then I popped out of the pool and ran out side to the sea of bikes. The bike ride consisted of about 250 metres uphill right out of the transition zone and the resultant first loop of 4 was hard going. My legs were cold from the water and my heart rate was high with adrenaline. I settled into a rhythm soon enough though and laps 2, 3, and 4 were all faster than that first one. The bets part was seeing and hearing my friends cheering as I turned at each loop and seeing my co-competitors whizzing by on the other side each lap. As there was some uphill on the course, that meant there was downhill too and I hit 45km per hour at one point which felt awesome. The final stage was the run and again it started with about 1km of uphill right out of the T zone. I was breathing heavy and was concerned about hyperventilation but felt fine and just pushed pushed pushed. The run was my favorite part and I was feeling so high, I was soliciting high 5's from race marshalls and supporters along the way. I finished strong and saw the two loveliest faces of Paula and MJ at the finish line and I practically knocked them over as I blew past the timer for a giant celebratory hug.
Post race activities involved a massage, shower and beer and nosh up in the pub. A good day all around.

Double Duty blogger

Somehow I have gone from blogging an average of 2 posts per year to having 2 blogs, one of which promises daily posts! This is in part due to having lots more time on my hands and also a desire to improve my writing skills. I was thinking today about attempting to write some poetry but do not know where to start. I have words and feelings in my head but putting them down so they have some sort of flow and sense is seeming like an impossible challenge. As I blog more and think daily about how I want to say whatever it is I want to say, I am slowly unlocking and accessing corners of my mind, vocabulary and artistic nature to reveal the possibility within.
I'm trying to read more too. I think that will help and inspire whatever it is I am aiming for as words, language and expression occupy the over-active, over-analysing, overwhelming beast that is my emotional brain.

Blogger squared

24-7foodie.blogspot.com


Check it out! I am about to write the first post. I know it's going to evolve a lot more from my original vision. Stay tuned!

Food for thought?

Thinking of starting a new blog or steering this one in a new direction. I want a more concrete theme besides "random notes" and I'm leaning towards a food based one, seeing as that is pretty much my favourite subject matter and I indulge regularly throughout the day every day!
My thought is to list and discuss what I eat every day, maybe add photos, and just see what spirals out of it. I think it will hopefully take it's own path and shape over time into something magical...and tasty.

Lighten up already!!!

I just re-read my last few posts and I've decided I need to lighten up! I'm ready to lighten up...next post is brewing in my head as we speak and I'm smiling :-)

T-5 days to go

The triathlon is fast approaching...today is Weds and the tri is on Monday morning.
Training needs to start winding down but I'm feeling like I want to do more!!! Exercise has been my sanity and I've had an overwhelming urge and need to exercise intensely daily for the past few months. It's like I need that hit. I have not indulged myself as much as I felt I wanted to as I know that would be unhealthy and bad for my body but I am not looking forward to "resting" for the next few days. Too much time on my hands and my head. I'll have to channel the energy another direction...which one??
Had a big bike ride on Monday of 45 k which was great and yesterday I did a run on the treadmill and then a swim later. I was tired, my body is tired this week but I don't want to rest. Not surprising seeing as last week was probably emotionally one of the most intense I have had for months. And I am going to bed too late but that is an ongoing issue that I'm trying to resolve. I've had that problem for a long time now. I think it's because I can't rest my head and my heart. They keep me up and won't shut off.
Today I take my bike in for the safety check, I'll ride there, it's only a couple of km and that will probably be my last ride before the race. Planning a short hike on Thursday after work with a friend and then a last chance swim on Friday.
The weekend will be filled, hopefully, with rest, reading, cooking, hydrating and hanging out with friends.
I'm nervous about the swim portion of the race mainly. The sounds and sensations of the pool can be overwhelming when there are other people around and couple that with the fact that swimming is not my forte or my comfort zone, I'm hoping for a PB based solely on the fact that I'll just want to get the hell outta there ASAP!
As for the rest of the race, I think it will be fine and to have all the spectators there and to see my co-workers and friends taking part in the race along side me will be awesome...GO TEAM!!!
I have loved having this goal to work towards, especially with the others that are doing it too. I'm going to feel a bit lost afterwards without a goal so I'm thinking about the next big thing already.
Olympic distance? Adventure race? I need something to focus on or I'll just drift.

Into the unknown

The last few days have been strange for me. I was away at a work conference which was awesome but I have had some time to think on the long drive there (5 hours each way) and it's really the first time I have sat still since my separation. Separation is something I have never been through seeing as I have been in a committed relationship since I was 19. Some days I feel fine and other times, something catches me off guard and feelings present themselves. It's somewhat challenging to plan for these situations! Today is one of those days. Sunshine helps. Exercise helps. I NEED to exercise. Not just exercise. I need to sweat and feel intensity, big time.
I have tried to maintain a positive attitude during this experience and that has helped....you know..fake it til you make it. Plus, it's easier to be positive than to get stuck in the dark headspace but it can only take you so far when you are going through something so significant and emotional.
I've done the whole "stay busy, stay positive" thing for the past 6 weeks. Now I need to feel it all, properly. I'm focusing inwardly and trying to just "be". I'm not sure I've ever done that before but I know I need to do it now.
Once my triathlon is done ( just over a week), the summer looks a little intimidating as it's a blank canvas. I am artistic though so I will just have to decide when and how I want to paint.

Life is precious

Just time for a quick post today before I head out to Kickboxing.
Heard some sad news today about a friend and was reminded that life is short so make the most of it. Hug your friends, tell your parents you love them, don't sweat the small stuff, slow down for a moment and just "be", be your authentic self all the time, know your values and stick to them, see the child in everyone, open your heart and do not be afraid.

A lot can happen between posts

I thought it had been a lot longer than 5 months since my last post. 5 months is still a long time but less than I remembered. My blog seems very distant so today is going to change that. Facebook on the other hand is very present. In fact, it's right in the next Firefox tab. It's an addiction. Seriously.

Currently lying on the couch in my PJ's watching the Canucks desperately trying to win (but losing 5-3 currently) Game 4 of the playoffs against Chicago. It's quite a good game..would be better if they were winning..Go Canucks GO! Have eaten sizeable portion of Dairy Milk bar I purchased last week(yeah I know, it's impressive it's been in my house that long untouched) and contemplating/resisting another 4 squares. I knew if I opened it, it would be hard not to eat the whole thing. Just to clarify, we are not talking a normal sized bar here, it's 3 x normal size. Therein lies the problem.

I should reference the title of the post. This is what has happened since then, I think in correct order:

• Christmas
• New Years
• The Olympics (still suffering withdrawal symptoms from that)
• Bad fall on knee on some stairs during Olympics (still suffering from that)
• Went to Hawaii (with rather swollen and purple knee)
• Passed my 2 nd kickboxing belt test (got an A+ for push ups-super pumped about that)
• Separated from my husband
• Moved in to my own place
• Registerered and have been training for a triathlon (which is in 2 weeks time)
• pulled my hip flexor badly in kickboxing (6 weeks ago...still sore)
• Gave myself the title of swimmer as I can now do flip turns
• lost my Kitty (she had to be put to sleep. Sadness)
• Successfully managed to read ZERO book club books
• Got a new cellphone with a touch screen
• went to see a Canucks game (my first ever since living in Vancouver)

Everything on the list is significant which is why I listed it, some more than others though, as you will have seen. Being separated and now living on my own is something very foreign and new to me. It's been about 6 weeks now and so I'm moving towards the "getting used to it" zone. That's very similar to the "I can blame no one but myself for any mess" zone and also the "eeks now I have to get rid of spiders all by myself" zone. Of course there are lots of other adjustments too and keeping busy is a good strategy in the short term.

Dammit. Chicago just scored again. Where is your defence, Canucks??
Besides the obvious upheaval/upset going on, the rest of my life is pretty good and the fantastic warm sunny day today was perfect for that Friday feeling. Had an amazing run after work too, the first time i've run 5k in a few weeks due to the hip flexor pull so I've been dying to get out there with my MP3 playing, the sun on my face and the sweat dripping down my neck. I think I would go insane if I could not exercise.
And as I run and also as i drive around this city, I am constantly reminded just how beautiful it is. I live in the best city in the world. Now all I need is for the Canucks to win!