Curious George Knits

Turning the Corner

I finally feel like I'm turning the corner with respect to my training. I've run "late" this year because, let's face it, there's not an Ironman in August scaring the shit out of me. I've slept in a couple of times (gasp) and missed a workout here and there. And it shows in my climbing. But it's okay. My body needed the break from the relentlessness that is Ironman training. But now, after a long, hilly ride Saturday and my longest run of the year yesterday and only being a little extra sleepy this morning instead of completely pasted, I am feeling like progress has been made. Yay!

Add that "yay" to the fact that I'm going on vacation Friday and you have one very happy person.

I'm Still Sick

Sick enough that I can't train. I know. Gasp.

So, today I'm going to knit and nap and drink honey-laden tea and will my body to stop the fucking coughing!

Four Years Ago

For those of you who are new followers, you may not know I spent the bulk of 2006 in bed, in a wheelchair, or in a walker. I also spent several months using crutches. I went camping for a week on crutches! I walked my first mile, aided by hiking poles, in July (the accident was March, obviously) then graduated to a cane. I started walking unaided, I think, some time in early September. I ran one mile, slowly and painfully, on October 10. I didn't tell anyone before I did it. I was overjoyed when I was done. I ran a 5K on New Years' Eve and whooped as I crossed the finish line. My husband was a rock. He basically ran the ship, drove the kids, emptied my catheter, made the meals, shopped for food, did a lot of laundry, drove me to physical therapy, drove me to water therapy, etc. etc. My kids were also especially wonderful. They would come in and sit on my bed while we all had breakfast so I wouldn't feel left out. They did their own laundry. They NEVER complained. Neighbors brought meals, over and over again. Family took the kids places, like skiing and to lunch and Powell's. My support system was unbelievably amazing. I love those people and love that they taught me that, without a doubt, people are good.

My physical therapist, well...was awesome. He knew that I wanted to be back to where I had been before the accident (training for an Ironman). I was very clear. I wanted to run again, bike again, for long stretches of time, going as fast as possible. He made me WORK. I *did* the work. It made me cry sometimes, because I would be so mad that I couldn't do something, but he gave me exercises that would eventually enable me to do whatever it was. After I got a lot better, maybe in early summer of 2007, and I was doing a run near my house, he actually drove up behind me and rolled down his window and said, "You're running balanced! You're not limping!" That was a really good day. I got all choked up and gave him a fist bump, he drove off and I ran home, counting my blessings. In June 2007, I was able to do a half Ironman. I finished into my husband's arms, crying and laughing, all at the same time.

Since then, I've trained for and finished three Ironman triathlons, lots of other shorter triathlons and running races. I've snowshoed, wrestled with my dogs, and am living a wonderfully normal life. I know that hardships can be overcome with hard work and a great group of people who love you. I also know that my priorities are in line and will remain there. I'm pretty sure they were before, but not a day goes by when I know that my family is the best, that I am lucky to have great friends, and that life is an adventure, day by day.

Pretty Good Progress

I got a lot done this weekend. I never get as much done as I hope to accomplish, but I was busy every minute of the day and spent some awesome family time with all three kids, so it's all good.

I'm having a hard time with argyle socks. I want to make an awesome pair for G, but I'm starting the first diamonds of the second color and it's just not intuitive. Maybe it's user error. Whatever!

Finally got some decent training hours in last week for this time of year. The sun helps a ton. G and I rode for nearly three hours out in the boonies with our friends Marie and Steve. Tons of animals, great views of Mt. Hood, and SUN! Got some additional vitamin D on Sunday when I ran on the waterfront. So great. I'm tired, but it's such a good tired.

Best weekend memory: all three of the kids and me walking the dogs before dinner on Sunday.

A Great Way to Start a Day

A great way to start a Saturday is to get up early, but not bone-shatteringly early, eat and go on a 40 mile bike ride with son and good friends, complete with seeing lots of baby animals (alpacas! cows!) and views of a stunningly gorgeous Mt. Hood. Then, come home before noon and know you still have most of a day in the sun REMAINING!

I highly recommend this.

Shaking it Up

Sunday I had an incredibly rare day to myself. I had missed training on Friday and Saturday due to the district swim meet where I was coaching, and felt the need to do something besides jump up and down and yell while getting completely wet while wearing clothes.

So, I got up Sunday, ran a great workout, then did yoga, then jumped in the pool for a nice swim. Sounds like a lot, but it just felt so good. Then, I knitted and watched the Olympics and played with the furry mammals. Then, Jay made me Valentines Day dinner. He makes the best Ahi on the planet! Did I mention that we had fresh Ahi for dinner? OMG, yum.

Last night I had to run an errand over by my gym, and swim team is OVER! so I went to yoga again. But, there was a spin class right before it and the teacher --- well, she kicks my ass in 45 minutes. I nearly went home after the spin...my legs were kind of shaky. But I love Ron The Yoga Teacher...he is so...yoga-like! So, I went in there and he kicked my ass too. So, I had shaky legs, shaky rest-of-the-body and went home. It was great.

Thanks Joe

Joseph Pilates designed Pilates during World War I with the proposal to improve the rehabilitation program for the many returning veterans.  According to wikipedia, the program focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles. Basically, you work your core in many different ways, moving slowly, and using your breathing to control the movements. Short story: it's hard.

When we joined Eastside Athletic Club, it was for the availability of the pool and the yoga and Pilates classes (in my opinion -- heh heh). My core needs WORK, people. For my running, for my riding. For when I'm skinny enough ever to show my stomach again. This morning, I went to Pilates with Alice. It was difficult! It was beneficial! I loved it! I'm feelin' it! (ow)

I also got to spend some time with Alice, which was...well...Bonus!

Self

I saw a meme the other day that was something like "Ten Things You May Not Know about Me". I'm going to do something similar, but most people who know me already know these things. So...for what it's worth, here are Ten Things about Me.

1. My family is the most important thing in the world to me. I will do anything possible for my children, including allowing them to clean their own bathroom and fold their own laundry. My kids rock! My kids are amazing! Do you want me to tell you some stories about my kids?

2. I love knitting, starting new knitting projects, finishing projects, cruising Ravelry, and wearing what I knit. I'm also pretty Type A, and love organizing my yarn and matching it up to patterns I want to knit.

3. Vintage shopping is awesome. It's even better when I go with my kids. Just last weekend, my daughter found a beautiful, brown tweed wool coat with three-quarter-length sleeves for $29.

4. I make lists for everything. Stuff to do, stuff to make, menus, shopping lists, lists of yarn, projects I want to do, etc. This frees my mind so I don't have to keep track of all the things I have going on.

5. This leads me to my next "thing". Triathlon. I pursue my passion for triathlon by waking up early, walking around a lot of the time with sweaty hair, and telling the pedicure lady to leave the calluses ON my feet please! With regard to my desire for lists and organization, I plan out my training in four-week blocks so that it matches up with what races I have coming up and what time I have available and what I've done the previous day and week.

6. A great day for me would be: Wake up early, workout of some sort, shower. Out for eggs benedict with the whole family. Shopping at vintage stores and Powell's bookstore with the family. Sushi to refuel. Come home and watch a movie with all the kids and J. Glass or two of good wine.

7. I've done three Ironmans and want to do more. I like doing Canada, but would like to try a different course. I think I will do Canada in 2011 and then a different one after that.

8. I love books. I love shopping for books and I love reading. I keep lists (surprise) of books that I've read.

9. I have learned that the rumor about endorphins after working out really are true.

10. I truly enjoy cooking. I dislike going to the grocery store. I only go to the grocery store because my family needs to eat and I love to cook.