So without further delay (I have this random aversion to the word ado … why? Wait.. this is an aversion…) the two winners are…

Chelsea and Sarah!! Hope this is a good start to your weekend you two!! Please email me your name + mailing address so I can send it off to Subwayland, and you can get your GoodEats on!

Promise.. this guy wants to talk to you. ALL of you! But right now this girl’s gotta run (literally). Oh shoutout to Madre Naturaleza — what the ⠃ ⠥ ⠉⠅did you do to the sunshine? And the whole concept of spring?? Once you give us 70°s, don’t you think it’s a little harsh to go back to 30°s?? I will still be in shorts, but I had packed my gloves away already! BRRRR!!!

-E

[Sorry guys... this isn't the "clue"-ed at post mentioned previously, but that one's not time-sensitive so it can wait. But while I'm inserting this ETA... I might as well say ENTER THE SUBWAY GIFTCARD GIVEAWAY! You have until tomorrow, midnight, central time!]

THURS 05.06.10

• 8:30 am – 7 mile run, accompanied by Breakaway Ministries and my homeboy Señor Dios.
• 10:47 am - Read email that 100% made my day. Possibly year. More later (maybe)!
• 11:00 am – Condo showing. PERFECT location/price. Only they neglected to mention that it’s a basement apartment.  No graicas.
• 12:00 pm – Bike 6 miles to class
• 12:45 pm – LAST class of spring semester 2010!! Spent practicing my active listening skills (aka dominating at Words With Friends…)

Cred. to my photographer extraordinaire Mrs. Grace!

• 2:00 pm – Continue bike ride for 20 more miles. Gomer bailed on me somewhere around mile 17… >=(
• 3:45 pm – Be held off for work until 5:30, so decide to make my first attempt with the crockpot. It’s cookin’ now!
• 4:15 pm – (present time) Do the DTR Rain dance… send a prayer, make a sacrifice stew. Do SOMETHING to make the weather slightly more pleasant so I don’t get called off!!

And that is my day thus far. I really don’t have much else to tell you, except go enter the Subway Giveaway, and have a lovely Thursday night! Ohh no I lied – one more thing…

Summer classes.

I’ve took one last summer to knock out my last general ed, and let me be real here, it blowed. It’s 90° degrees out, you wanna be running, biking, laying out by the beach, going on a picnic, pretty much anything but sitting inside in a classroom. It’s like lecture on Saturday, right Lizzzz? No fun. BUT, then I found out this class was offered. And now here I am hoping it’s not filled because I really want in! I’ll preface it by saying that this prof is amazing and never once will you feel like you’re wasting time in his classes. It’s apparent from day one that he knows his stuff, he’s passionate about it. Anyway, here we go:

_______________________

KIN 5729: Pediatric Exercise – Concepts and Applications

9:05 – 11:15 am … M/T/W/TH … May 24th – June 1oth

Course Description:
The aim of this couse is to address the current understanding of pediatric medicine and exercise physiology. This course will explore the use of physical activity and weight management in the treatment of various diseases (i.e., obesity) that affect children and adolescents. Lectures will cover the metabolic, physiologic and molecular responses to exercise in healthy and diseased states. A current understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of children compared to adults will be provided. Topics include strategies for exercise prescription in various applied and clinical situations. This 2 credit course will be composed of interactive seminars, lectures, and demonstration.

_______________________

Um, how AWESOME does that sound?! Like my blogbuddy Kelly, I’m really passionate about encouraging physical activity in youth. But this class also brings in the medical component to it – using physical activity to treat disease, looking at the physiological responses in the body to exercise, and if you know me, you’ll know that they could have hooked me with the “anatomy & physiology” alone. A&P has been my absolute favorite part of my education thus far, and maybe because I’ve taken them through the kinesiology department, so they have a bit of an exercise science spin, but I LOVE it! So anyways, my question is pretty simple: do I take the class, or not? Well, it seems simple. But here’s my [tangled] thought process:

PROS

• It’s obviously a really interesting subject to me – something I’m passionate about!
• It counts towards the 9 KIN credits I need for the clinical movement subplan.
• The professor is fantastic!
• It’s only 14 days for two credits.
• Some of my good kines buddies are registered!

CONS

• It does NOT count as one of my med OR physical therapy prereqs (I’m still not decided as you can tell…). Although no matter what, it will “look good” on my resume, and it will show where my passions lie.
• It’s during the SUMMER…
• It’s during the MORNING in the summer… my favorite time!!
• It costs $$. Obvio. So if it’s not a class that “counts” then I really need to think about Can I afford to take this?

Haha, sorry – I know this isn’t what you guys come here to read. But maybe some of you can shed your insight on it. READER’S Qs: Have you taken summer classes? Are you taking anything this summer? If so, what? And for me to get to know some of you better, What is your major? Or, what did you study when you were in college?

OK, I’m done for real now. I’m happy to be DONE with classes [for now], and I hope my fellow collegians are winding down too! I have ONE final to dominate next Wednesday, and please believe, there will be celebration when that one’s over and done!

[Hopefully] Off to work! Ciao.
-E

Ohhhh goodness. Do I even have time to backtrack to yesterday? Of course I do… I’m currently sitting in a big ol’ adirondack chair love seat at the lake, watching the sun set. I have time for anything.

Saturday 04.10.10

Yesterday = run with the Team MED guys // ride with the UMN tri team. It was 7 miles of [why the hell do] my-legs-feel-good glory.. and 27 miles of myself and one of my new-favorite-riding-partners getting dropped by the fast riders on the team! Hahah!! It was only slightly disheartening watching them get farther and farther away. And when said new-favorite-teammate said to me, “You don’t have to wait, you can go ride up with them if you want” … my response [in short choppy sentences] was “No. I can’t. I really can’t.” Hahah it’s what we should have expected given the people who turned out for the ride, and we had a blast. AND I wore my padded shorts. Success!!

Shortly after I got back from the team ride, I finally connected with el chico guapo, who was just about 15 minutes from finishing his EIGHTY mile ride. How’s that for making me feel like a slacker?! Five hours on the bike? Yeah.. you know he got his padded shorts. We proceeded to a pic-Chipotle-nic, from which obviously only good things can come.

Replacing a few of the 3,600 calories burned while riding.

Can I call this an “official” product review? Yes. Yes I can:

CHIPOTLE DIET COKE CON LIMA Y LIMÓN

Subtle yet delightful carbonation.. leading to an extremely refreshing mouth-feel and the desire to say “ahhhh” when imbibed. A masterpiece on it’s own, yet the addition of lemon AND lime is highly recommended to obtain the full Minneapolis-is-almost-as-good-as-Mexico experience. Additionally, appears to emanate a heightened aura of buy-me-now when explicitly declared “not-allowed” in one’s diet.

Thank the lord for 90/10 adherence!

To continue with the remarkably wonderful nature of the day, I was able to go to my place of employment and sit outside in the sun.. sippin some Peace Coffee.. and loving every minute. Granted, I was on the McMac doing school work, but it was lovely none the less!

For the sake of time, and the prevention of eye strain, I suppose I should move on to day #2…

Sunday 04.11.10

My favorite day of the week. A fact you all know well if you’ve been hanging around Dr.TriRunner for any amount of time. And you could have guessssed that the giveaway winner would be drawn on this wondrous of wonderful days. The day started with a solid nine hours of sleep – very welcomed after a busy day yesterday! Per the necessary progression of any day, much less a spectacular Sunday, a very large 2-cups of Tanzanian Peaberry Peace Coffee was in order. Everyone has their preferences on eating pre-workout, and I’m not one to preach what you should or shouldn’t do about that… but given today’s physical endeavors, breakfast was indeed required. Enter: the…

Do It Yourself Duathlon!!

It has been a while since the fast-twitch fibers have been activated. Since the Get Lucky 7K actually. And given my upcoming races on the calendar, I thought it was due time that I [attempt to] lay on a little speed today. For the friends of Facebook and my tweeps on Twitter… you got the preview that my do-it-yourself-Du came in the form of 5K around Calhoun // 20 mile bike // 5K around Calhoun. Because of the route chosen for the 20 mile bike, the lack of closed roads, and the fact that it was GORGEOUS out today so everyone and their mom were out too, the bike was not “race pace.” But because of my chosen company, it was pretty damn near close to it:

[photo]

The duathlon itself is pretty self-explanatory, so I will leave you with photos galore.

D – U. Spells DU.

Pre-leg-one. The necessary hydration.

Hot already.. time to move into T1. El Novio joined the party at this point…

Rilo – ready to ride, and all Nuun‘ed up!

El Novio – making his way through T1

Me.. making my way through T2! Bahaha hello baby-bicep!

Gomer says we worked hard.

Terminado. Success!

The question is… who learned from who? I’m just sayin – Dakota is a smart dog.

Showered. Tired. Protein shake ready to go, and cheers to YOU winner of this mystery box giveaway taht you are all just waiting for me to get to.

Please do indeed get amped for this “Do it Yourself Duathlon” deal… because it will be coming to a city near you very very soon!

But not yet!! There was more splendor to come in this Sunday. There are several items on my need want-to-purchase list: among them, a Timbuk2 bag for my bike >> school commute, a bike trainer, a quality pair of sunglasses for riding, a Vita Mix, and an ice cream maker. The concluding item entered my life today via Craigslist: brand new, an unused / in box wedding present, needing to be cleared out to make room for baby. Thankkk you!! So excited to try this out.

Red… not matching one single item in my kitchen.. and super sassy looking. Perfect! Trust me that an OFFICIAL official product review will come!

Aright… raised your hand if you hit ⌘f and typed “winner” just to get down to this point. Or that would be “control+f” for you who are yet to see the light PC lovers. Yes. There was a giveaway. The first day. And then there was Easter, exams, Friday Confessions, Team MED runs / Tri Team Rides, and then the givewaway closed. Bringing us to the sixth day. And on the seventh day, God rested. So I guess I’ll just have to follow suit and wait till tomorrow to post.

KIDDING!!!

¡EL GANADOR!

Aright… the only thing you’re really reading for – the winner. You guys seriously blew me away with some of these entries. One had me spitting cereal all over my mac… in public. Another one drew the “awwwww!” reaction. It was better than I ever hoped for – thank you ALL so much for entering! And hopefully if you were a new visitor to D.TR, you’ll stick around even if you didn’t win! So, I want to give a biggg ol’ congratulations to:

JAIME! My possibly [ETA: not any more!] only male reader, my swim/bike/run, my why-didn’t-we-meet-when-I-was-living-in-Boston, spandex-wearing, speedyspeedster BUDDY!!! Winning for following on twitter, but his entry was pretty epic too if I do say so myself. Jaime.. I’m sharing!

No Shakespeare, but hopefully you’ll enjoy it either way.

* Years ago, I would have never even dare
With all of this tight clothing that I choose to wear
* Demanding confidence in my sexuality,
Nothing to hide behind, a daily dose of reality.
* Bike shorts, speedos and tri tops, I own more than any man should.
Shorts over my running tights? You know I never would.
* Funny looks from strangers, smoking out on the street
Running by in tights, they try to catch a peek
* Always the perfect fit on the swim, bike or the run.
Love those thick tan lines, after long rides out in the sun
* Holding close in all the right places, even up my butt crack.
You keep my goodies in just the right place.
* Since no one deserves my junk all up in their face.

I’m not sure what you meant to rhyme butt crack with.. or if that was just thrown in there for kicks. But you definitely deserve to win with a poem like that. I hope you enjoy everything included in this mystery box!! I can’t post a photo YET of what it all includes, because there are some last minute additions I wanted to make depending on the personality of the winner. And so I will. And so I will mail. And so you shall receive. Amen.

I hope ALL of you are having a crazy amazing summery-Sunday wherever you may be. I have about 30,000 posts that I am intending on getting up, including a reader question that I have received many many times, but this lady asked it so nicely and considerately that I have to make a post out of it. I’m very much appreciating this God-given streak of how-could-it-be-better?? days.. and knocking on wood that they continue this streak! My battery is about to quit on me. Yet again, I’m at the lake, on the adirondacks, watching the sun set. 10,0oo extra cool points for my restaurant having wi-fi. Catch you soon!

-E

Stay tuned!

A Seuss Snackin Poem, by Dr.TriRunner

Would you like some fruit snacks ma’am?
They turn my tum. No thank you Sam!

They turn your tum? No! Try again!
These Welch’s fruit snacks – for the win!

Fine. If you let me be.
I will try it, you will see.

Egh…
UghH!!
What is in these chewy bits?
Get me a napkin – I need to spit!

I do not like these fruit snacks Sam.
Not from a baggie, not from a can.
Not bought from Costco or Whole Foods,
Not concocted in the basement of some cool dudes!
These fruit snacks are BAD – a dirty trick!
You better watch out, I’m going to be sick.

My mouth feels like it’s coated in FUR!
That’s what happens with too much sugar.
I brush my teeth, but the taste remains
It’s like fruit snack poison running through my veins.

A “runners snack” you say?
Carby energy all day?
These mini-fruits lie.
I want to burn my supply!

There will be no more snacking fruits consumed by this chick.
I see you sneak them in my sweat bag. Don’t think you’re slick…

I SO do not like these fruit snacks Sam.
Vegetarian for 12 years, but I’d rather eat ham…

the guilty party >=/

No joke… these fruity snacks ruined my life week? day? Ok… maybe it was only a few hours. But no-artificial-preservatives and fat-free or not, I will not be delighting in these snacks of fruit again. (Hahah I keep hearing my grandpa’s voice when someone brought mango to christmas and poisoned my very-allergic-cousin: “who brought that shit?!?!”)

So…. the giveaway then?

The real reason you’re still reading this? YOU, my dear Dr.TriREADERS if lucky enough to draw the [random.org-generated] golden ticket will find this upon your doorstep:

A lifetime supply of grape soda, and my neighbor’s cat. Congratulations! Welch’s fruit snacks… Welch’s grape soda… Sam I Am.. Dr. Seuss… Cat in the Hat… Cat. See the connection?

Hahaha! I kid my friends. I kid. Not only do I not drink soda (although if someone MADE a diet grape soda I would totally change that… and my life would be complete), but I am super allergic to cats. AND they have nothing to do with training, running, tri, me, you, or anything Dr. TriRunner related. As far as I know….

No no no. The real prize can be represented by the following:

Only it won’t be MEEE in the box, but everything many many things I LOVE!! The contents of said box are 100% a surprise, but I can assure you that every single thing in there, I bought TWO of so I get to keep one for myself. These are things I love for training, for fun, for life!! I’ll drop hints throughout the next week or so as to what they might be.. and will definitely post a picture of the goodies once the winner is drawn, but you better ENTER if you want to get them yourself!

So… how do I enter Mrs. MakeThisSoDamnDifficult…?

I am glad you asked. Based on my poem above… my Martha Stewart obsession… my random creations in the kitchen… etc… you might infer that I like to get creative every now and then. It’s one of the biggest hang ups I have with going to med school,  because what I am I going to do with all that creativity then? Wasted? We’ll see…

Back on track… Ways to enter:

1. MANDATORY: YOU need to come up with a little poem about one of your favorite/least-favorite/utter-fail training items. It could be your Garmin. Gu. Your shoes. Your boyfriend who complains at 3 miles. The iPod. The tech shirts. The cotton shirts. Whatever. It definitely doesn’t need to be as long as mine – a few lines would suffice. The point is, have FUN with it and get creative!!

2. EXTRA ENTRY #1: Link this contest on your blog saying “Dr.TriRunner has a Mystery Box Giveaway going on. Don’t go enter, because I want to win… but at least check it out.” Haha or whatever you want to say. Creativityyyy my friends.

3. EXTRA ENTRY #2: Follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway! If your river of creativity has run dry, you can simply say: “Check out Dr.TriRunner’s Mystery Box Giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/y87e5bp ”

You need to leave a separate comment for each entry since that’s really the only way to keep track of how many entries there are and pick a number through random.org. Sorry… I know it’s a pain. And also sorry, but this college-budget-chick is not made of cash so shipping is limited to within the continental U.S. Does that include Hawaii? I guess so. You send me a coconut and I’ll send you a mystery box full of goodies. Also, make sure you’re entering your legit email in the email field… because if you win and I can’t get ahold of you, which has happened before, you’re S.O.L. and I’m keeping/eating/enjoying everything in that box myself! Bahaha.

This giveaway closes at… oh wait. That’s also a mystery! Hahah but it may or may not be very soon, so I would recommend you not dilly dally too much. Because you do want to win this… that I’m sure.

I just posted my facebook status as this:

“17 miles — condo showing — coffee with mentor — martha stewart easter creations — easter vigil mass. best. saturday. ever!!”

So I must leave you now and go get to it! And YOU must leave now and write a poem so you can enter this giveaway. Deal? Deal. Out.

-E

[EATA (edited again to add): Any companies out there wishing to participate in this epic giveaway?! OF COURSE YOU CAN! But remember, you gotta send two, because I need to make sure it is wonderful/not poisonous/DTR approved. Haha, kidding. Sort of. Shoot me an email at drtrirunner@gmail.com and we will get it going asap!]

2:10GU

(2010 Goal Update for those not up to date with Dr.TR terminology)

It’s been a while since I’ve checked in on the three goals I made for 2010. Here’s a quick rundown on how things have been going:

1. SLEEP – Well, I can honestly say I’m most often getting my eight hours. I can also honestly say that I am taking sleeping meds almost every night, and when I don’t take them, I’m not falling asleep until like 2-4 in the morning. It’s not that I’m “not tired”.. I get eyes-closing-on-me-while-sitting-up tired… I just can’t fall asleep. I need to schedule to get in and talk to my doctor about it for sure. Hahah but I will say that with the sleep aids (which I am totally not endorsing) I’m getting a sound solid night and feeling rested in the am. So… yep. Still workin’ on it.
2. SWIMMING+CYCLING - Again, I’m still doing better on the cycling than the swimming, but I can say that I’m at least swimming once a week, usually twice. Having the underwater mp3 player is still a huge help, but that doesn’t make the pool not cold. Can I swim in my wetsuit in the University pool? All I gotta say is I better be a better dang cyclist after this winter!
3. LESS BLACK-&-WHITE ATTITUDE - Haha, I feel like my opinion on that will be biased, and definitely leaning in my favor, so you’d have to ask someone else. It is a really hard thing to “measure”, but that’s the point right – I’m not supposed to need to have all these objective measures in my life. I’m actively making an effort though, and that’s what counts!

I feel like all I ever say is “I have some fun stuff coming up on the blog. Stay tuned for _____!” but I really mean it! Here are my two lame excuses:

• Some things though have a “missing component” that I’m waiting on…
• School!

I also just took over as the “webmaster” for all our tri team bidness, and the site that our TEAM PAGE is hosted on is definitely not as user friendly as what I currently use for Dr. Tri Runner. Nor is it very compatible with McMac! I am working hard to get it all squared away, but I might be moving our site over to BlueHost, which is what I use here. ANYWAYS, long story short – with Nationals only seventy days away its important that I get on that so everyone has access to the important info going around!

And lastly to wrap up my quick hello, there’s something loooong overdue that I need to take care of. My Progresso contest winner!! Given the overwhelming response to the contest, I must say this winner is quite the lucky duck, because each you only had a 16.7% chance of winning. (No sarcasm allowed here at Dr.TR.) Without further ado, the is…

Melissa @ A Fit & Spicy Life

Not only is this chicky one of my favorite bloggers of all time, she is also a fellow MiniAppleite, and all around awesome! She is my inside source on all the cool restaurants that I’ve never been to in the Twin Cities! Shoot me your contact info to drtrirunner@gmail.com so I can pass it off to the fantastic folks at BlogSpark/Progresso and you can get to slurpin’ and soup’n asap!

Questions: How are your 2010 goals going? Do you have any races/events on the calendar that you’re counting down to?

Time to get back to work! Hope you all have a lovely weekend! Train hard, train smart, and cheer for the Colts in tomorrow’s game!
-E